I am Number Ten

CHAPTER 12

        I lean back on the couch, tears streaming down my face. I push my bangs back out my face and wipe my eyes.

        So much makes sense now. I don't whether to be mad, happy or just sad in general. I can understand why Annie kept most of this stuff a secret for my safety, but to keep that I had a brother, a twin to be exact, a secret is a little harder to forgive. At least I know who it is and it explains why I missed him more than anything. I knew I had some kind of relationship with him, but now I can label it.  I start to wonder if Setrakus Ra knew of our connection and used it to his advantage.

         I place the letter beside me and just cry for a bit. I'm more sad for my brother than anything else. He turned against us and murdered another Garde. I cry for the fact my family was really broken and my grandparents hated their own daughter and grandson. At least it explains the vision I had with my dad and why my grandfather forced us apart. Hate has never been something I like to focus on, but it seems my entire life revolved around it. I tried to focus on the good in people and thought love and honesty were very important.

"Christina?"

I knew he could tell when I wasn't there.

"Hi," I say softly.

"What's wrong?" he asks, sitting next to me.

"This." I indicate the letter. "I finally read Annie's letter."

"And...?"

"Why don't you read it yourself?" I offer it to him.

        Blake takes the pages and leans over to the lamp. I wait patiently as he learns to the truth. Everything I thought I knew was a lie. I place my hands on my eyes and just relax.

        When he's done, he leans back and wraps his arms around me.

"Christina...I can still call you that right?"

"Of course," I say softly.

"I'm so sorry," he says. I lean my head on his shoulder and let more tears fall. There's a brief pause.

"I like your name...Aralia really suits you."

"Thanks, but that's not the part I'm upset about."

"Is it because Annie lied to you?"

"God no, Annie did everything to protect me..."

"Is it your twin brother?"

"Yeah..." I grimace.

"Which number do you think he is?"

"Five..." I sigh.

"Is he...?"

"Yes..."

        We don't speak for a little while. I keep my head on Blake's shoulder and we just embrace the quiet. I only cry for a little bit longer, I just need to let the truth sink in. Aralia, the forgotten Loric Elder, Number Ten, whatever you want to call me, at least I have my identity back.

"Where do you think the others are now?" Blake asks.

"Divided, my brother's still alive I know that much."

"How can you tell?"

"The visions," I explain. "I am the Garde in their last moments of life. I see everything that's happening, so I'd know if he'd be dead. We may have been separated at birth, but we've had this special connection." I clasp hands with Blake, showing him what I mean. "I've always been close to him. We shared a womb for nine months and a year on the ship. There are some ties that can't be severed no matter how hard they try."