CHAPTER3
Nia gasped awake from the nightmare that was her past. Five years had gone by but that memory was as clear to her as it had been the night it happened. She hated the reoccurring nightmare of her past. She turned on her back reaching for the only comfort she had, even if it was not much. He wasn’t there, of course, because he never seemed to be the few times she’d ever wanted him near her. She sighed at the thought that the man who took everything from her was a comfort to her. Nia rolled out of her bed and brushed the knots from her tangled hair.
It took her only a matter of moments to locate Darian. She pushed her mind through the hallways of the over the top, medieval castle they lived in. It was like something out of a fairy tale. But not the prince’s castle, more like the villain’s. It was dark and cold. The house itself is huge. Walking in you would think an entire kingdom lived here, and maybe at one point, it did. However, now it was only home to four people. Darian and Nia lived in one half of the house. While Branch and Sophie, who were friends of Darian’s, lived in the other half. Nia rarely saw the other two and was glad of that. Neither of them seemed very fond of her. She left Darians room and walked down the hall to her own. Nia quickly changed and went to find Darian. She found him in one of the sitting rooms nearest to the kitchen. He was with Branch, they were fighting like they always did. Nia didn’t know why they were even friends .
“It has been five years, Branch.” His voice was triumphant and taunting. “I win.”
Nia hadn’t a clue why the guys fought all the time. She just knew that it always seemed end up as the same argument no matter how it started. She wasn’t about to try and get in the middle of it. Instead she stood outside the room hoping it was almost over, when she realized it wasn't ten minutes later she pushed her mind into the room and within seconds she had a clear picture of the men.
“You are the devil. You don’t need to do this.” Branch spat, his face hard as always.
Darian stood. He was a much taller than Branch who was almost six feet tall. Both men were strong; you could see it in the way they’re built, broad shoulders and thick arms. Still, they were polar opposites. Darian had bright blond hair and brown eyes while Branch had dark brown hair and light blue eyes. Almost everything about the way they acted was different too other then the bitterness and anger between them.
“You would be wise,” Darian said “to remember who you are speaking to.”
“I know exactly who I am speaking to.” Branch said back, clearly asking for trouble.
“I am,” Darian walked closer to Branch like a predator to prey, “the reason you are alive.”
“No, Darian.” He said, “You are the reason I am dead.”
Nia had lived with them for twenty years and still didn’t understand anything about them. She turned to walk back to the room and enjoy a rare “Darian free” moment, until she heard Branch say her name.
“If it wasn’t for Nia, you would have nothing.” he said defiantly.
“I will always have everything, and you will always be the one with nothing.” Darian’s voice was calm, and untouchable, which seemed to make Branch angrier.
“You evil son of a -!” He was cut off the Sophie who bounced into the room seemingly clueless to the fight that was escalating around in the room, her short blonde curls moving around her perfect face.
“Branchie,” she whined in her annoyingly high, child like voice. “Branchie[ACSL2] come help me.” She looked up at him with her lower lip folded down in a pout and began pulling on his arm.
Nia watched Branch’s face go from fury to calm in a matter of seconds; the work it took to get there hidden by is emotional wall. The fights between them usually ended like this and nothing ever got resolved, if that was even possible. Nia decided she should come out of hiding before someone caught her lurking.
“Darian,” she said mustering up her best innocent voice as she walked in to join the three of them, “There you are.”
“Ah, Nia.” He said, turning his attention from the others, but not before shooting Branch one last triumphant glance. “You do look lovely today.”
Sophie had taken to whining and Branch looked more annoyed than angry now as she pulled on his arm. Darian smiled then looked to Nia.
“Nia dear, let us leave these two.”
He took Nia by the hand and they started out of the room. Branch turned his attention to Darian as they crossed the room. His eyes narrowed with anger once again, staring down Darian’s every step.
“You are my greatest tool.” he whispered. His hand just a little too tight on her arm.
Nia didn’t know what he meant, she ignored it hoping it was nothing to worry about. He pulled her close and hugged her before he took her from the room while Branch stared angrily at them. Once out of the room he shoved her back down the hall that she came and into her room.
“I’ll get you later, don’t leave until then.”
I love this! It's like a serial novel! :-)
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