Reborn from the embers, p.9
Reborn from the Embers, page 9
“Ali, what the fuck is going on?” The body attached to the arm around me asks. Jace. He’s holding me so tightly and I fall into him as the sobs attack my entire being. The mechanisms within me had already destroyed the poison that had nearly killed me, but I feel sick. I’d nearly killed myself and yet it felt different, it felt wrong. Of course, killing yourself should feel wrong. I shake my head, trying to make sense of the situation. Everything sits in disarray inside and yet I know, I don’t want to die. I’ve never wanted to die. Not really. Something within me has held me back for so long. The damn breaks within.
“I don’t know anymore. I don’t know who to trust. How do I live like this? Everyone is dead and I’m so alone.” The words bubble out of me before I can stop them. Jace soundlessly sits me on the bed before closing my door, setting a chair against it to keep it shut. Someone had busted it. Jace did, I realise distantly. How did he know to come in here so brazenly?
“I know something more is going on. It’s time to tell me.” He demands it so intensely that no power within me could have denied him. I couldn’t keep it in anymore. I had to talk to someone. Not anyone. Him. An ember to my flame. This is my decision; this is me in control again.
“My name isn’t Allegra, it’s Aleera. Last year, I walked into my home and found my parents murdered. Two weeks later my boyfriend was murdered the same way as I talked with the lead detectives on the case. Someone, a monster, is stalking me, ripping away everything I love. Two more murders happened- my auntie and uncle, my only living relatives left before I truly understood the gravity of my situation. The FBI got me a new identity and sent me here while they try and find the sick person that wants me dead. Then last night when I finally start to open up about it, to people I thought were my friends, they called me the name he taunts me with. All this time, I thought you were all my friends but to call me that, to taunt me of my nightmares, must mean somehow, you’re involved in all of this too. How can I trust anyone? I’m so alone. My entire family is gone, and he’ll find me one day and kill me too.” I fall into Jace’s familiar scent as he wraps his arms around me. He shifts and pulls me closer, almost shielding me from the words.
“It’s a demon. Or at the very least demons are involved. I knew something serious was going on. You’re so cagey about your life but shit, Ali, I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” My lip quivers as we lie there silently. After a while I sniffle and look up at his concerned face.
“God, I’m going to be in so much trouble if they find out I told you.” I groan before pulling the blankets around me.
“I won’t tell a soul.” Leaning into Jace we fall silent again. I hear raised voices outside the room and flinch. Jace slides off the bed and outside of my room, smoothly like a panther. I can hear him talking.
“What happened to her door?” Thomas voice snaps. I shiver and hide under the covers; I can’t face my friends yet. I don’t understand any of this, why am I hiding instead of fighting for answers?
“I don’t know what you guys did to her, but you need to stay away. Give her space. Let me sort this out.” His voice is severe. I’ve never heard him speak this way. It’s wrong but it feels nice to have someone so protective of me that isn’t paid to be.
“We didn’t do anything, Jace. You don’t even know what’s going on!” Sofia snaps and I wince at her equally annoyed voice.
“Actually, I do know what’s going on and she doesn’t want you guys near her right now!” I should stop being a coward and go out, but something roots me to my bed. I can’t move.
“So, you know she’s a seer? A Valkyrie, just like us.” I hate that word and yet the other calls to me in an alluring way. Seer. Seer. I see you. Silence. My mind ticks. It’s time to understand that word. He calls me it and they believe I am one. Why am I hiding from this? I groan internally; I’ve overreacted. I should have heard them out. Found out what that word means, what it means for me.
“I didn’t know that. No.” Jace murmurs slowly. “Still, you guys don’t know what you’re doing right now. Let me talk to her- a demon managed to attach to her soul.” They whisper some more before I hear the receding footsteps before I feel Jace sit on the end of my bed. I should question this whole demon thing a bit more, but I can’t find strength right now.
“Ali, what did the murderer call you?” He asks so gently.
“I can’t say it.” I whisper. Seer. Seer. Say it, you coward.
“What if I guess it?” I freeze. I hate hearing it. “Is it Seer?” He asks.
“Yes.” My voice cracks. I did it. That was brave, right?
“Do you know what that is?” Jace rests his forehead against my own and I breathe in his wild scent.
“No.” It’s the truth. I’d never once investigated it. I thought it was the ramblings of a psycho, a small part of me still does. I focus on Jace’s smell. His breath. I count them, I let his presence ground me.
“It’s someone who can see the future and the past. Can you do that, Ali?” he probes as his hands lock through my own. Could I do that? Not exactly.
“I can see futures. I’ve never seen the past. This sort of stuff is supposed to be pretend. Movies. Fantasy. It’s crazy.” I squeeze myself tighter into a ball, breaking away from Jace.
“I can sense when someone is about to die. It’s why I broke into your room.” Jace admits to me. He takes a deep breath as I turn to face him, my eyes wide. “Thomas has telekinesis. Sofia can read minds when she wants to. Stacey can affect and read emotions.” The thing about Stacey; that sort of makes sense.
“It’s not supposed to be possible.” I squeak. My head is spinning. It doesn’t make sense. Yet, it does.
“It is. We’re Valkyries.” He responds, resolutely. He shifts closer to me and wraps his arm around me. He’s here. He’s real.
“Prove it.” I whisper, defeated. There’s just too much change happening at once.
“You’d have to come talk to Thomas or Sofia- their abilities are easy to demonstrate.” I sigh. Of course, they are. I can’t do it. Not yet. I need more time. To process, I lie to myself.
“After the exams. I promise. I’m fine now.” I add, not able to say it. To tell him I won’t kill myself. That I’m sound in mind. Am I sound in mind? He knows what I mean though.
“I know. The death faded away from you as soon as I sent the demon away. I’ve never seen anything like it.” He kisses my forehead, and we sit together in silence. I ignore his words and the meaning they have. I’m being petulant and yet a part of me just cannot face the truth in front of me. “Can I stay with you?” I nod my head and we lie together, grounding each other. The spark and the ember. Vulnerable to one another in a way I’d never know vulnerability.
“Tell me about demons,” I whisper. My request sends Jace into a long speech that both enthrals me and terrifies me.
Chapter Nine
“A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other,” - Charles Dickens.
Exams pass quickly, and with it my surly mood. I know I made a promise to be open and to listen; yet a piece of me desperately clings to normalcy. I need it, just for a little longer. I don’t respond to text messages to meet anyone. As Grace and Salem’s party looms, a few hours away in fact, I decide that I’ll use that party as my send-off to reality before I jump down the rabbit hole. I drive off campus and buy something new to wear, after all most of my clothes remain in the wardrobe at my home. I couldn’t bear to enter the house I was raised in before I was whisked away and now, I wonder when I’ll ever get the chance again. I choose a black lacy jumpsuit before making my way back on campus. After washing my hair, styling it and finishing my make-up, I choose a bold red lip. I had pulled my hair into a swirling bun with loose curls around my face. I can’t help but feel like a woman. A refined and mysterious woman peers back at me. I’d always felt my crystal blue eyes looked lifeless, almost grey, but today I saw what everyone else told me. Gems that resembled the sparkling blue of the water as the sun shone down upon them. They seemed, if I dare think, beautiful. Shaking my head at my inner monologue, I give myself a nod of approval and set of. I walk across campus to the fraternity house hosting the party, I can’t help but feel glad I don’t run into any of my friends. Tonight, I’d forget and tomorrow I’d face everything. I see Grace waving at me as I walk in and I head towards her.
“You made it!” She pulls me into a hug. “Salem will be so happy!” I almost scrunch my nose up at her forwardness. Grace had spent most of the semester quiet, I’d never thought she’d be a frat party kind of girl. Oh, maybe she has a thing for Salem. I could be stepping on her toes and she doesn’t want to say anything. She’s staring at me expectantly and I remember I’m supposed to respond with words.
“Is Salem in this frat?” Time for recon. Grace shakes her head, as her eyes sparkle. They look a little odd.
“No, not exactly.” She giggles, yeah, she’s definitely off. I watch her movements more closely, they seem disjointed.
“Are you drunk already?” I frown at her erratic movements. I can’t pinpoint it, but something irks me as I stand here with Grace. I don’t know her well, maybe I’m overreacting.
“High as kite.” She giggles before stumbling. I catch her and pull her back up. I groan, internally, drugs are not something to be trifled with. I’m about to ask her what she has taken but I’m interrupted. A shadow looms and I turn to see eyes black as night and hair that almost matches. No that’s not right, his hair is brown almost identical to mine.
“Salem!” She squeals and launches into his arms. He chuckles and straightens her up. “I brought a cutie! Ali, this is Salem!” She grins between us before she smells food and prances away mumbling about how she hasn’t eaten in ages.
“She’s super quiet and nerdy- I didn’t expect that.” I admit to a smiling Salem. He seems almost familiar. “It’s nice to meet you.” I murmur.
“You too, Ali. I’ve seen you around campus, but I’ve never wanted to interrupt you.” He admits and I smile at his blush. It doesn’t slip my notice that he doesn’t react to the state of his friend. Strike one.
“Am I that scary?” I joke knowing full well that a few weeks ago I wouldn’t have responded well to a stranger approaching me. Salem relaxes and leans towards me; I notice he’s holding two cups.
“Not at all, it’s just once you seemed so untouchable and now, I guess you’re not.” He laughs and offers me one of the red cups. Yeah right. I set the cup down. After Grace’s behaviour and his lack of reaction I would not be drinking anything here. “I wouldn’t spike it.” He teases as he notes the cup being set away.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t, truly Salem. It’s just I had a bad run in with a jerk recently, and I’m more cautious now.” A cold flash darts across his eyes. As quick as it appears, it’s gone and is replaced with a sunny smile and cool disposition. Moving on.
“So, what’re you studying?” I ask and he grins. He reminds me of the Cheshire cat, all teeth.
“I guess psychology.” He chuckles. “And you?” He asks, as he finishes his drink and grabs the drink that he had previously given to me. He shrugs unapologetically.
“I guess numbers.” I answer matching his vague and unsure response. It seems to amuse me as he drops his arm around me.
“Do you want to go sit outside? They’ve got a pretty great set up out there,” he drops his head towards my ear. It feels wrong compared to Jace. It’s harmless though, nothing he is doing seems dangerous. No danger bells are ringing in my ears, so I roll with it.
“Sure, let’s go to the kitchen first.” Shrugging out his arms I dance around people towards the fridge where I pull out a sealed cider and follow Salem outside. I settle down on a cushioned seat as I search for something to speak about. “Interesting name, Salem. Is there a story behind it?” He tilts his head before nodding. I find myself thinking he would be more attractive if his eyes were blue and not the odd dark colour.
“Yes, I’m glad you asked actually. My parents used to be heavily involved in history and the uncovering of secrets. One of the things they were truly intrigued by and wanted to find all the answers for was the Salem Witch Trials. When I was born, my mother said that my very presence provided clarity around a specific question they were researching. They named me after their studies, Salem.” He grins and winks at me.
“What’re they studying now?” I inquire as the word used to be to lingers in my mind.
“They’re gone now. The Smithsonian raised me.” He raises his shoulders and half smiles at me. I frown at the information reveal.
“An institute on research and education raised you. That’s different, it suits you though. Cool name, cool way to be raised. You get to be unique in a world where everyone is doomed to be so similar. I bet your parents are looking down and are so stoked you’re with fellow researchers and so proud of how sweet you are,” I say sweetly. I felt he deserved to hear it after sharing something so personal with me. Something flickers behind his eyes, but I stare it slips away and I dismiss it. A kindred spirit. Orphans. Not that he knows that.
“I’m not sure their values aligned with the Smithsonian but you’re sweet for saying that.” I nod my head and shrug, it never cost anything to be kind. “Is Ali short for anything?” He asks as I sip on my drink.
“Allegra.” I lie, looking out across the back yard. The taste of the lie feels like chalk in my mouth.
“You don’t look like an Allegra.” He looks me deep in the eyes as he says the words. It silently shakes me, his piercing stare.
“What do I look like then?” I laugh uncomfortably as I move a curl from my face.
“Well, I’d say you look like an Allison, if I’m totally honest.” The name rings in the back of my mind but I shrug it off. He grins wickedly as I shake my head. Neither names belong to me but, Ali would always be my nickname. Ali-gator to my sweet, funny and nerdy dad.
“Seer.” He says and I reel back. My mind whirls as I try and recall if he had said anything, but I was too lost in my thoughts to listen.
“Excuse me?” I stutter and he frowns at me, concerned.
“I said do you like the singer Sia?” I chuckle and shake my head. Wow, I’m way too strung. It’s probably time to search for the answers I was too scared to hear.
“Oh sorry, I’m still a bit keyed up from the exams, I think.” Trying to explain away my strange behaviour. “Yeah, I don’t mind her. I probably prefer Ruelle though if we’re talking favourite music. My friend, Stacey, introduced me to her music and it’s so soulful and deep. If you like Sia you’ll like her, in my opinion.” Salem fiddles with his wrist and nods his head at my words.
“Sorry, I’m really shy. You’re so cool. Would you want to maybe catch a movie together, sometime?” I can’t help but smile at his honesty and I nod my head.
“That’d be great but Salem, I’m only looking for a friend.” He rolls his eyes at my words and nods his head.
“Honestly, me too. I think we could be great friends maybe even more like brother and sister.” He admits as he kicks his legs back and looks up at the stars. I think he’s making a bit of a leap after one interaction together, but I relent anyway.
“Okay then. Here’s my number.” He quickly adds it to his phone before Grace arrives with an entourage and we start playing never have I ever. I win the game. It’s the first time I realised how boring and inexperienced I am in life. Salem walks me back to my dorm before high fiving me good night. He’s a little goofy, but he seems cool. I fall asleep knowing tomorrow, tomorrow I’d face some of my fears.
Sofia, Thomas and Stacey sit across from me. Jace sits beside me, reassuringly.
“Thank you for finally agreeing to see us.” Sofia murmurs as she reaches for my hand. I let her squeeze it once before pulling it back.
“I guess I’m ready for answers. Be they mind blowing or not, it’s time.” My hands are clammy as I wipe them on my jeans. “It’s probably also time I give you all some answers too.” Sofia nods at Thomas and he stares at the objects on the floor in front of us. An apple, a ruler and a brick rise in front of my face. What the fuck? I wave my hand over the objects, and then under when suddenly the ruler smacks my hand and I choke out a laugh. Well, shit.
“Fine, so maybe there is some truth to what you’re all saying.” I admit. “What does that have to do with me?” I ask with a tiny sulk. Seer. Seer. Seer. Seer.
“Well, it looks like you’re a Seer but more importantly a Valkyrie like us.” I flinch. The blood drips down the wall. Seer.
“Don’t say that word.” I beg as I lean into Jace. He wraps an arm around me, reassuringly, as I sigh.
“Why?” Stacey asks with a frown. “Why’re you so afraid of that word?” I smile at her. I loved her and her ability to just cut straight to the chase. Except for right now.
“I can’t tell you,” I whisper, looking down. I mean, I already told Jace so maybe I could tell them. I shouldn’t push it though. They all share a look, like they’re silently communicating.
“Okay, well untrained you’d get glimpses of the future but trained you’d see the future and the past easily. We can help you. All of us who grew up in Beaumont have abilities. We are a community of Valkyries who are the children of Odin and Witches who are the children of Hecate. We keep our powers hidden from the world. For you to be a Valkyrie, your parents would have to be too.” Thomas muses. I tremble as I begin to realise my parents must’ve kept a huge secret from me my entire life and now, I can’t even ask them about it. I glance at Stacey who hadn’t grown up in Beaumont either and wonder how she came to find out about all of this.
“If they could have done something, like have powers, wouldn’t they have told me already?” I ask, frowning. I glance at Stacey again.
