“In here!”
Mother’s voice comes from the east wing, and I don’t need to guess which room she’s in.
The “office” is her favorite room in the house. She says it’s because it’s quiet, but Vanessa and I both know it’s because of the shield she has spelled around the room.
I make my way through the house with Vanessa hot on my heels, but when we reach the office, we stand just outside the open door, idling in the hallway.
“You may come in,” Mother says.
Vanessa and I nod, and it takes us a moment before our feet move. But as the oldest, Vanessa goes first.
She winces as she crosses the threshold, and I suck in a deep breath before I follow her.
On the other side, we are met with a suffocating shroud. An invisible fog so thick you could choke on it. We manage to stand straight as it settles over us, but it is several minutes before my lungs feel full again.
“You’re late, Elliot,” Mother declares, not looking up from her pen.
She is scribbling something furiously across the family letterhead, and I don’t speak until she is through.
“I know,” I say. “Forgive me.”
When she nods, I step forward to place an obligatory kiss on her cheek, then stand aside as Vanessa does the same.
“The family is already here,” Mother adds, rising from her chair.
So there is an announcement after all.
“What is this about?” I ask. Though I’m still not sure I want to know.
“There’s been a challenge,” she says simply.
I don’t need to ask who the challenge is for. I already know. It’s never for anyone else. But for some reason, I still want to hear her say it.
“For who?” I ask.
“You.”
* * *
“Remember, he carries all his weight in his right leg. And his left knee never regrew correctly. If you hit it just right, it’ll pop right out.”
I groan as I finish wrapping my hands.
It won’t do much. The tape never holds, but it’s better than nothing.
“I know, V. I’m the one who broke it.”
“I know,” she mutters. “I’m just saying…”
“What? What are you just saying?” I ask.
“I’m just saying…be careful.”
I chuckle as I stand.
“Always am.”
Her eyes roll.
