The Magi Lunations: Maebry's Vision

Twenty Seven

After buttoning the pajamas all the way to my neck, I collapsed into the cloud of a bed.

Time bent in strange angles again after I closed my eyes.

At some point my family descended upon the room, fussing, and talking over each other so loudly no one could hear me anyway. So I closed my eyes, rolled over, and fell back asleep.

My Mom came in at some point and made me eat. Daylight streamed in the glass doors. Aunt Skyla and her bump made me get dressed. My journal sat on my nightstand; the ribbon curled tightly around it. Had anyone read it? Before I could panic at the exposure of even more of my foolishness, I fell back asleep. I dreamed I was tiptoeing across lava without being burned, and I heard snippets of the song, "Volcano." I kept calling for Biltmore, but I couldn't find him through the smoke.

My Dad and Uncle Rey brought me the next meal, and they swore that they'd call Nan if I didn't eat. I swallowed some soup and bread, rolled over, and fell back asleep. But I think it was Matthias who convinced me to go downstairs. The beautiful house stood empty – no books, no people, no noise. I cinched the long white satin robe around my waist, and I rounded a corner to see Yohana, his strong handsome back to me. I walked out on the porch to join him.

"Where is everyone?" my voice croaked.

His hands were deep in his pockets. "I think they wanted to give us a minute alone." He turned to me, and I almost stumble back at the sight of all his muscle, his calm, and his warmth. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged.

I had to look away from the love in his eyes, the love I'd betrayed. I gazed instead over the beautiful grounds. I heard waterfalls and children laughing. Red and orange flowers dotted the landscape. I wondered where he'd planted my azaleas.

"How did you find me?"

In my peripheral vision, I saw him roll his shoulders. "Hildegard informed me of the circumstances of your...mysterious disappearance. Your friend, Esperanza, said you'd been abducted," he holds up a hand to stop me from interjecting. "I know now it was more complicated than that. But I panicked. Dr. Norwich said you'd be somewhere in my realm. I pleaded and begged every invisible force in earshot to find you. And they did. Just in time.

"I promise I've never used my powers to...spy...on you before. I struggle with the ethics of my abilities and continue to do so. But this week I've been nothing but thankful that you were close enough for me to use them. To keep you safe I would violate your privacy again. I'm sorry, Mae. I felt like I had no other choice."

I cleared my burning throat again, "Where are the Tusks?"

"I put them in a safe here in your office," he motioned to the beautiful room on the other side of the house. "They're yours. No one else outside my court advisor, Andwele, and McKinley knows you have them. Not even my wife...They are unbelievably powerful. I can feel the magic humming around them from here. Can you?"

I shook my head no, and I absentmindedly felt for the greening stone that was no longer in my pocket. I must have left it on the bathroom counter.

"I need to see the Tusks. They're important. They're connected to the future of the Magi, I think. Or maybe my future," my voice cracked. "I'm not sure if they're a good omen or a bad omen."

Yohana crossed his arms, "That's often relative. If you're sure you're up for it, the safe is open in your office. I wanted you to choose the code when you were ready. I'll wait out here."

I nodded and wandered back through my beautiful house. Brother Sun streamed through the huge office window. An antique abacus sat on the desk. An intricately carved chessboard sat on a side table with two chairs. The door to the safe was ajar. It creaked when I opened it, and then I felt the humming power Yohana mentioned.