“What’s the bad news?” Serena asks
“Well, today the Messenger summoned Valene and me. Asked us to guard and prevent further interruptions of this summoning and—”
Mayra puts her hand up. “No. That’s not happening,” she says, more stern and serious than I thought possible for her. “You’ve told Chris about this, I assume?” I nod. “And he told you not to, right?” Again, I nod. “Then I don’t see why we’re having this conversation.”
“I got him to change his mind,” I finally say.
She sits forward, her lips pursed and head cocked to the side. “Oh really, and how’d you do that?”
I had never been scolded or interrogated by Mom or Dad when they were alive. While Serena raised me, she was always so calm about everything. Standing here in front of Mayra, who feels especially parental tonight and angry, is something I’m not familiar with. I look to Serena for a little support. She looks away, clearly unwilling to step into the line of fire. “Well, since the Messenger has my name and face, he can forcibly summon me. I have to obey.”
Mayra narrows her eyes at me. “If you didn’t show, he wouldn’t care enough to come after someone so weak.”
“If I don’t show up, Valene will be there alone.”
“I’ve seen her fight. She’s more than capable.”
“Mayra, what the hell? I’m not just going to let her go there by herself!”
“But you are,” she says, standing. “And that’s that.” She starts to walk off.
“What’s your problem?”
She stops in her tracks with a sigh. “Kyle, I’m not sending my little brother to his death. I already lost my parents. I will not lose you.”
“You’re not the only one that lost someone that night. We all did.” There’s silence between us as we stare one another down. I can tell she is far from happy by the way her features change, growing more beast-like. “Look Mayra, I get it, but not allowing me to go may lower the chances of us stopping this summoning and figuring out why the Messenger killed our parents.”
They both look at me with surprise and dismay. “Honey, what do mean by that? How do you know all of that?” Serena asks.
“There was a mission to destroy the soul catalyst and stop the summoning. This guy I met at Valene’s birthday, Leo, was lead on the mission. I believe I astral-projected to him and saw him fail.” Both of their faces grow grim, but Mayra’s even more so.
“How? What happened to him?” Mayra asks.
I’m suddenly nervous, remembering that Valene left because she didn’t want to see Mayra’s reaction to the news of Leo’s death, but I press on. “He was betrayed by one of his own. The Messenger has this ability to control people, and now I’m sure the things that killed Mom and Dad were controlled by him too.”
“What happened to Leo?” Mayra demands.
I take a breath. “Tortured and then killed.”
Serena covers her mouth. She turns to Mayra. “Mayra, I’m so sorry.”
Mayra’s face is blank aside from the shock in her eyes.
“Who exactly was Leo to you?” I ask.
Mayra starts to sway. Serena jumps to her feet, bracing Mayra before she can fall to her knees. “Leo was her fiancé.”
I’m sorry Hell Cat. I what Leo said before I woke up. He was taking to Mayra. “Whoa, I…he didn’t tell me.”
“You’re not going,” Mayra says weakly.
“Mayr—” Something takes me by the neck, and I’m lifted off the ground.
I look down to see Mayra staring up at me, scowling. God, she’s fast. I didn’t even see her move. A deep, red color now surrounds the edges of her irises, pulsing. “You are not going,” she growls.
The energy coming from her is hot and thick. As it envelops me, I become agitated. “Let go of me,” I manage. Her grip tightens. The agitation I feel builds until it explodes in my stomach, edging its way up my throat and out in a scream. With all my strength, I kick her in the ribs, which doesn’t even faze her. “Who are you to tell me what to do? You’re not my mother, you’re not my guardian, you’re barely even my sister. You’re just some stray.”
Her eyes waver as tears begin to form. Her scowl breaks, and her face twists in pain. She lowers me to my feet and falls to her knees. Her energy dissipates along with my agitation and rage. Now I realize what just came out of my mouth. “Mayra, I’m…”
She puts her hand up. “No more.” Her body melts away until she’s in her Egyptian Mau form. “Not tonight.” She climbs over the couch, through the kitchen, and then vanishes into the darkness of the hallway.
I look to Serena, her face wet with tears. “Serena.”
She gives me a sad smile. “It’s okay, sweetie. She can do that to people. Come on, I’ll order us some pizza.”
I follow her to the kitchen. She motions for me to sit at the table, pulls out her phone, and dials our go-to pizza place, Manny’s. We look at each other when she sits at the table.
“That escalated fast,” I say. “I thought she was going to kill me.”
“She wouldn’t have.”
“I said those mean things to her. I couldn’t help myself; I just got so angry.”
“It’s called, ‘Call to War.’ It’s an ability she has.”
“How? I thought she could just transform into cats.”
“Kyle, our sister is more than just a beast—she is a force. She has been through a lot and lost just as much. More now. She just doesn’t want to risk you too.”
I put my head down on the table. “I get that.”
“But you’re still going?”
“Yeah. You’re not going to try to stop me?” I ask, sitting up in my chair.
“There would be no trying. I could stop you, easy,” she says, staring me down with her deep-brown eyes. My stomach tightens. She’s still the person who raised and punished me. “But I won’t. Too often, when I intervene, there are worse outcomes.”
“That’s right—you’re an oracle. You can see the future. Can you tell me what I should do?”
“It doesn’t work that way. I see multiple paths to possible futures. Sometimes, I see inevitable points, like you being born human and coming into your demonic powers later. I mean, I could put you on the best path I see, but doing that would likely change the ultimate outcome I’ve seen prior to making that decision. It’s complicated.”
“Oh.”
Serena stands and walks around the table to me. She puts her hands on my shoulders, squeezing them tight. “Hun, you have a choice to make. There are many paths, but the one you choose will be the right one.” The doorbell rings. “Right now, pizza is a definite.”
For hours, Serena and I eat pizza, watch movies, and talk about nothing, like we used to on weekends. It sucks that Mayra’s not here with us. I know I didn’t mean what I said earlier about her barely being my sister, because right now, it feels like something’s missing.
When we decide to call it a night, I keep an eye out for Mayra on my way up to bed, but she’s nowhere to be found. In my room, I lie there looking up at the dark ceiling. I can see tomorrow clear as day. It’s going to be a long one.
The next morning, I get up, dress, and go train in the backyard, like I’ve been doing at the Kirs’. The cold morning air hits my skin, waking me and putting me on edge. I start strong with a couple hundred push-ups to start, followed by sit-ups and squats. Next, some fight training. I wrap an old blanket around one of the trees in the backyard and use it as a punching bag. As I start hitting the tree, my mind drifts. The tree fades from in front of me, and I’m walking down a dark road. At the end of the road, there’s a light, and I hear a familiar voice: “Be prepared, little Shadow. The fight ahead will be a hard one.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. Like who you are.”
It chuckles lightly. “I am the light, and you’re being watched.”
The light vanishes, and the world slowly reappears around me. With one last punch, I notice that the blanket and the bark of th
e tree are gone. My fists are bloody, but I don’t feel it at all. I turn to head back to the house. Mayra is there, sitting on the patio in sweats and a jacket that’s halfway zipped up, staring at me. There are bags under her eyes. “Are you okay?” she asks, looking at my hands.
“I’m fine. Just lost myself for a minute. They’ll heal within a few minutes.”
“You’ve fully embraced your abilities?”
“Training with Selene and Valene, I had to, or I would have died,” I explain.
“Right.”
“Mayra, I—”
“Let’s get your hands cleaned up.” She gets up and starts inside. I follow her into the kitchen and over to the sink. She runs the water, takes my hands, and rinses them. “So, what are you doing today?” Her voice is raspy, monotone, and tired.
“I want to talk to my friends. My phone has been acting weird since I’ve been able to manipulate energy. I haven’t spoken to them since the mall incident.”
“Yeah, you’ve probably shorted something out. Serena will have to get you a new one.” Mayra takes my hands and dries them.
“Mayra, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean the awful things that I said.”
“I know, little brother. Me too.”
Mayra’s eyes are distant as she dabs away the water and blood from my hands. “So, Call to War. What a crazy ability.”
“It was given to me by my father.”
“Dad taught that to you?”
Mayra looks at me in confusion, then she smiles. “No. Kyle, you were half right about me not being your sister. I am our mother’s firstborn, but from a previous relationship. I didn’t meet Dad until a couple of dytics after they were married. They saved me from a bad place, raised me, introduced me to Leo, and gave me a good life. Then they were taken from me, and now Leo.” She caresses my face. “I just want you safe. I couldn’t stand to lose you too.”
This is a sour subject that I don’t want to linger on. I take her hands. “I know, Sis. So, who’s your father?”
Mayra just stares at me. The look in her eyes grows even more distant, until she walks away from me and over to the fridge. “You said that you were going to go see your friends today. Well, two of them have left the city on vacation. Here, they left a note.” She grabs a piece of paper from under a magnet and hands it to me.
Dear Kyle,
Where have you been? We were at the mall, then the ceiling collapsed, and you were gone. We’ve tried calling and texting you, but it just says that your service is down. If your aunt hadn’t told us you were okay, I don’t know what we would have done. Anyway, if you’re reading this, then you know we’re not in town. Well, Page and I. My parents decided to take us all on a two-week cruise. But you were MIA, and Airca got a job at the mall—some perfume place, so yeah. I hope you’re safe, and see you later.
Xoxo,
Rica
“Well, at least they’re safe. I guess I’ll only be seeing Airca.” I make my way through the kitchen and down the hall to the stairs with Mayra trailing behind me.
At the top of the stairs, she grabs me by the wrist tight enough that it hurts a little. “Kyle, promise me you won’t go. Promise me you’ll stay safe.”
“Mayra, I can’t promise that.”
She shakes her head and sighs. Her grip tightens before she lets me go. Her eyes glisten as they well up with tears. “I understand. When are you leaving?”
“After a shower and some food.”
“You do that, and I’ll wake up Serena so that she can make breakfast.”
“I thought you were going to say you would make the food.”
“Me, cook? The last few times that happened, the house nearly burnt down. Mom made it a rule that I could never cook again. That is, until microwaves were invented.”
By the time I get back downstairs, the food is already done. We all sit down to eat, and they tell me stories of when they were growing up. How awkward Mayra used to be, how Serena and Valene were crazy competitive against one another for the attention of the grown-ups.
Mayra is laughing and enjoying our talk, but there are times I catch her staring at me. Serena offers to give me a ride to the mall. I decline her offer and leave, but not before giving them both hugs.
I’ve gone on this walk countless times, but today’s different. Everything is in such crazy focus. It’s like I can see the rays of sunlight dancing on whatever they touch. Everything has a life to it. The Kir Estate didn’t have this kind of vibrancy—not that I noticed.
I’m the only person at the platform as the tram arrives. The doors open, and I get on and take my seat. There aren’t that many people riding today—four in the car ahead of me and one person in the car behind. In my car is a guy and a girl—a couple, I think—chatting and laughing it up. They’re cute together. The guy leans in and says something to her. There’s a shift in the air. Energy. They look up at me and seem suddenly tense. Their eyes shine red for a split second as they scoot closer to the door. The tram comes to a stop, and the two of them rush out when the doors open. From the platform, the couple never takes their eyes off me until the tram moves out of the station and I’m no longer in their line of sight. That was weird. If I had to guess, I’d say they weren’t human. Even weirder, it seemed like they were afraid of me.
The tram comes to a stop at the city platform. Like normal, I get off and admire the skyline. This time, I don’t have to rush to catch up with the others, and I can linger a bit and enjoy the view. After a moment, I pull myself away from my spot, make my way to the street, and head for mall. There’s barely any foot traffic as I go through city, so the walk doesn’t take long at all.
Inside the mall, I wander a bit, trying to find this perfume shop. With so many stores and little kiosks that sell perfumes, oils, and such, it’ll take a while to find Airca. I walk by the arcade. Yellow tape lines the back wall where the punching machine-turned-scrap metal had been. I wonder if that lug, Mack, had to pay for it.
I come across construction workers hurrying back and forth with materials, fixing the ceiling. It’s coming along nicely. It would seem the property owners are going to save a bit of money and time by just turning the hole it into a skylight. “Nice job, guys,” I say to some of the workers.
At an essential oils kiosk, I ask if there is a new perfume shop that recently opened. The merchant points to a spot not far from the construction area. There is a free-standing sign that reads, “Hyped Cosmetics Grand Opening. Right this way!” I walk over to the storefront and peek inside. At the counter is someone reading a magazine. Her face is made up, and her hair is straightened, but I’d recognize Airca anywhere. There’s a loud ding as I cross the threshold.
“Hi, and welcome to Hyped Cosmetics. How may I help you?” she says unenthusiastically from behind the magazine.
“Well, pretty lady,” I say with a crappy country accent, “I’m looking to purchase your finest feminine fragrance and possibly get them digits.” I complete my line as I arrive at the counter.
She looks up from her magazine, and I meet her gaze with a smile. “Kyle!” she yells, practically jumping over the counter to hug me. “You’re alive. Where have you been?”
“Well, that’s what I’m here to talk to you about. You got time?”
She looks around at the empty store. “Loads of it. Grab a seat.” I snag a stool I’m assuming is for customers trying out products and set it up on the side of the counter. “Now, tell me why you were MIA.”
“Well, I just recently found out some things.”
“Like?”
“I met my godparents.”
“Godparents? I thought you didn’t have any other family besides your aunt.”
“So did I, but that’s not even the kicker…” I trail off, wondering how much I should tell her. Maybe I shouldn’t say anything too crazy. She did go through a lot with that Ben guy. I’ll sugarcoat it.
“Come on, don’t leave me hanging,” she says, eyebrow raised.
“Well—”
> There’s a ding as someone comes in. Airca quickly turns her attention to the new customer. “Hi, and welcome to Hyped Cosmetics. How may I…” She grows silent.
“I’m just out for a stroll and look who I happen by,” says the costumer. “Hello again, Sara.”
A wave of energy blankets the store as he steps farther in. A demon. Airca backs up against the counter, her face one of complete terror.
I turn to see a guy with dark, blond hair and gray eyes. His cowboy boots, jeans, and Hawaiian shirt are all tattered and covered in dirt. Ben. With a smile, his energy intensifies, creating a pressure all around us. I’m sure his plan is to overwhelm Airca, but with her so close to me, she is shielded by the blanket of my energy. I’ve learned to keep a small area of it up around me during training, to keep me safe in such situations.
His energy is pure, but it’s nothing like Valene’s. He’s much weaker. I’m sure even I can take him based on the potency of his energy. “Airca,” I say softly. Her eyes dart between me and Ben. I smile. “It’s okay.”
“So Airca’s your real name? No wonder my enchantment didn’t work. No matter. You’re not needed anymore, but I think you owe me an apology.” He tugs at his pants. “You actually hurt me.”
I stand, facing the demon. “She owes you nothing.”
He looks at me, surprised. “And you are?”
“The guy telling you that she has nothing to apologize for and that you should leave.”
Ben smiles devilishly as he steps forward. In a flash of darkness, he vanishes. Shadow walking. His energy is everywhere, but I can sense a huge pocket of it moving as he travels through limbo. The air shifts, and the rift into limbo opens to my left. Time slows to a snail’s pace, and I see him start to appear through the breach. I reach into the distorted space, wrap my hand around his neck, and pull him out of thin air, slamming him to the ground. After catching his breath, he looks up at me in surprise. “How in the hell?” He tries to fight me. I flex my own energy, bringing the weight of it down on him. “You’re a demon?” he manages.
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