Gods and Mortals: Fourteen Free Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Novels Featuring Thor, Loki, Greek Gods, Native American Spirits, Vampires, Werewolves, & More (221 page)

G
retchen broke
eye contact with me and looked over my shoulder. She sounded like she was angry when she said, “You should have told her before you passed. Do you know how hard it must be for her to hear this from me?” Gretchen paused for a second carrying on her imaginary conversation. “I will do my best, but shame on you for not telling her yourself!” Gretchen’s eyes focused back on mine. “Camille, I need for you to hear me out. What I’m about to tell you will be difficult to hear, but it’s important that you know.”

Last night I hadn’t been sure how to feel about Will, but I’d liked Gretchen right away. First impressions aren’t always infallible. She was nuts, certifiable and likely the ring-leader of this cult – it was always the leaders that were crazy. I needed to decide if I wanted to humor her until Will got home or if I wanted to go outside and call a cab now. I wanted to like Gretchen, but so much had happened in the last month, I couldn’t afford to get attached to someone who believed she could talk to spirits – not just any spirit, but my mother’s. It would hurt too much. The only people I’d ever met who’d made those claims were charlatans, thieves and the mentally ill.

“I’m not a charlatan, or mentally ill, and seriously, Camille, what do you have that I’d like to steal?”

For the second time in as many minutes, I could feel my eyes bulging. Did I say that out loud? Oh, my gosh, I’m losing it! “How?...What’d you just say?”

The warm smile reappeared, “Yes, Camille. Sometimes I have to
tune in
to retrieve information. I’ll not make a habit of it. I’ll ask that you give me the same courtesy.”

“The same courtesy? What are you talking about? I can’t read minds.”

“I’m afraid you can. No one has ever taught you how. Your mother is an interesting spirit. She wanted you to have a normal human experience. She thought that if she taught you how to use your gifts you would use them as a crutch.”

“Use what as a crutch?”

“In school, knowing what others were selecting for answers on tests would have precluded you from learning the material for yourself. At least, that’s what she believed.” Gretchen’s voice dropped the humor, “For the record, I disagree. You should have understood who you were...are.”

“You’re telling me she’s right here and you’re communicating with her right now? You’re a medium?”

“I’ve been called many things. I am the Matriarch of this family, and I have pure Centaur blood flowing through my veins. As do you.”

Centaur? The half-people, half-horse things? No freakin’ way! Mentally ill and delusional. I wonder if Will knew she was a loon. He’d have to know, right?

“Camille, I am not a loon. Before being disrespectful, I suggest you remember I can read your thoughts as easily as I can hear your words. Centaurs are a noble race. We were not half-equestrian as many legends have adopted. Humans were unable to explain the speed of our men and could only describe us in terms of a warrior being carried by a horse. Early paintings showed our kind as a cross between a person and a horse. I can assure you, none of us have hooves.”

I started feeling a little woozy. She really could read minds. Centaurs were a different race? I looked just like everyone else. How could I be a Centaur?

“Your mother and father were both full-blooded Centaurs, Camille. No human blood is mixed in your lineage. The same is true for your brothers.”

“So, what’s a Centaur if it isn’t a half-person, half-horse?”

“As I said, the speed with which our men have always run was difficult for humans to understand. They began drawing pictograms millennia ago of men with horse bodies to show our speed. The men of our kind have always been fierce warriors. The women are physically strong, but our real strength lies in our minds. Each bloodline carries different skills: some are psychic, some clairvoyant, others can move objects, and some are able to predict the future with uncanny accuracy. There are other talents, too – it depends which bloodline is predominate.”

“But I can’t do any of those things.”

“Yes, you can. You just don’t know how. We are not common humans. We have an obligation to keep our race going, to ensure our traits are not lost. You, too, have the same obligation I do. You, too, have the same skills I do. In fact, as a Chiron, you probably have all the skills. Your mother chose not to share with you her talents or develop yours.”

“What? My mother couldn’t do any of those things.”

“I don’t know why your mother chose to hide who she was from you or why she kept her secrets from you. This is a critical time in your life, and without your mother to guide you, you could easily make poor decisions. For this reason, I would like for you to extend your trip. There is much for me to teach you, and I cannot do it in just a few days.”

I felt like she was waiting for me to say something, but I was still in process mode, so she continued her explanation.

“It is only women of our kind who possess these skills. Men help promulgate the race, but it is the women who are revered. When Will told me he had met your mother, I was floored. We all thought she was dead. She was the last Chiron female heir; her brother never married. Everyone believed the Chiron bloodline would be extinct after this generation.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your mother permitted a union with your father, out of wedlock. She must have done it out of an obligation to all Centaurs, to keep her bloodline alive. But she taught you nothing. You know nothing of our ways or how you fit.”

“She allowed a union? That sounds a little antiquated. It takes two to tango.”

“I am not belittling your mother. I am merely trying to share with you our beliefs. We are a warrior race, so rather than the 50/50 ratio of male to female that humans have, it is 80/20.”

“Why are so many more men born than women?”

“No one knows for sure, but my theory is that from an evolutionary perspective, a significant number of the Centaur male population should have been lost in battle — maybe something like 4 of 5. Because we have known peace for so long, the males significantly outnumber the females.”

I couldn’t believe I was buying in to her delusion, “Maybe Mom didn’t know she was a...Centaur?”

“Your mother was the daughter of Zandra. I can assure you Zandra brought your mother up to know our ways. Your mother chose to leave her family and abandon our race.”

“My grandparents are dead. My mom told me she’d been on her own since she was seventeen.”

Gretchen nodded, “She was indeed on her own from a young age, but I can assure you, your grandmother is very much alive.”

I felt my blood pumping again with enough force that I could actually hear my pulse. “Where?”

“Zandra lives in Florida. Your grandfather, Isaac, passed away a few years ago. Neither had seen their daughter in more than a quarter century. They did not know where she was. Zandra only knew of her passing when she sensed your mother’s spirit moving on to the spirit world.” Gretchen’s face took on a strange look when she added, “She was unaware of you.”

“Was unaware? Does that mean you’ve talked to her?”

Gretchen patted my hand, “Yes, I spoke with Zandra late last night. Given the circumstances, she agrees that you should stay with my family. However, she is very anxious to meet you.”

She looked over my shoulder again. She spoke in a harsh tone, but not to me. “She is more than capable of handling the truth. Zandra is of no threat to her while she is under my roof. My family will protect her. No blood debt will be paid.”

I heard the words echo in my mind,
“Blood debt? What’s going on?”

Gretchen let out a heavy sigh, “It seems your mother had been betrothed to a very powerful Centaur. When she refused to marry him, her family was required to pay a debt of blood, her blood. Your mother ran away and broke contact with her family. Your mother is worried that you may be sought to pay her debt.”

“Are you kidding me? There’s a price on my head for just being her daughter?”

“It is an old tradition. You are Will’s daughter, too. He will try to make amends to the family, monetarily. But, now that people are aware of you, I insist that you extend your stay, at least until you better understand our society. We’ll make arrangements to have your things shipped here.”

“You’re serious. You just spoke with my mom?” I wanted to believe it. I wanted my mother to be right here with me. I couldn’t believe the words when I heard them come from me, “Can she hear me?”

Gretchen looked over my shoulder again, then back to me and nodded. “She can hear anything you say to her.”

I didn’t need any more encouragement, and for some strange reason, I believed Gretchen. “I miss you, Mom. I don’t know what to believe.” I felt strange talking to her in front of Gretchen. I wondered if this was some sort of trick. In my gut I knew Gretchen had really read my mind; she knew exactly what I was thinking. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”

Gretchen looked over my shoulder for the answer, then back to me. “She had to make a choice before she died. She didn’t want you to know this life, but she feared for your safety if she was no longer able to protect you. Most of all, she says she felt utter loneliness before you came into the world and did not want you to be alone the way she had been.”

That sounded like something my mom would say. I caught myself looking in the same direction Gretchen had looked. I asked her, “Will I be able to hear you? Someday?”

Gretchen’s voice was barely more than a whisper, “She doesn’t belong here, Camille. She will begin to weaken soon. I will work with you so that you may realize your gifts, but know that she won’t be able to stay with us for very long. You will need to work hard to learn how to use your skills.”

I had kept William’s name and phone number for weeks before I finally built up the courage to call him. It was the loneliness that finally made me dial his number. My whole life had revolved around Mom, and it was hard to comprehend that Gretchen was going to give her back to me in some small way, even if just for a short while. I wasn’t sure about the things she said about Centaurs, or the idea that it was a different race that I belonged to, but I hoped that I really would be able to hear my mother’s voice again.

I looked her square in the eye, nodded and asked, “How do we start?”

G
retchen spent
the next several hours trying to help me hear my mother. At 5 o’clock I was frustrated; nothing she had tried worked. I convinced Brent to take me to the store for a soda. While I was standing at the display case, a friendly voice greeted me from behind. “Miss Strayer, good to see you again.”

I wasn’t used to being addressed with this last name, but the voice was familiar. I turned around and saw the guy who had helped tie off the yacht yesterday. “Hi Josh, good to see you, and it’s Cami.”

He smirked, “Cami, right. I was expecting to see you and your brothers at the club today. Change of plans?”

“That’s the biggest understatement I’ve ever heard.”

Josh gave me a questioning look, but thankfully didn’t ask me to explain what I’d said. “So should we expect you tomorrow?”

“I’m not sure. I actually spent most of today with Gretchen.”

“Gretchen? Mrs. Strayer?”

I could tell I probably just unleashed a scandal. I had been introduced as their little sister, but I didn’t call Gretchen, “Mom.” I wasn’t sure what to say to keep the rumors from flying rampant. “Right...Mrs. Strayer and I spent the day together. The only brother I saw all day was Brent. In fact, he’s waiting for me out in the car. I’d better go.” I reached into the cabinet, pulled out two sodas, and paid for them.

“All right, well, maybe I’ll see ya tomorrow.” His voice sounded hopeful — he seemed sweet. When I’d seen him yesterday, I thought he looked a little geeky; today I saw him out of his yacht club uniform, and I was convinced. He stood in front of me with his iPhone in his hand, a blue tooth device on his ear, and a stylus pointed at the screen. I’d always kind of gone for the nerdy guys, but I wasn’t interested. Too many other things were going on in my previously simple life to get wrapped up with a guy right now.

I hurried out to the car. When I flung open the door to escape the heat, I heard Brent, “Okay, we’ll be back in a few minutes. Yeah, right home.” He hung up the phone. “Geeze, I thought I was going to have to go in after you. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I ran into Josh inside. I might have let it slip that we don’t share the same mother. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Well, we don’t share the same mother. Why would that be a problem?”

“I just thought...I mean, everyone seems to know your family. How are you going to explain me?”

“We don’t have to explain anything. It is what it is. We’re just glad you’re here.”

I shook my head. I kept expecting someone to act normal, and at every turn, each member of my family seemed to be more kind and understanding than the one I had talked to before them. Growing up in California, perception and impressions of others were seriously important. It seemed like everyone I knew cared what others would think. None of my friends in Cali were even close in terms of wealth and clout to the Strayers, yet they didn’t seem to care one little bit that others knew that I was an illegitimate half-sister. So far no one had made that distinction except me. Gretchen had spent the entire day trying to develop psychic skills that I wasn’t even sure I possessed, all the while carrying on strange conversations with my invisible mom. It was a little surreal.

I looked over and Brent seemed to be waiting for me to say something, so I asked, “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”

“Dinner, dancing, maybe some star-gazing.”

“Really? That sounds like a date.”

“Date? No, just family. But I already told you, I’ve never even been on a date, so I hope it doesn’t feel like one of those.”

“’One of those?’ You’re too young to be a confirmed bachelor. I never got a legit answer. Why no ex-girlfriends?”

“It’s my understanding you have to have a girlfriend for there to be an ex-girlfriend.”

“Well, yeah. So why no girls?”

Brent looked at me as if I were the densest person he’d ever talked to, “Easy. It’s forbidden.”

“By whom? Gretchen and Will?”

“It’s the way of our people, Camille. By the time I’m thirty, I will be either married, or betrothed, or I will have to marry a human. If I were willing to settle, I could date. But Centaur women get to choose, and none will choose a man who has shared a bond with another.”

“Centaur women choose? Like going shopping? I’d like a six foot-tall, wealthy, smart, funny, garbage-taking-out, chick-flick-watching, football-hating man. Something like that?”

“If that’s your list, it’ll be pretty easy to find one – well, maybe not the football-hating, but everything else on your list is pretty easy to come by. You could have a husband by this weekend.”

I laughed, “So how does she pick you? Do you send in a resume or something?”

“Eligible bachelors are obvious. It’s common for courtship to begin at another’s wedding. In fact, this Saturday will be your first opportunity to choose.”

“This Saturday?”

“Mom didn’t tell you? Bruce is marrying Hannah from the Hinman herd.”

“Uh, no, she didn’t mention it. So Bruce is pretty excited?”

“Excited is an understatement. Hannah’s perfect. He was in the running with about fifty others.” We pulled into the driveway to see that all the cars were lined up in a row. Brent pulled his white sedan in line with the others; everyone was home. I did a quick count and realized there were six white sedans instead of the normal five – Gretchen must normally keep hers in the garage, because I hadn’t noticed it when we left for the store.

As we stepped out of Brent’s car, Will came up with a key in his hand. “It’s about time!”

I was confused since we’d been gone less than twenty minutes. Brent answered, “Geeze Dad, it’s not like we caught a movie; we just went to get a soda.”

Will ignored Brent’s defense and said, “Never let it be said that I treat any of my children differently. The dealership just delivered it.” Will handed me the key to a brand new, Snowy White BMW sedan, identical to the other five parked right beside it.

I was embarrassed to hear myself squeal like a little girl. This couldn’t be happening. I had a father and a stepmother who were two of the most amazing people I’d ever met, five brothers who were about as cool as Batman, and a brand new car. I wasn’t sure about the whole Centaur thing, but this was better than winning the lottery.

I believed Gretchen, that she really was talking to my mother. I had been on the fence about whether I whole-heartedly believed until Gretchen told me about my second grade play. I had completely dismantled the stage props while I was dancing around like a butterfly. The only way she could have known about it was to hear about it from either my mother or me. In that moment, I knew she was on the level, at least about being able to communicate with my mom. I hadn’t thought about that play since I was seven. The only logical explanation was that my mother’s spirit had shared the event with her.

Just two days ago I had felt consumed by my grief for my mother. That grief was replaced with a new hopefulness that I’d soon be able to talk to her again,
and
I had a brand new car. I hoped that I wasn’t somehow caught in a dream world, or if I were, I wished never to wake up.

I stammered, “Will, I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll stay here. Say that you want to be a part of our family.”

I noticed it wasn’t just Will standing in front of me with anticipation. Beau, Bruce, Bart, Ben, Brent and Gretchen were all waiting for me to answer. The joy that I felt in that moment rivaled other momentous occasions in my life, like hitting my first homerun when I played softball in high school, seeing a dolphin for the first time in the ocean, and one of my most cherished memories – tasting my very first mint chocolate chip ice cream shake. True, none of these memories could top being accepted into such a tight-knit family, but each of those memories was one that I loved. Without any apprehension, I answered, “I’m in.”

Will scooped me up in a tight hug, “Camille, you’ve just made me the happiest father in the world.” While in his embrace, he whispered in my ear, “I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry about your grandmother.”

I could feel my muscles stiffen. Gretchen must have told him about our conversation about the blood debt. Even though he told me not to worry, the fact that he was whispering to me, out of earshot of everyone else – definitely made me worry. Could someone really want to kill me because my mom had broken off an engagement? I had no reason to doubt Gretchen, but it was all a little hard to swallow.

Things began moving even faster once I had committed to stay. Gretchen took me shopping. In her words, “Your closet is lonely; let’s get it some friends.”

I noticed that Will and Gretchen were the only people in the house who went anywhere alone. It wasn’t anything overt, but it seemed odd that of the eight adults in the house, six of us always went on errands in pairs or better. Having been an only child until this week, by Saturday I was actually craving some alone time. Conversation revolved around Bruce’s wedding, although I hadn’t seen Hannah, nor had she called. It seemed a little strange. The few friends of mine who had gotten married were all over each other in the days before the wedding, working out seating details, vows, synchronizing last minute schedules. Saturday morning had come and gone and still no sign of the bride.

By mid-afternoon Saturday, Bruce was in exceptionally high spirits. I didn’t detect even a hint of nervousness. The backyard had been transformed into a beautiful outdoor cathedral with seating for easily two hundred people.

The brother who I had spent the least amount of time with was the eldest, Beau. I caught Beau straightening seating and smoothing ribbons that had been rearranged by the breeze. Outdoor misting fans were going full throttle, so the grove where the ceremony was to take place was at least ten degrees cooler than the regular air temperature. “Hi, Beau, do you need any help?”

Beau flinched, “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were out here, Camille. No, just doing a last minute check before the guests start to arrive. Shouldn’t you be inside getting ready?”

“Naw, it’s a couple hours before the big event. I just need to get dressed and I’m ready.”

“I’m surprised Mom hasn’t had you primping and polishing since your eyes opened this morning.”

“Why would she? It’s not like I’m getting married. I’m not in the ceremony. Nobody knows who I am, and you guys know what I look like.”

“But there’ll be fifty eligible bachelors here today, maybe more. I’ve heard news spread pretty fast that you were here. It’ll be your first chance to...you know...find someone.”

“Oh c’mon Beau. Who would care that I’m here?”

“Uh, let’s see, the Hinmans, the Dixons, the Newtons, the Carltons, the Ivys, just to name a few. Each of those families has an older son who is nearing the end of betrothal age. No one expected for us to have a ready-made sister of age. You’ll be pretty popular this evening.”

“You’re not serious.”

“I’m completely serious. I’m in the same boat. Betrothal age for Centaurs is 18-30, so if I’m not picked in the next two years, I’ll end up settling for a human.”

“Beau, you’re great. There are lots of women who would be happy to have you.”

“Thanks, Camille. Don’t get me wrong. At this point I’m thinking the settling factor could be an improvement over perpetually waiting. It just sucks that I won’t be able to carry on our bloodline. At least Bruce will be able to.”

“Maybe because I didn’t grow up knowing any of this, it’s a little hard to take it seriously. I think you love who you love; race shouldn’t be a factor.”

“That’s very ‘human’ of you, but this is more than just about race. There is magic in our blood, Camille. To let it dilute unnecessarily is akin to wasting the magic. Dad would never let you consider a non-Centaur as a suitor.”

“Will doesn’t have a say in my decision. When I find the right guy, it won’t matter who or what he is. I’m not racing a clock either. It’ll happen when it happens.”

Beau laughed out loud, a loud throaty snicker, “Camille, you have a lot to learn.” Beau shook his head and went back to straightening the wedding decorations.

Brent came up behind me, “What’s so funny?”

Beau looked at his younger brother, “Oh nothing. Camille just tells good jokes.”

A little miffed that Beau would so easily dismiss my feelings, “Beau seems to think that Will can select a husband for me. I told him that wasn’t going to happen, and who I fell in love with and married had nothing to do with Centaur roots or anything else.”

Brent took my forearm, squeezing it a little harder than necessary but enough that he had my attention, “Don’t say that, Camille.”

“Say what? That I don’t agree with the courtship ritual that Bruce is going through? Have you noticed Hannah hasn’t even talked to him the last couple of days? How can he be marrying a woman he hardly knows?”

Brent looked at me skeptically, “What? That’s what’s bothering you?”

“Well, a little, yeah. How does he know he’ll even like her?”

“It is a great honor to be selected by a Centaur woman. Of course, he’ll like her. He’ll love her, honor her and cherish her.”

“What if they aren’t compatible?”

Brent narrowed his eyes, “What have you seen, Camille? Did you receive a vision about them?”

“Whoa, no! No visions. I just think it’s odd that they would decide to marry without knowing each other.”

“No more odd than dating and unions out of wedlock. Why do people give themselves to others when they know that person isn’t going to be with them for the rest of their lives?”

“That’s part of finding out who the right person is.”

“Then our way should be much preferred. Everyone knows the woman makes her choice. If she can’t decide, her family will select the most appropriate match. And who knows her better than her family?”

“You’re saying that if I don’t pick a husband in the next eight years, Will’s going to choose for me?”

“Eight years? Ha! I’ve never known a woman Centaur to wait until she’s thirty to choose. Most choose when they’re late teens or early twenties. If you haven’t selected someone in the next year or two, yes, Dad will definitely choose for you.”