Embers & Spells

23 – Broken Wings

The wound on my arm almost healed now. The fear subsided knowing that even evil things like that hooded figure could die. That nothing in this world was invincible. All these near-death experiences I had in a span of thirty days boiled inside me and I started to wonder if it was the nature’s way to get me back to where I should be- in hell.

The locket Arawn gave me was still in my hands, gripping it tightly. It was a reminder of another life destroyed because of me. It was a remembrance that a seer once visited me to help, and she ended up getting herself killed. It’s because of me!

My stomach sunk, my throat hurting from trying to keep my sobs down. Here it was again, the sound of crashing thunders, the force of getting drown in the sea. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t find the balance anymore. How I wished I had someone I could run to, someone I could let myself at ease. I was so damn tired being alone in this kind of hell.

The doorbell rang then, continues desperate knocks from the door echoed.

When I opened the door, my legs wobbled as the rest of my surrounding began to spin. “Inigo?”

“I don’t know where you went and I just want to make sure you’re okay.” He looked worried, his brows on a furrow.

Seeing someone rushed toward my place just to make sure I was okay felt a different kind of sensation I anxiously wanted to feel. Just for this moment, I wanted to let go of the weight on my shoulders. Without a word, I closed our distance and throw myself at him.

My arms were around him, his strength felt like a leverage I need at times like this. Tears filled and burned my eyes as it rapidly fell down, my throat hurting from the sobs I couldn’t hold any longer. All of my mistake and stupidity came down at me, attacking without hesitation, swirling like a tornado to ruin me more.

Inigo caught me in his arms, pulling me in close, not letting go. I could feel his warmth, the muscle in his body, my mind screaming for me to let go and keep my distance but another part of me told me I needed this.

I needed him. I needed someone who could hold me, just for tonight. Someone as strong as my fears and guilt, someone who could make me monetarily forget and bring peace to my mind. He secured me in his hold, letting me break down without questioning what had happened.

“You’re not supposed to see me like this,” I murmured, my head on his chest as we sat together on the sofa.

He was holding me like I was a child, and I noticed his gentle embrace yet firm at the same time.

“See you like what?” he asked, his chin on top of my head. “See you cry? See you breakdown? It’s okay to feel, Tana. It only means you have a heart. That you’re human.”

I blinked, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“I have no idea what you’re going through, but it’ll go away in time. I know it.”

Silence chirped, the ticking of the clock was the only noise inside the house. My eyes felt heavy, my body aching from exhaustion. Whenever I used too much of my power, my body felt light, like a battery needing a recharge.

“Inigo,” I called out softly, gently sitting up straight, freeing from his embrace. “Why are you so nice to me?”

He narrowed his eyes on me, as if the answer was obvious. “You know I like you, right?”

I could feel my lips turning to a smile, my heartbeat pumped so fast and hard, like I was being revived. “Why me?”

Inigo reached out, his hands caressing my face, gentle like he was afraid I was going to break. “Beats me, Tana. I don’t know. You ever have that sudden feeling, like you just know that you like someone? That whenever you look for reasons to invalidate whatever you feel, you just can’t? You just like them for who they are and for what they make you feel.”

His love declaration would have made me blush and weak in the knees had it been in a different situation- when I wasn’t mourning. But he had no idea how I appreciate him, his presence was enough to make me think clear again. There was a new part of me believing he didn’t deserve to be in the underworld. He may be a beast, an alpha wolf, but it didn’t mean his afterlife should be spent in hell.

I couldn’t bring myself pushing the dragon glass deep to his chest. The picture itself made me wince.

****

I was having a dinner with Agatha the next day to celebrate her win. Many had said she was supposed to be just a runner up and not the queen. But everyone else choked in the question-and-answer portion and she was the only one who answered with confidence, putting her own belief.

“You should have seen Stephanie’s face when they announced you queen! For sure, she’ll throw her tantrums tomorrow at school.” Therese said, her eyes wide as she talked animatedly.

“If she’s even brave enough to appear tomorrow, that is,” another girl commented, as they feasted on the tray of nachos and fries on the table.

Omoro Breakfast Diner was a top place where locals go on a time like this. They closed at three in the morning and served beers to customers. The place looked cozy enough for some catch up time, a low volume of pop music playing from the speakers, adding life to the almost plain diner.

Agatha rolled her eyes. “She’s just some loser.”

“Isn’t she the one who spread the rumors that you’re kinda bad luck? Lady Bad Luck?” Therese looked at me, her thin eyebrow raised.

I put down the beer I just chugged down, letting the alcohol run through me. “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “And I don’t really care.”

Agatha snickered when her other friends just stared at my response. “See? That’s why I like her. Tana don’t bullshit like most people at school are.”

“I can tell,” the short-haired girl muttered, leaning closer to me. “Are you wearing contacts? Your eyes are, wow, pretty.”

I shook my head. “Oh. Uhm, they’re natural grey.”

“Hey, Tana, we used to live near your house, you remember?” Therese said. All their curious eyes were now on me. “I remember Erin’s apple pies on holidays. God, that was out of this world!”

I smiled at the mention of my godmother, realizing how friendly our other neighbors were. Just like Therese’s mother who always praised Erin’s garden and cooking skills.

“Just like Inigo’s apple pies?” said the short-haired girl whose name was Carmela. She brought her hands to her chest down her stomach, feeling herself. The rest of the girls giggled. “I saw him playing basketball yesterday after PE. Oh God, the man is sizzling hot!”

I swallowed, hearing them gushed over at Inigo.

“Hey, hey,” Agatha called out, waggling her index finger to them. “The guy’s taken. He’s reserved for Tana Axle Riva, so out of the way girls.”

I felt like the spotlight instantly put on me.

“You’re dating him? Inigo Remora?” they said, almost in unison.

I couldn’t help but smile at their reaction. “Well, I guess, that’s me being Lady Bad Luck, huh?”

Therese laughed, her shoulder shaking. “Damn girl, you caught him that fast? You have superpowers or anything?”

I chugged my beer, feeling my body relaxed. “No, really. It’s nothing serious yet.”

Agatha nudged me. “But you know that he likes you.”

Before I could answer, Carmela gasped, her eyes focused on someone who just walked in the diner. “Inigo’s not the only hot guy in Michaelson. That guy is something else.”

Looking at where her eyes were glued at, I saw a tall guy wearing a white shirt and black pants, his face half-hidden by a bucket hat. His aura sparked a different mood inside me.

“He spells danger to me,” Agatha commented. “Like he’s after trouble and nothing more.”

Her friend fanned her face. “You mean, he spells bad boy. And if by trouble you mean instant s*x, then yes, I’m in.”

And as if his name was directly called, Arawn Rhys turned and looked over his shoulder, his eyes instantly meeting mine. I had to look away. The wound that pained me two days ago itched at my arm, making me remember the hooded beast and the way Arawn snapped and pulled its heart out.

Oh, yes, he spelled danger. He liked to chase trouble.

The girls giggled at Carmela’s attempt to wave a hello at him when he just turned to his heels and walked away after getting his order.

Curiosity nagged at me again, wanting to put the pieces together. I easily figured out who Inigo was. But why I couldn’t with Arawn?

“Agatha,” I whispered to her. “I’ll just get some air outside.”

She nodded. “Come back for one more round then we’ll go, okay?”

“Sure. Be right back.” I excused myself and went outside the diner.

I saw Arawn Rhys crossed the street, walking casually, one hand on his jeans pocket. My feet followed him, creating a bee-line as I tried to be sneaky. When he cut his steps and turned to the tunnel, I hurried, not wanting to lose him.

But when I turn to the same tunnel, I saw none of his shadow. What I did saw was the same black butterfly that kept popping in and out the past few days. Ignoring it, I continued to walk ahead, wondering if he had noticed me and just ran away. Reaching the end of the tunnel, I realized I just lost him.

Turning around, my heart kicked, missing a beat, and my steps faltered seeing Inigo before my eyes.

“Dang, you startled me!” I said, clutching my chest and stepped back.

“Oh, did I?” he said, tone deep. “Why the stalking, hybrid?”

“I am not stalking you.”

“Hmm. Hard to believe, ‘cause every time you see me, you follow me.”

His cold eyes seemed not to intimidate me any longer. After he risked his life saving mine, I couldn’t look at him the same way like before.

“Don’t be too full of yourself, Arawn Rhys.” I sighed, not really know why I went after him. “How did you know Grammie Nah? Why did you have her locket? Why are my whispers not affecting you?”

He rolled his shoulders. “The never-ending question.”

My head felt light, my eyes heavy. I had a high tolerance in alcohol but I had no idea why it suddenly affecting me. “If you just answered them, then you’ll get rid of me by now.”

Arawn smiled, his index finger pulling up his hat. Now I could see his eyes better. “Maybe I don’t want to get rid of you.”

I shook my head, once again getting no direct answer from him. Feeling a bit dizzy, I stepped back and waved my hand, and started to head back on the diner.

But I stopped. I turned around at him. Something hit me.

“You’re the butterfly,” I muttered, my voice clear as day, the dizziness I felt just a moment ago dried up.

Arawn slowed his steps, slowly turning around to face me as well.

I half-expected him to deny it upfront, to say I was seeing things, and made his way through evading my questions again. But he smiled, confirming my realization.

“Now you’re catching up,” he said, nodding in approval. “How strange are you? Your head is clear when you’re intoxicated and not when you are sober?”

“I’m right. You’re the butterfly,” I whispered, a chuckle escaping my mouth. “It’s really you!”

Arawn motioned his hand down. “We don’t have to announce it to the whole word, do we?”

I just smiled at his serious face.