Renata
They sat beneath the tree. The warm colors were brighter up close. Renata smiled and was glad she chose to come outside. It was easy to forget how beautiful the world was at times. Far too easy.
They sat next to each other on a metal bench with purple cushions. Tahoma surprised her by keeping his legs together, crossed at the ankle—instead of spreading out, and she wouldn't have blamed him considering his staggering height. Renata strategically kept her thighs together so they would not brush against him. As a distraction, she studied the back of the house, one that contrasted against the whimsical garden with its gothic style. Long, thin windows. Pointed rooftops. Black trimming against dark gray siding. "Do you stay here with Nirvi?"
"Sometimes. When I'm in town. I'm not usually around often, but I have been for the last couple of years." He moved his raven hair out of the way so he could get a better look at her. This up close, she was devastated to find a lack of imperfections. It only made her more aware of her own.
"Oh." She took only a breath before she unleashed a question. "It seems you get along really well with Rocio. When did you meet her?" There were countless unsaid, follow-up questions there. Renata was dying to know how her sister got caught up in all of this. Was it Nirvi? Him? Someone else Renata had yet to meet?
Tahoma's eyes turned distant again, and she thought back to a similar moment before he sat himself at the dinner table. "It's hard to say. Maybe four or five years ago." That's about the time when the sisters stopped talking. Things were beginning to make sense. "Awe brought her home."
Renata's attention zoned in on the name. "Awe?" She saw the way his adam's apple bobbed in his throat. She knew then what a sensitive subject she was broaching. The person that should have been sitting next to Rocio. "Were they...?"
He cleared his throat and looked away. When he didn't correct her use of 'was', she knew Awe was gone. "My sister. My twin. It was a two for one deal when Nirvi rebirthed me—anyway, enough about boring, old me. Tell me something about you, anything." Change the subject, quick. Renata understood.
She raised an eyebrow at him. "What, Rocio didn't spill all of my secrets?"
Tahoma leaned in. "Not the juicy ones."
Renata rolled her eyes. He just couldn't help himself. But her mood became somber. Her features slackened and she felt like maybe she'd made a mistake entertaining him. "I don't think I really know all of my secrets."
Tahoma was suddenly on his feet, looking out toward the forests. Renata jumped at the inhuman movement. "Someone's here," he explained quietly. Her eyes widened and her head whipped back and forth like she could somehow catch up.
There was shouting off to the distance and Renata recalled the guards that lined the property. She came to a stand but she didn't know which way to retreat. Inside? Toward the trees? Sinking into the ground seemed the most comforting option. "What's happening?"
The fierce look on his face made her shiver. "Someone is trying to breach the property." He lifted his skirt to reveal a dagger. Renata wasn't sure what his intentions were as he removed the blade, twisted toward her and let the blade fly. She gasped and attempted to block the attack. But the blade whizzed past her and slammed against its target. It bounced off and cluttered to the ground.
Renata turned to see the disgruntled expression of Keone. "What the fuck," she muttered, stumbling back.
Tahoma was a flurry of rage. "If any of mine are dead—"
"I tried to be polite," Keone gritted between teeth, "but like their fearless leader Nirvi, no one listens to reason around here."
Tahoma marched forward. There wasn't an ounce of fear in him. Renata even stepped out of his way as he confronted Keone. "Watch your tongue. You are not welcome here, trespasser. Leave. Now."
Keone stood his ground, lifted his chin and looked up into Tahoma's eyes. "I will leave once I am certain of Renata's well-being."
Renata blinked a couple times in disbelief. "You risked death to check up on me?" Both men looked at her. "You're unbelievable. I left for a reason. You have no right to show up here like some fucking savior."
Tahoma nodded along to Renata's words. He sent her a reassuring smile, but his face soured once he returned his eyes toward Keone. "You heard Renata." He stepped closer. "Go...before I decide to end you."
Keone's eyes brightened with challenge. That fire died as he looked at Renata. She felt no sympathy. She was just so angry at him, and couldn't believe she agreed with him on anything. "I know you hate me, but it's not too late to change your mind." He stepped around Tahoma.
That rage inside of her that was finally beginning to subdue roared to life. She stepped in front of him. Her face was red and she was trembling. "Why—" She felt the explosion of pain right as she heard the gun go off.
Keone
He yelled in fear and grabbed her right as he heard the familiar shouting of Nirvi's guard. Her big eyes widened, and her features contorted with pain.
As Keone looked down at her, Tahoma raced forward and disarmed the person. "Stand down!"
"The intruder—"
"I will deal with you soon enough!" Tahoma hissed. "Tell everyone else to stand down and return to their stations."
"Did I—Did I just take a bullet for you?" Renata groaned and coughed. Some blood splattered on Keone's face, and the deeply disturbed part of him recalled being in a similar setup as this one.
"The bullet's still lodged," Tahoma was crouching at their side. Keone was cradling her close and recognized they were both being soaked in crimson. "Pick her up, we need to get her inside."
"No, it's too painful," Renata cried out. "Here." They both watched as her trembling hand reached out toward Tahoma. Her fingers brushed against his knee and beneath the black skirt. Tahoma watched with intrigue as she removed his other blade.
Both men watched her in confusion as she examined it. Keone had a sneaking suspicion about what exactly she was up to, and he wasn't sure whether to stop her or not. He had a feeling if he did, she'd only hate him more.
"I don't understand," Tahoma muttered.
Renata tried to breathe in but that proved difficult. More blood was seeping from her mouth. Her voice came out pained and raspy. "I'll see you soon." She mustered the last of her strength and with a deep grunt, she shoved the blade in her throat and ripped it right back out.
Tahoma was startled and attempted to hold her wound, but Keone snatched his hand away. "Let her go. She'll be back."
Tahoma's eyes flashed. Keone barely felt Tahoma's hand against his chest before his body was tossed backward. His back absorbed most of the impact, but his second skin continued to take on most of the strikes and forces dealt his way. He came to his feet right as Tahoma took Renata into his arms. The sight of him cradling her so near made him coil with frustration. "You've lost your mind."
"She's already dead. Her heart has stopped—don't deny it. Just get her cleaned up before she awakens."
Tahoma looked down at Renata with searching eyes. He returned his gaze to Keone. "But she's human..." He inhaled sharply. "Did she consume a heart?"
Keone rolled his eyes right as the back doors burst open. Nirvi, accompanied by Rocio, had joined the party. He still directed his attention toward Tahoma. "Of course not. Where would she have gotten one in the last twenty-four hours?"
"What has happened?" Nirvi demanded.
"Oh my god, Nata!" Rocio screamed and raced forward. She ripped Renata from Tahoma's arms. "Why can't I hear her?"
Nirvi's eyes burrowed into Keone. "My eyes must be deceiving me. I know Angel's top soldier is not on my land uninvited." She went by Rocio's side. "And while you're at it, explain why my guest of honor is dead." The last word was said with enough venom to send a shiver down his spine. "Please, while your head remains attached to your neck, preferably."
Keone shook his head. He feigned confidence and nonchalance. "Renata really is distrusting. She hasn't told you yet." He scoffed. "That checks out." He watched a trembling Rocio with a sympathetic expression. "Although, I thought she would have told you by now that she can't die."
Both women froze.
Tahoma looked around, as if the answers would somehow fall from the sky or jump out from the cover of the forest. "Your pulse is steady. You're either a spectacular liar, or you're telling the truth." He examined the blood underneath his fingernails. "But that would explain why you've been her shadow this last year."
Rocio sniffled. "Wait, so, she's not dead."
"She is," Keone confirmed. "But she'll be back."
"How soon?" This question came from Nirvi. Her thoughts were racing. He could see her motives shifting and evolving with each new piece of information coming to light. This meant more trouble for Keone.
"The longest I've seen is a couple hours. The shortest: an hour. Just get her cleaned up. No one wants to wake up caked in their own blood."
"You had better be right. Okay, let's go Nata," Rocio said, walking away without another word. Tahoma sent one, lasting glare before following close behind.
Nirvi lingered. Keone awaited the consequences of his actions.
She smirked. A light laugh burst from her lips. "Isn't this interesting?" Her heels clicked as she came a little closer. "You can go." Keone didn't understand. "Consider me not killing you a favor." Then, it clicked and his stomach dropped. The cruel amusement never left her eyes. "And you know how much I love collecting debts." The next time his eyelids lifted, she was gone.
Keone showed himself out, wondering if he was only capable of making things worse.