by Ciara Lake
“Damn I want her.” He shook his head. “What the fuck’s my problem?” Even if she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, she was a Forsaken. Irritated, he ran his hand through his wet hair, pushing it back from his face. “She’s a cursed bloodsucker, the lowest of the low. My enemy.” He shook his head, droplets of water flew from him. She’s bespelled me. I wanted to take her right against her car. In front of the entire world.
Jax rubbed the tip of his cock, and he shivered. Beads of semen escaped. He tilted his head back as he offered himself relief. Her lovely face was again in his mind when he found his release. Moaning loudly, he came hard in his hand.
He rinsed himself then turned the water off. Still the achy need continued to hum inside him. Tabitha Lock would not simply be washed away. “Damn.” Jax slammed the shower door against the tile wall. He stepped out.
Leaning against the side of the sink, he looked into the mirror. His eyes were silver, his canine teeth elongated. “See me now, bitch.” He snarled. He bared his teeth then growled. In the mirror, the image of the beautiful golden-haired woman appeared as if a phantom, a waking dream. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes. “Stop fucking with my mind. You’ve truly bespelled me.”
When he opened his eyes, her image remained, not in the mirror, but in his mind’s eye. She was more beautiful than any mermaid he’d ever seen. She rivaled the most beautiful goddess. His body longed for hers.
Jax grabbed a towel and dried off then changed into more comfortable clothes.
Unexpectedly, Jax sensed another’s presence. A dominant being was hovering near. Someone had invaded his personal space. “This is my home. Show yourself. Don’t lurk in the darkness like a villain.”
“I never lurk, nephew. Don’t insult me so.” His uncle flashed before him. A beam of light surrounded him. It was blinding with a sizzling sound.
“Uncle Nereus, that was quite an entrance.”
“It was nothing special.” His uncle glided toward him. “I wanted to make sure you realized I wasn’t lurking.”
“I’m surprised to see you again so soon. I’ve not seen you in hundreds of years then you appear twice in less than forty-eight hours. I’m shocked, but flattered.” Jax chuckled. “What do I owe another visit to?”
“I see you’ve found what you need.” Nereus was so close he invaded Jax’s personal space. “Don’t allow it to slip away because you’re stupid. Your happiness hangs in the balance. The ocean’s happiness, the climate, the very earth’s civilizations. You are indeed your father’s son. Your power is growing inside of you at an unimaginable speed.”
“What are you talking about? Are you saying the girl is the thing I need?”
“Yes, the woman is. She’s a remarkable woman, and you know it. Hardly a girl.” Nereus shook his head.
“She’s a Forsaken. Girl is a nice word for what she is.” Jax nearly spat the word. “A cursed vampire bitch. I can’t believe I have feelings for such a creature.”
“She’s much more. She’s special. You must learn yourself how much.”
“Special?” Jax laughed loudly. “Special how? An immortal who’s lost her immortality and doesn’t even know? That’s not special, that’s doomed.”
“No.” Nereus looked disgusted. “Don’t be foolish.”
“I’m not foolish. I’m just saying the truth, she’s a cursed one.”
“And this is why the weather is out of control.” Nereus raised his arm and pointed at the nearest window. “You’re not able to see past your stupidity, your prejudices.”
“There’s no way I’m causing the weather to do this.” Thunder shook the house. “You and my father are wrong.”
“Again you’re in denial. Of course you know it’s you.”
“I don’t have my father’s power. If so, why hasn’t it manifested like this before?”
“Everything has its time. And the time for you is now.”
“This is fucking wrong.”
“Be respectful, nephew. Don’t speak to me thus.”
Without warning, Jax was propelled into the air. He was held up near the ceiling by an invisible hand. It nearly choked him. Jax tried to resist what held him, but his power was nothing in comparison. The force held him tight around his neck.
Jax moaned. The invisible hold let up a bit, allowing Jax to breathe. “Yes, Uncle. . .I’m sorry.” He still could barely speak.
His uncle dropped him like a bag of potatoes, and he hit the floor with a thud. Standing quickly, Jax faced his uncle. His equilibrium was off, and he toppled over, falling onto his knees.
“That’s better, on your knees before me is where you belong. Show me the respect an elder is due, a Titan is due. Your pride is one of your great faults.”
“Yes, Uncle.” Jax glanced down at his hands then folded them in front of him. His uncle frightened him. He wasn’t familiar with Nereus and he wasn’t sure what his uncle could do. He was a Titan, after all, and they were unpredictable, as all gods were. “But why me? I’m one of Poseidon’s many children. My father is prolific. There’s no reason I would be special.”
“You’re ignorant, boy! You may be one of many, but you’re indeed his most favored. But that’s not why you’re gifted so. Talise is part of your gift, your body cannot deny it. She’s your destiny, your gift from the gods.”
“Who the hell is Talise?” Jax glared at his uncle. “If she is a Forsaken, it’s not a gift I want.”
“How ungrateful you are.”
Jax was shoved down, his face crushed into the carpet.
“Again with your disrespect. I won’t allow you to speak to me in this way. I’m not your father. I don’t favor you as he does. Do you understand me?”
Jax’s nose was pressed deeper into the carpeting. “Yes, sir,” Jax mumbled. “I can’t breathe.”
“Since when do you need to?” Nereus hit the top of his head. “Talise is your hope. I see you kissed her well today.”
“What, are you spying on me?” Jax was yanked up then flung against the wall. His head hit the wall with a great force, the sound echoing in the room.
“Boy, I need not spy, I’m a Titan of old, don’t forget it.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“My blood flows through you as well. You’re powerful, but never as much as I. Do you hear me?” His uncle’s face appeared in front of his. “You hear me, boy? Show respect or I shall end this disruption in the weather by ending you. It isn’t impossible to send you to Persephone. You would make a wonderful handmaiden.” His uncle’s face reddened, his eyes were pure black. “Listen to me.”
“I’m listening.”
“You must claim her to put an end to this disruption. These storms are causing havoc to the ocean below,” Nereus shouted. “And there is much more at risk here than the weather or the ocean’s health. Do you hear me?” The invisible force pressed against Jax.
“Yes, Uncle.” Jax gagged.
“Joining with Talise, the child of Zale, will bring you more power than you can imagine. It will be a different power from the gods. Loving her will unlock her power.”
“Mating with her?”
“Yes, she’s so much more than a Forsaken. Her lineage is unique and it needs to be tied to yours. With this power you will set things into place in this war among the immortals and Amuliana.”
“Am I to understand Talise is Tabitha Lock, and somehow she’ll help me with this war?”
“Yes, she’s invaluable to this endless war. Talise will be able to stop Saltar and Amuliana. She will make Amuliana fear her like nothing else, and with that fear she will eventually be able to destroy her.” The house shook with the force of more thunder. “Didn’t you feel your power join together? Didn’t it sizzle through you?”
In a flash of light Nereus disappeared, but part of his uncle’s power remained, zapping Jax and sending him to the floor once again.
“Sleep, boy.” Nereus’s power pressed him down. Jax was too weak to move. “Get some sense into your head. Yo
u must win Talise, you must gain her approval.”
“And she will help to stop the war with the vampires and destroy Amuliana?”
“Yes, and Saltar too. I’ve told you too much.” His voice was deafening. Another zap of power hit Jax, knocking him out, into unconsciousness.
* * * *
Tabitha pulled the blanket up to her chin and huddled beneath its softness. For over an hour she’d been awake, staring at the ceiling and listening to the storm outside. I shouldn’t have taken such a long nap. Now I’ll never sleep tonight. She caressed the blanket lovingly, it was one her mother had made for her when she was a child. “I miss you, Momma.” I wish you and Daddy didn’t have to die and leave me alone. Tabitha fought back tears. She hiccupped then wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
A gust of wind blew past her, moving the curtains. Tabitha sprung up into a sitting position. “Who’s there?”
Iciness filled the room. Chill bumps rose on her arms. Hugging herself, she stood and walked toward the window. A gust of wind whipped her hair.
“Stop it.” She spun around then moved toward the bedroom door.
“Don’t go, my child. There’s nothing to fear from me, I love you. Sit down, I wish to talk to you. I have so much to tell you.” The familiar apparition appeared in front of her. Its wispy hand reached out to touch her face. Tabitha leaned back to avoid being touched.
“Don’t touch me, I don’t want to talk to you. You’re not real.” Tabitha shook her fist.
“You’re beautiful, my child.” The spirit floated closer to her.
“You’re a figment of my imagination. Leave me alone.” Tabitha stomped her foot. “Do you hear me? Get out of here. Get out of my house.”
“Daughter, please.” The spirit moved back, giving her more space. “I love you. Allow me to tell you what you need to know.”
“You’re not my mother. Get out of here, out of my mind.”
“You must hear me out.” A gust of frigid air passed through the room again. The curtains blew wildly.
“I see you aren’t leaving, so tell me, then leave me alone. You’re a phantom of my imagination.” Tabitha chuckled. She continued to laugh as if possessed by hysteria. Bending over, she laughed more then plopped down on the floor. Finally, she sobered. “Tell me what you must, then leave. I refuse to be driven insane by this.”
“You’re not insane, you’re special.”
“Right.” Tabitha laughed hysterically again. “Okay, let’s assume I’m special. Or perhaps that’s another word for insane. A prettier word?”
“No, child. I wish you would open your mind to me. I’ll tell you quickly and then I’ll leave.” Serena’s form darkened then she hissed. “I hate this. I didn’t want you to reject me. I love you, my child.”
“Sometimes we don’t get what we want. That’s been my life.”
“You’ve been blessed.”
“Hardly. I lost people I loved, my parents. My sister and I are at odds. I’m alone.”
“She isn’t your blood sister.”
“What does that matter?” Tabitha asked.
“She was at odds with your parents. A disturbed child, they adopted.”
“I’m disturbed too it would seem.”
“No, you aren’t, my child. Not at all.”
“Stop calling me your child.” Tabitha leaned forward and reached out to grab the shadow. Her hand passed right through. “See, you’re not real. You’re a figment of my crazed mind,” Tabitha shouted. Her body shook, and her hands trembled. “You’re not here.”
“I’m very real, my child. You’re gifted, not crazed, so hear me out.” The temperature in the room dropped even lower. Tabitha could see her breath, it was an icy fog. “You’re the child of Zale, this makes you special.”
“I thought I was your child? You’re a liar, a devil. Leave me or get your stories straight.”
“I’m your mother,” the spirit shouted back. “If you don’t wish to call me mother, call me Serena. But never call me a devil. One devil is named Amuliana, and she’s very wicked.” The shadowy figure turned dark, almost black, fading into the background. Tabitha could hardly see her, but she could definitely feel the unearthly chill.
“I’ll call you nothing.” Tabitha spat. “You are nothing to me.” Tabitha was pushed back.
“Tell me, could nothing push you?”
“Don’t touch me. You tell me I’m your child, then you say I’m a child of Zale. Who the hell is Zale?”
“Good, you’re listening.” Serena floated closer. “It takes two to make a child, even for beings such as us. Zale is your father. Now listen to me, you spoiled girl. Life has been too easy for you.”
“Damn if it has. I’ve had plenty of suffering. These crazy dreams have been part of it. Since I was a child I’ve suffered from this. I’m done with it.” Tabitha balled her fists, holding one out toward the ghost. “Do you hear me? I’m done. I’m a fighter and I’m fighting this. Get out of my head.”
“Sorry to disappoint you. I’m not in your head, I’m in your room. This isn’t a dream. You do have mystic dreams—they’re the ones which feel real, and they’re more real than you know—but I’m not a mystic dream. I’m actually here talking to you.”
“What the hell are mystic dreams?”
“They are dreams which are magical. They foretell a possible future. Or you share them with another. Only certain gifted individuals are capable of having these special dreams. It is one of your many gifts.”
“Okay. I don’t want to know about more crazy stuff.”
“Child, it’s time you leave your life behind as a simple human.”
“Leave my life behind? No, you’re nuts. For what?” Abruptly, Tabitha stood up, a variety of emotions washing over her. Her fists were clenched at her side.
“To embrace who you really are and all which goes with it. To embrace the supernatural world. There are greater things intended for you.”
Tabitha backed up as the spirit approached her, it hovered over her. “Go to hell. Go back where you belong.”
“I’ve been there. I’ve visited it with my goddess Persephone. Her husband, Hades, sees to the part of the underworld you know as hell. It is a very disagreeable place.”
“Shut up! This is all a symptom of my bizarre imagination. My mother always told me I was creative. I should have been a writer.” Tabitha laughed. “I could get rich if I wrote all of this stuff down.”
“Never mind all of that.” Serena waved her wispy arm. “Listen to what I’m telling you. You can believe me or not. But when the time comes for you to use this information you will thank me. And you’ll know what I tell you is true.”
“I seriously doubt it. If I were to believe you I’d be in a mental hospital.”
“Hear me, foolish child.” Serena floated over her. Tabitha looked directly into Serena’s eyes.
“I’m asleep. This is a dream. No, a nightmare.” She closed her eyes. “It’s cold in here,” she said, hugging herself. “I don’t want any more nightmares. Leave me alone.”
“The nightmare is yet to come if you don’t listen to me. There’s a war, it has gone on for centuries between a rebellious group of vampires and other immortals. Now it may spread further into the mortal realm, impacting thousands of mortals and immortals. Goddess Amuliana is at the center of this war, she is the goddess of immortality.”
“Goddess of immortality. Right.” Tabitha covered her eyes with her hands. “Right.”
Serena ignored her and continued on. “Amuliana has betrayed her followers. Now she’s behind another uprising with a new leader of the vampires. Another idiot taken in by her false sensuality and promises. Last time a group of vampires followed an evil General Saltar, he was her vampire lover. He was one of many victims of her contagious evil. Saltar’s followers were cast out of the immortal realm, they were made mortal, and they are known as Forsaken, as their immortality is forsaken to them. They and their descendants live and die ignorant to their legacy, lo
st to the immortal world and their gifts. As for General Saltar, he is imprisoned under the sea, in a secret prison provided by the Mer.”
“Mer? Like in mermen?” Tabitha laughed loudly. “You’re telling me there are mermen too?” Tabitha held her gut, laughing hysterically. “Now my dream is telling me there are blue men who live under the sea.”
“Yes.” Serena nodded. “I mean, no they’re not blue.” Serena’s expression was one of exasperation. “Let me finish what I was telling you.”
“Go ahead, evidently I can’t stop you, so tell me.” Tabitha put her hand over her face. She sighed.
“All right. You see, some vampires deserved the punishment, others did not. They too were victims of Amuliana and General Saltar. Unfortunately, it’s about to become far worse. The General is going to break free and all the world is going to suffer.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure, but I do know you, and others similar to you, will be able to stop him with your combined efforts. Each of you will have a gift, which will help to control him and perhaps Amuliana. Saltar is going to make war on his enemies and also on his former lover, Amuliana. It’s prophesized that at first he’ll have more power than ever, but the special ones will stop him. You are one of the special ones. The rest is unknown, and we will just have to wait to see it play out. However, you’re crucial to all of this.”
“Why would I be?”
“I can’t answer everything, I only know bits and pieces. But for one thing you have a connection with the General.”
“How?”
“You’re his granddaughter. I’m Serena Saltar, the first born child of General Saltar.”
“Then you’re truly a devil, by your own admission?” Tabitha was ready to run for her life.
“No, Talise.” Serena floated closer again. “I’m no devil, and neither are you.”
“Don’t call me Talise. I’m Tabitha. I’m Tabitha Lock.”
“I never truly liked that name.” Serena shrugged. “But it was Mrs. Lock’s wish.”