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Her face screws up at the very idea that I could think she would be with a troll. “No, Guardian, he was NOT a troll. He was a minotaur.”
I stop pacing. Oh. Shit.
I swallow hard before I find my voice. “Let me get this straight: Your lover, was the minotaur, the first creature I killed?”
She begins to sob. Or at least, her torso curls in on itself, shuddering as if sobs are racking her body. Any actual tears mix into the salt water all around us. She takes a deep, shaking breath and screams at me, “Yes! Guardian,protector, ha! You think you are protecting humanity from murderous monsters, but you don’t protect anyone. You’re League is the real monster, and your kind are the real murderers.”
The League. Joanna told me once that the League used to keep creatures for Guardians to train with. To murder? I feel bile rising in my throat. But I can’t give in to this guilt. I need to save my friends.
So I clear my throat, make sure my face is neutral, and hold my hands up in defense. “I’m sorry! I just…I just, I can’t picture this coupling. I mean, a bird may love a fish, but where would they live, ya know? Only, if the bird were a giant half-bull, half-man creature, and the living was fucking…”
Her head snaps up with a glare that would shoot daggers at me, leaving me grateful she doesn’t have that power. “He didn’t even do anything to you! He was brought there with the sole intent for you to put on a little show for your docent!” Her voice is no longer seductive or smooth. It is whiny and hoarse when she screams at me. “He was innocent! And youmurderedhim!” She dissolves into her sobs once again.
I feel bad for her. I can’t imagine how I would feel if the muses had killed Jake instead of just using him like a toy. Then I look at my abducted friends, and my pity dissolves, mostly. No. Even if they had killed him, I’d have hunted down every last muse, but I wouldn’t have involved innocents. “Look, I am really, really sorry. I can’t even tell you how sorry. I had no idea what was going on. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. All I knew was that I was trapped in this maze with this monster an–”
“Monster? Monster! You’re the monster, Guardian.You are the monster who killed the love of my life. And now I will have my revenge!”
What the hell does she mean by her revenge? What is this psycho bitch planning to do? A gentle hand on my shoulder coaxes me to turn.
Mazu floats before me, as beautiful as ever, but with a frown on her face and a deep sadness about her. “Miranda, I am so sorry. I could not break her hold on him. But I was able to get to him in time so he will be safe here under the water, like I did for you and your other friends.”
“What are you talking about?” But in my gut, I know the answer already. She was kissing George so he could breathe down here. My heart beats a little fast at the prospect because in my mind, I’m already winning the impending fight with him by my side.
I turn back from where she came, looking for my docent, I am sure he will come marching through the heavy water any moment. I see him far in the distance, but the water is so thick that I can barely make out his dark figure.
Why does everyone Beatrice spells move so damn slowly? My heart is beating rapidly in my chest as his figure looms ever closer.
I glance around for a possible weapon. No statues of Zeus down here. I look back to see how much time I have before George enters the encampment. Not very long. That’s a problem but not the biggest problem that makes my mind go blank.
Because as I watch the figure get closer, the water becomes less obtrusive and reveals that’s not George marching along the ocean floor. It’s Jake.
Chapter 24
George
Wehearthereverberationsof Phoebe’s screams and Jessie’s pleading through the floor while they argue in the basement, and Jake, Benjamin, and I debate who should go after Miranda. After Jake, reluctant to part from the little ones, carried Natalie and Sammy up to his guest room forty-five minutes ago, he sent the big two downstairs to work things out so they don’t wake up Tabitha or their siblings with their fighting. He’s hoping Phoebe forgives Jessie soon for not immediately telling her about Miranda being the Guardian.
Jake can barely stay upright. His clothes are disheveled and one side of his bright yellow beach shirt is untucked. “Okay, so let me go over this one more time so I know I have it all: Someone has to bring this book to Miranda, because only the Guardian can take out the dagger. Then she has to somehow get blood on the dagger from one of the people this siren, Beatrice, has kidnapped. As of now we think that list is Eliza, Rory, and Joanna. Then Miranda has to stab the siren.”
I nod along as he spells out every step. “Yes. And I should be the one who brings it to her. You don’t exactly have a great record when it comes to mythological women who like to spell and seduce men.” I know that this is a low blow but I’m protective of my role in all of this. It should be me down there with her.
He can’t look at me when he answers, “I haven’t forgotten, thanks.”
Something in my chest tugs when I see him staring off into space, likely remembering that lowest moment he had in Las Vegas.
My cheeks get hot.
“Gentlemen, we need to focus on Miranda.” Benjamin’s matter of fact, no-nonsense, boom of a voice snaps us back to the present. He looks back and forth between Jake and myself, waiting for a sign that we hear him. When both of us nod in agreement to move on, Benjamin continues in a quieter but still commanding voice. “Now, it is obvious you both care for Miranda and want to save her. The question becomes: How does this hostility help anyone?”
I can’t tell if the question is rhetorical, but I’m not going to take the chance on answering and pissing him off.
Benjamin’s eyebrows raise as he continues, “Good. Now, I’m the most impartial, having never met Miranda. I’ve also been a docent and a spouse to a Guardian. I know how you both feel, and I know the most about the enemy we’re up against. So, I’m the one calling the shots right now. Capiche?”
Jake and I lock eyes for a few heartbeats before we both nod again and look at the floor. At least we have enough common sense to show some shame.
“So, here is how this is going to work.” Benjamin hesitates for a moment with his eyes closed. They flutter while he puzzles out some details before making his declaration. “Jake is going to find Miranda. George, you’re staying with the kids, and think up a cover story. You’ll have a hard time explaining where everyone is if they wake up before Jake gets back, but hopefully that won’t happen.”
The room is silent as Jake and I stare at each other, Jake looking a lot like he’s going to throw up. I wish he’d trained more. When this is all over, I’m going to encourage him to come to the dojo more. He needs to know what to do in these situations and right now he is completely unprepared.
