Reaching Venus

Soulmate

Ian

Everyone was freaked out by the news that a faery had died suddenly. That just didn't happen in our world. But while I recognized the danger it couldn't over shadow the joy I felt knowing Venus was the other half of my soul. I had already fallen in love with her kind heart, her confidence, and her spontaneous nature. I just couldn't realize until now.

Everyone rushed to get us back to the faery ring. Amber was a mess and I genuinely felt bad for her. She was close with her faery family and we could all tell she was terrified. I hoped that when we got back to the faery ring and she could check for herself she would be better. All I really wanted was a minute alone with Venus.

I thought I was going to get that moment in the car once everyone else got out but then Amber opened my door tentatively and asked me to walk her home. Venus insisted I do so, and if walking Amber home would make Venus happy of course I would do it.

As Amber and I started walking I offered to pop over and check on everyone so she would know sooner.

"I don't really want to be alone right now Ian. And if it is bad news I should be with my family when I find out" Her voice came out meek and small.

I gently put my hand on her shoulder and said, "I understand."

Thankfully all of her family members were waiting for her when we got to the house. Amber's oldest brother, the only one to have found his person, wrapped her in a huge hug.

One of her other brothers mumbled, "Way to freak out mom and dad Amber"

Her dad smacked him in the back of the head. I chuckled a little bit, knowing Molly would have done the same to me.

I took a deep breath and said, "I'm glad to see you are all here and safe. This is all really crazy. I'm going to go check in with my sister. She is freaking out."

Amber grabbed my hand quickly as she said, " You can call Molly and you can both stay here tonight. I would feel better if all the people I care about stayed close."

She looked up at me with pleading eyes. They were still puffy and rimmed in red from crying on and off the past half hour. Of all the girls I had dated, Amber and I were the closest. I think she had always secretly hoped I would find my person and suddenly be the perfect boyfriend. I didn't want to hurt her but I figured giving her false hope was worse.

"Amber, could we talk for a second? Just me and you?"

She looked skeptical but led me into the kitchen before asking, "What's the problem Ian? Someone died...I would just feel better if"

"I found my person tonight" I cut her off.

"What? That's great Ian!"

"Yeah it really is. But Amber, the thing is, I don't think we should keep dating. I didn't want to do this right now. I know you're scared. Everyone is. But I figured it's meaner to string you along when I know I'm in love with someone else" I confessed.

She stared at me in shock for a second before screaming, "What the hell? You hear one random person in a karaoke bar laugh and you're in love with them now? You've never even met them!"

I winced a little bit. And while I wanted to say that Venus is not a random person and that she is completely perfect for me in every way I also wanted her to be the first person I told. So instead I just apologized for hurting her and excused myself.

Knowing Molly she wouldn't let me stay out much longer before she came to hunt me down so I decided to swing by home first. Molly was pacing outside the house when I got there. She had tear stains on her cheeks and her hair was a mess. I engulfed her in a hug when I saw her. Our parents had died when she was only 13 and we had been entrusted to our older "brother" but he was gone as often as he could get away with. We hadn't seen him for 2 years at this point.

Molly pulled back and hit me across the arm. "Why the hell did you not answer the phone?" She squeaked.

I led her back toward the house with my arm around her shoulder as I said, "I found them, Molly. My person"

"Yeah, like 2 months ago" She looked at me in confusion.

Now it was my turn to be confused.

"Venus is your person. What you didn't know?" She asked.

Shaking my head I said, " No! She never laughs. I only heard it tonight...how did you know?"

"Oh please. You've never once been mean to her, you have more patience when she is around, and you offered to help her when there was nothing in it for you. And she does laugh, you're just not funny"

Molly slipped into the house. As I was getting ready to say I was going to go find Venus I noticed the figure lounging on the couch.

"Barry. Long time no see" I said without the usual helping of sarcasm.

Barry had been searching for his person for as long as I could remember and so far had come up empty. I had always resented that since it meant he had basically abandoned Molly and me. But now that I knew what it felt like I couldn't blame him. Molly had Kaelin and I had Venus, but Barry had no one. I felt sorry for him.

"Hey little brother. Good job not getting yourself killed" he greeted with a smirk.

"How long are you staying Barry?" Molly asked.

He shrugged and replied, " Until the council decides we can leave again I guess. And until they tell us what the hell is going on, no one leaves this house. Got it?"

He glared back and forth at the two of us. There was no use arguing with him. And as our guardian he had the power to make sure we obeyed. He had used it once when our parents had first died. I had decided I was going to run away to the human world and never come back. He forced me to stay. Ironic since he had pretty much done exactly that.

I tried calling Venus that night but her phone went straight to voice-mail. So instead I stayed up all night watching movies with Molly. She was on edge the entire time. She had plans to go stay the weekend with Kaelin next week and was afraid she would have to bail. It seemed like a pretty silly thing to get worked up about but I I question it.

The next morning we got the news that no faery was to leave the ring unless they were with an elemental and they were out for a calling. All of the elementals were being briefed at the academy and then if we needed to answer a call we could go arrange for one to come with us. I didn't have a calling but I was certainly going to be the first faery there.

When I got there the auditorium was locked. I could have popped in but I figured making a big scene wasn't going to get me to Venus any faster. I paced outside for what seemed like forever. No other faeries arrived. I guessed they were scared and didn't trust that the elementals could help us.

Finally the doors opened. I scanned the room until I saw her. I really only saw her back but it was enough to make me smile. I couldn't take my eyes off of her and I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to figure out that our souls were the same.

I waited until Venus was alone. It was fascinating watching her take charge. I had known she was exceedingly caring but I hadn't had the chance to see her this confident. It was like she was in her natural environment. She would make a great leader some day.

When I approached Venus her face turned dark and frankly a little scary. It was worse than the time she had accidently set me on fire. She was probably scared like the rest of us and masking it with anger. It was my job to calm her down and make her feel safe again.

"Man, I'm glad I taught you to control you fire because otherwise I'd be in trouble right now" I joked trying to break the ice.

"What the f**k Ian? You were supposed to walk Amber home not break her heart!" She yelled.

This was not how it was supposed to go. I was going to tell her we were soul mates and she would jump into my arms. She was supposed to be laughing while I planted kisses all over her face and neck. We were supposed to be happy.

Once the shock wore off I tried to explain, "Last night I heard my person, Venus. It was the most amazing thing..."

"Yeah and I thought that was supposed to make faeries nicer. But maybe that just proves that deep down you're a jerk. " She spat before storming out.

Hearing her anger directed toward me like that made my skin crawl. I felt like I could throw up and all my muscles stiffened. I didn't know what was happening to me but I knew I needed to fix things with Venus. I made the decision to visit Lark in the library again. If there was anyone who could help me navigate this soul mate bond then it would be him.

When I got to the library and asked Lark for his help he pointed me to a few books. That was fine by me. I liked reading and it was better than having to tell anyone what had just happened and relive that. I found a table at the back of the library and dove in.