“Why are you concerned about him speaking to me? Who cares what he said, as long as he didn’t kill me, right? Forgive me for being happy to have lived through his visit. I mean really, how many leases do I get on life anyway?”
They both stared at me but said nothing for a moment as I tried to decide whether to tell them what Victor had declared. His words had been precise. His message very clear. Killing me and taking my soul was his destiny, his right. I could still hear Victor’s shrill bone chilling laugh. I don't believe that I would survive another encounter with him. This had to be his last visit or I may as well end my life now.
“Tell me Cordelia. Don’t be afraid. It’s imperative that I know.” Evan pleaded though he looked as if he already knew what had been said, but still needed to hear it from me. I was hesitant to speak the words. If I did, I would be forced to relive the entire ordeal. The goose bumps were back.
“He said that I
belonged
to
him
and that I didn't belong
here
.” I paused, gulped, and looked at Evan.
Evan nodded and prodded me with his endearing voice. “Was there anything else?”
“He said that my soul is his, that this is
his
destiny, and that he won't be stopped.” I managed to somehow get most of it out, and skipped the part about loyalty. I knew that Victor couldn’t be trusted, but I wondered what he was insinuating.
“In
MY house
?” Evan asked icily, but not explaining what Victor had meant. Neither Bethany nor I dared to speak. Evan's eyes and body language spoke volumes. He clenched his fists and his pupils grew black then fire red as he stared right through Bethany and I.
Evan’s auburn hair, which had suddenly become soaked, began to whip across his face as if a strong breeze was blowing through it. His clothing became drenched as if he had been in the line of Bethany’s fire. His entire body became engulfed in a wave of water, and he was completely fleshed out in it. I could no longer make out the impeccable features of his face.
I felt the cold and vicious wind gusts blow passed my face as my furniture rattled brutally. The deafening sounds of hurricane winds and a tornado of water filled the two rooms. I fought to hold on to a piece of furniture as everything in the room became soaked. Bethany stood as if nothing was happening. Her brother had his head tilted completely back, and said the words that I would never forget. Each word was filled with vengeance and thundered throughout the entire room.
“I WILL NOT REST UNTIL I
KILL
THE COWARDICE SON OF IPTIAN!” Evan appeared as if he was possessed, like some demon had taken over his body. He began to levitate as the diamond patterned ceiling swallowed him whole along with the swirling typhoon that followed him.
“EVANDER!” Panic painted Bethany's face.
I felt like screaming too, but I would have to hire a search party to find my voice. I was too shocked to make an audible sound. Bethany knew her brother was serious. He was going to hunt Victor down to kill him…or be killed. I knew that it was the latter suggestion that worried her.
Evan literally disappeared through the ceiling leaving no apparent sign of his departure, not a solitary drop of water which had originated from him. My room was arid once again. The ceiling looked exactly as it had looked before Evan went through it, in a perfect rhombus pattern. I was glued to the spot where I stood. My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling, as if I expected Evan to return through it the same way he had left. After all that I had seen, anything was probable. Suddenly Bethany grabbed my arm and forced me to look her in the face.
“Do not leave this room! I must get Nikolas.” Bethany demanded. “I will return, shortly.”
“Please don't leave me!” I screamed to an empty room. Just like that, I was all alone. I felt a chill that crept right into my bones and camped there. What if Victor returned? Why the heck would they think it was safe to leave me alone with a monster hungry for my soul? Victor would surely kill me knowing that I was all alone and powerless, with neither of the mighty trio to defend me.
I sat down on my bed and shivered to my core as I broke out into a feverish sweat. My hands were clammy, and I wrapped myself in my arms and unconsciously began rocking back and forth, as if I was sitting in a rocking chair. I rocked like that for what seemed like a long, long time letting fear overwhelm me.
It was an impossible notion that I struggled with, but I had to stop thinking of Victor. I couldn't get the image of Victor's handsome face transforming into a hideous gargoyle out of my mind. His face seemed to appear everywhere I looked. I concentrated as hard as I could to extinguish his evil face from my psyche. No one would blame me after all that I had witnessed and heard. This was nothing short of a nightmare. What scared me the most was the yearning feeling I felt within his presence. It was consuming. I couldn’t deny that I was drawn to him for reasons I didn’t understand and wasn’t certain that I ever would.
Victor’s words played over and over in my head. I fought the urge to scream in order to get them to stop. Instead, I tried to think of Evan, who made me feel safe even though I didn't even know him, this guy who claims to be irrevocably in love with me, whoever I really was. Evan’s feelings for me frightened me, and I wasn’t sure why. Could it be the fact that I didn’t know him and was expected to? Or could it be that I didn’t know what he really expected from me? Either way, I felt strangely secure around him. Somehow, I knew that he would never knowingly hurt me, and would probably give his life for me. I actually believed that. I don’t know why, but I could gamble my life on it.
Here was this perfect looking guy who looked like he had just stepped of the pages of GQ magazine. A perfect gentleman who spoke with perfect articulation, certainly not the norm for Nickel City folk, which proved a level of maturity which was well beyond the age which he looked to be. Yet on the flip side, he is capable of manufacturing a maximum force tsunami out of the dry desert air.
I was astounded by his extraordinary power. The power that he claimed I could out match. For the first time, since finding out that I have powers, I was intrigued. My hands shook with fear every time the idea entered my mind, but I was fascinated nonetheless.
Bethany startled me when she appeared out of nowhere. She was back. I sighed. But Nikolas wasn’t with her. I realized only a couple of minutes had passed since she had left. She walked toward me.
“It’s time for dinner.” Bethany said practically ignoring me while she smoothed her hair and looked herself over in the tall gilt framed mirror, which stood in the far left corner of my bedroom. She looked beautiful as always, whether she was in a slim fitting tshirt or this Victorian ensemble, she was a stunner and she knew it. “Come with me, everyone is expecting you.” Bethany added. I was in no mood for food. I was still shaken by Victor’s visit, and didn’t want to be anywhere in this house much less being forced to a sit down dinner in it.
Why was Bethany acting like nothing happened? Where was Nikolas? Didn't she just leave to get him? And Evan – where was he? Her brother had just levitated out of here a moment ago on a mission to rid the world of one of its prime evil tormenters.
“What's going on? Where are Evan and Nikolas?” I practically stumbled over the hem of my dress trying to get over to the full length mirror where Bethany was still checking herself out.
“Victor has gone back into hiding. Humph... a
coward
always does,” she snorted, knowingly. “He is petrified of my brother, as he should be. Evan has sent Victor a warning through his disciple, Lucas. You don’t need to worry.” Bethany assured.
“So what does that mean, Victor won’t be coming back?” I was hopeful but knew better. Somehow I knew this wasn’t the end. I wondered what kind of warning Evan had sent. Would it be enough to keep Victor away? Would it keep him away long enough, so that I could regain my memory?
“Once he believes that Evan isn't watching, he’ll be back.” Not the answer I wanted to hear.
I shuddered at the thought. I dreaded ever having to look into those evil eyes again. They practically put me into a trance, making me need to be close to him. But while I was close to him I was terrified for my life.
According to Bethany it would only be a matter of time before Victor would be back to try and kill me by…snatching my beating heart out of my chest. Bethany had guessed he had come to do just that earlier, but hadn’t gotten the chance. He could very well burn me alive with his touch alone or set me on fire since the guy actually spits flames from his mouth like some dragon.
“Do you need help to change into something else? Victor ruined your dress.”
“No,” I said calmly.
“Well I’ll be in the dining room with the others. It’s not polite to keep dinner waiting.” Bethany said, over shoulder as she quickly exited my room.
Unconsciously I traced the tears in my dress, where Victor had dug his nails. After a few minutes of unbuttoning tiny buttons, I was successful in getting out of the dress. I decided to keep the corset on only because I couldn't figure out how to get out of the contraption. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. My hand unconsciously rubbed the skin on my shoulders. I no longer felt the sting of the burns. That’s when I noticed that the brutally inflicted gashes were gone. Not a scratch or a bruise was evident on my shoulders. The wounds had healed. I stood there for a long time marveling as to how this could be.
I didn’t want to believe Evan and Bethany, but I knew that everything was pointing to the truth about whom and what I really am. There was a faint knock on the door. I wasn’t dressed and wasn’t prepared to answer it, so I ignored it for a moment while I stepped into the cramped closet and started sifting through the dozens of dresses. I heard the knock again. This time followed by Sun Paw's voice. I quickly grabbed the closest dress.
“Miss Cordelia, I've come to see if you need my assistance in preparing for dinner?” Sun Paw asked, behind the closed door.
“No....uh....I will be out in a moment. Thank you.” I answered; tugging and twisting into the royal blue taffeta dress with more of the same bells and whistles sewn all over it. Anxiously, I listened to hear her footsteps leaving. Sun Paw waited for a brief moment, and finally gave up, and left.
I finished dressing, put on the pair of royal blue satin shoes that matched the dress I chose, and hurried out of my bedroom and down the long stark hallway. I carefully descended the staircase but had to pause once again at the large–as–life photograph of me. It freaked me out in ways so unimaginable. I practically lost my footing looking at it, me. I did my best not to trip as I continued down the staircase in the irritatingly long gown edged in ruffles upon ruffles. Once I was on the first floor I breathed a sigh of relief. It was quite an achievement.
I walked down the lengthy foyer, but stopped when I overheard voices. They seemed to be coming from the pantry; whispers in the Paiute dialect.
I was astounded that I understood every word being spoken. I recognized Sun Paw’s voice but not the other. After listening for a short moment I realized it was Moon Rose, Sun Paw’s older sister. I stood hidden in a dark corner a few steps away from the wide doorway to the pantry. I didn’t want to eavesdrop on them, but once I heard what they were talking about, it just couldn’t be helped.
“Well, I overheard Master Evander and Master Nikolas talking, and apparently she was killed in the far away time, and they have brought her back so that she could be revived,” Moon Rose revealed in an amusing yet cunning voice. “I was under the impression that their kind couldn’t be killed, but I guess I was wrong.” Sarcasm dripped from Moon Rose’s lips.
I was surprised to hear them speaking about the Ischeros, and their capabilities. I was shocked that they knew what Evan and Bethany had claimed they were.
“I barely know her.” Sun Paw said, firmly. “Before she left for the far away time, she had only been in this house for one moon.” Sun Paw noted.
“When she lived with her parents in their home, her last servant said that she could be very arduous at times, and quite mischievous.” Moon Rose said knowingly.
“Well, I’m getting to know her now, and I don’t see her that way. She is very delicate, unsure, and without any power. She is very pleasant toward me. Unlike, Miss Bethany.” Sun Paw said. I heard Moon Rose sigh of aggravation at the mention of Bethany’s name.
“She may be grieving the life she lost in the far away time, since she doesn’t know who or what she is, therefore she’s pleasant toward you
now
,”
Moon Rose explained.
“But –” Sun Paw said, before being cut off by her sister.
“Sun Paw, she left to soon before any of us could have an opportunity to see her in action. Do not be naïve, little sister. She is the strongest one of these beings, and has yet to really know who she is according to Master Evander and Master Nikolas. All that delicateness and insecurity will be gone with the realization that is sure to come.” Moon Rose warned. I really don’t like this girl, I thought. She doesn’t even know me.
“Oh Moon Rose, please stop.” Sun Paw demanded with a hiss. “You do not know what you speak of.”
“No.
You
stop. Stop being a little girl, and open your eyes. I’m only asking that you be cautious. They
all
have dark auras at times. Some more frequent than the others.” Moon Rose’s voice became guarded and more hushed. I really had to strain to hear her.
“The family has always been fair to us. She is no different. She is one of them, and they trust us with their secret, and protect us from the night creatures. We must honor that. Mother says that she is the purist of them all and the most sacred.” Sun Paw informed, as I wondered, in fear, what the hell she meant by
night creatures?
“But she’s –” Moon Rose never finished her sentence when a woman's voice, deeper and authoritative, coming from the direction of the kitchen, ended their little chat.
“Hush. Enough of this whispering. You both have plenty to do. Sun Paw, tend to the dining room. Moon Rose, you will help me in the kitchen. It is almost time to serve dinner.”