RIPTIDE (Shadows book 1.1)

REVELATIONS AND CONFRONTATIONS

'Love is undefined. Nothing can stop it. Not time, not distance and certainly not your brain' ~ Ajax Ryo Sinner Cadman.

A tense silence settled after Hope whispered out the name. The girl's eyes flashed with a hint of anger as she looked around the room, her eyes taking everyone in.

"You can talk here." Evangeline said, her tone harsh. Soraya glanced at her, the anger replaced by amusement.

"Not now." Hope said as she walked away, motioning for Soraya to follow her. The tension dissipated once the two of them were out of view.

"I told you they will mess up." Natalya stated. Viren nodded in response.

"I'm staying back." Riven's blank voice came out low as he spoke.

"Riven.." Rueben protested but he snapped his mouth shut at Riven's glare.

"None of you are ever going to see her." Rahas spoke, a hint of anger evident in his voice. "You broke her heart. Enough of this. She works her ass off trying to keep you safe and you blame her for one accident. She gave you a choice. And you chose to stay, so don't blame her."

The dissipated tension was back again.

"Goodlord." Soraya muttered as she slid into a seat opposite to Hope.

"What?" Hope asked as she settled down. Her side ached though it was a minor wound.

"They aren't going back to New York." she stated. For once her eyes held no hints of humor or mischief.

"I can't stop them." Hope whispered.

"I don't give a damn about them being alive if it wasn't for you. They can leave as they please but they aren't going to New York now."

"Why?" Silence answered her question.

"Raya, why?" Hope presses again.

"There are men everywhere, waiting for them to step into New York. As powerful as the Sinner's are, they'll be dead meat the second they step into the city. Mother dearest has her eyes set on them."

Hope's face drained of color as Soraya's implications sank in. She stood up mutely and walked back into the room. Soraya followed her.

Azil stood up once she was in view. One look at her face and he was standing infront of her, shielding her from the others.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly. Her silence scared him more than anything.

"Get everyone into the meeting room." she whispered, the exhaustion evident in her tone. Azil's brows furrowed.

"Whatever it is can wait, you are taking a nap." he stated.

"Sentinel." It was a warning, one that had effect.

"Everyone into the meeting room." The silent now was heard as Azil's command rang through the room.

"I'm not moving anywhere." Vincent stated harshly.

"Sawyer will take care of Hayes. Get your ass into the meeting room Mr. Sinner. Now." Hope responded, her tone matching his.

Zaiden placed a bowl of spaghetti before her, taking his seat beside her. She gave him a look.

"Don't start with me, little girl." he warned. She sighed but picked up her fork to eat.

"Here's what's going to happen." she began after a couple of bites. "Mom and Dad are going back along with the ladies. No arguments." she shot off the last part when Sam opened her mouth to argue.