Eliza's Shadow

by Catherine Wittmack

  Ren broke the silence.

  “Well, it’s a new year. I wonder where we’ll be this time next year.” He mused.

  “Me too.” I mumbled.

  A smile spread across Ren’s face and he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes with a sigh.

  I absentmindedly scanned the faces of the passengers near us before turning back toward Ren.

  “So, notice anyone of interest on this flight?” I whispered a bit jokingly. It didn’t seem to matter if there was. Our mission for the Heka Council was accomplished and seeing as we were heading in the opposite direction of a body of water, I wasn’t too concerned with encountering a nereid in the near future.

  Ren’s brows drew together and he frowned, concerned.

  “There is something or someone here but the signal is too vague for me to tell if we should care. Do you feel it?” He asked puzzled, then shrugged dismissively.

  I nodded no. The only signal I was picking up was the rumble of the plane’s engine beneath my feet. Before we could discuss it further, the flight attendant began loudly rattling off the safety instructions for the plane. Within moments, we were safely soaring northward without incident.

  Once safely in the air, my thoughts turned to Jane. She wasn’t expecting me home for another three days and she had no idea where I’d been for the last two. I hadn’t planned on telling her I’d gone to Moco but now it was just a matter of time before she found out that my mother was back, at least, in body. My mother’s return was not something I wanted to keep a secret but how was I supposed to explain to Jane that she just reappeared, with amnesia, and was living with Cora, who incidentally was my long lost grandmother? Not to mention explaining how I obtained all of this earth shaking information while on vacation in England. While I was mulling over the dilemma of what to tell Jane, the thin air of the airplane cabin got to me once again and the next thing I knew Ren was softly shaking my shoulder.

  “Eliza, wake up. We’re landing.” He said.

  “How did that happen again?” I asked irritably rubbing my eyes.

  Ren laughed. “Well, if it’s any consolation, you didn’t miss anything.” He said with a bored grimace, gesturing to the airline magazine in his lap.

  The plane bumped onto the runway and taxied to the gate. I blinked pulling myself from the dredges of sleep. Dirty gray snow piled up along the edges of the runway like a miniature mountain range. I shivered, bracing myself against the cold we’d find on the other side of the plane door.

  As we sat, patiently waiting for the fasten seatbelt sign to fade, the shiver in my bones morphed to a tingle dashing across my shoulders and down to my fingers causing the hair on my arms to shoot up. I’d felt the signal before. A bell rang in my ears like an alarm. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes darted frantically around the cabin for the face I was afraid I’d see.

  The girl met my gaze with amusement. Her blood red slash of a mouth lifted on one side. I stared at her challengingly and without breaking eye contact subtly laid my hand over Ren’s arm alerting him to the situation.

  By now, the other passengers were standing and gathering their belongings, shuffling out into the aisle. Ren and I sat motionless, waiting.

  The girl rose, and slid into the aisle carrying nothing but a thick ivory envelope in her hand. Her mused hair glittered as she moved and the smirk on her face deepened as she neared my seat.

  As she approached, I moved to stand but before I reached my feet she was next to me thrusting the envelope into my hands.

  “Your orders.” She quipped in a voice that surprised me by its lack of aggression. I had been certain she meant me harm but now I realized I’d misjudged her.

  My name was scrawled across the front of the envelope in elaborate script. I hesitantly accepted it from her pale thin fingers. Without another word, she turned and marched down the aisle and off the plane.

  “What in the world was that?” I muttered staring after her as she disappeared out the hatch.

  “Better open it.” Ren said.

  I slipped a shaking finger under the flap and hastily tore the top.

  Dear Eliza Gowan,

  You have been summoned by the Commissioner of the Scandinavian Region to join the Special Forces of the North for a mission of utmost secrecy. Report to the Reykjavik office no later than 25 June. You will be briefed on your mission upon arrival.

  Sincerely,

  Thor Leifsson

  Commissioner of the Scandinavian Region

  “Can they really do that?” I stammered in shock.

  Ren didn’t answer. He was too busy furiously digging through his backpack. When he sat up, a broad smile stretched across his face. He thrust a tattered piece of paper into my hand.

  “Read it.” He said excitedly.

  As I scanned the contents of the letter my mouth dropped open. Apart from the greeting, it was identical.

  “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I asked surprised and hurt, wondering why he’d kept such a significant secret from me.

  Ren cast his eyes to the letter and looked uncomfortable.

  “Uncle Harold gave it to me before I left London. I was going to tell you yesterday… I just didn’t want it to change anything.” He said shyly.

  “But it looks like we both impressed someone.” He said, his eyebrows bobbing in accordance with his mood.

  “You think this is a good thing?” I asked, again surprised. It hadn’t occurred to me to take the order as a compliment.

  Ren’s eyes trailed after the last passenger lumbering down the aisle leaving us alone in the cabin before turning his attention back to me.

  “Of course! Remember the old Viking mentioned in the sithygrif’s message?” He asked in a hushed tone.

  “Yes.” I responded, eyeing Ren warily.

  “Well, you can probably guess where he’s headed this summer.” He said with a mischievous grin.

  At that, I nearly fell out of my seat.

  * * *

  It was dark by the time we reached my apartment building. The streets were deserted, the frigid January wind having driven all residents of Port Rune indoors. The cab driver glanced impatiently into the rearview mirror and tapped the running meter on his dashboard.

  I wrapped my scarf a little tighter bracing myself for the cold. Ren squeezed my hand that he’d held all the way from the airport, a small but significant change between us that felt all the more pronounced now that we were back in Port Rune. I smiled at him shyly, conscious of the cab driver’s attention.

  “Well, I guess I better take the plunge.” I groaned.

  Ren leaned close to me and let his lips grace my cheek before respectfully scooting back to his side of the bench, then rolled his eyes playfully in the direction of the cab driver.

  “Good luck.” He said with a wry smile, glancing up toward the lit windows of the apartment I shared with Aunt Jane.

  I popped the door open and slipped out onto the curb.

  “Thanks.” I shouted before slamming the cab door.

  The cab driver hastily unloaded my luggage and dashed back into the car. I trudged over the mound of snow piled on the curb and looked back offering a quick wave to Ren as the cab sped off in a cloud of frozen exhaust.

  As hesitant as I was to face Jane and recount the cover story I’d concocted on my way home to excuse my early arrival, the bitterly cold conditions on the street were more than I could bear for even a minute. I crept toward the door, my feet crunching on the salt sprinkled over the ice and slipped my key into the lock.

  Bits of tinsel lay scattered in the stairwell, likely remnants from one of our neighbor’s discarded Christmas trees. I plodded up the stairs, the exertion of the climb warming my chilled skin. When I finally reached the door and heard the hum of music and pots clanging on the other side, my anxiety began to melt. I was home. I knocked quickly on the door so as not to startle Jane before opening it.

  What I found inside startled me! Jane and Adam were waltzing around the kitche
n bumping into chairs and laughing. They didn’t even notice me until I dropped my suitcase with a thump just inside the door. Hearing the noise, they stopped dancing and turned toward the door with surprise. Upon seeing me, both of their faces cracked into smiles.

  “Eliza! What are you doing home so early?” Jane shouted over the music as she disentangled herself from Adam’s arms and scurried over to the stereo to turn the music down.

  I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Adam, he was around all the time but there was a strange feeling in the air.

  “I… well…” I muttered distracted by the odd sensation that there was something different about Jane and Adam.

  I shook my head, recalling my cover story and struggled to focus.

  “Oh, uh, Ren’s parents were called back to Africa unexpectedly so, we changed our tickets to come home. Sorry for interrupting.” I mumbled, suddenly overcome with a wave of embarrassment. Why hadn’t I called from the airport? I should have warned Jane I would be showing up.

  The story I’d just given Jane seemed to roll right over her as she listened, beaming brightly at me. Noticing my embarrassment she shot a quick glance back at Adam then bounced toward me to gather me in her arms.

  “No problem, babe. I’m so glad your home. I missed you!” She said, squeezing me tightly again before helping me pull off my coat.

  There was definitely something going on. I studied her glowing face and squinted at Adam from across the room.

  “Here, Eliza, come sit down. Adam and I have some news.” She said, tugging me toward the couch.

  I stumbled after her and plopped down on the couch, my gaze alternating between her and Adam’s equally blooming expressions.

  “What’s going on?” I asked cautiously.

  They both settled onto the couch opposite me and glanced knowingly at each other for a moment before speaking.

  “Well, there are really two things we need to tell you.” Jane began, now a bit tentatively as if she was choosing her words carefully.

  Adam nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with happiness.

  “First of all, we’re getting married.” She said evenly.

  My heart dropped in my chest. All at once I was shocked and happy and resentful that Jane had made such a huge life changing decision without me. And then, I couldn’t help but be confused. Jane and Adam had been discussing marriage for years. Why now?

  “But… I thought…” I began, then buttoned up realizing that the engagement wasn’t the source of their excitement. “Ok… what’s number two?” I asked.

  Jane took a deep breath and laid her hand over her stomach.

  “And… we’re having a baby.” She said softly.

  The news slammed into me like a tidal wave. I felt dizzy and light headed. Married and a baby?

  Jane’s excitement turned into an expression of panic.

  “Eliza? Are you ok? I know this is probably a shock but it’s going to be great. You’re going to be a big sister!” She said as she stood and moved to my side.

  I had tunnel vision. Jane’s arms wrapped around me and pulled me to her chest. I listened to her heartbeat imagining a second tiny beat somewhere inside of her. Followed by a little chest and belly, arms, and legs, chubby cheeks and a tiny nose. I peeled myself out of Jane’s arms and stared at her stomach for a long time.

  “A baby, really?” I asked in disbelief trying to wrap my mind around the news.

  “Believe me, it was a surprise to us too.” She said wagging her eyebrows.

  She looked tired, but happier than I’d ever seen her. I didn’t know what else to say. Of course, I loved Adam and Jane would be an incredible mother, she’d certainly been one for me. But everything was going to change and from the looks on both of their faces, it already had.

  “That’s… fantastic. I’m so excited.” I uttered softly.

  “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” She said.

  “Of course, I guess this means we’ll be moving?” I asked. The idea didn’t thrill me but living in a two-bedroom loft with a baby and Adam was a concern.

  “We’re workin’ on that.” Adam interjected reassuringly.

  “Nothing’s confirmed yet but I think I found the house for us.” He said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

  “You’re going to be an awesome big sister, Eliza.” He said.

  “Geez, it’s getting late and you had a long trip.” Jane said leaning back to study my face. “Bet you’re exhausted. I know I am.” She said.

  “Yeah, I think I’ll go get unpacked and ready for bed. But tomorrow I want to hear the whole story.” I said, with a stretch and yawn, emphasizing my point.

  As I stood to leave the room, Jane followed me to the kitchen.

  “Eliza?” She asked, her voice catching in the back of her throat.

  “Yeah?” I said instantly turning back to her.

  She took my hands and looked serious.

  “I know this is a lot of change. I’m sorry we didn’t have a chance to talk about it before, well, now.” She said rolling her eyes apologetically. “I can’t do this without you.” She said worry flashing in her eyes.

  I stared at her, overwhelmed with emotion. I was happy for her and Adam and a for me too but… it was just all so much to think about.

  “It’s ok, Jane. Don’t worry, we’re going to the best family a baby ever had.” I said.

  Jane’s face broke into a smile and she hugged me again.

  “Thanks, babe. Just keep telling me that, ok?” She said softly in my ear.

  “No problem.” I whispered back trying to absorb the promise I just made and turned to leave.

  As I shuffled down the hall with my suitcase, I heard Jane and Adam speaking in hushed tones and laughing. It occurred to me that all this time as my life had been changing and I had to conceal things from Jane to protect her, she’d done the same thing. Now, everything was different. She removed the veil, revealing a whole new world for us.

  But some things were a secret for a reason. Jane had more than just me to protect and now, so did I. I realized more than ever the chasm between ordinary and magical, good and evil, powerful and weak.

  And I was not ordinary, I was not evil, and most importantly, I was not weak.

  I threw the door open to my bedroom and dropped my suitcase on the floor. My gaze flitted across the room, taking inventory of my sanctuary. Only one thing lay out of place. The primer sat poised and waiting on my pillow.

  My hand slipped into the pocket of my jeans and found the small folded letter containing my next official assignment.

  “Hmmm. So, what do you have for me now?” I mumbled curiously, with more confidence than I’d approached my last lesson.

  I carefully closed the door of my bedroom behind me and flicked the lock. I crossed the room and flopped onto the bed, scooping up the primer in the process. The smooth leather cover hummed against my fingertips. I stared at the cover feeling the book grow warm to the touch and throb like a heartbeat waiting patiently to share its secret with me. I hopped up off the bed, carried it to the dresser and placed it inside the top drawer leaving a promise behind.

  “I know that I have a lot to learn. Don’t worry, I’ll study.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Catherine Wittmack was raised in Charlotte, NC, where she now lives with her husband, Charlie Wittmack, and their two sons, James and Jack.

  You can follow the author at:

  Facebook.com/CSWittmack

  Twitter.com/CSWittmack

  CatherineWittmack.com

 

 

 
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