by James Hold
***
I know I was in the shower longer than I needed to be, but without the worries of being late to one appointment or another, I used the time spent under the water to relax. Or at least, I tried to. Cyrus’ words from last night kept creeping back into my thoughts like a bad dream that just wouldn’t fade away. If what he said was true, I was immortal. I had been given a gift by the gods. I had powers no woman should possess. Granted, those powers were to talk to the dead, but still. I had access to an ability which couldn’t be ignored very easily.
As I replayed the conversation from the night before, questions filtered through that I hadn’t considered before. Would I never see my own reflection again? Would I really outlive everyone I’d ever known, and would come to know? I laughed out loud at the thought of it. Impossible. Elliot was right about one thing. Cyrus knew how to pull me in. He was starting to make me believe things I would have dismissed as fantasy yesterday.
No, that’s not right. I wanted to dismiss his words as fantasy, yet it was harder than I realized. I’d seen three images I didn’t have the ability to explain with science. I was still hearing the whispers and having the strange dreams. I couldn’t explain these either. The only fact I could cling to right now was that the whole situation was spiraling out of control faster than I could get a handle on it.
I tried to go back to my original defense of hitting my head or being overwhelmed by all the changes which had occurred in my life over the past few weeks. I tried to talk myself out of believing what I saw in the mirrors yesterday were real. I even tried to convince myself that insanity was contagious. After being surrounded by the nuts dressed as aliens and zombies all day, Kathy Carter had pushed me over the edge.
Yet, even as I was telling myself to calm down and stop being stupid, I realized my thoughts were hollow. I knew what I saw. I knew what I felt when I looked into the mirror the night before. For the first time in a very long time, I had been at peace. I was happy. I wasn’t sure if even Elliot could have kept me from joining the woman who had so sweetly beckoned me.
Elliot. I groaned as I brushed the water from my eyes. He was a completely different matter all together. My thoughts of Cyrus and the Sibyl shifted into a replay of what had happened between us this morning. It was so unexpected. After four years, why now? Why was Elliot suddenly making his move? I’d have to talk to him about it sooner or later. Truth be told, I needed to get my own feelings straight first. Had the Carter woman been right? Was I in love with him? Could he be in love with me?
I was doubtful. Elliot could have his choice of women; even more so now that he was going to be on television. I was nothing more than the old college buddy tagging along in the hope he would find a spot for me in his life after school.
I shut off the water, welcoming the chilled air as it broke my thoughts away from my feelings for Elliot. I’d wanted to spend my time alone relaxing. Instead, I brought up my own insecurities and fears of losing the one true friend I’d ever had. One who was going to spend the day with me. I stepped out of the shower and came face to face with the large, covered mirror when a new fear pierced through my heart.
How in the world was I going to make myself presentable without being able to see what I’m doing?
I jumped at the sound of a knock on the door, snagging a thick white towel and wrapping it around me before I answered. “I’m nowhere near done, Eli. You might as well get comfortable.”
“Ms. McRayne, it is Cyrus.”
I felt my heart sink at the sound of his voice. Of course he’d be here. What he was doing in my room uninvited was a whole other matter. If he was going to be my shadow, it appeared we would have to set some boundaries. Ones I wasn’t sure he’d be too eager to agree to.
I didn’t answer until I’d thrown on a bathrobe and wrapped my hair in the aforementioned towel. Then I opened the door to face the stranger who had forced himself into my life only yesterday. I was pleased to see a faint blush spread across his flawless face as he noted my attire. I was even more pleased when he had the graciousness to look away.
“What?” I wanted to sound stern, but my voice cracked. I swallowed and tried again. “What can I do for you today, Cyrus?”
“I need to speak with you immediately about this show you are doing.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out his ever-present cell phone. “After all that has transpired, I feel it would be best for you if you dropped out of the production all together.”
For once, I was at a loss for words. Elliot had mentioned something last night about how this guy might use me to get into the entertainment business. Instead, Cyrus was trying to pull me out of it. He glanced in my direction and opened his mouth as if he wished to say more, but stayed quiet when I raised my hand. I responded with the first words which came to mind. I couldn’t stop myself.
“Are you insane?” I felt the anger return to me as I pushed my way past him to the closet. “You have some nerve, buddy.”
“Ms. McRayne, it is far too dangerous. You must listen to me.”
“No.” I was snatching my clothes off the hangers so fast, the wooden bars clunked together. “You listen to me.”
I stormed past him, tossing the jeans and t-shirt on the bed before I turned to face him. “Who do you think you are, Cyrus? We met less than twenty-four hours ago, and you are already trying to tell me what to do with my life?”
“It is for your own protection.”
“I don’t care what your reasoning is.” I glared at him as I closed the distance between us and jabbed his chest with my finger. “You have no right to tell me who I am or what I am going to be. Sibyl or no. Are we clear on that?”
“As crystal.” Cyrus’ dark eyes flashed as he returned my glare. “Yet, you can not seriously be considering putting yourself into situations where you will be forced to confront spirits on a regular basis. I told you last night you were inexperienced and unknowledgeable.”
“I heard you last night, so you hear me now.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I am doing this show. I have to do it. I signed a very ironclad contract. I refuse to break it.”
I decided to return to the bathroom before he could respond. I grabbed up my clothes and headed in that direction when his next words stopped me in my tracks.
“What happens if you become someone else, Eva?” Cyrus’ voice was soft. “Sibyls have been known to become possessed by the spirits they are surrounded by. Not all ghosts are simple grandmothers wishing to contact their loved ones. Most are filled with hate. More than most are jealous of the living. You could very easily attack the ones you care for the most. Are you willing to take that chance?”
I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I faced him again. “I’m not a violent person. No matter how crazy I seem right now, talking to you about ghosts and all. I won’t go around attacking people; much less my loved ones.”
“But the spirits might. Some of them can be very violent.” Cyrus gave me a sad smile as he clasped his hands behind his back. “You must take the time to train with me. Learn to control yourself if you insist on this nonsense.”
“It’s not nonsense.” I could hear my own disbelief as I spoke the words. “It’s important.”
“To Mr. Lancaster, certainly. Not to you.”
“Fine.” I huffed. “Then I suggest you do your job and teach me what I need to know. When do you want to start this training of yours?”
“This afternoon. I’d prefer immediately, but it appears you’ve made other plans.”
“I have.” I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was already after ten. “Let’s meet tonight. I’m sure you’ll be around.”
“Indeed.” He bowed his head towards me. “I’ll be close by if you need anything. Please remember. No mirrors. No psychics. Nothing that could attract the spirits to you. Understood?”
“Not really.” I shrugged, looping my arms together beneath the pile of clothes I was still holding. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll behave. I don’t want
a repeat of what happened yesterday when I’m out on the streets of New York. I don’t need the general public to know I’ve gone crazy just yet. I’ll let the show do it for me.”
I earned a small smile from Cyrus with my words. One final bow and he was gone. I glanced at the clock again, wondering just where the hell Elliot had gotten off to before I started getting ready. Just when I finished brushing out my hair, I heard another knock on the door.
“Cyrus, I’ve already told you. I’m going to,” I jerked open the door and felt the fire sizzle out of my voice when I saw Elliot’s raised eyebrow. I finished anyway. “Behave.”
“When have you ever behaved, my dear?” My friend gave me a thin smile as he reached for my hand. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I let Elliot take my hand and felt the comfort of his palm against mine. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Any ideas of what you want to do?” Elliot led me down the hallway towards the elevator. “General sightseeing or shopping?”
“I want to do exactly the opposite of everything we’ve been doing the past two weeks.” I tightened my grip on his hand. “I want to forget everything that has happened, and not think about the things that could happen in the future. Think we can handle it?”
Elliot chuckled as he pressed the button on the elevator. “We’ll certainly try, Eva. We can try.”