The Curse Keepers Collection (88 page)

They paced and stalked until they had me in the corner where they’d set upon the woman. I had one bone left to defend myself.

Ukinim bared his teeth as he snarled and leapt. I cringed at the sight of his paw swinging toward me. I lifted the bone high, hoping it would offer some defense, but just as his claw was about to reach my face, I suddenly flashed to an entirely different location.

I stood next to a tall tree in a field of grass and white flowers. The full moon hung in the sky above me. I spun around, trying to figure out where I was, when an owl hooted above my head. I jumped backward, grabbing my bleeding forearm.

The owl flew down to a lower branch.

“You’re Ahone’s messenger.” I tried to keep the bitterness from my voice.

“Your journey is almost complete.”

“Does that mean you’re going to kill me?”

The owl hooted, then said, “Neither I nor Ahone will kill you tonight.”

“There are so many things wrong with that sentence,” I mumbled, raising the bone I still held in my right hand. “Are you here to give me Ahone’s symbol?”

“You have one more task on your journey.”

“And then what?”

“And then you will be rewarded.” The owl’s eyes penetrated mine. “Some things are merely illusions. The beautiful becomes ugly when the scales of sleep fall from your eyes. The ugly becomes beautiful when you look for the truth.”

I didn’t like the sound of that.

“The dream world is shifting again. Ahone saved you from Ukinim, but he can’t save you from where you are going now. That is up to you and how you use the resources you’ve been given.”

I blinked and suddenly I was on an island. The moonlight glittered off the rippling waves. I was on the sound and not the ocean, I realized. My pajamas had been replaced with a flowing white skirt that blew around my legs and a gauzy white shirt that hung open, exposing a white bikini top. The wound on my arm was gone.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment with great anticipation.”

I spun around to face Okeus. He stood on an embankment, watching me with a patient expression.

It was my day of reckoning.

I froze, my heart slamming into my rib cage.

He smiled, and his face lit up with a beauty I hadn’t expected. The last time I saw him—the night of the ceremony—he was wearing a loincloth, but tonight he was dressed in jeans and a fitted T-shirt that covered a well-developed chest and muscular arms. His jet-black hair had been long on one side and short on the other, but tonight it was all trimmed closer to his head, the breeze tousling his dark waves. Okeus was the manifestation of masculine perfection.

He held his hands out and chuckled. “Not what you were expecting?”

“No.” I had to force the word out, my fear stealing my breath away.

“There’s no need to be afraid, Ellie.”

He used my name. Every other spirit and god used one of my titles. Never my name.

“Why not?” I asked, walking backward, drawn instinctively to the water. “The last time I saw you, you threatened to torture me for hundreds of years.”

He walked over and offered his hand as I entered the sound. “I spoke in haste, Ellie. Before I had a chance to think. You’re perfectly safe.” But the sentence sounded unfinished—the “
for now”
was unspoken but understood.

I refused his hand, crossing my arms under my breasts. I stayed in the water, taking another step into it. Now it reached my calves, and the edge of my skirt was brushing the top of the waves.

“I wish to start over.”

“Why?”

“Because I think we each have something the other wants.”

Was this how his messenger had approached Collin?

He tilted his head as he studied me, a pensive look on his face. “Come, dine with me. I have a meal prepared for you. As well as a surprise.”

I took a step backward, moving still deeper into the water. “What is it?”

He winked. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Come sit with me anyway.” He reached for me again, but I stepped to the side. I couldn’t get away from him by walking into the sound. I only had one option: to hear him out and look for a way to escape. I began to step out of the water, swinging wide of him.

He laughed and climbed the embankment, turning to wait for me.

I glanced down at my palm with dismay. The words of protection hadn’t helped me with the badgers. I was trapped, especially since Ahone wouldn’t intervene this time. Without the mark on my palm, what resources did I have to save me from Okeus?

So far, Okeus was nothing like the monster I’d seen the night of his escape. The god who’d carved his mark into my arm with a razor-sharp claw. The question was, why? What did I have that he wanted, other than the obvious? But if he wanted my Manitou, wouldn’t he just take it? And if he planned to take me to Popogusso to torture me as he’d threatened in the past, why waste time trying to butter me up?

I followed him to a table covered in a white cloth that was fluttering in the breeze. Multiple candles crowded the table, their flames flickering. Several platters of fruit and cheese covered the rest of the space. There were two chairs at either end, and Okeus pulled one out for me.

I reluctantly sat, grabbing the sides of my seat with my hands.

He took the chair opposite me, an amused smile on his face. “You look nervous, Ellie. I only wish to talk.”

“Why are you calling me Ellie?”

One of his dark eyebrows arched higher than the other. “Ellie is the name you prefer, correct? As opposed to Elinor?”

“Yes. But the others call me by my titles.”

“They use them as a sign of respect.”

I wanted to point out that I was sure it wasn’t, but I was more interested in getting some other answers from him. “Why are you dressed like that?” I asked, waving my hand toward him. “The last time I saw you, you were dressed more . . . ”

“Native?”

I nodded.

“I thought you’d be more comfortable if I looked more like you.”

I hated to admit it, but he had a point. In fact, his clothes, the table, his manners were all setting me at ease in spite of myself. “Why do you care if I’m comfortable?”

He laughed and passed a plate of sliced peaches toward me. I loved peaches, and the smell wafting toward me made my stomach grumble.

“Have a slice, Ellie.”

I knew enough about folk- and fairy tales to not to accept any food from him. Too many stories ended with people getting stuck places as a result of eating something they shouldn’t. “No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself.” He set the plate down in front of me, sighing in disappointment. “I suppose you want to know why you’re here.”

“Yes.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I’ve already told you that I realized I spoke in haste over a fortnight ago. And I would like to offer a proposition to you.”

“What kind of proposition?”

“Ahone took something from you, something you love. I would like to give it back.”

My breath stuck in my chest. “Daddy?”

His smile widened.

I was smart enough to know it wouldn’t come without a price. “What do you want in return?”

“Are you always this cynical, Ellie?”

I forced a grin. “You said we both had something the other wanted. What is it that you want?”

Something was off. I knew this was a dream, but everything felt a bit too perfect. The food was too beautiful. The temperature too comfortable.

The owl had warned me.
Some things are merely illusions. The beautiful becomes ugly when the scales of sleep fall from your eyes. The ugly becomes beautiful when you look for the truth.

I stood up. “I think I’m ready to go.”

Okeus stayed seated, and I saw irritation flicker across his face before it was replaced by his jovial demeanor. “But Ellie, you just got here. Sit. Please. We’ll discuss a business proposition.”

Business. “I can hear it just fine standing.”

His eyes narrowed. “I must insist, Ellie. I still haven’t shown you your surprise.”

I slowly sat down, keeping my eyes on him. I was ready to flee if necessary, even though there was nowhere for me to go.

“Would you like to have your father returned to you?”

“That’s impossible.” But was it? Hadn’t I spent the first days after his death stalking the hidden gate to Popogusso, hoping I could somehow get him back?

“See for yourself.”

A light glowed in the trees and a shadowy figure appeared in their midst.

My breath caught and my head was swamped with a cloud of confusion and disbelief. I stood and took a step toward the trees.

“Ahone was wrong to take him from you.”

I spun to face Okeus, finally finding my anger. I latched onto it like a life preserver. “You wanted to take him from me first.”

He stood and moved toward me, stopping several feet away.

I stiffened with fear, trying to catch my breath.

He lowered his voice until it sounded like a caress. “I was wrong, Ellie. I was wrong about so many things, and I’d like to make it up to you. Giving you back your father is the first step.”

“Your spirits kept telling me you were waiting for me.”

“I was, but not to do you harm. I had to wait until you were ready.”

“Ready for what? What determined that?”

“The mark Collin drew on your back had to be completely gone for you to make your choice. Ahone or me. You must choose.”

“Ahone has claimed me.”

He waved his hand as though swatting a gnat. “That means nothing.” He held his hand toward me with a soft smile. “I claim you. Now you have a choice.”

“Why would I choose you?”

His eyes lit up in amusement. “Why would you not? I’ve protected you, Ellie. Where was Ahone when Ukinim and Ilena attacked you? Where was Ahone when you were attacked by that man at the dock?”

“Mishiginebig saved me. Not you.”

“My children wish to please me. You know full well that he protected you on my behalf. Where was Ahone?”

I had to concede that Okeus had a point. Ahone had remained aloof, at least until a short bit ago. “Ahone saved me from the badgers tonight.”

Okeus’s smile quivered. “And that carries more weight than all the other times when he neglected to help you?”

I refused to admit the bitterness I felt about Ahone’s lack of assistance. “You say you want to protect me, but who will protect humanity from your children? At least Ahone leaves them to live in peace.”

“If you prefer Ahone, then why are you unprotected? Why don’t you have Ahone’s symbol?”

I didn’t answer, my eyes drawn to the figure in the trees.

“You don’t know what his mark is, do you? Ahone gave you permission to use it, but he neglected to give it to you.
Ellie
.” His voiced softened. “Does that sound like a god who wants to protect you?”

My pulse pounded in my head. He was right. Where had Ahone been? His messenger had told me I needed to complete my journey to receive it. But based on the way Ahone had been acting, he’d probably just disappear again and leave me to my fate after I got his mark tattooed on my body.

“Ellie, I’ve acquired a reputation of malevolence, but I assure you that it was acquired because I protect what is mine.”

I turned to look at him, suddenly unsure about everything.

His face softened and his voice was hushed. “I would like to make you mine.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’m offering you my protection. You’ve seen firsthand that not all of my creations follow my wishes. Some like Ukinim choose to go their own way. You’re here with me now because I’ve chosen to help you. Otherwise you’d already be dead.”

He made it all sound so reasonable. “What about Collin?”

“What about him?”

“He sold his soul to you. Isn’t that what you’re asking me to do? You want me to give you my soul for Daddy’s life?”

“You make it sound so dramatic. ‘
Sell your soul
.’ What does that even mean, Ellie? It simply means you would be committing yourself to me.”

It had to be more than that.

“You’re partially mine anyway, you know,” he said in a conspiratorial whisper.

My eyes widened.

“Your soul is bound to Collin’s.” He shifted closer to me. “You’ve wondered what it means . . . ” He paused. “It means you’re bound to Collin in all things.”

My heart sank. “So I have to spend eternity in Popogusso too.”

“It’s not so bad.”

I shot him a glare. “Then why were you in such a hurry to get out?”

Okeus laughed. “Why are you resisting, Ellie?”

Why
was
I resisting? Okeus had protected me while Ahone had abandoned me. If I was going to Popogusso anyway, why not get his protection? “What do you get out of it?”

“Why can’t I simply offer you my protection?”

“Collin said you offered him something and then you reneged. Who’s to say you won’t do the same with me? But more importantly, Collin agreed to open the gate to Popogusso and
free you
. You gave him quite the responsibility, and I suspect his reward was much less significant than what you’re offering me. What could I possibly have that you want enough to bring someone back from the dead?”

His eyes glittered with excitement. “You’re a smart girl. It only makes you more perfect.” He reached a hand toward me. “Come sit with me, Ellie.” He walked backward, his hand extended, beckoning me to follow.

I ignored his hand but moved toward him.

There was a light behind him, and I could see a canopy daybed with gauzy curtains blowing in the wind. Candle-filled lanterns hanging from poles as well as candles on the ground surrounded the bed, their flames flickering brightly.

“What is that?” My heartbeat sped up and fear crawled up my spine.

He ignored my question and sat down in the middle of the bed. “Do you realize how extraordinarily unique you are, Ellie?” He shrugged. “I’m not surprised if you don’t. I didn’t realize it until after I was released from Popogusso.” He crossed his legs and gave me a half shrug. “But you
are
correct. I was planning to destroy you until I considered your potential and realized you were too important to waste. Too perfect. Not only are you a pure soul, but you also have the power of a Curse Keeper.”