If you have ever been kidnapped by a time traveling friend that you don't remember, then you'll know exactly how I was feeling right now. Diana, on Tuesday morning, had appeared suddenly at my doorstep and swept me away. She took me to the center of town, where all the fancy cafes and hotels are, and while I would like to say I put up a fight, I didn't because I knew in my head that if Diana wanted something, she got it. I was sitting on a veranda seat of her hotel room (one a lot nicer than I expected) sipping an iced coffee when I finally broached the subject.
"Di, was there a reason for this?"
She stopped, then flicked her hair over her shoulder as she looked back at me from the kitchen. "You called me Di."
"...Yes. Is that a problem?"
"No, it's just that's what Isadore used to call me." She said, evaluating me with those steady blue eyes.
"Oh."
"It doesn't matter, I know you are nothing like her. But that is precisely why I'm here. I need to know you trust me, I need to know that some things haven't changed."
I considered my answer. "I've only just met you and I don't know much about you, but I trust you. You've been in my head for a while."
"Longer than Arin has?" I could feel the under current in her question. Did I appear first? Was I a stronger memory?
"Yes. You were there first, but don't think that means you have a prior claim."
"Of course."
I took another sip, watching her as she messed about with magazines.
"How are you coping with the 21st century?"
"Well. I learnt a lot from the resources you have here. It won't be hard for me to fit in."
"Arin is having a hard time of it." I smiled, attempting to get her to do the same. "I have to teach him about all sorts of things."
"Well, that was always going to happen. He isn't me, Isa. I never asked, but I assume Isadore chose the members of our team because of our abilities, trying to cover all the bases. Each one of us has our area and we stick to it. Don't forget that."
I nodded, chagrined. "And... how many of 'us' left are there?"
"Eleven, if its true, as Arin suggested, Que is dead."
"What do you mean if its true?"
She walked over to me and sat down across the table, leaning in so that our knees touched. "Here is something else you shouldn't forget. Arin is dangerous, we all are. If one of us breaks, the others fight them to protect you. Show no mercy. Your problem is that, with just the three of us here, if he turns on you, there s no way I will be able to help. I can't combat his abilities. Then we'd both end up dead."
I suddenly had a whole knew perspective of who I was dealing with.
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