“Are you off to the meeting?”
“Aye, and it could run long by the look of it.”
“Would you please tell Alex that-”
But before she could finish, Alex came around the corner, pulling on a jacket. “Chloe, I’ve got to go look–”
He stopped short as he saw me, acute relief washing over his features. Though relief quickly became horror as he got a better look at me. I self-consciously tucked my hair behind my ear in a vain attempt to look as though I hadn’t just gotten the crap kicked out of me by Mother Nature.
“I am so sorry,” he breathed, guilt stricken.
“It’s fine,” I said with my best smile, “I took a detour, that’s all.” I tried my best to sound convincing, but it was clear he wasn’t buying what I was selling.
“I’ve got to go,” he nodded over his shoulder, “they’ve called a meeting and we might be a while. I don’t think we’re going to be able to meet tonight. Tomorrow morning, same place? Classes start, so everyone else will be busy. We’ll have all day.”
“Sure, that’s fine, don’t worry about it,” I said, hoping to ease some of the self-reproach he appeared to be stuck in.
He nodded, then looking me over again, added, “You should go sit down–”
“Don’t you worry,” Chloe cut in, wrapping her arm around my waist giving me a squeeze, “I’ll get her all taken care of.”
“Aye lad.” Mr Anderson gestured to Alex, whose eyes hadn’t left me. “We’re needed yonder.” Alex went without an argument, but looked back over his shoulder at me four separate times before turning down the main hall and out of sight.
So, he abandons me one minute, then feels horrible about it the next. Interesting… As much as I hated myself for getting any sort of pleasure out of someone else’s discomfort, I had to admit that I rather liked the idea that he was worried about me. Plus, I was glad to see that he seemed to be over whatever funk had caused him to leave me in the first place.
With my spirits adequately lifted, I turned to Chloe. “I should go shower.”
“Yes, of course, you go and clean up. Then when you’re done, come over to my room and we’ll have dinner and a chat,” she said, clasping both my hands in hers excitedly.
“Sounds great,” I said, smiling.
I don’t know that I’ve ever taken a shower that felt so good. Even the soap stinging my fresh scrapes couldn’t lessen the warm relaxing joy for me. It was however, the first shower in which I had to clean leaves out of the tub when I was done. Fun.
After I dressed, I called my mom for the first time since we’d left for Ireland. I spent almost an hour telling her all about the school, and how well Ryland was doing, and assuring her that everything was great. Luckily, she didn’t specifically ask how I was doing, nor did she bring up the subject of Jocelyn, for which I was immensely grateful. I would have hated to lie to her anymore than we already had, but honestly I had no idea how I was feeling about everything, and as far as Jocelyn was concerned, it was better she not know what had actually happened. Much as I had always wanted my mom to see Jocelyn for what he was, I couldn’t bring myself to hurt her with the truth. She and Ry may have both been under a delusion, but it made them happy, which was good enough for me.
Once Mom was reassured and all her questions answered, I hung up, got ready, and then slipped on my shoes to go over to Chloe’s room. However, as I reached the door I hesitated, my protective instincts rearing up. I hadn’t heard a word from Ryland since leaving his room that morning, and I was anxious to find out if he was still doing all right. Wasn’t that why I was here, to make sure he was OK? What if he needed me?
What if he didn’t…?
Ignoring that last echo of a thought I went back to the phone, grabbed the card Alex had given me with his information on it, and dialed the number to his room.
“Hello?”
“Hi Ry.” At least he was there.
“Oh, hey Becca.”
“So how was your day? Did you have fun with the other kids?”
“Yeah, it was fun. Everybody’s great here!”
“Good, I’m glad.” Really, I was. Glad. “So, I was thinking I’d come take you to your first class tomorrow.”
“Oh… um, sure…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s just… I am supposed to meet some of the guys so we could walk together. A lot of us have the same classes, and…”
…and you don’t want to look like the baby who had to bring his sister along to hold your hand. “Oh, yeah sure, that’s fine.” It really was. Fine. “I just wanted to make sure you knew where you were going.”
“Yep, I’m good!”
“Good.”
“I’ve got to go up and eat now, but I can come see you tomorrow after classes if you want.”
If you want? Great. A pity visit. Fantastic. “Sure, sounds good.”
“OK, I’ll see you then! Love you! Bye!”
“Love you t–” click
Bye…
Less than an hour later I was sitting cross-legged on Chloe’s fluffy pink comforter, eating the last slice of pizza, while she sat behind me playing with my hair.
“I’d kill for hair like yours,” she gushed, running her fingers through the curls she’d just let tumble off the barrel of the hot iron.
“No you wouldn’t,” I mumbled over the last mouthful of pizza, “Trust me, it sucks.”
“How can you say that? It’s gorgeous!”
“Oh, I agree, it’s spectacular – when someone takes the time to do it. Otherwise it’s a humongous pain in the ass. Most of the time it’s in a ponytail or a frizzy bun.”
“Aw,” she said, stroking my mane like a cat, “it just needs some attention.”
“Tell you what, chop it off, and we’ll make you a wig.”
“Don’t you dare!” she gasped.
“Where did you learn to do hair?”
“Oh, I don’t know, playing with my dolls, I guess. But I’ve always wanted a real person to practice on,” she giggled, giving my hair a playful tug.
“You’ve never made-up your friends?”
“No, you’re the first actual human head I’ve done. To be honest, I’ve never had many girlfriends.”
“You’re kidding!” I was shocked. “I would have figured you to be one of the most popular girls on campus.”
She laughed. “No, not me. There was one other young female Holder who went through school with me, but she didn’t care for my company. She didn’t like being a Holder; thought it made her a freak. I, of course, was thrilled about it, so she and I didn’t really get on.”
“But what about the girls who aren’t Holders? Didn’t you get to know them?”
“I tried for a while, but when you have to keep so much about yourself a secret, it’s hard to get close to anyone. Probably sounds odd, but I was happier to keep to myself.”
“That doesn’t sound strange at all,” I said, glancing down as I rolled the hem of my shirt between my fingers. “Actually, I know exactly how you feel. I’ve never really had any friends either.”
“How can that be?”
“I was advanced,” I said, the last word tasting sour on my tongue. “I didn’t move through school with the same group of kids like everyone else did. I was always jumping ahead and taking special courses, always the youngest in the class. By the time I was nine, the kids my own age didn’t even remember who I was, and the ones I took classes with were too old to view me as potential friend material.”
“We’re a pair, aren’t we?” she laughed, giving my shoulders a hug from behind. “But not to worry, because now you have me!”
“Yes,” I agreed, ignoring the ache that came with the knowledge that I would soon be gone.
“There! Done!” She hopped off the bed and grabbed a hand mirror from her dresser. “Have a look!” she said gesturing to the full-length mirror on the wall.
I followed her lead, using the two mirrors to examine her handy wo
rk. It was stunning! She had fashioned a series of interlocking braids that were incredibly elaborate, while at the same time loose and flowing. The woven strands transitioned seamlessly into a sea of bouncy curls that fell against the middle of my back. There were curled strands hanging loose at my temples and neck, and even a small jeweled pin in one of the locks. The whole thing looked delicate enough to fall to pieces at any moment, yet at the same time felt secure enough to withstand a tropical storm.
“This is amazing, Chloe! I feel like I should change,” I said, suddenly feeling underdressed in my T-shirt and jeans. “When I get married, I am calling you up.”
“Deal,” she giggled.
“Not that that will be any time soon,” I said, laughing at how her eyes lit up.
“You never know,” she said with a dreamy sigh, resuming her seat on the bed.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure.”
“No boyfriend, then?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “I started high school when I was twelve and graduated at fifteen, which meant the only boys I knew were anywhere from two to six years older than me.”
“That’s not such a difference.”
“Trust me, it is. Maybe when you are twenty-two and twenty-six it’s no big deal, but a fifteen year old seeing someone who is a nineteen or twenty? The US has laws against that,” I laughed, sitting down next to her. “What about you? Boyfriend?”
“No, not yet.” She fell backwards onto the bed and put her hands over her heart. “But I’ll find him. He’s out there, I know it!” Her tone reminded me of the way a kindergarten teacher would read the “and they lived happily ever after” line to a room full of doe-eyed toddlers. Suddenly, as if remembering something, her eyes widened and she sat up. “Anyway,” she said quickly, turning to face me, “how’s your brother doing? Does he like it here?”
Ignoring both the remaining sting from Ryland’s continued dismissal of me, and the fact that she was deliberately changing the subject, I answered, “He loves it, more than loves it. I don’t know if he’ll ever come home.”
“That’s great!”
“Yeah, it is.” I smiled, but I lacked enthusiasm.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I sighed, rolling a loose thread between my fingers.
“You can tell me,” she said, with what sounded like real concern.
“It really is nothing,” I said, suddenly realizing that I actually wanted to talk to someone about it. “It’s… well, I guess I never expected him to take to it here so fast. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he did, it’s just that this is the first time he hasn’t… needed me.” I looked down, feeling silly.
“Oh,” she said leaning over and giving me a hug, “of course he needs you!”
I returned her hug out of courtesy, expecting it to feel stiff and awkward like hugging an elderly aunt you barely know. But to my surprise it wasn’t. It was warm and comforting and actually made me feel better. It was shocking to think that I’d only met this girl a little over twenty-four hours ago, and she already felt like someone I’d known for years.
After a long moment she let go, and said with a smile, “It’s his first day, he’s just excited. You have to know he still loves you.”
“I know. It’s not that, it’s more…” I paused, not sure how to put it into words. “For as long as I can remember I’ve had to take care of him. Protect him from everything; from mean kids who would follow him home from school shouting and teasing him, to doctors and teachers who wanted to put him away. I haven’t even gone to college yet, mainly because I was terrified to think of what might happen to him if I left. I’m overjoyed that he is finally happy and with people who understand him and make him feel at home, I really am. But now that I don’t need to constantly worry and look out for him, I’m not sure what to do.” As soon as I finished, I realized how horrible I sounded. I was coming across like some self-centered psycho who would rather her brother be miserable so long as it meant she had something to do. God, why did I have to tell the truth? Why didn’t I just lie and say, “Yes, Ryland is great and I couldn’t be happier” like I had to Mom? It wasn’t even a lie. “You must think I’m horrible,” I mumbled, not looking up.
I felt Chloe take both my hands in hers and give them a squeeze. I hesitantly glanced up to see nothing more than compassion and sympathy in her eyes. “You know what I think?” she said gently. “I think you are an amazing sister.” I smiled, if only out of relief that she didn’t think I was nuts. “I also think,” she continued, “that you have spent enough of your life putting other people first. You’ve spent years worrying about Ryland. If he is doing well on his own, then maybe it’s time to start worrying about yourself. What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. I guess I should head home soon. Mom is alone now, and…” I stopped at the sound of Chloe’s sigh.
“You’re missing the point,” she smiled. “I don’t want to hear what you think you should do, I want to know what you want to do. Your Mum is a grown woman. I think she can handle herself. And I think what she wants most of all is for both her children to be happy. Both of her children.” She squeezed my hands again. “Not only Ryland. Now, stop worrying about everyone else for a minute and tell me what you want.”
I took a breath and thought for a second. What did I want? College? A real job? That’s what normal girls my age had, so is that what I should want?
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“That’s all right,” she grinned. “The first step is thinking about it.”
As she gave me a warm smile and stood, gathering up the rest of the hair paraphernalia and putting them back into her dresser. I tried to wrap my mind around the idea of doing something only for myself, and while it was a pleasant thought it was also oddly terrifying and more than I was ready to ponder for the moment, so I looked for a new topic of conversation.
“Do you think they are done with their meeting yet?” I asked, eyeing the clock on the wall and realizing how late it had become.
“The Order? Hard to say. From what I heard, there was a lot to go over. They’ll discuss Ryland of course, which could take a while, plus Min’s guards have been tampered with and they need to decide what do to about that…”
She continued, but for some reason my mind hung on the “guards” comment. “Wait.” I stopped her. “Min’s what?”
“Hmm?” She stopped, thrown off a bit. “Oh, the guards?”
“Yeah, what is that? Min is the older lady you were telling me about, right?”
“That’s her. Her ability allows her to cast spells and charms, one of which is a guard charm she can place around places to protect them. She always keeps several around the school for the safety of the students.”
“And someone has been tampering with them?” I asked. “Like, trying to get in?”
“Oh, no, I’m sure that’s not it,” Chloe said, obviously seeing that I was anxious. “Besides, Min knows the moment something interferes with any of the charms she casts, and can fix or reinforce them almost instantly. Not to worry,” she assured me with a smile. “Whatever it was, it’ll have been resolved by now.”
“Sure,” I said, letting my anxiety loosen just a bit. It was good to know that they had special security in place, though the idea that someone was messing with it was bothersome. Regardless, supernatural Holder protection had to be better than the security most schools used, so I figured I couldn’t really complain.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder why someone would want to break in…
“So what now?” Chloe asked with a sigh, glancing around her room for a new activity.
“Actually, I should probably get to bed. It’s late and I’m supposed to meet Alex in the morning.”
“Where are you two going?”
“I don’t know; I’m meeting him in the rotunda at the end of the main hall.”
“The Inner Chamber!” She bounced off the bed wringing her hands together in excitement, “He’s tak
ing you to the Inner Chamber! Oh, just wait till you see it, it’s amazing!”
“The what?” I asked, pulling on my shoes.
“They call it the Inner Chamber, it’s where the Order meets and where they store all the artifacts, and books, and of course, the Iris.”
“What’s that?”
“Alex will tell you all about it,” she said, shooing me out of the room, “Now go get some sleep!”
“OK, see you tomorrow,” I laughed.
“Have fun!” she called after me.
I waved over my shoulder before turning down the hall to my room, wondering what this chamber had that could possibly be so great. I had no idea, but whatever it was, if a girl who could literally see the future thought it was awesome, I figured it must be pretty cool.
10
The next morning, I had made it all the way down to the main entryway – without getting lost, I might add – on my way to meet Alex, when I heard someone calling my name.
“Becca, lass!”
I looked over toward the lounge area adjacent to the main foyer, to find Mr Anderson waving to me.
“We don’t need a second opinion! You lost, take it like a man!” a second voice chided.
“We need a second opinion because you’re a rotten cheat, and I don’t trust you far as I can throw you!”
I entered the lounge area, where Mr Anderson and the bald-headed man from the office eavesdropping incident yesterday were standing side by side in the corner of the room, looking down and pointing at the floor.
“Here now, lass,” Mr Anderson said seeing me. “Come over here, and tell us which is closer.”
I stepped up to see what they were hovering over, to find several square-shaped folded pieces of paper scattered across the floor. Two of which seemed to be almost exactly the same distance away from a small red dot taped to the floor.
“Bocci?” I asked, remembering a similar game we played in gym.
“In Italy it’s bocci, in Ireland it’s bowls,” the bald man said, extending his hand toward me. “Duncan Reid, Miss Ingle, it’s a pleasure.”
“Becca, please,” I said, shaking his hand. He had large hands though he was very skinny, and had a slight accent that I couldn’t quite place.
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