32. Willow

She looked gaunt. They both did. My heart went out to them.

I swept her up in a hug and she leaned against me gratefully.

"Missed you, Willy," she mumbled quietly.

I don't know why but I felt like crying. I felt miserable.

"I missed you more than I love Alex," I winked at her, eliciting an abrupt laugh from her.

Alex pulled a face and mock glared at Chae. He mouthed some swearwords at her.

That's their 'friendship.' They mouth swear words and death threats at each other, trying to outdo each other in originality and harshness.

"Meet Misha, she's part Easley and mostly Ashenbury. You didn't meet her last time, cause she was at the Easely chateau. This is Chae, and this is Tae," Alex introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Chae said evenly. That's the thing about my best friend, she's only barely amicable, she gets by on sheer respect and intimidation.

"Fantastical to meet you, mush." And that's hyperactive, superfriendly Tae who makes friends on sight.

Mish's expression perked for a moment. "Mush?" She cocked her head. "To be honest, you're not the first. Nice to meet you, both."

"We're twins," Tae added unnecessarily.

"I know, my theos is... kind of, just mind reading. Telepathy."

"Cool," Tae nodded taking it in his stride.

But the moment Mish mentioned her theos, Chae went offline.

Chae has the theos of illusion. It's not an illusion where lights or pictures are projected in the air, it's one she wills our brains to believe. My theos doesn't affect her when she projects herself in a different physical position. She can move my perception of her just one centimeter and all I hear is white noise. No more memories, no more updates.

"That's interesting," Mish mused dangerously.

"I thought you'd prefer it like this," Chae answered neutrally.

"Oh, I do." Mish gave her a quick smile. I wouldn't say it was insincere, merely amused.

Tae and Alex exchanged rather confused looks.

"Never mind," Chae switched to a playful disposition as she slung her arm around her brother's shoulder.

Tae turned to her and raised an expectant, unhappy, befuddled eyebrow.

Tae went offline to my theos as well. Chae was covering for him. I have to corner Tae alone sometime this afternoon.

Chae rolled her eyes.

Tae cocked his head.

Tae rolled his eyes.

Chae shrugged.

Tae sighed.

Alex sidled up to me, "Babe, I've no idea what's going on," he whispered.

I pecked him on the cheek. "Tell you later," I breathed.