“That? It’s not a that!” I protest. Yet somehow her words have no effect on me. She knows nothing about the life I carry inside me, and her opinion on the matter couldn’t be more irrelevant.
She waves her hand dismissively. “Let us save the details of your delicate condition for later. First I want to understand what exactly it is you want from me. What you think I can do for you.”
I bite my lip and stare at the ground. I can hear it in her voice. She knows exactly why I’m here and what I want. She just needs to hear me say it.
“I…we… I was hoping there was a way you could help break my curse. Help to reunify Lucky and me as one again.”
She looks at me quietly for a moment, and when she does speak I’m taken aback by her intensity. “Is that truly what you want?”
“Yes. I think so. I mean, I’m not sure how it will all work. But ideally, I suppose, just to go back to how things were before—”
“But things never go back to how they were ‘before’. Once things change, they change. You’ve evolved… you’ve created your own identity, your own memories, your own personality. You want all that to just disappear? For what end?”
I frown. “What do you mean, disappear?”
Anastasia clucks softly under her breath and shakes her head. “My dear child. When you became divided, the old you ceased to exist. In its place are two new identities. One soul split in two.”
“Yes, I know this. That’s the problem. Lucky and I need to be one soul again. We need to be the same all day and night, not one person during the day, and a whole other separate one at night. It’s not right.”
She raises an eyebrow and walks back over to her rose bushes. “I agree it’s not right, and yes, there might be a way to fix it.” She clips another Shadows and Light rose and holds it to me. “Here, take this.”
I take the long stem, careful to avoid the thorns. It is no ordinary rose. The single stem at the base splits about half way up, creating two new separate stems, each with its own full bloom.
“You, my dear, are very much like this rose,” Anastasia says. “This is the beginning of your life.” She points to the bottom of the single stem. “And here is where you are cursed. Two separate stems, two separate roses.”
I let out a sigh. My patience is wearing quite thin at this point. “Yes, I know all this, Anastasia. I was there.”
She looks at me solemnly and holds up her clippers. “There is a spell to create a single personality, day and night. A very powerful and dark spell that requires the deepest level of sacrifice.”
I frown. “What sacrifice?”
“In order for one to live, the other will need to die. The surviving personality gets the body full time. The other will disappear forever.”
“Wait—either Lucky or me will die, and the other will stay alive permanently? Night and day?”
Anastasia nods. “Yes. And it must happen in the form of a sacrifice. One of you must be willing to die in order to let the other live.”
She lifts up her clippers and snips one of the duel stems at its base.
We both watch as it falls to the ground.
Chapter 7. Liora
Anastasia’s words swim through my mind as I slowly make my way down the grassy slope toward the shore. Corrine and Kieron are standing near the water, deep in conversation. I pause for a moment and admire them from afar. The two people in the world closest to me, other than Tatiana. They’ve both done so much for me in ways I don’t think they’ll ever really understand. Corrine by being my friend despite what a freak I am, and Kieron by loving all of me unconditionally. How did I get so lucky?
Kieron says something to Corrine, and she laughs. It’s a perfect day; the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and waves are crashing on the glistening white sand.
But I am numb to it all.
Only one of us will go on. Her, or me.
Whichever one lives, the other dies.
And it must be a sacrifice. Either I decide to let Lucky live, or she sacrifices herself for me.
Ha, fat chance! Lucky has always considered me to be nothing more than an unfortunate side-effect of a botched demon attack. Never in a million years would she ever give up her supernatural existence for my pathetic human one.
So this is it… this is my fate. I either die, or live the rest of my days as a weak Halfling in a world in which I don’t quite belong. A world where I am always in danger. And it’s not just my life I fear for, but my child’s as well.
I place my hand on my stomach and let out a deep sigh. Will I be strong enough to protect him or her? Kieron can’t always be glued to my side, and with the Light-angels after us, having a helpless infant along will surely pose a higher risk for everyone. At least Lucky has powers. Unlike me, forced to rely on the constant protection of others.
Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m the one supposed to make this ultimate sacrifice. After all, I’m the one who got us into the trouble with the Light-angels in the first place. It was my weakness, my vulnerability they preyed upon. I’m the one with nothing to offer as far as powers or special abilities go. I’m the dead weight that needs protection from all the scary baddies that go bump in the night. I can’t compel people, or throw fire, or knock over huge trees, or sprint faster than a cheetah. Hell, I trip over my own two feet if I have to run more than a hundred yards. I’m the one who has to hide my true nature from the world. Daytime—my time— seems to be little more than the brief interlude between Lucky’s reigns.
In the grand scheme of things, what do I bring to the table that Lucky doesn’t do better?
Maybe I’m destined to fall on my sword and end this broken existence. Just let the last five plus years disappear. It’s not like anyone would really notice.
“Liora! What are you doing up there? Come on down!” Corrine hollers, shielding her eyes from the sun with her arm. Kieron runs his hands through his dark hair and gives me a half grin. Even from several dozen yards away, I feel his love.
But something is different there, too. And I don’t know what.
Worse… I don’t know if I care.
********
I’m busy cutting off tags to some new t-shirts when there’s a knock on my bedroom door. “Can I come in for a bit?” Corrine asks, as she pokes her head inside my room.
“Sure.” I gather the tags in a small pile and toss them in the trashcan as she takes a seat on my bed and glances around nervously.
“I just want to say thanks again for buying all that stuff today,” she begins quietly. “I’ll really try to pay you back one day, I swear—”
“Corrine, stop right there. I told you a million times already, it’s my treat. I mean, come on. If there’s one thing we don’t actually have to worry about in this twisted life it’s money. So enjoy it.”
She grins and pushes up her glasses again. I make a mental note to get her to an optometrist asap to see if we can help her in that department too.
“It’s just… I’ve never had such nice stuff before. And so much of it. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
I put down my scissors, walk over to the bed and sit beside her. “You know, I’ve never really had a friend before. Not me, as Liora. Before the split, yeah, I had a few. But since the curse, I’ve been pretty messed up. And really alone. Other than Tatiana, I had no one. You were always a good friend to me, no questions asked. And then with how cool you’ve been about everything… I mean, you just accepted everything like that.” I snap my fingers. “So thank you. And if my buying you a new wardrobe makes you happy, then it makes me even happier to do it.”
My sweet sentiments shock even me. I’ve never been one for the girly bonding, and the one thing I’ve always liked best about Corrine was her ability to keep her distance. But here I was, basically opening my heart and inviting her in.
Her face crumples in awestruck happiness. “You really don’t have to thank me. You’ve been my only friend, too! And you saved me! Without you and Kieron, I don’t kno
w where I’d be. I mean, no offense, please don’t take this the wrong way, but you know your life is pretty much in the crapper when the idea of hitting the road with a couple of demons is more appealing than staying where you’re at.”
I grin back at her. “No offense taken. So you’re set? You got everything you need?”
She nods happily. “I love everything! I’m just sorry you couldn’t come with us. Do you like everything we got you?”
“Yes! You have excellent taste. I love the shirts, and those black boots are really cute.”
Kieron and I had agreed it was way too reckless for me to leave the property to go shopping with her, so he went in my place. I’d given her a list of the few things I needed and a stack of hundred dollar bills, and gave her strict instructions not to return until she’d spent every cent.
“I can’t wait to read some of the books we bought! I never could get much reading done at home. But since you and Kieron will be gone most nights, I’ll finally have some peace and quiet in my life for once. No offense again,” she adds with a wink.
I chuckle. “None taken again. But you’re really sure you’ll be okay being by yourself every night? I feel bad leaving you alone so much.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been living in a tiny house full of loud drunks and crazy drama ever since I can remember. The idea of having a few hours of alone time to read and do some thinking… I truly can’t imagine anything better. Besides, it’s not really that long. I mean, I do actually need to sleep eight or nine hours, you know.”
I laugh again. “Yes, I suppose that’s true. Hey— what about your mom? Are you going to contact her and tell her you’re okay? Don’t want her sending the police after you.”
Her face clouds over and the haunted look returns. “Nah, she wouldn’t. She hates cops. She’s happier with me gone, I’m sure. One less mouth to feed. And she’s probably already found some idiot guy to do her bidding.”
“I’m sorry.”
She sits up straight and flashes me a crooked smile. “I’m not. Leaving there and coming here was the best thing that ever could’ve happened to me. I can start over. Nobody has to know what a loser I was. I can be whatever I want to be.”
I nod encouragingly. “That’s right. Except you were never a loser. But you can start over and—”
“God, that smells amazing,” she interrupts, sniffing the air. “What is he making in there?”
I can’t exactly put my finger on what it is…. all I know is it’s making my stomach churn, and not in a good way. “Some sort of chicken maybe? But it sorta smells like spaghetti. I dunno, he bought enough food for an army today so it could be anything.”
“Let’s go see,” Corrine says jumping to her feet.
I rise slowly, trying to temper the sudden wave of dizziness.
“Liora, you okay?” She squints at me and holds out her hand.
I shake her off with a smile. “Fine. Just thinking of something for a second. Let’s go see what our darling chef is creating.”
It’s all I can do to keep down the chicken parmesan and Caesar salad that Kieron has set out before us. He gives my hand a quick squeeze under the table. It’s funny… his actions, his words, his movements… they’re all the same as usual. But there’s a slight intangible shift that I can’t quite explain. I know he and I need some alone time soon. We need to talk— about a lot of things. But first I just want to get settled in here and see what shakes out. Maybe it’s just frazzled nerves. We’ve all been through so much these past few weeks.
“So whatcha guys got planned tonight?” Corrine asks through a mouthful of garlic bread.
Dabbing my mouth with a napkin, I glance out the window at the setting sun. “Well, I will be falling asleep in about fifteen more minutes or so.” I look at Kieron. “Tatiana gave me directions to the secret tunnel at the beach that will take you and Lucky to a Demon Bar.”
Kieron nods and finishes chewing. “Be nice to get some real Source Energy in me for a change and get off these enchanted grounds. Her protection spell feels like a poisonous, wet blanket.”
“But it’s keeping us safe,” I murmur. Keeping me safe. I’m the one who can’t protect herself.
Corrine glances back and forth between Kieron and me. “So once you guys leave here… you might be in danger?”
I shrug. “Believe me, it’s nothing Lucky’s not used to. She’ll be fine.” I can see the concerned look on her face, so I add, “There’s a portal down on the beach that will take them where they need to go. According to Anastasia, it’s protected. They should be pretty safe.”
“Chances are the Light-angels don’t have any idea where we are,” Kieron adds. “At least not yet. And while we don’t want another confrontation, we do need to be ready for one. It’ll be good for us to connect with others of our kind and get some allies. We’ll be much safer and stronger.”
Corrine nods. “Safety in numbers.”
I give her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine. Kieron will be fine. Lucky will be fine. You’ll be fine. Everyone will adjust and be okay. You’ll see.”
She gives me a tight grin back. “I believe you. But I can’t help but worry some. Hey, while you’re out tonight, mind if I take a swim in your tub? I’ve never been in one before. My trailer only had the tiny standup shower not even big enough for a midget.”
“Sure,” I laugh. “Just watch out for the sharks.”
Chapter 8. Lucky
It’s only been a few nights, but I really hate opening my eyes and seeing this fancy furniture and pretentious artsy-fartsy décor that just screams, “Look at me and what a showoff I am!” Sapies who spend so much time and money and effort constantly trying to show other people just how special and important they are make me sick. What pathetic little pawns they all are. They don’t realize they’re as insignificant as little bugs that would be extinct if it weren’t for the likes of me and my kind. You’d think they’d be a little more grateful.
But nooooo. Give a Sapie a little power, and what does she do? Blast you with a weakening spell. And mess with your head by saying the person you love like a mother is dead, only to turn around and say, “Oh, just kidding. Just a test. You passed. Yay, you.”
What kind of a sick person does that?
I have half a mind to go find her and give her a nice, solid slap right across the face. Maybe two slaps. Maybe ten. But unfortunately, right now just getting up off this ridiculously oversized bed seems like a monumental feat. I don’t know why Liora has left me to wake up in here. Perhaps she wasn’t feeling well either?
A few minutes later there is a light tap on the door, and Kieron pokes his head in.
“Hey, love. You okay?”
I roll over on my side and stretch my arms and legs. “Yeah.”
“Just checking. Liora thought it best to transition in private, but I thought you’d be out here by now.”
“I’m just relaxing for a minute.” I sit up on the bed and motion for him to come closer. He crosses the darkened room in a few strides and sits down beside me. The bed gently sinks under his weight.
“Hi,” he whispers.
“Hi.”
He leans forward and kisses me softly. His mouth is warm and sweet. I feel his love, his tenderness, his affection.
But no fire. No passion. The urgency I used to feel, even a few nights ago, is missing. Missing from me? Or from him?
His hands comfort me, and I snuggle closer while he strokes my hair. “How are you doing, really?” he whispers.
I lean back to look him in the eye. He gazes at me with such openness, for a split second I consider telling him the truth about my condition. But then I wonder if somehow he already knows. Corrine mentioned Liora blabbing Bones’s name in a dream the other day. What else has she told him?
But now is not the time to worry about that. I don’t know when the right time will be to have this talk with him, but I know it’s not now. Too many other things to take care of first.
“I’m okay,?
?? I murmur. “Not exactly loving this jacked-up curse the witch put everywhere. I can’t stand feeling this weak and tired. I gotta get out of here.”
He nods. “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind if she toned it down too. We’re no stronger than an average human right now. But I suppose it’s for the best. If it affects us this badly, you know others are weakened too. Others who could hurt Liora if they wanted to.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, the perpetual thorn in my side. Maybe if the witch puts us back together I won’t have to worry about that anymore.” I raise my hands over my head and give a good, long stretch. “Do you really think the Light-angels will come after us here? Maybe they’ll just find another way to get into Thiberoux.”
Kieron shrugs. “Dunno. Sure didn’t seem like it was just a casual whim before. They meant business, and I don’t think they’re the type to just give up if they don’t get what they want the first time. They’ll probably regroup and double-down on their efforts. But until we know for sure, better to be safe than sorry.”
I let his words sink in. I’ve often thought about the two Light-angels who’d escaped into the woods that night at the cabin. Tattie warned me they’d be back, and that’s why we had to leave. While she could protect herself, Liora would be a virtual prisoner in the little cabin, and I’d be a target as well. They knew my weakness—that I was human during the day. With my demonic allies behind me I had a chance. Alone, without the support and sanctuary of my family in Dryndara, I was good as dead.
“We need to find a Demon Bar… a portal… a haven where we can—”
Kieron grins and holds up a piece of yellow paper. “Our kind and gracious hostess gave this to Liora earlier. It’s our best bet.”
My eyes narrow suspiciously. “Are you sure it’s not some sort of death trap?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah. I spoke to her a bit earlier, and while she’s clearly not too fond of us demions, she has a soft spot for Liora and seems to want to help. She just has a funny way of showing it.”