We Were Gods: Oleander: Book One

The Girl

""My high priestess, do not forget your place." A threat hides within the warning; sending a shiver through her spine. "I am a God and you are lucky to have survived at all." The young priestess shutters beneath the God's touch as slender elongated fingers run over tanned skin. Though it is swelteringly hot, her skin bumps in goose flesh. "A war will come to us soon, lovely. And I'd certainly hope you would be smart enough to be on the right side." The God leans in, the young woman turns her head away and a kiss is placed against hallowed cheeks. She knew better than to accept a kiss from any God.

"Don't you touch her!" A bark awakens me, and it is said with so much force that it rumbles in my chest. My muscles twitch as I sit upright in my bed, searching the room frantically before realizing it was all a dream and it was my own harsh voice that awoke me. I know I've seen the God before but the tanned woman... Her eyes were a bright green dulled by hardships and I know I've seen them somewhere. Neon hues had locked mine before but where?

I let out a sigh and fall back against my pillows. The house is entirely quiet without mother and father here, except for the small creaks and groans of an old house settling. Laurie has decided to stay at a hotel near the hospital, refusing to set foot in her childhood home. Everyone knows that it's because it's not up to her standards of "clean," though no one dares accuse her. Laurie always did have quite the temper. Lindie was picked up by her mother last night from the hospital so at least I don't have to worry about her safety for the time being.

I let out a sigh and stand, spider legs carrying me to the bathroom. I almost let out a gasp as I stare at my reflection; my once brown eyes were now a vivid yellow. I swallow down my own fear before splashing cool water on my face.

There is a spark and then a chill in the air; though I have not met him in this life I know my brother is doing something that will affect me in one way or another. He is plotting and moving, and always has been. He is miles and miles ahead of me. I have yet to retrieve my memories, yet my brother is surly building his army already.

I know, deep within the chambers of my heart, that he is preparing something awful and horrific. I also know that one of us will not make it out of this alive. It's a thought that stings my soul. At one point we loved each other. At one time, we were close and very much inseparable. Love, however, makes us do crazy things and jealousy is like a plague, tarnishing the good and the pure with the cruelest intentions.

I look back up into the mirror, my eyes capturing the light in just the right way; the yellow shines boldly in a brilliant gold colour. I can now see flakes of brown dimmed and devoured by the gold.

Today, I feel like a God.

I spare one more glance at myself before leaving the bathroom. The house feels like the calm after a violent storm; the quiet is almost deafening. My heart aches when I see the kitchen void of my mother's presence and my ears ring with longing to hear her hymns.

I slap a bagel in the toaster and pray that the house doesn't burn down. In all of my years of being in the kitchen with my mother, the best thing I can do is taste tester. I've never been a cook... I'm more of a safety hazard than anything else.

Once my breakfast is prepared I sit outside and wonder where to go from here. I know I need to find the green eyed girl. I also need to stop my brother.

Oleander's tasks for the day:

• Eat.
•Find green eyed girl.
•Find brother; stop brother.
•Eat.
•Raise an army.
•Visit my mother.
•Gain more memories.
•Figure out if I have powers.
•Eat.
•Figure out if Gods can fly.
•Figure out how to do all of this.
•Cry and give up.

Yep, another flawless list of things to do that in all actuality won't get accomplished. The only thing on the list I know I can achieve is eating and the last one. I shove the last part of my bagel in my mouth and go limp; eyes shielded by inked fingers.

There's so much to do and I have no idea where to begin. I want to go back to feeling like more of a God than mortal right now.

With eyes closed tightly I can hear the world around me; hearts alive and beating with colour. I can almost feel the mystery woman, taste sun kissed flesh on my chapped lips, run fingers through dark silken strands, shutter under the glare of green hues, and dance for joy when her smile crosses my mind. I know this woman in my very soul so why can't I seek her out now? Why does her heart not scream for me?

Maybe if I listen harder?

"Momma, how come you left us?"

"Why did he have to die?"

"I can't keep living this way."

"How are we going to afford this?"

"I keep praying for a miracle but I don't think anyone's listening..."

I know I should focus on some of these but I can't... I have to find her...

Green eyes. Dark hair. Dark skin. Tight fitting jeans? Where the heck did that thought come from?

I open my eyes and let out a groan, there's no way I'm going to find her right now. I barely know how to use-

"Daniel, did you want the red or blue one?"

My heart stops as the world around me spins, my breath catches in my throat and I almost choke. I know that voice! I've met her before!

"The girl from the park!" I bounce from my seat, the chair clinging against peeled siding as I race towards the park.