"Max will be fine sweetheart," she reassured me and squeezed my shoulder. "She is in rough shape, but she will live. And Oliver is going to give her a potion that will make her forget this ever happened."
"What? But how is she going to explain this to her family? How is she going to explain it to herself?" I cried.
"Avery. Calm down. There is nothing else we can do. There is no other choice. If we return her home with the knowledge of our world, she could be trouble for us."
I realized that Moya was right. Someone like Max should not have access to this information. So, I just nodded in agreement. "Um, have you heard from Julie yet?" I wondered.
"Yes, she is on her way and should be here any second," Moya told me as she was searching through the kitchen cupboards. "Would you like some tea?"
"Um, I guess so, if it's okay with Oliver."
Moya turned and placed two mugs on the table. "Oh, don't worry about Oliver. He and I have been good friends for quite some time; he will not mind me helping myself."
"Really, how did you guys meet?" I asked.
"Well, once upon a time, he and I were a part of a very close group of friends, inseparable actually. Over the years, things have changed quite a bit, some things for the worse, some for the better. Oliver has remained a loyal friend for a long time," she explained.
"What happened to your friends?"
Moya was silent a moment, as she seemed to be choosing her next words carefully. "Well, we got older, things began to change. People began to change. Oliver has remained a friend through it all and I am thankful for that."
Just then, someone came bursting in through the front door. It was Julie.
"Avery!" she cried and ran to me, nearly knocking me off of my feet. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Sit down. I'll tell you all about it," I said and motioned to a chair. "Well, we heard that the sprites had kidnapped Max. When we tracked them down, it was too late. They had handed her over to a kelpie," I explained. My stomach lurched as I spoke about the creature.
"Hey, it’s okay," Moya soothed me. She held my hand in comfort and then turned to Julie. "Avery was very brave. Even after everything that happened to her before, she still managed to jump right in and save Max."
"Oh Avery...," Julie quietly trailed off. I could tell that she was stunned to hear of this. She looked at me, speechless, her eyes glossed with tears. "I'm so sorry, you knew something was wrong and I never took it seriously. How's Max?"
"She's okay. Oliver is taking care of her right now in the other room. She's in pretty bad shape though," I replied.
"So, has she? I mean does she...you know?" Julie tried to ask what we were all thinking.
"She hasn't woken up yet, but I’m sure she probably remembers everything. But, Moya says that Oliver can give her a potion to make her forget." I still didn't know exactly how I felt about that. But, I’m sure it's for the best, in the long run.
Just then, Oliver joined us from the other room. He looked tired. My eyes met his and he gave me a slight nod and then brightened once he saw Julie. “Child, it is good to see that you turned out well.” He smiled and Julie smiled back.
“I owe my life to you Oliver,” she replied. “Thank you for everything.”
He shook his head modestly. “Speak nothing of it, it was my pleasure.” I felt a little jealous that he was so friendly and polite with Julie. "Your friend is awake, if you would like to go see her before I give her the potion,” he spoke to me.
"Um, okay. Maybe I should see how she is." I stood up; my legs were all stiff from sitting for so long, they ached as I wobbly made my way across the room; today’s events really took a toll on me. My sore muscles, mixed with a bit of nausea, made it near impossible for me to keep it together. But, I managed, for now. I would crash later.
I slowly opened the door to the other room and peered in. Max was lying on a small bed with a pillow propping her head up. She stared at the ceiling with distant and empty eyes. It was so strange to see her in such bad shape. Max always looked like she had a team of experts help her get ready in the mornings, her hair was always shiny and her skin flawless. Now, Max lay there, beaten and bruised. Her shiny blonde hair was dirty and frayed around her face.
"Hey Max," I spoke softly and entered the room. I just stood there, unsure if I should get closer.
"Hi," she flatly answered, not moving when she spoke, just stared at the ceiling.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Alive, I guess."
"Max, I’m so sorry that this happened to you..."
She put up her hand to signal me to stop, taking in a deep breath as she closed her eyes. "Look, Avery. I don't want to hear your apologies. I just want to go home."
I looked down at my feet. There was so much more that I wanted to say, to tell her how sorry I was, but I just nodded and turned to leave.
"What are you?" she asked just before I shut the door.
"What?"
"What are you? You can't possibly be human with the company that you keep." She was finally looking at me now and I wished she hadn’t.
"I...I’m human Max. Just like you," I assured her.
She gave a little snort. "Please. You are nothing like me, trust me."
That pissed me off. "Max, I may have some unique friends, and I may have been responsible for what happened to you. But, you still don't have the right to judge me and place me below you, just because you think you're better. I saved your life today. I'm the one who risked mine to save yours."
She was surprised by this. "Avery...I..."
But, she never got a chance to explain, I just slammed the door.
"You can give her the potion now," I instructed Oliver as I entered the kitchen.
"Is she really mad?" Lattie asked.
"Yes, and she’ll never let me forget it. She needs the potion, for her sake and mine." I made my way towards the door to leave.
"Hey, where are you going?" Julie asked.
"I need some time alone. My head feels like it’s going to explode." And it did. My life was just too much to handle. I was balancing two different worlds while still trying to live in my own. Normalcy was definitely needed right now, and some time alone.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Julie asked.
"No Jules, you used to be the one I ran to when I needed a dose of reality, and I always will, but right now I need some time by myself." She looked so sad.
I glanced over at Lattie; who had a hurt look on her face too. "Hey, it's not you guys. I just need some time in my world. I'll be back, promise." I hugged them both and then Moya. I thanked Oliver for everything that he had done, and was on my way back into the trees.
I was nearly at my apartment when a thought occurred to me. Where could I go to seek some normalcy? Someplace where I’d feel like it was three months ago, back before my life exploded with mythical creatures and chaos on a daily basis. I knew where, Tess, I needed to go home. My pace quickened at the realization of how badly I wanted to be there. I was almost out of breath as I hopped on my Vespa. But, it didn't stop me. I fastened my helmet and sped off down the street.
Chapter Thirty Two-Home
It was dark and quiet as I slowly drove down the familiar pebbly lane to Aunt Tess’s house. I could hear the crickets in the background and the running water from a small creek that ran along the side of the path, Satsuma and lilac hung thick in the air. It felt like I was home already.
But, when I pulled up to the front of the house, I suddenly remembered the last time Tess and I spoke, the Halloween Party. It was only two nights ago but, as I sat on my bike and thought about it, it felt like ages ago.
So much has happened since Friday, and I wasn't ready to talk about it with Tess. But, I wasn't ready to talk about what she may, or may not, have seen at the party either. I ran my fingers through my tousled hair
and laid my head on my cold handlebars. I was so tightly wound, like if I let go I’d either throw up or my head would just explode. Just then, the front door opened.
"Avery?" Tess asked. "What are you doing here?" She wrapped a blue woven blanket around her shoulders and walked over to me.
I refuse to let myself cry, I know myself to good for that. If the tears started now, they would never stop. So, I took in a deep breath and forced a smile instead.
"I felt like coming to see you. We haven’t talked since Friday night," I replied, which was basically true.
She looked into my strained eyes and I knew she could see more. I could never keep anything from her, but right now I wished she wouldn't ask.
"Come in. You look like you need a good cup of coffee."
I smiled gratefully and walked into the house with Tess's arm around me. I wonder how long I could run from my life out here, forever maybe. No, at least for tonight though. After that, I’m sure one of my many magical guardians would come searching for me.
I sat at the dining room table, the one made of marble that I love so much. My fingers ran over the smooth, cold and familiar surface. It felt like years ago since I last sat here. I took another sip of my coffee and glanced over at Tess. She was in the kitchen, either giving me space or giving herself space. I've been here for half an hour already and she hasn't mentioned anything about the party.
"Tess? Come sit, I need to talk to you."
"Um, sure," she reluctantly answered and nervously took a seat. "What’s up?"
We just eyed each other for a moment. I know she saw things. I know that she witnessed the entourage of fairies in my living room, she freaked and ran! Why isn't she bombarding me with questions, the way I thought she would?
"Come on Tess. You know what I want to talk about."
"No I don't."
"Tess, come on, my friends?"
"Yeah, I was meaning to ask you about that," she began. "Where did they get all those costumes? They were pretty good."
What? How could she honestly believe that? But then I thought about it. Maybe Tess knew what she saw, but doesn't want to deal with it. Maybe it's too much for her to handle. I mean, it's kind of too much for me to handle honestly.
I sighed. "Yeah, they were pretty good weren’t they?"
She let out a relieved breath and smiled. "I've never met some of the people there. Are they...good friends? To you, I mean," she asked, worried.
"Yes, they are the best I could ever ask for." This was a little strange. Tess and I knew the truth in what she saw, but we both decided to leave it at that. But, if I could keep her uninvolved in my world, then she would be safe. How could I deny that to her?
"Better friends than me?" Tess asked jokingly.
"No, no one is better than you." I got up to hug my wonderful aunt and heard her whisper ‘I love you’ in my ear, which made me embrace her even tighter. "Love you too Aunt Tess."
"What did I tell you about calling me that?" she playfully scolded me.
"Sorry." I laughed. "I'm heading to bed. You would not believe the couple of days I have had."
"Night sweetie, it’s good to have you home."
"Yeah, it's good to be here, I really needed a break."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, it will be," I assured her, and myself. "Goodnight."
Chapter Thirty Three-Hope
I awoke to the familiar touch of sunshine slightly warming my face. I smiled and looked around my room. Nothing had changed since I left. Not a thing. But my life had become unrecognizable to me since I was last here.
I sighed and closed my eyes. When they opened again, I could see the tiny dust particles floating through the rays of sunshine. Just like little fairies. That's when everything became clear to me. My life has drastically changed, but not for the worse. I don't know why I had to run, why I needed a break. My life is extraordinary; I have friends that only exist, to some people, in books and stories. Perhaps I needed to come here to realize that.
I flung the blankets off and hopped out of bed. The smell of pancakes and coffee was already in the air, Tess’s way of welcoming me home. As I was throwing on a pair of pyjama pants and my slippers, I thought of something else. Why hadn't anyone come to get me yet? Or even call? I expected Jules to call at least.
Was I was being silly? I’d told them that I needed to be by myself, away from all the magic and craziness. They were just being good friends and giving me what I asked for.
"Morning Tess, coffee smells good," I greeted as I walked around to the kitchen.
"Good morning, pancakes will be ready in a few minutes. Um, one of your friends is here," she said quietly and motioned over at the couch.
"Really, who..." I stopped and stared at him sitting on my couch, definitely the last person I figured they would send. But I was happy to see him, nonetheless.
"Will!" I cried and ran over to him. He stood and hugged me. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, everyone was worried about you. So, I came to check and see if you were okay," he replied. Of course, I needed a break from all the magic so they send my only human friend who knows nothing about it, clever.
"I'm glad you came. Want some breakfast?" I asked.
"Sure, smells awesome! Great house by the way, very Lord of the Rings meets Snow White."
"Thanks, but it was all Tess. She worked really hard on this place. It's even won awards."
"Very cool," Will replied and took a seat next to me at the table. Tess put down our plates, overloaded with syrup drenched pancakes, and joined us. "So, when are you heading back to the city?"
"Today, school's tomorrow and I have some...things to take care of tonight," I replied, careful not to say too much. It was odd not being able to just tell Will or Tess that I had to check on Max after her kelpie attack and check in with my two vampires who were probably ready to fly through the roof after me.
Will just looked at me curiously and continued to eat his pancakes.
After breakfast, I showed Will around the house and then the garden. We were walking down by one of the old fountains when Will stopped and grabbed my arm.
"Hey. I need to talk to you."
"Sure, what about?"
"I know," he said. "I know everything. Well, everything that Julie and your other roommate decided to tell me."
I just stared at him with pursed lips.
“Its fine, I’m okay with it,” he assured me confidently.
"Really, why did they decide to tell you?"
"Well, it was kind of hard to avoid when I walked in on Julie this morning. She was asleep and had dropped her disguise throughout the night."
"Wow,” I whispered in awe. He seemed to be handling this information pretty well. I wonder how Julie reacted. “What did you do when you saw her like that?"
"Well, at first, I was confused; I thought she was wearing some kind of costume. But, as I got closer, I could clearly see that she wasn't. I mean, you can see where her wings are attached and everything, it was so cool!" Will explained enthusiastically.
"Cool?" I repeated. "Wish I took it that well when I found out."
"Yeah, but after you took a minute for yourself you realized it was okay right?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"I mean, when you love someone, it doesn't matter what they are. The only thing that matters is that they feel comfortable enough to share it with you. When Julie opened her eyes, she didn't even flinch; just kissed me and said how relieved she was that I finally knew."
"That sounds like Jules. I'm surprised she hadn't told you already."
"Yeah me too, but she told me what happened with Max. And she told me about your boss and her brother."
"Pretty crazy stuff huh?"
"Yeah, it's totally crazy, but really cool. I mean, think about it Avery. H
ow awesome is it to know these people?" Will pointed out.
I love how accepting he was of all this. It was almost making it easier for me. Maybe I was just over reacting before. He was right. There is nothing wrong with being friends with people like Moya and Celadine, or Lattie and Jules. Maybe that's why I never bothered to make any other friends, besides Julie. I was meant to be a part of their world.
I flung my arm around Wills shoulders and kept walking. "It's nice to have another normal person like me in the group though. Thanks for being so understanding about it all."
"No problem Ave, that's what friends are for." He smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders too. "But, don't ya think the fact that our friends are fairies and vampires makes us not so normal?"
I thought about it for a second. "Yeah, I guess you're right." We laughed and kept walking through Tess's enchanted garden.
Chapter Thirty Four-Open Arms
I arrived back at the apartment around three o'clock. I knew that Jack and Celadine would still be resting, so I decided to check in with Julie and Lattie first. As I walked up the stairs to the front door, I began to feel excited. I’d only been away for a day, but I missed my friends so much. I ached to see them and quickened my pace.
"Jules!" I cried and pushed open the door. "Lattie!" They weren’t here. I checked Julie’s room and found nothing. The apartment was quiet. Where could they have gone? Just then, I spotted a note left on the island.
Avery,
We're all at the park. You know the place.
-Jules
I smiled in relief, grabbed my purse and ran out the door. I had never tried to find the spot by the lake where the fey gathered on my own. I always had Julie or Lattie with me, but I was certain that I’d find it.
I was trampling through the thick and winding forest in the park. It had been at least half an hour and I still hadn't found it. Maybe only magical beings can get there. But, if that were true, they wouldn't leave me to find it on my own.
Just then, something dropped down from a branch overhead and sat on my shoulder. I didn't even need to look to see who it was.
Iron & Wine (The Iron World Series) Page 21