Will You Keep The Secret

"How... " he whispered staring at ball of water in both fascination and confusion.

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She reached behind her to gently clasp Akela's fingers, tugging him to stand beside her. "He, is Akela."

Evan turned around from where she had still been finishing up washing dishes, drying her hands on a small towel. "Akela," she looked from Ripley to the boy, back again and then to Apollo. "Are you saying he is Aleka. This young man?"

"I'm a witch," Ariel whispered, "It exists, all of it exists."

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"Yeah.... hi," Akela chuckled nervously.

Apollo wrinkled his nose, narrowing his eyes at Akela and Ripley. "This joke isn't funny, Ripley."

"How do I... control this?"

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Ripley didn't let go of his hand but she shifted uncomfortably beside him. "I'm not joking. Do I look like I'm joking?"

Evan frowned a little, watching Akela and Ripley. "Mm" she hummed unsurely, moving to stand beside Apollo.

"Move your hand around it, it'll react." Ariel hummed, well, she would be the one making it move but she just wanted him to see that her kind of magic wasn't dangerous.

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"Well, if it is true he can prove it can't he?"

Akela sighed deeply, letting go of Ripley's hand before taking a couple of steps back and shifting.

He eyed the ball of water for a moment before moving his hand out from underneath it.

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She nodded. "Of course he can," she whispered, stepping to the side when he had let go of her hand. "See?" Kneeling down beside Akela she gentle rubbed his ears, loosely tangling her fingers in the fur at the base of his neck.

"And how long have you known about this for?" Apollo asked with an eyebrow raised, obvious unsure how he was supposed to feel about it.

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Ariel watched him closely, the ball of water moving quickly to follow his hand.

"Not very long. It's as much a shock to the both of us as it is to you two. He didn't even know that he could do it himself," she answered truthfully, deciding to just sit down on the floor where she was.

Evan exhaled slowly, her gaze still fixed on the two kids.

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Liam's eyes widened in surprise not actually expecting it to move.

"Right well.. he needs to find his own place now then, doesn't he?" Apollo concluded after a few minutes. "He can't be sleeping in your room anymore, and we have no spare rooms."

Akela growled slightly at that.

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Ariel laughed a little bit. "Cool, huh?"

"I uh...yeah?" he wasn't sure what to make of this.

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Ripley frowned deeply, shaking her head. "Nah-uh. That's not going to work, dad. I can't not be where he is." Hearing that growl she lapped her leg so he would hopefully lay down near her.

Ariel lifted her finger up, making the water ball rise up and forms into thousands of tiny droplets. Making them return to the grass and air around them where she had gotten them from.

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"You'll have to look learn, Lee." Apollo answered. "I'm sorry, this is non-negotiable."

He watched in silence.

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She shook her head again. "I can't. I won't."

"No telling anyone, okay?" She whispered. "None of your fans, not the press, not even your cook. Its important it stays a secret."

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"Non-negotiable."

"If he goes... then do I," she whispered.

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"No one would even believe me if I did."

"A couple will, and that would be enough to destroy our lives. You have to promise."

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"I am trying to keep you safe, Ripley."

"How? How is sending him away keeping me safe? He's the reason I'm even alive right now. He saved my life," she gently wrapped her arms around Akela's neck, leaning her cheek against his head.

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"Fine. Yeah. Promise."

"He could take advantage of you now, I can call your mother if you like - I'm sure she'll agree with me though." Apollo answered, crossing his arms.

Akela watched cautiously.

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"Thanks," Ariel smiled then

"You're being ridiculous. He would do no such thing." She whispered.

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He nodded.

"This isn't negotiable, okay? He has to leave by six tonight." Apollo replied firmly.

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"So... any questions?"

"Fine. Then I'm going too." she muttered, rising to her feet and turning to head back to her room.

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"Too many to focus on any one thing."

Akela huffed, getting to his paws and following her up the stairs.

Apollo sighed.

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"Well, ask away."

"I don't even know... this is.. weird?"

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Ripley muttered angrily under her breath, shutting the door behind them once they entered her room.

Akela shifted human then, humming quietly, "It's okay, you stay. Don't fall out with your family over me."

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Apollo glanced to the side at Evan then, expecting her to say something.

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"Thats still not a question I can answer," She chuckled, "Come on, walk with me - it might help you think." she hummed before turning and walking the opposite way - deeper into the forest.

Ripley flopped down onto her bed. "Wait?! No. That isn't how this works."

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"I agree with you," she wasn't sure what more to say.

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He shrugged a shoulder, following behind her.

"I can't let you be out on the streets because of me," Akela answered with a frown.

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"Thanks," Apollo whispered, sighing in relief.

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Ariel shoved her hands into her pockets and walked in silence then.

"And I can't allow you to be all alone because we told them."

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She slid her arms around him.

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He followed her.