Geneva Sommers and the Secret Legend Page 19

  “Zophia cried that this hadn’t been what she’d meant and he simply shook his head and told her to be more careful what she wished for in the future.

  “As the elder, now in Kull’s body, walked away from her, she asked him for one thing before he left. She at least wanted to know the true name of the one who had condemned her to an eternity in the in-between. He laughed and agreed that he at least owed her that. He revealed to her, his true name before he left.”

  We all stared at Jaka, waiting anxiously for him to say it, but deep down I already knew. I could feel it in my bones.

  “His name was Ravin.”

  “Ravin?” I asked, after everyone calmed down. “How could he be Ravin? I thought Ravin was the man in the Legend of Lux, that caused the Flood and murdered my Aunt Mora. The man my mother and father hunted to the ends of the earth?”

  “Ravin is just a name. In our culture, it means devil. Perhaps it is two different men with the same name, or perhaps he is the same man in both legends,” Jaka said. “Or maybe Ravin is just a name used to represent evil. Devil, is just the word evil with a ‘D’ after all.”

  I was shivering, as a slow chill crept up my spine. Was it possible that I was going up against the devil himself? I couldn’t wrap my mind around something so vast, so I returned my focus to the problem at hand.

  “But you said you were starting to see how we are all connected. I still don’t get it. Other than the fact that this Ravin could be the same man . . . how does it all fit together? What’s my role in it?”

  “Don’t you see the theme?” Jaka asked. “Four realms, four Pillars?”

  I felt like I did, yet it was somehow just outside my grasp. Each time I tried to focus and pull a single idea from my whirling mind, I would get sharp pains in my head. Heaven, hell, earth, limbo—water, fire, earth, wind. I kept repeating the four Pillars and the four realms over and over in my mind until they were all muddled together. Suddenly it clicked.

  Jaka must have figured it out from the look on my face, and he smiled.

  “How?” was all I said.

  “That is the part that Striga figured out. You see, Zophia was the portal to all the realms for a very long time. She was the original Ponte deorum and she met many different beings as they all passed through her to where they were going. One day, she met a very special witch named Divina and when she heard Zophia’s story she wanted to help her. She taught Zophia a spell that would end her purgatory and get her out of being the Bridge of the Gods. But Divina warned that there was no coming back from this spell. It wouldn’t give her back her life, it would end it, along with her suffering. Zophia was desperate after years of serving Ravin as the Ponte deorum so she begged for Divina to teach her the spell and she did.

  “In it, Zophia had to tear what was left of her soul into four equal pieces, one for each realm that Ravin had connected her to. She gave her tears to heaven, so that they could become water to cleanse and sustain the humans that she’d grown fond of watching over. She gave her breath to limbo, so that her words would live upon the cold wind that dwelled there and continue to haunt those who had been condemned to suffer for eternity. She gave her heart to hell, because it had been the fire of love and flames of hate that had ignited her passion to the brink of destruction, landing her in this predicament. And lastly, she gave her bones to the earth, where she asked that they be buried so that she could find peace and rest at last.”

  My skin dimpled with gooseflesh as Jaka read the chilling words from the Striga Carta.

  “Zophia created the four Pillars,” I whispered.

  “Yes. That is what Striga believed and I believe it too. Divina happened to be an ancestor of Striga’s and that’s how I’ve come to remember this story. Striga wrote about it in this book,” he said pointing to the crusty leather bound book on his lap. “The legend about the first war is from a different manuscript believed to be possessed by the Ravinori. It’s called the Book of Gods, but Striga recounts the legend here and she was privy to it because the story was passed down to her through generations by her family. A family of witches, who at one time, must have been a part of the Ravinori’s inner circle to have knowledge of the legend. She tracked the origin of the legend here, to Hullabee Island. She was on her way to our island by ship when she met her demise.”

  “Do the Ravinori know about the last part? The four Pillars part?” Nova asked.

  “I believe so, and that is why they are searching for the four Pillars and why the Book of Secrets tells you that you have to protect them. All of the legends point to the Eva as the one that can save all of us by saving the four Pillars. Striga wrote that she believed the Eva would be the reincarnation of Zophia.”

  “So the Ravinori think that if they can find the four Pillars, and put them back together again, that they can re-create the Ponte deorum and bring Ravin back from wherever he’s been all this time!” Journey said putting the pieces together proudly.

  “They just haven’t figured out that I am the Ponte deorum yet,” I said. “They know that the Eva is supposed to be a Pillar tracker because she’ll be the reincarnation of Zophia?”

  The chief nodded. “Yes and I think they are using that knowledge to track you by tapping into the elements, since you must possess a small part of each original element. They should call to you when you come in contact with a Pillar.”

  My stomach dropped as I thought of the uncanny pull I had toward Nova. My head was spinning. This was the biggest revelation yet. Jaka’s words spun through my hazy mind like a revolving door.

  Ravin . . . four realms . . . four Pillars . . . volcanoes . . . sacrifice . . . the Flood. It was overwhelming how similar parts of the legends were. Like puzzle pieces that you couldn’t quite make fit, yet you knew somehow they did. I just couldn’t quite see the big picture yet, though I urged my brain to stretch past its limits.

  “Jaka? When you said history repeats itself, what did you mean?” I asked seeing visions of Kull and Aris fighting over Zophia in the first war and then Ravin trying to make Mora love him and now . . . me and . . .

  I couldn’t finish my thought because blood had started seeping from my nose, perhaps overwhelmed by the horrible connection my mind was trying to get my heart to make.

  Remi and Nova rushed to my side, both offering to help me stop the bleeding at the same time—Nova pulling off his shirt to mop up the blood, while Remi tilted my head back, gently pinching the bridge of my nose. I pushed them both away as I swiped the blood from my horror struck face with the back of my trembling hand. I could taste its’ bitter metallic flavor in my mouth as my heart sank. Everyone in the tent had come to the same conclusion I’d been dancing with moments ago. I had my own Kull and Aris, I just called them by two different names—Nova and Remi.

  39

  I refused to believe it.

  “No!” I said getting to my feet. “If history is just going to keep repeating itself then why are we even here? Why am I killing myself to defeat the Ravinori and restore peace to Hullabee Island?”

  “Nature craves balance, Geneva,” Eja said softly, trying to diffuse my outburst. “Striga believed that what Ravin did in both legends upset the balance and ever since, it has been trying to right a wrong. That’s why similar situations continue to present themselves to our ancestors, in hopes that one of us will get it right. We need to choose love over hate, humbleness over pride, selflessness over greed. That’s why you have finally come to us, to right the wrongs, to deliver us.”

  “So what? Free will means nothing? I have no choice? How am I supposed to know if I’m making the same mistakes as my ancestors? If I’m a reincarnation of Zophia or whomever, won’t I just make the same mistakes she did?”

  “Like choosing me?” Remi whispered.

  His face was so crestfallen that it was painful for me to look at him. I wanted to hug him and tell him it wasn’t true, that everything was going to be all right. But how could I? He’d been in the tent the entire time and heard the whole vic
ious tale. His likeness to Aris was undeniable. He even possessed the power to render himself invisible, just as Aris had been invisible to Zophia in heaven. Remi wrapped his arms around his folded knees and hung his head. I hated seeing my best friend so upset, but I was at a loss. I was searching for something to say, when Nova’s voice interrupted me.

  “Ah come on, don’t look so glum. You’re a better choice than me,” he said. “You get to be heaven and I’m hell. This must be music to your ears.”

  “Nova,” I scolded. “You know that’s not true!”

  “Isn’t it though? You were just thinking it, weren’t you? I’m fire, he’s invisible and you’re the bridge between us. Sounds like a story I’ve heard before and it’s not going to have a very happy ending.”

  “It’s a legend,” I argued. “This is all just speculation. I’m sure if we read more about it—”

  “What? You can re-write a better ending?” Nova demanded, green flames dancing with anger in his deep emerald eyes. “I think not,” he said storming out of the tent in a hurry.

  I scrambled to my feet turning to the chief. “Jaka, I think you’ve given us more than we can handle for right now. We could all use some fresh air and a little time to process this new information if that’s okay with you.”

  Jaka nodded, but I was already halfway out the door chasing after Nova. So much for my mature approach of giving Nova space when he is mad, I thought as I dashed after him. But I’d seen the pure torturous pain in his eyes—I felt the sting of it mirrored in my own heart and I didn’t want him to have to deal with this burden alone.

  I was surprised to find night had fallen when I stumbled out of the tent. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the lack of light. The air was heavy and cool. It clung to the nervous sweat that gathered on my skin, making me shiver.

  “Nova!” I called, taking off in the direction I’d last seen him run. “Nova! Stop running away from me. You know I’ll find you. I can just use my hunter powers—”

  “Don’t! We’re not supposed to use powers!” his voice scolded me telepathically.

  “Okay, so when did telepathy become a normal skill?”

  No reply.

  “I’m just going to keep doing it until you come out here and talk to me!”

  “Fine,” came his voice as he emerged from the thick forest underbrush, not too far in the distance.

  He was walking toward me, still shirtless, his blond hair a disheveled mop of gold. I refused to acknowledge that his locks resembled golden flames lightly caressing his head. He stopped a few inches away from me, close enough for me to feel the heat radiating from his toned body. I could see a fury still burning within his wild green eyes. When he looked deep into my eyes, I lost my voice.

  “You wanted to talk, Tippy, so talk.”

  “Are you even going to listen to me?” I asked referring to the harshness in his tone.

  “I just don’t see what the use for talking is? It’s not going to change the facts.”

  “Facts? They’re not facts, Nova. It’s just a bunch of stupid legends. Old stories written by crazy witches and fanatic Ravin worshipers. They don’t mean anything.”

  “You don’t believe that and you know it. If you didn’t believe in that stuff you wouldn’t believe you’re the Eva. But I know you are and you finally believe it. I felt it in the tent. You pulled away from me. You’re scared.”

  “Of course I’m scared! Every time I think I have my head wrapped around my fate, someone drops another huge legend or power in my lap and everything changes! It’s not easy having your destiny mapped out for you and only being fed bits and pieces along the way. I’m terrified that I’m going to screw this up and make the wrong choice.”

  “I’ll make it for you. Choose Remi.”

  “Nova—”

  “No, I’m no good for you. You heard what Jaka said in there. I’m Kull!”

  “No you’re not!”

  “I am. I’m all of those things. I’m dangerous, hot tempered, I possess fire, I’m impulsive and when it comes to you I don’t think straight. There’s no limit to what I’d do to protect you; even if it meant killing, and you know it. I’d do anything I could, if I thought it would keep me from losing you, Geneva. But it’s no use.”

  Nova’s eyes were dancing wildly now and his breath was heavy and fast. He’d moved closer to me and grabbed my arms just above my boney elbows. His hands were trembling and hot. He slid them slowly up my arms until they reached my shoulders. He leaned in closer still and bent down, resting his forehead on mine, closing his eyes tightly, like he was trying to fight something painful. My breath quickened, but it caught in my throat when his thumbs slid over my collarbones, lightly caressing them.

  “Nova . . .” I whispered fighting to make my brain continue to think through his close proximity. It felt as if his body threatened to swallow mine whole; and I wanted to let it. “It’s not true,” I whispered.

  “It is,” he murmured. “You know it is. I’m no good for you. I think you’ve known it all along. This whole time, you could feel it, couldn’t you? That there was something different about us. When we’re together our connection is so . . .”

  “Intoxicating?” I offered.

  He nodded and moved his hands up my neck, so they were now cupping my delicate jawbone. He tilted my head back, forcing me to look up at him.

  “You need to stay away from me, Geneva. We can’t be together. No matter how bad we want to be.”

  His voice was heady and urgent. I didn’t know who he was trying harder to convince, me or himself.

  “But I . . . Nova, I—”

  “No! Don’t say it. Please, just don’t say it. This is hard enough as it is. I know how you feel because I feel it too. But maybe it’s not real. It’s just some stupid connection forced upon us by nature or our ancestors. I know it’s not fair, but you need to be with Remi. You have to break the cycle of history repeating itself and always ending in tragedy.”

  “No! I won’t. I won’t choose either of you. That way I won’t make the wrong choice. And I will not allow some legend to take away my free will! If I can’t be with the person I want to be with more than anything, than I’d rather be alone. It’s better for all of us. I’ll keep my head clear of all of this nonsense and concentrate on finding the Pillars and saving the island.”

  Nova’s whole body was trembling now. His eyes glistened and I saw a single tear threatening to break free. To me, that single teardrop held the weight of a waterfall and I couldn’t bear to watch it. I squeezed my eyes shut and he pulled me into a fierce embrace. I could feel his heart hammering against me. A caged animal, I thought, the chief’s words still fresh in my mind. How was it that the beast that beat within us, could get it so wrong when it came to love? My own heart felt like I’d driven stakes into it with every word that threatened to defy its cravings for Nova. But I was determined to beat it into submission, no matter how much it killed me, so that I could be the Eva that my people deserved.

  40

  “I’ve done it, Master. In a weak moment, she let me in. I’m in her mind right now. I can try to manipulate her thoughts. I can get her to come to us and lead us to the Pillars.”

  “I thought I told you not to waste your time on this nonsense,” he bellowed, dramatically clearing his massive desk of the papers he’d been studying before Kobel interrupted him.

  For a brief moment, they were the only sound in the room as they fluttered like dead leaves to the floor. The tall man behind the desk stood, looming before Kobel, who now looked frightened.

  “Master, I would never defy you. I was following your orders, trying to pinpoint the Eva’s location. It’s been very difficult lately. I think she knows that we’re using powers to track her because she hasn’t been using them. No one around her has been using them. The Bellamorfs aren’t even being used to travel anymore. I’d all but given up hope, when suddenly, like a beacon, her voice rang out in my mind. She can telepath and when I picked up on her conve
rsation, she must have pulled me into her mind.”

  “What was she saying?”

  “She was speaking to a Pillar.”

  “She’s found a Pillar?” he asked tentatively.

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Which one?”

  “Fire.”

  “If you manipulate her mind, can you bring them both to me? The Eva and the fire Pillar?”

  Kobel smiled, showing what remained of his gray, decaying teeth.

  “That should be easy, Master. They’re in love.”

  Both men laughed wickedly. Kobel’s wheezing mirth, mixed with his master’s deep booming laughter. The tall man sat back down, stretching out behind his dark desk, weaving his hands behind his head in a satisfying way.

  “Do it, Kobel. Bend her mind and bring them to me.”

  41

  After not nearly enough time, I heard the others calling for me. I peeled myself from Nova reluctantly and he let go of me, except for my hand. His warm fingers caught mine when I tried to pull away from him. Not a word was spoken between us, yet somehow he was telling me this was it. He was letting me go. I felt my heart contract with panic. It scrambled to hammer against my ribs in protest, but just like that, Nova let go of my hand and the wind rushed from my lungs. It felt like I’d been kicked in the chest. I tried to catch my breath, but I couldn’t. My vision tunneled and I swayed, falling to my knees without Nova to steady me.

  I called out to him from the ground. He anxiously spoke to me, but I couldn’t hear his words. Soon I saw more faces. Remi, Journey, my sister. My ears were ringing so loudly that I forced my eyes closed. I felt like I was swaying and when I opened my eyes I saw the stars moving above me. I was being carried through the forest. Carried by someone or something strong. I tried to speak but it was as if I was choking on something thick and warm, filling my throat and lungs. My stomach lurched and my body convulsed fighting against the choking liquid. I screamed out in pain and fear and then everything faded away.