The kids, on the other hand, have no such reservations. On closer inspection, I realize they’re identical twins.
I look up at their mother, who’s observing me closely. I half expect her to shield her kids behind her body, but she seems to contain herself. Her eyes, though, give her away. She sizes me up in a way that makes it clear she doesn’t trust easily. Good. She shouldn’t.
“Ma’am,” I say, keeping my tone even. “Asher Rheins. Damon sent me to assist.”
She doesn’t respond right away, and for a second, I think she might send me packing. Then the bolder of the two girls steps forward, tugging on my sleeve.
“Are you a superhero, too? Like Mr. Zane?”
I crouch to her level, offering what I hope is a disarming smile. “A superhero, huh?” I glance at Zane, whose expression suggests he’d rather swallow nails than entertain the idea. “Well, I might not have a cape, but I do my best.”
The girl grins, revealing a gap where her front tooth used to be. “What’s your name?” she asks, the unicorn bobbing in her arm.
“Asher,” I tell her. “And what’s yours?”
“I’m Emma!” she declares, puffing out her chest like she’s just announced her superhero identity. “And this is Sparkle.” She holds up the unicorn for emphasis.
Behind her, the quieter twin inches closer, her small hand clutching their mother’s jeans. “Ella,” she whispers, barely audible.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” I say, keeping my voice gentle. “Emma and Ella. Beautiful names for beautiful girls.”
Mia’s expression softens just enough to let me know she’s listening, even if she’s not ready to let her guard down. Zane straightens, stretching his arms above him as though exhaustion is finally catching up to him. I can tell he didn’t get much sleep last night. I wish he had called me up earlier.
“I’m out,” he says, brushing past me. “Don’t screw this up, Ash.”
“I never do,” I reply, watching as he walks down the driveway. When I turn back to Mia, her eyes are still on me, wary.
The twins chatter like sparrows as Zane’s car pulls away, leaving me standing in the front yard with their mother. I crouch to their level, meeting their curious gazes head-on.
“So you’re Damon’s soldier friend, as well?” Emma asks, her wide eyes gleaming with excitement.
“More like a secret agent. I’m here to keep the bad man away,” I say, glancing at Mia as I talk. She flinches slightly at the mention of “bad man,” so I adjust. “I’m here to help make sure your fortress is extra safe. Lead the way, please.”
“Okay, come with us,” Ella says.
“How about we play a game of Super Secret Agent Academy?” I say. “While we cover the rooms, Agents Ella and Emma will walk me through each one. We’ll go through each nook and cranny. Remember, no detail is too big or small.”
The girls squeal in delight, their earlier shyness evaporating like morning dew. “Yes! Yes!” Emma cries, practically bouncing on her toes. “We know the house inside out. We’ll help you!”
Mia folds her arms, watching us with a mixture of caution and amusement. “If you can get them to listen while checking the house, you’re already earning your keep,” she says to me dryly.
“Challenge accepted,” I reply, straightening with mock seriousness. “All right, agents, lead the way!”
The girls grab my hands, dragging me into the house. Inside, the house feels small but welcoming, with an organized chaos that only a family with kids could achieve. The walls are dotted with hand-drawn pictures, the furniture mismatched but functional, and there’s a faint scent of lavender and coffee in the air. It feels... lived in. Safe, in its own way.
I let the girls lead me room by room, turning every security check into a treasure hunt. They take their roles seriously, especially Emma, who seems born for leadership.
“Agent Emma, what’s rule one of perimeter security?” I ask as we enter the kitchen.
“Check all the windows!” she states with authority, moving to the nearest one and rattling the lock dramatically. Ella follows close behind, scribbling with a crayon on a notebook.
“Excellent work,” I say, giving a small nod. “Agent Ella, your turn. What’s rule number two?”
“Uh...” She hesitates, glancing at her sister.
“Always look for weaknesses,” I prompt gently.
“Always look for weaknesses!” she repeats, her small voice growing more confident.
