The Chimera (Legends of the Dark Creatures Book 2)
Chapter Seventeen: Into The Chimera's Den

Back on earth...

“You know, we are going to have to tell her at some point right?” Leah said, rubbing her hands against her almost red, sleep-deprived eyes. An hour had passed after midnight and Ashley’s mom was already asleep.

Ashley put on a black hooded leather jacket and said, “Mom will know when the time is right.”

Leah was right; Ashley needed to tell her mother everything. At first, she was reluctant because she thought Ethan would use her family as leverage for her to do his bidding.

However, when he came to her house the other night, two days ago, he only did so to warn her of the dangers that surrounded her; him being one of them. Besides...

“You can go on and try replaceing ways to defeat me and as long as I don’t replace out about them and as long as they don’t get in my way, I give you my word that I shall not harm anyone in this town. Go about your lives and I promise you, my plans will not even involve any of you... well, at least not until you become a requirement.”

No matter how many times Ashley replayed Ethan’s words in her mind they just didn’t make sense. His deal was reasonable and perhaps the reason Ashley didn’t take it back then was because she didn’t believe him. But so far, Ashley was the only one Ethan had shown interest in. He needed her for something and confirmed this when he saved her from the Dark Trinity. Ashley’s heart leaped a little when she thought of the power Ethan displayed when he fought Arius and Vlad.

“Ethan... Richard may have only put you into an eternal sleep when he daggered but I swear; the ending that I will bring to you will be permanent.”

On the day Ethan awakened and appeared before Ashley, she had declared those words to him. Chuckling, Ashley sat on her bed and began wearing her sneakers.

“Ethan has been on your mind a lot lately,” Leah pointed out.

That’s right, Ashley thought. She had almost forgotten that her little sister was a natural-born mind reader. She wasn’t supernatural but by observing the tiny gestures their bodies made, Leah was able to tell whether people were lying to her or not. And for people, she knew very well, such as Ashley, Leah could even deduce exactly what was on their minds.

“Ethan has been on all our minds,” Ashley replied, tying her shoelaces. “Well at least on the minds of those who know about what’s going on in this town.”

Leah walked to Ashley and sat next to her.

“I know, but it’s different for you, hasn’t it?” Leah said. “I can tell that in a way... He sort of intrigues you.”

Ashley felt her heart rate rising after hearing that statement.

Leah smiled at her. “See?”

“I won’t try to deny it, Leah. Hearing about him was one thing but meeting him... Well... I just think there is more to Ethan than meets the eye. How ’bout you? You’ve met him; what do you think?”

Leah shut her eyes and continuously nodded her head while humming thoughtfully.

“Hmm... for one thing, he never lies,” Leah said.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that as well. Wait, during dinner... What about what he said about coming from London to see his brother and burying years of hatred.”

Leah tilted her head and said, “If he was lying then he is a pretty damn good one.”

“Hey, language,” Ashley responded, nudging her sister gently in the head.

Ashley felt Leah’s small soft hand gently holding her shoulder. “Ashley, tell me something. Why do you want Ethan destroyed?”

Another question that left Ashley astounded. Her mind finally put her words together and she said, “At first it was because I thought he would hurt my family or friends to get whatever he said he needed from me.”

“But that’s not the case right?”

Ashley shook her head. “No, it isn’t... Well, I can’t say for sure. Ethan is well...”

“Complicated,” little Leah finished.

For a while, Leah was more lost in thought than usual. Ashley could never tell what was on the little genius’ mind but she could always see when her baby sister was worried about her.

Ashley wrapped her hands around Leah and hugged her.

“Don’t worry sis,” she said.

“Ashy... I know that what I did made you promise never to lie to me. But may I ask you to make one last promise to me?”

Ashley smiled and said, “This will not be the last promise I make to you Leah.”

“Can we do it as you showed me that day?”

“Sure,” Ashley replied.

Ashley had learned so many things about Merfolk from her mother’s stories. One of them was an ancient custom said to be performed in the once-great kingdom of Arianis. She raised her right hand in front of her and pressed the tips of her little ring finger on her palm while keeping the rest of her fingers extended. Leah made the same gesture but on her left hand.

A cool breeze blew through the window that Ashley had left open.

“Remember Leah... about what this signifies?” Ashley asked as Leah pressed the tips of her raised fingers against Ashley’s.

“The one who raises their right-hand makes a promise that cannot be broken... No matter what.”

Ashley nodded in agreement. “Leah Morgan. No matter what, I promise that I will always come back to you alive...” She paused for a while and both her hand and Leah’s were shaking. “I will always come back to you so that I can make even more promises.”

After the promise was made Leah rested her head on Ashley’s shoulder. Though she tried her best, Ashley couldn’t keep her body from shaking. This new world she lived in... It seemed like every day brought about its battles and even Ashley wondered if she would always survive each one.

She closed her eyes and gently caressed her little sister’s long golden hair. Holding her like this reminded her of the day Jacob had compelled Leah and how Ashley couldn’t do anything to save her sister. Only about two weeks had passed and yet it felt like a lifetime ago. That day Ashley had made a promise to become strong; strong enough to protect her sister... to protect everyone.

“Even if you have no idea of how you’re gonna keep your promise, Ashy,” Leah said, facing her sister. “I just know that things will work out.”

“Then wish me luck,” Ashley responded and stood.

“You’re literally heading into the lion’s den... or should I say the Chimera’s den. You, sis, will need prayers, not luck.”

Ashley chuckled and walked to the window. Robert had already sent her a text saying that he would be waiting near the woods. He knew that Ashley’s heightened senses meant she could easily replace him and that’s why he didn’t exactly specify where he was.

Before she left, Ashley looked back at her sister. Leah was in her nightgown and her gorgeous round eyes were sleepy.

“Hey, Leah,” she said. “After the school dance... that’s when we tell Mom.”

Leah nodded.

After making sure no one was around in the streets, Ashley dove out the window. She jumped toward a tree that grew in their yard and bounced off one of its branches. She was propelled further into the air and gracefully landed on the roof of one of the houses across the streets without making a sound. To the average human, Ashley would have been nothing more of a blur in their eyes. She leaped from roof to roof until she made it into the woods.

Now she had to track Robert. With the harsh ocean winds that were blowing tracking him by scent alone would have proven difficult but good thing Ashley had another trick up her sleeve. In mid-air, she sent out a wave of power from her body. She landed on top of a tree and waited for a while. Ashley hadn’t gotten used to this skill but she was at least able to distinguish a human aura from others.

There she thought, staring forward.

There it is again, Ashley thought. It was only for a split second but Ashley was sure she sensed an unusual aura as she approached Robert. This had been happening almost every time she was near the guy and she had been meaning to tell him about it.

Everything blurred as Ashley ran and in a few seconds, she was standing in front of a startled Robert. Despite being in black herself, Ashley couldn’t help but laugh when she saw what Robert was wearing. He was also in black, wearing a hoodie, jeans, and boots. He was carrying a black backpack.

“What?” Robert asked as Ashley bit her lips, trying to hold off her laughter.

“Sorry Rob,” she said, clearing her thoughts. “I just didn’t know we were planning a heist.”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want,” Robert frowned.

“So what lie did you have to tell your brother for him to allow you to stroll out this late?”

“Unsurprisingly I didn’t have to lie,” Robert replied, turning away. “The guy was so busy today that he couldn’t make it home.”

“Big case?” Ashley asked again. She already knew that Robert’s brother was a Detective. Detective Harry Marshall. Up until a year ago, Robert and his brother were close. But like his parents, who were almost always out of town, Robert’s brother became so caught up with work that Robert probably felt he lost his only role model.

“It is a big case apparently,” Robert answered and Ashley decided to stop poking around any further.

“So you ready?” she asked, changing the topic.

“Yep... wait... I know it might be silly to ask this now but you do have a plan right?”

“Of course, I thought I told you, I have to see Ethan.”

“Then what?” Robert asked bluntly.

“You’ll see.”

“Perhaps we might be able to use this to our advantage.”

Robert started when he heard the deep voice behind him. Ashley smiled when she saw Deimos. He was wearing the same sackcloth clothing as he did when he appeared on Destiny Cliff.

“It’s been a while, Lord Deimos,” she said.

“Please, child. You and your friends are risking your lives to free me. You have earned the right to call me just by my name.”

“Robert, it’s all right,” Ashley said. “This is Deimos, the god of fear and dread.”

“Well, he certainly has the fear and dread part down,” Robert replied, breathing heavily.

“Forgive him. He can be kind of jumpy,” said Ashley with a smile.

Deimos’ eyes suddenly darted toward the ground.

“I wish I could have protected you,” he said.

Wait, was he referring to the time Ashley and her friends were kidnapped by the Dark Trinity?

“Exactly Ashley,” he said, reminding Ashley that he could read minds. “I had already appeared to you earlier that day so all I could do was watch and do nothing.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Deimos,” Ashley said, trying to cheer up a god. “So, you can see what happens here from the Spirit Realm?”

“It also requires a lot of my power but I have been able to do so since the day Ethan was defeated.”

Once again, Deimos began to fade anyway.

“Well, seems like I didn’t accumulate enough power after all. I just came to assure you of this, young Morgan, I will not let anything happen to you so long as I am still alive.”

“-ish,” Robert finished.

“Robert,” Ashley reprimanded.

“What? It’s true.”

Deimos chuckled. “You have good friends and an even greater heart. It’s imperative that you guard both with your life.”

Deimos faded and disappeared.

“Didn’t look very ‘godly’ if you ask me?” Robert said.

“We are now in a world where nothing is as it seems,” Ashley said, remembering the words of a friend. “Shira told me that.”

“Shira? You mean the blue alien who betrayed you and released Ethan?”

“First off, she is an Arzyrian from another realm...”

“Still counts as an alien,” Robert interrupted.

Ashley frowned. “Secondly, she had no choice. Her son would have died if she hadn’t awakened Ethan... Even with the fate of the realms at stake wouldn’t you have done the same thing?”

“Maybe if it was you in danger.”

“Wait what?”

Robert’s face was red. “Um... nothing. Anyway, where are we going?”

Ashley sighed.

She pointed to her right. “This way. Come on, hold on tight to me.”

“Say what now?” Robert replied.

“Sheesh, just come here.”

Ashley made Robert stand behind her. She made him wrap his arms around her waist and told him to hold on.

“You’re being awfully weird about this Rob,” she said.

“I’m the one being weird?!” Robert retorted and Ashley could not help but laugh.

“Hold on tight and try not to scream.”

Ashley took off into the air. Just like she told Robert earlier during the day, she knew where she was going but she didn’t know where she was going. She knew which paths to take and what turns to make but she didn’t exactly know what she would replace at her destination. It was like following a magical GPS; one that Ethan had embedded into her mind.

Robert’s grip became tighter as Ashley bounced off the trees’ trunks and branches at incredible speeds. When she jumped over the main road, she knew they were getting close. There was a small trail leading into the woods and that’s where Ashley landed. It took a while for Robert to get his bearings straight. Ashley’s eyes were focused on the trail that went a little uphill. This was the path that motorists used whenever they wanted to get a clear view of the ocean.

“This way Robert,” she said and started walking.

“Hey Rob,” Ashley said after they had walked without talking for almost five minutes. “Has um... Have you talked to Adrian?”

Shock dawned all over Robert’s face. At first, it looked like he was about to say something but he withheld his words.

“I see,” Ashley said. “So, he still doesn’t want to talk to me huh? You know the longest we ever went without talking? Two weeks. But these past few days... Robert, at least tell me he is alright.”

A forced smile appeared on Robert’s face. “He’s alive and well. I promise to tell you everything once we get through this... if we get through this.”

It wasn’t the answer she wanted but at least she was now sure Adrian was alright.

“We are only going to talk to Ethan so we should be fine,” Ashley pointed out.

Ashley heard something. It was a car and it was approaching them fast.

She grabbed Robert and launched herself into the air. She landed on a branch on top of a tall tree and waited.

Ashley was right to be wary of the vehicle that was coming. It was Ethan’s car. The black two-seater Jaguar passed by them without stopping and made its way towards the main road. Ashley jumped back on the ground and let go of Robert.

“Um... What's wrong?” he asked.

“That was Ethan’s car,” he said.

“I thought it was him you wanted to see,” he replied.

“Yes, but the spell he placed on me wasn’t leading to him rather to...”

“Ashley, wait up,” Robert whispered when Ashley began moving in the direction they were heading before.

She made it to an area filled with cliffs at the edges and had a good view of the ocean. This way, she thought. The path she chose was the one on her right. Because of how dangerous it was, this path was closed years ago and people rarely used it.

But Ashley noticed some tire tracks in the grass. Ethan had used this route.

Robert was panting heavily behind her and Ashley stopped.

“Here,” she said, staring at the ocean. She was standing at the edge of a high cliff. Behind her was the forest and below her, the ocean waters crushed into sharp rocks.

“You sure Ashley?” Robert asked.

“Look there,” she responded, pointing at the set of tire tracks that started from the edge of the cliff.

Robert couldn’t see them so he got his phone from his pocket and lit his torch.

“So, Ethan’s car can fly?”

“No silly,” Ashley laughed. “There’s a Pocket Dimension here. And before you ask what that is, know that we are on a limited time frame. Ethan has left and we could use this as an opportunity.”

Robert narrowed his eyes in confusion. “An opportunity for what?”

“That Robert, is the big question,” Ashley said with a smile.

“You have been speaking in a lot of riddles lately.” Robert sighed. “So, I suppose we just follow these tracks and walk right into this...”

“Robert wait!”

Thanks to her enhanced speed and reflexes Ashley was able to catch Robert before he plummeted to his death. She held him by the back of his shirt with one hand, showing off how strong she was, and pulled him back to the edge of the cliff.

“It’s not that easy,” she said.

Robert’s chest was still rapidly rising and falling. “You could have mentioned that earlier. So, how do we get in?”

“Well, um...”

An annoying grin formed across Robert’s mouth. “Wait... you don’t know do you?”

“Hey, it’s not like being a supernatural means I’ve taken crash courses in all of this stuff,” she retorted.

“Does this mean we have to wait for the Chimera?”

“Not really...”

The words suddenly came upon Ashley’s lips. She smiled and walked near the cliff. It wasn’t just directions Ethan had put in her mind that day.

“Ashley?”

Ashley closed her eyes and said, “Alanath Vitithra Silvet Aria.” She slowly moved her hand forward and her heart jumped when she watched it disappear. “Come on Robert.”

When they both walked through the barrier their mouth almost dropped in amazement. It was also dark in this Pocket Dimension but both Ashley and Robert could see it.

“Ashley?” Robert asked.

“Yeah,” Ashley replied.

“This is real right?”

“Yep”

Ashley started walking. Calling it a castle would have been exaggerating but it was too spectacular to be just called a house. A nicely tarred road led to the manor. In front of it was a beautiful fountain of water. Short neatly hedges were on both sides of the road and fields of grass, trees, and flowers spanned as far as the eye could see.

The mansion itself was the main marvel. It had over three floors and had a sort of archaic design. Beautiful lights illuminated the entire place. The entrance door was huge and with glass and metal in its structure.

Ashley felt the spell Ethan had placed on her wear off as she and Robert walked up the stairs and reached the door. This was their destination.

Ashley had planned to replace Ethan and tell him that she was going to accept his plan. But she wanted to add an another condition to their deal; one that both excited her and frightened her. However, when she saw Ethan leave, Ashley changed her plan. Now she wanted to sneak into his place and replace out more about him. And if Ethan found them, all she needed to do was explain herself.

“Should we knock or...?” Robert asked, raising an eyebrow when she smiled at him.

“I highly doubt Ethan is the kind of guy to have visitors over,” Ashley replied.

“He did invite you,” Robert said, with a raised eyebrow. “Why don’t you try opening the door?”

In frustration, Ashley did as Robert asked. Surprisingly he was right; the door was not locked. I guess Ethan was expecting me. That and he probably wasn’t worried about anyone stealing from him.

An intoxicating natural aroma entered Ashley’s nostrils as she opened the door. The floor was shiny and perfectly polished. A beautifully lit glass chandelier was hanging right above them. There was a stair large staircase that led upstairs. Behind it was probably the living room and a corridor going in both directions.

“Alright,” Robert said. “Time to get busy.”

“Um... What are you doing?”

“Look, Ashley. The Chimera lives here and who knows what we might replace. Maybe a weapon that can be used against him.”

“I don’t think Ethan would be dumb enough to keep a weapon that can destroy him in a place he knew his enemies would show up.”

Robert looked so sure that he would replace something. If by any chance Ethan came back and found him alone...

“Robert I...”

“I know you’re worried Ashley but trust me... we got this.”

“We?”

Robert held the back of his head. “Did I say ‘we’? Well, I meant me and my mind.”

Ashley sighed. She didn’t what Robert wandering off on his own. And was worried that there were traps around the mansion. Still, arguing with him wasn’t getting them anywhere.

“Just be careful okay,” she said. “And any sign of trouble...”

“I yell like a damsel in distress,” Robert interjected, giving her a thumbs up.

Robert took the left corridor and Ashley went up the stairs to the first floor. She took another short flight of stairs and reached the second floor. In front of her was a glass door that led to a balcony. Ashley took the corridor to her right and walked straight until she reached a large, exquisitely vanished, wooden door. She went inside and found that it was a bedroom. A large bed with dark red blankets was on her far right and on her left was a huge open wardrobe. The only clothes in the wardrobe were T-shirts, some black and others, dark red. Even the curtains on the window were dark red.

It took a while but Ashley finally realized where she was; Ethan’s bedroom. She walked towards the bed. Everything in this place looked new and expensive. If Ethan had a mansion right here in Ravenhill then how long was he planning on staying?

Ashley noticed something sticking out from under the bed. It was a wooden chest that was about a meter wide. The chest wasn’t locked.

Ashley squatted and opened it.

Beautiful she thought. The first thing she saw was a painting. It looked old but had been so well preserved that it brought out all the features of the person in it. Long silky black hair, gorgeous brown eyes, striking red lips that had curled into a happy yet shy smile, and wearing a white sleeveless dress. The girl in the painting was sitting on a tree branch surrounded by flowers of different colors. This painting... Ashley was sure... Each stroke displayed so much love and affection that she couldn’t believe Ethan had drawn it.

But it was him. It must have been. Meaning that the girl in the painting was...

“Her name was Lenora”

Don’t panic, Ashley thought to herself, even though her heart was on overdrive. The first thing she did was search for Robert’s aura. She couldn’t replace it. Wherever he was, Ashley couldn’t sense him and she held on to the hope that the guy who had just arrived couldn’t either.

“She was beautiful,” she said, still maintaining her composure.

She heard Ethan’s footsteps approaching as he walked into the room. Unsure of what to do, Ashley lifted another painting. She smiled when she saw Ethan and Lenora in it. In the painting, Lenora and Ethan were sleeping on a bed of flowers, and Ashley saw something she never thought was possible; Ethan smiling. It wasn’t a smirk or one of the deadly grins he usually displayed. It was just a simple, pure, and genuine smile.

“I suppose you didn’t draw this one,” Ashley asked.

“No,” Ethan replied. “That was the product of her brother's artistic skill.”

“He learned from the best, I assume?” Ashley replied.

Ethan walked in front of her.

“You didn’t come all this way just to flatter me now, did you?” he said.

Ashley put back the painting, closed the chest, and rose to her feet.

“The deal you offered,” Ashley said. “I want to take it.”

“A wise choice...”

“Hold on,” she interrupted. “I also have some demands.”

“Interesting,” Ethan smirked. “Well, a contract wouldn’t be complete without some terms and conditions. Not to discourage you but are you sure this is what you want?”

“Your spell wouldn’t have led me here if had doubts now would it?” Ashley replied.

“Point taken”

Ethan pulled out a chair for her near the table next to his bed.

“Why don’t we get started little mermaid?” he said.

There is no turning back now Ashley thought, taking a seat.

...

Find out what happens when Ashley makes a demand that even the Chimera replaces trouble agreeing to.