by Suzi Davis
David’s black eyes narrowed, his displeasure clear.
“It would benefit you to be more forthcoming, Caoilinn.” There was a new dangerous edge to his voice.
“Perhaps,” I agreed ambiguously. “But I don’t care to discuss any of this with you.” I sighed, feigning boredom as I turned to stare out my window, my heart racing. Thankfully, the conversation ended then and there.
I had only the faintest idea of where we were going and what would happen once we arrived. I was terrified about what was happening to Sebastian in his vehicle and could only hope that we would be reunited soon and I would find him unharmed. I knew within a few hours I would be entering a dragon’s lair where I’d be badly outnumbered and fighting for both mine and Sebastian’s lives. The only weapons I had were my wits, my patchy memories from a life lived two thousand years ago and a premonition about an obscure Irish legend that was possibly referenced by one of Sebastian’s tattoos. I tried to hold on to my feelings of confidence and unwavering, emotionless, calm but it was hard. I had a few more hours before we arrived at the Necromanteion and I had to figure out exactly what my plan was before Sebastian and I were at the mercy of the thirteen Others.
David drove straight for the next three and a half hours without stopping for food, drinks or any other reason. I supposed that the Others in the vehicle didn’t want to feel hungry so they weren’t but whether it was because I was unable to focus or because they wanted me to be as uncomfortable as possible, I felt half-starved. My throat was parched, my head was pounding and my legs were cramping up from sitting so long. Despite it all, I projected an image of calm, cold, composure, spending most of the drive staring out the window with my head tipped back against the seat and my eyes closed. I tried my best to focus, to meditate, to relax and to plan but it was all to no avail. Ice cold panic was slowly creeping into my bones and freezing my heart as I realized I had no idea what I was doing and that there was a very good chance that Sebastian and I were both about to die.
It was Jai’s voice that attracted my attention and broke me from my silent fretting.
“Parga,” he murmured from behind me. I lifted my head from where I’d been resting it against the window’s glass and blinked my eyes, looking around.
We were just coming into what would appear to be the center of a beautiful, seaside town. The city was built up on a hill, the clean, bright buildings piled up on top of one another as the hill climbed away from the sparkling, blue ocean. Low, rocky mountains covered in green grass and trees surrounded the city, rolling and flowing into the distance beyond. The closer we drove to the ocean, the more tourists there appeared to be. People flocked to the sandy beaches that stretched out alongside the warm, Mediterranean ocean and were dotted with bright white beach umbrellas and towels. Numerous sailboats were in the large bay, their white sails contrasting against the ocean’s deep, turquoise-blue. It was a beautiful sight but there was no way I could possibly enjoy it.
We slowed down as we approached the harbor and David pulled into the large parking lot near the docks. There just happened to be two parking spaces available, side-by-side. The other black SUV pulled in beside us seconds after we had parked and I could already recognize Sebastian’s profile through the dark, tinted glass of the front passenger seat. I tried not to appear too relieved, I tried not to feel too much of anything. I had to remain focused and in control – it was the only chance we had.
David, Jai, Nathaniel and myself got out of our SUV first and moved around to wait by the vehicle’s rear. David tapped his foot impatiently while we waited for the others to join us. The short and stocky, Greek boy who I’d briefly glimpsed before we left Thessaloniki (who must be Krystos) hopped out of the driver’s seat. He had dark brown hair, a mischievous smile and surprisingly warm and friendly eyes. Darius climbed out the back seat of the vehicle on the passenger side while red-headed Charlie climbed out of the other rear seat. Another attractive young man who I hadn’t yet met followed Charlie out. He had blond hair, bright blue eyes, chiseled features and muscular arms, that appeared to be almost as powerful as Darius’. That left only Sebastian who didn’t appear to be moving.
“Get him out,” David instructed, gesturing impatiently.
I watched silently and without outwardly displaying any emotion. I still had to fight my apprehension as Darius leant forward and reached for the door with a purely evil smile. Just before his hand touched the handle the door flew open with unnecessary force and unpredictable speed, slamming into Darius’s large form and knocking him back into the side of our SUV. The door had somehow caught him in the face and a trickle of blood ran from the side of his mouth.
Sebastian smoothly slid out of the car, a tight, bitter smile twisting his mouth. I immediately noticed his swollen lower lip and the dark bruise along his cheekbone. He stood slightly hunched over as if it hurt him to straighten up and he was obviously favoring his weight on one side.
“You bastard,” Darius growled, wiping the blood from his mouth and glaring at Sebastian with enraged eyes. He took a menacing step forward. Sebastian stood his ground, watching Darius with a dangerous look of his own.
“Leave him,” David snapped, his sharp tone immediately halting Darius’s advance.
“He owes me blood.”
“Leave him,” David repeated. “I wanted him out of the vehicle and he’s out. I warned you not to become complacent with either of them.”
“That would certainly be a mistake,” Sebastian agreed, boldly limping past Darius and coming right up to my side. He ignored all of the Others as if they didn’t exist, an impressive feat considering we were closely surrounded by the seven of them.
“They didn’t hurt you, did they?” he asked me quietly, his eyes intense, his tone urgent. I could feel his eyes scanning me over, taking inventory and looking for any possible signs of harm or discomfort as I had just done with him.
“Who would dare?” I murmured back, speaking just loudly enough that some of the Others might overhear. Sebastian relaxed slightly and even looked like he might smile for a second. “What did they do to you?” I raised my voice slightly more this time, ensuring the Others heard my sweet and disapproving tone. Several of them shifted uncomfortably, causing Sebastian to arch a questioning brow.
“I didn’t want him to attack me!” Darius half-yelled, cutting off Sebastian’s response as he punched the SUV door closed with his fist. A large dent was left in the metal but Darius didn’t even flinch. His face was flushed bright red and beads of sweat were forming against his forehead, clinging to his spiky, dirty-blonde hair.
“You just didn’t think he’d dare try it again, not after what you put him through,” Krystos commented with a laugh. “You probably actually wanted a reason to hit him.” I wasn’t quite sure what to think of him, even his low voice was friendly. He looked like the kind of guy who would always keep the mood light and be ready for a good laugh. He was the complete opposite of the image I’d conjured of the Others in my mind. There was absolutely nothing dangerous or threatening about him. I tried to keep David’s warning about complacency in mind.
“We had a fun ride,” Charlie commented with a half-smile. He appeared to be addressing his comment towards either David or myself, it was difficult to tell as he didn’t entirely meet either of our eyes.
“Let’s just get down to the boat,” Jai cut-in. He was definitely nervous, his eyes constantly shifting and small beads of sweat forming on his forehead also. I wasn’t sure exactly what was shaking them but I could only hope it had something to do with me.
“Where are you taking us?” Sebastian demanded, slipping his hand into mine as he spoke.
“The Necromanteion,” I answered. Sebastian turned to look at me sharply, the name obviously meaning more to him than it did to me. The Others who had been riding in the other vehicle also looked surprised that I had been kept so well-informed.
The blonde beefcake who had been silent until then, stepped forward. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Lead the way, Francois,” David replied, gesturing to the side of the parking area where a long ramp led down to the dock.
The blonde nodded his agreement and then marched ahead, leading our small group, with Sebastian, David and I in the center, down towards the dock.
I hadn’t spent much time on sailboats growing up. My father didn’t sail, my mother wasn’t the outdoorsy type and I was rarely allowed to go out unaccompanied. The few times I had been out on the ocean was with Clarke and his family and despite the company, my memories of sailing were surprisingly pleasant. I enjoyed the feel of the wind on my face and in my hair, the smell of the sea and the sound of the boat cutting through the splashing waves and bouncing gently on the water. I felt almost disappointed when Francois, the platinum blonde leading the way, brought our group to a stop in front of a completely ordinary-looking motorboat with no sails. The paint was peeling in places and barnacles were growing just below the water line. It was fair-sized but there would only just be enough room for the nine of us.
“Krystos, Darius, take them into the cabin,” David instructed as we climbed aboard. I idly wondered why the others deferred to him so easily and if it had something to do with his previous friendship with Sebastian? It wasn’t a topic I was about to bring up.
Sebastian boarded ahead of me and then gallantly offered his hand. That he could still be so considerate and such a gentleman despite the dire circumstances and his obvious injuries was endearing in the most deep and painful way. He looked at me strangely as I took his hand, reading the powerful emotions I thought I had hidden in my eyes. It made my heart and soul ache, knowing that in such a short time, I would have no choice but to say goodbye to him.
“This way,” Krystos said with a smile. He had hopped aboard just after me and was now gesturing towards the open cabin door. I eyed the small space with distaste.
“I’d rather remain above deck.”
“So would I,” he agreed, glancing up quickly to look longingly at the warm, summer sky stretching out above us. “But this is the way it must be.”
“Move it!” Darius barked from behind us. I felt him step on board as the boat shifted under his heavy weight. I slowly turned to come face-to-face with him.
“Do not speak to me in such a tone,” I commanded in my sweetest and deadliest voice. In that moment, I could feel Caoilinn’s spirit alive within me and I wasn’t afraid at all. I met his gaze with my own piercing, sapphire eyes and wasn’t surprised when he looked away.
“I’ll do what I want to,” he growled, though he still didn’t meet my eye.
I continued to glare at him. I was vaguely aware of the others watching – some with curiosity, others with open wariness and apprehension. I took a step closer to him, ignoring Sebastian’s sudden hand on my arm. I waited until Darius finally looked up and met my eye, and then I lowered my voice to a soft and seductive caress.
“If you think what you want still matters, you’re even stupider than you look,” I warned, the words springing to my lips automatically and without thought. “And once you understand what I want, you will regret the choices you have made today with every aspect of your minuscule existence and be begging for my forgiveness.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together tightly. I thought some of the redness might have been washed from his pallor.
“Caoilinn!” David’s voice snapped from the dock. He pushed his way forward and boarded the ship with one smooth stride. “Do I need to watch you at all times myself?”
“Whatever you want,” I replied innocently. I carefully slid my hand into Sebastian’s and then led him past Krystos and the Others and into the awaiting cabin, gliding gracefully forward with my head held high. I had never felt so alive. It was empowering to face danger so boldly with such unwavering confidence, and suddenly, I wondered if my wants might just be powerful enough, if I dared to risk it all?
After a sharp gesture from David, Krystos and Darius followed us into the cabin. It was a small and dismal space with just enough room for the four of us to sit around the square table, Sebastian and I on one side and our guards on the other. There were two small windows letting in a bit of natural light but it was still dark and gloomy within. The cabin entrance was narrow and the dark cupboards and clutter-filled shelves only added to the feeling of claustrophobia. I sighed impertinently.
“I hope we won’t be going too far,” I commented to the air. Darius ignored me but Krystos met my questioning glance with a ready smile.
“Just upriver a little ways, it won’t take too long,” he assured me, almost cheerfully. It was strange to have to fight the urge to smile back.
“How does The Order use the Necromanteion as their temple? Isn’t it a tourist site?” Sebastian asked.
“We only meet there occasionally; we aren’t disturbed if we don’t want to be,” Krystos explained.
“Shut up!” Darius snapped, slamming his hand against the table in irritation. “David said no talking.”
I arched a cool eyebrow at him. “Did he?”
“Yes,” Darius hissed back but again, without meeting my eye.
“This is going to be a boring boat ride,” I commented.
“It can’t be any worse than the trip here,” Sebastian pointed out, copying my dry, sarcastic tone. Krystos grinned at us but didn’t say anything else. Darius glowered.
“Tell me more about the Necromanteion?” I politely requested, speaking only to Sebastian but including Krystos in my gaze.
“I’m afraid it’ll have to wait,” Krystos cut-in apologetically.
Just then the boat’s motor started up, the noise filled the small cabin and drowned out all chances of continuing our conversation. The objects on the shelves began to rattle and vibrate as the boat slowly pulled away from the dock, the gentle rocking motion increasing as we moved further out into the waves and open sea.
I sighed, leaning into Sebastian’s side and trying to appear relaxed. Inside, I was nauseous, exhausted and growing more apprehensive by the second. I closed my eyes, shutting out the world so that I might focus on defining my vague plan and fully committing myself to my chosen course of action. I knew that the only way my plan could possibly work was if I wanted this with one hundred percent certainty.
As we traveled out of the harbor and around the narrow point of land, I caught the occasional glimpse out the window of pristine, turquoise waters and high cliffs and coves along the shore. Our speed increased and the waters gradually grew choppier, the gentle lurch of our boat becoming more of a rough, tossing bounce through the wild waves that jarred my bones and eventually broke my concentration.
The boat slowed down again as we began navigating the rougher waters. I could see out the small window that we were passing quite closely to large, jagged rock formations that rose out of the water like deadly fangs, ready to crush and consume our vessel.
“We’re entering the Acheron delta now,” Krystos shouted out over the noise of the boat’s motor. Darius glared at him but Krystos just shrugged and grinned. I looked to Sebastian questioningly and he bent his head to speak directly in my ear. He still had to yell to be heard.
“We’ll be traveling up the Acheron River – known in mythology as the River Styx.”
I frowned and he turned his head, offering his ear to my lips.
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
He met my eyes and his own were full of worry and fear. He squeezed my hand tightly beneath the table.
“I’ll save you somehow,” he promised, lowering his voice so I could barely hear him despite his lips and breath brushing against my ear as he spoke.
I smiled, and sadly kissed his cheek before he pulled away. I didn’t dare say what I was thinking aloud, not even to him. I was beyond saving – we all were.
As our boat slowly putted upstream, the door to our cabin opened and Francois gestured for us to come above deck. I was more than happy to oblige but rose slowly, following Sebastian out of the cabin
with a steady and dignified grace.
There was little room for us above deck. We were forced to stand, crowded in amongst the Others. I guessed that we were nearing our destination now and looked around with a mix of anticipation and dread.
I could see why the Acheron River was thought to be the mythological River Styx – the river that the Ancient Greeks believed one must travel to enter the Underworld, the world of the dead. The trees that lined each side of the river rose up thickly and blocked out much of the day’s bright sun, their boughs dipped into the dark and muddy waters. Flies buzzed in the air and there was a disturbing scent of rot and decay that clung to the humid breeze. Despite our boat’s loud motor, there was a strange and heavy silence that weighed down upon us along with the stifling heat. No matter how calm and composed I was trying to appear, I couldn’t push aside the creeping sense of unease that was shadowing my heart and chilling my soul. I could see it affecting the Others too, their expressions growing even more solemn, their eyes darting around uneasily, their stances shifting and their confidence wavering. Only David appeared to be unaffected. He was as cold and calm as ever.
David cut the motor and let the boat drift up to a small dock that had appeared on the side of the river, nearly hidden amongst the shadows and tall reeds. Nathaniel and Charlie easily leapt from the boat and onto the wooden dock, tying the ropes and securing the motorboat with a practiced ease.
The flies buzzed around us and the water quietly lapped at the boat’s sides. Every now and again the boat would bump noisily against the dock, making us all flinch at the loud, knocking sound. A sickly, warm breeze stirred the air and sent chills down my spine. I clutched onto Sebastian’s hand tightly.
“Let’s go.” David’s voice cut through the eerie silence.
He stepped up onto the rail of the boat and stood balanced with one foot on the dock. He turned around, holding his hand out towards me just as gallantly as Sebastian had done. There was nothing warm about his expression or the look in his eyes, he seemed to be taunting me, daring me to take him up on his challenge.
