by Sariah Skye
“That’s good. Glad I could help.” I gave him an awkward smile.
Before I left, Evie insisted on giving me a quick once-over before letting me go. I didn’t see what the point was, I felt fine. She made me promise to come to her if I noticed anything odd and I did. The look she gave me before leaving was…concerning. I figured she’d just seen a lot the past few days.
“Want some company?” Finnian asked, when Evie finally aquiesed that I was indeed fine, and I slid off the table.
“Sure. Don’t you have something official to do, though?” I asked him.
He shrugged. “Always but…I need a break. Link is watching over things right now. Truly, I just want to be with friends; someone that doesn’t resent me.”
“Surely no one resents you. I don’t believe it for a second,” I protested.
Finnian sighed. “I would if I were them.”
“How exactly do you think it’s your fault? What if this is part of that timeline shit? Maybe this was how it’s supposed to happen?” I challenged him
He considered this. “Maybe. Maybe I’m taking it so personally because they’re my friends, my family. But, so are you guys: you and Daniel and everyone else.”
I elbowed him lightly. “I like how you said Daniel first,” I said with a wink.
He laughed lightly. “Yes, well…” He grinned at me, his eyes flashing to a bright blue. We trudged on through the gardens to my family home at a slow pace. I shivered lightly, even in my robes. Finnian was clearly underdressed, but he didn’t appear cold whatsoever. Not even a mild flush in his cheeks from the chill. Must be more Loremaster stuff. That magic was so mysterious—I couldn’t wait to grill Kit about it later. “We can chat about that later. What sort of things are you having to do today?”
I shrugged. “I’d have to double check with Kiarra but I don’t think much today. The delegates from The Northlands arrive tomorrow and Dreka; once Yarrem is better, hopefully he can help confront the Zyanhei reps and we can get things moving.” We were interrupted by a chirping from my pocket. “What the—” I patted each pocket of my robes trying to find my phone. I yanked it out, and was met with a slew of text messages. “Who’d be messaging me? Everyone is here!”
Finnian cocked a brow as I flipped through about a dozen messages. A couple from my landlord in Pineville requesting October’s rent, one from Kit’s sister, a handful from Madison and Emily, the employees from Morningstar Coffee, one from Kit’s insurance agent.
“Shit.” I mumbled. “I guess the spell Gabriel put on the place to confuse people isn’t working. Then there’s texts from people Kit and I know saying they saw the news and hoping we are okay; and to contact them ASAP. Shit!”
Finnian held out his hand to inspect the messages themselves. I obliged and let him flip through. “Curious. It says you and Kit are in the local news? Someone named Emily even sent a link.” He tapped on the screen and held it up. The local news from about a week ago flashed on the screen, and a reporter was standing in front of the now abandoned Morningstar Coffee, microphone in hand.
“This was the place of employment for both missing women in question: thirty-four year old Katrina “Kit” Ryland and twenty-six year old Leorah James. This business is owned by Miss Ryland, where she employed James as a supervisor. A popular spot in this sleepy little Minnesota town, their presence has been missed since the shop shut down due to damage sustained by the bizarre tornado outbreak that ripped through Southern Minnesota a little over a month ago now.
Shortly after the storms, Miss James reported to the police that Kit, her friend and boss, went missing. It wasn’t long before Miss James herself was reported missing from her landlord at the Pineville Manor apartments; Mr. Clark Wright claiming that is incredibly unusual for Miss James to be late with the rent. The last person to see Leorah was their employee, Madison Kennedy, a high school student at Waseca High nearby. This is what she had to say when we caught up with her:”
Madison’s pretty face filled the screen, her hair in a messy top knot, wearing her danceline uniform. “I ran into Leorah at Walmart nearby; she seemed happy and like she was having fun hanging out with this guy who’d been in the shop quite often over the past month or so. I didn’t think anything of it other than that I was glad that Leorah was finally having a social life; I always thought she worked too hard. I sort of feel bad now that I pushed her to go out with him.”
“Why is that, Miss Kennedy?” the reporter questioned. “Do you think he had something to do with their disappearance?”
Madison shrugged. “I don’t know. It does seem weird that she starts seeing him and suddenly they both disappear.”
The reporter continued. “The gentleman in question is twenty-six-year-old Gabriel O’Donnell,” a random Facebook photo flashed across the screen of Gabriel. I cursed profusely. “We tried to reach out to anyone in his family for comment, but the only confirmation that we could get was that he, and his twin brother, Daniel are also missing.” A random photo of Daniel—probably from his Facebook account—also flashed on the screen. “Could it be a scheme to victimize the girls, or are they merely just carousing around having a good time? No one knows, but Pineville police would like you to contact them if you see or hear of any sign of any of the missing people featured in this story. Live from Pineville, Minnesota, I’m Haley Anderson.”
“Shit!” I covered my mouth in surprise with my hand. “This is bad! I don’t want anyone panicking over me! Or wasting time searching for us!”
Finnian thrust the phone back to me and patted my shoulder. “It will be fine. We’ll go empty out your apartment. I’ll set up a portal that will transport your stuff back to Anarach and you can sign some sort of paper saying you moved. You can send Kit’s sister a message saying you two went on extended vacation or something. We’ll get Kit situated afterwards. I thought the wards would hold but I guess the handful of times we went back weakened them some.”
I sighed. “Well it’s probably for the better. I can’t really go back there. And I miss all my crap. Especially my computer.”
He chuckled. “All right then. I’ll make the arrangements. If there is nothing going on today, can you do it this afternoon?”
I nodded. “Yes. Let’s do it. I don’t need to take everything. I just want my personal effects and whatnot; the landlord can sell the rest as compensation. So it should be fast.”
“Okay then. Meet back here in say, an hour? I need to find Esmé and get the proper potions,” he added with a wink.
“Got it.” Finnian and I said quick goodbyes and agreed to meet again at my family’s home in an hour.
Kiarra assured me that for a short time, I wouldn’t be missed. The remaining Court was organizing the Samhain festivities that were to be held in a few short weeks but it wasn’t easy with half of the Court dragons out of commission of course. The goal was to hold it at the palace as usual, but we’d have to be faster in getting it repaired and Shadow scrubbed.
Daniel and Kiarra would stay behind to organize Maxxus’ and my schedules over the next week, and Gabriel and Braeden agreed to come help me move all my stuff. Maxxus said he was in the middle of a top-secret project but to give him about thirty minutes and he’d come as well. I insisted he remained just in case he was needed and continue with his project. I’d only be a short time anyhow. He protested, but relented.
Finnian, Gabriel, my brother and I met in the foyer of my family’s home and Finnian smashed one of his vials on the ground, propelling us through a dark portal and dumping us in the middle of my apartment in Pineville.
“Wow, either you’ve really perfected that portal stuff or I’m just getting used to it. It felt like just stepping into another room!” I praised.
Finnian just shrugged. “Perhaps both.”
Braeden, however slumped to his feet. Gabriel had to grab him by the upper arms to keep him from falling.
“Whoa, man…careful.”
Braeden shook his blonde head and blinked. “Whoa that’s w
eird.”
Gabriel smirked at me. “At least it wasn’t me this time.”
I chuckled at him.
“Well so…this is it, huh?” Finnian looked strange and out of place in my humble living room. “Looks…well it doesn’t look like it fits you.”
I snorted. “Look at the bedroom.” Grimacing, I sniffed. “Yuck. Clearly I forgot to take out the garbage.” Even I felt strange being back in my little apartment. So much had changed in the past few weeks that I felt out of place here. This is where the old Leo lived. The old Leo that thought she was powerless, and inadequate, and would never have a place back home. No one would love her, and she was an embarrassment.
Now look at me. I am a queen. A queen! A queen who is married to the greatest male in the realms, and I have a big family. My days of sitting alone, with my cat, playing World of Warcraft and crying over The Notebook are over. And while I still crave some of that…I was happy with the way things were now.
With one exception: the Shadows. If it weren’t for that, things would be perfect. But, nothing can ever be perfect.
“Where do you want to start?” Finnian asked.
“I’ll start in the bedroom I guess,” I said. “Should be fun. I haven’t seen this stuff for a while. I’m most eager to get my computer again.”
Gabriel snickered. “Geek.”
I turned to him and wiggled my finger in his face. “Takes one to know one.”
“It does.” He gave me a satisfied grin. “Why don’t I help you with that? Either of you know how to unhook a desktop?”
Braeden gave him a blank look. “Desktop what?”
Gabriel snorted. “Thought so.”
“How will you guys know what to bring?” I asked.
Finnian shrugged. “Everything?”
“That’s a lot of work,” I insisted, overwhelmed at the idea.
“Ah, dear Leorah, remember. Magic,” he said, with a wide hand flourish.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. Have fun.” I nodded towards Gabriel and he followed me to the bedroom.
“Remember the last time we were here?” he said with a sheepish laugh as I headed straight for the closet.
I did remember of course. It wasn’t that long ago. Gabriel slept in the same bed with me to help stand guard against the Shadows that were coming to me in my sleep. It was fairly chaste; anytime we’d attempted to be intimate one of us would freak out. Now of course, I knew why. “I remember,” I said, with a sigh. I took the handful of clothing I had yanked off the hangers from the closet and tossed it on my bed. Gabriel had crossed the room and was currently unhooking wires from my monitor. “Are we okay?” I said to him.
He dropped the wire he was holding currently and turned to me. “Of course we’re okay, Leo. Why do you ask that?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Oh, because you seem sort of frigid every time we talk. No other reason.”
It was Gabriel’s turn to sigh. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes, Leo, we’re fine. I am sorry if you think I’m acting weird, I am trying to give you your space. And Maxxus.”
I nodded slowly. “I see. I appreciate that, but…” I trailed off, not quite sure what to say. “Are you sure that’s all it is?”
“What else would it be?” he asked, with false nonchalance. I could tell he was lying by the way he refused to turn his brown eyes fully towards me; he seemed to be looking slightly past me. That, and I could sense it.
“Don’t make me mind-probe you, magic boy. I just want to know if…if…” I blushed, trying to make the words come out. I just want to know if you think you’re still in love with me.
“You’re wondering if the love spell is still in effect for me. Am I right?” he asked.
“Well, yes.”
Gabriel leaned against the desk and let out a strained noise. “Leo, I talked to Esmé about it. She said that the second you learn that a love spell has been cast on you, it breaks the spell. So, there’s no antidote. The spell is lifted. We’re both free. I just don’t want to get in the way of you and Maxxus’ relationship. You deserve to focus on that right now; it makes you happy. I can tell how happy he makes you. When he enters the room, your face just lights up, and vice versa for him. It’s a good thing, Leo. He keeps you strong, calm, and grounded. It’s good. Really good. Just what you need.”
“What about you?” I asked him in a small voice, feeling somewhat guilty. Guilty because I had someone, and we’d tried to have something but it just didn’t work and I truly did not want to see him hurt.
“What about me?” He shrugged. “I’ll find someone. Eventually. I deserve to have someone who loves me as much as Maxxus loves you. I don’t know when and if I’ll find it, but I won’t do myself any justice pining over someone I can’t have. So, even if I did have feelings for you—I will get past them. And move on. Because we both deserve that.” The stone expression on his face told me he was trying to convince him just as much as me. But, that was okay. I guess. I had to allow him his time to move on.
“If I caused you any pain, Gabriel, I’m—” I started, but he cut me off.
“Don’t. Don’t say it, Leo. Don’t apologize. I don’t want you feeling sad, or guilty. This is the way it is to be. And, regardless, we’re still family. We always will be. No matter what. I will always be there for you.” He took a couple of steps near me, and reached for my hand. His other hand moved to push a set of imaginary glasses up his nose, and he chuckled. “Wow, still not used to that.”
I grinned. “Should I take away the spell?”
“Hell no!” he said with a laugh. “I love it! This will save me so much money on glasses and appointments, it’s great!” The smile lingered on his face a moment before he let it dissipate. “Seriously, though. It’s okay. We’re okay. Promise.”
“Okay.” I grasped his hand.
“Well, now. Shall we get to it?” Gabriel nudged me playfully and began to pull away.
I grabbed for his upper arm and pulled him close to me. “Gabriel?”
“Huh?” he asked.
I wrapped my arms around him and rested my cheek on his chest. “I still love you.”
His arms creeped up around my shoulders and he whispered into my hair as he kissed the back of my head. “I love you too, Leo. I’ll always be your knight, no matter what. You can always come to me. With anything.”
“Okay.” I spoke into his chest momentarily allowing myself the comfort of listening to his heart.
He patted my back and pulled away. I reluctantly allowed him. “Well, let’s get this done.” He flashed me a wink, and went back to the computer.
I hated to let him go, but he was right. Time to continue on.
Chapter 10
Finnian was right, with his magic it took no time at all. Gabriel and had I packed up my various nerd gear, my clothes, bathroom supplies and toiletries, and emerged into the living room to find it completely empty. Completely. No belongings. No furniture. No food in the fridge or cabinets.
“How did you—” I began but stopped. I know what he did; he waved his hand and stopped time around them. “Are you sure you can use your magic for this sort of purpose, Finn? I mean, it’s not exactly life or death or timeline balancing to move my shit out of my apartment.”
Finnian just shrugged indifferently. “So, I’m a little devilish. Sue me.”
I snorted. “Yeah you are.”
Braeden cocked a brow. “Devilish?”
I shook my head. “You have no idea. But we didn’t need to move the furniture; we could have left it behind. I have no place for it.”
“Well, the sitting room outside your palace chambers is currently empty. You’ll find it all there, neatly stacked and waiting for you to move it wherever,” Finnian said with a wink.
“Including the trash?” Gabriel asked with disgust.
Finnian clicked his tongue. “Of course not. Your brother took it out to the dumpster behind the place.”
“You’re welcome. Gods, that was nasty,” Braede
n said, wrinkling his nose.
I grinned. “Thanks.”
“Never a problem. Now let’s get all your stuff in the rest of your apartment moved.” Finnian and Braeden both walked around the bathroom and bedroom with small vials, sprinkling the clear contents on whatever it was under it: a duffle, a box, a makeup bag. Whatever. Then, Finnian threw a vial in the air and Braeden waved his hand, shooting a jet a small jet of hot fire at it and the vial exploded with a crack. The room disappeared in a moment of darkness before I watched all the belongings I had left get sucked through a vortex and disappear. It was barely enough time to register what happened; it was like blinking, it moved so fast. When everything was gone—assumedly, in the castle chambers—Finnian snapped his fingers and the portal disappeared, leaving us behind in the artificial light of the overhead fixture.
“That was awesome,” Gabriel said, with an awed smile. “Now, can you do that to my truck?”
“Oh my god, I forgot about that!” I said, smacking my forehead. Gabriel’s truck had been parked outside my apartment for over a month now.
“Already done. You’ll find it in the carport at Castle Danger. Nothing there was damaged, so Leo’s and Daniel’s vehicles are fine,” Finnian said.
All that was left was to write a quick letter to the landlord and get out of here. I took one last look at my apartment; my solace for the past handful of years since I left Anarach. It was small, and homely but it was mine, and I felt comfortable here.
“Hard to believe you’re leaving all this behind for a palace, huh?” Braeden asked, sensing my bittersweet mood as I took one last look around.
I snorted. “Yeah, a palace that reeks of Shadow crud.”
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and hugged me under his arm.
“Sad thing is, this was home. As much as I like Castle Danger, I wasn’t there long enough for it to feel like home. Home doesn’t feel like home, and the castle certainly doesn’t feel like home,” I sighed, glancing around the white walls and the bare windows. “I feel sort of lost.”