Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
When he exhales, he looks down at me, his eyes no longer stormy. “Cleo.”
I get a sudden vision of an eclipse, the sun starts to get swallowed before it brightens again but it’s too bright, I prefer the dark. I rub my eyes and shake my head.
“Cleo?” He’s standing closer now. “Are you still with us or did you drink too much? You’re probably exhausted. Why don’t I get you to your room?”
I sway a bit. “Sorry, I just checked out for…a few seconds.”
“A minute actually, but you’re tired.” His smile is friendly as he points me toward the door. “Take a left, then follow the hall to the stairway up.”
“Left. Okay.” That was strange. I press my fingers to my temples as he reaches around me and opens the double doors.
I start going left; he gently points me to the right.
I walk like a zombie all the way down the hall and up the stairs, ending up in my room.
The last thing I remember is setting my alarm.
I dream of darkness. Of peace.
CHAPTER 5
CYRUS
“Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths.” —Joseph Campbell
Iknew Apep would be watching my entire exchange at the bar with her, I saw it in my mind’s eye just as clear as the world around me. The rocks moaned each time the water of the Puget Sound purposefully slammed against them, massaging them back into the earth where they belong as if to remind them who the true ruler is. The Creator doesn’t mess around and every immortal beneath them has felt their wrath.
I lay in my bed, hating to admit to all the wicked thoughts swirling around in my head as I stare up at the same ceiling that I’ve had for too many years to even count.
“If only she wasn’t the last one,” I whisper. “And then…”
I don’t say it.
To say it means I’m actually entertaining it. I never panic and yet when I saw her blood I was reminded that I would be the one to take it from her body in whole.
Despite what falling meant, I finally ask the question: but what about me?
What happens to the world when she’s no longer in it? What happens when I’ve met my goal in leaving everything behind?
I feel the temptation approaching already. I feel what he, the chaos feels. I burn for more, I burn for destruction, death, for the darkness of Chaos to finally swallow me whole and allow me to embrace time the way it’s meant to be. I’m meant for the sky not the earth it oversees. Chaos could give me my final rest.
My ribs start to hurt on my right side, I press a palm down against the skin, adding pressure, wondering why it’s happening so quickly.
I want to blame the constant insomnia, but I know it’s because she’s close, because the eclipse is close, and because I’ve been running out of time for a while.
With a curse, I get out of bed, shove my feet into my brown loafers and walk, shirtless, out of my bedroom. My black silk pajama bottoms are cold against my thighs as I make my way through the ancient mansion.
I ignore the memories that whisper to me in the darkness, that beckon me to give more when I’ve done nothing but give everything—including my own body.
I stop at the door, the very door that could take me to the bar—to her.
I tell myself I don’t know why—but I do. I know it’s completely out of guilt of what’s to come, of her easy smile and excitement over something she tragically knows little about.
I touch the door then bring my hand back and clench my fingers into a tight fist.
This isn’t the time to suddenly develop a conscience. I go into the kitchen and grab a glass of wine, even though it’s late. My footsteps are near silent.
Everyone’s in bed. The night air feels good against my skin. The universe is still angry, it feels the unrest; then again, when isn’t it? The calm always arrives before the storm, waiting.
“Ken.” I nod toward the sea and lift my wine.
A wave comes up against the shore. I can’t help my laugh. “It’s actually a simple red blend, but your jealousy is noted.”
Another splash.
“Last time you had wine I had a shit ton of work to do.” I roll my eyes. “And I don’t think the world is ready for that again. The number of earthquakes alone was daunting.”
I swear I hear that damn thing curse.
Smiling, I look up at the giant tree placed in the lawn next to all the normal looking rocks from the cliffs. Everything is aging and growing with me. I tell myself I won’t miss the trees or the forest, that I burn for something else. I lie to myself often these days.