Chapter 3 DO WE HAVE A DEAL?
REBELLE
“We’re sorry, Ms Larson,” the officer sighs. “There were no signs of a struggle or any break in. Without substantial evidence, we cannot open a missing person case for your mother.”
Anger simmers beneath my skin and I want to punch the fat man in the face. But I refrain from that because it’ll only land me behind bars and I can’t find my mom from there. I’m feeling all kinds of anxious and getting the strong urge to break something.
After I got that call from mama earlier today, I instantly rushed home, my heart racing in my chest. I imagined the worst scenarios, but not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I won’t find my mother. Not only that, but the house looks way too organized, like she just stepped out to buy groceries. The only thing that proved she had been home was her phone.
“Come on, officer. There has to be something you can do, “ Rosa pleads But the man just sighs like we are being a nuisance to his precious working time. “Aunt Serafín isn’t one to just up and leave without informing her daughter. How about the phone call?”
He sighs again, this one loud and irritated. “Listen up, both of you. If you don’t have substantial evidence, get the hell out of here and stop being a pain in my ass.”
Frustrated that this is going nowhere, I slam my hands on the counter and walk out of the police office, Rosa behind me. The day is over and I still can’t find my mother. Who knows what she’s going through, what those bastards are doing to her. I shake my head, refusing to dwell on the thought that something horrible happens to her.
“Calm down, girl,” Rosa says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find her, don’t worry.”
“Ms Larson,” the overly familiar voice calls from behind and when I turn around it’s the man from earlier. The man who disappeared and made me think I lost my fucking mind. He’s still dressed in all black, standing beside a black Aston Martin.
“I can help you find your mother, but I need you to listen to me.” He reaches out a hand and I just stare. I turn to Rosa for her opinion, but she’s busy ogling the man like she’d fuck him if given the chance.
I punch her lighter in the elbow. “Are you even listening?”
She winces and smiles. “Yep ! And I say we go with this hunk here. We need all the information we can get.”
“Fine,” I grumble, knowing she’s right. The man’s lips tilt up to a small smile.
“Hold on!” Rosa raises a hand in front of her and takes a deep breath, trying to digest all the information the man –who introduced himself as Azrael – just dished out. “Let me get this straight. Rebelle here is the reincarnation of some sort of goddess that was killed long ago by other gods and now you think those gods that killed Rebelle point O are the ones who have taken aunt Serafín because they somehow discovered that she’s reincarnated?”
The man nods slightly. “That’s the reason you did not find any signs of struggle. They might have compelled her.”
I shake my head denying the theory. “She wasn’t compelled. She called me and sounded scared, warning me not to come home.”
“That means there’s a high chance your mother is aware of what is happening.” He takes a sip of his wine before continuing; “The gods are not lenient people. They will torture your mother until she tells them what she knows.”
“This is insane, I whisper then pin him with a glare. “How do I know this is not some sick trick you are playing?”
He shrugs casually. “You don’t. You either trust me or you wait patiently for them to come for you so you can be reunited with your mother. It’s your choice.”
I want to strangle him, beat the cockiness out of him and have him choking on his tongue for begin so relaxed when my mother could be anywhere out there.
“What are you suggesting she does?” Rosa asks, cutting into her steak slowly.
His eyes remain glued to me as he utters his next sentence. “Come with me. Follow me to the underworld where the gods can’t easily reach you there. Accept your identity and work on training your powers. In exchange, I’ll help you find your mother.”
“I don’t have powers,” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
He chuckles and tilts his head. “But you do, Amirykal. Why do you think they want you?”
“How are you sure this will work? How are you sure I am who you are looking for? It could just be a wild resemblance.” I seriously have no idea why I’m trying to make this harder than it is? But hey, it’s not everyday you get told you are a goddess hunted by your god colleagues.
The man’s eyes narrow like I just said something offensive. From the corner of my eyes, I catch Rosa eating her food and watching the scene before her unfold.
“I am the King of the underworld, second only to the goddess herself. You think I will not recognize my queen when I see her?”
If I successfully scale through this alive, I’m definitely pitching this as a movie idea. Imagine how many people are going to be all lined up, scrambling for tickets. To be honest, the last twelve hours of my life has been nothing short of a fairytale. I shut my eyes, wishing when I opened them, I’ll be in my bedroom and this will all just be another one of my nightmares.
When I open my eyes and still see Azreal and Rosa, I know that this is real as real can get.
“So, Amirykal. Do we have a deal?”
