Prophecy

by Julie Anne Lindsey

  “Are you a goddess?” Mom asked.

  Lip gloss froze on my bottom lip. “What?”

  “The dress.” She whistled. “Where did you find it? It’s marvelous.”

  I slid my lips on fresh gloss and drank in the reflection before me. My wild hair waved down my back and over both shoulders. The buttery soft silk clung to my body, dipping dangerously between my breasts and down my spine, revealing two matching white scars from my death. I’d covered both as well as possible in liquid makeup and an abundance of shimmer powder.

  I kicked a foot through the featherlight folds of silver and white material over my legs. “Are the shoes too much?” I’d purchased my first pair of strappy stilettos. My newfound inability to lose balance made me brave.

  “Definitely too much.” Mom smiled. “Take them off immediately so I can borrow them.

  “Not a chance.”

  Mom moved behind me, playing with my hair and admiring our reflections. “You’ve changed so much these past few weeks, I barely recognize you. We used to look like mother and daughter.”

  I spun in her hands, looming slightly over her and feeling bigger than my mom for the first time in my life. I hated it. She was the best mom in all creation and the only one I wanted.

  “We are mother and daughter. I got a senior year makeover, but I still look exactly like you in here.” I took her hand and pressed it to my chest.

  Tears welled in her eyes. “I want to hug you so much, but I’ll ruin all your hard work.”

  I grabbed her in my arms and held her tight. “It wasn’t as hard as you think.”

  She sniffled against my shoulder. “Jeez. Brag much?”

  I laughed into her crazy hair, inhaling the familiar scent of apples and lavender. “I still have your hair.”

  Ding dong. “Woof!”

  Mom wiped her eyes. “Your date’s here.” A knowing smile spread over her face.

  “Mom, Justin and I are friends. I’m dating Liam.”

  She scrunched her nose. “I know. I’m teasing, but since you mention it… Justin’s walking you to your boyfriend’s party. Does that seem a little strange to you?”

  “Maybe,” I hedged. More complicated than strange, but at least we were all alive.

  “We never talked about this.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this.”

  “I’m having lunch with Justin’s mother tomorrow. Maybe she’ll have some inside scoop.”

  Oh, jeez.

  Ding dong. “Woof.”

  Mom took another long look at me before bouncing down the steps to our front door. Chester’s toenails danced over the wooden floor in the foyer. Justin’s slow easy drawl climbed the distance to my ears. He was magnificent and I adored him. Nothing could change that. When he fell in love, the girl better appreciate him because Justin didn’t give his heart away recklessly. Of all the revelations that night on the dam, I struggled most with the fact Justin wasn’t more than human. How was that possible?

  “Come on, sugar. What’s taking you so long?” Justin called up the steps. “There can’t be much you can do to improve what God already gave ya.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere.” I strode down the steps, carrying the length of my gown in one hand.

  “Good lord.” Justin whipped a sleek black Stetson off his head and placed it over his heart. “Have mercy.”

  “Thank you.” I bowed my head and smiled.

  “Home by midnight.” Mom shoved a trench coat in my direction.

  I pushed the coat away and pulled a shiny silver wrap from the coat tree. “Home by two?”

  “Hey, be careful with my New Year’s Eve wrap. No stains.”

  “What do you think I’m going to do in it?”

  She opened the door with one hand and covered her eyes with the other. “Out. Go. Be young and beautiful. I’ll stay here with Chester.”

  “Woof.”

  “Home by two?” I asked again.

  “Fine.” A tiny smile curved beneath her hand.

  Justin hugged her tight, arching his back and lifting her off the ground. “See ya, Mrs. I. Don’t eat all the crispy treats. I’m coming back for my doggie bag.”

  “Woof.”

  Justin put Mom down and eyeballed me with appreciation. “What are you supposed to be, anyway?”

  “I’m Calypso.”

  Mom choked behind us. “Just like your namesake.”

  “Who?” Justin asked. The first secret I’d ever kept from him.

  “Calypso,” Mom answered. “She was a nymph who lived on an island and held a married man captive so she could force him to love her. It was an awful story. I hoped you’d never hear it. I hid the books once you were old enough to read.”

  Justin scoffed. “Your name is Calypso? That doesn’t fit you at all. You look like Callie to me. If I were you, I’d tell people you’re an Olympic goddess. Otherwise, that’s a weird costume.”

  “Right. You’re the costume expert after spending so much time on your very original cowboy outfit.”

  “This ain’t a costume, sugar.”

  “Please stop calling me sugar.”

  “What? It’s part of the costume.”

  Mom laughed. “You two better get going before this gets ugly. Besides, I’ve got work to do. Here come some evil goblins now.”

  I stepped through the doorway, pulling Justin behind me. We skirted around a group of costumed grade-schoolers hauling pillowcases.

  A cluster of women waited on the sidewalk, waving to Mom as she complimented each child’s costume and put a fresh-wrapped crispy treat in their loot bag.

  “See you at church Sunday?” one woman asked.

  “I have to work. Maybe at the rotary club Wednesday,” Mom answered.

  Justin curved his fingers around my elbow and pulled me against his side. “So, you’ve got a thing for Liam Hale, huh?”

  I smiled at the mention of his name. “Yeah.”

  We walked at an easy pace over the sidewalk separating my house from Hale Manor.

  “Oliver told me about you and Liam. They’re boarding the family’s horses at our place. Oliver comes out and checks on them every afternoon. I think he’s into Allison, but I don’t know how he remembers her. They barely met before….”

  I pushed memories of the night we’d died from my mind before they ruined my night and everyone else’s who talked to me. “Sometimes the heart knows.”

  “Yeah, it does.” Justin stopped at the bottom of the Hale’s front steps. “Listen, I want you to know I love you.”

  “Oh.” Panic rushed through me.

  Justin held up a palm. “Look. I’ve told you this before. I think.” His forehead crumbled in momentary confusion. “I waited years to tell you, so I can wait a while longer for you to realize you love me back.” He tipped my chin higher with one finger and kissed my forehead. “Meanwhile, how about we go into this creepy house for a freaky ass Halloween party and get our senior memories on.”

  “Deal.” I extended my hand and Justin pumped it once in agreement. He bumped his elbow to mine like we did when we were ten.

  Hope and regret mingled in his eyes. “I need a beer and a distraction.”

  His body went rigid for a moment. “Oh, hey, man.” Justin shoved his fingers deep into the pockets of his cowboy jeans. “Thanks for the invitation.”

  Liam sauntered out of the shadow on his porch and down the steps. Confliction in his expression said he’d heard the whole conversation. “No problem, man. It’s a good way to get to know everyone. Plus, Oliver’s a bit of a socialite and Uncle Mason’s determined to erase some of the less-than-friendly notions about our family.”

  Justin nodded. He stared into Liam’s eyes. Defiance changed his tone. “You’ll be good to her.” An instruction, not a request.

  My heart dropped. “Justin.”

  “No.” Liam extended a hand to him. “If she ever has a complaint about how I treat her, I
demand you come over here and kick my ass.”

  Justin smiled and his blasted dimple caved in. “You’ve got my word.” He tipped his hat and moved around Liam, heading straight into the mouth of the party.

  “Sorry you heard that,” I whispered.

  “You love him.” Liam nodded. “He loves you. His feelings toward you make him an ally and an asset to my cause. So, I approve.”

  “Oh, well, I’m so glad you approve.” I slid my arms around him and he stepped back.

  “Give me a minute, please.” Liam rested a hand on his chin and looked at my face. His focus moved over my hair, following the wavy length over my shoulders. He lingered at the revealing v of my neckline and groaned. His hands moved to my waist as he visually traced the fabric of my gown to the sidewalk. I lifted my dress, revealing the stilettos.

  “You look beautiful.” He gripped me tight with one hand and traced the scar on my breastbone with warm fingers. “I hate this.”

  “Really?” I gripped his fingers. “I don’t.”

  He frowned. “I thought girls hated scars.”

  “This isn’t a scar. This mark gave me a life with the man of my dreams.”

  “The man of your dreams?” His eyebrows rose. “You should dream bigger.”

  “Uh uh.” I placed a fingertip on his lips. “You know what else I like about this scar?”

  He shook his head.

  “It made me the boss of you.”

  Liam tossed his head back and barked a laugh. “Well, then, come on, boss.” He laced his fingers with mine and led me into Hale Manor. “You must be freezing.”

  “Uncle Mason” welcomed us and took my wrap. “Goddess.” He bowed to me. “Servant.” He smiled at Liam.

  Liam’s gaze swept over me once more. “You jest, but I’m quite possibly the most eager servant on this earth.”

  “Young love.” Mason shook his head, a wistful look in his eye.

  Candles covered every flat surface from windowsill to coffee table, filling the air with a thousand scents. The Hales didn’t bother matching colors or aromas. Just candles everywhere. Faux cobwebs and jolly jack-o-lanterns added to the mystical holiday décor. A pair of ravens on the chandelier forty feet up, added to the foreboding reality. Over half the supernatural things in Hale Manor were more real than their guests would ever know.

  A group of nymphs wearing black sequin mini-dresses and masks appeared in knee deep fog from the machine in the corner. They headed for the only cowboy in the room.

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I pointed to the posse encircling Justin. Black fingernails trailed over his plaid button-down. Black heels and bare legs climbed his dark jeans.

  Liam tilted his head. “Justin doesn’t look intimidated.”

  “He should be.” I looked at Mason for help.

  Mason shrugged. “You can always tell them to stop.”

  Damn superpowers. “Ugh.”

  “Is that a ‘no’?” Liam nudged me with his elbow.

  “Yes. Justin’s a big boy. I’ll let him take care of himself.”

  “You’re smiling.” Liam pulled me through the front room to another where the floor swam in disco lights and thumped with bass under my feet.

  “He looked happy.”

  Liam spun me to his chest. “You look happy.”

  “I am.”

  “Do you think you could’ve helped me out and wore a turtleneck under this dress?” His soft green eyes pierced my soul. Concern prickled his skin.

  “You’re worried.” I said. “Why?”

  He frowned. “I’m not.”

  “You are. I feel it on your skin.”

  His cheek lifted in a lazy smile. “I guess you got some new tricks with the job.”

  I considered his words. I’d assumed my new insight had more to do with a profound appreciation for life after nearly losing Allison and Justin and watching Buddy die. I was probably more in tune with the people I loved.

  “You think I can really sense emotion?” I rubbed my fingertips together. “My mom always thought I had exceptional judgment. Good old, Caution Sign Callie.” I laughed. “I do have a sixth sense about people.” Kirk excluded. “It’s definitely kept me out of trouble.”

  “Until you met me.”

  “Stop.” I stroked the lean muscles of his forearm. Heat scorched my fingertips. “No brooding.” I pulled my hand away. “Oh! Wow. Weird. What else will I be able to do?”

  Liam frowned. “We don’t know. You’re the first.”

  A band of rowdy voices overcame the bass, successfully ending our conversation. “Calypso!” they cheered.

  “Oh, they didn’t.” I laughed into my palm.

  A parade of guys in faux skins and pelts circa the Stone Age stumbled in, clearly intoxicated. Their pointed hats had horns pointing left and right. Mostly. Lars’s hat was skewed to the side, leaving his horns pointing forward and back.

  “What are you supposed to be,” I teased.

  The Mahonings pounded their broad chests. “We are Vikings.” They’d healed well after their blows at the dam.

  I straightened my expression. “Courageous, brawny, handsome Vikings certain to conquer many things.”

  They cheered again.

  Oliver stumbled from the group. “Let’s go see her.”

  Liam caught and steadied him. “Allison is fine, brother. She’ll be back on her feet in no time and you can steal her heart all over again.”

  I swallowed a lump, forcing emotion aside. I squared my shoulders and steadied my voice. “Hang in there, Oliver. She’ll have a full recovery and you’ll have plenty of time together. You waited how long to meet her?”

  Liam squeezed my waist. “She’s right. What’s another few weeks after all these years?”

  Oliver leveled his gaze on mine. “How can you be sure she won’t relapse? What if the doctors missed something? Or what if they gave her the wrong medications? What if she hurts herself because she’s trying to push herself too hard?”

  “She’s fine. I promise.”

  “But how can you know that?”

  I couldn’t answer his question. I hadn’t told Liam about the deal I’d made with Zeus. When Allison’s heart rate plummeted in the emergency room, I’d felt like Oliver looked. I couldn’t live knowing the sword she died on was meant for me, so I’d run into the night and cried out to Zeus. He’d spared her life in exchange for a favor. I’d agreed. I would’ve agreed to anything.

  I smiled at Oliver. “Trust me.”

  I hoped the words encouraged him. The words scared me. I had no idea what Zeus would ask of me or when, but for tonight, my loved ones were safe. I was in Liam’s arms and the world was right.

  “So.” Liam kissed my cheek and whispered into my ear. “Do you think you’re up for a race?”

  My skin snapped with anticipation. “In your pool?”

  He nodded. “Still think you can beat me?” He took my hands in his and walked backward through a crowd of Zoar High School classmates and random Viking clan members. He backed through the door to the pool house. I kicked the door shut behind us.

  “Now.” Liam brushed hair off my shoulders and kissed his way down my neck to the straps of my gown. “Let’s establish the rules.”

  “Oh.” I shivered under the heat of his touch. “There are rules?”

  He pushed twisted silk straps off my shoulders. “Always, goddess. There are always rules.” Liam’s fingers traced the stream of runes and curling lines down my arms from shoulders to wrists. Another physical change.

  “Hmm.” I feigned serious thought and edged toward the calling water.

  Liam followed, a half-step behind. “Since you’re the lady. I’ll let you set the first rule.”

  “Okay.” I stepped out of my magnificent heels and dropped the gown to my feet. In his distraction, I dove into the pool, careless of my hair or makeup, reveling instead in the feel of saltwater on my skin. I belonged here with
Liam. My heart had belonged to him before any mythological revelation. It wasn’t his ability to influence will or my ability to lead. He and I were destined to be together. I felt it in my soul.

  Liam’s head broke the water’s surface a moment after mine. “You little cheat.” He grabbed my wrists and pulled them over his head. Our hearts beat against one another.

  “Tell me, Calypso,” he whispered. “Can you guess what I’m feeling now?”

  I could.

  Julie Anne Lindsey

  Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes and geeks many things. She’s a self-proclaimed nerd and fangirl with a penchant for words and proclivity for fun. Most days you’ll find her online, amped up on caffeine and wielding a book. Julie started writing to make people smile. Someday she plans to change the world.

  Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW), Sisters in Crime (SinC) and the Canton Writer’s Guild.

  Lyrical Press books are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2014 Julie Anne Lindsey

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

  First Electronic Edition: October 2014

  ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-614-8