Mixed Worlds

Chapter Thirty Three - Better Circumstances

    “Hey guys.” I give a short smile and after Lucas throws his bags into the trunk, he scoops me up in a big hug.

            “I’m gonna miss you Al. Don’t be a stranger, okay? You know you’ll always have a home with us.” When he lets me go I see Jack nod behind him. “Just keep me updated, okay?” 

            “Of course you big baby, how can I forget about the biggest pain I’ve ever met?” I tease. He stands next to Anna, and Jack takes a step forward. I feel Alex move beside me and suddenly the air is ten times thicker.

            “I just want to say a few things.” Jack faces Alex and slouches his shoulders. “ I understand that she wasn’t meant to be mine, but letting her go still hurts. Always hold her close. She says she hates it, but when she’s sad all she wants is a big bowl of strawberry ice cream. When her time of the month comes, make sure you have a body pillow on hand and be prepared to rub her back. She hates to repeat herself, so hopefully you still have your sharp hearing.” I lower my head and choke back tears and sniffle my nose.

            “I’ll always be by her side. Thanks for the tips, Jack. Take care of yourself.” My wonderful mate extends his hand, and Jack takes it and they share a strong handshake. Jack  holds his hand out for me, and I laugh.

            “Come on, when have we ever shook hands?” I give him a hug and he holds me tight.

            “Take care Allycat.” He kisses the top of my head, and without a second glance he hops into the back seat of the Escalade. Alex takes my hand and we walk over to the truck.

            “We’ll meet you at the airport, and then Anthony’s gonna take the SUV to go get Peter. Let me know when you guys land.” They all agree and say goodbye again, and Alex opens my door and I jump behind the wheel of my truck. 

            We begin to make our way to the airport, and not five minutes in to our drive, Anthony starts asking questions.

            “So, can I have more info on what happened last night?” He leans forward in between our seats and waits for one of us to respond.

            ‘He’s your best friend. You tell him.’ 

            ‘It was your magic…’ I glare at him and he groans. “Fine. You get to explain it next time.” I give him a big goofy smile and he explains our story. “We were.. umm… busy, and when I bit Ally she told me to keep going. Athena gave us three options to try and re-write my vamp genes, and after what went down in Olympus, this was our best option. I had to keep drinking from her, and she had to drink from me to help fight my vampire blood. I passed out after and when I woke up, I was all sweaty and gross and the sun didn’t bother me and one of my eyes changed colour. We think it’s because her blood is still fighting against mine, and trying to get rid of the vampire part of me. We won’t really know anything more until something happens that usually triggers my thirst.” I look into the rear view mirror and see Anthonys eyebrows are raised, and he’s pursing his lips. A few minutes go by and he finally speaks. 

            “I see. So basically you need to get into a fight, or someone needs to threaten Ally. Shouldn’t be too long before that happens.” He laughs and falls back into his seat when I step on the gas. He complains, but is drowned out by Alex turning up the radio. 

            ‘Breaking news: Miami is to be evacuated immediately. A severe hurricane is forming approximately 100 miles away from the shore. I repeat, Miami is to be evacuated immediately.’

            We all exchange looks and I hand my phone to Alex. “Text Luke, tell him that we’re going to get Peter now. Something tells me this has something to do with him. Have him leave the keys locked in the SUV, I have a spare in the glovebox.” Alex’s begins to type his message and I make a quick U-turn in the middle of traffic. I take off back towards the beach with the pedal to the floor and try to link Peter. ‘Peter, it’s Ally. What’s going on? Is the hurricane from you?’ 

            ‘No. But you need to get here. Now.’

            I weave my way through traffic crossing over both lanes and barely missing some vehicles. I pull my truck up right to the edge of the sand and the three of us take off running. Just as we reach Peters house, I see him standing at the end of his dock. There’s a man floating on the water, and I’m assuming it’s his father. “Alex, wait on the shore. Please.” He tries to come with us, and I push him back. “I don’t know how Poseidon will react to you. I need you to stay here.” The wind is blowing hard, so I have to yell for him to hear me. He nods and heads back to the house. Anthony and I take off and I link Peter to let him know we’re here.

            “The Armonía is here.” Peter says as I run up beside him. “You can ask her your questions yourself.” I’m confused, and I look at the giant man standing on water before me. His broad, strong arms are crossed over his chest, and his dark brown hair is styled away from his face. His clothing consists of dark wash jeans, and a black t-shirt and he is barefoot. Oddly enough, the God of the Sea is bone dry despite the water crashing around him.

            ‘I take it that this is your father?’ I link. He nods and steps aside so I’m standing right in front of Poseidon. “I wish we could have met under better circumstances.” I yell. The waves crashing all around make it even harder to hear, and harder to speak with water splashing in my face. I hold my now loose and wet hair out from my face and hold my hand out to him. “Is there a chance you can call off the storm so we can talk?” He stares blankly at me, as if he has seen a ghost.

            “My name is Ally-Marie Clark. I am the Daughter of Athena. I am a Demigod, just like your son. This is Anthony Knight, son of Ares.” I pull Anthony up beside me and wrap an arm around his back.  “Please do not be confused with Ares’ character, I give you my word that he is the opposite of his father.” I hold my hand out in hopes that now he’ll take my handshake. The water starts to calm down, and he stands on the dock before me. He takes my arm in his, and holds it just below my elbow. I follow his move, and he bows his head. 

            “It is a pleasure to meet you, Armonía. I have heard quite a bit about you from your mother.” His face softens and he frowns. “How is she?” The wind and waves stop, and the dark rolling clouds have faded away and let the sun come back out.

            “The last I saw her was after the fight in Olympus. She came to me and collapsed in my arms completely exhausted and emotional. She is asleep at my home in Kansas. I have people I trust with my life going back there to check on her.” We’re still locked on each other’s arms, so with my free hand I set it on his shoulder. “I am so, so sorry. I will do whatever I can to help you and your family. Although Anthony, Peter and I haven’t known each other long, we are family, and family sticks together. I give you my word I will help you fix yours.” I feel heat radiate from my arm and look to see a new Rune appear on my right shoulder. It’s a tree enclosed in a circle that represents the tree of life. Peter’s father lets go of our grip, and his eyes widen in surprise.

            “I see your heart is in the right place. That tree represents the bond of family. Very few people have this marking. Your mother and I, as well as my brothers and sisters who have human children bare the mark too.” He clears his throat and with a wave of his hand, the water that had soaked me and Anthony is swept away and we are completely dry. “Sorry about that. When my son told me he had been found, I did not believe that it was truly you who found him. With everything that has happened recently, I hope you can understand my hesitation.”

            “I understand. I would be worried too. Please, let’s go inside and talk. I’m sure that you have some questions that need answers.” He nods to his son, and Peter leads us to his house. Alex is waiting on the porch and I take his hand in mine. ‘Don’t ask too many questions, okay? I think he’s in somewhat of a better mood given what happened a couple days ago.’ I link Alex as we quickly pick our seat on the couch.

            ‘I don’t really know what questions I’d have for him anyways… whatever you need me to do, just let me know. I love you.’

            ‘I love you too.’ I smile at the sound of him saying that, and can’t wait to hear it every day. Peter takes the chair by the fish tank, and Anthony joins Alex and I on the couch. Poseidon comes into the living room with a bottle of dark liquid and a glass for himself.  He sits on the other chair next to the fish tank directly across from me.  He pours himself a drink and sets the bottle down on the table. 

            “You’ll have to forgive me, it calms the nerves.” He drinks the glass in one mouthful, and pours himself another. 

            “It’s nothing to apologize for. You’ve had a pretty stressful life lately. When you’re ready, we can start.” He gives me a tight smile and clears his throat. “What is it you need to know?” I ask in a soft tone.

            “I do not know where to begin, nor how to explain the questions I have.” He looks over to Alex and raises an eyebrow. “I do not believe we have met. Who is the young man next to you?” My stomach falls out of my ass and my heart rate picks up.

            “If I may speak for myself, sir?” He nods. “My name is Alexander Blackwell, I’m Ally’s mate.” A look of confusion spreads across Poseidon’s face and he looks back at me. 

            “Your mother explained to me that your mate was a vampire hybrid, yet I don’t believe I  sense a half-blood  here.” Alex and I look at each other with shock and he grips my hand tighter. A tear falls from my cheek and he wipes it away.  “I take it you have performed the change ritual?” I nod.

            “Last night, actually. We weren’t sure how well it worked, or if it would backfire and his vampire genes took over again. We woke up this morning and the sun didn’t bother him, and one of his eyes changed colour. He has eyes the colour of the bright blue sea.” I look back up at Alex and he gives me a loving smile.  “Are you able to tell if he still shares his fathers DNA?” 

               “I can try something. It might feel a little abnormal, but it should be able to let me see what he is now.” He stands up and waves Alex over to the window with him. He opens the window a bit and then takes Alex by the shoulders. “I hope you’re not afraid of water.” He shakes his head and Poseidon takes a deep breath. “Me ti dýnamí mou vlépo stin psychí aftoú tou anthrópou. Eínai i kardiá tou mávri í apó chrysó?” Poseidon’s eyes begin to glow a dark cobalt blue, and he repeats his words again. Anthony and Peter look confused, so I link them the translation.               

     ‘He’s saying ‘By my power I see into this man's soul. Is his heart black, or made of gold?’. You guys can’t tell what he’s saying?” They both look at each other and shake their heads.                 

    ‘You’re the Goddess of Wisdom, remember? I don’t know about Peter, but I can only read it, not speak it.’                 

    ‘I can read it, but I can only hold basic conversation.’ 

    Anthony and Peter pout, and I kinda feel bad. I turn my attention back to my mate, and see that there is water wrapped all around his body, and his eyes are glowing blue just like Poseidon’s. I become nervous the more time that passes on. Anthony, Peter, and myself all take a seat and wait patiently. I pray that my blood has worked.