Bloodlines: Everything That Glitters (20 page)

Aliza is so much more powerful than we could have possibly imagined because I’ve now figured out that the mind reading and healing is only scratching the surface- she was so much more. This was probably the reason the union between gods and us was forbidden.

I fumbled around in the room for a moment before settling on the bed and calmly looked out of the window at the swaying of the trees- the weather was cold but still beautiful. The large eagle still rested silently on the windowpane, waiting for me to give a reply for my father; he too was a part of the Resistance.

“If she doesn’t begin training soon, we’ll all be done away with,” I whispered as I wrote the words down.

Aliza was fighting me every step of the way; that was one thing her father would have been proud of. The one thing her father hated was what she wanted to be- he gave his life trying to protect her.

If not for direct orders, I would have filled her in on her past by now. I hate keeping secrets, especially something that didn’t need to be a secret in the first place. The Resistance should have a little more faith in Alizarin; she is, after all, the savior of our people. Maybe if Psenora hadn’t sheltered her throughout these years or even allowed us to come near her as a child, Aliza could have been trained and ready by now. Instead, we had to wait until she completely lost the rest of her memory and power before the barrier she’d built faded.

I’ll never understand why Psenora fought so hard to keep Alizarin human when humanism was something Hero detested as a god. But I was happy to know that she’d at least tampered with her daughter’s clothing so that they wouldn’t burn.

I strapped the note to the leg of the bird and sent it away then watched it fly off into the night sky. It was another
Sunday night and I was stuck on house patrol; although it was definitely normal, it still stung. Memories of my life before being thrown into being a babysitter played across my brain, the places and people I’d visited and loved.

A part of me was happy to give it all up to help the cause but on the other hand I just wanted to be at home in my forest, doing my daily duties. I smiled when the thoughts of Victor randomly erupted from nowhere; his curly red hair and the twinkle of bright honey in his eyes were enough to start the beginning of tears all over again. I shook off all thoughts and re-focused my mind to my mission- Aliza and Ash.

This world was full of oddities, like the fact that Ash was merely a representation of the human form of Alizarin, although being male. Psenora was smart to raise them as twins and make her human husband believe it as well. Even though I couldn’t quite understand why Ash had developed power, as time passes, I slowly begin seeing the reasons. Someone wanted him to protect her- knowing that he would be willing to give his life for her, whereas, I would not.

A dim flash of light peeked through the crevasses of the dresser and glittered through the room; I hadn’t even noticed I stood frozen at the window. I reached down into the top drawer and pushed several items of clothing around before finding Dendria’s charm. The charm had been in my family for centuries; it was the one thing I used to keep a close eye on the twins when they didn’t want me around.

I ran my fingers over the golden wings then fastened it around my neck; the room lit up as mystic light blue waves swirled around me. I asked for the location of the twins and watched as it was revealed to me. Ash was being Ash and talking to women at a pool hall while Aliza was with… “Oh no.” I said aloud, taking the necklace off and grabbing my whistle, this was not good.

Centure wasn’t supposed to be here so soon. I leaned out of the already opened window and blew the whistle; seconds later Lavender appeared in the form of a bird, her dark wings beat softly as she hovered at my window. I quickly jumped onto her back and held the reigns lightly as she began flight.

This was the first time I’d seen her since I’d gotten here a few months ago and I’d missed her. “How have you been, girl?” I smoothed most of her black feathers down along her right wing; she cooed at my touch. “I’ve missed you.”

I missed a lot of things about my life before coming here to live invisibly among the humans. I lowered my head and eased the memories away before pointing Lavender off into the right direction.

If I didn’t get there in time Centure was sure to reveal too much; she had a way of doing that, whether intentionally or not. She’d offer the twins full control of their power, something neither of them was prepared for yet.

Luckily the family hall Aliza and Ash were at was only ten or fifteen minutes away; another one of the great conveniences of living in this town.

“It’s too late, Ash just got there and I’m afraid the short time Alizarin was there a henchman was able to spot her,” my father said, appearing in the saddle behind me. I hated when he did that; it scared me every time.

“Has he seen her? Enough to be sure that it is, in fact, Alizarin?” I replied, egging Lavender to speed forward.

The wind blew vigorously as we sliced through it, my dad’s voice was soft when he spoke for he was growing old and tired. “He may have. We must not put that past him. What does she know?”

“She still longs to be human and won’t allow herself to accept anything outside of her own little world.”

He touched his forehead then rubbed his eyes. “Can you really blame her? It is all she knows. Centure knows what she is doing and won’t blow your cover. We feel you haven’t been doing your part as well as you can, what’s wrong, Skylark?”

I kept my eyes ahead of the trees and occasionally glanced at the road that glistened below. “You mean besides the wars waging in other dimensions while we babysit a bastard? Nothing, absolutely nothing is wrong, father.”

“Is this why you have forsaken her? My child, all of the signs are there.”

“All except for one,” I mumbled under my breath as I clenched my teeth together. Why couldn’t it have been me to bare the child that’d save our people? Was I not good enough for any god? 

When we got to a part of road with several acres of plowed land, vegetation bloomed up quickly; I never understood why he hadn’t learned to hone that power, it was the one he just let go. I shook my head and pointed down below. “What do you think those farmers are going to say when they come outside and see their fields?” I smiled, allowing this to briefly overshadow my negative thoughts.

“They should thank me,” he responded, not caring to look down at all. “Have a little more faith in her.” With those words my father was gone, fading into dust that blew away with the night.

I circled the building cautiously as Lavender and I both watched the parking lot. “Wait for my signal, it shouldn’t take me long.” I stood up straight on her back and jumped effortlessly to the ground; landing gently on the gravel farthest from the door.

The music played loudly on the inside; Aliza’s car was still parked in front so she was still here. I walked into the building and looked around for them; Ash mingled while Aliza sat at a booth in the back with a man I couldn’t directly see. Immediately as I got closer I recognized his scent- a child of Felicia. Of course Centure would travel with him and she’d use his power of attraction to win over Alizarin if need be- and trust me, need
would
be.

I held my hands firmly by my side, fighting the need to hold my nose at the foul smell of cigarette smoke. “Hey you guys,” I said as I approached the table and after giving the sincerest smile I could muster, I waited to be offered a seat.

“Hey Corey, what are you doing here?” Aliza asked suspiciously like she always did.

“Meeting a friend. I saw you guys and wanted to come and speak, he isn‘t here yet.”

“He?” She was intrigued.

I looked around the hall again hoping to spot Centure if she hadn’t already left yet. “Yes, he. Kirk Matthews, from class,” I replied, a little bit of blush on my face.

“Hello, my name is Nikko.”

The young man got up from the table and pulled a chair out for me. “My name is Corey, and thank you.”

I sat in the seat he offered and looked back and forth between them for three whole minutes of awkward silence. There was an empty seat and a purse across from me on the table; Centure must be sitting there. “Is someone sitting there?”

“Yeah, Centure is,” Nikko replied.

“Can’t wait to meet her, where did she go?” I looked up from the table searched the building again for her.

“She went to the restroom, she should be back in a minute,” Alizarin’s eyes narrowed. “Corey, how did you get here?”

“Your mother dropped me off.” I had no problems lying; I’ve been doing ever since I came to this sickened world. That’s all that this place seemed to be about anyways, they lie, cheat and steal. I felt Centure’s power before I actually saw her, it was massive; almost crippling. I shouldn’t have expected any less though since she was among the leaders of The Resistance, and my mother. Slightly cowering in her presence, I smiled as she walked into view. 

“Hello, I don’t believe I‘ve had the pleasure of meeting you before,” Centure smiled, lightly touching my shoulder. “Hi friend, I’m Centure.”

Her gaze deeply pierced my heart, I looked away shamefully; I hadn’t seen her since the escape yet I knew she was disappointed with me. She always seemed to be disappointed with me. Maybe because I wasn’t the perfect daughter, Psenora- the one that got us thrown into this mess to begin with. I closed my eyes briefly, halting time with Aliza and Nikko along with it.

“What have you gathered?” I asked.

She looked around at her surroundings and smiled gently- in our world this wasn’t impressive. “This child is a true goddess; her father would be proud. Masaya is searching vigorously for her, tearing entire dimensions apart. One of her henchmen was here earlier, I fear she may have already been informed before I disposed of him.”

I returned her gaze and replied. “How many has she been through so far?”

“About a 20 or so, innocent creatures lay slain everywhere she visits. We need to ready her; Masaya will show no mercy when she tears into this part of the world.”

I let a small piece of emotion wonder through me for a moment as I looked over at Aliza. “What if she chooses to join her rather than fight her? Who will help us then?”

“Why did you not introduce yourself as who you are, her aunt and guardian? I think she would have respected you a little more than she does.”

Her words hurt; the little girl that I’d fell so desperately in love with on the day of her separation did not like me. But I blamed it on her mother. I blamed everything on her mother. Why couldn’t she just settle down with another Genesis like the rest of us? Why’d she have to run off and get entangled with a god- the last one to be
exact?

But I’d agreed within my heart, just like my other sisters, that we wouldn’t take it out of Alizarin. How could we when she was so beautiful? So innocent and charming. We all watched her grow from a baby to a teen from the shadows, struggling to keep our distance because Psenora did not want us near her. She figured by keeping us away she would, in effect, keep Masaya away and keep her child alive.

I scoffed. Even after we’d helped her escape and risked our own lives to save hers, she wanted to shut us all out. Some nerve. Part of me was glad to see her powerless, aging and human, it was only out of stupid vanity that she was going through it anyways. Once the power is gone, there’s no hope of it ever returning. “So what do you want me to do?”

I pushed angry thoughts of Psenora aside; there were bigger things at hand. The real enemy was somewhere out there searching for all of those that resisted her, ending their lives and gaining their power. For now, Alizarin Truehart was number one on her list.

“For the sake of your cover, I will train the both of them.” She takes a look at Nikko and a smile tugs at her lips. “Felicia has done well with her two boys. I just wish Psenora had allowed the same for her daughter. We are all family, after all.”

“I agree,” I respond, looking at Nikko as well. “You allow him to use attraction?”

“I had a talk with him before we got here, seems he just couldn’t resist,” she smiles then turns her attention away from him. “He reminds me so much of his mother. As does Alizarin.” Her long nails tap against the table. “384 years, 8 daughters and 9 grandchildren. 10 if I included Asher.” She shook her head lightly. “Hopefully I will see a grandchild or two from you, before I expire.”

I looked around the building for a moment, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with Centure’s hushed tone. The fact is I was close to settling down and giving her more grandchildren and if it hadn’t have been for Psenora forcing us all to leave Xyonthis; I would have gladly given her
more
grandchildren than the rest. “Do whatever you need to. She doesn’t know anything so just be patient with her stubbornness.”

“As if I need your permission to do what I planned on doing anyways, but, thank you for giving it to me. Besides, all great leaders are a little stubborn at first, just ask your father,” she said softly. “I remember when Psenora first began going through her trials so that she could take over the Lavarian Forest.” She trailed off, no doubt, thinking about her now human daughter saddened her. “She had so many more years to grow. Now she’ll die in a matter of 30 or so.”

The music and sounds of the crowd returned as I released them from my holds, Aliza looked from me to Centure; I held a few of my mother’s features, but not enough for anyone to readily identify.