Mortal Defiance (23 page)

“Dad.” Paden moved closer to his father and laid a hand on the large man’s shoulder. “We did everything we could. I’m so sorry.”

“Was it a random attack? Was she targeted?”

Ree’s mother covered her mouth and turned away from Paden’s family. Her guilt and grief was unbearable. Standing up, Ree quickly made her way to her mom and threw her arms around her shoulders. Her mother had realized Tristan had been after the blood that ran in Claire’s veins. Guilt caused Ree to take a deep breath; the smell of her mother’s favorite lotion filled her nose.

“She was descendant of an immortal line, just like you and Mom. That’s why you guys have to leave.” Paden turned to look at Ree and her mother. “Just like Miss Susan is a target because she carries the Alastriana bloodline. If you guys stay, we aren’t going to be able to concentrate on what we have to do. We’re going to be too worried about your safety.”

“I don’t like this. You shouldn’t have to carry such a burden.” Steven crossed his arms.

“I know, Dad. But this is the way it has to be. If you guys go somewhere safe then I won’t have to worry about you and I can focus on keeping myself alive.”

“No. Ree, I’m not leaving you. You can’t do all of this alone.”

“Dad, I’m not alone, and to be honest, you’re more likely to get me killed. If you won’t go on your own, I’ll let Drake do what he has to. I can’t worry about you and Mom.”

He opened his mouth as if to argue, but shut it quickly. He looked at Ree for a moment before glancing at Paden and the rest of the group. “You’re asking us to go against every instinct we have as parents.” He looked at Paden’s parents and then back to Ree. “But I can see your point. It isn’t like you can come away with us, it is?”

Ree shook her head. “I wish, Dad. But this is my destiny. It’s the reason I was born. If I don’t do this, then no one will be alive for long.”

Making an exasperated sound, her father scrubbed at his face with the palms of his hands. “Drake told us the basics of what you have to do on the way here. It’s an awful big task. And Tristan…”

“I know, Dad.” Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “It feels like there is something new thrown at me every five minutes, but that’s why it’s so important I stay focused.”

“I think that she’s right.” Jill moved toward her family and touched her husband’s shoulder. “We can’t help. We’re just in the way and will slow them down.”

“We leave tonight. The sooner we’re out of here, the better.” Drake walked over to a cabinet and started pulling out some of the snacks Sophie kept. He tossed them into a bag before walking over to her desk and opening a drawer in the bottom. He pulled out some throwing knives and tucked them into sheaths on his wrists.

“Tonight? Now?” Mr. O’Reilly frowned. “What about the pub? And your aunt?”

“We will pick your sister up on our way out.” Drake leaned against the counter and fixed Paden’s father with a serious stare. “Close the pub. This is life or death.”

Chapter 36

Ree waved goodbye to her parents as Drake pulled out of the parking lot behind Sophie’s shop. Paden was standing close to her, one of his hands resting on her shoulder. Once the vehicle was out of sight, Ree turned and buried her face in Paden’s chest. She fisted her hands in his shirt and breathed in his scent, trying to calm her worries. His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. Leaning his head down, he kissed her hair and turned his head to the side so his cheek was resting on top of her head.

“So much is wrong, Paden. So very wrong.”

“It’s going to be okay, Ree.” His voice was quiet and she could feel him trying to believe it as he said it. “Our parents will be safe. Weylin’s mother is going to leave with Drake and our parents. Juliette’s parents are leaving in the morning to go stay with family in D.C. They’ll be safe and we won’t have to worry about them. Now we just have to figure out how to counter what Tristan has been doing.”

“Ugh. I know.” Pulling her head back, Ree looked up into his eyes. “I need to think. I need a plan so I’m not always reacting to what they do.”

“You’re right.”

“I’ve been thinking about this when I wasn’t running for my life, or trying to keep other people from dying. Tristan is from the same line of Alastrianas that I am. Sophie mentioned once in passing that all of the Alastrianas were women. They can touch the power of creation easier than men. That doesn’t mean that he can’t deal with it at all.”

“What are you thinking?” Frowning, Paden searched Ree’s eyes.

“Sophie mentioned that he seemed to know when she was going to use the power. What if all of the strong blood he has been ingesting has helped wake up that little piece of him that is related to the Alastriana? Maybe that’s been their plan all along. To dull the only edge I have.” Biting her lip, Ree let go of his shirt and turned around. “I don’t think he can touch it. You have to be human, be alive, and have a soul. But, even if he can only sense when it’s being used, that gives him an edge. The chance to dodge or expect surprise attacks.” She took a few steps before turning around and chewing on her thumbnail.

“Like at the club. He jumped out of the way at the last moment, but I don’t even think you knew you were going to do that until it happened.” Paden let his hands fall to his sides, a faraway look in his eyes as he thought about what she said.

“I didn’t. It was purely a reaction, but he felt it coming.”

“So, all of those people he has been targeting were so he could get an extra sense.” Paden frowned, seeing why Ree was so worried. “It wasn’t just so he could be faster or enhance his senses even more.”

“Well, one sense. We just didn’t realize that he had it.” Ree kicked at a piece of loose gravel. “And that’s why he came for Mom. He knew she was the one that carried the ability, even though it’s dormant in her blood. That’s why he said it was my fault he was there.” Ree debated telling Paden she had felt guilt from Tristan, but figured it would just result in a lecture. Instead, she decided to focus on the more pressing matter. “We have to get all of the others out of here, Paden. Everyone with a little something extra in their blood needs to be taken somewhere safe. We can’t just focus on our families. It isn’t right.”

“What do you want to do? Knock on people’s doors and check to see if they’re from immortal lines?” Paden’s eyebrows drew together and he scratched his chin. “How on Earth are we going to explain that?”

“I don’t know. I just feel we aren’t doing the right thing by leaving all of these people in danger.”

“Sophie said we weren’t supposed to reveal what was going on to humans. And technically, most of those people are still human.”

“I don’t care, Paden. I’m going to do something. The gods be damned.”

The feeling of cold water running down her spine made Ree turn around and look at the darkening parking lot. The air seemed to thicken, the pressure growing until Ree’s ears popped. A loud cracking sound made Ree cover her ears and step back toward Paden. She put her hand behind her so he would know to stay back. Of course, he completely ignored her and instead pulled her behind him.

Where the parking lot had been empty, a tall man stood smiling at them. Thick blond hair curled around the collar of his button-up shirt and his icy blue eyes were eerily bright. The sound of shuffling feet came from inside of the house. The door behind her slammed open and Roland barged out, followed by the rest of Ree’s friends. The Dark One stepped beside Paden so their shoulders touched and blocked Ree from view. Irritated they were standing in front of her, she pushed their shoulders with her hands, but they didn’t budge.

“Little Alastriana, are you hiding?” Leaning to the side so he could see between their heads, the blond god smiled at Ree. “There you are! Come out and let’s chat. I think we have some things to talk about.” Apparently he was using his human-friendly voice, because Ree didn’t feel like she was going to pass out from pain.

Looking at each other, Paden and Roland seemed to be agreement. They didn’t want to give this god a free shot at Ree. While she wasn’t really up to a chat with this surfer-looking deity, she knew it was inevitable. At least her parents were gone. How would they react to having a conversation with a god?

“Move, guys. This is going to happen, one way or another.” This time when she pushed them apart, they moved, but not much. They were technically still standing in front of her, shielding some of her body, but she had a direct line of sight with the god.

“Good evening.”

“Oh! Southern charm and hospitality. I really do like Savannah.” Unrolling his sleeves, he pulled them down to his wrists. “Though it is a little cooler than I prefer.”

Ree didn’t respond. She wasn’t sure what she should say and was scared she might set herself up somehow. Once he had both sleeves unrolled, he looked back up and threw them all a charming smile.

“Well, let me introduce myself. I’m Loki. Though, I’m sure you’ve probably already figured that out.”

Ree still didn’t respond. She knew he must have a reason for showing up and she wanted to let him be the one to reveal anything.

“Soooo.” Rocking back on his heels, he drew out the word to fill the awkward silence. “Well, I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re planning on defying the laws set for you. Maybe we can come to an arrangement. Scratch each other’s backs.”

Paden snorted and drew his shortsword. Ree could feel his anger pulsing like a star getting ready to go supernova. She touched his shoulder, hoping to calm him down, but Loki laughed, which only made it worse.

“Look at how riled up he is! Good grief. I haven’t even said what I was going to offer. Maybe I just wanted to ask Ree if she would like a beach house. A puppy? Maybe see if she wanted to do a vacation trade.”

“Get on with it, Loki.” Roland’s voice was a growl.

“Do not say my name with your filthy mouth.” Loki’s cold eyes snapped with frozen flames. The planes of his face seemed to sharpen and a glow emanated from his skin. His power pulsed against Ree like the heat from a fire, and she staggered just a little. Her own gift responded, growing inside of her.

“And yet you work with Tristan. With the gods that would steal our planet.” Ree looked at the god with hate. There was no disguising the anger in her voice. “What do they call you, if not Loki?”

“Do not smart off to me, Alastriana.” The air around Loki crackled with angry energy.

“He often goes by Lucas.” Sophie leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms. Ree turned to look at the weary Guardian, surprised she had been able to make it off of the sofa on her own. There was a little more color back in her skin and Ree hoped she was finally starting to heal.

Weylin snorted but quickly schooled his features into an impassive mask. Loki, however, didn’t even seem to notice. He smiled brightly at Sophie, his entire face becoming breathtakingly handsome.

“Sophronia! It’s been a long time since I last saw you.”

“Sophie, please. What can we do for you, Loki? Or are you here to peek at your handiwork?” She waved a hand toward her neck and gave him an amused stare.

Loki made an exasperated sound. Ree had the feeling that this god was completely off his rocker. This was more like the gods she remembered reading about in mythology class—changing moods faster than the weather.

“Now, now. I do believe that was Tristan. I think I would remember having my mouth on your neck. No, I came to offer Alastriana something.” He leered at Ree, making her skin crawl.

“She’s busy, Loki. Now’s not a good time.”

“Then I will make this fast.” With his eyes still on Ree, he took a few lazy steps forward. “Alastriana, you’re planning on getting yourself in trouble. If you do what you are thinking, then you are making it open season for me and my friend.”

Ree waited to see if he would elaborate. When it became apparent he wasn’t going to say anything else, she glanced at Sophie and frowned. The older Guardian shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Loki, but this is my destiny.”

“If you start telling the humans about what is going on, then you will not just have to worry about me. The other gods will turn a blind eye to the fact that I am taking you to task. You’re already on thin ice for having revealed things to your family.”

“They were caught in the war. They are part of the community now.” Sophie’s voice was cold.

“Dear Guardian, don’t overstep yourself here. The community is a splinter under the gods’ nails. And your ward here wants to alert many, many more who haven’t even necessarily been targeted. Why do you think there is no one here to object? The majority aren’t sure if they made the right decision by sending you as the final Alastriana.” Cocking his head to the side, Loki regarded Ree with interest. “Why don’t you prove them wrong? Give up on this plan to alert the humans and focus on the battle the way you’re supposed to.”

“No.” Ree’s one word rang through the parking lot.

“Now, you haven’t heard me all the way out.” Loki tsked. “If you quit now, I will make you a deal. You and your friends can leave Savannah. I’ll even let you take your pet.” He smiled wickedly at Roland. “And I’ll call Tristan off from your family.”

“You sent Tristan to attack my mother?” Ree felt the power flood her system. She was so angry she could barely contain it.

A large crack filled the clearing and Ares stood next to Loki. His dark hair waved in the wind and with angry eyes he glared at Ree. “How dare you hold the power in our presence?”