Midnight Metamorphosis

by Deborah E. Kehoe

  Chapter 25

  Avery

  Ben and Ana had shown up as Cole started talking, so we all moved into my backyard and sat around the table on the patio. Cole was seated across the table, with Ben on his right. Ana, and Summer were seated on either side of me, and Devon stood at my back occasionally pacing the small stone deck.

  “So, the plan our fathers set in motion almost five years ago, setting me up as your Guardian, your father’s rise through the ranks to Sentinel of our race, was so that if you were the prophesied one, you would have a Guardian.” Cole pointed at himself and I nodded. As he took a breath to continue, I noticed his purple eyes had turned a darker shade, so that they were almost black. He ran a hand through his hair, but then changed the motion of his arm and tugged lightly on his eyebrow piercing.

  “What Devon said out there was true. Why hasn’t my father come to see me in the month and a half that I’ve lived in Dover?” As I asked the question, Brenna came out of the house to join in our conversation.

  “That’s partly my fault.” Brenna said, moving forward to lay a hand on my shoulder. “I don’t trust him. In the letter that your mother left me, she said that at first she and your father communicated frequently, but over the past two years she hadn’t heard from him at all.” She looked up from pouring the tea into a glass and met my eyes. “After she lost contact, she felt like you both were being watched. She’d had an incident with an Elemental while you were in Texas, and if she hadn’t had that ring on,” and she nodded down at my hand that was twisting the ring around my finger, “she would’ve died then. The ring shielded her from his attack and reflected his power back at him, killing him.”

  “That would be why we had picked up and moved so quickly.” I said quietly, and Brenna nodded her agreement. I remembered when we were in Texas and my mother must have still hoped that my father would join us. It seemed like she was always looking for him wherever we went. Now that I thought about it, after we left Texas, after her attack, my mom stopped mentioning my father.

  Cole spoke up, saying “Why would they have set me up as her Guardian if they were going to harm her?”

  Brenna shrugged. “That confused me as well but taking advantage of the training you were giving her was only going to help, so I didn’t want to stand in your way.”

  Devon finally spoke up from behind me, “And it’s a good thing she’s had some sort of training with all of the Daïmonid activity.”

  “Exactly.” Cole looked relieved, even if that support was coming from Devon.

  “But you still don’t trust him?” I looked at my aunt hoping for a different answer but was disappointed to see her shaking her head.

  “Today’s actions just confirmed it for me. I’m sorry, honey, but he wasn’t acting like a father. He was acting like a Sentinel.”

  I had a few memories of my father and the man I saw earlier, although he looked like him, didn’t act like the man in my memories. My father had been full of laughter, hugs and love. I flashed back to that photo of my dad throwing me into the air, laughing. The man I met earlier was a stranger. “I think the fact that he hasn’t even contacted me since I’ve been here say’s it all.”

  “That’s not strictly true, honey. I’ve communicated with your father a couple of times. He always arrives as a blackbird, and I have seen him lingering in the backyard occasionally.” My aunt nodded toward a tree in the backyard that even now had several blackbirds in it, watching and listening to us.

  “Through them, he has been keeping an eye on you. But he can’t be seen talking to you. Not until after you gain your powers and the Elementals see that you aren’t the girl from the prophecy,” Cole said slowly and softly, glancing over at the birds.

  “Sugar, that does make sense. I mean, blackbirds are common for the area, but I’ve noticed a lot of them lately. At school, and here, but not necessarily everywhere. They aren’t at my home, Ana, are they at yours?”

  Ana shook her head quickly, her freckles whirling until her skin took on the slightly grey shade of the stone wall behind her. “I’ve heard some of the kids at school commenting about a blackbird infestation as well, so it is unusual.”

  “OK, so he’s watching me. But when the Daïmonids have attacked, he hasn’t interfered at all,” I said in a rush.

  “He can’t.” Cole spoke up quickly. “He is evaluating you to see if you are the prophesied one. After tonight, I’m sure, he’ll come forward. Once he knows for sure.” As he said this, the blackbirds took off and flew out of the backyard. He let out a huge breath and I looked at him in question.

  “I just feel better when they’re gone,” he said, and Ben nodded as well.

  “Bruh, now that I know who they are, it’s like spies are everywhere.” He reached an arm over Summer’s shoulder next to him and whispered in her ear. She sent an elbow into his gut and blushed. Ana hid a small smile and quirked an eyebrow at me.

  I laughed, “I’m sure my father isn’t watching the two of you make out anywhere, Ben.” Everyone at the table laughed, glad for the release in tension. I noticed, though, that Cole and Devon didn’t laugh, staring intently at each other.

  “We do have some other news we need to fill you all in on.” I looked over my shoulder at Devon and smiled slightly telling him it was his turn. Devon, looking serious, took the seat my aunt vacated. He watched Brenna walk into the house and turned to the table.

  “This is what’s going on with my family.” He proceeded to fill everyone in about his father’s plans for him, and the fact that he was supposed to steal my powers before getting possessed by Avdar.

  “Dude, that’s vicious.” Ben looked at Devon with sympathy, and Summer chimed in her support. Ana just turned a slightly green tint.

  I looked at Cole, to see his reaction, and noticed a slightly glazed look in his eyes.

  “Cole?” I called softly. He looked at me and cleared his throat.

  “So Devon and I were talking earlier, and because his sister and he will be in your transition, then it’s not going to do any good if I’m sitting outside your house, is it?” I shook my head.

  “I’ll need to get into your dream as well.” As he spoke, a cloud covered the sun, and the backyard darkened. The cloud moved on quickly, and as the others chimed in their support, the glare from the sun made me squint towards Devon, whose back was to it.

  “So how is everyone entering my transition?” I asked the question everyone was thinking.

  “I haven’t really talked to Dani since last night, so I don’t have a clue how we are supposed to do it,” Devon stated and looked down at his hands.

  “I think I can help you all with that.” Brenna spoke from the back door and brought an old book out and set it on the table. It was bound in leather and had a large eye imprinted on the cover. “Even though my power was in the knowledge of herbs, I do have the family book of charms.” She opened it up and started flipping through the pages. Dust filled the air, and a light musty smell lingered, making Summer sneeze delicately. Devon raised a hand and a soft breezed dispelled the scent.

  “I know there’s a spell in here somewhere. I remember reading about this charm when I was younger and experimenting a bit.” She flipped another couple of pages and then stood up straight. “Here it is.” She pointed down at the page and we all leaned forward to read the words at the top: Dream Traveler’s Charm.

  “A Dream Traveler’s Charm?” I loved the idea of a charm that would help bring everyone into my transition. I looked at the spell trying to read the ingredients upside down.

  My aunt skimmed a finger down the list of ingredients and straightened up from the table. “I have most of these, but there are a couple of things I’m going to need to go out and get.”

  “I hope it will work?” I meant to say it like a statement but Brenna took it as a question and I noticed everyone else also looking at Brenna for the answer.

  “This is your Great Aunt Ailene’s book of charms. She was one of the most famous Spell Seekers in
our family. Her gift was for charm making and spell casting. If anything is going to help us get into your transition, it’s a spell from Ailene’s book.” She smiled and said this with such confidence that we all sat back in relief. “So, I’ll go out and get the rest of these ingredients. I’m going to need to spend the rest of the day making all of these charms for everyone.” She looked around the table at us, and then smiled. “Didn’t you all have something planned for Avery’s birthday today?”

  Summer and Ana chimed in about fun things to do and everyone started talking about our plans for the day. I looked at Brenna and asked, “Are you going to need some help putting these together?”

  “No. This is my part to play, so you all go on and have a nice day. All of you are going to need to be in the right frame of mind to do this tonight.” I gave her a smile of relief and thanks and she put her arm around me for a quick hug.

  “Happy Birthday eve, Avery.” She said softly and picked up the book and walked quickly back into the house and shut the door.

  “What did you want to do today Avery?” Ana asked quietly, and the rest of the group hushed. I looked over at Devon, then around the table.

  “I want to learn how to surf!”

  Devon grinned, pleased that I wanted to learn something that he enjoyed. The others rose to their feet, and we made plans to meet down at the beach in an hour. Devon remained behind with me, but Cole, after glancing suspiciously at him, said he’d be back in a half hour to make the drive with us, and left to pick up his board shorts.

  Chapter 26

  Devon

  When we got to the beach, Cole, Avery and I started hauling our stuff down to where Summer, Ben, and Ana were set up under Summer’s huge hot pink umbrella. I hauled the big bag full of food that Avery had packed up for us, and set it down next to Summer’s head, spraying her with a little sand.

  “Hey!” She sat up and swiped at her cheek.

  “Sorry.” I said, glancing over at Avery as she pulled a large striped beach towel out of her bag and anchored the corners with two of her flip flops. She set up her lotions next to her. Cole set his cooler next to Avery and pulled off his t-shirt. Avery handed him some sunscreen.

  “Who’s going to surf?” I asked glancing around at the group. Ben raised a hand, as did Avery and Cole. Summer shivered in disgust, and Ana hesitantly nodded.

  “Sugar, it may surprise you, but I don’t like water.” Summer said with a shudder and Avery laughed lightly.

  “What, can’t get your fur wet?” She threw a Diet Coke to Summer, who caught it without looking in her direction. She popped the top.

  “Exactly.” She said bluntly and took a large gulp of the soda. “Thanks for the drink!”

  Ben, Cole, and I rented the boards at a shack down the beach, and after applying sunscreen liberally, the five of us headed towards the water.

  “OK, who hasn’t surfed before?” I asked the group. Avery raised her hand and looked around at the others.

  “Seriously?” She said when she saw she was the only one with their hand raised. “Well, I’ve been a bit busy!” She looked over at me and asked, “Who’s going to give me the basics?”

  Cole stepped forward at the same time I did. I stopped and looked between him and Avery. Avery hesitated, looking at Cole apologetically, and took a step towards me. Ben sensing the awkwardness grabbed Cole and tugged him towards the water, giving Cole a push that had him tumbling into the water, laughing.

  “I thought I was going to have to fight him for you,” I teased her, pleased that she had picked me. I reached for her board to carry it towards the water.

  “Oh stop.” She chided. “He’s just being protective.”

  “Yeah, OK.” I set her board point down in the sand, the incoming waves gently lapping at it. I took her hand and tugged her towards the water with just the one board.

  “We aren’t taking mine?” she asked as she looked back at her board and followed me into the water.

  “Nope. First, we are going to get on the board and practice balancing. Hop on.” She climbed onto the board and scooted up towards the front her legs slightly parted. I climbed on the back between her legs, my chest just over her calves. I glanced down at her bikini-clad butt and then up again quickly. I tried to hide a grin as I kicked my legs.

  She started paddling us out to the other surfers. As we approached, a wave broke over us, and we pushed through to calmer water. Avery sat up on the board, shaking her wet hair out of her eyes and I sat behind her watching the other surfers for a moment.

  Ben was a natural. He moved through the water so fast, and when I looked closely, I saw faint webbing between his fingers. He caught a wave, stood up, and surfed down the line of the wave, cutting right and left. His back foot cut the board into the water, making a line of water jet out behind him. All of a sudden he sprung into the air and did a flip, his feet never losing contact with his board. I looked at Avery in amazement and she grinned.

  “I’m not surprised he’s great at this!” She said with a laugh, wiggling her fingers at me. “He’s part frog, you know, suction toes.” From the beach I could hear a loud whoop and Summer’s voice screaming with laughter, rooting him on. Ben rode that wave all the way down to the beach, getting out of the water and shaking himself so water sprayed all over Summer. Avery laughed, watching them.

  I saw Cole glance over at us, “I’m going to take this one,” he said looking at the incoming wave, and I nodded back. Cole made eye contact with Avery one more time, and then flipped his hair out of his eyes and moved his board out so he could catch the oncoming wave. As he stood up on the board, I could see one hand balled into a fist down at his side, while the other was held out wide to help him balance. He flung his fist out and what was a pretty small wave grew quickly, turning into a huge, storm enraged wave. As the lip curled, Cole used his back foot to cut the board into the water and shoot through the curl, his right hand trailing upon the water in the wave beside him. As he came through the curl at the end of the wave, a spray of water shot out with a large burst almost spitting him forward, so that he approached the beach at a very fast speed. He waved an arm and the sand moved forward to gently stop his movement, and he rode the board up the beach and stopped next to Summer and Ben, who were cheering. When the board stopped he stepped lightly off onto the sand with a small bow. He looked back at us and gave a brief wave.

  I looked over at Ana, who was sitting calmly on her board. I nodded her forward and she smiled at Avery. “Looks like I’m up!” She scooted down on her board and started paddling quickly towards the next wave. This wave was a much more reasonable size than the power enhanced wave that Cole rode. Ana very efficiently got up on the board and crouched down to balance. I could see her board move back and forth on the water, but only Ana’s bathing suit was visible. I looked down at Avery, and she giggled.

  “Chameleon.” I guessed, and she nodded. “You’ve got some interesting friends!” She laughed and nodded again.

  “Including you.” At her words, a feeling of warmth went through me and I grabbed her hand to tug her back towards me kissing the back of her hand. I looked into her eyes, which had turned a bright green, “Thanks, milady.” I gave her a cocky grin.

  “Are you ready to give it a try?” I asked, gesturing at the next wave. She bit her bottom lip and gave a nod and started paddling. As we crested the wave, I helped her to stand and took my place behind her. She wobbled slightly, but I held her waist lightly, stabilizing her. I showed her how to position a leg back for balance and we rode the wave in until we hit the beach. I calmed the water, making sure it was a smooth ride. She tumbled off the board, laughing in triumph and I grinned back at her. Summer and Ana came rushing down to give her a hug, and Ana grabbed her hand to tug her back into the water. I gave her my board and walked back up to our beach towels and sat down next to Cole. He looked at me a moment and then smirked.

  “Nice moves,” he said. I looked back at the water, watching Ana and Ben tutor Avery on the next
wave. Yes, and if we all survived this, I’d step up my game.

  I was back out in the water with Avery, Ben, and Cole. Summer and Ana were sunning on the beach. Avery was on her own board, and was sitting up watching the waves come in. Ben moved up to take the next one but stopped and gasped, pulling his feet out of the water. I saw Cole sit up abruptly and look at the water around us. The temperature of the water had not changed, but the water started to boil. Avery, who had been lounging on her board, sat up straight and eyed Cole. I looked over at Cole to see he had his hands curled into fists, drawing on his power. I moved my board over closer to Avery’s and gathered my own power.

  “Cole, what’s going on?” Avery called over to him, but he didn’t answer. He kept scanning the water around us. Avery’s hair was shifting wildly as she drew her own power.

  All of a sudden, I felt a brush against my foot and I was yanked off my board. I heard Avery cry out, then my head was under the water. I reached down to my foot and opened my eyes when I felt something gripping it. Trying to uncurl the tentacle from around my ankle, I gazed down into the bright milky white eye of a Merdaïmon.

  Shocked, I struggled to remove its tentacle. Merdaïmons did not usually come this close to the surface of the water, preferring the depths of the sea. They were man shaped, except in the place of arms they had tentacles with large octopus like suckers that could rip into flesh. Their single, milky white eye was sightless, but they used their other senses to capture prey. The Merdaïmon’s mouth was a dark tooth-filled circle in his face. It was pursed into a kiss, sucking water and my life force into its body. Thanking my father for those tutors who worked with me on using my water and fire gifts at the same time, I sent a jet of air to create pockets around my hands. Using my power over fire, I drew heat from the sun glimmering through the water to fire up my hands. I gripped them around both tentacles and shot flames into its body, making it dissolve into the water.