by A. Kennedy
“I hope they fit and are to your liking.” He went to the door, but before leaving, he turned and added, almost sincerely, “I'm not as arrogant as you might think.” His wink at the end made me believe otherwise.
Chapter 11
“They’re gonna question who has been training you, Windy,” Ryan whispered low enough, hoping no one else would hear. We were in the backseat of the car heading toward the meeting. Up front sat Doug and Jason.
“Yeah, well no one has since my dad.” I tried keeping my whisper low, but I saw Doug’s eyes in the rearview mirror studying me.
“I know that, but you have to make them believe that.”
“Why? What will they do if they don’t believe me?” I replied in a lower tone.
“A number of things. Things that I don’t even want to begin to imagine.” His eyes bore into me. He really was terrified of what they could possibly do.
“Why do we honor this Society again?” I said a little louder than I should have.
“Windy,” Ryan whispered with a tinge of urgency. His eyes were wide and he shook his head.
My jaw set, aggravated. Doug didn't seem to notice, but Jason did. Turning around he said, “Ohhh, can I be in on this secret, please?”
Ryan shoved Jason’s face away and growled between clenched teeth, “Do you mind?”
“Sorry,” Jason smirked. “Just trying to break up something before it starts.”
“I don’t care what you’re trying to do. Back off!” Ryan’s face was starting to turn red with anger.
“Don’t make me pull this car over boys,” Doug chimed in. “I will if I have to, but you're not going to like what I’ll do.”
The car was silent for the rest of the ride. The tension could be sliced with a knife, and I was almost certain that I was the cause of it.
We pulled up to a closed gate, and from the looks of it, there was nothing around for miles. Lining the metal bars was a ten-foot brick wall that disappeared into the woods. Doug punched in a code that seemed to be ten digits long. With only a moment's hesitation, the gate creaked open. Before us, nestled in the sandy dirt, was a cobblestone drive to guide us. On both sides of the drive stood live oaks covered in Spanish moss. Driving under the natural arches, I felt like I took a step back in time.
“Pretty, isn’t it?” Ryan said. The previous tension had left his voice.
“Magnificent would be a better word.” I had seen landscapes like this before in magazines. I always found them captivating, but to actually see it for myself was breathtaking.
Ryan laughed a little before he stated, “No. That would be you.”
I blushed at his comment and soaked up his piercing stare. He was causing fire to radiate through my body. Unable to bear the sensation any longer, I turned away to gaze out the window. We were approaching a house that looked like a Victorian home with a touch of gothic style. Two huge pillars sat on the porch and supported the overhang that came out about five feet over the door. At the bottom of the pillars sat two prideful looking lion statues that welcomed guest to the mansion.
“We’re here,” Doug announced from the driver’s seat.
“Has the Society always met here?” I stared in awe at the three-story mansion.
Doug replied, “Only for the past sixty years.”
I nodded my head with a new appreciation. My dad would have had meetings here.
We walked into a marbled foyer that reached all the way to the roof. Two guards dressed all in black watched us. With dark sunglasses on, I was unable to see their eyes, leaving me with a feeling of unease. They reminded me of the secret service. The guards each had a gun at their side. Not meaning to, I flinched. One of the guards nodded at Doug and started walking away, his footsteps echoing on the solid floors. Doug followed and motioned for us to do the same. The guards took us to two huge doors that opened up to a ballroom. Chairs lined up in rows facing a stage filled the massive room. The ceiling was about fifteen feet high and had a massive chandelier with countless arms and danglers that illuminated the entire room, a room that was full – not with just a few Manipulators, but hundreds.
Ryan nodded his head toward Jason and walked away. I went to follow, but Jason grabbed my arm and guided me to another area of the room. Looking back, I noticed Doug taking a seat in another corner of the room. Jason stopped in front of a couple seats and motioned for me to sit. The room was chatty. I could hear people talking about the recent deaths that affected the Society, while others caught up with old friends. A tall, slender woman with fiery red hair and fair skin walked into the room. Her presence made the room go quiet, and every eye was on her.
“Who’s that?” I asked Jason.
“Shh, that’s Ginger. She's Head of the Society.”
“Oh, that’s why …” He held up a finger to his lips.
Ginger, dressed in a navy blue, sleeveless dress, approached the podium that sat on the stage. She smiled brightly. “Good evening, everyone,” she began. “I hope all had a safe drive here, and I am glad that all were able to make it on such short notice. We have two items to discuss, but first I would like to deliver some good news. As you are aware, we have a long lost member that is here for the first time.” Was she talking about me? “Windy,” my face reddened, “could you please stand?” Ginger looked at me and waited for me to move. Apparently, I waited too long because Ginger said again, “Windy Gale, will you please stand.”
Jason nudged me, encouraging me to stand up. I tried my best to block everyone else out as I stood, but I found the task challenging. I could feel their eyes on me. “Thank you, darling. Now, everyone, this is Windy. She is the one and only daughter of Darren Gale.” Hearing my dad’s name sent chills through my body and a gasp from everyone else. “Windy, will you come up here on stage with me?”
I could tell by the tone of her voice she wasn’t asking me a question, and my only option was to go stand next to her. My legs wobbled and shook. With each step, I felt my heart beat harder, threatening to leave my chest. I was vulnerable and was bracing for an attack, whether it be from Ginger or the other Manipulators. Standing next to Ginger at the podium, I could see the smug grin on her face. “Windy, will you please give a small demonstration of what you can do for the Society.”
“Okay.” I lifted my hands and concentrated. I imagined a gust of wind blowing through the ballroom. Nothing. Everyone looked amused, everyone except Ginger. I closed my eyes and blocked everyone out. I pictured myself on the beach with my dad. I started twirling my hands. I felt prickles on my skin. Opening my eyes, I noticed the chandelier slightly swaying.
“Is that all you can do my dear?” Ginger said, disgusted.
“I can do more. I’m just nervous is all.”
I heard laughter coming from the onlookers, but Ginger wasn't laughing. She reached out and put her hand on my shoulder, “Oh darling, you don’t have time to be nervous.” She smiled a smile that was anything but welcoming. “Now show us what you can do, and it better be more than moving the chandelier a little.”
“What do you expect me to do?” I said, annoyed.
I saw the flames ignite in Ginger's brown eyes, and I could have sworn that her hair was flowing lava. She leaned close to me and in a low whisper said, “I ask the questions. Now, show me something better than what you just did. I know you can.”
I closed my eyes and tried to make a huge gust pass through the room, but I couldn't. Embarrassed, I opened my eyes and looked at all the people watching, intently waiting for something, but what? My roaming eyes lingered on Ryan. He was holding up a glass of water and I knew what I needed to do. “I can do better than that, but I need help.”
She smirked, “Okay, what kind of help do you need?”
“I need someone else to make a pattern.”
She tilted her head to the side trying to figure out my next move. “How is that going to help you?”
I tried not to let her words get to me. “I will be able to change their pattern.” Another gasp from th
e Society let me know they were not used to surprises.
Ginger laughed, “I’ll be delighted to.” She reached under the podium and grabbed a lighter. She flicked it and a flame appeared. The flame then grew outward and stretched toward her hand and then up her arm. The flames didn't burn her, and she seemed pleased to be showing off. “So when are you going to alter my pattern?” She asked with a smirk.
“In just a moment.” I twirled my finger, pulling the air to me. I could feel the power surging through the room. Not just mine, but I could feel Ginger's too and hers came with a heat that startled me. Pointing my finger toward her blazing arm, I felt the wind whoosh by and extinguish the flame. The room went silent.
Ginger’s chin dropped a bit in shock, and then she looked at me and narrowed her eyes. “Who has been training you?” she asked in hushed threatening tone.
I shook my head. “No one.”
“You lie,” she hissed. “No one can do this on their own, so there has to be someone out there who has taught you to do this.”
“No, I’m being honest. I swear.” She moved toward me and grabbed my upper arm. “I haven’t trained since I was a little girl.” She squeezed my arm tighter. I could feel the heat coming from her grip. My knees buckled, slightly. “Honestly, I haven’t wanted to learn since then.”
“What?” Her grip tightened and I could feel her nails digging into my shoulder. “Why would you say such a blasphemous thing?”
I gritted my teeth, “How is not wanting to manipulate the air blasphemy?”
Her face darkened and she said in a low warning tone, “How dare you embarrass me in front of the Society. We will finish this conversation when it is just me, you, and the High Council.” Turning to the other Manipulators, she spoke up so they could hear, “You may return to your seat, Windy.”
I wanted to say 'yes, your majesty' because I felt like I was being dismissed by the Manipulator queen. My hand covered my shoulder. The pain was still there, and I knew it would bruise in the coming days. When I reached my seat, I caught a glimpse of Jason's face that made my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. He looked white as a ghost. What could he be scared of?
The meeting continued, but I wasn’t listening. I was too lost in my own questions to realize what they were talking about. I didn’t understand most of the Society’s policies, nor did I agree with half of the ones I did understand. Maybe I didn’t understand because I wasn’t raised with the Society like the others were. Whatever the reason, it made it hard for me to want to engage with them. I was ready to go home, and not back to the cottage. I wanted to go to my real home. Go to my own bed and rest so I could get up and go to school and then to work like a normal person. But I wasn't normal. I was far from normal. Maybe Zac was right—maybe I was a mutant and a freak.
Jason nudged me to get my attention. I realized the meeting was adjourning. I caught a glimpse of Ginger, who wore a sinister smile and headed my way.
Ryan spooked me when he whispered in my ear, “You’ll do fine. Your ignorance to the Society might be your ticket out of this one.”
“Out of what one?”
“Don’t worry. Just go and talk to them. There is nothing else I can do for you.” Pity filled Ryan’s face, and I didn't like it, just like I didn’t like the look on Jason’s face. Ryan smiled. “We’ll see you on the back patio. They always have a big dinner after every meeting.” I watched as Ryan and Jason left the room. I was alone, and I was going into battle with the Queen and her knights.
Chapter 12
“So, Windy,” Ginger hissed. “Tell me, if you haven’t been training, then how were you able to change my pattern?”
The room we were in reminded me of a small courtroom. Ginger sat at what looked like a judge’s bench at the front of the room. The Council, made up of twelve men and women, sat at a lower level. Six to Ginger’s right and six to her left. I was standing at a podium, alone, facing the thirteen of them.
“I, I, I don’t know,” I stuttered.
“Liar!” Ginger almost screamed.
“I’m not lying,” I petitioned. “The last time I trained, I was twelve. Right before my dad died. Since then, I haven’t cared to try. As a matter of fact, I tried forgetting all together how to manipulate wind.”
“Well, it seems you haven't done a good job forgetting. If anything, I would say you're strong.” Ginger paused for a moment before adding almost to herself, “Too strong.”
“I did without wind manipulation for eleven years. I was doing just fine until I started having these stupid dreams ...”
The Council started gasping and whispering “dreams” between them and other things too low for me to hear.
“Dreams, hmm? Tell me about them.” I couldn't tell if this news upset Ginger or not. She seemed calm and collected, watching me, anticipating my next move.
“Well,” I took a deep breath. “They are of my dad teaching me things that he's already taught me—they are more like memories.”
Ginger studied me. “And when did these dreams start happening?”
I shrugged. “Why does it matter?”
“I ask the questions here,” Ginger growled. “Did anything significant happen before the dreams, maybe something life altering?”
“I wouldn’t call it life altering. I had an argument with my boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend.”
Ginger arched her eyebrows. “So you broke it off with him after the argument?”
“No, we haven’t really made the breakup official. But since he threatened to kill me, I would say it’s over,” I said sarcastically. Judging by the annoyance on Ginger’s face, she didn’t care for sarcasm.
She gave a smug grin. “Windy, why would he kill you?”
“Because he doesn’t like our type. Or it could also be that I was a witness to a murder he committed.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them. I hated that I was divulging such information.
“And your boyfriend’s name is?”
“His name is Zac ... Zac Graves.” Ginger looked like she was ready to make fireballs and toss them at me, while the Council whispered among themselves.
“Your ex-boyfriend is our number one enemy.” She said the words like they were toxic. Her eyes flared, and I could feel the heat rising in the room. “You are a liar. You’re here because this is all part of his plan.”
“What? No, no, no,” I shook my head as hard as I could. “I’m not part of his plan. I ran away from him. He threatened to kill me—” I figured she would have known what brought me here. Doug would have told her about Zac. Wouldn’t he?
“Let me ask you this, Windy,” Ginger said with a grin that curled in a sinister way. “If it came down to your life or his, could you kill Zac?”
My heart stopped beating for a moment and then picked up speed rapidly. “I—I don’t, it’s not that easy. I might be able to. I’m not really sure.” I couldn’t give her a definite answer.
“Enough babbling.” Ginger’s face was stern, and her mind was made up of the judgement she was going to give me. “I’m really sorry that I have to do this, Windy, but you’re going to the holding cell until we can clear you from being involved with Zac.”
My jaw dropped. “The what?”
“Not another word,” Ginger stated as if she just swung an invisible gavel.
I wanted to laugh—she had to be kidding. Two men stepped up next to me, ready to escort me to my quarters. I shook my head in disbelief.
We passed through the ballroom and exited out another side door that led to a deserted hallway. We walked up two flights of stairs before the guys stopped in front of a room. I walked and turned to watch the door shut. I heard the click of a lock, and knew I would be there for a while. Expecting an 1800s dungeon with fire-breathing dragons, I was relieved to see a room that looked more like a bedroom. It had a bed, a bathroom, and a window.
Peering out the barred window, I placed my hand on the glass and felt a pulse on my skin. The wind wrapped around me like a comforting hug. Wa
s I a monster? Everyone seemed to be afraid of my powers. The thought stung me inside and began to fester until it made me angry. My skin began to tighten and I balled my hand up into a fist and abruptly put it down. The wind catapulted off me, shaking the room slightly. I gasped, surprised that I was capable of such force.
I walked over to the bed and laid down. Looking at the blank ceiling, I couldn't help but think of Boa and Ryan. Surely they would know that I wasn't leaving with them. How would they react? Would they be mad? Would they wait for me to be cleared? They seemed faithful enough to the Society and its ways. I closed my eyes Boa floated before me. Why didn't I see Boa at the meeting? I knew he arrived with us, but he wasn't in the meeting room. At least, I thought they arrived. Was their car ahead of us or behind us? I couldn’t remember.
The time was perfect to cry, scream, kick and punch, but the energy to do those things was gone. I took a deep breath and willed myself to sleep.
Chapter 13
I was looking into a pair of blue eyes that reminded me of the depths of the Caribbean Sea. My heart was pounding, and I could feel the nearness of the other person. I felt his hands resting on my waist, gripping me and pulling me closer. I closed my eyes and felt his lips on mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and parted my lips, allowing the kiss to deepen and quench an unknown thirst. His name passed through my mind. Ryan. I stopped the kiss and gasped for air.
I heard a man’s voice. One I recognized, but not Ryan's. “Windy, stop dreaming of him.” Ryan evaporated right in front of me. Leaving me standing, facing my dad.
I looked at him, baffled that he was standing before me. I stepped closer to him. He looked younger than I remembered, his wrinkles faded and his eyes smiling.