The Faustian Complex
by
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I rang the bell and waited for Eleni to open the door and let me in. "What’s the matter? Is anything wrong?" She asked. "Nothing’s wrong. I came to tell you that I’ve come to a decision." "A decision? I don’t understand . . ." "Yes you do! I’m going to Sifnos. Nothing can deter me. Nothing!" Eleni looked at me long and hard. "It's because of Sergei, isn't it? That's why you are going to Sifnos, " she said softly, her voice hardly audible. I remained silent a few seconds trying to collect my thoughts. "Eleni, please do not ask questions. We'll talk about it some other time. All I want and need right now is your help and support." "I love you Katrina and . . . feel responsible." Eleni sounded sad. I walked over to her and put my arms about her kissing her lovingly on the brow. A fragrance of orange blossoms reached my nostrils. Eleni’s favorite scent. She had it sent to America from Sifnos regularly. It reminded her of her island in the spring. As for me, it brought back memories of my childhood and tears to my eyes. My Eleni of Troy, I thought. I always called her that; ever since I could remember. She had blonde hair and big blue eyes shaded by long dark lashes--a true Dorian, uncorrupted by the seed of Roman conquerors. I did not want her to witness my nostalgia and weakness. Quickly I wiped away the tears. "Nonsense. Nothing will happen. I'll have a wonderful time exploring the island and be back safe and sound . . . you'll see." "Does Manos know you are taking this trip?" "No, I have not told a soul. You are the only one who knows and I want to keep it that way," I said emphatically. "But what if Manos or Sonia want to know where you are? What am I going to tell them?" "Just say I left in a hurry and didn't fill you in on the details. No one must know of my whereabouts. No one! Understand?" Eleni nodded. "Can I at least go with you to the airport?" "I would rather go alone, Eleni." I drew and held her close afraid suddenly that I'd never see her again. I loved her like my mother and hurting her was the furthest thing from my mind. However, this was my own personal war and I had to prepare myself for the battle that lay ahead . . . the battle between good and evil; between claiming and holding onto my soul or surrendering it to the supernatural forces that watched and awaited my arrival on the island. The limousine that was taking me to JFK was not going as fast as I would have liked. I tried to relax but found it impossible. I was a bundle of nerves. Finally we arrived at the airport, and to my dismay, I discovered that my flight was being delayed because of some bomb scare in the baggage area. In my paranoia I was overcome by the idea that there was a conspiracy to stop me from leaving New York. It's Eleni's fault, I thought. She's a witch. It seemed that after much trepidation I might not make it to Sifnos, but suddenly we began boarding. The fumes from the airplane brought to mind other trips I had taken with Sergei. I recalled his arm protectively around me as we sat together looking through the porthole and waiting for the 747 jumbo jet to take off. Now I was alone. If anything happened there would be no one there to hold me. I shrugged off my fears and depression. This was no time for regrets. The journey seemed interminable. My anxiety to reach my destination was at its peak and I was becoming nervous and irritable. First, I would be making a stopover in Athens, and ultimately the Aegean island of Sifnos. There, an encounter with fate awaited me--an encounter that would change my life and that of Sergei. The flight was proving uneventful except for my racing thoughts, doubts and gripping fear. Sergei invaded my mind, the very essence of my soul. His power over me was unshakable and frightening. In order to distract myself I pulled a magazine out of my briefcase and settling back, I browsed through it absent-mindedly. I found it impossible to concentrate. I was occupying a seat in the first class section of the plane, and as I looked around to size up the rest of the passengers, I spotted an older man, sitting at the very rear, about five or six rows away, staring at me. Somehow, his face looked familiar. Who was he? I wondered. Quickly, I turned my head around as not to catch his eye. Think . . . I said to myself, think . . . but as much as I tried and racked my brain it remained dysfunctional. Damn . . . I thought, damn . . . this is one time I didn't wish to be recognized. I must remain cool, not get panicky, it will be all right.
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About the Book
Katrina Ravel arrives incognito on the Greek island of Sifnos in a head-on collision with destiny. Consumed with passion for Sergei Smyrnoff, a Russian sculptor, Katrina barters her soul for Sergei’s undying love but in an ironic twist she becomes enamored with the devil’s disciple. As the yacht Atlantis plows through the Aegean toward Sifnos, Katrina reflects the past and brings to mind events that impelled her toward this fateful journey. She recalls her first encounter with Sergei. Katrina and Sergei meet unexpectedly at Sonia Alexander’s birthday party. Sergei, handsome, charming and a man around town, sets out to conquer beautiful Katrina. Sonia, Katrina’s life-long friend, aware of Sergei’s shadowy reputation, tries desperately to deter Sergei’s and Katrina’s budding relationship. Paying no heed to her friend’s warnings, Katrina becomes deeply involved with Sergei. Katrina has lost both parents at a young age and was brought up by Manos Xenakis, a close friend of the family. Manos is a wealthy shipowner who does not allow power and wealth to corrupt his principles. He offers Katrina love and compassion and takes full responsibility for her upbringing. However, Katrina gravitates toward Eleni, his housekeeper, who helps her overcome her intense sorrow at her parents’ loss. Eleni is originally from the Greek Island of Sifnos. While the two women exchange confidences, Eleni relates a bizarre story that took place on her native Sifnos, years back. The yarn is about a humble chapel on a mountain overlooking the Aegean. A heinous murder within its walls desecrated the chapel and turned it into a place where only the devil can dwell. The legend is that the devil offers his favors to those who are desperate enough to seek him out and do his bidding. While attending a party at Manos’s penthouse, Katrina meets with George Venetis. He engages her in conversation and she discovers that he belongs to a sect of devil worshipers. Venetis tries to lure Katrina into surrendering her soul and becoming one of Lucifer’s followers. Meanwhile, Sonia flies to Crete seeking solace from an unfortunate love affair. Sonia meets the local doctor, marries him, and settles down in Crete. Katrina attends Sonia’s wedding without Sergei. While in Crete she meets unexpectedly with Venetis, who is pursuing her. Aware of Katrina’s obsession, Venetis tries to persuade her to sell her soul to the devil for Sergei’s eternal love. Upon her return to New York, Katrina visits Sergei at his studio where she meets with a strange woman who is obviously very pregnant. The woman reveals that she is Sergei’s fiancée and that the baby she is carrying is Sergei’s child. Katrina flees in shock. Grief stricken and inconsolable, she broods and awaits Sergei’s return. In time, she realizes that Sergei will not be back and she starts preparing for her journey to Sifnos and the devil’s chapel. Olga Zornic, a longtime friend of the Smyrnoffs, calls on Katrina and confides the Smyrnoffs’ decadent and lurid past. Though shocked and horrified, Katrina is not deterred by Olga’s revelations. Obsessed and driven she flies across the Atlantic and enters the devil’s domain. Having accomplished her mission, Katrina comes face to face with George Venetis. Venetis woos her into the Sifnian woods and seduces her. In a twist of fate, her obsession for Sergei dissipates and she becomes enamored with George. The two prepare to go away together into the unknown. But, in yet another twist, Katrina and George lose each other and she finds herself in the hospital with Eleni standing over her. Katrina confesses the barter of her soul. Eleni tries to convince Katrina that what she experienced was only a nightmare, a horrible and bizarre illusion. Furthermore, Sergei was back, crushed and repentant. Katrina knows that Sergei’s return is the true evidence of her vile act. Katrina pines for George. In her frustration, she accepts Sergei back and the two return to New York and try to put their lives back together. Katrina discovers that she is pregnant. A deformed child dies soon after it is born. Apprehensive of eternal damnation, Katrina leaves Sergei and their home and seeks refuge within the walls of a monastery, where she hopes to recapture her soul before death and the devil come to claim her. With constant prayer and fasting, the devil’s insignia on her arm miraculously vanishes. Exulted by the unexpected occurrence, Katrina embraces monastic life and tries to put the past behind her. But, in a final twist, Sergei, heartbroken by Katrina’s long absence, becomes very ill. Katrina is summoned to his bedside. On arrival, she realizes that her presence is vital for Sergei’s survival. In an ultimate altruistic gesture, she abandons her monastic aspirations and the hermitage she has grown to love and stays in New York with her beloved Sergei. Finally, after many trials and tribulations Katrina and Sergei find happiness and each other.
About the Author
Kallya Valanis was educated in London, England. Upon completing her education, she traveled to Australia and the Territory of Papua New Guinea, where she lived for four years. Since 1968, she has been living in the United States and North Potomac, Maryland has been her home for the last ten years. Her first novel, Hell In Paradise, was conceived while living in Papua New Guinea. On arrival in the idyllic town of Rabaul, she found a tropical paradise and a double murder. At the time, she was employed by the Police Department and privy to details and gruesome photographs of the victims. Whether it was the haunting beauty of the island or the horror she experienced, Kallya Valanis expresses her emotions and describes the human tragedy she encountered through her narrative. A screenplay adaptation for Hell In Paradise has been completed by the award winning screenwriter and film maker Dr. Jack R. Stanley, Chairman of Communication Department at the University of Texas-Pan American. In early summer of last year, Valanis completed her second novel, titled The Faustian Complex. The book’s theme is a young woman’s compelling obsession, her daring journey into the devil’s lair and last but not least, her ultimate sacrifice for the man she loves. Valanis also writes short stories on Pets and Animals. Remembering Lisa, A Prayer for Cherie, and A Horse Named Lullaby appeared in The Writer’s Corner.