Aurora’s Betrayal Read online

  His bare chest shows off the expanse of his glowing skin. Black symbols mar his skin, marking him as other. Leather pants encase his long, thick legs, and his feet are as bare as mine.

  “με βοηθήστε, απόγονος μου.” His voice flows out to surround me, and as he speaks, I hear swords clashing together and men chanting.

  It’s too much. My mind blackens from the obvious power coming from the man, the god before me. I gasp through it and when I come to, I’m on my knees before him.

  “Πως?” The foreign words flow out of my mouth in response.

  I gaze up to find him smiling down at me. He tones down his power and glow so I can look at him without squinting.

  “Will you save me?” he asks again, this time in English.

  I nod automatically. I would.”Yes.”

  My knees shake, and my power rises in me - called by his. I try to push it down like mum showed me, but it won’t have it. When I next look up at him, I know my eyes glow violet.

  He kneels down in front of me.

  “Be you.” He caresses my cheek, and I lean into his warmth, feeling starved like I’ve been caught in the desert. “One day, you will have a choice to make.”

  Curious now, I stare in his eyes. “What kind of choice?”

  “Between saving yourself and saving those you care about.”

  I cock my head. “Like my mum?” Confused, I nibble on my bottom lip.

  “No, my little flower. They who need you. For now, all I need is your trust.” He waits patiently for my answer, allowing me to choose.

  The earth trembles beneath me, eager for my answer. The winds brush me hesitantly, and the sun falters in its shining as if nervous.

  I look back at his brilliance and nod. “I trust you.”

  And I do. Something in me recognizes him and a feeling of trust and importance rips through my little body. I know, whoever this creature is, he’s important, and this decision will impact more than just myself.

  This is bigger than me.

  “Close your eyes.”

  I immediately do, trusting this god. His lips touch my forehead in a gentle whisper of a kiss.

  “Trust me, απόγονος μου.” His whispered words offer comfort and determination.

  I nod once again, and I feel him move away.

  A whistle sounds through the air, then pain hits me. My eyes pop open, and I stare down at the knife protruding from my stomach. Blood seeps around it, staining my once white dress. I watch in fascination as the carvings and runes light up on the blade’s handle as my blood touches it.

  I look back up at the god.

  “I am sorry, απόγονος μου. It was the only way. The pain will fade.” His words offer me the determination I need.

  I slowly nod, then look back at the knife, which now glows almost as bright as him. My body weakens and sways like the grass I sit in. The field quiets, no more wind, no more animals.

  I don’t cry as I fall. He’s there to catch me like I knew he would. He lays me gently on the floor. I stare at the sky, and the sun weeps for me and the earth welcomes me home.

  My blood pumps around the blade, and I stare at the sky as I die, feeling at peace.

  If this is what it takes, so be it.

  My body cools and my eyes flutter. I try to keep them open to catch a last glimpse of the sky, but it’s useless.

  Everything fades to darkness, and I’m reborn; no longer the little witch, but now a descendant of the gods. The chosen. The blood pumping through my veins holds power and purpose.

  When my eyes snap open and lock with the god kneels next to me, I see mine reflected in his. Swirling with violet and black.

  I stumble away from Perses, ripping myself out of the memory. I cry out in pain and my breath heaves out of me. “You killed me!”

  Silence meets my accusation, and I stare up at the god before me.

  “No, my Aurora, απόγονος μου. I saved you. I brought your power to awakening. Only death and suffering will awaken a reaper.” His voice is sure and without inflection.

  “So, I’m dead?” I ask.

  Fear laces my words with a quiet acceptance for whatever this god did to me.

  “No, my Aurora, you are alive more than any supernatural before you. You are truly a descendant of the gods, and the power of all of us runs in your blood.”

  9

  Jason

  Ben still sits by Aurora’s bed, and I guide Mikael back to bed after finding him in the library watching over Sheldon, the kid Ben found to help us. It seems I’m the only one who bothered to learn his name. Not only his name, but where he lives, his family, and everything else I need to destroy him if he betrays us.

  I adjust Mikael’s pillows and ignore his grumbling as he steals glances at Ben to see if’s he’s asleep.

  “Hush, let him rest,” I admonish.

  Mikael glances at him and then at Aurora, and his face softens.

  I tilt my head; seems she managed to thaw our Mikael.

  “Let me know when we find anything,” he whispers.

  I nod, and with one last look at my family, I gently close the door.

  We decided to stay here at the healers in case moving her had an adverse effect, and at least we have a healer on hand, although I have no clue where the healer is right now. My mind turns to Ezra, I know he is down in the healer’s gym. I’m not sure why the healer has a gym, but it’s pretty state of the art even after Ezra got a hold of it.

  Ever since we took up residence, Ezra’s been spending his time down there when not checking on Aurora. Alex sparred with him for a little but left him to it when it became clear it wasn’t helping.

  Knowing Ezra hasn’t eaten all day, I head to the kitchen.

  I might not be able to smile and get him to do anything like Aurora, I think to myself and laugh as I make sandwiches for everyone. Like the time she did his makeup. That smile, so sweet and full of mischief, could make any of us say yes. But at least I can make him eat.

  I make a couple of extras sandwiches for my brothers and even one for Sheldon. Like my mother used to tell me, keep your enemies close. I might be nice, but only because it serves my purpose right now. My own panic and desperation hide under a carefully veiled smile.

  Every step down to the gym holds determination to keep this family alive and well for when Aurora comes back. I have to believe she will; she’s too stubborn not to.

  I hear Ezra’s music blaring from the top of the stairs, and heavy metal pulses through every step I take. I head down, treading carefully.

  When I push the door out, I allow myself to take a look at how he’s doing.

  Sweat covers him, his face red either from anger or his workout. His chest heaves as he pounds into the bag. I head over to the music and turn it down. He turns with a snarl, ready to rip the shit out of someone.

  When he spots me, he falters for a second.

  I smile in victory.

  “Fuck off,” he snarls and turns to continue punching the bag.

  I head over and stand there waiting for him to stop.

  He does so with a growl, anger and fear clear on his face. “What?”

  “You need to eat.” I make my voice soft but steel coats every word.

  He doesn’t answer and turns back to the bag.

  “If you don’t eat, you’re no good to anyone,” I chastise.

  His chest heaves a reply.

  “If you don’t eat, you’ll lose your strength. What if you need to protect Aurora or Mikael and you can’t?” I ask softly, hoping to soften the blow.

  He leans his head against the bag and nods.

  Progress.

  I hold the plate out to him, waiting.

  He turns, and without looking at me, takes the plate and stomps over to his stuff. Grabbing his towel and top, he storms off upstairs.

  One down. I head back upstairs and grab another sandwich, this one for our fearless leader.

  He might think he’s fooling everyon
e, but the tightness around his eyes and mouth scream his emotions more than anything. Alex’s usually cool mask is starting to slip, and we can’t afford that if we’re to get Aurora back.

  I walk to the library where I know he’s watching Sheldon. None of us are willing to leave him alone. The kid in question bends over two old looking books, muttering to himself.

  “Sheldon, there’s some food on the kitchen counter for you,” I say with a fake smile.

  He glances up, but it takes him a few seconds to register what I said. When he does, he jumps to his feet and races out of the room, only stopping to thank me.

  I walk slowly to Alex where he stands staring out the window.

  “Here.” I push the plate at him.

  He blinks and looks down at it before frowning at me. “I’m fine. Give it to Ezra. He needs to eat.”

  Even his voice sounds tired.

  I smile smugly. “Already done.” I push the plate.

  He turns back to the window, his tone curt. “Then give it to Jason.”

  “He’s asleep. And before you say, Mikael has eaten, and I told Sheldon his food’s in the kitchen.”

  Confused, he stares at me; a testament to how shaken he is by everything.

  I soften my voice and try again. “The kid is eating right now.”

  He glances over his shoulder, obviously not hearing Sheldon’s and my conversation earlier.

  “Oh.” That’s all he says.

  I put the plate down on the side table next to him. “We need you, they need you… she needs you. So eat.” Mothering him won’t work, so I tell him the truth.

  Not waiting for his response, I turn and head out.

  I stop at the door when he clears his throat. “Thanks, brother.”

  I nod and head toward Aurora’s room. It’s my turn to spend some time with her and Ben needs to eat. I’ll keep this family together even if it kills me.

  For her; always for her.

  10

  Aurora

  “No night sky can be complete with only the moon; it needs stars. Just like you are not complete, Aurora. You need your men.” With that statement, Perses spins and leaves me confused in the room I started the day off in.

  Brilliant, silly gods and their riddles. He can’t say, ‘Oh, by the way, Aurora, this is what needs to be done and while we’re at it, here’s a cheat sheet.’

  Damn, what I wouldn’t do for some cookies right now.

  A creature pops into existence right in front of me.

  With a high-pitched scream, I run and jump on the bed. I’m woman enough to admit the scream was indeed screechy in quality. Mother fucker scared me, though.

  It looks like one of the goblins from Harry Potter. Large pointy ears, small pinched face. Oh, and it’s only as big as my legs. I tilt my head and it copies. I tilt my head the other way and it copies.

  I’m pretty sure Perses wouldn’t let random evil creatures pop into his house.

  Still standing on the bed, I part my legs in a defensive stance and prop my hands on my hips. “What do you want, gremlin?”

  “You’re gremlin.” Its voice is high and annoying.

  “No, you,” I taunt.

  Okay, so I’m standing on a bed in a god’s house arguing with a gremlin. When the hell did my life get so weird?

  “You,” it says and matches my stance.

  I throw my hands in the air and fall backward so I’m spread out on the bed.

  Something wet swipes my forehead. I jump up again and point at the creature where it stands in the same spot. It looks innocent, but it’s hard to tell.

  My eyes narrow. “Did. You. Just. Lick. Me?”

  “Did you just lick me?” it mocks.

  Fuck this, I’m going to kick some gremlin ass. I jump off the bed and go to do… what, I don’t know. I approach it, and when I go to kick the little fucker, he vanishes, and I end up sprawled on the floor.

  “Slimy bastard,” I mutter.

  His head pops over mine upside down. “You going kick me!” it screeches, making me cover my ears.

  “Dude, tone it down, and you so deserved it,” I moan, sitting up as it paces in front of me.

  “Ignorant witch. I lick to taste strength of magic as compliment and greeting. I act polite and it goes to kick me!” it rants.

  At the ignorant witch comment, I shout, “Hey!”

  It ignores me. The more it rants, the bigger it puffs up, like, well, a puffer fish. Its little body continues to grow. Shit.

  “Hey, erm, little gremlin,” I coo.

  “No gremlin!” it screams and gets even bigger.

  “Okay, not gremlin. We got off on the wrong foot.” I keep my voice soft. “Where I’m from, you don’t lick someone to say hi, so sorry. I freaked.”

  It stops ranting and stands in front of me, somewhere around my height now. It narrows its beady eyes. “Yous sorry?”

  “Yes.” I nod.

  It stares at me before nodding. Then, like letting the air out of a balloon, it shrinks back to its normal size.

  I slump, sitting crossed legged on the floor in front of the creature. “I’m Aurora.”

  I hold out my hand. Might as well be nice; don’t want it going hulk smash again.

  It looks at my hand, then leans forward and licks it again. “Bob.”

  I pull my hand back and try not to wipe it on my dress. Holding in my laugh, my voice comes out tight. “Bob?”

  “Yes, Bob.” It nods.

  “Bob?” I repeat. Come on.

  It narrows its eyes again.

  I hold my hands up in defeat. “Sorry, thought you would have a more… mystical name.”

  It props its hands on its hips. “My names is Borbus Ornetials Bookus,” it says proudly.

  “So, Bob,” I conclude.

  “Silly witch,” he chastises.

  “Hey,” I warn.

  “Sorryss sorrys.” He doesn’t look it.

  With a huff, I watch him as he watches me.

  When he sits crossed legged in front of me, I ask, “So, Bob, not to be rude but what do you want?”

  “Master said I to be your, how you say it? Friend.” He nods, happy to find the word.

  “Friend,” I repeat slowly.

  “Yess.”

  Okay, sure. “Master?”

  “Perses, silly witch.”

  “Sure, sure.” I nod like this all makes sense.

  “If witch needs anything, I help.”

  Oh, I can get on board with that. I sit up excitedly. “Do you have cookies?”

  It nods and jumps up. “Follow me, silly witch.”

  With a happy squeal, I jump up and follow the gremlin on the search of cookies. Never thought I’d say that.

  “What. Is. That?” I gawk in horror.

  “Cookie, silly witch.” Bob holds the object out to me.

  “That is not a cookie.” I sulk, dejected.

  “Oh.” It looks at the brown lump. “My bad.”

  Throwing the lump behind him, he looks back at me.

  It’s going to be a long night.

  Four hours later, I’m starfishing on the giant cloud bed when the tell-tale pop echoes around the room, announcing Bob’s return. I groan.

  Since I asked for cookies, he’s been appearing at random times with objects.

  He holds up his latest find for my approval, saying only one word: “Cookies.”

  I stopped describing what cookies were hours ago and now I just say yes or no. It’s a good thing my body isn’t actually here, and I don’t need to sleep.

  I look over and there he is, an object cupped in his hands held toward me like a prize, expectation on his face.

  “Cookies,” he announces.

  I sigh.

  He opens his hands to reveal a bird. I shit you not. A live bird.

  “No,” I groan.

  Without another word, he pops out again, and I lay back, throwing my arm across my face.

  Long night indeed.

  11

  Aur
ora

  I lounge in the bath, soaking in happiness.

  While wandering around the hallway, I found this bathroom. It’s the size of my whole living room and the large, copper, claw-foot tub in the middle called my name. It’s been an hour since Bob last appeared, and I figured I was safe.

  My eyes are closed when the pop sound echoes around the room. Tell me he did not just—

  I screech and cover my bare breasts. “Bob!”

  He stands next to the copper bath with his hands outstretched toward me. He cocks his head. “What?”

  “I’m naked! Get out!” I shout.

  “Silly witch, I seen naked before. Here.” He drops something in the bath, and I scream when it moves.

  Thrashing to escape, I fall out of the tub and land on the floor, a soapy, naked mess.

  “Cookie,” he announces happily.

  I moan at the word. “No!”

  I look up in time to see him turn, grumbling to himself as he leaves through the door.

  “Bloody gremlin,” I mutter.

  Drying off, I dress and head downstairs in search of Perses.

  I find him in the living room reading, so I wearily plop onto the couch next to him. “Mornin’.”

  “Morning.” He places the book face down and turns to me with a smile. At least he’s not one of those sick people who folds the corner of the page over. I shiver in horror.

  I lean back and stare at the ceiling. “So, what are we learning today, master Jedi?”

  “I would make a good Yoda.”

  Shocked, I stare at the laughing god. “You’ve seen Star Wars?”

  “I’m a god, Aurora; not a hermit.”

  I feel silly and mutter to myself.

  The pop sounds again, and I groan loudly.

  “Cookie!”

  Shaking my head, I turn to Bob. He holds a smaller goblin in his hands.

  “No!” I say in disbelief.

  He drops the goblin, who walks around muttering about stupid people.

  “Erm, Aurora?” Perses hedges.

  Cautiously, I turn to him. “Yes?”