“It’s a house.”

The two teens turned at the sound of Ynda’s voice as she approached them. Chloe was with her, which didn’t surprise them in the least. The girls were always together.

“Mind elaborating?” Lukas asked.

Chloe rolled her eyes. “It’s really not that hard to understand.”

“A house has a lot of rooms,” Ynda said.

“There’s a bedroom for each person.”

“And a common area for everyone.

“If you want to talk to just one person, you close all the other doors.”

“And stay out of the common room.”

“In the personal room is where all your own thoughts and feelings stay when you don’t want to share them.”

“If we do, we go to the common room.”

Lukas looked at Toji. He jerked a thumb at the girls. “Does that pretty much sum it up?”

Toji blinked. “Yep.” He looked pointedly at his sister. “What are you doing here? Did Dad send you?”

“No,” Ynda said. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“You already knew I was.” He turned away, getting to his feet and picking his jacket up off the ground, the cord still at his feet. Lukas grabbed it as he stood, handing it to Toji who pocketed it without looking at it. He kept his gaze averted. “Sorry you got a worse deal than me.”

“Yeah, that was some horseshit,” Chloe said.

Toji didn’t even balk. Chloe and Ynda were as much twins as Arla and Noah were in everyone’s minds. Ynda was created the same day and time Chloe was born, but no one knew it until their dads returned to Helman Hall with her. They’d been attached at the hip ever since. Lukas joked they shared one brain cell, just like the other two. 

“It’s fine, though,” Ynda said, touching his arm and giving it a light squeeze. “I call it even since you’re really the only one he yelled at.”

“He’s always yelling at me,” Toji said, rolling his eyes. The four made their way up the hill toward the small village nearby that was populated by the Children who worked and helped keep the Veil safe. A lot of the buildings were meeting places for the Divine to get together and relax. The number one law of the Veil was no fighting. Arguing happened a lot, of course, but nobody came to blows. If they did, they were banned from the Veil, sometimes for eternity, sometimes for a designated period of time. It all depended on what the reason was for the fight.

Only a few times had real battles been started here, and the Helmans, their allies, and the Children, all saw to it they came to an end quickly. 

The group chatted amiably, shifting the mood and getting Toji’s mind off his father’s scolding. Before too long, he was back to his normal self, much to Ynda’s dual delight and annoyance. They arrived at one of the meeting houses, sparsely attended thanks to the ceremony at Gods Hall, and took a booth, Ynda letting Havik know where they were through their link. She relayed his response to her brother who nodded, shoving Lukas’ huge frame into the booth so he could sit on the outside.

A small fae girl bought them a platter of sushi, something Toji was huge fan of after visiting Japan one summer, left and then returned shortly with four bottles of soda. She bowed respectfully before dashing off to help her other customers.

“I will never understand how they all just seem to know what you want,” Chloe said, shaking her head.

Ynda laughed and handed her a small plate with three pieces of sushi and a dish of soy sauce. “You have to be from here. We may not all have a link, but we can read energies.”

“The fae are the best at it, that’s why they work at the shops,” Toji said, picking up an eel roll and, tilting his head back, dropped it into his waiting mouth, smiling contentedly. 

“Do they earn money?” 

Toji and Ynda shook their heads. “It’s not a concept here,” Toji said. “Everything is created through magic and energy manipulation so money isn’t necessary.”

Chloe sighed and dipped her crab roll politely in her soy sauce before bringing it to her lips. “Just one more thing that separates us from you,” she mumbled under her breath.

Ynda shared a look with Toji who inwardly sighed. The Franks were one family of only a dozen that were known as Immortals. They had no powers, died easier, but could still access the Divine realms without consequence. They were strong, fast, and could utilize magical creations, but they did not share in the abilities of the Divine. There were some Divine, mostly angels, that looked down on them, considering them lesser beings, only a step up from humans. 

Jordan Franks, the Commander of the entire Helman Kingdom Army, and Hawk’s right hand man and brother, was highly respected, but even he was subjected to the judgment of those particular Divine.

“Hey, so about the vacation,” Lukas said, twirling his bottle around in his hand, elbow on the table. “What are we even doing, do we know?”

“Staying out of trouble if you know what’s good for you,” Havik said as he approached them, Kayla, Arla, Noah, and Ava hot on his heels. Kayla was Lukas and Chloe’s youngest sister. Arla, Noah, and Ava were the children of Persephone and Alerik Grace Albright, Ava being the oldest. All nine of them were not only close friends, but cousins. A few fae hurried over, pulling a table up against Toji’s, and the new arrivals took their seats. 

“I set one fire,” Lukas grumbled, eyes rolling to the ceiling.

“You almost burned down the entire western wood,” Ava said, thanking the fae girl for the salad she brought.

“Aren’t you glad you were there to stop it from getting worse?” Lukas grinned brightly. Ava just rolled her eyes.

Havik turned his bright ruby red eyes on his sister. “Pater said you are to report to Lord Gabriel in the morning.”

“Ugh, don’t call him that,” Toji shuddered. “He’s got a big enough head as it is.” He reached over to nick one of Noah’s fries but was shocked for his efforts. The electric ribbon danced around Noah’s hand briefly before it disappeared, the teen chuckling. Toji shielded his hand with his core energy and snatched the fry with more success. Biting into it before making a face.

“He is worthy of that title, though,” Havik said, taking a bite of his salmon. “He should be respected, that’s all.”

“I can respect the douche canoe without having to add the title,” Toji said.

“That’s not very princely of you,” Arla said, taking a big bite of her burger before handing it to her twin.

“Or godly,” Noah added, passing her the fries.

“I’ll let you all know when I care,” Toji said. Ynda rolled her eyes good naturedly before returning to Lukas’ question.

“You’re assuming we’re all still going,” she said.

All eyes shot to Toji. “Are you being made to stay?” Havik asked, concern in his round face. 

Toji frowned. “Ask Dad,” he groused. “He didn’t say one way or the other after he got done chewing my ass.”

“Language,” Chloe warned.

“Sorry, biting my goddamn head off,” Toji corrected, reaching for another sushi roll. “Whatever, if I have to stay, I’ll just deal.”

“But you’ve been waiting for this for months!” Kayla said. She pierced her fork into her grilled chicken, digging it through her mashed potatoes. “It’s all you’ve been talking about.”

Toji sat back, reaching for his bottle and folding his arms over his chest. “I know,” he sighed. “It was going to be a big thing, too. Fireworks at the lake.”

“Barbeque at the old property,” Lukas added.

“Party at Helman Hall,” Chloe sighed.

Ynda sat forward, chin in hand as she gave her brother a sly look. “Even some delicious home cooking.”

Toji frowned, averting his gaze, his face flushing. “Well, Gabriella does make the best meatloaf outside of Oma, so…”

There was a rousing chorus of voices as everyone pointed and teased. They knew it wasn’t Gabby’s cooking he was looking forward to; it was her assistant. Toji whined for them to shut up, his face getting hotter. Lukas slapped him on the back before flicking him on the forehead.

“C’mon, dude, everyone knows you have a crush on Natsu, just admit it already.”

“I do not!”

More raised voices of teasing dessent. Ynda reached over and pinched the back of his hand, laughing when he sent a tendril of energy to flick her hair. He tried to argue but they wouldn’t back down, even Havik who was the more serious of the three got in a few good shots.

“No one without a crush thanks someone with a smile that wide,” he said.

“Or bites their lip when they walk away,” Chloe added, winking at him.

“Didn’t you fall over a hedge once staring at him while you were walking?” Arla said, tapping her chin as she remembered. “I think you hit your head on a flagstone or something.”

Noah and Arla snorted in unison. 

“Guys, come on,” Toji pleaded weakly, “It isn’t like that, he’s just my friend. Besides, it’s not like anything could happen with him anyway.” He toyed with his bracelet. “Not that I’m actually interested in—”

Another raised chorus.

“Oh, shut up!”

“Look, dude, we get it,” Lukas laughed. “I’ll admit even I think he’s pretty.”

“He’s not pretty,” Toji mumbled. “He’s…” he swallowed, keeping in mind he couldn’t tell a lie in the Veil. “He’s not pretty,” he finished lamely. 

“Yeah, well, you still have a keen eye for him, regardless,” Chloe said. “You really should just tell him.”

Toji stared at her. “Are you frickin’ crazy? I can’t do that! Besides, he's human…even if I did tell him, what difference would it make? I couldn’t be with him, anyway.”

“But I thought you didn’t have a crush on him?” Noah and Arla said in unison.

“I don’t,” he muttered, but his eyes gave him away. He couldn’t lie, but he could convince himself it was the truth if he had to. No, he didn’t have a crush on Natsu Kanaki. He wasn’t allowed to. He wasn’t allowed to feel anything more than a friendliness toward the cook. Yet, he did feel more for Natsu than was allowed, and it was more than just a crush. So much more. Telling everyone he didn’t wasn’t a lie, not really. Having to hide his actual feelings within that denial was the trick. He could say it, but if his tone was off only a little bit, then they would know something was up. Having to deny a crush he truly didn’t have, but make it sound like he actually did, was a complicated mind game he had learned to perfect. It was something he technically wasn’t supposed to be able to do in the Veil. However, thanks to Nox, he was able to do a lot of things he wasn’t supposed to do.

Not just Nox… He glanced down at the bracelet. Mind games were your specialty, too.

He changed the subject, hoping everyone would just forget about the crush he didn’t have on the gorgeous cook at Helman Hall.

He’s not pretty…

“Maybe we can go to the west coast and see Oma and Opa,” he said, taking a swig of his soda.

Havik’s eyes went wide and he nearly came out of his seat. “Can we?!” he nearly yelled. The Albright children shared in his excitement and Ynda laughed. Lukas, Chloe, and Kayla all secretly hoped they could go, too. The Grace’s were incredibly kind and loving people and accepted them all for what and who they were. June had been surprised when she had learned of her children being Divine beings, and had given Charles, her husband, an earful for having not told her sooner since he had already known. Years later, she still loved Hawk, and absolutely adored her grandchildren.

“Gods, angels, Immortals, penguins, I don’t care,” she had sobbed on Hero’s shoulder. “I love you all just the same. I always will.”

Toji gave Lukas a crooked grin, his red eye flashing at him. “Not unless you go, too,” he said.

Kayla’s eyes went wide, pleading with her big brother with her hands clasped and lower lip jutting out. “Pleeeaaaase?” 

Even Chloe looked at him expectantly. They didn’t do anything unless he gave the okay. It was a rule their parents had set years ago, especially after Lukas joined the Guard, an elite subdivision of the Helman Kingdom Army. They were tasked with the protection of the royal family and different sections of the Veil. Since that was an incredibly vast place, there were thousands of Guardsmen in place who reported back to the Helmans on a regular basis. 

Lukas Franks was not only Toji’s best friend and cousin, but his personal Guard as well. Even if he didn’t want to go, he still had to.

And he wanted to go. Wherever Toji went, he went. That’s how it had always been and always would be.

“Yeah, we can go,” he said simply. Kayla bounced in her seat, clapping her hands. Havik grinned at her enthusiasm and returned to his meal. Chloe and Ynda squealed with delight and hugged each other.

Toji laughed. “When we get there, I’ll call Opa and we’ll plan it out.”

“If you go,” Ava said, her tone far more snarky than she had intended. The mood was brought down in a hurry, silence blanketing the group. Everyone shot her a withering look, Toji staring blankly at the empty sushi platter. She shrank in her seat, picking at her salad. “Sorry,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Ynda, who sat next to her, leaned over and whispered, “The ice you skate on is still very thin. Watch what you say.”

Ava blushed furiously, her eyes shining with tears of humiliation. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by anyone that Toji hadn’t talked to her directly the entire meal, and now she had just given him another reason not to do so. Suddenly, she wished she was back home, studying law with her mother, or new interrogation techniques from her father. Maybe she could even call up Finn and they could train together.

“I’m sure Uncle Hero will let you go,” Chloe said kindly, doing her best to ease the tension. “You had a good reason to be late, right?”

Toji shrugged. “I thought so, but he might not see it that way. Dad only hears what he wants, everything else is white noise.” He averted his gaze, his hand balled in his lap.

Ynda’s eyes slid to a spot behind him, widening slightly but giving nothing away.

“Besides, what would it even matter?” Toji continued bitterly. “He’ll probably find yet another excuse outside of that to keep me here. Anything to shove more politics and royal duties down my throat.” He set his empty soda bottle down a little harder on the table than he meant. “Gods forbid he actually listens to me for once.”

“Try me.”

Toji’s head snapped up and he jumped out of the booth, whirling around to see his father standing there. He nearly knocked Noah from his seat in his haste. His face drained of color and his palms began to sweat under the intense gaze of Hero’s red eyes. 

“Dad…”

“Try me,” Hero said again. He motioned to the door with his head. “Let’s talk.” With that, he turned and strode from the building, the door closing gently behind him. 

Behind Toji, the entire family was deathly silent. No one breathed, no one blinked. Toji slowly turned his head to look at his siblings. They said nothing, their faces showing twin expressions of anxious concern. His blue and red eyes fell to Lukas who shook his head.

“I’ll be nearby,” he promised.

Toji nodded. With faltering steps, he made his way out of the cafe, toward his imminent demise.

-*-