Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

"You're a liar."

Kalliope felt her body stiffen. She was not aware of what lie the black-haired girl was referring to, but the steely gaze she was receiving made her body reflexively shudder. Her beautiful silver eyes were cold and held none of the warmth and mirth they normally did.

"What do you mean?" Kalliope demanded.

Though she intended for her tone to sound commanding and direct, she could not help but feel that it came out more like a whimper. She felt like a child who was being scolded by a parent and could not understand for the life of her why.

Every decision and secret she thought she had rushed through her mind, but she was sure that at least Lucius knew them all. Kalliope could not think of anything she might have told Lyrah that was a lie either. So, what was the woman referencing? What did she lie about?

"You put on an act." Lyrah continued. "Don't forget that I have seen everything my brother has done, might do, and will do. Nothing about his life is a secret from me. By extension, anything you have done around him and to him is known by me.

"You throw yourself at my brother like a whore, desperate for attention. Pining for a connection you might never have. You do this despite him having a wife. You did this despite him loving another. You tried to take what isn't yours before you were allowed to have it."

Kalliope felt her blood boil. The surprise she felt earlier was gone and no longer did she feel like a pup being punished; now she felt like a woman being attacked. Her pride was insulted by this brat who was trying to play tough in a fight she could never win.

"I'll have you know that there was a time where I could have taken everything I wanted from him. If you 'know everything' little girl, then you should have known that too." Kalliope growled. "For a moment I had the future I desired in my hand, but I didn't take it. I knew it wasn't meant for me, so I let it go. If you are such a god damned know it all, then why are you spouting such utter bullshit?"

The room felt hot. Kalliope could feel her body temperature rising from the frustration she felt. She had even stood up and got into Lyrah's face to yell at her. Where was this coming from? Everything made no sense. One minute, they were chummy and getting along and now the woman was criticizing things about Kalliope that she knew nothing about.

Instead of backing off, Lyrah stood and matched Kalliope's energy. A sly smirk momentarily graced Lyrah's face before fading, "I'm aware. Yet, here you are, every day since then continuing to act like a bitch in heat. You finally have a connection and then you pushed him away, only to turn around and mock him by continuing to openly pine for him.

"Why? Was it all an act? Do you love my brother? Or is this a game to you? Do you find enjoyment in looking like a homewrecker?"

A loud slap echoed throughout the room. Lyrah's cheek turned red as a handprint began to rapidly form on her cheek.

"Don't you dare act like you know Lucius better than I do." Kalliope roared. "All you are is an observer. Sure, you have 'seen everything he's done,' but it is no different than reading a book. You sit there and watch the pain he goes through. You see his failures and triumphs sure, but I have so much more. Rena has so much more.

"I was there. I watched him work himself to the bone every day. He took beating after beating without rest from one of the strongest beings on the continent. He faced brutal training regimens and faced terrifying hurdles all in the name of becoming stronger.

"You know nothing about what kind of man he is. What he felt. What I felt. Seeing his determination tested constantly, watching him break, being there to pick him back up… experiencing those things mean so much more than just watching it happen.

"Compared to me, you are nothing to Lucius. So don't act like you understand us; like you understand how we feel."

Lyrah placed a hand on her face and rubbed where she had been struck. "Do you even love him?"

Kalliope glared at the woman in silent anger. She took a deep breath to keep herself from striking Lyrah a second time. "I love him with all my heart. At first it was out of duty, desire to have a strong bloodline… but seeing who he was, changed things. Then one day when it seemed like my feelings were being reciprocated… I was scared.

I pushed him away because I was afraid that he did not truly feel the way he thought. Everything he had done up to that point was for revenge and for Rena. I was afraid that the moment I gave in… I would simply lose him the moment she returned.

"Judge me if you will, to maintain a mask of normalcy. I'm sorry for wanting things to stay the same. If I couldn't let myself have more, then I wanted to at least keep what I already had. I made it hard on Lucius to remain true to his goal by letting my feelings through. If I acted playful and disingenuous, he would be able to say no and focus on what he really wanted."

Both women stared at each other. The tension between them was so thick you could cut through it with a knife. Neither knew what would break this stalemate they found themselves in. Kalliope felt herself about to break when Lyrah spoke first.

"At least you are finally being honest." The young oracle said with a smile. The stern look she had vanished immediately. "I have a lot of respect for those who can lie well for others. To lie to yourself as well as him, so that he may achieve his goals is worthy of respect. However, things are different now and I was worried you might be a lost cause, but there is hope for you yet."

"Of course it was you who saw through me." Kalliope admitted. "You've 'seen everything' anyway…"

Lyrah chuckled and shook her head. "Even if I had not… a liar knows a liar."

"What do you mean?"

Lyrah's face took on a sad expression and her tone became somber, "To see what I see and make what I want to happen come true, I often must tell lies. My friends and my family… I must lie to them for their own good. It is lonely and painful… I don't want you to have to do it anymore, Kalliope."

Kalliope pulled Lyrah into a hug and rubbed her back gently. For a moment, the oracle stood there stunned, but slowly returned the embrace. "Lyrah, if you ever need to escape from your lies, you can tell me. I will help with your burdens… from one liar to another."

"You are sweet."

Somehow, Kalliope knew that the girl would not take her up on the offer. There would probably be times when Kalliope would be lied to, and there was nothing she could do about it. For Lyrah, she would probably continue walking this path alone to create the future she desires… Yet, Kalliope wanted to know what kind of future her new friend was trying to obtain.