by C. A. Bleu
Dimitri pulled out a small blanket he had picked up at the gas station earlier. Laying it out, he sat down, mesmerized watching her. After a moment he took out the small container of fruit and the sandwiches that he bought. When Zara looked over and smiled at him it was all he could do to stop himself from going to her. Forcing himself to stay put, he knew they did not need that distraction, he needed to focus on her safety. Taking down Erebus was all that mattered right now, not Zara Trinity and the way her red hair and angelic skin shined in the sunlight.
Taking a bite of his sandwich, he nearly choked at the sight of what she was doing. She had suddenly thrown both her arms out wide toward the waterfall and it seemed to obey her. He tried to slow his racing heart, as the waterfall parted, spraying out to the sides instead of straight down. It was as if she had reached out and parted it with her hands.
Impossible, he thought to himself until she did it again. She moved her hands, twisting and braiding the waterfall into different shapes. “Amazing,” he said quietly to himself. She suddenly looked over at him as if just remembering that he was there. Her hands dropped and so did the waterfall, back to its original flow.
“Sorry,” she said, looking apologetically at him. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“So, that was you?” he asked in awe.
Walking toward him, she knelt down, looking him in the eye. “Dimitri, if we are going to be spending this time together, working together, there are a few things I think you should know. Well, I guess some things you may already know, but there is more.” Zara paused, gauging his reaction, and using the moment to make sure she wanted to continue.
“Dimitri, I have powers, stronger than you could ever imagine, but this is all still new to me and I’m learning how to control them.” She let out a sigh, noticing how good it felt to share this secret.
“What kind of powers?” Dimitri asked anxious to hear more.
“Well, for one I can manipulate the elements,” she said, reaching her hand out toward the waterfall and causing the water to flow out from the mountainside in a curved rainbow instead of straight down. Looking to her left, the wind picked up, swirling toward them and blowing gently around them and between them, strong enough that he could tell it was her making it happen.
Laughing a little at Dimitri’s excitement, she reached her hand toward the ground, calling on the earth. He watched in awe as something sprouted from the ground. Suddenly there were several beautiful yellow roses blooming and shining brightly in the sunlight right next to them.
“Earth, air, fire, and water, these are in my blood, stronger than any other before me. I also have another power, as you saw last night, I have the power to heal. That was the first time I had ever tried that though, so I’m not sure the extent of my powers there.” A moment of sadness crept in as she thought about the missed opportunity to save her grandmother.
“Anything else?” Dimitri asked, eager to hear as much as she was willing to tell him.
“That’s all.” As soon as she said it regret settled in her gut, the lie felt sour as it left her lips, but she just wasn’t ready to share all her secrets yet. Still unsure if she should tell him about seeing her family, being able to talk to those who have died.
Dimitri could tell she was keeping something from him, but how could he blame her, he was not being totally honest with her either.
“Zara, I have been giving Erebus regular reports of what I saw when I was following you back at the cabin, and back in Abingdon.” He took a steadying breath. “Right now, the mission Erebus has given me is to try and gain your trust and bring you back with me. He has plans for a containment cell that he thinks he can keep you in. I think he plans to try and harness your powers somehow. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner. I was instructed to go with you when you left town, but I would have gone with you anyway. Erebus thinks that everything I’m doing now is all part of my mission for him.”
A cold fear ran up her spine. “Is this all for your mission? Are you still just following orders for him?” she asked as she began leaning away.
Moving toward her, hovering inches from her face, he felt hurt, anger blasting off him in waves. “How could you think that? Zara, I have never felt the way I feel when I’m with you,” he said reaching out to take her hand. “I will never let him harm you.” His eyes dropped from hers and he found himself staring at her beautiful full lips. Before he could think about what he was doing he leaned in toward her.
After only a brief hesitation she met his kiss with a fierce passion of her own. The wind picked up around them and the ground trembled. Wrapping her arms around him, her fingers wound into the back of his short hair. She pulled him closer, tighter, and a warm electric current shot through her body as she began to lose herself. Not the same current as her power, but something else, something new.
Slowly, he eased back, not wanting her to feel rejected, but knowing he shouldn’t have kissed her, again. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”
Left breathless and with an ache she’d never felt before, Zara pulled herself together. “Me too, I’m sorry and I’m sorry for doubting you, you have to admit this is a very unique situation. Everything that Erebus wants you to do, you’re doing. I couldn’t help but feel that you were really just pretending and planning to hand me over to him once we get there.” She could see the heat in his eyes, not anger, but something else as his chest rose and fell in a quickened pace. Something she wanted to explore more but shied away from instead.
Leaning back to sit down, taking in a deep breath she reached for her sandwich. Turning her body so she was facing the water, she asked him to tell her more about Erebus and the property where he lived. Only half listening, she was still processing what had just happened and the way it made her feel. With her cheeks flushed she forced herself to eat and try to focus on his words so she could get as much information as possible.
“We should probably get going, we still have a lot of driving ahead of us,” Dimitri said after finishing his last bite. He found himself wishing they had more time to spend there. “I know a place we can stay tonight, but it will take us a while to get there.” Picking up their things, she led the way back toward the car.
“Tell me where we’re headed and I can drive,” she said with a smirk. He smiled knowing she was going to put up a fight if he didn’t give in. When they neared the car, he reluctantly tossed her the keys, asking if she knew how to drive a stick shift. The eye roll he received left him begging her to be careful. Neither one of them mentioned the kiss again as she pulled back out onto the highway.
Chapter 19
Erebus hadn’t heard an update in a while and not knowing what was happening was eating him up. Carson had reported that Zara departed Abingdon early in the morning before dawn and had left a note.
Aaron, by the time you read this I will be gone. I know there will come a day that I will need your help and maybe all the help the Protectors of the Trinity can offer, but right now I need some time alone. I need to find myself and my place in this world. I’ll be in touch soon.
~ Love, Zara
Carson had sent it to him, however, there was no mention of Dimitri in her note and it left Erebus to wonder if Dimitri was with her or not, he needed more information. Carson had given Dimitri’s number to Zara, but that didn’t mean she had used it. Turning to pace toward the window, again, his phone pinged with an incoming text:
“Can’t talk, I’m with her, will send more when I can.” - D
Erebus’s shoulders sagged with relief. He had to have Zara Trinity and he wanted her there soon. Most of his time was spent planning, manipulating, and creating ways to increase the fear, anger, and rage in the world. With her power at his fingertips, he could simply put fear and anger into the hearts of humans, he could bend them to his will. Once he could harness her immense power, he wouldn’t need to work so hard building corruption and hate in the world
Erebus had been sent from the underworld to take
over the world and bring an end to humanity. As a fallen angel, he was fueled with anger and resentment toward God. He tried to squash the hope and love in humans whenever he could. Over two hundred years ago it seemed he had to work harder spreading hate and fear throughout the world. However, with today’s technology and social media, it was easier than ever to build fear and incite hate in others.
Slipping into the minds of humans, making them do evil acts. It was always things they were considering, but he could push them over the edge to make them act on their thoughts. He was also able to make others spread his word, share information, form groups of hate and terrorism. Anything and everything to continue to build the rising fear and terror throughout the world.
In just the last twenty years alone his powers had grown tenfold. Orchestrating mass shootings, bombings, kidnappings, and riots from hate groups. Humans were so eager for information, eager for their own sense of power. So quick to judge others, they easily embraced the feelings of rage and hate when pushed in that direction.
It was unbelievable how quickly humans believed some of the lies he spread. All these negative human emotions were his life fuel, but his ultimate goal was erasing humanity altogether, getting everyone to turn on one another in a pure evil rage that would end in a war leaving nothing left but him and his followers. Only then would he be able to return to the underworld, where he would rule and God would exist no more.
The more hate and fear he could incite the more powerful he became. His body cells regenerated over and over when fear and anger seeped into him from humans, a blessing from the underworld. Since Zara Trinity’s outburst over a week ago, his surge of power and youth was already beginning to fade, he needed more and fast. He had countries at war and terrorists wreaking havoc, causing fear and anger to bleed into innocent victims, but nothing held a candle to what Zara Trinity’s power had given him.
Erebus did not send a reply back to Dimitri in case Zara was nearby. He had to admit, doubts had begun to creep in about his number one assassin. Ever since Dimitri had been doing missions on his own, he typically completed them within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Erebus had actually been worried that Zara Trinity may have been killed before he could notify Dimitri that he needed her as a prisoner. Knowing how much Dimitri despised talking to others, this had to be difficult. The text message had given him reassurance and he hoped they were headed in his direction.
“It’s done,” Dimitri said, putting his phone down. He was trying his best to be open and honest with her.
Zara knew he had to stay in touch with Erebus, but there was still a tingle of doubt in the back of her mind that he might be manipulating her. Staring out the passenger window, brooding into the darkness, she was focused only on her hatred of Erebus. She had given in, reluctantly, and let Dimitri drive after their last stop for gas.
Noticing the tension radiating off her, he reached over to take her hand. She smiled, his touch seemed to momentarily ease her worry. Dimitri felt a strange hum of electricity, a power of some kind and realized it was because he was touching the ring on Zara’s left hand. Lifting his hand off of hers he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“I can feel something through your ring. It’s like I can feel some type of power, it’s electric.”
“I feel it too, it’s a steady electric hum of power going through me.”
“Do you still feel it when you take the ring off?” Dimitri asked.
“The ring will never come off, I didn’t realize it at first, but one day when I was training with my grandmother, she was telling me more about the Trinity Ring. Apparently, part of the prophecy was that this ring was meant for me. It holds part of the powers from all the Trinity women that have been passed on to me. I tried to take it off when I was with my grandmother, but it won’t budge; it’s literally a part of me. I guess as soon as I put it on it forged to my body. I can’t imagine I would ever want to take it off anyway,” Zara said with a shrug, looking down at her ring before glancing back at Dimitri.
“I had heard the ring was passed down from generation to generation?” Dimitri said in awe of the amount of power Zara must feel.
Smiling at him thoughtfully she replied, “My grandmother did say that all along this ring was meant for me, that I am the one ‘destined’ to save the world. She said she didn’t know what the future would hold though as the prophecy apparently ends with me.” Looking out her window a nervous chill ran through her, wondering what the future may hold, feeling the pressure of the world on her shoulders.
They drove on in silence, soft music in the background, Dimitri lay his hand back on hers offering reassurance, until he eventually veered onto an exit in the middle of nowhere. Zara looked around but saw only darkness as it was near midnight. Trying to ignore her gut instinct to worry, she reminded herself that both her mother and grandmother, even Lozen, felt he could be trusted.
They continued on into the darkness along a winding mountain road until Dimitri slowed at a small sign that read, Historic Caramount Inn. She felt herself relax, it seemed Dimitri was telling the truth after all. They parked in front of a huge majestic cabin nestled well off the main road in the middle of a forest.
Climbing out of the passenger side, stretching her legs, Zara was overcome by the beauty of the place. Even in the darkness, she could see the silhouette of the cabin by moonlight and the outline of the trees surrounding them. In the stillness of the cool summer night, the power of the forest called to her, welcoming her. How had Dimitri ever found this place? She closed her door feeling connected in a way that reminded her of her own favorite spot in the forest back home.
Dimitri came around to her side and they began walking toward the large wooden front doors. The doors opened before they reached the front steps and Zara was startled by the tall bulky man heading toward them in the darkness. A wave of alarm crept up her spine and sensing the change in her, Dimitri subtly reached down and took her hand in a gentle, reassuring embrace. Letting herself relax, she watched Dimitri shake the man’s hand and begin a conversation reminiscing about old times.
This colossal man, Sam, must have been an old friend of Dimitri’s. She briefly wondered how they met. Probably through Dimitri’s trips around the world, his missions, he would have made some acquaintances along the way. Did he work for Erebus as well? she thought to herself.
They followed quietly as Sam led them through large wooden doors and down the hall to his last two available rooms. Shaking Dimitri’s hand again, he left them in the hall with their keys. Zara watched him walk away.
After a brief awkward silence she spoke first, “Well, I’m going to call it a night I’m pretty tired.” They both appeared unsure of what to say to one another, perhaps after spending so much time together and that kiss, the kiss they both refused to acknowledge.
“Okay, I’ll see you in the morning. If you need anything at all come and get me.” His protective authority stunned her momentarily. Staring intently into her eyes he could feel the electric current begin to grow between them. Neither of them turned to leave until finally, Dimitri cleared his throat, breaking eye contact as he said good night and excused himself to his room.
Letting out the breath she didn’t know she was holding, she watched the door close behind him. Shaking her head, she tried to get the vision of his penetrating blue stare out of her mind. She used the key to enter her room, no electronic key cards here, it was an antique-looking gold skeleton key which she found beautiful. As soon as the door shut, she closed her eyes with a sigh, leaning against the back of the door, not believing the changes in her life in the last twenty-four hours.
Peeling open her eyes, she took in her room, it was breathtaking. All the furniture appeared to be rustic hand-carved wood and it smelled amazing with hints of cedar and sandalwood. Handmade quilts and throws were draped over both the bed and a chair in the corner. A huge stand-alone clawfoot tub in the middle of the large bathroom was calling her name.
There was no TV but she foun
d a radio. Doubtful she would be able to get much of a signal out here, she turned the dial searching. Soon, a slow melody jumped out amongst the crackling void, the tones matching her current mood. Heading into the bathroom, she turned the cold steel handle, filling the tub with steaming hot water.
Lying back, relaxing in the hot soapy water, one of her favorite songs came on. “The Story” by Brandi Carlile, she seemed to be hearing a lot of her songs today, it felt like a sign of some kind as she focused on the lyrics. Zara had almost drifted to sleep when her music was interrupted by a breaking news story: “Twenty-nine dead seven wounded as a bomb went off just outside of the stadium…” Closing her eyes, she felt the gravity of the pain and sorrow that must be going through the people and families impacted. She realized there had been more and more of these headlines recently.
Stepping out of the tub, she grabbed a thick soft white robe that was hanging on the back of the door. Walking toward the radio, she turned it off, unable to hear any more of the details. The amount of tragic devastation did seem to be escalating recently and she was sure she had not even heard most of the stories happening around the world.
Not bothering to change into pajamas, exhaustion overtook her as she headed toward the bed. Moving some of the large pillows around on the king-size bed she crawled under the soft thick covers with her robe wrapped snug around her. Closing her eyes, something gnawed at her about the news story. Was all this happening because of Erebus? she wondered quietly to herself.
It seemed there had been a steady increase in terrorist attacks being reported over the past week and she couldn’t help but feel that Erebus was behind it all. Her grandmother had told her she would have the power to save humanity or the power to destroy it. Maybe it meant that if she didn’t learn to control her own anger and fear that it would only feed more strength into him and the evil he puts into others. She had no idea what to do to change things, but knew it had to start with ridding the world of Erebus.