The Vaga by S. A. Carter

swallow. What will this do to my family? Uncle Jo will never understand. And Phoebe…? Phoebe will never forgive me.
    Isis’ magic is throbbing in excitement at my admission, sending a wave of uneasiness coursing through me. Did she know all along that Julian and I were meant to be together? And if so, was I just some pawn in Isis’ ultimate resurrection? My heart doesn’t want to think that she would use me like that and yet…a sinking feeling inside of me tells me that it might be the truth.
    His hand brushes mine for only a brief whisper, jolting me back from my dark thoughts. ‘I have to go, Elena. I will be watching.’
    I turn around but he is already gone, vanished into thin air as if he never really existed. How did he move so quickly?
    ‘Next!’ I hear the woman behind the counter yell. Her gravelly smoker’s voice shakes me back to reality.

    ‘What took you so long?’ Phoebe grumbles as I shuffle past, handing her the hot dogs and drinks.
    ‘The line was long,’ I respond gruffly.
    Ignoring my tone she says, ‘Well you’re here now. And just in time for the next kick off.’
    I sit down beside her and realise that Magi isn’t here. My pulse quickens. ‘Where’s Mags?’
    ‘You were taking too long so I sent Sam and Magi after you,’ Phoebe replies, taking a large bite of her hotdog with delight. ‘And before you ask, no, it wasn’t about the food. I had a funny feeling of sorts. But you’re obviously okay, so nothing to worry about, right?’
    If only she knew. ‘Yeah, right.’
    The sound of the crowd turns my attention back to the game and I look down to see the ball fly through the air before being caught at the other end. One team charges the other, both wanting to obtain the ball—the ultimate prize—using it to fulfill the end result of a touchdown and a win for the most strategically skillful team.
    How ironic that this game should resemble my life.
    Magi returns and pushes past Phoebe to get to me. She nuzzles me fervently, obviously worried. Stroking her fur I reassure her I’m fine.
    Sam, on the other hand, is watching me with renewed interest. He flares his nostrils before turning back to the game. ‘Glad to see you made it back okay,’ he says, keeping his voice even. Although the overtone of suspicion isn’t lost on my ears.
    ‘Yep, all good,’ I reply, vowing to get him alone soon to find out what his problem is.
    The game moves along at a fast pace, each team battling it out, Blake among the fastest and strongest of the players. Watching him move and direct his team I can see why college girls swoon over him.
If only it was that simple for me
, I think, my thoughts turning to Julian.
    Before long the half-time siren sounds and the stadium bustles with life, everyone coming and going like a subway platform at peak hour.
    Rhianna makes her way up the stairs towards us. ‘Hey guys,’ she says. I notice Jessica isn’t with her and relief sweeps through me. She plonks herself down next to me. ‘It’s crazy here tonight.’
    ‘Sure is.’
    She nudges my arm. ‘I’m actually a little surprised to see you here. I wasn’t sure Phoebe would be able to convince you to come.’
    ‘Must I keep having to remind you of my persuasive charms, Rhi?’ Phoebe says through a mouthful of food.
    Rhianna laughs, her red hair catching the lights of the stadium. ‘Nope. I’d believe it.’
    I shake my head at the two of them, grateful that I have friends like them around. Although, if it wasn’t for Phoebe forcing me into the running team, I never would have met Rhianna. Sometimes Phoebe’s pushiness does pay off.
    I keep up a general conversation before I’m finally saved by the kick-off siren.
    While everyone else is watching the game, I struggle to keep my nerves in check. How did Julian know where to find me? And why didn’t I detect him in the line-up before he spoke to me? My magic should have picked up on his presence, but the fact that it didn’t puts my nerves on