by Hart, Alana
***
Ben fought to stay focused. He had to guard Aria, but her lithe body kept distracting his bear. Bear wanted to both mate with her and murder all who contested for her attention. The beast was particularly put out with Arcos. For once they actually agreed. What kind of man–or bear–abandoned their child? Especially when that child bore shifter genes? As far as Ben was concerned Arcos was no kind of man, and as far as Bear was concerned, Arcos should have been born a coyote. Especially considering the challenge the elder shifter had seemed poised to issue before the witch’s interference. Ben and Bear were certain Arcos was going to challenge for the right to claim Aria. And considering the way Delilah had aligned herself with their nemesis, their shared view of her had fallen considerably. Although her sheer magical power was impressive, it was mitigated by her choice of partners in crime.
Mate hurts. Ben fought to keep from sweeping Aria off her feet and carrying her to the top of the winding staircase at his bear’s comment. She limped with each step she took, but he didn't think she'd care for such high handed ways. He could hear the exhaustion and pain she was fighting with every step. He just wanted to save her from that. Bear urged him on, begged him to help their mate, but Delilah's sharp 'stop' froze them all in place.
Ben peered back over his shoulder and down half a spiral before he spotted Del on the stair case. She looked like she was chanting, but not even his sharp ears could hear her. Before he figured out what she was trying to accomplish the entire stairwell flared with blue light. Even the marble stairs glowed with the aftereffects of her spell. Damn, the witch impressed his bear more with every spell she cast. But Ben couldn't help but wonder just how much of her magic was augmented by the beings they were ascending to see. He was torn between hoping it was most of her magic, and not even a bit. Either way, he and Bear were certain the confrontation to come was going to be bloody. He swore on his shifter soul that none of the blood would be Arias. Bear huffed agreement.
A sharp thud echoed down from above. What the hell? Ben turned back toward Aria, only to find her sitting on the stairs, eyes wide and body trembling. He didn't know what was wrong, and Bear didn't scent anything more specific than fear and exhaustion. Damn. Ben hesitated a second then called his bear closer to the surface. Bear was more than happy to help their mate, and readily pushed his shifter strength into Ben's human muscles. Together they gathered Aria up and cuddled her close against Ben's bare chest. Ben marveled for a moment at the fact that his mate's need was enough to get his bear to work with him instead of insisting on compromise or directly opposing his human needs.
Ben glanced back down at the witch, searching for a signal. He guessed that the need for light was the reason she called for a halt. He hadn't had any trouble seeing in the dark, but his bear had better night vision than the average human. Bear's sense of smell was damn near enough to navigate full darkness, providing the wind was not against them. At Delilah's signal to go ahead, Ben started climbing once more.
The simple act of caring for Aria was enough to set his bear to damn near purring with joy. Not that bears purred. It was more a gentle rumble. But still. Ben hadn't felt this happy since before he'd shifted the first time. When she looped her arm around the back of his neck and held on, his bear practically roared in triumph.
"You alright?" he whispered, throat tight to hold back the triumphant roar trying to sneak out. Her slow nod didn't reassure him or his bear. "What's wrong?" He needed to know just what she was dealing with in order to keep her safe once they reached the top of the stairs.
"Tired. Pins and needles everywhere, so much pressure." she shivered in his arms. Ben glanced back toward Delilah and whispered a question.
"Could she be sensitive to the magic you used?" Del's shrug and furrowed brow weren't very reassuring.
"I honestly don't know," Delilah said softly. "Maybe, but it's not something I've ever heard of either," she shrugged. Ben suppressed a sigh as he climbed the rest of the winding staircase. Aria alternated between shivering slightly in his arms and snuggling close. Damn if he didn't want to turn and take her back down the stairs. Hell, he felt a bit like a condemned man must feel heading for the executioner. When he finally reached the landing, the soft light dimmed and faded away. Darkness pressed in on all sides, darkness not even his bear’s eyes could pierce. Ben growled softly, then lowered Aria gently to the floor. He kept his arms around her, supporting her just in case she needed him, but whatever had caused her weakness must have vanished with the light. He could feel her standing straight and strong in front of him. Did Delilah’s spell cause all that? Must have. Odd, but not completely unheard of for a human to be sensitive to some magic, he supposed.
He peered through the darkness, surprised even his eyes struggled to see here. When he spotted the great carved wood door across the landing, his stomach roiled. Thick shadows cloaked the door in a veil of darkness and menace. Ben stepped abruptly in front of Aria, blocking her access to the door.
Protect mate, Bear rumbled.
The instant decrease in dark shadows, and the gradual lightening of the door from black to stormy gray, convinced Ben that the damn door had taken a deep dislike to Aria. Ben's skin twitched and itched as his bear fought his control, fought to win free and destroy this threat before it could do them harm. Ben fists clenched, and he took several deep, steadying breaths before he finally convinced his bear to hold off on attacking. For now. Better to learn more about their mysterious opponent than to attack blindly.
Ben turned his back to the door, enfolded Aria in his arms, and growled a question to whomever cared to answer it. "What the fuck does that door have against humans?"
Delilah stared impassively back at him. He shivered at the lack of emotion she showed. Perhaps she didn't feel concerned or threatened by the door, but Ben did. The steady growls in his chest told him Bear sensed the threat too.
Finally she spoke. "The door works like a scrying stone. It responds to the people it senses, and the changes it undergoes suggest the chance any particular group of people has of succeeding in their mission to consult with the gods."
"Gray is better than black then, like a mood ring?" Aria's voice was soft. Ben felt her breath hitch as she spoke, and he squeezed gently for a moment, trying to reassure her that he'd never leave her again. Hopefully she'd get the message. If not, then he'd damn well make time to spell it ought once they'd gotten the information they needed to protect Aria and keep Faith safe and sane.
Ben watched closely, noted the slight dip of Delilah's head, and the go ahead gesture she sent toward Arcos. The last thing Ben wanted was to deal with his father, but if the man gave his mate and cub a better chance of survival, hell, he'd work with the devil himself.
Arcos trudged up the stairs, a wry grin twisting his lips as Ben's gaze locked with his father's indigo one. Anger and betrayal struck Ben like a punch to the gut. He'd have thought he would be past this by now. He sucked air in fast through his nose, held his breath for a moment and then released it slow and steady. It was enough, barely, to ease the ache he felt, to keep the barest thread of control over his bear. But damn did they both want to hammer their traitorous parent into bits. From the derisive look Arcos sent Ben's way as he passed them, the man was well aware of the vengeful plans Ben was fighting. Aware, and amused.
Ben turned and watched carefully as Arcos confronted the door. He suppressed an involuntary flare of admiration at the sheer, stubborn ‘fuck you’ the man's pose suggested. Legs wide, hands on hips, Arcos appeared to be literally challenging the door for the right to pass. The ominous gray faded, receded into pure, brilliant white. What the–even the fucking door won’t challenge pops? What the hell does he have against them? What the hell did that man have going for him? Other than sheer stubborn gumption.
From the chuckle coming from Delilah as she passed Ben and Aria, the glowing door made her happy.
"Is this checkmate, we win?" Ben couldn't help but ask. The serious gaze Del tossed over her shoulder w
as warning and caution all in one.
"Don't get cocky when facing the gods, Benny-bear." Del nodded once at Arcos, then continued. "Just because we got lucky with an ace in the hole that doesn't mean this is going to be a walk in the park. In fact, considering his history with these particular gods, I'm a bit surprised the door approves of this meeting."
History? What history? Ben couldn't help but wonder. Then all thoughts fled his mind as Arcos leaned against the door. Light flared brilliant gold and the door dissolved. When Ben's vision cleared, the group stood surrounded by what seemed to be a giant party. But none of the party goers were happy, judging from the disapproving looks their group was getting. Hell, some of those folks looked almost ready to kill.
Arcos' booming laugh echoed through the majestic dance hall. Then his loud voice rang out over the fading music. "Where's my welcome home, fuckers!"
Ben hugged Aria closer, turned to put himself between her and Arcos, and prayed the gods were in a benevolent mood.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Welcome home? What the hell? Aria wondered if Arcos had lost his mind. He sure as hell wasn’t a god last she’d checked. Then again, his name had that ring of the familiar about it. Hadn’t Gran said something about an Arcos? No matter, at least he’d made their presence known. They were here, in the lair of the gods. She needed to find her brave mom side again. Screw all this letting Ben coddle her. Coddling was nice but it sure as shit didn’t get answers. Besides, it was partly his fault she was here. Maybe if he'd stayed around, Faith wouldn't have shifted so early. At the least, he’d have recognized the signs.
Aria sobbed as she pried Ben's strong arms open. He didn't resist her demand, just dropped his grasp. But when she stepped forward, looking for someone in charge, she felt him follow right behind her. A part of her was grateful that this time he wasn't running. Maybe she could count on him for back up; hell, he hadn't let her down yet. He’d brought her all the way here despite the magic that hammered her to the floor and stole her strength.
Aria took a breath, started to call out to someone, anyone for answers, when the marble floor beneath her feet shimmered with waves of blue light. Before she could blink twice the blue light had filled the entire room. The light flared and washed over Aria and her group where they huddled in the middle of the dance floor. Aria blinked, and her eyes watered. Pain blazed through her skull and all she could see were stars and sparkles. When her vision cleared, her heart pounded twice and then paused in its rhythm before steadying.
The room they’d entered was gone. A new room surrounded them. A new, intimate room, with a giant marble fireplace and a cluster of elegant couches facing the roaring fire. Two beings stood between the couches and the fire. They looked like twins. They were stunningly beautiful, with long flowing blond hair and silver eyes. Male and female. She opened her mouth to introduce herself. But before she could gather her wits to speak, Arcos moved. His form shimmered and then solidified once more as human. He roared and hurdled the couches only to stop dead in front of the strange man.
"You owe me." Arcos voice was gravel filled. His fists were clenched tight alongside his legs.
Who the hell are these people–gods–and how does Arcos know them?
The man laughed long and loud. "Owe you what precisely? I fucking made you."
Aria peeked around Ben's bulky form, momentarily grateful for the chance to hide behind him. Last thing she wanted to do was get between a pissed off bear shifter and his prey. Aria reconsidered; perhaps Arcos was the prey, based on the feral glint in the stranger's eyes.
A low rumbling growl echoed through the marble room. Aria touched Ben's bare back, hoping that the noise wasn't coming from him. All she felt beneath her fingers was sturdy solid determination. He stood stock still in front of her, seemingly as riveted by the confrontation as she was.
"Made me against my will, Apollo." From the rasp in Arcos' words and the shimmer that surrounded him he was barely holding his bear inside. Damn. Apollo, as in the god of light? What the hell had they stumbled into here?
The girl giggled. Her voice was high and melodious, but somehow still filled with menace. "Because we all know you should rightly be named Juno's Junk rather than Scions of Callista? Be more appropriate for a bunch of castoff former humans."
Wait, what? Were these people, these twins really gods? How was that even possible? From the trembles she felt consuming Ben, he was fighting to contain his bear, too. Juno’s Junk or Callista’s Castoffs didn’t sound like enough of a taunt to make Ben lose control. Ben’s increased trembling said otherwise. She didn't see what this intimidating duo had to do with her Faith, though.
She glanced at Delilah, felt her eyebrows rise as she mouthed a question. "Roman Gods?"
Delilah's stern nod and silent reply of 'Fallen Roman Gods' didn't make her any more comfortable with the situation as a whole. Or as it pertained to Faith in particular.
The lady's latest insult must have been the final insult for Arcos. He roared "Old gods' fall, new gods rise" then shifted in a flare of silver light and charged the couple.
New gods? Did he really think...
Yep. He was tearing gaping holes in the twins with his giant claws in order to make those dreams reality. But those wounds healed as fast as he could make them. Apollo wasn't laughing any more, though. The tall god spoke a single guttural word, and the room spun in place. When the spinning finally stopped, Arcos lay in a heap on the cold marble floor. He was bleeding from a dozen wounds, and his fur was stained red. The injuries bore an eerie resemblance to the ones he'd dealt to the now unmarred god and goddess that towered over him.
"May every wound you inflict be etched forever in your hide," the female goddess intoned with a heavy voice. Her raised hands glowed gold, then the gold coalesced around Arcos' still form, healing every rent into a raised silvery scar, visible even through his thick bloodied fur. Aria’s breath hitched at this display of power. Her gran, Ben, and Faith were descended from this? How could she hope to hold up as a mere human in front of such powerful beings?
Apparently that hitch was enough to draw the notice of the twin gods. "What have we here? A human?" Apollo's voice was soft, almost gentle as he spoke. He drifted over towards her. Ben kept his body planted solidly between her and the dangerous fallen gods. Aria could feel the growl rumbling through him where her fingers still rested lightly on his shoulder. Damn it was nice to feel protected, but Aria refused to let anyone else fight her battles for her. With a resigned sigh, and stiff shrug, she stepped around her guardian bear shifter to face what she knew had to be trouble and then some. She ran her hand across his shoulder and down his arm and gently clasped his hand. Their gazes met, and she silently demanded that bear back off with a soft shake of her head. The sheer fear and agony in his eyes almost floored her. Then she steeled her nerves, and turned to face her fate. This was her battle.
"I'm Aria. And I've searched high and low for answers. Apparently you have some for me?" Aria couldn't believe that cool, composed voice was hers. Hell, her insides were trembling like fucking jello. She arched one eyebrow, punctuating her question with a gentle demand. For a moment, she wished she'd taken up shooting when her best friend had invited her to join the school team. Then again, bullets would probably be useless against the mysterious magic she confronted.
Apollo threw back his head and a genuine, heartfelt laugh echoed around the group. Aria didn't know what was so funny, but damned if she was leaving this place without any answers.
"Did you hear this mortal, Diana? She thinks we'll just give her the answers she seeks!" Aria shivered beneath the empty, soulless gaze the goddess sent her way. Then her mother’s instinct kicked her fear to the curb and she stood straight and statue still once more.
Diana's gaze was even and cool as it traveled up and down Aria's short, curvy frame. Aria was surprised when the goddess’ eyes widened and even more surprised when the goddess refused to approach her when Apollo gestured for her to join him. Why would thi
s powerful being be frightened of her, of all creatures?
Then Diana's whisper hit home. "She's a guardian, brother."
Guardian of what? Aria couldn't help but wonder. Gramps was the real guardian; Aria was just a mutt of a human, as far as she'd been able to glean from her conversation with Gran. Apparently, everyone else thought Diana's comment had merit, or at least was worth some investigation. Even Ben, from the way his nostrils flared and his chin rose. Delilah's sharp gaze and soft chant suggested she was using her spells to look at Aria with a different set of eyes.
"Last I checked I was human as could be, but my babe is supposedly a 'throwback'. Care to let me in on the secret, since you’re somehow related to my girl?" Aria was sick and tired of being treated like being human was a horrible fate. Besides, she'd coped so far with her human wits and determination. She wasn't going to back down now.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Anger boiled through Ben’s veins when he saw the fear and the hatred these gods aimed at his mate. Damned if anyone’s going to hurt her on my watch. Bear snarled defiance at the fearful gods.
Move, now.
The bear’s growled command sent Ben darting around Aria without thought, physically blocking her route to her adversaries.
When the word ‘throwback’ left Aria’s mouth all hell broke loose. Lances of magic flew through the air. Ben’s eyes burned and watered from the brilliant glow of deadly spells flaring in the air. Arrows of light slammed into his shoulders and he fought to stay upright, keep shielding Aria. Bear roared in anger and defiance, then rushed to defend their mate. Ben’s skin prickled, bones and muscles shifted as the bear burst free from within.
