Riley was having a hard enough time trying to breathe, let alone trying to contemplate the revelation which had just happened. A Lecta, her? No way. It didn't fit the profile. Riley Zalank was easy-going, shy, and even a vegan. The role of evil chosen one for immortality didn't suit her at all. Then again, the role didn't exactly fit Trysten either, and Riley was sure he wouldn't lie about something of that magnitude.
Yet still, Lecta?! The idea was just unfathomable.
Trying to convince herself otherwise, Riley almost ran into someone as she walked, "Sorry." She muttered weakly, looking at the older man whom she had almost run into.
"No problem," He said, his voice seeming oily.
Riley took a moment to survey the man before he continued forward. He was tall, over 6 foot, with black hair that was slicked back behind his ears. His wardrobe was a cotton, black trench coat over a nice-looking business suit, and he appeared the age of her mother. But it was his eyes that made Riley hesitate. They seemed familiar, yet she couldn't place them. It was then that she realized he had to be evaluating her as well.
"Excuse me," He murmured, passing by her and into the café in which she had moments earlier heard the disturbing news.
Shaking her head slowly, Riley continued down the road, knowing the only place she could feel comfortable at the moment was her temporary home.
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When she returned back into the apartment building, the first thing that greeted her was a blast of warm air from the house's heater. It felt soothing on her face, which was slightly cold from the brisk morning's air, and for the moment her anxieties had disappeared.
But, in an instant, they returned again.
She sighed to herself and ran her hand through her hair, "What am I going to do?"
Her sneakers thudded almost silently against the thick carpet of the lobby as she begrudgedly made her way up to Jimena's apartment. She gripped the oak banister as if she were gripping for life itself. She always had problems controlling her power when it came to emitting feelings. She needed to calm down, otherwise Jimena would see right through her, and she didn't know if that could help matters.
Think of it this way, she told herself, there may not be anything to worry about. It was true. She wasn't sure if she could place enough faith in Trysten to believe him on a matter as important as this, no matter how sincere he seemed.
She hesitated before reaching out her key and placing it in the lock, trying to compose herself enough for Jimena. Trying to summon feelings of calm and fatigue, to replace the real emotions of anxiety and fear, she carefully walked into the apartment.
Sure enough, Jimena was up, frying bacon and making coffee.
"Hola," She said without looking up from the bacon she was turning, "Enjoy your walk?"
Riley scratched the back of her neck awkwardly, "It was…alright, I s'pose."
"That's good." She mumbled, her back still turned towards Riley, "Didn't get much sleep again, did you?"
Riley sighed and plopped herself into a seat at the kitchen table, "No, I didn't. But then again, its been forever since I've been able to have sweet dreams."
Jimena nodded, and finally turned off the stove and faced Riley, "I'm sorry chica, I truly am."
Riley gave a wane smile, "There's nothing for you to be sorry about, unless its you sending me these nightmares."
Jimena gave a dry chuckle and absent-mindedly wiped her eyeglasses off on her apron, "Wouldn't that be the day."
There was a comfortable silence between the two as Jimena began to pour some steaming black coffee into mugs for the two of them, "There's something I need you girls to do tonight though."
Riley sluggishly looked up at her mentor, "Another warning from Selene?"
Jimena nodded, "There's this new area in town where Followers are suspected of stealing hope from teenagers. Near the new mall they're constructing. I'd like you to go check it out."
Riley rolled her eyes and said under her breath, "Well if it's by a mall, at least Aria will show."
Jimena sent her a disapproving look, but otherwise ignored the comment, somewhat knowing what she said was true. Aria was the most reluctant of all of them, she didn't want to become a part of the group, and thus, she wasn't. "After breakfast, why don't you give them a call?"
"It's a little early, don't you think?" Riley asked hesitantly.
"Nonsense, if they're still asleep past eight, its high-time they woke up." She said, gently blowing the steam off of her mug.
Riley didn't answer, but instead stared blankly into her cup. The liquid was hot, and the steam gently hovered above it. But that wasn't what she was interested in, it was the color of her coffee. A dark black, that seemed to echo the shadows. Was that what her destiny called her to be? Something as foul and dark as a Follower? Was she in fact, her mother?
"Riley?" She heard Jimena ask from the recesses of her mind.
"Hm?" She responded, slightly taken aback from being removed from her thoughts.
"Are you alright? You seem preoccupied." Jimena asked gently, the heat from her cup fogging up her glasses slightly as she brought it to her mouth to sip.
"It's just…" She paused, trying to think of an excuse, "Stress." She concluded, knowing she couldn't full-out lie to her surrogate mother.
Jimena nodded, sympathy coming into effect around her, "I understand. I know how tough it is, trying to fulfill an ancient destiny, and being a teenager."
Riley gave a grim smile, "I just need to rest, I think." But even she knew she wasn't fooling anyone. Her eyes held a grim look to them and her features were drawn together tightly, making her look flushed.
Jimena sat contemplative for a moment, "Perhaps it isn't the best idea for you to go tonight?"
It's the worst idea, "It's no big deal. I mean, what good is having powers when you don't do anything with them?"
"If you insist Riley," Jimena said, her voice sounding grave. She took the moment to look at her watch, "Better go call the others, give them time to prepare."
Riley nodded, not really listening, but trying to keep up her appearance. On the inside, her mind was whirling. The mere possibility of her ending up like her mother frightened her. So badly that she couldn't contain herself. Without a word, she left the room and headed towards hers. Her quilted blanket provided a nice comfort as she threw herself upon her bed. Rolling over on her back, she stared blankly at her hands, rough with calluses from guitar, with short fingernails and a small scratch she had received when she got into the scuffle with the Followers.
What was she?
Sighing, she once more rolled over to reach the telephone on the side of her bed, dialing Imy's phone number from memory; she waited patiently as the phone rang. On about the seventh or so ring, it was picked up.
"Hello?" A groggy voice that undoubtedly belonged to Imy answered.
"Hey, Imy. It's Riley," She said, trying to sound cool, calm, and collected.
"Oh. Hey."
Riley almost chuckled, "I didn't wake you up did I?"
"No, no. Of course not." She paused, "Jerk."
"Anyways, just called to let you know not to use your special abilities today." She said, her voice flat and quiet, almost normal.
"Why not?" Came Imy over the receiver, starting to perk up.
"Jimena wants us to check out this new hotspot for Followers." Riley said.
"This couldn't have waited until…oh, I don't know… after dawn?!" She said, her voice edged with mock annoyance.
"Imy, it's eight o' clock in the morning."
"Dawn."
Riley rolled her eyes, "I've been up since fourish."
"Well, no offense Riley, but some of us aren't insomniacs." Imy paused, "Are you ok?"
"What do you mean?" She asked, feigning confusion.
"You know what I mean. Riley, you passed out last night. You're not sleeping, and you just seem so…" She trailed off.
"Seem so what?" Demanded Riley, trying not to become angry.
"Distant." Imy sighed, "Ever since we've become goddesses, we haven't talked or hung out as much. I mean, come on, Ry, we don't even have band practice anymore." She paused, seeming almost sad, "The band used to be our life."
Riley felt a tiny tinge of remorse, "I know. Maybe, after tonight, we'll take a break for awhile. Lord knows its Tessa and Aria's turn."
Imy laughed, "Tessa, probably. Aria, fat chance."
"Which reminds me, should you call her, or should I?" She asked grudgingly.
"Well, no offense Riley, but I think she seems to hate me less than you." Came Imy's voice over the phone.
"That one's a given." Muttered Riley. "So if you could call Tessa and her, that'd be great."
She heard Imy yawn over the phone, "Alright. Are you sure you're ok, though?"
"Not really." She murmured, "I'll get over it." She said louder.
"Ok, hey, how about we hang out later this afternoon?" She asked, implying she also felt lousy.
Riley knew she wouldn't be able to keep her secret long from Imy, but at the same time, she needed someone to talk to, "That'll be cool."
"Awesome, I'll swing by later."
"Imy?"
"Ya, Ry?"
"No teleporting."
She sighed, in teasing frustration, "Whatever you say, mom."
Riley laughed, "Your mom would let you teleport."
"Ya, she would. But I gotta go and face this wonderful day." She said.
"Talk to you later Imy." Riley departed.
"Bye." She said before clicking off the receiver.
After she had hung up the phone, Riley convinced herself she also needed to get ready to face the day. Taking a shower, she then pulled on the same clothes. The feel of grime leaving made her feel slightly better, and she took a long look in the mirror.
The girl who looked back was plain, wet hair hung in tangles around her head, her eyes held the look of intense sorrow or sadness, and there was a rather large zit forming on the corner of her mouth.
A Lecta, her?
No way.
She sighed and looked away from the mirror, there was a second's hesitation before her head turned quickly back to it, as if she had seen something. When she realized that the reflection staring back at her was only of her, she turned away.
"You're crazy," She muttered to herself, "First nightmares, and then you think you see shadows moving in the corner of your eye." There was a pause, as she tried to convince herself otherwise. She let out a dry chuckle, "Completely crazy." She spoke without much conviction as she made her way out of her room.
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End of chapter!
Next up: Riley and Imy take an afternoon off, and then have a confrontation that none of the Daughters have had before
Reviewers:
Lover of Rain: Thank you very much. Hope you enjoy the chap!
Decorus Mortis: Ah…. I shall try and answer without giving too much away. Riley and Trysten's families are similar, but they are not the same. Hehe, I never mentioned it was Stanton, and even if it was, it is cited in book 5 that top ranking Regulators could destroy even Immortals, also, by pushing an Immortal into the Cold Fire, it strips them of their Immortality… not that its Stanton or anything… or is it? Lol. I hope I somewhat helped without ruining a plotline. : - )
Shadow Goddess Akhet: Lol, hate to keep you wondering, but sadly, I do what I must.
Toodles
!nym!