“I followed them. I don’t know why but I – I didn't like the idea of them being alone together,” Bethany rambled, as she stared at Evan, sadly.
“Who?” Thaddeus asked.
“Cordelia and Gerald Bergnum, or so I thought it was him,” Bethany answered.
“You thought it was him?” Evan asked.
“It wasn’t Gerald,” Bethany whimpered, slightly.
“I saw her dancing with Gerald, myself,” Nikolas confirmed.
“It was Victor,” Bethany cried.
“Are you sure?” Alexandria asked in a shocked voice.” How could he get in here?”
“Did you actually see him?” One of the elders asked Bethany.
“I didn’t have to. I know it was him.”
“When did you know this?” Evan asked, anxiously.
“I…”
“How could Victor be Gerald Bergnum?” Nikolas wailed cutting Bethany off.
“Alright,” Thaddeus said, as he held up his hand. “We don’t have much time. Bethany, start from the beginning, and don’t leave anything out, no matter how unimportant you believe it to be.” Bethany took a deep breath and collected herself.
“I heard the cloak room door shut, and that's how I knew what direction they had taken. Victor was still Gerald then.”
“And?” Evan prodded, impatiently when Bethany paused.
“I tried to listen to what was being said, but it was odd, I couldn’t hear anything yet I could feel Cordelia’s presence behind the door. I opened the door and that’s when I realized that there wasn't a floor. It was a bottomless pitch black hole that quickly reverted back into this marble floor,” Bethany said, while she tapped her satin shoe on the marble. Everyone stared down at the floor. They all came to the conclusion that Victor was able to teleport me. By their expressions of horror, it was obvious that they had no idea to where.
“Victor has acquired the rare gift of the Chameleon, as Ares bestowed onto his son,” Thaddeus said, sternly. “This means, that he can transform into anyone, an Ischeros or a mortal, once he has wounded them.”
“I wish we had known of Victor’s ascension sooner. The Iptian’s son of Ares possesses a power that only the highest divinities hold.” Alexandria added.
“Surely Victor will begin the ritual of removing the empress’ heart immediately,” said an elder with a thick copper colored beard.
“The ritual requires some time, but unfortunately not very much,” said another elder who had yet to remove his mask. By now, everyone in that hallway had removed their masks.
“The ritual can be performed in under an hour,” Thaddeus said, as he pulled out a blue diamond encrusted gold watch from his vest pocket. “I’d say we have approximately three – quarters of an hour left.”
“We must act expeditiously or she may die.” Another elder said, grimly.
“No! She will not die,” Evan shouted. “Bethany, you have the strength to feel her aura.”
“I’ve been trying to, and I’ll try again.” Bethany threw her head back as a blinding stream of iridescent light shot out from her forehead. Her eyes were closed but her eyelids fluttered like the wings of a beetle. Everyone stood perfectly still as they waited for Bethany to make some kind of contact with me. Tiny starbursts floated around everyone like glittery dust then swirled upward and throughout the entire hall. The mortals continued dancing, oblivious to what had happened as well as to the pixie like dust floating around them.
“Cordelia, Cordelia, Cordelia.” Bethany called out in a whisper trying to make contact with me. Then she called out again.
“Cordelia, Cordelia, Cordeliaaaaaa.”
The other members of the Ischeros left the mortals in the ball room, and began congregating in the lounge. Suddenly the light was extinguished and all the starburst disappeared. Bethany looked at Evan with tears in her eyes.
“I saw her. She’s alive! She is bound in irons, and she’s lying on a stone altar but that is all I saw.”
“Is she hurt? Alexandria anxiously asked.
“I don’t think so,” Bethany replied, breathlessly.
“Can you describe what you saw around her? Evan demanded.
“Uh… she’s surrounded by marble pillars,” Bethany recalled. “And it’s brightly lit yet over cast by shadows.”
“The Apolluon?” There was gravity in Thaddeus’ question because it was obvious that they were all thinking the same thing – was I being smothered by hideous shadows and dragged to the Underworld to be held prisoner by Hades for an eternity.
“No, the shadows seemed to be guarding her. They were shadows that resembled people,” Bethany explained, hastily.
“Did you see Victor?” Nikolas asked anxiously.
“No, just the shadows. I’m guessing his disciples.”
The doors of the ballroom flew open, and Julius walked up to the group and delivered the news that no one seemed the least bit surprised to hear.
“Lucas and Sacha have escaped.”
“I didn’t see them,” Bethany said. “But they’re the least of our problems.”
“Bethany and I will search underwater for her,” Evan said. “Nikolas, take Olympia and Bertrand and search on land.
“Yes, Sire,” Nikolas nodded, and disappeared.
“Julius, take your sister, and search from above,” Evan ordered. “Both you and Hedea should be able to cover quite a bit of ground from the sky.”
“As you wish, Sire,” Julius nodded, and quickly headed toward the lounge to fetch his sister.
“I’ll have Heracio, Dimitri, and Patrick dispatch several warriors to guard Victors hide – outs.” Evan said. Everyone nodded.
“Fix this once and for all, Evander.” Thaddeus practically growled, as he grabbed Evan’s arm. Evan glared at his father, shook off his hold, but said nothing.
“Do you think that he’ll go to any of them?” Bethany asked referring to the hideouts.
“No,” Evan answered. “But you can never be too sure.”
“Should we end the festivities and send the mortals home, Lord Evander?” asked one of the elders.
“Yes.” Thaddeus answered for Evan. “Victor may use the mortals as leverage against us.”
“I agree, but what shall we tell them?” Alexandria asked.
“Mother, please,” Bethany exclaimed, angrily.
“Bethany, I will not look like a fool in this community.” Alexandria protested. Bethany was shocked and wondered, with the Ischeros being in peril and all, if her mother could possibly be pondering the miniscule dilemma of how fast the gossip of the Masquerade Ball ending before the guests were served dinner would spread through town.
“It doesn’t matter. Glamour them if you have to. Just get them out of here,” Bethany shouted.
“Mother, we may no longer exist in any community after this night, if we don’t prepare for the worst therefore, please have the guest leave as soon as possible,” Evan said, scolding his mother, and then paused realizing that she may be frightened of what may happen to them all, and she may be using the ball as a distraction. Her somber expression had him believing that he and Bethany had been too harsh. “Please, just do what you must.” With that Evan and Bethany disappeared.
Victor’s voice jolted me out of the safety of the vision, and I was back to feeling frozen on the altar, yet thankful that the family was searching for me.
“I will be emperor. I’m destined to be,” he proclaimed.
“You don’t have to kill me, you know. You can be emperor if you want. I don’t want to be the empress,” I said, and hoped he would reconsider his plan to murder me. All the while the dumbfounding attraction to him started to surface again, and I hated it.
“What you want, or don’t want is of no concern of mine,” Victor said, leaning over me while eyeing me curiously. “Evander aims to please, just like a faithful hound,” Victor laughed. “I'm no one's lap dog. You still have to die, that is the price to be paid.”
“Paid to whom?”
“To my family, of course. One never forgets family no matter how much time has lapsed. I know I haven’t forgotten what was done to mine.”
“I had nothing to do with that.”
“True, but that doesn’t matter,” Victor said, without a trace of remorse. “What matters is what is dear to them – your family, and that is you. Your death will guarantee my reign. Once I am emperor, I will punish all the rest.”
“That’s so unfair.” I tried to yell but my throat was sore from the neck cuff grinding into it. I could hear the disciples snickering and chuckling with delight at my despair.
“True again, but why should I care? No one ever gave a damn about me. I don't need them to. I've waited a long time for this, Cordelia,” Victor announced, crisply. “I’ve woken up to and fallen asleep to the vision of your beating heart in my hand. Nothing you say will prevent me from killing you; therefore you can stop this pathetic attempt to stall me.” With that being said, Victor snatched the Eye of the Ischeros medallion from my neck with one swift movement.
“I don’t have one of these.” Victor scrutinized the diamonds on the pendant. “The bolt may belong to Zeus, but I will soon wield it.”
“You have no right to that.” I hissed at Victor, realizing that playing nice wasn't going to prevent my death. Still, he didn’t find me threatening at all.
Instead, he placed my medallion around his own neck and winked.
Both Sacha and Lucas were now standing just a few steps behind him, looking complacent. Behind them were several other disciples wearing the same smug expressions. I guess they figured their time had finally come.
“What I have done, and what I'm about to do is within my right. I AM THE DIVINE ONE,” He declared, in a menacing roar. “You didn't really believe that I could just be cast aside, and not expect that one day I would claim what is rightfully mine.”
“The gods will never honor you as emperor; you know that,” I said, trying to stall him in hopes that Evan and the others would gain some time to locate me.
“The gods have nothing to do with what the family has committed. You're prolonged lack of memory is puzzling, and has been beneficial for me. But the family, your devoted disciples, has you believing that you and Evan are betrothed when in fact it is you and I. It has always been you and I, my love,”
Victor professed.
“You and I? That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Evan is my –”
“You are destined to be my wife,” Victor bellowed, as my face went sour. “Don’t look so appalled. My family was second in line, not the Capius family.” I was confused and shocked, and I wasn’t sure if I should believe him. Victor leaned in, and continued as Sacha stewed. “And since you’re not willing to give me your heart, I'll take it by force,” he said, nonchalantly. I cringed knowing that he meant that in the literal sense.
“How could your family be next in line? The Capius’ are descendants of Poseidon.”
“Yes they are descendants of Poseidon, but Ares has gained Zeus’ trust, and has been placed at the right of his throne. Ares was named second in power when Poseidon quarreled with Zeus for the umpteenth time. All of this was established ages ago.”
I was blown away by what Victor explained. It couldn’t be true since Evan was no doubt my match. I knew it in my heart, yet I couldn’t help wondering why Victor would need to lie about something like that when he intends to kill me anyway. It’s not like he’s planning to run away with me. Victor paused to stroke my hair, and I felt the uncontrollable urge to kiss him again. It was a frightening feeling, and I couldn’t understand where it was originating from. This boy wanted to kill me in the most savage way, and here I was consumed by him. I fought the unexplainable urges as he watched me try to turn away from him. I could barely turn my neck beneath the vice as Victor smiled maliciously at my discomfort.
“Ultimate power is too much for a mere girl like you. You will do nothing but shield it from everyone. Power would be wasted with you. The Apolluon will finally know who rules this world. The Ischeros will finally kneel to me,” he proclaimed, in a deeply rich and venomous tone while he never took his empty eyes off me.
“So your plan is to abuse it,” I challenged.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I plan to unleash it.” Victor said.
“And lure more of the Apolluon to Nickel City.”
“Too late… they’re already here.”
“And you won’t have an empire to rule over once the Apolluon carry all of the members off to the Underworld.”
“I will destroy the Apolluon.” Victor said adamantly.
“So it’s that simple?”
“Yes and I expect to do it immediately, but first my beautiful lovely, I will taste your lips, once more,” Victor said, lowering his face closer to mine as I cringed on the outside, and fought the incomprehensible desire I felt on the inside, to kiss him. “Don't be afraid. Your lips have always been mine to taste eternally,” Victor purred, lowering his face until it was just an inch above mine then stroked my hair and cheek tenderly.
“Please,” I said, breathlessly. “I…” It was as if two different people were fighting inside of my head. One wanted to spit into his face, and pleaded with the gods to send him away while the other had already succumbed to him.
“Victor –” Sacha shrieked angrily, jealous no doubt.
“Silence,” he muttered, with a wave of his free hand. Sacha couldn't help herself, and grimaced, but leaned in for a better look. Her beau was preparing to kiss the girl who she wanted dead. Victor’s lips on mine were smoldering and opened up something inside of me, a part of me that could never get enough. My body wanted more but my mind couldn’t accept him. I loathed him. Victor raised his face, and looked me in the eyes, in a dreamy sort of trance inducing way as If he were trying to put me under a spell.
“You felt that didn’t you?”
I couldn’t reply because I couldn’t deny what I had just felt. The kiss had been intoxicating, and I couldn’t deny that there was definitely something there. It was something that I had never felt before, not even with Evan. I now had a reason to believe what he had said about he and I being betrothed.
I was immediately saddened by that realization as unexpected tears filled my eyes. Sacha looked painfully hurt as well, but stood guard, devoted to the end.
“Please let me go. I beg you. I will do whatever you want,” I whispered, hoarsely as I tried like hell not to cry.
“How intriguing. You will do whatever I want.” Victor’s triumphant laugh echoed throughout the dreary room. It was as though he’d been waiting to hear those words all his life. I was almost hopeful for a full minute. Maybe he would consider keeping me alive for a little longer. “I wish you had told me that sooner. Don’t get me wrong Cordelia, I do want you. There is no doubt of that since kissing you. I could have my way with you since the search party that’s been dispatched to find you will never succeed in finding you here. I guarantee that. I do wonder if you could pleasure me as well as Bethany had.”