Ascension (The Gryphon Series) Page 2

  Once more my gaze wandered to the lifeless discus. A partnership with Barnabus was wrong in principle; the knot in my gut told me that. Regardless, our goal of killing the Countess was a mutual one. Would it really be so wrong for me to get something in return? I gnawed on my bottom lip and wiped my suddenly sweaty palms on my cotton pajama shorts.

  The dragon’s slit black eyes crinkled with amusement. “Think about it, Conduit. Everything you want could be yours, so very easily … I’ll be seeing you soon.”

  In a puff of smoke, he disappeared.

  I eyed the discus wearily, half expecting it to vanish along with him. When it stayed put, I bent with a resigned sigh and scooped it up. Weighing it in my palm, I let my fingers trace over its flawlessly smooth sides. It seemed so small and insignificant, yet the dark shadows of my mind whispered warnings that it was anything but.

  Chapter 2

  Footsteps pounded up the stairway. “Dragon prints in my azaleas! Dragon prints in my azaleas!” Grams burst into the room, tightening the sash of her mini-kimono as she ran. “Celeste! Are you okay?”

  I quickly averted my gaze as her kimono fell open to reveal more Grams than I ever wanted to see. “I’m fine. Barnabus just stopped by to drop off his ‘Join the Dark Side’ propaganda.” Pinching the discus between two fingers, I held it up for her to see. “Instead of pins they give out chotchkies.”

  Grams peered around the room, most likely searching for telltale signs of a struggle. “So, you’re not in danger? No impending doom?”

  I let my shoulders rise and fall in a casual shrug. “No more than usual. Although, I am curious to know what you planned to do if I was being eaten by a giant reptile.”

  She reached one hand—with freshly-painted fuchsia nails—into her robe pocket and pulled out a small silver flask. “Remember that documentary we watched about those two brothers that used holy water to ward off demons? Well, I borrowed their idea and went to church to steal us some!”

  “There’s so much wrong with that statement I don’t even know where to begin,” I murmured, rubbing a hand over my face. “First, that was not a documentary. It was a show on the CW.”

  Gram’s face fell in an exaggerated pout. “Bummer. I was really hoping we’d run into those boys.”

  All I could do was stare for a beat.

  “Secondly,” I emphasized the word to let her know we were most definitely changing the subject. “I think holy water stops being holy when you steal it. Ya know, you’re just the right amount of crazy to be dangerous.”

  “Aren’t ya glad I’m on your side?” Grams smiled and batted her long fake lashes.

  I cocked my head and fought to keep my threatening grin at bay. “I feel you want me to say yes …”

  “Ha-ha.” She smirked. “Where’s your sister? I need her to help me decide between my blue sequin dress or the bright red with fringe.”

  “Don’t you own anything black?” I asked, following Grams out into the hall.

  “Oh! I didn’t even think of the black and lacy! Thanks, Celeste!”

  “Ah-yes. Nothing says ‘sorry for your loss’ like black lace.” I stopped outside the bathroom door and gave a quick knock before pushing it open.

  My sister in-law and ex-Spirit Guide, Alaina, spun at the bathroom sink and hid her right hand behind her back. Her forehead glistened with a sheen of sweat. Damp auburn strands clung to her temples. “Sorry. I … uh … didn’t hear you knock. I’ll be right out.”

  “You okay?” I cringed. “You’re all pale and sweaty.”

  “Yeah, I’m great!” She nodded a little too exuberantly. “Dinner just didn’t sit too well.”

  “That probably has something to do with that positive pregnancy test behind your back.” Grams nodded at the reflection in the mirror.

  I leaned to the side to sneak a glimpse. Sure enough, reflected back at us was a bright red plus sign.

  “You’ve been married a week!” My squawk registered higher on the judgmental meter than I intended.

  Grams clapped her hands and erupted in a loud peel of laughter. “He’s a Garrett! We do honeymooning right!” She nudged my rib with her bony elbow and muttered out of the corner of her mouth, “I could tell you some stories about your grandpa …”

  My pointer finger snapped up to silence her. “But you won’t!”

  Alaina interrupted our banter by shaking the pregnancy test at us. Her moss green eyes widened with barely contained panic. “You can’t tell Gabe! Not yet! We haven’t talked about kids in any sense that didn’t involve the word ‘someday’ and it just kind of happened! We haven’t moved into our apartment yet! He’s not done with college! I don’t understand modern pull tab diapers and demons are constantly trying to kill us! There’s just so much to figure out!”

  “That has pee on it! Stop shaking it!” I hollered from under the shield of my arms.

  Grams pushed passed me, her lips pressed together in a thin line. Grabbing Alaina by her forearms, she sat her on the toilet before retrieving a wash cloth from the cabinet. After wetting it in the sink and wringing out the excess, Grams placed the cooling cloth on the back of Alaina’s slim neck. “You two are married and love each other. Everything else will work out.”

  “Do you think she still has any eagle blood left in her?” I mused as I leaned my back against the doorframe. “Because we know he’s a lion. Maybe instead of a human baby they’ll have a gryphon. Seriously, how cute would that be? Little half eagle/half lion critter scampering all over the house.” My nose crinkled at the mental image of my fuzzy little niece or nephew ... until I noticed their matching looks of stunned disbelief. “What? It would be,” I mumbled.

  Alaina caught Gram’s hand and peered at her with pleading eyes. “Please don’t tell Gabe! I will. I promise. I … I just have to find the right time.”

  Gram’s lips curled in a warm, maternal grin. “It’s not my news to share. But, I will tell you that you have nothing to worry about. Gabe will be an awesome daddy.”

  “Ah, I wouldn’t worry about that.” I waved that idea away with a flick of my wrist. “Your bigger concern should be the newborn getting caught in the cross fire of a demonic attack.”

  Alaina’s face crumbled and she buried it in her hands.

  “Stop helping,” Grams mouthed.

  I nodded my agreement and mimed locking my lips.

  “All this being said, sweetie, do you think it’s a good idea for you to come with us tonight?” Grams asked. “If flying on a plane is stressful for a pregnant lady, I can’t imagine inter-dimensional travel is any better.”

  Alaina sat up and tore off a piece of toilet paper to dab her eyes. “I’ll be fine.” She sniffled. “I want to go and pay my last respects.”

  “Plus, we’re venturing to the stomping grounds of the good guys. It’s like hanging out at The Hall of Justice. Doesn’t get much safer than that!” I snorted at my own joke. Then cleared my throat and shifted my gaze away from the awkwardness of Grams and Alaina’s blank stares.

  And I’m the warrior for the people. The people should be nervous.

  Chapter 3

  “Ya know, that wizard kid had a magical train station. What do we get? A golf course in the middle of the night. This is significantly less cool,” Kendall whined and flipped her hot pink bangs from her eyes.

  “There’s no cool mystical doorway or anything.” I tsked. “Just a sand trap at the eighth tee.”

  “It’s more than it appears.” Big Mike, our stoic escort to the Spirit Plane, bent down and scooped up a golf ball someone had failed to retrieve from the course. He reared back one tatted up arm and whipped the tiny ball up into the sky. It careened through the air until it slammed into an unseen force. Purple circles, like water absorbing a rock’s skip, rippled across the night sky. Instead of falling back to Earth, the puckered ball vanished.

  “Okay, that earned back a few cool points,” Keni marveled with an appreciative nod.

  Alaina cast a sideways glance at Big Mike, a slig
ht smile curling the corners of her mouth. “You probably just took out a garden nymph on the other side.”

  Big Mike—who could easily pass as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s cousin from the wrong side of the tracks—took another long drag off his cigar and blew a perfect smoke ring. “A couple of ‘em owe me money. Maybe word will spread.” He turned to face us, his slate grey eyes narrowed in scrutiny. “I can fly two. Kendall can get one. We just need to wait for our third flier.”

  “Or we could toss Gabe through in one of Keni’s cheerleading basket tosses,” I suggested and plucked a fuzzy off my black, cap sleeved sweater. “He’s a cat. He’ll land on his feet.”

  That earned me a shoulder bump and a wry smile from my gigantic brother.

  “No need for that. I can give someone a lift.” I couldn’t help but grin at that familiar voice behind me.

  Terin, the only other Conduit I’d ever met. Sure, her fiery Phoenix side was way intimidating, but with her around I didn’t feel like the lone member of the Chosen Freaks Club.

  “Think you can deliver us there without burning us to dea—” My words cut off abruptly.

  She wasn’t alone. And the person standing beside her ignited a rage in my gut that quickly swelled into a red haze of anger. I didn’t even realize I’d swung at the arrogant blond pirate until my fist collided with his chiseled, pretty boy jaw.

  “Don’t open the portal!” I yelled and whipped around to send the side of my fist on a collision course with Rowan’s windpipe.

  He ducked out of the way and raised his hands in surrender. “Easy, Poppet. No need for violence. I’ve never raised a hand to you and I don’t plan to now.”

  “You tied me to a table and handed me over to an army of gnomes!” The underlying message of aggression was emphasized by a punch, jab, and kick.

  He blocked each with ease, all the while wearing that infuriating cocky leer. “They were tiny little buggers. You could’ve stomped them under your heel. Plus, I did tell you how to defeat them before I left.”

  “Throwing me a life preserver after knocking me into shark infested waters does not make you a hero!” I spun down in a low kick meant to sweep his legs out from under him.

  Chuckling, he jumped over my outstretched leg. “Not sharks. Puny gnomes. Do I really need to point out the size difference?”

  I glanced over my shoulder, wondering why my sword and shield weren’t joining in on this fight. Gabe shoved his hands in the pockets of his grey slacks, a bored look etched onto his broad face. Kendall was admiring Alaina’s ceremonial garb and inquiring on the fine art of fastening a toga properly.

  I dropped my hands in exasperation. “Hey! He’s the bad guy! Why am I the only one being proactive?”

  “He saved our wedding.” Alaina linked hands with her groom, who nodded his agreement.

  “Did you see that castle, Cee? It was sick!” Keni added.

  “If that means stunning in teen speak, I agree.” Grams leaned to the side to welcome Rowan with a friendly wave. “Good to see you again, Row.”

  I let my trembling hands fall to my side and sought out my last hope. “Big Mike? Come on, you hate all demons.”

  One massive shoulder rose and fell as he pulled the stogie from his mouth. “Word from above is he’s on our side now. I got orders not to harm him.”

  A relentless throbbing threatened to split my skull open and ooze grey matter everywhere. “Just so I’m clear, I was nearly killed because of him and we’re all okay with this?”

  Terin stepped in front of Rowan, her tense body language making it painfully obvious she planned to intercept any further blows I threw. “There’s more to him than you know, Celeste. He’s a good person.”

  Over her shoulder, Rowan’s turquoise gaze locked with mine. He even had the audacity to cock his head and attempt a look of regret and apology.

  “Oh, you’re good.” I expelled a humorless huff of laughter. My tight stare shifted to Terin. “If you made the mistake of falling for his charms, I wish you the best of luck digging the knife from your back.”

  Spinning on my heel, I marched toward Grams. If ever there was a moment I needed the calming effects of her mere presence, this was it.

  “No need to be jealous, Mo Chroi,” the golden-haired pirate called after me. “Although, if you and the fiery bird want to wrestle over me, I wouldn’t be opposed to that. Maybe we can turn these lawn sprinklers on and make a real show of it?”

  Seething anger rooted me mid-stride. Mo Chroi. Gaelic for ‘my heart’ and Rowan’s little nickname for me. The last time I heard those words leave his lips I was being involuntarily strapped to a table. My teeth ground together as my nostrils flared with my annoyance.

  Grams reached for my arm. Her soothing, “Celeste, you don’t need to do this,” barely registered.

  Leaping straight into the air, I curled into a tight back-tuck and landed right between Rowan and Terin. Terin tried to grab me, but I shoved her away and dove for Rowan. I can’t say for sure how many blind, crazed punches I threw before I figured out I wasn’t making contact. But I do know it was enough to be embarrassed of.

  I paused, my breath coming in fast, hard pants. Only then did I realize I was dangling in mid-air. My arms and legs fell slack as I glared up at Gabe.

  “Let go of me,” I snarled and tried to wiggle out of his meaty arm hooked around my waist.

  “I will, as soon as you chill out.” His voice dropped to a low baritone. One blink and fierce feline eyes bore into mine.

  “I think I’m going to be sick,”Alaina squeaked and slapped a hand over her mouth.

  “See what your outburst did to my wife?”

  “I’m not the one that did that to her! That was you and your—”

  “Celeste!” Grams clapped her hands in a loud crack! Assured by my startled silence that she had my attention, she placed her hand gently on my forearm. “I know you and Rowan have some issues, but right now we need to go say goodbye to Sophia.”

  “Maybe just put a pin in your crazy chick freak out for now?” Keni suggested.

  “I always appreciate the Spirit Plane more after hangin’ out with them,” Big Mike muttered to Terin around the cigar still lodged between his teeth.

  Slowly, common sense began to seep in. My shoulders sagged. I hung from Gabe’s arm like a reprimanded toddler. “You’re right. We need to go.”

  I nodded to Gabe, who cautiously lowered me to the ground and shook off his feline attributes.

  Rowan lay sprawled on the ground—proof I’d landed at least one good swing. Terin positioned herself between us once more, cautiously looking from him to me and back again.

  “You okay?” I couldn’t tell if she directed that at him or me.

  “We’re just peachy, aren’t we, Mo Chroi?” Rowan shot me a wink as he pulled himself up off the ground and brushed grass off the butt of his jeans.

  Somehow I found the willpower to lower my head and mentally count to ten.

  I brought my gaze back up slowly. The steel in my glare broadcasted clearly that this subject was not up for debate. “You don’t ever get to call me that again. Do you understand me?”

  A flash of pain darkened his blue eyes. “Just because I don’t say the words doesn’t mean they stop being true.”

  I held up one hand to halt this conversational train wreck. “No more, Rowan. I’m serious. You earned my distrust. More than once you flagged evil right to me like those guys in orange that wave planes in. There is no fixing things between us. You need to deal with that. And from now on, stay away from me.”

  My hair lashed against my cheek as I spun around to join the others.

  “Don’t you even want to know why I came back?” he called after me.

  “Not really,” I answered under my breath, but didn’t break stride.

  Black smoke puffed in front of me. There he stood. “The Council of high up goodie-goodies said there’s a world of hurt headed your way. I’m here because I won’t let you face it alone. Hate me i
f you will, but I’ll be right here beside you.”

  I squared my shoulders and scowled up at him. “I have enough people standing beside me, and none of them have a history of betrayal.”

  The muscles in his arm flexed as he ran his fingers through his blond locks and tested my patience with a boyish grin. “Even so, I’m going to be here and there’s shockingly little you can do about it.”

  I wanted nothing more than to grab him by the ears and introduce his smug face to my knee. Instead, I forced myself to return his smile. With a slow, deliberate step, I closed the gap between us. My cheek grazed his rough two-day stubble as I rose up on my tiptoes to whisper against his ear, “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

  His hand brushed the curve of my neck as he caught a lock of my hair and twirled it between his fingers. “Is that a threat … or a promise?”

  My pulse thudded in my temples. The warrior within me screamed to lash out. She wanted his blood, but quieted her vengeful roar when I pulled away from Rowan’s offending touch. “That was the last time you will ever lay your hands on me. Was it good for you?”

  My shoulder forcefully bumped his as I passed him to join the not-so-subtle troop of gawkers. “We can go. There’s nothing here worth staying for.”

  Chapter 4

  Straight up, soaring to altitudes that made our lungs ache for a wisp of a breath. Just when consciousness began to threaten its betrayal, we burst through a sticky, bubble-like membrane and hurdled into a pitch black abyss. Stomach-churning as that was, our trip didn’t stop there. The air around us vibrated. Light flashed. An invisible force caught hold of each of us and catapulted us one by one into a world that defied imagination.

  Aqua-colored grass absorbed the shock of our fall. Enormous flowers nestled into beds of waxy-leafed foliage welcomed us into this new realm. Literally, they said ‘hi’ and waved. Their exotic tangerine, violet and crimson blooms rivaled the size of Gabe’s head when he went all jungle cat. Long, electric blue stamens jutted out from the center of each with thick, fuchsia pollen granules sprinkled on the tips. The trees behind them soared to the sky and swayed merrily, despite the lack of even a whisper of a breeze.