“What did you do to piss him off so much?” I ask, completely dumbfounded by Kier’s behaviour. I mean sure, he has a temper and drives me up the wall, but he didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would go all vengeful God on anyone. Eric must have done something really bad to piss him off.
“What did he say to you?” I ask, getting pissed that he’d do something to upset Kier. I’m not sure what’s come over me. When Kier grabbed Eric around the throat like that, all I could think about was that Kier would get into trouble and it felt like it was my fault.
Eric’s growl makes me jump as he says, “Nothing. Just drop it.”
For the second time in as many days, he storms off on me. I stand there staring after him for several seconds before shaking my head.
“I wish we’d never come here.”
“Don’t be like that, my dear, if you hadn’t come here, you wouldn’t know the truth. Isn’t that why you decided to come, despite every effort to avoid it?” As if my day wasn’t bad enough, Poseidon has to show up and make it that much worse.
“What do you want now?” I ask without even looking at him.
“You.”
I swear I’m hearing things. “What?” I ask, finally turning to look at him. Up close he’s even more intimidatingly good looking than from across a room. I glare at him but he just chuckles, “We want you to do what we asked of you yesterday.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re actually going to threaten me this time?” I snap, lifting my chin to show him I’m not intimidated by him.
“Because that’s exactly what is happening right now. You will accept or you’ll be learning the hard way just how difficult life can be for a human in our world.”
“No.” I snarl.
“Is that you’re final answer? I’d think carefully about this if I were you Miss Day.” His voice is full of warning, but I’m stronger than anything they could throw at me. Besides, Seth, Kier and Ty seem to be on my side. Almost friends, I think. Knowing this I say, “I’m not doing it. Do you want me to spell it out for you? N.O.T. H.A.P.P.E.N.I.N.G!”
“Very well. Good luck in your first week of classes and work tasks. I fear it’s going to be a very busy week for you.” With those parting words, he vanishes into thin air, leaving me staring at the empty space.
“What have you gotten yourself involved in?” Eric’s face is red from anger and it only pisses me off more that he’s come back and decided to start an argument right now.
“Oh, you’re speaking to me now?” I snap, turning my back on him.
“Of course I’m speaking to you, but so too was Poseidon.” Eric growls, grabbing my shoulders and trying to force me to look at him.
I let him turn me, but only because I don’t want to cause more of a scene. “He’s been trying to convince me that I need to accept some stupid assignment. I’m not doing it.”
“You can’t refuse a God.”
“I can if it means being assigned to Kier, Ty, and Seth.” Although thinking about it, last night and this morning wasn’t so bad. Maybe being assigned to them wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all. Guilt makes my stomach churn. No, I can’t spy on them. I kind of like them too much to betray them like that.
Eric starts looking around at all the people as though searching for someone, “Who are they?”
“Kier is the one who just tried to strangle you.” I deadpan.
“No. Hell no. Not happening. Those three can find some other vulnerable girl to do their bidding.” Eric growls, grabbing my arm and dragging me over to Ms Harker. “Ryxa needs an assignment that doesn’t have the Gods-in-training on her schedule. She’s feeling a little overwhelmed by them.” Before I can protest, he adds, “She’s beginning to crush on one of them and needs a little distance.”
“No. That’s not-.” I start to protest but Ms Harker cuts me off with a wave of her hand. “It’s okay dear, we did just have this conversation. You missed most of it because you were waylaid by the Triplets, so I’ll excuse your ignorance. We allow reassignments based on feelings that can sometimes develop because the rules are in place to keep us all safe. I’ll have you assigned to the kitchens and server duties until selection time.”
I try again to protest, but Eric wraps his hand over my mouth. “Thank you, Ms Harker. We’re both really grateful you can help in this delicate situation.”
He doesn’t let go of me until we’re well away from prying eyes and ears. The second he does I round on him, my small fists pummelling his chest. “How could you do that? They’ll turn me into a server. It’s your fault I’m here in the first place. If you’d just been content to be a normal person instead of striving for the Gods we’d be back at home right now!” Everything is said in a rush, some of my words running together, others choked out by the tears clogging my throat but he doesn’t say a word which only makes me more furious with him. “Why couldn’t you just leave things well enough alone? We had everything under control. They-.”
Suddenly Eric is gripping my shoulders, shaking me so hard my teeth rattle, “They who? Are you talking about those assholes who got you into trouble in the first place?” He shakes me again. “They’re just using you to piss their ex off. Don’t you see that?”
“No, they wouldn’t. We were just….” All my steam runs out, I’m not even sure why I’m so angry right now. If Eric’s right, then they might be using me. I was trying to find a way to get out of having to serve them and he’s handed me the solution, so why do I feel like this?
“Look, Ryx, they’ve obviously done something, used their powers on you or something. Just stay away from them and things will be fine. You’ll get picked by a nice Goddess who’ll appreciate the help you can give her. Someone who will become like a friend. You’ll help her learn everything there is to know about surviving in the human world and she’ll share the world with you. It’s all going to be okay.” He says pulling me in for a hug.
Right before I pull away, I swear I hear him whisper, “I won’t let them take you from me.” But that can’t be right. I’m not his. Never have been, he’s made that perfectly clear.