Beast Caller

by Brea Alepoú

  Zola looked at the stone and back to her a few times. "I don't know if you should do it. You just found out about your powers less than twenty-four hours ago and haven’t had a lot of practice."

  Melony looked to the stone again, not sure if it would work, but Zola was right. She didn't have a lot of practice, unless setting fire to some golems and her apartment counted. Oh, and Valdero’s shoe. So there was that.

  "Fine, you do it then."

  Zola looked around quickly before she cut her thumb and squeezed out some blood onto the stone. "Hide, epikaloúmai," she said as she pressed the stone to Melony clothes. There was a soft glow, but it shimmered away.

  Melony looked at her clothes as the spots disappeared. "Wow, that’s pretty neat."

  "It won't hold up for long. My blood has magic, but I'm no witch. I give it about twenty minutes before it reappears." Zola handed the stone to her.

  Melony held the stone in her hand. It was warm, as if it held a little fire. "Then we can do it again once the spots reappear."

  Zola started to walk toward the road. "No, we can't. Those things get one or two uses out of them. It's a low-grade gem, everyday usage, so they’re made in bulk."

  Melony followed her, looking down at the pretty stone in her hand. It may have been low grade, but it was still pretty cool.

  As soon as they made it to the road, she waved her hand for a cab. One stopped to pick them up, and they loaded into the back of the car. She gave the cab driver her parents’ address. She wouldn't even be able to call and tell them she was on the way.

  This was going to be one surprise visit home they weren't going to be too happy about.

  Chapter Five

  Melony

  She had drifted off on the cab ride but woke when she recognized the area. She was back in her hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut, and she sighed. The town was just as old and boring as she remembered it. It had been at least a year and a half since her last visit. When Denelle had asked her to get an apartment with her, Melony had stopped coming home to visit. The thought of Denelle made her sad.

  "When can I visit Denelle?" She wanted to go now; she was worried about her friend.

  "Not for a few months. She has to go through the change, as well as gain control," Zola said as she looked out the window.

  Melony sighed. She was ready to wake up from the nightmare that was now her life. Except, that there had been one moment where everything hadn't been complete shit. She glanced at Zola, looking her up and down. From her silver hair to her leather brown boots. Melony looked at the sword that Zola carried and glanced at the cab driver. Did he not care?

  "Zola." She waited for Zola to turn and look at her.

  Her green eyes turned to her and a shiver worked down Melony’s spine. She had never seen green eyes so bright before. Zola looked at her, obviously waiting to know why Melony had called her name.

  "Umm. Can… The thing, is it hidden?" She pointed to the sword.

  She didn't want to say what it was out loud for fear the cab driver would pay attention to them and start looking at her like she was crazy if he couldn't see the sword. And if he could, then they could be kicked out of the cab simply because she drew his attention to the weapon.

  Zola looked at the sword and back, and she quirked a silver eyebrow at Melony. Melony stared back and again pointed to the sword. She moved her hands in all type of gestures, trying to get Zola to see the issue at hand. Zola looked at her as if she was miming being in a box. It was frustrating.

  The abrupt stop gave pause to her latest hand movement, a slashing motion and then opening and closing her fingers. Zola still stared at her weirdly, and Melony gave up when she looked out the window to notice that they were in front of her parents’ house. The home she’d grown up in. She missed the two-story brick house. The bushes in the front still hadn't lost their leaves even with the weather changing. Soon, they would be nothing but twigs, but it wouldn't take away the beauty of the house.

  "$150," the cab driver announced.

  Zola paid the paid the man as they both got out of the cab.

  It had been a long drive, so Melony stretched her legs and shook out her arms. She looked over to Zola who just stared at the house. Butterflies erupted in Melony’s stomach. She was bringing Zola to her house to meet her parents. Did that mean they were together? Did amazing sex make them a couple? She wasn't so naïve as to believe that, but she so hoped it. Zola was beautiful, and she was definitely a good kisser. She was also nice and brave and incredibly strong.

  "Come on," Melony said.

  The lights weren't on, but it was still daylight out, so she had no idea if her parents were home. Her dad was a retired professor, and her mom had been a stay-at-home mom even after she had started school. They found things to do during the day lately, but most times, they stayed home. Melony thought about ringing the doorbell, since she didn't have her key on her, but she remembered the key under the fake rock.

  She looked down at herself and went with letting herself in, since she could already see the spots coming back. She wanted to shower first, before she saw her parents. She didn't know how to explain everything that had happened to her without sounding like a lunatic. She bent down, grabbed the key, unlocked the door, and walked into the house.

  The smell of cherry pie filled her nose as she took a deep breath. So, her mother had gone with cherry pie this time. Her mother enjoyed the scented candle waxes that made the whole house smell. She usually chose something sweet and always made Melony hungry. Her stomach growled a cruel reminder that she hadn't eaten in a long time. She contemplated going to the kitchen first, she was that hungry.

  She didn't hear any movement in the direction of the kitchen.

  "Come on, food first. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

  Zola gave her a face.

  "What?" She started down the hall. If she kept straight, she would end up in the living room, but she made the turn to the right and into the kitchen. It was the same just as before. White granite countertops with dark wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. The kitchen was perfect. It was so clean that Melony swore no one ever used it. It had been like that her whole life. When she used the kitchen, it always looked like a tornado went through it. But when her mom cooked, there was never a mess.

  She went to the fridge and opened it. It was full. She sent a thank you out to the universe. She would have had to really reevaluate her luck if the fridge had turned out empty. She pulled out the ham and turkey along with cheese and miracle whip. She put everything on the counter next to the bread holder. She got a butter knife out and began making a sandwich.

  "Would you like a sandwich?"

  She wasn't trying to be a bad host, but she was seriously hungry. She would make Zola a sandwich if she wanted one, but Zola didn't answer her. She finished her sandwich that had meat piled on it. There was so much meat that she had to smash the sandwich in order to fit it into her mouth. She took the first bite and nearly toppled over from how good it was. She finished the first sandwich before making another one. She remembered Zola hadn't answered her about the sandwich. She looked up from making her second sandwich.

  "What are you doing?" Melony asked.

  Zola stood there, sword drawn, in a stance that Melony had seen before. It was the same stance she’d had when she had fought golems in front of the coffee shop. Melony looked around to see if there was anything amiss in the kitchen. It wasn't, and she couldn't hear anything going on in the house. She looked down at her half-made sandwich; she contemplated asking more questions or finishing making it.

  Her hunger won out, and she finished the sandwich and ate it record time. Now with her stomach full with two sandwiches, she again tried to make conversation with Zola.

  "Zola, if my parents come home and see you holding a sword, ready to attack, they might have a heart attack."

  Zola continued to stay very still and didn't acknowledge her.

  Melony sighed. "You're kind of freaking me ou
t not answering me. Say something, even a grunt will suffice." There was panic in her voice.

  Zola stayed perfectly still, as if she was a statue, and she didn't even blink. Melony had no idea what was wrong with her, and she moved toward Zola. The closer she got to Zola, the more unease she felt. The fine hairs on her arm stood up, and a chill worked its way down her spine.

  She reached her hand out toward Zola to touch her. She felt heat before she made contact. She hadn't felt that any other time when she’d touched Zola. Again, she tried to get her attention.

  "Zola, can you respond?"

  Again, there was no response. She was, for sure, going into panic mode. Something in her told her not to touch Zola, but she needed to make sure she was okay. She forced her hand to move closer. It felt as if she was fighting an invisible shield. She pushed with all her might. It shouldn't have been so hard to touch someone. She pushed with everything she had, and finally, whatever it was gave way and her hand touched Zola.

  As soon as she made contact, her whole body lit up. She was in so much pain she screamed. She continued to scream as pain went through her body. It felt as if she was being shredded alive. Tears rolled down her face, and she screamed again as a wave rocked her to her core.

  Before she knew what was happening, she felt gentle fingers rubbing over her back and rocking her. Her face pressed against Zola’s chest. Her body still ached with the pain. She had no idea what had happened, but she never wanted to go through that again.

  "Wh-Wha-what happened?" she stuttered out. The pain that was dwindling still had her shaking.

  "You broke a very powerful spell," Zola said as she continued with her soothing rub.

  Her mind raced. She hadn't seen a stone thing, but then again, she hadn't looked for one. She was shaking, still coming to terms with what had happened. It helped that Zola held her.

  "Okay,” was all she could say.

  She didn't know what to ask or how it all happened. She just knew it hurt like a bitch.

  "Something is wrong here. Are you sure your parents aren’t involved with something?" Zola asked.

  Melony wanted to say no, but she had just freed Zola from a spell. She had no idea anymore. She shrugged, unable to voice it.

  "That was a powerful spell. Whoever set it up was no amateur. We need to check the house."

  Melony pushed her face closer to Zola. She inhaled the vanilla scent before she mustered up the strength she knew she didn't have but needed. They both stood, and Melony’s legs shook a little, but she got herself under control.

  "Did it hurt you?" Melony asked.

  Zola's eyes scanned the room again, as if trying to pick out where there might be more spells.

  "No, I was just frozen in place. I must have triggered it, either by my sword or what I am."

  Melony nodded and then realized she still had no idea what Zola was.

  "What are you?" she asked. She hoped she wasn't being rude, but she was curious.

  Zola looked at her and smiled. "I'm a unicorn."

  Zola began to walk out of the kitchen, still holding her sword and body ready for action. It was tense and relaxed all in one. Melony watched her creep around the kitchen, and she hoped she didn't end up in any more traps. Melony wasn't sure she was up to feeling that amount of pain again. She would do it; she wouldn't leave Zola. Especially since she’d helped Melony out so much. But damn it, she really hoped she didn't have to feel that type of pain again. Her two sandwiches had almost come back up.

  "Wait, did you say a unicorn? Like the rainbow hair and glittered hooves type of unicorn?"

  Zola stopped before she could leave the kitchen and turned to stare at Melony. "What are you talking about?"

  The look of sheer confusion on her face made Melony laugh. "Nothing. So a unicorn? That's cool. Never knew unicorns existed. Then again, I didn't know vampires, witches, and golems existed either."

  Zola tilted her head, studying Melony. The way she looked at Melony made her so aware that she probably looked as if she’d played in a dumpster for fun. She self-consciously tried to smooth her curls down, knowing that it was impossible without water, conditioner, curl cream, and a little styling gel.

  "So, is it safe to go upstairs and shower? Or should we keep checking the house out?"

  Melony was hoping she could go take a shower. She felt gross and too aware of how she looked in her current state.

  "I get the feeling the shower is more important to you than checking if the house is safe."

  Melony shrugged. "My parents aren't home, or they would have come running when I screamed. So, they must be out and safe, so honestly, a shower is highest on my priority list. I have blood stains all over me. I have no idea how you were willing to…"

  She didn't finish what she was saying, her face feeling hot and butterflies again attacking her insides. She squirmed when Zola stared at her, obviously waiting to see what she was going to say.

  As if it suddenly dawned on her, Zola smiled sheepishly at her. "Fine, I guess a shower can happen first."

  Melony breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly moved passed Zola, heading for the stairs and her room on the second floor. She went up the flight of stairs and checked on Zola behind her a few times, making sure she wasn't stuck again. Zola scanned over the railing at the pictures on the wall as they climbed. Melony made it to the top of the stairs and was about to go into her room—which was on the left—when she turned to rush Zola and saw she was standing still, looking at a picture. Fear blossomed in the pit of Melony's stomach.

  "Zola?"

  Zola turned her head, and she released the breath she held.

  "This photo…" Zola pointed out the photo on the wall.

  Melony moved back down a few stairs to look at the photo. It was from when she was only ten, and her parents had had it painted of her. She sat in a throne-like chair. There were intricate designs on the chair, with black diamonds and rubies all over it, and a black seat that looked as if it was silk. Little Melony, with bouncy black curls, sat there with no smile, but not a frown either. Even at her young age, she’d known to sit their perfectly still.

  "What about it?"

  "It's you?"

  Melony didn't think it was a question, but she answered anyway. "Yes, I asked my mom how she’d gotten me to sit for a painting. It's one of my favorites."

  Zola looked to Melony, and then back at the picture. "You look so regal and so young. How old were you?"

  Melony stared at the painting. It definitely made her seem as if she’d been born into royalty and not an upper-middle class family. She laughed at herself. "I was ten when the painting was done. At least, that's what my dad told me. Come on, I'm ready to shower already."

  She tugged on Zola’s arm to get her to move. Zola looked once more at her and back at the painting, as if she couldn't picture Melony as a ten-year-old. Melony finally got her to move, and she headed for her old bedroom. Her parents had left it just as she remembered. They’d had four other bedrooms to use, so her room got to stay the same. She never had the sad story of going home and seeing her bedroom changed into an office or a guest room.

  She went to her closet. She had a few things that she never wore still inside. She rummaged through and chose a dark pair of jeans and a boy band t-shirt that she got when she was fifteen.

  "Do you want to change into anything? You have more muscles than me, and you’re a little taller, but I'm pretty sure you can fit something in my closet."

  There was no reply, and again, Melony turned toward her, fear strongly holding her. Zola was looking around her room. She was going to really need to start responding, because she was giving Melony anxiety.

  "Zola!" she shouted.

  Zola turned, her face scrunched, and stared back at Melony as if she was crazy for screaming. If she had just replied, Melony wouldn't have screamed.

  "I asked if you wanted to take a shower and if you needed a pair of clean clothes?"

  Zola shook her head. "You asked if I wanted
to wear some clothes, then started comparing our bodies. You said nothing about a shower. Thank you, I'm fine. We still haven't checked the house, and I would prefer to be ready."

  Melony glared at Zola. She’d heard her and hadn't said anything. Zola was back to looking at all the posters on her walls. She turned her back on Zola and went to the bathroom that was attached to her room. She opened the door to the purple room. It had been decorated when she was a child and hadn't changed. Her bedroom had changed as she grew up, but the bathroom had stayed the same. Purple walls with mermaids and seashells painted on them.

  A thought occurs to her, and she sticks her head out of the bathroom. "Mermaids—do they exist?"

  "They do, but I suggest if you ever meet one to run or swim as fast as you can. Once they lock onto their prey, they’ll drag you down to the ocean floor and take turns ripping your body apart."

  Melony frowned. "Great, can't wait to see what else exists."

  "Many things. I could list some but not all."

  Melony stared at Zola as she moved around the room, picking things up and looking them over.

  "I was being sarcastic," Melony said.

  Zola put the trophy Melony had won from a pageant contest when she was seven and looked at her. "You should want to know the kinds of creatures you may face in this world."

  Melony sighed. She did want to know, but at the same time, everything was turning out to be too crazy to believe.

  "Fine, you can tell me more once I'm out of the shower." She didn't wait to listen to Zola; she hopped into the shower and turned the water on. She turned it to the hottest setting she could. The first splash that hit her was freezing cold, and she yelped before it got warm.

  She heard Zola burst into the bathroom, then she flung the shower curtain open with her sword poised and ready. Melony yelped again, startled by Zola’s entrance. Zola looked around the shower as if ready to attack.

  "What are you doing?"

  Zola's eyes scanned the shower. Each time they landed on Melony, her eyes would travel down Melony's body. It felt as if she was caressing Melony and not just looking. Heat pooled between her legs.