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  “Murderous?” He raises an eyebrow.

  “Maybe.” I stay tight-lipped, hoping it’s enough.

  He breathes out a sigh and motions for me to come inside the house.

  “You’ll help?”

  “Can’t have you trying to kill someone, can we?” He smiles wryly. “I’ll be out of here in a day or two. So talk fast and we’ll see what can be done.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Logan

  Eden’s in trouble and my first instinct is still to protect her. That’s why I’m willing to hear Asher out. Any other reason and I’d have slammed the door in the asshole’s face. His touch was like hers when she sent me to Diana’s to tell her how I felt. It was warm and made it seem like everything was okay with the world for a second. Then reality crashed back in and it hurt worse than before.

  Diana was gone. Nothing would ever be okay again.

  “Goddesses recognise one and other,” I say, wondering why he came to me when he could just talk to Eden. “If there’s another one in town, Eden should feel it.”

  He frowns. “She’s still developing her power. She couldn’t sense Diana because of that, remember.”

  “Then her guide needs to fix that.” Problem solved.

  “Her guide is kind of illusive. He’s not easy to pin down to get answers.”

  The silence that falls when I don’t respond becomes awkward. I’d tell him to leave if I didn’t need this so badly. I’d been ready to get the hell out of this town, until it had hit me that someone would have to arrange Diana’s funeral. I didn’t want to be left alone with that task weighing me down. I needed to have something else to focus on. Too bad this distraction seemed like mission impossible.

  “You need to speak to Eden about this anyway,” I tell him, surprised that I’m able to talk about her so easily. I guess falling for someone else well and truly broke my obsession with the Goddess of Rock. “She needs to know something’s wrong. Maybe her guide will help if she just calls on him.”

  Her guide triggered this whole thing. She became a Goddess the afternoon after she told me about the weird guy who seemed to be following her around. No, wait, that’s not entirely true. She was born with potential and she chose that immortal path right in front of my eyes. I know now, I died that day. She brought me back.

  And for a brief moment everything was perfect. I’d won the heart of the woman I’d loved for years, and if we could have stayed together everything would be so different now.

  “Can you tell me what happened with Catherine?” Asher’s question breaks me out of my thoughts.

  “I snuck up on her,” I tell him, a numb feeling washing over me as I recalled what I did. I rushed through it, getting her into the crate as quickly as possible after she passed out. I pre-planned the burial and dug the hole before I got her. Filling it in was the risky part. If she woke up and realised somehow what was happening she might have been able to command me to stop. “Drugged her and buried her in that little dirt town between here and Haleton.”

  “Buried her?” His face pales, his jaw slackening. “That’s all?”

  I snort, knowing what’s flashing through his head; that bitch of a woman clawing her way out of a grave. I thought about weighing the crate down and pushing it into the ocean. Trouble was the time it would have taken to get there. Couldn’t risk her regaining consciousness.

  “Don’t worry, the crate I put her in is solid. Chains all around it. She’s not getting out.” I don’t tell him it’s a torture Diana had once proposed I use on him. As a mere mortal, it was the only way I could get rid of her venomous mother. That’s all I cared about.

  “So she’s buried alive inside a crate,” Asher says, shaking his head. “She was a witch, don’t get me wrong—”

  “She killed her own daughter rather than let her be happy.”

  He seems confused, and I don’t want to hear his questions so I just blurt it out.

  “Diana wasn’t suicidal. Her mother put those thoughts in her head.”

  “So she’s pissed and buried in a box.” He squirms a little in his seat.

  “She’s dealt with.”

  He nods, but I know he isn’t satisfied. Tough shit. Digging that bitch up isn’t happening. Even if I do want to take a spade and hack her into pieces for what she did. I know the moment she gets the chance she’ll slither into my mind. Who knows what she’ll decide is payback for burying her alive?

  “Can you show me where she is?”

  I should have known he was going to ask. Sighing, I sink back in my seat. “Why?”

  “I don’t know how safe it is that she’s alive.”

  “Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but immortals are kind of hard to kill.”

  “I’ve noticed. I climbed out of the ground when you killed me, Logan. I just want to make sure she can’t do the same.”

  Because a vengeful Goddess is a dangerous one. I hate to think what she’d actually do if she got out of that box.

  I get up. It’s kind of suicidal, but he’s immortal. Let him risk death. He’ll only come back.

  “Fine. Come with me.”

  He follows me out of the house, and we drive out to that nowhere town in Diana’s car. When we get close to the spot, I kill the engine and look at him. He glances out at the sandy landscape before turning to me.

  “This is it?” He doesn’t sound convinced.

  I nod, pointing out to my left. “There are a row of rundown houses along there. I went inside the basement of the one with the red door and buried the box about five feet down. You’ll see the soil I disturbed doing it.”

  “You’re not coming?”

  I shoot him a glare and he makes a swift exit. I tap my hand off the steering wheel as he disappears from sight. The impulse to gun the engine and take off comes and goes. As satisfying as it would be to abandon him out in the middle of nowhere, I didn’t want to rush back to start looking into what I’d need to do to for Diana’s funeral. I’d only fall back into the trance-like state I’d been in after I’d called the cops. I knew I would. It was the only way I’d be able to cope.

  Right now I felt awake, sober. It’s better than feeling numb. It’s better than being so spaced out I could barely remember why I had a bloody knife in the kitchen sink and scratch-marks on my forearm that stung like a motherfucker. That’s messed up. This... This is normal.

  I start to count down the seconds as I wait. Minutes pass, and I stop counting. I glance at the clock in between bouts of staring out into the dusty distance and tightening my grip on the wheel. He’s taking his damn time. Probably too afraid to go inside the house. There were animals living there. They were probably making a lot of noise, freaking his wimpy ass out. The longer I wait, the more riled up I become. I take the key from the ignition and leave the car, before I get the urge to drive away. It’s closing in on an hour since he left the car. I should find out what he’s up to.

  I pocket the keys and get walking though my legs don’t seem to want to carry me very far. My head begins to ache, a dull throbbing that reminds me of being around Diana. Terror fills me as the landscape starts to blur. I’m losing my grip on my consciousness. Something bad is about to happen, for the second time today. I wish I understood why. I stagger and drop to my knees. Shit. It’s happening again. I can feel it. I’m going to blackout.

  I fall forward into the sand, welcoming the darkness I sink into. Resisting will do me no good. It doesn’t matter what I try, it’s always going to claim me. I might as well stop fighting it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Asher

  The house is as Logan described it. I walk inside and wind up brushing cobwebs out of my hair. There’s a damp smell and small rustling noises in a corner. Rats, if the tail I spot is anything to go by.

  He couldn’t have picked a less pleasant place for this. Catherine would be fuming if she knew. The thought makes me smile. It shouldn’t. Not really. She was a vile woman, but does anyone deserve to be buried alive? I don’t th
ink I’m qualified to make that kind of call, but I could see it was the only option for Logan. It’s impressive that he’d managed it.

  I walk around the ground floor until I find the basement door in the kitchen. There’s no electricity and I didn’t think to bring a flashlight. Why would I? It’s the middle of the day and the sun is scorching the sky outside. I swing the door inwards anyway. Natural light helps me to locate the first few stairs, but beyond that it’s pitch dark. I won’t be able to see a thing. Kinda pointless to go down there to stumble around in the dark.

  Besides, how do I know this isn’t just another attempt by a guy who hates my guts to get rid of me? Third time lucky, as he put it. I sigh and walk back out into the living room. I need to get back to Rapture and talk to Eden. Logan was right. Talking to her is the best thing I can do right now. Maybe her guide can tell us if a threat is near. Maybe he’s already spoken to her about it.

  I hear the creak behind me just a second before my head feels like it’s caving in. I take a hard fall and my will to move is gone. The world swims, blurred and hazy. I reach up and figure out my glasses came off when I fell. I manage to raise my hand a little higher. Ugh, I’m bleeding. I can feel the liquid when I touch my temple. My head is pounding like a petrified heart. I wince as I try to push myself up. A hard pressure on my back drops me to the ground. Someone just stood on me. Fantastic.

  “Stay down,” an unfamiliar voice warns, before the press of cold steel against my cheek doubles the threat. Whoever he is, he has a gun.

  “What do you want?” My voice sounds far away, my mouth drying up quickly. I’m struggling to stay conscious. I know I won’t die. At least if I do, I won’t stay dead. It’s small comfort when I know there are worse things that can be done to someone who can’t be killed. Like being buried alive out here where no-one would ever look for me. “I can get you money.”

  “Stay down,” the voice insists, before the butt of the gun smashes into the side of my head.

  That one does it. I’m out. The loud crack of bone follows me into oblivion.

  Chapter Twenty

  Nick

  Overhearing Sky’s voice when I get to the landing that morning... well, technically it’s after noon so I guess it’s not morning anymore. Anyway, it makes me realise coming downstairs naked would be a bad idea. We have visitors, so I should probably put on pants.

  I already showered when I got up, appreciating the erection that had sprung forth at the thought of taking Eden again with a willing partner in crime, but leaving it alone in anticipation of giving Eden another thrilling afternoon. Now those plans were on hold. By the time I’m dressed, the rager I worked up in the shower is gone. Which is just as well, because Sky definitely would have noticed, and she’s not the kind of girl to hold her tongue.

  I go downstairs and find Eden with Sky in the kitchen, drinking coffee and eating the muffins I brought home last night. We got a ‘Welcome to Rapture’ muffin basket at the club. At least, I did. The woman who brought them seemed nice enough, but her intent was obvious. Her greedy gaze had slipped to my ring finger several times as she introduced herself and made sure to mention she was single.

  Eli found it amusing. Until I took his hand as I told her I was taken. She backed up pretty quickly.

  “Did you have to do that?” Eli asked with a sigh as he pulled his hand back.

  I shrugged. “Does it really matter? We’re both taken. It’s a faster way to make most women back off than just ‘I have a girlfriend’.”

  Muffin lady had not seemed like the type to take a girlfriend seriously. Magpies don’t give a shit if the guys they bang have significant others, some of them prefer it, like it adds to the thrill. They see the shiny and they want. They’ll do whatever to get. I’ve learned from experience that there’s only one way to deal with her type. Showing a preference for the other sex always takes the shine off. She won’t bug me again. That’s pretty much all I care about.

  Eli rolls his eyes at me as I shove the basket under the bar. “We’re dating Eden, not each other.”

  “Yes, we’re dating Eden, but we’re doing that together and I’m enjoying the whole experience, thank you very much. Don’t even try to tell me you’re not.” He didn’t. Enough said.

  I smile at Eden as she straightens her top. The outfit is more casual today, but she makes everything look sexy. The twinges at my crotch die when she locks eyes and I can tell she’s been crying. Shit. What’s happened? I move over to her, giving Skyler side-eye as I approach. If that bitch has been nasty, she’ll be sorry.

  “Eden, what’s wrong?”

  She presses her lips together and gives me a warning glance. “Nothing’s wrong.”

  I start to frown and realise Sky is narrowing her eyes at us both as if she’s not sure what’s going on right now. Shit. This must be Goddess related. Something’s wrong, but she can’t talk about it in front of Skyler. There’s not much I can do to cover up the concern, so I just pull her to me for a kiss and make it a good show for Sky while making sure my arms are tight around Eden in a comforting way. She needs held so badly right now. I can feel it in her gently quivering bones. She kisses back, but I can tell she’s not all the way into it. I need to get her alone so she can tell me what happened. I break the kiss and smile, stroking her face. She smiles weakly back at me.

  “That’s better. You just needed my lips to remind you how gorgeous you are.”

  “Oh, gross. You two are sickening.” Sky wrinkles her nose at me.

  “Don’t hate on us just because you haven’t gotten a taste of your Rock God yet.”

  She flushes. There’s a surprise. I was only joking but it seems I hit the nail on the head. She hasn’t slept with Lawson yet? Must be serious. And now she looks pissed. Damn. My mouth is causing all kinds of problems around here today.

  “Shut up,” she snaps. “You don’t know anything, and you’re a lazy bastard.”

  Nerve, struck. Oh well. At least it took the heat off of Eden. I stroke her hand under the counter and it earns me a real smile.

  “I’m not lazy, I was working late.” If you call drinking with a friend working. Hah. I love how easily work and play mesh for me. I picked the right career path.

  She snorts at me before stalking over to the couch to sit with her man.

  “Something happened, didn’t it?” I keep my voice low and Eden nods.

  “We should talk about it later.” She glances towards the living room.

  I guess they aren’t really out of earshot, though I wonder how soon it’ll be before Skyler knows about Gods and Goddesses. Considering Lawson is one and she seems to be his, wouldn’t it be kind of the same as Eden being able to let her lovers in on her secret? Maybe they just aren’t quite there yet. I shrug it off and turn back to Eden.

  “Are you okay?” It’s all that matters right now. My curiosity won’t actually kill me. Whatever the problem is, I just need to know Eden’s doing fine.

  She nods, and I know whatever it is, she’s having a hard time of it.

  Damn. I wish she could just tell me. “When is Skyler leaving?”

  “Nick,” she scolds, shaking her head. “They just got here.”

  I sigh as she takes my hand and leads me over to the couch. She sits next to Eli and I sit next to her. Her face flushes at how close I slide in. Sky has an eyebrow raised. Yeah, we’re going to get that reaction a lot. Eden’s going to have to get used to it.

  “So, you’re excited right? Tell me you are,” Sky starts, her gaze on Eden.

  “Um...” Eden doesn’t seem to know what to say. “I haven’t even spoken to Amy yet.”

  “You will, though, and she’ll beg you to come back to work to get this deal sealed.”

  “There’s a deal?” I glance at Eden, then Eli.

  Eli nods. “Eden’s going on tour with Sky’s band in about a month.”

  “A month?” Holy shit, that was fast.

  Eden shrugs. She hasn’t confirmed it yet? She just got done admitting she m
issed touring. Something isn’t sitting right here. What the hell happened while I was sleeping?

  “That’s great,” I say, taking Eden’s hand in mine. “I mean, it’s great, right?”

  She takes a deep breath.

  Panic swells in Sky’s gaze. “Oh, no. Don’t tell me you don’t want to do the tour. Please, Edie? I need this, so bad.”

  “It’s just really soon, and don’t call me that.”

  So she’s torn because she expected to go back to work later? Somehow, I don’t think that’s what’s upsetting her, but it does seem to be a problem.

  “Maybe we can blow off the first few dates. Make it happen a month later?” Sky sounds desperate.

  “Maybe,” Eden says, her tone unenthusiastic.

  I’m getting worried now. She was talking about how much she wanted this, to go back to touring, and now she’s acting like it’s the worst thing that could have happened. I wonder again what’s going on that she can’t talk about in front of Sky. It has to be something huge to be having this kind of effect on her.

  “Please, Eden. You have to think about it. Take a few days.” Sky pleads with her eyes.

  Eden nods. “I’ll need to talk to everyone before I can make a decision.”

  Then it clicks. She knows Eli and I and fine with her desire to go back to touring, that if it makes her happy it’ll make us happy. Asher’s going to be a different story. I’ve seen how much he misses her when she’s gone. He’ll go nuts without her to come home to every night. That has to be why she isn’t jumping on the idea like she really should be.

  “Asher will want whatever makes you happiest, Eden.” I say it quietly as Lawson and Sky begin to discuss why she shouldn’t pressure her friend into something she might not want to do.

  She smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

  “It’s Eden’s decision,” Lawson states firmly. “I can tour with you if she doesn’t want to do it. That’ll keep everyone happy.”