“Only you get to decide.”
He dropped his head. “I wish I didn’t feel so lost.”
Oberi reached up to lick at Ivy’s chin, and Ivy gave him a couple of pats. The door creaked open. My eyes flashed upward as I saw Chancey stride into the room. Ivy stiffened, but I acted like I didn’t see him there.
Chancey stared at Ivy, like he wasn’t sure what— or who— he was looking at.
“Where’s your stash?” Chancey didn’t say anything else. He was asking if Ivy had any drugs left.
“Under the stage. It’s all there is.” Ivy sniffed.
Chancey strode toward it. I noticed him pocket away a square, wrapped package before he walked out.
When I was done combing out Ivy’s hair, I had a pile of strands that looked more like a wig, or a rat’s nest. Looking at it made my stomach churn. I couldn’t believe Ivy had sunken this low, and we hadn’t been able to do anything to stop it.
I rummaged around in my bag and pulled out a potion bottle. “I made this for you. It’ll dye your hair white again.”
“My dad hates it that way,” Ivy mumbled. “He wants a strong Italian son.”
“Fuck your dad. That’s not you. Drink up.”
I uncorked the bottle and handed it to him. Ivy took the bottle and drank it in two chugs. I watched as the potion made his hair clean, changing the black locks to stark white, with that streak of red on the side that he loved. Oberi got off his lap and barked, doing a couple of happy circles.
“There’s the Ivy I know.” I cupped his chin. “Don’t you look so much better.”
He gave a wry smile as he stood on shaky legs, and looked in the mirror behind the bar. “Yeah.”
Ivy looked down at his stained sweater and torn pants. “I really need to change, huh? This definitely isn’t me.”
“Well, you always make an appearance, but not like that.”
“I’m gonna clean up,” Ivy said. “I’ll meet up with you later.”
“Can you take me to the library first?” I asked. “I’ve got something I need to get done.”
“Anything for you, precious.”
Ivy took me there, then left for the showers. I wheeled around the library, looking for books on merfolk lore, when I spotted my brother in the corner. He was at a table, papers sprawled out everywhere while Tahoma lay at his side.
I rolled over, and he gave me a wave. “Hey? What’s all this?” I asked, shifting the papers around.
Ez blushed slightly. “Nothing. Just my… research.”
“Research? For a class or something?”
Ez shook his head, before he added, “This is a personal project. Something that means a lot.”
I waited for him to elaborate. Ez took a short breath and said, “Since I bonded with Tahoma, everything has become so much clearer. Before him, I was wandering around, not sure of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. I was happy, but I didn’t feel fulfilled.”
I nodded. I understood what he was getting at. The closer I became to Charlie and Oberi, the more life made sense.
“Then Tahoma came to me, and so did my healing power. Once I realized I could perform Spirit magic, everything clicked into place. I really am talented at it. And it feels like it gives me a purpose.” Ez sat back in his seat.
“Youaretalented, Ez. You’re barely a beginner, but your magic has so much potential.”
“That’s what Mom says. So anyway, what I’m trying to say is… I’ve declared my major. I want to become a doctor. After I graduate from the Institute, I’ll go back to Orenda Academy and get my PhD, so I can find cures for illnesses, like the one that affects me and Dad. Tahoma and I promised each other we’d work our whole life to find a cure for Chronic Magical Suppression Syndrome.”
Joy erupted out of me. “Ez, I can’t believe it!” I leaned forward to give him a hug. “How exciting this must be for you!”
