Shifting Read online

  His uncle had a point, but still…

  “I can’t do magic all the time, Uncle Eddy.”

  “It’s not the magic that makes you powerful, Colin, it’s here,” he pointed to his head. “And it’s here,” he pointed at his heart. “Back in Cobbscott, when you used magic to protect your friends and sister, that was your head and your heart, Colin; courageous, unafraid, and quick thinking.

  Be that person.”

  Colin mulled it over. Even with magic on his side, he was not sure he could portray that kind of confidence all of the time. When Colin was ready to depart, he noticed Timothy was missing.

  “Ah, yes. Timothy. Haven’t seen him in a few days. Not too worried though, he always shows up after awhile,” Uncle Eddy said light-heartedly.

  Colin decided not to worry, but found the walk home was lonelier than he had expected.

  The day of the Up and Comer’s Dinner arrived. Meghan and Colin had not spoken since the big explosion over a week prior. Colin decided he would try that afternoon, before she left for the dinner, hoping she would be in a good mood. The words just would not come out when he tried.

  He, along with Jae, did all they could to resist making fun of her sour face as the carriage arrived, and Ivan offered, begrudgingly, to help her in. As they watched the carriage pull away, Colin bundled up and told Jae he was going for a walk. He was not jealous, but an ominous feeling nagged at the back of his mind. It did not help that his sleep the previous night had been disrupted, as he had been accosted again by Corny, delivering two more pages of the same nonsensical scribbling.

  Colin wandered in no particular direction, and before long he stood on the wharf, allowing the restless ocean to spray his face. It was brutally cold, but the smell of the ocean reminded him of home. He wondered about Uncle Arnon, Kanda Macawi, and the Jendayas.

  Summer was long over and Sebastien’s school year was half over. What were they all doing right at that moment? Was Uncle Arnon still alive? What did Kanda know about the Svoda?

  Had she known that the twins and Uncle Arnon were descended from a magical bloodline?

  These questions remained unanswered as he let the frigid spray of the ocean bite his face; somehow it prevented his thoughts from overwhelming him.

  103

  As the carriage pulled away, Meghan stuck her head out of the window and waved; she noticed Colin walking toward the wharf and muttered, “Jealous.”

  “What?” asked Ivan, from inside the carriage.

  “Nothing,” she replied, bringing her head back inside. It was surprisingly warm. A small fireplace stood in the center of the carriage. Smoke billowed through the top.

  Meghan and Ivan sat in awkward silence listening to the clip clop of the horse’s feet against the slushy cobblestone. Nona curled up in Meghan’s warmed lap. Finally, Meghan decided she would not have her evening start off badly and attempted to make conversation with Ivan.

  “So, Ivan,” said Meghan, catching him off guard. “What exactly do you do here? What’s your job?”

  “I do my share,” he answered.

  “Right,” she said sarcastically.

  “You asked,” he replied hotly.

  “So you’re insinuating that I don’t?”

  “I’m not insinuating anything. You are not from our world. It’s possible you may belong here now, but you have a lot to learn, Meghan Jacoby.”

  “I see. I’m not good enough for your world, is what you mean to say?”

  “As far as I see it, you don’t fit in here. Those who don’t fit in don’t make it!”

  “I’m trying my best!” she argued. “I can’t help it if I look out of place.”

  “See, that’s it right there. You thought I was talking about your… clothes. The problem is, Meghan Jacoby, that you don’t take notice of what’s going on around you. If you can’t smarten up, then…” he did not finish and looked out of the window.

  “Then what?” she launched back, completely insulted. “You don’t know me, Ivan Crane. You spend all your time hiding! Do you even comprehend what it means to be nice?” It was the last straw for Ivan. He poked his head outside the carriage and asked the driver to stop.

  “I will save you the trouble of having to arrive with me,” he said crossly, jumping out.

  “Is this your game, Ivan? Go from hardly speaking to me, directly to saying I am a stupid girl without a care in the world? Drama boy,” she said half-jokingly, not believing he would choose to walk in the bitter wind.

  Meghan wished she had stuck with her original plan and kept quiet. The snow was falling harder, there was at least four inches already layering the ground. She asked the driver to stop, sucked in deeply, and then climbed out.

  “Ivan, come back inside, it’s freezing out here.”

  The snow swirled around their heads. Ivan took an impatient breath and then hopped back in the carriage. This time he allowed Meghan to get in on her own. As the carriage ride continued, they warmed up nicely thanks to the toasty fire. Ivan leaned around the fire and held out his hand, as if to shake Meghan’s.

  “Truce. For tonight at least, let’s agree to disagree.” His eyes shouted displeasure at the arrangement but she leaned to shake his hand.

  An ember popped in the stove.

  104

  Meghan was no longer in the wagon. A vision took over.

  It was dark and cold but she still wore her dinner gown. She got on her hands and knees feeling carefully until she came to an edge. She crawled around the edge as a dim light appeared over her.

  “Oh no, not now,” she uttered in disbelief.

  As in her vision each time before, a second pillar just out of reach appeared in the darkness, imprisoning Jae’s beaten body. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around her legs and rocked back and forth, crying.

  Something changed. An echo of a voice, distant, calling her name.

  “Ivan,” she sobbed. “Get me out of here! I can’t watch this again.” She witnessed the loathsome being, drowning Jae in its shadow, and tried to remain calm.

  “What would Juliska do?” she asked. Meghan went over what had happened before she appeared on the pillar. “I was shaking Ivan’s hand and something happened in the fire.” In the background from the second pillar, Jae’s voice pleaded with Meghan.

  “Please, make it stop. You can help me.” His voice made her believe she was close to figuring it out.

  One fact dawned on Meghan, as each of the previous nightmares came into memory.

  “Ivan. I had run into Ivan each time.”

  She stood up, but was no longer Meghan. Ivan took her place on the pillar. She realized it was not her own nightmare, but Ivan’s. Which meant, “He must know what’s wrong with Jae!” she shouted.

  Meghan was back in the carriage, lying on the floor. Ivan clutched her drained body, gently putting her back in the seat. “I’m sorry,” he kept repeating, arrogance and condemnation gone from his voice.

  “Why do you keep saying that?” she moaned.

  “I know what you saw,” he confided hesitantly.

  “I was right,” she exclaimed. “I got it right! It’s your nightmare I’ve been seeing, not my own.” She stopped, “Wait. How did you know?”

  “The night I found you on the floor in the bath room, I heard you talking. I’ve had the dream so many times…” his pained voice trailed off.

  Meghan was not sure how to feel. She had no idea that her gift would allow her to see the deepest dreams and nightmares of other people. She squirmed, realizing that the reserved and proud Ivan must be sorely wounded; but her desire to help Jae was stronger. Meghan, gathering confidence, moved across the carriage and sat next to Ivan.

  “What’s happening to him?” she asked bravely.

  “I don’t have any answers for you,” he replied coldly, his nostrils flaring in conflicted anger.

  He vaulted out of the carriage, which had come to a stop. They had arrived at their destination.

  “Ivan, wait, please,”
she begged, trudging through the falling snow, with Nona at her heels.

  “Forget about what you saw, Meghan. I’m sorry you had to see it. But you can’t help!” Ivan marched inside putting on his dry smile, pretending nothing had happened.

  105

  Meghan had left her coat in the carriage, which had already driven away. She made her way inside, wet, exhausted and shivering. This was not the entrance she had pictured herself making.

  Juliska greeted her guests at the door. Meghan waited in the shadows getting colder and wetter, finally sneaking through the door after the last guest had entered. Juliska took one look at her and whispered to her Pantin, “Take her to my room.” Pantin Hollee scurried Meghan up a flight of stone stairs, down a long corridor and into a warm room. She dabbed a towel over her wet hair.

  Her head hurt.

  Had she gone too far with Ivan?

  Had she not gone far enough? I should’ve forced it out of him…

  A door at the back of the room opened and in swept the elegantly dressed Juliska Blackwell; she wore a long sleeved slimming gown in black.

  “I made my excuses and got away for a minute. Now tell me, what is this all about?” Meghan closed her eyes and tried to explain.

  “I discovered some information about a vision I’ve been having.”

  “Not good, I take it?” Juliska gathered from Meghan’s voice.

  “No.”

  “Have you been able to figure out what it means?”

  “No. I did put it together that it belonged to Iv… this guy.” She decided not to reveal her source.

  “It would appear you have a good start on the problem then,” she said, looking pleased. “Take a minute and get yourself together, Meghan. Pantin Hollee will help you with whatever you need. Remember, an honored seer understands she must always keep it together. Looking crazy in public leads to, well, looking crazy in public,” she laughed lightheartedly. “As you must learn to see, you must also learn to live with seeing.”

  Meghan sighed.

  “You always make so much sense. I wish…” she did not dare speak the words she felt.

  “Wish what?” Juliska asked. Her voice held the slightest tone of eagerness.

  “I wish someday I could make as much sense, to myself.”

  Juliska nodded and returned to her guests. Meghan let her thoughts stray to what she had not dared to say… I wish I could live here with you. When I’m here I feel like I’m at home.

  The Pantin helped Meghan get cleaned up. Once ready, she led her to a back entrance, which Juliska often used when entertaining. As she entered, all eyes focused intently on Meghan, as Banon Blackwell welcomed her to the dinner from her own private entrance.

  Meghan smiled at the crowd, feeling envious eyes scrolling over her. Including Darcy Scraggs, who to Meghan’s dismay was also in attendance. She searched for a familiar face other than Darcy’s, but Ivan was the only other face she knew, and she highly doubted he wanted to see her. In fact, he avoided her the entire evening.

  It did not matter however, as appearing to be Juliska’s guest of honor Meghan had no problem meeting all of the twenty guests in attendance; which consisted mostly of older students she had never met. They, of course, knew who she was, as the new kid in town.

  106

  Meghan ignored Darcy’s icy stares and purposely paraded next to Juliska. As the evening wore on, Meghan had nearly forgotten the incident in the carriage and was having the best time of her life. After dinner, nearing the end of the evening, Pantin Hollee clanged her glass, gathering the guests’ attention.

  “Banon Blackwell has an exciting announcement,” said Hollee with eager eyes. The small crowd hushed, waiting with mounting anticipation.

  Finally, the Banon spoke.

  “It is time,” she paused dramatically, “for an Initiation.” These were words they had all hoped to hear. The graduated students waited anxiously, each hoping they had been deemed worthy to join the Svoda, as a fully-fledged and initiated member.

  “Ivan Crane! Please step forward.”

  The crowd was stunned. His name was not what the group expected to hear. Other than Meghan and Darcy, he was the youngest in attendance.

  Ivan stepped forward and knelt before the Banon, with a look of overwhelmed awe on his face.

  “Your Initiation will begin after the transfer to our next world. Congratulations, Mr. Crane.

  You have proven yourself a loyal servant to the Svoda.”

  “I am truly honored, Banon Blackwell, and I pledge my life to the Svoda,” Ivan replied humbly. The small crowd clapped and crowded Ivan, congratulating him on his Initiation announcement. Meghan stayed back, feeling confident he did not want her congratulations.

  Soon, the evening was ending and guests began to depart. Meghan started to feel ill. Her head grew dizzy as she waited in line to say her farewells to Juliska. A few spots behind her in line stood the ever-observant Ivan Crane, who noticed Meghan start to sway. He swooped in, putting his arm around her waist.

  “There you are,” he said. “I was looking for you.” Ivan steadied her smugly. She wanted to push him away, but realized she might fall over if he let go.

  “Ah, our newest Initiate, Mr. Crane,” said Juliska, her eyes brightening. “It’s been a pleasure to have you.” She brushed a concerned hand against Meghan’s face, which was growing paler by the second. “I trust you will get Ms. Jacoby home safely, and quickly,” she added, realizing Meghan’s current condition was not suited for public exposure.

  “Yes, of course, Banon Blackwell. Right away,” he promised. “Also, thank you on behalf of myself, and Ms. Jacoby, for your hospitality this evening.”

  He led the dizzy Meghan out the door, overhearing Juliska whisper, “Don’t be a stranger now, Meghan.”

  “You’ve become quite the little chum to Banon Blackwell, haven’t you?” he interrogated, while assisting her into the carriage.

  “Are you making fun, Ivan? ‘Cause honestly, I’m not in the mood.”

  “In all honesty,” he said, “You look ill.”

  “Thanks,” Meghan responded sardonically, adding, “My head is spinning.” The carriage took off with a start. Nona jumped onto her lap meowing raucously.

  107

  “What is it?” Meghan asked. Nona, somehow, slowed her dizziness, bringing a clearer picture into her head. “Something’s wrong,” understood Meghan. “Colin!” she gasped. She had been blocking him all night, but he had been trying to reach her.

  “I can’t feel him anymore, he’s…” She put her hands over her mouth, not daring to say what she truly felt.

  Empty.

  Alone.

  Colin had always been in her mind; even when they blocked each other, the essence of the other was always there.

  “Do you know where he is?” asked Ivan, not questioning how she knew he was in trouble.

  “When I saw him last he was walking toward the wharf.”

  Ivan dove into action, jumping out of the carriage, which was moving at a snails pace through the falling snow. Meghan and Nona were at his heels. They tried to run but the heavy snow impeded their progress. Meghan’s feet froze in no time; her dress shoes were no match for the weather.

  As they neared the Mochrie house, Ivan veered off, grasping Meghan’s hand, forcing her to come with him. Once inside he threw a pair of oversized boots and coat at her, while explaining to the bewildered Mochrie family what was happening. They immediately dressed and minutes later all raced frantically for the wharf.

  Meghan called out to Colin but he did not answer. They ran to every shadow that could have been her brother, but the forms were either frozen drift wood or jutting rocks. Then a petrified thought struck her.

  What if he isn’t here? The truth was that Colin could be anywhere. He might even have wandered into Grimble. How would she ever find him? The bitter winds wailed with blinding snow, making it near impossible to see.

  “Please answer me, Colin?” she begged. “I’m sorry,
I’m not mad anymore! Please tell me where you are.” The emptiness inside her flourished, and tears froze to her plump cheeks.

  “Are you sure he’s here?” asked Mireya. “How do you know he’s hurt?”

  “Because, he’s my brother,” was all she could think of to say. “And no, I’m not positive he’s here, it’s the last place I saw him.”

  “He said he was going for a walk,” stammered Jae. “I’m sorry. I should have realized something was wrong when he didn’t come back earlier.”

  “You couldn’t have known, Jae. Let’s just find him,” she said with growing desperation.

  Meghan and Jae both thought briefly on the demand they had not met: turning over the Magicante to Darcy Scraggs.

  “I think we should sound the alarm,” said Irving. “We need more help.” Ivan sped off to heed Irving’s wishes.

  “We will have the entire village searching if we have to,” insisted Irving. “Don’t worry! We will find him.”

  In the distance, over the raging blizzard, a bell clanged loudly. Lights popped on and the Svoda village came to life. Ivan returned, and he was not alone. Two Balaton followed. Meghan was glad that Ivan had already explained.

  108

  “This snow is falling harder with each passing minute,” one of them said. “We need to hurry!”

  “We’ll check outside the wagons, too,” said the other. With a pop, they vanished.

  The group then left the wharf, feeling confident they had searched every inch of it. Meghan was glad Ivan had forced her to wear boots; she couldn’t imagine what condition her feet would be in if she hadn’t. She walked onward, recalling that Colin had not been dressed for this weather either. The thought of him lying somewhere, buried, almost knocked her over.

  The group called out his name, but not once did they get a reply. Irving and Sheila forced the group to stay together so no one would get lost; between their numbers and the blinding snow, progress was agonizingly slow. Thirty minutes later a Balaton materialized.

  “Nothing yet, but anyone capable is searching. Banon Blackwell has been informed of what’s happening and sent her personal Balaton to help.” A second later, he vanished. The group trudged onward, making their way to the center of the village, hearing voices of other Svoda calling out for Colin.