Goddess Page 15

  I rolled onto my back, sipping air. Justin lay unmoving. His open lids never batted. His chest didn’t rise or fall. “No.” I scurried over the wet grass and fell against him, shaking with tearless sobs. “No.”

  I’d saved him from drowning only to get his neck busted at the hands of my enemy.

  The Town Car’s trunk thunked shut and the car rolled away. Tom lifted Justin.

  “No! Don’t move him.” Panic spread through me. “Call an ambulance. Call my mom.” She’d know what to do. I dug in my pockets.

  Liam stilled my hands in his. “Shhh.” He swept tears off my frozen cheeks.

  Tom popped the Jeep door open and placed Justin behind the wheel.

  “What are you doing?” I scrambled after him. “What’s happening? You can’t move him.”

  Liam grappled me in a bear hug. “It’s okay, Callie. Breathe.”

  I busted free, creating a scene on the street, which luckily remained mostly empty. “How is this okay? Huh? Tell me how this is okay?” My best friend had died right in front of my face. Again! A pulse pounded in my head, the steady whooshing noise of heartache and shame.

  “He’ll be back.” Liam’s voice was barely audible.

  Tom stopped beside us, outside Justin’s Jeep. “You want me to stay, boss?”

  I ignored him, shoving Liam instead. “What did you just say?”

  “He will rise.”

  He will rise.

  I collapsed. Emotions jockeyed for position in my spinning head and aching heart. Selfish relief washed over me. A sudden blessed realization rocked into me. “This is what you were hiding from me.”

  “Yes.”

  Worry buzzed through my heart. “What if you’re wrong? What about the last time? He’s died before. He didn’t change then.”

  Liam lowered himself gracefully beside me. “He didn’t die last time. You revived him when you pulled him from the river. I didn’t tell you sooner because I just found out, and we haven’t had time to talk. When Oliver and I visited the Fates last week, they told us about him. They were right to steer us toward him last month. They didn’t tell us about you, but they also didn’t lie about him. I know this is hard for you, bringing him into this life, but remember what you told me when I grieved your entrance into my world. This was destined to be his life whether or not you’d ever met. He’s lucky to have you to guide him in the transition. You can be together forever now, the way it was meant to be.”

  I lunged to my feet and grabbed the key wedged in Justin’s visor. “You should’ve told me. You promised no more secrets. This is the kind of thing you make time to share. I don’t care how busy you think we are.” I climbed into the back of his Jeep. “Let’s get inside with him.”

  Liam followed.

  My knees bounced and my hands played a rhythm on my thighs. “Should we turn on the heater? How long until he comes around? Will he know he died, or do we have to tell him? Will he remember the memories you took?”

  “It could take ten minutes or a few hours.”

  Then Liam and I had time to fight. “Why didn’t you tell me about him?”

  “You wouldn’t have willingly let him die.”

  “That’s irrelevant.” The timing of the fight rushed through my mind. Help was only an alley away, but they hadn’t come. “You took your time helping us because you were waiting for him to die?” I pressed my lips together before a slew of awful things came out.

  “We had no other choice. We need him, and this is his legacy.”

  “You lied to me. Kept secrets from me.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve never lied to you.”

  An awful sensation crept over my skin. “You’re lying now!”

  He adjusted Justin’s head on the rest. “I have never lied to you.” His eyes flashed green.

  “Oh, no you don’t. You don’t get to be mad at me right now.” My mind raced. The creeping feeling itched and clawed at me. His emotions were everywhere. Guilt. Shame. Rage. Frustration. What would cause that? Instinct changed my mind. I was wrong. He didn’t lie. It was something else. Something worse. “Did you use your influence on me? Besides making me fall asleep when I really needed it.”

  Justin twitched in the front seat.

  Liam took my hand. “When you came to Hale Manor the other night and were surprised to see I was home, you picked up on my guilt. You asked why I hadn’t called you to let you know I was back. I suggested any guilt you sensed was strictly because I hadn’t called. It wasn’t. I hadn’t called because I needed time to talk with Mason about how to handle the news about Justin. You arrived before we could finish the discussion. The guilt was for not telling you right then what I knew.”

  I opened my mouth, but words didn’t come out. My brain scrambled all the things I wanted to say into one word. “Dick.”

  “I wanted to tell you when we could talk it through, but there hasn’t been time. It’s as if we’re continually under attack. We haven’t had a chance to speak privately in days. Please understand, this was too important to hash out over texts or rush through before questioning a traitor. An epic shit storm is circling, and I’m trying to shield you as much as possible, but I am only one man.” His voice turned gravelly with emotion. Somehow, he maintained his human form. “We had no idea he’d die so soon. When we saw the giants approach you today, we decided to monitor the situation. You weren’t abandoned. I swear.”

  “Which means you assumed we’d lose. You knew he’d die because I couldn’t protect him.”

  “We knew you’d live. You’re an expert at defense. We figured he’d get himself killed trying to save you.”

  “I don’t need saving.” Lies. I did need saving—from myself. If I’d been killed, it would’ve been my fault. Only mine. I hadn’t taken my new life seriously. I’d thought I had time. I’d thought I had forever. Even after Zeus warned me, I did nothing to prepare.

  My reality was too surreal to process. What I needed was a pillow to scream into before my head exploded.

  Liam cocked his head. “So, to clarify…you’re angry because we didn’t save you when you didn’t need saved?”

  “I’m angry because you’re supposed to be my partner in this and you kept vital information from me.”

  “I told you why.” His eyes flared green again. “I was waiting for a chance to discuss it with you properly. I can’t help the colossal amount of chaos that’s swarming us.”

  “You dodged my other question,” I accused. “Have you ever used your influence on me? Not to help me rest, but for something else I don’t know about.”

  “No more than you influence me.”

  I rolled my eyes and twisted in my seat. “Apparently I don’t or you’d have been straight with me.”

  “Apparently you do, or I’d kill Justin again on his first immortal breath for kissing you the way he did.”

  Shame and fear wound in my gut. I covered my mouth. “That wasn’t what you think. Nym’s doing something to him. He’s been erratic all week. That kiss was another out-of-character outburst. It wasn’t him. He wouldn’t have done that.”

  He turned ancient eyes toward Justin. “I believe you’re wrong, but once we’ve welcomed Justin to his destiny, you and I will go somewhere alone and talk.”

  I shuddered. Something to look forward to, then.

  Chapter 13

  Justin gasped. He opened his eyes and grabbed his throat.

  My heart hammered as he gulped air. I scooted to the edge of my seat, longing to help, but afraid to touch. “What do we do?”

  Liam angled his face between the front seats. “Justin?”

  I tugged him back. “Wait. Do we just tell him? Maybe I should do it.”

  Patience mingled with sadness in Liam’s eyes. “This is nothing like what happened to you. The physical alterations for a Viking are painful. Hearing the truth is just as difficult, too. They oftentimes lose control as they deal with what’s happening. The process will
be harder for Justin. His stolen memories are returning.”

  I shoved that aside before I panicked. “He’s confused, but he won’t hurt me.”

  “Not intentionally. Maybe not at all, but that’s never a chance I’ll take. It’d kill the lot of us if I let that happen.”

  I ached to smack him. “You just watched while a giant strangled me.”

  Liam’s eyes flashed green. The muscle in his jaw ticked. “And the bruises on Tom weren’t all delivered by a giant.”

  Images of the marks on Tom’s face and arms came to mind. “You hurt him?”

  “Not intentionally. He restrained me, at my request, so the scene could play out with Justin and the Jotunn. It went against my every instinct to see you harmed and do nothing.”

  I squeezed his hand on the seat between us, absorbing the hurt twisting around him. “I get it.”

  He inhaled. “You have a deep personal connection. I understand why you’d want to talk with him first, but he won’t be himself right away. Trust me. I’ve had this conversation more times than you can imagine.” He raised a palm to stop further protest. “You’ll have forever to talk after. Let me do my part, and we’ll invite him back to the manor to discuss details.”

  Alarm shot through me. “He’s back.”

  Justin sat poker straight, scanning the field where he died. “What happened?”

  I rubbed both hands against my thighs to anchor myself. His emotions spun like a tornado in my chest. “We need to talk with you.”

  “Callie!” Justin looked from me to the field of ghosts haunting his final human memory.

  Liam’s shoulders drooped. “Yes. Justin, something has happened.”

  Justin twisted to glare at us. “What are you two doing in my backseat? The Town Car has more room.”

  The exasperation in his tone sent fire through my middle. “We’re here to explain some things to you.”

  He waved me off and started the Jeep. “We’re good. You explained everything I need to know without saying a word.”

  Liam groaned.

  Justin caught my attention in the rearview mirror. “Look. I don’t know why you’re back there, and I don’t care. Liam, if you don’t mind, you can soundly kick my ass later. My head is throbbing. My skin’s on fire, and I’ve lost time again. Something’s wrong with me. I need to go home.”

  Liam put his hand on Justin’s shoulder. “We can talk about the ass kicking later. Would you mind driving us to my place before you go home? You’re welcome to rest there while we explain.”

  Justin rubbed his forehead. “Man, I don’t want to talk right now. My head’s ready to explode.” He gripped his face in both hands.

  I shouldered my way between the seats, pressing Liam back. “Listen, something’s happening to you. You weren’t taken by aliens or the Japanese Mafia last month. I know what happened and I can explain.”

  Liam made a crazy face. “What?”

  I sighed. “He and Allison talked. They feel like something’s not right about the night they were hurt. They thought it was a conspiracy and were trying to figure out what really happened.”

  “And they went with aliens or Japanese Mafia?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That might help. The truth’s not any crazier.” Liam gripped my hand in his. “We’ll do this your way. You talk. I’ll listen.” He slid out of my way.

  “Shit!” Justin leaned forward, looking at the rearview from an inch away. He pulled his bottom eyelid low with his fingertips. “Can you see that? Holy shit. My eyes are glowing.”

  I patted his shoulder. “Yes. We see it.”

  He twisted in his seat. Anxiety filled the Jeep. “Your eyes changed too.”

  “Uh-huh.” Heat climbed my neck. “Hazel.”

  “And your hair. Your new look.” He scrutinized me. “Who are you?”

  “Can you open my window? I’m getting sick.”

  Liam popped his door wide.

  I leaned across him and inhaled the sting of winter air. “Sorry. You’re all upset and I’m upset and there’s too much emotion trapped in here. Gah.” I swallowed hard. “I might puke.” I lifted a finger as my tummy roiled.

  Liam pulled me across his lap and onto the seat beside him. “This isn’t going as planned.” He took his job back. “Justin, you died half an hour ago in that field. You were protecting Callie. Do you remember?”

  Justin turned to stare at the field. “No. Everything’s muddy, like when I got hurt. I think I have a concussion.”

  Liam inhaled audibly. “Remember.”

  I vomited on the curb outside the Jeep.

  Justin jumped out and walked in a tiny circle, pointing a long arm at us. “We were on the dam last month.” He crouched beside me. “You pulled me out of the water when they dropped me.”

  Liam climbed over me on the seat and met Justin on the sidewalk. “That’s right. Can you remember what happened to you today?”

  He looked at me.

  Liam looked at me. “Not that. The other thing.”

  Justin faced off with Liam. “Some guy grabbed her. He was choking her to death.”

  “She’s fine.”

  “She needs a doctor.” Justin took a step in my direction.

  Liam blocked his path.

  “At least give her some water. There’re a couple bottles in my cooler.”

  Liam fished a bottle of water from a cooler in Justin’s hatch and handed me an unopened, prepasted travel toothbrush from Justin’s gear. I’d only seen him use them to wrangle beer breath after parties, but he claimed they were for camping. “Callie’s fine. She’s Calypso, daughter of the goddess Calypso and Hermes, the messenger god of Zeus. She is a goddess. Immortal. Like you.”

  A laugh died on Justin’s lips.

  I wiped my mouth against the back of my sleeve and dropped the used toothbrush on the floor. “You died saving me today.”

  Confusion and clarity encircled him. “But you’re immortal. So I died accomplishing nothing?”

  “You died a hero.”

  The dizzying circle of emotion threatened a replay of me barfing.

  “I’m dead?” Justin leaned on his driver’s seat. “Where did I go?”

  Liam’s compassion knocked me back a step. Despite his fear I truly belonged with Justin, his only concern at the moment was getting Justin through the transition. His voice became a beacon drawing both my attention and Justin’s. “You’re still here. You’re not a ghost. You’re immortal. A carrier of our bloodline. A son of Bia, Kratos, or Zelus. You are my brother.”

  Justin rounded the hood to his passenger door and got in.

  I climbed into the driver’s seat and he passed me the key.

  Liam stood in the grass. “You shouldn’t drive either, Callie. You’re sick.”

  Justin shook his head. “No one drives my Jeep but me.”

  Liam tented his eyebrows and shut my door. He climbed in back. “And Callie, apparently.”

  “Sometimes Callie.” Justin stared at me. “What are we?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m a goddess. You’re from a lineage of demigods. Anyone in your family tree with Viking blood could’ve been reborn at their time of death. It’s not exact.” I laughed. “It’s basically random, and it’s you.”

  The road through town was slick from erratic temperature changes and constant wind. I never reached the speed limit, but my heart raced at double its usual speed. “Let’s go to Hale Manor. We can talk in the battle room.”

  Justin scoffed. “Take me home.” He stretched and bent his legs, rubbing them between his hands. He looked into the rearview mirror. “What the hell do you have a battle room for? You know what? Don’t tell me. My brain is going nuclear.”

  I changed direction, heading for the Maze farm.

  Liam leaned forward, poking his head between the seats. “We practice combat and defense. Those bruises you saw on Callie were from training.”

  Justin twist
ed in his seat. “Combat practice?”

  I nodded. “Liam wouldn’t hurt me.”

  Justin glared at Liam, eyes glowing. “I wanted to beat your ass for that. I almost waited for you after school the day I saw those bruises. I would have if I didn’t think she’d cut me out of her life for not believing her.”

  Liam scoffed. “But you didn’t believe her.”

  “That’s right.”

  Liam shoved Justin’s face with his palm and Justin rocked forward. “I would sooner kill myself than harm her. Do you understand?”

  Justin righted himself. Seething anger rolled off him in tidal waves. He struck Liam and my ears rang with the resulting smack.

  I craned my neck for a better look in the rearview.

  Liam gripped Justin’s fist in one palm. Small cracking sounds peppered the silence. “Your emotions are heightened. So are your reflexes, speed, and strength. You’ll heal well, too.” He released Justin’s hand. “Unless you try to hit me again.”

  Justin cradled his hand and grunted. “You mugged me.”

  “You accused me of beating my girlfriend. What kind of monster do you think I am?”

  I honked the horn a half dozen times. “Stop! I know it’s a lot to take in, but you can talk to me and the Mahonings about anything and the Hales can answer any questions we can’t. I still have a lot to learn about our history. Mine’s a little different than yours.” I waved a hand, mentally erasing the final thought. No need to completely overwhelm him.

  “The Mahonings are in on this too?”

  I checked the rearview. “Tom follows me everywhere. He and his brothers are my detail.” Another round of sickness crept over me. “Eli was too, but he’s missing.” Maybe dead.

  Justin made a breathy noise. “Did they give you a detail because you’re a girl?”

  Liam laughed.

  I glared at them one at a time, taking a break in between to watch the road.

  Liam leaned forward. “She’s our leader. We came here seeking the one who would fulfill the prophecy to unite all Vikings. We thought you were the one. We followed you for weeks, but it was Callie all along.”

  Justin turned his attention on me. “Did you die, too, or did you lie to me all our life? Were you always a goddess? Do your parents know?” He lifted both palms and dropped them. “Calypso. Your real name. Your Halloween costume.”