In the year 1999
… a sound broke the silence.
"Oh no … impossible." The head nurse said, staring at the female baby that just came out, while they had been conversing about the first baby.
Young Eucharia immediately thought of something in the past and looked in awe at the second baby that had just come out without any push from the mum or aid from the nurses. She changed her mind immediately, handing over the first baby to the other nurses and held the second baby looking at her. This was the promised child that she was mandated to take of.
The other nurse's just looked on from Eucharia to the baby, wondering why they didn't know before that moment that Agnes had twins. Obviously, this baby was one of a kind, she came out unaided.
"Now, I will ask to raise this one, hand the first one to Agnes's sister."
"Why the sudden change of mind love?" The head nurse of that time asked. She was very fond of Eucharia, being her Godmother.
"Nothing mum, just love her." Eucharia replied.
"Okay then, let's inform the sister."
The nurses agreed and gave the first baby to Agnes's sister, Olivia.
***********
Lily and Jane sat, regarding each other in a new light as Eucharia told the story while, Olivia added some bits to the story when she felt the other woman was on the verge of breaking down. Eucharia needed to be encouraged.
"Best friends turned twins. It's no wonder that I feel so attached to you Lily." Jane said, her emotions calling on her. Lily nodded, too glad to say anything. The two girls pulled each other to a tight hug, each basking in the scent of the other while, the older women watched.
"Little sis." Jane's tone was teasing and the other girl rolled her eyes. Jane was never letting this slide, Lily thought.
"Yes … big sis." Lily made sure the emphasis on 'big sis' didn't go by, unnoticed.
"No … no you don't get to use that tone on me little one."
"Little one?" Lily asked with an incredulous expression and Jane nodded giving her a mock-deviant look. The friends looked at each other for a moment and burst out laughing.
Eucharia watched them in awe, they made a lovely pair. She looked at Olivia. The woman shared a secret relieved smile, each had been scared on how the situation would had turned out. But, were greatly at ease with the unexpected development.
"When is our real birthday?" Jane asked. The two women shared another of their secret look and this time, Olivia spoke up.
"10th of August was when Agnes gave birth to you two, hence, it's in a month's time. The two girls nodded still appraising each other and linked their hands.
"Big sis?"
"Hmm little one." Either Jane was oblivious of the sarcasm or feigned indifference. Lily rolled her eyes again. Well, she had been doing more of that in the past one hour. She and Jane would definitely get used to the recent development.
"I am taller than you are, just so you know." Lily snickered as the other girl narrowed her eyes.
"With just an inch? That's nothing."
"Yeah … well you know."
They smiled and Lily placed her head on Jane's shoulder. The elder sister kissed the younger girl's temple.
"My lovely baby." Jane said soothing the other girl's hair.
"I am now her lovely baby, no longer the 'little one', just great." Having said that, Lily feigned an innocent look when the other girl turned to face her. Lily smirked secretly.
"I am so glad that you're not pissed off at me and Eucharia. Thank you for your forgiveness." Olivia said, interrupting their moment. Jane and Lily gave reassuring smiles, signaling that all was good. Their earlier argument forgotten.
"Mum, we do not look alike." Lily pointed out. "Moreover, you didn't give me Agnes's picture."
"Yes, Jane took after your mother and Lily, you look like your dad."
"Oh." Each girl said, observing the other's features.
"How about dad? Why did he leave mum?"
"He … abandoned your mum while she was heavily pregnant."
"That was so heartless of him."
"Yes, I'm very glad that you didn't take after him on that, you my girls, have very good heart."
"Can we see her picture?"
"Yes dearies." Eucharia gave them the picture. She had been with it since her confession to Lily. The two girls stared at the woman in the picture. This was their mum.
"Its so true, Jane looks like mum."
Everyone nodded staring at Jane's face . The object of their study became shy and suddenly, the floor became very interesting to observe. Lily watched her adorable twin and pinched her cheeks fondly. This is so Jane , she thought looking at their mum's picture. The woman and the girls appraised one another silently. The silence stretched on. Then out of the blues, Jane asked:
"So mum, how did you know that Lily is the promised child?" Eucharia looked from one girl to the other and said:
"Actually, a man called Theophilus, a seer tipped my mum who told me before she died. They were friends, though he didn't spell it out, the prophesy came in some sort of code."
"A code?"
"Yes, I can't remember the exact words though, my mum was able to decipher the code. When Lily came out, I knew."
The two girls nodded. They didn't understand what Eucharia was talking about. But then, what did it matter? They were together not just as friends but this time, as sisters.
**********
The next day, Lily got ready for her date with Philip. She had decided to have a little fun but … deep down, a problem persisted: her feelings for Magnus. Lily had tried to ignore the feeling. Falling for one's doom was unwise, that was why she decided to go out with Philip. To try her best to forget about Magnus.
Jane and Olivia had gone back home that morning. The four of them had concluded to move in together and made plans towards it. Getting to the mirror, Lily smiled at her reflection and thought about her twin sister. It all made sense now. Their closeness and attachment was natural. Something always drew them to each other. Blood was definitely blood, nothing could ever change that.
When the young lady was done dressing up for her date, she walked to Eucharia, who was at this time, reading a book about the human mind. Lily raised her brows at her mum's apt concentration. But then, she wouldn't just stand and stare at her all day (even if she wanted to).
"Mummy." Lily interrupted the moment. Eucharia looked from the book and gazed at her daughter with admiration.
"Baby you look amazing." She said and stood up to hold Lily.
"Thank you mum." Lily beamed with smiles, her dimples now more prominent. That was what having a twin sister could do in one's life.
"When will he be here?"
"Any moment from now. He told me he was headed here about ten minutes ago."
"Okay love."
"So mum, I'm leaving you alone, do not miss me so much." Lily gave Eucharia a playful wink.
"I miss you already baby, my only company will be this book."
"Wow, you're reading the 'human mind'. You must love psychology."
"Well … just saw this book, didn't even know I owned it." Lily looked on puzzled with a reply on her lips. Before she could voice out her reply, the sound of the doorbell interrupted the moment hence, whatever she wanted saying, died on her lips.
The two females looked at each other, smiling. They knew it was Philip knocking. Eucharia winked at her blushing daughter and together, they left to open the door. On opening the door, their expected visitor stood there. Philip looked handsome with his blonde hair, his smiles soothed Lily.
"Oh baby, you look so beautiful." Philip breathed.
"Thank you." Lily said, she didn't compliment him, didn't want to. That was when Philip noticed Eucharia.
"Oh … hi Eucharia. I'm sorry didn't see you."
"Hmm Philip, you only saw my daughter, perhaps I became invisible." They laughed at the jeer as Philip shook his head.
"Not at all, but you have such a beautiful daughter."
"I would say thanks then." Eucharia held Lily. "She's a special gift to me. When will you get back?"
"We will get back before 19:00."
"Well then …"
"So shall we?" Philip asked Lily.
"Sure. See you mum." Mother and daughter kissed.
"Take care okay?"
"We will definitely." Philip said holding Lily's hands.
As the couple set out to move, they heard another knock. The new visitor didn't wait for any response and just went in as the door wasn't closed. The new person was Magnus, he walked in and stood before them. He looked breathtaking, Lily could only stare at him. She felt naked with the way he stared at her. He completely ravished her with his gaze, so dark and full of desire. Lily shivered, not from fear but… from need and to make matters worse, her throat had gone dry, she couldn't even speak.
As Magnus undressed her with his deep gaze, his eyes roaming her face, exposed neck and down to her form. As he gazed at Lily, his eyes went to the joined hands of her and Philip. Then something came to his features. His slowly raised his eyes and levelled them on Philip.
Lily watching, felt when time stood still, as the two men gaze clashed, dark against blonde. They just stared at each other, until Eucharia put a stop to the stare contest.
"You haven't met each other yet, Magnus meet Philip."
The two men each gave a slight nod, barely noticeable. It was done silently.
Philip took Lily's hands (she must have dropped them off his at some point) and led her outside, to his car. Lily wasn't herself. Magnus' look had really affected her, she felt goose bums all over. The young lady couldn't help it as she turned to take a final look at the man who who made her yearn for touch and other emotions she couldn't describe.
So she turned to look at him and saw that he was still staring at her, his gaze so dark with promise. Lily felt her core clench with desire. She was on fire!
************
Alone in the house, Eucharia and Magnus sat.
"Do you want coffee?" She couldn't understand the scene that played before her some minutes ago.
"No … it's fine."
"Okay."
"I didn't know Lily had a date."
"Yes, because you didn't ask Magnus."
"Really? Since when … please forgive my impolite demeanor." Eucharia sighed, she understood the strangeness of it all. Perhaps she would have briefed him about Philip before now.
"I understand Magnus…"
The doorbell at this point, rang quite again. And this time yet again, the visitor didn't wait for any response just came in as the door was open. Eucharia didn't close it when Lily and her man left. The new person was Sarah.
"Oh welcome Sarah." Eucharia was surprised to see her daughter's teacher in her home.
"Thank you Eucharia." They settled down.
Eucharia introduced Sarah and Magnus to each other. When the teacher and the man had exchanged their pleasantries, Sarah looked around.
"Where is Lily?" Sarah asked.
"She went out on a date." Eucharia answered, giving Magnus a discreet look.
"Oh nice to hear." Sarah said smiling. Then her smile paused when she saw Eucharia holding her head. Something was off somewhere.
"Oh … my head." Eucharia groaned out, her features twisted in pain.
"What's wrong?" Magnus and Sarah asked looking at each other and back at her with concern.
"My head, it's … killing me. I feel so …" Eucharia stopped and jumped up from the sofa as her visitors watched in concern and fear.
Magnus and Sarah watched in horror as Eucharia took out a dagger she had been holding and faced them with it.
"This is my warning: leave before I use this on you!"
Magnus looked at Sarah and they stared unblinkingly at Eucharia whose eyes had turned blood shed. They didn't move, obviously hypnotized by the sudden change in demeanor of the woman. This provoked the possessed woman, Seemed they were daring her. They didn't get anymore warning as Eucharia came for Sarah .
The possessed woman jumped on Sarah with the intention of stabbing her. Immediately, Magnus sprung into action and grabbed Eucharia's right leg, causing her to lose balance, hence she crashed to the floor. Within the blink of an eye, Magnus quickly kicked at the hand holding the dagger, taking care not to break it. The possessed woman grunted in pain. Well he prayed he didn't break her fore limb. The dagger fell away from the woman's hands.
"Hold her firmly!" Sarah called to him as Eucharia was about getting up to reinforce another attack. Magnus used all his strength to pin the woman to the floor, his strength wearing off at the woman's struggles.
"I can't hold her much longer!" He cried out when Eucharia lashed at his face. Her fingernails had scratched his neck and blood welled out. All these took place in a matter of seconds. She was so strong! Yet he held her firmly in place, as Sarah removed her crown necklace and wore it on the woman beneath him.
The result was immediately, Eucharia gave a heart stopping screech but Magnus who was now reenergized held on to her more strongly than he did before. The woman lay still afterwards, all the fight had gone out of her.
Magnus and Sarah breathed in deeply and watched as she slept off.
"Let us keep watch. When she awakens, there are lots of things that are about to unfold. Eucharia here, holds the whole truth.
********
Adrain smiled evilly, this was the perfect time to act. No obstacle was forthcoming. If he could be fast with it all, then the world would be his, for the taking. But one thing, he had to play this smart and cunning like he always had. So this one last time wouldn't hurt right? Yes … it would never hurt. But first things first, he would strike while it was still hot!