Code name Ariadne:Saving Kim. A Saving Shego story

Chapter seven

Theodore crept down the rapidly emptying streets of the market district. Lamps flick off one by one in the shops and stalls. The increasing darkness makes the tension in his body ease. This doesn't stop his hand from straying to a dagger. The wind whips his hair back and into his eyes. He hugs his blue windbreaker tighter around his body. He walks to one of the last food stalls open and buys two tacos and a soda. The man behind the counter has greying hair and tented glasses. Next to him in a stroller is his baby boy, wrapped in a dark purple blanket. His daughter is packing up their belongings so they can head home. Theodore takes all this in as he pays for his food. "Shouldn't you be headed home, son?"
"Yes sir, I'm headed home right now."
That lie came so easily to him. He might be a chaosborn, and a liar, but he wasn't a thief. This family, like his own, worked hard for their money, but if the kind old man  knew where he was headed he would be downgraded to something worse than a thief...an outcast and a traitor.
He hears their truck start up and watches them slowly head down a side street. He takes a crunchy, juice filled bite out of his first taco and a sip from his drink as he heads towards an alley and takes a step into it. He's walked this road only a few more times before...always in the dark...always in secret. Always alone. His hands remove the dagger from its sheath. He strokes the hilt and moves down another side street. He's no longer in the market district. He stops and takes a deep breath. He loves to of the people in that house at the end of the street.  The third one could end his life with a gesture or a whispered word spoken on a single breath. He crosses himself and steps onto the front lawn. There are three figures sitting on a spacious porch before him. One of them has a dark leather bound book on her lap and is reading from it. The two younger figures, heads buried in laptop screens and book pages are his age and carry his birth last name. They both notice him. Weights are placed on the books as one flips from the railing and the other walks calmly down the stairs. "Theodosia." A calm but firm voice scolds. "Sorry." The girl bows quickly then rushes to embrace Theodore and Theodosius. Theodore smiles shyly. "Brother, what's up? What are you doing here?" Theodosia asks. Theodosius nods eagerly. The youngest of the triplets, he is the observer and doesn't talk much. "Yes, young Theodore, what brings you to our home?"
Footsteps rush up the path behind them. The triplets whirl around as the heavy leather book slowly creaks shut. "Theodore Eros Hayaus Iarae!!!! There you are. For the love of everything good in this..."
Cacia grabs a hold of Theodore. He steps to her side, yet another lie on his lips. "I just wanted to see Theodosia and Theodosius." He manages.
She looks at him for a long time. He lowers his eyes. He knows that look. It's the, "You're lying to me Theo," look. He wonders if she can tell by the pinched expression on his face what he is really here for. Shego went to get help and he saw the art of betrayal at its finest. He was hoping the woman raising his siblings wasn't teaching them such awful  values. Cacia  has taken such good care of him and even done her best to fight the older girl on the porch for custody of his brother and sister. "Sis, I can explain," He begins. She holds up a hand. He falls silent. Shut up, Theodore, before you get yourself in trouble. His teeth graze his bottom lip. She takes his hand in hers. "I'm sorry, Cacia. I...
"Theodore please."
"Maybe he wanted to come talk to someone who wouldn't judge Diana for her questionable choice of allies."
The words Theodore was about to say died before they even reached his lips. Had Rhiannon been in Perry's that night? He hadn't sensed her. He moved behind Cacia. Goosebumps ran down his arms and sweat crept down his back. "I'm sorry about your sister, Cass."
The dark mage spoke softly, but the tone of her voice held a threat that needed know words. Cacia's hand tensed in Theodore's. He had been a fool. He was in no way shape or form skilled enough to fight one of the Kaderalyn sisters. He was too young, to inexperienced and scared out of his mind. He tried to get a hold of his fear before it manifested itself. He took a deep breath. His siblings stood near him, watchful. The one who had raised them or the brother who was their blood, if it came down to a fight who would they choose? Theodore knew being blood didn't mean you were family. She stood, set the book down and moved to lean against the railing. She knew the power she commanded. All eyes were on her, each body those eyes belonged to still and alert. He was such a bad brother. He had lost one sister, would he lose another because of his acting before thinking? His hand shook in his sister's. He thought back to the last time she and Rhiannon had dueled. They had not been equal then, not even close. How much had things changed? One hand moved to rest under her chin as turquoise eyes surveyed the faces before her. "It really was unfortunate that she happened upon Jade when she did. You see Jade has a son and there is nothing she won't do for Taika. Nothing."
Rhiannon took one step off the porch. Cacia's hand did not move towards a blade as Theodore began to pace beside her. A sharp tug stopped his movement at once.
A Hayaus child is brave. He was a warrior. And he would not act like a coward in front of the one who tested them. He held his head high. "That a boy." He heard her whisper telepathically to him. "Thank you. We appreciate your condolences."
There was honesty in her words. They were still holding out that Diana is alive. "I'm sorry that Theodore interrupted all of you. Come, Theo."
The two of them began walking down the path. "Cacia, wait."
Cacia turned around and lead her very unhappy younger brother back to their lawn. The grass under their feet thrummed with magic. "I have a question to ask you."
"Yes?" The amulet around her neck began to glow. Salem's warning. Theodore relaxed a little. Someone was looking out for them. Rhiannon held up a hand. "Peace, master Wakefield. I will not start a duel in front of the children."
The glow lessened a little. Theodore felt his anxiety heighten. He flipped the dagger around in his other hand. A duel didn't have to involve magic, it could just as easily involve words, and those were some of the world's most dangerous weapons.
"Would you consider an alliance with me? I will offer your family protection, even go so far as to warn Sellece that Rhiannon Kaderalyn will take up arms against her if you two can't calm the troubled waters. I only ask for one thing in return."
There was no smile gracing her lips when she spoke, but Cacia could have killed Theodore with the look she gave him. Having the deadliest of the sisters on their side would surely make Sellece think twice and prove that they were capable of making good decisions. Rhiannon never went back on a promise or alliance. She might be many things but a bad business woman wasn't one of them. Cacia could see the triumph in the other girl's eyes that was so well hidden from the others. She had won a victory. Cacia had powerful friends who could help her but none who knew the dark side of magic like this turquoise eyed beauty in front of her. Well there was master Salem. "What is it."
Rhiannon takes another step off of the porch. "You spend a little bit of time with me. A few hours at least and help on your cases in return for even more time. We were friends once. That's it, a little bit of time each month. We can just talk, nothing about our jobs, nothing about the kids, just us rebuilding our friendship. Maybe a duel or two?"
She stepped off the porch and walked over to them. She placed a finger under Cacia's chin and lifts her eyes to hers. She's not stupid. It was phrased as a question but was a statement. Rhiannon strokes her cheek gently. "Well?"
"At least let the children see each other."
"I can do that."
Of course she could. Cacia wouldn't use the triplets as pawns in this game. And Rhiannon would let them see each other because she had the advantage. One sibling lost, she didn't want to lose anymore. "I'd love to renew our friendship."
Rhiannon pulled her into a hug and offered her a kind smile. Cacia returned the embrace and tempered her anger. They shook hands and light shone down on both of them, burning the crests of both families onto their palms. They released each other. She grabbed Theodore by the hand. She waved goodbye to the three of them. She could feel Rhiannon's eyes on her as they went.

Theodore found himself sitting on their couch with his sister nursing the brand on her palm in front of him. "Theodore." She began. Theodore hung his head. Her other hand shook as it held a cup of tea. The others weren't going to save him from this lecture. He earned it. "How long have you been going to see Rhiannon and Theodosia and Theodosius?""
"A while. I missed my siblings. Honest."
Cacia set her cup down and sighed. The swelling on her palm was going down. "Theo, I love you." She swallowed hard. "You need to be careful. I can't lose you. I failed Diana. Just, go to your room. I need to think."
Theo trudged upstairs obediently.