Chapter 3
PHAEDRA
My blood is boiling the next day when I arrive back at the farmhouse. Why does it feel like I take one step forward and fifty back? I was this close to having this panel and moving on to the next one. Damn it. Now, I’m dancing to a god’s whims. Story of my life.
It could have been worse.
It’s one thing to see Apollo in passing on the island, but quite another to have the queen of the Olympian gods staring down at you.
It’s a miracle she didn’t smite me the minute she found me.
Probably would have if Athena hadn’t shown up.
With a heavy sigh of resignation, I get out of the car and grab my gear.
As I walk toward the farmhouse, I stare down at my dirty boots, contemplating the price I have to pay. Five items, five temples, five prayers. I sigh. Thankfully, Hera has a lot of temples, so it should be easy to compile a list.
Head pounding, I climb the steps, enter the farmhouse, and drop my bag in the hall, then freeze. Why does it smell like cookies in here? Automatically reaching for my gun, I silently curse when I realize I left it in the car. Damn, I’ve gotten lax in my old age.
As I contemplate whether to get my gun or not, Gatlin strides out of the kitchen, moving gracefully towards me.
Shocked, I stare at him, drinking in every inch of his big body.
In worn blue jeans and a navy henley with his white-blond hair tied back from his face, he looks furious…
and tired. Small lines bracket his mouth and eyes.
“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.
For three weeks, I’ve flown from one place to another, hoping to find you,” he snarls in his deep voice.
Arms crossed; his intense gold eyes sweep over me from head to toe.
“You know the enemy is after you. Why the hell would you go off on your own?”
He’s here. In my home. Worried…about me.
A myriad of emotions batter the paper-thin walls around my heart, shredding them to pieces.
I don’t care if he’s pissed. He came for me.
Searched for me. The tears I’ve been holding back for days clog my throat.
Swallowing hard, I do everything I can to stop them from flowing. But damn, it’s so good to see him.
“You left. All of you. What was I supposed to do? Stay in Italy for the rest of my life?”
He flashes me an incredulous look. “I told you I’d be right back.”
That night has played and replayed in my mind a thousand times. I would remember if they had left me with an inkling of hope. “No, you didn’t.”
A look of confusion crosses his face. “I didn’t?” When I shake my head, he runs a hand down his face. “You know I don’t like it when we all split up. Once I knew what the plan was, I returned for you. The least you could have done was waited a day or two.”
He makes it sound like I went off on my own for the fun of it. “Did everyone return, or just you?”
For a long minute, he says nothing, then he answers. and my heart sinks. “Mathias decided to infiltrate the vampires. He knows if we can get more information on who’s in charge, it will help us determine our strategy.”
Our last battle with the vampires runs through my mind, but it’s the image of them carrying Mathias out of the woods that makes me feel like I’m going to throw up.
“Is this because of me?”
“A lot of vampires have joined this rebellion, more than we realized, and we need intel. Mathias is widely respected, and our best bet,” he replies gruffly, clearly not answering my question.
I sigh. I’m not going to get more from Gatlin, but I know I’m the reason.
All I see when I close my eyes are Mathias’ dark eyes full of shock and betrayal.
If I want a chance at his forgiveness, I need to find the panels and, hopefully, end this war before it begins.
And…offer him a way home. My heart protests, but I shove those feelings down deep. He needs his daughter.
“I see. And Hawthorne?”
He shifts uncomfortably. “Hawthorne is on an errand for Jamison, chasing down the elf your friend, Mercer, was with at the museum.” He pauses. “He’ll come here when he’s done, but…he might need some time.”
The words pierce my heart, and I flinch.
“And Jamison?” His name sticks in my throat, but I must know.
“He’s following his father, hoping to get him alone without the council knowing,” he says gruffly. “I’ve been keeping him up to date on my search for you. Now that you’re here, I’m sure he’ll come as soon as he can.”
The false note of confidence in his voice hits me like a sledgehammer. “I see.”
My tiny sliver of hope turns to ashes. Ignoring his pointed look, I glance around and spot his shoes by the couch.
I flick a glance at him and find bare feet.
He’s certainly made himself at home. I wait for my anger to rise, but instead, I’m sort of happy.
It’s odd, but I’m not mad about him invading my sanctuary.
“How did you find me?”
He gazes steadily back at me. “The tracker in your boot. It’s still working.
” His brow lowers. “Of course, you have to be in the same place as the boots. I’ll ask you again.
Where have you been?” His gaze falls on the bag at my feet, and he stiffens.
“Tell me you haven’t been looking for the panels on your own. ”
“Did you know mages could barter and steal powers?” I ask, changing the topic. “I didn’t. Lord de Vere might not be the villain we think him to be. In fact, there are quite a few mages with the power to lead this rebellion.”
With a sigh, I kick off my boots. Given the number of digs I’ve been on, I have several pairs of the same worn boots.
I smile, knowing I’ll never look at them the same way again.
They led Gatlin to me. Maybe it’s because he thinks I’m part of the team, but it’s still nice.
Come to think of it, I should take the other boots when I leave again.
It will feel good to know someone can track my location, especially if Hera gets a little crazy.
He exhales loudly. “We have a list too, but we’ve crossed off most of the mages because very few of them have access to the council.” His eyes dart to mine. “Who gave you a list?”
“Charlie,” I reply cheerfully. “Maybe we should compare the two?”
Gatlin narrows his eyes, but nods. “Give it to Jamison when he gets here.” Moving in front of me, he places his large hands on my hips, clearly waiting for me to shift my attention to him. “Where. Have. You. Been?”
For a second, I stare at his broad chest, tempted to fall into his strength.
“Yesterday I was in Italy,” I reply vaguely. “Did you bake cookies?” I know I’m stalling, but I don’t want to remind him of the panels. Or who I am and what I did. Besides, it doesn’t matter. Right now, I need to figure out Hera’s little quest.
He stiffens. “Answer my question.”
Heat radiates off him, surrounding me with the warmth that comes naturally to him.
Juniper fills my senses until all I want to do is lean in and wrap my arms around him.
I don’t kid myself that he feels the same.
If my past had been anything else, it probably wouldn’t have hit them as hard.
But the portals are the reason Mathias and Hawthorne are here.
If all I get in the future is their forgiveness, I won’t ask for anything more.
“Cookies?” I prod him. When he doesn’t answer, I flash him an annoyed look. “I’m starving. Are you really going to stand there until I answer?”
A twinkle enters his eyes. “I doubt you could move me.”
I can’t help but slide my gaze down his body and lick my lips. “Want to bet?”
His grip tightens. “Phaedra. Look at me.”
“I am,” I reply, laughter in my voice. His loud exhale makes me look up. “Fine. I’ve been searching for the panels.” The words fall out in a rush.
“And?” he asks, his tone full of exasperation.
I wince, dropping my gaze. I don’t want to tell him I found one but lost it because of an unhinged goddess.
But I also don’t want to lie anymore. “I found one. Hera hid it again. Now I have to complete a quest before she’ll let me have it.
” Unable to hold his gaze, I go on to tell him what happened at her temple.
“I came home to do some research and grab a few things.”
Bracing myself, I wait for him to explode, but he doesn’t.
Blunt fingers lightly grip my chin and tilt my face up until I’m looking into his eyes again.
“Thank you for telling me. I know it will be hard, but this time, you have to trust us. Go all in. That being said, I don’t like the thought of you running around without someone to protect you.
So, you’re stuck with me. Got it?” He turns toward the hall that leads to the kitchen, his large hand gripping mine.
“Let’s get you a cookie to tide you over until I can get dinner on the table. ”
He's making dinner too? I might swoon.
Wait. I pull him to a stop. “Hera didn’t say I could bring someone with me. Asking someone for help is probably against the rules.”
He turns so fast I have to take a step back.
“Good thing you’re not asking. Look, I don’t give a shit about the gods.
I’m not letting you out of my sight again.
Got it?” When I don’t answer, he pivots and heads toward the kitchen again.
“Look at you. You’re skin and bones. There are dark circles under your eyes.
You’re doing a shitty job of looking after yourself. ”
I smooth a few of the hairs escaping from my ponytail and ignore the warm glow growing inside me.
It’s nice having someone care for me. The air thickens, and I sniff in appreciation.
Cookies. This can’t get any better. I turn my head and realize it can.
Having him standing in my kitchen, in my home, is everything at this moment.
He maneuvers me onto a stool at the island. “Sit here.” Walking over to the sheet pan on the stove, he grabs a spatula, scoops three cookies onto the plate sitting next to it, then places it in front of me.
The night he fixed pasta in Italy comes to mind. “So, you like to cook?” Bringing a cookie to my mouth, I take a huge bite. Chocolate oozes from the warm cookie as flavor explodes in my mouth. “Wow, that’s good.”
He dips his head in thanks and takes a bite of another. “I like to take care of people.” He eyes me for a second. “Tell me, do you really think the panels open the portals?”