I’ve only been in their presence for a handful of minutes and it’s clear to me that these two are locked into each other.
Noticing me staring, she offers a tentative smile and a small, uncertain wave. I’m not much smoother when I say, “Hi,” back. It feels like we’re on a blind date or something.
That is, if you were dating your own doppelganger.
We’re not an exact replica of each other. Her hair isn’t as red as mine. Her face is a touch rounder. But she’s close enough. Staring at her is a little like what it might be like to look into a slightly distorted mirror. I see myself, but also not.
Everything about this is so bizarre. Twins typically grow up knowing their sibling, but this is all happening to me, to us, at once.
“Come, meet your sister,” my mom says with a huge smile.
When I glance over at my dad, the smile on his face is bigger and more genuine than I’ve ever seen, and something about that feels like a jab.
Was their happiness not complete because Locklyn wasn’t there? Was I not enough for them?
Guilt immediately floods me, and I shove the rising insecurities away. It is a horrible thing to lose a child. Why would I begrudge my parents their happiness at finding her again?
I let my mom lead me over to where Locklyn and Talon are standing. I don’t know what to do. Should I offer my hand to shake?
No, that would be super weird.
Go in for a hug?
Locklyn doesn’t seem to know what to do either.
“Um, thanks for taking care of my parents,” I say, and then correct myself. “I mean our.”
As an only child for the last twenty years, that feels so weird to say.
Locklyn grins at me, and something tight in my chest loosens. “I’m just so glad that we got there in time. Well, that you did,” she says, her gaze traveling behind me.
I peer over my shoulder as Becks walks toward us, still barefoot, but with a dark green henley that makes his eyes seem impossibly greener. The look is working on him.
His gaze immediately finds me, and it’s questioning.
Even though I’m overwhelmed, I offer a small smile, trying to put his mind at ease. It must not be convincing though, because he frowns.
I have a sudden urge to find comfort from him like Locklyn’s taking from Talon.
As if reading my mind, he comes over and places a light hand on my lower back. The gesture is hidden from everyone’s view, but all at once it’s the only thing I can focus on.
“If Becks hadn’t found you when he did . . .” Locklyn says, her smile slipping.
“I try not to dwell on that myself.” His hand presses into me with slightly more pressure. “Any updates from the Order?” The question lands like a pivot, neatly changing the subject.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch both my parents tense.
Talon shakes his head. “No. We’ve gone completely dark as well. Feels safer that way.”
“I agree,” Becks says, then plows a free hand through his damp hair. “But it would sure be nice to have their support and resources right now.”
Talon shrugs. “It is what it is. Until they root out and seal whatever leak they have, it’s not safe to bring them into this.”
“We can’t stay on the run forever,” Becks says. “Eventually, we’re going to need to go on the offense.”
“True, but how do we fight a demon?” Locklyn asks.
Becks sighs. “That’s the question.”
