July 1998
Anticosti Island, Chara, Quebec, Canada
Headquarters Of the Special Operations For Intrasocietal Research and Enchantments (S.I.R.E)
"SIRE HQ has issued a statement upon Reyna Ashton's unexpected return."
"According to SIRE, Ashton is being evaluated by the Charian council as we speak."
"Ashton has no business returning to the city that she betrayed! If anything we should be throwing her back to the wolves!"
"Citizens of Terian District have issued complaints about their families' safety, regarding Ashton's sudden return."
"About 43 percent of the Capital District are discussing their departures from Chara, after the breaking news about the return of one of SIRE's former elite agents, Reyna Ashton."
Yara was cursing herself as she walked through the long tiled corridors of SIRE Headquarters, every monitor displaying the same damned thing, "Reyna's return to SIRE jeopardizes the Charian Council's cohesive decision-making". Every news channel in the city was covering the return of Reyna Reed-Ashton, and the response of the residents was terrible, for lack of a better word. Her heels continued to click against the floor as she begrudgingly made her way to her conference room.
Dressed in her signature dark blue pinstriped pantsuit that complimented her dark complexion, and her long softly curled pressed hair, she felt small, like she was wearing a costume. The whispers in the building from other lower level agents only made it worse. The feeling of eyes burning into every fiber of your skin, waiting for you to make a wrong move, and for Yara, this might be the one move that causes everyone that looks to her for answers, to lose every ounce of respect that they have for her.
It had only been at least four months since Reyna was detained, but a topic like this is bound to stay in news for quite a while. News reporters stood in front of her home for days, trying to get something out of her, but ignored them everytime. Anything that she said, she knew it would be used against her, twisted into something that only caused an uproar with the residents.
She needed to fix this, to quiet down the shouting of reporters, the complaints from citizens and the white hit lies spewing from journalists' mouths to find another way to distort the truth. Her council was waiting for her to walk through that door with solutions. But there was only one thing she could think of that would keep both parties content. And she knew in her gut that would absolutely hate it. But it was the only thing she could do for a mother and her unborn child.
Her apprehension of what could happen only grew as she neared the conference room. But she let out a sign of relief as she turned the corner to see a woman with beautiful russet skin, in a business suit like hers, her long soft, wavy hair snatched into a ponytail. A smile irresistibly grew on her lips, everytime she looked at her, she was reminded of someone that had her heart eons ago. The same beautiful tan brown skin, long hair and curved figure haunted her memories and now her present view.
"Nazir, why aren't you waiting for me inside?" Yara said amusingly, raising an eyebrow as she finally stopped in front of the woman.
Nazir rolled her eyes with a small laugh. "Oh, please, you know I can't stand to be around those stiff assholes for too long..."
The sound of her giggles only made the smile that was fighting to hold back, widen. "Well, just be glad that you don't have to be a leader to them. You can just sit back and watch the shitstorm unfold, while I try to ring them in."
Nazir's face changed from contentment to concern, as she studied the tiredness in Yara's eyes. All of this news about Reyna's return was clearly taking a toll on her. "I'm assuming that you can barely get a wink of sleep last night?" She questioned.
Yara's jaw clenched at the change in subject. Damn, as much as she tried, she couldn't get away from everything that's happening. She let out a sigh as she spoke. "Those goddamned reporters were outside my house all night, trying to get something out of me..."
"You know-" Nazir started, but Yara knew where she was going with this. "Nazir, I'm fine. I don't need to take the next flight out to the middle of nowhere to clear my head." She said as she grabbed the handle of the door, but Nazir only stopped her by placing a gentle hand on hers.
"Nazir." Yara's eyes shifted to her through her peripheral vision, but she would dare look at her straight. She finds her concern exciting to say the least. But her feelings for her are... complicated and unprofessional. With that thought, she pulled her hand from under hers and stood up straighter. She lightly pulled on the bottom of her blazer to straighten it out.
"I said I'm okay. But I'll feel much better when we get this meeting over with." She said, all emotions that were present in her tone and body, were completely cut out. Only Nazir knew it was a charade, but she only watched as she opened the door and entered the conference room, her unwavering concern still present as she followed from behind.
The conference was pristine, deemed with black and silver decor and expensive technology, along with a long table that stretched across the room's length, with a large diorama of the city displayed in the center. Huge monitors hung on the walls, and large paneled windows give an incredible view to the city.
The remainder of the councilmen sat around the table in business attire, already discussing solutions to deal with Reyna.
Osiris was clearly rattled from the rowdy news reporters crowded outside of the building. "There are already too many people in the city that know what's going on, we need to address this case privately. The opinions of other people are only going to tamper with our decisions of what charges we give to her."
"The public needs to be put at ease! Many of them are thinking about leaving here because they fear for their safety. We need to come to a decision by today." Andra stated, her posh voice echoing through the large room.
"The only problem is that she's at least eight months pregnant. We can't just throw her in a confinement cell and leave her to rot!" Pell shook his head as he spoke, he was one the rare members that actually had a bit of sympathy for Reyna. But the council only took it, as an excuse of being the youngest of them all.
Osiris interjected. "You know that's not what I meant-"
"Well, that's what it surely sounded like!"
Councilman Loren finally spoke up, earning a small annoyance from Pell and Andra. "From what we know already, Reyna and her husband were one of the only agents to be born with a Vimerian gene, and he could wield Kashubhá without any problem. Matter of fact, he was ranked second in the Elite Sector for how well he used them."
"This "evil cult" that they worked for knew how capable they were and proceeded to gift them with dark sorcery."
"It's called Folcám." Pell huffed, rolling his eyes.
"What?" Loren replied sharply.
"That's the proper term for it."
"...Why in the hell are you worried about accuracy right now?" Loren grimaced, clearly not entertained by Pell's plan to make subtle jabs at him.
"Because," Yara's voice cut through the conversation as she sat down at the head on the table, forcing everyone to silence themselves. She sat her briefcase down beside her as she continued. "Accuracy is the only thing that's going to give us an advantage over the news and the public."
"Are you saying that we should keep the public updated about Reyna's evaluation?" An older man with salt and pepper short hair chimed in.
"Precisely, Dominic. We keep the information that we issue out to them as accurate and honest as possible. We're not sugar coating anything. If we're hiding things from them, they won't want to live here anymore."
Nazir could only agree with Yara. "We protect these people, and they allow us to because they trust us. We need to be as honest as we can to them."
"And regarding the situation with Reyna?" Loren queried.
Yara nearly tensed up at the question. If she answers this, they won't like what she has to say. She leaned forward in her chair, putting her elbows on the table and clasping her hand together.
"I....ummm" Her nerves were getting her, the feeling of eyes burning into her came back. She scanned each of their faces as they awaited her response. Her eyes finally landed on Nazir, who gave her nothing but a reassuring nod, which did a lot more than she expected. Yara straightened up and finally answered them.
"I think that we should delay Reyna's trial." All of the councilmen began to exchange worrisome glances.
"Just until she gives birth. That way we can give her a proper sentence without worrying about the child's state." She tried to reassure them, but she knew that a few of them were going to be against her.
"Yara...you can't be serious." Loren huffed, running a hand over his face.
But, Yara was determined to stand her ground, "That's the decision that I have come to."
Loren raised his voice, a little too loud for Yara's liking but she remained calm. "Reyna is too dangerous to keep outside of confinement!" Loren was always the first one to disagree with some of her decisions, but that never stopped her from pushing, especially now.
"Her holding room is fine for now, Loren. Besides, the woman can barely walk ten feet without tiring herself out. I doubt she's that dangerous."
But, Loren was stubborn, and she hated it. "She's pregnant with a child that has the potential of using pure and tainted sorcery! She is dangerous in more ways than one!"
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"Loren, cool it." Pell gritted defensively, earning an angry look from him
Yara holds up a finger to him, silencing him along with everyone else at the table. She appreciated his instinct to fight for her, but she needed everyone to stay calm.
"Arguing about it isn't going to get us to a decision any quicker." Her glance was deathly serious, causing a few of the members to straighten up their posture.
Dominic began to speak. And to no surprise, he was in agreement with Loren. "Yara, this isn't what we stand for as Charians. She has betrayed the Amalis code, and that can't go unpunished-"
"And it won't. I just need time to figure out what will become of her child." She could feel herself become annoyed as the meeting continued, exchanging a quick glance with Nazir and Pell.
"What do you plan to do with it?" Loren's question earned a few disgusted looks from the council, but he didn't care. The Council and SIRE have never been in agreement with the hybrids and Yara knew exactly why. But, for her, this situation felt different.
"Her." Andra stated with a grimace, her eyes shooting daggers at him.
But he ignored her altogether, only focusing on Yara.
"I have to agree with Loren, here." Dominic said, but of course he did. "You know we can't have a hybrid child in Chara. It would cause a capital uproar!"
"I know..." Yara said, sharply. Clenching her jaw, as she stopped herself.
"Which is why I have allowed Nadia to perform the Nirasaisi Ritual after the child is born and ready to travel." Yara earned looks of surprise from Nazir, Pell and Andra.
"You're... You're going to deactivate her powers?" Nazir asked in disbelief.
"I know it's risky, but it's the only way to ensure that she's safe from being coerced by the Order and the sanity and trust of our citizens being restored." Yara reassured them, but Nazir only gave her a cautious look.
"Are you sure Reyna is ready to give up her child that easily?" Pell asked.
"If she does end up receiving a life sentence, she'll have to, but I'm scheduled to meet with her today to get her affairs in order before the birth and the trial."
"I know of some relatives that will most likely take her in, and the child will be taken there after the deactivation ritual is completed." She added.
"Alright, so it's settled then." Andra let out a sigh of relief as she sat back in her chair. Loren sat silently, refusing to say anything else.
"The only thing that's left is how we're going to convince the public that the trial being delayed is a good thing..."
As Pell finished speaking, a muffled beep came from Yara's transceiver radio clipped onto the back of her belt. A deep, panicked voice coming through the other end, "Councilwoman, Yara! There's an issue in Reyna's holding room. We need you here immediately! Over."
She could hear Reyna screaming in the background at one of the guards, and the sound of breaking glass. The council members exchanged glances as they overheard. "Damn it..." She mumbled under breath. "I'll be right there. Over." She shoved her radio into the pocket inside her suit jacket, and stood up from her seat.
"Apologies, everyone but I'm needed elsewhere." She huffed as she hurriedly gathered her belongings. Her eyes traveled to Nazir and she gave her a quick nod. "Nazir, you know what to do."
"The rest of us will create another statement about the council issuing updates to the public." Nazir stated reassuringly, looking around at the other council members for confirmation. "Yeah, we'll make sure to get it done for you. The last thing that we need right now is for Reyna to be unstable." Andra said.
"Okay, thanks." She sighed in relief. She swiftly took a few sticky notes from the dispenser and began scribbling on it. "If you need me, here's the number to Reyna's holding room." She passed the small stack of sticky notes to Nazir.
"I'll review the statement tonight and report any changes that need to be made." She declared as she speedily walked towards the door and pulled it open. "But for now, I have to tame Reyna." She sighed in annoyance as she closed the door behind her.
"Alright, shall we get started with the statement?" Osiris asked while grabbing a few sheets of paper from his briefcase.
Suddenly, Loren stood from his seat and gathered his briefcase.
Everyone began to look around at each other. "Ummm, where the hell are you going?!" Pell asked in annoyance.
"I have some affairs to handle with the military sector. And I'm not signing a statement that I don't agree with..." He said as he walked out silently.
"You're an asshole, you know that?!" Pell called after him as Loren shut the door.
Pell mumbled through gritted teeth. "Piece of shit..."
Osiris patted him on the shoulder, "It's alright, Pell. Don't let him get under your skin."
"Now, shall we get started?" Osiris repeated.
"Gladly." Dominic answered.
"Yes, the faster we get this done, the more the public can start trusting us again."
"And the faster I can get a drink or something." Pell smirked amusingly, giving Andra a side-eye as he waited for her reaction.
Andra rolled her eyes. "Pell, really?!"
"What?! Dealing with this sort of thing can be pretty stressful on an old geezer like me!" He shrugged, settling back into this office chair, and earning a laugh from Dominic.
"You do realize that you're only in your early thirties, right?" Andra asked with a raised brow.
"Why don't you guys ever act like this when Yara's around?" Dominic asked, enjoyment clearly in his eyes as he waited for an answer.
As they all got started with their statement, Nazir quickly read over the sticky note that Yara gave her. She pulled it from the stack and stuck it to one of her folders.
"Easy, because she's very frightening and I'd rather not be on the other side of her 'Thousand Murder Death Stare'." Pell said as he shuddered at the thought.
Nazir caught something else from the corner of her eye-something else written on the note after. She could only smile herself as she read:
"I totally owe you. Mocha Frap? On me;)"
-Y
Concealing her blush, she focused on jotting down the topics that would be in the Council's statement.
"Yeah, you would totally shit your pants." Andra teased with an evil grin. Pell scoffed and gave her the middle finger.
"Oh, fuck off Andra, like you wouldn't do the same thing?!" Andra playfully thumped him in the head. "Ow! Could you quit doing that?!"
Nazir could only look at them and shake her head. If Yara was here, she would be so disappointed...
"Guys? Less talking about shitting your pants and more about acting like we actually know what we're talking about?" She said with a small grin, trying to hold in a laugh.
Andra and Pell both let out sighs of defeat, "Fineee..." They said simultaneously.
***
Briefcase in hand, Yara quickly walks into SIRE's Holding Center for Evaluated Criminals. This center was specifically made for offenders that are currently in the process of being evaluated by the council for sentencing or a trial, if needed. Most of the rooms were just a simple bed, bathroom and a form of entertainment.
But in Reyna's situation, Yara strived to make her feel as comfortable as possible during her pregnancy. She was given a comfortable living space, with guards and maids that tended to her at any time of day and a kitchen that the maids used to cook for her. Every piece of furniture was made of the softest fabric she could find. She paid attention to every detail, and Reyna was grateful for it.
They had developed a relationship over the course of her evaluation and perhaps Reyna is the sweetest woman that Yara has ever encountered, but the public and the council see her as a traitor, even a monster. But after getting to know her, maybe she did all of this, to simply survive in a world chock full of dangerous, vile beings that prey on innocent lives.
As Yara makes her way down the soft beige carpeted hallway of the guarded residential sector, she could hear Reyna's muffled shouting from inside her holding room. The guards were begging her to calm down, but the sound of breaking glass continued. This hasn't been the first time that Yara had to deal with a situation like this, and with a situation like Reyna's, she couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic for her.
She spotted one of the guards outside of the door, with a shaken look in his eye. "Oh thank goodness, you're here." He sighed in relief as he rushed up to her.
"How bad is it?"
"It's...pretty bad."
Reyna's screaming became louder and much more clear, now that Yara was finally in proximity. "You have NO IDEA how much the public has dragged me through the mud all this week!" Her breathing was erratic and shaky, as if she was sobbing unconditionally. The maids were trying to calm her down inside, their voices quivering in apprehension. "Mrs. Ashton-"
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop fucking calling me that?!" Her voice was so loud that it would have shaken the entire building, followed by the sound of more glass building.
"...Yeah, I'd say 'pretty bad' is an understatement, Reynolds." She stated with a thin smile. "Just what exactly did you do to royally piss her off this time?"
Reyna continued to rant from inside. "That man is not my husband, and he never will be!" She cried through gritted teeth. "That sorry sack of shit never even wanted me!"
Reynolds could only clasp his hands together and plead for forgiveness. "My apologies, Councilwoman. The remote went missing and the television just so happened to be on a news channel-"
Yara huffed and pinched the bridge of nose. What in the hell did the agency hire these idiots for, to just stand around?!
"Fucking Christ. The news channel?! Of all the channels we put on that damned tv-"
Yara had to stop herself from going over the edge. With a very deep breath, she continued. "You know what? What's done is done, and you called me to deal with it, so here I am..." She spread her arms wide, tensely presenting herself to the guard.
"Now, can you please get me in there and stop acting like a complete dumbbell?" She gestured to the door's keypad with a clenched jaw. "Yes, ma'am." He answered with a quick bow, his voice still shaky as he rushed over to the keypad to input the code.
After a few seconds, the door clicks and Yara swiftly makes her way into the room with the guard in tow. She comes in to see the living room area is disarray, and a few broken vases. "Reyna, please just...just calm down!" One of the maids cried from the kitchen, as Yara made her way in. And what she saw was pure chaos.
All of the kitchen had been shattered and trashed, and Reyna was front and center, only stopping her extreme meltdown when Yara looked at her. There she was, breathing erratically, followed by sniffing, as her bloodshot eyes locked with hers. Reyna's palms and feet were cut and bloodied from the glass beneath her.
"Reyna..." Yara called to her, calmly. Reyna turned her face away from hers, looking at the ground, as she held onto one of the last few pieces of unbroken china. "Hey. Look at me." Yara walked up to her slowly, gently reassuring her. Her eyes never left Reyna's face, as she got closer. "It's okay. No one here is going to harm you."
The maids and guards watched nervously behind Yara, as she carefully stepped over the broken kitchenware, coming in arm's length of Reyna's form. "I am here to protect you. All of us are. You know this..." She mutters reassuringly, reaching a hand out to her.
"Whatever's out there, Whoever's out there, they won't get to you." She continued, as Reyna finally placed her hand in hers. "What the news is saying-"
"It's bullshit." Reyna said, earning a proud nod from Yara. "That's right."
Yara could see Reyna's lip start to quiver, her eyes glazing over with tears. "Come here..." Yara whispered to her, pulling Reyna in for an embrace and she sobbed into her shoulder. "Shhh... it's okay. It's okay." Yara muttered softly.
Once she was finished and they let go of one another, Yara grabbed onto her shoulders. "You okay now?" She grinned, Reyna nodding her head as she quickly wiped tears from her eyes.
But Yara's expression quickly went from contentment to concern as Reyna let out a hiss in pain, putting a hand to her large baby bump, as she doubled over. "Reyna, are you okay?" Yara brows knitted together.
Reyna was almost gasping for air as pain throbbed in her belly. "I think...I think I need to sit down." She croaked. "Okay, Carson, Thomas..." She ordered a guard and maid over and slowly handed her over to them. "Go sit her down in the living room, make sure to get some pillows to support her back."
"Yes ma'am," They said simultaneously, taking a groaning Reyna out into the living room. "The rest of you get started cleaning this stuff up." Yara pointed down to all of the broken china and other damaged kitchen items. She immediately took out her radio, and called for more maids and replacement china and furniture to be ordered.
Yara locked eyes with Reynolds just in time to see him mouth a "thank you" with a smile. She gave him a firm nod with a smirk and made her way to the living room area.
Reyna rests on the couch, her legs elevated on the wooden coffee table as she practiced her breath exercises with the maid. The other guard tended to her wounds, picking the glass from the bottom of her feet. Squeezing the maid's hand lightly, Reyna looked at her sympathetically.
"I'm sorry..." She breathed out, looking towards the kitchen at the mess she made. "It's alright. Just focus on your breathing, just relax." The maid reassured. Yara watched over her, sitting down on the opposite plush couch.
After a few minutes of inhales and exhales, and medical attention, Reyna and Yara were left alone. The only sound coming from the staff as they cleared the kitchen out.
Reyna finally spoke. "Agent Brexwerry told me that you were having a meeting with the council today. About delaying the trial."
Reyna shifted in anticipation. "I don't know if that kind of information is confidential but, I would like to know..."
"They agreed that it would be best if we delayed the trial, so that you can give birth." Reyna sighed in relief. "Thank you..." She said with a small smile.
Yara could only return the feelings of relief and happiness. "No need, I promised that I would fight for you-" Yara quickly looked down at Reyna's belly. "And especially, for her."
Reyna subconsciously rubbed a hand across her bump, a smile still present on her face. "You know, Walter and I were going to name her Paige..." She began. "After my grandmother."
Reyna began to giggle to herself, finally letting out an amusing sigh. "She was a force. Single mother, but she was strong, independent, very ambitious..." They both laughed.
"But she was also incredibly nurturing, loving, and she genuinely cared. Even when other people didn't, even when my parents didn't."
"When I was kid, every weekend, it would just be me and her going around the city, she would walk like she was on a mission, like she had somewhere to be, and I'd always try to walk like her."
"She always said that I was her "little twin. And that I was her missing piece, and she would never leave me, ever..." Reyna huffed and her smile disappeared. "But, then she got sick." Reyna's voice shook as she tried to contain herself, tears slowly forming in her eyes.
"And she got sicker, and sicker, and then she finally told us that she had cancer."
Yara's brows knitted together in sympathy, as leaned into softly lay a hand on Reyna's knee.
"Oh, Reyna, I'm sorry..."
But Reyna only waved a quick dismissive hand. "No, no it's fine..." She reassured, blinking back her tears. "Of course, my parents were broke and we had no money to pay for treatment. But then, I started hearing about SIRE and how much money they pay, so I dropped out of college and signed up to become an agent."
"The pay was good. Great, even. My parents were proud, she was getting the treatments that she needed, we were hopeful that it would work." Reyna clenched her jaw. "The day before I got promoted to a field agent, she died-" But she couldn't hold her tears any longer as she sniffled.
"And I wasn't fucking there..." She weeped. Yara could only reach out and hold her hand. "I'm sure she would've been so proud of you. You did everything you could." She spoke softly, looking her straight in the eyes.
"And I think she would've been honored, if you gave your daughter her name." She smiled. "Paige is a beautiful name."
Reyna exhales deeply, trying to calm herself down. "Thank you....so much. I mean it."
"I know you just came to ask more questions, but I'm sorry if I've given you more than you bargained for." Reyna giggled hoarsely and Yara did the same.
"No worries," She said as she reached for her briefcase on the side of the couch. "It's just nice to finally have a normal conversation with someone."
"Even if the person that you're talking to, is basically a criminal?"
"Reyna, your situation is much more complicated than that."
"Tell that to the public..."
"Reyna." Yara gave her a serious glance.
"Okay, fine, I'll stop mentioning them." She sighed, as she shifted herself on the couch for more comfort.
Yara opened her briefcase, reaching in to grab her tape recorder, her legal pad and a pen. "Are you ready?" She asked.
Reyna gave her a firm nod.
Yara pressed a button on her recorder, and began speaking:
"July 8th, 1998. Time
is 15:38. Holding Room Number 105. Case Number: 04572. State your name, age and Agency Identification."
Reyna cleared her throat as she spoke, "Reyna Reed-Ashton, 24 years of age, Agent Number: 269013."
Yara stopped scribbling on her notepad and looked up at Reyna.
"Alright, let's get started..."