book 1 of the windows of the soul duology
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lucent: softly bright or radiant
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My brother's hand traces the cut on my right cheek for some minutes. I have no idea how a cut can be so interesting, but I won't judge a book by its cover.
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I meet my brother's daunting gaze as his features slowly soften upon seeing my teary eyes. As he reaches my position, he takes my face in his thick yet rough hands, assessing if there's been any damage done to my body. All while I hiccup trying to prevent any more sobs from racking through my quivering body. When he feels satisfied and doesn't see any signs of physical discomfort — which there aren't — his glacial blue eyes meet my own.
Brushing away the tears trickling down my cheeks, he asks, "What's wrong, sweetheart? Why are you crying?"
It takes me several seconds to regain my voice as my tears keep trailing down my cheeks like cascades of water, which keep getting vanished by my older brother's gentle fingers.
"I—I... T—The man..." That is all I'm able to muster before more sobs rack through my body. I just want to go home and forget this horrible day and that stupid monster for a second. I want some peace.
Tears continue to race down my cheeks when my brother asks, "The man you mentioned before?"
With a blurry vision, I nod solemnly to acknowledge my brother's realisation.
I watch him as he nods too, his eyes looking back at his car and the one from the strange white-covered man. Slipping his right arm around my shoulders, he begins walking towards his lush expensive vehicle. "Come on."
Once we both reach it he opens the passenger door with his free hand, and lets me sit on his comfortable car seat.
I dig my nails into my palms, attempting to use the minuscule pain to distract my thoughts from going to my laboured breathing. As soon as Voski notices this, he tenderly uncurls my fingers from my palms and rests them on his. His fingers lovingly brushing my hands while mine remain limp in his hold.
"Breathe with me, Layla," he orders, his blue ocean eyes looking for mine in the midst of all my internal chaos. I gaze downwards as I nod understandingly.
My brother brings one of my hands to my lower tummy while the other stays in his warm hold. "When you inhale, feel your belly expand, okay?" he instructs. Then proceeds to show me what I'm supposed to do, all while keeping his hand on top of mine.
He inhales and I inhale. He exhales and I exhale. Repeat the cycle.
I regain my breathing about five minutes later, just in time for a small drizzle to begin falling from the black sky.
Voski tucks a wild strand of hair behind my ear. "Let's go home, yeah?"
I nod silently to acknowledge him. Once he makes sure all of my limbs are in the car, he gently shuts the door closed and rounds the vehicle, but not before taking his phone from his trench coat and snapping a photo of the strange man's car.
