Sacrifice (17 page)

I couldn’t control the joy I felt when I heard Evan’s reply. The urge was always there, and suddenly, it increased by countless degrees. I jumped out of my chair, took his face in my hands, and pressed my lips to his. Evan, seemingly as hungry for me as I was for him, stood up and took me in his arms. It felt so right to be right here on the terrace under the warm setting sun with the boy I had loved for so long. Nothing else mattered that very moment, not even the growing feelings I had for Victor, or the fear I felt of something far more horrific on the horizon than the elders being smothered. Nothing in the universe mattered but Evan and being as close to him as possible.

“Only the taste of true love could be sweeter than this bottle of wine.” Nikolas said, interrupting our blissful moment. He strode onto the balcony arm-in-arm with Bethany.

Nikolas looked sporty in pale blue, linen trousers held up by suspenders, a crisp, crème colored, pinstriped shirt with a white collar, and a tie. His hair was pulled back in the usual ponytail. Bethany was breathtaking in a geometric patterned, boat-neck, knee-length chiffon dress. Her leather T-bar strapped heels clicked against the limestone patio. Like me, Bethany had resisted cutting her hair into a Bob-cut or a shingle wave haircut – hairstyles which were in vogue and coveted by nearly every young woman. Instead, she pulled her golden blonde hair back and knotted it in a chignon. Cardinal red lipstick emphasized the rosebud pout of her full lips and the long and delicate strand of pearls accented her ensemble perfectly

“Nothing can remotely compare to the sweet taste of you, my love.” Bethany said, and puckered up to Nikolas. She held up an opened bottle of wine.

Nikolas bowed his head and kissed the love of his life. I immediately wanted to leave them alone because when they kissed, something extraordinary happened. It was as if the earth stood still and the gods paused to shower blessings on them. I was becoming more and more aware of the hollowness I felt and slowly pulled away from Evan. I saw the growing emptiness in his eyes, too and fell deeper into sadness. Only a moment ago we had been happy until witnessing the god’s unbreakable love between our closest relatives.

“If everyone is ready,” I said, trying to distract myself. “I’d like to discuss a few things.”

“Without me?” Victor asked.

Everyone turned to stare at him as he made his way down the steps to the patio. He gazed at me, lovingly, before shooting Evan a piercing look. “Night Wind let me in. I hope you don’t mind, old boy.”

Victor looked quite the gentlemen in a plaid suit and pinstriped tie. He took of his straw boater. His jet-black hair – parted on the side and slicked back – shone in the sunlight. Somehow, he squeezed his muscular frame into the narrow foot of space between Evan and me as if it was his place to stand beside me at all times. Just as it seemed Evan was about to speak, Evangelia stepped though the French doors.

I believe Evan’s world stood still the moment she came into view. Evangelia stood with her eyes transfixed on him for a moment or two before coming down the steps. I was sure that anyone attuned to Evan’s aura noticed his heart skip a beat when she looked into his eyes. Evangelia was radiant in a lace, cap-sleeved, rose colored, chiffon dress that exposed her slim calves. She wore flesh tone heels, secured by a buttoned fastened strap over the instep. The sun hat, which concealed pinned up, midnight black waves, was adorned with rose hued silk flowers.

“I think we should take our discussion into the salon.” Evan said, clearing his throat and trying to regain his composure.

Evan reached for my hand but Bethany grabbed it first, winked at her brother, and said, “In a minute, I need to borrow Delia for a second.”

Bethany tugged at my hand and led me toward the limestone banister that enclosed the patio. She waited as Evan led Niko, Victor, and his sister back into the apartment. Once the French doors were shut, Bethany began talking.

“None of the lesser gods can help Evan right now, the same way they can’t help you and Victor. Not after Zeus has set your paths into motion.” I should have known that this was what she wanted to talk about – the matches.

“Evan and I don’t need any help,” I said, annoyed.

“You’re only fooling yourself.” Bethany chuckled lightly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, pretending not to understand what she meant.

“I mean what you and Victor are feeling. Now that you’ve restored his strengths, his aura has heightened along with your emotions. The feelings you’ve always had for him have surfaced. It’s not your fault. You did what was beneficial for the empire on the whole by empowering him, but you’ve lost Evander for good in doing so.” Bethany said.

“I haven’t lost Evan.” I argued.

“Are you sure of that? It seems to me and everyone else in the empire that Evangelia has found him.”

I took a deep breath and turned away from Bethany. I stared at the water as it poured into the base of the fountain and then tried to concentrate on the setting sun. No matter what I did to distract myself, I couldn’t. I didn’t want to believe that she was right. Lately, my heart and mind didn’t work well together when it came to Evander. I loved him and didn’t dare to imagine him with anyone else but me. Bethany’s words had confirmed what I was beginning to see. My disciples were starting to notice Evan and Evangelia’s attraction to each other and probably noticed the attraction between Victor and me.

“How long do you think you have with my brother before Victor’s aura takes over you?” Bethany asked in a whisper.

“I still love him, Beth. I can’t help that. I’m so scared that I won’t be able to prevent what Zeus has always wanted for us.”

“You poor thing. You’ve got too much on your shoulders – the obstacle of finding your parents in time, and the fact that your heart weighs a ton with the love for two men.” My head jerked and I turned to look at Bethany. My best friend knew me as well as she knew the truth.

“What can I do about it? I want so badly to be with Evan. I’ve treasured him for so long. I don’t think I could live without him. I think of him whenever he isn’t near and can’t wait for the moment when I can see him again, yet Victor fills a large portion of my heart that I hadn’t known was empty. Being near him ignites intense emotions and lust that I’ve never known with Evan. When I’m near Victor, Evan doesn’t exist.” Once I said it, I couldn’t believe I had, although I was being honest. “Just the look in Victor’s eyes and his touch alone could send me over the edge and into his arms forever. Beth, what do I do?”

Bethany seemed astounded and saddened by my statement and question. She paused for a moment and looked out at the tumbling water that was very much a part of her soul. We both watched as a ripple in the water flipped and turned into a big wave. I knew that she was controlling the water and it was her way of letting me know that she was giving my question great thought.

“Niko and I love each other a great deal, but I don’t know what it’s like to feel what you’re feeling. I’ve never been in love with anyone other than Niko, but I don’t think you should base you decision on what’s in your mind
and
heart. Allow your mind to do what it does best, and that’s to strategize a safe way of life for our empire and leave your heart to love whom it will love.”

“That’s easier said than done, oh blond and wise one,” I said, smiling at my best friend.

“Yes it is, but you know I’m right.” Bethany said elbowing me playfully for the blond remark. “Yes, my brother loves you, but he loves Evangelia in a way that he didn’t know he could love, which is the same way you are feeling, I believe. It seems that Victor truly loves you and that may be more than he’s used to handling.”

“What do you mean?” I asked curiously.

“Oh so you haven’t noticed, huh? Victor’s aura is at a scorching level when you are near him. He’s somewhat…softer when you’re in his presence and he looks at you the way Niko looks at me.

“The same way Evan looks at Evangelia and vice versa.” I sighed.

“You left the most important part out, Delia. The way you look at Victor.”

“Maybe I meant to leave that part out on purpose.” I said, biting my lower lip.

“Well the truth lies in the eyes. We all see it. Come on, let’s go back inside or they’re going to think we teleported back to Nickel City.”

“I’ll be right in, just give me a moment.” I said, and hugged Bethany.

Bethany nodded and hugged me back, and then she went back into the apartment. I stayed behind and tried to stop the tears from falling.

Nineteen - Cordelia

Power Struggle

I leaned over the banister and let my mind drift as I took in the sea of industrial sites beneath me. A sudden burst of heat mixed into with the breeze, wafting around me, and it felt like the sun was only a few feet away. His aura was intense and alluring, yet different – almost as if he was smoldering. Maybe his aura had been altered by the gods now that his powers have been restored. At this moment, the reason for the change didn’t really matter much to me as he stood behind me.

Surprisingly, the muscles in my face gave in to the sudden joy that overwhelmed me and I smiled, although I still had tears in my eyes. When Victor rested his hand on the small of my back, I closed my eyes and wondered how it all began. Right now, my heartbeat quickened to match the beat of his and I felt as if I’d loved him all of my life.

“Are you alright?” Victor asked as he leaned over to my right and tried to get a better look at my face. “I could take you home, if you like. We could have this meeting tomorrow morning.”

I turned to face him. His brow crinkled when I looked into his steel gray eyes. He wiped my tears away with the tips of his fingers, but didn’t utter a word. There was a change in his aura. He was in pain the moment he touched my tears, although he didn’t know exactly what was causing me anguish. Victor traced the curve of my jaw and Evan was just an old and faded memory. It was wrong and so right in so many ways.

“I want to tell you something.” Victor said, caressing by cheek.

“I know what you want to say.”

“Oh, do you now? Tsk, Tsk, naughty girl. Reading my thoughts, again?” Victor leaned closer and stared at my lips. He would give anything to kiss me.

No please don’t kiss me, I thought, or I’ll be yours forever.

“Sometimes… I can’t… help it.” I half-whispered and stammered.

“Hmm…bad habit,” Victor murmured, and he took another step closer. We stood about an inch apart. I tingled all over from his heat. “And an unfair advantage, baby.”

“I know.” I flushed. “I’ll try to stop, really.”

“What I wanted to tell you is that… I–”

“No, please don’t say it!” I exclaimed. I gently pushed his hand away and stepped to the left so that I could be free of his muscular frame touching my body.

“Hey, wait a second. I just wanted to say that… I will always be here for you.” Victor’s mouth curled up into the sexiest and most wicked smile I had ever seen. “Bad habits are hard to break.” He was trying to teach me a lesson.

Again, the muscles in my face failed me and I grinned.

“Let’s go inside.” I said. I knew what he really wanted to tell me, although he meant what he said.

“Wait, are you sure that you’re alright? I felt what you’re feeling and you’re really suffering, Delia.” Victor said as he grabbed hold of my hand and gently pulled me toward him. “Baby, please let me in. I can help. I want to know what hurts you so bad. I really want to…”

“Shh,” I reached up and put a finger to his lips, although I really wanted to throw myself into his arms in hopes that he never let me go. “No one can help me. I have to handle this one on my own, alright?”

Victor nodded and followed me inside. We walked side-by-side down the long marbled hallway, stealing glances at each other like lovers who had been caught doing what was forbidden. When I walked into the exquisitely decorated salon, I had to catch my breath. It was as if someone had reached into my chest and squeezed my lungs. In the far left corner of the spacious room, Evan stood next to Evangelia. They were deep in conversation and not anyone seeing them could deny the first thought that came to mind – a young couple in love.

“My offer still stands. I can take you home right now.” Victor whispered in my ear.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Evan. He hadn’t even noticed that I had walked into the room. After years of sensing when I was near, I was now a phantom – a forgotten memory. In the center of the room, sitting on the plush velvet sofa, Bethany and Nikolas followed my gaze to the shocking thing that had caused my face to freeze.

“Delia, you’re here. Wonderful! Now we can get started.” Bethany squealed in a desperate attempt to get Evan’s attention. I wish she hadn’t. I would’ve liked to see just how long it would have taken Evan to notice me.

It took Evan the longest four seconds of my lifetime to turn in my direction. The very moment he saw me, he tried, although reluctantly, to step away from Evangelia. Her crystal-gray were trained on me. I took a few steps into the room and focused on her. Her thoughts put me on edge. She wanted to put a claim on the boy whom the gods had proclaimed was hers all along. I looked away from her and back at Evan. As expected, he blocked me and I was shut out of his mind.

I hoped not his heart.

Evan leaned against the fireplace, looking just as miserable as I felt. All of a sudden, it dawned on me. What had I just been doing only a couple moments ago on his terrace? I was ashamed of how I had behaved and tried to ease the awkwardness. I smiled at Evan. His eyes brightened and his face relaxed. A smile crept across his face.

Everyone gathered around on three sofas and I started discussing my plan of action. We went over everything, and I couldn’t stop feeling hopeless about Evan and Evangelia’s interactions.

“We have to track my parents. I want to find them as soon as possible – hopefully before they’re buried.” I informed.

“It can be done,” Victor vowed.

“But it must be done, carefully. No powers on display for all to see. If the Apolluon are here, I really don’t want them realizing that we’ve arrived in this city,” I said.