Lemuria: The City of Mysts

Chapter 38: My Sister

A/N: Hi everyone. It's been a while. Had to finish a few projects ... Rushed this one today since I can't work on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Good news is it's lengthier than Chapter 37. Here is the new (roughly encoded) chapter. :)

Read in alternative platform: http://wp.me/p4sbY6-er

Chapter 38: My Sister

One step into the room and he knew. His sister wasn't inside. The room was cold despite the summer heat. A proof that she was alive. His sister. Electra. But where had she gone? Louis stomped down on the panic.

She promised. Look, Louis. Look, he commanded himself. Sis wouldn't leave without a word. Louis scanned the area for a note. He glanced at the table near the door.

His sister always left one when she went out.

The window seat.

Sis never broke her promise that she'd be back.

The dresser.

The night table. A white sheet of paper was propped on it. The writing was loopy and elegant. The signature affixed at the bottom was Cheska.

Louis sat on the bed. He wondered at its meaning. His sister hadn't looked very happy back in their father's study. She had caught them arguing. Not a great welcome for someone who just regained her memories. Perhaps, it was to be expected. Who in their right mind would smile after being told about the person responsible for the attack on them. Cheska's face was blank.

The doctor had reassured them she was still in shock and needed time. Louis breathed out. Maybe, he was reading too much in Cheska's behaviour. He opened a portal that would take him directly to her.

Gods, he still couldn't believe he was now a guardian. Louis frowned. It was his sister's birth right. She must be upset to have lost the position. He closed the doorway and took the traditional path.

The way to the garden took three turns down the corridor. At the last corner, Louis found Cheska and her guard talking, oblivious of his presence. For a second, he was furious with the man's negligence. The guard was paid to protect his sister, not babble. Plus, failure to notice someone creeping up on them was unheard of in the security department, especially staff assigned to protect their family. Louis was about to advance on the guard when the latter half-turned and greeted him. He wasn't surprised to see the Roucan heir behind them.

"Louis", Cheska called. He swivelled towards his sister. Her arms folded and brow raised, she subtly jerked her head to the guard.

"What?" Louis frowned.

"Good afternoon, Louis." Cheska rolled her eyes.

"Good aft—" his eyes flickered to the guard. Louis coughed in his hand. "Afternoon to you, both."

The guard blinked at the acknowledgment. Cheska smiled ruefully at the reaction.

"I need to speak with you in private", Louis said to her.

The guard moved at a discreet distance.

"Alright. You've gotten Buzz out of hearing range. What is it?" She strode out of the arched doorway.

"Buzz who?" Louis glanced at the guard. "Never mind." He followed Cheska out to the garden.

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked. Eyes closed, her face was tilted up to the sky. The canopy of leaves above them swayed. The shadows it created danced on her face. The expression was almost serene. He could tell she was anxious by the rigidity of her posture. Louis debated if it was the right time to discuss what was in his mind.