I am SO excited for this Chapter.
It's longer than I thought it would be so sorry (not sorry). I hope you guys like it and I apologize for any mistakes because I was so eager to get it up I didn't reread it fifty billion times like I normally do.
I hope you enjoy, I am eager to hear your thoughts & theories,
Love Daisy xo

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Chapter 34 | Unraveling

*

' I look inside myself,
and see,
my heart is black.'

- Rolling Stones

*

NATHANIEL

(8 hours earlier)

"Stop looking at the door. No-one is coming to get you."

Nathaniel's eyes flickered away from the door to rest again on the person sitting opposite him. The person, his brother, linked his fingers leisurely together and continued to stare at him, blue eyes guarded and calculating.

His brother.

Nathaniel wasn't sure if he felt like laughing or crying. Here was the person he had been searching for, seated right in front of him as real and tangible as the chair he was currently seated on, but his brother was nothing like Nathaniel had imagined, (or dreamt,) him to be. Nothing at all.

Tobias. That was his name. They were identical in appearance, but Nathaniel was quickly coming to understand that it was there that their similarities ended.

"Why don't you tell me something about yourself this time?" he suggested gently.

Tobias's eyes narrowed slightly. "Like what."

Proceeding with caution, he attempted, yet again, to figure out more about his brothers' situation. "How long have you known Aranel for?"

Tobias tsked and looked away. Not good.

"Alright then," Nathaniel spoke quickly in an attempt to cut off the outburst he sensed coming, "have you ever left this island? Or wanted to?"

Tobias grew still, his long fingers that had been fidgeting with the fraying end of the armchair ceasing their frantic dance. Nathaniel felt his breathing stutter a little as he tried to anticipate how the question would be received.

He didn't know how long it had been since he had awoken and been tossed into this un-consensual game of questions. At first, he had been thrilled to see his brother sitting in front of him, sure that their situations would be the same. However, it did not take long for Nathaniel to realise that he was horribly, terribly, wrong.

Tobias was the one who had ordered Nathaniel to be brought here, although Nate was unsure if Tobias had known about the means. Aranel had tracked Nathaniel down for him, sent out Jhaer and later the 'Circe' imposter to retrieve him.
Nathaniel was unsure how far Tobias was involved with whatever Aranel was scheming and it did not seem as though his brother was going to be forthcoming with the information.
The very fact that Nathaniel seemed to dislike Aranel so greatly actually seemed to be a point of interest for his twin, who, upon giving this information and receiving Nathaniel's crestfallen expression in return, had given him an odd look.

"Is there a problem?" He had asked curiously, ice blue eyes glinting with an emotion Nathaniel could not understand.

"There is," Nathaniel had replied, "Aranel is not a good person Tobias. She wants our Sister dead."

"Does she?" Tobias had responded, in mild surprise, "I rather thought she wanted Obsidian Bones dead, although I had heard he was taken care of," his blue eyes had glittered, "supposedly."

Nathaniel had been shocked and he missed the implication in the statement, "You know who he is?"

Tobias's eyes had hardened then. "Of course, I do. Are you an idiot? His Father is the one who brought me here."

"Zeus Gold brought you-

It was then Tobias had cut him off with a wave of his hand, "I don't want to talk about him," he had said, leaning forward in his chair with his eyes glistening, "I want to hear more about our Sister."

"But-"

"I said I don't want to talk about that!"

Nathaniel had recoiled then, at the venom injected in his brother's voice and the momentary loss of sanity that had contorted Tobias's face into an expression Nate fervently hoped his own would never duplicate.

Thus, Nathaniel had been answering questions for the past who knew how long. Occasionally he had attempted to ask his own, but Tobias was temperamental, only choosing to answer the questions that interested him. He was quick to anger too, and more than once Nathaniel had accidently trodden on a landmine, inciting his brothers childlike rage.

"I can't ever leave this island," Tobias said now and for the first time since their conversation had begun, his haunting eyes had left Nathaniel's own, looking past Nates shoulder at something he couldn't see.

"Why?" Nathaniel asked, his voice quiet and cautious.

Tobias was still looking past him, eyes glazing over a little as he answered. "Because she would find me." Suddenly his attention was fixed back on Nathaniel with disconcerting intensity. "She would. Our Mother. She would find me and kill me."

Nathaniel was momentarily thrown by the feverish certainty in his brothers voice, "She wouldn't-

"She would." Tobias licked his lips a little and his fingers resumed their desecration of the armchair upholstery. His eyes were still glued to Nathaniel's. "She would," he repeated, softer this time, and just for a moment Nathaniel thought he saw a flicker of uncertainty flash across his brothers face. And then it was gone.

"Tell me more about Circe." His brother demanded.

Nathaniel allowed the subject to change this time, although he placed the small piece of information aside for later. Tobias was afraid of their Mother. Nathaniel had only met her briefly and it had been emotional and awkward. Nathaniel did not doubt that his Mother had loved their Human Father dearly, it was merely her status that prevented her from acknowledging Nathaniel as her son. Nathaniel had felt sadness, but ultimately, he understood. There was no room in the magical world for human half-breeds. Obsidian Bones was proof of that fact. Nathaniel was happy to keep his status as a normal human; it was what he had grown up believing after all.
So, then what was it that made Tobias fear their Mother? Surely, he had not heard those words from the woman herself. Was it Zeus then, who had put this idea in his head? Perhaps to ensure he would not try to leave the island?

As he was mulling these thoughts over in his mind, Nathaniel began to speak. It was easy to talk about Circe when she was never far from his thoughts to begin with. Tobias seemed to like any information relating to her and so Nathaniel allowed himself to ramble, talking mostly of nonsensical things, stories of adventures and such from when he and Circe were little. Occasionally his brother would interrupt him to ask a question, but mostly he just listened, allowing Nathaniel's thoughts to wander freely.

Circe would be looking for him. He was sure of this fact. He wasn't certain who it was that had kidnapped him, he had been too tired to realise the danger until his 'sister' had knocked him out cold with a blow to his head that was throbbing even now.

The imposter couldn't have been Jhaer, so that left the person Jhaer had been working for. He knew the name 'Katarina' had been flying around, but he had never met the woman personally, so he didn't know her face.

Aranel was definitely a part of this, he knew that much. So, factor in this 'Katarina' person and that totalled two people that his sister would potentially have to face. And he was sure that Aranel would have her dragon with her. Two people and one dragon. Nathaniel did not factor in his brother as the enemy. He couldn't bear to, not until he knew more.

He swallowed, his eyes unconsciously flicking to the door yet again. He could hear noise from outside, although the sound was heavily muffled. It sounded as though they were close to the ocean, but it was difficult to tell. There were no windows in their snug stone room, no indication of night or day. He was not in a good position to attempt escape and his logic was telling him that for now, he would have to sit tight and be patient. He would focus on winning his brother over, it would be a start.

"Why did you stop?" Tobias demanded suddenly, and Nathaniel started, he hadn't realised he had stopped talking. "And I thought I told you to stop looking at the door."

"Sorry," Nathaniel ground out from between gritted teeth, before hastily picking up where he had left off. Even though he had only just met his twin, even though Tobias seemed as though he was not quite sane, the almost childlike quality Tobias radiated, whether it was the small outbursts of rage, or the brief glimpses of naivety, made it difficult for Nathaniel to deny him his requests. And although this situation with Tobias was so far from what Nathaniel had hoped it to be, there was an immense, indescribable feeling that rose in this throat, the longer he spent around his twin. He had found him. Finally.

I've found him Circe, Nathaniel thought wildly for a moment as a question from Tobias allowed a small pause in his talking. I've found him, but he is so ... damaged. Nathaniel felt a sudden rush of anger for the people who had done this to their family. Torn them apart, kept them from each other. Tobias had known about them for a long time. Nathaniel could tell. And yet his brother's existence had only become known to him recently. Guilt, pity, and sorrow warred with the anger in Nathaniel's heart. A touch of tenderness filled him momentarily at the look of innocent excitement in Tobias's eyes as his Brother replied to an answer Nate had given.

Regardless of Tobias's motives, Nathaniel could not hate him for bringing him here. I will save you, he thought desperately, drinking in Tobias's face as he answered another question, I will save you and we will return to our sister together. Tobias smiled slightly in reply and Nate, for a wild moment thought that his brother was smiling in answer to the thought in his mind.

"She sounds amazing," his twin breathed, bringing Nathaniel's attention back to their conversation fully. "Did she really fight Aranel like that?"

Nathaniel was hit with a flash of pride, "She did." He replied, leaning forward slightly as Tobias mirrored his actions, "She has fought Zalas before as well. She is looking for you, you know, we both have been. When she finds out you're here, she will be so happy."

His words lingered in the air for a moment, floating like a spell between them. Tobias leaned back slowly, sinking into his chair. His eyes glossed over, severing the connection Nathaniel had felt, however momentarily. Nate straightened a little, vexed yet again at the response or lack thereof. His brother's moods were erratic, and he never seemed to react to any of Nathaniel's words in the way he expected.

"We will see," Tobias murmured quietly.

Nathaniel had just opened his mouth, frustration curling on his tongue, when the door behind the two opened.

Tobias was alert instantly, although his posture did not change. His blue eyes merely fixated on the person who entered, Nathaniel gauging his brother's reaction before swivelling around in his chair fully.

"I'm home," the woman in the door called sarcastically upon noticing the two pairs of eyes trained upon her. Nathaniel took in her blue hair and was reminded fleetingly of Ambrose. Was this woman a water sprite? If so-

"Katarina." Tobias stated dully, confirming Nathaniel's suspicions. "Where is Aranel."

"You tell me," Katarina spat out irritably. "She was supposed to be back by now, I have-"
Her eyes suddenly landed upon Nathaniel and she seemed to edit her words, "information."

Nathaniel turned away from her and he heard her huff amusedly at his slight. He focused instead on Tobias. His brother seemed familiar, if not slightly sick of the woman, waving a hand at her dismissively.

"She will return soon. Nelonimi needed help with the other one." With effort, Tobias rose from his chair and Nathaniel realised again how skinny he was. Tobias was all angles, long limbed, tall, like Nathaniel, but sallow. Sunken. His shirt hung from his frame morosely, catching a little in his motion to stand and for a moment a small patch of skin on his back was revealed.
The pallid colour of his skin contrasted heavily with thick red lines that marked it, the raised scarring shining dully in the dim light of the room. Tobias's shirt fell back into place, but Nathaniel's eyes found the skin of his brothers' neck, exposed above the collar and he quickly discerned the lighter scarring that peeked above the cloth. He swallowed thickly tried not to imagine what the canvas of his brother's back looked like. Scarring like that could only come from the lash of a whip. Or a Dragons claws. Nate felt sick at the thought. 

"Tea?"

Nate blinked up at his brother who was looking down at him, waiting for an answer.

"Excuse me?"

"Do you want a cup of tea?"

The domesticity of the question almost made Nathaniel vomit. That Tobias thought anything about their current situation was normal caused Nate's heart to throb painfully.

Swallowing again, he tried his best to reply steadily, offering his twin the best smile he could manage, "Yes please."

"Well isn't this lovely," Katarina interrupted, flopping down in Tobias's vacant chair. She rested her head on one hand, her fingers drawing through her thick blue hair thoughtfully. "You two seem to be getting on rather well, considering the circumstances." She shot Nathaniel a wicked grin, "You should have seen your Sister when she realised what had happened, the poor wee thing was so distraught." She laughed and Nathaniel felt his hands curl into fists. Katarina, upon noticing his reaction grinned wider, "Oh so you do care. You know, you were sitting here looking so comfortable, anyone would have thought you had forgotten her already-"

"Shut. Up." Nathaniel hissed out, "You don't know anything."

Katarina laughed, "I know you mistook me for her. To think I fooled you, her precious half-breed brother, the one who supposedly loves her so much." Katarina's eyes narrowed cruelly, "You couldn't even tell the difference."

Nathaniel was frozen to his chair, her words striking a chord deep within him. She was right. Looking back on it, Nate couldn't believe he had been fooled that way. There had been so many things wrong with that 'Circe,' if he had just paid closer attention-

Katarina's form was warping in front of him now and he realised with a twist in his heart, as Circe's features appeared in front of him, what she was doing.
Suddenly it was his sister, not the water sprite, sitting across from him, but the expression on her face was cold, and cruel, and Nathaniel had never seen her features contorted in such a way, nor had he ever wanted to.

"Stop it."

The horrible Circe mimic opened her sneering mouth to speak, but abruptly a jug of water was upended over her head and the image of his sister melted away like paint. A spluttering Katarina was left, scowling up at a dark faced Tobias who was standing with an empty pitcher of water in his hand, his hand clenched in a white knuckled fist around the handle.

"Don't wear her face," Tobias hissed venomously, his eyes wide and crazed, "don't ever wear her face around me ever again."

Katarina swore at him, rising abruptly from the chair and storming off into the next room, the door slamming shut behind her. Tobias remained, staring down at the empty seat and it took Nathaniel a moment to realise his hands were shaking.

Abruptly, a kettle began to whistle from the kitchen, jolting Tobias from his trance and making Nathaniel jump. As though nothing had occurred, Tobias walked back to the kitchen, silencing the kettle and turning back to the two ceramic cups and the teapot that had been arranged neatly on a tray. The hollow pouring of hot water filled the room and a moment later his brother returned, placing the tray down on the table between them.

"Your tea."

Nathaniel gathered himself but the thanks still got caught in his throat on the way out. "T-thank-you." He managed. He wasn't sure if he was talking about the tea anymore.

Tobias met his eyes over the rim of his teacup, his expression unreadable. "You're welcome."

*                                                                                                 

ARANEL

The pull of the ocean was extra vicious today. As though mimicking the internal unrest that churned up her insides, the waves roared up the gap between the two rocks, spilling over the edge of the platform and lapping at Aranel's feet.

Nelonimi heaved her massive body out of the ocean, the now much larger form of the young dragon following behind her, sticking close to her heels. Aranel's voice was hard as she issued an order.

"Wait here, I'll be back soon."

Upon entering the familiar room, she could not help but pause at the sight of the second blonde head that had joined the first, seated by the fireplace. A slight smile touched her lips, one that she banished quickly as the second person turned around.

So, Tobias had succeeded. Or rather, Katarina and that human assassin had.

Nathaniel could barely contain his rage as he looked at her and Aranel expected no less, schooling her features into an impassive mask.

"So you found him," she said nonchalantly, walking forward to place a hand on Tobias's shoulder, squeezing gently. She didn't miss the look Nathaniel gave her hand, a look that said he wanted to rip it off. She snorted. "So attached already," she said flippantly, "you always were predictable."

Nathaniel opened his mouth to say something that would no doubt be horribly righteous, but before he could speak, Tobias interrupted, levelling her with a cool stare. "Katarina is in the back. She said she has information for you."

Aranel studied Tobias carefully. He was quite excited today, his normally vacant expression displaying more emotion than was usual. There was a slight flush high on his cheekbones and his fingers picked impatiently at the chair upon which he sat. She couldn't help but smile at him, despite his dismissive tone. "I'm happy for you," she murmured softly, so that Nathaniel couldn't hear. And she was. This child had seen enough suffering.

Aranel had found Tobias already on this island when she discovered it and he had never expressed a desire to leave, or a desire for anything really, in all of the times she had known him. And it wasn't as though she hadn't offered. Although, she had to admit, she had initially thought killing him would be a better idea. 
It wasn't until they both found out the true identity of the other, until Tobias had realised she had a connection to the family he had lost, until she realised that his existence could be used as a pawn in the deadly game she played, that they had truly begun to use each other.
Initially, she had tried to win him over to her side with love, until she realised that Tobias wasn't looking for a trade. He required no payment. He wanted nothing in return. He was a puppet that had lost its strings and was merely seeking someone who could reattach them. She had happily complied, but there was a downside. Tobias had strings that kept