Mrs. Ward gives Amber a toothy smile, the kind you give to a little child. “Dear, I’m privy to the events that will happen. Your story is weaved throughout your life. It is one of those things that you have decisions at all times. I don’t decide when you die, it’s between my sister and you. I give you options, and you pick the route. Every action will result in a reaction.” She pauses to pour herself a cup of water from the pitcher on the coffee table. “You make an A in English, your parents reward you with a gift card to go to eat pizza. On your way to the pizza place you stop at Jessie’s to pick her up. On your way out of the neighborhood a child runs out in front of your car and gets hit. If you hadn’t made the A, you wouldn’t have gone to get Jessie for pizza..and a child would live another day. For the record, that is a fictitious situation so the children are safe for another day.”
Grandma is completely enthralled with every word out of Mrs. Ward’s mouth.
“Interesting, well, I wouldn’t really call it interesting. I would call it morbid though. Didn’t you kill someone off in your first explanation to Jessie about Fate. Do you sit upstairs or wherever it is that you decide on scenarios and try to make everything with a car involved death?” Amber looks over at Caleb and I can feel his energy vibrating through him.
“Amber, be nice,” Caleb said.
“Sorry Mrs. Ward, my father over there doesn’t want me to be rude,” Amber huffs.
Grandma leans forward and rests her hands on her knees. “Excuse Amber, she has a rough life. Obviously something has brought you over here so early this morning. What is it?” Grandma asks with a hint of…what…fear?
“Erebus is getting antsy. All indications are leading me and my sisters to believe he is suspicious. When he showed up last night, I was honestly in fear that things would go astray. They didn’t, and for that, you’re lucky. I think that you should plan something with him for tonight. I’m suggesting that you take the vessel with you. Its unpredictable how it will turn out, but Fate is on your side.”
I hope so.
“Jessie, would you walk me to my car please…alone?”
Breathe, she is only the decider of your life path. “Oh…of course.” I say. I don’t mean it, but who am I to challenge Fate?
We have to walk down the center of the porch to avoid the automatic sprinklers. Her feet made little dainty footprints on the dry driveway.
“Jessica, you’re in for a challenge like no other. Keep your head clear and remember the rules. Here, I want you to have this,” she holds her hand out with one little pill in it.
She wants to drug me? “I’m sorry, but I don’t do drugs,” I say bravely.
Her head shakes back and forth. “No Jessica, it’s for Erebus, it will help you with the task.” I take the pill from her and her head leans back and her eyes roll up. The whites of her eyes are all I can see. It would probably be frowned upon if I walk away. Her eyes face forward again and her finger points at me. “Your future is fading, be careful and don’t fail.” She climbs into her car without another word to me and pulls out of the driveway. I stand there dumbfounded, wondering what the hell she meant by that.
Dammit why does everything have to have hidden messages?
~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 15
If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die ~ William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night Act 1
Amber pulled her hair into two ponytails on head like two antlers. Her black and white polka-dot dress reminds me of Betty Boop with the bright red belt. “What shoes should I wear? I think I’ll do Chucks with it,” Amber says.
“Converse, really?” I reply. I applied my peach lip-gloss and tossed it back into my purse.
“What if we have to run for our life? I don’t want to be in some type of sandal that breaks my neck.”
“Hmmm, you’re right. I’ll just flip them off my feet and run like hell. What do you think of this dress?” I ask and give a quick twirl. “You don’t think the yellow looks crazy with my blonde hair do you? Caleb might hate yellow.”
“Give me a break, Caleb wouldn’t mind if you wore a garbage bag. He adores all of you, and I do mean all of you,” she says and points to my boobs.
I whack her on the arm. “I don’t have any back fat do I?”
“I wish you did, but no…you don’t. You’re gorgeous, I like that you’re not anorexic. You’re not fat, or thick or even chubby, you’re perfect. If you tell anyone I said that, I’ll kick you with my Chucks.” We both crack up. “Come here, let’s take a picture in the mirror and post it online. It will make it more real if Otto thinks I’m looking forward to seeing him.”
“Oh, good idea. You’re scary good at manipulation,” I say.
“Yeah, it looks good for my future resume as a hit woman.” We both bust out in laughter.
Ten minutes later and we had posted about ten photos online.
“You told him that we went to the mountains and came right back because of allergies?” I ask Amber as she smears more lipstick on.
She blots her lips with toilet paper. “I did, and told him I was so stuffed up I couldn’t talk. I got a text from Jasmine, she said that her and Clark are already there. Mr. Gabe said that Ms. Murdock and a teacher by the name of Squirts or Snerts. I don’t know him, I guess that doesn’t matter really. This suck B.” She tightens her ponytails. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll meet you down there, I need a potty break.” I go in the bathroom and pick up the diamond that was hidden behind the towels. I take a final look in the mirror. I suck in and look at my side profile making sure I don’t look weird. It’ll have to do.
Sitting in the car I double check that I have the pill on me. I’m really scared. Maybe he’ll change his mind and ditch us. Yeah right.
We pull up to the neatly kept house and he is standing on the porch. On queue Amber jumps out of the car and runs into his waiting arms. I roll my eyes and turn away so my face doesn’t give me away. My heart hammering inside my chest with fear over tonight.
Thankfully the ride to the beach is void of talk. I peek back and see Amber has her head resting on his shoulder. We listen to a top 40’s station that happens to be jamming out some great tunes. My thoughts begin to run sprints in my head.
He’s going to kill us all and I’ll never turn sixteen. Mom will die if anything happens to me. This can’t be real, maybe all of New Bern is mad and I’m the only sane person?
Caleb squeezes my knee, not even his touch is doing anything to calm my spirit. She said my future is fading… what does it mean to fade? I’m going to die Caleb.
“You’re not going to die, I won’t allow it.” Caleb thought back to me. I fight away the surprised look I know I must have.
“That’s BITCHIN! Yay! I can hear you. I love you.” I look over at him and give him a secret wink.
I feel a hand on the back of my seat, and then I hear his breathing. He’s about to strangle me, right here, right now.
“Hey dude, I want to apologize about last night. I wasn’t feeling myself. All is good now though, I got my girl and her friends. I think it’ll be a great night.” Otto says.
The closer we get to Atlantic Beach the thicker the air felt. Ms. Murdock said for us to go have dinner at City Lights in the Nights. A Light Tamer’s attempt at humor I’m guessing.
Caleb puts both hands on the wheel as he carefully pulls into the parking lot of the restaurant. “Yeah, that was a little crazy last night. I hope everything is okay with you. It pissed my dad off, but I explained that isn’t how you are. Everything’s cool though.”
The sky blue building blends with the gorgeous sunset. Otto holds the door open for us and tells the hostess that we have reservations. I take comfort in Caleb’s arm as he puts it around my back. We follow the hostess to a table close to the window. Jasmine and Clark are seated on one side of the table, Caleb and I took the other.
“Hi ya’l
l, this is so awesome. My mama told me she ate here one time and it was delicious. I’ve craved me some crab cakes all day. Ya’ll want to order some as an appetizer?” Jasmine asks with a southern twang. “It’s so nice being out with other people like us, you know, bound and all.”
“Yeah, it’s amazing,” Amber says sarcastically. I nudge her under the table.
Otto unfolded his napkin and sets it in his lap. I wonder if his mythological mom taught him that. My brain works in mysterious ways. “I’m okay with crab cakes; do you want to get some Caleb?” I put my hand on his thigh, trying to ease the ill feeling that is enveloping me.
We ordered crab cakes and cheese sticks for Amber. Dinner wasn’t anything special; we talked about music and where the best place to surf is. Not that I surf, but Amber and Clark are competitive surfers. At least Amber was, until the accident and now her dad won’t let her. I know she sneaks off to do it; she has a secret surfboard and everything. Caleb and I have gone to watch her surf and we see her happiest when she is near the water.
As planned, Amber sends Otto to find out where the restrooms are. She distracts Jasmine and Clark with a story about surfing. Caleb keeps a watch out for Otto, who said he had to go to the restroom anyway. Earlier today we all agreed not to drink our drinks fast, knowing that he does. Ms. Murdock let us know that they don’t bring a fresh glass every refill. Caleb and I practiced me rewinding time so I can get the pill in his drink. Our fear was doing it around Otto, as he might not rewind correctly. He is a freakin’ god of the Underworld. Not like he’s just another kid. Amber is busy talking about surfing and I decide it is now or never. I drop the pill in the bottom of the glass and shift time flawlessly. The waitress walks over and fills his glass with tea. I give a quick stir and the pill is instantly dissolved. I should take up a job as a spy, I kinda like this.
I try not to stare at his drink, not knowing what will happen next. Will he pass out? Did I give him a truth pill? Maybe it’s psychosomatic like birth control pill sugar pills. My hand starts to tremble as I think of the next step. Everything is going to plan, although I don’t have the help of a gazillion Light Tamers.
“Oh, that looks delicious,” I say as the waiter serves our dinners. Otto or Erebus, whatever his name is, picks up his cup and takes a small sip. Can I will him to drink that damn tea?
Caleb reaches across me to help the waitress give him his plate. The shock of power from his hand brushing against my arm, literally made my hands glow. I put them in my lap and adjust my napkin to hide them from my group. I look down and can see a faint light under the table. Did you see what happened? Caleb gave me a knowing nod. What am I to do with a nod? That does squat for me. I sneak my phone out of my purse and text Caleb. WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?! Years of sneaking texts to Jersey allowed me to do it all under my napkin.
“Is everything okay?” Clark asks. The other night when he was at the house, he was dressed normal. Khaki shorts and shirt, no jewelry and designer flip flops. Tonight he is different, more trendy with leather bracelets and a pierced lip. I had a friend in New York that had a faux-hawk like his. I think his summer blonde hair looks odd, he acts like he can be a tool if he’s ticked off.
“Ah, yeah everything is fine. I’m so hungry it was almost overwhelming seeing all of the food,” I reply. I catch Amber in the corner of my eye and see her smirk.
Otto thrusts his glass of tea out for us to toast with. I look down at my hand to make sure it isn’t glowing and I pick up my glass of water. My hand is shaking a little, causing the ice to clatter against the side. We all clink our glasses and say ‘cheers’.
“You should eat Jessie, your blood sugar must be low. Your hand is shaking like a leaf.” Otto says.
I set my glass down and take a bite of my garlic bread. He’s on to us, he is acting strange. Or is it that I’m acting strange. I’m scared, this is insane. I’m an Original, what the hell does that mean anyway. One…two…three….breathe in…breathe out…one…two…three…breathe in. I prattle in my head.
“Great balls of fire, this is freakin’ amazing,” Amber blurted out. Thank heaven for a distraction away from me and my guilty conscience. Jasmine and her get into a discussion about who’s dinner is better.
Only a minute or two passes and Otto announces he has to be excused for a minute. He steadies himself with the table as he stands up straight. I feel my stomach threatening to redecorate the table. Caleb scoots closer to me. Otto makes it all the way to the next table and like a tree he crashes down.
The people at the neighboring table gasp at the sight of his lifeless body hitting the floor. Crap, we killed him. That will surely have someone from the Underworld come hunting him down. I follow Caleb as he gets on the floor and checks on Otto.
“Listen up everyone, I’m sorry for the inconvenience but I must ask you to gather your things and leave. Our customer is a regular and he has a certain illness that will take a while for him to wake up. Dinner is on the house tonight. If your wait-staff was to your liking, remember to leave the appropriate tips. I can afford to give you dinner, they can’t afford not to be able to feed their family dinner.” An older version of the hostess announces. “Thank you for coming to dinner. Good-night.” She locks the door behind the last person. The blinds are all pulled and the outside lights are turned off.
From the kitchen comes ten more Light Tamers from the meeting. How in the world does everyone know about this?
“Leave it to Amber to get the alert out, she has mad texting skills,” Caleb says. “Everyone, we need to hurry. Please gather in a circle.”
Otto moves his arm. Holy mother of all things sacred, he’s waking up! His body stays lifeless. I don’t see any rapid eye movement to betray him. I set the diamond on the floor near his feet.
“Everyone, I want you to hold hands,” I say and take Amber and Caleb’s hand in mine. I take a deep breath and tap into my inner voice that is screaming in my head. “Focus on the light, your light from within. We are banishing Erebus consort to Nyx, he is the god of darkness. Our strength of healing and light will overcome the darkness. We are the catalyst to remove him from our world. Back to the Underworld and never return Erebus!” I yell, not knowing how I knew what to say.
In a swift moment Erebus is upright, eyes wide and face twisted up. “You child! Who do you think you’re dealing with, a mere human? Damn you all to darkness…I see the desire behind your smiles and childish ways. Amber, you can be my queen. I see your proclivity to the dark. You know you want it!” He holds his hand out to Amber. Like a moth to a flame I watch her get sucked into some type of trance.
“AMBER! He is lying to you! He is DARK, you are LIGHT. Stay with me, your bond partner is out there, we will find him,” I yell at her. Her face is full of desire and yearning to go with him. “Erebus, you are NOTHING TO US! You don’t belong here, I banish you to the UNDERWORLD. I lift my hands up and a ring of light appears above our heads. Amber pulls on my hands to be free. “Don’t let go of her Clark!” I scream.
“You all will be cursed for every day you walk this earth. I will return, stronger and you won’t have the vessel.” He reaches for the diamond, I watch as an arc from the ring of light to the diamond stretches across us.
“Amber my love, I’ll be back for you…maybe not tomorrow, but one day.” He turns and faces me… “I’ll love every moment of your death. Here’s a little reminder.” He reaches across and growls with anger. His hand brushes my forehead, shooting visions of the future to me…one of darkness. Less than a moment, he pulls my hand as he is whisked away.
Amber loses grip on me… her blood curdling screams vibrate through my soul. The silence takes me. I’m gone forever, one touch, in one moment, I’m gone from earth. No more Caleb, no mom or dad…the end has come. Wait, can I? Is it possible to reverse the end? Time, take back the seconds…how long is fifteen seconds when forever is gone?
“Do it baby, come back. I love you, come back to me. I can’t take your light, please… you can Chazzle back
to us. Jessie, your smile must be seen every day of my life. Please come back to me, I need you. You are my water, my light, my love, my desire, my forever…come back!” The male voice in my head says to me frantically. Chazzle? Oh, right, I can get back fifteen seconds. It is over. Take me back to my love, into his arms, where I belong.
Falling…I’m falling into…out of…no, I’m out of the abyss. My body is like a wet noodle, falling. There is Caleb, I reach out to him as I fall…and then…it happens. His hand touches me as he breaks my fall. A cry out from the boy named Caleb. He screams and fear is surrounding me. I’m disconnected…what does that mean? Sharp jolts of pain run through me as the arms hold me, rock me…leans over and kisses me. It’s different. It feels odd…that kiss doesn’t fit me. Oh but his arms are strong…I snuggle into him. He is the one that I belong with now.
The Light Tamer (The Light Tamer Trilogy) Page 14
