“Selene? Not who I had in mind, but sure.” He grins.
I never meant to control anyone. I just… fuck, I don’t even know. I’m making things worse when that’s not even my fucking intention.
“So how come you still come here?” I ask instead.
He shrugs, dropping back onto the ground and blowing out a string of smoke. “There’s nothing more peaceful than the night sky. Besides, this place holds so many memories.”
I gaze up at the sky, smiling faintly. “It sure does… back when shit wasn’t so intense.”
“Yeah,” he agrees. “Tell me, from the five of us, how many do you think will make it to the end of the war?”
His unexpected question hangs between us, and I frown, staring at the starless sky. “I’ll make sure four of us do.”
“But we’re quints, even if one fucking part of us is missing, we’ll always feel it, especially if it’s the limb that holds us all together.”
Our eyes meet, and for a moment, I wish there was anothersolution, but the truth is, this war is going to take many… and… if Sienna and I are together, I can’t leave her. I won’t make her go through what she did when her father passed away. For her, I will have to be selfish, but at what cost?
“Want a go? It’ll help with the stress.” He holds out the vape, and I take it. One puff and I smirk. This ain’t no ordinary vape, there’s some powerful drug in it, but right now I don’t give a fuck. I take another hit of the vape, relishing in the heaviness that consumes my senses.
After learning my brother literally hates me, I think I fucking need it.
“It’s some fucking good shit, right?” Theo drawls.
I chuckle dryly, letting out a cloud of smoke. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
Through Sand & Sun
Sienna
Icough as sand fills my mouth and prickles my eyes, blinding me. The howling wind that accompanies it as I’m pushed by the sheer force makes me raise my hand to protect my face. Feeling my feet sink into sand, I realise I’m barefoot and I’m still wearing my ghost print pyjamas.
I don’t have the cloak I’m usually in, either. Another surge of sand fills my nose, and I cover my face with my sleeve, trying to stop any further sand from filling my mouth. It still prickles my eyes, and I realise I’m in the middle of a sandstorm. I can’t see anything around me.
I take a deep breath, trying to sense my surroundings rather than see them. There’s a building to the right! I’ll take shelter until this storm has cleared. I can sense other people there, too.
I squint through the sand and turn to spot the building. It’s not just any building, it’s the temple!
My heart skips a beat as I glance around. I’m in the same location as usual, but the man is not here, and the weather isfar from the normal shining sun that I’m usually met with.
I push my way towards the temple, seeing people retreating from the pillars and entering it. There are no doors, just an opening leading inside where people are huddling and taking shelter from the terrible storm outside.
Someone passes me a cloak and I thank them, placing it around my shoulders. He nods, but says nothing, and I realise he’s murmuring a prayer. I lower my head and step closer to the entrance, but just as my foot is about to touch the stone step, the brilliant sun shines from behind me, and the sand clears away. Everything spins, and I’m suddenly standing on the balcony of a breathtaking castle made of ivory and gold.
The sun is almost blinding, and I can hear water running from somewhere not too far away. The smell of flowers and something else fills my nose, and the warm yet refreshing breeze kisses my skin. The birds chirp in the air, and I spin around, trying to catch sight of them.
Where am I?
I hear a soft chuckle. “You’re actually here.”
I spin around to see the man. He doesn’t come closer, and with the brilliant light from the sun, I can’t see much, aside from his strong, muscular legs, one that is tattooed from calf to thigh. He’s wearing a white wrap and a golden belt, but I can’t see more than that.
Damn! I wanted to see inside the temple! That symbol, I was so close!
“Yes, I am here,” I reply, trying to hide my annoyance.
“Good, last time we were cut short,” he hums, and I feel calmer.
Last time… Ah, yes, he was about to say something… I findmyself remembering.
