Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine

the drink, her face twisting with deceit as she lashed on a plasma bow.
“We had a visitor while you were gone.” Cance pointed to the body lying haphazardly across a table. It was Russ, Krell’s favorite waiter from the dining plaza. Blood trickled from his nose and his lifeless face retained the maddening effects of the relentless mind-picking pain phase that had murdered him. Cance pulled his head up to give his face an open-handed smack, jerking loose a handful of hair before dropping it forward. “And he had some very interesting things to tell me.”

Chapter Twenty-One
Never rest in the den of your enemy. Keep your mind and body alert, or comfort may overtake you, blocking all means of escape.
—Kimshee training wisdom
The Waterlead appeared deserted when LaRenna elbowed through the rear door. Her arms were laden with stock, the weight and awkward size of which forced her to take short, shuffling steps across the kitchen. Exhausted, she placed the boxes on the counter and collapsed on a high stool. Every fiber of her being screamed for the comfort of the bed. She undid her cloak and let it fall to the floor then, using the countertop for leverage, she pulled up, laid the change and receipt behind the bar, and stumbled to the storeroom, sleep engulfing her before she could do more than unroll the bedding.
Brandoff and Cance waited an hour before they crept downstairs, the quiet assuring them LaRenna was comfortably napping. As a final caution, Cance slid the storeroom door open and peeped in. LaRenna was indeed asleep.
“Well?” Brandoff was loud to the point of impertinence, bouncing thirstily, fists clenching and unclenching.
Cance pulled her head back. “Would you be quiet?”
“Yeah, yeah. So, she sleeping or not?”
“Yes, and soundly. She didn’t even stir at your screeching. Will you calm down? You get worked up over the damnedest things.”
“Shut up, Cance. You know I’ve been bored.” Brandoff’s plasma bow emitted a low whine that brought matching smiles from the twins. “Ready when you are.”
They pushed into the storeroom, silent as they took positions at either end of their intended victim. Cance nodded, gave a silent count of three, and watched as Brandoff sank her foot deep into LaRenna’s lower back. LaRenna wailed as a sudden nightmare invaded her much-deserved rest. She pushed up just as Brandoff landed another kick to her spine. The second blow careened her forward, smashed her head and knees into the wall, then bounced her back, bringing her face to face with her attackers.
“You!”
Brandoff pressed her bow into LaRenna’s temple, index and middle fingers spread to act as sights. “Don’t give me an excuse to kill you,” she said. “You’ve no wish to die prematurely of less than natural causes, do you—sister Taelach?”
LaRenna drew into the corner, choking back the fear and nausea that surged in her throat. “Taelach?” she gasped. “I’m not—”
Brandoff swung out with her bowed arm, the blow so vicious it tore open LaRenna’s jaw line. “Save it, bitch! I saw you and your lover on the beach this morning.”
Cance laughed at Brandoff’s graphic interpretation of what had happened. Brandoff somehow managed to reduce their final exchange to the point it sounded like some meaningless coupling with a prostitute, but LaRenna wasn’t ashamed. It was a simple, pure gesture and nothing could taint it.
“Now then, my pretty sister.” Cance swiped at the blood that had splattered her tunic. “I’m sure you know what these are and what they signify.” She displayed the telltale burn scars of the Branded.
LaRenna only nodded, hoping her silence would buy the time to slide her lenses back. Her phase was her only weapon so she must act now. Brandoff’s reply was just as swift, her finger sights pressing hard into LaRenna’s temple. “Don’t think so!” She grabbed LaRenna’s hair and pulled, forcing her eyes open. Brandoff focused on her and a sharp wave of excruciating heat raged down LaRenna’s back, so hot she bit her tongue to keep from crying out. It burned until she shook, steaming her insides, hurting like nothing she had ever felt, but she knew it was not beneath her own developing capabilities. A simple refocus of the energy direction sent the same wave spiraling back on Brandoff, loosening her grasp. LaRenna took advantage of the situation, jerking Brandoff off balance, sending her face-first into the floor.
ENOUGH! Cance threw a pain phase that was far above Brandoff’s. LaRenna grabbed the sides of her head as the sensation swallowed her. This power she knew nothing of and could not fight effectively. Every joint in her body was on fire! She choked then screamed, praying for it to stop or kill her at once.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” Cance forced LaRenna’s eyes open. “Your phasing is intense for your age. Your mentor taught you well, but you’ve never been in a real fight, have you, precious?” LaRenna stared up blankly. What good would it do to admit to such weakness? Cance took the silence as confirmation, clutching LaRenna’s face as thought pierced the pain. Shame on the Kinship for sending such a child. Though, I do bow to your superior acting skills. Your size threw me off for a while as well. Never seen a grown sister as small as you. You’re quite different, little girl. I’m intrigued. Cance released the mind hold, grip still firm on LaRenna’s head as the rest of her body sank to the floor.
“Sorry, little Aut sucker.” Brandoff regained her footing. “Phase-burn me will you? Let’s get rid of those lenses so I can show her what kind of phase I really prefer.”
“Yes, indeed.” Cance forced another phase, not a painful one this time but a sickening pulse of unwanted pleasure. LaRenna slapped at the phase but it held, twisting her stomach even tighter. You’ve pissed off my twin, pretty one. Not a smart move. She glanced at her double. “Little thing’s a fair shot. Bloodied you up nicely.”
“She’s not half as good as I am.” Brandoff grabbed