Chapter 32
I didn’t get up until early afternoon, when my stomach protested so loudly I couldn’t ignore it any longer. As I rolled over I got a reproachful, “meowff,” from Astro who had been doing his best to push me off my pillow. I wondered if Corvus had arranged to bring him over and smiled at the thought as I knew he couldn’t stand him.
I showered and dressed and began to hunt for food. Unusually there was nothing waiting in the apartment for me. I wondered if the maid didn’t know I was staying yet. I headed down to the main kitchen where I knew food was kept for the blood donors that served the vampires. Corvus and family were nothing if not hospitable, making sure all their donors were paid and given a good meal along with an iron tablet. I knew for a fact that most of them would have happily done it for nothing, an idea that creeped me out no end.
After a successful fridge raid, I settled down with a large roast beef sandwich and a slice of cold apricot tart. Once my stomach was full, my mind inevitably turned to thoughts of what might happen tonight. I wished I’d had the energy to ask what Sariel had to do to make me remember the past. My stomach clenched uncomfortably around my lunch and I decided I’d best try and take my mind of off things until tonight. There was nothing I could do and I trusted Corvus not to let me come to any harm, so I climbed the stairs back to the apartment.
I walked over to the TV and noticed the bird cage had been left on the coffee table with a note pinned to it. It was from Amelia asking me to take care of Rodney and make sure he had enough to eat. Apparently she’d discovered he’d only eat raw, minced fillet steak and nuts. Cashews seemed to be a favourite. I carefully pulled off the cover and the squirrel scurried to the corner of the cage and looked at me with big anxious eyes.
“Er … hey, Rodney,” I said feeling uncomfortable. He cocked his head to one side and came over to the door pulling on it with small paws. I grinned. “Oh, I see, you want out.” I unlatched the door and Rodney stepped cautiously out, before clambering up my jeans to sit on my knee. “I really could do with talking to you. I seem to be in trouble,” I said. “Just for a change,” I added with a sigh.
The squirrel made a chirruping noise and seemed to wait for me to carry on so I gave him the outline of what had happened to me the night before. “…so I said to Sariel that I agreed to be in his debt if he kept everyone safe.” I finished. Rodney chattered angrily and nipped at my thumb. “Ow! Bloody hell, Rodney!” I yelled. “I know! I know it was stupid alright, but it’s my fault you’re, well, you’re like that and you could have been dead … for good!” I wiped my eyes as I felt the tears begin to start. “I’m so sorry.” I sniffed and Rodney chattered and bumped his head against my hand. “I know you’re saying it’s OK, but it isn’t! It isn’t at all OK, but I promise we’ll make it right. We’ll find a way to get you out of there,” I promised him, though how the hell I was going to achieve it was anybody's guess.
I heard a, “meowff,” behind me and the cushions sank as Astro landed heavily beside me. Rodney stiffened as the cat walked over to him.
“Behave, Astro.” I wagged my finger at him, but Astro just sniffed Rodney and bumped him gently with his nose before settling down beside me. I sighed with relief.
“Well, boys, I need some distraction and as you aren’t in a position to argue, I get to choose the film.” Rodney’s small eyes rolled up and I was sure I heard Astro grumble but I channel hopped until I found a suitable romcom on one of the movie channels and sat back to enjoy it as best I could.
Two films and a box of popcorn later, I figured I’d best go and get ready for whatever was coming my way. I was feeling sluggish and tired after being such a slob all afternoon so I went and showered and changed to wake myself up before I saw Corvus. As I walked back into the apartment I found him waiting for me.
“Hi.”
Corvus smiled and I felt the usual butterflies in my stomach. He looked edible in a black t-shirt and jeans. Blonde tendrils were curling around his neck and I reached up to tuck one behind his ear. His arms went around my waist and I leaned my head on his chest.
“You’re nervous.” It wasn’t a question and I nodded silently. “It won’t hurt if that is what’s worrying you. You will just go to sleep and dream and when you wake up you will remember what you dreamt.”
“That’s it?” I asked in surprise.
He nodded. “That’s it.” He looked down at me and sighed. “You ... you don't have to do this, Jéhenne. I never even asked you if you wanted to,” he said and I decided I wouldn't comment. “I know you are afraid,” he said. “I could feel your fear last night. I knew that you didn’t want to do this, but I pushed you into it anyway.” He held me tightly, longing in his eyes. “I do want this, Jéhenne, but if you don’t, I won’t force you.”
I stood on tip toes and kissed him, feeling heat and a deep longing that matched the look in his eyes flare to life inside me. “Come on,” I whispered. “Let’s go and meet Sariel.”
“Jéhenne?”
I stared back into eyes that seemed far more angelic than Sariel’s and which were filled with concern.
“You were right, Corvus,” I said, finally admitting the truth to myself as well as him. “We need to know, I need to know… all of it. Maybe if I understand my past, I can find out what has happened to me, why I am the key. I need to know who I am.”
He held me close and I felt myself relax, enveloped as always with a feeling of safety in his arms, and of being in absolutely the right place.
“Thank you. I will take care of you while you sleep Jéhenne, you need not be afraid.”.
“Well, let’s get it over with then,” I said, hoping my courage wouldn't fail me and headed towards the door again.
Sariel was waiting for us by the fireplace and as I looked at him I felt my breath catch in my throat once again. He really was magnificent … and utterly terrifying.
“Jéhenne, this is for you.” He smiled and handed me a tiny glass vial.
I looked at the drop of clear liquid held within the vial and bit my lip. I wondered why it didn’t have a label saying Drink Me written on the side and stifled a hysterical giggle. Now I knew how Alice felt.
“What is it exactly?” I asked, wondering if I really wanted to know.
“Water from the river Lethe,” replied Sariel, watching me with interest.
Ugh, river water, I thought in disgust. I’d probably catch some revolting disease.
“It is the river of forgetfulness,” he explained. “All reincarnated souls have to drink from the river before returning to the mortal world so they forget their past lives. Drunk here though, it will eventually restore all your memories.”
“Eventually.” My sarcasm was lost on Sariel who just tilted his head to one side and continued watching me placidly. “So I just drink it right?” I looked from Sariel to Corvus and back at the bottle.
Sariel nodded, his expression placid. “When you are ready, Jéhenne.”
I held the vial delicately between my fingers, hearing my heart thundering in my ears.
“Well, no time like the present,” I said with more confidence than I felt. I popped the cork and swallowed the liquid in one go. For a second or two I felt nothing, and I wondered if Sariel had made a mistake, until a cold spot began to bloom in my stomach and fill my veins. It crawled out towards my arms and legs and I was enveloped in the darkness ...