by Mazhar, S
Neriah came to rest before Aaron with a smile. His violet eyes gleamed with delight as he held out a strong hand. “Neriah Afton,” he said, introducing himself. “I’ve been waiting to meet you, Aaron.”
Aaron slowly reached out and shook hands with the Elemental. He noted the dark tattoo on Neriah’s inner wrist: three wavy lines.
“I understand your annoyance with your parents,” Neriah continued, looking up at Chris. His gaze cooled considerably. “But I think these matters should be discussed indoors.” He held out a hand, gesturing to the cottages.
Aaron turned to look around at his dad, before his gaze went to his mum. “I don’t have anything to say to them.” He turned and walked away.
***
When Aaron awoke the next morning, he lay still for a moment, recalling last night’s events. The memory of his parents’ shock and surprise made his heart skip a beat. Stubbornly, he refused to feel sorry for them. He had only spoken his mind. He had taken their wishes as commands for so long and what did he get? A life full of secrets. His parents had hidden so much from him: his true identity, his real world, his bloodline that was a part of the Elemental history, and God knew what else.
Aaron let out a sigh and rolled over, only to see Sam and Rose awake.
“Morning,” Sam said in greeting.
“Morning,” Aaron mumbled and pulled himself to sit up.
“How’d you sleep?” Rose asked, tilting her head to study him.
“Fine,” Aaron replied, pushing the covers aside.
Aaron looked to the other side of his bed, where he had dumped his weapons. He cringed, thinking what Kyran would do to him for not safely storing his familiars. At the thought of Kyran, he turned to the twins. “Did you hear Kyran come in?”
“No,” Rose replied. “I don’t think he’s back yet.” Her expression alone told of how worried she was. “Aaron, about last night–”
“No,” Aaron cut her off.
“Aaron–”
“Drop it, Rose.” Aaron picked up the discarded weapons from the floor and began piling them onto his bed.
“For what it’s worth,” Sam started, “I thought you did great yesterday. Told them what they needed to hear.”
“Sam,” Rose admonished, turning to look at him.
“What?” Sam asked, lifting his shoulders.
Rose turned back to Aaron before shifting to sit at the edge of her bed. “I know you’re mad at them–”
“Shouldn’t I be?” Aaron asked with quiet anger.
“Of course you should,” Rose said. “You have every right to be mad at them. Even a part of me is congratulating you for telling them all you did last night.” She paused for a moment. “But a bigger part of me thinks you should give them the opportunity to speak, to say their part.”
“Say their part?” Aaron frowned. “What are they gonna say? What’s a valid excuse to dump me here and disappear for months?”
“At least they came back,” Rose said.
Aaron stilled, staring at her.
“No matter what they did or didn’t say,” Rose said. “No matter how much or little they told you, the point is they’re still your mum and dad. You’ve got parents, Aaron, and take it from me, fighting with them for something big or small is just not worth it.” She nodded to the window. “You’ve seen the kind of world this is. Who knows what can happen? Who’s going to come back after walking out that Gate?”
Aaron’s mind went straight to Zulf.
“Talk to them, Aaron,” Rose said softly. “You never know, they might just give you a valid reason.”
***
When Aaron walked outside, he didn’t find his mum or dad at the table. A moment of panic seized him. Had they left? Were they perhaps so disappointed that they decided to leave him again? Ava must have read his quiet distress, for she told him his mum was talking with Neriah and his dad had gone to see Scott.
Leaving Sam and Rose at the table, Aaron hurried to the Hub. He had a suspicion his dad might be berating Scott for allowing him to hunt. He practically ran down the path that twisted behind the cottages, but as he emerged from the forest, he saw something that momentarily wiped Scott, his dad and the Hub from his mind.
There, in the middle of the ring, was Kyran. He had taken off his heavy Hunter’s coat and rolled up his sleeves. Gripping his sword, he twisted out of the way of the blades that were spinning in the air, coming at him from all directions.
Aaron hurried to him, coming to rest outside the ring, just at the rocks encircling it.
“Kyran,” he called. “What are you doing?”
Kyran swung his sword, deflecting three spinning knives. Perspiration glistened on his face as he dodged another onslaught of blades that the ring spat at him.
“What’s it look like?” he puffed. “I’m training.”
Aaron stared at the drenched form of his friend. “Kyran,” he called again. “Can you stop? Just for a minute.”
But Kyran continued knocking back the blades, hitting them with vigour. His jaw was clenched, green eyes burning.
“Go away, Aaron,” he growled.
“Kyran–” Aaron stopped, seeing the door of the Hub opening in the distance.
Giving Kyran a last look, Aaron hurried to the steps of the circular building, just as Chris walked out.
Seeing him in the light of day, Aaron could tell how tough these last few months had been on his dad. He looked haggard – his skin pale and tight over his face, his hair showing more glints of grey than before, and his eyes seemed dull and troubled. The closer Aaron approached, the guiltier he felt for yelling at him.
Chris stopped at the door, his gaze on Aaron. A look of surprise flickered over him before he smiled tiredly at him. “Hey,” he said.
“Hey,” Aaron replied quietly. “What were you doing in the Hub?”
Chris turned back to look at the door. “I had to speak to the Controller, Scott,” he said. “I needed to know what the hell’s been going on. This...this hunting...Kids hunting.” He shook his head. “It’s not right. You start to hunt when you come of age. That’s the way it’s always been.”
“Fourteen years is a long time,” Aaron said. “A lot can change.”
“Basic principles shouldn’t,” Chris said.
Aaron paused, trying his best to push down his rising annoyance. “Where’s Uncle Mike?” he asked.
“He had to hold back,” Chris replied. “He’ll be here in a few days.” He looked at Aaron and took in a deep breath. “Aaron,” he started. “I owe you an apology. I know I asked a lot from you.” His whole expression showed regret, from his troubled eyes to the lines on his brow. “You had to be on your own for months and...and I’m sorry, I really am.” He walked closer, putting both hands on Aaron’s shoulders. “I’ll explain everything to you, from the absolute start. I promise. I’m going to make this up to you. I’m...” He stopped, eyes narrowed at something past Aaron.
Aaron turned to see what had caught his dad’s eye. He found Kyran, still training in the ring, his sword swinging this way and that. Turning back around, Aaron caught the look on his dad’s face, and it made his heart skip a beat.
Chris was staring at Kyran without blinking, his mouth open, his body frozen stiff, the colour drained from his face.
“Dad?” Aaron called. “Dad? Dad?” Aaron gave him a little shake.
Slowly, Chris looked over at Aaron, his eyes wide and filled with disbelief. He opened and closed his mouth several times, but his voice seemed to have failed him. He turned to look at Kyran again. “Who...who is he?”
“That’s Kyran,” Aaron said. “He’s a friend.”
“Kyran?” Chris said. “Kyran what?” he asked, a note of desperation in his voice. “What’s his family name, his surname?”
“I don’t know,” Aaron replied. “I’ve never asked. Why? What is it, Dad?”
Chris didn’t answer. He stood staring at Kyran, gaping at him in such a way it unnerved Aaron. He turned to look at Kyran to
o.
As if feeling the weight of their stares, Kyran’s gaze – that had been watching the blades – shifted to them. The moment Kyran’s eyes met Chris’s, he stopped, his sword forgotten in hand. A look of disbelief clouded Kyran’s expression before something shifted in his intense green eyes. It sent a shiver down Aaron’s back.
A spinning blade grazed Kyran’s arm, snapping him and Chris out of their locked stare. Kyran threw down his sword and grabbed his bleeding arm. Raising his other hand, he commanded the blades to stop and fall to the ground.
Without a word to Aaron, Chris hurried down the steps, heading towards the ring. Aaron followed after him. Kyran raised the stone archway and exited the ring. He had just reached down to pick up his coat when Chris and Aaron reached him.
Kyran slowly straightened up, his eyes on Chris. “Look who’s back,” he said, a little tightly. He looked to Aaron. “I guess you were right. You win.”
The way Kyran said it, with so much bitterness, it made Aaron’s stomach twist into knots. Regardless, Aaron stepped forward.
“Kyran, meet my dad,” he said, introducing them. “Dad, this is Kyran.”
Chris’s gaze roamed over Kyran, taking in everything. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Forgive me for asking, but what’s your family name?”
Kyran’s eyes darkened a shade. “Who needs family names?” he asked. “We’re all individuals.”
“Yes, but it’s still your name,” Chris said, moving closer, his desperation evident. “What’s your father’s name?”
Kyran’s persona shifted, growing visibly darker, so dark in fact that his eyes were almost a different shade of green now. He smirked and tilted his head, observing Chris. “Why?” he asked. “Think you knew him?”
Chris didn’t say anything, but his face blanched, losing more colour than Aaron thought possible.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Kyran said, his poison-green eyes fixed on Chris, “I have to get cleaned up.”
He turned and walked away, leaving Chris to stare after him and Aaron to wonder what was going on.
***
“He had a son,” Chris muttered. “How could he not tell me he had a son?”
“Chris, you have to listen to me,” Drake said. “Sit down.”
Chris paced the room like a caged animal, his hands running through his hair and down his face, brow knitted and eyes clouded in confusion.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” he continued to mutter. “He can’t be...but he looks just like him.”
“Chris, listen.” Drake had to step in and hold on to Chris’s shoulders to still him. “He’s not Alex’s son.”
“He must be.” Chris shook himself out of Drake’s hold, moving back a step. “Have you seen him?”
“Yes, I’ve seen him,” Drake replied, exasperated. “I’ve been living in the same city as Kyran for the last year now. I see him every day.”
“Then explain this,” Chris said. “Explain how he can be the exact replica of Alex without somehow being related to him. How can he be so similar? The hair, the face, the way he talks, walks, everything!”
“Kyran doesn’t talk like Alex,” Drake objected. “I don’t think Alex could ever be that mean.”
“Drake!” Chris yelled. “Look at him! Go outside and look at Kyran.” He pointed a finger at Drake’s window.
Drake didn’t move. Instead, he asked Chris a question very calmly, “Can you feel him?”
Chris paused, wide eyes fixed on Drake. “What?”
“Kyran,” Drake asked quietly. “Does he feel like family?”
Chris swallowed heavily. “No,” he admitted, with great pain.
“Then how can he be Alex’s son?” Drake asked.
Chris sagged into a chair, hands in his hair. “I don’t...I don’t understand. How can he be so similar if he’s not....?” he trailed off, his eyes clouded with confusion and heartache.
Drake knelt next to Chris’s chair. “Alright, listen to me, Chris, and listen well,” he said. “Kyran is not Alex’s son. He’s the son of Fredrick Lamont.”
Chris looked up at him in surprise. “Lamont?” he asked. “But...but Lamont only had daughters.”
“From his marriage, yes,” Drake said. “Kyran is Lamont’s other child, one out of wedlock. No one knew about him until Lamont was on his deathbed. Kyran’s mother and step-father died in a Lycan attack when he was very young. Lamont knew that since he was about to die, Kyran would feel the connection break and would come looking for answers. He told his daughters and wife about Kyran, so that when he came, they would give him his right.”
“Did they?” Chris asked.
“Like hell,” Drake scoffed. “The girls aren’t so bad. They keep in contact with Kyran and he watches over them, goes to protect them every full moon. It’s the mother who can’t get over her husband’s infidelity, of which Kyran is a living, breathing reminder.”
Chris narrowed his eyes. “How do you know this?”
“I investigated him.” Drake smiled sadly at Chris. “When Kyran walked through Salvador’s Gate for the first time a year ago, I reacted like you did. I was certain he was Alex’s son. I pestered him but he wouldn’t tell me what his family name was. After a few months, I noted he left every full moon. I followed him at the next one and saw him go into Lamont’s mansion. When I confronted him, he told me the whole story. I swore to keep Kyran’s secret.” He gave a pointed look to Chris. “I’m only telling you so you know the truth. Kyran’s understandably touchy about his family name, so don’t ask him. He can’t say he’s a Lamont for the shame it’ll bring on his sisters, something that he’s reminded of almost every time he meets Mrs Lamont. The only ones who know about his family are myself and Neriah’s niece, Ella.”
Chris sat in silence, processing all the facts. He shook his head, reaching up to rub at his eyes. “But why does he look so much like Alex then?”
“I don’t know,” Drake replied. “Sometimes there’s no blood connection, but there’s a resemblance nevertheless.” He looked into Chris’s tortured eyes. “Kyran has a likeness to Alex, but that’s all it is. Kyran’s not your family, Chris, no matter how much you’d like him to be.”
***
Kyran walked into his room after taking a shower to find Aaron waiting for him.
“What was that?” Aaron demanded.
“What was what?” Kyran asked.
“That thing with my dad?” Aaron said. “Why were you staring at him?”
Kyran pulled a face. “I think it was the other way around.” He combed his fingers through his damp hair as he walked over to the dresser.
“You were staring at him too,” Aaron said. “Don’t lie, Kyran. You stopped in your tracks at the sight of him.”
“I was surprised,” Kyran admitted. “It’s not every day you find the Adams have returned to Salvador.” He pulled open a drawer to take out a hooded top to wear over his vest.
“That’s not it,” Aaron said. “You were staring at him as if...as if you knew him.”
Kyran turned to give him a look. “How could I know him? I’ve not met him before today.”
“My dad looked like he had seen a ghost when he saw you,” Aaron said. He paused for a moment, frowning. “Why was he so interested in your family name?”
“You tell me,” Kyran said.
Aaron shook his head, failing to work out why his dad seemed so interested in Kyran. He looked up at him. “Come to think of it, what is your family name?”
A slow smile crossed Kyran’s face as he zipped up his top. “Trust me, Ace. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
***
Aaron and Kyran walked out of the cottage together. Aaron took a seat next to Sam at the table, while Kyran went to sit with Ella.
“How’d it go?” Sam asked.
“It didn’t,” Aaron said. “My dad got...distracted and I’ve yet to see my mum.”
“They still haven’t spoken to you properly?” Sam asked with surprise. “That’s just mess
ed up,” he said. “I get what Rose was saying but your folks aren’t exactly making it easy to forgive them.”
Aaron didn’t know what to say. He looked down at the table, idly tracing the wood markings with his finger.
“Fine. Don’t ask how I am.”
Looking up, Aaron was surprised to find Ryan sitting across from him. His shoulder was heavily bandaged, his face pale and pinched. The dark circles under his eyes told of his sleepless night.
“Ryan?” Aaron blinked. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon. You okay?”
Ryan gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Still healing,” he said. “Which in itself is an accomplishment. If Zhi-Jiya and Kyran hadn’t got me and Sarah to the Empaths when they did, we’d be dead.”
“How’s that?” Sam asked. “I thought mages didn’t die easily?”
Ryan snorted. “You call getting chewed on by a Lycan easy?” He shook his head. “Even if Lycanthropy wasn’t fatal, being ripped apart by fangs is a tough way to go.”
“Lycanthropy?” Aaron raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like it’s a disease.”
“It is a disease,” Ryan replied.
Aaron shared a look with Sam.
“Demons are one thing,” Ryan began, “Lycans and vampires are another. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still demonic, but they didn’t come from hell itself. Lycans and vampires were created over time.”
“You mean, they’re an evolved condition?” Aaron asked.
“Lycanthropy and Vampirism are two strains of a virus,” Ryan said. “If infected, the virus takes over the body, mind and soul. It gives the body certain advantages to help its survival: super speed, super hearing, immense strength–”
“Immortality,” Aaron added.
Ryan shook his head. “They’re not immortal. Lycans, vampires and, of course, vamages are powerful but they’re not immortal. They can die, just not very easily. Mages can survive a demon attack but Vampirism and Lycanthropy are viruses that get into our system and kill us.”
Aaron frowned. “But...but what about Hadrian?”