The Destined

by E. J. Mellow

  I barely hold in an eye roll as I glance to the four corners of the roof, indicating my Vigil guards dutifully standing watch in the shadows. “Don’t worry. I’m not.”

  “Still, I don’t like you out in the open like this without anyone close.”

  “You’re close,” I say with a teasing grin, one he can’t help but return.

  “Don’t try to charm your way out of this.”

  “Says the pot to the kettle.”

  His brows pinch in. “What?”

  I shake my head. “Never mind. I just mean, look who’s talking.”

  “Mols, I’m being serious.”

  I sigh. “I know, but can you really blame me for wanting a little alone time before my announcement? This might be the last chance I get to just…” I glance around. “Be.”

  Dev’s gaze softens. “When are you meeting with Cato?”

  “Soon.” Too soon. My stomach bunches with nerves at the thought. Cato is to give me a quick debriefing before I’m announced to Terra tomorrow.

  “I’ll be with you,” Dev says. “Through all of it.”

  I chew my bottom lip, turning back to the city. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”

  He waits.

  “I was thinking… Maybe you should wait to see how the crowd takes the news first before you connect yourself with me. I don’t want to put you in a position where you’ll be standing against your people.”

  Dev’s silence has me glancing his way, finding stone features.

  “Do you really think I care two Metus turds about that?” he says, and I open my mouth to respond, but he continues. “To even think such a thing…” He shakes his head. “When I would get your letters that talked about everything that was happening with Becca and Rae, the violence that was getting worse on Earth, I felt sick that I couldn’t be there by your side. Do not rob me of being able to stand with you now.”

  “Dev,” I say, touching his arm. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I—” I pause, searching for the right words. “Of course I want you beside me, need you there. I just didn’t want to hurt you in the process.”

  His blue gaze is severe, focused, as it stays locked to mine. “You and me, we’re a pair—do you understand? Anchors in this storm that’s about to hit. The only way you’d hurt me is by leaving me again.”

  My throat constricts at the thought. “Never,” I whisper.

  A gentle smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “Good.”

  And then he’s pulling me to him, kissing me so softly that it nearly breaks my heart.

  With a moan I bring him closer, my hands wrapping around his neck, and he responds instantly. His muscles coil around my form, a wall of strength, of support, and I wish we could stay like this—in such a simple moment where all I want is him and all he wants is me.

  But I’m no longer so naïve to believe such a life exists, at least not at the present, and as if to prove my point, the sound of someone clearing his throat breaks through our locked embrace.

  Pushing apart, we see Hector standing at the top of the stairs that lead to the landing platform where we sit, his upper lip curled in disgust.

  “Now that I’ve properly lost my appetite for a few Earth cycles, I’m here to tell you it’s time.”

  Blushing hard, I detangle myself from Dev and stand, my heart racing for a very different reason than what it was a moment ago. But before I can follow Hector, who’s already made it off the platform, Dev tugs me to a stop, his gaze capturing mine again.

  “Anchors,” he says quietly.

  I watch him closely, drinking in his confidence and determination. “Anchors,” I repeat, and then with his hand in mine, we make our way forward.

  —∞—

  The room Dev, Hector, and I walk into is on the top floor of the City Hall building and is, for a change, not all white mixed with more white. It’s ornate in design and grand in height and length. Actually, it’s less like a room and more like a long library. One that has a complicated tiled floor of black and white, and Corinthian columns that stretch up to a curved glass ceiling, reminiscent of the top of a greenhouse—patterned with crisscrossing framework that gives way to the view of the shooting stars. This is where the main illumination of the room comes, and despite the stars’ distance, they cast a startling brightness against walls lined with thick leather-bound books. Hector leads the way, and I have trouble keeping step with his gliding strides as I find my pace slowing, taking in the multitude of small marble statues placed on pediments in front of each texted alcove that expands the hallway’s length. The statues are displayed like art objects in a museum, and as my eyes go from one to another, I realize that’s exactly what they are. Toward the middle I spot a familiar form and come to a complete stop. While no colors but pure white marble shape the figure, it’s all too easy to see who it represents, for the leanness of her limbs and strength in her shoulders give her away. Not to mention the drape of straight hair that frames her petite face, one that’s frozen in a severe stare. A statue of Riki gazes out from her perch, one hand planting a Bō staff securely by her side. Even in her two feet of height, she’s still fierce to behold.

  “Who is she?” Dev asks.

  “She was a Dreamer,” I say. “Her name was Riki.” Glancing down the line, I recognize a few more of my predecessors. What is this place?

  “You received her memories?” Dev asks, connecting the dots.

  I nod. “She was the first I was given.”

  I know it sounds strange, but as I gaze upon Riki’s likeness, it’s as if the weight of her energy is pulled from her sculpted form to mix with my own, and in a strange wave, my nerves to settle with comfort, if only for a moment. I am here, she seems to say. We all are.

  “Have you seen this place before?”

  Dev shakes his head.

  “This floor is the elders’ domain. I’ve only been granted access into Elena’s office up here.”

  “Are you coming?” Hector calls to us, his voice echoing through the cavernous space. Reluctantly I tear my gaze from Riki’s.

  “Where are we?” I ask Hector as we return to his side.

  “The elders call it the Gallery of Stars,” he explains. “It houses information on all the Dreamers that have come to Terra and is a connecting passageway to each of the elder’s chambers.” He nods to the six doors evenly patterned along the wall. “It also leads to the main balcony that overlooks City Hall Square.”

  At the end of the long room stands a giant wooden door that, even from a few yards away, I can make out the intricacies of. In layered sections are scenes of the spinning Terra sky mixed with lines after lines of some sort of ancient Latin. At least, I think it’s Latin, given what I’ve seen used in this city.

  At the base of the door stands a cluster of people all watching our approach. Elena is there with Cato, her white wrap dress at opposites with his black uniform. He wears an outfit similar in appearance to the Nocturna guards, yet his is structured to the T with long sleeves and a high collar that barely sits below his sagging chin. The rest of the elders are there as well, gray robed and standing off to the side as if they want to blend into the walls. I hardly give them a second glance as my eyes skim over Alex, a few other Council members, and search out two individuals who seem to be missing.

  “Where are Tim and Aveline?” I ask Dev before we reach the awaiting group.

  “They are in the crowd. We thought it best to have some of our people below.” He touches his ear. “They’ll be communicating what’s going on.”

  I frown. As nervous as I was for Dev to be at my side, I can’t help feeling even more on edge with Tim and Aveline below. Surely some have seen us all together, know that they support me. What would happen to them if this goes badly?

  “Welcome, Molly,” Elena says as we come to the end of the hall. The Vigil guards who accompanied us spread out to semicircle our group. “I see that you’ve recognized some of our Dreamers here.” She gestures to the library behind us.

&
nbsp; “Yes.” I turn back to the opulent space. “Are they all here?”

  “We have another wing where more are located and”—she gives me a gentle smile—“where there’s a space waiting for you.”

  It’s an attempt to raise my spirits, but it actually has the inverse effect. The idea of being immortalized in stone leaves me feeling unsettled. All the figures that we passed seemed like such warriors, stoic figures to be respected. I don’t belong among them…I mean, what would I even be holding, a cell phone to my ear?

  “We hear your last Dreamer onboarding was a success,” Cato says beside Elena, his white head tilting to the side as his calculating green gaze falls on me.

  “If you mean I didn’t lose my mind after, then yes, I would say it was a success.” Acquiring the memory of Vibius’s father’s death, however, was not.

  “Yes, well, it will be beneficial for you to now bring forth what you learned,” Cato says. “Remember to not let your emotions show, despite how strong they might be in the moment. Everyone will be watching you. They will be looking for how they should react based on your reaction. Confidence is the only thing acceptable in this moment.”

  Funny how his speech does very little to incite that.

  “Alex will go up first,” he continues, gesturing to the general, “and discuss the temperature of the war and how big of a threat it has become. He will play up this desperate time we are in.”

  “Does it really need to be exaggerated?” I ask. “Isn’t it actually desperate?”

  Cato looks at me coolly. “He will paint a picture that we are in need of an offensive advantage,” he clarifies, and I glance to Alex, whose shoulders are set straight with confidence, his hands clasped behind his back. He looks every bit the lead general of an army and at ease in this moment of planning.

  “Elena will go next,” Cato continues, nodding to his elder companion, “and will prepare our people for the reveal of the Dreamer.”

  “That’s you,” Hector whispers in my ear.

  “Thanks,” I mutter without removing my gaze from Cato. “I won’t have to say anything, right?”

  He and Elena share a glance.

  Oh no.

  “Right?” I ask again.

  “Depending on the crowd’s reaction, you might,” Elena explains.

  My stomach has officially dropped out my butt.

  “No.” I shake my head.

  “Moll—”

  “No,” I say again, as if that might change things. “You don’t understand. Any confidence you want me to exude with my mouth closed, I can do, but as soon as I’m forced into public speaking, especially with a whole world watching…well, forget about it.”

  “You did wonderfully during the Council meeting,” Elena points out.

  “Because I didn’t say anything.”

  “Then do the same,” Cato suggests.

  I blink. “What?”

  “Talk with your power, not your words,” he says. “If anything will sway them, it is what you hold inside. Show them the beauty you can create, the things you can promise, and the elements you can demand. Terra already honors those who dream. We now must show them that it is okay for one to walk among us. Your powers, while dangerous, are always routed in good. Show them, Molly. Remind them.”

  The hall falls silent as I take in Cato’s words. Glancing to the ornate carved door, the only thing that separates me from what I’m about to do, I truly try to prepare myself. “Remind them,” I repeat softly, shifting around the energy that is held within my chest, wanting to be freed. Always wanting that.

  Cato watches me and waits. The whole group does, even Dev, and something in me, in this moment, decides to play the person these people want, need.

  Because, really, what other choice do I have?

  So with the memory of Vibius standing stoic beside his father and the sure gaze of Riki, my spine straightens and my chin tips up.

  I am the Dreamer, I tell myself. One among a long line of many, and I will do my best to make their sacrifices worth it.

  “Okay,” I say to Cato and Elena. “I can do that.”

  It’s all that’s needed for everyone to move into position. Like a choreographed dance, the elders stand in front, followed by the few Council members, and then Hector, Dev, and I, with me in the middle and our Vigil guards circling us from behind.

  There’s a pregnant pause, the elders and guards preparing themselves, and despite my efforts to stay in control, my breathing quickens.

  Fingers weave between my own, and I glance up to Dev.

  Though he stays silent, his blue gaze says it all—no matter what, he is with me. I manage a small smile right as the doors open with a strained creak and the roar of the crowd below floods through.

  — 24 —

  I’ve been one in thousands at stadium concerts and maneuvered through the masses in Times Square, but neither comes close to what it’s like to stand on this balcony, gazing down upon Terra’s sea of people. The bodies stretch out, a wave of black, going farther than my eyesight can follow. The only thing breaking up the churning force is the cluster of trees that line City Hall Square.

  Six large screens hover in front of the Roman columned buildings that circle the perimeter, projecting our image for all of to see. The noise grows louder as we come into view, the elders in front, the rest of us behind, and the reverberating beat hits against my skin like an ocean’s wave. I want to plug my ears and shrink away. It’s too much, the definition of overwhelming. But I can do none of these things. I can only force myself to stand, hands by my side, shoulders back, mimicking the stance Vibius took beside his father.

  Even the smallest ants, when grouped together, can move impossible things.

  Never have I believed that statement more than I do now. Somewhere, among so many, Tim and Aveline watch, and my stomach tightens into a crumpled ball of unease. Please, by the elders, let this go well.

  I steal a glance at Dev beside me. His gaze is forward, scanning the people with empirical confidence while his hands clasp the Arcus strap across his broad chest. He looks every bit the fearless warrior in this moment, regarding the large populous below as if it’s nothing out of the ordinary, his everyday. How I hope I look the same.

  Elena walks to the center, where a thin silver microphone is placed, and with her approach, the screens focus in on her as the entire crowd grows silent. Not even a cough can be heard, and I’m unsure which was more unsettling—the overbearing noise or the fact that such a large mass can all be commanded so quickly.

  “Salvete.” Elena’s voice booms over the city.

  “Salvete.” The people below respond in thunderous unison.

  Dev leans closer to me. “Our traditional Terra greeting.”

  I nod, not taking my eyes off the back of Elena’s blonde head, her white dress seeming to glow under an invisible spotlight.

  “Welcome, people of Terra,” she says while raising her arms. “Your elders thank you for attending today’s gathering. We have not all been brought together for many Earth cycles, and as most of you know, it is usually under distressing circumstances. So first, let me put your minds at ease. While what you are about to hear will touch upon such matters, you will also witness something that is to be celebrated, something that will change our future forever and mark this evening as a historical event.”

  Elena pauses as a murmur slithers through the crowd, and I’m reminded of her expertise in theatrics. The way she gives information has you always on edge, hanging, waiting, and wanting her next words. And just when you can’t take the silence any longer—

  “We have much to share,” she booms. “So please, let us begin.” Turning, she gestures to Alex behind her. “General Alexander, our head representative of Security, will explain the current temperature with our oldest foes, the Metus.”

  Another stirring of the crowd as Elena steps back to allow Alex his time at the mic.

  Though a stout man, what the general lacks in height he more than makes u
p with in his confident posture and demanding presence. I only manage to listen to the beginning half of his speech, his words on the war and the Metus, how their numbers have risen beyond what has ever been seen before. He speaks of the things that are being done to ensure Terra’s victory, but how we will need something more—a strength not of this world, and that’s when I begin to tune out. It would seem the least proper time to do so, but my mind can’t help it. It must be subconsciously trying to stave off a panic attack. I catch words like weapon, ambush, powerful, and then I find myself studying the way the grays in Alex’s close-cropped hair seem to wink as he turns his head this way and that. It’s strangely soothing, like a glimmer of diamonds under a light.

  Then there’s a commotion—the citizens’ collective voices slowly growing, and that’s when I realize Alex has ended his speech, leaving them on a note of anticipation, of nerves, and I watch Elena return to the center of the balcony. My breathing grows heavy, my heart a thump, thump, thump of a racehorse’s hooves. What did he last say? Something about finding a key to the war… Damn my stress-induced ADD.

  Elena raises one hand, her sign for all to settle, and they do, but there’s a buzz now, an energy to the center of this city that hangs on a precipice.

  “I know what General Alexander has shared is filled with fearful prospects, but it is our belief that you all deserve to know the truth of what is happening in our world,” Elena says in a tone bordering on motherly, “so you can prepare just as you have done so many times before. We have lived through many of these wars, risen to meet the crest of the approaching dark wave, and we will do so again. But this time it will be with the full transparency of the advantage we now hold.”

  I squeeze my hands into fists, my vision tunneling.

  “For we have an individual among us that our very race has been created to protect, who holds the energy we harness in our everyday. Their kind has come before, just as they have now, during times of war, of need. They are brought to regain the balance of our two worlds, Terra’s and Earth’s.” This is where she pauses, just for a moment, allowing the information to seep into the thick silence—and in my mind, drown in it—before she goes on. “In the past they have exclusively come to the Vigil, in secret, for our protection, but today is a new chapter in our history books, for the one whom we speak of has entered our world outside our usual protection, and we believe it is so all of us, Vigil and Nocturna, can finally work as one to beat our enemy. My people of Terra”—her voice raises an octave—“you’ve heard the rumors of the girl who could fly, who held Navitas in her hands and brought a man back from the brink of death. Well, I say to you, stop your whispers and open your eyes, for it is all true. The girl exists, and she is among us. Gaze upon the key to end this madness.” Elena turns to the side, throwing an arm to me. “I give you a Dreamer.”