Gods and Monsters (22 page)

Danato offered what might have been a smile if it had stuck around longer. “And also…if you ever mention that file to me or anyone else again, it won’t be the fry pan, it’ll be the fire.”

Efrat stiffened and raised his chin obediently in soldier formation. “Yes, sir,” he grumbled.

53

The room was dim, and the sunlight coming through the tall window by the sink, only served to highlight the dust in the air, but it was the same kitchen that she had arrived in when she finished making her third wish. Cori danced around looking for her mother, but she was alone. The vague smell of blueberry scones was replaced by the smell of leather and liquor.

Cori checked her body for the last wound. She sensed pain, but it radiated distantly from everywhere, as if even her mind didn’t know where it was coming from. Her outfit was back to the same old t-shirt and jeans. It was a far cry from her high heels and jumper, but at least she was back to some part of normal…or rather abnormal.

She had wished for normal, but she was only beginning to realize that she didn’t really want that. If there was any way to bring her mother back without hurting anyone and without changing the course of history she would do it in a second. She certainly wouldn’t mind giving up two weeks of memorable beatings and molestations, but it was a part of her now. She couldn’t undo death and bad circumstances and still hope to be where she wanted to be, which was with Ethan and Danato and Belus.

“He took a good deal of that pain away, you know?” Cleos said as he entered the kitchen and propped himself against a counter. He was swirling around a brown liquor that for some reason she knew was scotch. Too many lessons with Belus she supposed.

“Are you going to slip into my unconscious every time I pass out?” she asked crossing her arms and leaning back in much the same way.

“I’ll have to fill you in on the details of my amusement at that statement sometime. To sum up the basics again, you are turning up on
my
doorstep. It’s like walking into someone else’s house and accusing them of trespassing. I am intrigued that you managed to change my construct though.” He looked around the room. “You must be very preoccupied with this place.”

Cori nodded, but didn’t bother asking about the latter statements. It was far too late in the game to start asking questions that didn’t pertain to the plot at hand. Like everything in her life, there was a time for questions, and there was a time to let her enigmatic men remain dedicated to their selective mutism.

“Your memories of those two weeks,” Cleos continued in regards to his arriving comment. “He blurred them a bit. It makes them easier to ignore. Not that you wouldn’t have gotten there on your own, but he felt obligated to do so, since you didn’t know enough to ask.”

“I wouldn’t have asked,” she said dismissively.

“That’s why he never mentioned it.” He cocked his head smugly.

“Deception is in the details,” Cori said with more venom than she intended. “Am I back in my real life?”

“Yes,” Cleos said without losing his displeasure at her previous tone. “I think you’ll be disappointed to find that the same protection that the rings offered your memory, have also offered you the opportunity to retain your battle wounds.”

Cori rolled her eyes. “I should have just killed her right away,” she mumbled.

“Well, now, that wouldn’t be you though, would it?” Cleos pulled himself from the counter and approached her. “Poor Cori, you trust the bad guys far too often.”

“You aren’t a bad guy, stop trying to convince me that you are.”

“Oh, come on. Tell me you weren’t just a little sickened by my entourage of flawed personalities.”

“I think you’re a finagling businessman, but I don’t think you are bad.”

“Is there a difference?” He winked and walked over to the tufted leather fainting couch that had no business being in the middle of her mother’s kitchen. He sat down and crossed his legs. Cori could hear the distant din of his party, but nothing else had changed.

“Why don’t I remember being here when I wake up?”

“Because Corinthia, this memory is not housed in your mind—it’s even pretty deep in Cleos’s mind. This part of you” he pointed to her, “and this part of him,” he pointed to himself, “are the only ones who know. It’s very complicated, and I do look forward to seeing how angry Cleos will get when he finally discovers what you’ve done.”

“He’s already angry with me.”

“Then you better send flowers and chocolates, cause your dog house is about to get a second story.”

“I spoke to the other you, from the wish reality. He said Cleos was mad because I forgave him for something he was proud of. Is that true? Is he proud of what he did to those women?”

“Aren’t you? Isn’t that why you forgave him? To offer approval of what he did.”

“No, I mean, I think he did what he thought was best.”

“So, if it was for the best, then why forgive him for it. When someone does something well, we thank them, or congratulate them. We don’t forgive soldiers for killing in war, we throw parades for them.”

“It’s such a simple misunderstanding though. Why did he react so…strongly?”

“Cleos doesn’t have a long list of good deeds. He also doesn’t have a long list of good friends. For one of those good friends to belittle his good deeds, it sort of takes a chunk out of his lists.”

“How can I make him forgive me?”

“Now why would I help you do that?” Cleos simpered mischievously.

“Because you know that I love him,” she said flatly.

He nodded impassive to the statement. “Eventually, you might break him, but be patient. Cleos is not easily swayed to give up his convictions. His pride is what keeps him imprisoned not his crimes.” Cleos tilted his head listening to something. “Oh, I think I hear your ride coming.”

54

Cori sat up in bed and took a deep breath. She pawed at her neck, to feel for blood, but there was nothing there, not even a bandage. A slight bubble in the tissue was all that was left of her bullet wound. 

“Daniel took care of it.” Nevia startled her. She was sitting on a metal chair some distance from her bed. She expected to see a magazine or a book in her hand, but she was without distraction. She wasn’t sure if that meant she hadn’t been there long, or she had been there too long.

“What…” Cori’s voice croaked and Nevia jumped up to pour her a glass of water from her bedside table.

“The voice will heal in time. Daniel isn’t that proficient yet.”

Cori guzzled the water and noticed the IV in the crook of her elbow. She looked over at the blood transfusion she was being given. Between blood suckers and a gunshot wound, she must have lost a lot of blood. “How long was I out?”

Nevia looked at her watch to give her a more exact measure of time than just an approximation. “Eighteen hours. You’ve been out since you got the injury. They worked on you for nearly an hour to stabilize you before they would let Daniel in to help. Danato and Ethan had to take turns keeping him out.” A small smile passed over her lips, but it was gone as soon as it came. “After he healed you he passed out.” Cori suddenly realized that Nevia was not conversing with her so much as reporting to get her up to speed.

“He woke again around six this morning and left with Heaton on the truck at seven. I took over watch for Ethan at about that same time, so he could sleep. In case it matters, I had to badger him for over a half hour to get him to leave.” Cori smiled at Nevia’s consideration. She was pleased that she was here to help, but wondered why she hadn’t left with her team.

“Danato’s been in about every hour on the hour to check on you. Belus slipped in a couple of times to speak with the nurses.”

Cori couldn’t help, but snort. Belus would use any opportunity he could to do that. Nevia questioned her reaction, but Cori just shook her head. “How long have you been here, then?” Nevia looked at her watch again. “Approximately,” Cori added.

“Six hours. It’s a little past one…tomorrow to you,” she added since Cori had missed out on the passing night to reminder her what day they were on.

“Wow.” She was impressed by her fortitude and tolerance for boredom. “I thought we were still on a “get well card” sort of basis, but I appreciate your dedication.”

“I had a few ulterior reasons for coming, but you’re welcome.”

“You wanted to avoid going back on the same truck with Daniel, didn’t you?” Nevia’s mouth thinned. “I’m not sure what all the background is, but from what I gathered in the office, you two are on the rocks.”

Nevia shrugged. “We are just two very different people.”

Cori could hear the disappointment in her voice. It was the conviction of someone who was frustrated with a bad relationship and wanted to get out of it. It was also sadness that the relationship was not working despite the desire to keep it. She had heard it many times in her own voice.

“In this business, I imagine there aren’t a lot of people to choose from. Signing disclosure agreements probably isn’t the best ice breaker.” Cori chuckled, but Nevia didn’t join in. “Did Daniel ever tell you about our first meeting?” Nevia shook her head. “I was in much the same condition I am now, in a hospital bed. I woke expecting to see Danato or Ethan, but instead I got him.” Nevia’s smile hinted that she understood the similar feeling Cori had about waking up with her there this time around.

“He had come to check me out. See if I was good enough for his friend—a friend who by the way, he had barely just met.” Cori took a drink from her glass again to moisten her throat. “He assessed, in our short meeting, that no I was not worthy, because no one was. I had an instant hate for him because of that. It’s taken a while to get over it.”

“Were you just conversing, or was that a metaphor for me.”

“Mmm,” Cori held up a finger as she finished another swallow of water. “My point is Daniel is an ass upon first meeting.” Nevia laughed. Cori assumed that she hadn’t told her anything she hadn’t already experienced. “However, I think he’s a genuinely good man.”

Nevia sobered and nodded. “I agree, but I think we might have rushed into a physical relationship before we were ready for an emotional one.”

Cori laughed this time. “No one is ready for an emotional relationship, least of all Daniel.”

“Actually, I think Daniel is ready for it. It’s me that’s having doubts.”

Cori furrowed her brow. “Is that because of the fem-wolves?”

“Partially, but I think it’s more about what I want from a man.”

“What do you want?” Cori asked.

“I want a man I can be proud of.” Nevia looked down at her feet. “I know Daniel is good and he has such an amazing power, but he acts like a child. How could he be a husband or a father?” Cori’s brow rose hearing how far Nevia had planned her life. “I mean I could never introduce him to my parents, he’s too crass. Just because he’s good in bed, doesn’t mean we should be in a relationship.” She glanced up at Cori suddenly ashen. “I’m sorry, that’s so inappropriate.”

“Not at all.” Cori grinned ear to ear. “But if you don’t mind me asking, who are you trying to convince you shouldn’t be together? Me or you?”

Nevia took a breath and released it slowly. “I know what I sound like. I sound like a school girl smitten with her first boyfriend. The problem is, I never really did the dating thing in school, and now it just seems so difficult to balance what I want with what he wants. How do people do this? One minute I’m so happy, and I think I might…and then the next I want to stick my gun up his nose.”

Cori laughed again. “I’m sorry Nevia, but that’s just how things are sometimes. Don’t get me wrong if he honestly makes you miserable, then you should dump his ass, but if you are struggling to stay away from him, then maybe you should stop struggling, and just be with him.”

“I’m not sure if it’s my choice anymore. Since yesterday’s debacle, he won’t talk to me. I think he’s coming to the conclusion that I’m not worth the trouble I’ve gotten him into.”

Cori sat up and put her feet on the floor. “Do you love him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then decide. Figure it out. If you do love him, then fight for him.”

“I’d only be fighting against him,” Nevia teased.

“Of course, you need to force him to forgive you, and admit that he’s as punch drunk in love with you, as you are him.”

“How do I even begin to do that?” Nevia’s voice rang with defeat even though the battle was just beginning.

“I’m not sure specifically, but I do know it’s a precarious balance between patience and persistence. Ethan might have better advice for you.” The thought of Ethan made Cori think about her pregnancy. She whipped around and looked at the blood transfusion she was receiving. “Oh, no, did I lose a lot of blood?” She looked back at Nevia.

Nevia nodded, and Cori started to panic. She hadn’t had much time to get used to the idea of motherhood, but she was certain she didn’t want to have a miscarriage.

“It’s okay,” Nevia said and Cori ignored her. She frantically waved to get the attention of a nurse. She needed to pee in a cup or something. “The baby is fine,” Nevia clarified.

Cori gawked at Nevia, but she remained impassive. “You…knew?”