by Tenaya Jayne
Maddox blew out a breath, feeling like X had just run over him. “Geez…” he said quietly.
Redge touched him on the shoulder. “Come on. To the lab. We need to know what you drank.”
He waited in the lab while the tech ran his blood. It only took a few seconds, then the report was handed to Redge. He glanced at it for a moment then he unlocked the handcuffs on Maddox. “All right. That checks out. You’re free to go.”
Relieved but dejected, he stalked for the door.
“Maddox?”
He turned back.
“Just a little advice. Keep your head down for a few days. Don’t go out in public.”
He nodded, looking at the floor. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
Redge squeezed his arm. “I am, too. Think about living up to your heritage, okay?”
Maddox nodded again and sent himself home. When he got there, he realized he’d left his watch. Tesla was pacing the living room. She rushed to him and pulled him against her.
“What happened?”
He was suddenly exhausted. “I’ve been cleared. I can’t talk about it now. I just want to be alone for a while.”
She kissed his cheek. “If you need me, I’ll be here.”
“Thanks.” X’s harsh words came back to him. “I’m sorry, Tesla. Sorry for what I’ve put you through.”
She hugged him tighter. “I love you, Maddie.”
It was the first time in a long time being called that didn’t bother him. It felt warm and comforting. She held on to him for another minute, then she left.
Slowly, he walked to his room, feeling disconnected from his body. Never again, he swore to himself. No more parties, no more easy girls, no more substance abuse. He turned and stared at himself in his full-length mirror. Self-loathing spread through his veins. Without thinking, he slapped himself in the face again and again. He inhaled as deeply as possible and let it all out in a roar of rage at his reflection before punching the mirror. It shattered and sliced his knuckles. What had he done?
Maddox wept.
Tesla didn’t go home after she left Maddox. Her portal dumped her out in Kyhael inside the Rune-dy’s old headquarters. The Rune-dy was no more. That sect of elves dedicated to perfecting torture, twisting science, and pushing to finding other worlds had all died, except one: her grandfather, Rahaxeris, who had been the high priest for many years.
She exhaled in the familiar space that was now just a library, her first lab, and Rahaxeris’ apartments. He strode around the corner and smiled at her. His smile terrified most people, but she’d never feared him. He was always the same, as if caught in eternal youth. His golden hair hung straight to his shoulders, and his eyes were still the same signature red of the Rune-dy. He clasped her in a hug against his tall, angular frame, his sharp hands patting her back.
“How is Maddox?” he asked.
“Not good. He’s been cleared. I just don’t know what to do for him.”
“He has to grow up.”
She sulked. “He drives me crazy. He’s been so self-destructive lately.”
Rahaxeris chuckled. “Wonder where he gets that? He’s not as bad as you were.”
“Do you think you could…”
He raised one very severe eyebrow and shook his head. “I stay out of the public eye. I always will. It’s better for everyone that way. Besides, Maddox and I are not close. Not like you and me, and being close to you has been a… rough journey.”
She giggled. “I’m sorry, but that was a long time ago.”
“Feels like yesterday to me. All my grandchildren give me headaches…except Sophie. She’s perfect.”
“I haven’t seen Sophie in a while. Does she come here often?”
He frowned. “Hmm…it’s been more lately.”
Six
For three days and nights, Erin lived in a haze of tears and grief. Finding Selena dead had scared her psyche. She barely slept and her nightmares were terrible. The only thing heavier than the grief was the guilt. Why hadn’t she stopped Selena from leaving that night? She should have wrestled her to the floor. She should have begged her to stay. She’d still be alive…if only…
On the morning of the fourth day, she was awakened by the gentle touch of Journey’s hand on her shoulder. She caressed Erin’s cheek and hummed for a moment, sending waves a peace into her heart.
“The funeral is today, Erin.”
She sat up and reached for Journey. She held her and rocked her like a small child while Erin cried yet again.
“I’ve brought you a black dress to wear, in case you don’t have one.”
“I need flowers.” She sniffed. “Blue flowers, the color of Selena’s eyes.”
“That’s lovely, sweetheart. We’ll get some on the way.”
Erin thought about the finality of a funeral and collapsed in on herself. “Selena wouldn’t kill herself. She was my best friend. I know she wouldn’t! Maddox killed her. He has to pay.”
“Shhh…Maddox didn’t kill her. Perhaps someone else did, but it wasn’t him.”
“No. He did it. I know he did.”
“He was investigated. There was nothing. Your own account collaborated his story of the events of that night. I think you should accept that maybe she did choose to end her life.”
“No. He’s a liar. Everything about him is a lie.” Erin ground her teeth.
Journey shook her head but didn’t argue anymore. “Come on. Wash your face. Get something to eat. I’ll wait for you. We can go together.”
Erin slid the black dress on and didn’t bother to look in the mirror. She checked on her dad before leaving. He was pale and unable to get out of bed. She stopped short as she opened the front door. Jaris was there, dressed in a black suit, with a handful of flowers.
“Hey,” he said quietly.
She sniffed and then ran into his arms.
“Who’s this?” Journey asked.
Erin backed away from him. “This is Jaris. He’s a friend.”
He looked at Journey, his eyes widening. “The Storyteller,” he said with awe. “Wow. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“What are you doing here?” Erin asked. “Did you call? I missed it if you did.”
He tore his gaze away from Journey and looked at her. “I sent you a few messages, but when I heard the news about your friend…I just thought I’d come and see if you needed, or wanted me to be with you today. A willing shoulder, you know.”
She grabbed his face and kissed him hard, her tears falling on his cheeks. Her lip trembled as she pulled away. “Thank you.”
Journey cleared her throat and gave Erin a sad, knowing smile. “I’ll see you there?”
Erin nodded. Jaris wrapped his arm around her shoulders protectively. “I’ll take care of her,” he assured Journey.
“Okay.” She squeezed Erin’s hand quickly before walking past them and away.
She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I hardly know you, but it means so much that you came. I feel safe with you.”
He didn’t say anything; he just led her off the porch and down the street. The funeral was held outside in Anue’s memorial gardens. A white marble memory stone was already set up for Selena, and it pulsed with pale light. On this day only, the stone would collect memories of Selena, transferred from everyone who chose to touch the marble while it was illuminated. From then on, anyone passing through the memorial garden could touch Selena’s stone and would see all the good memories her loved ones had left behind.
There was an emptiness inside Erin. A ravenous hole that devoured her from within. All through the funeral, her mind kept returning to Selena, cold and lifeless on the ground. Left behind like trash when she was so special.
Maddox.
The image of his name carved on her skin twisted Erin’s heart around and around. A scorching hatred for him spread through her like a disease. He would pay for this.
Selena’s parents came over to her, embraced her, cried on her. She could ba
rely stand it. The guilt crashing back on her again. She wanted to use her elf blood and disappear. Long words were spoken about Selena. Erin closed her eyes, and let her mind drift, refusing to listen. All too quickly, it was her turn to come forward and touch the memory stone.
Her hands shook as her broken heart spilled from her eyes. She held her breath, walking up to the stone. She didn’t want to do this. She couldn’t… but she had to. Just one memory. She could only leave one. Which one was the right one? Erin hesitated, then she knew. It had to be her favorite one, nothing else would be adequate. She closed her eyes and exhaled, her fingertips connecting to the marble.
She watched the memory in her mind.
Erin jumped, just about to get into bed as a pebble hit her window. She looked out and instantly opened the glass. Fifteen-year-old Selena climbed through.
“What are you doing?” Erin whispered.
“I had to tell you something.”
Her heart sank. She knew Selena’s parents had not been happy they’d become such close friends.
“My mom and dad sat me down and got all serious, telling me I shouldn’t be friends with you anymore.”
“Because I’m Halfling?” Erin asked.
“Yeah,” Her eyes were burning. Erin had never seen her look like that. Selena didn’t get mad, ever.
“I listened quietly. Then I told them to take their racist asses back to Kyhael if that’s how they felt, where they could live among all the other snobby Elves…Then I told them, I’m not giving you up. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”
Erin hugged her tightly. “Thank you! I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t my friend anymore.”
Selena was shaking slightly and blew out a breath. “I’ve never talked to my parents like that…” She giggled. “You should have seen their faces.”
“I’ll always be there for you. No matter what. You and me against the world.”
She opened her eyes abruptly, feeling that she was being watched. She pulled her hand away from the stone, glancing around when she spotted the source of her feeling. Across the outdoor space, a guy was looking speculatively at her. Studying her. Frowning at her. She shivered under his dark gaze and pulled closer to Jaris.
“Who’s that?” she whispered.
“Who?”
“Straight across, looking at me.”
The two guys stared each other down. Jaris scowled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders in a possessive move. This seemed to amuse the other guy a little. He nodded and turned away.
“That’s Kendrick. High society prick and—“
“Maddox’s best friend,” she finished angrily.
“Yeah. Old money. Prominent elf society of Paradigm. His mother is Catarina. I think she’s a big wig in Fortress, but I’m not sure.”
The funeral was over, and people were beginning to disperse. Erin’s gaze followed Kendrick. Red clouded her vision, and she came after him. Jaris followed her.
She marched right up to his back and shoved him in the shoulder. “Hey you,” she said aggressively.
He turned, bemusement on his face. “Can I help you?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Kendrick?”
He smiled. “You know my name, but I don’t have the pleasure of yours.”
“Erin.” Her voice was clipped. “Selena’s best friend.”
His expression turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry. It’s such a terrible tragedy.”
“You saw her the night she died. You were with her.”
He straightened. “I was questioned at Fortress, you should know, since I can see the blame in your eyes. I had nothing to do with her suicide. It happened hours after I last saw her.”
“What about Maddox?”
“What about him?”
“I…he…” She tried to form the right words.
Kendrick reached out and took one of her hands. She looked at him, slightly shocked he would touch her.
“I understand. You’re distraught. True, Maddox took her to a party that night, but that was all. He decided she wasn’t the one for him. So, maybe she couldn’t take the disappointment. It wasn’t his fault.”
“But…”
“His name was carved into her arm, right?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s not stupid. If he killed her, do you really think he’d write his name on her? It’s ridiculous.”
She exhaled, frustration running all through her.
“You have such beautiful hair, Erin,” Kendrick said. “Such a rich red.”
She frowned at him. “What?” Was he hitting on her?
“Were you at the party that night?”
“I was, just for a few minutes.”
He smiled. “I thought so... Mystery Girl.”
“What?” He wasn’t making any sense.
Kendrick released her hand and took a step back. “It was nice to meet you. Too bad it’s on such a sad day.”
“Did you even care about Selena?” she demanded.
“Very much. If you’ll excuse me.” He turned and walked briskly away.
She turned to Jaris. “Wow. He’s… The rich really are different, aren’t they? He was polite, yet…”
“A scumbag?” Jaris offered.
“Exactly. Did you hear him call me Mystery Girl? What the hell was that?”
Jaris shrugged. “Do you want to get out of here?”
She looked back at the dispersing crowd, her heart weighed down. “Yeah.”
“Do you want to get something to eat or just go home?”
“I want to go to your place.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Um…okay.”
“I don’t want to go home. I just need to be somewhere I have no memories for a little while.”
“That makes sense.”
Jaris lived in the middle of Paradigm in a modest flat, typical of a young man just starting out on his own. She immediately relaxed when she came through the door. It wasn’t nasty or smelly, just a little messy. Normal. He apologized for the mess and began to pick up.
“Leave it. You weren’t expecting company. I crashed on you. I like it like this. It’s real.”
“Well, make yourself at home then.”
She plopped on his couch and exhaled. He took off his suit jacket and sat down next to her. She snuggled into his side and fell asleep. She woke up groggy with her stomach rumbling. The flat was going dark as the evening matured. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was alone. Jaris had covered her up with a fluffy throw. She stretched.
“Jaris?”
No answer. The flat was quiet. Where had he gone? Her feelings smarted a little that he’d left her alone. She stood and folded the throw. The door opening made her jump.
“Hey. You’re awake. I didn’t know if I should leave you, but I thought you might be hungry,” Jaris said. “I got takeout.”
She looked at the bag in his hands. The smell of greasy junk food filled the flat. “I’m starving.”
“Good, cause I bought a lot.” He laid the food out on the tiny table. “I have blood if you want some. You look a little weak.”
“Thanks. I’ll run away with you now.”
“What?” He smirked.
“At the hub, when we first met, you asked me to run away with you. Remember?”
“Hmm. Yes. I was being dramatic. I’d be content if you’d just agree to be my girlfriend.”
“You’re asking for exclusivity?”
He smiled brightly. “Not asking, just hoping.” His face fell suddenly, and he shook his head. “Sorry. The timing is wrong. It’s a bad day.”
“Ask me again sometime.”
“I promise you, I will.”
They ate together, and it was like their date—they gelled easily. He distracted her from the emptiness still eating at her insides. The night grew late.
“Do you need to check on your dad?” he asked. “Is he still sick?”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
