South of Surrender (Hearts of the Anemoi) (4 page)

“For scaring you.”

“Well, I’d say it wasn’t your fault, but it kinda was.” Still, there was something about the well-worn regret in his voice that made her want to comfort him, touch him, know him. It was just all so crazy.

“Do you always say exactly what you mean?”

Laney frowned, confusion still making her head spin. “As opposed to saying something I don’t mean?”

“I guess when you put it that way…”

“Look, not to be rude, but who are you and what are you doing in my barn?”

He sighed. “It’s a long story.”

One she was determined to hear, given the eleventy-billion questions she had. “I’m sure I can follow along.”

“It’s not that—”

“Then what? Huh? I could use a little help reassuring myself I’m not going insane.”

She could hear his little movements against the flooring. Soft scuffs, like he was barefooted. “You’re not. It’s just that I don’t remember all of it, and what I do remember isn’t going to make any sense.” The gold light moved in front of her. “We should take care of your cuts first.”

Truth be told, her leg and palm burned like hell, but fear that her senses had let her down so magnificently vibrated panic through her veins. Her senses were her independence. Her survival. Without them, she’d lose everything. “Nice try. Talk.”

His sigh resembled more of a groan. “I got in a fight.”

Huh?
“And…”

“I got my ass kicked.”

Memories from last night washed over her. The gash on the horse’s forearm. The ruined feathers on the wing.
Stop it
. Clearly, this man wasn’t that horse. Still, the fact remained that there was a hole in her ceiling, and he was here. “Are you hurt?”

“I’ll live.”

“Do you always speak using the fewest possible words?”

There was a long pause. “Let’s clean you up. You got a sink around here?”

“Yeah, because that wasn’t an obvious change of topic at all.”

“Sink?”

“I’ll get cleaned up inside. It’s fine.” It wasn’t fine, but he didn’t need to know that. Like she wasn’t vulnerable enough. Fingertips on the rail again, she took a step. Gritting her teeth, she put weight on her injured leg. Man, did that smart.

Much as she hated to admit it, Laney needed help. And that brought one person to mind.
Seth
. He was going to flip his shit when he saw she’d been hurt. She went for her phone in her pocket— Empty.
Damnit
! She must’ve dropped it in the stall.

Just keep moving, Laney
. There was a landline at the end of the barn she could use.

She moved along the railing, and the cuts on the back of her calf pulled with every step. Chrys’s soft treads followed just behind her, like he was prepared to catch her should her legs give out. The hair on the back of her neck raised. Who the hell was this guy and what did he want?

And why didn’t she feel as fearful as she thought she should? Being blind, hurt, and alone with a strange man didn’t exactly put her in a position of power.

A man who was a horse.

Laney groaned and paused next to an occupied stall, her breathing coming a little harder. “Hi, Windy,” she murmured to the colt, the horse’s presence making her feel more grounded, less alone. Gathering her resolve, she continued on to Sappho’s, where she had to rest again. The mare pressed her muzzle into Laney’s uninjured hand and nickered. “Nothing to worry about here, baby.” Sappho shook her head, as if disagreeing, and pushed her big, elegant nose against Laney’s side, making her stumble a step away from Chrys. She grunted at the quick movement. “Hey, what was that for?”

“I don’t think your horse likes me,” came the strange man’s low voice.

“She’s protective of me.” A noise caught her attention. In the distance, tires tore up her long stone driveway. Seth’s truck, if she wasn’t mistaken. Years of relying on them for information about her world made her ears especially sensitive. Relieved as she was that Seth had arrived, she mentally prepared for the massive freak-out likely to happen when he saw her injuries. Blowing out a shaky breath, she said, “I think the cavalry has arrived.”

Chapter Four

The barn felt suddenly still. That odd gold light shined in front of her and a warmth caressed her face, then both were gone. “Chrys?” She turned around. “Chrys?”

What the hell is happening?

“Chrys,” she said again, louder. Behind her, Sappho nickered. She was totally losing it. Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes. “Please answer me.” She scanned her nearly useless vision over the space. The light and the man were gone, as far as she could see and hear. She was alone.

Truly alone, this time.

The roar of the engine in Seth’s big pickup drew closer and the strange events of the past twelve hours weighed down on her.

Laney’s head spun and her injuries left her shaky. Her knees went soft, and she leaned against the front of Sappho’s stall. The horse chuffed at her like she was concerned.

Hot tears gathered and Laney looked to the ceiling to force them away. Had she imagined the whole thing? If she had… She batted away an escapee tear. If she didn’t hold it together, Seth would go all Papa Bear when he saw her.

The truck’s tires crunched over the gravel and finally came to a halt near the open barn door. His footsteps seemed to retreat, as if he was heading up to the house.

“Seth?” she said, but her voice cracked. She cleared it and called again. “Seth?”

Outside, his pace halted, then quickened into a run. “Laney?” The hard soles of his boots tore into the gravel and finally echoed off the barn’s concrete floor. “Sonofa— What happened? Are you okay?” He hovered over her.

“Seth,” she whispered, a sob suddenly lodging in her throat.

Calloused fingers cradled her injured hand. “I knew something was wrong. Damnit. Where else are you hurt?”

“The back of my leg,” she said, his familiar presence calming her. Seth had always been like the older brother she never had. No, more than that. A true friend. Someone who got her, who understood what was important to her. Someone she could rely on for anything.

He moved around her, examining her wounds. “How did this happen?”

“The barn.” Laney pointed toward the far end of the stable. “The roof. In the storm,” she managed.

“Why didn’t you call me? And why the hell did you try to walk in the debris on your own?”

“Any chance you can save the lecture for when I’m not bleeding all over the place?”

“I’m serious, Laney.”

“So am I. I had to make sure the horses were okay. I tried to call you, but the phones weren’t working and I didn’t have a cell signal. Simple as that.”

He grunted a sound that expressed his displeasure. “Think you can walk? We need to get you to the E.R.”

Laney nodded, grateful that he let it drop. For now. She knew she had a major shit fit coming her way. Holding onto him, she pushed off the railing. Her head swam.

“Okay, lean on me and let’s take it slow.”

She limped against Seth’s side as they made their way out of the barn and toward his truck. “Is the E.R really necessary? Can’t I just call my regular doc?” Last thing she wanted was a trip to the E.R. She’d spent enough of her life seeing one doctor after another.

“You’re gonna need stitches and a tetanus shot. The E.R. will be able to take care of everything.”

It was worth a shot. She sighed. “Okay.”

“Giving in that easy makes me even more worried about you.”

She elbowed him in the side. “Shut up.”

“And there’s my Laney,” he said in an almost amused voice. “Okay, two more steps then hold up a minute.” He opened the truck door. “I’ll lift you.”

Laney frowned at the idea, but in truth, she wasn’t sure she could get herself up on the seat with the cut on the back of her leg. “Just give me a boost.”

His arms came behind her back and knees. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” She wrapped her arms tight around his neck. This close, she couldn’t help but notice his crisp, outdoorsy scent. Sweet hay and warm leather. She’d recognize it anywhere. The arm under her knee pulled at the cuts. She whimpered.

“Sorry,” he said in a tight voice as he settled her on the seat.

“Not your fault,” she managed, breathing through the raw burn eating up the back of her leg.

He closed her door and hustled around to his. With her hand injured and her head such a jumbled mess, she was fighting a losing battle with her seat belt when he got in the driver’s side. “Here,” he said. He reached across and secured the belt.

“Thanks,” she whispered, hating being so helpless. Geez, she hoped she wasn’t bleeding all over his truck. Not that Seth would care.

Laney laid her head back and closed her eyes as they made their way down the long drive. What she had seen of the winged horse came immediately to her mind’s eye.

“Hang on,” Seth said.

She lifted her head. “What?”

“We gotta do some off-roading. Trees down over the driveway. Down all over the place, from the storm. Weather men are saying maybe some tornadoes touched down last night.”

Tornadoes? That was exactly what she’d wondered when she found the horse. You know, the one that
wasn’t
there this morning. The truck bounced as it left the gravel, jarring the thoughts away. Laney gripped the door handle and breathed through the bumpy ride. Then they were back on level ground.

“I’m gonna call Ben. Get him to come take care of the horses and see if he can get some guys to clear the drive.”

Laney nodded. Seth’s cousin had worked at Summerlyn Farm most summers while he’d been in school. The horses would be in good hands. Seth’s voice in the background, she went back to studying the golden Pegasus plastered on the inside of her eyelids.

Now, she didn’t know whether to believe her magical visitor had been real or not. Either her faculties were failing or… What? She didn’t even know.

One step at a time, Laney
. Yes. Okay. That, she could do.

…

From the doorway of the barn, Chrysander watched the truck depart. He didn’t know what bothered him more—the exhaustion he felt down to his bones, the ass-kicking he’d received last night that had drained his power, the relief in the woman’s voice at the human man’s arrival, or the man’s hands all over her. And why the hell the latter two should bother him, he couldn’t say. For fuck’s sake.

And on top of it all, he was so badly drained after the latest round of ass-kicking that he had no choice but to return to the Realm of the Gods. He’d been avoiding returning as much as he could. He didn’t want the Olympians to decide the Anemoi couldn’t handle the task of bringing Eurus in, nor reveal just how dire the situation with Eurus was, lest he ruin any chance to appeal to their mercy. But given that manifesting a pair of jeans made him break out in a cold sweat, he was in need of some serious R&R of the sort he could only get in the divine realm.

Not to mention, after last night, he needed to reevaluate just how concerned he was about the Olympians’ mercy. But first things first.

He willed himself into the elements and—
Shit
. Nothing but a soul-deep ache. He’d been successful moments before when he’d made himself scarce.
Don’t tell me that’s seriously all I got
. He tried again. Success! The South Wind surrounded him. He drew it in, trying to—

Human. Again. He couldn’t hold his form. “Son of a—”

“Need a ride, sailor?”

Chrys turned.
Ella
. His brother Zeph’s mate. “Well, look at you materializing in the human realm,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t sound as strained to her as it did to his own ears.

She smiled, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. “I know, right? I’m starting to get the hang of this whole ‘goddess’ gig.”

He chuckled. Ella had lost her whole human family, died a horrible human death, and been thrust into her goddesshood without any say in the matter, yet she was always good-natured. “Apparently so, since you’re here. How’d you find me?”

“When he finally got a read on you, Livos let me know you were in trouble.” Her gaze scanned over his bandaged forearm and the grisly stab wound and burned flesh on his shoulder.

Chrys frowned. He’d specifically ordered his subordinates to shield his whereabouts and not interfere in his business with Eurus, no matter what happened. And yet the god of the Southwest Wind had opened his yap.

“Oh, drop the grumpy face. I didn’t really give him a choice in the matter.”

“Uh, not to be rude, there, Sis, but you don’t yet have the power to be pushing around any of the Anemoi. Even the lesser Anemoi.” He winked. “Except maybe my brother, who is about as whipped as they come.”

“No offense taken. But, if you think Livos wants to chance earning Zeph’s ire, you’re wrong. He works for Zephyros, too. Let’s just say I persuaded him to see the wisdom in cooperating with me rather than having to get my husband involved. Besides, you and Eurus thrashed my Bay last night, so you sorta made it my business.”

Ella had been an avid sailor in her human life, so Mars, the father of her divine bloodline, had given her the job of guardian of the Chesapeake Bay she knew so well. Chrys tugged a hand through his hair. She was going to be a full-out force of nature when she came into her powers completely. Gods help them all, then. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“Happily.” She tucked her straight brown hair behind her ears. “So, how ‘bout that ride?”

“Where are we, anyway?”

“Near a little town called Princess Anne. Eastern Shore of Maryland.”

“I was trying to take the storm out over the Atlantic.”

Ella nodded, her expression suddenly serious. “Come on. We should go. You need to do anything else here?”

Chrys wasn’t sure what accounted for the change in her demeanor, but he didn’t want to push. “No. I’ll send Livos back later to do some damage control. But, about the ride—I’m worried this is going to drain you.”

“Never know if we don’t try. Besides, I’m only hauling your butt as far as my place. Livos is waiting there to take you to yours.”

“What about Z?”

“He went to see Boreas at Owen’s.”

“You’ve got this all figured out, don’t you?”

She smiled and wrapped her arm around his. “No. I’m bluffing my way through most of it.”

Chrys bristled at the touch, but there was no avoiding it.
You didn’t mind the other woman’s touch
. The thought did nothing for his frame of mind. “Well, you’re doing a damn fine job,” he managed.

She gave him a squeeze. “Here goes nothing.”

Throwing what little power he still possessed into the effort, Chrys felt himself drawn into the elements. Hell if she wasn’t doing it.

They rose up through the air. His lack of corporeality was the greatest relief. In this state, he remained aware of the utter exhaustion, but not the agony of his injuries. Ella’s natural aura added a calmness to his elemental state, further providing solace. Laney’s farm spread out beneath them then disappeared behind the clouds. They soared on toward the Realm of the Gods, Ella quiet and determined in her focus.

Don’t drop me
, he teased in the thoughts he knew she should be able to hear.

Don’t tempt me
, came a reply full of amusement.

Soon, they reached the divine realm. The compound of the Supreme God of the West Wind appeared before them. She guided them toward an outdoor courtyard and Chrys pulled himself free of her power. Simply being home again gave him just enough energy to finish the job. He materialized into his human form and groaned as he touched down.

“I’ll get Livos,” she said.

He braced his hands on his knees. “It’s okay. He’ll know I’m here,” he said, forcing deep breaths to chase away the nausea being back in his body caused. “Thank you, Ella. Are you all right? Not too drained?”

“I’m fine.” She stepped toward him. Chrys straightened, but almost wished he hadn’t. She reached out and cupped his jaw. “I was worried about you. I have been, all summer. I’m the reason you’re—”

“No, you’re not,” he gritted out and resisted his natural urge to flinch away from her touch. “Don’t think that for a minute. This is all on Eurus.” He pulled her hand away from the uncomfortable touch and gave it a squeeze, then he crossed his arms.

She nodded. Something flashed behind her gaze. “He was at the bridge, wasn’t he?”

Shit
. Not a conversation he really wanted to have, but if she wasn’t going to shy away from it, why should he? “Aw, Hades. Yeah. How’d you know?”

“I go there sometimes, trying to remember. Sometimes I think I can feel him there.”

“Ella—”

“Zeph won’t tell me, and everything’s so foggy.” She shrugged.

“That’s because it’s not something anyone should have to remember. But you shouldn’t go there alone again. It’s not safe.”

Her gaze dropped to the ground, but she finally nodded.

“My lord?”

Chrysander turned to find Livos, Ordinal Anemoi of the Southwest Wind, on a knee, dark blond head bowed. “Sure,
now
you’re all full of respect and obedience. Get up.”

Livos’s expression was serious as he returned to his full height. Anger and concern rolled off him in waves Chrys’s body couldn’t withstand in its current beat-to-hell state. “To the Acheron, my lord?”

“No.” Much as the waters of the infernal river would’ve sped his healing, his presence in the Underworld might also draw attention he’d rather not attract. The Lord of the Underworld was brother to more than one of the Olympians, after all.

Livos frowned and inhaled as if to argue.

Chrys cut off the debate with a single glance. “Home.” The heat of Aithiopia, the southernmost geography of the divine realm where he resided, would sufficiently restore him. He turned to Ella. “Thanks for the taxi service.”

She gave a small smile. “You’re welcome. But thanks aren’t necessary. I would do anything for you, for all of you.”

He nodded. Livos came alongside him, but was careful not to touch.

“Chrys?” Ella’s voice was soft, hesitant.

“Yeah?”

“Please be careful.” She hugged herself. “He’s not worth it.”

The words hit home, filling him with sadness for this god that no one valued, nor ever had. And even if he wasn’t really worth it, how did anyone get okay with making that admission, with letting go once and for all?