"What should I forgive?" Paris's eyes were dull as a rainy day.
"You look so sad tonight,' I said, trying to sound as though I were more joyful than I felt.
He looked down at our hands. My skin was so pale against his.
"I have been thinking," he said without looking up, "you should go back to your own kind. Find Apollo and Artemis, find a better life than this," his voice sounded heavy and empty.
I stared at him in horror.
"You make me feel safe," I stuttered. "Please do not leave me."
His eyes grew wide,
"I don't wish to leave you, but I am only human, and you…you would do better to be with your family."
"We are about to lose Zoe, I cannot lose you too," I mumbled, wanting so desperately to tell him how much he meant to me. I did not even know myself just how much I loved him then. His stubble cheeks dimpled in and his eyes glittered as he smiled. But then the clouds came back.
"She will only be a short walk away. Unless you believe the Hebrew will leave as the preacher asked?" The question was incomplete but I knew what he meant.
"My visions have been dim of late," I answered. This was not true for I had seen much pain and destruction to come. Paris must have known this was another lie, though he said nothing. I continued, "But I am certain the Hebrew will leave, and now Levi's father is returned I think they will prefer to go with them."
Paris sighed so deeply I thought the breath would never end. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. He dropped my hand.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, pushing his chair back so quickly it teetered on its back legs for a moment. I leapt up after him and grabbed his hand again, pulling him back toward me. For a moment we just stood there, looking at each other, and then his lips fell upon mine with such passion as I had never felt before.
His hands roamed over my back and buttocks, drawing my hips against his. I gasped as I felt him harden against me. Everything I was afraid of vanished into a haze of desire. I tugged at the folds of his Egyptian kilt releasing the tie that held it up. A moment later it was on the floor at our feet. I stroked his wet cock as he unfastened my robe.
The moment my naked breasts brushed against his bare chest he lifted me off my feet and pushed me back against the cool mud wall. I wrapped my legs tight around his hips and reached down to guide him. We both groaned with pleasure as he slid inside me.
I had never felt such desire for anyone. My only lover before him had been a Trojan general, and though we had all the passion of first love, it had been nothing like the wonder of being with Paris. It was as though everything we had done and were had been leading to that moment. As the urgency turned to sensuality he carried me to his room and laid me upon his bed, kissing my stomach, slowly moving down my body. I arched my back with delight as his tongue curled around my clitoris.
And then he wasn't Paris anymore. The image of the Greek general's face leered at me. All I could feel was his rough hard pumping as he had held me down on the bed, licking at my neck.
Sensing something was wrong Paris paused,
"Are you all right?" He whispered. Looking into his beautiful eyes I couldn't tell him the fear I was feeling. Instead, I nodded,
"Let me," I whispered, shifting my hips away from him. Understanding my meaning but not my motive he grinned as we swopped position and I took his cock into my mouth.
*
With his arms wrapped around me, and his body pressed to my back I waited for him to drift into a contented sleep. The moment I felt his breathing change I carefully wriggled free and went back to my room.
The moment the cloth was drawn over my door I sank to the floor, pulling my legs to my chest and hiding my face in my knees. The image of the Greek general was imprinted in my mind so strongly that I feared I should never be able to have sex again without seeing him there, his hand around my throat as he released inside me. I knew not what I would say to Paris. How could I explain that being with him made me remember being raped so violently? I knew I had to find a way to forget Ajax. Even the thought of his name sickened me. I told myself that Paris would be better without me. He should be with an untainted human girl who could give him fat children and grow old with him.
I remained there, curled up in my room for the rest of the night and much of the next day, wondering what I would say to Paris. I managed to avoid him until he left for the customs house. Our first shipment was due in that day, and he needed to be there to check everything was all right. I did not have to see him again until the evening when we were to dine with Levi and Abraham.
Well, they were to dine, I was merely to converse, and, I suspected, to be asked for my consent to Zoe and Levi's marriage. I had nothing against the boy or his family. Nor did I have any reason to disapprove of the match. However, I was still concerned that Pharaoh was going kill them, and Zoe too if she married him.
*
The weather had finally turned. The evening was warm and the room stuffy, made more so by the flames of the torches that adorned the walls.
There was a large reed matt covering the floor from wall to wall, and scattered around in a circle were colourful round cushions. A spike of hey poked through the wool cover of mine mercilessly. I gave up trying to push it back inside, and gently extracted it instead, surreptitiously stuffing it underneath when the task was done.
Zoe was seated opposite me. Her cheeks were flushed pink as she sat uncomfortably between Paris and Levi. She kept fidgeting her legs and pushing the food around in her dish as though she had no appetite. I had never seen her not want food. She kept glancing over at me with wide nervous eyes. I smiled at her kindly. She had taken care of me at my worst moments and helped me adjust to life in this world. I resolved that whatever would make her happy was best for her. She gave me a shaky smile in return.
Paris too kept glancing at me. His expression was an unnerving mix of flirtation and concern. He could see I was uncomfortable, despite my efforts to smile and be at ease. I watched him for a moment. He was running his fingers through his hair and talking business with Abraham. I waited a moment, in the hope that he would look my way again, but he did not. It was my own fault for behaving so peculiar toward him. He deserved to know my feelings and I resolved that the moment we got home later I would explain.
Suddenly Levi cleared his throat and tapped the side of his mug so that the pot made a small pinging sound. Paris and Abraham went quiet and all eyes were upon the young man.
"Everyone, Zoe and I would very much like your blessings and consent that we should be married."
There was no time for anyone to reply or congratulate. At that very moment, there was a hammering on the outside door. Everyone's attention shifted to the hollering coming from the other side and the scurrying feet of the maid as she ran to let them in.
"Pharaoh's men are coming, arm yourselves!"
We heard the door creak back.
"What is the meaning of this?" the maid asked.
Abraham headed out to greet the messenger.
"Sir, Pharaoh has ordered his men to come and drive us from our homes," the messenger replied.
Paris and Levi rushed after Abraham.
"Why would he do that?" Zoe said quietly.
I moved to sit next to her.
"I cannot tell you why he is so against the Hebrew, but this is what Paris and I tried to warn you about. He has a deep hatred and fear of Levi's people, and he means to force them out of Egypt."
"But we have done nothing to harm him," Zoe said desperately.
"I know, but I have seen what is to come, and if they do not leave quietly now, while they can, then many will die."
Zoe sniffed back tears,
"I want to be Levi's wife Cassandra, I love him."
I wanted to protect her but knew not how.
Outside the messenger was speaking quickly and with great fear.
"Armed men were seen leaving the palace on horseback, wielding axes and torches. They entered the central city and are h
eading to the west. Every Hebrew home is to be burned to the ground, and every man who stands in their way to be cut down."
"Surely Pharaoh would not be so rash?" Paris was trying to reason.
I shook my head and got to my feet,
"Come," I said to Zoe pulling her along with me toward the men.
"It is true," I said the moment we reached them.
Everyone turned to look at me in astonishment. I nodded sadly, wishing I had told Zoe and Paris earlier. "Pharaoh did not call me to the palace to ask for my help with his health." I tried not to look at Paris as I spoke for fear he would be even more disappointed with me. "Pharaoh wanted me to persuade Parameses to leave the city, or stay on pain of death," I explained, my voice shaking. I felt Zoe stiffen at my side.
"Why didn't you tell us?" she gasped.
Paris's eyes were like blue ice.
"And you have seen the result in visions?" he whispered calmly.
"I…did not wish to frighten you… You have both lost so much already. I hoped he would not go through with it." I felt ashamed for having lied. "I am sorry. I should have told you."
"No matter," Abraham said after a moment. "We know now, and we must act fast."
Levi and Abraham went back into the house.
"What will you do?" Zoe called after them.
A moment later they were rushing past us into the street, wielding weapons of their own. Zoe screamed,
"No, please…"
Levi stopped and came back to her.
"We have been preparing for this moment, Zoe. Please go home and stay inside. Mark a cross on your door in blood so that our men know to pass by."
"What? I don't understand."
Levi grabbed her hands and kissed her forehead.
"The final plague is upon us. Now please go home, and be safe."
"Come with me, please…" she begged, clinging to his hands as he tried to hurry away. The boy looked at me,
"Take care of her. I will be back for her as soon as I can," and then he was running along the dirt road into the night. Zoe swallowed her tears.
"What is the final plague?' I asked her, but she just shook her head.
Abraham's servants were already painting the macabre sign on their door, and watching us with great agitation.
"Will you come inside, or go?" a young man finally asked.
"We are going home, thank you," I muttered heading out onto the path, but Paris did not follow.
"Take her home. I will go and see if I can help," he said.
"No," Zoe wailed, "not you too."
"Paris, please," I added. "This is not our war."
He hesitated and then shook his head.
"This is our home now."
Zoe reached for his hand, but he was already away.
"Whom will you fight for?" She called after him.mBut he was too far away to hear.
We ran to our villa and slammed the door shut behind us.
"Wait. The cross on the door," she gasped running into the kitchen in search of something that might contain enough blood to make the mark. But the only meat and fish in the house was drained. She stopped by the cold store, staring at me. I knew what she was thinking, and I knew it was the only way.
"I will do it," I said, not wanting her to be hurt, "I will heal far faster than you."
I grabbed the cleaver from its hook and drew it sharply over my wrist. Instantly blood began to pour from the wound. I ran to the front door, pulled it open, and began to drag my wrist over the wood as though my arm were a brush. But there was no blood. Vampyr heal fast and the process had already begun. I was forced to make the cut again, and again, and again before the task was complete.
In the distance, smoke billowed over the cottages of the central and western city. The sound of screaming and begging bashed at my ears. I tried to ignore the sound but it cut into me deeper than the cleaver. A vision of my father flashed through my mind. A picture of that first war blazed before my eyes, so long ago and so far away. I watched in horror as the blade sliced through my father's neck. I gasped as he fell forwards onto the ice. Behind me, I heard another scream. I slammed the door shut and turned to see Zoe, sinking to her knees on the cold hard floor.
"Why? Why is it happening again?"
I wished I could have answered her. But all I could think was that it was my fault. War, fighting, death; it all seemed to follow me no matter where I went. And everyone I loved was in danger just by being close to me.
I decided I had to get Zoe and Paris as far away from me as possible, no matter how much it would hurt. Perhaps even my cousins Apollo and Artemis were better off without me after all. I bid Zoe stay hidden at home with the maid until the fighting was done, or at least until I came back for her, and I ran out into the night after Paris.
*
It is really quite disturbing how history so often repeats itself.
As I leapt onto the roof of a city-dwelling and scanned the horizon. Flames licked up the sides of cottages, dry summer grass sizzled in the fields beyond. The western part of the city was a warren of narrow streets and small cottages. Fire in one home was spreading fast to the next, regardless of the occupant's religion. The air was acrid with smoke and burning flesh. I could not comprehend what either Pharaoh or the Hebrew thought they would achieve.
A few streets over I could see the glint of a sword I knew. The familiarity of the situation made my head light. I tried to put Troy from my mind. Jumping from roof to roof I crossed the streets until I was there looking down at Paris, once again fighting for his life and the freedom of his people. Though at that moment I remained uncertain as to whom his people were. A horse whinnied and an Egyptian axe came sailing past his head. Then I knew. He was fighting for the Hebrew. A wave of relief washed over me, but only for a fraction of a moment.
A horse reared and the guard on its back bellowed as he struggled to hold on. Beneath a flurry of hooves and swinging blades, Paris leapt deftly out of their way. I felt paralysed, terrified that he would die, and uncertain what to do.
The crackle of flames, thunder of hooves, clash of weapons, crying women, screaming children, bellowing men, and the hammering of fists on wood; each battled for volume. I stared as Pharaoh's guards lorded through the streets, fighting the Hebrew as they tried to protect their homes. But some were not fighting. Silently and swiftly they were moving from house to house. Each time they reached a home without a cross they broke down the door, pushing inside. I could not see what they did in there, but I heard the screams and pitiful sobs. Children were being rounded up, dragged from their beds and out into the streets amidst the fighting.
Some were so young and small they could barely walk. Bewildered round eyes filled with tears and confusion as rope was bound around their wrists and they were violently led through the battle-torn streets towards the Avenue of Sphinxes.
I hesitated. I wanted to stay with Paris, but I had to know what they were doing with the children. I looked back to the area where Paris had been and saw he was no longer there. I searched frantically from my rooftop perch, but I had lost sight of him. I was about to go after the children when I heard him call out,
"Parameses, what are you doing?"
"The firstborn of every Egyptian family is to be taken prisoner. If we must leave our homes and our country, then the people of Pi-Ramesses will lose something too."
Their voices were yelling over the din right below me. I leapt down, landing with a thud by my prince's side.
"What are you doing here?" he cried, his voice tight and angry. "Go home. I need you safe."
But I was not listening. I grabbed Parameses by his throat so fast he had no time to fight back,
"Let them go," I screamed in his face. He staggered back, truly understanding my strength and the reality of my nature for the first time.
"You really are…a,"
"Goddess," I spat in his face. Parameses gasped for breath as my grip on this throat tightened,
"Let the children go," I hissed.<
br />
A hand gripped my shoulder. Paris leaned in close behind me.
"Cassandra, don't…"
I relaxed a little, and Parameses sank down in momentary relief. But it was short-lived. Another voice broke through the din.
"Brother, you dare defy our beloved father? You dare to defy Egypt?"
We were silenced. I stepped away from the preacher and Paris drew his sword. Parameses stumbled further back as his elder brother lurched towards him with his dagger thrust out.
"Ramses!" he hissed in astonishment. "Father sent you instead of coming down here himself to face us!" Parameses was almost laughing in the crown prince's face.
"I will make sure you and our followers don't make it through this night with your lives," the young Ramses spat.
Behind us, someone was crying,
"The children, they have our children."
Prince Ramses slammed his brother against the wall of a storage silo. There was a crack as his skull crashed against the mud-brick wall. Parameses slumped, dazed. Paris reacted instantly, slashing his sword through the air, slicing deep through the crown prince's neck. Blood splattered his face and arms.
Paris stepped back, breathing heavy with the effort and shock of what he had done. Ramses grabbed at his throat, blood pumping through his fingers and gurgling gruesomely, air hissing through the gaping hole. Slowly his eyes clouded and he sank to he knees. Parameses fell at his side, grasping at his hand. He sat for a moment looking at his fallen brother. Finally, he looked up at Paris.
"Good riddance," he grinned.
This was not the first enemy Paris had killed. But the sight of the prince's broken body made him shiver almost as violently as the ground beneath our feet.
I had not noticed the earth tremble until that moment. I looked down, just as others all around us did the same.
Paris raised his eyes to the dark sky and bellowed,
"Not again!"
I flung myself into his arms. It was a moment of utter terror and sadness, and yet it was a moment that I wished could have lasted forever. Pressed against his warm chest, his arms folded around me, I could feel the wetness of his tears in my hair.
The Dark Evolution Chronicles Page 4
