The Grey God (War of Gods 4)

by Lizzy Ford

  She rummaged through the cubby hole that qualified as a closet. She got most of her clothes at Goodwill or the Salvation Army, so her collection was more eclectic than the average wardrobe. Anna frowned, touching the sleeve of a bright pink top. “I have no idea what to wear,” she murmured.

  Nothing in the closet jumped out at her. At times like this, Anna wished her childhood best friends Keegan and Lauren were around because they always knew what to wear and when. Anna just threw anything together and hoped it looked fabulous. She smiled fondly at the thought of the two of them; not many people could say they were best friends with an elf and a fairy.

  Anna pulled a short, floral dress with a flowing skirt over her head and looked in the mirror. It’s missing something… She pushed the hangers aside one-by-one until she found what she was looking for—a black vest with round, silver buttons. Grey tights from her chest of drawers finished the ensemble.

  She stood before her dresser mirror and nodded at her reflection. Much better.

  Anna glanced at the clock; she had twenty minutes before she needed to leave. She sat at her vanity and carefully applied her make-up. Instead of dealing with her hair—or even brushing it—she pulled on a velvet fedora hat. Slipping her feet into black flats decorated with silver studs, Anna grabbed her bag and flew out the door.

  The Art Institute of Seattle was humongous. It sprawled over several city blocks as a lush, green oasis of park land dotted with modern stone and glass buildings. The beauty of the campus had been one of the selling points to Anna. She had envisioned herself lounging on one of the many stone tables, her laptop open to her favorite image manipulation program and a travel mug of coffee at her side.

  She rushed forward, trying not to stare in awe at everything and everyone. She’d spent an entire semester at the Art Institute, but each day it seemed to be even better than the day before. The other students all looked so hip, and so much older than she was as they loitered on campus in their raggedy Chuck Taylors and chunky jewelry, sipping hot Chai tea lattes. Anna looked down at her clothes with an inward groan. I look stupid! What are people going to think of me?

  Panic rose in her chest. What had she been thinking, moving halfway across the country? She didn’t fit in with these people! There was no way she could make it… With a sigh, Anna lifted her hat and smoothed her pixie-cut hair down before returning the fedora. She often got these sudden, fleeting doubts, but thankfully they didn’t last long.

  Focus, Anna, or you’re going to be late for class.

  Looking at the map again, she groaned. Even after all this time, she still needed a map to find her way around for the first day of the semester. Of course, the English department was on the other side of the campus. She hurried in the general direction of the building, rushing past black-clothed students who stared blankly at Anna as she flew by. If I didn’t feel awkward before, I do now, she thought, trying to not let it bother her.

  When she reached her classroom, the door was shut. There was a sign posted that read: Do not disturb. Lateness is not tolerated.

  Anna fought the urge to scream.

  With an hour till her next class, she decided to head across campus so she would be early. She couldn’t afford to miss another class. What a way to start the new year.

  Anna took her time on the walk. There weren’t many students around; early morning classes had started. She passed a small, glass-fronted building with a bright sign that said, “Best Coffee” and stopped in her tracks. She swiveled on the balls of her feet and took off towards the coffee shop. A good latte could salvage the poor start to her day.

  It was a hole-in-the-wall, but it smelled incredible. The lights were dim and the floors and walls darkly colored; overstuffed armchairs and giant, flat pillows speckled the floor. The effect was that of a comfortable, old bookstore. This would be an excellent place to bring the laptop and work, Anna thought happily.

  “What can I get ya?” The girl behind the counter had stringy, light brown hair and huge, green eyes. The bright red apron she wore over her dark tank top was enormous on her thin frame. She waited for Anna’s order, popping her gum.

  Anna eyed the chalkboard menu behind the counter. Every possible incarnation of mixed coffee drink—iced, frozen, or hot—was listed in blocky handwriting. “A caramel latte, please.”

  “Good choice. It’s my favorite.” The girl flashed a quick smile; it totally transformed her round face into something beautiful. Her name tag read Morgan. “That’s four-fifty.”

  As she waited on the barista to make the drink, Anna browsed the bagged coffee and eco-friendly travel mugs on the store’s scuffed, wooden shelves. After a few moments, she noticed someone watching her from the corner of her eye.

  She glanced at the two-seater table in the corner and found a long-limbed guy with dark, shaggy hair staring right at her. His faded blue jeans had holes in the knees and a black leather jacket hung on the back of his chair, along with a khaki-colored satchel covered in paint splotches. He leaned back in his seat, crossed his tanned arms over the front of his white T-shirt, and grinned.

  Anna’s heart fluttered. Is he really looking at me?

  The guy cocked his head back as if indicating for her to come over, and Anna’s hand shot up to her chest to point at herself as she mouthed, Me?

  He nodded.

  Anna sidled up to his table, brushing her purple bangs back beneath her fedora nervously. “Hey.”

  “Hey. I’ve never seen you before. New?” His voice was like warm molasses, and his almost-black eyes seemed to see right through her. He sat forward and rested his elbows on the table, waiting expectantly for her answer.

  “Um, yeah. I’m a freshman. From Tennessee.” Ugh, could I sound like more of a loser?

  “Cool. I thought I recognized a fellow southerner.” He touched Anna’s hand, and she melted. “I’m from Georgia.”

  “Right next door,” Anna joked, and managed a faint, slightly nauseated smile. He was much too hot to want anything to do with her.

  “Why don’t you sit down?” He nodded towards the chair across the table.

  Anna pulled on the hem of her dress, absently pressing the material down against her legs. She couldn’t believe this was happening. “Umm, okay. Let me grab my drink first.”

  She turned her back on him and hurried to the bar.

  Morgan slid the paper cup across the surface with a knowing grin and a wink. “Enjoy.”

  Anna’s hand shook slightly as she set her coffee on the table and pulled the chair out to sit. To say that she didn’t have much experience with guys was an understatement. Hoping she didn’t sound like a complete idiot, she asked, “What brings you to Seattle from Georgia?”

  “I’m sure the same thing that brought you.” His grin was a charming, crooked slash. “The rain.”

  Anna stared at him dumbly. The rain?

  He laughed. “Just kidding. The art school, of course. What are you studying? And what’s your name by the way?”

  Anna giggled—more nervous than amused—and immediately hated herself for it. “Oh, yeah names would be nice. I’m Anna and you?”

  “Justin.”

  “Justin. I like that.” Anna felt the flush in her cheeks, but hoped he didn’t notice. She met his inky eyes. “I’m not a hundred percent sure what I want to be when I grow up, but I’m majoring in digital media for now. How about you?”

  “Digital is really what art is these days. I’m stuck in the past and still use a paint brush. I like to get my hands dirty.” He gave her a small sly smile, and her pulse rate increased.

  They talked for about twenty minutes, sharing stories about classes and teachers, favorite hangouts and stores, until they were interrupted by the chime of the front door bell. A stunning girl with long, black curls, pale skin, and an hourglass figure came through the door. She wore a micro-mini over pale grey leggings and a chic, baggy red sweater. Anna suddenly felt plain and ugly. The girl tapped over the floor in her spiky, knee-high boots and stra
ight to their table.

  Her smile lit up the room. “Justin,” she said, her tones sultry and smooth. “I’ve been looking for you.”

  Justin nodded at her over his cup. “Just grabbing some coffee. This is Anna, she’s new here.”

  The girl held out her long slim hand. Her fingernails were perfectly shaped claws. “Nice to meet you, Anna.”

  Anna tried to smile back as she shook the girl’s limp hand, but it probably looked forced.

  What happened next shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

  Justin slipped his arm around the girl’s tiny waist and said, “Anna, this is Tessa, my girlfriend.”

  Anna’s heart dropped. Of course he had a drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend. He was just being friendly because she was new. How could I have been so stupid as to think he could be interested in me?

  Anna glanced down at her watch but didn’t see the time at all. “I have to run. My class will start soon, and I missed the last one. It was nice meeting you two.” She slung her bag over her shoulder, grabbed her cup, and rushed out of the building.

  She was humiliated.

  Chapter Two

  The clock flashed 3:23 in angry, red numbers into the pitch black of her bedroom. Anna groaned and jerked the covers higher, then turned on her side away from the clock as if she could ignore the passing time.

  She was a bit of an insomniac. Okay, more than a bit, she admitted to herself. It was annoying because she rarely got a full night’s sleep. She punched her pillow into position and tried to get comfortable. Another ten minutes passed. She stared blankly at the ceiling and knew there was no way she was going to fall back to sleep.

  Anna sat up and reached over to turn on the bedside lamp, illuminating the room. She hit the power on her internet radio and turned it to Groove Salad. The peaceful sound of chimes and water flowing flooded the room.

  I might as well study if I’m up anyway. She reached for her art-history book on the bookshelf at the bottom of her nightstand, and when she pulled it out, several papers fell to the floor. Great. In protest, she left them there and sat back against the headboard, opening the heavy tome. After she read the same paragraph three times in a row, she slammed the book closed and tossed it to the foot of the bed. She couldn’t concentrate.

  Kicking the blankets off her feet, Anna stumbled out of bed and grabbed her robe from her desk chair. She was in need of something to drink to soothe her dry throat. She licked her lips. Where is Chapstick when you need it? She had a bad habit of running out of necessities.

  Groggily, she made her way down the short hallway into the open living area. “Give me light,” she murmured, waving a hand in the air. The candles on the granite counter came alive. Definitely helped keep the electric bill down.

  The living room wasn’t large, but it was airy. During daylight hours, big windows on either side of the front door splashed the sun through hanging crystals, casting rainbows that danced on the walls. The couch was long and comfy; she had a tall bookcase full of books on witchcraft against one wall and a stone fireplace set into another. Every available surface—whether table or mantel—was covered in crystals or plants.

  The kitchen was separated from the living room by an island. Anna shuffled over to the fridge and pulled it open, the white tile floor cold on her bare feet. Tapping her fingers on the edge of the door, she stared at the contents of the fridge. There was a single slice of American cheese, a yogurt cup, milk and a Brita pitcher of water. She stared a little longer as if that would make food magically appear. She was a powerful witch, but not that powerful. I really need to do some shopping.

  Finally, she reached in and grabbed the milk from the back and sniffed it. It smelled fine to her, so she pulled a pan out from under the counter and set it on the stove to heat up the milk. She pulled her favorite light brown ceramic mug from the cabinet; on the front, it said “Witch’s Brew.” It always made her smile. She added a couple of scoops of Godiva hot chocolate and waited for the milk to heat up, her hip propped against the counter.

  Sadly, she was out of marshmallows. She mentally added them to her list of groceries along with milk, sugar, Fruity Pebbles, and bread. Life was easier when her mother did the grocery shopping.

  As much as Anna hated to admit it, she missed the comfort of home. She would love to wake up again to the sound of her mother singing to country music in the kitchen. She even missed her little sister, who drove her completely insane. Of course, Anna would never admit that to her mother, or anyone else for that matter. It was funny how she spent her teen years eagerly waiting till she could escape, and now she would do anything to be home, curled in her childhood bed. Well, maybe not anything—being on her own definitely had its perks.

  The mug was warm in her hands as she walked out to the patio. It was still quite dark, but she didn’t mind. Her father always told her “Darkness is your friend.” When she was a child, she had been terrified of being left in the dark and always had to have a nightlight on. Now, she embraced it.

  Setting her mug on her little wooden table, Anna lowered herself into the wicker chair and glanced up at her hanging plants, happy to see they were thriving despite the cold weather. Her little apartment felt like a perfect, hidden oasis. Anna had tried to live the dorm lifestyle, but it just wasn’t for her. She thought back with a shudder to the horrible months she had spent with her roommate in the minuscule dorm room. Living with Brenda had been a nightmare, so Anna had finally given in and asked her parents for money to get her own place.

  She had been really lucky to find such an amazing place at a reasonable price. One of the girls in her first semester art class had been homesick and wanted to move back home, but was stuck in her lease. Anna offered to take over the payments so she didn’t even need to come up with a deposit, and just like that, she had a home.

  Slowly sipping her hot chocolate, she let her mind wander. Just before dawn was Anna’s favorite part of the day. She breathed in the fresh air and waited for the sun to rise; Magdalena had once told her that as a witch, Anna would always feel most at peace while outside.

  She smiled at the thought of Magdalena, the white witch that helped to teach Anna the way of the witch. It hadn’t been that long since their first meeting, but already, Anna felt so much older. Unfortunately, Anna still had a long way to go as a witch. She was considered just a novice.

  Magdalena used to have Anna watch the sunrise and sunset and write down her feelings. Anna had thought it was absurd at first, but quickly realized the moral of the lesson. It’s hard to be mad at the world when such beauty was given to us by Mother Earth. Anna found she needed that daily reminder more often then she would like to admit. That was something she was not proud of. She hoped someday she wouldn’t have to battle the negative thoughts that frequently ran through her mind.

  But, there was one other thing that always brought her happiness… A smile crept across her face. She took another sip of her cocoa. Tommy. Just the mental image of his crazy blond hair, crooked grin, and bright blue eyes made her heart race. Anna had met him in passing through her friend Keegan, and she couldn’t get him out of her mind. She wondered if he ever thought of her, and if he would really look her up when he moved to the area this month. Goddess, she hoped so. Being around him made her feel beautiful and more sure of herself than she ever had before. She wished she could bottle up that feeling and sell it; she’d make a fortune.

  If she closed her eyes, she could still feel his arms wrapped around her as they danced at Keegan’s and Rourk’s wedding. It had been one of the best days of her life—to date, anyway. When she was in his arms, everyone else seemed to fade away.

  Anna laughed out loud at herself; she sounded like a lovesick kid. Unfortunately, she hadn’t heard from him since that day. Girls were probably lined up waiting for him since he was such a catch. I’m sure he hasn’t given me a second thought…just another girl.

  Anna kicked her legs up on the railing and leaned back in the chair, listening to the birds chir
p and enjoying the chilly breeze on her skin. She sat there for over an hour in silent meditation, soaking in the ambience.

  She was startled out of her trance by the pitter patter of rain. A heavy drop splashed against her cheek and her eyes shot open to cloudy skies. Just like Seattle—clear and rainy in the same hour.

  Anna picked up her mug and hurried back inside to check the time. She was relieved to see she still had enough time to make it to class.

  After a quick shower, and with the possibility of a rainy day in mind, Anna chose a pair of skinny corduroy khakis and a black-and-purple checked cardigan with bright green rain boots. She ran a brush through her hair to tame it, shoved her books into her backpack, and grabbed her rainbow umbrella on the way out the door.

  She made the walk to campus in record time, spurred on by the dark, ominous clouds that seemed to be moving closer. Walking in a temperate sprinkle was one thing; sloshing through a monsoon was too much.

  Sometimes, she really wondered how she could handle so much rain and not go crazy.

  Anna’s shoulders slumped as she pushed the door open to English 101. It was still hard to get used to the enormous class rooms—they seemed so impersonal. The English auditorium was beige all the way around—beige floors, beige seats, beige walls—and had high, thin windows that no one could reach to open. It felt like a prison or a hospital ward.

  She noticed an empty seat way in the back and sped up to get there before someone else grabbed it. She took the stairs, studiously ignoring the stares of students already seated, and sank into the cold, plastic seat where nobody could see her.

  She let her bag fall to the floor between her feet and pulled out her notebook and a pen. It was amazing that the kids surrounding her would someday hold real jobs and have real responsibilities. Most of them were wearing headphones or had their fingers flying across the touch screens of their cell phones.