The Glass Wall (Return of the Ancients Book 1) (24 page)

I eyed the blade uncomfortably. He seemed very adept at handling it.

Catching my expression, he laughed and leaned close, whispering in my ear, “A knife is such an archaic weapon and far too messy.”

I couldn’t tell if he was joking.

Laughing again, he shoved the knife back into his boot and began pulling out packages of blueberry muffins and stacking them on the counter.

“That’s a lot!” I said, surprised.

Jareth shrugged. “I don’t want to eat anything else.”

“What’s in here?” I asked, indicating my box.

“What else?” He appeared annoyed at the question. “Blueberry muffins.”

I wanted to laugh, but I wasn’t sure if I should. Shoving the microwave a little to make room for my box, I accidentally knocked the alien detection kit off the counter.

Jareth had lightning reflexes. He caught it easily with one hand.

I held my breath, half expecting it to start shrieking, but the little green lights just kept blinking steadily.

“What is this?” Jareth eyed the contraption with mild interest.

Moving to grab it, I muttered, “Nothing important!”

The doorbell rang again.

Jareth rolled his eyes and placed the alien detection kit in the middle of the muffins. “I do believe that must be Rafael.”

As I headed for the front door, Grace bounded into the kitchen and began snapping pictures of Jareth.

“Are you going to send those pictures to your friends?” he asked, taking an obnoxiously huge bite out of a muffin.

“Uh … yeah. I
was
going to…” Grace admitted sheepishly.

“You’d better!” Jareth laughed, lounging against the counter to pose with his muffin. “I can never have too much scandal or publicity—preferably scandal.”

Rolling my eyes, I opened the door.

Rafael stood on the porch with his blond hair styled remarkably like Jareth’s wild mess. Dressed in a stylish gray suit that perfectly matched his eyes, he wore his favorite blue eye shadow and this time, he even had several rhinestones embedded under his brow. With an enchanting smile, he handed me a wrapped bottle of wine and asked, “I hope I’m not late?”

I found myself staring at his rhinestones in fascination.

“Come in! Come in!” Al appeared behind me. “How’s our champion swimmer?”

I stood back, allowing Rafael in. The news vans were still outside. I frowned, preparing to close the door, when I spied Marquis and the others walking up the driveway, carrying what looked like more wine.

“Show our champion into the kitchen, Sydney.” Al tousled my head. “I’ll wait for everyone else.”

Grateful to escape the flashing cameras, I slipped in front of Rafael to show him the way. As he entered the kitchen, a deafening shriek tore through the house.

Clamping my hands over my ears, I looked at the alien detection kit in surprise. The little food processor blade-like thing was spinning in frantic circles as a series of red lights flashed across the front panel. Then, Al was there, clamping his beefy hand over the shrieking gadget. As he took a few steps back, the howling died abruptly.

We all stared at each other. Both Al and I opened our mouths to offer an explanation when Marquis arrived and the thing began to scream again. With a wave, Al shook the device apologetically and disappeared down the hall.

“Odd toy,” Jareth remarked, snagging another muffin.

“Uh … it’s a robot,” I lied nervously and added, “You know, for school.”

“Really?” He sent me a disbelieving look as everyone exchanged greetings.

Then Betty suggested, “Why don’t you girls take our guests to the family room?”

“I’m staying to help you in the kitchen, Betty!” Zelphie announced with a bright smile. She searched in her purse and pulled out an apron and matching pair of oven mitts and put them on.

Betty blinked a little but smiled warmly, and as they began to bustle about the kitchen, Al reappeared to kiss the top of Betty’s head and grab the phone.

“I’ll be back to help, Betty,” he said, “just as soon as I make a quick call to Jack.”

I watched him disappear back down the hall again, wondering why he needed to call the senior janitor all of a sudden. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing.

Looping her arm through Jareth’s, Grace pulled him toward the family room, ordering everyone else to follow just as the doorbell rang yet again.

This time, Ellison stood on the porch with one hand clamped around Tigger’s collar. “What’s up with the cameras?” he asked, pushing Tigger in with his foot. “Grace said there was a surprise.”

“Yeah, it’s turning into a madhouse around—” I began, rolling my eyes.

I didn’t get any further. Tigger raised his nose, took a sniff, and began to bark wildly, heading off to the living room. Ellison and I followed to find him howling at the pigeon perched on the curtain rod.

“You’d best watch out, dog,” Jareth drawled from behind us. “Galahad doesn’t care for four-legged creatures.”

“Look, Jareth!” Ellison gasped, pointing to the rock star leaning over Betty’s boxes.

“I know.” I expelled an exasperated breath.

It was hard to talk, because Tigger kept on interrupting with his infernal howling.

“Tigger!” Rafael walked in and whistled. “You’d best leave. Galahad isn’t one to be crossed.”

As the bloodhound clamped his mouth shut and slunk away, Betty breezed through the room carrying a tray with a teapot, cups, and spoons. “Why don’t you all settle down and have some tea in the family room? Dinner will be ready soon!”

Ellison followed her, but Rafael and Jareth lingered behind. I dawdled a little myself, so I could eavesdrop and pretended to straighten some crooked boxes.

“And why did you come here, Jareth?” Rafael regarded Jareth with a speculative gaze.

“Because I
can
now, Rafael,” Jareth retorted, folding his arms in a defiant gesture.

A slight mocking smile curved Rafael’s lips. “For now, that is true enough,” he said. Standing in the dim living room light, with his eye shadow and glittering rhinestones combined with his flaring hair, he looked fascinatingly wicked.

Jareth paused and his gaze turned suspicious. “What do you mean?”

“This is a party!” Rafael replied. Throwing his arm around Jareth’s shoulders, he drew him to where I was standing. “Let’s not spoil the night. We are guests!”

“Uh, yeah,” I agreed, realizing I had been boldly staring at them. Apparently, I wasn’t very good at eavesdropping.

With a droll smile, Rafael dropped his other arm lightly about my shoulders and guided us both to the family room to wait for the dinner to be ready.

We entered to find Marquis and Harmony sitting on the couch, looking as if they would much rather be anywhere else. Grace and Ellison were obviously relieved to see us and latched onto Jareth at once. Pulling him to the table, they began to shove a variety of items in his face to sign while they took pictures of him doing it. He didn’t appear to mind in the slightest.

Remembering the red tube, I figured now would be a good time to bring it up.

Shaking Rafael’s elbow, I began in a low voice, “Hey, I have something that I think belongs to you.”

His charismatic gray eyes turned down at me with mild curiosity. “Really?”

I was going to give it to him real quick, but then I noticed Marquis looking my direction. Instead, I nodded vaguely. “Yeah, but, I can give it to you later. It’s no big deal.”

I didn’t like Marquis watching me. After all, I still had his red tube, and I wasn’t sure what he’d do if he found out I’d taken it. Moving to the table, I began to set the teacups out on saucers and add the spoons. It felt better to keep busy.

With his hands in his pockets, Rafael moved around the room and inspected the odd collection of paintings and family portraits tacked all over the walls. With great amusement, I noticed as he paused in front of a small mirror, tilting his head from side to side, and adjusting one of the rhinestones under his eyebrow. I’d never seen a guy so vain and yet so nice, in my entire life.

The room was quiet except for Jareth’s obnoxious comments as Ellison snapped pictures of Grace posing next to him. He was obviously basking in their attention. Grace smashed her cheek next to his as she put her two fingers up behind his head like bunny ears. Jareth responded by leaning over and kissing her cheek.

“I’m going to faint!” Grace giggled and asked Ellison breathlessly, “Did you get that? Did you get the kiss?”

“I can always do it again!” Jareth laughed slyly.

“You don’t have to!” Ellison intervened quickly. “I got it.”

At that, Jareth laughed heartily.

I rolled my eyes a little and began to pour the tea. Marquis was the oldest guest in the room, so I decided to offer him the first cup to be polite. My hands shook a little as I walked over to him. He made me nervous.

“Would you like some tea?” I forced a smile and handed him the cup. I moved too fast and the spoon started sliding off the saucer.

“Keep that away from me!” Marquis’s eyes flashed angrily. Half rising to his feet, he pushed my hand up and back with a violent gesture.

The tea splashed everywhere as the cup and spoon launched out of my hands and rolled under the table.

“Well,
excuse
me!” I snorted before I could stop myself.

Marquis blinked, shocked that I had dared respond to him in such a manner. With a huff, he spread his arms along the back of the couch and deliberately turned away, dismissing me.

“Forgive my father’s manners, Sydney.” Rafael appeared by my side and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I assure you that I’m mortified on his behalf.”

The vein on Marquis’ temple began to pulse.

“It’s ok! I’m sure it was an accident.” I said, even though I didn’t believe for a second that it was. I moved a few chairs and crawled under the table to retrieve the cup and spoon. Once there, I paused, enjoying a momentary haven and wanting to stay there the rest of the evening.

Suddenly, someone yanked the chair in front of me away, and I looked up directly into Rafael’s eyeliner-ringed eyes.

“Allow me to help.” He pointed to the cracked teacup.

“Thanks, but I’ve got it.” I frowned a little. My peaceful haven hadn’t lasted long.

I collected the cup and reached for the saucer just as Rafael did the same. As his fingers brushed mine, I jerked back, but he caught my wrist with his elegant fingers.

I glanced up.

He was watching me with veiled amusement. Still holding onto my wrist, he asked congenially, “And how has Jerry been of late?”

“Uh … just fine!” I shrugged. “I can show him to you later. He’d probably like to say hi.” I meant it as a joke but then belatedly realized he actually had talked to Jerry on more than one occasion. The mouse probably
would
like to chat a bit.

Rafael’s eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled and said, “More likely he will want to prattle about how much he loves you.” He obviously remembered Jerry with fondness.

I automatically grin whenever anyone talks about my mouse, and my lips split into a wide smile. “So, what does Jerry say about me?” I asked.

“That you are exceedingly kind, warm-hearted, and loyal,” he bantered lightly in reply. His eyes glinted playfully as he added, “As well as plucky, lovely, and intelligent, possessing an amazing potential.”

I snorted, even though my heart fluttered at the compliments. Somehow, I didn’t think Jerry thought I had amazing potential, but I couldn’t resist a sarcastic response. “Potential for what? Disaster?”

A shadow crossed his face then. “I will never believe that of you, Sydney.”

It was comforting to hear. I guess I realized then how much I didn’t like being called “Blue-Threaded”, as if I were going to be the downfall of humanity.

“So, are you going to stay under the table all night?” Grace’s head popped into view. With a devilish grin, she pointed to my hand. “Are you dating?”

Startled, I looked down to see that Rafael’s fingers were still on my wrist. I had forgotten. Jerking free, I snapped, “Do something useful and help clean up this mess!”

A glint of merriment flashed across Rafael’s face as Grace sniffed and disappeared without lifting a finger to help.

“She’s just joking.” I found it necessary to say. “We both know you’re engaged.”

I began to back out from under the table when I noticed the spoon near his knee. “Hand me that spoon and I’ll take it to the kitchen.” I said, pointing.

Rafael was apparently lost in thought, because it took him several long moments before he blinked and followed my finger. As his eyes fell upon the spoon, he drew back in immediate repulsion. He frowned at me, unflinchingly. His rhinestone-bedecked eyes were strangely unreadable and then, tossing his head a bit aloofly, he swiftly rose to his feet.

A little startled at his reaction, I swiped the spoon, and clambered out from under the table. I decided that he really must be Jareth’s cousin. At times, he seemed just as unpredictable. I couldn’t resist sending him a dirty look.