Taken back by the question, and since I didn’t know the answer I said, “No I don’t.”
“You told me that if I still did, in five years, then you would have to marry me.” Evan chuckled.
“Ok… I will.”
“I don't want you to worry. I know that you are afraid and well, I would deduce that anyone in your position – being killed then revived, losing the only family you remember, being brought back into an unfamiliar point in time, and then forced to understand this complex, yet gift of life, would be right to be frightened. I think that you’re brave, Cordelia. I've always admired you for your bravery, more so now.” Evan said looking into my eyes, and feathering a kiss on my forehead as he held me tenderly, but firmly as if he never wanted to ever have to let me go.
I didn’t want to go, or be anywhere but here right now. I finally felt a calm I hadn't felt since returning to the past. Evan felt to me the way one feels like after a lengthy aggravating trip, and an even more aggravatingly long and grueling commute. He felt like home. I looked up at Evan’s beautiful face, as I cuddled up to his granite hard chest. Feeling his muscular frame though his now wrinkled shirt, made me only want to invite him in further into my heart. I realized then that I didn’t need to let Evan into my heart because he’d always been there Sun Paw’s insistent nudges woke me. I blinked, and looked around my bedroom. I sat up on my slightly rumpled bed. Just passed her petite frame, I could see that the sun had already set. I had fallen asleep. The last thing I remembered was climbing the stairs to my bedroom after Evan left the parlor.
But I’d been alone when I climbed the stairs, yet I remember him being in my sitting room. Had Evan really been in my room, or had I dreamt it?
Although confusion engulfed me, I still felt all tingly from the experience, whether it was real or not. I wanted to relish it.
“Dinner will be served soon, Miss Cordelia.” Sun Paw said, bringing me back to reality.
“I’d like to take dinner alone in my room tonight. Would you mind bringing up my plate, Sun Paw?”
“Of course, Miss.” Sun Paw said, nodding and turning to walk out of my room.
“Sun Paw, wait.” I said, as she turned to face me. “If anyone asks, could you tell them that I’m tired, and that I don’t want to be disturbed.”
“As you wish, Miss.” Sun Paw walked out of my room.
I hoped that everyone would honor my request. I was tired, and feeling a little whipped from what I just went through. I didn’t want to have to carry on conversations, or be forced to listen to Thaddeus and Alexandria chat about how much was hauled from the mines, or about the upcoming ball. I just wanted to be alone for a while. That couldn’t be too much to ask, could it?
I laid back down for a moment, and closed my eyes. The feeling of Evan lounging in my sitting room with me had felt so real. Like it really happened, like an actual memory. Was it a memory? But we had been dressed as we are today; me in this emerald taffeta dress, and Evan in his impeccably tailored slate suit. It was while I watched Sun Paw set my dinner down on one of the small tables in my sitting room, and as I swung my legs over the side of my bed that the precise and neat penmanship caught my eye. The envelope was leaning against the floral printed ceramic based oil lamp on my bedside table. The penmanship was different from the notes I’d received from Gerald. It was sealed with red wax which was stamped with the calligraphic letters EC. It was from Evan. I opened it carefully, and read the simple note over and over again.
My darling Cordelia,
I will wait forever for you.
Loving you eternally,
Evan
Sigh.
I focused, desperately not wanting to permit a pessimistic thought to invade my head. I allowed myself to be dreamy, and fantasize about weddings, and happily ever after. I allowed myself to look fondly into an uncertain future. I allowed myself to feel something that I had vowed not to succumb to, at least not yet. There was only one question to consider. Was I falling in love with a boy that I barely remembered?
TwentyFive
Demands
I barely ate my dinner which consisted of some type of meat wrapped in green leafy spinach with a creamy type of sauce dripped over it. I sat in front of my vanity, and stared at myself. I removed the gemstone encrusted comb from my hair, and watched the waves gently tumble down passed my shoulders, hanging halfway down my back. I fiddled with the lace trim that edged the scooped neckline of my taffeta dress. I traced the lace over and over with my fingers. I marveled how the hue of my dress brought out the emerald in my eyes. Looking at myself I noticed the crooked smile on my face as my thoughts continued to linger on Evan.
Against my better judgment, at one point I allowed a pessimistic thought to corrupt my psyche. I thought joy and happiness may never exist for Evan and I, if fate had an entirely different plan for us. So much evil surrounded us. We weren't the average teenagers of this day or anytime period. We looked like teenagers with centuries and centuries of knowledge regarding the entities that desire the power which had been vested in Evan, and especially the powers vested in me by the gods. Could we survive this precarious life? Could love keep us sane?
I didn't know the answers and neither did Evan, but he was willing to make any and all the sacrifices necessary to see to my happiness and my safety. I was pleasantly surprised by his devotion to me, but more for his devotion to protect this earth from evil. Evan’s passion for his family was extraordinary.
His strength was a major attraction for me since the first time I had seen Evan in my dream. I felt safe when I was with him. I couldn’t look into his eyes, and not bask in the warmth that emanated from them. When Evan held me in the parlor, I thought that I would melt away into a pool of water. I was thinking that I’d be fine with that being that he was a son of Poseidon. I didn’t want to rush this… whatever this was. I still needed to hear what Winston had to say.
I picked up my gilded hair brush, and ran it through my silky auburn hair. I pinned it back up with a sparkling gem stoned comb, and admired at how good I’d gotten at pinning a perfect bun. I was proud of myself for being able to imitate the style perfectly. I felt it, and winced. The sharp frosty chill crept up my spine, and filled the room. Then I saw it. The image appeared in my mirror like a veil blowing in the wind. It was a misty vapor that took on an opaque shape. Now the opaque vapor filled out into the distinctive shape of a tall young man. He was here in my room. The room had grown frigid as any room did when he was in it. Winston was here to tell me what he knew I was still so desperate to know. But I needed something else from him as well. I hoped that he was willing to help me.
“I hope that I'm not tardy for our meeting?” Winston said, doing his worst impression at being coy after appearing unexpectedly by my fireplace. I got up from the vanity, and quickly threw a couple of logs into it, and lit the fireplace without saying a word. The fire crackled loudly as if in protest of Winston’s presence. He leaned nonchalantly against the mantle, and looked at the clock my father had brought back from his trip to France. I was starting to thaw though slowly.
“No, you’re right on time, Winston.” I sat in the chair closest to the fireplace. I motioned for him to take a seat as well, and he did. I wanted to get right down to business with this odd specter.
“I would like you to fill me in on what you know about my family. I understand clearly that there is a price for this.” I said, flatly.
“We are friends are we not?”
“I’d hardly consider us to be friends, Winston.”
“No?”
“We can help each other,” I said.
“Certainly. We can do this cordially I believe.” He said, with an aggressive edge to his voice which he quickly tried to mask. I didn’t care for the idea of him beating around the bush.
“Name your price Winston.” I demanded, lightly and expressionless. I tried very hard to maintain a poker face.
“I know that once you have assessed your powers, your capabilities wi
ll not be matched by any other.” Winston declared. I didn't say a word, and instead stared him down as he chortled nervously.
“I want to live again, but of course you already know that.” Winston continued smugly. What a way to win me over I thought.
“I guess I did.” I admitted, casually. He appeared a little more relaxed now that the cat was out of the bag.
“How do I know that once I tell you everything that I know, that you’ll honor your part of the agreement?” Winston asked, as he eyed me cautiously.
I wondered why Winston didn't trust me. Had I done something in the past that deemed me untrustworthy? I doubt it. Well the feeling was mutual.
Winston was known to be a pompous knowsitall, a habitual liar, and a thief. But this time he was right. I had no intention of giving him a renewal on a life which he had been so careless with.
“I guess the same way that I know that all you tell me is true. I don't. I suppose it's a risk we both have to take.” I answered, coldly watching his every move.
Undoubtedly, Winston was more desperate than I was, and we both knew it. The truth about my existence would undoubtedly be revealed sooner or later. The truth always had an amusing way of doing so. The notion that I may be willing to wait, and find the truth on my own, seemed to frighten Winston. What he wanted was greatly out of reach. According to the Capius’, I’m the only Ischero, who could grant Winston what he starved for every second of his horrifying existence as a ghost, spirit, specter – whichever he preferred to be called.
“I suppose, I don't have a choice. I’ll tell you everything but first I’ll take you to where they are meeting tonight.”
“Who?”
“The families. Your family.” My mouth dropped. I was aware that there would be a meeting; a council is what Evan had called it the other night when I overheard him and Nikolas conversing. I just had no idea when and where it would be taking place. These meetings were top secret, and where never announced until they were about to take place.
“Now?”
“Yes, the meeting is already underway. It’s being held beneath the Tieron mine, the mine belonging to your family. Shall we?” Winston said, as he started walking toward the doors.
Beneath the mine?
Winston held out his arm so that I could weave my arm through it. I wondered if this was such a good idea. I had no idea how we’d be getting there. I eyed Winston suspiciously, and then loosely wove my arm through his as he walked through the wall. Surprisingly, I was able to walk through it too. On the other side of the wall, I found myself standing next to Winston in a dark cave like mine dimly lit by lanterns which hung from chunky nails. The nails were hammered into thick wooden beams along the dirt and stone walls. Somehow I knew that it was the same place I had fallen into from the virtual door of the parlor in the house that I grew up in, on the night I made the discovery of the diaries. It was just one of the numerous mines which belonged to my family. Its tunnels ran beneath the Sierras.
Winston and I stood on the tracks where mule trains, basically wagons on wheels, ran in and out of the mine. The mule trains hauled silver to the refining mills to extract the precious and desperately coveted metals that had made quite a few greedy people in this town into millionaires. These people would have been considered billionaires in the future.
“Your family has many, many secrets. Many which have been purposely kept from you.” Winston whispered. “I will tell you just one bit of information that they don’t want you to know.” A ripple of fear ran through my veins as nausea made a home in my belly.
Winston didn’t seem to spare any of the horrific details. “Victor killed your parents. He ripped their hearts out while they slept. It is the only way your kind can die.” I was suddenly engulfed with sorrow for my parents, and was almost at the point of retching after hearing what had been done to them although, I still couldn't evoke any memories of knowing them. No one deserved to die that way. How could someone commit such an evil act?
“It is rumored that Cerberus, Hades’ monstrous threeheaded dog that guards the Underworld, dined on your parents’ hearts, which was a gift to Hades, thus making it virtually impossible to revive your parents. Without their hearts, their power source, they will never walk this earth again.” I couldn’t believe that this was the world that I was a part of.
My face must have looked twisted or something. Winston saw my reaction and said, “As I said, that is the rumor, but the truth is that Cerberus has not tasted your parents’ hearts. Victor has them hidden somewhere.” Winston said very matteroffact, and void of any trace of emotion. “Unfortunately, I don’t know where that is, but someone –” Suddenly there was a loud thud coming from somewhere deep in the mine. I shivered uncomfortably standing so close to Winston, but instinctively moved closer to the wintry cold out of fear.
“I will tell you more, later, but first; the Ischeros meeting is in full swing at center of this mine, between two tunnels that intersect. Follow me and watch your footing on the tracks.”
There were beams above our heads and along the mountain walls of rock. I followed Winston but distanced myself a bit, and it instantly became a lot warmer as we went further into the mine. I was careful in my steps, negotiating across the rock foundation, but almost stumbled a couple of times as I went passed the dimmer lit curves, which after passing, made what was ahead of you barely visible. The lanterns cast shadows that wouldn’t scare the average person, but after you’ve seen shadows get up and lunge at you, you’d be as jumpy as I was.
The length of this dress didn't help at all. I didn't think Winston noticed my clumsy display until he turned to look at me in an alarming way, and put one finger to his mouth, instructing me to be quiet while he stood beside a lantern. The glow of the light from the lantern illuminated his face, making it appear as if he was made up of a glittery mist.
“Are you ok back there?” Winston whispered.
“Uh… yeah… just a lot of shadows.” I whispered back.
“Don’t worry, these are the nice ones,” Winston said, chuckling lightly. “Well, let’s move it along, we don’t want to miss the whole show.”
“Winston, I don't want to be seen.” I said nearly tripping over a portion of the wooden track only to be saved by slamming my hand onto a beam and feeling the splinters rip into the flesh of my palm. Somehow I didn't make a sound as I felt the searing pain travel up my arm, and then slowly ease away.
“You won't be.” Winston assured. I nodded. “I’m afraid that you won’t be able to actually see anyone, or what is happening at the risk of being seen, only the shadows cast on these walls, but you can hear everything from here.” Winston informed easing me back between two large boulders that were attached vertically to the walls. “We can only get this close or they will detect my presence, my chill factor. But you mustn't make a sound. Every Ischeros at this meeting has the acute ability to hear over a hundred feet away.” Winston warned.
“I’m almost afraid to breathe.” I whispered.
“Well at least one of us can.” The sarcasm was hard to miss.
I stayed within a few inches of Winston because being within a foot of him felt cool, and the temperature in this mine was well over a hundred degrees, and rapidly escalating. As I tried to stay hidden between the two large boulders, I began to hear voices that echoed in the distance. Some voices were shouting as others were just above a whisper. I couldn't identify any of them. Regardless, I listened intently.
“He has asked for protection from the Empress in return for not informing Hades that the Empress killed one of his queen. He believes that she has gained her powers and but wasn’t aware of the fact when she killed the vampiress.” I recognized Evan’s crisp voice as if it were my own.
“Where would he get that idea?” That raspy voice wasn’t recognizable at all. It was even toned, but laced with authority. It must be an elder; powerless but respected.
“It is what I told him.” Evan answered, firmly.
“Why should
we trust an Apolluon undead?” A different voice asked. It was the voice of a woman, and definitely an elder by the weight of her tone. I guess Evan was giving them his proposal on his strategy.
“Former Apolluon undead. He is over two thousand years old. Hades has set him free.” Evan explained.
“Fine, for argument’s sake, is he trustworthy?” The woman asked.
“If Hades believes that everything on earth is under control, as far as his disciples, then he will allow Mathias to remain here.” Nikolas chimed in, in his usual gruff nononsense voice. “Matthias does not wish to ever return to the Underworld. He hasn’t had a taste of freedom for more than two thousand years. He will not do anything to jeopardize that.”
“Does he have any insight as to Victor’s plans or strategy?” I recognized that all business voice instantly, it was Thaddeus.
“Victor can’t seek contact with Hades without permission the help of Hermes, who has declined to interfere, therefore Victor went to Matthias. He asked Matthias to inform Hades of Driella’s death, and to notify Hades that he, Victor, promises to bring the Empress’ heart to him. Victor’s only request is that Hades let’s him rule without any further attacks from the Apolluon.” Evan explained. “He also offered Matthias protection but the vampire knows better.
Matthias turned him down for two reasons. One: Matthias knows that only the Empress is strong enough to kill him. Two: Hades will never negotiate, even for the chance of annihilating the Empress. He wants every last Ischero demigod as his eternal prisoners, including Victor.”
“Victor shows the lack of guidance that his wretched parents failed to provide. He doesn’t understand Hades’ agenda.” Thaddeus added.
“And what about his…girl?” Another elder asked. I wasn’t sure of whom he asked about.
“The girl shouldn't be trusted. She should be put to death for obviously trying to set a trap.” A male voice shouted with contempt, followed by a raspy voice.
“I agree. She is not to be trusted. Never could be.”
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