Page 55 of Crossing Between
Ruth watched us with knowing eyes. "So, how long are you staying with us, handsome? Not that I'm complaining about the eye candy."
"As long as it takes to keep her safe," Kenji's playful tone undercut by seriousness.
"From what you've told me, you boys are doing more than keeping her safe," Ruth waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Ruth!" I protested again, but couldn't help laughing.
We fell into easy conversation, catchingup on neighborhood gossip while enjoying the morning sunshine. It felt blissfully normal, a precious pocket of peace in the chaos my life had become.
The sound of the front door opening behind us made me turn. Ryan stepped out onto the porch, looking surprisingly put-together. Gone was his usual disheveled appearance. He wore pressed slacks and a button-down shirt that I didn't recognize. His hair was neatly combed.
"Hey sis," he smiled, but something about it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thought I heard you out here."
"Ryan!" I stood, surprised. "You look different."
He shrugged, adjusting his collar. "Second job interview later. Figured I should look the part."
Something felt off. His movements were too precise, his posture too straight. Even his voice sounded slightly different but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"That's great," I tried to ignore the uneasy feeling crawling up my spine. "I'm proud of you."
Ryan's eyes flicked to Kenji, assessing him with cold calculation before his expression warmed again. "Hey, how's it going?" He extended his hand.
"Good, kid, good," Kenji rose to his feet, towering over my brother. They shook hands, and I noticed Ryan held on a beat too long.
"Z talks about you guys all the time." Ryan glanced at me with a smirk that was more like him.
He stepped closer to me, wrapping me in a hug that felt both familiar and wrong somehow. His arms held me too tightly, his chin resting on my head as he inhaled deeply, as if breathing in my scent. The gesture seemed brotherly on the surface, but something about it felt possessive.
My magic recoiled.
It happened so suddenly that I stumbled whenRyan released me, a wave of nausea washing over me as my power contracted violently, pulling away from him as if burned.
Kenji's hand steadied me, his expression concerned. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I forced a smile. "Just stood up too fast."
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained fixed. "You should take better care of yourself, Z. You look tired."
"I'm fine," I insisted, though my magic was still roiling uncomfortably. "Just been a long week at work."
"I bet," Ryan's gaze lingered on me, then shifted to Ruth. "Morning, Ruth. Looking radiant as always."
Ruth snorted. "Save the sweet talk for your interview, boy. I'm immune to your charms."
Ryan laughed, but the sound was hollow. "I should get going. Don't want to be late." He hugged me again, this brief embrace feeling just as wrong as the first. "We'll catch up later, okay?"
"Sure," I nodded, fighting the urge to step away from him. "Good luck with the interview."
He gave Kenji another measured look. "Take care of my sister."
"Always," Kenji's tone friendly but his eyes watchful.
We watched as Ryan descended the steps and headed down the street. He moved with an odd grace, his gait smoother than I remembered. When he turned the corner, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
"Well, that boy's different," Ruth remarked, sipping her beer. "Almost didn't recognize him without the usual chip on his shoulder."
"Yeah," I agreed absently, still trying to process my magic's reaction. "He seems better?"
