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  Brenton turns in our direction. His cat eyes swirl with a scowl, challenging us as he stalks closer and waits for our decision. We glance between each other, longing simmering in our soul. Decision made. His dominance demands we comply. Jada submits and vacates her current chair to move one chair down. He then takes his seat between the two of us, and the raging animal within him calms with the nearness.

  “Chaac, what do you have to report?” Marcus questions with an air of authority, beginning the meeting.

  Chaac is a legend of old in the earth realm, controlling the state of the atmosphere at any given place and time. The heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain all beckon to his will. He has long been a friend to Marcus and the twins. Even though the origin of his existence isn’t known to the masses, he is a longtime confidant of the Enchanted Immortals. Zenon entrusted him with the elements from the launching of all that exists. We have watched his tenacity in fighting against Baako.

  “Yes, my lord. Baako is on the move. His forces have begun to infiltrate the continent. We believe they are searching for the access to the other realm where the relic is reported to be,” Chaac obediently answers.

  “They will need the key to open the portal, correct?”

  “Yes, Aldin. You are correct. Only the one holding the key can open the wards protecting it. Thankfully, we are in possession of the key, therefore locating the opening is of little use other than to annoy us. It will not waylay our efforts.”

  “We are the only ones knowledgeable of how to achieve the opening,” Jazmine divulges. We hold the key. Brenton glances her way, confusion in his eyes.

  “Time and location are vital elements in opening the realm. Regardless of Baako’s efforts, he will fail,” Marcus states, unconcerned.

  “Brother, do not fear. We understand our role,” Jada acknowledges with sadness in her faint tone.

  Jazmine lowers her head in thought. Brenton reaches out to comfort us both, arms stretched, the palms of his hands connecting with our knees, touching us with heartfelt concern and need. The instant he does, he is caught up in a magical time warp of mystical proportions. Driving him forward to my realm. Standing on the precipice of time, he gapes at the stark blankness surrounding him. He is balancing on air, nothing above or below him.

  “What the fuck is going on? Where am I? I’m in the Twilight Zone, right? Must have been that second slice of pie I ate for lunch,” he inquires, searching the vast unknown.

  “Hello, Brenton Fox. I have been waiting on you for many ages,” I say as my hourglass figure dressed in white comes into the light.

  “What the…who are you?” he stammers in awe. “You look awfully familiar, but at the same time I know we haven’t met before, or have we? Are you my guardian angel? Did you come to take me to heaven? I knew my high cholesterol and those damn cigarettes would get me eventually. Pardon the curse word, angel ma’am. Did I have a heart attack? Am I in heaven?”

  My musical laughter engulfs the realm at his comment as I move closer to Brenton. He stands towering over my petite angelic figure. Longing and desire flare to life when I softly touch him. Gently, he cups my elbows in his large palms, a gesture done many times before. A spark of need is renewed, born again.

  “I have an overwhelming battle waging inside me. I want to cradle you in my arms and hold you close. Protect you. What the hell?”

  “I have longed for you throughout the centuries of loneliness. You know who I am. Search deep within yourself, and you will find the answer, my warrior. You hold the key to releasing me.”

  “Me? Look here. I don’t do that bullshit other stuff. I’m an FBI agent. I find the bad guys and take them out. I got caught up in all this craziness when a vamp tried to take me out years ago and Aldin stepped in and saved me. I owe him a life debt. That’s all. Nothing special or out of the ordinary here.”

  “You make yourself seem so unimportant to the realm and to me, yet you are the key to releasing me from this timeless prison of loneliness I’m encased in, and finding yourself in the process.”

  “Prison? Sure, whatever you say, sweetheart. I usually just put the bad guys there.”

  “Where we are in this endless, never-changing realm is where I have remained for over two thousand of your life years. Unable to feel the warmth of the sunshine or the touch of another being. Desolate and alone until you happened upon me. You opened the doorway. My soul only exists in the earth realm split in half. I’m whole only in this place.”

  “Who are you?” Brenton asks again.

  “I am who you seek. Half of the whole that makes one. I am known as Jadzia.”

  “Do I know you?”

  “The one you carry within knows me intimately, and he has been seeking me for many ages as well. We are one together.”

  “Look, angel, I’m not following your meaning. There’s nothing inside of me but blood and guts. I should know; I’ve been me for the last thirty-five years. Hell, now I’m even talking crazy batshit info.”

  “Look closely, Brenton. He has been with you all along and has only awakened because he found me. Your touch set off a chain reaction. You can no longer deny your true destiny. The heart distinguishes what the mind is incapable of understanding and remembers what you have forgotten.”

  His piercing blue eyes capture me, rendering my ability to put space between us incompetent.

  “The eyes are a window into the soul, Brenton. Yours match the lonely beast within you. A rare and special form made by the God Zenon as a priceless gift to his love that bore him his first and only daughter. Thought to be extinct from the universes and other realms. Yet here you are, my warrior. Help me. Release me from the bindings called forth by another. Unlock your powers.”

  “Not gonna happen because I don’t have a clue what the hell you’re yapping about. I mean, I know crazy, but this is beyond the norm. Wake up, Brenton. Crazy hot mess here. Wake the fuck up.”

  He releases a loud cry of exasperation. The moment I release my hold on him, the swirling of time resumes and he’s sitting in the chamber between us.

  The tortured man jumps from his seat and makes a beeline out of the large room into the cooler recesses of the fortress.

  2

  Since the beginning of time, man has longed for immortality. In the end, we are infinite spiritual beings experiencing a temporary human existence. ~ Brenton Fox

  What the fuck was that? As I pound my heavy, booted steps down the corridor, a flood of confusion tortures my mind. In the smallest corner, in the furthest, deepest part of my conscious thoughts, something stirs.

  When I became a hunter, it was to rid the world of the terrors caused by the otherworldly beings running rampant on earth. It didn’t matter what kind; they all had to die because they weren’t normal. Those things didn’t exist in the real world.

  Until I met a high-ranking vampire named Aldin Kovac. The same vampire who saved my life, not just once, but many times. An accord was reached between us, to help each other rid society of all bad unearthly beings and allow the others to live in peaceful harmony among humans.

  I realized then that not all supernatural beings are evil. Not only that, I was introduced to a whole other life, filled with Gods, others, and legends. Aldin and I were the first to bridge the gap between Enchanted Immortals and hunters.

  Now here I am, in this underground tomb of ancient ones of old, questioning my sanity. Yeah, right.

  I reach the next corner and open the door on the right, entering a library. Old dusty scrolls and books line shelves and every available alcove.

  Running my hand through my hair, I move to the center of the quiet space and take in a deep, much-needed breath.

  “What in the hell was the angelic being talking about? A part of a whole? Something in me?” I release another sigh.

  This can’t happen to a hunter, a man like me. I come from a long lineage of FBI agents and hunters. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m Brenton Fox.

  A knock at the door has me turning around to see Al
din sauntering through the doorway.

  “Fox,” he acknowledges with a tone of uneasiness.

  “Kovac. What do you want? I’m kind of busy here.” Trying to figure out if a straightjacket is in my future, no less.

  “You hurried out of there like a demon running from a destruction spell. Wanted to brief you on the rest of the plans,” he edges around my question.

  “Right. I’m sure that gave me brownie points with the head Immortal man. That guy despises me enough already for being late, and now I left before he adjourned the meeting. It surely didn’t win me employee-of-the-month status with the big man,” I point out. “He’s shown nothing but disdain for me since day one. It’s not like I pissed in his corn flakes. I mean, come the fuck on. What the hell did I do?”

  “Yes, well, remember Marcus is very peculiar about who he lets into his circle, and you are standing on the rim looking in. He’ll come around, eventually.” Aldin smirks, providing little ease in my churning gut.

  “Gee, thanks. Way to boost a man’s ego, buddy. Sorry I asked,” I mumble, aggravated with the entire situation.

  “Are you okay, my friend? You’re bugging out and look chalky white,” Aldin observes, unflustered by my mindless muttering.

  “I’m good. I think I got a bad slice from the bodega back in New York before I came here. I haven’t had much sleep in the last twenty-four hours. My insides are fucking with me, is all.”

  “If you are sure?” he dutifully asks.

  “No doubt. Fuhgeddaboudit. Now, what’s the plan. Give it to me.” The back of my neck bristles from his constant concern. I walk over to the book shelf, looking at nothing in particular, just to get far enough away to put space between the worried Aldin and myself. It’s not his fault I’m going crazy. I’m running on empty, and these new episodes of daydreaming are blowing my normally logical brain to smithereens.

  “Baako is on the mend, making more soldiers for his army. We’ve been sent word that he’s planning another attack. Not sure where or when. Except to be ready. We all need to be on alert,” Aldin passes on.

  “Son of a bitch doesn’t know when he’s beat.” I sigh, accepting he won’t give up.

  “No, my friend. I’m afraid he’s far from being done. Until you and the sisters retrieve the next talisman, we’re all in a holding pattern,” Aldin confirms. Worry is etched across his stoic face.

  “Yeah, he’s fucking mad at the world. I’ll spread the word. Anything else?” I interject with an ounce of sarcasm. Baako continues to be an incessant pain in my side.

  Aldin hesitates for a moment. “Yes, but I want to tell you something first, a story, if you will amuse me.” He looks at me, questioning.

  “Dead ass?”

  “Dead ass.”

  Aldin Kovac is a powerful vampire, the made son of an original Immortal, Marcus. He can put me and any normal human into a trance. Make a person listen or do whatever he pleases. Although, our friendship means more to him than that. I’m grateful he calls me friend, even though sometimes it would be nice to be oblivious to the other side.

  “Fine, hit me with it,” I give in to his storytelling.

  “I knew you’d see things my way. Glad you came around to my way of thinking,” Aldin remarks as the corners of his mouth turn up, revealing the sharp fangs underneath.

  “Easy, vamp,” I chide with a hearty chuckle.

  “Around two hundred years ago, on one of our long trips to the homeland—and when I say long, I do mean long; we had to come by ship, and those boats weren’t the fast kind that we have today either. Back then, it took months to travel to and fro.”

  “Oh great, a history lesson,” I croak, my patience running ice-thin.

  “Bollucks, Fox. I’m giving you the background. It’s important for you to understand. Let me finish.” Aldin’s voice is full of finality, his tolerance of my attitude at an end.

  “Alright, sorry, man,” I easily offer and focus on the meaning behind his gesture.

  “Thank you.” He bows his head. Standing back up straight, he continues, “On one of the many trips, we ran into a lively young woman. Outside, she was a looker, but on the inside, she was spectacular, beautiful. Marcus was drawn to her immediately and followed her around for days like a whipped puppy dog. At the time, I couldn’t understand the infatuation. It drove me crazy. Why didn’t he just take her? He had the ability to make her forget ever being with him. She wouldn’t remember a thing. And until recently, I didn’t know or comprehend the whole truth of it.” He halts and stares into the distance, lost in the past.

  “Don’t stop now. You’ve got my attention. Go on,” I encourage, caught up in the tale.

  “At the beginning of time, Marcus was gifted a mate. During the first attempt to stop Baako, she was killed, murdered by his brother’s hand. Her physical body perished, but her soul was saved to wander through eternity, jumping from body to body, lifetime after lifetime, always searching, never understanding what it was she was searching for. Just like the young woman we found on our journey, she has no memory of the time they shared, but Marcus recognized her soul as his beloved. Baako found her and destroyed her, releasing his mate’s soul to wander again. We were too late to stop him.” Aldin pauses and stares intently at me.

  “Great bedtime story, Al. I feel sorry for the guy, God and all. But what does that have to do with me? I can’t locate a soul, even with my FBI connections. It’s not possible.”

  “I understand, Brenton. Everything you think you know is not always the truth. Sometimes we must feel with our heart instead of using the knowledge we’ve gained. Be prepared, my friend. Your journey with the twin Goddesses begins in less than two weeks.”

  The mention of the beautiful women invokes a rumble in my chest from out of nowhere.

  “Whoa. What in the seven hells, Brenton?” Aldin inquires as he lifts his hands, palms up in surrender.

  “Fuck, Kovac, I don’t know what’s happening to me. After I touched… Shit, never mind. Your cryptic bullshit doesn’t help either. The point is, I need to get out of this place, collect my thoughts. One day wasn’t long enough because I was knee deep in the shit the FBI was throwing at me. I’m going home for a few days before this quest begins,” I finish in a sarcastic tone even I am wincing from. Aldin’s a good friend and doesn’t deserve my frustration.

  “Do as you must, Brenton.” Aldin bows his head again, saying good-bye. “Take heed to remember to be on your guard, always. Baako will not rest until everyone involved has paid the price he deems fit, and believe it or not, you are in his sights now.”

  “Back at you, man. Let me know if you need me before I return,” I confirm with conviction and walk out of the room.

  Running my hand over the smooth stone in my pocket, I amble down the hall to the heavily-guarded gateway. Marcus gave me a key to go back and forth through the portal located here in the temple to the gate in the basement of the building he owns. A doorway that can only be unlocked by an Immortal or a person with a trinket like this stone bestowed upon them by an Immortal. Marcus explained further that if a key is given to travel through portals, it is intricately bound to the carrier. No one else can use it if lost or stolen. Nice way to travel, if you ask me. I could easily get used to it.

  Once there, I place the blue stone onto the door and its effervescent glow encompasses the chamber area. I glance over my shoulder as an awareness of being watched washes over my overworked body. Awareness learned during years of covert operations emerges. Hidden in the shadows, a curvaceous, erotic figure with piercing gold eyes stares in my direction. I’m drawn to the source even though I can’t see her fully. I blink and she’s gone. I start to turn around, about to go after her. But before I can change my mind, I step through the portal.

  3

  Change answers the call of those cursed by injustice and tragedy, much like a caterpillar surrenders the call at the end, bringing forth the rare beauty of the butterfly. ~ Goddess

  There Marcus stands, motionless, minute
s after the meeting adjourned. The dark cavern is lit by unworldly, never-ending torches. The stern expression on his face sends ripples of concern throughout the room. The ancient Enchanted Immortal’s words ricochet off the cavern’s walls.

  “What have you done?” Marcus thunders, worrying, never angry at us.

  “Obeyed an oath, dear brother. We are following the path set forth by Zenon and Augusta. What was shared only in private with our parents,” Jazmine shares.

  “You have firsthand knowledge regarding them, and yet neither of you deemed it imperative to share the news with me? For the love of the Goddess! Why does your flesh appear to gradually change colors before my very eyes? It’s almost iridescent.”

  “Don’t let our skin bother you,” Jazmine says. “It is part of the transition.”

  “You are reshaping? It has begun?” Marcus’ voice deepens with concern.

  In tangent, both Goddesses gracefully nod. “When contact was made by him concurrently, when he touched us both with only regards of concern and care, a chain reaction commenced to align a part of the prophesy that was lost,” Jada supplies.

  “And much like the cocooning of a caterpillar into the gorgeous monarch butterfly, the metamorphosis of what was before has begun to be once more. Thinning the lining of her dark prison,” Jazmine adds.

  “I cannot fathom him to be the one.” Marcus is in denial of Brenton’s impact. He paces the length of the beautifully carved table.

  “Why? Because of his human form?” Jada challenges him. He stops mid-stride, a scowl upon his perfectly-formed face.

  “A vessel of power lies within him, screaming to escape the confinement of thousands of years. He identifies the shattered pieces of the soul from having encountered them as a unit before,” Jazmine reiterates.

  “He is awakening from a slumber. And unlike the ones whose memory remained intact, his was wiped from his mind. But with every touch, a memory will develop. Every contact going forward with others he will process as a piece of his prior existence that will emerge,” Jada tells him.