Chapter Thirty-one: Finding Peace

I gazed at the ocean waves swirling towards the beach while the bright sun glittered the diamond sands. I crossed my arms and shivered at the thought of this ruler of hell, King Ozzim, giving us a visit and tearing this world apart. I didn't think Tark could beat him on his own. My heart dropped at the thought of him dying. He's still a virgin! No wonder his love for Mayzel was so strong that she suppressed his memories while disguised as a cat. She was all he ever had. A sudden thought formed in my noggin. Would Tark become stronger if he loved someone like he did Mayzel? To protect them?

Hekin had mentioned that Mayzel told him he could use holy fire, as long as he wanted to protect others. Damn! If only she were here to explain it to the rest of us.

Footsteps in the sand perked my pointed ears, and I turned to see who it was.

"Jopp," Tark began, "I'm sorry I said those things." He stood in front of me and took a deep breath. "Will you tell me what you've been doing for the past two weeks?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What's it to you, Tark?"

"You're not as strong as you used to be," he warned. "Let me help."

I scowled at him. "You need to save your energy, Tark. Mayzel and Noforl's father won't be happy with what we've done to his son! Do you know what that means, Tark?!"

Tark clenched his fists and worked his jaw. "He'll be . . ."

"Mad as hell, Tark! He can tear this world apart faster than Thorn jacks off!"

Tark smiled, but it was a sad one. "I know that look, Jopp. What do you have in mind?"

I sighed as I turned to the ocean. "That's the thing, Tark. I haven't the slightest . . ." The thought of Tark finding his love in this crazy world boiled my blood.

"Sure you do!" Tark urged. "Whatever it is, tell me."

"Hekin mentioned that Mayzel told him that he could use holy fire, as long as it was to protect others. Your love for Mayzel was enough to drive me back from the possession."

"What does that have to do with this?" Tark wondered.

"I was thinking . . . if we can find someone that you love as much as you did Mayzel--"

"Stop!" Tark blurted. "You want me to . . . love someone else?!"

His face was livid when I turned to him. His violet eyes were flashing crimson.

"Mayzel kept me from loving her; she was my heart!" he cried. "I'm not going through this ever again!"

"You were never meant for her!" I shouted. "She didn't love you like a wife! She loved your father!"

Tark tackled me to the ground, and it took everything I had to keep him from punching me. His hands clenched mine so hard that I could feel my body cracking under the pressure.

"That's not true!" Tark hollered. "You're lying!"

"I've lied about a lot of things, Tark, but I'd never lie to you," I admitted. A sharp pain in my side from his fist hurt more than I thought it would. I curled into a ball as he stood over me. I grimaced as I felt my blood flowing out of my mouth. I coughed out green blood and wheezed.

"Dammit, Jopp!" Tark muttered as he kneeled. His cold hands healed my wounds, but I had lost all respect for him.

"I'm really sorry!" Tark cried. "I didn't mean to! I just got so mad when you said that and--"

"Shut up!" I barked.

Tark stared at me, his violet eyes welling with tears. Stupid asshole! At this point, I hated him more than the immortal witches.

I got to my feet and glared at him. "I'm never coming back."

"Jopp! Don't!" Tark pleaded. "I'll do anything you want! You can punch me, kick me, anything! Please!"

"I thought you were a better person, Tark," I uttered. "That goes to show how stupid I was to think so." The dizziness and pounding headache hit harder this time, and the sand felt nice when I fell on my back. The warm sun lulled me to a much needed rest.