by C. M. Owens
I grunt slightly as I strain to force out any little spark to prove my impending transformation, but nothing happens - nothing besides my head trying to explode.
"You're going to hurt yourself. Stop," he demands.
I growl as I sit back as far as I can and pout for my failed attempt. I couldn't stop sparking the first time around, and this time I can't spark even a little bit.
Way to help me out, Aphrodite.
Devin cuts me free and scoops me up once we reach his apartment. I don't struggle because I know how incredibly pointless that would be. He puts me down, but takes my hand to lead me to the party of smug immortals I know are waiting.
We step into the elevator, and I throw one last Hail Mary pass in an effort to prove I'm telling the truth.
"Safina came after us," I announce.
His eyes narrow at me, and I see I've finally struck a nerve.
"I don't know where you heard that name, but it's impossible. Adisia, your mind has been filled with ramblings and nonsense. When all jumbled up, it triggers insanity. You're piecing things together that are far too great for your mind to comprehend. Just please trust me on this," he insists.
I say the only thing I know left to say.
"I love you, Devin. I just can't put you through all this again," I whisper.
His walks over and presses the emergency stop button. I see his shoulders drop as he stares at the wall.
He slowly turns around, and I feel the fire blazing from his eyes as he shakes his head. His mouth starts to cover mine, but he stops just as his lips hover too close for my heart to withstand.
He leans his forehead against mine, his tormented breaths mingling with my frantic ones. Finally, he jerks back up and walks over to the panel once more.
He releases the emergency stop and then punches the wall beside him. It bows and cracks under the forceful punch, even though he still restrained most of his strength. If he had hit it as hard as he could, the entire elevator would have folded.
The doors open, and Theia walks over with her arrogant air. I hate this version of Theia.
"Well, good grief son, what on earth did you just do?" she barks while staring at the crying elevator still suffering from the punch.
"Just skip the bullshit and help her, please," he murmurs angrily as he disappears into the bedroom.
This is happening completely different. The last time we blew out all the bulbs in the bathroom after an intense make-out session. This time, he won't even kiss me.
He's hurting because I told him I love him, and he thinks I'm just infected. I still have no clue what entails an infection, but I've never been infected. I just love him, and I don't want to watch the world end in ashes because I selfishly chose to live.
"So you're the mortal," Theia says haughtily as she assesses me.
I roll my eyes at her, and I mock her rude condescension.
"We can skip this part, Theia. You think your son fell for a lesser creature, and you find me loathsome for having lured him into such. Just get to the part where I tell you I'm not infected and you argue. Then I'll just prove you rewound time, and for some fucked up reason, I'm the only one who remembers what really happened," I snap.
She takes a step back, and Ther starts laughing slightly before he catches himself and turns his chuckles into a cough. Even Phillip has to turn away to suppress his smile.
"I don't really… Devin?" she stammers, her eyes moving in search of him.
"Like I told Ther, it's bad," he says from the bedroom.
Her eyes stay wide as she looks at me again. I huff as I flop down on the couch and cross my arms over my chest.
"So what happens? You rifle through my mind and try to delete all of my memories?" I snark. "It's not going to save any of us. I have to die, or everyone else will instead."
Phillip's smirk draws down into a frown, and Ther sits down beside Theia to investigate. The elevator opens, and Kry walks out with a puzzled look.
"Why do you think the world will end if you live?" he asks as he sits down on the couch beside me, his crazy bleach blond faux-hawk intact.
"Because it already did once. Theia rewound time back to the point just before I met Devin. I just remembered it today, when he broke up with me. I shut the shades, and I made him think I was fine with it, but somehow he still knew," I mumble.
I turn to the door that is still shut, and I speak softly.
"How did you know what I was about to do? You can't see me, and I had my apartment sealed up tight.”
The door starts to open, and then hesitation strikes as it wavers in the middle. Finally, it swings open fully, and Devin walks out with a reluctant huff.
"If I tell you, will you please just let Mom help you?" he barks.
"It depends on if I like your answer," I snap.
He grabs his aching head and plops down at the bar.
"A woman called me and told me you were about to kill yourself. She said you had sent her a goodbye text," he almost chokes out.
"Persia," I gripe.
He tilts his head. "You've mentioned that name in your sleep before, and earlier in your ramblings. Who is she, and how did she get my number?"
"She's my birthmother, and she sees the future, just like you," I grumble.
In my sleep? My mind has been trying to return all along. If I had figured it out sooner, I would have been able to carry out this plan without interference. He would have never known I even existed.
"Did you tell her anything at all?" Theia whispers in the inaudible tone not meant for human ears.
"No, he didn't, at least not this time. And yes, I did hear that whispered tone I'm not supposed to be able to. Save your shock and your theories," I snark, acting more abrasive than usual. Seeing everyone you love die uselessly tends to make one a little cranky.
Her eyes widen, and Devin eases toward the couch to sit on the unoccupied side of me. He looks toward Theia for answers.
"Is it possible?" he asks hopefully.
"You know it isn't, son. When I rewind time, I'm the only one who remembers. I have to unlock the memories of everyone else," she murmurs softly.
Hope enters my doomed stance.
"You can unlock memories? So then, unlock your memories," I quickly interject.
"I don't have any to unlock," Theia sighs in exasperation.
"You might want to reconsider that," a familiar voice says from the shadows.
I smile as I recognize the voice, and Devin is dumbfounded by the surprise visitor he never saw coming. She must have fully evaded his grasp this time. Of course, he's much more distracted than last time.
"Hello, Mother," I say softly as Persia stalks toward us.
Theia jumps to a defensive position, and Devin flashes to back her down.
"Who are you?" Theia demands.
Devin looks toward me, and then back to Persia.
"It's Persia. Adisia's mom. This is real," he gasps.
"How did you find us?" Theia demands.
"She always knows where her daughter is," I say with a sardonic smirk.
Persia lets a small smile cock from the right corner of her mouth.
"Yes I do, and yes, it's very real. There's no other way she should know who I am or what I've done. She does though. The only logical answer is that time has been pulled back by the hands of someone powerful. If you didn't do it, then it has to be her," she says as her eyes point to me.
Now that I didn't expect. I rewound time?
"Impossible," Theia scoffs. "I'm the only one who can do such a thing."
"You were," Persia retorts, matching Theia's condescension from earlier as her eyes stare adoringly into mine.
I stand up and run to hug her. She's caught off guard and off balance, and she slowly returns the embrace she's been waiting to feel, even though she doesn't remember the first time she felt it.
"A lot happened, didn't it?" she asks with tears in her eyes.
I nod as the tears start pouring from mine as well.
> "Yes. Too much," I sob lightly.
She pulls me in tighter. Devin seems so torn now. He keeps sitting back and leaning up as if he's completely baffled by the possibility he wouldn't even consider.
"So she really does have Aphrodite and Asteria in her, along with Prometheus?" Devin asks in a disbelieving tone.
Persia's eyes narrow as she pulls back from her clutched embrace with me, and she studies my eyes very intensely.
"Asteria? What's he talking about?" she gasps, though it doesn't seem very authentic.
Why would she hide it if she knew it though?
"You didn't know?" I ask while tilting my head and staring into her dumbfounded eyes very suspiciously. "Kahl's mother was Asteria. She woke up to help Aphrodite. They almost killed me until they learned how to work together, but I couldn't get a hold of Asteria's power in time to save us," I say as I start sobbing uncontrollably, and her arms tighten around me.
"Asteria." Everyone whispers the blasphemous name in unison amongst themselves, except for Devin.
He hops up and starts to walk toward me, but he dives out onto the balcony instead. He leans over to take a breath, acting as though he's almost ready to fall apart.
I look to Ther for answers. He didn't act like this last time. Ther offers no insight as he shrugs to my silent question.
"Will you unlock the memories now?" I prompt to Theia.
She swallows hard as if she's overwhelmed, and I'm almost certain she still doesn't believe me or Persia.
"I really can't. My mind doesn't know there are any memories locked away. If you are the one who rewound time, then you have to show me what you saw. I can then begin unlocking memories that way."
"How do I do that?"
"Just sit down and take my hands," Theia instructs.
Persia releases me, and I go to join Theia on the couch. I glance toward Devin, but he's still staring out at the city view, completely disengaging from the situation.
Kry hops up to go join him, and Ther follows behind.
"You have to concentrate," Theia says in regard to my distracted frame of mind.
"Sorry. He didn't act so destroyed last time. He said he was relieved. This time, it's as if he doesn't want to believe I'm right," I whisper sadly.
I know I didn't whisper low enough when Devin's voice brings me new insight.
"Did you try killing yourself last time? Did you tell me you loved me while I thought you were infected? Did you cry as hard then as you did today?" he barks while coming into the room.
I slump down slightly from my scolding.
"I did cry pretty damn hard for several days while you watched last time. I wasn't trying to kill myself to make you feel responsible - I was trying to save your life. I told you I love you because I do, and it was starting to hurt to not tell you. The last time I saw you, Safina was killing you. I don't know what you're going through right at this moment, but I can assure you that what I saw was worse."
He just walks away despite my explanation. That warmness we had before isn't there. Maybe that's a good thing. He's hurting right now, and maybe I can escape long enough to finish what has to be done.
Persia's hand grips my shoulder, and her eyes narrow at me.
"It's not going to work. Don't even think about it," she cautions, growling almost.
Shit. I forgot she can see me.
"You can see her?" Devin asks.
"Yes, but only because I'm a direct descendent of Prometheus," she explains… again.
"She's still trying to find a way to kill herself?" he murmurs with fresh tears filling up in his eyes.
Persia nods to him, and he grabs his head with both hands before slamming them against the wall. I jump slightly by the noise created from his violent display, and then he sighs as the elevator sounds like it's closing in.
"Gemma's on her way up," he growls.
"Gemma? Really?" I snap.
Well that sure as hell didn't happen last time.
This is earlier than last time though. The whole chain of events sped up the second I remembered everything.
He looks at me curiously, as if he's trying to figure out what happened to make me so snarky. The doors open, and she steps off with a large bag strapped at her elbow.
"Well, the gang's all here," she chuckles, and then she very deliberately walks over to kiss Devin on the cheek.
I jerk my head away, and Devin grumbles slightly from her touch when he gauges my reaction.
"What's going on?" she asks quizzically.
"A lot, actually. That's why I called you. Where are your parents?" Devin adds.
He called her? Oh hell no.
"They're out of town. I brought you a gift," she says with a smirk as she pulls out a small rose bush. She then places it on the table.
I immediately stand up to walk over to them. A rose bush has thorns, so it'll hurt my mortal neck much more than the orchid hurt my immortal one.
Her eyes fall on me the instant I move toward them, and I grab the small pot from the table. I grab a pair of scissors from the drawer and hack the roses to death before dropping the shards off the side of the balcony.
I dust my hands off when I walk back in, and Devin is very nearly smiling at my overzealous pruning endeavor. Gemma's mouth is gaped open from the bizarre reaction though.
"What the fuck? Who do you think you are?" she screams.
"I'm his fiancée, and you already tried to kill me once with a stray plant you brought in. Call me crazy, but I think I'll go proactive this go around," I snark.
The smile fades from Devin's face, and Gemma gasps again.
"Your fiancée?" she squeals. "What the hell is she talking about? I've never met her before, so I know I've never tried killing her."
"That's why you're here. There's been a rewind," Devin murmurs distantly, his eyes completely focused on mine for the first time as he walks toward me very warily. "We're engaged?" he breathes through strain.
My eyes water slightly, and I turn toward Theia.
"Please hurry up and get this over with. I'm tired of trying to resound the entire month," I whimper.
Devin eases onto the couch across from us, and Gemma - of course - takes the seat beside him. Her arm loops through his, but he doesn't seem to notice as he continues staring at me.
Get your fucking hands off my man, you bitch.
"A month?" Theia squeaks, interrupting my silent reverie. "That's impossible. Time only rewinds for a week at the most. A month is far too great a time span."
"Just look and see for yourself." I sniffle as I put my hands in hers.
She frowns slightly and starts her instructions.
"Breathe. Try to focus on any event at all that happened the first time. I can find the path to travel much easier that way."
I think of the best memory - Devin asking me to marry him. I almost smile when I think of the beautiful ring he had picked out especially for me, and the incredible planned proposal that had captured my heart.
The breaking of the bed springs to mind next, and I giggle a little. Then the bubble in which he told me he loved me joins in with the hot ocean bubble memory from when we made up after our hellacious fight that spawned from the vine-loving bitch.
Theia gasps loudly, and my eyes dart to her as she almost convulses from the month of memories surging through her at once.
I know how that feels.
She has to watch everyone die all over again, and those memories are haunting, horrific, and completely devastating.
Tears fall as she releases my hands and jumps back from her spot with me. She stands up shakily, and begins pacing in a frantic manner.
Phillip walks over to hold his wife, and she falls apart in his arms as reality crashes to her the way it did me.
Devin seems a little disturbed by his mother's reaction, and Gemma is still clinging to him at his side.
I really wish I had my powers right now. I'd zap that bitch off the couch.
"When did the battle go wrong?" P
ersia asks as she sits down beside me.
"There were too many of them. They were prepared to counter all of our people, and we weren't prepared for any of them. They brought the daughters of Athena in to counter me as well as Gemma and her family," I say with a slight snarl.
Persia seems confused, and suddenly it hits me as to why she's confused. I hadn't mentioned her name.
"Where was I?" she inquires pitifully, as if she's worried she hadn't been there when I needed her.
"You saved my parents before the battle ever happened. You gave your life to keep them safe," I choke out as more tears fall freely.
She wraps me in her arms, and Devin's eyes turn to me. I look away because it's painful to see Gemma so close to him. He grumbles lightly, and he removes himself from her vine-like clutches as he goes over to see to his mother.
Then panic hits me.
"My parents. The last time I gave Devin a false name, and they wasted time searching for Alexius Smith. I didn't give him a false name this time. They've been listening in, and they'll find me sooner. Only, I won't be the one they find. They'll go after them."
Devin flashes over to me. "I'll get them out now," he consoles.
"No need. I've already forced her dad to feel the need to get away. I sent them on a vacation with plenty of money," Persia adds before capturing my attention again. "You told me to take care of them. I knew that meant someone was after them," she explains as she looks at me.
"Jake," I hoarsely release.
"Him, too. I actually tried something new on him. I forced my way into his mind, via Skype. It worked though. He's already on a private jet that's carrying him to be with your parents right now," she soothes while stroking her fingers through my hair the way an affectionate, concerned mother would.
I feel more tears falling freely as I sit back with a little relief. Devin looks to his mom and speaks gingerly.
"Show me, please. I need to know what is going on."
She takes a deep, steadying breath and walks over to the couch where Gemma is huffing. Devin sits down beside her, and right away, Gemma is leaning against him as she observes the interaction.
