Part 3: Tharsis and Cherub
Mercedes looked over the fifth story balcony at the busy street below. She brushed a strand of mahogany hair from her glasses. Her green eyes took in everything.
**I'm Mercedes Maxwell. I'm 17 and just recently moved to this city. In another place and time I was a spirit. Tharsis the Water. Along with the others, I protected Princess Sophia. Now she's missing as well as the others. But I have a feeling they're close.**
There was a knock on the door, then it opened. "Mercedes, I'm home. "Savannah stepped inside. Her blue hair was perfect. Always perfect. Blue eyes looked quizzically at Mercedes.
**The name's Savannah Hamilton. I'm 16 and Mercedes's roommate. And I used to be the spirit of Wind, Cherub. We're both on this wild goose chase to find the others. Princess, we're close.**
"I know they're somewhere in this city," Mercedes muttered.
Savannah came over and hopped up on the rail next to Mercedes. "Let's ask the wind," she said as her eyes turned a yellow hue. The air rose, and a breeze toyed with her hair. "You're right. They are. But I can't tell where. Abaddon's storm is blocking a lot of my senses. I can't get a clear reading of the wind."
Mercedes nodded solemnly. "I'm going to the library. I'll be back soon." She entered the apartment and grabbed her keys before leaving.
Savannah looked over the fifth story balcony at the busy street below.
"How can a library not have Shakespeare?" Mercedes muttered to herself as she paced up and down the aisles of books.
"Did you say Shakespeare?"
Mercedes turned. "Yeah."
"They put those in the poetry section."
"Thanks. Um, what's your name?"
"Kody."
"Well, I'm Mercedes. Thanks again." She walked past the girl, then something flashed in her mind. ~That hair. I recognize that color. But where...? Wait.~
"Hey."
Kody turned. "Yeah?"
"Do you know of Sophia?"
Kody tried to hide her surprise unsuccessfully. "Sophia?"
Mercedes blinked. "Seraph!"
"What?! How do you...?! Tharsis?!" Then she remembered where she was and brought her voice to a whisper. "Maybe we should talk somewhere else."
Mercedes nodded.
Savannah looked back fro the balcony as Mercedes and Kody came in. "Who's that?" Savannah nodded towards Kody.
"This is Seraph."
Savannah's eyes went slightly wide. "Seraph?"
there was a knock on the door.
"And that would be Ariel," Kody said as Mercedes opened the door. Mike stepped inside.
After a long discussion, Kody looked out the window. "You wouldn't happen to know where Sophia is, would you?"
Mercedes shook her head sadly. Kody stood and walked out on the balcony.
"She's taking the princess's disappearance rather personally," Mike though aloud.
"Of course." Savannah stretched out her legs. "The princess and Seraph were close."
Mercedes nodded as she stood and walked out onto the balcony. "Don't worry."
Kody turned.
"We'll find her soon. "Mercedes gave a reassuring smile. A drop of rain landed on her nose. "Let's go inside before we get soaked." She took Kody's hand and led her inside.
"It's Abaddon again," Savannah commented on the incoming storm. She stood and grabbed her keys. "I gotta go. I told Raphael I'd meet him and go over some things."
Mercedes nodded. "Alright. Be careful."
"I will, Savannah promised as she gave her a hug and left.
A black Jaguar pulled up outside the Downtown Acting Theater. Savannah stepped out and hurried through the rain, and into the double doors.
She quietly walked down the halls. Some freelance actors might be practicing and it would be rude to disturb them. When she came to the end of the hall she pushed open another set of double doors.
"Am I late?"
A red haired man, tall, thin, about 19 years old, brown eyes, looked up from his papers. He was sitting on the stage. "No, you're early."
"That's good." Savannah walked down the aisle to the first row, where she laid her jacket in a chair. "By the way, I won't be able to perform this season, but I am most definitely going to help out."
"Why aren't you going to perform?" Raphael stood and stepped off the stage.
Savannah sighed. "I've got a lot of this to do right now."
"You? Too busy for acting?" Raphael laughed. "I remember when you would drive down here every weekend to perform."
"Believe me, I'd love to perform, but things have just gotten in the way. But I will hopefully perform next season."
"That's good."