“…her mortal soul can’t survive on this side of the barrier,” a woman says.
“It’s not like I had a choice.” Kol’s familiar timbre is unmistakable. So is the stress lacing his words. “It was this or The Silenci.”
“You made the best choice at the time,” the woman agrees. “But humans can’t survive on this side of the veil. The universal laws are too different here. Their bodies and minds reject it.”
“Ascending,” Kol says.
“A goddess ascending is still mortal enough to reject the magic, Kol.” The voice is chastising now.
“But her goddess side—”
“Is awake.” The woman’s voice is amused, and I scowl at how smoothly she’s just ruined my eavesdropping.
A second later, Kol appears from behind the chimney. His dark eyes are full of enough concern to make me wonder exactly how long I’ve been out.
“What time is it?” I ask, struggling to sit up before I realize I didn’t really know what time it was before I passed out.
“Nearly midnight,” Kol says. “On Thursday.”
“You were asleep almost fifteen hours,” says the woman behind him.
My eyes land on her, and I feel awe. She is gorgeous. Ethereal. I can’t stop staring at her shiny blonde hair and perfectly sculpted cheekbones. Her skin is flawless and creamy with rosy cheeks.
She steps around Kol and clasps my hand with a gentle squeeze, a real smile curving her full mouth.
“Elidi, I’m Vayda,” she says. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You’re Kol’s stepmother?” I ask. The woman doesn’t look a day over thirty. Maybe Kol’s dad has a thing for younger women?
Vayda smiles. “I am mother to all of Odin’s creations.”
“Odin? As in Thor’s dad?” I ask, confused.
Vayda laughs. “Yes, well, some of our stories have spilled over into the human world. As for the rest of us,” she sweeps her arms out to include Kol and maybe even this whole mountain town. “We’re a little less recognizable, though I assure you, we’re just as real.”
I frown as I realize this woman brings no more sanity to the table than Kol does. They all think they’re gods. Or wolves. And they think I’m a god too. Maybe it’s the dizziness or the exhaustion, but I can’t quite find it in me to argue anymore.
“How are you feeling?” Kol asks.
“Better.” I attempt to sit up, and Kol stops me.
“Whoa. Just rest,” he says.
“I can’t afford to rest,” I say, frustrated and impatient. “If I was out for fifteen hours, that means I’ve lost an entire day.”
“And you’re going to lose more than that if you don’t rest,” Kol says, blocking my attempts to get up.
“What’s wrong with me?” I ask, stifling a yawn. “And don’t tell me it’s stress or something. I heard you talking.”
Vayda quirks a brow at that and looks at Kol.
He sighs. “Your body’s rejecting the magic of this place,” Kol says.
“What magic?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t feel it,” Kol says.
An awareness prickles at the edge of my senses. Something I’ve been ignoring since gasping for breath on the shore.
“When we emerged from the river, we were no longer on the earthly plane,” he says. “And don’t tell me that’s crazy because I know you felt it.”
“I felt like I was drowning,” I say.
Kol just gives me a look and says, “Exactly.”
My eyes widen. “Hold up. You think my lungs bursting for oxygen as you insanely swam away from the shore equates to leaving the earthly plane?” My gaze swings to Vayda since I can’t trust Kol anymore.
“Kol’s right, Elidi. You crossed what we call the veil.”
“The veil?”
“It’s a kind of curtain that separates the human world from the god realms.”
“I’m not on Earth anymore?”
“You’re still on Earth,” she assures me. “Just not on the same plane that you’re familiar with. Think of this place as a second reality overlaid against the reality you already know.”
“And where is this second reality in relation to Earth’s geography?” I ask.
“We’re high in the mountains of the Wenatchee National Park,” she explains.
I sigh because hearing the name of a location I recognize somehow normalizes all of this in a way the supermodel-fur-queen and her too-young-stepson can’t.
“Why did we come here if it’s making me sick?” I ask.
“Kol brought you to Black Peak to escape The Silenci. Unfortunately, your mortal body can’t equalize in a place where the laws are so different from the world you know.”
“Laws like what? Is kidnapping not illegal here?”
Vayda’s smile widens. “You’re sassy. I like it. It’ll serve you well on this journey.”
“What journey?” I ask, not sure I like how she makes it sound. Like it’s about more than a swim through a magical river and glamping with Kol.
“You’re ascending, Elidi.” Vayda folds her hands in front of her, and I notice how angelic the pose makes her look. “It’s not easy. You’ll need all your strength to survive it.”
“What I need strength for is finding my aunt Aerina. I mean, I don’t even know if she’s alive,” I add, desperation leaking in.
“Aerina isn’t dead,” Vayda tells me.
“How do you know?”
“If The Silenci wanted her dead, they would have killed her. Kol told me she went through a portal. I’ve already dispatched my best trackers to find her. If she’s on the Celestial plane or in any of the three realms, we’ll find her.”
“Did you just say Celestial?”
Vayda smiles. “Yes. It’s the third of the six realms: Heavenly, Ethereal, Celestial, Bailiwick, Earth, and Gehenna.”
“Okay, look. Can we just stop this family crazy train right there? You’re both insane. Realms? Really? And for the record, Aerina can’t be a goddess. She cheats at Scrabble, and she always doubles back for a second sample at the food court.”
Vayda’s brows rise.
“Being a goddess isn’t about being a good person,” Kol says, grinning.
“Then what determines it?” I ask.
“It’s a matter of bloodline,” he says.
Vayda nods. “You’re born this way, darling.”
They both watch me carefully, and the full meaning behind her words finally sinks in. “Are you saying I was born a goddess?” Whoa. “That means. Uh, no. No way. You think my mother was a goddess?”
“Hemera, Goddess of Day, to be exact,” Kol says.
I snort. “Okay, now I know you’re crazy. My mom was the least goddess-like person I knew. She drank and cursed like a sailor. And don’t even get me started on her addiction to Hallmark Christmas movies. Wait.” I frown as his words finally sink in. “How do you know her name?”
Kol cuts Vayda a look. “I think she hit her head before I got her out,” he says like it explains everything.
That was it.
“Okay, look. As nice as you’ve been, providing me with a place to collapse and all, I need to get back.” I toss back the covers, but Kol doesn’t budge from where he’s blocking my dismount off his large expanse of a mattress.
“Elidi, you can’t leave,” he says.
“We’re back to kidnapping then?” I glare back at him, refusing to be intimidated.
“Actually, leaving is exactly what you need to do,” Vayda says, laying a hand on Kol’s shoulder.
“Thanks,” I tell her with a smile. “Hoes before bros, am I right?”
I wiggle my toes, forcing Kol to take a step back, then push to my feet. The moment my toes hit the rug, the room sways. I grab the mattress as an anchor, plastering a smile on my face for my audience. Kol watches me dubiously, and I don’t miss the way he hovers close as if ready to catch me when I go down.
I don’t tell him to stop because the way the room is spinni
ng, I have zero doubt it’ll be necessary in three… two…
Kol snatches me out of the air before I can hit the rug.
“Ugh,” I groan as he sets me back in bed.
Vayda says something I don’t catch, but Kol shakes his head, his dark eyes blazing now. “We can’t move her. Not like this,” he says.
“You can’t leave her here,” she warns. “Her body will only continue deteriorating.”
“Where are we supposed to go?” he demands.
“Kol.” In an instant, her tone changes, and she snaps the word hard enough that I flinch.
Kol stiffens and then turns to face her. Between them, energy buzzes, and while Vayda’s expression is neutral and calm, there’s a frenetic sort of impatience rolling off of her now. Like she’s only barely holding onto the leash of her own power.
I stare up at her with wide eyes.
“You saved her despite the fact that you don’t have a divine order,” she says quietly, and there’s a hint of rage behind her words now. “Even so, you are my own, and I won’t deny you the honor of your oath. But you can’t stop what’s begun. And you can’t control this. Especially not now.”
Kol stares back at her for a long moment. “You knew I’d have to go to her,” he says quietly, and there’s accusation in his hushed words.
“She’s the safest option for you now,” Vayda says in a clipped voice.
In the silence between them, power shudders then clashes before fading away. Finally, Kol blinks and nods slowly.
“I’ll need to make arrangements.”
“Let her rest while you prepare. I’ll have the healer check on her. Give her something to refresh her for the journey.”
Kol looks back at me, but I can tell from his glazed eyes he’s not seeing me now. He’s making plans for whatever trip he and Vayda are discussing.
Frustrated at my cluelessness, I tighten my fists around a handful of sheets.
“Hello? Still here. Did you forget about me while you were discussing my life without my input?”
Vayda’s lips twitch. “Forgive us. We’re moving quickly to prevent your condition from worsening.”
“So, Kol is taking me home?” I ask.
Vayda hesitates. “Not exactly.”
She shares a look with Kol. “Your home is gone. Remember?” he asks gently.
“Shit,” I say suddenly as the memory returns. “Shit,” I say again when I realize I said shit in front of a beautiful goddess.
Vayda doesn’t call me out, though. She just waits, watching me like she expects me to do something other than sit here muttering curses.
“My aunt Aerina,” I say. “You’re sure she’s not dead?”
“I’m almost positive,” she says.
“How do you know?”
“Put simply? Aerina is the Goddess of the Morning. Without your mother here, losing Aerina would be . . . let’s just say there’d be consequences for your reality. Noticeable changes.”
“What kind of changes?” I ask.
“Let’s just say, the fact that the sun came up this morning is a good sign.”
I blink, completely dumbfounded at her words. Disbelief rises, but I shove it down. If I’m going to ask for Vayda’s help finding Aerina, I have to play by her rules.
“How can I find her?” I ask. “How do I bring her home?”
Vayda hesitates. “You would have to travel through the veil, which isn’t something your mortal body can handle.”
“But you said I’m a goddess.”
“Not yet, you’re not. And until then, you’re not capable of making that journey.”
“Fine. Tell me what to do in order to become that strong,” I say.
Vayda’s gaze sharpens, and she gives me a once-over like she’s still expecting me to shake the exhaustion clinging to my bones.
“There’s only one way you can save her now,” she says.
“Tell me.”
“You have to ascend.”
Chapter Seven
I have to ascend.
What does that even mean? Like climb a hill? My foggy brain can’t seem to work her words into a sensible context, and Vayda doesn’t even stick around to clarify. One minute she’s perched on the edge of my bed like some sort of ethereal nursemaid, and the next she’s pushing to her feet and snapping orders to Kol who’s hurrying around the room, shoving things into a brown duffel like there’s a fire drill.
It might have been infuriating or even disturbing if I wasn’t so damned dizzy. And sleepy. Somewhere between Vayda’s personality shift and Kol’s brooding, I drift off again.
When I wake, the tent is darker than before, and the fire has been reduced to embers. My throat aches, and my body feels twice as heavy as normal, but I’m determined to move.
I peel the blankets back and then freeze at the sight of my own body or, more importantly, what’s covering it. My yoga pants and sports bra are gone, replaced by thick socks, leggings and a cotton tunic. They’re warm thanks to the durable fabric, and cozy too, but I can’t help wondering who changed me: Kol or his mama.
Either possibility feels awkward as hell, so I decide not to wonder too hard and concentrate on swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.
No one rushes to stop me, which proves I’m finally truly alone, and after three tries, I manage to stand. My legs immediately wobble, but I managed to make it over to the water jug someone has set on the center counter. My stomach growls while I chug the contents.
After I finish, I carefully walk around looking for something to eat, but I can’t find any food among the cabinets or stacked barrels. Apparently, Kol has packed up nearly everything that hasn’t been nailed down. It makes me wonder exactly where he plans on taking me when we leave here. And for how long. Not that it matters.
Aerina is alive. And if I get my shit together and stop fainting long enough to “ascend,” I can probably save her, because apparently, I’m a goddess too.
A pair of boots stand beside the entrance. I slide my feet inside and find that they’re exactly my size.
I manage to leave the tent without blacking out, but my breath is short. However, the cold helps revive me enough that I can step away from the tent and look around.
Unlike at my arrival, there are no other people in sight. The moon has risen high over the hillside, illuminating the snow. Overhead, stars twinkle through the bared branches.
The other half-dozen tents I can see from where I stand each have a steady stream of smoke billowing from the top chimney. The stillness of the scene against a backdrop of curling smoke is beautiful.
My fear of darkness rears up, but I shove it aside, determined to investigate my surroundings. After the last few days, I’m not taking any chances or blindly assuming everyone else will protect me.
I walk another few yards before somewhere behind me, a branch cracks. It’s not loud, but in the silence, it’s out of place. I turn, reaching out for the side of the tent for balance.
Nothing moves among the trees, but I spot a shadow that slides to the right, moving stealthily through the cover of branches. My breath catches.
It rounds a fir tree and is almost before me. Suddenly, I’m aware of exactly how exposed and alone I am.
The hooded figure steps out of the shadows into the moonlit space between the forest and the tent at my back.
His broad shoulders take up nearly the entire width between branches, and I can’t help but stare at the way his sweatshirt strains against his defined biceps. He’s wider than Kol, built like a linebacker.
The man clears his throat to get my attention, and my cheeks heat at the fact that he’s busted me for checking him out. My gaze snaps to his, and I find myself trapped in a furious stare of the most startling green eyes I’ve ever seen.
A very familiar emerald green, in fact.
He pulls back his hood, and I catch sight of his short black hair as he glares at me. I’m tempted to cross my arms in some sort of defense. But since I couldn’t possibly have d
one anything to offend him—yet—and I’m still magic-drunk, I keep my hold on the side of the tent instead.
He doesn’t speak.
“If you’re looking for Kol, he’s devising an exit plan.”
His surly expression quickly turns into confusion.
“Kol?”
“Yeah, the protector-dude. Kol.”
“He isn’t your protector. And I’m not looking for him; I’m looking for you.”
“Why?”
“You’re Elidi, light goddess ascending.”
“And you are?” I ask.
“My name is Helix. I’ve come to offer myself as your chosen Guardian.” He bows stiffly then takes a step toward me, adding, “You’re not safe here, Goddess.”
Two protectors? No thank you.
“Uh, okay, and where do you propose I go to be safe?” I ask, playing along.
“The Eggther are the only clan divinely ordered for guardianship. You belong in Tegwood with me.” He closes the distance between us. “If we hurry, we can slip away before they notice you’re gone.”
He tries to grab for my wrist.
“Hold it right there,” I say, pulling back. “I never said I was going anywhere with you. I’ve already been kidnapped once today.”
“I’m not kidnapping you. I’m your Guardian.”
That low voice sends a shiver down my spine, and I clutch the tent harder, positive it’s only for balance and to ward off whatever illness keeps making me pass out. It has nothing to do with how hot this guy is or how tingly his voice makes me feel.
I force myself to focus on what he said.
“Are you a werewolf? Like Kol?”
“We prefer guardian. Or wolf shifter.”
I knew I’d seen his green eyes before.
“Fine, wolf shifter. Is there something you need?” I ask, haughty in the face of his obvious irritation.
“I need you,” he says, and then as if he’s realized how his words sound, he swallows hard, and his expression clears, and he adds, “To warn and protect you, I mean.”
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