“A strong British tea would be fantastic.
Something I can bite through, as my dad would say.” Ren said flashing a
challenging grin.
Jack looked contemplative then rooted around in a
low cabinet. “I think I can handle that. Eliza, would you like a green tea, as
usual?” He briefly turned back to me with a polite smile.
“That would be great. Thanks.” I scanned the tiny
room looking for a suitable table for our conversation. I wanted to make sure
we were far enough from the bar that Jack couldn’t overhear our conversation.
“You kids go ahead and take a seat. I’ll bring
your drinks out to you.” Jack said shooing us from the bar.
I bee-lined toward a table near the back of the
room situated between two bookshelves. Ren slid into the seat opposite me. We
stared at each other for a few minutes in awkward silence before I mustered the
courage to further our conversation.
“So, we’re here. You said you’d explain...” I
said, self-consciously glancing around the room.
Just then Jack arrived with two pots and cups for
each of us. He’d brought cream and sugar for Ren.
“Thanks.” We both chimed nervously in unison.
“You bet. Just holler at me if you need anything
else.” He nodded looking puzzled then turned and strolled slowly back to the
bar.
Before answering me, Ren poured a cup of tea for
me then poured his own ignoring the cream and sugar.
“Thanks.” I mumbled.
Ren stared at me with an intensity that dared me
to doubt what he was about to say.
“Eliza, the first time you saw me, in homeroom,
you felt something didn’t you?” He asked his eyes were alive, as if small
flames leapt within his pupils.
“Yes.” I responded meekly, taken aback by the
fervor of his gaze.
“Would you like to know what I saw, when I walked
into that classroom?” He asked and without waiting for an answer added, “I
immediately spotted you. To make an analogy, if everyone in the room was
two-dimensional and black and white; you were not only three-dimensional, you
glowed with the most brilliant, pulsing colors imaginable.” He said sincerely,
his eyes locked on mine. At his description of that moment, when we first saw
each other, I flushed with embarrassment recalling my own reaction to him.
“Eliza, what I’m about to tell you is going to sound
very strange but I ask that you listen with an open mind.” He requested
solemnly.
I nodded soberly. “Go on.” I urged.
Ren sucked in a deep breath and sat up straight
before speaking again. “In this world, humans are connected by a binding energy
force that flows between us, through us, and around us. It’s the same force
that Mr. Palmer spoke about today when he explained the meaning of the boli.
This force entangles our very essence as a race and encompasses all of the
plants, animals, and elements, as well.” He paused purposefully to allow me to
process this first bit of information.
Rendered mute from the shock of what I was
hearing, I stared wide-eyed at Ren.
“All humans’ actions, feelings, and behavior
influence the energy around them be it positive or negative. Yet most people go
through life oblivious to its existence.” He paused again. His voice dropped in
volume as he continued.
“There are some people who are born with an innate
ability to control the energy force. It is this ability, to bend, twist and
mold energy at will that is commonly considered magic or what we refer to as
Heka
. Eliza,
you are one of those people and so am I.” He said firmly.
My blood froze. Suddenly the thrumming vibration
coursing through my body took on a new meaning.
Ren remained still, staring at me intently.
I don’t know how many minutes passed before my
blood began to flow again, warming my cool moist skin.
“Am I understanding you correctly that you seem to
think what’s happening between us is magic and that I’m doing this on
purpose
?” I
asked skeptically.
Ren laughed and shifted in his seat again leaning
closer to me. “Yes… and no. I know that you’re not consciously doing anything
to affect me. Though you certainly have affected me. Rather, you
emanate
power,
Eliza. What’s happening between us is not an exercise of magic. It’s a
characteristic of it. It’s like a signal or a greeting that allows people with
the gift to find each other.” He said excitedly then continued quietly.
“After that first moment in homeroom. I realized
that you were unaware of your powers because of your reaction to me. But what
puzzled me was how someone of your strength could have gotten this far in life
without encountering another of our kind.” He added.
“Then, last night I talked it over with Nan. She
was the one who suggested I could be your pharos.” He said, looking satisfied.
Suddenly aware that my mouth was hanging open, I
stared at him in a state of shock. Then gently shook my head struggling to
regain my senses.
“Wait a minute. You told Nan about me? Is she like
this too?” I asked.
It seemed a trivial detail considering the
information Ren had just dropped. Yet, I felt it necessary to piece together
his story before I tackled my own.
Ren eyed me carefully as if deciding whether or
not he wanted to discuss the topic.
“My family and I are members of an international
society that serves a very old community. Nan’s retired from active duty with
the Heka Council, but she still takes on projects when she’s needed. My parents
are still…enlisted.” He grimaced continuing. “The community that the Heka
Council serves isn’t bound by geographical borders, language, ethnicity, or
culture. In short, yes, Nan and both my parents are gifted.” He paused and
evaluated my expression.
“The project your parents are working on in
Africa, is that related to this… society?” I asked carefully, knowing that I
was pressing into a dangerous topic with Ren.
Ren’s expression hardened but he kept his cool.
“Yes. It is.” He said curtly.
“Eliza, I’m sure you have a million questions and
it could take all night to tell you everything you’d want to know but, for now,
there is just one thing you must understand.” He said peering gravely into my
eyes.
“I mentioned that I’m surprised you haven’t
encountered another of our kind until now. The truth is, you’re old to be so
unaware of your gifts. In fact, it’s impossible that you’ve remained hidden for
such a long time by chance.” A worried expression crossed Ren’s face.
Hidden
. Something deep inside of me jumped at the word. Again, I
saw Cora’s eyes peering fretfully at me from across my bedroom. I recalled her
words,
“I know how to send bad dreams away.”
A feeling of dread bloomed in the pit of my
stomach.
“Eliza, I think that someone has hidden you
purposefully, used some sort of shrouding spell to protect you from others,
even yourself. That spell is what’s prevented you from discovering your
powers.” Ren said, looking like the cat that ate the canary.
His gaze darted around the room nervously before
settling back on mine.
“And… I may have accidentally broken the shrouding
spell. Now it’s only right that I serve as your pharos and make sure you are
protected. That’s the pharos duty, to guide and protect until a new witch can
fend for herself.” He added quickly and drew in a breath as if bracing himself
for my reaction.
I eyed him incredulously. In truth, I’d always
known something strange happened to me the night Cora promised to send my
nightmare away. To accept that she’d cast a spell over me wasn’t as difficult
as maybe it should have been. But if there was a spell meant to hide me, what
did its absence truly mean?
“Protect me? Why would I need protection?” I asked
suspiciously.
Ren cast his eyes to his lap before answering.
“There are others who can detect your powers, like I can. Some who might mean
you harm. I suspect that whoever cast the shrouding spell on you was worried
that you wouldn’t have a protector while you were young and vulnerable. Now,
because of me, that protection is gone.” He said shamefully.
I shivered in response to his words. My mind
drifted back to a dark swamp and then… there was Narissa popping up in my
dreams, a long forgotten detail from the night that changed my life forever.
The terrible truth of my situation settled over me
like a fog.
“I know who cast the shrouding spell.” I
whispered.
Cora had meant well. She’d promised to care for me
the best she knew how. Her voice echoed in my mind.
Child, someday, you will have to face the things that frighten you…
You’re a strong girl and when that time comes, you’ll be brave, won’t you?
I promised her that I would be brave.
Ren’s eyes widen at my confession. “You know who
cast the shrouding spell? Then…do you know why?” He asked.
I closed my eyes tightly and shook my head wishing
that none of this had ever happened. A day ago, I enjoyed complete, peaceful,
safe anonymity. Now the spell was broken. What would happen to me?
I opened my eyes and gave Ren a stern look. “Look
it’s getting late and I promised Jane that I’d meet her down at Viva for
dinner. I really need to get going.” I said brusquely and began to stand before
waiting for his response.
I couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of Ren’s
alarmed expression.
“Wait, Eliza, you can’t just leave now. There’s so
much to discuss, and plans that need to be made.” He said emphatically.
Just then I felt his hand on my arm, hot and
electric, forcing me to pay attention to him.
“Don’t do that.” I spat.
Hurt filled his eyes. Certainly the guilt he
harbored for getting me into this mess was tearing him up.
“Eliza, please. I know this is a shock and you
have a right to be angry with me but…”
He dropped his hand and stared daringly at me, the
hurt in his gaze was replaced with a determined warning.
“You don’t have a choice. You could be in danger
for more reasons than one. Will you please let me help you?” He asked firmly.
I rolled my eyes in frustration and admitted to
myself that I had a confession to make.
“I really am late for meeting Jane. She’ll start
to worry if I don’t show up soon. Let’s walk and talk. Viva is just down the
road.” I offered.
Ren jumped out of his seat and hastily threw on
his jacket. We waved at Jack as we walked passed the bar. I carefully ignored
the disapproving glare he gave Ren.
As we began the journey to Viva, walking briskly
down the sidewalk, I divulged my own suspicions about Cora’s spell.
“Ren, you said that you think you broke the
shrouding spell on me but you’re not sure how. Is that right?” I asked
carefully.
“Yes, that’s right.” He admitted.
“Well, I think the spell on me was intended to be
broken.” I said evenly.
“You
knew
it would be broken?” Ren asked
suspiciously.
I raised my hands in defense and rushed to
explain. “No! Well, yes and no. I didn’t realize at the time that Cora was
casting a spell on me at all. But now… now I think I’m starting to understand
some things that happened a long time ago. Cora, she’s the woman who cared for
me after my mother disappeared, told me that I would be protected from the
things that frightened me. She also told me that someday I would have to face
them. I suspect she intended for the spell to be broken at a time when I was
ready. I guess this is that day.” I concluded glumly.
Ren pursed his lips and squinted at the ground.
“Does this mean you’re not mad at me?” He asked hopefully.
We had just reached the entrance of Viva and I
paused just shy of the door. With a streak of uncharacteristic confidence, I
reached over and clasped Ren’s hand. A jolt shot up my arm.
“I’m not mad at you. The last couple of days have
been pretty rough. At least this helps me make sense of everything that’s
happening to me.” I said with a sigh.
As Ren’s dark eyes penetrated my defenses, I felt
my cheeks grow hot. He smiled and gave my hand a squeeze before releasing it
quickly.
“Alright then.” He said.
I shifted from foot to foot, part of me wanted to
dash inside to Jane to escape the awkwardness of ending the conversation with
Ren and part of me felt anxious about leaving his side.
“So, what’s next?” I asked hesitantly.
“May I walk you to school tomorrow?” He asked.
Surprised and flattered by his wholesome
proposition, I nodded.
“Sure, here, I’ll give you my address.” I
stammered, reaching into my bag for a piece of paper and pen.
“Uh, that’s ok, I know where you live.” He admitted
shyly.
A giggle erupted from my throat. “You’re really
taking this pharos business seriously aren’t you?” I joked.
Ren’s face dropped to the ground, and a sheepish
smile spread across his face. “I guess you could say that.” He mumbled.
I quickly added, “Well see you tomorrow, then.”
Turning on my heel to escape, I pushed through the front door of Viva. Safely
distanced from the pulse of Ren’s existence, I waved through the glass.
He waved back then turned to jog across the
street. I watched him strut down the sidewalk before he turned off Main St. and
disappeared into the darkness.
* * *
The restaurant was buzzing with activity. Most of
the tables were occupied and the wait staff bustled around the room. I noted
the staff on duty, waving to each person as I passed them on the way to the
kitchen.
“Hi Eliza! What’s cookin’?” Frank’s voice boomed
as I pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen.
“That’s what I was going to ask you.” I responded
giggling.
“I’ve got salmon or a fettuccini with mushroom
ragout. What strikes your fancy tonight?” He asked.
I pondered the choices before settling on the
salmon. It had sounded good when Jane mentioned it earlier in the day.