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uncomfortable?” Studying his older brother for any signs of the change, Yong cringed as Tatsu rubbed the drying skin on his forearm.
    “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
    “You better start using this.” Yong tossed him a container.
    “Thank you.” Tatsu sighed, smoothing the Chinese herbal ointment over his withered skin.
    “You’re sure it’s safe? I don’t want anyone to get hurt, especially during—”
    “We have a little time left, and with Eve’s help, we should be fine.”
    “All right.” Yong dropped his aching head into his palms. “We’re messing with fire, though.”
    “If anything goes wrong, it’ll happen to me first.” Tatsu rubbed behind his left ear. “You know what to do.”
    “I know what to do, but it won’t get that far.”
     
    ***
     
    Yong ran to catch up with his brother as they raced through the crowded depot.
    “Hurry!” Tatsu leapt onto the step as the train began to roll along the tracks.
    Yong grabbed his hand and scrambled up beside him. “That was close,” he said. “I’m so fed up with moving around.” He plopped into a molded seat by the window, fighting down unease at the upcoming evening. Niagara falls—the honeymoon destination. Ironic .
    “Let’s just hope one night is enough to return everything to normal.” Tatsu settled in beside him and tucked the worn leather journal inside his coat pocket.
    “What if it’s not?” Yong stared through the dirty window at the lampposts flying by at increasing speed while the train gained momentum.
    “Listen, I promised I’d look after you, and I’ll do what it takes to make sure at least you have a shot at a regular life, even if I don’t make it.”
    “That won’t happen. I couldn’t survive without you, and I wouldn’t want to.”
    “Don’t say that.” Tatsu grabbed his arm. “You deserve a chance at something wonderful, and I’m gonna make sure you have it. You just make sure you take it.”
    “You can’t ask me to—” His throat grew thick.
    “Hey, I won’t debate the issue. Fate has chosen, and nature is running its course. Don’t dishonor me by refusing.” Tatsu pulled his coat sleeve down to his wrist, covering the drying skin. “You don’t need to feel guilty. Everything happens as it’s meant to.”
    “Grandfather said it doesn’t have to.”
    “He said there is a chance it won’t, a small chance .”
    Yong swallowed hard, anger rising in his chest. “What makes me so special? Why is my life more important than yours? You deserve—” The gush of energy amplified into a shockwave of heat through the rest of his body.
    “You have to calm yourself, now.” A subtle fear filled Tatsu’s eyes
    “What’s happening?” Yong gasped.
    “Remember what Grandfather told us. The change is fueled by energy. You’re getting angry; you have to relax.” His brother’s soothing tone helped.
    “I’ve never felt like that before.” Drawing in a deep breath, the tsunami receded, more so with every inhale.
    “You’ve just had a taste of my side. What do you think?” The corners of Tatsu’s mouth curled up and he settled back into his seat.
    “It felt—” He couldn’t find the words.
    “Powerful?”
    “ Yes .”
    Tatsu’s weary eyes lit up a little, and then he drifted off to sleep. Paleness swept over his light brown skin and the dark hue of his full lips faded to grey. His square jaw line held the last of the strength in his face.
    Sadness overtook Yong while he examined his identical twin. Born minutes earlier, he carried the wisdom of many generations. His role of protector was in danger. The energy transfer had drained him. Yong had to be more aware next time, more careful. He couldn’t let that happen again.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Cindy pulled up in the valet line of the Castillo Niagara Falls and turned off the truck. “Are you sure you don’t want me to check into a room to be close by in case…?”
    “Thanks, Cindy, but no. I’m a big girl.” She