chapter SEVEN
“Hello my dear,” Aphrodite says and smiles at Kallos. She still can't believe that this is Aphrodite.
“Hello Aphrodite.”
“What’s wrong?” Kallos laughs at her.
“How did you know something was wrong?”
“Kallos dear, I could see it in your eyes. Has the pain started?”
“Yes, but that’s not why I am here. I have a question about soul mates.” Aphrodite nods for Kallos to continue. “Can I have two soul mates?”
Aphrodite's eyebrows go together. “What do you mean two soul mates?” Aphrodite's voice is hiding something.
“Well, when I am with each of them, I don’t feel any pain. When I kiss them, I feel the exact same thing. I’m so confused; please, help me.” Kallos narrows her eyes at the goddess.
“Well, it sounds like you may have two soul mates. I have never heard of that, but if they both take your pain away, that’s a good thing.” Kallos looks down at her feet. She was hoping that Aphrodite was going to help, but it doesn't look that way. She knows it’s a good thing that she doesn't feel pain when she is around both of them. But she really wants to know which one… Suddenly she looks up at Aphrodite and sees her watching her.
“I may have something that may help you. Will you give me a minute?” Kallos nods and Aphrodite vanishes into thin air. Kallos wonders if that would be one of her powers. She is looking at the spot where Aphrodite disappears into thin air, and suddenly reappears just as quickly. Kallos jumps because she isn't ready for that, and Aphrodite just smiles. Kallos glances down at Aphrodite's hands and can see that Aphrodite is holding two necklaces. They have all black polished beads. “Kallos, this necklace will help you find your soul mate. You see how it’s all black?”
She pauses and waits for Kallos's response; Kallos nods. “When your true love puts it on, it will turn sliver. All you have to do is take it from me, but you can never drop it. Bring it to your face, and ask it to help you find your soul mate. Then, you kiss it.”
Kallos reaches out for it, and Aphrodite hands it to her. As soon it touches her hands, she gasps. It feels like it is burning right through her hands. Kallos looks up at Aphrodite who just nods. “It will get better.” Kallos brings the burning black necklace to her face, and can feel the blistering heat against her lips…
“Please,” Kallos has to pause; the burning is almost too much, “help me find my soul mate.” She swears it grows warmer when she asks. As soon as her lips come closer to it, she wants to pull away. When she places her lips on the necklace, she is thankful that it cools down. She sighs in relief; the necklace is like ice cold water relieving a burn. It is almost as if it’s telling her that it’s sorry. She looks back up at Aphrodite, and she is grinning. “So, all I have to do is put it on them, and it will change?” Aphrodite nods and hands Kallos a second necklace. Kallos groans and repeats the process.
“I will make sure that the necklaces will return with you. Normally you can’t take anything from here, but I will allow this.” Aphrodite walks over to Kallos and hugs her. “Everything will be fine, my dear. Remember, I am always with you.” She leans in and kisses Kallos’ forehead. “Good bye, Kallos,” and she vanishes. Kallos really does hope that she gets that power.
She shuts her eyes and thinks about being home in her bed soft and warm; and is surrounded by all of her things. She thinks of her parents and of the Hunter boys, which makes her smile.
Kallos is holding the necklaces tight in her hands and feels the cool air on her face. She knows that she is home. She looks at her alarm clock, and it’s almost time for Sean and Ian to be here. She sits up and takes a deep breath. How many people find their true soul mate? She knows that it can’t be many. She can hear her dad yell for her. She gets up and glances in the mirror. Her hair is a complete mess, and most of her makeup is on her pillow. She sighs; she doesn't have enough time to fix herself up. She sets the necklaces on desk next to her laptop in her room before heading downstairs. Kallos stops just shy of the bottom of the stairs and fingers combs her hair and wipes her fingers under her eyes to clear off the blackness from her eyeliner and mascara. Thank goodness she doesn't smell. She walks towards the voices; she sees Ian and Sean sitting in the living room.
When Kallos walks in, everyone stops talking. She narrows her eyes at the boys, and they look away. She looks at her mom, and Mom looks different. Her mom’s normally beautiful face has no makeup and Kallos can see the dark circles under her eyes. Kallos also notices that her mom's face is red like she is angry. Her mom never gets angry. She is the gentlest person ever. Kallos looks at her dad and he’s the only one who keeps eye contact with her.
“Kallos, why don’t you sit down?” She nods and heads to the couch. Ian and Sean move apart so that she can sit between them. When she is sitting down, they both grab a hand. Her dad clears his throat; Kallos squeezes both of their hands and let’s go. “We are going to have some rules for you two living here. First rule is that you two aren’t allowed in Kallos’ room alone. The second rule is that you will be home by five on school nights. And, the last one but certainly not least is when she is in pain you two will be there, no matter what time. Do you two understand?” Her dad’s voice cracks a little.
“Yes sir” they both say together.
“Mr. and Mrs. Dean, all we want is for Kallos to be safe and not be in pain. We both went through it, and you can’t comprehend the pain. It is the worst pain in the world. It feels like your body is being slashed into million pieces. I watched my brother go through it first, and it frightened me to death,” Ian says. Kallos feels bad they had to go through that pain alone, and they are here to help her.
“Ian is right. We just want to help, and we will follow all the rules you set. We can even help by bringing her to school.” Sean says.
“That would help. But be warned that she likes to take her time in the mornings.” Her dad says with a grin.
“Dad!” The boys and her dad laugh together. Kallos' mom is still not saying anything; she is looking across the room, not looking at anyone. Kallos looks up at her dad and he just noticed her mom. His smile is gone. She knows that her mom isn’t too happy, but she doesn’t realize she was this mad. Each boy grabs a hand; she feels better right away. “Mom?” she asks. She doesn’t look at her, but Kallos knows that she heard her. Kallos squeezes Ian’s and Sean’s hands; then she lets go. She gets up and goes to her mom.
“Can Kallos and I have a few minutes?” Her mom asks. The guys nod and leave the room.
“Mom, what’s going on? Do you hate me?” Kallos' voice is shaking at the last question. Her mom turns around to face Kallos, and she’s shaking her head.
“Sweetie, I could never hate you. Is that what you think?” Kallos just nods because she doesn't trust her voice not to break. Mom comes closer to her and takes her hands. “A week after we adopted you, we got a letter in the mail. It told us about you and what you are.” She pauses and looks down at Kallos and smiles. “We didn’t believe a word of it. We thought some crazy person was messing with us, until what was in the letter started to come true. It told us about what would happen to you. It spoke of your change and your true soul mate. When I noticed that your birthmark was getting dark and more detailed, I knew.”
She looks away from Kallos. “Then this morning, I was so scared and so hurt. As your mother, I felt that I should do something. But I couldn’t do anything to help you, and I felt useless. The letter told us that we couldn’t do anything for the pain. It said we might even cause more pain if we touched you. We have been waiting for over a year now for your change. Since you are sixteen, we were hoping it wasn’t going to happen. I guess we were wrong.” She looks back at Kallos, and Kallos can see the tears welling up in her mother’s eyes. “Now, you know everything.” She smiles at Kallos.
“I don’t care I’m adopted. I was mad that I didn’t know anything until the last couple of days, but I love you, Mom. I will always need you.” Kallos grins at her mom and pulls her into a hug.
“So, what do you think about Ian and Sean?” Kallos can feel and hear her mom laugh.
“Well, they are both good looking, and they are both sweet. I’m not sure what to think about one of them being your soul mate, though. I think you are a little young for that. You should be having fun and enjoying life and have lots of boyfriends!” She says teasing Kallos.
Kallos can’t even conceive of dating other boys. She may be confused about Ian and Sean, but she doesn't want anyone else. She can't see herself with anyone but them. Just the thought of them not being there broke something inside of her.
“Mom, I kissed BOTH of them!” Immediately Kallos puts her hand over her mouth. She cannot believe that she just said that. “And I’m so confused.” Kallos' face falls into her hands. She buries her head in her hands as the tears she has been holding in the last few days finally come to their apex. She has only known Sean and Ian for like a day and has more feelings for them than anyone else she has known. Then, there is Aphrodite. She was so perfect, so wonderful, and Kallos is nothing like her. She doesn't think she could never match her beauty and elegance. Even the way Aphrodite speaks makes her feel calm.
“Oh Sweetie,” her mom says and pulls Kallos into a tight hug again. “Boys are always confusing, and you still won’t understand them when you’re older.” She gives Kallos one last squeeze and pulls away. “Let’s go and show them their new room.” She smiles, and then Kallos walks to the door.
Kallos and her mom walk out of the living room and search for Sean, Ian and her dad when they get to the doorway she catches them trying to sneak around the doorframe as if they weren’t eavesdropping. Sean and Ian’s faces light up when they see Kallos. It’s crazy to think that they didn’t know her that long, but act like this. Kallos gives them a quick smile and stands next to them. She watches her dad grab her mom’s hand, and he gently kisses it. She has always loved how they show their love for each other. They both look at Kallos and smile. They walk up the stairs and in a panic Kallos looks to her bedroom door to make sure it’s closed. Whew that would be embarrassing my room is a mess. Her room is a mess.
In the spare room there’s a queen size bed and an old couch that pulls out into a bed. Since Kallos and her parents haven’t been here for a while, the bed isn’t made, but the sheets and blankets are on the bed and couch.
“There are some things I need to let you know,” her mom says and turns around to face them. “Kallos makes her bed every morning, and I expect you boys to do it too. I will also have breakfast ready at 7:30. I will not be your live-in maid. Do you guys understand?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” they say in unison.
“Well, I’m going to go a finish dinner. I’ll call for you when it’s done.” She walks out and pulls Kallos' dad with her. They leave the door open on their exit. Kallos, Ian, and Sean stand there for what seems like forever but is only a moment. Sean is the one to move first and sits on the bed. That leaves Kallos and Ian standing in the doorway.
“How are you feeling?” Sean asks her. She looks at him and smiles. At one point, she thought he was the dangerous one, the one who hides behind his remarkable face. But she can see now that she is wrong. He is caring and sweet, and he really cares for Kallos. She can see it in his eyes when he stares at her. She walks over to him and puts her hand on his face, which makes him smile.
“I’m feeling great!” She says. She can feel an arm wrap around her waist, so she leans back into Ian.
“Your parents said you were sleeping when we got here.” She hears the concern in Ian’s voice. From the start she knew he is the one that she could run to if she needed someone to hold her. She still can't believe that he and Ian are brothers. Ian has a way of making her feel safe with just a look. She puts her hand on Ian's arm.
“I went to talk to Aphrodite. I told her I was confused about you two. That I couldn’t tell which of the two of you are my soul mate. So, she gave me something to help.” She feels the boys stiffen at what she just said.
“How?” Ian asks, and Kallos takes a deep breath.
“Well she gave me two necklaces. She told me that the necklaces will change from black to sliver when worn by my soul mate.” She isn't going to tell them how it burned her when she held it. Kallos has a strong feeling they would freak out. She wonders if the necklaces are going to burn them. “I’ll be right back.” She moves away from them and walks to the door. She can hear Sean saying her name, but she doesn't stop.
****
Sean looks at his brother. It took some time to calm him done after school. Ian isn’t happy that Karissa hurt Kallos. Sean has to talk him out of doing some crazy things. People always say Sean is the hot head, but they just haven't seen his brother’s temper.
“Want to make a deal?” Sean asks, and Ian turns to look at him.
“Maybe. It depends on what you want,” Ian says and moves to sit next to Sean.
“That no matter what happens, we will still be brothers.” They haven't been close, but they have never hated each other. Sean is terrified that he is going to lose Ian if Sean is Kallos' soul mate; he doesn't want that to happen. Ian smiles and punches Sean in the arm.
“Dude, you can't get rid of me. We’re blood, but don't feel bad. You'll see that I am her soul mate.” Ian laughs, and Sean can feel his heart breaking. He knows that it can happen like that, and he prays that it won't. “So how do you think she was able to bring something back?” That was a great question. Sean has no idea. He has tried, and as soon as he was back, whatever he brought was gone.
“I don't know. Maybe it's because Aphrodite is the strongest, and she really wants Kallos to make it.” Sean has to look away from his brother because he knows where both of their thoughts are going, Acidalia. She was supposed to be their one and only. Then the change came and took her. Why didn't Aphrodite tell her about soul mates taking away the pain? He still has an old picture of them together in his wallet. Ian was more in love with her than Sean was, but that doesn't mean that Sean doesn’t hurt from her death. Things got strangely quiet for a minute or so.
“You know, I didn't want to let myself get close to Kallos, not after what happened to Acidalia. I didn't think my heart would allow someone else to enter,” Ian pauses and looks Sean in the eye. “You acted like it didn't affect you that much; I knew better. I heard you crying many times and still do. I still don't know if I can trust that Kallos will make it. But Apollo believes she is the one that will change everything.” Sean is still taking in what his brother says when they hear someone walking toward the bedroom.
****
When Kallos walks in, they are both on the bed talking. Sean looks up at her, and when he looks into her eyes, she can swear that his eyes light up. Ian glances up, too, but he doesn’t look into her eyes. His eyes went straight to the necklaces in her hand. She walks over to them, and Ian quickly grabs for the necklaces. She jerks them away from him. She needs to explain some things before either one touch them.
“Wait! I need to tell you something.” They nod at her. “When I first touched the necklaces, they burned me. I don’t know if it will when you touch them, but I wanted to warn you. It's black now, but if you are my soul mate, it will turn to silver.”
“And it will just change?” Sean asks.
“That’s what she told me,” Kallos tells them. She hands a necklace to each of them. “Well, do you want to give it a try?” They laugh at her and nod. Then, things seemed to go in slow motion. Sean and Ian put the necklaces on at the same time, slipping the necklaces over their heads. She hears them both gasp. Their bodies start to glow and smoke. She goes to touch them, but Ian shakes his head. She looks at the necklaces on each of their necks, and they are both repeating the change from black to silver and back to black over and over again. Kallos should have gotten more information from Aphrodite. Their beautiful tan skin is turning white. She really wants to do something to help, but she doesn’t know what would happen if she does. All of a sudden, they both shut their eyes at the same time. She puts one of her hands on each of their faces. They are sweating, but feel cool to her touch. She glances down and sees that they aren’t breathing. In Desperation she violently shakes them; maybe that will wake them up. Kallos can’t lose them, not when she has just found them. She is just about to scream for help when Ian gasps, and then Sean does too. She collapses in a heap to the floor. She thought she lost them both, and she feels something breaking inside of her. Kallos doesn't realize that she is sobbing until she starts shaking. She pulls her hands away from them and puts her head in her hands. She hears one of them clear his throat; she can't look up.
“Baby, we’re fine,” Sean says, even though his voice sounds rougher than normal. She still can't look up at them; she is terrified that she will see them in pain. She is the one who gave them the necklaces, and it almost killed them. She starts to cry harder and feels an arm circle round her; she is pulled into a tight embrace.
Kallos already knows his smell; he smells like amber. “Shh, it’s okay, Baby. I’m right here.” She squeezes Sean tighter. Kallos slowly lifts her head and can see Ian’s baby blues staring at her. It is his necklace that she sees first. It is sliver. She quickly looks at Sean’s neck and his is also sliver. She moves away from Sean and looks at both of them. She wipes away the remaining tears on her face and clears her throat.
“No, it can’t be right! Both of your necklaces turned sliver. Aphrodite told me it would help me find my soul mate. I can only have one soul mate!” She can feel herself hyperventilating. Ian is just about to say something, but her dad yells for them to get down stairs.
Kallos breaks away and runs out the door. She doesn't head down stairs; she runs into the light blue bathroom. She needs to clean up. She turns on the water and splashed some cold water on her face. Kallos really hoped that this would work; she should know who her soul mate is. She looks at herself one last time and walks to the door. Ian is waiting for her; she really doesn't know what to say to him though. He doesn’t look up even though she senses something is wrong. She moves closer to him, and she can see his body stiffen.
“Ian?” Kallos asks. He is never like this. Usually, he’s the cheerful one. He raises his head, and his eyes seem a little darker.
“Kallos, do you know what happened?” Ian asks.
“No, but I’m going to talk to Aphrodite,” she reaches out to him, but he moves away before she can touch him.
“Okay, well, we better get down stairs.” He walks away without even waiting for her. She feels something inside of her breaking again.
Kallos’ parents are already at the table, and they don’t look happy. They give her a look that says, “We will talk later.”
No one said anything during dinner, and Kallos was fine with that. Ian still wouldn’t look at her, and it seemed that Sean couldn’t take his eyes off her. When dinner was finished, she tells everyone good night and goes into her room. How can both necklaces turn sliver? No one has two soul mates. Well, at least she doesn’t think so. Kallos changes into her baby pink pajamas with little white bunnies all over; she quickly lies down, and thinks of the beautiful garden of Mt Olympus.