The Iron Realm (The Iron Soul Book 1)

by J. M. Briggs

  “Too bad this is the closest good coffee,” Alex grumbled even as they moved forward.

  “Easy girl,” Nicki told her, patting her arm, “You’ll have your caffeine soon.”

  They made it to the front of the line and placed their orders with no fuss. The barista was cute and Alex wished there was time to flirt, but the line behind her curbed the desire. Instead she dropped her change into the tips jar and accepted her steaming cup. Nicki tugged at her arm and directed her back to the main door and out of the crowded building.

  “How far have you gone in the mythology book?” Nicki asked as they stepped outside the bookend coffee, both of them clutching steaming cups in their hands.

  “Not very far,” Alex admitted with a shrug. “Last chapter I read was the Stolen Bairn story. Although I now understand a bit more about the changelings we talked about in Yates’ class.”

  “I’m almost done,” Nicki informed her as they walked down the street back towards campus. “But I’m unsure about how the various kinds of fairy folk relate to the Sídhe.”

  “Maybe they are just myths,” Alex offered with a shrug, “or maybe those little creatures like brownies were magical constructions?”

  “Constructs,” Nicki corrected automatically. “Maybe, Yates wouldn’t tell us much about those.”

  “Cornwall just wants to make sure we can use magic without telling us too much about the advanced stuff. Probably so we don’t try it on our own before we can control it,” Alex observed before taking a sip of her coffee.

  “But none of us of have managed anything,” Nicki sighed. “How long do you think it will take?”

  “Don’t know, but I’d bet Bran does it first,” Alex told her with a shrug.

  “Nah,” Nicki chuckled, “Aiden will be first, he’s taking up meditation to try and find his balance,” Nicki informed Alex, rolling her eyes she said the last word.

  “I still don’t get what that means,” Alex answered, making a face.

  “Me either,” Nicki replies across the street. “But Aiden thinks it’s about achieving some kind of peace and self-actualization.”

  “Does he even know what that means?” Alex teased with a grin, “or just reciting something from one of his role-playing guides.”

  “Don’t knock it till you tried it,” Nicki retorted smiling and glanced Alex. “Anyway I want to talk with Cornwall and see if she’s willing to spend the session explaining some more about the Sídhe and what else we can expect to face.”

  Alex nodded and sipped her coffee as they reached the edge of the arboretum. There was a touch of snow over the ground and trees, but the sidewalk was clear and dry. They fell into a comfortable silence, sipping their coffees and enjoying the sunshine. A few students passed them either on their way to classes, going home or heading for the coffee shop.

  “So…” She said slowly when the dorms came into sight. “Are you enjoying magic lessons?”

  Alex chuckled, “First time anyone’s asked that question.”

  “And the answer?” Nicki questioned, glancing over at Alex.

  “A little I suppose,” Alex conceded. “Being able to see Merlin and Morgana use magic isn’t something to take for granted, but I do find the lack of magic we do frustrating.”

  “Right there with you,” Nicki sighed. “What I’d give for a holly and phoenix wand.”

  “You are such a geek,” Alex teased, barely containing a laugh.

  Nicki’s response was lost in the ringtone which played a song that Alex didn’t recognize, but thought might be an oldie song. With a look of mild confusion, Nicki pulled out her phone and raised it to her ear.

  “Hi Gran,” Nicki greeted pleasantly. “How are things?”

  Alex took a few more steps and then stopped, realizing that Nicki wasn’t beside her anymore. Turning quickly, she found Nicki standing in the middle of the sidewalk, completely still. Her face was pale making her freckles stand out sharply and her mouth was open in shock. Alex barely reached her in time to grab the cup from her shaking hand before she split coffee all over herself.

  “Nicki,” Alex called, worry filling her voice as dozens of possibilities rushed through her mind: from Nicki’s grandmother was in the hospital to a Síd had managed to capture her despite it being daylight. “Nicki!”

  “Uh,” Nicki blinked at Alex, her eyes still wide. They were shining with emotions that Alex couldn’t decipher, making her even more nervous. “Yeah Gran,” Nicki said into the phone, but not taking her eyes off Alex. “I understand.” There was a pause and Nicki’s eyes closed tightly, a tear escaping to run down her cheek. “No, I don’t want to…. No thanks. Yeah, I’ll consider it. That’s probably a good idea, I’ll be home soon.”

  With a jerky motion, Nicki put her phone back into her pocket and bit her lip. She looked over at Alex and took her cup of coffee back, not meeting Alex’s eyes. Without a word she started moving determinedly towards the dormitories, leaving Alex stunned for a moment before she recovered herself and hurried after her.

  “Nicki!” Alex called, slowing down only when she was at her friend’s side. It took only a glance to see, even under her coat and multicolored scarf, that Nicki was shaking. “Nicki are you okay? Is your grandmother okay?”

  The question about her grandmother seemed to cut through the haze and Nicki nodded quickly, but her shoulders were tense and her lips pressed together tightly. Nicki didn’t speak, but dug into her pocket for her phone and pulled it out with a jarring motion. Alex glanced ahead to check how close they were to the dorm only to realize that Nicki had changed direction, leading them towards the parking lot.

  “Come on Aiden,” Nicki whispered as she held the phone to her ear. “Damn!” Nicki hissed before taking in a quick breath and saying, “Aiden, its Nicki. I really need you to come by my Gran’s… I just… need you there okay.”

  The phone was returned to her pocket and Alex struggled to understand what was happening. “How about I drive you home,” Alex offered tentatively as they reached the main dorm parking lot. “Probably better if you don’t drive.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Nicki muttered, fishing out her keys.

  Rushing after her, Alex stumbled for the right words. “Look Nicki, I don’t know what happened, but you’re upset and I have no idea how to fix it. But please let me drive so I at least don’t have to worry about an accident.”

  Nicki stopped and Alex heard her take in another breath before she nodded. Hiding a sigh of relief, Alex pulled out her own keys and gestured in the direction of her own dark blue car. Nicki said nothing as Alex unlocked the car and brushed the small dusting of snow off the windshield. Alex pulled out of the parking lot and into the gentle flow of traffic, grateful that she already knew the location of the Russell Gallery. It didn’t take long to cross town, but it felt very long to Alex who had to contain all her questions. Instead she stayed silent and turned into the small parking lot tucked at the side of the three story brick building by the lake. Nicki climbed out with a word and Alex debated if it was better to leave her alone or follow her inside.

  Opening the door, Alex climbed out of her car and followed Nicki to the side door that accessed the third floor residential area. Nicki held the door ajar for Alex, not commenting on her continued presence. They climbed the stairs quietly and Alex tried to focus on the photographs of Nicki and her grandmother that lined the walls around them. The top of the stairs opened into a large living room with a slanted beamed roof and large windows. A large curved comfortable looking sofa dominated the space with a dining area set up behind the living area that connected to the kitchen with a breakfast bar creating a division. Alex noticed the various pottery pieces and paintings around the room for only a moment as Nicki shrugged off her coat and scarf, hanging them on a coat rack. Alex scrambled to do the same, hoping that Aiden would get Nicki’s message soon.

  “I’ve lived here since I was six years old,” Nicki told her softly. “My parents brought me to town to stay with my grandmother whil
e they went to Portland.” There was a long moment of silence as Nicki starred at the living room, seeing something that Alex could not. “They never came back, until today. Gran refused to let them see me unless I agreed.” Nicki sniffed and rubbed her eyes, “I bet they’re already driving off again.”

  Without another word, Nicki turned and walked to the closest door on the right where a wooden plague hung proclaiming it: Nicki’s Room. Alex followed Nicki inside. A large picture window looked out over Ravens Lake, framed by artistically hung blue drapes that shimmered in the dying sunlight. A tall bookshelf dominated the wall next to the window filled with books, figurines and small pottery pieces. On the other side of the window was a reading chair with upholstery that matched the drapes and the comforter on the bed. A dresser stood near the bed, covered with various cosmetics and hair accessories, but also a wooden and glass jewelry box and a small electric fountain that was gently flowing.

  Nicki sank onto the bed, her hands trembling. Alex followed her after a moment of hesitation and sat down on the bed next to her, reaching over and placing what she hoped was a comforting hand on Nicki’s. Only the soothing sound of the fountain kept Alex grounded and from stumbling for something to say. She studied the fountain as she collected her thoughts, it was a simple design with a large curving spout rising from the center and pouring forth the water. Watching it, Alex felt Nicki turn one of her hands and clutch Alex’s tightly. Soft sobs reached her ears and Alex looked at Nicki who had turned her face down to hide the tears. Leaning forward, Alex brought her right hand around Nicki’s shoulder and squeezed gently. Another sob escaped Nicki, louder than before. Pulling her friend closer, Alex allowed Nicki to rest her head on her shoulder and stayed still as her friend cried.

  The grip on Alex’s hand tightened, becoming painful, but she managed to hold in a soft sound of discomfort. Nicki wouldn’t have heard it; her own sobs filled the room. Tears ran down her cheeks, wetting Alex’s T-shirt more with each passing moment. Softly, Alex used her free hand to rub circles on Nicki’s back and whispered soft words to her, promising everything would be okay. Over the next few minutes tears lessened in the sobbing eased, leaving Nicki leaning quietly against Alex, clutching her hand like a lifeline.

  “I used to lie about them,” Nicki told Alex, her voice thick and heavy in the room. “At first when I thought they’d come back I said that they were on important business in Asia, or sometimes I said they were in the Army. In middle school I started to say that they were missing, some kind of tragic accident. I was always making up stories to explain to other people and I suppose myself why they left me here.” A deep sigh escapes Nicki, “a few years ago I accepted they were never coming back. I said they were dead. No fancy story, just they were dead.”

  “I’m sorry,” Alex whispered, loss of what else to say.

  “Gran never talked about them,” Nicki told her the short pain laugh. “It’s funny, for years I wanted them to come back for me, I wanted to ask why, but now…”

  “Now?” Alex asked gently.

  Nicki exhaled, sound loud in the small bedroom. “I don’t want them here. I’m angry at myself for letting them make me cry.”

  Alex didn’t speak, to continue rubbing circles on her friend’s back and hoping that Aiden would arrive soon. As much as she wanted to provide more comfort to Nicki, she found herself at a complete loss of what to say, what to do or what not to do.

  Alex licked her lips and swallowed, trying to overcome her dry mouth. Nicki’s breathing so ragged and tears were flowing slowly down her cheeks.

  “I’m sorry,” Nicki whispered. “I… I wasn’t prepared for this.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Alex told her quickly, trying to keep her voice gentle and not reveal the anger that she felt towards Nicki’s parents. She felt a strange pang of guilt for her own family and wondered how Aiden felt every time Nicki came over to his family home. Swallowing, Alex dropped her eyes to her hand that was starting to ache from Nicki’s grip.

  Minutes later, Alex frowned as she became aware that something in the room had changed. She looked up quickly towards the open door, but didn’t see any sign of anyone moving around. The silence in the room felt heavy and in a moment Alex realized that the fountain had stopped. Alex glanced towards the fountain and gasped. It wasn’t that the fountain stopped working, Alex heard the motor running. But the water was swirling out of the basin into three curving columns. As she gaped at the gently flowing water, the three twisting columns combined in the center of the fountain over the main spout and formed a small sphere balanced between the three flows of water. Exhaling, Alex swallowed and was preparing to speak to Nicki when the water froze. Alex could see water solidifying and expanding, an icy chill settling in giving the strange sculpture a soft blue tint in the light of the room.

  “Nicki,” Alex managed in a shaky voice, “look.”

  “What?” Nicki asked, raising her head to look at Alex, but still not releasing her hand. She blinked away her tears and stared up at Alex’s face. In the absence of any words from Alex, Nicki followed her gaze the fountain and gasped.

  “Oh my God!” Nicki shrieked, clutching Alex’s hand.

  At her alarm, the ice cracked and began to crumble back into the basin of the fountain. Both girls watched in stunned silence, listening to the soft plops as each ice chip hit the remaining water in the fountain until Nicki raised her hand and made a tentative gesture. Nothing changed and another chip of ice fell back into the basin.

  Glancing at Nicki, Alex watched her friend close her eyes and let out a long slow breath. Alex didn’t move or speak even as Nicki tightened her grip. Nicki’s free hand moved gracefully through the air in a brief gesture. Turning back to the fountain, Alex watched a small wave of water rise from the basin in short abrupt movements. Slowly the small streams of water wound up the remainder of the icy columns. In the corner of her eye, Alex could see Nicki’s hand was shaking even as she continued to gently move it through the air.

  “I’m… I’m,” Nicki stuttered with wide eyes locked on the fountain in the water.

  “Doing magic,” Alex briefed her eyes darting between Nicki and the water slowly spiraled out of the basin to reform the structure that had cracked.

  “Gran taught me to make sculptures like this with me when she told me that my parents were coming back,” Nicki whispered her voice raw. “I’d been here all summer and Gran wanted to enroll me in school, but I still thought I would be going back to Nevada.” The soft, almost pained laugh escaped Nicki and she sounded on the edge of hysterical to Alex. “Funny that I think of that now.”

  Alex didn’t respond, choosing to brush her thumb over the back of Nicki’s hand. Neither girl spoke as Nicki experimentally waved her hand to move the water causing a small wave to form at the side of the basin before she moved her hand back releasing the water to rush back to level once again. Slowly, as Nicki breathed in and out, the water turned to ice once again.

  “I’m doing magic,” Nicki repeated, excitement and awe filling her voice. “Alex, I’m really doing it!”

  “Yeah,” Alex replied, her own volume raising in excitement, “You are!”

  Nicki let go of Alex’s hand, turned and hugged her tightly. Laughter erupted from both girls and Alex looked over at the fountain to see the structure beginning to melt in the heat of the room , but not crumbling like before. Suddenly there was a rush of footsteps and both of them turned towards the door in alarm.

  “Nicki!” Aiden’s voice cried out as he rushed into sight, “Are you alright? Is your grandmother okay?!”

  “I’m fine Aiden,” Nicki cheered, “Look at what I did!” She gestured to the ice sculpture and when Aiden blinked at it in confusion, she raised her hand and let out a soft breath. Nothing happened and she tried again.

  “You can do it,” Alex whispered to her, leaning forward to watch the fountain and ignoring the confused look they were getting from Aiden.

  Nicki lowered her hand and closed her eyes, takin
g in a long breath. Opening her eyes again, she waved her hand gently and grinned when a small wave of water rose out of the fountain and swirled around in the air.

  “Holy smokes!” Aiden gasped, stepping up to the fountain. He poked his finger into the water and then ran his hand through the small spout. “Nicki!” he cheered, turning to her with a wide grin, “You did it!”

  “I did!” Nicki nearly screamed, jumping off the bed and hugging Aiden. He lifted her off her feet and laughed. Standing up, Alex watched the water splash back in the fountain and smiled at the two friends, wondering if she should leave so that Nicki could talk to Aiden.

  “You sounded upset earlier,” Aiden told Nicki as he set her back down and studied her face. “You’ve been crying,” he observed with a frown taking over his face.

  “My parents came back,” Nicki told him weakly, “I had Gran tell them I don’t want to see them.”

  Aiden looked at Nicki for a long moment before he nodded and smiled, “And you used magic!”