TUT_stories presents
Once upon another Eden: Adam BOOK 2 in the OUAE series
Nano Watt 2023 Shortlist New Adult
For Phoenix Eden, Adam was always the boy who would never love him back, and he was okay with that.
But what if Adam was not? What if Ada...
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How dare he do this? Phoenix is slightly jealous. Oooo, Xalios is mad. Man's got PSYCHOlogical issues.
Phoenix was now wearing clothes, gagged due to his incessant talking and had his arms and legs bound due to his numerous escape attempts.
He then found himself tossed into an office and wriggled about trying to find a way to untie himself.
"Phoenix?" A small voice echoed in the shadows.
He froze.
That was Riyan!
He sat up and looked around until he saw him and Gray cuddled in the corner of the room on a makeshift bed. Riyan realised it was really Phoenix and ran up to him.
"Phoenix!" He yelled as he latched his little arms around Phoenix and buried his little face into his neck. "They yelled at us and Gray cried. He fell asleep. Don't worry I protected him when the bad man tried to hurt him."
Phoenix's muffled voice caught Riyan's attention and he tried to undo the gag. "I can't untie it." He let out a small gasp and ran over to Gray. "Gray, Gray." He shook him. "Help."
Gray shifted and sat up slowly rubbing his eyes. He looked up at Phoenix confused then back at Riyan.
"Are we going home now?" Gray asked softly.
Phoenix felt his heartbreak at the sound of Gray's tiny voice.
Riyan shook his head. "We need to help Big Bro."
He pulled Gray up and they both started to untie him. Gray managed to get the gag off.
"Scout's honour," he mumbled sleepily as Riyan still fumbled with the ropes. Their little fingers weren't strong enough to undo it.
"It's fine boys. I'll make a plan. Come here." They both hugged him. "Are you okay?"
Riyan nodded and Gray shook his head as he began to sniffle again. Riyan took his brother's hand. Phoenix wanted desperately to hold them and tell them it would be okay. He could only imagine how scared they were.
"Don't worry. Mom will make a plan for us."
"That's right. She always knows how to make a plan," Xalios's slow, sardonic clap echoed through the room. "Touching display. Funny, you should call Giya mom."
He saw Phoenix give him a strange look. Xalios waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't you think I've been watching you long enough to know you call your mother mama and Giya mom?" He lowered himself by placing his hands on his knees as he spoke to the boys. "Do you know that Phoenix could have been your real older brother?"
"What do you want with me?" Phoenix demanded.
Xalios sighed tucking his hands in his pocket. "I need you to sign a contract. You see, when I was thrown in prison my brother locked me out of my family inheritance and access to their facilities or documents. He left all that to you since you were your grandfather's chosen heir if anything were to happen to me. For me to get the information required to prove my innocence and Giya's past, I need that access. However, my brother has been working with Giya. If you sign the contract handing authority to me, I will finally be free."
