Gods

by Ednah Walters

  “Love life,” I repeated and chuckled. “That sounds strange coming from you.” I kissed his cheek and went to my bedroom. The first thing I noticed was the shopping bags. I peered inside and frowned. The smaller bag with the swimsuits I’d bought was inside one of them. I’d paid for two suits, yet there were four inside.

  Getting suspicious, I checked inside the other bags and found a skirt I’d tried on. Then another. Two dresses. Several tops. Kimonos. Did that crazy guy buy me things just because I’d tried them on? The last bag had me sitting down in shock. Two designer boots. They hadn’t been on sale. I know because I’d tried them on and lived for the moment because they’d felt amazing.

  I tried the over-the-knee pair and walked up and down my room. They were still the sexiest boots in the entire universe, and the stretchy back panel made them fit perfectly. I loved them, and it was going to kill me to give them back. Sighing, I pulled them off and put them in the box.

  I left the things in the bags, crawled in bed, and thought of reasons I should not accept the gifts while I waited. I should keep the boots. I could never afford them unless they were on clearance, and I’d saved like crazy. I was struggling to stay awake when the portal opened and he entered the room.

  “You know I cannot accept your gifts,” I whispered, turning to face him. “We have to return them.”

  “No, we don’t. Go to sleep.”

  “I’m serious, Eirik. I’m keeping all the tags and—”

  “For every item you return, I’ll replace it with five more. Now, I know your size and style.”

  “You are a bully,” I said, not really in the mood to argue, but I had to show him he couldn’t just do things and expect me to go along. “I can afford to buy my own clothes and boots.” Except those boots.

  “I know, but I have money I don’t need sitting in banks doing nothing. I can’t use it in the other realms. If I want to pamper you, it’s my right as your boyfriend. Go to sleep.”

  Put like that, how could I refuse? I snuggled into his chest and sighed. “Fine. Pamper me. But don’t be sneaky about it. Next time check with me first. I don’t like surprises.”

  “Too bad. I love surprising you.”

  I pinched his stomach. “I’m serious.”

  “Okay. I’m giving you a heads up. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss getting you a decent car.”

  “I don’t need a car,” I protested.

  “That’s debatable. I need a car with more leg room, and your engine squeaked when I drove this afternoon.”

  “That’s because you are a sucky driver. Buggy needs a gentle touch.”

  He chuckled and kissed me. I pushed aside the argument for later when I wasn’t so sleepy. Then I remembered something.

  “Why did the cat come for you?”

  “Something important is happening next week, but since the Norns are messing with you, I can’t tell you. Chances are the reason I went to Kayville is why they were inside your head.”

  “Is it something good or bad?”

  “It’s good. We’ll need the Witches’ help again, but no fighting this time.”

  “Does that mean I get to meet Raine?”

  “Yes.”

  “Awesome.” I closed my eyes and drifted off.

  ~*~

  Eirik was gone when I woke up. I showered and dressed. I paused to admire my boots. I couldn’t help trying on the new boots again. The dresses were too short for school, but I could make them work with tights.

  Dad had a tendency to lounge around in his bathrobe on Sundays and spend most of the day fishing, but he was dressed in a nice suit and appeared ready to leave the house.

  “Where are you going so early in the morning, Dad? Church?”

  He laughed. “Brunch. Why can’t they just call it early lunch or late breakfast?”

  I chuckled. “The same reason they don’t call morning afternoon or night. Go. Have fun. Will you be fishing today?”

  “Rosalie wants to try it, so we’ll be back after brunch. I’ll bring you and Eirik something. I assume he’ll be back.”

  That sounded like he knew Eirik had spent the night, or I was imagining things. “I don’t know. I told him I had homework.”

  “Oh. Okay. I’ll see you later then.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead and left the house. I made breakfast and sat down to work.

  After two hours, I got up, grabbed a snack, and went back to it. It was only ten, and I already missed Eirik. If I had an artavus, I’d open a portal and carry my homework to the hall. We could talk whenever I took a break.

  The sound of the doorbell made me jump. I couldn’t remember the last time someone did that around here. I was so used to portals opening and magical energy sweeping the room and leaving warmth in its wake.

  Frowning, I went to answer it. My stomach dropped when I saw Marguerite’s silhouette through the window. Should I pretend I wasn’t home? No, that was a coward’s way out. Show her you are not scared of her.

  I opened the door with a big smile. “Hi, what are you doing here?”

  “I come with a peace offering. Yesterday didn’t go so well. I keep messing up.” She gave me an apologetic look and hefted a white plastic bag. In her other hand was a Starbucks cup. “Fruit and cream-filled crepes. I remember you used to like them. And soy chai with caramel and toffee nut.”

  I still loved crepes and my choice of tea is soy chai with caramel and toffee nut. Could she get any creepier? I was so not inviting her in.

  “I’m just dropping these off. You don’t have to invite me in. We could sit on the porch for a few minutes if you like, so I can say hello to your father.”

  Now that she’d mentioned the porch, I refused to use it. If I did, it would confirm I was scared of her. “How did you know I prefer soy chai?”

  “Tammy mentioned it a few months ago. I think she said two pumps caramel, one pump toffee nut, and extra foam.”

  Funny how she had answers no one could confirm. First Grams, now Tammy. I wondered when they’d had that conversation.

  “Dad’s not home, but you can come inside. I’m trying to tackle my homework packets, but it’s slow going.” I felt Eirik’s reassuring presence and smiled. He’d arrived.

  I led the way to the kitchen, and she followed. I wondered if she remembered the cabinet she’d broken when she’d thrown Dad across the room. We had to replace that.

  “I could help you with your homework. I wasn’t the best student either, but I loved math.” She removed the Styrofoam container from the plastic bag. “Where are your utensils?”

  “It’s okay. I’m not hungry now. I just had a snack. I’ll eat it for lunch.” Hell no, she wasn’t helping me with my homework. I needed answers. I waited until she sat before I took a stool. “Where do you live?”

  “Top floor Serenity House. All instructors and Immortal staff live there.”

  “And where is Serenity House?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want you to visit that place, Celestia,” she lowered her voice. “The girls in that home are unstable but have powerful magical abilities. I’m like a mother to them, the only constant figure in their lives the last several years. Some might see you as a threat. Ask me anything but that.”

  “Why did you leave?”

  “I was weak, arrogant. From when I was young, I always assumed I was special. I got my abilities early and it went to my head. I ran with the wrong crowd, did terrible things to so many people, including my sister. Then you came along and, instead of loving you, I resented you. Your powers manifested themselves at a much younger age than mine had. I was too blind to see that you were not my competition. You were my child, a helpless, innocent child who needed my love and guidance. For that I’m sorry. I know you may never forgive me or even understand because you are strong and focused. Not all Witches are as strong or as focused as you.”

  I didn’t know how to respond to her. She sounded serious. Genuine, but it was too perfect. Too neatly tied with a bow. From my experience, if it was too perfe
ct, it wasn’t real. Tammy had been like my second mother and Hayden the sister I never had yet I never knew their true identities.

  “I didn’t turnout the way I am on my own. Grams taught me to be a strong Witch, and Dad taught me to be a strong daughter. Even Tammy contributed to both in her own way. And I’m not really as strong as you think, or as focused. Sometimes I wing it as I go.”

  She chuckled. “You help the police solve crimes. I don’t call that winging it. Anyway, I don’t want to take too much of your time.” She stood. “May I use your restroom before I go?”

  “Sure. I’ll show you.” I showed her the one by the den and as soon as she went inside, I raced toward my bedroom. Eirik was lounging on my bed. He sat up.

  “You heard everything?”

  “I hear you from across the realms. And yes, I heard everything. Do you believe her?”

  I sighed. “I don’t know.” His expression remained neutral. “Do you?”

  “What I believe doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me.”

  “I don’t believe her or trust her. Her heartbeat didn’t spike when she talked about certain things that should have caused an increased heartbeat rate, same with the opposite. She’s baiting you. She’s on the move. Go.”

  I hurried back to the kitchen.

  “I better leave you to your homework, unless you want my help.”

  I was about to test Eirik’s theory. “Eirik is here to help me with math.” Her expression didn’t change. “Would you like to talk to him?”

  She smiled. “No, that’s not necessary. I still need to get used to the two of you as a couple. He is…” She shook her head. “He is who he is and you are my daughter. I’ll leave the two of you to it then.”

  I escorted her to the door, but Eirik entered the living room at the same time. He smiled easily as though he was the host. “Good morning, Mrs. Marguerite.”

  She nodded at him, either too scared to speak or too pissed. I couldn’t tell. Her face was red. I’d never seen her move so fast. As soon as she stepped outside, she opened a portal and disappeared through it. I closed the door and turned to face Eirik.

  “Well? How did I do?”

  “How did you do what?” He was headed toward the kitchen, so I followed him.

  “I mentioned you so you could listen to her heartbeat. Did it spike the moment she realized we weren’t alone?”

  “It shot up like a space shuttle and kept going. The woman fears and hates me. When she talked about you visiting Serenity House and her crazy patients, there was no fear for you in her heart. It stayed steady. When she talked about the past, now that she got a kick out of. Why would she relish retelling the past? What are you going to do with these?” He opened the box of crepes.

  “Dump them. I don’t trust her enough to eat anything she gives me.” I went to pour out the chai, but when I turned around, Eirik was seated with a fork in his hand. He cut a section of the crepe. “What are you doing?” I dove and knocked the piece from his hand.

  “Testing a theory. If she poisoned this, I should get a nasty stomach ache.”

  “No-oo.” I grabbed the Styrofoam from his hand and left him holding the ripped lid. “What’s wrong with you? You’re not putting your life in danger to prove anything.”

  He chuckled. “Dimples, I’m Immortal. That means poison can’t kill me. I’ll get the cramps, sweat a little, and be as good as new.”

  I wanted to dump the crepes and the pancakes on his stupid head. “And that’s supposed to reassure me? If you think I’d ever sit back and see you suffer to protect me”—I threw the plate and its contents in the garbage compactor, closed it, and turned it on—“then think again, pal.”

  He pulled me in his arms. I was shaking. “Shh, I’m sorry. I should not have suggested it. I’m an idiot.”

  He was. I gripped his shirt and held him close when all I wanted to do was punch him. Didn’t he realize what he meant to me?

  “I’m fine.” I wiggled out of his arms. “Go home. I have homework, and you’ll only distract me.”

  “You are angry with me.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m livid, but it will pass. Part of loving you is putting up with your stupid ideas. Eat poison. Sheesh. What’s funny?” He wore a big grin on his face.

  “Nothing. I’m going.”

  “Good.”

  “But I’ll be back tonight.”

  “I know.” I’d be calmer by then. I glared at him until the portal closed behind him. I threw the coffee cup in the compacter too before heading back to my room. Instead of writing, I got my sketchpad. I sketched and sketched, until I calmed down. When I looked at what I’d sketched, some were Eirik. I always capture him perfectly. The rest were Marguerite. She looked evil even in my drawings.

  I went back to my homework.

  CHAPTER 10. ROGUES

  CELESTIA

  “Are those new?” Dad asked, eyeing the mid-calf boots I wore the next morning.

  Nothing ever escaped his detective eyes. “Yes. They are a present from Eirik.”

  I was surprised when Dad didn’t comment on that. I grabbed my stuff and raced out the door. Two steps and I stopped. Daiku and Ranger were sipping coffee by my car.

  “Morning, guys. What are you doing here?”

  “Making sure a certain Immortal doesn’t bother you,” Daiku said and offered me a Starbucks cup. “Your favorite. Grande soy chai, two pumps caramel, one pump toffee nut with extra foam.”

  I laughed, yesterday’s events flashing in my head. Eirik and I had discussed my mother at length and even laughed over it. “I’m impressed. How did you know? If you say Tammy I’ll have to dump it.”

  “I pay attention to details.”

  Ranger snorted at the idea. “Baldurson left instructions.”

  “So do you guys plan to shadow me everywhere or just make sure I get to school in one piece?”

  “Shadow you,” Daiku said.

  “But you won’t see us,” Ranger added.

  “Fine. Get in. You can disappear once we get to school.” The curtain in the living room moved, so I knew Dad had seen me talk to them, except they were invisible. I hoped he assumed I was talking to Eirik. “Please, stay invisible at all times around my father. I don’t want him worrying about me.”

  We took off. Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up outside the school and switched off the engine. When I glanced over my shoulder, the Grimnirs were gone. I hoped they were right about staying in the shadows.

  It was strange being back after visiting the other realms. The normalcy of it was surreal. Students walked by in groups of twos and threes, catching up on the weekend’s activities. A few peered at me and waved, then whispered to their friends and glanced back at me. Our school was so small I bet everyone knew I hadn’t attended school in weeks.

  I glanced at my watch. Hayden was taking her sweet time. I reached for the phone when three girls appeared from the corner of my eye. I whipped around and studied them—a redhead, an Asian, and a brunette. Why did they look familiar?

  Warm air rushed into the car as a portal opened. Hayden slid into the backseat and waved to her mother. Tammy was in their living room. I searched her face for Draugr-like qualities. Not that I’d know what a Draugr looked liked. I’d only seen the Witches Eirik’s crazy grandmother had reanimated and they’d seemed normal.

  Tammy’s smile dimmed when our eyes met, her expression begging me silently to forgive her. She and I needed to talk and clear the air. I waved, and she nodded. Hayden stared at me with a frown after the portal closed.

  “Next time, portal before I reach the school,” I said, reaching for my backpack.

  “I had to help Mom with something.” She opened the back door.

  “You are still cloaked.”

  A guy walking by peered at me and smiled. There were perks to attending a school of Witches. Everyone understood that talking to invisible people and opening a door using telekinesis meant you had a kick-ass gift. Hayden uncloaked and joined m
e.

  “Do we have new students?” I asked as we started for the building.

  She looked around. “Yep. There was a sudden enrollment after the first Guild meeting. Most are happy to wait until next year while a few decided not to. The principal held a special assembly to welcome the new students. I guess no one knew about the school, until your man made an appearance here and we became famous. Now we are the school every Witch wants to attend. They’re talking about expanding and turning it into a boarding school.”

  “Someone in the audience mentioned a private school for Witches that night. Maybe this is a start. But where are they staying if they’re not local?”

  “Local families are acting as hosts. They sent us home with letters to drum up more support from local parents until other accommodations are made available. The school is going to stay open this summer.”

  “No way. Who would want to go to school in the summer?”

  “Young Witches desperate to learn their craft. I’m sure the hours will be different.” She nodded at a guy from our math class, who almost tripped on himself when he saw me. He wasn’t the only one staring. I noticed the new faces. One girl elbowed her friend and pointed at me.

  “What’s wrong with everyone? Why the stares?”

  “You are Eirik’s girl.”

  “Is it written on my forehead?”

  “No, but you flew into his arms in front of everyone that night, and he told everyone you were his contact person. When you disappeared, some thought you were in Asgard. Others”—she shrugged—“bought the story Mrs. Mouton mentioned. And then there’s that rumor about Giselle and Eirik, so the stares could mean something totally different. Still, I didn’t expect this kind of welcome.”

  The attention bugged me. If I were under scrutiny, Hayden would be too. “Maybe you shouldn’t open portals to my car. People will realize you are Immortal and—”

  “Witches hate us now, I know. I’ll be careful. Funny how I was always the one telling you to be careful. Oh, and FYI, you are”—she leaned and whispered—“Immortal now.”

  “No, I’m not. It takes a while for me to”—I glanced over my shoulder to make sure there were no eavesdroppers and lowered my voice—“self-heal.”