by Tanya Dawson
“You sure you don't want to stay?” His arm reached out towards a building, and suddenly the door swung open. “I have tricks, too.”
I froze for a moment and couldn't move; I felt my body wanting to follow him into the building. My hands started to shake. I shoved them into my pockets so he wouldn't see how scared I was.
“What are you trying to do?” My brain raced at what his motives could possibly be.
“I'm trying to show you what others won't.” He let his arm down, and the door closed. “Unless you don't want to know.”
I did want to know, but I didn't want him to tell me. I wanted it to come from somebody else, that somebody else preferably being my mother. There had been times when things happened that had no explanation. When I tried to talk to her about it, she pushed me away and would often leave for days at a time. So I stopped asking.
“I have to go.” I turned from him and walked as fast as I could, but I remained in the same spot. No matter how fast or slow my legs were moving I stayed in the same spot.
“You can come to me when you're ready. I'll tell you everything you want to know and everything you don't want to know. I can tell you that Skylar will only tell you what he wants you to know. You can’t fully trust him.” I looked back at him, and there was a genuineness in his voice, my gut was telling me that what he was saying was true, but I trusted Skylar and knew that he had my best interest at heart.
“Leave Skylar out of this. I don't ever want to hear his name from your lips.” His words about Skylar made my stomach turn and anger raged inside of me.
He took his thumb and his index finger and moved them across his lips and made a motion of throwing away a key. “I'll never speak his name.” He smiled, and I highly doubted what he said.
I turned away from him again determined to finally go home, and this time I was able to move forward. He was quickly on my heels and walked a steady pace beside me.
“I hear Granny Whitby is back.” He said, and I could make out a faint hiss at the end of the sentence.
“How do you know?” I didn't know if she was home or not but I certainly wasn't going to let him know that. Although I had a feeling that he already knew that I was lacking in the knowledge department when it came to the Whitby family.
“Let’s just say that she's someone you keep tabs on.” He smiled down at me, and I couldn't help but wonder exactly what he meant. I turned my head back to the front and picked up my pace. I could feel a cold hand on my shoulder so I turned back and Henry was gone.
CHAPTER 10: OLIVIA
WHEN I ARRIVED HOME everyone was already in bed; it was quite late. However, I was a little surprised that Ruby had not waited for me. When I woke up the next morning I could hear them all downstairs having breakfast.
I decided while lying in bed last night that I would sneak to the family library a few doors down from my bedroom in the morning. I wasn't comfortable talking to them about my mother possibly being alive just yet, but I wanted to find out if there was anything in the library that they had kept about her.
I crept slowly in the hallway as I heard voices downstairs and dishes clanking. I figured I had at least an hour before they would wonder why I hadn't woken up yet.
I quietly placed my hand on the pocket door handle and pulled it open. I had only glanced inside a few times, when Ruby was inside with the doors open. She hadn’t seen me as she was engrossed in a book. I noticed she spent most of her late mornings in the room.
The room was large, and the dark woodwork was exquisite. Marble covered the floors, and I immediately regretted entering barefoot as my feet hit the cold floor. Books lined the two story walls, and a ladder was attached to the bookcase on each side. In the center, there was an area with large royal blue velvet chairs and a couch. Off to the side was a table with two chairs.
I quickly scanned the books on the shelf. Most were obscure titles that were very old. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew there was something in that room that would give me answers. I continued to scan each book section for what seemed like hours but was actually thirty minutes. I noticed there was a section on the shelf that appeared to be a row of fake books.
I tried to pull one of the books out, but they were all stuck together, I pulled and pulled, and nothing budged. It was very odd, and I knew there must be something behind the facade. I decided to push each book ending, and eventually, I heard a click. One of the book edges popped open and I was able to yank on it, and it opened to a secret space. I reached in and grabbed an old book that was much older than anything in the room. I lifted it out, and it looked like an old book of spells.
I brought it over to the table, but I couldn't read the language that was on the front of the book. I flipped open the ornate cover and on the very first page were a columns of names, and I quickly found my mother's and mine written out in scroll text. My mind raced at what this book could be. I flipped through the pages, and it appeared to be a story. There were drawings of what looked to be fairies, and the pages were very thin, almost see through.
The voices downstairs grew louder, and I knew that they had moved from the dining room to the foyer and were likely going to the Parlor Room to relax after breakfast. I quickly put the book back where it was behind the facade in case Ruby was on her way up the stairs to wake me. I took a deep breath and quietly made my way back to my room and closed the door. My mind rambled at the thought of my name being in a hidden book. I could hear Henry’s words and remembered the feeling of the energy ball in my hand. But I didn't have much time to think about it, I had to make my way downstairs and meet my grandmother.
As I walked down the stairs, I could hear laughter coming from the Parlor Room. A woman's voice rang throughout the house, and it sounded like my mother. I stopped quietly on the steps and listened for her voice again. Someone laughed, and I knew it was my mother. I ran down the stairs and towards the room as I tried to hide my excitement.
“Mother!” I burst into the room with tears streaming down my face to find Lily, Ruby and another woman sitting down drinking tea. The laughter came to a stop as I entered and the lady stood up. “I'm sorry, I just thought I heard my mother.”
The woman moved closer to me, and as she came forth, I noticed how similar her face was to my mother's.
“Olivia.” She stood in front of me with her arms open for me to come to her but I just stood there frozen, disappointed that she wasn’t my mother.
“This is your grandmother, Olivia.” Ruby joined her with her warm smile. I knew I should hug her, but my head was reeling from everything that I had taken in last night and this morning. Ruby prodded me with a nod, so I leaned in and hugged my grandmother.
“Olivia, I have waited for this day from the time you were born.” Her eyes welled up, and I could feel her pain. It hit me with a jolt, my stomach turned inside out, and I could feel the hours, the days, the years of her pain as my hands were in hers.
“I’m sorry, my mother never really spoke about her family.” I let her hug me, and I could feel the relief release from my body. Within moments she made me feel welcome, like I really was a member of the Whitby family.
“We will make up for that lost time my dear,” She stood back from me to take a good look. “Oh my, you look so much like your mother. How I miss her.”
“Grandmother just arrived last evening from her vacation.” Ruby chimed in. Lily sat back in the corner not joining us. Her eyes drifted off with coldness, and she clearly looked like she did not want to be here.
“I was at the library last night catching up on homework and time got away from me. I'm sorry if you were worried about me.” Grandmother took me by the arm as we walked over to where they were sitting, and she offered me her seat and then sat next to me. Ruby poured me a glass of red juice as they sipped on their wine.
“I heard that Skylar has been showing you around? How are you enjoying school here?” My grandmother asked me as she clung to my hand happily staring at me. I imagined she wa
s mostly thinking of my mother and how much I looked like her.
“It’s been okay. I've never been a very good student I'm afraid.” I laughed it off with a nervous twitch.
“I’m sure there's been a lot around here to get used to.” She shared a glance with Ruby and Lily, and my stomach started to feel uneasy.
“I guess you could say that.” I felt like I might be sitting in an interrogation chair. Something was about to go down, and I wasn’t sure what it was.
“I want you to know you can always talk to us. This family has a bond like no other. You have to trust in us, and we will trust in you.” Her voice was steady and convincing.
“There's a book upstairs in the library.” I blurted out. She was so convincing in her speech that I thought I could say something. The look on Lily and Ruby's face said something different.
“The book in the trick drawer, which you were looking at this morning?” She crossed her hands and waited patiently for my response.
“My name is in it. So are all of our names.” That was about as much as I could get out. I could feel the cold stare coming from Lily without even looking.
“It's the book of Fae, and you are a descendant of the fae as we all are.” She sat in the chair watching for a response from me. All I could do is look at the three of them and think this was a cruel joke to be playing on a teenager. How could we be a fictional fairy?
“We’re fairies?” I would have chuckled having said that out loud, but the look of seriousness on their faces made me stop.
“It’s time you learned about your family, and perhaps maybe you'll be able to understand some of the choices that your mother made.” Grandmother got up and went over to the other side of the Parlor Room where she pressed on a panel, and it popped open to show another secret cabinet. There were several documents, books and a box laying on the shelves. She picked up the box and brought it over to me, then sat down.
“Open it.” She gestured towards the box.
I looked towards Ruby almost for approval, and she nodded her head, Lily like usual was not looking in my direction. I opened the small wooden box, and there were several old ruby rings inside and a large ruby stone that fit in the palm of my hand.
“Those are some of the Whitby women's ruby rings, from your ancestors. They were not allowed to be buried with them due to grave robbers being popular in their time. You have your mother's because she has chosen not to represent the fae.”
“She had a choice?” I closed the box and handed it back to her.
“We all have a choice, and your mother made the best one for her. I believe she wanted to protect you from us and our world. It's very difficult to be born into this family.”
I wasn't quite sure what to say so I decided on saying nothing. I shifted in my seat as I waited for someone to say something.
“This must sound ludicrous.” Ruby chimed in laughing to cover her nervousness.
“I've had some experiences that I couldn’t explain over the years.” I offered, mostly to make her feel at ease.
My grandmother smiled and she took my hands in hers, they were soft and warm just like her eyes.
“You have something very special about you, just like we all do. Soon you will be able to develop that special skill, whatever it is and use it to help govern in The Stacks.”
“The Stacks?” I questioned.
“It’s the safe place for all creatures.” She leaned back and waited for me to ask more questions, but the last couple of days had played a number on my brain, and I had a hard time putting two words together.
“The fae have a duty to govern all creatures based on treaties that were signed long ago. Our family has headed a council for hundreds of years and Grandmother has passed that on to her grandchildren, which includes you. If you choose to take on the responsibility,” Ruby said as she reached over and patted my knee.
“So I have a choice in what I do?”
“Yes.” My grandmother said, and the three of them exchanged glances. There was much more that they were not telling me.
CHAPTER 11: OLIVIA
THE AIR WAS THICK WITH moisture and scented with lavender from the garden. I rolled back and forth in my bed, fighting my damp hair from sticking to my skin. Thoughts of the day rambled on and on from the conversation with my grandmother. It was as if I was living in some sort of fantasy novel and I was the villain, or was I the hero? Another question to add to the mix.
I plopped back on my pillow and lifted all my sweaty hair over the edge to try one last attempt to sleep. I forced my eyes to remain closed, but my willpower gave away after ten minutes. How could I be fae? What does that even mean? There were several times in my life when things happened that I couldn’t explain. Like the garbage can, my hand flew to the necklace Henry gave me. Does he know what I am? My head reeled with more questions and no answers.
I sat up in my bed and pulled myself back against the pillows. I had left the large windows open, hoping for a breeze, but there was nothing but a view of the full moon.
“The full moon!” I jumped up from my bed and inspected my hands in a panic. Would something happen to me on the full moon? “No, that’s a werewolf dummy!” I said out loud.
Oh, my! Do they exist? I had to calm myself until morning when I could ask questions without being in shock. Oh! Why didn't I ask more questions?
I needed to sleep, but I needed my brain to turn off so I could sleep. I got back into the bed and took some deep breaths in and out and tried to only focus on that. I was just about settled in when I heard something hit my window. I ignored it at first as I drifted in and out of sleep, but the sound kept getting louder and louder. I vaguely heard my name being called as I drifted in and out of sleep.
Suddenly there was a loud banging sound coming from my window that I could not ignore. I sat up quickly and I noticed the shadow of a person climbing the tree right outside my window. I looked around quickly to find anything that I could use to hit whoever was coming into my room, the curling iron beside my bed had to do the trick.
I watched as he put his foot on the window sill and I steadied myself into a fighting position. The cord of my curling iron swung against my nightstand with a loud thud. The intruder quickly turned my way, and I backed up against the wall and turned the light on.
“Henry!” I shouted. This seemed to be an ongoing occurrence for him. I quickly threw the curling iron on the floor hoping he hadn't seen my choice of weapon. My face flushed when I realized what I was wearing, and I quickly grabbed my robe.
“Aren’t you going to invite a guy in?” He grinned at me and my heart skipped a few beats. He was handsome in his tight white t-shirt and black jeans with that devilish grin.
“Are you a vampire or something?” I joked uncomfortably.
“I’ll only bite if you want me to.” There was that grin again. His foot slipped, and he hung onto the tree for dear life.
“Come in! Come in!” I screamed as I helped him through the window.
“You have a way with me.” He whispered. He was standing close to me, and still holding my hand from helping him in. The moon shone brightly behind him, and he was the picture of a god. Why was I so attracted to him?
“You could have gotten hurt out there.” I scolded him as I tried to pull away but he held me there with his gaze and scent. His face was inches from mine and his eyes dared me to do something.
“I’d take that chance any day if it meant spending time with you.” His hand brushed a few strands of my hair off my cheek, his minty breath lingering in my mouth wanting more. The heat from his body would have made me melt, but touching his skin left me cold.
“I was just finally getting to sleep.” I tore myself away being mesmerized by him.
“You don't look very tired.” He took a seat at my vanity facing me as I plopped down on the end of my bed.
“It’s been quite a day.” I blurted out before I realized I shouldn’t share what I had learned about my family.
“We
ll, out with it.” He picked up my nightgown from the floor and smelled it while never taking his eyes off me. I grabbed it, and he quickly caught my arm. “You smell like lavender with a hint of green tea leaves.”
I pulled my arm away and threw my nightgown into the corner. I was not someone who anyone would consider a “prize” so I had no idea why he was coming on so strong.
“You never answered my question as to why you were hanging on my window sill.” I sat back down careful not to look him in the eyes and feel all woozy again.
“In the neighborhood and thought I would visit. Now, why don’t you tell me about your day? I’m all ears.” He tried his best to gain my gaze.
“Remember the garbage can?” At this moment, I needed to talk to someone to make sense of everything, and he just happened to be here. Plus he warned me there were things my family was hiding from me and he seemed to know what.
“Listening.” His interest peaked, and he leaned over with his elbows on his knees waiting for my next sentence. His lush green eyes were caught in a ray of light from the moon, and I could swear I could see them swirl.
“What if it wasn’t an accident?”
“Meaning?”
“That I willed it to happen.”
He took a deep breath and stretched a little bit. He didn’t seem surprised, so I waited for his response.
“Have you spoken to anyone about this?”
I paused. I knew if I went ahead that everything would change between us. Would he even believe me?
“Never mind.” I got up and walked to the window flaking out. I shouldn’t discuss this with anyone except my sisters and grandmother. But in reality, I was just as close with Henry as I was to them.
“Olivia, do you know what you are?” I jumped as he put his arms around me. His body was oddly cold despite the warmth it was producing. His grip was holding me up in a comforting way.
