Mortal Defiance (10 page)

Chapter 17

Wiping the fog from the mirror, Ree looked at her reflection and grimaced at the circles under her eyes. Running around late at night was not agreeing with her sleeping habits. Sighing, she arranged her wet hair into a braid and threw on her nightclothes before grabbing her toothbrush. With Roland in her room, she couldn’t imagine a reason to not sleep well.

Spitting out toothpaste, she snorted and wiped her mouth on a towel.
Well, maybe that isn’t exactly true.

He was still lying on her bed when she got back to her room. The overhead light was off and a soft glow from the bedside lamp filled the room. He was so still, she wondered if he was asleep. Walking across the room to her laundry hamper, she quietly dumped her clothes and pondered what to do next. A floorboard squeaked under her foot as she walked to the rocking chair in the corner. She froze and looked at the dark-haired guy on her bed. Something soft and sentimental clouded his eyes as he looked at her, a gentle smile tugging the corners of his mouth.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I wasn’t asleep. I just liked making you sneak around.”

Grabbing a pillow from the rocking chair, she threw it at his head. He deftly caught it and launched it back at her. Ducking, the pillow sailed over her head and knocked some books off a shelf. They both froze and looked toward the door. When it became apparent no one was coming, Ree looked at Roland and covered her mouth.

“What?” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up straight.

“You should have seen your face. I’ve never seen you look panicked before.”

“I haven’t had to worry about parents for a long time.” Shaking his head, he smiled ruefully at her.

“You deal with alien monsters on a regular basis, but my parents scare you?” Flopping down into the rocking chair, Ree giggled.

“Parents are infinitely scarier than bloodsucking aliens. It’s a matter of scientific law.” Standing up, he walked over to Ree and held his hand out. Without thinking, she took it and let him pull her to her feet. He played with the braid lying on her shoulder; Ree felt her humor being replaced with something more serious and couldn’t take her eyes away from his.

“You have a wonderful laugh. It’s so free and honest.”

“Thank you.” She smiled and hoped it concealed her nervousness. The feel of his hand wrapped around hers was causing odd things to happen to her stomach. She also had the strangest sense of déjà vu, as if she needed to remember something.

“You need to sleep.” Gently pushing her toward the bed, he yanked the blanket back. “I can see how tired you are.”

“Where are you going to sleep? Do you want a pillow or something?”

“No, I think the rocking chair will more than suffice for tonight.”

“Thanks,” Ree said. “For staying. I appreciate you putting your life on hold for me.”

“You are my life now.” He reached over and turned off the bedside light, filling the room with shadows. Ree was immensely glad for the cover of darkness. His words had sent a shiver through her, and she wasn’t ready to understand why.

Thankfully, sleep claimed her thoughts almost immediately. Unfortunately, her dreams were anything but restful. Images of the darkling’s body crumbling, the uneasy feeling of being watched, and a pressure on her chest made it impossible for her to sleep for long. Flipping from side to side and only half-awake, she tried to make herself comfortable.

“Alastriana.” A deep, angry voice boomed in her ears.

Pain crackled through her head, causing her to wake instantly. Her breathing was labored and she could barely open her eyes, but she knew the power was slipping out of her control. Cool hands brushed the hair back from her face, and she concentrated on trying to do deal with the pain in her head. Once it started to fade, she opened her eyes to meet Roland’s worried sapphire ones.

“Someone is here,” she gasped.

“They’re outside. Can you sit up?” Levering her up, he handed her the water from her night stand.

“Who is it?” She sipped the water and winced at the lingering pain in her head.

“There is a god nearby.” Quietly, he padded to the window and looked outside. “Very close.”

“When Brigid came to the island, I didn’t feel this way.” The Celtic goddess had made Ree feel weak in the knees, but there had not been a pounding headache. “Did you say my name?”

“No.” Roland glanced over his shoulder at her. “But I felt the power crackling through the room. Is that all they said? Your name?”

“Yes. Well, and they gave me a splitting headache.”

“It is hard for mortals to hear the gods’ true voice. Painful. That’s why Brigid didn’t speak to you on the island. Most of the gods consider it demeaning to speak in a way that is other than their real voice.” Roland looked back to the yard outside her room. “But I have a feeling this is not Brigid.”

Sitting up, Ree slipped her feet into the tennis shoes she had placed next to her bed. Fear had her senses on high alert and everything seemed a little sharper with the clarity adrenaline brought. “Are we in danger?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s one of our gods, right? I mean, one of the good guys?” Ree moved closer to Roland and looked out the window but didn’t see anything other than a dense fog.

“Do not be fooled, Ree. Just because they are on our side does not make them good guys.” Roland turned to look at her, his eyes heavy with memories. “Trust none of the gods. You are nothing but a tool to them.” He looked back out the window, searching for whatever was outside of her house.

Swallowing, Ree nodded her head and tried to squelch the nausea that swam in her stomach. “Okay. Don’t trust the gods.”

“Some of them aren’t that bad. Brigid is one of those you may be able to trust. A few others, too, though you can only trust them so far. Their definition of good and bad, right and wrong, is very different than ours.” Without looking at her, he reached back and grabbed her hand and squeezed. She squeezed back, grateful for the comfort. So many things were happening, and the longer this scenario played out, the more she felt like a pawn.

“Are my parents—”

“Shh.” Roland held up his hand and nodded to the yard. A tall, dark-haired man stood looking at them with an angry expression.

“Ares,” breathed Roland. His hand tightened on hers, and she realized she wasn’t the only one in need of support.

What sounded like a crack of lightning filled Ree’s head, and she covered her ears. Suddenly, Ares was no longer standing in the yard, but right in front of the window. Dark brown eyes swirled with literal fire, causing Ree to flinch when he met her gaze. She realized he looked like someone that would star in movies. However, the sardonic twist to his mouth and haughty expression would always cast him as the bad guy.
The serial killer
, Ree thought.
Or the zealot ready to destroy millions of people.

“Pathetic.” His mouth formed the word slowly, as if he took joy in torturing Ree.

Falling to her knees, she clasped her hands tightly over her ears and whimpered in pain. Roland was right next to her, his hands lifting her face so that he could see her. Wiping away a tear with his thumb he said something, but she couldn’t hear it. Shaking her head in confusion, she pointed to one ear. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to her bed. Laying her down gently, he sat next to her and waited for her hearing to return.

She couldn’t help looking at the window, worried the fiery-eyed god would still be staring at them, waiting to say more.

“He’s gone,” she whispered.

Roland nodded his head and sat there quietly. When the ringing stopped, she sat up and met Roland’s worried eyes. “I… I can hear now.”

“I’m sorry, Ree. I don’t know why he made an appearance here.”

“Are my parents safe? Did he hurt them as well?”

“No. I know it felt like he spoke out loud, but it was only in your mind. I’m sure they have no idea he was even here.” Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he tapped out a message and hit send. Within moments, the screen on his phone lit up with a response. “Sophie thinks it would be best if you stay on the island from now on. I think she’s right.”

“What? I can’t do that. My parents would never go for it.”

“You don’t have to ask permission, Ree. You can just go.”

“Are you kidding? You’ve seen my mom! She wouldn’t be able to handle it if I just disappeared. She would end up in the madhouse. I can’t do that.” Standing up, Ree paced across her room to the window, then back to the bed. “I won’t do that, Roland.”

“What if you have to?” His voice was calm, his face blank.

“You’re going to make me? I don’t think so.” Anger set Ree’s jaw and made her shoulders stiff.

“I could, but I don’t want to.” Calmly, he placed his phone back in his pocket and rested his hands on his knees.

“Oh, yeah? Try it.” The power washed across the room, making things on the tables and shelves tremble. “I will not be the reason my mom ends up in a psych unit.”

“You know the power will not affect me.”

“Not directly, but it can use things against you.” Widening her stance, she straightened her shoulders and felt her chin lift.

“What if it’s to keep them safe, Ree?”

All of her anger vanished instantly and she sat down on the bed next to him. “I’m putting them in more danger by being here? I thought it would be safer for them with you guys here as guards.”

“Yes and no.” Roland shook his head. “Look, I know this is tough. Okay, that’s the biggest understatement ever. What I mean is that I know what you’re going through. There is no easy answer or clear solution. But you need to be prepared for a time when you very well may have to leave.”

Nodding her head, Ree chewed on her bottom lip and considered how she could possibly do that to her parents. Roland stood up and walked back to the rocking chair.

“Get some sleep, Ree. I doubt he will be back tonight, and you have to be up to pretend to go to school.” He settled into the rocking chair so that he could see out the window and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m here, and I won’t let anything happen to you or your parents tonight.”

Lying back in her bed, Ree stared at the ceiling for a long time. Pain lingered behind her eyes from earlier that night, and her mind would not stop going over the what-ifs. At some point she must have drifted off, but gruesome images and nightmares still haunted her.

Chapter 18

Someone shook her shoulder and she grunted. The buzzing of her alarm clock filled the room at a deafening volume. She jerked awake, sitting up in bed and hitting the
off
button.

“Ree, are you sure you aren’t sick? “

When she heard her father’s voice, she looked around the room in shock. Where was Roland? Why hadn’t he woken her up?

“Ree?” Her father reached out and touched her forehead. “Are you okay, sweet potato?”

“Um, yeah, Dad. I’m good. Just overslept, I guess.” Brushing the hair out of her eyes, she looked at the clock and didn’t have to fake the panicked look. “I’ve got to get ready for school. Mel will be here any minute.” Hopping out of bed, she ran to her closet and yanked open the doors. Her mouth fell open, and she could feel her eyes bugging out of her head. Roland was standing in the back of the closet amidst a pile of random shoes, shoved between some winter coats and old dresses. He put a finger to his mouth and winked at her. Shutting the door as quickly as possible, she turned around and pressed her back against the crack.

“Dad? Can you grab me a muffin or something? I need to get dressed….” She let her sentence trail off and jerked her head toward her door.

“Are you okay, Ree? You’re acting really odd.” Her father stood up and walked toward her. Panic moved her feet in his direction. Grabbing his elbow, she turned him and guided him out her door.

“I’m fine, Dad. Really. Just in a hurry, you know? I can’t believe I overslept. Must’ve been really tired.”

“Okay, Ree. I’ll go get you something to eat.”

“Thanks, Dad!” Shutting the door, she turned around and ran to the closet. When she yanked open the door and peeked in, Roland was holding up an old homecoming dress with his eyebrows drawn together.

“This is not the color for you.” He tsked.

Yanking the dress out of his hands, she threw it on the floor and pulled him out of the closet. “It was eighth grade—and don’t go through my clothes!” She dove into the closet and grabbed a school uniform before running over to her dresser and grabbing some street clothes to shove into her backpack. “What happened? Why didn’t you wake me up before my dad came looking for me? And the closet is not the best place to hide. I’m really going to have to come up with a better place to stash people.”

“I had to move my car. I didn’t want your parents to see it and grow suspicious. I made it back in the window just as your father was knocking on the door. I didn’t have much time to look for a more suitable hidey-hole.” He sat on the foot of her bed and watched her flurried movements. “You do remember you aren’t going to school today, right?”

“My parents think I am! And Mel will be here to pick me up soon.”

“Well, then, by all means, hurry up and change into your uniform.” One corner of his mouth quirked up when Ree glared at him.

“I’m going to the bathroom to change. I suggest you get out of here.”

“What? No goodbye kiss?”

“I’m sure I’ll see you later. Now, go!” Rolling her eyes, she dashed to the bathroom to change.

Her father had a banana-nut muffin sitting on a napkin next to a bottle of apple juice. Grabbing her breakfast, Ree hollered a goodbye over her shoulder, just in time to hear Melanie honk her horn.

“Ree, I want to talk to you.” Her father came striding from the back of the house, but she was already out the door.

“After school, Dad! Love you!”

She practically dove into the front seat of Melanie’s car, shoving her bag into the backseat and clicking the seat belt into place.

“Well, good morning to you, too.” Melanie frowned at her rushed behavior as she backed out of the driveway.

“Sorry. I overslept. Want half a muffin?”

“Did your mom make it?”

“Do you really have to ask?” Ree shook her head, broke the muffin in two, and handed Melanie a piece. Her friend groaned in happiness after taking a bite. Ree nibbled on her breakfast and tried to calm her beating heart. That had been a really close call this morning.

“So, how’d it go last night?”

“What do you mean?” Ree tucked her hair behind her ears and wondered if she had an extra hairband in her bag.

“I was on patrol last night, Ree.” Melanie rolled her eyes. “I know Roland stayed the night.”

“Oh, yeah. He slept in the rocking chair. Well, I don’t know if he really slept. I think he stayed up to guard the house. Thank goodness he did, though. I hate to think what would have happened if Ares had shown up while I was by myself.” Taking a long gulp of apple juice, Ree grimaced.
Note to self, apple juice and toothpaste are a bad combination.

“Whoa, whoa. Ares? As in the god of war, Ares?” Melanie’s voice squeaked on the name each time.

“Yeah. It was terrible. I’m hoping Sophie can come up with an explanation. Roland had no idea why he showed up, but I don’t think it’s a good thing. He called me pathetic.”

“The god of war called you pathetic? Wow. How surreal is that?” Hitting the turn signal, Melanie shook her head in disbelief.

“Well, to be honest, being insulted by a god of war goes a little past surreal. How about insanely ridiculous? He woke me up just to call me names. Not really cool.”

“Most definitely not cool. I wonder what he really wanted.”

“Me, too.” Ree sighed and watched the people walking through the downtown square as she and Melanie made their way to Sophie’s shop. “I really feel like this is a bad thing, but maybe that’s because he seemed to enjoy hurting me.”

“He hurt you? Oh my God. Are you okay?” Melanie swerved the car as she turned to look at Ree in concern.

“Pay attention to the road! I’m fine. Apparently, the reason Brigid didn’t speak to me on the island is because my poor mortal ears couldn’t handle it. Ares, however, didn’t have the same concern.” Ree popped the rest of her muffin in her mouth. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something very wrong was playing out behind the scenes.

“Why would Ares show up at your house? I mean, we haven’t had any contact with other gods. Hecate hasn’t shown up, Poseidon, or anyone else, and they’re related to us. What made Ares decide to pay you a visit?”

“I don’t know. We’re missing too many pieces to this puzzle.”

“Yeah, and Sophie hasn’t really given us much more than the essentials.” Chewing on her bottom lip, Melanie hit the blinker to turn into the parking lot.

“What are you talking about? You know so much more than I do. I feel like everyone knows about things I don’t, and I’m the damn person that’s supposed to save the world!” Ree squeezed the apple juice bottle and gritted her teeth.

“So, why don’t you tell me what’s really wrong?” Melanie pulled the car into a parking spot behind Sophie’s shop and turned to look at Ree. For a moment Ree could only sputter, until her friend cracked and smiled. “I know you’ve been frustrated, frightened, confused, and angry. Every time I’m around, you’re broadcasting one of those emotions. Honestly, I don’t blame you. We’re all feeling that way, but you’re right that you don’t seem to know as much as you should. There is some serious stuff going on and we’re only seeing part of the picture. Which is not good.”

Closing her eyes, Ree leaned back in the car seat and took a deep breath. Once she felt a little calmer she opened her eyes. “Well, I guess we need to go talk to Sophie. And this time, we aren’t bringing any distractions with us.”

“Good deal.” Mel nodded her head as if she was seconding Ree’s statement, and the girls climbed out of the car.

Sophie was in the front with a customer, so the girls went upstairs and changed out of their school uniforms. Ree looked at Mel once they were back downstairs and smiled.

“I feel a little rebellious, skipping school. It’s weird to not be wearing my school uniform during the week.”

“Tell me about it. I almost forgot to bring extra clothes to change into.” Mel sat down at the computer, pulled up her email account, and checked some of the social networking sites. “Oh, the art college is having a special effects event in a few weeks. I wonder if I’ll be able to go.”

“Really? Anything cool?” Looking over Melanie’s shoulder, Ree contemplated what she saw on the screen.

“They have a set-design seminar one day. You might like that.” Mel scrolled down the list of events and gasped. “Oh my gosh. Look at this, Ree. The guest speaker they have talking about designing battle scenes is a total hottie! I’d so like to strategize with him.”

Chuckling, Ree scanned the screen, and her breath froze in her throat. Staring back at her from the computer monitor was Ares. And Melanie was right. Minus the swirling fire in his eyes and angry tilt to his mouth he made an appealing picture, but that wasn’t what had Ree gripping Melanie’s chair—anxiety was making her stomach clench and her heart race.

“Ree?” Melanie looked from the computer screen to her friend and back. “Do you know this guy?”

“That is the very rude and ridiculously attractive Ares.” Ree tried to relax the muscles of her jaw.

“Oh no. That’s bad—and I don’t mean because he’s now off my dateable list. Bad as in, this goes far beyond a coincidence.”

“Yes. Very bad.” Ree pointed at the screen. “Click on the details. I want to see more about his ‘class.’”

“Hmm. Says it’s a one-day deal. Two hours long, and it’s the last class for the entire event. That sounds ominous now that I know who he really is.” Melanie looked at Ree with large eyes.

“Yeah. Always bad to end an event with a battle of any sort. Especially when it’s being taught by the God of War.”

“Good morning, girls! Anyone hungry?” Sophie walked through the door, looking chipper. “Guess what, Ree—I just sold that blue settee, the one that’s been in here for over a year. I told Roland someone would buy it!” Looking at the girls, her smiled drooped. “That isn’t a good look. What’s going on?”

Moving away from the desk, the girls gave Sophie an unobstructed view of the computer screen. As if a light switch was flicked, the older Guardian’s face went blank. Walking swiftly to her desk, Sophie picked up her cell phone and sent a message to someone. Melanie moved out of the computer chair and let Sophie sit down. The woman’s eyes scanned the page carefully, scrolling to the bottom and then clicking on all of the other links. A couple of times she frowned and carefully studied a few pictures. Exchanging a look, Ree and Melanie stood silently. When the door chimed out front, Sophie made no move to go and see about the customer, so Ree took over.

An older woman who had entered the shop was a regular, only wanting to pick up a lamp she’d had refinished. Attempting to not seem rude or rushed when dealing with the ancient lady left Ree feeling snappy. Watching the senior citizen count out the tax in dimes, nickels, and pennies pushed Ree’s patience to the snapping point. After helping the customer out the door, Ree practically sprinted to the back of the shop. Sophie was still looking at the website, her attention so focused that she didn’t even lift her head when Ree came running through the shop door.

Raising an eyebrow in Melanie’s direction, she tried to figure out what she had missed. Melanie shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. Apparently, the older Guardian had not divulged any of her thoughts while Ree had been counting change out front. When Sophie’s cell phone chirped, breaking the silence, Ree almost jumped. After reading the message and sending a quick reply, Sophie leaned back from the computer and looked at the girls.

“Ree, I think you need to come back to the island.”

“Why?” Trying to keep her calm, Ree sat down and looked at her mentor. “I need a good reason to leave my parents.”

“I don’t think you are safe at your house anymore.”