I claim no ownership over the Shamanic Princess characters.
Chapter 5 – The Heart
With shadowed eyes I lead him from the ring, to the door, and through it. I have the brief pleasure of seeing my family's happy eyes at my appearance, before he steps into the light from behind me. Puzzlement, recognition, then shock is written across their faces. They remember him, so vividly, a blast from the past that should have stayed there. And now, I have brought salt to old wounds. I have brought destruction onto our lives.
All because of one presence.
All my fault…Silence reigns before I feel I must break it. I clear my throat.
"Mother… Father… this is Graham… my partner."
They stare in silence, comprehending but unsure how to react. It is like seeing a ghost.
A ghost come back to life.
Seeing as no other words will come to any of us, I carefully take my partner's hand. Silently we leave my stunned audience to wonder how this event occurred.
In my mind, I think that I shall have to do the same.
And only hope that this will work out.
Light peeks beneath my lashes, coaxing my eyes open to face the day. The remnants of my dream fade to the reality sleeping in the corner.
Graham.
I pull my bedcovers back quietly, and swing my feet to the floor without making a sound. I am not sure if he is a heavy or light sleeper. In either case, I want to let him get his rest.
I am almost out the room when his voice calls out to me softly.
"Good morning."
I stop dead in the doorway.
"I'm sorry… if I woke you up. I was trying to be quiet."
His hair rustles against the wallpaper as he nods. "You were. I was already awake."
The topic exhausted, we fall silent. Neither of us know what to say.
I am shocked, but thankful, when he breaks the deafening silence.
"You… have not told me your name, Tiara's daughter."
I swallow. "It's…Riya."
"Riya…" My name is breathy on his lips. I shiver.
I cannot escape the thought that it sounds made to be there…
"I'll… see you after breakfast," I whisper hurriedly.
Watching me run from my room, any observer would think the hounds of Hell were at my heels…
and not simply the loan, soft sound of my name being spoken by my partner…
Both of my parents have left the house early, off on their own assignments. While eating the meal they set out for me, I read the paper on the table. It depicts quite descriptively our first mission for the Guardian World. We are to leave immediately, taking only the necessities, for Earth. Standard task – blend into society until the creature is caught, then bring it back to be locked up again.
The only twist is that this particular escapee is extremely elusive, bringing the level of difficulty up somewhat. Not for beginners.
But then, my partner is not a beginner either. He has done this before, with Mother.
The thought is belittling. I, not my partner, will be the one in need of experience for this.
He may have to teach me.
I normally have a rational temperament, but now I feel a pang of resentment.
Although, as he appears behind me, ready to begin on our mission, I decide something.
Resentment may hinder us if I am foolhardy and rash, but it will be easier to deal with than the flutter in my chest.
