Aphrodite

They reconvened in the kitchen, Rachel now dressed in a casual pale blue top and black short, borrowed from Estella’s collection. Positioned at the breakfast bar, Rachel and Estella stood side by side, while Vlad remained on his feet. His unease with the situation was palpable, manifesting in his inability to remain still, pacing ever so slightly.

“Let me get this straight,” he began, locking eyes with her in search of truth. “You took a bath, and without any chemicals, your hair changed colour? Nothing else occurred that might explain this?”

She nodded in affirmation. “I know I’ve made mistakes, and I’m a risk, but I need to say, I’m scared. Everything’s changing—my hair, my powers...” She trailed off, not noticing her ramble until Vlad cut in.

“Our powers are now interwoven. That means you and I possess abilities we wouldn’t have without our bond.”

Rachel nervously bit her bottom lip. “It seems like power is channelled through this mark. I can’t manage it. And I,” her voice faltered as tears began to gather in her eyes, the weight of her experiences overwhelming her. “I dreamt about the Abaddon again. The dreams feel so vivid. I experience the pain, the cold. It’s becoming unbearable.”

Estella gently laid a hand on Rachel’s shoulder, offering solace. “First off, your hair changing is unrelated to the Abaddon. All beings born of this realm undergo transformations. It appears your inner creature was dormant, and you’ve now awakened it. According to the legends, Aphrodite was known to be blonde.”

“Estella’s point is valid; of everything you’ve shared, this might be the least worrying. Did you kill Myus using these newfound powers? Remember, our abilities are intertwined because of the bond—it’s possible you’re manifesting skills that are mine but unfamiliar to you.”

As tears streamed down her cheeks, Rachel found it hard to contain her emotions. “There was this burst of energy, and he was thrown against the wall. Is that something you can do?”

Vlad’s worried look instantly conveyed his fear, especially as Rachel’s new powers mirrored those of the Abaddon, suggesting she might be connecting with more than one formidable entity.

“Let’s explore these abilities outside when you’re ready,” he proposed. This was more than adjusting to her powers; it was about grasping the significance of her connections and their potential impact on their fight against dark forces.

“And the dreams?”

“I’m thinking they’re more than dreams,” Vlad explained, his worry showing in the deep furrow of his brow and the firm press of his lips.

“But I just fall asleep, have these nightmares, and wake up right where I started. How can they be anything else?”

He gently took her hands in his, giving them a reassuring squeeze before releasing them. “Rachel, don’t let fear control you. Focus on the present, and remember, you’re not alone. I’m here to protect you.”

His affirmation made her realise her visions held more truth than she had dared to admit. They were real. “The ice dreams started recently. But before that, before I met you, I dreamt I was in various cities, different eras, always ending with this creature finding me, and then I would...” She paused, her voice breaking, “take my own life. What does it mean?”

“It is possible that these dreams are fragments of your past lives, echoes of your previous encounters with the Abaddon. But it is also possible that they are the manifestation of your fears, brought forth by the bond you share with him.”

“The leech mentioned there’s only ever been on Aphrodite—I am the only one, but I don’t remember any of it.” Rachel’s voice carried a note of despair, her eyes scouring Vlad’s for some semblance of understanding or solace.

Vlad and Estella shared a look, their faces a mirror of uncertainty, revealing that they too were grappling with the complexity of the situation.

Estella cleared her throat. “It’s not impossible.”

Vlad, however, wasn’t so sure, cutting her off with a dismissive wave. “Estella, that can’t be the case...”

But Estella, undeterred, leaned in, keen to finish her thought. “The Abaddon and the leech, they are not born of this realm. We know that like the Abaddon, not that many creatures have seen the Aphrodite. Yet, those two creature’s paths seemed to be intertwined in all the stories.”

Vlad, emphasising his point, gestured towards Rachel, “She’s undeniably born in this realm. She didn’t know her true nature until our paths crossed.”

Estella gave her a brief look, then shook her head slightly. “Her body may be from this world, but her abilities are transforming too fast. A young creature wouldn’t survive a bonding mark like that.”

Rachel, overwhelmed, voiced her disbelief, “Am I losing my mind? This sounds too implausible to be true.”

Estella faced her, her tone earnest. “On the contrary, it makes a lot of sense, and that’s what concerns us. The Abaddon can’t be killed; he traverses realms. You might possess the same capacity—to shift between realms. However, for some reason, your memory of it doesn’t exist.”

Rachel gestured to herself in exasperation. “But look at me, I’m clearly human.”

“Bodies can be acquired. Your abilities likely necessitated one. How else could you have charmed entire cities?”

“Rachel,” Vlad interjected, "memories can be buried or suppressed, but that does not mean they are lost forever. Together, we will uncover the truth about your past and your connection to the Abaddon. We will help you find a way to break free from the Abaddon’s grasp. Do not let these dreams define you. You have the power to change your destiny."

Despite their assurances, it was clear to Rachel that neither Vlad nor Estella had a concrete plan to thwart the Abaddon. Her mind wandered to her family and Beth, with a surge of concern. The possibility of the Abaddon using them to reach her cast a shadow of fear over her heart.

“Vlad, where’s Beth? She isn’t here, right? I just can’t stand the thought of putting her in danger, especially with that creature lurking around. It terrifies me.”

“Yes, she is fine. She is at a house with Adam, not far from here. They have taken a liking to each other.”

“I can’t get over the fact you used essence on her. How can we ever be sure their feelings are real, and not just something created by the essence?” Rachel couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Vlad gave her a look suggesting she was worrying too much. “The essence’s effects would have faded by now. I did not use that much.”

“And that thing making noises at night, what is that?” she pressed.

Vlad took a deep breath, his chest expanding as he did, then let out a long sigh. “That’s a conversation for another time.”

“You want me to share with you, yet you insist on keeping me in the dark?” Rachel couldn’t hide her annoyance.

“It’s to keep you safe,” he insisted, sounding like he really believed it.

“Yeah, sure,” she replied, her voice thick with sarcasm. Needing to do something—anything—to shake off her growing anxiety, Rachel got up and headed to the fridge. She started pulling out various fruits, piling them into her arms. It wasn’t that she was mad at Vlad, exactly. She felt she deserved to know what was going on, to be in the loop. Keeping secrets like this just didn’t sit right with her.

“What are you doing?”

Juggling the fruit, she nudged the fridge door shut with her foot. “I’m starving. Thought I’d enjoy these outside.”

“It is not safe for you outside.”

Rachel couldn’t hide her irritation. “It’s not safe outside. It’s not safe inside, in bed or the bath. Unless you have a magically protected prison cell you wish to stick me in.”

Vlad’s expression hardened, clearly not amused by her remark. Estella, on the other hand, let out a soft chuckle, silently showing her support for Rachel’s point.

“Do I have to keep repeating myself? I am trying to protect you.”

“But you’re keeping secrets from me. Where’s the Abaddon? Where’s the portal? And why do you guard the portal at night?” Her questions came rapid-fire.

He responded by folding his arms and turning to Estella with a look of accusation. “What have you been telling her?”

Estella, sensing the tension, opted for a retreat. “Looks like you guys need to have a real talk without me around.” She gave her nails a cursory glance.

“If you rethink your stance on sharing, you’ll know where to look for me.” With those parting words, Rachel turned on her heel and made her way outside.

****

Outside, the atmosphere was a peaceful contrast to the tension within the house. She walked along the terracotta path, a subtle, triumphant grin playing on her lips.

Birds darted between the trees, their melodies intertwining with the gentle hum of insects busying themselves around the manicured gardens.

Rachel ventured away from the house, captivated by the surrounding splendour. The vast gardens unfolded around her, providing an ideal sanctuary. She sought solace and an opportunity to collect her thoughts in this serene environment.

Strolling at a leisurely pace, she allowed herself to admire the meticulously cared-for blue and white flowers, which swayed softly in the breeze. The hedges lining the pathway were pruned with such precision, sparking her curiosity about the guardians of this estate’s beauty. It seemed unlikely that Vlad alone could maintain such vast grounds, yet she had seen no signs of anyone else.

Intrigued by a grove of cherry blossom trees, Rachel let the path guide her down a gentle slope. The closer she got, the more she became aware of the sound of running water, a melody growing stronger with each step. Upon reaching the foot of the hill, crowned by the blooming trees, she stumbled upon a ravine.

As she ventured deeper, the sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense foliage overhead, causing a noticeable chill in the air. A layer of mist hovered above the river’s current. To reassure herself that it was still summer outside, Rachel turned to look back at the gardens. The sky remained a brilliant blue, unblemished by clouds.

She descended the cobblestone steps to the ravine’s floor. Beside the river, she found a paved area enclosed by a low stone wall that marked the garden’s boundary. In the centre stood a solitary wooden bench. Intrigued by this glimpse into Vlad’s world, she decided to sit down.

Rachel set the containers of fruit gently beside her on the bench and rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself from the cold. She selected a ripe fig and took a moment to appreciate the surrounding beauty while enjoying the fruit’s sweetness. The mist turned out to be thicker than she first thought, effectively concealing the opposite bank of the ravine from her sight. The river’s rush was constant, yet the origins and end of its vigorous path remained a mystery, obscured by the dense fog and the lush vegetation.

After finishing a container of fruit, she noticed a small, lifeless sparrow lying nearby, causing her heart to sink at the sight. She leaned in closer, sorrowful that she couldn’t have aided the tiny bird, now past any help. Yet, something within her stirred, a quiet voice suggesting her abilities might extend further than she realised.

Rachel hesitated, torn between caution and the compelling sense that she was capable of more than she knew. The mysterious stream of purple light that had leaped from her wrist to her fingertip seemed to beckon her toward the tiny bird. Despite her initial resistance, curiosity overcame her reluctance. She extended her hand, lightly touching the bird with a single finger. As she did, a vibrant pulse of purple light flowed from her touch into the sparrow.

Almost immediately, the bird’s form began to radiate with a gentle purple glow. Rachel watched in utter disbelief as the sparrow’s eyes blinked open and its chest expanded with a renewed breath of life. Witnessing its weak but determined efforts to stand, she instinctively stepped back, her mind racing to comprehend the magic she had just wielded.

“Oh my,” Rachel breathed out, a whisper barely audible over her astonishment at the newfound ability she had unveiled.

Just as the bird flapped its wings and soared into the mist, Rachel took a step back, bumping into something. The sudden contact made her lose her balance, sending her staggering toward the water’s edge.

“Sorry,” came Vlad’s gentle, apologetic tone from behind her. Offering a hand, he helped Rachel regain her footing. The moment their skin touched, a soothing warmth cascaded through her, dispelling the damp chill of the mist-veiled ravine.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” she managed to say, steadying herself and smoothing down her clothing, still processing the surprise of his appearance as much as the miracle she’d just performed.

“Perhaps I haven’t been as fair to you as I could have been,” Vlad admitted. “You’ve got to understand, the war with the Abaddon cost so many lives, encountering new beings is rare. When someone like you appears, we have to be cautious. You’re bound to me, and I couldn’t just risk everything without knowing who or what you really are. Please, come sit with me,” he urged gently.

Rachel paused, considering his words before finally taking a seat next to him. “There’s no need for pleasantries if you’re just going to shut me out again.”

Vlad sighed, gazing out towards the river. “Your dreams about the Abaddon, they’re real. He has enough essence to transport you to the Inanis—a limbo of sorts, a realm between realms. While he remains in Inanis, he can’t take physical form. And without a body, he’s invulnerable. He’s trapped himself, unable to return to the underworld. His only escape is through the portal back to the realm of the living.”

Rachel’s eyes widened in shock. “So, this creature chose to trap itself in that frozen wasteland just to reach me?”

Vlad’s confirmation was solemn. “Yes, he’s determined and relentless. Believe me, he’s suffering and famished. Throughout history, he’s found ways back to our world multiple times, and with each return, he’s brought death to many. He feeds on humans to regenerate, to materialise a body.”

“But what’s the point of taking me to that place? What if he doesn’t send me back? Would I be stuck there too?”

Vlad’s answer was grave, and Rachel noticed a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—a shadow of fear, perhaps, or a reluctance to reveal too much. “Every time he comes into contact with you, he gets stronger. But he can’t hold you in the Inanis forever. It’s possible he’s attempting to coerce you into using your powers to free him,” he explained, gently placing his hand over hers in a comforting gesture.

It was difficult to accept that the dreams were real, but it did explain the chilling sensations and the mark left on her. “If I’m understanding this correctly, the only way into the portal is to die. I’ve been there more than once. If I’m the only Aphrodite, that means I must have travelled between worlds many times.”

“Yes, it seems that way. When you die, your soul travels between worlds, and you are reborn with no memory of your previous lives. I have no idea why it is different now with your encounters in Inanis. Perhaps your time there had been so short that your body has survived and kept your memories intact.”

Listening to Vlad, Rachel’s mind replayed the vivid visions of her past lives from her dreams, where she had ended her own life repeatedly, yet the cycle persisted. Each time concluded with her death and the Abaddon leaving devastation in his path. Glancing at Vlad, she clung to the hope that, united, they might discover a path to liberate themselves from the clutches of the Abaddon.

“He can pull me into the portal, but he cannot bring me back?” Rachel asked, puzzled.

“The workings of Inanis are a bit of a mystery. It has been centuries since a creature has emerged through the portal. The Abaddon may be killing you each time he summons you. I have made inquiries with my brethren.”

“Your what?”

Vlad looked down, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. “My surviving brethren from the old Kingdom of Hyperion. I’ve mentioned before—my king fell in a battle against the Abaddon, betrayed by the leech. Those of us who survived persist in honouring our kingdom, even in his absence.”

Rachel’s heart swelled with empathy for Vlad, her hand offering a gentle squeeze of support. “It’s admirable that you never let go.”

“I have no choice but to hold on. It’s my duty to guard the portal,” Vlad replied, his voice carrying the weight of his solemn commitment.

“I don’t get it. You’re here at night guarding the portal, but what about the daytime? And how can you protect anything if there’s darkness in your essence?”

Vlad corrected her gently, “The colour of my essence isn’t what defines my abilities. My king and queen reside in the underworld now, yet we hold faith that continues to guide us. While he lived in this realm, my king could wield the powers of the beings from Inanis, and we trust he retains that power even in the underworld. During the day, the Abaddon’s strength diminishes, allowing me some respite.”

“And in the night?”

Vlad’s hand tensed beneath hers, and she could sense the burden he carried. “At night, his power grows, and I must counter him with mine. The bond is the only thing giving me the strength to stop him. Without it, there is no way I could have held him back. Inanis was empty until the day you attacked Darius.”

The memory of her confrontation with Darius stirred a wave of guilt within Rachel, even though her actions hadn’t been intentional. “That’s when the Abaddon first dragged me into Inanis and left his mark on me. But if he lacks a physical form, perhaps there’s a way to defeat him? Maybe we could trap him and banish him back to the underworld?”

Vlad’s attention shifted towards the river, his expression distant. “The situation isn’t straightforward. Body or no body, his abilities surpass those of nearly all beings in this realm.”

Rachel’s eyes sparkled with a flicker of hope, connecting the dots. “Nearly all? So, there are beings capable of overpowering him? Who was it that banished him to the underworld initially?”

“No, I understand where your thoughts are heading, but that path isn’t viable,” Vlad quickly interjected, cutting off the budding idea before it could take root.

“What happened? You can’t keep me in the dark.”

“The Abaddon killed the lover of a creature of the light. But he underestimated how powerful the creature was. The battle was fierce; it spanned the oceans and the skies. Cities were destroyed, but eventually, the creature of the light finished it. He now lives in solitude.”

“The phoenix,” she whispered, recalling her conversation with Myus.

Vlad looked at her, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes. “How did you know?”

“Myus told me a creature had killed him and he gave me that name. Surely this creature would want to help our cause if he fought for love?”

“That is where you are wrong. He only cares for himself. The phoenix only has one lover in their lives. Once their partner dies, they cannot love again.” Vlad’s words deflated her hope, but she refused to give up completely.

“Then perhaps we could change things. We can find the phoenix and give him the ability to love again.”

The thought of offering such a gift to a being in pain stirred a fire within her, fuelling her determination to fight the Abaddon and protect those she cared about. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make things right.