Destiny Gift (The Everlast Trilogy) - By Juliana Haygert Page 0,6

magical, Kodak moment, as the older people used to say, and I didn’t have my camera with me.

Wait. I patted my jeans.

I had nothing with me. A vision? It felt different. Too clear, too bright, too eerie. And where was Victor?

My last vision had been almost two weeks ago, and I already missed him. I couldn’t wait to meet him, to talk to him, to feel his touch and warmth, and to tell him I passed organic chemistry. The spring semester was finally over and now was the time to celebrate. With Victor.

Looking for my Prince Charming, I pivoted, only to see a palace—but not one of stone like those seen in history books. Instead, a palace made of crystal loomed before me. Shimmering. Shiny. Radiant. A step away from my feet, a crystal path wound up the mountain, leading to the palace’s entrance.

Perhaps Victor was inside? But why would he be inside a palace? Hmm, perhaps he had already organized a celebration for me for passing the semester.

As I followed the path, I gawked at the palace. Its peculiarity was due in part to the many different structures that composed it: Greek columns, Roman domes, Nordic round towers, Egyptian pylons, English strong walls, Chinese colors, and Islamic ogee arches—all made of shiny crystal.

I reached the front steps and tilted my head, looking to the upmost point. Suddenly, I felt small, like an ant on a human’s threshold.

Then I heard voices.

“Hello? Victor?” Was this a ghost-type vision, or one I could interact with? I hoped not a ghost vision. I missed Victor.

Twirling a strand of hair around my finger, I went in, following the voices through a high, long corridor to another grand archway. There I froze.

Five men and five women stood around a circular reflecting pool, right in front of imposing crystal thrones. The sound of their soft steps was overridden by their firm voices. They appeared to be in their forties, clad in modern suits or gowns, each holding intricate, sparkling crystal staves.

The air around them smelled of flowers. Gardenias. The plants took in several tall, round crystal pots next to the thrones.

The elegant men and women argued and didn’t seem to be aware of my presence. I let out a slow breath and tension eased from my joints.

A ghost-type vision. And one without Victor, apparently. How odd. But what did this mean? I tiptoed closer, confident they couldn’t see me. While I was here, I could at least figure out what was going on in the crystal palace.

“The humans are losing their faith,” one of the males said, his voice melodious and stout. His face was rough, but incredibly beautiful. His dark eyes looked like deep black flames. The orb topping his stave shone with a daunting black light. “They don’t believe in us anymore.”

“Mitrus is right,” an elegant female spoke. She had black hair that flowed to her knees and skin so pale it was nearly translucent. The color inside the sphere over her stave was purple. “The humans think those Greek or Roman gods are the real ones, when the truth is the opposite.”

“Not only Greek and Roman gods, Imha,” a man with a goatee and scruffy brown hair added. His white suit was crumpled and his jacket opened. He paraded with a rolling gait, like he rode a horse. A bright red orb topped his stave. “The humans even invented that almighty one god they speak of. The one with a capital G. Soon, we’ll be forgotten.”

Who were these people? And where the hell was Victor?

Another man came into view. He was tall, with tanned skin; broad shoulders; long, golden hair; and light green eyes, like two precious demantoid garnets. He had a fine stubble beard that emphasized his chiseled jaw and squared chin. As the others, he looked about forty, but a hot forty, like a famous movie star.

One of his hands was buried inside his pant pocket while the other gripped his white-orb scepter. His gaze focused on the reflecting pool. “I know, Omi,” he said. His voice was strong, sure, and smooth. “I wish we could do more, but we cannot interfere with their lives.”

“Nevertheless, we can prove our existence,” Mitrus said. “Think about it, Levi. We need to do something.”

“We won’t cease to exist, Mitrus.” A graceful woman stood beside Levi, her wavy hair white blond and her eyes clear blue. She held a stave crowned by an orb that emanated baby pink light. “We just need to craft a