Pinehurst: A Magical Olympian Adventure-Young Adult Romantic Adventure/Fantasy Novel (16 page)

“Will you quit saying that? You act like you’re ancient. Besides, not
everyone
shares your opinion you know. I’m nearly seventeen. Practically the same age as you.”

“Hardly,” he scoffed, leaning back against my pillow now.

“Please. Make yourself comfortable.” My tone was beyond surly.

A light shade of rose colored Antonio’s cheeks. He had my current copy of Beach Volleyball, a magazine loaded with hunky bronze guys, and a few articles. The only reason I bothered subscribing to it at all was because of the cute boys. He peered over the top with raised eyebrows. “We’re kind of on a tight schedule.”

I stomped past him, snatching my bag from the closet. I watched as his eyes danced around my room. He quickly hid a smile behind the magazine.

“What?” I glanced around, looking for the potential comic source.

“Unicorns . . . frilly, pink bedding? Hardly the décor I would have expected for someone so ‘grown up.’” He made little quotes in the air with his fingers.

I sucked in my cheeks. Another slam!

“By the way, Slayers don’t wear lace. You need something that breathes, something that will be more . . . durable.”

“Durable? What am I going to be doing in them, mud wrestling?” Now that might be fun . . . with Antonio of course.

“Evelyn!”

“Why must you keep eavesdropping in on my head?”

“Your head’s not exactly quiet you know. And you’re too young for such thoughts,” he scolded again.

“You keep saying that. Is that for my benefit, or yours?”

He gave me a dry look. “Pack. And leave the lace home.”

Whatever! “It’s all I have. So unless you want me to go bare . . .?” I couldn’t believe I’d said that. Antonio looked as if he’d swallowed his tongue.

I grabbed a few pairs of my most “durable” and chucked them into my bag; along with a shirt, a pair of pants, socks, and an extra pair of running shoes.

“Done. Oh wait!” I grabbed my hairbrush, and my bag of toiletries. Complete with a roll of toilet paper; “just in case the Underworld doesn’t have any.”

An exasperated sigh escaped his lips.

“Hey! You’ll be thanking me when you have to go.” Toilet paper is not a luxury it’s a necessity!

“You realize you’re going to have to carry that bag?”

“I know.” Like that was going to be a problem. “
Bag
.”

Antonio’s mouth gaped slightly at the sight of my bag hovering beside me.

“No magic! You’ll weaken your powers and you’ll need every bit of it.”

“Humph!” I let the bag drop to the floor with a thud. “I’m leaving the extra shoes.”

He opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.

“What about
your
bag? I suppose we’ll have to sneak into
your
room next?” I grinned, wondering what Antonio’s room looked like.

“No need. I have one stashed outside the gates.”

“Expecting Roland to turn into a gargoyle, were you?” I frowned at him.

“No. I always have an emergency bag ready; just in case.” Of course he did. Antonio didn’t strike me as the kind of guy that was unprepared—ever!

“You wouldn’t by chance know how we’re going to get to Hell do you?” I couldn’t believe I was even having this conversation.

“I’m working on that. It’s not exactly straightforward. I mean there isn’t exactly a sign pointing the way. No yellow brick road to follow if you know what I mean.”

Hurried knocks reverberated at the door.

My eyes met Antonio’s.

“Evie, I know you’re in there, open up.”

“It’s Iris
,
” I whispered.

Antonio nodded and motioned for me to open the door.

I went for the doorknob and paused. I glanced back at him. “Is she . . .?”

“No,” Antonio said. “She's not a Daimonas, but there is something else there . . . I can’t quite read it.” He held his staff in his hand again.

With Antonio ready to attack if need be, I nodded nervously, and opened the door.

“I figured you’d be here.” Iris pushed past me, halting abruptly at the sight of Antonio standing by my bed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were—” Iris was beyond embarrassed. Her cheeks were crimson.

“We aren’t!” I glared at Antonio. I knew something like this would happen. If Aubree had been the one to come in, it would have been a matter of seconds before the whole school knew Antonio was in my bedroom.

“The Child of Light has a lover?”

Antonio gasped. “A pixie!”

“What is she doing here?” I snapped, hiding my embarrassment with anger. “And
what
is she wearing?”

Nestled on Iris’ shoulder was the little pixie from class. She was thin and in desperate need of a bath. Her short hair, spiky, due to the amount of soot that clung to it was pulled up with a crystal barrette,
my
crystal barrette. It was lopsided and way too large for her tiny head. She wore a little pink mini skirt and a snowy white cashmere top. The color contrast to her dirty skin was shocking.

“We were playing dress up,” Iris admitted shyly. “She liked my Barbie’s outfit.”

I stared at the little pixie open-mouthed.

“She’s here to help you,” Iris spoke matter-of-factly. “I figured you’d be going after your father.”

“You must be joking.” I couldn’t believe Iris would suggest such a thing. I didn’t know what was crazier. Iris still having Barbie dolls or that this pixie wanted to “help.” Besides, why would I want help from her? She was the enemy! The little creep knew my dad had been captured, and traded the information for a freaking barrette! She was probably in on it!

The pixie snarled as if hearing my thoughts.

“Has she had her shots?” I snarled back at her.

“Evie! Havoc and I are friends.” Iris turned slightly, shielding the little beast from me.

“Havoc? You want me to go into the Underworld with a pixie named Havoc?” There was no question. Iris was completely insane.

Antonio’s hands gently squeezed my shoulders. I shivered at the sudden closeness. “She can get us into Hell,” he announced.

“Handsome
and
clever!” Havoc batted her eyes at Antonio. “If only you were my type. We could spend eternity together.”

Presumptuous little tart! As if Antonio would give
her
the time of day. “She’ll probably hand deliver us to Satan himself,” I grumbled under my breath.

Havoc grinned. “Such a price I would receive for such a trade.”

“She admits it!” I pointed excitedly at her, having caught her in a lie.

“Oh, Evie.” Iris waved me off. “She’s just joking.”

Havoc stuck her tongue out at me, and then turned to Iris, smiling angelically.

“You might even begin to like her,” Iris prattled on. Not noticing that the little demon had her thumb on her nose and was wiggling her fingers at me.

”Iris!” She ignored me, while practically cooing at the little beast. Iris had found her very own living play doll, and she clearly adored her.

I threw my hands into the air. In the history of bad ideas, this had to be the worst. Desperate for guidance, I looked over at Antonio. I wish I knew what he was thinking?

I’m thinking we should take her with us. Annoying as she is, we don’t have much time, and she is the quickest way for us to get into the Underworld.

There must be another way?
I silently begged.

There isn’t time, and frankly, I can’t think of a better solution.

I scoffed. There had to be a better solution. There was no way I was going to trust that little monster.

Evie, please . . .
Antonio beseeched. His hands were still on my shoulders, allowing the silent communication between us
.

“Fine!” I stomped my foot. I was not happy about this. Not one bit.

Havoc grinned. “For a trade.” The little brat was eyeballing my jewelry box.

“A trade? I already gave you a barrette!”

“Oh come on, Evie.”

“You come on, Iris! Why don’t
you
give the little pixie something?” If she thought I was going to give her a piece of jewelry every time I wanted something, she was sorely mistaken

“I can’t. I’m not the one who needs a favor.” Iris shrugged her shoulders hopelessly. “Besides, I had to give her that outfit just so she’d come with me and talk to you! She’s under the impression you’re rude,” Iris had leaned in and whispered the last bit, as if not wanting to remind the pixie of my potentially ill-mannered behavior.

Damn Iris and her big ideas. Who befriends a Pixie from Hell anyway? And where does she get off calling
me
rude?

We’re wasting time
, Antonio growled from behind.

I huffed, storming over to my jewelry box. I sifted through it for a moment and took out a few items.

“Here.” I handed her a gold-linked bracelet. “You could wear it as a necklace I suppose.”

Her beady little eyes fixed on the shiny object. She ran her hand over the metal.

“Such a pretty necklace.” She placed it over her head. “Hmm, it’s not enough.”

“What? Now you listen here. If you think that for one minute I’m going to give you—”

“It’s very dangerous in Hell. I don’t think I want to go back.” She folded her arms in a pout.

Oh . . . she was going back all right. If I had to kick her little pixie butt the whole way . . .
she
was going back.

“I want you to promise that you’ll bring me back here with you,” she ordered.

“Oh yes, Evie, please!” Iris clasped her hands together.

“We will do our best,” Antonio spoke over my shoulder. “Now please, we must hurry.”

“Havoc?” Iris smiled at her little friend. “They really will do their best. They wouldn’t lie. Would you, Evie?”

I felt that lump in my throat again. The further Iris was from Havoc the better. It wasn’t good for her to be around such evil. I’d promise her whatever I had to if it meant getting that little beast back into Hell and away from us. How in the world had the pixies gotten into the school in the first place?

That is a good question,
Antonio mused.

“We will do our best,” I finally answered Iris, quoting Antonio.

“You’d better put Havoc in your bag Evie, just until you pass through the gates. You don’t want anyone to spot her.”

I took the little burden from Iris and stuffed her into the front pouch, leaving it slightly unzipped for air—Iris insisted that Havoc needed to breathe—whatever.

“Come.” Antonio held his hand out to me.

“Be careful, Iris, and please, don’t tell anyone you saw us.”