“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I smiled.
“Tomorrow,” he repeated. He closed the door softly behind him.
Chapter 10
That night I found myself in a familiar place. I knew I was dreaming since I’d had this dream so many times before, but as always it felt real. I shuffled over the thick forest floor of leaves and branches. I never knew what I was supposed to find but as always something pulled me in. Silently wishing for more light, I looked up at the tall canopy of trees overhead as I maneuvered around the massive trunks. The lack of sunlight gave the entire forest a hazy appearance as usual, but this time it left me unsettled. The pull, stronger than I remembered it being, led me deeper into the forest.
A large oak tree loomed several feet in front of me and immediately, I knew that’s where I headed. After all this time, I would finally reach the tree. My stomach twisted into knots, whether from excitement or nerves I wasn’t sure.
I approached the oak tree and ran my fingers over the rough casing. My fingers tingled where the bark grazed them. The sensation reminded me of the way I felt around Grant. The only difference being that with him, the feeling thrilled and excited me, but right now it induced a familiarity I found somewhat comforting although it was laced with a strange undercurrent of danger. The tree itself posed no threat. It pulsed with life under my caress, assuring me of my safety and acting as a barrier to what waited beyond. But, what would I find past this tree? My heart pounded and my breathing grew rapid. What triggered this fear?
I stood, frozen, my hand on the tree, fighting an internal battle. As long as I touched it I could stay anchored there but the pull to keep walking never ceased. Somehow I knew that if I removed my grasp, I would take the last steps toward whatever called to me. Though unsettling, the pull overwhelmed me and I shifted to release my hold. A raven swooped by, squawking loudly as it flew past me, and my heart slammed into my chest.
My eyes flew open, and I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom. My fingers still tingled, and conflicting emotions somersaulted within me. But more than anything I burned with the curiosity of what was behind the tree.
“Hey, honey.” My mom peeked her head past the door. When she noticed I was awake, she came in. “Are you feeling okay? You were already in bed when we got home last night, we didn’t have a chance to give you your birthday present and you didn’t touch your cake.” She frowned a bit. “Are you upset that your dad and I missed your birthday? I really am sorry. I just couldn’t skip the fundraiser.”
“No Mom, not at all. I was just tired and a little under the weather.”
“Do you need to stay home from school today?” She wore a concerned expression.
Did I ever? I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. “Well, maybe I should. I would hate to get behind at school, but I just don’t feel one hundred percent. I would probably fall behind even if I did go to school today.” I frowned, hoping to assure her of my misery. “I guess I should probably rest up today so I can get back tomorrow.”
“Absolutely. You don’t want to make things worse. You will just take that much longer to get better. Stay home today and we’ll see how you feel tonight.” She brushed my hair off my forehead and her expression softened with tenderness. “Do you need your dad or me to stay home with you?”
My eyes stung as tears threatened. Just hearing her parental concern made me sad as the realization of who I really was settled in. If I wasn’t the child she thought, would she still love me? Why would she want a child like me if even a faery mother didn’t?
“I’ll be fine,” I said with a weak smile.
She eyed me over as if deciding if I was well enough to stay home alone. “Okay then, if you need anything, call me.” With a benevolent mother’s touch, she patted my leg through my quilt. “Before I go, I wanted to give you this.”
My mom produced a small box and placed it in my hand. I opened the lid and found small diamond earrings. “They’re beautiful.”
“Your dad gave these to me on our wedding day. They were his grandmother’s, and, now, we want you to have them.”
Guilt clawed at me. They should be passed on to their real daughter, not me. I couldn’t meet her eyes as I spoke. “This is too much. These are special to you. You should keep them.”
“They are special, and so are you, which is why we want you to have them. I know I’ve been crazy with this whole birthday thing,” she smiled sheepishly, “but I want you to know how much we love you and every time you see these earrings I want you to remember that, okay?”
I met her gaze, she smiled lovingly at me though her eyes were glassy.
“I can’t believe you are eighteen already. Where did the time go?” She sighed. “Well, try them on.”
I obliged, wondering if she’d want them back when she discovered the truth.
She lifted my hair to see them better. “Perfect. Just like you.” She leaned forward giving me a hug. “I’ll let you get some rest now.” She walked out closing the door softly behind her.
* * * *
After both of my parents left for work I attempted to busy myself. After forcing my body out of bed and into the shower, I went downstairs for breakfast only to discover my appetite non-existent. The white cake box, which yesterday allured me with all that chocolate goodness, now made me bitter.
Why me? Why was I some sort of mutant baby? The sense of not really belonging had been present several times in the past, but didn’t all teenagers feel like that at one time or another?
The sad part was that since Grant entered my life only a few short days ago, I thought I was finding myself. Now it couldn’t be further from the truth. He wasn’t helping me, he pulled the rug right out from under me.
I sighed. The blame shouldn’t be placed on him. It wasn’t his fault who or what I was. Besides, he had been nothing but nice to me and maybe that better understanding came from not being human either. Maybe I belonged in his world.
I shoved the cake box along with all my insecurities out of sight. “Who knows, who cares?”
This over-thinking had to stop. I needed to engross myself in something, anything that would take my mind off of things. Homework.
After retrieving my Physics book from my bottomless pit of a book bag and turning to the assigned page, I pulled out several sheets of notebook paper and a pencil. I wrote my name across the top of the white college ruled paper then stared at my book. A steady beat drummed as I tapped my pencil against my desk. My gaze shifted to my hand, and I realized my pencil needed sharpening. Once the graphite had a needle-like point, I returned my attention to my assignment. The pencil tapped rhythmically again this time joined by the tapping of my foot. Halfway through the instructions I paused, realizing I had no idea what I had just read. My textbook might as well been written in a foreign language, my brain read the words but my mind couldn’t focus enough to interpret. I stared at the page for a few seconds longer, then closed my book.
Since homework was clearly a no go, I pulled out my iPod and popped in my earbuds. I selected a playlist with upbeat songs and began to tidy my room. Unfortunately, it was already pretty clean so the task didn’t consume nearly enough time. I searched the area for something else to straighten. The white bed quilt was smooth, even the abundance of throw pillows, which my mom was convinced every bed needed, were arranged perfectly. The books on my shelf were lined up neatly enough to pass a Barnes and Noble inspection.
I scanned the floor. My plush white carpet was free of clothes and clutter. I sighed. My room could have come straight from a Pottery Barn catalog. I tugged out my earbuds, tucked them into my hoodie pocket and switched off the music.
I plopped on my bed and brainstormed ways to stay busy. Then I had a great idea. I could call Lexie. It was getting close to study hall and if she saw I was calling, she would surely sneak out to take the call. At least I hoped she would. Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I called her. She could talk about nothing for a very long time and right now that’s a
ll I wanted to hear, plus I promised to talk to her today, and she would be wondering where I was.
“Come on Lex, pick up,” I pleaded into a still ringing phone.
“Hi, you’ve reached Lexie. I’m either busy right now or screening my calls and don’t want to talk to you. Leave a message and I might call you back. Bye!” Her perkiness made her voice mail comical. Only she could insult someone with that much zeal.
Being her best friend I knew she never checked messages. I hit end. Summoning some super secret faery power I hoped to have, I willed my phone to ring. I stared anxiously at the screen. No such luck.
I set the phone back down and stared at my ceiling. “A faery. A freaking faery with no super secret powers!” I grumbled, then groaned.
As if that wasn’t enough, I couldn’t forget the part about being a changeling. I tried to come up with various scenarios as to why I was swapped for a human, but nothing came to mind, well besides the obvious, ‘we just don’t want you’ scenario. It depressed me.
My phone chimed with a text. I quickly rolled over and snatched my phone, thrilled to have a distraction. It was from Lexie.
Hey K, Where R U?? Call u L8R 2day!!
The clicks bled together with my quick response.
Just needed some R&R. No biggie. Talk to u L8R.
Another failed plan. I tossed my phone back onto the small table. My thoughts immediately returned to my parents. Who were the people that gave me away? Would the people I thought of as my parents still want me if they knew? I touched one of the earrings my mom had given me–a reminder of the love they had for a child who wasn’t really their own. My stomach twisted with anxiety.
I lay like that for a long time, the questions racing. Finally my overloaded brain got a break as I drifted off to sleep, tired from my previous restless night.
Noises downstairs snapped me from my slumber. Someone had arrived home. I looked over at my clock, shocked to realize I had slept until dinner time. Groggily, I rose and glanced in the mirror. I smoothed down a horrendous case of bed-head and stared at myself. Weren’t faeries supposedly beautiful? Couldn’t they also fly or maybe that was pixies? My reflection had the same degree of confusion. You’re no help. Frowning, I headed downstairs.
To my surprise, my parents had arrived home at the same time. They looked up when they heard me traipsing down the stairs and greeted me in unison. Their ignorant bliss racked me with guilt. What would they do if they knew the real story? Looking at my petite, strawberry blonde mom and my dad with his dark eyes and large nose, it was a miracle no one put this together sooner. Could someone honestly look any less like them than I did?
I greeted them in return and followed them into the kitchen. Mom kicked off her shoes and started rummaging through the fridge. I prayed she wouldn’t order takeout. I couldn’t stomach any pizza tonight.
“Hmm.” Her head was still in the fridge, muffling her voice. “How about I just grill some chicken and whip us up a nice green salad?”
A relieved smile spread across my face. “That actually sounds perfect. Let me help.”
I circled around the kitchen island and began gathering salad items. I took the green leaf lettuce and began rinsing it.
“I’m having a friend over tonight.” I attempted to sound very casual.
“Oh yeah.” My mom seasoned the chicken, turned on the stove and glanced in my direction. “Are you feeling better?”
I finished putting lettuce into the bowl and diced up a tomato. “Yeah and, actually, that’s why he’s coming over. He’s going to bring the assignments I missed. He’ll be by later.” I hoped the he would just kind of slip by, but of course parental radar was on full alert.
“He?” Now I had my dad’s attention.
“Uh huh,” I responded nonchalantly, dropping the tomatoes into the bowl. I busied myself slicing cucumber, praying this conversation would be short and sweet.
“Have we met this boy?” Talking to my dad about boys made me want to squirm, and I was confident he knew and enjoyed the torture. His questions seemed to have a smile hidden behind them.
“No. He’s new. Just transferred from Crestview.”
Mom’s grill sizzled announcing the chicken. “Oh?” Her interest piqued, momentarily distracting her from grilling, “That’s an excellent prep school. It’s right up there with Brentwood.” Her attention went back to the chicken.
“You’ll like him. He’s very nice.” As I realized dropping off homework wouldn’t explain taking him up to my room, I thought fast. “In return for bringing my work I’m going to help him with some physics assignments. We’re ahead. I’m trying to help him catch up.”
“Well that’s nice of you, honey,” my mom said sincerely. “So, Brentwood is ahead of Crestview, interesting.” Of course, that’s the part that would stick. I’m talking about boys and she’s more interested in which school is better.
I peeled and chopped a carrot, and shot a glance over at my dad. He now sat at the kitchen table with today’s paper spread in front of him and I knew I was in the clear. He’d tuned us out the moment he read the first headline.
I finished preparing the salad. Mom placed the cooked chicken on the cutting block and sliced the tender meat into thin strips. I pulled out three plates, forks and napkins and set the table. Dad had definitely checked out. My shoulders relaxed. Why was I nervous? Maybe because I never had guys over, I didn’t know what to expect from them.
We sat around the table eating our salads. Mom talked about work and last night’s event. I smiled and made small talk when appropriate, but kept my ears peeled for the doorbell. After we finished, I cleared the table in no hurry. I wanted Grant to arrive before I went back upstairs so I could be the one, not my parents, to answer the door. Just as I placed the dishes in the sink the doorbell rang. I looked at my mom.
“I’ve got it from here, honey. Go ahead and get the door for your friend.” This was going surprisingly well. I thanked her and hurried to the front.
As I passed the hall mirror, I glanced at my refection. Not great but not horrible either. I swung open the heavy wood door. Grant stood there with his hands casually stuffed into his pockets. His face lit up when he saw me and I imagined mine wore a similar expression.
“Hey, come in.” I motioned for him to step inside. As he passed me, the air hummed with electricity and gave me goosebumps. I shut the door and faced him.
“Hey, thanks for letting me come back over. I hope you’ve had time to think.” He cocked a grin that just about made me swoon.
“Um, sort of. I have to introduce you to my parents real quick then we can head upstairs.”
I gave him an apologetic look while leading him to the living room. My parents were still in the kitchen but could easily see over the bar. I figured the more space I kept between them, the less they could embarrass me.
“Mom? Dad?” I called. They both looked up. “I just wanted to introduce you.”
Dad walked up right next to my mom obviously intending to get a better view of my male companion. Dad seemed pleased to find out Grant wasn’t an inked up biker with an excessive amount of facial piercings. Mom seemed like she approved too. Her giddy smile told me she was excited I had landed me a guy, a cute guy at that. If only they knew.
“This is Grant.”
My mom’s smile faltered. Dad continued smiling but placed his hand over my mom’s. Weird, even for them.
“Nice to meet you,” Grant said with a respectful nod and smile.
“I hear you just moved here, where did you say you were from again?” Dad asked politely but he had an unusual expression on his face.
Grant took a moment to answer. I was just about to answer for him when he finally spoke up. “Yes, I haven’t been in town very long. My family came here on business.” I admired his ability to form an answer that wasn’t a complete lie, but wondered if Dad would push the subject.
Dad gently squeezed my mom’s hand. “Well then, you two don’t study too hard.” He chuckled
at his joke, but his demeanor seemed off.
“We’ll try not to.”
I motioned for Grant to follow me and led him to my room. What in the world was that about? I knew my parents could be weird sometimes but what was that? After we got to my room, I shut the door and turned to Grant. Before I could apologize for my parents’ odd behavior, he spoke up.
“They know who I am.”
“What?” He made the comment in such a matter-of-fact and casual manner, I wasn’t sure I understood him.
“They know I’m a grant, and they know I am here for you.” He walked over to my favorite overstuffed arm chair and sank into the cushions. I snapped my mouth shut, realizing it hung wide open as I stared at him unable to grasp what he’d just said.
“How could my parents know what a grant is? This doesn’t make any sense.” My brain muddied from confusion. I sat down on my bed across from Grant. Even in a giant pink chair he was gorgeous.
“Kyla, I told you, no babies were stolen and none were abandoned. Your parents know who you are and what you are. They made the choice to raise you and love you as their own. And it seems to me they have held up their end of the bargain.”
My world spun around me. Bargain? I couldn’t think straight. How could they know, why didn’t I know, where was their baby? I had so many questions needing answers but couldn’t manage a single coherent one. He must have noticed the panic rising in me because he leaned forward and placed his hand on mine. My skin prickled under his touch.
“Hey, maybe it’s best if I just start from the beginning. I will tell you as much as I know and hopefully I will be able to answer your questions in the process.” I nodded, incapable of speech. “Your mom, your birth mother,” he clarified, “is Fae. Most Fae live in Tír na nÓg and only choose to visit here on occasion. Fae don’t usually stay for prolonged periods of time, but when your mother, Aislinn, fell in love with your human father, she chose to start a life here and soon after, you were conceived. Since most Fae don’t become this romantically involved with humans, half-faery babies aren’t very common.” He paused to see if I followed. I nodded for him to continue.
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