by TR Cameron
She shook her head. “No thanks. Work calls. This happened to be on my route today.” The brunette took a moment to say goodbye to Zeb and headed out the door.
Cali turned to the dwarf. “That was a little weird, don’t you think?”
He shrugged. “Weird is basically normal around here these days. I wouldn’t say she’s any stranger than the group of people you’ve brought together here. Speaking of which, go save Emalia from Invel before he talks her ears off.”
She swung around with a laugh to search for the Dark Elf. She found him facing a corner, her great aunt trapped between him and the wall. Cali caught her eye and walked at a snail’s pace toward them, earning an exasperated glare. Finally, she arrived and tapped the Drow on the shoulder. He turned, and she noticed the mottled skin that Zeb had mentioned once in describing him. She thought the imperfection improved his looks, rather than detracted from them.
“Oh, hello, birthday woman. Congratulations on your majority.”
Cali nodded. “Thank you and thank you so much for coming. Zeb asked me to have you come talk to him. Between you and me, I think he’s a little lonely there by himself. Fyre’s not a particularly engaging conversationalist.”
Invel perked up and replied, “Certainly.” He turned and gave a short bow to Emalia, who nodded in return, and departed for the front of the room, his stately walk punctuated with a slight limp.
She broke into laughter. “So, were you chatting long?”
The older woman sighed. “He’s absolutely charming but we don’t travel in the same circles and have little in common. I think he was trying to work up the nerve to ask for a reading but never managed it. He did invite me to view the items in his store sometime.”
“You know that he trades in pieces of…uh, questionable origin, right?”
Her great aunt grinned. “Well, certainly. That’s how you get the best bargains.”
Cali blinked in surprise, then scowled as the woman laughed at her. “Stop messing my birthday up. You’re supposed to be nice to me today, for a change.”
It only made her mentor laugh harder. “Ah, child, I am entirely too nice to you on all days. That’s why you’ve turned out to be such a troublemaker.”
The door opened, and she threw a quick look over her shoulder. “Speaking of troublemaker, hang on. Tay,” she called, “get over here.”
He saw her and obeyed, and she introduced him. “Emalia, Tanyith. Tanyith, Emalia. She’s my great aunt. He’s my sometimes partner in troublemaking.”
She nodded and extended a hand, which he shook dutifully. “So he’s replaced Dasante?”
Cali laughed. “This is an entirely different kind of troublemaking.”
“I thought so. You’re the one who’s not so strong at disguises, then?”
Tanyith chuckled as she groaned and put her face in her hands. “Yes, that’s me, although I’m not sure I’d describe it quite that way.”
Cali’s muffled voice said, “Thanks, Emalia. Really.”
The older woman chuckled. “Be off with you. I need to talk to Caliste for a second.”
She groaned again at the use of her full name and pulled her face out of her hands as he wandered off. “What?”
She smiled. “You know your parents would be very proud of you today, right?” Emotion surged, so she merely nodded rather than trying to speak. “In their place, a certain duty has fallen to me. You must visit me tomorrow at noon, at which time I will give you the remaining things they left for you.”
“There’s more?” She frowned. “Why didn’t you include them when you gave me the necklace and rings?”
The woman raised a finger. “Not the same kinds of things. Your magic is fully unfettered so I’m not referring to that. Rather, it’s their legacy for you.”
“Something to remember them by, I guess.”
Emalia’s face turned serious. “Oh, no, Caliste. Hardly that. This is your inheritance we’re talking about. Now, go and enjoy your party. But don’t be late.”
She tried to pry more information from her, but the woman wouldn’t budge. The rest of the night was wonderful but all of it was colored by the mystery lurking in the back of her mind. What did they leave behind for me and more importantly, what does it mean for my future?
Chapter Fourteen
Only the diversion of the dojo kept Cali from endless wondering about what her parents might have left for her. The night’s sleep had been brittle and frequently broken as her brain spewed a new theory. In the end, she’d given up halfway through the night and done homework instead.
Ikehara must have sensed her distraction because he pushed her harder than usual, which allowed her to lose herself in the fight. Even the group session was intense enough that others commented on it. She realized that once again, he’d found a way to help her without questioning why she needed assistance. Her sensei was a treasure.
Fyre had waited outside during the public class, and they walked unhurriedly together toward Emalia’s shop. With forty-five minutes in which to cover twenty minutes’ worth of ground, she had a good opportunity for people-watching. She’d exhausted the interesting stores on the route months before. There weren’t many and she didn’t have enough cash for frivolous purchases anyway. Hearing the stories of some of the characters who showed up to busk in hopes of buying this or that fancy item, she thought she was probably lucky not to have to worry about that stuff. As long as she had her phone, a working computer, and someone else’s Wi-Fi to share, she was set. Well, and an occasional replacement t-shirt for when an ambushing idiot slashes mine with a knife. Today’s faded selection, advertising The Who, had come from a thrift store.
Fyre had seemed more himself since his solo outing. She’d given him hell for leaving without letting her know but it had been mainly bluster and worry for his safety. He was still bothered, she thought, but had at least made a temporary peace with his lack of knowledge.
Her thoughts caused the trip to pass quickly, and she arrived with fifteen minutes to spare. Fortunately, Dasante was on the corner, setting up his magic table. He was one of the hardest working performers on the square, arriving early and staying late most days. If not for the job at the tavern and her classes, she would doubtless compete with him to see who was more dedicated. He had a comedy routine that he pulled out later in the evening when there were fewer children around to hear the hilarious but curse-filled jokes and stories.
As always, he turned as she neared. She wasn’t sure how he knew when she was coming, but he seemed to. Maybe it’s like a busker Spidey Sense. It warns of friends or enemies. His smile pulled a matching expression from her. “Hey, D.”
“Hey yourself.” They performed their greeting routine and he took a step back and made a point of studying her outfit. “New shirt?”
She nodded. “I found a Ziggy Stardust one, too. Someone must have cleaned out their closet.”
“Nice.” He jerked his head in the direction of his table and turned back to his preparations. She circled so she’d be in his line of sight. “It looks like it’ll be a good day—cool but sunny. There should be a ton of folks around. Are you gonna stay and work?”
Cali shook her head. She hadn’t told anyone about Emalia’s revelation but felt compelled to share with him. “My great aunt has something for me from my parents. I’m supposed to show up at high noon.”
He made a whistle like in a western, and they both laughed. When times were slow, they watched dumb videos on YouTube and had found one with whistles from over a hundred films and television shows compiled into a single reel. They’d giggled like idiots for a quarter of an hour over how repetitive it was. “That’s heavy stuff. Are you okay?”
Dasante had a way of offering support that never seemed to consider her weaker for taking it. She nodded. “Yeah, for now. I might be a train wreck later, depending on what the big mystery turns out to be.”
“I can see that.” D had grown up without a father, and when his mother had remarried a man with younger kids, had chose
n to spend most of his time away from them. There was no particular animosity in him, only a “lack of interest for the whole scene.” She couldn’t relate as she would have given up everything she owned for only one more day with her own parents, but she didn’t press him on it. He was a great friend to her and she did her best to be the same for him.
Her phone chimed with a five-minute warning, and she nodded and walked toward the shop. It wasn’t goodbye since they both knew she’d go directly to him after to share the news, good or bad. He gave Fyre a pat on the head as he passed, and the illusory Rottweiler barked in return.
When she entered the shop, Emalia was waiting. She was garbed in a long dress that puddled on the floor at her feet, appropriate for a wedding or a funeral. The darkened room of her customer area was steeped in solemnity today. Cali’s eyes snapped to the large box in front of her great aunt. It was made of a kind of wood she didn’t recognize that seemed to glow with an inner light. Different shades rippled through it like someone had dropped a stone into a pond.
The older woman gestured for her to take the chair across from her, and she complied. Fyre ducked under the purple cloth that covered the table and banged against her feet as he arranged himself. She shared a small grin with Emalia at his behavior before the weight of the moment descended on her and she straightened her spine and took a deep breath.
“So, Caliste. You have reached your majority. In Atlantean society, this is the time when one chooses their own path forward. You were forced to make that decision a little early, I think, but I would say you are moving in the best direction for you.”
She nodded, fully aware she hadn’t said “the right direction.” Emalia had always refused to judge her choices in that way, only helped her along whatever route she chose on her own. “I hope so.”
The other woman smiled. “Most of the time, that’s all we can do. The future is shrouded in fog and mist. The past, though”—she ran a hand across the top of the box—“on occasion, has the ability to inform us of what is to come. Hopefully, that will be the case for you today.”
Confused, she tilted her head to the side. “You don’t know what’s in there?”
Her mentor shook her head slowly. “I do not. This is usually a moment shared only by parents and child. I am honored and saddened to be a part of yours.”
Cali wiped the tears from her eyes before they could trickle out on their own. “I’m sad that I can’t have them but glad that I have you.”
Emalia nodded. “Are you ready?”
She blew out a breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Put your hands on the top of the box.”
She leaned forward and obeyed. The surface grew warmer under her palms, and the sensation of movement on the lid was entirely freaky as if the solid material had suddenly become something entirely different. When it cooled again, she pulled her hands away to discover that what had seemed a seamless slab of wood on the top had begun to fold back upon itself. In moments, the box was open, but all she could see inside was a piece of dark fabric.
Emalia spoke quietly. “Normally, the parents would retrieve the items and explain them. Would you like me to do that for you, or would you like to look on your own? I can leave the room if you’d prefer.”
“No.” The urgent word pushed past her lips before her mind caught up. “No, I definitely want you to stay. Please, do what they would have done.” Again, she dashed tears away, but they were bigger than before and she knew she had almost no chance of making it through the revelations without weeping. As if he sensed her emotions, Fyre put his head on her feet and his presence lent her comfort.
As her aunt reached into the box, Cali noticed unfamiliar jewelry on her fingers—ornate rings she hadn’t seen before. The stones were equally unidentifiable, but the settings were similar enough that they were clearly pieces of a set. The first item that emerged from the box was a piece of black fabric. She leaned forward to examine it, and Emalia chuckled warmly. “It’s merely a cover. Don’t be nervous, Caliste.”
She echoed the laughter. “How can I not be nervous?”
The other woman gave her a smile tinged with understanding and sympathy. “True. Okay, here we go.” She removed a palm-sized booklet and handed it over. Cali took it and examined the embossed cover. It held the name and logo of Hancock Whitney, one of the oldest banks in New Orleans. The inside displayed a long string of numbers with a small key taped to one page. She folded it open to show it to Emalia, who nodded in recognition. “A safe deposit key. We’ll have to discover which branch, to start with.”
One more mystery. Nothing’s easy. She shook her head. “Okay, what’s next?” She set the booklet on the table. A wide fabric ribbon emerged inch by inch as her great aunt pulled it from the box. At the end was another key with something on the round part that caught the light. Cali took it. A number was cut into the metal. “One-six-oh-one?”
Emalia shrugged. “I have no idea about that one. But we’ll find the answer eventually, have no worries. Maybe something else in the box will help it to make sense.” She withdrew an object wrapped in a scarlet cloth. It stretched from her fingertips to her wrist when she extended it. Cali accepted the bundle, set it on the table, and unwrapped it slowly. Inside was a piece of metal with a smooth, sharp edge on the left. The other sides were jagged and broken. It was covered with etchings that seemed somehow familiar. She rummaged through her recent memories and made the connection. “These markings are like the sword we found in the Atlanteans’ club.”
The older woman’s eyes widened. “That raises more questions than it answers.”
She laughed. “Right? I only have about four hundred and seven at the moment, but I’m sure I can come up with more.”
Her mentor shook her head. “This is a troubling development. It could be ceremonial and thus only symbolically powerful or an artifact with powers of its own—or anything in between. We definitely need to investigate its origins.”
“Yes. After we finish emptying the box.”
Emalia laughed. “Of course.” The next item to emerge was a small case. Inside was a choker necklace in a fabric that resembled lace but felt like metal in her hands. Silver discs slightly wider in diameter than the black material were set at roughly an inch and a half intervals all the way around. She didn’t see a clasp of any kind and pulled on it, surprised that it stretched. She went to slide it over her head and her companion caught her hands.
A frown settled on her face. “Caliste. We don’t put potentially magical items around our necks without adequate precautions, even if they came in a box from your parents.”
Adrenaline surged through her at the near-miss. Magical history abounded with stories of such traps. That was an amateur move, Cali. Good going. She shook her head and set it carefully on the table. “You’re right. I’m an idiot.”
The other woman looked rattled as well. “It’s probably safe, as this came directly from your mother’s hands to mine. But still, we should be careful. I will take care of the necessary detection spells when we’re finished.”
A small pouch was next, made of the same fabric as the necklace. She loosened the drawstrings and reached inside carefully to extract a disc that matched the ones on the choker. It had a colorful design on it, and after staring at it for a moment, she realized it was an Atlantean rune. She’d seen them on Emalia’s tarot cards before, always buried deep in the background or otherwise hidden. She held it out to the woman. “What does it mean?”
Her teacher squinted. “Shield.” Cali gave her a look and she shrugged. “My first guess is that it’s a magical charm like a stored spell. It might need a verbal trigger or a touch, or maybe even simply a thought. We won’t know until we—”
She interrupted with a sigh. “Research it. Yeah, I get it.”
Emalia grinned. “There are no shortcuts, Caliste.”
“But I want some. Pleeease?” she whined.
At a snort from under the table, she stretched a hand down to p
et the Draksa. Her aunt peered into the box and said, “Only one item left.” She removed a medium-sized book and passed it to her. Cali took it and was immediately struck by the texture of the leather cover. It was smooth and supple and wonderful. She flipped it to the front and saw an embossed symbol—the same compass she wore on her necklace. Again, when she looked at the other woman, all she received was a shrug.
Great, one more mystery. She opened the book and sighed. Of course. The interior pages were covered with writing made up of letters and symbols she’d never seen before. She held it open to Emalia. “Atlantean?”
The older woman shook her head. “No. I don’t recognize it. But we’ll identify it together.” She stretched across the table and grabbed one of her hands. “I know this might seem like too much, but we’ll discover the meaning of every item. You have my solemn promise and you know I never break my word.”
The tears finally escaped. It felt less like sadness and more like closure—or maybe purging of emotions long buried. “I love you.”
Emalia nodded and squeezed harder. “And I you.”
Fyre rubbed his face against her legs. For a moment, she sensed the presence of her parents and pictured them watching over her from above. And you. I love and miss you so much. Thank you for these things. I’ll remember you always through them.
Chapter Fifteen
She and Emalia had tried the nearest bank branch to where she and her parents had lived and discovered that the code and the key gained them access into the vault. Inside the safe deposit box were materials detailing all their financials—including a trust that would provide her with enough money each month that she’d no longer have to worry about whether a given day of busking was good or bad. There was a pile of ledgers she hadn’t had time to look at and probably wouldn’t anytime soon.
Cali had taken everything, using a large backpack Emalia had brought—pink and dotted with unicorns, unfortunately—and returned in a daze to the shop after she’d arranged a debit card to access the trust. Her great aunt had held onto the bag since she had only an hour or two before she had to be at the tavern to work.
