Restless Waves

Chapter 52

Sorryyyyy for the slow update! I had writer's block, and I'm a full time artist as my day job and had lots of commissions! If you're curious about that, you can follow my art Instagram: @sianaghs_art  ...if not, I hope you enjoy the chapter! ;)

- Sian

Rowan heard his parents arguing shortly after Michael disappeared to the first floor. "They're like this because of the bond," he said and glanced at Jack. "The curse makes them hate each other when they're close. It's not fair."

Jack avoided his eyes and didn't say anything. Kaerius hovered anxiously by the window. Rowan could tell that he wanted to run. Mandy made everyone uncomfortable, and Kaerius had every right to hate being in the same house as her.

"Just go into the living room, and I'll tell you what's going on," they heard Michael snap from the hallway. When they entered the room, Mandy's dark blonde hair hung messily around her shoulders. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days, despite Michael only just waking her up. Her dark blue eyes locked with Rowan's stare, and he tensed.

"Mum," Rowan said in a voice as frail as a dead leaf. Don't shout at me.

"I told you not to come here," Mandy said, pointing her rough sea eyes at Michael. "What's going on? Is that fish boy here?" Mandy glanced around the room, and her eyes didn't linger on Rowan's friend. Jack had made himself invisible only to her.

"Do it," Michael said, looking to the teenager for help.

Jack, without hesitation, rolled his sleeves up and stormed to Mandy. He pushed her onto the couch and Mandy yelped from the invisible force. Jack pinned her to the cushions, and as soon as his palm touched her forehead, her entire body froze like time stopped but only for Mandy. "This will take a minute," Jack said with a focused frown.

Rowan wanted to ask what he was doing, though he knew he wouldn't understand.

After a minute or so, Jack took Mandy's hands instead and started muttering something lowly. Rowan thought he would need candles or crystals or a spellbook. All Jack needed was a voice and his touch and his fairy magic. The longer he muttered, the colder the room felt. Jacks whispered faster and he closed his eyes.

Rowan watched in amazement when two transparent wings shimmered from Jack's back, outlined with a peachy glow. They looked like large butterfly wings, though they seemed to be only shadows, or not fully emerged. They fluttered when Jack worked harder on the curse.

Kaerius, Michael, and Rowan stood silently, confused and wondering if putting all of their trust into Jack was a wise idea. They hadn't known that fairies were real for long, so they knew nothing about their magic or their loyalty or their true intentions. Rowan knew that werewolves were loyal to each other and even tended to accept lone wolves into their pack if they needed help. Rowan knew that vampires could be bribed to do anything for human blood. Rowan knew that Thalassic Mortals loved themselves more than they loved each other because sea creatures didn't really have loyalty and love for a family like humans, though Kaerius was proving him wrong. Rowan knew so much about all the supernatural creatures, yet he knew nothing about fairies. He knew nothing about Jack; only the things Jack had told them. Were they truths?

"The curse is so deep," Jack grumbled, scrunching his eyes like he was in pain.

Michael suddenly ran to the window when they heard the engine of a car. He swore and pushed Kaerius into Rowan. "Hunters are here. Go out the back. Now!"

Rowan glanced from his father to Jack and his mother. Jack hadn't moved and was still muttering. "How long?" Rowan asked. Jack didn't respond; he couldn't hear them.