II. Week Four: Tall Tales

  Zamer laughed louder than she intended. Feng Shui? Bring balance to the world? What was this, Avatar: The Last Airbender? Looking away in annoyance, Xeq crossed his arms. Zamer didn’t mean to offend him but it all sounded crazy. A phoenix and a dragon representing Yin and Yang. Now that wasn’t too much to think about. Reflecting her eyes to her phoenix form, Xeq looked up in curiosity.

  Grinning, Zamer spung forward, catching her, Xeq pinned her to her bedroom wall next to the window. Wild eyes meeting each other’s, Xeq could help but let out a small laugh.

  “I go missing and get back with all of this and all you can do is laugh at it?” He asked restraining from a growl.

  Zamer’s eyes returned to their amber, showing a smile, Zamer spoke. “It all sounds crazy is all, Xeq.”

  Releasing his grip on her, Xeq sighed. If she came back with a story compared to his? Yea, he’d be confused too. Opening up the window, Zamer sat on the ledge and gestured for Xeq to follow. Putting his arms around her waist, Xeq sighed and placed his head on her shoulder.

  “I killed Vile’s brothers…” He muttered. Giving a low growl Xeq mustered, “Vile’s real brothers.”

  Zamer shook her head and pulled touched his face with her hand to face him. Giving him a quick passionate kiss, Zamer pulled away and looked into Xeq’s eyes.

  “You did it because you love him.” Zamer assured.

  “I did it because I heard a stupid rumor and now I’m part hydra and I’m immortal.” Xeq sighed, “I’m literally going to have to regret this forever.”

  Zamer pushed herself away from Xeq and crossed her arms. “So now you’re part real brother.” Zamer smiled even though she knew what she was about to say might cost her. “Have you tried combing yet?”

  Xeq stared at Zamer furious and confused. How could she make a joke at a time like this? He murdered.

  Seeing his reaction, Zamer frowned. “Okay, so you were in China. This yin and yang conspiracy you have me looking into, what’s what all about?”

  Letting out a deep breath, Xeq tried to not let his anger get to him. Zamer knew how to push his buttons but she loved him, she was only trying to help. She even allowed him to settle down and then continue their conversation.

  “It’s all complicated.” Xeq shrugged. “I’d rather you go to Mioko and we can learn together about this, he knows everything. All I honestly remember is that we represent yin and yang, masculine and feminine, we bring balance to this world.”

  Zamer sat quietly looking at Xeq. He had worked her up disappearing. It didn’t help that Vile soon disappeared after. She didn’t think she would get rid of Flint and Gwyne off her door step during this time of confusion but now she was finally with Xeq again knowing that Vile was okay yet… Zamer smirked, Xeq was talking nonsense.

  Finally, Zamer found her words. “Alright.” She said meeting Xeq’s eyes. The silver in them was tainted from rich silver to a metallic overcoat. She didn’t like it but she knew with time she would come to accept it.

  “I’ll go with you to China, sometime.” She smiled and then stood.

  Lighting up her Amber eyes, Zamer found herself pinned against the wall of her bedroom again. She never admitted it, but she loved when Xeq did that even if he was angry.

  “Only under one condition though,” She whispered meeting his once again wild eyes. He seemed more furious this time.

  “Which is?” He managed lightly even though his eyes denied every aspect of his tone.

  “Never.” She said using her strength to break free from his grasp and pulling him into a kiss.

  “Ever.” She said as she let go of their kiss and felt his arms wrap around her tightly.

  “Go missing without telling something.” She paused and looked into his eyes knowing that he could see the hurt in hers. “Anything will do.” She added. Kissing him again, she watched as he sucked in a breath.

  “All you have to do is warn me.” She whispered. “That’s all I need.” She smirked. Touching his cheek lightly.

  Reading Xeq’s expression was an encrypted message at the most important times. Zamer knew everything about Xeq yet he never stopped intriuging her. She loved him for everything that he did for her and that he did for everyone else. He was never one to think about himself first. Despite Xeq admitting that he killed the hydras in order to bring on his own immortality instead of for saving his brother, somehow, Zamer couldn’t believe him.

  Xeq loved his brother right after Zamer. There was no possible reason Xeq had done this for sheer experimentation but his eyes held something else, something that Xeq wanted to say but didn’t know how so he couldn’t. Zamer could count on Xeq and even though Xeq hated saying so, Zamer know he depended on her too.

  Holding her in his arms, Xeq looked at Zamer hoping she would understand. He wouldn’t tell her only if he had to. He’d be making more trips to China. He had to make a schedule with Mioko and figure out exactly what Mioko was telling him. There was too much that Zamer needed to know but couldn’t. Not yet.

  Giving a sigh, Xeq finally spoke. “I’m planning on seeing Mioko more often in order to learn more about Feng Shui and whatever else he can teach me, about the Greeks, about immortality, about…” Xeq paused. “About anything.” He smirked.

  “I don’t know how old he is exactly but he’s clearly older than I am. I want to learn from him.” Xeq smiled and Zamer did the same in return.

  “It’s nice to get to know your own kind.” Zamer commented and Xeq looked at her in surprise.

  Is that what this was? Did Xeq want to know someone else? It was a great experience teaching Mikey. He had never taught anyone other than Vile and now he could be the one as the sudent. Maybe that was it. Mioko had plently of knowledge to pass around and Xeq and never honeslty had his own group of friends aside from the ones at home. Mikey had been the farthest that he had gone, but he felt more compared to a little brother than a friend. Xeq smirked. For the most part he was the one directing and guiding and now, he had a chance to not be in that position. Zamer was right. As she usually was. Meeting her lips once more, Xeq slowly kissed her, it took him every inch of will to hold back how he felt. He loved Zamer. He wanted to learn more about her and the Pheonix side of her that she was. There was so much he didn’t know. Luckily, Zamer’s parents hadn’t been home for their racket. With how many times he pinned her to the wall. Or she tried to dash at him, he wouldn’t be surprised if her parents had made them ‘take it to the living room’. Even though his heart was different and he was anew, Zamer accepted who he was now and that, Xeq hoped wouldn’t cost him later as he continued his quest for knowledge.