Para frowned and abruptly turned around. She began walking away to avoid scrutiny. “Stop asking questions, Vin—”
“You!” Vincent had turned to Asher and pointed at him angrily. “Retard! If this is my Golden Goddess grandkid, you had better go and find Amara immediately and apologize for whatever dickhead thing you did to her. I command you to beg on your knees for her forgiveness, and then have lots of unprotected sex with her so you can make me some damned deva grandchildren!”
A funny noise escaped Para’s throat as she stumbled over her own feet in horror.
Asher began to twitch violently. “Medea, you’re not my daughter are you? I mean, that would be great, but it’s just...”
“No!” Para regained her balance and composure quickly. “Look, I have some important information about an Asura enemy, but if you guys are all going to just stand there and gossip about who my potential parents are then I’m leaving and the Earth can rot for all I care.”
She took to the air and tried to blast through the door indignantly, but Raymond materialized in front of her. He spoke softly, “Will you at least tell me what you know, privately? Do you think I can be the one that you trust?”
Raymond’s eyes were like hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. With little marshmallows floating in them, and a sprinkle of chocolate flakes. Para remembered her father making hot chocolate for her when she was younger. It was a strange memory to have at a moment like this, but it softened her hard expression.
“Yes, Raymond,” Para said, softly. “I would like to tell you about Zvarin.”
“Zvarin, is that his name?” Raymond asked.
"Yes," Para answered, nodding. "Can we go somewhere private to discuss this? This room is giving me a headache."
“So you agree to speak to him about the dangers we are going to face and not me?” Vincent asked, obviously insulted.
“In the future, Raymond is my teacher,” Para lied. “He taught me most of what I know about fighting and practicing magick.”
“Really, that recluse?” scoffed Vincent. “He’s so lazy that I train his daughter more than he does. Who are you that Raymond trains you? You must be his granddaughter. Or his niece—you must be a Burnson.”
“Forget this,” said Para in exasperation, turning to leave again. Raymond stopped her once more.
“I don’t care who you are,” he said gently. “Whether we’re related or not, I want to know what’s bothering you, and how I can help you.”
Her face softened at Raymond's gentleness. She turned back to see everyone advancing on her, and standing by, patiently waiting for her to speak. She remembered that she actually loved these people, and cared about more than just concealing her identity.
“There’s a reason that Raymond trained me,” she began to fabricate. “You see, Vincent dies very early in the upcoming battle. Isn’t that classic? He just rushes in and gets himself killed. You have no idea what it did to his family. Amara was never the same again. So don’t do that, Vincent! Don’t rush into battle recklessly.”
Vincent seemed to take this seriously into consideration. He nodded. Rose moved to his side and slipped her hands around his arm, laying her head on his shoulder.
“I’m so tired of hearing those words,” Rose said with exhaustion. “Everyone who travels back in time tells us that Vincent will be the first to die—but I guess it’s good to know. We can change the future now, like we did the last time we heard those words.”
Para bit her lip, feeling horrible about the lies. But if she could somehow help her family stay alive, then the lies were worth it. “The emperor Zvarin has extraordinary mental powers. They’re his mainstay, but he has great physical strength too,” she explained, bringing a hand up to rub her neck subconsciously.
“What does he want?” Gordin asked. “What’s his shtick? Global domination, destruction, or a vendetta against devas?”
“He, uh…” Para moved a hand to her stomach, feeling bile rise in her throat again. He wants me. He wants me to be his bride. “All of the above. He is Suja’s brother, so I suppose he’s King of the Asura now that he has murdered his sister.”
“He did what?” Raymond barked.
“Yes. He called himself a conqueror. King of the Seven Galaxies, whatever that means. He’s going to be coming here in two years to fight and conquer us.”
“Over my dead body!” Vincent said vehemently. Everyone immediately turned to look at him reproachfully.
“See, Vince? That’s the kind of talk that gets you—”
“It was figurative!” he stammered. “It was goddamned figurative.”
“Uh huh,” said Para. She suddenly found she was enjoying creating this future of warnings. She turned to Gordin. “You need to train your psychosomatic powers, Gordin. Your techniques could be pivotal if you improve them enough.”
“I’ve been training in the mountains almost constantly,” Gordin said in confusion.
“You cannot rely on your physical strength alone in this upcoming battle,” Para said cryptically.
Layla rolled her eyes. She was the only one that knew that Para was talking out of her ass. Well—mostly. She knew that Para had seen Zvarin up close and personal, and that was certainly something.
“What does this bad guy look like?” Asher asked.
“He’s like… seven feet tall,” Para said, holding her hands straight up to indicate Zvarin’s size. “I might be exaggerating, because his presence makes him seem taller. He has this suave, sophisticated manner about him, but he is just…” She shuddered. “He is just awful! Not awful looking—he’s rather handsome. He has shiny, forest green hair. Zvarin is also extremely intelligent. He already knows all about us. Hhh—hhe—e…”
“Are you okay?” Asher asked her with concern.
She tried to talk, but her voice would no longer work. She brought a hand up to her throat and rubbed it angrily. “Zva—rr…”
Zvarin wasn't always this powerful, she communicated telepathically into the minds of everyone around her all at once, bypassing the fact that she had lost her voice. He only recently began to use… uh, certain mystical forces to augment his strength.
“What kind of mystical forces?” Thornton asked.
Para considered telling them about coalescence, but she found she could not say (or think) the word to them. She did not want them to be even considering the concept. I’m not sure. Some religious ceremonial thing or something of the sort. He mentioned monks.
“You need to rest, dear,” Rose suggested. “Maybe head over to our infirmary or get a few vials of Sakra’s water. Once you get your voice back you can tell us everything. (You can also answer some of my questions about technology in the future.) Two years is plenty of time to prepare for this guy! Together we’ll find a way to defeat your evil emperor—even if I have to build a machine that puts him in a force field! Come on, let’s get you fixed up.”
Thank you, Rose, but don’t worry about me. I have a better idea, Para communicated to her mother, and into everyone else’s minds as well. There’s someone I need to see and speak with. I am going to go and try to find him. I think you should all just go home and get some rest. Layla, your girls look exhausted.
“Am not!” Nyssa argued while yawning loudly. “I’m wide awake!”
Para smiled. Sorry I ruined the party. If anyone needs me, just call or buzz me telepathically or come by my place. Thorn, Ash, and Lay know where it is. Para turned to leave.
“Medea, dear, don’t forget your earrings!” Amelia exclaimed. “You said they were rentals; you’ll have to return them.”
Para turned to Amelia in surprise. She moved her hands up to her ears self-consciously. How would she explain the new jewelry? Thank you, Amelia. I had almost forgotten, she admitted, as she retrieved them. A thought suddenly struck her. Para removed the new fjuyen earrings she wore and stared at them in her palm. I picked up some new ones while I was on Zvarin’s planet, she explained, holding them out. Would you like to have them, Ame
lia?
Amelia, however, was peering very closely at the earrings. “They’re beautiful, Medea. What are they made from?”
Fjuyen. A substance that isn’t found anywhere on Earth, Para answered.
Raymond was significantly intrigued, and he adjusted his glasses. “I didn’t know that it was possible to make jewelry from that mineral. It might be worth taking it to Rose’s lab and studying the properties.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea to me,” Rose agreed.
Great. I better head out, Para told them as she levitated off the ground.
Thornton levitated too until he was directly before her. He clasped her hands gently and gave her a solemn look. “I want you to know that I am on your side,” he said softly. “This did surprise me, but it didn’t change anything. We do need to talk when you get a chance, but at the end of the day I will be here for you. Anything you need. Any time, any place—I will be standing beside you if you need me.”
Para examined his cyan eyes with astonishment. It seemed improbable to her that he would still want to be around her, even after all this. Finally, a smile spread over her face. She leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek. Thank you, Thorn. You are a true gentleman. That’s something rarer and greater than either god or man. Still smiling, she turned to fly through the window. As she left, Asher shouted after her:
“Hey, Medea! About those free weekly training sessions I’ve been giving you—well, I quit!”
Chapter 25: Joined for Eternity
Does that feel better, child?
She nodded, her eyes closed blissfully. The warmth and love in the hands which tenderly rested upon her shoulders so sharply contrasted with Zvarin’s touch that she wanted to cry, kneel, and pray in gratitude, while begging for forgiveness.
But her god wasn’t that type of god.
Is it my fault, Sakra? she asked him with her mind.
No, child, it is not, he answered firmly.
Is this some kind of punishment for pursuing revenge? she asked with worry. Is this karma kicking my ass?
That is not exactly the way the world works, Para, he answered.
She felt deeply pleased to be called by her true name. To be known for who she truly was. The young deva woman sat cross-legged opposite the skinny Indian man. She felt unbelievably peaceful to be in the presence of the spiritual leader of her people. Unlike Vincent who was the strong arm and brash voice of the earthbound devas, Sakra was the kind soul and gentle heart. The healing powers which flowed through his hands and magically mended her bones was almost an effortless extension of his tranquil personality.
Revenge is a natural yearning, as natural as love itself, he explained as he continued to heal her bruises. You were only being yourself, and living your life based on your personal motivations. It is a valid pursuit.
I think I need to change my ways, Para admitted. I hated the way it felt when everyone was against me, and I couldn’t tell them the truth. I’ve dug myself into this pit of lies, and buried myself in with more lies, and I can’t possibly climb out anytime soon.
Sakra’s fingertips released a yellow hue of humming prana which pervaded her damaged vocal cords to repair them. Remember what I told you before, Para: The best destinations require the most brutal journeys before they can be reached. Your life has been largely unconventional, but please remember that you are loved. Whatever the story may be, you do have people who support you.
She briefly closed her eyes, knowing that this was true. Layla had been there for her when she had returned, shaken by Zvarin’s cruelty. Sakra was here for her now. These two knew the worst of what she had done, and what she intended to do, and they still cared for her as though she were exactly the same people they had known before. They still treated her with the affection and respect that they had shown to Pax and Amara, back when she was innocent. For that matter, Thornton and Asher had shown concern about her well-being, even after discovering her lies. Raymond, Amelia, and even Vincent had ultimately shown her kindness. She was not alone, and the world was not against her.
I hate to bring up a sensitive subject, child—but it would really help if you could tell me a little more about my wife’s brother. Is there anything else you remember about this man, this Zvarin fellow?
Para hesitated. Her eyes fell to the ground. She had flown across the Pacific (she was too afraid to use her teleportation technique again so soon after her recent mishap) to Sakra’s Point with the hope that she could be completely honest and open with this man. Like a parish priest or criminal lawyer, she knew she could confess her deepest sins to him and be assured of his confidence and discretion. But how could she tell him what she had learned about Suja? She was afraid that the news of his wife’s death would crush his tender spirit.
Your throat should be healed now, Para. You should be able to speak again, Sakra told her, removing his glowing hands from her neck.
“Thank you,” she said, testing her voice, and smiling sadly. “I rather liked using telepathy—it was nice and quiet.”
Then we needn’t speak out loud, child. What else do you need to tell me? I can see that something is bothering you.
Para couldn’t seem to find the words, and her throat grew very dry. She looked into Sakra’s caring face and felt an ache at knowing she would need to cause him pain. I really wish I could have accidentally teleported somewhere safe. I didn’t ask for any of this tonight. I didn’t expect this.
It was a great boon for the Earth that you made the mistake that you did, Para. He gave her a slow nod and a look of wisdom. It almost seems like it might have been the work of destiny. A gift of divine origin. This could be our advantage, the very thing to tip the scales in our favor and help us to save the world. This knowledge you have presented me with will prove invaluable in the dark days to come.
“Yes,” she spoke out loud, “but I’ll be wondering if I was the one who invited the dark days over for the all-you-can-eat holiday dinner buffet of misery at my place.”
“You are an amusing girl,” Sakra remarked. “You must stop believing now that all of this is your fault, Para. If anything, you can blame it on me for angering my wife. You said that she is the one who challenged her brother to join bodies with a hundred men. Do not blame yourself for Suja’s failings—you are nothing like her!”
Para sighed. “Is that so? I have begun to question myself. All I seem to be made for is fighting and causing harm. I only feel alive when I’m about to enter into combat of some sort. I really wanted to hurt Zvarin and Vincent. It made me feel so empty when Vincent decided not to fight. And to make matters worse, I am still so angry at Thorn and Ash. When I was hurt earlier and Thorn came over to console me, I felt such a rush of love and safety—but then when I quickly remembered that it was all just an illusion, and all of my anger returned in full force. Even more than before. I wish I could let go and move on, but I can’t. I need to be... avenged. What does that make of me?”
“I know you are concerned with being a good person.” Sakra moved one of his healing hands to rest on her cheek briefly. The warm glow permeated her jaw, repairing the hairline fractures with Sakra’s prana. “Do not be so ashamed of yourself and of your desires. Trust that every feeling you have is truth, and the way you react to the world around you is natural. We can all be no more than natural. I know you want to cause harm to those you love; do not worry. Inflicting negative emotion is quite different from inflicting bodily harm, or wanting to take a person’s life.”
“I did take a person’s life, Sakra.” Para looked down at the tiled temple floor in embarrassment. She was too ashamed to speak out loud. I killed that woman that I saw Thorn with, remember?
There is darkness in all of us, he told her. You were so angry that you blacked out and let the rage take over. You stepped outside yourself for a moment. However, you regained control and reason. I have forgiven you, and I trust you not to make such an error again. You should forgive yourself.
I don’t know if I can. What
happened today—there were moments when I just didn’t have the will to fight back, and I just felt like I deserved the beating I was getting as punishment for my lies and transgressions.
If you feel so much guilt about your actions, why don’t you stop them, Para?
I can’t stop now, she admitted. It’s too late to not follow through with this. I only just found what I’ve been looking for all along: a way to stay permanently united as one person!
Sakra looked at her with concern. About this special jewelry of yours, Para. I’m sure you remember my earlier warning. Are you sure that you want to remain joined for eternity, and not reclaim your respective identities of being Pax and Amara? If you wear the jewelry and stay united for too long, you may not be able to go back.
It’s really difficult to be separated, she told him with a feeling of guilt. It’s so hard to be Pax and Amara. Sometimes I think I’m never going back. I feel so weak when I’m separate. I feel so alone.
“I just want you to be happy, child.”
“For the first time, today it was even hard to be Para,” she said softly. “I cried in front of everyone. I don’t think I would have been able to get through this day if there hadn’t been two people in this body. Sometimes life is just too much to bear.”
“It is your personal choice. I would never presume to decide your path. But consider your families when you make this choice; consider that they will lose the girls you were. They will not know you any longer—they will need to learn to know you all over again.”
“Do they even know me to begin with? Do they even notice my absence? I sometimes feel that they’re all better off without me,” Para said. As she spoke, she found herself clenching her wounded hands into fists and rubbing her thumbs over the fjuyen rings on her index fingers. She had never worn rings on her index fingers, and it was a strange sensation.
Sakra took Para’s broken hand in his, and began to heal the bones, one by one. “It is not wrong to be a less than perfect person. My child, I am supposed to be the Lord of the Devas, a holy and spiritual sage who loves all of his people. But I am not an ideal elder and advisor. Try as I may, I cannot love you as much as I love all the other children under my care.”
Thirty Minutes to Heartbreak Box Set (Books 1-3) Page 97