These Streaks of Blood

26

Amelie flicks her wrist, signaling to Amer, and her brother drops the newborn to the floor.

The girl moans, holding her arms close to her chest, but Amelie is surprised to notice that she's not curling herself into a ball, like she has been so often lately. Coming out of our shell, are we? Amelie wonders, and as Amer glances at her, she knows she sent the thought to him.

Something is definitely different, her twin agrees, and their gazes meet in consternation.  

Something we have to worry about?

Amer shrugs lightly, switching his gaze back to the girl on the ground, who is just beginning to sit up and glance around. Her eyes are brighter than before, Amelie immediately notices. They look more... lucid. Ever since Rave had brought her to Nelye's house, she had been secluded, lost, basically psychotic. So what brought about this change? A tingle of apprehension rushes down Amelie's spine, but she tries to stifle it. What could this newborn do to her? Amelie has nothing to fear.

"This is Ryffin's mansion," states Natalee, looking slightly curious and largely confused. She continues to look around, her eyes wide and searching.

"Your skills of observation are indeed impressive," Amelie replies coldly. She scans the room as well, no doubt searching for the same thing Natalee is: Ryffin. This is the last place Amelie and her brother saw the bastard, the place they had seen him at his weakest. He had practically begged them. The thought makes her smile.

"Why are we here?" Natalee asks, and although Amelie's back is turned to her, she can sense the girl's scowl.  

A soft thud, a loud cry. "Shut up," Amer commands harshly. Amelie looks at her brother, eyebrows raised in indifferent surprise. He shrugs again.

If Ryffin hears her, we won't have the advantage anymore. He's as clever as we are, Amelie; he'll figure something out. Better to keep her quiet, he tells her, but his eyes are glinting with vicious enjoyment. His excuse is feeble; he's just glad to hurt the girl, knowing he's hurting Ryffin in the process.

"I guess you're right," Amelie responds, not wanting to ruin her brother's fun, only realizing she said it out loud when Natalee asks, "Who's right?" Amer kicks her again, not too roughly, but hard enough to cause the girl pain - especially considering she's already been beaten by Rave.

Stay with her, Amer; I'm going to look around.

Almost instantly, Amer shakes his head. "No. I'll go."

Amelie rolls her eyes. "Amer, I hardly think that's necessary--"

"If he sees you, you could get hurt. It's too dangerous, Amelie."

Amelie feels her jaw clench tightly. "Why, Amer? Because I'm a girl?"

Her twin snorts. "No, Amelie; because you're my sister."

They face each other, glares equal in hostility. Natalee watches them both with interest. As annoyed as Amelie is with her brother, she can't stop her thoughts from straying, wondering why the girl doesn't appear more concerned. She was stolen from her prison in the middle of the night and spirited away, yet she doesn't look afraid. Reasonably confused, yes, but no longer incoherent, no longer scared of her own shadow.

Stay here, Amelie repeats to Amer, and quickly spins on her heel, practically running from the room.

AMELIE! Amer yells, and her head rings from the shout, but she doesn't slow down. Amer's concern is touching, but she is just as capable, if not more capable, to face danger as he is. She goes up a few flights of stairs, glances into every room, goes down a flight, checks that level... she continues until she's back at the lounge, a pronounced scowl on her face.