Fated
Chapter 7

Eve

I open my eyes slowly as I am awakened by the warmth of the sun shining through the large glass doors, kissing my skin so softly. As I go to sit up and feel something wrapped around and whip my head up to find myself staring up at the face of a god…literally .He must have fallen asleep after our conversation last night and as innocent as it seems, I can’t help feeling nervous about having a man…no…a GOD in my bed! The sun on his skin radiates a bright glow that reminds me of the diamond shimmering skin of the vampires from Twilight. The mere thought of it makes me giggle and in that instant his eyes shoot open. I freeze as I stare at him, suddenly regretting the thought that amused me so much only a moment ago. His face softens and a smile plays at his lips and he stretches his arms and in a husky voice he rips me from my thoughts.

“Good morning Eve.” his voice rumbles as he finishes stretching.

“Good morning Mr. Shay.” I reply with a slight tremble as I am fairly certain I feel something pressing hard against my side. I quickly break eye contact as the most intrusive and perverse thought begins to flood my mind. I quickly slide away from him and he chuckles softly before running his hand over his face.

“I told you, my name is Dante.” the words slide from his mouth so smoothly while I am still battling the thoughts of what had startled me so. He lets out another deep chuckle.

“What’s so funny?!” I whip the words at him, my tone showing I am not amused.

He does not respond, only raises an eyebrow before rising from the bed and making his way to the door.

“I will go make breakfast.” He exits the room once again without leaving me room to reply. It bothers me how good he is at doing that.

I decide to get changed and prepare for whatever this day will hold. After brushing my teeth and hair I go to my bag and pull out a white halter top with red roses flowing down the left side across my breast and wrapping around to my hip. I decide to pair it with a pair of cute jean shorts that have white lace on the sides. Once dressed I slide on my white flip flops I had worn yesterday and make my way down to the dining room. As I walk into the room I realize that I am alone. Where is Dante? I think to myself and as if he can read my thoughts, I hear his voice call out from down the hall to my right.

“I am almost done!” He shouts to ensure I can hear him.

I make my way down the hall in the direction of his voice. The end of the hall opens into a large room with all chrome appliances. This is the biggest kitchen I have ever seen! I see Dante standing in front of the stove with his back to me as he works away at whatever he is cooking.

“How did you know I was in the dining room?” my question comes out rather pressing which is not my intent.

“I could hear you.” His tone making it sound as if my footsteps thundered through the house.

“What do you mean you heard me?” I ask with a slight note of annoyance weaving into my words.

He chuckles softly, “I heard you comment on my absence.” as he speaks the words my blood runs cold.

“I-I didn’t say anything…” my eyes feel like they are about to pop right out of their sockets.

“You certainly thought it.” he says this like it is totally normal to read people’s minds! “I hope you like pancakes and bacon.” his tone ever steady as if this is NOT the strangest conversation 2 people could be having right now.

“Yes…I mean I do…but how long have you been listening to my thought?” i realize that by the end of my questions I am almost shouting.

As he turns off the burner on the stove he grabs the plates containing our breakfast and simply replies,”since your mind could produce coherent thoughts.” and then he walks past me toward the dining room.

We both seat ourselves in the same seats as the previous night with him quickly setting the plates on the table so he can rush over and pull out my chair for me. We eat most of our breakfast in silence and I try to process the fact that I have had some ancient gods child playing around in my mind pretty much my whole life. Was he always listening? OH MY GOD! Had he been able to hear my thoughts when I was alone in my room…the first time I touched myself?! I feel my face growing warm as my cheeks flush only to look up and see a sly grin on his face. Kill me now! I shout in my mind. I catch his eyes as they whip up to stare into mine intensely.

“I would never do such a thing.” he replies.

“You know, it is not cool to go trudging around in people’s heads all the time. Sometimes people need…privacy.” my voice is stern but cautious.

“My mind is an open book, Eve. I will hide nothing from you. If there is something you wish to know, you need only ask.” he looks back down at his plate and takes another bite of his pancakes.

“Ok…What do you plan to do with me? I assume you have a plan since you agreed to trade your ancestors’ remains for me.” My question seems intrusive as I hear it escape my mouth, but decide the answer was worth the discomfort it is obviously causing as I watch Dante shift in his chair.

“When I had agreed to the terms of the arrangement rather than taking your mothers life…I did so because the goddess showed me it was what needed to be done. As for a plan…We will have to figure that out as we go, but maybe we can start with a walk?” his words seem to be hesitant and I believe that there may be some confusion behind them as if maybe he had not actually thought about this moment until right now.

“Um…sure. Is it cold outside today? Do I need to change?” I ask with my hesitation now mirroring his.

“It is quite warm actually. I think I am the one who needs to change. I will meet you in the foyer in 15 minutes.” With his last word he raises from his chair and walks out of the room at a pace that could almost be considered a jog.

As we walk out the large wooden doors I am hit with the warmth the mother sun has created and am immediately glad that I did not change into something warmer. He gently takes my hand and hesitates as he seeks any disapproval in my eyes. He quickly smiles as he realizes I am not going to protest and begins to lead me down the cobblestone path on the left of the house and then into the grass as we make our way to the treeline. As soon as we pass the first tree I feel something stir inside me…pulling me in a direction that I cannot refuse to follow.My hand slides out of Dante’s as my feet head at a feverish pace in the direction that the unseen force is pulling. I can faintly register the sound of Dante’s feet behind me as he struggles to keep up and I am fairly certain he said something, but my mind could not process his words through the energy that was pulsing through my entire body. I pass tree after tree, jumping over logs and rocks. Just when I think I may never be able to stop running my body halts before a tall tree that looks as though it could be easily 100 years old. I slowly approach the tree with my arm stretched out as I run my fingers along its surface. I hear Dante come to a stop behind me, but I cannot break my gaze. About 5 feet up the tree there is a strange impression that spans the entire width of the majestic tree. 1 foot above it is another. I gasp as realization hits me. “This is where she died.” I speak the words in but a whisper.

Dante does not speak, but I know he heard me. I fall to my knees as a vision takes over me.

“Where the hell is it Sedira?!” shouts a woman shrouded in robes.

“I will never tell you Monica. Please understand that no witch…no BEING can harness that much power without dire consequences. Fates be damned if I will be the cause of anyone’s suffering!” the woman tied to the tree screeches out with a raspy voice.

“Oh but my dear Sedira, You will.” Monica says in a dark and ominous tone before plunging a dagger into Sedira’s heart.

When I open my eyes I can see Dante’s face with fear written all over it as he is kneeling beside me. I look around realizing that I am laying on the ground and quickly try to shift myself to stand up.

“What the hell were you doing? You ran from me and I could not hear your thoughts! Why did you come here?!” His voice is broken and clearly dripping with pain.

“ Maybe it was because they were not my thoughts.” I did not even realize I spoke this thought out loud. “I-I saw…” I feel the tears welling in my eyes and do not bother to fight them back as they begin to flow freely. “I saw her. I saw what she did. She…she..” I am now sobbing uncontrollably as the rest of my thoughts get lost in the storm of emotions that have taken over me.

After a few moments pass I feel Dante wrap his large arms around my small frame and pull me close to him. His breaths are ragged and heated. In this moment I find myself wishing I could hear his thoughts…to know what he is thinking and feeling.

“I am so sorry Dante! The things my mother is responsible for…what she took from you! What she took from her!” I cry uncontrollably as he holds me tighter before pausing at my last words. I feel his embrace loosen as he pulls back from me. His hand raises to my cheek and turns my head toward him as I try so hard to look away.

“What do you mean ‘took from her’?” his question spoke in the most grave tone.

I pause as I struggle with the last glimpses of my vision playing through my mind, almost fearful to speak of the events out loud. Knowing he had been honest with me about everything up to this point, I feel I owe him the same courtesy even if my words may tear him apart.

“Her…Her heart.” My head drops as his eyes grow large in shock as he realizes that is not a part of the tale that he had shared with me last night.

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