Clovers End - 17. Revelation

Alex P.O.V

I feel safe. It's been a long time since I felt this sensation. As dawn breaks, streams of burnt orange light sieve their way through the cracks in the curtain, brightening the room with their warmth. They reflect off the cream coloured walls, almost highlighting it in a coppery tinge. The soft melodic howl of the wind, drags the song of birds through the threshold, heralding in the new day. My eyes slowly flutter open. The strong scent of cedar wood and musk fills my nostrils. It's warm and inviting like a forest after a crisp summer rain. I try to stretch. My movements are restricted. I look over my shoulder, noticing James's sleeping face. He looks so peaceful. I find myself thinking that this is a face I wouldn't mind waking up to in the morning.

His Strong arms wrap gently around me pulling me into his chest. His breath is hot against my neck. I don't want to move. I'd prefer to lay here by his side, intermingled by his touch and drift off but sleep seems to be hard to come by. I attempt to wriggle free but he holds me tighter, whining in protest. He really is like a puppy.

"James" I whisper. He groans, shuffling slightly the duvet slips off him revealing his bare chest. No way. Is he naked? I slip my hand below the duvet, along the grooves of his defined torso. I pause, breathing in deeply. Feeling a tang of apprehension I psych myself up to explore further.

"You can do this." I mumbled to myself "You're both guys, it shouldn't be a big deal.” My hand glides against his sculpted body till my fingertips come into contact with tufts of hair.

"Oh My God" I exclaim, wrenching myself from his touch. My face burns a vibrant red. I clasp my hands to my face and mutter to myself in incomprehensible dialect. James jolts awake, looking a little startled, knocking the duvet off.

"Alex what's wrong?!?" He asks in confusion, his eyebrows knot in concern. He reaches over to comfort me and just as he does Rachel bursts through the door.

"What you do think you're doing to my Nephew!!!" she yells, a green aura begins to encircle her clenched fists.

"It's not what you think!!" he exclaims.

"Do you think I'm blind?!?" comes the enraged response. The green aura surges burning brighter, creating a slight hum in the air. The power she is emitting is suffocating.

"No. I was just comforting him" he explains.

"With your naked body?!?" she retorts. She lunges for him. I move as fast as I can between them.

"Wait" I yell, sticking my hand out defensively, producing a faint golden light sending them both flying into the adjacent walls of the room. I feel light-headed. Whatever that was took a lot out of me. I drop to my knees. Rachel keels over and sputters whilst James groans getting up slowly rubbing the side of his head. Hurried footsteps beat against the wooden floors. A worried Elder Nephritis appears at the door.

"What's all the commotion about?" she exclaims.

"I'm not sure. Rachel and I were in the middle of a dispute when Alex suddenly found his way between us. He produced this weird golden light and faster then I could react, I was forced backwards." he tries, to explain perhaps not just to the Elder but to himself as well.

"I see." she says a little shocked "Alex do you think you could do that again?"

"I could try," I say. I draw a breath and focus, trying to concentrate on the surge of energy I felt before, in an attempt to replicate the way it swirled and twisted around my hand before it spontaneously discharged. Everyone holds there breath, patiently waiting for something to happen.

"I don't understand. Nothing's happening" I stare at my hand angrily, clenching it into a fist. Was that just a one-time thing? For a second I felt relieved. For a second I thought that maybe those 'powers' they were talking about were finally showing through. For a second I didn't feel like a failure like my parents and grandmother didn't die in vain. I huff in frustration. I have to do this for them. I extend my arm and try again.

"It's alright." The Elder says sympathetically, possibly sensing my unrest. "Rachel and James, could you give us the room please?"

"Yes Elder," Rachel says, bowing and raising her hand to her chest. James examines us apprehensively before doing the same. They both vacate the room, closing the door behind them.

"Don't be shy child, come sit down", Nephritis says patting the side of the bed.

"I promise I won't bite" she winks "Not like James anyway. It looks like the two of you had some fun last night."

"That's not... I... we didn't" I stutter.

"It's alright" she chuckles "I'm only joking, besides that's not what I wanted to talk about." She pauses, zoning out into the distance.

"You know, you know your parents and grandmother loved you very much," she states.

"I know Elder. I felt it. I can still feel it. I just wish I had known sooner." I whisper.

"Oh child, I'm sure your grandmother had her reasons for keeping this from you. You shouldn't feel guilty either." she explains “If I know Rosario, regardless of whether you were a God descendant or not, she would have given everything to protect you. I'm sure the same goes for your parents too."

"I know." my voice breaks " I just don't want to disappoint her or them. I don't want to sully her memory with my incapability. She paid the ultimate sacrifice for me and I want to make sure it means something. I want to make her proud"

"Sweet boy. Those things don't matter. The bonds between mothers and even grandmothers ad their children are strong. Deep down they love you no matter what and they only ever care about your well-being. That is why they do things they do even if it is hard to understand." she explains.

"My dear,” she says as she meets my gaze. “You don't have to fight your feelings. It's healthier to experience it then conceal it. Emotions are tricky in that sense. If I have learnt anything over my existence, by locking them away you are actually imprisoning yourself. You become the prisoner and it the cage. If you ignore them, you’ll never be set free." she wraps me in a tight hug. Suddenly the tears I've been trying to keep become too painful to contain. I shut my eyes and give in to the feeling of sadness, pain, grief and distress.

"Even though they were never able to be with you in person. You were loved.", she whispers, gently rubbing my back. Her cooing is comforting, I slowly drift off.

Approximately 12 years ago...

The car tips of the side of the road, sliding down the muddy embankment, where it collides with a tall, thickly built oak tree. I can't discern whether the loud crunch was the metal making contact or the sound of bones breaking yet I feel that then, I was too young to understand. I watch, protectively strapped in the back as my parents' bodies flail as if independent from their actions.

My mother forcefully pins me against the seat. Her arm goes limp. After a few seconds, she gasps for air and reaches for my Dad.

"Alatar can you move?" she exclaims gently nudging him.

"Yeah, it hurts like hell but I can" he groans.

"Good. We need to take Alex and get out of here. "she instructs.

"I'm on it babe." he kicks his door open and runs around to the other side. He tries to force the door but it doesn't budge. He mutters something under his breath and mist the same hue as Mamma Rosario's swirls around his hands. He tries again, this time ripping the door off it's hinges.

"Can you stand Diana? "he asks helping her to her feet. She nods.

"Okay" he smiles, reaching into the back seat he picks me up with his strong arms and cradles me at his side. "We might have a chance here sweetheart." I look over them as she plants a gentle kiss on his cheek but I can't seem to focus on their faces, despite seeing the vibrant colours of red that they appear to decorate them. Is that blood? I'm not even sure how they're still standing.
"Shoot. The Clovers, they're close," she exclaims as the air rings with the same hypnotic bellow of the horn heard once the mountain fell. They interlock their fingers and begin to run with the Clover's in close pursuit.

"Stop!" a voice calls out.

"We don't want to hurt you. Please come willingly and no one has to get hurt." it chimes. My father and mother share a look and nod unison. My father places me down slowly and crouches. He pulls me into a hug, then looks me dead in the eyes "Alex, you know your mother and I love you very much. We want to be with you but sometimes things don't always happen the way you want it to."

"Why?" I ask innocently.

"Sometimes bad people get in the way and Mommy and Daddy won't always be there to protect you like we are now, but you're strong Alex and we'll always be with you in there. Do you understand?" he smiles sadly gesturing to my chest.

"Okay Daddy" I smile sweetly.

"If you and Mommy are in here then I'm in there?" I ask innocently placing my little hand on his chest.

"That's right kiddo" He chuckles, planting a kiss on my head and ruffling my hair.

"Never change" he whispers "Now when Mommy and I say so, we want you to run as fast as you can in that direction. Okay?".

"Okay" I say. He whirls around to join my Mother.

"Do you think we're stupid enough to trust the Clovers" my Mother yells "You've been hunting supernatural for centuries and you think we'll willingly turn ourselves in?" She growls aggressively, transforming into a beautiful white wolf flecked with maroon from the wounds. She turns around, folding back her ears back, she gently nuzzles my stomach.

"Silly Mommy, that tickles" I squeal as she licks my face.

"Seize them" the voice cries out.

"Go" my Dad exclaims rearing for battle. I run as fast as my little legs can carry me. I hear the disgruntled cry of my parents behind me. I begin to sob, picking up speed until I run into the middle of a road where a police officer swerves out the way. He clambers out of his car and runs over to me.

"Where are your parents?" he asks, looking worriedly at the blood splatters decorating my shirt. Unable to speak, I point in the direction of the woods. He guides me to the car were he opens the door.

"Hey," he says calmly "You're a brave kid. I’m going to call for back up. Do you think you could wait for me in the here?" I nod slowly, still sobbing uncontrollably.

"There's a good boy. I'll be right back." he smiles, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"My child." Mama Rosario's voice echoes in head.

"Let me take the pain away" she soothes "When it's time, you'll know where you need to go."

"Wait!" I exclaim "Don't leave me."

"Hush child. It'll all be alright. We'll meet again" she whispers as my head begins to throb again and I pass out.

Present

"Thank you Elder Nephritis," I say, fluttering my eyes open, realising where I am.

"You're welcome" she beams "Now James and I need to attend a meeting. Maybe Rachel can show you around the village?".

"That sounds lovely," I say, I smile peacefully, heading outside where Rachel is waiting for me with a warm jacket. I look up as the snow gently falls. I exhale, watching my breath materialise in the cool air.

Somewhere up there I know they're watching over me.

"Thank you." I mouth. This time, it's my turn to protect those I love.