I nodded and went into the kitchen and poured her a glass of the red. Frank and Jenna said just a few minutes almost in stereo sound and I snickered. They are so alike.
I brought out the wine and as I handed it to her our fingers brushed. This is where having visions without fainting or something else heinous came in handy, because I got a strong one and she didn’t even notice, bringing the glass to her lips and sipping it while I saw…
I was sitting down on the floor. It appeared Aiya was resting comfortably in my lap with my arms wrapped around her and looking down at her face. Her head was cradled on my shoulder and she looked very comfortable there.
I would think that would make me more nervous, but I also trusted my power. Unless I did something very stupid to change the future sometime in the next week this beautiful woman would be in my arms. At least so far, I had not had a vision of an event farther than a handful of days away. So I relaxed a bit. I was still a little awkward, but I knew it would go away very soon. At least in her case.
We had a great time over dinner, as my nerves dissolved, perhaps with the help of a beer or two. I started giving back as Frank and Jenna teased and told funny stories about me over the last 2 years. A birthday dinner turns into a roast at Frank and Jenna’s house. It was inclusive humor though, never meant to be mean.
I think it was the irreverence of police humor, they just saw to many things that were messed on the job to not laugh at life and the absurd. Frank loved saving kids as much as I did, so that translated into a bigger impact when he lost one. The humor was a good defense for that.
They brought out cake and presents and the three of them sang happy birthday, I couldn’t help the blush that hit me and they snickered when they were done singing. I cut out a slice for everyone and wondered what they had gotten me this year.
Last year it was a crystal ball… They really like to make fun of the psychic, even if they believe in my ability. Somehow that is comforting.
I laughed when I opened the box and saw the contents. There was a magic 8 ball, a bag of tea leaves, and a pack of tarot cards. This stuff was so going in my office, right next to the crystal ball, even if it would probably scare the occasional client.
The evening wound down after that and it was time to go home. I wasn’t planning to work tomorrow, as my own boss I get my birthday off, but I knew the three of them had to be at work early. We said our good nights and I thanked them for the dinner.
I made a mental note to bring the wine next time, now that I was 21, or would be in 2 hours.
I got into my small apartment and looked around. My apartment was kind of depressing and lonely after such a good time, but I had hope that too might change in the future if that vision was any indication. I got into bed by 11:30, I may not have work but I do need to show up at my aunt’s place tomorrow.
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I tossed and turned in my sleep, blearily looking at my alarm clock that said 12:01. I had only been asleep for 30 minutes. I could hear a powerful wind storm outside and my chest hurt a bit. Must be that second piece of cake, I laughed to myself thinking happy birthday. I tossed and turned another 15 minutes or so and the ache in my chest went away. The loud wind died down as I finally fell into a restful sleep.
Chapter 2
Monday, July 27th, 2015, 7:00 am
I woke up to the loud blaring alarm clock. I thought I turned that off?
I stumbled into my kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee. I’m useless in the morning so I set it up at night, I hope whoever invented auto brew is rich and happy. They certainly deserve to be in my opinion. When I took my second sip of coffee I saw what looked like a blonde doll in white clothes out of the corner of my eye.
It took a few seconds for my brain to kick in without caffeine and I slowly turned my head.
She would be about 8 inches high if she was standing up, her legs were hanging off the counter and swinging and she was watching me intently. Her long blond hair hung down almost touching the counter. The white dress I saw looked like it was made of clouds, and I could see the sky in her eyes which were clear blue.
She may have been 8 inches but her body was proportional to a grown woman’s and I could see the maturity in her face, although mischief lived there as well. Did I mention her skin was sky blue?
I hadn’t quite gone into a panic. The adrenaline was still trying to wake me up, so I was more in a shocked state. My mind was however grasping for solid ground, and not finding it.
In a droning voice I said, “Hello, can I help you?” It seemed reasonable at the time. If I had to go crazy on my twenty first birthday, I might as well be polite. And it was a hell of a hallucination, why didn’t my mind make her full grown though, she was kind of cute. In an alien way.
My eyes widened in alarm as she let out happy squeal, clapped her hands together and suddenly she had her arms wrapped around my neck. I was freaking out and wanted to bat her away, but she was crying and laughing at the same time. It felt like I would be kicking a friendly dog or something, I just couldn’t do it.
And just because things had to get weirder I heard directly in my head, “Ben, I knew you would be able to see me again when you received your inheritance.”
The voice in my head was laced with gently affection and happiness. My mind bounced around, cute eight inch blue woman hugging me, inheritance, see her again? When had I seen her before?
“Umm, I’ve seen you before?”
“Of course you have, before you know, your mom died. That night.”
I flinched as my mind came up with nothing, as usual in regards to that night, “Sorry, I don’t remember anything that happened to me that night and before it, my mind is a blank.”
Once my mind slowed a little I was marveling at the fact that I was comfortable with this creature, not nervous at all. I didn’t remember her, but she felt familiar, safe. She also felt like a cool breeze against the skin, it felt like the kind that gives me relief from the heat of the sun. I told her that too when she started getting upset that I didn’t remember her at all.
I started asking her the questions that have bugged me all my life, that no one could answer to my satisfaction.
“Can you tell me what happened, who you are? What are you? Why don’t I remember my mother, or my childhood? What happened that night?”
I blushed sheepishly when she backed up and hovered in the air giving me a look. I hadn’t thought to pause to hear any answers.
She flew back to the counter. “My name is Aitheria. I am an elemental of air. I am also your guardian. I have been with you since birth. We used to play a lot together, until that night anyway. I can only tell you that what happened that night blocked your power when you suppressed your memory.
“When your 21st birthday came you gained the rest of your power, which is a lot stronger than what a child can do, that’s why you can see me again. I had hoped your memory would have come back too, you need to remember on your own, I can’t help you with that.”
“Well Aitheria, if I forgot for 16 years how can I just dig it up now?”
I was still half convinced I was going crazy but it sounded right, maybe I wasn’t a psychic at all, just had those kinds of gifts. It would explain all the differences from the other psychics anyway.
She rolled her eyes at me, “I told you, the power you got last night is much stronger, not limited to childish gifts. It will work at your memory block, you will remember. I am not permitted to teach you your powers or give you back your memory. I can explain certain things though.”
I said, “What kind of power?” I was still in shock, and not thinking straight.
She snickered, “The powers of air of course, and you have a touch of fire in there somewhere as well. Other things too, like what you think are psychic gifts are actually brought to you by the wind. Future, truth and knowledge are part of the Air’s domain. You should also be able to speak to me with your mind, not using your lips. That comes in handy
in public. Not that it was an issue when you were just a child.
“No one else can see me you know, except someone else like you. Not even witches or other supernatural beings. I could tell you you’re a sorcerer, but that wouldn’t really mean anything to you right now.”
My voice cracked as the surprises piled on, I suppose I asked for it but hell, “Witches?”
Aitheria nodded. “They can use elemental power, but not directly like sorcerers. They have to use spells and chanting to make stuff happen. They can’t see it or even really feel it, that’s why they can’t see me, or other elementals.”
I just had one more question, and then I needed to think about this and get on with my day. I sipped my coffee out of habit. I was wide awake now with adrenaline and didn’t really need it. But then maybe it would take over when my adrenaline crashed.
“Why am I always terrified going down stairs to the basement in my aunt’s house?”
She sighed. “You are a sorcerer of Air, allied with fire and water. Earth is inimical to your magic, that’s why your stomach twisted and you felt like you were under attack. When you go under the earth you put yourself in its power and take yourself from the source of yours.”
She said softly, “And I can’t go there at all, I think part of you still sensed me even if you couldn’t see me. You could feel my absence when you went down, and the attack on your power. Earth elementals aren’t evil, they just sense you don’t belong. You are ours. You belong to the air and wind.”
I poured another coffee and went to my living room, which was like two steps, and sat on the couch. Aitheria followed me. I wondered if she would be following me around all the time. It was weird that I wasn’t alarmed at all by that part of it, just everything else.
I was freaked out about being a sorcerer of air, and don’t forget the touch of fire. Shockingly the small blue elemental woman made it much easier to digest. She was calming, or her presence was.
Was that because she was a creature of my natural magic? It also helped that I knew truth when I heard it. I had no doubts at all this creature, this elemental of air, had spoke only truth to me.
I figured I had a lot to learn but I needed to start my day. Despite my intention to take the day off and the fact I didn’t have to be at my aunt’s until dinner I felt like I needed to be in the office. Psychic or sorcerer, the ability never let me down before so birthday or not I was going to the office.
I got up feeling better after my second cup and got into the shower. I was relieved she hadn’t followed me into the bathroom. That would have been way too awkward. I knew I had to hurry so I dried off quick, got dressed and ran out the door. I got to the office in a quick jog and felt like I had some time. I surfed the web for elemental air magic but all I came up with were fictional books and comics. It didn’t exactly surprise me, but it would have been nice to find something.
If Aitheria can’t teach me magic, and my mother is gone, then who will? I guess I needed to figure it out myself, so I kind of just thought at the wind. It didn’t do anything. I concentrated really hard on it then jumped when I felt someone touch my shoulder. A blast of air sent paperwork all over the place.
I heard a tinkling giggle in my mind, maybe practicing by myself is a bad idea. I need to find someone to help me, but how? I cleaned up the mess and my office phone rang so I picked it up.
“Hello, Ben Edward’s private investigation. May I help you?”
Frank said, “Why are you there?”
“I had a feeling. Don’t tell me my feeling was one of your tests? I was planning to take my birthday off!”
Frank started laughing. “Would I do that?”
When I growled he said, “I do seriously need your help though, but I couldn’t get the Captain to cave on this one. Got a number of women disappearing from a bar in the area, a place called Jerry’s bar and grill.”
I replied, “Yeah, I can do that, do you have a picture of any of the missing women?”
He said yes and sent it in a text. I didn’t get any information from the picture, but I saw she was dead, buried out woods somewhere. Could that be the knowledge power not kicking in? I hadn’t realized it wasn’t related to the visions before, probably why some I got all info and some I got just pictures. I knew I couldn’t tell Frank, there was no proof and I didn’t know where the body was exactly, so I didn’t.
“Frank, I didn’t get anything useful, can we go to the bar? Maybe I can pick up a future victim there?”
He said, “Sure, half an hour?”
I said yes and hung up the phone. Looking up the bar it was a good distance north right by the loop, so I headed out of the building for the L train. On the train I tried thinking at Aitheria a few times, no response. Nothing is ever easy.
When I got there Frank and Aiya were waiting. I gave them both a quick nod hello.
“Can we get inside?”
Frank nodded and led us in the door, the bar was closed but the owner had opened up for the police. I just walked around trying to sense violence. Pick something up, anything really. When I passed a certain table I did pick up something, but not what I was looking for.
“Is there a back door or smoking area outside?”
The owner nodded and started to lead us back when I got the vision. “Wait, can we have a moment please?”
When the owner goes in the back I continue talking, “There is going to be a young woman attacked tonight sometime after 10. I didn’t get where but she is about 23, grey eyes, light blonde hair, maybe 5’8”. All I got on the guy was brown hair and over 6 feet.
“We should come back here tonight, around 9:00. See if we can spot the girl early since I don’t know where it happens. Aiya, you look absolutely divine in that blue dress, so don’t mess with the future and wear it.” I winked at her.
Holy shit, did I just flirt? Or was that sexual harassment since we were on a job? Screw it, I wasn’t being paid so I was here as a friend.
She smiled at me. Her cheeks a little flush and said, “Blue it is.”
Frank was looking at me in surprise, like I had pulled a gun and shot at people. All I did was flirt for god sakes. Maybe there is more to this power thing and my suppressed memories than I thought? More confidence? Then I had the random thought that I don’t want to turn into an asshole.
Then I felt it as I stared at Frank, the knowledge behind his look. A feeling. That’s new. It was about me coming up with a plan and including myself, and his worry about exposing me to danger.
“Umm, I have to come, what if I get another vision and she gets attacked halfway down the block from here. Plus I saw myself here already, with her and the blue dress. I am not missing that.” Plus it gets me away from my uncle a little earlier.
It was my turn to blush as I realized what I said about not missing the dress.
Frank shook his head, “Alright, did you see me in the vision?”
I said, “No, it was just us two. But I am sure that’s because you will be moving around and looking, while we watch everyone who passes by. I don’t need a vision to know you would be here with your partner and I. That table we sit at is close to the bathrooms, good place to get a look at most of the people here at one time or another. Of course what if she doesn’t even come in here?
“I would like to say I’ll definitely narrow it down later, but I wouldn’t bet the woman’s life on it.”
Aiya grinned and said, “He’s right, you would be doing exactly that and not sitting with us.”
Frank nodded. “Thanks Ben, I know it’s not much of a birthday present.”
That’s what he thinks. He hasn’t seen the dress yet. Only problem is I am not really getting the romance vibe off her, and to be honest off myself either. She is extremely attractive, and as I found out at last night’s dinner a lot of fun.
Still, I was only getting the flirty friend vibe so far and I couldn’t figure out how that fit in the vision of her in my arms as I cradled her tenderly. Of course we just met yesterday. I
probably just needed to be patient.
Frank suggested lunch so we all went and ate. Then I went home. I would need a change of clothes for after my aunts. I would have to leave there a little after 8 to get back to the loop by nine. As it was that was cutting too close to rude, but they would understand it was work related.
I spent the rest of the afternoon talking with Aitheria. She couldn’t even tell me how to commune with elementals. This basically means use my mind to talk to or request their presence. She couldn’t help me with anything magic related at all. She was my guardian, but I couldn’t figure out why I needed one or how I warranted it and she wouldn’t say.
I didn’t learn much of anything new at all.
I took the Metra out to the house around 5. It was very crowded but still no problems finding a seat. By 5:30 I was walking the short distance to the house. I walked right in the back door and announced myself. This was my childhood home after all, no need to knock. I could smell the home made lasagna and garlic bread in the oven, it made my stomach gurgle in anticipation.
“In here!” I heard my cousin call out and I moved toward the living room.
On the way I realized I was getting better at blocking out Aitheria’s presence. That thought brought me up short but I would have to examine it later as I had family to greet and now wasn’t the time to talk to her. But my stomach still twisted in guilt, all that time I hadn’t been able to see her, had she been alone? I tried to imagine following myself around for 16 years and completely isolated. It wasn’t a pretty picture. Pretty depressing actually.
I gave everyone a hug and got happy birthdays, even my uncle. My uncle isn’t really that bad, he has never hurt me after all. Except I know he never wanted me here, and despite his words I wasn’t really welcome. Not even now for a visit. He kept it to himself though, probably because he knows how much my aunt and cousin do want me here. But the lie of it feels like a scrape across my mind, always has been.
I got a vision of Amy, my cousin, getting into trouble again. I swear I should charge her for all the warnings I’ve given over the years. Only good thing about it is she always listens to me, the only time she didn’t she broke an arm, hasn’t ignored me since. Need to give it in private though, I never tell on her either, and her mom would flip if she knew what I knew about her daughter.
Just a Psychic?: Power of Air Book 1 Page 2
