Chapter Four

Prophecy

I was standing on a precipice looking up at a blood red sky.  Two blue eyes glowed between black clouds staring down at me. 

“Orianna the choice you have made will only lead to death.”

“My death?” I yelled up at those eyes.

“Yours or that of ones you love.  Seki, Ceara, your family…however, it must be.  Destiny has begun to unfold.  The prophecy must be played out.  Let destiny guide you and be careful.  A secret you long to hear will be heard but for a price.”

“What do you mean?” The eyes began to fade.  “No!  Don’t go!  Tell me what you mean!”  Bright red lights surrounded me with loud thunderous roars.  I cried out for Seki but there was no one there.  I felt the lights go stronger until it felt like my head would explode.

I grabbed on to whatever was next to me and held on for dear life.  Someone was shaking me, touching my face, calling my name.  My eyes were blurry with tears but I was able to make out Seki.  I let out a sob and clutched his arms.

“It was her…she told me horrible things.  She told me someone would die.” I could barely understand myself due to my sobbing, but I couldn’t calm down, I only hoped he would understand.  “Oh Goddess, Seki someone’s going to die!  Ceara, Seki…someone!” He frowned at me.

“Ori…who?  Who said this?” I choked back another sob.

“The Goddess.  She told me to leave the courts years ago now she says going back will cause a death.” I was beginning to calm down but my voice was still shaky.  Seki cradled me against his chest, whispering soothing words in a different language.  He had used the language before, in our days at court. 

I covered my mouth with my hand.  I had said too much.  I couldn’t tell him anymore, later I would tell him it was just a nightmare.  I only hoped he would believe me.

“Ori—“ before he could finish his sentence I cut him off.

“It’s alright.  I’m okay.  I just have a headache.”

“Do you want to sleep?”

“No.” I said it a little snappier than I had hoped.  “I’ve had enough sleep.  What time is it?”

“Two-thirty.  The Queen and Doyle went back to court they asked me to stay.”

“Why did they leave?” He shrugged.

“Legal matters.  They asked that you join them after your dinner tonight.” My eyes widened a bit.

“That’s a half-days flight from here.”  Seki reached over to the nightstand and picked up a piece of paper.  Mother had sent back her private jet.

“She left us the flight information too.” I sighed.  Being Sidhe I didn’t really care for being in the air.  Using my own wings was one thing but using technology…that did not sound very appealing.  Especially in America, people taking planes and crashing them into buildings.  Crazy assess.  What made it worse was this is MY state.  I love New York and they messed with MY state.  Humans…how stupid.

“What?” Seki tilted his head to look in my eyes.  “You had a serious look on your face.”

“Just thinking.”

“Not afraid to fly are you?” I smacked his arm.  He winced in mock pain then grinned. 

“Don’t be daft.” I looked around the room.  “So what shall we do before dinner?” He looked at me a little confused.

“You want to do something with me?” I laughed at his comment.

“Don’t be absurd, of course I want to do something with you.” His eyes brightened.  When we were young I had always treated Seki as an equal but apparently in my absence he went back to feeling unimportant.  It made me wonder what exactly Doyle’s been telling him about me. 

“I’ve always wanted to see Strawberry Fields.” I grinned at him.  He was almost like a child asking permission to explore. 

“Strawberry Fields it is.  We’ll have to take a cab it’s a little far.  I’ll call for one while you get dressed.” He looked down at himself as if he just noticed that he had no shirt on, then grinned and pushed his chest out.

“I can’t go like this?” He moved so that I would be completely aware of how incredibly sexy he was.  I smiled and shook me head.

“No love, there’s a rule here about indecent exposure.”  With that I left the room and called a taxi.  I could have used my car but I didn’t want to waste the gas.  That and I’ve never been in a taxicab in the three years I’ve been here.  This was the perfect excuse to take one. 

The cab had arrived by the time Seki walked out of the room.  They must have had one close to us.  It took about twenty minutes to get to central park because the streets were blessedly free of traffic.  The driver had made a comment about how cute of a couple Seki and I made.  We just grinned at each other.

We walked around Strawberry Fields taking in the serenity of the park and talked.  The hour passed quickly before it was time to go back to my apartment and get ready for dinner.  This time it took us thirty-five minutes to return because traffic was starting to pick.

I fumbled through my closet wondering what to wear then decided on an emerald green quarter-sleeve shirt and a short black skirt with black strappy high heal shoes.  I’d managed to not tear the hose when I put them on.  When I was finished dressing I walked out into the living room, gliding gracefully in the heels.  Most women with legs as long as mine couldn’t move very gracefully in high heels but I had been taught how to.  When you’re a princess you have to act and move like one.

I could feel Seki’s eyes moving over my body as I walked through the room.  I acted like I was unaware of his staring.

 “You look amazing.” I turned as he said it.  He was smiling at me in a way that was all too familiar.  Even though to the Sidhe ignoring someone when they’re trying to be attractive is considered an insult, Seki’s complement was completely honest. 

I smiled at him, looking him over.  He had put on white t-shirt and black jeans.  He was wearing the same brown hiking boots and black trench coat.  His hair was tightly pulled back behind him so no strands would fall.

“You don’t even have to try to look sexy.” I moved my eyes down his body as I said it, showing him that I loved the view.  When my eyes met him I smiled coyly.  His smile slipped at little as if he were surprised by my actions.  It only made me smile more.  I couldn’t keep up the serious act for long so I only ended up laughing.  He shook his head and smiled.

“You are ridiculous.” He walked toward me shaking his finger at me.  Outside a horn honked and we knew that Anita was here.  He looked out the window then back to me.  “Should we leave?” I grabbed his hand and started out the door.  I locked it behind us then started down the hall.  I paused, looking back at my apartment door.  I pushed more power into the wards I had up on my door.  Somehow I had this feeling that I should make all of my wards stronger. 

I never let go of Seki’s hand while we walked to the car.  Anita had brought Jean-Claude as I hoped she would.  Now I wouldn’t feel so bad about bringing Seki.  We had decided on Italian and ended up in a lovely little Italian restaurant called the Faccia Luna. 

When a hostess asked how many, I had said four and Seki had been surprised.  He hadn’t thought he’d be sitting with us.  Although where else would he go?

By the time we were finishing up dinner the subject had been brought up about last night.  Though there was nothing to say about it I tried to explain.  She listened attentively while I told her my story.  Finally I told her about my leaving tonight.

“Have you told Bryce?” It was all she said.  I knew that there was something more she wanted to ask me but she with held.

“I’m calling him when I get home.  I still have to pack.”

“Short notice don’t you think?” I looked down not wanting to see what was in her eyes.

“It’s an emergency or so my mother says.  I shouldn’t be gone too long.” I looked up to see her nod.  I looked over at Jean-Claude who had said very little during dinner except to make little remarks that held double meanings that did not make Anita happy.  After the last remark Anita started ignoring him and he looked perfectly content.  Vampires are just odd.

We finished dinner I paid, despite Anita’s protests, and we headed for my apartment.  When we arrived Seki and I got out said our goodbyes and watched them drive off.

When we got upstairs Seki made me let him open the door.  There was nothing there, nothing was disturbed.  I had been paranoid for nothing.  I walked inside and headed straight for the phone.  I dialed Bryce’s number and let it ring.  I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to tell him, maybe family emergency?  It’s half true.

Bryce was my boss of two years.  He was the one who interviewed me for the job and hired me on the spot.  He was unmarried and didn’t have a significant other.  We became friends immediately.  It felt horrible to lie to him but it was necessary.

“Hello?”  Bryce’s voice interrupted my thinking and my mind went suddenly blank.

“Shit…um Bryce.  It’s Ori.” I felt like a complete moron.

“Something up?” I sighed.  I had lied to him about who I was.  I had even taken him to my bed a couple of times and he still didn’t know who I am.  How could I explain now what was going on?

“Yeah I have a family emergency.  I have to go…home.” There was a pause on the other line.

“Home?  I didn’t even know you had family.” I bit my lip.

“I…I just…I’m going to be gone for a few days, hopefully only two days.” He paused again.

“Come home safely Ori.” I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding and nodded, forgetting that he couldn’t see me.

“I will.” It was all I said, it was all I could say.  I heard a click on the other line and knew he had hung up.  I put down the receiver and thought.  He always did trust me.  I was grateful for that but I felt like I owed him more.

Seki didn’t comment on my mood after that we were quiet as I packed.  I only packed for three days, that’s as long as I’m staying.  Now I felt worse about leaving.  I had lied to everyone I had come to know as friends here and now I as leaving them. 

Chapter Five: A Journey Home

Chapter Three: A stranger in the Midst

Story Home

Home

Copyrights:  This is a fan fiction.  All original characters from Laurell K. Hamilton's Fae series are hers and hers alone (too many to count sorry) this includes the Anita Blake series.  All characters that weren't in her original series are MINE and I will kick any one's ass that steals them.