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“You must be the Evolirium group,” says a rather small lady standing at the entrance of the 12-storey building.
“We are,” Alexandraya answers.
“Come in, come in,” she says, ushering us into the building. “My name is Catherine Lowe, and I will be your mortal guide here on Earth. I have separate rooms for each of you over the top three floors—four individual rooms on each floor. They are shrouded in glamour as is the private elevator behind me. No one will see you nor disturb your business while you’re here.”
We decide to split the Propensities into Light and Darkness residing on the top floor, Earth and Water the level below, and Time and Electricity on the 10thfloor.
“Isn’t it weird hearing someone with two names?” muses Thea out loud to the group.
Catherine Lowe responds with a chuckle.
Our single name follows our godly genealogy. It is to remind us of our semi god status, and to ensure we do not become emotionally attached to our magically absent mortal lineage. For the first time, I think about my mortal birth parent and what my last name would have been.
Alexandraya speaks out interrupting the conversation, appointing herself spokesperson for the mission. “We should begin our reconnaissance of Niagara Falls as soon as we’ve settled into our rooms and changed into our street clothing,” she says matter-of-factly.
Roman is hasty to nod, as are the rest of group.
Once in my temporary lodging, I throw my satchel onto the bed and riffle through the minimal clothing I bought with me. I decide on a pair of jeans and a simple plain white tee. Comfortable and non-descript.Perfect. I hurriedly run a brush through my hair, combing my vortex-swept bangs into place before I leave to meet the group.
“Right, that’s everyonenow,” Alexandraya says to our guide while throwing a look of distaste in my direction.
“Follow me and I’ll show you the way to the falls.” Catherine Lowe instructs.
Mykos sidles up to Alexandraya and leaves me at the back of the group.Traitor!Is anyone immune to her charms?
“Hey, can you believe this place?”
It’s Braxton walking by my side, engaging me in conversation.
“I can’t get my head around the fact that I’m actually part of this group,” I respond.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I’m not as confident in my abilities as the rest of you,” I reply simply.
“You really don’t give yourself enough credit. You are quite remarkable.”
Did he just call me remarkable?I turn my head toward the ground as my cheeks flush, and hide a little smile to myself.
“Here we are,” Catherine Lowe says depositing us at a deserted vantage point. “I’ll leave you lot to it. Just follow this pathway when you’re done. It will lead you straight back to the apartments.”
The first thing that catches my eye is the sheer power of the cascading water flow. The thunderous crash of water into the whirlpool below is both menacing and bewitching. It is the absolute opposite of the peaceful Zen River on Evolirium.
As the reality of the mission starts to sink in, my nerves bubble away inside my stomach. I look to Braxton wide-eyed. He nods, understanding my trepidation and gives me a little reassuring smile.
“Hey Siriarna, what are all these people wearing?” Thea asks interrupting my building anxiety.
Dragging my view from the waterfall, I look at the crowds instead, then answer, “Raincoats. Mortals wear them to keep their under clothes dry.”
“Fascinating,” she says, continuing to eyeball the mortal garments.
Though trivial, answering Thea’s question lifts my spirits.Perhaps Simeon was right, and I can be of some help during this mission after all.
Alexandraya positions herself at the front of the group. “Time to split up and investigate. Roman and I will go with Sage, Thea, Julius and Mykos. We’ll explore the best way to get to the bottom of the waterfall. The rest of you scope the area for an evacuation strategy in case of a mission fail. Let’s meet back here at dusk.”
I clear my throat before announcing my suggestion, “There’s a tunnel at the bottom of the power station. It should lead directly to the base of the falls.”
“How do you know that?” Alexandraya snaps.
