Chapter Ten- A Cup of Tea
Jay moved through the rooftops, body light and soundless as it glided through the air.
He rubbed his left eye. It was aching. Again. He came to a stop as the world blurred more than usual. After a few forceful blinks, things settled. Yeah- he really needed to do something about his sight.
For a moment, he thought of home. He should go back. At the very least, to hand his parents the bag of coins Cole had given him. And to let them know he was still alive. That was important too.
Still- Jay wavered. He stopped at the edge of the baker's roof. There was someone else he needed to see.
Someone who had answers to everything.
Someone who could help him fix things.
Jay sent a silent apology in the direction of The Warrens. Sorry, mom. Dad. Please don't worry too much.
The thief dropped down onto the street. The shadows here were larger- and far more inviting. The anxiety in his stomach eased against the familiarity. Even the shouts from strangers in the distance felt like a comfort. He was alive. He really was alive.
Incredible.
Jay took a slow breath of the cool night air. He chased the thin light of the moon with his eyes. Felt the powerful beat of his heart against his chest. It was impossible for him not to smile- one really did take having their head attached for granted. But not Jay, no sir. Not anymore.
Three blocks away from the town square, Jay's destination came into view. His smile only widened at the sight of the place. If anyone knew about the miraculous possibilities of being alive, it was the man that resided inside. A single glance at his place of residence would tell you that much.
Where all the surrounding houses had small, modest windows, this one had oversized ones out of every shape imaginable.
Where all the other houses were painted to fit into the city's ambiance, this one was painted with beautiful and extravagant colors.
Where all the other houses had sparse decorations- this one was filled to the brim with strange and intricate objects.
Yep. Sensei Wu was a man who knew how to live- of that there was no doubt.
Jay trotted up to the door and knocked. The sound echoed, and he glanced back up at the moon, doing his best to gauge the time from its position. Maybe everyone was asleep?
The sound of footsteps answered his question. Then- a woman's voice. "Just a second! I'll be right there!"
After a series of soft thuds and unintelligible curses, the door opened with a squeak. Framed by the low candlelight from within was a woman. She had thick gray hair pulled into a braid, and a long green dress that brushed against the floor.
"Jay." The woman said, despite the fact that her eyes were closed. Or, well, to be more specific, not there at all. "What brings you here?"
"How do you do that?" Jay scoffed with amazement. "How'd you know it was me?"
"Practice." The woman smiled.
"Lies. It's magic, I'll bet. You can't lie to me, Misako. I'm way too smart."
"Hmm." Misako said. "I know it's the middle of the night Jay, but maybe don't say my name too loud. I am supposed to be dead, after all."
Jay flinched. "Right. Sorry."
Misako smiled, and Jay smiled back despite her inability to see him do so. When Pythor had taken over the kingdom, he'd ordered for Misako's eyes to be destroyed as a show of power. He'd then left her to die of her wounds but of course- Sensei hadn't allowed it.
"Are you here to see Wu?"
"Is he home?"
"You're in luck. He just arrived this morning. Something about 'the appointed time coming near'. You know- the usual gibberish. He just loves being cryptic. I think even he doesn't know what he's talking about most of the time."
Jay chuckled. "Agreed."
"He did say we'd be getting some visitors tonight, though. You're the first."
"Visitors?" Jay glanced behind him. The city was empty, sans a couple of stray cats. He looked back at Misako. "What kind of visitors?"
"He didn't say." Misako shrugged. "Come in. It's cold out, and we have tea inside."
"Tea and- maybe something to pair it with?"
Misako chuckled as she let Jay inside. "You're in luck. Wu's been baking."
"It smells incredible." Jay smiled. Misako closed the door behind him.
"Go on in. I'll be right with you. Wu told me to go get some stuff from his room."
"No idea why?"
Misako smiled. "You're catching on. No, no idea why."
Jay shoved his hands into his pockets as he broke away from Misako and moved deeper into the house. The whole place was packed with treasures- very, very valuable treasures that filled his fingers with a near unbearable itch. But stealing from Sensei Wu would be a bad idea- or would it?
The man could not possibly know everything he owned. And well, it wasn't like the man needed everything. A thing or two could find its way into Jay's pockets- just this once. After everything he'd been through, Jay was entitled to a valuable trinket. Maybe even three.
"Oh- good eye, Jay!" Sensei Wu's voice shot toward him with sharp precision just as Jay's fingers entwined over a golden medallion. "Do be careful though- one touch of the gem in the center and you'll be reduced to ashes! Would be a shame to lose you."
"A-Ah!" Jay dropped the medallion and stepped back, hitting the shelf just behind him. The items in it rattled, and Jay only just managed to keep them from toppling over. "D-don't leave something like that just lying around!"
"Oh, I'm just joking Jay! It's just a valueless trinket." Sensei Wu chuckled to himself. Then, he narrowed his eyes at the dropped medallion. "At least I believe so- but maybe I'm wrong. Care to test it, Jay?"
"No!"
"Hmm," Sensei Wu replied, with concerning disappointment. "Follow me, then."
Jay followed. He did his best to keep as far away from the trinkets spread throughout as possible. They were probably harmless- but well, with the twinkle in Sensei Wu's eyes … Jay wasn't willing to risk it.
"Misako said you were expecting more guests?" Jay asked.
"Indeed I am! A nice reunion. One I've been preparing for for a while." Sensei Wu led the way into the equally-cramped sitting room, and waved Jay forward. Eight cups of tea were set in place, along with a wide arrangement of pastries. Jay's mouth watered. "Please, help yourself. It won't be long now."
"So who is it?" Jay asked. He reached for one of the treats- a small flaky handpie filled with strawberries. Jay felt tears well up in his eyes as he bit down. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten something so good.
"Oh, you'll see soon enough. You had an eventful day, didn't you?"
Jay chewed, then forced himself to swallow before speaking. "Oh, did I ever! I found the kid in the forest, just like you said I would. Though you were a couple of days off the mark- and then the Night Angel showed up and swept him away! Not to mention- one of Pythor's guards let me go. Can you believe it?"
Sensei Wu smiled. Jay wasn't sure if he liked the gesture or not. It made him feel- seen."Oh- I can believe it, Jay. I most definitely can."
"Well, I'm still reeling. I didn't-"
A set of rough, almost panicked knocks cut off Jay's words. Sensei's smile brightened even further. "There they are! I'll be right back, Jay."
"Sure." Jay said. He reached for another of the strawberry pies. He took a bite and closed his eyes. Even better than the one before, somehow.
Mumbled voices echoed from the front door, interrupting Jay's near-religious experience with the treat. He wiped at his lips as the voices moved closer, and slowly became coherent.
"-bad? It almost looks- cauterized." A stranger's voice.
"Well, it wasn't like that wolf was ordinary. Right, Nya?"
Nya!?
"Shut up, Logan."
Oh most definitely Nya.
Jay shoved the last of the pie into his mouth and jumped to his feet. He couldn't be here. He couldn't see her, not now, not yet. And who the hell was Logan, anyway? No, no that didn't matter- what mattered was that he still hadn't fixed what he'd set out to fix. That, and the fact that he probably smelled like rat droppings and sweat.
With a smooth move, Jay vaulted across the tea table and scrambled to crouch behind one of Sensei Wu's couches. There was a window just beyond it- with the right timing, he could slip out without being seen.
"It's fine. I-It's not so bad." Jay recognized that voice too. It was the kid. The prince. Whatever. Did that mean the Night Angel was here, too?
"You're as pale as death and sweating bullets, kid. You're a lot of things, but okay is not it." That voice again. The so-called Logan. Jay almost risked a peek as they wandered inside. He felt a strong but improperly-timed desire to see if Nya's friend was attractive or not.
"Logan is right. Bleeding or not, that wound needs to be looked at." Another man. Not that it mattered, but what had Nya been up to? Jay hadn't talked to much of anyone ever since they'd parted ways. And here Nya was, with a whole little posse. Again, not that it mattered but-
"Jay, when you're done hiding, could you please help me? We need to set Lloyd down." Sensei Wu said.
Jay felt heat flush to his face. He could pretend he'd sneaked away already.
"Don't think of trying the window, either. That one doesn't open."
Or not.
Jay straightened. He did his best not to look at Nya but his eyes found her anyway. She was magnetic to him- embarrassingly so. Jay felt sick with longing. She was beautiful. Like always. Sharp eyes and familiar features and there, of course, were the lips that he'd kissed so many times before.
And then there was him. Flushed red, and with bits of sugar on the corners of his lips.
"I wasn't hiding. I dropped my … thing." Jay cleared his throat. "Behind the couch. But I got it."
"Well, could you clear the couch? We need to set Lloyd down." Sensei pressed again. Jay's eyes finally snapped away from Nya's and he took in the rest of the group.
Lloyd looked awful. Pained, shaken, and his clothes had ripped away in both one of his arms and one of his legs. Big red wounds were painted over his skin. Jay scrambled to clear the couch, and helped Sensei Wu and one of Nya's friends set the kid down.
"Will he be alright?"
Jay looked up at the new voice. A chill crawled up his spine, and he felt an involuntary twinge of fear swirl in his stomach.
The Night Angel.
"Yes. He will. Misako is getting some of my healing herbs- he just needs some rest."
Jay looked over at Lloyd. Then, back up at Nya's friend. Lloyd did look awful, but unfortunately for Jay, the man that had helped carry him did not. He had angelic blonde curls and frustratingly well-chiseled features. Jay gave him a sheepish smile, one that the man did not return. He moved back to stand beside Nya.
The other guy, at least, did not look like an angel. With his red hair and scarred skin, Jay thought he'd fit better in a nightmare. Still he stood beside Nya, almost protectively. Jay fought the strong urge to hit them both.
"What is this, Night Angel? Why is he here?" Nya mumbled under her breath. She glared at Jay, but only for a moment. As if she couldn't stand the sight of him.
"Hello to you too, Nya." Jay forced a laugh.
"Nya, he does not matter. The health of the prince does. As does the guidance of Sensei Wu. Please- you must stay calm."
Nya scoffed. She dropped down onto one of the other seats. Both of her friends stood on either side of her. They both shot looks of disdain in Jay's direction. Jay cleared his throat, and looked back down at Lloyd.
"Glad to see you're alive." Jay said.
"Yeah. Barely, I think."
"No kidding. What happened to you?"
"I'm still trying to figure that out."
"He was attacked by a wolf. One that could control fire. Does that ring a bell, Jay?" Nya's words were flushed with venom.
"Ah." Jay flinched. He didn't look up at her, didn't think he could bear it. "Well- you'll be okay, Lloyd. Sensei Wu knows everything. He'll patch you right up."
"Did . . . you say Lloyd?"
Jay looked up. The sorrow and hope in Misako's face sent a wave of realizations through Jay's mind. Misako- was Lloyd's mother. Of course she was. Why hadn't he thought of it? The woman had believed her child dead for years. And now-
"Here, Misako. Help me patch him up." Sensei Wu said. He guided Misako forward, and they both kneeled before Lloyd. Jay shifted out of the way.
"Is it … really you, Lloyd?" Misako's voice had softened further. She reached her hand out, and eventually found her way to her son's features. She set her palm gently on the side of the kid's face.
Lloyd looked uncomfortable with the show of affection, but he didn't shift away. "Yes. It's- I'm Lloyd. But I-"
"I suppose I am only a stranger to you, aren't I?" Misako moved her hand away. "I apologize. But where have you- no. Now isn't the time, is it? Let's get those wounds cleaned up…"
With Sensei Wu's guidance, Misako patched up the wounds on Lloyd's body. The herbs smelled soothing, and they soon settled most of Jay's nerves. Braver now, he risked another glance up at Nya.
At this distance, some of her features were hard to make out. Jay rubbed at his eye. It was frustrating- but he didn't hate it. His wounded sight felt like a mark of Nya's love. In a sense. Even if she didn't feel the same anymore, she had loved him once. She'd cared for him. She'd saved him.
"That stings." Jay cringed.
"Yeah well- it's supposed to." Nya answered as she dabbed at his skin with a wad of cotton.
"Thank you, by the way. For- helping me. But … why?"
"Maybe I just like your smile."
Jay pushed himself away from the memory. Nya whispered with her friends, occasionally scoffing with a light smile. The sight filled Jay with indescribable loneliness.
"Now then." Sensei Wu clapped his hands together. Jay jolted. "I believe- there was something you needed to ask me, Zane?"
"Yes, Sensei." The Night Angel straightened. Jay bit back a smile. Zane was much less threatening than Night Angel. It had never occurred to Jay that the legendary assassin would have … a name. "As you can see, our prince has been returned to us. But we are at a stalemate. We can not defeat Pythor without an army of our own."
"A big problem." Sensei Wu nodded. "And I think this one calls for … an unorthodox solution."
The Night Angel nodded. Logan grinned. "Oh- I like the sound of that, sir. I'm nothing if not unorthodox."
Nya bit back a huff of laughter. Jay's hands balled into a fist. That hadn't even been the least bit funny.
"I do have a plan. Although it may not make much sense to you all at first, you will simply have to trust me. But- I believe you have all been through a little too much for tonight. Rest- and tomorrow we talk. Besides … I believe our prince needs his sleep." Sensei Wu said, with a light smile.
Jay glanced down at the kid. Somewhere along the lines, he'd fallen asleep.
"Please make yourselves at home. All of you. If this plan is to work, we can't have anyone stealing away into the night." Sensei Wu turned to glare at Jay, who flushed red again. "Can I count on you?"
"Of course." The Night Angel nodded.
"You got it." Logan said.
Nya and the scarred man gave light nods. Then all eyes turned to Jay. Jay stood. He could feel Nya's gaze more than that of the others. Coward. You're a coward. You'll run again, won't you?
No. Not this time, Nya. This time- I'm here.
"Yeah. Sure." Jay said.
Sensei Wu nodded. "Very well! Very well. Settle in. Tomorrow we start anew."