The bell echoed across the halls, announcing the end of yet another school week. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. The weekend getaway at Safyrr's place was just what I needed. That woman was definitely a seer. How else could she have known that by the end of the week, I'd need an escape? She'd read me like an open book.
I met up with Jade and Ezzy at the school entrance, our usual spot to catch up and talk about the day. As we chatted, my comm crystal vibrated in my pocket, pulling me out of the moment. Reluctantly, I glanced down at the screen.
My heart stopped.
A single message flashed, the number unfamiliar, but the words sent a chill racing through my veins.
Careful who you trust, Athena. Not everyone is who they seem.
I stood frozen for a moment, staring at the message, my pulse quickening. Why do I keep getting this warning? Am I giving my trust away too easily?
Jade glanced over at me, her brow furrowing as she noticed my stiffened posture. "Athens, you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe steadily. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... got a weird message. Probably just a wrong number."
I quickly shoved the message aside, unwilling to dwell on it any longer. I had to focus on the weekend ahead.
"I've got to head home to pack. I'm going away for the weekend," I said, giving Jade and Ezzy a quick smile. "I'll text you both later."
They nodded, but I could see the concern lingering in their eyes.
"Enjoy your getaway," Jade said with a wink. "You deserve it."
"Yeah, have fun," Ezzy added, flashing me a supportive smile.
I waved and started to walk away, feeling the weight of the week finally lifting as I looked forward to some time away.
As I rounded the corner toward the main road, my heart stumbled. There, leaning against his motorcycle, was Riven. His eyes were fixed on me, his usual detached mask replaced with a look of tension and something else I couldn't quite place.
"Athena," he said quietly, pushing himself off the bike and stepping toward me. "Please, just give me a minute to explain."
I shook my head slowly, taking a step back. "Explain what? How you're exactly who I thought you were?"
"Athena, please," Riven said urgently, his voice softer than usual. "I know I messed up. I'm sorry I stood you up yesterday. Something came up, and I should've let you know."
I didn't say anything at first, just giving him a cold look. A dry laugh escaped me, and the sarcasm in my voice was unmistakable as I finally spoke.
"Oh, is that what it was?" I said, crossing my arms, the words bitter on my tongue. "Something came up, like the girl who had her hands all over you, and who you most probably even kissed?"
His eyes widened in surprise, and for a brief moment, he looked like he had no idea how to respond. He shifted on his feet, a flicker of uncertainty flashing across his face. "I didn't think you saw," he said, his voice softer than usual, as though he hadn't expected the confrontation. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly unsure of how to continue. "Look, she's just a friend from South Lowmere. She--she caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting her to be there, and I didn't want you to see that."
I stared at him for a moment, the memory of the scene replaying in my mind. "A friend?" I asked, the sarcasm slipping out before I could stop it. "Maybe you didn't hear me the first time. She was practically all over you, Riven. You really expect me to believe that?"
His jaw tightened, frustration clear on his face. "It wasn't what it looked like."
I couldn't stop the bitterness that slipped into my voice. "Right. It never is, is it?"
Riven flinched, as if my words stung more than he expected. He took another step forward, his voice softer now. "Athena, you have every right to be angry. But just listen to me."
"No," I interrupted sharply, my voice breaking despite myself. "I'm done listening. I'm done trusting. I'm just done, Riven."
He took a step closer, reaching out for me, but I instinctively pulled back, unable to bear him touching me. "I didn't want this, Athena. I never wanted to hurt you. I care about you, more than you know. But you have to understand, she's just a friend. That's it. I'm sorry it looked like more, but I swear, it wasn't. I didn't even kiss her."
My breath caught in my throat as his words sank in. I wanted to believe him, I wanted to let go of the anger, the hurt, and the doubt. But a small voice in my mind whispered that it wasn't that simple.
"I can't just--" I started, but Riven cut me off, his voice sharp with frustration. "Don't be a hypocrite, Athena. You keep saying Calder's just a friend too, but you both always end up in compromising situations. Don't even deny it. You know what I mean."
The words hit harder than I expected. I opened my mouth to respond, but no sound came out. Riven's words hung in the air, and before the conversation could spiral into something worse, he softened his tone.
"Listen Athena, I don't want to fight anymore," he said quietly, taking a small step back, his voice losing its edge. "Please. Just give me a chance. Give us a chance."
The distance between us felt unbearable, the emotional weight pulling me in every direction. I wanted to take his hand, to believe him, to let everything go and just trust.
"I need time, Riven," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I don't even know if I can trust you. It's not like you've always been forthcoming with me. You keep hiding things from me or pushing me away whenever I ask about you. It's frustrating, and I feel like I'm not even worth it."
Riven's expression faltered, and for a moment, he looked like he didn't know how to fix this. He ran a hand through his hair again, clearly conflicted. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way, Athena," he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. "I know I've pushed you away, kept you at arm's length. I know I haven't let you in. But trust me when I say I was trying to protect you. I didn't want to drag you into my mess. You make me feel things I've never felt before. You give me hope and strength to face each day, just by being you. I'm sorry I didn't know how to show you that."
I could feel his words hitting me harder than I wanted to admit.
"My life is a complicated mess, Athena," he continued, stepping closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've always been this way, always putting up walls, never letting anyone in. I've spent my life protecting myself, never trusting anyone enough to show them who I really am."
His eyes softened, and he gave me a look that felt like he was exposing something raw and vulnerable, something no one had ever seen. "But for you… I'm willing to try. I want to show you who I really am, even if it's hard. I want to let you in, piece by piece, because you're the one person who matters enough to me for that."
I swallowed, torn between wanting to let him in and holding on to the hurt, the fear of getting hurt again. The weight of his confession sat heavily on my chest, and for a moment, everything seemed uncertain.
I stood there, feeling the weight of his words. The walls I had built, the doubts I carried, they all came rushing at me. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that maybe he was telling the truth this time. But I couldn't shake the fear that if I let my guard down, I'd only get hurt again.
"I'm not asking for everything, Athena," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But I'm willing to try. I just need you to know I'm here. I'm here, and I'm trying to be someone you can trust. Someone you can count on."
His words hung in the air, and I felt myself wavering, torn between wanting to let him in and being afraid of what would happen if I did.
I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I need time, Riven," I whispered, not sure if I was asking for space or something more. But I knew, deep down, that his words had reached me, even if I wasn't ready to fully accept them just yet.
Riven nodded, his face clouded with disappointment, but there was still a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I'll wait for you, Athena. I'll wait as long as it takes."
With that, I turned away, determined to leave the tension behind. I needed this weekend getaway. Heaven knows I needed it. A break to clear my head, to focus on something other than the mess I had just walked away from.
The walk home felt like a relief, each step bringing me closer to the peace I was craving. When I entered the house, I immediately noticed something was different. The living room was buzzing with activity: hairdressers, makeup artists, and stylists moving about, their hands glowing with magical sigils as they worked. Enchanted combs styled hair with precision, and makeup palettes shimmered as spells were cast, perfecting each look. The air hummed with magical energy.
I paused at the door, confused. "What's going on?"
Myrren turned, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Oh, Athena! Didn't Lara tell you? Tonight is the Council's Annual Gala Dinner. We're both attending, so you'll have the house all to yourself."
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Ah, right. I forgot," I replied, though Lara had never mentioned it. Not like we've been talking much lately.
Myrren waved her hand dismissively, already turning back to the stylist. "Well, enjoy the peace and quiet while we're gone," she said, oblivious to my internal tension.
Lara was beside her, getting her make-up done. I completely ignored her, not wanting to deal with the awkward silence between us. I brushed past her, heading toward the stairs.
"Well, lock the door on your way out," I said over my shoulder, my tone casual. "I'm heading out as well. I won't be here for the weekend."
Myrren didn't even glance up. "Got it. Have fun!" she called out, already lost in her preparation.
I headed upstairs to my room, the noise from below growing quieter the further I went. Once inside, I closed the door behind me and walked straight to my walk-in closet. I grabbed my fancy duffel bag, a gift from Myrren, and went through my clothes, trying to decide what to pack. All Safyrr had said was to come and spend the weekend with her, and we'd go over the whole Cole case. So, I wasn't exactly sure what to pack.
Just then, as if hearing my thoughts, my comm crystal pinged, the message flashing across the screen.
Zarich: Safyrr says to pack some light clothes and… a swimsuit? I'll pick you up in 1 hour.
I furrowed my brow and quickly typed back: Aren't you supposed to be driving Myrren and Lara to the Gala?
Zarich's reply came almost instantly: Elias' covering for me.
I couldn't help but smile. Typical Zarich, always able to make things work.
I looked back at my clothes options. Light clothes and a swimsuit. A swimsuit? Was Safyrr planning to dip me in her cauldron or what? I didn't question it further, though. I had learned by now that when it came to Safyrr, she knew exactly what she was doing. Whatever her plans were, I'd go along with them, it was always an experience, one way or another.
I quickly grabbed what I thought I'd need, not overthinking it. A few outfits, some light layers, and well, the swimsuit. Better to be prepared.
Exactly one hour later, my comm crystal pinged with a message from Zarich: I'm here.
I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, the weight of the weekend finally feeling real. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I passed through the living room where Myrren and Lara were still being outfitted. Several stylists surrounded them, fitting and adjusting their gowns, the magical hum of the room only adding to the grandeur of it all.
"Have fun at the Gala! See y'all in two days," I called out, not bothering to pause for a response. I was ready to get away from all of it.
I stepped outside and saw Zarich waiting by a sleek black SUV, its windows tinted and the engine running smoothly. He looked up as I approached, his usual easy smile on his face.
"Ready for the weekend?" he asked, his voice light.
"It's Safyrr's place, so I'm sure it'll never get boring," I said with a half-smile, trying to shake off the lingering nerves.
Zarich grabbed my bag and placed it in the trunk, then opened the passenger side door for me. I slid in, a mix of anticipation and a hint of appreciation coursing through me. Spending the weekend with someone I barely knew felt a little wild, but maybe that's what I needed, something different.
As he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, I glanced over at him. "Am I crazy for agreeing to spend the weekend with Safyrr?"
Zarich looked over at me briefly, his expression calm. "I wouldn't be driving you to her place if I thought it was a bad idea."
His simple answer did little to ease my nerves, but somehow, it made me feel a bit better.
As we drove, the city lights blurred outside the window, and the quiet hum of the engine filled the space between us. Zarich glanced over at me, his expression thoughtful.
"How are you doing?" he asked, his voice quiet, almost like he was testing the waters. "I mean... after this crazy week?"
I could feel his eyes briefly flicker to my arms, where the red lashes from that dreadful night were still visible. I tucked my hands into my lap, trying to hide the marks, though I knew he had seen them.
"I'm... getting by," I said, the words feeling like they didn't fully cover what I was really feeling. "It's been a lot. But I'm fine."
He nodded, not pressing further, but there was something in his eyes that told me he wasn't convinced. I shifted in my seat, the tension in the car feeling more palpable than before, but I was grateful for the silence.
We soon reached the older quarters of Lysoria, the narrow, winding streets lined with centuries-old stone buildings. As we approached Safyrr's house, the atmosphere shifted, and the air grew cooler, filled with that familiar, mysterious energy. We rolled to a stop in front of her home.
It stood as eerie and enigmatic as ever, tall, dark, and shadowed, surrounded by iron gates that creaked as they opened on their own.
I didn't wait for Zarich. The moment the gates parted, I stepped out of the car and started climbing the stone steps to Safyrr's front door. Before I could knock, the door swung open, revealing Safyrr herself. She stood there in a flowy halter-top dress, her silver-gray hair framing her face, giving her an almost ageless appearance. She looked... younger, more vibrant than I remembered.
"Okay, wow!" I said, unable to hide the surprise in my voice. "You look... great. I mean, look at you!"
Safyrr just smiled, brushing off my compliment with a casual wave of her hand. "It's just the magic, dear."
She glanced behind me at Zarich, who was still standing by the car. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go," she said, her tone light and teasing.
I stood there, still processing. "Wait! Go where? I thought I'd be spending the weekend here with you?"
Safyrr laughed softly, the sound almost musical. "Oh, my dear. You actually thought I'd have you spend the weekend in this old thing?" She waved her hand, gesturing to the house around us. "You underestimate me. Come on, my child. I have a surprise for you. I know you'll love it."
She placed her hand on my arm, gently guiding me toward the stairs. As she did, I noticed her bags levitating, floating just behind her, as if they were simply following along for the ride.
I shot a glance at Zarich, but he simply shrugged with a grin, clearly used to Safyrr's unpredictable ways.
As we descended, the air seemed to grow more charged with excitement. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation bubbling up inside me. Whatever this surprise was, I was certain it would be far from ordinary.
After settling into the plush passenger seat, I glanced over at Zarich and Safyrr, the curiosity bubbling up inside me. "How long is the ride, exactly?"
Zarich kept his eyes on the road, glancing at me briefly with a grin. "We'll reach the location in approximately an hour and 15 minutes," he said casually. "Why do you ask?"
I shrugged, crossing my arms playfully. "Well, I might as well be a helpful passenger princess and make it an enjoyable ride. Do you guys mind some music?"
Safyrr chuckled softly from the backseat, her voice light. "Have at it, my dear."
With a nod, I pulled out my iPod and handed it to Zarich, who helped me connect it to the high-tech audio system in the car. I scrolled through my playlists before settling on Faster by Within Temptation. The familiar intro began to fill the car, and I leaned back, letting the music consume me.
For the next half hour, I let myself get lost in the rhythm of the songs, gazing out the window at the passing landscape. We seemed to be heading toward the eastern part of Lysoria, away from the heart of the city, and I found myself appreciating the change in scenery, the winding roads, the fields, and the rolling hills in the distance.
All I Wanted by Paramore came on next, and just as I started to lose myself in the melody, Safyrr's voice cut through the music.
"These are definitely not songs from here," she said, her tone amused.
I smiled and glanced back at her. "Nope! You know Camila? The well-known singer from North Lowmere?" I asked, feeling a bit proud. "She gifted this iPod to me. All those treasures were already in it."
Safyrr raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Well, I must say, she gave you a real gem. You've been listening to some pretty good music."
I nodded, my smile widening. "I got to say, these tracks have inspired me a lot in my own compositions. It's like they've given me a new way to think about melody and lyrics."
Zarich shot me a quick glance. "Looks like you've got a pretty solid collection to work with. Maybe we'll get to hear some of that inspiration soon, huh?"
I laughed softly, sinking further into my seat. "Maybe." The thought of creating something new, something inspired by these songs, made the anticipation of the weekend feel even more exciting.