Pegasus and the Mirrored Ones

Chapter 2

Riza's POV:

I knew that what I had done, what I had been doing, was wrong. At first, I felt that after the events at Hawaii, Emily needed time alone to adjust to her new self. But then something happened between us. I began to ignore Emily, slipping away in the jungle. And every night I would return to find Arious telling me that Emily had come. The guilt felt like pound weight on my shoulders, dragging me down all along the way.

As I wandered aimlessly through the jungle, I made up my mind. I would see Emily and I would listen to her.

I teleported through the Solar Stream and landed with a muffled thump in Olympus. It was strangely quiet, with the only sound being my slow breathing. To my left a desperate cry ran out, startling some birds out of a tree. I quickened my pace. Had Emily anything to do with this?

I focused the sound the silver beach, Pegasus's and Emily's special place. I started to run towards it. As I approached it, I saw Lorin, Paelen and Joel standing in a circle. Inside, lay a small indistinguishable pile. I angled my head from among the ferns, but I still couldn't see the face. I caught some of Lorin's talk as she moved away from the pile.

"We need to think of a cover story. Any ideas?"

Paelen piped up: "What about saying that she felt faint, we tried to catch her, but she fell unconscious?"

Lorin smiled. "Perfect!" and patted Paelen's head like he was her pet.

I felt disgusted. How dare they, treating someone like property, and trying to create a false alibi for that someone's disappearance? I stepped out from behind the foliage.

"You will do no such thing!" I shouted as I stormed up to the traitorous threesome, towering over their small figures.

The pile stirred, and as the face turned, I realised who it was.

"Emily!" I cried, rushing over to her. "What have you done?" I demanded, looking up.

Without waiting for an answer, I pulled Emily over my shoulder, and walked up to her room. I laid her down on her bed, staring at her curiously. Where was Pegasus?. The two were inseparable. With I jolt, I knew that I should have done something sooner. I was a Xan! I came from a line of protectors, and yet I couldn't even help my own sister!

A knock at the door brought me back to the earth with a jump. Cupid entered, looking extremely worried.

"Flame!" He cried, rushing towards her. "What has happened?"

"She fainted, possibly from a large shock," I answered grimly. "It is my belief that Lorin has some part in it".

Cupid glared, hatred showing clearly in his face. "The treacherous creature!". He stood up. "Do not fear Riza, I will make sure Lorin pays the price!" Cupid flew out of the room, muttering curses.

"Bless him," I thought. Cupid had acted like a true friend to Emily, more so than I would have thought possible.

I left Emily, glancing at her. "Be safe Emily," I whispered. "Don't let people get through you".

Later:

A short while after, I had started to take care of a group of sick travellers on another world. Suddenly Vesta burst through the Solar Stream, panting heavily. "Riza!" She gasped. "Have you seen Emily!"

I stared at her, confused. "Yes, she's in her room, I had left her there".

Vesta stared at me desperately. "No, that was 2 days ago, Emily hasn't been there since".

My breath quickened. I should have checked up on her. "What about the Flame?"

"It has been dimmed since she has been gone. It looks like it's going to flicker away!"

"Don't wait for me, I'm coming!"

Vesta nodded and disappeared through the Solar Stream. I looked sadly at the sky.

"Oh Emily, what did you do?"