Chapter 59 Chapter Fifty-Nine - Jartre
Standing with Ayawamat and Orenda along the rocky cliffside of Neptuak Mountain, we keep our distance as we observe a blanket of darkness moving across Moraine Lake. From far away one might think it’s a bizarre black fog, but it’s something far more sinister. Thousands of eyti travel as one, their shadowy forms floating across the tranquil waters like sharks approaching a wounded seal.
“This group continues to move south. They haven’t stopped once,” Orenda announces, the disquiet written all over her face as she watches the shadows below.
“They would have had to encounter people several times before they got to this point,” I utter in perplexity.
“They did, but they completely ignored them,” Orenda answers.
I turn to her in astoundment, that unsettling feeling in my gut now growing stronger.
“Whatever they’re drawn to, it has their complete focus. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s almost as if they were spelled. Like rats following the Pied Piper,” says Ayawamat with unease.
“Could they have been spelled? Could a makkari have found a way to control them?” Orenda suggests.
“It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but I don’t sense the presence of any magic around them outside of the magic that made them. What about the others?”
“The others I found and followed have reached Mexico,” says Ayawamat.
“It sounds like they’re coming from all sides and converging on the Americas…” I say in contemplation.
“You don’t think…they’re coming for him, do you?” Orenda cautiously asks.
“To what end? They can’t free him from his cage. There is no reason for them to be seeking him out. He’s locked up so deep in the Earth and protected by so much magic not even Ezillus would be able to free him,” I argue.
I hate to admit it, but Orenda’s concerns have merit. There has to be something we’re missing. I refuse to believe they’re seeking him out, but the only other option would mean someone has found a way to control them, and that is a deeply disturbing thought. But who the fuck would want to control an army of eyti? It’s ludicrous.
“I don’t understand why we don’t just destroy them and be done with it,” Ayawamat huffs.
Orenda swiftly smacks him up the back of his head, “They’re still people, jerk face. You’re far too quick to press for their demise.”
Ayawamat in turn, smacks Orenda up the back of the head, “They haven’t been people in a long time, butthead.”
“We should only ever kill them if we absolutely have to, luring them away is still an option.” Orenda has always been the most compassionate of the two. They both are, but her more so. Not sure how I managed to create two compassionate beings during a time in my life when compassion was something I greatly lacked.
“Well, I think preventing an eyti invasion qualifies as absolutely having to.”
“We don’t even know who or what is controlling them! It’s like killing the rat but forgetting to remove the cheese. More rats will come!”
I feel like a father listening to his two children squabble. Despite the less-than-stellar circumstances, it feels surprisingly domestic and comforting.
“Orenda is right,” I announce.
“What?” says Ayawamat in surprise.
“Ha!” Orenda taunts, poking her tongue at him.
I shake my head at their childish antics. I won’t let them see it, but it’s actually nice that they feel so comfortable around me. I’m not sure they ever did in the past and that knowledge saddens me.
“We don’t know what is behind this. If we destroy them we lose our best chance of finding out, and as Orenda pointed out, it won’t stop it from happening again. More will come, so we need to figure out what is going on and only then do we stop it in its tracks. I want you to keep following them and should any of them set their sights on the innocent population, I expect you to handle it,” I say, looking at Orenda pointedly.
She takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders, “Just because I wish we could find a way to help them, doesn’t mean I won’t perform my duty to the fullest. You can count on me.”
“And me,” Ayawamat vows.
I walk over, smiling at them with pride and place my hands on their shoulders. “You have both made me very proud,” I tell them, causing them to look up at me, frozen in a state of shock. “Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s somewhere I have to be, but be sure to keep me updated.”
I appear back in Gabriella’s loft only to find her sitting on the sofa, staring out the window lost in a sea of thoughts. I frown in concern as I open myself to that sheer veil of our bond when I realise there is just a flood of turmoil crashing through her. I walk over and sit beside her, taking her delicate hand in mine.
“Gabriella? Has something happened?” I ask, unable to keep the worry from my voice.
She slowly turns to look at me, her eyes searching my face as if seeing me for the first time. She climbs into my lap and curls up into a ball as if to use my body as a security blanket. I quickly wrap my arms around her, cradling her warm body against mine as I press my lips to her forehead.
“Love, not to make this about me, but you’re starting to worry me.”
“Can we just stay like this for a little while?” she quietly asks.
I take a breath and nod against her hair, “We can stay like this for as long as you want.”
I have no idea what happened to her in the time I was gone, but it seems to have deeply rattled her. However, I’ve learned by now not to pry. Gabriella has time and again given me the space to be open with her when I felt ready and able, the least I can do is extend her the same courtesy, even though it’s killing me.
“So, these men get up in drag and then compete on television to see who is the best?” I ask quizzically, sitting on the floor in front of the sofa.
“Well, the winner gets prizes, including lots of cash,” Gabriella explains as she gently brushes my hair.
Until the island, no one has ever pampered me, including brushing my hair. I've realised I absolutely love it, or perhaps I just love Gabriella doing it. It feels relaxing and intimate, and I love that she enjoys it just as much as I do.
“Why aren’t there any biological women? It’s called Drag Race, yes? I’ve been around long enough to know that drag kings exist.”
“Just when I think I can’t love you more,” Gabriella gushes, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing tightly – or trying to. “Drag Race UK had a woman who did drag, compete. I think the more the viewers embrace drag culture, the more they expand and invite more facets of the drag world to compete, realising the world is ready to see more of what this artform has to offer.”
“Have you ever done drag?” I inquire, glancing back at her with a raised brow.
“My best friend is a drag queen, best believe he has gotten me up in drag several times, and I’ve loved every minute of it. He even put the padding on me and everything.”
“Padding?”
“Drag queens pad to give themselves a more womanly figure.”
“Then why the fuck do you need pads? I’ve seen your womanly figure and it’s plentiful and delicious,” I say scornfully. “That’s like painting sparkles on a diamond. He thinks of covering up your natural curves again and he’ll have to face the wrath of a God,” I warn.
Gabriella chuckles, “No smiting my best friend. Thank you for loving and praising my body, but I promise I had fun.”
I lean my head back in her lap, looking up at her gorgeous face. I’m happy to see her in a lighter mood, and I’m doing everything in my power to put her at ease, but I can still see whatever is weighing on her lingering in her eyes.
“I love you, Gabriella. Every inch of you.”
She smiles softly, leaning forward and placing a soft, tender kiss on my lips that I happily return. “I love you too. Are you sure you don’t want me to put something else on? We don’t have to watch this you know.”
“I don’t mind sitting here watching the show you like with you. Besides, it has some amusing moments. I enjoy the way they very creatively insult each other,” I say as I look back at the TV.
“Of course, you do,” she snorts as she starts working on plaiting my hair. “Jartre?”
“Hmm?” I hum, waving my hand and summoning a variety of snacks to fill the coffee table along with her favourite non-alcoholic beverages.
“Speaking of drag queens. Would you like to come and see me perform this week at the Glitter Hole?” she tentatively asks.
I smile, looking back at her, “Is this about the dance you were practising?” She nods happily. “I would be honoured and overjoyed to come and see you perform. I didn’t arrive in time to see the last one.”
“Thank you, Jartre, that means a great deal to me.” She wraps her arms around me, hugging me, almost reluctant to let me go.
I frown as I return her hug, rubbing her back in soothing motions. “Do you want to talk about it now?”
She shakes her head, “I just want to enjoy our time together.” Her voice sounds so melancholy that I can’t help but feel unease settle deep into my gut. I fight it down and give her my acceptance, turning back to face the TV and embracing the most human night of my existence. Snacking and cuddling by the TV with the woman I love. I’ll hand it to humans, it’s simple, but perfect in every way.