by A. L. Knorr
"Depends what the questions are, but if I don't have answers, I can hook you up with someone who might." Hiroki seemed to know everything about supernaturals. I felt sure he'd love to help these girls the same way he'd been helping me.
"There, you see?" Georjayna put her hands on her hips.
The redhead did not see. Clearly, the idea of taking them to someone who might have answers had not done the trick. Her pouty mouth tightened and the corners turned down as she assessed me coldly. Funny how Fire could feel so icy.
"You must be the fire mage." I fixed a friendly and relaxed look on my face. "Saxony, right?" I held out my hand.
Her strange green eyes widened and she crossed her arms while uttering a curse under her breath. Then, "Who do you work for?"
The question was like a barbed spear thrust in my direction, but I was glad for the segue.
"A company called The Nakesh Corporation, TNC for short. Have you heard of it?"
The raven-haired woman with the otherworldly blue eyes (definitely the mermaid, as Jody had described her coloring to me) gave a small intake of breath. "Mr. Nakesh's corporation? The billionaire tech tycoon?"
"The same," I replied. "So you’ve heard of it."
"If you'll excuse me," Saxony interrupted. "I need to make a phone call before this goes any further." She pointed a finger at me. "Say nothing else until I'm back."
It wasn't a request. I decided right there and then that I liked this feisty redhead, even if she didn't like me much. Yet.
"As you wish," I replied, palms up. "I can't proceed without you anyway."
"Why's that?" She arched an elegant red brow, the eye beneath it judging, assessing.
"This is an all or none proposition. Except for you," I said to the most petite one of the group whose name I'd been told but had forgotten since she wasn't part of the assignment. Jody had said that if the girls insisted on her presence, I had permission to allow it, but they preferred she not attend. "Sorry, I hope that doesn't offend you. TNC has an offer for these three." I gestured toward her friends. I held my hand out to her. "Lovely to meet you, though…"
I waited for her name.
She grasped my hand and shook, but her face was an enigmatic mask. "Akiko. No offense taken."
"Wait a second," the mermaid—Targa—spoke up. Her voice had an enchanting layered quality and I immediately wished for her to speak again. She was doll-like in her perfection, yet gave off the aura of a predator. Her energy was appealing in the same way many of the most beautiful and deadly creatures of the sea were attractive, times one-hundred. I wanted to reach out and touch her but thought that if I did, I risked drawing back a bloody stump. The little I had learned about Water Elementals was limited to what they could do with water and the fact that they could shape-shift into mermaids, but I had a feeling that her abilities could be far more seductive than making waves.
“Targa?” I held out my hand.
She opened her mouth, closed it, then shook my hand with the briefest of touches, her beautiful eyes laced with concerned. "First off, it’s very disconcerting that you know our names. Second, you want to make us a proposition, but without including Akiko? Why?"
"I don't know, to be honest, but if you'll let me tell my story and agree to what I'm asking, you can ask my supervisor all the questions you want."
Georjayna and Targa shared a bewildered glance and they all looked at Akiko.
Akiko shrugged as if to say, what do you want me to do about it?
"Just when I thought things couldn't get any weirder," Targa said.
I turned to Saxony where she was hovering at my elbow. "You wanted to make a call?"
Saxony nodded. "Give me a few minutes. I'll be right back." She turned and left the house and the door snicked shut behind her.
7
Saxony
I took the stairs down from Georjie's porch and went up the sidewalk, my cell clutched in my hand. I searched for Basil's number and hit dial. Surely, if this woman was hiding some sinister motive, or if the company she worked for was the kind of corporation Basil had repeatedly warned me about, he would know it. I walked a distance from the house, listening to the ring in my ear.
"Saxony?" Basil's rich accented voice filled me with warmth. I couldn't help but smile.
"Hello, Basil. How are you?"
"Busy preparing for the year but very well. Yourself?"
"I'm good too. Listen, I won't take up much of your time. I just have a question."
"I have nothing but ears and time for you, Saxony."
"Oh, thank you." I cleared my throat. There was something about Basil's tone that always kept me guessing whether he was being serious or just having fun with me. "Ever heard of a company called The Nakesh Corporation? TNC for short."
"Of course. Mr. Nakesh is famous in tech. His company is always in the news for some invention or breakthrough or another. Why?"
I heard no alarm in his voice. "They're not one of the evil corporations you've been watching?"
Basil chuckled. "Saxony, TNC is single-handedly responsible for giving clean water to something like five-hundred villages in Africa. Mr. Nakesh has a patent on a self-cleaning filtration system. Once installed, these systems require no maintenance. Other corporations would install systems that require upgrades and filter-changes in order to create a source of revenue, but TNC didn't do that."
I began to feel badly about how I had reacted to Petra. "Oh."
"Why do you ask?"
"One of their employees, an Air Elemental, has approached me. She knew who I was and where to find me. It kind of freaked me out."
"An Air Elemental?"
"That's what she said."
"Hmph."
"What, hmph? What does hmph mean?"
"I've been archiving supernaturals for years; there is only one Air Elemental that I've ever heard of and it’s highly unlikely that this girl is in that category."
"Why is it unlikely?"
"Because—there is only one."
My brows arched in surprise. "Like, only one in all of existence?"
"That's right. If she is what she says she is, she is one in seven billion." He paused. "I would like to meet her. Maybe she has some kind of supernatural power and doesn't how else to label it."
"So, what can she do? Like, create storms, or something?"
Basil chuckled. "My portfolio for this kind of Elemental is rather skinny, as I've never met one, and my information gathering has always been from second- or third-hand sources; but if she is a true Air Elemental, she is capable of a lot more than that."
"Like what?"
"Well, why don't you ask her to show you? She wants you to attend a presentation. Why don't you ask for something in return? Proof."
This made sense, but if I asked her to prove herself to us and she did, then by this logic we'd be bound to say yes to her pitch. Which, all things considered, wasn't really a big ask.
"Silence?" Basil prompted.
"Sorry, I'm just thinking."
"Have I helped?"
"Yes. You've helped a lot. Thanks. I won't keep you."
"You'll let me know what happens with this woman, though? What did you say her name was?"
"Petra…Petra something. I've forgotten her last name."
There was a low grunt. "Never heard of her. Honestly, I would wager you'll catch her in a lie, or you'll be sorely disappointed with her skills. If that's the case, then you can just part ways and tell her you're not interested."
"I'm not interested, regardless. I want to come to Arcturus."
"Arcturus will always be here for you, Saxony. You can come at any time, but I have to admit I am glad to hear you say that." He let out a breath into the receiver and it sounded like wind in my ear. "There is no harm in listening to her. You might learn something you can pass on to me and it will have cost us nothing. I would be curious to hear what TNC is up to these days. They're secretive about their projects, to say the least."
The gears in my
mind were clicking along at a rapid pace. I was glad I had Basil in my back pocket. His advice solidified it for me. I would ask Petra to prove herself. Based on that, we could either tell her to bug off, or we'd have made a new supernatural friend.
"Thank you, Basil. I appreciate your time."
"Of course. My pleasure. And, Saxony?"
"Yes?"
"Would you try and get her abilities on video for me? It's not likely she'll let you, but you can at least ask. Video footage is very valuable to my library."
"Sure. I'll try. Bye, Basil."
"Good bye—"
"Oh, wait!" I remembered what I'd promised Georjie.
"What?"
"Have you got anything in your archives about a supernatural called a Wise?"
There was a pause. Then, "How do you know that term?"
"I'll have to tell you another time. Long story."
Basil grunted. "I do, but not very much. Earth Elemental. Much rarer than fire magi. In comparison, we are a dime a dozen."
"Oh?" I wasn't sure if learning that would make Georjie happy or unhappy. She wanted someone to talk to about her powers, but wasn't it nice to know she was exceptional in the world of supernaturals? As much as I hated going through what Dante had put me through, the fact that my powers were unrivaled among my kind felt kind of good. No one fancied being a dime a dozen. "Interesting. What about in comparison to a fire mage who's been through a burning?"
Basil chuckled. "Feeling a little trivial now, are we?"
"No, I—" I pressed my lips together. I was, and Basil knew it. He was so intuitive.
"If my research is accurate, and I'm not saying it is, you're as rare as a Wise. But Wise are very shy and they tend not to live in populated areas, so who can say for sure."
That made sense given what Georjie's skills were and how sensitive she'd said the fae were to pollution. Why wouldn't a Wise just live in a jungle away from civilization? I couldn't picture Georjie ever wanting to do that, though; she was an urban girl through and through. Just the fact that she now liked to go around barefoot was astonishing.
"Why do you ask about the Wise?" Basil paused. His voice was infused with a sudden and palpable hope. "Have you come across one?"
I couldn't help but grin. You have no idea, I thought. Seems like everyone I know is some kind of supernatural. I opened my mouth to ask him if he'd ever heard of multiple supernaturals emerging from a single city or town, but then remembered that everyone was waiting for me, and they were probably standing in the foyer staring at Petra awkwardly. "I'll tell you another time. But maybe you can dig up what you have for me?"
I also wanted to ask him to dig up anything he had about mermaids and Hanta, but one thing at a time. That would really tip him off.
"I'll look into it, but I won't know if I can share it with you until I look at it. Some files are more classified than others, depending on who they're about. If I am able to share it with you, I won't send you anything electronically, you'll have to wait until you're here to see it. I don't mess around when it comes to risking the identity of anyone in my dossiers. If supernaturals think they can't trust me, they'll never talk to me."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you." I hung up the phone, feeling better, and headed back to the house.
8
Petra
When Saxony returned, she seemed a lot more relaxed. I didn't know who she'd just been talking to or what they’d told her, but I sent them a mental thank you.
Saxony shot her friends a smile and a nod.
"Why don't we go into the kitchen. Would you like a coffee?" Georjayna offered. "We have an amazing coffee machine my mother had shipped all the way from Naples."
I grinned and shucked my denim jacket. "How can I turn that down?"
"You can't," Saxony said as we went up the stairs and into the bright and airy kitchen.
Everything was spotless, done up in modern finishing with a lot of white and gray and stainless steel. Georjayna's family was obviously not standing in line for government cheese.
I gave the redhead a curious look and she answered it with apologetic smile. "Sorry I was rude before. I'm the cautious type."
"As you should be." I draped my jacket over the back of one of the tall chairs at the kitchen island.
Targa leaned on the counter and Akiko sat on the stool at the far end. She yawned and put her chin in her hands. Come to think of it, all the girls looked a bit tired.
Akiko apologized for yawning. "We haven't had any sleep yet."
"You've been up all night?" I looked from one face to another and only then noticed the faint smudges of blue under their eyes.
"We haven't seen each other all summer," replied Targa. "There was a lot of catching up to do."
"Speaking of being one of us," Saxony continued, perching on a stool. "We'd like to make a deal with you."
"We would?" Georjayna turned around, her brown eyes full of alarm as she stared at her friend. She held two espresso cups in her hands.
"We'd like to see a demonstration of your power before we go any further." Saxony looked me boldly in the eyes, her face full of challenge and curiosity.
"Oh. Yes, we would." Georjayna looked relieved, her shoulders dropped an inch. She put the cups down on the metal tray under the glossy machine with the eagle icon sitting on its top. "Just don't wreck anything, please."
I smiled. "I'd be happy to give you a demo."
"Do you mind if I get it on video?" Saxony pulled her cell phone out of her pocket.
I shook my head. "That I can't agree to, I'm sorry."
"Oh." Her face fell but she tucked her phone away. She folded her hands on the countertop in front of her. "Do you need anything? Should we like, tie down our hair and hide all the breakables or something?"
I laughed. "That won't be necessary." I looked at Georjayna. "Do you have any more of those cups?"
"Lots. How many do you want?"
"Three should do."
Georjie opened a cupboard and pulled down three matching white espresso cups with red hearts enameled on the handles. She put them down on the counter in front of me. I could feel their expectant gazes on me. I picked up the cups with both hands and in one smooth movement, opened my palms and sent them hovering in the air. I put them into orbit so they followed one another in a circle like a little family of ducklings, and then put my hands down. "Will this do?" I asked.
The girls stared at the cups.
"I thought you were going to make a wind or something," Saxony said, "but this is cool too." She didn't look impressed, but she didn't look disappointed either.
"This is what an Air Elemental does?" Targa sounded surprised. "Moves things telekinetically?"
"Among other things," I replied.
"Like what?" Saxony reached out a finger and poked one of the cups. It jiggled and swung out of orbit before moving obediently back into line.
"Come on, Saxony," said Georjie. "She did what you asked. Let her get on with it."
"It's all right,” I said. “I can create wind, but I can also lift heavy things by producing sound. I can also make a force-field."
I wasn't about to tell the girls that I could read minds—that would not foster trust.
"Now that's cool!" Saxony finally looked impressed. "Show us?"
I let the cups down and thanked Georjayna. She nodded and took them back and continued to make the coffee.
I used my hands to make a small hollow ball, a bubble of my force-field. "Can you see it? It's hard to see if you're not looking for it."
“I can,” Akiko said, “just barely.”
I noticed Saxony squinting at the air, looking for the near-invisible barrier. "You can touch it if you like,” I invited. “It’s just here,” I pointed both index fingers at the space in front of my belly.
Saxony reached out and poked it with her finger. I felt Saxony's frequency vibrate through my core and picked up a psychic impression of her. A wave of heat passed through me and was gone.
; "It's warm and so solid!" she made a face as she touched it again. "It feels a bit slimy. No, powdery." She rubbed her fingers together.
Georjie reached a hand across the island and touched the force-field too. "Wow. So cool."
Targa followed, and the three of them were touching the force-field. A battery of frequencies twanged through my core and I blinked at how very different they all were; different from each other, and very different from Hiroki, who was not supernatural. I sent Akiko an inviting look but she shook her head and stayed where she was.
The fancy coffee machine made a hissing sound and Georjie turned to retrieve a cup. She put the coffee at my elbow and I let the force-field dissipate.
"Enough?" I asked.
"Thanks," said Saxony. "Sorry, I hope that wasn't weird, I had to ask."
"I understand."
"I think we've gone way past weird anyway," Akiko murmured.
"I know you," I said to her. "Is it possible you went to Saltford District Collegiate? Or maybe you have a sister who looks a lot like you who went to my school?"
Akiko's pale pink lips parted and her fine brows arched. "I did go to that school."
I nodded. "I saw your school photo when I went to a meeting a Saltford High last spring. I was sure I knew you from somewhere."
"Are you born and raised in Saltford?" Targa asked.
I nodded.
Georjayna yawned.
"Why don't we get started, I have a feeling you guys could all use a nap."
They agreed, so I began.
"As you know, I work for TNC. I signed a one-year contract in return for a full-ride scholarship to the university of my choice starting next September, as well as some other perks like a new vehicle and apartment. Although, I haven't moved yet as I haven't had a lot of time to go house hunting. They've been keeping me busy lately."
"What do you do for them?" Saxony asked, propping her chin in her hand.
"So far it’s been nothing but learning how to use my powers. My first assignment is actually," I spread my palms, "talking to you guys."
