Hidden Carmina

by Adri Sinclair

  “Yes we can. Look. Pops and the others were happy she is human and knows nothing of our true nature right? But she knows nothing of our true nature. Who will protect her if she runs into the others who are not like us? She needs teaching. Who better to do it than our respective Houses? She can learn from the Risi and Azzara families what they are willing to teach her. And then she can come here.” He looks at Liam. “And you will teach her about the Moretti’s.”

  Liam stares at his brother and then narrows his eyes.“Keep some of those thoughts to yourself brother, or I’ll have to ….”

  John laughs brazenly and shrugs.

  “You marked her soul, brother, but she is a tasty morsel...” John does not get to finish his sentence. Within a heartbeat, Will is between his boys giving them each a menacing snarl and a slap for good measure.

  “Back off John, this isn’t a game. Liam, you will have to claim her... soul at some point.”

  “I know father, I didn’t realize it was happening until she was back in the cabin. I… should have been more careful.”

  Will sits down at his wife’s side and taps a finger on the table. “The other Ancients will never allow her to learn our history John. She is human.” He is aggravated.

  “But what if… what if she is more than that? What if we need to find out why there are three voices invariably trying to instruct her? Surely there is something of interest to us? We can all hear them.” Liam stares at his mother begging her to help him, appealing to her love for romance and challenges.

  “He makes a valid point, Will. We all heard them, even in his memory. And didn’t you mention an incident at the Fire Clan’s gathering?”

  “Ah yes. It was peculiar, undeniable.” Will answers his wife and the two boys shrug at each other, perfectly clueless and locked out of the ‘official’ business their father is involved in.

  “Well I think John made a valid suggestion, regardless of his motives,” Esmeriska concludes but not without a sharp pointed finger at her son. “I’m onto you young man.”

  Will laughs, knowing well there is no empty threat from his wife and these boys should know by now they cannot hide things from their mother; unless they break link and never shift. It would be clear admission of guilt anyway.

  “I’ll send a formal meeting request to the other houses. But before we do, we need to make sure our house in order.” He looks at Liam with concern. “You know there will be conditions?”

  “I know father.”

  “I have one more question for you son. Two. Why did you hide this from us and how long did you think you can keep this secret?”

  Liam looks as desperate as he feels.

  “I… I hid it because I felt it a private matter, and I knew she didn’t remember me. I know how the bond works and I was afraid you would take her from me. I would have kept this up for as long as I could…which turns out to not to be especially long at all.”

  Esmeriska leans against her husband with a teasing smile. “Our little boy is genuinely in love. Would you look at that? We’ve waited so long for this to happen… It is as special as I had wished it to be for him.”

  Will lets out a chuckle and rakes his fingers through the substantial heap of unruly wildness impersonating her hair. “And unpredictable as much as challenging.”

  John clasps his hands together and make fake swoony sounds and swaying from side to side. “I know of a hell-cat sister who is going to be seriously moody to say the least!”

  “John, don’t be ridiculous! Liam… you have to agree to take this charge.” Will continues. “Do you accept the responsibility of teaching Carmina our House, Moretti history?”

  “I do father, but… how do I know I won’t hurt her? You’ve seen how fragile and hazardous to herself she is.”

  Esmeriska smiles big and nuzzles more into her husband who answers, “We know you won’t, because you can’t… It’s all settled then.”

  “Hmmm hmm hmmm! We’ll be visiting the harpies and the hellcats soon. You up for a little hunt, brother?” John’s invite is more like a challenge to his brother.

  Both the boys look to the parents. They are waved off in unison. In seconds there’s a static charge in the air and Esmeriska shouts “OUTSIDE! You don’t change in the house there’s not enough space!”

  “By the power of the WOLF!!” Followed by the sound of tearing clothes, singed material and two wolves howling in unison.

  The parents smile, recognizing the childlike maneuver.

  “It won’t be easy…” Will says into his wife’s hair enjoying the smell and the tickles against his face.

  “No, and I pity the fool who hurts his girl.” Esmeriska smirks with a mother’s superiority.

  ***

  Wedding Plans

  Lilly has become unbearable with the wedding stuff. The malls are overcrowded, noisy and the terrible smell of fast food does not hang around; it clings to your skin and hijacks your pores. I cannot fathom why she insists on travelling from town to town to find one bridal shop after another. We all know she is going to settle on a dress made for her, designed by her and fitted to her in the end.

  In the shoe-store, Lilly drags me into, my worst nightmare unfolds. Lilly has a keen eye for fashion but when it comes to me, she forgets way too often about my personal limitations. Walking upright being one of them.

  “These shoes, Carmina! I think you will wear them.” She holds up a pair of short ankle black boots. They would have been perfect, if they didn’t have such a ghastly heel!

  “No.” I refuse.

  Lilly reverts into an instant-pout-until-you-say-yes face. “Yes. For me? Come on Carmina! They will be perfect with the dress I am having made for you!”

  I grumble and take the shoes from her.

  “See these?” I wiggle the heel. “They will kill me, then I’ll have to haunt you forever.”

  Lilly stares for a moment and then proclaims, “You can practice! I’ll buy two pairs and you can wear the one all the time until you’re used to them.”

  I roll my eyes at her.

  “Lilly? For real? I am 22 two years old and can’t even walk with my own two feet. ”

  “Carmiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnaaaaaa,” she whines at me.

  “Fine.” I give in. Anything but the prolonged Lilly whine.

  I try the shoes on and don’t do the ‘twirl’ Lilly suggests. In fact, I stand with my hands spread out on either side, squeezing my knees together. Not very flattering but at least stable enough for her to get a look at them on the floor- as opposed to me on the floor and them ... not.

  “They fit, let’s go.” I mumble moodily.

  “They are just perfect! How about new jewelry?”

  “No.” This time I won’t budge. “I wear clan made jewelry or nothing.”

  Our family works hard in and around the volcano. The men dig the porous rock up by the barrel full and break them up into sizes big enough for a woman’s hand to work with. The women spend hours making it into jewelry and ornaments, fused with homemade perfume and packed with specially made soaps and waxes. The harder rocks are carved and chiseled into stunning statues or figurines. These are sold to the tourist companies for their markets and tradesmen.

  Mother was given this land as her share of the clan property, even though it was, “As barren as her childless womb” and bad luck. Worth nothing. It was a mocking gesture from her brother who had first pickings, not a kindness. He did not count on Mother being a shrewd business woman and creative thinker. He did not count on her finding me either. They did not count on the clan forming one member at a time, seeking a home, a reason to continue life. None of us are ‘clan’ by traditional birthright; we are all strays. We are outcasts but not to our Elder Margarith, my mother. To her, we are children, family, and her clan – beware anyone who would say otherwise. They certainly did not count on the loyalty and fierce family values the Elder Margarith infuses and inspires in her clan. Our clan is strong. Modern.

  “Fine fine fine,” Cleverly,
Lilly lets it go. There are certain things that will circumvent even her infamous nagging ability. One of those things is my stubbornness about supporting our clan.

  We spend most of the day traversing countless shops for the men’s outfits, and never-ending rows of boutiques for bridal-gown-browsing. More gifts, more samples, more cake tasting, more flower sniffing, more-more-more. Exhausted, I beg her to go home. It has been a week of none-stop shopping and travelling and I am tired. I want to go home.

  “Yea, let’s. I am done with this. Such limited, unimaginative choices in gowns. I think I will just design my own too.”

  “Surprise-Surprise.” I don’t try to hide the sarcasm from my voice.

  “Oh you! It was fun to be together just us two.” Lilly is sincere, “We should drive home ourselves. It shouldn’t take long and I do declare the hotel staff will be happy to have a peaceful night’s rest!” Her teasing stings but I cannot fault her for it, truth is truth. I know the nightmares are loud and peace-disturbing for anyone within a few meters. I tried not sleeping at night while we’re here, but eventually there was no escaping the inevitable.

  Red in the face, I agree. It is nice to have my sister to myself again. She has been exceedingly busy and insisting on having her wedding with the first snow-fall; less than a month away. She always fancied herself a Winter Queen and this is her moment to live the full fantasy. Of course, she is consulted on miniscule details, from the carved seating to the last bite at the reception. She’s right, a drive home would give us a few more hours alone.

  “Let’s.”

  The sun is setting and the sky is streaked with puffy clouds in shades of oranges and pinks. A silly thought jogs by, telling me I would do very well as a naturist artist – if I didn’t like the color green far too much. I don’t think a green sun would be as effective. Still, seeing the breathtaking art-strokes coloring the sky after a long day brings peace to my soul.

  Getting out of the car, I hear a far off screech from a pair Bearded Vultures. They are very high above us and I almost topple over looking up at them. Tilting my head up sideways, I watch the birds circle above.

  “I wonder what it must be like, so high up, seeing us ants on the ground.” I muse to myself. Lilly heard me and follows my gaze with a thoughtful expression.

  “They see us as we are, not as ants.” She states without any doubt. “Come! The mob has spotted us.” She sighs dramatically and I know it is fake because she’s been missing Jarrod something fierce. I do not have the sole claim to sleep-talking.

  “You first, this was your idea.” I shove her ahead of me playfully, pretending to look for something in a bag whilst giving her ample room to move ahead.

  “Bought the whole city did you?” I hear Jarrod tease as he takes the parcels from his beloved.

  “She did! There’s loads more in the trunk and back-seat, you will need help,” I let him know, enjoying the flabbergasted expression on my brother’s face.

  A big set of arms enclose me and I squeal right before I wonder when I’ve turned into Lilly. My balance is wavering and my face threatens connect itself to the ground.

  “Who-Huh?” Spinning around, my breath isn’t just knocked out of my sails, but my eyes stretch big, threatening to cover my whole face.

  Instead of a jostling clan member, I am captured by a set of unfamiliar dark, golden-brown orbs framed with black lashes. Gorgeous! And oh boy is he large!

  “John Moretti, at your service Ma’am!” he says in a jovial manner, bowing deeply in front of me. Jarrod wedges himself between us, his finger tapping me on the chin. “Close your gob Carmina and you, wait your turn runt. Let me greet my sister!”

  Jarrod hugs me and whisper in my ear, “Good to have you both home safely. Thanks for doing this, I know you must have hated it.”

  Clinging on longer than needed, not trusting myself to turn around I confess to my brother, “I did.”

  “Carmina, my fiancé please?” Lilly purrs like a kitten, holding her hand out as if to receive payment of sorts. Awkwardly, I let Jarrod go and force a smile to my face while waving and greeting the family as they turn up one by one. I sneak a peek at the John person again. How old is he? And where do they find clothing to fit him? This young man is enormous!

  “Don’t let his muscles fool you Carmina, he’s a whelp.” Jarrod must have seen me stare.

  “John, my sister Carmina, Carmina, John Moretti from the Moretti House. Our… neighbors. The Moretti’s are here for a visit.”

  I get the distinct feeling there’s more, but Jarrod is not going to tell me.

  “You’re in good hands!” Lilly grabs Jarrod’s arm “If you’re not busy let’s get the kids! I have something for each of them!”

  Lilly does not have children of her own yet, on account of her being too young and not married. Which is soon to change. The running joke amongst our clan informally states that, if ever anyone is orphaned, they will be adopted by Lilly even if it might be against their will. She is young but she is the poster child for the perfect mother hen.

  I smile watching Lilly encourage the outrageous rituals amongst children. This involves some elaborate cat and mouse chase around the courtyard, with Jarrod pretending to herd them into a corner. The game is manic, and there’s lots of squeals and laughter. At the end of the game, the children are all sitting around Lilly, quietly anticipating their turn to receive a gift. I don’t know how she does it. One minute it is all bedlam and the next it is angelic patience and serenity.

  “Pity she’s already snatched up,” I hear John say behind me. I don’t dare look at him yet. The last eyefull is still leading me to spontaneous combustion around the cheeks. Other than our kinsmen, I have never really felt comfortable around men. In particular friendly, playful, handsome men. And this one is all of that. I do give him fair warning.

  “Don’t let Jarrod hear you say that. My brother is… Protective over his family. And I am giving you a polite version.”

  Truth be told, it is a wonder Jarrod has any friends; for the amount of times he had beaten the crud out of them over Lilly, or me, he should be a loner.

  I pick up the parcels and aim towards the house. John seizes me around the waist again, keeping me back.

  “Wait, let me bring some too. I assume Margarith’s place? We are staying there and then you can meet the other Moretti’s.”

  “Sure,” I mumble.

  Of course they’d be staying in our home. I feel a little sour about the news. I was looking forward to a long warm bath and maybe something to read. It is just after dinner and there is no rush to get to anything in particular. The stink of the polluted city rudely pokes scrawny fingers into my nostrils and it is disgusting. I don’t notice John’s return, and jump when his shoulder nudges against mine, jerking me from my wishful thinking.

  “These trips are terribly long and sticky, aren’t they? Perhaps you should have a nice soak first. Goodness knows I would not feel too social after such a long drive.”

  I gobble up the offer like a baby rabbit with a carrot stick.

  “Oh! That would be tremendous if nobody objects.” I exclaim and watch him fake a heart attack on the spot.

  “What a smile! Oh so as to slay a beast” he stumbles a few paces and falls down, rolling around in the grass holding the parcels above his head to avoid damaging them.

  “John, you belong in a theater.” I state dryly and climb over him, moseying towards the house.

  Once inside, I sort through the parcels quickly, gather up Lilly’s- which was just about all of them- and put them in her room. John has gone back and forth with Jarrod and a few others to bring the bags, parcels and wrapped packages inside while Lilly spends extra time with the children.

  I reach the bathroom and couldn’t help but grin noticing the tub is full of steamy hot water and “Hidden Carmina” engulfing the nooks and crevices around me. I smell the air and wonder if she’s used a whole bottle today. The perfume is already filling up my pores and I’m not even in the tub ye
t.

  “Welcome home” is written on the mirror in Momma’s recognizable handwriting.

  Home at last. I sink myself into the tub and spread my hair around me, making the strands twirl on top of the water. I go over the week, nauseated by the memory. I don’t like strangers, and I don’t like crowds yet Lilly managed to find both in excessive amounts. I hate the food, I hate the stink... Why did I subject myself to this? Oh yes, because my baby sister is getting married. I shudder to think what would have happened had I not agreed. Lilly has always had her very own way of ‘persuasion’. Usually leaving one feeling tortured and regretful for saying ‘no’ to her in the first place. Lilly is not a brat, quite the contrary, but when she wants something...

  I wonder about the Moretti family. Who they are, why they’re here. I’ve not seen Momma yet and that too is odd. I wash the ugly city and all the sticky muck from my skin vigorously, leaving a light glow and fresh feel behind.

  By the time I get out and am ready to face the Moretti family, it is quiet outside. Making my way down the passage into the main room, I hear Jarrod’s miserable moan.

  “Oh gods yes, Carmina is home!” His hand covers his face as if he just smelled something terrible. My brain was prepared to give him a complete scrubbing down, but the words get stuck half way and my mouth wasn’t catching up to it, gaping open.

  The next few seconds do not race by, but slow down to a halt. I recognized John, of course. With him is a woman I imagine to have come straight from a 20’s movie set. Soft, powdery white and blended skin in such a way to make you wonder if it’s a porcelain mask. She is tall, even when seated and her gray-green eyes smile at me with an age old wisdom. Her mouth is small with full lips sporting a dimple in each corner. Her hair is magnificent, static wild, pitch black and waist length. Next to her is a gentleman with shorter hair but the complete contrast in color to hers. It is shoulder length, and silvery white. As unruly as hers but caught in the back into a loose ponytail. His eyes somewhat darker and his jawline strong without being obnoxious. He has the broadest shoulders against her slender frame. He far surpasses handsome turning short at pretty. The couple sits together like a black and white puzzle, perfectly chiseled to fit specifically with one another. I think I’ve just seen my guardian angels.