by Tara Weeks
“Maybe there is a connection,” Selene admitted, “But it doesn’t change anything.” She was trying her best to avoid looking at him, staring instead at her hand clasped in his. She willed herself to let go, but her hand appeared to have a life of its own.
“What could possibly negate a connection with someone?” Marek asked.
“We’re just not well suited is all,” Selene stammered.
“Why? Because you’re rich and I’m not?” Marek asked.
“I don’t care about money and if you knew me at all, you would know that,” Selene said.
“Hmm, that’s all well and good coming from someone who’s always had it. Regardless, I want to get to know you. I want to know everything,” He whispered.
“We come from two very different worlds,” Selene added, trying to sound convincing.
“And yet, here you are, in mine. The world hasn’t ended,” Marek replied, “Is that the best you’ve got?”
“I’m also a good ten years older than you, which is ridiculous in itself…”
“What’s ridiculous is using age as an excuse,” Marek cut in.
“You know I’m married, right?” Selene asked, finally turning around to face him, certain that fact would stop him in his tracks.
Instead, Marek nodded. “I do. I also know you left him.”
Selene felt lost for words as she stared down at her feet. Her attraction to Marek had terrified her from the moment they first met, and it only intensified with each meeting. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before and Selene felt torn between wanting to run towards it and wanting to run from it. As though taking her momentary silence as a crack in her defense, Marek stepped closer and lifted her chin so she had no choice but to look at him.
“Look, I know we’re different, but that’s what makes life interesting. Selene, I know you’re spoiled and a little pretentious and you can be curt and condescending. However, you’re also generous and insightful, charming, considerate and sexy as hell. I don’t pretend to understand anything that’s going on, but I can’t ignore how I feel around you. It really does seem like the only thing that makes sense anymore. So please stop looking for reasons for us not to be together.” As Selene looked up to find Marek’s eyes searching her own, she felt as though the room slowly vanished around them, and nothing existed except for the two of them. Staring into Marek’s eyes, Selene could have sworn she was looking into her past as well as her future, and unable to hold back another second, she threw her arms around Marek’s neck and kissed him deeply.
Chapter Five
Addie
A
ddie sat in Marek’s living room on the comfortable but well-loved lounge beside Jove, while Cassie and Ravi sat opposite. Addie found entertainment in watching Cassie scowl at Ravi while simultaneously trying to press herself against the armrest and create as much of a gap between them as possible.
“…and so, my family was entrusted with the upkeep and protection of the manor and the surrounding grounds. It’s been that way for generations,” Ravi said. “It wasn’t until a couple of years ago, when my father passed away, that I became the landlord. It was while I was cataloguing the contents to update the insurance that I discovered that owl statue and the engraving on its base. Obviously, I didn’t think it was anything more than a coincidence at the time. Then you all arrived, and, well, I’m thinking there’s something more to it after all.”
Cassie rolled her eyes and got up from the lounge. “There’s not.”
Pursing her lips, Addie tried to stop the grin that threatened to reveal itself while she watched Cassie pace around the room. Addie instinctively knew it was in a desperate bid to avoid Ravi, but he didn’t seem to be in the least bid distressed by Cassie’s cold shoulder. In fact, at least from where Addie was sitting, he seemed as amused by Cassie’s antics as Addie was.
“Hey, isn’t this just like the one back at the manor?” Cassie asked as she stepped aside, revealing a silver pyramid sitting on a display shelf.
“I guess so, in that they’re both pyramids,” Addie replied, frowning as she peered at it.
“Well, yeah, they are, but is it the same one? I don’t know, there’s just something about it…” Cassie picked it up and as soon as she did, they heard a mechanical groan from the wall before her.
“Uh, what did you do?” Addie asked.
“I have no idea,” Cassie replied, slowly backing away from the wall until she bumped against the lounge where Ravi still sat. As they looked on, the wall itself appeared to split in two and separate, causing everything on its shelves to rattle and shake.
“Holy shit!” Cassie exclaimed as they all looked up at a hidden cabinet with row upon row of weapons. There were swords of various shapes and lengths, maces coated with assorted implements of pain, daggers, a crossbow and arrows, and some items Addie couldn’t identify.
“This is unbelievable…” Cassie said as she stepped closer and reached out to run her fingers gently over a leather-wrapped hilt.
“Don’t touch them!” Addie cried.
“What do you think’s going to happen?” Cassie scoffed. “They’re just weapons.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I agree with Addie. The way things keep happening I wouldn’t tempt fate,” Jove said.
“Of course you do…” Cassie trailed off, more engrossed in the display before her than any logic from the others. She appeared to be so mesmerized that she didn’t notice Ravi get up from the lounger to join her.
“Do you think Marek knows about these?” She asked to no one in particular.
“Maybe. I don’t know,” Ravi said, touching the opposite end of the same sword Cassie had inspected. “He did say his family came from a long line of protectors, so I would think so.”
Addie felt an ice-cold shiver run up her spine and she looked over her shoulder towards the window, suddenly feeling that they were being watched.
“Addie? What is it?” Jove asked.
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. Something’s wrong—or is about to be,” She whispered.
“Is it one of your visions?” Cassie asked, turning away from the weapons.
“I…not exactly…It’s more like a feeling…” Addie tried to explain, but she felt strange, almost as though she was only half there. The sensation made her feel uneasy and she tried not to panic; instead she reached out and grabbed Jove’s hand. It made her feel a little better, but her heart still quickened and her stomach plummeted as though she was on the steep decent of a rollercoaster. “Addie? You’re hurting my hand,” Jove said softly, and she jumped as his voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean…” her voice trailed off as the room darkened, as though thick clouds had just passed before the sun, yet something about the darkness felt off to Addie, unnatural.
“Marek! Selene! You’d better get out here!” she called.
“Addie, what is it? You’re scaring me,” Cassie asked, hurrying over with Ravi right behind her.
“What’s happening?” Selene asked as she and Marek came running into the living room.
“I don’t know.” Addie said. “Something’s happening outside.”
Marek strode across the room and out the front door as everyone followed close behind.
Addie was the last one outside; she was halfway across the driveway before she looked up at the sky in awe. Gone was the cloudless blue sky that had been there upon their arrival. Now the sky was filled with billowing, dark purple clouds that were lit up within by flashes of lightning, one after the other. Yet there was no thunder, no lightening extending down to the ground. A wind hurtled towards them from deep within the forest, and the trees seemed to lean forward, the whispering of their leaves a warning. Addie stepped towards them, but no one noticed, they were all too engrossed with the sky.
“I’ve never seen the sky look like that before…” Selene whispered. “Is this, like, an Auberon thing?�
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Marek shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like this before either.”
Addie struggled to breathe as her chest tightened, and a wave of dizziness swept over her. She stood still, yet she also felt as though she was moving towards the trees as their branches stretched out towards her; the tiny twigs at the branch ends reached for her like fingers trying to wrap themselves around her.
“Addie? What’s wrong?” Jove asked. Addie jumped, blinking rapidly as she tried to focus on him. Glancing over her shoulder at the forest, the trees had returned to normal and she frowned, certain she hadn’t imagined it.
“We need to leave. Now.”
Chapter Six
Selene
A
ddie? What is it? What did you see?” Selene asked, not liking the tone of her friend’s voice, or the frantic look in her eyes.
“We’re not safe. They’re coming for us. We have to go!” Addie’s voice increased in pitch with each word.
“It’s okay, we’re leaving. Come on.” Jove placed his arm around her waist and led her towards the car. It was then that Selene noticed Addie was shaking from head to toe. She felt the fear cinch around her lungs like a vice, depriving her of the ability to breathe.
“Get in the Jeep. I’ll be right back!” Marek instructed. Selene watched as he turned and ran back into the house, torn between wanting to get in the car and wanting to follow him into the house, but not feeling capable of either. As she looked back towards the Jeep, she froze as three hooded men appeared in the driveway.
“Cassie!” Selene cried out as she saw one of the men blocking Ravi and Cassie from the jeep. Cassie yelped as one of the hooded men reached for her, but Ravi grabbed her hand and the two of them vanished into thin air. A loud, deep growl came from the hooded man that sent a chill of terror down Selene’s spine. She felt completely paralyzed, not knowing where to run or what to do.
“Marek!” she yelled, her voice a high-pitched screech as she watched the three figures turn their attention to Jove and Addie, on the other side of the Jeep. Jove yanked the door open and shoved Addie inside before closing it again against her protests. The three cloaked figures crouched in unison, raising their arms up as Jove looked from one to the other. A low hum seemed to come from them, so low that it vibrated across the ground and up into Selene’s feet. Her heart pounded against her chest and her shaky breath caught in her throat as large, fiery balls formed between their outstretched hands. Together they raised the balls high into the air and aimed them at Jove.
“Stop!” Selene screamed as they hurled the fiery orbs towards Jove, but he thrust his own arms out with a mighty yell and stopped the orbs in their tracks. As Selene looked at Jove, her mouth agape, she saw the stunned expression on his face and realized he was as surprised by this feat as she was. As though Jove’s new display of power instilled her with new-found confidence, Selene stepped forward and was so relieved she could move that she initially didn’t realize the cloaked figures were as still as statues.
“Selene! Hurry! Get in the car! I don’t know how long this will last.” Jove opened the door and climbed in next to Addie.
Selene took a couple of steps forward but stopped and turned back to the house. Before she could call out to Marek once again, he came flying out the front door, three large books in his arms. “Woah!” he skidded to a stop, dropping one of the books as he saw the cloaked figures.
“It’s okay!” Selene ducked down and picked up the heavy book, “Jove froze them.”
“Yeah, well it looks like it’s wearing off,” Marek declared and as Selene stood up, she saw he was right. The cloaked figures started moving in extreme slow motion—and so too, did the fiery balls still hovering mid-air.
“Hurry!” Marek demanded, and this time Selene had no hesitation, running to the front passenger side of the car and getting in. Marek threw the books into the back with Addie and Jove before diving into the driver’s seat. “Where’s Ravi and Cassie?” he asked.
“They’ve already gone—I’ll explain later!” Selene said, pulling on her seat belt and clutching the book to her chest.
“Oh, shit!” Jove exclaimed from the back as the cloaked figure’s movements were reaching normal pace. “Go, go, go!”
Marek started the Jeep and Selene braced herself as he pushed the pedal all the way to the floor, sending the car skidding across the driveway as the cloaked figures closed in.
“Marek!” Selene screeched as one of them reached for her side of the car. She saw the festering, chalk-white of its skin and the blistering redness of its snarling mouth. Marek swore as he swerved the Jeep with one hand; he thrust his other arm towards the figure, sending it flying across the ground. Marek did the same to the remaining two figures, clearing the way for them to escape. Selene looked in the rear-view mirror as they sped away, but all she could see was the dust they had left in their wake.
Chapter Seven
Cassie
C
assie gasped as a cloaked figure suddenly appeared before them. The hood of the cloak hid the top of its head in a shadow, but the little she could see of the creature was enough to terrify her. It opened its mouth, revealing blackened teeth and a blood-tinged drool; she yelped as it lunged towards them. She felt herself yanked backwards as Ravi grabbed her by the hand, and then suddenly, the cloaked figure was gone. There was a brief sensation of weightlessness, like she was floating in the air as light as a feather; they only thing tethering her was Ravi’s hand clasping her own. She tried to shake him off, wanting to see how high she could float, but he held on firmly. Then almost as quickly as it had started, the floating feeling vanished, leaving Cassie feeling as heavy as a stone. She could feel herself falling faster and faster and she reached out for something to slow her descent but there was nothing.
Feeling herself slip from Ravi’s grasp, she fell with a heavy bang onto the floor, hitting her head in the process. She sat up, groaning as she gingerly touched the side of her head, and pulled her fingers back to find them sticky with blood.
“Cassie! Are you alright?” Ravi cried, suddenly appearing at her side.
“Huh? What…what happened? Where are we?” Cassie asked, feeling dazed. She closed her eyes, trying to remember.
“We were at Marek’s,” he explained as he examined the cut on her head, before rapidly unbuttoning his shirt and shrugging it off, “when members of the cult showed up. I don’t know how they found us so quickly. I saw we wouldn’t be able to make it to the car, so I grabbed you and teleported us out of there.”
Cassie grimaced as he pressed the shirt against the side of her head. “How bad is it?”
“I’m not sure. It’s hard to tell with head injuries, they always bleed terribly. Do you think you can get up off the floor if I help you?” Ravi asked.
Cassie nodded, instantly regretting as the motion increased the pain in her head, and she feared she was going to vomit all over him.
Ravi got to his feet. “Hold that shirt as tightly to your head as you can,” he instructed, placing his hands under her arms and lifting her to her feet with what felt like little effort at all. He steadied her as she swayed, before leading her over to the daybed; she realized they were back in the living room of the manor.
“How did we get here? What did I hit my head on? Why is it so dark?” Cassie asked, closing her eyes against the nausea as Ravi helped her to get comfortable.
“I told you—we teleported here from Marek’s. I think you hit your head on the corner of that wooden box on the floor—the one with all the photographs in it. And it’s dark because the sky is now filled with storm clouds. Only I don’t think they are storm clouds.”
Cassie tried to process his words, oblivious to the fact that he was now sitting on the floor beside where she lay, their faces so close. “Where are the others? Did they teleport too?” she finally asked once she was able to pin down a thought.
“No. It was just you and I,” Ravi replied
quietly.
“What? Why? We have to go back! We can’t just leave them there! Those things…those monsters…what if they kill them? They’ll all die and we just left them!” Cassie could hear herself becoming hysterical, but couldn’t stop it as she tried to sit up. Ravi gently reached up and pushed her shoulders down. “You’re not going anywhere until we stop that bleeding. I didn’t mean to leave them. It was just a gut reaction. All I could see was that you were in danger and that I had to get you out of there,” Ravi explained.
“You have to go back for them. You have to,” Cassie pleaded, reaching out for him with her free hand.
“I can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t leave you here like this. Unprotected,” Ravi countered.
Cassie let her head fall back against the cushion, unsure of whether she wanted him to stay with her, or whether she just didn’t have the energy within her to argue with him to go. Instead they both sat quietly for a moment, and as Ravi stroked the top of her hand with his thumb, Cassie thought how nice it was. It was such a simple gesture, the softest of touches, yet it warmed her from within. She had thought she would never feel it again, not after her husband died. Opening her eyes, she carefully rolled her head to the side, keeping the shirt pressed to the other, and found Ravi staring at her intently.
“I’m scared for them,” She whispered.
Ravi nodded. “Me too.”
“Were they the cult members?” Cassie asked, swallowing thickly as she recalled the hideous face of the cloaked figure that had lunged at her.
“Yes,” was all Ravi said.
“Oh no, and we just left the others there. What if they couldn’t get to the Jeep either?” Cassie gasped.
“I’m sorry…”
“I’m not blaming you, Ravi. I’m just so scared they won’t be able to get away. I don’t know what I’d do without them.” Cassie felt the tears trickle down her cheeks. Ravi reached up and gently wiped them away.