Mixed Worlds

Chapter Eleven - Sorry I Threw You

                                  ~ten minutes ago~

            Jack walks out of Ally’s room hanging his head, trying to figure out where to begin his research. ‘I don’t even know where to start ...’ He sighs deeply, and walks into the washroom. After he’s finished and washes his hands, he splashes some water on his face and looks at himself in the mirror. “You can figure this out. You always do.” He dries off his face, and heads to the library. Staring at the thousands of books in front of him, he looks for any titles that have the word ‘Greek’ on them. He found about a dozen or so, and set them on the table. He picks out a few for him and Lucas to start reading. 

            He turns around and heads for the kitchen. He sets the books down on the counter and takes a glass from the cupboard and pours himself a glass of water. He shuts the tap off and as he turns around to head back to Ally’s room, he’s surprised by a woman standing on the other side of the counter, flipping through one of the books. “Who are you? How did you get in here?” He slowly reaches for a knife on the counter, only to be stopped by the words of the stranger in front of him.

            “There is no point in using that, as I am not here to cause harm. But if you must, go ahead and arm yourself. I know you will have questions, and they shall be answered after I speak with Ally.” The woman closes the book and sets it down on the counter. She looks at Jack and smiles. “You won’t be needing these, as the answers you are looking for can not be found in these simple texts.” She speaks with an accent, but he can’t figure out where she might be from. 

            “Who are you? How did you find us?” Jack stands still with the glass in his hand with his wrist slightly twisted so he is prepared to throw it if need be.

            “My name is Athena. I am the Greek Goddess of wisdom and war. The girl needs help, and I am the only one who can do that. You and your brother may one day be able to figure it out on your own, but the sooner she realizes who she is and what she can do, the better.”    Jack stays silent, with his mouth slightly open in awe. He c***s his head to the side trying to come up with words, but he can’t.  “Close your mouth boy. All will be answered in time. Where is she?” She crosses her arms over her evergreen dress. It flows to the floor, with flecks of gold lace draping down the side. The sleeves go just above her elbows, and it circles around her neckline in a soft lace. Her brown hair is full of curls with a braid on her left side tucked behind her ear. Jack empties the glass of water in his mouth, and puts the glass in the sink. 

            “Prove it. How do I know you’re telling the truth?” He clears his throat and puts the glass down.

            “May I?” Athena walks towards Jack with her hand reaching for the side on his face. “It’s easier for me to show you rather than tell you.” Jack nods.

            With a gentle touch to his temple, Athena shows him Olympus, moments of history from thousands of years ago, and he can’t help but stare in awe of who is really standing before him. With concern for Ally, Jack makes a decision. “She’s asleep right now, but you’re welcome to stay and wait. Just try not to lay too much onto her when she wakes up, no matter how many times she says she can take it.”  They reach Ally’s room, and Jack can hear her voice.  

            “Just tell me everything that happened after you guys walked in... please.” Jack could hear the worry in Ally’s voice, and he sighed.

            “I think I should be the one to explain it to you.” Athena walks in, and stands at the foot of Ally’s bed.  “Hello Ally-Marie. My name is Athena. I am also your mother.”  She smiles, and Ally’s face has been taken over with shock and concern.

            “Like, the Greek goddess Athena? As in wisdom and war Athena?” She throws her pillow aside and takes the blanket off and stands up. She doesn’t take her eyes off of the woman as she walks over to her desk, and grabs the gun that’s strapped to the side. “I’m calling bullshit.” She points the gun at Athena, and Lucas stands beside her and takes a defensive stance between Ally and the woman who claims to be her mother. “Jack, who is she really? How does she even know that we’re here?” She doesn’t move. “There’s no way that an actual Greek Goddess is on earth. Any Greek Gods or Goddesses for that matter. Start talking lady.”

            “As you wish. Please know I mean no harm. I am only here to guide you and help you understand who you are.” Athena sits down on the chair in the corner, and opens her arms. “I am who I say I am. I am Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. I have been alive for one-hundred and twenty thousand, six-hundred and twenty-seven years. In fact, tomorrow is my birthday.” She crosses her fingers and sets her hands in her lap. “I have come here today due to your... episode that occurred earlier. Do you know who you are?”

            Ally slightly lowers her gun. “My name is Ally Marie Clark. Human. Twenty seven years old. My birthday is in three months. What episode are you talking about? All I remember is getting mad at Malphas and then I blacked out.” Ally looks at Jack. “What happened to me?”

            “We don’t know what caused it, but you were really mad about something. When Lucas and I walked in, things were being blown around the room, and you were... floating. Like two feet off of the ground. Your eyes were bright gold and your voice was... well, not quite your voice. Malphas was knocked over, and when Lucas tried to get you to calm down, you didn’t even touch him and he flew into the wall.” Ally looked over at Lucas , and gave a sheepish smile.

            “You should know better than to talk to me when I’m pissed off. Still sorry I threw you, but I’m also not sorry.” She looks back at Jack. “I do remember being worried about you guys. Malphas was sitting in the back room, and wouldn’t tell me where you guys were. I remember him saying he was going to take me somewhere, and then I blacked out. Next thing I know I’m hearing Luke apologize. I thought I was dying for a second.” She lowers her gun to her side, and holds onto it tighter. “But I still don’t understand why you’re here.” She uses the gun to point at Athena, and she walks over to the door. “There’s too many people in here for my liking. I need to talk to Jack. You two get out.”

            Athena stands up, and follows Lucas out the door and down the hall. “What is it Al?” She walks over to Jack, and hugs him tightly. He’s shocked, as she normally isn’t one to do that at random. “Hey, what’s wrong?” He wraps his arms around her, and holds her close.

            “I just need a hug right now. I just feel off. Like my whole world is about to turn upside down. Again.” She takes a deep breath, and is calmed by Jack’s familiar scent. She giggles.

            “What’s so funny?” He laughs with her.

            “You smell good.” She pulls back a bit, and looks up at him with a smile.

            “How is that funny?” He brings his hand up to wipe the hair out of her face, and leaves it resting on her cheek.

            “I don’t know. I’m just in a better state of mind when I’m with you. I know I’m safe when I’m around you.” She smiles, and she starts to pull back. “We should-“ her words are stopped by Jack’s lips against hers. She pulls back for a moment, and covers her lips.  A look of shock crosses her face, and she stands on her tip toes and throws her arms around Jack’s neck, and they share a long, deep kiss. A few moments later, they pull apart, cheeks as rosy as ever.

            “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.” Jack said, still looking into Ally’s eyes.

            “Really?” Ally smiles.  Jack holds her face in his hands, nods, and gives her one more kiss.  “We should go see Lucas and Athena” she rolls her eyes. “If that’s really who she is.”

            “I believe she is. Somehow she was able to make me see things just by touching a finger to my forehead. Aside from witches I’ve never seen anything like her. And even then, with the wards around this place, no witch would be able it find it let alone get inside. We should give her a chance.” Jack takes a hold of her hands, and says “You don’t need to worry. I’m right beside you, okay?”

            “Okay.” She gives him a hug, and he kisses her on the forehead.

            “No need to thank me. I’m always here.” They part, but hold hands as they walk down the hallway towards the briefing room. They reach the doorway, and Lucas and Athena are sitting on opposite ends of the table in silence.

            “What did I miss in five minutes?” Lucas asked as he looked at Jack and Ally, who are still holding hands. They both look at each other, and drop their hands.

            “Don’t worry about it.” Ally mumbles. “So,” she looks at Athena “Why are you here?” She sits in a chair right across from Athena, and sets her gun on the table pointed right at her.

            “I am here to explain what happened earlier. What happened with that demon is only just the surface. When something triggers your protective instincts, your defence system kicks in. When you or those you love and care for are in danger, you’ll do anything to protect yourself and keep others safe.” She looks at Jack. “This explains why you were able to calm her down. She saw you, and instantly knew you were safe. Ally, do you love this man?” Athena asks the question as if she already knows the answer.

            “I uh... um...” she looks at Jack with shy eyes, and puts her head down. “I care about him, yes.” she looks to Athena with confused eyes. “What does that have to do with anything?” 

            “Well, when Lucas tried to calm you down, you threw him into a wall. When Jack approached you, the moment you saw him, your state of mind changed and you instantly calmed down.” Athena walks over to Ally, and sits beside her. “You are a special gift to the world. You are one of the strongest beings in existence. Your powers are vast and complicated, and will take sometime to perfect, but I will be here as your guide whenever you need me. You just need to call for me and I will be here, whether it is in person or in your mind.”

            “Why? What’s so important about me? Yeah so I have abilities. I can learn how to use them on my own. What does a goddess have to do with that?” Ally sits back in her chair and crosses her arms.

            “When you were born, it was after Zeus had created the law to prevent Gods and humans from having a child. I couldn’t keep you in Olympus, so you stayed on earth with your father. Your brother, Marcus is my son as well, though he never showed signs on having any powers. Your father got married, and kept his past a secret to his wife. I’m surprised that you haven’t reached out to him about this.”

            Ally sits in silence, with tears welling up in her eyes. “He’s dead. My whole family is dead. All I have are Lucas, Jack, and Anna Blake. She’s a friend of my fathers. Even then, all I really have are these two. I haven’t spoken to Anna in about 3 years. The last time I saw her, she was pregnant and getting married. I left the day after her wedding. I didn’t want her to have the life of a hunter forever.”

            A stray tear falls from Athena’s eye and clears her throat. “Your father was an amazing man. It’s hard to believe that he is gone. Had I known you all were in danger,-“

            “You would’ve what? Gotten off of your throne in the sky and defied Zeus? If you really cared you never would’ve left us to begin with. I don’t know what family means in Olympus, but here, it means you never leave someone behind. You’re always there for them when they need you, and even when they don’t. I was doing just fine before you got here. There is no reason for you to stay.” Ally slides her chair back, stands up and slams it back into the table. “I’m sure we can figure out what’s going on with me, all on our own. I’m going to take my anger out on Christian before I do something stupid.”  She storms out of the room, and slams the door shut behind her.

            “May I ask who this Christian person is?” Athena looks to Jack, and stands up.

            “He’s the leader of the vampire nest that killed her family. We caught him not too long ago after him and Ally got into a fight. She was hurt pretty badly. Malphas, the demon that was her earlier, said that’s when he noticed her power.” Jack spoke with a shake in his voice, as he was worried about Ally and what the future has in store for all of them. 

            Athena balls up her fists in an attempt to control her anger. With a deep sigh, she says; “The books you have will be able to help you a little, but won’t cover everything you need to know. I can share my knowledge with Ally, but I feel as if she won’t let me touch her. Is there any way you could talk to her for me?” Athena looks at Jack with hope in her eyes.

            “I’ll do my best. But I can’t promise I can convince her to listen to you.” Jack stands up, walks over and whispers to Lucas. “Can you take Athena to the kitchen? It’s farthest from the room Christian is in.” He turns back to Athena. “Athena, you’re welcome to stay until she makes a decision.” With that, Jack walked out of the room to go find Ally.