CHAPTER ONE: THE GARNETS

 Why was she here? 

The fire crackled, devouring the mansion inside out. 

The wood groaned and cracked like breaking bones as the dancing flames consumed their strength. 

Firefighters swarmed the scene, barking orders and spewing thick foam at the blazing inferno – burying the fire beneath a cloud of chemicals. 

No maids, no servants, no screams. 

Another crew circled around the back, smashing windows for ventilation, as the others cleared the scene, chasing away bystanders and redirecting approaching vehicles. 

One of the firefighters stood. Frozen. Disguised. Silent. 
It had already been twelve years. 

As the flames died, the sky darkened – light rain falling from the sky. 

Even through the mask, she could feel the acrid smoke mixed with the scent of gasoline sting her lungs. 

She froze as a hand grabbed her shoulder. 

“We have to go, Ash,” a sharp voice whispered in her ear. “Before they find us.” 

She inhaled sharply. She couldn’t afford to get caught when she’d been running for so long. 
“Fine.” 

She followed him down the street, away from the scene, and towards the Garnet children. 

Hot tears streamed down their faces as they stood frozen, unable to form words or make noise. She drifted past them, removing her helmet and mask. 
“I’m sorry.” 

The young girl glanced at her as she walked past her. 
That firefighter...
A flicker of alarm widened her gaze. 
Alexandra Speed? 

“Silver?” Her brother tugged on her sleeve. 

His eyes were red, and his face was stained with tears. 

The fire had finally been extinguished by the time the rain began to pour. He nodded towards a pair of policemen standing behind him. 
“They want to talk to us after they’re done with the mayor.” 

“The mayor?” 
She looked past him. 
Her stare froze. 
Alexandra was there. Talking to the officers – wearing her famous red coat instead of a firefighter’s uniform. 

Impossible. 

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She had to tell them– 

She stilled. 
They wouldn’t believe her. 
They’d never believe her. 

“I’ll be right there, Tim.” she whispered, forcing a smile. “You go on ahead.” 

He glanced at his older sister one last time before following the officers to their shop. 

She turned her gaze back at the burning remains of her home. 

But if the firefighter wasn’t Alexandra Speed, then... 
“No...” her breath hitched. “She's supposed to be...” 
She pulled out her phone and opened an old article about the girl who ran away. 

Dead for twelve years; body never found.  

They said the fire was an accident. But– 
Silver looked back at the direction the woman disappeared. 
It couldn’t have been... could it?  

Ashlynn Speed was still alive. And she killed the Garnets. 

*** 

It had been two weeks since the fire. 
The park was bustling, vibrant and full of joy – until the whispers began. 

“They’re so strange...” 
“I heard they came out of nowhere.” 
“Who are they?” 
“Twins and quadruplets? What kind of dark magic is this?” 

James sighed and leaned against the bench, throwing his head back. 

It had been one month since he and his sisters arrived and two weeks since Silver and Tim moved in with them, but rumours were still spiralling. 

Not even the Garnet fire had been enough to divert people’s attention from him and his siblings. 

He glanced back at his younger sisters. 
Quadruplets. 
It didn’t matter that they were carbon copies of each other, their hair always set them apart. 

Scarlet was the eldest. Her hair matched her personality; dark with tips of crimson and a hint of fire – as if ready to ignite into a blazing inferno if she lost her temper. 

Violet was second. Her inky-black hair faded into lush lavender at the ends, reflecting her bubbly nature and friendliness. She and Scarlet were petting their puppy, Prince, who barked joyfully at the two girls. 

Sage was the third oldest and the quietest out of the four. Her sleek, black hair was streaked with shades of green. Despite mirroring her love for nature, it also reflected her talent for deception; always concealing the truth of any matter. She sat by her other sisters, peacefully flipping through her book like she wasn’t plotting three different betrayals. 

Blue was the youngest. Her hair was just as dark as her other sisters, and she was just as mischievous. She stroked Fluff, her white rabbit, quietly contributing to her sisters’ conversations without taking her eyes off her rabbit. 

He raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t like Blue to keep still. 

He ran a hand through his midnight hair. 
He and Cherry had already explained to the quadruplets why they changed their names, but Blue insisted on being called by her childhood nickname instead of Crystal. 

“So,” his twin yawned, interrupting his chain of thoughts. “When are we going to go home again?” 

“Just as soon as they get tired,” James drew in a sharp breath. “They’ll overwhelm poor Silver and Tim with that much energy.” 

“Really?” Cherry chuckled, shuffling in her seat. “How long until they get used to them?” 

James shrugged. 
“A few months to never? It’s already been two weeks since they started living with us.” 

Cherry crossed her arms, glancing back at their sisters – her expression shifting from amusement to concern. 
“Why did we make them do it?” 

“Do what, Cher?” James asked, already certain of her reply. 

“Give it up,” Cherry answered. “Give up their names, their powers, even the right to be who they were born to be – everything that made them the Gemstones.” 

“You speak as if we did not give up everything we were as well...” James’ eyes darted to the floor. 

“We could have gone to our grandmother–” 

“The same grandmother who abandoned our mother?” James snapped. “God knows how that would end up.” 

“Brother–” 

“No, Sister.” James shifted in his seat. “This was the only way.” 

Cherry exhaled sharply. 
“Fine. Just don’t pretend it was the noble thing to do when it was nothing but cowardice.” 

They turned their gaze back at their sisters, who seemed to not notice the tension between the twins. 

*** 

Scarlet cocked her head as she looked back at the twins who had been staring at them for a while. 
“They’re sad.” 

“Don’t–” Sage warned. “James told us not to.” 

“But if they’re feeling disappointed, shouldn’t we do something about it?” Violet interjected. 

Sage shrugged. 
“They still want to believe our parents are alive. That’s just denial – not disappointment.” 

“Besides, they’re taking it out on us,” Blue added. 

Sage grinned mischievously. 
“I say we go on a rampage and tear the city down to make a point.” 

Scarlet inhaled sharply. 
“That would break at least ten of their precious rules.” 

Sage glanced upward with exasperation. 
“Fine.” 

“Then, we can spend our time productively.” Violet suggested. “How about we try and make some new friends before school starts? That might bring the twins some peace of mind.” 

“Uhm...” Blue tipped her head slightly, flashing an artificial smile. “Why not?” 

Sage heaved a breath. 
“Didn't the twins tell us to stay put?” 

Violet averted her gaze and whistled. 
“But if we’re going to start school, we should at least make some connections.” 

“Besides, it’s finally our chance to be normal.” Scarlet tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I mean, I’ve always wanted some friends.” 
“Real friends,” she emphasised. “Besides, with Phoenix gone, I’m a little lonely.” 

Violet nodded in agreement. 

Sage stared at her sisters in disbelief before returning to her book. 
“Do whatever you want,” she grumbled. 

Scarlet rolled her eyes at Sage before turning to Blue – who had returned to being unusually quiet. 

Violet nudged Scarlet as they shared a worried glance. They both noticed how her smile didn’t reach her eyes anymore. 

It didn’t make any sense. 
They knew that out of the four Gemstones; Blue had the biggest legacy of them all. 
But Scarlet couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else she lost that night... 

Violet placed a hand on Scarlet’s shoulder and shook her head. They couldn’t do anything about it anymore. 

Scarlet inhaled sharply, looking past them to the pathway outside the park, trying to take her mind off her sister’s masked feelings – scanning the crowds for a friend to make. 

She froze. 

A young boy – about their age – trailed down the path, crossing his arms and staring at the pavement. 

Her lips curved into a soft smile. 
She didn’t know him. 
Yet.