A Fist in the Face

    Beecher was flipping the pages of a magazine when Katalea and Dakari walked in.  “It doesn’t matter where you go, you cause a scene.”  Beecher chided, grinning and showing a dimple in his left cheek.

    “Do you have any ideas on who they were?” Aquina asked, dismissing Beecher’s comment.

    “No,” Katalea responded.  “No clue, All I know is that this morning when I woke up I thought today was going to be a mundane trip to an old library.  Suddenly, the world around me has gone nuts.”

    “I guess I understand all the security around you now,” Beecher added.  “It must be hard to be the black panther.  How are you two ever going to get to be alone?”  He raised his eyebrows twice and googled his eyes.  He knew they were newly mated.  

    Katalea found herself flushing despite herself.  She could feel the color climb right up her neck and jump up onto her face.

    Zinnia chimed in and broke the awkwardness.  “You had such a lovely suite at the hotel.” 

    “It really was, before those goons broke down the door Dakari and I were gulping down a pizza.” She laughed as she said it.  “It’s not fancy, but it was normal. After today, I needed some normal.”

    Dakari, who had been texting on his phone since they walked in, raised his head.  “Only the best for you babe.”  He winked at her, but went right back to texting when his phone sounded.

    “Did your security people ever show up?” Aquina asked.

    “Not yet, I’m getting kinda worried.  I want to get back to the island and check on everything.”  

    With perfect timing, Dakari re-engaged the conversation.  “I have been on the phone with your grandfather and my father.  They are sending a private ferry to bring us all out to the island.   I think it would be safest if we all stuck together for now.”

    At this, Zinnia’s whole body seemed to vibrate.  “I am excited to be going.  I bet it is pretty there.  I like pretty things.  Will we be able to look around?”

    “I am afraid not, well, at least not yet.” Zinnia’s face fell.

Katalea explained quickly.  She did not want to be the one to bring sadness to the happiest person she had ever met. “The islanders won’t even know you’re hiding out, unless we have to stay more than a few days.  No reason to get everyone all up in arms if we’re only staying briefly.” 

“It will be best for everyone’s security if our being there is kept a secret as long as possible,”  Luca agreed.  “After what we witnessed today, we know some will stop at nothing to get to whatever is in that book.”

Zinnia nodded her head, but there was no light in her eyes.

 Katalea hated to be the bearer of bad news and thinking of Penny and her invisibility, she added, “maybe we can sneak out at night.”

Zinnia brightened and Beecher winked at Katalea.  

    “Zinnia, do you think we can try our traveling combo trick again?  It would be nice to just show up at the ferry and not have to drag us all through town to get there.”  Dakari asked, looking hopefully at Zinnia.

    “It would be my pleasure to help,” she smiled so warmly, her whole body seemed to sparkle.  Dakari forgot their predicament for the moment.  Her smile lit up the room, settled any and every tension.  They all seemed to gravitate toward her.  “But let’s wait until dark.”

    They waited together until night fell.  The trees outside rustled in the wind and students in jeans and hoodies could be heard chatting on their way back from a late lecture.  The wait seemed endless, tension mounting again with each tick of the clock.  Each found a way to deal with their inner demons;  Beecher grabbed a quick nap on the sofa, Aquina engaged Luca in conversation while Dakari and Katalea just sat holding hands and talking quietly amongst themselves.  Zinnia fluttered around the room, a smile here, a rub on the back there.  She was the cooling balm to the burn of anxiety everyone was feeling.  

    When the message finally came, everyone jumped at the sound of Dakair’s phone.   Dakari called everyone together.  “It is time, the ferry is ready,” he said to the room.  

    They linked arms and within seconds they stood on the deck of the ferry boat.  They were alone, without even security.  Katalea couldn’t remember the last time she had traveled without a large horde.

    “That was really easy.  Why didn’t we just do that to get back to your island?” Aquina asked.

    “The island is bespelled against such visits.  The only way to get there is on the ferry.”  Dakari answered.  “We skipped the ferry master’s office under direct orders from Mr. Kundam, Katalea’s grandfather.”

    “No reason to pique the interest of anyone hanging out on the docks.”  Katalea chimed in.  

    “You guys take this security stuff very serious.” Beecher concluded ominously.  “It’s a lot easier to be a werewolf.  We come and go as we please.”

    They stood together at the bow of the boat, not sure what to expect.  A few of Aquina’s friends swam alongside for a bit and Katalea wondered why she had never noticed them before.  As they neared the island Grandfather’s voice was suddenly booming over the loudspeaker.

    “Good evening, and welcome!”  He bellowed and quickly lowered his voice.  “If you wouldn’t mind transporting yourselves here, we have a sumptuous late night snack cooling.”

    Katalea imagined one of her grandmother’s pies, and realized she was starving.  This transporting business really seemed to eat up one’s energy.  She hoped for more than a snack.

    She wasn’t disappointed.  Within seconds they arrived on the terrace at Grandfather’s house.  Introductions were made while Katalea eyed the long table laden with scrumptious food.  From freshly grilled salmon to an enormous apple pie and everything in between.  Katalea wasn’t sure where to start.  She just knew that if she didn’t make a plate soon, the table might fall under the weight.

    Grandmother fussed over everyone until all were plied with food and drink.  In her graceful way she made sure everyone was settled and happy.  She took a seat near Grandfather and watched the group interact.

    With one hand on a burger, the other reaching for a tall glass of Grandmother’s lemonade, Beecher turned to Dakari.

    “Ok, we’re here.  And ‘here’ happens to be amazing from what I can see.  But where is the book?”  He grinned and took an enormous bite, onions and pickles oozing out the sides.

    “As soon as you finish feasting, I will show you to your rooms.  After that, I will show you to the library.”  Grandmother answered for Dakari.

    “Dr. Johansson, would you be willing to work here?  We brought over everything we thought you might need.  Anything else that is needed, you have only to ask.” Grandfather said while admiring the young man’s appetite.

    “Please call me Luca, for I feel we need to be on equal ground in order to complete this quest.  I am excited to work here Mr. Kundam, I appreciate your generosity.”  He took another bite of the pie and his eyes rolled in ecstasy.

   

    As they were finishing their feast, Dalya entered the room.  Heads turned and Katalea felt herself gasp at the sight of her friend.  Dark circles the color of ominous clouds on a stormy day deepened into what had been such a perfect face.  Her body was stretched horribly out of proportion, her eyes red with exhaustion.  

    Katalea was astonished by the baby’s growth in just a mere day.  She tried to hide her surprise but Dalya caught it, as she felt it herself.  As Dalya reached for a plate, her color suddenly drained, and she raced from the room.   

   

    “She’s having a hard time with it,” Zinnia lamented.  “Can I go to her?  I may be able to soothe her.”

    “Our Dalya is a tough cookie.  It might be best if she were left alone.”  Grandfather responded.  “But any help you can send from afar would be welcomed.”

    Zinnia closed her eyes for a moment.  She started to hum a soft tune, in the cadence of a lullaby.  As she did, her whole body started to glow.  All present sat in awe of the joy she radiated.  To Katalea, it felt like surprise rays of the sun on a cloudy day, and she lifted her face to absorb as much of the joy as she could.

    “Your heart is so pure, so kind. You are a special soul, I am very happy to meet you.  I am very happy to meet all of you.”  Grandmother gushed.  “Let’s get you all settled in.”  She stood and began leading them to their rooms.

    The necessities seen to, they gave themselves an hour to freshen up.  Dalya hadn’t made another appearance as Katalea walked to her room, she saw her door was firmly closed.  She turned to Dakari with a shy smile.  

    “I was hoping you would stay with me.  I am not sure I am ready for, well…you know.  But I can’t bear to be without you.”  She cast her eyes down, and felt the blush creep up her neck.

    “I was wondering if I was going to have to beg to stay with you.  How about we promise to just cuddle tonight and deal with the rest another time.  I just want to hold you.”  Dakari answered, sweetly caressing her cheek.  He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, “I don’t want you to ever feel afraid with me.  We will take all this at your pace.  We have a lifetime together.”

    A loud bang sounded from downstairs.  WIthout thought, they both ran to the noise.  As they rounded the corner heading towards the library shouting could be heard.  Running at full speed, Katalea nearly tripped over Aquina who was coming just as quick from the opposite direction.  They came through the doors just in time to see Beecher ram his fist into Luca’s face.