by KD Bond
"They do worry Kat; you know that," Sia added even more gently than before.
"Yeah, they worry, sure,” Kat utter sarcastically. “They worry about why I keep disobeying Sky. Why, on Phantom, do I keep breaking our fearless leaders fucking precious rules," Kat spat through her teeth. "They don’t care about me, sister mine. I showed up at their doorstep bloodied, broken, in need of their guidance. And love and you know what they said to me? Sky said you broke protocol. You could’ve gotten everyone killed.” Kat finished with her mother’s deadpan expression.
What about her? Kat needed her family, what she witnessed on that horrific day. What she’ had to do. She needed them, and they weren’t there. None of them were. But this wasn’t the time or place to reminisce. Kat shut the memory down before it could manifest even more hatred. But Sia’s next words had her seeing red.
"Yeah well, maybe if you’d stayed in formation, she wouldn’t have said that." Kat’s sister mumbled, looking down while kicking imaginary rocks with her silver-buckled boots.
"Yeah and that five-year-old little boy would’ve been dead alongside his mother, too!” Kat shot back ferociously. Goddess, her sister brought out the best of her temper, but nowadays it didn’t take much. All one had to do was bring up her parents and ding ding ding, let’s get ready to rumblllllllllle.
"Look okay; I get why you hate them, but what about me? You could at least speak to me; seriously we’re sisters. I went through the same grueling training you did, with the same parents." Sia pointed at her angrily.
Sia was right, Kat thought to herself. Sia did go through the same cutthroat training to become a Knight once they reached puberty. And she went through it first, alone — Sia’s boot camp begun a whole year before Kat’s own. Even though Kat discovered her powers far sooner than her twin. Kat didn’t want a life of drills and unending commands. Sia, however, was excited to show their unbeloved parents she was chosen. Soon as their parents saw Sia pull a flame from a candle and manipulate it, their lives changed. The twin's parents went from stoic dromes to commanders in chief.
During Kat's whole adolescence she’d prayed for a hint of their love and acceptance. All she wanted to do was make them proud. But when they were born, and neither of the twins showed signs of being gifted, they were discarded. Sia and Kat were left to fend for themselves as soon as they were old enough. The four were never a happy, delightful bunch. And the only one that ever showed her the slightest affection was her twin. They were all each other had. Their parents, mainly her mother, were dedicated to the Knights and having children always seem to get in their way. That was all until Sia held that flame in her hands. Sia’s childhood after that was over. And Kat had officially lost her best friend to the very people she later grew up to hate.
Sia had a schedule for everything. Hell, Kat didn’t think she could even wipe her ass if it weren’t on the agenda. Sia, to them, was the golden child. Their whole world revolved around her calendar. Kat was often left by herself while they were training outside in the field. And she had grown accustomed to being the lonely rider. Kat was convinced she was better off alone. That’s when Kat knew she had to hide the power over the lightning strike.
Sia’s life was one Kat didn’t want for herself. And Kat gained sick satisfaction over her mother’s inability to produce twin knights. The young harpy got off on being a defect or at least that’s how her mother saw her.
One night while Kat was supposed to be sleeping soundly, she snuck out of bed to get a glass of water. She couldn’t have been more than eight years old at the time. A burning flame coming from the living rooms fireplace drew her. The shadows of the flames danced along the beach-sand walls. Those figures produced the quiet voices of their mother and father.
Kat crept closer to hear their words. She rarely heard either one of them speak to each other. It was a wonder they were even married. Either for convenience or love, Kat did not know. If she were to wager a guess, it’d be for convenience. Kat did not believe her mother was capable of love.
As Kat tiptoed barefooted forward, in her flowing flowered silk nightgown, the voices became more distinct.
“This is not what I wanted. Those children are not what I wanted.” Kat heard her mother, sneer.
“We talked about this. The girl's power may be dormant. They could manifest once they’ve reached adulthood. We should start training them now,” Kat’s father rebutted.
“Why waste our time on defects. If they were gifted, their powers would’ve surfaced by now. I’ve seen traces of gifted harpies at birth. Those two are simply ordinary. What have I done that the Goddess deems punishable? I have given up everything to carry and birth future Knights. And yet I’m rewarded with shame,” her mother mutter in disgust. The two exiting the cover of the flames.
Kat, dejected, hurried back to the room shared with her sister. She jumped back under the wool quilt quietly, as to not wake her still sleeping sister. Kat tried desperately that night to fall back asleep. However, the horrific words her mother spoke wouldn’t let Kat rest. As a child, she felt so small. Yes, the harpy was merely a kid, but at that moment, Kat felt like she needed to grow up.
Kat tried obsessively to make her mother proud. Whether it was by mastering new skills or learning combat training without guidance. Kat wanted nothing more in life to have her mother look at her with pride. But everything changed that night. That night she was no longer a small adolescent child. That night Kat grew up, and thus her defiance was born. She'd prayed to the Goddess every night that she wasn’t gifted. Her mother didn’t deserve such glorification. Unfortunately for her, their Deity’s vision aligned with her mothers.
Shortly after finding out her mother viewed them as an object to contort and control; Kat realized her prayers to the Goddess had gone unheard. The moment startled her in the beginning. She’d always wondered why she was captivated by thunderstorms — spending late nights pondering why she was still chasing the lightning strikes in the sky. Why was Kat enthralled by the patterns? The dying need to spend countless hours tracing the outline of the blue-white bolts in the air. While she laid in the grass as the rain kissed her rosy, red cheeks.
Kat finally got an answer, one night while playing outside in the field. The rain barreled down against Kat’s bare feet. She was twirling around with her face to the sky as the rain cascade down her nightgown. Then the most beautiful lightning bolt Kat ever seen lit the air. The luminous colors of the streaks as they stripped across the night sky, had her spellbound.
Everything froze at that instant. The rain stopped pouring. The winds soft musical breeze stopped flowing, and Kat stood still staring up into the infinite universe. She was enticed by the bolt that retook shape before her eyes. Kat reached up at that moment, as the blue streak started to subside, whispering towards the light to remain. And it did.
The young Knight didn’t understand at the time that the flash halted because of her plea. But when Kat asked the beautiful blue light to move forward, she quickly began to realize she was in control. The Goddess cursed her, after all.
Kat supposed it could be worse. At least Kat was given a gift she loved. The storms calmed her rambunctious nature, freeing her angelic spirit. And finding out she could create the storm when needed was a treasured ability. Whether Kat thought it was at the time or not.
Drawing up the familiar energy, Kat summoned the fluorescent blue light to her small delicate hand. The rod came down and paused in the middle of her palm and awaited her next command. Kat studied the colors more closely, allowing the static to course through her body. The power stopped in the pit of her core. As the energy settled in, she had finally felt at peace.
Kat played outside for what felt like an eternity that night. Throwing the blot up to the sky and watching it hurtle down. Just to catch it and send it flying once more. Her laughter and joy were infectious. It had been so long since Kat felt like the child she was. She jumped, ran, and twirled for hours until the storm finally started to diminish. Kat walked ba
ck home, barefoot and soaking wet.
The excitement began to dwindle once Kat got closer to home. How was she going to keep the new powers a secret? The harpy knew if they ever found out, her nights of chasing storms were over. Kat needed to keep her curse to herself for as long as she could. If her mother found out, Kat’s freedom would end. Unfortunately, a year after Sia revealed her flame, Kats temper exposed her talents to their parents.
Kat was punished for talking back to their mother, and as a result, she wasn’t allowed outside in the fields for two weeks. Kat was livid, later burning a hole through their house with her lightning bolt. That day was the only day Kat saw their mother look at her with gratification. The rest was history. Kat became another one of her parents’ soldiers, trained to become one of Sky’s lucrative Knight warriors. One prepared to protect humanity and blah, blah, blah.
Shaking herself from the childhood memories, Kat focused on the only good thing she had going for herself — her twin. Regardless of their current situation, Kat still loved her deeply. She’d never tell Sia that, though.
Looking at Sia’s face now, it seemed as if her sister loved Kat just the same. Being a twin gave one a better connection with the other sibling. And Kat could feel her twin’s sadness. Centering herself back into their conversation, Kat responded.
"Yeah, I know sis, I should’ve answered. Shit!" Kat rubbed a gloved hand down her face in frustration.
"Look. I’m sorry. You’re right; our parents are dicks. But they did the best they could according to them. Considering who they were," Sia cast a dark look in her direction — seeming to be lost in her own thoughts.
Taking a moment to look at her sister, after all this time apart, Kat noticed how different they’ve become since childhood. Yeah, they were practically identical twins; however, in the human realm, they’d been seen as fraternal. With Kats fire engine, wavy, red hair and emerald-green eyes, to her sister’s midnight black curls and hazel eyes and toner skin, their small differences camouflaged their lineage. Maybe their looks hinted at how their lives would also differ growing up. They used to be inseparable, two peas in a pod. But Sia wanted to make their parents happy and Kat well, Fuck them.
Kat didn’t care if Sia thought they did the best they could. She knew they could’ve done better. Kat had seen better from other parents in the harpy community and her parents, their mother especially, sucked. But she’d let her sister believe in what she wanted. Kat would never ruin Sia’s perception of their parents by telling her their mother thought of them before their power reveal. No, that moment was meant for her, and her alone. So, Kat didn’t dignify that statement with a response.
After a while, realizing Kat wouldn’t reply, Sia, crossed her arms in front of her and eyed her skeptically.
Changing tactics Kat’s sister spoke, "how about we go for a drink?" Sia gave her a look that dared her to refuse.
"Yeah, sure, why not,” Kat shrugged. “It’s not like I have anything else to do. Sky’s going to salivate over this beauty,” she looked down and kicked the vamp dust at her boot. “Bet the boss would be okay with me having an hour to myself after killing this fucker,” Kat hiked her thumb over her shoulder.
Kat knew Sky wouldn’t be okay. Everyone knew Sky wouldn’t be okay. But did she care? Well, yes, yes, she did. But Sky wasn’t going to find out. She hoped.
Chapter Four
Luke stood lounging against the rustic-wooden bar. He was posted up, watching all the heated bodies grind against each other as the musical lyrics of Rihanna’s “Work” blared from the DJs speakers. Somehow Luke’s coworkers convinced him to go to the club downtown after drinks at Tony’s. All he wanted to do was go home and sleep. Everyone else, however, wanted to let off some steam and continue celebrating Justin’s promotion. So here Luke was, nursing his drink while watching the sweaty bodies whine on the dance floor. Well, just one figure in particular.
Luke couldn’t take his eyes off Casey, moving like a river down a fluid stream. Damn, could she dance? The women was a natural. The way her body steadily flowed, as her hips gyrated poetically to the beat. Casey had Luke wholly entranced. Hell, he probably would’ve loved watching her clean a toilet that’s how in love Luke thought he was. And wasn’t that just sad?
Luke turned to signal to the bartender, for another round of gin and tonic. He really was a sick son of a bitch. Luke couldn’t keep this up. Casey was never going to see him as anything other than a friend. And Luke wasn’t so much in love with Casey as the idea of her. The guy was over being alone; even though, Luke portrayed himself as a happily single guy. Luke wanted a companion and needed to try and find someone else, hell anyone else. Whether it was just for a night or eternity, Luke was tired of sleeping unaccompanied.
The bartender, a handsome, muscular dark skin male, dressed head to toe in black, cut off Luke’s personal self-loathing, by delivering his drink. Nodding his head in thanks, Luke rotated back around towards the dance floor. Soon after Luke turned, Justin strolled up headed in his direction.
Settling up next to him, Luke’s friend leaned his body over the rim of the bar. Justin signaled with a raised hand to draw the bartender’s attention. Once the bartender brought Justin’s drink, he turned back around and reclined like Luke. Their eyes lit up by the strobe lights on the dancefloor.
Luke glanced briefly in his friend’s direction before returning his attention to the crowd. He was happy for his friend. Justin Harper got a promotion a few days ago, and Justin was one of a few who deserved it. The man worked just as hard as Luke and was nearly as canny. The two been friends since grade school, bonding over their love for engineering.
Even though growing up, Justin was the more popular amongst the two they, with him being the loner, they formed a friendship. With his rugged good looks, keen intellect, and superior athletic skills, Justin was best, all around. And on top of all his accomplishments, he remained humble, which made him a likable guy. Hence why they’ve continued their friendship throughout the years. Justin never forgot him. Their friendship had grown stronger in high school, which led them to become college roommates and eventually, what landed them similar jobs at the same company. The two were brothers in every sense of the word. They were all the family each other had.
Justin’s elbow to his rib drew Luke from his musing. "Hey man, why don’t you go down there and dance with her."
Following the direction of Justin’s head tilt, Luke looked over towards Casey. Surprisingly enough, he hadn’t been watching her during his musing. Luke responded as if he were all the same. "Yea so not gonna happen my man." Luke shifted his eyes to his drink as he brought the glass towards his lips for a taste.
"Why not?" His friend questioned. "Like just staring at the girl is going to get her to notice you? You gotta take a chance, my guy. Women like that. They want a man that takes control," Justin spewed in his New York twang.
Luke just shook his head; he wasn’t that guy. Luke was more of the strong, silent type. Aggressiveness wasn’t in his nature.
"Well, then, I guess you have your answer.” Luke looked over at Justin questionably. “Casey’s not the one. Because if she were, you’d be down there right now, not standing here holding the bar up." Justin took a swallow of his drink then signaled to the bar attendant for another.
Luke supposed Justin made a valid point. If it was one thing Lucas Mason didn’t shy away from, was something he was compelled to achieve. That’s how Luke was throughout his adolescence. In everything, Luke tried to be the brightest, swim the fastest, run the furthest. Luke valued anything that challenged him. That included women.
It wasn’t like Luke was a virgin. He’d had his share of women through college, even a few girlfriends. Things just never worked out. Either it was unfortunate timing or lack of interest, Luke would always favor work in the end. Which ultimately led to the majority of his breakups.
"Yeah, I guess you’re right, huh." Luke finally retorted after his internal contemplation.
Turning b
ack towards the bar for a refill, Luke quickly changed the subject from his love life to his buddy’s new position. Being a senior analysis would come with numerous perks, one of which was his office. A private office was something Luke desperately wanted since he hated working in a crowded environment. The crowd made it hard to concentrate, but he made do.
As his friend begun speaking enthusiastically about his new advancement, Luke felt a slight chill. The gently caress caused his body to shiver. Luke looked around to see if anyone else noticed the draft, but it seemed he was alone. Drawing his attention back to Justin, luckily before his friend saw his distraction, Luke became enthralled in his happiness once more. That was until that eerie feeling reemerged.
The tingle wasn’t as unpleasant as it was annoyingly unnerving. Perhaps Luke rubbed up against some material of the carpet to create the static shock. Puzzled, he looked down below his feet. Most of the nightclub, known as Phantom, was hardwood flooring. Luke cast the sensation aside and tried to refocus on his friends’ delight. Then some unseen force pulled his gaze towards the front entrance.
And there she was, the most amazingly stunning beauty Luke ever has seen. The women stole Luke’s focus away from Justin completely. The mystery vixen’s powerful presence froze him to stone, like Michelangelo’s David. The lady was wearing faded denim jeans, with mid-thigh leather fuck me boots with a heel longer than his middle finger. Luke observed the black long-sleeved crop top shirt that showed toned-tanned washboard abs. Her hair was the color of the reddest flames, and her eyes portrayed the colors of May. And as those eyes shifted over to lock with his, it took everything Luke had in him to remain upright.
∞∞∞
