Vilmo's Wrath: Deglon Blood (11 page)

“This is Jonny and Dave Hamilton. Father and son. Two weeks ago Dave’s home was attacked by Shadows and his friends were killed,” Zen says.

Jonny smiles brightly, Dave nods and continues reading an old newspaper.

“Jonny, you are Szion?” Mia asks.

Jonny nods.

“Where is your Vilmo?” Mia asks, letting her curiosity get the better of her. Jonny looks at Zen. Zen nods.

“Your daughter was to be my Vilmo,” he answers.

“How can such a mistake be made? Nora has …”

“Not, Nora,” he says.

“What?”

Mia looks to Zen, fear fills her face. Zen nods.

“There is more, but we have plenty of time for that,” Zen says.

Although Mia is ready to hear it all now, she sees in Zen’s eyes, he is not ready to tell her. She asks nothing more about it but gives him a look that ensures him that she will get answers.

The next introduction is a petite woman. She is almost childlike. Her beauty outweighs all of the men. She shines sitting on the floor next to the fireplace. The fire only increases her flawless features. Her long black hair is braided down the back of her head, which brings attention to the golden flakes that lightly coat her skin. It is her eyes that grabs Mia’s attention. They are completely black, looking into them is terrifying. One look and Mia is ready to confess all of her sins. Mia quickly looks away trying her best not to offend the woman with her horrified expression.

“This is Marina Smith. Her Vilmo and son were also murdered.”

Mia gives a small wave and then moves on.

The last two men sit on a large sofa against the far wall. Both men are blonde, one with blue eyes the other gray. The slightly taller of the two has strong facial features, his eyes are gray with a silver lining. His shoulder length blond hair hides a slightly noticeable scar on his right cheek, which brings out the charm in his handsome rugged look. His name is Mike Minnel and the other Rocco Bryant.

“Mike and Rocco have lost no loved ones. They are soldiers,” Zen says walking toward the kitchen.

Mia smiles and follows Zen. They sit at the kitchen table, both silent and unsure how to start the next conversation.

“Mia, as you can see we are all affected by the changes in this world,” Zen says.

“Why do you stay? I mean—why stay when you all can be safe on Boligon?” she asks him.

“Our life is here. Most of us have loved and lost here. There is no place we’d rather fight for. A new world has begun to form, and unless we can destroy the Shadow, our kind on this planet will be no more,” he answers.

“How are we to do that?”

“Robbie and Nora?” Zen says.

Mia’s heart almost stops.

“Nora’s whole life was hidden to keep her safe. My life away from her has been about her being protected, and now you’re telling me that we have to put her in danger? No! That is not happening.”

Zen gently touches her hand, and his expression goes dim.

“Mia, the Shadow in the alley was one of the strongest.”

“No kidding.”

Mia smirks, rubbing her forearm.

“It was Aria,” Zen says.

Mia closes her eyes, horrified at what she might hear next. She knew this day would come. She and Noah spent years trying to find their stolen child. Trying to prevent Dumont from making her dark. Now, it was too late.

“No! Aria is dead.”

Mia knows that isn’t true, but admitting to the truth meant admitting she failed at saving her. It meant admitting that Aria would have to be killed. How can she be okay with hunting down her own child?

“I’m sorry, but it’s true. Jonny still feels her. The two never met to break the connection themselves and the gods gave up on us before removing the connection between them. When we see Nora, you can hear it from her. She has more of a connection with her. We found you in the alley through Jonny. Speaking of, I need to close your connection with her,” Zen says.

“I thought only the one I am bonded to, is allowed to do that?”

“As I’ve said before. The rules have changed. I have no choice, now that Noah is …”

Zen stops and pulls his hand away.

“Zen, it’s okay. Close it,” Mia says, reaching for his hand.

Their hands become warm and the beating of Mia’s heart increases.
This can’t be. How can I be ready to bond with someone else so quickly? My heart still calls for Noah yet it begs for Zen. I don’t understand how this is possible,
Mia thinks. Zen slowly removes his hand from hers.

“I don’t know if I can believe that Shadow is Aria,” Mia says softly, trying to ignore the feelings she just had for Zen.

“I know, but just because you don’t believe it, doesn’t mean it isn’t so. We know you and Noah hid the fact that she was alive. Noah died so that Aria could be destroyed. She is no longer your daughter. I’m so sorry,” he says.

Mia knows he is right, but she struggles to come to terms with the fact that her daughter is the one they will have to kill.

“Mia, as the first twins to ever be born to our kind, Aria and Nora are the strongest of all Vilmo. Aria is feeding on Vilmo souls making her stronger than even a young Szion. She knows only Nora can kill her. She won’t stop—Dumont won't stop until Nora is dead,” Zen says.

Mia can’t wrap her mind around the fact that her baby is the cause of this destruction.

“If this is what Noah died for, then this is what I will live for,” Mia says.
‘It is time we fight for our right to live,’
she hears Noah say in her head. It was a common phrase he used just before a battle.

“There are no borders in this life,” Mia says.

“We kill or be killed, there is no other way,” Zen finishes.

Mia smiles, surprised.

“How do you know that saying?”

“Noah was one of my best friends,” he says.

Mia looks deeply into his eyes, it is then she realizes that she has seen him before. She can’t remember the exact time and place, but she is certain that they have met before.

“Why is it that you and I have never met through Noah?” she asks him.

Zen smiles but never answers.

“So, now what? We wait?” Mia asks, changing the subject.

“Robbie contacted me earlier. He will let us know when the time is right.”

“Okay, until then, can you fill me in on all you know so that I can be ready? I don’t think I can handle any more surprises. Start with how Robbie knew to contact you,” Mia says.

“First things first. We must close your bond before we are swarming with Shadows. It may already be too late,” he says.

“Wait, wasn’t that what you just did?” Mia asks

“No, I pulled away. That was something else,” he says, staring at her.

“So, it wasn’t just me,” Mia whispers.

Zen shakes his head and strokes her hand. The touch of his hand brushing her flesh has her body calling for more. She closes her eyes and absorbs every feeling Zen’s touch blesses her with. That one touch embraces her soul, changing everything she knew love to be. Their eyes meet with intensity. Mia then reverts her eyes to the table. Zen pats her hand supportively and slowly slides away.

“Robbie has blocked all links to Nora. He put out a Szion call for help in finding you. I am the one that answered his call. We have been tracking you for weeks now,” Zen says.

“What? Why?”

“Mia the moment Noah decided to end his life, you were an open target for Aria. He knew Robbie would die before letting anything happen to Nora, and Noah asked me to look after you.”

Mia says nothing to object. She knew Noah would only do what is best for her.

“Rod, Robert, and Noah gave their lives that night,” Zen says.

“I understand why Robert and Noah would give their lives for their children, but why Rod? Who was he protecting?” Mia asks.

“Nora is pregnant. But there is something Robbie is not saying,” Zen says, waiting for Mia’s reaction.

“Oh my god, Zen! Think about it. When a regular Vilmo and a Szion have a child, they get stronger. When a Vilmo and a Szion has twins the Vilmo is almost as strong as a young Szion. What happens when a twin Vilmo blessed with the life of a Szion, and a Szion blessed with a stronger Szion has twins? Zen, Nora is pregnant with twins!” Mia says excitedly.

“They become the strongest beings alive. Yes! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. They are to become the gods of this world,” Zen says jumping to his feet.

“Do you know what this means, Mia?”

“Yeah, I’m going to be a Grandma!” Mia yells in excitement.

Zen smiles. Marina walks over and hugs Mia.

“Yes that, but it means we have a chance,” Marina says.

Zen’s smile fades. Mia jumps to her feet, tense with anticipation.

“If they get to her before she gives birth, all will be lost,” Zen says.

Mia suddenly feels sick and clenches her stomach.

“Not to worry, Mia. Robbie is a smart boy. He knows how to protect her. Besides, she’s also got us,” Dave says, giving Mia a reassuring pat on the back.

Mia’s worry for Nora turns to anger when the feeling of Light fills her stomach. Just as if Noah were alive the feeling is subtle. Mia looks over at Zen, he smiles and gives her a charming wink. A burst of wind caused by an explosion outside the house causes the candles to go out. Zen wraps his arm around Mia’s waist, they vanish and arrive on the porch of another house. Instead of entering the house through the front door, they walk across the porch that leads to a side door. Mia searches for the rest of Zen’s crew and begins to panic when she doesn’t see them. Zen smiles.

“Mia, they are safe,”  says leading her into the house by the hand.

“This is a nice place. Is it yours?

Zen nods.

“Thank you, make yourself at home,” he says disappearing into another room.

The house is undeniably comfortable. The brown colored connecting sofa that sits in the middle of the living room went perfectly with the rust colored carpet that lay under it. A fire blazed with intensity as if someone had been home all night, sending the aroma of fresh oak throughout the house.

“Not bad for a bachelor,” she mutters, sitting on the corner of the sofa.

“You should relax, Mia. I’ll make dinner,” he says, pulling out multiple items from his icebox.

“Zen, we were just attacked and we left, why?”

“Wouldn’t you rather we be at our best to defend Nora, or would you rather take the chance of being killed before you see your grandkids?” he asks, in the most controlled tone.

Stunned, Mia sits in silence. A warm smile crosses Zen’s lips.

“Come sit with me.”

Zen motions her to the kitchen stool. Mia sits with her fingers laced in front of her.

“Mia, that explosion was just a Shadow's way of letting us know they were there. They may have intended on attacking when they felt a Vilmo, but when they felt the presence of so many Szion, they set the explosion out of frustration. A Shadow can defeat a Szion, but only an inexperienced one. It would take a few of them for one of us older ones. Aria will only fight a Szion if she has to.”

Mia’s head began to throb. It is hard for her to think of her child as the enemy, but it is even harder to think about her wanting to kill her sister. Mia wants to curl up in a corner somewhere and cry until she can no more. She wants to scream for death to take her so that she didn't have to watch the death of her daughter. She wants Noah to appear and wrap his arms around her, but now every time she thinks of Noah she sees Zen’s face. Every look brings her closer to Zen as if she were being introduced to her very first Szion. As if they were meant to be.

“May I use your bathroom?” Mia asks, jumping from her seat.

“Sure, through the bedroom on the right.”

Even his bedroom warms her. His king size bed with silk maroon bedding, calls to her. It takes a lot for her to walk passed it without touching it.

In the bathroom, her eyes lock on the large garden tub.

“Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a warm bath,” she mumbles, as she washes her hands.

She looks herself over in the full-length mirror on the wall. The battles have really taken a toll on her. Blood still covers her pink shirt and her leather jacket has a rip in the left shoulder. Although her body still glows even with dirt smudged on her face, the light circles under her eyes from lack of sleep makes her look as if she has aged. Mia drenches her face and short dark hair with cold water, washing the dirt from her face, before returning to the kitchen.

“Robbie says we can meet tonight, he has spent time with the gods. They have made Nora and Robbie the new gods of this world, but only if they can save it. If Robbie cannot find a way to save this world the gods will destroy it. I have informed him that I and my crew will fight at his side. He needs time to prepare Nora for our visit,” Zen says.

Mia’s blood runs cold. She too needs time to prepare for the visit. Mia goes into a silent state of panic.
Will she hate me?
She thinks. Many times over the years she has practiced what she would say to Nora, but as she sits there she can’t think of one thing that she can tell her daughter that would make up for lost time. Mia doesn’t fear Nora’s hate. She fears her rejection.