by Rue Volley
“Aunt Luna, the God of Death is a myth, he doesn’t exist.”
She stared at me in horror. “How can you be so sure?”
I sat there and the chill made me tremble. The wind picked up outside the house, and I could hear it howling against the sides of it making it creak and moan.
She pushed her hair behind both ears and sniffled. “I’m sorry, it’s a terrible story, but the greatest tragedy is how Eyota and Persephone have turned their backs on their heritage and become so rigid. They are devout Christians now and head up the Royals, who, as you know, tend to want conformity. They enacted the dress code at your school, and I’m sure, if it were up to them, they would force us all to attend church every Sunday, abandoning our own beliefs and accepting theirs as truth.”
“I met him, well, I met both of them.”
“Who?” She asked me.
I swallowed and adjusted myself on the couch. “Eyota and Persephone.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I took a slow breath. “I didn’t think it was important.”
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t act this way; it’s as bad as they are. Of course, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, but I would prefer it if you stay away from that family, all of them.”
The words stung me. Staying away from their family was nearly impossible as long as Thorn lived and breathed.
“Don’t you find it odd that my parents are investigating the same thing right now, I mean, something called the veil?”
She paused and stood up, holding her hand out to me. “I’ve come to expect so little of rationality, that when it occurs, I get amused.”
“So you believe in the supernatural?”
She wiggled her hand. “I believe that there are things that can’t be explained away in a book. I don’t see how this is any different than believing in a Christian God that can’t be seen.”
I took her hand and stood up, studying her face. She looked stoic and steadfast in her opinion. Then she spoke again. “The veil refers to something shielded from the eyes of the mortals. So yes, the fact that it’s called the same thing may seem odd, but in truth, it’s common in the Pagan world.”
“Why do you think Mr. Vega and his sister refuse to practice?”
She sighed and touched the side of my face. “It wasn’t always like that. Grief causes many things. Eyota and his sister used to practice, just as his whole family did, up until he lost his wife.”
“What happened to her?”
“Oh honey, she died in childbirth, having Hawthorn.”
I gasped. I couldn’t imagine how that would make you feel to know that your birth marked the death of a parent. It must be terrible for him.
“After that, Eyota shed his beliefs and embraced the church, along with his sister.”
She leaned in. “Come with me; I want to show you something.”
28
My aunt pulled out a skeleton key and slid it into the keyhole. She turned it, grabbing the doorknobs, opening up a set of double doors. She stepped aside and the smell of vegetation hit as soon as the room was exposed to me.
It was a breathtakingly gorgeous atrium, complete with a skylight and a stone fountain that sat in the middle with vines growing all over it, some brown in color, but I could see hints of deep green struggling to overtake what was once dead or dying. Clear blue water cascaded over the top and landed into a wading pool that surrounded it.
I scanned the room and could see budding flowers and herbs. I tilted my head and stared up at the skylight and could make out a defined pentagram built into the glass with black iron. How this could be here, and I had never seen it was beyond me. Children wander, but she must have kept the doors locked.
“Aunt Luna this is beautiful,” I whispered in astonishment. She stepped in behind me and looked around the room.
“It had all withered away despite everything I tried to do, then.” She stopped talking, and I looked back at her. “Then you arrived, and this started to happen…life. Little sparks of life here and there, like magic.”
“Magic,” I repeated, straining my neck to inspect the tall, vegetative vines that had made their way up the walls and onto the skylight.
She walked past me and ran her hand along a line of deep red roses. I could smell their sweet scent in the air. I closed my eyes until I heard her hiss. I turned to face her, and she was staring at the tip of her finger. She glanced back at me and sucked on it, then removed it from her mouth, giving me a wink. “Beautiful things can be treacherous, Echo.”
Man, no truer words had ever been spoken. Of course, my mind immediately returned to Thorn. He was dangerous for me. I could feel it, and yet I was drawn to him in a way I couldn’t explain, and quite honestly, I didn’t want to know. Knowing would ruin everything, I was sure of it.
“This is the only thing I can do,” I spoke in a murmur.
My aunt narrowed her eyes and rubbed the tip of her finger. “What’s that, honey?”
I smiled. “I can grow things. My parents couldn’t and, well, I was the only one.”
“It’s a gift to be able to bring things to life.”
Midnight crossed my mind. If I could have kept her alive, then I would have never come here and experienced this, the house, my aunt, this beautiful atrium, or Thorn. I would have also missed out on Daniel and Mattie.
I shook off the guilt.
I nodded to her. “Well, I thought you should have this. It felt right.” She handed me the key, and I stared at it in wonder. I had never been offered a gift like this one. It seemed to come with a great deal of responsibility. Anything concerning life should be taken seriously, whether it’s animal or plants. They are all living things and should be guarded.
The silver chain rolled off the side of my palm and swung back and forth. “Aunt Luna, I couldn’t.”
“Oh yes you can, and you will. Do what you do best, Echo. Give this room the love and care that I couldn’t. I think it may have been waiting on you. Consider it an early birthday present.”
I stared at the roses and then stepped back when I heard the ruffling of feathers. I turned and watched two white swans walk past us, and they made their way to the fountain. They climbed in and started to swim next to each other.
“That’s Romeo and Juliet.” She touched her heart. “Yes, I’m a romantic at heart, don’t tell anyone.”
I grinned. “I won’t, your secret is safe with me, but where, I mean, how did they end up here?”
“They came to me, just as Bela did. We don’t get to pick and choose these things. They choose us. At least, I don’t. All you can do is enjoy the time they are gracious enough to share with you.”
Her words settled deep in my heart.
She stepped up to me and pulled out a small metal container. She turned the lid and waved her hand. “Turn around, sweetheart. Let me rub this on your back; it will help with the healing.”
Her fingers gingerly moved across my skin, and I winced at first, but the warm sensation that followed relaxed my muscles, and I felt the dull ache start to fade. I flexed my fingers in the sling and turned to face her.
“I thought you didn’t.” I stopped, and she twisted the lid back on the small container. “I don’t practice anymore; perhaps that’s why this place started to wither and die.” She looked around and then walked away from me. The fact that she had whipped something up for me was amazing and showed how much she loved me. I had no idea why she had abandoned her craft, but maybe someday she would feel comfortable enough to tell me. Until then, I wasn’t going to pressure her.
I watched her as she made her way to the door. She paused and turned back to me. “Just do me a favor, if you find love, treasure it for all it’s worth and don’t let it go for any reason. Don’t let it wither and die, tend to it.” She scanned the room and then let her eyes settle bac
k on me.
“I promise,” I said.
She nodded to me and left me there alone.
I turned back and watched the swans floating next to each other.
“Hi, I’m Echo.” I lifted my hand and gave them a wave. They ignored me, and I took a deep breath and held it in. I pulled the key out and stared at it.
“Wow,” I whispered.
I woke up to voices and rolled onto my back, staring up at the canopy above my bed. I had stayed up way too late weeding the garden and pulling away dead vines. School would be difficult today as the fluorescent lighting wasn’t forgiving to anyone, especially to those who slept less than they should.
I slid my feet into my slippers and grabbed my fluffy red robe, placing it on and tying it in the front with a twist. I pulled my hair up, hissing when my shoulder gave me a little bit of grief, but it felt better. Whatever my aunt had used was doing more than painkillers ever could. I placed it in a ponytail and then I heard my aunt’s voice rise. I rushed down the hallway and onto the stairs, firmly gripping the railing in my hand and trying my best to stay upright.
Coffee consumed my mind.
I made my way around the corner, and I could see her standing there with the door open. I rushed up behind her, and she turned with tears in her eyes.
“Aunt Luna?”
“James, he, oh, honey.” She rushed into my arms and sobbed against my shoulder. I knew what had happened, but I wanted to give the silence a chance to console her. Loss is a terrible thing, and I could feel her weight against me which matched the one in her heart.
I parted my lips. “I don’t know what to say.”
She leaned back and a huge smile exposed her teeth, the tears streamed down her cheeks, and I shook my head. “Are you having a stroke?”
She started to laugh. “No! He’s awake, and he asked for me, Echo. He asked for me!”
I grinned as she gently shook my shoulders and then gave me another hug. I felt such a huge relief. I was sure that he had died. In fact, the dark feeling still lingered.
My aunt leaned back and touched my cheek. “Oh, I have to go see him, now.”
She started to run and skidded to a stop; her hair bounced on her shoulders. “Oh, I didn’t make you any breakfast, I can do that first.”
I shook my head. “No, you go, I can feed myself.”
She rushed up and kissed me on one cheek then the other. Very European. She laughed and then backed away. “I have to do my hair.” She bit her lip. “You know what? Screw that.” She grabbed her shoes and placed them on, one rain boot at a time. Luna stumbled while laughing. She grabbed her coat and placed it on while snatching up her purse. Then with one last breathless moment, she paused at the door.
I leaned to the side. “Aunt Luna.”
She nodded and opened the door, finally crossing the threshold, and then she paused again.
“Aunt Luna.”
She waved her hand behind her. “I know, Echo. I’m going.”
“You don’t look like you’re going.”
She turned to face me. “What if he doesn’t remember me?”
I narrowed my eyes and grinned at her. “Remember you? Are you serious? No one could forget you.”
She placed her hand on her hip. “What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing but good things.” I took a step toward the door.
“Remember me because I’m annoying or remember me because I’m amazing?” She asked.
I winked at her and grabbed the doorknob. “Door number two.”
She lifted her hand, and I smiled. “What was door number…”
I started to close the door, and she leaned against it. “Echo, please.”
“Go, Aunt Luna.”
“I just…”
I shut the door. There was nothing else I could do.
29
I hadn’t spoken to Thorn since I had told him that I met his dad. Again, he had switched gears on me, going from attentive and loving to cold and distant in the blink of an eye. He hadn’t returned to school, and there were no missed calls on my phone.
I understand denial. I had effectively lived on my own for a year now. The anniversary of the mock funeral had come and gone, and I had ignored it. I refused to give it any validity. If I did that, then it would be like admitting that she was gone.
Maybe it was the same for Thorn. I couldn’t imagine the guilt associated with something so beyond your control. Birth shouldn’t carry so much misery, but his did.
His birth signified his mother’s death.
Again I felt pity for him.
Again he served as a distraction from my own issues.
I didn’t know how long that would work, but for now, I accepted it for what it was, unhealthy or not.
I hunched my shoulders when I entered the large auditorium. A marching band played, swinging their trumpets back and forth while a boy wildly slammed his sticks against the side of a drum. I walked past a group of girls who seemed to start whispering to each other as soon as I had appeared. I sat off to the side, trying to avoid people and spotted Mattie with Bri. They both waved me over, but I shook my head. They had sat too close to the front. I adjusted on the hard bleacher and then spotted Daniel and Tailor. Tailor was all snuggled into his side and laughing. Everyone seemed to be settling into life with someone.
The music stopped, and the door opened. Thorn came walking in with his shoulders squared, and his hands shoved deep into his pants pockets. His eyes found me without much effort at all. My heart fluttered as he walked toward me, lifting his steady hand and running it through his thick blonde hair. His eyes were back to that beautiful deep blue again; all the darkness had disappeared. Even his expression had changed from worrisome to gratification. I didn’t know what could do this for him because surely it wasn’t just the sight of me. He paused in front of me for only a moment and then with a slight grin he took a seat next to me on the bleachers. His shoulder rubbed up against mine, and that tingling feeling ran down my arm and across my stomach. He cleared his throat and leaned over to speak to me, the sweet scent of sandalwood engulfed my senses, confusing me into thinking that he hadn’t been gone for a few days without a single call or explanation.
I let out a short breath when his voice broke through the ringing in my ears. “This looks exciting.”
“Where have you been?”
“Hunting.” He said.
“You can’t just…”
He interrupted me. “Can’t what?”
I got caught up in his eyes, and then my focus shifted to his mouth.
“Leave and not even bother to call.”
He sighed. “I really have no choice.”
“You could say no.”
He let out a short burst of laughter and scanned the room.
“What?” I asked.
His eyes landed right back on me. “You try telling my father no.”
I paused. He had a point. I remember sitting in the back of that limousine wanting to run, but I couldn’t.
My jaw tightened. “Well, do you have something against calling?”
He grinned and studied my mouth. “I love the way you frown when you get agitated with me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Glad I can amuse you.”
He moved in closer to my side. “You do more than that.” His leg pressed up against mine, and I gripped the bleacher with both hands. I glanced over at him as he licked his bottom lip. I couldn’t help but stare at them, all soft and inviting.
His kiss still haunted me.
The way he made me feel lingered in my soul. It was ridiculous to be this bound to anything, but I was, and I couldn’t fight it. His fingers weaved into mine as he lifted my hand and turned it. His lips hovered right above my skin. He sighed as his eyes shifted. He lowered my hand, and we both looked up to see Tailor st
anding there with Daniel at her side.
“Tailor.” Thorn said without much enthusiasm.
“I heard.” She said.
“Heard what?” I asked, and Thorn looked down and then over at me.
“Oh, he didn’t tell you?” She added with a smirk.
“Thorn? Tell me what?” I asked as I stared at him, but his eyes narrowed as he glared at her. His eyes locked onto someone. I turned, and a girl stepped up next to Tailor.
Her hair was long and beautiful and lay in loose curls over her shoulders. The lights in the auditorium caught hints of magenta in her dark brown hair. Her almond shaped eyes inspected me. Chestnut in color with what appeared to be hints of gold. Her face was soft, her jawline exquisite, her nose was small and elegant. She looked like a model, or perhaps royalty, a boys dream. Her full red lips parted and she spoke with a soft, elegant tone. She was South African; I could tell by her accent.
“Reunions are always so awkward.” She immediately noticed me and stepped up, letting her eyes rush over me like rough waves. She suddenly felt aggressive, and my heart fluttered in my chest. She grinned and then abandoned her need to speak to me.
“It seems I’ve returned.” She walked away with Tailor and Daniel happily following in her wake. I bit my lip and let out a sigh. Thorn pulled me up and out of the assembly before it had a chance to start. The door closed behind us, and he let go of my hand and took a few steps out in front of me. I stared at his back, and then finally he turned to face me. I could tell that he was visibly shaken, which was odd for him.
