Fae

by C. J. Abedi

  “Who’s having a party,” she said as her eyes glowed with excitement. She enjoyed the high school experience more than I did—or ever would.

  “Some cheerleader named Jordana Kroll.” Just saying her name made me cringe.

  “Jordana? You mean Mike and Theresa’s daughter?“

  “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Wow. Well, honey, that’s so nice of her to invite all of you.”

  “I don’t know if I’m really invited; she invited Teddy and Teddy invited me.”

  “Well aren’t these high school parties open to everyone anyway?”

  “Not really,” I said. I turned and walked away toward a waiting table of customers. “I’m probably crashing, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

  A few hours later, I looked up at the clock and was thankful to realize we were close to closing. The restaurant had been unusually busy that night, and I’d barely had time to take a break. I was exhausted. It had been a long day, and to be honest, a little bit of a depressing one. I hated to admit that school wasn’t the same without Devilyn to keep my mind fully occupied.

  I began to drift off into fantasyland again.

  I dropped a food order off at one of the tables and heard the chiming of the restaurant door opening. Another customer. That meant at least an hour delay. I turned to see who it was. I thought I was hallucinating. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

  Devilyn stood at the door.

  He had a big smile on his face, and I couldn’t help but smile back. As cheesy as it sounded, he literally made my heart skip a beat.

  Dressed in dark jeans, a grey sweater, and a black leather jacket, he looked like a movie star.

  I was speechless and stared at him. I heard the door chime again and watched as a small group followed him in.

  And then I saw her.

  Sidling up to him and grabbing hold of his hand. With another planted firmly on his elbow.

  And she was smiling, like the cat who’d caught the canary.

  Actually, they both seemed to have that irritating grin on their face. I couldn’t believe it. I was stunned. How could he bring Jordana to my family’s restaurant? How could he flaunt their relationship like that? How could he?

  Relax, Caroline. He can do whatever he wants! He is not your boyfriend. For that matter, he’s not even your friend! I took a deep breath and moved toward them in what felt like slow motion. My legs were moving, and my body was following slowly behind.

  “Can…can I help you guys?” I barely managed to get out.

  How?

  Why?

  There were no answers.

  Well, perhaps just one.

  She was beautiful, and he was infatuated with her.

  D

  I was breaking her heart. I literally watched it crumble right before my eyes. She wasn’t good at hiding her emotions; every reaction she ever had to her surroundings, everything she ever felt was written all over her lovely face. She had gone from smiling at me, her eyes glowing in delight, to open-mouthed shock, to staring at me with utter disdain. I knew I was hurting her.

  Intentionally.

  But there was no other choice.

  “Well, hello Devilyn,” her mom called out from behind me. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

  “Hello Mrs. Ellis,” I cordially responded, fighting the myriad of emotions that seemed to course through me. I fought off the guilt I felt for bringing Jordana to their restaurant, but I kept telling myself there was no other way.

  “We’re actually about to close,” Caroline told me, and I knew she was hoping that I would leave just as fast as I had arrived.

  “I know. Jordana was craving dessert, and I‘ve heard that you guys have the best apple pie in town,” I said as I turned to Jordana and lightly touched her chin. The giddy girl practically blossomed beneath my touch.

  Caroline ignored what I said and instead pointed out the obvious.

  “You weren’t in school today.” I knew she wanted to take back the words, just as quickly as she said them.

  “I took the day off for Jordana,” I continued with a nonchalant attitude. “She needed some help getting things together for her party tomorrow night.”

  “Hi Caroline,” Jordana whined from behind me. “Are you coming to my party tomorrow night? It’s going to be a night to remember.”

  “I’m—I’m not sure yet, but thanks so much for inviting me,” Caroline replied as she cleared her throat. “Well, um, let me show you two to a table.” She kept her eyes averted from mine, and the guilt I had been feeling washed over me in waves. My bright idea didn’t seem so bright after all.

  She was so innocent and so kind, and she looked so beautiful. Every time I saw her my attraction for her grew more and more. In a split second, I changed my mind about having dessert at the diner.

  “We weren’t actually planning on staying. We’d like our order to go.” I turned to Jordana. “Why don’t you pick something sweet from the menu, and we’ll eat it in the car.” I handed her a menu, which she obediently opened and began to scan for the list of desserts.

  “Well in that case, mom, do you mind handling the order?” Caroline said as she turned to her mother who was watching the whole uncomfortable situation unfold in front of her. “I’m a little tired, so Teddy and I are going to head out, and I’d really like to leave sooner rather than later.”

  “Are you walking home?” her mother asked. “I didn’t see Teddy’s car in the parking lot.”

  “Yeah, it’s a nice night and, uh, I’d love to get some fresh air.” She turned and with an attempted smiled looked at both of us, “Have a good night you two.” And just like that she walked away.

  I watched her leave and I wanted to stop her, but I was still reeling from the fact that she was walking home with Teddy. What was he doing there?

  Relax Devilyn, I told myself. You had a goal tonight. You were on a mission. And you succeeded.

  But the thought of her walking outside in the dark and unprotected was making my heart race. I couldn’t let her. Even if she walking with Teddy. It was too dangerous. And he would never know how to protect her like I could.

  “Caroline,” I called out after her. She stopped and turned around.

  “Yes?”

  “I can give you a ride if you’d like.” I hoped that she would say yes, but I fully expected the answer that she would inevitably give me.

  She looked appalled. “Thanks for the offer, but I’d really like to walk.”

  “But it’s really dark out.”

  “Dark? I walk home all the time, and I can handle myself. Besides I won’t be alone, Teddy will be there to protect me from the big bad wolf,” she ended with a smile.

  And then I saw her knight in shining armor. He walked out of the kitchen glowing like a Nordic Warrior.

  Teddy.

  I couldn’t believe that I was actually jealous. He flashed his pearly whites and waved.

  “Hi guys.”

  I could only manage a nod. He came to stand right next to Caroline and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, while he ran the other one through his blond hair. I could see the relief in her eyes as she looked up at him.

  He was her savior.

  When it should have been me.

  C

  I was stunned.

  I didn’t want to be, but I was.

  I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I took in a deep breath and welcomed the cold air. We walked by his car, and the mere sight of it made me sick to my stomach. She would be riding home in it. He would hold her hand, just as I had seen him do moments earlier. He would drive her home, walk her up the steps of her house, and give her the good night kiss that I had wished for…

  A wish that would never come true.

  It was as if he had showed up to our restaurant tonight to prove that he had no interest in me outside of completing our History project. Everything he did was calculated because I
knew he was a complex guy. There was nothing simple about him. He knew what he was doing when he walked through those doors. He could probably sense the attraction I had for him.

  He knew that I was a giddy, lovesick teenager, and he had to put a stop to it. He had to show me that he was interested in someone else and that he would never be interested in me.

  He must have known.

  It was all making sense. It was painful, but it was a truth that I needed to see and accept. There would never be a Devilyn and Caroline. That would never happen, and I needed to accept it and move on. I needed to stop fantasizing about him and stop wasting my time thinking or wishing that he had deeper feelings for me than he was outwardly admitting. I shook my head and continued walking with the hope that the cool brisk air would chill any feelings I had left for him.

  I knew Teddy could tell that something was bothering me because he let me walk in silence without bombarding me with questions. I’m sure he sensed that I needed time to digest whatever it was that was occupying my thoughts. Minutes went by, and with each breath I took in I willed the pain to wash away and began to relax.

  “So you’re officially invited.”

  “To what?” I replied.

  “Jordana’s party.”

  I almost laughed out loud.

  “I’m beyond elated.” Evidently he was still intent on going.

  “I promise that we’ll have a good time. And if we don’t, we’ll leave whenever you want,” Teddy pleaded. “Just say the word and we’re out of there.”

  “I’m holding you to that.” I accepted the fact that I would have to suffer through an evening of vapid conversation. I knew that I could pretend that I wasn’t feeling well, but I also knew that he wouldn’t have any of it.

  The walk to my house from the restaurant was a beautifully scenic one. I often made the journey and quite frankly loved it more than riding in a car. The roads in Roanoke were surrounded by beautifully tall and lush trees. I don’t know what it was about these trees and the surrounding forest, but it almost felt like a safe haven. When the wind would blow, the trees would band together and sway from side to side and the result was always the most beautiful orchestral arrangement made by nature. I don’t think I loved any sound more than that one.

  Even though it was dark out, and the only light above us was the light of the moon, I felt safe. It was familiar in a weird way. We turned down the road to my house and within moments reached the stairs of the white two-story cottage I called home. I almost felt like I had come full circle. I looked up at the porch, the light was on and it was illuminating the front of my house.

  I silently counted the eight steps that led to the front door and realized that for now, I would be climbing them alone. I would open the door and enter the house without having the special moments I had hoped for outside of it.

  It’s fine. I told myself. Really, it’s fine.

  I will meet that special someone. And I will have those moments. It just may take a little more time.

  “So, I’ll pick you up at eight-thirty. Does that work for you?” Teddy said again, once more breaking our silence.

  No, it really doesn’t. “Sure. No problem.”

  Teddy brushed his hair away from his eyes. “Ok. I never ask anything of you, and I’d really appreciate it if you would at least pretend to be a little more excited.”

  I looked up at his big blue eyes and suddenly felt bad for my sour attitude.

  “I’m sorry.” And I was. He had a crush, and he wanted to see her outside of the confines of high school. I had to be supportive. “You’re right. I promise to have a great big smile pasted to my face tomorrow night.”

  “Can you at least try and have fun? I mean I might even have a beer.” Teddy smiled mischievously at me.

  “Yeah right.”

  “Come on. You know everyone is going to be trashed. That’s what happens at these kinds of parties.”

  “And how do you know?” I asked curiously as I placed my backpack on the ground while I searched for my house key. “It’s not like we’ve ever gone to any of ‘these kinds of parties’.”

  “I know. But we always hear their many stories on the Mondays following their crazy weekends.” He laughed as he folded his arms across his chest. “They were always so drunk, and the house was so wrecked, and they got in so much trouble.”

  “It sounds even more ridiculous when you say it out loud.” I imagined Devilyn hanging out with the jocks, getting trashed, acting crazy with Jordana on his arm. They deserved each other. “I promise I will put on a happy face, and I will make you proud. We will have a good time, and at minimum we’ll have something to laugh about. It will be something new and adventurous.”

  “That’s the spirit!” Teddy said with a smile. I looked up at my childhood friend as the moonlight placed a special glow around his face. There was a new confidence about him that made him even more handsome then he was before. I realized Tatiana must have given him some kind of hope or signal, and I was suddenly very curious to meet the mysterious girl who my best friend was obsessing about.

  I looked up at Teddy and smiled again.

  I suddenly realized that whoever she was, she was certainly lucky.

  And I was unexpectedly envious.

  D

  I couldn’t have driven her home fast enough. Every time she reached out and touched my hand I envisioned Caroline. I drove her home at a reckless speed. I wanted her out of my car and, truthfully, out of my life. But that wouldn’t happen. It couldn’t. I shook my head in disbelief at what I had done. I watched Caroline walk out of the restaurant with him, and I couldn’t do anything to stop her.

  I wanted to reach out to her. I wanted to prevent her from leaving and tell her that I was doing all of this for her own good. But even I was beginning to doubt myself. I silently swore underneath my breath. I could have been easier on her. There were so many ways I could have dealt with the situation. If I had chosen the easier path, she wouldn’t have ever known or felt the pain I saw in her eyes tonight.

  I could have come to her in her sleep, whispered in her ear, and the next time she saw me she wouldn’t have ever been affected or even cared. But I knew those methods would be too dangerous. I had to keep a clear head. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to face this monstrous battle that was surely upon us.

  This had to be the right thing. It didn’t feel right, but it had to be. I kept telling myself that I was doing this to protect her. I wanted her safety. Above anything in this world. I wanted her to live a long, healthy, normal life.

  But the reality was that I also wanted to be a part of it. After dropping Jordana off, I quickly drove home. Once there, I opened the heavy doors and began walking up the long winding staircase when Odin called my name.

  “I have news,” he said as he summoned me from the study nearby.

  I stopped and went in the direction of his voice.

  He was sitting in his chair, smoking his pipe, staring at the flames and crackling wood inside the huge stone fireplace.

  “Hello father,” I replied, suddenly concerned by the look on his wise face. He looked up at me and smiled.

  “Before we discuss any details, I wanted to apologize to you,” Odin told me in a solemn voice.

  “Apologize?” I asked curiously.

  “Yes, truthfully I underestimated your recent methods,” he began. “I should have trusted your youthful instincts because you were right all along.”

  I leaned down and added a few more pieces of firewood to the already roaring flame.

  “I’m always right.” I smiled, trying to make light of the darkening mood that had taken over the old man.

  “I paid a visit to the Valkyries today,” he said obviously intent on ignoring my joke.

  “And how are the beautiful warrior maidens?”

  “They have been assessing the situation and have confirmed my worst fears.”

  “What have they found?” The knots ti
ghtened in my stomach.

  “Your father is an even bigger coward than we ever imagined him to be.”

  “That’s no surprise to me.”

  I waited anxiously as the fire crackled in the silent room.

  “He’s sending someone,” Odin finally said breaking the silence. My heartbeat instantly quickened.

  “Who?”

  “Someone whose gifts are quite vast.”

  “Who?” I demanded.

  “He’s sending the Seeker.”

  I stood there in stunned silence. The Seeker.

  My father was sending a Kelpie water Faerie. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

  “You know that the Seeker is the most dangerous of all the Kelpie.”

  My mind began to spin. I took a step back and tried to control the fear that consumed me for Caroline.

  “His skill and prowess is legendary,” Odin continued. “He can find anyone. Anywhere.”

  “But you are protecting her. You have shielded her with your magik,” I said softly.

  “He can reach through my cloak if he has an inkling of a blood scent.”

  “Blood scent?” I asked him.

  “If Caroline bleeds, the Seeker will smell her blood and know she is the one.”

  “But the laws—” I began desperately, but Odin cut me off.

  “He cannot make her bleed, but if she is to do so by accident or by design, and he is to be near, he will know. They will all know.”

  The fire crackled as if it was an omen, and I looked at Odin.

  “In the past the Kelpie would arrive as a gray horse, bowing to the innocent humans that encountered them. The humans would never sense the danger before them because as everyone knew from the tales, behind the graciousness and welcoming nature of the Kelpie, hides a dark soul and hunger for humans. If the humans approached the Kelpie they would be destroyed as the Kelpie’s spirit mimics that of the ferocious rivers they travel through. When provoked they are merciless. If a human even innocently approaches a Kelpie horse, they are often submerged in water, unable to extricate themselves and ultimately face their demise.”