Pray or Be Prey

Chapter 10

The heartbeat reverberated off of Ayularcs chest. Though Mirah was several rooms away, the insulated walls did little to muffle the sounds she made. He noted she'd been in the soaker tub for some time, though making a point not to listen to whatever she was saying. He knew she'd find bath irresistible; everyone did. Now that she was asleep, Ayularc became still in his own oversized bed. He was shirtless, wanting to expose as much of himself as possible to the air in order to sense, even with his flesh suit, any changes in the energy that whirled around Mirah. Within moments, his spirit was fully aware, walking in the realm of his kind.

He stood now in a memory of a time when his life was predictable. The view from the balcony of his home allowed his eyes to take in all the beauty of his land. His muscles tightened only to relax as familiar fingers walked up his back. The hands began to knead out knots in his neck as they massaged away his cares. Don't get lost in the memory! This is not a pleasure trip. Get ready to extract whatever clues you can.

"This view never gets old, does it?" Ayularc questioned the person whose hands continued to work his neck muscles. He did his best to act unaware of what was going on. They can not know I'm on to them, not now. Not while I still have so many unanswered questions.

"Ummm, yes it is, my love. Did you miss me?"

That voice. No denying it, not even after thousands of years. Trying to remain relaxed, Ayularc let his mind focus on happier days. Ones that were similar to this one. With all of his self-control, he stopped the hands from moving now onto his shoulders and slowly spun around. His breath caught at her beauty. She was radiant in the morning light. Hair black and shining like the oil from beneath the earth, framed a face, her eyes as blue as the skies. Blood red lips smiled at him. The smell of lavender undeniable, but worming through was the scent of sugared berries and warmed vanilla—Mirah.

Flashes of Mirah's face morphed over the beauty staring back at him. Mirah's spirit was fighting to remain in control, but Ayularc needed more time. He needed more time with Basielle—his wife long lost after The Flood.

"Basielle, my love! You look ageless." Ayularc cooed as he reached for a lock of her black tresses. He did this, knowing how she melted in his hands from such adoration. "This memory, it seems different," he finished, hoping she'd take his baiting.

"My love, Yu Elle. Ahh, this memory, yes it was one of my favorites, don't you remember? It was the day we were officially given rulership over this area. The day I become the queen of this land."

"Hmmm, I remember my love. And the land as well as the fact that I loved you for the wise queen you were. Still, something seems different from what I recall of the day. Your touch feels so real, and the scent of lavender is strong, even for our realm."

"Shhhh, my love. We don't want to cause a scene. It would be unwise for anyone to discover what is happening between us."

"What is this, Basielle? Our memories can not be manipulated to this extent, and if you were given a new flesh suit, I would have been informed. How is your spirit here? How were you called back from The Void?"

"Ayularc, always the strategist. You never could tolerate anyone outwitting you. Ahh, relax, my dear. All those years by your side served me well as I wondered formless in The Void. With no trace of my DNA to be connected to, there was little hope I'd ever be corporeal again. But man is weak, greedy, and selfish. These three traits were all that was required for me to gain access."

"Gain access?"

"Yes, my love. I was able to gain access through the greed of a family's bloodline. All the person wanted was wealth and riches, of which I showed them where and how to get some."