by Cici Wickens
We eventually came back home and collapsed onto the couch. All except for mom, that is.
“No, no, no. All of you get your sweaty butts off of my clean furniture and go take a shower!” She nearly screamed.
Lola giggled in response but complied with mom’s wishes. My dad groaned tiredly but went to take a shower too. I shrug my shoulders—there are only two showers.
“Don’t shrug your shoulders at me son! At least go outside and rinse off in the water hose. I can smell you all the way over here.” She ordered.
I open my arms playfully for a hug, but she thought fast and wacked me on the head with a spatula. I rub my head teasingly, but that actually hurt. Where did she even get that? “Ouch! Alright, alright. I’m going!” I complain and head into the backyard.
My mom hated being sweaty and being around stinky people. Somehow, she never stinks or sweats. It’s the weirdest thing that I have ever seen. But I guess it has to do with the fact that she always takes at least two showers a day. I’d never go to such lengths.
I yank off my shirt and lean over so that I won’t wet my shorts. I turn on the water hose and rinse my torso and my hair. After I am finished, I give my head a good shake, and sniff my armpits—eh, that will have to do until I get to take a shower with soap.
“Thomas! You stay put, you’re soaking wet!” My mom exclaimed when I walk into the house. She went into the laundry room to grab me a towel, mumbling some nonsense about me acting like a child.
I scoff. I do not act like a child. I glance down at the mess I’m making. Well…maybe I act like a teenage boy. While I’m looking down, my mom smacked me in the head with a clean towel.
“Thanks.” I mumble.
“Welcome. Now clean up this mess!”
“Yes ma’am. Sheesh.”
I had just managed to dry the floor when our doorbell tolled. “Thomas! Get the door!” My mom called from the kitchen. I toss the damp towel to the side and open the door, grumbling to myself about how she could’ve asked nicer.
I can’t help but take a staggered step back. I had figured that it would be someone we knew. But I had not seen this man before. “Uh, can I help you?” I ask, trying not to stare.
He looked to be in his late twenties, which contradicted his gray hair and the lengthy wooden cane he carried. “You must be Thomas.” His silvery eyes bore into mine as he said it.
This guy gives me the creeps. Lola, dressed in her pajamas, leaned against me and peered up at the man. I move her back a bit. “Yeah…my parents aren’t home right now.” I say. “But what’s your name? I’ll let them know you stopped by.”
“Nu-uh!” Lola corrected. “Mommy’s in the kitchen cleaning and daddy’s taking a nap. Liar, liar, pants on fire!” She sang, poking me in the gut.
He raised an eyebrow at me, but he didn’t appear surprised that I was lying. I get the feeling that he knew they were here. I press my lips together in a firm line. That backfired.
“Thomas! Why are you still standing there with the door open?” My mother chastised, coming up behind me. “Who is it? Let them—” She paused upon seeing the man. I watch in mortification as her cheeks turn pink. “Oh! Um, hello. How can I help you?”
A smile spread across his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes. My mother didn’t seem to notice. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Iris’s uncle…Caesar.”
My mother’s eyes lit with recognition at her name. She shook his hand and said, “I’m Carla.”
I narrow my eyes, unnerved by his words. Iris said that her father didn’t have any siblings. Unless her mother—
“Please, come inside. I apologize for my son’s manners. I’ll go make some tea.” My mom ushered him in.
“Apology is not necessary. Actually, I am visiting because I need to speak with Thomas about Iris and personally thank him for helping her through…” He glanced down at Lola and chose his next words, “these troubling times.”
My mother left for the tea and the three of us sat down in the living room. I lean back against the armrest and fold my arms, watching this man named Caesar. His posture looked out of place in our oversized recliner.
What does he want to talk to me about?
My entire body tenses when Lola leaves my side and sits in front of his chair. She reached up and curiously let her fingers glide along his staff. Caesar tsked and she retracted her hand. “You have an eye for fine work I see.” He praised.
Lola smiled at him.
“Come here, Lola.” I tell her sternly.
“Can I touch your ears?” She asked with a giggle. His ears? I think with bewilderment.
Caesar let out a sound that sounded like a strangled laugh and shifted uncomfortably. He glanced my way, and I felt sorry for the guy.
“Leave the man be, Lola!” I reach forward and snatch her up and into my lap, holding her in place. “Sorry about that…her manners are worse than mine. What did you want to talk about?”
“I came to give my thanks. I have heard that Iris thinks highly of you and the others that helped her adjust to this new life. I am not sure what kind of place her mind would have been in without you all.” He reached inside his coat pocket and handed me an envelope. There was a large ‘C’ sprawled across the front of it. “Would you mind giving her that when you see her at school tomorrow?”
“Sure, but can’t you give this to her?” Suspicion settles its way into my words.
“I am not sure that she is ready to see me again.” He admitted solemnly.
I realize that he had to be from Iris’s mother’s side. He didn’t want to upset her. Her seeing him might ruin all of the progress she’s made so far in healing from her mother’s death. “I understand.” I say.
Caesar stood. “I will take my leave then.”
Lola wiggled from my grasp and ran to open the door for him. “See ya’ later!” She said cheerfully.
“Farewell.” He inclined his head to her and deftly left the house.
My mother came back into the living room just after Lola had shut the door and turned on the TV. She narrowed her eyes at me immediately. “What did you do, Thomas?” She huffed.
I hold up my hands in defense, “Woah, I didn’t do anything. He just said a few words and left. That man was weird, mom. I don’t know why you invited him in.”
“Oh, he wasn’t that weird!” She waved my words off and smirked. “But he was easy on the eyes.”
I groan. “Mom! Lola’s right there!”
“She doesn’t know what I’m talking about.” She assured.
“Yeah, I do! You think he’s good looking.” Lola input in a know-it-all voice.
My mother’s eyes widened. “Whoops!” She quickly retreated into the kitchen, mumbling about how she was going to put the sweet tea she had made in the fridge for tomorrow.
I stare at the letter in my hands while Lola watches her toons. I wonder what it says. Shaking my head, I push myself off the couch and go search for my bookbag. If I didn’t put it somewhere safe, then I’d likely lose it. I’ll give the letter to Iris when I see her at school.
Chapter 37
The Future I Always Wanted
Iris
“Aren’t you going the wrong way?” Minerva asked while filing through her locker to find the right books to take home.
I turn back to her, fighting against the wave of students rushing in our direction. “I’ve gotta’ go to an ‘unofficial’ practice.” I say, making quotations with my fingers.
“Good luck with that!” She yelled before being engulfed by the crowd.
“Yeah.” I mutter. I manage to push my way through the students with relative ease and before entering the pool room, I feel for the watch tucked inside my shirt. I’m relieved to find it’s still there.
“Are you just going to stand there?” Trace asked from behind me.
I find myself swallowing and glancing back at him nervously. The last time I had been in here had been one of the most mortifying moments of my life after all.
Trace sighed and pulled the door open for me. “Ladies first.” He said and ushered me through.
Monique and a few other girls were sitting on a bench doing homework together. Todd walked by us, munching on some chips. I raise my eyebrows. I see that I was worried for nothing.
“Hey, you two want some?” Todd offered the bag to us.
I shake my head. “No, but thanks.”
Trace helped himself to a big handful. “Love, man.”
Monique looked up. “Oh hey, Iris! You came!” She slid over a bit to give me a seat. “Do you want to join us? We’re working on the Calc homework that new teacher loaded us down with. Mrs. Wilder was so much more lenient than this one.”
Trace pushed me in their direction. “Have fun, kiddo.”
I roll my eyes at him and make my way over to them. I pull my binder from my book bag and set to work. We’re finished in about an hour, and eventually start a little small talk.
“I can’t believe that we’re graduating in like three months.” Monique said, sounding both excited and worried.
“I know! I’ve been trying to decide which college I should go to.” One of the other girls said. I think her name was Gwen.
“You were accepted to three different ones, right?” Monique inquired. “I think you should go to the one that you told me had the best biology program in the state. That is what you’re studying.”
“Yeah, but the other ones have some really awesome study abroad programs.” Gwen responded.
“That’s tough.” Monique admitted. “My dad has already sealed my path. He wants me to be a physical therapist and is willing to pay my way and everything.” She turned to me. “What about you, Iris? What are your plans after graduation?”
I pick at my pants. “Um, I applied to a couple. I want to be a doctor like my dad. But things have changed so much that I’m honestly not sure what I’m going to be doing after we graduate.” My mood sinks a bit.
She put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll find your calling.”
“I hope.” I answer vaguely.
“Oh yeah! I almost forgot to tell you happy late birthday.” Gwen said, leaning over to see me better. “I saw the pictures Ron posted.”
“Thanks.” I say with a smile.
Trace lifted his head from the other side of the room and called, “Birthday?”
“I swear he’s got super hearing.” Monique muttered.
You have no idea.
Trace walked over to us, Todd trailing behind. “When was your party?”
“Last weekend. Why?”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “And you didn’t think to invite the team?”
I wince. “I just invited a few friends out to eat. My dad arranged it. It was super short notice anyways.” I’ll admit that I feel kind of bad. I hadn’t even thought to invite them.
“Please don’t give her ‘the team is a family’ speech.” Monique begged.
Trace sighed. “I’m not going to this time. But make sure to invite us next year.”
“But…we’ll all be graduated and in college by then.” Gwen said, her light blonde eyebrows drawn in confusion.
He pointed at each and every one of us. “Oh, we’re a team for life. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Once a rattlesnake, always a rattlesnake!” Todd confirmed.
We roll our eyes at the pair of them.
Chapter 38
Burning Time
Iris
Mr. Collins walked down each row to pick up our chapter tests. “That’s all I have for you today. You may talk softly amongst yourselves until the bell rings.”
Minerva tapped me on the shoulder. “Iris.”
I turn around in my seat to face her. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to tell you that my mom made contact with Cato. He agreed to help train you and will be here a couple of weeks before graduation.”
Alarmed, I glance around to make sure that no one heard her. She had said it so casually, without any regard as to who could’ve been listening. From what I can tell, everyone seemed absorbed in their own little world. “That’s good.” I whisper back.
She appeared to understand my reason for whispering, because when she asked, “Has anything weird happened lately?” her voice was much lower.
“Well, I learned that Valencia isn’t coming after me anymore. She’s decided to wait for me to come to her. But the King isn’t very patient, so I haven’t been letting my guard down.” I don’t mention that I’ve been training with Trace because that would lead to questioning, and I’d eventually have to tell her that he’s a Waic. I’m not sure if he wants anyone to know. It isn’t my secret to share. “I’m keeping the token with me too.” I pat my chest to reveal its location. It’s there, reminding me that all of this is really happening.
“But I thought you said it would be safer hidden at your house.”
“Yeah, well I had a…sign come to me.” I leave it at that.
Minerva gave me a look. “Okay. I am a believer in signs. Can I see it?”
I pull the token from beneath my shirt. It’s heavy and warm in my palms. Minerva reached out to touch it but yanked her hand back. “Ouch!” She exclaimed. A few students turned to look at us. They promptly turned away though when Minerva glared at them.
I quickly put the token back in its hiding place and worriedly ask, “What happened? Are you okay?”
“That thing burned the hell out of me.” Minerva showed me her hand. I’m surprised to see that a blister had already begun to form.
“It doesn’t burn me.” I say in confusion.
“Maybe that’s the point.” She muttered distastefully.
A sharp screeching noise prevents us from pondering on the situation for long. Thomas and Ron were dragging their desks over to ours. Mr. Collin glared at them from over his book.
“What are you two whispering about?” Thomas leaned closer, voice low and dramatic.
Minerva shoved his face back. “None of your business.”
“Keep your hands to yourself.” He retorted with a shiver and wiped his face.
She pointed the sharp end of her pencil at him. “Keep trying me.”
Ron gently coaxed the pencil from her hand. “No need to get violent.”
Their bantering fades into the background as I look from Thomas to Ron. I recall how hurt Trace had been because I had kept him and the team out of the loop. We’re doing the same to Ron and Thomas right now. And Jen. I’ve got to find the right time to tell all of them about Valencia, Caesar, and the token. And then I have to tell them about how I’m an Aqua. I can’t tell Minerva and Blaze that yet because it would bring Trace into the picture since he’s the one who confirmed it.
So many secrets. When had my life become so complicated?
“Oh!” Thomas unzipped his book bag and dug around. “Here.” He sheepishly scratched the back of his head and handed me an envelope. “I forgot to give you this yesterday.”
“Please don’t tell me that’s a love letter.” Minerva said, deadpan.
For a wild moment, I think that the envelope is the one Keisha gave me, and that somehow Thomas had gotten ahold of it. But then I see a boldly sprawled ‘C’ on it that had been written with glistening golden ink. “Who is this from?” I ask in confusion.
“He came by my house the day before yesterday. He thanked me, really all of us, for helping you through…everything. He was kind of weird honestly. Silvery hair and eyes. Asian looking. Late twenties. Said his name was Caesar. He said he was your uncle.”
My blood freezes at the name. Dread settles on my skin. Caesar. One of the Unseelie Kings of Aurum. He had been in Thomas’s house. This had to be a warning of some kind. A threat. I drop the letter onto my desk as if it had burned me.
Minerva was pale.
“What’s wrong? You two look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Ron made a worried face at us.
If only. “I’m suddenly not feeling too well.” It certainly isn’t a lie. My
stomach is in complete knots.
“M-me either.” Minerva agreed.
Ron leaned back from us. “I hope you two aren’t contagious.”
The bell rung, saving us from any further comments. I swiftly gather my things, shoving the letter into my bag, and rush to the bathroom to throw up.
✽ ✽ ✽
Later that afternoon, I met Trace at the lake to practice more with my abilities. I wasn’t really in the mood. He had insisted though. I had barely made it through school today. The only reason I didn’t go home early was because I didn’t want to worry my friends. That would lead to questions. Minerva had been oddly quiet after I got the letter. I think she was afraid of what might happen now. I avoided Thomas as much as I could. I didn’t want to face him. I have put him and his family at risk, despite trying to keep the dangerous world of Aurum a secret from him. He has a little sister for goodness sake. I don’t know how to fix this.
“Alright. I’ve decided to do something new today. We’re going to do some exercises to loosen you up before you try to sit on the lake again. I think it’ll help.”
“What do you have in mind?” I take my sandals off and dig my toes into the wet dirt while I wait for his answer, thinking about the letter in my bag.
“I want to test your sense of hearing. I want to see if you can focus on one sound and block the others out. It will come in handy.”
I raise my eyebrows. “About that…I’ve been having trouble with my hearing. It doesn’t happen very often, but it’s not something that I’d want to do purposely. It’s a little scary if I’m being honest.”
Trace grabbed two sticks and started lightly tapping them against each other. The sound was dull, but there. “Can you focus on this sound for me?”
“I just said I didn’t want to do this.” I frown.
“Yeah, but you also said it scared you. You can’t be afraid of your abilities.” He continued tapping the sticks and said something that I am unable to hear.