by Mazhar, S
“My favourite way to start a story,” Sam teased.
“That...that boy, Kyran?” Aaron said. “I’ve seen him before.” He swallowed heavily. “In my dreams.”
Rose and Sam looked exactly as Aaron had imagined. Their eyes widened and eyebrows rose.
“Excuse me?” Rose asked.
“I know, crazy, right?” Aaron said. “But it’s true. I’ve...I’ve been dreaming about him – Kyran – for two months now.”
“How’s that possible?” Rose asked. “You never met him before last night, right?”
“Right,” Aaron confirmed.
“You sure?” Sam asked. “It’s more than a little creepy that you dreamt about a complete stranger and then, two months later, you met him in the flesh.”
“Exactly,” Aaron said. “It is creepy.”
Sam’s face darkened. “Is it a...mage thing?”
“What do you mean?” Aaron asked.
“Like, do mages have dreams about the future?” Sam asked. “What were the dreams about? What were you and that Kyran boy doing?”
Aaron hesitated, thinking about Sam’s words. Was it a mage thing? Did his dreams hold more significance than he first thought? He brought up the mental image of what he could remember of his dreams: the conversations he had with Kyran, the cave with the lava, the time he was holding a gun, when he asked for help but was turned down. Could that be the future? He shivered, as a trickle of fear ran down his back.
“Oh,” Sam’s voice made Aaron look up. “Was it those kinds of dreams?” he asked, misinterpreting Aaron’s little shiver.
“What?” Aaron frowned. “No, no! Don’t be stupid!”
Sam grinned and held up both hands. “Hey, you’re the one dreaming about dudes.”
“Shut up, Sam,” Aaron said.
Both Sam and Rose were giggling.
“I’m sorry,” Rose apologised, “but your expression was priceless.”
Aaron threw a pillow at her. “Glad you’re amused,” he said, but a smile came to him at the sight of Rose laughing again. “Come on, we’d better get some breakfast before it’s all gone,” he said, getting up.
“You didn’t answer,” Rose said as they headed to the bathroom to wash up before breakfast. “What were the dreams about?”
Aaron shook his head. “Nothing special,” he answered. “Just some weird conversations and...” He remembered the dark, the running, the cave, the lava and the feeling of helpless frustration that squeezed his heart. He swallowed heavily. “And just normal dream stuff.”
***
As soon as Aaron walked outside, his searching gaze spotted the tall, dark-haired Kyran seated at the table, already halfway through his breakfast. Aaron, Sam and Rose joined him. Most of the table’s occupants looked up at them, except Kyran. He had his head lowered over his plate and steadily worked on emptying it.
“How’d you sleep?” Skyler asked Aaron, with his usual condescending smirk in place.
Aaron ignored him.
“What’s the matter?” Skyler grinned. “Not in the mood to mouth off today?”
“Can’t you eat in peace, Skyler?” Drake asked, his mood notably darker than usual, evident in his shadowed eyes and tightened jaw.
Skyler shrugged but he looked away from Aaron, his piercing blue-eyed gaze resting on a new target instead.
“You’re awfully quiet too, Kyran,” Skyler taunted. “What’s up?”
Kyran didn’t say anything.
“Oh come on,” Skyler teased. “Tell us what’s on your mind?”
“Can’t,” Kyran replied. “No one plans a murder out loud.”
Skyler chuckled. “Still mad about your place?” He tilted his head to the side. “Have a sense of humour, Kyran.”
“You’re the one who’s going to need the sense of humour,” Kyran replied, looking up at Skyler at last.
“Oh?” Skyler raised an eyebrow. “How’s that then?”
Kyran didn’t say anything, but the green of his eyes darkened a shade. He lifted both hands, clasping them together, elbows on the table, stare fixed on Skyler. Aaron noticed that Kyran too had a tattoo: four thin, silvery lines across the back of his right hand. Behind Kyran, the roof of one of the blue-doored cottages suddenly tore away. Aaron jumped at the thunderous sound, as did most of the table’s occupants. They all turned, all except Kyran, to see the roof of Skyler’s cottage spin into the air, raining debris all over the place, before streaking across the sky and disappearing out of sight.
Aaron turned back around to see Skyler’s jaw clenched and face pink with suppressed fury.
Kyran smirked. “Sense of humour,” he repeated. “Have a laugh, Skyler, before you rupture something.”
Skyler’s fists were clenched and a muscle twitched in his jaw. He looked seconds away from leaping across the table and tackling Kyran, but he forced a smile instead and nodded.
“Very funny,” he said. “Not very original, but–”
“It’s payback,” Kyran said, scooping the last of his breakfast up. “You give away my roof, I’ll take yours.”
Aaron shared a grin with his friends. This was the first time they’d seen anyone get to Skyler. Aaron had to admit it felt good.
“It’s your fault your place was given away,” Skyler shot back. “You were missing for over a fortnight–”
“I wasn’t missing. I was on an assignment,” Kyran corrected.
“Much the same to me.” Skyler shrugged. “Point is, you were gone. Your place was empty, so it was used.” He cocked his head to the side, looking intrigued. “Hang on, what sort of assignment takes over a fortnight?”
Kyran didn’t answer. Suspicion narrowed Skyler’s eyes to slits.
“Where were you?” he asked. “What assignment were you on?”
“Any particular reason I should tell you?” Kyran asked.
“Why so secretive, Kyran?” Skyler smirked, baring his teeth in a feral way. “Come on, share. Where were you?”
“With me,” Scott replied, a few seats away.
Skyler turned to look at him, his eyes so wide that they were at risk of popping out. “What?” he asked. “You...you took him with you?” He pointed at Kyran.
“I needed an experienced Hunter, so I took Kyran,” Scott replied.
Skyler turned to see the smug smile on Kyran’s face.
Mary approached the table, carrying a tray of steaming mugs. Her expression morphed to shock when she spotted the roofless cottage surrounded by debris.
“My goodness,” she said, settling her tray down. “What happened?”
“Kyran blew Skyler’s roof away,” Ella said in an exaggerated tell-tale tone.
“Kyran,” Mary chastened. “You’ve been back a few hours and the hurricanes have already started?”
Ryan, the sandy-haired mage, chortled. “Skyler and Kyran in the one place? There’s more than hurricanes on the horizon.”
Mary tutted at both Kyran and Skyler but passed them mugs of tea. “Honestly, boys,” she said. “Learn to get along. Remember: in unity lies power.”
Kyran groaned while Skyler turned to look at Mary.
“Please, Mother Mary, don’t repeat Neriah’s sermons,” he said. “I’ve just started to get over them.”
Mary playfully smacked him on the arm. “Actually, it’s Aric’s teachings.”
“Sure, if you’re gonna get technical,” Skyler mumbled.
Mary walked away, heading back to the Stove, leaving everyone sipping the sweet, hot tea. Aaron looked up at Drake over the rim of his cup.
“Drake?”
“Yes?”
“Why does everyone call Mary mother?” he asked.
Drake gave a crooked half-smile. “Because she acts like one,” he replied. “She cooks for everyone and fusses over them. No one takes her scolding to heart and she’s probably the only one who can get away with telling Skyler off.”
“But still, mother?” Aaron frowned. He nodded at Skyler. “How old is he?”
�
��Eighteen,” Drake replied.
Aaron looked across the table at Kyran. He seemed about the same age as Skyler, so did Ella. In fact, all the mages that hung around with Skyler looked around that age.
“And Mary?” he asked.
“I think she’s twenty-four,” Drake replied.
“So an eighteen year old calls a twenty-four year old, mother and you don’t find that weird?” Aaron asked.
Drake paused for a moment. “In this place, Aaron, being called a mother isn’t weird. If anything, it’s comforting.” He turned to look at Aaron. “Making someone your family, when you’ve lost your own…What’s strange or weird about that?”
Aaron fell quiet. Slowly, the residents of Salvador finished their tea and started to get up from the table. Aaron waited, watching Kyran as he drained his mug and got up. Aaron rushed to his feet, quickly making his way over.
“Hey, um, Kyran?” he called.
Kyran turned and his bright emerald gaze rooted Aaron to the spot. Aaron swallowed. How many times had he looked into those eyes in his dreams? For almost two months he had met those fierce green eyes. To have those same eyes meet his with a glint of annoyance was a little heartbreaking. Realising that he was just standing there staring at him, Aaron cleared his throat.
“Hi,” he said.
Kyran didn’t say anything.
“I wanted to say thank you for letting us stay last night,” Aaron said. “I know that we were an inconvenience, and I’m sorry.”
Kyran gave him a look before nodding. “Okay,” he said. “Make sure you’re out by tonight.”
“Yeah, sure.” Aaron stepped forward when Kyran made to leave. “You let me and my friends stay in your house without even knowing who we are.” Aaron extended a hand. “I’m Aaron–”
“Adams,” Kyran finished for him. “I know who you are.”
Aaron stared in surprise. “You do?”
Kyran’s mouth curved into a smirk. “You look like your father.”
Aaron’s hand slowly lowered back to his side. “You know my dad?”
Kyran’s smirk deepened. “Everyone knows Christopher Adams.”
Right,” Aaron muttered, hating the cold tone almost everyone adopted when talking about his dad. “Okay, well, I just...I wanted to say hi and...you know...just introduce myself.”
Kyran nodded. “Well, you’ve done both.” He stepped closer, leaning in to whisper. “Now get your stuff and get the hell out of my house.”
Aaron stared at him in surprise. “I told you, I’m going–”
“Good,” Kyran cut across him. “Make it quick, and put my rooms back the way they were before you leave.” He turned and walked away.
“What do you know?” Sam said, coming to stand next to Aaron. “He’s just as big a git as Skyler.”
“You’re definitely not a mage, Aaron,” Rose said. “It seems being a mage automatically makes you an inconsiderate moron.”
Aaron didn’t say anything. He was about to turn around and make his way to the cottage to start his packing when he caught sight of Jason Burns stopping to talk to Kyran. Jason was quick to point in Aaron’s direction. Kyran turned and his sharp green-eyed gaze cut into Aaron. Whatever it was he was saying, Aaron doubted it was anything pleasant. Jason shook his head and Kyran turned back to him with a frown. They started arguing.
“What’s going on there?” Sam asked, staring at Kyran and Jason too.
“Let’s go find out,” Aaron replied.
They walked as close as they dared to pick up the conversation.
“What do you mean?” Kyran snarled.
“Whit I’m tellin’ yeh,” Jason shook his head. “They’s nothin’. All houses ar’ taken.”
“I need them out,” Kyran said, his brow furrowed with annoyance. “They’re not staying with me.”
“I’m hearin’ yeh,” Jason said, “but I cannae dae anythin’. Yeh hav’ to wait till the Shatte’ed ones leave. Then I can gee them they’re own p’ace.”
Kyran let out a growl of frustration, running a hand through his hair. “So what? I’m stuck with them? Is that it?”
“I ain’t the one who mov’d ’em in,” Jason said.
Kyran cursed again, standing with both hands on his waist, head dropped. “Fine,” he breathed. “They stay. But the minute the Shattereds leave, so do they.”
Jason nodded, his crooked smile in place. “Aye, nae problem.” He started to walk away.
Kyran turned and spotted Aaron and the twins watching him, wearing cheeky smiles.
“Jason,” Kyran growled.
“Aye?” Jason turned around.
“Get me some damn beds!”
***
Sam, Rose and Aaron did what they could to not threaten their reluctant welcome. They returned to the cottage and began rearranging the furniture. They put the sofa back downstairs and pushed the second bed out of the first room. They were done when Kyran returned with two beds floating behind him. He dumped the beds in the hallway.
“Only until another cottage becomes available,” he warned and went upstairs, slamming the door shut.
The trio shared looks.
“Well, isn’t he nice?” Sam joked.
“At least he got us beds,” Rose said, walking closer to the pair of single beds, complete with pillows and duvets.
“He could have used his powers to take them upstairs,” Sam said. “Now we’re gonna have to carry them ourselves.”
“It’s a disgrace how lazy you are,” Rose said.
“I’m not lazy, I’m just tired,” Sam replied.
“Come on,” Aaron said, picking up one end of the bed. “We’d better get these upstairs.”
Kyran had taken the first room, leaving the trio with the slightly smaller second bedroom. They heaved the two beds inside but had to move the wardrobe out to make space. When they finished, they stood at the door, taking in the crowded looking room. There wasn’t much space left around the three beds.
“It looks like a cheap hotel room,” Sam said, pulling a face.
“A hotel room with three beds?” Rose asked.
“Ever heard of family rooms?” Sam retorted
“Every heard of making sense?” Rose returned.
“What are we going to do with the wardrobe?” Aaron asked, distracting them from another fight.
Having no other option, they moved the wardrobe into the last room with the built-in locked cupboard. They came back to their room and collapsed onto their respective beds.
“God, I’m exhausted,” Rose breathed.
“Wonder why,” Sam muttered. “You were only pretending to hold most of the stuff.”
Rose turned her head to glare at him. “You’re lucky I’m too tired to come over and smack you.”
“Come on,” Aaron said, feeling his stomach rumble. “I’m hungry. Let’s go to the orchard and get something.”
“Good idea,” Sam said. “I’ve worked up an appetite.”
All three got up and made their way outside. As they walked past the row of cottages, Aaron saw near enough all of the debris had been lifted away from around Skyler’s cottage. It was also no longer roofless.
“How did Skyler get his roof fixed so quickly?” he asked.
“More magic or power or whatever the hell it is mages use,” Sam said.
“If it takes them half a day to build a new roof, then how long would it take them to build a new cottage?” Rose mused.
“Good question,” Aaron said, wondering why they couldn’t build a new place for him, Sam and Rose to stay in.
“You know what else is a good question?”
Aaron groaned and came to a stop. He turned to see Skyler saunter up behind him. For a change, he was on his own.
“How you manage to sneak up on people?” Aaron offered.
Skyler’s smirk deepened. “No. How you can tolerate their clear disrespect for mages.” He nodded towards Sam and Rose.
“What?” Aaron frowned. “What disrespect?”
“Magic or power or whatever the hell it is mages use,” Skyler repeated. “Doesn’t that bother you? The way these humans talk about mages?” He cocked his head to the side, examining Aaron with cold blue eyes. “Or has living in the human realm for so long made you think you’re a human too?”
“Hey, man,” Sam started. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just–”
“Showing your lack of understanding, I get it,” Skyler said. “Because you’re a human. A pathetic useless burden who can’t grasp the first thing there is to know about mages, but Adams here? He’s a mage. More than that,” he moved closer, practically in Aaron’s face, “he’s an Elemental.” He emphasised the word. “It makes it even more of a tragedy that he stands around letting no good humans disgrace mages.”
“Sam wasn’t disgracing mages,” Aaron said, making an effort to keep calm. “He made an offhand comment. It wasn’t intended to be disrespectful, but everything you just said about humans? That’s all intentional.”
“Too right it is,” Skyler admitted. “Difference is I’m right. Humans are useless. They can’t even survive without our help.”
“Your help?” Rose asked, appalled. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the very survival of your species,” Skyler said. “If it wasn’t for us mages, who you show very little respect for, your entire species would be long dead.”
“What are you talking about?” Aaron asked.
“Do I look like your freaking tutor?” Skyler asked with narrowed eyes. “Go ask that no-good father of yours! Tell him to do something worthwhile and teach you your own damn history!”
Aaron’s fists clenched. “Don’t talk about my dad,” he warned.
“Oh, yeah?” Skyler asked. “What you gonna do, squirt?” He grabbed Aaron by the front of his shirt. “Tell me? What you gonna do?”
“Hey!” Sam yelled. “Let go of him!”
“Stop it, Skyler!” Rose shouted, but Skyler was ignoring them. His gaze was fixed on Aaron.
“Go on, show me, Adams.” He shook Aaron violently. “Let out some power. Snatch the ground out from under my feet!” He shook him so hard, Aaron’s teeth rattled. “Go on! Fight me if you have the nerve.” His mouth curved into a smirk. “Or are you a bloody coward? Just like your father.”
