Chapter 3

  The Switch

  You ever have one of those moments where you made a huge mistake. One where you just opened your mouth to protest, only to realize that there was nothing to truly protest? Yeah, that was me.

  There I was pointing and making a huge spectacle about what I believed was happening around me.

  “… I will not marry that monster! I refuse!” I declared and pointed my finger at said monster to prove my point.

  Silence.

  Rather than anger, or tension that I would expect at such a proclamation. One that apparently involved two highly known Bloodline families, I was instead met with slack jawed silence. Not the silence that gave way to rage at ruining a perfectly good business deal and alliance between families, but one that spoke of utter confusion.

  The Arbiter was the first to recover, as he first smiled and seemed about to laugh, before he caught himself.

  Cough.

  “Uh-hm. Madame, I believe you might be confused as to the nature of why I am here to officiate this event.” Then after speaking he seemed to blush, “Ah, I see that wording might have also played into the confusion.”

  Taking a deep breath to compose himself, the Arbiter straightened his back and took a moment to collect himself, before continuing.

  “This is not a wedding arrangement, but rather a formal rearranging of familial assets,” the Arbiter began, trying to speak as delicately around the subject as possible.

  Suddenly I was confused, wondering why Madam Bloom, one of her daughters, and Johnny Bloom of all monsters was here. Especially with how delicately the Arbiter was seeming in choosing his wording, as if this was a particularly sensitive subject. But if not marriage, then what?

  Only after a second did the full ramifications hit me, particularly after the Arbiter continued.

  “With this type of arrangement, and large property distribution, it is customary to have a Fostering exchange for two years, at which point the fostered child could return home retaking their familial name. Or they could remain with their fostering family and be recognized as true heirs of the family.” The Arbiter continued.

  Hearing that explanation, I understood what was happening, it was the equivalent of a hostage exchange. I would be traded to the Blooms in exchange for John going to the DiVoratore family. But the only question is why?

  It only took a moment to stare at the pale face and malicious gaze of contempt that now filled John Bloom’s face to realize why the DiVoratores might be interested in such a monster. He was everything I wasn’t, ruthless, angry, and above all driven by power and death. Yes, even seeing his pale complexion compared to his Grandmother and Mother showed he was already well on his way towards a darker path.

  For a moment, I almost wondered why my own parents would want to give up on me, but then I realized that with my talents it was clear I was not going to take a Necromancy related class. Nor would all my affinities lend me to a particularly high Necromancy related class either. No, they knew what they were doing, buying low and selling high. The fact that my magical appraisal was higher than originally noted, and grandpa was not arguing the points proved that he thought he had swindled the Bloom family in some way.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Looking at the Matriarch of the Bloom family, I almost wanted to warn her, to let her know exactly what was about to happen, but then I looked at her and I felt a wave of warmth fill me. Then checking out her eyes, I could all but feel a Skill of some kind being used against me by the Matriarch.

  I should feel somewhat angered by this process, as proper decorum states that such acts are not polite in civilized society, but this is not the case here.

  I can almost feel the Bloom house matriarch giving me the ever slightest of nods, letting me know she is aware of the concerns I now have.

  “Now then,” the Arbiter continued drawing everyone’s attention to him. “If the family heads are still inclined to continue with this arrangement?”

  Both grandfather and Madame Bloom nodded in agreement, followed quickly by the two mothers, both my own Mother and the haggard mother who birth Johnny.

  “Now, I shall ask the children who are to be fostered under this agreement if they have any issues or concerns?” The Arbiter asked, turning first to Johnny, who just nodded and almost smirked with pride. Then all eyes fell upon me and I could all but feel the tension. Yet, I wasn’t done, not just yet as I realized I still had some bartering power as part of this deal.

  “I do have one condition before this continues,” I state, holding up my hand and staring at Madame Bloom, meeting her gaze.

  From the corner of my eye I can see grandfather practically blowing a gasket as his hands clench tightly with rage at his side. Dismissing the old man’s protests, I continue.

  “I will agree to this exchange under one condition…”

  ***

  (Two Hours Later)

  Sad, and somewhat comforting to think that the extent of my life and memories with the DiVoratores could be carried in one rather modest suitcase. Part of this was due to a recent growth spurt, making all of my clothes too tight, particularly in the chest area. While the other part is that I didn’t really have too many things of value with the DiVoratores. My various pairs of shoes were my only real concern, and that was mainly due to needing different types of shoes for different events, I needed running shoes to run, toe shoes to lift and exercise, dress shoes for musical performances, and class shoes for everyday wear. Those alone would have been an extra suitcase in and of themselves, but it wasn’t until Madame bloom saw their state and how I had mostly worn through all of them with my ever-growing feet that she just shook her head and said, “dispose of them.”

  I paused, and then set them to the side as if to let them be thrown away by the wait staff. But apparently this was to be a test.

  “No, you misunderstand me, I said for you to dispose of them,” Madame Bloom demanded with an air of authority.

  For a moment I paused, but then shrugged and did as she asked and got rid of my excess. By this point I had already retrieved back some of my Mana and didn’t mind a little showcase of my personal Skill.

  Swoosh.

  The shoes disappeared all at once, frayed toe holes and all. After they were completely disposed of and their afterimage faded, a slight look of shock filled the Madame’s face, until a smile broke out.

  “I knew you were perfect!” Madame Bloom stated excitedly and then reached forward to hug me.

  Warmth.

  Feeling her hug me was quite possibly the nicest feeling I ever experienced in this new life. She felt like warm morning rays, mixed with the scent of freshly bloomed flowers, and warm baked bread. It was a healthy smell and one that made me feel at ease almost instantly.

  Which only caused me to tense up, as I knew the world of politics in this world. People acted nicely to get you to drop your guard, just to dig the dagger in deeper between your ribs. That was why after a second I tensed up. Seeing my sudden tensing, Madame Bloom seemed to recognize that something was off immediately and backed away. Making sure to pat me gently on the back.

  With that, Madame Bloom had me use my Trash skill on everything that was mine that I would not be taking with me. Everything from my childhood clothing, to my bedding, to my hair follicles. Everything had to be removed. She even followed me to every room of the house, using some type of diviner magic to find my particles left behind. Finding hair strands that got torn off when I was seven and climbed through a vent. Bloodstains that had been washed and waxed over on the floor, everything and anything that could link myself to this house was removed by me. All while under the helpful guidance of Madame Bloom.

  Ms. Bloom, the mother followed us, but mostly kept quiet, lowering her head in heartache every time we locked gazes. It was clear that she was not happy with this arrangement, and it sort of made sense. The Madame, the leader of the Bloom household had effectively traded away her son for me. Regardless of how much of a troublemaker the son was, a mother would still hold some level of compassion for him, even if he was a monster.

  I could only feel sorry for the mother, my new surrogate mother who would be taking the place of my own monstrous mother. A mother who never looked at me the same after my affinities became known.

  Only now that we were finally free to leave did the masks begin to drop.

  As soon as Madame Bloom stepped up and into the carriage, I could all but see the moment her fa?ade cracked and was discarded as she sat down on the bench facing away from the driver. As her social mask broke free, so too did the mask of Ms. Bloom, Johnny’s mother. Seeing their immediate switch the moment they entered the carriage let me know that I was right to be weary of them. That their peaceful fa?ade was just too perfect. Just too warm and inviting. Now I only had one pair of shoes, my all-wear sneakers that were fortunately new and not broken, a few bras, a few panties, and two sets of my school uniform, both of which would need to have my blazer altered to showcase my new family. Going from a glowing purple skull to a golden tulip that seemed to just be opening its petals.

  Still the damage had been done, I was now officially a Bloom, the Arbiter had seen to it by granting my one request right there on the spot. Still, it had been worth it, as that was the last thing keeping me from being able to go out on my own.

  But before I could even think about what to do with my completed request from the Arbiter, Madame Bloom began.

  “Now that this is all settled, we can begin…”