Selene turned off the light at her desk, snatching her blazer from her seat. Even this high up, she could hear the sounds of celebrations and party, looking up, she saw the moons begin to align, bringing back haunted memories better left buried in the confines of her mind.

Pulling her eyes from the sight, she left her office and headed to the Televator. She was glad for the magical improvements on the Elevator, which made for safer and quicker travels. She swiped her ID in front of the data computer on the side of the wall, announcing “one to transport” as she stepped onto a glowing circle on the ground. The circle narrowed down to encompass her body while the light below her flicked green, telling her it was ready to transport.

“Floor?” asked the automated female voice

“First-floor hallway, entrance one.” It no doubt recognized her voiceprint, further confirming she was who her ID said she was. Holding her hands by her side, she closed her eyes, let the feeling of magic wash over her, and fill the air. It felt like rain was falling down on her, washing her, leaving her feeling refreshed.

“Have a nice day, Ms. Carlyne.” Selene opened her eyes, sad that the ride was over. She could ride the Televator all day if only to forget her problems.

Taking her blazer off, she made her way to the entrance, her heels clicking on the ground. The light from outside filled the entranceway. One more step, a glass door barring her way, then nothing would stand in the way of her facing her brother.

Outside, the breeze was surprisingly cool. Unfortunately, it didn’t soothe her nerves like it soothed the summer night.

Instead, she felt sick as the moons continued to align. Her time was running short.

Entering the park, away from the noise of the street celebrations, she picked up her pace. The park was the quickest way home, if not the most exposed. It was the route she always took, and there was no sense in changing it now. He was going to come, no matter what. She could already tell that someone was following her, taking the same steps, marking her every move. 

Stopping, she looked up as the coldness of the dagger at her side grew. Selene swore to herself slightly as she stared at a fully aligned eclipse. She felt her powers grow, felt them burn inside her, waiting for a release. Forcing the power into her hands, she watched the glow, looking around and seeing no one, she ran to the emerald and sapphire bridge. There was no need to attract even more unwanted attention.

Hiding under the bridge, she listened to a family make their way across. A mother laughing, a father scolding his children, two boys, and a girl. Leaning her head back, letting her power fill her and light her runes, she listened with sweet nostalgia, with memories of her mother and her father…and Eris.

Pulling herself away from those thoughts and memories, she continued through the park, towards the iron archway that marked the northeast entrance of Crystal Park. To the left and to the right, more children were playing in the apple trees. They reminded Selene of better times, times when she had climbed the trees with Eris, Blake, and Jeanette. Back when they were children, alive and close. Shutting her eyes to push back the tears, she reminded herself that those days were long gone.

It took her longer than she expected to leave the park as she tried to find a place with little to no people. Finally, she made it to the northeast entrance that was empty of people. Here she was alone under the darkening sky. Almost alone.

“You can come out, Eris,” she said, stopping. “It’s not like I can’t smell you.” Selene pulled out her dagger from underneath her skirt, throwing her jacket to the ground. Finally, she turned around.

Eris stood, slinking from the shadows with her Hunters and a few Darklings she didn’t like. With his arms crossed, Eris stood at the front, his expression arrogant. She let the glow within rise from her hands to her elbows.

“Hello Selene, you look lovely.”

“Drop dead, brother.”

“I sense hostility.”

“Very astute.” Her grip on the dagger tightened despite the numbing feeling it created.

“Well, you look beautiful either way. Deadly, but beautiful.”

“I loathe you.”

“I don’t care. It’s time for you to come home.”

“Never.”

“Don’t be difficult, Selene.”

Selene looked around, catching sight of her former Hunters. “I can kill you; they’ll help me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. A lot has changed, little sister dear.”

“I don’t care.” Selene lunged at her brother. Eris caught her arm as she swiped the dagger near his neck. However, that didn’t stop her. With her other arm free, she threw her elbow at him and delighted in the crack it made on impact. But Selene wasn’t satisfied and wouldn’t be until he was dead.

Using her leg, she tripped him and lit her arm on fire. He screamed as the fire touched his hand and fell to the ground. That still wasn’t enough. She lunged like a cat, her feet breaking the stone as he rolled from under her. This time, he lunged at her, letting her grab the collar of his shirt and slam him into the ground, shattering the stone as she landed on top of him, her dagger above his chest. She could hear Jeanette screaming for her to stop, but Selene couldn’t.

Using both hands, she pushed against his strength as he fought against her. Eris’s nails dug into her wrists, making her bleed, which only made her push harder, getting the tip of the blade to dig into his chest, past his shirt, scraping the surface. She was delighted as fear, love, and guilt filled his jade eyes. He still did not relent, and she still did not give in. Vines rose up from the ground at her bidding, tied around his shoulders, weaving up his arms, pulling and pulling…

“Selene, stop!”

Selene’s heart stopped, her grip loosened, and the vines entered the ground. Eris let go of her, letting her stand and drop the dagger to his side. The voice had haunted her dreams daily, broke her heart nightly. Looking up, barely aware that her brother stood behind her, she saw herself staring into red-rimmed teal eyes.

“Jason?”