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  “Hi, Mom,” Jewl said, heavy with sarcasm.

  “Why are you so angry with me today?” Aphrodite asked.

  “Just wondering why you're here.”

  “I wanted to make sure you were okay. We might not be the best of friends, but I still care about you. I love you.”

  I don't want a best friend. I want my mom. She sighed and sat down next to the woman. Despite their differences, she could use the comfort and support and most importantly, the answers. If she made her mother angry, she wouldn't get any.

  “How do you feel?” Aphrodite said, playing with Jewl's hair. It was so much different than when Eyde had done it before. Jewl actually enjoyed it.

  “As good as new, thanks to Denver,” she laughed never thinking she'd ever say that phrase. It still baffled her that he helped out.

  Her mother nodded, seemingly satisfied with this answer. “He’s a good boy. Now, I will tell you the same thing I told all of them. You are not to talk about this with anyone, especially your teachers.”

  “Why? I thought they…” How could the staff at the school not know? She'd been curious as to why her friends had come in to save her instead of them, but didn't find it a good time to question this.

  “It's not time yet. Hades’s real heir needs to find out the truth first before we can reveal Lucien's plot or else the Divine won't believe it.”

  “What do you mean real heir? Mom—”

  Aphrodite placed her finger over Jewl's lips, “I've already said too much. Right now, I want you to focus on regaining your energy. We broke the transfer before it completed, so you should be getting back the little you had lost. It pleases me your heart didn't want to let go of what you are. I was worried it might since you despise being of the Divine so much.”

  Jewl let out a heavy sigh. “I don't. The part I'm not too keen on is how you use and control people.”

  “You can do things differently, which is why I picked you for my heir. This is just easier for me, and in my nature. It comes with the territory when you have magic like mine. It's easy to do. The power of love is strong, and so is lust. Both of which are mine to control.”

  Jewl glared at her, “And me, too, thanks to you.”

  “And you get to decide how you want to use it,” Aphrodite said, looking deep into Jewl’s eyes.

  “What if I've already used it by accident?” she pinched the bridge of her nose, frustrated.

  “Oops?”

  “Not oops, I love him!”

  Laughter filled the room. Aphrodite fell back onto the bed, holding her stomach. “I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't, but honey if you love him, then you don't have anything to worry about do you? He's with you. What more could you possibly want?”

  “For him to mean it?” She scowled. None of it was funny to her.

  “What do you feel when you're with him? Inside of you?”

  “I'm not sure,” she whispered. A lot of different things came to mind when she thought about Anj. “Sometimes it's like a tingle, and other times it's like knots in my stomach. He makes me blush and feel warm. I don't know what it is, but I know it feels good.”

  “Doesn't sound like you're using your magic to lure him, then, at least not to me. If you were, you'd feel a spark, a jolt--kind of like being shocked.”

  “I don't think I've felt those things, but it's been such a long time. I can't remember everything.” There was hope though, which was a good feeling to have. She trusted her mother wouldn't lie about it. The easiest way for her to tell if she was being manipulated or not was if her mother spoke in riddles. The way she spoke seemed too straightforward.

  Aphrodite grabbed Jewl's hand, giving it a squeeze. “If you want to know the truth, you'll be able to tell from his kiss—like that cheesy song. It'll feel smooth and silky.”

  Jewl laughed quietly, remembering Teague's words. “Like peanut butter.”

  Her mother smiled. “Yes, exactly. Make sure you look out for him. He's in a lot of trouble.”

  “Who, Anj?”

  “No, Teague. I brought him to you because he's part of the family. He needs you just as much as you need him. Help keep him safe. The attacks on him should be backing off some, but the Dark is unpredictable. You should be fine as well, so long as you stay away from the underworld.”

  “Wait, he's family?” Jewl blinked, startled by this news. Why couldn't she have been told this sooner? No wonder he looked so familiar. That's where she'd seen him before. He had her father's smile, but also features, which were similar to hers. The eyes were especially recognizable, but she couldn't figure out whom they belonged to. “So wait, is he my brother or something?”

  Her mother only smiled, giving her hand a few gentle pats. “Yes, or something.”

  “Is that a yes or a no?”

  “What did I say?”

  “Yes?” Jewl was positive she was being run through a riddle. “I didn't realize you had another child.”

  “I have a lot of them.”

  “I know, but I thought you stopped after me.”

  “No, there will be a few more. But you're my favorite.”

  They heard a knock on the door. Aphrodite leaned up to kiss Jewl's forehead before disappearing.

  Another knock. “Are you decent?” Anj asked.

  She combed through her hair. “Yeah, come on in.”

  He walked in slowly. “I thought I heard someone else in here.”

  “Mom stopped by to make sure I was okay.” While the thought of lying had passed through her mind, she knew it'd be better to be up front. Anything else would have been the route her mother would take.

  “How sweet.”

  “I thought so.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Sort of.”

  He cracked a smile. “She's definitely interesting, I'll give you that much.”

  Jewl nodded. “That she is. I don't want you being so mean to Teague anymore, by the way. He's not going anywhere. Apparently he's my brother, so you don't have to act like a possessive hound anymore.”

  “Brother?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yes.”

  “Then I suppose I should be nice, before he decides I'm not good enough for you.”

  ****

  Breakfast was delicious, but she expected nothing less. Anj might have been blind, but he knew how to cook. It wasn't something he did often, so this was a nice treat. Scrambled eggs, French toast and juice waited for her at the table. They ate in silence, listening to Zes and Cheyenne giggle and talk from downstairs. Heavy footsteps came up the stairs and the two walked through the kitchen in boots and snowsuits.

  “Morning,” Zes said, waving with a huge smile. Cheyenne waved as well, briefly making eye contact with Jewl on her way out. Their happiness was contagious because soon Jewl was smiling also.

  She waited until they were out the door. “They're still clueless about what happened?”

  “I don't want him to worry. All he'll do is go on and on about how I should have asked for his help. After everything they've been through already, I didn't see it as necessary. I'll tell him once things have died down some.” Anj stood and collected the plates carrying them to the sink.

  “You have a point, but you do need to make sure you tell him.”

  He shrugged and rinsed off the plates. “How much did it snow last night?”

  “I would say about five inches, pretty impressive for a first snowfall. It's definitely no longer sweater weather.” She stared out the window at the blanket of sparkling white all across the backyard. It covered the trees, creating a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. She heard the occasional shriek from Cheyenne as the couple frolicked about, chasing one another.

  Anj also watched for a moment before turning off his magic. He gave her a tiny smile while drying his hands. “Aren't you glad you listened to me now? Your sweater happened to be important.”

  “Not as bad as I thought it would be.”

  “I told you the visions are vague,” he offered his hand.
She took it and he pulled her close, pressing her against his body. “This is stupid you know, us not being together. What do I have to do to make you believe me when I say I love you?”

  Rather than ask first she took action, leaning up to kiss his lips gently. She'd meant for it to be simple and innocent, but once they touched she couldn't hold back any more. He deepened the kiss, opening his mouth slightly while trailing a hand up and down her back. The tingles and knots in her stomach faded along with her nervousness and fear. This game they were playing was stupid, and she didn't want to wonder any more. No more holding back. Soon all she felt inside was peace, smooth and silky.

  “Mmm, peanut butter,” she moaned against his lips.

  “Huh?”

  “Nothing, dear. I don't want to run anymore.”

  “Good, because while I'll always chase after you, I am getting a little tired from doing it.”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I won't doubt you again.”

  Expecting him to say something along the lines of 'I told you so', she was instead surprised by another kiss.

  About the Author

  J.F. Jenkins lives in Minneapolis Minnesota with her husband, son, and two cats. She graduated from Bethel University in 2006 with a degree in Media Communication with minors in both writing and film. When she is not busy writing, she spends her free time playing games, reading, and spending time with her family.

  Also by J.F. Jenkins

  Prologue

  Alan stood straight like an arrow. Sir Oriol walked down the line of Junior officers and stopped directly in front of him.

  “You've been chosen for this mission because someone thinks you are the best,” the man said, eyes locking on Alan as if trying to make him falter. Instead he stood straighter, and Sir Oriol continued down the line. “As you know, we are here to stop the war on Altura from spreading to this planet. The people here are much like us. They call their home Earth.

  “The inhabitants of this planet do not need to suffer from our war. We are to move in, eliminate the threat, and move out before the Earth people realize the truth. They are not as educated in the universe as we are. They do not know there is other life beyond their own. We do not want to start a widespread panic.

  “All of you have been chosen to take on a team of these Earth humans. You are to train them and use their knowledge to help us stop the Gelandrosimbol and Basatlavan from winning this battlefield. Each of you have been given the coordinates of your team. Our forces will be focusing in on an area referred to as the Midwestern United States of America. Do all of you understand your mission?”

  “Yes, Sir Orioltogorthan,” all of the Juniors said in unison.

  “Best of luck to you all then,” Sir Oriol said, saluted, and then left the launching bay. But not before giving Alan one last dark look. He leaned in and whispered, “And you can be sure your father will know about everything that happens.”

  Alan shook it off. Whether Sir Oriol believed in him or not would not stop him from going on this mission. There was personal business for him to attend to on Earth. The woman Alan was betrothed to was on the planet somewhere. Ultimately, his mission was to find her and bring her back to their home world again. She'd gone missing, and his gut told him she was involved in the war. It was the reason he'd joined the military to begin with.

  One step at a time of course. First he would find his chosen charges on Earth. Then he would find the woman he loved more than anything. No one knew for certain if she was on Earth. Having charges would give him an excuse to explore the planet in search of her. His assigned coordinates programmed into his travel guide, he checked to make sure his atmospheric shield was fully charged. These devices would make sure he got to his destination, and that he did so safely.

  Stepping towards the launch director, he took in one last deep breath to calm any final nerves.

  “Sir Alanmendiquixanimackle, are you ready?” the director asked.

  He nodded. “Send me to Earth.”

  Chapter One

  Gym class, the bane of Orlando's existence. Not to say he wasn't an athletic kid. Despite his dark, Gothic style, he did work out and stayed in good shape. He simply liked to do it on his own terms, and away from the rest of his classmates. He loathed every second of socializing.

  “All right class, let's clean up and get changed.” Coach Wilson said, and it was practically music to Orlando's ears.

  He eagerly put the basketball away and hightailed it to the boys’ locker room to hopefully get a head start on changing. The less time he had to interact with anyone else the better. He'd just finished pulling on his baggy black jeans and was in the process of buttoning his matching shirt when the jocks walked in.

  “Good game, Holmes,” the leader of the pack said. Orlando knew better than to take it as a compliment though. “Make sure you try out for the girls’ team this year. I think you have a real shot for starting forward.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I'd hate to steal the spotlight from you, Jesse.”

  “That's right. Your family is more into the red-light. How could I forget?” Jesse said as he began to change.

  Orlando clasped on his black wristband, chained his wallet back to his pants, and tightened his belt. Ignore the idiots.

  “What happened to you, Holmes? You used to be cool.” Jesse wouldn't let himself be ignored, apparently.

  “I grew a brain. Need me back on the football team? I thought you were having a great season, or is that the same line you feed all your female fans? A new pick-up line might be a good idea,” he said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

  Jesse's right-hand man, Ryan, chimed in. “I don't know why you bother, Jess. He's converted to the freak side and not turning back.”

  Freak side. How original. With another eye roll, Orlando made his way for the door, but Jesse blocked him. “Yes?”

  “Don't think I'm finished with you.” He gave Orlando a shove. “School doesn't get out for another three minutes.”

  “I didn't realize you missed me so much. I hate to break it to you, Jess, but my boat doesn't float that way.” He made a move to push his way past Jesse, but was shoved again and much harder than before, falling backwards onto a locker.

  Jesse laughed, and all of his groupies followed along. “Cute, Holmes. I'll be sure to share that one with your sister when I see her on the corner of Lake and Hennepin next. After I show her a great time because she's so easy. Don't worry, I'll give her a great tip.”

  Orlando's hands balled into fists. “She's not like that.”

  “You're right, she's hard until you give her the green, since everyone knows that's how your family gets all of its money. Did you guys know his parents are never around? Probably because they're finding new kids to sell their illegal drugs. When do you plan on joining in on the fun, Holmes? I'm sure a guy like you could—”

  Jesse didn't get to finish because Orlando's fist made contact with his jaw. His eyes wide and surprised, the seventeen-year-old boy stumbled back, then charged forward, swinging his fists. Orlando dodged the counterattack and rammed into him, shoulder first, and knocked him out of the locker room and into the hallway.

  A few girls nearby squealed and scattered as they watched Jesse throw another punch in retaliation. It hit Orlando's chest, and now Ryan was throwing himself into the mix as well by trying to trip him at the knees. He caught this just in time and body-slammed Ryan into the drinking fountain. The boy hit it hard with his upper back and head.

  “Boys! What's going on here?” Coach Wilson grabbed Orlando just as he broke Jesse's nose.

  He willingly stepped away, pleased and satisfied with his work. “Fighting, Coach.”

  There was no point in denying it. Jesse had it coming. His whole crew did. It was only a matter of time before someone taught them a lesson. While he much preferred to keep to himself and lay low, Orlando didn't mind stepping up and taking on the role of the teacher in this scenario.

  “I see that,” Coach W
ilson said. He went to Ryan and Jesse to make sure they were both okay. Orlando felt the firm hand of another teacher on his arm and saw Mr. Daniels the music teacher.

  “To the office, right?” Orlando said with a glance up at the man. Mr. Daniels nodded and released him as the teen pulled his arm away to head towards the Dean of Students’ office.

  “You're going to regret this, freak.” Jesse hollered after him.

  Orlando snorted, “Doubt it.”

  Astraea Press

  Pure. Fiction.

  www.astraeapress.com