Chalice of Life

by R. A. Rock

  “I’m not worried. That’s not my thing, remember?”

  Tess gazed into his eyes, unable to believe that this amazing man might just disappear from existence. It wasn’t right. She narrowed her eyes at this obvious lie, staring him down.

  “Okay, I am worried. Of course, I am. But let’s just focus on getting the Chalice. We’ll figure something out for me later. That’s why I asked Ethan to check me. Because now I know I’ve got three weeks, so I don’t have to worry about running out of time.”

  “Okay,” Tess put her hand over Finn’s and she couldn’t keep her lip from wobbling.

  “Tess…” Finn put his hand on her cheek, his thumb on her lip. All of a sudden, he leaned in and kissed her.

  Warmth spread throughout Tessa’s entire body and she felt as though she might float away. Finn tasted like Elixir and all her hopes and dreams.

  Just as suddenly, he pulled away.

  Tess felt woozy.

  “Why did you do that?” she said, reaching up to touch her lips that felt so empty.

  Finn breathed out hard and stood up, putting some space between them. “I don’t know, Tess. I still love you. Want you. Care about you. I can’t just turn that off. And when you look at me with those big blue eyes, I…”

  He ran his fingers through his hair.

  “I probably shouldn’t have done that,” he said. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. That I want to get back together with you. Because I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “No, of course not,” Tess said, trying to make herself believe it. “There’s the prophecy, too. We’re not meant to be, Finn. The Seer said I’d be yours to hold for a time.”

  She took a fortifying breath to keep from crying again.

  “Yeah,” he said, gazing into her eyes with so much longing that she couldn’t stand it. “But what he neglected to mention was how hard it would be to let you go.”

  Chapter 19

  The next morning, Tess got dressed and wandered downstairs. Doyle met her and showed her to Ethan’s dining room. After she and Finn had breakfast, Doyle provided them with everything they would need to navigate the modern world. Clothes, IDs, smartphones, everything.

  Well, almost everything.

  “Got any weapons in this place?” Tess asked Doyle.

  “You will need to speak to Mr. Hunter about that,” he told her.

  “Sure,” Tessa said. “Where is he?”

  “I’ll let him know your request and he will find you. You are welcome to use the pool, your room, and the other public rooms downstairs.”

  “Great,” she said, feeling sour. “Thanks. I’ll wait here.”

  “As you wish,” Doyle said and disappeared on cat feet. Tess hoped he never had any reason to sneak up on her because there was no way she would hear him coming.

  “I want a Colt Python,” Finn said, looking tired and pale. He had dark purple circles under his eyes that made Tess worried. “And a sword. Will you ask Ethan for me?”

  “A Colt Python?” Tess said. “What’s that?”

  Finn grinned. “It’s a gun.”

  “And how do you know what kind of gun you want?”

  “Ethan introduced me to movies.”

  “What are moo-vees?” Tess asked.

  “They’re like plays but on a screen. I love them so much.”

  “Hm,” Tess said. “And what does this have to do with wanting weapons?”

  “Well, I saw a Colt Python in one of the movies we watched last night and it looked cool.”

  “Sure,” Tess said. “I’ll ask him. But where will you be?”

  “I’m going for a nap.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” she said, putting on a cheerful face to cover her concern. “I’ll see what he has.”

  “Thanks,” Finn said and they shared a glance that acknowledge how messed up their lives were at this moment.

  When Finn was gone, Tess flopped into a chair and played with her new phone. Tapping the spells—apps, she corrected herself—and trying them out to see what they did.

  Forty-five minutes later, Ethan appeared as Tessa was laughing really hard at a video of a dog saying “I love you.”

  “Hey,” he said, his expression cautious. “I see you found Youtube.”

  “Oh my goodness,” Tess said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I so found Youtube.”

  “How are you today?”

  “I’m fine,” Tess said, definitely not wanting to tel Ethan how horrible she felt. “But I need some weapons. I was hoping you could help me out.”

  “What kind of weapons?” he said. “I might have a few.”

  “I’ll take just about anything at this point,” she told him. “I feel naked without them.”

  Ethan’s glance took in her fully clothed form but she could imagine that he was undressing her with his eyes.

  And no, she didn’t like that thought.

  Okay, she did.

  Because for some reason, she was attracted to Ethan. But she barely knew him as an acquaintance. And she hardly liked him. So she didn’t appreciate him checking her out.

  And she was not going to touch that hot mess of an immortal with a ten-foot pole. That was for sure.

  “Come on,” he said, leading her out of the house and through the woods of his enormous yard. They came out in a clearing and he pulled on a knot in one of the trees. The ground opened up and revealed a set of stairs.

  “My favorite,” Tess said, staring into the shadowy hole. “Stairs leading underground.”

  “They don’t actually lead underground,” he said, stepping down and then stopping and looking up at her. “Come on. You’ll see.”

  She followed him down the stairs. Her shoes made sharp echoing sounds on the metal steps. Then, as he said, the stairs arrived at the bottom, and directly in front of them was a set of stairs going right back up. They climbed them and Ethan opened a trap door.

  As Tess climbed up through the hole, she was amazed at what she saw.

  “What in the Severance is this?” she said, turning slowly to see all of the enchanted wood that surrounded her. “And how does there seem to be so much magic here?”

  Ethan smiled at her delight. “This property happens to have more than one spot with a concentration of magic on it. That’s why I bought it. The faerie ring you used to get here is small compared to this location.”

  “What? How?” Tess couldn’t vocalize what she was feeling right at that moment as she watched something unidentifiable flutter by.

  “So I found this place a long time ago. Hundreds of years ago. And I always hid it, using magic, from the people who lived around here. Then once the Europeans arrived and made it possible to own land, I bought it. It’s one of those places on Earth where Esper is tethered to the Earthly Realm. Where there’s a higher concentration of magic.”

  Tess stared at him with a blank look on her face and he seemed to think she hadn’t understood.

  “You know? Where the magic from Esper leaks through? Remember, Ignis told us about that?”

  “Yes, yes,” she said, finding her voice at last. “I know what you’re talking about. It’s just so much like home. I can hardly believe it. The Earthly Realm is always so harsh, I find.”

  The sounds here were muted. Quiet. Lovely.

  “Exactly,” Ethan said. “Once I had experienced Ahlenerra, I wanted a place like that here. Softer. More magical. With all the rough edges blurred out.”

  Tessa smiled at him. A true smile. She felt her heart thaw a little toward him.

  “I feel like I’ve been walking in the desert for days, and suddenly, it’s pouring down rain. Well, magic. You know what I mean.” She lifted her arms and closed her eyes, spinning around slowly. “It’s amazing, Ethan.”

  Ethan felt a burst of happiness that Tessa liked his special place. He didn’t bring very many people here. In fact, he tried to remember who he had brought here.

  Hm. Maybe he hadn’t brought anyone?

 
; But showing Tessa seemed right.

  He knew she would appreciate the woods. And the magic. And the house. And the arms room.

  “This way,” he said, leading her toward a stone house.

  “That reminds me of the summer palace in the Light Court,” Tess told him.

  “Does it?” Ethan asked, not ready to tell her that he had modeled it after that very structure. On a much smaller scale, of course.

  They entered the building and the maintenance spell kicked in. He’d brought several spells from Ahlenerra when he’d left for good. They were very useful.

  Before they could blink twice, the dust was gone, the musty smell only a memory, and the lights turned on. They were in an open room that had a kitchen at one end and a living room in the other with a neat fireplace. There were large windows with sun shining in and hitting the light-colored hardwood floors. He snapped and French doors opened on both sides of the house, a warm sweet breeze blowing the gauzy curtains.

  “Okay, this is beautiful,” Tessa said.

  “I have a feeling you’re going to like this room the best, though,” Ethan said, striding across to a door that was barely noticeable. He opened it and they went through.

  Within was his arms room.

  “Oh sweet Starlight,” Tessa breathed. “This is awesome.”

  On two walls were every style and type of sword he’d been able to find on Esper and Earth. There was a floor-to-ceiling rack of lances. One wall was shields. And the fourth wall, he had added only about twenty years ago. It was filled with human guns—only his favorites since they had more of those than he wanted to collect.

  “Wow,” Tessa said, gravitating toward the swords.

  “The bows and arrows are in the other room,” he said, pointing to another door at the end of this hall.

  She picked up a sword. “This reminds me of mine,” she said, grinning at Ethan as she slashed it through the air. “Except mine lights on fire.”

  “Wicked,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

  "And this shield?" She used the sword to point at a round shield. "I have one like it. But the one back home is spelled and will deflect both physical and magical attacks."

  "Cool."

  “Can I pick anything?” she said. Her eyes lit up at the thought.

  “Sure. Whatever’s here, I can replace. It’s really just a hobby of mine now that I don’t fight in the ranks with the Hunters anymore. I do like to keep in shape and train, though.”

  “Have you got a training room, too?” Tessa said, enchanted.

  “Come on,” he said, spreading his arms, hands palms up. “You think I have all this and no state-of-the-art training room?”

  “Can I see it?” Tessa said, bouncing on her toes.

  “Sure,” he said, pleased that she was pleased. He led the way through the smaller room where he kept the bows and arrows.

  “Oooh,” she said, stopping abruptly so that he ran into her. “These are like my Unity Blades that I can’t get out.”

  “They’re called karambits here on Earth,” Ethan told her, prounouncing it ka-rom-bits.

  “May I?” she said, and not waiting for him to answer, she carefully took them off the wall. “I just learned to use these.”

  “Show me what you've got,” he said with a smirk. Karambits were one of the most difficult weapons to learn. You were more likely to kill yourself with them, than learn them.

  “Actually, maybe you should use the trainers,” Ethan suggested. “Those are really dangerous.”

  She gave him an amused smile.

  “I’m well aware,” she said, beginning to flip them.

  Ethan watched in amazement. He’d never seen anything like it. When she finally stopped and caught the blades, he was seriously dazzled by her skill.

  “That was impressive,” he said.

  “Can I take these?” she asked.

  “Sure, want sheaths?”

  “Yes, what have you got?”

  “These that hang around your neck like a necklace. And a couple you can put on your belt.”

  “I’ll take both kinds,” Tessa said. “And maybe short swords? And a bow and arrow, just in case. All small size. I want to be able to put them in a backpack.”

  She took a set of bow and arrows, which Ethan carried for her.

  “The swords are back in the other room,” he said, pointing. They went back and Tessa chose a pair of short swords. Then she got a generic human sword for Finn. Ethan dug around and found a couple sheaths for them. He checked in the house and discovered a backpack he had left there, which she loaded with her new weapons.

  Tessa scanned the room, as if checking for anything she had left behind.

  “What about those?” she said, moving quickly toward the last wall covered in guns. “Finn asked me to get a Colt Python.”

  “You two want guns?” Ethan said, his eyebrows drawing together in disapproval. “You don’t even know how to use one.”

  “It makes sense to arm myself with one of these if my enemies might have one, too. I want one of those.” She pointed to a handgun and Ethan got it down.

  “This is a PPK,” Ethan said and then added grudgingly, “It would be perfect for you.”

  He removed the magazine and then slid it back in with a snap before reluctantly handing it to her.

  Ethan had to admit that she was being reasonable. Karambits wouldn’t do much good against a gun of any kind.

  “You can have one but only if I train you and Finn to use them properly.”

  “Can't wait."

  Tessa grinned mischieviously.

  Oh boy. What had he gotten himself into?

  Chapter 20

  Tessa, Finn, and Ethan stood near the faerie ring on Ethan’s property. They were saying goodbye. The wind blew gently through the trees and Tessa had a hard time believing they were in the middle of a city. She drew a deep breath, not sure why she was feeling so melancholy about this farewell. She barely knew Ethan. It was no big deal to leave.

  They had a quest.

  It wasn’t like they were even friends.

  “Are you sure you need to leave so soon?” Ethan said, his expression troubled. “The modern world is a real hassle when you first have to deal with it.”

  Tessa examined him closely. This was the same guy who had been so unbelievably rude to them only four days ago? And kicked them out of his house without a backward glance?

  “I thought you had to get back to rebuilding your image,” Tess reminded him. “To save your career? I thought you couldn’t wait to get back to your music?”

  “I know. I do. And I can't wait. But you could still stay here. It would be safer. While you look for the Chalice.”

  “We have to go, Ethan,” Finn said in a firm tone of voice. “And you want us to. We’ll just distract you from your music, which I listened to by the way. It’s good. Surprisingly good.”

  Ethan frowned at the unintentional backhanded compliment.

  “Fine,” Ethan said, not happy about their decision but resigned. “Here.”

  He handed Tessa an envelope. She peeked inside and used her thumb to flip through it.

  “Paper?”

  “It’s human money. Plenty of it. You shouldn’t have to worry about that while you’re searching for the Chalice.”

  “Thanks, Ethan,” Tess said, softening for a moment. “Maybe you’re not quite as selfish as you first seemed.”

  Ethan’s mouth dropped open at this second comment that seemed like a compliment but was really an insult.

  What was with these two?

  “Stars alive, Tess, say thank you and let’s go,” Finn said, shaking his head. “He just gave us a ton of money. Obviously, he’s not selfish.”

  “I appreciate it. Didn’t I say thanks? But it’s not generous if it doesn’t hurt when you give it.”

  The two men were silent, thinking about that.

  “She’s right,” Ethan said, as if realizing something. “I have billions. I could give you a million
times that and not even notice.”

  “When Finn got the Otherworld sheath for me, he gave so much Starlight he almost died. He didn’t want to give it, but he did. That’s generosity, Ethan Hunter.”

  Ethan blinked.

  “Tessa, stop it.” Finn scowled at her. “Ethan’s a good guy. He can’t help it that he’s rich and has everything handed to him on a platter. Stop being such a Shadow-bringer.”

  Tess met Finn’s eyes and then looked back at Ethan. “He’s right. I’m sorry, Ethan.”

  “No, you’re right,” Ethan said, his face completely serious. “Whatever I want, I get. Whether it’s a car, a new guitar, or a woman. It is a selfish way to live. And it’s caused me and others a lot of misery.”

  Tessa froze, unprepared for this confession. She felt bad that she had bugged him. His expression was now desolate, as if this was the first time he had ever realized this truth about himself.

  “I didn’t mean—” she started but Ethan held up a hand.

  “Yes, you did. And it’s okay. Don’t worry about it. People have certainly called me worse than selfish.”

  Tess smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood.

  “We should go now,” Finn said.

  “Take care, Finn,” Ethan said, holding out his hand to shake and then changing it into a fist, mid-movement. Finn crossed forearms with him.

  “I will. And may the Stars shine their light upon you.”

  “Thanks, man,” Ethan said. Then he turned to Tess and she felt the full force of his attention. “I wish you well, Tessa.”

  “I really am sorry,” Tess said, wincing. “I’m going through a rough time.” Her eyes cut over to Finn. “And I shouldn’t have said those things.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Ethan told her. “Really. Because you were right.”

  Tess gave a nod and held up her forearm. “May the stars light your way, Ethan.”

  “You too, Tessa.”

  Tess and Finn moved into the faerie ring. In a blink, Ethan had disappeared from sight.

  Tessa sat in front of the magic mirror that they called a computer in the hotel room. She pushed the buttons for each letter slowly, spelling out the words ancient chalice.