She was safe.
Sullivan collapsed face down on the pavement, unable to stay upright. He lay there, trying to stay conscious.
Zakkery seemed to be expecting a divine shout of “April Fools’ Day!” “Holy shit.” He gaped towards the sky. “Okay, I owe somebody big.” He flattened a hand to his chest in relief. “Daphne would’ve killed me. How could I fuck up that rescue so bad?” Shaking his head, he jumped out of the Fire Kingdom before anyone saw him.
Sullivan barely noticed.
What the hell just happened?
He felt… different. And not just because he’d done something goddamn magical. He couldn’t even begin to process that weirdness, yet. More importantly, whatever he’d just done had changed something inside of him. Fundamentally and permanently changed him right down to his cells. It felt like he’d been hit by a lightning bolt. In fact, by many lightning bolts, eradicating walls that he hadn’t even known were there. It had set something free.
It had also probably killed him.
He’d used every drop of energy in his system to save Teja. Sullivan wasn’t sure it was possible to recover from that. Especially, not in this dream-place. If he passed out, he might never wake-up. He might have just traded his life for hers.
…And it had been worth it.
“What the hell just happened?” Djinn roared, echoing Sullivan’s thoughts. The moss was vanishing around Teja as Sullivan’s power faltered. No one seemed to notice. Djinn grabbed her to her feet, scanning her for injuries. “Are you alright?” He gave her a small shake. “Did you just fucking jump?”
“I don’t know.” Teja seemed dazed. “I was on the roof and I was going to…” She shook her head. “But, I felt him. I felt my Match, Djinn. I felt him and I couldn’t leave.” She swallowed. “What if he needs me?”
Sullivan raised his eyes to look at her. It was the only movement he could manage. His whole body felt drained. But, if this was his last moment alive, he wanted to spend it gazing at Teja. “I do need you.” He whispered. “I’m in love with you, you weirdo.”
Then, he fell into darkness, fairly certain that he’d never wake up.
Chapter Fifteen
The very elements,
Though each be meant the minister of man to serve his wants,
Conspire against him.
William Cowper- “The Task”
Teja didn’t like Sullivan’s memories.
Experiencing a memory sharing was an important step in any Match. Teja had known that it was coming and she’d been interested in seeing pieces of Sullivan’s past. She was curious to see what made her stoic Match tick. Certainly, he wasn’t going to be sharing any insights willingly.
Besides, it took her mind off of Sullivan’s obliviousness. How dare he not understand what a Match really meant? He hadn’t even tried to Phaze with her. She knew it. The memory sharing should at least convince him that this relationship was real and he should just fucking trust her already.
But, actually seeing Sullivan’s memories, Teja realized that there were things that she’d rather not know. It made her almost… feel something to see Sullivan’s memories. It actually hurt to see how her Match had suffered before she even knew that he was around.
Thirty-five years ago, as best as Teja could recall, she’d been refereeing a lengthy fight between Oberon and Djinn about who set the dining room on fire. Again. The conflict had been long and bloody.
Meanwhile, Sullivan was being born, having no idea how special he was.
His mother, Parson’s daughter, Flora, had died in childbirth. Teja watched the life drain out of the woman while the doctors worked feverishly to save her life. The last thing that Flora did was reach out one of her hands towards her baby. Sullivan couldn’t possibly remember that moment. He’d only been minutes old. But, Teja still saw it all happening. That could only mean that Sullivan’s powers went even deeper than she’d thought, retaining memories that even he didn’t know about.
And those powers had been around since the second he was born.
Up until now, Elemental scholars had thought that the part-human/part-Phases needed to Phaze with their Match before their powers came to the surface. But, Sullivan’s energy had always been there. He was the one holding it back.
And there was so much of it.
As she progressed through the memories, Teja kept trying recall what she’d been during each time period. Sometime around this year, she’d spent the entire month of May convincing Job that Oberon hadn’t really meant for a chain of volcanoes to erupt in the Pacific.
Sullivan, meanwhile, lived with his drunken asshole of a father. It really was a lucky thing for that rat bastard that he was dead. Teja would have felt obligated to think up some really creative ways to cremate him alive if he was still wandering around topside. The only times Sullivan seemed happy were when he was with his grandparents.
Teja knelt down in Parson’s garden and admired Sullivan’s careful farming techniques. All his little tools were plastic and his work clothes consisted of a Luke Skywalker T-shirt paired with torn Levis. The kid was adorable. Granted, he grew up to be her Match, so Teja was undoubtedly biased, but Sullivan was just the cutest little preschooler in the universe. Big brown eyes and a mop of dark hair that kept falling into his face. She’d yet to see him clean, mostly because Sullivan spent most of his time playing in the dirt. Wood Phases were always happiest outside.
“Ya gotta plant the seeds a little farther apart, kiddo.” Parson glanced over at Sullivan from beneath the brim of his fishing hat. “That’s right.” He smiled and Teja could see the love on his face. Parson had been a great man, a great warrior, and a great representative of his House.
But, he was an even better grandfather.
Teja knew the breed.
Sullivan concentrated on digging his neat row of holes. Only Parson could have a botanical garden growing in loose sand. Wood Phases could sustain plant life anywhere, but this display was impressive, even by their standards. Parson’s mobile home sat right on the edge of the beach, which Teja guessed wasn’t the best soil for growing anything but sea-grass and palm trees. Certainly, no human could have cultivated rose bushes, lilacs, sunflowers, daisies, three different colors of tulips, and dozens of kinds of plants that Teja couldn’t even identify.
It was lovely.
Sullivan dropped a seed into the ground and painstakingly pushed the dirt back over it, again. Instantly, a fresh, green sprout grew up out of the ground. Sullivan didn’t find that odd apparently, because he moved to the next seed without even blinking.
Teja felt her mouth part in surprise. Even in the memory space, she could feel the pulse of Sullivan’s powers as he helped the plants grow.
Parson frowned, slightly. “Sully, what have I told you about that?”
“‘Bout what?”
“You have to keep your energies under control.” Parson kept his voice gentle, but Teja heard the worry in his tone. “You’re very strong. I don’t want your powers to come out and get you in trouble. I don’t want people to see that you’re different.”
Sullivan didn’t respond to that. He kept his attention on his orderly line of seeds, but the small plants stopped sprouting.
Teja slowly shook her head. No wonder her Match accepted the Elementals so easily. Sure he called them a Cult, but he’d never freaked out over their abilities. Not like most humans would have. Deep inside, Sullivan had to know that he was a part of them.
Parson gave a sad sort of smile and pulled off one of his brown gardening gloves. “Good boy.” He reached over to ruffle Sullivan’s hair. “People might not like that you’re special. You have to be extra careful not to draw attention to yourself.”
“Don’t mean to.” Sullivan murmured.
“I know.” Parson agreed, with a sigh. “Just keep practicing and pretty soon you’ll be able to keep your powers shielded, okay? It’ll be second nature and you’ll be safe.”
Sullivan nodded, his shoulders slumping.
Teja wasn’t sure of Parson’s exact age, but he’d certainly been much older than Job, which tagged him at well over a thousand. In human terms, he looked young to be a grandfather, though; dark blonde hair, a square jaw, much like Sullivan’s, and no wrinkles. It was his eyes that gave away his true age. Parson had seen far too much and it haunted him.
“You’re a very special kid. I think you’re the real reason I’m here.” He continued. “You and Mel, and my daughters, and your grandma have given me something that I searched for, for a very long time.”
“I like being at your house.” Sullivan said with the non sequitur charm of a five year old.
“I’m glad, buddy. Your grandma and I like having you here, too. You know that, right?”
“It feels like I belong someplace when I’m here.” Sullivan whispered. “I like belonging someplace.”
Teja felt something tighten in her frozen chest. She knew what not fitting in felt like. But, Sullivan did belong somewhere.
Her Match belonged with her.
The memory shifted around her and Teja found herself standing in a police station. She glanced over at the calendar hanging on the paneled wall.
Sometime around this year, Teja vaguely remembered visiting the human realm to fish Alder out of some jungle mess where commandos shot him a bunch of times and he overthrew some idiot dictator. Schwarzenegger movies had not been a good influence on the kid.
Sullivan sat crossed-legged in front of his grandmother’s desk, alphabetizing files. It only took Teja a minute to realize that Ann, Parson’s human Match, worked as a receptionist for the cops. Of course, Sullivan became the Chief of Police in Mayport Beach. He’d grown up in the station.
“It’ll cost more.” Ann was saying to a potbellied man in a khaki policeman’s uniform. “I’m just not sure you should listen to this charlatan, Chief.” She winked over at Parson, who stood nearby with a tape measure and legal pad.
Parson grinned back at his Match and made a note of some measurements. “Ted, how can you put up with such a mouthy secretary?” He glanced over at the cop and arched a brow. “I’d of fired her long ago.”
“Aw, I couldn’t run this place without Annie.” The policeman chuckled and absently moved towards his own desk, dropping his hat on Sullivan’s head as he passed. “Or her little helper here. I think your grandson’s knows more about this job than I do.”
“Oh, I’m sure of it.” Parson drawled. “My Sullivan’s a special boy.”
Teja almost smiled as Sullivan pushed the brim up out of his face and continued with his meticulous filing. The kid could focus. “I feel like I kinda belong here.”
Teja’s eyebrows drew together. Did Sullivan never feel like he belonged?
Parson’s smile faded. “Sully, you’re with people who love you. That’s where you’re supposed to be.”
Sullivan nodded, but he didn’t look convinced.
“Anyway, I think Ann might have a point.” Ted, the cop, flopped down in his chair and propped his feet up. “How can I justify puttin’ in some fancy cells when we hardly ever have anybody to lock up, anyhow? This renovation is already costing the city a fortune. At least, to hear the mayor tell it.”
“Trust me. It’ll be worth the investment.” Parson said seriously, dragging his attention away from Sullivan. “Plexiglas cells are the way to go. No metal bars. Plastic. Wave of the future. Much safer for everyone.”
Teja’s eyes narrowed. There was only one reason why Parson would have suggested putting Plexiglas cells in a small town jail: To hold Elementals. The surest way to incapacitate an Elemental was to lock them up in plastic. If Parson wanted some kind of Lucite installed in Mayport Beach, then he must suspect that other Phases were in town.
Or that they’d one day show up looking for the Happiness box.
More images whirled passed her. Sullivan playing by himself, always a little bit separate from the other kids. Sullivan reading X-Men comic books with a flashlight under his bed sheets. Sullivan avoiding his father’s insults and scorn. Sullivan suppressing his vast powers so effectively that, pretty soon, he didn’t seem to remember them, at all.
The scene changed again and Teja suddenly stood in middle of Sullivan’s father’s trailer.
Sullivan was only thirty-five years old, so Teja was sort of surprised that he had so many memories. The memory sharing was a lot more intense than she’d anticipated, but it was serving its purpose. She definitely understood Sullivan better. Unfortunately, she wasn’t thrilled with all that she’d learned. It was one thing for Teja to refuse any deeper intimacy from their Match. It was quite another for Sullivan to expect distance between them, because he never thought he belonged anywhere.
She shook her head in frustration.
And to make it worse, all of this probably meant that Sullivan was seeing into her past, too. She hadn’t explained the memory sharing phenomena to him yet, so he would probably think he’d lost his mind. She could only hope that he wouldn’t watch her trip down from the roof.
It was probably a foregone conclusion that he’d witness it, though. This wasn’t one of the fuzzier sharings. Everything was Technicolor clear in the memory space. Some things were still a little too clear, in fact.
Teja could smell the odor of old cigarettes and decaying beer cans permeating the cheap carpeting of the mobile home. It mixed with the scent of popcorn popping on the stove.
Around this time period, Teja recalled Pele blowing up at least a dozen luxury cars at a New York dealership. She’d been testing to see which brand of gasoline ignited the fastest. Inadvertently, she’d triggered a billion dollar recall, because no one understood why so many automobiles simultaneously exploded into fireballs. The humans finally blamed some stupid parking brake malfunction and ordered it replaced in every car on the road, which the Fire Phases thought was hilarious.
At the same time they were chortling, Sullivan lived on the edge of despair. It was unacceptable. Teja should have known that Sullivan was out there, needing her. She held so much power. How could she have let her Match languish in the human realm alone? Why hadn’t she thought to look for him?
MTV blared on the black and white TV set, some grungy rocker gyrating behind the microphone. Sullivan sat crossed-legged on the floor, shuffling a deck of playing cards. “Now, this game’s called blackjack.” He told the tiny little blonde across the coffee table from him. It could only be his cousin Melanie, dressed in a denim jumper and pigtails.
“How do you win?” She demanded, finishing off her own can of orange soda and reaching for Sullivan’s. “Is the popcorn ready, yet?”
“No, in a minute.” He began dealing the cards. “To win, you have to get to twenty-one. See? You have to add up the…” He trailed off, his gaze cutting over to the door.
A second later, Teja heard it. Boots climbing up the exterior stairs of the trailer. She felt her heart beat speed up, as the tension level in the room ratcheted higher. Teja looked over at Sullivan and Melanie. “Stay back.” She ordered, even though they couldn’t hear her. Teja walked towards the door, deliberately stepping in front of her Match.
“Shit.” Sullivan muttered. “He’s home already.” His tone went dead, the way it did whenever his dear old dad found his way back from the liquor store. “Mel, you’d better go.”
Melanie’s eyes narrowed. One little hand came over and latched onto Sullivan’s sleeve. “No.”
Sullivan scowled. “Mel, go out the back before…”
“No!” She interrupted. “I’m not going to leave you here alone.”
In the stubborn set of Melanie’s jaw, it was easy to see the woman who grew-up to become Uriel, of the Wood House’s Match. Melanie was still a bit of a nut. Sullivan was older, bigger, and stronger, but Melanie clearly saw herself as his protector.
It occurred to Teja that she might have some difficulti
es winning the girl over back in the present. God knew that Teja wasn’t known for her charm. Her own Match wanted to date other women.
Perfect.
As if she didn’t have enough problems with her own family, now Teja had to deal with an overprotective cousin-in-law, as well. It was impossible to dislike Melanie or to hold her attitude against her, though. After all, Melanie was trying to guard Sullivan and that was all a Fire Phase could ask of another person. Sullivan needed as many protectors as he could find. For a human barely out of babyhood, he got into a lot of trouble.
Teja’s eyes narrowed as the door to the trailer swung open and Sullivan’s father came stumbling in. She didn’t need feelings to know how deeply she hated Jacob Pryce.
She was looking at the cause of all her Match’s trust issues.
Sullivan backed up away from his father, dragging Melanie with him. He shoved Melanie behind him, as Jacob slammed into the living room. The man reeked of liquor. Over six feet tall, with a thick chest and black ponytail, Jacob had once been a handsome man. Even through the bloated, jaundiced complexion that the alcohol had given him, Jacob retained a certain boyishness. He looked like a down on his luck teen idol all grown-up and headed for rehab. It was no wonder that Flora had fallen for him. Personally, Teja was glad that Sullivan looked like his grandfather, though. She’d take big and roughhewed over charming any day.
Jacob staggered sideways into the coffee table, sending the playing cards scattering everywhere. For some reason, he seemed to blame Melanie for his shaky equilibrium. “Damn kid. I thought I told you to stay away from what’s mine.” He glowered over at the little girl. “You cause nothin’ but problems, makin’ a mess and distracting him from his chores.”
“Sullivan’s mine, too.” Melanie retorted. “And he wants to see me. We weren’t hurting anything.”
Magic of the Wood House Page 18
