Snow started to fall, in fluffy wisps of white. Oddly, it hit the magical cloak and slid right down the side of it. He was sure to an outsider it would look strange. But there was no one around. No… he smelled smoke. He looked overhead to see puffs of it hovering far over the trees.
Kanda Macawi was still here.
Nervously, he took them to her driveway, pausing to gaze at her cozy house. It had been so long since he’d stepped foot inside. So long since they’d huddled around her fire pit and listened to her tell stories.
He was surprised she was still here. Typically, she left for winter. Although it was technically just coming into that season.
His breath caught.
Kanda sauntered around from the backside of her house with a stack of emptied and cleaned out clay planting pots. She was winterizing, which meant she was readying to leave. Colin breathed out uneasily, a tear caught in his eye. This was the closest thing to a home he’d ever had. And he was back.
“Well, here goes nothing.” He extended the magical cloak to cover the entire house and space around it. A second after, cleared his throat to gain her attention, gently.
Kanda Macawi looked up to investigate the noise.
Her natural smile dropped.
The clay pots loosened from her grip smashing to the frozen ground.
She sprang forward, in awe.
A voice called out from the house.
“Everything okay out there?”
Colin’s head flicked to the front door and he swallowed a hopeful breath.
“Actually, you might want to come out here.” Kanda’s smile returned in jubilant welcome. Her eyes glued to Colin and the young woman next to him.
The door opened and a man stepped down the stairs.
He froze. A moment of bewilderment. Which a second later morphed into a giant, satisfied grin.
“I never doubted for a minute, you'd be back.”
Colin rushed forward, met halfway and engulfed completely by his very much living, Uncle Arnon.
CHAPTER 19
Colby sat alongside KarNavan, celebrating their victory. Elisha posted herself by his other side, feasting on raw fish. The next morning, they would return home.
Colby had planned their attack against the Projector and they had pulled it off with ease. He smiled tersely, nodding in perfectly rehearsed motions to those congratulating him on a job well done.
He turned down offerings of food or drink and after hours of this could no longer ignore the sour pit in his stomach, which churned and knotted inside him. He abruptly got up, disappearing into his bunker racing to the toilet. He made it just in time, retching bile until there was nothing left. When finished, he fell back on the floor. Empty. But sick.
Stupid old man.
I’m not a pawn in some game!
My father will make me a king!
Colby realized he was not alone and looked up to see KarNavan standing just inside the bunker. He had forgotten to close the door.
“I see the Young Master doesn't quite have the stomach for killing.” KarNavan stood mockingly in the entrance. “You put on a good show,” he bleated in fake praise.
“I do what I am ordered to do,” warned Colby, rising. “I suggest you do the same, KarNavan.” He chose to ignore the fact that he had used the word young again while addressing him.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on a well thought out plan. I did not think it would be so easy.”
Though his words seemed genuine, Colby threw him a look that said, thanks, but you can leave now.
“So what is the plan?” the Striper prodded. “With the dagger? What good is it now that the Projector is dead?”
“Like I would tell you!” laughed Colby.
“Do you even know? How much does your father tell you about his plans?”
“I know enough. Why don't you leave now,” advised Colby, his patience thin.
“By all means, Master Colby,” KarNavan agreed sardonically. “I wouldn't want to keep you from your regret.” He spun to leave and found his face smack in the path of a pissed off catawitch paw.
Elisha had perched herself right outside Colby’s bunker on the wall that was slowly crumbling over the lack of care and old age. She swiped at the Striper’s face dragging her claws from forehead to chin. It was barely a scratch but KarNavan hissed at her.
“Do not ever treat the Master poorly,” she warned him. “Or next time, I’ll leave scars.”
KarNavan scowled maliciously.
Elisha’s deadly gaze did not leave him until he’d gotten of sight.
KarNavan got back to his treasure hunters and ordered an immediate departure.
“It’s time to move this plan forward.”
They arose and obeyed without question, each of them dissolving into the background and vanishing.
##
Meghan tiptoed out of her bedroom, down the stairs, and onto the front porch, counting down the minutes to the lifting of curfew. Nona paced around her feet. The cold air bit at Meghan’s lungs, but she barely felt it over the nervous anticipation coursing through her veins as she waited to start her mission, alongside Ivan, to save Bird.
She set down the Magicante, smoothed out her thigh-length black jacket, pushed her long, red-streaked bangs behind her ears, and pulled her gloves snuggly over her fingers.
Each movement meant to pass the last minute until curfew lifted, and keep some sort of calm about her.
The moment the announcement rang out across the island, she raced down the steps and toward the place where she and Ivan were to meet up.
She followed the dirt road, which sparkled with new frost until that road veered off toward the center of Bedgewood and cobblestone lined the streets. Her breath lingered, freezing in midair and she had to remind herself to walk at normal speed, just like she was out taking a morning stroll, and not at all about to do something potentially dangerous, not to mention illegal.
She hoped desperately that the Magicante would be able to hide their use of magic from the Balaton; they would potentially have to use magic to save Bird, and this would trigger the trace alarm.
Ivan had devised a non-magical manner to save Bird, but Meghan had sent him a leaf last night after her meetup with Billie and Garner, and explained she had a better option and the plan was changing. She’d ended with… I got the book back!
He’d replied that he wasn’t happy about changing things; they’d spent a better part of their day, planning. But in the end, agreed her way was probably better. Only probably. He’d never come out and say she was right.
She sped along the street, passing the Jackal Lantern. A light popped on inside and one of the sister’s silhouettes moved about. Meghan let out an anxious shudder. What if the shop owner where Bird was held prisoner was awake too? What then? Their plans worked around the shop being empty. Which Ivan insisted should be the case.
Meghan stopped abruptly, almost passing right by the store. She gawked through the window at the display staring back out at her. Bird fluttered raucously inside a large, rounded birdcage. Next to the cage was an open trunk, displaying other items like books, candles, and any manner of things used on the island. Meghan put her hand on the glass, promising, “We’re going to get you out.”
Bird calmed and landed on a perch inside the cage.
A silhouette appeared next to her in the window.
“You ready?” Ivan asked her. She nodded yes and together, they moved swiftly down an alley next to the store, leading to the back entrance.
“Magicante,” she whispered.
It snorted to life, replying, “Done,” before she even asked her question. Meghan shrugged and gazed at Ivan.
“Fenestra,” he muttered. The door pushed open easily and no Balaton appeared. It seemed as though the book had honored her unspoken request and hidden their use of magic.
“Thank you,” she whispered to it. For the first time, gratified it did not attempt to insult her. It simply returned to its nap. She a
nd Ivan hopped into the shop, shut the door, and froze, listening for sounds of movement. Other than Bird flapping his wings impatiently, there was no other sound. The owners, however, lived just overhead, so they needed to be very careful and very quiet.
“We'd better hurry,” whispered Meghan, racing to the front of the store in short, soft strides. She stopped in front of the cage. “Fenestra,” she spoke, using the same spell to unlock Bird’s cage as Ivan had used to open the back door. She was pleased when it worked on the first attempt.
Bird happily fluttered out of the cage.
“How on Earth did you get in there?” she asked him.
He just shook his beak, indicating, long story.
Nona approached, keeping her ears open for any suspicious sounds.
Ivan, waited near the back, keeping a lookout, and motioned for them to hurry.
Nona froze, becoming statue-like.
There were footsteps coming down from upstairs.
Ivan gaped at the back door, their escape route, and back to the front of the store where Meghan, Bird, and Nona were stuck. They’d not make it to the back in time. He fled to them, ducking below a shelf and working his way forward.
Meghan sank below a shelf so low it barely hid her.
They had a second escape if necessary, but needed to be together for it to work.
A middle-aged man whistled while creaking his way down a rickety staircase.
Ivan took a chance and crawled in a dash to the next row of shelves, now just one away from Meghan.
The man went behind a counter off to the side, grabbing an apron. He put on a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. He made a funny sound and took them off, squinting and cleaning them with his apron.
Meghan held her breath, Ivan darted again, edging closer. She was ready; she just needed him within touching distance of the book.
The man pushed his glasses back on and looked up curiously as something fell over, crashing to the hardwood floor. Bird had knocked a small box off a shelf, just to Meghan’s side. The shop owner noticed the cage door, which Meghan had stupidly left open.
“Well, how did that…” the man trailed off in a grumble, stepping around his counter to check out the cage. Ivan had this one chance to bust over to Meghan or they’d all be caught. The shop owner’s footsteps were getting closer. She sank down to the floor, the Magicante in front of her. Nona hopped onto the book, so did Bird.
Ivan flattened himself and pushed his body across the floor outstretching his hand.
The shop owner stepped around the shelf peering into the empty cage. He glanced down at the floor, seeing the fallen box. He leaned down and picked it up.
“That’s odd,” he said. “Wonder if I should report this?” He shook his head thinking, how silly. “It’s obvious,” he insisted to himself. “The bird got out and knocked the box over.” He went about his day, preparing the shop for opening. “Too bad,” he mumbled. “Liked that bird, could have gotten a fair price I could have… such a unique specimen.”
In the cover of woods not far away, Meghan and Ivan appeared out of nowhere lying on the ground, each with a hand on the Magicante, gazes glued in wide, we’re about to get caught panic. Bird popped into the air, Nona jumped to solid ground. Meghan and Ivan dropped their heads and breathed the we didn’t get caught air.
Ivan got to his feet and helped Meghan do the same. She cleaned the pine needles off her clothes and followed Bird who chirped and motioned with his beak to move deeper into the woods for better cover.
Once they did, Meghan poised herself at Bird and Ivan, folded her arms, and stared them down. “Just so you’re both clear, we are not leaving here until you spill. I want to know everything you’ve been hiding from me.” She softened. “But we can catch our breath first.”
Ivan glanced at the Magicante. “That book sure does come in handy.”
Meghan nodded in agreement. “Kept our breaking and entering a complete secret.”
“Brilliant,” Ivan said. “If we had broken in without it, we’d have gotten caught for sure.” He pivoted to Bird. “You all right?”
Bird used his beak to nod a yes.
He sighed, relief from not getting caught over. “I suppose we had better… you know…” Ivan used his head to point at Meghan.
Bird flew behind the dark shadow of a nearby tree.
“Hey,” she called out. “No way you’re running… oh.” She caught herself. Bird was transforming into his human form. Ivan threw Bird a bag he had been carrying over his shoulder. It contained clean clothes and shoes, plus a coat to stave off the winter chill.
Meghan tapped her foot against the ground nervously. She was about to meet Bird. He’d saved her life in Grimble. He’d helped Colin out of quite a few jams. Frankly, they owned him more than they’d ever be able to repay.
What the heck would she say without sounding like a bumbling idiot?
A branch snapped.
Her head jerked up to greet him and her face morphed to stone.
“Hi, Meghan.” A young man stared back at her apprehensively. She had not seen him in nearly two years but he had not changed, much. He was taller, his hair a little darker, but just as crazily curly as it had always been.
Without thinking, she raced forward and wrapped her arms around him.
“Sebastien,” she cried out in utter disbelief.
He hugged her back, but in a more guarded manner.
“I-I don't believe it,” she said, stepping back. A stray tear fell down her cheek.
“Believe it,” he said in a mock, playful voice. “It's me. Surprise.”
His wide smile, although tinted in apprehension, still caused her heart to flutter. She blushed, unsure what to say to him. Last time she’d seen him she’d basically come out and admitted she had a crush by kissing him. Barely a real kiss, but the most daring move she’d ever made. And heck, she’d only been thirteen. And now almost two years older, nothing had changed.
Except that wasn’t true.
Everything had changed.
And the reality, Sebastien was Bird.
Bird had been there from the beginning. Since she’d gotten stuck with the Svoda.
It was Sebstien who’d done all those miraculous and timley things that had saved their butts more than once.
What she known of Sebastien, had carried her through some of the tough times. Wondering if he was searching for her or Colin, or thinking about her. Remembering the fun they’d had. Her crush, and that time she’d accidentally Called him, using Firemancy.
She stepped back, smile fading. Replaced by a shifting, skewed new reality.
This was the part Sebastien was dreading. The part where she pieced it all together and never forgave him.
“You knew about magic? All this time?”
He nodded. “I'm from a magical family, Meghan. I was sworn to secrecy when we first met.”
“Why?”
“Many reasons.”
“I'm getting really tired of vague answers.”
“I'm sorry. I don't mean to be vague. I just don't know where to start.”
“The beginning always works,” she spouted, not waiting for an answer. “It was you all along, and you didn't tell me.” Her voice was rising.
“I couldn't, Meghan. I wanted to. But it wasn't safe so I stayed distant and helped when I could.”
Meghan just shook her head, gaze lowering, teeth digging into her lips to keep from spewing the long line of incoherent obscenities burning her tongue.
Sebastien was Bird.
Bird was Sebastien
He’d saved her life. And Colin’s.
And he’d lied the entire time they’d been friends.
Was it even real?
Was anything in her past life, real?
This sickened disbelief wound its way into her blood. This is what Colin felt like when she’d betrayed him. This is what betrayal felt like. A hurt that cut deep. So deep, it was a wound that would not easily heal.
It was too muc
h.
All too much.
Her head lifted. Eyes on fire. Skin lined with pulsing hot veins.
Ivan’s eyes widened, he backed up, shooting Sebastien a look that said, good luck.
Sebastien decided to try to sway Meghan back to his side with good news.
“I can tell you your Uncle Arnon is alive. He's fine and living with Kanda now. It was her that saved him from the Scratchers the night you and Colin...”
Meghan's eyes narrowed into dagger-like arrows.
His plan backfired.
“You knew he was alive and you couldn't find some way to tell me this? I don't care you had to be all secretive ‘cause believe me, I'm getting used to that!” Her arrow-like eyes shot toward Ivan, who backed away as if she might actually shoot fiery arrows at him. For all he knew, Firemancer’s could.
“I couldn't tell you anything because you might have discovered who I was,” continued Sebastien. “I could not chance that, Meghan. You have NO idea what kind of chains I was bound by.”
“And you're not now?” she shouted.
“No. I'm here. Now. And I will be completely honest, about everything.” His voice wavered. Being honest was going to take a lot of courage.
“Waiting,” she said impatiently, jaw clenched.
“Well...” he closed his eyes like she was going to go insanely crazy on him at any moment. “It was me who attacked Colin back in Grimble. I'm sorry,” he spat out. “I was under orders that I had to obey.”
“You. Did. What?” she demanded scathingly, thinking she must have heard him wrong.
“I knew he’d be okay. Because he had you.”
“Um, Meghan,” said Ivan, pointing to her face. “Careful.”
“I don't care about my damn face,” she shot back, with veins pulsating in fiery streams of light threatening to burst into flame.
“Meghan, please let me explain.”
She just stood, staring, breaths coming out in furious pants.
“It’s all Amelia,” Sebastien rushed out.
“Amelia Cobb? The leader of the banished Svoda?”
“You've heard of her then?”
“Yes. Not much. She grew up with Juliska Blackwell as a half-sister, and is the leader of the banished.”
Divided (Bloodlines, The Immortal, and The Dagger of Bone) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 5) Page 15