Momentum (31 page)

Once Bruno left, we were alone with Gramadea–apart from Cleopatra who snored soundly in the corner. Gramadea turned serious, asking us both to sit down. “Arizona, your father is now the leader–the king–of the Sigma-Ws.”

I nodded.

“It will mean a lot of changes. However, I’m sure he’ll aim to disrupt your life as little as possible. You do realize that you are Sigma-W royalty? In a way, you have been for a long time, but it will now become more mixed in with your everyday life. You, Ella, and Harry will have to adjust quite a bit while maintaining normality on the outside.”

“I’ll still be able to go to my high school and hang out with my friends, right?”

“Yes, it may be complicated at times but, for the most part, it should be fine.”

“I wonder how Mom will cope with it. Does she even know about Wanderers?” I guessed she must since Dad was one, but it was strange that she hadn’t mentioned it.

“She knows,” Gramadea replied simply. “It took her a while to accept us; she doesn’t believe in the paranormal.”

I snorted.
The paranormal
? Of course she didn’t, who did? Wanderers weren’t exactly paranormals, though, were they?

“We sort of are,” David mused softly. I realized that he was sitting close enough so that we were slightly touching shoulders.

“Sort of?”

“Yes, let’s just leave it at that,” Gramadea said with an edge in her tone. “Olivia had a hard time believing that we could travel through time and dimensions. However, she has finally accepted what she has seen for herself. I think she will cope just fine now. She will have to make some adjustments, as Rupert is now the leader, as will all of you. He is going to be very busy, especially in the beginning.”

“Is Mom going to be a queen then?” I almost snickered. Not that I couldn’t imagine Mom waltzing about in a crown; it would be second nature to her, just like Ella... and me. However, the thought of her sitting around on a throne wielding a scepter made me giggle. Then a wave of sadness engulfed me as the image of her lying in a hospital bed flashed in my mind. She had to wake up soon. She just had to.

“Yes and no,” Gramadea replied. “It’s actually a very interesting question. We haven’t had a king married to a non Sigma-W before, though I guess that will happen more and more in the future. I was the queen of the Sigma-W; I ruled alongside Spencer. Your mother won’t be able to do that. So, she will be Rupert’s queen, but not queen of the Sigma-W.”

“So will you still be the queen of the Sigma-W?” David asked.

“Oh, no! I want to enjoy my retirement with Spencer now. It came sooner than we had anticipated, but we will take advantage of that.”

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it,” Granddad agreed, coming into the room and planting a kiss on Gramadea’s forehead. “But first we must get the boys back.”

“How did the meeting with Alfred go, Rupert?”

“It was interesting to say the least,” Dad replied, looking bewildered. “I wasn’t quite expecting that. I’m not sure what to think. The good thing is that Alfred has access to people who he is convinced can heal Olivia. It may just be mumbo–”

“Trust me, it isn’t,” Gramadea said sternly. “Alfred is a very powerful man.”

“Yes, I gathered that. Very dangerous, too.”

E
ight hours was all it had taken to form a plan and get everyone organized. Once the Sigma-W got going, they were a well-oiled machine, each part functioning in perfect harmony with the others. I wasn’t part of that engine; neither was David or the other Wanderers. We sat on the sidelines, silently observing as Dad changed from a laid-back, guitar-playing, family man to a leader, a king. He suddenly appeared taller, his demeanor more rigid and formal. He even spoke differently–not to me, but to the other Sigma-Ws. Everyone looked up to him with respect, and he acted as if it was his right. There was no doubt he’d been born to lead.

I had thought at first that he might resist all the social stuff to do with his new position and be more avant-garde in his approach, but that was clearly not the case. He’d even put on the Sigma-W pendant that Gramadea gave him, seeming silently thrilled with it.

The conference room had been declared the situation room, and that was where Dad had holed up to strategize. David and I hung out in the family room watching endless reruns on TV. Cleo had made herself comfy on the couch with me after I asked her to come over for a boggsy-woggsy. It meant there was no space next to me on the sofa for David, but that was fine with me. At least he could rest easy, sure that I wouldn’t pounce on him or anything.

“David, you have a new girlfriend, don’t you?” It was the only thing that made sense. Why else would he act so distant? He must have met someone in the year I had forgotten. Maybe she was a friend of mine–I hoped not.

He looked up, his eyes shifty, feet shuffling uncomfortably. He half-nodded, making sure to look away from me.

“Tell me about her.” I kept my voice as neutral as possible. I braced myself, hugging Cleo.

“What do you want to know?”

“How did you meet her? Does she go to our school?” Now that would really suck.

His lips curved into a smile, and his eyes gleamed. Boy, he must really like her! “She took one look at me and ran away, so I chased her. Then she fell. That’s how we met.”

“And? Does she go to our school? What’s her name? Spill! I want to know everything.”

Trina totally killed my quest for answers by stomping into the family room close behind Finna. She shot us a poisonous glare as soon as she saw us.

“Where the hell is your father? He promised me!”

“Address her properly,” David snarled.

The rest of the Wanderers–Inez, Javier, Lars and Morena–had entered and were watching in rapt attention.

Trina’s lips curled into a snarly smirk, her eyes meeting David’s glare head on. “Phffft!” Then she suddenly turned to me and performed an exaggerated curtsey, almost causing me to snort.

“Your most wonderful beauuutiful Highness, where can I find your father, the exile?” She mocked.

I decided to ignore her little fit. “He’s in the situation room.”
 

“Situation room?”

“Come with me, I’ll take you.” I stood up.

“Are you sure, Arizona?” David narrowed his eyes.

“Yeah. Dad did promise her. I’ll be right back.”

Trina followed with Cleo closely behind, baring her teeth whenever she glanced at her. I retraced my steps to the conference room. This place was a labyrinth of corridors and little offshoot hallways. I really only managed to find it by the increasing volume of chatter.

“Dad!” I shouted to get his attention over the surrounding noise.

He looked up, his eyes softening when he saw me. Then his eyes moved to Trina. His face instantly turned into a mask of stoic indifference, but he stood and walked over to us.

“Trina?”

“Don’t Trina me! You know why I’m here. Where’s your father? Did you tell him about our deal?”

“No, that wasn’t necessary. I’m glad you are here now. We need you to get straight back to work. We have a lot to do.”

“You mean I’ve got my old job back?” Her eyes gleamed with hope. “How the devil did you talk your father into that?”

“Like I said, it wasn’t necessary. I’m in charge now.”

Trina gaped at him. “In charge? Flying goose eggs!
You
in charge?” She burst into a fit of chuckles and snorts.

We waited for her to calm down, and then Dad looked at her sternly. I’d have to get used to the formal side of him.

“Trina, are you quite done now? I won’t tolerate any insolence or insubordination. Even a glimpse of that and you will be back in exile. I hope it won’t come to that because you are the most skilled librarian we’ve ever had. The current librarian has agreed to assist you, but you must treat him with respect. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir. I mean Your Highness,” she replied solemnly.

“Go to that table over there, the one that Bruno is by. He’ll get you back into the swing of things.”

With her face a mask of serenity, she walked over to Bruno.

“Sure you can handle her, Dad? She’s quite the prima donna.” I snorted.

“I’m sure. I’ve had plenty of practice with you and Ella.” He laughed.

I winced. I guessed he had, but we were in no way as bad as Trina. I rolled my eyes.

“Rolling your eyes at the king?”

“Dad!”

“Just joking. We’re nearly done in here, just fine-tuning the plan. Are the Wanderers in the family room?”

“Yes.”

“Go back there and rest up. I’ll come and get you when we’re ready.”

“But, Dad! I want to stay here with you. I can help.”

“Hon, no. Everyone is very busy. You can’t stay.”

Hurt, I turned and walked away. He didn’t have to
say it
. I couldn’t stay because I wasn’t a Sigma-W. I would never be. Never-ever because I wasn’t his biological daughter. I felt a lump rise in my throat, and I fought to keep my tears from spewing out.

The whole issue about not being Dad’s biological daughter had never been a problem before. In this world, it mattered. I felt incomplete and insignificant. By the time I went back into the family room, I had lost the battle to contain my tears, and they were flowing down my face.

“Arizona, what’s the matter?” David’s mom rushed over to me.

David reached me first and gathered me up in his arms, holding me tightly. I was thankful that I wouldn’t have to explain anything to him; he could just help himself and read every thought I had. I felt him kiss the top of my head gently, comfortingly.

“David?” his mom inquired softly.

t face=`WIt’s okay, Mom,” he whispered, with a warning tone to not probe any further, I guessed. I eased myself out of David’s arms and turned to her. “I’m okay. Just a bit overwhelmed. Dad said that they’re almost done. He’ll come and get us soon. I’m guessing that David updated you?”

“Yes. Do you think your mom will be okay with this?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like he had much choice. We need to get Harry and Kellan back. Besides, Dad seems to have settled into his new role like he was born into it.”

“He was,” David said gently.

“I know, I know. It’s just hard to get my head around it. I’ve never seen him so… imposing before, that’s all.”