Chapter Sixteen: The Lethal Leak
"He's not lying, Irma. It was probably a glamour spell! Vance didn't do it, actually, he has no idea what's going on and you're kicking your own ass with these impulsive actions."- Hay Lin lowered her voice, even more, looking over at her friend both rebuking and concerned.
"A glamour, right. How didn't I think of that."- Irma huffed and sat back in her chair. "So, I not only broke a Duralex glass in my boo's head, I dragged him all the way here while unconscious, for questioning, over someone's glamour spell."- she summed up with sarcastic bitterness. "Amazing."
"You have to be more careful."- Hay Lin said. "You could've killed him...that's a tough glass to break."
"Expensive shit. What else do you expect from the Hales' household goods?"
"What are you going to tell Vance now?"- Hay Lin bit her lip.
"I was kinda hoping to borrow one of your grandmother's short-term forgetting potions, you know. The type she used on your grandpa once and on Eric's bitchy mom last year..."
Hay Lin paled at that. They were at the Dragon, which was back to business for quite some time now after the second floor was renovated. Entirely...
Just remembering the price that erasing someone's memory had cost her and Yan Lin made Hay Lin shiver.
Well, it had been Yan Lin both of the times but it never ended well. These potions did more damage than they were of help.
Magic came with a price, especially this type of purely personal gain one.
"If we can even find one."- the Air guardian muttered. "Remember how that guy from the Eye made our home place explode? We lost most of our belongings because of that... Thank God our memories are digitalized nowadays..."
"Shit."- Irma gasped. She had almost entirely forgotten about that disaster.
She had been in a terrible state back then anyway, just having discovered Martin's dark secret...
"What am I going to do, for real? I gave Vance Michael a terrible concussion and then dragged him here to ask him a bunch of weird-ass questions against his will. He thinks I'm a fucking psycho..."
And Irma hid her tense face in her palms.
Hay Lin thought about it fervently. How could she make this easier on her friend?
Vance was sleeping up in the Lin residence, a bag of ice on his head. And yes, after how they had cornered him, he surely had a low opinion of them now. To say the least. She wouldn't be surprised if he reported them to the police either...
"I have to go. To Kandrakar, they have to help me with this one."- Irma stood up abruptly. "I'll ask Halinor to send me a portal. Yeah, that will have to do-"
"Whoever glamoured into Vance knew how to throw you off."- Hay Lin's sudden cogitation made her halt her step. "A little too skillfully if you ask me."
She turned around to look at her eyes:
"Huh...well, yeah, the Eye of God. They have magic users working for them, remember? They might already know that me and Vance date, I mean it's not like we've kept our relationship very private-"
"Think about it, Irma."- Hay Lin went on. "Could it be the Eye of God and their attempt to get to us? Yes, sure, but isn't this oddly specific?"
Irma blinked a few times. The Air guardian's words made her insides twirl in tension.
"I mean...I suppose but who else benefits from taking Mara and throwing me off with a Vance glamour?"
"I don't know."- Hay Lin admitted. "I just have this feeling...After the WICCA boys? After William double-crossed Will? After Martin turned out to have been a spy...I don't think we can fully trust anyone anymore, and that's just daunting."
The Latina nodded forlornly. Because the other woman was right. Because that was exactly why she hadn't thought twice before knocking her romantic interest out.
She had been desperate to forestall his next betrayal which she had expected exactly due to everything that had happened to her and the girls in recent times.
Having to gatekeep something as immaculate and secret as being guardians of Kandrakar had never been easy but now all of them were leery victims of all the snakes that turned out to have surrounded them for a long time.
Trust no one.
Had life really gotten to that?
"I have to get to the bottom of this, Hay-Hay. I owe it to myself and to Mara. I'll see you later."
Irma grabbed her bag and swiftly headed for the doors.
"Wait, what about VMJ?"- Hay Lin yelled after her.
"Tell him to wait for me at home! Tell him I'll explain!"
Hay Lin wanted to argue about that but Irma was already gone.
She sighed and picked up the empty glasses from the table. She didn't love the idea but she had started it by opening her mouth. Hay Lin didn't regret it though, because she had to get these words off her chest and Irma had already been subconsciously aware of the point they made.
They had to be careful and discern every possible traitorous element before it was too late.
If Irma was on to something, supporting her by all means necessary was exactly what Hay Lin would do.
"No, no, no! Not there! These shrubs need to be centered more. Do the same with the lights, please. No, it's not a memorial, it's a get-together! Just follow the plan I emailed you. Here, I have more printed copies here."
For the umpteenth time that day, Cornelia felt the urge to just send the decorators away and do everything as it should be done with her telekinesis. But given how overwrought she was, she'd probably yank everything too hard and break it down; precise telekinesis required a zen mind, something she couldn't boast about right now.
So, instead, she took a deep breath and continued supervising the decorating team.
The entire neighborhood had to be prepared for Fields Birth get-together but the main location that would house the massive celebration would be her large backyard.
It was annoying enough that people constantly bugged her with questions about the fire from two weeks ago and how they had been targeted by Richard Fragenson over Caleb's inheritance. She hadn't needed for the police to swing by earlier today, right in front of a hoard of curious suburban moms.
Right now, when she was planning the event of the year in this neighborhood. When she was under so much stress. Her ancestors' name, her family's reputation on the map with some of her snobby neighbors looking for just about any felicitous moment to defame her.
Cornelia frowned to herself. That was a little too similar to Nerissa's reasoning as to why she had taken matters into her own hands so ruthlessly after the faculty fundraiser.
Cornelia hated having to admit it but they did think alike on too many matters. They were too similar nowadays, even if so different at the same time, and that made her uneasy sometimes. Many people pointed it out too. For the most part, the Earth guardian preferred ignoring these alarming thoughts.
The police came to check on the house again even though they supposedly had enough evidence to incriminate Richard from day one. The fact that the house was intact had to be what made their brows jump up, Cornelia knew and was biased. She was grateful that her home didn't suffer the damaging fire because of Nerissa's magic but at the same time, she was well aware that didn't stand perfectly with the authorities and it irked her. No matter how much she tried to assure them that the situation had been handled by her in-laws and the excellent anti-fire system forthwith.
It was too perfectly executed and people weren't keen on trusting something so superficial. Something so Nerissa-perfect. People liked to see flaws in order to be more amicable nowadays, in everything, Cornelia wasn't a fan of it but it was how it was. It wasn't the early 2000s anymore.
Well, they liked flaws but not in someone's freshly started social life career, that was for sure! The last thing she needed was to be stigmatized by a bunch of boomers due to failing to provide a great get-together.
So, indeed, everything had to be on a certain level.
A perfect level.
"Wow, did you have the entire neighborhood decorated?"
The blonde turned around just in time to see Taranee coming through the back door. She wore casual high-waisted summer boho print pants and a similar top. Her hair was also changed.
The last time Cornelia had seen her, about two weeks ago, her hair had been braided, most definitely in Taranee's favorite black-owned saloon.
Now it was highlighted and straightened out, reaching her breast with just a single tight braid holding the upper section of the hair and pulling it back.
"Hey, Tara! Looking amazing! Yeah...don't ask. I've been at it forever."
Cornelia gave her a big hug.
"Ah, thank you, Cornelia, you're gorgeous as always!"
"When did you come back?"
"Just this morning."- Taranee replied. "I was going to take you and the girls out to lunch but they're all busy, so we'll take a raincheck on that. But Hay Lin said you were at home anyway, and I thought why not come have lunch together if you'll have me."
"Totally, I think Deja's making sushi and edamame."- Cornelia smiled at her friend. "Bear with me for a while and we'll go eat, I have to supervise this part of the yard, and then it has to be ready."
"Sure."
Taranee had spent the last two weeks in Germany, attending a bunch of seminars and top-notch lawyer trainings to add to her already impressive resume.
Even though she had graduated from Heatherfield Community College like the rest of her friends, she had done classes in universities all around the world; mostly online. She had traveled a lot too.
Just like when she was a student, she was diligent and very pragmatic and never missed an opportunity to enrich her knowledge. She had gone through law school and had also passed a notary exam in record time. Taranee truly was a hard worker and a professional in everything she put her energy into.
For the most part, she managed, even with all the crazy supernatural drama she and her friends constantly had to deal with.
"Wait, you're a faculty member now? Of Heatherfield College?"- Cornelia exclaimed, a few minutes into their conversation. "Jeez, Taranee, when do you even have time for all these things."
"I know, I know but this is not too committing! And when Matt vouched for me, I couldn't decline the offer!"- the other woman defended. "You see, Sheffield and the College are tight-knit, run by the same groups of people for the most part. The PTA has a lot to say..."
"I know, that's why they changed the name so many times."- Cornelia rolled her eyes. "Heatherfield Community College, Sheffield Community College, blah-blah,"
"Oh, yeah, spoiler alert, they're thinking of changing it again. To Heatherfield-U or just Heather-U."- Taranee rolled her eyes as well. It was a bit silly. "They think that a more memorable name is needed now that the college is gaining more fame in the state league-"
Cornelia gasped indignantly.
"Shut up! So, they think that removing the name of the founders of this city makes it more memorable? Hello! Fields Birth get-together, am I doing this event for nothing? They can't remove the name; it makes zero sense! Besides, wasn't the area like, literally a bunch of heather fields before it was founded and urbanized?"
"You're right."- Taranee chuckled. "I don't know, they're going crazy over the revamping they're doing because of state league-"
"Venal much. So, are you going to teach or-"
"I am going to have a few lectures a month, it's not that serious."- Taranee quickly said, pretending she didn't notice Cornelia's taunting 'yeah right' look. "It's mostly administration stuff. There were many things that weren't exactly first-rate while we were still studying, If I can do something to ameliorate the situation for the current and future students, I'd give my best."
Cornelia nodded. Taranee was always altruistic unlike her. They had seated themselves on one garden couch near the pool so that she could still keep an eye on the decorators but rest up as well. She had been standing on her feet all day.
"Oh, by the way, why did your sister drop out? Did she decide to study elsewhere after all, what did I miss?"- Taranee then asked.
Cornelia turned to her, absolutely floored:
"What?!"
"Well, I was getting acquainted with the groups that I'll be lecturing and I saw that she dropped out. "- Taranee exclaimed, pushing her glasses back. "Lillian's no longer a student at the college."
Traveling so frequently to Earth was something Elyon hadn't really done in years.
Now, she came and went back as she pleased, and it felt good. With the twelve passageways all around Heatherfield, it wasn't different; she still had the birth power to work them, just like with opening portals or folds.
It wasn't that. It was her demanding more independence from her court that had babied her for years. It was her growing up? Yeah, probably.
It was her becoming a widow with a lot of time she refused to spend in loneliness again too.
Andan... even if nearly nothing between them had been as she had dreamed it would with her husband, she had loved him. He had been there for her. Made her stand on her feet, collect herself and keep fighting so many times. He had helped her believe in herself. She was actually beholden.
Disloyal and egoistical as he might have been at times, underneath it all, he had loved her in his own way.
And she was never going to regret what they had, even if it had started as an unwanted arranged marriage that had ended with her husband choosing death over life because of his own inner unfulfillment and past wrongs.
There was love. And love was never in vain. And Elyon knew she'd miss Andan for the rest of her life.
She wasn't here to wallow in memories and sadness, however. She was here to do a personal check on her ex-tyrant brother, who was living in Heatherfield now. On probation with Will. It was an...interesting situation to say the least. Something that had initially sparked Elyon's hope. Hope she would always feel for her brother and any possible chance he had at changing for the better, even slightly.
If he could be just a tad more like a normal person...he was her family, after all. She chased these thoughts away. It wasn't what she wanted to talk about. She hadn't been getting regular updates regarding him in a few days. That combined with something he had somewhat confessed to her back at Avani's funeral made her take action.
It was crucial she didn't allow herself be thrown off by her brother again. Not this time. This time she had to be ahead of him because this time her friends' personal love lives were concerned and that was one of the few things the aggravation of which Elyon hadn't been responsible so far, and she wanted to keep it that way.
"OMG! Elyon? Is that you?"- a familiar voice reached her ears.
"Wow, fancy meeting you here. You look awful!"
"We thought you were living in Canada with your husband? Are you visiting?"
"Or did you two not make it past the honeymoon stage?"
Elyon turned around to face the two women who had stopped her on the street, slightly perplexed, before they could fire even more questions.
Seeing their faces she knew exactly what this was about and what she had to do.
Courtney and Bess Grumper were the same as they had always been. Gossip-hungry, mediocre and intrusive. Courtney was tall, skinny, and hunched over. Bess was as tall as Elyon only quite plumper. They both sported ghastly combined designer clothes that didn't really do them justice. Both had visible extensions in their hair that obviously hadn't been done correctly.
Cinderella's ugly stepsisters.
How had they spotted her and stopped her right now was beyond Elyon but she sighed and replied simply:
"My husband succumbed to an illness. Unfortunately, he's no more. I'm not back to Heatherfield for good but I definitely find myself traveling this way more often."- she went on, watching the indecorous smiles leave the Grumpers' faces at the blunt confession from her side. "You know, to seek my friends' comfort and company."
If one didn't truly know Bess and Courtney, one would assume that being hostile and reserved with them, after so many years, was just petty. But Elyon knew them well enough to know better.
The twin sisters were just vultures that had fed off people's conflicts and hardships for years. They didn't know moral boundaries. They didn't know how to be good journalists, despite striving to be famous through what they did best - gossip.
And the fact that they now had a rather successful web show and a page dedicated to gossip? It certainly didn't make them more trustworthy.
"You can write a post about that if you'd like."- Elyon shrugged. "Just, you know; make sure you don't write that I've died instead. Again."
Yes, they had done that already. They had written on their shitty page Elyon was dead and hence never came to visit Heatherfield and her friends, a few years back.
"Oh, come on, Ely, when we didn't see you following Cornelia Hale anymore, we got worried."- Bess began with fake sympathy.
"Besides, why do you have zero socials? Are you in witness protection or something?"
Elyon sighed and kept walking but the two Grumpers were persistent and walked after her again. They were nearing a bigger street where she'd have to wait more to cross to the next sidewalk. Great.
Thankfully, a car stopped nearby just on time; the window rolled down to reveal Taranee and Irma, who was driving. Apparently, they had spotted their friend at the curb and were here to lend a hand.
"Oh, hi, girls!"- Elyon greeted cheerfully.
"Elyon, what are you doing here? Hop right in."- Irma exclaimed, giving the twins the stink eye. "No need to listen to, let alone feed those gees over there any crumbs for their so-called stories."
"Oh, shut it, Lair."- Bess snapped. "Surely no one can be as material-providing as you and your fling with VMJ? Or is it over? I heard you've been seen with Martin's mother, is there some big scandal you're part of with your boyfriends and all that?"
"Care to make a comment about it?"- Courtney added deviously.
"We don't want you accusing us of bending the truth afterward, since you're not caring to make a statement."- Bess almost giggled as she and her sister exchanged evil looks.
Irma just growled as she waited for Elyon to seat herself in the backseat. She didn't have time for these two today.
Taranee wasn't impressed, she just looked at them with unadulterated annoyance. She knew Irma and the Grumpers had it out for each other since middle school.
"Come on, Irma, you can finally tell us what happened to Martin?"- the Grumpers followed the car to the nearest traffic light. And because of the cars up front forming a waiting line, they just had to wait.
"Martin Loser Tubbs!"
"Write a line about it, I dare you."- Irma barked at them. "And I'll have Taranee here sue your pasty freckled asses for all they're worth! She just got back from bad bitch lawyer training, btw-"
"Ignore it and get ready to drive off, Irma, and don't talk to low-intelligence, crude acquaintances."- Taranee remarked, not even bothering to lay her eyes on the Grumpers who walked after their car.
The twins focused their attention and spite on her but couldn't finish it, because the light finally turned green and Irma finally left them behind.
"Kiss my ass, bitches!"
"I told you not to answer them at all. They just want confrontation and attention."- Taranee pointed out.
"I'll confront them with my fists! What are they doing near Cedric's old bookshop anyway, I thought they moved to the outskirts? Dumb bi-."
"God, they haven't changed, have they."- Elyon commented from the back seat. "Sorry, girls, if you hadn't stopped for me-"
"No, we couldn't let you hang like that with them following you like hyenas, babe."
"What are you doing here today, Elyon?"- Taranee asked. "Coming to check on Phobos?"
"And Will."- Elyon nodded. "I haven't heard from them in a while. Is everything OK? I haven't even talked to Caleb these days; he hasn't come to Meridian. How are things around here?"
"To be honest, Elyon, we're not really sure."- Taranee replied. "We've all been wrapped up in our personal lives lately. Nothing much has happened. And the Eye have been quiet since...since Benevolence Day."
Elyon looked down at her feet dismally. The day they had killed her niece, Avani. After that, they had chosen to be silent.
"They probably have Martin and Mara too."- Irma snorted. "Or not. I'm working on it."
Elyon was taken aback.
"What?!"
"I'm working on preventing them from going out like Avani. Wish me luck."
Taranee shook her head at her friend's deadly sarcasm and turned around to meet Elyon's concerned gray orbs.
They both knew Irma was trying to make the dreadful situation with the Tubbs' disappearance appear less horrifying for herself. And they could understand her.
"And Will shut us all out, I think."- the Fire guardian added. "I guess she likes her new living situation and is too busy enjoying it."- she added a little bitterly. "And so, we left her to it. Everything's been so crazy ever since she revealed the truth about her and Phobos' so-called bond."
Elyon's entire body stiffened in distress at that.
"She hasn't been the same ever since she's back from Beta-Meridian."- Irma agreed with a frown. "And we can't torture her and ourselves anymore, I mean, unless we can just break it somehow, which is looking more and more impossible with every next day... We've just let it be."
"It's beyond the pale if you ask me. She and Matt will have to just figure a way for this to work...with Phobos being her soulmate or whatever...it's just a freakshow at this point."
"But..."- Elyon hesitated.
Make it work with Phobos and Matt? Why were Taranee and Irma so reconciling, like this wasn't new to them?
"Yeah, I guess they'll have to be a trouple."- Irma remarked casually as if having read her thoughts.
Elyon blenched.
"And you're all...fine with that?"- she didn't understand. "I mean, after everything, having Phobos around can't sit well with anyone-"
"No, we're not fine with it but since we obviously can't separate them, kill him, imprison him without it affecting Will gravely, what can we do except wait and...well wait?'- Taranee shook her head. "It was proven many times, that separating them only makes her go berserk and I don't want to watch our friend in such a state for the rest of our lives. I've read so much about this astral sidereal bond, it can seriously fuck you up. Nigel's mom has a similar chronic mental condition, without medication she has violent episodes, panic attacks, and constant depression... just imagining Will struggling like her makes me nauseous. And what if it's not even like that, what if instead she gets corrupted by pure darkness as a result?"
"Yeah, we've all thought of it like that, let's be real. It's like Nerissa and the Heart of Kandrakar, 50 years later. Second Season."- Irma looked back at the straw blonde.
They were parked in front of Matt's building now, talking. The two guardians observed the Queen's anxious, pensive reactions closely.
"Have you thought about it, Elyon?"- the water witch asked her. "About Phobos and Will..."
"I think about it all the time."- the Queen said in a low voice, shaking her head to herself. Lately, she had been fearing what could happen next even more.
"I keep hoping that it...that it can make Phobos a more decent human being, despite all his past evil. But at the same time, I don't want this to disrupt Will's life and it does."
"It definitely does."- Taranee agreed grimly.
"And Will might deny it, she might say that all this doesn't make her look at Phobos with goo goo eyes."- Irma kept going. "But he? Will's a whole entire package, she's pretty, she's smart, she's destined to be powerful; Princy might be a lot of things but immune to female influence he is not. We've already seen that with his previous love interests. It's just a matter of time before he gets the hots for her."
Elyon gulped. Yes. That might have already happened...
"We've been suspicious ever since they came back. That something. Something more between them found its beginning because of the circumstances, because of the bond."- Taranee said. "Something more than the bond itself."
Elyon felt nauseous. Had everyone had their suspicions about her brother and Will? Everyone except her...Why had she been so foolish yet again, foolish enough to not even consider the possibility before Avani's funeral...
No, she had to talk to Will about this all. She had to talk to her alone and in person.
"I hope that it's not true. An actual attraction leading to an affair between Will and Phobos might be...deadly."-she was out of the car. "I'm sorry, I need to go check on them faster and be back to Meridian."- she quickly added. "Queen duties. See you girls later, OK? Bye! And thanks for the ride."
"Bye..."
The two guardians followed her with their eyes as she was entering the building.
"Did you see how she became tense? She's definitely keeping something from us. I knew it!"- Irma hit the steering wheel angrily. "I fucking knew it when I saw her gloomy ass strolling the streets again."
"Give her a break, Irma, she's been through a lot."- Taranee reasoned strictly, trying to cut their friend some slack even though Irma's next words made perfect sense:
"Really, Tara, she's not the only one! Tell me why is she acting the same way she was acting back when she tried to cover for her freaking mother who was trying to literally expose us in front of the city? It's because she knows something and she didn't tell us despite all the chances we gave her."
Irma huffed and took a sip from her iced coffee which they had bought earlier.
"It's official, she's on my black list again. If I'm right and it turns out she's purposely protecting her damned brother..."
"OK, even if she is, even if Phobos told her he wants Will for himself."- Taranee interrupted. She couldn't believe what they were discussing after so many years. Will and Phobos in the same sentence. It still boggled her mind. "Not telling us is not the end of the world, I am guessing she would want to test the waters herself, maybe talk to Will? I don't believe that Elyon planned for her brother and Will to become an item from the minute she got to know about their sidereal bond. This is Elyon, after all! She's not cunning or collective!"
Irma bit the inside of her cheek. That was true. It was very unlikely. She didn't even know why she wanted to bash Elyon this time. They all knew that Will and Phobos were on the road to becoming something more. Something no one wanted. Something they had to halt but how...
"You're right."- the water-witch murmured and reversed the car. "Elyon's not the answer. But there's something we're missing and I will find out just what."
"OK, Irma, let's talk about our BBQ night. But make some haste, I don't want to be late for set."
Anna Bannister-Lair said and sat at the table, the next morning when her daughter came by the house for coffee and a chat.
Irma made an amused face.
"Make some haste?"- she repeated, sarcastic. "Gee, are you still filming for "Wife Undercover" or have you secretly moved on to "Bridgerton"?"
"Oh, ha-ha."- her mother made a face in return.
"OK, recap, please."- Irma got to the point after a minute. "You had dinner with Chris and Lillian, then you-"
"- then I decided to bring you and Mara some food, so I got in the car and took off."- Anna continued. "I'm not sure what happened but it took me a really long time to get to the apartment Cornelia provided you with. Longer than it was supposed to. When I got there over twenty minutes later, nobody opened, it was empty. I didn't know that you were out."
Irma's heart skipped a beat. So, her mother had been slowed down by magic.
This meant that whoever had done that had known she was going to the apartment and purposely slowed her down so as to have enough time to hijack Mara.
Could have someone from the Eye known that and acted out this fast? How could they? How could they know what Anna Lair was doing if they didn't have eyes in their house!?
"Irma."- her mother's voice took her out of her thoughts. "Why ask all this? Has something happened?"
Irma opened her mouth, unsure of what to say to that. Thankfully, Anna gave her the perfect response herself:
"Did you and Mara have a fight? Because of Vance? Surely, as Martin's mother, she can't be too pumped about it?"
"Yeah..."- the water-witch trailed. "Something like that. But don't worry, mom. Everything's going to be alright."
"So, that's why you're trying to get to the bottom of what happened, she just left that night while you were out, didn't she?"
Irma nodded.
Anna sighed and fixed her bangs with her fingers:
"Honey, maybe it's for the best. Her coming to live with you, even just temporary, was odd from the beginning. You and her son broke up. I get that she's worried he doesn't pick up his phone and everything, but he hasn't picked up on you either, has he? What's the point of her staying with you? You did all you could to try to reach Martin. Your father is also looking for him."- the older Latina deduced. "I think Mara gathered that herself and decided to just leave; don't torture yourself with too deep thoughts about it and focus on your life."
Irma frowned, regretting informing her parents about her breakup and Mara visiting in the first place. But Mara had gone to the police and her father first, so they'd have found out anyway.
Irma knew her mother just wanted the best for her and she was aware that given she didn't even know half of the truth about them and their magical lives, it was impossible for her to truly put herself in their shoes.
"I know that you're not telling me everything, honey."- Anna suddenly said, almost making her daughter jump.
"You and Martin were together for years. You loved each other a lot."- the older woman continued softly. "We weren't born last night. All of us realize that something serious happened for you and him to split up. But it's your life; you dad and I can only tell you what we think."
Irma exhaled deeply. For a moment there she had been on pins and needles with her mother's statement.
"Please, mom, you're exaggerating again. Isn't it enough of an explanation that we just grew apart? The relationship exhausted itself, it happens to the best of us."- Irma groaned but Anna shook her head.
"No, Irma. Not to you and Martin."
Irma clenched her jaw, annoyed at how good her mother knew her even though she had no actual idea about her guardian identity and life on the edge of protecting magic across the dimensions.
"Then what happened according to you?"
But Anna Bannister wasn't done with shocking her daughter today. She shrugged as if it was a simple matter, then put on a serious face and declared in her most matter-of-factual voice:
"According to me, it is possible Martin was part of those cyber-terrorists that have targeted Heatherfield. Maybe still is? Maybe you found out, had a fight about it, and maybe that's why he went into hiding; because he failed his mission! Wanting to protect himself and you, he fled; Mara didn't know, you didn't know what to tell her so what do you do? You take her in with you because your conscience just won't stop biting you. And now? I would say Martin found a way to explain some things to his mother and that's why she just packed and left. Or maybe something bad happened to the both of them, God forbid. But I like to remain optimistic. I do think that Martin's smart enough and whatever reason he had to involve himself with these people, he will find a way out."
For an entire minute, Irma didn't know what to say. This synopsis was accurate. Too accurate. More than she wanted to admit. Then she snapped out of it and scoffed:
"You and your soap opera theatrics, Anna Bannister! Enough with your cyber-terrorists, does dad know you're spreading that information all around town, huh? You're a cop's wife! Act like it, Jenny from the Block! OK, I'll leave you now, I have to meet up with someone."
It was official. Soap opera had taught the older Latina way too much and she was beginning to untangle the dramatic ways of her daughter's crazy life with too much ease.
"Irma, wait-"
" Byee, mom!"
Irma hurried out of the house and her mother just shook her head to herself, gathering her things and getting ready to head out too.
"Deny it all you want, I am sure that your breakup wasn't due to the romance dying."
Anna took a last look at herself in the mirror before going out through the front door. At the end of the day, she was just a parent who was concerned about her children all the time.
Especially for Irma now, after the end with Martin. She had liked Martin. And now Irma had jumped into another relationship and that with an idol from her teen years, a tad too fast for her mother's taste.
Anna didn't know Vance Michael Justin well enough yet but she knew that if he ever did anything to hurt her girl, he was going to wish he never met "Wife Undercover".
"Hey, Halinor, I'm late, is-"
"Welcome in, Irma, yes; don't worry, everything is done."
Irma smiled and walked inside the old palatial house.
Halinor smiled in response and closed the door after her. This was her home in Heatherfield where she seldom came.
By the looks of it, in recent times, she only came when someone had to be magically treated against his will.
Last year it was Tony Vandom and this year Vance Michael Justin.
Irma looked around herself curiously as she hadn't walked inside before, and then eyed the mature blonde expectantly; Halinor and her orange garbs looked worthy of an LA Wiccan convention. She was more vibrant than ever before ever since she was at the head of Kandrakar.
"I treated your boyfriend just the way you wanted. He's sleeping now but when he wakes up, he will not remember the incident. He will have some random idea that his brain makes up, about the time that has passed while he's been asleep. Meaning he will not find anything unusual in whatever you say to him and shall basically pick up from where he left off before he entered the apartment and saw you on the floor and before you, well knocked him out the other day."
"Thanks, Halinor, you're a lifesaver! And I promise, I will be more careful next time, I'm sorry I had you leave Kandrakar and go out of your way to fix what I caused..."
"No need to apologize, Irma, someone was messing with you."- Halinor replied. "Someone deliberately used your trauma over discovering what your previous boyfriend did behind your back and hid their lowly actions behind it, knowing you'd be quick to turn around and strike your new boyfriend out of fear and rooted distrust. As chairwoman of Kandrakar's new Council, I cannot ignore this and refuse to help you, of course, I'll help."
Irma nodded gratefully as the other woman offered her a hand. She reached out and Halinor took it, amicably rubbing it between her palms.
"That's why I like your Council much more than Himerish's. You actually do shit."
Halinor's expression seemed to turn pensive and somewhat nostalgic at that but she was quick to add:
"The Oracle did his best when he still could...there was a time when he wasn't like that. Unfortunately, time and circumstances changed everything and now he's... he's gone. Anyway. "- having caught Irma cocking an eyebrow in interest, the blonde was quick to change the topic before it got too complicated and confusing for her.
"We actually have finally recruited a seer too. I'm excited about it."
"Aw, really?"- Irma exclaimed. This was a big step in making Kandrakar more useful than ever. To them as guardians, at least. "That's awesome, maybe he will help detangle the Eye's web faster? He or she, they...they can do that, right? Predict things a little more accurately and not just give vague shit-"
"Yes, I believe that a more precise prognosis will be given."- Halinor near chuckled at that. "But all in its right time. Right now, you have to take your boyfriend and teletransport back home. But one more thing before that."
The former Fire guardian extended her hand again but this time a powerful essence came out of it. Irma, who was on the receiving end, felt it go into her like water, greeting her like an old friend and flooding her entire body with new mystic energy.
"What the-"
Irma gawked as the new essence made her levitate.
"This is a new power. Something your Aurameere wanted you to have."- Halinor explained. "I do not know why now or how, but your element and all its aides want you to have this; it's a heightened version of your power to see past events in the water, I guess you could say. Events that have transpired around the water in question... well, this power is a little bit different. It can help you feel the thoughts that have been cogitated around water."
Halinor's words echoed in her ears as she synced with her new power. Her feet were on the floor again but she still couldn't open her eyes. Irma was a little overwhelmed by this but in a good way.
She felt stronger and wiser, and she felt like very soon, this new power would come in handy.
"Water has the unique ability to store words. Thoughts. It has incredible memory and power to change under the influence of these words, thoughts, and moods that have been felt around it...and now you will benefit from that, being able to sense truths like never before!"
"That's amazing...and scary. And amazing!"- Irma exclaimed.
Halinor had helped her to a chair because she was still a little dizzy after the new power had entered her body.
"My Aurameere wanted me to have it? Why now, it can't be for no reason?"
"I doubt it."- Halinor agreed. "There always is a reason. Especially when our elements send us a message. You might need this power sooner or later."
Irma nodded. She had already figured that out but she wanted to double-check with the more experienced guardian.
A brief silence followed but since Irma was feeling better already and naturally didn't like to be silent, she opened up a new conversation. A conversation that would turn out to be key to what was to follow...
"Soo, how exactly did you alter Vance's memory? Kandrakar magic? Is it the same you used on the WICCA boys."
"It can be called Kandrakar magic, I suppose, yes. From the vaults..."- Halinor nodded but then frowned ever so slightly.
Irma was too busy staring at her face. It looked so air-brushed ever since she was hooked to even more power, even her frown lines didn't define. Nerissa was definitely better at making magic sustain her youthful looks, the water witch decided. Halinor looked great but she was like an overly-face tunned selfie up-close...
"We didn't get to treat the boys from WICCA because Lillian wanted to do it herself. I couldn't deny her the right, Earth is her realm, connected to her magic, after all. Didn't she tell you?"
"No...she didn't...she... Lillian..."
Irma stood up. She suddenly had a grave feeling gnawing her. Halinor seemed to notice her distress because she tried to allay her:
"I am sure that it must have slipped her mind, do not take this at heart. Take your boyfriend and go have some peace and quiet together. It's been a long couple of days for you. Your nerves must be wrecked."
Irma walked to the room where Vance was still sleeping, her thoughts a literal mess.
Her sudden disquiet was prominent. Scenes from over the last months, moments she had obviously disregarded back then now came back. Loud and clear.
Cornelia complaining about her sister back when they spent time in the Coronian palace last fall. Nobody really paid attention to that; For years, Cornelia bitched about her little sister and vice versa. They fought all the time. But something she had said during a trek around the palace back then suddenly resurfaced in the Latina's mind.
"I just hate how smug she's become! I don't want her to end up in trouble because of it!"
And she had been smug. Very smug. Lillian had changed drastically over the last almost two years now, ever since she was aware of who she was. The Heart of Earth.
Irma touched Vance's ankle and bid her goodbyes with Halinor, teletransporing away, but her brain kept working in the same direction.
A clear memory of a fight from Wixy's Birthday party on Simueltech grounds was next to follow.
"Hey, girl, what's your problem?"- Irma burst out. "You've been acting all weird lately as if we don't have Matt's best interest? Is that it or are you on some Socialite crack yourself- "
"Do you have his best interest, Irma?"- Lillian didn't remain obligated. "Because bringing that Altermeere to life wasn't a smart thing to do, you just pushed him over the edge."
Irma sat at the edge of her bed watching the man slowly come to his senses, thinking the entire time.
This exchange she had just recalled, between herself and Lillian, had been over Matt; Matt who had been a trainwreck during Will's absence.
But it wasn't about him, it was about how Lillian had behaved during the time. She had definitely changed even more during the months Will was away for some reason, hadn't she?
Yes, she had... The more she thought about it, the more restless Irma became. Even Chris had said that Lillian's been acting strange.
Taranee had complained about Lillian's ugly comments at Flamboyant Gardens, after Will and Phobos had been found together in bed...
She's the one who came into contact with Will first too, Irma suddenly remembered, shooting herself straight up. She...she made Will come from Beta-Meridian...
Yes, it was true. Will had only come to help Matt in the hospital at Lillian's request. After months of total obscurity. Will had just popped in Heatherfield like it was nothing.
But it was never really explained how and why Avani had agreed to let her go. After all, Avani hijacked Will to play family with her and Phobos...
"Babe? What time is it?"
Vance waking up broke the Latina off of her thoughts for a moment.
He rubbed his head and slowly dragged his back up the bed frame into a sitting position.
"Hey."- Vance smiled groggily.
"Hey..."- Irma grinned exaggeratedly, her mind hostage elsewhere. She was glad VMJ was reset and everything, after she had smashed a freaking unbreakable glass into his head. But now she had new major concerns she had to see to.
"Babe, I was thinking-"
"Vance, boo, get ready. We have to get to Cornelia's event, the Fields Birth get-together or whatever!"- Irma shot, standing up again, and quickly beginning to change into her outfit for the evening. She was keeping it simple. A teal bodycon dress and some heels would have to do. "I have to go check something and I'll meet you there in about an hour, OK? OK, great, bye!"
"Alright, but-"
She swiftly put lipstick on after she kissed him and was out the door before he could even reply properly.
She drove like crazy all the way to Garden Plaza where she sprinted towards the Hales' penthouse; thankfully it was a few minute drive from where the apartment they had lent her was located. She literally caught them at the door.
"Irma?"- Elizabeth Landon exclaimed. She was wearing contacts tonight. And an expensive Versace dress, of course. "What are you- "
"Hey, Elizabeth, I'm sorry, did Lillian leave already?"- Irma interrupted her with pretend cheerfulness.
"She had something to do, she'll meet us at Cornelia's place, but why are you- "
"Babette!"- Vera's voice echoed from inside. "Hurry up! We have to get there at once, why are you standing at the door like a guard dog!?"
"I'm sorry, my fault, I have to grab something for my brother. He left it in Lillian's room and she told me to come to take it today."- Irma lied swiftly, impatient as Cornelia's dad and grandma both came behind her mother. "You guys should go, I may have to search for it...it's uhh... a hoodie, I think it's in her closet but anyhow, why don't you give me the keys, I will find it, lock up and I'll meet you back at Corny's, OK?"
"Yes, yes, whatever, just step on it!"- Vera exclaimed. "Babette, give her the keys and move! Come on, Harold!"
"See you tonight, Irma."- Harold saluted her, and then he and his mother disappeared into the elevator, dragging Elizabeth by the arm.
She managed to leave her keys in Irma's hand last minute:
"OK, Irma, take whatever you need! See you later!"- the woman exclaimed before the doors closed.
"Don't worry, I will."- Irma said to herself when she was all alone and entered the impressive penthouse, she had been to so many times. It was good the Hales treated her like family, otherwise, they'd never leave her alone in their million-worthy home.
Irma threw her hair back and headed for the stairs. She had to get to Lillian's room.
Her new power? It had come to her at just the right time.
Epilogue
Caleb and Cornelia's yard was packed. The entire neighborhood was celebrating today and the heart of the event was none other but the hostess' lot.
Fields Birth get-together, a memorable day for all residents of Heatherfield.
There were a lot of people here this hot summer evening. Including a certain prince, his sister, and a redheaded guardian...
"Oh, hi, Will."- Cornelia found just a few seconds to greet her. "I'm glad you came and that you are, oh you know, alive. After you ghosted everyone for weeks. Again."
"Sorry about that. Things happened over the last two weeks."- Will smiled sheepishly. "I hope that it's OK I brought Phobos along. We kinda have to talk after the event's over tonight. All of us."
Cornelia, who had just now spotted the man's figure among her friends, almost gasped in indignation:
"You brought Phobos to my event?! Oh, please, do you want to ruin this for me!? Why do you hate me?!"
"Cornelia, don't start right away, he won't do anything!"- Will objected. "I had to... besides, isn't this celebration on open quarters, therefore all who are invited can bring other people along?"- she winked at her, hoping to impress her with her socialite world knowledge. Not.
"Not exactly."- Cornelia hissed, the flat ironed loose hair dancing dramatically around her updo. "Whatever, keep him away from everyone who's anyone, OK? I don't want him to tarnish my good name with his beastly antics."
And so she left the redhead who was annoyed but silent.
The rest of the night went smoothly. Everything was unfolding according to schedule.
All until Cornelia passed by a group of people gathered around someone and heard a familiar voice:
"My nephew Phillip is a very delicate boy. He hasn't been out in the sun ever since summer started, as you can see, but I wanted him to be here tonight. With us. To make friends maybe or maybe just to have a breeze. After all, it's not easy being different. Misunderstood. Talented in ways beyond other people's comprehension. Isn't that right, Phillip?"
Nerissa was talking utter bulshit to all these people. About Phobos who stood by her side and just sourly smiled and replied:
"Indeed, aunt, you do get me so well."
"Excuse me, can I steal my mother-in-law for a moment?"- Cornelia interjected with a huge smile, coming between the two ex-villains. "Haha! We need to talk about the parade afterparty through town! We'll be back!"
"Oh, that's right, you did organize a lovely parade too, for today's lovely holiday."- Nerissa purred. "All so much in my absence? I'm proud of you, my beautiful girl!"
And she cupped the other woman's face with mind-boggling sweetness to which Cornelia barely managed to reply with a fake smile.
"Excuse yourself, go back to Will and don't talk to anyone or I strangle you! With your rag hair!"- she hissed in an unimpressed Phobos's ear.
Then she excused herself again and dragged Nerissa toward the house.
"Missed me, I take it?"- Nerissa taunted after Cornelia slammed the door. "It would explain why you're so eager to talk to me in private, sweet daughter-in-law."
"What the fuck do you think you're doing!?"- Cornelia demanded angrily, not wanting any time wasted. "Why are you back? Why are you talking NONSENSE at my event? Nephew Phillip? Are you fucking crazier than last time I spoke to you, Nerissa, or is this some kind of PRACTICAL joke to you!?"
Nerissa laughed heartily as if to assert her words:
"I could tell you after the event if you'd please-"
"No! Just no! You are going back to Meridian right now! Now!"- Cornelia yelled in her face. "You can't be here without being called by the guardians until further notice, REMEMBER-"
"But I was called by a guardian, my dear girl."- Nerissa interrupted her dangerously, holding her livid eyes unperturbed. "Does the name Will Escanor ring a bell?"
Outside, Hay Lin, Taranee, and Nigel were talking to each other when Irma appeared all breathless and sweaty. As if she had taken a run on her way here.
"Finally, Irma, what took you? We were just talking-"
"Where's Cornelia? And Matt?"- Irma cut her friend off. "Call them here, right now, I have to tell you all something."
Taranee and Hay Lin could only exchange glances:
"I don't think Matt's here, he-"
"Irma! Irma, over here!"
Lillian's voice made the Water guardian turn around. She saw the young blonde's heavy dark blue eyeshadow right in front of herself and wanted to give her a black eye to save her some time.
"Irma, come with me!"- Lillian insisted but Irma pulled free of her grip:
"Your shit, Lillian, is over. You will not stop me from revealing your true colors."- the Latina then came closer to her and hissed, so that only she could hear her. "In front of everyone here. I know everything. Every fucking thing!"
For a moment, the young Hale didn't react. Then she pulled back to meet her angry eyes again:
"Irma, I thought you'd be happier to know that I found them! I found them!"- she said in a loud voice, puzzling her.
"What's going on?"- Taranee inquired.
Lillian looked overstrung but decisive. She put on her biggest excited smile and just pointed behind herself.
Irma couldn't believe her eyes:
"Mara? Martin!?"