“King Justin.” The craziness.
“Justin will become the earthly leader. He’ll have great responsibilities, but he will answer to Odin. He will be revered but challenged at every turn. Leadership of our kind isn’t something I envy him.”
“You shouldn’t envy anything about him.”
Liam inched closer, captivating me with his flashing green eyes. “I envy what he has with you.”
“Don’t.” I pulled on the sleeves of Liam’s coat until he tossed it on the floor. “He and I don’t have this.” I brought his lips to mine, pulling his massive chest down to me as I moved to the center of my bed.
He trailed his tongue slowly over my parted lips. “Never this?”
“No.”
Liam growled, transforming in the space of a heartbeat. The Viking of my dreams pulled his shirt over his head and pressed his lips to my collarbone. The fact I’d considered touching Justin this way seemed surreal. No one belonged with me like this. No one but Liam.
“Wait.” I gripped his head as it dipped to kiss my tummy. He held his position without relenting.
“I don’t understand why you don’t do something to hurry things along with Justin. If you think he’s the one you’re waiting for and a war is brewing… He’s right here. Do something.”
“We can’t.”
“Why?” I inched up onto my elbows and Liam settled into his usual frown.
“It doesn’t work like that. We can’t make it happen and we can’t take the chance. What if we’re wrong?”
I hadn’t considered they could be wrong. Everyone seemed to agree. The Fates. The Hales. The Stians. “What’s the big deal? Besides, if you don’t hurry things along, the Stians might kill him.”
Liam smiled. “They wouldn’t.”
“Why not? If they’re right and he’s destined to lead them, eliminating him would be ideal.”
“Killing him wouldn’t eliminate him. It would only increase their problem. Death transforms us. We must die to become eternal.”
Justin had to die. A strangled noise escaped me.
Liam moved away, regaining himself. “You see now? We can’t kill him to force the change. If we’re wrong, we’re murderers.”
The contents spoiled in my tummy. I couldn’t let Justin die. I didn’t care what he would become afterward.
“I’m sorry to bring you the news. I didn’t want you involved. I knew the first night. When I saw you in the cemetery with your dog, I knew you’d get under my skin if I let you. I knew it. I knew it and still I let it happen.”
“Stop it.”
He sat straight and defiant. He turned his face away.
I straddled his lap and placed my hands on his temples like the blinders on Justin’s horses.
He gripped my hips. “What are you doing?”
“I’m keeping your attention. You told me there’s about to be a Viking apocalypse in my town. People will die and one of them is my best friend. You don’t get to brood right now.”
He looked at my chin.
“I’m in this already, whether you stand with me or not.”
“I will always stand with you.”
“Good. We need to catch one of those ravens. Do they talk?”
Liam’s gaze jumped to mine. “No. Why would they talk?” His face bunched in disbelief.
“Right. Because that’s unbelievable. Fine. Never mind the ravens. All the ghost stories and suicides at Hale Manor were founded in truth then. The ghosts were people who rose again as Vikings. People from town didn’t understand what happened. The suicides were men hoping to change and embrace the bloodline.”
“Yes. Mary-Catherine hanged herself in the hopes of transforming. She knew it was in her blood and times were hard. If she became Viking, she’d save her family fortune and keep her children from starving. She took a chance.”
“Sad.”
“Immeasurably.”
“Her children didn’t starve, but they did have to live wondering why their mom abandoned them.” My heart clenched. “The other Vikings seem random. What is it about your family tree?”
“We’re direct descendants. You can trace the lineage. Other bloodlines are broken and convoluted. Centuries of brethren can do that. When you live forever, there’s time for many human wives.”
I shook the idea out of my mind. My skin tingled and snapped. “Do I still have your attention?”
Liam nodded. His fingers tightened on my skin. He readjusted me on his lap. “Yes.”
“We have hours before my mom comes home.”
He placed a chaste kiss on my cheek. “This is how you respond to the horror we’re discussing?”
“This”—I kissed him with more purpose—“is how I respond to a Viking in my bed.”
In a move so fast I didn’t feel the motion, my back pressed against the blanket and shirtless, brooding, Liam, pressed his body to mine.
His frown deepened. “If I ever hear of another in your bed, I’ll kill him.”
I smiled. “Good to know.”
Chapter 17
Liam parked outside the pool the next morning. We entered through the natatorium doors and walked the long hallway between the pool addition and the historic school. The last time Liam and I walked that hall together, I’d thought he was a ghost or a serial killer. When he’d disappeared into the guys’ locker room, I’d gone with ghost.
He nudged me with an elbow. “Nervous?”
“No. I was thinking of the day you followed me to the pool. I was afraid of you.” I leaned my weight against his side and pulled his arm around my shoulders.
“Only you would think that’s a silly notion. I assure you. I’m quite dangerous.”
“Oh, I know.”
He stopped. “I am.”
Laughter bubbled from my chest. “I know.” I fought to suppress a smile. “I do. You are very dangerous.”
He sighed. Back in motion, he tugged me along beside him. “I am dangerous.”
“Definitely.”
He laughed.
We rounded the corner into student traffic and slamming lockers. The bus crowd had arrived and every inch of walking space was jammed. Kirk and a group of kids I didn’t know almost plowed into us.
“And this is apparently where you take your eight AM booty calls.” Kirk laughed like a hyena, despite the wide purple welt over his eye. He never learned. Maybe too many head injuries. Which reminded me. I’d never asked Justin if it was him or Adam who knocked Kirk down at Roll With It.
“Would you like me to match your right eye to your left?” Liam’s smile was casual. The sharp edge in his tone confirmed he was absolutely dangerous.
“You’re not a funny guy.” Kirk scoffed. “Personally, I don’t care who she’s humpin’. I’m done with her, so, enjoy.”
Liam squeezed my hand, warning me to silence. His eyes slid to the expressionless group of guys behind Kirk. They nodded in unison, an almost imperceptible motion.
Liam pulled his phone from his pocket and looked at it.
“Callie.” Liam turned to face me, ignoring the others. “I need to go. I’ll pick you up after school. You”—he pointed to Kirk—“were warned.”
“But…” I gasped. What had happened?
“I’ll walk with you.” A tall redhead with piercing green eyes approached, along with four other boys.
I stepped closer to Liam.
“You’re safe here. Trust me. If you need anything….” Liam let the sentiment hang. He kissed my lips, my temple, and the top of my head before leaving me alone with Kirk and the strangers.
“I’m Tom.” The redhead stared into my eyes. “This is Mark, Dustin, Paul, and Lars.” The guys dipped their chin as their name was called.
Lars wasn’t a name I’d heard outside of a movie theatre.
“I can walk you to class, babe.” Kirk reached for me. Tom blocked his arm with one swift movement.
Tips of thin white lin
es peeked from beneath the collars and sleeves of the new students’ shirts. The runes were almost completely covered. Fall in Ohio required too many clothes. How could I know who was human?
“I’ll take her,” Tom repeated.
I bristled. Take me. I looked into the distance where Liam had disappeared.
“We’re Mahonings.” Tom waved a palm forward.
Oh-kay. The Mahonings dressed like they came from a raid at the local Nike outlet. Either they got paid to wear the gear or were trying extremely hard to look young. If the latter was true, they’d failed. Stubble covered half their chins and Lars had a scar from eyebrow to ear. I couldn’t stop looking.
He noticed. One massive hand traced the scar on his face. “This one was a killer.”
Oh. Boy. “Um. I’m fine. You should finish your school tour with this dick, and I’ll move along to class.”
Kirk barked an ugly laugh. “You say that like you’d know one if you saw one.”
His witty repertoire failed. Everyone scrunched their noses.
“I do see one, moron.”
I marched away, squaring my shoulders against the final word. Kirk always had a final word. Sometimes it took him a minute to think.
“You dated him?” Tom walked at my side.
“Sadly.”
“And you date Liam Hale now?”
“Yes.” No one had introduced them. Had they met before?
“I forgive you,” Kirk called after us.
I sighed. Here it came.
“I can’t stay mad at your sweet ass.”
My feet rooted in place. I turned on my toes and started back in his direction. His expression changed from surprise to idiotic hope as I charged closer. His hands stopped their obnoxious motions, simulating how he’d had his hands on me once. My internal dialogue begged for me to stop. My hand swung back and snapped forward, connecting perfectly with his cheek. The crack of skin on skin echoed around us.
“What the fuck!” He said that a lot lately.
“Do not speak to me or about me like that ever again. Do you understand me? I’ve had enough and I’m done ignoring you. You’re a bully.”
He rubbed his face with one hand and whistled. “Feisty.” The bravado was thin. Worry creased his obnoxious brow. I’d never stood up to him. The Mahonings gathered behind me, practically emitting testosterone and warning.
My hand stung. I’d never hit anyone in my life. My heart ached. I wasn’t a fighter.
“Maybe I can’t beat you up, but I know things about you, Kirk.” I spat his name. “We dated for two years.” I let my gaze drift over his body. I’d never tell, but he knew what I meant. I knew some very private things about him. Things he wouldn’t want broadcast.
“Man, whatever. You don’t have anything on me that I don’t have on you, too.” He shifted his weight.
“We’ll see.”
I pushed through the line of Mahonings behind me.
“Man, she’s a grade-A certified bitch. She was a fucking prude until Hale got here. Now she prances around town like a show pony, showing off her tits and acting like a nympho.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and kept moving. It was the third day in a row I’d worn a fitted top and it felt good not to hide. I didn’t have to worry about Kirk groping me in public anymore. Being a girl was a lot more fun when I embraced it, and being with Liam made me love my double X chromosomes. In fact, thanks to Liam, I didn’t hate my barely Cs anymore either.
“Did he say you’re a nymph?” Tom kept pace with me.
I elbowed past a throng of counselors in black. “No a nympho. Like a sex addict.”
“No wonder he has a black eye.”
I laughed. “Right?”
Justin walked through the front doors and I changed course. “Hey.”
“Hey.” His eyebrows rose into his hairline as he took in my entourage. All five Mahonings flanked me.
“These are Mahonings.” My lips twitched in a smile. Who called themselves by their collective last name? Images of Mom and I announcing ourselves as “Ingrams” made me smile. It was so Neanderthal.
“What’s up?” Justin nodded once in greeting.
“This is my best friend Justin.”
Tom extended a hand and Justin bumped fists with him. After Tom made a thorough introduction of his clan, er, “brothers,” I excused myself.
“She hit a child this morning,” Lars tattled.
I stopped. “Wait a minute.” I raised a palm between us.
Justin burst into laughter. “What?”
“I slapped Kirk, but I shouldn’t have. He earned it, but still, hitting was low, and he’s not a child. He’s an asshole.”
I stared into Lars’ curious eyes, begging him to recognize his error. “He’s the same age as me. Probably the same age as you and your brothers.” I tipped my head. “He acts like a child, but he’s a senior.”
“You hit Kirk?” Justin grabbed my shoulder.
Tom stepped forward. My new guardian. I needed another guardian. Not at all. What the hell was happening? I yanked my phone out of my pocket to text Liam a hate mail for ditching me with the cavemen.
“Yep, I got him good. Just like you taught me,” I said.
Justin slapped his palms together and waved them in the air. “Why did I miss that?”
Tom relaxed.
Justin’s easy smile settled my jumpy heart. He gave the Mahonings a closer look. “Where y’all from?”
“Pittsburgh,” Lars explained in what sounded like a thick Russian accent. “We were homeschooled.”
My life was ridiculous.
“Well, all right. Where are you headed?” Justin asked.
The Mahonings looked at one another.
“Check your schedule,” I suggested. “The one they gave you when you signed in today at the office.”
“Math,” one of the brothers said.
Justin laughed and shook his head. I dug fresh books from my locker and grabbed Justin’s arm. “See you later,” I called to the Mahonings as we walked away.
“They seem nice. Who said homeschooled kids are weird?”
I laughed. “I hope they find Math before they’re late for homeroom.”
“Shit.” Justin’s eyes widened.
The bell rang and he walked away with his head hung low. Poor Justin. His homeroom teacher wouldn’t be swayed by those dimples much longer. He’d been late to homeroom every day this month. I ducked inside my room with a warning look from the teacher. She lined sharpened pencils on her calendar.
“Too busy to make it to Kristy’s memorial?” Rosie Krebs leaned over her desk toward me the moment I sat. Silence fell on the room. Rosie and Kristy had been close.
“I was sick.”
“We heard. That’s rough. Too sick to make a memorial service, but well enough to be here today. Sucks.” Her mouth curled in distaste.
“I wanted to be there.” The protest died on my lips. It didn’t matter what I said.
“Sure. We know.” Rosie turned in her seat until her back faced me.
I shoved my hands under my desk and texted Liam. He responded, Family emergency. Pick you up after school. Great.
At the bell, I darted into the hallway before Rosie could make a bigger deal out of me missing the memorial. I don’t know how she’d noticed I wasn’t there. Liam had said it looked like the whole town went.
Kirk and Hannah rubbed on each other outside the door to Ohio History.
I slipped inside, avoiding contact. Kirk raised his face from hers and winked at me over her head. He flipped his tongue up and down in his open mouth. I dropped into my seat and put my head down.
The teacher clapped her hands together when the bell rang. Hannah rushed to her seat and reapplied the pound of lip gloss Kirk had sucked off. I pressed fingertips to my forehead. I did have a temper. I needed stress counseling. I’d hit someone this morning. I dropped my face into my palms.
&
nbsp; “Time to turn in those papers, class. I expect every student worked diligently on the assignment and the rubric wasn’t ignored.”
I rifled through my bag, searching for the right folder.
Hannah turned in her seat. “I see your partner’s missing.”
The teacher moved along the perimeter of the room, closer with every step. Where was my folder? Gah!
“Is he sick? Maybe you gave him whatever you had yesterday.”
“I was tired,” I snapped, pulling everything from my bag and stacking it on the table in front of me. I’d put the paper in the folder this morning. Where was it?
“Maybe it’s the herp?”
“What?” I stared at Hannah.
“You never know what kind of disease he could have. They might have something worse than the herp over in Iceland. I heard you two were swapping body fluids in the pool this morning. Better get checked out.”
“Miss Ingram. Miss Snyder.” Mrs. Potter stood beside our tables.
A ripple of laughter washed through the room.
“Sorry, Mrs. Potter.” Hannah put on her best I’m-the-mayor’s-daughter-and-you-can’t-touch-me face.
“Is this Ohio History?” A baritone voice rumbled through the room. A guy with skin the color of night stole my breath. His stark white hoodie emphasized his complexion and enhanced his pale green eyes. He bowed his head to get through the door.
“Hot damn.” Hannah’s phone appeared a second later and her thumbs flew across the screen beneath her desk.
Mrs. Potter took a slip of paper from his hand and gave him a closer look. “Class, this is Eli Hawk.”
Eli looked at the desks and walked to mine. He sat in Liam’s empty seat. To say he was good-looking was a complete failure of the English language. I closed my mouth and concentrated on finding my paper.
“Very well,” Mrs. Potter said. “I’ll request another table tomorrow. We’re filling up in here.”
“How are you?” Eli asked.
I blinked. “Err.” Runes ran over his bald head, around his ears, and down each side of his throat. “Uh.”
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