The Destined

by E. J. Mellow

  Molly was granted an invitation to sit as a figurehead among them, the Council and all of Terra accepting this like they tended to do with any change after a time. And while she accepted the role, she did so with humility and hesitant appreciation, never one to enjoy too much time in the spotlight. Even so, when in public she was gracious and giving, appeasing the citizens’ wishes for her to create things whenever they asked, and most importantly she was just as curious of them as they were of her. This alone might have been enough to sway them to adore her, because for such a powerful being to ask about their friends, to show genuine interest in how they ran their food vending and constructed buildings, settled a loyalty in their hearts.

  Not so long ago these same men and women had spat their disapproval of her, and now…well, now it was almost dizzying to watch how much they loved her. She and Dev could barely walk ten paces in public without a crowd following them. Her Vigil guards remained by her side, of course, but not the tense guards from before. It was obvious the people of Terra would no sooner hurt Molly as they would an elder. So while her notoriety left her and Dev little room for alone time while in public, it had at least given her permission to move out of the Dreamer Containment Center.

  Molly now lived at the apartment, in Dev’s room, until they could get their own quarters.

  “You should take a picture. It’ll last longer.” Her sleepy voice brought Dev back to the woman he stared dazedly at. Molly’s eyes were open, their brightness startling against her dark-brown irises. She smiled and stretched out, her gracefully toned arms reaching above her head. “Was I sleeping long?”

  “Always,” Dev said as his attention fell to a gentle sloping of skin that peeked tantalizing out of the sheets.

  “Eyes up here, buddy,” Molly chastened.

  “I think my eyes are fine right where they are.” Dev grinned as he tugged the covers away.

  “Dev!” She threw her arms over her bare chest, but it was futile, for he quickly had them pinned to her pillow, her beautiful olive skin shining under the dim lights of his room.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he said gruffly, sliding to rest above her, her skin cool against his hot. “You should never cover yourself.”

  “Hmm, I think you’re right,” she mused. “I’ll walk through the streets of Terra butt naked from now on. Cato will love that.”

  Dev laughed. “I’m sure it would finally pump some blood into certain dead parts of him.”

  “Ugh, gross.” Molly squirmed under him, and Dev’s mind cleared of anything but this woman and his need for her. In all of Terra, what she did to him.

  She must have seen the change in his features, for she stopped moving, her breathing heavy. “Dev,” she said. “We’ll never get out of bed if we keep this up.”

  “Are you hungry?” he asked as he lowered his head to nip at her neck.

  “No,” she panted.

  He licked his way down to her breast. “Need the bathroom?”

  She gasped as he took the peak into his mouth. “N—no.”

  “Then there’s no need to get out of bed.”

  And because she knew he was right, there wasn’t anything pressing, she let him worship her body, for every inch of her was holy to him. He took his time on every dip and curve of her skin as the room grew hotter, each pounding of her heart sending it soaring, the lights flickering on and off. Only until she moaned his name a third time did he ease himself back up and into her.

  On a husky groan he brought his lips to hers, savoring the way her nails dug into his back as he pushed them into their own dream state, one where they could go together. She sighed against his skin, and he cradled her closer, tasting her perfection, feeling it. Their long journey through hell and back had finally brought them to a place that was just for the two of them, a place where love lived freely, without the fear of loss in every passing hour. Dev was determined to keep it that way for as long as he could, specifically right then. So with forced control, he stretched them further in the sheets, feeling her tightening around him, and kept them there, deliciously long, torturously so. Until he could take it no longer, until she couldn’t, and on her last beg, he swept them to the surface, where they both burst apart. But even then Dev merely kept them wrapped together, waiting for their breathing to steady before he kissed her heart open and did it all over again.

  — 46 —

  When you come home, find me.

  I’ll be where I always found you.

  —A note from Dev to Molly, left on their kitchen table

  Today is my twenty-sixth birthday.

  A whole two years older than the first night where my life was forever changed.

  And I haven’t even received one present yet.

  Squinting into the sunlight, I flip my shades down from where they rested atop my head and let the ocean breeze float through my thin yellow chemise. The lapping blue waves rhythmically collide in an endless song in front of me, and I watch as a tall, dark, and shockingly blond-haired man throws a ball to a black Labrador on the beach below. It barks in excitement as it chases its projected flight, its chocolate coat glistening in the sun.

  I sit nestled on a small cliffside patio of a cottage near El Matador beach in Malibu. The sun is high, a bright early afternoon, and I close my eyes, soaking in the peace.

  “Okay!” Becca chirps, stepping out from the house. “I made us piña colada!” She flops into the lounge chair beside me and hands over one of the white frothy drinks. Her red hair is pulled up in a floral wrap, and her bright-green bikini peeks through the sheer fabric of her white dress.

  “Isn’t it a bit early?” I ask, poking at the overabundant mini umbrellas stuck in my beverage.

  “I’m going to ignore that ridiculous question because it’s your birthday,” Becca says before taking a generous sip. She lets out an exaggerated ah!

  I shake my head with a laugh and then dig into my own.

  “Thatta girl.” She smiles and then shields her eyes as she peers out to Rae playing with their dog, Caterpillar. When she told me the name, I hardly batted an eye. Becca and her pet names, pun intended, know no bounds of bizarre.

  “How long do they usually stay out there?” I ask.

  “Usually until one of them gets tired.”

  “So forever.”

  “Yup.” She nestles back into her chair. “Which is perfect for me and my R and R time.”

  “I would think you’d have overdosed with R and R by now after moving here.”

  “Molly…” She laughs like I just said something cute, like a child trying to say asparagus. “You can never have too much relaxation.”

  “Some would beg to differ,” I say while my nose bumps against four mini umbrellas as I try to take another sip. I mean, really?

  “Well, some of us don’t need to save worlds every other day. Some of us like to kick up our feet and smell the friggin’ tanning oil every once in a while.”

  “I like to kick up my feet,” I accuse. “What do you think I’m doing right now?” I gesture to said feet that are said kicked up.

  Becca’s lips purse. “I’ll give you this one because you’re the birthday girl.”

  I scoff. “You’ll give me this one because I’m right.”

  She waves a dismissive hand and returns to watching Rae. He’s in nothing but his surfer shorts, and his strong chest and arms glisten under the sunlight, flexing as he pulls back to throw the ball for Caterpillar. Even I can’t help ogling him, and all too easily hear my best friend let out a contented sigh.

  Rae and Becca moved to California a little over six months ago. The surf shop Rae worked for wanted him at their flagship store after some of his engineering changes to their boards landed them as one of the go-to suppliers for the world’s champions. Becca easily found another producer job that allowed her to work from home most days instead of slugging the commute to Los Angeles. The culture on the West Coast is a lot more laid back than on the East Coast. It’s easy to see that the move was a good deci
sion for these two, especially from the glistening rock now resting on Becca’s finger. Rae popped the question the very night they moved into this cottage, as they watched their first sunset. I know, puke-ishly romantic, but I couldn’t be happier for them.

  With the war in Terra ending, the violence that was slipping into this world subsided with it. Threats of terrorism still linger in certain parts of Earth, as do the Metus in certain parts of Terra, but the constant gun violence and seemingly random acts of hate between neighbors has all but disappeared. Life, it seems, has fallen into a nice, gentler pattern. One that I hope lasts a long, long time. The gift Hector gave our two worlds, not to mention me, is immeasurable, and I feel his soul swimming through me just as easily as I feel all my Dreamer predecessors. Which is why I’ve been working diligently with the Council to finally, finally, erect a memorial that all the public can see, of those now gone, those who gave their lives for their world. Not just some wall with their names tucked away deep within City Hall, but a space that can be viewed front and center. Because if I’ve learned anything from the experience with Aaron, it’s that grief shouldn’t be shunned and stifled. It should be let out, freed, and given a place to go. I’m just hoping the bill will pass soon so we can begin the designs and construction.

  “So, have you checked under your seat yet?”

  I blink at Becca’s question.

  “Under my seat?”

  Her lips curl mischievously as I reach under me, my fingers hitting up against something.

  “You got me a present!” I lift a polka-dot gift bag to my lap.

  “Duh, monkey butt. It’s not like I haven’t mentioned your birthday like every other sentence.”

  Ripping away the tissue paper, I pull out a small black box and pop it open. “Oh,” I gasp. “It’s…it’s…” I can’t finish my sentence, for tears blur my vision.

  “I’m hoping those are happy tears,” she says.

  I nod vigorously as I pick up the delicate gifts resting inside. Two small silver charms, a palm tree and the shape of the state of California, twinkle in the sunlight.

  “I know you haven’t worn your charm bracelet in a while,” Becca says, “but I thought this would give you a reason to wear it again. It really is so lovely, and I think you should have something that will always remind you of here, of us.”

  Placing the gifts and my drink to the side, I turn and give her the biggest hug. “It’s perfect.”

  “I love you, Mols.”

  “I love you too, Bec.”

  “Well, if I knew this is how your visit was going to turn out, I would have showered this morning. Care if I join?” Rae’s deep voice comes from the stairs leading up from the beach.

  “You wish.” Becca throws a sandal at him.

  He easily catches it and grins. “I meant the hug. But by all means, please tell me what you thought I meant?”

  She throws her other shoe, and I laugh.

  “I see Bec gave you our gift.” He stretches out in one of the chairs, his muscular chest dusted with sand, and Caterpillar trots over to sit by his feet, her tongue hanging out. He absently pats her head.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Of course.” His white teeth beam against his dark skin. “Have you gotten Dev’s gift yet?”

  “Dev’s gotten me a gift?”

  “Babe! You ruined the surprise!” Becca chastens.

  “Was it really a surprise he was going to get her something for her birthday?”

  Becca harrumphs. “Still.”

  “Still nothing.” Rae kicks out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. “It’s not like I told her that it was a—”

  “Don’t you dare utter another word!”

  Rae chuckles while shooting me a wink. “She’s adorable when she’s frustrated with me, isn’t she?”

  “Adorable, perhaps,” Becca quips, “but a lot less agreeable to engage in certain acts later, if you catch my meaning.”

  “I think Caterpillar even caught your meaning,” I say dryly.

  “Molly,” Becca says tightly, “do I really need to remind you that as my best friend you need to be on my side in all things confrontational between Rae and myself?”

  I merely hold up my hands appeasingly.

  “Coward,” Rae mutters.

  “Hardly,” I say. “I didn’t actually answer her, now did I?”

  Becca gasps, while Rae laughs. “Ah, how wise you’ve grown.”

  “I am twenty-six now.”

  “Yes, you’re practically ancient,” he snorts before standing. “Now, it’s not a birthday without a cake, so who wants to help me bake it?”

  Becca becomes engrossed in sipping her piña colada, while I rest my hands behind my head. “I was told that I needed to learn to kick up my feet more and smell the tanning oil.”

  Rae’s brows furrow. “Why would you want to smell tanning oil?”

  “Once you’ve made a delicious cake for Molly, we’ll tell you,” Becca answers.

  “I’d be careful how you state your words next time, my love.” Rae bends down to give her a quick kiss. “Because a cake for Molly and only Molly is what I’ll now be making. Well, and me of course. You can sit in the corner and watch us eat it in bliss.”

  He barely dodges her punch to his shoulder before he disappears into the house, his laughter being chased by the pattering paws of Caterpillar.

  “He’s the worst,” Becca mutters.

  “You love him,” I say.

  “Too much,” Becca returns, and with a contented sigh we both sit back, sipping our coconut flavored drinks and soaking in the sun of our new lives.

  —∞—

  My skin tingles as I step out of the portal back in Terra, quickly imagining my standard Nocturna uniform hugging my form. My designated reentry room rests close to my personal chambers in the DCC, and I’m not surprised to see Odi waiting for me, his back pressed against the far wall near the door. His dark-black hair sweeps across his forehead, while his brown eyes crinkle with his smile, taking in my appearance. After Hector’s death, the role of my Vigil guard was left open, and it didn’t take long for him to finish up the proper training and be promoted. I couldn’t officially give my consent without warning that this position seemed a bit cursed, if my past Vigil guards were anything to go by. But Odi merely shrugged and informed me that all curses were eventually broken.

  Only time will tell, but so far so good.

  “Looks like you got some sun,” Odi says, pushing off the wall.

  “Yes, Becca certainly made sure of that.”

  “I have no doubt. That woman likes her lounging.”

  “To say the least.” I smile as we step into the white hall, nodding to the various Vigil, and now Nocturna, engineers who pass us in the DCC. With the knowledge of the Dreamer going public, the two races now work beside one another when it comes to my future lineage and me. None of us, not even the elders, are sure what will happen with the next summoning of a human. Now that my twenty-fifth birthday has come and gone with absolutely no change to my connection here, the future isn’t as predictable as it once was. The transfer with Rae obviously rid the barrier to only travel to Terra through my subconscious and, in effect, severed the countdown to my cutoff. Elena thinks I’ll even live longer, aging as they do here, which will essentially keep me in my Dreamer position, as well as by Dev’s side, for a long, long time. And honestly, I’m beyond psyched about this. Somehow I’m having my cake and eating it too. Well, I did have to go through some pretty deadly rings of fire and a psychopath to be able to do that, but still, I can have bits of both my lives, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

  The only thing we had to figure out was my “day job” on Earth, which was easily solved by giving me a position at one of the small Vigil-run financial firms in the city. And by position, I mean in name only. I never went in unless I needed to for appearance’s sake if my parents visited.

  With a smile on my lips, I pick up my pace as we head toward the exit, excite
d to see the man who’s been my guiding light in all this. He was gone when I woke before heading to Earth for a quick visit with Rae and Becca, but I found his note and a beautiful bouquet of flowers on our kitchen table. Even though we no longer need to, we still write little letters for each other to find around our apartment. It might only be a floor above where Dev used to live, because how could we really move far from Aveline and Tim, but it’s very much ours.

  “Molly.” Elena steps out from a doorway that we were about to pass. Her blonde hair impeccably cut straight to her shoulders, her white wrap dress spotless as her delicate hands rest, clasped in front of her. Her form shines brighter now that my connection with the plane of energy is more fluid, a halo of power, and I often wonder if this is how the elders see the world, in different forms of illumination.

  “How was your visit?”

  “Good,” I say, Odi and I stopping. “Rae says hello.”

  She inclines her head gracefully, a small grin. “Have they set a date yet?”

  “Not officially, but they don’t want a large wedding, so they don’t need to wait the usual year to be able to find a place. Becca was playing with the idea of a ceremony on the beach.”

  “I’m happy for them,” she says, and I know she means it.

  “You’re invited, you know.”

  Her blue eyes widen slightly, and it might be the second time I’ve ever seen her surprised. “Oh, I don’t think—”

  “After what Rae did for Terra, it would mean a lot for you to be there.”

  She regards me a moment, her expression slowly softening. “Then I shall be there.”

  I smile. “Good.” And with a parting gesture, we continue on our way, before Elena calls my name.

  “The Council reached a vote on the monument today,” she says once I turn back around.