Discern (35 page)

“We have to make these decisions.” Andrew’s voice softened.

“Is there really not a god?” I murmured, hoping it was inaudible to both of them.

“We don’t know,” Alec said.

“You don’t know?” I asked, taken aback. Andrew specifically stated there was no heaven or hell—and no god—just a creator.

“There isn’t a god,” Andrew snapped, glaring at Alec.

“We don’t know that for sure,” Alec said stiffly.

“So there’s a possibility that a god exists?” I asked relieved.

“Our creator claims that he created mortals for our sustenance and entertainment, but there’s possible evidence that they existed here on Earth before the creator,” Alec explained.

“Possible evidence, not confirmed,” Andrew stated angrily.

“Andrew, don’t be foolish, you know we’ve been lied to before and this may be no different.”

“So your kind is just as lost as humanity is,” I uttered.

“Our kind has been misled, too. We’ve been left to decipher the truth and most of us disagree with one another, especially Andrew.”

“I know every last one of you despise me and my quickness to resolve a situation, but I’ve been right most of the time.” Andrew’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re too hasty,” Alec accused.

“I make decisions and follow through with them,” Andrew disagreed.

“Really, so no talking you out of this?” Alec asked doubtingly.

“Plans can change, but only if there’s enough evidence,” Andrew said.

“Is she not proof enough?” Alec asked, gesturing toward me.

Andrew looked down at me. “Of what?”

“Their souls might reincarnate,” Alec suggested.

“I thought we agreed this was an isolated incident,” Andrew reminded.

“Maybe we didn’t pay attention, because their souls never meant anything to us until this particular moment,” Alec proposed.

“And if they do reincarnate, exactly how would that prove our original theories otherwise?” Andrew questioned.

“There’s always been a question of where their souls go after death, and if they do return, then there has to be a higher authority allowing this,” Alec argued.

“So Hadicieus could not be this higher authority?” Andrew’s forehead furrowed.

“He, too, consumes souls, so that would make it impossible for them to return.”

“Even if we tried to challenge their authority, where would this leave us?” Andrew questioned.

“I don’t know,” Alec said, shaking his head.

“I know we both agree that this plan has ulterior motives, but it’s best if we focus on keeping the ones we love safe,” Andrew suggested.

“Do the others approve of the plan?” I asked cautiously.

“Yes, they do. Alec and I are the only ones that believe there are other reasons for this plan, not just to rid the world of mortals. Something more sinister,” Andrew revealed.

“I have to admit, until now, I was a little skeptical about Andrew’s stand on this plan, but after doing a little research and now meeting you, I have to agree with him,” Alec sighed.

I had gathered from a few of Alec’s comments that Andrew was not well liked amongst his siblings. “Are the others not fond of you?”

“No, not all. I’ve always had different ideas when it comes to how we use our powers. My temper was once easily controlled, but after your death, my thirst for bloodshed and destruction increased. I rarely listened or convened with the others on any decision, which created another rift amongst us. Abrielle was the only one that had compassion or empathy for me, but she was a part of your death, and that made her an enemy. I was basically alone in my feelings and thoughts, until Alec and I were teamed up here in
America
,” Andrew explained.

“How does the plan work? How exactly will you destroy mankind?” I asked, a little apprehensive.

“We work with the governments around the world giving them false information. Getting them to turn against one another, insuring mankind’s destruction. This would make our creator, Hadicieus, realize that mortals are incapable of being left unsupervised; essentially giving us the authority to rule once again,” Alec explained.

“I told you I was evil,” Andrew sighed. He placed his head in his hands and flopped down on the bed.

“Not this evil.” I began crying.

“I tried to tell you,” he whispered. “Since the day I saw you again, I have dreaded this happening. I don’t want to do this, but I have no choice in the matter. None of us do.”

“Is this true?” I asked Alec, who still stood leaning against the tall, dark dresser.

“He speaks the truth. None of us have control over this. There are some of us that look forward to this day, but only because they’ve always believed our parents’ lies.”

“Why do you not have any control?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Our parents decide our fates and missions. If we do not oblige, then they would convince the creator to slaughter us,” Andrew scowled. “And if I died, that would leave you unprotected,” he said worried.

“Won’t I die anyway?”

“When?”

“When the plan is enacted.”

“You’ll be spared and taken to a place where nothing can harm you,” Andrew assured.

“What about my dad?” I gasped.

“He’ll be protected, too.” Andrew’s look was pained.

“Why does this have to happen?” I asked, trying to stop crying.

“It just does, Haley,” Andrew said. “If I could stop this, I would,” he whispered.

“Does my existence not change how the plan might work? If souls really do reincarnate, then wouldn’t they just continue coming back?” I questioned.

“If all souls reincarnated then yes, they would return, in which this plan would eventually backfire on us,” Alec agreed.

 
“When does this all happen?” I asked.

“Less than a year,” he sighed.

“So soon?!” I shrieked.

“We have no choice—the date has been set,” Alec replied sullenly.

I closed my eyes trying to register everything. All I could see was my mother. She stood at my bedroom door with her small, but thick golden book ready to read me a bedtime story. It wasn’t the usual kid’s book about the moon and the stars or monkeys jumping on a bed. No, this was a story about mythical creatures tearing their families apart because of greed.

I rarely paid much attention to the actual content of the book. I more enjoyed listening to her voice and how excited she would get about particular parts. To her, the stories were magical, but to me the book paled in comparison to the magic of her existence. Sadness spread as I realized other children would have their mother’s ripped from them, as I did.

I wanted Andrew to feel my misery. Feel the pain that his kind would cause taking mothers away from their children. “I remember this little golden book that my mother read everyday. She’d been reading it since she was pregnant with me. She read that book many times. She was so interested in Greek Mythology and the twelve Olympians.” I spoke frantically.

“Haley, I’m so sorry,” Andrew whispered, extending his hand toward me.

“No, don’t touch me.” I reacted angrily. “She absolutely loved reading about that time in history. She always said that she rooted for the eight children, because if they would’ve known they had the power to change things, maybe the outcome for the world would have been different…” I stopped mid sentence. “The book was about you,” I murmured.

“What book are you speaking of?” They both asked simultaneously.

“It was some fictional journal of Zeus’s. I never paid much attention to it, because I believed it was imaginary at the time,” I explained.

“A journal?” Andrew asked excited.

“I do believe so.” I tried to remember back.

“That’s impossible.” Alec straightened from his casual stance.

“Do you still have the book?” Andrew asked eagerly.

“Yes, it’s on my bookshelf,” I answered, remembering I had barely been able to squeeze it in between all my romance novels.

They both looked at one another and nodded. Both pairs of sparkling green eyes stared down at me.

“I guess we’re headed to my house,” I assumed.

They both nodded.

18

The Journal

“My father might be home,” I said, realizing he could be in harm’s way.

“Scout it out,” Andrew ordered.

“Oh, no!” I exclaimed, shaking my head vigorously.

“He’s just going to go to your house to look around, and he’ll come right back,” Andrew explained.

“What if he kills him?” I hissed.

“I’m not going to kill your father,” Alec chuckled darkly.

“Neither one of you are on my good side right now,” I vented. “And what if he sees you wandering around the house?”

“I won’t be visible to the human eye,” Alec smirked.

“Another ability?” I scoffed.

“Yes.” Andrew spoke. “He’ll be back in two minutes.”

“Fine,” I pouted.

Alec quickly vanished.

“Haley,” Andrew said softly.

“What?”

“I know you’re upset, but there are things that I cannot control.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I choked.

“If you knew of our plan, you would’ve never given me a chance.” His voice cracked.

“What were you going to tell me when it was all happening?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think that far in advance. All I cared about was gaining your approval and making you mine.”

A large slam interrupted our conversation. Alec appeared.

“So?” Andrew asked.

“I don’t know if he’s home,” Alec glowered.

“Why not?”

“I can’t get into her house.”

“What do you mean?” Andrew asked confounded.

“It seems her curse, or excuse me blessing, doesn’t allow me to enter her residence either.” Alec leaned up against the wall, disappointed.

“You stay here. Haley and I will grab the book and come right back.”

“No, why don’t both of you stay here, and I’ll retrieve it.” I stood up, straightening out my shirt.

“Too dangerous,” Andrew disagreed.

“Fine,” I huffed. Fighting him was pointless. By the time I drove all the way home, he would already be there.

He gently pressed our bodies together. I felt no electrical sparks, as I was too upset to enjoy our touch this time. I closed my eyes. Our bodies lifted and dropped within a few seconds. We now stood in my room. This had been a place Andrew and I had never been in together. I looked at his face.

“I guess I’m the only one your blessing allows to enter,” he grinned.

“It’s your curse,” I said snidely.

“Blessing,” he corrected.

“Curse,” I disagreed.

“Whatever,” he said, rolling his eyes.

I almost giggled hearing a powerful creature say ‘whatever’ in such an immature way.

 
“He isn’t home.”

“How do you know?” he whispered.

“The television is usually blaring when he’s here.”

He flew over to the bookshelf on the opposite side of the room. He ran his fingers along each book. “Wow, you are fond of mortal/immortal love stories,” he grinned.

“Oh yeah,” I blushed.

“Vampires,” he muttered.

“What about them?”

“Weak.” He glanced back at me.

“They’re real?”

“Not anymore,” he grinned devilishly.

“I don’t want to know anymore,” I said, shaking my head.

“They were experimental, not meant to last as long as they did,” he said casually.

“I don’t want to know,” I repeated.

“I just don’t want you to think I’m keeping any secrets from you,” he sighed heavily.

“I’m not sure why we’re getting this book.”

“You’re not?”

“No, just because it’s about you guys, doesn’t mean it’s real, does it?”

“I’m not sure, but our father did write in journals and had two of them stolen by mortals that mysteriously gained entry into his palace. We were always told never to open them if found. But our parents lied so much, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were something make believe,” he exhaled deeply.

“I never read the book, as I couldn’t read the language in which it was written. And I barely paid attention when my mother read it to me,” I sighed heavily, thinking about how excited and horrified my mother would have been to discover that they were real and living amongst us.

I joined him and began running my finger along the books beside him.

“You said it was gold?” he asked, looking through the books.

“Found it!” I exclaimed. I pried the worn book from in between the others, nearly pulling out a few along with it.