“Suki,” Evangeline called walking toward her schoolmate. Suki walked alongside her food cart. The smell of freshly grilled meat sent Evangeline’s mouth watering. Suki and her father had come to Everleigh years ago, as one of the first sets of refugees, and had since made Everleigh their permanent home. Evangeline and Suki attended the same classes at school. Suki’s easy manner of speaking and happy attitude drew in anyone who knew her. While most people cooked with food replicators, Suki and her father took pride in their hand-grilled meats and sold them every year on the square.
“Gideon,” Suki beamed, her almond eyes blinking longingly in his direction as she pushed a button to stop the cart. “Good to see you’re back.” Tipping her head, her lips curved into a flirty smile and her glossy black hair fell around her shoulders, to her waist. “What are you two doing in this part of the citadel?”
Gideon smiled at Suki politely. “LillyAnne was afraid not everyone knew about the celebration,” Gideon said.
“LillyAnne is the sweetest, most attentive person I know,” Suki replied. “Assure her that she’s done an excellent job of letting us all know about the festivities. Plus, most of us have been here long enough, it’s become our tradition. Walk with me to the square?” Suki asked, as her cart started moving again.
“I haven’t seen any new refugees lately,” Evangeline said, falling in step next to Suki. “Do you know of any that we’ve missed? My father wants to make sure we haven’t overlooked anyone.”
“Your father has been so generous to everyone here,” Suki replied, “but we’ve had absolutely none this week,” she said as they walked by an overflowing bed of flowers. “We had a steady stream for so long, it’s a bit unnerving that it’s died away so quickly. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do,” Gideon replied.
Nodding toward the roasting meats on Suki’s cart, Gideon signaled for two. As Suki parked her cart, he asked, “How much do I owe you?”
“For you Gideon, it’s on the house. If it wasn’t for you and your father’s bravery among the resistance…”
Suki’s words faded into the background. Evangeline watched Gideon turn pale white. He looked somewhere in the crowd. Evangeline tried to pick out where he looked, but his gaze disappeared in the blissful crowd. Looking at Gideon’s expression, she felt anything but blissful.
***
They sat on the grass by the lake. They always came to this spot, hidden amongst a grove of trees, on the east side of Everleigh. She studied Gideon. His shoulders slumped over his crossed legs as he picked at the grilled meat Suki had given them. Bringing his face up to look at her, his chocolate eyes shone wild with apprehension, speaking volumes about whatever he struggled to piece together.
“So you’re saying you saw someone, but you don’t know who he is, but you recognize him from—where again?”
“Celaneo, he traveled with us for a few nights. I don’t know who he is, but my father started acting different after he left us.” His mouth opened to say more then closed just as swiftly. Shaking his head, he grabbed a nearby stone and with a scowl, threw it into the metallic lake. He lowered his head to his chest and took a deep breath.
“Eves.” He spoke cold and hesitant. “I have a bad feeling. Too many things aren’t making sense to me.” He let out a deep breath and pulled at the grass surrounding them.
Evangeline looked to the sky and saw the shimmering of the force field that enclosed Everleigh. Its arching dome glimmered like a rainbow where the sun reflected off its surface. “If she comes, we can fight her. We’ve fought for this long. We’ll keep fighting.”
“No,” Gideon snapped. “You haven’t fought. I’ve fought. While you’ve sat here in your pretty, protected city.” Cutting her off, his words sliced deep into her soul. She slunk back at their severity and took a few breaths before speaking again.
“What does your father say? All hope can’t be lost.”
“You saw him this morning. My father isn’t acting right.” Gideon answered, lowering his head to his chest. “Eves, if something happens and Everleigh is no longer safe, do you remember what to do?”
Evangeline nodded her head and turned towards mountains. “Of course. I’ve been drilled on what to do since I was a kid.” She scanned the base of the mountains until she found the vines that covered the entrance to the hidden cave. Her father had stocked it with weeks of survival gear. He’d make Evangeline practice escape drills at least twice a year. Evangeline exhaled, “Gideon, your dad has a lot on his plate, but I don’t believe he’d do anything to compromise the resistance he’s fought so hard for.”
“That’s the thing about you, Eves. You find the best in everyone. To the point you don’t see the danger right in front of you.” He stood, bringing Evangeline up with him. Grabbing her small hand he started walking toward the back of the unseen quartz citadel, ducking under the full trees that hid their tiny inlet from unwanted attention and prying eyes.
She turned to face him straight on. “Gid, whatever is happening, you are smart and strong and the best person I know.” She grabbed both his hands in hers. “You are not alone. Whatever is happening with your Dad, and your fears about Everleigh, we’re in this together.”
Gideon smirked away the compliment. “Come on, the party can’t start without us.”
Evangeline grinned. “Most definitely can’t start without us.
Chapter Three
“Evangeline,” a voice yelled to her. Stopping she turned and searched the crowd. The voice belonged to Migel, a boy from school whom she often studied with. He walked towards her, his black hair hanging over one eye, making his sharp cheekbones look even more pronounced. He dressed in a sleek shiny black jacket with oversized buttons on the front. Corresponding pants hugged his skinny legs. She turned to Gideon, knowing he was thinking up some sassy remark about Migel’s outfit. Gideon never cared much for passing fashions, except to poke fun of. Migel adored the artistic styles and used himself as a canvas for all things fashionable.
Suki joined them. Apron gone, her tight blue dress reflected the lights of the sinking sun. Her hair was now braided into intricate knots on top her head. Evangeline looked awestruck at her.
“Wow Suki, you look amazing.”
“Thanks. Migel, of course, helped me find something suitable,” Suki replied, casting a flirty gaze towards Migel. “I really don’t know what I’d do without such advice.”
“I do what I can to help the less fashionable,” Migel teased, winking at Suki.
Evangeline loved these two, always bantering and teasing each other. She spent a lot of time with them at school and couldn’t help but cherish both. Their happy carefree attitudes were as contagious as their kindness.
“What do you say, Evangeline,” Migel asked, bringing her back to the present, “would you like to dance? Or are you saving all your dances for your soldier boy?” He raised his eyebrows at her and Gideon. His eyes flicked back and forth between the two.
Evangeline felt her face blush. She always felt silly when people put Gideon and her together like that. They were only friends. Best friends.
“Well if Evangeline isn’t going to dance with you, I sure am,” Suki cut in, not waiting for Evangeline to reply. Grabbing Migel’s hands she spun him into the crowd of dancers.
“He wouldn’t be able to keep up with you in those pants anyway,” Gideon said with a smirk. “And I wouldn’t worry much about Suki looking better than you either. No one compares to the angel, Evangeline.
Looking at him wide-eyed, she couldn’t find the words to respond. Gideon laughed out loud. “You act like I’ve never given you a compliment before. Come on, our Best Day Ever hasn’t gone as planned, let’s make up for it. Would you like to dance?”
“Seriously?” Her suspicious eyes questioned. “Last I heard you didn’t dance.”
“Well, just because I don’t, doesn’t mean we can’t have fun trying.” Grabbing Evangeline’s hand he pulled her towards him. Spinning her in a circle, he wrappe
d an arm around her waist and pulled her into him. “My Angel,” he said moving his feet in an uncoordinated jig. Evangeline burst into laughter. Bouncing on his feet, he nodded once before Evangeline found herself spinning around the courtyard. They danced out of sync and with no rules. By the time the music finished, both laughed in uncontrollable fits and she felt less worried about him.
The sun sank lower into the southern sky, and Gideon never left her side. She loved the feel of his hand on her back as he’d point out different entertainers and how he’d grab her hand and lead her around the square to sample different foods. Gideon kept scanning the crowd. Several times Evangeline caught his eyes furrowed in thought, but he’d shrug it off just as quickly as it came.
As the sun touched the water’s surface, all of Everleigh fell silent. The sun’s rays hit the buildings in such a way that it sent thousands of rainbows dancing over the square. Evangeline loved this time of night. Even though the sun produced rainbows at all hours of the day, this time of night the suns rays caught the crystals at just the right angles. They all watched until the sun slipped below the horizon and the floating globes lit the square.
As the crowd resumed its party, an artisan selling necklaces caught Gideon’s eye and he pulled Evangeline towards her. Her silver and black hair stuck out in all directions and she carried the necklaces on her arm and across her neck. Her neck looked burdened under the weight of it all, or maybe she was just old and stood like that naturally.
“Ahh, Evangeline and Gideon. Do you see anything you like?” She raised her arms heavy with jewelry and a smell of woody incense wafted from her. Reaching forward, Evangeline ran her hand through the rows of chains, causing them to swing side to side. Clinking together, their notes sounded soft and calming. Evangeline felt entranced as she ran her hands across them.
Evangeline shook her head to clear it. “How do you know our names?” Evangeline asked.
“This is not the first time I’ve seen you.” The mystic responded.
“I’m sorry, I don’t recall ever meeting you,” Evangeline said. A medallion caught Evangeline’s eye. As she reached for it, Gideon’s hand brushed against hers, reaching for the same item. Evangeline pulled the medallion away from the rest of the jewelry and let it rest in her open palm.
“Not met, seen.” The mystic purred, pointing to the side of her head. “I’ve seen you both, in here.” She tapped her temple. “And in here.” She pointed to a crystal floating in the center of the medallion that Evangeline held in her hand.
“You’re a mystic?” Evangeline blurted and in a swift motion put a hand over her own mouth, causing the mystic to laugh.
“Mystic, Spiritualist, Prophetess. I’ve been known by many names.”
Evangeline forced herself to blink, breaking her gaze on the mystic. She looked back to the necklace. “I’ve never seen this before. What does it mean?”
“Ahh, you’re asking to learn your fate, yes?” her voice whistled.
“Oh no, you misunderstand,” Evangeline responded. “I just want to know what the symbol means.”
“Your fortune is told from what you choose. You can tell a lot about someone by what they choose,” the woman’s voice hummed, trance-like.
Gideon looked skeptical. “Really? And what does this necklace say about us?” he asked, in a playful voice. Evangeline gave Gideon a questioning look as he smirked and dropped money into the old woman’s hands
“Not a necklace. No, this is much more. This is an insigne,” the mystic purred, ignoring Gideon’s skepticism as she pocketed the money.
“An insigne?” Evangeline questioned. “I’ve never heard of an insigne.”
“That’s because the word is not yours. It’s mine,” she buzzed. Gideon and Evangeline both looked confused. The woman ignored them and continued. “And this,” she pointed to the necklace. “is a very specific insigne. This is the Angel and the Warrior.” The mystic reached a finger towards the insigne and slid her finger across its surface. “It symbolism holds much power for both of you.” Her finger stopped sliding and pointed to part of the medallion. “This V represents the Warrior. His breastplate chinked and worn.” She moved her finger again. “And this is the Angel.” The mystic slid her finger over a curved surface that looked like wings. “The angel’s wings surround the warrior and bring safety and protection.” The two shapes crossed near the upper part of the warrior’s breastplate and curved into a loop forming one head. “And this,” she said as she followed the loop. “This is the Angel and the Warrior together. Two people. One purpose. Of one mind,” she explained. Evangeline and Gideon stared at the insigne, as they pondered the mystic’s words.
“And what of the stone?” Evangeline asked.
“That is, the Seraphyst Stone.” Her voice purred as she took the insigne from Evangeline’s hand. “Very rare, and very sacred.”
The mystic grabbed one of their hands in each of hers. “Take the insigne in each of your palms and hold hands.” She guided Gideon’s hand into Evangeline’s. “Now look into the Seraphyst.” When the mystic spoke again, trance-like, the world around Evangeline swirled and everything became dark. As light crept back into her eyes, everything looked and felt like a dream. She stood alone on the dark edge of a cliff, clothed in a long, pure white, billowing dress. Shadows danced in a distant crevice below her where she could see the churnings of a great mass of people. Red and black mists surrounded them.
Terror swept through the swirling shadows. Her heart rate increased, she spun in all directions, searching for Gideon. Another cliff stood in the distance opposite her, red mist encompassing it. On top stood a warrior, dressed in the armor of a soldier. A sword and shield were clenched in his hands as he attacked the darkness coiling around him.
“Gideon.” His name fell silent on her lips.
Straining to move, the world started falling away around her. She tried to reach for him, to scream his name, but there was only silence and a red sweeping darkness once more.
Evangeline heard the mystic’s voice in the wind swirling around her.
“A warrior and an angel. One with the power to save. The other, to destroy. Alone you will accomplish nothing. It is only together that you can accomplish your destiny.”
The swirls of red mist dissipated at her feet. Suddenly, in a moment of clarity, she and Gideon locked eyes and she could move. Taking first a step towards him and then another, she found herself sprinting towards him and he towards her.
“There is much in this life that will keep you apart. Secrets, treachery, and pride. You must overcome these. You must always find each other.” The mystic’s voice rang through the breeze as she released their hands. The world spun to life around them and Evangeline again stood amongst a happy crowd of party-goers. Widening her eyes, Evangeline looked towards Gideon. He stood pale, but strong. Nodding at the mystic, Gideon reached a protective arm around Evangeline’s waist and pulled her to his side. Without another word the mystic turned and hobbled away, leaving the necklace swaying between their hands.
“Gideon…” she didn’t know what to say. What did it all mean? He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Here, let me put that necklace on you.” Turning her away from him he placed the necklace around her neck, then spun her back around.
Evangeline held the necklace in her hand, examining it closer. “I’ve never heard of a Seraphyst Stone. It must be technology from another planet.”
“I don’t think its technology,” Gideon answered. He stepped closer studying the crystal and the insigne that surrounded it. He raised his eyes towards Evangeline. “I think it’s some kind of seer stone. Other planets believe you can see the future or gain direction by looking into a seer stone.” Evangeline's eyes went wide.
“You think what we just saw was a prediction of our future?” Evangeline asked. “That we’re The Angel and the Warrior?”
Gideon shrugged his shoulders. “The people of Mir don’t really believe in prophecy. But I remember my mother did.
The planet she came from, the people there devoted their lives to the prophecies they received.” Gideon became quiet as his eyes rested on the insigne. “I think that’s why she left,” he added quietly.
A group of fire dancers stopped in front of them. A crowd quickly gathered to watch. Gideon stared at the dancers but his thoughts seemed far away. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Gideon leaned towards Evangeline. “I just realized, there is someone who will have the answers about my father. Will you be okay if I leave you for a while?”
“I can come with you,” Evangeline said, turning towards him.
“Actually, this person doesn’t really like people to know who she is,” Gideon said. Evangeline raised her eyes skeptically. “Don’t worry, I’ll be safe,” he added.
“Okay.”
He gave her elbow a quick squeeze and darted through the crowd.
Chapter Four
Evangeline walked towards the citadel. The polished quartz stairs of her home gave her a perfect view of the festivities. The bright decorations swirled together with the equally colorful partygoers. Floating light globes circled above the square, waiting for the sun’s dismissal for their turn to light up the night. Entertainers of all kinds filled people with laughter as the smell from food vendors wafted through the air, making Evangeline’s stomach growl. She smiled while looking at a small group surrounding a juggler. He teetered on top of some kind of flying unicycle, tossing his polished orbs into the sky.
Laying her head against the cold stone quartz of the citadel, she thought of Gideon, trying to piece together a puzzle she didn’t have all the pieces to. Children laughed as they played and ran through the jumble of people, their bright eyes teasing their parents who chased them. Everything seemed normal. Given all that, why were Gideon and Zeke acting so differently? What was going on with them?
Looking over the crowd, she saw her father walking across the floating platform that had been assembled opposite her home. Its thin crystalline surface was suspended a few feet above the ground. Her mother walked at her father’s side. They looked happy, holding hands, pointing out the different entertainers and laughing. Evangeline waved, trying unsuccessfully to catch their eyes. Wanting to tell them about Gideon and the mystic, she stepped down a stair and immediately stopped as she realized what was going on. Her father walked to the front of the dais to address the crowd. His uniform, washed and pressed, emphasized his strong build and commanding presence. He held up his hand to shush the crowd, and the chatter calmed as everyone turned toward their leader, waiting to hear him speak.
The Angel and the Warrior (The Mir Chronicles Book 1) Page 2