Fruit of Misfortune by Nely Cab
(Creatura, #2)
by: Nely Cab
THIS book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
NO part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
Fruit of Misfortune
Copyright ©2015 Nely Cab
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-63422-113-9
Cover Design by: Marya Heiman
Typography by: Courtney Nuckels
Editing by: Elisabeth Kauffman & Cynthia Shepp
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I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
-Revelation 21:6
For my grandmother, Linda, who asked me to write her a story.
For more information about our content disclosure,
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www.CleanTeenPublishing.com.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
About the Author
Acknowledgements
David was still fast asleep. I looked in my compact mirror to fix my makeup. The pupils of my green eyes had grown thin and long, like that of a serpent. I turned to a passenger that was seated across the aisle from us and hissed before I attacked.
Crushing her throat between my jaws made her body jerk. My tongue savored the iron in her blood. I felt its warmth trickle down the side of my mouth and over my chin. She squirmed, fighting for her life, gasping for air, and clawing her fingers into my arms. Finally, her eyes rolled back, her body becoming a limp piece of meat that no longer held my interest.
The passengers’ screams reminded me I wasn’t alone. I raised my head in search of new prey. The terror that filled their eyes delivered me into the open arms of euphoria. Feeling the bliss of satiation, I realized that I liked to kill.
The monster was still submerged deep inside of me. But the person responsible for creating it had at last surfaced. His name was S. Leumas. That was all I knew about him—my biological father. The last letter I had received was postmarked from Athens, Greece, and that was where the search would begin.
Before I left Texas, Alezzander—David’s dad—had paid off someone to investigate the cashier’s check my father had included in his latest letter. The employee found only trivial notes in the bank’s database, claiming the customer profile was so old that details of that record had been lost with system upgrades through the years. S. Leumas knew well how to cover his tracks. He didn’t want to be found.
There was no address listed on the bank’s system; however, the city he resided in was on file—Kyparissia. The small town located by the sea was once called Arcadia, and it was our destination.
I was mortified knowing I was some sort of hybrid. I would become a different species after my eighteenth birthday—my coming of age. I had turned eighteen just last month, but I didn’t know exactly when this change would occur. And whatever thing I became, David would transform into it as well. I’m his worst mistake. If he hadn’t given me the Star Crest, so that he could be with me without breaking the laws of the Council, he wouldn’t be doomed. He could’ve lived forever.
Using their healing and empathic abilities, the Chioses—David’s family—speculated that our change would be internal. Only, they had never come across a Creatura that looked human. How could they be so sure I wouldn’t turn into a monster?
I was living blind. My only hope was to find my father. Maybe he would have the answers I needed.
***
“Isis,” David whispered into my ear.
I felt my body jerk as my name echoed through my head and brought me back to consciousness. The bitter taste of blood was fresh on my tongue.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I said.
David wiped the corner of my mouth and showed me the red smudge on his finger. The dream had been so vivid that I had sunk my teeth into my lip. I touched my mouth and wondered why it didn’t hurt.
“What were you dreaming?” he asked.
“We were on the plane, and—the plane was going to crash,” I lied.
I didn’t want David obsessing over my nightmares like he’d done after the incident with Gabriel, my ex-boyfriend.
“No nightmares of Gabriel?” he asked, wiping the blood on his black jeans.
“No. And please don’t go snooping into my dreams to find out, okay?”
“I promised I wouldn’t.”
“Just making sure,” I said. “You have a tendency to overreact.”
“Because I care about you.”
“I know. That’s why I keep you around.” I nudged him.
I stretched my neck from side to side while we waited for the other passengers to clear the aisle. I hadn’t noticed it before, but the cabin smelled like stale, recycled air. It was making my stomach turn.
“That was the longest flight ever,” I said.
“I enjoyed it.”
“That’s because you slept the entire way here, except during the layover.”
“Did I snore?” he asked, and I shook my head. “You did.”
“I did not.” I elbowed him.
Even after all those hours of sleep, I didn’t feel rested. A plane seat wasn’t the most comfortable of places to sleep—or to dream of the savage within me, waiting to rouse. That was only one of many nightmares that I suspected were glimpses of what was to come. I cringed at the thought.
David held my hand and took my carry-on bag. He led me out of the plane and into the airport arrival gate. My ears were ringing as we reached the baggage claim area.
Standing next to the conveyer belt, I examined the airlines’ marketing posters on the wall. I tugged on the Star Crest that hung from my neck on a gold chain that Nyx had given me as a graduation present. To be honest, I liked the leather string it hung on originally, but I didn’t want to hurt Nyx’s feelings by not wearing her gift.
“You won’t have to carry it with you anymore once the change begins.” David looked at the star between my fingers.
“But I don’t want to take it off.”
“Then you don’t have to.”
“Dahveed,” a male voice called from a distance.
A man with a gray suit and dark sunglasses walked toward us. He patted David on the back as he shook his hand. Then he turned to me. His five o?
“Isis doesn’t speak Greek, Balthazar,” David told him.
“Forgive me, miss. I’m Balthazar—Mr. Alezzander’s assistant.”
“Hello,” I said, and he gave me a polite smile in return.
“I’m at your disposal,” Balthazar said to David. “Boss’s orders.”
“Thank you. But I think we can make our way around Athens on our own.”
“I’ll keep my schedule open just in case.”
David slid our suitcases off the conveyer belt. Balthazar was quick to take them, and then he led us to the exit.
David and I crossed the parking lot, heading toward a black SUV where Balthazar was busy loading our suitcases. I could hear a car’s engine revving, the loud purr becoming a roar by the second. Then suddenly, I saw a yellow sports car driving at full speed in our direction without making the tiniest attempt to stop. David pushed me back and leapt out of the way. He shoved me so hard that I landed flat on my back several feet from where I had been standing. A few inches more and the car would have struck us both.
The car screeched its tires as it turned a sharp corner, leaving a puff of black and white smoke behind. David helped me to my feet.
“Are you hurt?” He inspected me.
“I don’t—I don’t think so.”
“Idiot!” Balthazar raised his fist at the car and ran toward us. “Are you okay, miss?”
“I’m okay,” I said, rubbing my elbow. “Just a little shaken up.”
“I was afraid it was…”
I looked up at David expecting him to finish his thought, but he didn’t. It wasn’t necessary, though. With the recent happenings and the paranoia that was now ever-present in my life, I knew he must’ve been thinking the same thing I was—Turpis. The demonic creatures had already attacked me once by possessing Gabriel’s body. The horrible memory haunted me still.
“You’re shaking.” David rubbed my arms.
“I’m fine. Really.” I looked around. “Where’s my purse?”
Balthazar had already picked up my bag. I thanked him as he handed it to me. David took my hand and we walked to the SUV. When we were settled in the back seat, David wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. I rested my head on him.
“I didn’t mean to push you so hard. I’m sorry,” he said.
“Don’t apologize for saving my life. You’re my hero.” I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
***
A creamy full moon appeared in the sky as we drove into the city. With the evening traffic and winding uphill roads, it took us almost two hours to get to the Chioses’ villa.
Though it was dark, I could see the white, modern home at the top of the hill that David said was named Lycabettus. Illuminated by garden lights, colorful and flowery foliage lined the walkway and provided a welcome mat for the residence. The house had curb appeal.
Balthazar helped David unload our luggage from the SUV. I offered to help, but they were too quick and efficient and overall, too chivalrous to let me.
Before we reached the entryway, a short, medium-framed woman opened the front door and scurried out to greet us. Her salt-peppered hair peeked out from under the dark scarf draped on her head. She wore a white, beaded blouse and a long flowing skirt. She gave me a broad smile. I listened as she exchanged words with David, nothing of which I could understand.
“I’m guessing she doesn’t speak English?” I asked.
“No. She’s Italian—a migrant worker. Camilla’s been with us for a few years now; Paulina, her niece, a bit less. You’ll meet her tomorrow.”
A fresh and pleasant smell filled my nostrils when we entered the foyer. As we walked further in, I saw the source of the scent—vases filled with white wands of tuberose. In the living room, one of the walls showcased a collection of paintings. Botticelli originals? Probably.
“Do you need anything else?” Balthazar asked David.
“If you could arrange for a car, please?”
“Of course. It’ll be here by early morning,” Balthazar said, and then walked to the door where he paused. “Welcome to Greece, and good night to both of you.”
***
Following a quick tour of the house, Camilla and David showed me to my bedroom and gave me some privacy to settle in.
A bathrobe, towels, and slippers were laid out on the monstrous bed that was mine for the summer. The white bedspread and fluffy pillows looked tempting after our long trip. On the dresser sat a dark wicker basket, filled with fresh roses and fruit. It looked just as enticing as the bed. On the other side of the room, a pair of doors opened up to a balcony. I grabbed a rose from the basket before I walked out into the warm night. I leaned over the railing, observing the twinkling lights that made up the city of Athens. It was beautiful.
Maybe I can enjoy it regardless of the circumstances that brought me here.
Yes, it’d be prudent to begin the search for S. Leumas the very next morning, but the Acropolis was calling out to me. I wanted to stand on the rocks that touched the shoes of so many others in history. Putting off the search for one more day wouldn’t hurt, would it? I needed at least one stress-free day to prepare myself emotionally. After all, a girl only gets one first time to meet the man that ruined her life.
I heard a light tapping on the door just as I placed the last of my clothes in the linen-lined drawers.
“Permesso, posso entrare?” I heard Camilla say. I figured she wanted me to open the door.
Camilla walked in holding a large black box, a pink bow fastened to it. She set it on the bed and looked at me.
“Apri il regalo.”
“Uh—I don’t understand.”
“Aprilo.”
“She’d like you to open the gift,” David said, standing at the door.
“Is this from you?” I asked, and he nodded.
I pulled the satin bow by the ends and let the ribbon slide off the box. I lifted the lid and removed the pink tissue paper that had been placed over the contents where I found a garnet-colored cocktail dress and a pair of matte, gold-heeled shoes.
“A dress?” I cocked my eyebrow.
“I didn’t think you had packed one and I was hoping that we might go on that first date tonight, if you’re not too tired.”
“Really?”
“Well, if you’re tired—”
“No.” I shook my head. “I meant, really, we’re finally going out?”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a definite yes. Give me an hour to get ready?”
“Of course,” David said and walked to the door. He said something in Italian to Camilla and they both left the room.
Before I began to pretty myself up, I walked to the balcony again. How I wished my mother could be standing here experiencing the view. It had only been a day since I had been away from her, but I already missed my Claire.
I didn’t know what time it was back home, but I dialed Claire’s cell phone anyway. I’d promised to call her to tell her I’d arrived safely.
“Is it beautiful?” Claire asked.
“I haven’t seen too much, but Mom, I can see the Parthenon from the balcony. It’s phenomenal!”
The line was silent.
“Mom?”
“You’ll call me often, won’t you?” Claire asked.
“I promise.”
“Remind me again how long you’ll be away?”
“Two months. I’m all yours after then. Well, at least until spring.” I hoped.
“I can’t believe I let you put off college ‘til spring for this. I’m a cool mom, huh?”
“The coolest.”
“Well…” she sighed. “I’m at work, and I better get back to it, before the waterworks set in.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, woman. Keep it together.”
She giggled.
“I love you, honey.”
“Love you, too. Stop moping, okay?”
“I will.”
***
I adjusted the silk dress’s thin belt over my waist and made sure the wide strap that looped around my neck was securely fastened. The open-toed shoes were a perfect fit for my hard-to-please feet. They were comfortable, too. I wondered if they were from one of Alezzander’s shoe lines and glanced at the brand name on the box they had come in. Alezz. How chic.
I curled my hair at the ends and put it up, leaving my back exposed. Then I sprayed my favorite perfume over my wrists and neck and walked to the right corridor. There were three doors, but I had no idea which was David’s room. There was only one way to find out.
“David?”
“I’m downstairs.” His voice produced a slight echo.
I took each step gingerly, for fear of slipping on the marble staircase. I could still hear David speaking, but I didn’t know to who. When I reached the foot of the stairs, I saw his phone pressed against his ear.
David was wearing a light colored shirt under a dark jacket. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone. I took it as an invitation and touched the bare part of his chest. He placed his hand over mine, and then raised it to his lips. I admired him as he spoke on the phone for a moment longer. When he ended the call, he took a step back and studied me from head to toe.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as you.”
“Thanks,” I said, blushing. “You look like a god.”
“Very funny.”
“I’m serious. I’m not sure I want anyone else to see you looking this good.”
“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” he told me. “Shall we?”
I nodded and took his arm, and we stepped out of the house. A car was parked in the curved driveway. The driver opened the door, and I slid into the back seat.
“I’ll be right back,” David said, peeking his head in.
He walked back to the house. A moment later, I saw him at the front door with his arm hidden behind his back. As he settled into the back seat, he brought his arm around and handed me a bouquet of roses.