Dinner with the Family: The Truth Behind a Phoenix's or Powell's 'Inheritance'

The four of them had some how made it back to Daphne's room, where Daphne had sat on her bed, seeming to be in a daze.

"Daphne?" Terrence shook her worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Daphne said weakly. "I just need a moment."

"Do you want me to open the book now?" Loki said softly. "Or do you think it's too much for you to know?"

"Please, don't open it until after dinner. I won't be able to face my family if I read it now," Daphne laughed bitterly. "I've always known they were capable of destroying people's lives, I knew they did. But to think my family name is part of a group that killed people, I just can't- do you think Nishan or Saltavore know yet?"

"Probably not," Seraphine mused. "Their parents did say that they weren't of age yet."

"A Powell or Phoenix inherits the family name and fortune when they turn 18, and they're training to take over starts when they're 16," Daphne said. "Now I wonder if they trained to inherit more than just the power and fame."

"Let's not think about that for now," Loki said.

"No. I want to talk about it. Do you really think that Saltavore had something to do with Ava's death, Loki?"

Loki thought for a moment. "I don't know anymore. I suspected him because of his Ability and his family name. But his mother has the same Ability, and since his parents said Nishan and Saltavore 'wasn't of age yet', maybe it was his mother."

Daphne buried her head into the bed as her friends stared helplessly, not sure how to comfort the girl.

After awhile, Daphne told them, "You guys should go take bath."

Loki nodded. "How about we take turns showering? One of us bathe while the other two watch over Daphne, since we need to guard her at all times."

When they had all cleaned up, a butler knocked at the door. "Dinner will begin in an hour. Mistress said that she would like you to dress up in red, Miss Daphne, as well as put on some makeup."

As the butler left, Daphne groaned again. "Great. Now I have to dress up again."

"Then let's help!" Seraphine clapped her hands. "I can help you pick out an outfit and Loki can do your hair while Terrence guard the doors for whatever threat there might be."

Daphne shrugged and led Seraphine to her closet doors. "You have a walk-in closet?!"

Once Seraphine had picked out a gorgeous fiery red silk dress, Loki took over, brushing her hair and pinning aside some of it with a beautiful phoenix hair pin.

"You're really good with hair, Lo," Daphne commented.

"Thanks. I think so too."

Just then, Daphne's door slammed opened as Nishan strolled in, barging past Terrence. "Come on, cuz, it's time for dinner~"

"I'm aware, Nishan," Daphne finished touching of her lipstick. "We'll be right down."

Nishan scowled at her. "Don't ignore me when I talk, Daphne."

"Oh shut it," Daphne stalked past him. "Come on, guys." Her bodyguards quickly followed her, glaring at Nishan.

Dinner was, again, a tense affair. Nishan and Saltavore was leering at Terrence and Seraphine for something, and Daphne not-so-subtly kicked them under the table. The adults, once again, ignored them and talked about their own political things.

When dinner had ended, Mr. Powell announced, "Arnold and Regina had been kind enough for us to let us stay here for the 2 weeks of summer break. We'll be helping them brief Nishan and Saltavore on their inheritance, since Daphne is not ready."

The brothers shared a smirk while Daphne gritted her fist.

'Loki? I honestly feel worried. I hat Nishan and Saltavore, but I don't think their killers. I'm honestly afraid what's going to happen.'

'We should head back to your room as soon as possible and read that notebook. We might be able to find out something. Maybe we can find something to save you guys.'

The four of them hurried back to Daphne's room the moment everyone was excused. "Can you open the book please, Loki?" Terrence pulled out the book. "The sooner we read the damn thing, the better."

'Take out Flip Venom leaves from Inventory.'

[Flip Venom Leaves taken out of Inventory]

[27 spaces remaining]

Loki put on (was forced the wear) gloves and he crushed the leaves, letting it's poisonous sap drip onto the book, watching the acid eat it's way through the dark magic-infused cover.

Finally, the poison had burned away the entire cover, and Daphne quickly picked up the notebook.

'This is a book of information on The Snakes. First of all, The Snake has been founded by Lolita Anderson, Landon Powell and Avery Phoenix. Landon Powell would take care of finding information on the target, Lolita Anderson would take care of the killing and Avery Phoenix would take care of the cleanup, leaving no traces behind. Of course, over time, they started to recruit more people to join 'The Snake'. They would brand those who joined with the symbol of a coiled cobra with it's jaws wide open, as if as poised to strike. The Andersons had always been the moth ruthless, as their children was trained from childhood. The child of a Powell or Phoenix will be raised as a normal child, than they're training will start when they turn 16. They would officially take over the family name fortune, and business when they turn 18. The Anderson's aren't exactly counted as Originals, because they were bred from dark magic. The Phoenix and the Powell families are cousin because Landon Powell and Avery Phoenix shared the same mother, but different fathers. This inheritance has gone on for generations, and The Snakes has grown, their influence reaching even to the government and some prestigious schools, even the military school. The Snakes...'