Kristie Cook - Genesis

“It sounds quite wise of them to me, if it increases their power.”

Eris growled. “Vampyres kill their food more often than not and the Ancients don’t want the mages’ numbers to dwindle. We are precious, too. Come. We must leave. We have a long trip ahead of us.”

Jordan’s brows furrowed. “Where are we going?”

“North. As far North as we can possibly go.”

Cassandra sat on the grass in front of the hut, her knees drawn to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. And she watched. Just as she’d been doing all day. Waiting for Jordan’s return. She thought he would have come in last night after walking off his anger. She couldn’t believe he would just leave her alone, especially so soon after losing Father.

Her stomach clenched, nearly making her retch, every time she thought of her fist hitting his jaw. She couldn’t believe now that she’d actually punched him—she’d never lost control like that in her life. Jordan was the short-tempered one. Not her. And maybe if she hadn’t gone so far, he would have come home by now. As the sun dipped below the treetops in the distance, casting long shadows into the clearing, she sighed and finally rose to her feet.

The few times she’d checked on Niko, he’d been sleeping soundly. His fever had broken and his wounds no longer leaked pus or that strange black ooze. He’d probably be in bed at least another day. When she slipped inside now, though, his eyes were wide open. His lips turned upward into a tired smile.

“My angel,” he said.

Cassandra stopped and her hand flew to her throat. “What did you say?”

“I’ve heard stories from the Jews about angels,” he said, his voice low but steady. “I never believed them before, but now … perhaps this is what they meant. Perhaps they saw someone like you and thought she was from the heavens … so beautiful and radiant … and kind.”

Cassandra blushed and dropped her hand to her side, her heart settling once she realized he didn’t know something he shouldn’t. Father had told her about the Jews—the people who had run him and Mother out of town once, threatening to kill them. They’d seen Mother’s unusual strength, which apparently she gained when he shared his blood with her. Father had never taken them so far east again and never allowed Mother—or Cassandra, once she was born—in a village again.

She went over to her line of clay pots that held her herbs and began mixing Niko’s medicine.

“So you believe in angels?” she asked.

He chuckled. “About as much as I believe in one god who has created and is master of everything.”

Cassandra turned to look at him. “And you don’t believe that?”

“Of course not. There are many gods. Zeus, Mars, Apollo, Adonis. And we can’t forget the goddesses.”

She remembered Jordan’s stories now, of people who didn’t share Father’s beliefs. Her beliefs. “I believe in only God, the one Almighty God. That is what Mother and Father taught me.”

Niko chuckled again. “How can there be only one god? How can one single person be master of the entire world and the stars and the heavens and Hades?”

“Because He is not a person. He is God.” Her firm tone kept Niko from arguing. She poured water into the bowl of herbs and set it near the fire to steep.

“Well, if his angels are as beautiful as you, I could be convinced to believe,” he finally said.

Her face heated again. If he only knew. But she could never tell him, never tell anyone. Because everyone else would believe as Jordan did—that they had demon blood, not angel.

Caring for Niko’s wounds provided the distraction she needed from worrying about Jordan. In fact, he made her completely forget everything for a while. Now that he was awake and lucid, talking to her and taking everything in, she once again became more aware of him as a man—a very attractive man—rather than a patient. Her hands trembled by the time she finished with him and she had to sit on the other side of the fire, as far away from him as possible, to settle her nerves.

“You were quite upset last night,” Niko said. “At least, I think it was last night.”

He’d heard her crying? What else had he heard? She thought he’d been sleeping the whole time.

“I hope I haven’t caused problems with you and … ” He looked at her questioningly.

“My brother, Jordan. He brought you here.” Cassandra blinked back tears and stared at the fire. Apparently Niko hadn’t heard everything and she would never tell him the horrible things Jordan had said. She wouldn’t make him sound like a monster. After all, he’d saved Niko’s life. She shook her head. “He’s just upset. Our father—” Her breath hitched. “He died the other day.”

There. She said it. Aloud. Although she had seen him as an Angel, understood he hadn’t died like other people did, like Mother had, it really was the proper explanation. He was no longer here, on Earth with them. He was in Heaven with Mother now. For all intents and purposes, he was dead. The tears spilled. She missed him so much.

Niko moved to get up, but she held her hand out and shook her head.

“I’m okay,” she said. “You need to stay in bed.”

She wiped the tears from her face and they sat in silence for a long time, both staring at the fire.

“My father died many years ago, when I was a child,” Niko finally said.

Cassandra looked at him, her heart squeezing for him, although it had been so long ago and her own pain was so fresh.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“He never saw me become a soldier. He’d always told me I’d be a strong warrior … ” His voice trailed off as he seemed to lose himself in the past.

“You still have other family?” Cassandra asked, hoping the thought would cheer him. She was rewarded with a heart-stopping smile and he told her all about his mother and sisters, his nieces and nephews. His special fondness for the children came clear in his voice.

“And you?”

Cassandra shook her head. “Only Jordan. He’s my twin brother.”

“Your mother?”

“She died many years ago. It’s only been Father, Jordan and me. And now … ”

“Just you and Jordan,” Niko finished for her. But she didn’t know if she could even believe that. She felt as though it might just be herself now. She shook her head.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I don’t know if he’ll come back.”

“Of course he’ll come back. He wouldn’t leave you here alone. Would he? What kind of brother would do that?”

Cassandra wanted to defend Jordan, to say he was a good brother and would return to take care of her, but it would be too close to a lie. She lifted her chin.

“He has his own life to live, as do I. I don’t need him to take care of me.”

Niko eyed her for a moment, then lay down. He didn’t say all women needed a man to take care of them, as she’d expected, as Jordan had always told her. Was he different than Jordan, having grown up with a mother who’d raised her children on her own? Or was he just too ill to argue with her?

Cassandra knew she could take care of herself. She didn’t worry about that part of being alone. Her heart hurt from Jordan’s absence because he was all she had. They shared a long life of memories and now he was the only person in the whole world with whom she had any ties. Where was he?

The days and nights passed. Niko grew stronger. Jordan never came back.

Niko would soon be ready to return home and the thought of his leaving bothered Cassandra more each time she considered it. She enjoyed his company and although her belly still quivered whenever he looked at her with those olive-green eyes, she became accustomed to it. In fact, she liked these new feelings he gave her. Though they’d known each other for only a few days, she knew him better than she’d ever known anyone outside of her own family. She would miss him terribly. In fact, her chest already tightened with longing when he went off simply to collect firewood or water, and her heart skipped with pleasure when he returned.