Marker of Hope (4 page)

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.