43. ZARA
ZARA
“Whose Maserati MCPura is that parked outside?” was the first thing out of Eli’s mouth the minute I got back to the manor the next morning, closely followed by, “and where have you been, anyway?”
Dammit. I’d forgotten Eli had said he would be working here today.
We’d decided it would be safest for Raquel to stay on Olympus and steer well clear of the mortal realm, and me, for now and as soon as she’d left I’d asked Nero to bring me back to the manor.
He’d reluctantly agreed after I’d promised I wouldn’t leave the safety of the wards and that I wouldn’t do anything that Gabriel and the others might consider interfering.
That suited me just fine. For now I was quite happy to bide my time, pretending to be cowed by their threats.
But if I did ever get the opportunity to strike back, I’d make sure they never had a chance to fuck with me or the people I loved again.
“I was with Nero,” I said. “And that’s his car. Pretty isn’t it?”
He’d transported us back to his place last night, saying he’d come back and collect the car another time.
“Of course,” he huffed. “He would be driving my dream car. What’s it doing here and why does he even need a car?”
“He had a few errands to run before he came here yesterday. It was easier for him to drive than portal.”
I had a feeling he’d only chosen to drive here because he was hoping Gabriel was watching the manor and he wanted to make it clear I was under his protection.
Because he absolutely could have transported himself to the shadows near the takeaway place, just like he had when he took us to visit Father Nico and Sam.
“But if that’s your dream car, why haven’t you got one? It’s not like you can’t afford it.”
“Because there’s a very long waiting list,” he said grumpily. “And I’d like to know how Nero got to the top of it when I’ve been waiting since day one.”
“Want me to see if he can get you bumped up the list?” I offered, although I very much doubted Nero had been on any waiting list. Knowing him he’d probably just conjured the car up out of thin air rather than buying it.
“I’d rather not owe him a favour. I’ll wait my turn. What were you doing at his place anyway?”
“We had a few things to discuss. And we need to set up a team meeting as soon as possible. There’s been a development I need to tell you all about.” I was dreading having to tell them they were in danger because of me, but they had a right to know.
“That sounds ominous. Is Gabriel causing you problems?” He scowled and I braced myself for him to go into protect Zara at all costs mode. “Because if that arrogant bastard is threatening you in any way, I’ll—”
“Eli, stop right there!” That came out with more force than I’d intended, but I didn’t need him getting carried away with thoughts of doing violence to Gabriel. “I don’t want you getting involved with the Watchers. Nero and I have got it under control.”
That wasn’t strictly true, but the extra wards Nero had put in place were close enough to the truth to justify that statement.
“I’m only trying to look after you.” He looked hurt, but it was worth it if it kept him safe.
He didn’t have a hope in hell of coming out the victor in a fight against a Watcher, so there was no way I was going to let him put himself in danger by standing up for me.
Even more so now in view of Gabriel’s threats.
“I know you are. And I love you for it. But the best way you can help me right now is to send out a message in that group chat of yours and get everyone here as soon as possible so I can fill you all in on what’s been going on.”
While I was waiting for everyone to arrive, I pulled out the box of my dad’s journals that I’d tucked away at the back of my wardrobe.
Buried at the very bottom, underneath all the journals and letters, was a small cotton pouch containing a little black stone.
The one that Zeus had given to me the day Seth had taken me to visit him.
I’d hidden it from Seth because if he’d known about it he’d have wanted me to give it to him for ‘safekeeping’.
But I’d had a feeling that I was going to need it one day, and I’d been right.
Seth had warned me more than once not to trust his grandfather, but the advice he’d given me last time I was there had turned out to be spot on.
So as soon as this meeting with the team was over, I was going to pay a little visit of my own to Olympus.
“So let me get this straight.” Jed was doing that palming the back of his neck thing just like Seth did when he was frustrated.
It must be a guardian thing. “The Oracle is our ally, but her entire family is on the warpath and there’s a good chance we’re going to get caught in the crossfire for protecting her. Does that about sum it up?”
“Well technically we’re not the ones protecting Raquel,” I said.
“The gods are. And she’s back on Olympus now anyway, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
If there’s any danger to all of you it’s because of me.
But I don’t intend to do anything that would risk anyone else’s safety.
So as long as I don’t do anything they can interpret as interfering with them it’ll be fine. ”
“There’s also the possibility that they’ll continue harassing you anyway, just to make their point. I can’t allow you to stay here, Zara. You’re coming back to Avalon with us.”
Allow? “Now just a minute, you don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“Sit. Down.” I hadn’t even realised I’d stood up, but the power in Jed’s command had me sinking back down into my seat like a chastened puppy.
“I’m acting as Guardian in Seth’s place right now, so I do have the right to tell you what to do.
The last time I checked you were still of the magical races and subject to my jurisdiction?
” He waited until I reluctantly nodded, then his tone softened.
“But quite apart from that, I made a vow to Seth to care for you as if you were my own Kaderi, and there’s no way I’d allow Phoebe to stay here under these circumstances.
So you’re not staying here either.” A muffled snort from Phoebe let me know she was about as impressed with that statement as I was. “Don’t say a word,” he warned her.
“Look, I appreciate that you’re trying to keep me safe.
But I’m not coming to Avalon. Nero has already added his own wards to the existing ones here, so there’s no way they’d be able to get in.
” I didn’t feel the need to tell them someone had already tried yesterday.
“He’s also invited me to stay with him, so there’s no need for you to be concerned.
” Nobody needed to know I had no intention of taking him up on that offer.
“And that’s what you plan to do is it? Go and stay with Nero?
” Shit. I hadn’t expected him to pick up on the fact I hadn’t said I was actually going to, just that I had the option, but I probably should have.
He’d had over two thousand years of dealing with fae skirting the truth, while I’d had less than one to practice doing it.
“It is.” I raised my chin and forced myself to look him in the eye as he gave me a long assessing stare, and whatever he saw must have convinced him I was telling the truth.
Which I was up to a point. If push came to shove and I didn’t feel safe here, staying with Nero would definitely be my next best option.
“Very well.” He didn’t look happy about it, but then neither was I. “In that case, I suggest the rest of us just carry on as normal for the time being, unless anything changes. And that Zara steers clear of doing anything that could be interpreted as interference of course.”
“I agree. As far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual.
” Theo looked totally unbothered about the situation.
“Although it’s worth noting that if they feel the need to threaten Zara to control her, they must think she presents some kind of discernible threat to them.
Otherwise they wouldn’t be wasting time and energy on her.
Just give me a heads-up if you decide to do anything to piss them off will you, Zara?
So I can run for cover,” he added with a grin.
“I won’t be doing anything to piss them off,” I promised. Nothing I was going to let them find out about anyway, so that meant they wouldn’t be pissed off.
“Eli? What about you? You’re very quiet.” He’d been staring down at the table, obviously lost in his own thoughts, but he looked up when Jed spoke his name.
“I’m just wondering if they intend to stand by their word.
Their threats were only directed at us if Zara didn’t stop being a pain,” I winced at the ‘I warned you this would happen’ look he sent my way, “but there’s no guarantee that won’t change.
I’m not worried for myself, but I’ve got Rachel and Jules to consider too. ”
“Gabriel was pretty pissed off when I accused him of breaking his word about bringing Seth back,” I said.
“He insisted he hadn’t because he’d never given his word in the first place.
I don’t think they’d go back on what they said, but what if I asked Nero to put his wards around your house and Jules’ apartment too?
I know it would mean you’d only be truly safe in those places and here, but it would be something at least.”
He looked a bit torn, and I knew it was because he didn’t like the idea of being beholden to Nero, but it didn’t take long for worry to win out over pride.
When he said, “I’d appreciate that, Zara.
At least then I won’t have to worry about them when I’m not with them,” my already broken heart shattered a little more at his words.
Of all my new found family, Eli had been my staunchest ally and supporter from day one, and I hated that now he was suffering because of me.
“In that case,” Jed took charge of the meeting again before I had the chance to tell Eli how sorry I was, “I think we’re done here for now.” He leaned in and murmured something in Phoebe’s ear, and she gave him an annoyed look before nodding and turning to me.
“Zara, can I speak to you privately for a minute?”
“If I were you I’d say no,” Terrah said dryly.
“If I’m not very much mistaken she’s just been given orders to try and convince you to go to Avalon.
” Three chairs were hurriedly pushed back from the table as Jed, Eli and Theo made their escape.
“Personally I think everyone’s overreacting.
You should just come back to Fae and get on with your training. ”
“I might do that.” Once I’d established if I could count on any help from Zeus. “Is it my imagination or is Jed getting really bossy lately, Phoebe? It seems out of character for him. Is having to fill in for Seth for longer than he agreed getting to him?”
“No, it’s just the guardian vibe.” Phoebe didn’t look too worried. “Seth was exactly the same sometimes when he was dealing with guardian business. You never really got to see that side of him. Don’t worry about it. He’s fine.”
“So are you going to follow orders and try and convince Zara to go to Avalon with you?” Terrah said, “or are we just going to pretend that you tried and move on? Because we all know it isn’t going to work.”
“We’re definitely going to pretend,” Phoebe agreed, “or we won’t have time for Zara to tell us what she’s scheming. Come on you, spill. I know you’re up to something.” I hesitated, then decided there was no harm in telling them.
“I’m going to Olympus to see Zeus.”
A shocked ‘why?’ from Phoebe and a curious ‘how?’ from Terrah greeted that statement. I decided to deal with the ‘why’ first.
“I may have forgotten to mention this at the meeting, but Raquel knows where the gateway to the Underworld is. It’s at the summit of Mount Kailash.”
“Mount Kailash in Tibet?” Phoebe breathed excitedly, her enthusiasm for a good legend immediately kicking in. “The one that’s rumoured to conceal the entrance to various godly realms?”
“That’s the one. Nero and Raquel both think that even if we found the gateway, we wouldn’t be able to get any further because only those with Watcher blood can get through it.
And I’m pretty sure Jed would say the same.
But Zeus is a god, and Seth is his grandson.
If he was to go there and demand to see him, maybe they’d let him.
It’s not the same as seeing him for myself, but at least he could make sure he’s okay. ”
“I very much doubt he’ll want to get involved,” Terrah said, “but if it makes you feel better then sure, give it a go. Even if Michael finds out you went, I don’t see how he could object to you visiting your future in-laws. How are you going to get there though? Is Nero taking you?”
“I don't need him to. Last time Seth took me to see Zeus, he gave me a portal stone and invited me to go back and visit him. I didn’t tell Seth about it at the time. I hid it because I knew he’d try and take it away from me to ‘look after it’ and I had a feeling I might need it one day. Now it feels like maybe it was fated.”
“It’s hard to argue with that,” Phoebe agreed, “and while I don’t think you’ll get the response from Zeus you’re hoping for, maybe there’s another reason you need to go to Olympus.”