Echoes in Eternity (The Pella Series Book 1) (42 page)

Do you know what Ajna is, sir? We all have it, but mine is stronger. It’s my authority or command center in my body that controls and restrains these ‘s
poilers’ or ‘seed bearers’. These malicious spoilers may even be carried by an unsuspecting human. They attach themselves to living entities, and are unseen by humans or our kind, like a negative charge on a thunder cloud. Ideal conditions for these “spoilers” or “seed bearers” to find us are going to form tonight. The Nephilim who are supporting either the Watchers or the Fallen are going to be here creating both positive and negative charges. Storms need two things: moisture and rapidly rising warm air. We have had the rising heat before. The Nephilim in opposing sides came together in the past without causing much damage. But like a supercell, there’s going to be more of them this week. Because, we now have the key element for the perfect storm: Elissa.

These ‘spoilers’ are going to try to give the first spark, speed the chaos up, and start the storm. They can’t be detected by other Nephilims or humans. However I can sense them approach and I’m quite sure that the ‘Soul Searcher’ Psyches can detect them. What worries me is that they may have a layer of concealment which may be undetectable to any of us. It or they will be seen like a snake to those of us who can sense, see, or feel and detect them. That’s because all they need is the Ajna part of the entity to easily slither even through air. It isn’t necessarily big. It could be small enough to be encapsulated in jewelry and that will be undetectable or
can entwine itself into one’s soul, completely blending. The only variation we’ll see is the subtle change in the person’s demeanor. This is why I must remind you, sir, that you and you alone must be most vigilant. It isn’t because we are untrustworthy, disloyal, or weak. But I am worried that once that entity, ‘Ajna’ enters into one of us, we become carriers and it will weaken our defenses. Your position is different; you have abilities that none of us possess. Not just being an undiluted first generation, but you’ve been gifted by Marcus. We might reveal things we ought not reveal without even knowing and with Elissa here, we can’t take the chance. But then again, you already know what must be done. We shall assign Miss Tiber to escort Miss Collingsworth and Miss Montesquieu with your permission
.
She seems to be able to handle them well.

I’m afraid this is why it is of
the utmost importance that the Psyches must be employed. They are more capable of detecting the subtle differences in the fluctuations of the soul, and have the capability to contain the offending danger. The Ajna always has the shape of a snake. Remember that,
” his note reads. My gaze breaks from Henry’s message once I read the last word on his note. When I look back down, Melissa speaks.

“Let me take another look at it, sir. Maybe I can fix it,” she says, and I let her take the tablet back. Message is already received. She tries to turn it off and on.
The tablet’s screen first quakes, and goes out of focus, then lines blur. She taps the screen, and it blinks back into life again.

“Oh, here it is sir! It’s back up. Phew! I thought it was broken for a minute! I
charged it just this morning. I don’t know why the power drained so quickly. Maybe it’s got a faulty battery,” she says confused.

“What does it say?” I ask flustered.

“Mr. Pella: the centurion commanders are also managed from the Command Center. The entryway is set to open to those whose DNAs are registered as well as those who have pledged their soul loyalty to you. Even if by some miracle someone else who is not meant to be enters, they won’t be able to access the systems set-up in the Command Center. But, of course nothing is foolproof. I shall remind all of us who are permitted to utilize the systems to use extreme vigilance and caution,” his overlaying note reads.

“This is like having a billion
dollar asset managed by a hundred dollar lock! If you just open the door, and get in, the layer of security in the system is worthless.”

“But sir, only you, James, Mr. Henry, Anthony and I can enter here. Everyone else must be accompanied by us, and no one without the pledged soul loyalty can enter
, even being with one of us. The door may look inconspicuous and totally harmless, but we have utilized one of Marcus’s last gifts to set it up here. They will simply not see the door, and those who have the capability to see it will be repulsed to come near the entry.” I nod my approval.

“How about the
Psyche
?”

“Unfortunately, the rules for them are different, sir. They need your approval to enter. However, since their nature is different than
ours, the humans or even the Angels, once you approve them, they can enter back and forth because they will be commissioned to search the souls, and therefore the job they are tasked with is going to permit them to move through the area freely.”

“Unfortunately, it’s a risk we must take,” I say grimly.

When I walk in confidently with both predatory and cautious strides to the back of the large Command Center, I find an even larger room which looks like an upscale lounge area with posh furniture. There is a kitchen that can be seen from where I’m standing, and three closed doors. James is standing before a heavy ornate wooden door with his arms in such a position that if I didn’t know any better, I would think he’s a cowboy ready to draw his gun. But I know this stance well. He can seal the door without letting anyone get through.

“Open it!” I order resolutely.

“Yes, sir,” he replies and turns the door knob as if it’s an ordinary door. The door doesn’t open up to another room, but a different place. It looks like a comfortable sitting room in an elegant mansion. There’s a wall of books in ornate hand carved bookshelves. The remaining walls are covered with exquisite paintings. Walls are topped with gold leaflet crown moldings. The carefully placed chairs arranged in such a way that it makes me think of an early 19
th
century Earl’s castle. But I can see the difference immediately in the columns held by the statues of two Greek goddesses. The ceiling chandeliers are eloquent and they’re not lit with electricity but each piece of chandelier is a ray of light. Cream and gold colors dominate the room accented by rare Renaissance paintings and the ceiling details various paintings depicting the birth of Venus, Playing Naiads in a pond, Mnesarete’s lover tearing open her robe displaying her breasts to get an acquittal from the judges who are overcome by the beauty of her nude body, because physical beauty was often seen as a facet of divinity in ancient Greece. I immediately remember a glimpse into this room, but I can’t place where I’ve seen it. London? Paris? And who does it belong to? The question presses my mind, but I can’t dwell on it right now; there are more important matters to attend.

I scan the background with my gaze making a point of not looking at the
Psyche
. My gaze finally falls onto the six impeccably dressed men who of course are more than men being dual natured. They’re immortal, very secretive, very protective of their kind, and can travel between locations through the portal gates they create. They have the ability to scan and read souls; a talent inherited through Hedone’s ancestors. Their elite
Psyche
are extremely efficient in their job, and can be ruthless soldiers and I’m told they’re also excellent lovers. Hedone is their female version, and a top
Psyche
. Currently all the male
Psyches
in the group are standing as motionless as the statues holding the columns up, but that’s only on the façade. They’re athletic looking men, lithe, agile, and come alive as I focus my attention on them, both alert and scanning. I can feel the penetration of their focus, examining my exterior expression and my soul. I put my shields up and confuse them, with ease I stop their effort, but this is only because they’re in a different realm or a place for the time being. Hedone is perched on a chair, her hair made up in an intricate chignon, some of her curly tendrils carelessly fallen on her devilishly seductive face. Her dress looks as if someone poured it on her, fitting at all the right places, showing the ample swells of her breasts. She rises from her seat slowly giving me a full glimpse of her desirable curves as if she herself is an offering to the gods. She’s holding a barely visible small clutch in her hand. Her fuck-me red high heels, delicately created with a lacy material raise her to a magnificent height.

“Alex!” her voice practically purrs. “How very nice to see you,” she says in a breathy voice. She walks towards me with a provocative sway to her hips. She absently pushes a blonde curl off her eyes, but nothing she does is
done absently. All her moves are calculated to serve one purpose: seduction. Every move she makes is sensual, intoxicatingly dark and sinful enough to put the devil himself to shame, and can easily drive a man out of his wits. She extends her hand in a modern gesture. I’m not pleased with her presence. In the past, this sight of her would have driven me wild enough to nail her to the nearest bed, wall, tree, floor or simply standing. Yet, I feel no desire for her. My heart and body ache for Elissa alone.

“I didn’t ask for you Hedone,” I hiss in response. She flinches for the fraction of a second, but immediately recovers.

“Hailey, please. It’s been quite a while since someone has called me that. I have almost forgotten the name even existed. But I am part of the
Psyche
; perhaps you’ve forgotten. I am their leader and you need me this week,” she says turning her back to me, and inadvertently showing the silk of her cream colored dress dipping all the way down to her buttocks where it’s settled, showing just a glimpse of the tops of her buttocks and the separating crack, hinting at their luscious beauty. Her allure looks like the most exquisite but rare flower yet it is deadly like poison. What I see in her at this moment doesn’t inspire a twinge of desire for her. Hedone is like the Autumn crocus flower which contains an arsenic-like poison and has no antidote. I can see her beauty like I would an intricately carved female figure out of marble. I had a strictly carnal relationship with a clearly outlined pledge which was nullified and has been extinguished by Marcus after my submission to him for Elissa. I have the same amount of desire to fuck her as I would a beautiful statute: Nil. I can feel that the lust she’s exuding affecting my Nephilim assistant James even though her attention isn’t even targeting him. I see Melissa nervously walk in front of James, her lips are thinned into a tight line and her eyes are burning angrily as she tries to get his attention and break Hailey’s hold on him. James is oblivious to her efforts. Unable to get a reaction from him, she turns around and locks gazes with Hailey.

“Cease and desist,” she orders. Hailey raises her eyebrows.

“
You
have a claim on him,” Hailey purrs with a knowing smile correctly reading Melissa. Hailey focuses on Melissa to further probe into her mind. Whatever Melissa is thinking, it makes Hailey stop immediately.

I raise my eyebrows. Hailey doesn’t stop if she starts something and nothing from her is free of charge. The services she would provide as part of the
Psyche
would cost me immensely. She’s causing problems before she has crossed the threshold. I can’t take the chance to see what other Pandora’s box full of predicaments she can cause. I have to prevent her from working with the rest of the
Psyche
or if this is the only way I can utilize the
Psyche
’s services, then it has to be done within my terms. She has searched for a way to find her way beneath my cock for centuries, and now her chance is presented in the form of a bargaining chip. She will not hesitate to utilize any means necessary to accomplish just that.

“I’ve no desire to pay what you would ask for, Hailey. Your services are not required here.”

“But, Mr. Pella,” she croons, her demeanor changing into a professional one. “You don’t even know what I’m asking for.”

“I do know.” She looks at me, and I offer the single thought making it clear to her that I am aware of her intent. She sighs. “Isn’t a week of your time not worth the protection of the
Chosen One
?” she asks referring to Elissa.

“Not with your help,” my voice is firm and unyielding. I never let others set the terms in any negotiation. Even if they think they’re getting their way, it’s because I let them think that way. There’s always a bargaining chip, even when you think there isn’t. I know she wants me and she’s going to try harder. This is a battle of the wills; a battle she will not win. If she desired me every day of her existence with all her supernatural might, it wouldn’t even come close to a day of my love and desire I have for Elissa.