For the next few days, there was no sign of Cynthia or Lilith. Whatever Katie had done to the tracking chips appeared to be working. Having her around added a new liveliness to the group. A warmth that had already existed, but was now multiplied by her presence. They took turns or went together whenever they had to feed Isabella, moving her to the bed so she wasn't left standing for hours at a time.

The only one who was most silent and seemed the least happy about Katie was Iris. Every second Leon spent with her, he could feel Iris staring daggers at them both. They were all at the pool area, sitting beside one of the few open spots around. Iris was brooding in her purple flower bikini, her expression hidden under her bangs and sun hat. Raina had to show Katie what proper swimwear was before she tried to strip in public. When they questioned how she didn't know that wasn't normal, Leon chimed in to mention she came from a strictly religious family, so she knew nothing about normal beachwear. Nobody questioned it. They'd asked Iris to help pick one out in the shop, but to call her unenthusiastic was an understatement.

"Go away," she had told them, hiding away behind a fantasy book.

Shortly after finding one, Katie returned wearing a pearly white bikini. Her face burned at the gazes being cast from every person she walked past. When her bashful eyes fell upon Leon, even he had to avoid staring too long. It was already hard enough without being blessed with a sight like this. Noticing this, Iris hid her glare behind sunglasses.

"Did I do something wrong? She seems so... sad," Katie muttered, casting a glance at Iris.

Holding Katie's hand, Leon shrugged. "Beats me. I've never exactly known her to be cheerful, but she's also never acted like this before."

At that, Katie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Why do I feel like that isn't true?

Raina snapped her fingers. "I got it! Watch this!" Without another word, she trotted over to Iris. Throwing her hair over her shoulder as dramatically as possible, she said as cheerfully as possible, "Hey there, little missy! Wanna' come over and-"

"Fuck off. Now," Iris snapped, low enough so no one else could hear it.

One look at her gaze made Raina do a U-turn back over to the group. "Well, I tried..."

Richard snickered. "That went about as well as expected."

"Screw you bozo! I'd like to see you try!" Raina retorted, sticking her tongue out at him.

Katie frowned, rising to her feet. "Perhaps I should-" Before she could finish, Leon was already moving toward her.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

A few moments earlier................

The blazing sun shined down upon the cruise ship. Iris glanced over her novel at Leon and his friends.

He whispered something to Katie and she giggled [https://img.wattpad.com/47796a8b1b9febae248066785aede09df57ec8f8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f774f74456c544135525f6a5864413d3d2d3337343831333330312e313761373337346661373062623632343138373237333332313634312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

(Concept of a very jealous Iris)

He whispered something to Katie and she giggled. It was such a warm sound, it made Iris sick to her stomach. She pulled up the book before they could notice her staring. Who the hell is this girl? ...Is this why he rejected me that morning?

The newspaper crinkled under her intense grip. Her vision began to blur as her mind raced. Every second felt agonizing, like a dagger slowly twisting in her heart. I don't even remember when I started feeling this way. I'd always admired how he looked... I always tried my best to make him happy. Hell, I took the role of being a sister against my wishes. We could've been anything. I'm his guardian, so why was I created with human emotions? This will only be a hindrance, distracting me. Just what is making me feel this way? He talks to girls all the time. It's not as if I feel like this when he talks to that halfwit Raina or anyone else... What makes that girl any different? Damn that Katie.

A shadow loomed over her, making Iris glance up. She'd been so distracted she hadn't heard his approach. Her eyes narrowed. "You're blocking the sun, little brother."

"My little sister making peace with the sun? That's when you know something's wrong," Leon responded, crossing his arms.

His gaze shifted to Richard and Damien and threw them a wink. Understanding immediately, they snuck behind her. He'd better not be trying to do what I think he's plotting, Iris thought, sitting up straight.

Iris sighed, asking, "What do you think you're doing?"

"You've got a bounty on your head. There's talk of you causing a ruckus of sorts in these parts," Leon said, pulling his sunglasses low enough to look her in the eye. "I don't know if you know this, but I'm the sheriff 'round these parts."

Iris barked out a cold laugh. "Oh please, Sheriff. Only thing you're in charge of is Jack and shit. Jack left town, in case you didn't know."

A wild smile formed on Leon's lips, making her eyes widen. "Is that a fact? Sick 'em boys!"

She twisted and desperately tried to throw her legs up to kick his friends. Leon caught them, expecting this. Throwing her over his shoulder, he sprinted for the pool despite her frantic protests. They all laughed as he leaped and slammed them both into the water. As they crashed into the depths, their eyes met. At first she seemed furious. Iris's gaze softened and she finally returned his smile.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Her eyes glowed and an invisible force made her hands reach for his neck. It wasn't a conscious act. She froze before they could close around his throat. Leon broke through the surface before they could reach. Iris grimaced. What was I- Her entire body grew icy cold, and everything in her eyes grew dark.

A cold voice whispered, You know you want to.

Iris burst out of the water. They had all been smiling, but froze once they saw her expression. Her eyes were wide and her entire body trembled. Leon tried to grasp her shoulder and she instinctively slapped him. Realizing what she'd done, she reached out to him. "Oh, Leon, I'm so... God," Iris muttered, swimming away.

This can't be happening now... Not now, not yet. Before anyone could stop her, she walked away back to their room. Leon groaned, climbing out and heading after her.

"Wait for me here! I'll be back!" He yelled to Katie and the others.

—--------------------------------------

Iris slammed the door behind her. She let out a muffled shriek, looking down at her palms. It felt as if the world was twisting. Contorting. She fell to her knees, grasping her head. Leon rushed in shortly afterward, his eyes narrowing. "What is happening, Iris? I've never seen you like this before," he said, kneeling beside her.

Iris's eyes watered and she pulled him into a tight hug. It was partially because she wanted to, but it was also a way of restraining herself. To keep her body from losing control. I can't let Death come out yet... He isn't ready! She knew her eyes had to be shining, and she couldn't allow him to see it.

Leon almost pulled her away, but then returned the embrace. "Is this because of Katie?"

The question threw her off, making her push him back. Out of will, her eyes stopped glowing before he could notice. "Why would I care who you see? Clearly you're happy with her," she spat before she could stop herself. Her chest was heaving, and she didn't know where this anger was coming from. This jealousy.

"I don't know. We've never talked about that sort of thing before... Honestly, I never knew you cared about it so much until a few days ago," Leon muttered, grimacing. "How long have you been feeling like this? Why didn't you ever tell me?"

She clutched her chest, feeling Death trying to take control of her body. "...I don't understand it myself, honestly. I always liked you. Ever since the day I woke up, I think I've always felt like that. ....Just who is she to you? Have you always had feelings for other women?" Iris asked, finally meeting his gaze. Her eyes watered, and the unbearable knot in her chest kept twisting.

Leon shook his head. "I never felt anything like this before I met her. It was like everything was in black and white until she ran through the fog." He stood up and looked out the window. The brightness of the sun pierced him, making him lower his eyes. "There's so many things in this world I don't understand. I used to think you always had the answers for everything. You always seemed so strong. So confident. I don't think I ever truly appreciated how much you've done for me..."

The door locked, making him glance back. Iris was standing against it, panting. Her face was flushed, but her eyes looked away. Leon sighed and turned towards her. "I can't give you what you want. You know that right?"

"I know. Even if it's only just this once... couldn't you just indulge me?" Iris whispered, and in that moment the room darkened.

It grew increasingly dim, until he could just barely make out that she was standing in front of him. He sighed, clenching his fists. "Will it help you feel any better? Won't it only make it worse?" Leon asked, grasping her shoulders as she pressed herself against him. "I love you, Iris. The last thing I want to do is hurt you with false hope."

Her arms wrapped around his neck, and he could feel her trembling. I might never get a chance to feel alive again... Even if it's just this once... even if I never live again. Instead of answering, she pulled him closer, and the light in the room faded completely.

Before their lips could meet, Leon turned his head. "What are you-" Iris whispered, his hands sliding her arms off of his neck.

"To do this willingly would be to betray Katie. You have no idea what she means to me, but that doesn't mean I care for you any less. You've always been by my side. No matter what we are, you are my family. I care about you, and I always will. That being said, Iris... You said yourself that nothing in this world is free. I won't give you what you want freely," Leon muttered, taking a few steps back. "I'll accept you on one condition."

Even in the darkness, he imagined her eyes widening. The room was too dark to see her expression, but he knew she was irritated. "Way to savor the mood. Damn it... Just when I thought you were ignoring my lessons."

"If you can land a single hit on me, I will do anything you want wholeheartedly and with no regrets. This is your chance to make up for waiting so long-" Her hands moved faster than he could finish speaking.

It was exactly as he'd imagined she would. Strike him before he could lay down another condition and win. The irony in following her heart for once instead of her brain would lose her only opportunity. His entire body was already twisting around on his heel. Before she knew it, his other foot smacked her cheek and sent her crashing to the floor.

The lights flickered on. For the first time in his life he saw Iris holding her cheek, stunned. On the verge of tears. "W-were you just... toying with me?"

Leon sighed. "No... you were just too hasty. We might not share blood, Iris, but you are still my family. We were created by the same person, weren't we?"

She let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes, same as every living creature on this planet. What's your point?"

That information made his eyes widen. Were they literally birthed from God himself? Who else could create everything? It raised another point. "And how many of them were put together from the start? That's what separates family and everyone else, isn't it?"

There was a long awkward silence. "Do you think my feelings for Katie mean I care for you any less? You're my sister. We've literally been together every single day we've been alive. We're always going to be together. Isn't that enough?"

It was almost enough to bring her to tears. Partially because it should've been, but also because that couldn't have been further than the truth. Their time was limited. It always was. Any woman in the planet he chose to be with would have all the time in the world, while hers was tethered to the one being that would stop at nothing to destroy everything they held dear. She was nothing more than a vessel, given a fleeting chance of living life.

A chance being robbed by a single angel. "It will never be enough," she muttered, gritting her teeth.

"I will never betray her. You know that, don't you?" Their eyes met, and the seriousness behind Leon's sent chills down Iris's spine. It only made her long for him all the more, how well he'd blossomed in their growth. Once again she cursed Gaia for giving her these feelings, the lust and desire of a teenage girl. His loyalty was absolute. It was the greatest part of him and for Katie only, she hated it.

"Unfortunately..." Iris said, her eyes lowering. "Go on without me. My mood is soured as it is."

He opened his mouth to speak. Rising to his feet, he thought against it. Leaving Iris hurting was the last thing he ever wanted to do, but he'd made his point. Doing or saying anything else in this moment would just come across as an insult and that wasn't his intention. Leon turned to leave, his hand on the door.

"But Leon..."

"What is it?" he asked.

"If she betrays us in any way, I will destroy her. And then I will make up for my mistake, and make you mine. I promise you that," Iris said, watching him pause. She watched his hand tighten around the knob, nearly crushing it.

"That will never happen."