Reluctant Gods (The Awakening Book 2)

by Keri Armstrong

  A rumble of the ground punctuated Laurent’s words. Sara and I looked at each other then at Caleb.

  “No time,” Caleb shouted. “Mom, take Phoebe. I’ll get Sara. Everyone else, do what you have to do.”

  Laurent turned sharply toward Caleb. “You’re giving orders?”

  He nodded, shortly. “This is just like last time. We have to go, now.”

  Laurent’s face turned to stone, his angry disappointment evident. “You all know what to do. Let’s move.”

  In a flash, all of the half-humans shifted, the dragon running off first to make room for his impressive wingspan. Cassandra-now-wolf, the fox and the other wolf leapt onto his back. But just before I was enveloped in Nia’s arms I saw her and the other man bid each other a silent farewell before he shifted. Caleb disappeared with Sara who cried out for me before she left.

  “Wait,” I cried out.

  “It’s all right child, I’ve got you,” Nia said.

  “No, what about Nadia and Nathan?” They were standing off to the side, both still in animal form, watching.

  Laurent who’d just pulled a small silver disk from his belt and handed it to Gabriel, turned to look at me. “What about them?

  “We have to take them with us. They helped save us,” I insisted, even as the horrible buzzing noise began making it hard to think. Nathan and Nadia whined as it grew louder.

  The ground began to buckle and we all jumped back a few steps as the pit where the Pillar of Life had been started to sink into the ground. Nathan yelped, and nudged his sister. They both ran toward it as I screamed at them to stop. They leaped into the abyss after it, and the ground closed over them.

  “Why? Why did they do that?” I cried.

  Nia closed her arms around me as I shook.

  “Now,” Laurent shouted.

  And we were gone.

  Twenty-Five

  We were back in Tucson. The next evening, I sat alone by the pool, watching the setting sun with a newfound appreciation. It seemed so long since I’d felt those rays of warmth on my skin.

  The others had pieced together the story for me about where Sara and Caleb had gone after they’d left Nathan and me. I still couldn’t bear to think about him or his sister.

  They told me how it had taken them a while to figure out how to get back inside the caves without the gong.

  It was only at that moment that I even remembered it. The last time I’d seen it, the healers were using it over Sara. I wondered where it was now, and considered maybe it was best lost. I didn’t plan on handing down that damned box to any children I might have one day, and Sara felt the same.

  Nevertheless, with Laurent and Nia’s help, they’d disarmed a security system so the others could get in. They’d also shut down areas where other sleepers and some of their creatures were located.

  I shuddered, remembering the Naga.

  I’d also been introduced to Sun Joo, the dragon shifter, whose eyes I tried to not stare at. I, better than most, knew how that felt. He, Cassandra and Alex, whom I now knew to be the fox shifter, as well as Nia and the werewolf who’d been introduced as Alejandro, were heading for the airport. Sun Joo put on a pair of sunglasses to hide his eyes. He was curious to see how humans flew. He’d flown in under his own power during the night, resting once or twice along the way.

  The others were taking a plane back to Chicago.

  As I looked out at the desert hills beyond, I was past exhaustion and sorrow. I wished I could sleep for a few weeks then wake up to find this had all been just a bad dream.

  I held out my arms and looked at them, relieved at the familiar sight. It was the only thing about me that was familiar. I no longer knew, really, who I was or what I was capable of.

  A shadow fell over me and I glanced up.

  Gabriel Lara’s dark eyes sparkled. “The butterfly was already coming out of the chrysalis before, you know.”

  A genuine smile moved my face for the first time since I’d been back at the hotel. Already, I’d received compliments on my transformation, which made me very uncomfortable. However, his compliment, I would accept.

  “How are you holding up, kiddo?” he asked softly.

  My smile trembled around the edges and I had to look away.

  “Maybe you should stay here for a little while,” he said.

  Surprised, I turned. I had already been thinking about it, but hadn’t mentioned it to Sara yet.

  I really wanted to hear his reasoning. “Why?”

  His steady, solemn gaze held the same comfort it always had. “You’ve been through so much here, more than anyone else right now. You need time to process it where people won’t be asking questions. Where they won’t know you’ve changed.”

  I nodded. I’d been thinking the same. I just couldn’t face all the new types of stares and all the questions. As a group, we’d already come up with a plan to say I’d had successful scar removal surgery. I would wear bandages for a few weeks, then do a big reveal.

  But I needed more. I need time to find me again. And Nathan, if possible.

  That part, I wasn’t telling anyone. But when I looked into Gabriel’s eyes, I suspected he already knew.

  “That flame…the Pillar of Life…” I started, hesitant. “What do you know about it?”

  He sighed. “Only a bit. I just learned of it fairly recently. Laurent is the one you should ask.”

  “Who is he, really?” I asked suddenly.

  He looked surprised then his gaze shuddered. “He’s my business partner. Why do you ask?”

  I looked into his handsome but implacable face and knew there’d be no answers forthcoming. I shrugged. “Just wondering. He did seem to be in charge.”

  He laughed then, deep and rich. “Oh, he loves being in charge. Or at least, thinking that he is. I believe Laurent somehow considers himself the father figure in all of this.”

  He looked so amused that I had to grin with him. I mean, he and Laurent looked to be about the same age.

  “But seriously, do you think it’s still working down there?” I asked.

  He looked off into the distance, not asking what I meant. After a moment he spoke.

  “It’s possible. Likely, in fact. I think the sink-hole was them reclaiming it. I don’t believe they’d destroy it. They need it.”

  I nodded, watching the horizon. As we were bathed in the golden warmth of the sinking sun, I glanced over at his steady profile.

  He turned, his gaze serious yet kind upon me.

  In his safe and calming presence, I was finally able to work up the courage to ask the question I’d been afraid to consider, even when I was alone.

  “What am I now?” I whispered in a rush. “And Sara? Our ancestors said that the pillar of flame could… well, stop death.”

  He smiled and laid one of strong hands over my arm. “You are just what you have always been, Phoebe. A beautiful, powerful, female.”

  I ducked my head, suddenly unable to meet his gaze.

  He gave my arm a little squeeze before removing his hand. “The flame only healed you, which will give you longer life. But in order to ‘defeat death’, you’d have to stand in it every few hundred years of so.”

  I laughed and looked up. “Oh, so no fear of that, then. I can’t imagine trying to get down there when I’m an old woman.”

  His just gave me a smile that held a bit of mystery.

  It made me nervous again. But I was so curious, I had to ask. “What?”

  “Well, you are still mortal, but…” he paused, considering.

  “But?”

  “It will be a very long time before you’re an old woman.”

  I chuckled. “Well, at least another forty or fifty years.”

  “Longer.”

  “Okay. I’m twenty-one, so sixty years from now?”

  He smiled again. “Add several more decades.”

  I gaped and he turned serious.

  “You’ll probably just be starting to look like you’re in your forties a
t that time, Phoebe. You and Sara, both. You won’t be old women for at least two hundred years. Didn’t anyone explain this?” he asked, sounding annoyed.

  I shook my head, speechless.

  As the implications of it all started to sink in, it must have shown on my face.

  “I’m sorry, Phoebe,” he said.

  I had to look away from the compassion in his eyes. Always moving, always hiding. Just when I thought my heart couldn’t sink any lower.

  We would never be able to stay in one place. Our parents and Gran had always shuttled Sara and me from pillar to post, and now that we were on own, it seemed we still couldn’t have a permanent home.

  I dropped my head against the back of the chair. At least we’d still have each other. That was some comfort.

  I straightened again as something occurred to me. “What about the rest of you?”

  He hesitated. “Some of us are the same, though for different reasons.”

  “What reasons?”

  “Maybe another time,” he said, rising. “I can hear we’re about to have guests. When you are ready to return to Chicago, Laurent and I will help you get settled.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “I know this will be hard for you. It was hard for me. But if you need anything, Phoebe, I’ll be here for you.”

  He pulled out one of his Midnight Ink business cards and handed it to me. “My cell is on the back. Don’t hesitate to use it.”

  I just nodded as we were joined by Sara and Caleb.

  He gave Caleb a light slap on the arm. “All packed?”

  “We all are.”

  Gabe nodded and left.

  I frowned at Sara. “You’re going back to Chicago? Don’t you have school?”

  “Don’t you?” she countered. “But I’ve decided to quit.”

  “What? Why?”

  “What do you mean why? It seems kind of pointless now. I want to learn to fight properly.” She shivered in spite of the warm air. “I never want to feel that powerless again.”

  Caleb rubbed her back and she leaned into him, smiling softly before turning back to me.

  “And we need to learn to help others, because this is far from over,” she said.

  I totally agreed with her reasoning, but still wasn’t sold on the quitting school part. Nor with how cozy she and Caleb seemed to be getting. Now was not the time for romance or slacking. Besides, if we were going to live for a couple of centuries, we ought to know a bit about the world.

  I suddenly wondered if she knew.

  “Sara,” I began slowly, “Apart from helping keep the Sleepers asleep and the Awakened out of world affairs, how do you really see your life playing out?

  She looked down then glanced shyly at Caleb and shrugged. He gave her a doting look and my lips tightened.

  “Well, I’m not going back,” I announced tersely.

  That got their attention.

  “Phoebe, you have to! You can’t stay here by yourself,” she protested.

  Caleb narrowed his gaze on me. “What brought this on?”

  I felt cheap for bringing Gabriel into it, but I blurted anyway, “And Gabe agrees with me.”

  Sara crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s he got to do with it?”

  “Actually, nothing. I was just saying that he agrees. I’m not going back yet.”

  “Then I’ll stay with you,” she said.

  Caleb looked at her sharply.

  “No, you won’t,” I insisted. “You need to do exactly as you said and learn to control your powers. I just need some time alone. I’ll join you later.”

  She cut her eyes at Caleb while motioning her head in my direction. A clear signal to him to try to make me see reason.

  As if.

  He was the last one I wanted to speak with right now. I knew I might forgive him someday—after all, he did save our lives more than once—but today was not the day.

  He seemed to realize it, too. “Sara, maybe we need to give her some space.”

  “Et tu?” she huffed.

  Before she could light into him, I put my hand on her arm. “Sara, please. I just need some time alone. I promise you, I’ll be all right and I’ll join you guys soon.”

  “But I don’t want you staying out here alone! It’s too dangerous with those caves nearby.”

  “It’s dangerous everywhere. And I’m not as powerless as I once was, and neither are you. There is nothing you can say or do to change my mind, so just stop it. Get your suitcase and get yourself back to Chicago. Tell everyone I’m still recovering from surgery but needed you to take care of stuff for me at home.”

  Her mouth opened and closed for a moment. Then, “Caleb, talk some sense into her. Or get Laurent, I’m sure he’ll agree with me,” Sara insisted.

  “Actually, I agree with Phoebe,” Laurent’s voice drifted over to us as he neared.

  Sara’s mouth dropped open again and I saw tears well in her eyes.

  That nearly cracked my resolve. I pulled her into a tight hug. “I swear to you, I’ll be home soon. I just need to be away from all the awkward stares and questions, for now.”

  She stiffened and pulled back. I could see by her face that I’d scored a hit. It was something she understood, even if the reasoning was now because of beauty instead of scars.

  “All right. But no more than a week,” she said.

  I laughed a little. “It might be a bit longer, I can’t guarantee. But it won’t be long,” I added quickly when she clouded up again.

  At least, I hoped it wouldn’t be long. Her nerves must have been a little contagious because part of me also started to wonder what I was doing.

  Gabe rejoined us in time to hear the last bit of conversation.

  He looked at Sara. “She’ll be fine,” he said with conviction.

  I smiled and straightened then, my resolved strengthened.

  Gabe and Laurent believed in me, and they could kick some serious ass.

  Laurent also spoke to Sara. “The longer she is out of sight of others, the more believable our cover story will be.”

  To me, he said, “I’ve covered the hotel for you for the next two weeks. If you need more time, just let me know.”

  “You didn’t have to do that!” I protested. “I can pay for it.”

  He waved a dismissive hand. “No need. You just rest.”

  Beside him, Gabe jerked his head a little in Laurent’s direction and gave me wry grin as if to say, ‘See what I mean?’

  I bit back a smile and looked at Laurent. “Well, thank you. But I am going to pay you back.”

  His sigh was a masterpiece blend of martyrdom and annoyance. “Do you what you must, but it isn’t necessary.”

  I returned Gabe’s smile when our self-appointed leader wasn’t looking.

  Gabe was right. Laurent would make a great dad – one of the pushy, irritating-but-means-well kind.

  “It would be good for all of you to concentrate on your training for what lies ahead,” Laurent continued, looking in turn at all of us.

  “But, then she should come back with us,” Sara protested.

  “And she will,” he said. “When she’s ready. Only then will she be a true asset on our side.”

  I frowned at that as did Sara.

  Gabe looked at me, wisdom in that deep gaze. “When you’re ready,” he echoed, and suddenly it seemed like the best and only advice.

  Sara pouted then her eyes went wide. “Oh, my God, Phoebe!” she blurted.

  “What?”

  “Allie! She is going to flip when she sees you.”

  A wry, half smile tugged at my lips. “I’m sure she won’t be the only one.”

  Then I had a sudden realization, too. I turned to Caleb. “Is she like us?”

  He shrugged. “I’m still not sure.”

  My brows rose when I saw Laurent and Gabe looking confused for once.

  “Allie?” they asked in unison.

  Caleb grinned. “Oh, you’ll see.”

  And with that, I watched with some
sorrow and trepidation as they started to gather their things to pack into the rental car.

  But Gabe and Laurent were right. When I was ready, I would join them.

  For now, though, I needed to recover, even if only a bit. It was going to take time, a long time, to get used to all the changes. If I even could. And there was still the matter of what happened with Nathan and Nadia. For the sake of my sanity, I shoved that to the back of my mind and focused on Sara.

  We both sniffed back tears as we said our goodbyes.

  No one knew what our future would hold, but if we supported each other, we had a better chance of defeating the Awakened. And with that, we might just find our happily-ever-afters, wherever they might be.

  * * * * * *

  The Awakening Series, Book 3

  Allie’s secrets have put her and those she loves in great danger. She’ll have to act quickly and learn who she can trust if they’re going to survive.

  February 2018

  Dear Reader

  Thank you for spending time with these characters; I hope you enjoyed their story and the sneak peek at the next book in the series.

  If you liked Reluctant Gods, please leave a review at the purchase site or on Goodreads to help others find the book. Every review spurs retailers to raise awareness about the books you enjoy, as well as helps the author to keep writing.

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  Other books available or coming soon:

  TURNED

  Sometimes a vampire hunter just can't get a break.

  Available Now

  GRAVE DECISIONS

  Whether Ellie survives her new school will depend on decisions from beyond the grave.

  1: Enchanted

  2: Entangled

  Coming 2018

  RED DEVILS AND REDNECKS

  Demons are raising hell along the border of Kentucky and West Virginia.

  Coming 2018