Aphrodite

Positioned on a frigid cliff, Aphrodite observed the chasm below, revealing the underworld’s entrance. This realm, marked by volcanic landscapes and strewn with rocks, was lit only by the sinister glow of magma rivers, highlighting the towering black gates guarded by lion-like figures, sculpted from the underworld’s essence.

Suddenly, the gates burst open, their movement shaking the ground, releasing a sulphurous aroma and projecting shadows over the rugged ground.

The lions, with their deep red eyes, scanned the path, anticipating an arrival. A shadowy, almost human figure emerged from the gloom, advancing under the dim light of the distant lava flows.

At the threshold, the figure acknowledged the lions with a nod—a gesture met with their acquiescence. Allowed passage, the figure then locked eyes with her from afar. The intensity of his red gaze electrified the space between them, a tangible connection forged in that moment.

“Aphrodite,” echoed his voice, deep and compelling, reverberating through the ethereal space. “Together, we shall navigate the shadows of Inanis.”

In this dream, Rachel felt detached, as though she were a spectre observing a tale not her own, where the script and movements belonged to someone else.

“I heard rumours you were preparing to make the ascent to Inanis,” she voiced, her eyes drawn to the daunting view below. Before him lay a treacherous path, with stairs that spiralled downwards, then transformed into a vertiginous cliff. Only beings of significant might could embark on such an odyssey, for to reach the gateway of Inanis was merely the beginning to an arduous journey back to the realm of the living.

Despite the vast distance between them, rendering him barely more than a speck in her vision, he extended his hand. “You possess the strength to halt this madness, to bring me back, so we may reunite. I will forgive you for what you have done, and we will rule, as we once did.

“Some acts are unforgivable,” she declared. At her words, he exploded in rage, summoning whirlwinds of darkness that spiraled menacingly towards her. Then, abruptly, one vortex enveloped her, transporting her back to Rome.

“Aquila,” Rachel murmured in her sleep, her mind’s eye conjuring the image of a fearsome creature wreathed in shadows. Dark smoke slithered across the city gates like serpents, amidst a backdrop of chaos, cries of terror, and the intense heat.

“Aquila,” she uttered once more, the dream shifting as she found herself falling from a balcony, her heart seizing in the brief eternity before the ground rushed up to meet her.

Rachel’s eyes snapped open, a deep breath easing her as she relished the soft embrace of the couch. Shifting slightly, she suddenly lost her balance, tumbling onto the hard wooden floor below, her left arm taking the brunt of the fall. Grimacing, she pulled herself up to take in her surroundings—a dimly lit, minimalist apartment with a brown suede couch at its centre, void of any personal touches.

Her mind was clouded, but the scent of frying bacon cut through her haze. Attracted to the smell, she saw Vlad in the streamlined kitchen, where white countertops, black cabinets, and sleek appliances filled a windowless space, with the living room blinds shut firmly.

“You’re awake,” he noted, returning his attention to the bacon on the stove. The spatula’s scrape against the pan and the clink of dishes punctuated the quiet. “Are you okay? Who is Aquila?”

“Oh, it was just a dream. I don’t remember passing out.”

Approaching with a plate in hand, he set it down on the coffee table. “Eat something,” he suggested, offering a brief, concerned glance her way.

She eyed the plate curiously. “You actually eat?”

“Of course. Human body means I have human functionality.”

“Are there creatures that don’t eat?”

“There are, but only creatures that are not born of this earth.”

“How do they come to be, then?” The reality of entities beyond her human understanding intrigued her.

“The world is full of mysteries beyond our grasp. Myus has dedicated his existence to uncovering them. Please, eat,” he urged, nudging the plate closer to her.

Contemplating the eggs and bacon, she recognised his gesture. Her focus fell back to the breakfast he’d made—bacon and eggs. Maybe it was his way of showing appreciation for her compliance, opting for kindness over coercion.

“Where is Estella?”

“She’s out on errands. It’s probably for the best. Your essence... certainly had an interesting effect on her, she was very keen for intimacy.”

The notion that she had impacted Estella in such a manner felt odd, especially since Estella had never shown her anything but coldness and disapproval.

“I don’t eat meat.”

“But you consumed blood,” he countered, perplexed.

She fumbled for an explanation. “Well, I was a vegetarian, and lately, I’ve been sticking to fruits. Looking back, that might explain my fatigue.”

He regarded her with a moment of silence before breaking into a smile, followed by a light-hearted laugh. This unexpected reaction surprised her. “Ah, an Aphrodite, striving to embody the myth—apart from the part about blood, it seems. It is indeed peculiar for an Aphrodite to draw essence through blood.”

"It felt unlike anything else—like consuming pure energy. I wasn’t in control,” she insisted, her focus falling to the smooth wooden floor as she recalled the moment she tasted Estella’s blood. The taste was so alluring that it made her want to feed on every human alive. Shaking the dangerous thought from her mind, she looked back at him.

“That’s because it was her essence you were absorbing,” he explained, moving towards the kitchen. He picked an apple from an almost empty fruit bowl, tossing it in the air before catching it and inspecting its glossy red skin. After taking a bite, he offered her the fruit.

“Why would I want your leftovers?” But as the enticing scent of the fresh apple reached her, her stomach growled. She gave in and took the apple.

“I keep them for decoration,” he explained, sitting down beside her on the couch and starting to eat from the plate he had prepared for her.

As she took a bite of the apple, she ventured, “Can you promise me something? That you won’t do that again? Reflecting on it, it feels... kinda fucked up.”

“That depends.”

This seemed to be a recurring theme with Vlad; he always had conditions. “This is not a negotiation.”

Setting aside his utensils, he closed the distance between them. Gently cupping her chin, he looked deeply into her eyes. “You won’t starve us of essence again.” His touch, surprisingly warm, sparked a comforting sensation across her skin.

She gave a small nod in agreement.

“Good.” He paused, observing her further. “Your hair looks radiant today,” he remarked with a smile before drawing back.

Curiously, she ran her fingers through her hair, noticing a few curls out of place, somewhat tangled. Puzzled by his compliment on her dishevelled appearance, she twirled a lock around her finger, surprised to see the colour appeared unusually vivid and bright.

Resuming his meal, he spoke again. “Aphrodite, I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have been introduced to our world like this. It’s unfortunate, what you did, bonding to me, but we wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

“Rachel,” she corrected sharply. “My name is Rachel. Not Aphrodite. Not dove. Not dear. Rachel. Just Rachel.” She emphasized her point with a decisive bite from the apple. “What time is it? Do I have enough time to make it to work?”

“It’s the middle of the night.”

Relieved, she realised she hadn’t missed another day to unexpected sleep. “I’ve been asleep so long, I thought I’d lost another day.”

“No, Rachel, now you’re recharged with essence. But tell me, why choose to work among humans?”

“That again? Darius questioned me on the same. What’s with you all and humans?”

“I understand your parents are not themselves creatures, so you have no exposure to our world.”

Vlad’s invasive curiosity was wearing thin on her patience. “How do you even know about my parents? And how am I supposed to be one of you if they’re not?”

“We have our ways of finding information,” he explained vaguely.

“You have to stop spying on me.”

“I am trying to help understand what you are. Throughout history, certain humans have been privy to our existence. The myths and legends you’ve encountered aren’t all stories. There have been malevolent beings among us, and similarly, some humans sought to exploit creatures for their own gain and influence.”

Before Vlad, Rachel had never believed in the existence of creatures, and now she was trying to figure out the threat they supposedly posed. “Are you saying I shouldn’t work with humans because you’re afraid I might do something bad?”

Vlad shared a grim reality. “There are humans who hunt us—scientists, the military—seeking our powers and essence. Once they capture a creature, it’s never seen again.”

Rachel was cynical of his warning. She had lived her entire life unaware of her own nature without facing any danger. Why would humans start suspecting her now? “Wouldn’t it make more sense to just blend in, keep living my life as usual?”

“You’re not yet aware of the full extent of your powers or how to control them,” he warned.

His perspective was easy to maintain, given his wealth, while she navigated the financial realities of an average human life. “I need to make money. I’ve got bills,” she reminded him.

“I could buy every one of your paintings,” he proposed, the offer sounding generous but missing the heart of why she painted in the first place.

Tempting as it was, the thought of her work hidden away, never to be admired by others, felt wrong. She responded with a decisive shake of her head, rejecting the idea.

He offered an alternative, “You could work for me.”

The idea of working in his establishment didn’t appeal to her. “And what do you do? Let me guess, you’re a paid mercenary?”

His laughter lightened the mood momentarily. “The king doesn’t pay me; he doesn’t have to. I can’t share more unless you’re in, but I assure you, you’ll be safe with us.”

Despite his assurances, trust was far from established. “Really? After you’ve abducted me, now you’re offering protection?”

“I suppose you are right. It has been a difficult time and I have been focused on my duties for such a long time that you caught me off guard. It would be a wise decision for you to stay, but I will not force you. He rose to his feet. After a brief pause, he reappeared, keys in hand. “Come on, I’ll take you home,” he offered, signalling a truce and perhaps a step towards understanding.