“Raph told me a little about you being able to use a form of creation magic, as well as the theory that you’re the hope that was released from Pandora’s box. Here, we’re all well versed in the happenings of the systems around us, so we know of Pandora's box and what it contained. No curse is supposed to hold any magic outside of their ability to feed on emotions.”
“Clearly that isn’t true,” I countered before waving a hand around. “You just saw what I’m capable of.”
“That I did.” A small laugh came from her as she shook her head and met my eyes. “I wasn’t sure how deep your connection to Pandora's box ran, but after seeing the runes on your skin, I am more certain. The same runes can be found on the outside of the box, and they’re rumored to glow when something is released from within it.”
That…that had to be a coincidence.
“I believe that you somehow hold Pandora's box within you, Alexandra. It was rumored that Pandora was naive when she opened the box–doing so took her life and embedded her essence within the box, releasing the curses into the world. But what if she knew exactly what she was doing?”
My brain was spinning to keep up with Ariel’s train of thought. That would mean Pandora’s essence resided within me.
“You truly are the hope the world needs, and I am quite certain you hold the power within you to achieve this.”
Ariel’s sentiments were kind, but I was too stuck on the idea of Pandora’s essence, or soul or whatever, being within me.
When the thought came to my mind, I didn’t immediately know that it would changeeverything.
Pandora? Are you there?
Chapter 13
ALEXANDRA
A soft,delicate voice just on the edge of my mind answered. It was so faint I thought I was imagining it at first.
Come to me.
The world faded away in a bright whirl of colors and lights. My surroundings seemed to swirl and stretch like elastic as my consciousness was yanked somewhere else entirely. I could feel the dream-like environment taking shape around me, the strange shapes becoming real as I felt myself pulled further and further away from the real world.
“Finally, you’ve figured it out. I’ve spent twenty-one years here alone, waiting for you.”
My vision sharpened and my mind cleared as the same faint voice from before met my ears.
Before me stood a beautiful woman with skin as white as snow and hair as black as night. Her eyes were deep blue, shimmering like the ocean under the sun. She wore a flowing white dress that moved in the air like gossamer as she stepped closer to me.
“Pandora?” I asked, though my soul somehow already knew the answer.
This was her, and just the sight of her left me with an overwhelming desire to envelop her in my arms. The feeling poured from my heart as an ache settled in my chest that I couldn’t quite understand.
The sound of the world around us caught my attention then. I heard the chirping of crickets in the background as well as the sound of birds singing at a distance. A breeze rustled through the trees, creating a soft whooshing sound as I sat in a clearing, waiting for her to approach.
The night air was thick with a musky aroma, hints of lavender and roses lingered in the breeze.
Wordlessly, she offered me a hand. Placing my own in hers, I was struck with an immediate sense of familiarity. As I climbed to my feet, she didn’t release my hand, instead guiding me through the clearing. I found comfort in the small touch, and it eased the ache in my chest.
The night sky was a blanket of stars, the moon a beacon of silver light that illuminated a sprawling manor. The columns, pillars, and marble steps were a stark white contrast to the darkness of the night, and the ivy-covered terrace walls curved and twisted around the home like an embrace from nature itself.
“Are your memories of this place and the pact we made coming back to you?” she asked, startling me from my wide-eyed inspection of her world.
What did she just say? Surely, I couldn’t have heard her correctly.
My feet stalled, dragging her to a stop with me. Pulling my grip from hers, I dragged my gaze over her and then around us before answering, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never been here, and I have definitely never met you.”
She nodded in return, a look of acceptance flashing through her blue eyes as her smile fell into a flat line. “We both knew this might happen. There was no guarantee that your memories from your time at our home would remain with you.”
My head recoiled as shock crashed into me like a tidal wave. “My home? What? No, that can’t be true.”
She closed the small distance between us, placing her hands on my cheeks and leaning forward until our foreheads touched. My eyes drifted closed, soaking in her energy in a way that left confusion swirling around in my mind.
