“Spoken like someone from a long line of wise witches,” Judd followed.
Everleigh couldn’t tell if it was a joke or a compliment. “That’s not all.”
Judd looked at her curiously. “What is it?”
“I think Jackson is right too. There’s too much being withheld from him. He’s a part of this and deserves to know.”
Jackson’s head was still looking down, but Everleigh could see the corners of his mouth turn up however briefly.
It angered his dad like she knew it would, so she continued quickly. “If he knew some of what was happening, he might not have reacted as badly. Or he may have said something to me over the summer which would’ve given me the opportunity to tell him what was going on with the witches.”
“So you’re saying it’s my fault he almost killed you this afternoon?” Judd raised his eyebrow at her.
“No, I think we’re all a little to blame.”
“I think there’s only one person to blame,” Judd insisted, walking across the room to a cabinet looking for something which he must have found. He walked back and slammed a pill bottle on the table, “and I think these would’ve prevented everything whether I had told him or not.”
Jackson partially stood and pulled his chair to the table. He picked up the bottle of pills and looked at them with disgust. “Dad, if I promise to start taking these again, will you tell me what’s going on? Tell us?”
“Oh, we’re striking deals now, is that it?” Judd retorted. “Boy, I just want to know you’re safe. That’s all that matters to me,” he said softly. “I will do whatever you want if it means you will start taking those again.”
Everleigh could tell this wasn’t easy for him by the look on his face, but she didn’t have to see that to know how hard it was. These pills had long been a source of grief for Jackson. He had hated them since the first day his father gave him one. They worked perfectly for what they were supposed to do. The pills kept him subdued, so he never had to worry about losing control like he did earlier. The side effects weren’t always worth the benefit of them.
They made him sick to his stomach which is not good given the amount of calories he has to consume a day with his high metabolism. Food is by and large Jackson’s main thrill in life. It has been since around junior high. All he does is eat, talk about food, buy food, and dream about food. Everleigh used to tease that the only time a woman turned his head was if she were eating or cooking. With the pills, he still needed to eat vast quantities, but it made him sick. Took the joy out of it.
It dulled all of his emotions too not just the ones that needed to be tamed. His personality definitely suffered from the effects of the medication. Jackson was not the same happy, prank pulling, jokester he usually was when he was on them. When he first started taking them, Everleigh loved it. Made her life a little easier not always putting up with his shenanigans. It didn’t take long before she wanted her old friend back, and she has always felt guilty about her initial response.
It wasn’t until he was in college before his dad let him start weaning off them slowly. Jackson had to learn to meditate, had to practice breathing exercises, and he even joined a gym to release the energy in a healthy way. Eventually, his dad caved, and Jackson had been medication free for over a year. He was back to his usual self as far his personality was concerned, and Everleigh couldn’t be happier dealing with everything that boy tried to pull constantly.
The only reason he was even considering them now is because of what he did earlier. It didn’t matter that he didn’t remember it, and Everleigh thought it was better that he didn’t. Just knowing what he almost did was enough for Jackson to go back on the medication. If his dad hadn’t brought it up, he probably would’ve done it on his own. Everleigh was sure of it.
“Do I start now?” he asked.
There was a softness that came over Judd’s face. Everleigh saw it plain as day. As hard as he was, he truly loved his son.
“You always took them before bed, didn’t you? They made you sleepy.”
“Yeah,” he looked at his dad. “I just wasn’t sure if I should with, you know, the tranquilizers.”
Judd chuckled and said, “You know as well as I do your body has probably already flushed most of them from your system.”
Jackson slowly nodded then opened the bottle and popped a pill in his mouth swallowing it immediately. He looked off and sadness filled his eyes.
“It’s just temporary, Jackson,” Everleigh tried to help.
“Yeah, boy. Just until you get your wits about you again.”
“Whatever,” Jackson scoffed. “I did my part. It’s time for you to do yours.”
Judd nodded slowly and inhaled deep. “Yeah, I suppose I can’t keep it from you much longer. What has Eloise told you?” he asked Everleigh.
“Not much,” she answered, leaning in eager to learn herself.
“That tells me nothing,” Judd sounded annoyed.
“I saw into her pendant one day,” Everleigh began.
“She showed you that?” Judd’s surprise was immense. “Really?”
“You know?”
“Of course I know. I’ve been around awhile,” he looked offended. “There’s not a whole lot I don’t know.”
“What are the two of you talking about?” Jackson looked lost.
Everleigh had planned on telling them both about the necklace at once. When Judd let it out that he knew about it, she had forgotten about Jackson. “You know that necklace my grandma always wears?”
“Think of it like a crystal ball,” Judd cut her off again then looked her in the eye. “Continue. What did you see?”
Everleigh shuddered remembering the image that had been reflected inside of it. “It looked like a hurricane. Well, like the images you see on the news. The eye surrounded by the swirl of clouds.”
They both nodded to acknowledge they knew what she meant.
“It was like that, only…”
“Only what,” Jackson asked.
“It was filled with Elementals. I could see all four of them represented.”
“Hmm,” Judd gripped the broken back of the chair again and leaned forward. “How did you recognize Air?”
Everleigh realized he had a point and didn’t have an answer to give him.
“I get what you’re saying. There are ways to represent most of the Elemental groups, but Air? That’s a different story. I’m just curious how you knew it was them.”
“I…I guess I don’t,” she stammered. “I clearly saw Earth, Fire and Water, but the rest were just…I don’t know…normal looking? Their heads did appear to glow when I saw them which made me think it was a third eye reference, but looking back… I’m not sure it was a glow. It could’ve been the distorted picture coming through the pendant. I just assumed-“
“So you don’t know it was Air? It could’ve been humans?”
“Yeah, I guess. I don’t know.”
Judd looked deep in thought, and he seemed to be processing this information carefully.
“Why, dad?” Jackson asked. “What’s going on?”
“Before I tell you, I don’t know who or what is behind it. If Air was represented, it would make me think about ruling them out. Right now, I’m thinking it could be Air against the world.”
Everleigh laughed. As soon as the sound escaped her lips, she wished she could’ve taken it back. It was too late. The wrath of Jackson’s dad was upon her.
“You think this is funny!” he bellowed.
“No! No, I really don’t. It’s just that it’s Air. There’s only like twenty-five of them? What could they do?”
“It’s closer to fifty.”
“What is?” Jackson was growing more frustrated.
“The number of Air. It’s around fifty.”
“Even with fifty,” Everleigh questioned, “what would they be able to accomplish against the rest of us? Our numbers…each of our numbers…are much greater. It’s got to be what 100-1?”
&nb
sp; “It’s not only a numbers game,” Judd explained. “You are underestimating their power. Like Earth, their power is increased when they work together, but their power individually is considerably greater than any of us. The element of surprise. Their ability to change form. There’s so much you’re not factoring here.” It was obvious he had given this a lot of thought.
“Would you please back up?” Jackson sounded irate. “Someone tell me what is going on?”
Judd took a deep breath, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I think something is hunting us.”
“Us? What would someone want with us? We don’t do anything to anyone.”
“Not us, you and me, boy. Us, as in Fire. Us, as in the Elementals.”
“I know I saw Earth and Water too even if I’m not sure about Air,” Everleigh reminded him.
“It worries me that other Elementals will be in danger too.”
“Why?” Jackson asked.
“Why not?” Judd blurted out. “The Elements have gone through this before. Any of us would be stupid to think we’d never be hunted again.”
“Okay, so then who?”
“If not Air, I don’t know. Not for certain at least.”
“So you have an idea?” Everleigh asked.
Judd cracked his neck to the side and stood up. He walked to the window and looked out at the busted door on the garage. “Yeah, but it almost seems impossible.”
“Who is it?” Everleigh turned in her chair to watch him walk away.
“I don’t want to say anything until I know for sure.”
“Dad, you promised,” Jackson spat out.
“And I’m talking, aren’t I?” A flicker went across Judd’s face. It could have been missed if you didn’t know what to look for. He almost lost control of his angry. The Fire in him almost broke free. Judd had much better control of his alter ego than Jackson had ever learned how to do. A change in his dad wouldn’t have been near as terrifying for Everleigh to witness as she’d seen many times before.
The tempers between the two of them often made Everleigh wonder how the house ever remained standing. Tonight further reinforced that surprise. “Let’s back up,” she told him, wanting to diffuse the fight before it began. “Why do you feel the vampires are being hunted?”
It didn’t look like he’d been listening. He continued to stare off at the garage almost as if he was looking for something. Slowly he turned around to face them and leaned against the counter. He crossed his arms and took his time before answering. “The numbers are dropping.”
“Dropping? As in dying?” Jackson sounded alarmed.
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“You’re sure?” Everleigh asked.
“I’m positive. There’s no rhyme or reason to it either. I can’t get ahead of it no matter what I do.”
“What do you mean get ahead of it? You’re not getting involved in this, are you?” Jackson was angry, but Everleigh could hear the worry in his tone.
“Of course I am!” Judd acted like it was the dumbest thing he ever heard.
“Wouldn’t that make you a target?” Jackson countered.
“Boy, if someone is after Fire, I’m already a target.”
“Why would Air want to come after the vampires?” Everleigh asked.
“They wouldn’t,” Judd said simply.
“But you just said…”
“I know what I said,” he told her, turning back to the garage. “I’m just exploring all possibilities.”
That would be smart Everleigh thought, but it didn’t give much of answer to who it could be.
“I’ve told you all I know,” he said in a tone that implied the conversation was over.
“Hardly,” Jackson scoffed.
“All I have are the same questions as you do, boy,” he walked away from the window toward the doorway.
“Dad, wait!” Jackson insisted.
Judd stopped and glared at his son.
“Who do you think is behind it?” he pleaded to know.
His dad cracked his neck again and said, “I don’t like pointing fingers unless I know for sure.”
“Fine. So we know it’s just a suspicion. You’ve made that clear. Tell us who you think it is.”
Judd continued walking. “We’ll talk more tomorrow. It’s time to head to bed, kids. Everleigh, you’re welcome to stay,” he said from the bottom of the stairs. “Jackson, we’ve got a garage to repair tomorrow, so get some rest.”
Jackson bounced his knee and shook his head repeatedly. They were so much alike Everleigh thought. There was so much of his mother in him, but his mannerisms were all Judd.
“I hate it when he does that,” he said.
“Does what?”
“Keeps me in the dark,” Jackson whined.
Everleigh laughed. “I’m sorry. I am. But that’s all your dad does.”
“And I’m tired of it,” he insisted.
“I know you are, but he said he’d talk more tomorrow.”
Jackson huffed and crossed his arms. “Yeah, but not about anything I want to talk about.”
She knew how frustrated Jackson was. This had been Judd’s way as long as she knew them. It’s why Jackson wasn’t going to come back after college. He just got home and already his dad was keeping things from him again. It would surprise her if he stuck around, but she wanted him to stay. She needed her friend. “Well, think about what we do know. The answer is there if you look for it.”
He rolled his head back and looked through the floor like he could send daggers to his dad with his eyes. “Vampires are dying.”
“Yes, and I can tell you with certainty it’s not the witches doing it.”
“That leaves Air and Water,” Jackson said like he had already figured out that much.
“It has to be the wolves,” Everleigh stated.
That got his attention. He sat straight and looked at her dead on, “It has to be Air,” he countered.
“Think about what your dad said a few minutes ago when I asked why Air would do this. He said they wouldn’t,” she explained.
“Yeah, but you said-“
“And your dad said that he had a suspicion of who it was, but didn’t want to say unless he was sure,” she cut him off.
“I know that. Still-“
“So it’s not Air. His tone of voice was confident when he said they wouldn’t.”
“Everleigh!” Jackson said loudly, irritated she wasn’t letting him speak. “You said you saw wolves in your grandma’s pendant. The wolves are at risk too.”
“I also saw Air,” she reminded him.
“Or you simply saw humans.”
Everleigh knew he had a point, but she knew she was right. She could feel it. “The wolves could be there because they caused the storm,” the words came to her easily and even she was impressed with herself.
Jackson’s head cocked from side to side as he thought about it. “Maybe,” he said.
“Maybe? I know I’m right,” she said defiantly.
“I hope not.”
“Why is that?”
“I know what my dad said, but it just seems to me like Air would be an easier fight.”
“I don’t know,” Everleigh shrugged. “I’m going to head out.” She stood up and walked over to give him a hug goodbye.
“Wait,” he shot up. “You aren’t staying?”
“No,” she took a deep breath. “I’m going to try to get ahold of my Aunt Meredith. I think she may be able to help us figure it out.”
“Don’t you think she’d tell you if she knew?”
“My Aunt? Meredith?” Everleigh laughed. “Maybe. If she thought she could get away with it without my grandma finding out, she would. But, she does know a few wolves. It doesn’t hurt to ask.”
Jackson looked upset, and Everleigh felt bad about leaving him after everything that happened. “Alright,” he said, without looking at her. “But if you hear anything, you let me know immediately.”
“I w
ill,” she agreed, then hugged him before she left.
Chapter Seven
Anya’s belly had grown considerably over the summer. Easy tasks were now much harder for her to accomplish. Bending was all but impossible. It was becoming a small fear of hers to drop anything when Daniel wasn’t in the home near her. She would have to pull a chair close to use as she slowly squatted to retrieve the item and pull herself back up. It was a task all of its own.
Standing for too long would result in ankles the size of tree trunks. Most of her chores had to be refigured to allow for her to do them while sitting down. Preferably with her feet up whenever possible. Even sitting didn’t always save her poor ankles from the swelling and pain.
Sleeping wasn’t any easier. It was hard to become comfortable no matter which way she lay down. Poor Daniel’s rest was being interrupted as well. Not only was there far less room in their bed than he was used to having for himself, but her inner body temperature was that of the hearth on the hottest day of summer. She was sweating him awake.
It would do no good for him to make even the most helpful suggestion to her whether it be to help make light work of her chores or to ease their sleeping arrangements. Even the best spirited suggestion was met with her tears of failure at not being able to do anything correctly.
This pregnancy was turning out to be quite more than she had ever expected to handle. Anya had seen women who were with child many times while in the Spirit Realm, but she had never paid close attention to them. The human connection and draw to pregnant women she felt now was like an overbearing magnetic pull that she couldn’t escape. While she was interested in every woman’s pregnancy stories now, it wasn’t the case on the other side of the veil. Anya entered this journey of motherhood not having any idea of what to expect along the way.
Daniel, on the other hand, was much more versed in it. His mother had several children after he was born, and he had been old enough to remember the pregnancies of most of his siblings. He would chuckle softly at Anya and shake his head wondering how she had never learned about everything pregnancy entailed. It irritated her how he made light of what she deemed to be massive issues she had to face, but that was no surprise to either of them. Everything irritated her now.
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