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“What can I get y’all?” She asked as she set two napkins in front of us.
“Answers, but we will start with your name first,” I said, plastering on my most cocky grin.
Recognition flashed on her face when she met my eyes. She glanced around with wide eyes before landing once again on mine. They were soft gray like Diana’s, and her red hair was the exact same shade. The likeness was striking; she looked so much like her, despite being almost twenty years older.
“I didn’t think you would come so quickly; when we talked on the phone, I figured I still had a few days to prepare,” she said, leaning in close.
“Prepare for what?” Eros asked.
“Prepare to leave; you're going to lead the demons here, so it's no longer safe for me. I need to find somewhere else to go.” She said in a hushed tone.
“You can come back to Enyo with us; you’ll be safe there. The demons can’t penetrate the wards.” The words left my mouth so fast I didn’t even have time to think about what I just said.
“I can’t go back there; I’m not gifted. I was kicked out twenty-one years ago when my gift never manifested.” The pained look in her eyes had my chest squeezing.
I never understood why the non-gifted weren't allowed to stay. Just because they did not have any powers did not mean that their children wouldn’t.
“I’ll deal with Apollo when we get back and explain the situation. Let's go. I’m not leaving you here to get slaughtered.
“Ooh… okay, just let me grab my bag,” she said before walking to the back.
A few seconds later, she pushed through the swinging doors with a pack sling over her shoulder and a tube of… lipstick in her hand. Uncapping the vile, she twisted up a deep red shade of lipstick and wrote ‘I QUIT -Lydia’ across the mirror covering the back of the bar.
Walking around, she stood almost two feet shorter than me. I gave her a puzzled look, glancing at the message and then back at her.
“What? Peet was a mean old bastard, always smacking my ass when I walked by and paid like crap. He deserves nothing more.” Lydia casually said, shrugging her shoulders.
“Well, okay then, let's go. It’s not a far drive, but we have been gone for two days already. We can chat in the car,” I said, leading her out to the black SUV, opening the passenger door, and gesturing her inside.
“Holy fucking shit on a stick! What the fuck is that?” She screeched. Her eyes were as wide as saucers trained in the back of the car through the open door.
“That’s Astra, my falcon.” Eros casually said, climbing into the back seat next to the bird.
“She’s not going to kill me, right?” Lydia said on a shaky breath, hesitant to get into the vehicle.
“Only if you threaten her or someone she loves. Now get in the car, Lydia,” I said, growing impatient with the woman.
After a few more seconds, she sighed and climbed in, not taking her eyes off Astra. I closed the door and rounded the hood, settling behind the steering wheel.
Once we were a few minutes into the drive, Lydia seemed to relax a bit. She sat back in her seat, still slightly turned to keep Astra in her sights.
“So, how do you know Diana?” I asked, might as well cut straight to the chase; no need to beat around the bush. I came here for answers, and I intend to find them.
“She’s my niece. Her dad was my brother; I haven’t seen her since she was a baby, though. Everyone thought cutting ties with me to protect me would be best since I didn’t have the sight. So I left and have been on the move ever since. Once I get wind of demon attacks in the area, I relocate somewhere new, always staying on the run. Since I can’t see the enemy coming, I opted to flee rather than fight what I cannot see.” She said with such sorrow in her voice.
I never thought of what people ungifted must go through, knowing the enemy is out there but unable to do anything to protect themselves—choosing to either run or die a brutal death.
“Why did Mammon kill her parents? Why are they looking for her? What do they want?” I couldn’t stop the rapid fire of questions flying out of my mouth. I felt useless; I didn’t know how to protect her from the greater demons coming after her.
“She’s special,” Lydia said in the softest voice.
I tore my eyes from the road for a second to meet her tear-filled eyes. What the fuck am I missing here? What is so special about Diana that the devil himself is sending his right-hand men after her. I looked back toward the road as dark storm clouds covered the sky.
I couldn’t control my gift as my mind was whirling. The wind picked up speed, shaking the trees violently; thunder filled my ears, and lightning danced across my vision. The rain started; I couldn’t control it, and the anger I felt poured from the sky like a tsunami. I flipped my wipers on high, trying to see through the sudden downpour. There was no way I was pulling over; in a few more minutes, we would be home. Then Lydia can explain to all of us what she knows.
Chapter 30
Diana
