Dark Goddess (4 page)

“What are you doing here?” Hayden hissed as I shut the empty classroom door behind us. 

I quickly put a hand on his chest before he could lunge for Reese again.  Reese flashed me a thankful smile I returned with the middle finger.

“I should be tossing your ass in Tartarus for what you did.”  Hayden’s eyes flashed red.  “You almost fucking killed Hartley.”

Reese’s palms shot up in defense.  “I’m really sorry about that.  I wasn’t really going to let her die.”

“It didn’t look that way to me.  And you
hit
her.”

My cheek stung with the memory of it.

The god of war sucked his teeth and winced.  “Yeah.  Sorry about that too.  You know how I can get sometimes—a little nutty when left unchecked.”  He tossed his hands in the air when neither of us responded.  “I’m the god of
war
.  I have anger issues!”

“And what about the sin spirits?” I asked, crossing my arms against my chest and tapping my foot expectantly.

He tsked.  “I didn’t even want to do that.  It was Demeter’s idea.”

“Sure.” Hayden’s voice was thick with sarcasm.  “I just bet the goddess of seasons wanted to wreak havoc on the human world with sins.”

My lip curled in contempt.  “She’s not very nice.”

Hayden shifted his eyes that were still flickering with distant crimson flames.  “How do you know?”

I shrugged. “I sort of met her in Mt. Olympus last night.  She wasn’t too pleased I was there.”

Reese motioned toward me with a hopeful expression.  “See.  Demeter doesn’t like anybody.”

“Beside the point.”  Hayden turned his attention to Reese.  “What are you doing here?”  His fists curled into ball, flexing so hard his tendons threatened to pop out his flesh.

“I heard about Ixion.”  He sighed.  “I thought I could help, you know, to make amends for my previously less than sane behavior.”  He rocked on his feet.  “He is my son after all.  He might listen to me.”

Hayden scoffed.  “I doubt that.”

I on the other hand was taking a more diplomatic approach.  “Hayden, maybe we should let…”

He turned his stormy eyes on me.  “You can’t be serious?”

I shrugged.  “What else do we have to work with?”

Hayden was looking at me like I grew another head.  “He’s the god of
war
?  What if he pushes your friends to fight again?”

I thought back to the party when his presence amped up the anger spirit and had everyone throwing punches.

“Hey.”  He looked offended.  “I
can
control my influence.”

I shot him a death glare.  “You
will
.”

Hayden shook his head in disbelief.  “I can’t believe you want to let this idiot help.”

A smile curled Reese’s mouth.  “She’s clearly the smarter one in the relationship.”  His dark eyes raked over me longingly.  “Beauty and brains with an extra slice of brave.  A deadly combination.”

Hayden growled, but I put my hand on his chest before he could react physically. 

“Watch it
Reese
,” I hissed.  Without thinking I lifted my palm, attempting to pull a flame into it.  When nothing happened anger and disappointment filled my veins.  “Damn it!”  I stomped my foot and pouted.

I glanced up to see both gods looking at me with humor in their eyes and smiles twitching their lips.

“That was so cute,” Hayden mumbled under his breath while Reese nodded in agreement.

I rolled my eyes.

Hayden

My gaze was glued to
Reese
at the other end of the table in the cafeteria arm wrestling Blake.  Once I begrudgingly vouched for my
cousin
the other guys seemed to accept him.  They were all making friends. 

Could I really trust him?

Definitely not.

But I would use him to get to Ixion.  I needed to know what exactly he was after.  If it was revenge on Zeke I needed to know how he planned on exacting it.  As much as I detested my brother, I wasn’t about to let some half god over throw him.  If Ixion was after Hera, be my guest.  I doubted Hartley would have a problem with that either.

The multitude of florescent lights beamed down on the massive room, lighting the long, white faux grain tables and gray tiled floors.  Glossy white cinderblock walls were painted with accents of gold and black and had
Northwood Lions
blazoned above the double doors.  Food lines took up the back, students wading through.  More students sat at tables and milled about socializing, their voices echoing loudly over each other.

My gaze shifted to the place they loved the most.  Hartley.  She was standing by the drink machine, talking with Laurie and Meredith.  Her black skirt cupped her ass perfectly and showed off her tan legs.  The burgundy shirt laced up in the front, ending in a sweet little bow in the middle of her cleavage.  It reminded me of corsets women used to wear.  Her brown and scarlet hair shimmered in the lights and framed her delicate face like a curtain.

She bent over to retrieve a soda, nearly flashing the red lacy panties I knew she was wearing.  I wasn’t sure if I was happy or disappointed cheerleading was over.  I didn’t get to see her prance around in that short tight little getup.  No one else did either.

I bristled in my seat.  I always hated other guys lusting after her in that thing.  Maybe I could convince her to wear it just for me—in the bedroom.

She licked her lips, sending my heart thudding in my chest. If I continued to stare at her my eyes were going to burst into flames.  Hell, my whole body might.

Someone cleared their throat and I looked forward to see Will sitting across from me with a knowing smile.

“Enjoying the view I see.”  He sipped his soda.

“No doubt.”  I tried not to let it bother me that Will had been accustomed to Hartley’s
view
for a while. 

He motioned his chin toward the end of the table where Reese was throwing his fists in the air after defeating Blake.  “Your cousin seems interesting.  He sure does like competition.”

I dragged a fry through ketchup, noticing the suspicion in his tone.  “Yep.”

His blue eyes pierced me as he drummed his fingers on the table in thought.  “What’s with all the family members coming and going?”

I shrugged indifferently. 

“First it was your cousin Lee, then your brother Zeke, and now your other cousin Reese.”

Hecate was also here, but he didn’t remember anything that happened during her spell.

My lips pursed.  “We’re a fickle family.”  Most gods were.

His gaze narrowed.  “And I’ve never seen your parents.  Where are they again?”

“Australia.  They work there.”  I stuck with my original story.

Will tilted his head, shifting his golden hair.  “I think there’s something odd about you.”

He wasn’t wrong.  I was the freaking god of the Underworld.  The corners of my lips twitched.  “I don’t know what you mean,” I lied.  And he knew it.  I hadn’t had this much contact with living humans since before I was god of the Underworld.  I might have been a little careless.  I hope I didn’t have to do something drastic to make him forget.

“Right.”  Will chugged the last of his soda before setting the empty bottle on the table.  “But as long as Hartley’s happy I guess it doesn’t matter.”

My brow arched, surprised.  “Is that so?”

Will’s gaze shifted to Hartley, watching her with Laurie and Meredith.  “Yeah.”  He turned back to me.  “Plus whatever weirdness you’ve got going on I’m sure Hartley knows about it.  She could probably get a priest to spill his confessional secrets.”

I snorted on a laugh.  “True.”

“Yeah.  This one time Hartley…”

Will’s words were suddenly drowned out by a loud buzzing in my ears.  The florescent lights in the ceiling blurred into one and the entire cafeteria spun.

I felt myself free falling back, darkness swallowing me whole.

Hartley

Terror slammed into me, almost knocking me down the moment commotion reached my ears and I saw Hayden lying on the cafeteria floor unconscious.

I sprinted over, pushing Will and Reese out of the way before dropping on my knees.  “Hayden!”  I shook him as my heart lodged in my throat, noting his colorless face and lips.  I didn’t need to look at Reese to know this wasn’t normal for gods, especially one as strong as Hayden.

But when I did peek at Reese’s face the amount of surprise and confusion reflecting in his dark eyes was enough to send my panic over the ledge of sanity.

“Hayden!”  My voice cracked and I shook him harder.

Finally his eyes fluttered open, slowly coming into focus.  He blinked several times, his brows knitting.  “Hartley?”  Confusion laced his voice.  “What the…?”  His gaze shifted toward Reese and the crowd surrounding him. 

Hayden quickly sat up, uncomfortable with the attention.

“Everyone back up,” Reese barked.  When no one moved he continued.  “Back the hell up!”

Shuffling resonated, clearing the space around us.  Hayden scratched his head, his brows knit and eyes pensive as he attempted to fit the pieces together.  The color had returned to his cheeks.

Panic still clawed inside me.  I gripped is chin to force his gaze to mine.  “Hayden, what happened?”

“Nothing.  I’m fine.”  He ignored my scoff of protest.  He pulled me up until we were both sitting at the table again, facing the opposite direction.  “I’m fine Hartley really.”

“No you’re not,” I hissed.  “You passed out!”

He leaned closer and gently pressed our lips together.  “It’s nothing to worry about,” he whispered between us.  “But I can’t go into it with all these humans around.”

Oh right.

I pulled back and nodded, some of the frantic terror alleviating.  And then his eyes met Reese’s as they shared some kind of silent communication that gave me a bad, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Later that night I sat in my living room alone, pretending to do homework.  Really I was staring at my history book, thinking about Hayden. He continued to assure me nothing was wrong.  A simple explanation could account for his sudden loss of consciousness.  Something might simply need to be attended to in the Underworld.  So that was where Hayden was now.  Without me.  He claimed he wanted to make sure it was safe.

I pouted staring at the pictures of foreign castles in my book.  I think we were learning about the Italian renaissance or maybe it was the black plague.

I tossed my book aside, letting it fall closed with a thump.  Who cared? School was almost over and I wasn’t even certain college was on my to-do list.

My dad came barreling down the stairs dressed in worn jeans and a green shirt that brought out the gold highlights in his hair—his hair that I was pretty sure had some kind of product in it.

My brow lifted.  “Where are you going?”

He halted when he noticed me peeking from the couch.  He shifted awkwardly.  “I thought you were with Hayden.”

“Why?”

He shook himself and headed toward the living room.  “I thought you guys were like always together,” he said in valley girl speak.

I rolled my eyes.  “He’s in the Underworld doing whatever it is he does.”

“Torturing the souls of the innocent?”

I sucked my teeth and threw a blue pillow at him, anger flushing my cheeks.  “Not funny dad.  He’s not like that and you know it.”

“Sure.”  He dug out his wallet and pulled out a couple bills.  “You can order pizza for dinner if you want.”

I snatched it out his hand.  “And don’t say stuff like that around Hayden.  I don’t want you hurting his feelings.”

He made a mock gasp and grabbed his chest.  “The god of the Underworld has feelings?”

My eyes narrowed on him and if we were in the Underworld I’d toss a fireball right by his head.  It would serve him right if it singed some of that currently product tousled hair.

“If looks could kill.”

My face formed a pout, my lips protruding out.  I hated when people assumed Hayden was some evil, cold-hearted jerk.  He was far from it.

My dad winced.  “Oh, I’m just joking Hartley.  I know Mr. Dark and Brooding has a heart and feelings.”  He dug his fingers into the top of my head, messing up my hair.

I smiled, the gesture reminding me of when I was a kid.  “Where are you going?” I asked, absentmindedly surveying the money he gave me.  “Whoa dad, I don’t think pizza cost sixty bucks just yet.”

He avoided my eyes, pretending to search for his keys.  They were on the key rack by the door as usual.  “Oh, uh, just keep the change.”

Suspicion bloomed in my chest.  He was trying to distract me with money again.  Mmm?  “Where are you going?”

“Uh… bowling with the fellas.”

My eyes surveyed his appearance skeptically.  “Is that pomade in your hair dad?”  I sniffed the air.  “And are you wearing that cologne Aphrodite forced on you for Christmas?”

He scoffed, his top lip curling up.  “Hartley, do I look like I know what pomade is?”  He quickly snatched his keys.

I pointed to his hair.  “Yes, with a do like that you do.”

He ignored me and blew an air kiss.  “Don’t wait up.”  He was gone.

WTF?  Was my dad going on a date?

I quickly texted Aphrodite to see if she knew anything.  The goddess of love was bound to know if my dad was dating. 

Unfortunately she was just as clueless as I was.

I tapped my fingers on my knees in thought before texting Hermes to come over if he wasn’t busy.

A few minutes later he shimmered into my living room.  “Awe, I’m never too busy for my favorite demigod of the Underworld.”  He winked one of his round brown angel eyes.

I smiled.  “I want to find my dad.  I think he’s up to something.”

His face brightened with excitement, spawning high circles of rosy coloring on his cherub cheeks.  “Oh, espionage.”  He plopped in the seat beside me.  “Sounds like fun.  Where is he?”

I shrugged.  “I don’t know.”  I pointed to his gold winged sandals that were fluttering as they changed into black Chuck Taylors.  “Can’t you just find him?”

Hermes shot me an incredulous expression.  “No smarty pants.  I can find other worlds.  Not people.”

A disappointed pout came across my face.  “Oh.”

“Ah.  Don’t make that face.  Hayden’s not the only one susceptible to that thing.”

I smiled demurely.  “I know.”

He shook his head while he pulled out his phone. 

I perked up.  “What are you doing?  Calling the god of finding people?”

A grin cut across his face.  “No.  I’m using the GPS on your dad’s phone to find him.”

We found Cassidy Walker in a dive bar down town that reeked of cheap beer, fried food, sweaty bodies, and heavy perfume.  Hermes and I both wrinkled our noses at the onslaught of pungent scents.  I supposed it was one of the many new gifts I had inherited since my demigod side had broken free of Hera’s binds.

Green threadbare cloth covered the two pool tables sitting in one corner across from the long bar that held several peeling vinyl stools, some currently occupied by hazy patrons.  Small circular tables that had seen better days littered the floor all the way to a rickety stage where and a live performer was belting out a pretty tune in a husky voice while strumming a guitar.  The majority of customers were gathered around the stage, swaying almost hypnotically to the man’s song.

I could understand their rapt attention.  He was pretty good.  His voice held a magnetism that was palpable in the air.  And—the voice actually sounded a little familiar in a peculiar kind of way.  Hermes halted before we broke free of the crowd, his gaze glued to the stage.  His round eyes widened and mouth dropped.

“What?” I hissed, unable to see over everyone’s head.             

Hermes gripped my shoulder and pulled me in front of him to a break in the crowd.

My jaw nearly hit the dirty floor in shock. 
My father
was the one belting the tune that had the entire bar enraptured.  Since when did my dad sing?  I always knew he played the guitar, but he hadn’t in years and never in public.  But sing?  And he was seriously good.

Hermes’ eyes narrowed suspiciously.  “Wait a minute…”  He glanced around the bar, surveying the awed expressions of the patrons, especially the females.  A light broke across his face, bringing out gold flecks in his irises.  “Holy shit.”

“What?”  I felt like a dark blanket of ignorance was draped over me.   

“Your dad’s a siren!”

“WHAT!”  From Greek mythology I knew sirens were beings that lured men to their deaths by singing.  “That’s not possible.  My dad’s human.  Right?”

Hermes shook his head.  “I don’t think all the way Hartley.”

A fist of anger punched a hole in my chest, squeezing my lungs until they threatened to pop.  This was utterly unbelievable.  Just how human was I
not
!

I marched to the stage, forcing my way through the crowd regardless of their verbal protests.  Once they caught sight of me they didn’t seem to mind.  I parked myself front and center with my hands propped on my hips, waiting for my dad’s focus to find me.

Once his amber eyes shifted down and saw me, they widened and his cheeks flamed, but that was the only indication he noticed me.  His fingers didn’t falter nor did this voice. 

After he finished his set I shooed people away with a narrowed glare and waited for him to hop off the stage.  “When were you planning on telling me you were a siren?” I screeched.

He remained calm as he moseyed over to the end of the bar with me on his heels. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Hartley.”  He ordered a draft beer, smiling gently at the young female bartender who dreamily filled a frosty mug for him, ignoring the other customers. 

“Don’t play dumb with me Cassidy Walker.”

He shot me an incredulous expression before sipping his beer, but I saw the little tremor in his hand as the foam shook. “What’s a siren anyways?”

I scoffed.  “Please.  You know all about this crap, more than I do.  Don’t act stupid.  It’s not a good look for you.”

“I’m not.”

I turned to Hermes who was trying to convince the male bartender he was twenty one without success.  “Tell him you know it’s true.”

Hermes’ brown angel eyes shifted toward my dad.  “Yep.”

“Oh, that’s just plain stupid,” my dad argued.

“No, it’s not…”  My words were cut off by the whoosh of air being stolen from my lungs. 

Oh crap.  Not
now
.

I grabbed my chest without meaning to.

My dad’s eyes went wide, his face blanching of color.  “Is it the pull?”

I nodded.

He gripped my arm and started towing me outside, motioning for Hermes to follow.

Trying to take a breath was like breathing through a straw.  It was never the same.  Sometimes I had more of a warning, but right now the Underworld was demanding my return.

My dad all but tossed me at Hermes.  “Get her there now.”  Worry shook his voice while deep lines creased his forehead, panic cresting within him. 

If I wasn’t so mad at him I’d feel sorry he had to see his daughter in pain.

“Oh no,” I managed to choke out, wrapping my fingers in a death grip on his forearm.  We’re not finished yet.  You’re coming with us.”

He couldn’t pull out of my grasp before Hermes’ shoes turned into golden sandals and we shimmered out of the world.

Hayden

I was staring at my flaming eyes in a gilded mirror on the wall of my throne room and I swore they were fainter than normal—not as raging red.  They barely even reflected in the black marble floors.

Maybe because I wasn’t angry at the moment.

I rubbed my chin in thought, recalling what happened in the cafeteria.  I had no idea why I passed out.  I’d never simply lost consciousness.  I was a god.  The only explanation I could think of was that something was going on in the Underworld that needed my attention.  I’d been going above so often lately maybe something happened.

Unfortunately nothing seemed amiss.

I blinked my eyes back gray.  I hated how upset Hartley had been.  It broke my heart to hear the concern and panic in her voice.  Maybe I should make up an excuse for her so she didn’t worry herself to death.  I was sure it was nothing anyways.

Just then the object of my affection strolled through the black tourmaline doors with an angry expression on her face I actually found adorable followed by Hermes and her father.  Cassidy had never set foot in my domain so there must be something pressing and by the looks of Hartley she didn’t like it.

“Did you know!”  She motioned toward her father with a trembling fist.  “Did you know he was a freaking siren?”

My brow arched curiously.  Well, that would explain a few things.