Grounded

by Constance Sharper

  A click at the door summoned their attention elsewhere and she saw the other harpies come in. Patrick filed into the room first, keeping his wings open to take up an obnoxious amount of space. He shot her a crooked, cocky smile instantly. Behind him came Adalyn, the girl Avery was too afraid to face straight on. Finally Mason walked in the door and Avery immediately maneuvered the room to be closer to his side.

  “So pops, I hear we’re all going to war.” Patrick was the first to speak.

  Samuel’s face suddenly showed more age lines and he shot Patrick a dull expression.

  “Not war, Patrick. Not yet.”

  “I don’t care, I’m not afraid of Mikhail.” Patrick snapped back but Adalyn held out a hand to interrupt him.

  She moved forward, her stiletto heels clacking loudly on the tile.

  “How do we prepare for this?” She demanded primarily of her father. Adalyn had one thing going for her—she wasn’t a coward. And Avery was sure that she’d support her father and probably even Mason until the last fight.

  “How much time do we have?” Samuel quizzed. Oldest and likely wisest it fell to him to draw up the battle plan.

  “Awhile. It would take at least three days.” Mason said.

  Samuel nodded, eyes glazing over with thought. Avery couldn’t attest to knowing anything about battle plans or about harpie battle plans. The old history text books from Mayweather wouldn’t help her here. Feeling out of the loop, Avery edged toward Mason, curling her fingers over the edge of his wing. The familiar softness didn’t comfort her.

  “We need to control the skies, use amulet magic detectors to see him coming, and prep ourselves. One of us should be on look out.”

  “Eva’s already on it.”

  Samuel’s face blanked instantly. It took a full, tense minute before his face reanimated.

  “Your sister Eva?” Samuel clarified in a stale, quiet voice.

  “Mikhail’s out to kill her. She is, at the end of the day, one of Jericho’s children. So temporarily, her allegiance is to us.” Mason’s cool voice worded it convincingly but Samuel’s face stubbornly didn’t change.

  “Mason, as much respect as I’ve had for your father, I do not think you’re right in doing this. Eva is not like you. She’s never been like you and that’s why Jericho could never favor her.”

  “Daddy, we need her. We need him. And then when this is over, we can deal with it.” Adalyn pointed out brazenly. The enemy of my enemy is my friend idea. And only her whiny voice managed to break Samuel’s concentration.

  The old harpie shook his head and then refocused.

  “I should have a word with the police about Mikhail-- staying connected will give us the number advantage.” His eyes swept over the four people in front of him. “So we’ll all have to get along.”

  He said the last one for everyone’s benefit. It made Avery look up. Adalyn had been staring at her. The sensation of eyes making Avery’s skin crawl, she shifted uncomfortably. Avery had a hard time meeting the gaze. She wouldn’t feel guilty over going steady with Mason but breaking up an engagement was still breaking up an engagement. The whole concept already disconcerting, Adalyn’s glower only made it worse.

  She shifted her attention to find Mason and Patrick matching similar ugly glares. The situation wasn’t one to promote friendship but Avery did agree with Samuel.

  “Of course.” She agreed when no one else said a thing.

  “We should rest then.” Mason changed the subject.

  “I’m sure I have two guest rooms in the back.” Samuel said. Avery hadn’t seen a bedroom yet but the compound was certainly big enough to have a few. In fact, the mere mention about sleep made Avery’s body begin complaining with fatigue. Muscles exhausted and brain shutting down, she was ready to fall into the sheets and pass out cold.

  Mason’s arm slid over the small of her back, surprising her out of her trance.

  “We’ll only need one room.” Mason said.

  The room went silent and Avery’s jaw was the first to hit the floor. Whirling on him, she whispered harshly.

  “What are you nuts? You’re trying to get Adalyn to kill me, aren’t you?”

  Avery was already too afraid to look back and find the harpie woman glaring daggers. Mason didn’t even offer her a smile. Setting his hands on her shoulder, he replied.

  “Adalyn already wants you dead and I’m sure she’s waiting to get you alone to drop the axe. If you stay with me, she won’t get that chance.” His tone was almost irritated, like he’d already been over it before. She didn’t care. Mason’s reasoning seemed to have nothing to do with them being alone, close, and possibly intimate but that’s exactly where Avery’s mind ended up. Swallowing with difficulty, she gave a numb agreement.

  There were more pressing issues than sleeping arrangements. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t complicated.

  Sixteen

  The room Samuel offered them was modest by harpie standards. A standard bed with starch blue sheets reminded Avery of her dorm room. The walls were plain white and the dinky shades on the window barely kept the sun out. To the left of the bed was a door leading to a bathroom and a pressed wood nightstand. The humble digs helped Avery feel at home and the knots in her stomach loosened. Shutting the door behind her, she shifted her attention to Mason.

  He followed her inside but lingered by the door, sliding the dead bolt into place with a click. The image itself was comical-- them hiding away from their supposed allies, but Mason wasn’t laughing. And if Mason was worried then Avery knew full well she should be flat out panicking. She couldn’t accidently run into Adalyn or Patrick alone.

  Noting it, she changed the subject on her own dismal thoughts.

  “They took the Mikhail thing well.” She said dryly.

  Mason offered a half smile.

  “Harpies are used to fighting. It goes hand in hand with the race I guess.”

  He paced toward the window and the bathroom, doing a calculated and careful examination of the place. Watching him, Avery perched on the edge of the bed. The mattress was unusually wide and long, accommodating for harpies’ height and broad shoulders. But even with the excess space, two of them on the bed would be a cozy fit. Avery’s heart threatening to speed up thinking about it, she stammered to keep herself distracted.

  “So do you think we’re safe here? Like should we even be sleeping?”

  Mason finally turned to face her and gave a casual shrug.

  “Right now, we are. And we should rest because we aren’t going to be any good tired.”

  “Can I get the phone first? I need to call Nate. Warn him about the harpies.” She held her hand out and acquired the metal device. Momentarily turning away, she pressed the metal to her ear and heard the buzzing on the other side as it called out.

  “Who is this?” The masculine voice spoke on the other line.

  “Hey Nate. It’s Avery.”

  Nate’s voice changed dramatically.

  “Great,” He growled with no force, “Maybe you can tell me what’s going on because I apparently can’t keep up with this crazy bird crap.”

  Avery clenched the phone harder and leaned forward.

  “Is Leela there?” She asked first.

  “She showed up last night.” He said but it wasn’t comforting. “She’s holed up in her room now and she isn’t answering the staff and especially not me.”

  Avery let out a breath. Of course Leela would be pissed and Avery had no doubt that she’d try to contact Mikhail again.

  “Do you know if there are any harpies lingering around?”

  “Around here? Why would they be around here, Avery? You said they’d be after you, not her!”

  “Yea I know but now they might be after Leela too. But you have time, I’m almost sure of it.” Avery’s mind went to a battle plan and she stood to pace the length of the small room. “I need you to do something.”

  “Avery, what are you on about? Is she in danger?” He asked. The rawness in his voice wh
en Leela came up was always striking, but today Avery had to brace herself for it.

  “Yes. Probably. I’m not sure about when but I’m sure she is.” Most likely Mikhail would come after Samuel, Avery, and Mason first. The concept was logical but not foolproof. The Band had kidnapped Leela once before to use her against Avery, and Avery wouldn’t put it above them to repeat that.

  “I need you to get her and take her away from Mayweather. Somewhere you guys can hide. A big city would be best. You think you could get out of Alaska?”

  Nate let out a breath of disbelief.

  “So kidnap my girlfriend who doesn’t want to go with me, leave school without a car, get a plane ticket, and surf around the lower forty-eight for a few days? Yea, sounds sooo easy.”

  “Not that I’d ever want to compliment you Nate, but you can figure it out. I need you to find a way. This is serious.”

  “I bet it is.” He hissed but his sarcasm really wasn’t thick. Avery could somewhat attest to what he was going through. Coping with the existence of a mythological race was never made easier when that mythological race was trying to kill you. And Nate didn’t have the personality to make it easier—stubborn and proud.

  A momentary silence developed on the line until Nate finally responded.

  “Okay. I’ll try.” He said.

  “Call me on this number if you need anything. And please, stay away from Portland.” She said, bidding him a last farewell before clicking the phone shut.

  Mason waited by the bed, shaking out his wings and running his hands through his mop of brown hair. From the place he stood, she could fully see and admire the pretty boy for what he was. His scrapes and bruises from the attack earlier only helped his appearance. But then he caught her staring. Forgetting how to think, Avery stayed dead still when he strode across the room towards her.

  “We can do this you know. I’m sure we can.” Mason said, but Avery wasn’t thinking about the Mikhail thing much anymore. Edging forward, she reached out and touched his shoulders, her fingers curling into the soft cotton fabric of his shirt. His arms went around the small of her back and he tilted his chin down so their faces were closer.

  “I believe you.” She said.

  He leaned down and kissed her. Though they’d kissed before, the instant warmth always was shocking and she’d never get used to the wondrous sensation. Lips pressed together, Avery leaned into it. Her heart pounded in her chest and she was certain Mason could feel it. His hands weaved into her hair and he pushed her mouth into his.

  The bruising kiss suddenly moved. Mason shifted his attention to her neck just below her ear. Avery shuddered at the feather light sensation that left a burning hot trail in its wake. She licked her swollen lips and shifted her head to allow him better access.

  Mason, no saint, kissed greedily. His hands swept just underneath the hem of her shirt, shooting up her back and massaging just between her shoulder blades. Avery’s face was burning pink but she didn’t fight the rapid situation. She’d crushed on Mason long enough.

  Legitimizing their relationship a little bit was well needed. But then Mason suddenly stopped them.

  “Wait, shut up.” He pressed his hand over her lips. Before Avery could struggle, Mason had moved. Quickly heading for the window, he unlatched the glass and leaned out through the sill. Now visible on the other side was Eva, basking in the darkness. Rain had started and outside, rare flashes of lightning occasionally lit up the distance. The thunder still remained silent.

  “Hi dear brother.” Eva cracked her harrowing smile.

  Mason didn’t return it.

  “What have you found?” He quizzed going straight to business.

  “It’s all quiet on the front line. He’s probably perfecting the magic as we speak using that bloody old harpie’s journal. As if the man couldn’t be dumber--compacting the information in one single place.” Eva showed her teeth with venom.

  “That man being your father?” Avery couldn’t help but ask. She’d known there had been bad blood in the family-- not surprising considering that Eva contributed to Jericho’s murder, but hearing it so callously thrown out there was still shocking.

  “That man was a vicious traitor and a liar.” Eva snapped, sending a dirty look Avery’s way.

  “Eva stop,” Mason warned, maneuvering to somewhat stand between them. Though Eva technically remained outside, it wouldn’t be a far stretch for the woman to lash out. Mason obviously worried about it.

  “Why do you hate him so much? What’d he do to you?” Avery asked, undeterred. Mason may have tried to shush her but Avery wanted to know. This family drama remained at the center of the conflict.

  Eva didn’t avoid the subject.

  “Jericho was a horrible man. He was only out for himself and he made no bones about putting me second.”

  “That was a long time ago, Eva. You likely don’t even remember it right with Mikhail chatting in your ear all of the time. And Mikhail...was he even any better than Jericho? Did he act like he was ever on your team?” Mason asked in all seriousness.

  She debated the words for a long moment. The shadows on her face showed a side of the girl that Avery had never seen before. Eva had always seemed like the relentless, sharp, and bloodthirsty harpie. She always seemed like she had no heart. Though Avery still knew that to be true, it didn’t seem to be wholly true anymore.

  “No.” Eva whispered.

  “Do you ever regret it?” Avery didn’t know what possessed her to talk but she suddenly wished she hadn’t. Both harpies in the room turned and shot her a solemn look. Avery’s question wasn’t just about Mikhail. It was about Jericho too. Did Eva ever regret killing Jericho? Avery almost went to apologize but never got the chance. Eva stiffened up for both herself and Mason.

  “Maybe I deserve Mikhail’s coming to kill us then, don’t I?” The harpie woman still put on a crooked, bitter smirk.

  “We’re gonna be okay.” Avery interrupted. “We are a team now. We have the advantage and we’ll get out of it alive.”

  “Advantage? Have you looked around at these people who are working together? My bloody alienated brother, his furious ex-fiancé... and the harpie that calls himself Patrick. No, best of all is the human with harpie magic growing inside of her body...”

  Eva’s words were sharp but Avery didn’t take the bait. She stood her ground firmly and Eva finally turned her attention away.

  “I’ll be on look out but stay alert.” She ordered Mason before disappearing out the window.

  “Cheerful that one.” Avery grumbled in Eva’s wake. Mason turned to face her but didn’t make eye contact.

  “She’s right. About the danger I mean.” He clarified but Avery could tell her probing questions about Eva still remained in his mind. He continued to change the subject. “Adalyn I believe will stick by us but I really don’t know about Patrick. Actually,” An idea seemed to strike Mason and his eyes connected with Avery’s. “Did you hear Adalyn ever say anything about Patrick? Or did Patrick ever say anything about her?” He asked.

  Avery made a face, struggling to think about it. Of the time she spent with Patrick, she really only remembered when Leela had the amulet and Patrick had attempted to kill her. It wasn’t a good weekend to remember details. It wasn’t a good weekend period.

  “I don’t know. Why does it matter?” Avery asked.

  “He just seems strange to me… I don’t really know who he is.” Mason turned and paced away as far as the small room would allow. “Originally Adalyn had told me she’d met him through Samuel, and Samuel through Jericho… but that fell through when I got here and had everyone in one room. She won’t talk about it and a mysterious harpie is never good news.”

  “Whoa wait!” Avery suddenly caught on, and the realization was harrowing. “You don’t think Patrick is like in the Band or anything, right?”

  “No.” Mason denied quickly. “We’d know if he was in the Band. I’ll just look into it. And you… well, just keep in mind what I said. And focu
s on Mikhail now. He’s the one we have to worry about paving us down to take back his throne.”

  Mason unintentionally reminded Avery about what Samuel had said.

  “Do you know that Samuel is saying you are the rightful heir to the throne? That you’re supposed to take it next.” She said off hand, idly thinking of it. She didn’t know what she expected from Mason, but his reaction was not it.

  “I know.” Mason answered quietly. The firmness in his voice and the expression on his face caught her interest and Avery looked up to meet his eyes.

  “You’re not going to do it, right?”

  “Avery,” He reached out for her but she backed up. Suddenly feeling cold, she wrapped her arms around herself.

  “You’re actually going, aren’t you? When did the abrupt change of heart happen?”

  Mason clearly debated his answer.

  “I’ve had a lot of time to think lately, Avery. I’ve had enough time away from my kind to see them as they really are. And they need a leader. I’m not ready to fly out tonight but I think I’ve decided...”

  Avery faced the opposite wall when she felt her eyes begin to burn. She knew it wasn’t about the throne or Mason’s sudden decision to grow up. It was about something personal and she voiced just that.

  “If you go back to court, then I can’t come with you. A human can’t.” After initially saying it, she found the rest of the words slipping from her. “So why’d you bother to start things with me if you knew you couldn’t end them?”

  “Would you rather I had just stayed with Adalyn?” Mason asked. Though his soft voice didn’t convey sarcasm, it only infuriated Avery more.

  “Adalyn?” Avery scoffed while her sorrow quickly channeled into anger. “Of course. That’s what Adalyn was talking about when she referred to your arrangement. You’re screwing up everything. How did I miss that? You’re going to marry her because she’s a suitable bride for the throne.”