Bethany painted a sweet smile on her face and decided that she was better at telling it. “Victor has a penchant for variety in the opposite sex which makes for the volatile relationship he and Sacha endure. One girl can’t seem to fill his insatiable appetite and ‘No’ is never an option. If another girl is with him it’s because she fears for her life and her families lives, not because she wants to sleep with Victor or sought to fill Sacha's shoes.”
The way these kids lived symbolizes just how out of place I really was. A simple date and kissing was about all I could relate too. I thought that Bethany was as inexperienced as I was. It was obvious that she was way ahead of me just by the way she spoke of Sacha and Victor. She wasn’t just telling the story she could relate to their relationship.
“Sacha is very jealous and has gone as far as murder in order to maintain her position as Victor's girl. She’ll never understand that these other girls are forced to accommodate him.” Bethany explained as she finished her coffee. I watched her, the way she held her cup and it was like watching a stranger. “Happily ever after doesn’t seem to be in the cards for Victor and Sacha but they are together. Lucas was such a fool to allow that union.”
Bethany snorted. They were not Ischeros and that meant that they were inferior.
I couldn't believe how grown up everyone appeared to be. They threw words like murder around as if it was as ordinary an act as eating or sleeping. This was so far from the regular high school drama of who was going out with whom, and who stole who's girlfriend or boyfriend. I was completely lost in this world of greed, violence, power and deceit. I felt like a child amongst adults.
The lump in my throat was preventing me from speaking so I just nodded like a cooperative child. I understood but I couldn’t relate. I stole a glance at Evan. He was sitting rigid in his chair, combing his long fingers through his thick wavy hair. I couldn't read the look in his eyes. He appeared to be studying the fancy table cloth. Then, without a word to anyone, Evan stood up and walked out of the dining room. The uncomfortable silence was back.
I turned my gaze to Bethany who fingered her diamond medallion vigorously. The medallion sparkled as it picked up the glow of the chandelier and sent rays of light across the room and onto the walls. Her expression revealed nothing. I couldn’t tell if she was angry or shocked by her brother’s behavior.
Nikolas looked at the broken vase on the floor. I had forgotten all about the jagged pieces of fine crystal, beautiful scattered roses, and the puddle of water that had saturated the fringed rug. I began to hear pieces of glass clinking together. I peered over the edge of the table, just passed the fringe of the table cloth, to see the shattered pieces of crystal slowly, piece by piece, becoming the vase again. Every drop of water that had splashed onto the floor, floated in the air, and poured back into the vase as the long stemmed roses danced up one by one, and dropped into the opening of the vase. I watched in utter disbelief. In a matter seconds, the vase was back on the table as if it had never moved. If I hadn't seen the vase smash against the wall, I would never have believed it had been shattered. This definitely beats an afternoon of gluing it back together with crazy glue.
“Once Evan has calmed down, he will undoubtedly be angered with himself for smashing one of his mother's most cherished pieces of crystal. I'll spare him that.” Nikolas smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye.
I tried to smile back, but I made a very poor attempt. I was still in shock from what I had just seen. I didn’t mean the reconstruction of the vase, but what I saw in the mirage. Bethany reached over, and gently squeezed Nikolas’ hand. Then she stood up to excuse herself from the table. Nikolas quickly stood up and waited.
“Where are your parents, Nikolas?” I asked, not realizing the weight of the question.
“They’re dead.” Nikolas said, without a trace of emotion in his voice. I wished I hadn’t asked, and found myself more accepting to the answer than the lack of emotion in his voice.
“Oh. I'm sorry Nikolas, I didn’t know.” I felt like an idiot for asking.
“No, don't be sorry. It's not your fault. My mother and father were killed in an attack by several Apolluon members as my parents tried to defend Victor’s family whom had somehow alerted the Apolluon’s attention. It happened shortly after my seventh birthday which is why I was raised by your parents, and why the Iptian family was finally banished.”
“The Apolluon are horrible.” I said in a whisper, saddened by what Nikolas must have gone through.
Nikolas spoke very matteroffact. “Yes, absolutely, but extinguishable regardless.”
We looked at each other for a moment. Nikolas softened the mood with a smile. He always had a way of making someone feel comfortable at an awkward moment. I was astounded by the amount of alcohol he drank but more so shocked by his lucid disposition.
“We should retire. It has been a long and tiresome day.” Bethany noted smiling at Nikolas and me.
“Cordelia, you must be exhausted; it’s late. There is no need to fetch Sun Paw, she and Moon Rose will be in shortly to clear the table. I will help you undress for bed.” Bethany added.
“Ok.” I agreed.
“Goodnight Nikolas.” I smiled.
“Good night cousin.” Nikolas smiled boyishly as he hugged me, and then slowly walked into the dimly lit foyer. I was exhausted, but not because it was late. My exhaustion was due to the implausible events of the day.
I died today.
I’d been brought back to life today, by the boy of my dreams.
I’d been attacked and nearly killed again today.
The most intriguing and shocking moment of the day was finding out that I’m the descendant of the most powerful deity. The most powerful descendant. Me. It was a ridiculous notion that would take some time getting used too.
Yes, it had been quite an exhausting day, but it had also been a profoundly life altering one. I was both terrified and anxious to see what tomorrow would bring, if I got through the night.
Twelve
Invisible
Only a prayer would save me from a tumble on the unfamiliar staircase. How clumsy I must appear in this long and flouncy gown. I repeatedly stepped on the hem and almost tripped up the stairs a couple of times. The banister was my crutch. Closing in on me was the step where the portrait was hung. I looked at her – me. There was a perpetual light in her jade green eyes as if I had been happy when I sat for that picture. Perhaps that is what the photographer wanted to translate. But was it an accurate translation? Only time would tell.
I quickened my step to keep up with Bethany, who seemed to glide up the steps. I wanted this opportunity to talk with her alone like the best friends we once were. I wanted Bethany’s take of the day’s twisted events. I hoped she would give me honest answers, even if they weren’t what I wanted to hear.
Bethany opened the double doors to my sitting room, and then swung the doors open to my adjoining bedroom. There were half a dozen oil lamps scattered on the little doily covered, marble topped tables, throughout the two rooms. Bethany quickly started lighting the numerous lamps, which adequately brightened the large space.
“You won't need them all once you are ready for bed.” Bethany said, assisting me with unbuttoning over a dozen, miniature, pearl buttons that were on the back of my dress. Once I was out of the brace of a corset, I could breathe again. What a freeing feeling to be rid of that horrid rib splitting contraption, even if just for the night. Bethany threw my dress over the embroidered screen divider.
“Sun Paw will take care of it when she comes to wake you early in the morning for our morning ride.” Bethany informed.
I’d never ridden a horse, so I hoped that it wasn’t what she meant when she said ‘morning ride’. Don’t get me wrong, I loved horses – the beauty of them, yet the idea of getting on one, and being violently thrown off one, and then landing – bones shattered on the gritty dirt, didn’t perk my interest one bit.
The idea quickly left my mind when Bethany looked at me for a moment. It was as if she knew I was on the verge of inquiring about something which she wasn't sure she could or wanted to answer. She was right. There were questions that were causing knots in my stomach.
“I would like to see the house that I grew up in. It would probably…”
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I wasn’t allowed to finish my thought with Bethany’s rude interruption.
“Why not?” I practically hissed, surprised.
“Because, it isn’t safe there.”
“Not safe? I don’t seem to be too safe here either,” I noted. “I’ve already been attacked once.” The look on Bethany’s face was lethal.
“What are you saying? You don’t think that we’ll protect you.”
“No, it’s not that… I…” I sighed. Why was Bethany suddenly so argumentative? Why was she changing the subject? It had been a simple request.
Why couldn’t I see the house I supposedly grew up in?
“Then what?” Bethany asked, with one hand on her hip. Great, I thought. Now I’ll probably never get her calm enough to answer the rest of my questions.
“I just think that maybe being in the house, where I grew up, for a little while, may actually help me to remember who I am. I didn’t mean that I would stay there.” I clarified. Bethany appeared to relax a bit but said nothing for a moment. She smoothed her dress and finally began speaking.
“There is nothing left. The house is empty. It would be pointless really.” I listened to the sound her hand made as it rubbed against the stiff ruffled fabric of her dress.
“Oh…” I was deflated. “Why is it empty?”
“Well, most of your things are here, and most of your parents’ belongings were destroyed by Victor’s disciples,” Bethany said. “Honestly, I don’t see how a bunch of empty rooms will help you to remember since being surrounded by your own personal possessions hasn’t helped.”
Bethany had a point but I still wanted and needed to see the house. Maybe being in the house will bring something back. Even a morsel of a memory could help. Bethany must have noticed the look on my face because she decided to clean up her insensitive reply.
“Look, I just think it’s too soon after Evan’s warning to Victor to be out where his disciples may see you before we see them.”
“Fine, enough said. I’ll stay here.” I lied. I had every intension of seeing that house, one way or another. I will not be a prisoner in this one. I decided to change the subject to an even more important one. This question was sure to have Bethany squirming, but I didn’t care. She was in the hot seat now.
“Why did you lie to me about your parents? Why’d you tell me that they were… dead?” I hoped that she would be honest with me. I needed a straightforward answer. As expected, Bethany needed a moment to think or get her lie together. Anyway she took a fleeting one before answering. I took a deep breath, and waited.
“I can’t apologize for what I told you. It was what I was ordered to do.” Bethany said. “I do apologize for how you must feel. I want you to know that you can trust me. I am your friend.”
“Why were you ordered to lie?” I wanted to believe Bethany. Her eyes radiated the sincerity that her tone projected. I needed her. I wanted my best friend back.
“I was told to tell you that my parents were dead so that it wouldn’t look suspicious that I didn’t have parents, being that I’m only seventeen.” I decided to change the subject and ask another question that disturbed me.
“Why did Evan have to kill Lucas? I get it; Lucas was bad, but...” I asked shakily, unable to hide the fact that I was still stunned by the idea of Evan killing someone.
She didn't answer immediately. I didn't expect her to. This was a difficult question that perhaps, I should have saved for Evan himself. I was actually pissed at her for wanting me to see the brutal, violent, and murderous attack, which was the after dinner show.
Appearing to be in full control, Bethany slammed me with words that hit harder than the jeep.
“Wake up Cordelia, you are no longer portraying the frightful senior at Nickel City High. We battle the worst forms of evil. Our way of survival is kill or be killed. Lucas would have killed Evan, had he not killed Lucas first. The evil entities that we face, that you may soon face, will stop at nothing until we are extinguished. They won’t accept the peaceful approach as you witnessed. Evan did what he had to do. He did it for you. And he will do it again and again to protect us all.” Bethany declared, scornfully in a heightened voice, and with both hands on her hips this time.
Her face was ashen and red at the same time. Her icy blue eyes were a shade or two darker than their usual hue, and pierced deep into my eyes carving a path into my soul. Was she actually pissed that I dared to ask the question? Or was she pissed because she thought that I didn't appreciate her brother’s efforts to protect me? She had it all wrong. I did appreciate the attempt, but I didn’t feel killing a human being was necessary. I didn’t want anyone killed because of me.
“I don’t want people dying because of me. There just has to be another way.” I challenged, with a creeping edge to my voice. I never pulled my eyes away from Bethany’s unrelinquishing hold. I held my own ground, and she knew it. I wouldn't accept her answer.
“There is NOT. There has never been. We are Ischeros. We are all forced to be adults at an early age. Heathens...monstrous... murderers. We've been called many things, but we've made the majority of the vulnerable safer. Right now you are not who you really are.” Bethany said. “Therefore I’m not upset with you. Right now you lack the understanding. It’s not your fault. The Cordelia I know, understands this. She has accepted her purpose. She is a warrior; a protector. The Cordelia I know, who her family needs desperately, is willing to do what is necessary to accomplish it. Please allow yourself to remember why you truly grace this earth.” Bethany was out of breath and agitated. She was practically trembling.
I just needed her to understand how I felt. I believed that peace has always been the victorious route. I wasn’t the Cordelia she spoke of. I wasn’t sure I would ever be… again. I decided not to speak another word about it, the attack on Lucas, at least for now. I didn't want to fight with Bethany. I needed her right now. I was afraid of everything including myself. Whoever I was. I changed the subject to another, which I thought she’d be able to shed some light on.