Verena's Whistle: Varangian Descendants Book I by K. Panikian (essential reading txt) 📗

I stepped to the side and punched him in the solar plexus. He laughed. I shook out my hand.

We spun around and for some time, neither of us made any significant hits. My breath was coming in pants and my sword arm was aching. Finally, I started to see some slowdown in Julian’s strikes. I waited a few more moments; he’d tricked me before. Finally, on a feint to his torso, he let my blade scrape along his and to the side, instead of parrying it away, and so I whipped my sword away and back overhead in a rapid figure eight, and stopped an inch from his neck.

We smiled at each other and he patted my shoulder, “Nice fight, Very.”

I walked over to the small fridge to snag a couple of waters and handed one to him. He was lying flat on the mats, taking deep breaths, and I sat beside him to stretch. I liked Julian’s silences; he was very peaceful to be around. He was a high school guidance counselor down in California and had perfected the art of whole body listening. With his handsome face, kind blue eyes, and shaggy blond hair, he looked like a surfer. I bet the California girls ate him up. I laughed to myself.

“I was supposed to tell you, you and Theo leave tonight.”

I laughed again. “Did you get distracted? How much time do I have?”

He shrugged. “You have lots of time. Your flight to Seattle isn’t until 10pm. You were relaxing down here, and I didn’t want to ruin it.”

“Well, thanks. I do feel calmer.”

“Are you worried?”

I thought about how to answer. Julian was gifted at getting people to talk about their feelings and I knew he would keep my secrets.

“I’m not worried, I’m excited, and that’s worrying me.” He waved for me to continue. “I should be scared. I’m traveling to somewhere I’ve never been to look for monsters. That should be terrifying. I should be frustrated about missing school. I should be worried about my new magic…” I trailed off. “But I’m not. I’m thrilled. I can’t wait to go.”

“I don’t think it’s bad that you’re excited. We grew up listening to the stories of heroic monster battles, great magic powers, and our superhuman ancestors. Now you have a chance to do something epic too.”

“Are you disappointed you’re going to Paris instead of with Theo and me?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Not really. I’ll get there eventually and, in the meantime, I’ve never been to Paris. Plus, while you’re tramping around in the snow, I’ll be Indiana Jones, following clues to the great treasure.” He grinned at me.

AFTER my shower, I packed a small bag. Most of my luggage allotment would go toward my winter gear. At the last minute, I added Theo’s two gifts to my pile. I couldn’t walk around a modern city with a sword by my side or a bow on my back, but I could strap on a small knife under my coat. And I needed reading material for the flight.

I started to head back to the living room to say my goodbyes when my dad motioned to me from the sunroom at the back of the house. I sat down next to him on the old couch and looked at our reflections in the glass, our hair the same dark brown, and the evening black outside the windows. Dad looked worried. I laid my head on his shoulder and he tilted his head to rest on mine.

“Verena, I want you to know you don’t have to do this. I know the family I married into and I love them all, but they can be very pushy. I’ve had my eyes opened to the wonders of the universe and seen them do amazing magic, and none of that obligates you to take this step. You’re my only child. If you want to stay, I’ll support you. Your mother will support you. We can try and find another way.”

My vision filled with images of supernatural beings lumbering through a snow-filled valley. The bauks, with their ape-like, hulking gait, picked up speed and the giants breathed fire. A few brandished clubs. Their claws and fangs were sharp. Ahead was a group of people, and I stopped my vision abruptly. I didn’t want to see what would happen. I could never tell with my visions whether they were true or just my imagination, and if this one was true, I had no desire to witness a slaughter.

“No, Dad, I can do this. I will do this.” I let my voice reflect the confidence I didn’t feel. I was genuinely excited, like I told Julian, but I wasn’t stupid. This would be incredibly dangerous. Or possibly all a bust. Which prospect daunted me more? I couldn’t decide.

Dad patted my hand and then pulled me up. We headed for the living room and the chaos of a big family goodbye.

Everyone was talking loudly and gesturing wildly. Theo and his dad were packing up Theo’s laptop while Uncle Constantine lectured and they both listened seriously. Aunt Helen and Aunt Ariadne were in the kitchen putting sandwiches into bags with apples and carrot sticks. They appeared to be arguing over whether or not to slice the apples first.

Julian wasn’t leaving until the morning, but he would drive us to the airport and then stay at my apartment for the night. He was standing with his arm around Aunt Sophia, his mom, by the fireplace. I put my bags next to his at the door and went to go hug Mom.

“Did you talk to Dad?” she asked me and I nodded. “Okay,” was all she said.

Uncle Alex waved me over and I hugged him goodbye. “Let me know when you whistle again, Verena. I know that nightingales have great power. I think you will figure it out when you are ready.” I started to move away, but he gripped my wrist with surprising strength. “Don’t underestimate the besy. While some, like the