Jeri knocked on the door.
“Come in, Jeri,” Capri answered.
She no longer wondered how Capri knew it was her. How did she know half the things she did or could do what she could? It was something she was sure no one had answers to, and she didn’t care. If it hadn’t been for Capri finding her that day, she didn’t know what would have happened to her.
She went in to see Capri sitting cross-legged on the floor.
“I’m just taking time to center myself before today gets busy.”
Jeri sat on the floor across from her. “Today’s going to be busy?”
“For me. I’m meeting the Fae princess to discuss some things.”
“It’s good they’re looking to you for help.” Rarely did she see Capri’s hair lying on her shoulders and down her back without looking like it was blowing in the wind.
“My help only goes as far as helping find those that need to be found. I don’t have the answers they want on who betrayed whom and how this mess came to be.” She smiled at her. “It’s going to be a busy day for you as well.”
“It is?”
Capri nodded her head slowly. “I believe it is.”
She hated wasting Capri’s time. She always seemed busy. “I was just talking to Fade. She wants someone from Solrelm to see if they can help her visibility.”
“Liri said a watcher would need to help her.”
“She tried?” Jeri hadn’t known that.
“She wanted to. She can’t go invisible though. She even spoke to one of the Alterealm princesses who can, but she hasn’t mastered it and didn’t feel she could be of help.”
“That’s too bad.” Jeri played with the stone hanging around her neck. “I don’t think Prince Bastian has the…”
Capri laughed. “I don’t think he’s balanced enough to help Fade. If that is even her issue.”
“I kind of hope it is,” Jeri said quietly. “I feel bad for Fade and Vex being stuck in their room.”
“I know, but it’s better than on the street.”
Jeri nodded. There was no question about that.
“Why don’t you ask Bastian’s brother or guard, Tor, I think is his name.”
Jeri blew out a breath. “Tor seems more relaxed than the princes.”
“Because he’s not a prince.” Capri stood up, so Jeri did as well. “Despite my misgivings about them, I do have to give them their due credit. They’re not pampered royals.”
“I don’t think any of them are—from any realm.”
“Yes. It was good to see so many at the circle. They’re all going to clean up their ancestor’s messes.”
“You mean us. We’re the mess.”
Capri turned and gave her a compassionate look. “I don’t see us that way. I was referring to stopping whoever is still trying to do those heinous things and to find others like us out there and provide for them.”
Jeri sat on the edge of the armchair. “I don’t think they realize how many that will be.”
“I don’t either, but the very fact that they have the intention to help goes a long way.” She turned around, a book in her hand. “Give Liri a call and see if she can get one of the watchers here to see Fade. Outside of the house, of course. I won’t be close enough to lower the barrier for it to happen inside.”
Jeri nodded. “Okay. I’m not sure if having Fade able to come and go is a great plan, but she deserves the chance.”
“Mmm, it’s been some time since we had to monitor teens.” Capri grinned. “At one point, I had six of you to monitor.”
“I feel like I should apologize.”
Capri waved her hand around. “Oh, you weren’t difficult. That was Fauna, Sym and Karma.”
Jeri cringed. “Don’t remind me. I was afraid some days to leave my room for fear Sym would make me cry or laugh hysterically–or Fauna would invite bats into the house, and Karma, well, all of us were happy when she learned to control her gift.”
Capri had a melancholy look on her face for a second. “The time of Gemini is coming closer again.”
Jeri winced. “It is?”
Capri nodded her head slowly. “More will be born, and then it will be years of watching to find them.”
“Did you ever figure out why they’re always born in this area?” She thought it was strange there was a whole world out there, and yet it was always near this city that things from all realms took place.
“As close as I can figure.” Capri motioned to journals lining her one shelf. “I believe the barrier between the realms has a merge point in this area–so…”
“Other realms end up landing here when they come over.”
“Something like that.” Capri set the book down and went over to the window. “I have this feeling in my gut that is telling me there are others out there from the last Gemini births that we didn’t find.”
Jeri’s stomach knotted. “Should we get the others together and try a search spell?”
Capri shook her head. “If they didn’t show up a few years ago, they won’t now. I don’t know why.”
“Do you think they’ll be found when the others search for the offspring left behind?”
“It seems likely.” She turned around and looked at her. “I’ve just had this feeling off and on over the years that there’s someone out there that was missed.” Her hair started moving. “I just hope she can forgive us for not finding her.”
Jeri sucked in a breath. “I hope all others are found soon.” She looked at the door. “Should we start renovating the building next door?” They owned it, but it was currently empty. “And can I ask that if we find more, I not bunk in with Tera again?” A shiver went over her. “I’m okay with the moths, but the creepy crawlies on the floor—” She cringed. “I can’t do it again.”
Capri smiled. “Perhaps starting the renovations would be a good idea. We could offer some of the space to Liri and Nova for the families they find for now.”
Jeri nodded. “I’ll talk to Ava about construction.”
“She’ll love the chance to tear down walls, but she’ll be going soon.”
Jeri looked at the door. “Is it that time again?”
“Yes.”
Once a year, Ava disappeared for a week. No one knew the exact reason why. Some guessed an anniversary of a death, some a birth, but no one knew the real reason. “I’ll have to remind the others.” Ava was a key person to so many of the women here. That week she was missing seemed off, every year.
“Yes. I’ll see everyone at dinnertime.”
“Okay.” Jeri went over to the door. “Fade is going to be excited.”
“I just hope a soul watcher can help her. The disappointment if they can’t is going to change her.” She turned back to the window and stood there looking out it.
Jeri left the room and closed the door quietly. Capri wasn’t usually so melancholy. Was it the feeling that someone was missed? Someone they needed to find? She’d have to talk to Espy about it. Espy saw mostly things that were, but sometimes she had flashes of what was to be. Jeri was thankful she only saw old souls and what they had lived through. Anything else just intimidated her to the point she felt like she couldn’t breathe.