Suddenly, Gerald pulled away from me, chuckling. Things began to change, slowly at first. The oil lamps on the walls dimmed on their own giving of a soft glow as if romantic music would follow and complete the setting. Then the changes sped up drastically tragic, as I was convinced that my eyes were playing tricks on me. Gerald's honey gold hair began to darken until it was jet black as asphalt. His chestnut brown eyes took on the shimmering color of steel. The eyes were familiar and I knew I had looked into them before.
“Gerald, what’s happening to you? What’s going on?” I gasped, and tried to back away from him. I couldn’t get further enough as the garments barred the walls and seemed to push me against him. Gerald looked me in the eye and said, “Finally, we meet again.” He carefully removed his mask and the hairs on the back of my neck stood as tall as the pine trees in the forest, once his face was revealed. It was the wrong face – terribly wrong.
A wicked smile spread across Victor’s devilishly gorgeous face just as a snarl escaped his lips, and Gerald was gone. Victor had the gift of the chameleon just as Bethany had known all too well, and he had used the gift again. One thing was certain at this very moment. Victor had me and no one knew it.
Those who witnessed me leaving the ballroom saw me exit with Gerald Bergnum. Victor leaned his face into mine, and my body went numb – corpse like –frozen with fear.
“I want to kiss you again,” Victor said, whispering into my ear. “But, I’m afraid you’ll get greedy and we don’t have time.”
“Get away from me!” I hissed.
“Aren’t you excited to see me. You seemed thoroughly enthralled only a few seconds ago. You can’t believe that you were kissing that mortal. That was all me, my sweet.” Victor panted as I felt something blistering hot and moist flicking my ear.
“No!” I screamed smacking away at Victor’s tongue. “What have you done to Gerald?” I snapped, remembering what Bethany had explained to me about Victor’s newly acquired gift. That he is only able to transform into another person if he has wounded them. I felt the tears brimming with the reality of poor Gerald being hurt because me. I tried to back away again, but there was no way to flee.
“Oh that poor mortal, he should be meeting up with his brother as we speak.” The razor edge of Victor’s words cut into me, leaving the saliva in my mouth tasting like blood. I couldn’t think straight imagining Gerald being dead.
“You beast!”
“Call me what you wish. I know you enjoyed our kiss, but it doesn’t have to be our last. You certainly can’t get that passion from Poseidon’s boy,” he said, leaning even closer so that I could feel his blazing breath on my cheek, as the oil in the lamps began to blaze, and the temperature in the room rose to an astronomical level. “And might I add, you smell even more delicious than you look my soon to be departed empress.”
I didn’t know what to do, and I couldn't breathe or think. My only thought was that I was going to die... again. A second chance at an existence was about to end – badly. With his face just an inch from my own, he grabbed both my arms and jerked me harshly downward. Instantaneously, the floor opened up to opaque darkness with nothing but blackness enveloping us.
Before I could get a good hysterical scream out, the air in my chest was practically sucked out of me. I was falling at an accelerated speed down a pitch black hole, and no longer felt Victor’s fierce grip on my arms. I couldn't see anything, and tried like hell to wriggle my arms and legs as I continued to fall. The pull downward was intense and impossible to fight against. I finally landed – hard on an ice cold and flat surface. The thud of my body rang in my ears until I could hear and see nothing at all.
TwentyNine
Bound
I must have passed out, I thought, as I sluggishly tried to wake up. My vision was distorted as if my sight was actually impaired. A few feet above me were dimmed lights that looked like huge, fuzzy, crystalized balls that danced interlocked like the five Olympic rings. I blinked incessantly and noticed fast moving shadows circling me. I had no idea where I was, and the loud thud was all I could remember. Then everything came rushing back once I heard a familiar voice – Victor's voice. His voice was muffled, almost inaudible, yet still identifiable. He thundered distinct orders to someone that I couldn't see.
“Secure the room. She is not to be harmed or touched. I’m preparing, and will return momentarily.” The back of my head was throbbing while I tried to make out the other voices I heard.
“Yes, my lord.” A gruff and familiar male voice said. That voice was followed by a soft woman’s voice.
“I will make certain that she is not touched, my lord.” The voiced hissed provocatively.
More whispers were emerging further away from where I lay, and the more I tried to figure out what they were saying the more they became mangled and indistinct. I could barely turn my head due to the frigid metal choker that prevented me from lifting my head. I tried to wriggle my arms, which were stretched out at arm’s length, but I was restricted by more cold metal cuffs on my wrists. My ankles were also bound by irons. It was obvious that Victor wasn’t taking any chances and had bolted me to this altar with no way of escaping. Although I could barely raise my head, I realized that I was still in my ball gown. The exhaustion of trying to move was debilitating, and I decided to stop trying for now.
My vision finally began to clear, and I could see that the fuzzy crystal balls were actually lit candles hanging from chandeliers high above everything in the gray toned room. Unfortunately the numerous flames didn’t warm up the frigid room and I could see my own breath. The museum like room was of marble walls that climbed to the high ceiling. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see marble pillars with gilt bases to the left and right of me. I had the strange inclination that I had been here before, but couldn't be sure.
The shadows were now very visible and stood guard all around the perimeters of the huge room. To my surprise, instead of being chained like the animal that she was, deep in the mines along with her brother, Sacha sat in one of two identical majestic gold detailed, marble thrones. The other throne was empty. Victor’s girlfriend eyed me as if I was a repulsive slug. I guess that was to be expected. Some of the other faces were also familiar. They were the disciples that had Sacha’s back when Bethany and I had gone into town. They stood gaping at me in bright ivory cloak like robes.
Since Sacha was present and accounted for, I expected Lucas to pop his head in soon enough since they always seemed to be together. As if on cue, Lucas appeared beside me, and spoke in his usual rough tone.
“Are you comfortable, your highness?” I could tell by Lucas’ aggravated expression and sarcasm that he was still sore about being chained up.
“Don’t you mean Empress?” Sacha’s chuckle was laced with pure venom.
“Oh that’s right, Empress.” Lucas joined in on the laughter as cackles and hisses filled the room.
“But wait, you’re not an Empress are you. You haven’t been crowned, have you? Where is your almighty Zeus now?” I didn’t bother answering Sacha while she stared down at me with nothing but thoughts of my death running through her head. “Lucas, she’s nothing. There is nothing divine about her.
If you’re so powerful, o’divine one, let’s see you crack those shackles or call upon the many gods that fortify you,” Sacha said, jumping off the throne, and laughing and rattling the chains that were hooked onto the cuffs. She was acting cagey and paced the floor.
“Yeah let’s see you break out of these?” Lucas roared in amusement. “Where’s your big, tough boyfriend, now, huh?”
“Yeah, where is Evander and his even tougher little sister? I bet they’ll never find you…, not alive anyway,” Sacha said, knowingly. “And they consider themselves to be gods. Ha!”
“Dead… again,” Lucas sneered, as I tried to wriggle free.
“Look at her my, darling brother..., she can't even move. Where are your powers, divine one? Still can’t remember anything?” Sacha’s vibrant hazel
eyes proved her hatred for me. “And you think that we’re pathetic?”
“She is quite beautiful though,” Lucas remarked, as he eyed me with a new found interest, and paced around the altar which felt more like an ice cold slab of rock. Suddenly Sacha lunged forward, and was beside me.
“Let's just kill her. You can admire her rare beauty while I rip out her heart.”
I wasn’t shocked by the horror of Sacha’s words, or the conviction in them. As she eyed me like a ravenous animal that hadn’t eaten in a week, I hoped that Evan would come busting through a door or wall, and rescue me. I also wondered why the Olympians wouldn’t interfere and stop this. They wouldn’t be able to feed off of the devout worship from their descendants if they allowed the fallen demigod of Iptian, or these twin felines to kill me.
“Calm down Sacha,” Lucas ordered, cautiously throwing his arm in front of his sister, barring her, without tearing his eyes away from me to look at her.
It was as if he believed that if he did steer his vigilant gaze away from me for even a second, I might just dissolve into the air, and disappear, leading one to wonder if I had ever been here at all.
“Oh... for goodness sake, you guys are all the same; so easily reduced to little boys whenever a pretty gal comes along,” Sacha said, leaning over me. I was forced to take in her exotic scent – jasmine. The scent of the delicate flower didn’t suit the iniquitous girl who glared at me with derision, as if I might suddenly garner the power to crack these shackles.
“Kill me already, if that’s what you plan to do.” The daring words spilled out like water from a fountain spout while I thrashed, and fought like a caged animal to break free of the fetters. Suddenly I heard my name being called. It was faint and barely audible, but I was sure I had heard my name called over and over for a few seconds. Then it stopped. My attention was drawn back to Sacha.
I watched Sacha circle me like a voracious predator that has finally trapped its prey. She didn’t like me baiting her, especially since she knew that I was well aware of Victor’s orders not to kill me. As a matter of fact, she had explicit orders which prevented her of even touching me. Sacha’s face was livid as her bright hazel eyes scanned my face.
“Oh don’t worry pretty girl, you’ll die soon enough.” She promised with a wink.
“Sis, be still.” Lucas demanded, but Sacha didn’t hear him. She had only one thing on her mind, and her desire to slaughter me was clouding her brain.
“Look at you, Cor delia,” Sacha drawled. “You’re as scared as a little bunny rabbit about to be scarfed down by a panther. I can't remember the last time I saw such a scared little rabbit.”
“Last night, in the forest, sis. Remember? The appetizer.”
“Yes, of course, that was delicious, but I was thinking back to that day in town when she hid behind Goldilocks. When will you stand up for yourself, Cordelia?”
“I’m not afraid of you,” I asserted, attempting to come off as threatening and the least bit daunted as anyone could be, bound like a prisoner. “You looked pretty scared yourself that day when the shadows nearly scarfed you up whole.” I wondered if she could hear my heart beating rapidly beneath the corset and bodice of my ball gown.
“I know you’re afraid of me, as you very well should be. Your beloved Ischeros clan won't come to your rescue now, little rabbit,” Sacha said, unfazed.
Her wicked laugh echoed throughout the frosty room in ripples that sent shivers up and down my spine.
“Victor will kill you, and he will hold the greatest power in the world and I will be at his side. I will be empress and be loved by all,” She said, walking away triumphantly with her arms waving about as if she had metamorphosed into a butterfly.
Better a butterfly than a roaring panther, I thought. Sacha sat in one of the thrones again. The fact that Sacha wasn't a pure Ischeros made that statement fallacious. Her powers, what little she had, were granted by Victor, and her ancient bloodline of felines which could all be relieved by me if I could only regain my own power.
I was compelled to set her straight.
“You'll never be a true empress. The gods will never allow it. You may be feared, but you’ll never be loved.”
I couldn’t understand why the gods were letting this take place – me being murdered again. Surely they can’t allow mere shape – shifters to kill me – the daughter of Zeus.
Suddenly Sacha jumped out of her seat and pounced.
“That's not going to matter is it?” Lucas thundered stepping in front of Sacha like a barricade as she seemed to dash for my throat. Noticeably flinching, I silently thanked Lucas for saving me from his twin. For a moment Sacha didn't say a word and just growled, seething. I listened intently as Sacha’s breathing decelerated, and she seemed to calm down with Lucas' intervention. He’s right though. Whether Sacha’s loved or hated isn’t going to matter if Victor takes over, and makes her his wife. I glanced away from Sacha’s icy glower for a second to witness the look on Lucas' face go from interest to menacing. He smiled at me in an evil way, yet I don’t think he was trying to be mean, he just had a mean look to him.
The other disciples stood still, but closed in on me a bit, standing guard, as if they were weary of what Sacha may be able to achieve, murder. Suddenly the twins walked away, and headed toward the buttresses in the far corner. Using my peripheral vision, I saw that they were far enough to not be heard, or so they thought. But they were wrong if they believed that their whispers couldn’t be heard by me. It was as If they were whispering right into my ears. And from what they were saying, they were worried.
“Victor is taking too long,” Lucas said, in an annoyed whisper. “I’d like to get this over and done with.”
“Yes, I know, and he said so himself. The new Divinity must be crowned tonight,” Sacha noted.
“Time is of the essence,” Lucas agreed. “If any more time is wasted, Evan and the others may have time to track her.”
“I think that when Victor returns, she should already be dead,” Sacha declared, looking over at me with smoldering eyes. I shuddered uncontrollably realizing that they may actually disobey Victor and not follow his orders.
“We should do it. Just rip her heart out,” Sacha instructed, in a shrill voice that sounded far above a whisper.
“I don’t think that’s a wise idea,” Lucas considered. “Victor may not be the one to kill us. What if the gods banish us to the Underworld for killing her?
She is their chosen one – their purist descendant.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Sacha said, sounding dejected and hoarse. I wasn’t surprised that she hadn’t considered the consequences. She was a blistering hot head, and never seemed to think anything through.
“Besides, Victor once told me that a ceremony must be performed to solidify his reign and to guarantee her death,” Lucas explained.
“Ugh! I hate this – this waiting, and these immortals, and their ceremonies, and ridiculous rules.” Sacha stomped her boot, creating a nerve frenzying sound when her silver spur scraped against the marble floor. She then threw her black suede Stetson down onto the marble floor like a spoiled child.
“Where is Victor anyway? What is more important than killing her right now? Nothing,” Sacha said, shaking her head from left to right, ultimately answering her own question. She was just too impatient and wound up to let Lucas answer it. Her antics were beginning to rattle him.
“Enough!” Lucas demanded harshly. “If we kill her, the gods will damn us and we will be doomed to burn before Hades.”
“It's a risk, but I think we should take it,” Sacha prodded, as she began pulling on Lucas' huge forearm.
“NO!” Lucas yelped, yanking his arm away and stepping away from his excitable sister. “We can't and we won’t. I've been dead, and I won’t go there again.” Being there once myself I knew the feeling. Lucas was afraid, as expected, due to his recent and unexpected stint with death. I wondered for the first time what he had seen while being one of the d
eparted. I would guess that perhaps Lucas had a little taste of Hell, or perhaps a glimpse of Hades himself. But then again, had Lucas had the misfortune of meeting Hades, he wouldn’t be here now. Hades was greedy, and would never allow a soul to escape.
“Oh Luc… I’m so sorry,” Sacha said, regrettably. “I wasn’t thinking. I just want this to be all over too.” Sacha brushed her brother’s cheek with the palm of her hand.
“It’s all right. I know your nature, and I know how badly you want to feel secure, but we must act wisely and that is to practice some patience.” I was astonished by Lucas’ level – headed behavior. He knew that his sister was going off the deep end.
All of a sudden I heard the echo of footsteps clicking in the distance. It was obvious that I was the only one in the room who heard them. As the sound arose, and came closer, Lucas and Sacha immediately ended their heated conversation. The echo of footsteps also halted the movements of the other disciples who guarded me. I began to panic. My time was up. I twisted and wriggled slightly but it was pointless. The irons cut into my wrists, neck, and ankles with every move I made. The pain made me wince as I felt my wounds heal as quickly as they appeared.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a grotesque shadow, the gliding figure of a dragon, long, and serpent like with an elongated tail, sweeping across the shimmering stone walls. Then the shadow shifted into a person cloaked in a cape. For a moment I expected the Apolluon. I couldn’t see the face because it was shadowed by the hood of the cape. The person removed the hood and it was Victor. He was back.
The room was instantaneously darkened as if his dark and evil soul eclipsed every flame in the room. Victor’s gaze automatically fell on me. His eyes didn’t attempt to conceal the evil that ran through his veins. I suppose his parents would be proud of their son for seeking vengeance in their honor. I tried not to move as his tormenting stare shifted to the twins while he glided passed them. The look seemed to leave them both practically paralyzed with dread. I was astonished at the power he wielded over his devotees. The wicked game of power had changed hands. If I wasn't so damn scared right now, I would’ve let out a satisfying chuckle due to the twins’ quick change of disposition; they were the scared little rabbits now.
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