Arty’s hands shook on his way back to the Inn, his mind replaying the events of the past hours. He let his body move on autopilot as he visualised and reviewed his memories, cursing himself at everything he did. He hadn’t thought of what he should tell Eli or whether he should just keep what happened a secret. But deep down, he knew he wasn't going to get away with it.

After all, it was Eli who figured out the tell-tale signs of their power.

He continued to mull over his options over and over, not stopping even as his feet rasped against the cleared flooring of the veranda. He didn’t notice the loud blasting of the speaker within, producing a muffled voice through the thick wooden door. It was only when he pulled the door open, eyes laid upon the throng of people flushed to the front of the inn where the television was, that he noticed something was wrong.

Letting his cloak dissipate outside, he took a deep breath of the warm air, letting his body relax as he took a cautious step towards the crowd. His curiosity brought him forward until he was at the edge of the crowd, following their gaze up at the hanging screen and nearly gasping out loud in surprise.

Within the screen, a news reporter tried to make her report as shouting and chants blared over her, dulling her attempts as the cameraman panned towards the background. A massive crowd had formed on the street, holding signs, waving banners and jostling about before a police line. Fully geared riot police stood unmoving with their shield and batons ready to handle the human wave in front of them.

“No word as of yet from the authorities, but police issued an ultimatum to the protestors to disperse just minutes ago,” she shouted above the noise, desperate to get her piece through. She glanced behind her shoulder, her face pale as rubble was pelted at the police. “Tensions are at their highest since the declaration of the state of emergency after the mass murder yesterday. Multiple arrests have been made and many suspects have been named including those within the government.”

“And I was going to migrate there next year…” one of the townspeople complained, earning a collective grumble from the gathered crowd.

They continued to discuss the situation, wondering what political schism had happened this time. But Arty didn’t acknowledge their comments, his eyes fixated on the screen, recognising the road that the protest took place on. He wondered where his classmates were and whether classes were cancelled now that their way to school was blocked off.

Without warning, a single bottle sailed through the air, landing almost gracefully behind the cordon. It shattered, bursting into a fireball that completely illuminated its surroundings and blinding the screens. Arty watched as the camera adjusted to the change in lighting, waiting as everyone stared at the screen, watching to see what came next.

When the cameras finally refocused, the once unruly protesters had scattered, fleeing as the previously unmoving police line broke, charging towards the terrified protesters and arresting anyone they could get their hands on. Some tried to resist, throwing rocks and molotov at the police, while others ran for their lives, scurrying into the dark alleys that lined the streets. It was only after the last protester cleared the street did the newscaster finally reappear on the screen, trying desperately to ad-lib his way through his next program.

Arty felt like vomiting, forcing himself not to run as he tore away from the screen, heading for the room he’d been allowed to stay in. His thoughts returned to the flames days ago, trying not to remember the men in black armour emerging from the shadows. He didn’t stop until he was at the door to the room, nearly slamming it open, eyes widening at the two ladies seated on the bed.

Cecilia turned her head towards the door, a laughter cut short when she noticed who it was. Right beside her, the girl took her time to look towards him, already knowing who was at the door. Her complexion looked better now, yet when she finally looked over, a flash of anger showed on her face, a chill going down his spine as the heat around him drew towards her.

Eli.

“Ah, you’re back,” she said casually, acting completely calm at his arrival. Her eyes, however, were anything but, glaring daggers at him that bored through him. Still, she kept up the facade, a smile on her face as she told Cecilia, “Do you mind if I talk to my brother for a moment?”

Cecilia looked between the two siblings, mouth gaping and closing before she shut her eyes, a hand raised to massage her temples.

“I’ll leave you two to hash it out,” she said, standing up before leaving towards the door. As she passed by, he saw her give a small nod, a hint of a smile on her lips before the door obstructed her from view.

Arty knew he was in for a long day once Cecilia closed the door behind her, hearing Eli clicking her tongue and crossing her arms as her face grew even sterner. “Arthur Lane,” she started, reaching underneath her skirt.

He felt his face turn pale as she brought out the joint halves of the Black Dahlia from her thigh holsters, the white dahlia outline in the centre of the two black hilts shining under the bright lights.

“Mind telling me why this isn’t with you?” Eli said slowly, eyes burrowing through Arty as she stood up, strolling towards him and waving the Black Dahlia in his face. “Because, last I recall, you just wouldn’t shut up the last time I left mine at home.”

Arty gave an involuntary gasp as the heat in his body and within the room responded to Eli's instincts, moving faster towards her by the second. He tried to will the heat towards him, pulling at it in an attempt to keep warm, but she was too quick, already dragging most of the heat by her side.

He hadn’t seen her that enraged in a long time.

"First, you used Everette's name," she started, getting out of his face and pacing the room. Cold wind raged across the room, causing items and ornaments to fall and shatter on the floor. "Even though he can take care of himself, you put him in unnecessary danger that he didn't need. Then, you completely ignored our current situation and left the Black Dahlia in a cupboard when it should have been on you the whole time. Just what the hell is wrong with you?"

“What good is bringing my devices if I can’t use them to form my blades,” he shot back, putting his palms up and blowing into them, trying to raise his body temperature. He forced himself to pull at the tightly packed heat around her, his hand glowing brightly in response. “If anything happens to me, at least it's still safe with you.”

Eli stopped in her tracks, turning back to look at him, eyes glinting as she took out the White Lily. The black outlined lily glint against the full white hilts, drawing attention away from its larger counterpart. "This is part of our essentials, our own individual responsibility. You tell me why you can’t keep your devices on you when I can?”

Arty stayed really quiet at the provocation, focusing instead on warming himself up. He could feel the wind relent, dying down as the tightly shrouded heat around Eli responded to his calls.

Still, she ignored him and continued, “It doesn’t matter that we aren’t back to our usual strength, what matters is that our devices are on us whenever we can. Just tell me how many times we’ve saved ourselves with our powers alone.”

“A handful,” he admitted, finally tugging enough heat away from Eli to warm his body. He steadied his breathing, trying to slow his heart rate, before moving towards her, hands completely numb. As he approached, he could see his sister’s hands gripping the two sets of devices so tightly they were shaking. And, when he got close enough, he could see tears in her eyes, threatening to spill out down her face.

Before she could say another word, a knock on the door startled them both, causing Arty to put his palms together out of habit. “Sorry to interrupt,” he heard Cecilia say, her muffled voice filled with concern. “Dinner’s ready, if the two of you are up for it.”

“Sure, we’ll be down in a moment,” Arty replied, sighing before snatching the Black Dahlia back from Eli. “Fine, I’ll keep the Black Dahlia with me. I need to fill you up on what I found out today…”

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