by Theda Black
Xander slide over the seat and sagged against the passenger side car door. “He takes what he wants, he doesn’t ask.”
Seth was suddenly, blindingly furious. He pounded the wheel in frustration. “If there’s any way to do it, man, I’m going to kill him.”
Xander stared out the window. “If there is, you’ll have to get behind me.”
“Don’t count on it.”
Seth drove the rest of the way home. He pulled into Beth’s driveway around to the back. Simon approached from behind in an old tan truck, beat up as hell. He waved and walked to the back porch.
Xander cursed. “Remember what I said. You don’t tell him anything. Don’t offer any personal information—especially about where you’re from. I mean it.”
“I heard you already. He’s just an old guy.”
“You said you believe me, Seth, so you have to listen. Say nothing personal at all. You hear me?”
“I hear you. C’mon, we gotta get you to the room. I’ll see if Beth has some aspirin or something.”
Simon held open the back door, looking out as the two approached. “How’s Beth treating you?”
“She’s great, Simon, how are you?” Seth said.
“Why are you here? Where’s Beth?” Xander asked.
Simon peered at Xander coming up the stairs. “She’s right inside. In the sitting room. Something wrong?” He smirked like someone half his age.
Seth’s brow furrowed. “He’s sick. He’s got a fever.”
“He’s soaking wet. What you boys been into?”
“Nothing,” Xander snapped. “Why are you so curious?”
Simon frowned, his eyebrows lowering. “No need to be rude.”
“He didn’t mean it. He’s sick.”
“Not sick. I told you that.”
“Stubborn, too,” said Seth, looking around. The three of them were crowded inside a small room with a washer and dryer.
Simon nodded toward the hallway. “Tell you what, I’ll get a pitcher of cold water for the bedside and some aspirin. You take him on up to your room and I’ll bring it up. I reckon Beth will want to make him some soup for lunch.”
“Okay, thanks.” Seth ushered Xander into the hall and up the stairs.
They changed as soon as they got to their room, Xander into a T-shirt and jogging pants, Seth into dry jeans and a shirt.
Seth led Xander to the bed and pulled back the cover. “Would you look at this.”
“What?” Xander lay down with a sigh.
“The sheets are white, so jizz stains shouldn’t stand out much. Not that it matters with you sick.”
Xander gave a thumbs-up sign, then let his arm flop back to the bed. “It matters. I’m going to get in your pants if it’s the last thing I do.”
It was said casually, but it got to Seth. “All you have to do is say the word.”
“I know. Believe me, I want to.” Xander rolled onto his side, pulled the covers up and huddled under them. “Could you get me something to drink?”
“Simon’s bringing something in a minute.”
“Just don’t say anything and you’ll be fine.”
“Now who’s the parrot? I got it, okay?”
Seth stepped out of the bedroom just as Simon appeared in the hallway, holding a tray with a pitcher of ice water, two glasses and a bottle of aspirin. There was tea as well, steaming in two glass cups.
Seth nodded. “Thanks. And would you thank Beth for us?” He took the tray from Simon.
“Hope he feels better.” Simon turned back to the steps again.
Seth went back to the room, pushing the door closed with his foot. “Sit up.”
Xander sighed. “Okay.” He took the glass of water Seth poured and the aspirin, swallowing them. “You know, I suck at facing down demonic sex gods. Or godlike sex demons. Or Pan with a bad attitude. Whatever.”
Seth picked up a cup of tea. “Here, try it.” He handed it to Xander and lifted the other cup from the tray, tasting it. “Ah, that’s nice. Chai tea.”
Xander took a sip, then drank half of it in one gulp before handing the cup back. He sighed and lay back down. “What are you going to do now?”
“Do you feel like eating?”
“Not really.”
“Well, I’m going to see what food Beth’s got for a sick person who doesn’t want to eat, and then I’m going to eat some of her famous food for myself.”
“Not sick. Not hungry. Just tired,” Xander grumbled, curling up under the blanket again. His hair stuck out over the edge. “Go on, get some dinner, or lunch, or whatever. I know you’re starving.”
“Okay, but I’ll be right back.” Seth looked around the room for Xander’s cell phone. “Call me if you want something before then, yeah?”
“Sure,” Xander mumbled, already near sleep.
Seth left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He headed downstairs for the kitchen.
Simon stood at the counter. The coffee maker dripped a final drop or two into a nearly full carafe.
Seth took in a deep breath. “God, that smells good.”
“Figured it might.” Simon held out the mug of coffee to Seth, then turned to pour himself one. “The two of you looked plenty miserable coming back. You take care of the boy?”
Seth took a sip of coffee, then another. It was hot and strong. “As much as I could. He needs to sleep. He needs to eat, too.” He slipped his phone out of his pocket to look at the time. “Man, it’s 3:30. We were out longer than I thought.”
“Not that we’ve had many visitors, but I can always tell the townies whenever they come through.” Simon sipped his coffee. “They’re always checkin’ the time.”
Beth came into the kitchen on the tail-end of the comment. “Hardly ever. Most folks don’t realize we exist.” She smiled at Seth. “We mostly like it that way. I’m one of the more sociable ones around here—I like some company now and then.” She opened the refrigerator. “You think Xander might eat something?”
“He said he wasn’t hungry, but he hasn’t had anything today. Maybe something light?”
“I think maybe some chicken soup,” Beth decided. “Always good for sickness.” She closed the refrigerator door and opened the top freezer, pulling out a container. “Frozen, but homemade.”
“It sounds great,” Seth said. “Anything I can do?”
“Nothing to be done, really.” Beth pulled the lid off the container and put it in the microwave. “I just need to heat this up.” She opened a box of crackers and poured a drink, then put them on the tray. The microwave dinged and she stirred the soup, then put it in for another minute and stirred again. The room smelled fragrant. “Taste it.” She held the spoon out to Seth. “Hot enough?”
Seth nodded. “It’s good.” His stomach growled.
Beth poured a bowl full and put it on the tray, then handed it to Seth. Seth took it up the stairs, set the tray on a side table and opened the door quietly.
Xander walked out of the bathroom. He turned to get into bed, his sweats hanging low and clinging to his ass.
Seth stared at him. “No fair showing off when you’re sick.”
“I’m not sick and I’m not showing off shit,” Xander said, hitching half-heartedly at his pants. He slid into bed.
“Brought you some soup,” Seth said, disappearing a moment to grab the tray. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Why aren’t I ever?” Xander asked grumpily.
“Dreams?”
Xander shrugged.
Seth sat down beside him and felt his forehead. “That’s better, I think.”
“You’re like a Jewish grandmother.” Xander closed his eyes and sighed, leaning into Seth’s touch. Seth didn’t think he realized he’d done it.
“So you like Jewish grandmothers?”
“Of course I do. I’ve never had anyone look after me like this before. What’s that?”
“Chicken soup.”
Xander smiled. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.
Told you you’re psychic.” Seth leaned close and kissed him lightly.
“Come back here.” Xander reached for him.
Seth shook his head. “Eat.”
“Eat later,” Xander insisted.
“You love to eat. You’re worrying me.”
“Good grief. Don’t worry. Not about this. I love to do other things, too.”
“You’re not feeling well.”
“Jesus, you’re extreme.” Xander sighed. “I give up.”
“Good. Eat.”
“You eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“What? So go eat, then.”
“You’ll finish your soup if I do?”
“For God’s sake. I’ll finish my soup. Go,” Xander said, holding Seth’s gaze to his. “Then come back. Soon. Okay?”
Seth gave him another quick kiss and jumped off the bed. “Be right back.”
17
SETH RACED DOWN the stairs as if by rushing he’d get back quicker. He slowed just as he reached the kitchen. Simon and Beth sat at the table, both of them drinking coffee.
“How’s Xander?” Beth asked.
“He looks better already.”
“Good. I’ve got more soup. Help yourself. Soda, tea and milk are all in the refrigerator.”
“Thanks.” Seth managed to remember where the bowls were located in the cabinet and grabbed a spoon from the drawer. He filled his bowl and pulled a soda from the refrigerator, then set everything down at a spot at the end of the table and dove in.
Beth laughed. “A good appetite, I like that.”
“Sorry,” Seth said, abashed. He tried to slow down. The soup was delicious.
“Don’t be. I love to see someone enjoy my cooking. They take it for granted around here.”
“And that’s called fishing for compliments.” Simon looked at Seth, mouth quirking humorously. “That will never happen, dear,” he added, patting Beth’s hand. “It’s a small town but we’re not unappreciative, and you know it.”
“Can I ask you why Twin Wolves is so—so…” Seth trailed off, not wanting to offend.
“Isolated? Insular?” Beth asked. She shrugged. “We’ve been like this since the town came into existence, so the old folks like to say. It’s almost a…point of pride, I guess. If it were possible, I wonder if this town wouldn’t completely shut itself off.”
“We lose a lot of young people, but not all. Some of them even come back,” Simon added. “Your friend, for example.”
“What?” Seth said. His spoon clattered to the table, and he didn’t know how he’d dropped it.
“He’s a troubled boy.” Simon nodded, affirming his statement.
“He’s fine,” Seth said. He looked into the bowl. He hadn’t eaten all of the soup. He felt nauseous. Sweat prickled over his body in a sudden flush.
“He will be. He’s home.” Beth put a hand on Seth’s arm. “How are you feeling?”
Seth blinked slowly. “Home?”
Beth smiled and slid her chair out. She picked up Seth’s bowl and dumped the rest of the soup down the garbage disposal. “You didn’t eat all of it. I thought you liked it.”
Seth stared at her, then down the length of the table. It seemed twenty feet long. He dropped his head into his hand to keep it from falling. He heard the faucet run and then the disposal.
“We ran the Mayfairs off these mountains long ago.” Simon’s voice rose, then lowered as Beth turned the disposal off. “It’s what Pan Agreus wanted. Turns out your family was a bunch of stubborn cusses and wouldn’t move far. They should have gone away and never looked back.”
“You—what you are you saying? Agreus?”
Beth patted his hand. “Poor Seth, acting like you know nothing about any of this. I suppose you must try.”
“’M here cause of Xander. Wanta help him. Don’t you hurt him.”
“He’s promised to Agreus. Nobody in town would hurt the chosen one.” She looked at Simon. “Speaking of, you should probably check on him.”
Simon nodded and stood, going out the kitchen door.
“What’d you do to him?” Seth said, trying to shout. It wasn’t even close—there was no strength to his voice. His fingers, clutching the edge of the table, were white with effort.
“The same as we’ve done to you. Don’t worry, he’s safe. Which is more than I can say for you, frankly. Agreus still sends Simon dreams, sometimes. That’s how we knew Xander was coming. We knew nothing of you. How do you keep yourself from our god? How did Xander?”
“You’re crazy.” Seth’s tongue felt swollen and strange in his mouth. He tried to rise and couldn’t.
“You told Simon your family lives in the foothills. We went through your wallet while you slept. Imagine our surprise when we realized you’re a Mayfair.” Beth leaned close, confiding. “We found your family.”
“I swear to god—”
“We’ve hurt no one. Simon called and asked for you. Your mother told him you were on a trip with Xander, so then we knew for sure. What did you think you could do here that would help him, Seth?”
Simon came back in the room. “He’s fine. Out cold.”
Beth nodded and beamed at Seth. “You really weren’t careful at all, were you?”
“I didn’t know where he was going,” Seth whispered. “I just wanted to be with him.”
“To protect him.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Of course you did. You’re a Mayfair,” said Simon. “Your bloodline is immune to demons and gods.”
“I can’t hear or know some mythological beings that don’t exist.”
“Xander can’t have hidden himself completely from you,” Beth said kindly. “The dreams can’t be disguised. Or do you think he’s insane?”
“He’s from Twin Wolves, as your people originally were. And you’re telling us you didn’t know?” Simon laughed.
“Believe what you want.” Seth’s voice slurred. “The dreams have taken everything from Xander. When he said he had to be here, I came with him.”
Simon laughter turned to a smile. “Good.”
“Good? Do you know what this is doing to him?”
Simon leaned closer. “We’ve been waiting.”
“Why?” Seth whispered. He dug fingernails into his palms to stay awake.
“Xander was promised to Agreus at birth. But when Xander’s father died, his mother was alone. She was afraid. She ran. Nobody could find her. We tried so hard.” He shook his head. “Our only hope was that someday the boy would trigger, even far away from Pan and these mountains. For a long time, he didn’t. But finally my dreams came back. I saw Xander and his erastes, the catalyst that brought him home.” Simon sighed. “There’s too much of the seer in the boy, I think. Something in his blood calls it from Pan and Sose. It complicates things.”
“He knows everything the bastard does. It tortures him.” Seth lowered his face to the table. His cheek rested against the surface. It felt cool against his hot face. “He sees it all. He hates it. He hates him. He’ll hate you.”
Beth leaned to kiss Simon’s cheek. “It’s almost time, sweetheart.”
Seth blinked at them. “You’re—Jesus, are you—”
“Beth’s my wife,” Simon said. “Is that what you’re asking? I’m two years older than she is. Pan rode me for two of the nine-year cycles, same as all who are promised to him. He never rides easily. Wore me right out.” He put an arm around Beth’s shoulder. “But in return, he takes care of my family, the town and these mountains.”
“Sandra, Billy.” Beth turned to the kitchen door.
Seth’s focus narrowed, darkness closing in. He bit the inside of his mouth, tasting blood, and made his eyes stay open as Sandra and Billy walked into the kitchen.
Sandra’s eyes were flat, blank. Billy clutched her hand, eyes to the floor.
“The promise between Twin Wolves and our god will be kept. Agreus has waited so many years for Xander.” Beth bent to Seth’s ear. “He won’t wait much lo
nger. Billy’s been promised, just as Xander was.” She pulled back until they were eye to eye. “What do you think he’ll do to Billy if you keep Xander from the god?”
Seth blinked. His eyes refused to stay open. Darkness swallowed him down.
He dreamed of Xander walking on the path leading up the mountain, moving further and further away.
18
SETH AWAKENED FACE down on the cold ground, hands tied behind him. He was parched, the inside of his mouth dry and papery, and his pulse felt heavy and slow. He rolled over and sat up, listing drunkenly. Chill night air pebbled his skin. Somebody had taken his shirt and shoes.
Black shadows wavered between him and the fires spaced around the clearing. Smoke roiled and curled up into the sky. The air smelled like burnt hair and roasted meat.
There was a hoarse yell, muffled and directionless. Seth scrambled awkwardly to his feet, staggering, dizzy. The shadow-people didn’t interfere, giving way before him.
The trees loomed over the clearing he and Xander had visited earlier, contours lost in the orange glow of the fires, striped in between with solid darkness. They looked like prison walls made to hold everyone inside.
In front of the ash heap, dark stains splashed the ground. Seth squinted, moving closer. It was blood. Fucking shit, it was blood. He raised his eyes and blinked, once, twice. A dog lay atop the mound of ashes, shrunken, angular and pathetic. Other bones jutted from beneath, blackened and burned bare.
Movement caught his eye. Xander was sprawled across the stone altar on the other side of the ash pile. For one heart-stopping split-second, Seth was convinced he was dead, sacrificed like the poor dog. Adrenaline overwhelmed his body so fast he gagged, nearly sick, shaking in reaction.
Xander struggled against two men holding his arms spread straight above his head. Knotted rope trailed from each of his wrists, which helped the men hold onto him as he writhed and fought. Another two men pulled his legs apart. They used their weight for leverage as Xander kicked and bucked.
They’d taken his clothes. His body gleamed with oil, flickering gold and red with the fires ducking and wavering in the wind.
Another man, blond, tall, in his early thirties, separated himself from the shadows. He laid his hands on Xander’s bare stomach, palms flat, rubbing his skin as if soothing a nervous horse. Gradually his hands moved in wider circles, sweeping up and down Xander’s body.
