“You’re the goddess of witchcraft,” I snapped back impatiently. “Can’t you see something about this in a vision? It’s important.”
“I realize that it is important,” she sighed. “Empusa, you must learn patience. I am not all-knowing or all-seeing. This is one of those things that will be revealed to you in due time, I’m afraid. Until then, use caution. The only thing we are certain of is that Brennan is Apollo’s son.”
“But Apollo is a decent god,” I mused. “He’s kind, right?”
My mother laughed. “Most of the Olympians can be kind, but every one of them can be ruthless, as well. Some more than others. Apollo is a kind person, true. He’s a free spirit and he’s very handsome. He has a weakness for mortal women and even a few men. His passion doesn’t discriminate between the sexes. Remember this, though, while Brennan will have his father’s DNA and might have some of Apollo’s tendencies, his personality will have been shaped by his mortal parents. Personality is more learned than inherited.”
“What about his gifts?”I asked hesitantly. “I saw his eyes change color with his mood.”
“Of course he will have abilities,” she confirmed. “Many of which he probably isn’t even aware of. Mortals tend to block out or ignore the things that they don’t understand.”
I nodded. “So what should I do?”
“You should tell me where you are so that I can come to you,” she urged. “Please, Empusa. Now more than ever, you need me. This could be more dangerous now than we even thought.”
“No!” I snapped. “Mother, I love you. But you cannot come here. I cannot take the risk.”
“But it appears that you are already taking risks,” she argued. “It’s better to do that with me there to help. Especially if you and Brennan do turn out to be connected. You know, moonlight does not exist on its own. Do you realize that? Moonlight is simply a reflection of the light of the sun. Think about that. What implications do you think that holds for you, little moon princess, if you are tied to Brennan? His father is the god of the sun! Tell me where you are. We’ll sort this out together.”
“No.”
We stared at each other, our gazes unwavering. Finally, she smiled. “I see that you inherited your determination from me. That pleases me at the same time that it pains me. I love you, Empusa. I won’t stop looking for you.”
I opened my eyes.
Morning light flooded my bedroom and I yawned. I had been dream-walking all night, which left me tired. Dream-walking was not conducive to a good night’s sleep.
“It’s about time you woke,” Gaia grumbled from the chair in the corner. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and then stared at her.
“Gaia, how often do you sit in here while I sleep? It’s slightly unnerving.”
She laughed, unaffected by my comment. “You talk in your sleep, moon princess. It is entertaining. You’ve been talking to your mother all morning. Did she come to you again?”
I nodded, staring absently out the window at the magnificent view of the lake. The morning sun was reflecting from the surface, creating beautiful prisms of light. The sight of the sun’s glory reminded me that Brennan was the son of Apollo. And that was something that I didn’t wish to share with Gaia just yet. I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted to keep it to myself for the time being.
“Well, what did she say? You were agitated while you were sleeping.”
“Same old, same old,” I replied. “She wanted me to tell her where I was.”
Gaia sniffed. “I can guess how that conversation ended.”
She kept talking but I tuned her out as I watched the frigid water lap at the shore. It was soothing, rhythmic and mesmerizing. The foamy froth slid over the sand and pebbles to touch the shore, only to be sucked back into the lake, time and time again. Leaning forward, I cracked open the window, allowing the chilly Autumn breeze to fill my room. Tucking my feet beneath me, I continued to observe the beautiful scene outdoors, while pretending to listen to my ghostly friend.
“You’re not even listening to me,” she complained, glaring at me as she noticed. Since my back was to her, I didn’t see her glare, but I felt its impact in between my shoulder blades.
“Of course I am,” I replied, not turning around. “You’re talking about my mother.”
“Yes. What did I say about her?”
I drew a blank. I had no idea. But a movement from the staircase leading to my house captured my attention and I gasped.
Brennan was climbing the stairs, breathtakingly beautiful in the morning light, wearing a pair of well-fitting jeans and a v-necked black shirt that hugged his chest. Appropriately, being in the sun agreed with him. He looked glorious as the sunlight seemed to reflect off of every angle of his face. He held two foam cups in his hands. The breath constricted in my throat and all I could do was point.
“What is it?” Gaia asked in concern as she flitted to the window to look. “Ahhh. Your boyfriend.” She turned to look at me. “You’d better get up. You’re not even dressed.”
She was right.
I flew out of bed in a blur and threw open my closet doors.
“You’re never going to have enough time,” she pointed out. “He’s almost to the door.”
She was right again. I glanced at myself in the mirror. My hair was disheveled, my nightgown barely covered my butt and I hadn’t even brushed my teeth yet. Good lord.
A firm knock on my door resounded through the small house.
“I told you,” Gaia smirked.