The Raven's Source

Chapter 17 - Visitor

A week and a half passed and after many days of traveling, Twyn pulled his car to a stop at the tall, gated wall, watching his letter-carrying bird fly over.

The female guard smiled at him, "With that red hair and those emerald-green eyes, I am going to assume you are Mr. Sherson?"

"Since you are correct, I'm guessing I found the city my sister is currently residing in."

The guard nodded at him. "Follow the main road up to the hill, the two houses up there belong to the Angevin's."

"Two?"

"Have a great stay in Saorsa, Mr. Sherson."

Twyn followed her directions and seeing the replica of the lake house, he instantly knew this was their new home. Getting out of the car, he realized the curtains were all drawn and there were no lights on inside. He still knocked on the door but wasn't surprised that there was no answer. He quickly got back in the car and turned back down the path, stopping in front of the more mansion like house. Leena would never live in something like this, he thought. But...the guard did say two houses.

Before he could knock on the door, it opened. Rosalie instantly gave him a soft smile and opened the door wider. "Madam Leena, your brother is here."

"Madam?" he asked, confused before poking his head in the door first. He saw his sister sitting curled up in a chair, staring mindlessly out the window with a blanket half strewn over her lap, picking softly without thought at her lips. "Leena..."

The sound of his voice saying her name made her look up. "Twyn?" Realizing she wasn't seeing things, she jumped out of the chair and flung herself into his embrace.

He hugged her tightly, his heart breaking again as he felt her starting to sob.

"Rosalie, who's here?" Cerno's voice echoed down the hallway.

Twyn turned his head toward the voice. As Cerno came around the corner, Twyn gently pushed Leena back and he quickly lunged at Cerno. "You idiot!" he yelled.

"That's far enough," Rosalie commanded. She instantly splashed water down under Twyn's feet and froze it, causing him to slip and fall. She quickly froze his ass to the floor to keep him from moving.

"Twyn stop, that's not Shej."

"I'm not blind, I know who I'm looking at! And I'll wring his neck because he promised! He promised to never do something like this again to you!"

"Yes, you are blind, Twyn. Blind with rage. This man before you is Cerno. He's Shej's brother. He's the founder of Saorsa."

"Rosalie, let him up. He poses no threat here," Cerno stated, seeing the fight instantly gone from Twyn at Leena's words.

Twyn gasped, realizing a woman had frozen him to the floor. "Women are allowed to use their magic... You really found freedom, Leena? You really are safe here?"

"Yes, and so is Shej," Leena said. "Well, all things considered..."

His pants were wet as he stood, trying to understand. "The family resemblance is uncanny but I guess you are a little taller than my best friend," he mumbled, slowly reaching out to shake Cerno's hand. "I'm sorry for lunging at you." He turned back to Leena. "Where is Shej?"

She hugged herself tightly, her brows furrowing in pain again.

"Since you're not Shej, don't anyone dare tell me that my best friend is dead," Twyn interrupted before anyone could answer after seeing Leena's reaction.

"Shej is down at the hospital, he's been in critical condition. I was actually just coming to tell you the news, Leena," he spoke soft as he walked past Twyn, taking her hands in his. He noticed her skin was like ice. "They have just been able to detect his heartbeat. It was extremely faint, but they were able to hear it for a brief moment."