The Key of Hearts
Page 6
Chapter 6
“Watch this,” stated Xavier. A small whirlwind of dust spun outside of the fence, looking strange on such a tranquil, non-windy day. It came towards them, landing at Selena’s feet and spinning slower and slower until it stopped. Suddenly, dozens of colorful pebbles that must’ve been in the middle of the whirlwind scattered on the ground.
“How’s that?” Xavier questioned, challenging her.
Selena picked up the pebbles. “Just beautiful.”
“I’m not done yet, though.”
“What?” Selena asked, mesmerized by the colorful stones.
“Watch this.”
He pointed to the house across the street and before Selena could even blink her eyes, a gush of translucent water shot straight up for miles towards the sky from the old fashioned water well the neighbors kept for looks and not for use.
The spectacular sight in the dry desert had passers-by gaping with mouths wide open, cars stopping in the middle of the street to stare, and even stray animals in a trance.
“Okay, I’m officially impressed,” Selena commented.
Xavier smiled broadly and just as suddenly as it had shot up, the water came back down, leaving the observers shaking their heads.
“They think it was a freak accident,” whispered Xavier.
“I’m the only one who knows it was you,” Selena said smugly.
As the neighbors checked the well, it occurred to Selena how powerful Xavier could be. She and Xavier stayed in silence, staring at the people losing interest in the well and leaving one by one. Selena thought about all the force secretly inside of Xavier. Locked away and put in a tiny corner, it only came out sparingly.
“That day, at the bust stop when you fought Brad,” Selena started, thinking back to when Xavier had just arrived in town, and he had gotten into a fight defending her. “He couldn’t have beaten you, right?”
Xavier frowned. “You’re wrong.”
“I am? But—“
“I didn’t used my telekinesis against him. I fought fair and square. He could’ve knocked me out if he knew what he was doing.”
Selena nodded. “I should’ve known that.”
“Yes, you should’ve.”
“I’m sorry.”
“How sorry are you?” he asked, his dark eyes raking over her with amusement.
“Very sorry.”
“You can make it up to me.”
And she knew just how to do it as the sweetness of his lips lingered on hers for a long time.
Selena waited impatiently for the opportunity to get an explanation. Grandmother Chela had arrived from California talking about the family, the trip, and Disneyland. The nearly eighty year old had spent an entire day at the magical kingdom with Selena’s cousins, and she had had to be dragged out when the little ones were exhausted and needed to return home. Selena had wanted to call her countless of times to interrogate her about Xavier. According to him, she had been the one who had somehow known about his gift and had convinced him to tell her about it. But after giving it serious consideration, Selena had decided it was better to talk face to face with her eccentric grandmother. As soon as they were alone, Selena asked the million dollar question.
“How did you know about Xavier’s abilities?” Selena blurted.
“I guessed,” Grandmother Chela explained mischievously.
“Grandma,” Selena chided.
“I’m glad he finally told you. I need to speak to the both of you together,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.
“But how—“
“Don’t try to get it out of me. I need to speak to the both of you,” she insisted firmly.
A few hours later, they found themselves on Trans Mountain Road at the spot on top of the world with Xavier. Grandmother Chela had declared it the perfect place for a discussion. They sat at the picnic tables that overlooked El Paso and the surrounding areas such as Gran Estrella. Xavier seemed much more calm and patient than Selena was. In fact, Selena wasn’t sure he really wanted to know how her grandmother knew about him. If it was up to him, he’d fall prey to amnesia and forget his gift.
“I know you resented me for having made you tell Selena, but it was for the best,” Grandmother Chela asserted, eyeing Xavier who in turn shifted his glance towards Selena.
Xavier nodded solemnly. “You were right. I shouldn’t have been keeping it from her.”
“There’s much more to it than you keeping a secret.”
Xavier’s eyebrows rose. “Excuse me?”
“What do you mean, Grandmother Chela?”
“There are no coincidences, my children.”
“Grandmother Chela, please stop talking in riddles,” Selena implored.
“It’s no coincidence that you’re here, Xavier, in this energy epicenter. You do know about the vortex, don’t you?”
Xavier frowned. “I felt it from the first time I got here.”
“And I felt it from you,” said a surprised Selena, having made that realization.
Grandmother Chela nodded. “It’s no coincidence that you’re with my granddaughter.”
“Of course not. I'm in love with her.”
“But you two are more connected than you think,” announced Grandmother Chela.
“What?” Selena asked.
“Let me tell you a story,” announced Grandmother Chela. “A story that will explain everything.”