“I remember being so jealous of my brothers being allowed to work at the pub once they were old enough.” She has this little smile.
“You didn’t work there?”
She shakes her head. “Me, work at a dark, dingy pub? Oh no! I was the little princess of the house. I was wrapped in cotton wool and mollycoddled by everyone in the family…except for Mam.” She frowns. “I hated it so much, and yet I want it all back again. I want to be interrogated before leaving the house. I want my brothers keeping tabs on me. I wouldn’t even mind their smelly shoes and socks lying about the house.”
“You’ll have it back again. All of it,” I promise her.
Nia smiles at me, her eyes are teary, but she isn’t crying. “I’ll have to beg Death for a lift home as soon as this is over.”
“You won’t have to beg. Death is a good guy.”
“I think you’re right about that. I might have misjudged him.”
“We’re not all bad,” I blurt, feeling disappointed that Nia wants to leave so soon, but I completely understand. “What about your dad?” I quickly change the subject, “I’ve heard you talk about your mom but never your dad.”
“Tad is amazing. He had just retired a couple of weeks before I left with Gaire. My brother, Iwan took over managing Hound’s Tooth. My Tad loves my mother more than life itself. He worships the ground she walks on. He’s the sweetest person. I know what a healthy, happy relationship looks like. That’s why I get so mad at myself for falling for Gaire’s bull.”
“You were a young woman who wanted to see the world. You were swept off your feet by a manipulative bastard. You can’t blame yourself.”
“There were signs that I was stupid enough to ignore. It happened once, and once is enough.” There’s pain in her eyes.
I wish I could erase her distrust. Nia is not the kind of woman who will stay bitter forever. She’s right. She needs to find herself. To experience life and freedom, and on her own terms. I know she will love again one day. I am jealous of whoever she will eventually trust with her heart.
I feel like a complete sap. Like the biggest pussy, so I get up and head to the shower. Maybe the warm water will clear my head.
Nia
The next morning…
Rage is setting the table for the two of us. I’ve just broken the eggs into the pan when there’s a knock at the door.
We both stand up straighter, our eyes lock. My hand closes on the spatula, my knuckles go white in an instant.
“I don’t think he would knock,” I say under my breath.
“I doubt it,” Rage agrees. I see all his muscles bulge as he fills with tension.
“It’s me,” a familiar voice booms. I think I know who it is.
Rage’s mouth twitches. I watch him relax. He sighs. “It’s Tri.” He goes over and opens the door.
“Is that bacon I smell?” Trident asks as he walks into the house.
“It is indeed.” I can’t help but smile. I’m happy he’s here. Things have been a little stilted between Rage and me. Maybe it’s just this whole situation. The anxiety over when Gaire is going to show up that’s causing some of the tension. It’s not the only reason, though. There’s this tension between us. I’ve caught him looking at me. I’ve caught myself looking at him too.
It’s weird. We’re not friends, but we’re not lovers either, even though we’ve slept together. We’re something in-between. It’s a weird place to be. I instantly feel some of that tension evaporate as Trident’s wide grin lights the room. “So, how are the lovebirds?” And just like that, it’s back. Rage’s back goes rigid. I see his jaw tic. Tri laughs. “Your faces!” He slaps his leg. “I’m kidding.” He rolls his eyes, still chuckling.
“I need to warn you that you’re in danger of being pulled into another Gaire fight,” Rage says. “We’re expecting him to arrive any minute. In fact,” Rage looks at his watch, “he’s overdue.”
Tri shrugs. “I figured as much. I’ll take my chances, especially if I can get a hot breakfast out of the deal.”
“That bastard is out for blood,” Rage warns.
“I guess so. About that bacon, are you guys okay with sharing?”
I laugh, taking the fried eggs out of the pan. “Absolutely. Take a seat. I’ll fry up a few more eggs, and Rage will set you a place at the table.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Tri sits.
Rage grabs another place setting while I crack a couple more eggs into the pan. They sizzle as soon as they hit the hot oil.
“So, what have I missed?” Trident asks, leaning back in his chair.
“Nothing much,” Rage says.
A whole lot. I’m not sure if Tri knows what went down yesterday. I concentrate on the eggs. It’s not my place to talk about Warrick. I’m touched that Rage told me about him. I feel a lump form in my throat when I think about how Rage is going to turn Gaire down on his offer. Rage has a chance to bring his friend back. To undo the terrible thing he did…and he’s not taking it. I’m moved and deeply grateful.
“That fucker tried to offer me a deal in exchange for Nia.” Rage gets an extra plate and splits the bacon equally between the three of us. “He told me he could bring Warrick back.”
“Holy fuck!” Tri’s eyes go wide. “Can he do that? Doesn’t seem right. What a bastard. That has got to be hard on you. I’m assuming you turned him down,” Tri says, talking quickly.
“I plan on turning him down. I haven’t seen him yet. It isn’t right.” I see the anguish in Rage’s eyes. There’s also anger there.
Tri exhales loudly. “I’m glad.” He makes a face. “It’s fucked up if you ask me. What’s the name of that movie?”
“I thought exactly the same thing. Pet Cemetery.”
“That’s it!” Trident half-yells. “It’s freaky shit.”
“Nia said that he can do it. She said that Warrick would be exactly the same as he was when he died.”
“Gaire can do that?” Tri asks.
I nod. “As Head Huntsman, Gaire has special powers bestowed upon him by Hades.”
“It still seems wrong.”
Rage is scowling. It looks like it’s weighing on him. I hope he hasn’t changed his mind, but I won’t blame him if he has.
“What happened… It was…” Trident is struggling to find the right words, “You should never have been sent away after…Warrick…after…”
“They were right to banish me.” Rage’s jaw is tight. His eyes are blazing. “I have powers I struggle to control. Even today. It’s a constant battle.”
“You had only just come into your powers. It had been maybe a year, at most?” Trident raises a brow. “You were young.” He echoes my sentiments.
“I don’t want to talk about it, Tri.” Rage shakes his head. “It happened. It’s done!”
“It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know what would happen if—”
“It was my fault,” he says it softly. I feel for him. “Let’s just eat. I plan on turning Gaire down. I won’t do that to Nia.” We lock eyes for a second. “He’s an evil prick, and he can go to hell.”