Two Halves Box Set

by Marta Szemik

  “So, what I dreamt wasn’t real?” I pressed my hand to my throat to stop my vibrating vocal cords while William concentrated on the patterned wall.

  “We don’t know what you dreamt.”

  I exhaled.

  William’s sinful eyes held mine. “The dreams were meant to show our relationship the way it’s supposed to be. What you know about me from your dreams will be true. I hope I’ve been good,” he drawled and smiled, the turquoise gems of his eyes piercing my soul.

  I allowed the double entendre of the lengthened “good” to hang there. “You’ve been my best friend, William. You’ve been my only confidant. We . . . We shared a very close bond.” I bit my bottom lip.

  William’s smile was ingenuous. He stared at me, as if trying to read my thoughts. I wasn’t sure how much of our dream affair I could reveal.

  William touched my finger with his lips and kissed it, then a second one and a third. He continued playing with them until I wanted his lips to tease more than the fingers. The music was fast, but we moved to our own beat, following the rhythm of our hearts. The floor emptied. We were the only ones in the club. My face rested between his palms—where it belonged. I tangled my fingers into his soft hair, and he placed his mouth over my swollen upper lip; I did the same to his lower lip. The gentle kiss rushed through me like a falling star, and I wondered what feelings a fiercer exchange would bring. How blissful could the pleasure of fully kissing William be? I arched my back toward him, signalling for more. His hands glided up my body and held me tight, his contours pressed full-length against mine. All the contours I longed for.

  The headlights of a car parking in the motel lot brought me back. I tried to continue until I saw his face and realized I’d given away more than I’d wanted to. To hide my embarrassment, I cleared my throat. “You were someone I could rely upon and trust. I didn’t have anyone like that, except Mira and Xander.” My smile faded. “I miss them. They must be worried about me. Didn’t you say you knew Mira? How? Why didn’t she say anything?”

  “Your friends will understand. It’s not surprising you felt comfortable around them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve known Mira and Xander for a while now. They’re your watchers. More precisely, they’re shapeshifters assigned with the task of protecting you.” William moved closer to my side.

  “I knew they were hiding something!” I chewed my thumb.

  “Just like you have been,” he reminded me.

  “Right.”

  “Mira and her brother are unique. They’re stronger than many demons with exceptional skills. They can switch their appearance instantly. They change their looks to fit their surroundings.”

  So many incidents now made sense. Was that the only reason they became my friends? To protect me? I didn’t want to believe Mira and Xander were only doing their job. How could I know someone so well and not know them at all?

  Guilt swept through me. Did the siblings think I was dishonest with them, having never shared my secret? Despite our trust, I’d never let it slip.

  “We’ve deceived each other when we were supposed to be best friends,” I said aloud.

  “Your well-being was their priority, and they do care about you.” William took my hand.

  “But she grew up with me! Her body changed like mine. She got older. I’ve known them since we were kids.”

  “Yes, because they’re shapeshifters,” William repeated, his voice patient. “All they have to do is think what or who they want to look like, and it happens. Their growth was just part of their shifting. They chose to look the way they did to help you. Mira and Xander needed to befriend you, to be close to you, but still keep your secret.”

  Wanting to groan, I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I wish I had known. There are so many things I could have told her.”

  “We can’t control everything in our life. I’m surprised you’ve kept your secret so well. Watchers and shapeshifters can be persuasive.”

  “They’re not like that. They’re my friends.” I sighed, gazing at William from the side.

  “Yes, they are. Mira and Xander would not have done anything to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  “No, they wouldn’t.” My memory of the siblings seemed distant. So much had happened since I’d last seen them. I missed them and wondered where they were. Surely they would check up on me at the store What would they do when they found it destroyed? I cringed at the thought of all my flowers and shrubs lying dead and dried up on the store’s floor. My life’s work. Ruined. Destroyed.

  “Perhaps it was for your own good, not to know. Your mind could not have been strong enough and you’d be giving away your thoughts about the siblings—it could have lead the seekers to your thoughts, and to you. They would have found you even quicker.” William sighed.

  It all made sense. I couldn’t hold a grudge against my friends for long. “Do they have any other secret skills I’m not aware of?” I rolled my eyes.

  “Animals.” He chuckled. “They talk to animals and control their behaviour. They can use them to protect themselves, to fight with them, or avoid being hurt by the animal.”

  “Any animal?” I widened my eyes.

  “Yes.”

  The camping incident when the bear was about to attack me and suddenly fled. Xander! I’m going to get you for that! The bees in the lunch room that swarmed around Chris after he taunted me in the woods. Was Mira responsible for the mouse that ran up Carmen’s pants after he threw the spit ball? I chuckled.

  I released the tension in my neck, and wondered whether the connection I had with Mira was one of true friendship or forced. No, I trusted the siblings. Our friendship was true. And perhaps our connection was strong because we weren’t human, at least not completely.

  I lifted my head off William’s shoulder. His face came closer to mine and I did not move away. My hand was back on his chest. It didn’t hurt this time. My intention was only to feel the heart that I knew. I didn’t want to pull away—not that doing so would be easy since William’s hand was still on top of mine, pressing gently.

  “I feel I know you already. You were so real in my dreams. So many of my dreams actually become real, but I never questioned your presence there.” I whispered. “I dream of future events—I just don’t know when they will happen.” I shifted my weight from side to side.

  “Like I said before, those dreams were placed there so you could trust me—”

  “No, I can foretell the future. My dreams become real—I know which ones will become reality.” I widened my eyes and hoped he would understand what I said. Beside Hannah, William was the first person I’d ever told about my abilities.

  “I believe you, Sarah. You have a gift.” He stopped, as if unsure if he should continue. “I’m guessing it’s the side effect of Castall’s spell.”

  “So the warlock knew you’d come to see me one day.”

  “Yes. He did. There are only the two of us in the world. It’s natural we’d be drawn to each other. The same way gravity keeps us grounded, we are pulled together to be complete.”

  William’s voice was calming.

  He was the same William from my dreams after all. I sighed, and my heart skipped a beat, and I heard his do the same. Our gazes met. “Did you feel that?” I whispered.

  “Yes. I’m not sure how our hearts fit into everything, but their rhythm is connected.” William placed my hand on my lap and stood to pace again.

  “How much do you know about me? Did you dream of me? Is that how it works?”

  “No, I only knew about you from my parents and Helen. They told me it would be dangerous for us to be close to each other.”

  “We’re close now.” I stepped into his path to make my point.

  “A lot closer than now—without fabric between us.” He tugged at my T-shirt.

  I was getting used to the flirting and liked it. “Dangerous how?” I teased.

  We leaned in. The heat from his body jumped to warm min
e.

  “Well, we’re quite powerful by ourselves, although you probably don’t know your true strength and potential. Think of what we could do together.” William rested his hands on my hips and pulled me toward him. I drew a sharp breath and held it. “Think how you’d feel if you didn’t have to take the serum to dream. If the spell allowed you to have premonitions when you felt comfortable, peaceful, and safe in your dreams, do you think you could have them when you’re feeling the same kind of comfort without sleeping, without dreaming? If you embraced that other half you’ve been suppressing—without fear—I’m sure you’d be able to foresee the future.” He tightened his grip.

  It wasn’t a question; it was a statement. William spoke with such assurance that I felt it could happen. Was he suggesting I could be a fortune teller? A psychic? How ironic that word seemed. Eros’ Psyche. William’s Psych.

  He lifted his hands to my shoulders and gently pushed me down to sit on the bed again. “We are the offspring like no other: the best vampire traits, with additional qualities, and the best human traits. Almost flawless.”

  “And what exactly are the best human traits? From what you’re saying, human beings are inferior to those in the underworld.”

  “But most humans value life—all kinds of life. If they found extraterrestrial life, they’d value that, too,” William countered with softened eyes. “Look at you. How much did you want to be human? How hard did you work and what have you sacrificed to be mortal? That’s not something you can learn or achieve by casting a spell. It’s something within you.” He patted his chest. “It can only be there already, and be intensified.”

  William spoke with passion and confidence. Being half human was just as important to him as half vampire. He understood his purpose, and I was part of his life now. I was the last puzzle piece he’d been looking for.

  “Okay, but how can you say vampire traits are good? Look at what I did to my mother. And now you’re in danger, because of me.”

  “No, it’s not because of you. I found you because I need you. If they found you . . .” He hissed with anger. “If anything happened to you . . .” William walked to the other end of the room and leaned his fists against the wall, his head lowered between his arms. He shook his head from side to side. “I could not go on.”

  After a moment, he pushed back from the wall and turned toward me. “We can bring peace to both worlds. Demons create chaos every day to speed human extinction: the oil spill in the gulf, the financial crisis, wars, famine, tsunamis, hurricanes.” He returned to take my hands in his. “They cast spells to create droughts, and nature has to balance it with floods. They’re expecting humans to self-destruct. They’re playing humans the same way they do vampires, hoping they’ll become extinct, and you know what that means for vampires, right?”

  I nodded reluctantly.

  “The demons can sense everything about humankind, but it’s harder for them to sense us as vampires, especially with the serums, which confuse them. The serums I’ve develop will help us approach their caves undetected.”

  “So, you want us to go to the underworld?”

  “Yes, but not to fight the demons. It’s not time for that yet.” There was intensity in his voice as he sat by my side.

  “For your parents. You want to find them.”

  He took my hands in his—where they naturally belonged. “Yes. I think they’re still alive, and so is your father. It’s the best leverage Aseret has.”

  I tensed. “He’s expecting us to come.”

  “Yes, he is. We’ll go prepared—once you’re ready.” He kissed my forehead.

  A rush of new energy flew through me, as if I’d been connected to an electrical outlet. I straightened my back. He squeezed my hands and I tightened my fingers around his. “And I assume you’ll get me ready.”

  “Yes, I will,” William said firmly, and grinned. “Once we get to the cabin, you’ll see how powerful you are. And I’m curious to see what we can do together.” He winked.

  I felt my mouth curve in a nervous smile. “This goes against everything I thought was true. Even Helen told me to suppress the dark instincts.” My stomach gave a tug, belying the words that came out of my mouth. My pulse wanted to quicken, but I fought against a current of something new in my bloodstream that flowed in the other direction.

  William moved closer. “Helen didn’t know everything. She took her sister’s death hard, but I wish she hadn’t been so dramatic. Sometimes less information is more—you do less damage.” His grip tightened as he leaned closer to whisper in my ear, “Do it for your parents, and their love. They fought to bring peace. They fought for a miracle that would define their love. You are that miracle, Sarah. You must know that.”

  “I think I do.” I allowed his scent to flow into my lungs, hoping the drug would kick in the way it had in the park, but it didn’t. He was so close. It made it difficult not to kiss him. “Are we mortal?”

  “There’s no pattern in the way we age. When I’m with you, when I feel my heartbeat change, time slows down. Anyone can be killed, including those in the underworld. It’s all about the energy needed to kill them. But I will not allow that to happen to you—to us.” His chin came up.

  Us.

  Inside, I promised myself not to be separated from William. I couldn’t allow it; I couldn’t allow my heart to go back to its normal beat. It would not feel right—it would not be right. Yet somehow, the pressure constantly pushed against my chest like the veins weren’t thick enough to support the flow of blood into my heart.

  The middle of my ribcage itched, as if healing from a wound. The feeling confused me—I’d never had a scar in my life and cuts healed in seconds so I never had the time to itch the injury.

  I dismissed the ache and looked at him from under my eyelashes. “You said we are vampires with additional qualities. Is one of your qualities ‘unbelievably handsome’?”

  “I wish.” William took a deep breath. “I had a spell cast on me, as well; one to make me fearless.” He looked at me as if waiting for a reply, but his eyes glazed over, as if he was lost in thought. His jaw tightened.

  “Here I thought you were my knight in shining armour, but you were getting magical help after all,” I teased.

  William half smiled. “The side effect of my spell was fiercer than yours. I’m able to sense people’s—or demons’, for that matter—worst fears and greatest desires.” His eyes focused on me. Thinking about my own fears made me swallow. “But that isn’t the worst part. I can manifest these fears into reality and make my victims live their nightmare. It can stop them in their tracks, break their concentration . . . and maybe make them lose their mind.” William’s eyes again grew distant again. I touched his face. He shivered and caught my hand, holding it in his.

  “So if someone fears drowning in a swimming pool, you could make the pool appear?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “What if it’s an ocean? How do you do that?”

  “No, I wouldn’t have to make the ocean appear.” He forced a laugh. “We would use a time vortex to travel to the ocean, and it would happen there.”

  I frowned. “Time vortex?”

  “We would appear there as soon as I let the thought through,” he explained.

  “I don’t believe it,” I said, my voice flat.

  “Do you want to find out?” His grin deepened the dimples in his cheeks.

  My eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  He laughed, but behind William’s eyes, I noticed a spark.

  “Why can’t we use a time vortex now?”

  “I can’t make it happen unless the right amount of true fear or desire is present; it’s hard to change your innermost feelings.”

  “Wow.” I shook my shoulders, letting the shudder continue through my body. Then I remembered the orchid on his hand and showed my wrist with the identical flower. “How did you get your tattoo?”

  “Helen sent me a picture of yours. I loved the idea of having the orchid
so close to me, feeling its power and protection.” William smiled.

  “Copycat!” I joked

  “I’ll remove it if you’d like me to.”

  “No! I really like it.” I sighed. “We must be connected somehow.”

  “Now you believe me?”

  “I don’t think I ever doubted you—after all, I’ve known you all my life.” I smirked.

  He showed a kind smile.

  I yawned.

  “You’re tired.” He lifted the covers beside me and plumped the pillow.

  “I’m not tired.” I yawned again.

  “It’s the serum. Your body’s not used to so many injections. Lie down. If you don’t want to sleep, you don’t have to. Just relax.”

  I couldn’t argue with William. Though I didn’t need to sleep, he insisted I rest on the only bed in the room. He settled in the chair. As I thought about all I’d learned, I finally, involuntarily, doze off.

  For the first time since her death, I dreamt a memory of Helen:

  We were planting tomatoes in the backyard. She wore her favourite flower-printed dress, its skirt gracefully dancing in the wind.

  “Are there others like me?” I asked.

  Helen was quiet for a moment. “There are many beings in the world, all of whom must be respected. We all have a reason to be here, although that purpose does not always reveal itself when we want to know.”

  That hadn’t answered my question. “What do you think my purpose is?” I pressed.

  “You’re the only one who can figure that out, dear. If you have trouble doing that, I’m sure you’ll meet someone who’ll be able to help you. Then you’ll know it in your heart, the way I do, how special you are.”

  Helen had known this would happen. She knew I would meet William.

  After two hours of sound sleep I awoke feeling a newfound peace. A set path I recognized had been unveiled in front of me and I knew what I had to do. It didn’t matter who I was. What mattered was that I was created to bring peace. If I could change one life for the better, I’d have justified my existence. Maybe I could save my father, who had given up his freedom for me. Maybe I could honor my mother, who had given up her life for me. If that meant going to the underworld with William, then that’s what I would do. Finally, I accepted who I was—both of my halves. With a sucked in breath, my heart skipped a beat.