When Fam released me, I turned to my two charges. “Fam, this is Rob and Rachel. Guys, this is my aunt Fam, more formally known as Famine.”
I watched Rachel closely and could almost see her mind working. It didn’t take her long and soon she went pale and looked like she was having trouble breathing. She glanced at Rob, who looked as shocked as she was.
“Famine is a woman?” he asked. “I thought they were the four horse MEN of the apocalypse.” He hadn’t made the same connection that Rachel had.
“Obviously the myths are wrong,” I stated, doing my best to keep my eyes off Rachel, hoping that if I didn’t look at her she would not voice what she was thinking. Then I noticed her legs start to give way and she had to cling to Rob for support.
“Rachel,” I said in concern. “Are you alright?” Stupid question. Of course she wasn’t alright. She had just worked out that I was related to a god. And not just any god. She now knew that Hades, god of the underworld, was my grandfather. At least I think she did.
“You’re... you’re...” she stammered, unable to make herself articulate the sentence.
“Breathe Rachel.” I rushed to her side and made to take her arm, but she pushed me away. Rob had to grab her before she fell down.
“Hades is your grandfather,” she blurted out. So I was right, she had worked it out. Rob hadn’t made the connection and let go of her in surprise. She collapsed onto the ground. I tried to help her up, but she pushed me away again. I had feared that she would not take the news very well and now I knew I was right. I began to regret not telling her sooner.
“Is Pestilence your father?” she asked as she struggled to her feet. “Is that why he looked surprised when we met him? Because you called him Len instead of dad?”
“No,” I said quietly. “He was surprised because I didn’t call him uncle. War is my father.” Despite the emotional turmoil I was going through, I still admired how observant she had been.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked, her voice full of the betrayal she was obviously feeling.
“I don’t know.” I completely forgot that Rob and Fam were listening to what I had to say; for some reason it felt like Rachel and I were the only two present. “I guess I just wanted you to think of me as an ordinary man for a while instead of the son of a demi-god.”
“Ordinary?” she almost shouted. “You live in Hell for god’s sake. How could we ever have thought you were ordinary?” She was angry. Was anger a good reaction? Did it indicate that she had at least liked me? I hated using the past tense, but her feelings would be all over the place right now. “At least the fact you grew up with an ogre now makes some sense,” she continued.
“Look Rachel, let me explain.”
“No,” she shouted at me. “You don’t need to explain anything. You avoided telling me anything about yourself and now I know why. Keep the rest of your little secrets; I don’t want to know them.” She said ‘me’ not ‘us’. “Me’ was good, wasn’t it?
“Rachel−” I started to say, but stopped when I felt aunt Fam place a restraining hand on my shoulder.
“Let her be,” she said in a motherly voice. “I will talk to her. You take Rob in and make him feel at home. I’ve had the rooms opposite your usual one made up for our guests. Then you can introduce him to your cousin.”
Until she had spoken that sentence I didn’t think anything could have made me feel any worse than I already did. How wrong I was.
“Ankou is here? Shit.” The last word was said so quietly I hoped that nobody heard it. Rachel couldn’t meet Ankou now; it was too soon. Any hope I ever had of her being more than just a friend to me died the moment Famine said that my cousin was here. As soon as she lays her eyes on him she will be his. I had lost her before I ever got a chance to even hold her in my arms. I felt like crying; I felt like screaming, but I somehow managed to hold myself together.
I turned my attention to Rob, who was staring at Rachel, unable to fathom what was going on. “Rob, I guess you’d better come with me.” I didn’t look at her as I made my way into the cottage; I couldn’t bear to.
“So you are the son of War,” Rob said as we entered the house. “I guess that explains how you have the ability to heal. It must be pretty cool having a grandfather who’s a god and having a demi-god as a father.”
“It has its drawbacks.”
I led him through the house, indicating where the bathroom was as we passed. “This is your room.” I pointed to a closed door. “Dump your bag, then I guess I had better let you meet Ankou.” I was not looking forward to it.
Rob did as instructed. His room contained only the bare essentials, but he made no comment. “I hope all of the rooms are equipped with an ensuite,” he said to me as he closed the door behind him. “You’ve seen how long Rachel takes in the bathroom. If we all have to share, we will have to ban her from taking a bath.”
I tried to smile, but failed. “Don’t worry. If we need another bathroom, the house will create one. It predicts what we need. Your bedroom wasn’t there when we first arrived.”
Rob stared at me, unsure whether to believe me or not.
“You’ll see.”
We walked past a couple of doors before I opened one and walked in. My cousin was inside. Dressed in tight black jeans and a black silk shirt he was a very impressive sight. I had to supress a groan. Why couldn’t he look ordinary, just for once?
“Good to see you Kris,” Ankou said. I wished I could say the same, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie. I have been doing way too much of that recently. Instead I introduced Rob.
“Rob, this is my cousin, Ankou.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Ankou said politely, looking around instead of at Rob. “Where’s Rachel?” he asked.
“She’s had a bit of a shock. Fam has taken her away to calm her down.”
“We’ve just found out that Kris is the grandson of a god and she freaked out,” Rob said.
“Why would that bother her?” Ankou asked curiously, looking pointedly at me.
‘That,’ I thought, ‘is a very good question’, but I remained silent, allowing Rob to answer.
“Women are strange creatures,” he said and Ankou and I nodded in agreement.
“Brandy?” Ankou asked, pouring two glasses without waiting for an answer. Rob reluctantly took his and slowly sipped it while the three of us talked. I was surprised that Rob had shown no hostility toward Ankou, seeing as he was Death’s son, and it took me a while to realise that he hadn’t worked it out. The shit was really going to hit the fan when he did manage to figure out that it was Ankou’s father that was holding Tammara prisoner.
A short while later Famine walked into the room. “I might have known,” she said, spying the glasses. “I told Rachel you would be stealing my best brandy.”
“It’s hardly stealing, aunt Fam,” Ankou said. “You told me to help myself.”
“I meant to a glass, not the whole bottle.” The bottle, she noticed, was nearly empty.
Ankou looked at me. “Would you like to do the honours?”
“Sure,” I replied and made the bottle refill itself.
“That’s a neat trick,” Rob said, impressed. “No wonder you always managed to provide us with what we needed.”
“Kris has a fair number of talents,” Ankou said, affectionately punching me on the arm.
“How’s Rachel?” I asked, doing my best to sound casual.
“She will be fine,” Fam said, smiling at me. “Once she has gotten used to the idea that you are actually a demi-god.” I winced. “You shouldn’t have lied to her, you know.”
“I didn’t,” I said defensively. “I just kept some things to myself.”
“That’s just as bad,” Fam said. “I’m going to finish cooking. Rachel is going to take a quick bath so we should be eating shortly.”
Rob and I looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
“What is so funny?” Fam asked curiously.
“If Rachel is
bathing,” Rob said, “then we won’t be eating for a few hours.” He was exaggerating, but not by much.
Fam regarded him critically, trying to work out if he was serious or not. Deciding that he was, she said, “I had better turn the heat down then,” and left the room.
Ankou and I were talking with Rob about life at university when Rachel walked into the room. Hearing the door open we all turned around and I was watching her closely when her eyes first fell on Ankou.
It was as bad as I had feared. The sharp intake of breath, the pupils dilating, the lips parting slightly. I had seen it many times before on many different women. She was admiring his striking features and was imagining what his body looked like under his clothes. I felt like screaming as jealousy coursed through me.
It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but I had no choice, so I introduced them. I felt like I was handing her over to him when all I wanted to do was take her in my arms and disappear with her.
“Ankou, this is Rob’s friend, Rachel. Rachel, this is my cousin, Ankou. Death’s son.” I added the last comment on purpose, hoping it would put her off him, but she didn’t react. Rob, however, did.
“Your father,” he snarled at Ankou, “has kidnapped my girlfriend and is holding her against her will.” He stood up and looked like he was going to punch him. Or try to strangle him. Either would have been entertaining to watch.
Ankou didn’t even try to defend his father. “I know and I am sorry,” he said, bowing his head slightly as if in shame. “If there was anything I could do to help release her I would, but unfortunately there isn’t. My father will not listen to anything I have to say so I will be wasting my breath.”
Rob didn’t know how to react. All anger seemed to drain out of him as he collapsed back into his seat. Ankou turned his attention to Rachel. “I am delighted to meet you, Rachel,” he said, holding out his hand to her and smiling warmly. I wanted to scream ‘leave her alone, she’s mine,’ but managed to keep control of myself.
Rachel took his hand, but instead of shaking it he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of it tenderly. Rachel, I noticed, was shaking slightly and seemed to be having trouble breathing.
“Thank you,” she manged to say. She looked as though her legs were beginning to feel weak and she sat down as soon as Ankou released her. I rolled my eyes. Why couldn’t Ankou behave himself just once? Why did he have to make a move on every pretty woman he saw?
Famine walked into the room looking slightly perplexed. “It appears that dinner will be a formal affair tonight,” she said. “The cottage has decided we need a dining room.” She surveyed the four of us, clearly not pleased by what she saw. “I will not have you dressed like that. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Find something a lot smarter to wear or you will go hungry.”
With that she left the room. Rachel immediately followed her. Was it my imagination or did she seem in a hurry to get away? But who did she want to get away from? Ankou or me?
“I should have something in my wardrobe that is your size,” Ankou said to Rob and I was surprised when Rob thanked him. The regret that he had shown in regard to his father’s actions had obviously had the desired effect. I, however, knew that the words were not sincere.
I went to my own room and selected a black suit, white shirt and a bow tie from the wardrobe; Fam had said formal after all and I look good when dressed up. Unfortunately, not as good as Ankou. While I changed I wondered what Rachel was going to wear.
Ankou was already in the dining room when I arrived, Rob turning up a short while later looking surprising comfortable in one of Ankou’s suits.
Anticipation got the better of me and I began to feel hot and uncomfortable as I waited for Rachel to arrive. Part of me was looking forward to seeing what she would be wearing, but most of me was dreading it.
Fam arrived, placing food on the table. I left the room to help her, not wanting to be there when Rachel made her entrance. Unfortunately she had not done so by the time everything had been moved from the kitchen.
When she walked in dressed in the red dress Pestilence had given her my heart sank. If there had ever been any doubt that Ankou would be interested in her it was completely gone now. I watched my cousin as he eyed her up and down, a slight smile on his face. I have seen that look before. Many times. Maybe I should warn her.
I turned my attention to Rachel. She was openly staring at Ankou. Her eyes were wide and her pupils dilated. I could sense her accelerated heart rate. There would be no point in warning her off him; she wouldn’t listen. She was as captivated by him as most women are. I might as well not exist. She probably didn’t even realise I was in the room.
I wanted to leave, but it would be rude. Feeling eyes on me I turned to Fam, who was looking at me with sympathy. It was almost as if she could read my mind.
“Kept the dress I see,” I heard Rob whisper to Rachel as she took the seat next to him.
“Of course,” she said. “I’m not stupid.”
Dinner seemed to take forever. I tried to eat, but swallowing was difficult. I couldn’t take my eyes off Rachel, not that she noticed; her gaze never left Ankou. She ate as little as I did. Conversation flowed and I managed to join in enough to not cause concern. Rachel was not so adept at hiding her feelings. I was sure she was only listening when Ankou was speaking.
When the meal was over I helped Famine clear up.
“Talk to me,” she said when we were alone in the kitchen.
“She’s going to get hurt.” I collapsed into a chair. “Ankou is going to get what he wants from her then dump her, as he always does.”
Famine took the seat next to me and squeezed my hand gently. “There is nothing you can do to stop that I am afraid. You’re not the only one to have seen the way she looks at him. But has it occurred to you that you will be around to pick up the pieces?”
I looked up at her. The comment sounded callous, but I knew it wasn’t. I hadn’t thought that far ahead, but I shook my head.
“No. She will turn to Rob.”
“Are you really that sure?” She stood up. “Take my advice. Be nice to her. Show her what a caring young man you are. Make her want to turn to you when Ankou breaks her heart.”
“I don’t want to be just a rebound,” I said.
“Then once you have her, make her want to stay.”
“I doubt she will want me after Ankou has used and abused her.”
“Pull yourself together,” Famine said. “This isn’t like you. You always look on the positive side. Take a few moments to get yourself under control then join us in the sitting room.” It was an order and I felt compelled to obey.
When I entered the sitting room I was surprised to find that it had changed into a music room, complete with a grand piano. I am a good pianist and have managed to attract a fair number of women with my skills. Maybe the cottage was on my side, if it is capable of taking sides that is.
“Play for us,” Famine said and after much cajoling I finally complied. My fingers danced across the keys as I performed some lively tunes. Ankou was sitting next to Rachel so I made sure I kept my attention on the piano, not wanting to see how she was reacting to being so close to him. I decided to change tempo and began to play Moonlight Sonata. It was a good choice.
“I love this piece of music,” I heard her say.
“Me too,” Ankou said. Lying bastard. He hates classical music. That is one of the reasons I switched tempo. “Beethoven was a great composer. What is your favourite classical piece? By anyone, I mean.”
“Adagio for strings,” she said, without pausing to think about the answer. “It’s a haunting piece of music that brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.”
“You have good taste,” Ankou said. I knew he had no idea what Rachel was talking about.
Rob snorted. “The only reason she likes that piece is because it is in Platoon and she had a crush on Charlie Sheen when she was younger.”
I risked a glance at Rachel, saw h
er glare at Rob and had to supress a smile.
Suddenly Rachel stood up, made her apologies and left the room.
“What did you do?” I asked Ankou as soon as I finished playing.
“Nothing,” he said. “Why do you think it has anything to do with me?”
“Because I know you.”
“She has had a hard day,” Famine said. “Finding out who you really are, Kris, shook her up a lot. I took her to feed Beauty to try to calm her down. He likes her by the way.”
I frowned. “Your horse doesn’t like any humans.”
“I know. But in her case he made an exception. She knows a lot more about the family now and, as you can imagine, it is a lot to take in.”
“What have you told her?” I was desperate to find out how much I still needed to let her know.
“I explained that we are a very private family and that most of us do not like to talk about ourselves. I think that has led her a little way toward forgiving you for not telling her who you are. She feels betrayed by you, though I am not clear exactly why.”
“Go on. What did you tell her about the gods and demi-gods?”
“She asked whether my brothers and I take humans as lovers or spouses.” This got my attention. “I told her about War and Death both taking human wives and explained that Pestilence has a lot of growing up to do before he can even think about marriage.”
“I don’t think any of us will argue with that assessment,” Ankou said. He seemed as eager to hear what Famine had to say as I was.
“I had to correct her on her assumptions about the four horsemen. Like all humans, she believed that we are the harbingers of doom, the bringers of death and destruction. I told her the truth.”
Rob gave her a puzzled look, so she explained. “My brother, Death, does not cause people to die. He guides the souls when the body dies, helping them to pass peacefully from your world to ours. Pestilence does not cause the pollution and disease he is blamed for. He turns up where there are already problems and tries to fix them by whispering suggestions in peoples’ ears while they sleep or encouraging the land to try to heal itself. I go where famine is and do what I can to help the crops start to grow again. Live Aid back in the 80s was my idea.”
Kris's Story Page 10
