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Chapter 4
Elyse
On Thursday, just as I was wrapping up a workout, I received a text from Catina.
Drinks tonight?
We hadn’t done the nightclub scene in a while. I’d never been a big drinker since it numbed my senses and I couldn’t feel what was going on around me. At the moment, I needed to be ready for when X attacked, not letting my guard down.
But for the sake of my friendship with Catina, I could make an exception of going out with her and not getting drunk. Plus, with my new power, I had no idea of my limit was when it came to alcohol, so I wouldn’t push it.
I called her instead of texting her back. “Can I come over now? I just finished with training, and you’re on the way home.”
She giggled. “You’ve got such a chill life. Working out, some photos, and a hell of a lot of sleep. What a way to live it up.”
I chuckled. Not because it was funny, but because she couldn’t be more wrong. What I wouldn’t give to not look over my shoulder at every shadow. To not worry about being attacked again or how I might be too late to stop him from killing. But X hadn’t murdered any innocents lately. I couldn’t sense him and neither could the gods. Why he remained hidden and silent baffled me. Maybe Hades had regained control? Something I’d have to find out later.
Catina’s breath danced on the other side of the phone, bringing me back to the present.
“What can I say?” I told her. “I was chosen for this kind of lifestyle.” I smiled at the truth. Ihadbeen chosen, and my dad and brothers brought me up reminding me of this fact every single day. To never take our abilities for granted. Zeus had selected our family to protect humans against monsters, and the responsibility had been passed on to me. I didn’t intend to let Dad down by not continuing in his footsteps.
“Come over when you’re ready. I just got home,” Catina said.
I loaded my duffel bag in my car, and it clanged, metal hitting metal. My new swords had arrived, and I’d practiced with them today. But my thoughts sailed to one of my workouts with Ares from two days ago, the way we’d fought without restraint and he’d pushed me further. Then there was our kiss, and my lips tingled in memory. Part of me burst to tell someone how I felt, but thinking about seeing him again was ridiculous. Didn’t I have enough gods in my life?
Anyway, I still had a bit of work to do using the new weapons, but I already loved the way the blades sang when I sliced them through the air.
I hadn’t tried out my scythe yet. All in good time.
When I arrived at Catina’s place, she opened the door with a glass of white wine in her hand.
“Just in time.” She lifted the glass to me in a salute.
I smiled, adoring her laidback attitude. “I won’t hug you. I’m sweaty.” I was still in my Lycra pants, tank top, and sneakers, as they were comfortable for fighting. Any other time I was in jeans or leather. While I owned a pair of heels, I couldn’t remember the last time I wore them.
She laughed. “Some things never change. Wine?”
I declined the offer of alcohol. “Not until we go out later at least. I can’t drink right after training. I’m sure there’s a rule against that.”
“Only in your book,” she said with a grin.
I stepped into her apartment and sat on the couch. Catina joined me, folding her feet underneath her and taking a sip of wine. It was great to be here again, to feel as if I had somewhere I belonged aside from my own place.
“That’s new.” I pointed to a large painting above her mantel.
Catina nodded. “I spoiled myself. I’ve wanted to buy something for the apartment forever. So, I did. Why not?”
“I agree; it’s good to spoil yourself once in a while.” Yet I couldn’t remember the last time I had. Buying weapons online wasn’t exactly spoiling myself.
I studied the painting—an abstract thing of a sapphire wave moving along the canvas. Not my style at all, but it had Catina written all over it.
“Any news?” she questioned, taking another drink of her wine.
“Like what?” I asked.
“I don’t know. My life is so run-of-the-mill.” She slouched on the sofa. “Tell me gossip, some excitement. Your life is anything but ordinary.”
I chuckled. She was right, but what could I tell her? I thought about Ares. “I met this guy.”
