by Jane West
I gave him a sideways glance. “No. I haven’t.” My interest spiked.
“The name was given by a Roman soldier after piercing the heart of Jesus of Nazareth.”
My eyes bounced back and forth between Val and the spear. “You’re kidding?”
“I only wish. The relic has mystical powers. Powers to wield the world to his or her will.”
“Holy mother of god! And you keep it here?” My mind reeled with astonishment.
“Yep! It’s not going anywhere. I made sure of it.”
“What if someone steals it?” I had to ask.
Val released a wired sigh. “They’re a fool if they do.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Simple. Anyone who uses the spear dies once it leaves their possession. The spear has left a trail of kings and dictators dead in its wake. They say that’s what happened to Hitler.” He shrugged. “That’s why I keep it in the box. It’s held captive by a protection spell.”
“Holy cow! If this fell into the hands of the Illuminati it would kill them. Like the black plague, it’d wipe every one of those sons of bitches right off the face of the earth.”
Val’s face soured. “The curse doesn’t affect the Order. They are immune.”
“How is that possible?” I gawked with disbelief.
A lopsided grin stretched the tips of Val’s mouth. “If you are as evil as the curse, the curse is useless. It’s like a vaccination. Once you’ve been exposed to the virus, you become immune.”
“Oh my god! The Order can never get their hands on this spear!” I felt sick, suddenly.
“Precisely!” he grimaced, staring at the spear. “I plan on keeping it out of their reach.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s get back to why we’re here.” He stretched his arm out, pointing to the opposite side.
I lagged for a moment still hanging to the glass, unable to peel my eyes from the spear. Whatever enchantment adhered to it, I sensed it was insidious and very powerful. It was as though the spear was screaming my name. Unexpectedly, I shivered.
I pulled myself away and trailed after Val to the center of the room where floor-mats lay, spread out on the floor.
As we halted in the middle of the blue mats, Val extended his hand out to me and said, “Give it up.” He demanded in his deep voice.
My brows knitted, baffled. Without thinking, I blurted out, “Like hell I will,” — He cut me off, rolling his eyes.
“No, not that.” He grinned, mischievously. “Your knife, please.” The gold speckles in his eyes sparkled.
“How did you know?” Surprise covered my face.
He grinned like a young boy discovering hidden treasure. “Hmm… in your walk.”
“Smart-ass!” I retorted. Val remained staring at me with his open palm.
“Sorry, but my knife stays on me,” there was no compromising when it came to my blade.
“I’ve seen how swift you are with that thing, and I value my neck and a few other precious parts too well to trust you with that damn blade. Hand it over”— he knitted his brows daringly—“unless you want me to take it?” he tossed a lopsided grin.
I entertained the thought, tempting fate, but I relented. I didn’t want to wound him before I got my first lesson. I took a deep breath and blew it out. “Okay, but turn around. You’ve seen enough of my ass for the day. Must I give you bare skin as well?”
He flashed that mischievous crooked smile of his and teased, “Why be shy now? I saw exposed skin that night you wore that red dress...nice lacy thong.”
I felt a rush of heat to my face. “I thought you said I was getting the same treatment as the boys?”
Val laughed. “Fair enough.” He groaned, turning his back.
Keeping one eye on him, I slipped down my leggings to my ankles. Good thing I didn’t have to give him a peep show. I wasn‘t wearing any panties. After I’d unstrapped my trusty blade in its sheath and clothed myself, I cleared my throat. “Okay, you can look now.”
When Val twirled on his heels, facing me, I slapped the loaded sheath into his opened hand. A glint of victory glittered in his eyes as he tossed it over on a table in the corner. I folded my arms, feeling the bunt end of irritation.
If he saw my discomfort, he didn’t let on. “Now let’s get down to business.” He eyed me carefully as if I was a horse for sale. “What are your abilities?”
I blinked, taken off my feet. “Excuse me?”
“Zophasemin have special gifts.” He shrugged. “You know, supernatural abilities. What can you do?”
“I...I don’t know,” I stammered. It had never occurred to me that I might have a gift.
Val’s brow arched. “Wait! You haven’t developed your powers?” He said that like I had a contagious disease.
“What part of no do you not get?”
His brow flipped up. “Where were your parents while you were growing up? Did they not teach you anything?” Val’s comment really grinded against my last nerve. I decided to sandblast his ass with my whole life’s story. I didn’t know why, but I felt I needed to explain.
“I had parents! Unlike yours’, mine were human.” I furthered with my story, “Like you once said, my beginnings started in a lab. My mother—or should I say my handler who posed as my mom for eighteen years—never revealed my true identity.”
Val listened quietly.
“As I understand, my parents couldn’t conceive. Finally with my mother’s coaching, my father went to see the Family’s renowned specialist, Dr. Astor. Soon my parents leaped with joy that their long journey had finally ended with great promise. The doctor reassured them that he could help Sara with her infertility problem. The Family and Dr. Astor guaranteed their medical breakthrough would work. Only before they started the treatments, my parents were required to sign a blood contract before the treatment commenced.”
Val remained intent, listening.
“As conning as the Family was behind my father’s back, they sweetened the deal by offering my mother a ton of money if she’d permit additional experimenting to the fetus outside the original agreement. Without any details to what the scientist planned on doing, Sara didn’t bother asking. The money seemed to be her primary concern.”
As I kept spilling my horrible story, Val’s face became more drawn.
“All parties agreed that once I reached the age of eighteen, I would be handed over to the Family.”
I noticed Val’s jaw twitched, though, he remained still.
“Behind closed doors, Sara and the Family signed a secret B-contract with further details promising her great wealth.”
I could see the more I spoke, the more his eyes appeared wry.
“When I was eight years old, my father started having second thoughts. He privately went to the doctor asking if the B-contract could be stopped. My father, Jon, once a family member of the Illuminati, didn’t know anything about the side deal my mother made in secret. The Family didn’t want him in on the deal. They knew my father wouldn’t have agreed, so they kept him in the dark. His values were impeccable, directly the opposite of his family, the Illuminati.”
Val cracked his knuckles as the tension in his face grew.
“Unknowingly, my father became a liability by threatening my mother’s chance of becoming a millionaire. Once my mom received word of my father’s cease and desist order, she approached the Family asking for help. The Family had invested a great deal in me. According to them, I was their true fountain of everlasting life. They considered me as their savior.”
I kept on spilling my truth. “According to the Family, my DNA had been genetically altered, infused with celestial and human nucleotides, creating an unique genetic code. How they managed to conjure that up goes beyond my understanding. Then as an embryo, I was implanted into a vessel—Sara. I knew nothing of my true nature or that damn Family until I became the ripe old age of eighteen. It was not until then when I discovered my destiny, and my life had changed forever. My “loving” mother agre
ed to hand me over to those monsters once I reached adulthood. She made good on her promise. She delivered me into the hands of the Illuminati for a huge sum of money.”
“Freckles,” Val interrupted, “I had no idea.” His eyes softened.
“Yeah, it gets better.” I went on to say. “Next, I was sealed to be mated with a chosen member of the Family. His name was Aidan.” I paused. “Unknowingly, I fell in love with this man. I knew he was dark and very secretive, but he pursued me until I could no longer deny my heart. He convinced me that he loved me. He assured me he didn’t share in his family’s antics. I believed him.” I tried to hide my pain. “Certain members of the Family, or some refer to them as the Order of the Quest, set out to steal my Essence. In order to save myself and the man I loved, Aidan, I believed if I gave myself to him our powers would lock together. I once thought this act would prevent anyone from taking our lives, that we would be safe from the Illuminati.”
Val stood there with his arms crossed. I couldn’t read his stoic face now, still, I continued.
“But I was wrong. I was set up. The morning after I’d given myself to Aidan, he and his wife, Sally kidnapped me, framing me for murdering my mother, and her two previous boyfriends. Proof of my innocence never mattered. The Family was gunning for me. I was sentenced to a life time in an institution for the criminally insane. Three long years I stayed in a small cell drugged with no hope of ever seeing daylight. Every day they forced me to lie in a pool of my vomit and feces.”
I paused, questioning why I was telling this stranger my whole life. Come what may, my hesitation didn’t stop me. “It wasn’t much of a party staying at Haven Hospital. The first year I was contained in solemn confinement. The hospital claimed I had violent tendencies. Placing me into the mainstream would’ve been too risky.” I sneered at my next words as I spit them out, hoping for some relief. “I believe their real reason had to do with concealing my pregnancy. The Family wanted it to remain a secret. So they kept me pumped with drugs through the whole duration of my pregnancy.” I didn’t wait for Val’s reply. “If they couldn’t extract my abilities, then they’d take the next best thing—my child.” I looked away. “That’s my theory.” I shrugged. I stood there reeling. I’d hoped that he might somehow gain an understanding of how damaged I’d become, but at that point, I couldn’t go any further.
As expected, my human side snapped. I started shaking. Tears began streaming down my cheeks. Every nerve in my body felt on fire. I collapsed to the floor, covering my face with my hands, weeping hysterically. I think at that moment, I’d lost my mind. My whole body shuddered.
In the next breath, I felt the comfort of two stalwart arms drawing me into a blanket of consoling warmth. Val held me silently in his arms as I shook from the flooding tears, which wouldn’t cease. I heard his soft voice in between my sobbing, easing my open wound. For the first time in a very long time, I felt safe which I thought would be an impossibility after Aidan’s betrayal.
It was a good while before the tears dried, and all the while, he kissed my head and cooed with soft words of love?
***
It was much later when I woke up to find myself alone in Val’s bed. Even through the dimness, I recognized his room. I must’ve dosed off most of the morning. I yawned into the pillow, and I suddenly picked up his scent. A long-forgotten stir began to rise. The reality of being alone pained me, and I couldn’t stand the feeling. I wanted him. I called his name, “Val?” I whispered with a sleepy voice.
“Yeah, coming!” He called back to me. He entered the room, bringing me carryout soup. “Hey. Sleeping Beauty is awake!” He smiled brightly.
“What time is it?” I asked, rubbing my eyes and yawning.
“I don’t know. About eleven.”
“In the morning?”
“No, night, Freckles.” Val laid the soup on the nightstand. “I thought you might like something to eat.” He started pulling the lid off the soup.
“Don’t,” I asked.
He glanced over at me. “Don’t what?” His eyes implied confusion.
I reached over and tugged on his T-shirt, pulling him into the bed with me. All I wanted was to feel his arms around me once more. I craved his touch, his scent. I yearned to taste his sweet lips. It didn’t take much of a tug either. He hungrily followed my request. The soothing pressure of his weight on top of me felt wonderful. It didn’t take long before I had found myself lost in his kisses. They were much different than before, more possessive.
His hands drifted to my bare skin underneath the jersey, and soon the shirt found its way to the floor. Shortly after, his T-shirt followed, showing exactly what I’d expected, a beautiful six-pack against his tawny skin. His hands were devouring, and I began to thirst for more. After he unsnapped my bra, he gently slipped off my leggings, leaving me totally bare. His pants were unzipped, showing a trail of hair underneath. Soon off they joined the pile of clothes on the floor. Before long, we both delighted in each other’s climbing desire.
My hands trailed over his firm body, and his hands began to sizzle over my hot skin. I couldn’t remember if making love to Aidan felt as exciting. The Zop was definitely growing on me, and here I was in the heat of passion, yearning for him to quench the fire that grew deep inside me. He was hot! Obviously I wasn’t his first. His hands and kisses were too skillful.
As he worked his magical hands over my body from my breast to the lower region, I moaned for more, arching my back. I guessed by his sultry eyes, I think he wanted me as much as I wanted him. It was freeing—lovemaking with no expectations, no commitment, just uninhibited passion. I ravished in this new awakening.
Then it happened. Val lifted his head as our eyes hitched. In his husky voice, he whispered, “I could get used to this sharing my bed, sharing my life with you.” Unexpectedly, he broke the rules. Briefly, he paused. “I’m falling for you, Freckles.” I pulled away, searching into his gentle eyes for the reason why he’d gone soft on me.
My brows knitted as I rose up on my elbows. Val didn’t move, still hovering over me. “Come on! Let’s not do this!” I nearly grimaced.
Disappointment twisted his face as he exclaimed, “I tell you I’m crazy about you, and that’s all you can say?” I could see the hurt and disappointment in his eyes. Better to let him down now than to string him along.
“You don’t have to make this into a mountain. Relax. I’m not looking for any sort of commitment with you. We’re friends and business partners with occasional benefits. Isn’t that what you guys dream about? Sex with no chains?” I got a little sarcastic. Yet the instant it left my lips, I regretted it. I was really starting to act like a bitch just a tad too much these days.
Val pulled himself off me and turned his back to me, sitting on the edge of the bed. I lay there, feeling a bit exposed and confused. Trying to make sense of this, I asked, “Why are you upset at me?” I reached out to him and gently nudged his back.
His head tilted to the side, looking over his shoulder. “You can’t even call me by my name. My name is Val. Say it!” He demanded.
I didn’t get why he was behaving like I’d stomped on his petunias, but okay, whatever. “Val! Val! Val! Happy?” I sang out, glowering at him as he faced me.
Countenance covered his silent face.
Then he broke the quiet tension. “I can’t do this.” He ran his fingers through his honey hair. “I refuse to share my bed with you as long as you have feelings for him.”
Wow where did that come from? I thought. “What difference does it make? Aidan’s dead!” My comeback felt harsh and too cold. Even still, I didn’t get why he had a problem with my past lover.
“It matters to me! I won’t have you like this.”
“Like what? Naked in your bed?” My voice spewed with aggravation.
“No! I mean I won’t make love to you until you’re over Aidan—free and clear!” His golden eyes burned through my heart. Hence, an uncomfortable quiet fell between us. Then he gathered his clothing a
nd, with strain, he snapped, “Get dressed. I’ll take you home.”
Oh no, he just didn’t! Irritation combed through me. “That’s okay! I wouldn’t want to trouble you.” My voice dripped with ire. “I can catch my own cab. Hey! Maybe it’ll be that same driver you’ve often thrown cash at, ordering him to get rid of me.” I laughed with scorn. “I’m not good enough to hang in your bar, and I suppose that goes for your bed as well. That’s just rich!” I hissed. As I angrily snatched up my clothing, the bravery of nudity disappeared along with our passion expiring. Suddenly, I rushed to cover my body from humiliation.
Val’s eyes softened as his voice filled with sadness like he’d lost something precious to his heart. “That’s not it, and you know it!”
“Then tell me your reason. Why?”
“Sometimes there’s more between a man and a woman than just sex.”
A pain of guilt struck me. At the same token, it made me even angrier. I couldn’t help how I felt. “Don’t judge me! I know all about letting go and trusting. I did that, and look where it got me! Prison!” I screamed. “I never want to give another man that much power over me ever again!” I took in a barbed breath. “If you want more, then you need to look elsewhere.” I stared coldly into his longing eyes, but my words of endearment wouldn’t come. So I did what I knew best. “Fine! I’ll call my own cab!” I grabbed my cell.
As I gathered my things, I kept my back to the marred guy in the room, but then it quickly came to me why I was here in the first place. I knew I had to swallow a little pride. Losing my chance at finding my daughter wasn’t an option. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I needed him. I suppressed my angry feelings in order for me to talk to him calmly. I cleared my throat, “I still require your help. I’m willing to pay you handsomely for your trouble.” I held my breath, waiting for his response.
Quiet settled for a brief moment. Only his splintering sigh drifted in the dim room. “I don’t want your money.” His words sounded hurt, yet deliberate. “I keep my word. If I say I will do something, I do it, regardless. Give it to charity.” Val replied crassly. I felt the blaze of his words. It wasn’t what he said, but the tone. Shame flushed my cheeks. I couldn’t look at him. I felt bad enough. He continued. “Be here in the morning, early.” And he disappeared, leaving me alone to my loathsome self.
