Chapter Nine

I didn't sleep that night. I laid awake staring at the rafters over my head, trying to imagine how this meeting was going to go in the morning. Were they going to kill me on sight? What if they already killed Thirteen? What if they imprisoned him? What if they were holding him hostage? What if the Mother had already found them and took Thirteen back?

Or... Or what if Keros was right? What if they were taking care of Thirteen? What if they were genuinely trying to keep him healthy and safe? What if he was safe and sound in a warm cozy bed for the first time in his life? What if they gave him pancakes like Blaine made us?

It was far fetched. It was really far fetched, but I needed to hang onto something, anything, that might indicate Thirteen was alright. He had to be. They wouldn't hurt him, not when they looked at him. Surely they would know on sight who he was, what he was to them. If he was at a hospital, they had to have gotten a blood test back and seen the results, who his parents truly were. Would they love and care for him as if he were truly their own? Would they love and accept him?

Fuck, it was keeping me awake all night until the sun rose.

I threw the blanket back, shooting to my feet and running for the shower before anyone else got to it. I was showered and clothed and downstairs before Blaine was. When he came down the stairs, he was surprised to see me, tying his hair back from his face.

"You're up early," he commented. I swallowed at that as I watched him go to the fridge to get ingredients for breakfast.

"I'm... going to see my brother today," I answered. Blaine raised an eyebrow at that as he started to cut up slices of fruit.

"Your brother? Does he live in Atlantis?" He asked. The question wasn't innocent and I chewed my bottom lip, trying to think of a response to that, but a smile graced Blaine's lips as he continued slicing away at fruit with his huge kitchen knife.

"Save it," he said, making me blink and look at him, "You're not really Keros's friend, are you?"

"Ah, I..."

"I've never seen you before, and Keros has so few friends that I recognize all of them," he responded, making me grimace, "Don't worry. I'm not going to cut your head off or anything. I just need to know your intentions being around my son, that's all." He said it innocently, but his knife hit the cutting board particularly hard as if to emphasize how he felt about the matter. I swallowed nervously.

"I'm not trying to hurt him. That's the last thing I want," I assured. Blaine nodded.

"That's all I need to know. And all I need you to know is that I'll be watching," he said, slicing into an apple so hard that a piece rolled across the counter. I looked at it, at the knife in Blaine's hand, then at Blaine, who smiled at me.

"I'd do anything to protect my babies," he said, "Anything." I nodded slowly at that as he went back to chopping.

I stepped back just as Cerberus came down the stairs with a huge yawn, wearing only a pair of sweatpants. I stared at his rolling eight pack and wondered how the fuck the guy was so jacked. He cast me a sleepy smile, then came over to flirt with Blaine while he prepped our breakfast. I pretended to be interested in the ocean outside.

"So how're you liking Atlantis?" Cerberus asked me as he went to sit down.

"It's beautiful," I replied, "I've never seen anything like it."

"That's paradise for you," Cerberus answered with a sigh, "Personally I'd love to live here, but the husband prefers Hades. The realm, not the person."

"The person can fuck off," Blaine deadpanned, making Cerberus sigh. I wasn't about to touch that conversation with a ten foot pole and thankfully I didn't need to because Keros was coming down the stairs, shrugging on a v-neck top and slowing when he spotted Blaine and Cerberus, a frown working onto his handsome face. He looked at me, his expression changing to concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked. I glanced over at Blaine, who wore an expression of pure innocence, and I really didn't want Keros getting mad at Blaine for being protective. I would've been concerned if Blaine didn't find me suspicious. So instead, I just smiled warily at him.

"Just nervous," I admitted, referring to meeting Thirteen and my genetic carriers. Keros nodded.

"It's alright," he said, approaching me, "Here, let's get some privacy." I nodded as he reached out and opened the sliding back door and we stepped out onto the porch. The air was warm and the wind sent sand sliding across the planks of wood beneath our feet. The jungle chirped and chattered around us.

"I promise you Thirteen is safe," Keros said after he closed the door, and I looked at him, "I can't think of a safer place for him than with Hannibal and Akin."

"You don't understand," I said, then paused, wishing like hell I could tell him the details, but I wasn't going to risk his safety anymore than I already had, so I shook my head, "I can't explain it, but I'm not sure if I believe you. It's just hard to reconcile what I've been taught about them with what you tell me." Keros nodded.

"I understand. I can't force you to believe me, but I hope I can show you today," he responded. I nodded.

"I hope so too, for Thirteen's sake," I murmured. Keros looked at me for a moment, and I looked back at him. He approached me and I hesitated at the nearness, but found myself actually enjoying how close he got. He didn't seem to feel too self-conscious being so close to me and he leaned on the porch fencing beside me.

"You're kind of amazing, you know that?" He asked. I blinked and looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

"What did I do?"

"You left what sounds like a deadly cult to rescue your brother, without knowing what was waiting for you on the other side of those walls," Keros responded, "You did it on your own. You were the one who found Thirteen."

"Me? I'm not the one with the open wifi," I said, making him smirk, "I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without you."

"I have faith that you would've," Keros replied, "But I'm glad I could help. I hope, you know, after you find Thirteen and you guys are reunited, you'll maybe think of sticking around. I can help you acclimate." I looked at him, surprised.

"Really?" I asked. He nodded.

"Finding a job won't be too hard, especially in Atlantis. We can find you a community to take you in and help you save up for a house. They do have these tiny homes they reserve for newcomers. Maybe we can find you a place to set up at until you can find your own place," he explained. I stared at him in awe, and found my vision blurring. I quickly looked away, clearing my throat and reaching up to rub at my eyes before dropping my hands to grip the banister.

"You don't have to do that," I said. Keros straightened and turned to face me, touching my arm. I felt like a little electrical shock went through me and I turned to look at him.

"I want to," Keros replied softly. I stared up at him, searching that face, for some kind of lie, some kind of deceit, but I couldn't find it.

"Why do you keep helping me? Isn't what you've done enough?" I asked. Keros studied me for a moment, then surprised me when he reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

"There's something about you," he murmured, making me swallow thickly, "It's more than just the dream, Seven. It's like there's a magnet in you that keeps drawing me back to you."

"What's that mean?" I asked, feeling suddenly breathless. He was so close. I hadn't noticed it, but he was drawing nearer and nearer, his breath a hot blast of mint against my face. I sucked in a deep breath, parting my lips as he dipped his head down and touched his lips to mine. All the air rushed out of my lungs in a gasp of surprise.

His lips were soft, but firm. He knew what he wanted and he was going to get it, but he wasn't forcing me. There was a little give there, like he was expecting me to pull away and I should've. Fuck, I should've pulled away. I didn't have time for something like this. I didn't quite understand it to be honest. I didn't know how to kiss, how to make out, how to do anything romantic. I didn't have time to figure this stuff out when there were so many more important things to worry about.

But my heart didn't have a brain. My heart had me leaning into the kiss, closing my eyes and sighing against his lips now. I felt his tongue tease my lips, begging for entrance, and fuck me, I gave it to him. I opened my mouth and let his tongue in to explore, let him taste every part of me.

I wanted more, I realized in agony. I wanted him to kiss me harder, wanted him to grab me in his arms and push me down on the lounge chair and just rip my clothes off. The sudden onslaught of lust caught me off guard and I moaned. Keros teased me a moment longer before he pulled back and I gasped softly, peering up at him as he looked at me.

"Seven."

"Uh?"

"Do you believe in soulmates?"

"Uh?"

"Breakfast is ready!" Holly threw the sliding back door open and I leapt back, grabbing onto the banister and looking at her, startled. Keros closed his eyes in frustration, then snapped his head to glare at her. Holly looked back and forth between us, her mouth opening slowly in realization before she smiled.

"Ready to eat?" She asked. I think she meant something else because she wiggled her eyebrows. Heat rushed into my cheeks and I looked down at my feet as Keros reached up to wipe his hand down his mouth, like he was resisting the urge to throw a punch. I pushed off the banister and brushed past Keros, ducking into the house. Holly and Keros followed shortly after as I took my seat at the table.

"It's simple," Blaine was saying as he served what looked like waffles, "But hope you guys like it."

"I already love the smell, babe," Cerberus said, flashing a grin at his husband, who smiled and leaned down to kiss him. I watched them for a second, and felt a strange ache in my chest. I looked at Keros, who was taking his seat and giving Holly a dirty look. Holly just smiled. Ayo looked at her suspiciously.

"What did you do?" He asked, keeping his voice low.

"I didn't do anything," Holly answered, picking up her fork to dig into her waffles. Keros glared at her, then glanced at me. He gave me a tight lipped smile before he started to eat. I tried to eat the same as usual, but I just couldn't bring myself to stomach very much. I was even more anxious now than I had been earlier. Keros's kiss just confused me and sent my brain into a whirlwind of panic.

Keros kissed me.

Like, with tongue. Like, seriously.

I'd never kissed anyone before.

I'd never felt this way about anyone before.

Do you believe in soulmates?

Soulmates? Did he think we were soulmates? Was that what a kiss meant? Did he want more than a kiss? Would he be okay with me? When he realized I was defective, would he still want me or would he be disgusted? Would he still think we were soulmates? Did soulmates find each other after just a few days? Was this what someone called love at first sight?

Thankfully breakfast didn't last long because everyone had shit to do that had to do with the festival, so they were all breaking off and going to do their own things, leaving Keros and I alone for a moment before we headed off to go meet my genetic carriers and Thirteen.

Of course, the panic was full blown by then.

What if this was all a trap? What if it was a trap set by the Mother? Or a trap set by my genetic carriers? What if they didn't even have Thirteen and it was just a ploy to capture me? Or what if they were holding Thirteen hostage?

What if?

What if?

The questions kept running around in my head as I followed Keros through the city and headed toward the capitol building. It was a massive building too, I noted as we got closer. It was shaped like a bubble on the mountain with glass that glinted in the sunlight and large columns propping up the pitch front roof, marble steps that gleamed, tons of people going in and out through revolving doors. Of course, that wasn't our destination.

Our destination was off to the right and set back in the jungle, higher up than the capitol building.

The King's home was huge. It was a two story modern home with straight lines and geometric shapes, a huge pool set into the cliffside, all whites and blacks, with tinted windows. It was settled neatly into the jungle. Of course, it was innocent until you looked closer and noted the security cameras set up around the property, even in the trees, and I noticed a patrol of guards just beyond the jungle.

"It's going to be alright," Keros told me gently as we approached the house, "I promise." I looked at him helplessly.

"I really hope so," I managed. Keros reached out and took my hand, surprising me. He squeezed it tight and kept holding it as we approached the front door that looked like a couple of triangles flipped together. I watched him anxiously as he pushed a doorbell and a chiming sound rang out. I stepped back from the door, put Keros between me and the door. He still kept hold of my hand, though. I watched as a shadow moved in front of the door and it opened.

An angel answered the door. That was the only way to describe the creature in front of me. Tall and lithe with white-blonde hair that reminded me of my own fell just past his shoulders, his eyes a pair of twinkling sapphires set in a porcelain face. He wore a loose white cardigan over a blue top and matching jeans with a pair of ankle boots. He smiled when he opened the door, until his eyes landed on me and he froze.

And I knew.

I knew in that moment that he knew.

"Akin," Keros greeted, "Hey. I'm sorry to show up all of a sudden without giving you a heads up, but uh... We have a bit of a situation." Akin stared at me and I stared back at him, squeezing Keros's hand so hard I'm surprised I didn't break his fingers. He took the death grip like a champ and squeezed me back, like he was trying to encourage me to say something.

"Hey," I greeted stiffly. Akin blinked, looking caught off guard by my voice before he blinked again, like he wasn't sure if he was seeing correctly. He rubbed his arms, gave himself a pinch, shook his head, then gave me a slow smile.

"Hi, hi, sorry, no, I'm just... Hi... You must be Seven," he said. I stared at him.

"How did you--"

"Seven!" Thirteen's cry had me jerking out of Keros's grip and Akin stepping aside to reveal Thirteen rushing through the corridor toward me.

The rest of the world forgotten, I ran to him and dropped to my knees when I reached him, grabbing him in my arms. I gasped the moment we made contact, wrapped my arms around his tiny body. His little arms went around my neck and he buried his face in my neck, squeezing me tight. I squeezed him back, swallowing back tears as I cradled him to me.

"I knew it," Thirteen was saying excitedly, pulling back just enough to look me in the face, "I knew you would come find me! I told Akin you wouldn't leave me alone ever!"

"He did," Akin said from the door, smiling tearfully. He looked at Keros, who smiled at him and stepped inside. I barely noticed them as I held Thirteen back and did a quick scan to make sure he was safe. If anything, he looked better than safe. He was all showered and clean, his long black hair damp from a shower, his blue eyes sparkling. He was wearing a green t-shirt with some kind of cartoon character on it and a pair of khaki cargo shorts, little mismatched socks on his feet. I noticed a band-aid on his arm, which jacked my heartrate up.

"It's alright," Akin said, as if he noticed my panic, "It's just from where he got his blood drawn. Other than that, he's completely fine." I nodded, swallowing as I reached up to brush the hair back from Thirteen's face. He gave me a big smile, reaching up to put his hands over my hands on his cheeks.

"I'm okay, Seven," he assured, "Hannibal and Akin took care of me! They were the ones who got me out of the little room. It was really dark in there. I didn't like it. I missed the outside." I felt tears surge once more and blinked them back, stroking his cheeks.

"I know, I know, I'm so sorry it took me so long, Thirteen."

"It's okay. Atlantis is real far away. Plus, I got to eat pancakes, Seven! They make pancakes here all the time, not just on Tuesdays!" He exclaimed, throwing his hands up excitedly. I laughed at that, pulling him in and hugging him tight. He hugged me back. I never wanted to let him go, but he started squirming at some point.

"Seven, it's almost eleven, I gotta watch The Cat in the Hat," he said, making me pull back to look at him in confusion.

"The what?" I asked.

"It's a TV show," Akin said, "Ah, he got hooked yesterday and has been watching it non-stop since." I looked at him, then at Thirteen, who beamed.

"I'm gonna watch the ocean episode! They talk about all the big fishies, even the ones that eat people! I can't wait to see the ocean! It's all over here! I got to see it from my window, Seven! The actual real life ocean!" He exclaimed. I smiled at that and nodded. He reached out and took my hand, leading me toward another room. I looked at Akin and Keros, who smiled and simply nodded. I let Thirteen lead me from the corridor to what appeared to be a living room with a massive television that looked more like a mini movie theater with a sound system and everything. The sofa was huge and long with plenty of space, which was great because Thirteen did a running jump onto the sofa, making me wince.

I turned, expecting Akin to say something about it, but instead, he just smiled as he followed us in. He went to the coffee table and handed Thirteen a remote so he could change the channel. He turned to me and Keros.

"How about we talk in the dining room?" He asked. I nodded slowly, though, felt hesitant to leave Thirteen.

"You can see him from here," Akin assured, gesturing for us to follow him. I chewed my bottom lip, but followed Akin anyway and thankfully, I could see him from the dining room that was just a short ways away.

"This is incredible," Akin murmured as we entered and sat down, his eyes glued to me the whole time, "You... You look just like him." I eyed him warily.

"Your husband?" I asked. Akin beamed and nodded.

"I can't believe this," he breathed, leaning forward on the table, "Where did you two come from? Are there more of you?" I looked at Keros nervously and he just nodded for me to go ahead and say what I wanted. I looked back at Akin, who seemed excited to hear from me.

I didn't feel comfortable talking about the Mother, that much was true. The more they knew about her, the more danger they were in. On top of that, it didn't matter where we came from. At this point, Thirteen was safe. Now I just needed to figure out what to do next.

We were both safe for now.

We just needed somewhere to stay until we could find our own place.

"A cult," I said slowly, making Akin frown, "That's... And we're out now. That's all that matters."

"But you look just like Hannibal," Akin murmured, "Both of you do, actually. Like, you could be his biological sons. How is that possible..." His voice trailed as he seemed to try and piece things together and I cleared my throat.

"Thirteen needs somewhere to stay," I said, making Akin blink and look at me in confusion, "He needs somewhere safe to stay while I figure out what to do next. The cult we ran from isn't going to just let us go. They could come back for us."

"Of course," Akin said immediately, "You're both welcome to stay here. I couldn't imagine you going anywhere else."

"Me?" I asked, confused. Akin seemed confused now too.

"But of course. Why would I take Thirteen and not you?" He asked. I didn't answer that. He didn't need to know I was defective. For the time being, they could remain ignorant of that fact. At the moment, all that mattered was keeping Thirteen safe. And I needed to be with him to be safe.

"I think that makes the most sense," Keros said at last, and when I looked at him, I noticed he was looking at me oddly, making me frown, "The safest place I can think of is right here."

"What about--"

"That's perfect," Akin said quickly, "We have plenty of space here for both of you, no problem. We have pretty high security around here, thanks to my husband's paranoia, so I can't imagine anyone even stepping foot on the property without setting off some kind of alarm."

"Okay," I said slowly, "That's... fine, I guess. Are you sure? Both of us?"

"Absolutely. I would never separate the two of you after seeing how you both are together. He's your brother. I can't imagine separating you two," Akin murmured, glancing over where Thirteen was sitting on the sofa, giggling over the television show that looked weird as fuck from my angle. I shook my head, then looked back at Akin, who turned to me. Those blue eyes studied me curiously, up and down, up and down, like he just couldn't get used to seeing me.

"I don't know why I didn't see it before," Keros admitted with a shrug, looking at me again and I frowned, "He does look just like Hannibal."

"I know," Akin gushed, "It's so cute. You're like a mini-Hannibal." I didn't know what to say to that. It was making me uncomfortable. I didn't realize I looked so much like the King.

"Ah, thanks," I said, not sure what to say.

"But," Keros said, making me frown at him now, "I think... maybe it's important you tell us a little more about this cult, in order for us to protect you. The more we know about them, the better off we'll be. We need to be prepared." I chewed at my bottom lip nervously and Akin looked at me expectantly.

I really wasn't comfortable with the attention, or the sharing. It was like I said; the more they knew, the more danger they were in. At the same time, Keros had a point, from a strategic standpoint. The more they knew, the better prepared they could be. The better off Thirteen and I would be. If we could gather an army behind us, we might stand a chance against the Mother.

And the Mother was coming, I knew grimly. Thirteen was her prized possession. Once she realized he was gone, she was going to throw a fit and come hunting him down. And she would bulldoze anyone in her path.

The Mother wasn't just our dictator. She was our god. She could smite someone on the spot if she really wanted to.

She would have no problem killing me, or Keros or Akin or Hannibal or anyone to get to Thirteen.

And that was the problem.

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening and closing made me stiffen in my seat. Akin blinked and looked up, rising to his feet at the same time someone came into the living room part of the house. Every muscle in my body tightened and my legs had me shooting upright in an instant as the creature that came into the room. Every alarm bell in my body went off, some kind of screaming at the back of my mind, like my mouth couldn't keep up with what my brain was doing.

"Hannibal," Akin greeted warmly, "Welcome home."