Circumstellar

by J. W. Lolite

  “You too, huh?” I sighed in defeat. “It’s not fair. You both come here for the first time, and now you’re ganging up on me with surprises. Go on. Tell me what big secret you have.”

  Ty broke out in a broad smile and gave me another pat. “Well, as it turns out, I’ll still be able to hang out with you Amazons up here every afternoon. I’m a warrior descendant, too. “

  “What?” The word echoed all over the room, and it occurred to me that a chorus of voices had joined in on my surprise.

  Ty smirked around the room and straightened his back. “Let me introduce myself,” he announced, pride bouncing around the room. “My name is Ty Callahan. I’m the Leo Lockkeeper.”

  Chapter 18

  The Lion

  I closed my eyes and pinched my nose as the telltale signs of one of those breakneck arriving headaches began to pulse in my forehead. My bed felt so comfy and inviting from where I was sitting, and had my friends not been taking up the rest of the space, I would have sprawled out and lost consciousness in its soft embrace.

  “This is so amazing.” Lesia giggled. “I’m still trying to convince myself it’s not a dream.”

  “I think Ingrid wishes it was a dream.”

  “Nope, no dreams. This is a Class A nightmare,” I groaned.

  “Oh, come on,” Ty said, throwing me a sympathetic look. “We get to be training buddies.”

  “I suppose a tarnished silver lining is better than none.”

  “Is this really so bad?” he asked, smile vanishing. “I didn’t know you were trying to escape us.”

  “You know I’m not.” I sighed, looking up at the ceiling when a thud descended down. I really think I was still in shock from the whole ordeal. Lesia’s revelation was one thing, but now Ty as well. After his big introduction, all I could do was stand and stare like a mannequin. At least, I can say I wasn’t the only one dumbstruck. Markus gave Ty a nod so stiff it looked like his neck might be made of wood, and Kaira looked him over as if sizing him up. The awkward silence lasted a few minutes before Meissa decided that was enough excitement for one day and kicked us out.

  I vaguely remember Lesia leaving to get my uniform before we started heading back towards town. Dying to discuss all that happened, Ty and Lesia debated on whose house to go to. Lesia didn’t want her family trying to nose in on what we were doing, while Ty curtly added he didn’t think his house was suitable. So, that only left one option. When they turned to me, all I could do was let out a dumb nod and go with the flow. It’s not like Auntie would be sober enough to care.

  “Sounds like some big rats,” Ty commented, following my gaze.

  “Just Auntie,” I replied. “She’s recently taken to sitting up there talking to herself.”

  “Weird.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  “So, does she know?” he asked. At my confused look, he clarified, “About all this warrior stuff, I mean.”

  “I’m not sure,” I answered. For the first time, it really dawned on me that Aunt Kaline was related to the Therion warrior like me. “She did say some things about Grandfather making her learn to fight to protect something, but I don’t think she really understood why.”

  “Maybe you should ask her. You might be surprised at what she has to say,” Lesia offered.

  “You got that right.” I frowned in bitter remembrance. “Last time I asked her about the past it blew up in my face.”

  “You could take her to the Orion Temple to talk to Master Meissa,” she suggested.

  Despite my mood, amusement filled me at the prospect of Meissa trying to explain anything to my flighty aunt. “Could you even imagine the two of them in the same room?” I chuckled, surprising my friends. “It’d be like trying to explain geometry to Becky. Besides, I’m pretty sure Auntie’s convinced the temple is either a spa or a rehab facility. There’s only a fifty percent chance of success.”

  “Huh,” Lesia said as though remembering something. “My dad said the same thing about the temple.”

  “Must be their cover story,” Ty pitched in, laughing with me.

  “Next thing you know, we’ll be the staff instead of apprentices,” I noted.

  “We can beat up your enemies and get you fresh towels,” Ty chimed in.

  “Speaking of enemies,” Lesia interrupted, a serious note in her voice. “It was the Ankida who attacked you the other night, wasn’t it?”

  The mood in the room once again shifted, the question sobering up any amusement that was left in me. “Yes, that’s what I think. I couldn’t see their faces, but they had glowing eyes like Meissa said.” And like me.

  “But, Ingrid, why attack you? Your father was an Ankida, right?”

  I looked at her, the most curious feeling overwhelming me. It was perfectly obvious. One look at my face and there could be no question as to what I was. Yet, with the exception of Kaira’s taunts, this was the first time anyone had ever acknowledged my heritage, much less said it so openly. She’d been so casual about it, too, like we were talking about him being an accountant or something.

  “Yeah, he was,” I responded. “But I don’t think they knew that. Not at first, anyway.”

  “They just went after some random stranger?” Ty asked, alarmed.

  I nodded. “It certainly looks that way.”

  We sat in silence. I took the time to organize my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to tell them since this afternoon.

  “Look, guys,” I started, “no matter how hard I keep trying to protect you from this, you’re a part of it now. I don’t like it, but you’ve made it clear there’s nothing I can do to change your minds.”

  “Finally figured it out?” Ty grinned.

  “Against my better judgment. Just promise me that you‘ll be careful and won’t do anything too dangerous. Especially you, Lesia. This Locksmith business has me on edge.”

  “Only if you promise to do the same,” Lesia replied. “It’s not just Ty and me in danger. You need to watch out as well. But don’t worry.” She smiled at me. “We have the same after school program. We’ll be able to watch each others’ backs.”

  I smiled at her assessment. “I guess you’re right.”

  As it turned out, Ty’s great bright-side-of-things idea about being workout buddies was totally off. My plan centered mainly around running laps to build up my speed and endurance, followed by a few rounds of weight lifting to increase my strength. I figured that since Ty was about as fond of exercising as I was, he would be getting the same deal. Looks like that was not how Meissa operated.

  “And what is the point of this again?” I asked while wiping the sweat from my forehead. Shortly after we arrived, Ty and Lesia went to find Meissa, and I decided to go ahead and get my laps out of the way. I just finished the last lap when the old bird came marching into the dirt field with Ty and Markus trailing behind. I watched from the side as she ordered them to start wrestling. Markus wasted no time in getting into position, a murderous look adorning his face, while Ty shrugged and took his time following suit. They had been at it for a few minutes, and though I hated to admit it, Ty was a bit out of his league. Okay. A lot out of his league.

  “It’s a test. Much like the one you had against Kaira and Markus,” she replied, puffing on her smoke stick.

  “This is nothing like my test,” I pointed out, flinching when Ty was thrown to the ground for the fifth time.

  “A different exercise, but it still serves the same purpose.”

  “Ty doesn’t have to run any races, but I do?”

  “Of course, silly girl,” she scoffed. “Why give an artist a calculator when the brush is where his true talent lies?”

  I quirked my eyebrow. “Um, okay?” What the hell was that supposed to mean? Calculators? Artists? That whole statement was just beyond me, so I decided to move on. “Does that mean we won’t be doing the same training, either?”

  “His will be centered more around strength,” Meissa said.

  “Are you sure that�
��s a good idea?” I questioned, wincing again. “I don’t think Ty’s calculator is a barbell.” What she said made me pause for a moment. “You mean you’ve already decided what he’ll be doing?”

  “Yes.”

  “And what is the point of this again?”

  “Silly girl.” Meissa smirked at me. “Haven’t you learned anything by now? This isn’t for me; it’s for him. I already know where his true talent lies, but he needs to see it for himself,” she said, flicking the ash from the end of the cigarette. “But that’s all beside the point. All you need to know is that I’m always right.”

  “If you say so, Grandma,” I mumbled. At her sharp look, I made an intelligent decision to change the focus and instead yelled at Ty. “Come on, Ty! You can do this!” I cheered. “Kick his ass!”

  Ty smiled over at me, giving Markus the opening to tackle him into the ground. I quickly covered my mouth, wishing I hadn’t said anything.

  “That worked out well,” Meissa sneered. “Perhaps next time you could try not distracting your ally. Petty flirtations have no place on the battlefield.”

  Despite the blush that was steadily rising to my face, I still managed to snap back, “I was just trying to encourage him! It’s not like distracting him was my goal . . . and it wasn’t flirting,” I added in defense.

  Meissa tossed me an unimpressed look before indicating over towards the match. “I wonder what will come out of this.”

  I followed her gaze and saw what she was talking about. Markus had Ty in a chokehold and showed no indication of letting up anytime soon. Ty’s face reddened from the strain, but that’s not what had me worried. I watched as his eyes narrowed and his lips pulled back to reveal hard clenched teeth. Looking behind him, I could see Markus’s lips moving. Whatever he was saying, it sure wasn’t a joke that Ty appreciated.

  “Ah, the children of Leo,” Meissa mused. “Pussy cats most of the time, right until you ruffle their fur. That’s when the King’s claws come out.”

  I watched in amazement as Ty tore out of the hold like a fierce animal and spun around to face Markus. He picked the older boy up as though he weighed nothing and threw him to the side of the field. Markus hit the ground hard and clutched his side. Ty took a few steps forward, indicating he wasn’t quite finished yet.

  “That’s enough,” Meissa called. She watched as Ty stopped and then made her way over to check on Markus. I ran up to Ty and put a hand on his shoulder. He shook his head violently and turned towards me. In his eyes, I could still see the remnants of his earlier rage, but it was remorse that shone the brightest.

  “I’m sorry, Ingrid. You didn’t need to see that, but he was saying . . .” He shook his head again and smiled at me. “It doesn’t matter. Is he all right?” Ty asked, looking to where Meissa knelt beside Markus.

  Markus rolled onto his back, and Meissa put a hand to his cheek. In an instant, Markus slapped her hand away and sprang up. My mouth opened in surprise. Ever since I started coming here, the apprentices treated the masters with nothing but respect, but seeing Markus now, well, he’d definitely thrown authority out of the window. Without so much as a second glance, he marched off towards one of the many buildings. A wave of sympathy came over me as I remembered our conversation about Lockmen.

  “I think he’ll be fine,” I observed, “but you may want to avoid getting in his way for a while.”

  “What are you talking about, Ingrid? Did you have your eyes closed the whole time?”

  I rolled my eyes and punched him in the shoulder. “No need to get a big head.”

  “Ouch,” he muttered, rubbing his shoulder. “Should have wrestled you.”

  I glared at him about to make a comment when Meissa caught my attention. She still knelt on the floor, looking in the direction Markus disappeared. Her face was a mask of indifference, but I could tell something troubled her about the incident. She must not have expected it to go as far as it had, or at least, received that kind of reaction. I certainly didn’t, but then again, I wasn’t the one that was supposed to know everything.

  Chapter 19

  Sunset

  The week passed quickly since Ty’s initiation, but not so smoothly. Meissa proved herself to be quite the sadist and assigned Markus to be Ty’s mentor. Crazy is as crazy does, I suppose. Even after I tried to convince her – with yelling and demanding – to switch him with Kaira, all I got was “he’s the best option.” Perhaps she meant that in the same way one would poke a sleeping bear; Ty would be getting lots of practice releasing his inner cage fighter through anger. The whole situation just didn’t sit right with me.

  “And you’re sure it’s okay?” I asked for the millionth time. Lock-whatever training or not, I didn’t want my friends getting into scuffles every day.

  “Just like I told you five minutes ago, yes, it’s fine. The guy doesn’t even really hang around much. He just tells me what to do and goes off and does his own thing. Couldn’t be a better arrangement in my opinion,” he said, stretching out for his weight routine.

  “But he’s your mentor. How’re you supposed to learn and get better if you can’t even carry on a conversation?”

  “Does it really matter at this point?” he argued. “Hell, Ingrid, no one’s been watching you for the past week. Look, I know you’re just watching out for me, and I love you for it.” He winked at me. Why was it so hot in here? “But just relax, okay. You’ll see. Everything will turn out fine.”

  “If you say so,” I said, reluctantly giving in.

  “I absolutely say so. Now hurry on before Miss Meissa thinks you’re slacking again.”

  “I appreciate the warning, but Miss Meissa always thinks I’m slacking, even when I’m running a marathon,” I told him, waving a quick goodbye. I exited what I dubbed the “work-out house” and started on the path to my fabulous dirt field.

  As I had discovered shortly after starting here, each of the buildings had a different purpose. Some, like Meissa’s, were reserved for living quarters, while others were made for training or some other purpose. There was a special bath house and even one that had been converted into a full kitchen and dining area. It didn’t see much use now, but at one time, I imagined it was the center of great social gatherings after a long day.

  I rounded the corner to see a familiar shaved head and muscular form coming towards me.

  “Hi, Markus,” I greeted, trying my best to stay friendly. Last time I had seen him, he was storming back to his room. “How are you doing?”

  “Oh, it’s you, Sidewalk,” he returned, stopping in front of me. He was covered in sweat, and I could tell he had been training hard all afternoon. His hands and clothes were smeared with dirt, and his breathing was heavy. “Good. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Well, um, after last week – ”

  “That was nothing,” he cut in. “Don’t worry. I’m used to being the guinea pig for Meissa’s precious Lockkeeper trials.”

  “I don’t think you’re just a guinea pig.”

  “Well, thank you, Sidewalk. That’s sweet.” He chuckled. I blushed and looked down. For the first time in my life, I was glad I had to look so far up at someone. There was no way he could see my face like this. “But I know what I’m not, and I know what I am. Expendable.”

  “No one thinks that,” I hastily countered. “You’re a great fighter. The temple needs you, and I know you and Ty got off to a rough start,” I started and he raised his eyebrows, “but you’re his mentor, and he needs you. Besides, I wouldn’t take anything Meissa says seriously. She’s evil.”

  Markus gave another laugh at my assessment and leaned down closer to me. “She’ll be shut up soon,” he whispered. “Can I tell you something, Sidewalk?” he asked, a husky tone entering his voice. A tingle went down my spine, and only one word managed to make the usually unblockable route from my brain to my mouth.

  “Sure.”

  “I’ve been thinking lately that I need to do something big, you know? Something that will show everyone that I’m m
ore than just some worthless Lockman surrounded by Lockkeepers. So, what do you think?”

  “I . . . I think – ”

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  The obtrusive voice hit me like a tidal wave, and I sprang back from Markus, putting at least five feet between us. I turned to see an indignant Kaira glaring at me, her hands perched on her hips in the most pointed manner. Her sharp eyes bore into mine while I struggled to come up with some type of explanation.

  “Kaira,” Markus acknowledged and strolled over to her. I could see her expression soften when she turned her attention away from me to him. “I was just asking for some advice. Sidewalk here’s quite the inspirational speaker.”

  I didn’t know about all that, but I couldn’t help but feel a rush of appreciation at the compliment. Not even Kaira’s doubtful and disgusted glance could deter my happy high. Markus wasn’t so bad; he just needed someone to recognize how important he really was.

  “I think you should do it,” I burst out.

  Markus tossed me a smirk, much like the first time we met, and said, “Thanks for the permission.”

  “Meissa wants you to go to the forest path after you’re done running laps,” Kaira snarled at me, killing the atmosphere. There was an intensity to her dislike that wasn’t there earlier, and I wondered if she was trying to melt me with bad thoughts. This couldn’t have anything to do with my talking to Markus, could it? Who was I trying to kid? It totally had to do with Markus.

  “Thanks for delivering the message,” I said cheerfully. “Where’s the forest path?”

  “In the forest,” she snipped before turning on her heel and briskly walking away.

  “That was helpful,” I muttered. I hoped that after my official welcome to the club, Kaira might have been a little less antagonistic towards me, but it was all for naught. Whatever her problem with Ankida was, it ran far deeper than I originally thought. Maybe it was for the best that the dynamic between us hadn’t changed. I wouldn’t want to upset the thin balance of abhoration and adoration around this place.