Aventurine

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Guaranteed,” Kye replied.

  How could he guarantee that? Kye was from the future. What was keeping him in the past? How could he be sure he wasn’t going off somewhere whenever the goddess or Logan decided?

  “How?” I asked. I couldn’t believe that Kye was going to stay. So far no one I cared about stayed with me.

  I wanted to be alone to wallow in my isolation. Kye was correct. I was all alone now. Seth, Ty, Dee were all mad at me, and rightfully so. Sim wasn’t the same girl that I was friends with when we shared a room. Melissa wanted to be my best friend, but I still couldn’t forget the way she acted when I was with Seth. It was all a mess, and one thing was for sure: Kye was right. He was the last friend I had left in this weird, time travel world I was a part of now.

  “How about I stay here and distract you?” Kye suggested. “We could play twenty questions, and you can ask me anything about my life and the future.” He was tempting me. I did want to know more about Kye. Even though he was strangely protective of me, and actually really nice, there was much mystery to him.

  “And what would Prince Logan think of that?” I asked. I was sure it was Logan’s orders that kept Kye from telling me everything I wanted to know.

  Kye shrugged. “There are things I can’t say specifically; like Logan, I can’t break a promise. But I learned from the best how to get around that. I might have to be vague, but I can try to answer anything.”

  Why did he have to tempt me so? I really did want to wallow a bit in my self-pity. Ugh. There were many questions in my mind that I wanted to ask him. I sighed, and finally nodded back at him.

  “Fine. You can stay if you’re willing to answer all my questions,” I replied.

  Kye nodded and held up two fingers. “Scouts honor. I’ll answer every question as good as I can.”

  “Okay, but first we need snacks if we’re going to do a sleepover,” I added. If he was my last friend left, then we were going to have a slumber party.

  “Sleepover? Isn’t that something for girls?” Kye asked suspiciously. I was glad he was learning something from twenty-first century TV.

  “If you’re staying in my room all night, and we’re playing twenty questions, then it’s a sleepover.”

  Kye shook his head. “I’ll get the snacks if you want to get ready for bed. I’d hate to break sleepover protocol and do this dressed in jeans.”

  I laughed as Kye made his way out of my room and downstairs. I hurried to the bathroom to get dressed in my pajamas, and found myself looking forward to tonight after all. I really had lost my friends, and maybe that was part of the problem with returning. I had no one here, and it was hard enough to adjust to everything that had changed, but to have no one made it twice as hard. I don’t know how Kye knew that I needed a friend, but that wasn’t exactly true. I missed Seth and the guys like crazy, but Kye was a pretty cool friend.

  Kye returned just as I left the bathroom. He was already in pajamas and had his hands filled with packages of food.

  “Now, since I’ve never been to one of these before, I guessed that we needed munchies and chocolate. Girls always love chocolate.” Kye dropped his assortment of snacks on my bed.

  I laughed. He was taking this all very seriously. Yes, girls loved chocolate. Who didn’t?

  “You must have had a sister,” I replied. “To know all of this.”

  “No. I wish I did,” Kye answered. “It was just me growing up.”

  “Did you live with your mother?”

  “No. She left soon after I was born. I only got to see her once a year when my dad took me to her,” Kye replied. “I would have liked a sister.” Kye pondered the thought. He didn’t look happy as he talked about his family.

  Subject change was needed.

  “You said you can’t travel without Logan,” I replied. “So how did you make it into his car tonight? You didn’t hide in the trunk and sit there the whole time, did you?”

  Kye laughed. “No. I wasn’t hiding in the trunk. I might seem like I’m around you all the time, but I’m not a stalker. I just pop in when you need me, or if there’s a message for Logan.”

  “And how do you do that?”

  Kye put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a familiar brown stone. He had Ty’s stone.

  “I’ve been lent this one for now,” Kye explained.

  The aventurine stone sparkled in Kye’s hand. That was another question I had, but Kye wouldn’t be able to answer. What was Logan’s fascination with the stones? He could already travel; he didn’t need a chalcedony to do so. Just like Kye, Logan was a gatekeeper. What did the stones mean to them?

  “Why do you use a stone to travel?” I asked. It seemed weird. If he could travel on his own, why use a stone?

  “I choose not to use my ability to travel. I’ve been in the past for so long, I don’t want to lose this body,” Kye explained.

  “What do you mean?” It was confusing. How could he lose his body by traveling? Was this something I needed to worry about when I got to travel again?

  “I’ve just aged into my teens where I come from. I was only thirteen when I left. I wasn’t a grown man there. The moment I travel on my own ability, I’ll go back to being that teen again,” Kye explained. “I kind of prefer to stay this age for now.”

  “Will you forget your time in the past then when you go back to being younger?” I asked. It was curious, how the time traveling worked.

  “No. I’ll have all the memories of being a twenty-year-old man, but be in a thirteen-year-old’s body,” Kye replied.

  I smiled, thinking of thirteen-year-old Kye. Could that be why there wasn’t any attraction between us? In my subconscious, could I see that he was only a thirteen-year-old boy?

  “What are you thinking about now?” Kye grabbed one of the bags of chips and opened them, popping a handful into his mouth.

  “You know how you can sense Logan coming all the time? Can my subconscious sense you’re just a thirteen-year-old boy? Is that why I can only look at you as a friend?” It was embarrassing to ask, but since he was willing to provide explanations, I had to take the chance.

  “You don’t think I’m attractive?” he asked, pretending to be hurt by my comment. I was glad he was joking, but it was still more than a little embarrassing to ask.

  Kye wasn’t unattractive in the least. In fact, he was stunning. His dark-red hair was unruly now that it was growing out, but it suited him better than the tightly cropped hair he had before. His purple eyes were in such a contrast to his hair, I was sure I would never meet another person with such a distinctive combination. His uniqueness only highlighted his perfect face with high cheekbones and a cute smile, but no matter how nice he was to look at, I didn’t find myself attracted to him.

  “No, you are very handsome, but I don’t see you any differently than I would my own brother, if I had one,” I added, sure my face was completely red by now.

  Kye laughed. “Phew.” He fake wiped his brow. “Because there’s no way possible I could see you as anything more than a friend, either. That makes it easier for both of us. I don’t have to worry about you throwing yourself at me.”

  “Do you get that a lot?” I didn’t doubt if he did that all the time. If I put him next to Seth, I think most girls would be confused over which one to chase.

  “Back in Logan’s kingdom, it wasn’t an issue. Status in life matters much more than looks. Sure, a good-looking guy is going to attract girls, but it didn’t matter if you didn’t have a title to go with them. I don’t have titles in that time. I’m lucky I have a job, and a roof over my head.”

  “Logan wouldn’t do that to you,” I replied. They were brothers.

  “He wouldn’t? Oh, he has,” Kye responded. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bitter about it. He just wants me to be able to take care of myself. He knows what it’s like out there. If you think about it, Logan has three time periods in which he’s a gatekeeper. That means he’s lived his lif
e to nineteen three different times. He knows a lot more than most nineteen-year-olds.”

  That brought up another interesting subject I wanted to know about. “And what about you? Do you have a time you’re a gatekeeper for?”

  “No. The goddess decided there would be no more gatekeepers right before I was born. There weren’t enough pieces of chalcedony left to need any new ones. I’m a gatekeeper without a gate.”

  That was the first I’d heard of that. How could there not be enough chalcedony? Did she embed the stones in everyone? Logan said he’d seen it before. How many people like me, who could time travel, were walking around? I kind of wanted to ask the goddess, but she was off limits to me now. I was planning to break her rules, and it wouldn’t go over well. I couldn’t let her be around, otherwise I’d clue her in.

  “What does that mean? A gatekeeper without a gate, and running out of stones?” I asked Kye.

  “That time travel is ending,” Kye replied matter-of-factly, but there was more. It wasn’t what he said, but the way he paused before saying it. I looked at Kye, and he shook his head. He wanted to tell me more, but couldn’t. This mystery was one he wasn’t able to give me the details about. I’d have to find a different way to get answers.

  Chapter 9

  Anniversary Date

  Kye spent not only Saturday night entertaining me, but also all day Sunday. Logan was missing in action the whole time. It was nice to have a friend, particularly one that knew the time traveling world. Sim was still a great friend, but there was just so much I couldn’t say around her now. I figured Logan was called away for business in another time, but since he didn’t return until Monday morning made me think that his issues were more than in the past. He had something going on in the present he was dealing with also.

  Monday mornings are bad enough normally, but after a weekend where I had made Seth hate me even more, and I had lost all ability to do homework for classes I didn’t want to be taking, morning was especially horrible. I was late getting up, which made me late for my first class. That was probably the only piece of good luck I had all day. The rest of the day was terrible. Every time I turned around I saw Seth. And unfortunately it wasn’t just Seth; it was always Seth and Melissa. It hurt to see her hanging on him, and hurt even worse to see him holding her back. I didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose, or if we just crossed paths that much, but it hurt. It was too much for me to see. They seemed to be glued together, and their hands were always all over each other. It hurt each time, but I had to ignore it as best I could. After the sixth time, though, it was time to call it quits for the day and head home. I didn’t even go to my last class, which was very much not normal for me. I just couldn’t handle seeing Seth with Melissa on his lap one more time.

  When I made it back to the house, it was empty. Kye was right that I needed a friend to sit and laugh with, but I needed some alone time, too. I needed to wallow in self-pity and feel bad about breaking up with Seth. I needed to mourn the loss of a relationship I wanted more than anything. I needed to get over him to be able to go back on campus and not cringe every time I felt the tingles that let me know he was around.

  I climbed upstairs and made it to my room without a single sound. Logan wasn’t back, yet he could be at any time. Once in my room I locked the door and hoped Logan and Kye would both get the hint that I wanted to be left alone. Once I was sure I was completely by myself, I climbed into my bed and grabbed a pillow.

  Closing my eyes, I thought of my first semester in college. When Seth fell into my lap I didn’t know he would mean so much to me, and even now as it hurt to see him with Melissa, I still wouldn’t take it back. He gave me the chance to know what real love—having a soulmate—felt like. I couldn’t regret that, and I couldn’t regret letting go to save his life. I let all my feelings out as I cried into my pillow. I didn’t notice the change in the room until she was standing beside me, hand on my back, taking away my pain.

  “Child, you cry,” the goddess said in her musical voice. Her hand felt like the wind as she touched me.

  I sniffled back some tears as I looked up from my pillow. She wasn’t who I wanted to see at that point. I had plans to go against her rules, and here she was. I was screwed. I already knew she could read my mind, and now I was sure that she knew what was going on.

  “Why do you cry so much?” the goddess asked. She should have already known what I was crying about, so it was strange for her to ask. “You have chosen to sacrifice your love to save him. That’s not something to be sad about, it’s something to be proud of. It takes strength to protect those you love.”

  “You’re not mad at me?” I asked. I halfway expected her to rip the two magical stones right out of my arm to keep me from ever traveling again.

  The beautiful, shimmering woman smiled sadly at me. “I could never be mad at you. I have watched as each of my children have lost their way. I have a feeling you’ll be the one to find your way back.”

  I stared up at her. What did that mean? How many had come before me? Where were they now? And how could I just break her rule and have her be so forgiving?

  She smiled, and this time it reached her sparkling eyes.

  “You’re much stronger than anyone that came before you. When the time comes for you to change history, I know you have it in you. If you can give up Seth to save him, then I know you stand a chance to do what is needed. I have no doubts,” the goddess explained, but it didn’t help me. I was still completely confused.

  “Do you know what Logan is up to?” I asked. She, at least, wasn’t sworn to keep a secret like Kye.

  “No, I do not,” she replied. “He cloaks himself from me.”

  That was interesting. How did he do that, and why didn’t he teach it to me before I was left facing her with my secret that she could so easily sense? The goddess watched me as she pulled back and floated around my room. Sparkling dust followed her as she moved. She floated to the window and sat down, as if we were old friends getting ready for a chat.

  “Is that really possible?” I asked.

  “I didn’t make things so that I could know everything that was going on. I started all of this to help people. I can tell you that Logan is here in this time period. He has not traveled anywhere else, but when I speak of him, I don’t know what he is doing,” the goddess explained.

  “Is Logan the good guy or the bad guy?” I wanted to know. Many times it seemed like what he said was good, but other times I got the feeling he wasn’t doing everything to help the world, but only help himself.

  The goddess smiled at me, she could obviously read my thoughts.

  “You are correct in your assessment. Logan is neither good nor bad. He falls in the middle. The forces that drive him lead him to be self-centered.” Like me, I wanted to add. I was being self-centered by wanting to break the rules to save Seth. It was for me I was doing that. I couldn’t stand the thought of him dying. The goddess smiled at me and continued. “His reasons have always been for himself. Your reasons are for Seth, not yourself as you believe. You and Logan are not the same.”

  “Then I should leave?” I asked. As time passed, I was uncertain if I could trust Logan, and now she was basically telling me that I couldn’t.

  “Your choices are your own. I cannot tell you how to live your life. I tried to be stricter with the others. That’s where I went wrong,” she replied. “The only advice I can give you is to follow your heart. You know what’s right and wrong. You know what needs to be done. And sometimes we need to do things we don’t want to do to finish the things that need to get done. You are strong enough to deal with all of this. I have faith in you. You can change the world if you try. I know you can.”

  She was making things difficult. I needed answers. What was I expected to do? I wanted to save Seth and everyone else, but I couldn’t ever fall for Logan. I just didn’t trust him. He wasn’t the person he pretended to be. He had changed since I last knew him, and it wasn’t for the better. How was I to get the
secret from Logan to save Seth? I couldn’t even travel, let alone change the world.

  “Can you take this off?” I asked, picking at the silver bracelet I was still wearing.

  “No, I cannot. It was man-made to prevent traveling, not goddess-made,” she said. “Only he can break the binding he placed on you.”

  “Then how?” I asked. “How do I save everyone? How do I make this right?”

  I wanted much, but there were no answers. I wanted my mother to be happy, with or without my father. I wanted Seth to get more of a life than two years. I wanted Ty to live a life in which he wasn’t a slave. I wanted everyone to get their happily ever after’s, even if I didn’t get mine, but I was powerless to do any of it. Right now, if she wanted, the goddess could sweep everyone I cared about into the past, and I could do nothing to save them. I was stuck, and it sucked. I wanted to be able to do more.

  “I cannot answer that, but know that you are not alone. Kye will help you,” she replied, floating to a standing position.

  “Kye’s kind of related to Logan, and on his side. He has to do what Logan asks,” I told the goddess.

  She smiled at me and floated closer. “Kye might have to do what Logan asks, but he’s spent his whole life waiting to meet you. He’s here now to help you. He’s here to make the past and the future one where he can live in free of Logan. He knows much more than he lets on with you or Logan. Let him help you. He will help you find your way.”

  The goddess flickered. She seemed to notice, but ignored it, and continued to stare at me. She was waiting for some sort of response. What was I expected to say? Nothing made sense. Why wasn’t she mad at me?

  “You are the last child I created,” she replied. “I must leave this world to you. I have faith that you will do what is right. You have the strength.” Her form was fading. “Stay strong, and I’ll see you again before this is over.”