The Twins of Fire and Ice

Chapter Nine

Jay and Nix walked next to each other as they headed to the dining room for lunch. She leaned over to him. "I hope I didn't get you in that trouble," she murmured with concern. 

Jay glanced at her with a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing worse than what I would have received even if I did beat you. He would have scolded me for not perfecting my attacks and stances, no matter how flawless they look to others. He can always find something wrong with me."

Nix frowned. "A father shouldn't treat his son like that. It's wrong."

Jay shrugged. "I'm used to it by now. He has always treated me that way. I just don't let it bother me."

But it did bother him. Nix could see that. And as much as she would like to touch him briefly on the shoulder, it meant that she would read his mind since he was wearing a shirt with no sleeves. "What about your mother?"

Jay froze mid-step, every muscle tensing. Her eyes widened. She recognized that look. It was the same one she would wear whenever someone asked her about her parents. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean -"

He whirled around to face her. Nix stiffened as he stared at her. Clara curled her tail around her Nix's neck warily, murmuring through their connection, Be careful, little one.

After a silent confirmation, she stayed very still, letting her eyes drop to the floor in a submissive gesture. She hated to submitting to anyone, but knew it would be the only way to see how this played out.

Suddenly, a hand appeared in her vision. She flinched in surprise, glancing up to see Jay staring down at her, brow furrowed. "I'll show you," his voice rumbled deep in his chest. By sheer power of will, Nix was able to stop the shiver that threatened to run down her spine.

She reached for his hand but paused, her bare fingers hovering over his. "Are you sure?" she asked hesitantly. "I might read more than any memories you show me."

A crooked grin appeared on his face. "It's fine. Let me show you."

Nix hesitated for a moment longer, then let their hands touch, entwining their fingers together. Immediately, she felt the disorienting experience of having another being's consciousness meld with hers. A flash of a strange light appeared, and Nix closed her eyes, knowing it would be easier to see the memory like that.

Something dark shimmered just out of reach, and Nix got swallowed by the memory.

Everything was dark, but even so, she could tell that Jay's memory took place several years before, when he was about seven or eight. It was definitely strange, but Nix quickly focused, noticing how the memory zoomed in as the younger Jay stirred from his sleep, opening his eyes and looking at everything drowsily.

He blinked a few times, looking around. Shadows obscured most of the room, but Nix could just make out a desk and a bookcase against the far wall. It was a rather barren room.

Suddenly, the door slammed open. Like in any cliche, it was raining heavily outside, and right as the door slammed open lightning flashed. A figure stood cloaked in shadows, but when it stepped forward, Nix's breath caught.

This woman was so beautiful it wasn't even funny. Sculpted cheeks, beautiful emerald eyes, and plump red lips completed her curvy shape. But that wasn't what made Nix pause.

As much as Jay resembled his father, there was no comparison between them. He looked identical to his mother, save for his eyebrows. Those were his father's.

The woman pursed her lips, glancing back outside worriedly, as if anxiously waiting for someone to appear.

Shaking her head, the woman rushed over to her son, saying in a voice that sounded like angles, "My beautiful boy, are you ok? Hurt in any way?"

Young Jaydon was confused by the questions, but he obediently shook his head in answer. The woman sighed in relief. Little Jaydon tilted his head in puzzlement. "But, Momma, why? I thought you said Papa would always protect me?"

The woman's face turned grim. "I know you don't know what this word means yet, but your father has been compromised. We need to go."

But Jaydon did know what that word meant. He was about to ask more when a roar sounded, powerful enough to be heard over the storm.

Blanching, his mother quickly snatched Jay's wrist and dragged him to a door Nix hadn't seen before next to the bookcase. "Ok, sweetie, remember all those drills we made you do in case anything happened? Do it right now. Go to -"

Something slammed into the ground right outside the door, making both Jaydon and his mother whip around in surprise. Right outside the frame of the door was a silhouette of a man with a broadsword in his hand. He had a hood on, so Jay couldn't see his face, but he could almost imagine a slow, creeping smile appearing on the man's face as he said, "Knock-knock."

Without even thinking, his mother opened the door and shoved Jaydon inside, screaming "Go! Run and don't look back!"

And that was what he did. Stumbling, Jay ran as fast as he could, managing to make it to the other door a long ways away before hearing a faint slam of the first door opening.

Quickening his steps, Jay opened the door, fumbling to close and lock it right after he went out. He was set on finding his father so that he could help his mother, but he didn't know that he was already too late.

With a gasp, Nix jerked away from Jaydon, knees buckling and almost falling before he caught her, careful not to touch her bare skin. "Stars, Nixie, are you ok?"

Nix was shaking too much to answer or even to wonder about her new nickname, only able to curl against his chest, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Nix! Nix, are you ok?" She heard her sister's suddenly frantic voice from somewhere to her right, but she wouldn't be able to respond without bursting into tears.

"Hey, Nixie, Ice Queen, are you ok? What happened?"

Shaking her head, Nix managed to raise it, looking at Jaydon with heartbroken and tear filled eyes. "Oh, Jay, I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry."

Looking puzzled, Jay shook his head. "What do you mean? What are you sorry about?

Taking a deep breath, Nix found the will to look at him in his bright emerald eyes. "I'm sorry because I recognize that voice."