Dusk Till Dawn Triple Town

The Kiss

Asher's POV.

Deep dark waves were wrapped around my fingers. Soft as silk, delicate yet strong. The smell of the hot Summer breeze filled my nose as I brought her closer.

She's a wild one, wild and free. She shivered as my hands traveled down to her waist then back up. Circling the base of her neck, I could feel each rhythmic pulse.

We were surrounded by mirrors, all large and each reflecting our image. No one but the two of us, and I was too focused on her to care. My hands went back to her hair again, pulling her face up to look at me.

I watched the light caught on her skin. I could kiss her right then and there but I held myself. Following the faint trails of freckles from her cheeks across the bridge of her nose, the way those deep dark brown eyes twinkle in the trick of the light and the way her mouth forms a slight pout.

I lower my head, tracing every inch of face with my lips. As if to remember this forever. Her mouth opened slightly waiting to be claimed. Mine hovered over hers, then I brushed them slightly before claiming them.

It was soft. Just like I had imagined, but it held fire and power. Those feelings I always kept locked away, forgotten, surfaced ready to take control.

The kiss was slow at first then fast and fierce. I could feel every fiber ignite and stung so bad, and the longing I felt didn't last until it disappeared and the needs took over.

Yet I held them all, I wanted to see how we would look like in the mirrors that surrounded us. As soon as I did, I regretted it.

I looked up to see someone else in my place. For this kiss we shared wasn't real yet it was. I never kissed the girl I held in my arms but he did.

I starred into the eyes that belonged to that of my brother through the mirror. The one I always looked up to yet he envies, the one I always respect yet he's jealous. I saw greed in his eyes and I know that this was real and wasn't a dream...

It's a revelation.

###

♪ I'm a Barbie girl... In a Barbie world ♪

"What the f#ck!?" I opened my eyes at the sound, lost my balance, and fell face first on the floor, landing myself with a bruise.

♪ Life in plastic, it's fantastic You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere Imagination, life is your creation ♪

Alex must have hacked my phone and changed my ringtone.

Again!

Robbing the sore spot, curtsey of the nightstand, I picked up the godforsaken phone to check the caller's ID.

Unknown

♪ Come on Barbie let's go party... ♪

Sighing, I picked the answer button.

"This better be good, who's this?" I spoke immediately.

"Detective Malone?" I swear I know that voice anywhere. The girl that never fails to keep me out of my misery (note the sarcasm), Xia.

"Oh it's you." I said in a bored tone.

"Yes it's me, I've been calling for..." Her comments was cut short as I placed the phone under my armpit. I know it's childish, but who likes to be woken up by some lousy phone call. Especially from your least favourite person.

"Asher? Asher put the phone back to your ears right this minute!" She screeched. Trust me she's worse than a banshee.

Rolling my eyes, I put the phone back. "I'm here", I answered.

"Did you just put the phone in your armpit?" She asked, making me gasp dramatically.

"No, I would never!" I said, trying to suppress a giggle. Wait, boys don't giggle.

"I swear I smelled something." She said thoughtfully.

"You're always smelling things." I muttered.

"Anyways have you found anything on... Him?" She asked ignoring my statement.

"Not yet."

"Not yet!!! Not yet!! What do you mean not yet!?"

"What I meant." Ahhh feels so good being an a$$hole.

"Don't play smart with me Asher Malone, I want answers." Yeah whatever, I rolled my eyes.

"I can feel you rolling your eyes." She yelled. God, that girl sure can blow out eardrums. Good thing I called it off.

"Then you should know how much I..."

"Lessons for another day." She halted my reply, "We detected an attack spell from your residence."

Now that got my attention. "Attack spells? I haven't even taught Alice that."

"Yes, so you didn't." I wasn't a question, still I could detect a hint of sarcasm.

"Seriously you don't think she could have mastered that on her own?" I didn't get a reply. "That's not possible and you know it Xia."

"It doesn't mean she can't. You know we have very little information of her kind. Despicable people aren't day?"

"Still, it's the most difficult of spell." I countered.

"Have you gone soft Asher? Or do you want me to remind you..."

"Your tactics may work on others, but it sure as hell doesn't work on me. So I'll like you to go straight to the point." I hate it when she gets me all worked up for nothing.

"She is the enemy, they all are." she hissed.

"She has a name, and whatever happened to your parents has nothing to do with Alice."

"Whatever." How she changes from angry b#tch to cool mistress is something I'll never get used to. "I just want you to check what's going on added with the report on Conan."

You've got to be kidding me!

"No! No, no, no, no and no. We agreed on one last mission. Conan and Conan is all, then I'm done." I argued, is she for real?

"Oh for heaven sake Ash, something isn't right and I need you to check on it. Things aren't looking good here either, for all we know it could be dangerous. We don't want anything to hurt your precious Alice, do we?"

I sighed, the things I do for the clan. "Just do it for old time sake, for our friendship." She added.

"Last time I checked, we were never friends. We'll never be."

"Asher, there's something..." A knock was heard, good anything to cut this conversation.

"Fine, I'll do it. After this I quit, but I'll continue training Alice whether you like it or not."

"Asher wait I..." I hung up, then threw away the phone. I rubbed my face ready to fall back to sleep, then heard the knock again. Seriously what's with people interrupting my sleep today?!

I got up to open the door, there's no point going back to bed. Might as well get ready for the day.

"Okay, who are you and what do you..." all coherent thoughts left my head and I felt my heart drop.

The nerve of this girl making me feel this way. And to speak of the devil, all dressed up in a navy blue shirt and denim shorts and all that hair tied up into a ponytail. Yep, my supposed rival, who's lazy and I repeat lazy wakes before me. Now that's something.

"Hi, um you've got something on your forehead." She said pointing to the bruise I got earlier.

Asher, think of something, anything. "And I expected you in a baggy shirt and khaki pants but this'll do." Seriously Ash, you're talking about cloths now. What are you, spongebob?

"What? What's wrong with my cloths?" She asked frowning, looking all cute and cuddly. It makes me sick, (yeah tell that to the trash can).

Snap out of it, I slapped myself earning an awkward look from her. Must think I'm nuts

"Nothing." I answered as I moved backwards hitting the back of my knee on the night stand. I swear, the thing has it in for me.

"Um, are you alright?"

"Yeah everything's peachy." I said trying not to yell as I lied through my teeth. "Remind me why you're here again?" I asked turning around as I removed my nightshirt.

"Eeeer.... For the training?"

"Okay grandma." I said slipping on a new shirt, "Lets get started, but first..." I turned to face her "Breakfast. Cause you'll need lots of it, mostly I."

Placing my hands on her shoulders, I turned her away from as we headed downstairs. "Is that supposed to be a prediction?" She asked craning her neck from behind.

"No, it's a fact. Now move it." I gave her a slight push while earning a frown.

The moment we stepped into the kitchen, she ran for the fridge. "Hurry up, let's get the good stuff before anyone else wakes up." She called out.

Shaking my head, I brought out two blows, spoons and a box of wheat a bix from the cupboard, setting each item on the table. I went to the the spot she was busy with, brought out a carton of milk and dragged her out by collar.

"If you think I'm gonna let you eat junk, you're mistaken." I said drawing out a sit for her.

"You can't be serious?" She whined her mouth forming a pout, (again with the pout), giving me a lost puppy dog face, which I tried not to fall for. Keyword I tried. "I've been eating rabbit food ever since our training began, can't I at least get something more descent?"

"No and like I've said, it's either this or its alternative." With that I dug into mine. After a while, she sat down grumbling before picking her bowl.

We ate in silence, though I caught a few glances from her. Which got me thinking how she'd ended up here.

She doesn't even know what she'd got herself to. The number enemies she'll have, how alone she must've felt. She'll have to back to the realm, that's where she belongs. Like the rest of us.

If only she knew this gift given to her, is nothing but a curse passed down from generations. We're here to protect still we forget. I remembered the sayings in the book. Protect her from anyone that might hurt her, yet I know all our effort will be in vain. And our promises will be broken.

What am I to do with you?

My thoughts were interrupted, and in between that interruption, I got a flash.

Something or someone was moving in the trees. It was waiting, eager for an attack but waiting. It spotted it's prey, not one, not two, but three of them. He's done it before and he'll do it again.

Asher

Waiting for the right moment to strike. One more wouldn't hurt, you'll get there. It thought as moved through the trees, stalking them.

Asher

They were close now, the smell of ripe berries in the air. Very close, that's it, just a little closer. As one of the figures turn its face, the monster pounced.

"Asher!"

Dazed by the hollow sound, I blinked back bringing Alice to focus. "What happened?" I asked rubbing my forehead.

She gave me a concerned look, studying me carefully before she spoke. "I don't know, you sort of black out. Dude you were a zombie.

"And I kept calling your name, but it seemed like I was talking to a rock. Was that some sort seeing the future thingy?"

"Sort of." I said thoughtfully, why now? Why now of all times?. What are you up to Lebakon? What are you really up to?

"Yeah and your eyes, amber. Is it always like th..."

She kept quiet as Lady Georgia worked in. For a moment it was silent as her ladyship gave me the look of despise, which she never fails to give. I mean, what's with this woman. Can't I roam about in peace without having her watching my every move like a hawk.

Oh right, she hates my guts. It all started when she caught me swearing at some kid that knocked my phone over. Since then, we weren't on the right foot.

"Good Morning Alice." She greeted completely ignoring me with her fancy nose in the air as she sniffed. The symbol indicated that I was just not worthy to be in her kitchen.

"Morning Lady Georgia, how was your night?" Alice smiled brightly not noticing the tension between me and her ladyship. Maybe she did, cause I would have sworn a knife could cut through it.

"Slept like the baby, but that was after I gave old man Paul his sedatives. The man can talk the ear off an elephant.

"But swears like the misfit in my kitchen." She mumbled the last part deliberately making sure I heard her as she gave me the fish eyes topping it off with another snobby sniff.

Yes I got the message lady, I should boil myself in hot oil. As if your stare of disdain isn't enough.

"Anyways Alice dear, have you seen Violet or maybe Rose?" At the mention of the redhead, Alice froze then shakes her head before speaking.

"No we're the only ones up." she said, looking at her plate with a sudden interest. Seemed like her ladyship was oblivious as she spoke.

"Well that's odd, their usually the first up this early and I haven't seen them since yesterday evening." Sighing she took a box of detergent. "Well if you see any of them,..." She said looking at Alice while ignoring me (again), "send them to the laundry room. Sunny should be out with Myles and Pebbles picking berries."

She called out as she left mumbling something about guest and their love for berries.

###

"So... I'm guessing my brother taught you the hand signs to create the golden lasso am I right?" I asked once we reached the clearing by a stream. Our usual practice spot.

"Umm, yeah!" She answered while frowning.

"But no matter how hard you tried, you never made one not even a thread?"

"Correct."

"So you asked him to demonstrate which he couldn't and somehow lead to a fight?"

She puffed her cheeks then blew out. "You could say that."

"Well then, As you know only the heir to the Aokians and Aankians are the only ones that can create a time loop because..."

"They are the ones that controls the rising and setting of the sun in order words time." She finished the rest.

"Well someone's a smarty pants." I joked.

"It's not called being smart, I read it. So can we train now?"

"Be patient. Now where was I. The spells is the most complicated of all spell binding spells and it needs maximum concentration."

"Yeah yeah, can we start already?" She asked impatiently which made me roll my eyes. God she's a pain. The things I do for people, I said to myself.

"You have to know the basics. It really impor..."

"Important, which I read in chapter 73, page 584, line 20. That it's important to have full concentration and endurance, because the spell is more like an attack spell of the C class. Most attack spells are ranked into A, B, C, D and U. A represents advance, B for backup , C for created, D for dangerous and U for unidentified spells." She finished with a smug smile.

"Since you know all about the spell, let's begin." Oh she's so gonna hate me for this. "Finger exercise and thirty rounds on the circuit."

"What does that have to do with time loops?" She complained.

"Like you said, the spell requires endurance, so finger exercise. Now!" I said with nasal tone.

She grumbles then started on the fingers. After that, she headed for the circuit. Going from the monkey bars, to the mud boulders, up the ladder, through the cylindrical fish net, down the slides, to the Tarzan swings and finally to ring the bell before starting over.

"This is so unfair." She puffed out after the last circuit, collapsing on the floor.

"Well you have to stand back up, cause it's time, I wanna see a loop."

Groaning, she stood up to perform the hand signs to create a loop. "Okay, her goes nothing."

One hour later

"Nothing, absolutely nothing." She fell pathetically on her butt for the eightieth try. Not able to create anything, not even a spark. "It's not working." She cried out.

"That's because you're not doing it right." I said as I moved over to help her up.

"Wow, you sound so much like your brother right now." she said in a bored tone while rolling her eyes.

I chuckled, "What can I say, we're related." I took a moment to study her. She was better than the first time I saw her.

She's got strength, endurance needs a little work yet something is off. Ah yes, something's really off and I'm wondering what it could be. Slowly it came back, how sometimes she was clumsy making her way through the circuit.

"I see what's going on here, you need to work on your concentration." I finally said.

"sss what!?" She asked a little dazed. I shook my head, amused.

"Your concentration, it seems like a lot's going through that head of yours. You need to sort them out by solving them. The key to a time loop is concentration, you have to fit into endurance."

"The key, oh the key. I'll show you the key cause everything's perfect. It's going good and I feel great. But wait." She place her palm on her forehead, "You think I could just take out my problems and say 'well, hey you're making me concentrate so I need you to go' well I just don't work like that Mister."

"Err..." I said confused, what's this all about?

"No no, I'm not done yet. Eighteen years or hard work, school, sometimes I teach myself. My mum... No no yet." She sighed with frustration, "Then they tell me I'm not going off to college cause I'm to pay some certain debt to them, by saving the inn. A promise which is hopeless cause we'll get no place to go."

"Well I..."

"No let me finish, god damn it. And I never swear, but then you show up and I still have all these to get out of my system. You think our lives could be as perfect as yours? Well think again. I don't even know what I'm saying,but I know this... Go to hell and together with your key."

"Just shut up and listen." I said gentle, moving closer to calm her down. More like to shut her up, I've had enough of female whinnying.

"Its just a stupid spell that will never work. I bet you just fooling around with my time. You're just like your brother." Her eyes widened at what she'd said, already regretting it as she placed both hands on her mouth. But it was too late, the damage has been done.

I snapped. I don't know how it happened. One moment I was standing trying to calm her down, the next my hand clamped her neck, holding her up with her feet dangling.

If there's one thing anyone hates, it's comparing you to your siblings.

"You take that back, Don't you ever." I gritted my teeth, whispering deadly low and close enough so only both of us could hear. "Ever compare me with anyone. And when you think of it, let it fly out your head. Or you'll be sorry, Aankian."

She nodded as she tried to claw my fingers from her neck. "I'm sorry." She croaked, "Please put me down... Can't breath."

She looked at me, pleading with those eyes. No one could've mistaken the fear in them. I let her go, heaving as I tried to gain control.

After some minutes, I finally got myself to calm down. "I'm nothing like him." I whispered.

"I'll show you how it's done, but you have to hold on tight." I said finally when my voice was even.

"sss what?" She stammered.

"I SAID I'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO CREATE A LOOP." I snapped at her making her flinch. Not having time to apologise, cause I'm not sure I'll mean it if I do, I went ahead with the demonstration.

I lifted both my index fingers, rotated them six times club clockwise then six times counterclockwise. Concentrated on my mind as I viewed a golden long rope which I made loops to form a lasso.

With the snap of my fingers, the lasso appeared. It's shimmering length was held by a force field. I look back at Alice with a smirk. Boy was her face priceless.

"Wanna try a timeline?" I said with a chuckle as her eyes widened.

"My god, it's beautiful." She said in awe, when voice seemed to function.

Spinning the lasso in the air and preparing to latch it on both of us. "Well then, hold on..."

I was cut short as a loud feminine scream was heard. "Summer!" Alice shouted, immediately rushing off in the direction of the scream.

Something felt weird but familiar. I followed after Alice, but I had a familiar unsettling feeling. Alice stopped in front a small group. She pushed through them and I followed her grabbing her back as the scene in front of us unfolded.

A redhead girl, about fourteen or fifteen, was trashing about on the ground restlessly and an Asian boy about three was crying by her side. He ran towards Alice once he spotted her, kicking a basket filled with berries.

"They took hhhimm." He cried, "They took Pppebbles."

I didn't think Alice heard him, as she was still starring at the girl while holding on to the boy.

"What's going on here?" Drew came over looking from the trashing girl screaming to the crying boy in Alices arms. "What the hell happened here?" He repeated again looking right at me.

Alex came forward, moving slowly towards the girl. He whispered something, tracing the out a straight line from the head of the girl to her toes. Then there was silence, the girl suddenly stopped her screaming and remained silent, She seemed to be unconscious as she laid still.

Alex got up slowly then whispered, "Frachese!" a word I know is his uniqueness, helps him located people or creatures. His eyes glazed for a while before clearing. "It's gone, but not far." He said.

You see, Alex has the peculiar ability to located anyone and I mean anyone. He's good with maps and can find anything or trace anyone. It's a uniqueness he alone posses and it works better in the magical realm than here in the real world. Our uniqueness is something that defines who we are and what makes us different.

"What do you mean it's gone, what are you talking about?" Drew asked already looking pissed off. The serious look on Alex face made my stomach turn. Alex is usually the one that doesn't take things seriously, with that carefree smile, laziness and that beauty obsession. But a serious Alex, boy oh boy.

"She was bitten." He said monotonously. Everything in me was hoping what I thought was wrong, but one look at the bite marks all over the poor girls neck proved otherwise.

My grip on Alice tightened. "A demon." I whispered through my teeth. And I saw it but I was too carried away to notice the quick revelation. After all this time, it decided to show up, my powers.

All heads turn to Alice. And I knew what they all thought with their judging looks. "She has been training with me, since morning." I said to prevent any suspicions or wrong accusations.

"Hows it's possible? Demons aren't allowed outside the magical realm. Who's its owner?" Drew asked his eyes furious, looking at each and everyone of us. "And you," he pointed at Alex, "Aren't all demons supposed to have their owners or keepers or something?" He asked.

"I have two theories." Alex said then proceeded. "One is that, this particular demon hasn't found it's keeper and is lost roaming free without instructions or, its following instructions from its keeper."

Demons are creatures in the magical realm. Each demon is destined to have a keeper the moment their created. A demon is to do its keepers biding, follow every instructions and orders without questioning. But a demon keeper is supposed to be in control of their demons.

And Conan is one of them, Conan King. The only demon that doesn't have a keeper and the king of all demons. Most demons are found in Cantatrix, the others are scattered all over the magical realm. Both demons and their keepers are being recorded, for easy location. But some seems to slip pass the authorities.

But one thing I know is that, a lose demon, is a dead town.

"Is there some sort of cure for this?" Lady Georgia gave Alex a pleading look, "And can you help us locate Violet and Rose, they've been gone for a while and I can't seem to find them. I'm worried." She added.

With a nod Alex answered. "Will have to find the skunk coronations first and I'll need help gathering them."

"Okay okay, First get the girl to her room, Alex and Asher will look for the skunk coronations while the rest of you search the woods for the other two. Alex will help you locate them." Drew said more like ordered.

As two male workers lifted the girl, the other went to the wood. The little boy dragged my shirt then asked, "Is sunny going to be okay and what about Pebbles?"

I crouched down ruffling his hair and assuring him. "She'll he hopping around like a frog or her name isn't Sunny the sunflower, and Pebbles will be back once he's hungry." I said hopefully for his sake, for Alice sake and my reassurance.

Hopefully, she doesn't lose her life or change it permanently. I gave Alice a quick pat before following my brother.

Somehow I felt selfish when I kept thanking my stars that it wasn't Alice.

###

Andrew's POV.

I continued to stare after my brother until he disappeared through the trees. There's something that guy isn't telling me. I knew he took over training Alice, but that didn't faze me.

What we we're doing was for Alices benefit and not ours. My only hope is that the hate passed down from their predecessor doesn't surface. We have enough on our hands.

"Do you think I did it?" I turned around to face Alice. I hadn't noticed she was still there.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your first thought was me, wasn't it?" It too a while before I understood what she was saying.

"No, I didn't."

"Dont lie to me." She snapped "I saw the look on you face."

"If you're looking for another fight, look elsewhere, I'm not in the mood... Oh Alice!" I sighed noticing the unshed tears clouding her eyes.

I pulled her in for a hug. "She'll be alright, it's okay. We'll find Pebbles too, just let it out, dear now." I said soothingly and she did. She cried so much as I patted her back, telling her it's okay all over again, just like my ma does.

"I'm sorry," she said in between sobs, "I'm so sorry I yelled at you. I just..."

"No, I'm the one to be sorry," I drew her back to look at her face and my heart broke for her. "I should've been more patient with you." I said then kissed her forehead.

I continued to trace her face with kisses, until I reached her mouth. I wanted to stop there, it felt wrong. It could have been her first, but I was too tempted to resist.

Her lips were soft and cool, I could taste the salty tears and the metallic taste of something familiar. Blood, my blood.

Pushing her backwards, I saw how her eyes clouded in rage. "That was my first kiss you sonofabitch." She yelled at me, be fore running off. Guess we're back to square one.

"s**t!" I cursed myself. Why do I do stupid things at the wrong time? I never planned that. But fate just loves to put me under the rose bush. Robbing my face I looked up in time to see Asher looking right back at me. And I knew he knew. That's when I realised...

His powers were back.

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Copyright 2018© Soffiyah Orewole.

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