Chapter 38

Ava looked at the envelope, now sealed in a little bag. Em’s doing. It sat on the workbench, and there was a part of her that knew she was going to carry it around. She wasn’t as worried about it being ruined now. Capri had made a photocopy of it and then added it to her locked box. All of the women who lived here knew about the box, but no one knew what was in it. Did Capri collect pieces of the puzzle that was her own life and place them in there? Ava looked at the envelope again. That was the only piece she had.

Jeri came out carrying two cups. “I thought I’d give you a few minutes to mutter at something before I followed you.”

Ava grinned. “You know me too well.”

Jeri nodded. “Out of necessity.” She set one of the cups on the workbench. “Learning what not to do when one of my sisters was in a mood was very important, or I’d find myself in a mess.”

Ava snorted, set the wrench on the ground, and then got up. Going over, she picked up the cup. “I think the worst is Tera. Honestly, I’d rather be zapped by Sparx than deal with bugs.”

Jeri nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. You’ve never had to share a room with any of them.”

It was true. Until the entire building had been gutted and renovated, there had been many years of roommates. She lifted the cup in a mock toast. “You say that like it was an accident I picked the smallest room the very first day we moved into this building.”

“Schemer.” She perched on the nearest bike. “That letter is something.”

Ava took a sip, her eyes going to where it sat. “I don’t know which part has my mind the numbest, the fact that my father wrote me or that we’re all some super team to stop the bad idiots from destroying the world.”

“Worlds.” Jeri corrected. “If Interealm ceases to exist, so does all the others.”

Ava went over and sat on the bottom step. “Nowhere in my entire life did I think I’d be talking about other realms?”

Jeri sighed. “It is odd at first.”

“But look at you, being a princess in another realm.”

Jeri snorted. “I’m not.”

Ava’s cocked an eyebrow at her. “Right, just going to be the next queen.”

“That could happen in hundreds of years.” Her eyes rounded. “Isn’t that crazy? That I’m going to live that long?”

Ava looked at the liquid in her cup. “It’s not all sparkles, trust me.”

“That’s right. I always forget that you’re half a century old.”

Ava scrunched up her face and looked at her. “Okay, that just makes me sound old.”

Jeri shrugged. “Compared to some we’ve met in the past few months, that’s nothing. You’re an infant.”

It was true, she thought. The Alterealm guys were really old. She eyed her friend for a moment. “How old is your man?”

Jeri lifted one shoulder and made a face. “I have no idea, really. Viking era old, at least.”

Ava sat there and stared at her for a second. “That’s crazy.” She thought of Firo. Nerves had her standing up and putting the cup down. Going over, she dropped to one knee beside the bike and picked up the wrench. She didn’t even know if she needed it, but a tool in her hand always calmed her. “Firo says he accidentally marked me when I was born.”

“He what?” Jeri got up and came over and stood on the other side of the bike so she could see her. “Marked you?”

Ava nodded. “He says I’m his the one.” She snorted. “What does that even mean? People say that all the time.” She checked to make sure the bolt was tight and then moved on to the next one. She just needed to move.

“They do, but when it’s someone from another realm, Ava, they mean it—in the literal sense.”

Jeri leaned over the seat and looked at her face. “How do you feel around him?”

Ava stopped and stared at the bolt. “I’m usually having wing issues whenever I’ve been around him, so I don’t know. He says our magic blends.” She scoffed and glanced at her. “That’s so corny.”

“But—” Jeri leaned down further, so Ava had no choice but to look at her. “—again literally.”

Ava gave her a side-eye look. “Is that your word of the day or something?”

Jeri grinned and straightened up. “Now deflecting with sarcasm and anger.”

Ava blew out a breath and stood up. “Look, I don’t know what it all means.” She waved the wrench in a circle. “I’ve never been into all that gushy stuff.”

“Gushy stuff?” Jeri squeezed her lips together, but Ava could see she was still grinning.

“Honestly, can you see me as part of a couple or whatever it’s called?” She looked at the wrench and then went over to the toolbox, wiped it off, and put it back where it went. Her room could be a mess, but her tools were clean and organized.

“Well—you both have wings.”

She glanced to see Jeri shrug and knew she would stand there until she found a way for her to accept this easier. Turning around, she closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t know. There’s just too much happening right now.” She turned around to see Jeri looking outside. She went over and checked out the door. Walking toward them was Firo. She glanced at Jeri and then back to him. Did others see him differently than she did? He had to be cloaked or glamored, or whatever it was he did, so people couldn’t really see him because right now, his hair was unbound, and his wings were not hidden. His strides were so long that his hair looked like it was being blown in a breeze. He was carrying a large suitcase.

“Is he moving in?” Jeri whispered with a note of humor in her voice.

Ava shook her head. “I’m hoping its my clothes that won’t get ruined when my wings decide they need out to breathe. I ruined my good jacket earlier.”

“There are clothes for that?”

Ava shrugged. “Apparently. Aireese said she’d send some for me.”

“I can’t wait to see you model them.”

She looked at her friend to see her giving her a huge grin. “That will never happen.” She snorted.

Like a coward, she stayed just inside the door, where the barrier would prevent him from getting closer. If he couldn’t touch her, then she wouldn’t have to decide how she felt about that tingling or blending stuff.

He stopped and inclined his head to Jeri, making Ava realize the importance of the new position she held.

“Should I be bowing to you?” She gave her a cock-eyed look.

Jeri scowled at her. “No.”

“My princess sent these for you.” Firo held out the case.

Before Ava could decide if she wanted to cross the barrier and take it, Jeri stepped forward and took it.

“Thanks,” Ava mumbled.

Jeri set the case on the ground and opened it.

Sighing, Ava knelt and lifted the fabric on the top. It looked like a normal shirt until she turned it around. The back had slits in it. She studied it. She had to wear different clothes because she had wings. It wasn’t like she didn’t know. She’d just managed to pretend she was normal—until now.

Jeri reached into it and pulled out leather. Ava dropped the shirt and took it out of her hands. It was nice and so far out of the price range of anything Ava could ever buy. She held it against her chest. “This is sweet.” She looked up at Firo and grinned. “A real upgrade from mine.”

“Mystral said leather protection is important when riding one of your machines.” He nodded once.

Ava bobbed her head. “It’s true. Going down on the pavement sucks. Nothing grates your skin like road rash.” She turned the jacket and looked at the back of it. There were slits again, and the bottom looked like it would pop apart instead of tear. “Nice.” She hugged it against her chest. “Tell Aireese thank you.” She started to get up.

“There is a gown included. My princess suggests you wear it when you meet the elders.” His voice was stiffer than usual.

Ava looked at the suitcase.

Jeri moved a few things aside and then pulled out some dark burgundy material. Ava didn’t miss the fact that it was close to her other wing’s color. “This is lovely.” Jeri held it up.

Ava scowled at it. There were no sleeves. She looked at Firo. “She wants me to wear that?”

He nodded. “When in FaTerra, one’s true form comes out. She didn’t want you uncomfortable in torn clothing.”

Ava stood up. “True form?” She looked at the gown Jeri stood up and held out. “You think my wings will be out?”

He nodded again.

“What if this is my true form?” She motioned down her body.

Firo held her look, she couldn’t read what he was thinking. “I believe we both know which is your true form, Avalie.”

She glanced to see Jeri giving her a curious glance.

“Whatever.” She hated that he was right. She pulled the gown from Jeri’s hands and put it in the case and closed it. The jacket remained tucked under her arm; she couldn’t wait to put it on. When she closed it and stood up, she saw the letter. Sighing, she walked over. “My father left me a note.”

“Your father? Izel? He was here?” Firo looked around.

Picking it up, she walked toward him. “No. He had someone leave it for me.” She glanced at it in her hand. “He got caught and isn’t allowed here now.” She held it out and then remembered the barrier and stepped outside.

Firo took it from her carefully and opened the bag.

“I didn’t want to get oil or something on it.” She shrugged.

Jeri touched her arm. “I need to go track down Trendan and tell him about it.” She held her look for a second. It was asking if she was okay.

Ava nodded. “Yeah. I’ll see you later.” She watched her friend go up the stairs before turning back to see Firo reading the note. It didn’t take him as long as it had her. Probably because he wasn’t getting emotional over it, she thought.