Mount Olympus [5]

Rayah

I nod and study him before walking the rest of the way.

Jace

I cross my arms and watch her go before turning to head to my own cavern. The look-a-like follows before sensing I need to be alone. He disappears out of thin air and leaves me.

Rayah

I get home and scoop up Ella in my arms.

Jace

I replay the day's events in my mind before sighing and burying my face in my arms.

Rayah

I set Ella on my lap and sit on the couch, sighing.

Jace

I sense him return, sitting across from me, but don't look up.

"It's Cole," he says. "I have many names, but I prefer that one. It was the only one you could pronounce when you were little."

"I don't know you," I sigh. "I wish you'd stop pretending like I do."

He doesn't speak again right away.

"You will."

Rayah

Ella plays with my hair and I close my eyes, relaxing.

Jace

I look up at him and sigh, "Please. After everything that's gone on today, I don't want to have this discussion again. My birthday's already crap, thank you very much."

He studies me before nodding.

Rayah

Swearing, I remember Jace's birthday and bolt upstairs, getting his gift.

Jace

I look at the mini-waterfall in the back of the cavern and sigh, distantly slipping into thought again. Cole stands and sets a slim black box at my side, about the size of my hand.

"felix dies natalis," he says before disappearing.

Rayah

I get the big box and bring it down before setting it on the coffee table, sighing.

Jace

I hesitate, studying the box, before opening it. A carved metal rod as thin as my pinky finger and about the same length lies inside. It glows when I bring my hand to it and flies straight into my palm. Flashing a smile, I stand almost instinctively and twist the cap of one side. Nothing happens at first, but then it lengthens into a double-bladed light sword. I feel my energy pouring into it and it somehow makes me stronger.

Whoa. Okay then...

I cap it and head home.

Rayah

Ella stays silent when her father comes back and I flash a weak smile, still on the couch, "Happy birthday."

Jace

I flash a smile back and look over the box on the coffee table, "Thank you."

Rayah

I smile as he opens it, smiling when he does. A dozen family pictures lay inside, and some from our high school years, and a record of our favorite song that we used to always listen to.