by E. L. Todd
“Well, that’s my only plan,” Calloway said. “I can’t think of a better option.”
“Good luck,” he said.
Aunt Grace pulled up in the beat up car and they piled into the seats. Breccan sunk low in the passenger chair so he wouldn’t be recognized by the students standing on the sidewalk. When Aunt Grace drove away everyone stared at the loud car as it moved down the street. The car was old and in poor condition but Calloway didn’t mind in the least—it still worked. He never understood his cousin’s embarrassment of their income status. Calloway preferred to have people like him for being him—not because he had money and possessions. He sincerely hoped Breccan would learn that someday.
Aunt Grace took them to an ice cream shop on the way home and they ordered sundaes. Calloway tried to pay for it but his aunt refused to let him touch his wallet. They sat at a table near the window and ate their ice cream despite the cold weather.
“So how was the last day of school?” she asked.
“I’m glad it’s over.” Breccan sighed.
“Me, too,” Calloway added. He ate half his ice cream in one minute because it tasted so good. He saved the cherry for last—it was his favorite part.
“How’d you do on your exams?” she asked.
Breccan shoveled the food into his mouth. “I think I passed.”
Calloway shrugged. “I did okay.” The SAT scores were sitting in his pocket and he wanted to tell her about his success but he changed his mind. He didn’t want to make his cousin look bad by bragging about his scores.
When they were finished, they drove home and came into the warm house. The house was decorated for the Christmas season and Calloway stared at the ornamentation in awe. The tree sat in the living room by the fireplace and it was covered in ribbon and thistle. Holiday ornaments that Breccan and Calloway made when they were young were pinned to the tree, and there were a few gifts under the branches. The smell of gingerbread cookies was heavy in the air, and Calloway felt his mouth water even though he just ate. Christmas was his aunt’s favorite holiday and she celebrated it joyously. Calloway loved the way the house was decorated every year and enjoyed the food Aunt Grace would serve. It would be his favorite time of the year if it didn’t make him so depressed—he always thought of his parents.
The thought of his father made him lose his appetite. Breccan and Easton hadn’t addressed the topic since they discovered his father owned the Grandiose Historian Library, and he tried not to think about it. The idea that his father didn’t want him was too much to bear, especially during the Christmas season. His aunt and uncle always gave him all the love he ever needed but it wasn’t the same—he wanted his parents. He had vague memories of Christmas morning with his mother and father but he couldn’t recall most of it. Now all he had left were old pictures that Aunt Grace still had. Calloway used to stare at an old photo of his mother for hours, wondering what her voice sounded like, but the sight of her beautiful face became too painful as he aged and he stopped looking at the picture. It was placed in his night stand where it remained untouched for years.
Aunt Grace placed a plate of cookies on the coffee table and Calloway took a seat on the couch and ate one. He leaned back in the chair and focused his thoughts on something that didn’t make him depressed. There was one topic that came to mind and he concentrated on the memory.
A knock on the door shattered his thoughts. He opened the front door and saw Easton on the porch. “Weston said we can go to the White Wing,” she said without preamble. “I’m going to try to steal the decoder.”
Calloway nodded. “Okay,” he said. “Come inside.” Easton walked inside as Breccan came down the stairway. “We’re going to the White Wing,” Calloway said before Breccan could ask. “Hold on a second.”
The brown purse that Aunt Grace used every day was hanging on the coatrack. Calloway grabbed her wallet and shoved five hundred dollars inside. “Okay,” he said. “Let’s go.”
“Mom,” Breccan yelled into the kitchen. “We’re going out.” He shut the door behind them and got inside Easton’s car.
They drove to Fresno University across town and took the back roads to the White Wing hidden in the small forest. There were cars in the dirt parking lot and Calloway wondered how many students were inside. When they reached the front door, they saw Weston waiting for them.
“Hey,” she said. “Are you ready to start your research?”
“Yeah,” Easton said. “We’re thrilled about completing a bogus assignment.”
Calloway stopped in front of Weston. She was wearing black tights with high-heeled boots and a long sleeve sweater. Her hair fell across her shoulders and he smelled a hint of vanilla. He stared at her for a moment before he addressed her. “Thank you for letting us use your library.”
“Of course.” She smiled. She turned to Easton and glared at her. “Why is Calloway the only who has any manners?”
“Because you embarrassed Hawk in front of the whole school,” Easton said. “Calloway is indebted to you.”
“No,” she said. “He’s a gentleman. You should try it sometime.”
“Since I’m not a guy, I’ll pass,” Easton snapped.
Weston ignored her comment. “Let’s go,” she said as she opened the front door. They followed her into the lobby and saw the chairs filled with students that were reading by the light of the different hearths. They were drinking cups of steaming liquid and they looked comfortable in the cushioned chairs. Calloway wanted to fall asleep every time he walked into that room.
They walked up the staircase and moved into the library down the hall. Weston took a seat at the table and looked at them. “How can I help you?”
Easton shrugged. “We aren’t sure what we’re looking for yet,” she said. “We’ll just look around.”
Weston stared at her. “I don’t think so,” she said. “Tell me what you need and I’ll retrieve it—if it’s approved.”
Easton sighed. “This is stupid,” she said. “How do you expect us to help you if you won’t let us do anything? And we don’t know what he need until we see it.”
Calloway agreed with Easton. He wasn’t sure why Weston allowed them to help if she wouldn’t grant them access to anything. After a few moments of thinking, he realized what Weston was doing—she was trying to figure out what they already knew. If they asked for something specific, that would be an admittance of knowledge.
“Then bring me a book about portals.” Easton sighed.
“Such a book doesn’t exist.”
“Well, that’s convenient,” Easton said. “A book that details the Anti-Life?”
Weston shook her head. “None of us have been there,” she said. “We have no information about it.”
Breccan leaned back in his chair. “Do you have anything about the Hara-Kirs in general?”
“Well, that is irrelevant to your search,” Weston said.
Even Calloway was growing frustrated with Weston. It was obvious she was devoted to this cause and would give her soul to protect the Life but she was being too secretive. This was a waste of their time. If they could just get the decoder, they could leave.
“Then bring me a pre-approved book,” Easton said. “Anything you’re willing to share.”
Weston stared at her for a moment then rose from her seat and walked into the bookcases. Easton turned to Calloway. “You have to distract her. Do whatever it takes—flirt with her.”
“Why me?” he asked.
“You get along with her the best,” Easton said.
“When should I talk to her?” Calloway asked.
Easton sighed. “When an opportunity arises.”
“That’s not vague at all,” Breccan whispered sarcastically.
Weston returned to the table with a book title, The Anatomy of the Hara-Kir Heart. Since they already killed two Hara-Kirs it was evident they were already aware of their unusual hearts. Callow knew that was why she chose this book specifically.
Easton looked up at
her sister. “This has no relevance at all.”
“You told me to bring you an approved book,” Weston said.
“You’re so annoying,” Easton spat.
“That makes two of us.” She smiled.
The textbook was short with only a few hundred pages and was mostly comprised of illustrations of the heart. Easton browsed through the book while Breccan and Calloway stared at the images. The heart was the same size as a human’s, but the arteries were wired differently. The heart was separated into sections that were connected to different sets of veins that combined with the other arteries of the body. Now Calloway understood why the heart had to be cut into three different places; the heart could still function as long as one section was opened. It was a defense mechanism that impressed Calloway—he wished humans had it.
They forgot about Weston sitting across from them and concentrated on the images of the book.
“That’s why it has to be stabbed in three places,” Breccan said. “It makes sense.”
Weston raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t know that already?” she asked. “So you were just lucky?”
Breccan ignored her comment continued to stare at the illustration. Easton turned the page and they read the text silently. Even though the text was irrelevant to portal information it was still interesting—fascinating.
A student walked into the library and looked at Easton. His height surpassed Calloway’s and he was larger than most men. He looked older—perhaps a senior in college. The sleeves on his shirt were cut off and he was sweating. “Hey, Weston,” he said. “Can you help me in a demonstration for a moment?”
Weston looked at the three of them for a moment. None of them met her gaze and concentrated on the book, appearing so mesmerized by the text that they were oblivious to the conversation. The man patiently waited for her response with his arms crossed over his chest.
“How long will it take?” she asked.
“Just a minute,” he said. “I want to show them the kick-flip.”
“I’ll be back in a moment,” she said. “If you touch anything, I’ll kill you.” The chair squeaked as she pushed it back and got to her feet. She walked to door and disappeared down the hallway.
Easton jumped to her feet. “Breccan help me,” she said quickly. “Calloway, stand in the doorway and talk to her if she comes back.”
“And what am I supposed to say?” he whispered.
“We don’t have time for this!” she snapped. “Figure it out.”
She and Breccan disappeared into the bookcases and began their search. Calloway moved to the doorway and looked across the hall into the other room. The area was decorated with swords on display and there were students leaning against the cushioned walls, watching Weston and the man stand in the middle of the room.
They stared at each other for a moment before Weston charged him and ducked under his arm, pulling it behind his back, and then she kicked the man in the back of the knee and sent him to the floor. Weston held a wooden stick to the back of this heart, and Calloway didn’t see her place it there—she was too fast. The lightning speed and dexterity she showed made him feel more intimidated than he already was. She was strong and quick, faster than the eye could see, and she was powerful despite her petite frame.
Now that the demonstration was over, Calloway knew Weston would be returning to the library. He walked back inside and searched for Easton. “She’s coming,” he whispered. Easton and Breccan emerged from a bookcase with a large book. She shoved it into her backpack as fast as she could and closed it. They all sat down and stared at the anatomy book right when Weston returned.
Calloway controlled his breathing and retained his calm composure. If he was sweating or breathing heavily he knew the sight would be a dead giveaway. Weston was smart—too smart—to be tricked. Easton faked a yawn while she read to hide her distress and Breccan stared at the image on the page.
“You’re still on the same page?” Weston asked.
Calloway felt his heart accelerate—she knew.
“The diagram is difficult to understand,” Easton snapped. “We haven’t been studying these beings for years like you have. And we aren’t geniuses.”
“Well, you certainly aren’t smart” Weston smiled.
Easton looked at her sister. “This is very fascinating but this is irrelevant to what you wanted us to do. So what are you really trying to achieve?”
Weston smiled at her sister. “What are you trying to achieve?” she asked.
“We have the same goals,” Easton replied. “Now what more do you want?”
“I want you to stop.”
“Then why are you encouraging us to research the Hara-Kirs?” Easton asked.
“She wants to know what we know,” Calloway answered. “She’s trying to figure that out based on our questions and book selection.”
Weston looked at Calloway. “At least one of you is intelligent.”
“What’s the purpose in that?” Easton asked.
“She wants us to stop,” Calloway explained. “If she can figure out what our goals are, she can stop them—protect us.”
“You haven’t left me a choice,” Weston said as she leaned back in her chair. “Calloway said you’ll never stop.”
“And we won’t,” Easton said. “You just need to accept it.”
“You’re my sister,” she said. “I have to protect you.”
“Then you shouldn’t have told me about the Hara-Kirs to begin with.”
Weston sighed. “I had to warn you,” she said. “I couldn’t let you live in ignorance.”
“You’re right, Weston,” she said. “But to do nothing to help is unacceptable. If you’re allowed to risk your life for the greater good, so am I.”
Weston leaned forward. “You don’t understand what I’m saying,” she snapped. “You have every right to pursue your passion but you aren’t old enough to start now. When you’re an adult, I will accept your decisions, but not now. None of you are trained and accepted as a trusted member of our society—I’m just asking you to wait.” She looked at all three of them, and her eyes lingered on Calloway’s. “Is that so much to ask?”
Calloway sighed. “We don’t pursue the Hara-Kirs—they come to us. If we are attacked we will not run—we will fight back. That is all I can promise you. We aren’t looking for trouble. Somehow it always finds us.”
“Then you need to make an effort to stay out of harm’s way,” Weston said. “I mean it.”
“But we aren’t going to stop pursuing information,” Calloway said. “Nothing you say will stop us.”
Weston looked at her sister. “Just promise me you won’t hunt Hara-Kirs,” she said. “Stay out of their way until you are properly trained—that’s all I’m asking.”
Easton sighed. She looked down at her backpack then looked at the two boys. They both nodded their heads slightly and she turned back to her sister. “Fine,” she said. “We promise we won’t hunt them.”
Weston leaned back in her chair and sighed. “Thank you.”
The Darkness in Light
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Breccan said when he and Calloway approached the classic car in their driveway. “This is a joke, right?”
Calloway looked at the Christmas tree in the backseat, which was already decorated with ornaments and lights, and it stretched across the back of the car, sticking out of both back windows. He wasn’t sure where he was going to sit.
Easton got out of the car. “Just get in,” she yelled.
“Where?” Breccan asked incredulously. “Or should I ask the elves to build us another car?”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Calloway said. “We could use an extra vehicle.”
Easton rolled her eyes. “Just squeeze in.”
Breccan and Calloway both crammed into the front seat. The seat belt wouldn’t reach across both of their chests so they abandoned the attempt after several minutes, choosing to ride in the car without the safety strap.
“You’ll get a ticket if a cop sees us,” Breccan said. His shoulder was rubbing in Calloway’s arm and their feet were tangled together on the floorboard. Even though they were cousins that shared a bedroom, the closeness was uncomfortable for them both. Calloway could feel Breccan’s breaths fall on his neck and he felt awkward in the position—he would feel awkward with anyone. His arm was pinned to the door and it started to ache with the awkward position.
“Why do you think I’m stupid?” she snapped. “I already know that. We’re just going down the street—we’ll be fine.” She started the car and pulled away from the curb.
“Sorry, Mr. Grinch,” Breccan said as she drove down the street. He shifted his weight and elbowed Calloway in the stomach by accident.
“I’m the one who brought a Christmas tree,” she said.
“And is really angry about it,” Breccan snapped. Easton’s lips frowned in a scowl and Calloway could feel the anger emit from her. They fought every single day and Calloway didn’t understand why they couldn’t get along.
“I just love the Christmas season,” Calloway said sarcastically. He moved in his seat and elbowed Breccan in the stomach, but on purpose.
Easton drove to the intersection then turned on the street that housed the library. “I made Christmas cookies,” she said in an attempt to play nice.
Breccan stared at her. “You did?”
She smiled. “I’m not the Grinch anymore, am I?”
“Hey, Santa.” Breccan smiled.
“That’s what I thought.” She laughed. She tightened the pink scarf around her neck then pulled over to the curb in front of the Headquarters. It was especially cold today, and Calloway felt the winter chill creep through his thick jacket. Easton was wearing thick leather boots over her pants along with a warm blazer. Together, they carried the tree into the library and up the stairs. After they verified they were alone, they set the tree by their table near the window. When Easton connected the Christmas lights to the outlet the tree shined in the dim library. Calloway started a fire in the hearth and the ornaments sparkled in the light of the roaring flames. The blue star on the top of the tree reminded him of a magical night in his past.