I turned my back on her, taking deep, shaking breaths. Carl stared at me, amazed at my outburst. I saw Mallory standing in the open doorway, eyes wide in stunned silence.
I heard a small sob, and slowly turned.
Two tear drops rolled down the face of the woman I had once loved.
But she still sat with her back straight, eyes pools of tears, doing her best not to cry. The sob had been an involuntary escape of the river of emotions roaring through her.
And I felt like shit.
Kind of.
“An owie,” she whispered, repeating one word from my soapbox speech. She let out a humorless chuckle of disbelief, sucking it back in immediately. “Leave. Now.”
I did.
Before I exploded with the anger and guilt warring to consume my soul.
Carl and Mallory watched me leave, not uttering a word.
Chapter 62
I sat in the fully-stocked living room near the front entrance, waiting on my guests to arrive: the Academy and the Syndicate, Gunnar, Tory and Alucard, Mallory – maintaining his guise as my bodyguard – and Achilles. I heard a car pull up, and Dean stuck his head in to warn me.
But I was already on my feet, walking towards the doorway. I patted the head of one of the Guardians on my way by. Dozens of them now moved freely throughout the house, a display of power, but also for my protection. They would keep this meeting from turning into a bloodbath.
Dean opened the door before anyone knocked, welcoming them to my home as a guest.
Which was important. Because Guestright would also act as an added benefit. If they accepted the offer to enter as a guest, then harmed someone, they would have to sacrifice – not permanently – a significant chunk of power as retribution. Until they were able to rectify their grievance against the host. Leaving them weaker for the other guests to pounce on. The house was quiet, acting as any other house, but the Guardians each paused to study the newcomers.
G Ma stood at the door, an older gentleman behind her. He looked frail, but his eyes were deep with knowledge and power. I didn’t know him by looks, but imagined he held some important title in the bureaucratic machine that was now the Academy. Maybe even the person who would have taken G Ma’s place if she hadn’t submitted to me in the Fight Club.
G Ma nodded at me politely after accepting Dean’s invitation. She turned to speak over her shoulder. “Please wait outside. It seems I am the first one to arrive. Children these days don’t understand punctuality,” she added, smiling sweetly at me.
I didn’t rise to the bait as I led her into the room. Mallory was suddenly present, offering her refreshments. He had uncorked several bottles of nice wine and a few pitchers of ice water, as well as bringing out a large tray of tiny sandwiches. She accepted some wine, and sat back in one of the couches, idly watching the two Guardians wrestling with each other before the lit fireplace. “No need to dawdle. I’ll be fine while you gather the other guests,” she spoke to me without looking.
I smiled, and came back to the foyer just as Gunnar and Ashley entered. Gunnar wore his catchy eyepatch, which made me smile even wider. He grimaced in response, turning to Dean, who had politely squeezed his upper arm in greeting. He did the same for Ashley. The two werewolves wore family runes tied to the Temple Clan, and were not considered guests, but extensions of me. They joined G Ma in the other room, pouring drinks and sitting across from her. Light conversation flowed, and I turned back to the entrance, waiting.
So far, so good, I thought.
The nameless silver-haired Syndicate member appeared in my driveway out of thin air. No car or anything. Then again, I hadn’t been able to turn the defenses back on because of this meeting. Because technically, almost everyone coming was some sort of enemy.
The Guardians had become very alert, but then again, maybe that was a result of the shocked squeal of alarm G Ma’s partner wizard had emitted upon turning to find the Syndicate member suddenly standing behind him. Interesting… The wizard hadn’t sensed her using magic, but she had obviously used some form of magic to get here. I hadn’t even given it any thought, because I had seen her do wizard stuff, so had just assumed she was a wizard. But perhaps she was also more. I could tell she was no Maker, thank the gods, but she was… something.
I noticed the conversation in the other room had suddenly grown quiet at the sound of the wizard shrieking outside. I quickly darted through the open door to prevent a potential attack as I heard Dean say behind me, “Welcome, Miss…”
But I didn’t hear her reply as I met G Ma’s concerned look. “He’s okay. Just startled. She came alone.”
“Yes, didn’t want to cause a panic,” Cindy replied from directly behind me, making my shoulders tighten. “Is that hunk of metal outside an expensive art piece? Something only a trust-fund brat could appreciate?” she teased.
“Creepy factor of eleven,” I said, turning to shake her hand, ignoring her quip. Her silver hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore dark pants and a shirt, the better to fight in, I guessed. She accepted my handshake awkwardly, and I motioned for Mallory to grab her a drink. Which was important.
Giving someone a drink, or anything to hold, reduced their cognitive functions by a small margin, giving them one more thing to consciously consider. So, if things went sideways, whether they knew it or not, I would possibly have an extra iota of time to react. Also, sandwiches, to give them two somethings to worry about. Gunnar and Ashley had scarfed both their snacks and food, subtly proving that it wasn’t poisoned, while also drawing attention to the familiar preconceived notions people held about werewolves being unsophisticated.
But they had actually eaten fast so that they would have their hands free if shit went down. We had rehearsed this with everyone after events a while back when Gunnar had royally fucked up with a guest, putting me in a pickle. A curse, to be precise.
I realized that G Ma and Cindy were staring at each other like two strange cats in an alley. “Do I need to get a squirt bottle or something?” I asked, smiling softly.
They turned their glares on me for a moment, then realizing they had acted in concert, quickly averted their eyes, both taking a seat. “Is this everyone?” G Ma asked impatiently.
“Can’t have a party without me,” Achilles called out cheerfully, entering the room, tugging Asterion and Ganesh behind him. Which caught G Ma and Cindy entirely off guard. I hadn’t known he was bringing the two with him, either, but I was suddenly pleased with his initiative.
“Lord Ganesh, and Asterion, the Minotaur.” I pointed at Achilles. “And my bartender.”
G Ma and Cindy seemed to have barely heard me, openly staring at the trio.
Another few seconds added to the reaction factor, I thought to myself, knowing that everyone would be a little less interested in throwing down with these three in the room.
Tory slipped past Asterion, who was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot under the attention of G Ma and Cindy. Ganesh waved from over his shoulder, his ears rippling out of habit. Alucard trailed Tory, a smooth smile on his face. He also wore sunglasses, a bro-tank, swim trunks, and flip flops. A statement. The sun was his friend. Porcu-shine.
They waved at me, but shifted their smiles to blank stares at G Ma and Cindy.
“You crashed my party,” Tory said with false pep in her voice. “We’ll talk about that. Soon. But not right now. Because I respect Nate.” And then she flashed them a dazzling smile, but her eyes shifted bright green for a few seconds, reminding them she was more than just a pretty face.
The two older women tensed at this, again, like angry cats.
Then their eyes latched onto Alucard. He smiled at them, faintly revealing his fangs. Enough for them to notice, but not enough to appear threatening.
“Vampire,” G Ma growled.
“Master Vampire,” Cindy corrected.
“Daywalker Master Vampire,” Alucard grinned, taking off his sunglasses. “But you can just call me Sunshine.”
I bit b
ack my grin. “Meet Alucard. The humblest man… monster I know.”
“Obliged,” he drawled, turning on his Southern charm.
“Converse!” I clapped my hands. “Break the ice. This is a truce. I’ll be right back.”
I had tried calling a few others, but hadn’t heard back yet. I approached Dean. “Master Temple,” he smiled, pleased to be doing something in his typical capacity for once.
“I think this is all of us, but be ready for any additional guests.” I began to turn away, but he caught my arm.
“There is someone waiting out back by the kitchens. I didn’t want him alarming the others.”
I frowned. “Who?”
“One of Carl’s… associates,” he said. “I didn’t understand his name, but I doubt I would have been able to repeat it if I had,” he admitted.
I nodded, remembering Carl trying to tell me his real name once. I had given up and settled on Carl. “Okay. Speaking of the Elders, I think we need to be more… considerate. We’ve been treating them like humans, and I’m beginning to realize that they really aren’t like us. Maybe get to know them a bit, give them some freedom, ask what they need. That kind of thing.”
He nodded, thinking. “That is very… wise of you. This is my specialty. I will think on it.”
I clapped him on the back. “Good. Keep them from killing each other until I get back,” I called over my shoulder, jogging towards the kitchens.
Not looking first, I opened the sliding door, and gasped to find one of the Elders only a few inches from the glass, waiting patiently with his hands behind his back. He took a step back, frowning, as if unsure of his offense.
“It’s okay. You just startled me,” I said, smiling politely.
He looked slightly relieved, and nodded. “I spoke to… Carl,” the word sounded alien on his tongue. “And he requested that he be given a few minutes to check on us. I offered to switch with him, but he told me to speak with you first.”
I smiled, nodding. “That is fine. Give him all the time he needs. Thank you for being such a great help around here. I truly appreciate it.”
He shot me a sickly smile, but I reminded myself that they were unused to being civil. Those were human things. Dogs and monsters didn’t say thank you. They just didn’t eat you if you hadn’t displeased them. The Elder turned and left. “Try not to scare the wizard out front!” I yelled. He waved his hand, acknowledging he had heard me, but he didn’t slow down.
I jogged back to the living room, ready to do something important, give a rousing speech that would leave everyone shouting, Nate! Nate! Nate… You’re toe-tah-lee awesome and stuff!
Where was Yahn when you needed a cheer squad?
Chapter 63
Instead, I entered to find everyone yelling at each other, and a desperate looking Dean waving his hands in the air like a madman.
I touched the doorframe with a hand, and called out to Chateau Falco.
She answered with a loud thump that made the walls shake and the chandelier suddenly begin swinging to and fro. Everyone halted, staring up at the ceiling, but they were all powerful practitioners of one sort or another, and knew that the sound hadn’t been caused by something falling down on an upper floor.
Because the very air tingled as if lightning was about to strike.
I cleared my throat, and they all turned to face me, various shades of astonishment and fear in their eyes. Except for my friends. They knew about Chateau Falco already. Although they did look a little guilty at not stopping the arguing themselves before the house had to do the dirty work for them.
“I think everyone needs to calm down, enjoy their refreshments, and celebrate their similarities, not display their differences,” I spoke clearly, politely, but sternly. “The house doesn’t tolerate rudeness from her guests.” I was sure to enunciate the last word, reminding them of the situation, of their agreement.
Everyone composed themselves, shooting quick, guilty glances about the room.
I took a seat on a vacant chair, eyes roving from person to person with faint, thankful nods for their acceptance in joining me here today. Dean approached on silent feet to hand me a drink. I took a sip, and began to speak as he quietly left the room. All eyes riveted on me. “Here’s where we stand…”
And I very carefully laid out the situation. Indie had gone rogue and wanted to free the Grimms. Ichabod wanted to wake a god. I left out such trivial details as, I tried to rob the Academy, or I kicked G Ma’s ass at the Fight Club, or the Mad Hatter is my relative and agrees with Ichabod, or that I’m currently holding the Grimms captive in my dungeon.
Just the relevant facts.
They listened in rapt attention, many of them aware of different aspects that I was omitting, but since they didn’t know what parts everyone else knew, they were all content to feel like the smartest kid in the class. Ahead of the group. Like I favored them over others. I caught many discreet nods, winks, and conspiratorial grins during my diatribe, but I didn’t acknowledge any.
“I’m not sure if this is part of some larger goal. Two different goals. Different phases of the same goal. A distraction…” I trailed off. “All I know is that they each hate the Syndicate.”
G Ma spoke up. “On that we can agree,” she breathed.
Cindy smiled too sweetly at G Ma. “I must profess my agreement with bringing back the Grimms. Makes my life so much easier not to handle all the dirty work. Of course, I would have to kill this Indie to take them back. I wouldn’t want anyone trying to sweep up our sloppy seconds.” Her eyes locked on G Ma.
Without warning, and saving us from the cat fight, Inky and Barbie, two sprite representatives of the Fae who always managed to interrupt at the worst possible moments, suddenly burst into the room. I scowled at Dean, but he merely stared at them, shaking his head. They zipped over to Tory, hovering near her ear, whispering something to her that I couldn’t catch.
Barbie was a stunningly beautiful silver sprite who disagreed with clothing, and she could appear as whatever she wanted to be. For example, a werewolf, a fully-sized human, anything. I wasn’t sure if it was illusion or magic, but I had seen her do it numerous times. She was a nympho-sprite as well, gaining her power from sex.
Don’t ask.
Inky, on the other hand, was an ebony-colored matronly sprite, and I wasn’t entirely sure what abilities she had. All I knew was that when the two showed up, I started to get a headache.
Tory listened intently, then frowned at them. They looked agitated, nervous, and angry.
Tory turned to us. “The Fae are concerned. They sense change in the air. They want me to tell you that theirs is safe. And desire to know who failed.” The sprites nodded their agreement.
They were talking about the HOGs, which made G Ma quietly angry.
I glanced at Cindy, who looked murderous. “We are still trying to find ours.” G Ma, although startled to hear the news, also bore a slightly satisfied expression on her face at Cindy’s failure.
“I think it’s safe to say it was theirs. But we’re going to stop them,” I told the silver sprite.
“See that you do.” Then they zipped back out the door. Everyone was silent for a moment.
“See? This is productive. We all have reasons for agreeing to stop Indie and Ichabod. But I think we can agree on the most important thing – no one wants an angry god to come back with a Maker in his pocket. Even a nice one.” Until I said it out loud, I hadn’t even been sure I was in agreement with this. But I wasn’t a fan of a supreme being walking in and telling us how to live our lives. Everyone seemed to agree, but the Minotaur was silent.
“Who are the likely candidates?” Gunnar asked, drawing my attention away.
I pointed at Mallory, who handed me a dossier as if waiting to do so. G Ma frowned at that.
I tossed it on the table. “These are the potential sleeping gods. At least those we could discover. My father had gathered this list long ago. Not for these purposes, but more of a compendium for the g
ods. All of them. Consider this the consequences if we fail. A motivation of sorts,” I added drily. “We have less than an hour before we need to be at the Arch. Make your arrangements so your reinforcements will be ready and waiting by sunset.”
Everyone nodded, pulling phones to their ears or typing texts.
I stood beside Mallory, not speaking, letting them discuss amongst themselves. I sipped my drink, replaying my argument with Indie. Mallory nudged my elbow, looking at the clock. It had been fifteen minutes, and everyone was pouring through the papers on the desk, discussing and debating with each other.
Putting the situation into harsh perspective.
I had already read the list. Had spent hours reading over it, discussing it with Mallory. He hadn’t necessarily been sold by Ichabod’s offer, but he did see potential merit in it. “Is this the right call?” I asked him softly.
He shrugged. “There are right calls, and right calls. If it means anything, I would have done the same.” He smiled. “But that could just mean we’re both wrong,” he admitted.
I sighed, watching them look at the lists. I had been concerned I would find Odin’s name on the list, what with the ravens seen hanging out in my tree lately, like a bad foreshadow. But Odin was already awake, and had been for some time, apparently. Still, his ravens were on my crest…
As they discussed and debated, sharing what they knew of the gods on the list, one voice was surprisingly silent. Ganesh. I walked over to him, smiling. “Glad you came.”
He met my eyes with a faint smile. “You took my moment of glory at the Fight Club. Wanted to stretch my legs a bit.” I smiled, nodding.
“What do you think?” I finally asked him.
He shook his head discreetly, and whispered, “Don’t do it.”
And I felt an icy orb hit me in the stomach at his tone. Don’t do what? I thought to myself.
“What do you think, Lord Ganesh?” G Ma asked, watching us skeptically. He gave me one last look and then walked over to the table, sharing what he knew with a somber voice.
Tiny Gods: A Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Book 6 (The Temple Chronicles) Page 32