Betrayal

by Mayandree Michel

  He frightened the air right out of my lungs.

  Placing scorching hands on my nearly exposed shoulders, Victor dug his long and jagged nails into the flesh of my shoulders, stabbing through the dainty fabric. A twinge of searing pain made me wince as I heard my skin sizzle from the burn. He drew blood that began to stain the intricate lace fabric bordering my shoulder bone. For some reason I couldn’t yell, or scream, or make an audible sound. I was silenced.

  When Victor brought his face closer to mine, so close that I could smell him; the aroma was recognizable – fresh burnt cinders. The wicked half smile swept across his gorgeous face, making me wonder how someone so beautiful could be so ugly at the same time. Victor’s face was becoming that of a heinous gargoyle… again. The transformation was fast and grotesque. His eyes were red as glimmering rubies. I couldn’t turn away even if I had tried–I didn’t try. Being on the receiving end of Victor’s hypnotic like stare, I was stone. His fierce grip on my shoulders was paralyzing and I couldn’t breathe. Victor sniffed the delicate curve of my neck while I fought unsuccessfully to break his penetrating stare.

  “You do not belong heeerrre. You must wonder where their loyalties lay my love. You belong to meeeeee, mmmyyyy Corde liiiaaa.” He hissed maliciously into my ear. His voice was just above a whisper and menacing. “Your sweet, tender soul is miiiine, as is your heart. No one can take you away from me. Youuuuu are my destiny.” Victor proclaimed in a bone burning purr that sent blistering sparks down my back. The heat that seemed to generate from Victor’s body must have broken Fahrenheit records across the globe. Why couldn’t Bethany feel the heat and rescue be from being barbecued?

  While fighting Victor’s trancelike glare to get a glimpse of Bethany, I watched him laugh bitterly as he surveyed my frightened reflection.

  Frightened, but yielding to him. I tried to scream to stop the overwhelming need of him but no sound left my mouth. He began to slide his hand toward my chest. His long claw like fingernails burned and pierced through the fabric of my bodice so forcibly that I believed they were going to puncture through my skin. I heard my skin sizzle beneath his touch and I cringed in pain. All the while the heat had not subsided; only intensified around me.

  He is here to kill me, I thought. I am going to die all over again, by a bull morphing demigod. This time it won’t be instantly. Why wasn’t Bethany fighting him off of me? As if reading my desperate thoughts and hearing her cue, Bethany finally reacted to the sight of me in distress.

  “Nooo!” Bethany let out a partial shriek like gasp. Her eyes went completely black then red. She moved as fast as light and was by my side within an unpredictable second, but not quick enough to stop Victor from slamming her against the wall with a suffocating grip to her neck. He held her there and leaned in close enough to kiss her.

  “Bethanyyy, you make me hotttt all over” The heat intensified in the room as he mouthed the word ‘hot’. “To taste you…again would be so sweet, but you are not the girl for me.” Victor grimaced as he continued to torment.

  Taste you… again? What the hell did that mean? Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Both Victor and Bethany didn’t seem to notice it. Victor ran his hand across the fabric against Bethany's hip, then thigh. Victor gripped the fabric of her dress, sliding it upward to reveal Bethany’s thigh all the while tightening his grip around her neck and sliding her up the wall.

  “GET... OFF... ME!” Bethany growled like an animal.

  Victor looked Bethany dead in the eyes and spewed fire into her face as she instantaneously shifted into water while keeping her natural shape, minus the dress. By Bethany turning into water, Victor lost his grip around her neck, and his hand splashed into the wall. He swiped at her liquid form, apparently pissed off that she had doused his flames. Bethany, water and all suddenly disappeared.

  Victor instantly flipped around so that his back was now against the wall where he just had Bethany pinned. Out of the blue, Bethany reappeared still fleshed out in water, and now had Victor pinned against the wall. Somehow the water that made up her entire form was capable of grasping onto a solid, but not for long.

  Victor forced himself free of Bethany’s aquatic vice and stood in the center of the room. I watched him, and I was completely terrified of this teenage monster. I couldn’t move. It was truly a battle of strength between fire and water. They were both so powerful. Victor began spewing fire in all directions including mine, which had me scared to death of being burned alive. I also thought that he would transform into a bull again, but he didn’t.

  Instead, Bethany anticipated his targets, and doused them before he could set them ablaze, leaving everything perfectly untouched and surprisingly dry.

  I would forever be grateful to her for not letting this barely legal monster, who I felt undeniably drawn too, turn me into ashes.

  Another rap at the door, this time much louder, stunned us all. “More visitors upon your return, Divine One?” Victor teased as his ominous ogle swept over me. Although his stare was prolonged and desirous, he was voracious and seemed to want to kill me now more than ever. But to my surprise, he didn’t attack. Instead, he vanished, leaving behind a thick vapor of black smoke as a low and wicked cackle echoed throughout the room, reverberating from my ear to Bethany's, and then over by the French doors. The dreadful sound seeped out into the searing desert heat, which was no match for Victor’s.

  Seven

  Warning

  The hypnotic attraction to Victor, if that’s what I’d been consumed by, while in his presence, was gone the moment he disappeared. I couldn’t stop shaking, and my neck felt incredibly stiff. I desperately needed an escape from this…this… HELL!

  I watched Bethany in disbelief, and reflected on what had just taken place, but I was so dazed that I didn’t really see her, just a satin emerald blur of fabric. She had already transformed back into human form from the aquatic creature. I felt cold and hot all at once. My mind focused on running out of the room, running out of this house, running out of this point in time, running to someplace where I didn’t feel like screaming at the top of my lungs.

  “Stop rocking,” Bethany demanded, startling me. I didn’t realize that I’d been rocking violently back and forth, with my arms wrapped around me in a cocoon like hug. She grabbed my shoulders and stared back at me; her eyes had returned to their normal ocean hue from the vibrant crimson that seemed to look right through you.

  “Are you alright?” She asked.

  “Uh...” I had to think about it for a second. Was I alright? No, I was a mess. The knocking at the door came in rapid and loud raps now. Both Bethany and I jumped.

  “Who is it?” Bethany inquired hesitantly. I didn't want her to answer it although; I knew it couldn't be Victor. Surely that demon wouldn't be inclined to knock.

  “It's Evan, Beth.” Evan said taking her inquiry as an invitation and flinging the doors open. “Didn’t either of you hear me knocking?” His eyes searched us both for an answer.

  He looked at me with kind eyes. I needed kind eyes right now after just looking into the most evil eyes I had ever seen; vindictive and full of dread. I couldn't deny the instant feeling of safety I sensed whenever Evan was near. I stood up from the vanity. He walked toward me but stopped in front of Bethany instead. Her emotions were evident. She looked anxious as if she had done something wrong, and was about to be reprimanded. Evan turned to look at me, obviously still unaware of what had just happened but curious as to why we were visibly traumatized.

  “I would like a moment alone with Cordelia.” Evan said, with his eyes trained on me even though he spoke to his sister. I sighed and looked down at my hands. “Nikolas is waiting for you in the parlor.”

  “Evan, Victor was just here.” Bethany blurted out. The silence in the room was deafening as her words hung in the air.

  “What do you mean by just here?” Evan’s tone went icy.

  “In this house, in this room.” Bethany gulped. “I didn't see him enter. I was over by the dres
ser, and he had his hands on Cordelia – right over her chest. I think he was going to tear her heart out had you not knocked at that moment… ” Bethany's voice was strained as she trailed off with the idea of what could have happened while her brother stood on the other side of the double doors. “I tried to keep him …”

  “Are you alright?” Did he hurt you in anyway?” Evan asked me calmly, and cutting Bethany words off like a light switch, as he held my face in his hands.

  “I'm fine.” I lied. “Really, he didn’t hurt me.” I lied again. When Victor had put his hands on my shoulders, his claw like nails had burned so bad at first that I thought I might pass out from the pain. I didn't feel it at all now and they didn’t seem to notice any damage to the neckline of my dress.

  “And you Beth?” Evan demanded softly noticing that his sister looked a bit stunned.

  “I'm fine.” I looked at Bethany's neck. She didn't lie. It was clean of any marks; flawless ivory like an unused canvas. I looked around the room for a moment staring at each piece of furniture expecting everything to be drenched with the remnants of Bethany’s tidal wave, but all of the furnishings were stark dry. I wondered where all the water had gone?

  “Victor is becoming audacious and is developing a sense of instinct as to where you are,” Evan said harshly. “The venomous outcast is also aware that you don’t remember him; hence he knows that you have not developed your powers. This leaves you extremely vulnerable. He will be back, and it will be soon.” Evan said keeping his eyes on me as he stepped away from me. “He’s very aware that time is running out.” Evan’s vibrant and concerned eyes swept over me from head to toe as if he were looking for a wound or some sign that I’d been hurt.

  “He was talking to her. He told her something. What did he say to you, Delia?” Bethany questioned with panic evident in her trembling voice.”

  “Why are you concerned about him speaking to me? Who cares what he said, as long as he didn’t kill me, right? Forgive me for being happy to have lived through his visit. I mean really, how many leases do I get on life anyway?”

  They both stared at me but said nothing for a moment as I tried to decide whether to tell them what Victor had declared. His words had been precise. His message very clear. Killing me and taking my soul was his destiny, his right. I could still hear Victor’s shrill bone chilling laugh. I don't believe that I would survive another encounter with him. This had to be his last visit or I may as well end my life now.

  “Tell me Cordelia. Don’t be afraid. It’s imperative that I know.” Evan pleaded though he looked as if he already knew what had been said, but still needed to hear it from me. I was hesitant to speak the words. If I did, I would be forced to relive the entire ordeal. The goose bumps were back.

  “He said that I belonged to him and that I didn't belong here.” I paused, gulped, and looked at Evan.

  Evan nodded and prodded me with his endearing voice. “Was there anything else?”

  “He said that my soul is his, that this is his destiny, and that he won't be stopped.” I managed to somehow get most of it out, and skipped the part about loyalty. I knew that Victor couldn’t be trusted, but I wondered what he was insinuating.

  “In MY house?” Evan asked icily, but not explaining what Victor had meant. Neither Bethany nor I dared to speak. Evan's eyes and body language spoke volumes. He clenched his fists and his pupils grew black then fire red as he stared right through Bethany and I.

  Evan’s auburn hair, which had suddenly become soaked, began to whip across his face as if a strong breeze was blowing through it. His clothing became drenched as if he had been in the line of Bethany’s fire. His entire body became engulfed in a wave of water, and he was completely fleshed out in it. I could no longer make out the impeccable features of his face.

  I felt the cold and vicious wind gusts blow passed my face as my furniture rattled brutally. The deafening sounds of hurricane winds and a tornado of water filled the two rooms. I fought to hold on to a piece of furniture as everything in the room became soaked. Bethany stood as if nothing was happening. Her brother had his head tilted completely back, and said the words that I would never forget. Each word was filled with vengeance and thundered throughout the entire room.

  “I WILL NOT REST UNTIL I KILL THE COWARDICE SON OF IPTIAN!” Evan appeared as if he was possessed, like some demon had taken over his body. He began to levitate as the diamond patterned ceiling swallowed him whole along with the swirling typhoon that followed him.

  “EVANDER!” Panic painted Bethany's face.

  I felt like screaming too, but I would have to hire a search party to find my voice. I was too shocked to make an audible sound. Bethany knew her brother was serious. He was going to hunt Victor down to kill him…or be killed. I knew that it was the latter suggestion that worried her.

  Evan literally disappeared through the ceiling leaving no apparent sign of his departure, not a solitary drop of water which had originated from him. My room was arid once again. The ceiling looked exactly as it had looked before Evan went through it, in a perfect rhombus pattern. I was glued to the spot where I stood. My eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling, as if I expected Evan to return through it the same way he had left. After all that I had seen, anything was probable. Suddenly Bethany grabbed my arm and forced me to look her in the face.

  “Do not leave this room! I must get Nikolas.” Bethany demanded. “I will return, shortly.”

  “Please don't leave me!” I screamed to an empty room. Just like that, I was all alone. I felt a chill that crept right into my bones and camped there. What if Victor returned? Why the heck would they think it was safe to leave me alone with a monster hungry for my soul? Victor would surely kill me knowing that I was all alone and powerless, with neither of the mighty trio to defend me.

  I sat down on my bed and shivered to my core as I broke out into a feverish sweat. My hands were clammy, and I wrapped myself in my arms and unconsciously began rocking back and forth, as if I was sitting in a rocking chair. I rocked like that for what seemed like a long, long time letting fear overwhelm me.

  It was an impossible notion that I struggled with, but I had to stop thinking of Victor. I couldn't get the image of Victor's handsome face transforming into a hideous gargoyle out of my mind. His face seemed to appear everywhere I looked. I concentrated as hard as I could to extinguish his evil face from my psyche. No one would blame me after all that I had witnessed and heard. This was nothing short of a nightmare. What scared me the most was the yearning feeling I felt within his presence. It was consuming. I couldn’t deny that I was drawn to him for reasons I didn’t understand and wasn’t certain that I ever would.

  Victor’s words played over and over in my head. I fought the urge to scream in order to get them to stop. Instead, I tried to think of Evan, who made me feel safe even though I didn't even know him, this guy who claims to be irrevocably in love with me, whoever I really was. Evan’s feelings for me frightened me, and I wasn’t sure why. Could it be the fact that I didn’t know him and was expected to? Or could it be that I didn’t know what he really expected from me? Either way, I felt strangely secure around him. Somehow, I knew that he would never knowingly hurt me, and would probably give his life for me. I actually believed that. I don’t know why, but I could gamble my life on it.

  Here was this perfect looking guy who looked like he had just stepped of the pages of GQ magazine. A perfect gentleman who spoke with perfect articulation, certainly not the norm for Nickel City folk, which proved a level of maturity which was well beyond the age which he looked to be. Yet on the flip side, he is capable of manufacturing a maximum force tsunami out of the dry desert air.

  I was astounded by his extraordinary power. The power that he claimed I could out match. For the first time, since finding out that I have powers, I was intrigued. My hands shook with fear every time the idea entered my mind, but I was fascinated nonetheless.

  Bethany startled me when she appeared out of nowhere. She was back. I sighed
. But Nikolas wasn’t with her. I realized only a couple of minutes had passed since she had left. She walked toward me.

  “It’s time for dinner.” Bethany said practically ignoring me while she smoothed her hair and looked herself over in the tall gilt framed mirror, which stood in the far left corner of my bedroom. She looked beautiful as always, whether she was in a slim fitting tshirt or this Victorian ensemble, she was a stunner and she knew it. “Come with me, everyone is expecting you.” Bethany added. I was in no mood for food. I was still shaken by Victor’s visit, and didn’t want to be anywhere in this house much less being forced to a sit down dinner in it.

  Why was Bethany acting like nothing happened? Where was Nikolas? Didn't she just leave to get him? And Evan – where was he? Her brother had just levitated out of here a moment ago on a mission to rid the world of one of its prime evil tormenters.

  “What's going on? Where are Evan and Nikolas?” I practically stumbled over the hem of my dress trying to get over to the full length mirror where Bethany was still checking herself out.

  “Victor has gone back into hiding. Humph... a coward always does,” she snorted, knowingly. “He is petrified of my brother, as he should be. Evan has sent Victor a warning through his disciple, Lucas. You don’t need to worry.” Bethany assured.

  “So what does that mean, Victor won’t be coming back?” I was hopeful but knew better. Somehow I knew this wasn’t the end. I wondered what kind of warning Evan had sent. Would it be enough to keep Victor away? Would it keep him away long enough, so that I could regain my memory?

  “Once he believes that Evan isn't watching, he’ll be back.” Not the answer I wanted to hear.