by Maya Daniels
We don’t need more prompting. I turn around, and we speed down the path leading us deeper into Ishtar’s realm.
Chapter 30
Lucifer…
I know Alexia is only trying to frustrate me. It’s been her new pastime ever since I realized I am a fool for not understanding why the witch was pulling me towards her. I let her; it is not like she has many things to take her mind off what she needs to face. Still, seeing how the Traveler affects her bothers me. I must admit to myself that I am jealous. He doesn’t affect only her but all of us; it is how he was created, alluring and tempting, but that does not settle the uneasiness in me.
She says she is mine, but is that because it is true or because she is trying to placate me? And when did I become so unsure of myself? The woman is driving me insane. My sense has been leaving me ever since she barged into my realm, like a skittish animal trying to save, of all things, the betrayer. Oh, how I wish I knew then what I know now. Everything would’ve been very different.
Coming closer to her, I take her hand in mine. I love touching her. She turns those ocean-blue eyes on me and absentmindedly smiles, looking around. I do the same so I can see what she sees. We walked away from the gate, with its gloomy feel, onto a wide road stretching in front of us forever. On either side, green pastures and hills follow us on our journey. The sky is cloudless and a beautiful pale blue with the sun shining bright as if everything is perfect. It’s far from it, but I cannot think about that now. We are all quiet, following behind the guide.
After what feels like forever, voices can be heard in the distance and I can make out shapes on the sides of the road. Fields. We come across field workers gathering whatever they can harvest. Men and women work, chatting and laughing. A song can be heard in the distance, too. With everything we have been through, I am fearful how the witches will react to this. They still sniff from time to time, probably remembering Meda and Faith. Alexia is fighting the sorrow with everything in her, marching stoically with her shoulders pulled back. First seeing her grandmother and saying goodbye all over again. Now her sisters. I am proud that she is bravely going forward and pulling herself together. She even tries to make us smile in the middle of her turmoil.
“Almost there. Don’t stop; just keep walking,” Tara says from in front of us.
I tighten my hold on Alexia’s hand. I’m ready for anything when it comes to the goddess. That idea makes me stiffen. Should I speak to Alexia before we reach the temple? Call me a coward but I cannot. It’s been centuries since I have set foot here. Maika said the realms have changed. Let us hope he is right.
“You okay there, Lucifer?” The husky voice makes me rumble deep in my chest.
“Yes, Alexia. Are you?” I look at her.
“Peachy.” She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“What does fruit have to do with this? Are you hungry?” I frown at her.
“Just another figure of speech, angel,” she snickers. “I’m not okay, but I will be.”
“I hope so, my love,” I mumble under my breath.
“What? Sorry I couldn’t hear you.” She stares right at me
“Nothing. I said ‘I know.’” Squeezing her hand gently, I face ahead. “Look, you can see the city.”
As if I have spoken the wrong words, the people working in the fields turn towards us. The chatter ceases and the songs die out. We are met with a noteworthy silence. One by one they come closer to the road, stopping at the edges of their fields.
“Come, try this harvest we have gathered. You haven’t tasted anything like it.” A man leans towards us, holding ripe tomatoes in his hand.
“Don’t talk; just keep walking.” Tara repeats, making sure everyone can hear her, but she doesn’t stop. Neither do we.
More voices join the first, offering us grains, fruits, and vegetables. Some even offer urns filled with water, and I realize how thirsty I am. My parched throat makes a clicking sound when I swallow. Jezzinta reaches her hand towards a woman holding grapes in her palms like an offering. Like lightning, Alexia grabs the back of her shirt and pulls her back without saying a word. Her eyes as wide as dinner plates, Jezzinta swallows thickly but continues pushing, not lifting her head anymore. The longer we are on this path, the harder it is to resist all the food and drink they offer. Everyone’s stomachs make growling noises, like bears waking from a slumber. Mine does, too. No wonder the gate has not been opened in so long. If you have to go through this without someone like the guide to warn you, I doubt anyone would ever reach the temple.
We keep moving; sweat runs between my shoulder blades and gathers on my upper lip. It feels like I physically battle their words and offerings, and the rest of us are no better off. Inanna, for the first time, looks disheveled, with Daisy clinging to her like a lifeline. Only Tara and Maika step freely, like there is nothing going on.
Almost there. I sense it, the end of this suffering. Remi is fighting herself but also dragging Philip behind her, holding onto him for dear life. Alexia still has one hand in mine and one twisted in the back of Jezzinta’s shirt. As we are about to turn off the road, a woman reaches out and grabs Daisy’s shirt, halting her movement. Before Inanna can react, a burst of water slams into the woman’s chest, sending her flying back in the field and landing on her back. Without a word, Alexia storms onto the paved path towards the temple where Tara and Maika wait, dragging Jezzinta and me behind her.
“We are safe here.” As soon as Tara’s words are out, it’s as though a weight has been lifted.
The woman who was hit with the water lifts her head to look at us.
“Try and eat that.” Alexia smirks at her, and I chuckle.
“We have to leave now. I just wanted to help,” Tara tells Alexia.
“Your job is done. Now you can go and forget about these nut jobs, huh? Not that I blame you.” Alexia tries to lighten the mood as always.
“No. We helped you because I felt it that it was important for you to reach the temple. I know you are important for my path, too. I can’t explain why, but it was stronger than me. My job is waiting for me at the gate,” Tara says.
I look at Alexia and realize she has not connected the dots yet. I do hope it won’t bring more sorrow for her. I reach out and pull her to my chest while she’s looking, puzzled, back at Tara.
“She is a guide for the souls; that is why she is guarded by a Traveler. She was there for Meda and Faith, not for us,” I tell her as I tighten my arms around her.
“What?” Alexia says faintly. “They were still there? You can’t take them! Leave them alone. I swear I’ll do anything you want, just let them be.” Her voice becomes frantic, breaking with each word. “I’ll let you have and guard the tablets of destiny if you let them come back.”
Gasps of outrage leave everyone’s lips but Alexia is so frantic in her hope that she can convince Tara to bring back her sisters, she ignores it all. The next second, she is snatched from my arms, and it takes me a moment to understand what is happening. Inanna is standing tall like the goddess she is, holding Alexia by the throat about a couple of feet off the ground shaking her like she weighs nothing.
“You insolent child. How dare you? You think all this is a joke? You want to know real sacrifice? The one you should make, not someone else’s for you? Let’s see if you will feel entitled to offer the destiny of humankind on a whim! And you couldn’t keep quiet? You altered the journey again!” Inanna’s voice booms with so much power I stumble on my feet.
“Inanna, she doesn’t—” My words are cut off. She is not looking at me, no. She is still staring at Alexia’s face.
“If you don’t sacrifice for what you love, what you love becomes a sacrifice!”
As soon as the booming words are spoken, Remi, Philip, Daisy, Jezzinta, and I are sucked into a portal. My eyes widen. The ruby around my neck pulses like it wants to escape from around my neck and becomes so hot I think it will burn a hole in my chest. The next second, a sonic boom and blinding light bursts
from Alexia and slams into Inanna, and I can’t see them anymore.
Chapter 31
Alexia…
I know I’m not thinking straight. There is nothing I can do, however, to stop myself from trying anything and everything to convince the guide to bring my sisters back. Everything else seems trivial and unimportant; tablets and humankind included. Selfish? Fuck yeah, it’s selfish. Do you think I care at the moment? Hell, no!
What I don’t expect is Inanna’s reaction to it. Not that I blame her. She started all this a long time ago, waiting for the right moment, and here I am messing up her plans. My eyes widen when she grabs me by the throat and shakes me like a dog would a toy. Having the air cut off from my starving lungs does bring me a new perspective. It snaps me out of my frantic thoughts, but it does nothing to help me breathe. Dark spots dance in front of my eyes and my heart stops completely when I hear her words.
Her face is a mask of rage, bright flames dancing in her eyes as she stares at me. Her lips are compressed into a thin white line as her hand tightens around my neck. Lucifer tries to say something but she cuts him off, not looking away. The next second a shadowy dome starts closing around him, pulling Remi, Philip, Daisy, and Jezzinta inside, too. Something in me snaps, as if a bone is bent past its limit and breaks with an audible crack. Is it possible to literally hear your heart break? Right now, I must say it is.
Power churns inside me like a volcano. First bubbling, then erupting with one task only: to destroy something. It bursts out of me and slams into Inanna, throwing her a few feet away from me. I have no idea what it is but I don’t question it. In the middle of this craziness, I find her on the ground. For once, she doesn’t look graceful. In fact, she’s sprawled with her hair disheveled and a mask of shock on her face.
“What did you do to them?” I can’t even recognize my own voice.
She is not saying anything, but her lips are parted and she’s blinking as if she doesn’t recognize me. I haven’t been able to recognize myself for a long time now, so I really don’t give a fuck at the moment. Taking a step towards her, I repeat the question.
“I didn’t do anything to them.” She shakes her head as if trying to wake from a daze, climbing to her feet.
Snapping my head around, I look at the guide and the Traveler, who stand still, as if being quiet will make us forget they are here. Tara lifts both hands in surrender, shaking her head, and Maika steps protectively in front of her.
“We had nothing to do with it either, Semiramis. Do not try to hurt her; only one will be left standing between us if you try.” Maika’s deep voice carries so much conviction that I don’t doubt the truth of his words.
The sound of a creaking door stops whatever it is that I am going to say. I peer over them towards the temple. Inanna steps next to me, but I can’t take my eyes off the door. The path leading to it is paved with white stones with golden veins running through them, sparkling in the sun. Various flowers and shrubs line it on either side, their leaves and blooms bending towards it as if they are hugging it. The colors are so vibrant it seems like it’s painted and not real. About twenty feet away, large steps lead to a white temple that is taking up the entire view. Focusing on it, it’s kinda like someone has pushed me into one of the stories from The Arabian Nights. Tall white columns hold a smooth wall reaching towards the sky that’s topped with jewel-covered domes with pointed tops. Windows are sprinkled through the walls and silky curtains sway through them, making me think we are being watched.
My eyes go back to the tall, wooden, slightly-open double doors engraved with gruesome scenes of battles as well as lovers in erotic embrace. I’m not sure which I find more fascinating—the doors or the temple.
“The goddess will see you now,” the voice calling out from the doors snaps me out of my train of thought.
“I’m not going anywhere until my companions are returned,” I shout at the tall man standing there, dressed in only a white sheet wrapped around his waist.
“They will meet you inside,” he answers, sweeping his hand inwards and inviting us in.
I’m torn. I know we must move forward with this stupid journey, but Tara is standing right here. She can bring Meda and Faith back. Well, I think she can. I look at her again, ready to try to talk her into it.
“I can’t do what you are asking. If I could, I would and damn the consequences. I feel your grief like it’s my own, but there is nothing I can do to help you,” she says sadly, shaking her head. She takes a deep breath as if the weight of the world is on her shoulders. “I can, however, send them your love and tell them you will miss them very much. Don’t grieve, Alexia. You will meet again one day when the time is right. The fates work in mysterious ways. They will always live through you as long as you remember them.”
Tears fall from my eyes at her words, and with a heavy heart, I nod mutely at her. “Thank you, Tara. Please tell them I do love them, with everything in me. I need time to accept what they did, but I understand it and I’m grateful for it. I just miss them so much already.” I choke on the words.
Inanna’s arms wrapping around my shoulders. I bury my head in her neck and sob in earnest, clutching her like a lifeline. I know why she was angry, and I guess we will eventually talk about what happened, but I’m grateful she is setting it aside for now. Steeling my heart for whatever is to come, I manage to squeeze words out through my trembling lips.
“You think he is telling the truth? That they will meet us inside?” I ask her.
“Only one way to find out,” she says, releasing me.
Tara surprises me by stepping up to me and wrapping her arms around me. She squeezes me tightly, and automatically I wrap her in a hug. Glancing down at the shorter woman, I wonder why she feels the need to hug me. Maybe it’s simply because my grief from losing Meda and Faith is something she understands. Releasing her and taking her by the shoulders, I hold her at arm’s length.
“Thank you, I think I needed that,” I tell her, looking at her covering since I can’t see any other part of her but her hands from her veil. “But what was that for?”
“For letting me experience what sisterly love is like. It’s a lonely path to be a guide, and you have given me the greatest gift. I must leave now, but I wish you all the best on your journey. Until we meet again, Semiramis,” she says, bowing her head.
“I know we just met, but call me Al. Thank you for everything and please look after my sisters, no matter where they are.” I squeeze her shoulders.
“Thank you, Al. I promise I will. If you need me, any time, just whisper my true name and I will come.” She pulls me down and whispers so only I can hear.
Goosebumps cover me. For me, it’s as if by knowing her true name I am tied to her somehow, but I don’t have time to ask any questions. As soon as she pulls back, Maika places his hand on her shoulder, and they are both gone like they were never there. Before they disappear, the Traveler nods his head as if he approves of what Tara has done. I nod back, still bewildered by the whole thing.
“We better go before we insult Ishtar.” Inanna jerks me out of my musings.
Sighing, I move forward, and she matches me step for step. Climbing up the giant stairs towards the door, I wonder why they must make their temples like it’s a competition of who will make it bigger or more beautiful. After getting to know some of the gods and goddesses, I can bet that it’s exactly that: one trying to outdo another.
The man is still standing at the slightly-parted doors like a statue. As we near him, I see the scenes on the doors are alive. They move like I’m watching a movie. As we get closer, I hear calls for battle and screams of pain, as well as the moaning ecstasy of lovers. My heart picks up a beat. A feeling of anticipation washes over me as if I’ve been waiting for this my entire life. What the fuck? I bet it’s Ishtar trying to screw with my brain. They all have their own ways of messing people up. I take a deep breath and picture my grandmother’s face. She is what will keep me grounded through this.
�
��Lead the way, buddy,” I tell the handsome man who’s leering at me and Inanna.
“I am a priest, I am not anyone’s ‘buddy,’” he sniffs arrogantly at me.
“Yeah, yeah and I’m the vessel. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s go.” I wave my hand at him and Inanna chuckles.
“Only you, Alexia. Only you.” She shakes her head and, without waiting, strides past the priest into the temple.
I look at her retreating back for a moment and shrug my shoulders before following her in. I can’t help what comes out of my mouth, and with all the cluster-fucks that have been happening, I most definitely will not apologize for any of it.
Chapter 32
Lucifer…
My heart is beating a thunderous rhythm in my chest. A battle roar is building in my throat, and I do not wish to stop it. If Inanna has hurt Alexia, I shall end the goddess once and for all. I will follow Alexia wherever she goes, even if it ends my existence. It’s a sobering thought, though one I have no desire to rectify. It has come down to very simple terms. She is part of me—a part I do not wish to live without. I place my hands on the barrier around us and, summoning as much strength as I can, I push. My muscles are straining, my arms shaking from the effort, but it does not give.
“I thought we couldn’t open portals in Ishtar’s realm.” Remi’s voice floats around me, and I stop pushing on the barrier.
Glancing around, I realize we are in some sort of a fog. So, not a different realm, then. We have not been sent somewhere, we are cloaked. Maybe Inanna is trying to get Alexia to snap out of her grief. If that is the case, I must admit, albeit begrudgingly, she may be onto something. I still wish to see Alexia to assure myself that she is okay. I am a master of playing games, but not with Alexia. Not anymore. How things change when you let your heart make the decisions.