The Arrival - The Madeline Calderon Trilogy: Book 1, Page 2

  Chapter 2

  My flight is smooth and quick thanks to Grams and my father's efforts. As the torrential storm wreaking havoc over New Jersey is more likely to delay every other flight coming in, I am safely arriving. The plane touches down gracefully and the pilot expertly drives the plane into a garage. Once the stairs descends I gather my things and head toward the exit.

  "Please watch your step ma'am and have a nice day," the flight attendant says as she guides me out the door.

  "Thank you, and you as well." I say with a smile as I exit the plane.

  I begin walking down the stairs watching each step as instructed and all of a sudden I am consumed with the over whelming desire to look up. I stop and standing on the other side of a glass partition was a gorgeous man with dark intense eyes looking straight at me. Thanks to my grams I recognize a Vamp when I'm around one. His stare gives me the impression he is waiting for me. I don't feel threatened but rather drawn to him. He looks as if he has been there for an eternity just staring at the glass waiting. I can tell by his gaze he is attempting to enter my mind. How rude? I thought. How dare he think it is okay to enter a stranger's mind. Despite my certainty we have never met I fail to diminish this sense of familiarity. His gaze speeds up my heart rate, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to breathe.

  "Ma'am is everything okay?" A soft voice behind me asks breaking the spell. "I'm fine thank you." And when I turn back, the mysterious man is gone. I remain glued hoping for his return. Realizing the driver was waiting, I run into the car and we drive out the airport and onto an industrial road. After passing some train tracks I notice a Starbucks to my left and make a mental note to remember how to get back here should the holy grail of java not have a location closer to Lodi. I took in the quiet neighborhood with its white picket fences, which housed decent sized homes. I recall the town of Hasbrouck Heights and how much bigger the town seemed when I was little. A few blocks down we arrive in Lodi. We drive onto Woodside Avenue and pull onto an extended driveway leading to a large, all brick home. The driver opens my door, hands me an umbrella, and assists me out before heading to the back of the Lincoln Town car to retrieve my luggage. I walk the short distance to the front door passing a flower bed with various colors. The sensations radiating from the home are both thrilling and exhausting. Judging from the thoughts coming from inside I was a welcomed and necessary addition. I could also sense the various beings that stepped foot beyond this threshold. Fairies were by far my favorite as they are sweet yet mischievous in the way they help. This wasn't a big shock to me considering my father's position within the town. My first task after unpacking will have to be to find out why there is so much excitement surrounding my arrival. Before I could knock on the door, I sense someone approaching. I took a short step back and wait for the cast iron door to slowly creek open.

  "Hello dear, it is so good to have you home," says a well-endowed woman wearing a black number that looks straight out of Elvira's Every Day Collection.

  I smile sweetly, "Hello, you must be Ms. Groves."

  "I am indeed Amelia Groves and I assist your father with maintaining the house and various other responsibilities. I doubt you remember much about me, I only just started working with him when your mother?" Ms. Groves let's her sentence fall short. In an attempt to recover, she continues toward the stairs, "let me show you to your room so you can get settled in. And please call me Amelia."

  "Thank you," I say as I follow her up the stairs. "I understand you know a lot about the craft and other supernatural subjects, I look forward to learning from you. Have you practiced all your life?"

  "All my 150 years," Amelia says sweetly.

  "150 years, wow," I say with admiration. "You look amazing!"

  "Well I like to say I'm progressively young but not quite advanced," she said with a wink.

  I didn't understand her last comment, but Grams researched Amelia, and found nothing but glowing remarks. Just in case I'll keep my guard up just until I am completely sure of her. Before she even opened the door I could tell she is a shifter with a dash of seer. My power confirms what Grams discovered. Many supes befriend or marry a shifter since they make for loyal companions. It makes me wonder if anything is going on between her and my dad.

  Down the hall and to the right of the staircase is my room. As we step in I cannot believe the size and d?cor. To the right of the room is a Queen size canopy bed made out of this rustic beige colored wood and to one side is a matching dresser and vanity. On the left is a door leading to my own private bathroom. The bright white and light blue made the bathroom cheery and soothing. I have a shower and separate tub, Wow, how amazing. The sink is a modern bowl with a faucet that has a swan like arch. The toilet lid has a royal blue cover and on the floor is a rug in front of the tub and toilet. The accommodations could not be more cozy. Next to the bathroom door is a large window, which is really a door leading to a balcony. Amelia checking the locks are secure to ensure the rain is not coming in twirls around to face me.

  "What do you think? If there is anything you would like to change or need please do not hesitate to let me know. This is your home and we want you to be happy. I will give you a chance to change and get settled. Once you are ready, meet me in the kitchen for some dinner I imagine you must be starving after your long flight." Yea all half hour of it.

  "Thank you, Amelia, everything is perfect," I say smiling. "Um, when do think my father will be home?" I ask.

  "Today has been an especially busy day for your father, if he doesn't come home too late I am sure he will pop his head in," she said enthusiastically. Amelia walks toward the door and twirls around once more, "I am especially happy you are here, this house and town are in need of some enchanting new blood." She closes the door and I am left in the middle of a comfortably large room wondering what kind of day is my father having.

  Pushing the thought to the back burner I begin to go through my luggage for a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt. After unpacking most of my clothes, shoes, and bags I close my curtain and prepare to unload my precious cargo. Before heading down to dinner I prepare an altar and place a protection spell on my new digs. My new walk-in closet is the ideal place to practice incantations as I have to make sure my altar is not discovered. I take a deep breath and exhale over the seemingly small trunk while beginning my chant.

  "Reappear for this seer"

  "Reappear for this seer"

  "Reappear for this seer"

  The trunk opens and I reach in for my precious cargo and after placing various potions on a hidden shelf I light a candle and recite, "By the power within let only me see what I need." I repeat the mantra two more times and went to clean up for dinner. I look around the hallway taking in the photos on the wall. Black and white portraits of relatives probably long gone is an interesting touch to the modern yet warm d?cor found throughout the house. I assume they are relatives that passed centuries ago mostly because of the background scenes. I linger at one photo of a man and woman who look exactly like my parents, but it was impossible as the couple look like royalty hosting a grand ball during the Victorian era. I move further down the hall to check out the other pictures and find another of the same couple during the 1920's. Following the line of photographs I see another of the pair, the man dressed in a military uniform, and the woman in bell-bottom jeans, a bright yellow top, and a crochet vest with fringe. Definitely looks from the 70s, and ones I hope will never make a comeback.

  Descending down the stairs my nostrils become overwhelmed by the smell of steamed crab legs, my favorite meal on the planet. I wonder if it was my grandmother or my father who has told Amelia this is my favorite meal. It would be nice to know my father remembered the little things, but I shook the idea off as it was highly doubtful. I walk into the dining room and a beautiful setting is ready for two. I figure my father will be working late, and Amelia and I will be eating together. I welcome the chance to
learn more about my family, Amelia, and the town. To my surprise my father enters the dining room from the kitchen displaying a big smile that appears a bit awkward, but somehow it still radiates warmth. I think he's actually nervous.

  "Hello sweetheart, I am glad you're home" my father said as he walks toward me with open arms. "Sorry I was not here to greet you. How was the plane ride? Do you like your room? We can make any changes you want, do not hesitate to tell me." My father finally realizing he is rambling, takes a deep breath and confesses, "I'm a little nervous." "It has been a long time? too long."

  "Yes it has, and I am happy to be here as well," I reply politely as I walk into his arms. The truth is I am not entirely sure how I feel about this move. All I know is that it is a necessary one, for both Grams and the town. "My flight was fast, and the room is perfect. Thank you." "Dinner looks and smells delicious, I hope Amelia can join us," I say in an attempt to end the comforting yet uncomfortable embrace. My father walks to the head of the table and I take the seat to his left. We each grab some food from the center and begin filling our plates. After a couple of bites and unanimously agreeing that the food was amazing, I begin asking questions about the town. "So how many supes live in town? My father spits out the bite of food he just placed in his mouth and begins coughing.

  "Supes, what do you mean?" He stammers while avoiding eye contact.

  "You know, supernatural beings," I respond pretending not to realize his discomfort. He glares at me thinking about his next question. The level of anxiety pouring out of him is suffocating. Deciding to put him out of his misery I shoot over calming waves of energy. He begins to smile.

  "Your grandmother has taught you well, I see," he says while trying to fight the joyous grin slowly emerging. "I am fine, you can stop now."

  "Dad, although I recognize I have a lot to learn, I am quite knowledgeable. If you know nothing about Grams, know that she would never allow me to go into a situation without some heavy arsenal." My father's reluctant grin was undeniably bright. The rest of our dinner conversation was spent in a question and answer format. He was having fun testing my knowledge and I enjoyed showing off both what I know and what I can do magically. If tonight's dinner is any indication of what life will be like here, things would work out famously.