Romance / Lost Destiny : Justice (Analysis)
Fire and brimstone rained upon the ground burning away at the island pushing it beneath the sea in an eerie silence of eternal sleep. Closing his eyes against the pain clawing at his chest Orion stood among the five, a muscle in his jaw ticking away the seconds as his silver eyes glowed gold in the darkness. His muscled arms and chest straining at the effort his power demanded. His once proud council lay at his feet pale silk skirts in disarray, their skin ghostly pale, their eyes closed in fatigue. He had seen them protect the island countless times from all forms of threat, but never before had he seen them defeated, broken. He had to protect them and his people, his decision saving and damning them at once, but he refused to falter now.
”The strongest of us rise now to a world anew, never to see home again until our need outweighs your own. Until your return we slumber awaiting your protection once more. Learn what you must to end our plight. Be gone.” Thunder rumbled in the distance as dark and hollow as he felt. Lightening struck the ground, rumbling beneath his feet as the prone bodies shot from the ground held by light. Their hair swirled around them in a rainbow of colors, each a different shade of nature as true as the woman who wore it. The tresses cast them in silhouette as they spun, as if at the center of the storm, held above it all their faces alive with panic and terror. His heart clenched and he knew this wasn’t what he’d tried to cast. Their voices rose in screams that chilled his blood and shattered his heart. As his denial rang through the dissipating storm they finished fading into air.
Falling to his knees in the middle of the circle Orion lowered his head, muttering curses upon himself for his recklessness. In his desperation he may have damned them all. Fire’s face danced before his eyes, her flaming locks true to her name as blue eyes laughed down on him, sending a ripple of pain through his chest as if he’d been struck a blow. She had trusted him, had led her circle in his command and he’d lost her to his folly. Tears burned his eyes as his body huddled close to the ground shaking with tremors of fatigue in the wake of his spell and his loss. His teeth chattered uncontrollably as blood seeped from the gash across his bare chest spilling onto the scorched ground as his voice rang through the stillness pleading for this to be a dream, but he knew he didn’t slumber. He felt the spell tugging at him, trying to pull him into the eternal sleep the city slept within, but he ignored it staring at the blank sky above him wavering slightly as darkness descended burying him alive with the beast.
Justice snapped awake her elbow slamming painfully into the table as she tried to gain her balance as her head slipped from her hand. Cursing darkly she clutched it to her rubbing away the pain as she looked around at her small dining room trying to remember where she was, the dream slow to release her. Her questioning gaze stumbled upon her annoyed date and she stifled the urge to sigh.
”Not again.” She mumbled darkly tossing the napkin resting in her lap onto the table in frustration. The high heels of her Donna carol shoes tapped impatiently on the floor as she struggled to think of a way to tell him that it wasn’t his fault that she’d fallen asleep during their dinner date, their second dinner date, at her apartment, where she’d fallen asleep for the second time. She started to rake a frustrated hand through her dark red hair, but then thought better of it since she’d spent a good half hour wrestling it into a sleek French twist.
”Since I’m obviously boring you to sleep, I think I’ll go.” He growled tossing his own napkin onto the table.
”Ken-” she began only to stop as his glare darkened. Confused by his hostility she narrowed her dark blue eyes in consideration. What had she done wrong this time?
”Kyle.” He reminded her between clenched teeth getting angrily to his feet and glaring down at her. Annoyed She stood, eye level with his six foot with the advantage of her three inch heels.
”Kyle? Are you sur-” She faltered as his gaze narrowed. “Of course your sure its your name after all.” She tried for a smile but it was hopeless. He’d already stormed to the door, slamming it behind him.
”Well damn, there goes another one.” She whispered to the stillness of her apartment. “What’s wrong with me? That’s the second guy this week.” With a depressed sigh she leaned back in her chair stabbing the salad she’d been playing with before her unexpected nap, with undo force, angrily taking a bite. “I’m going to be one of those disgusting old ladies that lives alone with a house full of cats and talks to herself.”
As if in answer to her words three Siamese kittens ran from the kitchen leaping onto the table and helping themselves to her dates uneaten bacon bits. “Behold the unfolding of my destiny.” She mumbled, then rolled her eyes when she realized she was talking to herself. “Why wait for it when you’re living it?” Getting to her feet, she went to the kitchen removing the two pieces of chicken she’d baked for dinner, dividing the two pieces into four. Placing one piece on the plate for herself she tossed the other three into the cats bowl and carried both back to the dining room.
”It looks like its just going to be us again ladies.” She told them with a smile. Placing their dish onto the floor at her feet she sat kicking of her shoes, and taking her hair down, allowing it to cascade freely down her back before glaring at the felines. “Come on, off the table, you know I don’t like you up here. Au De cat isn’t my favorite seasoning.” She growled shooing the three felines, all of which ignored her, Pushing against her hands, trying to get to her plate.
”Salem. Witch. Trial. Off. The table. NOW.” She spoke the words softly, but the air sizzled with power causing the cats to hiss and growl as they leaped to the floor, glaring at her wearily. “I love you too.” She told them darkly smiling at the raised fur on their backs. She loved her cats as much as anyone, but their was only so much a girl could take and she’d reached her limit. Leaning over the table she placed a finger against the red candle that stood between the two place settings. “For forgiveness and obedience.” She whispered as flame leaped to life. Smiling to herself she went to pick up her fork only to realize she’d carried it into the kitchen with her and left it. Too lazy to go get it she leaned across the table to steal Kyle’s only to wish she hadn’t. Scenes played through her head like a train wreck, painful and quick. Kyle lay in the street blood seeping from his mouth his eyes wide and hallow, only it wasn’t the Kyle that had just left her apartment, This Kyle had silver at his temples and eyes framed by crows feet. A tall blond stood over his body tears staining her cheeks as she yelled at his dying body her hatred and her grief over his betrayal.
Gasping for breath Justice forced her hand to open to drop the hot metal that had began to melt in her grip. The flame of the candle raged at her swallowing the wax and leaving behind nothing but charred porcelain in it wake. Closing her eyes She silently counted to ten, mentally picturing the flame gone as she pulled herself under control. Closing her mouth and forcing deep calm breaths through her nose she softly chanted. Silence reigned through the small space stifling and stale. Getting to her feet she blindly tripped to the terrace doors flinging them open and stepping into the cool night air. She could smell the city below fumes and too many people, but she loved it.
Opening her eyes she stared at the lights and the scurry of people along the street like a thousand different types of birds, dressed and talking a language all their own as they fluttered from one interest to another, driven by impulses she rarely understood. She lived quietly, passing slowly through life, always searching, but never lowering her guard enough to truly experience any one thing. At first she’d thought it was because of the gift, but she’d long since stopped deluding herself with that half truth, it was something greater than that, something real and breathing that seemed to live beneath the surface. Allowing the fuel fused air to catch her hair and brush it comfortingly against her cheek she sighed, singing softly beneath her breath the song that always danced along her subconscious, it was the only thing that could quell the unease rising in her.
“Aíde, aíde, kimísou, kórí mou
K’eghó k’eghó ná soú kharíso tín
Alexandra zákhari
Ké to ké tó Misí ri rí zi
Ke tín Konstantantinoúpoli
Trís khrónous ná tín rízis.
Her voice was soft and lulling as the words flowed through her in ancient Greek, a language she had never studied or heard other than the softly sung words that whispered to her in answer to her unease. Curiosity had ate at her when she’d become old enough to realize that sing an ancient song in words you’d never been taught was strange and she’d researched them. Rufly translated to English she sang a sweet lullaby promising a child great things by the hand of fate, the three sisters that visited at birth. As if answer to her thought her voice took up the English version, delighting in the rhythm that translated just as serenely, an international soother.
Now then sleep, sleep my child.
Sleep and dream my lovely child.
I’ll give you the city of Alexandria in sugar;
All of Cairo in rice.
And rich Constantinople.
And there you shall reign for three years.
Leaning heavily on the railing of the balcony Justice lay her head on her arms that she’d folded along the cool metal. Her eyes drifted closed as her voice grew in volume and strength the sound cutting through the harsh sounds of the city and dancing upon the air a blanket of warmth, a spell of tranquility. Everything around her seemed to fade as she slowly drifted away.
’Fire.’ The voice whispered softly in her ear, a laugh vibrating its depths and tickling her. Trying to ignore both the voice and the shiver that shot through her Fire picked up her face, Glaring at Air who walked beside her, a teasing smile on her face as her laughter echoed in Fire’s mind. Rolling her eyes at her friend she wasn’t surprised when Earth, Spirit, and Water’s laughter echoed there as well.
It had been like this for as long as she could remember, the first memory among many was of the five of them always thinking as one no matter the distance or the circumstance. She didn’t know how she could live without them even as she struggled to live with them. At moments like this one she wished she could lock them in some shadow recess of her mind that she may have this at least alone.
’But Fire, how would you survive this without us?’ Air taunted silently from beside her, her brown eyes alight with merriment as she leaped into the air to avoid tripping over yet another admirer. It was a coup to win the favor of the daughters of Atlantis, but it was a nuisance as far as the five females were concerned, they had far more important things on their mind, even at their young age.
’All merriment aside if the two of you don’t hurry yourselves, entourage or not you’ll be spending the next several hours off the ground. Mistress Moon is about to explode with impatience.’ Water reminded her voice calm and cool as the element she was named for. Fire meet Air’s eyes over yet another young man’s head, both their tempers rising at the threat of trouble. Mistress Moon was one of the kings five, a mentor to the next chosen and she detested tardiness, excepting no excuses simply dulling out punishment. Air’s eyes lightened to the clear white of a passing cloud, her hair rising on the wind as she lifted her hands, The men conjugated around them lifted into the air, dangling there helplessly their boosting dying to pleas as they stared at them.
Fire was attuned to Air’s every shift of mood and was ready to assist. Lowering her head she focused on the fire burning within her, strong and flashing. Lifting her hands she sat a ring of flame upon the ground smiling as it vortexed into the sky circling their unwanted entourage with flame, fed by angry wind. Unable to contain her happiness at the rush of power, Fire gripped Air’s hand in her own, she felt the answering excitement strong a unleashed within her friend.
”Fire! Air!” The shout sounded so close behind them that both turned, startled, the vortex falling at their inattention. Mistress Storm stood behind them, her eyes narrowed as she closed in upon them, her silken skirts wrapping around her angry strides as she moved, Her blond hair a mass of wind tossed tangles as she stopped before them.
”Mistress.” They both hurried into a clumsy bow at her feet, their eyes downcast in respect for her position. Fire felt the fire burning strongly in the woman, flaring in recognition of what flowed within her. Lifting her head slightly she watched the Mistress fight to contain a smile, sharing the image with Air they both struggled to with hold their own. Storm was the less gruff of the Mistresses and any stunt pulled by her pupils seemed to amuse her rather than move her to scold as it would one of the others. Offering them her hands she helped them to her feet, capturing a small hand in each of hers.
“I’m not so old that I don’t remember the announce of having men throw themselves prone at my feet before I was old enough to even be thought of as more than a child to be raised.” The mistress began her dark gaze shooting to the men who hurried away as if the hounds of hell were on their feet. Only Fire knew that it was hell itself that they ran from for the gift of fire ran beneath the Mistresses skin, begging and stroking her temper faster and hotter than she could always control. “It sickens me to know that most of them are old enough to be your fathers, but are so pushed by our society that they seek wealth and power even if it is fresh from the cradle.”
”Are we not in trouble?” Air asked, not understanding the Mistress as Fire did. Her eyes once more a soft Innocent blue moved to hold the Mistress’s gaze. Fire touched her mind softly, comfortingly, sharing all she felt with her friend and easing her with murmured words of her knowledge.
”I can hardly condemn you for something I myself have done, and me beyond the bounds of uncontrollable childhood.” Storm answered her voice gentle as she squeezed their hands softly before releasing them to open the heavy oak doors that led to the solarium where Mistress Moon waited to begin their lessons.
”Moon, I’m sorry the children are late, I had to rescue them from the hands of cradle robbers with itching palms.” Storm announced proceeding them into the room and stepping to the other Mistress their eyes held, a silent communication running between them before Mistress Moon gave one of her rare smiles and began the lesson without a word, surprised the girls shared a blessing for Mistress Storm for easing their lecture.
”Then it is perhaps time we had a lesson on something other than magicks.” Moon began her eyes going to Storm’s, and as her words faded the other three of the five appeared instantly in the room their faces sat in stern lines as they sat themselves beside their sisters, for that was what the five was, not by blood, but by bond.
”You are fast approaching an age in which you will be an adult. Unlike most women you will not be expected to take a husband and produce heirs.” Moon told them her voice as stern as when she taught them. “You are to be the five and so much more is expected of you.”
Fire felt the weight of their combined destiny weighing heavily upon her shoulders, demanding that she be so much more than she was. She had always been one of the five, so accustomed to its demands, but never had she been more aware of it than she was now. Being one of the five came with much responsibility and many sacrifices that none considered with the respect the position demanded, but fire and her group of friends, her sisters knew all to well.
They were the ones that stood between Atlantis and the destruction of all it held dear. They were the ones that shook for hours after an attack, too sick to even move. She’d seen it countless times when the Mistresses had fought one threat or another. She had felt the pain seeping into the air around them till it nearly drowned her.
On top of all the physical pain they were denied the most basic of desires. None of the five could ever Marry all that was left to them was lovers and meaningless affairs. The only way they felt love is by stumbling upon it and even then it was too far out of their reach to do any good, for lovers were only allowed until they ascended and then even they were forbidden. Children were an impossibility since they were denied fertility until after it was too late to produce.
Fire had never longed for either luxury having been raised by her mother long after her father had left them in ruin, but she felt the need for her sisters, who were raised on fairy tales of love, marriage and children to nurture. Air felt it most acutely being soft and giving in nature she would have made a wonderful mother and she proved it every time they entered the market, dotting on all the street urchins that followed in their wake. As part of the five they were connected more intimately than any not of them could understand, almost as if they were five bodies with one mind, one spirit, so that Air’s disappointment at her destiny tore at them all. Fire took her friends hand willing her strength as the depression settled close to nip at her in reminder.
Knowing the feelings of the others as well as her own, Fire dreaded the remainder of the lesson for nothing said could be hopeful. Their destiny was full of pit falls, hidden in the lap of luxury demanding they be more than human to fulfill its wishes. Every new lesson was another link in the chain keeping them ironed to their path, preventing even the chance of misstep.
”Men via for your attention now for they lust not for you, but the wealth and power you could give them should they win your favor. This will not change when you develop into the women you will be. You may turn into unthinkable beauties and it would matter not.” Moon said harshly her face set and firm. Fire felt her stomach knot at her words as she felt her sisters tense with unease.
”They will not hesitate to use whatever passion you feel against you. Against Atlantis.” Storm added her face expressionless for once, her light eyes shadowed. Fire watched her closely. Due to the gift they shared she and Storm had a close relationship, spending much of her lesson time practicing their gift, she knew there was something not being said lurking within the shadows of her eyes but couldn’t figure what they were. Uneasy about the tone of this lesson Fire meet Air’s eyes and saw her feeling reflected there.
”Most of your lives you have been sheltered. By us, by the demand of the king, and by society itself, but once your of age all that falls away and the decision is yours. You won’t always see things as they are, no matter how gifted you are.” Cloud continued the lesson her voice low and calm as she lay a hand against Storm’s shoulder. Their gazes connected, communication passing quickly and quietly between them before they returned their gaze to their charges.
”Remember that who ever has your ear has the ear of your circle and the ear of the king. The most powerful protection Atlantis has is you and you can betray her with very little intent. Be very careful, agapaos, be very careful.” Rain advised her gray eyes alight with warning as she held each of their gazes in turn. “The fate of your world is in your hands.”
Fire felt rage boil inside her causing flames to leap to her mind and temper. She wanted to shout at the Mistresses, to force them to tell her every decree they were expected to follow instead of springing new ones forth with each year, taking away a bit more of the joy of being chosen. The word stuck in her mind, burning to ash leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, they were far from chosen, in truth they were more like sacrifices, pampered and spoiled just to insure their cooperation when the price was demanded.
Water’s hand gripped her free hand, and Air tightened her grip. Spirit leaned into her, her small body warm and comforting against her back as earth patted her leg. Encircled with their comfort and understanding she felt the flames recede replaced by love for her sisters. Without the farce of being chosen she wouldn’t have had them and they were worth any sacrifice she had to endure. Watching the mistresses exchange looks she forced herself under control conveying her thanks with a mental embrace for each of them, which they returned with enthusiasm.
”Do you understand now what we want you to know?” Mistress Moon asked, her voice demanding, a question she often asked to be sure they heard her. Fire remained silent refusing to speak least she irrupt with something designed to earn her extra lessons from the Mistress.
”You want us to understand that we aren’t living are lives for ourselves but for Atlantis. Everything we do doesn’t effect us, but our city. We should put nothing above her, not even our own happiness.” Spirit hissed her voice as bitter and resentful as Fire felt. Her transparent green eyes flashed dangerously and her hand tightened on her shoulder.
”Perhaps we should all remember that Atlantis is little more than dirt held by the sea and the faith of its citizens. Citizens like ourselves, if we are not allowed to seek our own what is to keep our faith alive and with it Atlantis?” Earth asked her voice devoid of all emotion as she stared at the mistresses. Silence greeted her.
”Atlantis is so much more. She is the seat of the gods wishes and as long as you do as you were meant, she will surf the waves until time immortal.” Sun finally broke the stillness her voice a whip of annoyance as she stood, moving toward the door. “Perhaps that is what you should remember Earth.” With one last look at them all she hurried from the solarium, followed by the others, all but Mistress Moon who stood with a stiffness in her spine that bode ill for them.
”Now that, that lesson is ore it is time for another. I do hope you studied the levitation spells I assigned.” She told them firmly, sitting herself and watching them closely. Fire felt her nerves already taunt with tension flex, trying to give out, felt the same from the others, but like they had been trained since early childhood they put it all aside. Levitation was the hardest of the spells they were to learn for unlike the magicks they had accomplished in the past it demanded more from them for it focused within, on the soul.
“Aíde, aíde, kimísou, kórí mou
K’eghó k’eghó ná soú kharíso tín
Alexandra zákhari
Ké to ké tó Misí ri rí zi
Ke tín Konstantantinoúpoli
Trís khrónous ná tín rízis.
The lullaby started in Spirit’s soft sweet voice and grew into a chorus as they all took it up, comforting themselves as they always had with voice and hope. Closing her eyes Fire focused on the spell, her feet lifting from the ground.
Justice gasped for breath her eyes springing open in alarm. The cool metal of the banister was gone leaving empty air in its place. Her feet were far from the ground and for several startling seconds were her life flashed before her eyes she stayed their floating in fear, her heart pounding an erratic beat before the balcony rushed to meet her as she fell.
Landing with a muffled moan, she lay where she had fallen afraid to move. She tried to recall the vision that had drawn her so deep within it that she’d been deep inside the little girl burning with her rage and her uncertainty. She had no idea what had brought her to that time, she had to touch something from that time or something the person had came into contact with, but she knew nothing near her had ever made it to the lost island of Atlantis.
Cautiously sitting up she looked around her noting that the moon was now directly above her when before it had just been on the rise. Chilled by the loss of time she got to her feet, stepping into the house and locking the terrace doors, trying to lock out the strange visions and dreams that were intruding on her with startling regularity. She didn’t know why they came but each time they lasted longer and told her more. They were beginning to frighten her, stealing pieces of her life and leaving her with nothing but a deep longing that she didn’t know how to fill.
Looking around for her cell phone she picked it up off the coffee table, getting comfortable on the couch for a long lecture from Suzann on her dating skills. Holding up the phone so she could see, she counted. “Three, two, one…Hello Suzann.” She answered before the phone could ring. Silence answered her. Smiling Justice went on, knowing it took the wind out of her friend to get an answer before the phone rang. “I’m sorry about Ken. It wasn’t his fault I fell asleep. Hell it wasn’t my fault either, just one of those long days, you know, the kind were you just want to sleep through dinner.”
”Justice.” Suzann groaned and She could swear she heard the other woman rubbing her head in annoyance. “His name was Kyle. Girl I’m trying my best to get you laid, I really am but you’re just one tough cookie. Did your daddy drop you on your head to protect your virginity or something?”
Kyle. Right she’d known that, Justice thought with a roll of her eyes, heck she’d fallen asleep on the guy twice she could remember his name. Right, she was probably snoring through the introduction and had to use her imagination to fill in the blanks.
”I just don’t know what to do with you. I pulled some major strings to get you a man that fine and you lost him in two nights.” Suzann droned on filling the silence with her annoyance. “Hell he looked better than the last one and that’s really saying something. Do you need me to explain sex to you again?”
”No!” Justice shouted panic making her forget her musings. The last time she’d been dumb enough to let that question go unanswered she’d got a verbal porno with graphic details that made her want to say her vows at the nearest convent. Suzann meant well, but she tended to be a bit on the free and experimental side that Justice didn’t think she’d ever be ready for, especially nothing involving pop sickles. Shuddering at the memory Justice quickly changed the subject. “That’s OK. I’m sorry about Kyle, but I was really tired and he was a bit on the dull side. The last thing I remember was something about rock formation.”
”Oh god.” Suzann mumbled in a sympathetic whine that sounded more like Oh gawd with her accent. “I’m sorry baby, I promise the next one will be better, and just to make sure you get it right this time, I’ll make it a double and we’ll have a girls day and I’ll do your makeup and wardrobe.” Justice felt the panic build even higher, Suzann dressed like a playboy bunny and any help she decided to give would be sure to get her into more trouble than she could handle.
”Suz I really don’t want to go. I understand that sex is important in the world and that you need a guy to make it fun, but I’m just not in the mood.” Justice tried to explain muffling a groan as she heard the wheels in Suzann’s brain clicking into action. Justice wished she could find their boss at this minute and kick him in the groin until her leg cramped. The guy had unleashed a monster when he’d hired Suzann at the dating service and put them all in mortal danger.
”That’s why you need me. You think your happy the way you are, but I can see that your not, why else would you have those episodes.” Suzann asked tartly, her mind already on the next candidate by the distracted tone. Justice fixed her gaze on the clock wishing that it would stop so she’d never have to go through with what ever plans she was brewing.
”Oh, honey I have to go my call waiting’s beeping, choa.” Suzann shouted, the line going dead on her words. Sighing, Justice disconnected leaning her head against the lush cushions of her couch, closing her eyes and trying to bring the images to mind, wishing for once to escape her thoughts, but they stubbornly refused. Sighing hardly Justice got up and went to bed hoping to find peace in her dreams for she knew she would have none at work with Suzann in the morning.
Going into her room, she sigh again as she noticed the empty bed, a part of her wanted what Suzann offered, pleasure without strings, but another part of her refused to notice anything, wanting something she couldn’t find. She felt so alone. No matter how many people surrounded her she was the only one that didn’t quiet fit. She felt much the same as the child she’d seen in the vision, gifted, but suffering because of it. She’d always thought her problems with intimacy had to due with the part of herself she kept hidden in order to exist in a world of freedom, yet was so closed. Telling someone she was a practicing witch would get her many rolled eyes and a few acceptances, but no one would believe what she could do. No one would believe she’d lit her candles with a thought, or had precog or that she’d levitated on her balcony. She was alone.
Slipping out of her date clothes and into some pajamas she went to the bathroom adjoining her bedroom to take off her make up. The woman staring back at her in the mirror had dark blue gray eyes shadowed with secrets and something she couldn’t fathom. Her pale skin just a bit paler than normal due to tiredness and worry. Her lips painted as red as her hair pressed into a firm line of displeasure at her night, but despite it all she managed to look beautiful and mysterious as if she knew a secret she’d whisper in the dark of night. Suzann said she had what men wanted, but the keen intelligence and edginess in her eyes kept them at bay. She didn’t see the same in herself, not beauty nor mystery, she just saw herself, tired and searching.
Ignoring the mirror grabbed her makeup remover pouring some onto a tissue and rubbing angrily at her face before returning to bed. Snuggling into the covers Justice stared at the ceiling above her wishing desperately that she could find peace. She’d always been chased by the restlessness that pulsed under her skin demanding something from her that she didn’t know how to give. Closing her eyes she willed her mind to rest, Whispering a chant under her breath, fading into sleep as her voice faded into the night.
Orion stood proud and strong among the soldiers his dark hair dancing on the wind beating against the linen of his tunic the rhythm daring her to play. Fire smiled leaning against the cool brick of the solarium as she watched him, his face lit with a smile as he clasp the hand of an older solider at his side, the muscles in his arm tensing as they fought for control, their smiles growing as they tried to throw each other to the ground with the grip. It was a ritual she’d seen the men participate in many times before the show of strength important to their egos. Deciding to give into the desire to be daring she pushed away from the wall being sure to struggle with the weight of the water pail she carried. Her red hair danced around her shoulders swaying with the exaggerated sway she put into her walk. The silk of her skirts caught at her legs, the wind blowing it into her, molding her developing curves with loving devotion.
As she passed the small group of soldiers she felt more than saw Orion turn, his eyes following her. Smiling she pretended to drop the bucket, watching over her shoulder as she knelt to gather it again. Orion hit the dirt with a muffled curse. Biting her lip to keep from laughing Fire stood, hurrying back to her hiding place. Orion accepted the soldier’s hand allowing himself to be pulled to his feet, smiling at something the man said before slapping a good natured hand to his back before hurrying away. Watching Fire tried to follow his movements but he soon became lost in the crowd of people hurrying through the streets trying to finish their business before the market closed for the week. Sighing in disappointment Fire lifted the bucket, not bothering to pretend it was heavy as she prepared to return to her chores.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into the shadows. Panic gripped her at the unknown grip. Using all the strength she had to spin, using her momentum to swing the bucket at her attacker. Orion was quick enough to throw up on steely arm to prevent the blow from cracking his head, but he was unable to save himself from the drenching as the bucket upended over him. Sputtering he glared down at her, the arm around her waist tightening.
”Orion!” Fire gasped dropping the bucket in surprise, her mouth gaping as he stared down at her with silver eyes alight with emotion. For once Fire wished her bond to him allowed her to read his thoughts. His strong face was blank except for the light in his eyes as he held her, causing fear to freeze her into place. Orion was a good natured man, but even he took offense to being hit with a bucket and soaked with cold water. Closing her eyes so she wouldn’t have to see the look in his eyes she waited for him to react, to yell, to push her away.
”Fire, look at me.” He demanded his voice low and unreadable. Forcing her courage into existence Fire forced her eyes to his. A smile pulled at his sinful mouth changing his face from handsome to devastating with little effort.”I guess I deserved that, though the day is cool enough without the early bath.” He whispered his head lowering until he was inches from her mouth.
Fire froze her eyes widening at his nearness. She had flirted with him, and he with her, but never before had he been this close. A thrill went through her, but she brushed it aside, reminding herself that she was playing with fire, that nothing could happen between them. He was the future king and she a member of his five, a position that could not be compromised by romance.
”Don’t look at me like that. Like I’m something you want but won’t allow yourself.” He whispered his voice husky as his lips brushed hers, warm and soft against hers. Fire stood still allowing him to hold her, unsure of what he expected her to do, she had never been kissed before. She felt him smile against her lips as his hands tightened on her hips, pulling her even closer.
”Orion…” She began, but she didn’t get farther as he took advantage of her open lips to deepen the kiss. Lost in the feel of his tongue against hers she wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to get closer to him. Tentatively she followed his teasing returning the kiss. Her skin felt as if it were burning, her legs growing shaky as she leaned into him.
Pulling back he stared down at her his eyes dark and glowing in the shadows as he lifted one large hand to her cheek, his palm rough against her skin. Forcing her eyes to open she stared into his gaze, becoming lost in their depths until she felt as if she’d drown there. The world around them faded away leaving only them.
Fire smiled up at him her hand lifting to his cheek, but her hand meet only air. Startled she blinked trying to reason what had happened but there was none, one minute he stood holding her and in the next he was gone. A chill raced down her spine and she leaned against the cool brick of the solarium as a wave of dizziness washed over her. Staring into the darkness around her she turned facing the woman that stood beside her, staring at her with wide blue eyes so like her own, her red hair flowing around her shoulder so that the two of them were identical except for the style of their clothing. “You must find him.” She whispered brokenly, her hand gripping the woman’s shoulder. “Justice I need you to find him. For yourself and for me. He is our other half and he’s lost and broken. He needs you.”
”I can’t go to him. I don’t know where he is.” Justice whispered staring at Fire, amazed at the similarities between them. The girl was slightly younger than she was, just on the brink of womanhood were as she had crossed the threshold. a taste of what was to come. “I feel like I know you.” She whispered her hand rising to rest on Fire’s shoulder.
”You know me as well as you know yourself. You are what I become. You are my future and he is ours. Find him.” Fire pleaded her eyes filling with tears as she pulled Justice to her. Justice gasped at the contact her lungs burning as Fire faded into shadow leaving her alone in the darkness. Fear clawed at her throat as she spun, looking for any remainder of light, but she found none, only darkness and shadow trapping and taunting her.
”Why won’t you return?” A deep voice asked from the shadows jarring her. Turning Justice saw Orion sitting in the shadows, his back against the solarium as he took a deep draw from the bottle in his hand. This Orion was older than the man she’d saw Fire embracing his hair slightly darker, his body more defined. Blood seeped from a wound on his upper arm, the gash ugly and angry. His face was hard and blank as he stared at her. Justice resisted the urge to shiver as he stood coming over to her. “You always look the same, just as I saw you before the end. I wish I could touch you just one more time, hold you close and kiss you. Just one last time. If only you’d come back to me.” He mumbled staring down at her as he lifted a hand, hovering next to her face as if he longed to touch her but feared she’d disappear.
”I don’t know how.” Justice whispered wanting to take his hand, to press it to her skin, but too afraid to break the spell that hung between them. His eyes widened, the gray lightening to silver. A slow smile curved his firm mouth transforming him, making her want to touch him to feel his hard arms beneath her hands.
”You’ve never spoken to me before, not since I cast you out. Perhaps you’ll be returning at last.” He whispered, his hand closing the distance between them. his hand rough against the smooth skin, sending sparks dancing along her skin. His eyes held hers, his head lowering to her. Justice forgot to breath, her head spinning as she lifted her head to meet his lips. The warmth of his mouth against hers ceased all her thoughts, sending her body into shivers of pleasure as she leaned into him, her hands pressing into his chest as she rose on her toes to meet his kiss.
A loud shrill broke the silence startling her. Falling back onto her feet she stared into his eyes, noting the panic and despair there, but slowly they faded as the shadows swallowed him, baring him from her. Her voice was loud and anguished as she fought to return, but he didn’t return. Cold swept over her, drowning her cries and leaving her numb. Hands seemed to grab at her from the shadows ripping at her, but she fought them, fought her way to the surface.
Justice awoke to the shrill of her alarm clock loud and abrasive in the quiet of early morning. Muttering a curse she sat up slamming an angry hand onto the off button. Staring around her room, She tried to get her barring, but her mind refused to focus. This wasn’t like the other visions or dreams she’d been drawn to, she could still feel the cold hands on her skin, feel Orion’s lips against hers. Groaning she threw back the covers and stared in horror at the angry red welts spanning her legs, exactly where she’d felt the phantom hands claw in her dream.
”Damn.” She muttered her voice small and confused as she stood. Going to dresser on the opposite wall Justice opened the top drawer that held her ritual tools. Taking out the athamae, a bottle of holy water, and a stick of sage she moved back to her bed. Laying the athamae and sage on the bed she poured a circle of holy water in a perfect circle with her bed in the middle. Placing the sage in the invent burner next to her bed she willed it to flame, then drew the athema against the tip of her finger until blood welled upon her skin. placing the athema beside the burning sage she held her finger above it allowing it to drip onto the flame.
“By blood of my hand I shield this space
By the bond of my spell keep it safe.
None shall enter through time or space
This my sacred place.
Protect my dreams and powers
From my magic let them cower.
This times three
as i will so mote it be”
As her voice faded into silence the sage flared, burning to ash under the power of her spell. Glaring at the bed, Justice stood, moving away from the terror of her dreams and into the morning lit bathroom, the gateway to a new day jam packed with the reality she craved after a night of being haunted.
Twisting the mass of tangled red curls onto her head, she reached for the clip she kept on the sink only to freeze as she caught her own eyes in the mirror. The differences were slight but she saw them in vivid detal as tehy stared back at her. Her sun kissed red hair was darker and deeper in shade, Her eyes more Aqua then blue, the skin a smooth proclean the cheeks more sculpted. A slight smile hoovered on too full lips though she knew her mouth hung open.
’You must go back’ The voice seemed to whisper through her mind, soft and soothing despite the panic raging through her. ‘Before its too late.’ A shiver of unease danced along Justice’s spine as the face contorted, and the mirror went as black as pitch.
A taunting laugh seemed to fill the space, lifting her into the air and slamming her into the wall at her back with icy fingers. Justice felt the air freeze in her lungs and felt her vision darken as phantom hands clasped around her throat, choking her. She clawed at them but her hands meet only soild air that refused to budge.
Gasping for air Justice faught to call her power to erase the darkness that smoothered her. ‘Time has passed, but my vengence will last. To Atlantis you will come and there you shall die.” The warning was silent, but strong with danger as the hands clawed at her.
”Yeah well you first.” Justice gasped as flame errupted dancing along her skin as she struggled to her feet when the hands loosened at her flare of power. The fire vortexed around her, burning away the shadow. Hisses filled the silence as She gasped for breath, but she saw nothing but darkness and dancing shadows. Forcing air into her lungs she lifted her arms toward the ceiling channeling her power and centering it as she began to chant, the language old and forgotten to most, but it was breed into her as was the power burning under her skin.
“By the powers that be
I bind thee
To time and space of your own
From here be gone
Never more travel forth
Stay to the land of birth
As I will so mote it be.”
Howls filled the room straining at the walls and sending flame into rage. Sweat coated her brow, plastering her hair to her skin. Her eyes burned, but she refused to back down, funneling her power into the spell with reckless determination. Her heart pounded with the rhytem of the flame, but she ignored it all, focusing on the shadow that screamed as it shrank into nothing. Only when the light returned did she dare look away.
Gasping for breath she tore herself from the spell, startled to see the walls straining against the invisable strain of power in the air as her spell swelled and rolled through the air. With one sure stroke she severed the tie, reigning in the flames and her spell. Her hands shook as she leaned against the wall trying to regain her balence as her body struggled to return to normal after being in the heart of the flame. As always when she used power she felt sick and drained.
Closing her eyes she counted to ten, centering herself and pulling the calm that allowed her peace to return. With a sigh she lifted a shaking hand to her hair pushing it back as she studied the room around her. The shower curtin hang by one latch the rest having been torn away. Debries from her sink littered the floor amind shards of glass that had rained upon the room when the mirror exploded freeing the shadow. Glancing down she noticed that several pieces had embedded in her bare legs. Staring at the empty frame on her wall she forced herself to breath, to calm down, but nothing was easing her.
She’d faced many things that most people would refuse to believe existed, but she’d never faced anything like what had been here. It had felt ancient and timeless. For a brief moment she’d thought she was going to die. It had seemed too strong, almost immortal. Undefeatable.
If what she’d been seeing was true it very well could be. Atlantis was one of the oldest civilizations known to man and one of its greatest mysteries. Anything that could sink an entire island from existance wasn’t to be triffled with. Not that she could. Destroying something took a great deal of magic, magic that she didn’t have. She practiced her craft alone, she didn’t trust anyone with what she was and she’d already faced it twice. Next time she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop it, not alone, and she dared not seek help for fear of exposure.
Sighing Justice turned, leaving the chaos of the room untouched as she headed for the kitchen. There was one option left to her, one she’d been considering for as long as she could remember. It was a last ditch effort to save herself one that had been a choice for far too long. Going to the cabnet She searched until she found the small vial hidden among her dishes. Taking it down she stared at the amber liquid shimmering in the morning light. It was the key to her freedom, but still she hesitated, knowing that to drink it was to destroy half of who she was.
Sitting at the uncleared kitchen table Justice sat the vial in the middle of the table, leaning her elbows on the table and proping her head there as she thought. The potion would forever sever her tie to what ever had found her, but it would also extinguish the magic that drew them. She’d had her powers since childhood and a pang much like a knive drove through her as she considered it. As the blood dried on her skin she sat in the sun light weighting her life against her destiny. The battle silent and fierce as she waged fear and pain against logic and the unknown.
With a desisive motion she grabbed the bottle. The cork was hard and rough in her hand as unsettling as her disision. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and drank.
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