“The real problem is that I should be Nolan,” he said. “That’s a great role! All my best reviews are when I’m the romantic lead. Who is Eamon O’Brien anyway? I mean, I like the guy, but do you think he can act?”
I shrugged. Picturing Eamon as the love interest did feel odd. What was he going to do? Seduce Sevyn with his scrappy hair? I pictured Shoshanna kissing Eamon and got sort of angry. “Maybe it’s not supposed to be romantic. They were thirteen-year-olds in the book.”
“Only in the first novel. They grow up a lot in the second and third. If those sequels stay green-lit, Shoshanna and Eamon are going to have to get physical.”
My brain flatlined, unable or unwilling to picture it. “Let’s focus on Evyn,” I said. “On you. What’s Evyn’s emotional journey?” Writing-craft talk. My dad had primed me for this conversation from the womb. “Tell me how you see it.”
Julian took his side out from his jacket, flipping through his lines. “Evyn’s born weak, blessed with fire but sickly. Unlike Sevyn, who sends bolts of lightning after people every five minutes. Evyn’s power draws the attention of the bad elves. One of them—Byers—abducts Evyn and takes him to the Blackened Wastes of Thornbred.”
“The blackened what?”
“I know.” Julian took off his sunglasses, his green-brown eyes piercing. “Honestly, I don’t get Evyn’s reaction. He gets abducted but doesn’t try to escape or fight back! I have nothing to work with. He should at least be terrified. I can do fear, but Cate says I’m misreading the heart of the character.”
“Let me see.” I took his script and read.
Ext. Elementia Beach
BYERS flies across the water on dark wings. He’s a divided creature, part-elf, part-eagle. His elven parts are attractive but sinister, his torso and head very human. His skin is ivory, but occasionally pulses with black veins. His hands and feet sport talons and dark feathers, and he’s carrying an unconscious EVYN by the arms.
They have been flying since Byers pulled Evyn through the waterfall, and Byers drops Evyn on the sand. Evyn doesn’t stir. Byers collects driftwood and starts a small fire. He pokes Evyn awake. Evyn sits up, confused.
I looked out to sea. Byers was the character who reminded Ryder of Felix Moss.
“What…” I rubbed my eyes, my throat dry. “Who is going to play this creature?”
“CGI. My whole scene this afternoon is me talking to a tennis ball on a stick while someone reads Byers’s lines off camera. If only we could afford Andy Serkis and his magic suit.”
I looked back at the script, but when I started reading again, I didn’t picture Julian. I saw Ryder trembling before Moss.
EVYN
(stammering)
Are you going to hurt me?
Byers shows Evyn the flames he built.
BYERS
For you. Can I call you Fire, Little Fire?
Evyn edges closer to the fire and eyes his abductor.
EVYN
Do you want to know my real name?
BYERS
Names are dangerous, Little Fire.
EVYN
You are dangerous. You are a mighty predator.
BYERS
(cocks his head, amused)
You speak truth. I will give you my name, but you mustn’t use it against me. You may know me as Byers.
Evyn reaches into the fire, letting the flames grow up his arm. The light and heat builds, and Evyn breathes easier. Byers is entranced.
EVYN
Come sit with me, Byers.
BYERS
(cringing)
Can’t maneuver a sit. Only stand or fall.
Evyn looks over the creature. Byers’s birdlike qualities have given him no waist, and he crouches. His eyes are drawn to the pointed elf ears. Byers shuffles closer, watching Evyn move his hand through the flames.
BYERS
You are torn in two. Like me.
EVYN
(startled)
What do you mean?
BYERS
Like me, yes. You are a boy and more.
EVYN
You are a boy and more?
BYERS
I am more and more.
(sad)
And less and less.
EVYN
What do you want from me?
BYERS
A warm friend, Little Fire. I am tired of cold. I miss the heat of the fires that made me. And I will not feed on you, I won’t. I will tell you about the world, and you will tell me I am right.
EVYN
Are you taking me to Thornbred? To the burned forest?
BYERS
(pained)
Do not speak of such destructions. They will hear you, and they are angry. They will feed on you, little human. They will drain you, and I will be cold and alone.
Evyn straightens, attempts to be as commanding as his father, the king, or his bold, harsh sister.
EVYN
(nobly)
Take me home, Byers. I demand it.
Byers’s face scrunches, and his veins pulse darkly, drawing a spiderweb netting across his complexion. He bares his sharp teeth.
BYERS
Bloodsuckers, demons. You are mine!
“I forgot there were vampire creatures in this story,” I said, although I hadn’t. I didn’t have the luxury of forgetting after Moss had screamed, “Let me drink his blood!” while the cops cuffed him to the ambulance’s stretcher. During the following weeks, Ryder had acted like Moss was a monster coming for him at any moment. His therapist had my dad read the books to him as a first step—and then we’d all gone to the institution so Ryder could see Moss, a schizophrenic fanboy. I went as well, watching my brother develop a strange bond with his would-be abductor as they discussed their favorite parts of Elementia.
Afterward, Ryder was relieved. “Moss isn’t scary. He loves the trilogy like me.”
Julian had his phone out, but for once, he wasn’t texting. He was watching me. “You went to a dark place when you read that,” he said. “Your face got very old.”
“I’m sure that was attractive.”
Julian mimicked my dark look as though he were adding it to his acting library. “One reviewer said I look like I’m forty when I act sad. That’s why I took this fantasy role. It was supposed to be light and fun.” He dragged a hand through his hair and his bicep popped. “But I have to be honest with you. This feels like a career ender. Shoshanna is starting to think so too.” He looked at the time on his phone. “We’re an hour off again.”
My dad’s voice reminded me that this was what
