Extraordinary (14 page)

“It is my pleasure,” Tristan said, showing us into the kitchen.

“So what now?” Blaze asked.

“We will get you back home but for this moment I need you all to try to relax for a bit, you may feel lightheaded as you adjust to the environment.”

“And to you,” I said. My cheeks flushed, recognizing my words before I did. “I mean thank you.”

Smooth
.

My vow of silence was for naught. I managed to lay all my cards on the table with three words. Tristan’s presence proved to be more difficult to adjust to than the environment, but I did not want him to know that. All that I had been through and it would be a boy that did me in.

“Oh, I was wondering if you spoke at all,” Tristan joked.

I did not dare try to respond with words again. Instead, a nervous laugh slipped out, making me feel like a bigger idiot. I plunked down at the dining table, diverted my attention to the view outside the window, and prayed Tristan and everyone else would just ignore me.

At least until I found my misplaced bearings. I couldn’t seem to hold onto them these days.

“Can I use your bathroom?” Sadie asked.

“There’s one down the hall to the left and another in the master bedroom, first door on the right,” Tristan answered.

Sadie and Blaze all but climbed over one another trying to get themselves to a bathroom. It was almost comical watching Blaze wrestle Sadie for who got to enter the first bathroom. Sadie put up a good fight. Blaze conceded and disappeared further down the hallway.

Once they were out of sight, the humor vanished. I was now alone…with him.

Without the others to maintain the conversation, it was up to me to stop acting like an idiot and say something.

Say anything
!

“Your home is lovely.” I cringed at my choice of adjective.

“Thank you, I built it myself.”

I bit my lip to keep from broadcasting my full adoration. The artistry of the dark oak cabinetry and precision applied to every inch of the property including the doorknobs was inspired. There was something agonizingly attractive about a man creative and patient enough to select elegant doorknobs and then carve his own décor from blocks of wood.

“Wow, no kidding? That is quite impressive.”

“My dad believed it was important to know how to build and create. Mom thought it necessary for me to learn art and music and to recognize the beauty in the world. I tried to incorporate a bit of both when constructing my home.”

His smile grew brighter with the mention of his parents. My stomach tried to somersault across the kitchen. Certain my quaking was visible, I wrapped both arms around my waist just to be safe.

“I’d say mission accomplished. Where are your parents?”

“They passed away.”

The impact his parents had on his life was apparent. Even in death their memories lived on in the work he did and in the person he became. I hoped one day I too could think of my Mom, or even my Dad, and offer a grateful smile instead of an emotional scowl.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “Our mom passed away a few months ago. We aren't exactly sure about our dad.”

His eyes glowed with the sympathy I saw in so many friends and strangers the day of my mom’s funeral. It was little consolation then or now.

“Every day it gets a little easier,” I said, attempting to divert an empathetic reaction. “For us, I think, it is more regret than mourning.”

Sadie strolled back into the kitchen ending our stories of family tragedy. I was relieved to have the conversation cut short. A chat with Tristan was tricky enough without the added emotion that accompanied remembering deceased parents.

“I feel better now,” she said. “What are you guys up to?”

“Nothing,” I blurted.

My tone bordered on harsh, so harsh that I worried Sadie might see through my cover-up.

“What’s going on?” Blaze asked, reentering the kitchen.

“Apparently nothing,” Sadie said with an obvious grin.

“She zone out again?” Blaze asked.

“Oh, I think she’s fine now,” Sadie said

My nose and forehead crinkled. I really needed to pull myself together, if not for the ridiculousness of my actions but for my mental state that was definitely being evaluated. Judging from Sadie’s smirks, I feared my silence was only drawing more attention.

“Alright then,” Blaze said. “Enough small talk. I want some answers and since you volunteered yourself Tristan, I expect you can give them to me.”

“Blaze!” I said, offended for Tristan and myself.

“I’ve seen war and death,” Blaze said. “I’ve slept in the dirt and I’ve been shot at and nearly blown up but the past few days have been the damnedest I’ve seen. I’m a part of a family…not just a family, a magical family who’s been transported to another realm. Not another country, another realm! So excuse me if my tone is insulting.”

“Meow!” Sadie said, making a clawing motion with her hand.

Even Blaze was no match for Sadie. His entire body relaxed and a semblance of a smile formed on his face. Tristan seemed to take notice of Sadie's uncanny ability to defuse Blaze's ticking bomb. He offered a congratulatory nod her way.

“I apologize,” Blaze said, rubbing his forehead. “But I can’t be the only one. This is all just weird.”

“I guess you missed the day the Marines trained for this,” I joked.

“There’s not enough training in the world for this,” Blaze said.

“I still don’t know how you guys ended up here,” Tristan said. “Traveling through worlds is no small accomplishment. I am quite eager to learn what or who brought you here?”

“How much time do you have?” I asked.

“As much as you need,” he answered. “Should I make tea or something?”

“I don’t drink tea,” I blurted. “I mean, no. Thank you. No, thank you.”

And forever. I need forever.

****

Chapter Eleven

The four of us positioned ourselves around the dining room table as if an important conference was about to commence. Sadie moved a vase of yellow, pink, and orange daisies from the center of the table, vigilantly giving them a new resting place on the countertop between the stove and kitchen sink. Tristan sat board straight with his elbows resting on the tabletop, attentively awaiting the details of our unbelievable story. I questioned if I was as eager to know the answers to our questions.

Blaze already appeared bored. A one-time explanation of our journey was enough for him and I supposed being present in the event counted as explanation number one. That part of the conversation was not his concern. Sadie, on the other hand, enjoyed nothing more than the opportunity for chatter.

“Gosh, where to start?” she said. “So much has happened and we barely have enough time to process one thing before something even crazier happens.”

“I guess it all started with our Mom’s journal,” I added.

I explained the story of the self-revealing journal entries and how that led me to Aunt Leah. Tristan sat with his chin propped on his hands, focused on my every word. He remained hushed until I arrived at a point of the story that stirred him.

“Why exactly?” he asked. “You just met? You all act like you have known one another your whole lives.”

“Danger,” I said, utilizing air quotes. “Rumor had it that our abilities would remain hidden as long as we were apart. Our parents felt it was too great a risk so they separated us to protect us. Considering our predicament after only a few days together I’d say they had the right idea...in theory.”

“So now you have each other and the gift of enchantment,” he said.

Ugh, he is sarcastic too. Can he disappoint me at all?

“We are just beginning to learn of our abilities,” I said. “I have visions that warn of danger and dreams that seem to offer insight relating to people I have met or will meet.”

Memories flooded my brain as I recalled the dreams of Tristan. Heat radiated across my cheeks transforming me into the quintessential blushing girl-with-a-crush. I covered my face with one hand hoping to keep it private.

Now he was real. He had a name and he was sitting right beside me. I could reach out and touch him. Skin-to-skin contact. I could run my fingers through his magnificent hair...

Is it hot in here?

“I can hypnotize!” Sadie screamed. “Well, so far it only works on bugs.”

The unexpected volume of her outburst caused us all to jump. Me more so than the others since my train of thought had drifted into outer space.

Sadie’s animated expression morphed into a look of defeat.

“That’s still pretty amazing, Sadie,” Tristan said. “You should take pride in being extraordinary no matter what that entails.”

Compassionate and perceptive. Crap.

His words were short and to the point, yet seemed to be exactly what Sadie needed to hear. Sadie sat up straight, shoulders back, head held high and her buoyancy returned.

Captivated, I gazed at Tristan, watching him interact with Sadie. My stomach continued to somersault while my heart told me that I was in trouble.

Shut up, who asked you?

“Yeah, I guess it is pretty special,” she said. “Blaze can throw lightning bolts or something.”

Blaze, in no rush to respond, simply shrugged. I couldn’t think of how to clarify the statement further either. It all happened so fast, none of us were sure of what we saw and Blaze didn’t seem interested in trying it again. Who could blame him?

Sadie was the only one of us in any kind of hurry to use her powers. My migraine inducing visions and Blaze’s lightning hands weren’t exactly a barrel of laughs.

“Let’s just say the last time my power showed itself, we ended up here.”

Blaze spoke his peace then stared back at us. I knew this look already. It was his that-is-all-you’re-getting-from-me face. He wore it a lot.

“It’s amazing the lengths your parents went to protect you,” Tristan said, guiding us back to the story.

“We never knew each other existed,” I said. “Our lives were completely separate until a few days ago. It was quite a shock. Then to find out magic was real and we can do it, well you can imagine our surprise.”

“Can you do anything Tristan?” Sadie asked, still distracted by magic talk. “Does everyone here have some type of magical ability?”

“For the most part they do. Some have psychological capabilities like you and Alex and some have a knack for spells and such. So, tell me, how did you manage to end up here?”

The fact that he notably avoided answering the question of his abilities did not go unnoticed. Nervous anxiety rushed through me. I wondered if we talked too much or if he wasn’t comfortable discussing his magic.

“Oh my gosh,” Sadie interrupted. “Alex, your arm. I forgot all about it!”

With all the commotion, my shattered arm was the last thing on my mind and everyone else’s it seemed. I had felt no pain and no longer carried it pressed into my stomach.

“Why doesn’t hurt?” I asked. “It was shattered!”

I rotated my shoulder forward and back then bent it several times at the elbow. No pain.

“Look!” I said. “Nothing!”

Blaze, determined to investigate the situation himself, examined my arm from shoulder to fingertip, then repeated the process again in disbelief. My favorite cardigan was stained with spots of blood from Sadie or injuries I never knew I had. Yet, no broken bones or gashes were present.

“How is this possible?” I asked in a panic.

“How can you even ask that?” Blaze asked. “We have friggin’ super powers, who knows what that involves?”

“Maybe this world healed you,” Sadie suggested, looking to Tristan for verification.

“Not likely,” he said. “Certain people in this world are healers but the world itself has no actual abilities, other than housing our power.”

“Alex has a new power!” Sadie screamed.

“Well, at least I haven’t lost the ability to be shocked,” I said.

“Amen,” Sadie added.

“This is just great,” I said, wishing their attention would divert elsewhere.

The three of them gawked at me.

Step right up folks! Come see the bearded girl.

“Katerina,” I blurted, putting the focus back on Tristan’s original question. “Well, Blaze sort of, but Katerina started it all.”

Blaze groaned his version of an apology and shuffled anxiously in his chair. Noticing a look of perplexity on Tristan’s face, I clarified by explaining that a witch named Katerina dropped by and destroyed my home. Tristan moved to the edge of his chair while I described, in full detail, Katerina’s assault on Sadie and the part where Blaze intervened and ultimately we were sent plummeting into Haliwick. As I finished our tale, a burst of air erupted from his lungs. He had been holding his breath.

“Katerina?” Tristan asked. “Who was your mother?”