Gods

by Ednah Walters

  Yes, I wanted to tell the entire world that Eirik was mine, but I wasn’t going to humiliate Giselle while doing it. Oh, who was I kidding? She’d humiliated me and other Witches plenty of times. Karma was a bitch. I pressed on the doorbell and schemed.

  “Please, tell me you’re going to do it,” Hayden said.

  “Yes,” a man asked in a British accent, and I whipped around, remembering another Brit—Lord Worthington. But the man staring down at me was tall and skinny, with a shock of white hair perfectly sleeked back into a ponytail.

  “We are here to see Mrs. Mouton,” I said.

  “May I know the names of the ladies seeking an audience with Madam Mouton?”

  Was he for real? The gloves and the way he stood stiffly said he was a butler. I glanced at Hayden. She was struggling to keep a straight face.

  “Lady Celestia Deveraux and Lady Hayden Ferrand,” I said and curtsied.

  The butler didn’t crack a smile. “Wait here, please.”

  We waited until he closed the door then we cracked up.

  “A butler? Who has one around here?” Hayden asked.

  Before I could respond, the door opened and the butler looked down his nose at us. “This way, please. Mrs. Mouton is receiving guests in the morning room.”

  I’d never been inside the Moutons’ mansion, but I was impressed. They had a remarkable two-story foyer with two sets of stairs winding to the second floor. It was huge for a family of five. Giselle had an older brother, who was in college, and someone once said her grandmother lived with them and had her own wing. We followed the butler into a room where Mrs. Mouton was entertaining several men and women.

  “Thank you, Charles,” she said and the butler bowed before leaving the room. “Friends,” Mrs. Mouton said, her hostess smile bright. “This is Celestia, the young lady who brought the son of Baldur into our lives.”

  Expensive aftershaves and perfumes assaulted my senses as men stood to shake my hand and women pressed their cheeks to mine and kissed the air. They basically ignored Hayden and even separated us, so she stood aside. I wondered what they’d do if they knew she was an Immortal. Throw her out or beg her for the secret to immortality? I’d bet on the second one.

  “When will he come to see us again?” a woman asked.

  “Let’s not be too demanding of the young god, Cassandra,” Mrs. Mouton reprimanded her, her southern accent barely there. “It’s only been a week since the last meeting. He is busy. He left word yesterday he won’t be available for several weeks and we must continue rebuilding the Guild.” She flashed me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Now, my darling child. What can I do for you?”

  “Could we talk privately?”

  “Of course. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.” She led the way to the study. It had bookshelves filled with leather-bound books. Most of them were about law. Her husband was a lawyer. “Do wait outside, Hayden.”

  “No, she can stay,” I said. From Hayden’s face, she would not have left anyway. Annoyance flashed on Mrs. Mouton’s face, but she quickly recovered.

  “Sit, please.” She took a chair and crossed her legs at the ankle, her eyes watchful. “You just disappeared after you begged Seamus to make a Call to protect the young Seeress in Oregon.”

  Seamus? For a moment I was confused. Then I realized she’d just called Doctor B by his first name. “I was unwell.”

  She studied me intently. “He lost his daughter, you know,” Mrs. Mouton continued. “She was his only child, and he’s taken it hard.”

  Oh no. From Hayden’s expression, she hadn’t known either. I’d really liked Shania. She’d always had some anecdotes to share with us whenever we visited their store in New Orleans.

  “I didn’t know. How did she die?”

  “In Kayville, Oregon, when we answered the Call. We didn’t know the Immortals would attack. Even though we won with the help of Eirik’s people, we lost some of our own.” She leaned closer and gripped my hand. “Now, I don’t want you worrying your pretty head about what some of our people are saying out there. Those blaming you for the deaths are wrong. They had a choice on whether to respond to the Call or not. Just because you weren’t there doesn’t mean you’d had a vision of the deaths and decided not to participate. Eirik made sure that those who lost members of their family were well-compensated for their loss.” She patted my hand and leaned back into her chair. “Now, what can I do for you?”

  My stomach had dropped the moment she’d mentioned Shania’s death. Now it churned. Others blamed me for the deaths?

  “Are you okay?” Mrs. Mouton asked. “Do you need to lie down?”

  The refreshers and scones I’d eaten were threatening to spew from my mouth and redecorate her expensive rug. “May I use your bathroom?”

  “Sure.” She pressed a button on the coffee table and Charles appeared. “Show Celestia to the bathroom.”

  Charles led me past the morning room, where the guests were talking in whispers, and into the broad hallway and pointed at a door. I entered the room, locked the door, and sat on top of the toilet seat.

  The blood of the dead Witches will be on your hands.

  Marguerite’s words came back to haunt me. She’d gotten that right. Blood was on my hands. I begged Doctor B to make the Call and he’d ended up losing his only child. I’d known Shania for years, and now she was gone. Worse, I hadn’t participated in the Call. People must think I was a coward. Who else didn’t make it? I lowered my head between my knees until the lightheadedness passed. My stomach still churned and the urge to throw up was still there, but I was more in control.

  I splashed water on my face and left the room. Charles stood just outside the room with a silver tray and a cute envelope with my name on it. I stared at it, then his face. He still wore a poker face.

  “For you.”

  I picked it up. “Who is it from?”

  “I don’t know, Miss Celestia,” he said, staring straight ahead. “It was on the tray in the foyer when I left the kitchen.” He bowed and left.

  “Uh, thanks,” I called after him and opened the note. It was from Eirik, and he was waiting for me at home. I felt a little better.

  I slipped the note and the envelope in my pocket and went back toward the living room. The guests were quiet, then I realized why. I’d left the door open and they were shamelessly eavesdropping on the conversation between Hayden and Mrs. Mouton.

  “You need to remember whom you are talking to, young lady,” Mrs. Mouton said coldly, her voice carrying. “You both claim she hasn’t been well for almost a month, yet she looks as healthy as a horse. Of course, people are talking. They were disappointed. She begged us to help that young Seeress, then her father hid her, so she wouldn’t be in danger.”

  “She’s been in a coma and just woke up.”

  “Where’s the proof?”

  “Check the hospital records, Mrs. Mouton, before you go accusing her of being a coward. She couldn’t travel, but the moment they brought her back, her aunt made sure Dr. DuBois took care of her. And when she regained consciousness yesterday, her aunt took her in for tests.”

  Hayden looked ready to leap across the room and strangle the woman when I entered the room. This time, I deliberately left the door ajar so the eavesdroppers could hear what I had to say.

  “It’s all true, Mrs. Mouton. Dr. DuBois’ staff can confirm this. I was injured by an Immortal, slipped into a coma, and received treatment elsewhere. Just like Hayden said, my father brought me home a few days ago and Dr. DuBois, our family doctor, came to see me. My father never takes me to the hospital when I’ve been hurt through magic. Not since the week I was in a trance and woke up bleeding after an attack in the astral plane. The hospital can confirm this. So please, make sure the people blaming my father for hiding me know they are wrong. He would never hide me from my responsibilities because I am first, and foremost, a Witch.”

  “Please, sit. Of course, I’ll explain to people about your absence and the attack. Is this why
you came to see me?” The door flew open and Giselle burst into the room before I could respond. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

  “You’re back?” she asked, her tone sharp. I didn’t bother to answer. Her eyes volleyed between Hayden, her mother, and me. “What’s going on?”

  “Celestia and her friend stopped by for a visit, darling. Nothing big.”

  She moved closer, her focus on me. “Where have you been?”

  “She was attacked by an Immortal and slipped into a coma, but she’s back now. We’re almost done here. Tell Helga we’ll have dinner in half an hour.”

  But Giselle didn’t leave. “Have you seen Eirik?” she asked.

  “Giselle,” Mrs. Mouton warned.

  “It’s okay. Yes, I’ve seen him,” I said without elaborating.

  “He was the first to arrive when she regained consciousness,” Hayden added, not masking her glee. Man, she was mean. Giselle’s eyes narrowed on Hayden, then she whipped around and marched out of the room.

  Mrs. Mouton didn’t mask her annoyance. She waited until Giselle closed the door behind her before saying, “I do have guests, so let’s make this quick.”

  “I’m trying to find my mother. I’m turning eighteen in a few months and would like her to be there. I didn’t get to see her when she was in town because of the coma thing. I was told she was staying with you.”

  Mrs. Mouton smiled. It was probably the first genuine smile I’d ever seen on her perfectly made-up face. “Yes, she was. Your mother and I go way back, so when she called and said she was coming into town, I insisted she and her girls stay with us. A few days turned into two weeks. We had a lot of catching up to do.”

  “Girls?” Hayden and I said at the same time.

  “The two girls she adopted.” The smile left her face. “You father was wrong to cut her off like that and separate the two of you. And to use magic as an excuse… Marguerite should have raised you and guided you. You’d be in our coven.”

  I shuddered at the thought. I was more interested in the two girls than the lies Marguerite had fed Mrs. Mouton.

  “I have half-sisters. I look forward to meeting them.” My enthusiasm was so fake I was surprised she didn’t see through it.

  “I’m sure you will when you reconnect with your mother. Jessica is around your age.” She studied me. “Tall with beautiful golden hair. You both have the same blue eyes. Such a sweet girl, she brushed my hair every night and asked questions about the crazy things your mother and I did when we were young.” Mrs. Mouton touched her hair. “Giselle used to brush my hair when she was younger.”

  I leaned forward and gave the woman my most sincere smile. Anne Marie had gray eyes. Still, this Jessica sounded a lot like her. “And the other one?”

  Mrs. Mouton’s smile dimmed. “Miriam is your typical older sister, very protective and outspoken. She escorted Jessica home after staying here for a few days.”

  “Does she also look like me?”

  “Oh no. She’s taller with dirty blond hair.”

  My bet was on Jessica. “Did they leave a forwarding address? I’m not even sure what name Mom uses since the divorce, so you are my last hope.”

  “She still uses Deveraux.” Mrs. Mouton frowned. “She gave me a card, but I’m not sure where I put it. I’ll find it and give it to Giselle to bring to school. Jessica’s cell phone number is on it. Is there anything else?” she asked and stood, signaling the meeting was over. We got up too.

  “No, that’s it. Thank you for talking to us, Mrs. Mouton.”

  She indicated the door. “That’s why I’m here. I’m not just the Guild representative. I’m your mother’s oldest friend. If you need to ask anything else, come and see me.”

  I had to bite my cheek to stop from laughing. Suddenly she and Marguerite were besties? Somehow I had a feeling her benevolence had everything to do with Eirik.

  “I’ll remember that. Thank you.”

  “You think Jessica is Anne Marie?” Hayden whispered as we headed for the door. “She is around your height and age, and now that Cruella mentioned it, you two are about the same build. And eye color can be fixed with contacts.”

  “Except when the contacts move.” Why had Marguerite adopted a girl that looked like me? Was it to replace me?

  I glanced over my shoulder at Mrs. Mouton and caught her staring at us with a strange expression. She hadn’t moved. I smiled and thanked her again. Now I understood why Grams never liked her. She must have known about her friendship with Marguerite.

  The first person I saw when we left the room was Eirik. Giselle stood way too close to him, laughing. Then she reached out and touched his arm. When her hand lingered, I wanted to hang her by her manicured fingernails.

  CHAPTER 5. GRIEVING

  EIRIK

  Everything and everyone ceased to matter the moment Celestia stepped out of the Moutons’ den. I searched her face for signs of distress. I had no idea why she’d come to see the Moutons, but I had sensed her brief moment of fear.

  “Excuse me.” I met Celestia in the middle of the room and reached out to physically connect with her, stroking her cheek and tucking her hair away from her temple. “You okay?”

  She covered my hand and smiled, dimples flashing on her cheeks. “Yeah. What are you doing here?”

  “You know how it is. You call and I come.” She laughed, and I captured the sound with a kiss. Her blue eyes were luminous when I lifted my head. “Am I getting a slap for kissing you in front of people?”

  She glanced at the people behind me and grinned. “No. I’m ready for round two.”

  I laughed. Her boldness was one of the things I loved about her. I tucked her to my side and smiled at Mrs. Mouton, who didn’t wear her disappointment well. The last few weeks, she’d tried to push her daughter at me with little result. Just because Celestia had been in a coma hadn’t meant I was a free man. I was willingly bound to her and wouldn’t have it any other way.

  We said our goodbyes and headed for the foyer. Hayden was grinning with such glee I had to ask, “What’s so funny?”

  “I love seeing the two of you together and love knowing it pisses some people off.” She glanced over her shoulder at Giselle, who was watching us leave. Hayden waved at the girl. I just nodded. I had no interest in the blond. She was pretty, but looks alone weren’t enough to hold my interest. I loved a girl with depth, someone to keep me on my toes. Celestia did that and more. She’d been mine the moment she entered my dungeon and thought I was a sheep shapeshifter, and I couldn’t imagine a life without her. If that meant she was destined to be with me and was my soul mate then I was damn lucky to have found her.

  Hayden pulled out her artavus the second we left the mansion. “I’ll create a portal to my car.”

  “Inside the car, please,” I warned her. “Witches are not too crazy about Immortals right now and the bunch back there are powerful enough to know if you disappear.”

  “You think I care about them?”

  “You should because you are friends with Celestia and they’ll shun her for associating with an Immortal.” I wiggled my fingers at Celestia. “I’ll drive, you talk.”

  Celestia frowned. “About what?”

  “Anything. I don’t care. I’ve missed your voice these past weeks and need to hear it.” She stopped smiling, and her eyes started to tear up. “What did I say?”

  “Nothing.” She pushed the keys in my hand.

  “Oh, you two-faced traitor,” Hayden growled. “Some best friend you are. I cannot believe you’re letting him drive your car, but you never, ever allow me. She’s crazy possessive about her things. Her car, her mp3, and now she’s rolling over for you.”

  “You don’t say nice things like Eirik does,” Celestia said.

  Hayden narrowed her eyes. “You are a dead Witch, woman. No, death is too good for you. Your soul will just head to his quarters in Hel’s Hall. I disown you for, uh, the next twenty-four hours.” She opened the car and disappeared in the back seat.

&nb
sp; Not worried about Hayden’s attitude, Celestia gripped my shirt, went on her toes, and gave me a naughty grin.

  “Round two for the road,” she said and then kissed me.

  I sucked in a breath when her teeth sunk into my lower lip. She was a fast learner. I took over, exploring her mouth, memorizing the texture of her lips, and savoring the taste of her. Kissing her was like playing with fire. You know you could burn, but you don’t care. She did very little to push me over the edge. I pinned her against the car to stop her squirming and gripped the back of her head to anchor her in place.

  A throat cleared behind me and reality crept in. Reluctantly, I eased off the kiss. While Celestia buried her face on my chest, I glanced at Hayden.

  “You are shifting,” she said, her eyes going to the second floor window. Giselle had been staring down at us, but moved back when I glanced up. I still caught a glimpse of her pink dress.

  I lifted Celestia and eased her into her seat. The fact that she didn’t complain about being carried said she was still affected by our kiss. I loved how she responded to me. I took the driver’s seat, adjusted it, and the angle of the steering wheel, and gunned the car.

  My eyes met Hayden’s through the rearview mirror. “Wait until we leave the compound before opening a portal.” She nodded. “How’s Tammy doing?”

  “Good.” Her eyes went to Celestia, a frown settling on her face.

  I wondered if Celestia had agreed to talk to Tammy yet. I’d asked her about it this morning while on our way to Alfheim and she’d clammed up. I didn’t blame her for not wanting to go to Tammy’s. My grandmother would not have soul-napped Celestia if Tammy hadn’t marked her. While I mistrusted the woman for what she’d done, I would never have met Celestia if it weren’t for her.

  I pulled over once I passed the Moutons’ gate and Hayden created a portal. She tapped Celestia on the shoulder. “Call me when you get bored of Eirik and want to hang out.”

  “I will.”

  “That’s insulting. I have ways of making your life interesting. Tell her, Dimples. Tell her of my many talents. If she doesn’t believe you, she can watch. I don’t mind.”