Parallel Lines- *RAYOR*

Chapter 11

"Well, how do you let go of something like this? How do you let go of someone you're supposed to love?"

I flick through the book. I'd asked Blake for it, and she had given it to me a day later, rather graciously. It's the spell book- Elemental Magic, Volume 1. I'm looking for something to help Nicco.

"We'll find something," says Blake. It's a very thick book, and I am almost certain there will be something for headache relief. But I somehow know something like that won't be enough. This isn't a usual headache.

"The fool," says Blake affectionately.

"He was reckless." I shake my head, sighing.

"I know," says Blake. "But he's just a kid."

"You don't deal with him full-time." It's meant to be a joke, but Blake gives me a look. I glance down at the page in embarrassment. This is a chapter of the book on beauty- how to get rid of things from spots to warts, to change the colour of your eyes, the colour of your hair. How to enhance your features- this spell is marked, with stains over the page on which it is written, and I think Avery used it. I flick through that chapter quickly, having no interest for it, and stop at the name of the next one.

Jinxes and Curses.

"I'll need to use those," says Blake. Joking, obviously, but her face is bitter.

"Maria is gone," I say. "You have to let it go."

"I am letting it go," says Blake angrily. I give her a look. "Oh, why do you have to know me so well?"

I grin. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Well, how do you let go of something like this?" says Blake angrily. "How do you let go of someone you're supposed to love?"

The words hit harder than I thought they would and suddenly I'm thinking of my father. I have no idea what he is like, I don't remember. Wait, I do. I remember he made me feel safe. And later, I remember when he came back, maybe when Nicco and Levy were both two years old. Mum had all but given up hope of him returning.

He wanted her to take him back. She said no. She had taken him back before, she wouldn't fall into the same trap again. But sometimes I think about how things would be if... I had had a father. Would life be better? He was a reaper, meaning that I don't have the power Blake has to jump between worlds with ease.

I know that he must have loved her to come back. Must have been hurt when she refused him.

Well, I think spitefully. Should have thought of that before you left the first time.

"Aster?" says Blake.

"Yeah?" I stare down at a recipe which tells of how to disfigure your opponent.

"You have a funny look on your face," says Blake. "I think it's your unibrow- wait no, it's just your frown."

I elbow her half-heartedly. "Well." I turn a page forcefully. I'm onto powerful spells now- spells on how to break through to the Angel Realm- Elysium. Reapers can't go there. Angels can't go to our domain either unless sent with a message, like Raphael.

Of course, I think. He was sending news of Arielle, informing Death of her presence, of how powerful she was. How she could tip the scale that would render him powerless.

"Arielle's lonely. She doesn't like the Underworld," says Blake.

"Of course she doesn't. She's part angel," I say.

"I mean, I feel like we should help her," says Blake, giving me a look. "She has no friends in the real world. I think we should send her to school."

"We're not her parents."