Kayin's Fire Read online

  Several tables and chairs were in the center of a ring of food stalls. Gavin sat and handed Kayin money. “I have no idea what to get, will you pick? I don’t eat meat.”

  “I don’t like meat, either. Everyone thought I was weird,” Kayin said, taking the money.

  “It’s the Phoenix in us. Phoenix people don’t eat meat. Some people think that not liking meat is a sign of how much Phoenix magic is in you.” Gavin shrugged. “I don’t know if that’s true or not, but most of the Children of Fire I know are vegetarians.”

  “I’ll go get us lunch,” Kayin said, grinning. He’d always felt like an outsider. The others made fun of him because he’d rather eat greens and yams than animals. They said maybe he’d caught some white man’s disease that turned him weak, because a true hunter always eats the kill. Kayin was good at hunting and tracking. He always paid respect to the animal, as his father taught him to do, and he felt proud to help feed his tribe, but he just didn’t enjoy eating meat. Walking down the line of food stalls he was grateful he still held the basket Gavin had bought. Since he wasn’t sure what Gavin would like, he got a variety of foods.

  Gavin’s eyes widened as Kayin began setting food on the table. “Wow, there is a lot to choose from here.”

  “I wasn’t sure what you liked.”

  “No, this is great,” Gavin said.

  “This is Fanta, it’s my favorite.” Kayin set a bottle of soda in front of Gavin.

  “It looks wonderful, thanks for getting everything.” Gavin took a drink. “Yum, I haven’t had orange soda in years. This isn’t as sweet as the stuff back home.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” Kayin said, taking a pinch of the white sadza, then pressing it into a small bowl shape and scooping up some of the stew with it.

  “What is this?” Gavin asked mimicking Kayin, but getting the spicy stew on his fingers.

  “Sadza, it’s mealie meals ground and cooked with water.” At Gavin’s frown Kayin pointed to the roasted corn. “Mealies.”

  “Oh, corn,” Gavin said then focused on making a little bowl from the sadza. “Well, it’s very good.”

  Corn, I’ll have to remember that. If I’m going to be living in America I should speak like they do, Kayin thought.

  “I love the spicy peanut sauce,” Gavin said. “In America most things made with peanuts are sweet.”

  Kayin’s nose wrinkled. “Really?”

  Gavin chuckled. “Yes, but don’t worry, we can cook at home and make whatever we want. This salad is great. I love avocado.” Gavin took another bite of the cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad.

  “You can cook?” Kayin asked.

  “No,” Gavin said. “Not really. I mean I can do simple things like eggs and grilled cheese sandwiches, but Anali is a great cook. Can you cook?”

  “Yes, a little bit. I helped my mom during celebrations for our village.” Kayin paused, fidgeting with his soda can. “I guess it’s not my village anymore.”

  Sighing, Gavin looked at Kayin. “I’m sorry, but even if you can’t be with them now you have years of memories and love that still connects you.”

  Kayin shrugged. “It’s funny all of the things popping up in my head and heart that I’m going to miss. Even things I didn’t care that much about two days ago, now I’m sad they won’t be part of my life anymore.”

  “Like what?” Gavin asked before taking a bite of the roasted corn.

  “My ancestors, my mom always sent us to pray to our ancestors, leaving offerings of beer and food on their graves, and asking them for advice. My dad went through the rituals to make my mom happy, I thought it was silly and a waste of time. But now I can’t connect to them. Their graves are back by the village and I suppose I could talk to them anywhere, but it’s about being where their bones are buried, that is what creates a connection.”

  “I’m sorry, Kayin. I wish you didn’t have to give up so much. While it might not help much, some Children of Fire spend time dreaming in Akasha, the world where the Phoenix King Shamash and Queen Aya live. Few can remember their dreams from Akasha, unless that is their gift. I know I wake feeling refreshed when I spend time with them, even if I can’t remember the dream clearly. Sometimes answers to problems seem to pop into my head the day after a dream in Akasha.”

  Kayin smiled. “Well, that would be much more of a connection then I’ve ever felt with my human ancestors.”

  “I’m glad I could help. Come on, let’s finish eating then find a gift for Anali.”

  Chapter Three

  Kayin wished his Phoenix gift was strength as he watched Gavin looking at another stone statue. Rolling his shoulders, Kayin tried to release the tension built up from the two full baskets he carried. Gavin shifted his own very full basket in order to pay for the lion carved from pale green opal stone with flecks of red and orange dotting the lion’s mane. Kayin tried to hide his relief when Gavin tucked the statue into his own basket.

  “I guess I have enough,” Gavin grinned, his hair matching the red sunset behind him. “Come on, we’ll go back to the hotel and get dinner there.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure,” Kayin said, not wanting to act rude but happy they were done.

  “Yeah, come on.” Gavin looked around. “Any idea which way we should go?”

  “Towards the fabric stalls.”

  Gavin headed to the display of bright fabrics stopping to touch a bright pink cotton with a dark blue geometric bird pattern.

  Kayin said a quick prayer of thanks when Gavin moved on, then sighed when he saw two young girls at a booth with jewelry. Gavin would buy something from them. Oh well, it's cute to see how excited the girls would get when he handed them so much money.

  Gavin stopped at their table and looked over the necklaces. Stone carved pendants of traditional masks and animals took up most of the table in front, while the back row held necklaces made of stone beads. Kayin set down his basket and ran a finger over the stones. His village also made jewelry from serpentine, verdite, springstone, butter jade, lapidolite, and rapako. Would this be the last time he saw these shapes and colors? His best friend spent his free time learning to sculpt stone. Kayin had wanted to join Mudiwa but his baba wanted him to learn to track and help do jobs at the lodge.

  “Do you want something?” Gavin asked.

  “No, I have one.” Kayin reached up to touch the necklace Mudiwa had given him, but felt only bare skin. Another treasure he was forced to leave behind. “I guess I don’t have one anymore.”

  “Get anything you want,” Gavin said. “I can’t image how difficult it is for you to leave your home. You didn’t even get to pack your things. I’d like to get you something, if you want. Something to remind you of home.”

  Kayin looked over the different masks and animals carved expertly into the stone and wished he had the crudely carved cheetah Mudiwa had made for him out of butter jade. A cheetah pendant lay on the table carved from a creamy yellow butter jade with clear features and polished to a high gloss, so unlike the green-yellow butter jade that kind of looked like a cheetah at home.

  “Anali would love this.” Gavin held a necklace of soft lavender lapidolite beads a heart pendant hanging in the middle. “I’d like this.” The girls wrapped the necklace in paper, their eyes wide when he handed them the money. “Do you want anything?”

  “No, thank you, Gavin.”

  “Okay, well we can always come back if you change your mind,” Gavin said rubbing his stomach.

  “Are you okay?” Kayin asked.

  Gavin frowned. “We need to go.”

  The girls held out his change.

  “No thanks.” Gavin reached back with his free hand and took Kayin’s arm. “Remember when I told you about the Sons of Belial? Well, we can tell when one is close because they make our stomachs feel queasy. Well, some of us can feel them. Anyway, most likely it’s a walk-in but we need to get out of here, and don’t look anyone in the eye.”

  “What? Why?” Kayin said, looking at the ground and following Gavin
. His stomach churned, but he wasn’t sure if it was from the walk-in or fear.

  “Let’s get a cab, and I’ll explain everything,” Gavin said.

  “Okay.”

  They wove their way between people, the flash of cars not too far up ahead, but out of reach.

  “Hey,” Kayin yelled as someone grabbed his arm. His stomach tightened. Whatever grabbed him felt evil, like the demon his mom thought he'd turned into.

  “Let him go,” Gavin hissed. “Kayin, don’t look at him.”

  Kayin kept his eyes focused on the road ahead.

  “I can feel your power like champagne dancing on my tongue,” the walk-in said.

  Gavin set down his basket and put himself between Kayin and the walk-in. “Kayin, go to the road and get a cab. I’ll be there in a second.”

  The walk-ins hand tightened on Kayin’s arm, his nails breaking the skin, then the hand ripped away. Kayin grabbed Gavin’s basket. Hearing a thud he looked back. Gavin stumbled after the large white man hit him, then darted forward slamming his hand into the man’s nose. Blood spurted and ran down the man’s face. Gavin dropped and swung his leg, catching the walk-in’s heels.

  Gasping as the walk-in's back hit the ground, Kayin winced in sympathy. Gavin turned. “Go, go.”

  Kayin ran.

  Gavin caught up to him and yelled as the walk-in grabbed the back of his shirt yanking him off his feet.

  Kayin stopped.

  “Keep going,” Gavin said, getting his feet back on the ground. Turning, Gavin caught the walk-in’s arm through his and jerked. Hearing a sickening crack, Kayin ran towards the cars. He could hear the slap of shoes coming closer to him, and he held his breath until he saw Gavin.

  “Taxi,” Gavin called as they cleared the market. A green cab let a couple out right in front of them. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  Gavin grabbed the baskets from Kayin so he could sit, then slid in himself. “Crowne Plaza Hotel please.”

  “Yes, sir Monomotapa.” The driver pulled away as the bleeding white man stepped onto the sidewalk.

  “Yes,” Kayin said. “Monomotapa please.”

  Gavin relaxed and smiled at Kayin. “Thank you for listening to me.”

  Kayin nodded. “Of course. You were trying to protect me. And I was always taught to listen to my elders.”

  “Elder? Wait, I don’t want to be considered an elder.” Gavin faked a scowl. Grabbing his phone, Gavin started texting. “I’ll explain everything when we get back to the hotel, okay?”

  “Okay,” Kayin said. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen but he felt safe with Gavin.

  * * *

  Gavin flopped onto the bed with a groan. Kayin set the baskets on the table and sat down with a sigh.

  “Okay, walk-ins are—” Gavin frowned. “Non-physical beings who take over people to do errands and such for the Sons of Belial.”

  “Non-physical? You mean like a ghost or spirit?”

  “Yes, but as far as I know they were never human. The walk-in was probably there for something else, but now that we’ve been seen we need to leave Zimbabwe as soon as possible.”

  “Why couldn’t I look him in the eye?” Kayin asked.

  “The flames you saw in your eyes, they’re a sign of our power. Once walk-ins see the fire in your eyes, they can track you. They don’t seem to do well remembering what we look like.” Gavin continued, “Anyway, once we get to New York, I’ll get you contacts which will keep the fire in your eyes hidden. It won’t be a problem anymore.”

  Gavin’s phone rang. “Go ahead and look through the menu, I’ll order dinner when I’m done with this call. Hello,” he said, walking onto the balcony and shutting the door.

  Kayin frowned at the menu, he wasn’t sure what most of these things were. Pate, confit leg filled with tarragon and crusted with herbs. What did that mean? Scanning the menu, he skipped the impala steak and crocodile curry and found two vegetarian dishes at the end. They also offered desserts. He wasn’t sure what a panna cotta tasted like but it came with pineapple, pawpaw, and berries, which he loved.

  “Okay, we're booked on a flight in four hours. I know it’s short notice, but I want to get out of Harare before more walk-ins show up,” Gavin said. “Normally they don’t hunt Children of Fire, but it has happened before.”

  Kayin waited. Gavin stared at the wall, his eyes unfocused. Kayin wondered what he was remembering.

  Shaking his head, Gavin looked at the menu. “So what do you want for dinner?”

  Kayin reached over and pointed to the dinner and dessert he wanted.

  “Okay, the polenta and the panna cotta, those both sound good, I’ll get the same thing. While we’re waiting we can pack everything.”

  “Sure, do I put everything into the shopping bags?”

  Gavin rolled his eyes. “I'm such a dork. I haven’t gotten you a bag yet, and I’ll need some for all the stuff I bought. Why don’t you take a shower and dress in something soft and comfortable. We can sleep on the plane. I’ll run downstairs and buy some luggage.”

  Gavin left before Kayin could say anything. Sorting through the bags, Kayin found some pajama pants and a soft long sleeve tee shirt. He wasn’t sure why he needed to shower again. He didn’t smell, wasn’t dirty, and he’d showered yesterday. Turning on the water, he waited for it to get to the right temperature and stepped under the spray. Oh, well. He let the warm water fall over his muscles.

  * * *

  Kayin rubbed his stomach as he sat in the soft leather chair. “Are more people coming?”

  “Maybe, often first class isn’t full.” Gavin frowned, putting their bags in the overhead compartment. “Is your stomach okay?”

  Kayin winced as the organ in question twinged. “I’m a bit nervous.”

  Gavin nodded and looked out the window, clenching his hands when he saw the fat white man from the market. His nose was red and swollen, and purple-black bruises ringed both eyes. His left arm was in a sling. How had he gotten onto the tarmac?

  “Gavin, is everything okay?”

  “I hope so.”

  The man began to run towards the luggage carts, but two guards stopped him. They pointed their automatic weapons at the man’s chest. Gavin turned away, hoping nothing would happen. He didn’t want to see anyone shot.

  Gavin sat in the chair next to Kayin. “The walk-in is out there, that’s why your stomach hurts. Some guards just caught him, so everything should be fine now.”

  “I thought you said they don’t normally hunt Children of Fire.”

  “They don’t. I’m not sure what is going on.”

  The plane jerked as they began to move. Kayin gripped the armrests so tight the leather squeaked. “What kinds of errands do walk-ins do for the Sons of Belial?” Kayin asked trying to distract himself.

  Gavin shrugged. “I don’t know all they do. We usually see them around magical creatures and artifacts from Akasha or Children of Fire. Cartazonon, he’s their leader, he doesn’t seem that concerned with us. We’re sure he knows we exist, but many times the walk-ins have left us alone and focused on getting whatever they were sent for. Well, unless they see the fire in our eyes, then they hunt us down.”

  “Did you buy anything like that?”

  “You're a genius. I have several antique pieces. I’ll look them over better when we get home.”

  “Can you tell if they are from Akasha?” Kayin asked.

  “Yes, I have a masters’ degree in Art History and have worked with appraisers for my various antique stores. I’m not just a handsome face, you know.” Gavin winked at him.

  Kayin laughed.

  “Sir, can I get you anything to drink?” asked a man in a crisp blue uniform.

  “Yes, can I have a glass of Nebbiolo. Kayin?”

  Kayin frowned and rubbed his stomach some more.

  “If your stomach is bothering maybe a ginger ale?” the steward offered.

  Kayin nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Gavin, what—” Kayin be
gan then took a sip of his ginger ale. The light refreshing taste did seem to calm his stomach. “What would have happened if my mom and village hadn’t turned on me?”

  Gavin froze, then faced the young man. “Well, I would have talked to your parents explaining what happened to you and why. I would have offered to take you with me to New York or to send someone to the village to train you until we found the Jewel and we needed to leave.”

  Kayin nodded and looked out the window. He couldn’t see any stars in the night sky. The glow from the airport and Harare blocked their ancient light.

  The plane moved faster down the runway. Kayin’s sickness faded as they got further away from the walk-in, and nervous excitement filled his stomach like the bubbles from his soda. The front of the plane tipped, and Kayin pressed against his seat as the rest of the plane lifted into the air. His hands tightened, getting another groaning squeak from the leather armrests.

  “Breathe,” Gavin said, “just breathe. Everything is fine. In a few minutes the plane will level out.”

  Kayin nodded and looked out the window. Harare glowed in the blackness. Outside of the city, a few scattered lights broke through the darkness.

  “Will I ever come back here?”

  “If you want to come back, I will do everything I can to make that happen.”

  Kayin jumped, not realizing he’d spoken out loud. “Thanks.”

  “I can’t imagine how crazy this is for you, but I am here for you, and so is Anali. Anything you need or want, let us know.”

  * * *

  Kayin didn’t care where they were, he needed to get off this plane. After twenty hours spent trapped and sitting in what started out as a comfortable chair and had now grown lumpy, Kayin felt desperate to get up and move around.

  Gavin grabbed his arm. “Almost. We’re pulling up to the gate, then we’ll get out of here.”

  Kayin nodded, gathered his carry-on bag, and undid his seatbelt.

  “Once we get our bags we have to go through customs and immigration then drive home.”