𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter One Hundred Three ~

"You sure you don't need us to come in with you?" Dusk asked, pulling into a parking spot about twenty feet from the sidewalk. "It's just a quick grab. I'll be fine," Victoria assured, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out of the car. Diego's van pulled into the empty lot right next to them, and as the passenger doors slowly slid open, the siblings stepped out for some air, Dusk and Dahlia included. "Give me five minutes. I know where it is," The redhead then dashed up the concrete steps into the building.

Strangely, the cold December air was comforting as the morning sun beamed down on them. Dusk had never been a fan of the cold weather, but as she leaned up against the shell of the van, it awakened her senses, sending chills down her spine. A reminder that even with her altered phoenix, she was still human. "I'm curious. Why hasn't she carried that staff since you joined the CIA?" She looked over at Five. "Regulations. The boss said her carrying a staff around could give away our positions. Not to mention, they had us do extensive gun training," Five explained.

"It just doesn't seem like her to so easily leave it hanging around," Dahlia folded her arms across her chest. The twins looked back at her, equal confusion and surprise equally spreading across their faces. "What's up with her?" Five whispered. "I honestly don't know..." Dusk whispered back. Dahlia could sense the tension in the air and looked back at them. "What?" She questioned. "Nothing, you're just being awfully nice with Vic," Five noted. The icy blonde raised a brow, asking if there was a problem with it. "No, but you do realize just because you're being nice now, it doesn't mean she's gonna be the same way with you, right?" Dusk spoke.

"I'm just trying to be a better person!" Dahlia reasoned. "Look, we all got off on the wrong foot. But like I told Dusk last night, six years of isolation changes a person," Some of the siblings did try to understand where Dahlia was coming from, but of course, there were a few who were still wary of her. "No offense, Dahlia. But just because you're being nice now, doesn't change the fact you were an asshole," Allison stated. Dahlia looked at Number Three incredulously, her eyes scanned the rest of the group. Dahlia, keep your cool... Dusk silently spoke, hoping the former Sparrow could see the reassurance in her eyes.

But the hurt soon formed into anger. "I'm not that same cold-hearted Sparrow! Yes, I'll stand right here and acknowledge that I did some really shitty things! But that doesn't mean I'm not capable of change!" Her gaze landed on Viktor, who rubbed at the back of his neck and looked down at the ground. "Viktor, you remember when I came up to Nova Scotia for your grand opening and made you that winter coat?" Viktor slowly nodded his head but didn't say anything. "Luther, I invited you and your buddies to come model for me in London! You stole the show with your dance moves!"

"Well, I wouldn't say that..." Luther awkwardly chuckled. "Don't be so modest! The Brits are still talking about the famous crab dance!" Dahlia patted his shoulder. Luther's face flushed with the combination of the stinging cold air and flattery. But as he caught wind of Allison's stern expression, his smile fell. "Come on, does no one else remember the things I've done for you all?" Out of all the siblings, Dusk was the only one who nodded her head, and it further stirred the intensity of Dahlia's emotions. The icy blonde scoffed and shook her head, retreating to Dusk's car. "GODDAMN IT!" She shrieked just before closing the door.

 "I'm gonna go talk to her..." Dusk sighed, the awkwardness was becoming too much for her to bear. "You sure that's a good idea?" Diego inquired. "Is there a better option?" Dusk looked over her shoulder. And as she was met with silence, she walked back to the car opening the passenger door. "Get the fuck out of here!" Dahlia hissed. "It's me!" Dusk held her hands up in surrender. Dahlia looked away from the window, sure enough seeing it was her frenemy. "Oh sorry, come on in," She patted the seat next to her.