Hiraeth: Bonding (III)

Chapter Four

"He's so cool!" Vincent said fondly, digging through his nail polish collection. "He's traveled every ocean with his dad, and even went gemseeking in the River of Gemstones!"

"That does sound very cool."

"And he says he's going to ask his dad to take me next time they visit his grandma!"

"How would you do that? You can't breathe underwater like Miles."

"There's this new spell that I've been working on specifically for the trip, actually. If I master it, I could be able to turn myself into a sort of... merbeing!"

"Vincent, you're too much."

My brother raised his shoulders and batted his eyelashes. "I know." He finally found whatever it was he'd been digging for. "Ah-ha! Base coat."

"Base coat?"

"That way the paint stays longer and doesn't damage the nails."

"I see."

Vincent commenced the painting of my nails and resumed his talk of Miles the wondrous redheaded water boy. "His house is amazing, too, Roxie. His dad takes care of ten whole aquariums, one for each room. He has a pet water dragon, Rex, that can say a couple words."

"Whoa."

"Yeah, and Rex goes with them on their trips in the oceans."

"Aww."

"What colour do you want?" Vincent asked, holding up the assortment of pigment.

"How about teal this time?"

"Ooh, yeah," he said, opening the vial, "Like Mike's gorgeous eyes."

My face went red. "You stop that."

"Oh, I could get lost in his eyes!" Vincent mocked.

"What did I say about using the darkness to eavesdrop on me!!!"

As the words came out of my mouth, our shadows suddenly rippled. They combined into Dennis's canine form like vapor condensing into liquid.

"Hello?" Vincent spat, obviously irritated by the interruption.

The shadow dog whirled about frantically, his blue-green eye sockets as big as basketballs.

After the creature was still, having said whatever he needed to say, Vincent grew very quiet. He finally muttered, "Come again?"

Dennis repeated the gestures, even more dramatically.

"Well then go to him!"

I was extremely confused. "Go to who?"

I got no answer.

Dennis flailed his arms again. "Where?!" Vincent asked. Dennis's shoulders moved to give the impression of a long sigh.

"What is happening?!" I yelled, growing angry.

Dennis and Vincent rolled their eyes at me. "There is a situation with your boys, Roxie."

I leapt off of my bed. "Explain, please!"

"It seems they both have... Malfunctioning abilities."

"WHAT?!"

Mum burst into the room. "What's all the yelling for? Is someone dying?"

I ran out the door, shoving my way past her. "Sorry, Mum!"

"Roxie, where are you going?" Vincent called, chasing after me. "Your nails!!!"

We flew down the stairs and hopped onto Dennis's back once we got outside. He raced through the streets, slightly larger than an average great dane.