Part 17 (1/2)

”This sickness is different, obvious,” James said.

”And those who escaped from the hospital fled on foot. They can't be far,” Alek said.

”You let some of those infected things get away? I thought you were Mister Kill-everything-evil-that-moves,” Bridget chided.

Alek clenched his teeth and calmed his anger before speaking. ”My job is not always as simple as you might think.”

”He did save my a.s.s.” James stared at Alek; his temples pulsed as he chewed on an imaginary wad of gum. ”If it wasn't for him, I'd probably be one of those possessed things right now.”

”Our son is a great warrior, but he will need your help if he is to defeat the Nosoi,” Maiden said.

James grunted unintelligibly.

”We're here for him.” Eva leaned against Alek's arm and intertwined her fingers with his. Warmth tingled up from his hand and lifted the corners of his mouth.

”Be careful, my son. Do not make the same foolish mistake that almost ended you last time,” Mother warned.

”Sacrificing myself for the safety of the Oracle is something I will always be prepared to do.” He gently squeezed Eva's hand.

”It is part of his duty,” Maiden added.

”Becoming emotional is not a part of a warrior's duty,” Mother seethed.

”Sister, you have stewed in your melancholy for decades. Open your eyes. Why would you wish that on our son?” Without waiting for a response, Maiden gathered her skirts and backed away, her watery figure splas.h.i.+ng back onto the table.

Crone cleared her throat. ”We will be going. Make haste, and remember to return home when you grow weary.”

The room fell silent as the figures of the two remaining Furies burst apart and rained onto the table.

Twenty-Three.

Discomfort rested heavy in the air, and James squirmed under its oppressive shroud. ”I have to get back to the station and act like none of this is happening.”

If he'd been thinking about turning away from the ma.s.sive amount of crazy he'd unknowingly walked into, the look on Eva's face would have made him reconsider. ”After everything you just heard, you're not going to help us?”

”Of course I'm going to help, but the best way for me to do that is to go back, do my job, and make sure no one finds out about what's really going on.”

”Isn't it great having a man on the inside?” Bridget mused.

PJ groaned from the couch.

”s.h.i.+t, I almost forgot about him.” James carefully helped PJ into a seated position. ”Hey, man. You slipped when we walked in. Took a hard fall and knocked yourself out. How are you feeling?”

”Confused,” PJ croaked, rubbing at the bruise forming on his jaw line. ”Didn't that guy hit me? And weren't they talking about an alien disease?”

”What? No.”

”Yeah, this guy's just a big ol' teddy bear.” Eva wrapped her arm around Alek and squeezed. ”He'd never hurt anyone.”

”Right, and there are no alien diseases from the Underworld. None at all. Absolutely zero.” A wide grin stretched across Bridget's face.

James darted a quick, disapproving glance at Bridget. ”But we should be leaving. I have to find my partner and get you to the station, right Peej?”

PJ blinked groggily at James. ”Peej?”

”Yeah, that-that didn't work out so well.” James draped PJ's arm around his shoulder and hefted him to his feet. ”I'll keep in touch with you guys and let you know what's happening on my end.”

Bridget rushed to the front door ahead of James and PJ and opened it so they could hobble out. ”We're still going on that date after this is all over.” The corners of her hazel eyes lifted with her smile.

”Of course. I'm looking forward to it.” He smiled back, unsure whether or not he was lying.

James helped PJ into the elevator and, when they finally shuffled out of the building, propped him against a light post in the condo's visitor parking lot.

”Your friends are a little strange.” PJ winced as he fastened the chin strap on his helmet.

”Yeah, they are my friends,” he said, more to himself than to PJ. ”And they're definitely strange.” Happiness warmed James's chest, and he smiled to himself. He hadn't thought he would ever get that feeling back, not without Mel. But there he was, on a scooter in downtown Tulsa, a plague from h.e.l.l floating through the city, and James Graham was the happiest he'd been in a year.

Eva sank into the couch and threw her feet onto the coffee table. ”That was a lot more intense than I expected.”

”The Nosoi are formidable opponents,” Alek said, plopping down next to her.

”And I have no idea how we're going to defeat them. I'm still a little confused about that part.” She stretched her arms overhead and yawned.

”How about this. I'll go down to my car and get that box of books from the trunk. The Furies did say the books would be able to help us.”

”Good idea, Bridge.” Eva hefted herself off the couch. ”I'll come with.”

She shook her head. ”Nah, you stay. I need a little breather. Hearing about all this stuff has got me kind of stressed.” She grabbed her keys and flitted out the door.

Eva shuffled back to the couch and collapsed next to Alek. Awkward silence hovered around them, and Eva blurted the first comment that came to mind. ”So, Mother, she's kind of tough. I get the feeling she does not like me.”

”I must apologize if she made you feel that way. I am certain it's not about you. The issue goes much deeper than we know.”

”I can't say that makes me feel that any better, but thank you.” She rested her hand on his and let her fingers trace his thick callouses. ”Bridget said that we're suffering from insta-love. Isn't that funny? Like you and I have real feelings for each other.” Her gaze met his, and he stared at her so intently that she felt her cheeks get hot. ”Why are you-”

Before she could complete her thought, Alek was pressed against her. The heat from his body brought goose b.u.mps to her skin. He slipped his hand into her hair and gripped the base of her neck, pulling her closer. Her body pulsed as his kiss deepened and became more forceful. She wrapped her arms around his broad back and traced the ripples of his muscles under the fabric. She moaned softly against his lips, letting him know she wanted more. She craved more. His thick fingers traveled up her waist, lifting her s.h.i.+rt above her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She felt his hands unclasp her bra, tossing it across the room. He left a trail of kisses down her neck to her collarbone. She let her gaze wander down the s.p.a.ce between them to the thick bulge in his pants. Closing her eyes, she arched into him as he teasingly nibbled her right nipple.

”Alek,” she whispered, and he smiled against her skin.

”Well, I only had enough change for two of us to get caffeine.” Bridget let out a high-pitched yip, and Eva's eyes flew open. ”Oh! Sorry, sorry. I, uh, I think I forgot something in the hall.” Eva heard Bridget leave, then immediately reopen the door. ”After you put your clothes on, I'm totally high-fiving you, Eva. That's my girl!” The door closed for good this time, and Eva covered her blazing cheeks with her hands.

”How long do you think she will be gone?” Alek asked.