“How do we find to the Sword?” Nia repeated. Exigency, like fire, was burning her insides, leaving sores of doubt and uncertainty. "I don't know where to begin to look."
“I don’t know.” Fiona’s hand rested on the door handle and she gave Nia a hesitant shrug. “The only one who can find it, really, is you.”
Her stomach did a strange flip-flop as Fiona slipped quietly from the room. The door creaked loudly as it swung on the hinges. Nia sat, staring where Fiona had last stood, pensive and wondering for quite a while. At last—after many minutes had past—she got to her feet, stretching, gathered her clothes and shuffled her way into the bathroom. She could hear the others downstairs, joking and laughing, Nia’s experience distant yet pivotal behind them.
Nia grabbed the small yellow bar of soap from the sink. It smelled of citrus and ginger. Warm water blasted from the sink as Nia scrubbed her face clean of the dried blood. Getting the Sword of Dreams would prove tricky, she thought, scrunching her eyes shut as she pooled the warm water up to her face. Nia tried to let her tense mind relax, tried to allow herself to catch a glimpse of the brilliant Sword once more, but it was just as useless as it was pointless. Blackness covered the Sword now, blindness stealing from sight.
Steam had begun to fog the large mirror, but Nia paid no attention; instead she inhaled deeply, shut her eyes and, clenching the sink’s porcelain edges, she plunged her head into the lukewarm water. A few bubbles escaped from her nose and mouth. Her eyes fluttered open briefly; dazzling twinkle lights flitted through the water, like diamonds and the air bubbles that were created by the faucet fizzed across her cheeks. Something deep within the depths of Nia’s mind shifted a bit—her vision seemed to clear and for a moment she saw the glinting Sword shining as the water streamed across it. If only she could reach out for it, grab it now—but she couldn’t and for a moment Nia felt frustrated and angry.
As her lungs tightened sharply in warning, Nia’s fingers relinquished their grip and she pulled away from the water filled sink, gasping for breath and soaking wet. Water dripped from her hair and her face, landing onto the white tile with a gentle plink-plink. She blinked the water from her eyelashes and reached blindly for the handle. She found it smoothly and twisted the valve shut, unplugging the sink as well. The water swirled down the drain with a despondent gurgle. With an anxious wind of her sopping wet hair, Nia reached for a towel and wound it around her head and squeezed out all the water and patted her face dry. I shouldn’t feel so angry, she told herself while pulling on her black and gold Apple Bottom jeans tee-shirt. She easily tied the strings in the back and began to pull on a pair of faded jeans. The only way to get what you want is to work for it.
After pulling a brush through her long tangled locks, Nia sighed, catching a glimpse of her tired expression in the mirror. She rattled her head, tapping her foot as she did so. “Get a grip, Nia,” she whispered, glaring at her exhausted reflection. “It’s just a sword. A stupid sword.”
A sword that she rapidly felt aspired to reclaim.
Breakfast went by in a blur. The other’s mindless chatter carried on as Nia stuffed her face full of blueberry pancakes and apple wood bacon. Ravenously she ate as if she had been starved for days, her mind dwindling on the ancient Sword with every bite. It seemed as if she had only just sat down to eat when her father’s old Chevy rolled up onto the curb.
Somewhere between shoveling in another mouthful of pancakes and downing a gulp of orange juice, Kenzie had gone upstairs to gather Nia’s things. Nia’s pillow went unstained, but the same couldn’t be said for Fiona’s pillow or Kenzie’s carpet.
“I’m really sorry,” Nia said for the seventeenth time, giving Kenzie a worried smile as she pulled her bag strap over her shoulder. “I’ll ask my dad if I can stay longer so that I can clean it up.”
“Aw, no worries,” Kenzie reassuringly smiled. “Fiona’s pillowcase is in the wash right now—and there is nothing a little baking soda and dish soap can’t fix. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just rearrange my room. I’ve been looking to do that for a while.”
“At least I’m motivational,” Nia muttered distantly, wrapping her arms around her sleeping bag. As her hand found the door handle, she frowned and turned around. "Is everything okay?"
Kenzie inhaled sharply. Her eyes darted to the others where they sat in the living room playing Mario Kart. She stared the longest at Rowan, but quickly returned Nia's stare. "I'm fine," Kenzie nodded while fidgeting her feet. "Things are fine. Just...stressed."
Nia nodded, biting her lip, certain that she had somehow overstepped some invisible boundary. “Well, thanks for everything. Tell your mom thanks for having me.”
“Oh, I will! Thank you so much for coming Nia.”
Nia waved to the rest of her comrades. “See you all on Tuesday.”
There was a mix of goodbyes and see you laters. Nia hopped into the mudroom and pulled open the back door. Sam waved to her from where he sat in the truck, his eyes curious and almost relieved to see her.
“Nia?”
Nia spun around, nearly stumbling off the rickety step. Rowan grabbed her arm to steady her.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, taking her sleeping bag from her arms. His eyes darted back to the house; Nia knew he could feel the spying eyes from inside watching them as much as she could. “You’re okay?”
“I’m fine Rowan.” Nia began to slowly pace herself as she walked down the driveway. She gave him a grin. “See—I’m happy!”
Rowan nodded. "That's good news!" A small smile stretched across his face. “I was wondering...”
A lithe figure in the window caught Nia’s attention; Kenzie sat perched on the sill, her head peeking out from around the curtain conspicuously. The expression was clear across Kenzie’s face again as she spied on the two of them; that look of hurt and jealousy, agony and disbelief. Nia’s eyes darted back to Rowan’s hesitant face, her heart pounding. “Yes?”
“Well—I just wanted to know...um, if you were...available on Tuesday night.” He stammered through his words like someone who had just plunged into icy water. He seemingly forced a kind smile, his cheeks still hot and rosy. “I want to hang out with you.”
“Out?” Nia’s hearted hiccuped to a stop. She had to remember how to breathe. “Wait, I thought...” Nia anxiously gnawed on her bottom lip.
“I broke up with Kenzie,” Rowan replied quickly; he chuckled, striking up some new found courage. “We just...things were weird.”
Things are going to be really weird now, Rowan. Nia felt the warm glow creep upon her cheekbones. She could feel Kenzie's stare burning into the side of her head.
“Sure. But just as friends.” How the words made it out of her mouth, she would never know. “W-what time?”
“Six-thirty show sound good?”
“Yes.” It was laughable; she couldn’t even think clearly long enough to ask which movie.
Rowan grinned, looking oddly relieved. “I’ll pick you up at five then.”
“Alright then.”
Rowan put his hand through his hair, pushing his bangs out of his twinkling blue eyes. He gave her an irresistible grin which had Nia swallowing for air. Rowan placed her sleeping bag into the truck bed.
“Bye Nia.”
“Bye Rowan.”
Rowan turned away and bounded towards Kenzie’s house. Kenzie was no longer snooping at the bay window; all seemed quiet inside. But as Rowan shut the door and as Nia opened the door to the truck, the sky darkened. A raindrop slipped from the clouds and landed perfectly by Nia’s eye; it slipped down her cheek just like a tear. Nia paused, touching a fingertip to the droplet of water and looked at it oddly before staring out over the cab at Kenzie’s house.
The rain began to fall faster now. The trees began to sway, creaking dangerously and the burning leaves fell into the forming puddles. Nia climbed into the cab, slamming the door shut behind her.
“Did you have fun?” Sam asked, putting the truck into drive.
“Yeah.” The rain was falling harder now, hitting the truck like hail. The stormy clouds seemed to be circulating around Kenzie’s house. “It was fun.” Nia cocked her head as she watched those clouds, her eyebrows narrowed in wonderment.
“Looks like you made some good friends. Who was the boy who helped you out?” Sam gave Nia a look that said, I’m not trying to be suspicious, but why was there a boy over?
“His name is Rowan—and the boys came over to make breakfast. They’re all very close.” Nia wondered if her voice actually cracked when she had said Rowan’s name or if she only imagined it.
“That’s just fine. It’s good to be close...” Sam took a left on to Berwick Street. He gave his daughter sideways glance. “They’re all not...together, right?”
“Dad!” Nia warningly exclaimed.
“Alright, alright...” Sam sank back into his seat and gripped the steering wheel. “I trust you.”
Seemingly as fast as the rain had started, it had stopped. The clouds were still dark and ominous, especially the ones circling around Kenzie’s house. Nia didn’t know what to think...expect for that Kenzie had been the one to manipulate the rain. The terribly sad expression she wore on her face while Nia was leaving loomed mockingly through her mind...
“Strange weather we’re having today,” Sam said, trying to lighten the mood. “It just doesn’t know if it’s coming or going.”
“I’ll say.” Nia slumped back in her seat, kicking her feet onto the dashboard. She began to tool with the radio in an attempt to make a distraction.
Chapter 10: Lacrimae Sanguinis
It was still raining come Tuesday afternoon. Nia sat, hugging her knees to her chest, in the old green recliner watching the rain drops splat the window and listening to the gentle pitter-patter of water droplets fall into the puddles and wet grass. She decided to keep it casual for tonight: faded jeans and a lilac colored long-sleeved shirt over a white camisole. She wiggled her socked toes as she sat, chin in her palm, watching the water cascade down the side of the drain pipe.
Fiona hadn't said anything more about the Sword of Dreams; in fact, she hadn't said much at all to her. Her attention was solely on Kenzie. That morning, Nia had caught them whispering rapidly to one another at breakfast. At first Nia shrugged it off, but then it happened again at choir auditions, and then a third time while waiting for the bus. Curiously enough, when Nia approached the two of them, they'd become silent, their lips pressed firmly together, their eyes casual and guilty. Their looks of guilt made Nia feel as though she were stubbing toes. She had meant to speak with Kenzie in confidence, tried to tell her that she and Rowan were just friends and nothing more. But Kenzie had been avoiding the confrontation.
A loud clang sounded from the kitchen. Nia rolled her eyes skyward and pulled herself from her contented position and very hesitantly inched towards the kitchen. Poking her head around the corner of the kitchen, she was half horrified and half amused to find Sam wrestling the top of the fridge for an old camera.
“Dad?” Nia asked dubiously. “What are you doing?”
“I,” said her father, whirling around to face her while thrusting the camera forward for Nia to see, “am making sure I have my camera ready.” He gave her a wink. “I certainly don’t want to miss my little girl’s first date!”
Nia groaned, slapping a palm to her forehead. “Dad, please, it's not a date,” she begged, resisting the urge to stomp her foot. “Please don’t make a fool out of yourself...”
“I’m not making a fool of myself. I’m being a good father.”
“Dad.” Nia cleared her throat and spoke very slowly, holding her hands out in front of her. “Rowan and I are just friends. Please."
Sam fiddled with the lens cap of the camera. “I saw the way you were looking at him.”
Nia tried her best to conceal a snort of laughter. "Looked at him? Dad, come off it. Rowan is very nice and sure he's...handsome...but we aren't dating. Ugh, I can't believe I am actually having this conversation with you."
“Embarrassing, huh?” Sam chuckled, shaking his head. “You know, I always promised myself that I'd never interrogate my kids about dates and who they're hanging out with.”
Nia snapped her fingers with a smirk. “You're not doing a very good job of it.”
“Someone has to do it." With a snap of the camera, Nia was blinded by a flash of light. Sam smiled, looking at the picture with a look of complete adoration. “You look so grown up.”
“Thanks Dad. I know you're just trying to look out for me, but seriously. Just friends. ” Nia said dryly as the sound of tires braked in the driveway. Nia spun around to peek out the porthole window. She shot her dad a demanding look, gripping the doorknob with all of her might. “He’s here, Dad.” Nia bit her lip reflectively. “Remember what I said?” She began to turn the knob.
“Just friends. Got it. Wait—don’t let the boy in yet!” Sam was giving the camera the stink eye, finger cramming the buttons. “I have to figure out how to get this contraption on repeated flash.”
Nia—if possible—became even more mortified. “Dad—don’t do this and I promise you, my prom,” she clasped her hands together and pouted, “you can take as many pictures as you want. And I'll probably be with an actual boyfriend, so you can go all crazy on me then. Good deal?”
“Your prom?” Sam considered the offer, stroking his graying beard. He carefully placed the camera down on the countertop which was now visible due to Nia’s superior cleaning skills. “You’ve got a deal there, little lady.”
Nia couldn’t help but grin; he hadn’t called her little lady since she was a little girl, no higher than his knee. Now she was nearly as tall as he was.
Sam shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head just as the knock sounded on the other side of the door. Nia exhaled sharply and swallowed hard. She took a second to make sure her curls fell just right over her shoulders before she yanked open the door.
Rowan smiled brightly at her. He was dressed in a black jacket that revealed, a dusty blue button-up and his usual Faded Glory jeans. His aura was glittered with sparkle lights, which took Nia by surprise. The light from the sconce lamp mixed with the mist created the most illustrious halo around his head and as he fidgeted with the buttons of his shirt, his rain-dripped bangs fell gracefully into his face, nearly hiding his deep blue eyes from sight.
“Hello.” His voice was smooth like velvet. “May I come inside?”
“Come on in!” Nia pulled herself out of the way, still staring at the sparkle lights of his aura. “Of course—you must be freezing.”
Rowan gave her a smile and stepped inside, looking around. “Good evening, Mr. Mitchell,” Rowan said, his eyes seeking Sam's. He warmly outstretched his hand. “I’m Rowan Davies.”
Sam shook Rowan’s offered hand slowly, giving him a brief smile. "Call me Sam. What's on the agenda tonight kids?"
“To Spinney's Cinema for dinner and a movie,” Rowan replied smoothly; if he was nervous or afraid for his life, he hid it extremely well. “And then maybe for a walk at Hollow Hills Park. The sky is supposed to be exceptionally bright; it’s a full moon tonight.”
“Great! You kids have a good time." Sam gave a firm smile to Rowan, nodding his head stiffly. Nia gave her dad a quick wave, but before she could step out the door, she felt his hand cup around her elbow. “Do you still have the mace in your purse?” Sam’s whisper tickled her ear.
Nia fought the urge to smack her father. Insistently, she caught her father’s eyes and glowered. “Yes Dad. Bye Dad.”
"Just making sure. Have fun."
Nia, while slipping on her black sequined flats, grabbed Rowan’s arm and pulled him out the door. She shot her father a dubious frown as they hopped off the cement step.
“Be back by ten!” Sam called after them.
Nia shuddered, shaking her head from side to side. “I am so sorry,” she muttered fretfully to Rowan, as he easily pulled an umbrella from the inside pocket of his coat a
nd opened it over her head. “He's a little on edge tonight. Must have had over his limit in coffee today.”
“He loves you,” Rowan pointed out, pressing his warm hand into the small of her back. Nia sighed at the gentleness of his touch and leaned back into the comforting sensation.
A older man sat in the passenger seat of a blue Saturn Ion, reading a very heavy looking book. He looked up as Nia and Rowan neared the car and waved. He had hair, similar in color to Rowan's, except that it was flecked with bits of gray. "That's my Uncle Max," Rowan said, scuffing the ground with the toe of his shoe. “I only have my driver’s permit, so your dad will be pleased to know that we have a chaperone for at least the car ride.” he explained while opening the driver’s side passenger door.
Nia chuckled, shaking her head. "You live with your uncle, right?"
Rowan looked to her as he stepped aside from the door, allowing her in. “That I do. And with my Aunt Sarah."
"And your cousins?" Nia slid into her seat and fastened her seatbelt.
Rowan gave her a strange look. "Jess lives in Florida with her fiancé. Bryn and Kate are in college..." He stepped into the car, shutting the door. Uncle Max put the car into reverse and began to back out of the drive way. Timidly, Nia felt Rowan lean towards her. "You only knew about Jess from the bus," he whispered. "Did you just read me or something?"
"Not purposely," Nia nodded. "Sorry. It just happens sometimes."
Rowan sat back into his seat, strangely silent. Nia took a deep breath, not knowing what else to say, and looked out the window.
The rain had finally stopped sometime after the movie had started. After hailing a cab—Rowan had bid Uncle Max goodbye after they'd reached the theater—they walked together, climbing the stairs of the now familiar gazebo, at Hollow Hills Park. The town traffic was nonexistent and the some of the houses from across the street still had their Christmas lights up, despite it being the middle of February. They stopped at the rock wall that peered out over the park.
The Mystical Knights: The Sword of Dreams Page 10