Chapter 43
FORTY-THREE
“What are you talking about?” I ask as I look between the two of them.
He ignores my question, instead asking one of his own. “Are you sure the Sons of Tenebreis are still trapped in Tartareia?”
I tilt my head to the side, my brows knitting together in confusion. His tone is curt and decisive, not at all that of someone who barely knows anything about the SoT.
Against my better judgment, I respond. “Yes, but there are rumors of some being able to temporarily leave Tartareia.”
“Where did the rumors originate from?”
“Commander Azerius heard it from a source. I assumed he had reason to be concerned, which is why he told us to be vigilant, but we still have not had any confirmation of that.”
Mine paces around the room. His mother has a tight expression on her face too, one I cannot read, nor understand.
Why would it concern them if the SoT have left Tartareia?
“How can they temporarily leave Tartareia?” he asks in a low, ominous voice.
I’m more confused. Why would he be interested in this? He’s never been much concerned about the Sons of Tenebreis before. Although I am wary of revealing classified information, since this is Mine, I end up replying.
“Commander Azerius believes elites of the Sons of Tenebreis are using the Chalice to temporarily travel out of Tartareia while they are searching for a more permanent solution.”
“The Chalice?” He frowns.
“Every House of Aperion has an artifact left behind by the fourteen Primordials. They have immense powers and are heavily guarded. The Chalice was the artifact held by the House of Bronte. Some time ago, the King of Bronte and his high priestess colluded together and stole the Chalice before leaving Aperion,” I explain.
“I have read about these artifacts you speak of,” his mother suddenly says.
I turn to her, eyes wide in shock. “You have? How?”
“A book I stumbled upon,” she replies vaguely. “It described artifacts similar to those you are talking about and their power.”
“Is that so?” I quirk a brow. “And what did that book say?”
“Any liquid drank from the Chalice gives the user the ability to physically withstand any injury for a short period of time. But I do not see how that would allow them to exit their realm.”
Once more, I find myself suspicious of her knowledge. How would a book describing ancient Aperite artifacts be in Anthropa? Who wrote it? When? For what purpose?
Nothing makes sense the more I think of it.
They’re hiding something from me and I don’t know what.
I don’t detect any spiritual energy from her just like I did not detect any from Mine. But that doesn’t mean anything considering anyone with great spiritual energy can hide theirs.
“Because the barrier Lispera created corrodes all matter that crosses on either side of it. In theory, by using the Chalice, a Son of Tenebreis is able to pass through the barrier without damage to his physical body,” I explain. “Commander Azerius theorized that after the effects of the Chalice wore off, the barrier would still affect the body unless he returned back to Tartareia.”
“This Commander Azerius seems to know a great deal,” Rità notes.
I nod begrudgingly. “He is in charge of protecting Aperion and by and large the entire universe. He should know everything.”
We might be enemies now, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Azerius is the best at his job.
“Let’s postulate that this is true and the Sons of Tenebreis are using the Chalice to travel outside of Tartareia. Why would they be doing these experiments to get to Aperion?”
“They might be trying to find a way to permanently free themselves,” his mother adds. “That’s always been the goal.”
“Yes and no. We believe they are, of course, trying to free themselves. But there is something else that we’re suspecting.”
Both Mine and Rità look at me expectantly.
“Together, all fourteen artifacts might be able to free the Seven from Tartarstasis.”
They both blink and share a concerned look.
“Might?”
“The chances are very high.”
Rità squeezes her eyes shut.
“And if that happens, that greed demon we met? There are going to be legions of those and other sin demons, unleashed in every single realm.”
“Oh dear, that sounds rather bad,” Rità murmurs.
“Say that again, Mom,” Mine adds in a dry voice. “None of this happened before,” he mutters in a low, barely audible voice.
“You keep saying that. What do you mean it didn’t happen before?”
“The Seven have been in Tartarstasis for a long time, no?”
I nod.
“So we don’t know how the universe would look like if they were set free. That’s what I meant.”
“Oh. Yes, it would be very bad.”
“Perhaps we should leave this grim topic for another time and finish eating?” his mother interjects. “I must leave shortly.”
“Of course,” Mine says with a smile.
He leads me back to the table and all of a sudden, the conversation switches to mundane topics like politics and the latest news about the war. I half-listen and mumble some replies, but deep down I am still unsettled by the previous conversation.
I quietly finish my steak and move on to dessert. But even the delicious sweetness of the donuts cannot calm my racing mind.
Something is off. A heaviness develops in the pit of my stomach that weighs me down, making it hard to breathe.
Soon, the dinner is over and Rità gets up to leave.
“It was lovely to meet you, Minnie. I will see you again soon.”
Rità gives me a warm hug before she leaves, promising to arrange a dinner with her husband present as well. She seems in a hurry to leave, which once more makes me suspicious of the entire exchange.
“Thank you for the food. It was excellent,” I tell her, mustering a small smile.
“See you soon, Mom.” Mine waves her off.
After the door closes behind her, Mine and I find ourselves alone again.
Silence descends between us, heavy and palpable.
We’re sitting a distance away from one another, both looking at the now closed door, both not daring to look at the other.
Something is wrong. I can feel it, not only in the way Mine and his mother behaved, but also in his body language.
A strange tension rolls off him as he stares into empty space.
“What are you hiding from me?” I ask him directly.
He swallows hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Yet he averts his gaze.
“This, everything. Something doesn’t add up and I need you to tell me what it is immediately.”
“Minnie—”
“Don’t you Minnie me. I might be a little naive, but I’m not stupid. Perhaps I should have questioned this more when I first learned you could see the spiritual world, but though rare, that can happen. I should have questioned it every time you had the right solution to my problems.”
I move and plant myself in front of him. Hands on my hips, I stare at him, scanning his face for any reaction.
“But I was far too enamored with you to see any signs. Whenever I thought something was off, I convinced myself it’s just a coincidence, or that I’m overthinking it.”
Retrospectively, more things start to become suspicious. It wasn’t just his so-called ability to see and touch ghosts and demons but also his unusual athleticism and speed. The time he’d cut that male in two in Aperion comes to mind.
Back then, I thought he was only a good soldier. Now it makes me wonder.
Just days ago, he took out multiple soldiers in the blink of an eye and with barely any effort.
Are there humans out there who are skilled fighters? Sure. But I’ve never seen someone of his caliber.
Then there’s the greed demon. How many times did I read through those books and found nothing, yet he easily found exactly what we were searching for? Almost as if he knew…
Still, I didn’t think much of it.
Until now. Until I find out that both him and his mother know far too much about my world—more than it is humanly possible.
“Don’t even think to deny it. You promised you wouldn’t lie to me.”
“I won’t.”
His lips flatten in a tight line. He glances at me with a combination of pain and longing.
“Then tell me. How come your mother didn’t blink at the mention of SoT? She didn’t even ask who I was as if she already knew…”
“I did not tell her.”
“And yet she knew.”
“She…did.”
“How?” I demand.
“Minnie…” he groans aloud. “I wish I could tell you.”
“Then tell me. What’s stopping you?”
“I can’t. Not yet. Can you just…trust me?”
“Trust you about what? Because I did trust you, but it seems that was misplaced since you’ve been deceiving me from the start.”
“That’s not true,” he quickly protests. “I may not have told you everything. But I never once told you a lie.”
“What about omissions?” I raise a brow at him. “What about vague statements that may not have been lies but were not entirely truthful anyway?”
He takes a deep breath. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he looks me straight in the eye, his gaze conflicted and anguished.
“I vow to you that everything I did was for your well-being. I would never hurt you. You know that.”
“Do I?” I whisper. “I know I’m not the sharpest when it comes to language and word play, and now I can’t help but feel that you took advantage of that.”
“Minnie…”
“Your mother looks to be around twenty-something in human years. Even if she had you extremely young, it’s impossible she would look this young.”
He doesn’t speak.
“How old is she?”
He doesn’t reply.
“How old is she, Valerion?”
At the mention of his given name, he snaps out of it.
“If I answered that, I would have to lie,” he whispers.
“She isn’t human.”
Silence.
“You aren’t human either.”
More silence.
“What are you?”
“I can’t tell you yet, Minnie. Please.” He pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly. “Give me some time. I will tell you everything when I can. I promise,” he murmurs in my ear. “Everything I’ve ever done has been for you, Minnie. Everything.”
He takes a deep breath.
“Time and time again, I tried and tried, and yet it’s never good enough. It always ends the same… So please…”
I push him off me.
“What are you talking about? What ends the same?”
“I can’t say more. Not yet.” He shakes his head.
“I see.” Though I don’t. If anything, I’m more confused than ever.
If he’s not human, what is he? And if he is something else, how come I never sensed it?
Taking a step back, then another, I find my back slamming against the front door. Tense, Mine is frozen on the spot as he follows my every movement.
“I need space. I can’t think when you’re this close to me,” I mutter, seeking the doorknob at my back.
“Minnie, please.” He takes a step forward.
I give him a sad smile and shake my head. Opening the door, I run at full speed away from the house.
His voice echoes in my ear as I continue on, never once looking back. I keep thinking he might follow, that he might somehow reveal some unexpected abilities.
But he never does.
Only his voice follows, his anguished scream. Though perhaps that’s just my mind playing it on a loop as I feel more and more guilty about my departure.
Yet how could I stay?
How could I remain there and listen to his non answers, knowing that the more he talks the more I’ll overlook everything and go along with his nonsensical explanation.
Just being in his presence clouds my mind, and I need to be able to think clearly to make sense of everything.
Moments later, drawn by the bustling noise of the city, I reach Paris.
I stop in the middle of a busy road and barely avoid a moving car. Jumping to the side, I roll over on the pavement.
The sharp rocks dig into my elbows and knees, and I let out an annoyed groan of pain.
Someone asks me if I’m all right. Pulling my dress over my injuries to hide the healing flesh, I tell them I’m fine and thank them for their concern.
Nodding, they move along.
I remain behind, rooted to the spot.
More people move by me, talking animatedly about their day, about their hopes for the future. The war is ending, they say. The Nazis are defeated, they say.
The world is changing.
And I have a feeling my world is changing, too. I just wonder if it’s for the better or for the worse.
My feet eventually move, and I start walking slowly, mechanically.
The smell of fresh pastries wafts through the air, but instead of whetting my appetite, it only turns my stomach inside out.
What could Mine be hiding from me that he cannot possibly tell me? And how are his parents involved? It’s clear that his mother is not human, and by extension he is not human, either.
But what could he be?
Descendant of a deity? Other species?
There are so many supernatural species that live hundreds to thousands of years, and I’m not an expert on most of them. They could be anything for all I know. But he must know that wouldn’t change how I feel about him. So why all the secrecy?
Why can he not tell me now?
The more I think about his vague words and musings since I met him, the more confused I become.
If he’s not human, doesn’t he realize that’s perfect for us? Not only would his life span be much longer, thereby giving us more time to be together, but we might also be biologically compatible. We could, in theory, become mated.
I might be mad at his lies by omission, but that doesn’t mean I am mad at the end result. So I cannot understand why he would hide it.
Unless…
I stop in my tracks.
He wouldn’t hide it unless he thought he should hide it.
Demon.
The possibility is like a punch to the gut.
But that cannot be. I’ve trained my entire life to be able to detect demonic spiritual energy. There is nothing about him that signals demon. By the Source, I drank his blood and I never sensed anything unusual about him!
I shake my head and mentally berate myself for even thinking something like that.
He cannot be a demon for the simple reason that he is good. He’s kind and heroic and the best male I’ve ever known. And he is mine.
So what if he technically lied and hid things from me? So what if he’s not ready to tell me what he is? He asked me to trust him, and that is what I should have done from the start.
I should have never left his home in the first place. Instead, we should have talked more until I understood more of his reasoning—even if he could not reveal everything.
He accused me of not trusting him before, and I fear I may have proven it to him this time that I, in fact, do not trust him. Even if that can’t be further from the truth.
I do trust him. If I didn’t, he’d probably be missing a limb or two right now.
I suppose I am a little miffed about not seeing the signs earlier. They were right in front of me, but unfortunately, I’m on the slower side when it comes to catching on. He was aware of this too, because he revealed just enough not to make me question him.
So I can see it from his perspective too. He did, in fact, not lie.
It’s getting dark. Winter in Anthropa means their days are much shorter while the nights are longer. Used my entire life to the ever-present light of Aperion, I find that I quite like the night.
Street lamps light up. The area is bustling with people coming and going from the many stores littered on each side of the road.
Once more, the smell of something sweet assails me. Should I get something to eat?
Though we just had dinner, my mood throughout the meal prevented me from enjoying the food even though it was delicious.
Materializing some coins—it seems thieving is much easier after you’ve done it a few times—I buy a chocolate croissant from one of the pastry shops.
The flavor is delightful and I slowly savor it as I look around the other shops.
Most of them seem to be clothing stores, and looking at the mannequins in the window wearing the latest fashions seems to take my mind off my dilemma for the moment.
Nibbling at the chocolate core, I stop in front of a different type of shop. My gaze is arrested to the white dress in the window. It has a tight bodice with thousands of shiny beads and a silk skirt.
It’s a wedding shop.
I’m staring at a wedding dress.
Since the topic of marriage has become so ubiquitous between us, I’ve learned a thing or two about traditions in this part of Anthropa. A white wedding dress is the standard, as is the sharing of rings on the wedding day to symbolize eternal love—or something like that.
In Aperion, there is no set color for a wedding dress. Instead, the bride and groom wear their family’s colors and insignia.
The House of Cryos has a combination of light blue and white in two concentric circles. On top of the color scheme is a black dagger with one skull on the top right side and another on the lower left side.
If I were to marry Mine in an Aperite fashion, my wedding gown would feature a dress with that color combination as well as the crown that’s been in my family for eons—a crown made up of a succession of small skull daggers.
When I was a fledgling, I was fascinated by that crown, and I have, on occasion snuck into the artifact room to try it on. Back then it was too big for my head, but I still loved the regal aura it lent me.
Alas, I will never wear that now.
Still staring at that wedding dress, I pop the last bit of the croissant into my mouth, lick my fingers, and decide to stride inside.
“May I help you?” someone immediately asks.
“That dress. I want to try it on.” I point to the mannequin.
“Excellent choice! It’s the new style. It just came in on Friday.”
The sales lady takes me to the fitting room and brings me the dress in my size.
“Let me know if you need anything,” she adds as she closes the door, leaving me alone with the dress.
It’s even more stunning in person. The beads are arranged with such care and craftsmanship that I’m almost wary to touch it.
After shedding my dress, I slowly put it on, using my powers to pull up the zipper at the back and button myself up.
The dress is a little long, though given my short stature, most ready-to-wear dresses in this world are on the longer side.
I close my eyes and think back to Mine’s secret closet. Choosing one of the heeled sandals, I manifest them in the cabin with me and put them on.
Patting the skirt down, I’m impressed by how soft the silk is and how well it fits my body.
I take a step back and regard myself in the mirror.
Can I picture myself wearing this while getting married to him?
The answer is an immediate yes. And it’s not just the dress. It’s also because it’s him.
Perhaps I am an idiot, but there isn’t much that would turn me off him. He could be anything; even an ogre for all I care—though I hear those live in a different world.
With this dress on, the intention materializes deeper and deeper in my breast.
I will trust him no matter what. And I will marry him no matter what, too.
“I’ll take it,” I tell the sales lady after I’ve changed into my own clothes. Of course I’m once more paying with stolen money, but the joy of having a wedding dress of my own is too strong for me to care.
I’m a thief, so what? To be with Mine, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t become. Rule breaker? Check. An outcast? Already done. Inter-realm criminal? Already done that too. Killer? Well, I was one long before him if we’re talking about demons. Mortals, though? For him, I would do that too.
Smiling to myself, I grab the bag with the dress from the cashier and leave.
I think I’ve been gone long enough now. I should go back so he doesn’t worry too much. I should also apologize for my reaction and assure him I will trust him, whatever it is that he is hiding from me.
With that in mind, I hide my presence from mortals and prepare to teleport.
But that never happens.
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. A current of energy travels through me, shocking me into submission.
I cannot move. A familiar sensation.
Within seconds, my hunch is confirmed when Cerenios appears in front of me.
“Hello, Minerva. It’s been a while.”
He smiles slowly at me, a predatory smile that does not reach his eyes.
If I could, I’d spit him right between those cold eyes of his. Then I’d knee him between the legs—not sure if that would hurt him as much as it does mortals, but wishful thinking.
Of course I can do none of that, seeing that he’s once more holding me captive with whatever mind control he’s got going.
Bastard!
“I have been looking for you since your energy signature disappeared from Aperion, but I have been unable to detect it until now. Interesting, is it not?”
That is indeed quite odd. I didn’t shield my energy signature properly, mostly because I didn’t think anyone would be looking for me so soon.
“More interesting is the fact that General Molokai is missing. You wouldn’t happen to know where your brother is, would you?”
With a flick of his wrist, he allows me to speak.
“I don’t know,” I answer drily. “Probably screwing some faerie.”
“Language, Minerva.” He tsks at me. “You should not be allowed to speak like that.”
“Is that so?” I grit out.
“Of course, if it were up to me, you would not be allowed to exist. But all things at their time.”
I am not sure why he hates me so much, but this pretty much confirmed he’s looking to have me executed. Given his clear distaste of me, he’ll probably find any reason to put me on that execution block.
“And what will Commander Azerius say about your targeted attacks? I’ll make sure everyone knows how you threatened to fabricate lies about me.”
He shrugs.
“Good for me that I will not have to fabricate anything. You created your own circumstances without any interference from my part.” He smirks. “I will say, though. Whatever shield you used to mask your energy worked very well until now. It took me longer than I would have thought to find you.”
“Ah, such a high praise from one such as yourself,” I spit out mockingly.
“I can both recognize you are a pest to be exterminated and admit your abilities are…decent.”
If only I could move… I’d wipe out that stupid self-assured grin off his face.
“Then why are you so bent on destroying me and my reputation? I’m a good soldier. I’ve only ever been a good soldier and I’ve made solid contributions in the fight against demons!” I cry out in frustration.
“Perhaps.” He tilts his head to the side and studies me. “But you are also everything that is wrong with our society.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You have a rebellious streak that is prone to breaking the rules. Aperion is Aperion because of its rules. Therefore, you are incompatible with Aperion,” he states matter-of-factly.
“You’re insane,” I whisper.
“Maybe. But you are lucky I’ve decided to be magnanimous.”
I regard him with a mix of fear and disdain. Nothing he has in mind can be good for me.
“I have decided to spare you from execution.”
“Very magnanimous,” I mutter and roll my eyes. Let’s see, for what price?
“In exchange, I will kill you myself. You will then get the opportunity to be reincarnated and your mind can be reprogrammed. It is, after all, a pity to waste someone with your potential.”
“What—”
“Of course I would never attempt to kill a defenseless person. There is no honor in that.”
In the blink of an eye, the scenery around us changes to an empty field.
His mind control wears off and I can move my limbs. I take a step back, stretching my muscles.
He appears in front of me, fully armored, his hand on his sword.
“You may defend yourself and fight me. I would encourage you to do so since I would rather like the exercise.” He pauses. “But know you will not leave this field alive.”
Then he strikes.