“Okay, yes I’m coming, just have to grab my coat.”
She shut off the bathroom light and gave one last look in the mirror over the dresser. “Ready or not, here I come.”
A pair of eyes watched the door close behind her from within the mirror. “I’m ready. You? I’m thinking, not so much.”
“Eros, you look fine, now quit squirming.” Aphrodite straightened his outfit. Satisfied he’d pass for human she turned to give Psyche the once over. The fashionable dress flattered while covering a great deal of skin, which aught to keep Eros from tossing a fit if some poor sap of a mortal drooled over her. “Good, now you’re both clear on the plan, yes?”
Eros rolled his eyes and Psyche tried to hide her grin before answering. Aphrodite chose to ignore them both. “Yes, we’re all good. We keep Anteros at that dance, get him and his little mortal alone together, and Eros shoots her again, only with a goldie this time. He won’t be able to resist if she comes after him and even if he can, he won’t refuse if her soul’s at risk too.”
“Exactly.”
“What do you mean you’re coming too?” Anteros stared dumfounded at Charon. “You? Up there.” He pointed at the ceiling. “On the surface.”
Glancing down and brushing a speck of lint from his lapel Charon snorted. “What? Why’s that so hard to believe?”
Anteros made a show of scratching his chin. “Hmm, geez let’s see. Because. You’re. A. Demon!”
Charon stared at him. He stared back. They both started talking at once.
“What’s wrong with being a demon; never picked your ass before—”
“It’s not because you’re a demon, well yes it is but—”
“I can fit in up there if I bloody well want to—”
“How the Hades do you think you can contain all your—”
“News flash; this is your mother we’re talking about—”
“I don’t want you ending up on the wrong side of my mother—”
“So you’ll need back up protecting—”
“I’ll have my hands full already watching over—”
“Callie.”
They said her name in unison and Anteros hands clenched. Damn. Charon was right. He stood a much better chance making sure nothing happened to her with his friend riding shotgun. Arrogant demon knew it too.
Charon grinned.
Anteros snorted.
Chapter 21
The trip across town to the community centre took them past Ellis Park. The lights had expanded from the one massive oak in the middle to encompass several others around the perimeter. Crystallized snow sparkled on the ground and clothed the bare boughs, giving the entire place a fairy tale feel.
None of it mattered to Callie.
Christian chatted and pointed to various landmarks and sounded to Callie like the teacher from the old ‘Charlie Brown’ episodes. “Wa wa wa, wa wa wa.”
They rounded the corner onto Maple and drove through the lights directly in front of the Community Center where the dance was being held, and Callie’s head started to pound.
Christian pulled into the lot, killed the engine then reached over and took her hand in his. “Callie, I know you’re not in a very festive mood, but I really think you need to do this. You’re the one that told me your new life would start here in Hick...Bandit Creek. The girl I know wouldn’t crawl in a hole, no matter what life threw at her.” He poked her shoulder so she’d look at him. “Come on tiger, what do you say?”
Callie favored him with a smile. Bless the man, she had her anchor and he wasn’t going anywhere. “Okay killer, let’s go.”
He helped her from the car and she got her first good look at the building. It was aglow with pink and white flood lights, the skeletal bushes flanking the entrance were decked out in red and white bulbs and a huge pink ribbon with a picture of Cupid hung over the doorway; thing looked like the wedding cake from hell.
“Callie, Callie Jamison? Is that you?”
A pretty woman flanked by two good looking guys stopped beside her and smiled. “It’s me. Penny. We used to hang out together in the summer time, remember?”
Callie looked closer and recognition dawned. “Penny Anderson?” She glanced up at the two men behind Penny. “Douglas McKenzie? And Craig Baxter too! Oh my gosh it’s so good to see you guys.”
Penny grinned wider. “Heard Camp ‘Pennyseals’ was reopening, that’s awesome. Your grandma helped so many people up there. I’m glad to hear you’re stepping into her shoes.”
Callie’s smile became brittle. “Oh well, yes, thanks. Uh, we should probably go in.” Wrapping her hand in Christian’s elbow she remembered her manners. “Oh, I’m sorry this is my friend Christian...”
“Ants, my man, gotta hand it to you I’d give up immortality for her too.”
Anteros watched Callie disappear inside the building and tried not to imagine how Christian would look with his head on backwards.
Before he could smack the mountain of demon hovering over his shoulder, a couple heading toward the entrance drew his attention. Damn, he’d know that silver-white mane anywhere.
Apparently Eros was attending his own party.
A growl escaped his throat and he looked back at Charon. “Showtime Bud, if my brother’s here, my mother won’t be far behind.”
Pulling the collar of his coat up, Anteros tried to prepare himself and stepped out from behind the tree he’d been leaning against for the last hour. He’d so wanted to hold onto his memory of Callie looking at him the way she had after he’d made love to her. Now if she saw him, he’d have to endure seeing her look at him after his arrow took all that away.
Psyche looked at Eros and giggled. He couldn’t blend in if he tried. Between his height and coloring not to mention his natural allure, the best they could do was keep to the shadows. “Babe, do you see either of them?”
The position they’d taken up behind one of the big speakers at the front of the stage wasn’t quite big enough and Eros had to crouch to stay out of sight. “No not yet. Wait, I think that’s her over by the entrance. See the one with the black dress.”
Psyche ducked under his chin and peeked around the side of the speaker. “Bingo. Yup, that’s our girl all right. Now we just have to find Tero and separate them from the rest.”
“Hoping we can manage that outside before I have to humiliate myself and get caught looking like this.”
Psyche turned and hid her grin by kissing his cheek. She knew better than to let her eyes wander to his bare legs but caressed the tattoo on his arm trying to distract him in case she couldn’t help herself. “This was the only way to smuggle in your bow, besides the color is great on you and I think you look cute.”
The feral growl he emitted only made her giggle more.
“Looks like the party’s in full swing, do you see Mom anywhere?”
Anteros scanned the room and handed his coat to the girl manning the cloak room poking Charon in the ribs to do the same.
“Oh right.” The vane demon actually puffed up at the wide-eyed look the girl gave him and leaned in far closer to her than necessary. “Thanks Darlin’.”
Without looking behind, Anteros grabbed his friend’s collar and tugged him forward. “Control yourself would you. I’m pretty sure my mother isn’t hiding in that girl’s dress.”
“Haven’t you ever heard of recon?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, and that ain’t it. Now do you think you can handle one side of the room while I take the other?”
“Of course mine Capitan!” Charon saluted and clicked his heels together. “Meetcha back at the punch bowl in twenty.”
Before Anteros could say another word Charon spun and, without trying, did a great impression of Moses parting the Red Sea.” Demon had presence all right.
Turning the other way Anteros started his own perimeter run, trying to convince himself he really didn’t want to run into Callie. Little prick in the back of his head was killing himself laughing.
�
��Yo Slick-town, do you dance as well as you brag?”
Jessie sidled up beside them and Callie had to smile at the look on Christian’s face. The neon pink leotard and the glittering chain belt riding low on her hips had big brother syndrome rearing its protective head. To his credit, he swallowed it and poked back at her instead.
“Sticks-Ville, you couldn’t keep up.”
The words had barely left his lips when a ground pounding beat struck up and Jessie grabbed his arm tugging him forward. “Money where your mouth is, Dude.”
Callie watched them disappear into the crowd secretly wishing him luck. With no one to talk to she decided to make her way to the buffet table where Christian would be able to find her easily as soon as the song was done.
Half an hour later, Callie looked at her watch for the third time and back up at the dance floor where yet another thundering bass number had started. The bobbing blonde and green head periodically visible meant she was apparently going to be on her own for a while longer. Poor Christian was going to be worn out at this rate.
The temperature in the room went up with every new person who came in the door and with all the hearts hanging from the ceiling and couples paired off everywhere, Callie suddenly needed some air.
Not caring that it was several degrees colder outside, she ignored the coat check and headed straight out the door into the crisp night air. She walked over to an outdoor cook house near the parking lot and ducked inside. Turning back to look at the building with all its twinkling lights, listening to the bass, muffled enough to resemble a heartbeat, she fought back the lump in her throat.
Damn Teran anyway.
If he hadn’t stumbled into her life and messed everything up she would’ve been enjoying herself right now. Instead she was seeing the pretty lights through teary eyes wishing her heart out he was still here with her. The lump in her throat got a little bigger and a second one started to ball up in her stomach.
Damn her stupid heart too.
Chapter 22
Anteros saw Callie leave and followed. He promised himself he’d stay out of sight, but didn’t want her out in the open on her own. He loved his mother but also knew her; one mortal wouldn’t be a blip on the goddess’s radar if that mortal stood in the way of what she wanted.
He would’ve probably pulled it off too, if he hadn’t slipped on a patch of ice. “Whoa!”
“Who’s there?”
He could tell from her voice she was crying and all his good intentions flew out the window. In three strides he was at the door to the cook house.
Callie jumped at the sound, someone was right outside. “Who’s there?” A large shadow filled the doorway and her heart stopped beating. “Teran?”
He stepped further inside and the warm color from the party lights shone on his face. Nothing had ever looked so good to her. Before she could think, the Amazon, who was through taking chances, took over and Callie launched herself straight into his arms. “Teran!”
He held onto her for dear life and simply breathed in her perfect scent. If he could’ve he’d have crawled right into her skin with her. Gods, how had he ever thought he could let her go? “Callie, I’m so sorry, I never should’ve left—”
“Teran, I didn’t know what to do when you were gone. Everything was wrong—”
Eros nocked his golden arrow, lifted his bow and took careful aim.
Realization slammed home and Anteros stomach clenched. Did he dare hope? Cradling her precious face in his hands he pulled back so he could look into her eyes. “Wait, Callie, wait.” It took all the courage he had to take the next step, afraid what he was thinking might be an illusion. “Sweetheart, look at me...please.”
Callie opened her eyes and his heart skipped. The love shining in them looked clear and real. Zeus’s beard! It seemed too good to be true, but what if there was a chance it was real? His heart ached to hear the words. “Callie tell me. I need to hear you say it.”
A wrinkle appeared between her eyes. “Tell you what?” He watched the light come on and held his breath. “Oh.” Her face broke into a beautiful smile and she reached up to cup his cheek in her hand. “I love you, Teran.”
His heart burst with the truth ringing loud and clear in her voice. Anteros hugged her close. “Gods woman, I love you too and I’m not going anywhere again, I promise.”
He gently cradled her jaw in his hands and brought their lips together coaxing and devouring all at once. His lips drinking her in fed his soul and filled his heart with more joy than he thought he was capable of. A maelstrom of passion she fueled just as eagerly erupted, and the world was lost as they helplessly drowned in each other.
“Wait! Eros, look.” Psyche put her hand on Eros bow arm. “She’s kissing him back.”
He smoothly released the tension on the string and slowly lowered his weapon. “But I thought you said he used his arrow on her?”
“He did.”
“Then she shouldn’t be doing that unless....”
Psyche saw the same conclusion she’d just come to reflected in Eros’s eyes. “Unless she already loved him before you shot her.”
They grabbed onto each other’s arms and their voices blended together. “Which means neither your arrow nor Anteros’s would’ve had any affect her.”
Taking off at a run they sprinted straight toward the enclosure grinning like drunken satyrs.
They were within a few yards when suddenly Eros wasn’t beside his wife anymore. Psyche spun back to find him dangling in the air by the scruff of his neck and stopped dead mid-stride.
“Charon damn it put him down!”
Psyche’s raised voice and Charon’s answering growl brought Anteros out of his euphoric cloud. Removing his coat and wrapping Callie in it he pressed a finger to her lips and tucked her behind a post where she wouldn’t be seen immediately.
Confident she was as safe as he could make her given the limited options available he stepped out the door and froze. A chuckle, led to a giggle, which led to a snicker, which broke into a belly laugh. His brother was snarling up a storm, hanging in the air wearing a pink cape and a...diaper? Anteros doubled over holding his midsection.
“Charon, you jerk, I said put my husband down!” Psyche turned on Anteros. “And you can stop that anytime now. He all did this for you, so stuff a sock in it Tero.”
Looking through the tears in his eyes Anteros saw the truth on her face and his laughter sputtered then stilled. His composure regained, he cleared his throat. “Charon, go ahead let him down.”
The demon shrugged his shoulders and opened his fist. Eros stumbled when he hit the ground but got his own back by driving the tip of his bow behind him, straight into Charon’s ribs. “Oopph.”
“Eros, if you did this all for me, then why the golden arrow?”
Eros put his arm around Psyche pulling the end of his cape around her. “Tell him?”
She nodded.
Eros turned and looked at his brother. “Tero, I never used a real golden arrow on you, I used a fake one dipped in some of Phantasos’s mojo.”
“Morpheus’s brother?”
“Yup, with his spell coating the arrow you believed what we wanted you to.”
Anteros started grinding his teeth. It had all been an illusion? Everything Callie had gone through. Everything he’d been through. A veil of red started to bleed into his vision. “Charon. Don’t interfere. Eros if you don’t want her in the middle move away from Psyche.”
“Ants? Easy now.”
His muscles involuntarily locked before he could launch at Eros, and judging from the black look on his twin’s face, his had too.
“That’s enough, both of you.”
Aphrodite strolled toward them from the direction of the hall haloed in a strawberry hue. Her full length white coat and boots as iridescent as the snow crystals she stepped on.
Her right hand stretched out. “Eros did nothing I didn’t command him to or that his heart didn’t know was right.” His brother was suddenly in
his leathers, his costume gone. “Both his and Psyche’s motives were out of love for you.” Aphrodite flicked the fingers of her outstretched hand and Psyche was wrapped in a full length coat of shimmering fleece. “And I refused to lose any more of my family to ambro-fever.” Her path brought her directly in front of Anteros. One more finger wiggle and his muscles were his own again.
Anteros looked closely at her face for the first time in centuries, and was shocked at what he saw. The goddess was still there, but she stood behind the mother.
She brushed a strand of his hair back off his shoulder. “I saw what was happening to you Tero, and when Hades told me about your deal, I knew we were out of time.” One single tear hung precariously from her lashes. “I couldn’t stand by and see you suffer Ares fate.” She swiped the drop away and sniffled. “I also knew you’d be as much of a stubborn jackass as your father and had to take matters into my own hands. So sue me.”
Callie crept out and stood in Teran’s shadow wondering if she really had finally lost her mind. Cupid was a biker, the redhead was suddenly wrapped in gold, the giant had flames burning in his eyes, and every one except Teran, especially the woman playing with his hair, was glowing.
“Anteros, you were on the verge so I asked Eros to shoot you.”
She was not hearing all this. Callie pinched herself. No she wasn’t dreaming. Her stomach suddenly didn’t feel so good and her head ache was coming back. “Ahem, did you say Eros, as in Greek for Cupid?” Everyone turned their attention to her and she wished she’d kept her mouth shut. They were each intimidating on their own. En-mass they were terrifying.
“Zeus’s beard, Callie, you were supposed to stay out of sight.”
She focused on Teran’s beloved face and swallowed hard, who was this man she’d given her heart to? Zeus’s beard. Yup, it was official. Her elevator was no longer going all the way to the top.
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