The Dark Artifices: Lady of Los Angeles

Chapter 16

They never went to the dining room to eat dinner. Instead they ate sandwiches up in Emma’s room. Next morning they had woken up early and prepared for Jules’ trip to London. He wanted to bring his whole room, or at least Emma thought so. He packed his watercolors, canvases, papers and brushes. Clothes too.

     “You really think that big jacket will be necessary?” he asked Emma.

     “It’s London you’re going to and it’s fall. You’ll probably need warmer clothes than the L.A. weather require.”

     “But my brushes won’t have enough space.”

     “Then don’t bring your brushes”, Emma said as she walked over to his closet to find warmer clothes. He stared shocked after her.

     “How can you say that? My brushes feelings will be hurt.”

     “Okay, go get another bag.”

He’d gone to his siblings to ask for another bag a few minutes ago. Emma’s only company was now Oscar who enjoyed walking around among bunches of clothes and papers thrown out all over the room.

     “You’ll have this room all to yourself for some time.”

     He glared at her and went to a bunch of clothes and lay down on it. His tail kept flipping uneasily.

     “You’ll miss him, uh? Me too.”

     Another glare.

     “You’re one ungrateful cat aren’t you? You do know that paint accident all those years ago was an accident.”

     He practically rolled his eyes.

     She shrugged. “Or maybe not.”

     There was a knock on the door.

     “Why does he knock to his own room?” she mumbled to herself as she thought it was Jules. She opened to see Malcolm Fade in the doorway.

     “Greetings”, he said.

     “Welcome”, she said awkwardly as she moved to let him in.

     “Where’s your friend?”

     “Jules is away looking for another bag. One bag is apparently not enough.” She found a few sweaters and jeans which she packed into Jules’ bag.

     The door sprang open and an excited Jules came in. “Drusilla had a bag.” He almost shoved it in her face to show it.

     Gently, she pushed it away and smiled slightly at him. Oh, how she’d miss him. “Malcolm’s here.”

     His eyes finally met the warlock’s who’d been standing in the corner.

     “Mr. Fade! Do you need any help with the portal?”

     Malcolm shook his head calmly. “I’ve got what I need.”

     “Great, when can I go?”

     “Whenever you’re ready.”

     Emma laughed silently. “Like that’ll ever happen.”

But after another two hours the portal was ready to be activated and the household was there to say goodbye. Even their tutor Diana who hadn’t been seen much lately except for in the training room.

     “Who’ll take care of us now?” Tavvy asked.

     Jules ruffled his hair and smiled kindly at him. “I think Emma and Cristina will love to play with you.” He shot a glance in Emma’s direction. She shot him a glare back. “Or not, but they’ll take care of you. Do as they say, okay?” Tavvy only nodded.

     Jules went to Emma the last. For a moment they only looked at each other. The awkwardness from the day before had gone away when they’d talked in Emma’s room at night. The old memories of hot cocoa and blankets had neutralized it.

     “Your hair is messy”, Emma said finally. Jules laughed at that and moved his fingers through his hair only to make it messier.

     “Thank you, I’ll make sure to fix it.”

     They hugged each other quickly but held on to each other’s right hand.

     “Take care”, she said seriously.

     “You too.”

     They let go of each other’s hands and Jules went over to Malcolm while Emma stood still. It had been a short dialogue, but they were parabatai, they knew what the other wanted to say without needing to say it. Although Emma suspected it would be that way even if they weren’t. They’d practically lived in the same house all their lives. They’d been best friends since they were children. All there was to say had already been said.

     Before he stepped through the portal he turned around and waved slightly. Everybody waved back or said goodbye once again, but Emma could see that Jules looked at her.

     And Emma was the only one to not wave back. Because they were parabatai, they’d always be connected. No matter the distance.

    

A filler, I know, but he has to go to London some time.

     But still, three days in a row, heh? Okay, okay, I hadn’t updated for over a week either, but still.

     Maybe you think that Jules will no longer be in the story, but no. I’m gonna write in his POV and Emma will talk to him too and he will come back.

     Hope you aren’t too disappointed and hope you liked the chapter even if it was a filler.