I, Immortal

Chapter Sixteen

Five days had passed since the visit with my parents, and in that time I had not checked my VirtBook messages. So after the third day of Airmid announcing that two important messages were still unopened, I sighed and rubbed my eyes, then put on the gameglass.

"Open first message."

"Hi, Xander. We wrapped up filming yesterday. Thought you'd like to know." Brynn's recorded form swayed gently as she spoke. Her timid eyes darted to and fro, refusing to look into the camera. "The bots are editing the movie now, so it'll be out in two months. The premiere is in Hollywood, if you want to come."

She paused and lowered her gaze. Her wings spread and retracted, and she folded her hands. I watched her sway from side to side. When she looked up again, she bit her lip and stared at me as if she was at fault for something. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused last week. I wouldn't have come if I'd known you'd...I'm sorry, Xander."

Another long pause. She sighed. "I love you."

She vanished from the virtual lobby; Airmid announced the message had ended, then asked if I would like to open the next message. "One unopened message from Mom."

A chill ran down my arms. I hesitated, and Airmid repeated the announcement. For all I knew, my mom had finally found her words and had called to sort me out like my dad had tried. I didn't want to listen to more ugly remarks about Brynn. I had made my decision and nothing could change my mind. Still, some part of me wished to see my mom, to hear her voice again. "Open the message."

The lobby loaded in; my mom stood a few feet in front of me. She was in her kitchen, the place she felt most comfortable in when speaking her mind. When I was young and frequently getting in trouble for one reason or another, she would take me into the kitchen and give me what for. Her pink-rimmed eyes seemed to be painted with sorrow, but when she spoke, her words were stiff and bitter as she spoke through her teeth. "Hello, Xander. Your father doesn't know I'm calling you, so know that this message is just between you and me. I...I apologize for the tension when you visited. Things should never have gotten so out of hand."

My brow furrowed into a frown as I listened to her message. She never liked huge displays of emotion; that much was true. She was more the type to speak calmly, her emotion showing in the way she slightly shifted in her chair or in the buried tones of her voice.

"However, I agree with your father. You should never have become tangled up with that...that oddity. She's not the kind of person you should marry. And should you marry that girl..." Her voice trailed off, and she breathed for only a moment before she stiffened her composure again and continued, "Should you marry that girl, I will never speak to you again. I -"

I tore the gameglass from my eyes, and the message instantly cut off. I tossed the gameglass onto the table, knowing it had been a mistake to give in to watching her message. I only become angrier because of it, more resolved to seek out Brynn's company. No matter the differences, I would marry Brynn. Was that not the premise of fairytales? Rapunzel had hair the length of the high tower she was locked in, but that did not deter the prince. I was no prince, but I refused to let differences and loathing threats ruin our relationship.

"Sir, you have a visitor." Airmid announced, its voice somewhat calming me.

"Name?" I rubbed the bridge of my nose between my thumb and finger, as if the action would rub away the stress.

"No matching fingerprint in my database. Individual has not previously visited this residence. Shall I allow entry, sir?"

I waved my hand at the formless Interface, turned and walked through the hallway. "I'll answer the door."