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Keely Katterin put her hands on her hips and frowned at her little sister. "Katherine Katterin," she snapped. "I'm telling you the secret of our family linage, here, and you're smart mouthing me."
The back door opened and Kevin Katterin came in, his arms laden with paperwork. "Hey, guys," he said, glancing at his sisters. Keely's eyes were steely gray, and flashing. "What'd I forget?" he asked, his voice devoid of humor, or joy.
"Katie doesn't believe the family secret," Keely snapped, darting her eyes back to Katie. Kevin nodded. "Would you please talk to her?"
Kevin Katterin frowned lightly, and set the papers down on the counter. "Look, Kit Kat," he said, coming towards her. "I know it's hard to believe, but-"
She cut him off. "It's impossible. It's illogical. It's-"
A glowing orb appeared in Kevin's hand. "Completely true," he finished waving the orb in front of her face. Katie fell silent. "Now, I have a lot of work to do. Keely is going to explain it all to you. Listen to her."
"Kevin!" Keely yelped, glaring at him. "We discussed this. You're supposed to help me out!"
He turned, and frowned deeper. "I really have a lot of work to do, Keel. Can't you do this?"
"Which is more important? Work, or the Shadow Prophecy?" Keely asked, tilting her head to one side, and blinking.
Kevin growled, and replied, "Work puts food on the table." He sat at the counter anyway. Keely motioned to him, and he frowned even deeper. It was beginning to become his normal attire. "Okay, Katie, here goes. You remember how Mom and Dad died in that car accident, and their bodies were never found. Well, here's the deal. Mom and Dad aren't dead, they went into the NetherRealm."
"Oh," Katie said, her voice soft, "The NetherRealm." There was silence in the room, until Katie snapped, "Okay! What the hell is a NetherRealm?"
Keely leaned back against the kitchen, and said, "Wow, Kev. You were much better at this when you explained it to me. Let me take a stab at it." She turned to Katie, and smiled. "Ok. The NetherRealm is the dreamworld, or a direct link to it. It's the Realm of the subconscious, where everything is created in its true form. Now, Mom and Dad were the gate keepers of this Realm, so to speak. They created a fortress around it, so that no one could enter without the proper amulets."
"Amulets?" Katie asked, glaring at her sister. "There's a lot of holes in your little story, Keel."
"All right," Kevin said, rising to his feet. "This realm of dreams, as it were, is called such because it's where you go when you dream. But only your mind goes. Your body remains here. With the amulets, you can transfer your body to the realm with a simple word. There are five amulet holders. The Sorcereress, the Fire-Bringer, the Lord of the Realm, the Dragon- Speaker, and the Fallen Angel."
"And where can you get these amulets?" Katie asked, disbelief echoing in her voice.
"There are five in existence. One for each of the amulet holders," Keely replied.
Hot words fell from Katie's mouth. "That would make a lot of sense."
"Katherine!" Kevin snapped, loosing his short temper. "You will shut up and listen to us! We are not playing a joke! This is very serious!" Katie's eyes widened, but she didn't speak. "We do not know where four of the five amulets are, but if the time has come for you to develop your powers then the amulet holders will be revealed shortly."
"Where's the fifth?" Katie asked in a meek voice.
Keely left the room, Kevin stood there, in silence. Katie waited. She didn't like where this conversation was heading. If they continued in this direction, someone was going to tell her it was up to her to save the world, and she had homework this weekend. When Keely came back in the room, she was carrying an emerald green velvet case.
"This is the Amulet of Emerald, protected by the Goddess of Innocent Magic," Keely said, opening the case. "And it's yours."
"Mine?" Katie asked, her eyes flashing from Kevin to Keely and back to Kevin. "Why me? Why not you?"
"I'm a man," Kevin replied, a smile playing on his lips for the first time in god knew how long.
"Keely?" Katie demanded, her skin warming in a flush.
"She has another destiny. Besides, you are the youngest," Kevin responded. "With the last generation comes the most responsibility."
"What am I responsible for?" Katie asked, cautiously.
"You get to save the world," Keely whispered, a smile on her face.
Katie exhaled. "And I have an English paper due on Monday too."
Mabel slammed the locker door right next to Katie's nose, and the girl didn't move. "You ok?" Mabel asked, shifting her chemistry book to the other arm. "You haven't said three words since I picked you up this morning."
"I'm fine."
"Now you've said three words," Mabel joked. When Katie didn't laugh, Mabel frowned. "You know, you're a real mood killer today. I could take a couple of Mom's Valium and be more upbeat then you."
Katie moved her head a fraction of an inch, and found Rojer Kincaid strolling toward them meaningfully. Katie moaned, and twitched her eyes away from him. The last thing she wanted was to explain how she had healed him, and when Mabel saw him that would be the first thing she'd think of.
"Kit Kat," Rojer said, reaching out to embrace her. "Thanks for helping me out yesterday. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there." Katie nodded into his chest, feeling Mabel's eyes burning into her skull, she could smell the hair scorching on the back of her head.
"I was there too," Mabel said calmly.
"But Kit Kat saved my life," Rojer whispered, pulling away from the girl.
"How did I." Katie trailed off. She knew how she saved his life, and she was terrified that he did too. Her blue eyes met his green, and she saw them sparkle. She gasped audibly, and stumbled backward. Rojer reached out and caught her, his arms easily pulling her back up to full standing.
"I just stopped to thank you," he said, aware that he was making her uncomfortable. "I'll see you in Algebra."
"What was that?" Mabel asked, coming toward her. Katie shook her head, and took a step back. A girl slammed into her as she stepped back into the general movement of the hall. Books flew in every direction, bodies flew opposite each other, and both girls slammed into the ground with a resounding "whoof". "Kit Kat?" Mabel asked, bending down.
The girl that crashed into her sat up and scowled. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, reaching to help Katie up. "I wasn't looking where I was going!" Katie went to grab her fallen Algebra book, but caught her eye on the necklace draped around the girl's neck.
"Katherine Katterin," Katie said, outreaching her hand. "And you are?"
The girl before her had fire red hair, with white streaks, and blue eyes that didn't change a bit. Contacts. "Phoenix Lark," she said, offering her hand. "People call me Nix. I just moved here from Boston. I transferred to the Orphanage of the Catholic Believer from the orphanage there." She trailed off for a second, then inserted, "Don't let the name fool you, I'm neither Catholic, or believer."
"Tell me, Nix," Katie asked, rising to her feet and collecting her school books. "Where did you get that red amulet around your neck?"
Nix looked down, and frowned, pulling it free from her red shirt. "This?" she asked. Katie nodded, and Nix responded, "Had it all my life. It's been around my neck since my parents passed away. Why?"
"It just looks like something I've heard stories about," Katie replied, staring at it. "Well, perhaps I should get to class. It was nice running into you, Nix. I hope you enjoy it here."
Mabel handed Katie her English book, and hoisted her bag higher on her shoulder. "We're going to be late for class," Mabel said, smiling at Nix. "Nice to meet you, Phoenix."
"Nix, and yeah, you to, blondie," Nix responded. Mabel flipped her flaxen hair over her perfectly clad shoulder, and flaunted away. "See ya, Nix," Katie said.
"Hey, Katherine," Nix called, "Wanna meet up after school?"
"It's Katie, and meet me at the flagpole after last class."
Katie slid in the door just as the bell rang. Mabel was already sitting in her seat, glaring at Katie as she skid across the floor to her seat. "Close one," Rojer said, smiling at her.
Katie flashed him a vibrant grin, and replied, "Better late then never."
The look he gave her sent shivers up her spine. "I couldn't agree more," he whispered. She would have asked him what he meant, but the teacher began her lecture, and she fell silent. But there was something in his voice that made her heart thump against her ribcage.
Mabel leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "What is wrong with you today? Rojer is SO hitting on you! Flirt back!"
"I can't flirt with Rojer," Katie whispered out of the side of her mouth. "I've known him for years. It would be weird."
Katie glanced to Rojer, who sat beside her in his desk. He watched her out of the corner of his eye for a moment, and turned back to the front of the room. But the heat in that glance made her blood heat up, and her lips tremble. "He seems to be okay with it," Mabel inserted, her voice thick.
Out by the flagpole, Nix Lark waited patiently for Katie to meet her. The front doors popped open, and the two girls came strolling out, arms laden with books. Mabel stopped in her tracks. "Is there a reason that girl is standing there? Does she have something to do with you?" Mabel asked.
"I told her to meet us, I'm sure she'd like some help with her homework. She is new, you know," Katie responded, flicking green eyes to Mabel.
"She's an orphan, Kit Kat."
"So am I," Katie responded, green eyes flashing.
Mabel rolled her eyes. "You aren't that kind of orphan, you know. You have a family. She lives in an orphanage!" she replied, turning to look at Katie.
Katie frowned, her eyes narrowing, and her teeth clenching. "And I would be too if Kevin and Keely decided not to take me in!" she spat at Mabel.
"Katie!" Mabel exclaimed, clenching her fists.
"Would you like a shovel to bury yourself in the hole you've dug?" Katie snapped, green eyes flashing silver in the light. "I'll walk home, Mabel. Thank you."
Nix glanced up as Katie came toward her. "Is everything all right?" Nix asked, her blue contacts not giving any emotion to her words. Katie nodded. "I didn't want to start a fight between you and your friend."
"No worries, Nix," Katie responded. "Mabel is having a major malfunction. She'll go home to reboot, and be fine tomorrow. In the mean time, do you mind walking a little bit? I only live a couple blocks over, and it is a beautiful day."
Nix shifted her black bag to her other shoulder and smiled at Katie. "I don't mind walking at all. Frankly, cars bother me. My parents were killed in a car accident."
"Mine too," Katie responded, starting to walk toward the street.
Nix tagged along, her hair ruffling in the breeze. "You're an orphan too?" she asked, her eyes seeming to darken.
"Yeah. I live with my older brother and sister in a little duplex off Cavern Street."
"Next door to me," a male voice said calmly from behind them.
Katie turned to find Rojer Kincaid standing behind them, his Algebra book in his hand. "Not next door to you, Roj," Katie inserted, smiling at him. "He lives three doors down and on the opposite side of the block." Rojer smiled at her, his blue eyes flashing. "Rojer Kincaid, this is Nix Lark. Nix, this is Rojer, Hometown Hero and all-around nice guy."
Rojer laughed, as he draped his arm around Katie's shoulder. "Geez, Kit Kat. You make me sound like Jeff." Katie smiled. Jeff Rico was the quarterback of their small town football team, dating the head cheerleader, and all around tough guy. Jeff was everything that a football college wanted, good at academics, and could throw a football like no one the town had ever seen. If the town erected a statue for anyone, it would be Jeff Rico. "Nice to meet you, Nix. Now, if ya'll don't mind, I'd like to walk home with you."
"Sure," Nix inserted, smiling at him. "Are you Katie's boyfriend?"
"Nope," Katie replied, quickly, ducking her head to hide her blush. "Rojer is dating Ebony Clark, the editor for the school paper."
"Ebony and I broke up last week," Rojer inserted, peering at Katie out of the corner of his eye. "Surprised you haven't heard about it."
"I don't usually listen to gossip," Katie replied, masking her astonishment well. She was astounded at the way her heart raced up and the flesh that brushed against his arm burned as soon as she realized that Ebony Clark was no longer in the picture.
"Or speak to people in the community," Rojer replied, a smile playing on his lips. "Really, Kit Kat. You should get out more."
"Don't have anyone to go out with," Katie replied, smiling at him.
Nix saw where she was taking it, and she admired Katie's ability to smooth talk the man beside them. Rojer was attractive, with chestnut brown hair and deep blue eyes the color of the ocean on a stormy day. He was tall and built like a quarterback, with one difference, he was sinewy, instead of chunky. "Then go out with me," Rojer responded.
Katie was shocked at how easily he said it. They had known each other for years, and they had been good friends the whole time. For Rojer Kincaid to just ask her out with him after all those years of friendship, it was almost impossible for Katie to imagine.
She didn't respond as they turned up her front walk, and meandered along the cobblestones that Kevin had laid in the lush forest. "Katie?" Nix asked as they were approaching the door. "Do you hear that?" Katie shook her head. "DUCK!" Nix screamed, grabbing Rojer and Katie, and pulling them down on the painted planks of the deck.
Behind them, the house across the street exploded in a fiery inferno. "Mrs. Kellerman!" Katie screamed, leaping to her feet. Nix tackled her halfway down the walkway, sending both girls flying into the grass. A second, more explosive noise ripped through the air as the fire reached the gas line. Flames shot up, sending pieces of roofing and paneling and glass flying across the street in every direction.
Rojer dove, pulling both the girls behind a shrub, and wrapping his arms around Katie. "God damn!" he shouted, his heart racing. "Are you two ok?" Nix nodded, lifting her head to peer over the bush. Katie lay in Rojer's arms, shaking violently. "Kit Kat?" Rojer asked, brushing hair from her face.
"Let me up!" Katie cried, pushing him away from her. Before he could stop her she was across the street and running up the fiery steps of the Kellerman house. Rojer broke into a sprint just as Katie ducked through the burning doorway.
Nix appeared behind Rojer, just as he skid to a stop in front of the house. "KATIE!" he screamed over the crackling of the flames. The burning house offered nothing, no sounds from within, no sign of life. Rojer started up the steps, but Nix's hand on his arm stopped him. "Let me go," Rojer growled, his eyes flashing.
"Just wait," Nix whispered. The top story creaked, and gave, splinter and sending up a "whoosh" of flame. Rojer moved against Nix's hand, but she held fast. The house began to creak, sending smoke up. Rojer cried out, and broke free of Nix's grasp.
Just as he reached the steps, Katie emerged from the flame shrouded door, Mrs. Kellerman draped around her. Instantly, Rojer was up the steps with his arms wrapped around them. Katie struggled to the grass, laying Mrs. Kellerman straight. The woman's right arm was badly burned, and the side of her face was red from the heat.
"Nix, go call nine-one-one," Rojer yelled. Nix didn't move. "NIX!" Rojer shouted.
"Wait," Nix responded, watching Katie bend over Mrs. Kellerman. "She came out of a house that was literally falling down around her ears completely unscathed, and you don't want to see what's going to happen next?"
Placing her hand over Mrs. Kellerman's face, Katie felt the tingle start in her flesh. When she moved her hand the skin under it was flawless. Rojer stared at her with pure confusion, while Nix nodded. Nix brought her hand up, and cradled a ball of fire in her palm. "You're the Sorceress," Nix said, smiling at Katie.
"And you're the Fire-Bringer," Katie whispered, staring up at her.
"Ah hell, we have a lot of homework, too!" Nix growled.
