“It would appear we need to find this ‘vessel’ then. I will be in the deep chambers consulting with He Whom We Serve and trying to uncover its identity.” Titus slurs and disappears into the shadows that have become so homely over the years to us all. The shadows on the walls represent the darkness within and, for a moment, I can’t help but wonder if I have, perhaps, become too comfortable and lost the mission object I set out to complete. To have ultimate power, rule the seas, and supplant Titus. To have the Necrimad serving me instead of us begging for scraps worth only a thousandth of its power. To be one half of the greatest power in the world, causing the ultimate massacre, as master manipulator. To be the only one left standing on the day of rapture. But first, I sigh, I need to remove Titus. I needed to get the threat of the agony he can cause within a few moments out of the way. Without that threat to me, and my connections within this watery domain, I can easily manipulate the others to do my bidding and help me harness the power of the Necrimad, rather than bowing before it. It should be easy to achieve Titus’ downfall, because his anger makes him reckless. I will bide my time patiently, until the opportune moment comes to rise above and rule over the pitiful that live on this godforsaken planet. I will rule.
CALLIE
The glowing wonder of the Occulta Mirum is soon upon us. We swim, feeling the water move over us like silk, silent and soft, from the melancholy moonlight of our revelations and toward the rising sun and our people. We hold hands as the auburn glow hits the surface of the world’s early hours with a glint, like the first melting snowflake of spring. The rhythmic flow of our forms undulates against the current, beating heavy together like our hearts. My mind is finding calm among the bustling shoals of fish, newly awake and eager to start the day. Our voices harmonise, revealing the city below us, a magical key in the only lock I ever want to undo. The magical bauble enclosing the city slides away for just us two, and the bottles embedded in the buildings catch the sunlight, throwing it like a hundred rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, hidden from the world in a glimmer. Stained glass throws a kaleidoscopic mirror of colour across my world, and for just a moment, everything is still, a grain of sand suspended in time, unable to pass through the hourglass’ slender waist, falling and bringing what comes next. We enter the sand bowl together, most of the mer are enclosed in the towers that make up the city now, but a few line the streets, chatting and going about their business until they notice me, swimming powerfully down the helter-skelter, surface scraper lined street. Eyes are scared; some are curious and once again pitying in what they enclose. Orion squeezes my hand as he observes the seizing of conversations and the staring blank faces.
“Just keep swimming.” He whispers as we both move forward through the streets, closing the distance between us and the golden statue of the Goddess. It stands like the cluster of diamonds in the tiara of a princess, the crowning jewel of this culture to which I now belong, and yet cannot call home. I take deep breaths, feeling the gills in the side of my neck opening and closing more widely than usual, my chest rises and falls, still encased in the aqua and lilac metal chest piece that Marina fastened me into what seems like days ago, and yet it was only hours. Finally, we arrive at the inner ring of apartment buildings, that houses the office of Saturnus. The Alcazar Oceania stands like a shard of misshapen, multihued glass, towering above and glistening majestically. Orion shoots me one last look from his icy blue eyes, they comfort me, but also set me on edge, he looks sure of himself, a little too sure. He doesn’t know all the facts here, and I wonder if I should stop him as we ascend towards the door of Saturnus’ office, to confess what I know about the vessel. However, before I can do this, my stomach lurches, my instincts telling me to keep my secret. I stay silent as we come to a halt outside the office door and Orion announces our presence with his signature melodic knock.
“Come in.” Saturnus beckons forth, the emptiness and power in his voice makes my heart drop and my stomach flip. We open the door of unnamed material and glide inside; the water is warm within the room, bathing my skin in a light heat that heightens my senses.
“It’s me Saturnus, and Callie.” Orion announces as Saturnus looks up from the papers he is examining on the desk. His emerald green eyes immediately flick to me. The ball has been over now for a few hours, I don’t even know how long Orion and I were sitting out at the reef. His eyes tell me he already knows of the events that have passed, and my blood pounds a frantic tattoo.
“Callie. You’ve returned.” He says cautiously, licking his lips a little and smiling gently, as though not to spook a horse.
“Yes.” I whisper nervously and Orion places his hand at the base of my spine, comforting and at the same time creating a thrumming electric pulse up my spine. I gulp in air from the surroundings, my gills opening and closing quickly.
“She knows about the prophecy, Saturnus.” Orion nods slowly, his royal blue scales shimmering as his tail slowly beats against the still water in the room, keeping him afloat.
“I see, well Callie, it doesn’t really concern you. You’ve only been here a few weeks, it’s all very complicated, surely you would rather be concentrating on fitting in here, adjusting to life underwater, and taking in the beautiful surroundings of our oceans?” He looks at me with a tilted head, eyes burning like a fire in the deep Amazonian emerald of his pupils. My eyes narrow.
“I know. I would like to request to see the prophecy, if that is okay with you?” I ask sweetly, wondering why he is trying to distract me. I sense his power and I want to quiver and silence myself, but the secret that I am the vessel burns within me, igniting my resolve.
“See the prophecy? Why on earth?” He asks, looking startled.
“I’m just interested, I think I might be able to make sense of it, that’s all.”
“You? Why do you think you would be able to make sense of it?”
“I just have this instinct. I believe the Goddess has shown me this vision for a reason,” I am feeling the heat rise under my skin, why is he being so difficult, why is he being resistant? What can it hurt?
“I’d keep that instinct to yourself.” he turns around and heads toward the red couch draped in gold and I have an idea. Inspiration hits me. Letting Orion’s hand fall from my own, I dart forward with an artful flourish of the tenuous tissue that binds the end of my fin together, placing one hand on the back of Saturnus’ torso. I hear a voice, more heavenly, more comforting, and warmer than anything on earth, it sings to me, like a mother crooning to her child:
“Modern mer will finally rise,
Under scrutiny of watchful eyes,
Two Suns will encircle and slay,
But only one can remain.
Beloved one will betray all,
Leading our kind to a deadly fall
The scythe of Atargatis will bridge the fracture,
Bringing forth a deadly rapture.
The silent vessel hides in sight,
Revealing itself in holy light,
Sacrifice will be its calling,
Followed by a woeful mourning.
The belt will wrap around the scythe,
Leading to this hideous crime.
The vessel’s end will prevent the war,
Coming forth from the oceans door.
Stars and suns, darkness and blade,
The end is near,
The game must be played.”
I sigh, oh my Goddess. It was her, it was Atargatis.
“Callie?” Orion’s voice penetrates my heavenly trance and the prophecy fades. My soul mate’s glacially blue eyes are startled and his expression slightly confused as I exhale, the spiritual orgasm releasing me from its possession.
“Orion. Oh my Goddess, she’s real. Atargatis,” I hear Saturnus’ head snap, eyes blazing. Suddenly his hands are round my throat, choking me.
“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?” He growls, face cruelly beautiful and ferocious, his golden encrusted tail is stiff and acutely tense, pushing mine toward the wal
l of his office.
“Saturnus!” Orion cries and from over Saturnus’ left shoulder, while his hands cover my gills and leaving me gasping, I can see Orion pushing air through the water. I feel the displacement before I see it, a wave underwater, crashing towards us. Saturnus turns, releasing me and I duck sideways before the wave crashes into him full force, leaving his form slumped against the wall in surprise.
“What the hell?” I yell confused. Why is he strangling me? What did I do that justifies violence? Orion moves forward, eyes cold with fury and his sculpted mouth drawn in a hard line. The papers on Saturnus’ desk are scattered across the sandstone floor and the atmosphere crackles with the furious power of the two men.
“Are you ready to discuss this prophecy sensibly now, Saturnus? I will not have you raise so much as a finger against her. You hear me? I don’t care if you are the Goddess herself, you do NOT harm Callie! Are we clear?” He has his voice raised and Saturnus puts himself upright after this small confrontation.
“She … she used my gift!” He stutters accusatorily, his gold tail blazing heatedly in the early sunlight that seeps in from the glassless window behind him.
“Yes, Saturnus, that is her ability, had you allowed her to look at the prophecy in the first place, I would have been given the time to explain to you that she can absorb our magic.” Orion says; the lack of sympathy in his expression makes me love him even more. He isn’t afraid of my power, I’ve had his all along.
“So Starlet wasn’t lying, you took her vision?” He ogles me, slightly unnerved and panting from the force of the water displacement.
“That is correct.” I fold my arms defensively. What is he going to do to me now, I wonder? I feel Orion’s presence dissipating, his anger returning to simmer beneath his deliciously cool exterior.
“Orion, can you please go and get your sister and father please?” Saturnus asks and Orion looks at me worriedly.
“I’m fine, go.” I implore, giving him a strong stare of independence. He looks at me reluctantly and after giving Saturnus one last stare of warning, he turns and exits the room, leaving me and Saturnus alone with the soft hiss of the closing door, displacing the fluid in its path.
“I apologise for my outburst. You have to understand; my gift is of a very personal nature, that kind of intrusion … it startled me. I worried the Goddess was at risk. I am her guardian on this earth; our connection is one that must be protected.” He waves his hand, dismissing his earlier outburst and I nod, wanting to raise an eyebrow but not daring.
“I understand. I should have warned you, to be honest I didn’t know if it would work. I haven’t got full control of this yet.” I admit and shrug.
“Take a seat.” He invites me to sit next to him and I do so, feeling nervous about the sudden formality of this occasion after the previous chaos that has occurred. He puts my hands in his cold and strong ones. I see the tattoos that litter his palms and knuckles, blessed indeed.
“Now, Callie, I have to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.” I respond, eyebrows furrowing and tail twitching in the still waters of the room.
“You’re the vessel, aren’t you?” He asks, his expression part sadness, part glee. I nod silently, making a tiny gasp and exhale.
“I thought as much …” he sits for a moment, red hair floating absently. I sit with my hands crossed on top of the opalescent scales of my tail.
“Please don’t tell Orion. You know what this means.” I plea, my eyes welling up at the thought of him alone for hundreds of years more.
“Of course not Callie, however I think you should know that your sacrifice will save our kind from a devastating war. It is not in vain.” He looks deeply into my eyes. The man who moments ago was throttling the life from me is now imploring my death, yet I cannot help but warm to him, a helpless overcoming my better judgement. What a strange day.
“Tell Orion that.” I say grouchily, feeling glum and distraught, oily tears prick my eyes like daggers.
“We need to prevent this war, Callie. I can’t condone saving you if it means risking my people. It is an impossible choice.” He looks sad and I want to cry all the more. He is painstakingly beautiful, but then I remember her voice, Atargatis, and I understand why.
“I heard her, Atargatis. Will I be with her … in the end?” I ask quietly, flicking the end of my tailfin and looking down at my scaly, plated breast, falling and rising with my every breath.
“Yes, Callie, you are special, you are destined to be at her side. I can feel it. My instinct comes from her, you know?” He says with a smile on his rose petal lips.
“I didn’t know that, but I can relate. My instinct has told me to keep the truth from Orion all this time.”
“It is wise that you listened. He will not let you die easily, Callie, even if he does not see it coming.”
“I know. I don’t quite know how to deal with this myself. I thought I’d be sad or something, but I’m just kind of, comforted by the thought.” I admit to him, thinking deeply about my feelings. His face remains impartial but his eyes are gleeful.
“Maybe it is because you know there is something better waiting for you?” He asks intently, the largest diamond in his tail glistening.
“I don’t think that’s it, Saturnus.” I whisper, a tear falling from my cheek.
“Why?”
“Because for me, there is nothing better.”
A little while later, Orion returns followed by a pissed off looking Starlet and calm faced Atlas. Saturnus and I turn to face the door from the couch and rise accordingly, the water swirls around our forms seamlessly.
“Ah there you are.” Saturnus greets Orion who is leading the trio. I cannot help but continue to marvel at the way he seamlessly glides through the water. It might as well not be there, and he may as well have wings rather than fins and be flying among the clouds. Easy Callie, I curse myself, now was not the time to be admiring my boyfriend, though boyfriend seems a banal title in itself.
“Yes, here we are. You know, Saturnus, I really don’t appreciate being summoned by you and this thief. I’ve got a rather monumental headache at the moment.” Starlet hisses and Atlas turns on her.
“Starlet, silence.” She looks as though she wants to argue, but doesn’t, the magenta scales around her eyes make them look crystalline with cold contempt. Hmm, so daddy is enough to shut her up? I consider this, and then wonder what it must be like to be her, having her father and brother around for eternity. It seems hardly fair, she’s had hundreds of years with her father, and I can barely get five memorable minutes with mine. I sigh to myself as silence falls across the water between us. Orion moves across the circle to float beside me, placing his broad, rough hand across my spine discreetly.
“So why summon us, Saturnus?” Atlas asks, no matter what this man says, the burning eagle gold of his pupils fills his tone with wisdom, I can only imagine the things he has seen.
“I have a mission for you.” Saturnus says sharply and with authority, the authority you would expect from the mate of a Goddess.
“Don’t you have the Knights of Atargatis for that?” Starlet barks, glaring across the gathered circle at me. I glare back, like hell am I letting her intimidate me like everyone else in this town.
“I’m asking you.” Saturnus says simply, his expression aggravated.
“Yes, but why are you asking us?” She spits back in retort.
“Starlet, we don’t have time for your attitude. Either shut the hell up and let Saturnus tell you what he needs to, or get out.” I burst forth from my self-contained silence boldly. She looks surprised and frankly, I surprised myself. I feel my cheeks flush with colour. Orion moves his hand to grip mine, squeezing. Starlet remains silent but her eyes are screaming ‘who the fuck do you think you are bitch?’ from depths laced with familial resemblance. I want to blanch, but can’t quite bring myself to fear them.
“Thank you Callie, anyway, the mission needs not concern the Knights, this requires dis
cretion. Besides, Callie and I have discussed the prophecy she heard using her gift …”
“Yes, SOME GIFT THAT IS! How dare you steal visions from me!?” Starlet bursts out with vengeance. I look at her confused, where the hell is the logic?
“Hey, this may have escaped your notice, but I didn’t choose this gig, okay? You haven’t lived in the modern world, so maybe you think talking to someone you barely know like a spoilt petulant child is acceptable. I’m telling you right now … it isn’t. You don’t like me, I get it. But I’m stuck here, and I love your brother, so stop causing a scene, shut the hell up, and step off! We clear lady?” I rant at her, realising how much I have changed; Orion has made me strong … scratch that … I have made me strong. Becoming a mer was maybe the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. Wannabes like Chloe and Starlet seemingly no longer intimidate the way they used to. If I’m going to die for these people, I’m sure as hell not taking her crap. While my inner monologue silences under the surprised glare of Orion, I turn to Saturnus with another polite smile.
“Please continue.” I beg of him sweetly. Starlet, rigid in form stares deeply, concentrating on Saturnus, not looking at me; her pink lips form a harsh thin line of frustration.
“I need you all to journey to the Temple of Atargatis.”
“But that has always been lost to us, Saturnus.” Atlas reasons, looking confused.
“That it not strictly true, Atlas. Our great Goddess came to me in a dream, I know the whereabouts roughly now.”
“What’s the temple of Atargatis?” I demand, wondering what the hell he’s talking about. Starlet smirks at my lack of knowledge.
“It’s a temple that was built on the coast of South America hundreds of years ago. It fell into the sea, and has been lost ever since.” Atlas acknowledges.
“How did it fall into the sea?” I ask again.
“It’s a long story.” Orion says, clearly trying to stop my questioning looks. I wonder why he thinks generalised brush offs are going to cut it.
The Kiss That Killed Me (The Tidal Kiss Trilogy Book 1) Page 36
