“Neat trick, huh Ang?” Olivia looked up, eyes glittering with excitement. Angeline forced a smile and urged her sister in.
“Sure, Liv. Super cool.” The flaps fell closed behind them. Typical set up for a fortune tent, round table in the middle of the space upon antique carpeting and set with three mismatched rickety chairs. Scents of sage and lemongrass hung heavy in the air as candles flickered at various heights around the tent. Olivia settled in one of the chairs and set her money on the table. Anticipation rolled off her petite form as Angeline slid into the chair beside her. Olivia looked around, her eyes clearly straining to adjust to the dim light. Angeline had no problem making out the fine details including the form of their host. A male mystic, how interesting.
“Greetings young one, what brings you to me this eve?” He slipped casually into the seat before them, a deck of tarot cards in one hand as the other snaked up Olivia’s money.
“I wish to know my fortune, good sir.” Olivia jutted her chin out and made a point of holding the man’s gaze.
“Very well, young one.” He shuffled the cards, studying Olivia the entire time, as if looking through her. The mystic set the cards upon the table and took her hands in his instead. “I do not need cards for you, young one. There are two paths before you. One ends well, the other not as much. Loved ones fear for you but in the end you will be well enough off. You will be presented with an opportunity that seems wrong to accept but it would be a wise choice.” Dropping her hands the mystic reclined in his seat. “That is all I have, young one.”
Olivia nodded and stood. “Thank you.” Angeline could read her sister’s disappointment but she squared her shoulders and walked out of the tent without complaint. The car ride home would surely be filled with her ranting.
Angeline stood and turned to leave but the mystic’s voice entered her head. “You do not seek your fortune, fairy girl?”
“No. I do not wish my decisions to be influenced by anyone. I must make my own way, as is the way of my people.” Angeline pushed toward the exit which suddenly seemed quite far away. She recognized the illusion and fought to see through it.
“In this you have no choice, fairy girl. We have a message for you.” The mystic’s voice changed suddenly, taking on the qualities of many voices as if in stereo. “You do not wish this for your sister, this is true but would you take on her portion of your family gift to spare her? This choice is yours to make. Either way you have but one year left with her.”
“What? No, that cannot be.” She spun around, seeking the mystic’s face. The gravity of the unwanted fortune struck Angeline. “You cannot take her. She is a child.”
“The choice is yours, fairy girl.”
Angeline closed her eyes, pulling all power from her reserves, preparing to show the mystic her own strength.
“Ang? Hello? Are you coming?” Olivia’s voice broke through her anger. Angeline opened her eyes to see Olivia staring at her. They were outside the tent in the moonlight. “Ang? Are you alright?”
“Uh, yeah, Liv, I am fine. Can we go home now?” Looking back to the tent she saw both flaps were closed. Another breeze rippled through gypsy row carrying with it a foul scent. They needed to get home. This place was not safe, something else was coming. As they passed the elder’s tent, the old woman stuck her head out.
“Run, fairy girl.” The whisper echoed through the night, or so it seemed. Angeline did not hesitate. She grabbed Olivia by the elbow and took off in a sprint.
“Race ya!”
Ten Months Later
Angeline woke in a cold sweat, much as she had every night for the last month. Olivia’s slow, deep breaths carried across the room in a soothing rhythm. Not much longer. Angeline sighed, wondering for the umpteenth time if she made the right choice. Sitting up on one elbow she peered at the neon blue digits on her alarm clock. 3:45 am. Stifling a groan, Angeline fell back against the pillows as unsure as ever about why she continued to dream of that night. Didn’t she already handle everything? The choice was made, things set in motion, peace made on all sides - so why would the memory continue to haunt her? Clearly she was missing something important. Perhaps the time had come to move on. Angeline rolled to her side, faced the wall, and listened to Olivia breathe.
Leave. Her mother continued to eye her warily as if she knew what was coming. Angeline’s frown deepened. Perhaps she could go away to school, transfer to a town with heavy supernatural influences, maybe even find a job working among her own kind. Supposedly a Sullivan Seer would be teaching antiquities at a college down south. That could be intriguing. She saw the idle chat on a fae gossip forum but usually those rumors were founded on insights that would eventually become truths. Perhaps the Seer could sort out her nightmare. Yes, that could work. Olivia would not ask questions if Angeline opted for a different college. She already accused Angeline of being jealous – regularly. Yes, Angeline was jealous of her kid sister, but not for the reasons Olivia thought. It wasn’t the private school scholarship or the pride on her father’s face at Olivia’s accomplishments. No, Angeline knew where that came from and why her sister had been blessed with such an opportunity. The chance at a normal life, one Angeline would never have. She made peace with it but still mourned the loss of normalcy, who wouldn’t?
Angeline rolled over again and reached for her glasses. She slid out of bed, dressed quickly and crept across the room careful to avoid the creaky boards. Peering down the hall all seemed quiet. Angeline slipped into the study and turned on her father’s computer. No time like the present to figure things out. Logging onto the fae forums, Angeline sought out the “Who’s Who” chat room and posted a query for information on Trin Sullivan.
“What are you doing up so early, my heart?” Vanya Corsova’s lithe silhouette filled the door as she flipped on the overhead lights. Angeline turned to her mother, struck by the elder’s grace and composure. Her silk bedclothes were unruffled; hair apparently frozen in a perfect chignon.
“You already know, don’t you, mother?” Angeline frowned and turned back to the monitor.
“Yes and no. It depends on your choice, as always.” Vanya paused, waiting for Angeline to face her again. The woman insisted on the full attention of her audience, anything less was rude. Angeline had no wish to send her away, not yet.
“I apologize, mother. What counsel do you have for me?” Tilting her head, Angeline watched her mother’s face soften, the high cheek bones relaxing.
“Angeline, you have a hard road ahead. All choices appear to start and end with the Sullivan Seers. It is simply a matter of how you wish to traverse the challenges between now and then.” Vanya smiled; a most uncharacteristic expression. “I should have known the day you were born. Sometimes it occurs to me that your father and I may have pushed you down this path without realizing it.”
“What do you mean, mother?” Leaning back in her father’s high backed leather office chair, Angeline forced the frown away.
Vanya crossed the room, her robe swaying behind her. She settled into a chair across from Angeline, her expression unreadable. “Ah, Angeline, you were our mystery child, always with many options but so cautious. Do not misunderstand me, my heart, we would not want you any other way. It has never been simple with you though.” Vanya smiled, the genuine grin reserved for honest compliments. “Angeline, you make me proud, you make your father proud, and the burden you have elected to carry is nothing short of heroic. Though we have not spoken of your sacrifice it has not gone unnoticed. You must never tell Olivia what you have done. It is imperative.”
“I am aware, Mother. She will never know what has been done.”
“Go south, Angeline. Study under the Sullivan Seer. Experience college with others from our world. Your plan is a good one. Do not question it, my heart.” Vanya leaned forward. “Go with our blessing and live your life.”
Angeline nodded tightly and watched as her mother rose and walked back across the room. “Mother?” Vanya paused at the door and looked back exp
ectantly. “Will you send me word on Liv and how she is faring?”
“Of course, my heart. We will send you updates regularly.” Vanya nodded tightly and disappeared down the hall.
The beep from the computer startled Angeline. She leaned forward to read the incoming message from Faebabe81. “Confirmed. Trin Sullivan to teach antiquities. Priority to supernaturals.” Angeline fell back into the chair again. Things seemed to be falling into place. As if it was fate. If only she believed in fate.
18 months later
“Go! Go! Go! Go!” The thunder of chants echoed through the fog of her mind but she kept sucking at the tap. Both hands were going numb from holding the thin rim of the keg but Angeline needed more to drown out the noise. Finally she signaled the two weres supporting her ankles and found herself right side up again. The frat house erupted in cheers and her new sisters flooded Angeline from all sides.
“Wow, Ang, that was amazing.”
“I think it’s a new record.”
“Ang, you are unreal, girl.”
Angeline took in the praise, shook off her conscience, and smiled at a dashing half breed across the room. She caught him eyeing her more than once since arriving. Handsome in an unconventional way, by no means the most attractive guy there. Angeline smiled seductively and flipped her hair to expose the graceful slope of her neck. Turning slightly to keep one eye on the half breed, Angeline laughed with her sisters nonchalantly. He continued to watch her, sipping beer from the red plastic cup, his eyes blazing red on occasion betraying his fire sprite nature. The wild auburn hair and sharp features suddenly made sense. Angeline worked to refrain from licking her lips.
“Girl, that is not a good plan. He looks like he could eat you up.” Val slid up beside her and thrust a cup in her hand.
“Val, you are incorrigible.” Angeline took a big gulp of beer though her stomach protested.
“I can see the old Angeline coming out and you know what that means, but promise me you will stay away from that guy.” Val’s eyebrows knitted together in concern.
Angeline pinched her friends arm, perhaps a bit harder than necessary. “Now is not the time to discuss this. You saw that keg stand; I am far from playing it safe. Risk taking abound – but that does not mean I have to bang the half breed or anybody else for that matter.”
“Look who’s talking.” A husky voice reverberated through the alcohol fog. “Sort of like the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think, fairy?”
Angeline turned right into the fire sprite. His eyes flared red as she took him in. Rugged, strong jaw clean-shaven, wild and dressed like a stereotypical bad boy. Normally, Angeline would blame the alcohol but the extra attitude seemed present in her tone more often than not lately, a nice addition to the ever growing chip on her shoulder, “Perhaps you should look more closely, spriteling. You are in way over your head. Now scurry off before I become truly annoyed.” Angeline made sure to tuck her hair behind her ear giving the sprite full view of the delicate point. Normally that took care of things. Normally.
The whisper that followed sent chills down her spine, “Oh, I am well aware of what I am getting into with you. Look me up when you are ready to play this my way.”
“Not likely, you –“ Angeline spun to proffer her retort but he was long gone, the tips of his hair barely visible on the other side of the massive game room. Shrugging she faced her sorority sisters again, a devious smile playing about her lips, “Who’s up for some beer pong?”
“Ang, come on, it’s 3am, we’re hungry.” Val took the lead in pleading their case while the others nodding vehemently in agreement forcing Angeline to admit a few looked like they could use some real food.
“Fair enough.” Angeline shrugged. No skin off her back, she had a few bottles of vodka stashed in her room so the party could certainly continue after breakfast. Val studied her for a moment before looping an arm through Angeline’s and dragging her out of the frat house after the girls.
“Beware of that half breed, Ang. He’s trouble.” Val kept her voice low but Angeline read the barely disguised concern.
“Yes, mom. I will be careful of the big, scary, half-breed.” Angeline giggled. Perhaps she hadn’t really needed that last cup of beer. “Honestly, Val. I don’t even know his name and I certainly didn’t give him mine.”
“Because you are ever so difficult to find, Ang. Sometimes I wonder how you can be so careless. You practically announced your enhanced status to the entire party. How many supernats noticed your ears? I bet several did. What are you playing at? Trin told you to keep quiet about it –“ Val continued to talk though Angeline’s hand covered the girl’s mouth rather nicely.
“Val, it is fine. Those people were so drunk they won’t remember a thing. Honestly, you need to loosen up. Life is grand, I am powerful enough to protect myself and I always have you around. Really, it is fine. Can we please have some fun? You are crushing my buzz.” Angeline removed her hand, waited for Val’s nod and smiled broadly when her friend conceded. “Come on, I will treat you to some pancakes and hot cocoa.”
The next day
“Ang! Come on, Ang, get up. You have to get up!”
Angeline swung her arm lazily at the noise in her ear. The buzzing in her head was thick and actually quite painful. Perhaps skipping the late night screwdrivers would have been a good plan. Pulling the blankets over her head again, Angeline tried to block out all of the noise.
“Angeline Corsova, get out of bed this instant.” The blankets and pillow disappeared sending a cold ripple across Angeline’s half naked skin in the most unpleasant way. She felt fury building from her core, or was that last night’s meal? No, definitely fury. The warmth spread through her extremities and cleared her mind. Angeline popped up to face the commanding voice, hands in fists at her sides disguising the energy she held in each palm.
“Well, it’s good to see you can still manage to summon your power when threatened, even in your less than savory state.” Trin Sullivan stood in the middle of Angeline’s bedroom, a half-amused expression on her face. “What have you gotten yourself into, luv?”
Angeline frowned, released the fury and tried to look ashamed. She noticed Val attempting to slink out the bedroom door.
“Please, stay, Valerie. You are a part of this as well.” Trin did not break contact with Angeline, her expression a mixture of perplexed frustration and amusement. “Sit, please, ladies. It is time for a frank discussion.” Trin gestured to the beds but settled in Angeline’s wooden desk chair. “It appears you have altered some things with your antics last night. So please, enlighten me on your adventures at the frat house, describe every person you met and those you simply noticed in passing.”
Val recanted the events of the previous night, staring wide-eyed at the Sullivan Seer. Angeline was long over that “awe” phase, or so she told herself. Trin could be imposing when she chose but more often than not she gave off the world traveling, cool aunt vibe. She dressed more like a gypsy than a world renowned antiquities dealer and always with a lot of jewelry, especially rings. Angeline knew the why of it now, each ring holding a reserve of power. Some people thought her a wee bit cracked and supernats swore the Sullivans were cursed. Honestly, Angeline adored Trin Sullivan, the only woman other than Vanya who had any effect on her inner wild child.
“Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Angeline?” Trin stared at her, no longer amused. “How could you be so foolish, luv? Are you or are you not aware of your appeal to sprites?”
Angeline tried to remember what Val said, thinking back. Hell, the half breed fire sprite. “What of him? I mean, I don’t even know his name, didn’t give him mine, and for all intents and purposes told him to leave me be. Honestly, Trin, we exchanged two or three sentences and I told him to leave me alone.”
“Indeed. So that is why your destiny has been disrupted? I think not.” Trin leaned back in the chair. “We have to fix this, Angeline. I saw the outcome; it does not bode well for any involved – inclu
ding your sister.”
Angeline’s breath caught in her throat. “No, Trin, honestly, I don’t even find him attractive, I swear it. There is no way I could fall in love with him.” The curse, the truth came flooding back. No. She would never fall in love. Never.
Trin’s face softened, “Angeline, anything can change that. Many love stories begin with less than a spark. Undoubtedly that half sprite male will pursue until you succumb to his charms. Who knows what methods he would choose to invoke? I saw his face in Valerie’s description and I know him from my vision this morning. There is no question, luv. You must break the connection if you want to save his life and your sister’s.”
Abashed, Angeline looked away. Olivia’s face flashed through her mind. Again, she counted herself grateful for Trin’s aid, the understanding of her new world and the full gravity of her choice. “What do I do, Trin? I don’t even know his name.”
“Well, it should not be difficult to figure out.” Val chimed in, her voice still softer than usual. She really needed to get over her shyness around Trin. Angeline fought the annoyance with a genuine smile as Val continued, “I can call Brice and describe the guy; he would know if anybody would.”
Trin’s rings clinked loudly in a fairly irritating rhythm. “Very well, Valerie, luv, could you go make that call?” Val nodded and took the polite dismissal for what it was. She slipped out of the room leaving Angeline alone with Trin. “I think you need to tone down the drinking, Angeline. I understand what you are doing, what you are trying to do, but this is not working. It does not change what is to be.”
Angeline held Trin’s eye, “It puts things off. You said it yourself. Everything changes, Trin. Look how one insignificant meeting with a half breed sent you running over here. What if something changes that will allow her to live a long full life? The longer I put it off the better chance there is of that happening and –“
The Storm Sullivan Saga: The Emerald Seer Series Box Set Page 33