Had I been protected from the viruses all my life? Then, he explained to me that it would take a few drops to initiate144 the process.
So, I’m a deadly weapon145 now. Never thought that I’d be able to say that about myself.
Marco
The meeting has been set up. It breaks my heart that I won’t be able to be with her.
Dolion
I’ll get what I want very soon. I’ll have two days before the jump. It will be enough to make the antidote for myself and for all the necessary people on the other side.
Lizzy
I may never see Marco again. I’ve decided that tonight we will spend the night together and will become one. An inseparable146 union of two souls from different worlds that will live for eternity147 on a spiritual level even after their physical shapes cease148 to exist. I’m ready.
Marco
The night was confusing, magical, and painful. It seemed to last forever but ended too soon. We belong to each other now.
She entered the place that their contact had given them and saw him sitting alone at a table near a window. He was a broad-shouldered, heavyset, middle-aged man in dark clothes with a massive gold watch on his left wrist. The sunrays through the window made the top of his balding sweaty head shine like a silver coffee pot. She smiled when that comparison occurred to her.
He felt confident enough not to have his bodyguards with him inside. They were waiting for his signal in a van outside, ready to transport the blood from this soon-to-be-leaving-this-world young woman.
She came to his table and sat down.
“I don’t think it was a smart move but say what you have to and let’s do the inevitable149,” he said. “All I need is one kiss,” she said, hardly opening her mouth.
“What?” he asked.
She sprang up150, grabbed his head, and pulled it to her face. “What the…?” he began, trying to push her away.
She pressed her lips to his mouth. He groaned151 with pain and a tiny stream of blood trickled152 down his chin. He started to gasp153 for air and tried to spit out154 the blood, but she was holding him tightly.
At last, he could get away from her. He frantically155 wiped his mouth and spit. “You cut me!” he shrieked.
She spit something out on the floor and smiled, licking her lips with her bleeding tongue.
Dolion
It’s not over yet. It’ll be over when I say it is. She may have ruined the virus, but she didn’t eliminate my plan. I’ll find the way. I wish I had killed her before she opened her foul mouth. I just need some rest. I’m tired.
Lizzy
Marco’s idea of hiding a tiny razor in my mouth was brilliant. I couldn’t carry any weapons because I could have been searched on the way. Besides, I am no Lara Croft156 and wouldn’t know how to use them anyway. It took me awhile to learn how to handle the razor, and I was still afraid that I would cut my tongue in half before making an incision157 or, worse, I would swallow that steel thing accidentally.
Marco
I still can’t believe she made it out alive and safe. Blood is an amazing substance. It keeps us alive, transports oxygen, carries antibodies that fight infections, and it can also destroy you.
Lizzy
We’ve just heard that Dolion succumbed158 to the aftereffects of our intense159 “rendezvous.” My blood did the trick160 after all. We won’t rest on our laurels161 just yet though. We have a few more things to do. Dolion’s minions162 are still out there.
Marco
We didn’t really expect that to happen that soon, but somehow Lizzy’s blood was more powerful than we thought. She is special.
It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was shining, and the sky was clear. “I’m ready,” Lizzy said, taking Marco’s hand.
“Me too,” he said, and smiled.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” she asked. “Leaving this world for another?” he asked.
“Yeah, that,” she said smiling.
“Just clarifying, in case you meant something else,” he said and winked at her. “You’re such a smarty-pants163!” She gently164 hit him on the shoulder.
“I don’t know what that means but it sounds a bit aggressive,” he said laughing.
“So many things you still need to learn,” she said. “I’m serious though. It’s a big step.” He hugged her.
“It doesn’t matter where I am, as long as I’m with you,” he said and kissed her on the lips. She smiled.
They both looked at the green flash appearing in front of them. He squeezed165 her hand and they both took a step.
Part 2: The Perfect Match
Prologue
He was sitting on the stone floor in the Hall of Prayer with his mind focused on the future and the worlds that he was going to create. He was about thirty-five, his head was shaved, and he was wearing a black kimono beneath black robes held shut in the front with a sash166. It was quite chilly for August, but his body did not feel the cool wind that was coming through the open windows of the ancient167 pagoda nor the coldness of the old stones he was sitting on. He could feel that soon he would