Chapter Two
~
The Angels
Her green and blue eyes shot like lasers beneath the shadow cast over her face. She lifted her chin to the sky, and let the light shine on her features, still gazing intently at the homeless person across the street.
Now, all the people had gone from the avenue, leaving nothing but a stretch of asphalt between the woman and the orphan.
Her face had a new look of certainty.
“Keiran.” She said. She pushed off her motor bike and stepped forward, chains jingling. The air of relief surrounding her and the excitement in her eyes astounded Orphenn. No one had ever looked at him like that.
“What?” He speculated, their contrasting eyes meeting.
The woman reached out to him. He hadn’t realized how close he actually was to her. Had he subconsciously walked slowly toward her? The sense of familiarity she gave him seemed to be drawing him in.
She rested her hand on his neck. He wanted to jerk away, but his legs felt like weak stilts.
She looked deep within his abnormal eyes, as if searching for something hidden inside.
She was a stranger to him, and yet, Orphenn already felt a strong connection to her.
She stared for a bit longer. Then with an unexpected smile, she pulled his face closer, and touched her forehead to his.
Orphenn considered running away like a frightened bird, but it was a far away thought. The woman’s affectionate gesture strangely calmed him. Like it was something he was used to.
“You’ve gotten so tall.” The woman whispered, kissing his cheek lightly.
“Who are you?” Orphenn questioned, nearly dazed, hoping against all hope that this was not an alcohol-induced hallucination.
“You don’t remember, do you? You’re sure? You don’t know who I am?”
Orphenn thought hard for a moment, but shook his head. “I feel like I should….But I don’t.”
“Oh, Keiran.” She lamented. “It’s true…You’ve lost your memory. It must have been that last portal…” she trailed off, rubbing her temples in an effort to remember.
“Portal?”
“What’s your name?” She abruptly changed the subject, steepling her fingers. “What did they decide to call you?”
“Orphenn.”
“Orphenn?!” She gaped, as if he had said his name was Mega-Man. Then she straightened, tapping her chin in thought. “I didn’t think they’d take what I said so literally…When I said you were an orphan, I thought they’d at least come up with their own name for you…”
“Who are you?” Orphenn repeated. “Wait, wait, wait, wait, first-How do you know me?”
“My name is Cinder.” She answered, suddenly serious. After a pause, she said, “You’re my baby brother, Orphenn.”
“What did you say?” He nearly hissed, grasping Cinder’s studded wrist in astonishment. “You mean…I have family?”
She nodded.
“How many?” He demanded.
“There’s only the four of us left.”
“Only four….” He echoed. That’s more than I’ve ever had. “Where are they?”
“You’re the only one still here.”
“In New York?”
“On Earth.” She looked at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to tell her she was a nut job.
Instead he said, “…So you came to get me?”
“You believe me then?” She seemed relieved.
“Hey, I’ve heard stranger things,” he lied. Hearing he had a family out there was the strangest thing that had ever come to his ears. “Hell, I’m pretty strange myself.”
“Come on, then.” She grinned, motioning to her motorcycle.
“Uhh…” Orphenn hesitated, taking a step back. “Are you sure you wanna take me?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m not really….Normal. I mean-I can-I’m…”
“We’ll worry about that later, when we get to Aleida.” Cinder assured. “Maybe you’ll demonstrate your ‘abnormality’ for me then.”
“Aleida…We’re going on that?” He tilted his head toward the odd motorcycle. Cinder said she was the only family he had on Earth. Did that mean they were going to some other planet? A strange unknown galaxy?
“Yup.”
That ‘yup’ was surprisingly helpful.
At this point, Orphenn was ready to believe anything. Well, almost anything. If you told him Abraham Lincoln was standing right behind him riding a unicorn he might be like ‘Wha?’ But you get the picture. Anything was better than another night in that alley.
Cinder mounted her bike, slipping her shades back on her nose. “You ready, Baby Brother?”
Warm butterflies rose in his stomach at the affectionate nickname, but he looked down at his boots passively. “How can I be sure you’re my sister?”
“Our eyes should be proof enough.” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, adjusting her sunglasses to look him in the eyes again. Her right eye was watery blue and slitted, and her right was emerald green with a split pupil. Just like his, apart from the color.
Orphenn never believed himself worthy of anything, let alone a family and a nickname.
“Don’t worry yourself, Orphenn.” Cinder soothed. “Nobody’s normal where we’re going.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He hopped on the bike seat behind her, still feeling anxious. Then he recalled the antics of earlier that morning, when he had captured that criminal. He had saved a life today.
He was filled with a new hope as Cinder revved the engine. “There’s so much to do!” She enthused. “You have to meet Celina and Sven, and-oh! I hear his daughter is about your age now.” She elbowed him playfully.
He laughed bashfully. “Who’s Sven?”
“You’ll see when we get there-he can help you remember.”
There was a pause before Orphenn said, “Cinder?”
“Yeah?” She flipped up the kickstand with her heel.
“Um…Yeah, just wondering…What is Aleida?”
“Home.”
That’s all the answer he needed.
The bike surged forward in a flash, and was gone.
Orphenn could’ve sworn he saw a rush of space and stars like a Disneyland tunnel ride, but it was gone in a wink.
And in the next instant they were surrounded by white light. It temporarily blinded him, and Orphenn hid his face in Cinder’s leather-strapped back. Now he understood why she wore the shades.
He felt suddenly shaky and nauseous, like he’d been set on tumble dry. His breath came in wavered gasps until he was able to calm himself and say, “Where are we?”
“Denoras.”
Orphenn squinted, his sight coming back to him.
Denoras was magnificent. Still, as he looked about, everything was white…A white city. The architecture was the most unique Orphenn had ever seen. There were arches and statues everywhere, and each building looked as if it was carved from swirling marble or granite-almost fragile in its beauty.
The Palace itself was massive, and tall, with many towers atop it in random placement. They could be seen from the outer gates of the capital city. The largest and tallest was a clock tower soared above the others, with majesty that stood out from the rest.
Cinder drove her vehicle slowly (with a much disoriented Orphenn clung to her waist) along the smooth cobblestone-like pavement into the White Square, the heart of Denoras. There was a tremendous monument of white marble in the center of the plaza. Orphenn couldn’t quite tell what it was at first, but gasped as they came closer to it. It was a statue depicting two women, with mighty wings blooming from their shoulders, and a fountain spurting at their feet.
He was again reminded of his nightly dreams. But neither this nor the amazing attention to detail that must have gone into creating this work of art was what shocked him-what made his jaw fall open was that the two figures had the same sculpted face-twins, that looked exactly like Cinder.
Orphenn nearly inquired about it, but was interrupted before he had the chance.
“No vehicles beyond this point, ma’am.”
Orphenn turned his eyes up to the guard, who was curiously eyeing Cinder’s ride. She switched off the engine and come to a halt. The guard’s armor almost blended in with all the whiteness around him. Then Orphenn realized there were guards like this one at every corner in the square, hardly noticeable.
The guard lifted the brim of his too big headgear to peer down at the biker and the orphan. “I’ll have to ask you for some identification.”
Sam popped into Orphenn’s head at the sight of this official. In fact, he looked a lot like Sam.
Cinder only chuckled at the guard’s request. This seemed to catch the attention of another nearby guard, who came to stand beside the first. “What’s goin’ on over here? Who’s this?” He gave the two on the bike a quizzical look.
“Got ourselves some criminals, sir.” Warned the apparent neophyte, reaching for his firearm.
“Oh, you’re such a drama queen.” Sighed the second man, who was obviously much older and more experienced. “We’ll just need some proof of ID before entering the palace.”
Cinder turned her face to the veteran, tipping her shades down to show her eyes. “How’s it goin’, Pliley?” She nodded.
Officer Pliley started, nearly jumping. “Lady Cinder!” He jerked to glare menacingly at the younger officer. He jumped too.
“Ah!” The newbie exclaimed, “Lady Cinder! The Cinder! The Mysterious Drifter! The Renegade Angel! I’ve wanted to meet you all my life!” He was bouncing on his heels now. “You’re in textbooks! You’re famous, you-”
“That’s enough, Hollei.” Pliley chastised. He shook his head. “Rookie.”
Hollei complied, busying himself by glancing at the angel monument, then at Cinder, then back at the monument, then at Cinder again, over and over, all with a goofy smile plastered to his face.
Pliley rolled his eyes at the rookie, then turned again to Cinder. “You haven’t been home over three years now, Your Grace. What brings you back?” He asked casually.
“Family business.” She answered, tilting her head toward Orphenn on the seat behind her, who was still clutching her zipper-covered jacket and wondering why they all treated her with such reverence.
The guards went dumbstruck at the word ‘family.’
“Go right ahead.” Hollei gestured, nonplussed.
Cinder advanced, parking her bike at the foot of the palace’s wide entry stairs. “Sorry about that. Normally we Enma only have to show our eyes to receive unquestioned entry.” She apologized, helping Orphenn off the seat. He limped up the steps alongside his sister, without even enough energy to ask what she was talking about.
“Who’s the kid?” Hollei asked, once Cinder and Orphenn were through the great columned entrance.
“I don’t know.” Pliley admitted.
“He was awful quiet, wasn’t he?”
“I suppose…There’s been a lot to take in.”
****
Orphenn’s irregular footsteps echoed through the alabaster halls. The white columns were high and magnificent, the interior just as breathtaking as the outside of the palace, everything crafted from polished snow-white marble.
“You doing okay?” Cinder glanced back over her shoulder, her own steps jingling throughout the hall. “That trip must have done a number on you.”
“I think I’ll be fine.” He rasped, flattered by her concern. The idea of being cared about was still new to him.
“Cinder!” A voice called from down another corridor.
Cinder’s boots stopped, as did Orphenn’s. He stayed closely beside her. He gazed at the huge gray and white dome overhead, so big it was like a second sky, and listened to the rapidly approaching footfalls.
Cinder knew she was coming before her voice ever broke the silence, just as she knew Cinder had returned before she ever climbed up the palace steps.
“Celina.” Cinder muttered, holding her arms open for the rushing woman in white who was about to be wrapped in them. They embraced, rocking back and fourth like a pendulum.
Celina was dressed all in white-billowing white robes of silk and sparkling linen, and a ribbon that held her raven hair, even longer than Cinder’s, from her face in a large ponytail. She also wore a silver coronet, with a single white jewel embedded in the band where it rested on her forehead; Orphenn came to infer that she had important social standing. Her face, like the two women in the monument, was a mirror image of Cinder. Her eyes were like theirs as well. One was the natural blue, and the other rusty brown.
Orphenn chastised himself for only just realizing that the women in the monument were facsimiles of the twins hugging each other right in front of him. And then once again for realizing that also like Cinder, Celina was his sister too.
It was nearly evening, and the sunlight shone bright through the wide windows, making the hall glisten, just as the twins’ smiling eyes did when they pulled away from their embrace.
Cinder lightly winked in Orphenn’s direction, and Celina looked to see what she was motioning to. At the sight of Orphenn, she gave a loving smile. Then her face seemed to change slightly. She ran to her long lost brother and clasped his hands in hers. She kissed his fingers and held him in her arms. “Keiran. You’ve grown.”
Orphenn hugged her back. “So I’ve heard.” His throat felt like sandpaper.
He felt an instant bond with Celina, just as he had with Cinder.
“He goes by Orphenn.” Cinder stated.
“Orphenn!” Celina held him at arm’s length. She looked at him as if she was about to tell him how horrible that name was, but thought better of it when she saw the innocence in his face. “Orphenn, then.”
“I-I’ve lost my memory....She says…” He wheezed.
Cinder touched his shoulder. Celina touched his cheek. “I know.” She sympathized.
“Do you think….That you could tell me about everything I’ve forgotten?” He looked at them both with pleading eyes, still in a state of disbelief. He’d never seen a place so beautiful, seen faces so beautiful as his sisters’ whom he already loved deeply-a beautiful feeling he never thought he could feel.
“There isn’t much we could tell you about what you remember.” Said Celina.
“But we can tell you everything we know until Sven arrives.” Cinder offered.
“But we will tell you nothing until you’ve had a bath.”
“And a change of clothes.”
“And a haircut. It’s very unruly.”
“And some medication. You look peeked.”
“And some food. You’re a bit thin.”
Orphenn smiled, for the first time since…He couldn’t even remember.
Orphenn felt wonderful. He was clean, and for once he didn’t smell like an orphanage or a garbage can. Or a feral cat for that matter. Celina lent him a fresh linen bathrobe until his tailored jumpsuit was completed. His hair had been nicely styled-long in the front, short and spiked in the back, with a long rattail trailing down his back. He was given effective herbs to help his aching head and bones (which were pretty badly battered by his trip through dimensions) and as he sat by the hearth in a cushy wingback chair, he was served a decadent meal by a pair of white-aproned chamber maids.
Celina sat in another chair across from him, Cinder in another beside him.
“How are you feeling?” One of the maids asked politely.
“Lovely,” He replied with his mouth full.
“Your suit should be ready by morning,” said the other maid, “pity, though. That bathrobe does wonders for you.” She winked.
Orphenn swallowed, and cleared his throat, blushing. “I’ve never felt so pampered.” He said. “Your work ethic is definitely efficient.”
“Thank you, Young Prince.” They said in complete unison with a low curtsy, before hopping out the door, giggling the whole way down the hall.
Celina grinned widely. “You’re quite the charmer aren’t you?”
Cinder smiled too. “Flirt.”
He ignored their mocking and asked, “Why did they call me ‘Young Prince?’”
“Well, you are the brother of the Supreme Commander. What else are they supposed to call you?”
Um, how ‘bout my name? He thought. “I don’t know. Anything but Young Prince. I feel like Bambi. Wait…” He pondered. “Supreme Commander?”
Celina nodded. “That I am.”
So that’s what the coronet stood for. Celina was a political leader of some kind. Supreme Commander…Orphenn pondered. Sounds so…Supreme.
Orphenn tried to hold back an imminent yawn, but pitifully failed. No amount of herbal tea could hide his exhaustion. He rubbed his eyes.
“Let’s get you to your chambers, little brother.” Celina said, noticing his drooping eyelids. “Come with me.”
“Huh?” He drowsily stood from the chair and began to walk with Celina down the white hallway.
“Goodnight, Cinder.” Celina waved.
“’Night.” Cinder replied. And as Celina and Orphenn exited, she stared reminiscently into the fireplace.
“No, but wait…” Orphenn protested as they padded along the marble. “You were going to tell me…” –A yawn broke his sentence- “…About everything.”
The two ascended a tall spiral staircase to the next floor, and trod across the wide open landing to Orphenn’s new bedroom.
“All in good time, Keir-Orphenn.” She stumbled, remembering his new name. “All in good time.” She patted his shoulder, and unlatched the door, easing her brother inside.
The room was decorated fully in white, silver, and ashy gray, with accents of pastel blue. The four-poster bed looked incredibly appealing beneath the half-moon shaped stained glass window, set high on the wall.
“Sweet dreams.” Celina wished, softly closing the door as she left.
She stood in the hallway for a moment, until she heard the muffled growl of a motorcycle engine.
Cinder’s eyes watered from forgetting to blink while staring into the flames. Her eyelids fluttered as she rose form her seat, and strode out the door, down the hall, and into the night.
When she reached her bike and started it, she took a moment to reach into her jacket. From it, she produced a wooden-framed photo. It was a picture of the Avari family.
Mother and father, triplets, and one other son.
“I never knew you were so nostalgic.” Celina noted. She had subtly come to the bottom step, beside Cinder’s idling vehicle.
Cinder started, but only slightly. “Celina. I didn’t see you there.” She stuffed the frame quickly back into her jacket. Then she killed the engine to let Celina speak.
“Why are you leaving again?” She demanded. “For God’s sake, you only just got here! Why don’t you stay?”
Cinder stammered. “I just-I don’t know. I guess it seems kind of like tradition now. Out there on the road, just me and the gang.”
“Tradition? To visit for a bit then disappear for a few more years? What about Keiran? Won’t you stay for him?” Celina looked ready to cry, even beg on her knees if she had to.
Cinder fiddled with her chains, then gave a relenting sigh.
“Okay.” She stepped off her bike. “For Keiran.”
Celina smiled, teary-eyed.