We met Cyril and Arie at the Dublin Gate, and as promised, our new friends had saved a few seats for us and a few others at a table near the stage. The evening was already in full swing by the time we got there. I found myself taking extra time back at the house to hang out with Athen alone before heading out, so it was well worth missing some of the beginning festivities, translating -a few pitchers of beer. I sat next to Arie, and Athen sat next to me. We were able to turn our chairs toward the stage to get a glimpse of the local Irish band who was performing. They were entertaining and wonderfully haunting.
The band played an incredible mix of Irish music and current songs to keep the night rolling. I saw people beginning to get up and dance, and at first, Athen and I did nothing but laugh amongst ourselves as we noticed most of them were drunk out of their minds. Definitely not a feeling I wanted to have. There was no way I wanted to miss soaking up time with Athen and his family for a second because of having too much to drink. Life was my high right now. I hoped it never ended. Before I knew it, Athen pulled me to the small dance floor that was now starting to lose some of its drunken crowd because the song had turned to a slow song.
“One of my favorites,” I whispered in Athen’s ear. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark. How fitting.”
He held me as we swayed back and forth to the seraphic melody, my arms wrapped around his neck. His breath brushed the top of my head, as he held me tightly. My body was so close to his. It was hard to stay focused on dancing.
“You know, it truly is forever and all eternity, my angel,” he whispered in my ear, as he began kissing my cheek ever so lightly. I pulled back a little to see his green eyes staring back at me, searching intently for something. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for. I could feel Cyril and Arie behind me dancing to the song as well. I wondered how it was that I was beginning to feel the presence of Athen, Cyril, and Arie without ever seeing them. I rested my head back on Athen’s chest and breathed in this moment, hoping to retain it for as long as I lived. The music began to slow, which signaled to us to exit the dance floor because there were very few slow songs that would be coming off the stage tonight. We didn’t want to be trampled by way of overzealous Guinness drinkers.
“Well, glad we got that out of the way,” Cyril boomed, trying to save some face around the strangers.
“Whatever, Cy,” Arie said, smacking his shoulder. “So, Athen mentioned that you were thinking about giving your notice at the pub?”
“Yeah, I was thinking about it, you know, since I might be taking so much time off for the holidays.” I looked at Athen for some sort of confirmation. “I don’t want to put the owner in a lurch. It is better for him to find someone now right before the busy season hits, and I’m sure I could always get my job back if I left on a good note.”
Athen squeezed my hand under the table, feeling his excitement building only made me feel more confident in my decision to leave work behind. All my life, I had an emptiness inside me. I was always in a constant misstep, yet with the arrival of Athen, Arie, and Cyril my life became filled with joy – instantly. Even though there have been a few oddities, I was certain of my life and Athen. By far the good seemed to outweigh any slight misgivings that might creep in now and then. If, somehow, they also held the key to ending my nightmares, I would finally be able to be at peace again.
“Wow, that would be awesome, Ana! I know I would enjoy having a partner in crime. I can’t tell you how much more wonderful my life could get having Athen actually be with you versus talking to us all the time about you. It would take the heat off. He just never shuts up.”
I looked up at Athen only to see him nodding in agreement, “It’s true. I have gotten a little narrow-minded on my selection of topics to speak about.”
“Thank, God,” Cyril nodded in agreement. “The less I have to hear Athen’s musings about you the better. No offense, Ana.”
“None taken. I’m sure Karen at work feels the same way,” I said grinning.
Our guide looked like he had been slapping them back in double digits before we got to the pub, so when he excused himself none of us were that surprised. He was having some issues making his way through the chairs. I hoped he would make it through the village. At least, it was a walking village. I was sure I would see him around in the village but for now wouldn’t hold him up for small talk. He looked like he was in serious need of a flat surface. It made me nurse my hard cider that much slower. I had this habit now of making sure I was on high alert for anything. I didn’t even know for what. Athen was always so vague, I figured it was better to be coherent at all times. It was hard enough to be around Athen and be even somewhat alert. However, seeing a black streak dodging through the forest trees earlier made it very evident that something was amiss, and I had to take it for what it’s worth. Having the details of my nightmares now beginning to align with my reality was almost more than I could handle.
“Athen, what happened to that guy who was following me?” I’m not sure what made me ask him. I couldn’t believe it came out of my mouth. Since it did, I looked him directly in his green eyes praying I would not be detoured. Arie spoke up first.
“He intended to harm you, Ana. We had to offer him something that he couldn’t refuse to leave you alone.”
“How do you know he wanted to hurt me?”
Cyril and Athen quickly exchanged concerned glances, which I didn’t even have to see. I sensed it. I was getting way better at that talent I must say.
“We knew he wasn’t fully human, Ana. He wasn’t one of us either. The only reason for following someone like you is to cause you harm. He had to be stopped.”
“Wow, you’re as vague as Athen. But, I feel like we are getting a little closer. Does that mean I don’t have to be so vigilant in staring down strange people now, because I can’t tell who is who? What about the black streak I saw earlier?”
Athen got up abruptly and grabbed his jacket and helped me up from the table. I must have upset him. I knew I shouldn’t have pushed it. I wanted to know, and I’m now kicking myself for possibly ruining the night and my search for answers.
“Ana, you didn’t ruin anything. It’s time. Let’s get out of here. I’ll start to fill you in as best I can. Arie, Cyril get some rest. You’ll know when the moment arrives.”
My heart started pounding so fast it was almost hard to distinguish individual beats. Fear began to wash through my veins. This was the first time I was hesitant to find out what was waiting for me. I could finally say, without a doubt, that Athen could hear my thoughts. In addition to being scared beyond belief, this revelation began to produce a wave of embarrassment, as I began remembering some of the things I have thought to myself since meeting him.
“How did you know I was worried I ruined the night?” My skin turned cold with anticipation waiting to hear the answer that never came.