Ten - Part 1

by Sin Ribbon

  “I’m sorry, Thane. Didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”

  He exhales. “It’s all right. Guess Hemingway had an impact on you too.”

  Sebastian rubs the back of his neck. “Don’t give me too much credit. There’s little else I remember from The Sun Also Rises, but that part stuck with me; I think it taught me something about growth.”

  “You should take his advice.”

  He chuckles. “Yeah, I’m certainly in it, and maybe it’s time I learned what it’s all about.”

  For the first time, the Brit notices a curl in Thane’s lips. Brightened by the subtle bode of confidence, Sebastian rises to his feet and paces the perimeter of the roof. He takes out his mobile. Breathes. His thumb hovers over his father’s icon. With all the courage he can muster, he presses call.

  ~ TWENTY-SEVEN ~

  Riya

  “I still don’t like this,” Madison grumbles as he bounces on the curb. Riya climbs out of the back of Orion’s Elantra as the roar of an airplane pierces the heavens above.

  “Your objections have been noted,” Allister quips. He hoists a backpack over his shoulder and shuts the Elantra’s passenger door.

  Sebastian wiggles out of the back seat behind Riya. “Least there’ll be more room on the way back.”

  Riya huffs. “Is now really the time for jokes?”

  “That bus ride scarred me, Riya. It haunts me to this day.”

  “All right, gonna park and be right back!” Orion waves as she drives away, leaving the Brits, Madison, and Riya at the front entrance of the Pittsburgh International Airport.

  Madison continues to fidget. “Are we sure about this? I mean, really sure?”

  “Not one bit.” With a dismissive grunt, the elder Brit heads into the airport. Sebastian follows. Riya hesitates alongside Madison, wondering what future waits beyond those double glass doors.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  “Un-fucking-believable,” Riya scoffs. She crosses her arms while standing beside Madison and Sebastian in the airport lobby.

  The young Brit laughs. “Yeah, that was my reaction.”

  Some distance ahead, Orion and Allister share a kiss in the cold light beneath the airport’s large array of windows. The vaulted ceiling arches over the wide space with skylighted sections sliced between the rafters. Allister circles his arms around Orion’s slender form and nuzzles into her cheek. The sun seems to reward their affection, haloing them against the crowd.

  “They do look cute together,” Madison chimes.

  Riya watches the couple, torn. The shades of pain she sees in Allister’s face bring a crinkle to her brow; there before her, a tough exterior forged from emotion, not in its absence. She glimpses Sebastian in her peripheral, wondering. Perhaps confidence requires more than belief in oneself.

  “This is harder than I thought. First time I’ve been away from Allister in, Jesus, forever.” Sebastian fills his lungs. “All right, time for good-byes.”

  When he hesitates, Riya spurs him with a light-hearted shove. “He’ll be back.”

  “Yeah. I know.” His tone fails to bury his apprehension.

  Sebastian proceeds past the line of check-in counters to join Orion and Allister. The trio converse, their expressions telling stories of encouragement, uncertainty, and hope. Their thoughts, however, are much more afraid.

  Riya scrutinizes their interaction. “You’re not alone, Madison; I have my doubts too. Allister doesn’t seem up for this, even if Siha did say he’d be all right.” She begins to search his thoughts, peeling back the layers.

  “That’s what I’ve been saying! If she’s wrong—if the Fate gets him while he’s in London, away from us ...” The teen shudders. “This is a huge risk.”

  “It’s not like anyone disagrees with you, but Allister laid out the reasons pretty clearly. What else can we do?”

  The teen tugs on his shirt, troubled. “So you believe him?”

  Her shoulders tense. “Speaking from living under the shadow of a powerful man, yeah. If Allister doesn’t get ahead of this, I hate to think what’ll happen if dad brings down the hammer.”

  “But what could he do?”

  “Besides drag Sebastian home and cut up his passport?”

  Madison breathes hard. “I guess if anyone can handle this, it’s Allister.”

  Riya bites her lip, still rummaging through the blond’s mind. “Maybe, but I feel like something else is eating away at him. Something’s ...” Buried in his thoughts, she finds what she’s looking for and immediately storms off. “Wait here!”

  Riya’s intensity burns an opening in the group as she approaches. “Someone died, Allister?!”

  He scowls. “A little louder, Riya. Christ.”

  Sebastian whips to his brother in shock. “What? What happened?!”

  “Quiet down, both of you,” Orion scolds.

  Sebastian’s blue eyes land on the redhead. “I assume you knew about this?”

  She shrinks. “... Yeah.”

  “What the hell, Allister?” Riya shakes her head.

  The blond’s eyes narrow into thin slits. “What the hell yourself. Just because you can read minds doesn’t give you the right to invade my privacy.”

  She juts her hip to the side, projecting her disdain. “I sensed something was off, so I looked into it. You’ve got no right keeping something like that from us.”

  “Look.” He leans in, meeting her dark eyes as if he might be ripped asunder at any moment. “I’ve never been more conflicted. I’m afraid of hurting more people, especially the lot of you. I’ve no intention of submitting to this curse, but I can’t let that old sod dictate my brother’s future. Do you think I’d even consider going without our little psychic’s utmost assurance?”

  Madison trots up, catching the end of the conversation. “Everything okay?”

  “Fine,” the blond snaps. “I’ve got a plane to catch.”

  Riya softens, hearing the echoes of his concerns in her mind. “Allister, wait ... I get what you’re trying to do.”

  He eyes her, skeptical. “That your idea of an apology?”

  “No,” she chides. “Because you still should’ve told us.”

  Allister remains firm. “If you want the details, Ori can tell you, but I’m not reopening that wound.”

  Orion lowers her gaze as a malaise blankets the group. A contrite pain stabs at Riya’s heart, filling her with remorse that the Brit could leave in such a state.

  “Allister,” Madison interjects. “You know I don’t have a good feeling about this, but I think what you’re doing for Sebastian is brave.” He offers his hand, and a warmed Allister shakes it.

  Inspired by the teen’s honesty, Riya concedes. “I’m sorry, Allister, and for the record, I’m glad you care so much about Sebastian ... and the rest of us. Come back safe, okay?”

  The blond accepts with a smirk. “I’ll be back to harass you soon enough.”

  “Pfft. You better.”

  Sebastian gestures towards the entrance. “Everyone, if you would please.”

  Orion barely steps away before Allister catches her arm. “Ori ... I’ll be back soon.”

  She curls her lips in amusement. “Oh, I know. You wouldn’t want the fire to go out.”

  Riya can only smile and roll her eyes, emboldened by the camaraderie. She and Madison leave the trio to their good-byes.

  “Thanks, by the way,” Riya mumbles as they stroll.

  “For what?”

  “For saving the mood. I can be ... stubborn sometimes.”

  Madison chuckles. “But I like that about you.”

  Riya pauses, intrigued. “Oh?”

  “Well, I mean, I like you, you know ... as a person ... who is stubborn.” The poor youth stammers through his blushing face.

  “Relax,” Riya giggles.

  Behind them, the redhead stands in the center of the lobby, watching the brothers exchange a hardy embrace. Allister waves a final good-bye to everyone before heading towards security. Riya’s attenti
on falls to Orion, whose gregarious aura has deflated to a whisper.

  “Man, feels like we’re not whole anymore,” Madison muses. He keeps to Riya’s side, observing Orion and Sebastian who stand alone like islands in the wake of a departing boat.

  “It does.” Riya lingers before nudging the teen. “Let’s give them another minute.”

  As the pair make for the exit, a whisper dances into Riya’s ear. Then another.

  “Do you hear that?” she asks.

  “Hear what?”

  She halts and tilts her head towards the sound. The hiss of breath rises into the air, suggestions of speech beyond her ability to decipher.

  Riya ...

  She whirls in a circle as a familiar dread swells to the surface. To her surprise, nothing is amiss. Sebastian remains fixed on Allister until he disappears from view, but Orion ...

  Madison clutches Riya’s arm, eyes locked on the redhead in a hypnotic stare. “I feel it again,” he mutters, “that dark cloud.”

  Aware of their presence, Orion slowly rounds her head, revealing the blood-rich shade that has claimed her emerald eyes. No, not Orion.

  Riya freezes in a collision of horror and disbelief. The teen clings to her, and the two exchange a quick glance of affirmation. Madison lifts his hand, ready to push the entity back into oblivion.

  Careful, Riya. You wouldn’t want to spook the locals. The voice invades her mind like a tidal surge, threatening to drag her down into the undertow.

  The raven-haired woman takes a moment to stabilize herself. “Madison, wait ... she’s speaking to me.”

  “What?!”

  “Just wait!” Riya focuses. Who ... What are you? She projects the thoughts with every ounce of strength at her disposal.

  Your end ... and your beginning. The red-eyed woman smirks. Her tone is light, carefree, as if oblivious to the primal hunger lacing her words.

  Riya pushes back against the overwhelming will. What the fuck do you want with us?

  A laugh, as derisive as it is annoying. It’s been so long ... We want a challenge. The words seem to ache, calling to the inner, atavistic reaches of Riya’s soul.

  The Indian-American grits her teeth and presses a palm into her forehead to combat the growing migraine. Whatever you want, we don’t have it. Leave us alone!

  The red eyes narrow, taunting her as a sudden, deafening silence reverberates through the space. Everyone inside the airport stops, solidified in mid-action.

  Riya and Madison scan the lobby, horrified. Not one person moves—every breath halted, every gesture frozen, as if time itself refuses to tick forward.

  Beyond the red-eyed woman, Sebastian has taken notice. He trembles, unaffected by the power but unclear on what to do.

  The red-eyed woman turns towards the young Brit—no, not towards him. She faces the emptiness Allister left behind and calls to him with a demented grin, Come back soon, dear friend. We have work to do.

  Upon her declaration, every face in the crowd turns towards Riya and Madison. Their necks wrench in unison, flashing eyes that burrow into the pair with the same haunting red hue.

  “Madison, now!”

  The youth unleashes his power, suppressing the red-eyed fiend who departs with a twisted smile just as an unconscious Orion collapses to the floor.

  ~ TWENTY-EIGHT ~

  Siha

  The small room exudes historic class. Rectangles of raised molding accent the pristine, white walls. A swooping archway is carved into the longest wall, creating a wallpapered recess for the king-size bed. The comforter and throw pillows are hand-embroidered with the same sprawling pattern that decorates the curtains. Her cello rests in the corner, an appropriate accent piece to the lavish décor. The late morning sun fills the room with light generated by the keeper of Earth, shining from the void of space more than ninety-two million miles away.

  Siha sits in the center of the bed, poised in the lotus position. She rests her hands on her knees and searches the vastness of her mind.

  Glimpses of the other nine flash before her, her sight scouring Gaborone, London, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. She lands on the dark-haired man in Pittsburgh who tosses in his bed. Thane scowls in his sleep, expression contorted in pain. Beads of sweat litter his body as his mind struggles to combat the nightmare. A cry escapes, his bid for reprieve.

  She withers as she watches him.

  Siha ...

  Her brow furrows as the whispers snake into her thoughts.

  He has heard my voice ...

  She firms.

  And opened the door ...

  Then it pierces her mind, a flash of the tenebrous mass lurking inside Thane—an undying well of memory that billows and churns in the hidden layers of his subconscious.

  Siha’s sight breaks in an instant. She gasps and clutches her chest as her mind returns to reality.

  The brunette inhales to compose herself. A gentle breeze flows in to alleviate her stresses but for a moment. She rolls to the edge of the mattress and laces up her oxfords, their worn leather a testament to the miles she’s travelled. Her fingers grip the edge of the bed, and she closes her eyes, summoning the strength to carry on.

  ◊ ◊ ◊

  Siha’s knuckle rattles against the door.

  Silence.

  She knocks again.

  It takes several attempts before she hears the creak of floorboards on the other side. The front door cracks open a few inches, allowing a half-awake Orion to poke her face through.

  “Um, yeah?” She blinks a few times until she recognizes Siha. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

  “Five, I believe.”

  “Holy fuck, it’s five?!” The redhead groans and thumps her forehead on the door. “I was dreaming about Allister and Tom Hardy in a pool of chocolate frosting and ... I’m just now realizing I have a type. Anyway, what’s up?”

  Siha blanks for a moment. “I had a bad vision, so I wanted to check on everyone.”

  “Yeah, yeah, sure. Come in.”

  Orion pulls the door open, allowing Siha to enter the dimly lit space of the apartment.

  “So where’ve you been? Did something happen? Or, uh, is something going to happen?”

  Siha sets her cello in its usual corner. “Something’s always going to happen,” she corrects with a sigh. “Mind if I check on Thane?”

  “I doubt he’ll enjoy the rude awakening, so yeah, be my guest. No reason only I should suffer.”

  Siha exhales a waning laugh as she strides towards Thane’s door and knocks.

  “Thane? Are you all right?”

  Shifting. Rustling. He opens the door to find her mismatched eyes waiting for him.

  “Yeah, fine.” He rubs his face, still groggy. “What are you doing here?”

  She smiles, relieved. “I know it’s early, but would you want to have breakfast with me?” Despite her best efforts, her eyes follow his tattoos down to his exposed chest. She blinks to snap herself back to his eyeline.

  He raises an eyebrow. “That’s an odd request for five in the morning.”

  “I’m buying. Do you want free food or not?”

  He yawns. “Yeah, fine. Let me have my coffee first.” Decked only in basketball shorts, he wanders back into his room to put on a shirt before entering the kitchen.

  Siha returns to the living room and has a seat next to Orion on the couch.

  “Don’t even know what’s open this early ...” Thane mumbles as he fiddles with the coffee machine.

  “I’m in no hurry!” Siha chimes. “So Orion, how are you holding up?”

  “Oh, fine I suppose. Nothing since the airport thankfully.”

  “Did you tell Allister?”

  “Nah, he has enough to worry about. Nobody was hurt, but ... I’ll tell him when he gets back.”

  “You must miss him terribly.”

  Orion hisses a shh and covers Siha’s mouth with her hand. “Shush it! Thane doesn’t know. I’m waiting for the right time to tell him.” A bewildered Siha nods.


  “What was that?” Thane calls from the kitchen.

  “Nothing!” The ring of Orion’s voice urges Sirius out from her bedroom. He trots up to his master and plops his eager head on her lap. She grins and scratches behind his ears, causing his leg to kick with delight.

  “But he’s doing all right, isn’t he?” Siha asks.

  “Apparently he’s reeled granddad into the mix and is making some headway. Can’t believe it’s been over a week already.”

  “Allister will be back soon.” She grins. “You can trust me on that.”

  The redhead brightens. “Yeah, guess I can. I’m just glad Thane and I have some peace and quiet now. Sebastian snagged an Airbnb nearby, and the kids have been crashing there.”

  Siha eyes her with apparent concern.

  “I know, I know,” Orion groans. “But I can’t keep up with this many people in my space, okay? We’ve got you and Riya for early detection, and they drop in to check on us. Often.”

  The brunette tilts her head, approving with a smirk.

  “And hey, if all goes well,” Orion continues, “big bad dad might sign off on an apartment.”

  “Actually ... it will go well.”

  Orion shakes her head, feigning irritation. “Thanks for the spoilers.”

  The brunette giggles as Sirius moves his head over to her lap, ready for round two.

  “Oh, Siha,” Thane’s voice intrudes. “I forgot I have clients this morning. Raincheck for lunch?”

  “Sure!”

  Orion pokes at her. “Anyway ...” She meets Siha’s eyes, radiating with gratitude. “Thank you. Good news has been long overdue.”

  Siha touches Orion’s hand, brightening, but her attention quickly returns to Thane who nurses his steaming cup of coffee in the kitchen.

  “He’s lucky to have you, you know.”

  Surprised by the comment, Siha averts her gaze, hoping to hide her reddening face.

  The redhead rolls her eyes with a grin. “You’re adorable, so just be patient. He’ll come around.”