Inherited Magic

by Jennifer Mccullah

  Adam smiled, “Thanks man.”

  They approached the small park where a group of students was gathered.

  “I guess it’s supposed to happen over there,” Adam said, pointing to the group.

  They walked over to the students, who stopped talking. All eyes were on Adam, Vinnie and Allison.

  “When you start a new school, you sure do make an entrance,” Allison said.

  “I guess I do.”

  They did not have to wait long for Siler to arrive. Allison noticed the red car approaching. It belonged to Sydney Freeman, who was a senior and Siler’s good friend. They went almost everywhere together. She knew Siler would be in the car with him. They parked and both boys stepped out. Allison’s anxiety was now worked into a frenzy, but she tried to appear calm. Siler lumbered toward the crowd. While he approached, Allison could see a wide, menacing smile forming on his face.

  “Wow, you showed up,” he said to Adam.

  “I told you I would.”

  “Okay. Let’s do this,” Siler said, getting right to the point.

  Adam raised his hands in a defensive position and Siler put his fists up. For a moment, the two boys circled. Siler closed the gap, approaching with a fierce right hook. Adam dodged it and landed a quick punch with his left hand. It didn’t seem to hurt Siler, but rather made him angry. Siler rushed as if to tackle him, but Adam moved out of the way somehow managing to trip Siler at the same time. Siler landed on the ground, but was back on his feet almost as soon as he hit. He threw another punch, using his entire body weight. Adam, once again, dodged the punch and countered.

  By this point, the crowd was cheering Adam. If Allison had to guess, she would bet at least half the students gathered had been bullied by Siler. Everyone except Sydney was happy to watch someone stand his ground with the muscular football player. Sydney was watching with his mouth open, his expression one of utter disbelief.

  Siler grabbed onto Adam’s waist, spearing him and forcing him onto the ground. Allison dreaded what would come next. Maybe Adam could dance while they were on their feet, but on the ground, it was something different. Siler had brute strength.

  While they grappled and rolled around, Siler landed a forceful punch. The thud made Allison sick to her stomach, but Adam seemed unbothered. As they wrestled and fought for position, Adam somehow wiggled out from Siler’s grip. Adam took Siler’s back, wrapping one arm around his neck. He applied pressure and Siler jerked around, trying to shake him. He fought and flailed at first, but then much less. Within a minute, Siler was asleep on the ground. The crowd of students laughed and cheered; for them, it was David defeating Goliath. Adam released him and stood up. Sydney rushed to check on his friend, and Adam joined Allison and Vinnie, who were both stunned.

  “Where did that come from?” Allison asked.

  “Well, I’m a military brat. We were always moving from base to base, so I couldn’t participate in seasonal team sports. My father enrolled me in martial arts and boxing instead. Those things you can pick up anywhere, as long as there’s a gym or dojo. It also helps with the occasional bully who likes to pick on the new kid.”

  Siler sat up while they were talking, still looking a little dazed. Adam crouched beside him.

  “Are we good now?” Adam asked. “I am sorry I said anything about your mom. I don’t blame you for wanting to beat me up.”

  Siler looked at the ground, his face and ears bright red. Allison was sure this must be the first time he had ever been beaten in a fight.

  “Hey, you did get me good though,” Adam said, touching the puffy area underneath his eye.

  Siler looked up at Adam and smiled, “It’s already turning purple.”

  “Yeah, you got me,” Adam said before he stood up.

  He extended a hand to Siler, who grabbed it. Adam helped him to his feet.

  “We’re good,” Siler told him.

  “Good.”

  Adam walked back to Vinnie and Allison.

  “So is there anyone in this school you do get along with?” Allison asked in a teasing manner; remembering when he had asked her the same thing.

  “Well, Siler now.”

  “You should come over and hang out,” Vinnie suggested to Adam.

  “Yeah, I guess I could. I’ll call my dad and let him know.”

  He pulled out a cell phone and dialed his father.

  Chapter 8

  Allison and Adam were sitting in the living room. When they arrived at Ruby’s trailer, Vinnie had decided to go into his bedroom. Allison was sure this was to her and Adam give some privacy, though she wasn’t sure why. Allison still had no idea if Adam even liked her that way. Regardless, she made it a point to sit next to him on the couch.

  “I can’t believe you beat Siler up like it was nothing,” she said.

  “It was no big deal.”

  She started to say something when her phone vibrated. She tapped the screen and had a new text message. When she opened the message, it was from Josh. She scanned it, aware that Adam was peeking over her shoulder.

  Josh had sent the words, “Sorry for walking away like that earlier.”

  She didn’t want to text him back where Adam could read it, so she stood up.

  “Do you want a drink?” she asked, “We have Pepsi, Sprite and water.”

  “No thanks,” Adam said.

  She walked into the kitchen to retrieve her own soda. Before opening the refrigerator door, she sent a message back to Josh.

  “Don’t apologize. It seems like that’s all you’re doing lately. Idk what’s going on but I miss the way we used to be able to talk to each other. Now everything is all messed up.”

  She grabbed her Pepsi and walked back into the living room, returning to the couch.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, looking at the cell phone in her hand.

  “Yeah.”

  Apparently, she wasn't inconspicuous when texting back.

  “Is that the boy from earlier?”

  “Yeah, it was Josh.”

  “So, what’s the deal with you two?”

  She felt the phone vibrate.

  “I don’t know.”

  “You’re seeing each other?”

  “No, we’re just friends,” she said, glancing at her bracelet.

  This was true; they had never been anything more than friends. It wasn’t until recently that she had felt a desire to have anything more with Josh. However, she did not think Adam needed to know all that.

  “It seemed like there was something between you two earlier today. I was thinking I may have some competition.”

  “No, it’s just that our friendship is a little strained at the moment. See, Josh and Sam are cousins – wait what do you mean competition?”

  “I’m not very good at this, but I mean that I like you. I like you a lot, so I was hoping that guy wasn’t your boyfriend or something.”

  His words, ‘or something’ stuck out because Josh was something, though she was not sure what. He seemed more than a friend now, but who knew what would happen? Then there was Adam who she also liked, sitting in her living room telling her how much he liked her. She could not pass up having something with Adam to wait around and see if anything would ever happen between her and Josh.

  She made the decision and leaned forward to kiss Adam. He bent to close the gap when he realized what was happening. Her heart quickened when their lips touched. It was wonderful and all too brief. The roar of the Buick made Allison jump.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” she said.

  Vinnie appeared in the hallway.

  “Ruby’s home,” he said, taking a seat on the recliner.

  Ruby walked in the doorway, surprised to see an unfamiliar face.

  “Hello,” Ruby said.

  “Hello, Ms. James. I’m Adam Davis.”

  “Oh, Adam. Call me Ruby.”

  Ruby’s recognition of his name embarrassed Allison; now he would know that she had mentioned him.

  “Adam beat up Sile
r Watson today after school,” Vinnie said.

  “That would explain the black eye. Siler is a big boy, you beat him up?”

  “Well, not really. I just used the boxing and martial arts that I know.”

  “He got his back and choked him out. It was crazy,” Allison said.

  “Where did you learn that?”

  “Different places. My dad is in the Marines and they are always sending him to random locations. He thinks that this will be the last place, though. He is eligible for retirement in three years.”

  “Oh.”

  Adam noticed the grey cat that had entered the room.

  “Your cat is beautiful,” he said, “What’s its name?”

  “Her name is Dru,” Allison said.

  “Dru as in Drusilla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Allison always prefers the bad guy,” Vinnie said.

  “Really?” Adam smiled.

  “No, it’s not like that. I prefer interesting characters. It just so happens that usually, the bad guy makes the most interesting character. Look at Silence of The Lambs; do you watch it for Clarice? No. Hannibal is the one who makes it great.”

  “Okay, that makes sense,” Adam said. “Professor X or Magneto?”

  She gave him a look like he was crazy. “Magneto. It’s not even close.”

  “Oh and since we’re on the subject of Superheroes, ask her about Batman and Iron Man,” Vinnie said.

  “What about Batman and Iron Man?” Adam asked.

  “They aren’t real superheroes.”

  “Of course they are. They both do amazing stuff. Batman saves Gotham City all the time and Iron Man is an Avenger.”

  “Doesn’t matter. A superhero has superpowers. Bruce Wayne? Tony Stark? Just rich boys with fancy toys.”

  Adam laughed, “Maybe that’s their superpower, being super rich. Plus, Tony Stark is a genius; that has to count for something.”

  “I guess being rich could be a superpower,” Allison said.

  Adam turned his attention back to Dru.

  “Here kitty, kitty,” he called.

  She approached and made it to his outstretched hand. Dru sniffed him with reservation, but when he moved to pet the top of her head all the hair on her back stood up and her ears laid flat. She arched her back, showing her teeth. Adam pulled his hand back in one quick, instinctive motion. She hissed and jumped over him to Allison’s lap, where she continued growling at Adam.

  Ruby gasped.

  “I’m so sorry. She’s never done that,” Allison said, feeling a flush of embarrassment.

  “It’s okay. I probably moved too fast and startled her. But I really should be on my way.”

  “Oh, okay,” Allison said.

  “Would you like a ride home?” Ruby asked.

  “No thank you. I don’t live very far and it’s a pretty day. I’ll just walk.”

  “Nice to meet you, Adam,” she said, though her voice sounded cold.

  “See you at school tomorrow,” Allison said.

  “Okay, bye. See you Vinnie.”

  “Bye,” Vinnie said.

  As soon as the door shut behind Adam, Ruby locked it. When she turned to Allison and Vinnie, her face was strange. Her expression was one of worry, and her eyes were wild.

  “Go pack your things, just the essentials,” she said.

  Allison and Vinnie looked at each other and then back at Ruby.

  “What are you talking about?” Allison asked.

  “I’ll explain everything later, just trust me. Go pack.”

  Vinnie stood up and walked to his bedroom. Though he was confused, he began gathering his things. About the time Allison stood to go to her room, Ruby noticed the charcoal drawing on the coffee table.

  “Have you seen this man?” Ruby asked.

  “He was in a nightmare I had. His look is so unusual that I couldn’t stop picturing him. That’s why I decided to draw his image. I thought it might be like a song that you can’t get out of your head until you listen to it.”

  “It’s worse than I thought. He must be close.”

  Fear ran through Allison. Either the man was real and Ruby knew him, or her grandmother was losing her grip on reality. Neither option was one that Allison wanted to be true.

  “Who do you think this is a picture of?” Allison asked.

  “No one you ever want to meet. Now go pack.”

  Her next question was interrupted by banging on the door. It was so loud and forceful, both Ruby and Allison jumped. The banging continued.

  “Ruby! Allison!” yelled a man from the other side of the door.

  “What if it’s him?” Allison whispered, realizing how crazy she sounded.

  Ruby shook her head, “They don’t knock.”

  She looked through the peephole.

  “That son of a,” she said, while pulling the door open.

  A man with olive skin and dark hair walked through the doorway looking frantic.

  “We have a problem,” he told Ruby.

  “We don’t have anything. You have some nerve showing up here. You…you…MURDERER, you sorry piece-” Ruby trailed off when she glanced over at a confused looking Allison.

  The man sighed, “Murderer? That’s a little harsh; you know I didn’t kill Maria. I loved her.”

  “I know you didn’t kill her, but you caused it to happen. That makes you responsible. If you would have just stayed out of our lives, my daughter would still be here,” Ruby said.

  “True, but then you wouldn’t have Allison. I wish I had done more to protect Maria, I think about it every single day.”

  “Wait,” Allison said, “Are you-”

  “Yes. I’m your father.”

  “I wasn’t going to ask that. A father raises his children; you are no father. I was going to ask if you’re Cain Taylor.”

  He looked away, “I’m sorry for the presumption. Yes, I am Cain.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I came because the BC is close. I think they know where you are, and they will be coming. I had to warn you.”

  “The BC?”

  “The Blood Coven.”

  “Did you escape from a mental institution?”

  He looked at Ruby with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. “She doesn’t know about The BC?”

  “No,” Ruby said, her cheeks turning pink.

  “Her gifts?”

  “No. I was hoping they wouldn’t develop, so that she would be safe. I thought, with your genes she may not be gifted, but she has too much of her mother in her.”

  “What gifts? Are you both crazy?” Allison asked.

  Cain’s face was full of disbelief and anger. “She doesn’t even realize the danger she’s in.”

  “It was for her own good,” Ruby said.

  “Yeah, a lot of good. She’s completely untrained, unprepared and unaware of the people who want to kill her.”

  “Hey,” Allison said, “I don’t know what’s going on, but I can tell you this, my grandmother loves me. If she kept anything from me, she had her reasons. You’re going to come into our home and question her? At least she was in my life.”

  Cain took a deep breath, “You’re right, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re coming.”

  “I’m afraid one’s already been here,” Ruby said.

  “Who?” Allison asked.

  “Adam.”

  “No, he’s just a normal kid.”

  “So was I,” Cain said, “I used to be part of The BC. If he’s been here, we have to move. I have an RV. We can travel west and take turns driving, so we don’t have to stop. We’ll cover more ground that way.”

  At this point, Cain noticed Vinnie who had joined the gathering in the living room.

  “Who’s this? Your boyfriend?”

  “More like my brother,” Allison said, “He pretty much lives with us.”

  “You’re coming, too.” Cain said.

  “Who said anyone was going anywhere with you?” Ruby asked.

  “Ruby, please. I kn
ow I messed up, and I should have been around, but I thought you and Allison were safer with me out of your lives.”

  Ruby looked at Cain for what felt like an hour. It seemed like she had a desire to punch him in the face.

  “Stay here,” she said to Cain, “Vinnie and Allison, come with me.”

  They followed Ruby into her bedroom.

  “We have to leave one way or another. If we go with him, we can make better time. It’s either take the RV or go in my car. I’m leaving the decision up to you two.”

  “I love the Buick, but I’m not sure it’s up for such a long trip. I don’t know if Allison’s car would be either. His RV may be our best option,” Vinnie said.

  “That is a good point, but do you think we can trust him?” Alison asked.

  “I think so. I might not like him, but I don’t think he would hurt us,” Ruby said.

  Vinnie jumped as if he had a sudden realization, “What am I supposed to tell my mom?” he asked.

  “We’ll think of something to tell her and stop by your house on our way out of town. If you would rather, you could stay there during all of this,” Ruby said.

  “No, I’m going, but we probably should stop by to let them know something.”

  After that was settled, they weighed the advantages and disadvantages of taking each vehicle, the Buick and the RV. The biggest advantage of taking the Buick was that they would be free of Cain, but eventually they decided that it was worth trusting him. After coming to a decision, they walked back into the living room. Cain was sitting on the couch, petting Dru who was in his lap purring.

  “What is the name of your familiar?” Cain asked.

  “My cat? Her name is Dru.”

  “Her cat? Ruby, you haven’t told her anything have you?”

  They were packed and crammed into Cain’s small RV in under an hour. They even took Dru. Once on the road, everyone was quiet. Within a few minutes, they were in front of Vinnie’s mother’s house. Ruby and Vinnie went in to talk to his mother, leaving Allison alone with Cain. She looked at him, trying to pick out which features they shared. She could see that she had inherited her dark complexion and her ability to tan easily from him. Until today, she had never seen so much as a picture of him. He was more handsome than she had imagined. She never allowed herself to think about him much, so her expectations were low. Now that he was sitting in front of her, she had so many emotions and questions that her head was beginning to ache.