Until There's Nothing Left of Our Fantasy: Joherian, #1

Prologue

All you could hear was her footsteps. Every step she took, her heart pounded faster and her throat tightened. Her hand felt clammy wrapped around the sword, which felt like it weighted a ton and all she wanted to do was to turn right back and prevent the inevitable. The place was so sinister, it reeked of death. Every inch of the place was eerie and it left you with the feeling of mind numbing fear and helplessness, knowing there’s nothing you can do but to move forward with every step you take.

She turned the corner that led to the main hall, where he was waiting for her. Her hands were shaking and she felt the walls were closing in on her, trying to suffocate her. Her body was quivering with fear and anxiety, and her legs felt like bricks. She remembered her father’s terrified voice, pleading with her not to go through with it. Kayannah’s worried look before she left. Just before she reached the door, she glanced back, feeling someone following her but saw nothing but an empty hallway.

She raised her hand to unlock the door, whilst praying inwardly, that everything went according to plan. There was so much at stake. So many people’s lives at stake. Whatever, happened tonight, would not only affect the people that she’s come to care and love but to the one person, who irrevocably shaken her entire world and stolen her heart and soul along the way.

As she opened the creaking door, all that greeted her was darkness. Complete darkness. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart, knowing it was too late for doubts and second thoughts. Never mind, her common sense screaming at her to get out of the place while she still could, with both heart and limbs still intact.

Before she could take more than few steps inside, the door behind her slammed shut, shaking her out of her reverie and making her jump. She spun around, trying to open the door, but the door was bolted, separating her from the other side of the world. In a burst of panic, she kicked, pulled, scratched and screamed for the door to open but it wouldn’t budge. She sagged against the door, defeated, fighting the urge to cry, knowing she was truly alone now and might never see her family and friends again.

She heard a faint chuckle coming from the other side of the hall and slowly turned around, not realising he was watching her desperate display in amusement. A cool shudder trickled down her spine and her stomach did a quick somersault, watching him emerge from the shadows and seeing him for the first time since the transformation.

Gone, was the man who not only made her heart beat faster with his mere presence, made arrogant remarks when he tried to rile her up with his high handedness, just to see the fire in her eyes, but would look at her softly and make her feel she was the most precious person in his whole world. This man was a stranger. The blue eyes that always reminded her of the midnight sky stared at her emotionlessly with a smirk on his lips, as he slowly stalked towards her and stopped a few feet away from her.

Rhion, she whispered.

Chapter One

Few months ago...

Today was the day. The day where Aneira Jefferson would finally fulfil her dream of travelling the world. She’s waited so long for this opportunity. Made plans in her little battered notebook she’s had since she was fourteen years old that entailed details after details of her trip. The places she would like to go, the foods she would taste and the culture she would first-hand experience. After three years of studying hard, doing all-nighters, handing in last minute assignments and working her butt off, she’s finally graduating from University of London. Now, at the age of twenty-one years old, she was going to do what she wanted and damn the consequences.

From a young age, Aneira had always been told she resembled the mother she never knew or met. Her mother dying in the process of delivering her into the world has always been a knowledge she struggled to deal with since she was old enough to understand. Despite how much her father had explained and reassured that there was nothing that could have been done, Aneira knew how much he struggled when he looked at her. She was after all a carbon copy of the woman he loved, from what she had seen of pictures and knew he sometimes saw her in Aneira.

She had dark brown eyes that complimented well with her olive skin tone; she had inherited from her mother. Her recently cut jet black hair reached just below her shoulders and she had always been told by her friends and family that she was tall enough to be a model if she wanted to, despite being only 5’8 tall.

All in all, she was just an ordinary looking girl and never had problems having guys asking her out. Not that she did go out in many dates, she was always too busy to deal with all the drama it brought with it, from what she had seen from her friends relationships and never had the patience to deal with it, which was why she had only went out few times with guys she thought she could be friends with. That way, if the relationship didn’t go anywhere, they would just their separate way as friends and nothing more. It was much easier that way.

The only reason she was standing outside Heathrow airport right now, her luggage beside her instead of checking in her bags and relaxing in the passenger lounge area was because her best friend was late. Again.

Aneira gritted her teeth, she honestly didn’t know why she was so surprised. After knowing her best friend for almost thirteen years - going to the same nursery, primary and secondary school, college and then onto University, she would have thought she would get used to Mia’s tardiness by now. When Mia promises to be somewhere in a certain time, that usually means she’ll be an hour late, running like there’s no tomorrow, making a spectacle of herself trying to get there and then after gracing you with her presence with a sheepish smile, she would then proceed to make the most ridiculous excuse created by mankind.

Just as she predicted, a taxi stopped at the entrance of the airport approximately an hour later. The passenger door flung open and there was Mia in all glory. Her bright red coloured beanie almost falling of her dishevelled long blonde locks. Her favourite grey Mona Lisa t-shirt looked like it needed ironing and she was wearing black jeans with her timberland boots.

Mia Giovanni was 5’7, and one of the most beautiful girls, inside and outside anyone could ever meet. She was always participating in some charity in her spare time and enjoyed baking with her only living grandparent. Her mother died from a hit and run when she was only two years old and never really knew her mother, which Aneira knew bothered her. She had four older brothers and a father, who are all very protective of her since she happens to be the baby of the family.

The only person in the world Aneira would ever consider to share her dream with would only ever be Mia. The two of them have been through everything with each other and were more like sisters than best friends. They were each other’s family. But there was times she questioned herself, what she brought on herself by asking Mia to accompany her on this trip.

Just by looking at her guilty expression, I knew she lost track of time by sleeping the afternoon away and was trying to come up with a valid excuse as to why she was late. Aneira, she exclaimed, she drew in a ragged breath. Thank God your still here, she said. She snatched her suitcase away from the cab driver, all the while glaring at him with narrowed eyes, and tipped him for the ride. From the expression on his face, Aneira could tell Mia had been screaming at him to put his foot down on the gas and not to take his sweet time otherwise she wouldn’t pay him at all and was now probably glad to see the back of her from the way he hurried back to his cab.

Dio Mio, you wouldn’t believe the nerve of him, she said, rolling her eyes. As God is my witness Aneira, he was trying to rip me off. Not only did he arrive an hour later after I called him, he tried to distract me with his endless chatter about how expensive his daughter’s wedding was going to cost him, and how he wished she would just get married without all the big shebang. She narrowed her eyes, The bastard, was trying to distract me with his problems and took longer routes, by the time I realised what he was doing, it was too late. She huffed, shaking her head and looked back at the speeding cab driver, probably already regretting paying him anything at all.

Aneira bit back an angry rebuttal and dragged her inside the airport. I swear if we miss this plane, I will personally leave your sorry excuse of an ass behind and do this trip on my own. She snapped. They both ran for the check-in area with their suitcases in hand and sighed in relief when they saw a line of people checking in for the same plane as them.

See there was nothing to worry about was there, Mia said beaming, I knew we would make it on time. We probably have more time to shop once we check in. I need to buy some last minute accessories for this trip. She joined the queue and sat down on her suitcase, already forgotten about their moment of panic and was scrolling down her phone, reading texts.

Aneira sighed, and sat down next to her. She wondered if this was how their trip was going to be like. If they would get stranded in some foreign country, with no money and anyway of getting home. If they would ever return home. She had a niggling feeling of doubt, she wouldn’t return to London at the end of this trip. She wouldn’t see her father watching football on his favourite arm chair, with a smile on his face and a joke to share. That her life in London would seem like a different lifetime, only to remembered in her dreams.

But, then realised she was being ridiculous. She would return home after she fulfilled her dream.  She just wanted to travel without having to worry about every detail of the trip. She wanted to experience new things and have someone she trusted there with her to experience it with. Someone she could share her dream with. She knew with Mia, the only person in the world who make this journey even more special than she imagined it would be, would be with Mia. This would be a journey neither of them would ever forget.

Feeling enthusiastic all of the sudden, she hugged Mia tightly from the side and genuinely said, I’m glad you came with me. Mia’s confused eyes softened and she hugged her back just as tightly and simply said, Me too. If there was anyone Aneira could depend on, to have her back when she needed the most, it would be Mia.

Once, they checked in their bags and received their boarding passes, they decided to shop around for a bit until it was time for them to head to their gate. Their first stop would be Paris, France. They would spend there for two weeks, to explore all the tourist and non-tourist attractions and take as many pictures as they could. Aneira bought a digital camera especially for this trip so she could record every single moment and look back at those pictures fondly, remembering the time of her life when she the felt most liberated.

Travelling to Paris have always been one of the places in the world she always wanted to go to. She couldn’t explain why she felt the need to go there, when most people would rather travel to the most exotic places in the world, and enjoy the tropical beaches but in her dreams, she’s always felt there was something important there waiting for her to discover. There was this compulsive need and curiosity mixed together that was making her feel like if she didn’t go there and see for herself what was so important, she would always ask herself what if? And wonder whether she made a mistake in not following up with her instincts.

After shopping for a bit, mainly Mia splashing her cash, they went to Costa to have some coffee and tea and relax until their gate opened. Looking around the quant trendy coffee shop, seeing different people going about their lives and planning their next destinations, made Aneira feel at peace despite all the buzz there was in the shop. Looking at Mia texting in her phone, she asked amusingly, How many times has your dad texted you so far? Mia’s father was Italian and was very protective of Mia, since she was the only girl in the family amongst five men.

She swore silently, I love dad, I truly do but there will only be so much I can take before I explode with all these texts. Shaking her head, she looked up Did you know that he texts me more than anyone in my contact list...including you. I know he worries about me and I bet the only reason he even let me go on this trip was because you would be there with me.

Well, what can I say? I’m more mature and responsible than you are and your dad knows this. Aneira joked. I think it’s sweet though that your dad goes to all that trouble just to make sure you’re okay, not many fathers...well except mine I suppose, would text their daughters regularly and see how they are. She raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

Mia sighed, Yeah I know, I should be grateful that he cares this much about me, I am, I mean grateful that is, I know not many parents are as cool as my old man. She grinned wickedly, Do you remember Annie? How her parents never even cared what she did as long as she didn’t bring it to their attention. Oh man, how I used to wish my dad was like her parents but now, I guess I’m kind of glad that his nothing like them. She murmured. I’ll be right back, I’m just going to call him and reassure him that I’m fine and that I’ll call him once we reach Paris. She rolled her eyes exasperated and stood up, walking out of the coffee shop to get better signal.

Aneira sat back and took a moment to remind herself to also call her dad once they reached the hotel. She remembered how against he was of her and Mia travelling on their own. She frowned, her dad have always encouraged and supported her to do what she loved, and since she was an only child, her dad invested all his love and time on her. He was both a dad and mum to her and next to Mia, her dad was her best friend and confidant. This was the first time she could remember her and her dad being at odds with each other.

He agreed at the end of course, reluctantly after she promised him she would call him every night but