Pangaia: Agendas (Year One: Fall)

Chapter Five - Akuji

"Hi, this is Belle Loveless."

As soon as Akuji Thantos heard that name, his heart sank. "It is time, I take it?"

"I think so," Belle said in a soft voice. "She's withdrawn and talking to the flowers a lot—like she did when she was little and didn't know better. I also think something happened while she was out last night. She's acting like it was a hickey, but... I saw blood."

"Where?" he asked.

"On her neck."

"I see."

Blood on her neck might mean a number of things. The fact she is treating it like a kiss, has me suspicious.

"What should I do?" Belle asked.

"Keep her home and act normal. We will be there in four or five hours."

"Okay."

He hung up the phone and let out a heavy breath. I knew this day was coming, yet it feels so much sooner than I would like.

Perhaps because he'd hoped for Cheyenne to enter into the world of myth via a more gentle means. When she turned eighteen, she would sit down with her biological parents and they'd explain everything to her in full. It'd be a difficult pill to swallow, but it wouldn't have to be taken down along with a glass of drama and danger too.

Cheyenne would be getting a crash course in the ways of myth and magic. She'd be learning while thrown into the fire. Hopefully she didn't get burned too badly in the process.

Akuji left his apartment and walked up the stairs to the next floor. From there, he made his way to the suite at the end of the hallway. "The Orinda's Welcome You" hung on a wood sign, decorating the door. He swallowed back bile whenever he read that sign. He hated it so much.

I cannot covet what is not mine. I cannot covet what is not mine. He repeated the mantra in his head as he knocked on the door.

Sure enough Aradia Orinda opened the door, all smiles and looking as beautiful as always.

"Afternoon! To what do I owe this surprise?" she asked.

"It is time to bring Persephone's heir home," he stated.

The smile faded instantly. "Oh, and here I thought you'd come to just shoot the breeze before school starts."

"We have faculty events for that," he said coolly. The disappointment in her voice stung his heart more than it should. I cannot covet what is not mine.

"I know, but..." She shook her head. "Anyway, when are we leaving?"

"As soon as possible is preferred," he stated. "I am ready already. I do not require much. The journey will be at least four hours unless you require more stops. I do not anticipate being home this evening." He paused. "Make sure John knows and understands this."

God forgive me for hating a man to the point where I hope he dies in a fire. A sin he had to repent of often.

Aradia smiled at him, so oblivious to the dark thoughts in his mind. "Sure, give me about twenty minutes? I'll meet you out front."

"All right. That will give me time to explain to my pets what is going on."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they will want to know that." She giggled. "See you soon."

"Yes." He turned on his heel to walk back to his apartment.

Cold? Yes. Necessary? Definitely.

Akuji had a number of reasons why he couldn't spend a lot of time alone with Aradia. The first and most important one being she was a married woman, and he would not be caught in the sin of adultery no matter how deep his attraction ran for her.

Or how terrible of a man her husband was. She deserved better, but that was for her to discover on her own terms. If she asked for advice on the matter, she didn't ask him, and that was preferable. He could list at least ten reasons for divorce.

Until she was in physical danger, he wouldn't step into that hot mess.

The second important reason he couldn't spend time alone with her was because he didn't want to get lost in a fantasy that would never happen.

Even if she did leave her loser of a husband and admitted she had feelings for Akuji, he couldn't actually touch her and if he couldn't touch her how could they have any kind of a relationship?

Sure, Akuji would be happy to simply breathe the same air as her, and take care of her, and spend hours upon hours talking with her. Aradia was a human, and she had human desires and needs. She wanted to be a mother. All things he couldn't provide for her without the ability of touch.

Angels were not supposed to engage in romantic relationships anyway—even fallen angels, and especially angels of death.

He had to be cold with her, because if he acted kind or let his true feelings be known she'd either reciprocate them or pity him. Both of those options were out of the question.

Once back at his apartment, Akuji gave his tattered and broken wings one solid stretch before he went to the closet to find a suitable outfit to conceal them from view.

Despite their broken and useless appearance, he loved his wings. They'd taken him on so many wonderful adventures. Even worn and destroyed, he appreciated their elegance. They were a part of his identity.

Shi, one of his cats, rubbed against his leg and meowed. His black and white fur instantly clung to Akuji's dark pants. He sighed. This is what I get for owning long haired cats, I suppose.

"Yes, I am leaving for the night. I was just going to tell you this," he said.

The cat rubbed against his leg some more and purred.

"I will miss you as well." Akuji bent down to pet the animal. "I expect you two to behave yourselves while I am gone. I have noticed you are fighting more than usual."

Shi let out a soft growl.

"There are better ways for you to solve your differences. If you want to be the dominant brother, perhaps you need to learn a new way to fight."

The cat let out another meow.

"I am not helping you any further. You should know this by now. This is for you to figure out." He picked the animal up and smooshed his face into the fluffy soft fur. "I do not love you less."

The animal purred against him, and he savored the feeling for a moment. The cats were as close to physical contact as he'd ever get. His curse was specifically keeping him from human touch.

"I will be back tomorrow. I do not anticipate being late. I will make sure someone comes to feed you."

He'd send a note to Anj. The boy would need a place to rest anyway.

Akuji didn't bother to pack a change of clothing, or anything. Even if he'd be gone for the duration of the evening, he didn't want to take up valuable space in his trunk.

Cheyenne Loveless would have a whole life to pack and fit into his car.