Chapter 5
PHAEDRA
The next morning, the sun is bright as I step outside with Gatlin by my side. “You’ve already seen the house. Let me show you my baby and the garage.”
He gives me a funny look but says nothing. Thankfully, the tiredness I saw in his face yesterday is starting to fade. And where the sun’s rays shine on him, his skin glistens as if his entire body is made of gold.
I lead him to the garage. “This was the original barn. Once cars replaced horses, I converted it into a garage with an underground vault.” Walking around the corner, I place my finger on the biometric scanner and slip inside the small room.
“Isn’t she gorgeous?” I say, holding up the cover to let him get a peek at my bike.
“This is your baby?” he asks, a strangled note coming from his throat. “I’ve got a couple of my own. Maybe we can ride together some time.”
I eye him carefully. Why does he sound so weird? “That would be fun.”
Leaving him standing there, I cross over to the cabinet and pull it aside. “This leads to the main garage.”
Without waiting for him, I slip inside and stop as a thought occurs. My two vehicles are sitting inside, but that’s it. “How did you get here?”
“Flew,” he says, scanning the space.
My stomach twists remembering the last time I flew with him. His gryphon form is magnificent. Flying with him is both terrifying and exhilarating.
“This way,” I say, leading him to the opposite corner of the garage where another cabinet sits. I slide it to the side, then look back at him. “This is me trusting you, sharing my life with you.” My body tingles with nerves, but I want to show him that I’m willing to go all in with them.
Lights pop on, revealing stairs, and I head down with him following closely. Once the security system scans my eye and analyzes a drop of my blood, the large vault door swings open, revealing the treasures inside.
He whistles. “This is some collection.”
Before he can step inside, I place a hand on his chest. “Don’t touch anything. Most of the relics in here still hold their curses, and they’re deadly, even to an ancient shifter like you.” Another reason I never show anyone this vault.
His gaze is intense as he lays his hand on top of mine. “I was created, not born, remember?”
Confused, I stare up at him. “I remember you told me the magi created you, but I didn’t understand what that meant.”
His body shifts restlessly beneath our hands, muscles flexing, and my hand tingles with the urge to glide across his large chest.
“Created, not born,” he clarifies. “I’m immortal in the truest sense of the word. Life and death don’t really mean the same for me. If damaged too badly, I might go into a stasis mode, but that’s it. Only the magi can take my life. And since they’re long gone …” A sad expression crosses his face.
This man has known true loneliness. The kind that has no end.
“I understand. When the gods punished me, and I realized dying was a temporary thing, the years stretched beyond what I could fathom.”
His golden eyes burn with intensity as he stares down at me.
“In Italy, you mentioned another gryphon,” I recall. “How many of you are there?”
“The magi only created one squadron. They were afraid we would be too powerful and hard to control,” he replies, a note of sadness in his voice.
“Thirteen of us. They were my brothers. Now, we’re scattered across the world.
” He drops his hand from mine and looks past me to the room.
“Is this where you’ve hidden the key and panels? ”
I lift my hand from his firm chest and turn away, not wanting him to see the hurt in my eyes at his unwillingness to share more. We’re so alike in that respect.
Striding into the room, I eye the pile of jewelry and trinkets on the large table in the center of the room.
“Mmm, yes.” I push my hair back from my face.
“Most of the time, I can immediately remove the curse, but these items all have very complicated and layered surprises trapped in them. That’s why I store them here.
It’s also the safest place for the key and panels. ”
I move to the wall on my right and look over my shoulder at him.
“You need to know where to find them in case something happens to me.” A thunderous expression crosses his face, and I hold up my hand.
“I’m talking kidnapping, not death.” My statement doesn’t seem to make him any happier, but he gives me a short nod.
I slide my finger down the seam in the wall, and a large panel swings open. “It doesn’t require my fingerprint, so this will open for you too.”
He peers into the opening and spots the key and panels. “Got it.” His tone is abrupt, as if he’s irritated by something, but I chalk it up to his natural aversion to “splitting up.”
He straightens and scans the rest of the room. When his eyes land on the vase in the corner, he flicks a glance at me and raises an eyebrow.
With a twist of my lips, I nod. “That’s the infamous vase. For thousands of years, I’ve been collecting the pieces, hoping to find them all and open the portals. Apologizing to my sister is all I’ve thought about since it happened.”
His eyes narrow, then he looks at me. “There must be hundreds of pieces.”
I flash a wry smile. “Guilt is the ultimate motivator.” Turning away from the vase that started it all, I close the secret panel and walk back to the door. “Coming?”
There’s a thoughtful expression on his face as he turns to follow me, but he’s silent as we step out.
After showing him how to bypass security on the door to the vault, I lead him outside. “That’s the entire tour. Feel free to make yourself at home.”
A chime sounds, and I pull my phone out. Damn. I forgot about my lesson. Canceling isn’t an option. If I don’t leave soon, I’ll be late.
“I’ve got a lesson. I’ll be back in a little over an hour.”
“Not without me,” he reminds me with a resolute expression on his face.
Exasperated, I stare at him. “I’m only going to the dojo for my lesson.” Pivoting, I walk toward the house, leaving him standing there, but he quickly catches up.
“Where you go, I go,” he states with steely determination.
Resigned, I quickly grab my stuff, including my car keys, and stalk back to the garage with him following me the entire time. As he gets into the passenger side, I look over at him. “My lesson usually lasts an hour, but there are shops around the dojo if you get bored.”
He merely nods, but I don’t like the look in his eyes.
Thirty minutes later, I walk out of the ladies’ locker room to join my teacher on the mat.
Maverick found him for me years ago. With black tousled hair, black eyes, and a smile that screams wicked intent, Agos is sin incarnated.
He’s also extremely proficient in the art of combat and has taught me every trick and move I know.
He flicks a glance from Gatlin to me and raises an arrogant eyebrow.
“Gatlin, this is Agos,” I say, introducing the two of them.
The minute Gatlin sees him, a scowl appears.
Agos eyes narrow as he studies Gatlin. “A gryphon, hmm. So, how do you know the beautiful Phaedra?”
Gatlin’s eyes are locked on him when he answers. “We met a few months ago. Been together ever since.”
“Really? Is that right, darling?” Agos drawls mischievously as he winks at me. Curiosity burns in the dark depths of his eyes, but thankfully, he keeps his thoughts to himself.
With a roll of my eyes, I don’t answer, simply turn and show Gatlin where to sit, which he promptly ignores, choosing instead to stand on the sidelines, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the two of us.
Ignoring him, I join Agos on the mat, where he jumps into the lesson with a vengeance. Instead of his usual calm approach, he attacks without mercy. Almost like he’s got something to prove.
“Heard you were on a quest for the gods,” Agos murmurs, maneuvering around me to land a blow to the back of my knees. I slam into the mat for the twentieth time.
“Damn, that one hurt,” I grunt, blowing my hair out of my eyes. “Let me guess…Maverick told you?”
He pulls me off the ground and squeezes my hand. “Charlie too. They’re worried about you. And if they’re worried, it’s bad. You need to be prepared for anything. Maybe we should increase our lessons?”
I shake my head. “No time. Besides, you’ve been kicking my butt for a couple hundred years. If I haven’t learned by now, I doubt I ever will.”
Instead of smiling, his mouth flattens. “If you need anything, call me. I’ll be there. So will Riv.” He looks at Gatlin. “Why don’t we call it a day? Someone doesn’t look too happy. At least I know you’ve got one hell of a bodyguard.”
I look over at Gatlin. His face is hewn in granite with not an ounce of emotion showing, but his eyes glow a deep gold.
Maybe I should tell Agos that Gatlin is more than just security, but a little kernel of hope remains.
Who knows what’s between us. I don’t. Honestly, I doubt he does either.
So, I reach up and place a kiss on Agos’ cheek.
“Thank you for the lesson and the offer.”
Walking over to Gatlin, I smile up at him. “Ready to go?”
Without taking his eyes from Agos, he nods. “Past ready.”
Gatlin stalks silently by. Not once does he look in my direction. He’s been like this ever since my lesson. I can’t figure out if he dislikes demons or the thought of me fighting. With a sigh, I go back to researching Hera.
She didn’t specify which objects she wants, so there is a little leeway. Hera’s a queen, so scepter and crown are a given. Do they need to be her crown and scepter, or will any suitable ones work? I make a note to try to find the best options.
Next is a pomegranate. That one is easy. So is the lotus flower. While I’m thinking about it, I quickly order both of those items.
Last item should be an animal. Scanning the text, I see several options.
Cuckoo, peacock, or cow might be easiest. I wrinkle my nose.
Sacrificing animals was done in my time, but the thought of it turns my stomach.
Maybe I can find a representation that will work.
A couple of potential objects come to mind, and I add those to my notes.
Leaning back, I roll my neck as I think about the scepter and crown. No matter what, they have to be magnificent. Fit for the queen of the Greek pantheon.
“Dinner’s ready,” Gatlin stiffly informs me before disappearing.
I grimace. This should be fun.
Walking into the dining room, the aroma of pasta and sauce hits me, and I sniff appreciatively. “Dinner smells good.”
His golden eyes meet mine, and he grunts. Once I’m seated, he immediately tucks into his food. Heavy silence, full of tension and unspoken words, fills the room.
I can’t eat like this. Setting down my fork, I stand and pick up my plate.
His hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. “Where are you going?”
“Out on the porch where I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face,” I reply, slipping away from him. “It’s too cold in here.”
Glaring at me, he stands and picks up his plate.
It’s my turn to stop him. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but your moodiness is killing my appetite. I’d rather eat alone.”
He takes a deep breath. “Too bad. You’re stuck with me. That includes training. We don’t have time for you to go to lessons with Agos. I’ll teach you from now on.”
Why does he care who teaches me? Is this an ego thing? “Agos is a fabulous teacher and well qualified. After all, he was a general in Satan’s army. And more importantly, he’s a good friend who’s been teaching me for hundreds of years. I’m not giving him up.”
Gatlin’s gold eyes darken. “He spends more time winking and holding your hand than he does teaching.”
My jaw drops. Is he jealous? A tiny flare of hope springs to life, but I don’t dare smile. “What does it matter to you?”
Standing, he throws his napkin on the table and strides out of the room. “It doesn’t.”
With the tiniest smirk, I sit and tuck into my delicious dinner. It’s interesting. Gatlin didn’t seem to be jealous when it came to the other three. Only Agos. Not wanting to get too hopeful, I push the thought aside.
Turning my attention back to the current quest, I evaluate what I’ve learned. There is one crown that might be perfect for Hera. Possibly two. Wanting to get back to my research, I finish eating and take my plate to the kitchen, where I find Gatlin cleaning up.
“Dinner was delicious, thank you,” I tell him, but all I get is a curt nod. “I’m going back to the library to work on Hera’s quest.”
Leaving Grumpy in the kitchen, I dive into the search for the best and most royal crowns and scepters still around today.
A ton of museum-quality items come up. Well, at least there are plenty of options.
Which one, though? The sun drops and night blankets the sky.
Sitting up, I rub the back of my neck. How do I figure out which one would suit Hera best?
A creak of the floor has me turning around, where I find Gatlin staring at me, his brow furrowed.
“What?”
“Don’t stay up too late,” he gruffly orders. “The quest will still be there tomorrow.” Pivoting on his heel, he turns and walks up the stairs.
“Goodnight,” I call out after him, but he doesn’t answer.