by Lola StVil
“Guys! We have to port Jinx, now. Grace?” Mel’s voice rings out in the suddenly very quiet space.
Rye isn’t on his feet, and Sunday is still catching his breath, but Ya-Ya and Aziza are looking almost back to normal again. By their pained looks as they hover over Jinx, I know he is in serious trouble. Grace runs to meet them, opening a portal with ease and disappearing with Jinx, Mel, and Ya-Ya.
“Is he going to be okay?” I ask.
Aziza scoffs and crosses her arms. Sunday gets up and joins us. Rye shakes his head.
“I don’t know. His best chance is with Mel and Grace. They’ll take care of him.”
I think he is saying it to reassure himself as much as he is to reassure me.
“What about you, Sailor? You’re bleeding,” Sunday says, pointing to my knee.
I look down at the new rip in my jeans and the splotch of burgundy dampening the spot.
“Oh, I’m fine. It’s just a graze.”
“No, we need to get you back to the cabin. You need medical treatment,” Rye insists.
I can feel my rage rising, but I bite it down. Rye has enough to worry about with Jinx’s condition without me starting an argument over nothing.
“Come on,” Aziza says, assuming the lead as she starts to navigate back out of the forest.
I push through the pain in my knee, wishing for that portal. It’s a bit more than a graze after all. Rye and Sunday fall in behind us, and soon we are back out of the forest, looking at Main Street, which is still lit up with lights and ringing with laughter.
“They have absolutely no idea, do they?” I whisper to nobody in particular.
“It’s easier to live in the dark,” Rye says beside me.
Once we have safely made it past the crowds, who are too busy to notice a bloody ragtag group of teens, Rye stops me. Aziza and Sunday continue on.
“Are you sure you are okay? We can get you healed up; you know it’s not a problem.”
I’m touched by how caring he seems but I shake my head anyways. I don’t want to look like the weakest link.
“I’m fine, really. I just want to know if Jinx is okay.”
“You know it’s okay to not be fine, right?” Rye says.
“The team already thinks I’m weak. I don’t want them to heal me and think—”
“You just helped us fight off Slip Demons. You’re not weak.”
“Then why are you so against me being the Paradox? Admit it, you think I’m weak,” I mumble.
He takes my hand in his. My stomach flips and my heart races. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, giving away my feelings. As a tingle rips through my body from his touch, I try to swallow back my desire.
“Look, Wonder Woman, I don’t think you’re weak. I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to watch someone else that I’m in charge of protecting die. I don’t have doubts about you, I have doubts about me.”
I hesitate, but I finally find the courage to ask the one question that’s been buzzing about in my mind since I made my decision to do this. The one I have barely let myself acknowledge, let alone say out loud.
“What if I’m not strong enough?”
“You’ve been braver in the last few hours than anyone I’ve known in the last few years. We will train you. We will help you get ready and we will find the horsemen together.”
“Hey, wait,” a small voice interrupts our moment.
We turn to see Jenny racing up to us. I thought she left. Where the hell are her parents now? I glance around and behind her but I don’t see them. Unbelievable. There’s not seeing the truth, and then there’s willfully ignoring it. She looks happy at least. Much better than earlier. Of course, she is also licking away at a dripping ice cream cone.
“I thought you guys left,” Rye says to her.
Jenny is cautious as she sees the blood on us. I hang back since he seems to have bonded with her.
“No. Mom and Dad let me stay for a few more rides, some ice cream, and look at my pretty face paint!”
I look down to find a pink horse painted on her hand and hearts on her cheek in the same shade.
“Do you like my horse?” she asks me.
A horse.
I blink a few times.
It’s a horse.
Of all things, that can’t be coincidental. I lock eyes with Rye, whose jaw drops open.
“Yes, it’s beautiful,” I say, managing a smile for the girl.
“And my friend Mattie gave me flowers. I was sad because I didn’t get any but then she gave me some. Here, you can have one.” Jenny smiles as she takes out a crushed rose from her jacket.
She holds it out to me and I hesitate for a moment.
“Do you want it?” Jenny asks, completely innocent.
My heart hammers so hard, I’m sure Rye and Jenny will be able to hear it.
“Yeah, I’ll take the rose. Thank you.” I smile. And just like that, everything officially changes. I got my wish and the adventure starts right here.
My name is Sailor Monroe, and I’m the Paradox.
I’m sore all over, but I did just help fight off three Slip Demons, so I guess that’s normal. Whatever normal means anymore. My phone beeps and I check it.
Mel: got a clue on the dagger. TTYL
I can only hope that will end well. We could really use a win. Jinx is thankfully going to be okay, but if he hadn’t been teleported when he was, he’d be dead.
Staring blankly into my closet, I can’t seem to decide what to wear. Dad is downstairs cooking; the smells are wafting up to me as usual.
I had a rough night; sleep didn’t come too easy. I kept seeing Aziza throwing fireballs but they weren’t hitting the demon, they were hitting me. For whatever reason, Aziza hates me, yet she saved my life. That’s something. Maybe I can be the Paradox they expect.
Finally, I choose my favorite purple sweater and a pair of black skinny jeans, turning to see how my butt looks in the pants. Will Rye like this on me? Just thinking of that beautiful jerk makes my heart flip flop. With one more glance and a sigh, I brush some gloss over my lips to complete my look, give my chestnut hair a little toss, and head down to join my dad. He’s humming something I don’t recognize and bopping around the kitchen. I smile, remembering days like this as a child. Of course, Mom was also bopping around with him. It’s amazing how easy it is to conceal sadness, but would we have been able to stop her even if we’d known? It’s a question that haunts me, made worse by the fact I’ll never get an answer to it.
With effort, I let go of the question. At least for now. For now, I want to just enjoy how happy my dad is. Sunlight beams through our kitchen window and dust particles float in its rays. Eggs and bacon, the usual, sizzle on the stove, and I open the fridge to pour us some orange juice.
“You are awfully cheerful this morning,” I say, laughing as he spins around and taps a wooden spoon on the island counter.
“Just happy is all. Glad that the two of us are in a nice small town and can start over. A clean start.”
I sip my juice and nod in silent agreement.
“So, what about it, kiddo? Are you really okay with this move? I know it’s a sleepy town where nothing happens, but you’ve already made some good friends, right Biscuit?”
Sure, nothing happens here. Oh, wait…actually, Dad, I almost drowned and helped kill a total of four Slip Demons. Well technically one of those pretty much killed me. Bet that will go great with some sunny-side ups.
“Yeah, kind of a slow town,” I agree.
I can’t laugh at the irony, but oh if he knew. He looks on the verge of saying something but thinks better of it and turns back to humming and cooking. My eyes narrow. He’s up to something. This isn’t just eggs and bacon. He’s whipping up cinnamon French toast.
“What’s all this? A feast. What’s the occasion, Dad?”
Dad laughs over his shoulder.
“Geez, can’t I cook for you without malicious intent?”
Of course, but not when F
rench toast is involved.
“Whatever. I have to get to school,” I grumble, taking eggs and bacon and sandwiching them between two pieces of bread.
“Wait, Biscuit. Come on, French toast.”
Dad points both hands to the battered pieces of bread he’s getting ready to fry to golden perfection. My tummy growls, giving away my hunger. I roll my eyes and sit down, earning a big cheesy grin from him.
“Now, how about some cheese in those eggs?”
He returns to humming and I watch and wait, until my plate is heaped high with delicious food. I know my stomach will probably hate me soon, but I dig in anyway. We eat in silence. Dad keeps looking at me like he still has something to say. As I am heading for the door, he stops me short.
“Look, I have to confess something.”
“So that was a win-me-over breakfast?”
“No. Well, yes and no. Don’t be angry.”
“Well, what is it?”
“Something happened last night. Something that I think might be a good thing but I really want you to think about it.”
“Okay.”
He’s starting to freak me out.
“Okay,” he says slowly. He brushes his hands together, nervous, and grunts, clears his throat and starts again, carefully. “Last night, I had a date.”
***
“So, how do you feel about it?” Mel asks, but how do I answer that?
On the one hand, it feels like he’s cheating on Mom, and on the other, he’s been so sad and alone. Maybe it’s a good thing?
“I don’t know. Conflicted? Confused?”
“Well, what’s conflicting about your dad going on a date?”
“For one thing, my mom. I mean, it’s like he has just forgotten all about her. But he has been so sad and so lonely. It’s been nice seeing him happy.”
“Maybe you should just be happy for him?”
That’s what I am trying to do here, Mel. I groan and pinch the bridge of my nose with one hand while the other holds a binder and my history textbook.
“Can we talk about something else please?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“So, what about the dagger?”
“Right. Nexus got hold of an ancient text that could point us in the right direction. Aziza and Jinx are scouring the net to find out what part of the world the text could be referring to.”
“I can help with that.”
“No, you can’t actually. You’re scheduled for a training session in the cabin with Sunday and Rye. We have to get you battle ready. Sorry.”
“What, am I going to be spirited away all day to the point where I can’t even get on the web and help search?”
Mel cocks her head to the side.
“Uh, you will have two classes a day, and each class will be two hours long. The first will be with Sunday. He’s going to teach you the history of the Avo so you know what you’re dealing with.”
“And class two?”
“Battle techniques and tactics. I think it goes without saying that will be led by Rye.”
My heart skips. Dammit.
“Do I really need that class? I mean, I did kick like some demon ass the other day.”
“Yeah, you did, but that was mostly fueled by adrenaline and self-preservation. It would be nice if you actually had skill,” Rye says as he comes up behind us.
I remind my heart that it’s a bad idea to beat that fast. When we make eye connect the heat between us is unmistakable.
“So, I expect to see you in the cabin after school, deal?” he asks.
“Yeah, okay,” I say, unable to pull away from his eyes.
Mel, who notes the entire exchange, shakes her head and gives me a sad smile after Rye leaves.
“Wow, you two got it bad.”
“What? There’s nothing going on,” I start. I stop, seeing that Mel can’t be fooled.
“We saw what almost happened at the fair,” Mel says.
“Oh.”
“Yup, everyone saw,” Mel says.
“Is that bad?”
“It’s not the smartest idea Rye’s had.”
“You don’t think I’m good enough for him?” I ask, hurt and defiant as we open our lockers and I exchange my history book for my chem one.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Well, what is it? Is he taken? Is that why Aziza keeps giving me the death stare, is she with Rye?”
“We need to get to class,” Mel says, about to walk away.
I latch on to her and plead. If I don’t get an answer about Rye, I’ll go crazy with wonder.
“Mel, please. Tell me.”
“You’re not the one to blame here, it’s Rye. He knows what our world is like and what the rules are. Talk to him. Ask him why Aziza is so pissed with the thought of the two of you, and also, ask him what happens to a god when he falls for a human.”
Ask him what happens to a god when he falls for a human.
Mel’s question haunts me all day. I can’t wait until after school to find out. And the only way to get an answer, a real one, is directly from the source.
I exhale slowly, waiting for the bell to signal the end of this period. I hope my lab partner took some really good notes, because my head was totally full of Rye and Mel. I have no idea what we learned about today. Racing out the door, I search for Rye in the usual spots but I can’t find him. When I spot Grace, I stop her.
“Hey, this is going to sound odd. Not that anything with us doesn’t. But I heard something.”
“Are you going to ask me or just ramble all day?” Grace asks, not at all annoyed but clearly amused by my sputtering.
“What happens to a god if they fall for a human?”
“Fall for?”
“Like, if they fall in love with one.”
Recognition sparks in Grace’s eyes and she shakes her head.
“Nope. I am staying WAY out of that one. Sorry, Sailor.”
With that, Grace glides away as graceful as a ballerina. Crap. Jinx with his wild hair bobs around the corner and I roll my eyes but figure what other options do I have? I stop him and ask him the same question. He laughs in my face.
“Star-crossed lovers. How cute!”
The bell chimes again. Our little short break is over and the next classes are about to start. I could slap Jinx, how annoyed I am, if I didn’t know how close to death he’d just been.
“You know how that Slip Demon almost gutted you?” I ask him, giving him a nice glare.
I guess he gets the message because he shakes his head and walks off. A familiar voice fills my ears and I spin around, warmth spreading in my core. There he is. The beautiful jerk himself. Ditching class, I storm over to him.
“Hey, we need to talk,” I open up with.
His friends cover their mouths and a chorus of “oooooh” and “ahhh” follows. He shakes hands with a few of them and then guides me away. We walk quietly to the gym and the next thing I know he’s taking me behind the bleachers. My heart is racing away, but I remind myself this isn’t a little make-out getaway. I have questions and he needs to be the one to answer them.
“Okay,” I start, but he holds up a finger to quiet me.
Coach Daniels coughs and walks across the basketball court before disappearing into his office.
“I know you have a lot on your mind, but it might be in your best interest if you don’t flunk out of school.”
“I need to talk to you. I can make up whatever I miss in class. I’m not going to get the important questions answered in class anyway. Like why does Aziza hate me?”
“What? She doesn’t hate you.” He scoffs, seemingly surprised by my accusation. “Aziza is pissed at me; it has nothing to do with you.”
“Why is she so mad at you?”
Rye looks at me then the floor, his shoulder slumping slightly.
“I hurt her. I didn’t mean to, but I did.”
“Rye, what happened with you two?”
Rye doesn’t seem like he is going
to talk and then he brushes his hand through his hair and sighs.
“Aziza has always been a capable, strong, skilled fighter. But she lacks the emotional capacity to really communicate and talk to others. It’s like, she’s always had a tough exterior. I mean, she’s a great soldier. But, and we all agree on this, the only time she lets her guard down is when she’s with me.”
He pauses, licking his lips. I think about our kiss and tingles race up my spine.
“She wasn’t ever giddy or anything like that but there was a rare softness to her when I was around.”
“She had feelings for you,” I say, the realization slamming into my chest.
“I didn’t notice it until the team pointed it out. She has no filter, so I guess I just always expected her to say whatever was on her mind. But she never did. I figured she wasn’t ready to tell me how she felt. And I tried really hard not to mislead her in any way.”
“You don’t like her like that? But, why? She’s gorgeous!”
I can’t believe I am defending the competition. He laughs but he doesn’t comment.
“Well, what else?” I ask.
“Well, then after my family was killed, I was a mess. She understood because her family was also taken from her when she was younger. We bonded over losing our loved ones and one night…it just happened. I needed her and she needed me. I wouldn’t take that back. But she wanted more, she thought we’d have more.”
There it is. My heart falls to the floor. So there is history between them.
“But for me there was no more. I told her that but I think in the back of her mind she thought that if given enough time, we’d be together.”
“And then I came to Whisper,” I finish for him.
“I guess she sees something between us.”
“Is there something between us?” I dare to ask.
“I hope not,” Rye says to himself.
An excruciating moment passes and I wait for him to follow through with that last comment.
“I don’t mean it like that. I mean…when gods fall for humans, only one thing follows…
“Death.”
