Aurora’s Betrayal Read online

  I knew then and there that if I kissed her, I wouldn’t have stopped until she was moaning beneath me.

  Had I known that might be my only chance, I wouldn’t have back off. When we have her back, I won’t hesitate again.

  5

  Aurora

  I walk along a stone path, with flowers of every color on each side. The man whose name I still don’t know walks next to me, silently letting me enjoy this. It feels like a fairy-tale here, too perfect to be true. I plan on enjoying it while it lasts, but I can’t wait to return home, even if it’s raining.

  He stops and bends down, tilting my head, and I watch him curiously. He plucks a flower and silently shows it to me.

  The outer petals are violet, but toward the middle, they turn black. It’s beautiful. I touch the petals and feel their silkiness between my fingers.

  He reaches out and adds it to my hair, making me smile.

  We turn in unison and carry on our walk.

  He leads me to a fountain. It’s huge, spanning the clearing it sits in; so large I could probably swim in its water. A statue of a beautiful woman stands in the middle. Her long hair wraps around her waist and robe, and she holds two torches in her hands.

  Unable to help myself, I step closer.

  “She’s beautiful.” Awe softens my voice as I turn to the being.

  He faces the statue, sadness carved into his face. “That she was.”

  His voice holds a melody to itself that brings tears to my eyes. They well and fall down my face slowly at his pain and heartbreak. It hits my heart as if the pain is my own.

  He turns to me in surprise, and seeing my tears, he approaches me. He cups my face and wipes them away. His face closes down, the pain cutting off as quickly as it started, leaving me gasping from the onslaught.

  “I’m sorry, Aurora. I’m not used to being around people anymore.” Soft regret fills his voice, and I simply nod.

  He steps away and gives me a minute to compose myself.

  I gently sit on the rim of the fountain and run my hands through the water. The water is cool, and I have the insane urge to jump in, to disrupt the perfect in this place. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him sit next to me.

  “So, what’s your name? I don’t think I can keep calling you ‘being’ or ‘creature’ in my head,” I joke, needing to break the silence.

  As he laughs, the world lights up and laughs with him. A smile comes to my lips without thought, and happiness blossoms in my chest.

  “Sorry, απόγονος μου. I am rusty at this. My name is Perses.” He toned his voice down, and I’m grateful. All the emotions were giving me whiplash.

  “Like the god?” Hey, I’m not a complete idiot.

  He smiles at me and it’s like the sun shining down. I swallow hard and try to control my reaction to his emotions.

  “Yes, απόγονος μου.” He watches me. His eyes have settled into one color each, one blue and the other green. Much better than their ever-changing state, which gave me a headache.

  “Makes sense.” I look back at the water, loving the feel of it running through my fingers.

  “You believe me? And you’re not running?” Disbelief fills his voice, and a small smile graces my lips.

  “Yes.” I keep my reply short and watch the sun’s rays play on the water.

  “Just like that?”

  When I look at him, he catches my hand. “Yes, just like that. It’s obvious you’re not human, and I’ve never met a supernatural like you. Granted, I haven’t met many, but I’ve read about a lot. That, and I’m stuck in some in-between place. And, well, I decided I might as well start believing in the impossible.”

  He smiles at me, flashing perfect straight white teeth. “Truly you are απόγονος μου.”

  I tilt my head again. “What does that mean?”

  “It is Greek. It roughly translates to ‘my descendant’.” He speaks slowly, fearing my reaction.

  I breathe in and digest his words. I’m no fool. I know there’s a reason I’m here, a reason why I can see this man. “Am I? Is that who I am?” My voice mirrors my mixed emotions.

  “Yes, λουλούδι της νύχτας μου.” His voice softens again.

  As birds from a nearby tree take flight, I look up. “Why am I here, Perses?” I stumble over his name, foreign to my tongue.

  He doesn’t comment or correct me. “Did you get the book I left for you?”

  I snap my head to him. “That was you?”

  “Yes. It’s important you know our history.” He reaches for my hand again and squeezes it.

  “Okay. So why am I here?” I ask again, getting a little impatient.

  “You are here so I can help you,” he replies unwaveringly.

  I can’t hide my frustration. “Help me with what?”

  “That’s a long conversation, my dear Aurora. I know you’re impatient, but you must understand I’ve been waiting a long time for you. I must do this right.” With that bomb, he stands and offers me his hand. He waits, not moving or saying anything else.

  This right now is a choice. I could go back to my life and my men. Maybe I would be happy and forget all of this. But would I always wonder, what if? I’m sick of being in the dark.

  So, I grab the god’s hand and allow him to lead me back to the mansion and hopefully some answers.

  6

  Aurora

  “Why aren’t I hungry?” My question echoes in the massive living room.

  When we entered the mansion again, he simply walked to one of the closed doors in the foyer and opened it to reveal a cozy living room.

  Unlike the rest of the house, this looks like somewhere I can relax.

  Velvet sofas face each other and in the corner of the room is a bar, like a real bar with, yes, a marble countertop. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows let the sun stream in, giving everything a dreamy quality. A huge, golden fireplace sits in the center of the wall near the sofa, and I imagine curling up there with a book. He folds himself into one sofa so I perch on the other and ask all the questions which are crammed into my head.

  “Your body isn’t really here; therefore, you don’t have need for natural bodily functions. You will feel ghost hunger pangs, so you can eat if you want. That will satisfy them; however, it won’t nourish your body.” He answers question after question but avoids any serious talk.

  I look toward the fire burning next to me and think of my guys. Where are they? Are they worried about me now that they have Mikael back?

  Now that their family’s whole, the thought that they don’t need—no, don’t want—me anymore sends a shooting pain into my heart. I rub it absentmindedly and stare at the flickering flames.

  “Come.” With that, he rises.

  When I simply watch his retreating form without following, he stops at the door and turns back to me.

  Really? Why can’t we stay in one spot? I mean, give a girl a break. I did nearly die and transport to wherever the hell I am now. Bloody hell, I could use a nap right about now. Wait, do I even need to sleep?

  “It’s time to show you something,” he says.

  With that, I jump up and follow him, my worries and fears left behind in the flames.

  7

  Benjamin

  I watch as the scrawny kid searches through book after book, muttering to himself.

  Rubbing my tired eyes, I lean my head back. I should probably learn his name, but honestly, I don’t care. If he can save Aurora, I might make the effort. Until then…

  I keep thinking about that night, the one where Aurora promised me she’d save Mikael. Maybe if I didn’t ask her to, maybe if she didn’t promise, she might still be here.

  My chest tightens, my emotions all over the place. I see the same in my brother’s eyes, and that hurts more. Doubts run through my mind.

  The kid suddenly shouts something, and I leap up. “What? Did you find a way to help her?”

  He glances up with a guilty look and smiles sheepishly. �
��No, sorry. I found my other pair of glasses I lost in a book years ago.”

  With a growl, I step toward him, ready to smack some sense in him.

  A hand lands on my shoulder, and I tense, then breathe through my nose and let it out slowly.

  “Why don’t you take a walk, brother? Or better yet, a shower? You stink.” Despite the words, caring fills Jason’s soft voice.

  I use that as the excuse as to why I don’t slap him. With one last growl at the kid, I stomp out of the library and down the hallway with no destination in mind.

  When I stop in front of a doorway and realize where I stand, I snort. Of course.

  I gently open the door even though that won’t make a difference. Stepping into the darkened room, the moonlight streams through a window, its curtains billowing in the wind. I glance at the figure, so still and perfect in her bed.

  Mikael is nowhere in sight, and for that, I’m grateful.

  No one needs to see me in this state. I’m not good company to be around, but it’s not like she’ll mind. I stop when I stand beside her, and with a pained noise, I drop to my knees next to the bed.

  “Please come back,” I whisper brokenly.

  Nev lifts his head and crawls toward me. When I ignore him, he nudges my hand. I gently palm his head and he stays there with me.

  “I was right. You’re sunshine. Without you right now, it’s like being trapped in darkness.” I stroke Nev’s head and watch over my princess.

  The night she kissed me burns in my head, and I wish it had been under different circumstances. It was the day in the car when we were singing. She was so beautiful. The usual guards were nowhere to be seen. Her eyes were open and free, her smile full of joy.

  Looking at her, I knew then and there she would be my downfall. With one word, this little witch could break me, yet she comforted me and held me when I needed someone. She saw my pain and didn’t run because it mirrored hers.

  Now, as I look at her, my determination returns. I won’t lose her, and when I get her back, I’m holding on to her as tight as I can.

  8

  Aurora

  Leaning back, I rub my head in exhaustion. I yawn and stretch my tired muscles from being cramped over the book in front of me. My eyes squint from reading too long, and I decide to take a break.

  When Perses led me from the room, he took me to a library. He sat me down and deposited a book in front of me with the directive to learn. Then he disappeared. That was hours ago, and I’m still only halfway through. It’s not a book but more like a never-ending history lesson.

  I know why it’s important, but my brain protests all the knowledge being shoved in it. From the birth of the Titans to the wars, it tells the story of how we came to be. My mother told me some of it, but not all. I haven’t even gotten to the birth of the witches yet.

  With a sigh, I stand and walk to the window.

  The moon is huge, so close I can almost touch it. I stare at its beauty. I rub the condensation on the window pane. I miss my guys. That’s all there is to it.

  I turn away from my depressing thoughts and look to the room. The library stretches as far as I can see with floor to ceiling, mahogany bookcases and a table. Sofas and chairs dot throughout.

  I wander around the bookcases, running my fingers lovingly over book spines. So much knowledge held between these pages. When I spot a painting on the wall, I stop and cock my head before moving closer to examine it.

  It’s an exact, spitting image of Perses, only he’s smiling, love evident on his face. Next to him stands a woman who looks familiar. With her head thrown back, she appears to be laughing, her cheeks flushed rose. They appear happy. I study her closer and recognize her as the woman from the fountain.

  I peer down at the inscription on the bottom left: Perses and Hekate.

  Hekate. I frown as I search my memory for the name. Wasn’t that the name of one of the ten council seats? I rush back to the tome I was reading and skim through, searching for her name.

  When I find it, I gasp. “She’s his daughter.”

  “Was.”

  Jumping, I look at Perses who leans against the doorway.

  “Was?” I ask.

  He nods and steps into the room, bringing his power with him. “Was,” he confirms and stops at the painting. His fingers gently hover above her face.

  I step up next to him and study his profile. “What happened?”

  “She was killed.” His face tenses, becoming like the statue of her outside.

  Losing a child? No one should go through that. It’s obvious he loved her greatly.

  I grab his hand and squeeze. “I am so sorry.”

  He glances down at me, surprised like he just remembered I’m here. “You remind me of her so much, Aurora.” His voice cracks over the words.

  “I do?” My astonishment is clear. How can I remind him of the goddess?

  He nods. “She was brave. One of the bravest. And her beauty was untold. But for me, it was her laughter. No matter how the darkness of this world tried to taint her, she still had this knowing smile on her face.” He looks back at the painting. “So do you.”

  I examine the woman. A black dog lays at her feet. I tilt my head. His bright blue eyes look far too intellectual for a dog. In fact, it’s like he’s looking right at me.

  “Have you finished the book?” Perses asks gently.

  I shake my head and walk back over to it, folding myself back into my chair.

  He grabs a book at random, sits in the chair opposite me, and without a word, opens it.

  I open mine again with renewed determination. I cannot blemish the memory of his daughter with my lack of knowledge.

  “So, let me get this straight.” I pace as I talk, trying to make sense of everything I learned. “There are ten council seats, and each is descended from a god or goddess. Hekate was the first to bless a being who saved her life, and that’s how the first witch came to be? Other gods and goddesses marveled at her creation and traveled to the human world to bless their own. Thus, the witches were born. The strongest of each house became its leader and automatically gained the chair on the council, which was created to rule our people and help navigate this world.”

  I stop for a breath and face Perses.

  He sits watching me with a proud smile on his face. “What else?”

  “We worshiped those who gave us these powers. But over the years, the legacies and truth of our existence washed away until we thought we were born with this power. We grew entitled and the witches’ power started to dwindle with our respect for those who created us.” I glance at him, and he nods for me to continue. “Now, only four houses remain, and they do so because they have distorted and blackened their powers.”

  “They are corrupt,” he interrupts.

  I nod. “Hekate, Selene, Astraea, Circe, Morpheus, and Gaia are all houses that have been forsaken. Hekate was the last to die out. Now, there is only Athena, Themis, Asclepius, and Krastos. The gods have forgotten about them; therefore, their houses and powers still remain within them.” I glance at him before continuing. “Now we follow these houses who rule over the witches, but our power is dying, and new witches are being born with less and less power.”

  I turn to him, finished with my summary.

  He smiles at me. “Correct.”

  “Where do I come into this?” I ask the question I still don’t understand.

  “You, my Aurora, are pure. You will save them all… you and your men.”

  I fall back a step. “What?”

  He stands and stops before me. “I told you I have waited a long time for you. Each time a descendant of my daughter was born, I approached her.”

  “My mother,” I gasp.

  He nods. “To see if they are the one. Your mother was close, but she wasn’t strong enough. When I saw you, Aurora, I knew you were the one. That day in the field, when you saved me, I knew you would be the one my daughter spoke of. You would save us all.” His voice is gentle, unaware of the
bomb he dropped on me.

  “Us? You as well?” I ask, trying to work through his declaration.

  “When the witches stopped praying to us, so did the other supernaturals. That weakened us and now we’re barely more than ghosts,” he says.

  “Why can’t I remember that day I saw you? Sometimes I can, but then it’s like trying to grasp air.”

  He leans forward and drops his palm against my forehead. “I took it away from you because you weren’t ready. But now you are.”

  With that, pain stabs into my brain, and I scream, and only his hand prevents me from falling. It’s like I’m locked in my own body as my mind is flayed.

  Eventually, it stops, and I fall to my knees as my mind is thrown back to that day.

  I walk through a field, the long grass tickling my bare legs. I glance down at the flowing white dress that swirls around me with every step I take. The bright sun warms my skin as I slowly make my way across the field. The soft ground beneath my bare feet welcomes me. I allow my fingers to trail through the grass and plants, and they sigh with happiness.

  When I spot a hunched over figure, I try to stop, but my feet keep walking against my orders until I halt before the creature.

  He looks up at me, and I gasp. His face is too perfect to look at, like staring at the sun for too long. I focus on one feature at a time, trying to get my poor, young mind to focus. His lips are red, like he’s been sucking on a strawberry. I follow the curve of his mouth up to a straight nose. His skin, golden and flawless, holds an unnatural glow to it.

  But it’s his eyes I find myself staring at. Surrounded by long, black lashes, his eyes change color. As I watch in fascination, they shift from emerald green to lighting silver. It almost makes me nauseous, so I look away.