Dark Goddess

by J. N. Colon

  The girls broke into groups to practice the routines we taught. Each senior was responsible for one while I walked around and monitored. I ambled passed a small collection of freshmen, a tall one with auburn hair and big brown eyes catching my attention. She waved shyly at me. An image of her with unnatural pitch eyes and a gaping maw of black mist flowing out slammed into my consciousness.

  Her name was Ashley. She was the nervous freshmen contestant in the Miss Northwood pageant months ago that had been possessed by a dark soul. She attacked me in the parking lot where Hayden saved me, demonstrating his awesome power for the first time.

  A pang resonated in my chest thinking about my dark god and knowing he was hiding something. Thanks to him she was looking a lot less evil and had no memory of the event.

  I smiled and waved back. She was a sweet girl. I hoped she made the team.

  “Hey Hartley!”

  My gaze shifted, landing on a few more freshmen, all of them waving excitedly at me. I didn’t know them personally, but I distinctly remembered them being possessed by a sin spirit. They had been controlled by envy and followed me around like freaky stalkers. They cornered me in the bathroom and were practically salivating over me.

  Thanks again Reese. The bleachers were suddenly empty, the god not where I left him.

  My eyes narrowed as I sought him out, finding him with a group of juniors. His hands were on a girl’s arms, moving them as if he was instructing her on the dance. I stomped toward him and planted my hands on my hips.

  “Okay,” he told her. “Make sure you straighten those elbows on that one move and then drop your left arm.”

  She bit her lip and demonstrated for him.”

  “Yep. Just like that.”

  I cleared my throat to get his attention without success.

  “And then your other arm forward.”

  I cleared it again, my jaw flexing with annoyance. “What are you doing?” I hissed.

  Reese whirled around, a wide smile stretching across his face. “I’m helping.”

  My brows slammed together. “I told you to stay on the bleachers.”

  The girls shared worried glances with each other.

  “I was helping.” He motioned toward the girl he’d been instructing. “I can’t help it. Competition is in my nature. She was doing it wrong. I’m just trying to give her a fighting chance.”

  “He really was helping.” Stephanie said. “Our senior teacher is kind of MIA at the moment.”

  My eyes glanced around. “Who’s your senior?” I didn’t need to ask. I was pretty sure I knew who it was.

  “Darby.”

  Why wasn’t I surprised?

  “Yeah. That little stuck up blonde one disappeared so I thought I’d help since I’m already here and all…” Reese trailed off, shrugging his wide, muscled shoulders.

  One of the girls put her hands together and bit her bottom lip. “Please Hartley. Can he stay?”

  Several other girls began a chorus of pleases.

  Reese was flashing his pearly whites again, batting his dark lashes too thick to be human. “Please Hartley.”

  “Ugh fine.” At least he’d be out of my hair for a while.

  The girls jumped up and down. “Thank you.”

  I waved as I walked away. I can’t believe the god of war is teaching cheerleaders how to be cheerleaders.

  How is this the same guy who let loose sin spirits and tried to kill me?

  “You can seriously stop following me now.” I tried to slam my front door on Reese’s face, but being a god he caught it easily and strolled inside.

  “No, no. I’d rather stay with you in case you need me to pop you into the Underworld.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I can call Hermes.” I dropped my books on the breakfast bar with a loud thud. “Does Hayden even know you’re my shadow?”

  Reese shrugged noncommittally while a crooked smile played on his lips. “Probably not, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate my efforts to keep you safe.”

  “I doubt that.”

  Without warning Reese gripped my hips and hoisted me up on a barstool, a yelp slipping out my mouth. He caged me in with his thick arms and leaned close, his cologne mixed with gunpowder wafting between us. “This seems familiar, doesn’t it?” His dark eyes glittered seductively.

  My gaze narrowed. The first time I met him he had me in Blake’s basement just like this after saving me from the two jerks that Hayden fought earlier in the hall and their psychotic, skeevy older friend Cal. I crossed my arms in front of my chest, attempting to put a barrier between us. “I do recall you hitting on me after I almost got raped because of your stupid sin spirits.”

  His jaw flexed and a deep seated anger flashed through those charcoal eyes. “I told you I was sorry Hartley. I’d never want that to happen to anyone.”

  I tried to keep the curiosity from my face. It seemed as though Reese had personal experience in the matter—maybe someone he knew. It still didn’t excuse his behavior or any of the other crappy things he’d done. “You also sicked a bunch of demigods on Hermes to beat him up.” He opened his mouth, but I held my hand up, halting him. “You hurt my friends, you almost killed me, and you tried to take the Underworld from Hayden.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “Once I became the god of the Underworld I also intended to steal you from Hayden.”

  I grimaced and shoved him, the planes of his hard chest like iron beneath my palm. Of course he didn’t move. “You’re a creep, you know that?”

  Reese sucked his teeth. “Come on. I said I was sorry. I’ve already been punished by your mother…”

  “Don’t even bring her up,” I hissed.

  He held one hand in the air in surrender. “Okay. But my punishment was terrible and it lasted for months.”

  Curiosity got the better of me. “What was it?”

  A distant, pained look flashed across his face as if he were experiencing an unwelcomed memory. He stood and rubbed the dark stubble on his chin. “I was chained to a rock off the coast of Capri and forced to listen to sirens sing nonstop.”

  My brow arched and I cocked my head with a mischievous little thought. “Did you know my father was half siren?”

  “No,” Reese said warily.

  I opened my mouth to belt a tune, pure terror suddenly flashing through his dark eyes. Reese quickly held my lips together with his thumb and forefinger, stopping my possible siren song.

  “Please don’t do it Hartley.” His voice held an edge of panic laced with trepidation.

  Damn. He was practically begging.

  My lips curled into a smile between his fingers, enjoying having the god of war at my mercy.

  He sucked his teeth and released me. “Naughty girl. Don’t threaten me with that.”

  I leaned back in my seat, feeling powerful regardless if I had any special siren singing abilities. Reese didn’t know that. I nudged his leg with mine. “Tell me what’s wrong with Hayden and I’ll keep my vocal chords on lockdown.”

  He smirked. “Where do I start?”

  I arched one brow, threatening.

  He sighed, his expression losing some of the humor. “I don’t know.”

  “But you know something is wrong?”

  “I think that’s pretty obvious. Gods don’t faint nor do they bleed from wimpy human punches.”

  I grimaced and looked passed him, my mind growing pensive as I thought about the other odd occurrences happening with Hayden—like his flames fizzling out by accident.

  The front door opened and my father walked in, an annoyed expression crossing his face when he caught sight of Reese standing so close his legs were touching my knees.

  “Who are you?” he asked, hanging his keys on a hook.

  Reese puffed out his chest as my dad approached, both sizing each other up.

  I rolled my eyes. “Dad, this is Reese. Reese, this is my dad.”

  My dad’s dark blonde brows arched questioningly. “Reese huh?” His amber eyes surveyed the
god of war, suspicion glimmering in his gaze before a dark scowl crossed his face. “Ares.”

  “The one and only.” He smirked.

  My dad pointed toward the door. “Get out of my house.”

  “No. I’m here to look after Hartley.”

  I scoffed. “He is not.”

  “Then out. I can only tolerate one arrogant god hanging around—unless Hartley has traded you for Hayden.” He looked at me. “Where is your dark shadow anyways?”

  “Underworld,” I sighed.

  “That’s why I’m here.” Reese patted his chest proudly. “To look after my cousin’s girl.”

  “I’m going to change and then I’m meeting some people at Giovanni’s.” I slipped off the stool and started for the stairs. I threw a glance over my shoulder to see my dad glaring daggers at Reese. “On second thought.” I backtracked and grabbed Reese’s bicep, dragging him up the stairs.

  Chapter 7

  “This is so boring.” Darby slurped her soda, an annoyed expression screwing up her makeup caked face. Charcoal thickly lined her blue eyes, slick cotton candy lip gloss shined her lips, and her complexion was overly darkened by bronzer.

  I shot her my own irritated look. “You’re not handcuffed to the table. You can leave any time you want.”

  Her eyes narrowed, but she remained silent.

  Laurie flicked her long glossy hair over her shoulder. “You’re just sour because Hayden’s cousin is totally ignoring you.”

  “Oh please.” Darby crossed her arms against her chest defensively. “He’s not even that hot.”

  “He totally is,” Kathryn and Leslie said in unison, forcing giggles out their mouths.

  Callie, Laurie, and I were on one side of the table while Darby, Kathryn, and Leslie shared the other. A half-eaten pizza was in the middle with sodas all around.

  Leslie leaned forward and sipped her coke, her blonde waves falling around her face. “I would so have his babies.”

  Laurie laughed and nudged her from under the table. “You little slut.”

  She grinned. “I’d be his slut.”

  “I guess I’ll have to find my own hottie since you’re leaving me in the dust,” Kathryn said.

  Leslie tossed her arm over Kathryn’s slender shoulders, squeezing her in a half hug. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Hayden has another gorgeous cousin you can marry.”

  Understatement.

  “He has plenty of hot cousins. Trust me.” Every single one of his family members were drool worthy.

  Darby sighed dramatically and rolled her blue eyes. “You guys are so stupid,” she mumbled, pushing her empty plate of pizza away as if she was dying for me.

  Callie’s brow furrowed. “Don’t call them stupid.”

  Leslie shrugged. “It’s okay Cal. I know she doesn’t mean it.”

  The look on Darby’s face said otherwise.

  The god of war sauntered toward our table, a line of girls drooling in his wake. Both Leslie and Kathryn batted their lashes at him. He flashed them a stellar smile and I thought they were about to melt onto the floor.

  He grabbed a chair from a nearby table and pulled it up to the booth, twirling it around so he straddled the back. “Ladies.” He winked an onyx eye.

  “Don’t you have something better to do Reese?” I asked, absentmindedly running a finger through the condensation on my cup.

  Reese tilted his head. “What’s better than looking after my cousin’s girl?”

  Darby scoffed. “Why does Hartley need looking after? She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”

  Reese practically recoiled from her snarky, frigid attitude, shooting her a questioning expression. “You’re a nasty little one, aren’t you?” He pursed his lips in thought. “Maybe I should feed you to Polyphemus. He likes ‘em bitter.”

  I nearly choked on my soda and kicked Reese in the shin.

  “Hey!” He winced and rubbed his leg as if it actually hurt.

  Darby’s lips curled in disdain, but Callie was the only one to pick up on the Polyphemus reference. She actually paid attention in class.

  “Isn’t that the cyclops from the Odyssey?” she asked, her blonde brows furrowed in confusion.

  A forced laugh tumbled out my mouth. “That’s the name of Reese’s dog,” I lied.

  Reese quickly nodded in agreement, realizing his mistake. “Oh yeah. Polyphemus. Man’s best friend.”

  Callie nodded, but her jittery blue eyes continued to scrutinize the god of war.

  I stanched the urge to kick him hard. I needed to get rid of my shadow before he slipped up again and I had to cover his ass by shamelessly lying to my friends. I hated lying to Callie and I didn’t want to do it any more than necessary.

  My gaze searched the restaurant, thinking of a plan to detach Reese from my side. I noted a group of guys crowding around a pool table as Blake and his older brother Pete played. They looked so much alike they could have been twins only Pete’s longer hair and five o’clock shadow gave him an older, rougher appearance.

  Pete was also unbeatable at pool, but every guy including his brother tried when he was in town from collage.

  I bit back a smile. “Pete’s here.” I motioned my chin toward them, all the girls turning to look.”

  “Who’s Pete?” Reese asked, his voice deepening.

  “Blake’s brother.”

  “Now he’s hot,” Darby said, licking her pink glossed lips at the gorgeous blonde specimen.

  Reese’s brows knit. “What do you think about him Hartley?”

  I sipped my straw. “He’s cute. And he’s a really good pool player.” My eyes slanted toward Reese. “No one can beat him. I mean no one.”

  He scoffed. “Please. I’m sure I can.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know Reese. He’s really good. I doubt even you could do it.”

  Reese stood, his gaze piercing Pete. “I love a good challenge. And I know I can beat him. You’ll see.” Without a second look he marched toward them.

  Score. Of course the god of war couldn’t resist the challenge.

  I was about to join in on the conversation with the girls when I spotted a dark blonde halo of hair, tanned skin, and stormy blue eyes that were glued to me.

  Zeke.

  Normally I would have ignored him besides a quick wave hello, but I needed answers about Hayden and he might be the only person willing to give them to me. “I’ll be back,” I told the girls and slipped out the booth without another word.

  Zeke’s eyes widened when he realized I was headed straight for him. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously once I closed the distance between us to a mere foot. “Hey Hartley.”

  “We need to talk.” I grabbed his hand and dragged him toward an empty part of the restaurant. I pulled him down on a bench so close our thighs were touching.

  He blinked confusedly at my unusual behavior. “What’s going on?” His gaze roamed the restaurant, falling on the commotion the god of war was creating. The tendons in his jaw flexed hard while lightning flashed in his blue irises. “Why is Ares here?”

  I waved a dismissive hand in the air. “Don’t worry about him. He’s trying to help with Ixion or something. I dunno.”

  He glanced around again. “Where’s Hayden?”

  “Underworld. I need to talk to you about him.” I bit my lip to staunch the sudden tears burning in my eyes. “Something’s wrong with him.”

  Worry creased his forehead and he leaned closer, laying his hand on mine. I didn’t shake it off. “What do you mean?”

  I told him about the fainting incident and the nose bleed along with the few times I thought maybe his powers were off.

  When I was done Zeke stared ahead, contemplating the information with a pensive look on his face. Finally his hand reached up and rubbed the light stubble on his chin. “I’ve never heard of something like that happening Hartley.”

  The lump grew in my throat and panic fisted in my chest. “I have to fix him,” I choked out, my voice thick with e
motion.

  Zeke held his palm in the air, halting my impending panic attack. “There might be a plausible explanation.”

  I looked up at him pleadingly. “Like what?”

  “Hayden’s different than us—Poseidon and me.” His brows knit as he searched for the right words. “He’s more connected to his domain than us. It’s almost like a part of him.”

  That was diffidently true. It was now a part of me too.

  “This is the first time, maybe ever, since he’s been god of the Underworld that’s he’s spent this much time out of his domain.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s his world’s way of calling him back.”

  My lips pursed and a dull pain hit my chest. “So I’m the reason for it?”

  Zeke scoffed and bravely tossed his arm over my shoulder, pulling me in for a side hug. He smelled of electricity and summer rain. “No. Don’t feel bad. Hayden wouldn’t want that.”

  I peered up at him from beneath my lashes. “But you’re not completely sure, are you?”

  He shook his head. “It’s only a guess.”

  I pouted just little—that’s all I needed. “Will you maybe ask a seer or something for me? But without Hayden finding out,” I quickly added.

  “Sure,” he said.

  I sniffled and tried to fight the slight smile my mouth wanted to release.

  My thoughts turned back to Hayden. I was more determined now than ever to move into the Underworld. It was where he was supposed to be.

  Hayden

  The crimson fires surrounding my castle reflected off the polished onyx and black marble of my bedroom, casting a crimson glow. The silk pewter curtains fluttered in the breeze off the balcony, flapping lightly in the undulating wind of the flames.

  I touched my nose again, wincing at the tenderness as I stared at my reflection in an elaborately silver framed mirror hanging on the wall. It wasn’t swollen or bruised, but it sure hurt like hell. How did that punk manage to hit me much less make it hurt?

  I hated seeing the worry in Hartley’s eyes for me—and fear. She was aware something was going on and she wasn’t going to keep letting me brush it aside. If anything she was probably going to do something stupid to figure me out like getting my oldest brother involved. He’d love that I was beaten by a human. He’d probably take the opportunity to show Hartley how weak I was and that she needed a strong god like him.