Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, Book 1)

Chapter Fourteen

The Brothers

The Mortal Realm

My third day in this wretched place felt just as the first two: long and insufferable, and utterly pointless. The girl hadn't been present past the first day and now, I felt like little more than a babysitter for my so-called peers. Their lazy, misinformed teachers, who instilled their ignorance into their pupils and called it an education, annoyed me. There was no reason for my presence. As I gathered my fake books containing what should've been information to learn from in my arms, I could feel the weight of my neglected duties. I made my way out the main doors of the school and towards freedom.

The time I'd been spending with mortals was affecting me. More than once I had wanted to discard my disguise, tap into my natural abilities, and speed up time. No one would notice, but I would find the forced experience I was enduring whilst my charge wasn't even present that much more bearable if I only had to be present when she was. Instead of drawing attention, though, I was fleeing the confines of high school like an earthly creature would flee when forced to face a demon.

The sun was shining down in a way that I couldn't experience in my truest form. Warm. Bright, though I'd seen brighter. The brightness I was used to didn't inspire warmth; the light I felt in my truest form cooled the warmth that radiated within me. It was a subtle difference, but it wasn't lost on me that I noticed it. As my innate power became subdued in this mortal form, the senses of a human became more prominent. The tight grip I had held onto for so long on my emotions lessened, and with it, the prejudice towards humans each of my kind believed felt like it was beginning to diminish.

"Where are you going, Brother?"

Pausing mid-stride, I cringed at the familiar tone. We all had names but as His sons, and compared to His Glory, names were insignificant. 'Brother' allowed for equality, our roles and authority given equal measure whenever our duties were inactive. Our worth was measured by our duties and our order— oldest to youngest —determined our value. I was the second eldest, the second most 'worthy' of us, the seven Brothers.

The First looked up to meet my gaze. We were all present, the others forming a straight line at the bottom of the steps and blocking my exit, not that that would really stop me. I lost myself to the natural state of invisibility knowing that was how they'd revealed themselves. Eventually, I would be back in classes and it wouldn't do me any favors to be known as the crazy talking to himself.

I dropped the image of the boy once I became invisible to humans. I wanted to be equal amongst the Brothers, not viewed as the rest of the human race: a lesser being. "I'm leaving. The girl isn't here, and I have duties to fulfill."

The First stepped forward out of line as the others remained silent, fading into the background in respect for their elders. "You need to remain here. It is important that you see what happens, understand the changes that occur."

"What changes?"

"The changes that must be made for her to live. She has realized this and, though her heart is pure, the change she's instigated is not for the better."

"Again, what changes?" I asked all the Brothers. He may be my elder, but as the Second, I was older than the rest of the others. None were foolish enough to get in between us, though, and my question was met with silence.

"Go back to class, Brother, and you will see." He stepped into my line of vision so that I couldn't intimidate the others.

I willed my school books out of my hands and crossed my arms, my gaze narrowing. "Or you could just tell me," I said, my voice low and impatient, but silence reigned in response. "What games do you play, Brother?"