As I head toward the stairs, I realize it immediately. The building, it feels different, lighter even and less heavy. My thoughts go to Sylvia and how grateful I am for her help. There’s no way I could have done any of it without her. Hell, I wasn’t even sure we actually pulled it off, everything happened so quickly. Or so I thought.
I flip up my hand, glancing down at the screen on my phone and gasp.
8:47 PM
Oh my God.
Almost two hours are gone.
Two hours.
How? How is that even possible? It felt like minutes, actually no, more like seconds. No wonder Sylvia was completely drained. That must have taken every ounce of energy she had.
Hopefully, I’ll get to thank her soon.
***
I pull up to the motel and Ascot is already outside in the parking lot, waiting for me. I stop the car and get out as he walks in my direction, hair slightly disheveled but still looking just as hot in his snug jeans and navy button down shirt.
“Hey,” he says, with a troubled smile. “You can drive, you didn’t have to get out.”
“I’m good,” I open the door, suddenly exhausted. “I’m actually a little tired.”
His expression changes, brows pushing together. “Are you all right? Can I get you something to eat?”
“I could eat,” I admit, “but I’d kill for a glass of wine.”
“We have to go back and watch for Marcus anyway. Consider it done,” he takes my hand. “Thank you,” he pauses, the sincerity in his eyes palpable. “I mean it with everything I am, Elise,” he kisses my cheek. “Now, let me take care of you.”
I give him a small smile. “I’m not sure I could say no to you even if I wanted to,” I admit, slipping into the passenger seat.
Ascot leans in, eyes heavy lidded. “I’m not sure I could take no for an answer even if you did,” he whispers, moving closer until his lips gently touch mine, soft and tender. He pulls back and I watch him strap me in, tasting the essence of him still on my lips. That kiss, it meant something. More than any kiss he has given before.
***
The drive home was brief and without words, not the least bit awkward as I rested my head on Ascot’s shoulder. The moment he pushed the gear into park, he was outside my door before I could open it, offering his hand as I got out. He continued holding it as we climbed the stairs past the second floor, squeezing my fingers tightly as I glanced down the hallway towards my apartment. He was sending a message and I was sending one back. I didn’t hesitate I kept going, not even second-guessing myself. I knew right at that moment my life had officially changed forever.
As Ascot unlocks his door and I step in, I’m suddenly aware of his use of the word responsibility, and my perspective changes. Where Sylvia left off, I now have someone new who will guide and care for me through this vast world—a partner, a friend, and possibly, a significant other. My immortality may have been a complete accident, but Ascot and I will share that extraordinary bond for eternity.
“Here, take a seat,” Ascot whispers, letting go as I plop down on his leather sofa. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” I whisper, rubbing my temples. “I can’t believe how exhausted I am.”
“I have no doubt,” he says, pouring red wine into a glass, and then another. “And, I’m hoping since I wasn’t here to attract them, it made the process easier?”
“None of it was easy,” I sigh. “Having to experience all their emotions was grueling in itself. I had no idea I could feel so many different sensations all at once.”
“Easy may not have been my best choice of words,” he admits, holding two wine glasses as he walks toward me. “Where there any complications?” he hands me the stem of a glass, taking a seat beside me.
I shake my head and look over at him. “A little,” I vaguely say, not wanting to relive how difficult it actually was. “But, I did help a man cross over and that felt pretty good,” I admit and his eyebrows go up. “Yeah,” I continue, “he was a farmer and worked this land like a hundred years ago. He died pretty tragically in a tractor accident.”
“Jesus,” he whispers and takes a drink. “Had he been stuck here the whole time?”
“Mmm, hum, it can happen when someone dies tragically. Their souls are confused, especially if they have unfinished business. He was pretty young when he passed too,” I tilt my head. “You didn’t notice him in the portal?”
“I tried to ignore the portal,” he deadpans and I let out a gasp.
“What?” his expression clears.
“Ascot, you can’t ignore them, not for long anyway,” I shake my head. “No wonder it got so bad.”
His eyes narrow, “Bad? Why do I have a feeling you’re not telling me something?”
I take a sip of wine and swallow. “The longer you ignore spirits, the more agitated they become, drawing in darker energies.”
“Come on, Elise, spill it.”
“It’s nothing, at least I don’t think so, not anymore,” I lean forward to get up and he takes my wrist.
I don’t even want to think about them. Liv and Becca can wait.
“Hang on,” I look him in the eyes. “First, tell me about that snake in your room?”
His lips twist and he lets go, looking away.
“Ascot, you said you’d explain later,” I remind him. “It’s later.”
His eyes come back to mine, staring for a second, no doubt choosing the right words. “It’s complicated.”
“Oh, I’m sure it is,” I take another sip. “But let’s face it, our lives will never be uncomplicated. You may as well tell me everything at this poin…”
“His name is Caduceus,” he interrupts, glancing down the hall toward his bedroom. “He is the most ancient creature still alive on this planet.”
Whoa.
“Oh, so he’s fragile?” I ask.
“Not at all,” Ascot sighs, glancing back at me. “Cad is deathly powerful and is the sum of all world knowledge.”
“Come again?”
“He is the reason I knew the portal was closed and that it was safe to come back,” he explains. “He’s also the reason I need my uncle’s water to keep him alive.”
“You can talk to him?”
“Of course,” he says like it’s obvious, “telepathically.”
“Wow,” I blink, trying to wrap my head around this new information. “What did you mean by the sum of all world knowledge?”
“Just that,” his brows push together and he leans in. “Elise, Caduceus is even older than me.”
“What?” I swallow hard. “How is that even possible?”
“Poseidon,” he says. “I mean, you of all people know how powerful just a single drop of...”
“Wait, so all this time that snake has been kept alive by your uncle’s water?”
Ascot nods, bringing the edge of the wine glass to his mouth. “He doesn’t eat, there’s no need,” he takes a drink.
I stare at him when it suddenly dawns on me. “Oh my God,” I whisper. “Is that the reason I’m-I’m not feeling the least bit hungry? Even after hours without food?”