The voice on the other side of the phone was composed. Logan was trying to calm her down, but she was hardly listening, all her attention on the news.
“I know. You’re right. There are always earthquakes and hurricanes and such somewhere. But not all at once, right? Anyway, I’ll call you later. I have to check on my mom,” she said and scrambled from the sofa. She stopped in the middle of the kitchen and narrowed her eyes. No, Mom had better sleep. She’s been so strange today. Good thing she’s off work for the next two days.
The same young male anchor read aloud a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“They don’t know where it came from,” Savannah whispered to herself. “Why don’t they know? It just appeared out of nowhere without any warning? I can understand the earthquakes but this? And all those weird volcanic eruptions? What’s happening with the world?”
She sat on the sofa and put her face in her hands. She leaned forward until her elbows rested on her thighs. A sound of a breaking window hit her ears, followed by a man’s low bellow and a woman’s hysterical shriek. Savannah jumped to her feet and peered between the thin plastic blinds, pulling them apart with her fingers. She saw a chair with a broken leg lying on her neighbors’ lawn. Jagged pieces of glass and splintered wood covered the chair and the grass around it. She gasped. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw how badly the neighbors’ window was shattered. Two figures, a tall man and a short stocky woman, were pushing each other inside the house, shouting. It was dark outside, but their house was well lit, and Savannah saw several pieces of furniture inside fallen or broken.
“Geez, what the hell got into those two?” She whispered in disbelief. She thought about calling the police, but then she heard a short pulsing sound that could only come from an emergency vehicle. She raced to the front door, opened it, and ran outside to get a better look. A few other neighbors already gathered in the middle of the street, talking and pointing. Savannah hesitated for a moment. She walked toward the group to hear what they knew about the incident.
“Such a nice couple. I would never, in a thousand years, suspect them of such violence.” An old white-haired woman shook her head, her voice wobbly with age. “I’ve been living here for the last fifty years and have never seen anything like that.”
“What happened? Is anybody hurt?” someone else asked.
“Something weird is going on,” said a middle-aged Asian man in a thick sweater. “This morning I went to Chinatown. There were three nasty fights at the market. Then later, when I took my dog for a walk, I saw some little kids swinging their fists at each other. One even got a bloody nose. Two mothers sat on a bench in a complete stupor, like they were frozen. I had to separate the kids, and told the mothers to take them home. They just got up and walked away with the squirming children. They didn’t even say a word to me. Unbelievable.”
“I saw a group of guys fighting on the street a couple hours ago. Someone called the police, and two officers arrived really fast,” added a college-aged girl. There was a small diamond stud in her nose. “This is crazy. What’s going on with all those people?”
“Hello, Mrs. Stephanopoulos,” Savannah said quietly, looking at Penelope’s mother.
“Oh, Savannah.” A redhead petite woman, dressed in a pink tracksuit, smiled broadly. “Is your mom around?”
“Yeah, sleeping. She didn’t feel well and left work early. Good thing she came home before the earthquake.”
“She’s not feeling well? Is she sick?” Kaliope Stephanopoulos asked, her voice heavy with a Greek accent.
“I don’t know what to think. I’ve never seen her like this.” Savannah’s eyes filled with tears.
Kaliope moved closer Savannah and put her arm around her. “Is there anything I can do?” she asked, looking at her husband and another neighbor—a Native American female Summer Shifter. The three double-natured exchanged knowing glances. “I would send Penelope to come and keep you company. But she just went to her friend’s house. She’s never around when needed. Do you know Jasmira? That’s where she went.”
Savannah grimaced at the idea of spending any time with Penelope, and then said, “No, I don’t think I know anyone named Jasmira.”
“Is your mom drunk again? Do you need help with anything?”
“No, Mrs. Stephanopoulos. I’m fine.” Savannah blinked her tears away. She knew Kaliope was often blunt, but this question took her by surprise.
“Don’t hesitate to call me. I mean it.” Kaliope squeezed Savannah’s arm. “You guys have our phone numbers, right?”
“I think so. I think Mom has it in her address book in the kitchen.”
A police officer escorted the tall man from the house with a broken window to the vehicle parked right by the front door. The man was hand-cuffed, his head hung low. The second officer was still inside the house, talking with the woman. She had her fists firmly planted on her wide hips. Her face was twisted in anger.
“Good thing they don’t have any kids,” the Native American Shifter commented, and then added in her mind for the Stephanopoulos couple to hear, “You know about the ten-thousand-year mark, right? It’s happening already. Even if the winter solstice is a month away. All these disasters are hitting at once. And the humans are getting either aggressive, like these two here, or passive, like Savannah’s mother. Come over to my house, we’ll talk.”
Kaliope Stephanopoulos looked grim when she answered with her mind, “Okay, Estelle.” She looked at her husband, who nodded, and then at Savannah. “Go check on your mother and you’d better stay inside. Don’t let her near any booze, and if she tries, call my cell phone.”
Savannah made a noncommittal noise and walked toward her house. Her eyes were full of hostility and her shoulders sagged. I can’t believe she said that in front of everyone.
Two other Shifters heard Kaliope’s voice in their heads. “Her mother better shape up. The kid needs someone to watch over her, not the other way around. Dumb humans.”
CHAPTER 35
Human World, November 18, past midnight.
Jasmira hopped out of the taxi and slammed the door.
“Hey, easy does it!” the driver yelled after her, but she had already taken off toward the tall wrought-iron gate. She reached a small keypad between the gate and the stone post, and quickly punched a number combination. Jasmira squeezed between the opening wings of the gate and pushed the buttons on the keypad one more time. The gate stopped, shuddered, and started to close. Jasmira hoisted her bag onto her shoulder and ran in the direction of the large house sprawled at the end of the path. The lanterns along the path provided soft light, casting milky circles on the ground. It was after midnight. The wind subsided and only gently ruffled a colorful carpet of leaves that covered the path under her feet.
She stopped in front of the vast double doors, lifted her head, and gazed at the carvings in the wood. Engraved into both of the doors stood serious-looking warriors. They bore the signs of the sun on their crests, foreheads, and chest plates. Without taking her eyes off them, Jasmira slipped her hand into her bag, and felt inside for a key. She was about to insert the key into the key-hole, when the lock made a metallic clicking noise, and Penelope opened the door, peering outside.
“Oh, here you are. Finally,” Penelope huffed. Her thick red hair was a mess. She wore an oversized t-shirt with a picture of Hello Kitty printed on the front and a pair of fuzzy pink slippers. “Why did you fly to Santa Barbara like that?”
Jasmira gave Penelope a tight hug. “Sorry, Pen. I will tell you all in a moment. But I’m exhausted.” She drew back and looked into her friend’s eyes. “So Jatred’s fine? Except he doesn’t remember me. Anything new since I called you last time?”
“No. I told you all I know.”
Jasmira walked inside, past Penelope. “I can’t stand airplanes and airports.”
“I don’t blame you. After all, your own parents…” Penelope stopped abruptly, her eyes opened wide. “I’m sorry. I d
on’t know what I’m saying.”
“It’s okay. I mean, it still hurts. There’s not a day in my life that I don’t think about them. But I hardly even remember them. And it’s been years since that plane crash. Exactly ten years.”
Penelope followed Jasmira.
“I just can’t bring myself to visit the cemetery. Grandma goes every week and always asks if I want to go, but I just…” Jasmira shook her head, her eyes cast down to the floor. “Grandma called on Friday to remind me. But I didn’t forget. I just couldn’t face the graves.”
“I can’t even imagine how hard it is,” mumbled Penelope, still looking uncertain.
“Did you know that Jatred’s parents were on that plane too?” Jasmira asked quietly.
“No, I didn’t. That’s odd.” Penelope frowned. “Do you wanna talk about this?”
Jasmira shook her head. She stood over the masculine sun face marble inlay that decorated the foyer floor. Twenty four rays burst out, creating a perfect disk around it. Twelve rays, shaped as elongated triangles, alternated with twelve wavy rays. The image closely resembled the single-color one on the tympanum outside. The rays stretched away toward the outer thin circle constructed of a shiny black marble. A thicker, yellow and blue circle completed the icon.
“Pen, do you believe in that legend?” Jasmira pointed to the sun face.
“And what legend would that be?” Penelope regained her snappy attitude, her hands on her hips.
“You know, about the sun face. I used to bring my toys here when I was little and pretend-play by this image.” A faint smile crossed Jasmira’s face.
“Nope, nobody bothers to tell me about any legends.” Penelope rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms against her chest and let out an exaggerated sigh, looking expectantly at Jasmira, “Well? What is that legend?”
It was Jasmira’s turn to roll her eyes. She smiled. “There are twenty four rays around it. Twelve are wavy and represent the gainful and happy years. And the other twelve are shaped as those long triangles—these are supposed to symbolize the years of sorrow and loss.”
Penelope sighed again and walked closer to look at the sun face image. She scratched her stomach, took a deep breath, and said, “Yes, I sort of believe that might carry some truth. But I also think we alter the meanings of legends to fit our own lives. Besides, it’s hard to accept as true that these years would alternate exactly one for one. There might be a few good years and a really bad one or something. But we don’t need legends to know that, right?” She smiled. “Hey, I even managed to sound like our history professor.” She chuckled.
“I swear, Pen, you always know what to say to make me feel better.” Jasmira laughed and strolled over the floor inlay.
“It’s my job, my Princess.” Penelope snorted. “What do you think about that earthquake today? Did you hear about the other crazy stuff—the volcanoes and that hurricane?”
“It’s starting. It’s gonna get much worse.” Jasmira’s face took on a solemn look. “Amber and I had a long talk. I don’t even know where to begin.” She sighed, sinking down into a sofa. Her overnight bag landed on the floor.
“What’s already starting?” Penelope wrapped herself in a blanket and wiggled into a large armchair.
Jasmira seemed to gather her thoughts. Penelope waited patiently. She remained focused, despite yawning and rubbing her eyes. The house was quiet, and only an old grandfather clock kept ticking, reminding them of the never-stopping time.
“I’ve been so naïve,” Jasmira said with her mind. She pulled her knees to her chest. “I’ve heard how furious the Goddess often becomes when Summer Shifters get into relationships with the Winter Shifters. But she’s never been against me and Jatred. And he’s the Winter Prince after all.”
Penelope frowned.
“The Goddess even encouraged me. And when Jatred and I were forced to break up, because his Goddess demanded it from him, our Amber acted like it was such an unnecessary thing. She hid Crystal’s reasons from me. She said Crystal cares only about the Amulet and not about her Shifters. That all she wants is to keep the Amulet in her possession. She lied to me! Totally lied to me.”
“What Amulet?” Penelope asked.
“I’ll tell you about that too.” A single tear rolled down Jasmira’s smooth cheek. She wiped it off with the back of her hand, and drew a deep quivering breath to compose herself. “I kept forgetting I’m the Summer Princess. I let myself think I was like a regular sixteen-year-old girl, and Amber was my mother, not the ancient Goddess. She has always acted like some kind of a wonderful mommy. Damn, now I really can’t believe I fell for it. I’m such an idiot.”
Penelope got up from her armchair and walked to the sofa. She sat next to Jasmira, throwing half of her blanket over her friend. Then she wrapped her arm around Jasmira’s shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Don’t cry. Do you want some coffee? You must be falling off your feet by now. I know I am.”
“That’s actually a great idea.”
Penelope pulled Jasmira up by her wrist. “Kitchen,” she commanded.
Soon the kitchen and all the adjacent rooms filled with the smell of freshly-brewed coffee. Penelope opened the door to the pantry, and went in to rummage through the enormous shelves that went up to the ceiling. She climbed on a wooden sliding ladder and took a box of chocolate chip cookies and a round tin container.
“So, tell me what the heck is going on between you and Jatred. You’re not back together, are you?” Penelope hollered from the pantry.
“No. We are not really back together. I spent a few hours with him right before I went to Santa Barbara on Amber’s jet. He kinda disappeared on me. I’m so scared, Pen.” Jasmira’s face was set in an anxious mask.
“What do you mean, disappeared?”
“I fell asleep, and then he wasn’t there. We still have the bond, so, I often know what he’s going through. I sense his emotions. The bond isn’t as strong as before, but it’s still there. I knew something terrible had happened, and that he was in danger.”
“What about now? Do you know if he’s okay?” Penelope emerged from the pantry and put the box and tin on the table.
“Now I feel he’s safe. The bond is weaker, like there is a thick wall between us. Like… I can’t get to him, because there’s something blocking my way.” Jasmira sighed.
“But the bond will never go away, right?” Penelope wrestled with the lid of the tin container and when she uncovered it, the air filled with the rich smell of chocolate. Carefully arranged inside were a couple dozens of small chocolate truffles—some round, some square, and several heart-shaped. Each sat in a dark-brown cup liner. Glossy white paper lined the tin box, decorated with small gold and silver circles.
“Oh.” Jasmira inhaled, closing her eyes. She moved the container closer and peered inside.
“I got these for you. From Dilettante on Broadway,” whispered Penelope, leaning close.
“I love that place. Jatred took me there for our first date.” Jasmira smiled sadly. She reached for a round chocolate with four green lines of frosting on top and popped it in her mouth.
Penelope chose a plain white square truffle. They both made a series of satisfying noises. Then each of them took another chocolate, leaving the tiny brown liners empty, like abandoned bird’s nests.
“I need more coffee.” Jasmira licked her fingers and stood.
“Bring the whole carafe thingy here.” Penelope motioned to her.
“I don’t know what I would do without you.” Jasmira sighed, pouring hot coffee into Penelope’s mug.
“That’s what your BFF is for, right?” The redhead shrugged, bringing the cup to her lips. She took a small sip and looked at her friend. “I’m a pain in the butt, but you can always count on me.”
“I know that. I’m lucky you stick around.”
“Finally the chocolate-activated endorphin production brought your brain to a state of normalcy.” Penelope snorted, and then smiled. ”Okay, that was lame and dorky. I
totally sound like our teachers.
CHAPTER 36
Human World, November 18, past midnight.
“Oh, I wish this was just a bad dream.” Jasmira groaned and pushed the box of chocolates away. “I’ve known Jatred for years, since we were kids. But I’ve never paid much attention to him until last summer, remember?”
Penelope rolled her eyes. “It’d be rather hard to forget how insane you went.”
“Oh, please.” Jasmira tossed a chocolate-stained crumpled napkin at Penelope. “He just finally started to look like a guy, not like a little kid. Besides, he was totally showing off on that skateboard.”
“Yeah, whatever. Let me hear more about the trouble with Amber. I still don’t understand what this whole mess is about.” Penelope flung the napkin back at Jasmira. It bounced off her head and ended up on the floor. “Ana said the cleaning crew is coming tomorrow. You’re so lucky, girlfriend. In my house I’m the cleaning lady.”
“Come on, Pen. I’d exchange the cleaning crew, this huge place, and many other things I own for a normal life.” Jasmira sighed, the ghost-of-a-smile that lightened her features a moment earlier disappearing from her face. “I just want to worry about silly stuff, like chatting on the phone, shopping, going to the movies. I dream about being an ordinary teenager. ”
“But you’re not,” Penelope said in a quiet voice. “It sucks, I know. But we have to live this life and make the best of it. “You wouldn’t give up Ana’s cooking though.”
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