Prophecy

by Julie Anne Lindsey

  Mom’s palms went skyward.

  “Ollie!” Allison’s shrill voice hurt my head.

  “What time is it?” I squinted at my phone. Eleven. Bleh.

  Footfalls beat against the wooden steps. “Callie? Oh, hi, Mrs. I.” Allison stood in my doorway, smiling extra wide. She handed me an enormous lidded latte from my favorite coffee shop. “Ollie said you could use this.”

  Mom stared at me. “I’ll go start lunch. For… How many are there now?”

  “Six.” Allison hugged my mom. “I’ll be right down to help. The boys started without you.”

  Mom’s eyes widened.

  Allison wrinkled her nose at me and pointed her finger in big looping circles. “You should take a shower.”

  She followed Mom down the steps. They left me alone, debating the merits of running interference in a kitchen full of Vikings and humans versus the desire not to look like barf. I chose vanity, swore to move at lightning speed, and plugged my flat iron in to heat up while I showered. Twenty minutes later, I was presentable but frightened. Who knew what I’d missed.

  I crept down the steps, listening to the chatter in the kitchen. Scents of warm toast and salty cheese floated in the air.

  “You don’t have to do the dishes,” Mom chided.

  “We made the mess.” Liam’s voice was like warm syrup to my soul.

  My shoulders relaxed and my feet moved faster on the steps.

  “Precisely why you shouldn’t do the dishes. You cooked.” Mom didn’t sound upset. She sounded happy. Of course, the Hales would charm her and she already loved Allison and Justin.

  “Where’d you learn to make this?” Allison sounded awestruck. I imagined her falling all over Oliver.

  Oliver laughed. “We travel quite a bit. We’ve learned many things.”

  Oh boy.

  Liam cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”

  Chester raced into the foyer where I stood on the bottom step. I hadn’t realized I’d stopped walking.

  Liam was behind him. “Sorry I didn’t respond to your texts.”

  I backed up a step, leveling my eyes with Liam’s. “I worried when you didn’t.”

  His cheek kicked up in a lazy half-smile. “You were safe. I assure you.”

  “I was worried about you. Not me. And about Justin.”

  “Don’t worry. Never worry. After Allison texted Oliver from the ladies’ room, he and Mason went to look after Justin.”

  I curled my fingers over my hip bones. “I’m allowed to worry.”

  “You texted Justin quite a bit.”

  “I texted you, too. You didn’t respond.”

  “I was watching Justin. Getting him back to our place wasn’t easy. He’s not fond of me. Oliver, he likes.” Liam rolled his eyes.

  I smiled despite myself. “He’ll warm up. You stole his girl, after all.” I slid my hands around Liam’s waist.

  He brought his nose closer to mine. “You’re not having a rain check on that sleepover, by the way.”

  “You read his texts.” I shoved Liam back.

  One stiff nod assured me he didn’t feel guilty for invading Justin’s privacy and he’d do it again.

  “Your people are nosy.”

  “So are decent boyfriends when their girlfriend’s in a dangerous situation and it’s all his fault.” His eyes drooped at the corners.

  “Stop brooding.”

  “I’m not…” He huffed. “Fine. Are you hungry?”

  “Always.” He pulled me by my fingertips to the kitchen.

  Oliver and Justin held hands at the kitchen table. Each guy had an elbow anchored between them. Allison rubbed Oliver’s shoulders. Her bottom lip held tight between her teeth. The guys stared at one another in silence. Arm wrestling.

  “There you are,” Mom called.

  Justin turned his head. His hand hit the table a second later.

  Oliver jumped to his feet. “Win!” He twirled Allison in the cramped space as if he’d won a gold medal.

  Justin found my fingers twisted in Liam’s. I dropped his hand and immediately regretted it. All eyes lingered on me. Heat clawed up my neck to my face.

  “What can I get you?” Mom came to my rescue. “The boys made croquet monsieur. I have fruit, yogurt, and granola.” She opened the refrigerator. “There’s juice in here.”

  Nerves coiled my stomach. “I’m fine. I had coffee before the shower. What are we doing today?”

  Justin motioned between Liam and Oliver. “I’m taking these two for a ride on the trails.”

  Oliver hugged Allison to his side. “You should come.”

  Allison frowned. “I don’t ride.”

  Justin shook his head. “She never learned.”

  Mom nudged my chin with a fist. “We bought Callie a pony once but she refused to ride. The horses gave her nightmares.” She shrugged at my glare. “It’s a cute story.”

  “Adorable,” I deadpanned.

  “I’ll leave you guys to talk.” She took her plate and left.

  I shook my head. “You came over and made lunch without asking my mom to use her kitchen? And you ate without me. Shame on you.”

  “We couldn’t expect her to cook for six when you only invited one of us.” Oliver pointed at me. “We aren’t intrusive and rude.”

  “Of course not.” I eyeballed the leftovers on the stovetop. “You made croquet monsieur.”

  “It’s like hot ham and cheese.” Justin approached with his empty plate and rinsed it in the sink. “Only there was egg and sauce. I need that recipe.”

  Who were these people?

  “Horses give you nightmares?” Liam interrupted. “How are the two of you friends?”

  Justin looped an arm around my shoulders. “Horses only bother her when she rides.”

  I pinched Justin. He swatted my hand away, unaffected.

  “I’m an excellent rider, thank you very much. I prefer not to.”

  “She is good.” Justin backed me up. “Horses love her. She just... I don’t know.”

  I beamed at Liam. “See. Horses love me.” I turned to Justin. “Where are you taking them? Which trails?”

  “Depends. How good are you guys? I don’t want to get you too far from home or into a predicament. What kind of horse are you most comfortable riding?”

  Liam looked amused, but eyeballed Justin’s arm hanging over my shoulders. “We ride rather well. Any horse or terrain will do.”

  Allison pushed her backside onto the kitchen counter and kicked her feet. “What will we do today, Callie? Are you going swimming?”

  “I should, but I have a paper due in Ohio History. I hoped to work on it with Liam.”

  “I can help,” she said. “Then I can time your laps if you decide to swim. I have nothing going on today.”

  Oliver jumped into our conversation. “You should stick together. If we’re spending the day with Justin, you guys should hang out. I don’t want a repeat of last night.”

  Tension filled the kitchen.

  Me either. I wasn’t sure Allison and I were much more powerful together than apart, but if Adam and his clan bothered us, I supposed one of us could capture the attack on our cell phone camera while the other called the police.

  Leaving Mom alone was out of the question.

  “I’ll skip swim practice. The school’s pool is closed and I don’t want to risk running into Dad at the club. Let’s stay here and do nothing.”

  Allison clapped her hands in quick silent motions.

  I wanted to ask Liam about Odin and the ravens. I wanted Liam to explain what would happen to Justin. Fingers of residual fear from my nightmare crept into my chest, clenching my heart with worry. My home brimmed with the voices and laughter of everyone I loved. I needed answers. I needed them to be safe.

  “We should get going.” Justin flipped his ball cap around backward. “I need to put the horses away before my folks get back tonight, and I’ve still got cleanin
g up to do from Friday’s party.”

  Allison and I walked the guys to the front door. She slipped into her coat and moved onto the sidewalk with Oliver.

  Justin kissed my head and looked away. “Sorry, man. Old habits.” He shook Liam’s hand. “I’ll meet you two at my place.” He jogged down the steps without looking back. Part of my heart left with him.

  “I’m sorry this is difficult for you,” Liam whispered.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “I put you in danger.”

  I poked his chest. “I’m your future leader’s best friend on this planet. I’m in this. From the beginning of time, or whenever Justin was chosen to join you, I was already in this. I am in this. I need you to tell me what happens when he makes the change.”

  Liam wrapped my finger in his hand. “You have a temper.”

  “I’ve heard.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Why are you smiling? My temper makes you happy?”

  “I like the fact you’re right. You were in harm’s way before I came. Since that can’t change, I’m happy I’m here to protect you.”

  “You’re here for now.” The words that flattened my heart every night rolled off my tongue. “You’re leaving and you’re taking my best friend with you.”

  “No time soon. Maybe not at all if we defeat the Stians. Anything is possible. I assure you, I won’t leave before you.”

  “Where am I going?” I frowned.

  He laughed and gathered me in a bear hug. “To college, you silly girl. You have a life in progress. Don’t forget.”

  Justin’s engine roared to life. I gasped. His Jeep rolled away with one quick honk.

  I buried my face in Liam’s chest. “I hate myself.”

  “Don’t. He’s tough and honorable. He doesn’t blame you for finding someone and he’s reasonable. Hopeful too. A little too hopeful.”

  “What’d you do, read his mind?”

  “I see it in his eyes. He thinks I’m your right now and he’s your forever.”

  A tear stung my eyes. I didn’t deserve Justin’s patience or understanding. I was cruel to break his heart. Kirk broke mine. Dad broke mine. Justin didn’t deserve that. Not ever. Liam’s chin pressed against the top of my head.

  “Ah, to be so young.” He sighed. “I assure you there’s a bigger plan in this universe and it will play out in time. Don’t worry for the things you cannot control. Be patient. Listen.”

  “To what?”

  Liam kissed my jaw below one ear, then the other. He pulled my body against his and kissed my neck. His palm pressed the space between my breasts. “This. Listen to this.” Hot breath warmed my wind-chilled skin. His lips heated the hollow of my throat. Tiny kisses dotted my skin, one by one, back to my mouth, until my lips moved under his. I lifted the hem of his shirt and traced the muscles of his stomach, dipping and bobbing over each rock hard ab. I worked my thumbs through the soft downy hair stretching from his waistline to his belly button.

  “Ah!” He slapped my hand and jumped back. A crazy look lit his face. His neon green eyes pulsated, despite the bright midday sun. The soft curves of his face changed to regal angles.

  Oliver cracked up on the sidewalk, crossing his arms over his chest and tipping forward at the waist.

  “What happened?” I placed a palm against Liam’s face. The long straight jawlines of a demigod pulsed under my hand.

  Oliver shouted through wild laughter. “He’s ticklish.”

  Allison watched Oliver with a look of utter contentment.

  “Can’t she see you’ve changed?” I whispered.

  Both Liam’s hands pressed against his stomach, presumably covering his belly button, the last place I’d explored before he screamed.

  “All she sees is Oliver.” A measure of reverence lifted his words. His face returned to normal.

  “It’s sweet.”

  “It is.”

  “You know what I see?” I made a show of my best puppy dog eyes for Liam. I twisted at my waist and placed my hands over my heart.

  “What?”

  I stepped closer, erasing the space he’d put between us. “I see my very strong, very sexy, very ticklish boyfriend.”

  Liam stepped back and I lunged. I gave chase through the grass. Chester’s muffled barks echoed through the front window. We were deep in the rows of corn between our homes before Liam let me catch him again. This time, I got a better look at his ticklish spot.

  Chapter 15

  Allison followed us in her hatchback to the gravel lot beside the school. Liam parked near the front, drawing attention from half the student body. So many things had changed since Friday afternoon. Basically everything. I’d learned that things unseen were real and they saw us. Dozens of heads turned our way, speculating about the new kids. The mysterious Hale brothers didn’t scare me anymore. They were allies sent to protect Justin. Definitely my kind of friends.

  A banner with Kristy’s senior picture hung above the school’s front doors, covering the stone where Zoar High School had been etched a century ago. Dozens of matching signs hung from second story windows and on light posts surrounding the parking lot. Inches from Liam’s shiny hood, flyers flapped in the wind. Stapled to the telephone pole alongside weathered school spirit signs and faded bake sale announcements, a crisp white paper curled and flexed at the corners. The community had arranged a candlelight memorial for Kristy on the school football field at dusk. Nausea burned my chest. The world shimmered. How awful were her final minutes? What did she think was happening? Did she understand they weren’t human?

  A knock on my window sent me into the console between Liam and me. Allison rubbed her arms and bounced in place outside my door. “Come on. Open up.”

  The power locks popped up. Allison pulled my door open.

  “Let’s go. It’s freezing out here.” She grabbed my hand and hoisted me from the toasty warm interior.

  The Hale brothers trailed us into the crowded school. Women in black dress suits lined the space inside the front doors, handing out flyers. My heartbeat sped. Allison and I received our flyers in the same second from two different sets of hands.

  “Join us at twilight for a candlelight memorial in honor of Kristy Hines, Zoar High School senior, student council member, and color guard.”

  Allison scrunched her nose. “We have color guards?”

  “I guess.” I stuffed the paper into my bag and weaved through the hallway, away from the suited ladies.

  Justin leaned against my locker, his easy smile visible over the crowd. I hurried through a break in student foot traffic and stopped at his side. He tipped his chin in greeting to the Hales before turning intense blues eyes on me. “Are you going tonight?”

  “I don’t know.” I’d never bought the “safety in numbers” thing. A big gathering like Kristy’s memorial seemed like the perfect place to attract trouble. If the Stians wanted to add girls to their collection, the memorial was a perfect opportunity. Then again, the running theory was they’d targeted Kristy because they’d seen her with Liam. It was a flimsy theory that didn’t explain why the other girls, the Wells students were killed. The Hales had never met those girls.

  “We should go.” Allison leaned against Oliver’s chest. “The whole town will be here. Our community’s like that.”

  Justin’s mouth tugged low on the sides. “She’s right. I can almost guarantee my folks will be there. Mom’s probably stopped unpacking from their weekend away so she can bake cupcakes for three hundred people. It’s unreal. Stuff like this doesn’t happen here.”

  Liam nodded. “He’s right. We should all go and support Kristy’s family.”

  Hannah and a group of haters sauntered by, wiping tears and wearing black armbands. My friends exchanged looks but didn’t speak. Another reason I approved of my little clique. They knew when it wasn’t worth stating the obvious.

  “It’s just so tragic,” Hannah lamented to a group of lackeys and guidance counsel
ors on hand to assist us with the sudden loss of a classmate.

  A shiver lifted goose bumps on my arms. “Like grade school.”

  “What?” the Hales echoed.

  I looked at Allison. She told the story better than I did. A shiver coursed through me as faded memories resurfaced.

  “A couple girls went missing when we were kids and people dressed like that”—Allison nodded to the adults eating up Hannah’s performance—“came to the grade school every day for a week, but we were all too young to understand the girls weren’t coming back.”

  My teeth chattered.

  “Callie?” Justin nudged me with his elbow. “Callie?” He gripped my face with rough, familiar hands.

  “I’m fine. I didn’t sleep well last night.” All week. Whatever. I dropped my bag. Black spots danced in my periphery and the uneasy edge of a blackout crept over me. A moment later, my head hit Justin’s chest and I was flying. He whipped my feet off the ground and jogged through a parting sea of students with me in his arms. I raised limp hands in protest as we angled past the front desk of the school office. Chaos erupted in the space behind us as Oliver held back onlookers and Liam fought the secretary for permission to follow us. Every voice rang clear in my beating head. Justin’s face hovered over mine like an angel. He laid me on the padded table against the nurse’s wall. Paper crinkled under my weight. Bright lights glowed around Justin’s head. Antiseptic filled my nose.

  “I’m texting your mom. I bet she’s here before you can get off this table on your own.” Justin’s voice was steady, but his eyes crinkled in worry.

  I nodded. “Fine.”

  “What’s the matter?” A woman bustled around the small office.

  “I think she was about to pass out.” Justin didn’t look up. He watched me as if his life depended on the task. His strong hands held me in place, probably sensing my urge to sit up.

  “Excuse me.” The school nurse’s face edged into view. “Did you eat any breakfast?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  The nurse huffed. “Move it, Mr. Maze. I need to check her vitals.”

  “Work around me.”

  I rolled my eyes and took a deep breathe. “I’m fine. Shaky, but fine.” Stressed. Afraid of losing Justin, and the pending Viking apocalypse, but fine. A tear slid from the corner of my eyes and into my hair. Ice filled my veins. I didn’t have time to be sick. Justin needed me. Something was coming for him. What if he became a Viking and Adam’s clan nabbed him? Oh my lord. They didn’t want him for their clan. They wanted to kill him. The sudden revelation amped up my adrenaline. If the Stians craved ultimate power, they’d find the marked one from the prophecy and eliminate him. Without the Vikings’ one true leader, the Stians could finish off the Hales and add every new Viking to their legions.