Adriana and I both smiled, but I answered, “Of a sort.”
And that was the cue. There was a knock on the door and I got up to answer it. I was surprised to see both Okalani and her mother standing outside. Normally, Okalani pops directly into the room. I opened the door and waved them inside. “Good morning, Okalani. Good morning—” I realized I didn’t know her mother’s name. Well, crap.
My cousin came to the rescue. She stood and walked over to touch the woman’s hand. “Thank you for allowing us to utilize your daughter’s time, Laka.”
Laka didn’t seem happy about it. “The queen explained we have little choice. Is it true what they say about another demonic rift?”
I pointed toward the television. Both newcomers’ eyes went wide and they were drawn into the living room to stare at the black, star-filled gash against the bright blue morning sky. Creatures with wings and horns and various colors of scales and fur were prowling inside the barrier—occasionally throwing themselves against the magical border only to be thrown back or burned up by the holy magic. “Merciful waters…,” Laka whispered with both terror and awe in her voice. “Is there no stopping it?”
Adriana was standing beside her, likewise staring at the screen. “We have found what we believe are the Millennium Horns and our hope is our trip today will uncover the instructions on how to use them. You can see why speed is critical.”
Laka’s awed face turned slack jawed. Her voice trembled when she spoke: “You’ve found the horns? May I see them? My grandmother twice removed was born on Atlantis and lived there for a few years before her family moved to Serenity. We have stories handed down of Queen Eris the Just.”
The way she said it was like “King Richard the Lionhearted”—a description so strong, so revered, it became part of the actual name.
Bruno unslung the duffel from his shoulder. “Don’t see why not. In fact, it might not be a bad idea for you both to try blowing them. Especially if you come from an Atlantean line.”
That was a really good point and Adriana’s eyes lit up. “Your mind is sharp, mage. I should call my mother and have her put out the call for those of Atlantean lineage. It may be that one of such birth is required to sound the king conch.”
I raised a finger. “How about we go onto the porch for that?”
Bruno looked a little chagrined as he headed toward the door with us right behind. “Really, we had no idea that would happen, Celie.”
“It was as much my fault as yours, but I don’t see any reason to repeat the mistake. It’s going to be a bad enough day without burning down the house.”
* * *
It turned out to be overreaction, because not a sound was produced. I could tell that frustrated Laka. I think she would have liked to be the one who could blow the horn. Since I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone, it was a little frightening to me to know that someone wanted to stand at the maw of hell in the hope that she could be a hero. Especially with a daughter to raise.
“It is time,” Adriana announced as Bruno was putting the shells back in the bag. “We must go. Now.”
“Except we still have no idea where we’re going. Or have you got that worked out?”
She walked the few steps until she was next to Okalani and touched her arm. The girl’s eyes looked vacant for a long moment and then she nodded. “I think so. At least, I can get us close.”
Bruno said, “Okay. I’ll drive. Where are we go—” My stomach lurched violently and I felt woozy. “—ing?”
The scenery had changed. We were standing on a narrow sidewalk several feet off the ground. On my right a chipped and worn staircase led down to a paved road, and on my left I saw a row of turn-of-the-century brick buildings. I turned to Adriana. “Fool’s Rush, Arkansas?”
She nodded. “I used the computer in your room to look at world satellite images. I couldn’t see the precise building, but there weren’t many restaurants in town. This seemed the most likely.”
The sign painted on a wide, pale blue wood panel read: Come On Inn. Breakfast served all day—’cause we know what time you got to bed last night.
Cute. And probably true in a town this small.Bruno sounded seriously impressed when he looked down at the pretty teen: “That’s a serious talent you have, young lady. There aren’t many people who can teleport groups. Every agency in the world will want to snap you up when you’re old enough.”
Okalani beamed, but Laka lowered her chin and raised her brows. “After she completes her schooling.”
Bruno rushed to mollify the older woman: “Of course. She’s too young right now. But I do hope you’ll find someone to help her develop that ability. I could give you a few names of instructors.”
Okalani touched her mother’s arm with excitement. “Could I, Mom? I’d love to know more about how my gift works. I do it, but I don’t really understand how it happens.”
Laka looked from her daughter’s hopeful face to Bruno’s calm one. “I’ll think about it. But right now, she’s getting Ds in math. That would have to be corrected before I’d consider any … distractions.”
Bruno was nothing if not a great male role model. He stepped closer to Okalani and put a firm hand on her shoulder. “There’ll be no chance of a teleportation instructor taking you on without above-average grades in math and science. I know enough about the process to know that higher-math skills, like geometry and string theory, are critical.”
Her eyes got wide and her lips pursed into a small o. “I didn’t know that. It’s not that math is hard; it’s just boring. So I don’t do my homework like I should. My test scores are fine.”
Bruno nodded and then addressed Laka, his hand still on the girl’s shoulder: “She’s probably bored because she has an instinctive understanding. You might move her to a higher class that’ll challenge her and see if it helps.”
Laka considered his words, her nod thoughtful. “She always could add things in her mind, even when she was little. Once she counted roof tiles on houses and then multiplied them to find out how many there were in the whole town. She was two.”
Oh yeah. That girl was a serious math geek. I nodded at Laka. “Get her into higher classes. Definitely. She’s going to wind up a math professor or in the space program, even if she doesn’t use her gift.”
Laka opened her mouth to speak, but Adriana beat her to it: “We must go in now. This is the scene I saw.” She’d been looking into the restaurant through a small opening in the gingham drapes over the window. “Please, no one go into broad explanations of anything. But Celia … you’ll need to introduce me properly. This must be handled carefully.”
And then she was through the door, leaving us all to catch up and wonder what the hell she meant by “carefully.” Sigh.
The small bell on top of the door made a pleasant jingling sound and the people at the nearest table looked up. The inside of the diner was clean and simple, with wooden tables bearing blue and white gingham tablecloths that matched the curtains. The walls displayed amateur paintings by locals that were for sale, if the price tags were any indication. Laka held her daughter back in case they needed to get to safety. I doubted it. The only people in the restaurant were Mick Murphy, three females I’d bet were his family, and an older gentleman who must be Mr. Fulbright.
Adriana stood in front of the group silently, looking every inch a princess and future queen. There’s something about the bearing of certain people that screams royalty, no matter how they’re dressed. She dipped her head and shoulders ever so slightly. Fulbright’s eyes went wide and panicked. He looked for somewhere to go, but there was no back exit. If she hadn’t said it was simple cold feet, I’d swear we needed to get the police to dig up his yard looking for bodies.
A pretty chestnut-haired woman with a scattering of freckles similar to Mick’s was sitting at a table with two young girls. They all stared at Adriana with undisclosed awe. Mick pushed back his chair and stood up. He walked toward us with hand out. “Ms. Graves. It’s a pleasure to see you again. A surprise, but a pleasure.”
I held out my hand to shake his. “It’s a surprise to me as well. This trip was sort of sudden. But let me introduce the people with me.” I thought I knew what Adriana was up to and hoped I wouldn’t get it backward. “Back by the door are my friend Laka and her daughter, Okalani.” It wasn’t quite accurate, but what else could I say except friend?
Mick took the two extra steps and shook their hands, playing the good host. I was betting in normal circumstances his wife would have, too. But she couldn’t take her eyes off my cousin.
I touched Bruno’s sleeve. “This is Bruno DeLuca. He’s been a friend of mine for years and is a very talented mage.”
Bruno offered his hand, keeping absolutely silent, and Mick shook it. I touched my own chest. “Of course, I’m Celia Graves. I met Mick Murphy at the Will signing of my best friend, Vicki Cooper.”
Now his wife’s eyes turned to me. “Oh!” Her shock turned to a friendly smile. “Finally we meet, Ms. Graves. I’m Molly Murphy.” She motioned at a redheaded girl of about twelve with pigtails. “This is our daughter Beverly and this little scamp”—she reached across and affectionately ruffled the blonde curls of the younger child—“is Julie.”
“Mom—” Beverly had the look that screamed, Please don’t embarrass me! I’ve worn it many times myself, so I took a moment to smile directly at her.
“Whoa,” she said with a suddenly shocked expression. “You really do have fangs!”
Mick turned and gave her a furious look. “Beverly! That is quite enough.”
“It’s okay. Really. I know it’s a curiosity.” I stepped away and held out a hand toward Adriana, who was starting to get a little antsy. “And this glorious vision is my cousin. May I present Adriana, crown princess of the Pacific siren clan, prime minister of the Isle of Serenity, and future queen of Rusland.” I was hoping I got all that right. I hadn’t a freaking clue what her full title was, but at least what I’d said was all true and hopefully sounded impressive enough. I’d seen the prime minister part on a document in her mother’s office. It made sense, I suppose. The queen couldn’t do everything.