I was abruptly awakened by a powerful knock on the door. The knock was familiar, echoing through the hardwood. I jolted upright, attempting to rise and open the door, but my entire body refused to cooperate.
I glimpsed at the clock; it was just past eleven at night.
"That can wait until tomorrow!" I managed to shout, lying on the soft bed.
Reluctantly, Friedan appeared at the door. He looked discomfited, his gaze scanning the room. He looked devilishly handsome, dressed in boxer shorts and a loose gray shirt that hinted at his muscular chest.
He couldn't sleep either. The argument earlier had been intense, stirring something deep within both of us.
"May I come in?" he asked softly, a hint of urgency in his tone.
I swallowed hard. It was the first time Friedan had ever entered my room. I didn't respond immediately, and he remained by the door, waiting for me to speak.
"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" I feigned drowsiness and silently prayed that he would believe me.
But he didn't buy it. As the head of the household and my acting guardian, he flicked the light switch, flooding the room with gentle illumination, and approached my bed. I squinted against the sudden brightness.
Our skin hadn't touched yet, but it felt as if I was already electrified. That's how powerful his presence was.
With my eyes still closed, I sensed his weight on the edge of my bed. He was facing the window, watching the moon's rhythmic dance with the darkness.
When I finally opened my eyes, I was met with the gentlemanly sight of his back. The words Roen had spoken echoed in my mind.
"They're no longer your own kind, Phelan. Both of you are hybrids. Not an outcross, nor an urion."
Friedan was now among those I couldn't trust. Wasn't he? He had been my guardian for over thirteen years, practically family. But how had he managed to hide the truth from me for so long?
I had yearned to confront him, to inquire about everything concerning my existence. Perhaps I was wrong to accuse him of knowing. Perhaps we were both victims of secrets buried for decades.
"Kiera," he murmured soothingly, "there are many things you don't know. There are secrets that must remain hidden, not because I want to deny them to you, but to protect you. The truth can be perilous."
His words shook me from my thoughts. I sat up, propping myself against the headboard of the bed, only partially facing him. I saw the left side of his face, his gaze still fixed on me through his peripheral vision. In frustration, I heaved a deep sigh, hoping he would sense my inner turmoil.
He shifted his position, turning to fully face me. I was as uncertain about what to say or ask as he appeared to be. My silence seemed to weigh heavily on him, each moment of our mutual indecision intensifying the tension between us.
I was roused from my slumber by a resounding knock on the door. The knock, so familiar, echoed through the sturdy hardwood. I sat up abruptly, attempting to rise and answer the door, but my entire body remained unresponsive.
I checked the clock; it had just passed eleven at night.
"That can wait until tomorrow!" I managed to shout while lying on the soft bed.
Reluctantly, Friedan appeared at the door, looking somewhat disconcerted as his gaze scanned the room. He looked strikingly handsome, dressed in boxer shorts and a loose gray shirt that hinted at his well-defined chest.
He couldn't sleep either, just like me. The argument we had earlier had been so intense that it must have left us both on edge.
"May I come in?" he softly inquired, a hint of urgency in his voice.
I swallowed hard. It was the first time Friedan had ever entered my room. I didn't respond immediately, and he patiently waited by the door, expecting my answer.
"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" I feigned drowsiness, silently praying that he would believe me.
But he didn't buy it. As the head of the household and my acting guardian, he flicked the light switch, flooding the room with gentle illumination, and approached my bed. I squinted against the sudden brightness.
Though our skin had yet to make contact, it felt as if I were already electrified. Such was the intensity of his presence.
With my eyes still closed, I sensed his weight settling on the edge of my bed. He was facing the window, gazing at the moon's rhythmic dance with the darkness.
When I finally opened my eyes, I was met with the gentlemanly sight of his back. The words Roen had spoken echoed in my mind.
"They're no longer your own kind, Phelan. Both of you are hybrids. Not an outcross, nor an urion."
Friedan was now among those I couldn't trust, or was he? He had been my guardian for over thirteen years, practically family. But how had he managed to keep the truth hidden from me for so long?
I had longed to confront him, to inquire about everything concerning my existence. Perhaps I was wrong to accuse him of knowing. Perhaps we were both victims of secrets buried for decades.
"Kiera," he murmured soothingly, "there are many things you don't know. There are secrets that must remain hidden, not because I want to deny them to you, but to protect you. The truth can be perilous."
His words snapped me out of my thoughts. I sat up, propping myself against the headboard of the bed, and saw the left side of his face as he continued to gaze at me through his peripheral vision. In frustration, I heaved a deep sigh, hoping he would sense my inner turmoil.
He shifted his position, fully facing me now. I was as uncertain about what to say or ask as he appeared to be. My silence seemed to weigh heavily on him, each moment of our mutual indecision intensifying the tension between us.
"Please talk," he whispered in a soft, confidential tone, his gaze solemn and sincere. His eyes were ethereal and sincere, each word he spoke tugging at my heartstrings, dragging pains into my chest.
I hugged the pillow, feeling the need to do so to ease the confusion, pain, and doubts that consumed me. Then my lips formed words, "I am thankful you're my guardian. You have been my family for thirteen years."
He smiled, his eyes cast downward.
"But, Friedan, I can't blame myself if, as I grow older, questions pile up and I want to find answers. Who killed my parents? Who killed Dr. Roberts? Why do I feel something unusual every time the shadows of the moon and sun converge? What kind of being inhabits my body, capable of ending more than twenty lives in a matter of seconds? W-who am I?"
"You are special," were the only words he could muster.
It seemed he couldn't answer my questions. I didn't push it further. Despite all the secrets, I held a deep respect for him.
Suddenly, I was surprised when his palm met mine, his hand enveloping mine in warmth. He gently squeezed it as his eyes moved back and forth between me and the moon.
Then he murmured, "One day, Kiera... One day, everything will come to light. Perhaps not today, but in due time."
I felt a slight shock as his hand played with mine. He cleared his throat and drew me closer to him. Taken aback, I allowed it. I could smell his scent, his breath. It was intoxicating. I sensed the sun's rays on his skin. He didn't speak, his chocolate-colored eyes fixed on my face.
I gasped. What was he doing?
"You know we're not siblings, right?"
I nodded. I was frozen, overwhelmed by the myriad of sensations he was causing. His warm breath on my face, and the intensity of his gaze, it all left me breathless.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my confusion evident. I swallowed hard. Where was this going?
"Father should forgive me for this," he mused as he moved closer to me. "I've wanted to do this since your birthday."
Swiftly, his lips met mine, a mixture of bitterness and sweetness. He kissed me again, his lower lip grazing mine as he hungrily explored my mouth.
Then he deepened the kiss, and I heard a sultry moan escape his lips. Friedan was unveiling a new side of himself that night, and I, unbeknownst to him, was also becoming different from my own kind.
I was about to reciprocate the passion of his kiss when suddenly, my vision darkened. It felt as if another part of my being was taking over again. Oh no! I was blacking out once more, and I might harm Friedan!
"Shit!" I muttered with all my might, struggling to suppress the shadow within me. But it was strong. I pushed Friedan away, and he seemed to snap out of whatever had been happening.
"Kiera? I-is the demon t-taking over?"