Shadow Taking Over

17- Firecracker

The sisters were left alone together for another two hours. During that time, they competed in a thrilling staring contest. Ultimately, Eve was the victor because Alice forfeited to fetch something from the kitchen. Eve enjoyed her triumph until Alice returned wielding a glass of water. She watched her waltz around the couch, sit at the far end chair and gulp down half of the glass. Alice made sure to exhale the satisfying breath louder than needed just so she was sure Eve heard.

Before Eve was able to strike back at her, they were interrupted by the sound of a door opening and closing. They locked equally concerned faces, though their concerns were for different people. Then, they leapt off their chairs and sprinted to the hall. Each sister straightened up before peering around the corner. Lance walked alone. He busied himself with adjusting his sleeves up to his elbows. Once he reached the end of the hall, he noticed his two daughters side by side. He regarded them quaintly, ignoring the fear that Eve attempted to bury.

"Alice, come with me," he instructed casually.

Alice lit up. "Gladly, sir." Her eyes darted back at Eve as they left down the hall together.

"Mm?"

Eve turned her head at high pitched hum. Senka took the shape of a doll beside her. The doll had no distinct features at all. Just claws as usual. They floated on level with her face, legs dangling along with the slight air conditioning breeze. Gently, they reached one claw out to stroke under her eye. Eve swiftly brought her hand to the place where their cold claw brushed. She felt painful sting inflict her fingertips. Until now, she had not realized there were tears leaking from her eyes- actual watery tears. They left tiny red burns in their wake. Eve crumbled her sleeve in her fist and wiped the tears forcefully. She applied pressure to her eyes to stop the insistent crying. Ace had failed. He was lost, and that was all her fault. After all, if he wasn't with Lance, where was he?

There was a muffled shout from down the hall. Eve's gaze darted around to find the source. A second shout called out from Lance's study. There was one voice shouting above another calmer one, followed by a loud bang. Senka lunged onto the base of Eve's neck to hide. Eve sprinted down the length of the hall. She grasped the doorknob and burst through the door.

Lance was seated at his desk with his legs crossed. His expression was that of mad joy. Alice stood a short distance in front of the door, blocking Eve's view of the rest of the study. They both turned to stare at her.

"Ah, Lone Shadow. We were just talking about you," Lance cut through the silence.

Alice resumed her shouting rant. Her arms flailed in Eve's direction. "You are going to send her out with him? How could you even trust her after what she- what she somehow managed?!"

Confused, Eve took a minor step back. Alice curled her lip in a snarl. She snatched Eve's upper arm to drag her forward. There, Eve saw Ace. He was seated across from Lance without a scratch on him. Relief washed over her. Ace glanced her way and snuck a small smile toward her.

Alice pulled hastily at Eve's right sleeve. She then slammed her wrist onto the desk, which forced Eve into a degrading kneel at Lance's feet. Alice jabbed her nail at the blank sheet of skin.

"I did not remove the mark, Father. Somehow she managed to take it off on her own. She was late on the delivery, and he was left unharmed. And you think she is fit to work alongside him? Alone?!"

Eve hated it, but in her current position, she was forced to look up at Lance. His eyes danced from person to person as he pondered what Alice had boldly stated. He ran his fingers through his green locks and rested his hand there to use his elbow to prop his tilted head. There was no telling what toxins coursed his mind. No one could determine his thoughts without digging in his skull. He was simply still and calm.