And what about Billie Sadorus? She had once mentioned she kept records of Svoda history. Or perhaps the Kalila sisters? They owned the Jackal lantern, and reported the news, surely they would be privy to that kind of information.
Perhaps she should just be bold and ask Juliska herself?
Exactly how did one broach such a delicate subject? Just coming out with, “Hey, you ever have any kids who died in a fire?” was rather heartless, even though to the point, like Juliska herself would be. And if she answered, yes, I did. Then what?
Surprise! I didn’t die!
It would require some serious thought.
There was a knock on the door to her bedroom.
“Come in,” she answered absentmindedly.
It was Jae. Speaking of Mr. No Talky anymore.
“You ready?” he asked her.
She’d sent a leaf to track him down the day before and pretty near begged him to go to the first day of school together. Not just so she didn’t arrive alone but to try to make him speak to her. She was shocked when he’d replied back and agreed to meet her. And here she was, having forgotten already!
“Sorry, Jae. I lost track of time. Give me just a second, I'll be like, one minute. Swear.” She shot him a girly oops, in hopes of him being amused, even slightly, but the morose edge he now wore like a crown never lightened.
“I’ll be downstairs... actually, I'll um, wait outside.” The inflection being, I’d rather not be inside this house longer than I have to. Which was apparently part of the reason Jae no longer wanted to hang out with her. Something about her home made his mood even darker.
Nevertheless, this was Meghan's home now. Her bedroom was just down the corridor from Juliska Blackwell… did she need to add mother to this? What an insane morning it had been.
She scurried to her feet and hurriedly stashed the Colin-shaped candle into a nearby trunk alongside two other candles she had not yet finished creating; one in the shape of her Uncle Arnon, and the other in the shape of Sebastien Jendaya. She tossed her journal into her shoulder bag, which was also weighted with schoolbooks, and grabbed a sweater before jaunting out of her room and downstairs.
She was not surprised when she did not find Jae waiting for her there. However, Juliska was. The sight of her almost tore away Meghan’s breath. She had not properly prepared herself to run into her, assuming she’d gone out for the day already.
“Good morning,” called out Juliska all business-like. As soon as she fixed her gaze on the young woman stalling on the bottom stair, she asked, “You feeling well? You look a bit pale.”
“Um. Yeah. Fine. Just nervous about the first day of school I guess,” Meghan lied poorly. And forced her feet to keep moving.
Juliska sighed. “I’m doing this all wrong. I know it’s more than first day of school woes.”
Had Juliska started having visions again? She’d told Meghan not too long ago she’d not had a vision in a long time. But Meghan supposed there was nothing keeping them from starting up again. Today, would be the worst possible day for that to happen if it meant Juliska had witnessed Meghan’s vision from that morning. On the other hand, maybe not. Might solve all her problems on the subject.
However, Juliska made no effort to speak of visions, so Meghan kept up her insistence. “It’s nothing, really. Just first day jitters. And running a bit late. And I didn't sleep well last night.” Which was actually true; she had not slept well since coming here.
Juliska frowned. “You must hate me.”
Meghan wasn’t sure where Juliska was going with this.
“I am sorry, Meghan. I truly am. I know how frustrated you are with me right now. With this place... being stuck here.”
Meghan breathed with slight relief. It wasn't her newest vision Juliska was questioning. Just the usual problem she’d been having these last few weeks.
“I do feel terrible about it,” Juliska said for the hundredth time in almost a month. “Regardless, I cannot allow anyone to leave the island. It’s not safe for any of us. I know how desperately you want to find your uncle. And brother.”
“No. It’s okay. I do understand.” Meghan sort of understood, either way, she was stuck here. Here being, Bedgewood Harbor, otherwise known as the Svoda Island off the coast of Maine. The place they’d fled from over thirteen years ago after some battle had broken out, a civil war of types, Meghan had pieced together. After, they’d used the Book of Doorways to travel from place to place, fleeing from various enemies.
Just why Juliska had made the call to return, Meghan wasn’t able to say. They were on lockdown. No one on or off the island in any unofficial capacity. And it was not considered safe to be here, therefore, they had worked day and night to create a magical barrier which essentially covered the entire island in an energy field no enemy was supposed to be able to penetrate. At least that’s what they were told, it hadn’t been fully tested yet- in that they had not been attacked.
And now, the Sovda were attempting to get day to day life back to some kind of normal. Which included school starting up again.
“I gotta run. Don't want to be late.” Meghan waved and headed to the front door.
“Have a good first day,” Juliska called out after her.
Jae was where Meghan expected, loitering in the front yard. Which looked like was taking a huge amount of effort. When she exited he aimed himself in the direction of the school. Meghan darted across the porch, down the stairs, matching his stride out of the driveway. Neither could get away fast enough. But Meghan imagined for much different reasons, and as for what Jae’s were, she could only guess unless he actually told her. It was downright frustrating to have the gift of sight and feel utterly blind.
She pulled the sweater tight around her. The late autumn chill crisped the air. Though cool, it renewed her strength. She’d always loved fall; definitely her favorite season. Albeit a drab, cold ugliness followed it, fall somehow had a way of bringing her back to life after a long, hot summer. However, like any weather in Maine, especially on the coast, a beautiful sunny day could give way to storm clouds and dense fog in mere minutes.
Juliska’s house took up the space near the center of the island, but not in the main village. She’d taken up residency in a building once used for meetings and business. She’d opted out of moving back into the stone fortress she’d once called home. One, it would have been outside the new magic protected zone. And two, it was way on the outskirts of the island and much harder for Meghan to get to school, or Juliska, to work. Which was taking place pretty near twenty-four-seven at the moment.
Meghan clucked out an, “Ick, Nona.” Her catawitch purred out a laugh and licked her lips. She’d caught the scent of breakfast lurking nearby. “Have fun with that.”
Nona made to saunter off. “Have a good first day at school.” She aimed her comment at both Meghan and Jae, but he didn’t respond. Didn’t even look. Meghan gave her a half-hearted reply, a scowl etching her face. School was just about the last place she wanted to go. Nona promised while Meghan was busy she’d think up a way to get her question answered, as to whether Juliska had indeed mothered any children.
This drew a deep groan out of Meghan.
“Not too excited about school?” Jae guessed.
“About as much as you look to be,” she returned.
“Actually, all things considered, I’m fine with it.” His feet stalled underneath him, his eyes closing in chastisement. He hadn’t meant to say that Meghan assumed. But it was only more wasn’t telling her anything, vaguery. She didn’t even bother to try to question him.
Man, how things had changed.
Except for her inability to stay quiet, especially when she got worked up.
“It’s not just school,” she admitted. If Jae wasn’t going to talk, he’d have to listen instead. “It’s this place. Being stuck here. I’m back in my world. My uncle is possibly only hours away from here.”
Jae stopped. His shoulders sagging in a deflating motion. “You haven�
��t been this close to him since you first got stuck with the Svoda.”
“And yet I might as well be a world away,” she finished.
A sobering reminder that he was the reason her life had gotten all messed up to begin with. It wasn’t bad enough he mucked up his own? Like royally mucked it up. And the things he’d discovered and could not share. With anyone.
Like for starters, how Juliska had made him agree to accompany Meghan to school this morning after finding out she’d asked him to. It wasn’t that he did not want to, but walking alongside someone he considered a friend, and good person… it was a bit blasphemous considering what he’d done. And knew. And might have to do in the future.
And Meghan looked like she was about to burst out of sheer concern for him. But she’d stop trying to pry it out of him, which was good, as there was no way he could tell her anyway.
They breached the center of town, the streets turning from dirt to cobblestone. The real Bedgewood Harbor was nearly identical to the replica they had lived in, while in the Grimble wagons. The biggest difference: everything had a brighter, bigger, open feel to it. Having never seen the real thing before she did not realize how dulled the Grimble replica had been.
“Thanks for coming by this morning, Jae. I don't know why, I just didn't want to show up on the first day by myself.”
“You lost your appendage,” he blathered indifferently, catching his callous reply with a catch of breath. “That… came out wrong.”
“Did it? Lost my appendage. I guess that's one way to look at Colin’s departure.” She blew off Jae's not so eloquent description of her situation.
“I'm sure Colin's fine, wherever he is,” Jae tried to reassure, although his words sounded like an empty mantra, one he had repeated a few times in the previous weeks. About his only words to Meghan.
Jae stopped at the school’s entrance and patted her shoulder. He said nothing else. What more could he say? She had betrayed Colin and he had fled. There were only so many times, or ways, someone could say, “He'll be okay. You did what you had to do,” before the words no longer held their original significance.
A shiver rained down her spine, that unwelcome warning from nowhere that someone was watching her. She twisted around but saw no one... actually, it might have been the first time absolutely no one was staring at her. Her gaze lifted to the two life-like statues of Scratchers flanking each side of the doors she’d now be entering five days a week.
Suppose it could just be those things. She shuddered at the disturbing sight of the statues. She had hoped they had been just a Grimble feature, but apparently, someone thought the students needed this appalling reminder; like it was possible to forget these terrible creature’s entire lives revolved around hunting down and killing Svoda.
Inside the school, students were abuzz. Another group of travelers had been tracked down and told it was time to come home; they were due to arrive in a week’s time, when the right door back to the island would open for them.
Only one other group had managed to find their way home so far. Juliska had informed Meghan it might take months. There were still six more out there somewhere.
The students wondered which group it would be and if they would know anyone. Would it be friends or family they had not seen in almost fourteen years? Most of the students were too young to even remember those traveling in other groups, but were excited just the same.
Grownups and older teens worried about who would not be returning. They wondered just who had survived the previous year's journeys and who had not. Inevitably, there would be deaths they would only now find out about. Over the coming months, as the groups received their messages that it was time to return home, people would discover they had lost both friends and family.
It would be both bitter and sweet.
Meghan did not care about either really. Not that she wasn't happy for those who would once again be reunited with friends and family, or sad for those who would find out they had lost friends and family, whom they had not seen in as nearly many years as she had been alive. But she had much bigger concerns to deal with.
##
Across the road from the school, the bird-human sat perched on a tree limb. His bright beady eyes peered down at Ivan Crane who had hidden behind the trunk of the tree. He looked up at Bird, his gaze sliding downward again. He attempted to look as though lounging under a tree, nothing too suspicious going on when it was everything, but.
“You're stuck here,” he told Bird, without actually looking his direction. “Security is tighter than I've ever seen it. Nothing can get onto or off the island without the Balaton knowing. If you get caught trying to escape, or hiding out on the island...”
Bird chirped to agree that yes, that would be very bad.
“Plus, with you being stuck here, I've lost my last connection to the outside world.” Bird chirped a haughty reply. Ivan rolled his eyes. “It’s not your fault,” he conceded. “It's just bad timing. I could really use someone on the outside right now.”
Bird looked at Ivan questioningly.
“Because,” Ivan continued decidedly. “I've thought over what you suggested and,” he sighed, resigning to his choice. “I have decided that you are… right.” Although he did not sound thrilled by his decision.
Bird nodded politely, in understanding of the difficult decision.
“I only agree because you know my secret, and I now know yours. Just the same, it’s going to take some getting used to. I've always worked alone. Taking on an actual partner is going to be strange. But you are right. It’s only logical based on what we both know, to work together. That said and agreed to, bringing Meghan into all of this is going to have to be done delicately. I only stayed close to her because she's clearly Juliska's favorite and that got me closer to her. And now Meghan is like the irritating little sister I never wanted. She squirms her way in and you just can’t get rid of her.”
Ivan glanced around to be sure he could not be overheard by anyone. Less harshly, he added, “I understand why you've been protecting the Jacoby's. Although it’s hard to believe. Frankly, it’s frightening to believe. I do agree that we have to tell her. Everything. I think she's ready, but regardless, we're running out of time. She's getting very comfortable around Juliska. I need to end that relationship before it’s too late.”
Bird nodded again, this time in agreement, but even in bird form he looked worried about how Meghan would react to what they needed to tell her.
“Things are moving very fast right now,” Ivan continued. “Once I explain everything to Meghan and she accepts it as truth, it’s just a matter of time. We'll need to be ready to flee at any given moment. Of course, I have no idea how we'll safely get past the island’s defenses... yet.”
An unexpected relief spread through Ivan, even with his task still looming frighteningly ahead, and having no idea if he would actually succeed.
At least if I fail, someone else knows and believes the truth... the truth will not die with me.
“Be careful,” Ivan warned Bird again. They could not afford to be complacent.
He left Bird, their conversation finished for now.
Bird remained perched in the tree, satisfied with the outcome of his meeting with Ivan Crane. Things could finally move forward, and although he was currently stuck on the island, and unable to locate, protect, or help Colin Jacoby, at least he was still able to watch over Meghan. He stayed in the tree, keeping a watchful eye as he waited for school to end.
##
Inside the school, Jae led Meghan down a dimly lit corridor and into a classroom. It was similar to the one they’d had lessons in while in Grimble. There was a circle of pillows, with one pillow for the teacher in the middle, floating and rotating a couple of feet in the air.
Jae motioned for Meghan to follow and he sat down on a pillow, motioning for her to sit next to him. On the opposite side of the pillow circle was Daveena Troast. Apparently, somehow, she had been moved forward from beginner’s clas
s to intermediate.
Although still looking capable of doing great physical harm, she had lost that demeanor which caused fright just at her mere approach. Meghan wondered where her counterparts were. Was it possible they were in another class?
The classroom door rushed open, two girls entering.
“Oh, of course not,” moaned Meghan, hopes dashed.
Darcy Scraggs and Dulcy Hadrian were sure to make enough noise to be noticed as they vied for open pillows to sit on.
What surprised Meghan most, however, was that they did not take seats next to Daveena. And just as odd was that Daveena didn't seem to expect it either. They walked right past her and she did not give them a second look. Had she left Darcy's little trio? Were the Three D's now just two?
Meghan's gaze followed Darcy and Dulcy as they rounded the room, scoffing at each student they passed by... until they came to Jae. Darcy stopped, making an extra noisy scene as she took the pillow next to his, and Dulcy the one next to hers.
“Hi, Jae,” spoke Darcy, in a purposeful tone that insinuated they had seen each other recently. Her eyes cried out wasn't that a great time we had, and her mouth lifted in a sly smile.
Meghan had to work at keeping her jaw from dropping to the floor while pretending not to notice.
Jae replied to Darcy's greeting by flipping his hair so that it dangled in between him and Meghan, then tossing Darcy a sideways sneer.
Meghan tried to catch Jae's eye but he refused her gaze.
What had she missed now? What had happened to make Jae Mochrie and Darcy Scraggs, two people known to hate each other, act now, like friends?
Were they now friends?
The very idea was preposterous.
How on earth would this have happened?
Jae despised Darcy!
Even Daveena seemed confused by Darcy's actions, and threw Meghan a look that said, huh? Really?
The world was upside down! She’d not just become a prisoner of sorts on the island, but it was some loopy version of it. This wasn’t real.
Divided (Bloodlines, The Immortal, and The Dagger of Bone) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 5) Page 2