by Rue Volley
“The mirror!” Johnathan said as he started to run towards the towers entryway. He skidded to a stop and stared at his reflection in the decaying mirror. He looked pale, his lips losing their color… black streaks running up his arms and towards his shoulders. He touched his arm and hissed as it burned. He glanced back at himself and saw that his eyes were glowing pale.
“Perfect… I am dying.” Johnathan said as he looked up at the tall mirror with a huge crack running through it.
“Okay.” He said as he placed his hands on the mirror and it started to vibrate a little. A small piece of mirror fell from above him and he stepped back quickly as it hit the white stone and shattered at his feet.
Johnathan sighed and placed his hands back onto the mirror and it started to wave, not as it used too, when it was intact and stood as a powerful seal to the heart of Valon, but now it rolled, like it too was dying… sick and weakened from its abandonment. Johnathan gritted his teeth as he tried to focus on the mirror and he tasted metal in his mouth. He spit on the ground and then his hands started to sink into the mirrors surface. It felt cold and black, not warm and pulsating as mirrors usually felt to a protector. He took a deep breath and decided to lunge forward, forcing his way through it and ending this nasty feeling that the mirror now handed out freely. He fell forward and hit the white stone rolling onto his side as his teeth chattered and made his jaw ache. He looked back at the mirror and narrowed his eyes.
“That sucked.” He said as he pushed himself up and felt the blood pounding in his head. He placed his hand to forehead and pulled it back, his palm covered in blood. He turned to the warped mirror, still waving slightly from his intrusion and leaned up to see blood on his forehead. His nose started to bleed and he wiped it with the back of his hand and sucked the rest of the blood down his throat.
“Oh god.” He said as he cleared his throat and tried to shake off the strong metal taste in his mouth. He spit on the floor and his blood turned black as it hit the floor.
“Well, that cannot be good.” he said as he decided that he had to start searching, not only for Alandra’s survival, but what looked to be his own now.
***
We ate with little conversation after being so rudely interrupted with the bursts of energy Johnathan had shared with the house. I leaned back and looked at my plate, I had filled it twice and probably could go for a third plate, but I had not dropped anything on my dress… or I mean Lily’s dress yet, and I decided to not push my clumsy luck. I glanced at Josh and he looked as if the wine was relaxing him. His face looked softer, no deep line by his left eyebrow that so often came out when he was irritated about something. Funny that he would have that, the line that is. Maybe it was an old scar from before he shifted at twenty-one. Had to be. We were so capable of healing ourselves that scars are not visible on the skin, but cannot be hidden in the heart. I bit my lip as I thought about Josh, and how he must want to kill Johnathan now and of course me… I am the reason that Johnathan is not dead. Just me and my stupid forgiveness. Stupid... girl.
I mean how much am I supposed to have? I have a loving and amazing mate, a beautiful child, a fiercely loyal family and yet I need Johnathan too. Regardless of his flaws and apparent psychotic behavior. I looked up when Josh finally decided to speak.
“What is it?” he asked me.
I shook my head slightly and Josh glanced in the direction that Johnathan had left us.
“You know, I will kill him.” Josh said as he took another drink and placed the glass on the table, playing with it and tilting it sideways. I crinkled my eyebrows.
“No you won’t.” I said.
“Oh…but I will. I always knew that I would, but now at least I don’t have to feel guilt.” He said.
“Don’t talk like that, I don’t like it.” I said as I looked at my empty plate.
Lily stood up and cleared her throat; she raised her glass into the air.
“I would like to make a toast.” She said.
We both looked at her and Jonah grinned.
“Yes… yes. A toast love.” He said as he grabbed his glass.
Lily grinned and looked at me.
“I would like to toast to friends and family, both of which we are thankful to have in abundance.” She said.
Josh rolled his eyes and I kicked him under the table. He grabbed his glass and stumbled a little as he stood up grabbing his personal wine bottle. He poured it, letting some spill out and grinned as he slammed the bottle back down.
“Yes! And I would like to add… to want and need, both bastards to love.” He said.
I stood up and started to walk away from the table. Lily looked at Jonah and Josh lowered his head and dropped his glass on the table. He flashed after me and stopped dead in front of me.
I looked up at him and sighed. “What?” I said.
He leaned in and smiled, courting me with his crooked canine teeth. I looked to the side of him and he leaned up in my ear.
“I am sorry… the wine has made me rude.” He said.
“You are just naturally rude.” I muttered.
“You cannot hate me, it is not physically possible.” Josh said as he moved behind me. I looked up and back at him.
“Oh I think hate would be so easy to do.” I said.
“No… no.” Josh said as he leaned in and placed his hand on my side. I stepped forward and he moved with me. I turned to face him and raised my eyebrows at him.
“You are a brat.” I said as I tried not to smile. I mean, he kills me with the look… you know the one, the one you get from the hottest boy who really likes you. In my case…LOVES me.
“As are you.” Josh said as he stared me down.
“I am not hinting at killing our friend.” I said.
“Well, you should be… something is wrong with him, seriously wrong.” Josh said.
I glanced back and both Lily and Jonah were now leaning forward to hear us, they saw me and cleared their throats and starting talking, about nothing really… pretending to not care. I raised my eyebrows.
“You can both join in here anytime… I know that you know.” I yelled to both of them.
“Know of what?... I simply do not know… do you love?” Jonah asked Lily. She looked down and I walked towards them.
“Just let Josh do his memory thingy… then you will know, tell me if I am wrong.” I said.
“I really don’t want to intrude.” Lily said as she stood up and looked at me.
“I wish that you would… we have a problem here.” I said.
Josh stepped up to the table and swayed on his feet, I rolled my eyes.
“You are becoming an alcoholic.” I said.
“Oh god… no.” Josh said as he poured another glass.
I looked at Jonah and raised my eyebrows, glancing at Josh. Jonah stood up and looked at him.
“I would be honored to have you share whatever it is that seems to be plaguing you both.” Jonah said.
I know he only said it to appease me, but I didn’t care. Two more minds wrapped up in this crazy might help. I hope anyway, I really do.
Josh set his glass down after gulping at it all obnoxious and unnecessary. I crossed my arms on my chest and stared at him.
“Go ahead… give them the tour.” I said.
Josh grinned and stretched his hands cracking his knuckles. Lily raised an eyebrow and Jonah grinned.
“Okay then… me first, just in case your drinking has affected you.” Jonah said.
Josh laughed.
“I am in total control of myself here.” He said as he grinned.
“Mmmm, okay then… show me.” Jonah said.
Josh flashed to him a little to close and Jonah leaned back as Josh stood in his face smiling. Lily stepped towards them.
“Joshua… you are sure that you are in control?” she asked him.
Josh looked at her and grinned.
“Oh please… it is only wine.” He said as he looked back to Jonah and placed his hand on the side of h
is head. Josh leaned in close to his face.
“You ready?” he whispered.
“Are you?” Jonah whispered back to him, with a wicked grin.
Josh closed his eyes and his hand started to glow a bright white, lighting up the side of Jonah’s head and partially lit up the room. Jonah stumbled and so did Josh. Lily reached out and I tried to stop her but as she touched Josh’s arm, the memories flooded her as well. Josh threw his head back and muttered something as the three of them were immediately engulfed in light. The table started to vibrate as well as the floor and the chandelier that hung over head. I decided, mainly due to panic taking over, that I had to break the bond and I grabbed Josh and threw him away from the two of them and they both dropped and moaned, hitting the stone floor. I looked back at Josh and he had sat up, shaking his head and looked up at me as the light started to fade in his hand. I bit my lip and leaned down to Lily, glancing at Jonah too.
“Are you both okay?” Lily took a deep breath and looked at me; Jonah cleared his throat and picked up his top hat, which had flown off of him when he hit the floor.
“Well then.” Jonah said as he stood up and got his balance. He reached down to Lily and she took his hand. He pulled her up quickly and touched her face, and then he looked at Josh.
“Kill him.” Jonah said and I sucked in my breath.
***
“I need answers now.” Sam said as she paced back and forth in the living room and everyone watched her intently. Gracie looked at Alex and he squeezed her hand. Gracie looked back at Sam and bit her lip in true Volley style.
“Now Samantha, it would be prudent of you to explain what it is that you want.” Theodore said as he stepped towards her.
“Well…Oh I don’t know…you tell me…Alex.” Sam said as she looked at him and Gracie crinkled her eyebrows.
“Don’t do that.” Sam said as she glanced at Gracie.
“Not nice.” Gracie said.
Sam sighed and rubbed the side of her neck. She looked at Theodore and he glanced at Alex and back to her.
“What is it, love?” Theodore asked her.
“This.” Sam said as she waved her hands in front of her and a glowing ball of light started to form, she took a deep breath and hurled it at Alex as Kai scooped Gracie up in a flash and moved out of the way. The light hit Alex and he stared at her, almost half grinning. He opened his mouth and the light entered through his lips slowly, but making a cracking sound as it passed his lips and went down his throat. He swallowed once and the light was gone, as if it never existed. Sam lowered her hands slowly and Theodore stared at the boy and then looked at Sam.
“Oh dear.” Theodore mumbled.
“Oh you think?” Samantha yelled as Alex rose off the couch and stood there looking more like an adult than a child. He tilted his head at her and glanced at Gracie in Kai’s arms. Kai turned and placed his hand on Gracie’s head and forced her to lay her head down on his shoulder.
“Baby… don’t look.” Kai whispered to her. She struggled against him, as would be expected from her… same thing her mom or dad would definitely do too.
“Step outside.” Theodore said calmly as he stared Alex down. Alex looked at him and then back at Gracie.
“You know I cannot leave without her.” Alex said calmly.
Theodore tilted his head as did Samantha.
“Oh, hell no.” Sam said as she tried to step forward and Theo raised his hand and held her back.
“Now listen to me, perhaps you can swallow light... and perhaps you can lower a protection spell… but I have existed for a long time, and with good reason.” Theo said as he half grinned.
Alex shifted his gaze from Gracie to Theo and smiled, letting his features soften and he placed his hands together behind his back and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
“I would be lying if I said that I did not like you.” Alex said.
“Well… that is a start.” Theo said as Sam let out a sigh behind him.
“Kill it.” Sam said and Alex looked at her and crinkled his eyebrows.
“You, on the other hand…I do not like.” Alex said as the other children moved behind him… almost forming a line.
“Oh that just breaks my heart.” Sam said as Theo continued to half block her from him.
“There is no need for bloodshed.” Theo said.
The children behind him started to laugh and he raised his hand, causing the laughter to stop. Alex looked at Sam and sighed.
“I can see you.” Alex said as Sam started to double over, grabbing at her stomach and coughing. Theo looked at her and placed his hand on her head… quickly taking it off when he felt the vibration of something dark in her. He looked back at Alex and shook his head.
“Do not force my hand here.” Theo said.
Alex looked at him and softened his gaze again. Sam fell to her knees and gritted her teeth as sweat started to form on her face and caused it to glisten in the dull light of the room. Kai lunged towards her, keeping Gracie turned away from Alex on his hip.
“Sam!” Kai yelled out. Suddenly Kai moaned and fell to one knee too, almost dropping Gracie, but clung to her in desperation.
Theo spun around and light started to glow brightly from both of his hands. He moved his hands, almost as if he was practicing karate in a blur and a webbing of light formed like a dome over Kai, Sam and Gracie. He dropped to the floor and the dome made contact with the wood, forming a waving shield of light around the three of them. Alex grinned, showing no teeth… but pulling the corner of his mouth up… looking more sinister than needed. Theo moved back in front of the lighted dome and stood there, light still pulsating in his palms.
“Well… look at that.” Alex said as he looked at Theo and glanced at the dome he had created around the three of them behind him.
Alex lifted his hand and waved it, knocking Theo across the room quickly. He stepped up to the dome as Sam cried out; looking in the direction that Theo had been thrown. Theo lay there motionless. Sam looked back, through the waving light and stared at Alex as his image distorted from the barrier between them. Alex lifted his fingers and gently touched the dome and hissed as he pulled his fingers back and looked at them. They looked singed, as if he had just been burned by fire.
“Oh this is fantastic.” He said as he rubbed his fingers together and the skin peeled off. He looked at it as it fell to the floor and then back at Sam.
“What the fuck are you?” Sam said as she continued to press on her stomach, she coughed and a little blood came up, she wiped it with her hand and looked back at Alex as he stared inside the lighted dome.
“I am the future, and you are the past.” Alex said as he walked around the dome and inspected it.
“Dude… if I wasn’t trapped in here I would kick your ass.” Kai said as he coughed too. Gracie pushed from his side and stood up next to him as Alex circled the light dome like a vulture circling road kill.
“You hurt my Uncle Theo.” Gracie said as she clinched her fists by her side.
Alex stopped and looked at her.
“Don’t be upset with me.” He said as he tilted his head.
“Honey… don’t.” Sam said as she looked back at her.
Gracie crinkled her eyebrows.
“I don’t like you anymore.” Gracie said as her hands started to glow and pulsate at her sides.
Alex looked at her hands and smiled.
“Why don’t you be honest with your family?” Alex said.
Gracie gritted her teeth and stared him down.
“What the hell does that mean?” Sam asked as she stared at Alex and then at Gracie. Gracie opened her hands up and light dripped from her fingertips and onto the floor at her feet. Sam and Kai both watched it as it pooled and Kai scooted back a little.
“What the…?” Kai started to say.
Gracie waved her hand in front of her and a symbol started to glow in the air. It lit up her face and Sam’s. Sam looked at it and then back at her.
�
�Gracie?” she said as she lifted her hand and felt the air cold around her, her breath came out in a puff of white smoke.
“Are you drawing energy from the air?” Sam asked her.
Alex laughed and stepped back from the protective dome separating all of them. He glanced over at Theo and back at Gracie.
“You want him to live, do you not?” he asked her.
Gracie looked down and the symbol started to fade from the air. Sam fell back on her butt and scratched her head.
“You pulled energy from the air…” she said, not so much a question as just a realization of something she had never seen before, at least in conjunction with forming symbols. Gracie looked at her and smiled and then looked back at Alex.
“Make him better.” She said as she looked at Theo.
“And what do I get?” Alex asked her.
“Me.”
“What?... NO!” Sam said as she tried to lean up and she dropped back down, grabbing at her stomach as it burned like fire.
Gracie looked at her and smiled; she placed her small hand on the side of her face and then looked back at Kai, who shook his head as he coughed harder.
“Just let me take a shot at him!” Kai yelled out. Gracie smiled at him too and then looked back at Alex. Alex grinned and stepped back, holding his hands at his sides. Gracie stepped forward and placed her hands on the protective dome that Theo had spun, she traced her fingers along it and slowly her fingers started to push through it, Sam sucked in her breath and tried to move forward, but she was racked with pain and dropped back on her side as Kai reached out to her. Blood trickled from her mouth and Kai tried to stand up, he dropped back down too as his legs buckled under him. Alex leaned and looked at the two of them.
“It is worse if you fight, just relax.”
“Oh yeah… sounds great, you ass!” Kai said as he leaned over and spit blood onto the floor. Gracie looked at him too and then pushed her hands and the rest of her body through the dome and stood there staring at Alex. Alex smiled.