His arms snaked around my waist and locked over my tummy. “This is why you see the runes. I’d ask how you’ve never seen your mark before, but I think the answer is clear.” He mussed my wild hair.
“Stop.” I swatted his hands. “I’m a Viking?”
“Ha! No. You’re a nymph.”
“What?” Images of the nymphs outside crunched my nose. “Am not.”
“This”—he tapped my little bald spot—“is a symbol I’ve seen used in conjunction with one nymph in particular.” His hand slid down my arm to entwine our fingers. “Come.”
I jogged along beside his enormous stride to a set of sliding doors on the other side of the second floor. He pressed them apart and urged me inside. Books lined the walls on floor to ceiling shelves of cherry-stained wood. Precarious stacks of dusty tomes filled the desk and windowsills. Liam dragged a cushioned chair to me. “Here. Sit.”
“I feel like we need clothes for this.” I tucked the edge of his shirt under my legs and dropped into the chair. The house was quiet, but with fifty Vikings staying there, it wouldn’t be quiet long. If anyone returned and saw us as we were, they’d know my secret. I’d planned on telling Allison about my night with Liam before the Vikings.
Liam laid a giant book across my lap. The pages were yellow at the edges and it smelled dry and dusty, like an attic. Gold letters scrolled over the open pages. “Calypso, a water nymph.” The rune from my head was positioned below the words. A picture of a woman with wild hair, wearing a white flowing robe filled the opposite page. Below her image was a small picture of a man, Hermes.
My tongue swelled in my mouth. A strangled sound escaped.
“You are special. Victoria hinted at as much but wouldn’t answer my questions directly. Everything she said was convoluted, like dealing with The Fates.” He paced the floor in bare feet. It was the most animated I’d ever seen him, and I couldn’t breathe.
“This is incredible news, Callie.” He knelt before me and gripped my thighs. “You’re a water nymph. Ha! Of course you are. There’s hope now. You’re far more durable than any human. We have a chance.” The sparkle in his eyes awed me, but he didn’t see what I saw.
I hefted the book into the air and positioned the drawing of Calypso beside my head. I shook my hair loose from behind my ears.
“Great Zeus!” Liam grabbed the book from my hand and turned his gaze on it. His pale green eyes jumped between the image on the page and my face. His shoulders slumped. “You are her heir.” Excitement drained from his voice.
“There’s more.”
His eyes stretched wider, as if I had the secret to the universe. I didn’t.
“My name is Calypso. I thought I was named after Calypso music. Mom said Bio Mom looked foreign and had an accent she couldn’t place. I thought she was from New Orleans or the Bahamas or something.”
“She named you Calypso? Callie is short for Calypso.” He rubbed his face with both palms. “Your mom kept this name, why?”
“It was all I had of Bio Mom. My mom tried to give me some history, but she didn’t know anything about Bio Mom. I bet this was why she had all those mythology books. She recognized the name and planned to tell me about it until she got weirded out. What if Bio Mom looked like her?” I tapped the drawing of Calypso.
I pulled in another deep breath. “There’s more.”
Liam’s jaw dropped open. “Tell me.”
“This is Coach Larsen from Tennessee Temple University. I knew he didn’t look like the guy on the Internet.” I tapped the smaller picture of Hermes in the bottom corner.
Liam sat on the floor, crossing his legs in front of him. “You’re the child she bore in secret. You’re the daughter of a punished nymph and the god of transitions and boundaries. You are the granddaughter of Zeus. Holy shit.”
“What’s the god of transitions and boundaries mean?” Granddaughter of Zeus, I had to think about another time. One heart-stopping revelation at a time was enough.
A dark chuckle rose. “It means he moves freely between the worlds of god and man.”
“Yep.”
Liam looked up with large, sad eyes. “This changes everything.”
“No.” I shook my head, throwing hair into my face. I wrangled wads of loose waves and hooked them around my ears. “Nothing’s changed. We have hope, remember? This is good. I’m durable.” Somehow. I wasn’t human. That was nuts, but okay, rolling with this twist. My head bobbed in acceptance. I could stay with Liam.
“The woman who delivered you at your mom’s house was likely injured escaping other Vikings.” He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “Your mother delivered Calypso’s child. She protected a goddess.” He dropped his hand. “Someone recognized her, knew the soul she carried. I’m guessing the Stians are here now for you. I assumed the three dead girls were meant to anger the clans, but now I see the Stians are looking for you. It explains why they’ve let Justin live.”
“You said it wouldn’t serve them to kill him.”
He shrugged. Guilt riddled his face. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
“That was a rotten thing to do, Liam.”
“What could you do besides put yourself in danger? We have Justin under surveillance. He’s reasonably safe.”
I narrowed my eyes. “My friends who died in grade school. We shared a birthday.”
Liam’s mouth turned down at the corners. He understood what I couldn’t say. “Someone knew Calypso went to the hospital that night. They didn’t see her leave.”
I covered my lips. “They knew she’d have a girl and there were only three born that day.”
“Only two on hospital record.”
“Who cares about me anyway?” My voice cracked. “This book is huge and I’m not even in there. Calypso has two pages out of a thousand and there’s no mention of a secret love child with Hermes.” I pushed the loss of my friends to the back of my mind. My head was quickly reaching capacity, and given the chance, I’d wallow in my misery over their fate.
“I’m sure Hermes”—he barked a laugh—“your father, arranged it this way to protect you.”
“I’m a reincarnated version of myself?” Things were getting more complicated by the second.
“Yes. We all are, if you think about it.”
I wouldn’t. Not now.
“Why do you think the other Vikings want to kill me? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Remember when I told you the nymph prophecies say a nymph will rule with the marked Viking? He is the heir of a great warrior and she is the heir of a great nymph. What greater nymph is there than the offspring of Calypso and Hermes? If they kill you, they end the prophecy. They want you dead for the same reason we thought they’d wanted Justin dead.”
Liam’s sulky face returned. “You love him because you are destined to love him.”
I blinked, working through the massive amounts of information, translating his thoughts and words to something I understood. The notion clicked and fire raged in me.
“I’m not destined to love him any other way than I do now.” I dropped to the floor where Liam sat. “Not like this. I’m destined for you. No one else. My bizarre, and frankly unbelievable, lineage is proof. You are my future.” I pressed my palms to his face and climbed into his lap, curling my ankles behind his back. “Do you hear me, Liam Hale, you stubborn, brooding man? You’re the only Viking I’ll ever love. Ever kiss. Ever touch. You own a piece of me now. Nothing can change that.” I kissed his eyelids and traced the runes on his bare chest with my fingertips.
“How can we defy fate?” His eyebrows lifted in an expression of hope.
“Like this.” I stripped away his borrowed shirt and pressed my body to his.
He growled, kissing me with unexpected fervor. “How did I not see you were a nymph?” His lips ran over my ears and jaw, stirring a pool of fire in my middle. “I’m powerless in your presence.”
“Then stop telling me my
destiny. I choose my destiny. You.” I adjusted my position in his lap and enjoyed his response.
Liam lay back on the wide planked floor and pulled me down with him. “I knew you were bossy from the moment I saw you.”
“Obey my commands.” I returned his kisses. “Remove these jeans at once.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter 21
I dragged myself out the door for school in the morning. Mom assumed I hadn’t fully recovered from my collapse, but the truth was I hadn’t slept in thirty-six hours and was recently attacked by an evil Viking and two ravens. I drank a pot of coffee and forced my body into Liam’s passenger seat.
Liam whistled. “Embracing your heritage?” His heated gaze traveled over my body.
“I couldn’t deal with the flat iron, so I’m embracing the hair.”
“I like it. What about the dress?”
I tugged at the soft hem resting on my thigh. “Everything’s dirty. Mom’s off her game after the attacks. I’m half asleep. Nothing gets done at our place. This was clean.”
“Is it new?” He shifted into gear and pulled away from the curb.
“Allison picked it out when we went back to school shopping this summer. I was upset about Kirk and she thought I needed a makeover. I have a ton of this stuff in my closet.”
“I don’t hate it.” His fingers traveled over my knee to the hem of my dress.
“It’s not me. Not usually. I don’t hate it either.” I gripped his hand on my leg where he’d shoved the skirt up another inch. “Dad gave me his credit card as a peace offering before I decided I didn’t want anything from him. I tried getting his attention by being a bitch. I spent twelve hundred dollars. He never mentioned it.”
“If you want funding for more dresses like this, let me know. Though, I wouldn’t suggest wearing them to your human high school filled with hormonal puberty stricken boys. Probably not a great idea to wear this to my place before the clans leave either.” He took another long look.
The creamy cashmere sweater dress was an indulgence. The short length and cap sleeves gave the cowl collar a sexy edge, though I was fully covered. The material hugged my curves in the right places. “I feel very feminine in it.”
“You should. You’re making it hard to protect you.”
“From who?”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Don’t get any ideas. My boyfriend will kick your ass.”
“Yeah, or your father, or your grandfather.” He parked in the gravel lot beside the school. “I’ve never worried about a girl’s grandpa killing me before.”
“Old Papa Zeus.” I puffed air into long, side-swept bangs. “I did a quick search for Grandpa before Mom got home from work. Apparently Zeus is the god of all gods. The god of gods and men. The god other gods call father.”
“You see the pressure I have to honor you?”
“Or be smited. Smote? Smoten.”
Liam smiled. “You’re taking this well.”
“What are my options? I also learned Zeus was kind of a slut. Most demigod bloodlines stem from him. So, I have lots of relatives.”
“In a manner of speaking. Oh, and when you’re speaking, you won’t want to let Odin hear you call Zeus the god of all gods. Many call Odin the Allfather.” He leaned over the console and nudged me with the tip of his nose. “Let’s go, Calypso.”
I stepped free from the car and waited for Liam. “The Allfather?”
“God of all gods.”
“Gee. That’s not confusing at all. There are two of them?”
He grinned. “There are many weak and many powerful gods. For the most part, gods like Odin and your grandfather stay busy minding their realms, heirs, and charges.”
“The big guys don’t mingle? No meetings of the minds? No pretentious shows of fortune, thinly veiled as charity events?”
Liam met me at the car’s bumper. “No.”
“Zeus never invites Odin for a round of golf?”
“These are human customs.”
“What about the Olympics? Wait. Is that only Roman gods?”
Everyone stared as we walked to the building hand in hand. Whether they stared at my bare legs and wild nymph hair, or Liam on my arm, was anyone’s guess. My change from wallflower to girlie girl was drastic, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel insecure. Maybe it had to do with the other change I’d made during the night. I wasn’t the same as I was yesterday. Liam had become part of me for forever.
He squeezed my hand. “Here we go.”
Kirk and Hannah stopped walking when they saw us.
“What happened to you?” Hannah pointed at my middle. “Are you wearing Juicy Couture?”
Kirk stared at my legs. “You never dressed like that for me.”
“What do you care?” Hannah snapped.
“Why don’t you buy stuff like that?” he griped.
Liam grabbed my hips from behind and pushed me into the crowd as Kirk and Hannah’s argument escalated.
“Liam,” Allison’s voice rang through the morning chaos. “Have you seen Callie? She... Who’s this?” Her voice hit a bitch pitch. I loved her so much.
“Hey.” I turned to face her and smiled.
“Ah!” she yelled. “You look like a tiny runway model!”
“Thanks.”
“Your hair’s amazing! I love it this way. I didn’t recognize you without your sleek signature style.” She played with the ends of my crazy hair fanned out on my arms.
I touched the wide fabric headband, self-conscious it might move and reveal my bald spots. The dress covered all evidence of the raven attack on my chest and shoulders.
Oliver and Justin walked up behind her.
“There you are.” Oliver grabbed Allison around the middle and swung her in the air.
“Wow.” Justin dragged his gaze over my hair and down my body. He lingered on my waist and thighs before whistling at my boots.
“Thanks.” I popped a hip, striking a goofy pose.
Amusement lit his face. He turned to Liam. “Good luck, man.” He shook his head. “I’m going to homeroom before the bell.” He chuckled on his way through the crowd.
“Ready?” Oliver took Allison’s hand and pulled her after Justin.
“You see?” Liam waved a hand in Justin’s direction. “He knows what I’m in for. One day, though, I suppose he’ll have the job.”
“Nope. I’m your problem. I don’t care what The Fates or prophecies or whatever say. Justin isn’t my destiny. You are.” I snuggled into Liam’s side.
“No PDA!” Kirk yelled from Hannah’s locker in the distance.
Liam wrapped his arms around me, looking both stricken and hopeful. “I hate that guy.”
“Yeah, but he’s too dumb to learn a lesson.” I stretched onto my toes and kissed the underside of Liam’s chin.
“No PDA!”
Liam snorted. “It’s going to be a long day. Are you swimming after school?”
“No. Tonight I’ve gotta go Roll With It.”
* * * *
The shop was busy until eight. I served more soup than Buddy could make. He was in business owner heaven. Allison filled every short break between customers with stories about Oliver. She showed me a bunch of texts he sent while he hung with Justin. Oliver was learning about rodeo. When the last customer left, Buddy went outside for his nightly break. Less than an hour until closing. I wiped down the display case and we dove into full-blown girl talk catch-up mode.
“Ollie’s such an amazing kisser.” Allison leaned over the counter. “I can’t explain it in words. He’s mind-blowing. I’m falling all over myself to see him or talk to him. It’s like I’m new at this stuff, and I am not.” She emphasized her final three words. Feminism fueled her girls-can-do-what-boys-can-do-and-not-be-called-a-whore mindset. Promiscuity was where my mom and feminism parted ways. The nurse in her said, “Sex can kill you. Be smart. Stay safe.”
“I
know what you mean.” I grabbed a box of sugar packets and moved to the tables in the little dining area. “I feel the same way about Liam.”
“Really?” She joined me at the table. “Tell me everything. You looked suspiciously comfortable with him today at school.” She tapped her chin with a shiny orange fingernail. “Sexy hair. Sexy dress.”
My cheeks burned under her scrutiny.
I turned for the next table, unsure how to describe the most incredible life-changing event in my existence.
“You had sex!”
The little bell over the door jingled and I said a silent prayer my mom hadn’t dropped by for some reason.
A laugh I didn’t recognize echoed in the quiet deli. “Sounds like I missed a good conversation.” A beefy-looking guy with bow legs and tight pants walked to the counter.
“It was nothing.” Allison met him at the register. “What can I get for you?”
Two more big guys sauntered in and stood behind the first. They had beards without mustaches and wore beanies over braided ponytails. I jammed sugar packets into the remaining containers as fast as possible.
“What do you think, brothers?” the first one asked.
The guys wore jackets. I didn’t see any runes. Maybe they were actual brothers.
He lowered his tone to a deep baritone. “What can she get for us?”
Uh oh.
The group joined in menacing laughter. Allison looked my way. Worry crumbled her forehead. I texted Liam.
Trouble at the deli. Help.
Allison’s thumb rushed over her cell phone screen behind the counter. “We’re out of soup and we’re closing soon, but we have plenty of fresh rolls for a sandwich.”
The leader thrust his hips. “We do enjoy a good sandwich.”
The threesome changed formation, and formed a new line, standing shoulder to shoulder. Allison stepped back.
“Did you tell Oliver Hale we were here?” The leader asked, nodding to the phone in her hand.
“What?” Allison’s posture relaxed a fraction. “You know Oliver?” A tiny smile curved her lips.
Prophecy Page 25
