“Did you have another attack?” Her mom asks as she pulls Kallos away from the boys. She doesn’t give Kallos time to answer; she is holding on to Kallos as if Kallos is going to disappear. Kallos's dad is next to them, and he looks like he aged five years in the past few hours. Kallos feels really bad that this is all her fault.
“Mr. and Mrs. Dean, she didn’t have another attack.” Before Ian could say anything else Kallos decides cuts him off.
“I’m just tired, and I can’t wait to sleep in tomorrow.” Her mom looks like she is buying it, but her dad doesn’t. He looks over at Ian and Sean; of course, he is going to blame Sean. He narrows his gaze on him, and Kallos clears her throat. She wants her dad’s attention on her and not on Sean. Besides, Sean didn’t do anything and doesn’t deserve her dad’s dirty looks.
“I’m going to get ready for bed,” Kallos turns around to face Sean and Ian. Sean smiles at her, and Ian gives her his usual half smile. “I’ll see you in a little while, Ian.” He nods, and then Kallos turns around to look at her parents. “Good night, Mom and Dad. I love you.” She hugs her mom first because she is the closest. She moves a couple of feet to her dad, and hugs him. He hugs her tightly. Kallos breaks away.
“Good night, Sweetie,” they say together.
She walks up stairs and into her bedroom. Kallos grabs her pajamas and puts them on. As she is pulling her shirt over her head, she hears a soft knock on her door. She walks over to her door and Sean is standing there. Kallos moves to the side to let him in. She didn’t think she was going to get away without telling him good night.
“Now, Mr. Hunter, what are you doing here?” She can't keep a smile off her face and the laughter out of her eyes. She shuts the door and leans against it.
“Well, Miss Dean, I do think you forgot to tell me good night,” Sean slowly walks toward her. She pushes off the door and meets him half way. Facing each other, Sean softly flirts, “Did I tell you that you looked so beautiful tonight? And not just in the bikini.” His hand brushes her hair away from her face. Her blush is burning her whole body. “You know, I love when you do that. I love to see you blush.” He keeps his hands on her cheeks.
“Well, aren’t you a sweet talker tonight?” Kallos replies and Sean starts to laugh. She loves Sean’s laugh. It’s so warm, and it makes her want to laugh with him. “So, you just want to tell me good night then?” He winks at her and shakes his head.
“No, I think I should be able to get a good night kiss too. We did get interrupted earlier.” Thinking back to their time in the car before his dad hit the window, makes Kallos tremble.
“I think you need to remind me where we were interrupted. I can’t remember what we were doing,” Kallos teases. Sean gives her his heart-melting smile and leans in to kiss her. But his lips hover right above hers, and she wraps her arms around his neck. His arms go around her waist to pull her closer.
“We were right about here if my memory is correct, with our lips almost touching. Then we heard banging on the window,” Sean whispers against her lips, and Kallos smiles. She rises so their lips meet. He tightens his hold on her, and she does the same around his neck. The kiss goes from slow and sweet to hard and rough. He pushes her against the door, and she doesn’t stop him. She can feel the door handle turning against her side, that’s when she pulls away from him. They are both breathing heavy, and he puts his forehead on hers. “I think you are going to be the death of me.” Sean sighs as they stare at one another, and she smiles. “I love you, Kallos.” Every time she hears them tell her they love her makes her heart get bigger.
“I love you too, Sean,” Kallos whispers, and suddenly there is pounding on her door. “I think someone wants our attention,” she giggles. Sean shakes his head and moves away from her. She turns to open the door; Ian is standing there. Sean is still standing behind her, but when he takes one look at Ian, he moves closer to her.
“You know I can feel what you two were just doing.”
“Then why would you try to come in here?” Sean snaps at him.
“Hey, it’s my night to be with her! You got to wake up with her this morning.” They are really fighting over her.
“Okay, knock it off, you two,” Kallos interrupts. “It was just a good night kiss.” Ian narrows his eyes on her. “Don't you dare give me that look,” Kallos orders.
“That wasn’t a good night kiss. If I didn’t try to come in when I did, what would have happened?” Her mouth falls open because of what he is implying is insulting.
“Ian, you cannot be serious!” He looks down at his feet.
“What I was feeling was pretty strong.” Ian pauses and keeps his eyes away from Kallos. “I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Well, if you aren’t going to be changing into some demon beast, I’m going to go,” Sean steps from behind Kallos and gives her a quick kiss. “Good night, Kallos.” He walks to Ian by the door. “Ian, be nice, and good night,” Sean closes the door quietly as he leaves.
Kallos walks over to the bed and gets into it. She is so ready for today to be done with.
“Kallos, I am sorry about everything that has happened today. And what just happened,” Ian is by her bed and is looking down at her.
“We can deal with it tomorrow. I just want to go bed.” His eyes are showing hurt, but he nods. “Good night, Ian.” He walks over to the couch and lies down.
“Good night, Kallos.” Then she turns away from him and faces her window. On her nightstand is the flower that Ares gave her; it still looks like it did in the garden. It is still beautiful and has no signs of dying yet. She shuts her eyes and her last thoughts are of the beautiful garden.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The sun always feels warmer here, Kallos thinks as she walks over to the waterfall and looks around her. This is the first time she hasn't seen anyone here, and it's strange. She sits on the edge of the pond and puts her feet in the water. The water is nice and warm; it's almost like bathwater. The stillness of this place seems to always calm her no matter what. It’s the one place she can think in peace and quiet. She glances over at the beautiful flowers. The colors are more vivid here and so are the smells.
“Nice to see you again, Kallos,” a male surprises her. She is guessing that it is Apollo. She looks over to him. He is standing there shirtless again, and his tan body looks so nice.
“Hello, Apollo.” He smiles at her and moves closer.
“Do you mind if I join you?” It's sweet that he is asking; she nods at him. “Thank you for fixing Ian. I couldn’t even reach him, and was hoping that you would.” So, he knew about Ian, which makes her wonder how much more they know about them.
“How do you guys know so much?” Kallos smiles and looks at the waterfall.
“I can see and hear everything that happens with Ian. Just like Ares can with Sean and Aphrodite will be able to do with you.”
“What do you mean will be? She can’t already?” Apollo’s sapphire eyes turn back to her.
“You have to be fully changed for her to do that,” he looks back at the water.
“I got my first power tonight” Kallos blurts out. Apollo’s head whips around, and he looks at her.
“What did you get?” He looks worried.
“I can burn people with my hands and my body.” His eyes got really wide.
“Have you told Aphrodite yet?” Kallos shakes her head.
“Nope, I just got here, and you are the first person I saw.” Maybe person isn’t the word she should have use. More like golden god, but oh well. He shuts his eyes and goes really still for a moment, like he’s meditating.
“I just told her that we need her. She already knows you’re here.” Apollo suddenly speaks.
That was pretty cool. It’s like having a cell phone attached to your brain. Kallos wonders if that will be one of her other powers. Apollo stands up and starts to pace; he walks about six feet away from her and walks back. She doesn’t know how many times he did this, but he continues until Aphrodi
te shows up.
“Kallos, can you show us your new power?” Aphrodite asks as she walks toward them. Kallos is hoping that she'll be able to do it. So far, the only way she could do it is when someone is making her mad. So, she thinks about what Ian said to her and how he was acting today. She can feel her body heating up; it starts at her toes and goes all the way up to her hands. Kallos can feel it spreading through her veins. She opens her eyes and both Aphrodite and Apollo look like they have seen a ghost. She looks down at her hands and they are glowing red.
“Kallos, when I throw water at you, put up your hands like you want to stop it,” Apollo says, and Kallos nods. He puts his hand over the water then it starts to rise. It is the craziest thing she has ever seen, and she wonders if Ian can do this. He flings the water at her. She puts her hands up to defend her face. The water instantly turns into steam. Apollo is grinning like a fool, and Aphrodite looks so proud.
“This is a good sign right?” Apollo wasn’t asking her, and she turns to look at Aphrodite.”
“I do hope so,” Aphrodite replies, but her tone is unsure.
“Aphrodite, none of the others have gained any powers. She is the first.” Kallos remembers that if she makes it through the change, then she will be the first reincarnated Aphrodite to make it. Everyone seems to think that she will make it through without any problems, but Kallos wonders if that’s what they thought that last time and the time before that. Aphrodite seems to be the only one showing any signs of concern.
“This is true, but it’s still early,” Aphrodite states to Apollo, and then she looks at Kallos. “Has anything else happened?” Kallos shakes her head. This is the only thing that is different about her. She can burn people when they make her mad; it’s nothing really. “You have had a busy day, or so I hear. You save one of your soul mates.”
“Yeah, Ian. His demon blood was trying to take over, and he was becoming a different person.
“And the only thing that saved him was your love for him?” Kallos smiles and nods. For someone that isn’t connected to Kallos yet, Aphrodite sure knows a lot.
“So, you have told them both that you love them. Is it as hard as you thought it was going to be?”
“I was scared that’s all. I have never been in love before and never even kissed a boy before them. It’s all just happening so fast; I can barely get a hold of everything.” Kallos looks away. This is the first time she has admitted any of this out loud.
“You will get used to it. I still have Apollo and Ares, and they both love me. I’m not going to lie to you; it's going to be hard. And you have to know you don’t have to be with both of them if you don’t want to. You have a choice. Yes, someone will get hurt, but you have to look after your own heart. What works for me may not work for you.” Aphrodite walks over to Kallos and takes both her hands. Kallos knows she can’t be with them both forever. She knows she will always love both of them, but she can’t have a future with both of them. That isn’t her, and it never will be. Sometime, she will have to choose but not now.
“In the future, I will pick just one. What will happen to the one I don’t pick?” Kallos thinks back to the necklace that would kill them if they take them off. Will they always feel her feelings? Aphrodite said that Kallos could feel her mate’s feelings, but Kallos isn’t ready for that yet. Aphrodite squeezes Kallos's hands.
“He will go on with his life. And the necklace can be removed by us.”
Hope flashes in Kallos’ eyes; they won’t feel what she is feeling forever. “I thought it would kill them to take it off?”
“For your mate it would, but not for someone you rejected. So, whoever you don’t want to be with will be able to take it off, but it has to be done by me and you.” Kallos must have looked confused because Aphrodite continues to explain, “We put our blood on the front of the necklace and it will disappear. It has to be done after you have mated with the other.” Well, that isn’t going to be happening anytime soon. Kallos isn't ready for that yet. She hasn’t even chosen who will be the one.
She looks down at her feet. “I don’t know who I’m going to choose.”
“You don’t have to pick now, my dear. It doesn’t have to be soon either.” Kallos nods slowly; her life has gotten so confusing. “You have to be careful with your new power; it can be dangerous. That means you have to learn to control your anger.”
“I know and I will try.” Kallos watches Apollo walk away from them. He is walking over to the pond. He reaches into the water and pulls something out. He walks back to them and Kallos looks at his hand. He has a white rock that is shaped like a perfect heart. He hands it to Kallos.
“I thought that since you have a flower from Ares that you should have something from me.” He reminds her that the flower still is looking fresh.
“Thank you, it’s beautiful. Will the flower ever die?”
“No my dear, the flower will always stay alive. I believe that is why he gave it to you,” Aphrodite explains. “You should be getting back. It’s going to be morning soon, and you don’t want to worry your boys.” Kallos walks over to Aphrodite and hugs her, and then Kallos walks over to Apollo. He put his arms out to welcome her. She hugs him tightly, and then she closes her eyes.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Kallos thinks of home, and she can feel her body being pulled back there. She wakes up gasping. She turns her head toward Ian; his eyes are shut and his breathing is even. Eventually, she is going to have to choose between them. Her heart hurts to think about that, but she knows it has to be done sometime. She sits up in bed and looks at her closed hand. She opens it, and the heart shaped rock is still there. It's so smooth and glossy. She is rubbing her fingers on it when she hears Ian moving around. She glances at the clock and can’t believe what time it is, almost eleven.
“Good morning, Ian,” Kallos says before she looks at him.
“Good morning, Kallos.” She looks at him, and he still looks like he did last night. Hurt and regret are written all over his face. She knows yesterday Ian wasn’t himself, but that doesn't excuse him for what he said last night. It still makes her really mad. They have been the only boys she has ever kissed. Kallos does know Sean and her did get a little carried away, but they wouldn’t have done anything. She gets up and walks to him. He looks away from her and to her hand. “What do you have in your hand?” She stops when she is almost to him, and she opens her palm to show him. He looks at it and smiles.
“You’ve seen Apollo.”
“Yes, how did you know?” Ian looks up to meet her eyes.
“Because that is what I told him I would give you. He always told me that those rocks are rare and hard to find. I told him that I would search for one for you. No matter how long it took me, I would find you one.”
“Well, thank you. I really do love it.” Kallos gets on her knees in front of him and stares into his eyes, “Are we okay?” Kallos puts her hands on his legs for balance.
“I want us to be. Are you sure you don’t want to know what happened?” She smiles at him; she really does want to know, but not now.
“No. It wasn’t really you yesterday, and it doesn’t matter as long as you are here now. That’s all that matters. Now, I think I should be able to get a morning kiss.” Ian grins at her and leans in to kiss her. She really has missed his kisses and his holding her. She pulls away and smiles at him, “I’m going to head down stairs. My mom likes to cook a lot on the weekend.” Kallos puts the rock next to the flower, and then she walks to the door. As she walks past him, he grabs her hand.
“Tell your mom that I will be down in a minute.” Then Kallos remembers that her mom baked him some brownies. She walks over to her backpack, grabs them, and then hands them to him.
“My mom made these for you yesterday.” Then she walks out the door.
****
Ian smiles as Kallos walks out of the room. He really doesn't believe that she doesn't want to know what he did last night. In time, he will just tell her, even if she doesn't wa
nt to know. He can’t believe what he did. Nikki is easy but Karissa isn't. Yesterday, when Karissa told him that she loved him like more than a friend, he didn't know what to do. Now, he probably just messed up their friendship for good. He hears a knock at the door.
“Yeah!” He already knows that it's Sean.
“Are you still you?” Sean smiles at him.
“You're funny this morning. What's up?” Ian knows that Sean is checking on him and he doesn't mind. He really loves his brother and would do almost anything for him. Even when they fight he loves his brother.
“I think we should go on dates with Kallos.”
“That is a great idea. But who goes first?” Ian knows that Sean thinks he is entitled to everything first just because he is older.
Sean pulls out a quarter and smiles at Ian, “Want to flip for it?” Sean asks and winks at Ian.
“Fine, but I want heads,” Ian knows that Sean always picks heads. Sean flips the coin in the air, and Ian watches it land on the back of Sean's hand. Sean lifts his hand and Ian sees heads! Ian smirks, “I get to go first!”
“Whatever, I get her tomorrow all to myself.” Sean pauses and really looks at Ian, “Hey, are you sure you are up to being alone with her?”
“I'm fine. I promise.”
“If you need me, you can call me, and I will be there. Are you going to tell Kallos about Nikki and Karissa?” Ian looks away from his big brother.
“She said she doesn't want to know,” Ian looks back at Sean who is holding back his laughter.
“How long do you think that will work? You know Nikki is going to tell everyone what happened on your birthday. Do you really want Kallos to find out like that?”
Ian doesn't. He wants to be the one to tell her, but she said that she didn’t want to know. He knows that she cares, and when she finds out, it will kill her.
Kallos (Kallos Series) Page 17
