Echoes in Eternity (The Pella Series Book 1) (48 page)

“My God knows everything that happens. Nothing happens without his knowledge. Although it doesn’t mean those who conduct misdeeds have his consent.”

“Enlighten me then, Gabriel, why would your God allow this to happen to Marcus? What exactly is his big transgression? Having a sinless child? Falling in love? Not even Prometheus was put through this in the hands of Zeus in his eternal torment! This punishment you have for Marcus chaining him in the depths of Tartarus is for the Devil! Marcus is neither Prometheus, nor the Devil! He was one of your God’s soldiers! I would shudder to think what he would do to his enemies if this is what he does to his friends!”

“I would advise you of not speaking in matters you know nothing about with your little understanding of the workings of the universe!”
thunders Gabriel. “You are but a paltry two-thousand years old, not even a blink in the continuum of the universe! There is a reason and balance for all. Even you Alexander, are not immune from it. Even the most Divine must follow rules though it gives him no pleasure to endure the misery of those he loves, not any more than you do! There’s a War that’s being fought without your knowledge. You’re only in one of the battles, Alexander. Just trust us that we are on the same side!”

“Do you know why
I think Marcus chose to save you?” asked Stella.

“Because I’m Elissa’s twin soul,” I answer without thinking. The normalcy, as if there is no other explanation takes Hailey by surprise. She sharply turns back to me to observe my reaction. I give nothing away, but for this instance, she has the permission to read my soul for the duration of the memory.

“That’s true. But there’s more. You are everything she’s not. She’s sinless, innocent, and more angelic than human. She has the best qualities of both species. And you, Alexander are a warrior, a deprived man, a megalomaniac, brutal, even merciless to your enemies! Those are the qualities of the
Fallen
.
Yet
, your love is boundless, its depth is beyond the abyss of the universe, your loyalty to those you love and are bound to is beyond your existence; your capacity for honor is unrivaled throughout all of humanity. Your thirst for knowledge is one of your greatest strengths and your adaptability to anyplace, heaven or hell is unmatched. You have the endurance, perseverance and single mindedness unsurpassed by any Angel or man. Those qualities are beyond the scales we can measure. That’s why all the men and the Angels are drawn to you! You are one of a kind! You’re the vertex of both of our kinds. That’s why he chose you! You can stand up to her enemies, but even You, Alexander, can’t do it alone!”

“Don’t worry ma’am. We are with him,” Doc Henry replies.

“Your loyalty and courage are admirable Doc. Alexander and Elissa will need all the help they can get. But, you won’t be enough for what’s coming.”

“Well then, ma’am. We’re happy to have you on our side,” answers Doc.

“They’re both still on my shit list! But I make a habit of keeping my friends close, enemies even closer. You both have a long way to prove you’re a friend and not a foe,” I indicate to both Stella and Gabriel. “Welcome the fuck aboard! We’re riding back to
Four Winds
!” I sibilate.

“My duty starts on the last cycle,” replies Gabriel.

“Such a brother you are!” I mock him with disdain in my voice and without looking back to see who is following, I ride on full speed.

The memory fades and we’re once again pulled back into the Command Center set up to control the activities of the week. Each of the
Psyche
’s pupils are dilated to the brim as if they absorbed everything they’ve seen.

“Payment rendered. As per our agreement, your duties start right now, and you’re bound to me for the duration of the week. Should you break any of the rules I have stated, and are going to be handed to you, you’re going to be punished swiftly.

Remember what Stella had said about the punishments I render. I will not think twice to render punishment if any of my rules are crossed or broken. That goes for you doubly, Hailey. You’re not allowed to go on the floor. You will have to lend your strength from this room alone. With your abilities, you don’t have to be out among the people.” She nods with a knowing smile.

“As you wish Master,” she answers like the old days. I turn my back, and call James and Melissa in.

“James, the
Psyches
who are working on the floor are only Paul, Simon, Peter, Andrew, James and Matthew. Miss Hailey Ancilla stays in this room. You and Melissa will have the joint binding of their oath to me.” James nods, but his eyebrows rise up upon hearing the names of the
Psyche
. He clears his throat, and donning his professional outlook.

“All those who are named after an apostle, please follow me. I shall take you and show you the boundaries. Once you cross out, you will be irrevocably bound to Mr. Pella for the duration of your week with us. All rules hold and will be imprinted into you,” he says sparing Hailey, leaving her behind. But she takes a step towards them motioning to go. Because she senses that she can get out with James. Her demeanor is excited
about possibly testing her boundaries to see if she can actually get out of the room.

“Ma’am, there was no Hedone among the apostles!” Melissa reminds her.

“My name is Hailey Ancilla,” she reprimands her.

“Be that as it may, ma’am, there wasn’t a Hailey among the apostles either. You are staying behind. You won’t be able to leave this room as Mr. Pella indicated.” Hailey captures Melissa under her piercing gaze, scanning her thoughts.

“None of you are off limits as far as the instructions are concerned,” she says.

“Just doing my job, Miss Melissa Tiber of the House of Tiberius,” she croons. Melissa just stands and holds her ground.

“Hailey! Nothing other than professional mannerism is acceptable. You will treat my assistants with respect!” I glare at her.

“We’ve already made
an agreement, Mr. Pella. Additional terms are not applicable,” she replies.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I walk towards her, glaring down at her.

“My job,” she bats her eyelashes innocently.

“No! Your job is to provide support to the other
Psyches
. You’re not put on at the same level of duty as the others of your group. I did not request you. And yet, here you are. You’re only granted access here because your men need your logistical support. This is your one and final warning. You break the rules, you pay the price! Anything you do to derail, jeopardize, or damage during this week, I will fucking punish you!”

“Yes
, sir. Looking forward to it,” she croons as if she’s submitting to my will, lowering her gaze. But I don’t miss the double meaning in her voice.

“Rules stand. You are not to leave this room, and you are only to provide them the connection they need from you. You may not come out of the confines of this room. Do we understand each other clear
ly?”

“Yes, Mr. Pella,” she whispers obediently but clearly, her gaze lowered.

“I’d be happy to take her oath to bind her to our rules, Mr. Pella,” Melissa says without taking her eyes off Hailey. Hailey smiles at her mischievously using her seduction on Melissa.

“I don’t bat for the home team, ma’am. Extend your arms,” Melissa orders. Hailey extends her arms gently caressing Melissa’s on the way. Melissa turns her arms around, and place
s hers on top of Hailey’s and clasps her hands over her elbows. As soon as she tightened her hands on Hailey, ribbons of blue mist enveloped their joined arms, binding them. Hailey gives out a gasp, her eyes wide. She has not expected this powerful jolt of electricity.

“What are you?” she asks breathless.

“I’m the Nephilim you’re bound to, ma’am. I will personally see to it that you follow the rules. It’d be my pleasure to render the first punishment should you break any of the rules that have been stated to you.”

“What are you?” asks Hailey again as if she’s just encountered a new species of creatures and doesn’t know whether she should be afraid of it or not.

“A Nephilim, descended from the line of Tiberius. I’m the
gatekeeper
,” Melissa smiles as she pulls her arms away from Hailey. I walk out, closing the door behind me confident in Melissa’s abilities to keep Hailey in check. I fix my bow tie, and walk out to meet this week’s buyers, and those of our kind who are seeking to form alliances.

My face changes in a split second to the reserved public man: icy, reticent, unreachable, yet every bit of CEO, and the master
and commander of all that I survey. I walk into the now crowded ballroom with predatory, domineering steps, leaving no room in anyone’s mind to mistake me for anyone other than the Alpha among all Alphas who are here tonight. I dial Anthony’s phone.

“Yes, sir?”

“Is Henry ready to bring her down?”

“He hasn’t come out of his room yet
, sir. I’m still waiting.”

“Give him five more minutes. If he isn’t there
within that time frame, it’s your job to bring Elissa down. I’m going to be greeting the buyers in the ballroom. I want to see her down here in fifteen minutes,” I order and hang up. It’s fucking show time!

CHAPTER XI
V

FIRE AND ICE

Elissa Cassandra Duncan

I take my time in the shower, letting the hot water ease the
tension from my muscles. How do I leave? When do I leave? I’ve got no money, nothing. No place to go… I’ll think about it tomorrow. When I come out of the shower, I find a red, cream, pale lilac, and pale gold and silver colored dresses to choose from, with each being more amazing than the other. I choose the pale lilac dress to wear. The beauty of the dress is in its simplicity, because the material is just so exquisite. I put the dress on. It’s backless. The fabric exquisitely piles at the small of my back; the lace covers the hemline giving a hint of style. It’s such a pale shade of lilac, so airy that I feel like I’m wearing the wind. It just flows on me, shaping into my form. The dress has one thin strap over my right shoulder and the slit on the left side climbs nearly to the top of my thigh. It hugs my waist, and accentuates my breasts. It’s sexy as hell. It’s not designed to be worn with a bra. My breasts perk up under the soft, silky fabric. I style my hair in soft wide curls, and part it on the left. I complete my make up with soft earthy tones. There’s a matching pair of stilettos and a clutch for each outfit. When there’s a slight knock on the bedroom door, I’m barely finishing up my make-up.