Page 13 of Morning's Light

Leo and Astix were already awake and sitting at the counter enjoying a cup of coffee. The scent of freshly roasted beans hooked Aisanna. Drew her forward with the comedic dedication of a cartoon character.

“Please tell me you made extra,” she called ahead.

“I might have,” Leo answered. “I’ve seen the way you drink. I’d be running around like a tornado if I had as much caffeine as you.”

“You make up for it with the sugar. I’ve seen the horrifying amounts you dump into your cup. It ruins the coffee.”

Upon seeing her sister, Astix swallowed her sip and rose from the stool. The first time they’d seen each other, after a twelve-year absence, she had been unable to make and maintain eye contact. She’d had an inexplicable way of hiding her face to discourage attention, clearly agonized when she became the subject of scrutiny. A product of her banishment under Claddium orders.

Now she was at home in her world. Buoyant and, if not outgoing, affable.

She motioned for Aisanna to sit. “I saved a plate of bacon for you. It’s in the microwave when you’re ready. Thought you could use a little bite to eat before you run off.”

“Thanks. Look at you, all domesticated.”

Astix grinned. “I know.”

Aisanna went about the motions, heating her food and bringing the steaming platter to a small kitchen table shoved into the corner. A show of her own independence in the face of last night’s cowardice.

She shoveled bacon into her mouth and ignored the eyes on her. Salty goodness burst on her tongue and she sighed with pleasure.

“So,” Leo began, “are you going to tell us what happened?”

Aisanna took her time swallowing before giving them a noncommittal answer. “I got spooked. Thought I saw someone in my apartment.” She glanced up, met her sister’s eyes, and glanced down again.

“That’s it?” Astix leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. “You thought you saw someone in your apartment so you booked down the street without your coat or shoes? You can’t expect me to believe you when you lie right to my face.”

The sisters, so alike in looks yet miles apart in temperament, were similar in stature. Both boasted the same thick head of reddish-brown hair and classical features, down to the small mole on their left hipbone. Oval faces were canvasses for odd-colored, upturned eyes, refined noses, and slightly fuller upper lips.

“Yes, that’s it.” Aisanna cleaned the remainder of her plate in record time and pushed it away. “Nothing more to tell you. I thought I saw something.”

“Says the great and powerful Oz.”

Astix didn’t buy the tough guy act. She stared her sister down as though she could determine any hidden secrets. Aisanna was slicker than expected. There were plenty of thoughts flashing behind her eyes, and Astix supposed they would come into the light eventually. She understood how difficult it was, holding things inside. Holding them until she felt like she’d burst.

She shook her head. It wasn’t her business to micromanage. It wasn’t anywhere in the scope of what she was prepared to handle, either.

Their time was numbered in weeks, Astix thought as she walked over to pour herself another cup of coffee. And she certainly didn’t feel like they were any closer to a solution. Whatever Aisanna was dealing with, she would rather bleed dry than ask for help. It was one thing that hadn’t changed. Which meant if Astix wanted an answer, she was going to be sorely disappointed. Aisanna did things in her own way and in her own time. Maybe it came from being first born. Regardless, it was annoying.

Aisanna rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sighed. “You’ll excuse me if I was a little too distracted to do any of my customary ass-kicking. I’ve had a rough couple of days. Calling you was the best idea I could muster.” Her face held a faraway expression with lines of strain around her mouth. “Some things are out of my control. You understand, right?” She asked the question in a tone that made sure the others knew she didn’t care about the answer.

“Another late night?” Leo’s eyebrow rose nearer to his hairline to blend in with the golden mane. “You seem to have a lot of those lately.”

Astix shoved her elbow into the soft meat of his side. “You weren’t supposed to say anything about it.”

“Oh, ha ha. You know I don’t discuss my personal business with you. And that’s the last time I bother having a conversation with you about sex. Thought you could use some pointers from a master. Never again.” Aisanna threw back the rest of her coffee and brought both dirtied dishes to the sink, shooting her sister a bitter glance over the shoulder. “Thanks for the ride. And the bed. The food, too, while I’m at it.”

“Last night had something to do with the eclipse,” Astix said. “Didn’t it?”

“Maybe. I’ll tell you when I know more.”

“You’re going to look into this on your own?”

“Why not? You did.” Aisanna absently rubbed the spot on her wrist where a death rune had nearly taken her life. Now the skin was smooth, pale. Unblemished.

“Yeah, I did,” Astix replied. “But you didn’t have any magic. It was up to me to figure things out before you died. Literally died. Now, I guess I’d hoped we could help each other. If you need—”

“Don’t,” Aisanna interrupted. “Don’t talk about it.” She turned to Leo. “Are you heading to the office today?”

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