Million Dollar Soul

Chapter 6

After staring at an unconscious James for what seemed like an eternity, I decided to head upstairs for a drink, and if I’m being completely honest to see Lys, seeing her would make me feel less defeated for sure.

I all but fell into a bar stool and slumped my head in my arms.

“That bad huh?” Her voice was like a blanket.

“I’m having a day Lys,” I grumble into my arms before lifting my head. Meeting her eyes was like a bucket of ice water being thrown over me. Like jumping into the ocean on a cold morning, refreshing and oddly calming.

She offers me a small smile before reaching under the bar and grabbing a glass, “You know I really wish dad didn’t have to update me on what’s going through your head.” She pushes the glass toward me, I reach out for it and my fingers brush hers, a flash of heat against the cold glass, and then they are gone.

“I’m sorry beautiful, My head has been a disaster, the only reason he knows anything you don’t is because I was hoping he had some information.” I babysit the drink, I never found it right to drink in front of Alyssa. I never wanted her to take any of my words and think they were in a drunken haze, “What do you know about James?”

She props her elbow on the bar, “He’s a weird one that’s for sure. Comes in from the city to fight, thinks it’ll help her master his power since he’s a late bloomer. Sweet though, thinks he’s funny, and he is in that kind of awkward way.”

“Late bloomer…” I trail off, it lines up. Granted usually powers are transitioned to an existing low tier, but if his power started to manifest around the time dad got sick. I wonder what that could mean, would his power be greater than normal, since it sprouted out of no where, or weaker since he had nothing to begin with.

“He’s snarky and a little full of himself, but you can tell it’s a front. He was an orphan, he deflects a lot to avoid confronting his abandonment issues.” Gal comes up the bar and pourrs his own drink.

“Call him out Gal.” I snicker a little bit.

“He wants to belong, figure having him test his limits here was better than letting him run around and trying to figure out with anyone who would give him their ear.” He comes around the bar and takes a seat next to me.

“What a big softy.” Alyssa teases.

“Hey now.” Comes Gal voice over his glass. Lys and I both giggle.

“Figure out what youre gonna do with him.” Gal asks a little while later while Alyssa runs through closing the bar.

“I don’t know Gal, its not like I can teach him and Dad was criptic both in his asking and all his notes. I never realized I don’t even know where he trained for his powers. I’m actually surprised Grandma never told me.” I shrug pushing my half empty drink so Alyssa could take it.

“Let me poke some old contacts see what I can find. Give me a few days.”

I snap upright, “Gal are you sure? Don’t get yourself into trouble for me.”

He side glances me, setting his own glass across the bar, “You think I can’t handle myself now?”

“Never,” I smile, “But I also know why you cut all your ties. I would never ask you for anything that would you or Alyssa in danger.”

“Good you didn’t ask then, and I know where to go. I gotta clean up your mess from tonight anyway lay down some white lies to circulate.” He stands.

“What?”

“You used two elements down there Charlie. It did not go unnoticed.” He turns and walks to the back of the bar through the swinging doors.

Shit. I hadn’t even realized. That would be a problem for him, for all of us. They could accuse him of rigging my matches even though I only ever used one element, my training could be taken as an advantage. And if people started talking about a high tier, all kinds of people could find out about Night Run, the council in particular.

“I owe you one Gal.” I shout toward the back.

Just then the door to the basement opens and out comes a staggering James. I stand quickly and watch him, he slowly starts to gain his footing back. He seems to register where he is and slumps into a seat.

“Alyssa, can I have a drink please? I feel like I got hit by a house, without the tornado.”

His voice is a little ragged, but quite deep I realized, I didn’t expect that with his size.

“Sorry James, closing up shop, last call was 30 mins ago.” Lys stops in front of him.

He sets his head down on the bar, “Just add that to the day I guess, I really don’t want to truck all the way to the train.”

I start to think, I really shouldn’t let him leave, I need to make sure he’s safe, and doesn’t disappear on me. How do I get him home he doesn’t know me.

“You know James I know it’s a little weird but Charlie is still here. She only lives a couple miles away, you could crash at hers tonight.” Lys looks up at me, still standing a few feet away.

James picks up his head slightly, taking a good look at me, “I don’t know her.”

“Like I said I know it’s a little weird but shes a good apple, mostly. If it means anything to you me and Dad trust her.” Lys offers.

He eyes me again, sitting up straight. “Gods don’t let me get murdered.” He stands and walks over.

“James.” He offers his hand.

“Charlie” I shake his hand.

Arriving home was an experience, the minute I pulled up to the gate he was gapping at the house up the driveway.

“You live here!?” he exclaimed rolling down the window to look.

“I’d hope so, or else we’re trespassing.”

Stepping into the house and did a full slow spin, like he was trying to absorb every corner of the foyer.

“Welcome home Charlie.”

Harvey had appeared from the left hall.

“Whoa!” James startled at his voice.

“And guest” Harvey bowed ever slightly. I rolled my eyes a bit at his grandiosity.

“Do I need to prepare refreshments,”

“No Harvey. Its late and I think we’re both tired, I’ll show James to a room and we’ll see you in the morning.” I start to head off, having to come back and grab James arm. He was staring like Harvey was a ghost.

“Of course, I shall have amenities prepared for Sir James and left outside his door by morning.”

I had deposited James in the room across from mine, wanting him close in case anything were to happen in the night. After his many questions, and his gasps over how big the room was, I was finally able to escape to my room. I plopped into my bed face first. This was exhausting, and I felt like I was only getting started. I’ll have to tell James what is going on at some point, and Gal said he needed a few days, I need him to stay here at least until Gal contacts me. He’s new to our world he might not even know what being a high tier means. God I can feel the history lesson forming in my head, Dad’s lessons coming back to me. I much preferred Grandmothers, she was always about communing with the earth, and knowing out connection to the gods, Dad always talked of the wars, the selfishness of our blood, and the repetition that came with ignorance. Both had their place, I hope I can relay at least enough to get James to understand, this is important.

I sat up and slowly started removing my clothes, preparing for bed. Trying to calm my mind enough to let me sleep for at least a few hours, telling the racing thoughts that I would have all of it done in the morning. If only so this day could pass, another day of “mourning.” I did feel bad for not seeming to grieve my fathers loss, that in itself weighed on me. How could I not mourn my father, feel upset by his passing. Even though it wasn’t a surprise, and he wasn’t exactly a gentle man, but he did raise me. I was provided for, and looked after. I feel guilt over not being broken by his absence, but truth is the house always felt empty, whether we were all here, or not.