Betrayal by Mayandree Michel

again. “Our kind is persecuted by entities with limitations to their power, those who thirst for more, for the ultimate, for your power, Cordelia. This is why you were sent far into the future. It was primarily a safety precaution.”
    “Unfortunately that couldn’t be helped.” Bethany added.
    “By entities, do you mean Victor? He’s the gargoyle, right?” I asked as my voice quivered as if the gargoyle boy was in the room with us.
    The name and its weight hung in the air.
    “Yes, but unfortunately he is one in many.” I didn't like the sound of that. That sounded like no possible escape.
    “Victor is pure evil!” Bethany said with conviction. “And why hasn't Nikolas returned yet?” She asked changing the subject.
    “Bethany, please.” Evan pleaded. “You’re scaring her.”
    “I’m ok, I don’t scare that easily.” I tried to sound brave but I was shaken.
    “I'm sorry, Cordelia, but Nikolas should have returned by now.” Bethany apologized minus the conviction. I had forgotten that Nikolas had stayed behind to guard our departure.
    “Nikolas is both wise and incredibly strong. He can handle himself. Have faith.” Evan tried reassuring Bethany who still had a worried look painted on her face.

    Evan continued with a sigh. “Bethany is correct. Victor is of the purest evil. He is the strongest of a small army of devoted disciples. Victor has steadily built his army and controls them for the sole purpose of garnishing your power, and possibly destroying the earth in order to stake his claim on it. He wants to be the Emperor of the Ischeros.”
    “He’s an Ischeros too?” I asked, shocked.
    “No, but he used to be. I’ll tell you more about that later.” Evan promised.
    I tried to calm my nerves before I asked Evan the question that I was afraid to hear the answer too. I felt moisture suddenly form on my forehead. I went from ice cold to hot in a matter of seconds. “Did Victor kill me in the future?”
    Evan stared at me for a brief moment. I wasn't sure if he was going to answer the question. He looked perplexed. Didn't I have a right to know?
    “Yes, he drove the car that killed you. He wanted and needed your soul but he only had twenty – four hours to abduct you.”
    “But why me?”
    “You because you are the strongest that has ever been of our kind. Without your soul the gateway to your powers, he can never do the damage that he desires to do.” He explained. “We are immortal and can never truly die. We can always be revived.”
    “And that’s what you did to me? But when?” I asked.
    “I revived you through the passage of time.”
    “This is incredible.” I mumbled to myself.
    “Is it?” Evan asked.
    “Of course it is. You’re speaking of mythological beings and immortality. No one could grasp such absurdity.”

“Absurd?” Bethany cut me off. “And you? Do you think immortality is absurd or that we’re absurd?” Bethany asked, with a detectible edge to her tone.
    “I don’t know what to think. I mean come on Bethany; it’s all too…much.” I said. Bethany stood with her icy blue eyes fixed on my face for a second. She didn’t appear angry, just frustrated with me.
    Evan interrupted Bethany’s stare down. “Victor wasn’t able to obtain your soul in time because he lost track of you.” Evan said clearing his throat.
    He watched me and took my silence as a sign to continue. “We are Ischeros. It will take a lot more than a jeep to end your life. You’ll remember in time, once your memory is restored.” He promised, as he rubbed my hand gently then let it go.
    I was too dazed to even nod. No one said a word for a moment. Something else was troubling me. “Ok, so I was born in 1875, and I’m still seventeen, right.”
    “Yes. We, the Ischeros physically age yearly through our early teens.” Evan explained. “Then we begin aging gradually by the decade for the remaining years of our lives. This dilatory process begins at eighteen.” He appeared to