Marker of Hope, Page 3

  This was the first time Eros had ever shown any sense of alarm toward me. He hadn’t even flinched when he tried to kill me in Greece after he read my journal and found out I was Creatura. But now, after what’d transpired on the porch, after he experienced my hunger firsthand, I suppose he’d noted my change. I wasn’t proud of what I was becoming, but I liked knowing that—if I pushed a little harder—I could overpower him and anyone else for that matter.

  “You might want to go change your pussy pants there, Monsieur Eros.” Galilea materialized with a cloud of golden shimmer on the sofa. “I think you just pissed yourself.”

  I giggled. Eros’s jaw tensed.

  “I assume you’ve been sitting there the whole time,” he said to Galilea. “Don’t you have anything better to do than stick your nose in matters which don’t concern you?”

  “Nah.” She winked, face smug.

  Eros hissed at her.

  “Well, this has been a not-so-fun night.” I stood up. “And it was really…well, I can’t say nice, but rather unexpected that you stopped by.” I walked to the front door and opened it. “However, I’d appreciate it if you would get the hell out of my house.” Eros didn’t make any attempt to move. “Like now.”

  “Mhh… I like this beastly side of you. Pun intended.” A glimmer of excitement shone in Eros’s eyes. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was really that twisted. “Fine,” he sighed, “I’ll be on my way. But I can promise I’ll return.”

  “Hey, Eros, stop following me around, yeah?” Galilea told him.

  “I will, when you stop taking what’s mine,” Eros said.

  “Excuse me, but are you referring to me?” I asked. “I am not—” I raised my finger at him “—nor will I ever be yours.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Eros shrugged. “Do I get a farewell kiss?”

  “Good. Bye.” I swayed my hand, motioning him to exit. I closed the door behind him as he left.

  “Good going, Isis. Why did you make him fall in love with you? This is a real problem.” Galilea stuck a cigarette in her mouth. “Major problem.”

  “No smoking in the house.” I sat on the couch. “And I didn’t do anything to make him like me.”

  “I didn’t say like. I said love—as in, in love.” She tucked the cigarette behind her ear. “Now he’s all hot in the pants for you, which I find majorly disturbing considering he’s like eons years old and you’re only eighteen.” She stuck her finger in her mouth and fake-gagged.

  “David is three-thousand years old,” I said, making my way to the couch. “Did our relationship bother you?”

  “That’s different. Three-thousand isn’t old.”

  I raised my brow at her. “You don’t math well, do you?”

  “Anyway…” She shot me a pointed stare. “Look, I know Eros, and he’s not going to give up. He’ll be back.” She rubbed the side of her forehead. “We have to leave, Isis. This—the whole Creatura thing—it isn’t getting any better.” She shook her head. “I saw what you did to his mouth.”

  “You saw? You said your energy was depleted.”

  “Focus, please? We’re talking about you, not me. And yes, I did see, okay?” She cocked her head, the thoughts behind her eyes muting her words for a second or two. “But you weren’t going to tell me, were you?”

  Suddenly fascinated by the fact I had five moveable fingers on each hand, I stared at them.

  “You really weren’t?” Galilea sounded both hurt and offended. “I can’t believe you. I mean, I’ve tried so hard, so very hard, to keep you safe, to be your friend, and to offer you all the support you need. But you, on the other hand, you can’t even confide in me?”

  “Galilea, I’m sorry. I just—”

  “No.” Her eyes reddened. “No. Whatever you’re about to tell me, it’s bullshit. I thought you were my friend. I feel like I’m always being used, and it’s not fair.” She sniffled. “I follow you around like a loyal dog—hell, more like a damn servant. I’ve given up the last one thousand years of my life to find you, to prepare for when I had to protect you. I’ve given up everything. Everything. And for what?” She took in a few ragged breaths. “For a stupid, scared, insensitive hybrid who doesn’t give a shit about anyone or anything, not even about herself.” She wiped her tears. “I want my life to go back to normal just as much as you want yours to.” I opened my mouth to speak, but she was faster than I was. “I have a family, too. You didn’t know that, did you? Of course not. You’re so caught up in yourself that you haven’t even bothered to get to know me better. And it hurts, Isis.” Her face was covered in a curtain of tears, drowning in the wound I had dug in her. “I want to see my family again. If I’d known before…” Her chest heaved. “I can’t…c-can’t do this anymore.”

  She walked out the door.

  “Galilea…” I ran after her, following her down the porch steps. “Wait…Galilea!”

  But she didn’t stop. She backed her car out of the driveway and disappeared into the night.

  ***

  I’d been sitting on the porch roof outside my window for a long time, reflecting on what Galilea had said to me. I never realized I’d been hurting her, or that she felt like I was using her. I didn’t deserve her as a friend. And she was right; I’d never asked her where she was from or if she had a family. I just assumed she was alone, like Eros.

  I glanced at the time on my phone: 3:16 AM. I stared at the screen, and then clicked on my contact list. I scrolled down until I got to the entry that read “Dream boy”. My finger hovered over it. I closed my eyes and tapped it, held the phone to my ear.

  One ring. I shivered.

  Two rings. My stomach twisted in knots.

  Three rings. I should hang up.

  Four rings. Still no answer.

  Five rings. This is useless.

  Six rings. Forget this. I’m hanging up. I don’t even know why I both—

  “Yes?”

  I gasped. The phone felt unsteady in my hand. It was him.

  CHAPTER 5

  “Yes?” he said again.

  “It’s me.” I willed myself to speak. “I…uh…I’m sorry I’m calling so late.” No response. I continued, “There’s something I think you should know.”

  “Whatever you have to tell me, I’m sure you’ve already said.”

  “Not this.” I tried to breathe steadily. “Listen, if it’s possible, could we speak in person?”

  The line was silent, followed by more silence.

  He doesn’t want to see me. “I shouldn’t have called you.”

  “How about tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow?” I didn’t even know he was in town. “I mean, yes—tomorrow. Yes, that’s fine. Where do you want to meet?”

  “My house.”

  I stilled. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Your family may not approve.”

  “This is my house. Besides, I’m the only one here.”

  “Oh,” I said. “What time should I be there?”

  “Noon.”

  “Okay.” The conversation grew uncomfortably silent. After a minute, I said, “So, I guess I’ll see you then.”

  “Right.”

  The line clicked, ending the call. That was cold. But then again, what did I expect? David thought I cheated on him with his lifelong best friend. Admittedly, I did make a pact with Eros, but I did it for David—to save him. Had I known neither David nor I would turn into the monsters I thought we would, I never would’ve agreed to anything. I certainly wouldn’t have left with Eros.

  I regretted letting myself get carried away by Eros’s allure. I regretted making an agreement with him, but now, thankfully, the contract between the French Cupid and me was void. I’d detoured my life and my future from what I’d planned. It was too late for regrets now. All I had left was to learn from my mistakes and hope I would make better choices from now on—this, for the sake of the little soul blooming inside me.

  ***

  The sun rose the following morning, filling the
skies with the warm colors of love and happiness every book I’d read spoke of. Maybe one day those colors would be mine to keep and lock away for my own. As for now, the only color I was concerned with was the gray surrounding my eyes. I hadn’t been able to sleep a wink knowing I’d hurt Galilea and wondering what David’s reaction would be when I told him about the pregnancy.

  I wasn’t sure if it’d been Eros and Galilea’s advice that made me change my mind about telling David. Or perhaps, I felt so alone and scared, I’d hoped by some miracle David would offer his support. But what if he didn’t want any part of it? I would find out in two hours. But first, I needed to make things right with Galilea. I didn’t want to lose her friendship.

  I tried calling Galilea several times, but my calls kept going to her voicemail. I gave up and showered. As I finished drying my hair, I heard footsteps in the hallway. I assumed Claire was up, so I headed downstairs. I found her leaning on the kitchen counter, her head in her hands, the coffee machine brewing. My heightened sense of smell got a whiff of her from the kitchen door. She reeked of alcohol and the ripe after smell of last night’s drunkenness. It made my stomach turn. It was the first time in weeks she didn’t smell like a meal to me.

  “Why aren’t you dressed?” I asked, trying to hold my breath. “Aren’t you going to work?”

  “It’s Saturday.”

  “Oh, right.” I studied her. “You okay?”

  “No,” she groaned. “Why did you let me drink so much wine?”

  “I thought you needed to relax. Plus, you looked like you were having a good time. It’s not like you were driving or anything.”

  “Yeah, well, I had too much of the bottled fun. My head is killing me.”

  I rubbed her arm. “Want me to get you some pills?”

  “Took some. But thanks.”

  I grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured coffee into it. I pushed it toward Claire. She grunted—in appreciation, I presumed—and walked to the living room where she sipped it with her eyes closed.

  “Mom, are you using the car today?” I asked.

  “Not feeling like this, I’m not.” She peeked at me out of one eye. “Why?”

  “Because I…” I tugged at the star pendant hanging from my neck. “I want to take a drive.”

  “Where to?” Claire suddenly had my full attention. “I’ll come with you.”

  I scratched my head, looking down at her red polished toenails. “Actually, I meant by myself,” I said, gauging her reaction.

  “I see.” She looked me up and down. “You’re not having any dark thoughts or thinking about hurting yourself, right?”

  “No, Mom. Nothing like that. I just want some time alone out of the house.”

  Claire considered my words for a moment. I focused on a line of dust on the coffee table Galilea had missed and wiped it off with my hand.

  “Is Galilea going with you?” she asked.

  “No. She won’t answer my calls. We had an argument last night, and she’s pretty upset.”

  “Over what?” She set her coffee cup down on the table in front of her.

  “She says I don’t tell her anything.”

  “Well, at least I’m not the only one who feels that way.”

  “Mom….” I rolled my eyes. “I tell you things.”

  “Used to tell me things,” she corrected me, and then picked up her cup from the coffee table. “The keys are in my purse. Be careful, and if you’re going to be out after dark, I’d appreciate a call to know you’re okay.”

  “Thanks. Promise I’ll call if I’m late getting home.”

  Claire’s purse was in its usual place in the coat closet next to the kitchen. I fished the car keys out and headed up the stairs to finish getting ready.

  “Isis,” Claire said, stopping me on the fifth step. “Don’t you dare come home with a shaved head this time.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I was never going to live that one down in her book.

  ***

  I left home with an hour to spare before I was to meet David at the Ebony Estate, allowing me sufficient time to stop by Galilea’s place to apologize. As I crossed the main intersection, I realized I didn’t know where I was going. I had no idea where Galilea’s new house was located. I hadn’t even asked to come over to ooh and ah over her new home, as a proper friend would do. What was wrong with me? When did I turn into such an asshole?

  I steered the car into the gasoline station’s parking area and dialed Galilea’s number. Her voicemail greeted me. I hung up. A few minutes later, I tried again. No luck. I looked at the time on my phone: 11:18 AM. Was it too early to head to the estate? David might take it as a sign of desperation. Did I want him to think so? In all honesty, I was desperate. Afraid, too. I’d been nervous since last night, but now, I just felt like I needed to get it over and done with before I talked myself out of going to confront him. My body was tired from holding in so much tension. How was I going to deliver the news? What was I supposed to say?

  Hi, David. Remember the night we had all the sex, and you said we were married, and then I abandoned you and left with your best friend the following morning? Well, guess what? You knocked me up.

  No wonder he hated me. Even I hated myself. I groaned. I reconsidered my visit and thought of texting him instead.

  “Coward.” I scolded myself out loud. Situations like this one needed to be discussed in person. “Just drive, dummy. What else do you have to lose?”

  ***

  I stared at the white plantation house from the driveway. I was twenty minutes early. My hands were a sweaty mess, and my heart was beating so fast and so hard I believed I might flat line at any moment.

  Breathe.

  I stepped out of the car.

  Breathe.

  I rang the doorbell.

  Why is my head spinning?

  I heard footsteps approaching. I backed away from the door as it opened. And then, there he stood, my vocabulary too limited to describe his beauty. We stared at each other for a mute moment. Too soon, his blue eyes broke their connection to mine.

  “Come in,” he said, turning away from me.

  The house looked stripped, emptied of furniture, with the exception of two armchairs and a coffee table, which remained in the study where David led me. As I walked in behind him, I studied the back of his head, his carefully brushed black hair. The way his shirt stuck to his firm, wide shoulders as he moved. When he came to a stop, he turned in my direction, but his eyes veered off to the side and not at me. He motioned for me to sit. He took a seat, as well.

  “I didn’t know you were in town,” I said.

  “I had to meet with two potential buyers,” David said, finally, meeting my eyes. “For the estate.” He turned his sight away from mine and glared at the den’s empty shelves as if they’d betrayed him, too. “I don’t have further use for it.”

  His words made me ache. Selling the estate meant he was letting go of all attachments, of anything associated to this town and to me. David was leaving for good. And never coming back.

  “I see,” I said. “Well, I’m sure you have things to do, and I don’t want to take up more of your time. So I’ll tell you why I wanted to speak to you—in person. I…” I cleared my throat. It took me a minute to figure out how to say it. In the end, I simply blurted it out. “I’m pregnant.”

  He blinked at me, an impassive look on his face. His body was as still as the statues of Greek gods I’d seen in the museums in Athens. Was he breathing? What was he thinking? Why wasn’t he saying anything? The silence was too much for me to bear.

  “You did hear me?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said, his hand gripping the arm of the chair he was sitting in. “But I don’t know where Eros is.”

  The aching anxiety I felt in my stomach suddenly transformed into numb confusion. “What do you mean?” I asked.

  He gave me the side-eye when he said, “I mean I haven’t spoken to him since I last saw him—in Athens.”

>   “Uh…” I scratched the side of my head. “And you’re telling me this, why?”

  “Because you said you were pregnant,” he said, his words dripping with bitterness.

  I flinched at his tone, but quickly composed myself. “Yeah, so what does he have to do with this?” I asked. “You’re not making any sense. Are you drunk or something?”

  “I’m the one not making sense?” He let out a huff. “Isis, just tell me what is it, exactly, you’re here for.”

  “I just told you.” Exasperated, I stood up from my seat.

  “And I heard you loud and clear.” He rose briskly from his chair, sending it flying back. “My congratulations to Eros. He won, okay?” David’s hands formed fists at his sides. “What more do you want from me?”

  “What?” I raised my brows. “You think…” I shook my head. “Oh, you’ve misunderstood everything. I’ve never had that sort of relationship with anyone but you…”

  Like arrows, David’s eyes darted a dozen wordless questions in my direction.

  “David,” I said. “The baby I’m carrying is yours.”

  His lips slightly parted.

  “If you want to believe it or not, it’s up to you,” I said, glancing at my hands. I looked up at him through my lashes. “I just thought you should know.”

  His eyes flicked about, landing on every object in the room, except me.

  “After what’s happened between us, I’m not expecting you to be in our lives. I’m not here to demand anything of you, either,” I told him. “It may not be easy, but one way or another, I’ll manage.”

  He rubbed his face with his hands as he paced the length of the room. He stopped at the chimney and held the mantel as if he were using it to steady himself. Then he turned and looked at me.

  “I’m engaged.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Slowly, I lowered myself to the chair I’d been sitting in earlier. I felt like I’d been punched in the chest a dozen times, each time harder than the one before. I crackled like glass, shattering into tiny fragments that would never be assembled as they once were, bits of me lost forever to this moment in time. My lungs failed me. I was spiraling into a black hole, and my head was spinning. Had I not sat down when I did, I might’ve collapsed.