Empyreal: Awaken - Book One

by Christal M. Mosley

“Coralie has NO idea who she really is ... but I think that I can help...”

  “Court, you need to leave this to the Colliers, don't you think? She is their daughter.”

  Cutting his sister off abruptly, Court blurted out, “And she's also the –” He paused, taking a breath to calm himself.

  “What?”

  “Forget it – I'm going to tell her. I can't wait on the Colliers... they are dragging their feet too much, plus... it's getting dangerous...”

  “But –”

  “But nothing – with her not knowing who she really is, her life is in danger ... Coralie's existence could be jeopardy! I can't just sit back and watch it happen...”

  “But Court, doesn’t she have –”

  “It’s not enough - I must protect her!”

  “Okay, okay … settle down … Look, I just got word from Dad –”

  “I know –”

  “Of course you do … you just keep me posted on what you want to do, and I'll try my best to help in any way I can.”

  “Thanks, Sister...”

  “Hey, no problem … it's my duty, right, Brother?”

  Smiling, letting out a muffled snicker, he replied to his sister's inside joke. “Right –”

  Chapter 15

  “Hello? Can I help you?” Coralie asked, trying to cover the uneasiness in her voice.

  The tall, dark, figure took a step closer, allowing the light from the foyer to illuminate him. The young man smiled, his dark eyes shining like black pearls. “Yes, I'm sorry to bother you, Miss, but I am looking for Professor Collier. Is he in, by chance?”

  “No, I'm sorry ... but he should be in any minute, now...” Coralie answered, looking around apprehensively.

  “I apologize – I must have startled you, with you being here alone...”

  “You haven't...”

  “Nonetheless, you have my apologies, if so ... May I introduce myself?”

  Coralie nodded, still leery and untrusting.

  “My name is Xavier,” he said, sticking out his hand. He slowly re-coiled it, when Coralie did not accept the gesture. Though, his demeanor never changed, he acted as if the motion had never taken place, and continued. “I'm an intern for Professor Collier. I had forgotten to run these by his office this afternoon,” he said, holding a folder full of printed documents. “The Main Office at the University said that I should try him here. I thought of just leaving them in the mailbox,” he continued, with a shrug of his shoulders, “but these are very important documents.” The young man smiled, “Not to mention that I am still trying to make a good impression, you know, I don't want to come off as incompetent or forgetful – I would hate to appear as a slacker.”

  “I'm sure he will be pleased,” Coralie said, allowing herself to speak.

  “Ah, I've won you over already, have I?” Xavier said, with a smile.

  Coralie relaxed a bit, allowing herself to smirk and extend her hand as a friendly gesture. “I guess so, I'm sorry, I should probably introduce myself ... I am –”

  “Coralie Collier … I know who you are. Your father speaks very highly of you. He is very proud. Very proud, indeed ... as I can see why...”

  “Thank you … that's very nice to hear. He's pretty great, my Dad...”

  “Yeah...?”

  “Yeah...” she started with a smile, feeling a minute sense of something, resembling trust. “Would you like to come in and wait? My parents shouldn't be too much longer...”

  “No, thanks ... I must be going...”

  Suddenly, Coralie's feeling in the pit of her stomach had begun to slither back in. “But surely, coming all this way ... I mean, I would hate for you to feel that you came all this way for nothing.”

  “Oh – I don't feel that way at all, Coralie – none at all...” he said, with a smile.

  There was something in his smile. Something that did not feel right. Something that did not feel so friendly anymore. Something that felt quite unnerving, and quite familiar in the same.

  “Thanks, again, but I really should be on my way. I will see you soon, Coralie.” Xavier said, with an unsettling grin. His eyes of black pearls glittered in the luminance of light. “Very soon...” He turned to descend the steps.

  Coralie watched him, walk away with such ease. Ease. This was something she did not feel. Something about him was so discomforting. She couldn't place it. Something about Xavier was just not right.

  Just as Xavier had reached the bottom of the front steps, Coralie called out, “Wait, Xavier – didn't you have something for my Dad?”

  “Oh right – umm, it can save until tomorrow.”

  “But, I thought –”

  “You know, some things are just better done in person ... see you around, Coralie Collier.”

  “See ya,” Coralie said, trying to sound nonchalant.

  She closed the door and locked it swiftly behind her. That feeling in her stomach – the unsettling, shaky, unnerving, feeling – had returned. She felt much more sickened than before.

  Something about Xavier, something about his house call, seemed all wrong.

  Coralie took the phone from her bag that lay in the foyer arm chair, where she had tossed it as she had entered the front door.

  She began to walk toward the kitchen, opening her phone and dialing numbers from memory. She looked out of the kitchen window.

  No taillights. Complete darkness. Strange.

  Coralie, without looking, moved her finger toward the top of the phone. Send.

  Not even a full ring had sounded before Court answered. “Coralie? Are you okay?”

  “Yes, it's just –”

  “What wrong? Who – I mean, what just happened?”

  “Forget it – it was nothing, really ... I just got a little spooked, that's all.”

  “I'm on my way –”

  Coralie paused, hearing the front door open. “Coralie, honey?” she heard her mother call out.

  She sighed in relief. “Court, my parents just walked in –”

  “Are you sure that you don’t need me to come over?”

  “Yes – I’ve got to talk to them about tonight’s visitor ... something was off...”

  “I'll be on standby, if you still need me,” Court said, reassuring.

  “Thanks, I’ll see you soon, Court,” she said, then pushed End.

  “Mom?” Coralie called out. “Dad? ... I'm in here –”

  “Hey, kiddo!” Cal said, entering the kitchen.

  “Hey sweetie, how was your night?” Katelyn asked her daughter.

  “Umm, good ... Dad?”

  “Yeah, kiddo?”

  “Xavier stopped by for a visit tonight...” Nerves were rising up in Coralie’s throat, causing her voice to quiver. “... He was looking for you?” The quiver is her voice only showed that the words she had just spoken, she didn’t believe. She didn’t believe that Xavier had conveniently stopped by to visit her father. Coralie had a notion that there was something more. And the look on her parents’ faces confirmed that notion.

  With questioning eyes, Katelyn turned to her husband, “Since when do any of your students make house calls?”

  “He's an intern...” Cal said, with emotions rising up within his soul.

  “Well then, since when do any of your interns make house calls?”

  Cal shook his head, unknowingly.

  Katelyn turned toward her daughter. “Did he say what he wanted?”

  Coralie shrugged. “Just that he needed to give you some documents ... that he forgot to drop by your office today.”

  Cal looked around. “So where are the documents?”

  Uneasily, Coralie swallowed the bad feeling rising in her throat. “He didn't leave anything ... he just,” she paused, and shrugged, “... left...” Coralie looked at her mother and father, “Strange, isn't it?”

  “Strange, indeed...” Cal spoke through a hint of indignation, moving closer to his daughter.

  “Cal –” Katelyn started nervously.

  �
��I will be sure to call Xavier tomorrow. It was probably just a misunderstanding. I'll get everything cleared up in the morning. Okay, kiddo?” Cal patted her shoulders, trying to comfort her. It didn't seem to be working very well. Coralie was not even sure if her father believed his own statement.

  Though she tried to look placid and without worry, the looks on her parents’ faces replanted the seed of fear. Coralie swallowed hard, trying to push the feeling down. The feeling in the pit of her stomach had returned.

  Xavier had been there for a reason. That reason did not involve documents or papers for her father, but instead somehow involved Coralie.

  * * * * *

  Xavier walked into the darkened room, knocking on the door frame as he passed through it. “Hello?”

  He looked around the room, waiting for an answer, but the room was silent.

  Xavier scanned the room once more, but he did not see a sign of anyone. He turned to walk out of the door.

  A man’s voice spoke through the darkness. “I hope that you do not act the same on the errands and missions that I send to accomplish. Taking a scene at face value, not investigating your surroundings. Not your best form, Xavier.” He paused, for a moment. “You never know who may be lurking in the shadows...”

  “Sir, I assure you, that I investigate every square inch of every single mission of which I am assigned … which brings me to why I am here...”

  “I am listening, young Xavier...”

  “Tonight … I attempted to get a closer look...”

  “And?”

  “And … I have good mind to believe that this will be a much easier feat than you may have once thought, Sir.”

  “And what makes you think that?”

  “I am fairly certain that she still doesn’t know...”

  “Nothing? You mean, they haven’t told her?”

  “It looks that way … This should be fun … Like taking candy from a baby...”

  “That is a thoughtless analogy … How close did you actually get to her?”

  “Close enough...”

  “Could you get that close again?”

  “Not a problem – just give me the go ahead … And I assure you, it will not be a recap of my most recent assignment...”

  “Let’s hope not, for your sake...”

  Chapter 16

  Buzz.

  “Yes, Sir,” Court answered his phone, while walking down the street, in the early morning light.

  “I am not quite for certain what is going on, but I need your help,” said the voice on the other end of the line.

  “I will find out for certain, Sir.”

  “You musn't –” the voice began to instruct.

  But Court interrupted respectfully. “I know what to do, Sir.”

  “And no one can know,” the voice instructed, sternly.

  “And no one will, Sir –” Court replied with calm.

  “Okay, then, I will alert the Elders...” the voice started to give his plans.

  “Not necessary, Sir ... I have already taken the liberty of doing so...”

  “Very well, then ... Thank you –” said the voice on the other end of the line, seemly overcome.

  “No thanks necessary, Sir – it is my duty...” Court said with pride and responsibility.

  “That it is, Courtland...”

  Court snapped his phone shut, only to open it again.

  Speed Dial 2.

  Ring. Ri –

  “Hello?” the voice on the other end answered. It was Criston.

  “I need that favor we discussed...” Court said.

  “What could I possibly do from here that could possibly help you there?” she asked, with a hint of sarcasm and irritation in her voice.

  A grin spread across Court's lips. So wide, that Criston could almost hear it stretching across his face. “You know me, always got a plan...” he paused, to make certain that Criston was following.

  “And exactly would this plan consist of, Brother?” She prompted him, gaining interest.

  “Ah – there we go ... thanks for coming aboard – now, listen very carefully...”

  Intrigued, Criston responded, “Okay, brother – I'm listening...”

  “Good...” Court’s smile swelled wider, knowing that his plan was almost infallible. His plan would soon give Coralie that answers that she sought. And she would soon have the answers that would give her all of the keys to her past, present and future.

  Criston listened to her brother’s every word and agreed upon snapping her phone shut. She didn’t necessarily dislike Coralie. She just knew that she would do anything for her brother. If that included helping her, so be it.

  Suddenly, Criston heard a deliberated movement behind her. She turned toward the sound and smirked. “Ah … It looks like I have a friend or two who want to play … and I have a little bit of time to kill...”

  * * * * *

  Coralie impatiently watched the clock – tick tock, tick tock – by slowly, taunting her from the classroom wall on which it hung. The last hour had not only been torturous, but also inane.

  Coralie's mind was on one thing – or person, rather – and that person was not reciting poetry from the eighteenth century at the front of the classroom.

  Ring –

  The departure bell rang and Coralie grabbed her belongings and quickly moved towards the door.

  “Remember, class … rough drafts are due Thursday ... Miss Collier...” Ms. Sieve, broke through to address Coralie personally.

  “Yes, Ms. Sieve...” Coralie said. This couldn't be good.

  “May I see you for a moment?” she asked.

  “Yes, Madam...” Coralie said, acknowledging her teacher's request. “... If this is about being tardy to class, I do apologize, I know this makes twice this week ... but it won't happen again...”

  Ms. Sieve began, “That’s good to hear … Actually, Miss Collier, not that I approve of your tardiness, that's not why I wanted a word with you ... I merely wanted to express my most genuine concern...”

  “Your concern, Madam?” Coralie questioned.

  “Yes, Miss Collier, my concern ... I am deeply concerned with your daily and most recent performances in class. I have noticed that you are more tired, more edgy, more distant ... even more than usual ... Is everything alright?”

  “Oh, yes, Madam ... everything is perfectly fine, really ... well, not perfectly, I guess ... I mean, if it was perfectly fine then obviously you would not be so concerned with me...” Coralie glanced at Ms. Sieve, realizing that she was rambling, “Never mind ... It's just a bit of late night cramming, that’s all … final exams are coming up soon … they are just around the corner, you know. I am just trying to get ahead of the game, Madam...”

  “Well, that's excellent, Miss Collier, but you should not let the desire for overachievement affect your daily tasks...”

  “Yes, Ms. Sieve, my apologies...” Coralie said, awaiting her teacher's signal for dismissal.

  The weary teacher looked away from her. “You are dismissed, Miss Collier...”

  “Yes, Ms. Sieve...” Coralie replied. As she exited the classroom, she suddenly heard a voice say, “You apologize too much...”

  Startled, Coralie jumped.

  “Court,” Corlaie began, catching her breath, “What are you doing here?”

  “You still don't believe my secret mission story, huh?”

  “No, sorry...”

  “See, there you go again...” he said, shaking his head.

  “Why don't you just tell me ... what are you doing here, really...”

  “Truthfully ... I'm here, waiting on you...” Court confessed, eyeing her intensely.

  “Waiting on me...”

  “Yes … I thought you may need an escort to a destination away from these premises.”

  “What did you have in mind?” she asked, enthralled by his invitation.

  “I know just the place ... my secret ... so, are you in?”

  “Well, kind Sir, that depends
... do you plan to defend my honor against evil doers and enemies that cross our path along the way?” Coralie playfully asked.

  Court extended his outreached hand, beckoning her. “To the fullest extent, ma'am ... shall we?”

  Smiling, she agreed by taking his hand.

  “Good,” Court returned her smile, “… because there's something I'd like to show you...”

  * * * * *

  “How am I going to catch you, if you just keep running?” Criston called out, sarcastically, hearing the echo of her own voice bounce around the walls of the cathedral.

  Although it seemed as if she were alone, she knew that she wasn't. They were there. Somewhere inside this old Romanian Cathedral Church.

  Cristian Evangelical, she had read on the old, wooden marker.

  How ironic it was to have been led into the same old abandoned church she had been named after. Her parents had traveled all over the world. Just before Criston’s mother found out that she was pregnant with her, they had been visiting Romania. Her mother had loved the gothic architecture and the stories of the fortress itself.

  She had been through this maze of an abandoned church twice already. She walked through the cathedral in the black darkness with only her senses to rely on, along with a few beams of moonlight shining through the stained glass windows.

  She looked around. They were in the old abandoned church. She knew it. She could feel them. She could hear them.

  Even in the silence.

  It was best when she was surrounded by silence. She could hear their thoughts more clearly. This was her Gift. Though she’d never told anyone. The only person who knew was the one who shared her Gift. Her brother.

  She recalled telling her brother, Court, that if things didn't start happening, that if she didn't start seeing some action, that she was going to pack up and abort her mission in Romania.

  But she knew that wasn't true.

  She had only been venting aloud. She knew that her brother knew it, too. This had been what she had trained for, what she'd been waiting on, her entire life. And now that it was here, she was relishing in the moment, every moment ... and she knew that she would until her last moment passed.