Chapter 46 #3
After Amara left the hotel, there was only a moment of silence before a cry erupted from the front foyer.
Caspar’s wings twitched under his shirt.
Malek rose from his seat, clearly ready for another fight.
They both braced themselves as they rounded the corner, but stopped short when Ultima, Jocasta, and another familiar woman stood in the lobby with William and another man.
“Imogen,” Malek said.
The case worker. Caspar immediately recognized her as the woman from The World card in the makeshift tarot deck. Imogen’s dark hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. She seemed to have bags under her eyes from lack of sleep, but her bright smile and cherry red lips took away all the exhaustion.
“Cecil!” William cried out, wrapping his arms around the man in the hallway.
Another wave of recognition flowed through Caspar.
This was William’s brother, the missing water elemental he’d been searching for since he was young.
William practically lifted Cecil off the hotel floor as he hugged him to his chest. Cecil was small like his brother, slender and pale with dark hair, but they both seemed to be remarkably strong.
Cecil wore baggy clothing and kept his face clean-shaven, but it was clear he was older than William.
By how much, Caspar could barely tell. Their matching dark eyes seemed to be the place where all their age was stored.
Jocasta touched her chest, seemingly overwhelmed by the display.
When the brothers finally separated, Imogen tugged them both over to a couch in the hotel lobby.
She pulled a file folder from her briefcase and spoke in hushed whispers, as though discussing something quite serious.The rest of their lineage, their next steps as supernaturals, an entire new world of paperwork and existence.
As much as Caspar wanted to know what was going on, especially with William, he knew this was none of his business.
Ultima tugged on Jocasta’s hand as well, leading them both toward the dining area where they met Malek and Caspar.
“I can’t believe it,” Caspar said. “This is amazing.”
“I know,” Jocasta said. “I’m not usually sentimental like this, but I really thought his brother was dead.”
“I guess he won’t be needing those wishes, huh?” Malek asked.
“Don’t speak so soon,” Ultima said. “Everyone needs wishes. But I’m getting pretty sick of family reunions. You two aren’t on your honeymoon, right? Because this morning has been so sweet already, I think I might be sick.”
“Um. Well…” Caspar grinned as he glanced down at the ring Malek had given him. He supposed, in a way, this could be their honeymoon. And considering the way Malek gazed at him, he had a feeling they were on the same page.
“We were thinking that a tour across the country would fit us better than a traditional honeymoon,” Malek said. “That is, if you’re amenable, J.”
“That depends,” Jocasta said, ushering them toward the warming trays full of food. Though it was well past morning, the hotel was still serving a seemingly endless amount of breakfast foods. “What kind of cross-country trip were you imagining?”
“A band,” Malek said. “Think about it: All of us playing different instruments, making a new kind of music, and while we’re exploring the underground network of Canada’s supernaturals, we can also track down some of those missing items to bring back Caspar’s family.”
“What?” Caspar gasped, completely thrown by this.
Malek nodded, his smile wide. “We can’t let your family stay in stasis forever. It’ll take a while, but we’ll get them all back.”
“I… I don’t know.”
“You don’t have to decide right now,” Malek said. “But we can also help Jocasta out. Find things. Fix things. You know, keep the underground business alive.”
“I do have a lot of paperwork I need to catch up on,” Jocasta said, considering this playfully. “Depends on if Ultima would be in your band or not.”
“Really?” Malek asked, looking at Ultima. “You’d consider it?”
“Hey. I used to play the violin and the piano with my feet. Not so much anymore, but if I was that skilled with my feet, can you imagine how good my hands are?” When Ultima shot a look to Jocasta, who soon blushed, the group of them laughed.
Ultima and Jocasta piled their plates high with food and took a seat at a table, while Malek and Caspar refilled their coffees.
Malek continued to talk about his band idea, what instruments people would play, and how it would all mesh well with Jocasta’s business.
He was trying to convince her, but she already seemed sold.
Meanwhile, Caspar looked at the family tree Erwin had given him and traced the connections with his finger. A family. A band. A life on the road and a job with Jocasta. He was pretty sure he had everything.
When Natasha and Katja came in from the pool area, they sat down and planned the upcoming band tour as well.
“But the house?” Caspar asked. “The museum?”
“I’m sure we’ll find some people to curate it. Erwin. Chaz. Even Cassie and her cat.” Katja shrugged. “You know a lot of people now. They’ll have your back when you’re not around, and when you are, we’ll have massive dinners and celebrate.”
“You know, that sounds great.”
“Yes, yes, it’s all great and wonderful,” Ultima said. “But I thought today was about going in the pool?”
“We still have to figure out if William is going to come on tour,” Malek said. “He’s a good drummer, so I’d hate to lose him.”
“He may have his brother tag along,” Jocasta said. “But you know, I don’t even mind. The more people I have on my side, the better.”
“Good,” Malek said. “Because I already have a name picked out.”
“What is it?” Natasha asked.
“Nuh-uh. Names later. Right now, we need the pool.” Ultima declared, wheeling her chair away from the table and out to the lounge. When she shot a glance back, Jocasta rose, along with Natasha and Katja.
Malek huffed as the joy of delivering his name idea was put off. Caspar ran his hand up his back, soothing him. “I know, it sucks. But we’re getting pretty good at delayed gratification. And compromise. You’ll tell us soon.”
Malek linked his hand with Caspar’s and pulled him close. “Can I at least whisper it in your ear?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Always.” Malek pressed a fierce kiss to his mouth. When Malek trailed his kisses to Caspar’s ear and whispered the band name, he had to repeat it several times before Caspar understood.
Caspar was in love with it. And with Malek, and their entire group of friends. Caspar was about to tell Malek so when William rushed by with Cecil.
“Come on, you two. You’re missing the pool!”
With another laugh and a quick kiss, they headed outside.