Identity

Gisa

Emma and Gisa sauntered down the street, following their mother. People ducked behind doorways and fled into alleys as she walked by. Even without her powers the tall horned woman with the glowing staff instilled fear into the eyes of those watching. Her goons walked in front and behind her in a stiff formation. All designed to show that she was still the queen of something.

Emma lugged a suitcase behind her, the broken wheels clacking unceremoniously against the crooked pavement. She sighed as it got stuck, giving it an extra tug. "I don't know why we have to walk three whole miles instead of hiring a wagon or a freaking train." she grumbled. Gisa nodded, Emma's other bag slung over her shoulder. She didn't mind walking. Though if she were wearing Emma's clothes she might. Tight white pants, a loose pink blouse, boots with heels… too uncomfortable. Gisa preferred her usual leggings and t-shirts. More sensible and useful. At least for her line of work.

She thought back to the night before as she passed the neighborhood Camden lived in. She'd climbed out the window and down the trellis after her mother locked her in her room. It was surprising that nobody caught her. She'd slunk down to the raging muddy river in the middle of the island and into the caves beside it where many people met for business or simple pleasure. Camden was waiting for her deeper within. He tried to smile but she could see he was anxious.

"Baby, I heard what happened," He threw his arms around her, hugging her close. Gisa tried not to let tears come as his words coursed through her like a shock. She'd have to leave him. He'd… he'd be here and she'd be there… "Oh Gisa." he lifted her up, placing her on his lap as he sat down.

"Camden… I…" words failed her. She didn't know what to say. She wasn't going to see him again.

"I know," he whispered to the top of her head, kissing it gently. "I know it's way too late, not that it would have mattered, but Gisa…"

She leaned back to look him in the eye. Tears glistened in the corners. "Camden…"

"No, listen," He ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I know when I told you I found you cute and… all of this started, we said no strings attached, work separate from play, no questions asked… but something changed." Gisa's heart thundered a moment, her cheeks flushing, hands shaking… "Gisa, I find you inspiring, cunning, beautiful with all your scars. I… I think… Gisa I think I love you."

It hit her like a stone, and the tears fell down her cheeks before she could stop them. She flung her arms around him, holding him as tightly as she could. He loved her. Loved her by his own choice after knowing her for nearly all her years, seeing her romantically for seven months… She tried to respond, but all that came out was a choked sob.

"I love you Gisa," he whispered, his eyes somewhere far away. Gisa just let him hold her while she cried as their time ticked down.

She dragged her eyes from the ramshackle building before the memories from the night before clouded her thoughts completely. Letters. They could still receive mail. Maybe someday, maybe someday they could be together again. She shut the thought out. Hope was a foolish thing.

Especially foolish in this instance, she thought to herself as she laid eyes on the embassy structure down the road. Her mother marched them down towards it, never faltering a step. Gisa's heart beat faster as the entrance came nearer. She was leaving everything, everything behind…

Her mother stopped before the building, her eyes glowing like fire. Gisa unleashed her magic, what she had, as well, her own fiery eyes meeting her mother's. Not in a battle, but in a promise. Her mother's voice sounded in her head. Break the barrier. Break the barrier… if you fail… Her head pounded as her mother forged that promise. Weaving the promise between the two of them. Gisa didn't know what would happen to her if she failed, if she broke that bond, but she didn't want to find out.

Without saying goodbye, Audenzitios strode down the streets, unlit staff in hand, Shoulders thrown back, her men flanking her on every side.

"Good riddance," Emma said, shaking her head. Gisa nodded absently. It must have been easier for Emma to leave. The continent held promise. It held freedom. She had nothing holding her back here. She didn't love anybody here. She wouldn't miss anyone. Not dearly enough to make her falter…

Gisa walked up to the entrance, letting herself be scanned for weapons. She could have tried to hide them, but she decided not to risk it, instead gifting them to Camden the night before. "NO WEAPONS FOUND." The robotic voice said. The door opened to a lush room where Jamison and Ron were already waiting.

She didn't even want to know why they both looked like they'd taken a trip to hell last night and back. Jamison looked like he'd been beaten half to death and Cameron looked like he wrestled a muddy field… and lost.

"Boys," she said, nodding her head in greeting, trying to resume her normal undaunted swagger. She was still shaken from the night before. The words Camden said, the words she couldn't bring herself to say back.

Jamison cracked his knuckles as he taught Gisa how to play the game of pool. "Yep, just like that… No, you need to hit the cue ball every time." She missed wildly and he laughed.

"Okay smart guy you try. I haven't been playing since the ungodly hours of the morning like you and Cameron."

Jamison drew back the stick, hitting the seven straight into a pocket. He smirked as Gisa's eyes burned furiously. "You know, you look like a little demon when your eyes glow. It's so cute."

"Jamison, it would be a shame to wreck these chairs and nice pieces of furniture but if you call me demonic or cute one more time, I will not hesitate." She threatened, pointing a finger at his chest.

His eyes twinkled mischievously. What an idiot. He opened his mouth to respond to her when Ron cut him off.

"Gisa, where's Emma?"

➴

Emma walked into the tiny booth, tossing her bags down a chute when prompted. She held up her ID papers when the light flashed red. "ERROR. ONE MOMENT PLEASE." She froze, looking down at the paper. "ERROR. ONE MOMENT PLEASE." Emm slunk down against a wall as the message repeated itself on a loop. She should have known this would've happened. Her only hope at getting out, all destroyed by papers with a faulty barcode.

The door slid open to an office room. Two armed guards and a tall blonde woman in a business suit stood before her. "Emma, nice to meet you. Would it be okay if we spoke with you for a moment?"

She stepped into the room cautiously, the door sliding shut behind her. "Here sit down child," the woman said sweetly. Would you like a cup of tea, it's dreadfully cold outside, especially for the summer. You look like you're catching a cold."

Emma nodded slowly. "Thank you miss…"

"Oh just call me Cassandra." She said, waving her hand in dismissal as Emma sat in a plush chair across from her.

"Wait wait, the Cassandra? Like… fifth guardian of the realm Cassandra?" Emma said, mouth gaping.

"Oh no dear," she laughed. "I am related to her however. I'm her niece, gifted with a very small portion of her magical abilities."

"Annalise's daughter then…?" Emma ventured, just as one of the guards who suddenly seemed less menacing returned with a tray of tea.

"Yes dear." Cassandra said. "She and my father named me after my aunt when I was somehow born with the strange abilities she had." She dropped four sugar cubes into her tea. Emma smiled. She'd never found another person who made their tea that sweet except herself.

"Anyway dear, I'm afraid there's an error in your papers, and that you aren't who they say you are." She set her tea down, inching closer to Emma. "So who are you really?"