Gods (20 page)

“When she and your grandmother arrived at Niorun’s place, she was terrified.” His hand slowed down to lazy caresses. “Then your grandmother demanded I come out or she’d hurt her. The next second, her screams filled the yard.” The caresses stopped. “I used the cloak and reached her side without your grandmother realizing it. The cloak had blocked her from finding my energy.” I told him the same version I’d given his mother. “Einmyria blamed you for her suffering. Your grandmother must have fed her a pack of lies about you and your mother.”

A growl swallowed my last words. “That’s so messed up, but it explains her hot and cold attitude toward me and Mom. I need to talk to her.”

“And tell her what?”

“I don’t know. Something. Anything. Find out what Crazy Granny had planted in her head, so I can destroy it. Even when bound and gagged, she’s denying Mom her happiness.” He cursed. “I should have killed her.”

“You gave her a chance to change, which is more than I would have given her, but she wasn’t interested. Let her suffer for eternity knowing she failed to destroy your family.” I tried not to think about Anne Marie.

“You would have given her a chance, too.”

He wore blinders where I was concerned. I didn’t forgive easily. I might put up with Marguerite and her concerned mother routine, but that was because I wanted to know what she and Anne Marie were up to.

“If you say so.”

“Now, about the Norns, if you see these girls again, point them out. I may not be able to read their energy the way you or Raine do, but I can see through their disguises.”

His eyes went to the group behind me and annoyance crossed his beautiful face. He was still hating on Alejandro. I smacked his chest to get his attention.

“You win. Let’s rescue Trudy from the Big Bad Alejandro.”

“Good.” He booted me off his lap and smirked when I glared at him.

“Seriously. When did the two of you meet, and what did he do?”

He glanced at Alejandro again, who was laughing and high-fiving Zack. “He has douchebaggery written all over him.”

“Very eloquent.” He smirked. Now I was even more curious.

We dumped our trays and went to join the others. Alejandro clammed up the second we joined them. Eirik didn’t bother to hide his feelings. He stared down Alejandro with narrowed, cold eyes the entire time. Something was definitely weird between the two, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed it.

“We gotta go, guys, if we want to make it to the movies,” I said.

We gathered our things and headed for the car. Just before I got in, the telltale feeling of being watched returned. I glanced back and my eyes met those of the three girls by the mall’s entrance. The blonde smirked as though enjoying a private joke.

“Turn around slowly and check the left side of the entrance,” I whispered to Eirik without looking away. “The three girls, one blonde, one brunette, and the last one black.”

He whipped around, scales appearing under his skin and his eyes slitting. Invisible runes dotted on his body, and he was gone. I followed the blur, but the ladies were gone by the time he reached the entrance. He came back, and I saw his face. He looked worried.

Norns. What did they want with me?

CELESTIA

“Trudy gets to choose the movie,” I called out over my shoulder as I headed to the kitchen for drinks. Zack and Hayden hadn’t arrived yet. They’d stopped to get popcorn.

The second bowl of fresh fruit on the counter said Dad had done more grocery shopping. He hated doing it. I peered inside the fridge. It was packed with fresh vegetables, non-fat yogurt, and cold cuts, things he rarely bothered with. The groceries had his new girlfriend’s name written all over it.

“Please, no chick-flicks,” I overheard Eirik say and pulled my head out of the fridge.

“Show me how to use this,” Trudy said, her voice rising with excitement. I was sure “it” was the online movie channel on the TV screen.

Dad’s car was missing from the carport, and a note on the fridge door said he’d be gone most of the evening. He was probably on a date. Again.

Zack and Hayden pulled up outside the house, and hauled out two large bags of caramel popcorn. I loved caramel popcorn. Hayden carried two one-liter bottles of soda—ginger ale and Sprite. I grabbed plastic cups and large bowls, and went to open the door for them.

“What happened to going to the movies?” Hayden asked.

“Trudy is tired and just wanted to hang out at home.” As soon as she’d heard about the Norns, she’d insisted on not going to the theater. Eirik didn’t pull punches when he wanted to get his way. That was a part of him that could be really sweet because he put my needs above others, and maddening, because he didn’t care who got hurt in the process. He got lucky this time because Trudy understood.

“We can go to the movies next time,” Trudy called out. She sat on a side chair, surfing the online site for something she liked. The movies were by genre and she was going through animations.

“What are we watching?” Hayden asked, eyeing Eirik, who’d already commandeered the couch.

“Trudy gets to decide.”

“As long as it’s not chick-flick, I’m good,” Eirik said and pounded fists with Zack. Hayden and I snickered. They were not going to decide anything.

“How about this one? I’ve never watched all of it. Just bits and pieces.”

Nemo.
I liked the movie too.

“You watch movies in Eljuh… At the hall?” Zack asked.

“Yes and no, but I’ve watched people’s memories as far back as I can remember. If they watched a certain movie that affected them deeply, I get to see it too. The problem is they never remember the whole thing because it’s about the emotions they experienced watching a certain scene or the person they were with. So I get scenes and kissing or sex scenes.”

“No way.” Zack scooted closer to her. “Like live porn?”

Trudy frowned. “What is porn?”

Hayden used speed runes and slapped a hand on Zack’s mouth while Eirik laughed and Trudy watched them with confusion.

“Porn is short for Popular Online Rentals and News. Behave,” Hayden told Zack and then rejoined me in the kitchen. “He’s so terrible.”

“So, you two watch some?”

“No. I’d kill him,” Hayden said while Trudy continued to explain her pastime. “What happened outside the mall? You looked spooked and your man pulled the Flash.”

“Three Immortals were stalking us at the mall. At least, I thought they were Immortals.”

“Eirik’s groupies or enemies?”

“Norns.”

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“There was no time. I’d seen them from the corner of my eye, but when I turned around, they were gone. It was like they were playing mind games with me.” Laughter came from the living room. “Thanks for today. I don’t know if Trudy would have enjoyed herself as much if you weren’t there.”

“I know. You two tend to get wrapped up in your little world. Hey, I’m not complaining,” she added. “It’s about time. And your man is getting antsy.”

Sure enough, when I looked into the living room, Eirik was staring. He’d picked a few pillows from my room. He cocked an eyebrow. I blew him a kiss.

“Let’s talk later about Einmyria. I saw her.”

“What? When?” Hayden nipped at my heel. “You’re keeping way too many secrets, woman.”

“Later.” I ran from her when she tried to grab me. I was still laughing when I joined Eirik. The couch we took wasn’t meant for sleeping but we made it work. I settled between his legs and used his chest as a pillow, while he piled my pillows behind him. Trudy sat crossed-legged on the floor, a bowl of popcorn and a drink on the coffee table, and her eyes on the screen. It was much more fun watching her than the movie.

Dad called toward the end of the movie and asked me what we wanted for dinner. When he arrived an hour later, he had enough burgers and fries to feed an army. We pigged out and started a second movie. It had barely started when I dozed off.

“I’ll be back,” Eirik whispered. I heard him, but I didn’t open my eyes. The next thing I knew he was carrying me to bed. “Go back to sleep.”

“What time is it?”

“Ten. Sorry I was gone for so long.”

“You were gone? Where?”

“Kayville. That darn cat came to get me.” He entered my bedroom.

“Why? Where’s everyone?” I whispered.

“Living room. Trudy is making a list of movies and shows she plans to watch and Hayden is helping, or not helping. Depends on how you look at it. I think they want to watch another one.”

“Put me down. You should have woken me up.” Why was I so exhausted?

“Between the homework, running around looking for your mother, and the Norns draining your energy, something they should never do”—anger laced his words—“I’m surprised you stayed awake this long. I’m taking Trudy home, but I’ll be back.”

Since I regained consciousness, he’d spent the night at my place. I loved waking up surrounded by his scent. And he was right about my energy. Why would the Norns drain mine? What would they hope to gain? I knew about evil Witches sucking someone’s life force to become even more powerful. What if those three were Witches?

I changed into pajamas. My contact lenses holder and solution still sat by my toiletries. Hmm, maybe if we burst into Einmyria’s room before she woke up, we might catch her without her contacts. Grinning at my thoughts, I brushed my teeth and went in search of the others.

Dad was talking to Trudy, and I caught the tail end of his words. “…always welcome here.”

“Thank you, Chief Deveraux.” Then she hugged him. I fought a grin when our eyes met. He was still awkward with hugs. He patted her back.

I walked Hayden to Zack’s car. “See you on Monday. I’m going to focus on the packets tomorrow, so no distractions.”

“Got it. Are you nervous?”

“About?”

“Going back to school after everything that went down.”

I hadn’t really thought about it. I didn’t care what other students thought about my absence. “Not really.”

“Can I use your car as a portal? Now that you know about me, I don’t have to drive to school. I can just portal to your car.”

That would be cool. “Sure. How often do you portal to school? Wait a second. Those days when you claimed your mother dropped you off…”

“Yep. But now you know, and I can use your car. Once you start using portals, we could use one of the bathrooms and just stop driving.”

I couldn’t imagine using portals to and from school. That would be too weird. I didn’t respond. Just hugged her and whispered, “Thanks again for helping today.”

“She’s nice. Most of the time, anyway. Wes and Alejandro were all over her. Maybe we should invite them when she visits again.”

Wes? Yes. Alejandro? I don’t think so.
Not until I knew why Eirik disliked him. It didn’t make sense. “Let’s talk on Monday.”

“Oh yes, we will. I want to hear about the fake sister,” she added, hugged me one last time, and went to join Zack. I waved to my cousin and went back inside where Eirik and Trudy were ready to leave, the shopping bags by her feet and a portal already opened. She hugged me tight.

“Ouch… Ouch… You. Are. Bruising. My ribs,” I said in a moan and she laughed.

“Thank you for today. It was perfect, and I can’t wait to do it again. See you next weekend.” She grabbed some of the bags and Eirik took the rest. He promised to be back in a few and followed her. I joined Dad in the kitchen, where he was making a pot of coffee.

“How did it go?”

“Very well, actually. No shifting or drama.” He looked happy and relaxed. “So when are you going to make an honest woman out of Mrs. Perkins?”

“I’m not discussing my love life with you.”

“Love life,” I repeated and chuckled. “That sounds strange coming from you.” I kissed his cheek and went to my bedroom. The first thing I noticed was the shopping bags. I peered inside and frowned. The smaller bag with the swimsuits I’d bought was inside one of them. I’d paid for two suits, yet there were four inside.

Getting suspicious, I checked inside the other bags and found a skirt I’d tried on. Then another. Two dresses. Several tops. Kimonos. Did that crazy guy buy me things just because I’d tried them on? The last bag had me sitting down in shock. Two designer boots. They hadn’t been on sale. I know because I’d tried them on and lived for the moment because they’d felt amazing.

I tried the over-the-knee pair and walked up and down my room. They were still the sexiest boots in the entire universe, and the stretchy back panel made them fit perfectly. I loved them, and it was going to kill me to give them back. Sighing, I pulled them off and put them in the box.

I left the things in the bags, crawled in bed, and thought of reasons I should not accept the gifts while I waited. I should keep the boots. I could never afford them unless they were on clearance, and I’d saved like crazy. I was struggling to stay awake when the portal opened and he entered the room.

“You know I cannot accept your gifts,” I whispered, turning to face him. “We have to return them.”

“No, we don’t. Go to sleep.”

“I’m serious, Eirik. I’m keeping all the tags and—”

“For every item you return, I’ll replace it with five more. Now, I know your size and style.”

“You are a bully,” I said, not really in the mood to argue, but I had to show him he couldn’t just do things and expect me to go along. “I can afford to buy my own clothes and boots.”
Except those boots
.

“I know, but I have money I don’t need sitting in banks doing nothing. I can’t use it in the other realms. If I want to pamper you, it’s my right as your boyfriend. Go to sleep.”

Put like that, how could I refuse? I snuggled into his chest and sighed. “Fine. Pamper me. But don’t be sneaky about it. Next time check with me first. I don’t like surprises.”

“Too bad. I love surprising you.”

I pinched his stomach. “I’m serious.”

“Okay. I’m giving you a heads up. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss getting you a decent car.”

“I don’t need a car,” I protested.

“That’s debatable. I need a car with more leg room, and your engine squeaked when I drove this afternoon.”

“That’s because you are a sucky driver. Buggy needs a gentle touch.”

He chuckled and kissed me. I pushed aside the argument for later when I wasn’t so sleepy. Then I remembered something.

“Why did the cat come for you?”

“Something important is happening next week, but since the Norns are messing with you, I can’t tell you. Chances are the reason I went to Kayville is why they were inside your head.”

“Is it something good or bad?”

“It’s good. We’ll need the Witches’ help again, but no fighting this time.”

“Does that mean I get to meet Raine?”

“Yes.”

“Awesome.” I closed my eyes and drifted off.

~*~

Eirik was gone when I woke up. I showered and dressed. I paused to admire my boots. I couldn’t help trying on the new boots again. The dresses were too short for school, but I could make them work with tights.

Dad had a tendency to lounge around in his bathrobe on Sundays and spend most of the day fishing, but he was dressed in a nice suit and appeared ready to leave the house.

“Where are you going so early in the morning, Dad? Church?”

He laughed. “Brunch. Why can’t they just call it early lunch or late breakfast?”

I chuckled. “The same reason they don’t call morning afternoon or night. Go. Have fun. Will you be fishing today?”

“Rosalie wants to try it, so we’ll be back after brunch. I’ll bring you and Eirik something. I assume he’ll be back.”

That sounded like he knew Eirik had spent the night, or I was imagining things. “I don’t know. I told him I had homework.”

“Oh. Okay. I’ll see you later then.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead and left the house. I made breakfast and sat down to work.

After two hours, I got up, grabbed a snack, and went back to it. It was only ten, and I already missed Eirik. If I had an artavus, I’d open a portal and carry my homework to the hall. We could talk whenever I took a break.