Chapter Twenty-Two
Souxie Lafayette
Maggie never returned back to her aunt’s house that night.
Her mother lost her shit all over again because Maggie didn’t even say goodbye.
Just sent a message through Namir when he walked back in the house to tell everyone thank you.
He told all of us he hoped to see us back at the school if he hadn’t lost his job, and if he hears anything about the status of Drew Collins, he’ll let us know.
When asked about Maggie, all he said is he was taking her home so she can rest.
We all knew she was about to get stretched from the roots and back.
Maybe catch up on some needed sleep even though to her she said it was only a day that she was gone.
The rest of us were out back talking amongst ourselves.
While her family stayed in the house adjusting to each other’s personalities in real time.
With Maggie out with Namir having a much-needed conversation and time alone, it was charming to see the different variations of her colorful family.
From hanging a dead body in the shed to let the rest of the blood drain in a bucket below, to the wolf pack belonging to Namir roaming free and hunting the wild rabbits in the area.
They all belonged to her now, including us.
“So now what?” Isis asked. “What happens with Drew Collins?”
“From what Silas told me; they’re probably going to shut it down for a bit and make us go to the other schools until they can figure it out.
If that’s the case, I already got my stuff packed at Montclair so it should be easy for me to transfer as a Monroe girl,” she boasted.
“I already know his sister and she told me she would make sure I get in.”
“I don’t think they would hold us off for that long,” I said.
“I need to see my sister,” Ayira said as she pushed her hair back from her face. “I want to confront my mother about the lies and warn my father.”
“You really think they’re trying to overthrow him?” Asha asked.
“I feel it,” she exclaimed. “If they harm him, they will harm my sister and for him not to send anyone for me tells me, he’s in danger. I just know it. So I have to go.”
Isis, Asha, and I shared the same look before looking back at Ayira. Before we could say anything, I heard a voice come up from behind us as I turned to see a petite Himora Clarke walk in between our huddled group.
“Evening everyone,” she greeted with a monotone. “Do you know when I will be able to speak with Maggie Grey?”
We all shared the same sneaky smile before the sound of someone screaming caught our attention.
“Tell these lil kids to quit fucking with me before I show them some real fangs!” Seth shouted before plopping down on the patio chair. “I’m not DOGGY! So stop playing with me!”
“Oh hush! Let them be curious!” Raven shouted from the house. “Y'all leave that man alone! Go on now! Go bother Clearance or somebody!”
“I’ve been sitting here quiet this whole time! Don’t come bothering me!” A man shouted.
Himora turned back towards us, waiting for a response that we really couldn’t give.
“I’d say a few days, maybe a week,” I shrugged as Isis readily nodded in agreement.
“Her and the boo are just catching up.”
“Yeaaaah…catching up…long conversations at night and long naps,” Asha added with a smirk, but Himora didn’t smile.
“She is responsible for opening the first barrier that protects the Underground,” she stated. “She tried to warn every one of the dangers of the games being the second barrier but unfortunately, it has been opened at Lake Lanier in Georgia.”
“We know,” I said. “Harvey…”
My voice trailed off when I saw Harmless Harvey dapping hands with Trevor as the two spoke just outside on the back porch of the house. When we locked eyes, he blew me an air kiss and a wink of his right eye while I rolled mine.
“How it was explained to us,” Ayira started. “The barriers are like the doors?”
“Yes. I’m not sure what will happen now that it's public knowledge that they are trying to desegregate magical from the non-magical. I do not know what’s going to happen in the Underground, but I do know all mythics will not be welcomed, including myself. The third will be the last…”
“Just like the three knocks on a moving door,” I said, remembering what Harvey told me.
“Precisely,” Himora nodded with a quick adjustment of her frames. “As of now, we don’t know where the third location will be but–––” Himora stopped talking when she heard her baby crying. Without a word, she turned and walked off just as awkwardly as she came up to us.
“She’s a little strange, right?” Isis whispered in question.
“Naaah, she’s not. Different but not strange.” Asha corrected and to my surprise, I could see her smiling as she watched Himora walk off. “Aight so what are we doing? We don’t know about school anymore. I don’t have much to go back to in New York now that I’ve made my life here.”
“The third door is home,” Ayira whispered to herself at the realization.
“They’re going to try and come for my people next…
they will be the first to get exposed. The spider said we are the creators of this magic,” she said as she clapped three times.
“It was always said, if you clap in the desert and the desert claps back, you will never be lost. Maggie said the school requested my sister to be here under the protection of Dr. Holmes, why? Why would she need protection and from who?”
“Because…” Asha dragged. “She’s probably a fire breathing dragon princess…too?”
“I am going to save my sister. She is probably being forced to marry a terrible abusive man who will take advantage of what she is…I cannot believe I waited this long to realize my priorities. I enjoyed the limited time I’ve had with you all, but I have to return home.”
“Okay so what about us?” Isis asked as she looked at me. “We’re going right?”
I looked at Asha who shrugged.
“At this point, I’m used to being thrown into random ass mysteries and adventures with y'all hoes. It’s a train stop on the line though, right?”
“They aren’t going to let us go in that way,” Isis said. Ayira whipped her head from Asha to Isis than me, realizing what we were all saying.
“We’re coming with you,” I smiled. “You went with Maggie so she wouldn’t be by herself. We’re coming with you so that you’re not by yourself.”
“We could make this another trip or adventure!” Isis beamed while grabbing my arm. “I’m still trying to own my own hospital and become a healer, but this side quest looks good on my resume.”
“My sister is like Maggie,” Ayira claimed. “She is powerful just like Maggie and doesn’t know it yet.”
“Let me guess, she’s a moon Goddess too?” Asha asked with a dull tone. Isis and I tried to keep from laughing. I forgot she wasn’t here for the big revelation that Namir was actually the moon, but to my surprise, Ayira one upped her.
“No, she is the sun. My sister is the sun.”
Asha stared dryly at her before throwing her hands up.
“Like I said, fuck it. What we doing? Sneaking into some ancient palace on the weekend before heading back to class?”
“That is exactly what we are going to do,” Ayira said. “We will grab my sister, free her from whoever is holding her captive, and warn my father. I am going to confront my mother and then we will all be back in time for a new week to start.”
We all knew it wasn’t going to be that easy but as Ayira walked off, the three of us started to talk amongst ourselves.
“This is why I don’t like new bitches in the group because look at what we’re doing,” Asha said. “Look at what we just agreed to.”
“She’s a part of us now,” Isis said. “She looked out for Maggie and went with her when none of us did.”
“Because she,” pointing at me. “Thought Namir was going to handle it, remember?” Asha hissed.
I looked back at Ayira as the two went back and forth on the status of Ayira being in our group.
It was already done. She was more than a part of us.
She became the closest to Maggie more than anyone else and I could tell by their mannerisms. Even in that short amount of time, they moved like sisters.
I know Maggie says Gaia is the reason for her change in aura, but I truly believe it was Ayira, and her natural confidence that changed Maggie.
Watching her now, she stopped right in front of Seth who looked up from his phone, confused.
She leaned in for his ear as her hair fell into his lap, whispered something and I saw his eyes widened.
She pulled back, grabbing both sides of the plastic white chair to keep him in place as the two agreed on something.
She walked off with a whip of her hair like her own natural tail and made her way back to us.
Seth sat for a moment before calmly getting up and walking inside.
“We will find a way to get to the Solhari Kingdom on our own,” she said, not speaking on her little convo with Seth. “I cannot let anyone recognize me, especially now.”
“You’re famous,” I told her.
“Soooo if they see you out here riding a dragon like a total bad ass,” Isis dragged slowly. “Who are they going to think is in your place back home? They’re going to know your sister is…”
“A fraud,” Asha said with a laugh as Ayira’s eyes grew wide at the realization. “A fraudulent princess sitting on the throne pretending to be you. You better hope we get there in time. I’ll ask my boyfriend about ways to get in. He may know something.”