“What?”
“I want him to tell you that your only option is to go through the Zahn and become one of us so you’ll be scared enough to leave. It’s too dangerous for you. It’s what I’ve been trying to do all along.”
“But, you said that you only did that to test my purity. You said you wanted me here. You said you loved me and only saw your life with mine? If that’s not what you wanted, why come back for me?”
I was angry and hurt and I still didn’t exactly know why.
“Because it didn’t work. I want you; of course, I just wanted you to not want me anymore. I wanted you stay there and save the human race. I didn’t want you to give yourself up. There is no guarantee for anything. And that’s the truth.”
“Save the human race? That’s not even-”
“This is why we need to see him.” Sebastian said to Carlyle; he was stuttering.
I could barely focus, anyway.
“I don’t understand. How is that even possible? You said I was welcoming you in, that I was ready to give it up. You were testing my love for you. It was all a lie?”
“It wasn’t a lie; you were just supposed to choose the other option.”
“What other option?!”
“The one where you stay a human and go back to save them.”
“That’s not possible.”
“This is the way it’s meant to be.”
He didn’t even look back when he said it. He reached for my hand and started pulling me forward with him.
“No.” I whispered. He kept walking. I dug my feet in. “NO!”
He stopped. Everyone kept walking past us to leave the room. I had forgotten they were even there. I had no idea where even Spike, Carlyle, or Loki were. My eyes only saw Sebastian and my heart only ached for him.
“We have to.”
Sebastian turned and faced me. He wouldn’t look me in the eyes. I was so hurt.
“You can’t force me.” I said.
“He’s done it before.” Carlyle said, walking up beside me.
He grabbed my arm out of Sebastian’s grasp and dropped it free. I felt like my heart had just plummeted through my feet and into the earth. Could it shatter again? Was there anything left of it? I wanted to collapse into the ground.
“This isn’t a game, Carlyle.” Sebastian threatened.
“I couldn’t agree more, brother.”
Sebastian took a step towards me and Carlyle grabbed me in his arms. He held me very tightly towards his chest. I didn’t react. I felt no reason to try to get back to Sebastian. He’d betrayed me. He’d known everything all along and he could have told me the truth, but he didn’t, because he was being selfish. He wanted me to live a life without him. That wouldn’t be a life at all. I needed him.
“What do you want?” Sebastian hissed.
“We go to the Minakai, now.” Carlyle said.
“That’s where I was taking her.”
Sebastian reached for my hand but Carlyle pushed it away.
“No. We all go there and we help her. We make sure the truth in its entirety is told and she chooses her fate, not you.”
“Fine.” Sebastian reluctantly agreed.
He turned and headed out of the now empty room. There was another option? I had more choices? Could I save mankind and stay here? Why would Sebastian hide that? Wouldn’t he want it all? Why was he hurting me so much? Was it another test?
I looked to Spike and wrapped my arms around his neck. I just wanted to go back home and pretend nothing had ever happened. I wanted my reality back. The pain of my mother seemed mediocre to this, and that hurt even more. She should be my everything. My family should be my only concern. I didn’t care about the world. They had turned their backs on me a long time ago. They had turned their backs on us.
Spike whimpered in my arms. He knew I was upset. He always knew. He hated not being able to help, even though to me, he was the only one that did help. I loved him. I owed him my life. He kept the sunshine in.
A hand on my shoulder, Carlyle was urging me on. I knew Spike would be left behind again. I wanted him with us. Could he come? Could Carlyle fly him to the fortress? Of course they could.
I stood up and smiled at Carlyle. He was looking past me. I turned and saw Loki staring at us.
“Do not be afraid.” Loki said.
“I’m not.” I responded.
“He was talking to the dog.” Carlyle whispered.
“Oh.”
They’d read my mind. Loki was going to fly Spike. My heart felt better, already. My puppy, my life, he was going to be a part of this journey the way he should have been from the beginning. I hoped Loki would hold on to him tightly.
Carlyle scooped me up in his arms and curled me into his chest. I looked back at Spike before we took off into the air. Loki was wrapping his arms around his chest and hind legs. Then we took off into the air.
Who said anything
about love?
((what a silly emotion, love))
We were all sitting in the Minakai’s office, delicately waiting on his to arrival. Spike was completely enthralled, though. His grin was even obvious behind the woozy look from flying. I smiled and patted his head as he trotted up to me and finally sat down. His eyes were still as wide as they could be. He wasn’t missing any chance to take in everything he could when he could. I didn’t blame him one bit. I was the exact same way when I got the ability to see this world.
I wanted to ask what he was thinking, but I knew asking Carlyle would create more tension. I couldn’t ask Sebastian with the obvious state of distress he was in. He kept fidgeting, staring out the window and biting his fingernails. Usually such a display of humanity would have made my heart melt, but this time it only made me disgusted. He was ruining everything by acting like this. A part of me wished, in spite of it all, he would get everything he deserved.
“So, you grace me with your presence again?” The Minakai said, finally coming out of his hidden office.
“So it seems.” I nodded to him.
With teeth bared and gums flapping, a protective Spike took off towards the Minakai. I wasn’t paying enough attention to catch him before he lunged at the leader of a world. Panicking, I started calling his name and clapping my hands together. I wasn’t sure why, but it seemed my best option was to distract him. It wasn’t working. I couldn’t tell if he was deliberately ignoring me or not, but however, he was insanely focused on letting the Minakai know he was a threat to me.
Dumbfounded, my body was in shock. I couldn’t move nor say anything. The scene played itself out before me. I was helpless.
With my noises ceased, I was capable of comprehending the Minakai wasn’t frightened. He hadn’t even stepped back. I couldn’t believe it, but the Minakai was honestly holding his ground and testing Spike back. I watched him carefully bend down and stare Spike in the eyes. They were raging a war inside their minds, I just knew it. I wanted that skill. I wanted the ability to connect with the only living creature that truly connected with me. It wasn’t fair. I deserved that.
Spike’s barking stopped, but I could hear him growling. Then the truly unthinkable happened, the Minakai stepped back. He’d given dominance to Spike? In his own office? In his own world? What were they saying? What was going on? Why wasn’t I standing up and dragging Spike back by my side?
Everything tumbled into my brain at once and I clumsily found my way to where my dog was threatening the leader’s purpose. My arms grabbed his face and forced him to look at me. He was instantly transformed from a vicious man eating dog, to a loveable ball of fur. I just didn’t understand it. What was so threatening about Porter? Other than the obvious’ he’s the alpha and you’re not’ thing.
“I’m so sorry; I don’t know what’s gotten into him.” I apologized.
“That’s quite all right. I was trying to figure out what his aggression is towards me, but he doesn’t want to tell me. So we’ll just leave it at a misunderstanding. Can he be taken somewhere so we ca
n have this discussion in peace?”
“What? Leave him behind? But that’s why he is here, because he’s always left behind. I can’t do that to him again.” I begged.
“This is precisely why he shouldn’t be here. He is a distraction to you. Do not worry, he’ll be in good hands. You just let the Myrians watch over him.”
The Minakai held up his hands and snapped his fingers. Spike was gone. I screamed out. How could he? The only thing left in the world that I believed in, and he just took it from me. Spike had seen that coming. He had to have. That’s why he didn’t like him. I glared at him, not as menacingly as Spike, but enough for myself. Then I got up and took my place back next to Carlyle. I wasn’t going to sit, though.
The Minakai pulled his jacket straight and ran a hand through his mane. I was still staring at him with the most evil look on my face I could muster up, but he refused to acknowledge me.
There was a hand on my wrist; Carlyle was pulling me back down. This wasn’t a battle I would win. The Minakai had already sent Spike away, and he was the only one who could bring him back again. I didn’t understand how he thought that would make the discussion at hand easier, but I gave in to his will. I sat down.
Making no sign he cared still, the Minakai put on his bifocals and leaned on his desk to face all of us. I watched him close his eyes and take in a few deep breaths. Was he collecting his thoughts? He had to know what we were here for. Suddenly his breathing started getting more rapid. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but my heart rate accelerated.
“ENOUGH!” He roared.
Sebastian and Carlyle hissed. Had they been fighting again? Was it because Carlyle had touched me? Sebastian needed to get over it. I was going to figure things out. He couldn’t lie forever. They sat back in a rush. I hadn’t even noticed they were leaning forward. I sat up straight, too.
“Loki, please do not hover in the shadows. You are most welcome here.”
The Minakai motioned for Loki to come closer. It was odd that he hadn’t seemed to be bothered any more by the brothers. I supposed they finally stopped babbling, but since I couldn’t tell they had ever started, it was hard to tell.
From behind one of the book cases, Loki finally showed himself. He knelt down on one knee and bowed his head in the presence of his leader. His dreadlocks and necklaces touched the floor. After a few seconds, he stood back up. He was like a military leader with his arms behind his back and his head held high just off to the left of Sebastian. I was very intimidated, but glad he wasn’t in the shadows anymore.
“It is my understanding there is a bit of a disagreement, here.”
The Minakai held up his hand to stop Sebastian from interrupting the silence. I watched him walk over and reach out his hand for mine. For a second, I had forgotten how much of a creature he was. But his furry paws and sharp claws instilled the image of a full blown lion into my head. I wasn’t afraid, despite my hesitant approach, just intrigued.
I placed mine in his and he grabbed it to pull me up. Standing face to face with him made my nerves shake again. We were very close to one another. I had been here before, staring at him, but never height to height. I felt an inkling of fear creep up from the depths of my mind. There was something emitting out of him, a force I didn’t want to understand. Was that what Spike had noticed? Why would he be threatened by that? Nervous, I’d understand that, but threatened didn’t make much sense at all. I was feeling threatened now. He knew I was questioning his bearing. My heart started pounding in my ears. I kind of wanted to throw up a little.
Carlyle had been fidgeting to the left of us and I was glad. It was keeping me sane. When the Minakai went to open his mouth, Carlyle jumped up in between us. He squeezed his way by and pushed me back.
“She has to know the truth about Sebastian.” He threatened.
As if I thought I had been in shock before, I was sure of it, now. Carlyle, the servant to a leader, had just jumped up and interrupted him. Not that the Minakai had been speaking, but Carlyle was not granted permission. I was terrified for him now. Why were there so many outbursts today? What had happened?
The Minakai seemed to be thinking of Carlyle’s repercussions in his head. I wished that I was given permission to sit so I didn’t feel so intimidated. He took a step back and looked directly at Carlyle, though. My stomach toppled over.
“What do you think I am doing, you fool?” He sneered, leaning very closely to his face.
His eyes were wide. I wanted to move out of the path of destruction, but before I could, he pushed Carlyle aside and reached for my hand again. I wasn’t sure what to do. I was frozen still.
“I think you are trying to corrupt her!” Carlyle said, stepping back in the way.
“How dare you! I am the leader and yet you accuse me of such heinous ideas?”
“Carlyle!” I shrieked.
I didn’t want him talking anymore. I was certain he was going to lose his head for his uncontrolled words. I couldn’t bear that thought.
The Minakai held his hand out again and shook it in front of me. My very soul was telling me not to touch him. I wanted to run. I had already played that game, though. It had gotten me nowhere but circles. I looked at Carlyle for direction. I understood that I was probably on the list for head removal as well, but he seemed to be the only one honestly concerned that I got all of the truth. And I’d rather get the truth in its entirety before losing my head.
“Listen to him.” Carlyle said, pointing at the Minakai in defeat.
How could he yell at the Minakai like that, accuse him of being so wrong, but then tell me to follow his leadership? It reminded me of when Joe had thrown that fit over the doctor not giving me the tests, but then made me walk away. What was with men? Was he testing the integrity of the Minakai like Joe had been testing the importance of the exams?
I stuttered, debating a resist, but in the end, I saw no reason not to trust him. Reaching out, our hands touched with a fire that surged in my veins. My heart hiccupped as I felt myself gasping for air. I couldn’t hear anything. Everything just felt hot.
My body went limp and yet somehow, I was still standing upright. The warmth left every part of me except my cheeks. I hadn’t realized the vision I had lost until I got it back. The Minakai was right in front of me holding on to my cheeks. His eyes were closed, he was concentrating on something.
“Close your eyes, Mirabelle.” He whispered.
He said it in a way a parent would when they’ve already counted to three.
“I don’t want to.” I immediately retorted.
Regardless of the circumstance at hand, it was something I couldn’t stop myself from saying. A power out of my control forced my eyes shut, though. I was helpless. I saw everything unravel again. Every moment from meeting Sebastian until now played through my head in stop and go motion. Every stop was a moment I was hurt by him. This is my hell. I was dying.
“What are you afraid of?”
His voice echoed over the images like a bad movie.
“More lies and deception.”
“Have I ever lied to you?” The Minakai asked, opening his eyes.
Mine shot open and everything was silent and cool again. He wanted me to honestly focus on this answer. I thought about it for a second.
“Forgive me, Sir, for I don’t rightfully know. But everyone else has seemed to be so set on lying to me.” Carlyle coughed interrupting me. “Well, I guess not everyone. I’m sorry.”
“How dare you sit in this house and honor yourself as the only one worth trusting. Mirabelle, he is messing with your thoughts.” Sebastian said.
He finally walked over and included himself in the conversation.
“Like you messed with hers? You lied and cheated to make her react a certain way. Let her hear it all and then see which path she chooses. I bet it will be different than what it is now.”
“You will be so surprised, oh, brother.” Sebastian snorted.
I looked at him, and then I looked back at the Mi
nakai. I was tired of them fighting. I wanted to know everything. I wanted this over with. It was about me and what I needed to know, that’s why I was here. They were so set on being self-righteous, it seemed the part about me was slipping from their mindset.
At least the Minakai did not seem bothered by their outbursts, anymore. After a few moments, he was mumbling something and my eyes closed again. I felt lightheaded and nauseous. The room was spinning around me, I could feel it. I wanted to lie down, but he was holding me upright. Then I heard his voice. It echoed like it had before. We were back in my visions.
“Do you remember when Sebastian told you his purpose on Earth?”
I couldn’t answer just yet; the images played backwards. Had I skipped past something? It seemed to be narrowing down on something. What was it? Then I saw Sebastian in my living room, I had just turned around from standing outside. Everything slowed down to a near stop. I heard him tell me he was my guardian angel. I was watching everything play out. I was so angry with him. I flinched and my eyes opened.
“He told me he was a guardian angel. I already knew that. He and I talked about that later, and he explained to me that in retrospect he was my guardian angel. And then I even asked you, here on your couch, what he was, and you told me that he was a Myrian and the Maracores are guards. You said he was covering for himself to protect himself.” I blurted out.
“I said he was of the Myrian tribe.” The Minakai said opening his eyes.
I waited on something else to happen. Was that it? What’d it matter if I got two words wrong? The Minakai wasn’t saying anything else though. His eyes were egging me on in a way to tell me to look in another direction. Was I supposed to get more answers from Sebastian? But he could never honestly tell me what was going on. Was this the time for it?
I looked over at him and the Minakai’s hands slipped from my cheeks. Sebastian was on the couch now, sitting with his hands on his knees and fidgeting. Why was he so nervous? What could possibly be so bad for him? All his lies hurt me far worse than I had anticipated. This wasn’t going to be good.
Monsters & Fairytales Page 37
