by Jane West
“I’m confused. I thought he was dating Sally?”
“He was dating both. Neither girl knew.”
“Whata dog!”
“You got that right!” Val bit back a snarl. “Anyway in spite of his wondering eye, there was talk of marriage. He’d even went as far as giving my sister an engagement ring. The marriage never happened. Instead, Sienna disappeared, and Aidan ducked out of the country for months until you moved to Tangi. That’s when he resurfaced.”
“Do you think my coming to Tangi had anything to do with your sister’s disappearance?”
“Not directly.”
“I don’t understand.”
It seemed Val was warring with his inter-self. Then he just said it, “I think there’s a triangle betwixt Aidan, you and Sienna’s vanishing.”
My brow perked. “You think I’m responsible?”
“No! Hell no! What I do think, is that Sienna found out about the prior arrangement between the families, the blood contract binding Aidan and you to marriage. I suspect my sister confronted Aidan and the argument went sour.”
My eyes orbed, surprised. “How did you learn about the blood contract?”
“Through the grape-vine.” He smiled, but it didn’t match his wounded eyes.
“Rumors, huh?”
“Yeah,” Val snorted a curt laugh and shrugged. “Even the angels gossip.”
I smiled. “Small world, huh?”
“Yeah, very.” Then the cadence in his deep voice became dour. “I never told you this,” he breathed. “But, I knew you were framed. I tried finding you, but you went off the grid.”
My mouth dropped. “That first night in your bar, you knew who I was?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you now just telling me this?” my brows collided.
“I didn’t think it was important at the time,” he dropped his eyes from mine, staring out at the river.
“Why now?”
“I think you have a right to know.” His brows furrowed, deeply. “I hate secrets.” his eyes latched hold of mine. I looked away, feeling like the worst person ever. The secret I held was much darker and I was sure he’d hate me when I told him. I bit my lip, quickly changing the subject. “Did you hear what Aidan said about my genetic code? I don’t have any trace of human.”
“I heard.”
“This is good news. I’m not a hybrid. I’m a full blooded Zop!”
Val rooted his fingers through his disheveled hair. “I have to be honest with you.”
“Okay.” I didn’t breathe.
“I know about the Illuminati playing God, creating you in a lab. They used human DNA in the beginning, then they replaced it with a replica super-cell substance that they designed to boost your abilities. Making you a very powerful young lady.”
“Wow!” my mouth hung open.
He tossed a lopsided grin. “I did some snooping.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” I paused, mulling over the enlightened facts he’d landed in my lap. Then my heart lurched. “Since I no longer have human DNA, wouldn’t that make me a pure Zop?”
“Not necessarily. You are still an impure according to my kind.”
I wanted to gnaw off my arm, grrr! “You explained to me that I am an outcast, consequences of my human traits!”
“Yes and no. There’s more to it. Only those who have been blessed with divine creation are pure and natural. I’m sorry, Freckles. That’s our law.” Val squeezed my knee, showing empathy.
I didn’t need his pity. Acceptance was what I needed. All my life, I’d been disconnected, an outsider. Now that I’d found a kinship with creatures like myself, I still was marked as an outcast. I sighed with frustration. “I hate being alone.”
Val gathered my chin in his hand, drawing my eyes to his level, “you’re not alone.” He smiled, brightly. “I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
“Yes, but for how long?” I let myself sink into his golden eyes.
“I can’t answer that.” Val barely whispered.
This was a battle I couldn’t win. “Okay, enough about me. Tell me more about your sister. You said she disappeared?”
“Yeah,” swiftly Val’s face dropped as he sighed. “As it went down, Aidan wouldn’t let my sister out of his sight. It was like she was his possession.”
“I find it odd that Aidan never mentioned your sister.” I paused, sitting straight in my chair. “Now it makes perfect sense. You didn’t want to help me because of ”
“You got it!” Val interrupted.
“Why am I not surprised.”
Val’s upper lip twisted in vexation.
“I can’t wrap my head around all this devilry. Will Aidan and the Illuminati ever stop destroying lives?”
“Good question.”
“Is there anything I can do to help in your search for your sister?” My heart went out to him.
“I don’t know where else to look.” Pain colored his face. “I’ve turned every rock there is, but nothing.”
Chills crept over the back of my neck as I recalled how Aidan eliminated Sam’s body. Even though the death of Sam was justified, I prayed that Aidan hadn’t gone to that same measure with Val’s sister. Tears welled. “You can’t give up!”
“I know.” There was anger behind Val’s glint. An anger I often saw in myself.
“Were you close?”
“Yes, very. She was my little sister, and I failed her.”
“How did you fail her?”
“I tried warning her about Aidan. She wouldn’t hear it. My sister idolized him. I should’ve forced her to listen to me.”
I squeezed his hand, leaning toward him. “There was nothing you could’ve done. This isn’t your fault.”
“I should’ve locked her up and thrown the key away or ” Val pressed his lips tight.
“And, she would’ve hated you for it.”
“But she’d be alive.” Val’s eyes filled with sorrow.
“You can’t be certain she’s gone now. You have to know that!”
“Yeah. I guess,” Val nodded, inhaling a somber breath. “The unknowing is worse than her death.”
“I know.” I was familiar with that feeling far too well.
“I have to ask.” His eyes, intense. “Are you still carrying a torch for him?”
Taken off guard, I paused, glimpsing over-way at the river. The buzz of night-crawlers were in harmony with the flow of the stream. I listened for a moment. As strange as it seemed, though, I wasn’t a woodsy kinda girl, the strum of the bayou seemed to ease my mind. I sighed, looking Val in the face. I answered as honestly as I could, but even then, my heart acted upon its own accord. “I won’t lie. I have mixed feelings. He was my first, and we did share a child together, even though there wasn’t much sharing.” Then I whispered. “You must know you are the one. It’s you I dream about, who I desire, not Aidan.”
“How can I relax knowing there is unfinished business between you two? I saw it in your eyes today.” Val searched deep into my greens.
“After today, I think that business is resolved. He’s not the same person.” My hand lifted to his stumbled chin. His features were breathtaking, like an angel. Our eyes locked. “Let’s enjoy our time together now.”
“For now.” Val’s eyes crinkled as he leaned in and kissed me. It was sweet, yet, compared to last time, the spark seemed absent. Considering everything we’d been through today, it was no wonder. I stayed in a constant confusion. Befuddled much?
Val drew back with a possessive glint. “You can’t go back to him. He’s dangerous and cannot be trusted.”
“I don’t plan to.” I inhaled. “My eyes are wide open now.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You know, we have to stop them.”
“I agree, but they’re indestructible.”
A mischievous grin stained Val’s face. “Funny you should say that.” His eyes twinkled. “We are on the brink of war.”
I choke
d on my breath. “Oh my god! Aidan was not joking.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, part of what Aidan said is true. It’s the part about the Illuminati taking over that I disagree with. That’s why our side is gathering forces.”
Trepidation curled around my spine. “Our side! Zop?”
“Not just the Zophasemin but the entire galaxy. Spiritual forces are gathering as we speak.”
“Whoa! We might be facing extermination.”
“It won’t come to that.” Val glowered. “We plan to fight back!” The conviction in Val’s tone screamed volumes.
“Oh, dear lord!”
“If the Illuminati succeeds, we are doomed. You think Hitler was bad, stick around. The Illuminati is the mother of all monstrosities.”
“I’m afraid!” I was inspired looking at Val and his intensity, but in the same breath, I was utterly terrified.”
“You and me both.” He brushed his thumb across my cheek.
“What will come of Jeffery and Dom? Innocent people?” I sat there blinking, unable to process this nightmare. Aidan’s warning of the world ending, Val speaking of war, it was really happening. I snapped my head up, catching Val’s eyes, “do you think we stand a chance?”
“I don’t know.” Wary lines etched across Val’s face. “The Illuminati’s enforcement is infinite, endorsed with supernatural forces far more powerful and far more advanced than we have ever went up against.”
“But you’re angels! You have special powers.” I stared at Val with disbelief.
“Yes, we have abilities, not like the Family’s.”
“I can help!” I rushed. “The Illuminati created me for war. My genetic design is twofold. You said yourself I was powerful.” It just hit me like a ton of bricks falling from the sky. I was a weapon.
Val raised my hand to his lips and gently kissed my palm. I blinked back.
“Absolutely, not! You are nowhere near ready for something of this magnitude.”
“I might be the answer to your prayers!” I damn near screamed.
Val shook his head. “Don’t you think they have created others like you?”
“If there are others like me then that’s even more reason why you need me!” I countered.
“It’s not only genetically altered angels in this war, Freckles.”
“I already know about the fey.”
“I’m not talking about the Seelie or Unseelie.”
“Who, then?”
“The Illuminati has harvested the DNA of the giants. They’re bringing back the Nephilim as we speak. I know you’ve heard of area 51?”
“I have, but I thought the Nephilim were irrepressible.”
“True. They were impossible to control in the past. However the Family found a way to bypass that problem. They discovered a way to create mass armies of genetically altered giants. They are contained at area 51. It is the best unkempt secret the government has ever had. These altered giants are trained assassins, invincible and with the flip of a switch, they can eradicate an entire species. Ever heard of genocide?”
“Yes.” I began to feel my skin growing pale. I thought surely I’d faint.
“If we don’t fight back that’s what we are facing. But the Illuminati are not the only enemies that we are dealing with.” Val’s jaw tightened. “Sweetie, I’m sorry to bring his name up.”
My brows dipped down into a vee as my heart hammered at my chest. “No,” I softly whispered.
But Val didn’t listen. “Mustafa took your daughter’s life force in order to preserve his own life. He no longer is an allied of the Family’s. They plan to kill him. Therefore he’s been gathering his own army as well. I felt you should know what you’re up against.”
I jumped up, knocking my chair over. “Stop, Val!” I held up my hands in protest. “I can’t hear anymore.” I stalked past him to the far side of the deck and held my head over to vomit. I couldn’t bear thinking about that murderous angel. I was sickened with fright for my family and even Val. With my brain about to implode, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve. It wasn’t long before I heard the shuffle of soft footfalls, it was Val coming up behind me. Instantaneously his arms snaked around my waist, I turned around and buried my face into his consoling chest. He towered over my small frame, and I molded easily to his body. I felt safe in his arms.
“Val,” I softly spoke.
“Yeah,” he replied, tenderly.
“I think I love you.”
His golden eyes twinkled as he answered, “I know.” Then he bent to kiss me on my forehead, and I smiled. He was being a bit funny not saying it back to me, yet I knew he had feelings too. How could he deny it? He had been by my side through everything. I trusted him with my life and even something more precious than life itself my heart.
It seemed we stayed embraced in each other’s arms for a long while. Then Val interjected, gazing into my eyes. “He can’t stay with you. If he hurts you, I’ll kill him.” I didn’t’ doubt that Val would carry his threat out without hesitance or regret.
I trembled over the thought of those two brawling. “I’ll handle it.”
Val groaned. “I’d rather you let me take care of your rodent infestation.” An impish grin stretched the corners of his lips.
“No! I rather you not.” I sternly declined. “I really don’t think Aidan will hurt me. Besides, if you got hurt, it’d kill me.” Laughter filled my eardrums as I felt the rise and fall of Val’s chest as he roared.
“Stop it!” I slugged him in the arm, then I rolled my eyes. “Of course you are more than capable of defending yourself. It’s just”—I hesitated—“Aidan’s diabolical, and ” I couldn’t finish what I needed to say.
Val gently took my chin into his grasp. “I can take care of myself, Freckles.” His eyes glittered as he smiled. His deep voice was reassuring. I loved when he spoke in his native tongue.
I needed to know the answer right then and there. Then I asked in our Zop language, “You think I’m pretty awesome, don’t you?” I smiled into his bright face.
He laughed, and then he hugged me tight. “I do. I really do.” I shook my head and giggled to myself. The damnedest thing—this man had me, and he knew it too. Oh, well. It could be a lot worse.
The Bayou
Val made sure the coast was clear at my house before we popped in.
It was a huge relief to discover that Aidan had clocked out from the liquor he’d ingested, sleeping most of the day. The house had settled, nothing compared to earlier today.
I had the opportunity to grab a quick bath and throw on some decent clothes for the barbecue. Even Val used my shower and changed clothing.
I found a note on the counter in the kitchen from Dom. He had taken Sally to dinner, and planned to go shopping afterward. Jeffery stayed home, spending the evening alone.
When I could no longer bear to look at his pouty face, I invited him to come along. Although before I’d finished my sentence, he’d grabbed his picnic basket full of goodies as if he’d read my mind.
Off we went, the three of us in the Mustang, Val volunteered to be the designated driver. We could’ve rode on his shirt-tail in a matter of seconds, but I didn’t feel comfortable materializing in front of unacquainted people. Couple with Val’s uncertainty of who was coming, we thought the human means of travel would be the wisest. It was a nice change. And glimpsing at Jeffery, I think he appreciated the grounded ride. I spotted him dabbing his forehead with a napkin after we’d decided on our means of transportation.
As it turned out, I think Val enjoyed the ride the most, leaving tire tracks in our wake, coiling corners, nearly tilting the car on two wheels a couple of times.
Poor Jeffery got stuck in the backseat with his long legs bunched up to his neck. I reckoned by the dire expression on his face, he didn’t care much for the ride either. After a short distance down the road and the speediness of Val’s playful driving, Jeffery seemed to pale. I smiled to myself. Obviously, my good friend wasn’t a thrill seeker—or
at least a race car thriller. I loved my Jeffery, either way.
Passed the out-shirts of the city, we ventured down an unmarked dirt-road, headed to the invite. I could hear the river only a few feet away in the distance, on the other side of the tree line. The water ebbing downstream and its strange spoor of fish and mud wafted into the air. For a second, I thought I’d seen a pair of red eyes crest the surface of the water. I shivered, drawing my knees to my chest. I slid a sideways glance at Val. “How bad are the gators in this swamp?” Dread stiffened the hairs on my neck.
A curt snicker floated over the purr of the car as Val held his laugh back. “We’re at the basin, low ground. If a little old gator comes after you, you’ll have plenty of time to shinny up a tree.” The gold specks in his eyes sparkled with humor.
“Funny guy!” my eyes shot daggers at him.
“Chile!” Jeffery chimed from the backseat. “If a gator comes for me, girrrlfriend, I’m push-n you in front!” He pursed his lips. “Ain’t no gator get-n none of this!” His hands rolled over his body, fluidly.
“Jeffery, where’s the love, bro?” I teased. Both Val and I laughed. Jeffery pouted.
***
When we turned off the road onto a dirt drive, I presumed this must be the place. Right away, I caught sight of a lighted house nestled back amidst the mossed trees. There were telltale signs that the house once had been white. Now the paint had chipped away, giving the weather-worn house a sense of eeriness.
I picked up on a soft hum of cicadas in the background that seemed to flow with the river stream behind the house.
As I drew in my surroundings, I came to appreciate the rawness of this place. There was life here. From human to critter, they all depended on the bayou for existence.
Val parked the car in a clearing by the side of the house. Before I place my hand on the door handle, Val was opening my door and extending his hand. I thought how sweet. I smiled in his face, taking his offer.
As I eased out of the car I stopped, my smile fading. My eyes fell upon several long-haired, bandana wearing, tattooed, scruffy-looking men, chugging down long-neck beer. Though I was put off, the men appeared to be in good spirits, laughing, gathered around a home-made, cinderblock barbeque pit.