I had hoped, for a moment that Avalon would share my humiliation and we could take on the “wet dog” look together. I was wrong. Avalon strolled casually towards the barn, unconcerned and completely dry. He was surrounded by a cloud of magic that not only kept the rain from touching his clothing, but dried the ground before he even took another step. By the time he entered the barn, he was as hysterical as Jericho and laughing loudly at me
“Piece of crap,” I yelled, irritated and freezing.
“Ok, seriously Eden. What is wrong with you?” Avalon asked sarcastically in all his dry clothes glory.
“Avalon, don’t be so hard on her,” Jericho recovered from his fits of laughter to come to my aid, albeit a little mockingly. “Eden can’t help it if she forgets about her magic.”
He smiled mischievously at me and I heard a new guy question, “How is that possible?” The rest of the newcomers eyed me suspiciously as if I was dangerously more than I seemed.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Jericho arrived at my side, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, simultaneously comforting me and drying my icicle of a body with his magic. “Like I said, she can’t help it, guys,” He smirked playfully, before placing his other hand in front of his mouth to whisper to the group loudly, “She was raised human.”
I pushed Jericho away with mock injury and pretended to pout. I heard the group of boys snicker to each other as I pulled myself together. I finished the dry-out job Jericho had begun, by using my own magic, half warming myself, half proving to the bystanders that I did, in fact, know how to use magic.
When I turned around, Avalon had already taken charge of whatever leadership role was available to him and was introducing himself as much more of a legend than I would ever haven give him credit for. I contemplated for a second, joining the group again, but remembered Lilly and decided I couldn’t do anything else until I had checked on her. I began to walk further into the barn but not before Jericho caught up with me.
“Did I fix my makeup?” I asked him, already forgiving him for any fun he had at my expense.
“I don’t know what you mean by that?” He smiled, confused, a typical guy response.
“My mascara, is it like running down my face?” I brushed my finger tips underneath my eyes as if demonstrating my question.
“No, your face looks…. fine,” Jericho blushed when he finished his sentence and so I was not entirely sure if I could trust him.
I remembered the compact in my brand new back pack and tried to grab it as inconspicuously as possible. Feeling a little bit vain, and even more self-conscious in front of Jericho, I rushed the mirror in front of my face, checked my make up as scrupulously but as quickly as I could. Then I shoved the little compact mirror back into the abyss of the bag that had replaced the backpack Romania destroyed, satisfied with what I had seen.
“What? Don’t you trust me?” Jericho nudged my side gently with his elbow.
“Absolutely not,” I said playfully, and then gave him my most charming smile. “Hey, do you know where they are keeping Lilly?” I asked, anxiety slipping into my tone but unable to stay silent on the issue.
“Yes,” Jericho responded simply.
“Well, can you take me to her?” I countered, feeling as though my request shouldn’t be necessary.
“I don’t think so,” When I turned a scowl on him, he continued quickly, “I don’t think they want non-Resistance members up there. I mean, it’s like a sacred place. Since you’re not an official member, they have kind of forbidden you from going.”
“What?” Forbidden?” I half demanded, half shrieked. “Why hasn't anybody told me?” I crossed my arms and stomped my foot defiantly.
“Do you remember the last time you were forbidden to do anything? Yeah, it didn’t work out so well for the rest of us,” although Jericho was teasing me, he stopped walking and turned to face me. When I followed suit, he put both of his hands on my shoulders, sending his magical imprint racing through my blood. I could tell that he was nervous touching me, but what I didn’t expect was to be nervous too. “Eden, trust me,” he said smoothly, gazing deep into my eyes. “Lilly is going to be fine; this whole thing is a process. But seriously, look at the rest of us. We all made it through. She has the best care anyone could hope for,” he smiled softly and I cleared my throat, bringing my mind into focus.
“You’re right. I mean I should trust you guys. How much longer do you think this will take though? People at school have been asking questions,” I casually shrugged Jericho’s hands off my shoulders and began walking again, reminding myself of Kiran and the overwhelmingly strong feelings I had for him.
“What people?” Jericho asked suspiciously.
“Well, Sebastian Cartier,” I stopped dead in my tracks, realizing I left Jericho somewhere a few feet behind me. I turned to face him, and saw the wheels in his head spinning.
“Sebastian Cartier is here? In Omaha? At Kingsley?” he whispered harshly.
I nodded my response, a little afraid of what I had let slip. He turned back around in the other direction, leaving me to run after him.
“Avalon!” he hollered at my very loquacious brother, who somehow had managed to maintain the newcomer’s attention this entire time. “Avalon!” he hollered again.
“What?” an irritated Avalon swung around to face Jericho straight on.
“Sebastian Cartier is here? In Omaha? Why haven’t we been informed?” Jericho demanded.
Damn it Eden, you just had to go and open your big mouth. Avalon sent me a direct and irritated message. I blushed, but turned right around again towards the opposite side of the barn. I had apparently done enough damage; I didn’t need to get into the middle of a fight between those two.
I noticed Angelica towards the back of the barn, talking to some girls who looked only a little bit older than me. I contemplated joining them, but couldn't find the courage. Avalon was usually my social crutch around here, and unfortunately he was currently in the middle of a battle between need-to-know basis and left-in-the-dark. I rolled my eyes, inwardly laughing at the precarious relationship Avalon and Jericho seemed to hold- sometimes best friends, sometimes leadership rivals.
“Eden, won’t you join us?” Angelica had noticed me wandering around aimlessly. I had hoped to avoid what would assuredly be a socially-awkward situation for me. But apparently I was just not that lucky today.
“Hello, Angelica,” I greeted her sweetly, remembering tenderly that she was close to my mother at one point. I had yet to garner any details from her, but I didn’t tend to give up easily.
“Hello, dear.” She returned my smile and brought me into a warm hug. Her lighter, almost effervescent magic wrapped me in a warm bubble and I felt oddly comforted. “The other teams have arrived. Have you met them?”
“Um, no, I haven’t. I mean, Avalon was introducing himself to them, so I just thought I would connect with him later,” I blurted out, feeling like I needed to explain what I meant by our twin connection, but I decided not to get into detail. I mentally reminded myself that I was not actually part of the Resistance and therefore not actually obligated to meet anyone.
“Eden, don’t rob yourself of the opportunity of getting to know others like you. Remember you are who you surround yourself with,” She smiled knowingly, and I shrugged off the feeling of irritation from the clear dig at Kiran. “Anyways, these girls are too sweet to let Avalon do the meeting and greeting for you. Besides I think they already know Avalon,” When she looked at them, they nodded in confirmation. “Eden, this is Fiona Thompson and Roxie Powers. They are part of the Czech team, Ryder’s team,” she patted Roxie, a short, hard-looking Latina, on the arm before leaving us alone. Roxie returned the gesture with a smile and I got the feeling it was almost painful for her to look so nice.
Roxie had long dark hair like mine, but it was in a low pony tail on the back of her neck, falling in smooth, loose curls down to her waist. Her small frame barely cleared five feet, but her stature exuded a strength that
intimidated me. Her chocolate brown eyes searched my face as if looking for a reason to punch me in the nose. I flinched self-consciously before turning my attention to Fiona.
Fiona was much nicer looking, in personality I mean. They were both beautiful girls. Fiona had perfect porcelain skin that looked like milk next to her shoulder length auburn hair. Her overly large green eyes, maintained a look of both innocence and shrewdness. She stood tall as if in a position, of leadership and her slender fingers were folded together in a proper sort of way.
“I’m Eden,” I said obviously after Angelica had walked away. After Angelica had left me. After Angelica had abandoned me.
“We know,” Roxie sneered and my suspicions about her were confirmed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Fiona covered for her friend. She did not attempt to shake my hand, however, and for some reason that bothered me.
“Y-y-you’re Fiona?” I addressed the more polite of the two, asking another obvious question.
“Yes, that’s right and this is Roxie. We worked with Avalon’s team to extract the Brazil team after Avalon and Jericho were um, called away,” I noticed the look in their eyes as accusation, and blushed defensively.
“So, um, you’re whole team is here?” I looked around, hoping to be able to place the rest of their team, but my nerves were fried and it felt as though my magic was on the fritz.
“Yep,” Roxie mumbled through a fake smile.
“Where are you guys staying?” I returned her smile with a fake one of my own.
“Here. We’re all staying here,” Roxie responded again, with an edge to her already tough demeanor.
“Like your team, or like all of the teams?” I asked, once again looking around the barn at all the new additions.
“Like everyone that’s in the Resistance,” Roxie answered my question harshly, obviously not concerned with being rude.
“Rox,” Fiona chastised gently. “I’m sure she has her reasons.” She gave Roxie a meaningful glance and her large green eyes pleaded with Roxie to be polite.
“I’m sure she does Fi. I just hope her reasons aren’t costing an entire race of people their future.” It was Roxie’s turn to give me a meaningful glare, one that pretty much had me shaking in my shoes. “Come on. Let’s go find your husband.”
Fiona didn’t even pretend to be polite anymore but brushed past me after her friend. I watched as they walked towards Avalon and Jericho and other boys I didn’t recognize. I realized then that the rest of Avalon’s team was missing.
Fiona and Roxie were greeted with enthusiasm and I even noticed Avalon give Roxie a hug. She looked tiny in his arms, hardly dangerous at all.
Looks could be deceiving.
Fiona slipped her slender, ivory arm through another boy's and they took a moment to gaze into each other’s eyes. A thousand words passed silently between them and I recognized their unspoken language as unfailing love. A ball dropped in my stomach and I suddenly had a tremendous need to find Kiran.
I noticed Amory pull onto the gravel drive of the farmhouse and park his black Mercedes sedan next to Avalon’s. I practically ran towards him, hoping he would understand my need to flee. I couldn’t stand around this room while people continued to judge me. I needed to remind myself that there was a very strong, very tangible, very beautiful reason I had chosen not to join the Resistance and the small politics of simple peer pressure were not enough to force my hand.
“Hey, Eden, come meet Ryder,” Avalon called out, already aware of my plans and hoping to dissuade me.
“Maybe later,” I called over my shoulder and picked up my pace to meet Amory at his driver’s side door.
I enveloped Amory in my magical shield, keeping us dry and warm. He gave me a look of confusion that didn’t seem to fit his polished and well-dressed demeanor. He was not the type of man to feel confused.
“Amory, I know this is a big request, but could I borrow your car right now…. Please?” I was near tears and not entirely sure why, but if I could only get back into the city I was sure everything would be fine.
“Why Eden? Is everything ok?” When I shook my head in a frantic “yes,” his eyes deepened with concern. “Are you sure? I was hoping you could get to know everyone tonight. Immortals have come from all over the world to protect you, my dear. I doubt they would find it very polite if you simply took off before being introduced.” He smiled, trying to reassure me; but it sounded more like guilting me into staying than anything else.
“It’s ok, I’ll just take Avalon’s,” I pushed past him and threw Avalon’s truck door open with my magic. “Can you bring him home tonight? Thanks,” I spat out before Amory could say anything else.
I threw myself up and into the driver’s seat, starting the engine with a simple thought. I could hear Avalon screaming at me inside of my head, but did my best to repress him.
I was tired of being told what to do, or what to say, or what to think. I was sorry that Avalon was so everything they wanted and expected. But I was not Avalon, even if he was in my head, even if he was my twin, even if I’d just stolen his truck. I was my own person and this person did not want to join their freaking Resistance.
I sped down the gravel road, reminding myself more and more of my twin brother, driving haphazardly at an alarming rate. I took a big breath and allowed the magic to take control. I then opened my palm and willed my cell phone into my fingers.
I was tired of the Resistance, and I was tired of people trying to protect me. What better way to spite them all then to find the one person that was against everything they stood for, the one person I was utterly in love with. My mind was wholly focused now; I was nothing but determined to be wrapped in Kiran’s arms before I internally imploded from frustration.
8.
I skidded parallel into a parking spot across from Kiran’s building. On the drive from the farmhouse to downtown Omaha I had practically mastered my magical driving ability. There were a few rough patches on the interstate, but no casualties, so I called my drive a success.
Having gotten even more worked up on the forty-five minute drive from the middle of nowhere to the upscale part of down town Omaha known as the Old Market, I could not wait to see Kiran.
I hesitated a few more seconds before leaping from Avalon’s oversized truck. The last of Kiran’s guard disappeared around the corner and subsequently a light was turned off in Kiran’s loft apartment and replaced with a candle, a sign that the coast was clear.
I reached for the keys from the ignition and realized too late that I didn’t use any, I had used magic. Bracing myself against the whipping wind and icy rain, I opened the door and dashed across the wet and slippery, brick street. There was no using a shield of magic in the middle of a crowded city.
Kiran buzzed me in before I even had a chance to push the button and I magically dried myself and clothes on the way to the elevator. I danced around the lobby anxiously, waiting for the elevator to reach the ground floor. Biting my lip and holding back tears of frustration, the only thought I allowed myself to think was of Kiran and Kiran alone.
The elevator doors opened and to my surprise he was waiting on the other side. I jumped into his arms immediately, not allowing one second of separation between us. My mouth found his instantly and a sense of overwhelming security washed over me. Hot tears finally escaped the tightly closed corners of my eyes, while Kiran’s touch melted away my fears and frustrations.
Albeit a little surprised, Kiran reciprocated my passion with his own and soon our magic was mingling together in a swirl of frenetic energy. One of his arms gripped me tightly around my waist, pulling my body close to his in inseparable proximity; his other tangled its way through my hair. My lips refused to leave his.
The elevator came to a stop once again on the top floor and the doors opened into Kiran's penthouse apartment. I regretfully relinquished my hold on him and quickly turned around to hide my embarrassing display of emotion. I entered the classy, modern apartment that took up t
he entire top floor of the apartment complex. The exposed brick and cork floors gave the loft space a warm and inviting feeling despite the sparse furniture and manly touches.
The space had several rooms and at least two bathrooms to accommodate not only Kiran and Talbott, but a handful of other Titan guards. If that weren't bad enough, I'd been informed Sebastian had also joined them until other arrangements could be made. Kiran was close behind me, hands gently on my waist.
"That was quite the greeting," I could hear the smirk through his crisp, English accent, and my own version of his signature expression crept onto my face. This was what home felt like, being with the one I so wholly loved.
"It's been so long since we've been alone, what did you expect?" I sighed deeply and contentedly, turning around in the middle of Kiran's living room to let him envelope me in his embrace again. I couldn't think of any reason to leave his strong arms, ever.
"What's the matter, Love?" Kiran rested his chin on the top of my head and I appreciated his sensitivity but there was no way I could have possibly shared my issues, it would have given way too much away about the Resistance.
"I'm just tired," I faked a yawn before nuzzling myself deeper into his arms. "And hungry," I finished, realizing that was not a lie.
"How about some crisps?" Kiran left my side, leaving me suddenly cold and insecure. I followed him like a puppy dog into the kitchen and took a seat at the high top table just off to the side of the designer kitchen that I was almost positive was never used.
"What are crisps?" I asked amused, watching Kiran rummage around in the walk-in pantry. It was obvious he was not used to fetching his own snacks.
"Oh, right. Um, I think you call them po-ta-to chips," he over-pronunciated, as if the words were part of an actual foreign language. Then he turned around with a triumphant smile on his face and arms laden with bags of Doritos.
"Yes, that's what we call them," I smiled back, a little patronizingly.
Hopeless Magic (The Star-Crossed Series) Page 6