by Dahlia Lu
“After the car cash, my stepmother’s attitude changed drastically. She was no longer the sweet angel she was when my father was alive. She was easily irritated, and it eventually escalated to beating. I didn’t want to stay anymore so I ran away from home. Well, it wasn’t really my home.”
“I was homeless for a couple of months, living on whatever scraps I can find. Hardships do not discriminate. I was looking for some change at a subway station when I was pushed down onto the track by the busy crowd. A man jumped down to the track and saved me from an oncoming train. I came to know him as Chevalier. He took pity on me and introduced me to a beautiful woman who wanted a child to care for. Kali loved me and cared for me as though I was her own. She’s my mother. So if you hurt her in anyway, I would never forgive you.”
“You are acting as if we are on good terms.”
“I mean it!” She pointed her fork at him. “You’ll be dead to me! If I can’t kill you in the real world, then I will kill you inside of my head! I won’t see you. I won’t speak to you. Period.”
“Duly noted.”
“You don’t care about anything or anyone, but I do. I don’t want to go over this with you again.”
“You trust people too easily, mortal. How do you know that there is nothing that woman wants from you?”
Amara frowned at the question. “Maybe it’s because I have nothing?”
“Don’t be so sure about that.”
“Look, whatever you may think of her, she has always been good to me. When I turned eighteen, she sent me out to experience the world, even though she was desperately lonely by herself. When I think about her, I can only see a lonely figure staring out of the window, hoping that today is the day her love comes back to her. I’ve only lived for twenty years. I have no idea how long six thousand years really is, but I know that it’s an absurd number of years to wait for someone. I don’t understand how she can do that. I don’t know why she chose to wait, even though moving on was an easier option. I don’t think I will ever understand it. My point is, Noctis, Kali is already miserable without your help. Her sufferings may be equal to or even greater than yours. If you have a problem with Lucifer, take it up with him personally. So what if you have to wait a few thousand years to get your revenge? You’re immortal. You have all of the time in the world.”
His gaze was fixed on her. In that moment, she wondered if he’d heard what she said. So what if he did? Why would he care? He couldn’t understand anyone else’s suffering but his own.
“At the current rate, how long do you suppose I have before I lose control of myself?”
“I don’t know…” she answered softly. “Maybe you can get better…”
“With you around? I doubt it.”
“Then don’t keep me around. If it hasn’t caught up to you yet, you don’t need me in your revenge plot anymore. You can simply… let me go?”
“Haven’t I made the situation clear enough for you, mortal? Never.”
“If you want a woman, then any would–”
He massaged the bridge of his nose. “Stop babbling. Finish your meal so we can go to bed.”
Seeing no point in continuing the conversation, Amara resumed her meal. After dinner, she brushed her teeth and took a long hot bath. She put on another brand new, silk nightdress in satin blue. She checked her reflection in the mirror twice before leaving the bathroom.
He was reading that damn book again. How many volumes did it have?
Amara crawled into bed and slipped under the comforter. She cleared her throat to get his attention. No response. She cleared her throat even louder, but it didn’t work.
She felt neglected.
First he chose that maid over me. Now he’s choosing a book over me.
A girl’s pride can only take so much.
Determined to win back his attention, Amara leaned over and pressed a kiss on his shoulder. She continued pressing kisses up his neck and then moved up to the edge of his jaw.
He slammed the book shut and set it aside.
Just when she thought she had his attention, he sank down to the bed, and rested his head on the pillow. She stared at him, trying to figure out what he wanted.
He wants me to be on top?
Amara clumsily climbed on top of him. She’d seen love scenes like these a million times on television, mainly soap opera, but she was still a bit confused on the technicality.
“Mortal.” He looked up at her. “What are you doing?”
“I…um… don’t know exactly. I think I may need your help.”
“Will you stop fooling around and go to sleep already?”
“Sleep?” She asked with a confused expression on her face. “When you said you want me to spend the night with you… you just meant… sleep?”
He pulled her down to his chest and rolled to the side. Before she knew it, she was nesting in his arms and more confused than she’d ever been in her life.
Curiously, she asked in a whisper, “Could it be that you’ve gotten used to sleeping next to me?”
“Having you close by helps me sleep,” he replied, the softness of his tone matched hers.
“How so?”
“Before you, I hadn’t slept a wink since I became what I am.”
“Why?”
“I just couldn’t.”
“How did you become what you are?”
He stilled for a long moment. “When I was still mortal, my oldest brother framed me for the murder of our father and had me locked away. He tried to have me assassinated so that the truth would die with me. In my darkest hour, in my moment of despair, the Archangel Lucifer came and offered me a choice between death and divinity.”
“You chose divinity.”
“I chose wrong.”
“I don’t understand.”
“After I accepted his offer, Lucifer saved me from that dungeon. He took me to see four powerful elemental beings. He bargained with them and they each bestowed upon me a gift. The first being he brought me to see was a woman made entirely of water. He drove a hard bargain with her and in the end, she accepted. The woman kissed me; her water filled my lungs. I thought I’d drown, but I woke up sometime later. I was no longer mortal. The Earth-being gave me the gift of wisdom, the power of command over the physical world. The Fire-being allowed me to borrow the white flames. The Wind-being granted me the power over time and space.”
“Lucifer did all of that for you.”
“No, he did it for himself.”
“Just a curious question, what are you going to do to Lucifer now that you have no leverage over him?”
“I have other ways.”
“Such as?”
“I’ve designed and constructed the perfect time trap to imprison immortals. Even Lucifer could not escape. He imprisoned me for the first half of eternity. I will repay in kind. One misstep and he will be trapped between time and space forever.”
“Diabolical,” she yawned.
“Thank you,” he replied shamelessly.
“So, after you obtained your powers, did you return for your brother?”
He nodded. “I did. I confronted Klahan about our father’s death. He got down to his knees and begged for my forgiveness.”
“Did you?”
“I did. I loved Klahan most out of my five brothers. I decided to spare his life and walk away from the life I knew. As I turned my back on him, Klahan impaled me with his sword, not knowing I could no longer die. In a moment of rage, I killed him.”
“You killed him?” She gasped. “How did you your other brothers react?”
“How else could they react? They were terrified of me – of what I could do. At that moment, I knew I could never get my life back to the way it was.”
“You left them?”
“Yes. I left my old life behind to find another. Lucifer was my guide and mentor every step of the way. I considered him my best friend.”
“Did he think the same of you?”
“I don’t know. No one
knows what Lucifer thinks. He’s incredibly hard to read and he doesn’t like to explain himself.”
“I see…”
“I decided to do something good with my powers. I took residence in a new land and began helping the people. Over the generations, their admiration turned to devotion. They built temples to worship me alongside their other gods. Time was fleeting, and before I knew it, being worshiped was all that I was. But a funny thing happens when you are immortal and above all others. You begin to see things differently. You see things for what they really are.”
“Did you get bored and turned evil?”
He chuckled. “Why do you think so, mortal?”
“That’s what I do at the end of almost every game. I get bored and destroy everything I’ve built.”
“No, I just got bored. I stopped caring.”
“Oh…” She stretched her body and yawned. She relaxed her body and wiggled about until she found a comfortable position. “…what happened next?”
Chapter Nine
The blade sliced into her forefinger. Crimson blood dripped from the cut onto the cutting board. Nala raised her hand and stared at the cut. It wasn’t healing. Tempted to have a taste of mortality, she brought it to her lips.
A hand caught her wrist.
Nala turned and frowned when she saw Noctiam standing beside her. He brought her finger to his lips and licked away the crimson drops.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” she snapped, yanking her hand back. “I can’t risk Trent discovering you. Once he connects the dots, it’s over.”
“I came to see you because it’s urgent.” He pressed hard on his words, “Your life is in danger.”
“What else is new?” Nala said calmly, continuing to slice the vegetables.
“Damian will be coming for you.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Damian goes after any female who gets too close to Trent. You know too well Damian would do anything for Nala. And because of that, he will be merciless to Raya.”
Nala shrugged. “Let him come.”
“Nala,” Noctiam said through gritted his teeth. “When Damian gets involved, he gives his all. He doesn’t care about the means or the method, as long as he gets it done. You better let him in on the secret before he comes to kill you.”
“I have been expecting him.”
“You what?”
“I know Damian is coming for me. He is also a part of my plan, though he doesn’t know it himself.”
“Why are you going so far, Nala? Trent already believed you.”
“You don’t know how wrong you are.” Nala was organizing her vegetables into her lunchbox by sections. “If everything starts to feel… right, then Trent will know something is wrong. That is why I must prove my mortality to him.”
Noctiam shook his head in disapproval. “It’s too risky.”
“Every move I makes comes with its own set of risks.”
“I can’t…”
“You just need to stay away. My main concern right now is not Damian. An attack from him is expected. It makes Raya more believable. My encounter with that dark god at the cemetery worries me.”
“Does he pose a threat to you?”
“Not necessarily, but I need to keep him occupied for a little while. I can’t have him go after Trent. That man is extremely unpredictable, and I don’t like it when there are too many factors flying around. It reduces the accuracy of my calculations.”
“What will you do?”
Nala pulled out a blue vial from her pocket, uncorked it, and sprinkled the liquid on the dipping ranch. She used a celery stick to mix the sauce evenly.
“I’d hate to use Amara again, but it is unavoidable. She’s the only one who can influence that man. She can keep him out of my hair, even if it is only for a few brief months. This will also serve as his punishment.”
Noctiam frowned. “I don’t remember giving you that potion.”
“I acquired it on my own. It’s a potion that simulates the symptoms of pregnancy.”
“I don’t think this is a very wise idea. Once the half-mad god realizes you’ve tricked him, he will come after you.”
“I know what I am doing, Noctiam. As for Amara, I will send her a well-deserved apology gift afterward. Did she like the gauntlets?”
“She adored them.”
“Good. You may go now,” Nala dismissed him.
“I will protect from a distance.”
“No need. If it’s not absolutely necessary, I want you to stay away from now on.”
“Nala…it’s too dangerous–”
“Don’t ever underestimate me. A long list of dead people made that mistake. I may be the weakest among our kind, but no one has ever questioned my authority in over three thousand years. A physical handicap does not change who I am.”
He sighed and then disappeared from her kitchen.
Nala closed the lid on the lunch box and placed it securely at the bottom of her tote before heading to the university chemistry building. She’d studied Amara’s schedule and knew where to find her during school hours.
The girl was sitting with her best friend at their usual table.
Nala approached them and seated next to Amara. “What’s up, gals?”
“Nothing much,” Amara replied absently. The girl was busy trying to finish her lab report.
“Somebody didn’t do their homework?” Nala teased.
“Class starts in thirty-five minutes. I’ve got to finish before then.”
Nala dug into her bag and placed the lunchbox on the table. She opened the lid. “Lunch?”
Amara shook her head. “Busy.”
Nala changed her tactic. “Snack?” The word has it appeal. “I went grocery shopping yesterday and realized I brought too much. Organic vegetables don’t last nearly as long as you want them to.”
“So you made us lunch?” Lizzie reached for a carrot stick. “That’s sweet.”
“I know you like peanut butter, so…” Nala dug into her bag again and pulled out a jar of peanut butter. She slid it across the table.
“Bring pasta tomorrow?” Lizzie asked as she opened the jar of peanut butter.
Nala offered no promise. “Maybe.” She turned her attention to Amara. “Try some?”
Amara blindly reached for a cauliflower and shoved it into her mouth. She looked up and frowned. “That was really bland.”
“That’s what the ranch is for.”
“Right…” Amara reached for a celery stick and swirled it in the ranch dipping before taking a bite.
A slow smile appeared on Nala’s face.
“Now, that’s much better.”
“Yes,” Nala agreed. “Much better.”
“Oh, there he is,” Lizzie sighed in longing when the dark god walked into the cafeteria. She tugged on Amara’s arm. “You better make a move on him first before some bitch nabs him.”
Amara looked up from her report, her gaze followed Lizzie’s direction. “No, I’m fine.”
“He has become increasingly popular, hasn’t he?” Nala mused.
“Yeah, he has,” Lizzie sighed once again. “Women are falling for him left and right. Every sports team wants to recruit him. Hurry up, Amara. Once he rejects you, it’s my turn.”
Amara laughed. “Oh, so that’s how it is.”
“Go talk to him, damn it!” Lizzie gave Amara a push.
“I’ll talk to him,” Nala volunteered.
“No way!” Lizzie protested. “Wait in line.”
“Me? Wait in line?” Nala stylishly brushed her hair off her shoulder. “Never.”
Lizzie gasped in disbelief.
Nala got up from the table and made her way toward the overgrown man who was being overrun by women. His blue eyes slid to her in recognition.
“May I have a word with you?” She asked civilly.
He noted the crowded surrounding and nodded. He turned and exited the cafeteria. She kept pace with him. Once they were alone in an
empty classroom, his stare turned hostile.
“The prey has presented itself…” he said in a low and malicious tone.
“The prey came to bargain,” she corrected him.
“Do you know the exact location of Lucifer’s burial ground?”
She shook her head. “I do not.”
“Then there is nothing I want from you!”
“As I’ve said, I’ve come to bargain. That means I have something that is of interests to you.”
His eyes scanned her body and sneered at her. “I don’t think so.”
“Trust me. I want no part of you either.”
“You have five seconds to present your bargain before I kill you and use your corpse as bait.”
“It is a delicate matter.”
“What do I know about that?”
“Right…”
“Three seconds.”
“You see, I knew you would eventually come after me. What is a girl to do when she’s being hunted by a powerful god? So here I am. If you promise to spare my life, I will tell you a secret that concerns you.”
“What if I am not interested in this… secret?”
“I guarantee that you will be.”
In a soft and sarcastic tone, he said, “Pray, tell.”
Nala paused for dramatic effect. “Amara is with child.”
A longer, more dramatic pause followed. He blinked in confusion, and then thundered, “What?”
“You heard me the first time.”
“It’s a lie,” he denied with a shake of his head.
“How do you know?”
“The mortal would have told me!”
“If she wanted your child, then yes, she may have.”
His brows furrowed so deeply that they almost look connected. “What are you trying to tell me?”
Satisfied with his reaction, she went on, “Amara doesn’t want to keep the child. Perhaps that’s the reason why she didn’t tell you.”
His large frame stiffened. His blue eyes were wandering about, trying to bring order to his scattered thoughts. He began to pace back and forth like a newly captive tiger. About ten minutes later, he stopped.