by Nicole Renee
“What are you talking about?” His snake eyes were on full display in the darkened corridor, and Amara could feel the pull of hypnosis. She, however, did not fear his abilities. Her gift made it virtually impossible to be taken under. She also knew it wouldn’t be beneficial for either party if the truth came out before it was destined to.
“I am talking about the human and dual world. That she has no idea. You coming into her shop spooked her more than she let on. I know it did. And it’s opened up an entire world for her.”
“Is that so bad? To know about our kind?”
Amara thought about it for a moment before shaking her head slowly. “No. Not if she plans to be a part of this world. But, it is not time yet.”
Leaning his hand by her head on the wall behind her, he studied her eyes. “You keep saying time. What exactly are you talking about?”
“I’ve said too much already,” she stated before looking away. Akachi could see that she was closing herself off so he quickly spoke.
“I apologize, seer. I know that our two kinds have always worked together, and I have no intention of ever severing that,” he said, conviction clear in his voice.
She could see the charm he was putting on and she rolled her eyes.
“Amara. I know we don’t know each other very well, but please know that I would never hurt Winny. She is a good person with a soft heart. If she’s ever in any danger I’ll help in any way possible. That’s the least I can do for her, she saved my life.”
She gently pushed at the man’s arm so he would back up a bit, and when he did she spoke. “She’s safe now. I’ve made sure to put certain barriers around her bookstore and her apartment so that anyone trying to do harm to her would not be able to enter. And as for why she needs protection? She is the last Daughter of Sunrise,” Amara whispered the last part reverently.
Akachi’s eyes widened in shock, and they returned to their original green color. “You lie,” he said in shock.
Amara shook her head, glancing about the hall before speaking again. “I did the research when she first arrived in New Orleans. She, of course, has no idea, but once she told me her full name, I became suspicious. I called on the Original Being, and it was confirmed.”
Akachi’s mind was running in a million different directions. If Winny was the original Daughter of Sunrise, his brother would be unstoppable. It was his destined mate.
“This is astounding. I thought that it was a myth. Zahir and I have traveled for years and have never come in contact with a Daughter of Sunrise. Do you know what this means? I have to tell my brother, he-”
“Cannot know,” she said strongly, gripping his arm. He looked at her in confusion as she continued to speak. “He cannot know, or it will upset the balance.”
“He has to know—“
“No. Akachi, I’ve already said too much. It has to happen naturally. It has to be a choice. Her choice,” she said with finality.
Akachi knew if Zahir found out he was being kept in the dark about something so monumentally life changing, he’d be furious.
Amara could see his indecision and spoke softly. “Do you know of the legend, Akachi? The original legend, I mean.”
Akachi shook his head. “I only know of the myth of the sunrise. I do not know of its inception.”
She nodded, deciding to enlighten him. “Thousands of years ago, before you were even thought of being conceived, there was a man. The great Yashon. He toiled the land and worked from sunup to sundown. He had a loving family, a mother, father, and sister. He was set to marry a woman from a neighboring village when he was of age. One night, on his way home from visiting his betrothed, he came across another woman. She was stuck on the side of the road with her brother and horse. He was injured and she was crying out for help. He saw the two and immediately offered his assistance. He thought the woman was beautiful, but she looked to be of noble birth, so he decided to help them and direct them on where to go. The woman’s name was Nova. She thanked him, intent on paying him for his assistance. When she turned, however, he saw the mark on her back. The First Star,” she said quietly.
Akachi listened as she continued to tell the story.
“He thought she was beautiful before, but he became insane with lust at the thought of meeting a Daughter of Sunrise. They were known to possess magical powers and bring prosperity, and wisdom to their people. Various tribes spoke of there being only six sunrise daughters around the world. So he kidnapped her. He knew he couldn’t go back to his people, so he ran into another village, which was several days away. They journeyed for several days, and on the fifth night, when Yashon fell asleep, she walked into the night air and killed herself. But not before uttering a curse. That the Daughter of Sunrise’s mark be hidden away for protection. The only way to fully bond with the soul of a Daughter of Sunrise would be by her choice.”
Akachi leaned back against the opposite wall and took in all the new information. He could see why no one could know of the Daughter of Sunrise or her secret. If anyone else knew, it could kill her. And as noble as his brother was, he also knew that the power Winny may or may not have could affect his judgment.
“I can already sense the change in her aura,” Amara said quietly. “She must have met up with your brother recently, and it tells me that he is her true mate.”
“Will he notice the change in her?”
At that, Amara smiled. “No. Nova made it so that only when their souls melded to one another he know the truth.”
It all made sense to Akachi. Why his brother had never been able to find a mate, or why he was always leaving whenever things got too serious with a woman.
“Was it always supposed to be this way? Was Zahir always supposed to mate with a Daughter of Sunrise?”
Amara was quiet for a long while before nodding. “It was always meant to be. The serpent king was fated to bond with the Daughter of Sunrise. But there are dark forces who are aware and are trying to take her away,” she said with a faraway look in her eyes.
“What dark forces?” Akachi asked.
Amara’s gaze snapped back to him. “The dark prince. If he is able to kill Winny, Zahir’s one true mate, Zahir will never be able to fully defeat him.”
Akachi had many more questions, and Amara seemed to know more than she was letting on, but he knew that their time was short.
Suddenly, Amara stilled before turning her head to the left, and to where the main store was. “Daisy is looking for you.” She stepped away, but Akachi grabbed her hand.
“Wait. I want to know more about this. Can I stop by sometime?”
Amara nodded before pulling her hand away. “You know where to find me, serpent,” she said before winking at him and walking down the other end of the hall.
Akachi wasn’t ashamed to admit he drank in the sight of her swaying her hips as she disappeared out the back door. He liked the rainbow-colored skirt that swished around her ankles, the bangles on almost every part of her skin, and the toe rings, and a pink halter shirt that fit her body like a glove.
I will return, Miss Amara. You can count on that, Akachi said to himself before stepping out into the store.
“Akachi! Where have you been?!” Daisy screeched.
It took everything in Akachi to not roll his eyes. “It doesn’t matter Daisy. Now, what’s the next place you wanted to see?”
“She’s graduating from high school next week, Samuel. She needs to know.”
Huffing, the dark-skinned man walked over to the window before resting his head against the cool glass. He was looking out into the yard watching Winny laughing and talking with her friends. He gave a small smile when he saw his daughter throw back her head and laugh heartily at something her best friend said to her.
“Samuel,” the stunning woman said.
He sighed before turning from the window. “Darva. We will tell her. Just not now. She’s still very young. And besides, her light is barely present.”
Snorting the curly-haired woman hung her
jacket up in the closet.
“That’s because you make sure to hide it.”
“It’s for her own protection,” he hissed out.
Instantly the woman’s eyes flamed a bright orange. “You did it because you’re afraid of what she’ll become.”
At Darva’s statement, Samuel’s head dropped in defeat. “I do not want my daughter to be seen as nothing more than a prized possession. She is a human being first, with real feelings. I will not be like our other friends and sell her off to gain power.”
Darva sighed before walking over to her husband. She placed her hand over his heart. Sometimes, when she looked into his eyes she could see the weight of the world on his shoulders. She wouldn’t allow it. As long as she lived she vowed to always help carry the weight.
“I know. And I agree and support you. But we should tell her of her people. Of where she’s really from. It’ll protect her.”
Reaching up he cupped her soft cheek, once again grateful that God blessed him with such a strong, beautiful, smart woman. “I will tell her, D.”
“You’ll have to. As a Daughter of Sunrise, she needs to know everything.”
Winter shot up from bed, gasping for breath. She reached up and wiped at her cheeks, surprised to feel wetness on them.
Had she been crying?
Granted, she hadn’t dreamed about her parents in a long time, but why would she conjure up something she’d never seen or heard before? What were her parents talking about? The Daughter of Sunrise? And why did it feel important that she needed to know what they were referring to?
“I need something to eat,” she muttered aloud. Winny took a look at the clock groaning at the late hour. It was already three a.m. Why couldn’t she have slept the rest of this entire horrible day away? She was absolutely exhausted, and now she had some cryptic dream she had to decipher on her own on top of everything else.
Her day started out innocently enough. She’d had her morning tea, ran to work, opened up her shop. She fell on the sidewalk on the way to work, but stuff like that happened all the time right?
Had she known the crappy day up ahead, she probably would have turned around and climbed back into bed, asking for a do-over.
Her inventory was screwed up, as her local delivery guy had gotten in a minor fender bender and wouldn’t make it on time. One of the local high school students who typically volunteered for credits towards their electives had called in sick. On top of it all, she had to deal with several disgruntled customers because she didn’t provide the books they were looking for.
Typically that never bothered her. She took cranky customers in stride making sure they knew she was the owner, and wouldn’t put up with their crap simply to get their patronage. Today, however, it was really hitting her hard.
She kept having persistent, relentless head pains. She’d never experienced anything like it. The last straw was when some kids playing football threw the ball into her window, causing the lovely antique glass to shatter. Needless to say everyone in the store had panicked and fled, as if the shattered window was due to a hail of gunfire instead of a couple of harmless kids.
She called to have the window fixed, put up the closed sign, and trekked her tired body back home. Immediately she took a shower and jumped into bed, passing out with a t-shirt on. But now? She was wide awake.
Opening her fridge she was contemplating going back out to T’s Joint when her phone rang. Jogging over to it she answered it breathlessly. Who would be calling her at this hour?
“Hello?”
“Hey,” the deep familiar voice on the other end said.
Winny found herself smiling before taking a seat on her couch. “Hey. I haven’t heard from you in a while. What’ve you been up to?” she asked.
Zahir’s chuckle sent shivers up and down her spine. “Work. Looking over my businesses.
Making sure Akachi stays out of trouble,” he said the last part with amusement in his voice.
Winny laughed. “How’s that working out for you?” she quipped.
He gave a long-suffering sigh. “Well, today was a good day…”
Winny crossed her legs enjoying the silence that settled between them. She knew she had it bad because she even liked hearing how the man breathed!
Get a hold of yourself, Winny.
“What are you doing?” he asked, breaking the silence after a minute.
She shrugged as if he could see her. “Nothing. I woke up from a dream. I couldn’t really sleep. I was debating going to get some food but decided to make something instead. What about you?” She questioned back. Truth be told she was skirting around what she really wanted to ask. Like why didn’t she hear from him in the last couple of days? But she also knew whatever they were doing, was new, and she didn’t want to jinx it by seeming too needy.
“Right now? I’m across the street from your place.”
Sitting up straight, she walked over to her large bay window and opened the blinds. And sure enough, leaning against the streetlight, she saw the man who consumed her thoughts for the past couple of days.
“Hey! How did you get my address?” she questioned lightly.
He chuckled before answering her. “I have my ways.”
She knew she should be upset, maybe even a little wary about how easily he’d found where she lived, but truth be told, she was glad that he found a way to get her address. In fact, she was still curious as to why it took so long for him to call.
As if he could sense her thoughts he spoke. “I couldn’t sleep. After dealing with some business, I found myself thinking about you. To be honest, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we last spoke. It sounds crazy, I know, but-”
“No. It doesn’t,” she said softly.
Winny watched as he unfolded his legs and pushed himself away from the streetlight. “I can go if you want, I-”
“Come upstairs. It’s apartment number ten. The last door on the right.” She watched a broad smile take over his face and he gave a slight nod.
“Alright.”
10
As she quickly put on a bra, and some tights before slipping back on her oversized pink t-shirt and fluffed her curly hair, she kept saying over to herself what a terrible idea this was. She barely knew the man, and heck, she hadn’t even told anyone about their past date. She’d seen every Dateline, and sixty-minutes special, and could even hear her mother screaming at her to lock him out, but she just couldn’t find it in herself to care.
He was different.
There was something special about Zahir. She couldn’t quite place it, but she knew he wasn’t going to hurt her. Call it woman’s intuition. No, he excited her more than anything in her life. She heard the knock at her door, and after checking she smelled fresh under her arms, she ran over to the door. Taking a breath, she willed herself to calm down before turning the lock. Suddenly the man was filling up her entire door frame.
“Hey,” he said, grinning at her.
“Hi,” she repeated, unable to stop her own smile. Stepping back, she allowed him to enter. He thanked her before stepping inside. Once she locked the door, she cleared her throat and slid around him, walking down the hall to her living room. She could hear his footsteps behind her and it made her smile, thinking of him following her a couple of nights ago.
“So this is my living room. Have a seat,” she said before pulling on the hem of her t-shirt.
Zahir folded his large body onto her plush blue couch, allowing his eyes to wander around her space. He took in the stocked bookshelves, the stack of neat papers on her desk in the corner with a fully stationed computer and printer. He saw the framed pictures of what looked to be her parents resting over the fireplace, and a very large portrait of a woman who looked to be singing in a blues club with her arms stretched out over her head.
“Lovely painting,” he said, tipping his head toward the artwork.
She glanced at it before taking a seat beside him. “I bought it from a local artist. He said he saw a
woman singing in a jazz club not too far from my bookstore and his imagination just ran wild.” Winny watched as he got himself comfortable on the couch.
She admired the way the jeans hugged the man’s length and the way he filled out his green t-shirt. She must’ve been admiring him for too long because he cleared his throat loudly, drawing her eyes back to his face. She smiled sheepishly as she felt her cheeks heating at the look he was shooting her way.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked, pretending that she wasn’t practically assaulting the man with her eyes.
“I said,” he said in a slow drawl, “that I know the woman in the painting. She sings at one of the jazz clubs I own in the quarter.”
Surprise lit Winny’s face. “You own a jazz club?”
Nodding, he let his gaze settle on her fireplace before standing. Walking over to the first picture framed in silver he let his eyes roam over the happy faces.
“I do. I’ve always enjoyed the music. And I think a jazz club, or more specifically, a smooth jazz club is something that most people enjoy.”
Zahir let his finger trace over an obviously younger-looking Winny and an older man and woman. He felt her come up behind him.
“Those are my parents. Samuel and Darva Frame,” she said quietly.
Zahir watched as she ran her fingers over the picture smiling a bit sadly.
“You look just like your mother,” he said watching her face.
It seemed as if a million emotions flitted over her face before she sighed and glanced up at him. “That’s what everyone used to say. They both died in a car accident the month before I turned twenty-two.”
Setting down the picture he turned to face her fully. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. My parents died a long time ago, but it still feels fresh,” he said keeping his eyes on her face.
She tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.
“Grief is hard. But I like to think it’s our parent’s final test for us. To live our lives as if they are watching. To make them proud, and see if we’ve taken their advice to heart.”