Typhon's Revenge

Chapter Twenty

WATER

Aileen led us into the kitchen and my eyes widened. This looked like a professional kitchen, it had all of the things a chef could need and want. I would know because after finishing high school, I was planning on going to culinary school to become a chef. I had worked in restaurants before, waiting tables, but I had always been intrigued by what happened in the kitchen. 

But then all of this happened. And I had to put that dream on hold until we got back to the mortal world, but it was still something I was planning to do.

"Hey Andrew, are you okay?" Alex's voice made me jump slightly and I turned to face her with wide eyes. She was studying me carefully as if I were something she couldn't understand. Her dark eyes looked all over my face for any sign or clue as to what I had been thinking. 

That's when I realized I had stopped at the door while everyone else was already inside looking for all the things they were going to use to make dinner. The sound of their voices along with the sound of pots bumping against each other almost made me wince. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just got lost in thought," I said as I gave her a sly smile and she nodded her head.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked after a moment and I nodded my head, surprised that she felt the need to ask for permission.

"Sure, what's going on?" I said as I turned to face her.

Alex turned to look at the others as if making sure they hadn't noticed that we were talking and then she frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "That's what I'd like to know," she muttered and I tilted my head to the side in confusion. 

"What?"

Alex chuckled and shook her head. "I mean, what is going on? I know there's something going on because Mason has been tense this whole time after lunch and you were talking to him when we went to play. Is there something I should know about? Has something happened? And why won't you tell Aileen, Kalani, and me?" She asked quickly and I stiffened.

"Have you talked to Mason?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"He won't talk to me about what is going on. Whatever it is, it's bothering him and I can tell it's bothering you too. I don't see why or how Kalani and Aileen haven't noticed your strange behavior," she said with a shrug and I clenched my jaw together, thinking of what to say next.

"Alex, look. Things are not great at the moment. You didn't know this but Aileen has been having a hard time and-" I began but she cut me off with a slight glare.

"Of course I know. She's my best friend and I get that she's hurting and that she's confused about everything right now. About you. I just don't get what she has to do with anything or why that should be considered a 'secret'," she said with a tone that sounded slightly frustrated.

"Because she's not well, Alex. She's losing control of her powers and Mason doesn't know why. He has already checked her and there's nothing physically wrong with her. We're trying to find out what's causing those outbursts before she hurts anyone or herself. We didn't want to say anything to you because we know you'd worry and start to ask Aileen questions and that could set her off," I blurted and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes, I'd worry. But I can also be of help. Even if I don't have powers like you, even if I'm just a mortal, I can still do something to help my friend. You shouldn't keep me in the dark about things like this. It's not fair," she said through clenched teeth and I opened my mouth to respond but she had already turned away to help the others. 

It was obvious she was upset. She walked towards Aileen with her body tense and a serious look on her face. Mason turned to her and by the way he spoke, I could guess he had told her something to make her laugh but it didn't work. Not even a smile appeared on her face. Mason's eyebrows creased together as he looked at me questioningly and I only nodded my head. 

"Andrew, can you help us grill the chicken please?" Aileen asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I shivered at the way she said my name without sadness or anger, it was her normal voice. Wherever she had gone to, had really helped.

"Sure, let me wash my hands," I said as I headed to the sink.

...

A little over half an hour later, we were all seated at the dining table with plates in front of us filled with pasta Aileen and Alex had invented back in the orphanage and some grilled chicken to accompany it. I was sitting next to Aileen and I noticed she hadn't filled her plate completely and I began to worry.

"I ate much later than you guys. I'm not really hungry but I can't say no to pasta," Aileen responded as if reading my thoughts. I nodded my head and took a sip of the glass with lemonade to my left. 

Someone's stomach growled and Alex blushed slightly in embarrassment as a small smile crept into her cheeks. It was the first time she had smiled since our talk. 

Everyone chuckled around the table before Mason said, "all right then, let's eat."

We didn't say anything as we ate and I was taken aback by the creaminess of the pasta and the explosion it made with the saltiness of the chicken. 

"It's great, right?" Aileen said as she looked all around the table before her eyes landed on mine.

"Very. I really need to learn that recipe," Mason said with a nod and Aileen rolled her eyes. 

"No need, my friend here knows how to make it. I'm sure that she could even make it better if she put her mind to it," Aileen said as she looked at Alex who rolled her eyes.

"Well, it's much easier to make than I would have thought," Kalani said and we all turned to look at her. She looked pleased by what they had managed to make for dinner. "And it was much more fun."

I chuckled and nodded my head. "Welcome to the world of cooking."

A couple of minutes later, we were all finished as we stared at the empty plates and then at the kitchen. We still had a lot to clean up and it was probably already midnight. 

"Okay guys, the sooner we get started, the sooner we can go to bed. I'm exhausted," Aileen said with a faint smile as she got to her feet and took her plate to the kitchen. 

The rest of us followed her lead and divided into different tasks. While Kalani put everything away and cleaned the surfaces we used while Mason swept the floor and I helped him mop it. Aileen and Alex worked on washing and drying the dishes and pots. Soon, we were all done and I smiled. 

"I think Alessandro will be pleased we didn't leave his kitchen dirty," I said and Kalani chuckled.

"I know I would."

The five of us walked back towards our rooms. Mason and Alex had seemed to make up since he was wrapping his arm protectively around her shoulders and Alex was leaning into him tiredly.

Kalani was further at the front while Aileen and I hung back at the end of the group. I had my hands in my pockets as I tried to control the nerves I was feeling. I didn't know why I was nervous, it wasn't like I had never walked alongside Aileen before. I guessed she just seemed so calm and in control that I didn't want to set her off by my presence.

I cleared my throat and looked at her slowly, "So, where did you go after breakfast?" I asked, trying to make a conversation.

Aileen chuckled and turned to me with something in her eyes that I couldn't place. "I went to find Noah and I did, he was at the stables. I helped him clean up so that he could show me the trail we could use. He actually showed me how to ride a horse and it was pretty fun. Then I-" she stopped uncomfortably and looked away before continuing. "Then I lost control of my powers for a second. I don't know what triggered it, exactly but that's when I panicked and went back inside."

I stiffened and nodded my head. "Why didn't you come and find us?"

Aileen shrugged and stayed silent for a moment. "I didn't want to worry you. I know that it's something strange. So I went to find my father instead. I thought that he could help me."

I nodded my head in understanding and turned to her. "And I'm guessing he did."

"Yeah, he did. Somehow, I felt that he knew what I was going through and we talked. We talked for hours and I ate with him before joining you guys. He explained to me his side of the story and... I felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders," she whispered with a slight smile. 

I nodded my head and smiled. "I'm glad you got some closure."

"So am I. I mean, it would have been something great to have grown up with my parents. To have grown up in the Underworld. I would have probably turned out very different and even though a part of me wishes that would have happened, I'm glad it didn't. Because what I said when I went to join you is true. We did learn the value of things, we learned how to take care of ourselves and how to be more humble. I guess that's the beauty of our hard childhood. And besides, if I hadn't grown up like that, I probably wouldn't have met Barbara or Alex and I probably wouldn't have fallen for you like I did."

As she finished speaking, my eyes widened and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. I looked at her with wide eyes but she wasn't looking at me, nor did she make a move to do so. It was as if she were talking to an old friend about life.

Slowly, I turned away and chuckled. "Maybe. Anyway, did your father say anything to you? Did he give you some advice?"

Aileen nodded her head and smiled. "He did and I'm working on it. I'm still not sure what is causing it, but I feel much better after having talked to him. It also probably had something to do with the drink he gave me. I think it was like a sedative."

"A drink?" I asked in confusion.

"Yeah, it was a sweet, honey-like liquid. It tasted amazing, and after that, I felt much lighter and calm. He said it would help relax me but that I shouldn't take too much too often since it's very strong," she explained and I nodded my head.

"And how are you feeling?" She asked me as we reached the stairs and turned towards me. 

"Um... I guess I've been better but I'm okay. You worried me, that's all. I thought something had happened to you with Noah. Something about him is just... off," I said truthfully and Aileen raised an eyebrow as she took in my words.

"Off? Really? I haven't felt anything weird about him. He's nice. You should get to know him. He's really sweet and smart. He knows a lot about many things, maybe we could all learn from each other," she said with a smile and I had to hold back the urge to frown. The last thing I wanted was for Aileen to see how much that comment got under my skin. 

"Yeah, I guess we could," was all I said as we stopped in the hallway that led to our rooms. Kalani had already gone inside and Mason and Alex were saying goodbye so it was probably prudent to give them some privacy so they wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

"I'm feeling very tired. I should probably get to bed," Aileen said, beating me to it. 

I nodded my head and smiled as I walked her to her door. "It was nice being able to talk to you again. I had missed it," she said with a genuine smile and my heart skipped a beat. 

"Yeah, me too," I whispered and she nodded and looked away.

"Well, good night, Andrew."

"Night," I whispered and she walked inside her room. I stood there a second longer, just processing how she had been this afternoon. 

Sighing, I walked towards my room across the hall before saying, "good night, Alex," and walking inside. 

I went into the bathroom and got ready for bed. My body was pulsating in exhaustion as I reached the bed and let myself flop on it. Almost as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was gone into a deep sleep. I didn't even hear Mason come in. 

In my mind, I was picturing Aileen in my mind, smiling and laughing like she had been this afternoon. I hoped that tomorrow she would still her herself and not the guarded princess she had become.