Chapter 7

I tread down the long-winded path leading to the old library that Hava told me to meet the others. The cold breeze brushes my hair back as I pull my coat closer to my body, the library isn’t that far from the university campus but the number of people that I pass decreases causing fear to increase in the pits of my stomach. I take a deep breath and push the gates open; the door is locked so I look around until my eyes notice an envelope with Sienna on it. There’s a note with a single instruction.

Back door.

The door has been left open and a loud clanging noise can be heard every time the wind pushes the door to close. I control my breathing as I step inside and close the door behind me. On the far right there’s light coming from one of the stairs leading downstairs, voices become more clearer as I advance downstairs.

As I take my last step, everyone has acknowledged my presence and turns to face me. I freeze, absorbing the surrounding around me. Everyone is colour coordinated like they were in my dream.

Brielle approaches me, “Hello Sienna, come in take a seat”.

She ushers me to the head of the table. Everyone takes their place and Randall sits at the other end of the wooden rectangle table. There’s an empty seat next to him on his right side. All of the other 7 people have also taken their seat, all 4 of the girls are on my right side, with the other 3 guys on my left side. Brielle is closest to me with Hava sitting next to her.

“Let’s begin” he says staring right at me.

Brielle smiles as she looks around the table, “lets start with names, you know me, Hava and Randall; now the others will introduce themselves”.

The two girls closest to Randall roll their eyes at this.

The girl sitting next to Hava looks at me “I’m Cedrica”, she points to the guy right opposite her, “that is my brother Cyrus”.

I recognise Cyrus from my dream, he’s the one with a terrible scar on his collarbone. My eyes travel to his chest but since Cyrus is wearing a polo neck jumper, I don’t get to see it.

I look back to the right side when I notice everyone is waiting and catch Cedrica scoffing. The last girl leans back in her seat and sighs before continuing “I’m Raaina”, she gives a side glance at Randall before continuing “I’m Randall’s sister, at any point you need to report something and can’t find him, you do it to me, got it?”

I nod my head and look to the left side. Cyrus just gives a nod considering he already got introduced by Cedrica.

“Hey! I’m Hadriel, Hava’s brother. I’m sure she hasn’t introduced me bu-”.

Hadriel gets cut off by Randall clearing his throat, “Hadriel it’s an introduction, not friendship time”.

“Yeah, I’m sorry” Hadriel says looking down.

I look over at the guy closest to me, he reaches his hand out waiting for me to shake it, which I do and smile. “Good afternoon, it’s a pleasure meeting you. I’m Brielle’s brother”.

I look back at Randall, “any questions?”

I nod my head “are all of you siblings?”

Randall scoffs before continuing, “not exactly, we all have the same grandfather… Zeus. There’s 8 of us and every 2 of us has the same father which makes them siblings and the rest of us as cousins. You can work out which one is the sibling of who by looking at the first letter of their name”.

I start to giggle slightly.

“What’s so funny?” Cedrica enquires.

“Why Zeus? That’s a weird name, isn’t it? Your family equation is complicated as well.” I say in an obvious manner.

“Darling, we’re talking about Zeus, the deity who is the god of gods. Give some respect.” Raaina says annoyed.

“I’m sorry but that’s just Greek mythology” I say trying to control my laughter.

“Mythology? The same mythology that your ancestors used to worship to?” Raaina says.

My laughter starts to die down, “what are you talking about? They’re Christians.”

“Oh, darling no! In fact, your ancestor was the high priestess, which is why you’re here today, sitting with us. Did you never wonder what Archontes means?”

“Ummm… it’s something in Greek” I say lost for words.

“You foolish girl, it means Lord’s blessing. Your ancestors changed their surname when the gods of the city of Olympus took a liking on your family.”

“I don’t believe you, none of this makes sense” I say confused.

“We acknowledge this is a lot to take in but it’s the truth. Usually, you wouldn’t have been born or involved but a situation like this occurs when there will be a shift in circumstance”, Bedric says.

“What do you mean?” I respond.

“We’ve got an idea of what is happening, but nothing is clear of your fate. We think it might be to do with the guy that you met, Tristan, but that’s about it” Randall says.

“What do I have to do with that? What do you have to do with it?” I ask looking around at the table.

Randall leans forward “Sienna if you notice there’s a pattern at the table. Everyone is at a designated seat which means we all have a distinct role. Raaina and I are the rulers; Cedrica and Cyrus are the challengers; Hava and Hadriel are the healers; Brielle and Bedric are the balancers. Your role is to connect humans, this world and us together”.

“If you’re deities then why do you need me to connect?”

This time Brielle answers, “A couple years before the high priestess was born, we almost destroyed Earth in a war, that’s when the gods in Olympus decided that whatever happens, it needs to happen under the order of a human. That’s why your grandmothers’ line was chosen because she was worthy and now when the time has come to use a human, the promise made to your grandmother will be fulfilled through you”.

I start standing up “I’m sorry but this is a lot to take in”, after saying that I sprint out into the darkness.

My questions have just started!