Chapter Three: Meetings

The remaining day I had spent with trying to figure out a way to steal away to meet up with Malachai. All the possibilities that were going through my head ended with me being exposed and locked away. I was almost sure my parents wouldn't be fond of who I was going to meet. Although I just couldn't lay my finger on the why; it was my intuition.

Currently, I was sitting on the large bed in my hotel room. To my pure joy, my parents had gotten me an own room directly across from theirs, giving me space and freedom I wanted. They had even agreed to place another bit of their magic in my amulet after I explained how much I had to use today. Of course, I abbreviated what exactly had happened and had let out some (un)important details. I had thought they'd be angry about it, but instead, they had offered to help me once again.

"Callie?" Mother's voice was hearable through the wooden door, followed by a few knocking sounds. I stood up and opened the door for her to walk in. Taking a seat on the bed, she kneaded her hands, her nervousness more than obvious. Something was bothering her, and I was sure I was about to find out what it was. Probably something about me, I thought, hoping she hadn't gotten information that I was going to meet up with Malachai.

"There may be something you need to know." Mother said. She was stalling which she only did when either something bad had already happened or when it was about to happen. I hated when she did that because often this something would affect me the most.

Like that one time when she revealed I had to stop playing with my friends after it became apparent that I was a siphoner. At that point, we had been living in Salem, the city with the most witches to be found in North America. Of course, some of them were too Gemini's which made it impossible for me to stay there. Because then they would've found out about me for sure. I had been devastated, cried a lot and became a danger for my own parents as I used my powers against them. But all of this had changed after I got used to my new life in Chicago which I was now enjoying much.

Minutes of quietness followed while I was waiting for further explanations. But mother kept looking straight out of the window. It seemed like she didn't even want to talk about it at all - though we both knew she had to.

"What do I need to know?" I asked as mother still hadn't said anything. She needed to go so I would be alone and could try to figure out a way to sneak out tonight since I still had no clue how to do that.

Mother let out a sigh, finally turning around to me. A worried expression flashed in her eyes even though it only lasted a few seconds. Then a sympathetic smile spread across her face which was soon replaced by a serious look. Probably she didn't know what she should think about this something. Putting her hand on my shoulder, she gave it a light squeeze, closing her eyes before opening them again to look at me.

"Joshua knows."

Those two words alone were enough to send me in a state of shock and disbelief. It was impossible. If Joshua knew, it would only be a matter of time until I'd find myself trapped inside a Prison World. Or worse.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, grabbing the headboard so tight my knuckles turned white.

"Well, your father and I are not entirely sure, but we do think he has a premonition. He knows we're hiding something; he just doesn't know what it is yet. And therefore he doesn't have any proof... yet. So please, promise me you won't do anything stupid or impetuous." Mother continued after she realized how much her words had affected me.

Slowly I nodded, relaxing my grip and feeling a lump built in my throat. Now it would be even more dangerous to meet up with Malachai, but it had simultaneously become more important, too. Maybe my first thoughts had been right, and he had given his father some hints. Maybe he had hoped that they would change their attitude towards him if he revealed another siphoner. Anyway, I needed to figure out if he had something to do with it - now more than ever. Or maybe he could help me. After all, he could understand what I was better than my family even.

Mother had smiled at me before she stood up to leave me alone for the night. She wished me a good night as she closed the door behind me while I stayed on the bed, engaged in my own thought. The next days I needed to be extra careful not to attract too much attention. Perhaps it would even be better if I just stayed here in my room and wouldn't come back to the Parker's house. But then Joshua would definitely know something was up.

Letting out a sigh, I rubbed my temple with two fingers. All of this would not gonna stop me from doing whatever I wanted to. I couldn't let injustice win; I couldn't stop living my life just because there was a chance she might end up in a Prison World. It's not like this danger hadn't been omnipresent her entire life anyway. Not even one day passed by without thinking if today were the day my secret would be revealed.

With a look at the clock, I suddenly got up. 10:30 PM and I still hadn't come up with an idea how to get away. Although it was nearly time to go now. Screw it, I thought, picking up a jacket from the coat hook and putting it on. I had decided just to go, not caring about anything or anyone. It was the only way by which I would make it in time.

As quietly and casually as possible I made my way down the hall towards the elevator. My room was on the fifths floor, and I didn't want to take the stairs because the elevator was a bit faster. For a quick moment I thought about cloaking myself, but then it hit me that I would need to explain to my parents why I had used my magic once again in a span of a night. And this time I couldn't come up with something they would believe or approve.

I stepped outside the building, immediately being enveloped by gloom. Thanks to my memory I easily remembered the way we had come. It would take my directly to the coven's headquarter, and from there I could walk into the forest to try to find the well Malachai had meant.

Malachai POV

Malachai had arrived early in the woods, sitting down with his back leaning against the cold stones of the well and waiting there for Calliope to come. He was sitting there in utter darkness - although he had brought a flashlight - as he preferred being hidden. This way it was easier to hear someone coming before they would see him sitting there and he had a chance to use magic. Right before he had gone, he had sneaked into his father's office where he hid some magical artifacts. Malachai had siphoned a bit to have some magic in case of an emergency - or just for fun, depending on what would happen.

He had lost the feeling of time and didn't know how long he was waiting already, but in his opinion, Calliope should finally arrive. He was persuaded that she would show up here sooner or later. Of course, rather sooner than later.

Malachai closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of the night; the distant hoots of an owl, the chilly breeze rustling the trees' leaves. A yawn escaped his mouth as it felt like hours had already been passing by. Hours in which Calliope still hadn't appeared.

All of a sudden there was a different sound. Footsteps of a person who was slowly making its way towards him. Again, Malachai opened his eyes and stood up, sure it would finally be the one person he was expecting. And indeed, there she was. She had put her brown locks in a ponytail, revealing more of her face and not hiding behind some strands of hair. Malachai couldn't explain why but as soon as he saw her his breath got caught in his throat. Her face was enlightened by the moonlight, giving her eyes some sort of sparkles that weren't there earlier today.

"Hi." She greeted with coyness shining through. Nevertheless, she gave him a small smile as he just kept staring at her, unable to form any words. It was like he had completely forgotten how to speak. "Umm, Malachai?" He still hadn't said something, and now he could see a little worry in her eyes. Maybe it was because he even forgot to blink.

Clearing her throat finally brought him back to reality. Malachai had blinked a few times before he answered her. "I'm sorry, but you look really pretty." He let out a laugh, seeing how her cheeks reddened. But the laughter quickly petered out, and his blue eyes seemed to darken with some kind of sadness. "By the way, call me Kai. I don't like to be called Malachai."

She nodded as they now stood there in awkward silence. At least until Malachai made a move, sitting down at his old place again. He gestured next to him, meaning for Calliope to take a seat there. Their arms lightly touched, his fingers instantly brushing against her hand, feeling her soft skin. He had expected her to slap his hand away, but she didn't. So he continued his actions, the corners of his mouth lightly twitching into a smile.

"So... why did you want to meet me here?" Calliope blurted, making Malachai turn his head towards her. He knew she had come here to get some answers, but he didn't really know why he had wanted to meet her here at the first place.

"I don't know." He answered honestly. Probably because of the effect you have on me, he added in his mind. Indeed, it was a mesmerizing effect she had on him which was possibly the main reason she wanted to get to know her. Furthermore, he wanted to show her she was not alone, there were others who struggled with the same problems she did.

Earlier today Malachai had finally figured out why he couldn't feel her magic the second time he had siphoned her. It was since there was no magic at all because she was a siphoner like him. After all these years full of hatred, he had finally found someone who would understand him and not despise him just because he was different. Someone who would understand him and the things he was doing.

Calliope raised a brow, a confused expression on her face. "You... don't know? This doesn't make sense. There needs to be a reason why you wanted me to come here. At night I might add."

She didn't believe him. Of course, she didn't. No one ever believed him so why should she be an exception?

"Anyway." Calliope turned her head to the side to face Malachai. Right now he was staring at nothing concrete, just being somewhere else with his mind. "Since you can't remember why you wanted to meet me, there's actually something I want to know... - Kai?"

All of a sudden he became tense like he was seeing or sensing something behind the trees. Tightly he grabbed Calliope's hand as he mumbled a spell, not hearable for her ears. He dragged her with him, standing up and ran away. Now and then he was looking behind as if he feared someone would follow them.

Calliope had tried to say something but Malachai had been shaking his head. He wanted her to keep quiet, not wanted her to give up their exact position. Unsure of the way, he wanted to protect her from had he had seen since it would mean danger for both of them.

When Malachai stopped and let go of her, he noticed her breathing had become shallow, and a thin line of sweat had built on her forehead. She was staring at him, only then realizing the anger he had tried to suppress still flashing in his eyes.

"Sorry." He muttered, closing his eyes for a second.

Meanwhile, Calliope rubbed her wrists as his tight grip had left some red imprints which were now hurting a bit. She nodded, leaning her back against a nearby tree while Malachai was wandering around. He had led them deeper into the woods where the trees had become denser, and it had somehow gotten even darker and colder.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that she had wrapped her arms around herself, lightly rubbing her skin in an attempt to warm herself up a little. He was watching her now, waiting for her to snap at him because of what he did. But instead, she raised her head to meet his blue eyes, a small smile spreading across her lips.

"Thanks." She said, gratefully.

Now it was Malachai's part to be confused. He didn't tell her why he had dragged her away and yet she was thankful to him? It was still possible there hadn't been a real reason behind it at all. But there was one.

Without her asking, he started to explain to her what happened. He had sensed his father's magic nearby; he hadn't been too far away from them, watching them from a safe distance probably. Malachai didn't want to be exposed, and since he had hoped he hadn't already seen them sitting there, he had used a cloaking spell and ran away with Calliope, fleeing from his father's eyes. Sure that as soon as he would find out about their little meeting, something was about to happen, and they weren't able to meet again. Since Joshua would make sure his son would suffer.

"So, now you're my knight in shining armor as you practically saved my life?" Calliope teased him, trying to stifle her laugh. It didn't work as both laughed loudly. If they would be seen now no one would even think that just moments before they were running for their lives.

They sat down on the grass together, only inches between them. With a yawn, Calliope rested her head on Malachai's shoulder, and she closed her eyes for a moment. Meanwhile, his arm had found its way around her as he placed his hand on her hip, pulling her closer towards him. Automatically, Calliope began to trace invisible patterns on his thigh with her fingertips.

"What did you want to ask me before?" Malachai asked, rubbing his hand up and down her arm and feeling the goosebumps on her skin. She was cold, so now he was trying to warm her up a bit.

Calliope stopped her movements, thinking about an answer. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"It doesn't matter anymore." She explained with a smile, continuing her action as they both fell back into quietness. This time it wasn't an awkward silence but an enjoyable one.

Malachai didn't mind it. He liked staying there with her as it awoke something deep inside him he hadn't felt in years. A warmth that spread inside of him, suffusing him with joy and happiness. All of this accompanied by a strange feeling in his stomach in his fast beating heart. They didn't know each other for long, but he still felt a connection towards her that felt like they knew each other for years already. It just seemed like she was a long-lost missing part of him that had finally come back.

Another yawn escaped Calliope mouth, which - of course - didn't go unnoticed by Malachai.

"Do you want to go?" He asked, playfully poking her arm, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Yes... no. I don't know." Calliope responded with a shrug, not sure what she really wanted. Malachai could understand her. On the one hand, he was tired too and wished nothing more than to be in his bed, but on the other hand, he didn't want to leave her as tomorrow they would have to behave as nothing had happened between them. Like they were total strangers who didn't just spent a night together in a forest.

Malachai chuckled, an idea popping up in his head. "Or we could just stay here. We're both witches - sort of - and can protect ourselves."

"I know. But it's probably better to go. I have no idea when my parents will wake up, and before we go to your house again tomorrow, I at least need a few hours of sleep." Calliope explained, yawning again. The gap between each one had become smaller, and tears had built in her eyes.

They both got up, intertwining their fingers out of reflex. Somehow they both constantly craved the touch of the other, not even being sure of the reason behind it. Slowly they walk side by side, without saying a word because they both didn't really know what to talk about. And because they liked they silence in which they were just around each other, with no need to care about anything else.

Only now they discerned how deep they had actually run into the woods. It took them some minutes until they reached the forest edge, leaving the dense trees behind. Still holding hands, they walked towards Malachai's home.

"I've got to go in a different direction." Calliope suddenly informed as they reached a crossroad. One road was leading directly towards the front door of his home while the other led into the city.

Malachai spun her around, so they were facing each other. He fought the urge to pull her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her and feeling her body firmly pressed against his. Instead, he took a step back and waited for her to make a move or say something. But she didn't do anything, she just looked eyes with him, smiling, savoring the moment for as long as possible.

"Well... thanks for actually coming here tonight." Malachai interrupted the quiet. "To be honest, I didn't really think you'd do it. My sister probably told you to stay away from me."

His last words had a bitter taste as they matched the truth. But Calliope tried not to let show that he was right, though he still saw it.

Moving a step towards him she hooked her arms around his neck, placing her head in the crook of his neck and breathing in his scent. Malachai absently started stroking her hair with one hand while the other found its place on her hips. He could feel her warm breath on his skin which was sending shivers down his spine.

Too early - in his opinion - she let go of him, taking a stride back.

"Good night, Kai." She smiled at him, having a little spark in her eyes that definitely hadn't been there before. Malachai said goodbye to her, watching her walk away while he stood still, not even moving an inch. He planned on waiting for her to disappear out of his field of vision before he would walk into his home.

"Kai?"

One more time she turned around towards him, a different expression on her face. She seemed weaker, afraid. At that moment Malachai wanted nothing more than to pull her back towards him but he knew she wouldn't want him to. The time had come for both of them to go to sleep.

"I fear your father." Her words were nothing more than a whisper, though Malachai still understood her. Before he could even say anything more, she walked away from him quickly, disappearing into the night. A sympathetic smile appeared on his face as he tried to see her silhouette for as long as possible. Only when she was truly out of sight, he sighed quietly.

"I do too."