“Galilea?” I glanced over at her. “Would you… please?”
Galilea gave Samuel the stink eye. “I don’t trust you.”
“Believe me, the feeling is mutual,” he told her.
“How did you find out I’m pregnant?” I asked.
“I’ll get to that. But first, I think we should tend to her.” He glanced down at Claire.
Galilea didn’t budge.
“I guess I’ll get that towel and ice myself.” I gently set Claire’s head on the floor and stood up. “And for the record, I don’t trust you either, Samuel.” I went to the kitchen and prepared the makeshift cold compress, promptly bringing it back to the living room. Samuel took it from me. I lowered myself next to Claire.
He patted Claire’s forehead with the icy towel. “You know,” he said, “you don’t know me well enough to have an opinion of me.”
“You know,” I said, “you should’ve thought of that eighteen years ago.”
“I left Claire because it was the only way to protect you,” Samuel snapped. “I’m sorry.” He handed me the cold compress. “I didn’t want to leave. The moment you were conceived, I was terrified for your mother. For you.”
“The moment I was conceived?” I squinted at him. He nodded as he stood up. “The exact moment?”
“Yes. And I knew you were pregnant when I sensed you in my office in Greece.”
“How could you have?” Galilea stepped closer to us. “Unless… Samuel isn’t your given name, is it?” He shook his head. “Then who are you?”
“My birth name is Amadeus.”
Galilea’s jaw dropped. She turned to me. “No wonder you got knocked up so fast. This makes so much sense now.”
“What does?” I asked.
“He’s one of the gods of fertility,” Galilea said.
“And?” I waited for an explanation, but Galilea looked like she was having an internal conversation with herself and stopped speaking.
“Your grandmother—my mother—was Cytherea,” Samuel told me. “There’s a likeness of her in you.”
“She does look like her,” Galilea said, surprise still present in her face. “How did I miss that?”
“I’ve never heard of Cytherea,” I said
“Because Cytherea,” Samuel explained, “is better known as Aphrodite.”
“And Samuel—Amadeus—is a fertility god,” said Galilea. “It’s no wonder Eros salivates when he sees you. A pretty face, pheromones oozing out of your pores, eggs falling out of your ovaries by the gazingamillions…” She gasped. “No wonder the birth control didn’t work for you.”
“Eros?” Samuel raised his brow, a look of displeasure on his face as he said the name.
“This baby doesn’t belong to Eros, if it’s what you’re thinking,” I said.
“I know,” Samuel said. “It’d be impossible since Eros is unable to have children.”
“Eros is sterile? No way.” Galilea’s eyes creased. “But he’s the god of love.”
“You know about that, too?” I asked Samuel.
“Yes,” he said. “It was I who took his fertility many years ago. It wasn’t by my judgment,” Samuel explained. “The Council sent me. But I’d like to know how you know about this when no one else does.”
Now I understood the reason behind Eros’s obvious loathing toward Samuel when they saw each other in Greece. I didn’t blame Eros for hating Samuel.
“It doesn’t matter how I know,” I said. “Listen, I’d appreciate it if you don’t tell my mom about us meeting in—” Claire moaned and shifted her head. I ran the cold towel over her forehead. “Mom, you awake?”
“Yes,” she muttered, her eyes closed.
“Would you like some water?” Galilea asked her.
“No.” Claire squinted as she opened her eyes. “Galilea, when did you get here?”
“Just now,” I said. “While you were unconscious. How do you feel?”
“Dizzy.” She blinked as she looked up at me, and I quickly glanced at Samuel, who I now wished I would’ve told to leave. Claire rubbed her forehead with one hand and asked, “What happened?”
“You answered the door and…” I said, glancing at Samuel again, “…and well, he—”
“You fainted,” Samuel said as he kneeled next to Claire. “I’m sorry to have surprised you like this.”
Claire stiffened, her eyes unblinking and glued to Samuel.
“Are you going to faint again?” I asked. “Mom?”
She shook her head, slowly, and I put hand across her chest, hugging her, as if it were enough to shield her, protect her from Samuel.
“Do you want to sit up?” I asked.
She nodded without looking at me.
“I can help you to the couch, if you like,” Samuel offered. He held out his hand, and she took it. “You’ll be more comfortable there than on the floor.”
“You’re…” Claire said. “You’re…here.” Sitting now, Claire glanced at me. “Do you know who he is?”
I nodded.
“Oh.” She raised her brow in surprise, and then turned her attention to Samuel. “This is embarrassing, but… I—I don’t know your name.”
“Samuel,” he said.
“I’ve waited a very long time—” Claire glanced at their joined hands, and then up to his face again “—to know your name. Samuel.”
“And I’ve waited a very long time to see you again, Claire.” He smiled at her. “Far too long.”
My mother and my biological father stared mutely at each other for what I felt was longer than necessary. It made me uncomfortable and irked me at the same time. He’d left us. He’d left her—alone and with a monster in her stomach. And why was she staring at him so lustfully? Gross!
“Excuse me,” I said, removing Claire’s hand from Samuel’s grasp. I helped her stand and walked her to the couch. “Do you want me to call Dr. Jameson to come have a look at you?”
“I’m a doctor,” Samuel said. “She looks fine to me.” He looked her over. “Perfect, to be honest.”
Claire blushed. She combed her fingers through her hair. “I must look a mess.”
Are they flirting?
“Not at all,” Samuel said, taking the space next to her on the couch. “You’re stunning, as always. I’m surprised it wasn’t me who fainted at the door when I saw you.”
Claire giggled.
Flirt alert! I let out a huff of air.
“Hey,” I pointed to them. “Stop that—both of you. Right now.”
Samuel and Claire shot me a puzzled look.
“What?” Claire asked.
“Isis, dear.” Galilea took my arm and pulled me away. “Let’s give them some time to catch up, yeah?”
“No,” I objected.
“Yes.” Galilea tugged harder. “C’mon. Be a good girl for your mommy and daddy.”
I scowled at her all the way up to my room.
“So here’s the deal.” Galilea shut the door. “You know how I said I didn’t trust Samuel?”
“Yeah, which is why I’m very confused right now. Why did you make me leave my mother downstairs alone with him?”
“Yeah, so, I changed my mind. I trust him now. So be nice to him. Call him ‘Dad’ or ‘Old Man’ or whatever. Just make him feel welcome.”
“I can’t believe what you’re suggesting. You’re making no sense to me right now. Whatsoever.”
“His being here means more manpower for us. What if Turpis attack again?” She pushed her hands out, palms up, as if raising the invisible words of her justification. “We need him, Isis.”
“No, we don’t. I don’t need him and neither does my mom.” I checked the time on my phone. “I want to get back to the estate. Back to David. And I want Samuel—or whatever his name is—out of here before we leave. But first, I’m going to change.” I walked into the closet. Galilea followed me in. “The nerve of him coming here!”
“Isis, listen to me…” Galilea said as I rummaged through the clothes in my clos
et. “Are you listening?”
“No.”
“You’re impossible.” She gave me a light shove, and then walked out of the closet, mumbling under her breath.
I shuffled through every article of clothing on the hangers. My jeans no longer fit, so I had no choice but to wear leggings and a once loose-fitting shirt—now too snug, but it’d have to do. I walked back into the bedroom.
“What?” I asked. “Why are you looking at me like you want to hurt me?”
“Because I do.” Galilea’s eyes shot daggers at me. “You have a really bad habit of not listening to me. I’m always trying to look out for you, and you’re an ungrateful little brat in return.”
I was doing it again. Being a bad friend.
“You’re right. I am, and I’m sorry.” I sighed. “Tell me the reason you want Samuel to stay.”
“Because he’s your father. No one will ever protect you or fight for you like your parents.”
I couldn’t argue with her point. Heck, I was willing to kill demons for the baby inside me. But, lately, something about Galilea was off, and I wanted to know what it was.
“Is it the only reason?” I asked.
“No.” Galilea looked down at her feet. “I can’t shield you for much longer, much less go head-on with demons. I overdid it when I made the town vanish. And you were right; I need to rest. Otherwise…” She met my gaze. “If I fail you, we all die. That’s the one thing the Stones do show me. I can’t see past that.”
CHAPTER 21
A vision of caution was what Galilea received from the magical Stones that aided her prophetic abilities. It was what she’d called it, anyway. If she couldn’t keep me invisible, the weight of keeping me unharmed fell on the Chioses. But they—we—had the added concern of David’s health. While Galilea was desperate for help, I was desperate for the one good day I wouldn’t have to live in constant fear of Turpis.
For a split-second, I considered Eros’s offer. We’d have an advantage with Eros on our side in the event of a demon attack; after all, he was a remarkable warrior. I’d seen him in action with my own two eyes in Greece. Conversely, he was extra baggage on my list of problems, which is what I was trying to rid from my life. I discarded the notion, knowing my distress was to blame for the stupid thought to begin with.
Although I held a world of resentment toward Samuel for leaving my mother pregnant and alone—and difficult as it might be to accept him into our lives—I had no other choice but to ask for Samuel’s help.
For a long time, I’d thought Claire would side with me if Samuel ever showed his face, that she’d be angry he never came back to look for us. I thought she’d tell him what an irresponsible coward of a man he was for sending anonymous letters, instead of presenting himself in person. Yet, here she was, serving him coffee. In our kitchen. With a huge grin on her face.
Watching Samuel and Claire from the kitchen doorway, Galilea leaned close to me. “They’re kinda cute together, yeah?”
I huffed and rolled my eyes so far back I could’ve sworn I saw my mutating brain.
“…but finally, I deposited the check into my bank account and used most of the money to pay off the mortgage on this house. Thank you for the help. Really,” Claire said, looking sheepishly at Samuel. “Hector was paying for the mortgage after the divorce. He knew I couldn’t afford it on my salary. When he passed, I could barely make ends meet.” She refilled her cup of coffee. “I wasn’t sure it was you who’d sent the check since there was no signature or return address, but I never ruled it out. When the letter addressed to Isis arrived, well, that’s when I pieced it together. To say I was surprised is an understatement,” Claire said. “Anyhow… I always wondered how you knew my address.”
“Public records. You should know this working where you do.” He reached over and patted her hand. “It also helped that you told me your name.”
“But I forgot to ask yours. Who does that?” Claire shook her head, red-faced.
“So, anyway… You went to the public records department at the courthouse to investigate?”
“No, no. The Internet was my friend. Even back then, there was so much information that could be found on the web.”
“A stalker. Wow. I don’t know if I should be flattered or scared for my life right now,” Claire said. They both laughed.
My nose flared.
“I’m glad you’re taking this lightheartedly. I didn’t know what reaction to expect from you. It’s been rough on you both, I know.” Samuel rubbed his chin. “Getting back to how I, admittedly, stalked you… In my search, I stumbled across your marriage license. I didn’t dare interfere in your life.” He tipped his head to the side. “But I did know you were pregnant. I saw Isis in the hospital when she was born.”
“You knew I was pregnant?” Claire sounded surprised. “But how—how did you know Isis was your daughter?”
“Well, that’s where the story gets interesting. You see, I met Hector once.”
“You did? When?” Claire was as surprised as I was.
“Before your wedding. I’d come back to town because I thought maybe I’d build up the courage to see you. I wanted to know you were doing well. I took the back roads to think about what I was going to say if I did end up at your house that night. At a stop sign, I got rear-ended. When I stepped out of the car, I met a very drunk and nervous boy. He pleaded with me not to call the police. He said he was on his way back from his bachelor party, and he was getting married the next day. I agreed, but only if he’d let me drive him home. He was in no condition to be behind a wheel.
“The drive took longer than expected because in his drunkenness, he couldn’t gather his bearings, so I drove around town with him in the passenger seat. To make small talk, I asked him about his wedding, his fiancé… He told me his girlfriend was pregnant. Naturally, I congratulated him. He thanked me and went on to tell me how the baby wasn’t his, that the father was, as he put it, some unknown son of a bitch. And I agreed with him.
“‘And it doesn’t bother you the child isn’t yours?’ I asked him. To which Hector replied, ‘I love Claire, and I already love that baby like it’s my own.’
“I wrote it off as coincidence the girl he was about to marry was named Claire, but my curiosity nagged me when he told me about the unknown father of Claire’s child. So I asked for his fiancé’s full name. ‘Claire Ann Potter,’ he told me proudly. ‘But tomorrow, she’ll be Mrs. Hector Martin.’”
“Hmm… Hector never mentioned any of that,” Claire said. “But I do remember having a fit because he didn’t call me the night before our wedding, even though I knew he was out with his friends.”
“It must’ve been close to four in the morning when he finally sobered up enough to tell me where he lived. And after what he’d told me—about loving you and taking Isis as his own—well, I just couldn’t… I couldn’t bring myself to see you. He was a good man, Claire. His love for you was sincere, and I could see it.”
“So you left,” Claire said.
Samuel nodded. “I took it as a sign. I knew you’d be fine with Hector, well taken care of. And so, I stepped aside and let you live your lives. But I had to see her at least once.” Samuel glanced at me. “I had to make sure she wasn’t a… I needed to know she was healthy.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now tell her how you were going to kill me,” I mumbled. Galilea elbowed me.
“What’s that, honey?” Claire asked me.
“I was just wondering if anyone wanted breakfast,” I said. “Pancakes?”
“Awe yeah.” Galilea made her way to the table. “Can you make us some of your fabulous blueberry compote?”
“Oh no, Isis, honey. Come sit down. Talk to your father.” I hated how casual Claire was, calling him my father. “And while you two talk, I’ll whip up the pancakes,” she said. “I know you have to get back to David.”
“David is your husband?” Samuel asked me.
I didn’t answer. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I coul
dn’t say what I was thinking in front of Claire. In your culture, yes—in my culture and as far as my mother is concerned, no.
“David is her fiancé,” Claire answered for me as she cleared the coffee cups from the kitchen table. “He’s not well. I’ll let Isis tell you.” She walked to the sink where she deposited the coffee cups and started on our morning meal.
“What’s wrong with David?” Samuel asked.
“He’s in a coma,” I said. “He was attacked… um, mugged.” I looked over at Claire to see if she was listening. “Do you mind if we move the conversation to the living room? This chair is too hard, and my back is killing me.”
“Isis, you make sure you put your feet up,” Claire said. I knew she was listening. “Always helped me when I was pregnant with you.”
I walked into the living room, Samuel and Galilea behind me. Galilea turned the TV on.
“Could you lower the volume?” Samuel asked Galilea.
“Nope,” she said. “It’s high on purpose. Mutes our voices.”
“I have a lot to tell you,” I said. “First, I’m being hunted by demons. It’s how David ended up in a coma. He’s your kind. A deity. He gave me his Star Crest, and now, his transformation into Creatura made him lose some of his powers. Second, Galilea’s ability to make things and people invisible and her physical strength are weakening. She’s been keeping us under the radar for weeks. However, she’s reached her limits. She can only hold the block over me. But not for long. Although David’s family will protect me, I know how strong Turpis are. I’ve gotten away with my life three times, but each time, the attacks are worse. With David down and Galilea out of the game for now, I’m afraid we don’t have enough manpower to survive the next attack.”
“Are you asking for my help?” Samuel asked.
“I’m not done,” I said. “Last, I hate the way you look at my mom, so stop it.” I rubbed my curved belly. “And yes, I’m asking for your help.”
Claire stuck her head out from the kitchen. “Who’s deaf in there? Turn that thing down.”