It didn’t matter. This weekend I was meeting Mr. and Mrs. Erikson. Whether Keller liked it or not.
I didn’t show the notebook paper to my friends. I saw no point. Someone was trying to mess with me and I wasn’t going to allow it.
Chapter Thirty
When I got up the next morning, the air felt colder. Glancing around, I saw nothing out of place. I was reluctant to get out of bed, but I made myself throw off the covers and relight it. When that task was accomplished I grabbed one of the blankets off my bed, fetched my mother’s box, and moved into the living room. No use being cold when there was a roaring fire.
All semester I had thought about what my mother might have kept in the box. I had thought that I had most of her possessions, and when I went off to Paranormal Public I had taken what I could with me. Most of it was stored in Astra, but I had looked through that stuff a million times. There was nothing that was magical, or at least not in any way that I could see.
I tried to remember what she used to keep in the box, but my memory was fuzzy. Part of me, at least, hoped that it held papers or a diary explaining who my father was, and what she was afraid of.
I sighed and put the box back under my bed. I still didn’t know how to open it. Both Sip and Lisabelle had tried as well, and neither had been successful.
I stayed by the fire all morning, reading. This early morning hour was my only quiet time during the day, and I was now more determined than ever to read about Queen Ashray. Bartholem curled comfortably in my lap, alternating between sleeping, swatting at the corner of my book, and insisting on being petted.
The latest Tabble had arrived, and this time it had a message from Mound. Lisabelle read it aloud:
Battles should be fought on the battlefield, that’s what my dad always taught me. He was a smart man, my father. He was a university professor who instilled in his children a sense of duty, to be demonstrated first of all through recognizing the importance of education. I cannot stress enough how important it is to reason through one’s decisions, and not do anything rash.
Therefore, I must question the logic of President Caid, who was, after all, elected by the thinnest of majorities. Not only does he hem and haw until he’s blue in the face and we’re all sick of listening to him blather (excuse me, Mr. President, but it’s true), but now we’re expected to support his wisdom in sending the only elemental we have left, a girl of meager talents and less intelligence, to Golden Falls University to be “trained” for a semester.
I’m not sure such a creature is capable of actual improvement. She has so very far to go from where she started, but still, it is a concern. She has a target on her back, head, and limbs. She could die at any moment.
We should be using her for all she is worth. Yes, yes, I know it is crass of me to say out loud what everyone else is only thinking. I know that as a paranormal she has rights. But as a whole, we must find a way to stop the Nocturns, and as I believe we have discovered only too painfully, no paranormal with the powers of the elementals will survive. It is a sad truth that they themselves discovered it first.
Here is my list of problems, and solutions:
Cynthia Malle: head of the demon council and any other organization of darkness that is merely a name for the mobile killing squads the demons and the hellhounds have become.
Ricky Rollins: the younger brother of Charlotte Rollins, the only known elemental. Both are of questionable parentage, and I do not just mean on the mother’s side. Mr. Rollins should be found and tested. Under no circumstances should he be allowed to have anything like a “normal” life.
Charlotte Rollins: an even bigger problem than her sibling. She must be taken under control. There is no justification for allowing her anywhere near the darkness mage known as Lisabelle Verlans.
Lisabelle Verlans: so full of darkness that I’m surprised she isn’t bursting. Have we forgotten, my brethren, the age-old wisdom? Darkness calls to darkness. Ms. Verlans will, at some point, be called home.
Keller Erikson: an embarrassment to his family. His fraternization with a lower paranormal type, specifically Ms. Rollins, is a horror to us all. His family, especially his dear mother and father, should be most ashamed.
Professor Dacer: where to begin and end? It’s a complete disgrace that he is still a professor at Paranormal Public.
President Caid: who should resign. We are at war with the demons, a catastrophe that has not occurred since the glorified and utterly misrepresented rule of Queen Ashray. I say directly to the President: Resign! For the good of all paranormals.
The last problem is not a person, but a thing. The Wheel. The Globe White is missing. The Fang First is with the Rapier Vampires. The Mirror Arcane, since it is an heirloom of Queen Ashray, is undoubtedly still at Astra House at Paranormal Public, unless of course Charlotte Rollins has ruined that too. The last two objects, the Pinion Wings and the Scepter Silver, are both supposedly with Cynthia Malle, but I believe at least one of those objects is still at large.
Here are the solutions I propose:
Cynthia Malle should be given a position in the new president’s cabinet. We must make the president a paranormal other than a fallen angel, for the Aurums are too kind, and we do not need kindness now. We need a steady hand and a willingness to do what is necessary. Ricky Rollins should be arrested. The powers protecting him (which of course Professor Dacer refuses to disclose - more on him in a minute) should be brought in and made to understand his role in the paranormal undertaking against the Nocturns, an undertaking that should be made considerably easier with the reinstatement of the incomparable Cynthia Malle.
Charlotte Rollins should be confined to Paranormal Public upon her return from Golden Falls. My spies there tell me that she is making a horrible mess of everything. Surprise surprise. Keller Erikson should be sent away. He is about to graduate, and instead of being allowed to stay at Public any longer he should be sent to the furthest reaches of the globe, not to return until his illustrious family has knocked some sense into him.
In conclusion, my dear friends, we can be alright. It requires changes, a new way of thinking, but if we work as we should, if none of us acts as if we are above our designated paranormal station, I have every faith that we will prevail.
One last thing: the Nocturns are not necessarily bad. They simply do not believe we as paranormals are doing our jobs, and in that they are right. I hereby declare that we should work with them, too. I would be the first to open my doors to them.
“No mention of me?” Sip muttered.
“You just need to be more flamboyantly obnoxious,” said Lisabelle. “If that’s possible. Get his attention.”
Sip tapped her finger to her bottom lip. “Yeah, I mean, it’s an idea.”
“What about your brother?” she asked me, her eyes worried.
I’d been clenching my jaw the whole time Lisabelle was reading the article to us. Releasing it made my teeth ache.
“He better not go anywhere near Ricky,” I said.
“Are you going to tell him he’s elemental?” Lisabelle asked quietly. “He might not be able live in peace your stepdad while he finishes school, at this rate.”
“I don’t see how I can tell him,” I said. “He might not even be elemental. It’s not a conversation I know how to have with him, but I did promise I’d talk to him this summer.”
“Even if he’s just Airlee, he deserves to know,” said Lisabelle. “He might have only a few basic powers, like your mom, but he still deserves to know about them.”
“I barely knew about them at his age,” I said stubbornly. “I mean, Mom told me, but I thought she was telling me some silly fairy tale. She never showed me. She never elaborated.”
“She lived in fear,” said Sip. “You don’t.”
“Don’t I?” I asked. “I feel like I do. Every day we think demons or hellhounds are coming for us. Every day we wonder what the Nocturns will do next. Here we are at another paranormal school, the self-styled haven of peace, a
nd even here we have no peace.”
“Are the Pinion Wings really with Malle?” Lisabelle asked. “She told you they were, and Mound confirms it, but how would he know? More importantly, how does he know Uncle Risper has the Map Silver?”
“Why is that more important?” Sip demanded.
“Because I don’t want my uncle to get into any more trouble.”
“Trouble isn’t exactly how I would describe Cynthia Malle,” I said quietly.
“How would you?” Sip said.
“Crazy,” I said. “Smart, powerful, and in control.”
“You think she’s in control? Still? Where is she?”
I shrugged. It was something else that had nagged me all semester. Where were the Nocturns? If they weren’t attacking any of us, then what were they doing?
Chapter Thirty-One
Finally, the night came when Keller and I were to travel to his parents’ country estate. I wasn’t sure if I was more excited or nervous. First, I had no idea how we were even being allowed to do this, but I didn’t ask questions. Knowing the power of Keller’s family, I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Second, I was finally going to meet Keller’s mom and dad. It had been difficult for these past two years not knowing them. Keller had tried to say that they were just busy, and that once they met me they would fall in love with me like he had, but his aunt’s behavior told a different story, and now, after so much time had passed, I was doubtful that I could ever win them over.
“Ready?” I asked Keller. We were meeting on the front steps of Golden Falls, where he would fly us away. I had asked him if he was up for the journey with me in his arms and he had scoffed at me. Sip had asked the same thing.
“I bet you want Keller to carry you. It’s probably your favorite way to travel,” Sip said.
“Hey,” said Lisabelle. “She’s ridden on my broom before.”
Sip nodded. “So, it’s definitely her favorite way to travel.”
I had said goodbye to my friends and let them argue it out without me.
“I’m ready,” I said when I saw Keller waiting for me on the steps. He looked breathtaking. Instead of his usual jeans and hoodie, he wore black pants and a black shirt. His tousled black hair was freshly washed.
“Aren’t you cold?” I asked him. I still wore a winter coat to guard against the chill.
He shrugged. “Not really. Besides, I’m looking forward to snuggling with my heart sweet.”
“Oh, that’s why you offered to fly?” I asked suspiciously.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close, kissing me until I had to grip his arms to steady myself.
“Nope, I offered to fly because those damn carriages creep me out and my parents would never allow demons onto their property.”
I nodded. “I’m surprised they’re allowed anywhere at all.”
“Darkness is gaining power,” said Keller. “It’s just harder for us to see it since we live in the bubble that is college.”
I shivered. I didn’t want to think about that, at least not tonight.
“Let’s fly then,” I said, grinning up at him. He smiled back. “I’m so excited you’re going to meet my parents tonight,” he said, pressing his forehead against mine and never breaking eye contact. “I’ve wanted this for a long time.”
I nodded, moving my arms around his neck. “Me too,” I whispered. “I never thought it would happen.”
“Why?” he asked. “My aunt?”
I shrugged. It was partly because of his aunt and partly because a part of me had always thought that Keller would have found someone better by now. The fact that he put up with everything that came with dating me - the death threats, to give the most obvious example - just proved how much he loved me.
“Well, then, let’s get going,” he said. The sky was a perfect pink, the first time I had seen the color in months. The wind was non-existent, so I called a little to help us on our way.
I had chosen a simple outfit, wanting to look nice without overdoing it. I was wearing a pair of black jeans and a red sweater under my coat, with my hair falling loose over my shoulders.
Keller pulled me into his arms, and in the next moment we were soaring high overhead, with Golden Falls getting smaller and smaller below and behind us. I only looked back once. For at least this one evening I wanted to forget the place that had taken Dove, Kia, and Marcus.
Keller and I had talked a little about Marcus. He was devastated, blaming himself for even letting Marcus come to Golden Falls this semester, but since the place was renowned for supporting peace, we had all thought it was safe. Both Keller and Marcus were seniors, and as such they had countless opportunities for interesting ways to spend these months. But Marcus had wanted to come along with Keller and feel useful. Of course, neither of them had expected the devastation that would follow.
I was just relieved that my relationship with Keller was back on track.
Keller knew it would take time to heal, but we also both knew that nothing would ever be the same after a dear friend died.
I wrapped my arms firmly around his neck and buried my face in his shoulder. The air was still a little cold, and I didn’t want my face to be bright red by the time we got to his parents’ place.
“Are you okay?” Keller asked me at one point. I merely nodded, feeling his wings beat, feeling his heart match, feeling warm and alive. I was happy.
What could possibly go wrong?
I had once asked Keller how many houses his family owned. He had shrugged and looked uncomfortable, but later he had admitted that the number was nine.
When I saw Reservoir, as this house was named, I decided it must surely be the prettiest of them all. Also, it was immediately apparent that it was not just a house, but an entire complex.
I mean, seriously, who had houses that were named? Fallen angel royalty, apparently.
It was a series of white stone buildings, each shining out of the forest and stretching higher into the sky than the last. The woods were close and sheltering, keeping the home of the Eriksons from prying eyes. We had spent at least an hour flying over nothing but foliage, without a building in view.
This was a very private place, their own personal stronghold. On one side of the main house was a lake, which in the fading light was a deep, midnight blue. On the other side was a large barn with a door painted silver. When I squealed and pointed it out to Keller he chuckled, whispering in my ear that that’s where they kept the unicorns. I half believed him.
“Can we go in?” I asked breathlessly.
“Sure,” he said. “I’ll show you everything. Mom and Dad will probably come too.”
I smiled. “We should have done this two years ago.”
“So, now you’re going to start dating me for my unicorns?” he demanded.
“Yup,” I said. “Definitely.”
He pretended to shake his head sadly, and I grinned.
I was getting used to paranormal residences having courtyards, but this one didn’t. There was just a gravel driveway of fine white pebbles leading up to the front door, which was also painted silver.
Light burned on the first floor of the house, giving it a cheery feel. I looked around in wonder, imagining spending time here as a child, and coming for family vacations.
Keller touched down gently, so that I barely felt the landing. He kept his arm firmly wrapped around my waist as he sighed and looked at the house.
“You alright?” he asked. “We could turn back.”
I looked at him like he was crazy.
“No way,” I said. “We’ve come this far. This place is beautiful. I’m sure it will be a lovely evening.”
“Who says, ‘lovely evening’ when talking about meeting your boyfriend’s disapproving parents?” Keller asked, smiling slightly.
“I do,” I said stoutly. “Come along. It’s cold.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the house, and he followed with a laugh.
Before we even reached the door i
t swung open to reveal a woman with short dark hair flecked with gray. She was short and plump, with full lips and a button nose.
“Evening, Master Erikson,” she greeted him, smiling. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Ezra,” he said, and ignoring the woman’s arms, which she held at her sides, he gave her a big hug. She laughed and pushed him away.
“That’s no way to treat the head of servants,” she muttered. “Really, where’s your dignity?”
“I have it around here somewhere,” he said, still smiling broadly.
“Well, go and fetch it before you see your parents,” she said, shaking her head. “They’ve been running around all day getting the house ready for your arrival.”
“Are any of my siblings here?” Keller asked, glancing over her shoulder and then back at me.
“No,” she said, folding her arms in front of her. “They’re all at school or with friends.”
Keller nodded, but his smile slipped a little.
“Ezra,” he said, turning and taking my hand again. I stepped forward, suddenly shy, as he said, “This is my girlfriend, Charlotte.”
Obviously Ezra meant a lot to Keller, and I reached out to shake her hand. But she bowed quickly instead of reciprocating, and I let my hand fall back to my side.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” she said. Her expression was unreadable, but her light brown eyes had clouded over. Keller didn’t seem to notice.
“Come in, come in,” she said, ushering us inside. “Standing here letting all the warm air out, really.”
The entrance hall was splendid. An intricate oriental rug lay in front of a staircase. Along either wall were tables in dark wood, with lamps of gold set on them. Behind the lamps were large mirrors that reflected the light. I looked up. The ceiling was high overhead, and right in the middle of the room, over the staircase that split in two as it wound up, was a chandelier. I was forced to remember that this was just the entryway.
Elemental Earth (Paranormal Public) Page 19