by C. M. Owens
I smile lightly, and Hale cracks his neck from side to side.
"Aye. I'll make sure of it," he adds.
"I still can't believe you're a son of Helios," Jace comments skeptically.
"Dude, what's your glitch?" Hale scoffs.
"I just always pictured a Helios so much… stronger looking," he says as though he's thinking aloud.
I giggle a little, and Hale slaps his forehead in exasperation.
"Great. A new comedian for the tour. Just what I need," he grouses.
"He's much stronger than he looks," Devin kindly interjects.
Hale looks a little surprised, but relieved. I know it has to suck to always be the punch line.
"I'm going to take Adisia to the bedroom to change. Bring her clothes when they get up here," Devin says pointedly toward Camara.
"Yeah. No problem."
He gingerly carries me to the room, and his lips gently graze mine the second we're finally alone.
It feels as though he's worried I'll break if he kisses me too hard, but it's probably because my upper lip is cut. I'm actually a little grateful for his soft touch considering how very fragile I feel.
"You're going after them?" I ask worriedly as he starts the shower.
"Of course. Did you think I would let them roam free after doing this shit to you?" he asks with a slightly offended tone.
"I just don't want you to leave me," I whimper.
His eyes soften, and he pulls my lips to him with a little more vigor. I wince when my cut lip splits a little more, the tang of my blood slightly invading our moment.
"Sorry," he mumbles with a grimace.
"It's fine. I'm the one who's sorry. I didn't trust you even after I said I did, and it was stupid. I spent the entire time making you feel bad for sending me away when you were just trying to keep me safe. Now it's been almost a month since I got to see you, and I'm a wrecked mess," I grumble in frustration.
He lets a triumphant smile laced with pity and a little guilt slip free, and then he shakes his head.
"I love you, baby."
"I love you," I pout.
He scoops me up and places me on the edge of the shower as he starts to undress me. I catch his hand to halt his action.
"Let me do it," I almost plead.
"I can help you," he rebuts.
"Let me hold on to the last bit of dignity I have left, please."
He smirks a little and then frowns.
"Are you going to be able to take a shower with your ankle in that shape?"
"I managed by myself last night," I huff.
"That's good to know," he almost grumbles.
I giggle a little, and he just lets out a huff of a laugh at my amusement before walking back out.
I stare in the mirror in disgust. The makeup has offered a slight mask to cover the dreadful wounds on my face, but it has in no way hidden them all.
The yoga pants are a little loose, and Devin's going to be furious when he learns I've lost weight. I can't help it though. Misery hates food, and I was miserable for over a month.
He's only seen me in the baggy shirt and boxers up until now. This shirt that was my size covers some of the looseness in the waistband of my pants, but it's obvious that it's supposed to fit better than it does as well.
Crap. Why does he have to know my sizes? I could have gotten away with this if he had to ask for them.
"Adisia?" Persia murmurs as she walks in.
"I'm ready. I just finished up with your makeup. Thank you for letting me borrow it."
"Of course. You don't have to ask to borrow anything. What's mine is yours," she offers without hesitance.
I smile appreciatively, and she helps me flee the vanity stool. Her free hand hands me my crutches, and I frown as I wobble onto them.
"I hate crutches," I growl.
"You've used them before?" she asks sadly.
"Yeah," I gripe.
"What happened?"
"Long story. Is everyone else ready?" I question to change the subject.
"Yeah. We're just waiting for you. Did you take your medicine?"
"Unfortunately. Devin brought it to me after my shower. I forgot what an idiot I feel like on painkillers."
She laughs, and I start hobbling into the living area. Devin flashes over to me, and his lips catch mine in a gentle embrace.
"Let me carry you," he requests for the hundredth time while pulling back.
"I feel like a child when I'm being passed around like a hot potato. I'm not overly fond of crutches, but I'd rather hobble than be cradled."
He frowns but concedes to my request. He doesn't trail far behind me, and I'm not used to us not touching when we're together.
His hands pull me to him while we're on the elevator, letting me know he can't stay away from my lips very long. I giggle a little when I feel eyes burning on us, and the unpleasant growls of Jace.
"They're always this way. You'll learn to deal with it," Hale chirps.
Devin takes my crutches and tosses them to Hale. He scoops me up despite my objection, and kisses me more as the doors open.
"I can't touch you when you use the crutches," he plays.
"Fine. You win," I huff with a mock look of frustration.
Then my goofy smile returns when his lips continue their gentle attack. I feel us swishing into a car, and Devin pulls me into his lap.
"The doctor said the ascent and descent of the plane might put pressure on your ribs. If you think it'll be too much, then we can wait a while."
"I'll be fine. The brutally strong painkillers are kicking my ass, so I probably won't be awake much longer to feel it."
"Well, I need you to stay awake just a moment longer," he says with a secretive, boyish grin.
"What's that look for?" I say with playful inquisitiveness.
He continues to smile, and then he pulls me into a deeper kiss just before the car stops.
He cautiously climbs out with me still in tow, and I gasp as I watch thousands of balloons suddenly being released into the air. I hold my hand over my mouth as they slowly drift up, lining the sky with a helium-filled rainbow collage, and then I let out a girly giggle.
“Birthday balloons?"
He smiles. "Belated, but it's better to party late than never to party at all," he jokes.
"Party?"
"Yes," he adds with a proud smirk.
He carries me onto the jet, I smile when I see a cake with twenty-six candles flickering with fiery wicks.
Everyone starts singing, and I quickly blow out the hazardous candles that shouldn't be on a plane.
Jace gives me a secretive smirk for what he assumes is a private joke. I had told him I hated cake, and here Devin is buying me a birthday cake.
Of course, he knows I hate cake too, but I never told him about my ice cream tradition.
"Thanks," I murmur with a touch of embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry. I've been looking forward to the day I could share a birthday with you, and I missed my first opportunity," Persia confesses. "We honestly just forgot what day it was. We didn't forget your birthday."
I smile, and she hugs me before Devin gently places me in the seat. He quickly props my foot up, and they all start showering me with presents. I laugh when Hale gives me a keychain that says, "I'm a goddess."
Devin hands me a small box, and I'm expecting to find the ring I've long awaited. I'm disappointed and excited when I find a camera instead.
"What's this for?" I ask curiously.
"Yours was a little outdated, and I know you love taking pictures. I’ve seen your apartment," he teases. "I want our homes to be full of pictures from our life."
"You're more of a minimalist," I remind.
"Not when it comes to you and me," he smolders as he kisses me softly.
Damn. He's so good.
"Oh good grief," Deacon gags.
"You should be taking lessons. I'm starting to think Devin is the real son of Helios," Camara swoons.
&nbs
p; Deacon and Hale both flash her a scolding glare, but she ignores the petty men. I giggle lightly under the adoring eyes I've loved for so long.
"Do you not like it?" he asks. "You seem disappointed."
"No. I love it. Thank you. I guess it just caught me off guard," I almost pout.
"Were you expecting this?" he snickers as he slides my engagement ring onto my hand.
I gasp a little as I notice the band is now imbedded with not only blue and green, but diamonds are there to represent the white of Asteria as well.
Tears start to trickle down, and my arms clasp around the back of his neck.
"Thank you," I giggle out as the tears finally fall.
"Did you miss it?" he chuckles.
"I just miss having proof I'm going to be married to you," I say with a nervous laugh as I wipe away my tears.
"Marry me now, and I'll put another band on that hand," he entices.
"I want to wait until I'm immortal," I remind.
"I don't. Marry me now," he murmurs against my lips.
I smile as I kiss the tempting mouth, but then I shake my head rebelliously in the middle of our delicious moment.
"You know my only stipulation. Help me get my immortality back," I offer.
He sighs a little, but a little grin emerges. He's always loved a good chase.
"I'll change your mind," he teases.
"It's been a while since I heard that," I chuckle.
"It's been a while since you made me say it," he snickers out before kissing my forehead and pulling me to him.
The others all roll their eyes, and they begin slicing up the cake. Camara walks over with a pint of ice cream and two spoons. Devin smiles as he takes it from her.
"The cake was for tradition's sake. I know you're not a fan, but I also know you love ice cream. So, I acquired your favorite," he says so sweetly, and I can't help but attack his lips a little more fervently.
His hands grip lightly against my face as he cups it and his body heats instantly as the kiss deepens.
"We have to stop," he cautions as his eyes point to my side.
"I'll deal," I murmur before my lips move over his again.
He chuckles under his breath, and then he pulls me back slightly.
"I'll stock the entire freezer of every place I own with ice cream if this is the reaction I get," he teases.
I laugh a little, and then the goofy lightheadedness hits as the plane threatens to start. The others clear the cake, and Devin buckles me up very gently before the takeoff.
I lean into him, and I was right. I will be asleep before the plane even leaves the ground.
"Where are we going?" I yawn out.
"Chicago."
The luxurious jet offers me a comfortable resting place, and Devin's lips offer me a sweet kiss before the sleep consumes me completely.
Chapter 8
Begging back immortality
"Devin, please. Just hear me out," I plead.
"No. Absolutely not," he asserts adamantly.
"You're being completely unreasonable," I huff as I wobble around on my crutches in the Chicago penthouse.
"Adisia, it was a dream," he says quickly.
"It was an epiphany. It's a beautiful plan with very minimal risk."
"Minimal risk my ass. You could be killed the instant we come into contact with them," he yells.
"What's going on?" Jace interjects as he joins us and glares at Devin.
"Let them be. This is just the pick me up I needed," Deacon chuckles.
Devin's eyes cut toward the warlord, and Deacon just snickers all the louder while going back to the newspaper in his lap. Then he cuts his eyes back toward Jace when Deacon seems subdued.
"Adisia wishes to join us when we go hunt the sirens," he growls.
"Hell no," Jace says promptly.
"Oh, now you're on his side?" I gripe.
"Yeah. It's a pretty obvious choice. You're still mortal," he murmurs with heavy condescension.
"The only way I can I can ever be immortal is if I feel the need to protect Devin. I can't protect Devin if there's nothing to protect him from," I harp.
"I'll throw a few zaps at him," Jace pops out a little too eagerly.
Devin's eyes narrow and I huff as I rebuff his useless suggestion.
"It won't work. I have to know he's truly in danger."
"I promise I'll make it hurt," Jace murmurs with more menace.
Devin takes a step toward him, and I lift a crutch leg to his chest to halt him from doing anything foolish.
Men are such egomaniacs.
"Put them away. We don't have time for a pissing match." I scold to both of them. "I'm sick of falling shattering like glass. I'm ready to get my strength back, and this is the best way to do it."
"Sirens are too risky," Jace says more seriously.
"Besides, we could find another way for me to trigger your powers," Devin says hopefully. "Just because it triggered out of your protectiveness doesn't mean it's the only way."
"It's the only way we know for sure works, and I'm sick of waiting. I'll have one foot in the mortal grave if we continue on at this pace," I growl.
"You're not going with us, and that's final," Devin admonishes.
"So I'm going to stay here all alone while you head off to wherever?"
"No. Persia is going to stay here with you. Mom and Dad will be two apartments down with some of the others," Devin quickly explains.
"Why is there such loud arguing right now? I've still got jetlag," Gemma growls as she props up on the bar holding her head.
I suppose immortals aren't immune to everything.
Devin rolls his eyes and turns his back on me as he walks to grab a glass.
"Devin, please. If I don't hurry up and become immortal, I'm going to die a mortal," I whimper.
He winces, and Jace walks over to me shaking his head.
"When you faced the sirens, they were babies. They've fed numerous times by now, and they're going to be stronger than your mortal body can withstand this time. The shrieks should have folded your body in half last time. I still don't know how you survived, but you wouldn't last against them now for sure," Jace murmurs with more angst.
"You don't know that. We have Hale. We'll be fine. Sirens die under the sun's touch, and Hale loves to shine," I grumble with some mockery laced in my tone.
"I can hear you. These rooms aren't padded," Hale yells from a distant bedroom.
"Help me out, and I promise to defend you the rest of the day," I quickly add, hopefulness in my tone.
"Tempting, but hell no," he scoffs as he joins us in the decadent room. "Sirens aren't toys. We can withstand their screams for longer than you, but they can still kill us too. This could go wrong on too many levels to chance."
Crap. I'm getting teamed up on.
"The bitch daughters of Athena have already found me in the one place they were never supposed to be able to find me. The sirens spawned in my place of refuge. How much riskier can it get?" I retort.
My right crutch suddenly betrays me when the pin snaps and it crumbles. Devin's arms are around me before I even have time to fully start to fall, and he scoops me into his arms.
"You're in no condition to keep traveling either. We'll have to follow their trail until we finally lock in on their pattern. You're staying here," he says with more gentleness.
He gently places me on the couch, and he goes to drink his early morning scotch as Hale hands me my cup of coffee.
Oh he pisses me off sometimes.
"I don't like chasing after danger, but sometimes it's a necessary evil," I counter with a little more of a whiny tone than I intended.
"What if Ther kept her showered in the light while we're holding them off?" Jace asks in an attempt to help me in my quest.
"That would just protect her from their grip rather than their screams," Devin sternly rebuts.
"What if we find a silencer or a strong breath catcher?" Jace suggests.
I spew
the coffee from my mouth, and Devin's eyes fill with pain as he flashes to me and pulls me into his lap. His lips gingerly console the ones on my face trying to quiver.
"No breath catchers," Hale murmurs softly.
"What did I say?" Jace pops off sardonically.
"Adisia was almost killed by a breath catcher who betrayed us," Kry explains with a sigh as he walks into the room.
Gemma slowly sips on her coffee with her eyes focusing on the counter.
"Gemma saved me just in time," I add in a near whisper.
"Barely in time," Devin winces.
Her eyes show a little disappointment in his comment, but she takes it in stride as she sips her brew a little softer.
"Why did she try to kill you?" Jace asks in confusion.
"She was in love with Devin," I grumble, and his arms tighten around me in response.
"She was a psycho bitch unable to divide fantasy and reality. I had fortunately smuggled in plants to play with because I feel lost without them. I heard the bitch ranting, but I didn't know she was killing Adisia until I heard the wheezes. The moment I realized she was dying, I was there," Gemma says while glaring directly at Devin, her eyes scolding him for his earlier comment.
He doesn't seem impressed by her answer, and I feel like I'm missing something. They've probably argued about this numerous times in my absence. I'm sure Deacon has thrived on their constant conflict.
"Why did you have to smuggle in plants?" Jace asks in bemusement.
"Because she also tried to kill Adisia," Devin says with a clenched jaw.
"What? And you're letting her stay here?" Jace yells as he springs to his feet.
Vines shoot up from the small plant on the counter and dare him to try something as electricity simmers over the surface of his body.
"She also died beside us before the rewind," I explain. "It's a long story with very different, somewhat less psychotic details."
Her eyes narrow at me, but she shrugs when she assesses my comment to be fair, given the situation. Jace doesn't back down, and I'm almost worried earth and electricity are about to collide.
"I can't believe you claim to love her, and yet you're keeping her in the same place as Adisia while she's a helpless mortal," Jace admonishes while pointing at Gemma.
