Endeca (The Escapism Series) (12 page)

“I had strict orders to take care of you but not so soon. If Sebastian hadn’t interfered, so crassly might I add, we wouldn’t have had to escalate our plans. Yes, I know about your little rendezvous. Now what did she have to say?”

“She didn’t say anything,” I stuttered. The less I said the better. He knew of our meeting but I wondered if he really knew who she was.

He laughed, eerily. “Did she mention anyone of interest, Xenia?”

“No, she said to be careful. That’s all, I swear,” I spoke clearly, maintaining eye contact. It was better that way, less conspicuous if one maintained eye contact, but in his case, I averted his eyes shortly thereafter.

“Well, I can’t take any chances. I have direct orders. I always honor my end of the bargain,” he snarled, glaring at a grim Sebastian.

“You’re the spy?” It was shocking that anyone of our kind would willingly dishonor our race.

“Yes. Except, they cut me a better deal to take care of what Orion couldn’t.” It was mildly reassuring to know that Orion
couldn’t
. Ironically, he had no trouble sacrificing me, which confused me furthermore.

“They want to end us, don’t you see that?  You’re in danger too.”

“Xenia, they’ll never end us, but I could really use some bank,” he sneered, continuing, “I’ll tell you a little secret. I’m not fond of our unity either—forgot to thank you earlier. I liked the chaos the open portal brought.” I was certain he referred to the magnified power of Endeca.

“If I die, Endeca doesn’t stand a chance. The E-SOM will conquer and Edric will die too,” I played along. He obviously didn’t know of our little Corlissa/Daisy dilemma. The less he knew, the better.

“Let’s play devil’s advocate, shall we? With an open portal, we actually stand a better chance at overturning the E-SOM,” he grimaced mid thought. “Well aren’t you a sneaky little bitch. Trying to delay the inevitable?” He grabbed me tightly and forced me to succumb to his God-awful eyes—the enigmatic allure that was irresistible yet horrifying. Then the worst searing of my life commenced, it was as if he was obliterating me to the core. Just when I thought the end had finally neared, Styx reared her ugly head.
My savior?
Except there was nothing she could do under his spell. She was bound within a vessel, and not in a good way.

I cried out in sheer pain at the brink of death and then miraculously, the burning halted.  I couldn’t see but I could hear them—the sound of a man’s voice, two men actually.

“Castiel, it’s over!” one man growled.

“
Noooo!
” cried Castiel, only his cries sounded too grave, inflicted by someone merciless.

All the voices progressively sounded unfamiliar. I didn’t know where I was, with whom or…who I even was. The voice that spoke to me, maybe my consciousness, was frightened—something that didn’t seem to be in its nature. I felt another’s presence, except it was grander, bringing with it a celestial wind.

“
Vos inhonorus nos
. I see they’ve recruited another,” she scolded, “You’ll pay with the ultimate punishment I’m afraid.
Cordon sanitaire
. But before that, let’s see if I could remind you of your faults.” Her aura vanished and in the background I heard faint cries intermixed with an odd sounding name,
Xeh-nee-ah.

As I lay there on the ground, sightless and in pain, another presence came by my side.  His scent was comforting, his heart beat abnormally and his breath was rickety.

He held me up and whispered, “I can help…here,” he said, placing my trembling hands over his eyes. A warm sensation overcame my exterior and then a vision of a white light appeared—
sight!
The light drew the darkness out, healing my aching eyes and returning my vision, my memories…my battered fragment. “What happened?” I asked, rubbing my eyes. “Nyxta?”

Nicholas nodded. “He’s no longer our problem.”

“Why was he blinding me?”

“He wasn’t blinding you, Xenia. He was destroying your fragment—slowly killing you.”

“You weren’t kidding when you said the worst would come last.”

“I’m afraid it isn’t over.”

“No kidding. And Sebastian?”

“He must’ve taken off before we arrived. Nyxta will find him, I’m sure.”

“Lucky him,” I cringed, standing up. “I heard another’s voice...”

“Orion’s,” he muttered, frowning. “And Caleb’s. He’s somewhat impervious to Sebastian’s ternio. He tracked and restored me in time.”

“Oh.
Him
…and what’s a ternio?”

“No need to worry about that now,” he dismissed.

“How d’you find me?”

“Kiran lead us,” he smirked, “but he was a she?”

“Ah, yes, you’ve met girl Kiran.”

“Sure explains a lot.”

“That’s what I said,” I playfully rejoiced. “Let’s enjoy the rest of the carnival.”

“Xenia, we really shouldn’t—”

“The worst has passed. Think about it. We’re in the clear…for now at least.”

Nicholas’ taut expression lightened, relinquishing to reason. “If you’re sure you’re up for it.”

“I’m sure.”

“After you.”

~

He returned to the line by the Ferris wheel where I awaited. “To add to your collection,” he smirked, handing me a ladybug.

“Aw, thank you,” I said, blushing instantly. “You just made my day.”

“I’m not looking forward to tomorrow,” he sulked adorably.

“Why’s that?”

“I may have agreed to work the dunk tank. Marla practically begged me. It’s for a good cause…I suppose.”

“Sucker! I promise I won’t dunk you. I hear it’s going to be a cold one though.”

“I don’t mind the cold. Being subjected to humiliation is the issue.”

“Just remember it’s for charity. Something tells me the dunk tank will be a big hit.”

“You think?”

“Of course! Look at you? You’re an Adonis who’ll be in swim trunks. Marla’s a genius.”

“I recruited a few others while at it. Orion, Edric and Kiran—it only seemed fair,” he smiled devilishly.

“The dunk tank will be all the rage this carnival has to offer.”

“Xenia, we should probably talk about…well, you know,” he said, tensely.

“Let’s not. Tonight is about fun times at the carnival…well, it is now anyway. You’re just a guy and I’m just a girl.”

“I’m just a guy,” he deliberated, continuing, “I like it.”

“For now at least. With the portal temporarily sealed and Castiel off our backs, I feel like a night off will do us some good.”

“Agreed,” he said, grinning happily. “I’ve missed you a lot, Xenia.” He slid his hand against my own, interlocking our fingers. His warm hand felt soft, comforting and mildly tingly.  Over the past while, I’d become markedly desensitized to his electricity. What I found to be uncomfortable at first, soon became a compulsion of mine. I craved his presence and judging by his expression, Nicholas craved mine too. He swiftly drew me into a vacant tent.

“I’ve missed being around you…just us, not idle us,” he whispered. He placed a hand against my right hip pulling me closer to his body, while his other hand cradled my neck. His sensual mouth stirred my senses from the nape of my neck, slowly moving back up toward my ear. His warm breath against my skin sent my body off into shivers.

He smiled, mesmerized before pulling me closer, kissing me softly. I barely could control myself around him in general, and under Styx’s influence, I had to have him…
all of him
.

He lifted me effortlessly onto a table and I wrapped my legs around him, securing him tightly. He groaned, while my hands made their way down his chest, to his belt, unfastening it quickly.

He seemed surprised. “Are you sure? Here? I thought we’d be someplace nicer—wouldn’t you like that?”

My chaotic mind reconnected with my fiery body.
Huh?

“It’s not that I don’t want to, I do—very much so,” he said, “I’ve even had extremely vivid dreams about it.  I can’t believe I’m telling you this…”

“Dreams? What kind of dreams exactly?” I asked, intrigued. That night was definitely not a dream, yet he seemed to think so.

“We were at my place and we couldn’t get enough of each other. I thought I’d…combust,” he said while fighting a smile, “The chandelier however did.”

“And then?”

“You’re not mad? I had a vivid dream and you want me to go on?” He stroked my cheek with his hand.

“Did I step on some glass?” I asked, impatiently.

“How did you know? Are you reading my mind?” he asked, amazed.

“No…I mean, I just guessed with the chandelier broken and all.”

“Quite the hunch,” he said, raising his brow.

“Are you sure it was a dream? Maybe you travelled offline,” I muttered, proposing the idea, although I knew it wasn’t the case.

“I wouldn’t do that, Xenia.”

“Are you sure? Because it sounds very explicit, almost like it actually happened,” I scolded.
How didn’t he know?

“Xenia, it was just a dream, and can you blame me? Look at you…I can’t control my subconscious,” he said, reaching in for a slow, passionate kiss.

Just then, entered Marla with a clipboard in hand. “Oh, I—I’m sorry. I just came to make sure the psychic was still around…
is she
?” she asked peering through her fingers, partially shielding her eyes. Nicholas fastened his belt and I sat up, straightening my shirt.

“There’s no one in here, I mean aside from us,” I hastened to say.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to barge in. Didn’t expect to find you two in here
hanging out
.”

“I have to go meet up with Kiran. See you later,” he said, giving me a quick peck on the lips.

“Oh, where do you think you’re going mister,” Marla intercepted. She reached into her bag, passing him a pair of bright pink swim trunks. “They’re for tomorrow.”

“Oh wow, I’ve never owned a pair of pink…anything.”

“Sorry, that’s all I could find on short notice,” she said, merrily. She was back to her authoritative state, checking her demanding list. Just as Nicholas left, another person joined us. The psychic returned to her post. She smiled at me eerily. “Xenia, would you like a reading?” she hummed my name as though we were well acquainted.

“No thank you,” I retorted, shaking my head side to side.

“I didn’t take you for the cynical type.”

“Sorry, I don’t believe in it—the palm reading part.”

“What about tarot cards?” she challenged. I didn’t want to be rude but I didn’t believe in anything she had to offer.

“Go on, try it—it’s fun,” Marla urged impatiently.

“Sure. Let’s see what the cards have in store, shall we?” I accepted indifferently.

“Hmm,” she hummed, murmuring something inaudible as she flipped three cards over. She pointed to each one, offering an explanation. “Someone will cross you, someone will die, and new life.”

“And all in one lifetime, I bet,” I said, reproachful. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to be someplace.”

“Wait. This is unusual.  Each of these cards signifies a different person, none of which are you.”

“You mean to say, you’ve never given a reading like this before?” My voice was riddled with sarcasm.

“Never,” she gasped. I looked down at her trembling hands and then in her eyes. She was human or at least that’s what she appeared to be. I didn’t get a vibe from her like how I did from the others I knew.

“Saiph, we have a huge line up. Let’s get a move on,” Marla hollered.

“I’m surprised you, of all people, don’t believe in something that is otherworldly,” she whispered.

She knew
.

Marla stood by my side, gawking at Saiph. “What do you mean?” Marla probed.

“Just something I saw in her path that would lead me to think—”

I cut her off mid-incriminating-sentence. “Here, something for your troubles,” I placed a twenty (for a five dollar reading) in the jar. It was for charity after all.

“If you need clarification, you can find me here,” Saiph offered her card.

“Doubt it,” I said, mostly to maintain indifferent for Marla’s sake. I did, however, take note of her name…for reference sake.

My insides strained to keep my outsides from displaying the horror that overcame me. Saiph knew what I was, and more importantly, about certain events in my life. I was the one who died, granted it was temporary or at least I hoped it was. The rebirth was Edric. However, the order wasn’t right. It was rebirth, crossing, and death—I wondered if it mattered in what order the cards were read.  Nicholas said the end was nowhere near but I prayed history didn’t repeat itself.

Celebratory
shots

“Come on, it’s Friday night and we need to go out. I need to go out,” said Calliope, rolling over onto her stomach. We were hanging out in my room of all places on a Friday night.

“Landon invited us to a house party. Should be fun,” Marla tempted.

“What’s funner than a movie night?” I asked, although the reception wasn’t very agreeable.

“A party filled with boys!” Calliope bellowed, distraught.

“She has a point. And besides, everyone is going to be there,” said Marla.

“Everyone?” I asked.

“Everyone. Ample opportunity for me to lay some ground work,” Calliope responded, checking her impeccable black hair in a pocket sized mirror.

“I doubt this party will even scratch the surface of the social stratosphere. Yes, I’ll admit to it. I ruined it for all other event planners,” she rejoiced and rightfully so. The successful carnival made the cover of the campus paper: “Best thrown by a freshman yet.”

“It was unlike any other carnival, that’s for sure,” I smiled nervously segueing into Calliope’s aforementioned pursuit. “But I’m not so sure you’d want to do that, Cal.” I knew exactly whom she had settled her talons into and I wasn’t about to sit back and watch; especially after day two of the carnival, whereby she ogled Orion at the dunk tank and flirted endlessly with catastrophe, his unofficial middle name.

“We’ve been through this before, Xenia. There’s nothing you can possibly say that’ll keep me from him.”

“Hear me out. When I was at the gym last, I overheard something shocking in the locker room. One girl swore by it. She saw it with her own eyes—Orion has
herpes
,” I whispered, vividly. There was one, and only one thing that could immediately dissuade Calliope from Orion—the epitome of venereal disease.

Calliope flinched, visibly irked by the very possibility. “So, what’s this about Landon throwing a party?” she addressed Marla.

I smiled merrily having gotten through to her for the time being. I never felt right about lying but there was no way around it; this small lie would stretch a long ways, ensuring the safety of one of my dearest friends. One day far down the road, the white gates would creak at my presence, however opening and welcoming just the same.

“Check this out. We’re all invited to hell,” she laughed, holding up her phone with the e-blast revealing a fire-filled room and a bloodied hand gripping a cracked wine bottle surrounded by a pool of red wine. The imagery was Orion’s picturesque representation of doomsday—sheer, provoked mockery. If I didn’t give in, then he’d lash out in any way he deemed fit.

“What a twisted, little, f—”

“It’s Halloween!” Marla jumped in to his defense. “He’s clearly festive and Landon just texted me saying he’s given up as it looks like everyone is going to Orion’s party.”

“Are you inviting Nicholas?” asked Calliope, pryingly.

“Since you’re all set on going, I will now.”

Calliope smirked while she creped on Landon’s eligible friends’ on Cyclopser, the crème de la crème of social media. Photo albums, health status ratings and current dateable ratings—
yes, a girl’s best friend.
Of course, no actual personal records were exposed, just helpful, reliable ratings. Cyclopser prided itself on upholding confidential and authorized use of information for its members. Once you registered, a file generated from the time of birth to the present. The photo albums automatically generated and no one knew how the chronological images came to be.

“Oh God! Why’d they have to use that angle? I specified in my settings update to shoot from my right as it accentuates my features, meanwhile hiding this horrid blemish,” Calliope huffed, briskly snapping her compact mirror shut. “It’s a good thing you never registered.”

Another detail worth mentioning, the user did not have any say in the images used for the album. The images were often taken when you least expected, capturing you as you would be in day-to-day life. The majority called them
candids
but some others still considered it an invasion of privacy. Things you never thought were ratable were—that alone sweetened the pot for many. Cyclopser was the latest craze and indisputably so.