The Gemini

Prologue

Five Years Ago

Dalila Salem twirled the silver ring on her finger. It was cheap, with a small centerpiece of moissanite where the diamond should have been. Dalila's husband didn't have the chance to get her a real wedding ring, but Dalila never cared. Diamonds didn't matter to her. He did.

But he was gone, and it was time to move forward.

So why was she here?

Why did she book a flight for South Dakota like the PI told her to? Why was she waiting outside the Ancient Plains Motel? Why did she know that his checkout time was at 11:30? Why was she standing ominously outside of room 23, waiting?

This wasn't a good idea.

But she couldn't let go.

Dalila twisted the ring on her finger a few times before sliding it off and putting it in her pocket. She was finally ready to explain everything. Dalila hadn't seen her son in decades, but she hoped that he would still be able to forgive her.

"Brandon." she whispered under her breath, trying to practice for when he stepped outside. "I know that this is a lot to take in, but I'm your mother. Your father and I fell in love, and we wanted to be a family. When they took you away from us, we were heartbroken. I lost your father when he left to find you, and I don't want to lose you too. I understand if you're angry, you have every right to be. I should have found you sooner, but it was really..."

Dalila took a deep breath. She was already dizzy from a lack of air and abundance of adrenaline. She sighed, and turned her bright eyes up to the reassuring sky. It was a hot summer day in South Dakota, and the sun was shining amiably upon the brown Forbidden mark on her shoulder. Dalila traced it gently before trying again.

"Brandon, it's nice to meet you. I'm your-"

"Can I help you?" Dalila blinked in surprise. She had been absorbed in her thoughts, and hadn't noticed that the door to room 23 had swung wide open. Its occupant sauntered outside, armed with a handgun and a cold demeanor.

Instantly, Dalila held her hands up. She was an Ifrit of the djinn, and a powerful one at that. A gun wasn't enough to scare her. But this man was looking at her like he knew exactly what she was capable of, and he wasn't afraid. That terrified her.

"If I were you, I would stay right there." The man said, cocking his pistol. It was a sleek silver color that almost reflected blue in the sunlight. This was an Agency gun, and Dalila knew it. Her worst nightmare had come true.

"Brandon-"

"Shut up!" the man yelled, pointing his weapon at her head. "Shut up or you're getting a basilisk bullet lodged into your skull."

Dalila flinched. She had heard rumors about venom-laced bullets that had been circling around the Midwest after a recent basilisk kill. Dalila had never faced a basilisk before, and she had no idea if their venom would be enough to end her immortal life.

"Brandon." Dalila began again, taking a shaky breath.

"I know exactly who you are." the man interrupted. He walked closer to her, his gun still aimed at her forehead. He tilted the firearm down to brush the Forbidden brand on her shoulder, tracing it with disgust. "You're a monster."

"I am your mother!"

The man laughed. "You don't know anything about me!"

"The Agents took you, and your father and I tried-"

"Don't talk about my father." the man sneered.

"They took you from us." Dalila explained helplessly. "I couldn't find you, and your father died looking. I should have known what they were going to do to you."

The man stared at Dalila emotionlessly. Then, he slowly lowered his gun, staring into the cat-like eyes that reflected his.

Dalila unfurled her palm in front of her chest and closed her eyes. A breath of flame sparked to life, hovering gracefully near her body before slowly traveling outwards. Brandon extended his hand forward. The moment his palm met the fire, it coated his entire hand, burning brightly.

Brandon stared at his hand, entranced. He couldn't feel any pain. The abilities that he had been trained to hide his entire life were now on full display, causing his wonder to contort into panic and anger. The fire suddenly erupted, spiraling out of control. Dalila watched the spectacle warily, and extinguished the flames.

"What did you do?" Brandon snapped. As much as the fire disgusted him, he wanted it back.

"I just wanted you to be careful, Bra-"

"I can handle myself." Brandon interrupted.

"I'm just worried about you. The Agency is not the way you should be spending your life. They are a dangerous and heartless organization, and-"

"You don't get to decide what's best for me now. You murdered my father, and I have spent my entire life trying to pay for your sins! I am cleansing the world from monsters like you!" Brandon spat.

"Brandon-"

"It's Agent Matthews."

"Fine." Dalila surrendered. "Agent Matthews, that organization is lying to you. Your father and I loved each other. We wanted to start a life somewhere safe, but Agent Dugall found out. He told them, and we all lost each other."

"You're Forbidden." Agent Matthews argued.

"That doesn't mean anything!" Dalila protested. "I know that we just found each other, but I need you to leave the Agency. And someday, I want to be a part of your life again."

Agent Matthews didn't say anything, but his grip on the gun tightened.

"I just thought you deserved the truth." Dalila stated finally. She searched for a sign of humanity in her son's eyes, but there was nothing.

Agent Matthews raised his gun again. "I'm giving you ten seconds to leave. If you come near me or my family again, I will kill you. I won't hesitate next time."

Dalila lifted her hands in silent defeat. This was her fault. Her son had been converted and she was too late. It was time to accept the consequences.

"10, 9...."

But what if there was another way?

"6, 5..."

There had to be.

"3..."

After all, he had a family.

"2..."

If she couldn't save him, she could find the others. Her grandchildren. She could raise them away from the clutches of the Agency. They'd settle somewhere safe, maybe in that Oregon town, and they would live painfully ordinary lives.

A bullet fired into empty space as Dalila disappeared in an explosion of fire and smoke. A silent promise had been made.

A promise that would never be fulfilled.