At dinner, Dad began to pry, “You really like that boy, don’t you?”
“And from your tone, you don’t.”
“On the contrary, I like him a lot. You two seem a little too close too fast, but besides that, I couldn’t leave you in better hands—”
“Dad, I hate when you talk like that. You’re improving.”
“Callista, I’m on borrowed time. It’s not a cure.” He held up his hand to stop my protests. “You’ll say now that time may make a cure available eventually. Callista, just let me speak my heart, my mind, for once. Archer has money. He’s extremely intelligent, and it is clear he cares deeply for you.”
I groaned. “Why do I feel a ‘but’ coming on?”
“Not a ‘but,’ but a ‘don’t you think.’” He smiled.
“Don’t you think…” I prompted him.
“He’s a bit…different,” my father finished.
My mouth dropped. I was offended, but deep down inside, I knew that Archer wasn’t normal.
My father proceeded after he realized I wasn’t capable of answering, “Callie, there is something odd about him, and before you get offended, I do not mean that in a bad way.”
“Do you have one of your harebrained theories?” I asked, not bothering to mask the dread in my voice.
“Yes, but theories are sometimes wrong.” He eyed me for a moment, using his keen perception to weigh whether or not I could handle his ridiculous theory. He peered down at his hands. “Never mind my harebrained ideas. I want to talk more about you…” From there on, my father wanted promises from me to finish high school, even if he passed away soon, and then to go on to college. Of course, I promised both easily to make him happy. Why wouldn’t I go to college? The third promise he asked was unexpected: “Could you promise me to publish my book if I pass before it’s finished?”
“Dad, stop talking about death. And isn’t Raphael in charge of all that?” I asked.
“Yes, but you will be Raphael’s employer when I’m gone. I have a lawyer I want to introduce to you as well. I trust him with everything. I want you to trust him likewise. He’ll teach you all the things I can’t be bothered to waste our time with, such as all our money, stocks, my company, all the business side. Besides that, Callista, there are things I need to tell you before I go.”
“Dad, we have time.” I protested.
“Yes. This last item should wait,” he agreed.
Great, more secrets from another man I loved. Why was I to be left ignorant? What was everyone trying to protect me from? And why did they think I was too fragile to handle it?
Before I could press, he shifted the subject. “Would you mind helping me with my book? I’d like you to wrap your head around it in case you have to deal with the editors and, God forbid, if you must finish it.”
“Whatever you need, Dad,” I said hesitantly.
He raised his eyebrows at me. He knew that I was guessing he had ulterior motives. There were no secrets between my father and I. There had never been any room for them.
Chapter 16Archer
Time alone with Callie was like a dream, when I could get it, since I was busy entertaining Hymenaios, who was camped out at his father’s apartment so Callie wouldn’t see him and be exposed to yet another immortal who looked exactly like someone she knew. Uncle D was nice enough to keep him company when I was busy. I wanted to spend all my time with Callie, but Hymenaios’s presence prevented that. I knew it was a good thing; it gave her much-needed time with her father, but I wanted to spend every moment of every day with her.
Hymenaios eagerly awaited Lucien’s return. I couldn’t say the same. Aroha would be home soon too and would be very upset with me and my disobedience. I was lucky that the first family member to return was Lucien, although he was in a foul mood. He must’ve had a crappy trip to Nice. I wondered what was going on with his mother. It was extremely odd of him not to come see me on his return and talk about it. Instead, Hymenaios met him at the airport, and I didn’t see them again until Lucien showed up on Monday at school. Perhaps it was an unintentional avoidance because he had wanted to spend the weekend with his son.
“Who kicked your puppy?” I teased.
Lucien didn’t smile. “Remember Daphne?” he asked quietly. Daphne? Why would he bring her up after 3,200 and then some years? I mean, I have heard of grudges, but this was ridiculous.
“Ye-es,” I said hesitantly.
He looked at me sharply. “I wish I could do it to you now, hurt you like you hurt me then.”
This was unexpected, to say the least. “How many times can I apologize? I was a kid. You always picked on me. And I honestly did intend to make her love you after I had my fun at your expense. You don’t still…” I broke off, for we were no longer alone, other students beginning to mill into the classroom.
“No. I just…” Lucien stopped, scowling. “Never mind.”
I didn’t know what was going on in his head. I wasn’t sure what questions to ask him to force the truth out of him either. This wasn’t about Daphne. When I was ten, Lucien, who was an adult, picked on my archery abilities, my powers, and me. One evening, he claimed that my powers were too weak to really make mortals fall in love and that, to prove my powers, I should attempt to make a god fall in love—something thought to be impossible because even my mother was unable to do so. In bitter childish resentment, I made him fall in love with a nymph named Daphne. I won’t lie. It usually takes just one arrow for a mortal, and on him, I used ten. Lucien was violently in love with her, scaring the wits out of the girl. We all got a good laugh out of it, but before I could make her love him back and end his anguish, her river-god father interceded—turned her into a laurel tree. Hence, Apollo, god of truth and light, spent years obsessing over a tree. After about ten years, my poisoned arrows lost their power. Each arrow lasted about a year on immortals, while their effect could be eternal on mortals. I never tried that many arrows on an immortal again, not even my dad.
I didn’t comprehend Lucien’s attitude or what he did over the next few days. Ignoring Callie and me, even after Hymenaios left, he began spending time with Linda. Linda must have been ecstatic. There was no need to poison her to be in love with him, but he had always rolled his eyes at her and Emily’s obsessive stares.
I minded his distance, but it gave me more alone time with Callie. I had to constantly be with her, kiss her, hold her. Her presence would turn something innocuous like watching TV into something so lusty that I could swear Himerus was poisoning me. The way she kissed me back drove me insane, igniting the ichor in my blood.
Today, alone in my living room, was no different. I turned her to face me and kissed her again and again, not wanting to ever stop feeling her lips against mine. I gripped her shoulder and the pillow under my head tightly to occupy my idle hands. I was honestly glad Callie had her scruples when it came to being physical. One of us needed to be rational.
Between my reveries and the warm kisses, I hadn’t heard the front door open, but I did hear a female gasp. I tore myself away from Callie to see Aroha, eyes wild, suppressing the fury that threatened to overtake her in mixed company. She dropped her suitcase, turned away, and muttered, “Don’t let me interrupt you.”
Well, this was damn awkward. This was my mother catching me with a girl, one she’d forbidden me to be with, and yet Callie thought she was simply my sister. Callie sat up, her cheeks flushed, mortified. Surely, Aroha wouldn’t dare say a word in front of Callie.
My mother picked up her case and headed to her room, “Seems like I missed a lot since I’ve been gone.” Unfortunately, she didn’t bother unpacking and came back out, seating herself on the other sofa.
“Dan has been asking about you every day,” Callie told her, trying to be friendly.
“Is that right?” Aroha said pleasantly, her ego being pampered. Then she shot me a reproachful glower before turning to Callie with a superficial smile. “I thought he liked you.” Aroha stared Callie down.
Cal
lie kept her gaze steady, not intimidated at all. I wondered how she did it, since most girls cowered under Aroha’s daunting gaze. “He must have been trying to make you jealous.” She shrugged.
Aroha looked away first and gazed unfocused at the television. “Dad wants to see you.”
“He can go to…” I stopped myself from saying, “the Underworld for all I care,” in front of Callie.
“Yes, I told him you’d say that. At least make an effort. Call him,” she scolded, sounding a little too maternal.
“Heph came to see Ma. He left her a love letter,” I mocked.
Aroha’s head whipped around, deeply shocked.
“I should go.” Callie shifted uncomfortably.
I gripped her hand tightly. What would Aroha say to me, do to me, after Callie left? Would she forbid me to see Callie, and if so, could I disobey her again? I got up, helped Callie up, and walked her to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I told her, kissing her.
She nodded. It pained me to see her walk through the door. I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me, kissing her passionately. Callie backed away slightly, touching her lips, confused, and then looked me dead in the eyes. “You’re saying goodbye,” she whispered quietly.
“Don’t be silly.” I kissed her again, being careful not to give my emotions away. She was much too observant for me to give so much away.
“Your eyes don’t lie,” she muttered.
“Then learn how to read them correctly,” I tried to tease lightly. “See you tomorrow.”
At last satisfied, she left. I closed the door and turned regretfully around. Aroha stood, hands on hips, her eyes locked on mine with anger. This wasn’t going to be pretty.
“How cute,” she taunted.
“Shut up,” I grumbled. I tried to walk past her.
She used all of her strength to push me into the door with a thump.
“Where’s Vinnie?”
“I couldn’t.”
“You mean you wouldn’t,” she insisted.
“Dan’s in love with you,” I tried to point out.
“Zeus said no. You have to give her up.”
“I can’t,” I insisted, getting heated. I kept my fists clenched so I wouldn’t attempt to hurt her. When it came to Callie, I wasn’t sure what I was capable of anymore.
She was confused and shocked at my outburst. “You have to! He will send an ultimatum if you don’t listen to me.”’
“He already did.”
“Oh, Archer, did you tell him no?”
“Of course, I said no!”
“Are you insane? Defying a direct order from Zeus? Defying me? What will become of you? You must go to Zeus. Beg forgiveness!” she ranted.
“Forgiveness? I’ve done nothing wrong! You are all allowed your toys. How many mortals have you messed with? How many hearts have you and all our fellow kind broken? I ask for one girl, and I’m being threatened in every corner,” I cried out the injustice.
“Zeus said anyone but her.” Aroha was calming down, which was good because I could not still my racing heart.
“Why not her?” Being defiant might set her off, but I couldn’t bear the thought of breaking up with Callie.
She shrugged.
“I can’t give her up,” I told her, feeling defeated. “I’d rather die.”
“Die?” Aroha looked at me oddly. Then her face went pale and sank. “Oh, my poor boy.” She came over and pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back. “You’ve fallen in love, you silly little thing. How could you be so foolish?”
I pushed Aroha gently away. “I won’t leave her.”
“And if he threatens to kill her if you don’t?” Aroha raised one concerned eyebrow.
“Then your little boy will be no more. I may still exist, but I won’t feel alive without her.” I sat down exhausted, cupping my head in my hands.
I felt Aroha’s fingers knot through my hair like when I was a boy, combing my hair and trying to soothe me. “Archer, I don’t know what to tell you.”
“There’s nothing you can say.”
“I’ll consult your father about this. See what he says—”
“Don’t involve him,” I spat out, letting her see all the emotions I felt: anger, fury, hate, fear, desperation, and dread. I sure didn’t want the god of war involved in my love life.
“Well, I have to. We’re going to be spending time together. He’s coming to New York, darling. It was the only way to get him to stop fighting. Oh, and here.” She plopped a stack of papers in my lap. “Zeus is angry at me for not working, so these are for you to follow up on.”
I stared down at names coupled together. Finally, she was working again. I was thankful for the welcome distraction they’d give me that night.
Aroha went to the counter and read Heph’s letter with a sigh. “Oh, and Hera wants Heph in love with some mortal.”
“I’ve tried before. He burns off those arrows. He’s like a wild boar that won’t go down.”
“Try ten arrows. That worked before. And someone he can’t refuse,” she mused.
I got up to get to work. “Oh, who’s he coming as? My father, I mean?”
Aroha shrugged. “The new boy?” Then a smile crept on her face. “He wants to win me over again.”
I rolled my eyes at her. The last thing I wanted was to see my dad. All my parents did was play mind games. All he and I did was fight. But my biggest concern was what he’d do about Callie and me. Apparently, I could disobey Ma and Zeus. Could I disobey him as well?
For a few days, we were safe from the appearance of any other immortals. Not since Rome had I seen so many other gods in such a short span of time. Then Chase Gideon, an appropriate alias for a warrior, showed up in mid-November. Without warning, he just waltzed into AP Chemistry, came up to us, and asked, “Is this seat taken?” pointing to the chair next to Callie. We just shook our heads, and Lucien stared at me in shock. Because he had been so distant, Ma and I had forgotten to warn him.
He sat down and said to Callie, “Hey, I’m Chase.” He offered his hand, and I wanted to cringe. What teens shook hands these days?
“Callie.” She shook his hand.
“Callie,” he repeated like he had heard of her before. This was weird. “A girl in homeroom was talking about you. Friend of yours, Linda?” My dad, Chase, smiled. Where had this nice, civil behavior come from? I remembered him as gruff, militant, serious, and strict.
“Your friends?” Chase pointed to us.
“Yes. This is Lucien, and this is my boyfriend, Archer.” I could kiss her for her amendment. “Oh, and Lucien is with Linda,” Callie added.
Chase nodded at Lucien, then me. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, and he said, “You’re a lucky guy.”
“Don’t I know it,” I told him, pulling Callie protectively closer to me. I had no idea what else to say to him. This was damn weird as it was, reuniting with my father in front of mortals, but his easygoing, almost flirtatious tone with my girlfriend was unnerving.
“What’s there to do around here?” Chase asked Callie.
“Well, on Mondays, they shoot pool, but they’re much too good. I wouldn’t bother if I were you.” She laughed.
“Oh, pool sounds excellent,” he said, inviting himself. He tagged along with us to lunch too, talking to Callie constantly. Lucien raised his eyebrows at me, and I shrugged in return. I pretended it didn’t bother me.
“So where are you from, Chase?” Lucien interrupted.
“Florida. Miami,” he answered vaguely, making it up on the spot, most likely.
“I’m new here as well,” Callie told him. “I moved here in October from Minnesota.”
I shot Chase an angry stare, and he smiled back at me smugly. He was enjoying trying to make me jealous. Everything was always a game to him. He sat down on the other side of Callie, pushing Lucien and Linda down a seat. She and Emily had drifted from their adjacent table to ours while Aroha was gone, but Aroha didn’t seem to care.
I p
ropped my elbow on the table, my chin resting in my hand, thinking about what to say to my dad when he caught me alone. What was he doing, stepping in and chatting up my girlfriend? Ma observed him like a specimen. He caught her gaze and then turned back to Callie, asking her who Aroha was as if he didn’t know. I picked at the bread on my sandwich, no longer interested in the conversation and nervous about talking to him alone, awaiting some reprimand or command.
I felt eyes on me, and I glanced over to see Callie gawking at me. You could never tell what was going through her head, but I sensed she was scared.
“What?” I asked.
Callie’s brow wrinkled. Her gaze oscillated between Chase and me. Her expression seemed to accuse us of looking alike, but I looked nothing like my father. Could she have been picking up on how Himerus sort of took after him? But she would’ve noticed that as soon as she met him. No, it was something here, now. I quickly assessed the scene and noticed that he and I were sitting with the same The Thinker-type posture, both picking at the crusts of our sandwiches. She recognized a similarity in us, one not very obvious to most others, but her mind was jumping to confusing conclusions.
I subtly shifted my posture. “What?” I asked, touching her cheek. She went slightly pale. She couldn’t possibly guess the truth, could she?
“Nothing,” she said quietly, clasping my hand as if it were a lifeline. I would have to be careful about my mannerisms around Chase, especially if they were so noticeably similar. I surveyed the table, but no one else was staring at us. Callie was paranormally perceptive, and it terrified me that she might see much more than I wished her to.
Thankfully, she didn’t bring it up again for the rest of the day.
At the pool hall, I was alone with my father for the first time in centuries. He was preoccupied, staring at Dan, who was flirting with Aroha.
“I wish I could kill that little whelp.” Chase glared at Dan, his eyes glowing bright with an amber fire.
“Your eyes,” I warned him.
“Mortals never notice such things.”
“Callie does.” Damn it. I’d accidentally broached the subject I should stay away from. And yet, he had befriended her. Why? If he was here to command me to abandon her, why would he bother?
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