The Trinity Ring

by C. A. Bleu

  Taking the stairs slowly, quietly listening to see which room he may have gone in. As she reached the top of the stairs on the second level, she heard movement in the room to the right. She went with her gut and walked over to knock on the door. Her knuckles hovered over the old hardwood door in a moment of hesitation before knocking as she wondered if she was crazy for doing this. In that brief moment, the door opened and someone grabbed her hand, swinging her inside, holding her arm painfully behind her back with what felt like a gun pressed against her side. However, just as quickly as she was taken, she was released.

  “Oh, Zara, I’m so sorry,” he said, running a hand over his short buzzed hair, frustrated with himself. “I thought someone was following me. I, ah, are you alright?” Dimitri looked embarrassed and nervous as he quickly slid his gun in the top drawer of the dresser by the door. Stepping back, he stood in the center of the room awaiting her response.

  Frozen, Zara stared in shock, trying to process what just happened and why he had a gun. Why would he be worried about someone following him? Fear began to settle deep in the pit of her stomach. What was he really up to, she wondered. Boldly squaring her shoulders, she looked him in the eye.

  “What was all that about? I followed you, yes, but I just wanted to apologize and explain what happened.” Zara paused, glancing around his room.

  There were more weapons laying on the bedside table and little to nothing else. He did say he was only here a short while, but now she wanted, needed, to know exactly what he was doing here.

  “Dimitri, why are you in Abingdon?” she asked, trying to remain calm, yet aware of her fists clenching. Even as the words left her lips, the realization of who he was crawled up her spine, leaving a chill in its wake.

  Chapter 16

  Dimitri watched Zara’s face change from confusion to anger to hurt before it finally settled into a fit of fierce anger staring back at him. He took a few steps back until his legs hit the chair by the window and he fell into it. Both his hands ran over his hair and face in desperation. With his head hung low, staring down at the floor he let out a deep breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

  “Zara, there is something that I need to tell you.” He looked up at her tentatively, eyes pleading. “Most everything I have told you so far is true, but there is more.” He sighed. “There is so much that I want to say, but I can’t find the words. I have no friends, no family, I can’t even remember the last time I tried to have a normal conversation with someone.”

  With a shake of his head, and resigned sagging shoulders, he said, “I don’t know how to do this Zara. I have been sent on a mission that for once I know I cannot complete.” He wanted to tell Zara everything, but he had spent so many years with Erebus that he found it difficult to be completely honest about it all.

  “A mission? What mission?” Zara said as she took a small step toward him, anger building inside her, yet still a small part wanted to hope for the best.

  Dimitri stared at her, briefly considering his words, finally in a calm, measured tone, he said, “I am an assassin Zara, trained to kill.” He held her eyes, awaiting her reaction. She didn’t seem surprised at his words which shocked him.

  Zara tentatively stepped backward and sat on the edge of his bed, the word assassin slamming its way through her mind. She didn’t want to run, but she glanced at the clear line to the door should she need it.

  “An Assassin? You said you were on a mission now, who is your target?” She had to ask, though she already knew. Dimitri held her eyes but was unable to say the words. He could feel the mounting tension in the room as Zara understood that the target was her.

  She knew she should run, but there was something about Dimitri and the look on his face that made her hesitate. He appeared distraught, fractured, like it was killing him to say this to her and she wondered why he would even tell her? Why didn’t he just kill her when he had the gun, or all the other opportunities he has had?

  It felt like he wanted her to run and hoped that she would. His words said he is an assassin, but his eyes and body showed sadness and defeat. Gathering all her strength and courage, she asked, “Do you work for Erebus?” The silence stretched between them. Dimitri’s crystal blue eyes held her captive as she awaited his reply.

  “Yes,” he finally responded, not breaking eye contact. He had never before cared what anyone thought about him. Usually in and out of people’s lives in the blink of an eye. With Zara, however, he cared. He did not want her to be afraid of him, he did not want to see her get hurt. Knowing he was not allowed to share any of this information, he still felt he needed to. He sat and waited for her reaction. If he was honest with himself, he would have sat there and allowed her to kill him just to ensure that there was one less person in the world who could ever hurt her.

  Standing from the edge of the bed, Zara took a small step toward the door, processing this information. This was bad and meant that Erebus knew exactly where they were. She knew she should take him out and notify Aaron. She knew, but as she turned back and looked at Dimitri something in her heart squeezed. There was fear in his eyes and if she was not mistaken, longing, yet she took another step toward the door.

  “Were you the one in the forest, at the cabin?” she asked with a sudden change in her tone. A hint of malice that sent a chill through Dimitri’s veins. His moment’s hesitation as he briefly looked away was all it took for Zara to unravel. It was him. He had been the one watching her. The one that led to the death of her grandmother. Flooded with grief and anger there was a sudden loud explosive sound that came from behind her as a pipe burst, sending water rushing into the room.

  Dimitri’s head jerked up at the sound, but he stilled at the sight of her. There was a shimmer of light around her with red and golden hues. It was as if he could see her rage, death was coming for him.

  Zara was tapped into her power with the full force weighing down on her. Her golden eyes narrowed in on him ready to purge all of her anger and rage, empty her vast well of power into him. Somewhere, in the midst of her powers building, the words of her grandmother floated through her mind, reminding her to stop and think of her family before she lost control.

  Glancing down at her ring, she briefly thought of her grandmother, her mother and of all the Trinity women before her. She thought of the powers they had given to her; the life and hope and love of them all as she tried to calm her racing heart.

  Suddenly, in the corner of the room, a soft golden glow began to appear. It grew and expanded into what seemed to be about ten small bright golden glowing orbs. Zara gasped, a sharp intake of shocked breath took her back a step as she found herself surrounded by generations of Trinity women in the small cramped room.

  Recognizing many of their faces from the books of her family history. They all had the same high cheekbones with strong athletic builds and long hair. Some appeared in white flowing silk robes while others seemed to have on the clothes of their time. They all looked to be in their twenties or thirties; they were beautiful and serene as they gazed upon her with love and compassion. Her anger and rage momentarily subsided as one golden glowing orb took on solid form and stepped forward, her grandmother, Marie.

  “I have been trying to reach you, Zara, please, we are here to help,” Marie said as she looked to Dimitri, knowing that he could not see her. “Zara, he was the one in the forest that day, but something has changed in him. His soul, it’s different. We believe he is meant to help you, to guide you, to something even greater and to defeat Erebus. If you can find it in your heart to trust him, work with him, he may be the link for us to put an end to Erebus for good, and for you to reach your greatest potential.” Marie paused and took Zara’s hands.

  “Zara you have to stop blaming yourself for my death. I am where I’m supposed to be.” Her smile was so genuine and full of love that it melted some of the ice floating in Zara’s heart. The hole inside of her begin to stitch together at her grandmother’s words. She wanted to forgive herself, move forwar
d, but she wasn’t sure how.

  A stronger, brighter glow emanated from the back corner of the room heading in Zara’s direction. This golden glowing orb was the brightest she had ever seen, and she noticed how the others seemed to bow their heads and part the way allowing a direct path to Zara. Marie let go of Zara’s hands and took a step back. Staring at the form taking shape, the glow so bright Zara had to look to the ground, unable to make eye contact initially.

  Soft brown suede wrapped neatly around the feet and legs in front of her, tied with thin leather straps. Zara’s eyes moved up, taking in dark legs that were strong and muscled. Strong arms that held an air of authority simply in the way they hung. Fur and feathers stitched in brown suede and leather covered her. Dark waves of silky brown hair flowed as if a breeze was pushing through it. When Zara’s eyes finally met hers, golden flecks sparkled much in the way that Zara’s did. It was her she realized, Lozen Trinity, the first of the Trinity women.

  Lozen had such strength and beauty radiating off her, but there was also immeasurable grace and peacefulness. Moving with purpose until she was right in front of Zara in her solid form.

  “My child,” she said with a smile full of love as she spread her arms wide. Zara slowly stepped into her embrace and found herself wrapped in a hug that was so warm and comforting it made all the remaining anger and frustration seep out of her. As Zara’s body relaxed, she stepped back, aware that tears were falling.

  Still holding Zara’s hands, Lozen said, “Your heart aches, but you have never been alone, brave child, we have always been here watching over you. We are in the trees around you, the ground you walk on and in the air you breathe. Zara, you are one of us, you will never be alone.”

  Lozen paused, glancing toward Dimitri who by now was looking around the room in confusion as he could see nothing but Zara and her reactions as if someone else was there.

  “You must give him the chance to change, his soul and his destiny depends on it and so does yours.”

  Lozen stared at Zara and it was as if she was looking in a mirror at the eyes staring back at her with sparks of amber and gold. Zara nodded her head with determination and acceptance before the Trinity women in the back began to slowly disappear. Squeezing Zara’s hand, Lozen said, “Do not lose hope, you are destined for greater things, we need you.”

  Lozen looked at Dimitri again and smiled before turning around and slowly disappearing with the others. Only then could Zara see the bow strapped across her back just like in Lozen’s picture. Zara’s mother and grandmother were the only ones left behind, both awaiting a final embrace before they too were gone from the room.

  Left with an overwhelming feeling of love enveloping her, she looked toward Dimitri with new eyes. The anger now replaced by awe at the amount of courage it must have taken him to be honest with her. Walking toward him, she knelt and grabbed his hands, looking up into his eyes.

  “Thank you for telling me, Dimitri, I’m sure there is a lot more we need to tell each other, but if you’re willing to change, then I am willing to put my trust in you.”

  Nervous and confused at her sudden change, he looked around the room. She had been talking to someone, but he had no idea who or what had been there. What just happened? He had been minutes from death, from the full wrath of Zara’s powers, but then something or someone changed things. He had watched her talking to someone, even hugging someone. An electric current had filled the room. Something changed in her and whatever it was he wanted to be a part of it, he needed to.

  Blinking away his confusion, he was at a loss for words as she knelt in front of him, showing him complete trust as she surely knew he could end her life right then if he wanted to. Gazing into her trusting, beautiful amber golden eyes, he gently reached out and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Her soft warm skin sent a different kind of shiver through his body as his chest overflowed with unknown emotions. Slowly, he leaned his head toward her, stopping just short of her lips, silently asking her permission.

  Zara couldn’t breathe, her heart pounded through her body. His touch went straight to her heart. Closing her eyes she leaned in, meeting Dimitri the rest of the way and melting into his soft, full, inviting lips. Her first real kiss, she felt herself let go as he wrapped his arms around her bringing her closer to his chest as the kiss became more intense. The force of all of their loss and loneliness being poured into one another. Zara pulled back and tried to slow her breathing as she looked deep into his beautiful blue eyes. She was not sure what lay ahead or how they would move forward from here, but in that moment, she felt a glimmer of hope for the future.

  Zara stood, smiling as she walked toward the door. She gave one last glance behind before turning the knob. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, stepping out into the hall with her cheeks still flushed and burning. Speechless, Dimitri stared in bewilderment as he nodded his head in agreement. He too appeared flushed and breathless.

  Slowly strolling down the sidewalk back to her apartment, Zara unknowingly touched her lips, smiling at the memory of that kiss. She hadn’t known what to expect, but that kiss exceeded anything she could have imagined. As she walked lightly through the front door hoping not to make a sound, she found Aaron pacing the floor and furious.

  “Where have you been?” he asked angrily, though she could now clearly see it was his worry fueling the anger.

  “I’m so sorry Aaron, I needed some time to myself,” she said as she headed toward her room.

  “Zara, we have to talk about this, I saw what you did in there, healing the cut on his hand. You cannot use your powers on just anyone you meet. I am here to protect you, but I can’t do my job if you keep running off whenever you feel the urge. I will not be able to help if I’m not there.”

  Zara stopped and slowly turned around to face him. She took a calming breath before she replied, “Aaron, I’m not a child anymore. You have always been there for me and I am so grateful. There are some things I want to do on my own, I need to do on my own. You are not always going to be there and I think I need some space, from you and the other Protectors.” She paused and chose her next words carefully.

  “I was visited tonight by my family, all of my family, including Lozen Trinity.” She saw the awe light up on his face. “I believe I need to move forward from here on my own.” The pain in his eyes gutted her, but she pressed on. “I need to explore, find myself. I plan on heading out tomorrow.” She stepped closer to him, awaiting his reply.

  “Zara, I don’t think that is a good idea. You’ve only just begun controlling your powers, your vulnerable and Erebus is looking for you.” He couldn’t seem to voice out loud how much he would miss her if she left. There was a part of him that understood where she was coming from, but he still worried.

  “I know Aaron, but something feels different. I have much better control. You’ve seen the progress I have made the past couple weeks. I am going to leave town tomorrow and I hope you will support that decision. I need you Aaron, but right now, something is telling me that I need to be on my own.” Reaching out to hug him Zara hoped he understood.

  Aaron was still staring, his mouth hanging open in shock. Watching her walk down the hall and into her room he regretted the words he left unsaid. Her mind was made up, he could not force her to stay.

  Zara had chosen not to mention anything about Dimitri when she saw the hurt and confusion etched across Aaron’s face. She was not sure where her path would lead, but knew Dimitri had a part to play in it. Something inside told her she was making the right decision. She would need the Protectors of the Trinity at some point in the future, but for now, she was going after Erebus and she hoped Dimitri could lead her right to him.

  As Zara was changing into her tank top and shorts for bed the tattoo on her shoulder caught her eye in the mirror. The purple and black in the Trinity symbol appeared to be shining, bolder and brighter. It looked like the outline of a word was forming under the bottom edge of her tattoo. Yes, as she watched with wide eyes,
there was something subtly forming there.

  There was no pain, or any other sensation, as a new tattoo appeared. Staring at her reflection, she read the word, Faith. She felt a sense of pride as she stared at herself in the mirror. She thought about the strength she showed back in Dimitri’s room and the faith she had in the other Trinity women, in him, and in herself. Her heart filled with emotion as she thought about the faith her family and all the Protectors had in her to defeat Erebus. She thought about her faith in God and how all these years she felt she had turned her back on Him, but he had never given up on her.

  Chapter 17

  Dimitri had not moved an inch since he watched Zara Trinity walk out of his room. What was he thinking? How could he have kissed her, no, she had kissed him too. Settling back into the chair, he released the breath he’d been holding. Gradually, the beginning of a smile creased his face, something he had not felt for as long as he could remember, happiness. With a loud shrill his phone rang, breaking through the brief respite of his lonely life.

  “Yes,” he said in a tone that made it clear he did not like the interruption.

  “What’s the status?” Erebus said with a hint of rushed desperation in his voice. “My informant let me know that you have been able to spend some time with her today. Do you have any updates?”

  Hoping Erebus didn’t notice his moment’s hesitation, he quickly decided how much he wanted to say. “Ah, nothing major to report yet, it’s going to take some time for me to get close enough to gain her trust. This is not going to be quick. I think there is more to her power than we first realized though.” Dimitri regretted sharing that last bit of information.