by Allie Burton
I cleared the laughter from my voice. “Read the clue again.”
Xander huffed before reading the clue from the newest vessel. His brow furrowed in concentration, deciphering the hieroglyphics.
A tourist destination in the city that has to do with heat and flame. I thought of the famous monument built like a fire hose. “This one is easy.”
“Figures for you it would be.” The sneer in his voice cut my earlier optimism.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Obviously, you’ve had more,” Xander waved at the fountain we’d been standing and kissing in only moments before. His lips tightened as if trying to control his facial expression, “experience.”
I didn’t like the off-centered curve of his lips or the accusation in his eyes. Actually, it wasn’t an accusation it was confirmation of what he believed to be true. About me.
Xander glanced at the ground. “You’ve lived on the streets. Lived with this guy Fitch and a bunch of other kids.” He lifted his head and shot me a sharp look. “Are any of them teenage guys? Cause I know what guys want.”
A flame shot through me and I clamped my mouth shut. Last thing I needed was to have fire shooting from between my lips to signal X and the cops of our location. Xander thought I was easy. He believed I’d been with other guys.
My anger and hurt ignited like a combustible chemical. I jumped to my feet so I could look directly at him. “For your information our kisses were my first and second.” I turned my back to him wanting to hide the tears burning my eyes. “And the second kiss was our last.”
He had no right to think I was easy. I hadn’t said or done anything to give him that impression.
“Oh.” The word plopped between us like a single drop of rain.
Oh? That was all he said. Where was the “I’m sorry?” He should be down on his knees begging for forgiveness. That sounded more like Tut. In all the commotion, I’d kind of forgotten he was inside of me. That in itself was amazing.
Lest I interfere in your romance.
Romance? Heat flooded my face. Tut had witnessed and possibly felt both kisses between Xander and I. And now Tut knew my anger.
You have experienced my most precious and painful memories.
True. Through dreams.
The first few kisses were important. A step on the relationship ladder. Not that we had a relationship if Xander thought I was easy. To heck with him.
Loss settled on my shoulders. Tut’s advice wasn’t helping. I wished I could ask one of the other kids at Fitch’s for advice. I missed the noisy group, missed my bed, even missed Fitch and his gruffness. I might not trust him completely, but I was used to his presence.
But our quest was important. Too important to be halted because of a dumb fight. Just because our relationship was over before it started didn’t mean I’d quit. Or let him quit. “The other oil is hidden at Coit Tower.”
Xander got to his feet avoiding my gaze. “We’re closer to Coit Tower than Golden Gate Bridge.”
“Let’s go there first.” My feelings flattened. I didn’t have time to stay angry at Xander or to feel homesick. “But the tower is closed at night.”
“We’ll scout around the outside tonight and if we find nothing, rest until morning.”
How could I rest with harsh thoughts of Xander tumbling around inside my brain?
* * *
After a twenty minute walk, and a slow climb up several sets of stairs to the park surrounding Coit Tower, Xander and I paused to look at the amazing view. The lights from the city dazzled. The Transamerica Pyramid was visible through the fog. So was Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Aquatic Park where Xander and I had danced.
Across the darkness of the bay, lights from Marin County twinkled. A beam of light swept across from the tower on Alcatraz Island. I wondered how those prisoners felt all those years ago with San Francisco within view but not within reach.
Kind of how things were going with Xander. I could see him, but I couldn’t touch him. Now, I didn’t want to.
Except, I did.
Xander shuffled his feet next to me. He stared hard at the view as if trying to avoid looking at me. What would he think if I reached out to him?
He’d probably think I played all the guys. That he wasn’t special to me. Is that the reason he couldn’t look at me?
Because he thought I was cheap. Our kisses probably meant nothing to him and he probably assumed they meant nothing to me. Which was best. I didn’t want him to know my true feelings. I was tough and resilient. Finding the oils was more important than my love life.
I forged ahead ignoring the tension between us. “Where should we start?”
We spent over an hour canvassing the area for a sign of where the oil might be, if it was even hidden outside the tower. Heavier fog moved in obliterating the city lights. The air had that heavy, dark-of-the-night feeling.
Finally, Xander said in a tired voice, “I’m exhausted.” He hadn’t napped at the park because he’d found the shovels. “The vessel must be hidden inside the tower. We need to wait until Coit Tower opens.”
My shoulders dragged. I was hoping to finish this tonight. I wanted to go home and see Tina and Doug. I wanted to explain to Fitch what was happening so I didn’t have this shadow of fear following me. I just wanted to see something familiar. “We’re almost done and then I can go home.”
“I told you earlier, you can’t go home.” Xander sounded alert now. Sounded like he was dead set against me returning to Fitch.
Why?
It wasn’t because Xander cared as I’d earlier thought. If he cared he wouldn’t think I was easy.
“Why not, all mighty and powerful Oz?” I bowed my head slightly. I might have Tut’s powers but Xander seemed to think he knew everything. “Once we find the oils we don’t know what to do with them. Maybe Fitch can help.”
Of course I’d have to convince him of the truth first. Maybe I could demonstrate my power—on him.
“How would Fitch help? From what you’ve said he’s a two-bit thief.” Xander shoved his hands on his hips. His eyebrows drew together.
If Fitch was a two-bit thief, what did Xander think I was? Easy, and a cheap criminal. Fitch knew a lot of things and a lot of people. “With his connections and resources. He got me into the museum, didn’t he?”
“But I got you out alive.”
Who to trust? Fitch, who wasn’t at the museum exit or Xander, who thinks I’m cheap and easy. Fitch, who had contacts all over the city or Xander, who knew no one but the mad Society people. Fitch, who I’d known for years or Xander, who I’d only known for hours.
All this back and forth in my brain proved how confused I was…about everything.
I’d trusted Xander and he’d hurt me. Trusted him with my first kiss. With my heart and soul. But my feelings didn’t matter because I couldn’t stay with Xander. Fitch wouldn’t let me.
“I trust Fitch.” Kind of. He wouldn’t want one of his resources to burn out and die.
“We can’t trust anyone.” Xander’s statement underscored that I couldn’t completely trust him, either. And he didn’t trust me.
“Maybe we need help.” Desperation clung to me like a second skin. Two teens can’t change the world no matter how much power I held at the moment.
Xander plopped down by a tree. “I can’t think right now. I need sleep.”
“I’m not tired.” Too many thoughts in my head. Too many emotions in my heart. Too many fears of what could happen if we didn’t solve this puzzle.
Plus, the Society and X were searching for us. Possibly, the cops. Probably Fitch, too.
Fitch would be angry. Angry that I hadn’t immediately returned to him. Angry that I’d run around the city with the amulet. Angry that I’d joined forces with Xander.
I picked a patch of grass a couple of feet away from him. “I’ll keep a look out while you sleep.”
Except I didn’t.
* * *
Phone call to the
Netherworld—that’s how I thought about this call.
With shaking fingers, I pressed the numbered buttons with a mix of fear, anxiety and hope. I’d been lucky to spot the rare pay phone. My eyes had picked it out in the dark.
“Fitch. This is Olivia.” I cringed, waiting for his response.
“Where have you been?” His gruff voice didn’t sound angry. Surely, he’d blame me for missing the meet.
I beat him to it. “Why weren’t you on the loading dock?” The one question I needed answered before I’d trust him with any information about the amulet and the curse and the power.
“I, um, there were other people waiting out back.” He stumbled on his words. “I thought they were government agents.”
Guess, X and his goons might’ve looked like government spies dressed in black. Still, Fitch had left me at the museum alone, to get caught. “Why didn’t we have a back-up plan?”
“This was supposed to be a simple job.” Accusation crawled through the telephone line. “All you needed to do was grab a silly amulet and get out. Barely any security involved at all.”
Except the unexpected guard, the Society, and what I’d thought was some type of electrical current alarm, but turned out to be me receiving Tut’s soul.
“Why didn’t you wait for me? Hide in the park or something?” My voice sounded insecure. I probably shouldn’t have called, but I’d been homesick and wanted to check on the kids. I just wanted something, anything, familiar.
“The cops surrounded the museum. We couldn’t just hang out waiting to be caught. They know who I am.”
True. Fitch had a long record. He wasn’t fit to be a parental stand-in.
“How are Tina and Doug?” My voice cracked.
“Come see for yourself.” I didn’t like how Fitch avoided the question or that he never asked how I was. So much for caring about me. “Where are you?”
I glanced around the area making sure no one watched. The dark parking lot was empty. The building I leaned against had graffiti on the brick wall. “On the run.” From so many people I didn’t have time to explain.
“You need to come home. Now.” His demand made me wince.
“We can’t.”
Xander would never agree. And I wasn’t quite ready to leave him. Even though I was mad, he was right that we had to find all the oils. Fitch would only care about getting the amulet to his client and worry about me later. If at all. I might need the amulet in combination with the oils to end the curse.
“We?” His voice screeched. “You’re not allowed to take on a partner. Where did he come from?”
“Xander.” I quickly explained how we met at the museum and how he’d saved my life. I did not tell Fitch about the soul, something held me back.
“Get rid of him.” Fitch’s ice cold tone sent shivers down my spine, chilling like an internal snow storm.
“I can’t ditch Xander.”
“I didn’t mean leave him.” Fitch’s voice grew colder. “I meant kill him.” Fitch had always been mean and violent, but I’d never known him to kill a man.
“K-k-kill?”
“You can’t even say it.” His voice cut across the line. “Bring Xander with you and I’ll take care of him.”
Like the security guard.
I’d been a fool believing in a man who psychologically, emotionally and physically abused me. Believing he cared for me even a little. A man who took advantage of kids. Who would kill if the pay was big enough. Who would sell his soul. And mine.
“Where can we pick you both up?”
“I-I’ve got to do something first.” I should hang up, but I couldn’t make Fitch more furious. I’d have to go back to him eventually in order to take care of Tina and Doug. I wouldn’t abandon them. They counted on me. After we retrieved all the oils I’d warn Xander. Tell him to go to the cops. They’d believe him, help him. It was the best way to help the guy I cared about. Even if he didn’t think much of me.
“You listen. You’re going to tell me where you are so you can be picked up. I’m going to work on Xander.” Torture. “Find out everything he knows. Then, I’ll rip him from limb to limb for interfering with our heist. He’ll be cut up into so many tiny pieces, no one will be able to put him together again.”
“I-I’ll tell you.” I bit my lower lip to stop its trembling. “But not yet. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I slammed down the phone and ran. I only hoped I hadn’t hung up on my life.
My tummy turned and nausea swirled. Acid burned my gut thinking about Fitch’s threat. The amulet must be a huge deal if he was willing to commit murder.
It was like I’d been living inside a snow globe, not seeing the real Fitch or how he interacted with the real world. I’d wanted to believe the fantasy. But since my first heist, my fantasy had been shaken up. And now with Fitch’s deadly threat still ringing in my ears, my illusions were completely shattered.
* * *
The light of the morning sun stabbed my closed eyelids. Could I make the sun disappear? That way I could go back to sleep.
The latest dream haunted me because Tut had lied to Ankhesenamen about the sun god’s powers. The two lovers had worshipped at cross purposes and he’d set the curse in motion. The dream pricked my conscience, but I didn’t want to think about that now.
What’s done is done. I can’t undo it. Can’t un-call Fitch.
It is the lesson I have taught. Tut greeted me.
No, good morning or how are you? You kept your secret from Queen Ankhesenamen.
You now see the cost of my deceit.
I understood the cost of mine. Fitch now knew about Xander and was determined to get rid of him. Permanently.
Early morning grumpiness joined anger and fear. How dare Tut tell me he taught me a lesson I did not learn? He didn’t show me the whole thing, didn’t show the cost of his deceit. Besides, I’d made the call before sleeping, before dreaming, before his supposed-lesson.
And I couldn’t believe I argued with myself. No one understood the change in my life.
Not Tut. Not Xander. Not Fitch.
Maybe I should’ve told Xander my plan. Maybe it wasn’t too late to talk to him about my conversation with Fitch and his threat.
The morning dew shimmered in the sunlight. But I was perfectly dry. Of course.
Being dry didn’t mean I didn’t stink. I sniffed under my arms. A shower, a change of clothes, and a manicure would be lovely. Soon, I promised myself. My stomach rumbled with hunger. Neither Xander or I had eaten much yesterday. I glanced over at the tree Xander had camped under.
He was gone.
My heart jumped and slashed with pain thinking Fitch had killed Xander. But I was still here. Surely, Fitch would’ve taken me.
The grass in the spot wasn’t even smushed. Xander had been gone for a while. Had he decided after our argument I wasn’t worth the time or the risk? Had he returned to the Society? Or the cops?
Did he not trust me?
My conscience nagged. Guilt knocked me on the side of the head. He had every right not to trust me. Without his knowledge I’d called Fitch, knowing Xander disagreed.
I might’ve endangered his life, but I hadn’t abandoned him in the middle of the night. He hadn’t even given me the chance to warn him about Fitch.
Xander had been promised the world, literally, by the Society and gotten nothing. He’d gotten worse than nothing when Jeb left him on the museum floor to get caught. By telling me what to do, was Xander trying to salvage his pride? He wanted to be my partner, not my sidekick. By calling Fitch I’d betrayed him. In more ways than one.
Understanding dawned and my thoughts warmed a bit toward him. Then, I glanced again at the empty spot. My warmth turned stone cold. One of the reasons for finishing without Fitch’s help was to have more time with Xander and help him adjust to his new circumstances.
My gaze traveled around the area hoping I’d see some sign of him.
Nothing. Xander was gone. I’d always been alone in my life. But now,
a new form of loneliness invaded my soul. A deeper, more profound, loneliness.
A loneliness of love.
It didn’t matter that Xander didn’t return the feelings. Even though I’d called Fitch, I cared for Xander deeply. And he’d abandoned me.
Kicking at the grass, I headed toward Coit Tower. Maybe now that Xander was gone Fitch wouldn’t pursue him. At least Xander would be safe.
I’d have to get over him. Find the last two oils myself—
I stopped cold.
The backpack.
The bag with the oils and the information was gone.
Gone with Xander.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I ran up the hill to the tower. My feet slid on the wet grass. The chill in the air had settled in my bones. My stomach heaved. Good thing it was empty.
All my work gone. All the time and effort to figure this curse out gone. My normal life…gone. Forever.
The tower loomed above me. The white concrete tube looked like a ghost in the patches of early morning fog. A ghost I might become once Fitch learned of my stupidity.
I stumbled onto the concrete courtyard and bent at the waist to breathe.
“Olivia? You okay?”
I whipped my head up.
Xander stood by the small wall with the backpack slung around his shoulder. He held two donuts in wax paper in each of his hands. “I found breakfast.” He held one chocolate covered donut out like a peace offering. “Are you feeling all right? You look as white as my tunic.”
Staring, I tried to catch my breath. His disheveled hair blew in the slight breeze. A bit of white powder from the other donut coated his lips. A frown of concern drew his dark brows down over his vivid green eyes.
I didn’t say anything. Just continued to breathe heavily over my earlier fear of rejection and loss.
“I can tell you’re still mad.” He gazed at the ground. “I’m sorry if I implied anything. Because of your lifestyle…the way you lived…I thought you’d have more experience.” His embarrassed explanation calmed my breathing. “I guess I’ve spent too much time reading books and not enough time getting to know real people. Like you.” He raised his head and looked at me.