and games. Mystique and Doctor Doom riding horses in top hats and velvet! What do you think our adventure will be this time?
This one? Julian couldn’t help himself. Like all the rest, he said. We’ll try to hide from the hand of evil that draws its power from death and sin. The power that wants to consume us, to destroy you, to weaken your power over me until I’m nothing, to take away your power to rule my world, to ruin us.
What about your power to rule my world? she said. She thought they were still playing. But in the end we’ll prevail!
No, Mirabelle, said Julian. We never prevail. We will fail.
A collapsed Mia, the smile wiped off her sunken face, fell mute. Boy, was I right, she said at last. Your dreams really are the darkness. Look at the things they’re making you say to a naked adoring girl in your arms. Tumbling off him, pushing him away, she curled into the corner of the bed.
He lay for a few moments with his arm over his face, and then turned her onto her back, climbing on top of her in contrition. I’m sorry. I told you talking about it was no good. He kissed her, the beats of his heart pulsing into her mouth.
Don’t hold yourself up, come here, she whispered, her hands on his back. Come closer. You’re right about one thing, Jules. Whatever it is that makes you dream these bad things, it does want to ruin us. It’s trying to separate us—even now. Especially now. Please don’t let it. Isn’t it better to lie entwined—to lie as one—as opposed to your way?
What way is that?
The dumb way. All broody and shaky, by yourself on the floor.
Aloud Julian said yes.
If you want to hide from your dreams, Mia said, don’t go in the corner. Stay with me. I’m right here, in the ring with you, on center stage with you. She tilted her hips up to him.
I know where you are.
Stay with me, and I’ll be Mystique for you or Rogue for you. I’ll change for you, cut my hair off for you. Anything you want, I’ll be that for you. Please let me. I’ll bend your energy to my desire. I can do it. I have enhanced physical attributes, too. Like you.
He didn’t think it was enough. Julian kissed her moaning throat.
Squeezing her hips around him to stop him from moving, Mia took his head into her hands, gazing up into his face with everything there was inside her. Please love me, Julian, she whispered. Please.
I’m trying, Mia. Let me go. Free me.
And who knows, maybe our story won’t end like everything ends.
Maybe, he said.
Maybe our Marmont lust will become eternal passion. Maybe our brief ecstasy will be remade into enduring glory.
Maybe, he said.
I know you’re worried about things, but you don’t have to worry about me, honest.
Don’t you understand? It’s you I’m worried about most.
“But why? I’m yours. Can’t you feel I’m yours?” She stroked his hair, his face. “Like Mystique, I’m an actress. I might take on another’s outward form, but I swear to you, in my heart I will remain true to what I am. I swear, I will forever remain true to you. Take my life. I have never felt for anyone what I feel for you,” Mirabelle said. “Don’t you see that? Don’t you feel that? I love you, Julian. I love you with all my soul.”
45
Powers Devours
THE BASILISK, THE KING OF THE SERPENTS, WAS ENDOWED with a crown. He was the egg of the cock, hatched under a toad. One basilisk burned to the ground whatever Julian and Mia came near. Another wandered through their lives upright, and when they looked upon the heads of the Medusa, they died from the horror. Unlike other serpents, the basilisk walked arrogant and tall, withering the flowers, breathing death upon the hours and tearing stones like robes.
“She’s going to die, Ashton,” Julian said. “I feel it. No matter what I do, she is going to die.” He and Mia had finally left the Marmont and returned to their lives, and that’s where Julian was, returned to the roof deck with Ashton, shivering in the middle of the desert night.
“Dude, it’s not true,” Ashton said. “Well, I mean, yes, she is, because we all are eventually, but that’s no way to live. Just look at you. You’re a ghost, haunting my room at night.”
“I don’t know how to live anymore,” Julian whispered.
“Look,” Ashton said,