Ch.21 Mati

Chapter 21

Maya was left speechless as Heyder stormed out of the room. She heard his door bang shut down the hall as her heart stumbled.

"Maya....." Ali spoke gently.

"I'm fine," Maya took a deep breath.

"It's okay if you're not," Ali said. "He can be a real jerk."

"The biggest," Maya said quietly as she turned around and walked back to the bed. She flopped down beside the tea tray and rubbed her eyes.

The events from the night still had her railing. She didn't understand why she had suddenly lost control like that. Absent mindlessly, Maya reached up to touch her necklace but her hand came up early.

"What?" Ali asked as he heard her gasp.

"My necklace is gone," Maya began to look around the room frantically. She picked up the pillows on the bed and dusted the sheets. "No wonder I went crazy. I lost my necklace!"

"What necklace?" Ali asked in confusion.

"My mom made it for me," Maya said looking on the floor. "It keeps my magic grounded. Where is it?"

"I didn't see it on you last night," Ali shrugged as he got off the chair. "What does it look like?"

"It's silver and has a heart," Maya ran a hand through her hair.

"Wait, wait," Ali stopped her. "Why do you need to wear a necklace to keep your magic grounded."

"Because as a kid I did something I really wasn't supposed to do," My bit down on her bottom lip.

"What was it?" Ali's eyes lit up. "Did you drain someone's soul? Make a deal with the devil? Summon a hell beast?"

"No," Maya shook her head. "I played with Fey magic."

Ali gasped before laughing, "Oh.....so you're crazy crazy."

"I need to find my necklace," Maya frowned. "I can't control when the next episode will be. The last thing I need is to accidentally kill Mrs. Heyder."

"She whines too much," Ali scrunched up his nose.

"Did you see my necklace?"

"No,"

"It must have fallen off when I took my sweater off last night," Maya said as she headed out of the room. She rushed downstairs with Ali at her heels.

Heyder and Fiza looked up as Maya stormed into the kitchen with her eyes glued on the floor. She scanned the surface as she held her hair back with her hand. Ali moved around with her and picked up her sweater from where it was placed on the stool.

"Not here," he said, shaking it out.

"Shit," Maya mumbled as she pulled the door open and ran out.

"Maya!" Ali went after her. "Put on a coat."

"What is she doing?" Heyder asked, getting out of his seat and walking out the door.

"She lost her necklace," Ali said as he pulled off the flannel shirt he was wearing on top of his sweater and rushed out.

Heyder stood still on the back porch as he watched his best friend transport to the spot beside Maya. She was kneeling on the ground digging around the snow angel she had created the night before. Ali placed the flannel over her shoulders and began digging with her. Heyder was about to go over when Fiza stepped out of the house.

"It was stuck on her sweater," she said as she placed the silver necklace in Heyder's hand.

Heyder looked down at the little trinket and closed his palm over it. He opened his link to Ali and called them back. Maya looked over her shoulder at the jinn standing at the porch. She felt Ali pull her up to her feet and whooshed her through the air in seconds.

"See, all is well now," Ali laughed as Heyder held the necklace out.

Maya didn't speak as she took the necklace and walked into the house. Ali and Heyder followed behind her. Her fingers were numb from digging in the snow. When she tried to slip the necklace back on, it fell through her fingers.

"I got it," Ali said as he picked it up. "Turn around, angel."

Maya silently lifted her hair above her head and turned her back towards Ali. Her eyes looked up just in time to see Heyder's gaze darken as he watched his friend hook Maya's necklace.

"All done, princess," Ali smiled as Maya let go of her hair.

"You're here to help me find the ophiotaurus, not be her chambermaid," Heyder snapped.

Ali smirked as he shook his head at his friend's words. His nose scrunched up as he waved the air in front of his face.

"Is something burning?" He asked.

Heyder's jaw tensed as he set his coffee down on the counter with more force than necessary, "You said you knew someone that could help?"

"Yeah," Ali laughed. "We could have gone yesterday but you went on a date."

"Where is this person?" Heyder ignored the dig.

"Greece," Ali said as he took a muffin from the plate on the counter. "I have a friend that used to work at the temple of Apollo. He might be able to help."

"Fine," Heyder nodded. He turned to Maya who was staring out the window with her hand clutching the silver heart. "Maya, go get ready. We're going to Greece."

"I'm coming with you," Fiza spoke up.

Heyder eyed Maya as she silently walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs without so much as a second glance in his direction. He felt his insides twist with irritation as he wondered how mad she was.

"Emir," Fiza called to him. "I want to go with you."

"I would prepare it if you stayed here," Heyder sighed, looking over at her.

"Why?" Fiza frowned. "I hate staying alone and it's not the veil. I'll be safe."

Ali munched on his muffin silently as his beady eyes bounced back and forth between the two. Fiza walked up to Heyder and placed her hand against his cheek.

"Do you remember we had plans to go to Europe?" She asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Heyder nodded, "I remember."

His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach when he realized he never got to fulfill that promise to her. She had died a month before their trip.

"I want to see Greece," Fiza smiled. "Please."

"Okay," Heyder gave a nod. "Go get ready."

"Thank you," Fiza cheered happily as she ran out of the room.

"Maya is not going to be happy," Ali said under his breath as he took a second muffin.

Heyder let go of the breath he was holding and took a seat beside his friend. His hands ran through his dark hair before he rubbed his jaw. His whole body felt completely restless.

"You were an ass to her," Ali said after a pause.

"You saw what she did last night,"

"She wasn't in control,"

"What do you mean?" Heyder looked over to his friend.

"Her necklace grounds her," Ali brushed off the crumbs on his lips. "She has Fey magic in her."

A ping of guilt rose in Heyder's heart. He remembered the first time he had caught a glimpse of Maya. Ironically, it had been on the beach in Greece. He was watching Theodora when Maya's presence sparked his interest. Heyder felt like an idiot when he realized the magic Maya had released the night before was laced with the same energy he had felt that day at the beach. It was the Fey magic. He had been so caught up with making sure Fiza was safe that the signature of the magic slipped past him.

"Fuck," Heyder groaned before he sighed. "What the hell was she trying to do in the kitchen last night, anyways?"

"She was trying to make you dinner," Ali said as he got up from his chair and threw out the crumbs. "But she got drunk accidentally and sliced her hand open."

The pressure building up in Heyder's mind was unimaginable. He wanted to split his skull open and hammer his head to make all the swirling thoughts stop. He needed to find Mirza soon. Heyder didn't know how much longer he could keep living with Maya and Fiza.

He knew it was unfair to Maya when he diverted his attention to Fiza. but he couldn't help it. Every time he was the girl he was reminded of all the promises he never got to keep. He was reminded of the way she had looked in her wedding dress. Fiza was like an old habit. And old habits, that stayed and lingered for centuries, didn't just disappear from one's mind over night.

As much as Heyder hated to admit, he knew Diana, Willow and even Theodora were very much similar to Fiza. But Maya....oh no, not Maya.

She was unlike any of her past selves. Her sass, wit, and charms disturbed the comfort of Fiza Heyder had grown so accustomed to in his mind. When it was just Fiza and him, it was easy for Heyder to pretend they were back in time. But as soon as Maya walked into the room, the guilt that washed over Heyder's heart made him uncomfortable.

"Ready, angel?" Ali's voice broke through Heyder's thoughts. He was starting to hate that word.

Angel....

"Yeah," Maya said from behind Heyder.

With a heavy sigh, Heyder turned around. Maya had slipped out of her jeans and t-shirt and into a yellow sundress. She held a straw hat in her hands as she tugged at the straps of her sandals.

Heyder's eyes moved up and down her body slowly as she straightened up and shook out her hair. Maya could feel his gaze, but she refused to look his way.

There was nothing she had to say to him. She wasn't even angry at him. The hollow numbness in her heart was unfamiliar and cold. Was this hopelessness?

"Okay, I'm ready," Fiza's irritating voice made Maya's eyes flicker up. She accidentally caught Heyder's gaze as the girl walked up to them from behind.

"Let's move out," Ali said, snapping his finger.

A large portal appeared in the center of the living room. Ali looked over his shoulder and flashed Maya a big smile. She couldn't help but return with one of her own as he stepped through behind him.

"Man, I always loved this palace," Ali said looking around at the white houses. Maya stepped up beside him and placed her hat over her head. She squinted in the bright sunlight and looked down the narrow roads.

"Oh it's beautiful," Fiza said as Heyder walked her through. "And it's so warm!"

"This way, folks," Ali motioned with his head. He led the way as the three quietly followed behind him.

Maya could hear Fiza and Heyder talking in the back but she paid no attention. The clicks of her sandals on the stone paths were enough to drown them out.

"Do you come here a lot?" She asked Ali as he navigated through the turns.

"I come once a month," Ali said. He held up his hand as they arrived at a set of steep steps and helped Maya climb down. "I have a special lady here."

"Oh?" Maya raised a brow. "I thought I was the only one in your life."

"You are the only one in my heart, Jaan-e-man," Ali winked.

"Jhootha," Maya smiled, making Ali stumble.

"Woah, woman!" he laughed. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Ali," Heyder's voice spoke from behind them. "Keep walking."

Maya rolled her eyes making Ali burst into a fit of laughter. He let Maya loop her arm around his as they made the short walk to the bookstore at the end of the road.

"Good afternoon," Ali greeted the lady behind the counter. "I'm looking for Manolis."

"What business do you have with Manolis?" the woman snapped.

"He's an old friend, tell him it's Ali,"

"All his friends are useless!" the woman huffed as she got off her stool and walked to the back of the tiny shop. Maya held back a chuckle as Ali shook his head.

"What are those?" Fiza asked as she stared at the small vender across the street. The man had a cart full of jewelry with stones and pendants that looked like eyes. He had one in every color.

"Mati," Heyder said. "It's supposed to ward off the evil eye."

"They're beautiful," Fiza said.

"Yeah?"

Maya watched from beside Ali as Heyder walked over to the vendor with Fiza and had her choose one of the necklaces. She picked one out in blue and he pulled one up in red. Ali turned his head to look at Maya as her eyes watched the scene in front of her.

"Would you like one?" He asked.

Maya shook her head. As Heyder returned with Fiza, Manolis appeared to the front of the shop. Maya was shocked to find that he was an old man with salt and pepper hair and a round pot belly.

"Manolis! Ay! How you been?" Ali greeted him loudly. The old man mumbled under his breath with irritation as he patted Ali's bear hug.

"What do you want, Ali?" he asked.

"I bought company," Ali said, pulling back. "Look, Maya Dorin."

Manolis squinted his eyes to get a better look at Maya's face. He adjusted the glasses on his nose and took a step forward.

"Oh, it's the princess!" he said, turning around to look at his mother. "Get some coffee."

"No, it's really alright," Maya jumped in. "We can't stay. We just have a few questions."

"Yes, yes, Of course," Manolis nodded. "What can I do for you?"

"This is my good friend Heyder," Ali introduced the old man to Heyder. "He is looking for something."

"What is it?" Manolis asked with curiosity.

Heyder took a piece of folded paper out of his pocket and handed it over to the man. They all held their breath as Manolis read the paper. His eyes grew wider and wider with each word until he broke out into a sweat. Darting his tongue out to lick his lips, Manolis folded the paper and handed it back to Heyder.

"I can't help you," he said turning away and retreating into the book shop.

"No! Hey, wait!" Maya jumped forward. "Please, we really need your help. How much would you like?"

"It's not about the money," Manolis said.

"It's always about the money," Heyder snickered.

Maya shot him a glare over his shoulder before she turned back to the man.

"Please, sir," she lowered her voice and spoke calmly. "I am willing to pay whatever amount for any information you may have."

Manolis looked over his shoulder to his mother looking at the group with suspicion. When he turned back, Maya realized he was about to say no once more. Acting quickly, she grabbed his hands and forced him to look into her eyes. Ali took a step back as Maya recited the hypnotic spell.

"Manolis," she said slowly. "I need help with the ophiotaurus."

"The ophiotaurus....." Manolis said without being able to take his eyes off of Maya.

"Can you tell me what you know?"

"He lives on a mountain.....guarded by Thetis."

"Yes, we got that much," Heyder said. "What else do you know?"

"She.....she's his keeper."

"Yes, what else?" Maya held the old man's hand firmly.

Ali spotted the old woman slowly rising from her stool. He snapped his finger and a group of colorful birds flew overhead.

"Oooo!" He diverted her attention. "Look! Look at the birds!"

"Birds..." Manolis said, trying to look up at the sky.

"No, no." Maya pulled him back. "The island. Thetis, what do you know about her."

"She allows passage,"

"That's great," Maya nodded. "What else?"

"This is wrong," Fiza whispered to Heyder. "The poor man. She's taking advantage of him."

"Thetis wants gifts. She likes gifts," Manolis started to grow sleepy.

"What does she want?" Maya asked.

"A golden olive branch......"

"And?"

"Milk from Apollo's cattle......."

"The last one?"

"The last one?" Manolis smiled like a sleeping baby. "I forget the last one."

"No! Manolis," Maya shook him. "Remember."

"Emir, stop her," Fiza frowned. "The poor man."

"Fiza, please," Heyder snapped.

"It's in the books," Manolis' knees buckled. Heyder jumped forward and grabbed the man.

"What are you doing to him?" His mother hollered from inside the store.

"Look at the goddamn birds!" Ali waved his hand.

"Manolis!" The old lady called to her son.

Maya's eyes snapped up to Heyder, "He's slipping. I can't hold on to his mind much longer."

"The sea of secrets," Manolis mumbled.

"What is he saying?" Heyder asked as he held the man's weight.

"The book.....Thetis is in the book......"

"That must be the book," Maya said, looking at Heyder. "The sea of secrets."

"Ali," Heyder called to his friend over his shoulder. "Find the book."

"You can't go back there!" Manolis' mother hollered as Ali jumped over the counter.

Maya threw her hand out and licked her finger causing the woman to freeze. Heyder followed her hand before he turned to look at her.

"My specialty is time," Maya said.

"You froze her in time," Heyder smirked.

"Emir," Fiza's voice shook. "I don't like this."

"It's okay," Heyder said looking up at her. "He's not hurt."

"But it's wrong,"

"You have any better ideas?" Maya asked over her shoulder. "No? So, shut up."

"I got it!" Ali said from inside the bookstore. He came out the back with a small book waving in his hand. "I have the book."

"That will be $18.75," Manolis smiled in his sleep.

"Can I put him down?" Heyder asked Maya.

"Yeah," Maya nodded. She took a step back as the jinn walked the man to the chair outside the shop and sat him down.

"Alright, let's bounce!" Ali laughed as he hopped over the counter.

"Make sure you pay him," Maya said to Heyder.

"He's asleep,"

"So?" Maya challenged.

Heyder didn't argue as he pulled his wallet out. Maya turned to the mother and put her to sleep too. Fiza stood by and shook her head with distaste.

"Who wants lunch?" Ali asked as he handed Maya the book. "I know a great seafood place."

________________________

On their way to the seafood restaurant Ali spoke so fondly of, Fiza stopped to admire the flower market by the boardwalk. She walked around touching and smiling the many roses and and orchids as the rest waited under the shades.

Maya's eyes fell on the bouquet of red roses and she reached out to touch the velvet soft petals. No one had ever bought her flowers. In high school, she didn't date anyone seriously enough and in college she was too busy getting drunk at parties. The type of boys she dated never really got close enough to break through her hard shell and see her soft core. Maya wasn't complaining. There was only one guy she wanted flowers from.

"These are so pretty," she said as she bowed down and sniffed the roses. She hoped Heyder saw the way she was looking at the flowers and got the hint.

But when Fiza said she was ready to go and Heyder set off down the street, Maya's face fell. She took in a deep breath and shook her head with a small laugh.

You're so stupid, Maya said to herself.

She followed Heyder and Fiza down the road for a while before Ali's voice called out to her. They all stopped and turned to find the man jogging up with the bouquet of red roses Maya had left behind. Maya's eyes grew wide as she began to smile.

"I saw you looking at them," Ali said as he handed her the flowers.

"Ali," Maya cooed. "Thank you so much."

As Maya brought the roses to her nose, she felt the back of her neck heat up. She didn't need to turn around to know that Heyder was grilling her and Ali.

"You just made my day," Maya leaned over and placed a kiss on Ali's cheek, making the jinn blush.

"Nah," Ali rubbed the back of his neck. "It's nothing."

"Hey, Ali?" Heyder spoke up. "How's Geet? I never got around to ask about her. You two still together?"

"Bastard," Ali mumbled under his breath as he looked over Maya's shoulder. "She's great!"

Maya suppressed a smile as she turned around. She caught the darkness swim on Heyder's face as the silver light pulsed behind his eyes faintly. Fiza's lips formed a deep frown as she noticed the tension in Heyder's body.

For the rest of the day, the air between the group was tense and thick. Lunch was a quiet affair. No one spoke, leaving Ali to make awkward conversation about the weather with Maya.

When they all returned, it felt as if everyone let go of a collective breath and scurried off into their rooms. Maya placed her roses by her bedside before grabbing her towel and jumping into the shower.

The night was cold but the room was cozy as Maya stepped out after a long hot shower. She wrapped the towel around her body as she eyed the log burning in the fireplace.

Who lit the fire? Maya wondered.

She walked over to the bed and started to go through her bag of clothes when something on the nightstand caught her eyes. Maya paused as she tilted her head and walked closer.

A small smile appeared on her lips as she picked up the red mati necklace.

It's short. But I was tired and it's the best I could do lol hope you liked it? What are your thoughts on Heyder?