by Kimbra Swain
“I’m fine,” I said, holding my chest.
“You should sit down,” he said, as he reached for me.
“No! Don’t touch me,” I replied, then gained my breath to run away from him. He didn’t follow, but stood there looking puzzled. I crossed the street behind the Library looking for the nearest bus stop. I knew there was one behind the English building, but I might miss it considering the time. Pushing myself harder, I sprinted the last thirty yards as the bus pulled up to the stop.
“You almost missed it,” the bus driver quipped. “You can sit and rest now. You look rough.”
“Thanks,” I muttered as I showed him my bus pass. I found a seat in the middle of the bus alone. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out.
BRAXTON: I came to pick you up from class. I guess I just missed you. Call me. I have some news.
I dialed his number while regulating my breaths.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, answering his phone.
“Hey,” I replied.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. What’s the news?”
“Isaac is going to let me stay with him. His roommate got kicked off the baseball team, so he has an extra room. The college pays for it, so I’ll go hang there instead of on your aunt’s couch,” Brax explained.
“Okay. I’m glad you found something. You and Isaac don’t kill each other, okay?”
He laughed. “Nah. He and I are good.”
“Well, great. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“You sound exhausted. Go home and get some rest. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Call me later.”
“Okay.” Mindlessly, I hung up before he began to say anything else.
Looking around the bus, it seemed like every pair of eyes were fixed on me. Paranoia dug deep into my soul as I peered into each face. Were they here to steal my power? Were they here to kidnap me? Kill me?
I barely kept myself in the seat until my stop. When I saw my aunt’s Victorian, I dashed to the front eager for the doors to open. Sweat rolled down my brow. It hung in my eyebrows like too high tears while real tears streaked down my face.
Barreling out of the bus, I raced up to the porch of my aunt’s home. When I rushed inside, I saw her sitting in the living room with a hooded man.
“No! Don’t hurt her! Don’t you dare touch her!” I screamed at the man.
“Lacey, calm down,” Aunt Clara scolded me. “We have a visitor.”
“If you hurt her…”
“I have no intention of hurting one of my oldest friends,” the deep voice said. A voice I’d heard before. The man in the elevator. Gil.
“Gil.”
“Hello again, Lacey. Is someone chasing you?” he asked.
I backed against the wall as my fortitude broke. Resigned to whatever fate this was I slid down the wall to my butt with a thud.
The man rushed over to me, brushing my hair out of my face. “It’s okay. Your Aunt’s house is protected. We have been protecting this house for centuries and we will continue to do so.”
“Who are you?” I choked out.
He removed his hood, and I looked into the sky-blue eyes of a man I’d never seen before in my life. His kind features were accented by the long, sharp jawline and a dusting of facial hair.
“My name is Gilbert Culpepper. I’m a professor at the college,” he said.
“You are Marley’s Mr. Culpepper,” I muttered.
A wide smile crossed his face. “Miss Vernon is a very determined young lady who would do better to put that grit into her classes. Don’t you agree?”
“I’m not sure. After seeing you, I have to admit I understand the attraction,” I said, shaking off my fear.
His deep chuckle seemed friendly. He stood up, offering me his hand. I took it as he hauled me off the floor. “Come sit and tell me who is after you now.”
“Ajax said everyone would come for me. He was right,” I said as I plopped down next to my aunt who drew me to her for a big hug.
“I’m glad you are okay,” she whispered.
“Me too.”
“Ajax was sent to keep an eye on you, and I admit that we didn’t foresee that so many would arrive to sample your gifts. How much do you know about our kind?”
“Absolutely nothing,” I admitted.
“Alright then. The best thing to do is start from the beginning,” he said. “Stop me if you have any questions.”
My aunt wrapped my left hand up in her hands, and I gave the professor a nod.
“Any person living and breathing can do magic with the right instruction and tools. However, there are some of us like you and me that have a natural talent for it just like a child prodigy that plays piano at 3 years old or a star basketball player. Our talents compound with each generational prodigy. Your parents were talented in the arcane arts but chose to take positions as librarians. They kept our most secret spells and incantations safe from those who would use them on a greater scale.”
“Like take over the world?” I asked with an eye roll. I was pretty sure that turning cats blue wasn’t the road to world domination.
“You may jest, Lacey, but no, not take over the world. But it would be used to influence matters to control situations to fall into the casters hand, making them rich or popular. These books disappeared when they died. It’s quite obvious that you have them.”
“You aren’t taking my books!” I protested.
“Lacey, they wouldn’t take them. They are going to the new librarian,” Aunt Clara said.
“What if I want to keep them?” I asked.
“You cannot, because they will kill you to take them. We cannot allow them to be placed in the wrong hands. Lacey, this is for your safety,” Professor Culpepper said.
“Make me the librarian,” I said.
“You have used magic. Librarians do not use magic!” he protested.
“She doesn’t understand, Gil,” Aunt Clara said. “Lacey, it’s too late to make that choice. When you saved your friend, you used a life-altering magic. You wouldn’t be able to stop even if you wanted. That power has flowed through you.”
“Am I tainted?” I asked with a sob.
“Not tainted.” Professor Culpepper sat down and ran his hands through his hair. “But Clara is right. You cannot go back. You need to learn. Let me teach you.”
“I don’t know you,” I said.
“I understand that, but your choices are limited,” he explained. “For now, you need to be kept safe. There are people in town looking for you and the books.”
I stood up and began to pace the room. My phone rang in my pocket. Braxton’s name flashed across the screen. Clicking it off, I put the phone away. Brax could wait.
“What do I do?” I asked Aunt Clara.
“Lacey, you do what you think is best. Of all the teachers I know, Gil is the only one I’d trust for you. The others have shady motivations and intentions,” Aunt Clara said.
The professor waited for my decision quietly as I stared at my aunt, then at the floor. Since the death of my parents, I had never been more lost. My parents knew magic was real, but never told me. My aunt had hidden it from me. Which made me wonder, who else knew?
“Show me your circle,” the professor said.
Without hesitation, I lifted my hand and mentally called my circle to my hand. The purple light illuminated the room as the circle swirled around above my hand.
“Impressive. You can call it without incantation,” he said. “She’s stronger than I thought.”
“You can’t do it?” I asked.
“I can, but it took years of practice,” he said. “Do you know your symbol?”
“Ajax said it was this one,” I said, focusing on the air symbol.
“Are you sure that one is yours?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “I don’t know how to tell.”
He stood up approaching me and the pulsing circle. “Pull the circle d
own between us and focus on the 3 major and 3 minor symbols. The others are parts of more complicated spells. These six are the core of our magic. Air, Earth, and Water are the three main symbols.” He pointed to each one as he spoke. “The three minor symbols are secondary gifts. Spirit, Fire, and Shadow. Close your eyes.”
I did as he instructed. I could feel the power of the circle and see each symbol in my mind. None of them in particular called to me. I had just assumed that Ajax knew what he was talking about when he said the air symbol was mine. I had used air earlier that day. Maybe that’s why he thought it was mine.
“Gil,” Aunt Clara said softly.
“I see it,” he replied. “Lacey, open your eyes.”
Each of the six symbols flashed like strobe lights. “What does it mean?”
Professor Culpepper looked from me to my aunt. “Is it possible?”
“Is what possible?” I asked. My questioning and instability at his tone made the circle hovering over my hand dim.
“No,” my aunt replied.
“Is what possible?” I asked again.
“Only third generation mages can control all six elements,” he explained. “One of your grandparents had to be talented.”
“It wasn’t mine,” Aunt Clara said. She was my father’s older sister.
“We need to find out more about your mother’s family. Lacey, you need to come with me. No wonder they are all here after you. There hasn’t been a third gen power born in almost one hundred years,” he said.
“Is that bad?” I asked.
“No, but it can be. Clara, I’ll call in the other four of my people and see if we can fortify the house. If she isn’t coming with me, then we will do what we can to protect her until she decides what she wants to do. Lacey, this is my final warning. This will not stop. Not ever. You have to learn how to protect yourself or they will kill you. Or I will.”
“Gil!” Aunt Clara scolded.
“It’s true. If the other side turns her, it will be my duty as the leader of the Arcanium,” he explained.
“She won’t,” Aunt Clara insisted.
“What is the symbol in the middle?” I asked.
“Life. No one controls it, and those who try are evil,” he said. “It is said that a third gen can, but they are smart enough not to try.”
I thought about Isaac and how I’d used air to resuscitate him. He wasn’t dead. I couldn’t raise the dead. It was magical cpr, not like I pulled zombies out of a cemetery.
Pounding footsteps resounded on the front porch. The professor pushed in front of me lifting a large shield with his circle. Braxton ran into the room, panting. His eyes widened at the sight of the glittering circle which immediately fizzled out. He stumbled backwards and hit the floor.
“Brax!” I yelled.
His mouth gaped open and he looked back and forth between the professor and me. When I tried to rush to him, Professor Culpepper held me back.
“Let go of me!” I yelled. “He’s my friend.” I shoved the man’s hands off of me and rushed to Braxton who hadn’t gained his voice. His mouth moved, but no sound came out.
“Stanwick,” Professor Culpepper said.
“You know him?” I asked.
“Everyone knows him,” he replied. “How is he here?”
“We are friends. He stayed here last night because his father disowned him,” I said. “Brax, it’s okay. Talk to me.”
“You. You didn’t answer your phone,” he said with his eyes on Culpepper. “What was that thing?” He traced a large circle in the air with his finger.
“Just a trick,” Culpepper said, dismissing the defensive spell.
Braxton didn’t seem convinced, but he turned his attention to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I replied.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?” he asked.
“We were having a family meeting,” I said.
“With a history prof?” he asked.
“I’m an old friend of the family,” Culpepper replied.
“You haven’t told Marley that you knew him,” Braxton continued to press the matter. He was too smart and too observant to be lied to about it.
“I promise that I will explain later.” I stood up next to him, as he pushed himself off the floor. “Professor Culpepper, maybe we can talk about this more tomorrow.”
“When?” he asked.
“Whenever is good for you,” I replied. I had a thousand questions. He seemed to be the one that could answer them.
“Two in the afternoon is the soonest I can talk to you because of my classes,” he replied. “I do wish you would come with me now.”
“I can’t.”
He looked like he wanted to rip Braxton’s head off. “Goodnight, Clara. We will reinforce what I spoke of earlier.”
“Thank you, Gil,” Aunt Clara responded. He nodded to her, then too me, but kept his eyes on Braxton as he let himself out the door.
“Well, young man, what makes you think you can come in this house without an invite?” Aunt Clara asked Braxton.
“I thought she was in trouble. She wouldn’t answer her phone,” Braxton claimed. “I’m, I’m sorry. It’s been a rough day.”
Aunt Clara stood up from the couch and patted him on the cheek. “Yes, it has. Knock next time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m going to bed, Lacey. Get Mr. Brax something to calm his nerves. There is pie in the kitchen,” she said, as she hobbled down the hallway leaning on her cane.
“Pie?” I asked Brax.
“No,” he said, moving closer to me. “I’m just glad you are okay.”
“I’m sorry. We were just talking about important things. Professor Culpepper knew my parents,” I said.
“Oh.” That seemed to appease him.
“Are you staying with Isaac?” I asked.
“Yes. I guess I should go back,” he said. Instead of walking to the door, he stepped closer to me. He brushed his fingers down my cheek. “You are important to me, Lacey. Maybe it’s because I’m so lost and need your strength. Maybe it’s because I’ve always thought you were the best person in my life. Maybe it’s because you are beautiful. Whatever it is, I would go nuts if something happened to you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I think you are lying to me.”
“I, uh.”
“It’s okay. I trust that you will tell me what you need to when you need to do it. I’m here for you just like you have always been there for me.”
I sighed, then wrapped my arms around his neck. He pulled me close to him, hugging me tightly. “Thank you, Brax.”
He kissed the top of my head. “You are so welcome, Chantilly Lace.”
“Braxton!” I exclaimed and poked him in the side.
He laughed as I pushed away from him. “Goodnight, Lacey.”
“You are dead to me,” I said as I climbed the stairs to my room. He could let himself out. He ran up the stairs after me, catching me halfway. I spun around to meet him. The large smile across his face was infectious and I couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“I love the name,” he said.
“It’s awful,” I responded.
“Nah! It’s totally you,” he said.
“Get out of here,” I replied. “You are full of shit tonight.”
“Wash that mouth out! Come here, I’ll clean it for you,” he said.
“Yuck! That is the worst come on line I have ever heard.”
“It was? Then why are you smiling?”
“Because it was so stupid that it was funny.”
He stepped up on the same one I was standing on. “Stupid enough to get a pity kiss from you?”
“No.” My mood shifted. I looked away from him nervously.
“Do I make you nervous?” he asked, closing the gap between us.
“Brax.”
“Hmm?”
He hovered over me, and I looked up into his eyes. “I don’t want to be your rebound.”
“You could never be that for me. You are the one I could never have.”
“Don’t say that. You deserve to have a nice girl. Especially now that you can choose anyone you want.”
“I choose you.”
“Brax.”
“I know you don’t believe me now, but I’ll prove it to you.” His lips touched my cheek, and I tensed at the softness of his touch. He lingered there, breathing steadily as my heart pounded. I wasn’t ready, and I didn’t believe him. “Goodnight, Lacey.”
“Night, Brax.”
He moved away from me. His smile had faded. I couldn’t describe the look on his face. It wasn’t rejection. More like determination. He walked down the steps to the door.
“Come lock the door behind me. Okay?” he said just before he stepped outside.
“Okay.” I replied. The door clicked shut before I reached the bottom step. I saw the shadow of his form waiting on the porch for me to lock the door. I clicked the lock in place, then snapped the deadbolt, too. The form faded into the darkness.
My phone buzzed with a message. I fully expected it to be from Brax but instead another name appeared.
AJAX: Gil advised us to lay additional protections on your home. I just wanted you to know that we’ve done that per his request. If you need me, just message me here. Are you okay?
I thought for a moment on how I would respond to him. Then decided brevity was best.
ME: Thank you.
After a shower, I slept hard not thinking about the dangers that waited for me beyond the walls of this house. I wondered if I could ever even finish college considering all the people chasing me.
The smell of breakfast wafted up the stairs, and I pulled myself together to at least nourish my body.
“Mornin’ Sunshine,” Aunt Clara said while drinking coffee at the table. “Biscuits, bacon, and eggs over there for you.”
“Thanks,” I said, scooping up the plate she had prepared for me and taking a seat at the table. She’d already set out my coffee cup. It was my mother’s. In bold letters on the side, it said, “I love the smell of books in the morning.” Mom was such a book nerd. I loved books too, but nothing like she had. It hurt to think of her memory tainted with secrets that she didn’t tell me.
“How are you this mornin’?”