Shafted (13 page)

A tug on the bodice of the little black dress
– emphasis on little – Jessie had talked her into buying in town
earlier and a final deep inhale and exhale was all she had left to
stall with. “Where’s the kick-butt Amazon when you need her?”
Callie swallowed and slipped the last accessory on her finger, her
grandmother’s ring. “Well till she shows up, guess it’ll be fake it
till you make it Jamison.”

“Callie, come on kiddo.”

“Okay, yes I’m coming, just have to grab my
coat.”

She shut off the bathroom light and gave one
last look in the mirror over the dresser. “Ready or not, here I
come.”

A pair of eyes watched the door close behind
her from within the mirror. “I’m ready. You? I’m thinking, not so
much.”

“Eros, you look fine, now quit squirming.”
Aphrodite straightened his outfit. Satisfied he’d pass for human
she turned to give Psyche the once over. The fashionable dress
flattered while covering a great deal of skin, which aught to keep
Eros from tossing a fit if some poor sap of a mortal drooled over
her. “Good, now you’re both clear on the plan, yes?”

Eros rolled his eyes and Psyche tried to hide
her grin before answering. Aphrodite chose to ignore them both.
“Yes, we’re all good. We keep Anteros at that dance, get him and
his little mortal alone together, and Eros shoots her again, only
with a goldie this time. He won’t be able to resist if she comes
after him and even if he can, he won’t refuse if her soul’s at risk
too.”

“Exactly.”

“What do you mean you’re coming too?” Anteros
stared dumfounded at Charon. “You? Up there.” He pointed at the
ceiling. “On the surface.”

Glancing down and brushing a speck of lint
from his lapel Charon snorted. “What? Why’s that so hard to
believe?”

Anteros made a show of scratching his chin.
“Hmm, geez let’s see. Because. You’re. A. Demon!”

Charon stared at him. He stared back. They
both started talking at once.

“What’s wrong with being a demon; never
picked your ass before—”

“It’s not because you’re a demon, well yes it
is but—”

“I can fit in up there if I bloody well want
to—”

“How the Hades do you think you can contain
all your—”

“News flash; this is your mother we’re
talking about—”

“I don’t want you ending up on the wrong side
of my mother—”

“So you’ll need back up protecting—”

“I’ll have my hands full already watching
over—”

“Callie.”

They said her name in unison and Anteros
hands clenched. Damn. Charon was right. He stood a much better
chance making sure nothing happened to her with his friend riding
shotgun. Arrogant demon knew it too.

Charon grinned.

Anteros snorted.

Chapter 21

The trip across town to the community centre
took them past Ellis Park. The lights had expanded from the one
massive oak in the middle to encompass several others around the
perimeter. Crystallized snow sparkled on the ground and clothed the
bare boughs, giving the entire place a fairy tale feel.

None of it mattered to Callie.

Christian chatted and pointed to various
landmarks and sounded to Callie like the teacher from the old
‘Charlie Brown’ episodes. “Wa wa wa, wa wa wa.”

They rounded the corner onto Maple and drove
through the lights directly in front of the Community Center where
the dance was being held, and Callie’s head started to pound.

Christian pulled into the lot, killed the
engine then reached over and took her hand in his. “Callie, I know
you’re not in a very festive mood, but I really think you need to
do this. You’re the one that told me your new life would start here
in Hick...Bandit Creek. The girl I know wouldn’t crawl in a hole,
no matter what life threw at her.” He poked her shoulder so she’d
look at him. “Come on tiger, what do you say?”

Callie favored him with a smile. Bless the
man, she had her anchor and he wasn’t going anywhere. “Okay killer,
let’s go.”

He helped her from the car and she got her
first good look at the building. It was aglow with pink and white
flood lights, the skeletal bushes flanking the entrance were decked
out in red and white bulbs and a huge pink ribbon with a picture of
Cupid hung over the doorway; thing looked like the wedding cake
from hell.

“Callie, Callie Jamison? Is that you?”

A pretty woman flanked by two good looking
guys stopped beside her and smiled. “It’s me. Penny. We used to
hang out together in the summer time, remember?”

Callie looked closer and recognition dawned.
“Penny Anderson?” She glanced up at the two men behind Penny.
“Douglas McKenzie? And Craig Baxter too! Oh my gosh it’s so good to
see you guys.”

Penny grinned wider. “Heard Camp ‘Pennyseals’
was reopening, that’s awesome. Your grandma helped so many people
up there. I’m glad to hear you’re stepping into her shoes.”

Callie’s smile became brittle. “Oh well, yes,
thanks. Uh, we should probably go in.” Wrapping her hand in
Christian’s elbow she remembered her manners. “Oh, I’m sorry this
is my friend Christian...”

“Ants, my man, gotta hand it to you I’d give
up immortality for her too.”

Anteros watched Callie disappear inside the
building and tried not to imagine how Christian would look with his
head on backwards.

Before he could smack the mountain of demon
hovering over his shoulder, a couple heading toward the entrance
drew his attention. Damn, he’d know that silver-white mane
anywhere.

Apparently Eros was attending his own
party.

A growl escaped his throat and he looked back
at Charon. “Showtime Bud, if my brother’s here, my mother won’t be
far behind.”

Pulling the collar of his coat up, Anteros
tried to prepare himself and stepped out from behind the tree he’d
been leaning against for the last hour. He’d so wanted to hold onto
his memory of Callie looking at him the way she had after he’d made
love to her. Now if she saw him, he’d have to endure seeing her
look at him after his arrow took all that away.

Psyche looked at Eros and giggled. He
couldn’t blend in if he tried. Between his height and coloring not
to mention his natural allure, the best they could do was keep to
the shadows. “Babe, do you see either of them?”

The position they’d taken up behind one of
the big speakers at the front of the stage wasn’t quite big enough
and Eros had to crouch to stay out of sight. “No not yet. Wait, I
think that’s her over by the entrance. See the one with the black
dress.”

Psyche ducked under his chin and peeked
around the side of the speaker. “Bingo. Yup, that’s our girl all
right. Now we just have to find Tero and separate them from the
rest.”

“Hoping we can manage that outside before I
have to humiliate myself and get caught looking like this.”

Psyche turned and hid her grin by kissing his
cheek. She knew better than to let her eyes wander to his bare legs
but caressed the tattoo on his arm trying to distract him in case
she couldn’t help herself. “This was the only way to smuggle in
your bow, besides the color is great on you and I think you look
cute.”

The feral growl he emitted only made her
giggle more.

“Looks like the party’s in full swing, do you
see Mom anywhere?”

Anteros scanned the room and handed his coat
to the girl manning the cloak room poking Charon in the ribs to do
the same.

“Oh right.” The vane demon actually puffed up
at the wide-eyed look the girl gave him and leaned in far closer to
her than necessary. “Thanks Darlin’.”

Without looking behind, Anteros grabbed his
friend’s collar and tugged him forward. “Control yourself would
you. I’m pretty sure my mother isn’t hiding in that girl’s
dress.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of recon?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, and that ain’t it.
Now do you think you can handle one side of the room while I take
the other?”

“Of course mine
Capitan!
” Charon
saluted and clicked his heels together. “Meetcha back at the punch
bowl in twenty.”

Before Anteros could say another word Charon
spun and, without trying, did a great impression of Moses parting
the Red Sea.” Demon had presence all right.

Turning the other way Anteros started his own
perimeter run, trying to convince himself he really didn’t want to
run into Callie. Little prick in the back of his head was killing
himself laughing.

“Yo Slick-town, do you dance as well as you
brag?”

Jessie sidled up beside them and Callie had
to smile at the look on Christian’s face. The neon pink leotard and
the glittering chain belt riding low on her hips had big brother
syndrome rearing its protective head. To his credit, he swallowed
it and poked back at her instead.

“Sticks-Ville, you couldn’t keep up.”

The words had barely left his lips when a
ground pounding beat struck up and Jessie grabbed his arm tugging
him forward. “Money where your mouth is, Dude.”

Callie watched them disappear into the crowd
secretly wishing him luck. With no one to talk to she decided to
make her way to the buffet table where Christian would be able to
find her easily as soon as the song was done.

Half an hour later, Callie looked at her
watch for the third time and back up at the dance floor where yet
another thundering bass number had started. The bobbing blonde and
green head periodically visible meant she was apparently going to
be on her own for a while longer. Poor Christian was going to be
worn out at this rate.

The temperature in the room went up with
every new person who came in the door and with all the hearts
hanging from the ceiling and couples paired off everywhere, Callie
suddenly needed some air.

Not caring that it was several degrees colder
outside, she ignored the coat check and headed straight out the
door into the crisp night air. She walked over to an outdoor cook
house near the parking lot and ducked inside. Turning back to look
at the building with all its twinkling lights, listening to the
bass, muffled enough to resemble a heartbeat, she fought back the
lump in her throat.

Damn Teran anyway.

If he hadn’t stumbled into her life and
messed everything up she would’ve been enjoying herself right now.
Instead she was seeing the pretty lights through teary eyes wishing
her heart out he was still here with her. The lump in her throat
got a little bigger and a second one started to ball up in her
stomach.

Damn her stupid heart too.

Chapter 22

Anteros saw Callie leave and followed. He
promised himself he’d stay out of sight, but didn’t want her out in
the open on her own. He loved his mother but also knew her; one
mortal wouldn’t be a blip on the goddess’s radar if that mortal
stood in the way of what she wanted.

He would’ve probably pulled it off too, if he
hadn’t slipped on a patch of ice. “Whoa!”

“Who’s there?”

He could tell from her voice she was crying
and all his good intentions flew out the window. In three strides
he was at the door to the cook house.

Callie jumped at the sound, someone was right
outside. “Who’s there?” A large shadow filled the doorway and her
heart stopped beating. “Teran?”

He stepped further inside and the warm color
from the party lights shone on his face. Nothing had ever looked so
good to her. Before she could think, the Amazon, who was through
taking chances, took over and Callie launched herself straight into
his arms. “Teran!”

He held onto her for dear life and simply
breathed in her perfect scent. If he could’ve he’d have crawled
right into her skin with her. Gods, how had he ever thought he
could let her go? “Callie, I’m so sorry, I never should’ve
left—”

“Teran, I didn’t know what to do when you
were gone. Everything was wrong—”

Eros nocked his golden arrow, lifted his bow
and took careful aim.

Realization slammed home and Anteros stomach
clenched. Did he dare hope? Cradling her precious face in his hands
he pulled back so he could look into her eyes. “Wait, Callie,
wait.” It took all the courage he had to take the next step, afraid
what he was thinking might be an illusion. “Sweetheart, look at
me...please.”

Callie opened her eyes and his heart skipped.
The love shining in them looked clear and real. Zeus’s beard! It
seemed too good to be true, but what if there was a chance it was
real? His heart ached to hear the words. “Callie tell me. I need to
hear you say it.”

A wrinkle appeared between her eyes. “Tell
you what?” He watched the light come on and held his breath. “Oh.”
Her face broke into a beautiful smile and she reached up to cup his
cheek in her hand. “I love you, Teran.”

His heart burst with the truth ringing loud
and clear in her voice. Anteros hugged her close. “Gods woman, I
love you too and I’m not going anywhere again, I promise.”

He gently cradled her jaw in his hands and
brought their lips together coaxing and devouring all at once. His
lips drinking her in fed his soul and filled his heart with more
joy than he thought he was capable of. A maelstrom of passion she
fueled just as eagerly erupted, and the world was lost as they
helplessly drowned in each other.

“Wait! Eros, look.” Psyche put her hand on
Eros bow arm. “She’s kissing him back.”

He smoothly released the tension on the
string and slowly lowered his weapon. “But I thought you said he
used his arrow on her?”

“He did.”

“Then she shouldn’t be doing that
unless....”

Psyche saw the same conclusion she’d just
come to reflected in Eros’s eyes. “Unless she already loved him
before you shot her.”

They grabbed onto each other’s arms and their
voices blended together. “Which means neither your arrow nor
Anteros’s would’ve had any affect her.”

Taking off at a run they sprinted straight
toward the enclosure grinning like drunken satyrs.