Even with the apparent Siren having vanished into the crowd of tourists, Leta felt paranoid and on edge.
Everyone at the table seemed to work hard not to bring up what had happened earlier, but it was honestly more awkward not to talk about it and sit silently.
Pilar tried to start small talk again, but it was evident that everyone was distracted until the waiter came out to refill their ales.
With fresh beverages and a new plate of appetizers, Vigo, Pilar, and Captain Vasilis began to relax and enjoy themselves.
Everyone but Leta, that was.
Each person who passed by was a suspect.
Was that gentleman with the shirt-line sunburn an average human or a troll?
Was that woman checking out the sunglasses just a tourist or a witch?
Were those kids pestering their mom to give them their tablets just annoying children, or were they goblins?
The last observation seemed the most likely scenario, but she wasn’t positive.
“What do you think, Leta?”
“Huh?” She nearly jumped at Pilar’s question because she’d been so focused on watching a young couple of newlyweds trying to figure out if they were monsters.
“Dinner tonight with the team,” Pilar asked as she looked back at her phone. “Dr. Galloise sent a text asking if we’d all like to go get food together tonight as one last ho-rah before returning to Athens.”
“Oh. Uh, yeah. Sounds good.” She blurted out, quickly taking a sip of her ale.
Pilar didn’t even notice as her thumbs flew over the phone screen. “Cool, I’ll let her know. She’s trying to get reservations at a place now.”
Dinnertime in Greece was late, somewhere around nine in the evening.
With no plans for the rest of the day, Pilar, Vigo, and Leta hit as many typical tourist stops in Santorini as possible. The cloudless sky had brought out all the tourists, but they still managed to elbow their way to the Three Bells of Fira, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and wander through the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
Vigo even convinced them to take the cable cars down to the Old Port, where they took a moment to appreciate the island’s distinct architecture as cruise ships passed by on the sea below.
They managed to take a cab to Oia to catch the sunset over the water before taking a bus back to Fira.
“Oh… that was such a bad idea.” Pilar moaned as they stumbled back into their accommodations. “I think I’ve got a blister that popped.”
Leta was surprised that she felt good. Sore but capable of walking a few more miles.
[While the Host has an average statistical measurement of stamina, the Host’s active nanite system allows nanites to run more efficiently than an average human. The Host’s nanites have been refined to respond to stress on the body as effectively as possible. Prolonged periods of physical strain will cause the Host’s muscles to tire. However, nanites begin immediate repairs after the physical strain has ended. Every pause to take a photograph or moment spent sitting down has given the nanites time to alleviate stress to the Host’s muscles, allowing the Host to move farther and for longer than previously.]
Shrugging, Leta headed for the bathroom and had to do a double tack after she closed the door when she looked in the mirror.
She was by no means a supermodel - she’d been way too heavy due to her academics and her love of mac and cheese to have been skinny.
But her cheeks looked more defined, her sandy blonde hair seemed lighter, and she could barely make out the curve of hips that had once been hidden under her slightly diminished muffin tops. She wasn’t a femme fatale, but she could admit that she looked a bit more attractive, like the sweet, nerdy girl next door with whom you could have an intellectual conversation.
“Wow.” Leta exhaled softly, running her hands through her tangle of blonde hair. It even had a healthy shine, as if she wasn’t constantly twisting it into a bun to get it out of her face.
[The Host’s metabolism was corrected during the initial system download process. In addition, increases in statistical measurements have also slightly affected the Host’s body-to-fat ratio. The Host can expect similar changes as statistical measurements increase.]
‘Well, that’s nifty.’ Leta mused, noting that her pants seemed slightly looser than she remembered.
In honor of their last night in Santorini, Leta pulled out the only dress she’d brought to wear for dinner. She’d packed it with visions of celebrating a fabulous end to six weeks of excavation as the team welcomed the next crew taking over the dig.
Hair down, no makeup, and a dress was as dolled up as she could get, which was in line with just about everyone’s attire.
The restaurant was stunning: a French Mediterranean place not far from the cable cars overlooking the ocean. The cruise ships had all left port, leaving the twinkling of private catamarans and mono hulls glittering like stars on the water.
The harsh sunset wind had given way to the gentle evening breeze, which set the small tea lights that ran the center of their table flickering.
Everyone had been invited, including Captain Vasilis’s entire crew helping them. Even Dr. Marrow and Dr. De Mar had managed to make the ferry and meet them for dinner.
“Thank goodness you’re well.” Dr. Marrow greeted her with open arms and hugged her tightly. “This will be one heck of a story to tell on your next excavation.”
“That’s certainly true.” She mumbled before turning to shake Dr. De Mar’s hand when she felt a brush of something unseen against her spirit. Her smile faltered as she thought the same clean aura like glacier water she’d felt with the Warrior Koa.
Dr. De Mar’s eyes widened as he seemed to get the same impression of her.
For a moment, the two stared at each other with the same silent surprise as siblings who’d spotted each other at a party they weren’t supposed to attend.
Dr. De Mar cleared his throat and said too loudly, “It’s great to see you, Leta. Would you mind stepping over there?” He gestured with his chin to a more secluded spot near the team’s table, “to talk about your internship with the Museum?”
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“Absolutely,” She smiled and headed that way.
When they were alone, she gave the professor a dry look. “You know, you are the worst actor I’ve ever seen.”
Dr. De Mar ignored her jab as he spoke low, “When did this happen?”
Leta blinked. “I don’t mean to be sarcastic, sir, but you know why this excavation got canceled in the first place, right?”
He gave her a look that showed how he felt about her answer, “So this didn’t happen before leaving Athens?”
She leaned forward and spoke softly, “If by ‘this’ you mean that I can now taser people with my hands, then no, this didn’t happen before I left Athens. ‘This’ happened a few days ago, and ‘this’ is the reason I was in the hospital.”
De Mar blew out a breath and rocked back on his hips. “I apologize. When someone becomes an Arisen, it means that they were on the verge of dying. I feared perhaps something had happened that you hadn’t told us. And your electricity?” He shook his head, baffled, “Masters said you had the talent for electricity. Honestly, I’ve never met an Arisen with that one.”
Her ears perked up at the familiar name from the curator, “You know him?”
“Koa? Yes, he’s part of our faction. There’s a lot of history and explaining to do, but here right now is neither the place nor time. I’ve completed the proper paperwork for you to finish your internship at the Museum back on the mainland. This will be a good opportunity to meet others like us and learn more about your talents.”
Leta did a double take, “Others? There are more of you guys?”
De Mar gave her a prideful smirk, “Hundreds across Europe, and last count, we neared a million across the globe, but again, this will all make a lot more sense when we can sit you down and explain a few things. Until then, I ask that you follow our most sacred rule: do not reveal your talents to the humans.”
“Yeah, no fear of that.” Looking down at her fingers, she muttered, “These powers are a little too showy.”
“This is very serious, Leta.” His eyes were hard as if to convey a state secret, “You must not reveal yourself to humans. You could literally get yourself killed.”
“Okay,” She put her hands up, “Message received. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Satisfied, De Mar relaxed and extended his hand for her to lead the way back to the table.
Everyone had a glass of wine, and Dr. Galloise spoke to a waiter about sampler options.
Leta found a seat with her back to the black ocean between Jun Sun and one of Captain Vasilis’s crew, who poured her wine for her as she sat down.
Everyone was talking about what they had experienced on the dig and their plans. Vigo was making friends with the boat crew and had already downed one glass of wine.
Mediterranean octopus salad, foie gras on creme bruleed sweet potatoes, and Aegean sea bass came and went as everyone dug in.
Leta took a bite of sea bass and moaned at the delectable taste that fell apart like melted butter on her tongue.
[Sea bass. Inert nanites based on quantity available for consumption: 243]
‘Much better than an apple.’ Leta smiled and took another bite.
Between the sea bass, tartare de boeuf, a fantastic chocolate confection the restaurant called a ‘black pearl,’ and two glasses of wine, Leta was feeling fantastic.
The influx of nanites was also a significant bonus.
She was surprised that she didn’t feel full despite the food she’d been putting into her body all day. Or the slightest bit drunk, for that matter.
[The Host has recently gone through a traumatic experience where many resources and nanites were utilized to keep the Host’s form functioning effectively.] Gada answered when she asked about this.
[The Host’s metabolism and organ functions were reset during the initial system upload to quickly and efficiently break down nutrients and replenish these resources. In addition, nanites within the Host’s organs can identify chemicals in the nutrients that may impair the Host’s statistical measurements and abilities. These chemicals are quickly compartmentalized to keep the Host’s cognoscente capabilities at peak performance.]
Leta’s mouth nearly opened in shock. ‘I can’t get drunk?’
[The Host may be able to reach a state of intoxication if specific programs that manage the Host’s nutritional intake were altered or if the Host consumed a high percentage of the chemicals in a short period. During the second option, the Host would only experience an inebriated state until the nanites successfully reversed the effects.]
‘So if I chugged a whole bottle of wine?’
[The Host would experience an inebriated state for an estimated three minutes and eight seconds before the nanites reversed the beverage’s effects.]
‘That’s… honestly? Awesome and awful all at the same time.’ She grumbled to herself as she took another sip from her glass.
It was a little past midnight when dinner began to draw to a close. Jun Sun, Chandi, and some of the boat crew who had duties early in the morning had already departed. Leta looked down the table to see De Mar and herself, the only sober ones. The curator merely gave her a shrug when they met eyes as if he were used to being among a table full of half-drunk and wasted scholars.
Vigo and the boat crew he’d been drinking with were the worst of the bunch. Leta was quite surprised he’d managed to stumble into Jun Sun’s empty seat next to her.
“I’m a take you home.” He slurred as he leaned forward, nearly knocking her out with the yeasty smell of his breath.
“I don’t think you’ll be doing much of anything. And I hope you’re going to imply something in this state.” Leta coughed, waving her hand before her face to remove the pungent stench.
“No, I’m going to take you home. You need some-burp-someone to protect you.”
Leta sighed, “Vigo, I love ya like a brother, but I don’t think you’d be able to fight your way out of a wet paper bag right now.”
“I’m f-fine.” He announced, bloodshot eyes tracking back and forth as if she was wavering in his vision, “You need someone to protect you from… from that asshole.”
“Oh jeez, you will be so much fun on the boat.” She muttered under her breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. “What asshole?”
“That one right there.” He drawled, attempting to point a finger, but was rocking so much in his chair that he had gestured to nearly half a block of people.
“Which one?”
“That one. The - burp - the guy with the shirt. And that stud-hiccup-stupid grin.”
His directions were useless, but as Leta scanned the faces of those still out and about at this time of night, one did stand out among the rest.
Across the pedestrian road and one floor up was a terrace bar with a few tourists still nursing their drinks into the wee hours. At the corner of the terrace was a dark-haired man with Middle Eastern features dressed in a dark collared shirt and jeans. His hair was long, coming to rest at the nap of his neck, and framed a square face that was nothing but hard angles and stubble.
With her upgraded vision, she could make out the slightly raised scar cutting through one eyebrow and the amber gold of his eyes as he watched her.
“He’s been - hiccup - staring at you for the last hour. He’s an asshole.”
Her watcher gave a wicked smirk and raised his whiskey glass in salute as if acknowledging that he’d been staring.
Leta kept eye contact and shook her head no, taking another sip of wine and turning away as if to dismiss him.
“Everything okay?” Dr. Galloise shouted from further down the table.
“No, there’s an a-”
“We’re all good.” Leta interrupted Vigo with a raised hand.
He gave her a boyish grin, cheeks flushed with intoxication. “You’re adorable when you’re bossy…” He asserted.
She ignored her wasted friend when addressing her mentor. “We’ll need to get a cab back, ma’am.”
Dr. Galloise looked at Vigo, who was slowly leaning in the wrong direction, and nodded. “Yeah, and probably some help up to the street I think.”
“I’m jus’ tryin’ to look out fer’ you.” Vigo drawled as he swayed.
“Vigo, look.” She pointed back up at the terrace, where the stranger from before had vanished, “The asshole is gone. You don’t have to worry.”
Vigo blinked, then squinted as if he were trying to read the fine print on a contract. “Oh.”
Taxis were few and far between on the island outside major destinations like the airport and ferry, but ride share was available through an app.
Leta’s phone chimed with an alert stating their driver was approaching. “C’mon, Vigo. Let’s get you up and get going.”
If there were ever an example of what it was like to herd cats, it would have been Leta trying to navigate a very drunk Vigo up a flight of stairs and through a pedestrian road as he stopped to comment on something he saw a few days ago at a particular souvenir shop or ate in a specific hole in the wall establishment.
It took nearly twenty minutes to get him 30 meters to the main road, and Leta had to text the driver waiting for them that they were close by.
She spotted the black Nissan Micra waiting for them as they turned a corner into the square and heard the doors unlock at their approach.
“Oletta?” The driver asked as she opened the door for Vigo to fall in.
“Yes, that’s me.”
And fall in Vigo did, taking a few minutes to dramatically push himself into the back seat.
When she had enough room, she got in and closed the door.
The doors locked, and Leta turned to grab her seat belt when she felt the dirty, sludge-like presence prickling at her senses.
‘Oh no…’
Her mouth suddenly went dry, and her heart beat over time. She slowly looked up to see amber-gold eyes in the rear view mirror looking back at her.
The man on the terrace from earlier turned around to give her his full attention, his irises reflecting like cat eyes in the car’s dark interior. “Hello, Mrs. Black. I believe we have some things to discuss, you and I.”