“Larger than normal, that thing was bigger than a dog,” I said, completely grossed out and contaminated by the bottom feeder that slid around my legs.
“You’ll live,” Nick said with a smile. “Go out farther and you’ll see some bigger than men.”
I stared at him, hoping that he was exaggerating. I didn’t want to see a catfish the size of a man. My emotions began to overwhelm me as I considered that maybe he was right. Maybe I needed the snorkel and goggles because the things I would see here would amaze or terrify me. Maybe I would forget to breathe, or maybe in a panic I would try to breathe underwater. Maybe I wasn’t ready for this. My reality seemed to alternate between comfortable and confusing as easily as we switched dimensions.
I sucked in a breath of air. How could I get him to understand? “You don’t get it. This is all new for me.” I touched my chest and felt the butterfly under my fingertips. “I’m not used to decapitating cerberi or Nephilim, or watching someone stick their hands into the body of dead animals. I don’t go around killing things or watching things get killed. The only things I’ve killed before are flies and spiders and the occasional nasty roach. But this,” I stretched out my arms to the world around us, “giant birds and animals, unicorns and tigers walking about. This is all new to me. All this death and violence is a lot to take in.”
Nick waded towards me, and his hands soothed me as he gripped my arms. “I do get it. I do get that this is overwhelming. We’ve asked a lot from you in very little time. And you’ve done fabulously. A lot is changing. You are changing. It’s okay to be frustrated.” He gave my arms a gentle squeeze. “You’ll see.”
I tilted my head and cracked a smile. “You better not change on me. I’m counting on you.” I poked his chest with my finger.
“I have no intention of changing. I’m here for you, just like always.” He pulled me into his chest and placed a kiss on top of my head. “Now let’s get back to work. You have a lot more to see.”
“Now I see why you thought swimming over here could be distracting.”
“We’ve only just begun.” Nick stretched the goggles over my head. The band pressed tightly against my head and the eye piece formed a tight seal against my skin. I inserted the snorkel into my mouth. We dove under and started swimming.
At first there wasn’t much to see. Our talking and walking through the water must have scared away the fish. But as we calmly swam farther out, I noticed flashes of color flit across the sandy lake bottom. Then, finally, a fish the size of my arm slowly swam near me. Black and yellow stripes ran vertically along its body, and beady black eyes stared blankly at the underwater world around it. Then a pair of beautiful orange, blue, and yellow striped fish swam nearby. Their blue delicate fins cut a silent path for them as they went unaware of our presence.
Nick tapped my shoulder and pointed in the other direction.
I turned, and my eyes bugged at the sight before me. A large jellyfish pulsed its way through the water. The white body was the size of my head. Its tentacles were longer than my arms and seemed to have an elaborate pattern on them. The pattern alternated between a dark red stripe and a dashed pattern with a ruffle on one edge. The other edge of each tentacle glowed with an iridescent pink shimmer that seemed to race along each tentacle, almost like the lights on an airport runway.
We surfaced, and I said, “This is amazing!” My arms and legs cut through the water in order to stay afloat.
“I thought you might like it. Do you want to see some more.”
“Yeah!” I put the snorkel back in my mouth and started swimming again. The water creatures were amazing. The longer we swam the more amazing fish we saw. They were more impressive than the spectacular fish that lived on the coral reefs in our dimension. These fish had such incredibly fancy fins and bright colors that I was amazed at the variety. As I swam along, a manta ray gracefully flew under me. Its diamond shaped gray body was nearly camouflaged by the brilliant blue and white circles that covered its surface. Its long, thin, sword-like tail reminded me of the danger this beautiful creature possessed.
Nick and I resurfaced. “Are you happy with today’s exercise?” Nick asked.
“Yes! This is better than snorkeling in the Caribbean.”
“That’s for sure.” Nick chuckled. He swiped his hand through his hair and wiped the water off his face. “Are you getting tired?”
“A little.” The muscles in my arms and legs were beginning to ache. “We’ve been out here for a long time.”
“We better go back. You lead the way,” Nick said. I put the snorkel back in my mouth and swam back to land.
The sand along the bank stuck to our wet feet as we walked up to the backpack. Nick handed me a towel, and I wrapped it around my body. “This place is incredible.” I looked around at our surroundings: the trees, flowers, birds, and the massive lake. “It’s like we’ve found a new frontier. Our own little private world.” I wrapped the towel around the ends of my hair and squeezed.
“No thanks. I like the comforts back home. This place is beautiful, but it’s also dangerous.” Nick rubbed the towel down his arm. “You seem to keep forgetting that.”
“I’m not forgetting that,” I said. “You’re forgetting that it’s not safe back home either. Bad things happen there too, or did you forget about the recent events? Oh let’s see,” I started counting off on my fingers, “the attack at the football game, the stalking by the cerberi in Asheville, the fire on New Year’s Eve, Ramel attacking me at school. I’m sure I left something out. Do you want me to continue?”
“No, I didn’t forget.” Nick studied me carefully. “This isn’t our home. This isn’t where we belong. Being here would keep us from serving our purpose. Don’t forget that. You’ve been given very special gifts, and you’re expected to use them.”
“I know. You don’t have to keep reminding me. I’m not a child.”
“You are when it comes to this stuff.” Nick stepped closer to me and rested his hands on my waist. The warmth from his hands seeped into my bones. “It’s my job to make sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way, so I have to prepare you. There’s a world of violence here. All you seem to focus on is the beauty. And you can’t forget, sometimes the most deadly things are experts in camouflage.”
“I know.” I ran my hands down his arms, feeling his biceps. His blond hair seemed darker now that it was wet, but that just made him look more dangerous. “I saw the zebra. I know what the Dolum did. I know that this place isn’t the Garden of Eden.” I gazed at the beauty that surrounded us. “Anyway, Death stalked Eve in the Garden.”
“And Death won.” Nick’s thumb gently caressed my cheek. “Don’t be deceived as easily as Eve. Things are not always what they appear.”
His words resonated with me. They were probably the most honest words Nick had said to me in our relationship. So far, he was the one who’d most deceived me. At times, I was still conflicted about how he started a relationship with me in order to protect me. He pursued me; he made me think he liked me when his true objective was protecting me. I’m not sure when his true feelings for me developed. Did he like me before our trip to Asheville, or did he fall for me in Asheville? At what point did his words and actions go from “keeping up the façade” to “revealing how he felt”? And then there’s Alex. He obviously likes me, and since the dance, I’m beginning to have some feelings for him. It’s like I’m pulled to Alex, similarly to how I was drawn to Nick when we first met. And I can’t even confide these jumbled emotions to Zoe because she was in on the deception. She’d known all along that I was an Asteri, but she didn’t tell me. And now that I can look back on the situation, I understand why they deceived me, but I also realize how good they are at deception. Nick, Alex, Zoe, Evan, and Justin may be my angelic family, but in reality, I don’t know them at all, just like they don’t know me. I guess we are in a transitional stage, too.
“I know,” I said with a smile. “Recent events have taught me that.”
“What do you mean?” His eyebrows pulled down.
I sighed and shifted my weight to one foot. “I mean, I was transforming and didn’t know it. You were my bodyguard slash boyfriend. Alex was posing as a tutor, but he was really another bodyguard. I’ve learned that even the people I think I know might have ulterior motives.”
Nick’s blue eyes stared deeply into mine. I could tell he didn’t like my honesty, but I’ve always believed that honesty really was the best policy. “I see. Everything you said is true,” he said. “We did trick you because we didn’t tell you immediately what was going on. But can you imagine what your reaction would’ve been if we’d been honest with you? Would you’ve believed us? Would you’ve protected our secret or told other people?” He ran his hand through his wet hair. “I’d do everything the same.” His lips cracked a tiny smile. “Well, I might change one or two things, but overall, I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened between us.”
I bit my bottom lip and smiled. “I guess that’s true. I’m glad we’re together. I wouldn’t want to go through this without you.” I wrapped my hands around his waist and ran my fingers up his back. I wanted to trust Nick. I understood his need to deceive me at the beginning of our relationship. That made sense, and now we could be open and honest. Our lips connected, and we enjoyed our time together in paradise.
Nick parked on the street in front of my house. Reese stood in the driveway, lathering up the red Mustang we shared. I got out of Nick’s Infinity and walked over to Reese. Bubbles coated one hand and he braced himself with the other hand as he wiped the roof of the car.
“Is Mom home?” I asked, standing on the grass by the driveway.
Lather splashed dangerously close to my feet as Reese tossed the sponge into the bucket. “Yeah, she’s inside,” Reese said as he picked up the hose. “Where have you been?” He looked at Nick.
“We went to Jordan Lake,” Nick said, stepping beside me. His car beeped as he pressed the button on his key and locked the doors.
“You sure spend a lot of time there.” Reese’s hand twitched on the trigger of the water nozzle. His smile widened. I saw the Devil dancing in his eyes.
“Don’t even think it.” I glared at the hose and then Reese.
Reese smiled; one side of his mouth rose higher than the other. “It’s a little cold for swimming. What do ya do there?” Reese sprayed the driveway, and a fine mist of water splattered my legs.
“Stuff.” I took a step back and eyed the bucket of soapy water.
“We’ll see you later, Reese.” Nick grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the house.
“See ya,” Reese called back. Water pounded off the sides of the Mustang as he washed away the soap bubbles.
The television was on, and the local reporter’s voice filtered throughout the house. Nick and I walked into the open concept kitchen. Mom stood at the granite island while she watched the television that hung on the wall in the adjacent family room.
“You won’t believe what they found,” Mom said. She pointed a knife towards the television. “The local news keeps replaying the same video.”
Recordings of forest rangers walking through the woods filled the television screen. A dead animal’s head flashed in the top corner of the screen. An anchorwoman stood in the foreground of all the commotion. Forest rangers and police officers crisscrossed behind her. “Officials are still not certain what caused these deaths,” she said. “The police are looking into various leads and investigations are ongoing.”
Then the weatherman and a large image of the United States filled the television screen. The weatherman began his spiel, but I muted him.
“What’s going on?” I placed the remote control back on the coffee table and turned to look at Mom.
“A group of hikers found some dead animals this morning,” Mom said. She gripped the Italian bread and sliced along the center. “Imagine, just walking along and finding a bunch of dead animals. Some of them were ripped to shreds. I can’t imagine the smell.” Mom shook her head and rolled her blue eyes.
Nick stepped closer to the island and asked, “Did this happen at Jordan Lake?”
“Yes.” Mom looked up at him.
“That explains the police cruisers we passed on our way home,” I said. “They were on highway 64, heading towards one of the entrances.”
“Hmm,” Mom raised an eyebrow and continued talking, “and the worst part is, these animals, their hearts had been ripped right out of them.”
“Their hearts were ripped out?” I looked at Nick. His face didn’t reveal any emotion. “Did they find the hearts?” I asked.
“No.” Mom shrugged. “Oh, people are coming up with all sorts of ridiculous theories. One theory is that some satanic cult killed the animals and did a ritual with the hearts. Another is that there’s some weirdo killing the animals and eating the hearts. They’ve dubbed that weirdo the ‘Soul Stealer’.” Mom scooped some garlic butter onto her knife and began spreading it onto the Italian bread. “Well, whatever it is, it isn’t good. And I don’t want you two spending so much time at Jordan Lake.” She pointed her smeared buttered knife at us. “Did you see anything weird today while you were there?”
“No, those dead animals must have been in a different area than we were,” I said. “We didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.” I looked at Nick. Was it possible that the Dolum came through with us? Did it get over here somehow and is now eating the hearts of its kills?
“Well, people come up with all kinds of bizarre theories.” Nick shrugged his shoulders. “There’s no telling what killed those animals.”
“That’s for sure.” I bobbed my head in agreement and hoped that would pacify Mom. Nick sure likes the phrase, ‘There’s no telling’. What he really means is, “I know, but I’m not going to tell you”. “Yeah, Mom, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
“Who said anything about jumping to conclusions? I’m just telling you the theories that are out there.” She ripped the aluminum foil from the container. “What’s your theory?” She set the foil on the island and placed the Italian bread on top.
I shrugged my shoulders. “There’s no telling what’s behind this.” I looked at Nick and felt sick since I was pretty confident I knew what had ripped the hearts out of those animals. Was that phrase making its way into my vernacular? “We’re going to hangout downstairs.”
“Okay.” The foil crinkled as Mom wrapped it around the bread. “Dinner is in half an hour.”
We headed into the basement. The beige shag carpet was soft on my bare feet. I plopped onto the leather sofa, leaned my back against the armrest, and hugged my knees to my chest.
Nick sighed as he leaned back into the sofa. “Now I know why I couldn’t find it over there,” he said. “I’m going back to Jordan Lake to find it.”
I took a deep breath and looked away. “Don’t go alone,” I pleaded. “Take Alex with you.” I put my thumbnail between two teeth and chewed on it.
“Why? So Alex can protect me? Or do you think I need someone else to protect?” Nick patted my knee and smiled. “You worry too much. I can take care of myself.”
I chuckled. “I bet Alex doesn’t think he needs your protection.”
“That’s true.” Nick chuckled. “Alex is self-sufficient.”
“What happens if you don’t find it?”
“It’s going to kill someone. Or worse yet, it will possess someone and kill lots of people,” Nick said.
“You’re going to kill it, aren’t you?”
“You’re finally beginning to understand me.”
4. Unravel
Sarah stood on the edge of the hillside. The ocean was a vast, seething beast that rhythmically beat upon the rocks below her. A full moon glistened in the sky above and shimmered upon the dark water, casting shadows upon the earth. Strands of Sarah’s mahogany hair blew in the gentle breeze. She grabbed the fluttering strands and twirled them into a bun at the back of her head. Then she pulled a long silver pin out of her sk
irt pocket and slid it through the bun, securing her hair. A quiver of arrows was strapped to her back, and her thin bow hung at her side.
A rustle of leaves and branches crunched in the distance. Out of the woods crept a willowy Indian woman. She approached Sarah, her face smooth and serious. The moonlight shined off her black hair as it cascaded freely over her violet sari. “I am glad you are here, alone.” she said in a heavy accent. “I was not certain you would be able to get away.”
“They are asleep,” Sarah said softly. “Netra, why are you here? Things must be dire if you have been summoned.”
“Not everything is written in stone. Faith is your greatest ally.” Netra’s large gold earrings slowly jingled as she moved. “I have come to help you, the ones you love, and the village.” She tilted her head over her shoulder and looked into the valley at the little community that slept during the night. “It is not too late.”
“There is still time.” Sarah reached up and touched her neck; her fingers caressed an ornate charm that hung on an intricate chain. “We will talk to them again. We will take her by force if we must. We will help her understand who she is.”
“That will not help,” Netra said. “The Reapers want a sacrifice. They want blood. They will destroy this village, and then they will hunt you down. They will not be satisfied until they taste Asteri blood.”
“You do not know that,” Sarah said stubbornly. Her hand left the charm and trailed down her burgundy bodice.
“I do. I saw it.” Netra stepped closer to Sarah and wrapped her dark fingers around Sarah’s golden hand. “You know I see things. It is my gift.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Sarah shook her head, her eyebrows drawn together. “Please, tell me. How do I stop them?”
“They want a sacrifice. You must give it to them.” Netra stared into Sarah’s eyes. “Let them taste the blood they desire, and you can save hundreds of lives. The power is in your hands.” Netra pulled a tiny turquois and gold bag out of her petticoat pocket. “I know a spell that can save you all. Do you trust me?” The golden bangles on her dark hands rattled as she shook the tiny bag.
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