Reluctant Gods (The Awakening Book 2)

by Keri Armstrong

  I was distracted briefly by his strange term of endearment and the fact that they had a huge dining room. Underground, part of a palace, deep in the cave systems. It was still surreal.

  I brought my attention back to the present. “Did you find out what happened to Nathan, you know, the guide who brought us here?”

  He frowned and looked irritated, as he had every other time I mention him. Or Caleb, for that matter.

  I realized that since he thought I was his long-lost… well, not really love. It had been unrequited on his part, but as with every other reality, he chose what to believe or not. Still, he might be feeling a bit jealous. She had been married, after all.

  My observation proved true when he responded with, “Why are you so concerned about this other male?”

  “He is my classmate and a friend,” I replied calmly, and realized I wasn’t trying to placate him at all. I really considered Nathan a friend, despite his recent behavior of just leaving us here and vanishing. But given all the other weirdness of this place, I was willing to believe there might still be a good explanation. He was getting the benefit of the doubt for now. Innocent until proven guilty because he’d been my sort-of friend. Even though we never really hung out deliberately—more like ran into each other having lunch by the lake or studying in the library. But still, it felt like a different, quiet type of friendship.

  Camaraderie, if you will. Just two people who bonded over similar life experiences. We were both cast aside by the majority of people solely based on our appearances.

  But it felt like Nathan was always there for me, in the background, in the shadowy library, always supporting me and helping whenever I needed a hand or an extra eye. Pun intended.

  And not knowing what happened to him was causing my muscles to tighten with anxiety.

  While I stayed quiet, pondering about Nathan, Ammon became more agitated beside me. He snapped twice at his guards.

  Was he really jealous because I was worried about my friend? I didn’t know how to process or handle that.

  No man was ever jealous because of me. On one hand, it was annoying, but on the other, I couldn’t help but be a little flattered. It was also nice to be wanted for a change. Or ever.

  I shook my head slightly, remembering that it still really wasn’t me he wanted. He though I was someone else. And even by some weird miracle I had been the reincarnation of Izzara, I was still me. Still Phoebe.

  I took a deep breath as that familiar hot feeling shot through my gut—the one that usually precipitated heat behind my eyes from unshed tears of loneliness. From always being the unwanted one. The rejected.

  I tried to distract myself and him by starting a conversation about pieces of art I saw on our way, but his replies were a simple and short.

  Okay, Mr. Pouty Pants. I kept quiet as we seated, each of us only speaking to receive our meal.

  Finally, I tried again as the gilded china plates were being cleared away. “I want to say how grateful I am for everything you have done for me so far, including looking for my friend.”

  He still scowled, so I added, “And that’s all he is, a friend. I am simply concerned.” It was true, so there was no need for me to try to hide anything.

  He pondered that for a moment then shrugged. “Most likely he just returned home, but for you, I will look for him.”

  Home? Gone without a word or saying goodbye?

  “Yes,” he replied, and I realized I’d spoken out loud.

  “We do not allow strangers in but, his family is known, so on occasion, permission can be granted,” he said.

  Nathan did say he had a family nearby. But what kind of family could have a connection such as this?

  I opened my mouth to ask, but he cut me off by putting a piece of strawberry up to my lips.

  “Have some of this fruit plate,” he said, changing the subject. “I cut those especially for you.”

  I took a bite to appease him. The strawberry, like the rest of the food had been, was bursting with flavor that you don’t find in grocery stores. Even though my stomach was in too many knots for me to fully enjoy the meal, I couldn’t help but noticed how much better everything tasted than what I was used to.

  After I’d swallowed, I bowed my head slightly. “Thank you, you are very kind.”

  I felt a little silly, acting as if I were in a Jane Austin novel but it worked.

  He practically exuded manly pride.

  What madness made me ask my next question I didn’t know but, the words left my mouth before I could stop them.

  “Do you know anything about my other friend, Caleb?”

  His expression quickly soured. “No, but why are you so worried about this Caleb?”

  This time I was prepared for it. “Caleb is very important to Sara, she is fond of him.”

  He pinned his dark gaze on me. After a second he nodded, satisfied I told the truth.

  “I will check,” he said.

  I hoped he was telling the truth. I didn’t know him at all, so I would take everything with a grain of salt. Still, his responses and jealousy looked pretty real to me. And besides, what would be the gain in pretending he had any kind of feelings for me?

  Well, for starters, it would lower your guard.

  Like right now.

  He leaned forward as before and kissed my lips. His lips were slightly cool from the mixed fruit juices we’d had, and he tasted of apples and grapes. He lingered over me, stroking both my smooth and scarred cheeks. Little nips of fruity kisses tickled the sides of my mouth and under my eye.

  I hated to admit it, but I liked this kiss even more than the first one. Was it something about the danger? I’d read that could happen.

  All too soon he pulled away and, ignoring manners everywhere, propped his elbows on the black marble table. He put his head in one hand and gave me heavy-lidded gaze above a warm smile. “Tell me more about your life. I want to know everything.”

  It was so tempting, but…

  “I want to, but I would like to check on Sara first, just to make sure she’s awake and better.”

  He stood, albeit reluctantly. “All right,” he sighed. “I will escort you back.”

  He offered his arm again and I took it. It was too easy.

  Easy stopped when we reached the door and he wanted to come inside. “Let’s see this sleeping princess of yours.”

  I wasn’t sure but I thought that was his attempt at a joke. I smiled and backed against the door. I had prepared for this, but still my heart raced.

  “I think I should go in alone. She’s shy and it would be better if I prepared her first—”

  He leaned over me and I lifted my face for the inevitable kiss. And nearly feel backwards as the door whooshed open behind me.

  Thirteen

  I stumbled backwards into the room and Ammon caught me, laughing as he whirled me around, kissing me full on the mouth before standing us upright again.

  “Now, let’s see this cousin of yours,” he mumbled against my lips.

  Breathless and dizzy from the tumble and subsequent kiss, not to mention heart-pounding fear, I grabbed onto the back of his neck, wrapped my other arm around his waist to pull him close. I tried to keep him facing me, hoping against hope Sara would have the good sense to hide as I made a shooing motion with my hand behind his head.

  “Phoebe, what are you doing,” she gasped.

  Ammon turned then, his huge smile dying as he took it all in. He stiffened beside me and I looked at what he was seeing.

  Cement weight dread sunk into my stomach.

  Sara stood beside the dais, dark hair tumbling in silky waves across her shoulders, contrasting beautifully against the white silk gown. Her face was flushed, her wide eyes sparkling with excited disbelief. She was luminous.

  And the living image of the woman in the box.

  Ammon stared open-mouthed at the vision before him for several moments, each second another nail in my coffin. He looked down at me in shock then back at Sara then bac
k at me. His expression became darker with every glance as he moved from shocked confusion to disbelief to dawning recognition.

  He turned the full force of his rage on me then.

  I cried out as his crushing grip went round my arms.

  “Why did you lie to me? Why?” he yelled, shaking me so that my head snapped back, making it impossible to speak.

  “Did you plan to trick me? Did you think I would take you as my bride instead of my beloved Izzara?”

  “Leave her alone!” Sara tried to pull him off me but he was so far gone he didn’t even notice.

  “I will see to it, that you get a punishment worse than death. Mark my words!” He threw me away from him, and I stumbled back several steps to keep from falling.

  Terror fueled my limbs when Sara moved between us. Ammon’s mood swings were dangerous. In a matter of seconds he could go from charming and caring man to a spitting cruel monster. I didn’t want her to face that mercurial rage.

  He advanced again and I moved her behind me. She was gentle, sweet, and kind, but had a heart of a lioness when people she cared about were threatened. She’d only just come away from near death and would get hurt trying to defend me.

  Not on my watch.

  “Leave her alone, you sicko. She didn’t do anything,” she yelled, even as I tried to hold her back.

  Ammon blinked, seeming startled by this outburst. He paused, glaring at me. It was clear he still wanted to throttle me but didn’t know how to handle Sara.

  “She is the cause of this conflict,” he said, still seething and pointing at me.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said at the same time Sara called out, “She is innocent of whatever you’re accusing her.”

  Ammon’s nostrils flared. “She is a liar and a deceiver.”

  We all starting speaking at the same time until Ammon yelled, “Enough.”

  I think the earth actually shuddered. There were a few seconds of peace and quiet before he started speaking again.

  “There is only one solution,” he said. “We must all go to the Well of Truth.”

  Wary, I’d held my breath when he spoke of a solution. Now it came out in a little shaky sigh.

  That place gave me the creeps. It was beautiful and tranquil but I wasn’t sure anyone could handle knowing everything about themselves, past, present, and future.

  “If she,” he spat the word like it was garbage in his mouth, “is innocent, then the Well will show us that truth.”

  “Can’t you just use your superhuman lie detector thing?” I challenged, because I really, really didn’t want the three of us going to the well. I was fairly certain I could bluff him here by sticking close enough to the truth. After all, he was the one who’d insisted I was Izzara, how could I have known better? Sara was my cousin, so there was bound to be family resemblance, right?

  Sara looked at me like I was crazy when I’d mentioned superhuman powers, and I shook my head at her. “Later,” I whispered, silently promising to tell her all about it.

  Ammon crossed powerful arms over his chest. “No, not later. Now.”

  “We will go,” Sara replied, even as I frantically shook my head ‘no’ at her. She ignored me and continued to address Ammon. “We will go because Phoebe is completely innocent.”

  He nodded, satisfied.

  I bowed my head in defeat.

  I didn’t want to return to that place, and I needed to know where Caleb was. I already deduced he must not have been hiding in the room or this debacle would not have taken place. At least, it wouldn’t have been like this.

  Maybe it was fortunate he wasn’t here when Ammon came in. Though maybe the three of us could have taken him. But I wasn’t too sure about that.

  I huffed out a breath of frustration. That only meant that yet again I didn’t know where he was or if he could come back. And it wasn’t like I could ask Sara right now.

  “Come then, let’s go,” Ammon said. He tried to take Sara’s hand but she shook him off, taking my arm instead.

  He stiffened and sent me another glare before turning to walk. I moved so I could squeeze Sara’s hand, then trailed behind them like a prisoner of war.

  I didn’t what scared me more, Ammon, Sara being with Ammon, or this damned so-called Well of Truth.

  Or even scarier was the craziest, tiniest bit of disappointment. Sick. I must be sick. For a short period of time Ammon had eyes only for me, showered me with attention and affection, and even if it sounded completely insane, it felt good. More than good. I didn’t even realize how starved I was for that piece of normalcy, a connection with another human being beyond friendship... So starved for it that I almost fell for a madman.

  I was disgusted with myself. Disgusted even by the flicker of bitterness that once again I was left in the dark. Sara was the one who was desired, now as always. Ammon was no different than the rest. She was the target of his affection from the moment he saw her, and I was just a poor substitute, an amusement until that moment.

  I just hated the constant reminders of my inferiority. Yet I knew Sara wasn’t the one to blame. I sighed and held her hand tighter, resolved to protect her until the end. If only I could find a way to talk to her alone…

  It wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Ammon had slowed down until we now walked alongside him.

  He came to a sudden stop and we stopped too.

  “I’m sorry,” he blurted. “I didn’t meant to frighten you,” he looked into Sara’s eyes. “I was just confused.” He turned to me, a small crease marring his brow. It wasn’t an angry frown, more like confusion. “Phoebe, forgive my outburst. I should not have accused you without hearing your explanation.”

  He bowed to us both after this little speech, leaving me speechless.

  As I marshaled my thoughts, Sara spoke. “That’s right. You didn’t.”

  He gave her an abashed smile, and to my horror, I could see she was affected by it. Even she wasn’t immune to his charm. I had a very good idea just how charming he was, from experience. As well as how unstable.

  Fortunately, she was not ready to forgive so easily, the way she usually did. “Don’t ever put your hands on my cousin like that again,” she said in a tone fiercer than I’d ever heard her. The finger she pointed at him trembled. “And never, ever doubt her word.”

  I was so touched, and so proud of her. I could feel a grin forming as I took in his stunned expression. Yeah, that’s right, douchebag. Don’t mess with the Vincents.

  But he too was affected. His face went from surprise to despair. He looked like a chastised puppy.

  Sara continued speaking, only softer this time. Her tender heart obviously not up to the challenge of his dejected face. “Phoebe is not only my cousin and best friend, she is also the best person in the world. Good to the bone. I am sure it was all just a terrible misunderstanding.”

  He looked up then, dark eyes filled with hope and I could see her soften more, and even more when he turned that soulful look to me and formally bowed.

  “Please forgive me,” he said again. Straightening, he pleaded with me. “You must understand that after so many years of waiting for my Izzara,” he looked at Sara then back at me, “My moods are easily turned. But they pass, I am not an unreasonable man.”

  His face suddenly cleared. “But all is well now,” he concluded with a clap of his hands and started to laugh.

  My chest tightened. I nearly fell for his repentant act before crazy reared its ugly head again. I didn’t have a clue how we were going to get away from here, but it became clear that Caleb was right. We were very probably in real danger.

  He came behind Sara and me and put his arms around both of us. “I will show you wonder upon wonders,” he promised, “And it will all start tomorrow, with a feast of butterflies and goats.”

  Butterflies and goats?

  I couldn’t see Sara with him between us now, but she asked the question aloud and he just laughed. Sara grabbed at my arm behind he back. I shared
her alarm but gave her a little squeeze of warning.

  Onward, we continued the long journey, Ammon alternately walking between us, holding us both, or jogging ahead to point out some item or another. He was delirious with happiness, which only increased my fear with every glittering, manic smile he threw our way.

  When we finally made it down the stone stairs to the crystal cave, Sara gasped. “This is so beautiful.”

  Ammon’s eyes lit up with pride. He impulsively pulled her close to him, then kissed the top of her head, tenderly.

  Sara’s startled, first reaction was to look at me.

  I didn’t know what to say or how to reassure here. Instead, I settled for the tiniest of shrugs and let my eye silently beg her forgiveness.

  We went closer to the well, which was more like a pool with a small rock rim surrounding it. I found a spot at the side, and lowered myself onto the surprisingly warm stone. The smell of the water was fresh and inviting, and I was a breath away from putting my fingers into it when Ammon grabbed Sara’s arm.

  “Come, my dear,” he sang and led her toward the water. She looked back at me and I started to stand at the same moment Ammon shouted, “Look.”

  We all looked.

  From my sitting point, I had an excellent view of what they saw.

  Sara looked almost the same way she did in person. Except she was surrounded by white and gold light, serene and beautiful. It struck me that the well did show exactly what she looked like, but from the inside. Everyone who knew her, loved her because she was this pure and beautiful soul, like an angel.

  I glanced at Ammon’s reflection next and knew what to look for this time. On the surface, he looked the same but his outline was different. Harsher somehow, and rays of lightning escaped his body. All starting from the back of his neck.

  Where the wires were.

  I shivered then gasped when I noticed something else. While Ammon was dressed completely the same in both image and reality, Sara wasn’t.

  In reality, Sara still wore the white gown in which she had awakened, but her watery reflection showed the gown with added details of embroidery, similar to the one I had seen Izzara wearing.