“See, you’re doing the big brother worry thing already!”
“Guess it’s just my nature,” he replied dryly.
Meghan sighed. “Can I just pretend the other side of my family doesn’t exist? I suppose I can’t, can I,” she answered herself. “I think there is some underwritten rule that says you have to love your family, no matter what, but I don’t know. I don’t know.”
“And what about long lost brothers?” a voice called out from the darkness.
Meghan and Ivan stood, searching for a face to fit the voice.
“Colin? Is that you?” Meghan barely dared to ask, fearful it was a sick joke or she was just hearing things.
A shape emerged just feet from them.
“Hi, Sis. Miss me?”
She did not answer.
Ivan watched next to her, speechless.
Colin stepped out of the shadows.
He had changed. He was taller; still short for a teenage boy of almost sixteen. Meghan realized he might already be sixteen. His birthday was no more accurate than hers had been.
Colin’s hair was longer and disheveled. He no longer donned sweater vests and khakis, opting for a black jacket and boots. Most surprising, was the earring. Or was it a tattoo? It was hard to tell in the darkness.
There was dark intensity in his eyes; but the Colin she knew was still present.
Meghan opened her mouth to speak. She already knew the first words she would say to his face were, “I’m sorry,” but he stopped her before she could say them.
“Don’t. I already know you’re sorry. And there’s a part of me that will always be a little angry with you, but I’m over it. I know you were just looking out for me. It’s what you do.”
Meghan rushed forward wrapping her arms around him, catching him off guard just for a moment. But he didn’t stop it. He wrapped his arms around her too.
“I know you don’t want to hear it again, but I am sorry, Colin. You have no idea how sorry! And I missed you so much. I worry about you all the time.”
She heard Ivan let out a grunt but ignored him. The rest of their conversation would have to wait.
“I... I missed you too,” Colin replied, letting go of her. They separated from each other, unsure where to begin.
Colin saw Ivan approaching Meghan. He came up alongside her, taking what seemed to be a protective stance.
“You think I might hurt her?” Colin asked, a tinge of animosity in his tone.
“No. Just a new habit,” Ivan told him, once again the epitome of calm, cool, collectiveness.
“I guess we have a lot to catch up on, Sis,” said Colin.
“You have no idea,” Meghan told him, gently nudging Ivan in a meaningful way, which Colin did not understand but apparently, Ivan did.
“Why don’t I let you guys catch up. I’ll find you later,” he said, eyeing her with a question that said, You’re sure?
“I’ll be perfectly fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Thought that was my job now,” he mumbled, begrudgingly walking away.
She tossed him a snooty look and turned back to Colin.
“So what, you guys are like friends now or something? Are you dating him?”
Meghan let out a puff-filled chortle. “Um, no, definitely not dating. That’s a really gross thought. We do have a lot to talk about.”
“You know we don’t actually have to talk it all out,” reminded Colin, tapping his finger to his head.
“Talking would take hours,” agreed Meghan. “So we open up the door again? Take down the block...”
“Yes. Time is sort of the essence,” he added, with no further explanation. Colin kept his concerns hidden. It might not have been on his own terms, but he actually did want to reconnect with Meghan.
However, a long family reunion just wasn’t in the cards, Catrina was still being held prisoner by Freyne Rothrock.
He opened his thoughts to Meghan, allowing them to infiltrate her mind. She did the same, transferring all her memories to him. Within minutes, each relived most of what had happened to the other since their separation.
After it ended, they reset the block firmly in place, cutting off the connection.
Meghan just stared at her brother in disbelief over the things he had been through, and survived. It had only been minutes in each other’s minds, but she felt as though she’d just finished a race and needed to catch her breath.
Colin really was the Projector.
She had heard it. And she had believed it.
Witnessing it through his experiences and feelings put a completely new spin on that reality. He was powerful. Much to her dislike, in a way that was a little too reminiscent of Colby.
She felt a moment of guilt. She had kept one memory blocked; the vision she’d had where she, with the help of Ivan, had killed both him and Catrina. It wasn’t something she was ready to share.
Colin nearly fell backwards as he separated from Meghan’s thoughts. He steadied himself with the aid of a nearby tree. It would take a few minutes to process everything.
“Are you okay?” Meghan asked him. She felt certain that for his part, Colin was on the receiving end of a much larger shock; all she really needed to do was accept what Colin was.
He was just finding out they were not twins.
That they were not even related.
But she and Ivan were.
And so was she and Colby.
That Jurekai Fazendiin was her father.
That her mother was still alive.
That no one knew where he came from.
That Bird was actually Sebastien Jendaya... he had known everything all along. He was the one that had attacked Colin in Grimble. But it was obeying orders of Amelia Cobb; the crazy woman who’d tried to control both he and Meghan, and was now dead.
Plus, that he had been right all along in regards to Juliska Blackwell.
Colin’s mouth felt cruddy, like he needed to spit out a mound of filth.
The things Juliska had done...
The things she had done to Jae...
“Colin,” called out Meghan again. “I’m sorry. This is much harder for you than me. I’ve already had time to adjust to this stuff. Not that it makes some of it any easier to swallow.”
“I’m just...” he didn’t know what to say. “I came here because I didn’t have a choice,” he sounded bewildered. “I had no idea the things I didn’t know.”
“What do you mean you didn’t have a choice?” she asked him. Something dawned on her. “Colin, where’s Catrina?”
“She’s in trouble,” he muttered.
“What can I do?” Meghan asked without hesitation.
He didn’t respond.
Meghan felt bad for Colin. He had come to her for help and she had bombarded him with many surprising and frightening things, all at once. She grabbed his arm and dragged him to a nearby bench, forcing him to sit.
“Whatever’s happened, you can count on me,” she told him. “But why don’t you just chill for a minute. You look like you’re in massive overload mode.” Seems to be the theme of the evening... she thought to herself.
Overload was putting it lightly. Colin felt lucky that the Magicante hadn’t just raced out of control or stalled completely. It must have been that he was so stunned. So stunned he almost felt numb. His mind didn’t know how to react yet.
He heard Meghan speaking and tried to listen.
“I just want you to know, Colin, regardless of anything that’s happened between us, or that we don’t share the same parents, you’ll always be my brother. That’s not going to change! Ever!”
He sucked in a cleansing breath.
“I feel the same,” he replied, in a tone that made her certain Colin hadn’t fully heard what she’d said.
“What do I call you now?” he asked her.
In true Meghan stubbornness she said, “You still call me, Sis!”
“Okay. Sis.”
“Is there anything I can do? Something I
can get you?” she asked.
“No. Really, I just need a minute. It’s all starting to make more sense now, I think.”
“How did everything get so messed up? My life, your life, all our lives,” she rambled. “I’m sorry about Jasper, Colin,” she added. “I’m sorry that it was my actual brother that killed him.”
“I don’t know how to feel about that. I have it in my right mind to kill Colby for it.”
“You are not alone in that sentiment,” Meghan acknowledged. “My new family has some issues.”
“And Ivan... I really didn’t see that one coming.”
“He is a good brother. His world is sort of crashing right now, but then again, whose isn’t? Just look at the prophecy if you need any more proof,” she spouted.
“I guess it’s true then,” said Colin. “Three immortal children... except, I don’t know why I am immortal. I don’t know who I belong to.”
“I wish I knew,” said Meghan compassionately. “If it makes you feel any better, knowing isn’t exactly all its cracked up to be, either. Look who my dad turned out to be...”
“Do you ever feel like we’re just living out someone else’s idea of what our lives are supposed to be?” Colin asked, his tone less dazed.
“More and more each day,” she answered. “It’s like we were born according to someone’s plan. We were introduced into the world of magic because of someone’s plan. And now, we have this battle ahead of us, all because someone else had a prophecy that said we would. And yet, I have a feeling that even if we tried to fight against it, somehow we’d just be dragged back in.”
“Lately I’ve been feeling like I’m always just a step behind. Like someone else is controlling the board, and I’m just going where they tell me to go. Maybe that’s not true,” he added.
“Or maybe it is. Maybe that’s how prophecies work. We were brought into this world for a specific purpose and until that purpose is fulfilled, maybe we don’t get a say,” she said. “Still, prophecy controlling our actions or not, it does not make up for what I did to you and Catrina. I can’t ever say sorry enough.”
“You haven’t exactly had it easy,” said Colin. “I think you’ve more than paid the price.”
She shrugged. “So where does this leave us?”
“I don’t know. I know I have no intentions of battling you. I don’t care what any prophecy claims. I can’t wage a war against my own sister!” The thought horrified him. What terrible thing would have to happen between them, in order for that to happen?
Meghan sighed. “It might happen with me and Colby.”
“So he’s your real twin?”
“Yup.”
“And he was raised by Fazendiin?”
“Yup.”
“Sorry,” he spoke, as if it were more of a question than just an apology.
She let the subject drop, knowing Colin’s dislike for Colby was strong and she didn’t want to argue. Not now. Not when they were finally making up.
“If I can ask, Colin. Why are you here? You said something about needing to and that Catrina is in trouble.”
Colin sucked in a deep breath. Catrina... he needed to get with it. She was counting on him.
“Catrina has been taken prisoner by one of the Grosvenor. Freyne Rothrock.”
“What! How?”
“Remember the memory I showed you about the dagger Colby used to kill Jasper Thorndike?”
“Yeah.”
“The dagger is made out of the one thing immune to a Projector’s powers.”
“I had no idea such a thing existed.”
“Me either, until Jasper was killed. I think until then, only your father knew. But now, another of the Grosvenor does know, and he’s using it to hold Catrina hostage.”
“What is the dagger made from?” she asked.
“Bones. Of a dead Projector.”
Meghan flung him a questioning look.
“Catrina’s prison is also made from the bones of a dead Projector. Jasper’s bones. I guess when a Projector dies their bones can be used as weapons against other living Projectors. Our own bodies work against us.” He made a funny face.
“What?”
“I suppose in a sick and twisted way, it makes sense. This power I have isn’t natural. Kanda explained it to me once, that it’s sort of like I’m missing this part of me that controls the amount of magical energy one person should be able to possess or process. I guess a Projector’s body works the same way. Down to our very bones. It’s like they build an immunity to what we can do. But once dead, that immunity can be used against us... if that makes sense.”
“It is a little hard to wrap one’s head around,” she replied, thinking it through. “In life, your bones are immune to your powers, they would have to be or your own body would be fighting against you. But in death, that immunity can be used against living Projectors. The bones are immune to your powers. Huh. You’re right. Sick. Twisted. And sadly, makes sense.”
“And now the Grosvenor have discovered this and are using it against me. I know that’s how Colby got his powers too, but I would not trust for a moment than he’s any safer than I am. Not that I really care about that,” he made clear.
“I’m sorry, Colin. I know it’s not my fault, but my actual brother took away the one man who might have been able to help you. It sucks there’s just not more information out there about Projectors, other than be afraid, be very afraid!”
“Good old Meghan,” Colin chuckled.
“Sorry, that’s just what it feels like sometimes. Everyone’s afraid of you but you’re still just Colin.” He eyed her knowingly. “Okay, I know, you’re not the same. I just find it so hard to believe that no one knew about this whole bone thing.”
“As old as Jasper was when he died, I don’t think he even knew about the bones and what they could do. He was caught off guard, and it cost him his life.”
“I guess maybe we should be thankful not too many people know,” Meghan added.
“Hopefully it stays that way,” he replied.
“So how do we free Catrina?” she asked. “What is it you need my help with?”
“I’m not entirely sure yet,” he replied. “Freyne has a request. He claims if I do this thing for him, that he will free her. He told me I would need help only you could give.”
“Hmm. Weird. Can’t imagine what that would be, unless it’s something specific to do with Firemancy,” she noted.
“No idea.”
“What is this thing he wants you to do?”
“He wants me to free someone,” Colin explained. “And I have no idea why. I have to say, now that I’ve seen your memories, I’m even more confused by his request.”
“Why is that?”
“The woman Freyne wants me to free is imprisoned in the stained glass in Jurekai Fazendiin’s estate.”
“That’s his mother. My grandmother.”
“Sorry, but that’s so weird to hear you say out loud,” Colin replied.
“You’re telling me.”
“I don’t know why he wants her freed. He didn’t tell me. Just said he had his reasons and that he would free Catrina if I do this thing for him.”
Meghan got off the bench, pacing in circles.
“I hate to tell you this, but Colby told me that our father had been searching for a way to free her since she had been imprisoned, a really, really long time ago. If he hasn’t found a way...”
“I don’t have a choice, Meghan. It’s Catrina.”
Meghan caved instantly. “We’ll need some help. I don’t even have a clue where to start. We’ll need Ivan and Sebastien, and Jae if he wants to come too.”
“That’s insane about Jae,” Colin blurted out. “I’d have bet he was up to something, but I’d have never won! I would never have guessed correctly in a thousand years... I followed him a few times when we were in the E-Valley,” he revealed. “Never figured out anything.”
“He’s had a pretty rough go of it these last few months.
Juliska Blackwell tricked us all,” Meghan said in a bitter tone.
“Not all of us,” Colin responded hotly. “Sorry.”
“No. No. You’re right. You never trusted her. From day one.”
“At least we’re all on the same page now,” he returned graciously.
“Definitely,” said Meghan. “But back to our current problem. Would I be correct that you’d prefer to remain hidden from the general public?”
“Yes. That’s not too hard for me though. Even while we’ve been talking, no one could have seen us or heard us,” he informed her.
“Really?”
“It’s this thing I can do, sort of an internal cloaking device.”
“Oh. Neat. How do I get out of it?” she asked.
“You’re out,” he replied in an instant.
“But I can still see you and hear you.”
“Yeah. If anyone’s watching, it just looks like you’re talking to yourself now.”
“Nice. Nice,” she mumbled. “Head towards the back entrance of the camp. There are guards there, but fewer people. I’ll meet you there just as soon as I can.”
Colin vanished from view. It made her nervous.
“He’s not leaving,” she told herself. “He needs your help.”
She darted down a pathway hoping Ivan would be waiting for her. She neared Arnon and Kanda’s home and saw him sitting just outside. He came out to meet her and didn’t interrupt as she explained what was happening.
“I think we should take Jae with us,” she said. “I’d hate for him to wake up and think we ditched him.”
“I’d rather keep him close by, too,” agreed Ivan.
“Sebastien, too,” she added. “We might need his help,” she argued, seeing a disgruntled look on his face.
“Fine. I’ll go get Jae. You can go get your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. I did kiss him once,” she said, wandering off topic. “Well, it was hardly a real kiss... you know, that’s kind of pathetic when you think about it. I’m sixteen!”
Ivan stared, in uncomfortable vexation. “Please tell me this isn’t one of those things we have to share with each other. I don’t want to know who you’ve kissed! Who you plan on kissing. And I certainly will not be sharing... never mind...”
“Suit yourself. Don’t tell Arnon and Kanda what’s up,” she added. “I don’t want them to worry. And I don’t know if Colin wants them to know he’s here.”
Control (Book Seven) (Fated Saga Fantasy Series) Page 10
