The only thing I really registered on the car ride back home-and by home, I mean Spawn's house- was that it was snowing and that Ben Folds Five's Brick was playing on a scratchy, faint radio station that the SUV was picking up. I like that song. I started singing along under my breath, softly. Spawn seemed to ignore me- he turned the radio off, and I glowered at him.
"Hey-" I started, and then the radio flicked on once more. Neither of us had touched it, and I turned away to hide my victorious smile.
"She's a brick and I'm drowning slowly, off the coast and I'm headed nowhere-"
The radio clicked off again and Spawn looked over at me. "Your hair is black now," he said, blinking as though he had just noticed. "Did you dye it today?"
"It's been black for three months," I snapped. "If you had seen me at all in that time, you would have noticed. . . Or maybe not." I was a bit miffed that he hadn't noticed last night, actually. I glared at the ground.
"Ivory, don't start this," He said, sounding bothered. Good.
"I can start whatever I damn well want to start!" He did not look at me, he just sighed and shook his head, looking rather irritated. I curled up into a little ball on the leather seat and wrapped my arms around my legs, resting my head on my knees and facing the window. "Why do you want me to come back? I can't stay, you know- Stryker will be looking for me soon, if I don't go back home."
"That isn't your home."
"Really? Living there for almost half a year, all my stuff is there. . . It sure seems like a home, doesn't it?"
"No." Spawn's answer was short and final. I cut him a glare before I turned back to the window and daydreamed about moving somewhere warm.
"That's very funny, Ivory."
"Do you think I'm kidding?" I snapped, looking up at him, glaring through him.
"No, unfortunately, I don't. I know you'd leave here as soon as you could book a flight back to Miami." If only it were that simple. "It isn't, though, it never will be."
"Get out of my head," I demanded through grit teeth. He frowned over at me, shook his head, and then turned back to the road. We were silent for a mile or two.
"Why are you making me go back?" I asked quietly. He was quiet, and for a brief moment I thought he hadn't heard me- I was about to speak again when he remarked,
"You killed Iccarius tonight."
I frowned at him. "I know- but I didn't say anything about that, I-"
"You're not going to be safe with those Daimons. They can't keep you safe."
"And I suppose you think you can?" I snapped angrily. He was silent again.
"I know I can." I looked up and then shook my head.
"You're a fool," I remarked disdainfully. "A damned fool."
"I knew that already. And do you know what else I know?"
"That I don't want to stay with you?"
"I know that even though you claim to know otherwise, I know that I can keep you safer than any Daimon who could ever try. You're not going to be safe on your own- not with Ebony coming after you. She's going to be out for revenge and the only thing that is going to satisfy her is the feel of your heart's final beat in her hands. She's not going to stop until your body lies dead at her feet."
"You don't know anything about my sister."
"And neither do you- besides, I'm a bit more educated in the ways of revenge than you, my little Ivy."
"Don't call me that," I grumbled against the car window, still pouting out into the darkness, trying to ignore my stirring heart. I wanted to hate Spawn- but why. . .? He didn't do anything, he wasn't to blame-
"Get out of my head!" I snapped angrily. Spawn did not look at me, did not even aknowledge that I had spoken. I glanced back to make sure he was not watching and then I slipped back into my daydream of warm beaches and summer sun, as far away from Alaska as humanly possible.
"Ivory, you need to calm down."
"Calm down? Calm down?" I laughed crazily. "Are you kidding me? You ignore me for five months because your squire- who works for you- tells you to, and then when you do see me, you use me for sex and then get out of my house like the devil is on your heels-"
"You kicked me out," He said, his voice empty. I shook my head, and then he raised an eyebrow, taking a sharp turn into the snowbank by the side of the road, barely avoiding clipping it with his SUV. Spawn turned to me and gave me a bitter little smile.
"I did not kick you out, you liar; you left of your own accord. I know what happened- it was this morning. I don't forget things that quickly."
"Are you not listening to this conversation?You are a Dark-Hunter and I am a Squire!"
"And I am in love with you! Who cares about what we are? Acheron doesn't even notice any of us anymore! He'd never know!"
"No, no no. We are not doing this."
"Doing what?"
"I need you to leave."
He raised an eyebrow and blinked at me, crossing his arms, and then I frowned deeply.
"I didn't say that." His jaw dropped.
"Are you kidding me?" He shouted. "That is what you said, word-for-word!"
"I want to go home," I snapped. "It's almost daytime, and I am tired. I killed a man tonight. It's time for me to go home."
"Ivory, we need to talk about this."
"I want to go home," I told him. Tears began to prick my eyes, and so I looked away and tried to ignore them, hoping Spawn would not see. I did not look up when he attempted to grab my arm and pull me towards him.
"Ivory-" He began, and I pushed him away.
"Take me back home, please." He did not speak; instead, he turned the keys in the ignition, reversed out of the snowbank, and then powered down the snowy drive towards his home.
Next up on the radio was Keane. I listened for a minute and then leaned forward to switch it off. Spawn caught my hand and I felt a shock travel through my hand. I looked up at him, and then pulled my hand away.
"Sorry," He muttered. I shrugged and looked away, back out the window. "Ivory?"
I wiped away phantom tears before I looked up at him. "What?"
"I meant what I said."
"Sorry?"
"I love you." I nodded.
"I'm sure you did- unfortunately."
"What do you mean?"
I laughed bitterly. "Even if I loved you, this wouldn't ever have a chance of working."
"Why?" He seemed to have ignored the 'even if I loved you'.
"Because I'm not a squire anymore- I'm not supposed to know you guys exist, and I'm especially not supposed to get involved with one of you. Last night was a one-time occurrence. It can't happen again. You aren't supposed to have long-term commitments. Read: No true loves.
"And in addition to that, I'm going to die in a handful of years. If not a few days from now. . ."
"I'm not going to let you die!" He said, his voice fearsome and angry. Then it became quiet and soft again. "Ivory, I can't let you die. I love you. I'll find a way to keep you alive."
"I'm not going Daimon," I told him matter-of-factly. "And if I did, I'd want you to kill me."
"You'd change your mind if you became one."
"That doesn't change the fact that I'm telling you now that if I ever become a daimon, you have to kill me."
"Do you even know what you're asking me?"
"To spare me a fate worse than death, and if you truly do love me, you'll do this for me." I looked up at him and then took his hand. He would not look at me. "Please. Spawn. If you love me. . ."
"You can't ask me to do something like that."
"Spawn!" I felt the tears forming in the corners of my eyes. "Please. We knew this was going to happen."
"It doesn't have to!"
"What will you do, keep me with you? Go out and kill our kind, and then come home to me? Would you be able to face that?"
"For you." His voice was a little less than a whisper- and I barely picked it up, but when I did, the tears began again and my body shook with a loud sob.
"I don't want this to happen; but it is inevitable. We both knew when I found out what I was, that one day soon you were going to have to let me go. There is no future for us." As I said the words, they echoed around us in the silence. Someone had turned off the radio while we'd been talking.
Spawn loved me enough that he willing to let me become the very thing he hunted, just to keep me alive and to continue being able to see me. I didn't know if it was touching or just creepy.
I sighed and rested my head against the window, keeping my eyes closed until we reached home once more. Looking up at the house, a shadow against the grey-pink dawn, I noted that all of the lights were off. Was Jen shirking on her duties, or had she decided to take the evening off?
"She's probably asleep," Said Spawn disdainfully. "She's been quite a poor excuse for a squire in the last few months."
"Beggars can't be choosers," I said, still looking up to the house. He cut me a vicious look and then exited the vehicle, taking a second to open my door before wading a path through the snow towards the front door. I stopped and looked up at the house before stating, "I don't have any of my things with me. Clothes, toothbrush-"
"I have spares," He remarked. I stepped back.
"I'm not using Jen's goddamn toothbrush."
"Calm down- it's an extra. Not hers." I watched him for another long moment before I trudged through the snow after him.
"Why do you have extras?" I asked nonchalantly, though still on guard. Spawn glanced down to me and then fumbled for his keys.
"In case you decided to come back," He said, and I detected no lie in his strong, deep voice. He would not look at me as he unlocked the door.
"That's really-" I began, but before I could finish he shut the door, spun me around, and held me against it.
"You're going to say it's stupid, and just wishful thinking. Hell, maybe it is. But I was dumb enough to believe that you loved me too, and that some day we'd be together again, and this time I wouldn't have to give you up. So call it stupid. It was just a way for me to hold on to what little hope I have left in the world." He spoke quickly and softly, so that I had to pay close attention to his lips as he spoke to try to catch each of his words. His voice only held the tiniest hint of malice, though his black eyes flashed dangerously as he spoke, roaming over my face to gauge my reaction.
I paled and searched for words, opening and closing my mouth a few times to try and get back into the habit of talking. And when words failed, I pulled him close and kissed him, wrapping my arms around his neck and breathing in his scent.
He pulled away, looking down to me. "I love you," He breathed.
"Don't say that," I snapped. "I don't want you to."
"Would you rather I hated you?"
I was silent. I contemplated this for a moment, and then looked up at him. "I don't quite know," I admitted. I looked away and frowned, leaning against the door. My voice became a quiet, contemplative murmur. "I don't know. . ."
"Well," He said, breaking my concentration, "It's nearly dawn. Jen will be up soon."
"She's going to see me here and call the squire council," I said, my eyes wide.
"She's not going to see you until I want her to," He said with an assuring smile. I frowned at him.
"Why?"
"Because you're sleeping in my room, and she's not allowed in there." Spawn smiled to me and brushed the bangs from my forehead, kissing the place where his fingers had rested for a split second. I raised an eyebrow to him.
"How come you haven't gotten around to replacing her?" I asked. "Isn't there something in the code about not being squired by a lover from a past life?"
He frowned and his eyes became distant. "There's also something about not sleeping with squires," He said coldly, beginning up the staircase. I followed on his heels, not understanding his sudden anger.
"What did I say?" I asked delicately. I tried to tough his arm but he roughly shoved my hand away. I recoiled as though he'd hit me, which he might as well have. Spawn was never like this; at least, not with me.
"Spawn! What did I say? What is wrong?" I grabbed his arm tightly and then walked in front of him, before he could enter his room.
"Be quiet- you're going to wake her up."
"Who gives a damn if she wakes up; tell me what I did!" I demanded, stomping my foot. I heard footsteps from the other end of the hall; my old room, to be exact. I looked up at him in disbelief. He said nothing, but ushered me into his room and shut the door. It was dark. I fumbled for a light switch- of course, there was none. Stupid creature of the night.
I sat in the darkness while Spawn explained the noise to a half-awake Jen, who was beginning to awaken to face the day, while her boss and his- oh, god, what was I? Female friend?- were ending theirs. I found my way to the bed and sat down, not bothering to search for a candle or matches; I could see, just not well. Crossing my arms, I worked on my angry face.
The door opened again a few moments later- I saw in the darkness that a handsome half smile graced Spawn's lips, when only a moment earlier he had been in the foulest of moods.
"You look happy," I muttered, slipping out of my jacket. He blinked at me and then frowned, as though he did not understand me. I sighed and waited for him to light at least one candle. When he did so, I began to undress, starting with my shoes.
"What are you doing?" He asked, looking surprised. I shook my head.
"You can't expect me to sleep in my shoes and jeans, can you?" I asked irritably, sitting down to pull said jeans down. His mouth formed a silent 'oh' and then he walked to his chest of drawers, searching for a moment and then finding an old cotton tee shirt, which he tossed to me. I pulled it over my head and when I did, I looked down to see him laying in the bed, kicking off his shoes. He laced his arms behind his head and rested it on them, laying back calmly.
"Aren't you going to change into your pajamas?" I asked. He gave me a blank look.
"What pajamas?" I froze and my eyes grew wide. He continued to watch me as though I had sprouted an extra pair of eyes. Then his gaze traveled down to the floor.
"I'm going to sleep now," I said quietly, pulling a pillow and a few blankets from the bed and taking them across the room, setting them on the floor. Spawn walked over and returned the blankets and pillows to his bed, grabbing my wrists loosely.
"Here," He said, motioning to the other side of the bed. I shook my head and reached to grab a pillow, to take it with me back to my safe haven of No-Spawn-Allowed space. "Ivory!"
"What?" I snapped, "You honestly aren't expecting me to sleep with you."
He paused and then began, "I'm not expecting-"
I brought my hand up to silence him, and when he was quiet, I said, "No, I didn't mean it like that. I should have phrased that better- but I know you understood what I mean."
"I really don't," Spawn said, looking slightly irritated.
"You were absent from my life for half a year- and now we're back to this. . . It's too soon. I can't move this quickly."
"Ivory-"
"Spawn, no."
"I'll stay as far away from you as possible; you won't even-"
"No."
"I don't want you sleeping on the floor, though!"
I smiled, knowing he'd try to pull that card. "Then you do it."
And that is how, on the first night back, Spawn ended up curled up by his desk in an angry ball covered in a small blanket, clutching his pillow as though he might strangle it, and how I won the bed.
Ebony awoke with a start, her red eyes opening wide with shock. She did not know why, but an electric current had just pulsed through her body, warming her and freezing her heart into stopping all at once.
"Hello?" She called, as though one of the mindless drones her Iccarius had employed would answer. Plebeians, the lot of them. Mindless and dirty, killing for the hell of it and killing anything with a pulse that got in their way. Times were, they'd kill her if Iccarius wasn't there to monitor them.
The future queen of the world looked about to see if there was anything within her chambers that might shock her into consciousness. Her body had been wrapped in the silken sheets, not too warm, nor too cold. No one was attacking, and none of the brainless oafs had stumbled in here to try to loot her rooms. So what was out of place?
Where is Iccarius? She thought, glancing about. That was it. Now it was close to midnight, and her beloved had disappeared; another nightly patrol, no doubt.
But was something like this enough to wake her from a lovely dream? She had been back in the halls of Olympus, being cared for and pampered by the beautiful male lovers of the god Zeus. One had been about to-
Never mind that now, she thought briskly, spiriting the thoughts away, storing them in her mental file cabinet. She had to find Iccarius, now she had to. It was dire.
"Iccarius!" She cried, her voice sounding strange and hoarse to her own ears. What was wrong with her tonight? She was not herself. Ebony had to return to the cool, distant emotions that she reserved for the idiots. Panic would not bring Iccarius home more quickly.
Ebony padded down the marble hall in her stocking feet, wearing nothing but her black silk nightgown with the lace appliqués across the chest, and her black stockings, her hair pulled back into a long, elegant pony tail. She had been waiting for Iccarius to return to bed when she fell asleep- ready to surprise him. Now where could he have disappeared to?
"Iccarius. . . " She called, drawing his name out, enjoying the sensation that the name caused on her tongue. She called out again- nothing.
He's just searching for Ivory; I know it. He'll be back soon. I know he will. This one won't leave me. He promised. She felt her breathing fall into an uneven pattern, and then she touched a hand to her chest delicately, steadying herself. Ebony clutched for the wall and found a vase instead- her grip slipped from it and she almost tumbled. In anger, she picked up the china and hurled it towards a closed door with an unintelligible shriek.
When her heavy breathing subsided, she looked around to survey the damage she had caused- she continued back towards her room, lest this violence be attributed to her.
Something had happened- she just didn't know what. And she knew that was the reason she had awoken so suddenly. It was not a draft, it was not the sudden absence of a lover. Something terrible had happened to her Iccarius.
Ebony just wished she knew what the hell had happened. Her hands crawled over her stomach and she felt a wave of illness come over her; she had to get to a bathroom. Worrying about Iccairus would have to wait.
It was only when she had curled up beside the toilet and unloaded the contents of her stomach that Ebony realized another reason why she had been awakened thinking of her lover. She collapsed against the tile wall as the truth hit her, and then she slammed her head back with a groan, realizing what Iccarius had done to her.
The young goddess clutched the sides of her head and groaned again, resisting the urge to kill herself before it was truly necessary. This was not in the original plan; they would have to work around it. But they could. With Iccarius at her side, she could do anything.
If only he'd come home. . .
I awoke. I was not sure what time it was, but I awoke. Following my normal routine, I laid in bed for a few moments, attempting to keep my eyes open, and almost giving in to sleep again. I stretched my arms out and then attempted to sit up, feeling something that was not the mattress to my left. Looking over, I saw Spawn curled up in the blanket next to me, still very fast asleep.
He looked adorable- his features had relaxed and he seemed to sleep soundly, a lock of blond hair falling over his forehead. He had the blanket tightly wound around him; he left me almost no blanket. I had a feeling this would happen often. And for some reason, it made me smile.
Oh, god damnit, Ivory; no.
What?
You can't.
But-
No.
If I just-
NO.
Still in the middle of losing a battle with my voice of reason, I reached over automatically and brushed the hair from his forehead and he suddenly grabbed my wrist, rolling me over onto his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and his eyes stayed closed. I was not sure if he was still asleep or not- his features were still relaxed, but I wasn't quite sure.
"Spawn?" I whispered tentatively. No response. Nothing but his calm, relaxed breathing. He was still asleep, after all.
As I watched him, I suddenly felt the need to leave. The anger that began to surge through my veins was unbearable. If I didn't leave, I might shoot him or something. Where had he been for the last five months, when I'd been on my own, struggling to go on without him and doing the best I could? He'd been here, in his nice house, with Jen. Not me.
I tried deep breathing to avoid violence, because if he didn't get his paws off me, I was going to end up in big trouble for killing one of Ash's immortal warriors.
I unlaced his hands and attempted to free myself, struggling with the strong man. Eventually I broke out of his grip, and he rolled over onto his side, still sound asleep. I grabbed my phone off of the nightstand. I really wasn't sure why I kept the damn thing- I never talked to anyone, since no one really knew I was still alive. It was three p.m., and the light from outside was nonexistent in the windowless room.
Did I dare go downstairs? Jen was there. Did I want to risk her seeing me- calling in the assistance of the coucil? I could sneak out through the garage, if Jen was otherwise occupied. But where would I go? Back home, I supposed. But I didn't have the keys for the SUV. I'd have to find them without waking Spawn.
I rolled over onto my feet and tiptoed to the door, pulling on my jeans and jacket, holding my shoes in my hand as to not make a sound. By the time I reached the garage door, located off of the kitchen, I had still not run into Jen, a fact for which I was extremely thankful. I turned the knob and then it turned from the other side, too.
I froze as the door opened, almost slamming into me. I stepped back and closed my eyes, as though if I closed my eyes the monster on the other side couldn't see me, either.
And then I was invisible, and Jen glanced around as though she had sensed the resistance on the knob. She frowned and looked around, walking close to me. I held my breath as to make no sound.
"Spawn?" She said softly. Obviously, there was no response.
I slipped into the garage, barely audible even to my own ears, and when I accidentally caught my foot on the door, it slammed behind me. Shit.
Upon hearing a surprised gasp from inside, I took off running down the stairs towards the garage doors. If I could reach the doors before she looked to see who it was- or god forbid, began shooting- I would be safe. I could-
BANG.
The oil on the shelf right by my head exploded when the bullet hit it. Jen was a better shot than I remembered, but I supposed she'd had time to practice.
Two more shots rang out, and one grazed my leg- the other one buried itself in the small of my back. I screamed out in pain like a wounded demon and then she yelled, "Come out with your hands up!" Like some lame TV cop.
Instead of yielding to her orders, I lay down on the ground and felt like I was dying. And I was actually totally okay with that. My eyes closed and I felt snow on my eyelashes.
Snow? That couldn't be right.
I opened my eyes regretfully and then looked around. No, that was right- I was in the middle of the snowy glen where I had killed Iccarius only hours ago.
And in the instant after I rose shakily to my feet, my setting changed and my feet gave way again. I was in a garden, as beautiful as the one in the bible. Or, like, what it probably looked like.
There were two empty thrones at the end of the pathway where I was laying. I frowned at glanced between them. One was constructed of ivory, and shining in the invisible but still warm sun. The other was black as my hair and also shining; this was more menacing, though, and seemed dangerous, for a chair.
I frowned at them both, and approached, trying to rest my hand on the white one. It sent a shock through my hand and I jumped back with a shout.
Was this garden of electrified chairs abandoned? Who did it belong to, if the answer was no?
Where was the world?
I wandered around for a little while before I realized that my jeans and the t-shirt I'd borrowed from Spawn- a little too big for me, but still warm- had disappeared. My shoes were gone, too. I was wearing a long dress, cinched at the waist and flowing down to my feet, the color of eggshells with gold trim. My feet were bare.
Where the fuck was I?
This peaceful garden, probably spanning acres, didn't seem like a place that my mom would take me. She was more of a 'hellfire and damnation' kind of a mommy, not a Disneyworld mom.
So why was I here? And who had brought me here?
This place was silent and smelled- I lifted my head and sniffed the air- it smelled like absolutely nothing. The air was light and almost nonexistent. Was I in the past, like in that Stephen King movie I saw on Syfy once, The Langoliers?
"Hello?" I cried, close to panic. Obviously I had no weapons concealed in this dress, and I would have to fight any foes single-handedly. My brain went into panic overload and I screamed out again.
I felt a hand slink over my mouth, but when I looked, no one was there. I glanced around, searching for my unseen attacker, flailing my hands out trying to rebel. Once my mouth was bound, hands pushed me, attempting to knock me down. I fought back for a few moments before I came to a strange conclusion.
They were not trying to knock me down, I realized- but to guide me. But where? I did not bother asking. I simply followed.
The hands settled on my back and pushed me forward, tapping me back into line when I strayed.
We reached a clearing and I glanced around. This clearing, too, looked like the woods in which I had murdered my once-love. I glanced around. This was still the garden of the electrified chairs. Right?
Right.
"Who is the-?" I began to ask aloud, and then the sinister little voice inside of my mind whispered again, its voice laced with venom and hate, yet somehow soothing.
Take the stone, princess. It is yours. It is your destiny.
"But-" I began, before I was interrupted by more than one of the venom voices.
YES TAKE THE STONE LIFT IT FROM ITS PLACE AND TAKE IT IS YOUR DESTINY TO YES TAKE
YOURS
TAKE
DESTINY TO
YES
TAKE!
I shouted out as my brain was bombarded with the screaming, high pitched, like the whine of heavy machinery. I fell to the ground as the demonic screaming continued.
TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TA-
"STOP IT!" I screamed in response, covering my ears with my hands and continuing to scream. The screaming inside my head fell to a dull whine, like an irritating bug. I knew there was no use in swatting at it, it was not about to go away.
What was this stone that the voices in my head had been talking about? I groaned as I thought this, feeling entirely insane. I glanced around. 'Take it from its place'. Where the hell was its place?
The place where the light touches the earth and the earth touches the sky and the sky touches-
"I didn't ask you!" I yelled. The voices returned to the quiet mumble in the back of my head.
Christ on a cracker, I was insane.
I heard Ben Folds Five's Brick again. It was nicer to hum that under my breath than to listen to my inner crazy, so I did, as I walked around looking for the rock that the voices told me to find. (See earlier mention of Jesus and snack food.)
And that is when I saw the pedestal.
It was hidden in the garden, closer to the chairs than I had originally thought, where the invisible sun hit the crest of one of the hills. I noted that it was pretty much where the voices had told me it would be. Grrrrr-eat.
The large marble pedestal held a small silk black box, like something an engagement ring would come in. I hated engagement rings, therefore I assumed I would hate whatever was in this box.
Until I walked to it and opened it, to the appreciative murmurs of the voices. They were growing loud and rowdy again. I snapped at them to shut up as I revealed the rock inside of the engagement ring box. It was a medium sized stone, stamped with a strange Grecian symbol. It swirled with each and every color of the rainbow, and a few I'd never seen before.
As I reached forward to touch it, the box shut. The voices grew more unsettled.
Don't touch it. But remove it from its place.
I paused and thought of how to do this.
And then I grabbed the box and slipped in into the pocket that had suddenly appeared in my dress.
And that was when the visions assaulted me, along with the voices, which were unfortunately screaming again. I saw a girl running through the garden. Searching. The hands didn't harm her, didn't push her. She slashed at them and they seemed to have withered. She searched. She torched the trees searching. She screamed with the voices.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head)
I felt the burning pain surge through my hand after I removed it from the box. I screamed again. My hand was on fire. But there was not a mark on it. What was wrong with me? Was I insane?
GET OUT NOW-
I was running now-
BEFORE SHE KNOWS YOU WERE HERE-
The trees began to burn around me-
IF SHE SEES IT IS GONE YOU WILL DIE-
I ran past the thrones, which now crackled with visible electricity-
GET OUT PRINCESS LEAVE NOW LEAVE! GO! GO GO GO GO
TAKE IT IT IS YOUR DESTINY GOOOOOOOOOO-
I broke through the barrier into reality as the portal between this world and wherever the hell that was fizzled and popped into nonexistence. I watched it as the voices screamed on, begging me to leave, not knowing I was already gone. The rim of the portal was purple now, fading slowly into a light blue.
Then as soon as it had appeared, it was gone. The voices, the hands, the chairs- everything.
And I passed out, almost dead, with my face in the snow.
I was too tired to dream, but I know that if I could, they would have been haunted by thee tree-burning girl and her search for the stone that was now keeping my pocket very warm. I slept on, blissfully unaware of the fact that if I was fully human, I would be well on my way to developing hypothermia. The snow made a nice pillow.
Coming into consciousness every once in a while, I had the same questions every time. Where was I? What was going on? What was the stone?
And each time, the tiny voice in the back of my head, so much nicer than those I'd encountered in the garden, told me to go to sleep again, and that everything would be all right and when I woke up I would be strong again and ready to face my destiny.
And each time, I obeyed.
Until I was fully rested again and I attempted to sit up, feeling the after effects of being shot in the back. I cursed quietly under my breath as I attempted to lay back down, finding the snow to be too cold. I rested fitfully for a few more minutes, attempting to keep my eyes closed.
Eventually I looked up, trying to get a grip on my surroundings. I saw the hollowed out shell that was one La Vie. And then I saw the clearing that had been so prominent in-
-in what? I couldn't recall. It had something to do with the box that now rested in my pocket. And burning trees. Something about burning trees-
Well, of course there were burning trees. I'd committed arson last night, and if I could recall a bit more, murder. Though it technically wasn't murder if he had tried to kill me first. Which he had been doing for a few years now. So it was justified.
But no, there was more to it than that. The trees that had been burning were not here. I remembered some voices, too. And hands.
Whose?
Spawn's?
No, not him.
I remembered my wound, in the middle of my back. I was surprised my guts were not hanging out. Grimacing, I realized they probably were. I didn't want to survey the damage my dear OFF had done to my stomach and any of my other internal organs. Making a note to return the favor in kind, I glanced around again.
Why was I here? And more importantly, how did I get here?
It was then that I remembered a certain goddess who had promised to help me in any time of need during this ordeal. And with the bit of energy that I had stored up during my thoughtful moments, I whispered into the sky,
"Aphrodite, I summon you."
It took a minute, but eventually the goddess revealed herself. Instead of rushing to help me, she skirted my body to avoid getting blood on her shoes. A typical goddess.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"Take me home."
She paused and seemed to fight with herself. "But- Olympus isn't- we can't-"
"Not there," I breathed quietly.
She snapped her fingers. "The hunter! The one you-"
"No," I snapped back. "His darling Penelope was the one who did this to me."
The goddess' face fell slightly. "I can take you to that other hunter's, but-" "Yes, there. Please." She brushed her blond hair back from her face and she nodded, looking a bit at unease, and I didn't blame her. I looked like hell. She reached down to tentatively touch my forehead, as though gunshot wounds were contagious, and the goddess of love murmured an incantation under her breath, too low for even my ears.
I felt as though my skin was peeling away, bit by bit, but the job was done and when my head stopped spinning, I saw that she had deposited me outside of Zarek's cabin. Not inside, mind you, like any cosiderate goddess would have done for a possibly dying warrior. On the front step, like a newspaper. Which I doubt he had delivered.
I knocked on the door, leaning against the frame to support myself. There was no answer from within, and I felt my heart stop and then start again. I had to get inside. I had to get away from the cold, away from the pain, I had to-
Trying the door, I found it locked. I cursed and kicked the frame, feeling my own powers slowly attempting to repair my body. I was going to need more sleep. Lots more sleep.
Honestly, I could pass out right here and be okay with it- except I knew I wasn't safe out here. Summoning up some of my power, I pushed the bar holding the door shut away so that it swung freely.
His cabin was, in fact, empty. There was no sign of life, spare the rattling in the stove which I did not have the energy to open. Sliding the bar back over the door, I stumbled over and then collapsed into Zarek's bed. There was a note on the small table. I summoned it over to me and tried to read it, but all the words jumbled together and I gave up on it angrily.
Listening to the winds whip at the sides of the structure, and feeling very safe and sound indeed, I closed my eyes and attempted to sleep again. I was out like a light in two minutes flat.
This time when I slept, I dreamed. My dreams have always been a little weird, and this was especially strange.
I saw the girl again. At first, I believed she was my sister- but then I looked close and noticed that her curls were dark, but not black, and her eyes were a haunted wide violet that my sister's never were.
She was on the outskirts of a smoky room, surrounded by the luxury and class that her thin cotton dress and modest jewelry did not suggest. She clutched a large black book to her chest as she waited at the entrance of what appeared to be a Speakeasy. Couples danced to Cole Porter, clutching cigarettes and iced drinks as they swayed like trees in the dim bar. All the windows had been curtained and the only really brightly lit place was the bar, to which she meekly made her way. The girl was beautiful, but she was a sad, forgettable beautiful.
The bartender eyed her as though she should not be here, and she leaned in to be heard over the music.
"I'm here to see a Mr.. Syracuse!" She told him. He glanced both ways, as though he would see a sign that read THIS IS A TRAP; he seemed to see none, so with a glass in his hand the man pointed to the other side of the room, far away from the din of the dance.
She nodded her appreciation and then strode over to the table, moving every so often, at which time groups of girls and boys or boys or girls would slink past her. The men were dressed to the nines, in slick black suits and white pressed shirts, and the ladies all had cropped hair and souls that stared out at her from under thickly made eyes. The room was happy and alive, invigorating. But she looked too concerned to enjoy it.
Arriving at the table to which she had been summoned, the girl tapped the lone occupant on the shoulder. He glanced around and then looked to her, setting down his drink so he could stand to greet her like a gentleman should. Curtsying, she stuck out her hand.
He was a handsome man of maybe thirty or so, with a light dusting of whiskers on his rugged jaw, his black hair slicked back as was the style. He wore a suit with a red tie. It seemed garish in the sea of black-on-white suits. His eyes were black as coal, and within them she saw not a hint of a soul like she could see in most humans. It was what had prompted her to sell this information to him. It looked like he could actually use it.
"Iccairus Syracuse," He introduced himself. She shook his hand vigorously and then replied,
"You can call me Eve."
"The original temptation," He said with a light smile. She did not recognize whether or not to smile at this, so she stayed neutral. After they sat down and the book was safe in her lap, he asked, "Can I buy you a drink?"
"I don't," She said apologetically. "This is the first time I have set foot in an establishment like this in decades."
"You don't look that old," Syracuse responded. She shrugged.
"We non-humans tend not to age," Eve replied nonchalantly. He shrugged in response and she smiled at how he took this in stride.
"So, my little apple, let us retreat into business," He began, clapping his hands and smiling. She brought the book out.
"Yes, lets. How much do you know of Atlantean mythos?" She asked him, apprehensive of his answer. He might just respond by calling her insane and demanding she leave. He shrugged.
"Enough." Iccarius' voice was short.
"The story of the sist-" He interrupted her, which irritated her to no end, but she dared not say anything.
"The twins of darkness and light? The perfect balance, that will determine the fate of the universe? Ebony and-" His voice caught and he finished quietly, "Ivory."
"You've been researching the topic since I contacted you," She accused with a light smile. His face stayed grave.
"I have always known their story. And many others."
"This is good," Eve assured him. "Then you know they cannot be killed."
"Which brings us to our topic today," He replied with a droll smile. She nodded and pulled the book out from the booth, opening it to a passage torn from an old book, showing it to Iccarius.
He read it aloud, but under his breath, scanning the page with his soulless black eyes.
Two daughters of a Goddess of Stone,
Damned to lead lives not their own.
One will meet fate in land of ice and snow;
One falls victim of powers forever to grow
One of fire, one of sea;
Snow will lead to victory.
"Rather odd, isn't it? Not written in a very nice way." He continued to scan it.
"I don't write them, I just get them," She replied coolly, yanking the book away from him.
"So how do I get rid of them?"
"The talisman that contains their souls. Find it and stab it with an Atlantean dagger. And then the twins with both be detroyed."
"How does it work?" He said in awe.
"As soon as it is stabbed, it destroys both of the twin's life forces, which are contained within the stone. They-"
"More brandy, sir?" A young boy walking by stopped at the table, brandishing a pitcher and holding a set of glasses under his arm. Iccarius declined but had him pour one for Eve.
"No, I don't drink-" She began, but he silenced her with a smile, pushing the glass towards her.
"One won't hurt. But continue before you drink, love. What happens after the stone is stabbed?"
Her eyes were very wide now- he was a handsome man, and if she played her cards right- jackpot. "The sisters share a life force. Unless a specific incantation is said as the stone is stabbed, they will both die. The time holding them to the earth, and their very matter, I believe, will unravel, leaving nothing but the traces of their souls. Can you imagine how powerful that could be, if one were to get their hands on them? The power to destroy worlds, in your possession." She grew quiet and thoughtful, staring down into her untouched glass.
"And what is that incantation?"
Eve shrugged again. "I still haven't found it."
Iccarius frowned, sighing. "I will have to pay you when you find it, I'm afraid. None today." He clicked his tongue.
"I'm still looking, honest. It's just going to take a little more time," She promised, and then she shrunk back a bit. He smiled warmly, but it was a bit too snake-like for her taste. She laughed nervously. "If you're not going to pay me, I'm keeping the book until I get paid!" She blurted out, thinking to herself, and the stone.
The smile stayed on his face. "I don't see why this would be a problem. And now, love, a toast to the power I'm going to hold."
"And you know what I want from this when you hold power. You promised." Her voice was eager and still very nervous.
"Yes, I suppose I did." He raised his glass and clicked it against hers, and holding her breath, she took a sip of her drink.
It wasn't so bad, now she'd taken a drink. It went down her throat hot, like warm soup on a cold winter's day. Refreshing. Eve smiled to him, and began,
"You know, this isn't so-" Before she slumped over dead on the table.
She hadn't even realized it was the brandy before it was too late to be helped. He sat for a minute in silence before the same boy came by again, the brandy gone, but the glasses still in his hand.
"Gee, sir, is your girl alright there?" He asked, pointing a finger to Eve, whose eyes had thankfully closed. Maybe she'd been mid-blink.
"Oh, she's just not used to the strength of the stuff," He laughed, reaching over to stroke Eve's dark hair. She was already going cold. He pulled his hand back and wiped it on the seat, in case death was catching.
"Sir, about my-" Iccarius pulled his wallet from his pocket and shoved a wad of paper money and some silver into the boy's hand.
"Thank you for helping me, my boy," Iccarius said distantly. He did not hear the boy thanking him as he walked away, counting his money.
The man frisked the girl's body for the stone and the book about his wife and his lover, taking what he wanted and then getting up to walk out of the establishment.
None of the jazz babies or their men noticed the dead girl in booth 4B, and by the time anyone did, her killer was already back on Olympus with Ebony, plotting the death of a woman he had once loved and who had yet to be born again.
Ebony knew that her damned sister had broken into her garden and taken the stone. And she knew that Iccarius was now dead, and exactly why. She was on the rampage, looking for that little bitch, turning her prison upside down searching for me and killing anything in the camp that got in her way.
She hadn't been this angry since her damned handmaiden Eve had stolen the stone and tried to sell it back to Iccarius, thinking that he would ever dream of trying to kill her. Stupid girl.
Ebony couldn't stop thinking about that now that she was in her condition. And she didn't know why. Iccarius had returned the stone to her garden, where no one would ever see it and therefore could never kill her with it. So why did she feel so off balance, so worried?
Maybe it was just her condition. She was oversensitive and prone to crying fits- thought part of that might have been attributed to the mourning process to which she had been caught in in the hours after her love's death.
But the original theft had been almost a hundred years ago, and it had nothing to do with her stupid sister, or whatever stunt she had been trying to pull in stealing it. If she were to destroy it, she would die, too.
She sat down at her table by herself, as she had done all those years ago with her beautiful love, the father of- mustn't think of that now, she thought to herself. She must be strong. If she was not, the epidemic that her love created would swarm and destroy her.
For now, she had to plan. And wait to strike.
And when she did, her stupid sister would wish she had never been born.
A/N.
Dear readers.
Ya'll are awesome. Thanks for sticking around and not forgetting about me. I'm going to try to start updating more often, now that a lot of the problems I've been dealing with are getting resolved and the story is beginning to pick up a bit. Things are close to getting wrapped up- there might be a few more updates as school begins, but I am very close to the end. I even know who all dies and stuff. I'm proud of myself. :D
By the way, read Jess' book yet? I got it the first day and I have a line of people waiting to borrow it. Ha. Tell me what you think of it. . . I have another fan fiction that I might begin about Jess that I might begin after this, or I might begin something with one of Ivory's siblings. Depending on what I feel like writing about more. Or I might work on both.
As always, feedback appreciated.
Bye! 3
K.