Greek Fire

by S Lawrence

  "You see that stone?" I point slightly at the cornerstone, and she glances at it before looking away. "That stone would have been set there around 1100 B.C. That is when the myths you've learned were formed. The written versions came much, much later."

  "Three thousand years ago - wow! No wonder we can't find any records. Were you here then?"

  "Shortly after, I would say."

  "God, you're old." She giggles before looking back at the building.

  "Come, let us go to the cafe down on the corner. It'll be easier to watch from there, and I want to walk by it once." As we move closer, I let my beast move closer to the surface, drawing air deep into my lungs I sort through the scents looking for her. Aislin looks at me expectantly, and I shake my head.

  We watch the building for hours, with Aislin sending updates to Kai.

  26

  KAI

  I watch as Sean and Michael move silently through the grounds of Jason's estate before turning to look at the house across the inlet. Something is setting off my alarms, but I just can't sense anything. I let my dragon slip forward just below the surface and scan the distance with much better sight, drawing in a deep breath. I don’t see anything, but something or someone is near. Closing my eyes, I smile as Aislin's voice whispers through my mind. She has been checking in every hour. I don’t tell her anything about the visitor, wanting to find out more about it first. Drawing another breath, I open my eyes. The men have moved to my sides. They say they have no powers other than the Druidry, but Jason and I are both amazed by their senses. Somewhere in their ancestry was a person with abilities.

  "Whit do you smell?" Sean whispers, their Scottish accent strong when they are emotional.

  "We hae not found anything, but something is, or was, here," Michael's voice is the barest whisper and his eyes move constantly.

  "Whoever it was is gone for now. I smell something. I've smelled it before, but it was long ago. Although…," I draw another deep breath and focuse in on the one scent, "I'm almost positive it was on the air the night of the joining."

  "We hae been watched this whole time. Cuntybuggeryfucktoleybumshite!" Sean slaps his thigh as he spins around and stomps off. "Ye fuckers dinnae know who yer fuckin with," he yells loudly.

  Looking at Michael, I can't stop my chuckle. "I always thought he was the calm one."

  "He is usually but once he is riled, stay outta his way." He jogs after his friend.

  My eyes are drawn back to the house across the water, and I can see someone moving inside. Watching as they move from room to room, I realize that they are doing a quick, but very thorough, search. I whistle and am shocked as the figure's head turns in my direction. Feet pound the ground toward me, and in seconds, the warriors are at my side. They too stare across the water.

  "Someone is there, and they are searching the place. Fancy a ride on a dragon? I'm not letting them get away." The next moment, I scoop them up in my claws and dive off the cliff, wings spreading to catch the air current. Two strong flaps and we are climbing up the other side. Dropping the boys as we clear the cliff top, I land and shift back to my human form as they sprint towards the house. They signal to each other as they move to the opposite end, leaving the patio door for myself. I am moving toward the glass door as it slides open. Her scent hits me as soon as she steps out.

  "Odin sent me to watch you in Scotland. After I reported back, Loki contacted Morrigan, and he sent me to watch and help, if you have a need." She shifts slightly into a defensive stance as Sean and Michael move to flank her.

  "Valkryie." That is why I had recognized the scent.

  "Yes. My name is Raven." A deep bark of laughter comes from Sean, as she turns her head turns slowly and glares at him. "My mother had a sense of humor."

  "Aye, she did. Ye hae naw a bit of darkness to ye." Michael's voice is serious, and I glance at his face. The man swallows a few times before glancing away from her, his eyes almost immediately travel back over her. Sean is more blatant in his perusal. I look back at her. She's beautiful and fair, a stark contrast to the dark highland Druids. I connect with Aislin, asking for her and Jason to return.

  "Why don't we go back to Jason's and discuss things? He and Aislin are on their way," I say, leaving no room for argument.

  I move to the edge of the cliff, as does she. Her wings come out and are a shimmering white-gold. I hear swift intakes of breath, in stereo, from the men beside me. Looking at them, I grin at their slack jaws and shining eyes. Oh, this was going to make Asilin very happy. Shifting, I grab them again, watching as she takes to the air. Stepping off, I dive down to her, and she does a sharp bank to move into a better fighting position. Yes, she is going to fit in nicely.

  27

  RAVEN

  We are all gathered together in the atrium. Jason stands stiffly to the side, pissed that I have been watching them. Kai sits on a couch with his Aislin curled up against his side. I sit in a chair to their left, reclining but body coiled, ready to fight if I have to. I look at the couple enviously. Sean and Michael have taken the chairs on either side of me. Kai and Aislin keep looking between the Druids and myself, their scrutiny making me uncomfortable.

  Aislin speaks first. "I have many questions, but the most important at the moment is, do you plan to help us?" She directs her question to me.

  "If I can." I look around the room, eyes lingering on the Druids. "Why don't I tell you about myself and what I've seen? Then you can decide."

  Michael nods, encouraging me to begin.

  I explain that Odin had sent me to watch them after he felt the Guardians called to war. All eyes turn to Kai, and he shrugs, "I don't regret anything." Aislin brings his hand to her lips, kissing his fingers while smiling up at him.

  "After I watched the joining, and heard that your friend had been taken, I reported back. Odin wasn't interested anymore; he only wanted to take advantage if there had been a war. Loki met with Danu and Morrigan and suggested that I keep watching, just in case." I keep the fact that I would have come either way to herself. I can't get the men at my sides off my mind, something about them calling to me.

  I answer all their questions, explaining that Ragnhild, the first Valkyrie, is my mother and Loki is my father. She has been at the battlefields, bringing the fallen to Folkvangr, for thousands of years. I talk about how I’m Freya's emissary, choosing those warriors that will fight for her Goddess at Ragnarok, much to my mother's chagrin. Ragnhild, my mother, was the first Valkyrie created by Odin, and she is by his side always. Ragnhild left me with Loki the day I was born, after the Norns told her the baby would one day choose others over her.

  "Oh, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine that." Aislin's eyes fill with tears, and my face heats uncomfortably for a moment. My gaze darts around and I pick at my pants.

  "Och, doona worry. Our Aislin has a soft heart, especially where mothers are concerned." Michael reaches over and squeezes my knee gently. I look in his eyes before glancing away.

  * * *

  JASON

  Sean watches his friend and sees the warmth in Michael's eyes. Sighing, he leans back. My subtle movement draws his gaze. Sean can tell I’m still angry at the idea of being watched. He himself doesn't mind the idea of her watching him at all.

  * * *

  "Please don't feel bad for me, my father is a loving man. I love finding warriors for Freya. At all costs, we must make sure that Odin is not the victor at Ragnarok. The battle for this world started long ago when your own first guardian was created. He and his mate, Ylva, still fight for the planet and the Tree of Life." Pride rings in my voice and I see Jason studying me more closely, relaxing slightly.

  "So, why were you at the house across the bay? They only went because we had felt you near and we were trying to discover who was watching us," Kai asks, his hand gestures to the men around me, his voice is quiet but rings with barely bridled anger.

  28

  JASON

  Her cheeks dust with pink. Sean and Michael share a heated look. Kai squ
eezes Aislin's hand, and she nods a tiny bit. I watch all of their reactions and my anger flares even more. Was I the only one that cared that they had been watched this whole time? Apparently, yes. The Druids were thinking with their dicks, and Aislin was thinking with her heart. Kai only cared about Aislin’s safety and happiness. Pushing off the wall, I glide closer as the Valkyrie clears her throat.

  "Last night, I was moving along the edge of the cliff, yes… I had followed you from the airport. I had just begun to move to the rear of the house when the lights came on at the house across the water." Kai's gaze grew interested as she described where she had been going. He glances at me, neither of us missing that she had been heading to the area with the bedrooms. The Druids had shifted slightly at the revelation, only Aislin was still relaxed.

  "I would have not thought anything of it, but as I looked across the water, just as the lights went back out, a man came out and stood in the darkness. His focus was on this house. One of my gifts is the ability to read a man's heart, which allows me to make my choices on the battlefield. That man standing in the darkness has a heart as dark as the night sky. I was moving to try to get a better view of him, and he must have seen me, because he moved inside. He left under cover of darkness. I went over there today to try to figure out who the threat to you was." Aislin sees her eyes dart between the men at her sides and a smile blossoms across her face, one that causes Kai to bark out a laugh. Raven's startled gasp has Sean and Michael glaring at him, which causes him to laugh more.

  "I doona think this is a laughing matter, man," Sean grits out, leaning forward to glare at him. Michael's eyes are on Aislin, narrowed in concentration. Whatever he saw has him shaking his head at her.

  "Doona fash yerself, brother. He is laughing at his woman and whatever hairbrained scheme she is plotting," Michael says quickly, trying to settle Sean down.

  Raven looks at the woman across from her who had begun to giggle and smiles slightly. She had no idea what is going on, but she likes our dark-haired beauty.

  "Can we please get back to the important matter at hand? Twice we have been watched without our knowledge." My growl bites through the air and sobers them all in an instant. "Did you find anything in your search of the house?"

  "No, nothing personal. The house even smelled like nothing."

  * * *

  I pull my new phone from my pocket and insert the sim card I had picked up from a shop as we had watched the headquarters building. Finally, I would have service and data, no more hunting down a computer. I just wish I had thought to pick up one week ago, after I had been rescued. Turning the phone on, I start the process of getting it ready.

  "I'll email the others, and maybe we can find the owner of the house. It might lead us to finding those in the Order here."

  We continued to talk long into the night. Raven yawned first, as she stood to stretch her body. Sean and Michael's eyes glazed as her back arched. Unconsciously, they both shifted forward.

  "Why don't we retire for the night?" Jason moves closer and says, "Raven, if you follow me, I can show you to a room."

  She smiles at me and murmurs goodnight to the men. The Druids stand as she moves away, their gazes never leaving her. They are so focused on her, they missed the grins on our faces.

  "Come, Sparrow. I need to hold you close." Kai takes my hand and pulls me up, throwing his arm over my shoulder and tucking me close. "Sleep well, my friends." He chuckles and I giggle as I glance back at them smiling.

  Sean and Michael stand, staring at us for a moment, and then they both start moving to the hall. I lead Kai to our room on the left left, and as the men turn right, they see Jason emerge from a room that was in between his and Kai's. Looking at them, he grins, "I hope you sleep well, my friends."

  Eyebrows draw low as they glare at him, and the others, as they chuckle. "What are you all going on about?" Michael growls.

  I answer, "Nothing, boys. Sweet dreams."

  I tug Kai's hand and shake my boobs at him just inside the room. It has him growling and rushing me. The door slams behind him, and the tinkling sound of my laughter echoes down the hall.

  * * *

  Sean's head cocks and he shakes it slightly before he turns and moves to his room. "Crazy idjits" echoes down the quiet hall as his door closes.

  Michael opens his mouth and quickly snaps it closed. It wasn't worth it, and he was tired. Turning into his room, he takes one last look down the hall at her door. Jason stands inside his room, dragging his fingers through his hair. Just as he moves to lie down, his phone chimes, a message from Nestor. He has a lead that he was checking on and he would call in the morning. Should I come help you? Jason stares at the screen waiting. No, it is better if I talk to them alone. Besides I can take care of myself, old friend. Get some rest. I think you're going to need it. Jason lays down. He hasn't slept in days. It isn't long before he is dreaming of a petite redheaded beauty. She dances through his mind, calling to him and his beast.

  29

  EMMA

  He had guards bring up a small bistro table and chairs, placing them on the balcony. The drinks are served out there. His knees rub against my leg, and I tighten my muscles to keep from shivering. His fingers dance along my arm. I swallow the bite of stuffed tomato and tzatziki, the rich, tangy flavors turning to dust in my mouth. I fight, stifling the urge to throw up. How could I have felt sympathy for this man? His childhood had turned him into a monster, one that couldn't be redeemed.

  He is talking, but my mind is racing. Terror is my constant friend now. I try to smile at him, to appease him, but it doesn't reach my eyes. He reaches for my hand, and I try to pull back quickly. His eyes narrow as his hand shoots out, connecting with my cheek right below my eye before his fingers close around mine in a bone-crushing grip. I cry out, wincing at the pain.

  His hold loosens, and I hear the words that make my heart sink. "Why do you make me hurt you?" I know that question will be repeated until he kills me. How many times did Sally hear those words before her man broke her bones and bruised her skin? Sally's eyes, filled with defeat and hopelessness, flash in my mind.

  I remember reading an article that said abusers were often like Jekyll and Hyde, but as Arias rubs my hand gently and speaks to me in a soft voice, I think he is like Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Bruce is currently talking to me about our life and how wonderful it will be, just moments after the Hulk almost broke my hand. He is more than human, he is stronger with at least one power that I'm aware of.

  I find myself saying, "Sorry." I hate myself for that word. His finger comes under my chin, bringing my gaze to his. His smile is breathtaking. I don't resist as he moves closer, my only thought is survival. Aislin survived. I can survive. His lips are hot on mine. I can't help but think if I was somewhere else, I would admit he is a very good kisser. He applies pressure, he wants entry. I open my lips, and he deepens the kiss. Groaning, he pulls me closer and deepens the kiss more. He finally breaks away, drawing in a deep breath.

  "You see, my love. It will be so wonderful between us." Either he doesn't notice my revulsion, or he chooses to ignore it. He pulls me to my feet, leading me inside. I know what comes next. I don't know how I'm going to do this. I am frozen at the foot of the bed, his hand reaches and shackles my wrist, hot and hurtful. My eyes close, hoping to hide my terror.

  "Please, don't do this." My rage at my helplessness can be heard. For a moment, I wish my terror would pull me into the darkness like earlier, but I knew if it did, I would be lost. I would awaken to either a body broken from his rage or bruised from his lust. He looks at me with eyes radiant and imploring, and I am suddenly aware of his beauty - full rosy lips, dark lashes, and brows framing brilliant blue eyes. Eyes that are filled with lust and longing. He bends slowly, covering my lips with his. His fingers slip around my neck, and for a moment, I think this it is - he's going to kill me now. My hands come up to his chest, pushing lightly. He breaks the kiss, and his eyes focus on mine, questioningly.

  "I won't do
this. If this happens now, you are raping me," I whisper quietly.

  He jerks back as if slapped. "I would never force myself on you. You kissed me back." His hand comes up to my hair and he grips tightly. "I love you, don't you understand that? Why don't you believe me?" I try to turn away as his head bends back toward my face. His fingers tighten slightly, his lips grazing along my cheek. His other hand moves to touch my breast gently, rubbing lightly at the nipples. Again I long for the blackness of unconsciousness but here I stand, helplessly unable to flee. His lips move down to my neck, his teeth grazing the pulse there. I shiver at the unwelcome sensation that runs through me. My neck has always been that one spot that causes my pussy to clench, moisture leaking from it. Today my body betrays me. My nipple peaks, and he growls in hunger.

  "You see, you want me too."He squeezes my jaw so hard it feels as if the bones are breaking. My cheeks are cut on my teeth and blood stains my teeth, Releasing me, he shoves me away stalking to the door. "I'll be back. I will make you love me." He doesn't look back. I flinch as he closes the door quietly.

  I lie on the bed, frozen for long moments. I know I'm going to die. Might not be tonight, but I will. Tonight he will rape me, most likely beat me either before, during, or after. The thought of him holding me down and forcing himself into my body galvanizes me into action. My fingers drift up to gently touch my face. I don't need to see; I can feel it swelling already and the bruises are starting to form. I try opening my mouth but squeeze my eyes at the pain. Standing, I look around the room. I only have moments before he is back in his office. I move out to the balcony, leaning on it. I look down as blood drips and falls, the drop splashing on the white pebbles below… Two stories… How far is that? I realize it doesn't matter; I must get out of here. I climb over the carved stone and edge to the corner where it meets the wall. I lower myself to the bottom edge. Hanging off, I figure now I'm only a story and a half from the ground. I take a few deep breaths and feel my fingers beginning to slip. I let go. It isn't like in the movies. I hit hard. Bones snap, and I slam my hand over my mouth to muffle my scream. Pain pulses in my face and tears pour from my eyes. It shoots from my right ankle. Years of dancing and sprains inform me that I have broken it. I suck in a breath through my nose before looking down. It was turned at a ninety-degree angle, and I gasp. The pain intensifies the longer I look at it. I won't get away. Pushing up on the wall, I grit my teeth at the pain as my foot drops and dangles. Sweat coats my body as chills race over my skin. I feel nauseous, and bile rushes up my throat. My jaw is on fire from me grinding it closed. Pushing off the wall, I take a tentative hop, crying out at the jolt of pain from my ankle. Darkness dances across my vision.