by A. L. Knorr
Everything was spotless, done up in modern finishing with a lot of white and gray and stainless steel. Georjayna's family was obviously not standing in line for government cheese.
I gave the redhead a curious look and she answered it with apologetic smile. "Sorry I was rude before. I'm the cautious type."
"As you should be." I draped my jacket over the back of one of the tall chairs at the kitchen island.
Targa leaned on the counter and Akiko sat on the stool at the far end. She yawned and put her chin in her hands. Come to think of it, all the girls looked a bit tired.
Akiko apologized for yawning. "We haven't had any sleep yet."
"You've been up all night?" I looked from one face to another and only then noticed the faint smudges of blue under their eyes.
"We haven't seen each other all summer," replied Targa. "There was a lot of catching up to do."
"Speaking of being one of us," Saxony continued, perching on a stool. "We'd like to make a deal with you."
"We would?" Georjayna turned around, her brown eyes full of alarm as she stared at her friend. She held two espresso cups in her hands.
"We'd like to see a demonstration of your power before we go any further." Saxony looked me boldly in the eyes, her face full of challenge and curiosity.
"Oh. Yes, we would." Georjayna looked relieved, her shoulders dropped an inch. She put the cups down on the metal tray under the glossy machine with the eagle icon sitting on its top. "Just don't wreck anything, please."
I smiled. "I'd be happy to give you a demo."
"Do you mind if I get it on video?" Saxony pulled her cell phone out of her pocket.
I shook my head. "That I can't agree to, I'm sorry."
"Oh." Her face fell but she tucked her phone away. She folded her hands on the countertop in front of her. "Do you need anything? Should we like, tie down our hair and hide all the breakables or something?"
I laughed. "That won't be necessary." I looked at Georjayna. "Do you have any more of those cups?"
"Lots. How many do you want?"
"Three should do."
Georjie opened a cupboard and pulled down three matching white espresso cups with red hearts enameled on the handles. She put them down on the counter in front of me. I could feel their expectant gazes on me. I picked up the cups with both hands and in one smooth movement, opened my palms and sent them hovering in the air. I put them into orbit so they followed one another in a circle like a little family of ducklings, and then put my hands down. "Will this do?" I asked.
The girls stared at the cups.
"I thought you were going to make a wind or something," Saxony said, "but this is cool too." She didn't look impressed, but she didn't look disappointed either.
"This is what an Air Elemental does?" Targa sounded surprised. "Moves things telekinetically?"
"Among other things," I replied.
"Like what?" Saxony reached out a finger and poked one of the cups. It jiggled and swung out of orbit before moving obediently back into line.
"Come on, Saxony," said Georjie. "She did what you asked. Let her get on with it."
"It's all right,” I said. “I can create wind, but I can also lift heavy things by producing sound. I can also make a force-field."
I wasn't about to tell the girls that I could read minds—that would not foster trust.
"Now that's cool!" Saxony finally looked impressed. "Show us?"
I let the cups down and thanked Georjayna. She nodded and took them back and continued to make the coffee.
I used my hands to make a small hollow ball, a bubble of my force-field. "Can you see it? It's hard to see if you're not looking for it."
“I can,” Akiko said, “just barely.”
I noticed Saxony squinting at the air, looking for the near-invisible barrier. "You can touch it if you like,” I invited. “It’s just here,” I pointed both index fingers at the space in front of my belly.
Saxony reached out and poked it with her finger. I felt Saxony's frequency vibrate through my core and picked up a psychic impression of her. A wave of heat passed through me and was gone.
"It's warm and so solid!" she made a face as she touched it again. "It feels a bit slimy. No, powdery." She rubbed her fingers together.
Georjie reached a hand across the island and touched the force-field too. "Wow. So cool."
Targa followed, and the three of them were touching the force-field. A battery of frequencies twanged through my core and I blinked at how very different they all were; different from each other, and very different from Hiroki, who was not supernatural. I sent Akiko an inviting look but she shook her head and stayed where she was.
The fancy coffee machine made a hissing sound and Georjie turned to retrieve a cup. She put the coffee at my elbow and I let the force-field dissipate.
"Enough?" I asked.
"Thanks," said Saxony. "Sorry, I hope that wasn't weird, I had to ask."
"I understand."
"I think we've gone way past weird anyway," Akiko murmured.
"I know you," I said to her. "Is it possible you went to Saltford District Collegiate? Or maybe you have a sister who looks a lot like you who went to my school?"
Akiko's pale pink lips parted and her fine brows arched. "I did go to that school."
I nodded. "I saw your school photo when I went to a meeting a Saltford High last spring. I was sure I knew you from somewhere."
"Are you born and raised in Saltford?" Targa asked.
I nodded.
Georjayna yawned.
"Why don't we get started, I have a feeling you guys could all use a nap."
They agreed, so I began.
"As you know, I work for TNC. I signed a one-year contract in return for a full-ride scholarship to the university of my choice starting next September, as well as some other perks like a new vehicle and apartment. Although, I haven't moved yet as I haven't had a lot of time to go house hunting. They've been keeping me busy lately."
"What do you do for them?" Saxony asked, propping her chin in her hand.
"So far it’s been nothing but learning how to use my powers. My first assignment is actually," I spread my palms, "talking to you guys."
"Learning to use your powers?" Targa's coffee stopped halfway to her lips and she raised her brows. "You don't know how to use your powers?"
"I just acquired them a few months ago."
Looks of shock were shared at this. "So did we," said Georjayna.
"Really?" This was not a piece of information Jody or Hiroki had armed me with. I looked from one face to another. "Everyone?"
Saxony nodded. "Part of the reason we haven't slept is because we've been up all night talking about what happened to each of us. Prior to this summer, we were all just… normal humans. Well, Akiko wasn't," she amended, "but she was being held captive and was unable to use her powers. She just got them back this summer."
"Wow." My eyes drifted back to Akiko, concern flooding me. "Who was keeping you captive?"
"It's a very long story." She took a sip of her coffee very slowly to signal that she wasn't in the mood to tell it again.
"Fair enough." I took a breath. "Hiroki is a scientist who works at one of the TNC labs. He's got all kinds of amazing technology that is built to help supernaturals develop their skills."
"Interesting," Saxony murmured.
"TNC is very hierarchical though, and very secretive. If you don't need to know something, they don't tell you. A good example of this is that I've been given the task of inviting you to a presentation, but I don't know what the presentation is about because I'm supposed to see it for the first time along with you."
"That's it? That's your pitch?"
"Almost," I said. "If you agree to come to the presentation, you'll be picked up by a helicopter tomorrow morning-”
“Tomorrow is a holiday,” interrupted Saxony.
I nodded. “TNC doesn’t want to take you away from school. You’ll be taken to their field statio
n up north for the day. You'll be returned home in the evening. You will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement because you'll see things that no one else is allowed to see. If you decline, no hard feelings, you'll be thanked for your time and sent on your merry way. If you accept, you'll be given more specifics."
"And the project? You know nothing about it at all?"
I shrugged. "I'm sorry, but not really, no. I know that TNC is really excited about it. They say that it's going to change the world, make things better for all of humanity. Beyond that, I can't say."
"Geez, they really get you with curiosity," Targa murmured.
I nodded. "It's understandable that they can't really share more than that. They don't want competitors getting wind of what they're doing."
"Until after." Saxony nodded. "A friend of mine just said something similar."
I gazed at Saxony, wondering who this friend was who had told her such a thing about TNC. I made a mental note to ask her when we knew each other better.
"But we've all got plans and things to do," said Georjayna. "Saxony is headed to school overseas, Targa inherited a huge shipping company she has to figure out what to do with. I want to finish high school. We'd have to halt all that for this project." She twisted her lips to the side in an expression of doubt. "It's not likely we'll say yes, even if it is exciting."
"You don't know that," I said. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It's not like there is any risk in it for you at this point. A day's worth of your time is all you're asked to give, for starters." I took a sip of the coffee and almost forgot what I was saying. “This is the best coffee I think I have ever had,” I said to Georjayna.
She gave me a toothy grin. “Right?”
I saluted her with the cup, took another sip, and then set it down. "Say no if you want, but when the project hits the media, I can almost guarantee you'll wish you'd been a part of it. TNC has been helping and protecting supernaturals for generations."
"And using their powers for gain," Akiko pointed out.
I nodded. "Yes, of course. It's a mutually beneficial relationship."
"Any idea how long this project is supposed to go for?" Targa asked.
"No. I'm assuming less than a year though, because I'll be a part of it, and my contract expires in less than a year."
The kitchen fell silent.
"Why don't I leave you my cell number and give you time to talk? Call whoever you need to call, talk to whoever you need to talk to, and get back to me so I can give my supervisor an answer."
Georjie took a pad of paper and a pencil from a drawer and slid it across the counter toward me.
I scrawled my number on the pad. I stood and shrugged into my jacket. "Thanks for the coffee, Georjayna."
"I'm interested in the presentation," Saxony blurted.
I turned back, surprised.
"Me too," said Targa. "I doubt I'll take the job, just being honest, but I have to admit I'm dying of curiosity." She shrugged. “It's just one day."
Georjie nodded. "I'm pretty curious, too. What do you think, Akiko?"
I shook my head. "The invitation is just for the three of you, remember?"
Georjie frowned and looked at her friends. Saxony glowered.
"Without Akiko, we won't go. Even if she's not part of the job. She's one of us." Targa said simply. "It's all of us or none of us."
Saxony and Georjie nodded in agreement.
I looked at Akiko but she was an impenetrable wall. "Do you feel the same?"
"These are my friends," said Akiko. "I have an interest in their safety and while I'm sure TNC will treat them with the utmost respect, I would feel better going along. If you don't agree to take me," she shifted in her seat and I thought the look on her face grew a trifle smug, "I'll go on my own."
"You don't know where it is." I scanned her face but it was nothing but secrets. When she didn't respond, I narrowed my eyes. "What are you, again?"
"I never said." Akiko closed her mouth and again it was clear she wasn't going to say anything more.
"Well." I took a breath. "I guess we aren't going to do any better than that. It's a yes then?"
"Yes," said Saxony. "As long as Akiko can come."
Georjayna and Targa looked at one another. "Yes," they both said.
"My supervisor will be happy. You know the chopper pad behind the fire station on Victoria street?"
"We know it," said Targa.
"Be there at six-thirty tomorrow morning." I smiled at the girls. "Even if you say no after the presentation, you're in for the most incredible day of your lives."
Saxony laughed. "I sincerely doubt that."
Petra
I pulled my Toyota into the parallel parking along Victoria street, turned off the engine, and got out. I buttoned up my jean jacket against the chill of the fall morning. The sun was a mere suggestion on the horizon and my breath hung in the air in front of my face. Cars along the street were slick with dew and the streetlights were shrouded with misty halos. A shiver went through my body and I regretted not wearing a thicker jacket.
I made my way down the silent street to the walkway which led to the fire station and the helipad behind it. A restless excitement fluttered in my gut. I was looking forward to spending the day with supernaturals. It was even more amazing to me that we were all young women and all from Saltford.
But today was exciting for another reason, too. Today, we would learn more about this project which had been so tightly kept under lock and key.
I scanned the streets for the girls, but the city seemed like a ghost town this morning. Most residents would be sleeping in or having a lazy Labor Day morning.
As I turned the corner from the sidewalk to the much narrower walkway, a loud and unexpected telephone ring made my heart vault into my throat. I gasped and almost tripped as my hand clutched at my chest. If my pulse had been jumping before, it was galloping now.
The ring was coming from the run-down old telephone box across the street. How many times had I been down this way and never noticed that phone box? It looked like it had been out of service for at least a decade and the city just hadn't gotten around to removing it yet.
The ringing continued.
I took another sweep of the street. Squinting at the filthy glass of the phone box, I expected to see someone inside, but there was no one there. A creeping sensation made its way across my skin, starting at the back of my neck and working its way down my arms. Why did I have the strangest feeling that the call was for me?
I dismissed the thought and laughed at my own silly superstition. Someone had made an appointment for a call but had gotten their wires crossed. Or it was a telemarketer calling a randomly generated phone number. I expected each ring to be its last.
But it kept ringing.
I crossed the street toward the ringing phone. Stepping up on the sidewalk, I peered in through the half open door and looked at the scratched and worn phone, unsure of what to do. From the look of the rust on the hinges of the door and the weeds choking the base of it, it wasn't likely to move easily. I went closer, observing the worn handle of the phone, once a glossy black, now a stippled dark gray. The metal cord was wrapped around itself in a tight figure-eight.
I stepped close enough to reach inside and pick up the receiver. A smell of stale urine wafted to my nose and I made a face and retreated.
The phone stopped ringing.
"Petra!"
As though waking from a dream, I turned to the voice I would now know anywhere. No one else I knew had a voice like a dry husk.
"Good morning, Saxony." I smiled at the redhead as she and the other girls walked down the sidewalk in pairs. "You guys have a good rest?"
"I didn't sleep a wink, but I've had three coffees already." Saxony was wearing a hunter-green puffy vest and a plaid flannel shirt with dark denim and a tall pair of brown boots. She looked like the poster girl for Canada. Her appearance said she hadn't wanted to try too hard to impress, but still wanted look good fo
r whatever she was facing today.
"I slept like the dead," Georjayna said as they stopped in front of me. She jammed her hands in her pockets and shivered. Her blond locks spilled out from underneath a floppy knit cap. She wore a mauve turtleneck under an oversized gray sweatshirt. "I needed a crane to get me out of bed this morning. How about you, Petra?"
"I slept well, thanks." I took the lead as we entered the narrow walkway. I glanced over my shoulder at Targa and Akiko. "All right?"
Akiko nodded but didn't say anything. She was dressed like someone who wanted to be invisible. Black jeans, black boots, black hoodie with the hood drawn up.
Targa gave a yawn that made me wonder if she could dislocate her jaw, but said that she'd slept well. She wore a mid-thigh length trench-coat tied at the waist. Her long black hair spilled over the khaki-colored fabric. Knee-high tan boots with a short square heel and laces all the way up the front gave her a few extra inches.
Given that I hadn't told the girls what to wear, I thought they'd done rather well considering they were about the meet a billionaire and be given access to a high-security field station. The girls looked like themselves, but prepared for anything. I felt a surprising and unexpected surge of pride in them.
I led them through the narrow walkway to where the pilot, Sy, was waiting for us. He was bundled up against the chill in his usual aviator jacket.
He nodded at me. "Petra." It was difficult to see where he was looking from behind the mirrored sunglasses, which I rarely saw him without, even in dim light like this morning.
"Morning, Sy."
"These are the Elementals, then?" Sy nodded at the girls but his expression didn't change.
If he was impressed by how young they were, it did not come through. He was, as most TNC employees were, the consummate professional. He shook their hands in turn, then opened the gate for us and led us up the switchback metallic steps that brought us to the helipad.
We piled into the back of the chopper and buckled up.
"Before you put your head-gear on," Sy said from the cockpit, "I'll need you to read over and sign these non-disclosure agreement papers." He glanced at me. "I'm guessing you warned them about these already?"