Ch.18 Gemini Blues

Chapter 18

The winter afternoon sun was shy as it crept into the study through the large windows on either side of the stone fireplace. Maya nested on the comfortable chair as she read the myth of the ophiotaurus. Using a highlighter, she marked off the parts she thought might be helpful and made notes on the different places mentioned in each version of the myths.

She knew from personal experiences myths were not the best source of information. Tobias discredited them left and right. But he did have to acknowledge that sometimes they were more like prophecies of what was to come. Maya combed through the stories, looking for anything that stood out. As she was on her third re-read of the same story, there was a knock on the open door.

"Hey, Psychopath," Heyder said. "I'm taking Fiza to return her. You want to come along?"

Maya glared at him for a few seconds. She wanted to push him out of the room and slam the door in his face, but there was also a part of her that grew bitter at the thought of Fiza and him being alone. The feeling was so strong in the pit of her stomach that she rose from her seat and nodded.

"Meet us downstairs," Heyder said before he turned to leave.

Maya turned back to the table and made sure all her work was neatly saved before she put a protection spell over it and locked the door. The last thing she needed was for Mirza to steal her hard work.

When she arrived downstairs, Maya's eyes landed on Heyder and Fiza standing by the door. The jinn had his brows furrowed as he focused on tucking Fiza's hair into her little wool hat. The girl stood still fixing her scarf as Heyder made sure she was properly bundled for the cold. Maya froze as she frowned at the scene in front of her. Sensing her eyes, Heyder looked up.

Don't start, he said through their link. She's leaving.

Maya didn't respond as she took the last few steps and arrived at the landing. Heyder moved away from Fiza and handed Maya a black coat. She took it and quickly put it on, leaving her hair a mess purposefully to see if Heyder would fix it.

"Ready?" Heyder asked the two girls in front of him as he raised his hand to summon a portal.

Maya frowned as she pulled her own hair out of her coat. Next to her Fiza frowned too, but for different reasons.

"We have to go through that?" She asked.

"Yes," Heyder said, turning to her. "It's almost a full day's journey to where we're going. Portal is the fastest. We'll be there in seconds."

"I.....it looks scary," Fiza pulled her coat tightly around herself. "Does it hurt? What if I get lost?"

Heyder frowned as he took a step closer to the girl, "It doesn't hurt. It's like stepping through curtains and I'll be right here beside you. I won't let you get lost."

"Where are we going anyways?" Maya asked as she rolled her eyes and buttoned her coat.

"Seattle, Washington," Heyder said looking up at her.

"Couldn't we go another way?" Fiza asked as she eyed the portal.

"No," Maya said. "We're wasting time. Now, let's go."

Heyder gave Fiza a small nod as he held his hand out for her. His eyes flickered to Maya who glared at him from the portal.

She's scared. Relax, he said.

Maya took a step aside and let Heyder and Fiza go through first. She counter to ten in her head to calm herself before she stepped through and appeared on the other side.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Heyder smiled as Fiza stood with wide eyes.

"I'm traumatized," Maya said. "I may never be the same."

"It wasn't that bad," Fiza smiled.

"Shall we?" Heyder took a deep breath and turned to the coffee shop in front of him. He began to walk towards the building as Fiza scurried after him like a little mouse. She jumped at the slightest sounds and her eyes bounced around like ping pong balls.

Maya felt a little bad for the girl. Fiza was completely out of her elements. All her life she must have lived in the snowy valleys with only the locals from the village to keep her company. A big city like Seattle must be a sensory overload. Maya walked up beside Fiza and surprised the girl by taking her hand.

"Don't worry," she said.

Fiza turned her frightened eyes to Maya with a small smile of her lip. She squeezed the girl's hand and stayed close by. Heyder caught their reflection in the store front windows as they passed by and opened his link to Maya.

Oh Tin man, you do have a heart, He laughed.

Fuck off, Maya rolled her eyes.

"What are these things?" Fiza asked, looking around.

"Cars," Maya said. "Like horse carriages, but machines operated."

"How do they work?"

"Honestly I don't know much about their insides," Maya shrugged. "All I know is I like them fast."

Fiza didn't respond as they crossed the street and turned the corner. Heyder held the door open as Maya and Fiza stepped into the hipster coffee joint. Slow jazz played on the speaker as people with laptops and books scattered around. Heyder walked up to the counter grabbing the attention of many of the female customers. He shook out his dark hair and Maya rolled her eyes as a young girl set her book down to get a better look at him.

"Hello," the man behind the counter flashed a bright smile.

"Hey," Heyder nodded. "Three cups of Gemini Blues."

The barista stilled as his eyes bounced from Heyder to the two girls standing behind him. Maya watched him fidget for a few seconds before he smiled again.

"I'm sorry, sir. But we are all out of that blend."

"Three Gemini Blues," Heyder said once more. He rolled up the sleeve of his coat on his left arm and showed the barista something on his wrist. Maya leaned forward and gasped when her eyes landed on the mark.

It was the same mark she had seen glowing on his wrist the night he had saved her from falling off the balcony. The three clean sides of a triangle, never meeting at the corners.

The barista sighed in defeat as he walked around the counter and motioned for them to follow him. Heyder looked over his shoulder and gave Maya and Fiza a nod.

"What's going on? Where are we going?" Fiza asked as they began to be led to the back of the cafe.

"Shhh," Maya hushed her. They followed the barista through the small kitchen and then up a flight of stairs. The warm air of the cafe started to disappear as it's coffee scent melted away into the heavy aroma of herbs and smoke.

At the top of the stairs, the barista paused and urged Heyder to go forward. He let Maya and Fiza pass before he rushed back downstairs. Maya gave him one last look before she turned to what was in front of her.

It was a loft. A massive loft with stylish furniture and lots and lots of plants. The white hardwood floors were covered in dried rose petals and Turkish rugs. The large industrial style windows looked out to the rainy city as a grand white piano sat right by them.

"I never thought I would live to see that face again," A voice said from somewhere in the room.

Fiza and Maya turned to see a small man in an Italian silk suit walking up to them. His eyes were fixed on Heyder as he smiled like the Cheshire Cat.

"Hello, beautiful," the man greeted Heyder. "Welcome back to the land of the living."

"Syed," Heyder gave a nod.

"What brings you here?" The man, Syde, smiled up at Heyder before his eyes landed on Maya and his face paled. "Oh sweet baby Jesus."

Heyder looked over his shoulder to Maya, "Oh yeah. I bought some company. Hope you don't mind."

"Company?" Syde fanned himself. "Mother of God, that's our soon to be Queen!"

"You're a witch?" Maya asked, dropping Fiza's hand and stepping forward.

"Yes, your grace," Syde bowed. "Syde Whiz at your service."

"Whiz?" Maya fought to keep her face straight. "Like Cheese Whiz?"

"Eh......yes, your grace." Syde nodded.

"I like it," Maya said.

"I need your help," Heyder cut in. "We're having some issues with time travelers."

"Anything for you, your highness," Syde bowed his head to Maya once more.

"I like him," Maya smiled over her shoulder at Heyder.

"Oh joy," Heyder rolled his eyes. "Syde, I need you to send someone back and close the timelines."

Syde's eyes bounced around the faces in the room, "Pardon me for being so rude, but.....couldn't Queen Gemma.....do it?"

"Exactly what I said!" Maya threw her hand up in the air.

"She has done it before with her husband," Syde nodded.

"Right?" Maya looked at Syde. "Heyder's allergic to listening to me."

"Syde," Heyder ignored Maya. "Can you help us?"

"You? No. But the Queen to be? Absolutely."

"Are you so glad I'm in your life?" Maya laughed as she flipped her hair over her shoulder and winked at Heyder.

"I thank my lucky stars every night," Heyder snorted.

"Pardon me," Syde lowered his voice. "But who is she?"

Heyder and Maya followed the little man's finger to Fiza standing quietly behind them. Upon having everyone's eyes on her, she slowly pulled off the hat on her head and smiled politely.

"That's your passenger," Heyder said. "Fiza."

"Fiza?" Syde blinked in surprise. "The Fiza you told me about?"

"Yes," Heyder nodded.

Maya stared at him with curiosity. His face was guarded and he was avoiding looking at her. She made a note to herself to pull Syde aside later on and press him for information.

"Oh heavens!" Syde gasped. "Heyder! She is beautiful! Now I see why you were ready to move heaven and hell for her."

Syde's words caused a sharp pain to pierce through Maya's heart. She watched Fiza blush as Heyder leaned against the stair railings and smiled. Syde rushed up to the girl and took her hands.

"Let me see!" he said as he pulled Fiza to the center of the room. "You are prettier than your portraits. Oh what a muse you are!"

Maya looked at Heyder who had his eyes glued on Fiza and Syde. She suddenly felt out of place as Syde started to talk about how much Heyder spoke about Fiza to him.

"Why are you sending her back?" Syde turned to Heyder. "You should be over the moon! You have your girl back."

Maya felt her stomach turn. Her heart began to burn as she stood frozen. Her hands and her feet were completely numb and she could hear nothing but the rush of blood through her ears.

"It's.....complicated," Heyder said, flickering his eyes to Maya.

"He's married," Fiza said to Syde. "I can't stay. He's expecting a baby with Maya."

"The Queen?" Syde shrieked. He turned to Heyder with his eyes wide as headlights, "You married the Queen and I wasn't invited?"

"Yeah, Maya," Heyder looked at Maya. "Why didn't we invite anyone?"

"Because you are a dick and I can't stand your guts at times," Maya snapped. "Syde! I don't have all day. Do your thing and send Fiza back."

"Yes, your majesty," Syde said as he quickly hurried away from Fiza.

Maya moved away from the stairs as she heard Heyder chuckle under his breath. She knew if she stood near him she ran the risk of pushing him down the stairs. Fiza quietly walked over to the jinn and took a seat on the small bench.

"Make yourself at home," Syde said as he began to pull books out of the shelves on the other side of the loft. "I just need a few minutes to prepare."

"Come," Heyder said to Maya and Fiza as he began to walk over to the sitting area. Fiza followed him without question, but Maya stayed back for a few seconds before she gave up and sank into the empty sofa across from Heyder and Fiza.

"You're a Queen?" Fiza asked, looking at Maya.

"Not yet," Maya said as she unbuttoned her coat and took it off. She saw Fiza's eyes grow slightly wider and wondered what was the matter.

When she looked down to see what the girl was staring at, Maya realized she was wearing a V neck sweater that showed off a decent amount of her cleavage. Especially with her sitting down and leaning forward. Her silver necklace dangled around her neck and the little heart swung in between the swells of her breasts. When she looked up, Maya found Fiza motioning for her to pull her sweater up. Maya tilted her head sideways and pretended to not know what the girl was talking about.

"How do you know Syde?" Maya ignored Fiza and turned her attention to Heyder who was busy watching the witch prepare for the spell.

"Old friends," Heyder said, running his finger over his bottom lip. Maya found her eyes stuck on the little gesture. Heyder was completely unaware of how her eyes lingered on him and of all the things she knew she could do with his hands.

"How does he know me?" Fiza asked, pulling both Heyder and Maya out of their heads.

"I talked about you to him," Heyder looked over at her.

"You did?" Fiza blushed.

"Of course," the corner of Heyder's mouth lifted. "Syde helped me see some of my paintings of you at his galleries."

Maya felt the hot burning sensation return to her chest. She feared her locket might heat up from how hot she was getting.

"I like the one in the study," Fiza said.

"Me too," Heyder agreed.

"Why didn't you sell that one?"

"I keep the ones that are my favorite."

Maya was biting down on her bottom lip so hard she started to taste the warm blood. With annoyance, she licked it away and excused herself to the bathroom. Heyder and Fiza looked up as Maya jumped up from her seat and walked away in search of the bathroom.

"Upstairs to the left," Syde directed.

"Thank you," Maya said as she hurried up the stairs to the third floor and ran into the bathroom. She locked the door before she turned to the large vanity sink behind her.

Maya felt her hands and insides begin to shake as she fumbled with the sink and turned the water on. Her reflection was pale and dreadful. Her bleeding bottom lip gave her the only color. Even her radiant blue eyes were dull and hooded. Maya took a handful of cold water and brought it up to her lip. She repeated the action and pressed down with a small towel until the bleeding stopped.

Setting the towel aside, Maya stared at herself in the mirror. The cut on her lip demanded all the attention. Anyone who saw her would look directly at it. Maya sighed in frustration as she scratched her brain and tried to think if there was any small spell she could use to cover it up or heal it.

Suddenly, as Maya stood searching her memory, the air behind her began to shimmer. She narrowed her eyes as Heyder's tall figure materialized in the small bathroom. His brown eyes met her in the mirror and as predicted, Maya watched his gaze drop to her cut lip.

Heyder took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Maya's waist. He lowered his mouth to her neck and pressed a small kiss to her smooth skin. Maya hated the shiver that ran down her back. She tried to push his hands away, but Heyder wouldn't budge. He held on to her tightly as she struggled to push him away.

"Stop," he whispered into her ear.

Maya dug her elbow into his ribs. In the mirror she watched irritation flicker across Heyder's eyes before he spun her around and pushed her up against the wall next to the sink.

"Birdie," Heyder said softly as he tried to take hold of Maya's chin. But she shook her head and pushed at his chest.

"Maya," Heyder's voice dropped a few notes.

Maya looked up at him with her blazing eyes, "What?"

"Stop being so difficult," Heyder said.

"Don't touch me," Maya pushed him again out of anger. But Heyder stood his ground and didn't budge.

He grabbed her face gently and placed his thumb over her bottom lip. Maya frowned as he pressed her against the wall and began to channel his energy into her. She felt her lip tingle as her body started to mend the cut. Once he was done, Heyder let go of her chin and brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

"She's leaving," he said looking into her eyes. "In a few minutes."

Maya didn't say anything as she turned her face to the side. She bit down on her jaw as Heyder leaned forward and ran his lips along the side of her face.

"Your wife is all alone downstairs," Maya mumbled in anger. "You to her rescue."

"I thought you were my wife," Heyder chuckled.

"Stop," Maya turned to look at him before she shoved him. "I don't like you."

"But you love me," Heyder tilted his head to one side with a playful smile.

Maya hated the way her heart fluttered. She dropped her gaze and stared at her feet.

"What am I going to do with you?" Heyder sighed as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Maya wanted to pull him closer just as he took a step back and unlocked the bathroom door. He stepped out into the hall and held his hand out for her.

"Let's go," he said. "Syde is ready for us."

Maya pushed off the bathroom wall and walked out into the hall. She moved around Heyder's hand and left him standing behind as she made her way to the second floor. Heyder shook his head as he followed her.

"We're ready, your grace," Syde said as he spotted Maya and Heyder coming down the stairs.

"Good," Maya nodded. She looked around at the two women standing in a small salt circle. Syde followed her eyes.

"Sheila and Mila," he said. "My assistants."

"How does this work?" Fiza asked as she walked up to Heyder.

"Syde is going to close the rip in the time veil. When he starts, the spell will act as a vacuum and suck you out of our time and throw you back into your time," Maya explained as she examined everything gathered for the spell.

"Would you like to help?" Syde asked her. "The more the merrier. The spell will be better if you have you helping."

Maya looked over her shoulder to where Fiza stood holding Heyder's arm. She took a deep breath and nodded as she stepped into the salt circle. Heyder watched her closely as she gathered her blonde hair and tied it up into a ponytail.

"Emir," Fiza turned to the jinn. "Thank you for everything. I can not wait to share my life with you when I go back."

Maya felt a wave of sadness wash over her as Heyder's eyes darkened. She wasn't a fan of the girl, but it didn't mean she was happy about the faith that wired for her once she returned. Heyder took a deep breath as he kissed the top of Fiza's head and touched her face.

"Be happy," he whispered to her.

"Shall we begin?" Syde asked Maya.

"Yes," Maya nodded. She cleared her throat as she joined hands with the two women and the little man. Syde led the Roopcian chant as Maya and Sheila repeated after him. Mila held the spell book open and made sure everything remained the way it was set up.

Maya felt her magic rise up to the surface of her skin. Through their hands, she felt Sheila's and Syde's magic do the same. One of them gasped in shock as they felt how strong Maya's magic was. She was the supreme's heir, of course her magic was stronger.

Syde chanted the spell over and over as a light breeze came to life inside the circle. Maya relaxed her shoulder and shut her eyes just as her mother had taught her. Her feet were rooted to the ground and her senses were all on high alert. She started to feel the rip in the time veil start to close. It was an unexplainable sensation.

But something was off. Maya frowned as she felt a tug in her heart. She didn't know what it was as Syde and Sheila kept chanting. She knew she should stop them. It was the first rule of doing any spell. If it didn't feel right, it probably wasn't right.

Maya's eyes flew open just as the last words to the spell was said. She felt a rush of chill wash over her as her eyes met with Heyder and then with Fiza.

"What happened?" Syde said in alarm as he too started at Fiza. "We closed the hole. Why is she still here?"

Heyder's eyes grew dark, "Maya......what's going on?"

Fiza looked at Heyder and then to the group of witches. Her bottom lip began to tremble, "What's going on?"

"Your grace?" Syde looked to Maya who stood motionless.

"Maya," Heyder rushed forward and took her hands. "What happened?"

"She.....she has a binding spell on her," Maya said with her eyes still on Fiza.

"What?" Heyder said in anger.

"Oh no," Syde paled. "We just closed the time hole."

"What does that mean?" Fiza asked as tears ran down her face.

"It means you're stuck here forever," Syde said.

Uh-oh! Oops see daisy :)