Embrace (The Gryphon Series Book 2)

by Stacey Rourke

  Keni tore me off a chunk of toilet paper to wipe my face on, then sat beside me on the edge of the tub. She rubbed my back as I attempted to steady my breathing. “And you kept it a secret to protect him?”

  I nodded as I blew my nose.

  “I would’ve done the exact same thing,” she reassured me.

  “That’s because you see the good in everybody whether they deserve it, or not. I’m the Conduit. I’m supposed to be able to make the hard choices despite my stupid feelings. But I choked.” I tossed my snotty tissue at the trashcan and missed.

  “You’re human, Cee.” Keni bumped me with her shoulder. “You’re “stupid” feelings make you who you are. If you got a demon vibe from Alec, you were probably right.”

  “You really think so?” My eyes ached from my crying jag. I rubbed them with the heels of my hands.

  “Totally. You’re the Chosen One. I’m sure you’ve got some sort of built-in demon radar. Plus, if he really is a demon you’ll be seeing him again. His kind can’t stay away from you. You’re like catnip to them.”

  “Fantastic,” I grumbled. “Please don’t tell Gabe about this. He wouldn’t understand. Knowing him, he’d probably want to go hunt Alec down.”

  “I don’t like lying to him. But we’ll keep it quiet as long as we can. Buy you some time to figure it out for yourself.” Keni stood up and sauntered over to the mirror. She snatched the comb off the counter and pried the last of the sap from her hair. “I still don’t see why this has you sworn off of guys, though.”

  I let my hands fall between my knees as I peered up at her from under raised eyebrows. “The last guy I liked may or may not be Mayor of Evil Town now.”

  She gave the look right back to me. “Yeah, but what are the chances of it happening again? I’m just sayin’, you liked this new guy enough to purr at him. You can’t ignore that.”

  “Yes, I can. And I will.” After all that was what was best, wasn’t it? Sure, I was attracted to the guy. What girl wouldn’t be? I mean hel-lo. But I couldn’t risk it. Not again. Even if there was a part of me that wanted to… Without meaning to, I allowed a bit of this inner monologue to seep out. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t see him again anyway.”

  Keni froze mid-sap extraction and gaped at me like I was a moron. “Do you seriously not know anything about boys?”

  “Not really. No,” I admitted.

  She resumed combing. “Guys are not complex creatures, Cee. A cute girl purred at him. He’ll be back. For. Sure.” Just the idea of seeing the raven-haired Irishmen again sent a rush of heat through me that I quickly tried to squelch. “And when he does, talk to him.”

  “I don’t know…”

  After a quick check to make sure the last of the sap was out, Keni deposited the peanut butter covered comb into the sink. Then spun in my direction. “Well, I do. Let me ask you this, have you ever had that kind of reaction to a guy before?”

  “No.” I laughed. “That was definitely a first.”

  “My point exactly.” With her hip leaned against the vanity, she folded her arms in front of her. “For some reason the Conduit side of you was drawn to him. You owe it to yourself, and your calling, to find out why.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Turns out Keni was right. Not that I had any intention of telling her that. Two days—and one incredibly gross incident involving a phlegm spewing demon—later, and there he was. My mid-shift break had just ended. I pushed through the swinging door of the backroom, snatched my order pad out of my cubby and scanned the sitting area. My heart did an erratic little stutter beat. There was no mistaking that glossy black hair and chiseled jawline. Not only was the dark-haired Adonis back, he was sitting in my section—again. In theory, Keni’s idea that something supernatural was drawing me to him made sense. And logically I should talk to him to try to figure out what. However, the thought of actually doing that brought on a fresh round of panic.

  I latched onto Sophia’s arm as she passed by with a very full tray balanced on her hand. “Soph! Trade tables with me!”

  “Whoa! Geez, Celeste! You nearly dumped my whole order. What is your…” Her chestnut ponytail bounced as she followed my alarmed gaze. Her eyes widened in understanding. A sly smile spread across her red painted lips. “Oh! Awesome! No friggin way am I trading. You need to do this. Consider it lesson number two.”

  “You don’t understand,” I hissed in a hushed whisper. “I can’t talk to him. I physically can’t. I am begging you to help me out here.”

  “Aw, poor girl.” I know fake concern when I see it, and she was laying it on heavy. “You’re gonna have to talk to the handsome boy.” With an infuriating grin and a toss of her hair, she sashayed away.

  “Like heck I am,” I muttered. “Melissa, will you take my tables and I’ll work counter for a while?”

  “Nope.” Melissa handed a pink-haired co-ed his change. “This is where Becca wants me tonight.”

  “Come on!” I was barely able to refrain myself from physically removing her from the register and positioning myself there. “Becca won’t mind. Plus, you’d get to talk to a really hot guy. What do ya say?”

  “Lost me there, Celeste.” Her fitted and pressed navy turtleneck didn’t dare wrinkle as she lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. “I have no desire to talk to hot guys of any sort until I have my master’s degree. Can’t risk the distraction. Sorry.”

  Normally, I admired her determination and ambition. Right then it was just annoying.

  Practically spinning in circles, I sought out another alternative. Any other alternative. Becca sauntered out from the backroom, change drawer in tow. I pounced. “Becca! Please take my tables!” I yanked the drawer out of her hands. “ I’ll count out the register!”

  Confusion creased her forehead, as she reclaimed the money stash. “Um…no. A customer asked you to break a twenty with only ones and fives, and you had to use the calculator.”

  I hung my head. Thwarted by lousy math skills. Curse you basic arithmetic! I was out of options. Unless I wanted to quit my job and run screaming out of the building, I had to wait on him. I probably entertained that idea a little longer than I should have. I noticed Sophia’s smug grin from across the room, and scowled in her general direction.

  There was no point in prolonging it. After a deep resigned sigh, I set my shoulders and marched over to his table. “What can I get for you?” I asked, keeping my eyes locked on my order pad.

  “Hey, ya haven’t been back tah class.” His tone seemed welcoming, like we were old friends. “Pity too, ‘cause ya missed a heck of a spectacle. The new professor did a lecture on The Birth of Venus and got herself so worked up she broke out sobbin’. Room full of uncomfortable college kids not knowin’ if we should hand her a tissue or pretend nothin’ was wrong.”

  “Sorry I missed that. Do you know what you want?” I could feel the heat of his gaze on me, but still didn’t dare look at him.

  He paused before answering, probably perplexed by my complete absence of manners and social conduct. “Oh, nothin’. Last time I was here I ended up with some green, foamy thing that I thought would be minty, but it ended up bein’ a travesty in a cup.”

  Now I was stuck. If he didn’t want to order I had to look at him to figure out what he came in for. As soon as I brought my gaze up, my stomach got as fluttery as a butterfly sanctuary. His elbows rested on the table. The sleeves of his red plaid shirt were rolled midway up his forearm. The gold flecks in his emerald eyes glittered under the café’s overhead lights as he peered up at me with an easy smile on his lips.

  “You don’t want to order anything?” I clarified.

  “Definitely not. Actually, I came tah see you.”

  One simple sentence, and I instantly broke out in a flop sweat.

  “Why?” I blurted.

  The corners of his eyes crinkled. “’Cause I wanted tah ask ya a question.”

  Purring wasn’t going to be an issue if he kept looking at me like that. I was going to have a stroke
. “What’s that?” I squeaked.

  He dropped his head long enough to run his fingers through his hair. His bluish-black locks were left in an invitingly messy array. When he glanced back up his eyes had narrowed slightly. He leaned in and beckoned me closer.

  Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!

  “Did I…uh… hear ya purr the other day?” he quietly asked.

  There it was. Mr. Perfect came in just to make fun of me. How noble of him. My schoolgirl crush got steamrolled over by intense annoyance.

  I tapped my pencil against my order pad. “Yes. Yes, you did.” I gave him my best ‘you wanna make something of it’ look.

  All traces of humor vanished from his expression. Concern replaced it. “Has that ever happened tah ya before?”

  I was prepared for jerkiness. Not compassion. It made me feel like that much more of a freak. I really should’ve gone with my original idea to bolt from the building. I mean I could always find a new job, right? That would’ve been easier. Easier than this anyway.

  “No,” I whispered and stared down at the table. “That was a first.”

  He ducked down to meet my gaze, a charming half-grin decorating his face. “Ya have nothin’ tah be embarrassed of. Shite happens. No worries. Truth be known, I found it right flatterin’. And, it gives me the confidence tah ask ya out for Saturday.”

  My head snapped up and my cheeks burned. “Wha…?!” Picture of eloquence, that’s me.

  “Saturday. A date. You, me, dinner? Yah’ve heard of this concept, yeah?”

  “Yes, the concept is somewhat foreign to me, but I’ve heard of it,” I answered. Still fearing this was some kind of joke, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why? Why are you asking me out?”

  His expression was equal parts amusement and confusion. “Because if I don’t ask ya the chance of ya actually showin’ up on the date is highly unlikely, isn’t it?”

  An abrupt—and incredibly loud—laugh erupted out of me. “True. But why? Why would you ask out the freaky purring girl?”

  “Yar laugh is amazin’.” He grinned. Another wave of heat rushed through me. “And because from the moment I laid eyes on ya I knew there was somethin’ different about ya. The purrin’ just supported the theory. So, would ya like to go out with me?”

  “Yes, I’d like to. Go on a date. With you. Please.” Smooth, huh?

  On her way to another table, Sophia passed behind me. “Give him your number.”

  “My what? Oh! My number! I have a number!” I scribbled it on my order pad and tore off the page to hand to him.

  His chin jerked up slightly. “Who do I ask for when I call?”

  I agreed to go on a date with a guy before I even knew his name, or told him mine. Please, don’t tell my mother.

  “Celeste.” I chewed on my lower lip and I brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

  He caught my raised hand and drew it gently to him. His emerald eyes stayed locked on mine, as he bowed his head to brush his lips across the back of my hand. Tingles of excitement tracked up my arm and down my spine. I clamped my teeth together to stifle the purr that threatened to escape.

  “It’s nice to formally meet ya, Celeste. The name’s Caleb.”

  CHAPTER 13

  “This is a date with a real boy, right? Not like the imaginary boyfriend you made up in middle school?”

  “First of all, just because you never met Tom doesn’t mean he didn’t exist,” I snapped at my sister. “Secondly, yes, he’s a real guy.”

  For two hours we’d been trooping through the mountains on patrol. The shadows on the ground elongated as the sun began to set. We failed to see the slightest inkling of demonic activity. Keni even had her wings out in attempt to drum up some action. Using our abilities was the equivalent of sending out a homing beacon to Seekers, but this evening we weren’t getting any takers.

  “Do us a favor,” Gabe requested with a cynical smirk. “When this goes south, don’t go all devil-chick on us again.”

  I glared daggers at him. “Gee, thanks.”

  A casual lift of his gigantic shoulders. “Just sayin’, with your hist...” Abruptly his words cut off and a ground-trembling growl replaced them. I swiveled around to see Gabe’s eyes turn from blue to feline topaz with a blink. His entire body went poised and rigid.

  “What is it?” I urgently whispered, as I spun to scan the area.

  With his head cocked and ears perked, Gabe listened. His head snapped to the left. He sniffed the air then rumbled, “Demons. Three or four, I can’t be sure. They aren’t shifters. There’s no animal smell on ‘em. They’re headed this way.”

  “Get ready, gang,” I said with a nod.

  Kendall spread her wings wide, ready to protect us from whatever nastiness was coming. I shook my arms and legs out like a swimmer at the start of a race. Gabe ducked behind a tree to strip down and shift forms.

  Kendall and I played lookout as we waited for the Guardian—the mythical name for Gabe’s lion form—to appear. A branch snapped less than twenty feet away. I whipped my head around. Keni pulled in tight beside me.

  “Outta time, Gabe!” I shouted over my shoulder.

  The words barely left my mouth before my follicly-enhanced bodyguard appeared beside me. The tawny hued Gabe-lion arched his back and let loose a mighty roar.

  The vegetation in front of us rustled, then went still. A nasally voice whimpered, “Did you hear that? I’m not going out there!”

  Something about that whine sounded familiar.

  “We have to!” Another voice answered. “She knows us. She probably won’t let him eat us.”

  “Probably?”

  Gabe, Kendall and I exchanged puzzled looks.

  “Quit being a baby, and go.”

  “No! You go first!”

  The foliage crunched, snapped, swayed and shook as some sort of ruckus went down. It ended with Eddie getting booted out in front of us. His panicked eyes darted back-and-forth before they settled on me.

  “Hi-yah,” he squeaked out and gave me a tentative finger wave.

  I groaned and ran my hand over my face. “You guys again? Seriously?”

  Kendall’s wings sagged at the less-than-intimidating sight of Eddie. “Friend of yours?”

  “I wouldn’t say ‘friend.’ I’d say annoying demon that should’ve considered himself lucky I didn’t kill him the first time we met.”

  Eddie gulped.

  From behind him, Red stepped into view. He held his hands in the air like he was surrendering. “We’re so sorry to bother you. We had every intention of staying away from you, like, forever. But Her Royal Evilness had other plans.”

  “And exactly what kind of plans does she have?” I asked.

  Boil Face shuffled out into view practically carrying a twin. My stomach knotted when I realized the lone twin was bandaged up where his brother had been. His face and arms were swollen and bruised. Someone had worked him over badly. It looked like the only thing holding him upright was his friend.

  Boil Face’s tone was devoid of all emotion. “We were told to kill you, or else.”

  I felt the reverberation from Gabe’s growl in my chest.

  I held my hand up to halt our advancing lion. Even though I had a sick feeling in my gut of what the answer would be, I had to ask. “Where’s his brother?”

  “Where do you think?” Red answered bitterly, as he helped the still splayed Eddie to his feet.

  I peered at the broken mess that was the lone twin. Beneath the bruising I could see black circles that tracked under red-rimmed eyes. His face was a gaunt shadow of sadness. I knew the pain that was eating away at him only too well.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” I said with utmost sincerity.

  Fresh tears spilled from his eyes. He removed his glasses to wipe his face. “Thank you,” he muttered and tried to swallow down the anguish.

  “Who are these guys, Cee?” Kendall whispered to me. “What’s going on?”

  “Kendall, Gabe, I’d like you to meet the
Dark Army Glee Club.”

  “In between plotting our doom they have time for extracurricular activities? That’s border-line insulting.” Kendall’s face folded into a scowl.

  “We’re not included in the plotting. Or the fighting for that matter.” Eddie shrugged a puny shoulder. “We’re kind of like the tech department; spells, potions, illusion disguises, stuff like that. Gives us a lot of free time.”

  If that was true, and I saw no reason for them to lie, then something here didn’t seem right. “Then why would she send you?”

  The remaining Glee Club members exchanged a look.

  “We have no idea,” Red admitted. “But something’s up. Everyone has been extra hush-hush lately. Before it was training and fighting all day, every day. Now it’s quiet meetings behind closed doors. The whole army is in a holding pattern, but no one will tell us why. As if her picking us to come after you wasn’t weird enough, there’ve been rumors…”

  “What kind of rumors?” I interrupted.

  “Rumors that the Countess isn’t in the Underworld,” Boil Face filled in.

  I shot a glance at Kendall, then Gabe. Kendall’s trepidation reflected my own. Gabe looked hungry for demon. “If she’s not in the Underworld, where is she?”

  Eddie shook his head. “No idea.”

  Again, Gabe growled. The Glee Clubbers cringed and huddled together.

  “He doesn’t think we should trust you,” I explained. Nothing wrong with a little good cop/bad lion.

  The lone twin pushed off of Boil Face to stand on his own. His sorrow-filled stare bore into Gabe. “She took away our freedom and killed my brother. If you trust nothing else about us, trust that we want her dead.”

  Gabe snuffed and looked away. I didn’t know if he was buying what the Glee Club had to say, but he at least seemed to respect the pain the twin was in.

  “How do we figure out what she’s up to?” I asked.