”…I don’t think he is.” Kes answered her softly. ”I’ve seen what’s in his heart… he’s not a bad person. He isn’t really a good person either. He’s not cruel or kind, he just wants to get by… and he’s hurt and angry, and he wants to prove something to himself… He loved his father, but isn’t sure that his father loved him or if he was proud of him or not and that makes it even worse for him in a way, because now he’ll never know.”

”…We could love him though. If he doesn’t kill brother, we could…” Lanam said softly, hugging herself to Anara and closing her eyes.

Kes could sense it, her daughter was scared of Artem. Scared that he’d wake up and hurt them. She just couldn’t say it because she was worried that if she said it, then it might really happen. A part of the little girl maybe even wished her cousin was dead too, because she was so scared of the idea that he wanted to take her brother from her… Kes could tell that too. She couldn’t really help but tell those things.

The longer she spent with her family, the easier those things came to her. More for Lanam than for Tresit. Lanam was so open with her feelings, Kes had gotten so she picked up on them without actually trying at all. She had to actively try not to sometimes, but it was hard to be vigilant about it, especially when she was tired. Tresit was different – he was more closed off and hid his feelings more, so she didn’t pick up nearly as much from him. She supposed it was probably also that she was using her abilities all the time now, to stay connected with her wife. She could feel how much stronger they were from such continued use. She liked how it felt… even though it also worried her somehow too, to a small but not insignificant extent.

”We’re safe from him.” Anara told their daughter. ”Kes tied the rope tight. He can’t hurt us.”

Tresit got up and spoke. ”I’m… going to meditate now.” He said, turning and looking at the sleeping Artem a moment before walking outside.

”Brother.” Lanam said after him too softly for Tresit to have heard.

Kes got up and went over to her wife and their daughter and held them close, she and Anara both sending comforting feelings to Lanam just a little to help her feel safe and loved. ”Everything will be alright.” She told Lanam softly, and she could tell Anara was glad to hear the words too.

—————-

to be continued