Hearing her uncle’s name, Lilah cocked her head to the side. It stirred something, but she couldn’t quite recall what. Everything was returning to normal except her mind. She couldn’t remember most of the day before, and she couldn’t control her emotions as easily anymore.
“What is it?” Everleigh saw the turmoil on Lilah’s face.
“Nothing. It’s just that I can’t remember, but it’s like its right there.”
“It’s probably something to do with Brian then. Maybe you saw him do something.” Todd took a drink. “If that’s the case, it might be best you don’t remember.”
Lilah put her face in her hands and groaned. She lowered her hands down pulling at her skin until her face looked deformed like a horror movie monster. A sideways look at Everleigh and Todd showed they were amused by her gestures. She let her hands drop and gulped her refreshed coffee then slapped both hands on the table. “What’s the plan for today?”
“What plan?” Todd asked.
“The wolves. That’s why you’re here isn’t it?”
Todd glared at Everleigh who raised her hands in innocence. “Secrets aren’t our way,” she told him casually.
“It would’ve been learned anyway,” he commented, looking troubled.
Lilah easily deduced that Everleigh had been told not to keep her up to speed on the new events, but it looked like it was more than that bothering her uncle. “What’s wrong?”
“They…want a meeting,” he looked her in the eye.
“Well, that’s nothing. I mean, even I expected that,” Lilah’s brows wrinkled together expecting something big to fall from her uncle’s mouth.
“Yes, well they want a few representatives from each Elemental group to meet.”
“To speak for the group?” Everything was clicking for Lilah, and she really didn’t understand her uncle’s attitude toward it. Unless of course, her family wanted to stay out of mixing affairs with the others. ‘That was probably it,’ she confirmed to herself.
“Essentially, yes. It would be a chance to share what we know concerning the northern wolves movement, and to learn all the information they have.”
Lilah put her hands together and clasped then unclasped her fingers repeatedly. “I don’t understand how this is not a good thing,” she finally stated.
“Each Elemental group is to choose two representatives to attend.”
“Oh,” Lilah had it now. “And there’s only Luke since we don’t know where Fire is hiding out.”
“No, there is another vampire who can attend.”
Lilah’s eyes grew wide, and her entire posture straightened as though her eyelids were attached to a string that pulled everything up with them. “Another vampire?” she asked excitedly.
Todd waved his hand to dismiss the question. “That is not the concerning part of the meeting.”
“But still. There’s someone other than Luke? That is exciting news.”
“Lilah,” her uncle was growing frustrated with the conversation. “We have no way to determine how many vampires are remaining. They’re in hiding and rightfully so. As we come together, more will come to light.”
She thought it over and knew it was true. It had been mentioned in one of her family’s meetings before she was sure of it. News of another vampire being located was still cause for excitement and almost celebration in her mind. It would do no good to gush about it with her uncle, but she would have time to talk it over with Everleigh later.
“Then what does concern you?”
“Apparently word of your abilities has already managed to spread.” Todd took a drink of his coffee, and his face reflected the turmoil he felt. Theirs was not the kind to share so openly about themselves. It was understandable he didn’t appreciate the gossip. “And they would like for you to be one of the representatives from Air.”
“Me?” Lilah was in shock.
Todd looked at her apologetically. “I know a lot has been put on your shoulders since the move. Including the move for that matter. I hate to add more weight to the load.”
“No, I can’t do that. It should be you and one of the other Elders. Uncle Joseph maybe?”
Todd sucked his lower lip in and looked out the window. “Let me be perfectly plain. It’s not exactly a request, Lilah. They’re insisting on it.”
“Why me? Get upset and throw one little storm, and people lose their minds.”
Everleigh snickered which caught the looks of Todd and Lilah who didn’t find anything funny about the conversation. “I’m sorry! Wrong time. I know. It’s just that…” she didn’t finish her thought.
“Just that what?” Lilah wanted to know.
“Oh, come on! Like I have to spell it out for you? It wasn’t one little storm for one thing. Plus from what I’ve been told, your little storms are nothing the rest of your family could compete with on their own.”
Lilah knew what she was saying was true as much as she would like to be able to deny it. She wished it wasn’t that way, but there was nothing she could do to change it. “I don’t want to do it.”
Her uncle crossed his arms on the table. Lilah waited for him to speak, to object, but he didn’t. Not saying anything bothered her more than if he argued with her over it. The silence became awkward, and Lilah was desperately trying to find something to talk about that wouldn’t seem too obvious she was trying to change the subject.
“I know you don’t want to, Lilah,” her uncle finally said. “And I can’t make you do it. All I ask is that you at least consider it carefully.”
She agreed knowing her answer would still be no. “When is the meeting?”
“Late this afternoon. I will need an answer preferably by noon. The two chosen to attend will need to have time to prepare.”
Time to hear the demands of the family is more like it. “By noon,” she agreed.
“Well, now,” he turned to Everleigh. “Where’s that aunt of yours?”
“Haven’t seen her. Probably still asleep.”
“She won’t be for long,” he left and headed upstairs.
Everleigh waited until he was far from ear shot. “Why don’t you want to attend? I would kill to go.”
“It’s not my thing. I don’t like being the center of attention like that.”
“Of course,” Everleigh got up taking both of their mugs with her. “I bet none of you would be comfortable with that.”
The words stung Lilah, but she didn’t know why. It was the truth. “Why do you want to attend?”
“Mostly because I’m tired of being treated like a kid even though I’m grown. Know what I mean?” she asked, topping both mugs off with more coffee.
“Do I ever?”
Everleigh set the mugs on the table. “I’m going to make another pot. If Todd wakes my aunt, it’d be better to have it ready.”
Lilah stared off down the front hall toward the door thinking about nothing until Jackson appeared. Her face lit up, “Good morning.”
“Morning,” he replied with a smile.
“I’m surprised you’re up so early,” Everleigh said from the counter.
He walked over and playfully nudged her side tickling her. “But I love spending time with my Lee-Lee,” he teased.
One look from Everleigh was enough for him to stop. He sat next to Lilah and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead.
Lilah saw Everleigh from the corner of her eye waving frantically at her. When she turned to look, Everleigh mouthed the words, “Tell him.”
It caught Jackson’s attention, and he turned. “What do you need, Lee-Lee?”
“You are one Lee-Lee away from being stabbed with a fork,” she told him pulling one from the drawer and holding it in front of her.
Jackson threw his hands up like he was being robbed. “Alright. Alright. Can’t I be in a good mood?”
“Not before coffee,” Lilah answered.
“It’s illegal,” Everleigh continued.
He hopped up and got a mug waiting until just enough coff
ee had brewed to pour a cup then sat back down. “Something go down while I was asleep?”
Worry hit Lilah fast, but Everleigh motioned for her to breathe. “Why do you ask?”
“I woke to voices in the spare room that Meredith and Luke stayed in, but it didn’t sound like Luke.”
“Oh, that’s my aunt’s friend,” Everleigh shrugged trying to make it out to be no big deal. “He came asking for her a little while ago.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t emptied the fridge looking for breakfast yet,” Lilah wanted to change the topic.
“Too early. Not awake enough to eat yet,” he said nonchalantly.
“You? Not wanting to eat? That’s new,” Lilah teased.
“Well, I’m going to hit the shower. I’ll be back,” Everleigh headed to the stairs giving Lilah a sly wink of encouragement.
Lilah tried to clear her mind and focus on what she would say to him…how she would say it. Once she had something that didn’t sound too crazy, she had to try to see into the future. She needed privacy for that because if Jackson tried to get her attention while she was in her mind’s eye, it could have an adverse effect.
She excused herself to use the bathroom where she sat on the edge of the tub. Her hands were shaking. She had never attempted to do this before by herself. There had always been someone around in case something went wrong, and it was usually her mom. Even then, she had only done it a handful of times.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and focused on what she needed to know. She saw herself leaving the room and pulling Jackson aside for a private chat. There’s something I haven’t told you is how she began. Alternate outcomes were already popping up in her mind. Versions without this conversation, and versions with frenzied actions. It wouldn’t be possible to follow them without going too far inside her mind. The focus could only be on telling Jackson the truth. This needed to be simple with as few parallel paths as possible for it to work without consequence. The conversation seemed to be going well. Jackson wasn’t at all frightened or panicked by the news. Lilah’s eyes opened. She didn’t risk going farther into the future and didn’t feel like she needed to. If she had seen what was coming after their little talk, she might not have talked to him at all. She would have been too busy warning the others.
Lilah returned to the kitchen where Jackson was cooking several large pancakes on a long electric skillet. It seemed he was always eating. She had seen this timeline. ‘Wait until he’s eating,’ she reminded herself. You don’t want the pancakes to burn or for him to be distracted by hunger.
“Want any?” he offered.
“No, thanks.”
Jackson flipped the pancakes onto a plate and filled the pan with circles of batter for a second time.
She checked his cup, and it was empty. Taking the carafe from the coffee pot, she filled both cups then got the syrup out for him. This was so far one of the best scenarios she had seen. Honestly, it came down to whether he dropped the fork at this point. If he does, he will accidentally step on it before picking it up and slightly injure his foot. It distracts him throughout everything she says. If he doesn’t, they’re golden.
The pancakes finished cooking, and Jackson added them to his plate. He put the plate on the table and pulled out the drawer for a fork. With one hand he closed the drawer, and with the other he gently tossed the fork up into the air. Lilah watched him and held her breath until he caught it easily and joined her at the table.
Anxiety was welling up inside her, but she needed to stay as calm as possible. A freak storm right now would easily be distracting enough to derail any chance of saying what she needed to say.
“Jackson,” she wanted to get his attention before she started.
“Hmm?” he looked up with a mouth full of pancake.
“I need to talk to you about something.”
Panic hit his eyes quick, and he swallowed. “About what?”
“There’s something I haven’t told you.”
The panic increased momentarily then faded away just as quickly as it appeared. “You’re a man?” he asked dryly.
“No,” she said rolling her eyes.
“You’re a witch!” his eyes twinkled at the joke.
“Close.”
Jackson turned his head to the side intrigued. “How can you be close to being a witch?”
“It’s a long story. I’m...different.”
“You have a tail?”
As much as she was glad for his sense of humor at any other time, it was aggravating her this morning. Even knowing what was coming didn’t help her appreciate the jokes.
Jackson put down his fork and gave her his full attention. “So if you’re not a witch, what are you then? Vampire? Werewolf? Leprechaun?”
“I’m psychic.”
He looked at her like she had told him it was Tuesday. It was noticeably not a big deal.
“I’m from a line of immortal psychics.”
“Now we’re talking,” he rubbed his hands together. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-one.”
“Not in appearance, but how long have you lived?” Jackson rephrased.
“Still twenty-one.”
There was disappointment on his face. “I always wondered what it would be like to be with an older woman.”
Lilah looked off annoyed while he laughed at his own joke. “You’re taking this much better than I would have guessed.” In fact, Jackson didn’t seem to miss a beat over anything she was telling him.
Jackson shrugged. “My best friend is a witch. Now, my girlfriend is telling me she’s a psychic who will live forever.” He finished the pancakes with one large bite, and chewed it down. “Typical day as far as I’m concerned.”
He carried his plate to the sink and rinsed it with hot water. There was a bowl of fruit on the counter, and he grabbed a banana before returning to Lilah.
“There’s something else,” she told him as soon as he sat back down.
“But wait!” He clapped his hands together loudly. “There’s more!”
Lilah chewed the inside of her lip waiting for him to finish his infomercial imitation. This was harder for her to say than anything else because she felt like she was defining their relationship for the both of them without discussing it.
“What?” he asked, but she was still contemplating her words. “I promise I’ll be good,” he added when she didn’t answer him right away.
“My people have only one true match in their lifetime.”
“Like a soul mate?”
“Exactly.”
“And I’m yours? Is that what you’re trying to say?”
She nodded because saying the word yes was suddenly very difficult for her like owning some deep dark secret even though this should be considered amazing news.
Jackson’s face lit up, and he took her hand. “I like that.”
“Like what?”
“Knowing that we’re soulmates. Not having to question if we’re with the right person.”
“Yeah, there is that.”
“But it must suck for you.”
“Why do you say that?”
Jackson went back to the counter with his cup for more coffee. “Finding me so young. If you’re immortal, you will have the rest of time to live alone after me.”
“After you die? Is that what you mean?”
He poured the last bit of coffee from the pot into the sink and rinsed it out before filling it to start a new pot. “Yeah, I have maybe fifty-sixty years if I’m lucky. Plus to other people, I will look like I’m your grandpa. They will think I’m rich, and you have a sugar daddy,” he winked at her over his shoulder.
“Our matches are immortal too.”
The water slowly poured into the pot. He grabbed the filter basket and started filling it with fresh grounds. It took an eternity for him to speak again, “How does that work?”
“I couldn’t tell you how or why. It’s the way of my line. We each have one true match, and when we find h
im, he is granted all of our abilities.”
“So you’re telling me I’m psychic.”
“Baby steps,” Lilah laughed easily at how well he was taking the news. “Let’s start with simple things.”
Jackson finished up and put the coffee away before joining her.
“I didn’t expect this conversation to go this smoothly,” she confessed to him.
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d think I was lying or something.”
He reached over and lifted her hand to his lips kissing the back of it gently. “My oldest and dearest friend is a witch. She’s told me that there is all manner of supernatural beings in this world who are nothing like the myths. Why wouldn’t I believe you?”
Lilah hadn’t thought of it like that. She leaned in hoping for a quick kiss while they had the room to themselves, but no such luck.
Todd came running down the stairs with the others in close pursuit. He ran into the kitchen, “We have to go! Now!”
They jumped from their seats with Jackson’s chair crashing to the floor so hard Lilah was sure it busted. “What’s happening?” she asked Todd who had already made his way toward the front door.
“I don’t have all the details, but my hunch? Brian has been fed to the wolves.”
Chapter Nineteen
Leena sought refuge in the forests on the eastern edge of Bavaria nervously awaiting to hear word of Earth’s fate. Fire had led his clan to safety days ago and had returned to help Earth free her coven. They should’ve returned by now, and with each passing hour, Leena worried she waited in vain.
There was no doubt Earth would come through it, but her coven was a different matter. The Elementals had taken so many hits in recent years. They feared losing any more of their numbers.
It had taken them several months to make it from their home in the western hemisphere across the Atlantic Ocean. That was after having to wait out the winter before it would be safe to venture this far. The last Return was the first Fire had attempted to make in many years. It was he who spoke of the fate befalling his people and Water. Earth had long been caught in the trenches of witch hunt after witch hunt, but most missed her and her coven completely as the ones murdered for being found guilty of witchcraft were almost never witches.
Air: The Elementals: Book One Page 23
