by Lori Aisling
“Oh, ok. That makes so much sense. There are entire TV shows based on the phenomena you speak of. I worked with an author who wrote nothing but non-fiction ghost sighting interviews. He penned one about a woman in a blue dress at a party. Most everyone there saw her at one point in time or another. A few people mentioned her, as she was quite extraordinary. But then she was just gone- vanished. She didn’t show up in photos even though one guy said he could remember the smell of her perfume. So she was actually a Timeless, not a ghost?”
“Most likely. I’d like to read the book, you’ll have to point it out to me. I have a funny feeling I might actually be able to identify some of the ‘less than subtle’ members of the ranks.”
He took his wallet out of the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a black credit card. “Keep this with you at all times. You are an authorized signer on this account and there is no limit. So use it whenever you need to, or want to, it makes no difference to me. But it’s imperative you keep it with you in case you need it. I don’t ever want you unprepared. When we are outside of this realm and our home, you could be at risk, I’m not going to lie and deny that fact. Until we get you fully trained, which is going to take a lot of time, you are unprepared to face-down another Timeless. I won’t be leaving you alone often, but in the case we get separated, I need to feel confident you know what to do.
“What about money is helpful? What good does a credit card do against other Timeless?”
“Money buys time. Taxis, rental cars, plane tickets, and entrance fees. It will enable you to keep moving constantly. I can feel you. In here,” he tapped his chest before cupping my chin in his hand and holding eye contact. Other Timeless cannot, so they will be unable to head you off, other than by guessing where you are going to turn up. So just like running from a mortal, avoid staying in one spot. It takes money, and of that, I have plenty.”
“Yeah, about that. Are you loaded? Did I totally hit the bachelor jackpot?” I teased.
“Yes, you did, love. Money is irrelevant and I have more than enough. When you have lived as long as me, investing and making a profit gets easier and easier. Are you clear about the lesson?”
“Yes, crystal. Since you feel me at all times, you can find me. Are you sure about that? Even in the mortal realm? I trust you and I really want to go, but if you think we should stay here until I am more trained, we can wait.”
“I can’t train you from here. There are no mortals to sway, no distances to travel, and no reasons to pull from your power. So we would eventually have to leave at some point. The sooner, the better, in my opinion. Unless you are uncomfortable and would like to wait.”
“Nope. I’m ready, I trust you without question and the pyramids have already been standing for over 4500 years. They could collapse at any given moment and I would have missed my window. Take me on my honeymoon, Callon. Besides, I have a really sexy bikini I plan on showing off once we find a pool.”
Multilingual Motivation
We walked to the front door and I grabbed Callon’s hand tightly in mine. I was nervous. I had no idea what was on the other side of the door, but I knew there were plenty of other Timeless who were not happy about this new arrangement between me and Callon. There was still so much to learn and understand concerning the rules of my new existence, but I was determined to take it head-on. I trusted him. I knew he would keep me safe. Looking up at his handsome face, I saw him watching me, encouragement in his silver gaze.
“Just hold onto me, love. I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that, right?
Squeezing his hand even tighter, I nodded. “I know, and I really want to do this. Let’s go.”
The door swung open and I stared into a dark chasm. It seemed like nighttime with no moon. But the more I looked, the more shapes I could make out. It looked more like standing on a void planet, but with no light, only a dim, green glow. Weird shapes which seemed to have no actual substance loomed just beyond my focus and shadowy forms appeared to sway, but then seemed still when I tried to make them out danced and stalled in the distance. It was surreal, but not what I would call frightening. It was the definition of nothingness, I think, and somehow seemed peaceful.
Callon tugged on my hand and we stepped beyond the safety of our home. It wasn’t cold, but there was no heat, either. It was the sensation of emptiness, yet still not uncomfortable in any way. We took a few steps and I could no longer focus on anything. I was flying, but standing still. In constant motion, but unmoving. I felt my stomach threaten to backfire, but as soon as the feeling started, it stopped. We were now walking down a ramp at a crowded airport. Looking at the sign overhead, I realized we were in Cairo at the International Airport. Everything went a bit loopy for a moment and I stumbled. Callon immediately put his arm around my waist, stabilizing me.
“You’re ok, love. You are just a little jet-lagged.”
That brought a manic giggle to my lips, I think I was bordering on hysteria. “Hang on a second, babe. I need to wrap my head around this for a moment. My brain is struggling to comprehend all of this.”
He laughed and spread his legs, pulling me to stand between them and he held me tightly, resting his chin on the top of my head as travelers parted to walk around us. “Take all the time you need. It’s not like we are going to miss our connection.”
I smiled as I buried my head in his chest, the feeling of his solid strength and his scent centered me. “Ok, I’m good. That was just incredibly...odd,” I mumbled.
Swinging my bag over his shoulder, he once again grasped my hand and we began to walk towards the exit. He pulled a cell phone out of his jacket pocket and in just a few moments was speaking to the person on the other end in what sounded like fluent Arabic. I was surprised but then I realized I shouldn’t be. Of course, he would be able to speak to all the people he helped. It’s not like everyone spoke English. Listening to him converse, I tried to make out the unusual words, wishing I could understand. Something about a car...I think. Wait. How would I even know that?
He hung up the phone and I hammered him with a barrage of questions. “Was that Arabic? Were you talking about a car? When did you get a phone?”
“I am Death, not a caveman, doll. I need a phone to conduct mortal business and do things like getting us a car. Yes, I was speaking Arabic. We are in Egypt, remember?”
“So you speak all languages, I assume. Will that be a gift I will learn to master?”
“You already have all your power, we only need to awaken your ability to use it,” he explained. “It’s intent, Amara. Once you believe that- I mean fully believe it, the skill will come to you.”
“Say something else, then. I want to try.”
We continued to walk down the aisle of the bustling airport and after thinking for a moment he said “Kan jag kyssa dig?”
The words made no sense. I could tell it was a question, simply due to his inflection, but it was not a Latin-based language I could begin to dissect. “Say it again.”
Callon repeated himself and I rolled the words around on my tongue, attempting to repeat them in the same accent, trying to interpret their meaning. “I don’t know how to understand a language I have never heard spoken. How do I make myself believe I can speak it if I don’t know what you are saying?”
“You have to believe, Amara. You do know what I am saying, your mortal brain is blocking you from comprehending. I’m asking you to let go of your preconceived notions and answer my question.”
“Repeat it.”
My back was suddenly pressed up against the wall and Callon pushed his entire body into mine. Looking up into his molten silver eyes, I felt my soft curves pressed against the hard planes of his frame and my blood temperature spiked. “Answer me, Amara.” His voice dipped, gravelly and low, sounding like sex and fine whiskey when he repeated, “Kan jag kyssa dig?” His face was mere inches from mine and I felt my hands running up his sides to pull him closer.
“Yes, please do,” I whispered, my breath leaving me i
n little pants.
“I knew you could do it,” he said as his lips crashed into mine. I was unconcerned about the fact we were surrounded by people in an international airport and I was ready to have a full-on make-out session with my mate.
“Wait!” I said as I broke the kiss. “Do what? You asked me if you could kiss me.”
He smiled, taking my hand and proceeding to walk towards the exit. “Yes, I did. In Swedish.”
Anagrams and Autographs
Callon rented a car and he expertly maneuvered the busy roads to a beautiful Four Seasons Hotel on the Nile river. The valet opened my door, extending his hand to assist me from the car. Leaving the cool air-conditioned interior, I was slapped upside the face with the harsh desert heat, but I loved it. I waited my whole life thinking this destination would be a dream never realized. A trip I would always strive for, but most likely never attain.
Rounding the front of the sporty rental, Callon placed his hand on the small of my back, nodding at the valet and slipping him a few bills before the young man turned over the parking pass and left with the vehicle.
“I was here, and everything is fine, but in the future, I need you to refrain from taking someone else’s hand other than mine.”
“He was a valet, for goodness sake, Callon. I understand being jealous, but don’t you think that’s a little much,” I replied, surprised at his demand.
“It wasn’t due to jealousy, Amara. Do you remember when I was at your bedside at your mortal death?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you recall our conversation about you taking my hand once you were ready to make your transition?”
I pondered his query and suddenly, reality struck.“Oh! Yes, I do. I needed to take your hand in order to pass on. Intent.” I stressed the last word to make it clear to him I understood where he was going with this line of questioning. “I gave you my permission to take me. If that man had been another Timeless and offered his hand, I was giving him my assent.”
He nodded, his jaw tense, eyes blazing. “Exactly. You can still be taken against your will, but I can find you; save you. However, if you give your permission, it pushes us into a whole new territory. I won’t be able to forcibly take you from your captors. Timeless are governed by entirely different rules.”
My throat tightened thinking how clueless I was to the dangers of my new existence. Perhaps it actually would have been more prudent to stay back at the house until I understood more. Callon seemed to sense my distress and squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry. You are safe and this is necessary. You need to get out and live, Amara. Being locked in a castle is no different than being tied to the hospital bed with IV tubes. I promised you I would keep you safe, now I need you to trust me.”
“Ok.” It seemed like such a weak response, but I was a little stressed thinking I could have just been whisked away to God-knows-where by simply offering my hand to a damn valet. Walking through the gold-framed doors of the luxury hotel, I grabbed a complimentary bottle of water from a tub of ice and twisted the top off. We approached the large marble counter where a lovely young woman smiled kindly.
“Can I help you?”
Yes, we have reservations for the Diplomatic suite, please.”
“Last name, Sir?”
“Thead. C. Thead.
I sipped a mere drink of water when the name left his lips. I tried to control the shock his confirmation produced, but instead, I sprayed two perfectly symmetrical streams of artesian spring water out of my nose. Coughing and now thoroughly embarrassed, it didn’t help when Callon patted my back, an evil smirk slightly tipping his lips, and whispered in my ear. “What’s the matter, pet? Have you heard of me?”
I smiled and accepted the tissues the flustered lady behind the counter offered me. I dabbed the water from the front of my shirt and off the polished countertop while he completed our check-in. Taking my elbow in his arm, he escorted me to the nearest elevator, refusing service from the bellboy concerning our meager luggage.
The doors closed and I spun sideways to face him. “Callon-friggin-Thead? You are The Callon Thead?” My shock turned to amusement and I began a giggling fit that soon turned into a full-on belly laugh. I didn’t even know where to start. Callon Thead was an internationally-known billionaire. Elusive and private, next to nothing was known of the man. Swooping in to dump boatloads of money on tragedies and catastrophes, his notoriety was unmatched in the field of philanthropy. The occasional dogged paparazzi would waste weeks, if not months, struggling for the coveted blurred photo of he who was known to be the most eligible bachelor on the damn planet. He avoided interviews and all public appearances. Due to his incredible wealth, the generous billionaire turned into the ‘unicorn’ of the media world. They knew the man existed- they just couldn’t prove it on film.
I eternally bonded to a strong, handsome, and passionate man who cared for me. Knowing he held more money than multiple small countries combined didn’t change anything. My amusement stemmed from a different reason altogether. “I’m sorry,” I stuttered, wiping the teardrops from my cheeks. “It’s not your name or who you are, it’s just...I never noticed your macabre sense of humor before. I mean, an anagram of Death for a surname? Why?” I erupted into laughter again and he finally turned towards me, his smile downright evil in a panty-drenching way, causing goosebumps down my arms and a fire in my blood only he could extinguish.
“I am glad you brought this up, my dear. I am not the one who accepted a vow of eternity to another without even knowing what their name was or who they were.”
That shut me up pretty quick and I nodded in acceptance. “Touche. That’s an extremely valid point. Other than the obvious tongue-in-cheek factor, was there a reason for your choice?”
The elevator dinged and once the doors slid open, we proceeded down the hallway of the five star resort. Stopping to slide the key card into the door, Callon answered. “I didn’t always need a surname. Before modern technology and mortal evolution, the Timeless were believed, accepted, and expected. Once it became necessary, and we desired to move amongst the realms freely and unknown, having legal documentation was essential. Financial documents and portfolios require the same protocol. The name was requested for a territory purchase centuries ago and it was the first thing that came to me. It stuck.” He shrugged as he tossed my tote on the king-sized bed in the luxury suite. The fragrant scent of flowers filled the air thanks to a fresh-cut arrangement on the crystal table in the center of the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided a breath-taking view of the Nile river below.
“Well, Mr. Thead, I must say, you travel in style. This is an amazing room.” I walked up to him and laced my fingers behind his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.
“I’m glad you approve. We have reservations for dinner.” Hearing a knock on the door, his eyes moved in that direction. “That would be our wardrobes for the evening, I assume.”
He opened the door and took the garment bags from the sharp-dressed staff member, tipping the boy before he left. “This should be your size and it will be appropriate for our outing. If you can keep from spitting up on it, obviously.”
“Oh, you just couldn’t wait to use that one, could you?” I laughed and his easy smile warmed my heart. I couldn’t remember a friend or a lover who I felt so incredibly comfortable with, in such a short time. Trust, safety, passion, and acceptance. I think those might be the solid building blocks needed for a lasting relationship. And so far, it appeared there was more than enough of all four which is pretty relevant since we dove right into the deep end of the whole ‘eternally bound’ thing.
Dinner was a five-course affair, completed with the finest traditional dishes and exotic liquors. The sex back at our suite was better, though. I maintained two playgrounds, Cairo and Callon’s body; and I had every intention of being extremely familiar with both by the end of our trip.
On the first day of our trip, I bounced around like a kid in the passenger seat of our sporty rental car on t
he short drive to the Great Pyramids of Giza. I wanted the full tourist experience. Camel rides and all. We stayed for the light show that evening and even though it was advertised as a fun treat for children, I was overcome with emotion at the beauty of the massive structures highlighted after dark. It was a dream come true. Callon was the perfect tour guide, he never seemed to tire of my constant chatter and was always game for whatever adventure I wanted to sample.
For days we walked all around the fascinating, ancient city. I was amazed at the museums: The Egyptian, Coptic, and The Museum of Islamic Art all boasted centuries of culture, history, and awe. Tahir Square, Or ‘Liberation Square’, was a quick 15-minute walk from our room, as was the Qasr El Nir bridge.
Evenings were spent at five-star restaurants, my mate always the most debonair of whatever establishment he chose, turning heads the moment we entered a room. Nina indeed knew how to make the two of us look stylish and classy. I never felt so spoiled, or beautiful, on the arm of the most incredible man I ever met. After an evening of dancing, we arrived back at the suite in the early morning hours, laughing and recalling the highlights of the day, and evening. Pulling me into his embrace, Callon leaned down and kissed me, his fingers pulling loose the numerous bobby pins that held my long tresses, freeing them. Holding the back of my neck with one hand, the other slowly unzipped the posh evening gown I wore and it fell into an expensive pool of fabric at my feet.
“I love being with you, Amara. You have brightened my life with your smile, your thirst for adventure, and infectious laugh. I don’t know how or why you came to me, but you are a gift I will never cease to cherish.”
His words were spoken with such honesty, such emotion, I found myself choking up and tears blurred my vision. “I’ve never known anyone like you, Callon. I’ve never felt so ‘seen’, so cared for, and never in my lifetime would I have dreamed I would feel for someone the way I feel for you,” I whispered, not in the least ashamed to admit to a man I knew for such a short time I had fallen for him- and hard.