“Revenge.”
His velvety laughter surrounds my body.
“Do you really believe that you can claim revenge in the state that you are in? I love a good laugh.”
“Yes, I can.”
“A few memories cannot arm you against the powers you dare to face.”
“You know nothing.”
“I know enough to know that contrary to your opinion you will die if you face her. Your powers were buried inside you, so that you may not discover who you are. Yes, you can defeat her, but only in time. Come with me.”
“What makes you so sure I can’t defeat her now? I’m pretty sure I can.”
“Oh really, try summoning your powers.”
“Fine. Watch me.”
“Wait. I want to make this a little bit more interesting. If you successfully summon your powers, we will immediately do what you want to do: revenge, blah, blah, blah. But, if you cannot summon your powers then you must obey me and we will go to the Den where you will be trained. What do you say?”
“You’re on, oh-ye-of-little-faith.”
“Go ahead, darling.”
I move over in order to have some space to work my magic. I take a deep breath in and out, then close my eyes. I concentrate deeply on the summoning. The words said years ago resonate in my mind now. O matrem terram, caelum pater, germana ignis et frater aqua, da mihi dote. Benedic mihi potentiam tuam. Complete meum et nos unum. One is all; all is one. One is I and I am they. Blessed be.
There. I did it. He should be happy. I slowly open my eyes and see a large smirk cross his face. My stomach feels like it’s on the floor and my heartbeat is in my throat. Immediately I know. I failed.
“Well that sorts that out. We will be on our way then.”
I just can’t believe it didn’t work. It has worked in the past. Is there something wrong with me? Am I sick? Am I desensitized? Have the deities given up on me?
I think he sees how distraught I am, because a look of pity passes through his face and a chill passes through me. It was only for a second, but I know what I saw. I don’t want anyone’s pity. I’ll go to this place that he wants me to go to. I won’t like it, but I know I will succeed at gaining my powers back one way or another.
We heard the thunderous shriek of metal on metal that alerts us that the boat was arriving at port, which we both disregard.
“Well?”
“I will go.”
He gives me that smile that warms me to my core. This time I know he’s not flirting. It’s his power emanating from his body, giving off warmth when he is happy and a frosty chill when he’s sad. His eyes are now as blue as the daytime sky. He sweeps his hand before me to beckon my departure, but I stand there feet frozen on the ground. I can’t move. This is the first time I can say that I fear the unknown. I knew the people back in the forest, but these people may be completely different. The only person I would know is standing in front of me with worry in his now stormy grey eyes. I think about telling him that he shouldn’t change his eyes so freely in public, but I feel he’s doing it on purpose for my comfort, so I let it go. I inhale and exhale. I’m ready. He holds out his hand to me and I take it. He guides me off the ferry with a gentle grace. Now I walk blindly off into what the future holds for me.
***************************************************************
This is absolutely disgusting. I never thought I would be breaking into the Belvedere Castle with someone I haven’t seen in years. Granted we used to do this all the time, but I’m a changed girl… or at least so I thought.
We sneak into the grey stone building that wishes that it could be a real castle and not just a tourist site. Once we’re inside, I can feel it. It is very light, but it’s there. It feels as if the ground itself is pulsating. There is a hum in the air that smells of power. Goosebumps run up my arms and the hair on the back off my head stands on end. I feel as if something great is waiting to occur. It’s stifling hot.
“Are you okay?”
“Is it me or is it burning in here?”
“It’s about fifty degrees in here, so no. I really don’t think it’s hot.”
“Really? I’m dying.”
“You’re probably just nervous that’s normal. Come on. Let’s go before you lose your nerve.”
“I’m going to ignore that.”
“Right.”
We walk to a far wall in one of the rooms where a huge carpet-like tapestry fills most of the wall. It is a scene of an angel grasping a human’s arm. Beckoning the human to come with it, but the human’s lower body seems to be tangled in vines on the ground. There is a light where the fingers touch. I shiver.
“This is it.”
“This is a wall.”
“This, my dear, is a secret entrance way.”
With a quick movement of one arm, he pushes the carpet away to reveal an aged wooden door. He uses his other arm to open the door towards me. Once it opens, scents of every type fill my nose. It is hard to describe, because it keeps changing. Once I think I have figured out the scent, it changes again. I walk towards the entree way only to discover a spiraling stone staircase. The stones that it’s made of are much older than those up here. I glance at Daron and he makes a slight movement with his head to go in. I pause for a small prayer— I hope I am doing the right thing.
A light emanates from the very bottom of the stairwell, but it is so faint and far away. It’s disheartening.
“Don’t worry. You don’t have to be afraid of the dark. I’m here.”
“Yeah, right. That only scares me more.”
His laugh warms me up even further causing the heat to blind my senses for a moment. I touch the slippery, cool moss surface and find a slight relief. I lean as much of my body onto it.
“Kat are you sure you’re okay. I can always carry you down like a prince.”
“Just shut the door and let’s go.”
“Sure, Mrs. Grinch as long as you don’t steal Christmas.”
“Haha.”
Slowly we descend the steps.
©10/24/11
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