Thorn smiled. “Not to mention, you keep saying you don’t want to be in space. Isn’t having a permanent home your goal?”
The silence lasted longer. The queen spoke with her other bugs. Finally, it said, “As long as where we are is providing the magic we need to survive, we can agree to those conditions.”
Chapter 30 - A Decision To Make
Viera
Viera sat in her kitchen drinking coffee and eating a plate of pancakes. She had a bunch of things to do today and hoped the first items would put everyone in a good mood.
Her phone rang. She checked the display and sighed. “Hi, Mother.”
“Viera, are you okay? There was a bunch of stuff happening in Chicago. I know that’s close to you.”
She took a sip of her coffee and leaned back in her seat. “I’m fine, Mother. I’m a few hours north of Chicago. Everything’s right as rain.”
Her mom’s voice got muffled. “I told you everything was fine.” She obviously removed her hand from the receiver. “So, when do we meet this lady friend of yours? Your dad explained it all to me. We’ve even had dinner with your Aunt Dotty and her wife.”
Viera was glad she was sitting and not holding her coffee. Getting burned wasn’t on her long list of items for the day. “That’s great, Mother. I, ah … I’ll see what I can do. I just, I just wanted to tell you … I’m not sure what I wanted to tell you. Maybe I’ll visit next week.”
“Oh! So soon? Can you get a flight out here?” Mother sounded so hopeful.
She bit back a laugh thinking about how fast she could get there. She imagined popping into the living room and yelling ‘boo!’ and then disappearing. “Yeah, I think I can. I’ll let you know after I speak with—” She heard her front door open. “Mother, I have to go. Betsy is here. We have a thing we have to do. I’ll talk with you in a few days.”
“Okay. Love you, dear.”
Betsy walked in as she hung up. “Sounds like you had a heart-to-heart with your mom.”
Viera’s head dropped into her crossed arms on the table. She had things to tell everyone: her mother, Thorn, and Betsy. I can do this! I faced a krottel bomb. After that, what can’t I do? “I don’t know how I’m going to do this.” She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“Well, we’ll start with going to the press conference. Maybe she’ll be watching, and half your job will be done for you.” That thought amused her. Though if it wasn’t one of her daytime stories, her mother probably wasn’t watching.
Lifting her head, Viera finished the last bite of pancake and washed it down with her coffee. “I should be so lucky.” She placed the dishes in the sink. “So, is the press conference in Chicago or New York? I didn’t get the details.”
“New York. Orson wants to be there. He relented on transporting to the meeting with the krottel, but that was his limit.”
Viera winked. “He survived the one round trip, and he’s out. No more gambling?”
“Exactly.”
After cleaning the mug and plate, Viera leaned against the counter. “I need to tell you something, and now is as good a time as any.”
One of Betsy’s brows shot up. “Oh, and what’s that, my friend?”
“I’m …” Viera paused, unsure of how to say this. She swallowed, trying to get moisture into her dry mouth. “Look, I know there are only five Pillars on Earth, but I love Thorn and they don’t have any wizards on Abritos.”
A smile grew on Betsy’s face, bigger with every word Viera said. “You’re going with the chanzii when they leave.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yeah. And since Thorn is in the first wave, I’ll be leaving in the next month. I plan on volunteering to watch the kids while the adults focus on rebuilding their society.”
Betsy wrapped her in a hug. “Oh, Viera! I think that’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you.”
There was a knock on the door before Thorn came in. “What’s the party?”
Warmth and excitement bubbled in Viera as she gazed at the woman she loved. “Well, my beautiful friend …”
Thorn’s face scrunched up. “Friend?”
Viera waved her hands. “Let me finish or I’ll never get this out.”
Rolling her eyes, Thorn just nodded her assent. “Go ahead.”
“Okay, here it goes.” Viera’s hands shook. “Before I follow the woman I love to a completely different planet,” she watched as Thorn’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped, “my parents would like to meet you.”
Thorn lifted her in a hug, spinning them both. Betsy laughed; her joy filled the kitchen.
They didn’t have long before the Ziner crew sent them to New York. They landed in the conference room where they’d had their meetings with Juk.
Mr. Mard walked in. “Alright, ladies. Are you ready? It’s time to let the world know the truth.”
As happy as he sounded, Viera was worried. The world was about to learn some very hard truths.
***
“Hi, my name is Betsy Doeth. I am what is known as a Pillar on Earth. Currently there are five Pillars who have been keeping Earth safe for generations. I’ll give you more information about what that means later. I am joined on stage by Viera Kor, Thorn Firoza, and Orson Mard.” Betsy spoke to a huge crowd. There were thousands of people there to hear them speak. Speckled throughout the crowd were cameras.
“We are here to talk to you about what happened the other day all over the planet, but specifically in Chicago, since that is where three of the four of us were.” She waved her hand at everyone but Mr. Mard.
“You mean when the aliens and dragons attacked?” someone in the crowd yelled.
