Echo Soul Seekers

ways you cannot imagine, and it’s time you learned the truth.”
    Dace pauses, stopping halfway between his twin and me. It’s enough to allow Cade to continue.
    “See, we’re not just twins, brother—we’re a split soul. Identical on the surface and yet very different inside. They tell me yours is the good and pure half.” He makes a face of exaggerated gagging distaste. “While mine is pure only in its darkness—evil to the bone. Though it’s really of no interest to me.” He shrugs to illustrate his indifference. “ Evil is just an unimaginative label used by pathetic losers who never accomplish anything interesting in their dull wretched lives. They cling to their false beliefs—use it to shore themselves up. Convincing themselves they’ll someday be rewarded for living a useless life of no conceivable consequence—while I’m doomed to an afterlife spent burning in hell.” He slips his cigarette between parted lips and takes a long drag, exhaling as he says, “Tell me, brother, do I look worried to you?”
    Dace remains silent, still. His expression guarded, though notably lacking the shock I would’ve expected.
    “Truth is, they can’t bear to see the truth. Can’t bear to face the fact that their lives are worthless, and their suffering pointless. So they exalt themselves with false promises—while wagging a finger at me. Idiots.” He laughs as though greatly amused by the folly. “Make no mistake, it is I who will inherit the earth. It’s my destiny. It’s what I was specifically designed to do. You see, our father, Leandro, is a powerful sorcerer who set out to make a perfect heir, which he did.” He runs a flattering hand over himself, the tip of his cigarette sparking and flaring as it works its way down. “On the Day of the Dead, when the veil between the living and deceased is lifted, he called upon some of our long-dead ancestors to work a little black magick on our mother. You and I are the result of their handiwork. Only Leandro didn’t plan for you. His goal was simply to split the soul in two—nurturing the dark half while extinguishing the light. But something went wrong, and he accidentally made you as well. For years we considered you a deviant aberration—an embarrassment to the Richter El Coyote clan. We thought you were worthless, of little value or use. Hell, it wasn’t long ago when I begged Leandro to let me kill you.” His gaze turns inward, as he muses at the memory. Returning to Dace when he says, “He was just about to give in, when I stumbled across some interesting information hinting that you are far more useful than we ever imagined. Turns out, you have a purpose far greater than embarrassing us…”
    He pauses dramatically, relishing the way he’s claimed our attention. And I can hardly believe that it’s here—the answer I’ve been seeking—or at least one of them anyway.
    Cade drags on his cigarette, squinting as he exhales a series of perfectly round smoke rings he pauses to admire. Purposely delaying the reveal, if only to prove he’s in charge. “As it turns out, you were born to help us achieve our destiny. It’s the reason you survived. You see, you … my brother … are the Echo.”
    I cast a nervous glance toward Dace, seeing him shudder, as a jolt of anxiety shoots through my limbs. Needing to hear what comes next but dreading the reveal all the same.
    “You are the Echo of me—and I am the Echo of you. We share the kind of connection I am only just beginning to understand. While I’m far too dark to personally experience this supposedly wondrous emotion you refer to as love —as it turns out, the love you hold for Daire and the love she holds for you allows me a sort of all-access pass. The Seeker loves you, and you love the Seeker.” He spreads his arms wide and bows low before us. Rising with a flourish, he says, “I couldn’t have asked for anything better! And now, thanks to a little smoke and mirrors on my part, a little tweak in your perception, you’ve not only seen fit to declare your love—but also to share it.”
    “You were watching ?” Dace rushes him in outrage, failing to stop even when Coyote lunges for him yet again. His razor-sharp fangs veering for Dace’s other arm, intending to maul it as well, when Cade catches him in midflight and hauls him back to his side.
    “Don’t flatter yourself.” Cade balks, makes a face of outraged distaste. “Trust me when I say I couldn’t bear the sight of