My aunt bites her lip and tries not to laugh. "Luxington Valley is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in one of the valleys between two of the tallest mountain peaks. Technically speaking, it’s located in a valley of the Brasstown Bald, which is in Georgia."
My head is starting to throb. "So, that's why you told me Alaska, because I wouldn't have understood why we couldn't visit."
My uncle nods. "Bingo kiddo. Listen, you know that when the Knights fell, the Guardians arose to power. We scattered to different parts of the world, but what's not commonly known is that quickly after, a massacre against our kind occurred, during the Great Slaying thousands were slaughtered. The Umbra sought to obliterate our numbers and they almost succeeded. That's when we went into hiding and began recruiting. John William Lightfoot was found, and became the first leader of the Lux."
We hide in plain sight; we work where you work and go to school where you go to school. We’re your leaders, and we’re your friends. This is the cross we must bear to keep you safe. It’s hard living in the shadows."Why was I sent away? Wouldn't I have been safer here?" I finally feel like everything is beginning to click inside my mind, but I still have questions.
Aunt Georgia takes a deep breath. "The night your parents died a hit was put out on you, and the king ordered us to leave.You were always heavily guarded even though you didn't realize it."
A lump forms in my throat, because finding out psychos want to kill you is pretty intense. My mind is spinning in a million different directions, and the headache has returned in full force. I knew that we worked closely with the Others, but I’d never been told that they were a part of our societies. "When did the Supernatural’s join our ranks?”
Uncle Jo shrugs. "They've always been, most of The Knights of Templar were Fae."
I have a million more questions, but I don't have it in me to ask tonight.? "May I be excused? I'm exhausted."
Aunt Georgia comes to my side and gives me a hug. "Of course. I love you, sweetie, goodnight."
"Goodnight." I call out to them.
"Ella, remember, Merrie-Beth is supposed to come and doctor you, so don't fall asleep yet. I’ll tell her parents you’re ready." My uncle makes his way to the front door.
"I walk into my room and decide to put on my PJs. Merrie-Beth has seen me at my worst, so it doesn't matter what I'm wearing. I pace back and forth in front of the bed. I’m so glad Merrie-Beth is here too. It's nice to still have something from my old life in this new world with me. I’m nervous about seeing her, though. With these new roles we play, I can't help but wonder if it will change us. Will it change our relationship?
Footsteps come barreling down the hall, so I sit on the side of the bed that faces the door just as Merrie-Beth runs into the room. She grabs me in a bear hug, and my earlier fears about our friendship dissipates. She will always be my bestfriend.?"Merrie-Beth, you can let go of me now." I laugh and shake my head.
Her grip on me tightens. "No, I can't! You don't understand. When I saw you head butting that evil man over and over, I thought you would have brain damage for sure. Don't you ever scare me like that again. Just look at what you did to your pretty face." She reluctantly lets me go.
I look over at her parents. Henry and Rebecca Kincaid quickly rush over for a hug. They’ve always reminded me of a couple from a 1950's sitcom. They have an endless supply of cardigan sweaters, matching pairs of black-rimmed glasses, and I swear I heard her dad say, "Golly jeepers," once. The Kincaid’s have been my second family since birth, and I adore them. Her father looks at my face and winces, "Arabella, you saved our little girl's life today. We will be forever grateful."
My smile broadens. "Well, it was mostly for my benefit. I'm not sure what I would do without Merrie-Beth." Every word is true.Merrie-Beth takes a black remote-looking thing out of her pink shoulder bag on the floor. Her mother gives her an encouraging smile. She walks over to where I’m now sitting. Will this hurt?
Mr. Kincaid moves his wrist from side to side to show her what to do. "Remember, sweetie. You have to move your wrist like this. That's the only way it will get an accurate reading."?
He genuinely smiles as she begins to move the remote the way he told her to. "Yes, you've got it, Merrie-Beth!" He looks over at his wife, his face radiating happiness. "Look, honey, she's a natural."
Mrs. Kincaid claps her hands together and smiles lovingly at her husband. "Yes. Oh, Henry, she is amazing."
I look at Merrie Beth, and she gives me the death stare. Her eyes dare me to say something sarcastic. I giggle, which makes her raise one of her perfectly groomed eyebrows in response. "What in the world is that thing?" I ask.
Mrs. Kincaid answers. "This scientific gem is the Franklin 3000." She takes the remote from Merrie-Beth and hands it to me. "To the untrained eye, it looks just like your average TV remote, but it’s so much more than that. With the mere flick of your wrist, it can detect if there is anything harmful going on inside your body. After detection, it tells us what the best course of treatment is."
A deep baritone voice sounds from the machine. "There are no broken bones, and the cuts are superficial. I suggest an ointment of three onion roots, two garlic cloves, honey, and Aloe Vera. Also, I recommend you put some plantain leaves in the mixture to reduce swelling."I can’t believe what I just heard. Everything about this gets crazier and crazier.
Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid say their goodbyes, and Merrie-Beth tells them she’ll be home in a minute to make the salve. I look at my aunt and uncle and silently plead with them to give us some privacy. I need to talk with my best friend. My uncle wants to say something in protest, but my aunt drags him out of the room.
Chapter 7
The Letter?
Full moons have never scared me, but what’s floating below the surface of Lake Luminous might.
-Arabella
When the door closes, I turn to Merrie-Beth. She’s admiring the picturesque view out of my new window. The waters have turned a darker shade of blue now. As bright as the moonlight is tonight, the water appears to sparkle like a thousand diamonds are on the surface. A half smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and I sit on my bed and wait for her to join me.
She finally comes to sit at the foot of my bed and sighs. "Ella, did you expect this place to be so beautiful?"
I'm surprised that’s her first question, but I answer anyway. "Never in a million years, Mer. Did you see that staircase? We are living in a palace. An actual fucking palace. I bet our place is finally bigger than the Bitch’s!"
