Hands of Fate: Eros and Sarafina
By AJ Penstarr
SMASHWORDS EDITION
ISBN# 978-0-615-49815-7
Published By: AJ Penstarr on Smashwords
@Copyright 2010 by AJ Penstarr
Smashwords.com
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Author’s Note
A special thanks go out to my friends and family for believing in me enough to make Eros and Sarafina possible. I couldn’t have done it without you!!
Please visit my website: AJPENSTARR.COM for further updates on the next book in the ‘Fate’ series.
Prologue
High upon Mt. Olympus in the tower of life sat the three fates, Clotho the spinner of life-thread, Lachesis the measurer of life-thread, and Atropos the cutter of life-thread. It was a day that started out like any other. There they sat weaving the lives of mortals and gods alike, secure in the knowledge that not even the most powerful were willing to challenge them.Gazing at the great tapestry of life, they were drawn to a much favored golden thread, Eros the primal god of love. They had watched his golden thread with an interest and almost loving pride. The Fates were feared and despised by many, Eros had been one of the few that had shown them respect and kindness. Though they knew he would face many challenges, they also knew that he would one day change the foundation on which Olympus itself was built.
Continuing to gaze upon the tapestry, they marveled at the golden work of art and the web of lives it held. A few would kill for the information it contained, but many more would kill to change it. Luckily only the Fates could read it.
The gods alone had golden life-threads due to their immortality, while mortal life-threads were a kaleidoscope of colors. The golden threads that were intertwined represent the life thread of mated gods, which was rare and hadn’t happened in a millennia. More commonly there were life threads that would run side by side representing the arranged marriages of the gods. And those marriages were loveless unions forced upon those gods by Zeus himself. A unique case being the brilliant life thread of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Her life thread shined brightly from the tapestry of life because it was intertwined with one life thread while running side by side with another. This anomaly was created by Zeus himself. It was said that Aphrodite’s beauty caused such havoc on Olympus that Zeus prevented a war by marrying her to the grotesque god of fire, Hemothus. But unbeknownst to Zeus, she had already secretly mated with Ares the god of war.
Hemothus was well known for his underhandedness and uncontrollable rages. He had believed that he was despised because of his hideous face, but his repulsive nature had mirrored what was so easily on display. Hemothus had gloated in the knowledge that he had been given such a beautiful prize, but his glee was short lived once he realized that her heart and body would never belong to him. That honor would only go to Ares. Ares had refused to let Aphrodite go even though he knew they would never be mated in the eyes of Zeus and all of Olympus had turned a blind eye to their bold choice.
From Ares and Aphrodite’s union had sprung seven offspring. The first was their son Eros the primal god of love. With the birth of each child, Hemothus’ rage grew until had been consumed with thoughts of revenge. He began to plot his revenge by any means he felt necessary. Since he could not openly challenge Ares and win, he sought to use Aphrodite’s love for her children.
Hemothus knew they would be his way to bring a sick sense of justice. He despised her children because they represented all of what he would never have, especially the first born, Eros. From the time Eros was born, he was the center of his mother’s affection. Hemothus had made sure to keep his true feelings well hidden every time he had gazed upon the perfectly formed child. Few knew that Aphrodite was not his in the truest sense, but when she had given birth to Eros, his anger had taken root and continued to grow as he felt the knowing and contemptuous eyes of other gods labeling him a cuckold. As Eros came of age, Hemothus plotted different ways to get rid of Eros without success for the most part, until he’d thought of a most perfect plot. A plot he knew well…a plot he himself was very familiar with: a plot that no one would see coming. His opportunity came in the form of Ate, goddess of discord. Everyone knew of her fickleness, but Eros seemed to be blinded by her fiery beauty. Hemothus had made note of Eros’ interest in the little known goddess and sought to use the information to his advantage.
All had witnessed Eros’ folly at the hands of Ate. She had managed to make the god of love fall in love with her only to throw his love away by accusing him of an unspeakable crime to save herself from Zeus’ wrath. The fates watched the drama play out helpless to stop any of it, because they were forbidden to interfere with anyone’s fate.
Continuing to look at the great tapestry, Lachesis gasped. “Sisters, look!” Clotho and Atropos followed further along the golden life-thread of Eros and saw the intertwining violet life-thread. A mortal? “I knew it!” exclaimed Clotho joining her melodious voice in harmony with her sisters. “You knew this was going to occur sister?” Lachesis asked. “Yes. We all knew he was not really in love with the treacherous Ate’.” Clotho knowingly stated as she moved closer to peer at the shimmering violet life-thread. “Hmmm.” Atropos inwardly sighed as the true ramifications of what this meant played in her mind. No mortal had ever been to Mt. Olympus. Most gods saw mortals as mere playthings to be used and tossed aside. Eros being mated to a mortal was going to cause a ripple throughout the realm. Looking at the start of the violet life-thread again, they saw a name form. Sarafina Daniels. So this was to be the name that would cause such a stir? “It has begun sisters.” Clotho said, looking knowingly at her sisters as they silently acknowledge the spy in their mist. The small, pure white dove would return to its mistress, Aphrodite to secure the beginnings of the future of Eros and his love.
****
Eros Demetros had not experienced strong emotion in over three hundred years. He gathered himself shaking off the last effects of transporting by way of his cloaking powers and stood at the entrance of the great hall of Olympus. The strange and unwelcome weight of emotions settled on his broad muscular shoulders causing the handmade material of his shirt to stretch as he briefly tensed at the sensation. Scanning the great hulking columns of ivory marble veined with gold, memory washed over him as he thought of some of the treacherous and fickle beings that rest within such splendor.
His youth had been spent amongst the gods he had seen the best and the worst of what they had to offer. As a child he had been subjected to the cold dislike of Hemothus, the fire god. The fact that Hemothus was mated to his mother, Aphrodite had made it near to impossible to miss the fact that he clearly wanted nothing to do with him or his siblings. At first it was very subtle, but as time went by Hemothus’ rage had become a living breathing thing. The older he got the more things became clear to him. The rumors had been hard to miss about Ares and his mother, but a chance meeting with the god of war had dispelled those rumors to be the truth. Ares was indeed his father. It almost made him pity Hemothus knowing that he was married to a woman that could never love him and that Eros himself along with his siblings were the fruit of another man. His pity however ceased to exist when he thought of the cruelty that Hemothus had shown towards them all and the sorrow filled look that seem to always be a shadow in his mother eyes. As complications went it was the mother of all of them and he for one had wanted no part of it. He had lived a life of excess before coming into his powers to distance himself from the pain.
Once he started coming into his powers, he had reached out to his true father for much needed guidance to help him. With the exception of cloaking, all of Eros’ newfound abilities were unique to him alone. Aphrodite had tried to fill the void by helping to perfect his power of soul fusion as the god of love, but had not understood the other special blend of powers he had been given and how to hone them. She had been reluctant to bring Ares in the picture so publicly, but an incident had forced her hand.
It had been in the defense of his brother Constantine that his deadliest power had been born, the Nexus. The power of the Nexus had rushed through his body in a raw explosion as he held up his hand to defend his brother from approaching flame that Hemothus had unleashed. The surge of energy had added to the network of scars to mar Hemothus’ already disfigured body. For once, he had looked upon Eros with a new emotion: fear. After the Nexus had manifested itself, she knew that only Ares was geared to develop and refine Eros abilities. That had been a turning point in Eros’ life. He no longer had to cower in fear of his stepfather. Eros had officially become a real threat.
His relationship with his true father Ares had been the thing to save him and had afforded him some peace. Eros had developed a focused confidence that allowed him to block out all outside distractions by honing his powers and disciplining his emotions. Ares had taught him the art of war and had made him see the possibility of blending his keen ability of thought transference as a strategy with his powers as the god of love. Eros had grown under his tutelage and had honed his abilities well. Thought transference had allowed him to move easily through any living beings thoughts without being detected. That ability had been very handy when routing opponents in the battles he had fought in with Ares as well as fusing his charges with their perfect counterparts. It had also made it possible to play many pranks in his youth on his brothers and sister much to the dismay of his mother and irritation of Hemothus. He shook his head in part annoyance and resignation because despite all his powers he had still secretly longed for the public acknowledgement from Ares as his father. Instead he had to accept his training as any other student under his leadership. He had understood why it could never happen, but he had longed for it all the same. It had been a torture of the worst kind. Or so had had thought. He’d been content in the ignorance of his youth to take it for granted that things couldn’t get any worst.
As he continued to walk he passed a great fountain and his eyes clouded with memories of his past and how he’d made a fool of himself so long ago. His full sensual lips pulled into a tight line in remembrance of his folly with the goddess Ate’. Eros had been train in the mating of mortals, but had brushed aside the warning about the mating of the gods. It was well known that the gods were forbidden to mate unless it was approved by Zeus himself. From the great to the less well known gods, they were all subject to this rule. When Eros had first seen Ate’, he had been so enthralled with her beauty, that he had carelessly thrown caution to the wind and fallen hard for her charms. He had finally felt free of the intrigues of his birth and had grown cocky enough to disregard every warning he had been given. His ‘so called’ love was one sided and he had neatly walked into the trap Hemothus had so cleverly laid for him with Ate’s help. He had given into his lust for Ate’ perfectly displayed charms with no thought to the consequences when he had not been the first to sample her charms. She lured him to the palisade house where some had been known to a have lovers tryst. She had said that she craved variety so he had willing went along with it all. Recalling the details of that night never felled to make him want to destroy something. Ate had fanned the flames of his lusts higher than ever before only to rake her nails into the skin of his cheek and scramble away screaming in horror. He had not understood the swift change due to the sensual fog he was in until it was much too late. Her screaming had brought everyone pouring into the room where they had been to stare at the damning scene unfold. Even he had to admit looking back that it was a performance worthy of an Oscar.
They had been brought before the hall of gods and he had stood silently in both shock and anger while Ate had told a convincing tale steeped in lies. Ate’s accusations of rape had flowed and the news had swiftly traveled Olympus like a brush fire. Hemothus had stepped forward to back up her claim as well. Eros had known when he saw the cunning look on his face that he had been set up. When Zeus had asked if it was true, Eros had stood there in silence knowing that no matter what he said to defend himself that he would be punished. He had stood in suspended shock and horror as he was banished to earth. Even though he was not guilty of the crime for which he was being accused, shame had infused him as he witnessed the sorrow on his mother’s face.
Since then, he’d spent his time in the mortal realm away from the call of Olympus and the memories it still held. That distance had allowed him to detach himself from the cold anger that had filled him that day so long ago, but he still lacked the ability to trust completely.
Upon occasion he would cloak himself to pay visits to Aphrodite. It was upon these visits to his mother that he would feel the pull of regret upon seeing his father’s private sanctuary in the short distance away from the main palace of the gods. Even now after all these years with a full understanding of the politics of Olympus, he still felt an unreasonable anger at the events of those early days.
In the end, he had chosen to still fulfill his godly duty amidst mortals while putting a tight leash on the secret contempt that had grown in his heart. Disgrace would sometimes fill him to think of Aphrodite’s disappointment if she knew the truth of his inner most feelings and the sterile and detached approach he took when it came to his duties as the god of love. He knew she would be disappointed. So, on visits he kept the pretense firmly in place so she would not suspect the truth. He knew she had suffered enough with knowing that all of her children had left Olympus to get away the open contempt and mistreatment of Hemothus. He would not spoil her bit of happiness he knew his visits brought. The incident with Ate’ had served a purpose after all in making Aphrodite believe that he stayed on earth to distance himself from those painful memories.
On earth throughout the centuries, while he had utilized his powers to aid in helping others find their true soul mates he had dibbled in various ventures in software technologies. That is how the Jupiter Interface was born. He had used the emerging technology to create a system that allowed his power of soul fusion to see his charges. He created a divide between the mortal domain and godly persona to hone his superior strategic mind in navigating the corporate world by building his own empire with interests that spanned the globe. Currently he had headquarters on every continent and was at the forefront in the tech world. But he had not done it alone. Constantine had joined him and had helped him tremendously. The Lexx served as Eros’ eyes, and ears to help expedite and ensure that both sides of LexxCorp ran smoothly to return a tidy profit. They were the earthbound counterparts to Aphrodite’s Doves. The Lexx had been a gift from his mother in the early days. Since then, the Lexx had become invaluable to him. While on earth, the Lexx had in turn become a great mortal lineage in their time of service to Eros that consisted of men and women turning the one into many who had spread to every corner of the world.
Currently, there were seven Lexx chiefs he had appointed to be head of each branch of his various business interests both mortal and god-bound. Since his brother Constantine had followed him to the earth realm, he had appointed him as head of the Lexx. Constantine had always been at his side from the very beginning and he had made Eros’ exile easier to bear over the years by tempering his soul fusion of mortals. Eros had found that even though he matched a mortal, there was no guarantee that it would last. Constantine’s power of completion assured a greater chance of the match being a true one. Constantine seemed to have a special ability with the Lexx as well. Together, they ran LexxCorp like a well oiled machine with success after success in their wake. Unfortunately, lately Eros had begun to grow restless with the ease of his existence. Something was missing. Over the centuries, while he had learned to embrace the lack of love in his life it had been enough to help others with his powers. Thoughts were creeping in at quiet moments leaving faint echoes of emotion creating waves of restlessness that he could not seem to fill no matter how hard he tried. In the past he had filled the void with the mortal fascination of fast cars and even faster women. He had remained unmoved by any of his liaisons with mortal women, but his guilty pleasure of vintage cars remained intact. Some emotions were no great loss, but some he distantly remembered had a purpose. Shrugging off his morose thoughts, he entered the bright and airy rooms that housed Aphrodite’s living quarters on Olympus. Passing between the sheer materials hanging from the high white ceilings, he came to a great wall of windows and spied through the glass a group of women kneeling in the grass as the warm, bright rays of the Olympian sun shined down upon their golden skin and hair in various vivid shades while tending the rambling garden that was his mothers pride and joy.
Recognizing one honey blond head of curls in particular a fond smile curved his lips with a brief showing of his perfect white teeth. “Good afternoon, Mother”, He called out in his deep timbre as he passed through the tall bank of glass doors. From her kneeling position in the mist of the many vines and blooms, Aphrodite, the goddess of love raised her beautiful face upon hearing the familiar masculine voice and smiled in greeting to her eldest beloved son. Shaking out the folds of her emerald green chiton, Aphrodite stood and immediately reached up and wrapped her arms around the broad shoulders of his tall frame in a warm greeting. “You made it”, she softly said cherishing the customary visits he continued to pay her in spite of his animosity towards his stepfather. Leaning slightly back, she looked up into his warm tawny gaze so much like her own and marveled at how handsome he was. She was grateful that Zeus had turned a blind eye to the fact that Eros still came to Olympus to see her. Not for the first time, she felt a wave of grief and guilt overwhelm her from the absence of her other children. She willingly accepted the blame for failing to protect them from the spitefulness of Hemothus, their stepfather. She held back her need to inquire about them not wanting to put Eros in the middle. Sensing her need to hear news of his siblings Eros said, “Constantine sends his love, and I haven’t heard from the twins and everyone else is doing great.” He finished. Something within Aphrodite filled with peace knowing that all her children were safe. Looking at Eros and smiling her thanks, she still couldn’t help but wonder when she would ever see the spark of love glow from his eyes. Soon, she silently promised herself.
“Let me go and change into something fresh.” Turning she disappeared inside another door leading to her private chamber. Now left to his own devices, he idly leaned against a vine covered stone column. Seeing a handmaiden out of the corner of his eye coming toward him, he inwardly groaned. Handmaidens were definitely not his style. They were notorious for their gossipy ways and always jockeying to catch the eye of any god to rise themselves into a higher position in the pecking order amongst others of their class. Wanting to avoid useless conversation with any of them, Eros turned and started down one of the many narrow paths that ran though the peaceful garden. As he strolled at a leisurely pace he was distantly aware of the many plants along the pathway brushing up against the linen material of his pants covering his long muscular legs. Glimpsing a muted flash straight ahead on the path, Eros stopped and widened his stance causing material to stretch tightly over the bunched muscles of his hard thighs. Knowing it could only mean one thing, he waited for the figure to uncloak as he tried to control his irritation at being disturbed. Who would dare to come to Aphrodite’s sacred garden?
As the flash dimmed, it revealed a tall slender woman with a Hollywood-perfect figure draped in a ruby red flowing gown. With every well-honed muscle tensing further, Eros took in the familiar features of the goddess walking toward him now. Looking at her, her tall lithe beauty was utterly breathtaking. He was reminded why he’d been one of many to fall prey to its perfect symmetry.
He couldn’t keep the disgust from dripping from his voice as he asked, “What are you doing here Ate’?” Smiling triumphantly at her ability to still get under his skin, she tossed the waves of her long titan red hair and replied. “Can’t an old friend say hello?” She asked in a purring sultry voice. “You know as well as I do that we aren’t even close to being friends.” He said, not falling for her games for one minute. Standing right in front of his towering form, Ate’ smirked as if laughing at some private joke. “Alright, lovers then.” She said. Changing her tactics, she reached out and ran her long nails over the tight black cotton shirt that hugged his muscular chest. Before she could go any farther, Eros grabbed her hand and held it away from him in a firm grip as he recalled the last time her hands had touched him. “You’re invading my space, as the mortals would say.” He said while letting go of her and putting some space between them once again. “Maybe that’s just what you need.” Ate’ said not in the least bit perturbed. “Those silly mortal women you’ve been with can’t hold a candle to me---- you’re one true love.” At those last four words, Eros fell into a disturbed silence as he was once again reminded of his past mistake where Ate’ was concerned. In his youth, he’d once thought himself in love with this vapid snake of a woman. He’d professed his love to her only to have her cruelly set him up leaving him looking weak and foolish. That was the day he had given up the splendor surrounding him now. Like her, he realized later that it had a surface beauty that had left him cold and empty. Hearing movement through the foliage, he turned and spotted the white chiton clad form of his mother coming up the same path from which he’d come. With the intention of putting his encounter with Ate’ to an end, Eros turned back to where she was standing only to find her no longer there. Not surprising since Aphrodite had made it clear to all that she did not care for the goddess of mischief even before things had went south between Eros and Ate’. Feeling like he’d just prevented a disaster, he turned and met Aphrodite halfway. “I thought I’d join you on your walk through the gardens.” She said looking around with a slight frown as if she could sense the trail of mischief left behind. “I remember this was always where you came when something was on your mind.” Aphrodite commented painfully once again reminded of her helplessness in protecting her children from the spite of Hemothus throughout the years of their youth. Facing away from Eros, she struggled to pull herself together so he would not see the pain in her eyes her bleak thoughts had brought. After a few moments, she was firmly in control of her emotions and decided to not waste a minute of his visit on a past she could not change. Aphrodite slid her arm through his arm and they continued to walk along the path. Mistaking her quietness for motherly concern Eros grimaced guessing at what was coming next. “Don’t even say it.” He darkly muttered. Looking up at him, Aphrodite let out a sigh. “I may not have you and your father’s ability to read minds, but I’d know that smell of mischief anywhere.” She said as her sorrow returned for an all together different reason and swiftly turned to outrage. “How dare that woman come to this place of peace?!” Aphrodite fumed. “I don’t think there’s anything that Ate’ wouldn’t do in the name of causing mischief.” Eros said still feeling a simmering anger. Sensing his turbulent emotions, Aphrodite’s own anger dissipated and was replaced by motherly concern once again. “I hope you don’t let her still get under your skin after all this time, son.” She said verbalizing her fear.
“I know we never truly spoke of what happened back then, but I know that you are innocent of doing what she accused you of. It nearly killed me to see you hurt that way.” Aphrodite stated desperately searching for the right words to breakthrough to him. When Eros turned away to shove his large hands in his pockets and still said nothing in response, she continued on.
“I know that one day despite whatever went on in the past between you and Ate’ that love will find you, true love…and she will hold the key to the other half of your soul filling the emptiness you feel.” Having poured every ounce of her own unique power in her voice, Aphrodite gently touched Eros’ shoulder and met his eyes as he turned to face her once again. “Are you happy mother?” He asked with a rough bitter edge to his voice. “Did love find you and make you happy?” He doggedly questioned knowing that he was stirring up things best left unsaid. Feeling deflated at the look of hurt in her eyes made him regret his harsh unthinking words. Knowing that he spoke out of frustration she gently reached out and stroked his smooth lean cheek. “Believe in your fate.” Breaking eye contact with his mother, Eros struggled as he was caught in a grip of shame for allowing her to continue to believe that he suffered a broken heart from his episode with Ate. What would she say if she only knew that he no longer believed in love for himself because of what he had witnessed between her and Ares? Feeling the deception coldly settling within him he once again schooled his expression and smiled to put her at ease. “Mother, I do believe in fate…after all I am the god of love.” He said smiling ruefully. She still continued to search his face as if she could tell that he was diverting the truth. Finally she sighed and said, “I know. I just want you to be happy.” “I am.” He swiftly assured her even though the feeling of unrest that had dogged him lately silently mocked him. Seemingly to accept his ready answer she continued to walk with him though the gardens that surrounded them passing the time by speaking of all the events that had been going on around Olympus while he’d been away. He listened with half an ear, but his mind was unable to fully focus in its current restless state. As he prepared to leave, he noticed that Aphrodite also seemed occupied as well. “I will see you soon mother.” He said gently squeezing her hands as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. As he was pulling away, she lightly grabbed his face and looked deeply into his eyes. “You are about to go a journey my son and you will have to fight for what fate has in store for you, but as long as you believe in fate you will win.” Without a word, he drew back and gazed into her eyes. Opening his lips, no words came out. “Go.” He heard her say. As he simmered into the earth realm, her words wrapped around him and settled.
Looking upon the scene between mother and son, the fates cackled in glee to see the seed they had planted continue to grow. They had foreseen this day and nothing and no one would stop it from happening. Olympus as they knew it was about to change. It would soon collide with the mortal realm.
****
Sitting once again in his downtown Manhattan office, Eros heard Aphrodite’s words echoed in his mind. Hearing a knock at his office door, he responded already knowing who is on the other side. “Come in Constantine.” Looking up at the almost mirror image of himself was the looming form of his younger brother, made Eros’ thoughts vanish as he gave him his undivided attention. “Is there anything out of the ordinary that needs my attention before I leave for the day?” Eros asked. He knew his brother would handle anything that might arise, but he asked out of habit instead of real concern. “Yes, there are a couple of charges that need to be sealed.” He said pulling up a visual of them on the monitor of the Jupiter interface. Eros zeroed in on the couple. Even though he had done this more times than he could count, it still amazed him as he felt the fusion of souls from the man and woman course through him. Feeling such raw and pure love made him almost envious of the absence of love in his own life and briefly felt a yawning abyss well up inside his chest. Closing off the overwhelming emotions, he continued to complete the fusion by letting the man and the woman feel each other’s true emotions. This was the process that allowed all the charges to find trust in the love they felt for each other. For without trust how can there be love? He hesitated briefly as he felt Constantine’s power merge with his own to weigh the truth of the emotions before the fusion is complete. The sensations running through his fingertips as the current of love’s powerful force ran through his body making the whites of his eyes give off a faint glow. As the soul fusion was confirmed, the essence of Constantine’s power receded and he watched as Eros transformation into the god of love swiftly. Once again aware of his surroundings, Eros asked if there was anything else that needed his attention before he left for the day. “No, everything is as it should be.” Constantine responded while glancing at the paperwork in front of him in his usual efficient and firm voice. “The new software is still on track to be released in a few weeks and I had Alexander take a look at the glitch we were having with the interface.” He said nodding his head at the monitor screen that dominated most of the wall to his right. “It looks like the bug has been fixed so the network should be working just fine.” Constantine stated shifting his tall lean physique in the plush chair in front of the desk that dominated the large office and discreetly continued tapping away at the palm-held device. “Oh, and by the way, the president and first lady send their regards for the fruit basket you sent last week.” Upon hearing about one of his more successful matches, a grin tugged at Eros’ sensual lips. “Oh, and one last thing, we’re keeping a close eye on one case in particular.” Stating this, Constantine walked across to the bank of monitors where they watched their charges. “He seems to be getting further and further away from his match.” Constantine said pulling up the image of Harold Baldwin. The man’s had unrequited love stamped all over his face that had called to Constantine’s power to sense those scorned by love. Walking across the plush pale carpet, to stand beside his brother, Eros scanned the non-descript features of the distressed mortal’s face. Hopelessness rung out from every part of the man’s bowed shoulders striking a cord within Eros. Still staring at the monitor Eros said, “We’ll keep an eye on him to see if intervention is needed.” Turning to the far corner of his office, walked over to a doorway leading to the private elevator he used to access the penthouse on the top floor of the building. He stepped into the well appointed space and bowed his head and settled back against the cold metal wall.
As he rode in the peaceful silence his mind was still occupied with Harold Baldwin’s situation. Normally in the evenings, he left all matters in the capable hands of Constantine and the Lexx as he retired for the day. It was something that they always had practiced and the organization of the Lexx had afforded them both a comfortable amount of down time. However, lately his down time had been more of a curse. The emptiness was more pronounced in the past few months. As he exited the elevator into the entrance of his sleek penthouse, the picture of the hopeless figure on the monitor continued to dog his steps. The man had allowed himself to be turned inside out by his emotions and could not see past his misery to a roll in the future of many. Shaking his head at the complexities of the role that love played, he was greeted by Nix. Nix was a fire guardian given to him by Ares. It was the only gift he had ever accepted from him. Looking at the small creature he knew that there had never been any question of his acceptance of the gift. In his true form, Nix was the mythical Phoenix of legend. The Phoenix was a sight to behold in all his fiery brilliance. He had the ability to transform at will to anything to adapt to his environment and on the earth realm he chose the mild mannered form of a Boston terrier. The only thing that might give his true nature away was his oval shaped ice blue eyes.
Taking in the sweet aroma circulating throughout the huge luxurious space as Nix continued to dance around his legs for attention, he moved through the living room ignoring the spectacular view of the city skyline and lights to walk into the warm interior of the state-of-the-art kitchen and bid his housekeeper Adele, good evening. Seeing the source of the heavenly smell on the granite counter top, his mouth watered. “Hmmmm, you always bake the best spice cake in the world Adele,” He said stealing a large warm slice of the sweet cake causing crumbs to fall into the path of the small terrier that still shadowed him. “It’s because I’m trying to keep you from wasting away.” Adele teased as she half-heartedly tried to slap his large hand and shoo him away from the much loved dessert. “Now you know I always bake enough for you and that other sweet tooth bandit Connie.” She said as her smile lit up her delicate features upon using the pet name she had given Constantine years back. Only she would call that behemoth that and get away with it. The things a man would let a woman do who held sway over his stomach he jokingly thought as he also spied the rest of dinner cooking. Adele knew all about his sweet tooth because she had been with him and Constantine along with the rest of the original Lexx since the beginning of their time here in the earth realm. At times he had witnessed Adele’s eyes follow Constantine’s every move when she felt he wasn’t looking. At times there appeared to be more between the two of them, but he could never be quite sure because Constantine never gave any indication and Adele was deeply private. “Hey, did I hear my name?” Constantine said as he came in to the kitchen and grabbed a piece of spice cake and laughingly avoided Adele’s playful effort to slap his hand away. Moving just out of her reach, Constantine sat down at the table while still munching on his cake to wait for dinner. “I’ll take dinner in my study tonight Adele,” Eros called over his shoulder as he left them and reentered the living room with Nix trotting in his footsteps. Strolling into his office to sit in front of the big screen TV, he idly petted Nix. Unable to resist the temptation, he clicked the monitor to show what Harold Baldwin was doing. Tapping into his thoughts, he was able to hear the misery behind the man’s twisted face.
“Why can’t I do anything right? I’m such a desperate fool for falling in love with a woman like Isabella that will never love me back. Now I can’t even find any sponsors for the charity ball for the Children’s Program…so many children counting on that program and I let them down…what I’m I to do? I guess Isabella was right…I’m foolish to think a nobody like me could pull it off in the first place. ”
As Eros watched, the distraught man held a small container of pills in his shaking hands and his face took on a resigned cast. Now alarmed, Eros sat up with a sick feeling congealing in the pit of his stomach. Normally he would send the Lexx to help his charges when in need, but looking at the tragedy unfolding now, something wouldn’t let him sit this one out and hand it off. Ignoring the sense that this case was different, he prepared himself to cloak himself so he would reach the inter-city public museum where Harold worked quickly to stop the man from doing the unthinkable. Normally he would have driven his vintage Jag and not take such a risk in the overly crowded city, but he would just have to take a chance by arriving in the alleyway between the museum and the deli next door and pray that only the walls would bear witness to his entrance. Preparing to leave, Eros looked up to find Adele standing in the doorway holding his dinner. “Sorry Adele.” He apologized taking in the confused expression on her face. “A charge is about to go south.” He said explaining by nodding his head towards Howard’s image on the monitor. “Don’t worry, dinner will keep.” She answered also looking at the distressed man featured on the screen. “Do you want me to tell Constantine?” She asked as she turns to go back to the kitchen. “No time,” came a flat reply. “But..” Adele started only to stop as Eros’ tall solid form shimmered into thin air. Well. Adele stood there silently wondering what was going on. She turned to walk back to the warm fragrant area of the kitchen only to stop and turn to once again stare at the charge on the screen. What made him want to handle this one himself? Adele wondered to herself.
****
Sarafina Daniels sat at her desk trying not to be distracted by the ticking clock on her office wall as she finished up for the day. It had been a very long week here at the museum. Normally she didn’t let little things get to her, but since her birthday last month, distracting thoughts had been piling up to where she couldn’t seem to concentrate. Normally she was not bothered by the fact that her birthday fell on February fourteenth (the most romantic day of the year), but for some reason the sight of all the hearts, flowers, and balloons screaming the words ‘I love you’ had struck a chord. Rubbing her hand across her tired eyes, she finally called it quits for the day as the figures she had been working on began to run together in front of her eyes. Pushing up from her chair, she stretched as much as her 5ft. 6in. frame would allow. She tried to work out all the cramps it had acquired as a result of sitting her curvy form in the hard wooden chair for most of the day. Recalling the phone call she’d had with her sister Olivia that morning, a sad and wistful smile twisted Sarafina’s soft full lips. Olivia had been going through some boxes that contained some of their mother’s belongings they had yet to sort through since she’d passed away last year. Both were still having a hard time dealing with the loss of the woman who’d meant so much to them and were helping each other cope with the loss. They were as close as two sisters could be and the tragedy had made them closer. June and David Daniels had had their daughters late in life and had given them a well rounded life. They had each went to college and had successful careers. Being two years apart, they had been supportive of each other in everything they did. Her sister had called to tell her of a bundle of letters she’d run across that their father had written to their mother while still dating. So much love…she thought. It had kept them together after losing their father to a car accident five years ago. Recalling that day, June Daniels had proven she had an unmatched inner strength as she wrapped them both in her loving arms and told them that she was thankful that she had known and married the greatest man in the world and that he’d loved her enough to last her two lifetimes. Having been surrounded by such love the three of them had made it through their grief together. Her mother always said that love brought out the best in everyone and Sarafina couldn’t help but believe that to be true. Many times she had witnessed love’s transforming abilities.
Like Jonah, the nice lawyer two houses down from their brownstone and the single mother who just moved in with her five year old little boy across the street. Shortly after moving into their place last year, Charlotte had needed the services of a lawyer in dealing with her little boy’s deadbeat father. Sarafina had come home from the museum one evening to find Charlotte restlessly pacing the sidewalk in front of their door and looking like she was at the end of her rope. Recalling how she’d invited the distraught woman inside for a cup of tea and a shoulder to cry on. Sarafina smiled as she remembered seeing their happy faces when they had come in earlier that day. After referring Charlotte to Jonah for legal counsel, they had become inseparable and were now due to become married in two months. How could I settle for less? She silently questioned the yearning within her. Maybe it was the fact that she had been born on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day that made this yearning seem more piercing.
She thought back to the only serious relationship she had been in and the train wreck it turned out to be. She had met Stephen Berkland in college and had become close over the course of their freshman year. He had been very ambitious and ready to conquer the business world. For all intent and purposes he had been the perfect catch by everyone’s standards. After they had begun to date in the second year of college, she had started to see cracks in his personality. He had wanted her to change her major from art history to become a business major as well. When she had refused, he had said she lacked drive and that she was wasting her time. At first she had tried to compromise by taking a few business courses, but she had been so miserable that she had quickly changed back. They had argued bitterly over her decision, but she had stood her ground. Things had gone along quietly for awhile until he had started putting pressure on her to take their relationship to a physical level. Sarafina was no prude, but she had not felt right about taking things between any further. When the subject had come up at first he had said he understood when Sarafina had told him she was not ready to go there and that she wanted her first time to be special.
She still cringed when she thought back to the last time she had seen him. She had been home studying for finals when he had come knocking on her door. Upon answering the door she could clearly smell the alcohol fumes rising from him, but after he pleaded with her to come in she had relented. The attack had happened so quickly that he was on her ripping and tearing at her clothes before she could defend herself. To this day, she still didn’t know how he ended up flung across the room to crash into the wall in an unconscious heap. She had opened her eyes to see him slumped against the wall as Olivia had comforted her as she sat on the floor crying and shaking. Stephen had come to and quickly left after Olivia had threatened to call the police. Since then she had shied away from men in general. She knew logically that all men weren’t like Stephen, but she had yet to encounter a man to spark enough interest in her to make her want to explore another relationship.