Aporia (Young Adult Paranormal Romance) (Wisteria Series)

by Leyton, Bisi

  “Enric does mean well, where Bach is concerned. They are best friends.”

  “And I am coming between them?”

  “No, you are human. Enric does not like humans.” Radala took out her faycard.

  The Faycard was a Family artifact, used turn free-minded humans into Thayns. They usually only showed their faycard when they were about to renew someone.

  “See? Here is the four of tridents.” The Famila girl gave Wisteria the faycard. “Take a look.”

  Once a Famila has shown a human their faycard, that person was immune to the powers of the card. Bach had shown Wisteria his, the night they first kissed, but Radala didn’t know this.

  “Why are you showing me this?” Wisteria wondered.

  “Not everyone in The Family hates humans. Also, I am grateful for your help so far.”

  “I see.” Her answer wasn’t very convincing, but Wisteria had already met Alba, another Famila who was crazy as a loon; why should this girl be any different?

  “Hi.” A teenage girl with long brown, wavy hair waved to them. She was on a green electric scooter, parked a few feet ahead of them. “You're the ones who arrived yesterday? Doc’s daughter?”

  “Hello, human girl.” Radala greeted, as they neared the girl on the scooter.

  “Radala?” Wisteria glared.

  “I do not know her name and she is human, so what is the problem?” Radala gestured at Ollie. “We agreed Terran was not appropriate.”

  “Oleander, but everyone calls me Ollie,” Smiling at them, the girl took off her sunglasses to reveal delicate, light gray eyes. “Well, everyone except my uncle, but he’s weird.”

  “I’m Wisteria. She’s—”

  “Why do you need to know my name?” Radala rudely interjected. “It does not change who I am.”

  Right, The Family considered their true names to be sacred. None of the Famila Wisteria knew were ever called by their real names. Instead they used pseudonyms. Curiously, they were still weird about giving out the pseudonyms.

  “So, we’ll call you Y?” Wisteria suggested.

  The tall Famila girl stared at Wisteria for a few seconds and nodded. “Yes!”

  Ollie glanced over at Wisteria as if to say, what’s wrong with your friend? “I heard Bach and Enric calling you Radala.”

  “When did you hear that?” Wisteria asked.

  “I was riding by the house and I heard them arguing,” Ollie replied.

  “How could you have heard that?” Radala seemed intrigued. “We were not yelling.”

  “You were talking pretty loudly,” Ollie defended.

  “Ollie!” A girl on another electric scooter rode up. “What are you doing? We’ve got to rehearse for the bonfire tonight. Come on, we’re already late and you know how Persephone gets.”

  “I’m coming, Jill,” Ollie hollered.

  “Bonfire?” Wisteria inquired.

  Ollie nodded. “But the bonfire was supposed to be a surprise.”

  “You’re having a bonfire—in the town, at night?” Wisteria gasped. “You kids can’t do something like that.”

  “We won’t get in trouble, don’t worry. The bonfire isn’t a big deal.” Ollie giggled.

  “Forget getting in trouble, do you know how dangerous that is? Biters are attracted to bright lights and loud noises. Having a massive fire would only put everyone in danger,” Wisteria elaborated.

  “We do it once every few months. It’s a thing,” Ollie informed her. “In fact, Doc’s wife, Claire, suggested we do one to welcome you four to town. It’s been three years since anyone came to Franklin, so we’re looking for a reason to celebrate.”

  “I don’t think my friends will like it,” Wisteria noted. “They aren’t what you’d call, people-friendly.”

  “True,” Radala concurred. “Those boys can be quite infantile.”

  “You’re the real reason we’re having the bonfire, Wisteria,” Ollie spoke in a low voice. “Everyone is out of their heads because you’re here. They all want to see Dr. Kuti’s daughter, and you courageously made it through the madness outside too!”

  A blend of pride and self-consciousness stirred inside Wisteria. She’d never had anyone praise her for anything she’d endured or accomplished before. She couldn’t imagine why anyone would be this excited over her being there, but it felt nice.

  After Ollie and Jill drove off on their scooters, Radala and Wisteria headed to where the map said the local school would be. The building was deserted when they arrived. Wisteria guessed it was because the kids were out for the summer holiday.

  Behind the school, they saw a baseball field and several pre-teen boys, jogging around the field.

  “I do not think Lluc would be among those children,” Radala noted.

  “I’m trying to get to know everyone.” Wisteria didn’t want to tell her about the child. The only Family member she knew who wouldn’t try to hurt the child was Bach, so no one else was going to find out.

  “And watching children running is going to help you?”

  They moved closer to the field while Wisteria watched to see if any of the kids were a possible combination of her and Bach.

  The boy would have dark brown or black woolly hair, and dark brown, almost black, eyes, like Wisteria’s or eyes like Bach. It dawned on Wisteria she didn’t know what color Bach’s eyes really were. He’d told her The Family’s eyes turned green, after years of staring into the sun. After watching for several minutes, she didn’t see anyone who she felt fit the description.

  “Wisteria!” Dell, Jenny’s son, yelled at her and waved. “Hey!”

  She gestured back.

  He was such a sweet kid.

  “Raubacher, keep moving,” the coach scolded.

  “Wisteria!” Ollie hollered as she came up on her scooter. “I live near here and was heading home when I saw you. What are you doing over here?”

  “Watching the baseball practice,” Wisteria replied.

  “Technically, it’s softball, but okay,” Ollie corrected. “If you get bored of the peewee league, stop by my house and my uncle can make us—”

  “Where were you?” Cross, Enric appeared with a large bruise on his jaw. “Wisteria, why did you not check back with us?”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get the email,” Wisteria retorted, studying his bruising. “And I’m not psychic.”

  Enric turned to Radala. “You should have brought her to Marble House, first thing.”

  “Do not tell me what to do.” Radala gave Enric a dirty look.

  “Hi, I’m Oleander.” Interjecting herself between Radala and Enric, the young girl waved at him.

  “Get to Marble House now,” Enric’s seethed, ignoring Ollie. “Do not let me have to ask you again.”

  Radala doubled over laughing. “Sorry, but you are hilarious.” She pointed to Enric. “Okay, okay—now ask again and this time, I will be serious.” She pretended to make a straight face.

  Wisteria laughed to herself as Enric stomped off. It was really refreshing to see him finally get the treatment he deserved. He had always been so arrogant and rude to everyone—especially to her.

  Radala followed him, while Ollie watched, transfixed.

  “Enric is bad news.” Wisteria guessed he was who had Ollie’s attention.

  “What—no? I’m not into him.” Ollie laughed nervously. “He’s old and he’s a jerk.”

  Watching the Famila pair, Wisteria saw Enric become upset at something Radala told him. He spun around to face Wisteria.

  For some reason, this caused Ollie to suck in a breath very quickly and loudly.

  “I should go, Ollie. We’ll catch up later?” Wisteria didn’t want any more people getting caught up in The Family’s drama because of her. “Ollie, you were right when you said he was a jerk. You need to stay away from him,” Wisteria advised.

  Ollie nodded while looking distracted, as she watched Enric, who still stood a distance away, scowling at Wisteria.

  *****

  “…and th
at’s why I love you,” Ollie sang sweetly that evening at the town bonfire to welcome Wisteria and the other new arrivals.

  The crowd around the bonfire cheered when the young girl finished, and then music started to play over the loud speakers.

  Several hundred people had shown up to drink and hang out. Most of the people who were hanging around were in their teens or twenties, but there were a few older people too.

  Wisteria and Radala sat watching from under a tree that overlooked the festivities. She was touched by the turnout. A lot of the people had stopped by to talk to her and she’d gotten thirty-six dinner invitations and three dates.

  This was definitely not the Isle of Smythe.

  “Here’s your drink.” Christopher appeared with a bottle full of a deep purple liquid. “Sorry, I couldn’t get you a burger; they were all out.”

  “It’s okay.” She examined the contents of her drink.

  “It’s black currant soda. What can I say, it’s . . .?” Christopher shrugged. “I thought it was pretty weird when they first started making it, but you get used to it.”

  “Thanks.” She sipped the drink.

  “Did you get a drink for me?” Radala inquired as she examined the grasshopper she’d somehow trapped in her hands.

  Christopher grinned. “No, but would you like one?”

  “Since you got one for Wisteria, I think it is fair you get one for me too,” Radala demanded.

  He glanced at Wisteria, clearly amused by the Famila girl. “Sure, why not. You will be here when I get back, right?” he asked Wisteria.

  “That depends on how fast you are,” Radala interjected.

  “Radala, he was talking to me, and yes, I’ll be here,” Wisteria responded.

  He headed back down the incline, passing Ollie on her way up.

  “Hey, Wisteria.” Out of breath, Ollie hurried to meet her. “What did you two think of my song?”

  “Very sweet; you sing almost as smoothly as Wisteria,” Radala commented as she showed Wisteria the grasshopper in her palm.

  The insect sprang out of Radala’s hand and vanished into the night.

  This made Radala laugh.

  Wisteria wondered when Radala had ever heard her sing. “Ollie, you sounded incredible.”

  “I’ve got something even better for later. You’ll love the song. It’s . . .” Ollie’s voice trailed off as she searched the crowd.

  “Enric isn’t here,” Wisteria whispered to the girl. “I don’t think he’s going to show up.”

  “I’m—I’m not looking—for him,” Ollie stuttered. “I’ve lost Jill. Remember her, the girl on the other scooter?”

  “You mean her?” Radala pointed to Ollie’s friend who was sipping a drink and chatting a few feet away.

  Ollie looked over. “Oh, I didn’t see her.”

  “Listen, if you are looking for Enric, he will be here. He has to make sure no one has a nice time.” Radala smiled without a hint of sarcasm. “He is predictable that way.”

  Wisteria was actually having fun hanging out with Christopher and, weirdly, Radala. She’d come to see if there’d be any kids her son’s age here, but by the looks of things, no children were invited to this party. If the wahr-chart had been working, she could’ve used it at the bonfire, but the artifact would not even start. “You were having fun?” she asked the Famila girl. “All you’ve done all night is play with grasshoppers.”

  “I think they are amazing animals.” Radala’s face lit up the way it sometimes did when she spoke to Wisteria and other humans. “I do not understand how they exist. If you want to impress Enric, consider some acrobatic tricks along with your singing,” she suggested to Ollie.

  “No, I’m not looking for Enric,” Ollie insisted.

  “Why are you looking for Enric?” Bach said from behind Wisteria.

  She turned back to see that he was inches away from her. A few feet away from him stood Enric. Both guys had changed from their 1930s clothes, into jeans and shirts.

  “Apparently, she is not,” Radala teased, and glanced at Ollie, whose dark face was slightly flustered.

  “That was not what it sounded like,” Bach continued.

  “If Radala says it is nothing, then I do not want to know,” Enric retorted. “Radala, Wisteria, we are leaving now.”

  Bach shook his head and looked over at Wisteria. “What do you think?”

  Wisteria was unsure why he was asking her. Her eyes darted over to Enric who stood behind Bach, piercing her with a cold stare.

  “Do what you want. I’m going home.” Wisteria brushed past the two guys. She wasn’t sure if that was the answer Enric wanted, but it was the answer he was getting.

  “Wait.” Bach grabbed her arm. Then, he said to Radala and Enric, in the Dialect, “We do need to talk, but not here.” He led her away from the group.

  “What?” She glanced back at Enric to make sure he could see what was going on. She didn’t want him thinking even for a second that she had any designs on Bach.

  But Enric seemed distracted by the chatter all around him.

  Poor, lovestruck Ollie was trying to tell him something, but he was obviously ignoring her.

  “Are you listening?” Bach asked her.

  “No, I was thinking about someone,” she answered. Hopefully, he’d believe it to be Steven.

  “I trekked round the perimeter of the town today.” He seemed to ignore her rude comment. “When I jumped over the fence, I found out there is a structure on Rigel Mountain. I saw several people going in and out of it today.” He motioned the direction of the mountain range behind her.

  It seemed he’d had a more fruitful day than she had. Her day had been spent tracking down the children. And now she was starting to feel that it had been a waste of time. “Where?”

  “Not the large one in front, but the smaller mountain behind it.”

  All she saw beyond the mountain was darkness. “What do you think is in there?”

  “Probably Lluc, if he is still here.”

  “They don’t seem like the type of people who would keep The Family captive,” Wisteria noted. “I mean, you guys have been allowed to do whatever you want.”

  “Then where is he? If Lluc was as free as us, he would have known we were here by now. I would have seen him.”

  “He ran away from The Family, so he might be hiding from you.”

  “And why did your father not tell us another Famila man was here? I am certain that is unusual.”

  “Unless Lluc asked my father to keep his secret.”

  “But your father probably made this child. He would be the very person Lluc would be coming to take the child away from. Why would your father help him?”

  “I am glad you came to me about this.” There was so much about what her father was doing that she needed to understand. He couldn’t be the monster her mother implied he was.

  “You are the only one I trust with this,” he answered, and chuckled.

  “I am sure Radala would understand?”

  “You are suggesting I confide in another girl? Have you forgotten Alba?” Bach scoffed.

  “Radala seems different. She’s ignorant, not vicious. You care about her, right? So, maybe she’d be different.”

  “You want to risk telling her, after what happened in Jarthan?”

  She shook her head.

  “Besides, Radala and I are not together. I recognized I could never truly care about her. As for telling Enric, do not worry, I will not. It would burst every blood vessel in his head if he found out we had a child.”

  “Would he be able to regenerate from that?”

  “Yes, but it would be messy,” Bach replied playfully. “And his head would still be as large.”

  “You shouldn’t make fun of your best friend.”

  “He is not my best friend. You are.”

  Wisteria shuddered, frustrated with where this conversation was about to lead. Didn’t he get it? Why couldn’t he take her answers seriously?

  �
��I am sorry I made your life hell. It was hard for me--I did suffer, but it was also bad for you, and I get it. It was too much for you to handle. You deserve to be as happy as you can be.” He reached out to touch her arm, but seemed to stop before he actually touched her. “I hate Steven, but if you get back to him, I hope you are happy.”

  She was a little unsettled by his turnaround. “So, we can move past it?”

  “We could be friends, You can come and spend time with me in Jarthan and we will race leviathan, while avoiding being stabbed by my father,” he joked.

  “And the on the weekends you can have dinner with my mother and hope she doesn’t poison you. I think I’d like that.” Wisteria laughed aloud.

  “For your birthday, we will take our forbidden child into the home realm and they will welcome us with a parade of pulses, and a few dozen sentinels. They will escort you into the finest bridewell we have. Even the rodents are well-fed. And with you in prison, I can visit you and our forbidden child anytime I like,” he continued to joke.

  “Forbidden child?” Wisteria shook her head. “We should name him Abomination.”

  “I like the name. It sounds strong.” He laughed.

  The sound of his laughter was so good to hear; she’d forgotten that sound.

  “Stay the hell away from me!” A shout came from behind them and it sounded like Enric.

  The crowd hushed as Ollie fled past them in tears.

  Glancing in the direction of the two other Famila, Wisteria saw Enric standing red-faced as Radala argued with him.

  Wisteria dashed after Ollie, who was sprinting down the street. She followed the distraught girl to the edge of town.

  Crawling through a gap in the fence, Ollie disappeared into the darkness.

  Wisteria did likewise. On the other side of the fence, everything ahead was pitch black. Making her way through the darkness, she heard sobbing. “Oleander.”

  More sobbing.

  Noticing a blinking light a few feet ahead, she ran in the direction of it and found the girl sitting on a rock, turning her flashlight on and off. “Are you okay?” Wisteria sat down next to her.

  “Yeah, I’m an idiot.” Ollie sniffed. “I made such a fool of myself.”