When they left the bookstore, the streets weren’t as busy as they were before. Serkis couldn’t be more thankful for that. Sueiry made doubly sure that the store was locked before coming to his side, adjusting a large black satchel over her shoulder.

From behind his sunglasses, he watched her out of the corner of his eye. He exhaled smoke from his nostrils, looking away before she could meet his gaze.

She was taking this sudden intrusion in her life with surprising ease. Frankly, it bothered him.

“What now?” she asked softly.

He shrugged. “You can continue living your life normally...” He let his eyes close, slipping his hands into his pockets. “However, when you decide to work on your craft, I will be present to assist. We wouldn’t want you to get in more...awry situations, would we?”

She made a nervous laugh. “Thank you...Serkis.” She hesitantly added his name at the end of her sentence. “I...um, cannot help but wonder why you can’t just have someone else teach me...”

He slanted his eyes open, staring at the ground and considering her words. “I’ve nothing to do. This is a...nice change of pace, I suppose.” He puffed a ring of smoke into the air. “I would have a member of my clans teach you, except...we’re dealing with deities and divines. None of them can measure against such things and I’d rather not needlessly endanger them...”

“I see.”

She didn’t need to know, but boredom and intrigue was another reason he and Jasck decided to put themselves in this situation. It was different, indeed a welcomed change of pace, but also simultaneously unwanted. He didn’t dare linger on those reasons.

Jasck.

He sensed his brother’s lethargic reply through their link. He articulated concern over his health, but Jasck waved it off. Instead, he informed that he was being heckled by their eldest brother, bringing a dry smile to Serkis’ lips.

Yeah, he would be peeved, wouldn’t he...

He shut his eyes again, dissipating into a shadow that merged with hers on the ground. She startled for the third time that night at his sudden action, but quickly recovered.

She seemed to recall what he said and walked down the street with a hand resting limply on her satchel. Though she walked at a casual pace, the expression on her face informed him she was in deep contemplation.

He was tempted to pry into her mind...but ultimately decided against it. It was no business of his, whatever she thought of her new situation, as long as she wasn’t losing her sanity over it. She seemed plenty sane...for now.

She walked in silence, though he knew her mind was racing. He also knew there were saints near, but couldn’t yet pinpoint their location.

A part of him wanted to learn who put the target on her and the reasons behind it. It made the most sense to him that it was a family member, but followers of Teotlyotl typically had no dealings with saints—unless they had less than pleasant reasons for doing so. There were “saints” in the Teotlyotl pantheon completely different from the Eælan species.

Contrarily, he didn’t want to get involved with this woman any more than he was at the moment. Gods and divines involving themselves with mortals never boded well.

Ever.

It was one of many reasons he scarcely showed himself to his own clans; maybe one or two a year at most save for celebrations.

He sighed to himself, watching Sueiry board a tram. There was enough light onboard that she could see her shadow, and her eyes would flicker to it now and then.

She had so many questions. He could sense her painful curiosity.

She then sighed and looked out the window, only to startle and softly gasp. In the reflection, he sat in the empty spot beside her, lazily smoking his cigarette.

“How are you doing that?” she whispered, more to herself than to him.

He only gave her a sly, crooked smile between the stick in his mouth before shutting his eyes.

During the ride, no one bothered to sit beside her even when the tram became full of passengers. He also felt her eyes watching him intensely through the glass.

He mentally debated, discussing it with Jasck.

Should we humor her? they wondered.

By the way she had settled into her seat, he guessed they would be sitting for a while. There shouldn’t be harm in entertaining her thoughts....

He took the cigarette from between his lips with a smoky sigh. “What do you want to know?” he relented, cracking an eye open. When she blinked, he said, “Just talk in your mind, I’ll hear it.”

Her expression brightened. I never imagined the home of a deity. You mentioned your homeworld—what is it like?

Letting his eye close, he made a small smile. “It’s...unique. It’s the closest of the Grounds—worlds like this—to Isth'han, but that doesn’t mean much. It’s a world of massive creatures, massive wonders, and...frights, I suppose,” he added with a soft chuckle. “It is known best for the moon...”

When her curiosity was piqued, his smile turned crooked.

“Ah, the moon. It’s massive in the sky, large enough to take up the entire horizon. My father, the incarnate ruler, made a deal with the moon that it would only shine in the sky in place of the sun. You could say he banished the sun, as the story goes.” He opened his eyes to see her reaction.

Incredible. I cannot imagine such a thing... She looked from him to the dark sky, smiling wistfully at the small round glory that was the glowing moon.

“You admire the moon,” he commented.

I associate it with my craft. I’m not sure how, but it feels right.

His lips pursed by a margin, but he said nothing despite understanding her sentiment.

Do you...have any other siblings?

He almost broke into laughter. “Many. Not as many as most other families back home, not even close. But more than what humans would consider typical.” He briefly placed the cigarette to his lips and took a small puff. “12. I have twelve siblings if you go by the way we count. Humans would say I have twenty-four.”

So many...

She lowered her gaze, placing a hand on her cross. She ran her fingers over the intricate design, clearly desiring to say something.

“How much longer is the ride?” he idly asked.

Oh! Ah, it’s the last stop, unfortunately... She shifted in her seat, lips tightening nervously while lowering her hand. I apologize.

He shrugged. “It’s fine. You can say what’s on your mind.”

She relaxed, leaning back and fingering her cross again. I’ve...distanced myself from my family. I don’t even know what they’re up to nowadays. When I gave hints of disinterest in Teotlyotl, they...

He raised a brow when she looked away and her shoulders slightly fell. When she didn’t speak for several moments, he began to wonder what the hell they did to her.

She suddenly composed herself, shaking her head dismissively. No matter, I’m better now. Do you have a good relationship with your family?

She wasn’t looking at him anymore. It was his turn to watch her. “Aye. Well, all but my eldest. Then again, who doesn’t have a strained relationship with him?” He turned forward as her head rose to look at him and crossed one leg over the other. “He’s the King of Hallowed Ground, our homeworld. He’s also...frighteningly powerful. He even knows we’re talking about him right now.”

Her eyes widened. Frightening.

“Mm, and he’s probably peeved to high hell because Jasck and I are injured.” When she frowned, he scoffed, “He likes to think we’re greater than ‘that’—insert whatever he deems appropriate there at the time. Whether it’s greater than Divines, greater than mortals, greater than the others of our species, greater than ‘children’, as he likes to remind us...”

The small smile on his face caused one to grow on hers. He doesn’t sound too bad.

He didn’t answer immediately, mulling over how to. “He’s a good king. Makes for a lousy brother, though,” he finally muttered, taking another puff from his cigarette.

She softly laughed. Thank you for answering my questions.

“You have more.”

I...do, but I wouldn’t want to annoy you.

He didn’t respond. She took that as an acknowledgment of her words and went quiet.

He retreated from listening to her thoughts, but they were buzzing. Her expression told him everything; she was an inquisitive one.

His upper lip twitched. Fuck.

With a soft scoff, he slunk into her shadow, dissipating from the reflection. Shortly afterward, someone asked if they could sit beside her. She blinked in surprise but quickly nodded.

He watched her shift and take a book from out of her satchel as the other passenger joined her. On the cover of the book was a cross, intriguing him.

He frowned. Fuck.

He retreated deeper into the shadows, becoming nothing more than a dark reflection that mirrored her actions for the time being.

*    *    *

“Serkis? Are you there?”

He opened his eyes, glimpsing out of her shadow on the wall. She was back home if her lack of an autumn coat meant anything. She was also barefoot, and her current dwelling smelt entirely of her scent.

He pulled himself out of the shadow, yawning widely before placing a new, unlit cigarette to his lips. “Aye?” he asked lazily, removing his hat to ruffle his locks.

“Ah, you were sleeping. I’m sorry.” She lowered her gaze. “I...ah...don’t know how this is going to work...”

He idly twirled his hat on his finger. “You’re going to sleep, I take it?”

She nodded, returning her gaze to him.

He shrugged. “I’ll be around, likely in the shadows. You will have your privacy.”

She smiled, giving a slight bow of her head. “Thank you.” She turned a small corner and disappeared.

Her footsteps were hesitant, however, and he expected her return.

She did not disappoint, peeking around the corner after a moment. Her brown eye expressed bated and cautious curiosity. “Are you...perchance...hungry or anything?”

He blinked. That was not what he expected she would ask. “I’ll be fine. Your human food isn’t quite satisfying to me,” he admitted.

Her lips slightly rounded, and then she said, “Alright, then. Goodnight.”

He didn’t respond, turning away from her. Her footsteps were casual as she walked up some stairs, and then he pulled his senses from her.

“Fuck,” he muttered, placing a hand over his face. “Never get involved with mortals.”

A deep, velvety voice sighed, “I’ve said that for eons, little brother.”

“Fuck off, Hob,” he groaned. Unfortunately, Hobboilen was not the only one who was paying a visit.

“What made you change your mind?” The even deeper, cadenced baritone of his older brother was annoyingly inquisitive.

Lowering his hand, he gazed upon his older siblings. The eldest, Hobboilen, sat casually in a windowside loveseat, one leg crossed over the other. Six uncanny orange pupils divided into two eyes blinked at him with humor on a pale face lacking a nose or mouth. Across from him, leaning against a corner wall with their hands in their pockets, both large forms of his older brother—individually named Boogulor and Belellooen—stood with curious lime green eyes that glowed in the shadows of the room.

Serkis huffed, lighting his cigarette with a thought. He took a deep inhale and didn’t bother moving it from his mouth. “What oh what is the honor of seeing you two—together?" he spat.

“Do I need a reason to visit my dear second brother?” Hobboilen asked innocently, blinking his wide eyes.

“Always,” Serkis bit out. “You’re only here to mock me. You, on the other hand...What do you want?” He looked up at his older brothers.

Boogulor shrugged noncommittally. “I’m just curious, nothin’ more than that.”

“So answer the question,” said Belellooen, crossing muscular bare arms. “What made you change your mind?”

“She is simply one of ours. We protect what is ours.” Serkis spoke with layered voices, indicating Jasck was also speaking. He exhaled smoke from his nostrils, irritated.

“Uh huh.” Belellooen looked entirely unconvinced.

“I believe him,” said Boogulor with a shrug. “He has no other reason. We can’t relate, Bell; we don’t have a people.”

“Thank the Primordials for that,” Hobboilen sighed, bringing a dark look his way. “I cannot imagine little hungry fearmongers running about...”

Bell raised a brow. “I mean—”

“Don’t give him any fodder,” Boog vehemently snapped.

“Ah, yes. Your children...” This statement brought three pairs of glares toward Hob, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Leave them out of this,” Boog growled, the sound rumbling deeply in his chest. He smacked Bell upside his head. “And shut the fuck up, Bell.”

Serkis hid his face with a hand. “For the love—Go away, both of you. Please.”

“No.” The humor in Hob’s voice only increased. “This is entertaining.”

“A flying pig would entertain you,” Boog spat, ignoring Bell’s glare.

Rolling with it, Hob’s eyes widened by a margin at the thought. “Indeed, it would.”

“Hob...”

“Yes, little brother?”

Serkis met the intimidating orange eyes. “It’s not what you think.”

Holding his gaze, Hob's eyes narrowed. “I would hope so. Boogellooen has disappointed me enough...”

The room nearly rumbled from the intensity of Boog and Bell’s growls, but neither said anything to defend themselves.

Truthfully, while he wouldn’t use the word “disappointed”, Serkis quietly agreed with Hob’s sentiment...

And Boog and Bell knew it. “Fuck you two,” said Bell, his voice bitter. He disappeared before anything else could be said, and Boog closed his eyes.

“You know what. So many epochs of this fuckin’ mentality from you has almost made us wish our pain on you, Hob,” said Boog, his voice layered and echoing as Serkis’ did. While steady, his words seeped with venom.

Hob’s shoulders rose and fell daintily. “Do as you wish, little brother.”

“You have no idea what you’re talkin’ about. Neither of you fucks.” Boog moved off the wall and approached Serkis. His eyes narrowed, hurt and other emotions clouding his expression. “It’s comin’, Jaskisspinny.”

Serkis clenched his jaw, biting hard into his cigarette at the use of his true name.

“It may be closer than you think,” he said, his eyes briefly looking up at the ceiling. He raised a finger. “One time. It takes one fuckin’ time. One fuckin’ time of lowerin’ your guard, of dismissin’ the life of a single mortal. And then—” He snapped his fingers, shrouding the room in pitch darkness. All Serkis could see were the menacing glowing green embers in front of him.

He shuddered, holding Boogellooen’s gaze despite how much he wanted to look away.

“Mortal life isss ssso preccciousss,” his brother continued, morphing and becoming one with the darkness. Serkis heard his hissing voice in his ear, in his mind, everywhere. “Worssst yet, your little mortal isss already a target. If you even ssso much asss find her remotely entertaining...keep her clossse.”

Serkis swallowed, thoughts and memories of Boogellooen’s pain bombarding his thoughts unwillingly. He felt his eyes sting, his throat constrict, his mind race, his body tremble, and his breathing cut off; mortal reactions that were foreign to him.

“Or you will regret it for the ressst of your long, painful exxxissstenccce,” Boogellooen continued, whispering in his ear.

Serkis could finally shut his eyes, and he did so greedily. At once, he could breathe again. Much to his shock, he found himself doing so with great relish, taking in great, hard breaths as if he needed them.

When he finally opened his eyes, the room was lit by the candles again. They only fluttered gently as if by some breeze before going still once more.

Boogellooen was gone.

Standing in the center of the room, not a few feet from him, Hobboilen steepled his hands together.

“So dramatic,” he commented once Serkis could comprehend existence again.

Serkis didn’t have it in him to scowl. Instead, he sunk to the floor, huddling together and holding himself close.

Fuck...

Fuck fuck fuck fuckfuckFUCK!

He sensed Hobboilen watching him, the gaze intense and vaguely humored.

“I look forward to seeing what happens next, little brother.”

Not a second later, Hobboilen was gone.