Black Truths & White Lies

{6 Years Ago}

"Fuck it all, that damned weather lady with too much makeup said the day was going to be sunny as the rainbow, but it's raining blizzards," I muttered as I trudged into the house. The weather woman, with her perfectly painted smile and sunshine predictions, could kiss my soggy sneakers.

"Well, well, well, looks like someone didn't listen to their wise old aunt. Natalia, you look like a dripping wet mess. Honestly, I'd prefer the opposite." Aunt Kang Sun Hee said from the living room with pure amusement as she crossed her long legs and sipped her hot tea.

Aunt Kang Sun Hee, my mother's gorgeous Korean best friend, who was anything but old and mostly resided with us, possessed an uncanny ability to predict the weather, among other things.

She had warned me not to leave the house today or to take an umbrella at least because there would be a downpour by mid-afternoon, but choosing the pride of a rebel, I didn't listen. And now here I am soaked to the bone, thoroughly defeated, dripping with my wet pride after running through the rain. The Mexican weather in May was a damned affair.

"Have you heard from Mom and Dad? They were supposed to return yesterday," I asked her in a nonchalant voice, ignoring her playful jab.

Sun Hee raised an eyebrow, her sharp, amber cat-like eyes filled with knowing. "Worried about your parents all of a sudden, are we?" She questioned, her voice laced with playful mockery.

I gritted my teeth. Sun Hee knew my act better than I did. But the truth was, the silence from my parent's end since they traveled gnawed at me, and the sudden news of an existing relative from my mother's side had left me with more questions than answers.

"Actually," I forced a nonchalant shrug, "I was just wondering if they called or if you heard anything?"

Sun Hee's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of anxiety crossing her face before it morphed back into its usual playful facade. "Oh, buttercup," she said, her voice softening. "You know I don't meddle in your parents' business. But speaking of meddling, how was your date with..." she trailed off with a smirk.

I shot her a glare, but before I could retort, we heard the clank of heels, and we both turned to see my darling brat of a sister, Noelle Aurora Beltran, walk down the stairs, dramatically swaying her still-growing hips. She was wearing a tight leather skirt that was shorter than life and a red crop top that was mine, and I had been looking for it for months.

I gaped at her, bewildered. What the fuck is she wearing? And is she wearing makeup? My makeup? Oh hell no!

"Language Natalia, cross your heart," Sun Hee sharply turned to me and said in a scolding tone.

"But I didn't say anything out loud."

"Buttercup, your face did, and that counts as a foul, so cross your heart now."

I made a sign of the cross on my heart as Noelle, finally down the stairs, with a devilish smile etched on her thirteen-year-old pretty face, declared as she twirled around, "Don't I look ravishingggg!"

Sun Hee and I rolled our eyes at the same time.

"What do you guys think of my makeup? I did it myself." She said, blushing coyly as she tugged her hair behind her ears.

"It's very beautiful, Pumpkin." "Yeah, I could tell you did it yourself... when are you going to clean it?" Sun Hee and I said it at the same time.

Sun Hee gave me a scalding look at my sarcastic comment, and I rolled my eyes.

"I mean, look at her! She looks like Chucky..." I said, cringing dramatically. I knew the statement would bring her down from her high horse. She hates Chucky.

"And whose makeup do you have on?" I yelled at her.

"You are the one who looks like Chucky," she yelled at me, stomping her feet.

"And as a matter of fact, this is my makeup. I wouldn't dream of touching those products you call makeup. I use only the best brands. Have you ever heard of L'Oréal?" She said it with a haughty attitude, flipping her chestnut brown hair with natural golden highlights over her shoulders. She also pronounced L'Oréal with the worst French accent.

She finally took in my drowned-rat appearance and her eyes widened. She said to me with a very mocking smirk, "Did you swim home, sis? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but if I look like Chucky, then you look like the bride I rejected." Sun Hee snickered and coughed to hide her laugh when she caught my glare.

"Buttercup, as I was saying... how was your picnic date with Manuel today? Catch any rainbows?" She asked in a polite, patronizing tone.

I rolled my eyes and replied in the same tone, "Very funny, guys. I did not realize today was World Comedy Day. If my appearance is not a dead giveaway already, then the answer you are looking for is that it was..."

The shrill ring of my phone disrupted my next response. It was my mom. With the speed of light, I answered the call in one breath and said, "Hello, Mamma?"

"Mija!" My mother's voice trembled through the phone. Her words were hurried and desperate: "I should have listened to you; I am so sorry."

My heart raced, and a knot tightened in my stomach. "Mamma, what's happening? Where are you?"

"We're in our car. The brakes... they're not working." Her words were shaken and trembling, just like my heart was at this moment as I stared at my sister, who was hearing the trepidation in my voice.

Sun Hee came closer to look me directly in the eyes to try to find the words I could not say or understand, and then my mother's voice broke the silent scream that only I could hear in my head.

The urgency in her voice sent chills down my spine. Before I could ask any questions, she said, "A truck is coming full speed at us, and we... can't stop the car. Listen to me very carefully, Mija, I need you to... to chant something with me..., please say it five times now, 'Ego sum Energia et Lux'".

My mother's voice was barely audible over the screech of tires, and I could hear the anguish in her words.

With tears streaming down my face as I stared directly at the panicked look on Noelle's face, which was my only anchor to this agonizing reality, I said to my mom shakily, "What does that mean? If the brakes are not working..., then stop the bloody car. Don't scare me like this. Pleasee, Papa, stop the damn car, Noelle's here, pleaseeee."

"Just say the chant, Natalia, listen to me just this once... please I am begging you 'Ego sum Energia et Lux' say it five times right now," my mother screamed at me, and the fear and energy I felt from her at that moment forced the words right out of my mouth as I began to chant the Latin words.

As I began the chant, Noelle, standing beside me, mimicked my actions without prompting, her eyes wide with confusion. As the chant reached its climax, everything went white. My body felt like it was on fire, with a burning sensation squeezing my breath.

A cold dread washed over me as I saw a faint glow come from my eyes and Noelle's. Noelle's eye color changed from cerulean green to grey eyes, and the look on her and Sun Hee's faces showed that the same thing had happened to my eyes as well.

"We love you both, Talia, and my darling Noelle, with everything, heart and soul," was the last thing I heard, and they both said to me before everything went silent. Even the screams and wails were silent. Everything was silent. Except for the pain, only my soul could translate.

My vision blurred as I slumped to the floor, gasping for air, and the taste of blood was on my tongue. Noelle lay beside me, her now grey eyes wide with confusion and pain, mirroring my own. My phone lay discarded on the floor, and the last call from my parents ended.

Sun Hee knelt beside us, a mask of grave worry replacing her usual light-hearted manner. I saw the reflection of the same terror that was choking me in her eyes. As I stared at my sister, who was shaking with pain as well, I knew we both would prefer never to know the truth.

A familiar voice echoed in my dreams, filled with a warmth I hadn't felt in years. "Ego sum Energia et Lux, Natalia," it whispered, the Latin words rolling effortlessly off her tongue. "You are the energy and the light."

With a startled gasp, I woke up, looking around me to bring myself to the present. My subconscious will always remember what I desperately needed to forget, even after 6 years. It was the same dream, the same words, most mornings since the accident. Mom's last words were a constant reminder of the life I'd lost and the magic and secrets she'd left behind.

With my eyes finally jolted open from the restless sleep I tried to endure, I took in the morning sun filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxurious California condo. God, there is something beautiful about the Californian sun; it's blinding and shining. And I hate it. With a zap of my fingers, I closed the curtains.

Sliding out of bed, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, the scent of freshly brewed coffee already wafting from the kitchen. Noelle, my headstrong younger sister, who had to grow up too fast, was probably already concocting some caffeine-fueled plan for the day.

We were in Los Angeles, California, the city of stars, along with Janelle; Noelle's best friend.

We were a million miles away from our familiar life in Mexico, all thanks to the reappearance of Kang Sun Hee, our secretive guardian, and friendly Korean Gumiho, a nine-tailed fox from the stories of urban Asian legends.

Honestly, I couldn't even laugh when I saw nine red tails pop out of her ass when she finally revealed her truth. Who am I to, I am a witch after all, with the ability to siphon energies amongst other devious things, which are all compliments from my mom, Cecilia Beltran.

It has been six years since our parents died, and with their bodies never being found, we can add vanished to the list. It has been six years since Sun Hee, or Sunny, as she prefers to be called, Mom's best friend, became our mentor in all things witchcraft. Then, two years ago, she vanished too, leaving only a cryptic note and a gaping hole in our lives.

Now, she was back, with more secrets than answers and with a lover who was wealthier and older, but then, age is just a social construct; after all, she is 250 years old. Jokes on the sleazy bastard whose money is going to be ripped.

She had shown up at our doorstep three weeks ago, looking as beautiful and deceptive as ever, like she had never left, and invited us to this masquerade ball in Los Angeles, California, organized by her lover, and the ball would be happening at his art gallery.

I had asked questions she still hasn't provided answers to, but she promises to do so from henceforth. Her words: "No more secrets, Buttercup; I left for a reason, and I am back for good." Good or bad, that much is yet to be determined, but I know for a fact that Lover Boy is just the money bag-a very heavy money bag-but for what?

Hunger gnawed at me as I walked into the kitchen. Noelle, ever the optimist, was humming along to a K-pop song as she poured coffee. Janelle sat across from her, her eyes glued to her phone.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Noelle greeted, her voice laced with her usual playful sarcasm.

I managed a smile. "Morning."

"Excited for the party tonight?" Janelle said, sounding as unenthusiastic as a sloth without looking up from her phone. Her mood perfectly matched mine, but I knew it was because I had not permitted them to come along to the ball, even though Sun Hee had insisted.

With only me on the playing field, I can control the strikes and level the field, but with these two firecrackers, it would be a hellish disaster.

"You don't have to voice your displeasure, Peaches. I can smell it a mile away. You are supposed to be on my side; you are the smart one," I said to her as I walked into the kitchen, taking a seat beside her to gingerly sip the hot coffee Noelle had prepared for me.

Janelle finally looked up from her phone, her gaze cutting through me. "Why are we here if we are not going to attend the damned party? We know you don't trust Sun Hee, and that's the more reason why we all need to stick together."

"Your logic of always taking the bull by the horns is not always the smartest. It's just the easiest you can think of at the moment." She reached for my coffee, her earlier nonchalance replaced by a hint of annoyance.

Okay, rude, but that's to be expected from semi-adults. "Of course Peaches, I hear you, but if you come to the ball tonight, who is going to protect you? I am a witch; Noelle is too, but you are not. So can you protect yourself if we all go?

"Plus, you are always emotionally vulnerable before the full moon, and it's in 3 days." My voice trailed off as I paused to look at her and then at Noelle, wanting the information, and the worry I was trying to hide sink into both of them.

Janelle always goes through severe pain every full moon night, and her mesmerizing aquamarine eyes and reddish-blonde hair change every night to dark violet and dark red, respectively, because of whatever secret her reclusive nomadic mother has refused to completely share with her.

Noelle and I made a charmed bracelet for her that concealed the change at night 3 years ago after we became comfortable with the use of our power and she has never taken it off after we made it. The problem here is that we have not been able to remedy the pain she goes through every full moon, the incredulous explanation her mother told her concerning this issue doesn't give us much to work with.

Now Janelle Arianna DeLuca is beautiful, in that otherworldly mysterious kind of way, with fair skin that doesn't tan even in the sun, slender like a delicate flower, a figure a man would want to nurture and have in his arms, and my sister, a delightful mix of hippy, tomboy, and feminity, is her number one protector against the ever-eager male attention she always attracts. The most attractive fact about Janelle is that she doesn't know it; she is genuinely oblivious to her beauty.

Janelle is not a witch, but she is definitely something, and her absentee mother has constantly refused to let the cat out of the bag. Somehow I feel Sun Hee knows, but asking her is like asking a tortoise to run faster. Janelle always becomes a shell of herself before the full moon, which is why asking her on this trip with us was a no-brainer; she knows all of our family secrets and is a second younger sister to me. I couldn't leave her behind, especially since her mom has been AWOL for 3 months now, which is not unusual.

"Let's not pretend like we don't know this party may be swimming with supernatural creatures. Hendrix is human, but the fact that Sun Hee is with him means he must be a key player in the field. And honest to God, what do we even know about supernatural creatures? We don't know well enough to risk anything?

"The only anchor we have to that part of ourselves is not forthcoming with the whole truth," I said to the two of them as I grabbed my cup of coffee back from Janelle, who turned to Noelle for support.

"I hear you, Talia. We understand you," Noelle said, her voice softening. "But Sun Hee said she'd tell us everything bit by bit. And honestly, I prefer that to the whole truth offloaded on us, like when mom died and we were suddenly given powers we never knew we had." She paused, lifting her cup in the air without raising a finger to prove her point, and her cerulean eyes turned gray because of her use of her powers.

"I am going to believe Sun Hee. She is the only one who has told us the truth, and if she says now is not the time, then I will go with that. She was there for us when our parents died, leaving us with nothing, and she taught us how to use our powers.

"Yes, she left without saying anything, but she is back now, and she said she would tell us why tonight. Maybe tonight will finally bring some closure." Noelle said as she took her levitating cup to the sink to wash and remove the waffles she was making from the waffle iron.

Maybe I was a little hard on Sun Hee, or maybe Noelle and Janelle were a little too trusting of her, because I cannot forget the gruesome methods she used in teaching us to use our powers. However, even I can acknowledge that her options were limited since she had two siphoners, a class of witches with the ability to siphon magic and manipulate all forms of energy.

Taking a deep breath, I paused to collect the waffles Noelle had brought out for me. "I don't trust her, and I do not want to hide how I feel about it because someone has to keep her on her toes. With Mom and Dad's death and the many things they could have said but chose to keep from us, I don't expect Sun Hee to do the exact same thing."

"But I am here, aren't I? We are all here. This means I want to give this a chance, I want to know the truth, and I love Sun Hee... I love her in the way you love an aunt you wish dead, but you do not want to cry from the pain of losing her," I said as I bit my waffles with a sarcastic smirk. They both shook their heads and rolled their eyes. Noelle tried to hide her smirk by sipping her coffee.

"I just want you both safe. Anything can happen tonight, and I will not be at ease with the three of us at a party where they are supernatural beings with Sunny as our guardian angel. She is a fox, not an angel." I stood up to get more waffles and ruffled Janelle's hair on my way.

"Pumpkin, these waffles are so good, you always know how to take care of my tummy," I said to my sister, smiling, and she smiled back, flipping her hair dramatically.

The doorbell's shrill ring sliced through the momentary ease and laughter we had as I was chugging down more waffles.

'It must be Sun Hee'. The collective knowledge passed between the three of us in thought as we stared at the door. Waving my hand dismissively, I willed the door open, and moments later, Sun Hee sashayed in, her long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, every bit the picture of an ethereal beauty even in a simple white sundress, her smile as radiant and mischievous as the Californian sun streaming through the window.

Kang Sun Hee is stunning-the kind of beautiful that makes you wonder and keeps you staring. She is every bit the Asian goddess, with her heart-shaped face, pointed small nose, long dark blue hair, amber cat-like eyes, and forever 30's physique. Sunny could walk into any room and command everyone's attention.

When I was younger, I always wondered what an Asian beauty like her was doing in good old Mexico City being best friends with my mostly housewife mom instead of on the covers of Vogue and Elle Magazines, but alas, she was a fox biding her time and my mom was more than a housewife.

And to this day, we still don't know the full truth about our parents, especially our mom, from whom we got these powers. Sun Hee has not told us everything; she has only managed to scratch the surface of the truth, leaving our curiosities begging for more.

"Good morning, angels," she greeted, her voice smooth as honey. "You all look like you woke up like this." In an attempt to hide our snort and laugh, Janelle and I took a huge gulp of coffee. When Sunny says, 'You woke up like this', it means you look terrible, not flawless.

Noelle, ran from her chair, purposely pushing me aside. "Sunny! You're finally here!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace.

Sun Hee returned the hug with a warmth that seemed to radiate through her. Her gaze then shifted to me.

"Natalia," she acknowledged, her voice softer than before. "You couldn't care enough to come check who was at the door."

"We knew it was you, and we are still having breakfast. Besides, this is your house you can let yourself in." I mumbled and went to the sink to drop my plate and cup.

She walked right into the kitchen, kissing Janelle on her forehead. Her movements were graceful and purposeful. "I see you haven't changed your mind about the ball, Buttercup."

"Nope," I said, my voice flat. "And I am not comfortable leaving the girls alone, since they won't be joining us," I said emphatically to let her know my decision still stands about the two of them not coming along.

Sun Hee's smile faltered for a brief moment, but she quickly recovered. "Understandably. However, I wouldn't dream of leaving them unsupervised. I've arranged for a trusted guard to watch over them while we're gone."

"Is he hot?" Noelle chirped, looking sideways like she didn't just blurt out a stupid question. Janelle threw her cup at her, but Sun Hee used her powers to intercept the hit, lifting the cup away from Noelle's face to the sink while staring at both of them with sharp, stern eyes. This is exactly why I can never take them to a ball.

"It's a female guard, Pumpkin, because I cannot trust you with a male guard," Sunny said to Noelle in an exasperated tone while Noelle giggled like a schoolgirl. "And I do not want to say this again, as I have not said it before; a guard is beneath you and will never be my choice for you." She made the last statement in a serious tone, looking at each of us.

Before I could respond, she continued, her voice taking on a cajoling tone. "I am not here for lectures, angels... otherwise, there are a dozen faults I can point at right now. But no." She said as she looked around the living room. Her sharp eyes took in every disorderly arrangement, and then they finally rested on our appearances, especially mine. Who knew foxes with nine tails had OCDS?

"I want you to look your best for the occasion, Buttercup. Your olive skin and curves have to be as inviting as the Mediterranean waves tonight. Plus, a little retail therapy and a makeover never hurt anyone." She said, clapping her hands delightfully as she spun me around like a doll with only the twirling movement of her fingers.

"Burn me to eternity". I said in Mexican, my voice grumpy as they all laughed at my expense.

"Language Talia, cross your heart," Janelle said mockingly and laughed as I did the sign of the cross to escape Sunny's side eyes and lecture on my foul language use. Noelle nudged me playfully. "It's not going to be as bad as you imagine." It will be worse than I imagined.

With a sigh, I finally relented. "Fine. But no sneaky schemes tonight. You have told me nothing more than the obvious about tonight and our plans moving ahead. And I sure as hell don't want to be an alluring Swarn in a room full of snakes tonight. I mean it, Sunny."

A slow smile spread across her face, mischievous and genuine at the same time. "But people usually say spontaneity is the spice of life, no?"

"Don't worry, Buttercup, you can put yourself in my care tonight or in the care of any charming gentleman the night may gift you with. Come on now! There is much to be done." She said, gliding past Janelle and Noelle, giving each of them a kiss on the forehead.

I waved at the two demons we were leaving behind, letting them know with my eyes what would happen if they did anything stupid.

The car ride was filled with light conversation and upbeat music. Sun Hee seemed determined to lift my spirits, peppering me with questions about what look I wanted for the night. Despite myself, I found myself warming up to her, her infectious energy chipping away at the wall of suspicion I'd built around myself.

We arrived at a high-end boutique on Rodeo Drive, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and leather. Sun Hee expertly guided me through the racks, pulling out dresses that accentuated my curves and complimented my olive skin tone.

Hours flew by in an exhausting ritual of trying on clothes, getting pampered by skilled stylists, and gossiping with Sun Hee. By the time we were done, I honestly felt like a million bucks.

The dress Sun Hee had chosen for me was a vision in crimson, clinging to my body like a second skin. It plunged low in the front, showcasing a generous amount of cleavage, and flowed into a long, elegant train. The neckline was adorned with sparkling diamonds, catching the light with every movement.

Sun Hee, in contrast, opted for a sleek black gown that hugged her figure in all the right places. The slit up the side of her leg was enticing enough to keep admirers guessing what was hidden at the end of the line. Her long, dark blue hair was pulled back in a sophisticated updo, revealing the sharp angles of her face.

"Ready to face the wolves, Buttercup?" Sun Hee whispered, her amber eyes gleaming with mischievous intensity.

A shiver ran down my spine because I knew those words were not just figurative but literal. With my chin raised and my poise graceful, just as she expected, I braced myself to walk right into the Wolves territory, AKA Masquerade Ball.