9. Micah

The air was crisp with unobstructed views of Junction City, a sprawling canvas of twinkling lights below.

I wrapped my arms around my bent knees and leant back against the gigantic dome of Variant Sanctorum.

Throughout history, Variants were revered to the point of being worshiped as godly beings, resulting in a full-blown religious following. Temples were commonplace and erected as sacred sites to allow believers to practice their beliefs.

Over the generations, technology naturally evolved, knowledge developed and the people's faith faltered in light of scientific questioning. Trepidation grew from what couldn"t be explained and which once was considered prime divinity, now made us the enemy, condemned as godless creatures.

When I'd returned to the Temple, I bypassed dinner and escaped into the secret entrance, up through the altar, willingly getting lost in the endless recesses and winding staircases. One step led to another and I found myself at the highest vantage point in the city. A lone soul sitting on top of the largest towering dome standing directly centre of the opulent structure.

I was a coward. I couldn't bring myself to face my siblings. How could I tell them I failed? The first obstacle in gaining redemption for my lost family, and I had chosen the sacrifice of a stranger too much to bear.

Psycho's touch was imprinted into my flesh, severe as any brand; a stark awareness of my unquenchable need, and also an acute reminder of my weaknesses.

The iron platform vibrated beneath me as incoming steps ventured closer. My Variant flared with a familiar farewell, sinking into my pores. A necessary sacrifice I would always welcome with the comfort of having Tanner near.

Tanner settled down next to me, stance casual, expression bored, his wavy brown hair curling at the ends. In public, Tanner came across impassive and indifferent, like nothing mattered. Like the world didn't matter. If only that were true. Tanner hid his straight masculinity and unpredictable malevolence beneath an air of aloofness, easily deceiving others that weren't intuitive enough to separate the two. He was the most dangerous of us all.And still, he remained—and always will be—our brother.

"Spencer's gone postal. You missed dinner," he said, his breath wafting vapour into the frigid atmosphere.

"I turned off my phone."

"Should we be concerned?"

"I just needed a minute…to think." A single raindrop fell from the sky, hitting my arm. I lifted a finger to trace it. "How'd you find me?"

Tanner rubbed at his stubbled jaw. "When you were younger and your Variant became overwhelming, you'd always climb to the highest possible location, seeking solitude away from others. Why do you think Spencer isn't here right now?"

I snorted. He wasn't wrong, naming one of the advantages of venturing high. Otherwise Spencer would have dragged me to the dinner table herself.

Despite the increase of intermittent raindrops that filtered from the rumbling clouds, Tanner remained steadfast at my side. He never pried or pushed for information. He'd stay here all night and not say a word, if that's what I wished.

With a hesitant inhale, I expressed my conflicted point of view. "I can't get the information from Psycho. He refuses to give me anything."

"There are other ways to persuade someone to talk, as you well know."

"I can't use those methods on him. I…I don't know if I can."

"Your feelings are that serious?"

My feelings were serious enough that they were already compromising the mission. I didn't want to admit the ridiculous failure, so I asked a question instead.

"How'd you know Chase was the one?"

Tanner had not recovered from her loss. I wasn't sure he ever would. Their love was genuine and all-consuming, and despite their young age the bond was real. I saw their connection with my own eyes, sensed the intensity through my Variant.

It was almost comical how such blissful happiness could be shattered in a single moment in time. After bearing witness to the painful aftermath, I couldn't help but wonder, ‘who'd ever wish for that?'

"Is that what this is with him? He's your person?"

"I don't know. My Variant has always led me true and never faltered. Should I follow the path that I'm being led towards?"

"Is it your Variant? Or is it you, Micah? You've never known anything other than feeling what others feel, knowing someone's heart before they even know themselves. What's in yours?" He pointed to the middle of my chest.

I hung my head, meandering his words. I honestly didn't know. My Variant was an innate part of my psyche. I'd never had to compartmentalise my ability before, the thought alone disconcerting.

I huffed, no closer to the answer. "I wish she was here. She could have told me what made her leave Reeds for you."

"Pfft. As if he could ever compare," he said, his gaze clashing with mine.

I laughed at the blatant truth. As soon as Chase and Tanner met, there was no other for her—her boyfriend at the time included.

Will I regret breaking Psycho to gain the information that I covet? Will what I receive in return be worth the price?

Tanner's gaze didn't falter from my own, his suddenly clouded over with memory as he unintentionally got lost in my amber eyes—eyes that were exactly the same as my older sister's, Chase.

A sharp spike of desperate longing escaped his form, quickly to be shut down again. His emotions must be severe if they managed to escape his Variant and ricochet into mine.

That happened occasionally. Usually when he was staring at me. This wasn't lust or want, more the yearning for his previous lover. Out of all four sisters, Chase and I took after our father and looked the most alike.

Tanner blinked and visibly shuddered, attempting to shake off the fragments of past tragedy. We never spoke of those moments, our mixed pain potent enough without voicing them into reality.

"What will you do?" he asked.

I heaved in a long, steady breath, succumbing to my wrought emotions, submitting to my shame. "I have no choice but to leave. He's unable to give me what I need, and I'm unwilling to use the methods to force the answers from him. I wouldn't forgive myself."

Tanner nodded. "If that's what you wish."

"Are you disappointed?"

"Each one of us has sacrificed so much to get here. I don't expect for you to give even more, Micah. Neither would our sisters. I don't want that for you, Chase wouldn't want that for you. Don't sacrifice what you find sacred, otherwise what you become by the end will be unrecognisable."

"I'll remain at Oakview until the Fundraiser Ball. Then I'll leave." It was an upcoming event attended by the social elite of Junction City. It would be remiss to forfeit the opportunity.

We remained in companionable silence, the city sounds drifting up to keep us company.

I eventually tipped to the side, my head resting against his shoulder. "I miss her. I'm sorry you lost her so young."

"I am too." He leant his cheek against the crown of my head. "But with her loss, I also gained all of you. I wish I was a part of your family with Chase by my side, however that doesn't make me any less grateful." Tanner drew an elongated breath. "There is nothing I hold higher than being your brother. It's an honour that I dreamed and came into fruition through the worst of circumstances, and yet I wouldn't change this for the world. We are the last remaining heirs of the King bloodline, and we will live up to our name."