The 7th Relic, page 21
At the end of the room is a kitchen area, and I only know this because there is a counter set up with a feast: breads, meat cuts, fruits, vegetable trays, and a chocolate fountain sitting next to a fondue. At least I think it’s a fondue, because that doesn’t look like cheese but more like caramel. I guess there could be caramel fondue. What do I know?
There are also several trays of chocolate brownies and fudge. “I guess you have a sweet tooth.”
“Pardon? Sweet tooth?”
I turn to her. “You know, you like a lot of sweets.”
Her eyes move to the counter. “Oh, yes. Yes I do,” she says proudly. “Come, sit.”
She moves to the sofa, taking a seat. I hesitate. “What?” she asks, a concerned look on her face.
I look toward the kitchen. “I don’t want to sit there. I mean, we’ve been traveling all day and I don’t want to dirty your couch.”
She smiles, shaking her head. “It’s okay. We have people who clean our zrin. Really, it’s okay. I promise.”
They have people to clean up after them? It must be nice. Konè would never allow another to clean or pick up after us. How did Andrew and Reiko turn this way of life on and off?
I realize she’s waiting, and after another moment of hesitation I walk to the sofa and take a seat.
Once settled, Seelah leans in. “So, what’s with you and Andu?”
~ * ~
Chapter Thirty-Two
~ Andrew ~
“Do you think it was wise to let them go off together…alone?” asks Haro.
We continue to watch Grace and Seelah disappear into the elevator. Inside they can see out, but those on the outside only see a glass tube. The same goes for the metro tunnel above us.
I shrug. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
“Andu!” I recognize the voice, one I’ve come to hate.
I turn to face my aunt’s husband—I refuse to call him uncle. “Morfais. First Seelah, now you. Can’t a guy make it home, take a shower, rest before the family interrogation?”
Morfais sighs, ignoring the hostility behind my words. “Welcome home, nephew. Your aunt has missed you.”
“And being the dutiful husband you came running to give her message personally? Be careful, Morfais, the people may mistake you for someone who actually gives a damn.”
Morfais shakes his head, disappointed. “Why do you always assume the worst of me? Cannot we put aside your misplaced hatred for me and be civil?”
I stare at him until he nods. He glances over my shoulder and makes his way to the mage. He offers his hand. “You must be Vilzen. My wife speaks fondly of you. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Vilzen stares at Morfais, taking in the man before him. Knowing the mage would not shake the hand of a murderer and traitor, I wait for him to turn from Morfais. Instead, the mage reaches out and grabs hold of his hand. What the hell?
Vilzen and Morfais turn, making their way through the crowd. Haro turns to look at me with a raised brow. Reiko shakes his head and shrugs.
“Maybe we were wrong about Morfais and your father’s death,” says Reiko.
I stare after the man who I know is responsible for my father’s death. According to Seelah, Morfais’s name was the last thing my father said before he died. It was also Morfais who came out of his room as Seelah was coming to see the king. It wasn’t until he saw her that he went into a panic, calling for help. When Seelah was at my father’s side he looked behind her and said Morfais’s name. When Seelah turned around, my aunt’s husband was gone. Later he accused Seelah of lying, saying he was never there and the “child” was overwrought from her uncle’s death.
I have known Seelah all my life, she doesn’t lie. I don’t believe she knows how.
The hot water feels good as it hits my skin. As always, no matter how much the spray of the shower head covers me, the relics never get clean or dirty. It’s like the elements don’t affect them in any way. It didn’t escape me last night when Grace touched me how they disappeared under my skin like the one she carries. That was the first time that happened…ever.
I step out of the bath area, dripping wet. The towel is around my waist only because I know she is waiting for me in the next room. I don’t bother to dry off or get dressed.
She turns on me when I enter. “Why did you do that to Grace? How can you make her think we’re together when it’s not true?”
“You know why, cousin.”
“So you’re throwing her at Reiko? My Reiko?” I give her a disapproving look. She lifts her chin at me in defiance. “I don’t care what you believe is right. I belong to him.”
“You don’t belong to anyone.”
I turn from her, walking back to my sleeping area. She follows.
“Yes, I do. I love him, and…and he loves me. I mean, he will once he realizes that we belong together.”
I grab some clothes, moving to the shower area where I know she won’t follow. I yell back as I dress. “Really? You think so?”
She’s quiet for a moment, then says, “Yes I do. And technically, until you’re king I’m your aunt’s ward. You have no say so whatsoever.”
I slip my shirt on, catching a glimpse of the large relic on my chest in the crystal mirror. Hmm, it looks dull. I hold my shirt up, moving side to side, staring intently at it. I glance at the wristbands and it’s the same with them. They look different but I’m not sure why.
“It doesn’t matter whose ward you are. If I tell Reiko you are off limits he will stay away from you.” I let my shirt drop, turning to walk out only to be stopped in my tracks.
Seelah is staring up at me, or more like glaring at me, her fists in tight balls at her side. “If you tell him to do that I swear, Andu, I will dig those relics out of you with a jagged teacup while you scream for mercy!”
“Why are the women in my life so volatile?”
I take her by the shoulders and stare her into her eyes. So much like Lana, in looks and personality. Somehow, Lana’s memory and her death hit us both. I pull her in, holding her tight. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you were told about Lana’s death. How are you holding up?” I feel her shake but immediately recover.
“I don’t know. Everything I knew about her was wrapped in stories that you and Reiko brought home. One minute I’m sad and can’t stop crying; the next I’m wondering why I’m crying for a sister I never knew or met?”
“Don’t be mad at her. I told you, she had no say in being separated from you. Father and Konè felt it was the only way to keep the relics apart. But she asked about you every time I returned to Pathen.”
She pushes away from me, the same reaction to an old argument. “She chose to accept her fate. I don’t. Please, you can’t keep Reiko from me. And what does it matter? I’ll be of age in a few months and then you’ll have nothing to do or say about my life.”
I grab her before she can slip away and pull her back in. “Yes, I will.” She struggles but when she realizes it’s futile, she slumps against me.
“I hate you, Andu Teo.”
That’s the second time a woman I love has said that to me. “Yeah, I get that. Come on, I’m hungry.”
We make our way to the living area, where Seelah turns on me again. “What about Grace?”
Damn it, I was so close to making it out of here. “What about her?”
“You love her. You should tell her the truth as to why you can’t be with her.” She slaps me on the shoulder. “And why didn’t you tell me she felt the same way about you? She loves you.”
“She told you?” I’m surprised Grace would share something so personal with a stranger.
“Well, no, she didn’t, but it’s obvious. So obvious even I can tell.”
I raise a brow at her. “What exactly did the two of you talk about?”
She sighs heavily, making her way to the sofa. I follow, sitting opposite her, ignoring my stomach’s growling.
“I asked her straight out what’s with the two of you and she told that you’re like her brother. She’s a terrible liar.”
Brother? Not after last night I’m not.
“And then she started talking about Reiko, but she kept coming back to you. Then she would catch herself and go back to Reiko. That’s when I realized what you were up to at the bridge.” She pauses, her usual humor replaced with a serious look. “Andu, did you ever think that maybe the prophecy is wrong? And if it is, it might be too late to pull her back from all the doors you’ve closed based on something an ancient seer saw once a trillion Karou ago.”
I lean forward, elbows on my knees, and let my head drop. I run my hands through my damp hair, amazed at how much my “little” cousin has grown. Reiko does love her, but as a little sister. I’m sure one day he’ll see her and be knocked off his feet over her.
“Seelah, I love her. I love her from the very core of my being—and that’s why I can’t let her know. Because if she does, she will want to be with me every last second I have remaining…and will spend every last second of her life in mourning. And as much as it kills me inside, I do want her to experience her first real love with someone else. Someone who will be around to take care of her, love her, hold her hand until it’s her time to let go. I won’t take that from her. I can’t…because I love her.”
“Uncle once told me that you can pick the people you like, but you can’t pick the ones you love. She loves you. You are her first love…deal with it.”
Again, so grown up and somehow I’ve missed it. I stare into my cousins eyes again, as they tear up. Her lips tremble and I lean back when she throws herself at me, arms tightly around my neck. I laugh softly as I hold onto her, kissing her on the head.
She hiccups. “I love you, Andu.”
Yes, I like that sentiment much better.
We rise together, laughing off the sad moment we shared. We are interrupted when a hurried knock comes at the door.
“Enter,” I call, pulling Seelah behind me and expecting the worst.
Haro and Reiko enter, stopping at the entryway. Reiko’s eyes fall on Seelah and she moves from behind me to greet him with a smile. He nods once her way before looking around the living area.
“Where’s Grace?”
I notice the slight slump of Seelah’s shoulders. “I took her to her suites. I showed her how to use the panel keys to call me, and then she was going to take a shower.”
Haro steps forward. “No, we just came from there. She didn’t answer when we knocked.”
“You didn’t go inside?” I ask, a bit annoyed.
“You’re the only one with the power to enter any door here,” replies Reiko, just as annoyed.
“Where would she go?” asks Seelah. “She doesn’t know where anyone’s apartments are, and if she did she wouldn’t know how to get there.”
Something feels off. I reach for my coat as I make my way to the door. I glance at Haro, asking, “Where is Morfais?”
~ * ~
Chapter Thirty-Three
~ Grace ~
I walk out onto the balcony, letting the cold breeze cool my heated face. The apartment they set me up with is beautiful, but more than what is necessary. It’s three times the size of the cottage Lana and I shared. I look out at the forever night and think of her. Seelah reminds me of her, looks like her, and because of her I’m missing my friend. This feeling deepens the emptiness, the loneliness I didn’t expect when I reunited with Andrew and Reiko. I thought I would feel safe again. Not safe in having others around for protection, but safe in being a part of someone’s life.
And yet, here I am. Not just alone, but standing on the outside looking in at people I thought I knew. I must belong to someone, right? They called me the Child of Sorea. Maybe I should find this Sorea and ask her why the hell she gave me up.
If given the chance to be with someone, I could make him happy. That’s the problem. There’s only one man I want to make happy, if it weren’t for his spirited girlfriend he’s kept a secret all these years. And why does she have to be beautiful, and sweet and nice, someone you can’t help but want for a friend?
I breathe in the cool air, finally seeing the city of Kalorii below me. It’s breathtaking. I see the harbors outside the massive wall, lights twinkling in and out from the boats and ships anchored there. I look to the middle of a city that reminds me of San Francisco, but more congested, more buildings reaching for the skies. My eyes shift to two of the bridges that I can see from here, still full of travelers coming and going. In that respect, it reminds me of Las Vegas, where no one sleeps, always in a constant flux of motion.
I reach for the relic, but since I’ve arrived in this realm it has remained quiet. I thought I lost it at first, but Vilzen confirmed I still have it. He explained that this realm is where the relics were forged, and they will remain dormant until the Rising.
The hair on the back of neck stands and a chill runs down my spine. Someone is here, watching every move I make. I can feel his eyes on me. I push away from the railing to move back into the apartment as if I’ve had enough of the beautiful scenery. I turn, then stop. The demon stands between me and the glass doors…Jleroh!
Crap, I took off my blades and left them on the bed. I shift my feet, ready for an attack, but the demon remains still, his hood hiding his face from me. Jleroh moves deliberately, reaching inside his heavy cape. I tense, ready for whatever weapon he will pull out. Instead, the assassin takes out…Lana’s flute. An instrument made of an exotic wood, which I now realize came from this realm. A gift from Andrew.
Jleroh lifts it slowly to his lips. The melody is so familiar to my ears…Lana’s melody. The rage comes fast and I’m furious he would dare put his filthy lips on her most prized possession…to play her melody, her notes. Coming from him, the tune is distorted, defiled. As he plays, his eyes are on me, malicious glee dancing within those red orbs. I glare at him as he continues to taunt me with memories and emotions tied to Lana…and something ignites within me. The fire of the relic—no, from someplace deeper. I don’t know how I made it come alive, nor do I care.
“You want me, demon,” I sneer, “you got me.”
I concentrate on the fire, letting my instincts guide me. My anger fuels it, and despite the initial pain I direct it to my hands. I extend them and they burst into flames, hot and…painless.
The fire is like lava, spreading within my veins, moving gracefully, purposefully. I am drunk with power. So much power. I can feel it invade my being, moving to take over my heart, and when it does it bursts out of every pore, engulfing me. I look down at myself and see that I’m floating as the flames dance from me, around me, within me.
I am so startled by the change, by how easily I let myself be swallowed up and be taken over completely…I miss it when the demon makes his move. Jleroh is upon me; his blade comes down swiftly, about to take my head off…and then darkness.
My skull feels like it’s on fire.
I’m lying in bed, naked. I rise slowly, feeling the sheets. Why does this feel familiar? I’ve been in this bed before…with someone…
“It feels familiar because you have been here before.”
I sit up, pulling the sheets with me. The voice comes from the shadows, and with it a woman so beautiful I must be dreaming; she looks unreal.
“I’m Atheas. This is the realm of Shadows, my realm. I am queen and ruler here. I am also Andu’s aunt.”
“You’re his aunt?” I shake my head, trying to clear it. “He never mentioned you.”
Jleroh! The memory of the demon comes to me, his blade aimed at my throat, coming in fast. I catch at my neck, breathing hard and at the same time look about for my blades. Damn it. I didn’t have them then and I don’t have them now.
Atheas is at my side immediately. “Of course he didn’t. I am what you call the ‘skeleton in the closet.’ His mother was my sister.”
I nod, still trying to catch my breath. Her calm demeanor helps settle my nerves. “There was a demon, and I turned into fire…”
“Shhh. Yes, I know. I pulled you into the Shadows before his fatal blow.”
I blink at her. “You saved my life? But you don’t even know me.”
“Ah, but Grace, I have known of you. And this bed is familiar because you shared it with Andu the day you came to this realm.”
I shared this bed with Andrew? I lean back, giving myself some space from her cool presence. “Yeah, okay. Listen, I appreciate what you did, you know, saving me and all. I mean, I can’t say what would have happened…”
“You would have lost your head.”
“Uh, right. Okay, so if you could give me my clothes I will be on my way…”
She lifts her hands up, shrugging. “You burned them when you went pyro on Jleroh.”
“Oh,” is all can say to that. “So, do you know why that happened? I mean why I went into fire mode?”
She laughs softly at my ignorance. “I take it Vilzen didn’t tell you what it means to be the Child of Sorea?”
When I shake my head, she casts her eyes into the shadow that surrounds us. After a moment of contemplation, she turns to me. “I will tell you three things and you are to remain silent as I do. No questions. You will take what I say and deal with it any way you choose, but you will not do so with me. Understand?”
I nod, not sure what other answer I would give.
“First, you already know you are Sorea. What that means is, you are the Chosen One.”
“No,” I interrupt, forgetting momentarily her rules to this game. “Lana was the Bearer of the relics…the bracelet and this,” I point to my neck. “I was her protector; you have it all wrong.”
She remains silent, staring at me intently. I squeeze my lips tight, nodding that I won’t interrupt again.
“You were always the Chosen One. It was Lana who was your protector. Why else would she be so much better than you in the art of killing? The relic was always with you and it wasn’t brought to life by a spell. It happened when the demon killed Konè. The old man’s death initiated a series of events leading up to the Rising. Until you returned here, the relic acted as a shield, a protection for you against danger. The only true danger to you in Pathen was Jleroh. Once you came through the gateway, this realm immediately recognized you as the Child of Sorea, the Chosen One.”
