As the five teens now lounged in the Desoto's backyard, Nat and Rei found themselves paying close attention to Steph. How long had she been adopted for and why where they only hearing about her now?
"So Steph you're adopted," Rei asked, to which Steph nodded. "Yeah my um mom's adopted me when I was 14," she said. "They knew my parents and, well, since my folks didn't have any family they named Ann and Jackie as guardians in their will." The others nodded, much to Stephanie's relief. The cover story she had crafted was simple yet logical. It explained why two adult women would adopt a teenage girl who was almost 18 instead of an infant. Still, Steph could tell that Nat and Rei were both fishing for information. What did these two know?
"Cool," Nat said. "I'm curious though why they would want to move here. I mean you lived in New York. Your mom's work in New York right? Or are they switching jobs?"
"No Ann still works in New York," Steph stated. "But she got promoted. She's able to work from home more now and she wanted to be closer to her sister and nieces."
"Oh cool you have family in town," Miranda exclaimed happily. "Anyone we know?"
"Do you guys know the Turners or the Carlsons," Steph asked. While at first the group shook their heads no, Nat and Rei paused. The name Carlson sounded awfully familiar. "The Carlson's," Nat asked, rubbing her chin. "That sounds familiar? Do they have a little girl?"
"Yeah Morgan Carlson," Steph said. "Thats Ann's 4 year old niece." As Steph finished, she now noticed looks of realization cross everyone's face. "Um how do you guys know Morgan?"
"We've met her," Amara said softly. "As well as her mom. You know, the one with the magic sword."
"What magic sword," Steph asked, trying to feign innocence. Immediately she could tell though that her lie wasn't convincing anyone. The teens now glanced around nervously before lowering their voices. "Steph are you a wizard?"
"No," Steph replied. Seeing the others casting her a dubious look, Steph frowned. "I'm serious I don't have magic!"
"But you know about magic," Miranda stated. Steph sighed nodding as she now leaned in. "Yeah I know," she whispered. "But that's not something I'm just going to start broadcasting to everyone. So how do you guys know?'
"We've um met Morgan and her mom," Nat blushed. "Also, we happen to have magic too."
"All of you," Steph gasped, her eyes going wide in amazement.
"Well no not all of us," Rei said quickly. "Me and Nat kinda share a ring and Miranda does too but not Amara or Miles."
"So what are they?"
"Well ny brother is training to be a demon hunter," Miranda stated. "But Amara here is a demon."
"A demon?"
Miranda nodded, turning to her girlfriend with a warm smile. "Go on Mi Amor show her." Amara fidgeted slightly, not wanting to show off her demonic nature, especially to someone she had just met. "Listen Amara if it helps I've seen vampires and other demons before," Steph stated. "I promise I won't freak out okay." Amara sighed, quickly making sure no one else was watching as her face began to change.
Steph remained calm, her eyes widening in shock as the chubby teens face began to shift. Amaras eyes grew wider, like a cats, taking on an amber hue while her mouth stretched going from ear to ear. Steph noted the small needle like teeth now lining the demons mouth as a pair if small horns protruded from her forehead. "Okay wow," Steph said softly. "I don't think I've seen a demon like you before. What are you?"
"A mara," Amara stated, immediately perplexing Steph. A quick explanation of what a mara was seemed to answer Stephs questions. Still, she couldn't help asking one last obvious question. "So you're a mara, named Amara?"
"Why does everyone always ask that," Amara groaned. "I thought it was clever and I like the name."
"No, no, I like it," Steph said quickly. "It is clever and...it's unique. You don't see alot girls named Amara running around." Amara smiled, thanking Steph as Miranda gave her a peck on the cheek. "So Steph," Nat said. "Have your mom's tried to train you in magic?"
"Actually it's only Jackie that has magic," Steph stated. "Ann and I have....something a little different."
"Can you show us," Miles asked. Steph paused before nodding. Taking a quick look around, she now beckoned the teens back to her house.
As the group entered Stephs, they could see that although all of the belongings had been placed inside, they still needed to unpack everything. "Really not looking forward to unpacking all this stuff," she grumbled as she headed towards the living room. As the group entered they noticed a rather large crate towards the far wall. Quickly Steph now drew the curtains before grabbing a crowbar to pry the box open. "Okay listen," she said. "What I'm about to show you is secret. Only a handful of people even know this thing exists. If you guys trust me with your secret than I trust you with mine, Okay?" The teens nodded, watching as the ebony haired teen now pryed the crate open.
"Whoa!"
"Yeah," Steph smirked. "Thats what I said when I first saw it too." The teens now inched closer, gazing at the suit inside. For Nat and Rei it felt as if they were staring at a comic book come to life. A black and golden robotic suit, complete with retractable wings. "Holy crap you have a Gundam," Rei gasped.
"A what," Steph asked.
"A Gundam suit," Rei exclaimed. "A robotic battle suit! That's awesome! Does it work?"
"Yeah it works," Steph stated. "It was a prototype battle armor for the military. There's only three left in existence and me and Ann own two of them. Just try to keep it to yourselves okay? Alot of people would give their right arm to have it." The teens nodded, gazing in amazement at their new friends impressive property.