Souls

by Kahilah Harry

“Ah. That, my dear, is not for me to answer. That is something you must find out on your own,” he answered.

  How was I supposed to find out if no one would tell me?

  “Your memories were taken away for a reason. Now you must journey to restore them. The journey is what helps your memories come back. It will be worth it.”

  I stared at Augustus as if he had three heads. “A journey? You’re telling me that I have to complete something just to get the memories that were taken away from me, back?” I asked in disbelief.

  “That is correct, my dear. Repeating what I told you will not change that fact,” Augustus said with a smug look on his face.

  I curled my hands into fists and pressed them against my sides. Heat rushed to my face. I came here to get answers, and all I got was a cocky scientist with an ego the size of The Lone Star, who just wanted to play games. I sat back and rested my head in my hand, hiding the fact that I was clenching my teeth in anger.

  Dax gave me a side glance, his face twisted in pure disgust as well. “All right, Augustus. Enough with these games. What does she have to do to get her memories back?” Dax asked, authority seeping through his tone. He folded his hands together, narrowing his eyes.

  Augustus stared back just as fierce, then looked back and forth at us for a few seconds. He sighed and uncrossed his legs, patting his knees. “Fine. Since you are no fun, I guess I can speed this along and give you the information you so desire.” He flicked his wrist and turned his face toward the ceiling. “The only person who can help you restore your memories is a man named Aloysius.”

  Dax jumped up from the chair. “You said no more games! Aloysius is nothing more than a fable. Give us some real information.”

  My eyes widened at his outburst.

  “Sit down, young man, and let me finish.” Augustus held his hand up, and Dax sat back down, still disgruntled. “Aloysius is far from a fable. Only those who cannot properly reach him believe that. But he is real, and he is my brother.”

  Dax wore a surprised look on his face that turned skeptical.

  “Aloysius has been around as long as I have plus more. You must journey to find him. You can only find him on the highest peak of the highest mountain.” Augustus paused, making sure I was still paying attention. “This journey will not be an easy one. You will need a team of people you trust to take the journey with you. It cannot be completed alone,” he finished, getting up from his chair.

  I stood as well, so many questions running through my head. “What do I do once I find him?” I asked, wanting to know more.

  Augustus chuckled as he walked to his beaded curtain. “If you make it to my brother, you will not have to do anything. He will know who you are and the reason for your visit. All you need to do is make it to the peak and be in his presence, and your memories will be restored.”

  Just be in his brother’s presence, and that was it for my memories to come back? It seemed too easy.

  “There is one more thing, Meadow. Follow me.” He beckoned, and I followed him, curious but cautious. Why was he so willing to help me? He paused and looked at Dax. “You stay here.”

  Dax rolled his eyes but stayed in place as I followed Augustus through the multicolored bead curtain to a back office that was basically a mini version of the room we just left.

  There was a small brown desk on the wall in front of us and three bookcases filled with books to our right. Different shaped flasks and vials filled with different colored liquids crowded on the desk, just like in the other room. A maroon chair that looked very soft sat randomly in the middle of the space. Augustus sat in the chair and reached behind him, pulling out another chair…from the desk? The chair seemed to come out of nowhere, but I was too busy wondering what more Augustus needed to show me.

  “Have a seat.” He gestured to the chair he just pulled out.

  I looked at the chair and then back to him, shaking my head. “I’d rather stand, thanks.”

  He shrugged and crossed his legs. “Suit yourself.” He reached behind him to the desk again and grabbed a vial filled with red liquid. He popped the cork off and poured the liquid directly in the middle of his hand, steam rising from the same spot on his palm. He turned it to the floor, but nothing was there anymore. The liquid was gone. He smiled and pressed his hands together, slowly putting one finger over the other, one at a time.

  “Now, I didn’t want to tell you this part in front of your moody friend out there, since I assume he will be embarking on this journey with you,” he started, a small smile forming on his face like something was funny. I waited for him to continue. “Are you absolutely sure that you want to embark on this journey to get your memories back?”

  Was I sure? I made a face. My best friend of five years had tried to kill me. I wanted to be able to defend myself for the next time he attacked.

  Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded. “Of course, I do. Did you not listen to anything I said out there?” I pointed behind me.

  He held his hand up. “I did. I only ask because some rules come with taking this journey. Getting your memories back is not a small task.” He cleared his throat and gestured to the chair again, his face getting serious. “You might want to sit down for this next part.”

  I rolled my eyes and sat down in the chair, wishing he’d hurry up. The longer I was here, the longer I was delayed getting my memories back. I was tired of being in the dark, and Dmitri was taking too long to find a way.

  “There is only one way to reach the top of the mountain for my brother to restore your memories. A price must be paid.”

  “Okay? I’ll clean out my savings, take out a loan, whatever it takes.”

  Augustus burst out laughing, clutching his middle. I scowled, irritated. He calmed down and wiped an invisible tear from the side of his eye. “Humans.” He scoffed. “Not a monetary price. You’ll know when the time comes.”

  “Human? I thought you said I wasn’t human.”

  “You aren’t, but you are in your human form, so as of now, you’re one of them.” He waved his hand dismissively, and my nostrils flared. What did he mean I’d know when the time came? How would I know?

  Augustus shook his head and stood, tsking. He walked up to me slowly. “That is a beautiful necklace. I will place my hand over the pendant so that the potion I poured on my hand can enter it. It will give you the protection you need for your journey.” He finished and stared me down.

  I stood up and backed away slightly. “How do I know you’re not actually trying to sabotage it?” I asked him, narrowing my eyes. Based on how he’d spoken, he only seemed to care about himself.

  “I’ve seen you at your full potential. You are one of the most powerful beings I’ve come across, and I would love to see you up against Caspian. I enjoy sitting on the sidelines watching everything unfurl. Such great entertainment.” A wide smile spread across his face, and he actually seemed genuine.

  “Fine. Go ahead.”

  He reached forward and hovered his hand over the pendant. It slowly left its place on my neck and rose, red particles leaving his hand and landing right on the sapphire, changing the icy blue color to a brilliant, deep purple. I watched my necklace hover off my neck, the purple fading and original sapphire color showing again. What kind of science is this? I’d never seen anything like it.

  Augustus dropped his hand and smiled. “Safe travels, my dear. Tell no one of this conversation. If you do, the pendant will not protect you on this journey.” His eyes narrowed as he warned me.

  I waved my hand in the air. “Yeah, yeah, I got it. Goodbye.” I walked past him and through the beaded curtain, breathing in deeply. I didn’t realize how stuffy I felt in that small space until I was out of there. Dax was pacing back and forth in front of the lounge chairs, and his head snapped up when I came through the curtains.

  He rushed over to me. “Are you okay? What did he do? What did he say?” Dax grilled me with questions before I could even speak.

  “Hold on.” I held my hand
up, chuckling. “Let’s get out of here first and then I will tell you everything.” I grabbed his arm as I started walking. He smiled and nodded, and we made our way out of the building as quickly as we could. As quickly as I could, at least.

  Once we were back in the jeep and on the road, I began to speak.

  “He didn’t say much of anything of importance. He just repeated to me what I had to do to get my memories back, and how to make it up the mountain.” I tried to keep my voice even.

  Dax glanced at me, slightly narrowing his eyes in suspicion. “Are you sure that’s all?”

  It took all my willpower not to tell him everything, but I had to keep my word.

  “The only other thing he did was something to my pendant to protect me on the journey, according to him.”

  Dax glanced sharply at my necklace, narrowing his eyes. As he continued to stare, his eyes glowed violet. He hmphed when he was done, turning his attention back to the road.

  “Was that the thing he wanted to give you?”

  “Yes, Dax. He didn’t give me anything else. That was it.” I sighed, ready to change the subject. All I could think about were the requirements for the journey. He said I’d know when the time came. How would I know when the price would be paid? What was the cost?

  “Okay, okay. I’m just making sure he’s not putting you in any danger. He likes to pull tricks and put people in danger without them even being aware of it,” he explained.

  I nodded to show him I was paying attention.

  Everything he was telling me made sense, and I appreciated him wanting to make sure I was safe. But I really couldn’t stop thinking about Augustus’ warning. What if I was putting someone in danger by taking this journey? I didn’t want to put anyone’s life in danger, but I also couldn’t continue the life I was used to anymore. I wasn’t human. I didn’t just want my memories. I needed them.

  I glanced over at Dax, smiling a little because of his concentrated yet happy face as he focused on the road. I’d known him for like two days—well, two days for me—yet I felt like I’d known him forever. I trusted him. And I didn’t want anything to happen to him.

  Dax looked my way, catching me staring, and smiled. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, splitting his attention between the road and me, trying to gauge my mood from my face.

  “About how I am grateful that we met, and about this journey,” I answered truthfully, resting my arm on the side of the door, head in hand.

  “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I am so on it. We’re on our way to Dmitri’s safe house so I can tell him everything and get his help.”

  I groaned when he finished. Not Dmitri. He would literally ruin this with his attitude.

  “Do we have to get Dmitri’s help?” I asked, making a face at Dax.

  “Uh, yes! He’s the only one who knows where the mountain is because he’s traveled there himself before. He never gave us many details about the journey, though…” He trailed off at the end, glancing at me.

  “He has? For what?” I asked, curious about that little detail. Did Augustus give him the same ultimatum? If so, what was the price?

  17

  After my little on and off four-hour nap on the way back, we reached Dmitri’s safe house. He was there, working out in the middle of the living room. I paused abruptly as soon as my eyes landed on him, catching my jaw before it hit the ground. Dmitri was shirtless, doing crunches on the floor with a mat underneath him.

  I usually try my best not to ogle anyone, especially Dmitri, but I had no choice. His bronze body was immaculately chiseled. Arms were my weakness, and his were enticing, each groove perfectly sculpting his tan muscles. Each time he leaned back and lifted himself up, he huffed from exertion, and the muscles on his abdomen literally rippled. Each muscle with a mind of its own. Sweat dripped down his back muscles and arms, making him shine.

  A throat cleared softly, and I whipped my head to Dax. He had a sly smirk on his face, and I shut my mouth quickly, realizing what I was doing. I cleared my own throat and licked my lips in slight embarrassment from getting caught checking him out. When I cleared my throat, Dmitri paused mid-crunch, turning half of his body around to face Dax and me. I tried my best not to focus on his bare chest and concentrated on his eyes instead, which had a slightly annoyed look in them.

  He made a noise somewhere between a heavy sigh and a groan as he got up from the mat. I glanced at his back again, and squinted. Two black symmetrical lines were on his back. He turned and grabbed a rag from the table next to him, and then wiped his face, dragging the cloth to the back of his neck.

  I was tempted to ask him to turn back around, but that would be weird. But I’d swear I saw two large scars etched into his skin, stretching down to his back dimples. His silver eyes formed into slits, giving us both a once over.

  “What do you want?” His deep voice was rough from the lack of talking.

  I glanced at Dax, unsure where to start. Dax nodded his head slightly, letting me know that he got it. He started explaining everything to Dmitri, and I let out a sigh of relief. I usually let no one intimidate me, but Dmitri was on another level.

  He was alluring yet dangerous. He hadn’t even done anything I remembered for me to believe that he was dangerous, but the dominance that flowed from him gave me that feeling. As Dax explained everything to him, I watched Dmitri’s facial expressions, trying to figure out what he was thinking or feeling. For the most part, he had his signature stern frown on his face.

  The only time it changed was when Dax mentioned Aloysius not being a myth. His eyebrows raised at that one and again when Dax told him about Augustus placing something in my pendant to protect me. His eyes flicked toward me, mainly my pendant, with a curious look. When Dax was finished with the story, Dmitri’s face was back to where it began, hard.

  “Can you help us get to the mountain?” Dax asked.

  Dmitri growled. “Absolutely not.”

  Dax flinched, and I frowned. I expected him to not help, but his response was more aggressive than either of us were prepared for.

  “Why not?” I stepped forward, a little closer to him. “Dax told me—”

  “What did you tell her?” Dmitri interrupted me and glared at Dax.

  “Hey, hey, hold up now. I didn’t tell her anything about that, so calm down. All I told her was that you have traveled to the mountain before, so you know how to get there.” Dax crossed his arms over his chest, staring Dmitri down.

  I shook my head and collapsed on the couch, mentally and physically drained. “So, after everything, dragging me from my life, altering it by dropping all of these bombs, you won’t even help me get my memories back? The main thing you said you were trying to do yourself?” I questioned him, my shoulders slumping.

  “My main focus is on stopping Victor and Caspian,” he said plainly, passing a hand through his hair.

  I furrowed my brow. “What was the whole point of exposing me to this life if my memories weren’t a priority?” I could’ve been stress free, living my life simply.

  He rolled his eyes at the question. “Because Caspian was trying to kill you. So it was better for you to be aware of it than to be in the dark. I was tired of having to swoop in and save you,” he finished, starting to pace. It took me a second to gather my thoughts. Augustus said not to mention it to anyone, but I couldn’t think of any other way to convince Dmitri to help me.

  “A price must be paid,” I mumbled under my breath, my voice almost inaudible.

  Dmitri stopped pacing and narrowed his eyes at me, tilting his head. “What did you just say?” he demanded, taking a step toward me.

  “You went on this journey yourself, correct?” I asked, and he nodded. “Then, you know the consequences…” I trailed off at the end of my sentence for dramatic effect. I stared him right in the eyes, slowly getting up. I walked toward him and only stopped when I was right in front of him.

  “Wait, what consequences, Meadow? What are you talking about?” Dax spoke u
p, sounding confused. I didn’t say anything, continuing my stare off with Dmitri. His eyes dared me to tell Dax, and mine told him I had no problem completing that request—but at what cost.

  He clenched his jaw, eyes filled with rage. “Dax, leave us,” Dmitri told him through gritted teeth, still staring me down.

  Dax scoffed, and I saw him from my peripheral, looking at me to help him out. But I kept my eyes locked on Dmitri. I wanted to have this conversation. Once Dax saw that neither of us were budging, he mumbled under his breath and stomped away, slamming the door behind him. I shifted my legs, crossing my arms over my chest, and waited for Dmitri to say something.

  “He gave you the same warning.” Dmitri finally spoke, his words coming out like a statement, not a question.

  I nodded, eyes caressing his face for more answers. “Why did you go to the mountain?” I asked, narrowing my eyes when he clenched his jaw, breathing heavily out of his nose in frustration. I waited for him to say something, but he just stood there. “Stop being a coward and just tell me.” I lifted my head in a challenge. His eyes rolled to the ceiling, nostrils flaring. I wish it rolled to the back of his head and stayed there.

  “I knew he would do something like this,” he mumbled under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to catch his eyes to bring his attention back to me.

  “Augustus knew giving you that ultimatum would force me to tell you things you’re not prepared to find out in this state,” he answered, his voice low as if he didn’t want to really explain anything to me.

  I was perplexed, and it took me a second to register what he was saying. “So, the warning isn’t real?” I asked, the pressure from the stress leaving my chest in the hope that it was fake. For the first time since I met him, Dmitri looked nervous and wouldn’t look me in the eyes. My heart started racing. It was real.

  My eyebrows dipped as I tried to calm myself down so I could rationally think about all of this, but it was hard.

  “Dax,” Dmitri called out, and Dax was back inside in a flash. Dmitri still didn’t look me in the eye and turned his attention to Dax. “I want to help, but I can’t,” he told him, making his face scrunch up in confusion.