Betrayal (17 page)

I have to admit that I was annoyed by the interruption. I was intrigued by what I’d just heard. Something stuck out in what Moon Rose had said.

“They all have dark auras at times. Some more frequent than the others.”
I can only imagine what Moon Rose meant by that, and knew that I would soon find out.

Sun Paw walked right past me as I squeezed myself further into the darkened corner. Moon Rose reluctantly followed the woman who I guessed to be their mother into the kitchen. I continued to occupy my hiding place for a moment while I thought about the sisters’ conversation.

The sisters seemed to know everything. They knew about me and what I’m supposed to be. They knew more than I knew, and they were trusted with the secret of the Ischeros. Moon Rose had made it no secret to her sister that she didn’t think very highly of me, and she seemed to have her mind made up. The feeling was mutual. I had decided then and there that I didn’t like Moon Rose very much. I’m glad that I wasn’t stuck with her as my servant. Sun Paw seemed genuinely sweet. I couldn’t help wondering why Moon Rose felt that she needed to warn her little sister to be cautious of me since she admitted to not knowing much about me before I had left.

I quietly made my way back through the foyer and pretended to have just descended the stairs. I was heading to the dining room when I spotted Sun Paw in the parlor, dusting knickknacks on the fireplace mantle. Her gaze stopped me in mid step. Something had changed. She looked at me oddly with her head cocked to one side. I wondered if she was aware of me spying on her. I couldn’t tell by her expression. Maybe she was considering what her sister had said, which left me pondering if there was any truth to Moon Roses’ words.

Eight

Unexpected Guests

Walking into the warm glow of the dining room, I was surprised by how different it looked since I had last seen it. The cold, dim, and unfurnished room was now a vision of opulence; a place for the grandest of dining and entertaining. I just couldn’t get over how elegant the room looked; how vibrant. I didn’t realize that it had this much potential.

Jumbo potted ferns, taller than I, stood in every corner of the room as if standing watch over the guests. Three magnificent crystal vases were perfectly placed on the enormous table holding the most breathtaking arrangement of completely opened and full red, coral, and fuchsia roses. I noticed two elegant candelabras lit at either end of the enormous table under crystal raindrops that dripped from the voluminous gilded chandelier. The glow from the chandelier’s crystals projected dancing stars on the crimson wallpapered walls. This must be some kind of dinner party, I dreaded. More than likely, in my honor.

The dining room table was set for a feast. The etched crystal and engraved silver bowls, pitchers, and platters glistened from the brilliance of the chandelier, and were full of a variety of foods. An array of meats and vegetables, both roasted and raw, breads, and fruit covered the enormous table. If they eat like this every night, I’ll certainly be forced to go up a dress size. This kind of dining was novel to me. I was accustomed to having dinner late in my room most nights after work. I honestly don’t remember the last time I sat down with my parents for dinner. Thanksgiving, maybe. Even then our dinner of turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes wasn’t as elaborate as this setting.

A man and a woman looking to be in their midforties sat on either ends of the table, smiling at me. Bethany seemed to favor the man, having the same ocean blue eyes but heart shaped face as the woman. Evan favored the woman’s features but had the strong jaw line of the man, as well as the ocean blue eyes. They must be their parents, I thought. But… wait a minute…that can’t be. Bethany had said that her parents had been… killed. Did she lie? If so, I wondered why. I couldn’t understand why she felt she needed to lie to me…about something so horrible. If that was the case, I would be so deeply hurt by this new revelation.

Evan pulled out the empty chair closest to him and I sat down. Across from me were Nikolas, Bethany, a young boy, and a little girl. The boy looked to be about twelve, and the girl looked about six or maybe seven. I wondered who they were. I guessed them to be Evan and Bethany’s younger siblings since we were in their home. Both kids stared at me expectantly, smiling. I smiled back and that seemed to make their day.

Suddenly, as I tried to get comfortable in my seat, and adjusted the skirt of my dress, a man and woman materialized out of nowhere. They appeared to have come through the wall. Everyone except the kids seemed to notice them instantly. Something about them was familiar, but I couldn’t figure out what. I stared at them and they stared back. Then it hit me. I knew who they were. They were the ghost couple that followed me through the gates of Bethany’s house. I prayed that they weren’t haunting it.

The couple looked at me endearingly. I looked from one to the other. The woman looked like an older version of me with the same jade green eyes. My stomach did a flip. The woman spoke first, her expression was doleful.

“My darling Cordelia, we are your parents. We miss you and love you dearly. Please accept the role which you must take on.” I was too stunned by their presence and words to reply.

The man spoke next. He sounded very matteroffact, yet very sincere, but still as glum as the woman.

“Our home is the Underworld now and we must go.” And with those final words they both vanished right before my eyes. I sat there like stone –

unable to feel anything or even move.

“The Underworld?” I croaked, losing my breath and voice altogether.

“That was your mother and father.” Evan whispered, leaning closer to me as he looked at the two kids, whom he seemed to not want to overhear.

It was confirmed. The kids hadn’t seen the couple enter the room, and were oblivious to the whole encounter. “They’ve gone to the Underworld, where all lost souls go. They wanted to give you closure so that you may ease back into your role here.”

Closure?

“Are they dead?” I questioned, my voice was loud and grabbed everyone’s attention. Eyes from all around the table peered at me, and subsequently at the older man for approval. He appeared to be surprised to hear me speak.

Evan cleared his throat before he answered. “Yes, Cordelia, I know you don’t remember them and what happened to them. Perhaps it is better that you don’t, for now.”

I felt like I was hit with a brick. My parents, my
real
parents, that I couldn’t remember, were dead, and it was their ghosts that had spoken to me.

I was shocked and found it harder to breathe, and could only nod. The room was getting increasingly stifling. Already warm in this dress, which was totally inappropriate for this temperate October weather, I felt the perspiration beginning to pool in my corset. I detested perspiring, and immediately felt itchy.

I missed my other parents, the parents I left in the future, who as far as I was concerned were all that mattered to me. My future parents were imposters, unbeknownst to them of course, therefore to no fault of their own. I still felt connected to them now since loving them unconditionally for what I thought was a life time. Well, seventeen years that drastically turned out to be only two. Although, I didn't know these people, I didn't completely doubt that they were my real parents. At this moment, I just wished that I could recall some memory of them, anything. Unfortunately nothing came flooding back. I couldn’t remember ever knowing them.

I felt the tears begin to well up beneath my eyelids and I cursed myself for my excess of wimpy emotions. I had never been much of a crier so this new tendency of weeping was infuriating due to the sudden lack of control I have over it. I tried to conceal my tears by staring down at the sparkling silverware. I caught my new dainty and fancy resemblance, which mirrored the woman who had just vanished, in my empty china plate. We shared so many of the same facial features, so the truth was hard to deny.

I thought about how I’d always tried, unsuccessfully, to find a similar physical attribute to the only mother I remember knowing. My dark wavy hair was a stark contrast to her curly blond hair. Her oval face was pale compared to my heart shaped, deeply tanned face. Both of my future parents had deep brown eyes, which certainly didn’t mirror my green eyes. As far as body types go, forget about it. My future mom was petite at only five feet and one inch tall. My dad was average for a man at five feet nine inches. How could they end up with a daughter who was five foot eight inches tall?

These strange characteristics had always plagued me.

I was feeling unstable and glared at the faces around the table, the familiar ones and the unfamiliar ones. They smiled and nodded as if trying to provide the strength needed to accept it all. In my despair I caught Evan staring at me oddly from my peripheral view. He grabbed my hand under the table and gently squeezed it. I immediately pulled my hand away from his warm clutch. It was a sudden reflex like that of being grabbed by a complete stranger. In which Evan was to me. He must have seen something in my expression when he asked, “Are you feeling alright?”

I wasn’t, but said, in a harsh whisper, “As well as to be expected.”

Evan decided it was time to introduce his parents which made sense since I was stricken with a sudden bout of amnesia.

“Cordelia, this is Thaddeus and Alexandria Capius, my parents.” I threw a bitter glance at Bethany who pretended to miss it entirely, as Evan motioned to the two adults who sat at either end of the dining table.

Alexandria stood up from her thrown like chair, and upon doing that every man at the table stood up, including the little boy who still had his eyes on me. She practically glided over to me.

“Sweet darling, please know that you are safe now. We've promised your mother and father that in any event that either of them was ever taken away from you, Thaddeus and I would look after you as one of our own,” she said smiling to me than to her husband. “We will keep that promise, my dear.”

Alexandria hugged and kissed me on the cheek. She was slender and beautiful in a regal sort of way, reminding me of a queen. Her hair was dark auburn like Evan's and her lips were full like his. She gently stroked my perfectly coiffed hair while her husband began to speak.

“You are
our
daughter now,” Thaddeus’ voice was a combination of authority and kindness. He kissed my hand, and rubbed it for a brief moment.

Considerably uncomfortable with his touch, I wanted to pull away, but didn’t dare insult him. With his head held up, and his chest thrust outward, Thaddeus’ composure was that of a man of greatness. I saw a lot of him in Evan, although Thaddeus’ hair was as pale as Bethany's.

These two strangers, that for the life of me I couldn’t remember any more than the two that had vanished, seemed genuinely kind caring. The way one would be if they had found a bird with a broken wing and nursed it until it healed, and then let it resume its freedom by allowing it to fly away.

I doubt this bunch would ever let me go.

“Hello... um…thanks.” I barely muttered. I was suddenly tongue tied with a nervous affliction. My eyes went to my empty plate again then to the beautiful roses. Evan's parents finally headed back to their seats.

Evan introduced the children, who sat uncharacteristically for kids; quiet and well behaved.

“This is Christopher, your younger brother. Chris is ten years old. Phoebe is your little sister and is seven years old,” Evan said motioning to the two children. I couldn’t disguise my shock of learning that kids were my siblings?

“They have missed you terribly.” Bethany added. I ignored her.

Both of the kid’s faces beamed as they raced each other to my chair. Then they both stopped abruptly, appearing unsure if it was alright to hug the big sister who didn't remember them. I eyed them carefully, softening my expression into a smile, and extended my arms out to them, giving them the clearance they desired. I was smothered with kisses and hugs from my new little brother and sister. They both giggled uncontrollably. Their laughter was infectious and I giggled along with them, finally feeling something somewhat remotely close to being happy since arriving in the past. I’ve always wanted siblings.

I immediately felt a sisterly bond to them both. Phoebe resembled me a bit but had hazel eyes and strawberry blond hair. It was so sweet the way she held on to me for a long time before finally letting go, ever so slowly, as if she didn’t want me to leave again. Then she said it; the words that nearly broke my heart.

“Please don't ever leave again, Cordelia.” she hugged me again. “Ever.” The pureness in her immature whisper of a voice melted my heart a hundred times. How arduous it must have been for these kids to lose their parents, and then to lose me too.

“I promise.” I said, before realizing the words that had escaped my lips. Christopher, whose eyes were as green as my own and whose dark auburn hair matched mine, didn't leave my side either. His face was jovial the way a young boys face looked opening a new toy car on Christmas morning. I understood it well. My return was a gift to them.

“Children, Cordelia must be hungry as we are surely famished with the days promising events.” Thaddeus said. Obviously, Thaddeus was unaware of what had transpired in my room a short while ago, or he wouldn’t consider the day’s events to be promising.

“Please take your seats, children.” Thaddeus ordered, kindly. He waited for the both of them to be seated, and then he strolled over to me once again. My heart rate quickened. Something about Thaddeus made me nervous. He reached into his breast pocket, and pulled out a small burgundy velvet piece of fabric.

“This is your family heirloom. It was given to you by your parents on your fifteenth birth – year, as it is given to every Ischeros on their fifteenth birth – year,” Thaddeus said, unfolding the fabric from the center, lifting the four pointed edges outward until the fabric was a perfect square revealing a sparkling medallion and glimmering silver necklace.

“The medallion is the Eye of the Ischeros; a guide if ever in danger, or if ever you wish to speak with the gods. Yours, as everyone’s, has a symbol of their direct god.” Then he gently placed the necklace around my neck...