Revelation (8 page)

He smirks. “You caught that
, did you? Well, he’s like, how should I say? A dark prince around here. Asher’s bad tempered, mopes, and definitely acts like a royal pain in the ass.” He winks with glee. I laugh, wishing Callan was my brother. He’s so charming.

7
Harsh Realities

Abby and I finish the dishes as I look outside the window over the sink
and realize it’s getting late. After everyone calmed down and returned to dinner, we cleared the table and decided it would be safer if just Abby and I cleaned up before heading back to campus.

“Abby
, I’m just going to try giving Aria a call to let her know we’ll be back soon,” I say.

She nods, shoeing
me away. “Okay, tell her I say hi and we missed her at dinner.”

I grab my cell from my
bag and head into the hallway while dialing her number. She picks up on the second ring. “Hi, girlie. How’s dinner?”

“Interesting to say the least
,” I mumble. “I just wanted to let you know we’ll be back soon. You know, on the off chance you’re worried about me,” I tease.

“You’re funny. I’m still out with Leo but should be
back in a bit,” she says, giggling.

“How’s the date going?” I ask
, hoping she remembers to filter her answer.

I can feel her bright smile over the phone.
“Amazing. He’s really great! I’ll tell you all about it over pillow talk tonight.”

Aria has recently decided we need a bedtime ritual to help me curb the
nightmares. She thinks twenty minutes of ‘pillow talk,’ as she has dubbed it, is the key. “I look forward to it!”

“I can’t wait to hear all about dinner with
hot boy and the ice queen.” I can hear her rolling her eyes over the phone as I laugh.

“Alright, see you soon.”

“Bye.”

Hanging up, I walk back toward ‘the tension room’ and stop in my tracks. I hear everyone in a heated discussion
, talking in hushed voices. I stop just outside and eavesdrop. The last thing I want is to be caught in the middle of another family argument.

“I’m fine, I promise. T
here were three deep wounds caused by its claws but they’re healed now,” Asher says in a low voice.

“
And you’re sure it was a Barghest?” Callan asks, his tone serious.

“Yeah
, it was beyond doubt a hellhound,” Asher confirms.

“
How did you handle the situation?” Keegan sounds worried.

Asher exhales. “
It was chasing her, so I grabbed it and pinned it to the ground. Once I had a firm chokehold on it, I threatened to kill it slowly and painfully using its native Gaelic dialect. Then it vanished in blue flames.”

Keegan moans.
“By the grace, Asher. What about Eve? Did she see the flames?”

“Yes
, but she also hit her head. I’m pretty sure I convinced her it was just a large black dog suffering from rabies and her injury was the reason her eyes were playing tricks with her.”

Abby let out a strangled laugh. “She isn’t stupid
, Ash. Eve can’t possibly think it was just a crazy dog. Give her more credit than that. If she is suspicious, she’s going to keep at it until she gets answers.”

Asher sighs.
“I know she’s stubborn, believe me. I see she’s like a dog with a bone, no pun intended, but we need to convince her, Abby. It’s for her protection,” he orders.

Silence.
I’m about to walk into the room when Keegan’s imposing voice speaks, halting my movement.

“Why do you think Gage made contact with her?” Keegan
asks with concern.

“I’m not sure,” Asher answers. “Whatever the reason, it can’t be good. He told me to tell Michael hello from Deacon.”

Stillness.

“
Shit. So do we think he’s working with Deacon now?” Callan inquires.

“
It’s possible. Deacon’s smart. He needs someone who’s well connected to get things done for his cause. Given Gage’s history, he would be the perfect partner,” Keegan offers.

“
If Gage is with Deacon, what does Deacon want with Eve?” Abby asks with a nervous edge lining her question.

At the sound of my name
, I move closer but still stay outside the room so I can’t be seen.

Asher
heaves a sigh. “I honestly don’t know. Michael said we were the only ones to know who she is.”

“Well
, as we know, the Dark Army is cunning. Do you think Deacon found out about Eve?” Callan queries.

“
It’s plausible. We were attacked by a hellhound today. This thing is bigger than just our part. We should probably talk to Michael. Perhaps he can help guide us or at least shed some light on today’s events. We can’t protect her if we don’t know what we’re protecting her from,” Keegan states with authority.

I stand there confused,
my heart racing.
Who the hell are Michael and Deacon and what did Asher mean about being the only ones to know who I am?
Wanting to hear more, I contain my urge to storm in and demand answers. Instead, I remain still and continue to listen.

“Whatever we do, we have to tread
with caution. Eve doesn’t know who she is and Michael wants to keep it that way for now,” Asher reminds the others.

“Ash, maybe we should request she be let in on the truth
? That way we can better prepare her for what’s to come. Maybe train her,” Abby suggests.

“
For fucks sake, Abby. Do you really think she’s ready to learn the truth?” McKenna snaps.

“What
do you think we should do, Kenna? Just leave her to flop around like a drowning fish? How long do you think we can protect her from The Demonic Legion, the supernatural world, and herself?” Abby barks back.

“Maybe the demonic and supernatural legions wouldn’t be after her if Asher hadn’t made contact,” she shoots out icily at Asher.

“Gage showing his face today can’t be good. The harsh reality is they know she exists and are after her. Regardless of Asher,” Abby argues.

Gage?
What does he have to do with this and what are the demonic and supernatural legions?
My gut tells me if it has anything to do with that dog today, I don’t want to know.

“We don’t even know
why Gage is here. We’re assuming it’s the same thing but we have no proof,” Callan says as the voice of reason.

“Are you willing to risk her safety?”
Asher growls, irritated. “I. AM. NOT,” he says out of a tightened jaw.

McKenna snorts. “I bet you’re not.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Kenna?” Asher roars.

“It means
you need a reality check. She’s a charge. That’s it. An assignment. You may have been injected with her blood for protector purposes but she is not your mate. Don’t mistake the two. Not to mention the wrath that will come down on this family if something were to happen between the two of you,” McKenna throws out with spite.

Wait, what? He was injected with my blood? What the
hell is going on and who are these people?
At this new information, I move closer to the doorway. The girl part of me wants to hear what Asher has to say about us. Sadly, she wins out over the logical part that wants to know what in God’s creation is going on. Illogical? Yes. Clearly my hormones are in charge.

Asher is seeth
ing. “Let me be clear so there’s no confusion amongst the clan. The only thing she is to me is a charge. I’m getting close to her for the sole purpose of protection. That’s it, Kenna. Nothing more. I understand the rules here. I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you. You’d do well to remember your place. Keegan, control your mate.”

At his harsh words
, my stomach bottoms out. I’m about to walk into the room and demand answers when my phone buzzes with a text message.
Crap
. I back away and glance at the screen. Aria sent me a photo of Leo’s tattoo with the caption, “Hotness.” I roll my eyes.

“Great timing
, Aria,” I murmur in a hushed voice.

“Alright
, everyone, let’s all calm down. Asher and I will speak with Michael. Her truth remains untold for now. Understood?” I hear each person mutter his or her agreement. “Michael would punish us all severely if he caught wind we said anything that might further her ascension. First thing in the morning, Callan and I will look into Gage, Deacon, and the Declan clan. In the meantime, she’s protected. She has the girls at the dorm and the rest of us shadowing her,” Keegan states in a final tone, ending the conversation slash argument.

I take in a breath and walk into the room as all heads turn my way.
Worry over whether I overheard is etched on their faces. The room is so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Abby walks over to me
, grabbing both my hands in hers and offering a small smile. “Eve, did you get a hold of Aria?” she asks, brushing off the conversation I just overheard.

I nod wear
ily.

“I’m sure you’re exhausted after today’s events. Kenna and I will grab our stuff and meet you in the foyer in about five minutes
so we can head back.” They both leave the room.

Okay
, so they’re playing the avoidance card. I turn to the boys, expecting someone to acknowledge the odd conversation that just occurred.

We all stare at each other in a battle of wills. Arms crossed, I lift my chin. “
I overheard some of your discussion. Is anyone going to enlighten me as to what is going on?”

Asher walks over to me
, slow and steady, trying not to spook me. “There’s nothing going on. All of us were discussing security business for a client. I know you’re still a little jumpy from earlier, but I can tell you you’re safe and there is nothing to be paranoid about. I promise.” His eyes bore into mine, causing my traitorous body to lean into him.

“I’m supposed
to just accept that?” My eyes scan the room at the lack of eye contact.

“I’m not sure what you think you heard, but t
here’s nothing to accept. There is absolutely nothing going on. Why don’t you let the girls take you home? It’s been a long day and I’m sure you’re tired,” Asher says, insincerity blanketing his voice.

I narrow my eyes at him
. I know I shouldn’t let them know I overheard, but I need some answers, so I decide to bombard him with questions instead of allowing him to placate me.

“What’s a Barghest?” I wait to see if he
’ll give me the truth.

“The
Gaelic term for a dog with rabies,” he lies calmly.

“Who’s Gage to you?” I ask
with mild irritation.

He looks at Callan and Keegan then back at me.
“An old friend from London whom we haven’t seen in a very long time.” He twists truths without hesitation.

“Who’s Michael?” My anger levels ar
e rising at his inability to provide me a real answer.

“A business associate,” he offers
with a slight shrug.

“I see
.” I sigh, unhappy that got me nowhere.

Asher reaches for my arm and I pull it back. “You
’ve made it very clear to your family that all I am is a... oh what was the word? Charge, that’s right,” I say, my voice bordering on hysterical.

“Eves
, you know we work in security. We’ve simply been asked to keep an eye on you for a bit. That’s it.” Callan tries to cajole me.

“CALLAN
,” Keegan shouts, startling me.

“She
obviously overheard bits of our conversation and needs some information,” Callan explains, looking fiercely protective.

“That’s not up to us. Eve, I’m very sorry we can’t provide you with more
details at this time. The harsh reality is simple. At some point, you will learn everything. In the meantime, you’ll just have to trust in us to do our job.” With that, Keegan walks out.

M
y mouth hangs open in astonishment. What does he even mean?

Callan walks over to me and kisses my cheek. “I’m sorry
, cutie,” he offers, leaving me with Asher looking like he swallowed a lemon.

I breathe deeply to prevent the tears from flowing.

Asher’s face is rigid, his body stiff. “Kenna’s right about one thing. Any attraction you think is between us, doesn’t exist.” He swallows and looks to a spot behind me on the wall before continuing. “This,” he motions between us, “can’t happen. Especially with someone like you.”

I freeze
. The rejection hits me like a punch in the gut. “What do you mean someone like me?”

He runs his hands over his face and
through his hair. “I didn’t mean... I just.” He stops and takes a breath before his eyes drop to mine, completely void of emotion. “As you overheard, you’re simply an assignment. My interest in you is professional. I just want to make that clear. I apologize if I gave you a different impression.” Asher’s tone is professional and curt.

Pain
floods me. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing just how deep that cuts. I school my features. “Mission accomplished. You mean nothing to me,” I say.