Page 10 of Twin Warriors

She closed her eyes, trying to push away the feeling she had in the pool. She wasn’t lonely. She had Emi and Tope. Even Kisma and Maku were there, despite their reluctance to speak often. She had others around her, yet… she still ached for someone to hold her at night. Someone she could curl up next to and be held by.

Swiping at the tear that slipped out, Amy rolled onto her side and forced those thoughts away. She didn’t want the others to think that her life wasn’t perfect with them. It was. They had all done so much for her that she would never be able to thank them. She didn’t want to burden them with her feelings.

Focusing on tomorrow, she tried to think about what they could do to pass the time.

A small smile crept over her lips at the thought of going to the orphanage again and playing with the children there. The last time she had snuck in, she was seconds away from being caught, but it had been so much fun playing with the kids. They were so full of life and smiles and giggles that even now it warmed her heart.

Focusing on that thought, Amy tucked her hand under her face and let her body relax. She was tired, and it didn’t take her long to fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Chapter Four

Cane woke with a start, his body covered in a cold sweat and his heart racing. He sat up, taking in the dark room with his night vision, he scanned the area. Once sure there was no threat, he lay back down and tried to get control over his spiraling emotions. Fear choked him at the thought that he would soon have to end not just his own life, but his brothers as well.

Regret filled him with the thought. If he had not been spared as a child, Cole may have had a chance of happiness and love. It was because they were two parts of a whole that made it impossible for his brother to have the life he deserved.

Do not think like that, Cane, his brother's voice came into his head, making a sharp pain shoot through his temple.

I only think the truth.

The same could be said for me. If I had not been spared, you would have had the life you deserved.

I am the oldest, Cole. It is my responsibility to take care of you.

Cole’s deep laughter echoed through his mind, bringing a reluctant smile to his face.

You are older by seven seconds, Cane. That is how long it took the doctors to get me out when they realized I was stuck.

It does not change anything. You deserve to have the life you dream of.

We both dream of it, Cane. I know your mind, just as you know mine.

Yes, Cane reluctantly agreed, but without me, you stand a chance.

No. Without you, half of me is gone, brother. That is not how we work. You know that.

Cane groaned as more pain speared through his temple.

My head is hurting. Get ready to hunt the thief, I will meet you in the storeroom in half an hour.

He felt Cole pull away from his mind, the pain in his head easing almost instantly. Cane lay there, staring up at the dark ceiling, wishing their lives had been different. He tried to think of a way to make sure Cole lived if he were to take his life, but his brother was correct. They were two halves of one. If one died, the other would perish from the void that would be left in their minds.

Even though Cole could be a pain in Cane’s side with the connection they shared, they were still a pair that could not function without the other.

With a heavy sigh, Cane rose from the bed and made his way to the shower. Once dressed in his standard uniform of black pants, black long sleeve shirt and thick, solid boots, he moved to his weapons cache and strapped his two favorite daggers to his hip, a long energy blaster to his back and slipped two more smaller blades into his boots.

Leaving his bedroom, he made his way down the dark hallway and found his brother by the door to the storeroom. Iron stood there with Bosa, the head house helper for the complex.

The small female’s head barely reached Cane’s belt, yet her eyes blazed with a fiery determination that spoke of a female that knew how to handle a compound filled with warriors.

“Good morning,” Cane greeted the small group.

“Bosa says our little thief was here yesterday, during the attack.”

Rage filled Cane. If the thief was somehow using the attacks to gain access to the compound, they had to find the perpetrator and question it.

“Do you think the thief knows more about these attacks?” Cole asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Iron nodded, “Yes. I believe so. Twice the thief has struck at the same time as the attacks. There is a connection to the two, I know it.”

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