Chapter Twenty
On the way to school Thursday morning, Mandy reminded me about my promise to take her shopping for her date with Matthew from St. Paul’s. The mall excursion had completely slipped my mind. I wanted to cancel. Buying clothes seemed trivial when my aunt was my mother, my biological father was unknown, the man I thought was my father was still missing, and I now knew that I’d been sent back from the dead to work for the gods of the underworld. However, I couldn’t bring myself to douse the excited gleam in Mandy’s eyes. This was her first real date and she was a bundle of anxious enthusiasm ― a feeling I knew well.
The school day itself was uneventful. Talk over lunch consisted mostly of prom, now only two and a half weeks away. Limos needed to be ordered, dresses purchased, tuxedos rented, dinner locales reserved, and ― most important ― dates secured.
“I’m going stag,” Devon announced over the cafeteria’s attempt at chicken curry. The administration was trying to foster cultural diversity since the PTA had complained about the lack of ethnic foods being served. It was a great idea in theory, but the execution was an epic failure.
Elizabeth dropped a forkful of rice halfway to her mouth. “Really, Devon? Did hell freeze over?”
“Ha ha,” Devon intoned, rolling her eyes. “No. I told Rick it was really over this time, and I have more important things to worry about than finding a date.” She shot a meaningful look in my direction. I pretended not to notice.
“I am going to ask Matthew if all goes well tomorrow night,” Mandy declared.
“Good for you,” I told her.
“Isn’t the first date a little early to ask someone to prom?” Elizabeth asked.
“No way; time is running out,” Cynthia Zeleski said. Then she turned to me and asked, “Eel, who are you going with?”
“Kaydon,” Devon answered for me, batting her eyelashes and making an absurd swooning gesture.
“How exciting!” Elizabeth squealed. “We need to finish dress shopping.”
“Um, I haven’t actually asked him yet,” I pointed out. “Besides, you already have the perfect dress.”
The admission about asking Kaydon caused my cheeks to flush. Just the thought of asking him to prom made my stomach churn with nerves. I’d never asked a boy out. And he was the only person I could imagine sharing the milestone event with. Every time I heard the word “prom,” Kaydon’s bright, jewel-like eyes materialized in my mind. I pictured him grinning down at me as we twirled across the wooden dance floor, his golden-brown locks styled to have that purposely messy appearance, a blood-red rose adding a splash of color to his black tuxedo. Even now, I was unable to prevent a smile from turning the corners of my mouth upwards.
Under those happy fantasies, an ugly darkness lurked. It crept into my relationship with Kaydon, threatening the only silver lining to my current situation. The unwelcome thoughts swirled around in my head, an angry undercurrent of dread and despair blackening my mood and heightening my anxiousness. I found myself dreading not just asking Kaydon to the dance, but actually attending it with him as well.
Of course, my unease could be attributed to the fact that Westwood and Mt. St. Mary’s hold their proms on the same night. I fully expected Kaydon to cancel on Jamieson, but we hadn’t actually discussed the topic. I knew that Jamieson asked him first, and he agreed to go with her before we’d even met. Yet those facts did nothing to dampen the green flame of jealously that sparked when I considered the possibility that he might choose to honor his promise to her instead of spending the evening with me.
“Details.” Elizabeth waved off my concern with a flick of her hand. “Getting him to say yes is the easy part.”
“Do you even have a date, Liz?” Cynthia interjected.
A coy smile played over Elizabeth’s lips. “I do,” she admitted smugly. “Cooper asked me.”
“Cooper Byrd?” I asked, a little surprised. They were friends and they did flirt all the time, but I’d chalked up all of the touching and playful banter to nothing more than friendship with a superficial attraction to one another. I never thought there was any actual romantic interest.
“You called?” a voice sang behind me.
Startled, I turned as Cooper himself slid a tray down next to mine.
“We were just talking about prom,” I told him.
“Liz tell you were going together?” he asked, as he eyed his curry dubiously.
“I did.” She gave Cooper a megawatt grin that he returned.
Maybe Elizabeth had found her Prince Charming after all, I thought.
****
After an entire day without talk of family cover-ups, Egrgoroi, or the presumed dead, I was in a significantly better mood. Shopping with Mandy added to my feeling of normalcy. She asked a lot of questions about Kaydon, and I found I had a lot to say, even while leaving out the strange connection he and I shared. Mandy was only too happy to chatter on about Matthew and how eager she was for their upcoming date. It seemed Kevin Mathis was nothing more than a distant memory, which was good since I’d learned he intended to ask a freshman to prom.
Once we’d found Mandy a very flattering floral sundress and wedged heels from Forever 21, we decided to grab dinner at the food court. The seating area was relatively empty, since it was near closing time. This made the two gorgeous guys sitting several tables away impossible to miss.
“I think they’re checking you out,” Mandy whispered around a mouthful of salad; she was crash dieting for the date with Matthew. I had a sneaking suspicion that Devon planted the idea in Mandy’s head, since prior to today she’d never felt the need to lose weight.
I glanced over in the direction Mandy indicated with her head, pretending I’d just noticed the two boys. One was blonde and built like a linebacker, with sleeves pushed up to reveal tattooed forearms. His surly demeanor had “tool” written all over it. The other had light brown hair, a slender build, and extremely angular features. He smiled when he talked to his companion, giving off the impression that he was friendly and easy-going.
As I discreetly catalogued the pair, the boys’ conversation came to an abrupt halt. As if they sensed my gaze, two heads turned in my direction in unison.
A chill ran the length of my spine, spreading unease to every muscle of my body. Coal black eyes locked with mine. The boy’s intense stare held such energy that the breath caught in my throat. His gaze traveled through me, as if evaluating my hidden thoughts and secret desires. Part of me wanted to sever the connection. Another part was so thoroughly captivated and drawn to the boy that it was not an option.
“I bet they’re in college,” Mandy was saying.
I nodded absently, still unable to tear my gaze from the brunette. The blonde one nudged his friend, causing him to break the invisible force binding our gazes. A flicker of disappointment tightened my chest at having lost the link, but it was quickly extinguished by the relief of being free from his pull.
“What would Kaydon say if he knew you were making goo-goo eyes at another boy?” Mandy teased.
Her words sent another cold spell through my numb limbs. The way I’d been unable to break eye contact with the boy, the draw towards him conflicting with the desire to put as much distance between us as possible ― it was the same sensation I’d experienced with Kaydon. The two boys sitting in the mall food court, not five tables away, were Egrgoroi. I was absolutely sure of it.
Whether it was because of my frantic insistence that we immediately leave or simply because Mandy was so used to people barking orders at her, I will probably never know. But Mandy complied without protest, leaving behind a mostly uneaten salad. I half-walked, half-ran to Macy’s since that was where I’d parked the Bug. Several last-minute shoppers gave me dirty looks as I carelessly stumbled by; I breezed right past them without a second glance, leaving Mandy to apologize in my wake.
Once safely locked inside my car, I realized actually running away from the two Egrgoroi boys was an overreaction. They hadn’t appeared to be much older than I was, maybe in their early twenties, and it was unlikely they meant me harm. Kaydon, the only other Egrgoroi I’d met, clearly only had one type of physical contact in mind. As disconcerting as the jolts of electricity had been at first, I found them enjoyable now ― more than enjoyable if I were being honest. Still, something about the two in the food court felt wrong. The way the one had looked at me gave me the creeps even now.
“Eel, are you okay?” Mandy asked, startling me from my musing. I’d forgotten she was there for a minute.
“Yeah, I just promised my mom I would be home early tonight,” I said for lack of a better excuse for my strange behavior.
Truthfully, I had told my mother I would be home so we could talk tonight, but the longer I could delay that conversation the better. That was partially why I’d agreed to the shopping trip. I knew Mom would be sitting at the kitchen table awaiting my arrival. Miraculously, she left work at 5:30 like a normal person, a fact I knew by the seventeen text messages she’d sent telling me so. Sometimes I loathed modern technology.
I dropped Mandy off at her house and then headed for my own. Mom was sitting at the kitchen table with her chair turned at the perfect angle for viewing the front door. The moment my sneaker made contact with the foyer’s wooden floorboards, her head popped up.
“Endora,” Mom said, sounding relieved.
Reluctantly, I joined her at the table, positioning my chair sideways for a hasty exit in case the conversation became too intense. The lines around my mother’s eyes were deeper than usual, emphasizing the weary expression on her face. I wanted to stay angry with her, hate her just a little, but seeing her so upset made it hard. Instead, I felt horrible that I was the one who’d caused her so much anxiety.
“Hey,” I said softly.
“I should never have told you about Sam the way I did.”
Wow, so small talk wasn’t on the menu tonight. That shouldn’t have surprised me since my mother was a very direct woman. “Life’s too short to beat around the bush,” she liked to say.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I asked.
Mom sighed, looking defeated. “I never wanted to tell you. There was no reason for you to know Samantha gave birth to you. As you grew up, you looked so much like me that I never worried you’d guess we were anything less than mother and daughter. Mark wanted to tell you, but I figured you would be happier not knowing, not always wondering about your biological parents. Your father and I raised you; we are your parents.”
“Is that why you two fought so much? He wanted to tell me and you didn’t?” I asked. I was trying to digest the news that she would have continued to keep the truth from me if not for a brief moment of panic where she let it slip out.
“Sometimes,” she said evasively, avoiding my gaze.
“Sometimes,” I parroted back childishly. “What about the rest of the time?”
“What all did James tell you the other night?” Mom’s eyes finally met my stare when she asked this.
I considered lying for a split second, before accepting that it would be a lost cause. She’d know I was lying and would continue to rephrase the question until she got the answer she sought. Besides, the way she was studying me with her prosecutor’s glare told me she already knew the truth. Rule number one of cross-examination: Never ask a question you don’t already know the answer to.
“He told me about Dad’s research into what I am, an Egrgoroi.”
Mom paled, her skin resembling the corpses they’re always pulling out of the water on Law and Order. Rage sparked new life in her tired eyes. “That is nonsense. Your father got caught up in some romantic fantasy of an afterlife and―”
I cut her off, “Romantic fantasy? Are you serious? There is nothing romantic about being sent back to earth to further some god’s agenda. I don’t want to be someone’s errand girl.”
Impossibly, the blood further drained from my mother’s face. She gripped the edge of the table as if needing the support. “That is nonsense,” she repeated, but her words lacked the earlier bite.
“Is it?” I asked quietly. “If it is all nonsense, illogical, why are you so scared?”
“I don’t want to lose you the way I lost your father,” she said softly. “I don’t want his obsession to become yours.”
“Too late.” I rose from the table and started for the stairs, but just before the landing I turned. “So, you don’t believe any of it? Not that I am an Egrgoroi, that I was offered a second chance at life in exchange for service?”
At first, Mom remained silent, but as I started up the stairs I heard her mutter, “No, I don’t believe you were offered a second chance at life.”
****
On Friday I attended school feeling about as ridiculous as one might expect to while wearing a kilt, knee socks, and a white t-shirt that read, “Go OWLS sink your claws into the GATORS!” in puffy paint. I’d advocated for dressing up in honor of our game that afternoon but, unfortunately, had been outvoted. As captain, boycotting the team’s decision would have been bad form, so I spent the day looking like an arts and crafts project gone awry.
With so much on my mind, my athletic prowess suffered horribly during the game. I was jumpy and couldn’t concentrate, despite my best efforts. Coach Peters took me aside during halftime and asked if everything was okay. I assured her that I was fine and would play better the second half. Proving myself a liar, I dropped an easy pass when I thought I saw one of the Egrgoroi boys from the mall in the stands.
“Don’t worry, Eel. Everyone has a bad game,” Elizabeth told me on the bus, after we barely squeaked out a win.
“Yeah, I know,” I said.
“Who’s driving to the McCallisters’ house?” Elizabeth asked, changing the subject to more pressing matters. “I call not it,” she added quickly.
“I’ll drive,” I offered. Devon and I agreed not to drink at the party since we were meeting Mr. Wentworth at eight o’clock the next morning. The only reason I was even going to the party was because Kaydon would be there.
Justin McCallister, the St. Paul’s goalie, lived in a McMansion nearly forty minutes from my more modest house. By the time Devon, Elizabeth and I arrived, the party was in full swing. After twenty minutes of dodging drunken partygoers and avoiding precariously held Solo cups, I finally found Kaydon. He was sitting in the McCallisters’ basement theater watching basketball with half of the other guys at the party.
Trying to be coy, I snuck up behind where he sat on a sectional between two other St. Paul’s boys I didn’t know. I ran my fingers across the back of his exposed neck. The crackle and pop of electricity caused him to jump in his seat and sent me stumbling backwards several steps. Kaydon turned, green eyes wide with alarm. When they landed on me, though, he visibly relaxed and drew his lips into a dazzling smile.
“I should have known it was you,” he said and climbed over the back of the leather sofa so he wouldn’t have to step over the crowd of people littering the floor in front of it.
“Sorry,” I apologized, since he was rubbing the back of his neck where I’d shocked him.
“It’s fine,” he assured me. “You look nice,” he added, those green eyes traveling from the hem of the strapless sundress to my bare throat. Kaydon tentatively reached for my hand, brushing my palm lightly. When the small spark didn’t send either of us flying across the room, he intertwined his fingers with mine and pulled me close. He dipped his head low, the soft chestnut hair caressing my cheek and sending a tingly sensation across my skin. I figured he was going to kiss me; his mouth bypassed mine and stopped next to my ear.
“Where’s your necklace?” he whispered.
“My dream catcher?” I asked, surprise causing me to pull back. “Devon said it didn’t go with my dress.”
“You should be wearing it,” Kaydon said, sounding like he was scolding a naughty child.
“I’m awake,” I pointed out. “I don’t need a dream catcher when I’m awake.”
“Humor me, Endora. Promise me you won’t take it off again. I don’t know if it works, but it can’t hurt.”
“Okay, sure. I promise,” I said, unnerved by the intensity in his request.
When Kaydon leaned in this time, he did kiss me. Gentle and light as a feather, his lips skimmed mine.
“Let’s go somewhere quiet,” he mumbled, pulling back just enough so his mouth moved without touching mine.
“I don’t want to take you away from the game,” I said, nodding towards the big screen that held some forty-odd boys captive.
“I would rather watch you than ten sweaty guys run up and down a court.”
The McCallisters’ backyard was a sprawling maze of tennis courts, a putting green, and pool house. Kids were gathered around the pool watching four girls riding on the shoulders of four boys chicken fighting. All eight appeared to be fully clothed. Kaydon led me past the pool to a gazebo decorated with green and pink Chinese lanterns. Inside the gazebo was a wraparound bench covered in cushions that matched the lanterns.
“How are you holding up?” Kaydon asked once we were sitting side by side on the bench.
I shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I made it out of the house without seeing my mom this morning, so that’s good.”
I’d intentionally stayed in my room until I heard her leave for work. She’d left me a note telling to have a good day at school and wishing me luck at the game. She’d also texted and called several times to check up on me, but I sent her to voice mail and only responded to one text to let her know I was alive. That seemed to mollify her.
“I put in some calls to the other Egrgoroi I know; I’m waiting to hear back,” Kaydon told me.
I shuddered, thinking about the two Egrgoroi I’d seen in the mall.
“Are you cold?” Kaydon asked, concerned. He scooted closer and wrapped his arm around my bare shoulders. The initial contact stung before giving way to pleasant warmth. I snuggled closer, resting my head in the crook of his arm. I wasn’t cold, but the physical closeness was nice all the same.
“No, it’s not that,” I said. “When I was shopping with Mandy last night, I think there were two Egrgoroi in the food court.”
Kaydon’s muscles tensed and his whole body went rigid. When he spoke, his voice was strained. “Did they try to talk to you?” he wanted to know.
“No. They just stared at me. It was really creepy.”
“But they got close enough that you felt them?”
“Yeah, they were only like five tables away and the food court was practically empty.”
“Who was there first? You or them?” Kaydon pressed.
I took a moment to think about that. I couldn’t recall whether the boys had been there when Mandy and I first sat down or not. “Don’t know,” I said with a shrug. “But once I did notice them, I literally ran,” I admitted, slightly embarrassed at the memory of dragging Mandy through the mall at breakneck speed.
“Running away was the right to thing to do,” Kaydon assured me. “If you see them again, if you see any Egrgoroi again, get somewhere safe and call me.”
“Are we dangerous?” I asked.
“Some Egrgoroi are,” Kaydon replied evasively.
“The ones who work for Tartarus?”
“Particularly the ones who work for Tartarus - they have nothing to lose. But even the Egrgoroi who serve Kronos can be dangerous. Good and evil, right and wrong; well, they aren’t as clear-cut as you might think.”
Before I could ask him how Egrgoroi already judged and determined to be worthy of Elysian Fields could possibly be dangerous, my cell buzzed in the pocket of my dress. I groaned, assuming it was my mother. It wasn’t.
Devon: Party’s lame. Let’s go. Where R U?
“I’m sorry,” I apologized to Kaydon. “Devon is ready to go.” I held up my phone so he could read the message.
“Are you going back to your house?” Kaydon wanted to know.
“Nope, Devon’s. Mr. Wentworth is taking us to see my dad’s place in the morning, and I don’t want to get the third degree from Mom when we leave at 7:30 a.m.,” I explained.
“May I come?”
Kaydon’s question caught me by surprise. Then again, Kaydon did have a vested interest in my father’s research as well. He’d been eighteen since late December, only about four months; and while he knew more than I did about the Egrgoroi, he was by no means an expert.
“Sure,” I agreed. “We’re meeting at the Moonlight at eight o’clock.”
“The Moonlight?” Kaydon laughed. “You sure are a fan of that place.”
I felt myself blush. “It was Mr. Wentworth’s idea. He said Dad’s place is pretty close to the diner.”
“I’ll be there.”
I replied to Devon’s text, telling her to find Elizabeth and meet me in front of the McCallisters’ so we could head out. Kaydon guided me back across the plush back lawn and through the house, now bursting at the seams with teenagers from both Westwood and St. Paul’s. Devon was already waiting impatiently when we finally made it to the front door.
“Liz says she’ll get a ride home with Cynthia,” Devon called. She hooked a thumb towards the Bug, parked halfway down the block, to indicate she would wait in the car.
I nodded before turning to Kaydon to say goodbye. He gave me another one of his sweet, soft kisses that I loved so much. With all of the people milling about the front yard, I knew the chaste kiss was all I would get, but I was still disappointed. I wished we were alone for just a few moments, so we could enjoy one of those long, lingering kisses that I was also a big fan of.
Kaydon trailed one finger across my collarbone, not quite touching my skin but close enough that tiny sparks illuminated my bare flesh. A pleasant shiver ran down my left arm. “Promise me you’ll stop by your house and get the dream catcher,” he said in a husky voice.
“Okay,” I said dreamily. I would have promised him the moon just then.
“I’m serious, Endora. And don’t take it off again. Not to shower, not for practice, not ever.” All traces of humor were gone from Kaydon’s face; his green eyes were dark and deadly serious.
“I promise. The dream catcher and I are like this,” I crossed my middle finger over my index finger and held them up for him to see, “from this moment on.”
“Good,” he said, visibly relieved. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
I began to walk across the lawn to where Devon waited at my car, feeling his gaze trailing behind me. In a daze from being near him, I almost missed Kaydon’s parting line.
“Dream well.”