Power of M

chapter 39

39. I live to see another day. (And my sister.)

"Thank you for saving my life." That's what I said. Drenched in oil standing in front of an oil drenched girl. She smiled cutely making my chest hurt. "What's my treat?"

Rats I didn't have anything. All I could do was improvise and possibly get rejected. I smiled eyes twinkling. "Close your eyes."

"Alex." She began but I covered them myself feeling her squirm underneath indignantly. I leant closer to her and kissed her on the cheek. It was more of a butterfly kiss really. One moment there and the next moment poof. Gone. But she stifled a shriek anyway coz that's what girls do.

Then she opened her eyes and I noticed that they had more of a sparkle. She gave me a hug and then slapped me on the cheek. "That never happened."

I laughed, which felt like something I hadn't done in a thousand years.

"Talking about things that never happened I wonder how Ash is doing." I said.

Violet was smirking slightly. "What?" I asked. "You really do care about her don't you?"

"She's my sister. Why wouldn't I?"

"No reason." She gave a girly giggle and skipped in front of me. Girls are weird but I couldn't prevent the ridiculous grin that spread across my face.

Violet directed me towards the back door of the palace. Of course she was in her fullest element here. Home. I looked at Violet feeling a wave of desperation.

"I don't want to go back."

She bit her lip. "Me neither but....."

"Ash is in there." We both said at the same time and that made up my mind for me. Ash was the only family I had –talk about depressing am I right? – but annoying as she was, she was my little sister and I cared for her.

Violet suddenly smiled. "The good news is Ru Twilight is suffering from amnesia." I looked at her confused. "How? Wait you mean Ash?"

She nodded. "She is actually really powerful."I grinned at her. Ash was brilliant. "Come on." Violet said and lead me through the corridor back towards where she had left Ash last.

When I took in the scene, I had to take a breath and tell myself that things could have been a lot more worse. But how that could be possible wasn't worth worrying about. Mavis was holding a knife to Ash's throat and a tiny thin line of blood was running down her neck.

I balled my hand into a fist and took a step forward. "Let her go." My voice was as cold as ice.

Mavis attempted a smile but her eyes shifted around nervously as if she was wondering whether we were ghosts. "Or what?"

I almost shrugged. I couldn't do anything without hurting Ash. Mavis laughed confidence regained. She had the upper hand for the time being.

"I'll make it easier for you to understand how this works. Take a step closer, she dies."

Violet scowled. "What do you want?"

Mavis twirled her hair giving puppy eyes. "My dad's memories would be nice." Her expression hardened. "Tell her to give them back."

Me and Violet glared at each other our expressions showing hopelessness. We had no choice.

"Ash." I said softly after a sort of understanding passed between me and Violet. "Give her dad back his memories."

Tears ran down Ash's cheeks. "I don't know how to."

I looked around desperately. I needed to buy some time. "Mavis, let her go. I'll talk to her." Mavis nodded grimly, pulled her up to her feet and pushed her towards me. "Leave me this one." She pointed her knife towards Violet.

Violet nodded bravely and allowed Mavis to hold the knife to her neck. I felt anger and hatred boil within me but I turned towards Ash.

I hugged her tightly and she buried her face into my chest and broke down in tears. I patted her on the back and pushed her away gently. "Hey shhh. It's ok. I'm here now." Ash sobbed and pushed me away.

"You weren't when I needed you."

I took her by the wrists kindly but firmly. "And you weren't, when I needed you."

She tried to pull away but then nodded. "Truce?" I asked. She nodded again. "I'm waiting." Mavis called and I saw Violet flinch as the knife bit into her neck allowing a small trickle of blood drip down.

"Ash, you can do this sis. You amazingly removed his memories and now you can choose which ones to give him back."

She took her hands from me, steadied herself and looked me in the eyes like a warrior about to regain her honor. I held the gaze and then shook her hand.

"I'm proud to call you my sister."

She said nothing but I could see she was glowing inwardly, and I was glad because I had meant it.

"Let her go." Ash snapped at Mavis. "And get your freaking dad." Mavis smirked.

"Ok cupcake, you're the boss." She unlocked a door and Ru Twilight unlocked a door and Ru Twilight came out scowling. "You are mean." He said childishly pointing at Mavis. "You locked me up in the dark."

Mavis sighed impatiently and turned to Ash.

"Get on with it."