Wicked Destiny

Chapter 10





Here I am again staring into the black abyss that fills the woods. As I look down, I have no shoes and I’m dressed in my silk nightgown again. Panic starts to set in as I realize there is nowhere to run. A chill runs down my back as if someone ran their fingernail down my back. Not wanting to stick around for what is to come, I turn to run and there they are. Those red eyes that now haunt my dreams. Just as I am about to scream, it grabs me, again, by the throat. The black haze manifests into a figure of an actual person that holds me about three feet off the ground. Then it speaks.

“You were made for me and me alone.” I’m trying to slap, claw, away his hand that begins to pull me closer to him. I feel an arm wrap around my lower back and I try to push back on his shoulders with everything I have, but he is too strong.

“There’s no more running. I’ve found you. We are one of the same.” Tears sting my eyes and the fear that I feel is just unimaginable. He clasps his lips to mine and I feel my body start to heat as if I am literally on fire. I manage to jerk my head and I stifle a scream.

“No!” I hadn’t even opened my eyes before I was jumping up, screaming and coughing at the same time. I felt hands trying to restrain me, but it made me panic even more. I bucked like a horse as two bodies lay on top of me to restrain me.

“Sloane! It’s us, stop!”

My breathing hadn’t slowed at all, even after recognizing Viktor’s voice. I didn’t know what was worse, having the nightmare or waking up to the two most important men in my life—the boyfriend and the ex. They were there in the same room and were lying on top of me. If this wasn’t awkward, then I didn’t know what was.

“Get your asses off of me. Now,” was all I could manage to get out. I still hadn’t opened my eyes.

“We will be downstairs.” I scrunched my eyes harder together when I heard Declan’s voice.

I listened for two pairs of feet to leave so that I could actually face the day, but I never heard them. I could still feel the weight of someone sitting on the edge of the bed and I already knew who it was. I could smell him, and if we weren’t under the same roof with my ex, I would have pulled him to me and just lose myself. But I was too confused as it was.

“Viktor, how did you find me?” I threw my arm over my eyes and forehead. The hangover headache was kicking in and I didn’t know if I had the strength to sustain an argument.

“I told you. I’m around even when you think I’m not,” was all the answer I got.

“So you were here all night?” Now I could feel the bitch mode rising to the surface.

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“So you followed me here? On what?” Then it dawned on me, he could fly. “Never mind.”

“Sloane, do I need to back out?” I opened my eye through squinted slits for the first time

“Viktor, do whatever you want. The way I see it, you are obviously holding back on a lot of things so I figured we are about even, don’t you think?”

“What am I holding back?”

“You and Declan are both withholding information about me and the two agendas you both have. I’m not some damn prize to be won! Tell me, Viktor, what do you get if I choose you?”

“I don’t get what you are asking me, Sloane. I get you; that’s all I want. I’m fighting to be in your life. Something he never tried. He left, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. I remember better than anyone, so the reminder isn’t needed. Especially when it doesn’t concern you.”

I swung my legs off the bed and walked over to my bathroom. I found my purse and inside I looked for my travel toothpaste and spare toothbrush. As I started brushing my teeth, I looked up into the mirror to find Viktor standing in the doorway watching me. I felt bad for snapping, but they both knew things about me and refused to tell me. Viktor knew more than what he was telling me and if he wanted to keep secrets, I’d continue to be a bitch about it.

“Is this how it’s going to be with us, Sloane?”

I turned to him slowly and rinsed out my mouth. “Viktor, either you come clean or you can walk out that door. As you have pointed out so clearly, I am so used to it.” I walked past him, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. I was suspended in his arms and couldn’t move as I was forced to look into those grey eyes. They were beautiful and hypnotic; they had a way of captivating me.

“What do you want from me, Sloane? What’s it going to take?”

He was pleading wholeheartedly, but I wasn’t bugging. I needed answers and one way or another I was going to get them.

“The truth.”

I stepped out of his embrace and walked downstairs where I found Declan cooking in my kitchen. Suddenly, the memories flooded my head. There’d been many days where he stood here making me breakfast before school. Of course he had already been awake for hours. He turned to look at me over his shoulder and smiled just as he did in the past. It was too much, and in that instant I felt as if I was in a closed box and all the air was being sucked out. I ran straight out the house. I was halfway around the lake’s bank when Declan stood there waiting for me. He didn’t move, but I couldn’t help but feel cornered. I was looking to see where my best getaway was, but considering how fast he got across the lake without me noticing, my chances of getting far were slim.

“Why are you running?”

“I can’t do this. You, him and me… Yeah, I’m a little freaked out.”

“Come back to the house. I made your favorite.”

“No!” I started pacing and glared at him. “You don’t get to abandon me and then show up years later to cook me breakfast. It doesn’t work like that, Declan.” I could feel static in the air; something was about to happen. Anger now rose from within. “Leave before you get hurt, Declan. I won’t warn you again.”

“No.” One single answer and it sent me so far over the edge.

Just when I thought a hangover was the worst of my problems, things got a little more catastrophic. The wind picked up and whipped my hair around. I rolled my shoulders back and my feet were shoulder length apart.

“Wrong answer.”

I looked him deep into his crystal blue eyes—eyes that I loved to look at with every possible chance I got—and all the anger, sorrow, loneliness, and bitterness that I held onto for so long was released just as one single tear fell down the side of my cheek.

He started to run toward me, but a gush of wind shot him backwards. It didn’t stop him. Delcan still charged forward only to be knocked back over. The force of the winds picked up. Reluctantly, I thought, I’ve always wanted to make it rain. I laughed like a crazy person now. It began to rain and the thunder and lightning came next. Considering what Declan was, I figured if he did get hit by lightning, it might only stun him for a moment. So I watched as the lightning danced all around us and Declan just stood there waiting. He was screaming for me to stop, but this was too much fun and the feeling I got from having these powers was a rush like no other. I now got a taste of it and I wasn’t letting it go.

He charged at me again, screaming something, but I wasn’t having any of it. A lightning bolt struck at his feet just before he reached me and sent us both flying through the air.

“What the hell are you trying to do? Kill us both out here? Just in case you were wondering, I can’t die.”

“Well, you can’t say I didn’t try.” I rolled over and tried to stand, although I was so weak I fell back down to the earth.

“You depleted yourself. You can’t use that much power and expect to walk away from it. Hell, Sloane, you almost leveled the place.”

I rolled to my side to glance around me. It looked just like one of my dreams. Trees were broken and the stone picnic tables were turned over. In the distance I could see Viktor walking towards us and everything suddenly became overwhelming. I was never much of a crybaby, but considering today and last night, all I wanted to do was cry. And then I heard the distinct sound of a hand clap.

“Bravo! Bravo!” Viktor was laughing and clapping his hands as if something was amusing. “That’s my girl.”

“Shut up, Viktor. Don’t encourage her,” Declan shot out as he struggled to get up.

“She just kicked the almighty Declan’s ass.” Viktor was now laughing hysterically.

“You know I wouldn’t hurt her.”

“Why are y’all speaking as if I’m not here? And what the hell do you find so damn funny, Viktor?” I laid there on my back let exhaustion take over. Then I felt strong arms effortlessly lifting me up. I didn’t care who it was, I just closed my eyes and laid my head upon his chest. It was Viktor.

“Don’t worry, love. Once you eat you will feel better,” Viktor whispered softly as he kissed the top of my head.

Next thing I knew, I was sitting at the table with a full plate of everything I loved. There was a fluffy ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, cheese grits, and a cup of coffee. Just as I was about to ask about the toast, Declan placed some on my plate. They both sat there waiting for something. I don’t know what, but if they were going to see who intimidated me more, well, it was a tie. They both scared the hell out of me.

“If you both expect me to eat, you’re going to have to stop staring at me.”

“Sorry, it’s just been a while since I’ve cooked for you.” OK, that was way awkward coming from Declan with Viktor sitting right there next to him. “Does Viktor cook for you much?”

“Give it a rest, Declan. I never asked him to,” I snapped as I dug into the eggs.

“You never asked me, either.” Declan got up to start cleaning the kitchen. He had a point; he was right. I never did ask him to. He always just did it.

“Enough.” I couldn’t take their digs on each other. “Tell me what’s going on.”

They both cast a knowing looks at each other. I sat back in my chair and folded my arms over my chest. I cast my own glare so they both knew they weren’t leaving until this conversation was over. I could see Declan fighting the words as his mouth open and closed.

“Um,” was all Declan could get out before Viktor took over.

“You’re a witch,” he said. I sat there like nothing fazed me, but the truth of it was that I was ready to come unglued. My clothes were the only things holding me together and it felt like they were about to give way.

“A witch? Like a dancing-in-the-moonlight-naked kind of witch?” I couldn’t help myself.

“No,” came flying out of Declan’s mouth.

“Absolutely,” shouted Viktor, as Declan shot him a dangerous glare. “Hey, who am I to hold her back?”

“Can you be serious for just once?” Declan yelled.

“Wait, y’all are serious, aren’t you? Then that would make my parents witches.” My head suddenly started to hurt.

“There are many things you need to know about your family, Sloane. They aren’t exactly normal. Well, your aunt Dru was about the only one that was.” I eyed Declan with guarded eyes so he knew not to go there unless he had to.

“Well, apparently you know more than me. I have no memories of my mother.” I folded my hands in my lap.

“That’s because they were taken from you. Your mother did it for your protection.” Declan made it sound as if it was a good thing she abandoned me and left me to deal with this all on my own.

“Sure, my well-being was what she thought about when she left me here to deal with this to be raised by a woman twice her age. And eventually I would be all alone again. So my being alone was always her plan.”

“What am I here for, then?” Viktor asked.

“Good question,” piped Declan.

“That is an excellent question for the both of you.”

“I don’t understand. What are you getting at?” asked Viktor.

“Declan, last night you told me that you were sent to eliminate me. Me. And you, Viktor, have yet to give your story. So I’m all ears.” I stared Viktor down and the look he gave was of nothing but confidence as a smile spread across his lips.

“I was sent to find you, just like him.” Viktor motioned toward Declan with his head.

“Did you tell anyone she was here?” snapped Declan.

“No. I didn’t want to give her up.” He looked Declan square in the eyes. “I refuse to give her up.”

This was getting intense. Viktor and Declan faced off as if in a staring match. Which one was good and which one was evil I hadn’t decided and I wondered what side I was on. One thing was for sure, though. They both were on mine.

“Why am I so important to either side?” Their attention was suddenly on me. “I mean, you said I tip the balance. There is obviously a Heaven and Hell, so God and the Devil have to exist.” Their eyes widened at my mention of the Devil. “What aren’t you telling?”

“Tell her, Viktor,” Declan coaxed.

“Why don’t you tell her?” Viktor fired back.

“Why don’t you both shut the hell up and spill it? Declan, tell me.”

“There’s a prophecy about a child who will be born and will lead an unholy army against the heavens. She’d carry the blood of not only witchcraft but of light and dark. She’d lead and be the Dark’s companion. ” Declan was no longer looking at me.

This was a lot to process. I’d just discovered that I was a witch, I might be part of a prophecy, and my life partner was already picked out. I felt myself begin to shake. The idea that my life had already been planned out for me without my say made my blood boil.

“So I’m a witch that is supposed to lead an army, have the power of light and darkness, and be a companion to the Dark.? Wow! I think I need another drink to help this sink in.”

“Here.” Viktor handed me a glass of brown liquid. I took a sip and downed the rest. It was the left over Crown.

I caught his hand. “Who is the Dark? Is it you?” I saw Declan looking away.

“No, I’m not. I’m afraid I’m a little bit lower on the pay scale compared to him.” His hand cupped my cheek. I was scared, because that wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “It doesn’t have to come true. We just have to come up with a plan.”

“That’s why she needs to leave with me now,” Declan demanded.

“You will not just take her and leave. You need to realize you aren’t in the picture anymore? She’s with me and I will protect her,” Viktor argued.

There was sarcasm in Declan’s voice. “I’m sure you would too—”

“Hello, I’m still here. I don’t know what the hell you two are arguing about, but I’m not going into hiding.”

“Sloane, you don’t understand. His side wants you to lead an army that I know you want nothing to do with and my side just wants you dead. If you deny either side, you won’t survive.” Declan was actually worried.

“I don’t care, Declan. I know who I am. I know right from wrong and I refuse to get involved.”

This time it was Viktor’s turn. “You got involved when you were born.”

I spun on him, “Really? Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but no one has ever been able to pick their parents and destiny in that manner. I never asked for it and I damn sure don’t want it now.”

“It doesn’t matter. You are who you are and nothing will change that. You have to understand that Darkness will consume you if you use your power for the wrong use.” Declan now stood in front of me, tempting me with his eyes. They were beautiful ice blue eyes that used to gleam every time he looked at me. They didn’t gleam or twinkle anymore as he looked at me. So how did I know I could trust him? He had yet to give back what he stole from me the first time.

I blinked myself back into reality. “This is where I belong.” I backed up and placed my hand into Viktor’s. Declan stormed out and I didn’t watch him go. Instead, I cleaned up and I gathered my stuff from upstairs.