by Lola StVil
“Are you thinking of giving it to someone?” I ask, dreading the answer.
“No, not really,” she replies softly.
I wanted to tell her right then. I wanted her to know everything that had happened to me and why I wasn’t around. I want her to know that no one had my Rah, but if she wanted it right at this moment, she could have it. In truth, my Rah always belonged to her.
“Pry, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say,” I begin.
“Me first. I’m so sorry and embarrassed,” she replies.
“For what?”
“Hello? I bit you,” she reminds me.
“Oh, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” I assure her.
“No, seriously, you’ve been so helpful these past few days. Thank you.” She hugs me.
The hug is quick and so relatively painless. Once we’re back in the sky there is nothing preventing me from telling her about my past.
So why are you flying in silence?
**********
“Aaden, stop it! You’re killing me!”
Startled, I open my eyes and find Pryor backed against the wall, with my hands around her neck with her feet dangling in the air. I let go of her immediately and kneel down beside her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...I’m sorry,” I tell her frantically.
She coughs for a few moments and that’s when I see the flames dancing around the room. I did it again. I summoned up flames while I Recharged to protect me from the horror I was seeing in my mind’s eye. I put out the flames and go check on Pryor.
“What the hell happened?” she asks.
“I’m sorry. Sometimes I can’t control my secondary powers. Ever since the—never mind.”
“You were screaming while you Recharged. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she says.
“Look, just forget about it.”
“What were you seeing that terrified you so much?” she pushes.
“It’s nothing.”
“No, it’s something. Aaden, what’s going on with you?”
“I’m fucked up. That’s what’s going on,” I snap.
Argh! Damn it! I never wanted her to see me like this. Now she thinks I’m a nutcase.
“Aaden, you were trembling,” she says.
“It happens sometimes but it goes away.”
“Aaden—”
“I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!”
She doesn’t reply. She simply starts picking up the mess from the fire.
I feel like a complete ass now. She was just trying to help. How could I push her away like that?
Pushing her away is what kept you alive this long...
“Pry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...”
“It’s cool,” she lies.
“Some things are hard to talk about and better left alone.”
“If that’s what you want, then okay,” she says as she sorts through the burned books and papers.
“What’s this?” she asks, unfolding a piece of paper with her name on it.
“It’s nothing. I’ll take it,” I offer quickly.
She doesn’t hand it over. Instead she reads it and looks back at me with wonder.
“You remembered my Ha-Ha list?” she says.
“Yeah, I added some stuff to it. It’s silly. Stupid. Whatever. Throw it away,” I say.
“No,” she says, hiding it behind her back.
I dive across the room and get the drop on her but she manages to wiggle the papers away. In order to get it from her I scoop her up from behind and lift her into the air. She flares out her body wildly as she starts laughing. I can’t help but join in. I put her down and then we realize yet again, just how close our bodies are.
Why is this shit so hard?
She calls out my name.
“Yeah?” I reply, trying not to give in to my impulses.
“I know something bad happened to you. And when you’re ready to talk, I’m ready to listen. Okay?” she says.
I nod as I begin to help her clean up. I’m so grateful that she let the subject drop that I don’t even see the trouble ahead.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask, who made the mixture to heal us?” Pryor inquires.
“Key told me what to get,” I reply.
“Yeah, but there were a few mixtures. Key couldn’t have made the one to hide us from the Omari. You would need a Specialist for that.
“Aaden, who? Do you know a Specialist?” she pushes.
“Um...yeah. Kind of...”
Crap.
“Who is it? I’d like to thank them for helping us,” she offers.
“No need.”
“C’mon, tell me. Who helped us out?” she asks.
“Ruin.”
She looks at me with shock and confusion. She marches over to the radio and turns it off. Now the only thing her face is showing is anger.
“Tell me you didn’t go to a Kaster for help,” she demands.
“I didn’t want to, but I had no choice. She’s a good Specialist.”
“SHE KILLED MY BROTHER!” she bellows.
“That wasn’t Diana. It was Harm.”
“Diana? So you’re on a first name basis with a Kaster?” she accuses.
“Like I said, it’s complicated.”
“No, it’s not. You put us all at risk. What if she went back and told the other Kasters where we are?” Pryor shouts.
“She wouldn’t do that.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I know her,” I reply, trying to keep my voice calm and even.
“How could you do something so stupid?”
“If you really think I could put your life in danger after everything I did to save you then you don’t know me,” I snap.
“Well, finally we agree on something, Aaden. I don’t know you. You let me lay here knowing full well we could be under attack at any given moment.”
“For the last time, Pryor, Diana isn’t going to attack us.”
“Oh and why is that? Because she’s in love with you?” she says sarcastically.
I don’t reply or look her in the eye. She studies me as I put the records away.
“Wait a minute, Ruin is in love with you?” she asks.
“I told you it’s—”
“I swear to Omnis if you say it’s complicated I will rip your damn wings off!” she threatens.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” I demand.
“Answers Aaden! I want answers.”
“Fine. Diana and I were together once. It wasn’t a formal thing but yes we hung out. I hadn’t seen her for a while. Yes, she is dangerous. Yes, she would attack if push came to shove. But I chose to call her because she’s the best Specialist there is and we needed her. If she were going to alert the other Kasters, she would have done so already. She may attack down the line, but as of right now we are safe, so please calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down like I’m a child. You put my team at risk,” she accuses.
“I did what I thought was best at the time. You were knocked out, that made me the leader. And I made the decision I made. Period.”
“If this is the kind of decision maker you’d be, then I hope nothing happens to me because you’d be the death of the Noru.”
“Well, then I guess it’s a good thing that I don’t give a damn about leading.”
“Argh! I can’t believe you could be this reckless!” she says.
“Please, just stop acting like this is about the team. Yeah, you’re unhappy that I called a Kaster for help. But what’s eating you alive is that I called on an ex.”
“I DON’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU DO.”
“Then why are you shouting?”
She is rendered silent. She looks away and shakes her head in what I’m guessing is frustration.
“Pryor, my calling Diana really upset you. Not just because she’s a Kaster or because you’re the leader and want to protect the team. There’s another reason; a personal reason. Tell me.”
<
br /> Seriously, did you just ask her that? What if she says it’s all business and she doesn’t give a crap about your love life? What if you’ve been lying to yourself this whole time and this chick could care less? Worse, what if she does care? What if she actually has feelings for you? What then? How exactly would that scene play out?
“Hey, Pry, I’m glad you want to be with me. I want you too. Now move away from me before my chest implodes.”
Crap. Crap. Crap.
“My concern is for my team. I can’t have you compromise them in any way,” she says with a firm resolution in her voice that leaves no room for doubt.
“So this argument is solely about Noru business?” I ask.
“What else would it be about?” she reasons.
“Nothing,” I reply.
I’m such a delusional jerk! How could I think she would...that she and I could ever...If Pry is going to be with a guy, it’s going to be someone who isn’t a screwup. A guy who can Recharge at night and not wake up screaming. She wants a guy who didn’t set the house on fire because of a bad dream.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you and Ruin to be speaking; for the good of the team,” she says.
“Yeah, okay, whatever,” I reply.
The tension in the air is palpable. I would give anything to know what she’s thinking. But then again her thoughts might crush me. Thankfully at that moment my cell rings. It’s the team. I put the phone on speaker so both Pry and I can hear.
They have good and bad news they inform us.
“Let’s start with the good news,” Pry says.
From the look on her face, she too was grateful for the interruption.
“The last human injured has just made it out of the ICU. It will take a few weeks but he’s going to be just fine. So you can relax. All the humans survived,” East says.
“Yes!” she shouts as she leaps into my arms.
Having her in my arms feels more right than anything I ever felt. I don’t want to let her go.
“East, that’s great. So what’s the bad news?” Pryor asks as she pulls away from me.
“Even though all the humans are alive, the board feels that Pryor was reckless and could pose more danger if she loses control again. I’m sorry, but they are going to have a hearing to determine if you get to keep them,” East replies.
“If I get to keep what?”
“Your powers.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: BAD MOVE
The flight back to New York City is a pretty quiet one. We both have a lot on our minds. In addition to the heated exchange that took place between Pryor and me, I’m consumed by my anger with the board.
I mean really, how asinine is it to consider taking away Pryor’s powers with Malakaro out there? The stupidity of angels with influence never ceases to amaze me. Honestly, it’s like they look for ways to make things worse. I’m so sick of their games.
When Pryor and I land, we head straight for The Face’s office. After the team greets their leader, we all sit down to hear what I’m sure will be grade ‘A’ bullshit.
“First let me say that I’m truly sorry for what happened with Sam. He was a very talented Noru,” The Face says sincerely.
“He was a kid. And he died because I left him with your angels. You said they could protect him,” Pryor snaps.
“The Kasters have proven to be far more powerful than at first we realized,” Face says sadly.
“That’s all good and well but it won’t bring my brother back. And now you want to take my powers away,” the First Noru says, clearly pissed.
“I don’t agree with the board. While I do not condone your behavior, I certainly understand how grief can be the catalyst for violence.”
“But they’re still considering taking Pry’s powers away?” Swoop asks.
“Yes. They will be gathering to discuss the issue tomorrow morning.”
“Can we at least speak on her behalf?” Key asks.
“I’m sorry. It’s a closed meeting,” The Face replies.
“This is so messed up!” Randy says.
“There has to be something we can do,” I plead.
“I’m sorry. It looks like your team will just have to wait and see how things play out,” The Face says with a grave expression.
“We’re just supposed to sit here and wait to see if our leader loses her powers?” Bex says.
“What about Malakaro? Taking Pryor’s powers away will make her a sitting duck,” Randy argues.
“The human is right. This is a really bad move to make,” I add.
“Mr. Case, language,” she scolds.
“Seriously, lady?” I bark.
“I find no joy in this matter. Again, I would not like to see Pryor’s powers taken from her. However, humans were hurt and I have no say in the matter. We just have to wait until the morning.”
*******
We told her she could skip school and go home or even fly to the other side of the world, but she declined. Instead she opts to go to class. It’s around third period when I head down the hallway and see Bex standing over by the lockers talking to her.
I know she’ll kill me, but I move in closer to hear what’s being said. I know it’s a scummy thing to do, it’s just I really freaking want her. I want her in my arms and in my life. And just watching her talk to another guy is driving me nuts.
“You really don’t have to go to class if you don’t want to,” Bex offers.
“It’s okay. This way I can pretend to be human. That way my only problem is exams and guys,” she says.
“I never got to say how sorry I am for what happened with Sam.”
“I know. You don’t need to say anything,” she assures him.
“Were you going stir crazy at the cabin with Silver? Did he get on your last nerves or did you get on his?” Bex inquires.
Nosy bastard.
“Well...we didn’t really talk all that much. I Recharged a lot so...” she replies.
“Oh, yeah. That makes sense. Anyway, I thought you might like to have this,” Bex says as he takes a small black velvet pouch from his back pocket and places it in the palm of her hand.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” she says.
“It’s nothing. Just something that may help when you’re feeling down or whatever,” he says awkwardly.
She opens the pouch and a crystal pendant falls out. It’s carved in the shape of the Alexi bird and has blue stones for eyes. I’m sure it’s made of real gems. Damn him.
“It’s gorgeous,” she says as she studies it.
“Alexis are beyond persistent. They simply don’t give up. You remind me of them. You share the same spirit. I want you to remember how strong you are when things look bleak,” Bex tells her.
Yeah, it’s official: I really hate this guy.
However, I can’t lie. The pendant really is very striking. Pryor closes her hand around it and hugs him. I look away.
***
Later when school is over, I try and get some time with her. But that’s made impossible by the twins. Swoop insists that Pry go shopping with them to take her mind off the meeting in the morning. When I ask how buying clothes can possibly help the situation, all three of them look at me as if I have snakes crawling out of my eyes.
I wait until nightfall to try and talk to Pryor, but everyone’s home, making it difficult to get her alone. When I go to knock on her door, I overhear her and Key talking inside.
“Key, it’s okay,” Pryor says.
“No, it’s not. I let Silver get to me. I know he can be a prick when he wants to be. I’m sure he was just saying that thing about Bex and you to piss Bex off. I never should have threatened to leave the team. It was stupid. I don’t want to leave. I love you guys,” Key replies.
“Even Silver?” Pryor asks.
“Yeah, but don’t tell him,” she says.
“So what happened? Why did you get so...crazy about a comment that you knew was a lie?” Pryor asks the oldest twin.
“Pry, Bex and I have been together for so long, I can’t see my life without him. And when I think about losing him...he’s my anchor. He always keeps me grounded. And that’s hard to do with everything that’s going on. I know Bex acts all tough but he’s the first to make a silly face or crash land somewhere crazy if that’s what it takes to cheer me up. I love him,” she explains.
“Keyohmi, remember when you thought your future was in hair styling and you created a mixture that was supposed to give Bex an instant perfect haircut?” Pryor asks.
“Yeah,” she says, already laughing at what Pryor’s about to say.
“And what happened, Key?”
“The mixture gave him a rattail haircut—made out of a real rat,” she says, unable to stop herself from laughing.
“Yes! And not only did he pretend to love it, he wore the rat on his head for a month until the mixture wore off. That’s real love,” Pryor says.
The two continue to share a laugh. I decide it’s a bad time to talk to Pryor and head downstairs to the kitchen to see if there is any Coy in the house. As soon as I enter, I find the human sitting at the table.
“So...you’re Aaden,” he says, putting on his best menacing face.
“You’re just now catching up?” I ask Randy.
“No, I just wanted to watch you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says.
“Well I’ve heard nothing about you and I’m good with that,” I admit.
“Here’s the deal, Silver, platinum, aluminum, or whatever your name is—Pryor is not just my friend. She’s my best friend. Now she may have a thing for ‘dark and handsome’ but I won’t allow you to hurt her,” he warns me.
I walk over and stand right in his face. I am towering over him. Randy isn’t even the size of one of my wings. He looks up at me and swallows hard. I can see his lips quiver slightly.
“If I hurt her, what the hell would you do about it?” I counter.
“You hurt Pryor and I’ll rip your damn face off,” he says.
I look down at him. What he’s lacking in size, he makes up for in sincerity.
“Fair enough, human,” I reply as I back off.
I can see why Pryor wants to save this guy. Randy doesn’t have any strength to speak of but stepping up to me on behalf of his best friend shows character. That always counts with me.
“Guys, get up here!” Pryor shouts down to us.
