~ CHRISTOPHER ~
Wednesday the 31st of May, 1989
I put my new Alfa Romeo into gear and followed Catherine down the steep hill. A medium strip filled with bottlebrush trees separated us, shielding me from her view. She continued walking, unaware I was following her. Despite the harsh words I’d said to her the other day, I wanted to know more about her, specifically whether she was one of the mythical Stellas.
I pulled over to the kerb, allowing another car to pass me, then continued following Catherine. As she neared Camdale Avenue, I planted my foot on the accelerator and took a sharp right, speeding through the stop sign so I could get in front of her before she crossed the road. Appearing startled, she jumped back onto the kerb, her expression quickly changing from disbelief to fear. She went to run. Leaving the engine running, I jumped out of the car and shot in front of her before she could get away, my long legs chewing up the ground faster than she could move.
She staggered back, holding out her hands in front of her, her expression full of fear. “Stay away from me!” she yelled. “I’ve done nothing to you. Nothing!”
I held out my own hand, trying to calm her down. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you—”
“Well, you failed at that, you dickhead!”
“I don’t want to hurt you, all I want to do is talk to you.”
She bunched her hands into fists. “You didn’t want to talk to me the other day. You threatened me!”
I glanced around, concerned she was attracting attention to us. It was my fault, the way I’d approached her too abrupt, but I didn’t think there was any other way after what I’d done on Monday. I also wanted to catch her before school, to smooth things over. But by the look on her face, it was more likely she was going to shout the neighbourhood down.
Relieved I couldn’t see anyone else, I slipped my hand into my pocket to touch my rosary and quickly mumbled the shielding spell, hiding us from the human eye.
“What are you saying?!” she barked.
The invisible shield dropped into place, allowing me to speak freely, the background sound of traffic and birds disappearing. “Nothing important, and I really am sorry for what happened the other day,” I said, and meaning it, my overreaction having nothing to do with Catherine and everything to do with my past. “I misread you. Can we please talk?”
She took another step back, her eyes flicking around, probably hoping someone would intervene, which wouldn’t happen, no human able to see us now. Or for us to see them.
Which proved she was a Merge.
“I have nothing to say to you,” she spat.
“Well, I have plenty to say to you, most of them questions.”
“I don’t care. I just want you to leave me the hell alone. Leave my family alone too. Don’t come near any of us.”
I frowned at her. “I don’t know your family and why would I go near them?”
“My twin was murdered ... burned to death.”
My eyes widened. “Are you accusing me of murder?”
Tears filled her eyes, turning them a pale green.
“I didn’t kill your twin,” I said. “I didn’t even know you had one.”
“Then who killed her? Because it was one of your kind.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been to New Zealand for a while.”
“When were you here last?”
“At eight.”
She went quiet, my answer seeming to calm her down a little.
“So, will you talk to me?” I persisted.
“I’m already talking to you,” she growled. “And when was your grandfather here last?”
My frown deepened. “What’s he got to do with anything?”
“If you want me to answer your questions, you have to answer mine.”
“He hasn’t been back for years.”
“Where was he two years ago?”
“Italy. Why are you asking about him?”
“My sister was murdered in ’87.”
“And you think it was him?”
“I don’t know what to think, other than someone burned her alive and he’s been in my dreams, throwing fireballs at me.”
“Yet you’re standing here, unharmed. Not all Merge dreams are real. Some are just dreams. Your sister’s death has got nothing to do with me or my family.”
She didn’t reply, just shifted about on her feet, looking like she still wanted to run.
I forged on. “I’ve answered your questions, now it’s your turn to answer mine.”
“Why should I even speak to you after the way you treated me?” she snapped.
“I already said I misread you. I thought you were a demon Maris.”
She frowned. “The nun said Marises aren’t demons.”
“What nun?”
“The one who gave me the blue rosary.”
“What’s her name?” I asked, wondering how many other Merges lived in Agnaru.
Catherine grimaced at me. “None of your business.”
“Anything to do with my people is my business. So, hop in my car. We can talk about it on the way to school.”
“I have nothing more to say to you.”
“You do. I need to confirm what kind of Merge you are. I think you could be a Stella.”
“What does that even mean?”
“The angels that didn’t fall.”
She screwed her face up. “You called me a demon the other day, now you’re calling me an angel?”
“I didn’t know about Stellas then. My father never taught me about them; he thinks they’re nothing but a myth.”
“Then why do you think I’m one?”
“You hold the blue rosary, yet you don’t have eyes that reflect them. If anything, you don’t have eyes like any of the Merges. They’re more like a combination.”
“Why are they called Merges?”
“Too many reasons to explain here.”
“Too bad, it’s here or nowhere.”
“It’s too hard to explain in simple terms, because it has many meanings.”
“Try.”
“Fine! One of them is that our rosaries can merge with us, another is...” I hesitated, not sure I wanted to tell her the true meaning, afraid it would freak her out.
“Another is what?”
“As I said, it’s hard to explain. Corporeal form isn’t the same for Merges as it is for humans.”
“Humans?”
“Merges aren’t human, we’re a different species. Merges are either angels or demons. I’m a Seraph Merge—one of the Seraphim, which are fire angels. All my immediate family are. Are all your family Stellas?”
“No, they’re Yugoslav, weirdo, which equates to human.”
“They can’t be human if you’re a Merge. Humans and Merges can’t have babies together. We’re not compatible.”
“You bet we’re not compatible,” she snapped.
A smile pulled at my lips. “After that kiss, I think we are.”
“Yeah, right,” she said, her tone sarcastic as hell.
“I am right. I not only think you’re beautiful, I find you fascinating. You’re different and I want to know why. So, please let me drive you to school. We can talk on the way.”
“No.”
“Why not? You already know I’m not going to hurt you, otherwise I would’ve set you alight the other day.”
Her eyes widened. “Did you really just say that?”
“Well, it’s true. I lost control of my emotions, allowed the fire to overwhelm me. But I didn’t want to hurt you, so I ran.”
She stared at me in disbelief. “And you expect me to get into a car with a human fireball?”
“I’m calm now, and what happened the other day was unusual. I also wouldn’t have lost it if I’d realised you weren’t a Maris.”
“Stop saying that like it’s an insult!”
“It’s not, it’s just… I don’t like Marises, especially after one tried to kill me. I thought you were like him.”
“Well, I’m not, and why did he try to kill you?” she asked, her expression turning curious.
“Because he’s a demon. They kill us for sport.”
She made a spiffing sound, although I could tell my words had worried her.
“If I show you my back, you’d believe me,” I said.
She frowned. “Why? What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s badly scarred. The Maris demon thought it would be funny to give me wings like the original Seraphim, so he carved them into my back.”
She didn’t reply, looking like she couldn’t decide whether I was lying or telling the truth.
“Do I have to show you for you to believe me?” When she remained silent, I turned my back to her and lifted my shirt up. The expected gasp came. I dropped my shirt and turned back to her, seeing shock etched into her beautiful features.
“Believe me now?”
She nodded, looking lost for words.
“So, will you let me drive you to school?”
“I—”
I cut her off, knowing she was going to turn my offer down. Turn me down. “I just want to be friends with someone like me.”
And I meant it.
I dropped my gaze, ashamed that I was begging her. I just missed having Merge friends. I’d had great friends in Italy, ones I’d grown up with. If I’d been told two years ago that they wouldn’t be with me today, I would’ve laughed in the person’s face. But that was before the demons came. Before they forced us to run, tracking us down like animals, nothing but game for them to hunt and play with.
And torture.
I looked back up. “Nowadays, I don’t meet other Merges that much, well, not ones that don’t want to kill me. It’s hard not being around friendly Merges,” I said, not including Stephen. My grandfather had told me that Stephen’s parents were Deniers, the type that refused to acknowledge their own kind, preferring humans over Merges. It was why Stephen had never been told about what he was, or precisely—who he was, which meant I couldn’t talk to him about any of this. Being around him was beyond frustrating. I badly wanted to tell him he was a Terra Merge, holding back killing me. I thought his parents were wrong keeping him in the dark. Wrong to keep him from his heritage.
I continued, “My famiglia used to live in a village with several others like mine, but after the demons came, we got split up. Ever since, we’ve been living like gypsies, never staying in one place long enough for a demon to track us down.”
“So, you’ll be moving again soon?”
“I hope not. My grandfather thinks New Zealand is out of the demons’ reach. The type that hunt angel Merges tend to use Europe as their playground.” I frowned. “Though, I’m not so sure now after what you said about your sister.” My frown deepened. “Because if there are demon Merges here, we’re all in danger.”
“How are you in danger? You’re made of fire.”
“Seraphim demons can still kill angelic ones, too. They just tend to prefer going after Marises. Did your twin have a rosary like you?”
“The nun reckons she didn’t, but I’m not sure whether to believe her.”
“The same nun that gave you the rosary?”
She nodded.
“How long have you had your rosary?”
“I got it at the first confirmation meeting.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You only just got it?”
She nodded again. “Though, I gave it back yesterday.”
“Why would you do that?” I said, stunned. “I could never give up my rosary, not for anyone. It’s a part of me, has been since it was presented to me at my First Communion.”
“Nothing but freaky shit has happened since I got it, and I want it to stop. And it has. I’ve had no dreams since I gave it back. The only thing bothering me now is you.”
My eyebrows rose higher. “So, you want nothing to do with me like with your rosary?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“Not even a lift to school?”
“I prefer to walk.”
“Then, I’ll walk with you.”
She exhaled loudly, looking frustrated with me. “Why won’t you go away?”
“I told you why, and we’re talking whether it’s in the car or as we walk.”
She scowled at me. “You don’t give up, do you?”
“Nope.”
“Okay,” she yelled, flinging her hands out, almost clocking me with one. “I’ll take the damn lift.”
Smiling, I walked past her and pulled the passenger door open, sweeping my hand towards the seat. “Your chariot awaits, m’lady.”
She screwed her nose up at me. “I don’t find you funny, just annoying.” She slipped into the seat. “And remember, I know karate, so watch yourself.”
“I know origami.”
“Har de har, har, dickhead. Not funny.”
Smirking, I closed the door and moved around to the driver’s side, quickly relinquishing the shielding spell with a few muttered Latin words. “Are you going to the next confirmation class?” I asked, sliding in behind the wheel.
“I don’t want to know anything else about the rosaries,” she said, not answering my question. “So, no more talking about them. I want things to go back to normal.”
I pulled away from the kerb. “I wasn’t talking about them, I asked about the confirmation group, and we can’t not talk about the rosaries. They’re an integral part of what, and who, we are.”
She turned to face her window. “Not for me.”
“Burying your head in the sand won’t change the fact that you’re still a Merge.”
She didn’t reply.
“Okay, since you won’t talk, I’m going to tell you everything I know.”
She mumbled something I couldn’t hear, the words sounding Slavic, her tone suggesting she’d sworn at me.
I ignored it. “Merges are the protectors of the legendary rosaries.” I stopped at the corner of Camdale Avenue, the highway jam-packed with cars. “There are four kinds of rosaries, all of them based on a different element. My one’s based on fire, yours, or the one you had, is based on water, while the other two control earth and air.”
She turned to look at me, a spark of interest lighting up her hazel eyes. “There are more?”
Nodding, I entered the highway, another car giving me enough space to join the traffic. “And they all have different powers.”
“What sort of powers? Because as far as I can tell, my one was only good for dreams, which by the way sucks, so I’m glad it’s gone.”
“It does more than make you dream. The rosary you got rid of can control water, including ice and other liquids. My one burns, the Halo rosary controls air as well as heals, while the Terra beads have power over earthly elements. With that one, if you want to throw a boulder at someone, you can, that is, if you know how to use the rosary properly, because there are different skill levels involved.”
Catherine didn’t reply, seeming to contemplate what I’d said. I slowed down to stop at a set of lights. Up ahead, students crossed the highway and side roads, while more headed under the highway’s bridge, walking alongside the creek. There was a quaint shopping centre on our left, with a brown and white clock tower overlooking everything.
The lights turned green, allowing me to inch forward, a long row of cars spreading out before me. I’d barely got through the intersection before I had to stop again for another set of lights, Agnaru Highway full of them.
“Does your rosary make you hot all the time?” Catherine asked.
I smirked. “I don’t need it to make me hot.”
“You really need to stop with the lame jokes.”
“You’ve just got no sense of humour.” I glanced at her, surprised to see a smile on her face. “Ha! You did find it funny.”
She sniggered. “Laughing at you is entirely different than laughing at your jokes.”
I shrugged, not really caring, just as long as she was happy.
“So, back to your rosary,” she said. “What’s your skill level?”
“Lower end.” I eased my foot on the accelerator, the current set of lights turning green. “But right for my age.”
“What about the rosaries themselves? Are some more powerful than others?”
“No, it’s all to do with the Merge’s innate power.”
“I assumed the bigger the stones, the more powerful they are.”
I shook my head. “Do you want me to show you mine? Well, up close, since you’ve already seen it.”
“If I show you mine?”
I flicked her a confused glance. “But you told me you don’t have it.”
“I wasn’t referring to my rosary,” she said, winking at me.
I stopped at another set of lights. “What are you referring to, then?”
She snorted out a laugh. “Don’t worry, I was making an even lamer joke than yours.”
“But you didn’t make a joke.”
“You obviously haven’t heard of the saying I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
“What’s it mean?”
“It’s when younger humans of the opposite sex show each other their treasures.”
“Like the jewels on the rosaries?”
“No, crown jewels, well, for you. For me, it’s something entirely different.”
“I don’t have any crown jewels.”
She started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You just said you don’t have a ding dong.”
“A doorbell?”
She laughed louder. Having no idea why, I steered my car into the side road that led to the school car park, my English language skills obviously not as good as I’d thought.
I slowed down for the mass of green and grey, the students not caring that they were supposed to give way to cars. I beeped at some to move, getting the finger from one of them. I flipped the prick off right back, for a second wishing I was a Terra so I could make him fall on his face. Amused by the thought, I pulled into the driveway, searching for an empty space, the place packed. Spotting one by a tree, I drove towards it, getting what looked like the last space just in time, another car also after it. I pulled in first, the space mine, and yanked on the handbrake a bit too hard, watching as the other driver backed up, a scowl on their face.
Not caring, I turned in my seat to face Catherine. “So, will you let me show you what I can do with my rosary?”
She nodded, her expression definitely interested.
“Then, touch me.”
She snorted. “You wish.”
I grinned. “You bet I do, but I meant my hand.” I held it out. “Test if it feels a normal heat.”
She reached out, looking nervous as she placed her hand in mine. I wrapped my fingers around it, the chemistry between us practically sizzling.
She whipped her hand back. “It’s normal temperature,” she said, looking flustered, her cheeks turning rosy.
I covered my hand with my other one, so no one could see what I was doing from outside the car, since I couldn’t put up a shield in the middle of the school car park. On the empty street it was fine, but here, all the students would disappear before Catherine’s eyes, possibly freaking her out. And I didn’t want to scare her off now I’d gotten her semi-interested.
I focused on Catherine, tapping into the nervous energy coming off her, allowing it to build up my emotions—my power, but only enough for a spark to flicker to life in the centre of my palm. She gasped, her eyes transfixed on the flame emerging from my flesh.
I clenched my hand, instantly putting out the flame, aware I was capable of setting the car on fire if my emotions got out of control. “If you want to see more, you’ll have to meet up with me after school.”
“Um…” She frowned. “I can’t. My mum’s expecting me home straight after school.”
“I can give you a lift there,” I replied, pretty sure she was making an excuse not to see me. “I want to talk more with you.”
She didn’t reply, her expression now turning uncomfortable.
“Please,” I said softly, not ashamed of resorting to begging again, though I wasn’t used to it. Girls usually fell over themselves to be with me. But Catherine was different, and that difference fascinated me.
“Okay,” she said, breathing out as though it pained her to agree.
I smiled, thinking that went easier than I’d expected. “What about lunch?” I asked. “We can meet up then, too.”
“I’ll probably be in the small art and photography room. My best friend always meets me there.”
“Cool.” I hopped out of the car and quickly moved around to Catherine’s door. I pulled it open for her, getting an amused look in return.
She stepped out of the car, her lips quirking up at the corners. “I wouldn’t have picked you as someone who opens doors for women.”
“That’s because you know nothing about me.” I closed the door behind her.
“Well, I guess I should say thank you.”
“No, thank you.” I took hold of her hand and lifted it to my lips, giving it a kiss.
She whipped it away, her expression surprised. “What did you do that for?”
“Being a gentleman, like you said.” I took hold of her hand again, giving it a squeeze. “So, let’s go to class.”
She tugged her hand free once more. “Without holding hands. I’m not your girlfriend.”
“For now.”
“Forever.”
I shrugged. “We’ll see about that.” I started walking towards the buildings, stopping when I noticed she wasn’t following. I glanced back at her. “You coming? We are going to the same class.”
She let out a sigh and moved forward. I fell in step with her, happy I’d made a breakthrough.