Bethany stood up, turned around, and walked toward me. Her expression was blank. She mounted Topaz, and all the while, I watched intently as Sacha sauntered over to Lucas, with her eyes practically closed, and lay next to him. She was snoring softly within a few seconds.
“We have to get back to the house now. Let’s go.” Bethany said, snapping me to attention. It was then that I noticed the red stained slits in the sleeves of her cream colored blouse. She followed my eyes, and it was obvious that she hadn’t noticed the scars which the panther had inflicted. Her blood had stained the fabric, but as Bethany peered through the slashed material, whatever scratches she had endured were long gone. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”
Ok,” I said, profoundly shocked by the entire encounter, and how Bethany handled it. “But how did you stop them from attacking us? What did you do to them?” I asked anxiously.
“Not now Cordelia, we have only a few minutes, or so before the duo wakes up and remembers what just happened. You first,” Bethany said, motioning for me to ride ahead of her.
“Full speed, Delia,” she commanded.
We headed back to the stables. I pushed Gypsy as much as I could, and was impressed with her speed. Bethany rode behind me as if blocking any chance of another attack by the twins. Once Night Wind took the horses into the barn, and we were back in Bethany’s house I attacked Bethany with questions.
“Are you going to tell me what you did to Lucas and Sacha?” Why did they fall asleep like that? How did you make them change back?” I asked hovering behind her.
“I changed their thinking, they became tired, and all they wanted to do was sleep.”
“You mean you Glamoured them.”
By now, Bethany was heading up the stairs. She stopped in mid step, and turned around. A sparkling bold smile spread across her face. “You remember.
Oh Delia, that’s wonderful!” Bethany exclaimed, and literally flew down the stairs in a matter of a second.
“What’s all the commotion about?” Neither Bethany nor I heard Nikolas come into the foyer. “Do tell”
“Cordelia is getting her memory back! Isn’t that just wonderful?” Bethany spoke as if the air had been drained from her lungs.
“Superb. Of course that’s wonderful. How did it happen?” Nikolas asked, and then noticed the slashes in Bethany’s sleeves. His face became pallid as his eyes narrowed. “What happened to you? What did that to you, Beth?”
“Oh that?” Bethany said, shrugging of the seriousness of being attacked by not one, but two ferocious panthers in the middle of the valley.
“Yes that.” Nikolas mimicked Bethany’s high pitched voice. I tried not to laugh. For some reason I thought Nikolas’ reaction was hysterical. It could be because I found being alive right now to hear Bethany tell the story, and not being brutally mauled by a panther exhilarating.
“It’s nothing to worry about Niko,” Bethany said. “We stopped for a quick break after riding up to Old Oak, and were met by Sacha and Lucas.”
“Lucas is alive?”
“Yes, very much. Lucas shifted into a panther, and Sacha followed suit,” Bethany said. “They’re taking a cat nap.” Bethany giggled. I wanted to laugh too, but held my joy.
Just then I Evan entered the foyer from down the hall. His eyes locked with mine, and I had to turn away. Those blue eyes were so intense.
“Unfortunately, not before they had a chance to do this.” Evan said, standing beside Bethany, and rubbing a small portion of the ripped fabric between his fingers. Evan had his eyes on me the entire time.
“It was amazing,” I said. “The way Lucas and Sacha shifted into panthers, and the way Bethany fought them off. She was incredible. My hero.” I said, smiling at Bethany.
“Stop it, Delia,” Bethany said, with a serious edge to her tone. I stopped smiling immediately.
“It’s much too soon for Cordelia to take morning rides through the valley. Who allowed it?” Evan asked Bethany in a condescending tone.
“No one allowed it. I just thought that –”
“It wasn’t a good idea Beth,” Evan said, silencing her. “Cordelia could have been killed, and so could you.”
“I Glamoured them, and I handled the situation, Evan. She was safe the entire time.” Bethany said, nervously. Her hands were shaking.
“Evan, Lucas is –” Nikolas chimed in. His voice was serious.
“Alive. I heard.” Evan nodded. “Lucas’ rebirth means only one thing, that Victor taught Sacha well.”
“What do you mean?” Nikolas and Bethany said, in unison. I didn’t understand what he meant either. None of us heard, or saw Thaddeus descending the long staircase until he spoke.
“What Evander means is, Sacha retrieved Lucas’ heart before it burned, and Victor has gained the power to resurrect a soul. He will be unstoppable soon.” Thaddeus said, in an even, yet bitter tone. When he spoke the last part about Victor being unstoppable, he was glaring at me.
Both Bethany and I went to our rooms to change out of our riding habits, and into our daytime dresses. I decided to lounge for a while in my tub. The temperature of the water was just warm enough to put you to sleep. Sun Paw quickly gathered my riding garments, and laid out what I had chosen to wear this afternoon. It was hard to believe that I was starting to remember. Real memories. The ride with Gypsy was proof of that, not the part about knowing about Bethany Glamouring Lucas and Sacha. That I had learned from the journals.
I wondered though, how Lucas knew about me killing that Apolluon vampiress – the head Apolluon vampire’s wife. Does Bethany know too? I doubt it, or she definitely would have said something to me, or Evan about it downstairs. Killing a vampire can’t be that bad. One less vampire means a much safer night for someone. And if I hadn’t gone to my house, then I would’ve never known about the journals. I also would have been clueless to the nifty trick Bethany pulled on Lucas and Sacha. Glamouring them was ingenious, and it had saved our lives.
I tried like hell to shut the idea of killing out of my mind. The water was very relaxing but I still couldn’t extinguish the horrendous thoughts from my psyche. I closed my eyes for a moment, and they emerged, the perfect pale faces and blood stained fangs of the Apolluon vampires, thirsty and more seductive then the glowing yellow eyes of the panthers. My eyes couldn’t have been shut for thirty seconds when I was startled by light knocking on the bathroom door.
“Crap!” I hissed.
“Miss Cordelia, breakfast will be served soon,” Sun Paw said, through the door.
“I’ll be right out,” I said, standing up, and grabbing my silk robe. I had been careful not to get my hair wet. If I had, I would miss breakfast entirely by trying to get it dry enough to style into a suitable bun. I wasn’t sure if wearing my hair loose was an option these days. Standing in front of my full length mirror, after Sun Paw finished helping me dress, permitted me to truly see the beauty of my lavender gingham dress. I’d still rather be wearing a pair of my comfy jeans, but I had to admit that I couldn’t get passed how elegant and demure I seemed. I found it strange that it was my own reflection.
Was this really me? I still felt so out of place.
The bustle was ridiculous and made my ass look beyond enormous, but it was the fashion of the day. No girl of my stature in this rural high society life, would ever be caught dead sporting a skirt without one. It would be a real Victorian faux pas. For a brief moment, I wondered what my mom; the one who wouldn’t know me now if she ran into me on the main street, would think if she saw me dressed like this. She would’ve probably thought that I was performing in one of the ‘Living Legend’ parades for the tourists on the weekends. I fought the urge to cry. I missed her.
“Did you enjoy your ride?” Sun Paw asked while getting my matching shoes from the closet. I thought about my morning ride, minus the kitty cat drama, it had been exceptionally good.
“Yes, it was great.” I smiled, and Sun Paw returned it.
***Once I was in the dining room, I realized that
I was late for breakfast. Everyone was already seated, and munching on what smelled delicious. I gulped, and walked toward the empty chair. Thaddeus and Alexandria sat patiently staring. I looked away and smoothed the skirt of my dress as I took my seat. Thaddeus moved his eyes back to his plate, and stuck his fork into a piece of fruit. Then he asked me the fated question. He certainly wasn’t a man who beat around a bush.
“Cordelia, where did you go before your morning ride with Bethany?” He looked me dead in the eyes while sticking the piece of fruit into his mouth. I turned away from him, and saw everyone’s surprised expression. Obviously he was the only person at that table who knew that I had been out before meeting Bethany at the stables.
“I went out for a short walk. That's alright isn't it?' I said, challenging Thaddeus in a flat tone. I wasn't about to become a prisoner in this house; unable to come, and go as I felt necessary. I expected some freedom. Christopher and Phoebe looked at me with admiration in their eyes, and crooked little smiles. They appreciated a little mischief. Both Evan and Nikolas looked shocked, and concerned. Then there were the suspicious set of eyes that belonged to Bethany. Here we go, I thought.
“No, it is not alright.” Thaddeus’ voice was firm. “Let us not forget, young lady, that you are the target of malignant forces that wait patiently for the opportunity to capture you when you are most vulnerable, hence my rule of remaining in the house. We have provided you with a safe haven while your memory and powers are restored. It is in your best interest that you stay in this house. If an outing is necessary, you will be accompanied by either Evander or Nikolas.” Thaddeus gave an accusatory look at Bethany. He was still annoyed about the morning ride. “You are to never leave this house alone. Is that understood?” Thaddeus demanded. I was about to let out a sigh, but Thaddeus wasn’t done.
“Without you, Cordelia, we will be rendered powerless and imperiled with what Victor or any other evil entity may have set forth for us.” It was almost as If he could read my mind. “Forgive me, for I do not wish to sound contemptuous, nor have my words misconstrued. We must consider the nature of our peril.” Thaddeus was adamant as he was desperate to have me understand that I was screwing things up for the family as a whole. I get it.
I waited a moment before I answered. I didn't know this man before a day ago. Despite the circumstances of my fate, and what my purpose here was, I didn't appreciate his tone, or his words. I held his gaze and decided to be good for now, and gave him the answer he expected. No need to alert the watchdog. I knew I would sneak out again to visit Gerald if he accepted my invitation, which I was certain he would.
Sixteen
Blooming Garden
After breakfast, I spent the rest of the morning in my bedroom, hoping for a message with an answer from Gerald. At some point I had dozed off on the chaise. I thought it odd how no one bothered to come and check up on me, when I woke up, and saw that the clock on the fireplace mantle read one o’clock in the afternoon. I left my bedroom and headed for the dining room, and nearly careened into Sun Paw at the foot of the stairs.
“Pardon me please, Miss Cordelia… I’m so sorry, I–” Sun Paw stammered, as she quickly stepped nearly two yards away from me as if she were afraid of me.
“Don’t be sorry, you didn’t see me coming, and I didn’t notice you either.” I chuckled. I couldn’t understand why she was nervous. “Were you coming to see me?”
“Yes, I was coming to tell you that lunch is being served in the garden.”
“Thank you, Sun Paw.” Without another word, she hurried in to my bedroom then into my bathroom. She wasted no time in cleaning up after me.
I walked into the sun room, through which you could enter the garden. The sun room was practically enclosed in glass walls divided every six or so feet by floor to ceiling Grecian columns. The glass walls were covered with wispy silk and linen curtains. The sheer curtains blew gently in the dry warm breeze that came in through the two huge opened French doors. Most of the color in the room came from the garden, and the array of elaborately embroidered pillows, which were strategically placed on the dark brown wicker furnishings.
The spacious room was airy and bright due to its absorption of sunlight. Unexpectedly, the temperature was cooler in this room than the rest of the house. I suppose it must be due to the abundance of potted ferns and potted palms that stood at a variety of heights anywhere from three to seven feet.
Besides that, there were a number of potted ferns, resting on several small tables. The room gave you the feeling of being in a conservatory. It was quickly becoming my favorite room in the entire house.
I noticed Evan leaning against the frame of the French doors. His appraisal of me was nerve wracking and undue. His radiant smile literally beckoned me through the doors. His smile competed with the beaming sun, which was especially bright today. The sun made Evan’s deep auburn hair appear coppery as if singed by its rays.
“How are you, today? Evan asked as he held out his hand. I rested my palm in his and stepped outside, and was overwhelmed by the exuberant floral garden. Before I could answer, the aromatic infusion of the botanicals hit me the moment the sun warmed my skin. My eyes widened and swept over the lush greenery and the cornucopia of flowers. White to blush peonies bloomed along with, tulips in a variety of pastel hues, patches of wild orchids, and a perpetual abundance of red, white, coral, yellow, and pink rose bushes. Something quite strange and magical was happening. The flowers appeared to be blooming over and over again from buds to full bloom. It was as if they had eternal life. I was breathless and in awe.
“The flowers…keep blooming,” I said, reaching out to a cluster of my favorite flower, the rose. The petals felt like water in my hand, but left my fingertips dry.
“Perpetual foliage is a gift from Demeter.”
“Do you mean the Goddess of the harvest?” I asked. I felt like I was walking through an enchanted garden. It was a mystery to me how these flowers flourished in this harsh, dry, desert heat. We barely got enough rain here, and the sun seared us on a regular bases.
“That she is.” Evan smiled bowing his head to get a better look at my face as I peered closer at the roses. When my eyes met Evan’s, I didn’t know which I was more dumbfounded by, the never dying flowers or his eyes. Peering into them was like watching a tidal wave in his irises as if he actually had an ocean splashing in his eyes. I gulped quietly and turned away before I fell into a trance.
I focused on the garden, which quickly had my undivided attention again. The immaculately landscaped hedges bordered and sort of hid the large statues that I hadn’t really noticed before. The ancient looking monuments seemed to be the real focal point of this mystical garden now. Oddly, the marble statues weren’t slightly weathered or cracked as most statues usually were. They glimmered in the sunlight as if they had been recently polished.
They were practically glittering. The imposing statues towered as tall as the ornamental wrought iron gates which enclosed the entire courtyard. I wondered why the statues couldn’t be seen clearly from my balcony. It was like they had arrived just in time for lunch.
Evan stared in the direction of the statues then gazed back at me. His jovial disposition was contagious, so I smiled back. It was effortless which was new for me lately.
“Do you recognize any them?” He asked.
I observed the first couple of statues closest to where Evan and I stood, still near the entrance of the garden. I knew that they were images of Greek gods the moment I first laid my eyes on them.
“Yes, I think do, actually.” I answered, as Evan beamed. I detected his excitement was due to him believing that my answer stemmed from memories of being an Ischero. “Well, I’ve been studying Greek mythology this semester in school,” I clarified. I could tell that my answer wasn’t what Evan had anticipated by the solemn look in his eyes. I never expected what I’d been studying to come in handy someday, unless of course I was auditioning for Jeopardy.
I missed high school as I have nev
er in my whole life. I had never really enjoyed school, but certain subjects had perked my interest. Two subjects in particular, my World History class, and more so my class on Ancient Cultures, especially the portion on Greek mythology. How could I ever have known that the sometimes tragic mythological world I had sucked up like a sponge would be the bases of my existence? I had long planned on fleeing this town, and was now stuck here indefinitely. There is nothing that I wouldn’t give to be back in a classroom right now.
“Every Ischeros family has effigies of the Gods represented in their home in one way or another. They can only be seen by us.” Evan said as he led me down the cobblestone path. Funny, I thought. I didn’t see any statues or anything representing the gods at my house. The place had been cleaned out, but luckily for me, it wasn’t done thoroughly. I smiled inwardly about my discovery of my diaries.
“It makes it that much easier to see them and communicate with them.”
“How do you communicate with statues? Besides praying to them, I mean.”
“Well actually, we do pray to them, and that is what they feed on. As far as communicating, you’ll soon see.”
“Oh.” I said, not fully comprehending what he meant. Maybe, he meant when my memory returns.
“There are twelve in total,” Evan said, as he looked further down the path. “Each represents one of the Twelve Olympians.” The statues didn’t have pedestals beneath them. Their feet – marbleized feet – stood on the grass, as if they could just walk away when the mood struck them. I recognized the first deity instantly, the goddess Athena was rather easy to identify due to the helmet and suit of armor she was clad in.
“Athena Nike.” Evan revealed.
“Athena, the Victorious,” I translated. “The goddess of wisdom whipped Poseidon, your … um father, in a contest of which deity would be named the patron deity of an unnamed city ruled and judged by a mythical king of ancient Greece. Pretty cool, huh?” I could tell that Evan was impressed. His smile broadened.
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