by M. A. Roth
“Avitus.” I had grown close to Avitus over the last few days. He is a warm person that loves his own company. I move around the table and sit at what has become my usual spot. A bowl of fruit and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice has been laid out for me. It’s the same every morning; it’s a refreshing breakfast. “Avitus, I was wondering if I could go outside today, please,” I ask while biting into a fresh red apple.
Avitus smiles. “You must be a mind-reader.”
I raise an eyebrow, my mouth too full to talk.
“We are going to train outside today. I shall teach you how to use your water affinity and we have lots of helpers.”
I swallow the apple that feels like a huge lump and force a smile. “Great.” I had wanted a day away from training, but to get outside at all is at least a plus.
***
I stand in the square as Avitus encourages the children to teach me to control water. “I assume these are the helpers,” I say, smiling, looking at all their adorable faces.
Avitus nods. “Okay, children, show Sarajane what you can do.”
They all scurry to the fountain, giggling with excitement at showing me their skills. They lift bubbles of water from the fountain and hold them in the air. Giggles erupt as one of the little boys’ bubbles falls and splashes an angry little girl in the face. I can’t help but laugh.
“Children,” Avitus says softly, and the two kids forget about the incident and create more bubbles.
As I watch, I decide it is time to try. I reach my hand into the fountain. “Water,” I whisper. The pull that comes toward me is so strong that it knocks me back a little. All the water drains from the fountain and rises into the air, hovering over our heads. The children drop their bubbles, soaking each other, but they don’t say anything, just stare at the hovering wave of water with their mouths open in shock.
I swallow, unsure what to do now, as I try to keep the water in the air. “Avitus, what now?” I ask him, while keeping my eyes on the floating wave above us.
Chatter sounds as three figures move towards us. I glance at them, their outlines looking very familiar. It causes my mind to slip, and before I know it, I am being swept off my feet by a wave. It pushes me onto the ground and I am left soaked, sitting in a large puddle of water. I take my hair out of my eyes and look at the children, who start to laugh.
“Sarajane, are you okay?”
I smile up into my sisters face before I reach out and pull her into a tight embrace.
“Sarajane, you’re soaking.”
I hug Jessica tighter and she gives in, hugging me back. I glance up to see my mother and Musa approach. I stand up, still clinging to Jessica and pull mum into an embrace. “I missed you guys so much,” I say into my mother’s hair.
“I missed you too, sweetheart.” Mum draws me back and takes in my appearance. “You look good,” she says with a smile that stretches across her whole face. I turn to all the soaked children, who are still staring at us.
“Oh God, Mum, this is Avitus,” I say.
Avitus greets my mum and Jessica with warmth, and they return it.
Musa acknowledges him with a grip of his forearm. This seems to be the tradition in Aquaterra. I don’t know any of the children’s’ names, but they all stand waiting.
“And these are the children.” I shrug.
Jessica ruffles the little blond boy’s hair and he smiles at her shyly.
“We must notify Mirium we are here,” Musa says. I embrace him with a hug, startling him, but he returns it. “Musa, it is great to see you, too.”
He nods. “Like wise, princess.”
I turn to leave with Jessica, mum and Musa, my arm firmly around Jessica. I am so glad they are here, but Avitus stops me.
“Sarajane?”
Is he serious? “Please, Avitus? I haven’t seen them in ages. Just a few hours?”
Avitus shakes his head, laughing. “You are soaking wet. Get changed then I will walk you back.”
I look down at myself, he is right but leaving mum and Jessica doesn’t feel right.
My mum kisses me gently on the forehead. “You better get changed, love. Don’t want you getting sick,” she says.
“Okay, I won’t be long.” I gave them a hug again each, not wanting to let them go, but I finally do. I turn to the children, who continue to stand there all wet and looking adorable. I say goodbye to them and promise I will see them again soon, before making my way back to Avitus’ to get changed.
#
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SARAJANE
There is a lot of noise before I enter the main room. I pause, feeling unsure. What if Tristan is here? What will I say to him? Anger flares inside me. Why did he not come visit me? Maybe he doesn’t care for me anymore.
I stop torturing myself; I have done that enough over the last few days to last me a lifetime. I push the doors open.
Mum is gazing up at Morrick lovingly, as Jessica talks to Alana and Musa. All heads turn when I enter.
“Ahh, sweetheart, Morrick was telling me about your training,” my Mum beams at me proudly.
I raise an eyebrow at Morrick. “Was he?” Avitus must have been reporting my progress. I felt a sense of betrayal, which I know I really shouldn’t.
“Yes, Avitus said you are doing extremely well and that you have a level three air affinity.”
My mother claps excitedly. “I am so proud of you.”
I give her a real smile, but let it fall as I meet Morrick’s eye. He returns his attention to my mother. I walk over to Jessica, Alana and Musa and squeeze Jessica’s hand.
“You look all grown up,” I say to Jessica, and she does. She looked taller and more filled out; it must have been the time difference, between the worlds. “Did you get to talk to Josh?” I let my eyes fall to the ground before looking back up at her.
“Yes, we did,” Jessica’s eyes filled with sadness.
“Is he okay?” I fear the worst.
Jessica smiles sadly. “Yeah, he is fine. He just misses you.” She looks at an awkward Alana and Musa. “We will talk later.”
I nod. “Yes, okay.”
“Sarajane.”
Tristan’s deep voice has my heart racing and my stomach dips when I turn to him. Green moss eyes roam across my face.
“How are you?” His words are low.
“How do you think I am, Tristan?” My voice rises slightly, causing chatter to cease in the room.
Tristan glances around the room before he gives me a stern look. “We should talk later.”
I want to lash out at him right now. “Oh should we? Are you sure that suits you?” I ask, my words dripping with sarcasm.
Tristan eradicates the small distance between us. I hate how my body reacts to his closeness.
“Keep your voice down.” He wrestles to keep the anger out of his words.
“Oh, sorry, am I embarrassing you?” I tighten my hands into fists. Hurt laces my words along with my anger.
His eyes continue to roam across my face. He works a muscle in his jaw and I have no idea what’s going through his head as he turns on his heal and storms from the room.
I try to get temper under control before I turn to everyone who is staring at me.
“What?” I ask as heat travels up my neck.
“Come on, Sarajane,” Jessica steps away from everyone and takes my hand.
My body starts to relax. When we are out the door, I realize what Jessica is doing and immediately let her hand go. “Jessica, don’t use your gift on me,” I say.
She blushes slightly. “Sorry. I just wanted to relax you.”
I hug her sideways as we walk. “I know, sorry. It’s just I haven’t seen Tristan in ages and then he shows up as if nothing happened.”
Jessica smiles up at me. “You love him. I can see the way you look at him. So spill all the details.”
My face grows hotter. Am I that transparent? If Jessica saw how I felt could everyone else?
“A long story for an
other day, but yes, I do love him,” I answer honestly.
Jessica beams at me, making me stop. “Jessica you can’t tell anyone.”
“What… no one knows?” she asks, not believing me.
“No.” I shake my head. “Well no, but after my display in there…” I let out a heavy breath. “Oh Christ, I am so stupid.”
Jessica hugs me this time. “Don’t worry nobody noticed.”
“Sure,” I say.
We both laugh.
I spend the rest of the day with my sister. She tells me about what happened when she and mum returned to the mortal world to bury John. “They had mum as a number-one suspect in dad’s murder.”
I wasn’t surprised. She disappeared and then reappeared after his death.
“They told us not to leave the country,” Jessica smiles.
I smile back. “Yeah, you just left for a different world.”
We both sober up as Jessica starts to talk about John’s funeral, and we both cry for a while. Soon our tears turn to laughter as we just talk about normal stuff. I really had missed her.
“I have a gift for you. I will give it to you when I feel you deserve it.”
I grin and knock my shoulder with Jessica’s. “Do I deserve it yet?”
“I will give it to you tomorrow. It’s in my room.”
I feel a bit disappointed, but I will just have to wait.
We talk for a while longer and as night-time falls, we return to the main room, where everyone is still chattering. Mum looks concerned the moment me and Jessica arrive, as we have been gone for hours. Then her face relaxes as we both smile at her.
“You’re okay now,” she says while stroking my hair.
“Yeah, I am fine. Don’t be worrying about me.” I kiss her palm. Going back to the mortal and bury Dad wouldn’t have been easy. Guilt tightens my stomach. I wish I had been there for them both.
I say my goodbyes just as Avitus arrives to escort me back to his home. “I will see you soon,” I promise mum and Jessica, and leave with Avitus. I want to stay with them but knew I can’t.
When we arrive at Avitus’, Tristan is waiting outside. I ignore the fluttering in my stomach when his gaze zeroes in on me before jumping to Avitus.
“Avitus,” Tristan greets him.
“I will be inside, Sarajane,” Avitus says after greeting Tristan. He stops at the top step. “Don’t be long you have an early rise in the morning,” he tells me before closing the door.
Tristan’s gaze is heavy on me again and it takes him awhile before he speaks, “I am sorry.”
My heart jumps, startled at his apology. It is not what I was expecting. “Yeah, I am sorry, too, for making a scene,” I say. I regret lashing out in front of everyone.
Tristan studies me. “You’re still angry and I don’t blame you. I just felt so angry with myself.” He moves away from the wall and runs his hand through his hair. “When I saw you, after the Saskian attacked you, I just couldn’t bear it.”
I stay still, my heart pounds in my chest.
“If I hadn’t left you alone. Yet once again, I did.” He takes a step closer.
“That is such a stupid excuse, Tristan, and one I refuse to accept.”
Tristan nods. “I know. I really do. I just...” he moves away. “Why is this so hard? It was just...” He comes to me, taking my face gently in his hands, and smiles, making my stomach flip. “I love you so much that I just want to lock you away so no one can harm you. Do you understand what I mean?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
“I feel so guilty and angry when someone hurts you that I want to tear this place apart.” He lets my face go, a look of resignation on his face. “And those are not the actions of a king.”
My heart rate picks up; worry starts to rush through me. “What are you saying?” I ask in a whisper as tears spring to my eyes.
“Please don’t do that.” Tristan says, looking at me.
“Don’t look at me like that. I can’t...” He lets out a breath. “I can’t be around you for a while. I need to be focused here and that’s why I kept my distance. You will be safe while you stay here with Avitus.”
I try not to blink, I don’t want my tears to spill at his words, but they betray me and trickle down my face. Tristan removes the space between us and reaches for my face. I take a step away from his touch. “Don’t Tristan, just don’t.”
Tristan freezes, his brows drag down, but I don’t know what he expects, my heart is breaking.
“Good night, Tristan.” I start to climb the steps, I refuse to stand here and let him see me break.
“Sarajane, please, don’t make this so hard.”
I turn to him before entering the door. “It can’t get any harder.” I close the door behind me and let the tears come.
I walk through the city alone that night. Not that Avitus knows, but I need to clear my head. I feel sick at the thought of losing Tristan. I could have handled it better. I could have pleaded with him not to leave me, fought my case, anything at all. But oh no, I got thick as usual and walked away from the situation.
Typical Sarajane.
A figure I recognize walks down an alleyway, catching my attention. “Jessica?” I call, but she keeps walking, a long black cloak flows behind her. Her hood is pulled up, hiding her face slightly, but I would know my sister anywhere. I follow her down the alleyway and call her name again. No reply. What was she playing at? “Jessica!” my voice comes out louder, bouncing off each wall. But she keeps walking and turns a corner, falling out of sight. My senses go on high alert as I approach; something isn’t right. I turn the corner and am faced with an empty dark alleyway; the only noise is the dripping of rainwater from the roofs above us after the heavy rain fall. I turn in a full circle, looking to see if I missed another alleyway. Nothing. The only light is from a small window, burning a lonesome candle. I wrap my cloak tighter around me, feeling unsettled.
A hand slaps across my mouth and I am being dragged in the back door of a small house. I try to turn to see who’s grabbed me but the hard body I am pressed against doesn’t allow the movement. I try to fight, but his grip is iron. I know who it is. I don’t understand how I know but I just do.
Carew pushes me away from him once I am securely in the room. And the girl who I had thought was Jessica steps forward. “I’m sorry about this, Sarajane; we just needed to make sure no one saw.” It is Linda, my yoga instructor, who I hadn’t seen since the mortal world. Now she stands before me. Why had I been so sure that she was Jessica? I shake my head several times.
“Linda, what the hell?” is the best I can muster up.
Carew stands in the shadow of the room with his arms folded, looking very threatening, though his eyes look bored.
“How do you know Carew?” I ask.
Linda removes her hood and gives a quick glance across at Carew. “It’s a long story. We don’t have much time before Tristan notices your disappearance.”
I take a step back. “Hold on. What are you talking about?”
Carew growls from the corner. “He is following you, but that is not important.” Before I can respond, Linda shakes her head slightly at Carew, telling him to be silent.
“Sarajane, I just need to warn you… please be careful who you trust. There are enemies amongst us.”
I start to laugh, I don’t know if it is nerves or anger. “Trust? Yet you want me to trust you?”
“Yes,” Carew answers with another growl.
“Trust you, Carew? The last time we met, you tried to kill me.” I look away as a scar along his stomach flashes against his tanned skin.
Linda’s eyes widen slightly, but Carew sneers. “Trust me, I came out of it far worse than you.”
“Not bad enough… you’re still breathing,” I fire back.
He takes two huge steps and towers over me. I don’t back away. He isn’t going to intimidate me.
“If you don’t believe us, fine… but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” His b
lack, inhuman eyes bore into mine.
Linda squeezes herself between us. “This is not helping.” She looks from me to Carew.
“Well, then keep your pet away from me,” I tell Linda.
Carew’s laughter fills the room, but it’s unnerving. Then he stops, his dark eyes pin me to the spot and my stomach quivers. “I am nobody’s pet.” Each word is measured and I don’t say anything else.
Noises outside makes the three of us go quiet. I move to the door to hear better while holding my breath. The footsteps get closer and stop right at the door. I take two small steps back. A floor board that is warped under my foot creaks loudly, causing whoever is outside to turn the handle and open the door.
My heart jumps around in my chest as Tristan steps in, his hand going to the blade strapped to his waist. His eyes skip across me and around the room.
I look behind me, and the room is empty. Where did they go?
“Sarajane, what are you doing in here?”
I turn back to Tristan, feeling angry that Carew was right; that Tristan had been following me. He had just said he was keeping his distance and didn’t want anything to do with me. Now he was following me around.
I push past him and leave the building. “Sarajane!” His voice betrays his impatience with me, letting me know it’s coming to an end.
But I walk faster, tightening the cloak around me, once again.
“Sarajane!” His fingers tighten around my wrist and he spins me around to face him. “Answer me.”
I can’t look at him. It’s too much, so I focus on a rat munching on some musty food a bit further down the alleyway. I hate rats, but I welcome this rat as a great distraction.
“What, Tristan?” My body feels so drained and Tristan releases my wrist.
He places his hand under my chin to make me look at him. His eyes tel a thousand stories; a want radiates from them as he studies me. My heart is racing as his cool breath dances across my face. Maybe he changed his mind, maybe he still wants to be with me.
“You should go home,” is all he says, as he let my face go.
