Rising Sun (The Awakened Trilogy Book 3)

by Amanda Carol

  Mmm. Coffee sounds wonderful. I lie back down in the bed, stretching out my muscles.

  Then get your sexy ass out of bed before they get here, he tells me.

  I chuckle.

  I love hearing you laugh, he says.

  I cackle really obnoxiously loud.

  Still love it.

  Figured. I smile, shutting the link off.

  I head over to the dresser to change into some workout clothes, then go into the bathroom and glance at myself, thankful that my eyes aren’t glowing. Hopefully I can learn how to control that better sooner rather than later. I can just see everyone trying to make me feel things just to get them to glow. I brush my teeth and hair, then throw my hair into a ponytail and walk out of the bathroom, pulling my shoes on.

  I’m coming down the steps when Ciera bursts in the front door. Unlike Bennett, Ciera knocks and waits for someone to answer the door, so we know something’s very wrong. Hunter comes running out of the kitchen.

  “Please. You have to come quick. It’s Declan!” she says breathlessly, then turns and runs right back out of the cabin.

  I jump down the last five steps and run out the door right behind Hunter.

  I race after them and get to their cabin. Ciera is already kneeling down by Declan’s head as he lies on the ground. He’s pale, shaking, and sweating.

  “He’s having a vision. They don’t normally get this bad, and I didn’t want to disturb you, but I didn’t know what else to do.” Ciera’s voice is shaky as she cradles his head in her lap.

  I kneel down beside my brother and take his hand. His eyes flick to mine.

  “It’s okay. Breathe through it,” I command.

  He takes in a shaky breath.

  “Good. Can you tell us what you see?” I ask.

  Hunter kneels down next to Ciera, putting his arm around her and comforting her. I know my brother is going to be fine, but maybe if he talks through it, it might help him figure out what’s really going on.

  Declan squeezes his eyes shut. “Isabella has gathered up an army of vampires.” His head and body twitch, but keeping him talking seems to be helping him through this. “I see a date on a calendar… It’s circled… January seventh? That’s when she plans to open the pit to release the Titans.” His body tenses even more. “She’s keeping the other demigods locked up somewhere, away from the other gods.”

  Hunter’s eyes lock with mine for just a moment before we both turn our attention back to my brother. Declan seems to be gathering himself now. He’s stopped shaking and color is returning back into his face.

  “Where?” Hunter asks.

  Declan shakes his head. “I don’t know, but I know it’s…fuck!” He sits straight up, almost knocking me back, and his wide eyes lock with mine. “She’s got them locked up in some house just outside of Portland, near Mount St. Helens.”

  Ciera gasps, placing a hand over her mouth and standing up. “Oh…my God! I was wondering what Apollo was talking about when he said, ‘The last eruption we had was on her birthday’ when he was talking about Isabella. He used the word eruption, which is weird, and that date isn’t anything specific.”

  Wait, what?

  “Ciera…” Hunter looks at her and she stops talking. “What is it?”

  Ciera grins. “Apollo was trying to tell us all along, in the only way he could. Mount St. Helens is an active volcano. Most people believed that volcanos were a gateway to the Underworld. Of course, nobody really believed them, but that’s not the point.” Ciera shakes her head. “Eruption was a clue to the volcano. The pit. And with what Declan just said, that means the Titans are inside the volcano.”

  “Holy shit.” Declan breathes, standing up. “And January seventh…it’s not an important date to any of us—”

  “But it is to her.” Ciera beams, grabbing hold of Declan’s hands. “It’s her birthday.”

  I shake my head. “You mean to tell me she’s releasing the Titans on her birthday? Why?”

  Ciera shrugs. “I’m not Isabella, but if I had to venture a guess, it would be because not only was it her birthday, but that’s also the day that Apollo was caught in bed with Daphne.”

  My mouth drops open.

  “How did you know that?” Hunter asks, his brows furrowing in confusion.

  Ciera rolls her eyes and shrugs. “I like to know facts. What Apollo said that day got my mind racing, and I pulled out my old Greek mythology books. I didn’t understand the significance of the date until just now, though.”

  My eyes grow wide. “You don’t think that eruption from the volcano back in the eighties had anything to do with her trying to release the Titans?”

  Declan shoots me a look.

  I shrug. “What? I actually did pay attention in history class.”

  “Well, if at first you don’t succeed…” Declan finally says under his breath.

  Ciera slaps his arm.

  I look over at Hunter, and he glances between all of us. A smile forms on his lips, revealing a dimple.

  “Do you guys realize that we have finally have knowledge of not only when, but where this is all going down?” he asks.

  I immediately feel a surge of hope run through my veins.

  This is the first time we’ve actually been almost one step ahead of her. We knew what she was planning, but we never knew when it was going to happen. We’d been trying to find out important dates, seeing if we could narrow it down, but nothing really stuck. Until now.

  “I think the reason Apollo said what he said to Ciera was because he knew she was the only one who’d be able to figure it all out. They’ve been helping us in different ways because they didn’t want Zeus to find out,” Declan says, putting his arm around Ciera.

  I glance at my brother. “Are you okay? Do your visions always happen like that?”

  “No, not really. That was really intense. Ciera and I were trying to see if maybe I could force a vision. I focused in on Isabella, and it was almost like I got inside her head, only I was watching it from the outside,” Declan admits. “Almost puked while she was out grabbing you.”

  “Are the other demigods safe?” Hunter asks.

  “Isabella needs them alive, so I’m sure they are,” Declan says.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask, turning to Hunter.

  “I think I have a plan. Can you try and locate them?” Hunter asks Declan as he takes my hand.

  Declan nods. “I’m sure I can. Ciera and I will keep working on it together, and as soon as I know, you will too.”

  Hunter nods. “Thanks.” He looks at me. “Let’s go.”

  I wave goodbye, and before I turn, I see Declan lean down and kiss Ciera. I turn back around quickly, because even though I love them together, I really don’t need to see that.

  When we get back to the cabin, there are eight wolves sitting around in our living room. I take a seat on the floor next to Bennett while Hunter stands up in the middle of the room, facing all of us.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, but we just got some great news. Actually, it’s more than great…” He pauses, making sure he has everyone’s undivided attention. “We know exactly when and where Isabella will be releasing the Titans, but we only have about a week and half to prepare. Gunner, how fast can the rest of your pack from New York get here?”

  “If I let my Beta know now, they could probably get here within the day,” Gunner responds.

  Hunter nods. “Caleb?”

  He turns to the alpha standing with his arms crossed over his chest in corner of the room.

  “By tonight,” Caleb says.

  “Good. Call them now. I want as many wolves as I can get here to train with myself and Ares. This next week will kick our asses, but we’ll be ready. Haku, I need the rest of your pack on the next flight out to Portland. Oliver, I want you and Knox on the next flight out as well to meet them there,” Hunter announces.

  I look over at Knox, who clenches his jaw. I know he doesn’t want to leave Grace.

  “I need y
ou to take Grace, Kat, and Zayne with you, and also take one of the air witches,” Hunter tells him. “There are other demigods hidden in a house somewhere outside of Portland. I want you to find them, and let the witches come with you. They will be able to sense their power. Declan can trigger a vision, so he will be working on getting the exact location. Hopefully, we’ll have that before you even land. When you find them, they need to be trained on magic only. We need all the help we can get, so I’m hoping they will be strong enough. Let me know if they’re too weak, but Isabella needs them alive, so I doubt she’s starving them.”

  Hunter stands there commanding the room like a true Alpha. I know he wanted to talk to them and get their input, but by the looks of the others sitting around the room, they don’t have anything to add. I’m sure they will when it comes to battle strategy, though.

  “What about Isabella? Don’t you think she will be at that house?” Clyde asks in his thick Russian accent.

  Hunter shakes his head. “No. I think she wants us to believe that, which is why I don’t think she is anywhere near them. If anything, Athena is the one we need to worry about. I have no idea what her end game is.”

  “Would it be a good idea to send Luna with Oliver and Knox? Luna can help if Athena shows up,” Bennett throws in.

  Hunter nods at his best friend. “Yes, take Luna. She can also help the other demigods with their magic as well as keep all of you safe while out there. Anyone have any questions?”

  Everyone shakes their heads.

  “Good. Meet me out in the clearing in one hour. We’ll begin training then,” Hunter orders.

  Before the wolves leave the house, each of them shakes Hunter’s hand.

  “Dude, way to command the room,” Bennett says, clapping Hunter on the back. He goes to walk out, but Hunter stops him.

  “Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl while I was out,” Hunter says.

  Bennett glances over at me and smirks.

  “Of course, bro. She’s my second-best friend.” He winks.

  I smile at him, remembering what he said to me in the tunnel, and then his eyes widen in shock.

  “Holy shit! Your eyes are glowing!” he exclaims.

  “No! Oh, my God!” I quickly cover them as Hunter laughs. “Haven’t you ever seen glowing eyes before? You’re a wolf shifter!”

  “Yes, but that’s different. I’ve never seen them on a demigod before. Actually, on anything other than shifters,” Bennett laughs. “It’s so cool. Let me see them again!”

  “No way!” I shout.

  “She can link to the other Alphas now too. All at once, like me,” Hunter explains. “I guess now since she can do that, she also takes on our greatest attribute.”

  “Oh, shit! Sweet! Oh man, this is going to be fun,” Bennett cackles.

  I flip him off with my eyes closed, which just makes him laugh even harder.

  “All right, peace out,” he says.

  I don’t even have to open my eyes to know that he threw up the peace sign before leaving.

  I feel hands on mine, pulling them away from my face. I open my eyes and look up at Hunter, who is smiling down at me, revealing the dimples I love so much.

  “I’m never going to grow tired of seeing them glow,” he whispers before tilting my face up so he can kiss me.

  I melt into him, and too soon, he pulls back.

  “Let’s go visit your mom,” he murmurs.

  He takes my hand and we make our way over to medical room. When we get to my mom’s room, I’m surprised to see Declan and Ciera there, and a tiny little giggle sounds from the bathroom. When the door opens up, Maggie pops out.

  “Ta-da!” she shouts, throwing her hands up in the air. “Isn’t my new dress pretty?”

  She twirls, and my mom laughs. “Oh, yes. It is very pretty.”

  “Fank you.” She turns to us. “Hunter!”

  She runs over to him, and he smiles as she leaps into his arms.

  “Well, hello, Miss Maggie May,” Hunter says, tickling her belly.

  My heart swells as I watch him interact with her. Since I’ve been here, I’ve never seen him interact with a child before. I have to say, it’s really sexy.

  “Hi Ar-we-a!” She reaches for me, and I take her into my arms.

  I chuckle. “How are you today, Maggie?”

  “I’m grrrreat! Mommy and Daddy had to go to the store, and I asked if I could stay with Ms. Campbell and Declan, and you know what they said?” She leans in to whisper in my ear. “They said yes!”

  I laugh. “Oh, did they?”

  “Mm-hmm” Maggie squirms and I set her down. She runs over to Ciera and sits in her lap. “Did you see what Declan got me for Christmas? Look!”

  She holds her tiny little wrist out to reveal a beaded bracelet with Disney princesses dangling off of it.

  “That’s lovely,” my mom says enthusiastically.

  Her eyes flick up to Declan, and he flushes. Ciera reaches out and touches his hand.

  My mom turns to me and Hunter standing by the door. “Who might this handsome young man be with my daughter?”

  “Mom, this is Hunter,” I say bringing Hunter with me over to her.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Matthews.” He smiles at her, revealing his dimples. “Aria has told me so much about you.” He reaches for her hand to shake it.

  She looks over at me and beams. My mom has always known that I’ve struggled with opening up and letting people in, so I think it makes her happy that I’ve found someone who helped me realize that keeping things bottled up isn’t the answer.

  “All good things, I hope.” Mom looks at me and winks.

  “Definitely.” Hunter smiles again.

  He pulls up a chair and drags it closer to my mom’s bed, and then grabs my waist, bringing me down to his lap. I almost feel weird about sitting on his lap in front of her, but when I see the look of contentment on my mom’s face, I relax my body against Hunter’s.

  “Oh, good. I worry about what comes out of that one’s mouth sometimes.” My mom looks pointedly at me.

  Declan laughs, and she turns to him.

  “You too, buddy. Your sister may have had her father’s quick temper, but you could manipulate your way out of a detention.”

  It’s my turn to laugh. “Busted!”

  It’s really good to see life back in my mom. I was afraid that it was going to take her some time to get used to all of this and not feel like Isabella still has her.

  I’ve always admired the way my mother carries herself. When my Uncle Clayton died, I thought she handled that with dignity and grace. Declan and I spent a lot of time with him out on his boat going crabbing and fishing out in the bay growing up, so we took his death pretty hard, and she stayed strong for us during that time. This is different, and I’m worried that what happened to her hasn’t fully sunk in yet. But when it does, Declan and I will step up and be strong for her.

  We sit and chat with my mom for a while. Maggie starts to get tired, so she climbs onto Declan’s lap and falls asleep.

  I have to admit that he’s incredible with her. I never would have pegged Declan to step up and help out with not just one, but all the kids here. He must really love Ciera. I honestly think he loves all the kids too, but Maggie stole his heart. I’m really, truly happy at how far my brother has come in just a short time.

  Sitting here and getting to know the most important people in her kids’ lives must be heartwarming for my mom, and it seems as though she’s getting along great with Hunter and Ciera. But then all of a sudden, she starts crying.

  “Mom? What’s wrong?” I ask, getting up from Hunter’s lap and moving over to the bed.

  She sniffs. “I never thought I would see you again. And here we are, sitting in a small room, and I feel like I missed a lifetime. Declan has a wonderful young woman who complements him in every way, and you, my girl, have grown up to be such a remarkable young woman, like I always knew you would. You found an everlasting love in Hunter.” She paus
es to wipe her eyes. “Both of you have grown up so much, and I feel like I missed all the pivotal moments that made you the strong individuals who are sitting here in front of me today. I just wish your father was here to see this.”

  I wipe the tears that have fallen from my eyes.

  “Mom,” I choke out, glancing over at Hunter.

  I already know that when I look back at my mom, my eyes will be glowing, but I don’t care. She gasps at the sight like I expected her to, but I continue anyway.

  “The last three years without you and Dad… It devastated us, but the memory of you made us who we are. You taught us how to love and be loved. Up until a few months ago, it was just Declan and I, looking out for each other. We were the only family each other had. But then we came here, and we met people who were like us. Who understood us when nobody else would. Yes, you missed us meeting Hunter and Ciera for the first time, but you’re here now, and I promise you, there will be so many more pivotal moments that you will get to see.

  “Look at Declan, Mom. He’s holding a little girl in his arms, who loves him very much. He plays the piano for her, takes care of her, and loves her too. Less than twenty-four hours ago, I went to the Underworld to rescue the man sitting next to me. These are pivotal moments. This is a pivotal moment, and it’s one that I will cherish forever because I’m experiencing the joy of having the love of my life back with me, and he’s meeting my mother for the first time.”

  My mom’s lip trembles, and she muffles her sob. “I’m proud of you.” She looks between Hunter and Ciera. “Thank you for loving my children.”

  I notice Hunter glance over at Ciera.

  “I think it’s safe to say you’re going to be stuck with both of us forever,” Hunter says to lighten the mood.

  My mom laughs. “I’m perfectly okay with that.”

  Ciera’s eyes flick to mine, and she notices the glow. I guess she didn’t see them right away since my back was turned.

  “Oh, my God!” she gasps. “Your eyes!”

  I feel my face heat up. “Yeah, it’s new.”

  “What’s new?” Declan asks softly, as to not wake up a sleeping Maggie.

  I turn to face him, and his eyes grow wide.