Gods

by Ednah Walters

  “Why can’t Eirik give you more healing runes?”

  “He wants me to use my own artavo. Sharing is not good for me, he says.” I rolled my eyes. “I think he’s just using it as an excuse. He likes playing the hero and rescuing me.”

  “And showering you with gifts. I see you are rocking your new boots.”

  I looked down and sighed. “I tried to give them back, but he promised to quadruple the purchases if I did.”

  Hayden laughed. “I like his style.” She stepped on the first step in front of the school and turned to face me. “Did you know he had the stores close, so we could shop undisturbed and have the salesgirls focus on us?”

  “What? Are you sure? I thought it was a slow Saturday.”

  She laughed. “According to Zack, the first, or the second store, I can’t remember which, said Ranger and Daiku were scaring away customers. Your man told them to close for an hour.”

  “He runed them?”

  “No, he paid them.”

  My jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

  She nodded. “The first time, he asked. After that, the salesgirls must have called their friends because they offered. Most of the stores we went to closed up just for us.”

  I couldn’t believe that man. “He’s crazy. I still don’t know what to do about the boots and things he bought.”

  “Oh please. You are wearing them.”

  “I’m a boot-whore.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know. And FYI, he’s perfect. He wasn’t just taking pictures, he paid attention and noticed when you drooled or sighed, or contemplated turning into a klepto. Trudy and I caught on, so whatever you tried on, anything that looked really good, we just threw it with her purchases. He even got me these for helping.” She wiggled her fingers to show off her new rings and bracelets. “Now I want to hear about Einmyria. Thanks, Garret,” she told the boy holding the door for us.

  We entered the foyer of our school and someone yelled my name. Einmyria was forgotten as Phil Gilbert and Ethan Reed smothered me. We’d become close after my first trip to Hel.

  “Why didn’t you tell us you were attacked by an Immortal?” Ethan asked.

  “And were in a coma for three weeks,” Phil added, not bothering to lower his voice. “We had to read it in the Guild Newsletter.”

  Could that be why people were staring at me? “We have a newsletter now?”

  “And a private online forum. The moderators said you were attacked and those saying otherwise”—he cupped his mouth to project his words—“should check their facts, starting with Dr. DuBois at Windfall General.”

  I grinned at his antics. Mrs. Mouton must have believed me and passed on the message. I got smiles and happy-you-are-okay comments all the way to my locker.

  “So how was Asgard?” Ethan teased.

  “Amazing. Beautiful.” The look on his face was priceless. “I’m kidding, dufus.”

  Phil slapped Ethan on the back. “She got you, man. So we’re throwing you a welcome back party on Friday at my place, so be there. Now that the Guild supersedes the covens, we can do more things together. We are DJ’ing on Friday.”

  I glanced at Hayden, and she shrugged. Five months ago, she would have said no. “We’ll try to be there.”

  “We can’t have a party without the guest of honor, so try harder,” Phil shot back.

  “And he’s welcome to join us, too,” Ethan added as they walked away.

  “Why do I have the feeling that the party is because of Eirik?”

  “Does it matter? You two are an item now. Wherever you go, he goes.” She opened her locker and stashed her backpack, but selected the books for the next class. “And I get to tag along. Zack is still talking about Karle’s village and the marketplace. If he didn’t show me every day that he loved me, I’d think he had a crush on Niorun. Trudy was on the list too, but I cancelled her out after last weekend.”

  “I wish Zack wasn’t so cold toward Eirik. I noticed it yesterday when they first met, then he thawed a bit as we continued to shop, but by the time we left, he was back to giving him the evil eye.”

  “You can’t blame him. Your man was a total douche to Alejandro yesterday. Zack and Alejandro are tight.”

  “I know. Eirik refused to explain why he dislikes Alejandro.” I grabbed my books and followed her. “As for the mess with Einmyria, Eirik already blames himself even though I’ve told him it wasn’t his fault, so Zack needs to back off.”

  “I’ll tell him. So tell me about her?”

  “She has them wrapped around her fake fingers. They all believe Granny told her lies about Eirik and the goddess, and that’s why she wants to hurt him and she’s scared of the goddess, who is so desperate to bond with her daughter that she asked for my help.”

  Hayden’s jaw dropped. “You’re going to be buddies with the girl who wants to destroy your boyfriend?”

  We turned a corner and almost bumped into Giselle. She was talking to the three familiar girls from the parking lot. Once again, I tried to remember where I’d seen them.

  Giselle gave me a fake smile. “Nice to have you back, Celestia.”

  “Thanks, Giselle.” Her new friends stared without saying a word. “Your mom was supposed to give you a card.”

  “From your half-sister. Yeah, she mentioned it, but she didn’t give it to me yet.” She continued toward math class, her new friends trailing her.

  Hayden groaned. “Why do I have a feeling she has it, but is keeping it to be mean and petty?”

  Wouldn’t surprise me. When we entered the classroom, she was talking to some new students, who watched us as we walked past. I ignored them and slid behind my desk. Instead of her going to her seat, Hayden leaned in and whispered.

  “Want me to get inside her head and get it?” Hayden touched my arm.

  “Try it,” I mumbled, still trying to remember where I’d seen the three girls.

  She stared at the back of Giselle’s head, and then frowned. “Weird. I can’t get inside her head. I’ve done it before and had no resistance.” She tried again and then gasped.

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. She did something back.”

  Mr. Dupree entered, and we pushed the matter aside.

  “Nice to have you back, Miss Deveraux,” Mr. Dupree said when he entered my math class. “See me after class.”

  As the morning continued, it became obvious most students had read the Guild Newsletter. I guess I owed Mrs. Mouton. Or maybe it was the Eirik effect. He had the knack of bringing out the best in people. Most teachers also wanted to see me after school. Hopefully, they’d say I didn’t need to do everything in the damn packets.

  I was happy when lunchtime arrived because I wanted to see a copy of the Guild’s Newsletter. I searched for Daiku and Ranger in-between classes, but they kept their word and stayed hidden. I sensed their presence though.

  I met Hayden by the lockers.

  “Do you subscribe to the Guild Newsletter?”

  She scoffed at the idea. “No. Mom and I don’t attend meetings either. We are still considered renegade Witches, but I might come with you so as not to arouse suspicions. Eirik suggested it, but Mom wanted to talk to you first. To see if you were okay with it.”

  “I’ll talk to her this weekend.”

  Hayden grinned. “I’ll tell her.”

  We grabbed our tray and utensils, got our tacos and looked around for an empty table. Phil waved us over. He usually carried his laptop to lunch to piggyback on the school’s Wi-Fi. Despite the attempt by the administrators to stop students from using it, we always found a way. At least some of us did. I was technologically challenged, but Hayden had my back.

  “Let’s join them.”

  “No,” she said, eyeing the students sharing the table with Phil and Ethan. “I might have agreed to go to their party because there’s nothing happening this weekend, but that doesn’t mean we are lunch partners, too.”

  I bumped her with my shoulder. “This onc
e. I want to see this Newsletter everyone is talking about and Phil never leaves his laptop behind.”

  She groaned. “You owe me, woman.”

  The guys scooted down the table to create room for us on the bench. Hayden might have thawed a little, but some habits were hard to break. She still intimidated people. Uneasy silence followed our arrivals

  “Can I see the Guild Newsletter, Phil?” I asked.

  He made a face. “I can’t get online. They changed the stupid password again and genius here is supposed to get me inside,” Phil glanced over at Ethan’s phone. “Dude, you’re still not in.”

  “Nope. I tried all the combos, and I’ve used all the 3G my parents allow, so I need the Wi-Fi.”

  They weren’t the only ones trying to get online. Students had their phones, tablets, and laptops on. I started on my tacos, resigned to waiting until after school to find out more about the newsletter.

  “Give it to me,” Hayden snapped, extending her hand toward Phil, who shot her a confused look. She wiggled her fingers impatiently. “The laptop, Einstein.”

  “What are you going to do?” he asked, sliding the laptop toward her.

  “Get you access to the Wi-Fi.” She took a bite of her taco, wiped her hands on a paper napkin, and got busy. Her fingers flew over the keyboard and in seconds, she turned the computer around. “There you go.”

  Phil gawked at her. “Dude, how did you do that?”

  “She’s a hacker like me. Just hotter,” Ethan mumbled. Luci Sommerfield punched his arm, and his ears turned red. I always thought Luci was sweet on Ethan. From the way they were seated close to each other, things must have progressed between them while I was gone. Ethan shot Hayden a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”

  Hayden ignored him and focused on her food.

  “Seriously, how did you get in?” Phil asked, typing, but his eyes stayed on Hayden. She just shrugged.

  “She’s a computer wiz,” I explained. I could tell the others wanted the passwords, but lacked the guts to ask her. I bumped her and indicated them with a slant of my head. She sighed and told them the new password.

  Phil already logged into his e-mail and opened the newsletter. He turned his laptop around and nudged it closer to my tray. I started the newsletter and shook my head. Couldn’t they have come up with something better than a Witch on a broom flying across a full moon as a logo?

  The newsletter had gone out last night. I scanned the subtitles. There was a drive to reach more Witches and stay connected, links to forums and a database, and of course, the latest news—me. She could have at least tried to keep my name out of the article. The editor hadn’t just written about my coma, she had called the doctor and discovered my previous “coma.” I pushed my tray aside and glanced at Phil.

  “I don’t see a subscribe button.”

  “Someone has to submit your name and vouch for you,” a familiar voice answered from behind me and warmth unfurled in my stomach.

  Eirik.

  I looked over my shoulder, and my breath stalled at the heat in his eyes. Blazing runes were visible through his black clothes and that cocky smile I loved curved his lips.

  “Hey,” sounded lame when what I really wanted to do was pull him down and kiss him. “What are you doing here?”

  “Bringing you one of Idun’s golden apples for lunch.” He straddled the bench, completely ignored everyone, and stroked my cheek. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  Most men would bring a girl flowers, or chocolate, or their favorite drink. Eirik brought me an immortality apple of the gods. He didn’t give me a chance to thank him before cupping my face and giving me one of his mind-numbing kisses. When he lifted his head, I stared at him like an idiot.

  “Is she trancing?” someone said.

  “While sitting upright? Dude, no one does that.”

  “Powerful Witches do.”

  “I’m taking this back before she knocks it over.” Phil pulled his laptop away from me, but the conversation I just overheard made perfect sense when I noticed Eirik’s invisibility runes. No one could see him, except Hayden, who’d scooted to give him room. From his expression, he wasn’t planning to reveal his presence. He placed the apple in my hand, and it became visible the second he let it go.

  “Eat it.”

  “Uncloak.”

  “No way. This is much more fun.” He smirked. “I can attend your classes and talk to you.”

  “Distract me,” I corrected. The whole table was now staring at me while Hayden struggled to keep her expression blank. “Seriously, Eirik. Uncloak.”

  “Are you worried people might think you’re talking to yourself?”

  “While eating an apple that’s just appeared in my hand out of nowhere and saying your name?” I laughed, scoffing at the idea. “No. Not that I care what they think. I just don’t want you thinking it’s cool to stalk me while invisible.”

  He glanced around the cafeteria. “You want to show me off, don’t you?”

  “Of course. That’s the number one rule about a trophy boyfriend. You put him on display to show all the girls he’s taken. Then you make out with him in the hallway or disappear in the make out closet and fake embarrassment afterwards. It’s a tradition around here.”

  Eirik laughed. “I don’t mind being your trophy boyfriend, but I don’t want to get you in trouble either. I didn’t stop by the office before coming in here.”

  “You care about rules? Since when? You get me in trouble all the time, if you haven’t noticed. In fact, you are really, really bad for me.”

  “Take that back.”

  “Uncloak and make me.” I got up and reached for my tray, but he beat me to it and stood. The runes disappeared and gasps swept our table. I wasn’t sure whether his sudden appearance was the cause, or the fact that he was… Eirik.

  “Stay put and finish the apple. Do you need anything else? Another cookie?” He was already eating mine. He dunked it in the yogurt. Eww. How could he eat that? “Maybe yogurt?”

  “No, I’m good.” I bit the apple.

  I couldn’t help grinning as I watched him walk away. He was going to dump my leftovers like a regular boyfriend. I was a senior, and I’d never had a guy do that for me. That it was Eirik, Mr. Popular, was an added bonus.

  Silence spread across the cafeteria as people recognized him. Some pointed while the others just stared and whispered. He didn’t seem bothered. He smiled and nodded at students, stopped to charm the lunch ladies, who recognized him, going by the squeals and laughter.

  All employees at my school, from the principal to the custodial workers, were Witches. Students got up and headed his way, drawn to him. Today he wore a duster I’d never seen before. It wasn’t the usual leather worn by Grimnirs. The material seemed to shimmer.

  “She was totally making out with him the whole time,” Luci said.

  “I know,” the girl seated on her other said and looked around as though searching for someone. Her eyes landed on Giselle. Like everyone in the cafeteria, Giselle had developed a tunnel vision and Eirik was the target. She turned her head and our eyes met. I wanted to feel bad for her, but I couldn’t. This was too sweet. She and her friends had made my life miserable in middle school.

  “Psst,” Phil whispered to get my attention. “How does he do that appearing or vanishing-in-thin-air thing?”

  “Yeah, he hasn’t explained that,” George Stuart, who had been quiet since we sat, said. “I was at a meeting when he gave a speech, did a short Q&A, then wished us goodbye and disappeared.”

  Everyone at the table waited for my response.

  “Sorry, guys. You’ll have to ask him.” Like I’d tell them the truth. Unlike Eirik who broke rules and got away with it, I always worried the Norns would come after me if I said anything about the gods, their abilities, or the other realms. In fact, I had been convinced Eirik was the only reason the Norns hadn’t come after me. Last Saturday changed me.

  The poor guy was making a slow progress across the room because he was
busy answering their questions. Students surrounded him and more drifted closer. I wondered how long I had to wait before going to rescue him.

  “So you two are a couple?” Luci asked.

  “I thought he was dating Giselle,” Ethan chimed in.

  “Giselle? Seriously?” Hayden asked, glaring at poor Ethan. No one spoke after that. She grinned when our eyes met. She was mean, but I loved her.

  Luci and her friend were still whispering and giving me furtive glances. Yes, I had the man. No need to brag or put down Giselle cause she’d lost. Our eyes met, his begging me to rescue him.

  “I gotta go.” I went toward Eirik and his throng of admirers. He knew the moment I got closer and raised his hand to get everyone’s attention.

  “Let her through,” he said. Eyes turned to find me, and the crowd parted. He pulled me to his side. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” Then the gorgeous man cupped the back of my head and kissed me right in front of the students, in the middle of the damn cafeteria. My stomach dropped, and my heart picked up tempo.

  “Now they know I’m yours,” he whispered and started forward, his arm firm around my shoulders. He said something to the students and laughter followed us, but I didn’t hear a thing because of the ringing in my ears.

  When my mind cleared, we were halfway across the cafeteria. He slowed down, his eyes on the three familiar girls from the parking lot. I was still struggling to remember where I’d seen them.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You don’t recognize those three?”

  “No, but they look familiar. I saw them in the parking lot and in my math class, but I can’t remember where I’d seen them. They’re new.”

  “You sketched them after the vision you had last week.”

  Oh crap! The three Norns after Raine’s dagger. I stared at the girls, and they stared right back. “Are you worried?”

  “No. Because of your vision, I’m prepared. However, hallway and make out closet will have to wait.”

  I shook my head, confused by the change in subject. “What?”

  “I plan on fulfilling all your fantasies, and some of mine.” He grinned, leading me out of the cafeteria. Students stepped out of our way. “But they’ll have to wait for now. Where’s your next class?”