I used to tell her the same thing. “Hardy har har!”
She bumped me with her shoulder, and this time, I pushed back. We exchanged grins. Adjusting to life after Hel hadn’t been easy. The constant worry that my grandmother’s and mother’s premonitions might come true or that I could slip up and reveal something about my stay in Hel had kept me on edge. Then there was something the Ironwood Maiden had said. Someone had marked me. What did that mean? But at the top of the list was the thought of Eirik popping in unannounced and turning my world upside down. I still had no idea whether he or his grandmother had bitten me first. At least I’d never see him or the psycho dragon again.
“Sorry I’m late, guys,” a stocky guy in a varsity jacket said. He spared Hayden a brief glance before locking his green eyes on me. “Hey, Celestia, you look… amazing.”
Wes made it. Damn. Now I have to kill my cousin.
“Thanks, Wes. You don’t look bad either.”
He flashed a shy smile, liking my compliment.
Wes Lyons was a jock that didn’t fit the mold. He was nice, sweet, and nerdy. He also had a serious crush on me, something my annoying cousin knew but never encouraged, until now. I must have hit an all-time low for Zack to hook me up with him.
My cousin had made it clear to all his friends that I was off-limits, and Wes had listened and kept his distance. Lately, however, he had gotten bolder, which was kind of sexy. I just wasn’t feeling him. Not the way I’d felt…
Damn it! No Helboy comparisons. Tonight, I would give Wes a chance.
“What are you guys doing over here instead of inside?” he asked, his eyes not leaving my face.
“Waiting for Zack,” I said. “He went to get me a ticket.”
“I bought an extra ticket for you.” He dug into the pocket of his jacket and whipped out two tickets, a broad grin on his face. He was really cute. Okay, Celestia, forget the fact that he doesn’t set your pulse racing and enjoy yourself tonight.
I touched his arm and gave him my most sexy smile. Yeah, I’d been practicing for Eirik. Damn, he crept in again. Focus, damn it.
“Thanks, Wes. I’m happy you’re coming with us tonight.”
“Me too. I had to help my parents with something. That’s why I’m late. I texted Zack.” He helped his parents, too. He was really adorable. Wait, was that a hint he wanted my phone number?
“It’s okay. Here, let me give you my cell number.” I pulled out my phone and we exchanged numbers. I pasted on my practiced sexy smile again when he took my picture, causing him to laugh.
“Let’s go, you two lovebirds,” Hayden said.
I looked up and froze. My cousin was walking toward us, but he wasn’t the reason my stomach dropped and my heart started to pound. I’d been dreading this day. The day I’d come face-to-face with Grimnirs.
Two stood by the entrance of Red Barn, studying clubbers entering the building. They were definitely looking for someone. Me? Hayden reached Zack and slipped into his arms, their lips locking. Those two weren’t going anywhere. Should I fake illness and ask Wes to take me home?
“Are you okay?” he asked, sounding worried.
No, I wasn’t okay. I probably looked like I’d seen a ghost. Well, this girl wasn’t hightailing it out of here. I refused to let Grimnirs force me into hiding. This was my town, not theirs.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I wrapped an arm around Wes, surprising him. “Let’s go. I’m excited. They say S2P will be playing new songs tonight.”
Wes grinned and said something I didn’t catch. Zack did a double take when he came up for air and saw us. I ignored him. He’d set me up with Wes. Let him deal with the consequences.
Maybe the Grimnirs wouldn’t recognize me. There were thousands of them in Hel, and I didn’t get to meet all of them, just like they didn’t get to see me often. One turned and looked straight at me, and my stomach hollowed out. I was wrong. I knew him, and from the way his eyes narrowed and stayed locked on me, he remembered me too. He had a weird name. Something to do with sound.
Wave?
No, Echo.
He was ridiculously handsome like most Grimnirs, but something about his eyes said he was not someone to be trifled with. I’d never gotten that vibe from Rhys. As we got closer, Echo tapped his friend on the arm and the black dude with dreadlocks turned.
Damn. I recognize that one, too.
Four months ago, Dreadlocks had chatted with Echo outside Grimnirs Hall. Since then, he’d grown a nice moustache and a beard. Looked nice on him. When I got closer to them, I noticed the jagged scar across his right eyebrow. It only added to the dark aura of controlled menace Dreadlocks exuded.
He smiled, and I was surprised at how his features softened. I didn’t return his smile. I had my orders. Forget my stay in Hel. Too bad if they recognized me. I ignored them as Wes handed the bouncer our tickets. He waved us in, and we got our hands stamped. I could feel the Girmnirs’ eyes drilling holes in my back. I clung to Wes’ hand.
The crowd tonight was larger than usual. Windfall was the second largest city on the northeast shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Red Barn was the nightclub for most teens, even though we had two other clubs in town. The place had a stage with perfect lighting for bands, a dance floor, and seating areas downstairs and upstairs. It was a favorite venue for the local dance and gymnastic schools.
We weaved our way past giggling girls and their pretending-to-be-cool boyfriends. Zack high-fived some and pointed and nodded at the others, until we reached our table. Winning the state championships and MVP had made my cousin even more popular around town.
Zack’s friends and their cheerleader girlfriends were already seated. The table was to the right of the stage and perfectly set for watching performers without dancers blocking us. Three seats awaited us, and since no one had thought about poor Wes, I let him take my seat and sat on his lap, which earned me a scowl from Zack.
Yeah, deal with it.
“We’ll get you guys drinks,” Zack said and looked pointedly at Wes.
“We just sat, Zack,” I griped. I knew what he was doing. If Wes left with him, I couldn’t sit on his lap.
“Dude,” he said, ignoring me. He didn’t have to say, “Get up.”
Wes lifted me off his lap and stood. Zack clamped a hand on his shoulder and nudged him toward the bar.
“So you and Wes are knocking booties now, Pint?” Alejandro asked.
Shocked silence filled the table. Even Hayden stayed quiet. She wasn’t used to Alejandro and his bluntness. I was. Alejandro Sanches and Zack had been buddies since elementary school. He used to attend Windfall High until last summer when his parents moved to New Orleans. He might be visiting his grandparents, who were prominent Witches of Windfall.
“None of your business, Giant,” I retorted.
“Nice comeback. I expected a kick on the shin.”
“You might still get it,” I retorted. I searched for Echo and Dreadlocks among the faces in the club, but I couldn’t see them. They must not have come inside.
“Pint?” Hayden asked, and my attention returned to our group.
Alejandro smirked. “Celestia’s nickname. She’s puny.”
“Yet I can still kick your ass.” He grinned, showing a chipped tooth. He knew what I meant. Magic. Alejandro had embraced his family’s gift much more easily than Zack had. “Incoming.” I punched his arm. “Too slow. Told you.”
“I don’t have to be fast. I just need to knock people down. I leave chasing animal skin to your cousin and Liam.” He bumped fists with Ken Laroche. Alejandro and Ken used to be on the wrestling team while Liam and Zack played football.
This was the first time Alejandro was meeting Hayden. So while he charmed her, I searched for the reapers. I couldn’t see or feel them. Techno music thrummed in the air and some people were already dancing. The stage was empty, but soon the four members of S2P would take to the stage and pull more people to the dance floor.
Zack and Wes were on their way back when the two Gri
mnirs entered the club. They approached a table to our right, and for one brief moment, Dreadlocks blurred. When he cleared, his hand was in his pocket. An onlooker could have blamed what happened on a trick of light, but I knew better. I’d seen Eirik pull that move. He’d be by his bed one second and the next by my side. Dreadlocks had used runes to go into hyper-speed, and possibly runed the occupants of the table.
The table cleared, confirming my suspicions, and the Grimnirs took two of the vacated seats. Damn. Rude much. Instead of taking seats across from each other, they sat side by side like a couple. Maybe they were gay. They didn’t order drinks. Instead, they sat with their backs to the stage and slouched with bored expressions.
No, there was nothing lover-like about them.
As though they realized I was watching them, they looked at me. I didn’t like the expressions on their faces. Was Eirik with them? I searched the faces of the people at the entrance, my heart tripping and starting to pound. I realized what I was doing, and mentally slapped myself. Stupid heart. It had no business hopping with excitement at the thought of seeing that man.
Eirik was in my past. He was probably leading a charmed life, playing the part meant for him as the perfect son of a god and a goddess, the future leader of the deities, dragon shifter—feared and revered. Chances were he’d also found his sister and reunited his family. With his sister in the hall, his mother would stop being vengeful.
Wait a second. Forget Eirik. There were two reapers in the club after months of not seeing a single one. Reapers meant one thing—death. Was something about to go down? Should I warn people?
Zack and Wes returned with our drinks—Sprite for me and Diet Coke for Hayden. Wes was a bit pink in the face and took Zack’s seat, which meant my overprotective cousin had gotten his way. He had the nerve to shoot me a triumphant look before he pulled Hayden down on his lap.
Yeah, whatever. I had more important things to worry about.
My eyes met the Grimnirs’. Dreadlocks was no longer smiling. Part of me wanted to defy the orders Rhys had given me months ago, march across the room, and demand to know what was going on. If there was going to be an accident, I had to know. I could save people. Hell, my cousin was with me. To save him, I’d break all the rules.
Remember the Norns.
Would they really erase my memories if I talked to the reapers? Did it matter if it meant saving lives? Not in my book. Worse, more people crowded the dance floor.
I hated feeling helpless. Hated being so indecisive. Maybe I should start a fire. My spells had gotten better. No, a fire would cause pandemonium. I could just see the pile up. Harbinger of death. Yep, my worst nightmare would come true.
Maybe Sullivan should wave his badge and shut down the place. Sullivan was seated to our left. His boyish face actually blended well with the crowd. I made eye contact and smiled. He raised his drink in acknowledgement. Then the arrival of two women distracted him.
Not just any women. Grimnirs. They all dressed alike—leather pants, dusters, boots, and fingerless gloves.
My eyes flew to Echo and Dreadlocks. More Grimnirs meant bad news. But why target my father’s officer? Time to work my mojo and clear this place. I was cutting off the electrical system to the DJ’s booth and the stage. No electricity to the sound system meant no band playing. The students would leave and get online to bitch about everything.
Here goes nothing.
I closed my eyes and started a spell.
“Would you like to dance, Celestia?” a deep voice asked, and my eyes flew open. I gawked at Echo.
“What?” I had to yell to be heard above the music.
“Would you like to dance?” Man, he didn’t even yell, yet his voice carried around the table. Everyone was staring. If I didn’t already know him, I would be gawking too.
“No, thanks.”
He smiled. Damn. His hotness jumped from zero to infinity.
“You want to dance with me, Celestia.” Now it was a statement and a cocky smile accompanied it. The girls at our table went dewy-eyed. Even Hayden. I wanted to punch her.
“She said no, bro,” Zack said, standing. “Get lost.”
Echo extended his hand to me. “This is between Celestia and me, Zack. Sit.”
My jaw dropped. No, he didn’t just talk to my cousin in that condescending tone.
“Do I know you?” Zack asked like he was about to kick some serious ass. If only he knew. He wouldn’t stand a chance against a Grimnir.
Oh, crap. Wes and the rest of the guys jumped up and moved from their seats. This testosterone showdown was about to turn disastrous. The smirk on Echo’s lips said he’d enjoy humiliating my cousin and his friends for the fun of it. Dreadlocks crossed his arms as though he planned to do nothing.
Sighing, I stood. The girls got up, too. Hayden watched me with narrowed eyes as though mentally saying, “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
“He comes to the store,” I fibbed.
Echo had never come to Tammy’s Cauldron, but Hayden wouldn’t know that. The store might be theirs, but she didn’t serve customers all the time like I did. Half the time she was in the séance room, balancing the books or taking care of online orders from their website. Tammy always said she was lucky to have a math genius and a computer guru for a daughter. Hayden was TC’s accountant. She even did taxes for her family.
“Get lost, punk,” Liam said. “Celestia doesn’t want to dance with you. She’s with him.” He indicated Wes with a wave.
“No, she’s not,” Dreadlocks said. Then he smiled at Zack. “It’s Zack, right? Celestia’s cousin?”
“That’s right.”
Dreadlocks offered his hand. “We are from the Guild. The name is Syn.” He jerked his head to indicate Echo. “He’s Echo. We need Celestia’s help with something. We’ve already spoken with Officer Sullivan, and he’s okayed it.” He glanced at Hayden and flashed those pearly whites. “Hayden, nice to finally meet you.”
Hayden looked confused. I wondered how they knew Zack, Hayden, and Officer Sullivan. Had Eirik and Rhys given them a list of my friends and family? Using the Witches Guild to smooth things over was pure genius. Or lying must have come easily to them since they reaped around the world without people knowing who and what they were.
Once again, Syn went into hyper-speed. When he stopped, everyone was smiling as though they hadn’t wanted to rip each other apart seconds earlier. He even took my chair and bumped fists with Zack and the guys. I didn’t know what runes he had used, but they were scary-potent.
“Come with me. We need to talk,” Echo said.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
His eyes acquired a wolfish gleam. “The girl who took on the Ironwood Maiden and the goddess would not be scared to talk to me.”
“I’m not.” And I had the glowing eyes thing down, too. It happened every time I did magic now, so I wasn’t impressed. “What do you want?”
“I’ll explain outside.”
My friends didn’t pay us any attention despite the fact that Echo and I stood right there by the table. Syn was discussing football with the guys, and the women were busy staring at him and drooling. Even Hayden appeared mesmerized.
This was ridiculous. I grabbed my jacket. “This had better be important.”
“It is.”
He led me away from the table. I glanced back, but no one even noticed we’d left. Sullivan was busy talking to the two female Grimnirs. One looked like a Samoan I knew at my school down to the gorgeous mass of curly hair, and the other was a ginger with freckles. Sullivan didn’t even look up.
Some bodyguard.
“He’ll be okay,” Echo said, as though aware of my thoughts, and steered me toward the exit. “We won’t be gone for long. An hour, tops.”
I opened my mouth to ask him what was going on when I saw Giselle Mouton and her coven girls staring at us with open curiosity. On a given day, I would have savored their reaction. Not tonight. When she stood up and started for us, her e
ntourage following her like they were glued to her butt, I grabbed Echo’s arm.
“Okay, let’s go.” I practically dragged him out of the club, which was a major feat. First, he towered over me and had massive muscles, which I was currently feeling under my hold. And second, he didn’t look like a man who’d ever let a woman lead. We almost bumped into the bouncer in my haste to escape the terrible trio and the man apologized to us.
“Who were those three?” Echo asked when we burst into the night air.
“Annoying Witches with way too much money and very little magic. I thought I wasn’t supposed to acknowledge you guys existed, let alone associate with your kind.”
“There’s a change of plans.”
“Says who?” If he said Eirik, I was going to lose it.
“The goddess. She wants to see you.”
I stopped and stared at him with round eyes. Eirik’s mother wanted to see me? “Why?”
“She didn’t explain, and I don’t ask questions when she gives an order.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t. After last time, I swore never to astral project to your realm.”
“You’re not astral projecting. We are using a portal.”
I stopped. “She wants me to enter her realm as a Mortal?”
“Yep. You’ll be the first one to do so in centuries,” Echo said, steering me toward the fire station. “It is quite an honor.”
“I don’t care. My first visit was traumatic.” I didn’t realize I’d raised my voice until two guys passing by slowed down as though to ask if I was okay, but one look from Echo kept them walking. There were quite a few late arrivals walking toward the club.
Stores in this section of town had beautifully designed porticos, which were perfect for window-shopping without blocking the sidewalk, but Echo found another use for them. He steered me into a secluded entrance and pulled out an artavus.
He moved so fast his hand blurred. I couldn’t see the runes he etched or the portal that formed, but the blast of cold air said he’d created one. I pulled on my jacket, my heart starting to pound with dread and excitement.
Did I want to go back in there? Four months had passed and I still remembered my ordeal and near-death moments in Hel. Then there was Eirik. There was always Eirik and the fact that he’d bitten me. The fact that his bite could have serious consequences worried me. To make matters worse, there was the second bite—his grandmother’s. It didn’t matter how I looked at the situation. They’d marked me, and I was better off staying as far away from Hel as possible.
Heroes (Eirik Book 2) Page 3