“Stop it. That’s disturbing.”
Would his finger grow back? No. I’m not going there. I don’t even want to know. But…
“Would it grow back?”
He laughs. “Yes. But it would take several minutes.”
“Um, how about arms and legs?”
“That would require hospitalization and several days of rest.”
“So, all your parts can regrow?”
He nods. “Everything except our heads.”
Wow. I am not about to review all of his parts, but this is amazing. If it’s true. “Alright, scratch yourself.”
“But you’ve already witnessed a wound healing. Are you sure you want me to do this?”
“Yes. I was out of it before. And I really couldn’t observe what happened because of all the blood. And the pain.”
“As you wish.”
The knife must be wicked-sharp because all it takes is a touch. The cut is about two inches long, on the inside of his left forearm. A very sinewy, studly forearm. As soon as he pulls the knife away, a thin line of blood appears.
“Wipe the blood away,” he says, as he hands me a napkin.
I gently swab at the scratch, not wanting to hurt him. The blood is gone. The scratch is no longer bleeding.
“Watch carefully. Keep your eye on the wound.”
“How long will it take?”
“Shh. Just watch.”
I do. And then something truly remarkable happens. It’s like watching a time-lapse video. The scratch fades. It takes no more than a minute. It’s gone. No trace. I blow out the air I’ve been holding inside my lungs and lean back.
“So what did we prove, Ari?”
I smile, timidly. “Well, after I eliminate all which is impossible, nothing remains. So, either you are not human, or I am delusional. Tough choice, huh?”
He scratches his head and smiles. “Did you just paraphrase Sherlock Holmes?”
“Um, yes. I am very well-read for my age.”
“So you believe me?”
“I’m working on it,” I say. “But I’m curious. After my leg healed, I saw tears on your face. Were you crying for me?”
He puts his hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze. He looks a little embarrassed. “Warriors can help each other to heal. I’ve done it many times before. It’s a painful process. But this was different. I felt as if I was on fire. I felt your anguish as if it was mine. Warriors do not typically feel such intense emotion. Yet I did. I guess that makes me an enigma, too.”
“You’re making it easy for me, Davin.”
He gives me a quizzical look.
I grin. “You’re making it easy for me to believe you.”
“That’s good,” he says.
“Yeah, it is.” It’s all good. “So how did you get a mountain in Greece named after your planet?”
“It’s complicated. How about I give you the condensed story now, along with my word to fill in the details when we have more time? Unless, of course, you don’t want to see me again.” He looks at me with those gorgeous green eyes, and I know I want to see him again.
“Deal,” I say.
He nods. “When it comes to human evolution, I’m afraid your scientists are on the wrong track. The truth is that we visited Earth nearly half a million years ago and enhanced the DNA of one particularly advanced primate species. That’s how humans really evolved.”
“Hmm. If that’s true, then there really was a missing link,” I say thoughtfully.
“More like a missing catalyst,” Davin replies.
I frown. “But modern humans appeared much more recently than half a million years ago. At least that’s what I’ve been taught. The most advanced hominin of that era would have been Homo heidelbergensis.”
“I’m sure a budding paleoanthropologist must know that dating pre-human fossils is not an exact science. In fact, there are human fossils that have aged dramatically over the past hundred years,” Davin says, smiling.
“I’m aware that dating methods can be a bit inexact. So, how much time passed between your DNA manipulations and the appearance of modern humans?”
“One generation.”
“No way. That goes against everything I’ve learned. But…”
“You believe me.”
“Yeah, I do. Weird, huh?”
“Actually, it’s quite logical.”
“Yeah,” I say with a little smile. “So, did Olympians remain on Earth?”
“Yes. I guess you can say we acted as teachers.”
I’m not sure why, but the idea that Davin’s people observed the dawn of human civilization, that they played a role in human evolution, brings tears to my eyes. If what he told me is true, and I’m swiftly buying into the story, it changes everything. Human beings are neither random nor magically created. And ancient aliens are real. Oh, my…
“Ari, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Davin. I’m overwhelmed, but not in a bad way. Maybe I’ll be changing majors,” I say with a tight smile.
“You know, sometimes there is a compulsion to adapt truth to suit theories, instead of theories to suit truth. Knowing the truth, in your case, might make for a boring, and possibly frustrating, career.”
“Is that an Olympian adage?” I ask.
“Actually, I was paraphrasing Sherlock Holmes,” he answers with a grin.
I throw my head back and laugh. “You’re amazing, Davin. Do you know that?”
“Perhaps I am merely trying to impress you,” he says with a raised brow.
I roll my eyes. “So what about Olympus? Did someone do a DNA alteration on your world, too?”
He nods.
“So humans and Olympians are genetically similar?”
“Mortal Olympians and humans are genetically identical.”
“But Warriors are different?”
“Yes. Our DNA is more…advanced.”
“But you look human.”
“And so do you. But we are not. Our DNA is similar to that of humans, but it is more complex. I will explain more, but not now. Okay?”
I nod. “So, Olympians hung around Earth until the Greeks came along?”
“Yes. We stayed until human society stabilized, and then we faded into legend.”
“Are all Olympians like you?” I imagine millions of beautiful people strolling through a futuristic city somewhere. Nah, Davin has to be one-of-a-kind. He’s just too perfect.
“No. Among half a billion Olympians, there are only two thousand Warriors.”
“And among seven billion humans there is only one me? That’s why I’m an enigma?”
“Yes. You were born of mortal human parents, yet you exhibit the traits of a Warrior, which should not be possible.”
“I certainly don’t feel like a Warrior. Well, discounting the fact that I can beat up football players.”
“It’s more than your physical strength. Your body can sense the energy that only Warriors can sense. It caused the tingling you felt when you fought Luke. It’s what you feel when you touch me. As your abilities awaken, the feeling will become normal, it won’t frighten you.”
“The shock I felt when I held you on the ledge, that was your energy?”
“Mm-hmm. When we held hands, I released a small amount of energy into you. When you placed your hands on my shoulders, you absorbed a rather large amount. It was similar to what happened when you fought Luke. Your body sensed the energy and your Warrior instinct took over, drawing it in.”
“You helped me with Luke?”
“Yes. I made sure you had enough energy to defeat him…” He hesitates a moment, taking in a deep breath. “What happened between Luke and you convinced me that you were not evil. The way you handled the situation was impressive. You exhibited honor and courage.”
My little escapade may have impressed Davin, but it scared the hell out of me. “What exactly is this energy—and will I learn to control it?”
“We call it Ousia.”
�
�Oo-what?”
“OO-ZEE-AH. “It means the Essence. Once you are trained, you will be able to control it.”
It sounds a lot like the Jedi Force. “Where does it come from?”
“It is all around us. Human scientists call it dark energy.”
“Oh. I’ve read about that. But it’s theoretical. It’s never been seen.”
“That’s why they call it dark,” he says with a tilt of his head.
“I see. So how long does it take to be trained?”
“Warriors begin training years before they awaken. But you are awakening now. You will see results quickly.”
“If Warriors are not mortal, how long do they live? How old are you?”
“I’m older than I look.”
“Twenty-five?”
“No.” He looks at me with a crooked smile.
“Thirty?”
He shakes his head.
“Davin, please don’t tell me you’re as old as Yoda. You’re not that old, are you?”
He grins. “Yoda from Star Wars?”
I nod slowly.
“That’s one of my favorite movies. He was 900 when Luke Skywalker found him, right?”
“Yes. So, are you—”
He cuts me off. “Maybe we should have this discussion some other time.”
“Davin.” I use my motherly tone.
He sighs. “I am approximately one million years old.”
And I thought twenty-two was a little old? A nervous chortle escapes my throat as I ponder aloud, “Seriously? I’m attracted to a guy who is older than dirt?”
Oops.
“That’s a unique way of looking at it…” He narrows his eyes. “You are attracted to me?”
He noticed.
“I don’t know. Yes, a little.”
Oh, this is so crazy. I’m sitting next to a man who could have known Aristotle, Socrates, Moses, and Da Vinci—and I’m acting like a complete fool.
“Just a little?” he asks with a pout.
“Yeah, just a little,” I reply. “So, what about my lifespan?”
“You are a Warrior.”
“How long will I live?”
“Most likely until you are older than dirt.”
My breath catches. “Will we always look like we do now?”
“Yes.”
If this is true, I will watch my loved ones grow old and die, while I stay young. “Oh no. I have to tell Mom and Ella—”
“We have to be careful. I think it would be wise to wait until the shock of today has worn off a bit and we’ve had a chance to plan a strategy.”
He’s right. If I approach Mom now I’d probably fall apart, and she’ll think I’m nuts. Besides, there’s still a chance I’m dreaming—Ha!
“So, is that why Alex and you broke up? Because she is human and would age?”
“Yes. She had a crush on me, and I didn’t want to hurt her. So I took her out a few times. We didn’t have very much in common so our time together was a little…boring.”
He says it with a hint of regret and it makes me think of Galen. I have to tell him I don’t want to see him again. And I have to do it soon.
“Do I bore you, Davin?”
“No. You are definitely not boring.”
I frown. “I’m not sure how to take that.”
“I meant it as a compliment.”
“Thank you.”
“So, do Warriors marry? Do they have baby Warriors?”
His cheeks flush.
“You’re blushing, Davin. I didn’t know you had it in you. It’s really cute.”
He clears his throat. “Warriors and Sages marry—though we call it binding. We cannot make babies, though we can certainly…”
I hold up my hand. “I get it,” I say, as my face begins to flush.
Davin smiles, his cheeks retaining a hint of pink.
“What is a Sage?” I ask, recovering my poise.
“Warriors and Sages are similar, but a Sage’s talents tend more toward science, academics, and politics.”
“Like your aunt?”
He nods.
“So, are you married or bound…or whatever you call it?”
He looks like he’s about to crawl out of his skin. “No. I am not bound. I do not have a Promise.”
“What do you mean by Promise?”
“In Olympian culture, a Promise is what you would call a spouse. It is like husband or wife.”
“I like that word. It conveys so much more than spouse. So, aren’t you a little old to still be single?”
He has to be hiding a very juicy past.
Davin laughs out loud, which sounds like a very sexy symphony to me. “When we bind, we make a solemn oath. That’s why we call each other Promise. When we fall in love, it is for eternity. Warriors can only bind with other Warriors or Sages. There are not a lot of fish in the pond.”
“Have you ever dated another Warrior, or a Sage?”
Davin sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. I’m clearly beating him into submission with all the questions. “I’ve had a few relationships.”
“Anything serious?”
I know I’m prying, but I really want to know.
He gives me a strange look. “I was almost committed.”
“Committed?”
“When two Olympians wish to bind, they commit to each other. It is like the exchange of vows in a human marriage, except it is done privately. Within a year of the commitment, a public binding celebration takes place.”
“So, a commitment is like a trial marriage?”
“A commitment is a real marriage, but it can be dissolved before the binding celebration occurs—though that rarely happens.”
“I’m really sorry, Davin. I’m prying into your personal life and that’s wrong, but…”
“But you would like to pry a little more?” he asks with a crooked grin.
I give him a shy smile and nod.
“I don’t mind,” he says. “Her name is Reyna. We were not very compatible. Things did not work out. I broke off the relationship.”
“Did she love you?”
“Yes.”
“If Warrior love is eternal, will she ache for you—eternally?”
“No. The grief born of unrequited love fades over time. Warriors, like humans, learn to move on. Do you understand?”
“I think so. I’m glad you realized that sooner, rather than later,” I say, sounding relieved. “So, tell me about the evil people you mentioned earlier.”
His focus seems to intensify and he sits up straight. “We call them Zon, which in ancient Olympian means evil ones.”
I feel a disturbingly cold chill and my body trembles.
“Are you okay?” Davin asks.
“I’m fine. Please continue.”
Davin nods and clears his throat. “The Zon arrived shortly after Olympians evolved. Their mission was to nurture and teach. But they grew weary of the work. They became evil.”
“All of them?”
“Yes. They began to instigate violence. Then they sat idly by as Olympians slaughtered each other in war after war. Millions died and the survivors were enslaved. The Zon, who lived in palaces while mortals groveled for food and shelter, held dominion over Olympus until the Warriors defeated them. But some Zon were able to evade them. Eventually, they managed to escape through an Earth portal.”
“What exactly is an Earth portal?”
“It is a gateway through space, connecting Olympus and Earth. Instead of traveling through light-years of empty space, we simply walk through the portal.”
“Oh,” I say. “So Olympus and Earth are not really close, huh?”
“No. They are a little over a thousand light-years apart. Olympus is in a galaxy that human astronomers call Lyra.”
“That’s really far away.” I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Will I ever get to visit Olympus? Would you take me?”
“You would not be afraid?”
“Heavens, no. Adven
ture is my middle name.”
“Then I will take you. I will be your guide.”
“I’d like that,” I say. “Tell me more about the Zon. Are they as powerful as Warriors?”
“They are very powerful—but they are no match for a Warrior.”
“Are they immortal?”
“Yes.”
“Can they find me the same way you did? Can they hurt me?”
“You could be detected. And since you are not trained, they can hurt you. But you have nothing to fear. I will protect you.”
“You’ll protect me because you want to? Or because it’s your job?”
“I wouldn’t protect you if I didn’t want to.”
Excellent answer.
“Where did the Zon come from? They must have come from somewhere else. Right?”
“It’s complicated. Let’s save it for the next time we chat, okay?”
“Okay. But I won’t let you off the hook.”
“I’m sure you won’t,” he says with a little grin.
“I guess my life will never be the same,” I say softly.
He reaches over and gently strokes my cheek.
I turn to face him. I feel warm, very warm, as I realize how much I want to touch him. I’m in serious trouble.
“How do you feel?” he asks, looking concerned.
“Just a little tired. No pain.”
“And emotionally?”
“I’m good,” I lie. My insides are tied in a huge knot.
“You are not being honest with me.”
I’m not. I want to kiss him. I want…
“I—”
He cuts me off. “It’s alright. Everything will work out, Ari. I promise.”
I’m not sure if it’s the look on his face, or the fact that his mouth is inches from mine, but I lose all sense of restraint. I lean over, pressing my upper body into his.
“What are you doing, Ari?”
“This,” I whisper softly, as I brush my lips across his. He sighs and our kiss deepens to an intensity I can feel in my soul. I can feel every ripple in his muscular chest. I can feel his energy coursing through me. Every inch of me. Now that I know what it is, it doesn’t frighten me. On the contrary, it feels wonderful, as if every nerve in my body possesses a heightened ability to register pleasure. It’s a soul-wrenching, gut-clenching, nuclear explosion of a kiss. A kiss that rocks me to my core. A kiss I can’t end. A kiss I never want to end.
Ariel Rising Page 5
