5

CHAPTER FIVE

Julia

“Do you think there’s anything off about Steve?” I ask Mom as we walk down the clothing aisle.

“Wrong? What do you mean?” She frowns.

“I don’t know. He has a unique relationship with the boys, doesn’t he? They’re so afraid of him.” I point out.

“I don’t know, Julia. I don’t think so. Maybe he’s a bit stern with the boys, but so what? Those boys are very stubborn. Why do you even care? Don’t tell me you like them now.” She accuses, and my eyes widen.

“What?” I flush hard. “No, no, no, absolutely not. I don’t. I don’t like them. Fuck – no, why would you even ask a question like that!”

“Julia!” She gasps, stunned. “You like your brothers! That is wonderful.”

I don’t respond. I think I might like my brothers too much. I’ve been here for four days now, and for the past three days, they’ve not spoken to me or even looked at me. I was polite. I was nice, but they ignored me, so I stopped trying, only for me to start dreaming about them. Dreaming about them! The dirtiest, filthiest dreams. Oh God.

Thankfully, Mom drops it, and we get everything I need for school. We are at the counter, when I remember something, so I run back to the shoes aisle, and thankfully find the pair I need.

I turn around, only to bump into a woman.

“Easy there, sweet.” She smiles, steadying before I fall.

“Thank you.” I smile at her, then look at her hair. She has hair like mine, almost the same shade, which is weird, but I brush it off. I nod at her and turn to leave when she stops me.

“I’m sorry, but are you new here?” She frowns, and I nod, “Yeah, my mom and I moved here less than a week ago. Why?”

She shakes her head, “Nothing, you just look like someone I know.”

Weird, but I offer my hand, “I’m Julia. What’s your name?”

She grasps my hand, gasps in shock, and throws her head backwards. Her whole body starts convulsing and she starts to chant loudly. Wind howls and blows things off the hanger. She holds me tightly.

Ye who is chosen has crossed the divide,

To a land not hers, where the dead gods hide.

The world has shifted, the seals undone,

From ash and flame, let Hell be born.

Seek the Father, the soil, the thread,

What binds the living to what is dead?

For evil stirs where the sun won’t rise,

And shadow sharpens behind your eyes.

The weight of ages bends your spine,

This war is yours, but not by design.

You will not stand, nor fall, alone,

Blood will answer blood unknown.

This battle grants what your heart demands,

Yet takes far more than it ever plans.

The Father lives; remember this truth,

But fear the one who claims you as proof.

Child of power, of ancient breath,

Born from lineage, married to death.

They will hunt you. The hour ignites.

Stand, Julia.

Fight.

Fight.

I gasp in terror and jerk backwards.

She falls to the ground, and her eyes are bloodshot.

I look around, but nothing is amiss. There’s no wind. No clothes all around, nothing out of the ordinary. I turn back to her, but she is gone, taking with her all the answers I need.

My whole body is trembling. Maybe she was drunk or high, because nothing she said made any sense.

I couldn’t have imagined all that, could I?

With trembling legs, I walk back to the counter and find my mom waiting.

“Oh, that’s quick,” She smiles, and I’m so confused. Quick? What the hell is going on? What has happened to me? Did I lose time, too?

“Are you okay, honey?” She asks, and I nod, impatient to get home, and try to write down anything I can.

“I’m good.” I lie.

We get in my car, and I drive us home. I run up the stairs and lock my door, pretending to be tired. Then, I get a book, pen, and try to write down the woman’s prophecy. After that, I sit on the be, and try to understand it line by line. Maybe it means nothing, but maybe it does.

Ye who is chosen has crossed the divide – What does this mean? Crossed the divide?

To a land not hers, where the dead gods hide. – To a land not mine, well, this is a new city, but it means nothing, right? The dead gods don’t hide here. This doesn’t even seem like a religious place.

The world has shifted, the seals undone – I have no idea.

From ash and flame, let Hell be born – Hopefully, hell won’t be reborn.

Exhausted and confused, I fall asleep, but I don’t find the comfort I need. Instead, I wake up in a field of roses. I look around, trying to understand, but I’m all alone.

“Come to me.”

I hear, turn around and see a figure moving closer, a man. My heart pounds as he closes the gap between us, moving closer and closer. I scream and fall.

I should be awake, but I’m not. I’m in a different dream, or should I say nightmare.

Silas and Sebastain are standing before me, and naked.

My lower belly tightens in pleasure as I reach for them.

Sebastian wraps his hand around my throat and smashes his mouth on mine.

Silas fall to his knees before me. He places on leg on his shoulder and slowly run his tongue over my core, licking away the wetness.

“Oh, fuck, Silas, Sebastian.” I don’t even know what to say as they mess with my head.

My whole body writhes in pleasure as Silas slides in two fingers. I arch my back and wake up immediately.

My forehead is beaded in sweet. My panties are slick. My heart is pounding and I am not alone.

Silas and Sebastian are in my room.

Sebastian is holding the book with the prophecy.

“What the fuck is this!” He demands.