Atu smiled, looking like he already felt at home.
Kayla interjected. “He’ll tell you he doesn’t, but don’t believe him.”
“Look who’s talking,” Atu sputtered, making them all laugh.
Mrs. Jameson led the way downstairs. “So, what’ll it be?”
“Pizza,” Jaden answered without hesitation.
Mrs. Jameson snorted. “Some things definitely haven’t changed.”
The teens made themselves useful, helping Mrs. Jameson in the kitchen. They talked as they prepared the pizza, then ate, starting the lengthy task of catching her up on all that had transpired since their departure.
When the late afternoon sun curled around her where she sat on the couch, Kayla yawned and stretched her arms above her head. “I’d better get home. I’m sure my mom will call soon to find out where I am.”
On cue, her PAL chimed. Jaden smiled. “Now that’s a sound I haven’t heard in a while.”
Kayla grinned, tapping her CC. “Hey, Mom. Your ears must be burning.” She listened, then replied, “Yes, sorry, I meant to tell you I’d be hanging out with Jaden today. I’ll be home soon.” Kayla noticed Jaden studying her as she nodded a few times and murmured more responses before saying goodbye and clicking off.
Jaden eyed her. “Have you considered how you’ll explain your tan? Or those perfectly toned muscles?”
That last question threw Kayla. He sounded like he admired them. Flustered, she wondered what else he had noticed. He was paying more attention than she’d given him credit for. But was that all there was to his attentiveness? Then the meaning behind his question filtered through, and she grimaced. “Not the faintest idea.”
Mrs. Jameson cleared her throat. “We’ll have to come up with a plausible reason for Atu being here too.”
Kayla wrung her hands. “I had forgotten about all the lying—I hate it!”
Mrs. Jameson smiled in sympathy, the living room quiet as they contemplated the dilemma.
What else will I have to explain? Speaking of which, Jaden had some explaining of his own to do. Ever since they had left the tower, Jaden had been subdued. His mind was elsewhere, and Kayla wanted to know where. She hadn’t had a moment alone with him to make good on her resolution and straighten things out regarding her feelings for him. But she had sensed his depression lurking just below the surface. It had worried her all the way home. What exactly had happened between the time she and Atu left him and their return?
That thought prompted another. Until this exact moment, she hadn’t registered Jaden wouldn’t be with her tonight. Neither would Atu. But truthfully, it’s Jaden I’ll miss. It would be the first night they had spent apart in weeks. After all their time together, she couldn’t imagine spending even one moment without him.
Ziggety! I should’ve appreciated our time together on the trip home a little more. She smiled bitterly, knowing why she hadn’t. They were all too preoccupied with avoiding Gaptors. She wouldn’t make that mistake twice. Kayla glanced at Jaden, noting his glum expression. What now?
“Maybe Kayla could stay here tonight?” Jaden suggested.
Kayla almost fell off her chair. It was like he’d been reading her mind. She wasn’t the only one shocked.
Mrs. Jameson turned surprised eyes on Jaden, and he added, “Just until tomorrow—until we figure out a cover story, I mean.”
Kayla studied Mrs. Jameson’s thoughtful gaze as she observed her son. Yup, I know that look. When my mother looks at me like that, it’s like she knows what I’m thinking.
Jaden fidgeted under his mother’s gaze. Mrs. Jameson turned that stare on Kayla and then Atu. Clearing her throat, Mrs. Jameson said, “Now don’t shoot me down before you’ve heard me out.”
Now she wasn’t the focus of that stare anymore, Kayla relaxed.
Jaden was just as relieved. “You have an idea?”
“I do. But I don’t think you will like it.”
“Anything besides more lies, please,” Kayla begged.
“Well . . . don’t you think we should bring the rest of the parents into this?”
Shocked silence greeted Mrs. Jameson’s proposal.
“You mean tell them the truth?” Jaden croaked. When she nodded, he said, “Mom, you realize they’ll all think we’ve lost it?”
“It’s the reason we didn’t tell you at first,” Kayla expounded. “And when all the lies began. I mean, who would believe stories about hideous otherworldly aberrations, ginormous bats, and teenagers on a mission to save the world?”
Clara smiled. “There is actually a simple solution.” When they frowned, she hinted, “Jaden, you gave it to me today.”
Jaden considered her words, then grinned. “The ring! It let you see the gliders.”
“Yes, and if I can see them, then I’m sure your father and Kayla’s parents can too.”
Kayla looked doubtful. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to tell them?”
Measuring her words, Clara replied, “Do you think it’s a good idea not to? This last journey, you came home, so no problem. But what about next time?”
She didn’t have to fill in the blanks. Kayla could, all too easily. What if she came home injured? Or not at all? She nodded. “You’re right. They deserve to know.”
Clara looked at her son. “You’re quiet. What are you thinking?”
“I agree. Dad should know what’s going on.”
Gazing at Atu, Clara hesitated a moment before speaking. “How about your parents?”
Atu shrugged. “They already know.”
Clara floundered until Jaden placed a hand on her arm. She looked at the hand and then Jaden, then understood Jaden’s implication. She didn’t press Atu for an explanation, especially when it was clear the mention of his parents had Atu struggling with powerful emotions.
“Alright,” Mrs. Jameson said, “The sooner we tell the others, the better. Who knows when you must leave again—or whether there’ll be time to explain then.” Her face soured at the thought. But the negative emotion vanished, replaced by resolution. “I’m calling Sadie and inviting them over for dinner.”
On impulse, Kayla asked, “Is it alright then if I just stay until dinner?”
Kayla almost regretted asking when Mrs. Jameson scrutinized her again, then flicked her gaze to Jaden, and then Atu. She must know a bond had been forged between the three of them. But did she know Kayla’s bond with Jaden was stronger than any Kayla had ever felt? Desperation welled in Kayla when she thought of separating from him. And from his expression, he wasn’t too keen on her leaving for even a short while, either. Now what does all that tell Mrs. Jameson?
“Sure, I’ll let your mother know,” Mrs. Jameson replied, before leaving the room to make the call.
Jaden watched his mother leave, then swiveled around. “Anyone as nervous as I am about how this will go down?”
“Yup,” Kayla confessed. “But I’ll be much happier when I don’t have to lie anymore. Especially with all that could happen.”
“I hear you,” Jaden murmured, squeezing her hand.
Kayla smiled when peace settled. His touch always made everything seem so much better. Easier than it was, more bearable than it should be, more conceivable than could be hoped for. She squeezed his hand in return, hoping her touch gave him as much comfort. She really needed to have that talk with him.
The evening went better than expected. They agreed Mrs. Jameson would be their spokesperson, and she waited until dessert to drop the bomb. After their predictable shocked disbelief and vehement denials, reluctant acceptance won through, and the other adults asked Mrs. Jameson to produce the proof she’d offered. Mrs. Jameson led the entire group upstairs.
Kayla studied her parents, but they still seemed in a stupor. She knew the questions and comments would rain down as soon as their daze lifted.
Mrs. Jameson snuck a glance at Jaden. “Will they be there?”
“Probably, but it’s possible they only sense it when we’re in danger. I gue
ss we’ll find out.”
Kayla saw her parents exchange looks when they overheard the conversation. We’ll all find out soon enough.
The group fanned out onto the Jameson’s rooftop landing site. A pleased sigh escaped Jaden when he found their gliders hovering near the edge of the roof. Then he spotted his mother’s face. “Mom, what’s wrong?”
Clara almost wailed. “I can’t see them!”
Jaden frowned. “They’re right there. You should . . .” His voice trailed off as he thought of something.
Sliding the relic stone his mother had returned off his finger and onto hers, it confirmed his suspicion when his mother’s face brightened. Jaden’s didn’t.
“Something wrong?” Kayla asked.
Jaden shrugged. “No—just another puzzle. While my Gran only had to wear the ring once for the gliders to remain visible to her, it seems my mom has to be wearing the ring to see them.”
“Could it be because Ruby’s the chosen one in your family and your mom’s not?” Kayla theorized, more concerned with Taz’s distress.
“Perhaps,” Jaden mused.
Taz interrupted. “Are you in danger?”
“No,” Kayla answered, eager to calm her glider now that she understood Taz’s concern.
Taz relaxed. “We sensed you needed us.”
“We do.” Jaden outlined the discussion that afternoon, culminating in the evening dinner and why the gliders had sensed their voyagers’ need for them. He pointed out the other adults in the party, and the gliders eyed them with curiosity.
“You look like your mother,” Taz commented, zipping her gaze between Kayla and Sadie.
“So everyone keeps telling me.” Kayla studied her mother, squinting as she tried to find the resemblance. All the adults except Mrs. Jameson were whipping their heads around, peering into the surrounding air, their expressions a mixture of dread and anticipation. They’d figured out the teens were talking to their gliders. However, their inability to see them with their own eyes was making them edgy. It was time to break the ice.
Kayla strolled over to her mother. “Here, Mom, why don’t you go first? Let me introduce you to Taz, my glider.” Taking her mother’s hand, Kayla transferred the relic stone from her finger onto her mother’s. She wondered why the ring hadn’t jumped as it had with Sven but dismissed it as a question she could rationalize later. She knew exactly when Taz and the others became visible to her mother.
Sadie Melmique took an involuntary step backwards. “Oh, my! They’re huge!”
The teens cackled. Mrs. Melmique’s stunned countenance was priceless. And the mixture of emotions playing on the dads’ faces was just as comical.
“What were you expecting?” Kayla teased. “We travel on their backs, and we’re not toddlers anymore.”
If her mother heard, she didn’t respond. Enthralled by the splendid creatures floating in front of her, Sadie Melmique ogled them, not bothering to hide her awe. When she realized they were waiting for her, she cleared her throat. “Uh, hello, I’m Kayla’s mother, Sadie.”
Taz smiled. “I’m Tazanna. They paired me with your daughter. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’ve raised quite a fighter.”
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears, and Kayla understood her mom had been hoping all that Clara Jameson had shared with them was a horrible hoax. But the proof was irrefutable.
Composing herself, Sadie replied, “Thank you. It’s comforting to hear that.” After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “It means your chances of success are higher, doesn’t it?”
Taz, discerning Sadie’s need for reassurance, gave it willingly. “These young people are the finest voyagers we could’ve asked for. They surpass all those who came before and about whom we learned before coming to your world. If there was ever a chance of success, it rests with them.”
Kayla sent Taz a grateful smile. She could tell how much Taz’s faith in them meant to her mother.
“Okay, okay, my turn already,” Kayla’s dad grumbled. He had been watching his wife and looked tired of only hearing half the conversation.
Sadie turned to him, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Don’t get a fright.”
He grinned. “You mean like you did?”
Sadie laughed, taking his jesting in the spirit he’d intended. Holding Vicken’s hand, she slid the ring off her finger, suspending it between them. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
Although he didn’t step back in alarm, his wonder was identical to his wife’s. Vicken Melmique whistled. “Now I know what all the fuss was about. Wow!”
Taz smiled. “Thank you. I am Tazanna, your daughter’s glider.”
“And I am most relieved to meet you. Those teeth and claws look like very effective weapons.”
Taz laughed in delight. “They are. But your daughter has a few weapons of her own that are just as fatal.”
They talked for a few minutes, Taz reassuring Vicken of his daughter’s abilities and Vicken passing out compliments like candy. He realized Ty was still waiting for his turn. Turning to him, Vicken said, “Ty, put the ring on. You’ve got to see this!”
Ty Jameson smiled at his wife, who was eyeing him. “It’ll be alright. What’s scarier than hearing your son and his friends are tagged to save the world?”
Clara Jameson nodded. “You have a point.”
“So are you going to hand the ring over or not?”
“Sorry,” Clara said, surrendering the ring. The moment it left her finger, she looked like a child who’d had her favorite toy confiscated.
Sadie gave her friend an understanding nod. “I’d never guess we’d want to keep looking at such terrifyingly wonderful creatures.”
Clara chuckled. “Yes, once you get past your initial shock, you don’t want to stop looking at them.”
They all laughed when Ty responded in much the same way. When he began conversing with the gliders, Sadie said to Clara, “Who would’ve thought so much could happen in the brief time since we met?”
Clara shook her head. “Indeed. It’s been quite the unforgettable few weeks since we did.”
Sadie giggled. “At least we like each other. Can you imagine living through this nightmare with other parents you couldn’t communicate or commiserate with?”
“Inconceivable! It’s a bonus our husbands get along too.”
The women turned to watch their men. They were not only exchanging banter with each other, but with the gliders too.
“Yes, a nice, tidy support group,” Sadie said.
Clara didn’t comment, looking like she didn’t want to think about the implications.
“Sorry,” Sadie grimaced, realizing what she had just inferred. “Poor wording.”
“Maybe we could call ourselves a fan club instead,” Clara offered. “I mean, the mascots are out of this world!”
That sent them both into uncontrollable fits of laughter, the sound drawing their husbands’ attention.
“Having your own party without us?” Ty jibed.
“Well, we can’t let you boys have all the fun,” his wife giggled.
Kayla observed the adults joking with one another, aware Jaden was doing the same. Then his gaze swept over the deck as he searched for Atu. Jaden looked guilty when he realized their friend had disappeared back into the house at some point. All this time with someone else’s parents when your own were MIA had to be tough on the guy.
“You think Atu will be alright?” Jaden asked.
“Yes. He just needs some space.”
Jaden gestured toward their parents. “Unlike them. Considering the size of the download they took tonight, they’re all coping pretty well.”
Kayla gazed at them. “I think it’s bothering them a lot more than they’re showing. They’re putting on a front is for our benefit. Because I don’t think they want us distracted by worrying about them.”
Jaden accepted the assessment. “Let’s not disappoint them then.”
Kayla gave a vehement nod. �
�Yes, let’s not!”
Chapter Forty-Three
Jaden stared into the flames, curling around and licking the dead wood, shooting tiny showers of sparks into the air every time they hit a sap vein. But he was blind to what was right in front of him. His mind writhed with questions. Why had the Usurper called him Gatekeeper? What did that even mean—was it significant? What had Slurpy meant when he said the next time he saw Jaden would be the last time? Was he implying the person Jaden saw in the past timeline had, in fact, been Jaden and not just his doppelgänger? On and on the questions boiled, plaguing him. A quiet rustling made him lurch around. It was only Markov. Jaden returned to brooding.
“Dude, what are you doing here all by yourself?” Markov chided. “You’re missing the game.”
“I’m not up for it. That doesn’t mean you should miss out. Get back there and enjoy it.”
But Markov didn’t budge. Instead, he considered Jaden’s answer, then plopped down beside him on the log they’d dragged in front of the fire earlier. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
“Dude, don’t think I don’t know when you are neck deep in something. Tell me.”
Jaden shook his head. Where would he even start? He couldn’t tell Markov. Could he? What would Markov think if he suddenly spouted nonsense about invisible alien creatures invading with the sole aim of world domination? Jaden would sound like a total loon—unless he showed Markov their gliders, who were within easy reach should danger present itself. Jaden toyed with the idea before dismissing it. He wouldn’t endanger his friend. “It’s complicated.”
Markov snorted. “Nothing’s ever that complicated. Start with the simple stuff.”
“Like what?” Jaden muttered. Why won’t Markov just leave me alone?
“How about explaining your sudden trip to your Gran’s—disappearing for a week and telling no one! Unlike you, dude. You always invite us. Then when you get home, you’re even weirder, not calling us for another week. When you do deign to reach out, it’s not even so much as a ‘How do you do?’ It’s just, ‘Want to do a group hike?’ Don’t tell me nothing’s wrong. It’s insulting.”
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