Aric pursed his lips, amused. “I am, huh?”
I nodded. “Forever.”
“Oh, baby, don’t get worked up.” Aric tugged me to him and gave me a soft kiss. “Being back here has messed with my head. I want my family safe, and I’m just so … tired. I’m tired of fighting because other people won’t step back and let us be. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”
“You didn’t. I don’t ever want you to feel that you’re not the most important thing in my life.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s the kid.” Aric playfully tapped the end of my nose. “I’ll gladly take second place, though.”
“You’re never in second place. You and Sami are united in my head. I need both of you.”
“Yeah? Me, too.” Aric tightened his grip on me, allowing me a few seconds to lose myself in his warmth and strength. The feeling lasted only until Rafael popped up and graced us with a dark look.
“Do you two mind?” he growled, sliding a hand between us. “We’re on a mission. Do you know what that means?”
It wasn’t a particularly funny situation, but Rafael’s reaction was downright hysterical. “Tell me.”
“It means that there’s to be no kissing … or hand holding … or reassurance that your hearts only belong to each other,” Rafael gritted out. “We’re here to put an end to The Academy, rein in the wolves and give your daughter a happy future. We don’t have time to play grab ass.”
I didn’t miss Aric’s smirk and I couldn’t stop myself from squealing when he squeezed my rear end.
“Oh, look,” Aric drawled. “I managed to fit in a round of grab ass after all.”
Rafael scorched Aric with the darkest look he could muster. “Sami is right. You two are animals.”
“Sami is a twelve-year-old girl who hides the fact that she watches Outlander,” I countered, pushing my hands against Aric’s chest until he turned and we could resume our walk. “Her head is all over the place ever since she started seriously paying attention to boys. She has no room to talk.”
“No, but she does have good role models.” Paris joined the conversation for the first time. She remained close to Aric and me so she wouldn’t inadvertently get separated, but managed to give us our space at the same time. “You guys have taught her that it’s possible to find love and hold onto it forever. She won’t forget that, no matter how grossed out she gets by your antics.”
“I hope that’s true,” I said. “I want her to be happy, and despite everything that’s happened, I’m happy.”
Aric beamed as he shifted his eyes to me. “Now that right there is the absolute best thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“I thought that was ‘I do.’”
Aric chuckled as he grabbed my waistband and tugged me forward. “That, too.” This time there was no mistaking the kiss he graced me with as soft. I lost myself in his mouth … and wandering hands … for almost a full minute. Then, of course, Rafael returned to cuff the back of Aric’s head.
“Do I have to separate the two of you?”
Aric’s grin was impish as he released me. “Good luck with that.”
“Yeah, good luck with that,” I teased, following the muted moonlight as I veered to the right and found myself in a clearing. I sucked in a breath, recognition washing over me. We were there. “I found it.”
“Seriously?” Aric moved to the spot behind me and rested a hand on my waist. “It looks different, huh?”
He wasn’t wrong. I took careful steps as I picked my way through the bushes, focusing on the stack of bricks at the center of the clearing. “This wasn’t here before.”
“No,” Paris agreed, bobbing her head. “This is where that circle of stones was. They’ve either been removed or … um … .”
“The altar was built on top of them,” Aric finished, kneeling at the corner of the structure in question and studying the ground. “How much do you want to bet that the stones were in the shape of that symbol? I can’t exactly remember how it was – mostly because I was fighting for my life – but I’ll bet those stones were arranged so they displayed that symbol.”
“That does seem to be the new symbol of our lives,” I agreed. “If we were losers we would get tattoos of it.”
“You always said you wanted a tattoo,” Aric pointed out.
“Oh, I’m not saying losers get tattoos,” I said. “I’m saying losers get this tattoo. I’m sick of this stupid symbol.”
“You and me both, Trouble.”
We lapsed into silence as we looked around, and then I felt a set of eyes peering at my back. I jerked my head, frowning when I made out a dark silhouette leaning against a tree on the east side of the clearing. My heart hopped as I opened my mouth to call out to Aric, and then something about the figure struck me as familiar.
I sucked in a breath as I studied the wild hair, dirty face, bare chest and filthy feet. I knew him.
“Bob.”
The man chuckled as he stepped forward, causing Aric and Rafael to snarl as they moved into protective stances. I held up my hand to still them, never taking my eyes from the god as he approached. It had been years since I’d seen him, yet he looked exactly the same.
“Zoe Lake. It is good to see you again.”
“Who is this?” Aric asked, frustrated.
“It’s Bob.”
“You’ve said that already,” Rafael pointed out. “I’ve never heard you mention anyone named Bob … and I believe I would remember you telling stories about a shirtless hobo in the woods.”
“My name isn’t Bob,” the man said, flashing a benevolent smile. “My name is Cernunnos, and I come to you at a very important time.”
“Cernunnos?” Paris widened her eyes until they were so big I worried they would swallow her face. “You’re the god of fertility, life, animals and the underworld.”
Cernunnos smiled, amused by Paris’ pronouncement. “I am a god of many things, including those which you listed. I’m surprised, Zoe Lake. How does your friend not know of my existence after our interaction thirteen cycles ago?”
“Thirteen cycles?” Paris did the math in her head. “Oh. Oh!”
“Oh, geez,” I muttered. “This is going to turn into a thing. I just know it.”
“I still don’t understand who you are,” Aric pressed, keeping his body between the god and me as his busy mind cycled through life events. “Bob. Bob. I know that name. Why do I know that name?”
I had no choice but to put him out of his misery, even though I knew it would cause more problems when he finally realized the truth. “Because that’s what I gave the name of the guy who sucked me into that hole in the fairy ring when we were trying to save my parents all those years ago.”
Aric stilled. “Bob?”
“Yeah. I didn’t like his other name. It’s not very manly, and I can’t pronounce it.”
“So you named him Bob?” Rafael was incredulous. “He’s a god!”
“He sleeps in a hole in the ground and hangs out with snakes,” I countered. “And we’re not talking about fun trouser snakes here. We’re talking about actual snakes. He pets them and stuff. Wait, no matter how you try to explain petting snakes, it always comes out dirty.”
“You tried to take her that day,” Aric said, his voice low. “You wanted her to go with you.”
“I did.” Cernunnos didn’t appear bothered by Aric’s accusation. “I thought she deserved to visit as many worlds as possible. She thought otherwise.”
“Aric.” My voice was low as I worriedly reached out to touch his forearm.
Aric didn’t jerk away from my touch but he didn’t reach out to meet me halfway either. His mind was somewhere else. “You wanted her to leave me.”
Cernunnos blankly stared at Aric. “You were not a consideration. Zoe Lake is more than the sum of her birth. She could very well be the most powerful mage in the world. She could do better than this place, than you.”
“Hey!” I was furious as I moved to shove Aric away with my hip.
“Don’t you ever say that to him!”
As if regaining his senses after being trapped in a fugue state, Aric wrapped his fingers around my wrist to quiet me. “It’s okay, baby. I’m okay. I just … was confused. I had no idea that Bob was a god.”
“I told you he was.”
“Yes, but you also told me he lived in a hole and didn’t know what a bar of soap looked like.”
I gestured wildly at Cernunnos. “Was I wrong?”
Aric snickered, the sound breaking the spell that had settled over the clearing. “No, I guess you weren’t.” He tugged me close and pressed a soothing kiss to my forehead. “It’s okay.”
“I feel like I should be the one reassuring you.”
“Yes, well, that will probably happen later tonight.” Aric licked his lips before facing off with Cernunnos. “What are you doing here? Have you been watching us this entire time?”
Cernunnos answered without hesitation. “Yes.”
Rafael’s eyebrows flew up his forehead. “Well, at least he admits it.”
“And what are you?” Cernunnos drew his eyebrows together as he moved closer to Rafael, confused. “You are a vampire, but you’re not constrained by vampire laws. How is this?”
I raised my hand. “I gave it to him as a gift.”
“You did this?” Cernunnos seemed surprised. “How?”
“Don’t you know?”
“No. Do you?”
Hmm. I wasn’t sure how to answer. “The truth?”
Cernunnos nodded.
“I have no idea how I did it,” I admitted. “I simply woke up that day knowing how to do it.”
“And why did you gift this vampire?”
“Because he’s loyal and I love him.”
“As much as you love your husband?”
Aric shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable. “Is that really important?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, grabbing his hand. “I love Rafael as a friend. Aric is my heart. I don’t understand why you’re asking these questions.”
“You are at a crossroads, Zoe Lake,” Cernunnos said, shuffling toward the altar. “It’s been prophesized for some time, ever since you birthed something even more powerful than yourself.”
“Sami.” I exhaled heavily. “You’ve been watching Sami. If you try to take her … .”
“Don’t bother with the threats.” Cernunnos waved his hand to cut me off. “We won’t take the child from you and your husband. You’ve done a marvelous job raising her, better than we could, in fact. You gave her balance. We would’ve nurtured the power and forgotten the future woman. You didn’t allow that to happen.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t help but be relieved. “Why are you here? In fact, why are you here now?”
“A battle comes, and just like before, I’m here to see how you’ll fare,” Cernunnos replied. “You had multiple options before you when I saw you last. You were determined to save your parents, and there was more than one way to do it. You chose the more interesting route.”
“Absorbing the book?”
Cernunnos nodded. “Even then the child was taking root in you. I knew it. I sensed the being even though I shouldn’t have been able to do it. She was far too new.”
I swallowed hard. “The book made her stronger, didn’t it?”
“The book made both of you stronger.”
“Will she survive this? Will she escape?”
“Just as before, you have multiple paths before you,” Cernunnos answered. “I cannot pick the path. Only you can. I have come to offer certain … assurances.”
“I’m not sure what that means,” I hedged, leaning into Aric when he moved closer to me.
“I am here to make sure that darkness doesn’t get a foothold,” Cernunnos explained. “That is a possibility given what you’re doing. For centuries, mages were meant to straddle the line between sides and not give either power. It was a flawed system.
“Then you came along and thrived despite the fact that you should’ve never been born,” he continued. “You chose to help the side of light and you tilted things. Do you know what happened then? The world didn’t end.”
“So … that’s good, right?”
Cernunnos nodded. “You taught us that one side can be more powerful than the other. More than that, you taught us that one side should be more powerful than the other. We’re here to make sure the other side doesn’t flip the scales.”
“Can you do that?” My mind flooded with myriad opportunities. “Can you end The Academy?”
Cernunnos immediately started shaking his head. “We cannot get involved, choose a future to inflict on others. You, however, are different. We can … lend you aid … if the time should arise when you need help. You must pay heed to the fact that we can only help with certain things. Should you need our aid and we can help, we’ll help. However, we will not fight this war for you.”
“What good are you then?” Aric asked, frustrated.
“You may be surprised.” Cernunnos studied him for a moment. “I know you love your wife. She loves you well, too. If the end I believe is coming arrives, you’ll be thankful for my presence. I can guarantee that.”
Aric didn’t look convinced. “And when will that end be upon us?”
“Soon.” Cernunnos floated his eyes to me. “We have been re-appropriating – I guess that’s the correct word – certain power points in this town. You’ve seen the symbol. Do you know what it means?”
I shook my head. “No. Tell us.”
“It is an old symbol, one long forgotten by gods and men,” Cernunnos replied. “It was resurrected by the dark to conquer the light. What’s interesting is that the dark wants to use your light, and that of your daughter, to gain the ultimate victory.”
“That won’t happen,” Aric growled.
“No, it won’t,” Cernunnos agreed. “Both mages have truth of character. That doesn’t mean they won’t die trying to save those they love. It is that truth of character that will possibly win the day. It is also that truth of character that might end them.”
Aric floundered as he gripped my hip tightly. “I won’t let that happen.”
“While Zoe Lake provided the magic to the child, you provided the strong heart,” Cernunnos said. “Together you have formed a powerful creature that could cause much destruction. You’ve pointed her toward the light, though. That’s where her heart lies.”
“I need her to be safe,” I prodded. “If something happens and they come for her will you … ?”
“Swoop in and save her?” Cernunnos smiled. “The future isn’t written in stone. I guess we’ll have to wait to see what happens. I cannot dictate what will and will not happen. That rests with you.”
“Oh, well, thank you for being so useful,” I deadpanned.
Cernunnos took me by surprise when he barked out a laugh. “You’re very welcome.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“So was I.” Cernunnos grinned. “I have faith you will make the right choice. Follow your instincts. They will not lead you astray. As for the child … I cannot give you the answers you seek because it could inform your decision in the wrong way. I can’t risk that.”
In a strange way it made sense. Still … . “If we win this battle, if we do everything the correct way, will Sami be safe?”
“The child will always be in minor danger,” Cernunnos answered, causing my stomach to clench. “That’s not a bad thing. Power draws enemies. She will understand how to handle this danger better if you get through this battle.”
“So she’ll be able to enjoy life?” I felt desperate, but I had to ask the question.
“What makes you think she’s not enjoying life now?” Cernunnos challenged, arching an eyebrow. “The child seems happy.”
Did she? “Yes, but I don’t want her to go through life watching me burn people alive … or her father behead small children … or having to constantly mistrust everyone she crosses paths with. I want her to believe. I w
ant her to have faith. I want her to find love.”
“Did you manage to do all of those things?”
I risked a glance at Aric and found his face stony. I swallowed hard as I nodded. “Yes.”
“Then why do you believe the child won’t?”
“I … don’t know.”
“Do you want to know what your problem is, Zoe Lake?” Cernunnos asked, his eyes twinkling. “You worry too much. You forget what it was like to be young. Something tells me you’ll remember before this is all said and done.”
Cernunnos moved away from the altar and toward the trees, stilling when he reached the dark line that separated the clearing from the wilderness.
“Things will work out as they’re supposed to work out,” he said. “I have faith in that. You need to do the same. You will have help if it becomes necessary, although we cannot get involved in the actual battle.
“That probably makes very little sense now, but it will in the end,” he continued. “Be on the lookout for a trio of priestesses. You’ll recognize them when you see them. They do not belong to the enemy. They belong to me.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you.”
Aric cleared his throat to catch Cernunnos’ attention. “Yes … um … thank you … for everything.”
“I did nothing besides listen to the mage,” Cernunnos said. “She knew her heart. It led her to you. I believe she made the right choice.”
“You do?” Aric looked surprised.
Cernunnos nodded. “There is no better commodity in this world than happiness. You’ve given her that.”
Aric gripped my hand and gave it a good squeeze as he let loose with a heavy sigh.
“Hey, Bob?” I called to his back when I realized he was about to disappear. “Where are you going?”
Cernunnos didn’t bother slowing. “You will see me soon, Zoe Lake. Be ready. It’s almost time.”
Twenty-Seven
“I’m sick of this!”
Sami was in a mood by the time we hit the hotel room. She stood in the center of the suite’s central living area, hands on hips, and glared at James as he distractedly flipped through the television channels.
Dying Covenant: The Complete Series Page 76