Where a Goddess Belongs

by Stephanie Julian

  Emelia looked her directly in the eyes. “He’s not my guard. He’s my protector.”

  “He’s Mal.” Den growled. “We’re not taking him.”

  “Then I’m not leaving.”

  Kari was left speechless again, until she took a good look at the way the girl was staring at the man on the floor.

  “Den.”

  His brows rose as he stood, shaking his head. “No way.”

  “Please.”

  The quiver in Emelia’s voice must have reached Den because he sighed and stood. And even though he didn’t look as strong as he normally did, he slung the other man over his shoulder.

  “Let’s get the hell out of here before he wakes up and tries to kill me again. Vaffanculo, your brother’s going to kill me. And then he’s gonna kill this guy. Fair warning, Eme.”

  “Thank you, Den.” The girl turned back to Kari and fear showed in her eyes again, even though she didn’t flinch as she curtsied. “Lady.”

  Kari wanted to sigh but she reined in the urge. They’d sort all of this out when they were all safely away from here. Which meant heading back downstairs and collecting the rest of their people.

  Kari hoped like hell nothing had happened to Jacoby. If he’d been hurt...

  All bets were off.

  *****

  Jacoby saw Kari and Den leave the room and breathed a silent sigh of relief, even though he hadn’t completely neutralized his father yet. Jacoby’s father was a powerful Malandante and Jacoby had known he’d be a tough opponent. He’d been betting on the fact that his father wouldn’t kill him outright. That he’d have a few minutes, at least, before the man realized how much of a danger Jacoby was and decided he needed to die. But that time was fast winding down. His father’s gaze narrowed as he stared at Jacoby, realization showing on his face. “You’ve gotten stronger. No, that’s not right, is it? You’ve been strong, you’ve just been hiding it. Bravo, son. Too bad it won’t do you any good now.” “You’re not going to win this one.” Jacoby knew the wolves were taking care of the other men behind him, but he also knew those men weren’t the real threat. That was his father. “Surrender and we’ll leave. You don’t have to die.” “Oh, I don’t plan on dying. And I think you’re going to be disappointed if you think your sister’s going to leave with you. She’s not going to leave everything she knows to follow you. I’m her father. She’ll do what I say. Especially when I control the man she loves.” Well, shit. He should’ve let the wolves deal with his father so he could get Emelia. “She won’t stay. Not with you.” “Oh, but she definitely doesn’t want to go with your little goddess. We’ve told Emelia exactly what’s going to happen when the deities get their hands on her, how her life will never be her own again. We offered her freedom and the chance to rule. You offer her a life of servitude. Which one do you think she’ll choose? She’s no longer the foolish little girl who worshipped you.” “So you brainwashed her.” “No. We just told her what she needed to hear. It helps that most of it’s true. The goddess isn’t going to give up her mantle. Not without a fight. Emelia knows Akuhvitr will probably kill her.” “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “I probably know more about it than you do. Your sister’s seen what happens when someone tries to take the mantle. It’s not pretty.” “Emelia’s not stupid. She knows how much danger she’s in with you. She’ll leave.” “Then I guess I’ll just have to take the option away from her.”

  His father pulled the trigger a split second before Jacoby realized he was going to do it. He wasn’t taken off guard, but he was slow enough that the bullet got away from the gun before he could stop it.

  Jacoby felt the punch as it hit him in the chest, felt the delayed burn even as he directed his power out and away from him. Surprise spread across his father’s expression as the strength of Jacoby’s spell hit him. He’d been practicing the spell for months, refining it, for this moment.

  He used rage to fuel it, the rage he’d kept bottled for years. What had started as anger at his father for his neglect had become a honed blade. He had a single-minded purpose and that was to take his father out. No matter the cost.

  Ignoring the pain from the bullet, he concentrated on the metal of the gun. Then he forced it to do what he wanted.

  If you were watching closely, you’d think the gun was melting. It wasn’t. It was deconstructing, becoming a liquid that seeped into his father’s skin and into his blood.

  His father’s expression was puzzled at first, but not concerned. Until it hit his blood.

  And then his expression changed. He grimaced at the first twinge of pain. His eyes narrowed and his mouth flattened. The hand he still held out in front of him shook and he looked at his arm as if it’d become alien, not something that was a part of him.

  His mouth opened as if to scream but nothing emerged. Jacoby felt nothing as he watched his father contort as the burning metal spread, pumping through his body and arrowing straight to his heart.

  “Jacoby.”

  He heard someone call his name, but he had to watch. He had to stand witness to what he’d done. What he’d become. Because this was who he was now.

  A killer.

  “Jacoby. We need to go.”

  Kari’s voice. Calm, warm, steady. He heard no fear, no condemnation. Though he deserved it. Look what he’d done to his own father.

  “Jacoby.” Her voice was closer now and he felt her hand land on his arm, a comforting weight he didn’t deserve. But he didn’t pull away. “You’re hurt. You need medical attention. Please, sweetheart. Come with me.”

  Hurt?

  He looked down and saw the spreading bloodstain on his shirt.

  And then the pain he’d been blocking hit him like a freight train. It took his breath away and left him gasping. And falling. But he never hit the floor.

  Then everything went black.

  Chapter Ten

  “Are you sure he’s going to be okay?”

  Amity sighed but only said, “Yes, Kari, he’s going to be fine,” in exactly the same tone she’d used the five previous times she’d answered Kari’s exact same question.

  For the past ten hours, she’d been sitting by Jacoby’s bedside in the lucani den, waiting for him to wake.

  She’d been so frightened he would die in her arms before they got him back to Amity. Kari had felt so useless, watching him go cold. And then suddenly Sal had appeared and transported them back to the den, where Amity had been waiting to heal him.

  As much power as Kari retained, physical healing was Amity’s specialty. Kari could heal the pain of a broken heart, but she couldn’t fix that heart if it was nicked by a bullet.

  Now, all she’d been able to do was wait for him to wake up.

  And waiting sucked.

  Especially when her replacement sat across the bed from her holding Jacoby’s other hand.

  Emelia seemed quiet, shy, reserved. Nothing at all like Kari. Which led to insanely stupid questions rolling through Kari’s head.

  Was this why she was being replaced? Because her people had decided she was worthless and didn’t want her around anymore? Or had they simply forgotten her altogether and had decided on someone who was her polar opposite to be their new goddess?

  And how absolutely ridiculous could you be?

  Shaking her head, she looked up and caught Emelia staring at her. They hadn’t said more than a few words to each other, but they’d been worried sick about Jacoby.

  Which was a total excuse that everyone had probably seen through. Kari was just a bitch and should own up to it. She wanted to stick her tongue out at herself.

  She was a total bitch.

  “Emelia, how are you holding up?”

  The girl barely raised her head, her gaze brushing Kari’s for a split second before lowering to stare at Jacoby’s hand in hers.

  “I’m fine, Lady Kari. Thank you for asking.”

  Oh yeah, this is going to go really well.

  “I know this is strange but once Jacoby wak
es up, we’ll figure this out, okay?”

  “Yes, Lady.”

  Now Kari wanted to bang her head against the wall. Luckily, Den walked into the room a second later.

  He’d been the one bright spot since they’d returned to the den. He’d barely left her side since he’d returned with Emelia. He’d held her hand or put his arm around her and drew her into his side. He’d been strong while she’d felt like she was coming apart at the seams. Maybe she was.

  “Any change?”

  His deep voice lit a fire inside her. Even though it was banked, it was still there. She just didn’t feel complete. She wanted them both, wanted everything. And she had a feeling she wasn’t going to have it.

  Because Jacoby had been ready to give his life to save his sister. Kari wanted to weep at the selflessness of it, but she also wanted to curse and spit and hit him because he didn’t want to fight to stay with her.

  Which made her selfish, didn’t it? Utterly and completely hopeless and unworthy.

  And, oh yeah, a total melodrama queen.

  Ugh. After a deep sigh, she smiled up at Den, because she couldn’t not smile at him. “No. But Amity says he needs to sleep. That’s how he’ll heal.” “Then I guess I’m healed because I’m not asleep anymore.” “Jack!” Emelia cried out and threw herself over her brother, hugging him tight as his arms went around her shoulders and brought her even closer. After he’d released the hand Kari had been holding. “Eme. Thank the Gods. You’re okay. Were you hurt?” “No, I’m not. Den and Lady Kari made sure.” Kari drew away, though she couldn’t go far because Den stood at her back, hands on her shoulders. She wanted to be the one he embraced so tightly, be the first person he looked for when he woke. But she knew how important Emelia was to him and she couldn’t help but feel a little happy because he was so happy. She felt his joy at seeing his sister and her lips curved in a smile, which was what he saw when he glanced at her. “Kari. Are you okay?” “I’m fine. I’m so glad you’re awake. I’m sure you’d like some time alone with your sister. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m just going to...go find my sister.” “Kari—” “Don’t get up.” She laid her hand on his shoulder and pushed him back into the bed. He went without a fight and she could tell he wasn’t healed completely. Only rest would accomplish that. “You need to sleep. I’ll be by to check on you later.” She could tell he wanted to say something more but then he glanced at his sister and he nodded. “Thank you. Both of you.” He glanced at Den before looking back at Kari. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking but it was probably better that way. She probably didn’t want to know. She made her escape quickly because she felt tears hovering and she didn’t want Jacoby to see them. “Kari, are you okay?” In the hall outside Jacoby’s room in the lucani gathering hall, she forced a smile for Den. “I’m fine. I just need to...go.” His hand landed on her shoulder and stopped her in her tracks. “Kinda seems like you’re running. And you know when you run, I have to follow.” This time she didn’t have to force her smile. “I’m glad to hear that. I just need a few minutes to myself.” “Just make sure they’re only a few minutes. I’m not leaving you. We’re not leaving you. Even if you wanted us to go, I wouldn’t. Not now. You know that, right?” It sounded like a vow. One she wanted to believe. But things were different now. Jacoby had his sister and Den had his mother to think about. And she was about to be completely obsolete. She lifted her hand and stroked it down his cheek, loving the feel of his stubble against her palm. Even now wanting to feel it against her bare thighs. “Thank you, Den. I just need a little time to...get some things in order.” His gaze narrowed but he nodded and didn’t follow her when she walked away.

  *****

  Three days later, Den had had enough.

  Kari avoided him. Jacoby had healed completely but was withdrawn and preoccupied. Only his mom seemed to be on the mend and in good spirits.

  She’d been meeting with the scientist who’d cured her son of the same disease killing his mom. She already looked a hundred percent better.

  He still had no idea what the lucani planned to do with them so that’s where he was headed now. To talk to the lucani king.

  He’d walked down the stairs to the office Cole kept in the community center, which was also where he and Jacoby continued to stay. It wasn’t a prison but he knew if they’d wanted to go exploring, someone would’ve been on their asses immediately.

  Knocking on the door, he wasn’t surprised when Cole’s personal guard, Dorian, opened it and waved him in.

  The woman didn’t say a lot and she didn’t look at all threatening. But Den figured if she was guarding the king, she probably had a few tricks up her sleeve and he did not want to find out what those were.

  “Den. Thanks for meeting with me. There are a few things we need to go over.”

  Cole didn’t smile much, either, but Den didn’t think that was because the guy didn’t like him. He thought Cole was drowning in details. The guy obviously had a lot on his mind.

  “No problem.” He took the seat Cole waved at, even though he felt like he needed to stand at attention. He had a pretty good idea Cole got saluted on a regular basis but Den wasn’t lucani. He was Etruscan, however, and those ties ran deep. They worshipped the same gods and shared the same magic in their blood. Den just wasn’t sure that was enough to earn him and Jacoby a place here.

  “So.” Cole leaned back in his chair, tapping the pen in his hand against the desktop. “Guess we should start with the obvious question first. Do you want to stay?”

  Den’s eyes widened as shock hit him. “I wasn’t sure that was going to be an option.”

  “I wasn’t either. But I’ve talked to Kari and I talked to your mom. Your mom’s great, by the way. Glad to see she’s doing better.”

  “Uh, thanks. I appreciate you letting Grace work with her.”

  Cole’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “Yeah, I don’t let Grace do anything. Grace does whatever the hell she wants and tells me to go to hell if I even attempt to tell her no.”

  Having met Grace Bellasario, Den understood Cole’s amusement. The woman was a force of nature.

  “So,” Cole continued. “Are you planning to stay? Kari vouched for you but we’re not the Mal. We don’t conscript soldiers. If you want to stay, you pledge your loyalty and then you prove it. You don’t...” He shrugged. “There are consequences.”

  Which Den figured included pain and death.

  “I need to talk to Jacoby.”

  “So you two are a package deal?”

  He thought for a few seconds before he answered that question. Then he nodded. “Yeah, we are.”

  Cole shrugged. “We can deal with that.”

  Then he stood and Den did, too, taking the hand Cole held across the desk. “Let me know by the end of the week.”

  Den nodded then headed for the door.

  “Hey, Den?”

  He turned, hand on the knob. “Yeah?”

  “A little unsolicited advice?” Cole lifted an eyebrow and his grin now had a smart-ass curve to it. “When a goddess vouches for you, I’d make sure you properly thank her. They tend to get a little testy when they think you don’t appreciate them.”

  He didn’t bother to answer Cole, but he figured that didn’t require a response.

  What Cole didn’t know was that he’d been trying to properly thank his goddess for the past three days but she’d been avoiding him like he had the plague.

  She’d been to see Jacoby several times but he was being a dick. There was something up with him, and Den had yet to figure out what.

  Of course, the guy’s father had tried to kill him but Jacoby had killed him first. In a fairly horrific way with a power he barely knew how to control. That was sure to freak anyone out.

  But Jacoby wouldn’t talk. And his sister... Vaffanculo, she was downright silent compared to Jacoby. She’d refused to leave Jacoby’s side, had requested they bring in a bed so she could sleep there as well. She had asked once about the man s
he’d insisted they bring with them but that had been it. She was either terrified or plotting how to make them pay for stealing her away. And the few times he’d seen her in the same vicinity as Kari, she’d seemed to shrink into herself even more. And Kari had looked heartsick. It was all a fucking mess. And he felt like he was the only one who wanted to fix things. Well, that was about to come to an end. He didn’t bother to knock on Jacoby’s door when he got there; he just walked in. Emelia jumped and practically flattened herself against the wall to the left of the window, where she must’ve been standing, staring out like she did so much of the time. Jacoby didn’t look startled at all, sitting in front of the TV, probably because he knew the only person who’d come barging in here was Den. “Hey, Eme, can you give us a few minutes?” She blinked, as if she didn’t understand the question. “Um, sure. Where should I go?” “You know you’re not a prisoner, right? Why don’t you go downstairs? There’s a common room with a library and a TV and some video games. And I think I saw a pinball machine.” She took a step toward the bed, looking at her brother as if she needed his permission. When he nodded, her shoulders slumped as she headed out the door. As soon as the door closed behind her, Jacoby sighed. “We finally getting kicked out?” “Why do you think that?” “Why would they want to keep us around? We’re a liability. The Mal are going to come after Eme, and I need to find somewhere we can hide. We need—” “They offered to let us stay. They want us to stay.” Jacoby’s jaw tensed before he shook his head. “Then they want to keep Eme, not us. They’re just—” “Did you not hear what I just said? They want us to stay. Cole said Kari vouched for us.” “She did?” “Did you think she wouldn’t?” “What the hell was I supposed to think? I haven’t seen her in days.” “Maybe because she figured you didn’t want to see her. Christ, how dense can you be? You’ve been a fucking stone wall the past three days. You barely speak to anyone except Emelia. You haven’t even talked to me. I figured you wanted to get the hell out of here and I was trying to decide how to get you to stay. I want to fucking stay. I want to stay with Kari. She needs us to watch her back, just like we need each other. But if you want to leave, then I’ll follow. We stick together.” “How the hell do you even know she wants us to stay?” There. That’s what Den had been waiting to see. That spark of hope in Jacoby’s eyes. “Because she’s been here the entire time. She hasn’t left. She’s waiting for us. We need to make sure she knows we need her as much as she needs us. She needs to know we’re going to be here for her, that we’re not going to take off and desert her.” “How the hell can you be sure?” “Because I see the way she looks at you. And I know how I feel about her.” Jacoby fell silent, staring out the window again. “I’m not sure I’m fit to be around anyone, Den. This power... It’s not like anything I’ve heard of before. I’m dangerous.” “So is she. Don’t you get it? It doesn’t matter. Your power is what’s going to keep her safe. And I’ll watch our backs. That’s how this is gonna work. So get your head out of your ass and help me figure out how the fuck we’re going to convince her she should give us another chance.” Jacoby’s smile made a slow return. “I’m in.”