Ever jogs past me to assume the proper starting position. He whispers just so I can hear it, “I can make this easy for you.”
Oh no. What if Samantha was right and that was just a fluke? I shift the weight of the sword in my hand and the serene calm that came over me before returns.
I can do this.
“No need,” I retort. Ever raises an eyebrow in surprise but also seems intrigued and maybe a little perplexed. I don’t need his sympathy. I have otherworldly power on my side, of which he is not aware.
Ever dons his mask, and we begin. I expertly move my sword in and out, rolling once and doing a standing backflip to avoid his attack.
Ever pauses and looks at me as if for the first time. “Wow.”
He lunges forward in a deft move. I expertly block him, pushing his sword back at him, then whip my sword out to the left and smack him on the side of his torso. His eyes widen in shock. He’s clearly starting to realize that he has underestimated me. His eyes narrow as he begins to fight me for real. He turns and stabs with expert precision, but even so, I gracefully thwart him at every turn. Just as our dance harmonizes to the crescendo, I see something that stops my heart.
There’s a twelve-point yellow-gold star tattooed on the inside of his wrist. It looks like an exact match to the symbol that is on the shelf of my locker, the one that opened the door to my mom’s secret lair. It’s just like the star on my silver ring, the same ring that the god Zeus was wearing in my dream.
I start to panic. I tear my helmet off and hyperventilate. I hear the teacher yelling at me to keep it on, but Ever follows suit and tears his off too, probably to see more clearly why I am so upset.
Now both winded and sweating, I jump backwards with all my strength, kick out at him, and knock him flat on his back. The opposing force propels me forward, sending my body sprawling out over Ever’s heaving chest. My legs pin him down firmly on either side of his body, which is laid flat on the ground. My face is so close to his now that my senses are overwhelmed by his scent – a seductive blend of cedar and citrus mixed with sweat – and it’s totally intoxicating. Oh my. What am I doing here?
The point of my sword lightly touches his neck.
“Impressive,” he whispers in my ear. I try to maintain an impassive façade, but I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the euphoric sensation of his very muscular body below mine. Adrenaline pulses through my body, making me feel incredibly triumphant in this win.
I feel something poking into my leg. Curious, I look down, but see only Ever’s legs and nothing else. It must be something inside his pocket…a key chain…a wallet?
My mind spins out of control as it dawns on me that what I feel strong and firm against my thigh is a part of Ever…a very private part of him. I flush about five shades of deep crimson.
I jump up as if I’ve just been stung by a bee. Frantically, I tear off the rest of my fencing gear as if ridding myself of some awful bug crawling on me. Unwilling and unable to make eye contact, I rush off, pushing through the wall of girls surrounding us, and sink down to my knees near the wall, chest heaving.
I’m terrified that Ever will come after me, but there is no sign of him as class continues. Why exactly am I so upset? Shouldn’t I be happy that he was aroused by me? Perhaps I might feel differently if it had happened in a less public place, and definitely not in front of his girlfriend. As I think about that look on his face, with his lips so close to mine, I can’t help but want more. I need to see him again.
The thought that tickles the back of my mind, though, is frustration that I’ve made exactly zero progress in finding out any information from Ever about my mom. How is it that whenever I’m around him, I completely forget all about my critically urgent mission?
What is wrong with me? I’ve got to focus harder and get the job done.
I will, Mom. I promise.
***
At siesta, many kids are out attending a rally downtown. The school grounds are eerily quiet, so I sprawl out with my laptop under my favorite palm tree, which stands grand and stately, directly in the center of the square surrounded by school buildings. I should be studying for an upcoming physics test because I’m way behind the other kids since I just moved here.
I’m scanning my Instagram account when I see a notification. A request to follow me. When I look to see who it’s from, I’m startled to see who it is… Ever Sarantos.
Oh. I sigh and frown as I glare down at his smiling profile picture, his gorgeous sea-blue eyes staring back at me. As I think about what happened earlier, I can’t help but smile.
“So, are you going to let me follow you or not?” His voice swiftly jars me out of my thoughts. I lift my eyes, and there he is…Ever.
He stands there with a warm knowing smile, leaning up against my favorite tree, holding his iPhone out in front of him. His rugged tan is unusually vibrant next to the bright sky-blue of his button-down shirt. His brilliant eyes are energized and magnetic. My heart hammers in my chest as I feel the usual flutter of butterflies…and something else…inside.
“What?” I stammer. My face is most definitely flushed.
“On Instagram. I just followed you.” he smirks, looking down at his iPhone and then back up at me. “So…are you going to accept me and follow me back, or not?”
I look down as if I’m thinking it through even though I already know the answer. Of course, I click “accept.” His breathes out like he’s relieved. Was he really concerned that I wouldn’t want him to follow me on Instagram?
He looks down at my ankle. “Oh, it looks like you’re fully recovered now,” he says sweetly. His incredible eyes draw me in as he studies me. “By the way, I noticed that you look…different.”
I play it safe with, “Yeah, right. Well, I’ve been working out…Pilates.”
“Uh-huh, sure you have.” His eyes light up with mischief. My heart skitters.
“You must have it all figured out, then,” I goad him.
“Not entirely,” he says in a smug voice, so darned certain of himself. “But it’s only a matter of time, and I will.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” I say, matching his arrogance. “I’ll be laughing the whole time while you guess.”
“I like a challenge.” His eyes flicker as if they are on fire, then simmer down as he sits down on the grass next to me. “You’re incredible with a sword. Remind me not to make you mad. Where did you train?”
“I watch a lot of Star Wars,” I laugh.
“I was kind of surprised, because Samantha told me she won so easily before…” he says wistfully, “but clearly, she was lying. She doesn’t want me talking to you.”
“Oh…?” I ask, but then it dawns on me that she’s not here with him.
“So, where is she?” I ask, suddenly wishing that I didn’t have to suffer through being so close to him. His presence is unsettling and exhilarating.
“What?” he asks as if I interrupted from some deep thought. “Who?”
“Ummm, your girlfriend, Samantha?”
“Oh yeah. Her.”
“So?” I stare straight ahead, willing myself not to look at him. His nonchalance about Samantha leads me to believe that something is awry.
“We broke up.” His voice is uncaring, monotone.
“What? Why?” I ask.
His voice is playful. “Not sure that's any of your business.”
“Fine. Never mind.” I shove my laptop into my backpack.
“Wait.” He grabs my arm. An electric pulse shoots through me as my cheeks flush a hot red. I feel conflicted as I look up into his mesmerizing eyes. “Samantha broke up with me,” he says intently. He look
s down at his hands. “I told her that I was thinking about someone else…a girl.”
Of course! That’s exactly what I’d expect. He’s always thinking of another girl. He can’t commit to anyone because there’s always a prettier, more perfect girl out there…and they all want him, so why not? His gaze is intense as it meets mine, and then he breaks into a warm, sweet smile. Does he have to look at me like that?
“What girl?” I whisper, afraid to hear the answer.
His gaze falls to my lips, his voice soft and quiet now. “Isn’t it obvious? You must know.”
This is going too far, getting out of hand. He can’t just treat me like all the other girls. I’m not falling for it.
“This has got to be a joke,” I say, frowning.
Ever looks hurt as he says softly, “I assure you, it’s not a joke.”
My gaze falls to his hand, which is still resting firmly on my arm. It’s all too much for me. I need to go, but as I twist my arm away, his wrist turns over, fully exposing the twelve-point star tattoo that I saw when we were sparring earlier.
The same symbol that opened my locker to my mother’s secret room. My need to depart is suddenly overcome by an overwhelming need to understand what it means.
“When did you get this?” I run my finger across the length of his wrist. He shudders slightly at my touch. I must affect him as much as he does me.
“I don’t know,” his expression grows solemn. “My mother told me some weird story. One day, I came home from Kindergarten and there it was. No one at school knew how I got it. I guess I don’t mind since this star symbol resembles the Vergina Sun, which is the sign of the Greek First Army, the highest form of the Hellenic Army, and represents their determination, strength, and will. Like the Green Berets or the Navy SEALs in the States, they are called upon to perform the toughest duties here in the armed forces. My grandfather served in the First Army, so my mother believed that maybe somehow it came from him.”
“Your grandfather?” I ask, perplexed. “How could he give you a tattoo in kindergarten?”
“That’s a good question. He died when I was young, but like my father, his influence was far reaching and significant. He and my dad shared many traits, even appearance. Some say he looked almost identical to my dad at the same age.”
Suddenly, the photo of the younger Sarantos on the wall of my mom’s secret room from 1971 makes more sense. Urgency overtakes me. Mom can’t wait. “I need to meet your dad.”
His eyes grow wide. “Why?” He seems skeptical, like he’s used to everyone wanting something from him, probably using him to get close to his dad. Me and my big mouth. I may have just ruined any chance to ever meet Georgios Sarantos now. I need to cut my losses, at least for the moment.
Twisting my arm away, I say abruptly, “Never mind. I need to go.”
As I leave Ever behind, I turn one last time to glance his way and see something wholly unexpected in him: uncertainty.
16 – The Dare
On my way home from school, my thoughts are all over the place. I struggle for control. I can’t let Ever get to me like this or let anyone distract me from my mission to find my mom.
For a girl like me, who has always needed to be in control, these feelings are both foreign and terrifying. Makes me crazy. Never in a million years would I have imagined myself with someone like Ever. He’s frustrating, adorable, and arrogant all at once. And just so…well, it’s all a bit too much for me. I feel like running away and never talking to him again.
On the other hand, I’m upset that I had to be so obvious about so urgently needing to meet his dad. Why did I do that? Of course, I know why. I’ve now been here in Athens for over a week and made almost no progress on finding my mother. I shouldn’t be upset about being too forthright. If anything, I need to be more aggressive with my efforts. What if it’s too late now for Mom? And all because I didn’t do enough?
I touch the cypress tree necklace, which stills my mind and calms my heart. I won’t stop until I know she’s okay, even if it means scaring off Ever Sarantos. Surely there are other ways to meet his dad.
Somehow, the rest of the week passes by quickly, although I find myself increasingly nervous as I travel to and from school every day. More than a few times, I feel as if someone is following me, that I’m being watched, but when I turn to see who is there, I’m alone. Only shadows lurk around me. Sometimes, they seem so dark and menacing, like something evil is at work. I’m probably just being paranoid.
I manage to easily fend off a few snarky comments about my “enhanced” appearance and avoid any close encounters with Ever. I must admit that it’s been incredibly difficult to get him out of my mind. When the end of the week arrives, I feel almost elated to have escaped any major incidents. Since I moved here to Athens, my life has been so chaotic, there’s been no chance to feel grounded, and that makes it difficult to know how I feel about anyone, including Ever.
On my way home from school on Friday night, I turn the corner to my street, and all my thoughts about Ever are blown to bits when I see Nick standing there. His bronze skin glows under the muted streetlights. He’s leaning up against the side of Janus’s house next to his motorcycle. As I approach him, his eyes light up in anticipation.
What’s this about? Whatever it is, it’s a welcome diversion. While Ever makes me feel totally out of control, Nick feels safe and comfortable, which is a bit of a paradox considering that when I first met him, I thought he was the ultimate rebel. Underneath it all, Nick has a sweet, calm, and gentle nature, whereas Ever’s disarming, defiant, and ever-changing persona makes it hard for me to feel at peace with him. Often in life, things are not what they seem.
I think back to when I last saw Nick. The Temple of Poseidon and the moonlit beach below fill my mind. I remember now! Today is day five of my dare with him.
I was kind of hoping that he would cheat on his no-smoking promise so that I wouldn’t have to live up to my end of the bargain. Even though it was my idea, I’m not exactly as excited about it now that I’m so confused as about what he wants with me. His mixed messages make me nuts.
It’s just before sunset, so it must be almost seven o’clock. Right on time. He holds out his helmet to me and says, “You ready?”
“Uh, yeah, but I wasn’t really sure you were coming,” I say wryly.
His eyes open wide as if he’s just seen a ghost, and for a nonbeliever like Nick, that would be a big deal. “Helene,” he says as if in shock, “when did you start to speak Greek?”
I stop short, biting my lip, not understanding what he’s talking about. “You’re not making sense, Nick.”
“You’re speaking flawless Greek right now,” he says in astonishment.
“Nick, if I’m speaking to you in Greek, then why are you answering me in English?”
“I’m not,” he says slowly. “I am speaking Greek, Helene.”
My mouth hangs open in shock as I try to comprehend exactly what he is saying. I’m fluent in Greek? When did this happen?
“Okay. Can you speak in English?” I ask tentatively, testing the waters.
“Yes,” he says tersely. “This is English.”
It’s as if I can’t tell the difference between English or Greek. Total insanity. Somehow, I speak the language as needed without thinking about it, as if an automatic translator has been installed in my brain. But how can this be?
This must be yet another facet of the change in me after going to that place beyond the mirror…to Olympus. But was I speaking Greek at school this whole week? No one said anything about it. Ever definitely would have noticed. One thing, though, is for certain…there’s absolutely no way that I can explain this to Nick, especially given his total anim
osity towards anything mystical when we were at the Temple of Poseidon.
“What the heck is going on, Helene?” He seems almost angry at me now.
“What do you mean?”
“You look like a freaking movie star.” He continues, “I’m worried about you. Are you doing…coke…like your godfather? If yes, I know someone who can help.”
“What? No!”
“And suddenly you’re fluent in Greek too? There’s no way you could have picked up the language that fast.”
“I…I don’t know,” I stammer. The truth is that I am all out of smart explanations. I feel as if I’ve reached a solid brick wall at the end of an alley with nowhere to go. “I woke up like this.”
He eyes me skeptically. “Uh-huh. That’s nuts! You can’t just wake up like this.”
My eyes begin to water as panic fills my head. I should just cut my losses and leave him here on the street. “I did, Nick. I swear!”
He just shakes his head like he’s sure I’m lying.
I can’t stay here and take any more of this. I’m finally being honest here, and he’s being a complete jerk. “Look, I’m really tired. I had to stay up late with extra homework, so maybe we should just do this another night,” I say, completely deflated. I start to turn towards the door to Janus’s shop.
“No, wait!” Nick practically shouts at me. Startled, I feel as if I jump out of my skin. He continues, this time in a much softer tone. “I’m not really buying it, but let’s just talk about this another time. It was darned near impossible for me to quit smoking this past five days. You have to come with me.” His eyes are pleading. “Please.”
“What do you mean you aren’t buying it?” I ask, annoyed.
“Forget I said that!” he says, “Look, you’ve been through a lot. I know that. Be with me tonight.” His voice is so low it’s like a whisper. His thoughtful, round eyes melt my anger away.
Protogenesis: Before the Beginning Page 15
