Mortal Defiance (11 page)

Chapter 19

“And what about my parents? Are they safe? And how am I supposed to explain to them that I’m moving to an island?” Ree shook her head in annoyance. “There’s no way I can do that. I can’t just leave them and hope they’ll be okay.”

“Look, I know this isn’t easy.” Sophie sighed and steepled her fingers in front of her face.

“You know what? I’m getting tired of everyone telling me that. It isn’t easy, and you telling me you understand doesn’t help, so stop. What I want is an answer to make it easier. I’m not leaving my parents; I’m not leaving them without protection.” Ree felt her eyes grow hard and her jaw clench.

“Ree, there is more at stake than just you and your parents.”

“Trust me, I’m well aware of that, but it doesn’t change the fact that I owe my parents more than running away and letting them be Tristan’s next dinner. As long as they’re in danger, I’m staying with them.” Ree leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. “Now, tell me why you want me to hide on the island and just what Ares is doing as a speaker at that convention.”

“I’ve called in more reinforcements to help. I was going to ask for the gods to send some, but now I feel that might be a mistake. Something is happening, and I have no clear idea as to what is going on. I can tell you that Ares is not the only god in the pictures on that website. Loki is also listed as a speaker. This cannot be a coincidence. If those two are working together, it spells nothing but trouble.”

“Like we need any more of that.” Leaning back in her chair, Ree crossed her arms over her chest. “Who did you call to come help us?”

“There are several Guardians I know personally that have agreed to come help patrol the city so I can spend more time with you and the others. I think you will be safer on the island, where some of the other gods can keep a better eye on you.”

“You think these gods might hurt me? Why?” Ree raised her eyebrows in confusion.

“Yeah, you would think that would be counterproductive.” Grimacing, Melanie looked from Ree to Sophie.

“I have no explanation.” Shrugging, Sophie straightened some of the papers on her desk. “Ares is bad enough, but even more troubling is Loki’s involvement. All bets are off when he shows up.”

“What do you mean?” Melanie asked.

“He is contrary for no reason other than to be so. It is worrying that he has shown up in the middle of the last battle. I can’t understand why a god would not want us to win. However, it could be completely possible he is here to cause trouble.”

“Why? Why would he want to make it more difficult? That’s crazy.” Shaking her head, Ree tightened her arms around her chest.

“That’s because you are thinking like a human and not like a god. They don’t value good or bad, right or wrong, the same way humans do.”

“Roland said the same thing last night.”

“He would know. Ares took a personal interest in him when he decided to join our fight.”

“What do you mean?” A chill ran through Ree as she recalled the fire in the god’s eyes.

“The god of war thought Roland would make the perfect warrior. In a lot of ways, he was right. Roland is dangerous, deadly, and he can be ruthless. However, Tria returned his humanity. She couldn’t return his soul, because that was destroyed. I also think that’s why—” Sophie stopped and looked at the girls, her eyes wide as if she had said something she hadn’t meant to. “In the end, Roland wasn’t quite what Ares wanted in a warrior. He refused to do things the god demanded, and Roland was sent to work with me instead.”

“That’s terrible.” Ree’s anger spiked and she didn’t care that the others could tell. “I can’t imagine Ares being nice about that.”

“No. It’s safe to say that Roland is a strong man to have not caved to Ares’s demands.” Sophie spoke quietly, and Ree could feel the older woman’s affection for Roland. Ree knew that feeling; it was the same way she had felt about Tristan when he was alive. They were family, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t wanted to strangle him over the years.

“Back to the gods. Why would being on the island help protect Ree from Ares and Loki?” Melanie looked uncomfortable, as if she needed to change the subject.

“There are gods that would protect Ree from the others. They can do so better on the island, where the other gods would be aware of what was going on. Out here, where things are not monitored in the same way, they could run the risk of starting an internal battle. The gods of this planet are not known for their cooperation. The last thing we need is for them to start fighting.”

Understanding how important it was for the gods to work together did nothing to change how she felt about staying with her parents. They needed her, and she wasn’t going to abandon them.

“I get it, Sophie, but I’m not leaving yet. I can’t do that to my mom and dad.”

Sophie looked at her for a minute and jerked her head in understanding. Ree knew she wasn’t happy about it, but didn’t really care. She stood up and started straightening clutter on the desk.  Not wanting to continue arguing, Ree went to the front of the shop and straightened the sales desk out there, as well. Once that was finished, she went back to where her friends were still sitting and busied herself with a reading assignment. Eventually, a yawn pulled her mouth open and she looked at the others in embarrassment. “Sorry, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Why don’t you go grab a nap for a little while? I have a few leads to check into tonight.” Sophie nodded toward the stairs.

“I think that might be a good idea. My sleep schedule hasn’t been normal since Christmas.” Ree stood up and stretched. “Wake me up if anything happens.” She looked at Melanie and raised a brow.

“Sure. I think I might try to get some homework done while you’re taking a nap.”

Ree groaned and looked at her backpack. She really should try to stay caught up with schoolwork, but at the mention of a nap, her eyes had begun to burn. “Ugh. It’ll be there when I get up, and I really do need some sleep. The whole ‘being mortal during an immortal battle’ thing pretty much sucks.”

“Yep. Being immortal does have its advantages. Not needing much sleep is one of them.” Melanie opened her calculus book and grimaced. “Of course, super brainpower would be handy. I really hate math.”

Laughing as she went up the stairs, Ree threw open the door to what she considered her room and flopped onto the bed. She stared at the old ceiling for a while, tracing the cracks with her eyes
. I wonder if Sophie is going to refurbish this old building or if she’ll just move on after everything is finished
, Ree thought. Then the reality of everything slammed into her, and she realized it was very likely that none of them would live through the battle. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten slowly and concentrated on slowing her heart rate. At some point during the process, her tired body took over and she fell asleep.

Chapter 20

Voices and laughter drifted up the stairs, waking Ree from the first sound sleep she had experienced in days. Groping in the dark, she found the old windup clock on the nightstand and squinted at the numbers. Looking from the clock to the window, she rubbed her eyes before looking back to the clock. She had slept until almost six o’clock. Sitting up, she pushed off the bed and stretched. She had missed most of the day, but at least she felt better.

Music pumped out of a small radio, filling the back room with music. A smile tugged at Ree’s mouth as she came down the stairs and saw her friends. They were spread around the room, working on homework, books piled up around them. Lying with her head in Bryce’s lap, Juliette’s foot twitched with the beat as she read a book. Melanie’s head nodded to the rhythm as she scanned the internet. The relaxed set of Weylin’s shoulders as he read through his history book made Ree smile.

When her eyes fell on Paden, the happiness filling her heart tripled. Walking down the rest of the steps, her eyes never left his. Once she was at his chair, she didn’t know what to do. Warmth and desire filled his eyes, the corners of his mouth tilted up in a dangerous smile. For a moment, her breath caught in her throat and the rest of the room faded away. Nothing mattered but the glint of desire floating in the depths of his eyes. Slowly, as if to torture her, he set his notebook down and stood up. His fingers grazed her chin, tilting her face so she was looking up at him.

“Looks like a nap was just what you needed.” His thumb traced her bottom lip, sending shivers down her spine. “I missed you last night.”

Heat saturated her body, but she didn’t care. Keeping her voice low, she said, “I missed you, too.”

“Did you?” His hand left her cheek to reach down and twine his fingers with hers. “It sounds like you had an eventful night.”

At the reminder of Ares, her happiness faded a little, and she bit her bottom lip. “I’m okay. Roland was able to sense what was going on, so I didn’t freak out.”

His eyes tightened at the mention of Roland, but he only nodded his head. “I’m glad you weren’t alone. I hate to think what might have happened had someone not been with you.” Her stomach performed a nasty dive as her fingers clutched at his.

“He was… frightening. I don’t think he wants me to win.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you, Ree. I swear it.” When he pulled her into his arms, she rested her head on his firm chest. “Nothing will hurt you while I’m around.”

“You can’t be with me all the time, Pay.”

“Yeah, that’s why you have us. Duh!” Juliette chimed in from the couch. The beautiful girl’s foot never stopped twitching to the music, but she dropped the book to her stomach and sighed. “Can we get some food now? I’m starving.”

“Sophie ordered pizza. It should be here soon.” Bryce leaned back into the couch and brushed some of the hair out of Juliette’s face. “I think she wanted to talk to us over dinner.”

“Well, that should kill my appetite.” Scrunching up her face, Jules sat up and looked around the room. “Where is Lady Guardian, anyways? Shouldn’t she be here to serve up some of her wisdom and intriguing riddles?”

“She said she had something to go do after she closed the shop,” Melanie said.

“Roland said something about picking some people up.” Snapping his history book shut, Weylin stood up and stretched. “Maybe they’re bringing back some more Guardians.”

“Sophie said she had contacted some people she knew, but I didn’t think they would be here this fast.” Ree sat down on the loveseat Paden had been occupying earlier.

“Well, I hope she brings extra pizzas with her.” Weylin opened the tiny fridge that was under the sink along the wall. Shaking his head, he closed the door and grabbed a bottle of water off the counter.

“I think that now is a good time for us to go over what we know.” Bryce looked at each of them in turn. “I just think it would be a good idea if we’re all on the same page.”

“Okay, Bryce. What do you have in mind?” Sitting down next to Ree, Paden’s thigh brushed hers, and she had to fight to keep her concentration.

“What happened last night? Every detail.”

“I don’t know how long I was asleep, but I felt something in the room. A presence, weighing on me. Then a man said my name. It was as if I had been stabbed in the head. Roland was there and kept me calm until I felt better. I knew someone was there, but I didn’t know that it was a god until Roland told me. When he realized it was Ares, he looked really worried.” Ree chewed on her thumbnail, trying to remember exactly what had happened. “Ares stood out in my yard for a while, before coming close to my window. Then he called me ‘pathetic.’ I’m not really sure what happened after that…. I couldn’t hear for a little while and I saw spots.” She left out the part where Roland had carried her back to bed. Paden’s hands were clenched into fists already, and she didn’t want to add to his anger.

“So, was he trying to hurt you? Or is that just what a god sounds like to humans?” Bryce had stiffened in his seat, and Ree realized it wasn’t just Paden who was upset. All of her Guardians were on edge. Their need to protect her was kicking into overdrive.

“Roland said it had to do with their ‘true voice,’ that most gods think it’s beneath them to speak in a way that doesn’t hurt humans. However, they can speak in a way that isn’t painful. Ares just chose not to exercise that option.” Shrugging, Ree picked at imaginary lint on her shirt. She didn’t want to make a big fuss about all of it.

“Okay, what happened after that?” Bryce was definitely taking his role as inquisitor seriously.

“I went to sleep. Then Melanie picked me up this morning.” Looking at Melanie, Ree asked, “Did you tell them about the special effects seminar?”

“Yeah, and about Loki.”

“Loki, isn’t that the guy that was an ice demon in that movie?” Everyone turned to look at Weylin. “What? I’m not the only one who saw that movie!”

“Pretty sure Hollywood has a bunch of stuff wrong, dude.” Shaking his head, Paden turned back to Ree. “Did Sophie say why she thought they were speaking in that convention?”

“Mainly that she thought it was a bad thing.”

“She also wants Ree to move to the island.” Melanie chimed in from her corner, and Ree shot her a horrified look.
Why on earth would she bring that up?

“I know you don’t want to go, Ree, but I think Sophie is right about you needing to be somewhere safer.” Shrugging sheepishly, Melanie winced at the angry look Ree shot her way. “I get the feeling that something bad is coming. I just want you to be safe.”

“I think the shit is about to hit the fan, too.” Weylin added in a quiet tone. “Something feels off, more than it did last week. I think we’re on shaky ground here.”

“Look, I appreciate the concern, but I can’t leave my parents. They need me.” Ree glared at everyone in the room. “Let’s change the subject. What should I know that I don’t already?” When the others exchanged glances, she felt her stomach clench. “What is it?” Turning toward Paden, she watched as he fidgeted next to her.

“Just tell her, Paden. She has a right to know.” Glaring at Paden, Juliette threw her book at his head. He grabbed it out of the air and sat it on the arm of the loveseat.

“Shannon was spreading rumors today.” When he met her eyes, she could see the anger written on his face.

“What kind of rumors, Paden?” She reached out and touched his arm to let him know she wasn’t upset. Shannon had been spreading rumors about her since the second grade. “Is she making up lies about why I wasn’t at school?”

“Sort of.” His fingers clenched on his knees. “It’s really not important. Everyone knows that she’s nothing but an attention grabber.”

“Oh, geez, Paden.” Rolling her eyes, Juliette shook her head. “Ree’s a big girl. Stop babying her.” Turning her attention to Ree, she said, “Shannon showed up today looking like she had been in a bar fight. A black eye, busted lip, bandage on her neck and shoulder, and a nasty limp.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Dread settled into Ree’s stomach as she looked at Juliette. “She probably pissed off one of the Dark Ones.”

“She was telling everyone you did it.” Quiet filled the room as Ree digested what her friend had told her.

“What do you mean she told everyone? Like, the teachers too?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, Ree. I only saw her bitching about it to other students, but I’m sure she needed an excuse for her parents and the teachers.” Juliette winced. “I think it’s best if you lie low for a while.”

“Why would I have beaten her up? What’s her reasoning?”

“Does anyone really need a reason to beat the tar out of Shannon?” Weylin grimaced. “She’s a total witch to everyone.”

“She said you went psycho on her for going to pay her respects to Claire’s family. That you blamed Claire’s death on her.” Juliette winced. “She also insinuated that Tristan told her you were on psych meds when he was still alive. That he referred to you as ‘special’.”

For a long time Ree sat there looking at her friends with her mouth hanging open. Snapping her mouth shut, she stood up and walked to a window and looked out it. She could hear whispering behind her, but she really didn’t care. When strong hands grasped her shoulders and turned her around, she didn’t resist. Paden looked at her with comforting eyes.

“Everyone knows that Shannon is a liar.”

“That’s why she’s so popular, huh? Because she’s a liar.” Sarcasm practically dripped from her words.

“She’s popular because her family is loaded, because she’s attractive, and because she makes people feel superior. That doesn’t mean they don’t know she’s a liar.” He touched her cheek, but Ree jerked away from him.

“You think she’s attractive?” Feeling completely rejected, Ree pulled out of his grasp.

“That’s not what I meant, Ree. Personally, I can’t stand her. But a lot of guys don’t look very deep.” Ice froze Ree’s gut. She knew she was being ridiculous, but it bothered her that Paden had noticed that Shannon was attractive.

“Whatever, Paden.” Turning her back to him, she looked out the window and wished he would go away.

 Moving close to her, he leaned down so his lips grazed her ear. “You’re the only girl that I want to be with. The only girl I look forward to seeing walk into a room. When I’m not with you, all I can think about is getting back to you. When you touch me, it’s like fire running through my veins.” Gently turning her so she was facing him, he ran a thumb over her bottom lip, and she shivered. “No one holds a candle to you.”

Tilting her head back, he gently kissed her lips before pulling back to smile at her. “I’ve got to admit though; it’s kind of cute to see you jealous.”

Shoving his shoulder, she rolled her eyes. Car lights outside of the window drew her attention to the parking lot, and she saw several people climbing out of Sophie’s SUV.

“Looks like our company has arrived.”