From Deities (12 page)

“Where does this
tunnel lead to?” I asked, walking side by side with Mason.

“To a house. It’s furnished as if a family lives there. We stayed there a couple of times before. We have houses in different cities, just in case. We call this place house number two.”

“I’m going to assume house number one is the one you’re living in now?”

“Yes. Hopefully, we never have to relocate to the other ones.” Mason lightly squeezed my hand. Our conversation stopped when Adam halted.

Following Mason’s order, Adam didn’t look back even when he came to a dead end. He just stood there, looking like a statue without saying a word.

“He listens,” Mason mumbled softly to me, then maneuvered cautiously around Adam. Lightly tapping the wall, he glanced at me. “We’ve only used this secret door once, and that was to make sure it worked. However, seeing that our friends are not here waiting, I’m going to assume they went through and closed the door.” Mason curled his lips into a small grin. “There it is.” After a glance to Adam, Mason pushed through with his shoulder.

What looked like a part of the tunnel wall, suddenly swung open, revealing it was a hidden door. Bright light blinded me at first, but I quickly covered my eyes, giving me time to adjust my vision. In front of me stood the same people I had been separated from. Then the weapons pointed at us. For a second, I thought they aimed at me, but soon realized they were directed at Adam. I had forgotten he was there.

“Duck! A vulture is behind you,” Nick shouted, swinging his arms in motion, preparing to shoot.

“Don’t shoot!” Victor ordered. “It’s Adam.”

“Victor.” Adam walked to him happily.

“What the hell?” Amanda’s eyes were wide and incredulous.

It was strange to see this incredibly big, dangerous looking male cozying up to my dad, almost like a child who wanted acceptance. The oddest thing was to see Victor’s group happy to see Adam as well, like they were longtime friends.

“How did you find us?” Victor asked Adam, peering up to him with a respect I hadn’t expected.

“They found out about your meeting. I don’t know how they knew. I followed them, but I came at the tail end. When I saw Skylar, I jumped to protect her, but the floor opened and I fell through.”

“He’s a spy?” Everett’s tone clearly indicated he was not happy with this news.

“Yes.” Colin took a step next to Adam, as if to protect him.

“How can you trust one of them?” Nick asked, sizing Adam up.

“Why don’t we take a seat? I prefer we talk cordially. I’ll answer all of your questions,” my dad suggested, walking to the sofa.

When the rest followed, I turned to Mason. He was closing the wall to the tunnel. It was built to look like a fireplace from this side, which I thought was a clever idea.

Mason placed his hand at the small of my back, guiding me into the large family room, and we settled on the sofa. The house reminded me of Mason’s home, but smaller. I noted there was only one staircase. The furniture was plain, and there was less of it.

Victor exhaled. “Adam is not one of the vultures. About a year ago, we went to a suspicious location to hunt the vultures. Little did we know, it was a trap and Adam was taken. The odd thing was that only his kind was taken. Adam is the descendant of Hephaestus. We had no way of knowing where they took them.”

Everyone seemed in awe of this newfound information as we sat and listened intently. And to think Mason had almost zapped Adam out of existence, which would have been beyond devastating.

“For months we searched,” my dad continued. “We feared their lives were taken. Then, one day, we came upon Adam. He looked lost and confused. We thought he was a vulture from his disfigured appearance, but he would not fight back. From that action alone, we knew he was different. We imprisoned him in our cell because we had no idea who or what he was. Slowly, his appearance started to change back to what he used to look like, back to his true form, but not completely. The only thing he could remember was that he was being drugged and held captive in the mountain. He didn’t even remember his name. We tried going to the location, but we couldn’t find a thing. No entrance, no cave…nothing.”

“Drugs?” Mason questioned.

“I don’t know what kind or if I can even call it that,” Adam said. “I remember having fevers. My body ached like I had the flu. I was weak and dizzy. After that, I recall being a bit stronger, bigger, and somehow, unexplainably different. I didn’t feel like myself.”

Blinking, I shivered from Adam’s words and recalled my recent similar experience. Surely it was just a coincidence. I wasn’t being drugged…yet, I couldn’t stop the eerie feeling that it was possible, especially when I was able to do things I could never do before.

Adam continued, “When I escaped, I tried to find the others, but they had turned to the darkness. I couldn’t tell them apart. Everything is a somewhat of a blur, but I recall a waterfall and a bridge.”

“Well, that doesn’t tell us much.” Nick threw up his hands in annoyance.

“I’m sorry. That’s all that I could remember.” Adam’s head was down, as if he was ashamed. “Being able to turn back means that the drug is temporary; however, if given enough, the change is irreversible. I can only imagine what my friends are going through.”

“Unless…we accidently killed one of them?” Mason mumbled under his breath.

All eyes flashed to his.

It seemed as though Mason’s words were spilled by accident from the shocked look on his face. “What I meant was…if the drug makes them look like a vulture, and they’re not aware of what they are doing, how do you know if you didn’t kill one of your people? They could have been there today.”

Not a word was spoken as they soaked in Mason’s words.

“You’re right,” Adam finally said, somberly. “Another thing I remember is that we were forced to make weapons, steal for blades, and iron for something. They’re getting ready for a war.”

“It’s okay, Adam. Thanks for going out this time, but no more. Since they’re capturing mostly Hephaestus descendants, you need to stay home.”

“But—”

“This is an order. No buts. Your and Kevin’s safety comes first.”

Victor patting Adam’s shoulder in comfort clearly showed how much he cared for him. It wasn’t just Adam. It was the way he proudly looked at Noah and Tim. For some reason, I felt a sting of jealousy, yet at the same time, admiration for my dad, who cared for them as if they were his children. Suddenly, a question I didn’t want to ever wonder about crept up. Was my dad just as proud of me?

“Then, the question remains....” Everett broke the silence. “Who is doing this and what do they want? It’s obvious they want Skylar, but why the Hephaestus descendants?”

“During an attack, how does the vulture even know who is from what descendant?” Mason asked. His arm around my waist tightened following Everett’s words. Mason constantly worried about me.

“I’m not sure,” Victor replied. “The only explanation is that they can see past the veil, their true form in nature. Kevin already showed you what he looks like.”

“The way I see it, we have only two choices. We either stay put and see what happens, or we go find them,” Nick suggested, shifting his weight and scooting to the edge of the sofa. His jaw and shoulder became tense.

“There are only three places that have both a waterfall and a bridge,” Noah informed. “We’ve already searched, but found nothing. I suggest we wait…try to apprehend one and make him take us to their location. The one we captured is useless. It can only growl.”

“You have one?” Amanda’s tone and curiosity shot up. “I’d like to see one close up. I mean, I already know what they look like, but I would like to study it.”

“Then you’ll have to visit our place,” Tim said. “You think Mason will let you?”

Amanda shot her eyes to Mason. “He doesn’t get to tell me what to do.”

Mason was calm. He didn’t say anything.

“It would be my pleasure if you visit our place,” my dad said. “Sky could see where I’ve been all these years. And I was also instructed by the Elders to bring Sky in. They are very anxious to meet her.”

I wouldn’t look at my dad. Instead, I waited to see what Mason would say.

“You have Elders?” Everett asked. He seemed in awe. Apparently my dad was not the main man to go to. There were others above him.

“Yes. They’ve been around for generations. They guide us in making decisions.”

“Sounds like a plan, so—” Mason started to say.

“We’ll be watching you,” Noah interrupted with a smirk.

Mason scowled. “Just don’t be staring through the window.”

I recalled wondering about the shadow that was in the room across from the bedroom I stayed at in Kayla’s house. When Mason found out it was Nick who was spying, he’d nearly punched him.

“Not this time,” Noah replied with a slight chuckle.

Though Mason tried not to show it, I saw his lips curl up from the corner. This gave me hope that the bickering between them might settle down, and Mason would welcome their help. I knew he would do it for me. “We still don’t have the answer to how they found us,” Mason said, raising a brow.

“It’s simple. We have a traitor among us.” Adam shrugged his shoulders.

Silence filled the air.

“I’ll be right
back.” I brushed my lips against Sky’s ear with a light kiss, left the room, and came back with several sets of keys. Silence continued to fill the room as I observed everyone still seated. I tossed one set to Noah when he looked at me, and the other to Tim. “You can borrow my car. Make sure I get it back in one piece. Two cars should do it.”

“How many cars do you have?” Colin asked in astonishment, gathering his shield and weapon from the floor.

“Enough. That is all you have to know.” I was brief and to the point. It was none of their damn business anyway. I didn’t mean to sound rude, I was just furious at the fact that there was a traitor, and it sure wasn’t a member of my family.

With one last glance at the people I’d met, the people that were going to help me protect Sky, I couldn’t help wonder if any of them was a traitor. Even having Noah and Tim prove time and time again that they could be trusted, they were still under my radar. It was better to be safe than sorry. When it came to Sky’s safety, I had to do whatever I could to protect her, even if it meant making enemies.

“Thank you,” Victor said sincerely, standing up. “We appreciate the transportation. We have a long drive ahead. We’ll use your cars for now until we can retrieve ours from your restaurant.”

Victor mentioning the restaurant reminded me of all the damage I had to fix. Being attacked by the vultures had completely ruined the room. The vulture’s bolts had damaged the ceiling, the wall, the table and chairs, and fixtures. Not to mention the fire, thanks to Aaron. But I was fine with it. Material things could be replaced, but not lives.

“Text me to let me know when I can get them back…the sooner the better,” I stressed.

“Tomorrow. Remember, we’ll be around a lot.” There was a hint of gloating in Noah’s tone. He gestured his people off the sofa when he stood. Noah could be a prick at times. He thought he was funny, but it only irritated me. I also didn’t like the way he looked at Sky. I knew guys checked her out, being that she was so attractive and sweet, but one day I was going to lose it and punch his face.

I rolled my eyes, humoring him. “Great. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Awww…that’s so sweet.” Nick joined in, placing his arm around my shoulder. “You two finally realized how much you need each other.”

“Shut up, or else he’ll end up taking your spot,” I said lightly, shoving his arm off me.

“If you cheat on me, I’ll ace your ass.” Nick chuckled out loud.

“Not if I do it first. I’m faster than you.”

Before Nick could make a comeback, Victor stepped forward. “We should get going.” He seemed a little bit on edge. Knowing one of his men was a traitor must have been the reason for the worried expression on his face.

I led them to the garage and showed them my collection of cars. It was going to be the largest garage they’d ever seen, I was assuming. It was spacious enough to fit five cars, and then some.

“Mason,” Noah started, admiring his view of the black, heavily tinted SUV in front of him, “you’re going to be my best friend.”

Hell no!
I led Sky to my black Porsche sedan. It was my newest purchase. “We’ll take this car.” I glanced at Noah. “You already have the keys to that car in your hand.” I turned my attention to Tim. “Wrong car.” Tim was admiring my Porsche 911. “Take the other SUV. I gave you the keys to that car. You’re going to need the space.”

“Cool,” Tim said, clicking on the remote in his hand.

Just before Victor got into Tim’s car, he gazed at Sky. It was the kind of look only a father would give to their daughter; one of compassion and love. He also appeared very worried. I could tell he wanted to say something, but he seemed to lack the words. I could understand the reason. Sky has made sure not to give him time to be alone with her, or the opportunity to allow him to say more than a few words to her. A part of me felt for him—he didn’t ask for this—but I was on Sky’s side. As far as I was concerned, he was a danger to her and I would make sure he stayed away from her until further notice.

After we said our good-byes, we went our separate ways.

“Damn,” Nick said
out of the blue. “That was so…I can’t even think of the words.”

Sky jolted slightly forward when the back of her headrest shook. Nick had softly punched it from the back. I felt his frustration through that hit.

“Weird,” Amanda added. “I mean, we’ve heard stories, but I never even imagined us meeting the other descendants. Meeting the Poseidon descendants was cool, but it felt overwhelming to meet the others. This is so—”

“Unreal.” Everett finished her sentence with a sigh.

Sky looked at me as if she was waiting for me to say something, but I didn’t. I kept my eyes on the road. Surprisingly, I felt relaxed. With one hand on the steering wheel, I raked my hair back with the other, then turned to look at Skylar for a second. Little did she know I was waiting for her to say something, too. She had been quiet the whole ride.

There were no words exchanged when I slipped my hand in hers, but at that moment I could feel the fear she was trying to hide. It was the way she held my hand tightly that said it all.

Still holding my hand, she stared out of the window, into the darkness. She couldn’t see anything, but that was her way of coping. She didn’t want to think. She didn’t want this dreadful feeling that something terrible was going to happen. I knew all of this because I was doing and feeling the same.

“When did Victor say we’re meeting at his place?” Nick asked.

“Next Saturday,” I replied, focusing my eyes on the road ahead. It was a moonless, starless night. The eerie, dark clouds that loomed over us weren’t helping when I entered the highway. My body itched, feeling a thunderstorm coming our way. I could tell it was going to be a heavy one. For some odd reason, I found comfort in them, as if they were a part of me. As everyone seemed deep in thought, we drove for miles in silence while my mind drifted to another night we had been attacked by vultures. It was my second time.

“Who left the
front door open?” Remus shouted angrily. “Was it you, Mason? Get your ass down here and shut it.”

“You don’t have to yell. I’m right here.” My tone was calm and nonchalant, knowing if I didn’t yell back, it would fire him up even more. He hated it when it seemed as though I didn’t give a crap.

“Why are you shouting, Remus? Shut the door yourself. You have hands.” Nick came out of the kitchen with a sandwich. “What if I did it? What you going to do about it?”

Remus’s cheeks turned red. I could have sworn his muscles grew double the size when he tightened his fist. “I’ll tell you what—”

His sentence broke when Everett hollered, “Vultures!” The loud sounds of windows smashing came from the living room.

Nick’s eye turned the color of silver and sparkled when lights flashed out of the palms of his hands. I wondered if mine did the same. Though I was scared out of my mind remembering how they looked and what they could do, I felt safer knowing I wasn’t alone. When we got to Everett, he was fighting with a sword. It was cool how he could work that thing. I had no clue how to even swing one.

Nick hopped over the sofa and rode on one of the vulture’s backs. He moved with such grace and speed. It was the first time I had seen him move like that. The vulture convulsed as light sparked out of Nick’s body, then the creature was on fire and suddenly turned into ashes. Meanwhile, Everett and Remus led the other two out of the house, through the wall they’d smashed to get inside. Seeing Remus with a sword confirmed that he was not a descendant of Zeus.

My trembling got worse when I caught sight of the vulture that was coming straight for me. I tried to remember what Nick had taught me. Take a deep breath. Welcome the energy within me. Curl in my fingers to make a tight fist to get the light pumping, then…BAM! There it was. Just before it had a chance to topple me, I managed to duck and jump on top. It stunk like hell, so it motivated me to kill the thing as fast as I could. With my hands in place, I gave it all I had. Feeling tingles run down my arm and all over my body, I knew it was working. And I felt electrified.

The vulture hollered from the pain, another indication I was using my light. When I concentrated harder and gave it more juice, it started to sizzle. I almost felt bad killing it, but it was going to be its life or mine, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be mine. When I dropped to the floor, I found myself surrounded by ashes. Its whole body had disintegrated under my light. Wow! So much power. When I looked up, they were staring at me.

“You did it, Mace.” Nick was excited for me. “Mace the Ace. You aced it extra crispy. Your first kill using your light.”

“At least he’s good for something,” Remus commented as he walked away.

“Good job,” Everett said. “Nick has trained you well. Now, we need to fix this wall.”

It was great
to be back at my dorm and in a normal life setting, but one thing was on my mind…to find Ian. I could not wait to see him in statistics. I thought about calling him and asking him about what really happened that day I was admitted to the hospital, but I thought I’d bring it up casually.

I looked for him in the massive theater-like lecture room, but he was nowhere to be found. This really annoyed me. After class, I decided to head over to the library since that was the one place I had bumped into him before. I took out my lecture notes to study, but I couldn’t concentrate. My head popped up every time someone passed by. As hours passed, I was getting restless.