Heirs of Avalon

by Alica Mckenna Johnson

  We followed the bride and groom to a different hall. My stomach churned, and my heart beat frantically. Now I would meet Anali's family for the first time. Gavin didn’t have any more family left, but Anali had tons, and I couldn’t help but worry about what they would think of me. Would they pity me and praise Anali for taking me in? Would they dismiss me because I wasn’t really family?

  The cold gray day didn’t dim the brightness of the reception room. A clear glass ceiling and white walls made more of glass than wood seemed to coax the sun into to room, giving everything a warm glow. Orange and red marigold garlands hung from the walls. Centerpieces with pink-tipped lotus blossoms floating in crystal bowls sparkled on the white table clothes.

  “Anali, my darling, I am so pleased you could come,” said an older woman. Her black hair had a single silver streak in it and was pulled back into a bun.

  “Auntie,” said Anali kissing her cheeks. “I’m so happy to be here. You remember my husband Gavin, and this is Sapphire.”

  Anali’s aunt kissed Gavin’s checks, then grasped my upper arms to hold me still while she looked me over. “Oh, you're as beautiful as Anali said. Welcome to the family, little niece.” She pulled me into a hug, then pushed me back enough to kiss my checks. “I must go and mingle but I’ll be back.”

  I stared after her, wide eyed.

  Gavin chuckled. “She is still a force of nature. I’m so glad she likes me.”

  Anali laughed.

  Names, faces, and saris blurred into a swirl of colorful chaos in my head as I was introduced to at least half of the two hundred guests which filled the hall. All of them greeted me with the warmth that Anali’s aunt had, and they all called me little cousin, little niece, or little auntie. Whatever Anali was to them, I was that with little in front of it. I blushed every time and wished we lived around Anali’s family all the time.

  “So my dear niece, how are you?” asked her aunt, who returned as we were served the soup course. The spicy smells of the Indian meal blended with the bitter floral smell of the marigolds. She glared at Gavin. “It must be so hard for you to travel all the time and not have a proper home.”

  I put a spoonful of soup in my mouth to keep from grinning. My eyes fluttered in pleasure at the taste of creamy lentil dal.

  “I love traveling. We have seen so many wonderful places and met such delightful people. When we’re done, we have the house in New York waiting for us,” Anali said.

  “And when is he going to give you a baby?” Auntie sniffed.

  “Well,” said Anali with a smile, “I only have to wait about eight more months.”

  Auntie squealed something in Hindi and squeezed Anali tight. “You naughty child, why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”

  “After what happened last time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell anyone until I was at least three months along,” Anali said.

  “Of course you need to tell us, we’re family. Now we can give you and the baby our blessings and pray for you both.” Auntie kissed her cheeks again.

  Gavin handed Anali a handkerchief as she started to tear up.

  “Thank you, Auntie.”

  “Of course, child. This is such exciting news, such a blessing that you will be adding to your lovely little family.” Auntie smiled at me. “And you I can tell you are going to make a wonderful big sister.”

  “I hope so. I’ve never been around a baby before.”

  Auntie waved her hand as if banishing my concerns. “You have a good heart—that will guide you.”

  “Baby?” asked the bride. She and her husband were traveling from table to table, making sure to greet everyone.

  “Yes, I’m due in early August,” Anali said.

  The bride rushed over to Anali, the stacks of bangles on her wrists jingling. She hugged her and kissed her forehead and said a blessing in Hindi. Then she did the same for Gavin, and then for me. I have no idea what was said, but her happiness for us and her affection were real.

  This act started an avalanche. Soon even the groom’s family and friends we didn’t know at all were coming up and offering ‘our little family’ blessing on the new baby. It was overwhelming, but Anali was glowing, and I swear getting stronger with each heartfelt prayer for her and the baby. I tried to think of a way to escape, but nothing polite came to me. So I breathed and strengthen my shield and waited.

  Apparently the signal to stop, or at least wait until later, was the arrival of small pyramids of golden fried samosas brought out on white platters. I didn’t blame anyone, these were one of my favorites too.

  I wish I had chosen to follow Anali’s example and taken small portions of each dish, but it was all so good. When they cut the cake, I was stuffed but I had to eat a piece. I mean who refuses red velvet with cream cheese icing? I’d never eaten it before, but now it was one of my favorites. I sat off to the side watching people dance, sleepy from too much food and buzzing from how welcome and part of the family I felt. Maybe when we were done traveling the world we could live in London and be near Anali’s family. I’d ask them later.

  * * *

  Barely managing to escape, I wound my way through the crowd. I need to get something to drink. Thirty minutes into the dancing, my new ‘cousins’ coaxed me, rather forcefully, onto the dance floor. After the first few waltzes, the DJ played a mix of pop and Bollywood music. My cousins had far too much fun teaching me Bollywood moves, or at least they had fun watching me trying to learn them.

  After downing a glass of water, I found the bathroom. Taking a deep breath and saying a prayer, I went into one of the large stalls.

  Happy dance! I managed to finish without unwinding the sari or dropping it into the toilet. Reaching for the stall door handle, I stopped as a group of giggling women came in. “It’s so good to see Anali again.”

  “Yes, and that husband of hers. She married well. Too bad he doesn’t have any brothers.”

  They giggled again. I was going to leave. Right now the embarrassment would be minimal.

  “I'm so excited that Anali and Gavin are going to have a baby, now they can be a real family.”

  A real family. The three of them would be a real family.

  “Don’t forget Sapphire.”

  One of them snorted. “Please. I mean Anali obviously cares about her, but it’s not like she’s a real part of their family. They're taking care of her because her parents died. Once she’s eighteen they can be done with her. I mean she didn’t even grow up with them. My mom says she grew up in an orphanage. Who knows how she’ll act around the baby? I’d be worried if I was Anali.”

  My hands shook as I pressed them against my chest.

  “Come on, let’s go back. I think Jai might ask me to dance.”

  “You say that every time we see him.”

  I pressed my forehead against the stall door, my breath coming in shallow pants. Did they all feel that way? Were they pretending to make Anali happy? I waited until I was sure they were gone and my eyes no longer burned with tears I refused to shed. I opened the door and washed my hands, because even in times of emotional distress hygiene is important, then slid into the hallway. To the right the party, to the left a long hallway and a door to the outside.

  Gasping at the cold wet air, I followed the path a bit. I could hear the music from another wedding. I sat on a stone bench and began five-count breathing. Inhale: one, two, three, four, five. Hold: one, two three, four five. Exhale: one, two, three, four, five. Hold: one, two, three, four five. My heart calmed, and I began to tuck my emotions away. I still had a few hours to get through before Anali would want to leave.

  Gravel crunched. I looked up and saw a man in a kilt. I sat up and smiled. How in the world was Ramsey here?

  “Seth, wait up,” said a woman in a small tight dress.

  I shook my head. God, I was pathetic. I couldn’t stay out here much longer with the temperature dropping by the minute. Okay, if I go back inside and sit at the little table by the plants, no one will see me.

  G
ravel crunched again, I didn’t bother to look up this time.

  “Here I thought I was going to have to sneak into the room, and I think I’d stand out at an Indian wedding.”

  “Ramsey.” I leapt at him wrapping my arms around him and knocking him off balance. He stayed on his feet, swaying just a little. “What are you doing here?”

  “We played at the other wedding. What are you doing out here in the cold?” he asked.

  I stepped away to admire him in his formal kilt, waistcoat, and jacket. “I needed a break.”

  “You look lovely.” Ramsey leaned down and kissed me. His lips were warm and soft. I sighed placing my hands on his chest.

  “Sapphire,” Gavin called.

  “Here, Uncle Gavin.” I stepped back and took Ramsey’s hand. “Come with me?”

  “Sure.”

  “What are you doing out here?” Gavin asked then saw Ramsey. “This is quite the coincidence.”

  Ramsey cleared his throat. “I was playing at the wedding at the other side of the hall.”

  “And you just happened to find my niece?” Gavin arched an eyebrow.

  “Uncle Gavin, I told Ramsey that we were going to the wedding. He came to find me after his gig.” I shivered.

  “Cold,” Ramsey asked wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

  “Let’s go inside,” Gavin said. “Your cousins have been asking for you.”

  I managed not to snort or say anything rude as I followed Gavin back inside. I should get a gold star.

  “Wow,” Ramsey said. The dance floor was packed. The variety of colors of the bright saris and men’s tunic length jackets with metallic embroidery gave an overwhelming visual impression of movement. All those colors and flashing decorations turning and spinning together looked lovely.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I said.

  “I don’t think I’ve appreciated saris properly until tonight,” Ramsey said looking down at me.

  I blushed. “They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

  “Well, you certainly look beautiful.”

  It couldn’t be good for me to have this much blood racing to my face.

  “Why don’t you join us?” Gavin said.

  We followed Gavin to a table where Anali was sitting, her cheeks flush and her eyes bright with happiness. “Anali, this is my … friend Ramsey McDaniel. Ramsey, this is my aunt, Anali Marsh.”

  “Good evening, Mrs. Marsh.”

  “Oh please call me, Anali. How did you wind up here?” she asked.

  “I was playing at another wedding and decided to see if I could sneak in and find Sapphire,” Ramsey said.

  “Oh, that is so sweet. Isn’t it, Gavin? But I think you would have had a bit of a hard time sneaking in,” Anali said smiling.

  “Aye,” Ramsey said deliberately thickening his accent, “Lass, just what do you think would give me away?”

  Anali laughed. Gavin glared at him.

  “Sapphire, come and dance with us,” said one of my ‘cousins’.

  “Yes,” said another. “We were looking for you. Where did you go?”

  I smiled for Anali, and stood up. “I needed some air. Ramsey, would you like to dance?”

  “Of course,” he said taking my hand.

  “Be warned, they keep trying to teach me Bollywood moves,” I said.

  Ramsey chuckled. “My sister had a friend who introduced us to Bollywood. They would learn all the dances and force me and my brother to do the guys’ parts.”

  “I have learned something new about you.”

  Ramsey arched an eyebrow “Ach, aye, I’m full of mystery.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Melusine rubbed the tip of her finger, the finger that had touched a Child of Fire. She was sure of it. She looked up at the painting of Glastonbury Tor. Those stupid druids banished her from her home, cutting her off from the magic her mother taught her how to use. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember the feeling of Earth magic flowing through her body but it had been too long.

  Cartazonon had found her dying, gasping for life, much like the last gnome shaking in the cage behind her. Cartazonon had talked to her for a while then offered to help. She shivered. She still remembered the bitter, icy feel of his foreign magic invading her. Earth magic pulsed with warmth, but the girl she’d touched at the circus—she felt hot.

  Half of her library lay strewn about the room as she researched the descendants of the Phoenix King and Queen. Their powers were formidable, and she needed one of them. They would open the door to Avalon, and she would have access to enough power to make Cartazonon unnecessary.

  Three sharp knocks.

  “Come in Miss Thurston.”

  “The thugs you hired called in. They say they have found the weakest of the group. So far the others haven’t left her alone. But they will grab her as soon as they’re able to.”

  Melusine smiled. “Perfect. Make sure they know I’m not worried about getting it done quickly. I want it done right. We’ll only have one shot at this.”

  “Of course,” said Miss Thurston. “I already made sure they understood.”

  “You're such a treasure,” Melusine said. I’m going to have to find a way to keep her with me.

  * * *

  “Now, Lee, don’t pout,” Cartazonon said. “We can come back soon.”

  Lee’s scarred face frowned. “I’m not pouting. I don’t think they're caring for the horses properly.”

  “I have yet to find anyone that meets your standards in the past three hundred years.” Cartazonon picked up his phone.

  Lee grunted. “I have a new report. Melusine seems to be watching some circus people. But the walk-ins can’t figure out why, they don’t feel anything. So it’s possible she wants them for their talent.”

  “She’s such a collector.”

  “Speaking of which, I won the auction for the unicorn figure carved out of ivory.”

  “Lee, I can always count on you.”

  “I live to serve.”

  Cartazonon chuckled. “So when do we arrive in London?”

  “On the twenty-first, sir.”

  “The darkest night of the year—that goes well with my evil plans.”

  Lee smirked. “Better than the handlebar mustache you used to spend so much time waxing.”

  “I looked good in that mustache.”

  Lee chose to keep silent.

  “Who is Peterson? He’s quitting due to family problems,” Cartazonon said reading his email.

  “He works in the Chicago office. His wife has cancer and needs care. He is in R and D.”

  “Wait, is he the one working on the Tesla coil project?”

  Lee nodded. “Yes.”

  “Oh, no. That’s not going to happen. Send someone from HR to find out what he needs and give it to him. He can work half days, get him a nurse, increase his salary, set him up to work from home, whatever. And then have HR go over our insurance and benefits and find out how this happened and fix it for everyone.”

  “It will be done,” Lee said.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” ~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

  My breath fogged up the hotel window. Miu got in the shower, and I waited to go out on my ‘birthday adventure.’

  “Come in,” I called to the knock at the door.

  “Anali, is everything okay? Do you need Miu?”

  She smiled. “I’m fine. I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Okay. Well, sit down. Do you need anything?”

  “My goodness, you fuss as much as your uncle.”

  Rude!

  “Did Miu just get into the shower?”

  Japanese pop covered the sound of the running water. “Yes, why?”

  “I wanted to talk to you alone,” Anali said, relaxing into the couch.

  My stomach tightened. Talk to me about what? The wedding last night? The argument? Ramsey? The baby? What? “Okay.”

  Anali arched an eyebrow and gave me the ‘m
om’ look.

  I squirmed the tiniest of bits.

  “My goodness, I have been out of the loop. I don’t think you’ve reacted that strongly to me wanting to talk since the first month you lived with us.” Anali stared at me for a moment as if she could see all the different thoughts and worries bouncing through me. “Well, what I want to talk to you about is your outing with Miu.”

  “Has something come up? Do we need to do it another day?” I said.

  Anali wagged her finger at me. “This is what I’m talking about. You’re not excited. You’re not looking forward to this at all.”

  I turned and looked at the bathroom door, music and steam escaped under the bottom. Leaning forward, I whispered. “Miu doesn’t need to know that.”

  “Don’t you think you should be honest with your friends?”

  “No.”

  Level four mom glare. Rude.

  “Sapphire, you and Miu have been getting closer. She’s growing up, you’re relaxing a bit and allowing yourself to try new things.”

  “Yes, and this is important to Miu. Once she saw my new clothes and the fact that I’m willing to wear them, she got this manic look in her eyes and asked if she could take me out for my birthday gift.”

  “So you care enough about Miu to want to keep her happy but not enough to talk to her and try to work this out?”

  I looked at the bathroom door again. “Look, I haven’t quite got this whole thing figured out.”

  “Kids didn’t overreact, say things they didn’t mean, or lash out at the group homes?” Anali placed her hand on her belly, as if protecting the baby.

  I snorted. “Of course they did, but there was always a reason. They couldn’t cope with the transition from a visit to back at the home. A visit was canceled. They got in trouble at school. Someone forgot to give them a med. There was always a clear cause for their lashing out. And anyway their emotional cups were so full, that anything that upset them caused things to overflow.”

  Anali held up a hand. “What?”

  I sighed. “I always imagined emotions as a cup which is full of all this old yuck, so when something happened it was like dropping a rock into the cup and all this emotion would come spilling out.”