The Allure of Darkness

10

Loki

I knew I shouldn't have come here. Emrys said no to come. He spoke his opinion, loudly. But I had to make sure she was okay. That he didn't mess her up too bad.

She looked so peaceful sleeping. Her face was relaxed. What is she dreaming about? How can someone look this peaceful while sleeping?

I don't remember the last time I had a good dream.

Her face twitches. Her nose scrunches up. A quiet whimper comes from her. I move closer to her.

"Azia wake up. It's just a dream." I say softly as I go to grab her arm.

Her eyes pop open. I feel like I'm staring into death itself. She kicks her foot out and it connects with my arm. Ouch. How can someone so tiny kick that hard?

"Azia, it's only me, Loki. It's okay."

We argued for a bit. I was trying to help her and she kicked me out. I was trying to tell her something important. She doesn't know what's going to happen to everyone when they get to the kingdom. That this is a whole game and she and her friends are the prey.

I'll tell her later. Will I?

I'm walking back to my house where I will have to face my brother and his bipolar moods. Great.

I thought he was going to be good tonight with Azia. I thought it was going to be a nice dinner where we could get information and eat. Where we could get her to trust us.

But no, Emrys had to do something. It's always him.

Emrys can control when he reads minds; it's like an on and off switch but he chooses to do it all the time. He loves the power he has over everyone and that they are never safe from him.

I have to clear my mind. I have to not let him have control over me. It's so draining but I get to have my mind to myself.

I open the turn skipping over the floor board that creeks. Is he asleep?

"Emrys." I whisper to nothing in particular.

I hear nothing except my own breathing and the faint sound of footsteps.

"Why did you go? I told you not to go to Loki." He slams his fist into the wall. I hope that hurt.

I don't respond, instead I take a step towards the kitchen.

"You can't just not answer me Loki. You have responsibilities that dad gave you so follow them."

I go to open up the fridge. This is an ugly kitchen. It's a tiny table with tiny chairs. A tiny fridge and a tiny oven. Everything is so tiny.

"Your thoughts are boring brother. Let me see if I can change that." Emrys says as he grabs my hand.

It's a memory. An old memory. A happy memory.

The world turns into what Emrys wants me to see.

It shows Emrys and me running around a fountain when we were kids. Terrorizing the kids near us as we had smiles on our faces.

"You miss this don't you Loki?" Emrys whispers in my head.

Yes. Yes I do very much.

"Then finish what father sent us to do and then you can go back to this."

The memory vanishes. One second I was there and now I'm back in this house.

"I hate when you do that, Emrys. It isn't fair."
I say harshly. I turn to face him.

He shakes his head and laughs a humorous laugh.

"You're lying. You love the fantasy of things we can never have again."

Emrys walks to the bedroom across the house.

The silence between us is loud. My mind has been open for him to go through.

"Remember what we have to do. And that doesn't include making friends." He gives me a look as he glides into his bed.

I slide into my bed, making no noise.

What was Azia dreaming about? Was it bad? Why was she shaking?

"Stop thinking about Azia, Loki. It won't do you any good. You know what will happen when we get back to the kingdom. She won't forgive you." Emrys said quietly enough that I almost couldn't hear him.

"I know."

I close my eyes and let the darkness consume me. It's like a blanket that will always be around me, keeping me safe.

Emrys

Loki won't stop thinking even after he closes his eyes. It's driving me crazy. Why can't he stop thinking about her?

I direct a thought to him. Stop brother. Stop thinking about her. Go to sleep.

I shift over to my side so I can look at him. We look exactly the same. It's crazy that the only difference is our eyes.

Loki opens his eyes for a split second and closes them as soon as he sees me looking back at him.

He's always been a coward. He can never do anything by himself. That's why I'm the most likely one to take the throne. I better be.

Loki's breathing relaxes. He's asleep. Good.

I get out of my bed quickly and move towards the front door. I step over the creaky floorboard by the front door. This house looks like it's going to collapse.

I'm met with fresh air as I open the front door. I walk not knowing where I want to go. But I end up where I least suspected too.

It's one of the men's houses. The men from the camp that the guard destroyed.

I'm about to leave but I hear an interesting thought.

Where is Azia? I need to find her.

I walk closer to the house where the thought came from. I move towards a window that is open and all I see is beds, filled with men and kids

Everyone is asleep except one. A redhead. Who is he?

I study him. I try to go into his thoughts but I'm blocked. How can he block me from his thoughts? Only Loki and my dad are strong enough to do that.

He looks at me, locking a gaze with me. What is so special about him?

His eyes darted around me and he paused on my eyes. Does he know who I am?

The redhead winks at me. The audacity he has.

I'm stuck in my spot as he creeps towards the window.

"Who are you?" I spat.

"So that means you can't read my mind. That's good." He states as he goes and leans against the wall between us.

Cree

EMRYS IS HERE. THE KING'S SON IS HERE.

I saw him last night with his brother taking Azia to their house. I didn't know what to do. But here he is, unable to read my mind, and he's clueless.

"I would like to know why the king's twins are here. Raiding camps and taking hostages." My hands form into a fist. He destroyed my camp and killed my friends.

I turn to look at him. He's face is unreadable.

"Well if you're not going to answer then you can leave, Emrys Ke Anders. And stop bothering Azia, she's stronger than you think."

He shuts his mouth as quick as he opens it. I don't know if it's because I knew his full name or because of what I said about Azia.

He nods at me and leaves. Well that went great.

I walk back to my bed and climb under the covers.

I have to find Azia sooner than later.