“Fifty! How many Stians are there?”
“Hundreds.”
I fell into the seat and clutched my bag to my chest.
Liam started his car and followed the path of the bikers. “There are more Stians than we knew. According to some newcomers, the Stians have targeted smaller clans for years, challenging the leaders before killing them. Our battles aren’t supposed to end in death unless a great injustice is done, but our nature is violent and it happens.” He slid his eyes to me. “We didn’t know. Our clan has been in defense mode for some time, losing brothers and focused on finding new.”
“And the other clans want in on this for revenge? They’ll fight on your side?” Hope lifted me. I loved this day.
“Yes, but victory is impossible. It’s complicated. Stians kill clan leaders and give the living members an ultimatum. They can join the Stians or die. Most die. The number of neutral Vikings has dwindled beyond our knowledge. Meanwhile, the number of Stians grows.”
“Wow,” I whispered. “This is happening.”
“Almost certainly, and we were delivered a great blow this morning. Victoria left. She was called home by Zeus. Without her on our side, I’m afraid the prophecy won’t come to pass. Our destined leader will be eliminated in the confusion. Killed and killed again before he knows what hit him. The leader is necessary to win such a battle.”
“You needed Victoria and she left you?” That didn’t sound like the woman I’d met, the one who cleaned my room and told me loving Liam gave him strength.
He stared bleakly through the windshield. “Yes.”
I shrunk in the seat. Justin would be killed and killed again. Bile rose in my throat. Maybe I could get him out of town. I could fabricate a big rodeo far away and offer to go with him long enough for the war to end.
Liam touched my hand with gentle fingers. “I’m sorry I left you at school.”
I turned my palm to match his.
“Victoria lives with Zeus. No one would believe my life.”
“I believe you.” He squeezed my fingers. “I’m sorry you were dragged into this…never mind. I know. You would be here anyway.” He sighed, obviously tired of my saying the same thing.
My thoughts circled back to Victoria. “Victoria lives with Zeus.” Realization dawned. “Victoria is Nike. Holy yikes.”
Surprise crossed his features. “You remembered?”
“Making sense of your life is my new obsession, only it’s more like a full time job.”
He stroked my hand and smiled. “Victoria is Nike, the goddess of victory.”
“You lost the goddess of victory. Tell me that sounds worse than it is.”
“We borrowed her to aid us while we searched for the marked one. Zeus granted her assistance under the condition she return when the leader was found. I assumed this meant after the transformation.”
“Wait. Is Justin okay?” I scrambled to remember the last time I saw him. “Did he die? What if he died?”
“He’s fine. Oliver and Lars are with him.”
“Then you don’t know Justin’s the one. Not for sure. How could she leave you? And if she somehow knew for certain he was the one, even before the transformation, why didn’t she leave sooner?”
“I don’t know. My brothers and I rehashed this all day to no avail. There are only more questions with every answer. It’s insanely frustrating and Hale Manor is overrun with Vikings preparing for battle.”
“Maybe some of the Stian clan will fight for your side.”
He frowned. “Why would they?”
“I don’t know. Maybe the cowardly ones won’t want to lose. If you have the destined leader on your side, a few might switch over. Then, there are the ones who came to join the Stians under duress. Stians killed their leaders. They might be waiting for a chance to get back at them.”
Liam appeared lost in thought. He angled the Mercedes down the long gravel drive beside their home. “We should try to reach out to them before the battle.”
The land between Hale Manor and the enormous garage was polka dotted with tents, people, and vehicles. Near the pool house, a group of girls with long blond hair and tight pants hovered around a group of especially dangerous-looking men.
“Who are they?” I whispered in case anyone outside my window had super hearing to go with their super strength.
“Olympians. Romans. Nice fellows. Intimidating to the eyes, but well mannered.”
I smiled. “Not them. The girls.”
Liam’s mouth twisted in distaste. “Nymphs.”
“Nymphs.” The word on his tongue sounded different. My tongue tingled as I spoke it. “Are they Viking groupies or something?”
“Quite.” Liam parked and glared through the glass.
“Okay, you have to elaborate on this before we get out. I have a feeling this is the last time we’ll be alone for a while.” I twisted in my seat to face him.
He scanned the crowded lawn, considering his words, I assumed. “It is written in the nymph prophecies that a nymph will rise to power, uniting them with the Vikings eternally. They each hope to be the chosen nymph.”
“Ohh. They assume one of those big guys will lead you.” Power hungry nymphs. Got it.
“Yes. They don’t know of our prophecies. Until someone tells them we await his transformation, the Olympians will enjoy the nymphs’ company.” The final word hung in the air between us.
“What do nymphs do?”
“Aside from tease and titillate? I have no idea.”
“You don’t like them. Why?” I sensed a story behind his attitude. The way he looked at the girls said his opinion of them had little to do with their posturing for power.
“Nymphs have a long history of causing trouble for the gods. One nymph trapped a shipwrecked king on her island and refused to let him leave. Zeus had to send Hermes to free him. I don’t know the details of her story beyond that, but I’ve heard Nike speculating in the past. She thinks the nymph also used her influence on Hermes, keeping him longer than he was expected to be. They say she bore his child, though it’s not documented and it doesn’t matter.
“Nymphs are a nuisance. Part of their punishment for her crimes is their indebtedness to the Vikings. You see what a great relief it will be for them when they get to rule beside a Viking instead?”
“What happened to the child?”
“I don’t know. Hermes likely lavished her in riches and fed her every whim. No man can resist a nymph.”
Not great news for a Viking’s girlfriend. “Well, please steer clear of those.” I pointed through the window.
“Can I stay at your place?” he teased.
Chapter 19
Hale Manor bustled with activity. Antique furniture lined the walls, shoved clear of the usual places. Parlors and sitting rooms had become makeshift arenas since my last visit. Vikings battled in every room, laughing and hooting with each crunch of bone. The place reeked of testosterone and sweat, and not the good kind. Liam kept me tucked under one arm as we dodged brawling giants and medieval weaponry. The clash of swords and ripping of flesh sent quivers down my spine. This met my expectations for the infamous Hale Manor interior. Death. Destruction. Blood.
“You have a way with warriors,” Liam whispered into my hair.
The rooms fell silent as we passed through them. Fighters stilled. Men stood motionless, all eyes on me.
“I’m the only girl in sight,” I whispered back.
Liam stopped before the winding staircase, central to the many first floor rooms. The ravens perched on the chandelier above us, primping and craning their necks.
“Brothers,” Liam addressed the eerily still rooms. “As you know, our clan is weak. We’re down to the original three and haven’t identified the marked one. The Fates and Nike directed us here. We, too, feel in our bones the pull to this place, but because he has not yet changed, we cannot say beyond a reasonable doubt which human male carries our blood. We do
n’t know who will lead us. Until then, we wait. If you stay with us, you’ll wait, too.”
A grumble rolled through the crowd. The men arranged themselves for a better look at Liam and me, rising from the floor and inching through doorways.
A hairy guy, who didn’t look much older than me, stepped away from the group. “If you’d embrace your true nature, we’d win without the marked one. He is to lead us, but you are stronger than he will ever become. You choose weakness.”
“What we choose is not your concern. We choose peace. We choose life. You all know the cost of involving humans in our world. We won’t take women and we won’t fight unless it’s unavoidable and necessary. We’re strong enough as we are.”
No one seemed surprised at these revelations. What did this guy mean Liam was stronger than the leader would ever become?
“Coward,” the hairy one spat. He raised a hand toward the chandelier. “Odin watches and what do you show him? Weakness.”
“Out.” Mason appeared behind him, visibly taller than I’d seen him before. His face was stricken with angles. Muscles tested the elasticity of his skin. He curled one massive hand around the hairy one’s neck and lifted him off his feet. “In our house you’ll live as we live. We are the sons of Kratos, Bia, and Zelus.” He tossed him like a ragdoll into a set of onlookers and they all went down like bowling pins.
“What about her?” A kid half my age moved through the legs of standing men.
“He’s a child,” I whispered.
“I died a hero,” he responded, his chin high with pride.
“Nothing wrong with his hearing,” I added.
“We stop aging at the time of our rebirth,” Liam explained.
Justin could be eighteen forever. Wow. What a nightmare. I wanted to get older. Buy beer. Go to college. Get married. Have a family I’d never abandon.
Liam shoved hair off my shoulder. “This is Callie. She’s important to me, and I advise you not to forget.”
The ravens cawed and flapped overhead.
Liam looked at the birds and scanned the crowd. “As you can see, Odin has an interest in her as well. Tread carefully where Callie is concerned.”
Many of the men lowered onto one knee before the ravens. Did they not notice two giant black birds on the chandelier until Liam pointed them out or was it the mention of Odin by name?
“You may stay as long as necessary, but depart at your first opportunity. This isn’t a halfway house for weary travelers. The town already thinks we’re insane.” Liam placed his lips beside my ear. “Stand tall, chin high, walk to the kitchen with the confidence you use around the pool.” He kissed my cheek.
“Can I get you something from the kitchen?” he asked in a louder voice.
I nodded.
“Excellent. After you.”
I turned and walked on shaky legs through a pile of Vikings still gathering their wits and picking themselves up off the floor where Mason had sent them. Inside the kitchen, I sat on the nearest stool and shook. Liam pulled the door closed behind us.
“Well done.” He grabbed my face in both hands and pressed his lips to mine. The sweet scent of his skin overwhelmed and softened me. Anxiety rolled away.
His lips roamed over my jaw and neck. His hands found the hem of my sweater and traced my ribs beneath. Each swipe of his thumbs over the cotton of my bra sent ripples of excitement through me. I locked my ankles behind him.
“I can’t keep my hands off you,” he gasped. “I feel like I should apologize, but I’m not at all sorry.” His teeth skimmed my earlobe. “You’ve bewitched me.”
A purr vibrated in my chest and Liam growled in response. He pulled back an inch and closed his eyes. His breath settled.
“Hey.” I pulled him in for another kiss. “I wasn’t finished.”
He kissed my nose before pressing his forehead to mine. “It’s good to know my self- control is still in working condition. You seem to have removed all my other good sense.”
“What’s that mean?”
“I know better than to do this.” He pressed his mouth to mine. His tongue traced the line between my lips and they parted. “I indulge when I shouldn’t. I haven’t in many years. Not like this.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is this the part where you tell me I’m different? And I go all soft and let you carry me to your bed?”
His lips formed a tiny smirk. “This is the part where I shamelessly announce my love for you and humbly admit my selfish indulgence has become something I’ll never undo, quite possibly to the detriment of all those brothers counting on me. I won’t carry you anywhere near my bed because self-control is one thing, but I’m no saint.”
He loved me. My heart hit frenzy level, banging wildly. Tears stung my eyes, both from wonder and delight. I swallowed the emotion. “You’re stronger with a woman. Victoria told me.”
“Physically, yes, but love distracts me. The men saw my feelings for you when we stood out here. The Stians will see it, too, and they’ll come for you. Distraction is death in my world.”
“So, don’t let me go.” I pulled his face to mine and dusted his lips with kisses. “Keep me close.”
“Liam.” Mason appeared beside us.
“Ahh!” I pressed a hand to my chest. “Where did you come from?”
“Greece originally, but the parlor just now.”
Liam ran a thumb over his lips and smiled. “Yes, brother?”
“It’s nearly dinnertime. How will we feed them?” His eyes widened in despair.
“Shoot.” I hopped off the stool. “I need to see Mom before she leaves for work. We always eat together if I don’t have to work. I need to tell her about Coach Larsen.”
“Can I walk you home?” Liam followed me to the door.
“No. Don’t worry about it.” I scanned the lawn and wondered if I’d made a mistake. A handful of nymphs lounged in the grass as if it was July instead of October. I shivered at the thought. They watched Liam closely, defying the casual air they put on.
“They’re curious,” he whispered. “They aren’t used to competing for attention.”
“Jeez. They’re going to compete?”
He laughed. Raising my hands to his lips, he pressed kisses against my fingertips. “May I come over later?”
“I think you should sleep over.” I eyeballed the knot of seductresses camping on his lawn. “How quiet can you be?”
His breath tickled my ear as the tiny word formed in the chilly air between us. “Very.”
* * * *
I walked Mom to her Bronco a few hours later. Chester peed on her tires as we said good-bye.
“Study hard. Lock the doors. Call me if you need anything.” Worry wrinkled her forehead.
“I’m walking Chester before going inside for the night. I promise. Windows shut. Doors locked.” I crossed my heart with a finger.
“I don’t want to be the next mom getting a call from the hospital.” Her eyes glistened.
“I won’t let that happen to you. I’ll lock up and stay inside.”
She slid behind the wheel, looking like she’d rather stay until I was safely inside, but I was eighteen. Not eight.
“Come on, Chester.” We headed for the cornfield as Mom’s taillights rounded the corner. “You have to make it fast. Mom’s worried and I have to study.”
Chester trotted happily into the shadows, dragging me behind him. “Woof.”
Chills ran over my arms. “What’s wrong?”
He sniffed the air, swinging his nose in the night. “Woof.” His nose dropped to the ground and sniffed the grass. “Woof.”
My senses went on high alert. Leaves rustled at my feet. Distant voices and music drifted through the cornfield from Hale Manor. “They’re having a party. Now, do your business.”
I strained to see someone in the darkness, to find danger in the shadows. If there was a reason for Chester’s barking, aside from the party next door, I needed to know. Onl
y the sounds of autumn surrounded us. Swirling leaves. Wind. A squeaky windmill in the lawn across the street. Everything sounded right, but the shadows of cornstalks morphed into scary things.
“Hurry, Chester.”
“Woof! Woofwoofwoofwoof!”
A hand clamped over my mouth from behind, smashing my lips, threatening to bust my teeth with inhuman pressure. I dropped Chester’s leash and put my hands to better use. I scratched and clawed the massive arms wrapped over my chest, attempting to pry them loose. My nails ripped through hot flesh. I stomped my feet into enormous shoes and kicked the air behind me, connecting once with my attacker’s shins. A low chuckle jostled me as we moved away from the house, into the cornfield.
Stank breath washed over me. “I will claim you in honor of Tony, my fallen brother. Tonight you will call out his name.”
Wide arms constricted over my lungs, raking fire through my chest. I slid in the dirt, dragging my feet to hinder our progress. He adjusted effortlessly to my protest, never missing a beat. Wide fingers curved over my face in a tight line, covering my mouth and pressing against my nose. I worked my teeth free and bit him. Metallic tasting blood seeped into my mouth and he squeezed his hand tighter, unaffected.
My world shimmered at the edges. Air ceased to pass through his fingertips. Black dots floated in my vision. My knees buckled.
“Caw!”
Feathers dusted my arm. The deadly grip on my lungs released by a fraction, and I dragged in a searing, ragged breath. The night air rushed sweet and savory to my brain, bringing with it clarity and fresh pain. My attacker swung one arm overhead as the ravens regrouped and dove at us again. They cawed louder. Their relentless swooping and cawing elicited a string of brutal oaths from the man now palming my face with his free hand.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!” Chester’s barks grew louder by the second. The birds, the dog, and my attacker made a terrible racket, while I struggled for air.
“Caw!”
“Woof!”
“Fuckers!”
I clawed at the hand gripping my face. I was free except for his giant fingers squeezing bruises into my cheeks, jaw, and forehead. He passed me off from one gargantuan mitt to the other as he swatted the ravens. I wriggled and he released my face to grip my neck. His fingers anchored deep into the skin beneath my jaw. The world grew dark.
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