by J. R. King
Chapter Thirty-Two
We Meet Again
The bell chimed as Aria and the others stepped through the door to Import & Trade Co. The store was barren and dark, not counting the early morning light creeping through the windows. A wide array of knick-knacks still took up every available inch, and she watched as Christian regarded his surroundings with skepticism. Rome, however, seemed on edge. Which was likely why he was the first to react when Danny came stumbling out from the back room. The four of them startled each other so badly that Johnny came crashing down the steps to investigate. He took one assessing look at the room before speaking.
“I assume you have a good reason for being here?”
Ariahna nodded. “Sorry, the door was unlocked.” She watched those dark eyes turn to Danny. He’d clearly been in charge of locking up the night before. “Can we talk?”
“I’m in a meeting,” Johnny said. He curbed the roughness in his tone at her pleading look. “Wait for me to come get you. And lock the door.”
She thanked him, watching as he ambled back up the stairs.
“What’s with the surprise visit?” Danny asked.
Rome answered. “We kind of need some help.”
“Does this have anything to do with…?” Danny stopped himself. “What’s he doing here?”
Christian scoffed. “You act as though I’ve been the enemy.” He stared at the subtle expression Rome had given in response. “If you’ve got something to say, then say it.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Rome said. “You and I still have a lot of things to work out.” He paused, acknowledging the look of confusion on Danny’s face. “We’re related.”
“Brothers, actually,” Christian said. “And I know about the curse.”
“But I thought you and Dallas were—”
“We are,” he said. “It’s complicated.”
Danny hummed. “Makes me wonder if I have any siblings. My dad left when I was young.” He leaned against the front counter, quietly checking the till. “It’s not a big deal. I’m over it.”
Ariahna turned to look when the last step let out a familiar creak. That was their cue to follow, and they did so wordlessly, clambering up the steps. She moved through the door after Johnny, surprised to find an apartment at the top of the stairs. It was nothing like the storefront below. Everything was organized, for one. And whoever he’d been meeting with had left no trace of their presence.
“I’ll make breakfast,” Johnny said, moving into the kitchen.
“You don’t have to do that,” Aria said.
“I don’t do anything I don’t want to.”
Christian took a seat at the dining table, staring around the neat space. “How come you can keep your apartment so clean, but your store looks like a tornado swept through it?”
Johnny glared over his shoulder at him. “So I take it you won’t be eating with us then?”
“Christian,” Aria said. “You could try being a bit more polite. We did just show up at his door. Maybe insulting him isn’t the best preface to asking for favors.”
“Why are we asking him for advice anyways?”
“I apologize,” Rome said. “We didn’t exactly fill him in on everything I realize.” He sat beside Christian at the table, noting the scowl on his face. “Danny’s cousin was kind enough to help us find some answers about the Artisan and the curse.”
“Speaking of,” Johnny said, “what brings you back so soon?”
Ariahna came to join him in the kitchen, watching as he began to poach five large eggs. “We, or rather I, may have made an unsuccessful attempt to bind the Artisan’s spirit.”
“And how did you possibly think that was going to work?”
“With this.” She pulled the wand from her coat pocket, brandishing it in the kitchen light. “I know he’s powerful, but I had to think that with the wand, we actually stood a chance.”
“That’s impressive,” Johnny said. “I’m surprised you thought to try it, and I’m even more astounded that you’re not dead.”
Aria smiled weakly. “It wasn’t a complete loss. I think I managed to sever his connection to me.” Johnny looked curious so she hurried to explain. “I pieced together a dream walking spell with a tranquility spell. It played to completion the way I thought it would, but nothing went according to plan after that.”
“He came back with her,” Christian said. “And he wasn’t too happy that we were standing over his open grave.”
“Can’t really blame him,” Johnny said. “You tried to cheat him out of what he feels he’s owed. It was a good play. I can respect what you tried to do. But now you need a new plan.”
“He wants magic restored to the yew,” Rome said. “Her magic.”
“Really…” Johnny glanced at them. “And why are you suddenly in such a rush?”
“We’re related,” Christian repeated. “Which is how I got involved in all of this. Either of us could kick it at any minute. I’ve had a few close calls myself.”
“Are neither of you so-called gentlemen willing to take her place, then?” Johnny asked. The room was quiet as he acquired a stack of plates from the cupboard. “She severed ties. The way I see it, the rules no longer apply.”
Rome stared down at the moderate helping of food that had been set in front of him. “You’re saying that anyone’s magic will do?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
The remainder of the meal was taken in silence. Johnny refused to talk business over breakfast, insisting that as soon as everyone was finished they could resume the topic of conversation. “You need to refuel,” he said, staring at Ariahna. “Eat, or I’ll take it as an insult.”
She obliged gratefully, and after everyone had gotten their fill, Aria helped Johnny collect the dishes and set them in the sink. “I wanted to thank you, for speaking up for me,” she said. “But I couldn’t let either of them surrender their magic in my place. I know what happened now, and even if it wasn’t my actions that led to the death of the tree, I feel responsible. I’m the one who has to make this right.”
“That’s a very noble and idiotic gesture.”
“Maybe so,” she said. “I guess I’d rather be idiotic and selfless than filled with an inescapable regret. Knowing they’d made that sacrifice would just be too much.”
The hushed conversation at the dining table quieted, and Rome looked at the two of them where they stood in the kitchen. “What if I knew someone who could take her place? Someone who wanted to give up their magic. Does it really not matter who it is?”
“I wouldn’t think so,” Johnny said. “The specifics seem to be that if the yew is restored then the curse will be broken. Who exactly did you have in mind?”
“Kaleb,” Rome said.
Ariahna frowned. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. I’ve sort of been tasked with looking out for him. And I don’t think stripping him of his magic is going to make him any safer.”
“Then I’ll do it,” he said.
Danny interrupted them. “Uh, do any of you even know how to surrender your magic? First of all, it’s kind of illegal. And even if it wasn’t, there aren’t many people who know how to do it. You’re getting a bit ahead of yourselves if you ask me.”
“He’s right,” Johnny said. “Lucky for you I happen to be one of the few people who do know how to do it. Follow me.” He led the lot back downstairs, through the dusty store and into his private collection. “Give me a moment,” he said.
Rome and the others watched him grab a large book from one of the shelves, flipping instantly to the back. Johnny examined the page several times while gathering items and instruments from around the room. He arranged them on the table, making mental notes.
“I’m missing a few things,” he said.
Ariahna moved to reference the tome, finding the ingredients in question. It wasn’t just a spell, but an elixir. “Breath of a dying wind, harpy’s claw, binding root, and a vampire’s fang. I thin
k I know where to get the binding root, but, this last one…” She looked up at Johnny. “You wouldn’t happen to have any fangs lying around?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“I like our options even less now,” she said.
“Well,” Danny said, “we could always track down another collector to procure one? Don’t you have any underworld friends we could pester? Maybe one that owes you a debt?”
Johnny’s stare was cutting. “I can’t spare the money for something like that. I’m low on funds at the moment, and the cost is considerably steep. I’m not burning up valuable resources by cashing in favors, either. This is what I can supply for this little suicide mission, and it is a generous contribution. It’s bad enough that I’m enabling you to do this…”
Rome stepped out of the room. He could hear the group brainstorming ideas, but all he could think about was what he’d just offered to do. He was terrified. But worse was the fear of what would happen if he didn’t do it. Rome wasn’t sure he could propose something so dangerous to Kaleb, either. Not when he knew that he’d most likely jump at the opportunity.
“Hey,” Christian said.
Rome turned to face him, leaning back against the wall. He crossed his arms in an evaluating stance, face contorting to match. “Do you feel the same way about her that I do?” he said.
Christian’s emotional state went murky in an instant.
Rome lingered near the wall, staring emptily at a shelf of antiques. “We should have grown up together,” he said. “At least then you’d understand what you’re feeling right now.”
Christian angled a look at him. “How is it that I’m supposed to feel?”
“I can’t tell you that,” Rome said. “Either you care more about her than you do yourself, or you don’t. It’s that simple.”
“I’m almost convinced that whatever this is will go away as soon as this thing’s lifted. We’re cursed. It’s not real, it’s magic.”
Rome shook his head. “Keep telling yourself that. At least now I know why I’m the only one stepping up to the plate.”
“Like hell you are. You want someone else to do it for you.”
“Because I’m scared out of my mind,” he said. “But at the end of the day I know that I’m willing to do the right thing.”
“And you don’t think that I will.”
“I’m worried that we don’t have the same values.”
“We don’t have the same values,” Christian said. “And do you want to know why? Because the mother that raised you didn’t seem keen on raising me.”
Johnny and Aria had come to linger in the doorway.
“There’s got to be a part of you that doesn’t believe that.”
“I don’t know what to believe,” Christian said.
Rome let the silence hang between them. “I couldn’t expect to make sense of it. Neither of us can. But there are things that lead me to believe there’s more to it than that.”
“Little good it does us now.”
“She wasn’t that kind of person.”
Christian shrugged. “I wouldn’t know.”
Rome watched him step outside, deciding after a moment to follow. “Where did you grow up?” he asked.
“Why the sudden interest?”
Rome squinted against the morning sun. “Humor me.”
“Eden Brook,” he said. “It’s about an hour from here.”
Rome barked out a laugh. “Or forty minutes, if you drive fast. Do you remember a park near the water?” He observed Christian’s reaction – the silent questions lingering in his stare. “I think we’ve met before… a long time ago.”
“If we did, I don’t remember.”
Rome leaned a shoulder into the side of the building, a somber smile painting his face. “She drove over fifty miles to see you,” he said, “for months.”
“I don’t remember.”
“I think you do.”
Christian leaned against the brick. “That was really her?”
Rome nodded. “I’m remembering things now,” he said.
Christian grinned. “Yeah… I think I kind of hated you.”
A smile crept onto Rome’s face. “The feeling was mutual.” He kicked a small pebble, watching it bounce off the curb. “I remember her always huffing, ‘Boys ’ at us.”
“We never did quite get along.”
“But we had fun,” Rome said.
The bell chimed as Ariahna stepped outside.
“I think we have a plan in place,” she said. “I need to talk to Scarlet first and see if she can help with one of the ingredients, but we’ll meet out at the yew around dusk.” She stared at Rome thoughtfully. “You know I’m not going to let you do this, right?”
“One of us has to,” he said.
She shook her head gently. “Whatever happens—”
“No,” he said. “No goodbyes. We’re not doing that.”
Ariahna crossed her arms, staring at the pavement. There was a lot she wanted to say, and none of it had to do with goodbye. “Thank you,” she said. He gave her a curious look. “Thank you for walking into my life and changing it.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Troubled Old Foes
Cars sailed by as Ariahna stood on the sidewalk, checking the time. Scarlet had texted her over an hour ago, managing to maintain radio silence after that. Aria scowled at her phone, looking up from the screen as the other girl came sauntering down the street. “You never responded to my messages,” she said.
Scarlet kept walking, linking arms with her as she passed. “I’m better in person. Besides, some conversations shouldn’t be had over the phone.” Scarlet looked at her slyly, smiling her best innocent smile. “Look, I know what this is about. If you’re calling me out on a school day, it definitely isn’t to go look at shoes. So, you know. Let’s get the speech out of the way.”
“What did you think I wanted to talk to you about?”
“Honey,” Scarlet said, “don’t play dumb. It doesn’t work for you.” She sighed, leading the way through town. “So, my family has a secret—a big one—and it has to do with you. Is that the only reason we’re friends? No. Did I ask to be assigned some magical vendetta? Again, no. So,” she said, turning to smile at her, “why can’t we just look this whole ugly thing in the eye and say, this doesn’t have to define us? We’re mature individuals who appreciate each other’s company and the luxuries which that company affords. Namely, an influential friend for me, and increased social status for you.”
“You’re all heart,” Aria said.
Scarlet stopped in her tracks, folding her arms elegantly. “Now don’t pretend you haven’t gotten anything out of this, because we both know that just isn’t true. Last year nobody knew who you were, and they still wouldn’t if it wasn’t for me.”
Ariahna let out a frustrated breath. “This wasn’t the way I saw this conversation going…”
Scarlet smiled, ignoring her wary gaze. “I plan ahead.”
“I just want to ask, what has your role been in all of this? Despite the teasing, I really thought that we were friends at one point. But a friend wouldn’t hide something like that from me. You could have told me about Rome and Christian at least.”
“First of all,” Scarlet said, “I didn’t have the slightest inclination that Christian was involved. That they left out of the memo. And I would have told you, if I thought it would have made a difference.” She stared at the crestfallen look on Aria’s face. “I was never going to let it go too far.”
“Too far?” Aria couldn’t conceal the affronted look on her face. “He could have died! He still might.”
Scarlet frowned at that. “The point is, we can’t change the past, right? All we can do is move forward and make smarter choices in the future. I chose family the first time. And believe me, it was not a decision I had much say in. Sometimes your parents are super rich and powerful like yours; sometimes they’re scary and filled with old world magic and hatred like mine. But large
ly, it’s out of our control. So how about we agree to let bygones be bygones and start over?”
That was the last thing Ariahna felt like doing, but she found herself agreeing to it anyways. “I can’t even find it in me to really be mad at you,” she said. “I guess it wasn’t even your fault to begin with. I just feel… tricked.”
Scarlet wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her into her side reassuringly. “Don’t look at it like that. You knew my intentions were less than honorable when we met. It shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise. I’m just glad you didn’t blow me up when you found out.”
Aria smiled wickedly. “Not that I hadn’t thought about it.”
“So,” Scarlet said, “now that you know, what’s your plan?”
“I’m going to break the curse. But I need your help.”
The glass door chimed as Aria followed Scarlet into the small botanical shop. Flowers and ferns crowded the room, obscuring most of its patrons from view. They moved through the modest store, shoes tapping against aged wood. Scarlet’s aunt was at the counter, trimming a bouquet of lilies for a customer.
“Aren’t you girls supposed to be in school?”
“Half day,” Scarlet said.
Her aunt didn’t seem convinced.
Aria touched the countertop, shifting uncertainly as she spoke. “Scarlet tells me your family’s dealt in exotic plants ever since you moved here…” She smiled at the scowl between the woman’s eyebrows. “We were hoping you might have a certain specimen.”
Scarlet’s aunt handed the other woman her selections, along with a small receipt. “What is this all about?” she said.
Scarlet pursed her lips. “…We need a binding root.”
The woman stared at the girls for a moment before ushering them behind a curtain. Ariahna noted the delicate arrangements lining the shelves of the room, and the overwhelming scent of plants both spicy and sweet.