Balt

 

There was a ring of metal on metal and an intake of breath from the Kazan women.

Looking at the ground, I saw we’d both thrown our swords at the ground in the same moment and in the same motion. The blades were still quivering from the force of the throw, crossed in an X, points buried in the hard-packed dirt and the metal humming with rage.

On my wrist, the fesootai was red-hot at the audacity and sacrilege of such a suggestion. Looking over at Piper, I saw she was staring my grandmother down. Kyría, for her part, seemed astonished and a little afraid. Beyond her, I saw Ritsa and few other aunts grinning.

Then my heart leaped. My Aunt Kali was standing there, smiling at me softly and she blew a kiss. When I took a step forward, she shook her head, turning and vanishing away.

I heard a huff and saw Kyría stalking off, followed hastily by several women. The rest melted away and soon only Ritsa, Piper and I were left.

“I have to hand it to you two,” Ritsa said. “That was a beautiful show of solidarity. And there are few people who can irritate Kyría quite like that. Well done.”

“Thanks,” Piper said dryly and she turned back to me. “So, I’m starving.”

Smiling at her, I said, “How about we get cleaned up and eat. Ritsa, would you like to…?” I trailed off as I glanced up, seeing Ritsa had vanished as well.

“Guess we’re celebrating our victory alone,” Piper said.

“That in itself seems like a victory right now,” I murmured, touching her dirty cheek. Taking a deep breath, unable to hold off for another second, I pulled Piper close and kissed her.

She kissed me back, then abruptly pulled away and looked around.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, following her gaze.

“Too many eyes,” Piper murmured, tugging on my hand and we began to walk. “I don’t want to give her any more ammunition.”

“She knows,” I said.

"You told her?" Piper asked, whirling on me and her eyes sparking embers.

“Piper,” I said, my hand cupping her cheek and then trailing down her neck. “No. It’s more that – we haven’t exactly been subtle. I don’t have to hide how I feel. Nor do I want to.”

She made a face and we began to walk again. “Hey, Balt…”

“Yeah?” I asked.

“While we were fighting, did you…” Piper smiled at me and shook her head. “No, forget it.”

“Yes,” I said, knowing exactly what she was referring to.

“What?” Piper asked, staring at me.

Taking her wrist, I stopped walking and traced my finger along her fesootai. “I heard your voice. And I’m guessing you heard mine.” I paused. “Remember, this is how this bond is supposed to work – especially when the other is in danger – we know it. We sense it.”

Her blue eyes were wide and glassy. “Oh.” Biting her lip, she said, “Balty, last night. I’m sorry–”

“No, don’t apologize. You were right,” I said. “It’s just this place – my grandmother – and all the memories. The curse and the Capitis Leonis.”

“I know. I wasn’t being fair.” Piper gave me a reassuring smile. “First thing tomorrow, we leave.”

 

Later that night, a quiet second cousin or other led Piper and me to a lonely, smaller cottage at the edge of the estate. It looked as though it had been hastily cleaned and smelled strongly of soap. Before she left, the cousin, in a voice barely above a whisper, pointed out my room specifically on the first floor and Piper’s on the second, both well-stocked with clothes.

“It seems we’ve fallen out of favor,” Piper commented, looking around.

“Further out of favor,” I said. “And I guess the old-school rules are in effect.”

Sliding her hand up my chest, Piper grabbed my shirt and pulled my face down to hers. “Better make this good-night kiss count, then.”

Gripping her waist, our bodies molded together and I gently teased her tongue as heat flared through my veins. Breaking apart before I lost it, I pressed my cheek to the side of Piper’s head and held her close, reveling in her scent and form.

Part of me was marveling at how quickly she’d forgiven me. When I’d tried to bring up the fight after lunch, trying to see if there was anything else we needed to work through – she’d distracted me. Now as I was standing there, I couldn’t help but feel faintly suspicious.

Though of what, I wasn’t sure. Maybe everything was fine. Then Piper’s words from last night lashed through my head. There are so many strings that tie the two of us and I feel like right now I’m being strangled by them.

It’s too much…

I need some space – some time alone.

Was she really okay? My Piper, strong and blazing as the sun itself, suddenly shadowed and bowed by the weight of some fear. I’d felt it creep through her, a rising tide of ice that suffused her soul. Even now that the fesootai was back to normal, or so it seemed, doubt lingered.

“Pipla, last night… You didn’t need to apologize, but what you said had me worried. I know I wasn’t myself, but neither were you.” I ran a hand through her hair and then wove my fingers into it. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes,” Piper breathed out the word softly against my neck and I shivered.

“Are we okay?” I asked in a quieter voice.

She hesitated before answering and the doubt increased. “Balty, so much is happening right now – so many things are in motion between you and me, your family, our family…” Piper sighed and then laughed. “We’re bound to get caught up in the whirlwind of it all. Plus, then there are the Shifters of Anubis and our mission that we’ve been ignoring.”

“I don’t care about any of that,” I muttered. “I care about you.”

Piper tilted her head back and smiled at me. “You care. And I know you care about me.”

The image of our crossed swords in the earth flashed into my mind and I leaned down to kiss her. “We’re at our best when we’re honest with each other,” I whispered against her lips as I broke apart. “If something is wrong, please tell me. If you need space–”

Hanging on tighter, Piper shook her head. “I need less space.”

In a flash, I had her in my arms and I strode across the room, then up the stairs. Piper seemed a little taken aback, her mouth opening in protest when I entered her room and kicked the door closed behind us.

“Balt, I–” Piper started to say and I silenced her with a kiss. Her arms went around my neck and I realized I couldn’t make it to the bed. Settling her on the desk by the door, our kisses grew more languid as our hands explored one another.

In another instant, my shirt was off and Piper's dress was hiked up around her waist. Following her calf to her thigh, my fingers danced along her skin as the intensity of the embrace began to ramp up as well. She gasped into my mouth, our tongues now fighting and I slowly pulled her panties off. Her hands were at my pants, shoving them down and I kicked them off.

Stepping forward, our hips became flush as her legs went around my waist. I brushed back her hair, watching as her expression filled with pleasure, biting her lips and tossing her head as we became one. The blue of her eyes was limpid and I drowned in it gladly.

In spite of the heat, the pace was slower and more deliberate. There was a need to savor and satisfy. Especially after spending last night apart. Pleasure rose in a warm wave, a blissful and full-bodied experience. I could feel joy in every last cell.

Piper arched against me, her breath now racing across my neck and I began to move faster. My name fell from her lips, the sweetest and sexiest sound I’d ever heard.

Her body was shaking now, the pleasure crashing through her and I watched as she shattered, crying out. A few moments later, I did as well.

Once we caught our breath, I found her lips and gave her a long, slow kiss. When I pulled away, Piper was gazing at me with a look of almost shyness.

“What?” I asked, my voice dreamy as I brushed back her hair.

Sliding down off the desk, Piper shed her dress, then her bra and stepped up to me. “No matter what, I don’t want to sleep alone again. I shouldn’t have done that last night.”

“You were as overwhelmed as I was,” I murmured. “You and I are tangled in each other’s agony, Pipla. Just as we shared that bliss.”

“Is this normal?” she suddenly asked in a desperate and scared voice. “To feel this much?”

“With you, yes,” I said, leaning down and kissing her. I didn’t want her to feel worried or scared, a fierce protectiveness rose up in me and I wrapped my arms around her back.

“I-I promise won’t do that again,” Piper said when we broke apart.

“Well, you might. Or I might.” Giving her a crooked smile, I shook my head. “It doesn’t have to be perfect Piper. So, stop trying, okay? And don’t worry. Remember, you told me that? It might be messy sometimes and we’ll probably argue. A lot. But we’ll make it work. We’ve got a lot of experience when it comes to me and you,” I said with a grin.

Piper smiled back. “You’re so handsome when you get all knight in shining armor.”

Reaching for her hand, I stepped back, bowed, and kissed it. “Anything for you.”

When I looked back at Piper, her blue eyes were burning. “That goes both ways.”

“Good,” I said, pulling her back toward the bed and falling on it, yanking her down with me.

 

The next morning was hazy as we waited for Angele at the bottom of the stairs. Not a soul was to be seen anywhere and Piper was hopping from foot to foot.

“Maybe I should go and try to find her,” she suggested for the third time.

“Just wait. This is probably more of Kyría’s mind games,” I said.

Suddenly Angele appeared in the doorway and smiled at both of us. “Piper, could you come here a moment?” she asked. “I have a gift for you from Ritsa.”

As we both walked up the stairs, Piper glanced at me. “You can wait out here.”

“Yes, Balt, we’ll be quick,” Angele added.

Glancing between them, I shook my head. “Where Piper goes, I go.”

“Oh, but–” Angele started to say.

“Baltsaros?” asked a small, sweet voice in lilting Greek and a small face appeared from behind Angele. “Um, Kyría wants to see you.”

“And she sent you, Electra?” Angele asked, paling.

“It is okay, Mama,” Electra said, patting her hand and then waving at me. “Well, come on. I don’t have all day, second cousin.”

Amused, I followed the mite inside, feeling Piper and Angele casting worried looks after us. Electra hopped along, swinging her arms and I prepared myself for one last showdown.

What did Kyría have up her sleeve this time?

Stopping in front of a door, Electra stepped to the side of it and clasped her hands. “She’s in there, Baltsaros.”

“You’re not coming in?” I asked.

Lifting her chin, Electra shook her head and made a face. “Not unless I’m called.”

Nodding, I went in and shut the door behind me. Kyría was standing at a window on the far side of the room, gazing out across the lawns to the sea.

“Good morning, grandson,” she said in Greek.

“Kyría,” I responded in a respectful tone.

“I underestimated you, Baltsaros. I thought America would make you into less of a Greek. Less of a man. But you are strong and loyal. Someone worthy of being a Kazan.”

I stared at her in surprise, the words popping out before I could stop them, “Thank you.”

“Have you thought about my offer?” she asked.

Swallowing, I shook my head. “My answer is the same.”

“You didn’t give me an answer,” Kyría said.

“I have no interest in playing this game with you, grandmother,” I said stiffly. “Thank you for your hospitality. Now, I’m leaving.”

My heart was sinking in my chest as I said those words. Was this it? Was this the end of all those futile hopes and wishes? Should I be content with what time I had left?

“Baltsaros, wait.” My grandmother’s voice had changed. She no longer sounded indifferent, but pained and tired. “There is something you must know.” She hesitated, then called. “Electra, come in here, please.”

Puzzled, I turned and watched Electra slip into the room, obediently hurrying up to her and bowing her head. My grandmother placed a shaking hand on her black braids and smiled.

“You were right not to trust me,” Kyría said, letting go of Electra and clasping her hands at her chest. “I’d hoped it would work, but it didn’t and now I will tell you the truth.”

My heart beat painfully in my chest and my stomach knotted up. The look on her face and the note in her voice were unnerving. I could almost believe my grandmother meant what she said.

“There is no cure. No way to break this curse. Not anymore.”

Her words seemed to hit me slowly, like a slow rise of ice water around me and I stared at her. My grandmother didn’t seem to be lying and Electra looked sad and scared.

“Not anymore?” I asked.

“Electra, your arm, please.” Kyría held out her hand and Electra obeyed. There on the child’s forearm was the mark of the Kazans, but it was creeping and twisting like a dark vine. I stared in horror from Electra to my grandmother. “You’ve surely heard the rumors that the Kazan family is not what it once was. We’ve gone into hiding, they are saying. Nothing but ghosts roam here now.” Letting go of Electra, she patted her head. “You may go, child.”

Once Electra left, I demanded, “What is that?”

“That is a sign that the Captis Leonis ritual did not take properly. She is a shifter, but her body is beginning to reject it. And therein is the curse.” I stared at Kyría. She was admitting to everything – that it was wrong, it was a curse and taking Kazan lives.

And not only Kazan lives, but…

“Children?” I gasped. “A little girl? I thought it only affected the men when they were older.”

“It did, at first. But now it has spread in the last hundred years to girls and boys, taking them younger and younger. Electra was the last to be born with it. After her, my family rose up in protest and the in-fighting became worse. Not all the rumors are false – the family is failing, Balt.

“On one side are those who think we should end the practice, while on the other are those who would have us continue it.” Kyría shook her head. “Angele was the last to be treated with it and I’d like to keep it that way.” Her lips twisted. “Though my relatives cannot know that.”

“Electra – she-she’s dying?” I asked in a whisper.

“Yes,” Kyría said bluntly. “She isn’t the first, nor will she be the last.”

Looking down at the black mark on my arm, I asked, “Is that how it starts?”

Nodding, Kyría explained, “It spreads and circles, slowly at first. Then it eventually grows and grows. When it reaches your heart, you become weak and tired. Eventually, you fall asleep and never awaken.” Her smile twisted. “Not unlike Sleeping Beauty’s curse, hm?”

Electra’s smile ripped at my heart. Suddenly I understood the tired and stoic look in Angele’s eyes. The sad, lonely one in Athena’s.

“But, I don’t understand. There was a cure?” I asked, my voice rising. “What happened to it? Tell me – Piper and I will find it. Believe me, I won’t sleep or stop until I do.”

“Oh, here is the irony my boy. I didn’t tell you everything. The Frost family developed it and gave it to us. This was after you and Kyros left. We used it on your cousin Altair and his mark went from black to gold. But then we used it on his youngest sister, Ellena and her mark vanished. She became an inanis.”

I nodded slowly, “I see, but…” I pulled in a breath.

My grandmother’s eyes were shining. “I spoke poorly of your Uncle Kyros before. I was so angry with him for leaving, but I think he found out… You see, the Frosts decided to torment us. After healing two of our children, they demanded recompenses for the rest. Not just money, but brides. Any child born an inanis in the Kazan line. We refused.

“And so Lilith destroyed it.”

Silence poured through the room and rage filled my veins. To condemn innocent children. To try to use people for their twisted ends. The Frosts were a blight upon the name of shifters. My jaw set and my fists clenched. I would see them ended, I would.

“Kyros – he tried to find it. But all he found were ashes. And then, I think Frost realized…” My grandmother shook her head and turned away from me. “Well, we will never know.” Her shoulders were shaking. “I tried everything I could think of since then – even paying scummy fools like that Frenchman, Filian. And he turns up dead.” She paused. “I cannot help you my grandson – I cannot help any of my family. The knowledge of that eats me alive… I’m so sorry, my boy.”

I could see Lilian Frost’s cruel smile and acid roiled in my stomach. Standing up straighter, I said in a cold voice. “If there is no cure, then rest assured, I will at least avenge the Kazan name.”