The Emptiness She Holds

Silver snakes

Chapter 9: Silver Snakes

"Klaus."
"Willow."
"Xavier."
"Morana."
"Cleo."
"Electra."
"Keon."
"Aeros."
"Cyrus."

They all said their names in an orderly fashion, as if rehearsed.

"I need a more... thorough introduction, if you don't mind," I said, narrowing my eyes at them.

"Well, start from Cyrus to Klaus," Ryan said as I reached for my wine glass. I lifted my mask just enough to expose my tinted red lips and took a sip while watching the eight kids—who to me still looked like tiny humans—exchange glances.

"Gandala?" I questioned.
Ryan chuckled. "You know it."
A smirk crept onto my lips. "Haven't had this in a while," I said, reminiscing about the past.

"Cyrus, 16, and will murder you when you're not looking," he said, his brown eyes holding a silent promise. He was built, with soft, long, dirty blonde hair.

I nodded.

"Aeros, 16. Fuck off," he said, buff and radiating a dark aura. His shiny black hair fell just between his eyebrows, and his hazel eyes held endless secrets.

"Keon, 15. I like computers," he said softly, with a boyish aura. His glasses made him look intelligent, and I could see the spark behind those deep blue eyes.

"Electra, 15. I like to blow things up," she said nonchalantly. Her short wavy dark hair had a streak of red dye running through one bang.

"Cleo, 14. I like fire," she said, her green eyes seeming to glow at the mention. Her long curly brown hair was pulled into a high ponytail, freckles painted across her cheeks.

"Morana, 16. Sports cars are my reason to live," she said, shoulder-length straight jet black hair framing almost-black eyes. She wore a leather jacket and biker gloves.

"Xavier, 15. I like food," he said, sounding bored. Brown wavy curls and ocean-blue eyes gave him a laid-back look.

"Willow, 15. I'm a gym rat," she said. Definitely muscular for her age. Her straight long dirty blonde hair was styled in space buns, with pieces framing her face. Her grey-green eyes were entrancing.

"Klaus, 17," he said simply. The definition of a man—wavy black hair, striking grey eyes, muscles everywhere. Cargo pants and a leather jacket made him even more dreamy.

I gave them all a once-over before sitting up straighter, putting my feet down, and leaning on the desk with my elbows.

"Vesper, 15," I said, watching them scan me, trying to figure me out. But I was as closed as a lock.

"Well, now that everyone knows each other... we have a mission to carry out, and Vesper will be leading the team," Ryan said, stepping out of the shadows and looking at everyone.

"What's the mission?" Cleo asked in a tiny voice.

Ryan smirked. I rolled my eyes instinctively. "Glad you asked, Cleo, because this mission is so cool, I wanna do it myself," he said, sarcasm dripping from his tone.

"There's a gang on the rise. They're terrorizing families and civilians. We need to exterminate the pests," he said. I grinned evilly, knowing exactly what he meant.

"The gang is called Skullblood. They traffic humans secretly to much bigger gangs and rob houses, as well as kidnapping innocent civilians. So, Cyrus, Aeros, and Morana—you're Team 1. You'll secure the perimeter and make sure no government gets involved in our business. Cyrus, you're stationed outside. Morana, you're on the balcony of the third floor. Aeros, you're on lookout from the roof," he said, looking at them.