Airborne

by Constance Sharper

  He phrased his questions like a police interrogator, forcing her to answer and confirm one step at a time. Before he could finish his questioning though, she interrupted.

  “Au contraire, it’s more powerful than any magic I’ve ever captured before.”

  “Jericho, I know we may only be cousins but I’ve always been like a brother to you. I’ve always believed in your dreams. But creating the most powerful weapon in the world isn’t a dream but a nightmare. If this reaches the wrong hands...“

  “It won’t. No one knows about the amulet.” Avery shot back, defensive.

  The other harpie continued despite her interruption.

  “Eva does, and that is sufficient reason for concern.”

  The mere mention of Eva’s name made her mood darkened beyond compare. A new kind of rage simmered in the pit of her stomach making her fists ache with tension. She drew her claws into her hands until it summoned blood and expanded her itching wings until they, at full width now, looked massive.

  “Don’t you think I know about Eva?” Her words were short, sweet, and most of all, coldly threatening. The warning made the air grow heavy and the beauty of the garden fade away into an ignored black backdrop. She waited for the harpie to give her reason enough to quit repressing the growing fury.

  “I’m sorry, my highness.” He stammered and swept into another bow.

  She twitched, emotions unsatisfied, and ended up pacing to put more distance between them. Some of the garden’s view returned to her again and she found herself staring at the sleeping flowers. She cruelly plucked their petals off to relish the tiny snaps as the flower wilted and broke.

  “I can give the counsel my word, but there is no certainty they may not destroy the amulet. They will be afraid of its power.”

  Samuel’s tone beckoned forgiveness, and his head had bowed forward again. She ignored it.

  “If it were only so easy to destroy, Samuel. This amulet is different from others of its kind because it’s organic. It’s truly a life of its own. It’s part of me. ”

  “Wait, Jericho. You didn’t.” Losing his posture, Samuel darted to be by her side in mere seconds. The wind stirred and the flower she’d been torturing flopped away.

  “Not quite. I only bound the magic with my blood, Samuel. That’s enough for me to believe that even if the amulet is destroyed it’ll be taking a part of me with it.” She explained.

  “Jericho.” Samuel said slowly. “What have you done?”

  Avery snapped awake to the plane landing and the screeching thumps of the wheels dragging along the runway. The normal sense of unsteadiness swept her forward and the moving scenery in the windows slowed. Avery gripped the starch fabric of her arm rests until the last of the dream induced vertigo dissipated. She sat next to the window staring at the back of an airplane seat.

  Cold again, Avery rubbed her bandaged arm furiously. Her mind kept reeling but for the first time with a new sense of clarity. The magic in her arm pulsed, almost knowingly, when she examined it. Some part of her understood now.

  With the magic had come some part of Jericho. Now that, Avery knew, just made for more complications.

  Thirteen

  “Avery, over here!”

  They’d barely rattled up to the worn out concrete beach house in Chase’s car when she heard the welcoming party. Standing on paint chipped steps waited Michelle, a girl that could have been the more weathered version of Leela. She was petite with an overabundance of energy and though she didn’t even know Avery well, she excitedly greeted her.

  “What is up? I heard that you’re taking a mini-vacation.” She squeaked as Avery climbed out of the car.

  “Something like that.” Avery walked up the steps and gave the girl a hug.

  “Well I love the spontaneity and you’re always welcome here.”

  Avery thanked her, usually loving to be there. Chase and Michelle had managed to nab a house only a block and a half from the beach. While the one bedroom apartment was hardly considered premiere living, the location made up for it all. From this house, it as a short walk to the beach and the boardwalk where every brand name that existed had a store front. The reason for this visit, however, put a damper on the fun.

  “How’ve you been?” Avery asked next.

  “I’m great. Your brother is worried though.”

  Avery shrugged.

  “Chase is always worried.” Avery said just as her brother finally strolled up the steps next to them.

  She had to give him credit. He didn’t give her the usual barrage of twenty questions. Too cheap to park, he’d picked her up at the entrance way in the airport. The following drive back to his tiny beach apartment had been filled with more sight-seeing than intense conversation. While Avery hadn’t given much thought to it in the scheme of things, it suddenly struck her as remarkable now.

  Chase slung the car keys into a green pot by the front door with disturbing accuracy and moseyed inside with his half slouching walk. Inside now, he made for the brown couch and plopped in front of the television. Nothing displayed on the black flat screen but he watched it like there was something. Michelle joined him, perching on the slanted arm rest.

  “Chase! Offer your sister something to eat! Bad host!” She swatted at him with her tiny hand.

  “Dragging me outta bed that early, she should get me food.”

  “Chase!” Michelle chided him.

  “I’m all right.” Avery piped in.

  The tiny girl, unsatisfied with Avery’s response, tried again.

  “You sure?”

  “Well...actually a shower would be nice.”

  “Oh. Of course.” Michelle went to lead her down the hallway. No matter how many weeks Avery had stayed here before, she’d get the same introduction and lecture about how what when and where.

  Avery barely stepped onto the sandy tile when Michelle stopped her again.

  “Here.” She held out a bundle of blue and white to Avery.

  “What’s this?”

  “I just know you didn’t bring any clothes or anything so I figured that you’d want to borrow some for awhile.” Michelle offered.

  Avery accepted them in a hurry and shut the bathroom door with a firm clank. Inside, she flipped the water on as hot as it would allow. The tiny bathroom would fog up in no time but Chase would just have to deal with the condensation later. Avery had a few days worth of sweat, blood, and tears to wash out. With it all, she’d probably take off a few layers of skin.

  The shower also gave her some much needed time to think. Scraps of the dream returned to her when she thought about it. Standing in a garden, she saw herself watching Jericho’s distorted reflection stare back at her in the fountain’s water. The dream had seemed too real this time. The mention of Eva’s name sent her into a dark rage that she couldn’t even manage in her gothic years of middle school. Something about it all led her back to Jericho’s own words.

  “That’s enough for me to believe that even if the amulet is destroyed it’ll be taking a part of me with it.”

  Now it felt like Jericho was with her. Or in her. In the form of the magical amulet. It certainly wouldn’t be the strangest thing she’d ever heard. Now to pitch the idea to Mason that his dead father lived in a magic that lived in her... she couldn’t see that one coming out well.

  The thought should have scared her more but surprisingly didn’t. Jericho had probably been the only good harpie she’d remotely met so far. Avery kept on the muse as she carefully climbed out of the shower. Hot water did wonders for her aches but couldn’t dissipate the pain completely. Limping towards the counter, she reached the sink and happened to look up. Avery screamed.

  “Hey, are you okay? Sweetie, unlock the door.” Michelle’s voice was on the other side of the door in seconds.

  The knob rattled but the door didn’t budge.

  “I’m- I’m okay. Don’t come in. I just-- I almost tripped.” Avery stuttered the badly thought out excuse.

  She was too preoc
cupied with staring at the mirror to think out a better one. In the mirror, her pale face stared back. Her attention had been drawn to the magical mark that once had crawled from her mid palm to sprawl to the very tip of her shoulder blade. She’d expected that. But over a day and night it had changed again. The thin lines had thickened and multiplied to resemble a spider’s web. It now reached over her shoulder and down past her ribs. It looked more like a full body tattoo than a simple burn mark anymore. Feeling ill, she leaned over the sink to dry heave until her throat grew sore. If it had changed and grown so rapidly, what would it look like in another week? In a year? Would it ever stop?

  “Avery?” Michelle’s muffled voice reached in from the other side again. She apparently hadn’t left just yet.

  “I’m okay. I’m just getting dressed.” Avery didn’t put more effort into her excuse.

  “I’m not rushing you. But there’s a boy here to see you. He says it’s important. He followed you from Alaska or something.”

  Avery’s head shot up and she backpedaled into the wall.

  “What?”

  She didn’t wait for Michelle to repeat it though. Avery grabbed up the clothes in a hurry. While Michelle may have only been one size off, the tank top rode up her midriff and the spaghetti strap revealed every extra inch of the amulet’s burn pattern.

  “He’s a tall pretty boy and Chase is totally giving him the third degree. Maybe you should be quick.”

  “Michelle, please tell me you have more concealing clothes than this.” Avery already had slipped into the white denim shorts but left the tank sitting on the nearby counter next to her used bandage. She didn’t have time to rewrap her arm.

  “I’m sorry babe, I don’t exactly have much else.”

  Letting out a breath, Avery stilled her nerves so she could think. Then remembering her winter jacket in the hallway, she opted for it but in doing so would inevitably have to pass Michelle before she got it. The girl couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.

  Avery couldn’t stall longer. Stuffing the small blue tank over her head, she braced herself and slipped into the hallway. The other girl had been momentarily distracted by the commotion in the living room, only turning just as Avery had the stuffy jacket in her hands. Her brown eyes predictably widened.

  “Shush.” Avery said, swinging the jacket over her shoulders.

  “You’re not even eighteen, Avery!” Michelle gasped, only by luck, quietly.

  Obviously she thought it was a tattoo. The new heavy appearance certainly helped. Fitting her arm through the last bunched sleeve, Avery maneuvered past the girl to the living room with a finger pressed flat to her lips.

  She headed straight inside where she found Mason and Chase standing in opposite sides of the room and glaring. Chase’s over-protectiveness was kicking into over drive and a harpie wasn’t one to lose a staring contest. But when she walked into the room, Mason’s attention broke and turned toward her instantly.

  “What happened? Are you okay?” He asked.

  The genuine concern in his green eyes took her off guard and made her forget how to formulate a good answer. She didn’t have to when Chase jumped in.

  “Who is he? Is he a problem? Because I swear I’ll throw him out.” Chase wasn’t kidding either.

  “Don’t worry,” She maneuvered in front of her brother. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Chase looked one second away from protesting but Avery took only half a second to get out the door. Mason was on her heels automatically. She barely trekked to the end of the block, just where the beach sand began to gather and the ear shot of any residents ended. Then she turned to Mason.

  Despite being on his deathbed last time she’d seen him, he looked great today. He stood at his full height with his wide shoulders and perfect posture. His skin had taken full color, cheeks had rosy hues, and eyes stayed wide and alert. Avery was almost happy to see him so healthy but since Eva’s pep talk that all suddenly seemed fake. Mixed sentiment lingering, Avery remained unsure of what to think. Either way, she beat him to the punch.

  “How’d you track me back here? I just got here!” She didn’t hide the irritation in her voice. She’d barely escaped long enough to make it to one place and they were on her again. Feeling displaced again, Avery couldn’t think of where to flee next.

  “No! It’s not like that. I mean, I didn’t track you.” He spoke in a soft enough voice that her fury simmered down a bit. It didn’t sound like his typical cocky, lecturing tone. The emotion plaguing his voice wasn’t clear but it certainly resembled something hurt-- something scared. Whatever internal mothering instincts plagued Avery made her lay off quicker than she’d initially preferred.

  Mason continued.

  “I’ve been here. Waiting...hoping you’d show up.”

  “The Band got me, how’d you know I’d ever be showing up?” It came out meaner than she’d intended but she didn’t amend it either.

  “It was the only place I knew I had a chance of finding even a trace of you. I didn’t expect you’d show up on the door step though.”

  The honesty that protruded in his voice sounded legitimate but she didn’t understand what he was talking about.

  “What did you mean by finding a trace of me?” She prodded.

  Mason beckoned her closer with a small flick of his hand and only then did Avery realize she’d instinctively put at least five feet between them. Gut reflex made her stand still. Being so close to him was uncomfortable. She opted to keep her distance and Mason didn’t try to get closer again.

  “Like you trying to contact your family. Or the Band trying to contact your family...” He said intentionally slowly.

  “Wait, what do you mean?” She asked, growing panicked quickly.

  He grimaced, clearly unwilling.

  “You met the Band didn’t you? I’m sorry, but it wouldn’t be the first time they’d use friends or family to coerce obedience.”

  Stress churning her stomach, she turned away from him to stare at the floor.

  “You alright?” He approached her tentatively but thankfully never tried to touch her. In a few moments, her stomach settled itself again. She glanced up and stared wearily at the gleaming sand and the shifting waves in the distance. The heavy scent of salt water didn’t help her situation but she breathed it in willingly. Finally allowing her body to recover, she twisted around and set her back against the nearest wall. Avery rubbed her temple hard.

  “So they’re in danger now? Chase, Leela, my mother? They’re all in danger.” It wasn’t a question at the end. Eva could easily use them against her. In fact, if Eva had Leela or Chase tied up, Avery never would have attempted to escape. They’d know that too. Sound logic all around but harpies played dirty.

  “Wait, what happened to your hand?” Mason asked suddenly.

  The barest tint of webbed black peeked out from her sluggish jacket sleeve. He saw the difference too. She tugged the cuff of her jacket to cover it again. Short arms were a luxury when fitting ones hands into a large jacket.

  “It’s okay, I’ve got it.” Her mind rolled over the plans she had for raiding a few libraries. She’d have to roam through hundreds of pages of potentially useless texts but lore and myth would give her a good direction. After all, they were somewhat right about harpies. A flicker of Mason’s old personality returned when he gave a superior sniff.

  “We’ve been over this, you need my help.” His eyes slanted and his tone dropped like he was speaking with a child.

  The whole bit actually succeeded in infuriating her all over again with the manic anger suspiciously reminiscent of Jericho’s.

  “Yea, really? I’m not even sure you’re trying to help me. I found out that you’ve been lying to me all along. Trying to save the amulet for your father? I don’t believe it. You made a deal with the Band.”

  His face washed out white.

  “What?” He choked out.

  “If you... if you even want me to speak another word to you, you will tell me
everything now.”

  He held his hands up, ready to deny it again.

  “Mason!” She shouted at him reaching the end of her rope. “I’ve heard it all. The whole spiel and I know. Don’t avoid the subject anymore because this is the one chance you have to give me your side. Otherwise I have no reason to believe you.”