Free Betrayal by Mayandree Michel Page B

return.” He looked me intently in the eyes, and this time I was swallowed up by the cobalt abyss, and felt the need to bolt out of the room, but my legs failed me.
    “Ok, great, nice to meet you, Evander . The crazy thing is… I can only remember you from a dream.”
    “Don’t fret, you will remember me.” Evan said, with a halfsmile that brightened the entire room.
    “The temperature is rising,” Nikolas said, anxiously to Evan. “Ares must be proud of his last descendant.” Nikolas added as he marched to the other end of the chaise and stood by the large windows as if it were cooler there.
    “Yes, well it doesn’t take much to perk Ares’ interest. A little violence keeps everything balanced, according to him. Victor has indeed pleased him.” Evan said with a light chuckle. His broad smile was infectious and Nikolas chortled along with him.
    “Gentlemen, Victor is producing more heat than usual, and at a faster rate.” Bethany’s voice quivered. “He and his disciples must be on the hill.
    We must leave now .”
    “I can feel the heat as well.” Evan said, calmly.

    “Who is Victor?” I directed my question to Bethany, and suddenly recalled the name from my dream. Could he be the same Victor, whose pack of beastly wolves chased Evan and I through the forest? Whoever he was, they seemed to fear him. Bethany completely ignored my question.
    “Bethany?” I said, pleading to her with my eyes to answer me. She looked away as Evan began to speak.
    “Nikolas, assure that our departure is successful before you transport.” Evan said. It sounded like an order.
    “No!” Bethany said, in a harsh wail. “Nikolas can't stay behind, no one should. Evan, we must all leave together.” Bethany was adamant about not leaving her brother behind. Her hands were unsteady, and her normally tanned face became chalky. The heat continued to build drastically, and could actually be seen in waves as if the room was engulfed in flames. Any human being would’ve been burnt ashes in the wind like leaves in a bonfire floating up into the sky.
    I wondered how they were able to sustain this turkey roast as I stood in the center of them, feeling trapped in a three point cell. They conversed amongst each other as if I wasn’t there. All of a sudden, I felt a wave of fear and panic wash over me like a bucket of frigid water being poured over my head. Where were they taking me? Before I could ask, Nikolas spoke up.
    “It's alright,” Nikolas said, smiling and winking at Bethany. “I can handle it.” Nikolas nodded in agreement with Evan then peeked through the window curtains as if he suspected a prowler lurking by.
    Shockingly, Bethany jolted across the room. She moved like static, quicker than the flap of a bee’s wings. She kept the same stance, and was now standing directly behind Nikolas. Sensing someone behind him, Nikolas spun around to face her. His expression was softened by her presence before him. Nikolas reached down, and brushed the subtle roundness of Bethany’s cheek with the back of his large hand. He traced her jaw line with his fingertip. Bethany wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. He lowered his neck, and she whispered something into his ear that provoked smiles to emerge across their faces. I gasped when she kissed him. It was a kiss that lovers shared – long, passionate, and familiar, and I felt like I was intruding by watching them, in shock might I add.
    Evan picked up on the look of astonishment on my face. “Bethany is my sister, not Nikolas’,” he said, confirming my earlier suspicions regarding their contrasting looks. I had always wondered and thought it peculiar that Bethany and Nikolas didn’t share one physical characteristic. Nikolas and I favored each other more than he and Bethany did. Although Nikolas’ smooth coppery tone made Bethany’s tan complexion appear pale. His long wavy hair, which extended down his back, and always wore in a ponytail, reminded