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Who do these eyes belong to? I know them, of that I’m certain, but the face evades me.
“Rajendra grieved beyond reason, for he truly loved his wife. When he admitted it was because of his choices that he lost her, he was terribly conflicted.
“It led to a split in his personality.”
Both Aiden and I are hanging on every word, but I’m not sure I fully understand. Did Claudette really mean to say personality or soul?
I’m confused.
Thankfully, Claudette isn’t finished, forging on as if she’s not affecting the rest of our lives with her tale.“Let me put it this way. Rajendra’s mind stood its ground, insisting it wasn’t his fault. The light there got lighter, but it wasn’t grounded. It was escapism.
“At the same time, the darkness in his heart grew from the lack of light and the loss of his beloved. It wanted revenge.
“The only thing that remained balanced and intact were his instincts. Being more aloof from conscious thought, they were quite safe.
“Rajendra became a recluse and when he died many years later, his personality couldn’t be reconciled. The parts didn’t fit together anymore. The heart wanted to use the instinct for evil, and the head wanted to use the instinct for good.
“So fast forward to this life or any other you had since,” she adds the last part on an afterthought. “You were reborn as three different people.”
Aiden has gone eerily still beside me, having realized what this story is about.
“You, El, represent the light… you’ve also ended up with Rajendra’s tendency to be too much in your head. You are a bit of an escapist. Even now, you’re escaping from Tiero’s captivity.
“Tiero, not surprising, represents the dark. Obviously, I’ve never met him. But I’d wager he’s passionate in the way only the heart knows how to be.”
I blush at that, dropping my gaze to avoid the others. I remember all too well how passionate Tiero can be.
He made me believe in all the steamy romance novels I’ve read over the years. I press my legs together to squelch the sudden throbbing desire evoked by the memory of our time together.
“Tiero’s tendency for violence is Rajendra’s heart, still trying to find an outlet for the anger and revenge it felt all that time ago.
“And Ade,” she looks at him.
He straightens as if preparing himself for what’s to come.
“Rajendra’s instincts have found a home in you. You represent the proper balance of light and dark, which is the play of life itself.”
Wow, how cool. Does it really all work like this? It sounds too fantastical. But isn’t the undeniable connection I have with both Aiden and Tiero proof?
“I don’t understand,” Ade finally says. “Let’s assume this story has some truth to it. I don’t feel like I’ve found the proper balance.”
“It’s not a conscious thing until you look deeper. Examine your life. You fight on the side of light and justice, but you’re not afraid to enter dark places and do things people at large consider dark or evil. Your instincts are balanced and grounded. And they’re so sharp. Nothing escapes your notice.”
Claudette falls silent then, letting us absorb what she told us.
That division of our soul makes sense, but she could have made all of this up.
Deep down inside, though, I know she hasn’t. What motive would she have to lie to us?
Aiden clears his throat, taking a long sip of his tea.
“So my soul is in three parts… what now? What do I do with that knowledge?”
“You’re aware of it. And when you meet Tiero one day, you might be more inclined to try to understand him. He’s a part of you after all. Your soul yearns to be one again. It’s the unseen force in the background.”
“And how would that occur? Reuniting the three parts, I mean,” Aiden asks, his warm brown eyes bouncing between Claudette and I.
“That was Ella’s question earlier. I don’t have the answer. Ultimately, it’s up to the three of you.
