after unlocked: a sokeefe fanfic

Chapter 72-Keefe

Tam fainted.

***

Glimmer watched her brother lay on the couch, chest rising slowly with each deep breath. She sat on a chair Dex and Keefe had moved her to—they tied her hands to the back, of course—after moving Tam to the couch.

"I cannot wait to rub in the fact that he fainted," Keefe said. He said it lightly, hoping that the tension in the room would dissipate a little.

It did not.

He sighed and sat on the bean bag in the corner. It was well worn and comfortable, the indent of it the size of a woman, probably about Foster's size. He wondered who had sat here for so many years that it still had the shape of them imprinted on it.

It had obviously not been used in a long time, judging from how much dust sat on it.

Tan muttered in his sleep, tossing as he seemed to gain consciousness. His eyes flicked open and he bolted up.

He stared around the room, eyes resting on Glimmer as the previous events seemed to settle in.

"Talk."

Keefe exchanged an uncomfortable glance with Dex and Fitz. He started to stand, but Tam glared at them sharply in turn. "Stay here."

"We should probably search the house for—" Fitz started, but Tam shook his head roughly. "Linh's not here, so I need you guys."

He didn't look at them at the words. In fact, he seemed to get smaller with each word, as if he was scared the words would scare them off.

Keefe sat back in the beanbag, making sure it made sufficient rustling noises.

Tam seemed to relax as Fitz and Dex also settled into the two armchairs across from Glimmer.

He glanced back at Glimmer. His face said, "Go."

"My true name is Gin." Her voice was soft, lilting, as she seemed to push away Glimmer's self and donned her true personality. "But I haven't been known by that since Aoi."

"Aoi is my other sister," Tam said slowly.

"Was."

Keefe winced.

Tam's face was unreadable for a long moment, but he dipped his head, motioning for her to continue.

"I will start from the beginning." Glimmer's, no, Gin's face took a far off look.

"Mother and Father always struggled to have children, even at an elf's extent. It took several years of trying before they had us, with all the elixirs and potions and trials. They had almost given up when Aoi and I were conceived. We were miracles. Or a miracle, since they didn't know there were two of us.

"Then we were born." She looked at Tam, a wry smile flicking over her face. "You know well how that is. They were so disgusted with us, with our notable family producing twins that they decided to hide us. They'd rather that they were considered 'infertile' instead of having two healthy, baby girls. We were twins. That was shame enough."

Tam rubbed his forehead, his emotions saying how he felt about that. Resigned, angry, but most of all, tired. "Where did they take you?"

"The neutral territories. They convinced some gnomes to take us in, to hide us away. There we manifested, were taught, and grew. All without those lovely people who should've cared and nurtured us."

Keefe heard the silent, angry part she left out.

Loved us.

"Dmitri and Anaya cared for us for many years," Gin continued. "I practiced my flashing with Dmitri every day. Aoi was with Anaya."