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  “She’s looking out for you. You’re young and beautiful. You should go out more.”

  “No.” I raised my hand in protest. “Not you too, please.”

  “Someday you’ll meet a guy who will rock your world. He’ll ask you out and you’ll barely be able to mutter a yes.”

  “We’ll see,” I said, my mind yearning to meet with Victor in a vision. I missed him so much. I imagined him by my side, drinking coffee before my classes, his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him.

  I glanced at Cheryl. While I imagined Victor with me in real life, I had never seen Cheryl with anyone. During the time I’d known her, she’d never mentioned a boyfriend, or talked about her family and friends. I’d never tried pushing her to tell me though. Who was I to demand the facts of her private life when I didn’t share all of mine with her?

  She stood, bringing me to the present. “I gotta work too, you know. See you later.” After throwing me a kiss she left, strolling through the coffee shop like a famous actress crossing the red carpet.

  I went back to work.

  After attending to some tables, scribbling down orders, and passing along the requests, I returned to the back of the café, inhaling deeply. I loved the strong and rich coffee scent of the place. I was crazy about coffee and blamed my addiction on my mother, who made the best black coffee I’ve ever tasted. She always had a mug ready whenever I wanted one. Because of it, my parents’ kitchen had a permanent coffee aroma. Delicious.

  I peeked out the door. In the front, Adam talked to the girl working the cash register. The manager was out again. I could hide out for a few minutes.

  With my chemistry book under my apron, I sneaked into the dark and humid storage room and closed the door. I shouldn’t be studying during work, but I still had one more exam before I was done with spring semester. I had to study if I wanted to pass organic chemistry this time.

  I opened the book to chapter eight, ready to read about Aliphatic Hydrocarbon. The number eight shined, almost floating off the page. I disregarded it. Another hallucination, probably. I read, trying to concentrate.

  A light stab inside my chest spread like spiderwebs, carrying warmth and a rush of adrenaline down my arms and legs, tingling all over my skin. The world revolved around me, enveloping me in darkness. I blinked and let the pull carry me.

  Butterflies danced in my stomach. What type of vision would this one be? Maybe it would be one of the ones where I was like a ghost, observing Victor’s actions, or one where he interacted with me. I preferred the latter, of course, but I was always happy with the ghost visions too, since I was able to watch over the man who had stolen my heart.

  One simple flicker of my eyes and I found myself transported to the world my visions created. The scene adjusted and I smiled. I was in a candlelit ballroom. Harmonious music came from violins and harps. A beautiful, deep red gown replaced my usual jeans and tee.

  Curious, I touched my hair. Two side braids met at the back of my head. The rest of my long, light brown hair fell loose in soft curls.

  I was here, in the world where Victor existed. I’d made the right choice leaving that psychiatrist’s office. I needed to be with him. Always.

  “Is anything wrong with your hair?” His melodic voice came from behind me.

  My heart flipped furiously. I turned to face him and took in the perfection of his body clad in his black tuxedo, and his honey hair, gelled back to show his face. I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.

  “Hello, my favorite girl.” He flashed one of his award-winning smiles. “How are you?” He came closer and took me in his arms, sweeping me into a dance without asking. He knew he didn’t need to ask.

  It was so easy for him to render me breathless. “I’m better now,” I whispered, falling into step with him, letting him guide me through the ballroom.

  “I’ve missed you.” Serious now, his eyes bored into mine.

  “I’ve missed you too.” I stared up at him, struggling against my own mind so as not to lose myself in his face. He let go of my waist, guiding me through a graceful spin under his arm, then caught me again, pulling me back to press against him.

  “Is your grandmother any better?” I asked.

  Despite the fact that the world in my visions was not real, he had a life and a history in here. The setting where we found each other—a ballroom, atop a mountain, a classroom, a cruise ship, a bistro—changed often, but his daily life remained the same, in a world of his own, inside my mind.

  After nine months having these visions, I didn’t question their authenticity anymore, or why they felt so real and normal. They felt a part of my life, like going to class or work.

  However, his world wasn’t quite perfect. His grandma had stomach cancer, and the diagnosis wasn’t good. She was the only family he had left.

  His face fell a little, but he kept spinning me across the floor. “She woke up better this morning, but the doctors want to transfer her to a larger hospital. One with a specialized cancer center.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “What can I do? If they think the move will be better for her, we’ll go.”

  “That scholarship you were offered to join that school’s research team … It was for cancer research, wasn’t it?” He was finishing his second year of medical school. Three months ago he’d grown excited about the scholarship, but had not accepted the offer. He didn’t want to leave his grandmother alone. At his nod, I added, “You could talk to them.”

  “I already did. I explained the situation and they agreed to take my grandma. We’ll be moving in about ten days.”

  “Good.” I smiled and my breath caught. How could I have thought of leaving? I could never, ever stop having visions with him in them.

  He spun me around once more. “Still, I’ve been worrying.”

  “About your grandma?”

  His brows knitted. “About my purpose,” he said simply, knowing I would understand his words. Since my first vision, Victor had stated his presence had a purpose. He wasn’t here just for my enjoyment. Though, I knew, we barely talked about it. We’d much rather spend quality time together.

  “You don’t know what your purpose is yet.”

  “That’s what worries me,” he said, slowing the pace. “The fact that we don’t know. I’ve been feeling like I should know it already, like I should be acting on it. And that feeling only grows.” He paused, caressing my face with his smooth fingertips, making me shiver. “I feel like something is going to happen. Soon.”

  “Something?” I forced myself to forget his warm, soul-flipping touch and focus on what disquieted him. “You don’t know anything? Not even a clue?”

  “Nope.” He stopped dancing, but his grip around my waist tightened. “I have this feeling.” He paused and put his hand over his chest. “This increasing sensation that we should be ready.” He chuckled, startling me. “Though don’t ask me for what. I don’t know.” Lowering his head, my Prince Charming kissed my forehead. “You will be by my side, won’t you?”

  “You know I will. Always,” I whispered, closing my eyes and relishing the touch of his warm lips.

  “Sing for me?” he asked in a low, husky tone, his warm and fresh breath brushing against my skin. I shivered. “I love it when you sing.”

  “I will.” I wanted to do this for him. Give him this gift of music he loved. I wanted him to feel my love for him through my voice, my singing. I inhaled deeply and prepared my throat to voice his favorite song.

  “Nadine!” My eyes shot open and I let out a yelp. A furious Adam stood before me.

  Oh no, please, I wanted my vision back. I wanted Victor back. I put my hands over my temples and willed my mind to drift away, to go back to my Prince Charming. I tried to force the vision to take over, but I couldn’t control it.

  “What is up with you?” Adam asked.

  This wasn’t the first time he’d found me during an episode. He could tell our manager I had spaced out during work hours. If I wa
sn’t fired today, it would be another day if I continued like this.

  “Nothing.” I hid my chemistry book behind me. Yeah, like Adam would care about my studies after seeing me completely tuned out. “Did you call me?”

  “Yes! These freak shows are getting longer, Nadine. I’ve been calling you for the last ten minutes.”

  “Sorry,” I mumbled. He didn’t know why I tuned out, but based on past experiences, he knew it wasn’t something he needed to worry about and call for help since he had seen me like this a hundred times.

  I stood and took a deep breath. Love and hate were truly only separated by a thin line. I loved having my visions and spending time with Victor, and I hated I couldn’t control when they happened and the inconvenience they caused me.

  “Get back to work before I tell the manager you were hiding.”

  Why he didn’t rat me out and laugh while I got fired, I’d never know. Perhaps because he knew that, like him, I needed the money.

  I left the storage room under his she-is-such-a-freak gaze and went back to waiting tables, planning to study tonight, even if I had to stay awake until morning.

  That is, if a vision didn’t rescue me.

  Chapter Three

  My eyes didn’t betray me. The most perfect, peaceful sky blanketed the hill that lay under it, and a bluish green ocean rolled in fierce waves. A soft breeze blew, bringing the scents of salt water and sweet flowers, and carrying with it the sound of the water breaking on the rocky shore. It was a perfect, magical, Kodak moment, as the older people used to say, and I didn’t have my camera with me.

  Wait. I patted my jeans.

  I had nothing with me. A vision? It felt different. Too clear, too bright, too eerie. And where was Victor?

  My last vision had been almost two weeks ago, and I already missed him. I couldn’t wait to meet him, to talk to him, to feel his touch and warmth, and to tell him I passed organic chemistry. The spring semester was finally over and now was the time to celebrate. With Victor.

  Looking for my Prince Charming, I pivoted, only to see a palace—but not one of stone like those seen in history books. Instead, a palace made of crystal loomed before me. Shimmering. Shiny. Radiant. A step away from my feet, a crystal path wound up the mountain, leading to the palace’s entrance.

  Perhaps Victor was inside? But why would he be inside a palace? Hmm, perhaps he had already organized a celebration for me for passing the semester.

  As I followed the path, I gawked at the palace. Its peculiarity was due in part to the many different structures that composed it: Greek columns, Roman domes, Nordic round towers, Egyptian pylons, English strong walls, Chinese colors, and Islamic ogee arches—all made of shiny crystal.

  I reached the front steps and tilted my head, looking to the upmost point. Suddenly, I felt small, like an ant on a human’s threshold.

  Then I heard voices.

  “Hello? Victor?” Was this a ghost-type vision, or one I could interact with? I hoped not a ghost vision. I missed Victor.

  Twirling a strand of hair around my finger, I went in, following the voices through a high, long corridor to another grand archway. There I froze.

  Five men and five women stood around a circular reflecting pool, right in front of imposing crystal thrones. The sound of their soft steps was overridden by their firm voices. They appeared to be in their forties, clad in modern suits or gowns, each holding intricate, sparkling crystal staves.

  The air around them smelled of flowers. Gardenias. The plants took in several tall, round crystal pots next to the thrones.

  The elegant men and women argued and didn’t seem to be aware of my presence. I let out a slow breath and tension eased from my joints.

  A ghost-type vision. And one without Victor, apparently. How odd. But what did this mean? I tiptoed closer, confident they couldn’t see me. While I was here, I could at least figure out what was going on in the crystal palace.

  “The humans are losing their faith,” one of the males said, his voice melodious and stout. His face was rough, but incredibly beautiful. His dark eyes looked like deep black flames. The orb topping his stave shone with a daunting black light. “They don’t believe in us anymore.”

  “Mitrus is right,” an elegant female spoke. She had black hair that flowed to her knees and skin so pale it was nearly translucent. The color inside the sphere over her stave was purple. “The humans think those Greek or Roman gods are the real ones, when the truth is the opposite.”

  “Not only Greek and Roman gods, Imha,” a man with a goatee and scruffy brown hair added. His white suit was crumpled and his jacket opened. He paraded with a rolling gait, like he rode a horse. A bright red orb topped his stave. “The humans even invented that almighty one god they speak of. The one with a capital G. Soon, we’ll be forgotten.”

  Who were these people? And where the hell was Victor?

  Another man came into view. He was tall, with tanned skin; broad shoulders; long, golden hair; and light green eyes, like two precious demantoid garnets. He had a fine stubble beard that emphasized his chiseled jaw and squared chin. As the others, he looked about forty, but a hot forty, like a famous movie star.

  One of his hands was buried inside his pant pocket while the other gripped his white-orb scepter. His gaze focused on the reflecting pool. “I know, Omi,” he said. His voice was strong, sure, and smooth. “I wish we could do more, but we cannot interfere with their lives.”

  “Nevertheless, we can prove our existence,” Mitrus said. “Think about it, Levi. We need to do something.”

  “We won’t cease to exist, Mitrus.” A graceful woman stood beside Levi, her wavy hair white blond and her eyes clear blue. She held a stave crowned by an orb that emanated baby pink light. “We just need to craft a plan, without exposing ourselves.”

  “I agree with Ceris,” Levi said, taking the woman’s hand. “We should start talking about plans to increase our popularity among humans, get them to believe in us again until they realize the gods they believed in do not exist, and that those gods were myths based on our true existence.”

  Ceris smiled at Levi. “Well said.”

  “Are you blind? We have to punish those puny humans!” Mitrus raised his voice. “They deserve to feel the pain and the hurt they inflict on us for forgetting us! We’re weakening without their belief. We’ll become powerless immortals.”

  “A little chaos.” Imha let out a hollow chuckle that sounded heinous, while playing with her hair. “I like that.”

  “Yes, chaos,” he continued. “And death and destruction until the entire world comes to us, on their knees, begging for our mercy.”

  Wait, what? They were talking about destroying my world? Could my world get any worse? I hoped whatever they were and whatever they were saying was a figment of my imagination, or just another hallucination.

  “Listen to yourself!” Levi let go of Ceris’s hand and faced Mitrus, no fear on his features. “If we scare them, they won’t trust us. We have to help them, bring them joy, show them that every hard time will be compensated.”

  “I don’t want their trust,” Mitrus exclaimed, fisting his hands. My stomach clenched. Was it just me, or had the crystal walls shook? “I want their reverence, their obedience.”

  “You won’t get those without their trust and respect,” Levi said, his voice low, but embedded with steel.

  “Only you care about their respect,” Mitrus shouted.

  “Of course I care about their respect.” The muscles on Levi’s neck corded and bunched. “You should too. Every good thing in life comes with respect. Civilization can be organized and just only if people respect each other.”

  “I don’t know how you can be in charge,” Mitrus spat between gritted teeth. “You’re weak and pitiful, like the humans.”

  “I think it’s time for a change in our leadership,” Imha suggested with a wicked smile. The cruelty of it, added to the ardent shine in her eyes, sent goose bumps over my arms. I embraced myself as if I could p
rotect me from her.

  “You know it’s not that simple,” Levi said, letting his shoulders droop. “Being the leader is not my preferred pastime, but it is one I take seriously. I’m the balance between us. If we change that balance, the whole world will change.”

  “Not a bad idea,” Mitrus murmured. With a sudden but subtle movement, he cast a shadowy bolt of energy at Levi. The bolt hit the god in the chest, and from the impact, Levi fell on the crystal steps.

  I gasped. Ceris cried out, but Imha laughed.

  Before I could blink, Levi was on his feet again, holding a white bolt in his palms. “We are immortals, Mitrus. We cannot die. Why waste time with foolish fights? It’ll only slow the important decisions.”

  “Perhaps we can die,” Mitrus said in a controlled tone. Imha and Omi came to stand beside him. “Perhaps we need the right weapon.”

  Together, one after another, the three of them hurled heavy black bolts toward Levi. I shouted for them to stop, disregarding the fact they couldn’t see or hear me.

  My pulse quickened. Damn it, I was in the middle of a fight, and there was nothing I could do about it. There was no way I could interrupt it. Why the hell had I entered this palace in the first place?

  Ceris tried to protect Levi, but was flung back several feet. Levi had been disarmed. Each new assault hindered his attempts to stand.

  She ran to him, waving her stave, casting what seemed to be a magic wall around Levi, giving him enough time to sit up and take a deep, shuddering breath.

  “Come on, love. Respond.” Ceris rested her hand on his shoulder.

  He stood. “Stop it, Mitrus. We’re just wasting our stamina. You know these bolts don’t hurt.”

  “But they annoy and weaken.” Mitrus took out a black spike from his pocket. The spike had sharp ends, like a stake, and was no more than ten inches long, with carvings that shone white.

  Levi gaped at Mitrus. “You didn’t.”

  “I did.” Mitrus held the spike between his hands and squeezed. As if he summoned power, his palms turned bright red. The ruby glow transferred to the spike, its carvings now shining. Mitrus threw it at Levi.