Part 28 (2/2)

”Closer.” Ith chuckled.

Venus stood between them, nearly touching their legs. ”How may I serve?” she asked, her head bowed.

They rose. Aetha said, ”The time has come.” They placed their hands on her head. Aetha continued, ”Venus, child of the bigger sun, we bestow the final rites of immortality upon you. In the name of Ith.”

Ith took over, ”In the name of Aetha, everything we are is yours, to use for the good of Kelari, for the good of all worlds. Much will be demanded of you. Use your weaknesses to better yourself and those around you. You're full of love. Your soul is filled with what is right. Help your people understand the changes they will be expected to make. Never forget that you are of the tribe of Suraey, born leaders of this world.”

Aetha spoke again, ”You're life will be one of service. Find the joy in helping others. Being a leader means more than giving orders. To be a good leader, you must first be a good follower. You are the newest kelvieri. Help your world and other world's as necessary. The choices you make will affect generations to come.”

”Lead. Loyalty. Love,” Ith said with power.

Aetha, finished, ”Lead with loyalty and love. Make that your motto. Follow it, daughter kelvieri.”

As Aetha spoke, Venus lifted her hands and noticed Michael's coat and the book he'd given her had vanished, her arms exposed.

My book, she couldn't help thinking.

Aetha said, ”Daughter, you worry too much, especially for one who kept her feelings so far buried.”

Venus agreed as she watched her clothing disappear.

Blue light radiated from every pore of her skin. She felt a chill, like an ice cube, in her lower belly. The cold spread downward and upward simultaneously. Bigger and bigger, colder and colder, a throbbing circle of ice, pus.h.i.+ng everything warm and mortal out of her body. It went down her thighs and up, into her lungs, to her knees and into her hearts, to her s.h.i.+ns, ankles, feet, toes and her neck, the throbbing growing stronger.

Every pliable, dysfunctional organ replaced, and sustained by the organs of immortality. When the cold reached her eyes, the pupils dilated and her vision became more sharp-crystal clear. Her hearing more attuned to her surroundings, and when she breathed out, a puff that looked like smoke escaped, as though the room had frozen and Venus was the one possessed with warmth.

Her last breath of mortality.

She was changing.

As she changed, the elements-air, wind, heat and water-took on a new, more exquisite level of meaning.

Extraordinary that she could feel the s.h.i.+ft. Her smaller heart stopped. The blood evaporated. In its place, the bigger organ, called the epsis, began beating harder. Venus looked down and noticed a green pulsing on the right side of her chest. It beat in time with the thumping of her epsis. As it beat, the green substance, called ephiny, flowed through her once-clear veins. When the ephiny had run through every inch of her body, she sparkled like an emerald green gem.

Behind her, she heard a gasp and figured it had to be Michael. Zaren wouldn't be surprised by the changes, since he'd gone through them.

After a while, the glittering green on her skin vanished returning once again to a creamy peach. Venus put a hand to her chest, feeling for the thump- thump of her epsis. It no longer beat.

Instead, her body possessed a vibration.

The cold hissed intense. Venus knew she'd burn up. Turn to ash at any moment. Or shatter into millions of pieces. The tiniest movement had her longing to scream. She resisted. Ith and Aetha stood so close. She worried about showing the G.o.ds any weakness. Would they transform her back into a regular kelarian? Closing her eyes, she gritted her teeth.

The ephiny would be replaced by the eternal substance they called, celestrum.

After what seemed like hours, the cold began receding. She took a deep breath. The motion felt amazing. In that moment, she knew the immortality transformation had been completed. She'd become a kelvieri.

Immortal.

Dizzy with excitement, Venus clasped her hands together and opened her eyes. For so long she'd dreamed about this moment. Speculated about what she'd look like. What she'd feel like. Gazing around the cave, everything her eyes lay upon shone clearer, brighter and sharper, as though a veil had been lifted.

The soft dripping she'd heard earlier now sounded like the banging of symbols. Easily, she located the source-a tiny hole in the wall, smaller than a pin head. Focusing on the hole, it was easy to see inside, the droplets of water forcing their way through the dirt and outward. A hitch caught in her throat. Such love and grat.i.tude filled her for these G.o.ds, her family, Zaren, her people, and Michael.

”Thank you,” she whispered looking first at Ith and then Aetha.

Ith smiled. After the G.o.ds had removed their hands from her head, he said, ”Child, it's our pleasure.”

Aetha stepped closer to Venus. Sweet hyath permeated all around her. Venus realized Aetha was the source of the smell. ”One more thing,” Aetha whispered.

Venus stood perfectly still, Aetha's nearness making her skin p.r.i.c.kle with joy.

Taking Venus's hands in hers, Aetha kissed her on the cheek. When she withdrew, Aetha said, ”You must surround yourself with goodness. Let's start with some beautiful clothes for a beautiful kelvieri.” She paused and winked before continuing, ”And a little something extra.” She released Venus's hands and moved to stand next to Ith.

Venus saw a s.h.i.+mmering, sky blue blouse materialize on the top half of her body. The sleeves reached her wrists and V'd at the neck. The material soft as air-gauzy and light. Trousers the same color as her boots, appeared on her legs. At her waist was a black belt. An irrihunter head, black and silver, with bright violet eyes and a pink nose, held the belt at the center. Touching it, she gasped, for it licked her fingers.

”What the-” She searched the faces of the G.o.ds for an answer.

Light laughter erupted from them.

Aetha said, ”You'll understand when the time is right. Take care of Tortevia. She'll be a guiding light in the darkness.”

Mystified, Venus said, ”Thank you, I will. She's beautiful as are my clothes.”

Eyes twinkling, Ith said, ”Now go, and take Zaren with you. We have more to discuss with Michael. The next time we speak, let it be that you've brought your accusers.” With a flick of his wrist, he dismissed them.

”But-” She turned and watched Zaren rise. His face and demeanor were more relaxed than she'd seen him all week.

”Everything will be fine, Venus. We'll make sure Michael is safe,” Aetha said, tenderly.

Michael still kneeled, head straightforward. Hair mussed, but somehow perfect. Venus started toward him and was surprised by how quickly she moved.

Letting out a gasp, she said, ”Whoa.” Barely stopping before she ran him over. She peered over her shoulder at the G.o.ds, her face hot with embarra.s.sment.

They smiled like any parent would at a child learning to walk.

Sheepish, she placed a hand on Michael's shoulder. ”Michael, I-I . . .”

”Don't worry about me.” He didn't look at her. Venus tried to will his eyes to hers.

One more time, let me see your face.

He turned, his chocolate eyes filled with his desires. She touched his cheek and wished she hadn't. She realized she didn't want to leave him, didn't want to be without him. Ever. With a shudder, she pulled her hand away, shocked at the revelation.

”We'll wait for you,” she said, her resolve firm.

He gave a slight nod, but had already turned away.

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