by Willa Alders
“We'll you had the right idea, but your concept of getting dry got in the way. It’s alright though. I read your mind. So it’s ok, I know your intentions were right. Your mind was just distracted with something else good it wanted or should I say someone else? What’s up with you and that Archer kid? You were thinking about him the first swoop. Sorry your thoughts were loud.” She smiled handing me a towel.
“Nothing is up nothing at all. I’m going to bed.” I said annoyed.
I headed past Avery’s room and he was weight lifting and changing channels through the TV. We looked like a typical family, I thought. Parental figures downstairs, older brother working out, and me the teenage girl annoyed. An annoyed teen thinking about a guy, we appeared to be so normal. I walked past and went into my room.
I lay in my bed but didn’t sleep; I just watched the stars through my glass ceiling thinking the whole time. I was wondering how come everything was happening the way it did. Why did Archer have to come in and start to screw things up. I told myself I could not be with a human. Back off that subject I told myself again but I couldn’t.
So instead I prayed to god he was not human. After a couple of hours, I stood up and swooped to a tree that I thought about. I popped a look in the window. I had swooped to in front of Archer’s house. He was sleeping, and he looked peaceful. He did not look like he had an evil bone in his body. I hope he didn’t. I looked again and twirled swooping back to my house because the sun was starting to rise. I swooped back into my room. I showered, and then threw on a pink peasant shirt and a pair of jeans and gym shoes. I grabbed my black jacket, just in case it was cold outside today. I walked by Avery’s’ room, he nodded and met me outside by the door. He shook his head at me when I came out.
“So we are racing to your school today?” He asked with a cocky arrogant smile as he slid his coat on in the garage.
“Hence the leather jacket” I smiled; we told Carmina bye and headed to our bikes as he opened up the door.
He swung on his Ducati and I hopped on my 2010 Ducati Monster which I had custom painted black and orange. I turned the key and revved the engine up as I slid on my helmet. Avery smiled when he mind-spoke to me. Let’s go keep up .
I nodded and we were winding up and down the roads flipping corners that we shouldn’t have taken that fast within seconds. We were going over 100 through winding roads to bypass town. We were heading up to the mountains when Avery mind-spoke again.
Want to take the long way up the mountain and down?
I nodded and we were off again, whizzing through tight curves up to the top of the mountain. Avery stopped at the top flashing a grin at me as he took off. He was cheating. I caught up to him in no time. We took two more roads and before I knew it, we had arrived at the school in no time. Meet me at Sam’s later Ara. Avery said in his mind before whizzing off and I slowed down pulling into the school and parking.
I noticed a car I had never seen at the school before, but I had seen it before somewhere but as for where I couldn’t pin it. It was one bad Chevelle, and whoever had it had money. I thought as I put the helmet under my arm and walked in and found my locker. Kilyn was walking up to me as I was grabbing my books and paper.
“Hi love, how was your weekend?” She asked tucking her books under her arm.
“Good, I met a guy, kind of strange.” I smiled.
“Where, Sam’s party?” Kilyn asked, as I nodded and we took our seats in Ms. Jenson’s class. She was our first period today.
“What’s his name?” She asked and I was answering when Ms. Jenson stopped with her lesson as the principal came in saying something to her and then he left. Ms. Jenson cleared her throat and spoke up.
“Class, we have someone new to our first period. This is Archer Coleson.” Ms. Jenson said smiling.
I was looking down and when she said his name I looked up and sure enough Archer was standing there. I thought he was 20 or something in college or something definitely not high school. He must not have been in his 20’s must have been our age or at least the age I was portraying to be. He looked just as good looking today as he did the other night at Sams’. He had his hair down around his face today, and the ringlets were sexy as can be. Except today he had a black t Nike Dri-Fit t-shirt on which made his muscles show and jeans.
The girls in first period were gawking and so were the guys well they were rolling their eyes at him. Everyone was looking at him Great now I had competition. I thought, but then mentally smacked myself and told myself he’s human stop, and he’s not yours. I couldn’t make myself stop. He was here, and now I got to spend at least one class with him a day maybe more. I couldn’t help but to be excited. One girl slipped him a paper and he smiled and said thank you. Ms. Jenson paired us up with people to do this project we had to do about the witch trials. I sighed again with the witch trials. My partner may have to take the wing on this, I thought. I was that she paired me up with Archer but as bad as I wanted to be Archer’s partner, I was hoping to God at the same time that she did not pair me up with him, and sure enough she did. So there was no way to avoid him now.
“Aralynn and Archer, I’m sorry but I cannot grant an extension since Archer’s new, unfortunately because class grades are due in one month that is all I can allow.” Ms. Jenson said and I nodded. She allowed some of us to go to the computer lab, the library, and some outside.
Archer and I stayed inside; we were the only two in the whole room. Our project was to describe how a typical witch would have lived, and what she would do to conceal who she was. Then we had to describe what would happen if she was suspected to be a witch and what her options were to escape persecution. I knew this would be easy especially with Avery’s help; he could go back in time. How we would explain how I knew all this to Archer not quite sure yet but I would figure something out. That was going to be the only hard part.
“Where do you want to start?” I asked pointing to the guidelines.
“How about the date you owe me?” Archer smiled coolly.
“No, school now, maybe tomorrow is that good? Besides tonight we’ll be busy working on this because we have to get the basics down, and class is almost over.” I said not looking up, pointing to the paper as I was trying to write down certain years that could be helpful with Avery for our project.
“Fine tomorrow, I know a restaurant a few towns over if you don’t mind riding with me.” Archer said and I could tell he was smiling.
“Ok, that’s good. Now do you want to meet me at Sam’s tonight to work on this. I know he’s grilling and stuff.” I smiled at him but never really looking up at him.
“Sure, why not.” He answered back.
Before he could say anything else, the bell rang. I went to my next class, and Archer didn’t have that one or the one after that with me. He had English after me, so we brushed up against each other for a mere moment as I was heading out of English and he was heading in. He smiled a smile that made me weak feeling. I smiled back, but I had to force it because when I rubbed my arm against his, I saw the movie couple again.
This time he went to stand in front of her to protect her, it looked like. That was sweet. The camera moved and flickered to where it looked like the girl was moving and mumbling something but whatever it was she was saying it to low, and way too soft and fast for me to hear or read her lips. Then she stepped out of behind him, and began chanting more at this one bear in the group. That bear in particular growled showing his teeth and lunged at them. Before I could see anymore the movie stopped. I went to my next class and tried to mind-speak to one of us.
Caleb, Carmina, Avery. Someone hey it happened again. I said and waited five minutes nothing.
I repeated it again. Another ten minutes went by and heard nothing. So finally I mind-spoke but this time I was more dominant. Avery, Carmina, Caleb damn it answer me.
No one would answer me so I went back dissecting my fish in Science, but I attempted to channel chant in my head versus mind speaking. So I started in my head
by this:
“Find this message, to the three like me, let them know what happened. Show them what I saw. Send this dust of words through the air to the C’s and A.” I repeated this a few times until the words blinked out of my mind and disappearing out the window. One went toward the golf field where Caleb was which meant he wouldn’t respond because if he was playing a game of golf, you may as well forget him answering, one south, and one toward the college toward Avery. I waited a couple more minutes and nothing, and I growled. My teacher came by and asked me what was wrong. I told him the seaweed wouldn’t come out of the fish’s stomach.
Twenty more minutes went by, and no response so when the bell rang I ran out of the school building. One thing nice about this town’s schools was you could leave the premises on lunch, but you had to be back before the next period. So I threw my coat on and jumped on the bike ramming it into gear. I sped off passing cars left and right, hitting at least 95, quickly as I passed the last car and pulled up into the college lot. The college was huge especially for our town, so I found a dark corner in one of the slots of the buildings. I took my helmet off and swung off my bike. I started thinking of Avery, and closed my eyes and swirled. I landed in the auditorium doors. I didn’t think I would be getting in trouble for swooping without an adult trainer around. I found him easily he was on the second floor in the way back lying on the seat with some girl. His face was buried into her neck. Great I thought, even immortals like us are typical especially the guys all ruled by their hormones. Especially him he was definitely ruled by his. He would find a new girl everyday if he could.
I tapped his shoulder and he waved me away so I did it again. “Avery” I said smacking the back of his head.
“What? I’m busy.” He said stopping and groaning.
“Do you not know how to answer calls? I mean important ones.” I yelled, the girl blinked and then spoke up.
“Who is she?” She asked jealousy.
“She’s my younger sister that needs to mind her own. I’ll talk with you later about it at Sam’s. Go.” He said burying his head back in her neck.
“Whatever.” I snorted and stalked off back to the beginning of the auditorium. I checked the time, and I didn’t have time to swoop to the other two. So I pictured my bike and landed on it with my helmet on I gunned it back into the school, leaving me three minutes. I grabbed my books and headed off to my next class. The last three periods went by really quick which was really really nice.
Afterwards, Archer had followed me to Sam’s house so we could work on our project. At least there I did not have to worry about Caleb watching invisibly, or Carmina doing chants. When we got there Archer hopped out of the car.
“I looked for you at lunch, where’d you go?” he asked moving his hair out of his face.
“Had stuff to take care of and see Avery, why?” I asked brushing my hair out of my face as well.
“Are you alright?” He asked turning me around so I could see him so that I was facing him.
“Yea, Avery was being well Avery which is nothing new.” I smiled. “I interrupted him during stuff.”
“Oh what kind of stuff?” Archer asked with a cocky grin.
“Typical guy stuff, I guess you all are ruled by all your hormones.” I smiled back getting ready to walk into Sam’s’ house.
“That would suck for both everyone. I can fix that.” He smiled and before I could walk away he pushed me back up against his car, and took my face in his hand and began to caress it with his palm. Then he leaned in and began kissing me. I wrapped my arms around his neck getting lost, then instantly he stopped and groaned. Avery had come up.
“What did you need? Yeah it’s not fun is it.” He yelled.
“ Do you ever read your texts or listen to your voicemail?” I said grabbing Archer’s hand.
“No.” He answered.
“Come on Archer; let’s go work on our project.” I yelled as he followed. We went into one of the guest rooms that were my room.
Once in the room I grabbed the books I had in my bag and took them out of the bed. I grabbed paper and a pen out and smiled at him. “Books and project until dinner.” I smiled.
“No. Better idea. I say kiss you till dinner, after dinner project time.” Archer smiled a sly smile that made me melt and I could not say no because he had me pushed back up against the wall as he began kissing me again but this time more passionately.
As much as I wanted to stop it because I realized then I was starting to fall for him, and I couldn’t because he was human. In that moment I hoped he wasn’t human. I wanted him to be immortal. So I tried to stop kissing him again but I couldn’t because he popped a few buttons on his shirt. I was getting more and more wrapped up in the moment but we didn’t get to go any farther because Sam came in. This time we both groaned.
“Dinner’s here.” Sam smiled. “Another time guys.” He laughed heading out.
“We will have to find a better way.” Archer smiled and I nodded as we headed downstairs to eat.
Avery and Sam gave us a hard time during dinner, about how we were really getting far with our project especially since when we were too busy learning how to share each other. I just looked at him, and smiled. After dinner before we could work Avery and I got a call, one was from Carmina. Then Archer got one from his sister telling him he had better get home. So we all left. This time Avery drove my bike home.
Once we got home Avery swung off the bike he was still mad at me from earlier, I could tell that, but that wasn’t our main focus. Caleb and Carmina were inside waiting on us. They had a member of the Kintana with them. I had met him once before it was Orion. He was one of the highest guards that the Kintana had, and one of the strongest. So if there was a message that needed relayed he would relay it. Orion looked huge sitting at our table. He was a massive man about eight feet, and he had wings. He wore no shirt just pants, and shoes. When we came in he stood up and bowed.
“Good Evening Miss Aralynn.” He gestured for me to sit down, and I did even though it was my dining room table. I sat down though, and watched as he eyeballed Avery and me. “So your family here says that you’re coming into your own really well.” He smiled, as I tried to study what he was after.
“I hear from the Kintana you may be developing some new abilities. After talking with your family Carmina and Caleb and they allow me to tap in and see what you had seen today because I believe you are developing as well. The Kintana seem to believe it may be the ability to see future possibilities. Like premonitions of what is going to happen. Not many of us are lucky enough to possess that ability, but those who are, are indeed lucky ones. To me it sounds like you are one of those lucky ones. Based on what I saw of what you saw, and what I sent to the Kintana they told me to give you some pointers on what to do when you get another one. Since it seems they are just apparently random run INS so to speak. So are you able to figure out who the couple are? Or what they are saying? Or where they are at all?” Orion asked crossing his hands together.
“Uh not really, I just see that she mumbles something and it’s too low and too soft for me to see. I only see her lips but not enough to read them. I know they were fighting and he goes to protect her, and the bears lunge at them. The only other thing I know is that they are in a field somewhere. That’s it.” I said trying to make sense of what he wanted me to do next time I got one of the premonition things.
“I understand. Things to focus on are difficult when they are only for a moment or two at a time. The Kintana however especially my mate Lona wants you to try and really look at details about the couple. About the clothes they are wearing. If you can remember what they are wearing, how their hair is, what color it is, if you can, what their face looks like if you ever see them. They also want you to try to harness in on the surroundings. You say a field. See if there is a log or something random out of place or a place you recognize going to or if there is water or houses or anything like that. Anything like that could clue you as to who they are or wh
at they are doing. All this will help in order to save them. You can let Caleb and Carmina know and they will let me know. Then I’ll fill in the Kintana. If worse comes to worse send a picture like you did earlier to Lona she will get it and take care of it. I know this is difficult but you are coming into your abilities so quick young one. Quicker than anyone expected.” He smiled at me.
“I’ll try. Thank you.” I replied. “What about the bears? Any news on where they are?” I asked and he shook his head no. I got up from the table and headed out of the room.
Orion was talking in a real quiet voice that was hard to hear now but I did overhear that the bears were closer than what he thought and wanted to tell me. Great, so now we had to really watch using our abilities. Plus I had to try to figure out who the couple were, what they were doing, why they were where they were, what she was saying, and things like that. Not to mention getting close to Archer and not to fall harder for him than what I already was this was going to be hard.
I walked past Avery’s room he was on the computer. “Hey can you try to take me back to the Salem Witch Trials for me for a project.” I said walking into his room.
“I would darlin but you’re on your own on that one. We aren’t allowed to go back to that time frame at all. Rules.” He said not even looking up.
“Oh. Can you go forward in time at all? Since you can go back?” I asked as he looked up again.
“I don’t think I can. I can try again tomorrow. Why?” He asked.
“Well can you do me another favor? Can you try to go back in time, and see where Archer was several years ago if he was here or not. It’s really strange that Kilyn mentioned having a brother the other day but he didn’t live near them. Then Archer showed up. Plus the menacing bears. I want to see if he is human, and if he’s being honest with me.” I said leaning in his doorway.
“Yeah, I can Ara if you want me too but you’ll owe me” He paused raising an eyebrow which I knew what that meant. “Despite everything and despite how I feel on the subject of this; I’m going to go against my own judgment and tell you what I think. I think he’s human and he’s just a typical teenage guy which I hate.” He shook his head. “That’s beside the point though. I think you are just jumping to conclusions and worrying yourself before you are even sure. Get some truth first Ara some hard truths from him before you have me try to figure out what he’s about. No uses in adding more fuel to the fire since you have no idea what’s even going on yet. ” Avery laughed at me but I could tell he thought some of the same things I did, because he was going to do what I asked.