Goddess Page 9
“Whoa.” Mom slid around the hood of the Bronco, clutching her coat to her chest. “Slick.”
I held her upright. “They always salt the residential roads last.” Stupid because people lived on residential roads. How could anyone get to the main roads if the ones outside their garages were skating rinks?
“At least it’s no colder out here than it was in the truck.”
I snorted. “Justin’s family’s right behind us. He texted when they left. Do you want to wait and walk in with them?”
“I have to keep moving.” Mom clamped fuzzy mittens around my arm and clung on tight as we crossed the street to our old home. “I don’t know how you’re not falling over. Your heels are just as high as mine.”
A wrecking ball couldn’t disrupt my balance, but that was another secret. “You wear those nurse shoes ten hours a day. Your feet are confused.”
We stopped on the flagstone path out front. Mom’s grip tightened. “This is weird, right?”
I scrutinized the wide wraparound porch where ghosts of happiness tricycled past. “Attending the memorial of a stranger at the home we abandoned after Dad had sex with her last year?”
Mom’s tiny snort was cuter than mine. “I thought so.”
She tugged the hem of her coat and raised a mitten between us. “No talking about the divorce or calling her the woman he had sex with.” She flicked her wrist. “No talking about her at all. If anyone asks, tell the truth. You didn’t know her. That’ll lower your risk of making gossip.” Another wrist flick. “Only say positive things about our new life.”
“Are you ticking off fingers in there?” I poked her mitten.
“Yes. It’s not too late to leave.” She shot a longing look at the Bronco. “I agreed to be here for him, but I had no idea there’d be so many people. I imagined him spreading his crackers with tofu and tears. This looks like a party.”
“If we don’t go, it’ll look like sour grapes.”
“He cheated on me.” Her voice hitched an octave. “With her.” She pointed one mitten at the house.
I pushed her arm down and smiled. “Which makes him a selfish jerk-face, but you’re bigger than that.
Mom rolled her eyes. “Keep going.”
“He was rotten to call and ask you to comfort him, but he doesn’t care because he needs you. You agreed because you’re a good person who puts others first.”
A tear rolled over Mom’s frozen pink cheek. “Do you know I love you?”
“Duh.”
She sniffled. “I’m really proud of you, Callie.”
“Thanks.” I locked my arm around hers and squeezed.
Tension zinged off her in painful arrows. “I have to tell you something.”
“Now?”
She nodded.
Whatever was on her mind pierced the frigid air and stole my breath. The silence stretched out between us until it scared me. “Mom?”
“I should’ve said all this years ago, but I figured we had time. After your dad’s accident, I realize no one is guaranteed time.” She stood taller. “When your biological mom left you behind, I did the wrong thing. I should’ve turned you over to family services. There are protocols in place for abandoned babies, and I knew it, but I couldn’t let you go. I told myself your mom would be back, so I lived every day with you at the center of my world because I expected her to show up and take you at any minute. Every second had to count.” Another tear fell over her cheek, then a dozen more. “Here’s the thing. I’ve never regretted a single second of my selfish decision. I’ve loved every sweltering minute of your all-day swim meets and peddling Girl Scout cookies, field trips, and….” Her voice crumbled to bits. “I’ve loved being your mom.”
I hugged her. How had I missed the fact she was hurting this much? “You did the right thing by keeping me. You weren’t selfish. You’re an amazing mom.”
She stepped back, blotting her face with one mitten. “Thank you for saying that, but I was selfish. I still am. If I had it to do over, I’d keep you again.” She firmed up her game face. “We’re all selfish sometimes. Right now I feel completely crazy.”
I hugged her again.
She nodded at something I couldn’t hear. “Okay, now, let’s do this stupid thing.”
I followed her to the front door. She raised a fist. “Do we knock?”
“Absolutely not.” I turned the knob and walked inside. Mom closed her eyes and made the sign of the cross before joining me.
People filled every inch of the downstairs. Waiters in black dress pants and white shirts carried trays through the crowd. A buffet lined the wall where Mom’s china cabinet had once stood.
“Is that a harp?” Mom swiped a glass flute from a passing waiter’s tray and downed it.
I stared. “Champagne? Is that normal for a memorial?”
She swallowed hard. “We had a harp at our wedding.”
“Aw. Man.” I grabbed her another flute.
Footfalls pounded across the front porch behind us. Justin’s family hustled through the door, shivering.
“Come on in.” I motioned toward the party. Mr. Maze shut the door behind them.
Mrs. Maze helped Mom out of her coat and grabbed her another champagne flute.
I tipped my head at Mom. “She just had two in two minutes.”
Mrs. Maze nodded. “That’s a good start.” She steered Mom toward the open bar.
Justin fidgeted from foot to foot. “Should we take our coats off?”
“I have no idea. Maybe.”
He helped me out of my coat and slid his arms free from a long wool number I’d never seen him in before.
“Wow.” There was a sharp black suit under the coat.
He grinned. “Thanks. I think I saw Tom at the side of the house when I came in. Is he having a smoke?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see him.”
“What are you looking at?”
My ticket to hell, it seemed. “I was admiring you in this suit.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself. I’m getting used to the blond streaks, but they look white in this light.” He lifted my hair in his fingers and his cologne tickled my senses. “You want to go up to your room?”
My expression must’ve reflected the panic his offer summoned.
A pageant-worthy grin split his face ear to ear and his damn dimple sank in.
“I meant to get away from this, not to do anything else. Our moms are clearing out the bar. We’re going to be here a while.”
“I have to find Dad and let him know we’re here. Can you see him from up there?”
“Rough being a shorty.” He turned slowly, attention on the crowd. “He’s near the fireplace surrounded by his friends. I remember some of those guys. Looks like he’s telling a story. Man, his face looks bad. I bet he broke his cheekbone.”
“The doctor said nothing was broken in his face.”
Justin’s voice deepened. “Where’s Liam? Shouldn’t he be here for you?”
“He had a family commitment. He said he’d try to come later.” I took a step back. “What’s wrong?” Was he mad? Had something happened? I glanced at unfamiliar faces, hoping no one heard his snappy tone or felt his sudden, icy rebuttal. What had I missed?
“I’m fine. Do you want something from the buffet?”
“No thanks. Are you sure you’re okay?”
He looked confused. “It’s happening again.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Like at lunch the other day. I feel…mean.”
Someone was influencing him? I spun in a circle, shamefully expecting Liam to be hidden in the crowd.
Justin dropped his hand and his jaw. “Isn’t that the new girl?”
Nym appeared at the base of the staircase and headed straight for us. Maybe her silent venom was affecting him somehow. Her wide retro curls and ruby-red lips were sexy as hell, paired with the black satin pinup dress. Suddenly, my cotton skater dress and textured tights see
med frumpy instead of occasion-appropriate. Which they were.
She stopped two feet away and leaned in to air kiss my cheek. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“I didn’t know her.”
She turned to Justin. “It’s so sweet of you to be here for your friend.”
A bubble of anticipation lifted off him. “Our families are close.”
“Where’s your boyfriend?” She nearly sang the words.
“Out of town.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sounds like an excuse. I’m sensing trouble in paradise.” A dollop of pleasure turned her lips into an unnatural smile.
I ached to throw her into the buffet.
Justin cleared his throat. “Those are our moms.” He pointed to the corner where they’d holed up with a bottle from the bar and a tray of chocolate strawberries. “You can probably guess who is who.”
“You look like your moms.” Nym shot a pointed look in my direction.
“Thanks.” The bite in my tone came out more petty than poison.
She touched Justin’s tie. “We’re looking for a place to board my horse. I did a little research and it sounds like the Maze Stables is the best around.”
He perked up. “You ride?”
“Since before I could walk.”
I fluttered my lips together. “I don’t see how that’s possible.”
She ignored me. “Her name is Lady and she’s a Friesian.”
Justin cocked a hip and locked hands over his narrow waist. “I’d love to see her. We don’t get Friesians around here. Mostly Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, sometimes a Shetland.”
“You’d love her. She’s spectacular. Strong and agile. Did you know Friesians are an ancient breed? They were warhorses who carried warriors into battle.”
The breathy voice was huge overkill. He’d see through her in five seconds.
“I can’t wait to meet her.” He winked. Winked. “When can you bring Lady over?”
Nym looked my way again, holding my gaze for a long, uncomfortable moment. Satisfaction curved her grinchy face. “How about now? We’ll be back before your parents notice you’re gone.”
I stifled a protest. She was right. Our moms would work on the champagne and pile of strawberries all night. His dad would find someone to talk football with and settle in for the long haul.
The door opened and shut with a snap. A gust of wind flipped my skirt around my thighs. Justin and Nym were gone. Not even a good-bye. Either she made him leave or he’d gotten a lobotomy.
I watched through the window in disbelief as they walked down the street to a black pickup. She had to be the first person at the party to get a spot that close. A big Cowgirl Up sticker decorated her cab window.
“Yeah, right,” I muttered.
A black Town Car pulled away from the curb two blocks down and followed Nym’s truck.
Emotion pooled turbulently in my gut, circling like a funnel cloud of explosives ready to blast me into space. My skin snapped and buzzed, aching to swim across an ocean or slap the sass off Nym’s face. Images of my sword came to mind, and I prayed it wouldn’t show up in my hand like Thor’s hammer. Wielding a weapon at a funeral was enough to land me on the news. I checked out the window, ridiculously, to be sure the sword wasn’t flying my way. How did the Vikings live like this?
I texted Liam. “Where are you?” He’d claimed Mason needed him at the manor. The guest rooms were filling fast and Mason was losing his cool. Hosting a party that size was taxing. Not to mention, the men battled for entertainment, destroying the rooms faster than the Hales could repair them. I’d hoped he might make some effort to come with me to the memorial. Instead, it seemed all his efforts lately were to avoid me.
A flash of amber from my eyes reflected off the phone’s screen. Yikes. I needed to calm down. Two full glasses of champagne sat on the windowsill. I angled toward them, using my body as a shield, and lifted the first one to my lips. The bubbles surprised me, popping on my tongue and stinging my nose. I had another sip and checked for an adult on alcohol patrol. I set the empty flute aside and sipped the second, feeling calmer every second.
Mom wouldn’t notice champagne on my breath. I’d smell just like her. Except she had strawberries. I glanced at the buffet, suddenly ravenous. I sucked down the second flute and let the warmth of alcohol ease my muscles. Not bad. I turned my back to the windowsill and stretched my hand behind me to discard the second flute. Something was in the way. I peeked, hoping not to knock the first glass over. The first flute was gone. In its place sat a plate of appetizers fogging the window.
Oh crap. Could I make things appear? Would everything I wanted pop into my reach like the sword? That could be really bad for Nym. My temper was quick enough before I got souped up by an immortal bloodline.
An old man approached the window and retrieved the plate.
I exhaled. Thank Zeus. I wasn’t losing my mind or becoming a magician. Nym would live another day.
The man extended his plate in my direction. “All your favorites. Stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes, mozzarella bites, and fruits on sticks.” His steel-gray suit and narrow white tie coordinated well with his long white beard and hair.
Did Dad know Colonel Sanders?
When I didn’t accept his food, the man set it aside and puckered his face in a pompous, assessing way. “You’re not much up close, are you?”
I widened my stance and squared my shoulders. “Excuse me?” I tented defiant brows in my best pedophiles-and-creepers-need-not-apply move. With the amount of adrenaline in my veins, part of me worried for his safety. Two flutes of champagne could only do so much.
He circled me like a predator. “It wasn’t an insult.”
I turned with him, keeping him in my sights. “It was an insult.”
“We’re off on the wrong foot.” He stopped and offered me his hand. “Your appearance is a great asset to you. In more ways than you can imagine at your age. You’re unsuspecting. Natural beauties are rare, especially those with heart. It wasn’t an insult.”
I accepted his hand so he’d put it down. A bolt of lightning charged through me at his touch. A thousand memories of the man overtook me. Picnics. Flowers. Gardens. Oceans. I looked different every time. Different ages. Different faces. I sucked air and stumbled against the wall. “Zeus.”
“Hello, granddaughter. Welcome back.”
“Shit.” I huffed for air and rubbed my stinging hand roughly against my side.
“Indeed.”
“Why are you here?” I turned, aligning my shoulder with his side, hoping to look inconspicuous while speaking to a mythological Greek god in my foyer.
“I’m ready to collect on my promise.”
“What?”
“I’ve had enough of Gaia’s nonsense, and I’ve challenged her to a battle. The men of her choosing against mine. I choose Vikings.”
I exhaled long and slow. This was it. “Her men against mine?”
“No.” He bristled. “Her men against mine.”
Right. Power struggle already in progress. “Your men. Got it.”
I fought the bombarding urges. I ached to flee and call my sword or scream. “We’ll be ready soon. I’m looking into something.” I still had no idea why my men were leaving one by one.
“Be swift about it. Her men are here. The little sneak sent them behind me. They arrived on my heels last week and they’re messing with the weather. It’s a clear violation of the rules, but she’s an everlasting thorn in my side and she cheats. All the more reason to kick her giants’ asses.”
So many questions.
“You said the other team is already here?”
Zeus shoved a crab cake between his bearded lips and nodded. “Teams are for sports. This is a battle. The seafood is divine.”
Nausea rocked my stomach. “But I’m not ready. I’m losing men. They won’t follow me into battle if I can’t even convince them to stay at the house.”
“I don’t know what that means. I only know I’m not ready.”
He fingered the other options on his plate. “Then, know I’m not wrong.”
“What if we lose?” Time rewinds. I die. Allison dies. Justin dies. The Vikings fall to Stians. Stians conquer Earth.
Zeus gathered his bushy white brows together and sharpened the edge of his voice. “Do not lose.”
Something else caught up with me. I willed the alcohol to stay put. “You said her men are giants? Does that mean they’re bigger than the Vikings?” Some of my men were seven feet tall and they were all carved from pure muscle. How could bigger be possible?
“Giants, Calypso. They are Jotunn. Frost giants. Have you learned nothing since your rebirth? Surely you noticed the blasted weather.”
I pounded my chest, certain my heart stopped beating. I moved in a small circle, careful not to die. “We’re to battle frost giants and win or everyone I love dies and the human world crumbles under Stian rule.”
He smiled proudly. “Now you’ve got it. Don’t forget the humiliation I’d suffer after a loss to Gaia.”
My knees wobbled. Zeus caught me around the middle, vibrating with irritation. “Meet with your partner and set a plan. Gather my men and make your move first. The giants won’t suspect I’ve tipped you off to their early arrival. I’m known for my honesty and adherence to rules.”
I raised my silent phone. No response from Liam after my text.
Justin had left with Nym.
Allison had no idea what was happening.
My eyes burned with unshed tears. “I can’t fight giants and win.” My traitorous voice quivered on every word.
A low oath bit the air beside me and Zeus was gone.
Chapter 8
I drove Mom home and tucked her into bed. Hard to imagine how, but after all he’d done, she still loved Dad. She was a better person than me.