Betrayal (41 page)

As Gerald left the parlor, I noticed Winston by the window again. He seriously creeped me out as he stared out into a world which he was no longer a part of. His unwavering gaze was fixed on my house once again. I was still thirsty after finishing the glass of water, so I sat up and reached for my tea.

The fancy porcelain tea cup felt cool with no steam rising from it. I couldn’t help making a face as I sipped from it, the lukewarm liquid tasted bland. I felt Winston’s penetrating gaze on me.

“You shouldn't consider my brother to be foolish for loving someone that he doesn't realize he will never have.” Winston said, knowingly, still staring out the window. I decided right then and there that I didn't care for him much I had no desire to be judged by some knowitall specter that had played Russian roulette with his own life.

“I don't consider Gerald to be foolish.” I didn't know where this conversation was going, and I really wanted to do the steering.

“He doesn't know your secret. But I do. Being dead does have its perks.” I was speechless. I wasn't even sure of which secret Winston referred to. There were so many.

“My secret?” I wasn't trying to play dumb. I really had no idea what he was aiming at.

“Let’s see,” Winston mused. “So you've lost your memory. A demigod without a memory equals a demigod without any divine powers. Well actually, shame on me, you have managed to gain a couple back, but you’re hopelessly without any clue as to how to control them, or you may not have killed that vampiress the other night.” He said with a knowing glare followed by a wicked chuckle.

“Why Darling girl, are you surprised? I know all there is to know about you, and your kind. Your family secrets as well as the secrets you keep from them. I’ve been privy to them all. It is too bad that you can't remember.”

“How could you know… everything?” I was unable to conceal my curiosity.

“I died a couple months before you disappeared. I dreamed of dying so many times while I was alive, always dreaming the same thing although I never anticipated dying at the tender age of twenty. I would see myself going off into some kind of clouded heaven with beautiful disrobed angels dancing around me, wanting nothing more but to please me… in every way a man should be. Not once had I thought I would die, and be forced to hang around this dreary house indefinitely. It is a mean trick really and an utter bore.” Winston stared at me.

“Whenever I wanted to get away from this house I would spend time across the street, at your former home; your parents' home. I would spend a lot of time with you. I would watch you sometimes just to see what it was that my innocent little brother loved so much about you. At first you were annoyed by me but slowly you warmed up to my… company.” I shifted on the sofa, and turned away from his gaze in shock. “Am I making you uncomfortable?

Honestly, it’s not my intention. You should feel at ease with me fore I am your only friend and… the answer to your prayers.”

I was stunned speechless. I couldn’t get my thoughts together to speak. Here I was sitting in the Bergnum’s estate hoping to make some kind of connection with Gerald that would jump start my memory when it’s Winston, his deceased brother who according to him had befriended me as a ghost before I was sent away, who may actually shed some light. It was strange that I never really mentioned Winston in my diaries.

Winston was right. He may just be my only friend. He knew who and what I really was, and he was not an Ischero which lent a whole different aspect to my existence. I guess the most important question was; can I trust him? Someone with Winston’s track record of recklessness, deceit, and selfishness, may be looking for some sort of payment.

“I don't remember anything.” I admitted, cautiously. “I need your help.”

Winston purred as sweet as a kitten with nails as sharp as a tigers. “I may be of some assistance although I do wonder how you will… repay me.”

BINGO!

Some things never change, and in Winston’s case, he was the same old opportunist in death as he had been known to be for all of his short life.

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

Winston moved really close to me, close enough to kiss me – standing only an inch or two away from me, tall and dominating, bringing with him more of the frosty air. The roguish look on his face was now one of satisfaction as he vanished into thin air.

“Wait!”

I jumped up from the sofa reaching out with my hand as if I could grab Winston’s phantom arm before he disappeared completely.

“Cordelia, are you alright? What are you doing? Who were you speaking to?” I was startled by Gerald's voice. He had been silent when he reentered the parlor. The perplexed look on his sunkissed face, and his barrage of questions was overwhelming. I didn't want Winston to leave. He was the window into my life. Gerald slammed it shut when he walked back into the room. Gerald was still standing in front of the archway.

“I'm over here, and you appear to be talking to the window or the …wall. Are you alright?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m fine, and I'd better be going now.” I got up, and quickly marched past a startled Gerald, and into the hallway. I grabbed my parasol, and didn't bother putting on my hat. I was out the door as Gerald stared after me in the doorway. I never looked back. Once out of the Bergnum’s entrance gates, I heard his front door shut, and I noticed it was getting darker out with every step. No, not darker just over cast, although the sun was still shining above me from the right. I stopped walking, and turned around and noticed nothing at first, until I looked down at the dusty dirt road. The warm breeze picked up around the hem of my dress and I noticed my shadow was cast to the left of me in an elongated dark twin of myself. Upon noticing my own shadow, I became aware of the Apolluon shadows a few yards behind me, slowly creeping upward off of the ground as if they were trying to stand up.

I felt bonded to where I stood as the shadows stood upright. The Apolluon had begun to form a semicircle around me with only a thin opening to the circle left where my shadow was cast. It was as if they couldn’t touch my shadow. I was at least several yards from The Capius estate. Run, I thought, run as fast as you can. I did, and was at the Capius’ entrance gates in a matter of a heartbeat just as I felt searing hot claws grab my arms.

The second the Apolluon touched me they recoiled instantly and began vibrating as if I had shocked them with a Taser gun. A high pitched shriek reverberated throughout the sinister looking silhouettes. They became a charcoal gray fog that turned into the curly spirals of smoke dissipating into the clear afternoon air.

They were gone, for now.

TwentyTwo

Sisters and Riddles

The minute I stepped into the house, I was ambushed by Bethany.

“Have you lost your mind? Why did you leave this house? Why were you at the Bergnum’s estate? You are hell bent on risking everyone’s safety especially your own!” Bethany hissed. The bombardment of questions and accusations made my head spin, and I couldn’t think let alone formulate answers.

“What?” I backed up as much as I could, and tried not to bump into the huge mahogany side bar.

“It’s too dangerous to be out of this house right now, especially alone. You can’t defend yourself.” I guess telling her how I was nearly smothered by the Apolluon would not be a good idea right now.

Besides that horror, I still didn’t know who that man was, staring at me, dressed in all black, and standing in the desolate garden of my house. I was beginning to believe that he may be a vampire, but how is it that he was out and about in the daylight?

“Nothing happened.” I lied. Luckily it didn’t seem like Bethany was aware of the Apolluon’s ambush and my escape.

“Why were you at the Bergnum's estate?” Bethany demanded. Her voice sounded harsh and decreased in volume. Maybe she didn’t want anyone to hear her scolding me like a child.

“I... I... uh... ” I stammered. I couldn't get my thoughts together. I was still rattled by the Apolluon shadows as Bethany edged my every step. I was cornered, and basically couldn't move.

“Did my father not make himself clear, when he said that you are not to leave this house alone? How could you disregard our attempts at keeping you safe? You are putting yourself at risk. You are putting us all at risk. Could you really be this selfish?” Bethany stomped the floor around me; her arms waving about emphasizing certain words. Her pretty face was twisted in a scowl. Actually Bethany didn’t look pretty at all right now.

“I'm sorry. I just needed some air. I went for a walk, and ran into Gerald, who then invited me in for tea. I thought it would be rude to say no.” I explained, but mostly lied.

“You're lying,” Bethany accused, as her eyes narrowed into slits.

I wanted to slap her. At this point I didn't care if she believed me or not. I thought about all the questions Bethany asked. The nerve of her. She was the liar. She lied about everything from the first time I met her. She said it was all to protect me, yet I ended up dead? And she's been lying ever since. She lied to me about her parents and about knowing Gerald. I didn't trust her. What was she hiding? Besides, I had just escaped the Apolluon by the skin of my teeth. I was in no mood for this interrogation.

“What gives you the right to question me?” I challenged.

Bethany's face turned beet red and revealed the shock to my question as well as anger.

“I beg your pardon?” She said in a huff.

“Oh cut the lady like crap. I’ve heard you swear dozens of times, and I'm exhausted with your perfect diction and etiquette.”

“Answer me Cordelia, why were you there?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I asked with a hint of a smile. It was my turn to keep secrets. Let’s see how she likes that.

“So I take it that you want to start keeping secrets again.”

“Ha! Me? Keeping secrets? Are you kidding me Beth? I know nothing. You know all the answers and all the secrets.” I was trying to stay calm, but Bethany was really testing my patience.

“Your secrets will put you in a difficult position,” Bethany barked. “I hope that you didn’t reveal anything to Gerald. It will only jeopardize his safety.”

“Safety from whom or what?” I asked. I knew exactly what she meant. If Gerald ever found out about the family’s secret, he would be a threat to the Ischeros, and he would only be unsafe from us. But did this mean that he would be killed? I suppose that was why Bethany said that I would be put in a difficult position. The position of being forced to choose sides.

“First of all, Gerald is not a secret. He is my friend, so I still don’t get why my meeting with him is such a big deal. Second He isn’t dangerous and he isn’t a threat to the family. I wouldn’t dare reveal our little secret and get him killed.”

Why is she doing this? Why is she seeing him again? Why can’t she just follow the rules? He’s a mortal for the Gods sake, and isn’t worth the trouble that would ensue. Evan would be so hurt if he knew that she was doing this behind his back.

I was reading Bethany’s thoughts again. The girl was torturing herself without cause.

“Our little secret? You make it sound like something dirty when it is completely the opposite. We are the purist and the most superior of all beings. You should be honored to be the daughter of the almighty Zeus.” Bethany proclaimed fiercely. I said nothing as Bethany’s words hung in the air. It was the contrary actually. I didn’t feel honored at all. I felt cursed.

“I’m only concerned with your safety, and I hope that you are telling me the truth,” Bethany said, although I wasn't convinced. “Wait a minute. I thought you said you ran into Gerald, and he then invited you in for tea. Did you plan this meeting?” Bethany asked icily.

We locked eyes for a moment. Even though I said nothing, Bethany knew the truth. Bethany turned away, and slowly sauntered into the parlor. She waited for me to enter the room before she closed the double doors which closed us off from the rest of the enormous house. I watched her suspiciously.

She appeared to be serene, and not at all irate as she had proved to be just a couple minutes ago, when she expected to be in control of our exchange.

Bethany's lovely face was poised now. She stood in front of the unlit fireplace. It was much too warm to have a fire going.

“I didn't feel it was necessary to tell you about an old childhood friendship which would only cause uncertainty in a time when the priority is to help you regain your strengths.” Bethany elucidated.

I watched Bethany's elusive eyes dart around the room; darting to numerous paintings that hung on the patterned wallpaper. She only made eye contact with me for one split second before her eyes flitted away like the panicked wings of a butterfly. Bethany began pacing from one point of the parlor to another like some scheming caged animal. My best friend of two long years was still keeping something.

“Is that it... is that all?” I asked.

“No, I wish it was.”

Of course that’s not all. You couldn’t comprehend it all. And I’m stuck baby sitting you. We all are. Meanwhile you’re out gallivanting with a mortal. Do you wish to hurt my brother? Why must you hurt him so?

Bethany’s thoughts came in waves, and I perceived them clearly. She looked me dead in the eyes, attempting to hide her frazzled nerves. She thought that I was out with Gerald so that I could rekindle whatever it was that we once had. One minor transgression, and I’m held guilty for an eternity. I knew Bethany well. She was definitely rattled. She needed to be in control more than she needed to be correct.

“Well, this is your chance to be straight with me Bethany.” I said patiently.

Bethany was temporarily hushed. With her head tipped downward she proceeded to appear distraught. I walked up to the fireplace where Bethany stood. I grabbed her arm and turned her to face me. I looked her in the eyes as I spoke to her.

“I’m waiting.”

“You fell in love.” Bethany said, freeing herself of my pathetic grip. “You broke the laws of the Ischeros when you stepped out of our circle, and sought a relationship with a mortal, hence, ultimately betraying my brother. You kept the secret from me, from everyone.”