Chapter Five – Marco POV

It had been six years since the first time Orion cast that spell on Jade. In that time, Orion grew increasingly defiant, casting darkness spells on Jade and I any time he was angry. No one could stop it, not even Aidoneus.

But Aidoneus was having problems of his own. His powers as a necromancer prevented him from accomplishing his sage duties as he should. He confided in Jade, saying this had been going on from the start, but being close to Morgyn and the other two sages, he couldn’t disappoint them. So he hid it.

Eventually, this caught up with him, and Morgyn pulled him aside. I overheard their conversation.

“Morgyn, I can’t be a sage here any longer.”

Morgyn looked at him curiously. “Why not?”

“There’s a conflict of power, and as I try to push the light magic, it becomes overshadowed by my stronger abilities. It’s been six years. It’s catching up with me. Eventually, I’ll have very little ability to do my job.”

Morgyn rested his hand on Aidoneus’ shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll see if Jade wants to take over again.”

I gasped. No way. She couldn’t do that and have that level of power again. If she did, and the darkness took over, it would be catastrophic.

Yet, I hadn’t told Morgyn about these darkness incidents because I didn’t want him to know. I hung my head. He couldn’t know about this. I was still fearful that we would be banished. Orion, Jade and I would easily be banished from the realm, into that he’ll that was the second realm. Our son, Kyler would lose his mother, father and older brother. We couldn’t let that happen.

I was met with this internal struggle that overstayed it’s welcome. Tell Morgyn or no? Let things play out? Keep an eye on Jade and snap her out of it if Orion does the inevitable?

Keep Orion away from Jade?

I dreaded that thought, but if she was to be the sage again, we absolutely couldn’t have Orion living with us. But then, Morgyn would find out, because Orion would live with them.

I sat down on a bench with my head in my hands. What the hell were we supposed to do now?

Morgyn came out and saw me. “Whoa, Marco, you alright?”

I snapped my head up and looked at him. I knew he saw the fear all over my face and in my eyes.

He stepped back. “What’s wrong?”

“Uh,” I put my head down. “Just one of my headaches.”

Morgyn gazed at me sympathetically. “Jeez, I can’t imagine. Why don’t you go home?”

I nodded. Good idea. I needed to talk to Jade about this anyway. Standing up, I gave Morgyn a slight nod and left.

I felt his eyes on me as I walked out the door. What were we going to do? As I got to the portal, I teleported home. As soon as I stepped in, Kyler greeted me.

“Hey Dad!”

I smiled. “Hey bud. Where’s Mom?”

He pointed to the balcony. “Said she needed some air.”

I nodded as I walked out. Jade was sitting on the bench, staring blankly at the floor.

I sat beside her. “What’s wrong?”

She sighed and shook her head. “Morgyn called me.”

Oh no.

“He wants me to be the sage of alchemy again.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I know about that. I actually wanted to talk to you.”

She looked up at me, and I continueda. “I know Orion is a danger to that position. What will you tell Morgyn?”

“I…” she stopped. “I don’t know. I can’t tell him that I might randomly come in as a dark sage. I’m afraid to tell him why.”

I agreed. “Um, I don’t know if you’ll like this, but what if he lived with Caleb?”

“Full time?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve considered that.” She sighed. “But Morgyn will know. And Orion will think I’m abandoning him.”

I looked down, an idea suddenly coming to me. “What if you have him live there in fear that you may not be able to care for two kids while being sage? Leave out the whole black magic thing?”

She didn’t say anything, just staring at the floor again. Finally, she shook her head. “There will be a time when he will lash out at someone there. They’ll know.” She let out a nervous and frustrated sigh. “I’ll talk to Morgyn tomorrow. I’ll tell him the truth.”

I nodded. I didn’t like this at all. How would he react?

We went inside. Orion would be home soon. We both only hoped he had a good day.

As he came in, he greeted us cheerfully. His expression faded into sadness.

“Danny hasn’t been in school for at least a week,” he said quietly.

I was surprised. Danny? The little boy who awakened Orion’s hidden darkness?

Jade glared at him. “You shouldn’t be hanging out with him!”

I placed my hand on her arm, shaking my head.

Kyler came in, surprised to see Orion. Orion generally just retreated to his room, only coming out for food and bathroom breaks. It was unusual for him to be seated beside us.

“Hey, baby brother!” Orion rushed toward him. Kyler flinched as Orion pulled him into a tight hug. Marco and I watched this interaction. Kyler was often Orion’s punching bag. He didn’t know what to expect when Orion charged at him.

I watched them carefully, ready to separate them if needed. Jade did the same. Though, for Kyler’s age, he was smart, and strong. We had also made an effort to teach him light magic. He knew how to stop Orion if we didn’t get to him in time.

Jade’s phone rang again and she answered.

“Oh, hey, Morgyn…..yeah, I’ve made my decision.” She looked right at Orion. “I’ll accept my position as sage of alchemy.”

Orion whirled around with a grin. Kyler looked overjoyed. The contrast between the two expressions was evident. Kyler was happy for his mother. Orion saw it as an opportunity.

I sighed. “Orion, don’t you have homework?”

“You know I never do it, Marco,” he glared at me.

I didn’t take my eyes off of him. “Don’t play that with me. You do your homework and you will tonight as well.”

He stepped toward me. “How do you know I’m not just scribbling bulls-” he cleared his throat, glancing at Jade who just put her phone down. Nice to know he still had a little bit of respect for her.

But none for me.

He continued, “scribbling nonsense in that notebook?”

“You have good grades,” I pointed out.

“I’m smart. Certainly smarter than you are.”

I furrowed my brow. I couldn’t say anything because Jade stood up.

“That’s enough!” She glared at him. “I don’t care if you don’t like Marco, but as long as you’re in this house, you will respect him.”

He grinned at me. “Let’s go outside then.”

“Orion!” She growled. “Go do your work before I ground you for the whole summer!”

He rolled his eyes, moving his fingers in a circle. “Whoop dee doo, Mom. You know I have my ways to get the hell out of here.” He stepped closer, his red eyes flashing briefly. “You and your pathetic magic will never stop me.”

I knew where this was headed. He was going to cast one of his spells. I stood between them. “Stop now, or your father will be getting a call.”

He glared at me. “But it’s so fun to mess with Mama,” he gave me pouting eyes, then his expression shifted to a menacing stare. “Especially when she’s a sage again.”

Yup, I knew that was coming. I recognized a craving for power in anyone since I had felt it myself. “Go to your room, Orion. Do your homework. Stop fighting.”

He grinned. “See you later, Mama.”

As he slammed his door, I growled. I turned around and saw a tearful Jade. Kyler was comforting her on the couch.

I sighed and sat beside Kyler, putting my arm around him and Jade.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said quietly.

Kyler stood up. “I’ll go do my homework too.”

I nodded. “Thank you Kyler.”

He hugged me. “Make Mama happy, okay? You’re good at that.”

I smiled. “I sure hope so.”

Jade let out a small laugh through her tears. “A ray of sunshine in our chaotic world.”

I nodded, pulling her close. “Yes. Always.”

We stayed silent for awhile until she began to sob again. “I have no choice, Marco. I have to talk to Caleb about Orion moving in with them.”

“What?!” Orion screamed.

Oh no. Neither of us knew he had left his room. Jade looked up at him with a tear-tracked face, a look of pure fear on it. “Orion, I…”

“So you’re just going to send me away, huh? Make me live with Dad? Be someone else’s problem?” He laughed. “Pathetic! Both of you. And your precious NEW son. Wittle bitty Kyler is so much better than me, huh?” He rushed in front of Jade’s face. “Still believing that legend, Mama? If you believe it so much, then just submit yourself to your darkness. You know you want to. Maybe I won’t be so problematic for you if you do.”

She got up, pushing him off of her as she walked away. He started to cast his spell, but I grabbed his arms, stopping it.

“This right here is exactly why she wants you to live with your father.”

“But wouldn’t I cast those same spells on Morgyn?” He grinned.

“No,” I shook my head. “You could try, but Morgyn has no darkness. Nothing to bring out.”

He snatched his arms away from me and stormed back to his room, slamming the door again.

Every day. Every damn day was a struggle. I wished he had never met Danny. I wished he had never learned magic. We were in for a bumpy ride, weren’t we?

I went out onto the balcony where Jade was. She was on the phone and jumped backwards when she heard the door open. I gave her an apologetic smile and wrapped my arms around her.

“It’s just me.”

She nodded, listening to the person on the other end.

“I know, but I can’t tell you, Caleb,” she said. “It’s a whole complicated mess, and right now, he’d be better off with you. His behavior toward Kyler is becoming a big issue. Today was the final straw. I can’t do it anymore.” She sighed during a long pause. I couldn’t hear what Caleb was saying. “Yes, yes. I promise you that I will tell you everything once it’s resolved. And let’s keep this between us, okay? If Morgyn knows, he will pester me in the realm.” There was another pause. “Thank you…..Yes, you can come now. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”

They said their goodbyes and she turned toward me, tears in her eyes.

I sighed and pulled her into a hug. “I’m hiring a babysitter for the night. You need a break.”

She simply nodded, holding me close.

Caleb came and immediately stepped outside with us. I stepped away and he pulled her into a hug as well.

“I’m sorry it came to this,” he said.

She cried harder. “God, please don’t hate me, Caleb! I never wanted this, ever!”

“Shhh,” he rubbed her back and looked at me with a worried expression. “I’m not mad at all. I know you aren’t giving up on him. You’re just keeping Kyler safe.”

We had appointed Caleb and Morgyn the godparents of Kyler. Aidoneus was the “god-uncle” as we joked. Kyler adored all of them, so I knew he understood this better than someone else might. He was also very aware of Orion’s behavioral issues. I had pulled him aside and told him about the legend.

Just…not the part about Jade and I.

Orion came out. Seeing his father, he furrowed his brow. “So you actually did it, huh Mom?”

Jade stepped away. “Orion, I can’t. You are dangerous. We can’t have that here.”

Caleb turned to him. “Listen, it’s just until we can help you calm your anger, alright? Not long at all.”

Orion folded his arms and laughed, giving a menacing stare. It reminded me of how I had been. I looked away, closing my eyes. I couldn’t see it. “You don’t know me very well at all, Dad. This isn’t going away. It’s only getting worse. Nothing anyone can do will change it.” He leaned in closer to Caleb. “Because I don’t want to change.”

Caleb glared at him angrily. “You’ll see. Now pack your things. It’s time to go.”

They went inside and Jade sighed, walking over to the railing of the balcony. “I feel even worse now because I’m actually relieved that this may be over.” She looked at me as I put my arm around her. “What kind of parent thinks that way?”

“A good one,” I said with a reassuring smile. Yes, Orion is your son, but so is Kyler. You are protecting him. I know we would have found a similar solution if roles were reversed.”

She gazed out over the water, resting her head against me. “If the legend is true, how much will this moment play into his anger? Or his hurt? Or his capabilities?”

I hadn’t thought of that. “We will play it by ear, alright?”

After Orion and Caleb left and our babysitter arrived, Jade and I left. We went across the river and stood on the docks by the restaurant near the spice market. Jade gazed up at the sky.

I smiled. “They aren’t as bright as they are in the country.”

She rested her head on me. “Stars in the city are beautiful in their own way. Stare at them for long enough and the buildings just slowly drift away.”

I followed her gaze. The stars were pretty, no matter where you saw them. I started to get lost in them, and she was right. The brightness of the city just faded the more I stared.

My concentration was broken when she stood in front of me. I looked at her and tilted my head.

“How do you feel?”

She shrugged. “It’s bittersweet. I feel lost, confused, frustrated, and even scared. But at the same time, I feel hopeful and determined.”

I kissed her forehead and pulled her close to me. “Well, I like those last two.”

She laughed. “We’ll work on the rest.”

I closed my eyes and rested my head on hers. “I love you, Jade. Don’t forget that.”

She smiled up at me. “I never could. Because I love you the same, Marco.”

I sighed contently. “What do you want to do now?”

“Stargaze.”

“I think we can manage that.”

Chapter Six (click here)