Cosmic Trifecta

by Anna Lewis

  Epilogue

  Solace’s arms were still wrapped tightly around Ethan’s waist when Cam landed in the little village tucked away deep in the mountains of Colorado. The sun was just beginning to rise, but there were already people rushing out to greet them as Cam lowered himself to the ground to let them off his back, then melted back into his human form and ducked into a cottage nearby.

  “That’s his house,” Ethan said quietly, smiling and waving to the children who were almost upon them with wide grins and open arms. “My house is over there.”

  She followed where he was pointing.

  “You don’t live together?” she asked.

  “No,” Ethan laughed. “We share enough without having to share our space, too.”

  “You two are something else,” Solace said just as Cam reemerged and joined them.

  “What did we do?” he asked, but Ethan just shook his head.

  The first of the children reached them, and Solace was shocked when the exuberant little girl bypassed Ethan and Cam and threw her arms around Solace. At first, Solace didn’t know what to do, but the little girl’s tight embrace was infectious, and she found herself kneeling down to hug the little girl back.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” the girl said before pulling away and running off to play with the others who had already said hello and left to play.

  “That was interesting,” Solace said. “I didn’t expect that.”

  “That’s Seraphina,” Ethan said. “She’s been dreaming about you for months. That’s how we knew where to find you.”

  “But how did she—”

  Ethan shrugged.

  “We all have our gifts, and that is hers. She woke everyone up to let them know we were coming.”

  “That’s amazing,” Solace said. “This place is unreal. I feel like we’ve stepped back in time a hundred years.”

  “Except we have all the modern conveniences here, and solar power,” Cam offered. “Except the internet. But sometimes, it’s better not to know what’s going on all over the world. Life is a little more peaceful that way.”

  Solace nodded. She had definitely felt that way a time or two, and the events of the last few days had really changed her outlook on life. She didn’t know what she was going to do with her life now that she knew what she did, but she couldn’t see herself going down the path she once thought was her destiny.

  She decided not to worry about that now and just enjoy her time here, however long that was.

  “What about that cabin in between yours and Cam’s? Who lives there?”

  Ethan and Cam looked at each other and her heart sank. Was it a love interest? Were dragons monogamous? What if their afternoon in the emerald pool hadn’t meant to them what it had meant to her.

  They were smiling as she went through all this in her head, but she was lost in thought and in a panic. There were so many things that she hadn’t even considered, and she was already kicking herself for being so naïve.

  “We built that for you,” Cam said.

  Solace stopped her mental tirade for a moment, regarding Cam in utter confusion.

  “Did you say that you built it for me?” she wondered.

  “We did,” Ethan confirmed. “We knew that you were going to need somewhere to stay and we thought that between us would be the best place.”

  “Because a little girl dreamed about me?”

  “Seraphina is more than just a little girl,” Ethan said. “She’s our future leader and she’s going to need a strong Tribute by her side, and she’s already made her choice.”

  Solace stood there, then looked in the open area where the children played, easily picking out the olive-skinned girl with the long, curly black hair. Seraphina turned, twirling around in the dress she wore before blowing a kiss to Solace. She wasn’t a day over four years old, yet her eyes revealed a soul that was older than time. Solace waved back and then the moment passed and Seraphina was back to playing with the other children, her laughter ringing in the early morning air.

  She felt Cam and Ethan each put an arm around her as the three of them watched the children playing. She knew what they were going to say, but she still couldn’t believe it. The future leader had chosen a Tribute.

  “Solace,” Ethan said, the pride in his voice evident. “Seraphina has chosen you.”

  Solace nodded and the three of them stood there watching the sun finish rising over the trees in silence. There was nothing left to say. She was exactly where she wanted to be, and her future was laid out before her. She had been chosen, and in a moment that she would never forget, she became part of something bigger than she could have ever dreamed of.

  THE END

  = Bonus Book 18 of 20 =

  Alien Trinity

  I wake mid-scream.

  The same searing pain that’s been plaguing me for the last week or two has returned. My entire abdomen is burning from the inside out, a pain that I’ve never felt before. The sweat is worse this morning; my entire body is covered a thick coat of moisture. I feel sick, I feel weak, and I certainly don’t feel like myself.

  When the pain finally subsides, it’s replaced by pure nausea. I race to the bathroom, kicking aside shoes and clothes in my haste. I push into the room, drop down to my knees at the toilet, and brace myself for the oncoming expulsion of my insides. After five or so minutes of torture, I splash cold water onto my face. I look into the mirror and I don’t recognize the person staring back at me. My hair is latched onto the side of my face like brown seaweed and my skin is the whitest that it’s ever been. I look as terrible as I feel.

  “There’s work to be done, Eliana, so get yourself together,” I say to my reflection before starting my shower.

  Today could be the day that I lose my job and I don’t intend on letting this sickness assist in that. My department has been downsizing as required by the heads of Oakdale Public Schools. Apparently arts just aren’t as important as the sciences and mathematics. All the art teachers are being shadowed for the next few weeks, constantly watched and recorded. At the end of the semester, only a handful of us will be returning after the summer break. Art, my students and coworkers, the whole damn school is what keeps me going, and I’ll be damned if I let any of it slip away from me. So yeah, this mystery sickness is going to have to sit back and wait its turn.

  The shower washes away most of the pain, but there will be the constant reminder of it lingering somewhere deep within me for the entire day, much like yesterday and the day before. I dress in my normal attire: a black suit, hair pulled back, just the right amount of makeup to make me feel presentable. I don’t eat, which is no surprise. Until around noon, the very idea of food makes my stomach want to roll over and die. I gather up all that I’ll need for the day, and I leave, determined to impress whomever decides enters room 207 today.

  During my thirty-minute commute, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I wait for a red light to read the text.

  Bridgette 7:07 AM: Good morning, El. Lunch today?

  Me 7:11 AM: Yes, definitely. I need to catch you up.

  Bridgette 7:13 AM: Everything okay?

  Me 7:16 AM: Talk later, driving. See you at Helen’s at 12.

  Bridgette doesn’t text back after that. She just returned from a weekend trip with her husband and I haven’t been able to fill her in on my current situation. Whenever I don’t talk to her for more than a day or two, my problems start to overwhelm me. She’s been my best friend for six years now, and she has yet to give me poor advice. No matter how outlandish her suggestions seem, they always seem to work. I call her my oracle for a reason.

  I make it to school a few minutes later than usual and I quicken my pace through the parking lot. When I reach the top of the stairs, a familiar voice calls my name from behind me. I resist the instinct to turn to face the caller, hoping that he gives up. He calls my name again. I turn and say, “Oh, good morning, Hank.”

  “Mornin’, Eliana. So about that date…”

  Hank is an ar
t appreciation teacher. We’ve been working together for almost four years now. Ever since the first time we met, he’s been trying to spark a romantic relationship with me. He’s a great guy, which is why I don’t get angry with him, but I’m just not interested. Bridgette thinks it’s because he reminds me to much of my ex and I can’t say that I don’t agree with her.

  “I would, Hank. But work has me swamped, you know, with all of these jobs cuts and whatnot,” I say as he catches up with me. We’re walking towards my classroom, passing by students flirting at their lockers, teachers scrambling to prepare for the day, and an endless sea of eyes glued on Hank and I. The students have been spreading rumors about our relationship for months now. Even some of the teachers have spilled false gossip into the rumor wheel. “It’s crazy how low the respect level is for the arts,” I say to change the subject as we pass a group of girls pretending not to watch us.

  “Oh, trust me, Elly, you have nothing to worry about. Old Man Johnson loves you,” Hank says, patting my shoulder. I really wish he hadn’t done that. “It’s those like me that have to watch out.”

  “He’s the principal, yes, but Edward doesn’t hold any power in this. Our lives hang on the decisions of the big guys.”

  “I don’t know—”

  “I’ll talk to you later, Hank,” I say when we reach my room, giving him my best impression of a sincere smile. “I have some things to do before class starts.”

  His blue eyes light up, meaning that I’m not only a great teacher, but also a great actress. “Catch ya later, Elly.” Hank sends me a wink and walks away.

  A few students standing by my door must have caught the wink and they giggle and whisper. I raise my eyebrows at them and say, “Good morning.”

  My first two classes seem to drag on for hours. I’m so caught up in doing and saying the right thing to make the man in the back of the room happy that it’s draining me. All of my moves are so calculated, so unnatural. The students can sense it and I hope that the man doesn’t. By the end of third period, every muscle in my body feels strained. A slight headache taps against my skull and the chronic pain in my stomach doesn’t waiver.

  When the bell rings, I leave the room almost as fast as the students. I see Hank again at the opposite end of the hall and I turn in the other direction. I ignore his shouts and try my best to escape the school with no obstacles, bumping into a girl while racing down the stairs.

  “I’m so sorry, Angela,” I say, steadying her with my free hand.

  “It’s all right, Ms. Russet,” Angela says with a smile. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, why?” I ask as we descend the steps.

  “You don’t look to good.”

  “I think I’m coming down with something,” I say. I smile and continue my descent.

  I make it to my car and I quickly shut the door, cocooning myself in silence. For the first time since the first bell rang, I can feel my body start to relax. I take in a deep breath, wipe the sweat off my brows, and start towards Helen’s Café.

  ***

  I spot Bridgette’s car as soon as I pull into the parking lot. I park my car behind hers. She sees me through her rearview mirror and jumps from her car, elated. A few seconds after I leave my car, I’m wrapped in her arms.

  “I’ve missed you so much, El!” she screams into my ear. I don’t mind though; the comfort I get from her mere presence outweighs the pain that courses through my body. She pulls away and asks, “How are you?”

  “I’ve seen better days,” I say. “But before we talk about me, tell me about your trip over a nice meal?”

  Bridgette laughs. “Of course.”

  The waitress knows our orders and puts them in when we enter the small restaurant. We’ve been coming here for about two years now and the warmth of the place relaxes me even more. All the furniture is a dark brown wood with splashes of red in the paintings, fabrics, and light fixtures. We sit in the same spot and the waitress, Peggy, brings us our regular drinks.

  Bridgette tells me that her trip was magical. She and Rob had an amazing time exploring Yellowstone. She swears that it’s the most beautiful place in the world. Midway through one of her stories, she pauses and stares at me.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “You’re still sick, aren’t you?”

  “Please, finish your stories. I don’t want to dry out the energy quite yet.”

  “Explain it to me,” Bridgette says. “The sickness, I mean.”

  I sigh and tell her about my morning trips to the toilet, the constant pins in my abdomen, and the lack of appetite.

  “Oh my gosh,” she says, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “What?”

  “You’re pregnant!”

  “Be quiet, Bridge,” I whisper-scream. “Not so loud.”

  “Why haven’t you told me yet?” She doesn’t lower her voice.

  “Because I’m not pregnant.” A sudden dose of nausea hits me like a wave. I discretely grab my stomach under the table. I refuse to show the pain on my face. “It’s…impossible.”

  “What do you mean? You’re young, of course it’s possible.”

  “I mean because…I haven’t…you know…”

  “You haven’t had sex?”

  The waitress arrives at our table just as Bridgette makes her exclamation. Peggy tries her best to hide the fact that she heard, but I can read it in the way that she quickly deposits our food and leaves. My cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

  I roll my eyes and nod.

  “In how long?” Bridgette asks, leaning forward, arms sprawled on the table. “When was the last time you had some fun?”

  “I don’t know,” I say. I do know. The last time I was sexually active was six or seven months ago, a few days after I ended things with Thomas, my ex. I went out to a bar in hopes of numbing my pain and I met this guy. I forget his name and the only thing I remember about him was his purple contacts and his indiscernible accent. “A long time.”

  “There have been crazy stories of women getting pregnant without having sex,” Bridgette says after taking a bite of her pasta. “Ever heard of Mary?”

  “I’m not pregnant.”

  Bridgette holds up her hands and says, “Okay, okay. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when a little guy pops out from down under.”

  “I still get my period.”

  “Stranger things have happened.”

  We finish our food, hug, and part ways. I finish my afternoon classes a bit easier than my morning ones, and stay after school to finish grading a few assignments. While I’m working, my conversation with Bridgette is on replay in my head. I know there’s no way that I’m pregnant, but the idea has latched to my mind like a leech on a swimmer’s leg. I stop grading and place my hands on my stomach. It feels like it’s felt for a long time. Sure, it’s not as flat as it once was, but there’s no way that there’s another human inside of me. I run my fingers along my abdomen, my mind still running at full capacity. Despite my surety, I won’t be able to abandon the idea until I prove it to myself.

  I decide that I’ll finish grading tomorrow and leave the school. On my way home, I stop at a drug store. After making sure no one was around, I add a pregnancy test to my basket of other products that I use to hide it. At the checkout counter, I put the test up first, wanting the cashier to hide it away in a bag.

  “How are you today, ma’am?” The older woman asks from behind the counter.

  “I’m fine, thank you.”

  The woman, whose nametag tells me her name is Shirley, holds up the pregnancy test and says, “You know, you might want to get two of these just to be safe.”

  Just then, two of my former students enter the store, spot me, then the little white box in Shirley’s hands, and erupt in laughter. One of them, Alex Lovette, says, “You and Mr. Hamilton had a fun night, huh?”

  I ignore the boys and tell Shirley that one is just fine. I silently pray that Alex doesn’t throw some more fuel onto the fire that is already burning s
o harshly. A scandal is the last thing that I need right now.

  When I get home, I don’t waste any time. I remove the stick from the box, follow the directions, and wait. I don’t know why, but my hands are shaking from nervousness. I know what the test will say. I know that I’m not pregnant. And yet I’m scared to look at the indicator when the two minutes are up. I gather enough courage to take a peek, and to confirm what I already knew, the test is negative. Two small lines tell me that there is nothing growing inside of me. I check the back of the box again just to be sure and there, in little black letters, “two lines: positive”. I drop the box and the stick and do my best to suppress the scream that’s forming in my throat.

  ***

  I’m in my car, driving to the nearest gas station, in seconds.

  The test is wrong. It has to be wrong. There is absolutely no way that I’m pregnant. My hands grip the steering wheel so tight that my knuckles go white. I’m biting down on my tongue to distract myself as I fly down the road at speeds well over the limit. There’s a small station a few minutes down the road and as I approach it, my entire being is consumed with fear.

  I go into the store, grab the two tests, and check out. As I swipe my card, the clerk says, “Is everything all right, Miss?”

  I nod, keeping my eyes aimed away from his. He hands me my receipt and tells me to have a good night.

  “Is there a bathroom here?” I ask, keeping my head down.

  “There’s an attached bathroom near the back of the store. Don’t worry, it’s well-lit.”

  “Thank you.”

  I can feel his eyes on my back as I leave the store and disappear around the corner. Like he said, the bathroom is at the back of the building. In any other circumstance, I would never go back here, but there isn’t any room in my mind to worry about my safety.

  I enter the bathroom and lock the door behind me. My nose is bombarded with horrid smells, but I push forward. I remove both of the sticks from the boxes and give them both a sample at the same time. I spend the next two minutes praying to the universe to let them both come back negative. If they don’t, if they somehow come back positive, then I truly need to reevaluate my life. I pace back and forth in the small room, ignoring the questionable substances under my feet.