by SF Mazhar
Chris went to answer, as Michael stationed himself behind the door. Kate moved to stand at the foot of the stairs and it took Aaron a moment to realise she was shielding him. Chris opened the door a crack before he paused. A breath caught in Aaron’s chest when his dad didn’t do anything but stand there. Then Chris swung the door open fully to reveal a woman. She looked to be in her late thirties, maybe early forties. The auburn hair at her temples had turned grey but the rest of her hair shone in the setting sun. She was just standing there, her brown eyes still on Chris, mouth parted slightly. Then her gaze moved to Kate and she choked out a gasp.
“Kate.”
“Jane?” Kate’s voice carried her surprise.
The woman – Jane – stepped into the house, slowly looking Kate up and down, shaking her head. “I can’t believe it,” she said. “You’re...you’re really here.”
Kate stepped forward and hugged her. Then they were crying, letting out small sounds of surprise and sorrow.
***
Jane Boyd, Aaron quickly learnt, was his mum’s best friend. The two women were in the living room with steaming mugs of tea while Aaron and the others sat at the table in the kitchen, working their way through a mashed potato and chicken dinner. Aaron’s eyes kept darting to the open doorway, where he could see the two women sitting and talking quietly in the living room, looking rather forlorn.
Aaron narrowed his eyes at them. Skyler used to be able to hear him talking from halfway across the street, yet he couldn’t make out the conversation happening in the next room.
“Mages have good hearing, right?” Aaron asked.
Chris and Michael looked up from their plates. Sam and Rose tensed, but didn’t say anything.
“What?” Chris asked.
“Mages,” Aaron said. “They’re supposed to have good hearing. But I can’t pick anything up.”
Chris looked conflicted before Michael nudged his hand and tilted his head at Aaron.
Chris sighed. “You’re supposed to use the air.”
Aaron waited but nothing followed. “How exactly?” he pushed.
Chris’s eyes darted to the next room, to his wife and her friend, before resting on Aaron. “Eavesdropping is wrong, Aaron.”
“So is keeping secrets.”
Chris dropped his fork on his plate and leant across the table to look at Aaron. “Don’t do that,” he warned. “Don’t get cheeky with me. We didn’t tell you about our past because we didn’t want to upset you.”
Aaron held his gaze. “I had a brother and an uncle I never knew about,” he said. “No matter how painful it is, I deserve to know about my family.”
The pink spots in his dad’s cheeks told Aaron he was ashamed. He didn’t say anything for long minutes. And when he did, his voice was so quiet, Aaron almost missed it.
“I know.”
***
In the living room, Kate and Jane talked while their tea went cold.
“I heard rumours,” Jane said. “For months there was talk about the Adams being back. I came by the house but it was still blocked so I figured the rumours were just that. I didn’t think much of it. Then I heard that the vines were gone and I...I had to see for myself.” She held Kate’s gaze. “I never thought I would see you again.”
“Do you know who did it?” Kate asked. “The vines?”
Jane shook her head. “No. I found your house like that, when...when I came back.”
“Came back?” Kate shifted in her seat, leaning forward. “What do you mean?”
Jane’s haunted eyes glistened. “I know what everyone thinks of you,” she started. “Everyone has something to say about the Adams. But I know why you did it, why you left. I understand. Truth is, everyone did what you had. Everyone ran after the attack. The difference is, they ran to hide in this realm. You chose the human one.”
Kate was quick to sit tall, raising her head. “We did what we had to.”
Jane nodded and looked at the dark-haired boy in the kitchen, helping tidy the table after dinner.
“You did the right thing,” she said, staring at Aaron. “You had already lost too much.”
Kate didn’t say anything. She waited until her friend looked back at her. “Where did you go?”
“Everywhere,” Jane said. “Lived almost ten years going from city to city before I gathered the nerve to come back here.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “Ten years?”
“I wasn’t the only one,” Jane said. “The attack on Marwa left everyone shaken. If the City of the Elementals wasn’t safe then what city was?” She shook her head slowly, eyes brimming with tears. “You don’t know what it was like after the attack. The entire city emptied. No one wanted to stay in Marwa. This place was like a ghost town. For years, the city lay in ruins, abandoned, not a soul living here. Everyone was terrified the Gate was defective, that it would allow more demons in, so they refused to come back. Even Neriah didn’t return until five, maybe six years later.”
Kate was surprised but she didn’t say anything.
“When Neriah came back, a small community followed him,” Jane continued. “I think they felt...secure with Neriah here.” She quietened for a moment. “But Neriah didn’t stay. He couldn’t. He began moving from city to city, always on the move. Some say he did that to avoid being tracked, others just assumed he needed to travel from one place to another to keep on top of things.” She paused before swallowing heavily. “But I know why. He left Marwa because he couldn’t live here, not with all the memories–” She broke off suddenly, taking in a breath to stop the tears. “He changed, Kate.” Her voice quivered. “Neriah changed.”
“He had to,” Kate said quietly. “He was the only Elemental of his generation left in this realm.” She met Jane’s eyes. “He had to change, so he could take control.”
The guilt was heavy and noticeable but Jane didn’t say anything. Instead, she wiped at her cheeks and sniffed, turning to look at Aaron in the kitchen again. She watched him silently for a moment before smiling.
“He seems like a lovely boy,” she said. “He looks so much like Chris.”
Kate smiled at the sight of Aaron helping Sam with the dishes.
“What did you name him?” Jane asked.
Kate paused before replying quietly, “Aaron.” She had to force her voice steady. “I named him Aaron.”
Jane didn’t say anything but looked at Kate with wide eyes, which were filling fast with tears. Kate didn’t blame her. She was finding it difficult to keep them out of her eyes too.
***
Jane left shortly after Aaron had given up on eavesdropping and went upstairs to his new room. It was a big room, with a double bed and a four-door wardrobe against one wall. A small but fancy glass chandelier hung from the ceiling. But the room, much like the rest of the house, was in dire need of a good clean and Aaron had only half-heartedly attempted to clear away the dust and filth. In Salvador, he had shared a tiny room with Sam and Rose. Here there were so many rooms they got one each, but Aaron found himself wishing he was back in that small room with three beds crammed inside. At least he’d got to talk with his best friends there. He could always go to Sam or Rose’s room but he was holding back. He wanted to see if they would come to him first. If they wanted to see him too.
Eventually, Aaron gave up. He opened his door and took one step when two doors simultaneously opened, and Sam and Rose walked into the hallway. They stopped to stare at each other. Small, awkward smiles came to all three.
“I was just coming to see you,” Sam said to Aaron.
“Same here,” Aaron said.
Rose stepped towards Aaron. “I was coming to say sorry,” she started. “About before.”
Aaron shook his head with a smile. “Already forgotten.”
Rose smiled back at him.
Sam looked between the two. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing,” Aaron said.
A knock sounded on the front door again. All three glanced to the stairs.
<
br /> “How many friends does your mum have?” Sam asked.
Aaron frowned. There was something decisively different about this knock. Jane’s knock had been hesitant, almost afraid. This one had a sense of power behind it. Before the second knock came, Aaron was halfway down the stairs. He saw his mum hurrying to answer it, no hint of the previous apprehension on her. She obviously thought it was Jane again.
“Mum,” Aaron called from the stairs. “Wait–”
The door opened and everyone froze.
Neriah Afton stood at the threshold. His unusual violet eyes moved from Kate’s shocked form to Aaron.
“Evening.” His deep baritone voice boomed across the house. “May I come in?”
4
Legacy Holders
For a moment no one spoke. No one moved. All eyes were on Neriah, the leader of the mages. Neriah’s gaze moved from Aaron to the shocked Kate.
“If you’re going to close the door on me, I suggest you do so, or you invite me in,” he said. “It’s rude to linger in the doorway.”
That seemed to bring Kate around. She moved, opening the door wide. “Come in.” Her voice was quiet, guarded – afraid.
Neriah stepped inside. Kate didn’t close the door. “Are...are they not coming in?” she asked and Aaron could hear the tremor in her voice.
“No, Skyler and Ella would rather wait outside,” Neriah replied.
Aaron came down a few more steps, craning his neck to see, but his mum had closed the door before he got more than a glimpse of Skyler’s ivory coat. At the sound of the door, Chris and Michael came out of the living room. They paused mid-step, staring wide-eyed at their unexpected guest.
“Neriah?” Chris said. “What are you doing here?”
Neriah smiled but his eyes remained cold. “Let’s not play this game, Chris. You know why I’m here. It’s why you gathered your family and left Salvador, is it not?”
Chris didn’t reply. He straightened up. “Aaron,” he called, but kept his eyes on Neriah. “Go upstairs.”
Aaron stood where he was.
“Aaron, now!” Chris stressed.
Kate hurried towards Aaron, looking like she was going to drag him by the hand and stand guard in front of his door.
“Stay where you are, Kate,” Neriah instructed and to Aaron’s surprise, Kate obeyed, halting mid-step.
Neriah walked over to the stairs, all the while staring at Chris, his look clear to read: stop me if you dare. But when his violet eyes turned to Aaron, they softened, the anger dissipating a little.
“If you have a few minutes,” he said. “I would like to talk to you.”
Aaron didn’t know what to say. What could Neriah want from him? He opened his mouth but before he could get out a word, his dad had stepped between them, facing Neriah.
“No,” Chris said, his voice low and determined.
Neriah only glanced at him before focusing on Aaron again. “It won’t take long,” he said.
“Go to your room, Aaron,” Chris repeated. “Don’t come out until I say.”
“But–” Aaron started.
“Go!” Chris snapped.
Aaron looked over at his mum and she nodded at him. “Go,” she urged quietly.
Aaron turned to climb the stairs, glancing at his uncle, who was staring at Chris and Neriah, looking more than a little worried.
“You’ll want to hear what I have to say, Aaron,” Neriah called, halting him.
“You won’t be saying anything to him!” Chris seethed. “I told you, Aaron’s not going to be a part of it.”
“He already is,” Neriah said.
“Dammit, Neriah, leave him out of this,” Chris said. “I don’t want him involved.”
“That’s just the thing.” Neriah turned to look at Chris at last. “It’s not up to you.”
“Neriah.” Kate’s voice was quieter, softer. “Please. He’s only fourteen. Don’t drag him into–”
“If I wanted to drag him, I would already have done so,” Neriah cut her off, but his eyes remained on Chris. “The decision to get involved lies with Aaron, not with you, or with me – only him.”
“Neriah–” Chris started.
Neriah raised a hand and Chris quietened. “You’ve forced your son to be a mute all his life, Chris,” he said. “For once, let him speak.” He looked past Chris to Aaron. “How about it?” he asked. “Do you want to hear me out?”
Aaron looked from his parents to his uncle before meeting Neriah’s gaze. He knew what they wanted him to say, but that was the direct opposite of what he wanted. He took in a breath and met Neriah’s waiting gaze.
“Yeah,” he said. “I do.”
***
Aaron sat on the sofa in the living room, facing Neriah while his dad hovered in the corner, watching them like a hawk. His mum and Michael hadn’t been allowed to come in. It was a strange sight for Aaron to witness, for a guest to tell the owner of the house they weren’t allowed in their own room.
Aaron tried his best not to fidget as Neriah’s eyes stayed glued on him. It had been almost two minutes but Neriah hadn’t spoken a word.
Aaron cleared his throat. “So, what is it you came here to talk to me about?” he asked.
In the hallway, Neriah had looked angry. Now, sitting across from him, he was a lot more relaxed. A small smile even tugged at his lips. “You look very much like your father,” he said.
Chris glowered at him from behind but didn’t speak.
Neriah turned his head to the side. “Let’s hope your heart isn’t anything like his.”
Chris took a step forward, fists curled, but he stopped, restraining himself.
“You came all the way from Salvador to insult my dad?” Aaron asked. “Wow, that’s some dedication.”
Neriah was the leader of the mages. He was the oldest Elemental. His very presence demanded respect and Aaron was happy to give it, but not when he was taking digs at his dad.
But Neriah didn’t get mad. He didn’t even get upset. Instead, he smiled. Then chuckled. “I came to see you, Aaron,” he said. “I never got the chance to speak much to you in Salvador.”
“With all due respect,” Aaron started, “I hardly think now is the time to make social visits.”
“I never said the visit was social.” Neriah’s gaze hardened. The smile fell from his lips. “I spoke with Ella and she told me about your...” he paused, turning his head to the side again, “lack of knowledge about all things mage.”
Chris’s angry gaze was so sharp, it could have pierced holes into Neriah’s back. Aaron shrugged, even though a flash of anger went through him. He knew why his mum and dad kept him away from the mage realm, but that didn’t mean he didn’t resent them for keeping secrets.
“I got the basics,” he said.
“But the basics are not enough.” Neriah shifted in his seat, pulling himself to the edge so he could lean towards Aaron. “You understand that you are an Earth Elemental?”
“Yes,” Aaron replied.
“Do you understand that’s not all you are?”
Aaron frowned. His palms became clammy and he felt his heart rate pick up. “What do you mean?”
Neriah held his gaze, his unusual violet eyes glinted with anger, or was it annoyance?
“I mean, you are the only Earth Elemental of your generation,” he said. “And that makes you the legacy holder for Earth.”
Aaron was confused. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t know what that means.”
“Of course you don’t,” Neriah said and his voice steeled. “That’s why I came here. I had very little faith that your parents would explain any of this to you.”
Chris was now pacing by the door, looking like he would explode if he stayed still.
“You understand where Elementals come from?” Neriah asked.
Aaron nodded. “Aric’s bloodline.”
Neriah looked momentarily surprised. “There can be many Elementals,” he started, “but for each element, there is only o
ne mage who carries its legacy. If there is more than one of each Elemental in a generation, the legacy chooses the one with the stronger core. It’s passed from one generation to the next, from parent to child.” His head inclined to the fretting Chris behind him. “Your father held the legacy for Earth. Now it’s with you.”
Aaron looked from his dad back to Neriah. “What does that mean?” he asked. “Holding the legacy? What does it do?”
Neriah smiled, but it held no humour. “It marks you,” he said. “For great power – and for death.”
Aaron swallowed back the fear that bubbled up. He saw the way his dad was raking his hand through his hair, ready to tear it out. “That sounds like a rough deal,” he said. “Power but with a death sentence.”
Neriah’s eyes glinted, a look that Aaron didn’t understand. “Most things that are worth having come at a price,” he said. He straightened up, shaking whatever moment had come over him. “Being born an Elemental is a privilege, but being a legacy holder is an honour.”
“Why?” Aaron asked.
“Because legacy holders are the only ones who can wield the Blades of Aric.” Neriah smiled at Aaron’s frown. “I’m not surprised that you’re confused. I was certain you wouldn’t even know about Aric, never mind his Blades.”
Aaron’s gaze flickered to his dad, in time to see the pink spots appear in his cheeks.
“Legend has it that after Aric’s fourth child was born, Aric melted his mighty sword to create four smaller blades,” Neriah explained. “Each one was blessed and carved by Aric’s own hands. His eldest four were given a sword each and those became the Blades of Aric. Each Elemental family has its own blade.”
Aaron remembered the conversation he’d had with Scott, the day he learnt about the Scorcher. Scott had said something about the Scorcher wielding the Blade of Aedus and that only Hadrian’s son could do that. He forced back the memory of Kyran, seated right next to him while the discussion was taking place.