Part 9 (2/2)

How? she asked, fascinated in spite of herself.

There were lots of reasons. The first clue I had was how youd get super strong when you went into panic mode. But then there was”

She was so absorbed in Cyruss story that she didnt see the man in front of her carefully sweeping the path. As a result, she tripped over him, falling to the ground. The man grunted in pain.

Oh, sir, Im so sorry, she began her apology, but she choked on her words when he turned to her and stared into her eyes. His stormy eyes were blue-gray with flecks of gold in them, somehow reminding her of the sea during a storm. His wild brown hair was streaked with gray, and he looked as if he hadnt cut it in years.

Watch where you tread! the man snarled. Power hummed from him so intensely that she could feel it in her blood, like she had at Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid.

She couldnt even open her mouth to finish her apology. He was still staring in her direction, but he didnt quite meet her eyes. His gaze seemed unfocused. She suddenly understood”he couldnt see her. He was blind.

Cyrus quickly helped her to her feet. He seemed nervous around the man, too. Sorry, Oberon. Well get out of your way, Cyrus said as he hurried her down the street.

Whats his story? she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

Oberon is one of the founders of the Globe, like Azra. Hes the one who set up the weather system. He has powers over the sun, weather, land, and sea. No one knows the specifics, but he is one of the most powerful Conjurors of all time.

Whats he doing sweeping the sidewalk, then?

Cyruss face became very serious. For years, he was a spy for the Fractus. He believed that Conjurors should be able to move back and forth between Earth and the Globe whenever they wanted. He gave the Fractus some pretty important information, supposedly. But then maybe his conscience bothered him or something, because he confessed everything. His punishment is that he cant use his magic for one hundred years, and during that time, he has to serve the city as its groundskeeper.

Once again engrossed in another of Cyruss stories, she hadnt noticed that they had left The Horseshoe, and were now walking through the twisted streets of the city. But the strangeness of the buildings finally demanded her attention. Never on Earth would a cottage stand next door to an L-shaped skysc.r.a.per”especially when the skysc.r.a.per was completely filled with water and mermaids swam around inside. It reminded her of a giant aquarium.

Part of her wanted to stop to marvel at every new feat of architecture, but Cyrus pulled her along until they stopped at a building in the shape of a tall cylinder. Every floor was painted a different shade of blue, and a silver staircase spiraled up the side all the way to the roof.

What do you think of the Imaginary Friends dorm? Cyrus asked with a grin.

I get to live here? No way! Valerie exclaimed, thrilled. Then she glanced doubtfully at the long, winding staircase. What floor am I on? This could be quite a climb at the end of every day.

Check it out, Cyrus said, leading her to the base of the stairs. Suddenly, the floor beneath her rose, and without warning, she and Cyrus were swiftly gliding up the stairs on a small platform. She smiled as a breeze made her hair stream out behind her.

These platforms are inside most buildings in Arden. You steer it with your mind, by thinking about where you want to go, like when you traveled to the Globe in the bubble, Cyrus explained.

Let me try, Valerie said, and concentrated. She steered the little platform up and down the stairs effortlessly. Its so simple!

The best magic always is, Cyrus announced authoritatively.

Stop at the sixth floor so you can check in with Dulcea, Cyrus said, and she was proud that they came to a smooth stop at a tall wood door with a giant bra.s.s 6 nailed to it.

The door opened automatically to a scene that looked like a picture from a storybook come to life. At one end of the room was a giant bed with a pink canopy. The wallpaper that went around the entire circ.u.mference of the room was decorated with lollipops, cookies, and candies of every kind. The sweet smell of chocolate filled the room, making Valeries mouth water. Giant pillows were in the center of the room, and plopped right in the middle was a woman with golden ringlets who was popping candy in her mouth as she read a book.

As Cyrus and Valerie approached, the woman looked up with wide, innocent eyes. She reminded Valerie of a grown-up version of Goldilocks. You must be Valerie! Im Dulcea! Welcome! she said in a happy, bubbly voice. Have a chocolate.

Thanks, she said, feeling overwhelmed by Dulceas energy. She sank down on a pillow next to her.

So, tell me about yourself, Valerie. I know the basics. Youre from Messina, and youre a friend of Cyrus”which I wont hold against you, Dulcea said with a grin. But what are your pa.s.sions? What gets you up in the morning? Who do you want to be?

Valerie had no idea what to say.

Sheesh, take it easy on her! Shes had a big day, Cyrus said to Dulcea. Then he turned to Valerie and explained, Dulceas training to become a Master in the Society of Imaginary Friends, and shes writing her thesis on finding your pa.s.sion through imagination. She asks everyone these questions, and no one knows what to say!

Valerie relaxed slightly. Well, I know I want to help people. And go on adventures!

Its so wonderful to see such enthusiasm! Dulcea exclaimed. Then she quizzed Valerie on everything from her hobbies to her favorite color. Valerie found it dizzying trying to keep up with her as she jumped from topic to topic. Finally, Dulcea seemed to notice her exhaustion. I was so interested in what you were saying, I didnt notice the time. Cyrus will take you to your room. Its all ready for you.

About time, Cyrus said, finally getting a word in edgewise.

Dulcea handed Valerie a small book. Here are the dorm rules. Curfew, dinner hour, that kind of thing. As long as you follow these few rules, things will be sweet for you here.

And if you break the rules, things can get really sour, really fast, Cyrus muttered under his breath to Valerie.

My door is always open. Come by any time to talk, and grab some candy on your way out!

Thanks, Dulcea.

Finally escaping Dulceas sugary presence, Cyrus led Valerie up another two floors, where the platform paused. The door to the eighth floor opened automatically, and the platform glided down a hall of red carpet and stopped at a door at the very end. She could hear music that sounded a lot like American hip-hop blaring in the room.

Cyrus grinned. Youre gonna love your roommate. With Kanti, youll never be bored.

A m.u.f.fled ba.s.s pounded through the closed door. He opened the door to reveal someone doing the most complex break dancing Valerie had ever seen in her life”clearly unaware that anyone was watching. The girl was graceful, and she moved faster than any human break-dancer that she had ever seen. Cyrus applauded mockingly, and she stopped dancing and collapsed on the floor laughing.

Wow, you really love those Earth dance moves, dont you? You look like youre pretty into it. I wish I had a picture of this for blackmail, Cyrus joked.

The girl grinned and teased, Whatever, Cy. I could tell your friend here some pretty entertaining stories involving you and your attempts to master the art of flying.

All right, you win. You keep that story to yourself, and I wont tell the gang at the Society about your super cool dance moves, Cyrus said, shaking his head and laughing. Kanti, this is your new roomie, Valerie.

At first glance, Kanti reminded Valerie of a wicked witch in a fairy tale. Her skin had a yellowish cast, and she had two huge warts on one of her cheeks. She had long greasy dark hair that fell above her shoulders and thick black eyebrows that were growing out of control. But her smile, which revealed her buckteeth, was so genuinely warm and friendly that it eased any awkward tension.

Its really nice of you to share your room with me.

Are you kidding? Ive been waiting and waiting for a roommate. Were gonna tear this town apart.

Ill let you guys get to know each other. Val, Ill come by tomorrow for the rest of your tour. Let her sleep, Kanti. Shes had a really long trip.

Yeah, yeah, got it, boss, Kanti said as she shooed Cyrus out the door.

Night, Cy. Valerie felt very alone, more alone than the first time she stayed overnight at the hospital and no one came to visit her.

Kanti closed the door, and Valerie looked around the room for the first time. She gasped when she saw that one side of the room was already decorated in her favorite color”green. Everything from the curtains to the bedspread on her side of the room was how she had always imagined her room would look one day when she had a place of her own.

Who did this for me?

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