Undisclosed Desires Book 1 Armarria and Savion

Chapter 9

Savion laid Armarria in her room and placed the covers over her sleeping body.

“Is she ok big brother?” Sara asked, pouting. Savion sighed not knowing the answer. Shadow waited by the door.

“We need to talk,” he said walking away to the kitchen away from the kids. Savion kissed Armarria on the forehead and met his brother in the kitchen.

“That woman has to leave.” Shadow blurted.

Savion crossed his arms. “Enough Shadow, please.”

“That woman is not one of us Savion. She is dangerous. She is genetically enhanced not Government enhanced like we are. The woman that was killed was her mother Elizabeth Martin, a very strong telepath that was on the run from the Cloak for years. We were made in a lab. She was born with her power.”

Shadow pointed toward Armarria’s room. “Did you not see or feel her power? She ripped Raul apart molecule by molecule, and you want us to house that?”

“She needs help controlling herself. She will in due time.”

Shadow scoffed. “They will come after her again. You need to get your head out of your ass and start thinking about your brothers and sisters instead of your dick.”

Savion uncrossed his arms; fury began to run through him. “I am thinking about them. Just because I think of Armarria as well does not mean I care less for my family.”

“Then do the right thing and ditch the woman. She cannot be trusted.”

“And why not Shadow? Because she reminds you of Laura?”

“Because her father is a member of the Cloak. The fifth member to be exact. Ray Van.” Savion took a step back in shock. “That is why he wants her so badly. That is his daughter and you are too far gone in her spell to see that.”

 Savion gritted his teeth. “It is no spell. It is love Shadow. I love her.”

Shadow shook his head. “Those bastards at the lab created unimaginable things. You think it would be hard for them to make some kind of magic trick for you to believe you feel some kind of way about this woman?”

Savion grew quiet as he examined his own feelings and thoughts in his mind. He couldn’t feel Armarria anymore which concerned him more than anything, but he was also grateful. He did need to readjust his feelings and analyze the situation between them before things got out of control. Even without her emotions swirling inside of him he still felt the intense love he grew for her in the short time they spent together.

“We need to leave here,” Shadow spoke, taking him out of his thoughts.

“We are not leaving,” Savion replied. “The kids need to feel comfort and safety. I understand your caution, but the Cloak will always hunt us. The only way to truly free them is to get rid of the Cloak, starting with Ray Van and working our way up the line.”

Shadow burst into laughter. “You want to take on the Cloak? Typical Savion. You can never back down from anything.”

“That’s not true.”

Shadow scoffed. “Oh, it is. Even when we were kids you could never stop yourself from taking on the toughest bullies or the toughest rides at the parks, and you always ended up hurting yourself and I always have to come bail you out. Not this time. You are either with me or against me on this.”

Savion scoffed then in the same manner as his brother. “What do you plan on doing? Killing me?” he leaned nonchalantly against the counter.

Shadow grabbed a knife from the counter, holding it to Savion. “That could solve all my problems.”

Savion leaned into the knife holding it taut by his throat. “Then do it. I for one am sick of ruining those kid’s lives by protecting them. We are doing more harm than good imprisoning them here. They do not live Shadow. They cannot live with the Cloak around. Melody…”

He paused as his emotions threatened to strangle him. “She is scared shitless to go outside. She hides in her romance novels believing herself to be broken and damaged. She has opened up to Armarria about what happened to her in that lab.”

Shadow placed the knife down, looking away. “That is more reason to keep her safe.” He replied stubbornly, turning his back.

“That is no way to live Shadow. David has stepped up tremendously as well. We have been missing this while calling ourselves their protectors. We are only holding them back. We are only holding ourselves back because we are afraid. We cannot hide forever.”

Shadow turned back to him. “Let it be their choice then. Not yours.” He pointed to his twin then placing his hands by his side with a sigh. “I agree we have done a lot holding them back because we are trying to keep them safe. Melody opening up to your woman changes nothing for me, but we will ask them what they want for once. If you truly trust this woman then I need to hear it from her if she is with us or not.” He began to walk away.

“Shadow about Laura.” Shadow paused. “Not all women are like her.  She took advantage of you because you were young. We were younger then. I do not blame you for not trusting her or anyone else. I only ask that you trust me.” He glanced back to Savion, bowed slightly and walked away.

Armarria’s eyes opened with much effort. She felt as if she was hit by a train twice. Her head pounded and her body ached. She looked around to see where she was. Relief washed over her as she was back in her room in Savion’s home. She saw him sleeping in the chair next to her bed with a blanket laced over him.

“Savion?” her voice cracked tremendously causing her to hold her throat. She was parched.

Her throat felt as if she had swallowed sand over and over. Her heart felt heavy as her memories began to rush back to her.  

“Armarria?” Savion stirred removing the cover to sit next to her on the bed. He grabbed her hand, happiness washed over him.

“Water please.” She managed. Savion hurried to the kitchen to bring her a bottle. He opened it for her and held it to her mouth.

Her parched throat appreciated him for it. Savion caressed her cheek.

“I thought I had lost you.”

Armarria glanced over at him. “How long was I out?”

Savion placed the cap back on the bottle. “Almost two weeks. Do you remember what happened?” She nodded, folding her hands together, trying not cry all over again. “She was my mother Savion. I remember her now. I couldn’t save her though.”

Savion held her close to his chest as she sobbed. “Yes, I know. Shadow has informed me of your past from what he discovered from an informant in Las Vegas.” Armarria looked up hurt.

“He wants me to go then. Did he tell you who my father is?” He cupped her chin. “You are not leaving and I do not give a damn who your father is. Shadow and I have talked about this constantly and he will not kick you out.” Armarria backed away from him feeling guilty.

“He should. I caused all of this. I brought nothing but chaos to your brothers and sisters lives. They have been after me all this time. Not you or them, but me.”

Savion still looked resolved in his decision. “Tell me what do you know of your father?”

“He is evil. He kidnapped her and forced himself on her because she was a telepath. She used to cry all the time when I wasn’t looking at her.” Savion wanted to hold her again, but he knew she needed space to work everything out. “His name is Ray Van, the fifth member of the Cloak. As Shadow has informed me, you were genetically enhanced, not government enhanced as we were which makes you something special. You were born with powers instead of having them given to you.”

She turned slightly afraid of the judgment in Savion’s eyes, but there were none. Savion stood, still keeping his distance. “I am truly sorry about your mother. She only wanted to protect you. I understand that if nothing else. People will do anything to protect those they love.”

Armarria looked down at the bedsheets. “I don’t even know how I could forget her. She was so beautiful and loving. She was the hero of my fairytale.”

“You keep her alive in your memories and she will always be with you.” He refused to not hold her anymore.

He sat on the bed again, grabbing her hand. “I am here, okay? Remember you are not alone.”

She jerked away from him. “I should be. I caused so much trouble.” She placed her head in her hands and sobbed.  

“When you were sleep I could not feel you anymore. I knew you were not dead but it still felt empty inside of me and now I feel everything you are feeling. I just want your pain to stop. The selfish side of me would rather feel all of your grief than nothing at all. You mean the world to me Armarria. Somehow you wormed your way into my black soul. I cannot leave you alone to deal with this. Please do not shut me out.”

He reached for hand to see her eyes and she allowed him to hold her this time. “I will run you a bath and we will talk some more once you are relaxed.” He kissed her on the forehead and disappeared into her bathroom. She held her head again as the emotions kept swirling and the headache grew. Her stomach growled loudly as her mouth watered.

Shadow walked in seeing Armarria on the bed. She turned to him shocked that he had just come in unannounced.

“Savion invited me.”

He handed her a sandwich. “Do not thank me yet.” He interrupted before she could speak. “We will have a meeting shortly once you clean yourself to determine where your loyalties lie.” He walked away.

Savion walked in wiping his hands with a towel. “He wants me gone.” She stated, eating the sandwich.

Savion laughed softly. “I told you he will not kick you out. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Then what about this meeting?”

Savion sat exhausted in the chair. She could see the stress in his face and weariness in his eyes. He placed his hand over his face. “I suggested we all find a way to stop the cloak once and for all, but Shadow wants to keep hiding. The cowardly bastard.”

Armarria placed her plate on the bed. “Hiding is safer, but also dangerous. If found, the kids would need safety and security again.”

Savion nodded. “That is what I said.”

Armarria held out her hand. “But fighting Is even riskier. It takes back the enemy’s advantage if we go after them. No surprises. It could work both ways. You don’t have to be the superhero for everyone Savion.”

He stood up, grabbing Armarria bridal style, holding her close to kiss her lips. “I know this to be true. If the bad guys take over and consume the world then I have failed my job at giving my brothers and sisters a normal life. That is not the reality I want. I guess that makes me the heroic bastard.” He helped her undress and laid her in the hot water.

“I hope I will have my memories forever now. I never want to forget you Savion.”

He smiled, sitting on the toilet seat. “You will never have to. I have my ways of making you remember.” She laughed then. Her face crusted with tears and her eyes swollen. “If you had the choice would you stay with your mother and hide or fight?”

Armarria thought for a moment. “I didn’t have a much of choice but even in hiding, I was found eventually. So I would fight. It seems I’m all out of options anyway.”

 She wanted it to be a joke but she didn’t laugh herself. Fighting was scary, especially knowing what she could do to people. Her powers were unstable once the block on her broke. Her mother even hid some of that away from her. She stared at her hands for a moment.

“If I would’ve had control of powers I could’ve stopped him.”

Savion kissed her forehead. “The only thing you can do now is get the bastard who started all of this. We will get revenge for both of our parents. I promise.” He cupped her chin. “You should hurry my brother is terribly impatient.” She began to bathe her body quickly, preparing herself for this meeting with everyone in the house.

Savion walked in holding Armarria’s hand. Melody stood up and ran to her. “Miss Armarria you’re okay.” She hugged her tight.

Armarria smiled returning the hug. “Well as good as I’m going to be.” She hugged all the kids as they seemed happy to see her. She sat in the chair at the dining table. Savion stood behind her.

“Kids, Shadow and I have come to understand that you guys are growing so fast over the past five years with us. It is time for you guys to make your own choices.”

“Are you leaving us?” Jet asked sadly causing an uproar.

“You can’t leave us.” Melody rang out.

“No!” Sara cried.

“What our brother means is he believes we all should stand and fight the good fight instead of hiding. The thing that has kept us alive for this long.” Shadow chimed in, circling the table.

“Melody gasped. “Fighting the Cloak you mean…we couldn’t. We aren’t…”

Savion touched her shoulder. “We all are stronger than we think Melody, but the choice is solely on you.”

“Regardless of how strong we are they are more than just seven of us. We still wouldn’t stand a chance.” David replied.

 Armarria bit her bottom lip. “I know some people who will be willing to help us.” Armarria continued.

“I thought you couldn’t remember anyone.” David looked confused.

Armarria took a deep breath ready to explain everything to them. “Before you guys decide, I should tell you that woman on the highway was my mother, Elizabeth Martin. She was a powerful telepath and she used her powers to block my memories. Once she died the mental block she had on me faded and I remembered. I’m not the only one she placed the mental block on.”

Savion and Shadow grew more interested now. “From what I remember the Cloak was kidnapping women to have these kids to become genetically enhanced by. The members forced them to carry children for their sick experiments. My mother was one of them. After she gained her power of telepathy, Ray Van became obsessed with her. She escaped the lab and took the children with her. She told me they were stronger than any Cloak member. She called them the Elements.”

“Do you know what they looked like?” Savion asked. She shook her head. “I barely saw their faces. Knowing my mother she placed the mental block on them as well to keep the Cloak away from them.”

“And now that the mental block is gone they will be looking for them. We have to find them before they do.” Savion looked directly at Shadow now.

“While in Vegas my informant did mention something about four kids who possessed the powers of the earth. I thought it all nonsense.”

“So if you’re not one of these elements then why is the Cloak after you?” David asked, curious.

Shadow patted his shoulders with a smirk. “Great question David. Allow me to shine the light on it. It is because she is Ray Van’s daughter. The fifth Cloak member’s daughter has been living here all this time putting you all in danger with her presence.”

Savion growled. “That is enough Shadow.” He warned.

Melody looked over at Armarria. “Is it true Miss Armarria?”

Sara chimed in. “Are you not one of us?”

Armarria wasn’t ready for the judgment of the children. She had grown to love them and care for them. She couldn’t handle if they wanted her to leave.

“It’s true. I’m sorry if it hurts you guys. I never wanted this.”

“How can you prove it to them? The only way is to leave here and run on your own.” Shadow said.  Savion was about to go over to him but Armarria stood, holding his hand.

“I’m not running. I’m fighting. Ray Van and the other Cloak members have hurt too many people I care about and I won’t let him get away with killing my mother. I’m sorry Shadow, but I can’t stand by and watch people constantly being tortured and killed for some evil government conspiracy. They have to be stopped.”

Savion looked at her with pride as she stood up to his brother. “Well look at you. Looks like you have gained my brother’s balls. Just because you are giving him your ass does not mean that he can save it.” Shadow and Savion stepped into each other’s face.

“Stop it you too. Haven’t we seen enough violence already?” The twelve-year-old had to be the voice of reason. They turned to her, looking busted.

“I think we should fight.” David broke the tension. “Running is safe and safe comes with unplanned attacks. Without proper training and planning, our survival rate will be only forty-two percent for the next year.” He placed his glasses firmly on his nose as he spoke. “We only survived this long because of you guys. You both had to kill countless times to protect us. Either way, it wouldn’t make a difference. At least fighting back gives us the upper hand of deciding our own fate.”

Everyone looked at David talk so matter of factly about the whole situation. He was so shy at first and now he wants to join the war. Savion was proud of him despite Shadow’s face being grim and defeated.

“What about you guys?” He asked pointing to the rest of the group. Melody held her head down. “It is ok Melody it’s your choice.”

“I’m scared. What can I do?” Sara responded.

Savion picked the six-year-old up in his arms. “It is alright to want to stay, but your powers are coming along nicely. We could always use a medic on the battlefield.”

Shadow shook his head. “This is insane. She is just six, Savion.”

“It is still her choice, Shadow,” Shadow growled low in response.

“We will give you guys time to think about it. Until then I will go looking for the Elements.” Savion decided.

“I’m going too.” Armarria blurted. “I know where I can get the info on them.”

“Then tell me and I will go retrieve it myself,” Shadow argued.

Armarria shook her head. “I need to go say goodbye to my mother.”

Shadow sighed. “I’m sorry about her by the way. We suffered the same fate.” He bowed slightly showing his condolences.

“Armarria and I will go tonight. Ray Van could already be on to the four.” Savion concluded, wrapping his arms around her shoulder.

Shadow nodded defeated.  “I trust you know what you are doing brother. This could go to s**t fast. We do not know what the Cloak is capable of.”

Savion agreed placing Sara back into the chair. “More reason to prepare.”

Shadow sighed defeated. “I need to talk to Armarria alone.”

Savion’s head snapped up. “What? Why me?” She asked shocked and becoming afraid all at once.

“I will not harm her, Brother. Just talk.” Savion watched them walk out the room cautiously.

“If you need me scream.” He yelled out to Armarria. She followed Shadow to the living room licking her dry lips.

“Whether my brother knows it or not, you are our only chance of getting information on the Cloak. Your father…”

“He is not my father.” She interrupted furiously.

“Regardless he needs you for something. My brother is so blinded by his love for you that he cannot see you are more useful with the enemy.”

Armarria looked confused. “Wait you want me to join Ray Van’s side after you threatened to kill me if I worked with him before?”

Shadow held his hand up. “Only as bait to lure Ray Van out of hiding.”

Armarria scoffed. “Savion would never agree to that.” She replied. “He is extremely stubborn like you.”

Shadow nodded. “Which is why you are the only person who can convince him. Persuade him. If you really want to help us you will do this for him.”

Armarria licked her dry lips again. Was Shadow just trying to get rid of her or did he really have a plan? She didn’t know for sure. “I will try to talk to him about coming up with a plan. No promises though.”

“Of course.” It was quiet for a moment. “You know you could’ve told him this yourself. He does listen to you, despite what you think.” Armarria informed him.

Shadow sighed. “That used to be true, but now I am not so positive. As of late, all we do is argue about you.” He glanced accusingly at her.

“I’m sorry. I never want to tear you guys apart. You two need each other now more than ever. You steady him whether he will admit it or not. And I think he steadies you.”

Shadow scoffed. “It is funny how life turns around. I was him once. He warned me about Laura and I refused to listen to anything negative he said about her. Turns out he was right.”

He fully looked at her now with his black menacing eyes. “Do not prove me right.” Was his last words before he walked away disappearing into the hallway.