by L. M. Fry
“You seem to be doing better,” her mother said with as much warmth as a glacier.
Valera exhaled, “Thank you, Mother.”
“I see your attitude hasn’t changed.” Victoria turned to face the entire room. “You should know I’ve commandeered passage on the Manta Ray for all of you. We depart tomorrow morning for Aetherland Isle.”
Valera didn’t have the energy to argue, and part of her was happy to be headed home. She was tired of running. She was tired of insanity. She was tired of everything. Home sounded like heaven. Julia, however, grew rigid in her seat.
What are we going to do? She exclaimed.
I don’t know about you, but I’m going home. I need to see Gideon and the rest of my family, Valera murmured.
Theo sighed, I’d like to see my father before we open Danu’s tomb. If we open Danu’s tomb, that is… I don’t know anymore.
What do you mean, you don’t know? We have to finish this. I can’t have these nightmares in my head any longer. Julia panicked.
Julia, we’ll finish it. But at least let us do this first. It’s important, Valera said.
Okay, we’ll go. But promise me we’ll open the tomb. Promise me we’ll finish this.
Valera and Theo nodded. Victoria shivered. Valera had forgotten that her mother could sense their telepathic communication. In order to appear meek, she stared at the floor and clasped her hands together. Dr. Lawless stared at Victoria with a frown on his face. He looked at each girl in turn and muttered under his breath. He approached Victoria and pulled her aside.
“My dear, is it safe to move the girls quite so soon? They’ve been through a great deal,” he stammered.
“I’ve spoken with the doctors. They are all in agreement. The girls will leave tomorrow.”
Dr. Lawless flinched. Valera couldn’t figure out why he acted so oddly. Running his hands over his crazy hair, he touched Victoria’s arm. She startled at the gesture. He released her at once, but clenched his fists several times. He didn’t want them to leave, and Valera wanted to know why.
He softened his voice to a low rumble. “I just think it isn’t in their best interest. I mean there is still so much we don’t know… that they don’t know about their powers. The girls can’t leave yet. Their training—
Victoria huffed, “This isn’t up for discussion, Ellwood.” With that, Victoria moved toward the doors. “I will see you in the morning, Valera. Marjorie, Ellwood, we should let the girls rest.”
Marjorie seemed reluctant to leave Theo alone, but finally followed Victoria out of the room, waving one last time at Theo. Dr. Lawless held his hand up.
“I’ll be there shortly,” he muttered.
After the mothers’ exit, he turned to the girls. His lips turned down in an angry sneer, and his eyes seemed wild. A shiver went through Valera’s spine. She moved closer to Theo and Julia. Dr. Lawless leaned on the table, gripping the sides as if he were going to pick it up and throw it across the room.
“We can’t waste any more time. Danu needs our help. We must free her.”
“We will, but first we are going to Aetherland. We need to regroup,” Julia said.
Dr. Lawless shot her an annoyed glare. He lifted the table legs in the air and slammed it back to the ground. Valera reached out for aether. Julia already had a mist forming in her hands. But then his sneer faded, and he composed himself.
“Forgive me. You’re right. You should see your families before we go to the tomb. Arrangements need to be made. Professor Scrod is a few rooms down. She received quite a beating because of us.” He paused and looked each girl in the eye as if to accuse them.
His tactic worked. Guilt niggled at the back of Valera’s neck. She’d wondered how Professor Scrod was, but never asked. And it was their fault that she was hurt.
Dr. Lawless continued, “I’ll speak with her before we go.”
He spun around on his heel and slipped out of the room. Valera didn’t like his strange mood swings. From the confused looks on Theo and Julia’s faces, they didn’t like it either. There was something more going on with him, and no matter how he claimed otherwise, she was beginning to think he was like all the others. She plopped on her bed without a word. Her mother’s visit had been more than she could deal with in a day.
The chatter and singing from the people outside drifted up to their room throughout the day. The nurses came and went. Most of the time they brought in armfuls of flowers. The endless day turned into a quiet, but restless night. Valera’s mind churned with worries. Tomorrow, she’d be returning to her gilded cage, but she wasn’t a canary anymore. She was a hawk – strong and dangerous. She’d get to see Gideon soon, but wondered what state he was in and if he still cared for her. Victor would be on the island, but would he ever forgive her? After hours of tossing, she slumbered, and, thankfully, Danu stayed away until light filtered through the windows.
“Good morning, ladies,” a nurse chirped, waking the girls. “I’ve brought you a wardrobe change. They’re brand-new and made specially for you – a gift from a Madame Blackbird. She brought them in early this morning. She claimed she owed you for some… shenanigans while in her care?”
The nurse’s eyebrow shot up, but none of the girls answered her question. Valera found their night in the hostelry too embarrassing to share. The nurse dropped the clothes on the bed and left. Valera was happy to see ordinary Aetherian leathers and simple shirts. Even she couldn’t handle Madame Blackbird’s froufrou taste in dresses. The leathers felt like a second skin now, and she wouldn’t give them up – no matter how much her mother protested.
“I hope you girls are up and ready.” Victoria burst into the room with Dr. Lawless and Marjorie. Victoria assessed the room and almost smiled. “Good. There’s no time for delay. We’re going.”
Before leaving, Julia stuffed a pillowcase with the more luxurious gifts of gems and jewelry. Valera tilted her head and cleared her throat. Julia raised an eyebrow and scoffed.
“What? They were presents. It would be rude to just leave them behind.”
“We’ll have everything delivered to the docks,” Dr. Lawless said, eyeing a ruby. “Although perhaps it’s for the best that you carry the valuables aboard. You never know who might have sticky fingers.”
Valera noticed the ruby didn’t make it back to the table, and Dr. Lawless had an extra lump in his shirt pocket. She also noticed the duffel bag in his hand, the same one that held the relics. She suddenly didn’t feel so at ease with him in control of them.
Victoria gave Valera a nudge toward the door, and they walked out of their room into a barrage of clapping nurses, patients, and doctors. Victoria and Marjorie stood on either side of the girls, acting as the protective mothers. Dr. Lawless took the lead, joined by a grinning and bandaged Eli. Julia’s smile grew so large, Valera wondered if her cheeks would tear.
When they stepped outside the building, the whole of Pacifica City was there. Dr. Lawless had to push people aside to clear a path for the party to move. Valera felt like she was wading through an ocean. The crowd cheered and tossed flowers at them. Banners and signs claimed the Trinity as the saviors of Pacifica City. A few Elder-loyal white robes appeared behind them to keep the crowd from flanking them.
They reached the main gates where a battery of guards held the crowd at bay. Parmelia awaited the girls from behind the safety of the guard, and Julia ran to her grandmother. The Elder kissed her granddaughter’s forehead and whispered in her ear.
“I’m so happy to see you girls alive and well.” Parmelia’s voice shook. “The transport is waiting. We should go before the city riots past the guards. You’ve made quite the impression on the people of Pacifica.” She smiled.
Outside the docking tubes, Valera saw an elegant submersible. Two wings spread wide on either side of the submarine, and two massive propellers rotated in the rear of the ship. The outside surface was covered in an iridescent blue substance. The submarine was much fancier than old Rusty’s Blowfish. But then again, anyth
ing was better than his leaky deathtrap.
“Stay here, and don’t move.” Victoria turned to Dr. Lawless. “Don’t take your eyes off them.”
He nodded. Valera rolled her eyes. Did her mother seriously think she would run away… or even could run away? People were swarming the main gates, and guards surrounded the group. There was nowhere to go.
A voice came over the loud speaker. “The Manta Ray is now boarding.”
Valera stood near the glass, staring at the shimmering blue ship. She stopped a spindly man wearing a green uniform and asked, “What is that stuff covering the ship?”
“Well young lady, that stuff is a patented blend of aether-grown blue algae. It protects the hull from the corrosive nature of salt water, as well as adds camouflage. I could park her under any fancy upperworlder ship, and they wouldn’t even detect her.” He stood straighter and looped a thumb inside his coat pocket. “There is no finer ship than the Manta Ray. I should know – I designed her myself. Captain Thatcher Stoddlemeyer, at your service.”
“I’m Valera. It’s good to meet you. She’s a lovely vessel, sir.”
The man’s grin spread. “Yes, yes, she is.”
A familiar face appeared out of nowhere. Nessie’s fiery red hair bobbed toward them from the crowd. Nessie slapped Valera on the back and squeezed her in a shoulder-crushing bear hug. When she faced the captain of the Manta Ray, he flinched.
“STODDY!” Nessie’s voice bellowed.
Captain Stoddlemeyer cringed. “Nessie, how… nice to have you aboard.”
“Just like old times, eh, Stoddy?” Nessie winked. “Valera! How are you feeling, girl? You threw us for quite a loop.” She ruffled Valera’s hair, gave her a bump with her hip, and turned back to the captain. “Stoddy, I see you’ve met my niece. You gotta keep these three under a watchful eye. They’re wily.”
Heat crept into Valera’s cheeks. “Nessie, stop. We are not.”
Captain Stoddlemeyer’s eyes widened, and he blustered. Nessie elbowed him in the ribs and hooted.
“She’s being modest. She’s one of the Trinity. You’re hauling precious cargo, Stoddy, old boy. All of Pacifica is in love with these girls. Muck it up, and you’ll have a mutiny on your hands.”
“Yes, well, I’m honored. I knew we had important guests, but… why are they under guard?” He eyed the entourage.
“Like I said… wily. And she’s got a temper on her. Could make the ocean boil if she wanted. And that one.” Nessie pointed to Theo. “She’s a sneaky little devil.”
Theo’s head popped up. She winked at Nessie and smiled at Captain Stoddlemeyer. Valera exhaled. Theo didn’t seem to be troubled by the fact that Nessie was blabbering on about them. Parmelia, on the other hand, wasn’t smiling. Nessie nodded toward Julia.
“And watch out for the blonde one. She’s as cold as…”
“Nessie, that’s quite enough. Captain Stoddlemeyer has already been properly informed about his passengers. There is no need to elaborate,” Parmelia scolded. “I suggest you get aboard, find your stateroom, and stay there. You are not out of the woods yet.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nessie saluted to Parmelia, and then turned to Valera, Theo, and Julia. “Hang in there, girls. And try not to sink the ship.”
Parmelia swatted Nessie away. Nessie skipped down the docking tube. Captain Stoddlemeyer’s eyes looked as if they’d pop out of their sockets. Parmelia sighed and pulled him aside.
Victoria returned as stern as ever. She pushed Valera forward, and they boarded the Manta Ray. Exquisite tin tiles glimmered above her, and luxurious purple carpets lined the floors. Men in crisp red uniforms welcomed them inside and offered to help them find their rooms. Valera breathed in the faint scent of ocean water and violets.
They were escorted to a cabin near the rear of the ship. Although it was small, it held two ornate brass beds, an armoire, and a tiny bathroom. Victoria’s trunks sat on the bed, opened and ready to be unpacked. She hung each dress on a cushioned hanger and placed them in the armoire. Since her mother refused to speak to her, Valera kicked off her boots and lay down.
Captain Stoddlemeyer’s voice blasted over the ship’s speakers. “Welcome aboard the Manta Ray. I’ll be your captain for the length of this voyage. We’re due to arrive at the Atlantic Island Aerodrome in approximately seven days, so please settle in and enjoy the trip.”
“Seven days? Ugh.” Valera threw her head onto the pillow.
Victoria paused her unpacking. “I wouldn’t be so ungrateful, if I were you. The Manta Ray is the finest submarine in all of Aether. I would have thought your time in the Elder’s dungeons would have made you more appreciative.”
“Airships are faster,” Valera whined.
Her mother huffed, “And after all the chaos you’ve caused? You still don’t understand. Do you have any idea how many people your stunts have affected? Those horrid True Followers exiled all of us from Pacifica City. Poor Nessie and Joe are still in trouble from the rightful Elders for their part in this mess.”
“Nessie and Joe?”
“You didn’t think they would have immunity from your crimes, did you? Adora and Benji went back to Harmony. Apparently, she has some sway with the remaining Elders. Nessie and Joe didn’t have that luxury. Your aunt almost lost the Cornelius, and Joe was nearly exiled to the human world. You’re just lucky that Parmelia is Julia’s grandmother and sympathetic to the three of you.”
Valera swallowed a hard knot. “But that’s not fair. They didn’t do anything. We’re the ones who caused this.”
Victoria threw her hands in the air. “You think any of this is fair to anyone? Did you consider for one second the implications that your actions would have on your family? The embarrassment you’ve caused the Stein name? I can’t even look at you.”
Her mother’s accusations stung. Valera flopped around on the bed and faced the wall. Wiping her hand across her face, she closed her eyes. The events of the past weeks drifted through her mind. Leaving Aetherland, reuniting the key, being imprisoned by the True Followers – it all happened because of lies, deceptions, and secrets. Had Theo, Valera, and Julia known the truth about themselves, maybe none of it would have taken place. Yet, they were being blamed for everything.
Valera resisted the temptation to toy around with aether – sensing it all around her, but not touching it. Her mother would have felt it, and she had no desire to deal with Victoria. Still, knowing aether was there comforted her. Like a wave of molten steel, a peace and resolve washed over Valera. She didn’t regret bonding herself with Theo and Julia. Had they not united the Trinity Key, she would never have known the truth. She also didn’t regret meeting Gideon, nor did she regret having been free.
Victoria answered a knock at the door. Valera heard Parmelia speaking in the hall.
“I see you’ve settled in. May I speak with your daughter? If you like, you can go explore the ship.”
Valera smiled to herself. Parmelia wasn’t asking her mother to leave, she was telling her. She wished that she could brush her mother off so easily. Victoria huffed, but left. Sitting up in bed, Valera faced the old lady. Parmelia fascinated her.
“Ah, Valera, descendent of Aeda. You know, she was considered the weakest of the sisters, but I always thought she had a quiet courage about her. Ealga was the leader, proud and strong. Maera was the spiritual of the three, a healer. And Aeda, the mindful navigator, thoughtful and true. You’re very lucky.” Parmelia pointed to the spot beside Valera. “May I?”
“Of course.”
Valera scooted over, so the woman could sit. Parmelia slowly lowered herself to the mattress.
“Much better. My old legs tire quickly. So, I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with you as I have the other two.”
Valera reached out to Theo and Julia, but she couldn’t get through. She was cut off. Parmelia chuckled and waved her hand.
“The blue algae disrupt telepathy. It’s what Professor Scrod used in the cells to block aether, although a differen
t recipe I presume. Strange, I know. It’s quite disconcerting at times to be cut off from what is natural to us.”
Valera bit her lip. “So you’re telepathic too? Theo said you were.”
“Yes, dear. I know all your tricks.” The woman smiled and tapped her forehead. “My generation studied the three sisters and practiced their ways. We never reunited the key of course, but we learned to use what we could. That all ended after the death of my daughter. We thought the Trinity was lost forever. We had no idea.”
“I didn’t know about your daughter. I’m sorry.”
“No, you didn’t know. We failed the three of you. It was up to us to teach you and guide you. Instead, we let you down. Faced with the danger of the Order, we cowardly stayed away, leaving you girls to defend yourselves.” Parmelia sighed. “What’s done is done. We must go forward, and do our best with the situation.” Parmelia stood and walked to the door. “Some legends come out of necessity rather than truth. I’m sorry we weren’t there for you.”
Chapter Ten
Theo
“The pressure outside this ship would crush you like tin foil,” Captain Stoddlemeyer said, making squishing gestures with his hands.
In the six days she’d been aboard, Theo hadn’t made it through a single meal without feeling queasy. She dropped her forkful of mashed potatoes and pushed her plate away. The Captain’s constant explanation of the marvels of the Manta Ray’s engineering made her nauseous.
“Faulty hulls have been the death of many a sailor. Of course, my Manta Ray can withstand twice the oceanic pressure than the average vessel, so have no fear girls. The Manta Ray is one fine ship.”