Son of Ra Read online

  “Your room. Here at the court?” I asked fearfully my eyes pleading for bodily cues of what he might say next. Cas nodded carefully waging my reaction, but with a certain passion in the way he moved his head.

  “And you said all the exact same things you said in my dream. Every word. I was so freaked out, I ran to get Szar. I didn’t know what to do. Your father came and got you. You didn’t remember anything the next morning.”

  “How do I not remember you?” And you left out meeting you more than twice. The two scars might have been moments you remember recently, but what about when we were young? Is there more?

  “Yes. Your father said they did something to your memory, but he hid you from me as well. Your identity, that is, until it was time for him to involve me.”

  Was everything a lie? Did everything my whole life stay hidden from me? Yes, it did! Some unparagoned being created for me alone was too much.

  I poked Szar in the arm, “You better tell me everything you know. And you better not leave anything out. There is way more than just a couple of letters in question.”

  I turned back, running into Cas. I poked him in the center of his hard stomach muscles just so I could touch his sun, “And you too.”

  He smiled sheepishly. He seemed to breathe and appeared a little more relaxed. Maybe he was ready to lift some off his shoulders. Before he did, he left me alone and walked he and my traitorous brother away from the room to talk without me, no doubt, sharing more secrets not for me. I allowed it only because I hoped they were plotting how to tell me, not what to tell me. But I wasn’t stupid.

  I didn’t have to pretend in front of Szar, so I freely pulled Cas over to the sofa and sat next to him when they returned. I took his hand in mine to reassure him I could handle all this. Szar smiled and complied, “I always did give in to you no matter how angry you could make me.”

  “Sounds familiar,” Cas groaned beside me. Less than a week we’ve known each other this way and already we were verbally past some stage I couldn’t name.

  “Tell me what you do know?” Szar asked.

  First, my eyebrow rose to say something sarcastic, but his amused face sent me back into serious mode. He would win this war or die trying. I filled him in on what I had learned so far and he filled in the gaps. “Aligned with the stars they say. Our mothers were the various goddesses of war and such. They supposedly plotted this creation of the five who would change the way of the factions. They’ve become complacent. Too set with working alone. And they, the mothers as I call them, feel we will be the ones to change this.”

  “How? And how is it you know all this and I don’t?” And he said five! Me, Cas, Calum, Szar, and who???

  Szar eyed Cas.

  “Now you two have telepathy?” I jabbed him with heavy sarcasm.

  “At least you admit it,” Szar yawped back at me.

  I really tried not to screw my nose up at him like I always have when he annoyed me, but it just couldn’t be helped. He was the same old Szar and him I knew well. “I didn’t deny it,” I chimed and turn to ignore him.

  I angled myself back to Cas and pointed my finger in his direction, “And you knew all this too?” He nodded revealing nothing. It was then that I found myself treating him like we’d been together for longer than we had and should expect the truth, but really he owed me nothing. Maybe he didn’t intend to ever tell me...we are not together. What am I saying?

  That you admit to having feelings for me that are stronger than you want to admit.

  Ohhh! You! I fumed.

  He smiled evenly.

  “Ya’ll done yet?” Szar rolled his eyes.

  “Don’t be an ass!” I screamed at his face.

  “Gotta be good at something in your eyes,” he shrugged with his arms folded as if he really didn’t care, but I knew he did.

  “Perfect, Szar. You are just perfect at it!”

  I pulled myself away from Cas and walked to the other side of the room to cool off. I wanted to be back in his arms the second I left. I was hooked. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Line! And sunk all the way to the bottom with no way to surface. Still, I needed to clear my head. I will have to go back to the Hunters to find their connection. If after all of this is situated, then maybe…

  “What else?” I turned and asked.

  “You are the one they created to…you’re the only freaking girl in this package! Can’t you see without me spelling it out for you?” Szar’s barbed comment was eating a hole in the conversation.

  “Harsh ever? She may not be ready?”

  “STOP telling me I’m not ready for anything. I am tired of guessing.” I zipped back to my brother, “Tell me NOW!”

  He gave in.

  “You’re the direct descendant of the goddess of Anat and he from Ra. I am of my father. You are of them. Legends left out the union of the two. They created one once before. She turned evil. They were reluctant to make another. So they created four to tame the one.” He smiled at this.

  “And I’m that one.” And my mother is from the gods not my father.

  They both nodded.

  “And you’re the one’s to tame me,” I snorted. A group of men. Was this the deleted scene on the bonus package of my life?

  “And Calum,” Szar said.

  I glanced at Cas who offered no hate vibes or expression hearing the name said aloud.

  “And there’s a number five?” I surprised them with announcing.

  Both of these broad shouldered all muscle men looked at each other, spoke some kind of hidden message from me, and nodded. That’s it? That’s all you two are going to give me?

  Cas nodded.

  “If I’m this crazed idea of a…whatever, why do I feel like I’m not? And who’s to prove that my father is not my father?”

  “Maybe that’s the difference between you and the one before you. She was quick to please herself. You have never been anything but what everyone else might need. You deny yourself. She indulged.” If Szar was handing out compliments he had an agenda.

  “Who was she?”

  Cas answered, “You knew her as Cleopatra.”

  “Cleopatra?” I sang in disbelief. Neither moron answered me. “Okay. That seems like a bit farfetched, fellas.”

  “Ask father. He knew before we were born. Our mother told him just before she died. And he told me when they took Thorn away from you. I was too nosy and went looking for my lost friend. When I found out he was a Vampire, I wanted to kill him.”

  Cas laughed. “Alright. Enough for one night. Let’s get you back before they notice you missing, Kissa.”

  Wait! “Is there anything else I don’t know?” I was a little scared to stop thinking about what could be.

  "Lots!"

  “Oh, already have pet names for each other. We’ve moved up in the foreplay department.” Szar showed off his stupid humor.

  I didn’t mean for it to sound this way, but my voice naturally hissed. Maybe I understand where they get the cat reference from. No admittance, but I screamed in my head thoroughly hearing it rumble loud.

  Szar continued when I didn’t return his bantering, “Tons you don’t know sis, but nothing that can’t wait. I don’t need to remind you to be aware of Borgon, but I will tell you that his family was killed when you were not taken. If he was a loose cannon before, he’s an exploding bomb now. Watch yourself better than you have been.”

  It’s not like I go looking for ones who want to kill me.

  “Why don’t you two come by tomorrow night and I’ll start a movie. Pop some corn. And I’ll tell you more.”

  I loved that idea. Like a real kind of date. Except not with my brother watching.

  “We’ll talk and then I have a place I have to be at 10:00. You two can…talk more then.” He raised the hand quotes in my face.

  What? Was this my brother?

  I looked at Cas. Was this what he wanted?

  He drew his eyes up a little and asked, Is it what you want?

  GODS! I p
ut my face in my hands. He’s heard everything I’ve thought again. I need to remember this.

  “Do you two need a moment?” Szar asked.

  “No,” I answered. “We will be here. Nine o'clock.”

  “Or else I’m gonna give you to the count of three. Got it!” Szar’s voice was deeper and funny sounding as I drowned him out. My brother’s fascination with old movies mimicked my own. Home Alone was one of our favorites during the human holiday winters. I drowned out him calling us “lily livered” and whatever else spilled out.

  I looked at Szar meaning he could leave but remembered a second too late we were on his turf. “We’ll be going now. Tomorrow.”

  “Will be epic.” Szar cried out.

  “Enough of the EPIC already. Find a new word.”

  “Yes ma’am. CIPE!”

  Really, backwards is it? I gritted my teeth. “CIPE, your ass is mine.” I ran across the room so fast covering him with three pillows and had him down on the ground. Straddling him and pounding him with pillows I felt myself being pulled up and out the door before I could get a good hit in. “Stop. I’m not through.”

  Cas laughed at me. “I think you are very through, Miss Language.” He carried me through the door and righted me to a standing position as we headed into the night air. I heard Szar yelling behind me as I was moving farther away, “Save the ripping off of my shirt for the ladies, sis.” Moron!

  Cas held my hand, and landed below. I never even saw my father.

  “He’s not there.”

  “Where is he?”

  “Meeting with Dr. Green.”

  I am curious how you always seem to just know everything.

  “Not everything. But I saw your father go into Dr. Green’s office just before I arrived at the school tonight.”

  “Oh!” Logical. Not sinister.

  Sinister. You consider me sinister?

  “Not at all. Just eerie that you’re all-knowing sometimes.” Like an angel of darkness.

  “I have to be. My faction would fall without it. And an angel wouldn’t do the things I have to do for my people.”

  We were answering back and forth out loud and sometimes not. Anyone listening would wonder about our sanity. I would probably laugh at being the one who was trying to follow our conversations.

  Agreed. He laughed.

  I still hadn’t come to terms with the whole lord thing. I never really wanted to think about my own title to the Val court as a possible future. I would think later. Way later.

  Looking at Cas now that we were standing by the clearing in my own court’s woods, I asked him, “Do you ever hide your thoughts from me?”

  He paused, “Yes.”

  Not surprised, “Why?”

  He paused again, “Things like what you just heard. I knew you weren’t ready. And things I don’t think you want to hear.”

  “Like?” I was super curious now. He really was like my dark angel of goodness full of capabilities in the all obscure and scary department.

  He stared blankly. I couldn’t read him. His eyes burned a yellow, almost iridescent color.

  He blinked. Then he closed his eyes. A long time.

  I put my hand to my face, What did I do wrong?

  Absolutely nothing.

  Why do your eyes do that then? I thought I had them figured out.

  And his mouth was on mine. I was quick to fight it at first, not wanting to believe I wanted this. I did. I really did. And I was giving back what he was giving freely. I shuddered when his tongue slid across my bottom lip. I let him do it again for the pure enjoyment. When I melted once more I parted my lips. The taste was amazing. Like nothing else. Cinnamon and a spice I can’t name. All his own. I didn’t need food, he was my nourishment.

  His lips slowed a little. I felt his fingers in my hair, stroking gently and then shivered as his fingers slid across the back of my neck.

  He pulled his face back away an inch, I am sorry.

  “Why?” I muttered.

  “Because I wanted to let you choose the next time,” he said wryly.

  “Oh, I fought it terribly well you see.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t want to rush you.”

  “Why do your eyes turn almost gold?”

  “Did they?” he seemed surprised.

  “Maybe it is linked to what you’re thinking. What were you thinking just before...”

  His devil smile came out like I’d seen back at his home. “Thoughts I shouldn’t be thinking.”

  The color drained in my cheeks. Did he want to bite me?

  He jumped back. “No! Crap, no! Stace, I told you. I don’t want to bite you. Sometimes you think all the wrong things.”

  “You don’t? Why not? What’s wrong with me?”

  His hands were in his hair shaking it out far and wide. “Nothing is wrong with you. See—you are always thinking the opposite of what you should. You…I can’t control other things around you.” He would have to just say it what he needed to say. I couldn’t figure him out. He moved back to me. “Stace, I have feelings for you I can’t explain with words. I want to more than just kiss you. I’ve never wanted to bite you the way you say. But I’d gladly—”

  “I get the picture. Sorry I’m so dense about this subject.” I put my hands in the air.

  “Oh no, I’m okay with it. Totally dang frustrated, but fascinated.”

  “Why is it so fascinating? Because you’ve probably conquered many and now you want to conquer me?” I was so slow to anger until meeting him, but when it came it was a brutal. I had no right, but I had to know.

  “Um, Stace. I’ve never “conquered” anyone. Maybe that’s not manly enough for you.”

  I smiled at the idea. So, we are both mostly unknowledgeable. I like that.

  I’m not completely innocent, but if it means you’re going to think less of me.

  Think less of you? Why would you think that? I think it is absolutely amazing. Not that I want to know of any old flames or anything like that.

  He beamed his laser smile at me.

  So this was awkward. I don’t want you to think less of me either.

  I could never. His arms went around me.

  “We are moving kind of fast for really knowing each other five days plus a few momentous events of the past," he whispered.

  “I don’t care anymore.”

  He beamed. “You sure?”

  “Yeah.” I reached up on my own accord and set my lips on his. I wanted to run my tongue across his teeth out of shear curiosity. He stiffened. He must know.

  “Can I?”

  He didn’t answer. I needed to know he was sure he wouldn’t hurt me. I wanted to be sure myself.

  My tongue danced back and forth on his top lip. Bottom lip. And then…I felt only teeth. Wonderful teeth. He melted, I think. I liked that. The devil inside me was perched and revving for danger. I pulled back, and raised myself to tiptoes trying to reach his neck. I felt the ground beneath disappear. I had my fingers and lips simultaneously nibbling at his neck. My other hand was on his chest, just to be sure. I wanted this, but I had to be sure. I was ready.

  His mouth found my neck tensing every muscle I could hold in place. His lips were wet. They left little traces of chill along the back to the front. He stopped and kissed one spot over and over. I panicked.

  “What?” he was panting. We hit the ground again.

  “I…I…nothing.” He didn’t. I was right.

  “Of course your right. I told you, I don’t want to hurt you. I wouldn’t do that. I’ve only ever eaten out of a dang fridge. I’ve never wanted to bite anyone.”

  I felt elated and calmed all in one. “Thank you. I am completely convinced.”

  “Are you?” his eyes darkened.

  I backed up like I wanted to be scared but my smile gave me away.

  His black eyes turned gold just like that. Yep! Definitely a signal for something. They turn gold when he wants…my eyes searched him up and down…yeah Cas, I know some things about men and
women…and your—

  He had me pressed against him lifting again. I tried to rest my feet on his, but they just weren’t anywhere near the ground. I felt him lower me into the grass as his mind set a picture of us as he saw it.

  “We need to slow down,” he panted above me.

  I licked my lips still holding the taste of him. “But I’ve never kissed anyone like this before. It is just so.…” I finally could see reason with hearing my own words. Very little reason came through, but enough. “If I don’t stop, Cas, I don’t think I will be able too.”

  He stopped fast, solidified his hold, and pulled back. “You really feel that way, about me?”

  He was the one asking me? I was the one who couldn’t control myself, again.

  We shared a few soft petal kisses and then I felt myself lift into the air again. That’s a rush.

  Tell me about it.

  We were back at the school and hidden just outside the wooded area by the back of the gym but not before I ran to my room at my court and grabbed my #1 knives. I sighed on the inside at having them.

  “Can I tell you something?”

  “Anything.” Cas answered in a state of happiness.

  “I’m meeting Calum here soon. He was going to take me to see my brother.”

  I know.

  Sure he did. I need him. To help me solve all this.

  I know.

  I’ve…we were kind of together when I left.

  Cas nodded. Not on my list of topics to talk about right now.

  I’m not now, obviously. But I need to tell him in my way. He is still somehow apart of all this.

  I know. I waited.

  You saw us.

  He nodded.

  Cas’ face scrunched up. His eyes darkened with something else right back to black. He nodded so little I might of imagined it.

  I mean, thank you for waiting. I am sorry.

  You shouldn’t be. It took me a long time and we needed the right moment to come.

  I pulled him closer to me.

  I’m here now.

  But you can’t stay.

  I’ll be here tomorrow night. Five till nine.