Don't get too close

CHAPTER THREE

REIN

By the time Rein arrived at the Alpha Palace the sun had already begun to set behind the trees leaving a warm golden glow across the great expanse of the structure. She slowed as she approached its entrance, taking it in properly for the first time.

It was even more than she had remembered. The palace had always seemed impossibly huge to her when she was young, but after months away from Ravenclaw, everything seemed to dwarf her now.

The tall windows caught the fading light while the dark stone walls gave the place an imposing feel that made Rein straighten her back without thinking.

She adjusted the strap of her camera bag and took one more breath before stepping inside.

She had imagined this moment dozens of times throughout her travels.

She would knock Truz would open the door and it took him a few seconds to realize who it was before he would laugh at her.

Instead as soon as she entered the private wing she had barely put down her bag when a familiar voice hailed her from behind.

"Rein?"

She turned to see Truz standing at the end of the hallway completely frozen.

For a moment they just stared at each other.

Then Rein smiled.

"Surprise."

Truz crossed the room so fast that she barely had the breath to laugh before his arms had wrapped around her in a tight hug.

"You actually came."

"I told you I was coming," Rein said triumphantly and playfully.

"You said you were thinking about coming. Those are two very different things."

Rein laughed against his shoulder. "I wanted to surprise you."

"You succeeded." He pulled back enough to look at her properly his hands still on her shoulders.

"Look at you. You've changed."

"So have you."

"I've always looked this good."

She rolled her eyes. "You really haven't."

Truz laughed and pulled her into another hug.

For the first time since Rein had returned to Ravenclaw, She felt completely at home.

As they finally parted, Truz picked up her bag for her before she had the chance.

"You're staying with us for three months. " Truz's voice was both a statement and a question. Rein nodded showing her determination. "I am."

"And you're not disappearing halfway through because you suddenly decide you miss your little independent life.”

Rein smiled. "I took a break from work, Truz. I'm not disappearing anywhere."

"Good. Because I'm not letting you leave again without making the most of this."

He began walking, and Rein walked with him down the familiar hallway.

"There is something you should know," Truz said.

Rein glanced at him. "That sounds suspicious."

"It isn't. I just realized you haven't properly met the others since you've been back."I've met Drake before."Briefly. When you were younger."

"I remember."

"That's not properly meeting him."

Rein gave him a curious look. "And the others?"

Truz's expression changed slightly.

"You'll meet them now; the others have changed too. They're not the boys you remember."

"I wasn't expecting them to be."

"I know." Truz gave her a look. "I'm just saying don't let the fact that you've known me all your life make you think they'll be as easy to read."

Rein smiled. "Are you warning me about your brothers?"

"I'm warning you about all of us, madam."

She laughed softly, I'll be careful, sir."

They entered the main sitting room of the brothers' private wing.

Drake was the first to look up.

He was sitting comfortably on one of the sofas with a book loosely in his hand. The moment he saw Rein his expression brightened.

"Well, look who finally came home."

Rein smiled shyly. "Hi."

Drake stood and walked towards her.

"It has been years."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize." He smiled warmly. “You were busy building your life. We're the ones who stayed here."

Truz pointed at him. "See? This is why she's going to like you."

Drake laughed. "I haven't even done anything."

"You're already doing better than Kanem."

A voice came from the other side of the room.

"I haven't even met her yet and somehow I'm already losing."

Rein turned to see Kanem leaning against the arm of another sofa as he watched her with an amused expression.

Truz sighed. "Kanem."

"What?" Kanem straightened looking between them. "This is the famous little sister?"

Rein's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Famous?"

Kanem smiled. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Only good things, I hope."

"That depends on who was telling the stories."

"Don't listen to him," Truz interrupted. "He's been waiting for an opportunity to annoy you since he heard you were coming."

Kanem placed a hand over his chest. "I'm offended."

"You'll survive."

Drake laughed and even Rein couldn't keep her lips from twitching into a smile.

Then she noticed the fourth person in the room.

Demin sat further back quiet and composed with his attention on them.

This was him.

The Dark Owl.

Truz noticed where she was looking.

"And this is Demin."

Demin stood.

For a brief moment his eyes met hers.

Her scent reached him carrying something faintly familiar under the unfamiliarity of it.

Demin ignored it.

He looked at Rein with no expression before giving a small nod.

"Welcome back."

Rein swallowed and nodded.

"Thank you."

Nothing was threatening in his voice but she still felt the weight of his presence. She lowered her eyes almost immediately suddenly aware that she had been staring.

Truz looked between them.

"That's it?"

Demin glanced at him. "What else should I say?"

Kanem laughed.

"You could at least pretend you're happy to see the girl.

"I've never met her. Demin said.

"She is Truz's sister."

“I know.”

Drake shook his head smiling. "You two are impossible."

Rein stood quietly beside Truz unsure whether she should say anything else.

Truz seemed to notice.

"Don't mind them," he said. "You'll get used to this."

Kanem immediately corrected him.

"She'll get used to me. Demin is another matter."

Demin gave him a look.

Kanem grinned.

"See?"

Rein looked away quickly trying not to let her nervousness show.

Truz placed a hand light against her shoulder.

"Come on. I'll show you your room."

As they left the sitting room Rein glanced back once.

Demin had already returned to his seat his attention on something else as if her arrival had changed nothing.

Later that evening, Rein stood on the balcony of Truz's apartment looking out over the lights of Ravenclaw.

The air was cool, and the sounds from the village drifted faintly in the distance.

Truz stood beside her, leaning against the railing.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then he said quietly, "Ravenclaw isn't exactly the way you remember it."

Rein looked at him.

"I noticed."

"A lot has changed while you were gone."

"Such as?"

Truz was quiet for a moment.

"The position we hold comes with problems. Some people don't like us, and some aren't above us using whatever and whoever they can reach."

Rein's expression became more serious.

"Are you saying I'm in danger?"

"I'm saying you should be more careful."

"I can take care of myself."

"I know."

He looked at her

"But you're my sister. That doesn't mean I'm going to stop worrying about you."

Rein's lips curved into a soft smile.

"You haven't changed, Truz."

"Neither have you."

He turned his gaze back toward the village.

"And the brothers..."

Rein glanced at him. "What about them?"

"They're good men. I trust them completely. But they're not harmless, Rein. Especially when they're protecting something they care about."

She nodded slowly.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Truz looked at her.

"I mean it. Don't let your familiarity with them make you careless."

"I won't."

"And don't get too comfortable with them."

She raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think I'm going to do? Fall in love with one of them?"

Truz's expression barely changed.

"I'm serious, Rein."

Her smile faded.

"I know." For a moment they stood there.

Then Rein leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I missed you."

Truz rested his cheek against the top of her head. "I've missed you more than you know."

And for the first time that evening neither of them said anything else.