Nona stepped to the front door. “You're going to step outside the door and lean over the railing and ask her how the arrival went.”
“I don't think I can,” squeaked Meghan.
“Do it. Now. It’s simple. Just step out there, and ask, how did the arrival go?”
Meghan stepped toward her door and rested her hand on the doorknob. She felt as though her face was emanating layers of shock, hurt, anger and confusion. She did not think she could hide this, even for just a moment.
She dug deeply into herself searching for the strength. She thought of all the times she had lied so easily to Uncle Arnon, when she and Colin had gotten into some sort of trouble. She latched onto this thought.
I've done this a hundred times before. It’s no different. She knew this was different though. She had never lied about anything this serious while living with her uncle. Just lie she shouted to herself. It’s what you do best … she picked up her head and opened the door before she could give it any more thought.
“Oh, I didn't wake you, I hope,” said Juliska, upon seeing her come out of her room.
“No, not at all. I couldn't sleep,” Meghan spoke over the railing. “Did everything go okay tonight?”
“Yes, it did. Thank you for asking. I do have meetings, again, that will go late into the night though. Get some sleep now.”
Meghan nodded in agreement. “I'll sleep better now that I know everything went okay.” She smiled and then turned and dashed into her room, falling onto her bed.
“See,” said Nona. “Don't doubt yourself, Meghan. Now is not the time for doubt. Even if you think lying is a terrible talent, it served you well tonight.”
“This is a much bigger lie, Nona.”
“One day at a time. Maybe we should change that to one hour at a time,” Nona added less seriously.
“Thank you, Nona. I really do not know what I would do without you.”
“I am here, always.”
“It’s just, if Juliska is my mother and Jurekai Fazendiin my father, I can't even share any of this with Colin, because he's who knows where, and isn’t answering any of my attempts to contact him... and there's still the question of what the heck is up with Jae, and who is Bird and where is Bird? Ivan was worried when I hadn’t seen him. And why can I hear this Colby kid's thoughts? Who the heck is he?” She ended her speech with a deep, overwhelmed exhale.
“Okay, maybe one minute at a time,” Nona replied, her own emotion unraveling as Meghan’s worry infused her own doubts. “We'll find the answers, Meghan,” she said again. “Whatever it takes, we’ll figure it out, together.”
##
“Amelia asked me again if we’d had word from Sebastien,” spoke Milo upon arriving home after a long day. Milo almost felt the shudder that slithered down his wife’s back. She kept her gaze toward the stove where she was stirring a pot.
“Milo,” she spoke apprehensively, ignoring his remarks. “Has Amelia ever told you her final plan? The part where Meghan and Colin Jacoby are the vital key to our success?”
Milo shook his head, only momentarily taken off guard by her question. “You know the answer, Kay. She has always said that it must remain secret until the very end, to ensure success.”
“What if our son is right?” she asked, spinning around to face him. “What if what we are doing is wrong?”
“Do you no longer want magic returned?” asked Milo, surprised at her turn in attitude.
“Yes. Yes I do. But is it just a dream, Milo? A dream that should stay a dream? Is it right, what we want to happen?”
“I have to admit, I've been asking myself these same questions lately,” revealed Milo. He suddenly left the room and upon returning held a suitcase in his hand. “It’s packed. I feared...” he choked up. “I feared we might need to leave at some point. I packed it yesterday and hid it in the closet.”
Kay sobbed. “I don't know what's right anymore. When we first left the island and came here, I was so sure. So sure what I wanted. But now that it’s practically upon us, I don't know, Milo.” She wiped her eyes with her apron. “My biggest fear, more so than even being banished from seeing our son again, is what lies in store for Meghan and Colin. There is something wrong... I asked her about it the other day,” she admitted. Milo gasped in shock. “I asked her to tell me more about what was in store. I told her I couldn’t help it, that I needed to know.”
“What did she say?” he asked, still in shock at his wife’s daring.
“Not to worry. That she had everything under control and everything would work out just as it should. But you know what she did not say?”
Milo waited patiently for her to continue.
“She did not once tell me they would be safe. That they would not be harmed in any way. Amelia couldn’t even look me in the eye when she spoke these things.”
“We could leave. Sneak away. Tonight,” Milo whispered apprehensively.
“How? The borders are secure, especially now that Curtis and Amos defected.”
Milo, seeing that his wife was ready to leave the northern Maine woods, bowed his head humbly and took out another note. “It appeared to me just yesterday, when I first admitted we might not stay here. Our son left a second message, should we suddenly decide to leave.” He then took out a hand-sized mirror. “The note said to speak into the mirror that we need safe passage, and safe passage will be provided.”
“We'd be leaving behind everything,” Kay said, barely audibly.
“If you still want to stay, I will not leave your side,” Milo spoke.
Kay grasped the mirror from his hand peering into it. “We need safe passage,” she spoke evenly. A fog suddenly steamed up the mirror and a message etched into the fog.
“Go to the tree nearest the eastern border at exactly nine pm tonight.”
They knew the exact tree. It was a monstrous tree just at the border of their safe haven, here in the northern Maine woods. It stood taller and wider than any other tree in the area, and was marked with no trespassing signs to stave off wanderers that might happen across their neck of the woods.
It was almost eight now. If they started out and were not caught, they would make it just in time.
##
Colin held his finished book, his own Magicante, in his hands. The cover looked ancient, as if made hundreds of years prior, not just days. It was a dark mahogany color, and the front cover had raised gold letters that read Magicante across the very top. The edges of the book looked worn, with raised ridges trimmed with gold and black. In the center of the book, unlike the one he had used previously, was a lock. Catrina held the key in her own hand.
“What about the leaves?” Colin asked Jasper, as the Projector readied to perform the ceremony that would forever seal Colin and the book together.
“Your choice. Most of us just used blank pages. The book I gave you was made by a Projector that was fascinated with leaves. Had a massive collection. It’s not something you have to decide now. You can always change your mind later.”
“Oh, okay. Blank pages for now then.” His hands shook a little as he waited. He wondered if this ceremony would hurt and how long it would last. Regardless of his concerns, he refused to ask, for fear he would look like a coward. Moreover, it did not matter whether it hurt or not, he had to do it anyway. There was no choice for him.
“I have to say, it gives me great relief to get you and the book made one,” said Jasper. “This way, you'll have plenty of time to learn how to work with the book, before your real powers...” he let the sentence hang.
Colin finished it. “Before my real powers turn me into a crazy, lunatic, mad man.”
Jasper nodded matter-of-factly.
“Jasper,” said Colin apprehensively after another moment. “There's something I wanted to clarify.”
“Go ahead. Ask away, that's why you're here.”
“I'm a little confused. Once I am one with the book and it’s catching my uncontrollable streams of conscious, why am I still dange
rous?”
“Ah, yes. Well, you see, Mr. Jacoby, in times of great angst, anger, sadness and the like, our emotions can become overwhelming. We can suddenly be lost in an abundance of thought. The book is good, but it’s not perfect. Think of it like this. It’s like a car engine that's running just fine, but then it runs out of coolant and overheats and the car stalls.”
Colin wanted to ask You’ve driven a car? Instead, he asked, “So what happens when the book stalls?”
“A misfire in the connection, which must be repaired. The book will need a little time to cool down, so to speak. To fix the connection, and keep from doing harm, you will need unparallel control and awareness. So for example, to make this easier on myself I live in protected, cloaked locations. My safe houses, where I need not worry about a breakdown between the book and my mind. More than anything, Mr. Jacoby, you need to surround yourself with things that keep you even. You cannot allow your emotions to overwhelm you. If you do, the consequences could be fatal for those around you, or even for yourself.”
“Myself?”
“We are not unkillable, Mr. Jacoby! Need I remind you that I am the last of my kind until you came along?”
“How can we be killed?” Colin felt like this was a vital bit of information that could notwait.
“All in good time,” said Jasper, putting up a hand. “We have much yet to discuss. Now, how about we get you hooked up?”
Colin nodded, looking sickly.
“Don't worry, it doesn't hurt,” Jasper told him as if reading his thoughts.
“I'm ready,” Colin said, still mentally prepared for it to hurt.
Catrina smiled in encouragement.
“Grasp the book, firmly,” ordered Jasper. “Hold onto it very tightly.”
Colin was already gripping the book as firmly as he could, as if his life depended on him not letting go.
“When you're ready, say the following: ‘Become my second soul’.”
Colin closed his eyes trying to maintain his breathing. His thoughts strayed to his sister, his uncle and Kanda Macawi. What would they say if they could see him right now? Did they have any idea what he was? Would they shun him as the rest of the world did?
“Become my second soul,” Colin whispered. He waited. Nothing happened. Maybe I didn't do it right? He opened his eyes one at a time, as if waiting for something to hit him.
Jasper just stood smiling. “How do you feel?” he asked Colin.
“Um, the same. Did something go wrong?”
“No. That's it. That's all you have to do.”
“Seriously!” Colin nearly shouted. “That's it?”
“What were you expecting?” asked Jasper.
“I don't know. Lightning, wind, pain, magic swirly things ... anything!”
Jasper chuckled. “Sorry. It’s just a simple incantation.”
“Why would you get me so worked up about it?” Colin spat angrily.
Jasper's face turned stern.
Catrina touched Colin's arm and realization hit him.
“You're testing me. See how I react to things.” He took a deep breath. “Didn't do so well just then, did I?”
“It’s why you're here,” Jasper told him again. “To learn. Which requires mistakes.”
“Good thing I got more than a year to make them,” Colin spoke sullenly.
“Let's continue, shall we?” said Jasper. “There is actually one more step. But I promise no pain, and sorry, no magic swirly things or lightning.”
“Okay, what’s next?” Colin asked, exasperated.
Jasper proceeded to lift the sleeve on his arm and show Colin a tattoo. Catrina investigated it closely too. Colin noted it was an exact likeness of a book and had the letter M in the center of the tattoo.
Jasper pinched at his skin as if picking something off it, and a moment later, a book the size of the tattoo was suddenly sitting in his hand, his arm now bare of any tattoo. Jasper tapped the book with his other hand and it grew in size; to such a size, that Jasper could barely hold it up with both of his hands.
“The longer you have one, the larger it gets,” he said, with effort, letting the book fall onto the table.
“Wow! Is that next? I have to get a tattoo. That will hurt,” Colin added in distress.
“No. You do not have to get a tattoo, and if you did, it would not hurt. Believe me, I'm not fond of pain. I was simply showing you what you could do. The books don't have to be carried, like you've been doing these last couple years.”
“Wish I'd known that before.” Colin could not count how many times he had carried that book, hiding it uncomfortably under his sweater.
“Well, you know now. So, what it comes down to is, you want the book on your person, guarded by you and you alone. In the old days, some would turn their books into belt buckles, boot buckles, lockets, rings and yes, tattoos.”
Colin thought about it, and glanced at Catrina for help.
“I don't think you're the tattoo type,” she said.
“And I don't really wear boots or belts. Not big on rings, but I think I could handle an earring. How do I...” he shut up as the book started to rattle.
“Already happening, Mr. Jacoby. You think it, the book collects the thought, and instantly knows whether to act upon it.”
The book started to reshape itself. First, it folded in upon itself until it was quite small, and then it started to thin itself, layer by layer, until it was just thicker than a ribbon, but it remained tough, like leather. The leathery ribbon lifted off the table it was sitting on and floated toward Colin's left ear. Colin braced himself expecting something to pierce through his ear, but instead, he just felt a warm sensation as the leathery ribbon entwined its way into and out of the edge of his ear.
Catrina ran and grabbed a mirror so Colin could see.
The edges of the leather still glimmered with lines of black and gold, and on the lobe, if inspected closely, was the lock.
“How do I get it out?” Colin asked. The entwining was so intricate there was no way he could just slip it out of his ear. It was not what he had expected, but the longer he looked at it, the more he liked it.
“Just ask it,” answered Jasper. “Don't worry, though, it might be years before you need to remove it.”
Jasper then proceeded to return his own book back in its place, as a tattoo on his arm.
“What should I do with the key?”
“Whatever you like, keeping safety in mind of course.”
Colin thought for a moment and then knew. As simple as a thought, the key, still in Catrina's hand, began to shrink. A long slinky chain materialized through it. Colin then picked it up and clipped it around Catrina's neck.
“I know it won't ever get lost,” he said. He would always know where she was.
##
Meghan was glad it was lunchtime. The unseasonably warm weather had given way to chilling autumn breezes that hinted snow might be imminent, but even with this cooling she found it hard to breathe inside the classrooms. The more people that came back to the island meant more students in school. Which in turn, meant more stares and behind the back whispers that she, Meghan Jacoby, was the girl who had located the Projector. And that she had betrayed her own brother by exposing Catrina. New whispers had started though, as she was also the ward of the Banon, Juliska Blackwell.
The island was gearing up for Thanksgiving and the Retelling Festival, and from what Meghan had overheard, it was to be quite the celebration.
Another group was due to arrive home just days before the holiday, bringing half the groups home then. The rest would continue to arrive back onto the island over the upcoming months, through winter and into spring.
Meghan found a secluded spot at the back of the schoolyard and sat on a rock while eating. She pulled her thick sweater tighter around her body when a frosty breeze swept through.
“Hey, kid, move!” she heard a voice shout unkindly.
“Ugh, Darcy,” Meghan spat. She was picking on a small boy who w
as sitting in the spot she usually sat in. The kid moved without argument.
Meghan dropped her sandwich.
Jae Mochrie sidled up alongside Darcy, shooting the young kid a nasty look.
“You made the right move, kid,” he taunted. Darcy shot Jae a jeering look.
“What is he doing?” muttered Meghan to no one. She noticed Dulcy Hadrian sitting off to the side, at a table with students that Meghan didn't know. “Guess Dulcy's out of the gang too.” Dulcy seemed entwined in conversation and didn't give Darcy a second look.
A ball rolled up next to Jae's leg. Another young student apprehensively approached him.
“Do you mind? Can I get my ball?”
“Sure,” answered Jae with a smug grin. He threw a look at Darcy that said, watch this...
The boy leaned over, picked up the ball and turned to leave. Jae lifted his arm and made a swiping movement that sent the boy skidding face first across the grass. Angry eyes shot glares at the duo as Jae and Darcy broke out in raucous laughter. A teacher rounded the corner chastising Jae for his actions.
“That is another detention,” the teacher told him. Jae shrugged as if he did not care. The teacher continued. “And seeing as you’ve skipped the last two, why don’t we make it a clean week. And you, missy,” she turned and aimed toward Darcy. “You can join him.” She turned and darted away before the two could argue, which they seemed to have no intention on doing. They just turned and laughed at each other.
Jae’s face went blank suddenly and his gaze swept to the hedge that bordered the schoolyard. Darcy dropped her head, her smile fading too. Jae frowned but nodded to someone Meghan could not see. She peered to where Jae was looking and a moment later, saw Viancourt member Tanzea Chase saunter by with a scowl etched on her face.
Meghan lost her appetite. She wanted to stomp right over to Jae and demand to know why he was acting like an idiot! However, she knew now was not the time, not with Darcy sitting next to him.
As if he could feel her eyes staring him down, Jae looked up and caught Meghan's gaze. What disturbed her more than anything was that there was no guilt. No remorse in his eyes. He just looked away from Meghan as if she were some stranger he didn't even know.
Divided (Book Five) (Fated Saga Fantasy Series) Page 10
