Love Or Revenge

8

Flashback.. Six years ago

EVERLYN POV

Today is Aphrodite’s birthday. She will be turning 15 years old. Today is a very special birthday because it is the birthday where she ascends. Aphrodite’s a tri-hybrid. Her mother, Spirit, was an Angel and witch. Her father, Brandon, is a werewolf. When Spirit died she used the last bit of energy she had to tell me I would have to guide Dite’s journey. She needed to learn how to control her powers or she would bring hell on earth. Never would I have thought Brandon would give me custody of her. I understand he was hurting after she died, it was expected because they were fated mates. Aphrodite looked so much like her mother, almost like a reincarnation.

“Momma! Momma! Momma!” I was brought from my thoughts by a screaming Aphrodite

“Dite, sweetie.. There is no need to yell I am right here. What’s the matter?” I asked her, calmly

“You said we were going to make my birthday cake together but you made it.” she said looking sad

“Dite, I didn’t make it. The ingredients are on the counter, see” I said, pointing to the ingredients laying out on the kitchen counter. Aphrodite looked at me confused.

“Then who made this one?” she asked, showing me the cake I didnt even notice she was holding. I tilted my head to the side. I walked over to her, taking the cake out of her hand. I examined the cake then I noticed the note attached to the bottom of the cake. When I saw the name attached to the letter I knew he had found us. I needed to tell Aphrodite everything because now we were going to have to go into hiding.

“Aphrodite, baby go sit in the living room”

“But-”

“Please baby”. She left me in the kitchen. I closed my eyes and opened my mind.

“Everlyn, I knew that cake would get your attention” he said, arrogantly

“I did not call for small talk, I called because I wanted you to hear me when I said this. You will NEVER have her”

“See I beg to differ Eve, the oracle already foreseen it, I will have what was promised to me.”

“The only thing that was promised to you was a quick death, and trust me.. It WILL come”

I cut the communication. I channeled my fire element and set the cake on fire. I walked in the living room.

“Momma, is everything okay?”

“Yes baby. Everything is okay but we need to talk”

“Okay.”

“So baby remember I told you that you were special?”

“Yes, I remember and I used to ask you what makes me so special but you would never answer me. Are you about to answer me now?”. I smiled at that, she is very smart & observant.

“Well, yes I am. You are an angelic witch”. Her mouth dropped open. I chuckled, closing her mouth.

“I am sure you have so many questions so we can start with the obvious one. How?” I smiled.

“My mother,” she said, looking me in the eyes.

“Yes, your mother was just like you”

“Why have you never said anything?” she asked

“Because it was never the right time”

“Then why are you telling me now?”

“Because this birthday is when you ascend. You will be gaining your powers and I will be teaching you how to control them.”

“What if I don’t want these powers, what if I want a normal life?” she asked me

‘You can always suppress your powers but your mother would want you to accept this part of you”

“My mother isn’t here” she said looking sad

“She is here, she lives in you”

“I know you feel like she left you but she did not. She is in you, she always has been. Accept who you are.” She was crying now. I wiped her tears away.

“Okay momma, I will do my best”

********************************************

ONE YEAR FROM PRESENT DAY - EVERLYN’S DEATH

Aphrodite and I have been on the run for 5 years now. We have avoided the dark ones' advances and pursuits. It has been a lot of stress, training Aphrodite and getting her ready for an enemy she has no idea about. I wanted to tell her about the dark one and the story surrounding him but Spirit told me not to tell her. She did not want Aphrodite to live in fear as she did after she had her. I will not be here forever and I can not have her going into this world blind. I will tell her at dinner tonight. Right now, me and Aphrodite are at the market, getting some vegetables for dinner.

“Aphrodite, I need some Kohlrabi. Can you get that for me?” I asked Dite, while I looked at the fresh baked bread.

“Yes ma’am.”

Aphrodite walks off to look for the Kohlrabi, I am humming to the tunes playing. I suddenly felt a presence near me. Sweat started pulling from my forehead, I was extremely hot. I started fanning myself using my hand. That was not working so I started using my shirt to fan my chest. Why is it so hot? I looked around, surveying my surroundings. I did not see Aphrodite. I did not panic because she's getting what we need. I walked over to where the Kohlrabi is usually at. I did not see her. Panic started to sit in. I started looking around frantically. From the corner of my eye I saw Aphrodite talking to some young lad. I was relieved. Walking over to Aphrodite I said;

“Ditte, we have to go baby”. I saw Dite jump back a little bit like I scared her. I could also see the relief on her face.

“Ok mom, coming now”. She walked over to me. We paid for our food and headed to the car.

***************************

On the drive home it was very quiet. I felt unsettled for some reason. I could not put my finger on it.

“Aphrodite, I love you sweetheart. Never forget that''. Aphrodite grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it, smiling. She has such a beautiful smile and soul.

“Mom, I know you love me. Don’t get sentimental on me” she giggled. She’s right I am being unsettling. I might just be overreacting, we have been on the run too long. It is making me paranoid. Is it? We finally get back to the house & that presence is back with vengeance this time. Aphrodite stops in her tracks, her gaze goes to the house.

“Momma, do you feel that?”. I smiled softly because I was proud. She has come so far in her training she can sense presences. But, that proudness grew to worry in the matter of seconds.

“Yes baby, I do feel it”. With the snap of my fingers our groceries disappear.

“Remember your training” Was all I said to Aphrodite before walking towards our home. I unlocked the door, opening the front door slowly. It was very dark and quiet, but a little too quiet. I walked slowly in the house with Dite hot on my trail. We walk towards the living room, slowly. The presence there was strong.

“Limye” (Lights) I said. When the lights came on my eye nearly burst. Sitting on our couch was the man I loath the most. He was the man that took my family away from me. The man that hurt me. The man I onced loved as a brother. The Dark One. Darco Van Helsing.

“My, my Eve.. How long has it been since we’ve seen each other? I must say you are still as gorgeous as ever”. I scoffed

“Mom, mom you know him?” I looked back at Aphrodite.

“Aphrodite.. I have waited so long to meet you”. The way he said her name was like a lost lover finding his fated mate. It sickened me. How could he talk to her with such sweetness? How dare he disrespect my sister.

“You do NOT get to speak to her, Darco” I said with venom in my voice.

“Oh don’t I?” he said challenging me

“Mom, what's going on? Who is this man?”

“Yes Eve, who am I?” he said, flashing his red eyes at me. I glared at him.

“He’s the man who killed your mother!” I yelled. I heard Dite gasp. I knew she would be hurt to discover it this way because she has been asking for years how her mother died but I had to make her see he is evil. I need her to hate him. I saw Darco glare at me. Added bonus, it pissed him off.

“First you take what is rightfully mine & then you lie” he said, angerly. His fangs were protruding & his crimson eyes were bright but he still held a calm tone.

“It is no lie. You are a murderer!” I yelled

“Now leave my house or I will put you out” I said, angerly. I was so furious. I was tired of running and hiding. I want my daughter to have a normal life. That was when I decided that I was going to kill him. I know I won’t survive but at least my baby will be free.

“I am not going anywhere until you give me what is mine” he yelled at me. I looked back at my beautiful daughter with tears in my eyes. She looked at me like she already knew what I was going to say. I could see in her eyes that she was going to cry & that she was furious with me for withholding the truth from her.

“Lavender, I love you”. Her eyes grew wide. We had different codes set up so that if any trouble would arise, we would be ready. Lavender meant she had to pack up and go… without me.

“I love you too momma” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Well, I’d hate to break up a very emotional heartfelt moment but Eve I don’t have all day so handle her over”. My eyes grew wide. My head wiped towards Darco. I raised my hands.

“Venn kenbe”. My house floors started shaking then the walls started shaking. Bursting through the walls and floors, veins came at Darco with the vengeance I had held in my body for 20 years. Darco was trying to get free from my veins. He struggled against them which only made them tighter. I yelled at Aphrodite for her to go but she was stuck in place. She was frozen in shock or maybe even fear. Fear of what may happen to me if she left me here with him. It was taking all of my energy to hold Darco, he was strong. I felt a warm liquid pouring from my nose, I tasted a metallic substance in my mouth.

“Go, Aphrodite, please” I begged her. She began to walk fast towards me.

“NO! Reserve your destruction. Reserve your power! Leave!” I yelled at her. I got distracted. I did not realize Darco got one of his hands free until it was too late. I felt a piercing burning pain in my chest. I was beginning to have trouble breathing, starting to suffocate. Everything was mute, I did not notice Aphrodite screaming. I looked down at my chest and the 1850 gold crescent sword I gave Darco was planted in my chest. I fell to my knees, gasping. Aphrodite ran over to me, pulling me into her lap.

“Mom! Mom! Please don’t leave me! Please” Dite cried. I raised my arm to her face, I struggled because my body felt too heavy, so weak.

“You have to go baby, I will always be with you and know I love you” I said with a raspy voice.

“No momma, I can’t l-leave y-you” Aphrodite said, sniffling

“But, you must.. He c-ca-can n-not.. Ha-have y-” I felt my body giving up on me. I was draining, drowning, I was dying. I’m sorry my daughter, I failed you. I thought, letting the lonely tear fall.

APHRODITE POV

I was alone. I was scared. I was lost. I was angry. This man, I did not know, took everything away from me. He is the reason my life is like this. He is the reason my life is the way it is, poisonous. I hate him. My mother's lifeless body was being held by my legs. I could not believe she was gone. I heard someone walking up to me, I lifted my head up to come face to face with the man that just took everything from me. Darco Van Helsing.

“I never meant for this to happen, I understand if you hate me now but you will understand later. Now come with me” he said, kneeling down to my eye level. He raised his hand to touch me. I felt disgust and repulsion.

“Do not touch me!” I yelled. I was furious, angry. My eyes burnt with fire. My skin was hot to the touch. I felt like the sun. I was consumed by fire. Being swallowed in it. Everything went dark. I woke up in the woods with nothing. My mothers body was gone. The man was gone. My house was gone. I had nothing. I sat there and I cried. I don’t know how long I was crying but my throat was starting to dry.

“Mother, I can not do this. I did not want this. You left me. You said you would always be here.” I sniffed.

“Mother, please forgive me but I can not be what you want me to be. This power has taken enough from us”. I sat up and crossed my legs. I cleared my mind of all thoughts, of all feelings and of all sounds. I took in a deep breath

“Wete sa mwen ye. Wete I paske mwen pa la. Fe revey la ranvese nan yon tan mwen te benign.” (Take away what is me. Take it away because I am not the. Make the clock reverse to a time I was benign)

I felt lighter. I was slowly dimming. The power was leaving my body. I was drained. The thing that made me who I am was gone. The thing that held me from a real life was gone. The burden and responsibility, gone. I was free. No longer holding this power I felt powerful. I was truly free. I’m sorry momma, I know you are disappointed in me but I will make it up to you when I see you again someday. I said in my head looking up to the clouds. The wind began to pick up and I knew my mother received my message. I love you momma.