Accidentally in Love With a God (2012) (32 page)

“
Son of bitch. I’m going to break his legs, then yours Emma!”

“Yep,” I said cheerfully to Gabrán. “He heard ya.”

Chapter THIRTY-THREE

I watched with fascination as the dozen soldiers moved with silent precision, loading the sleek camouflaged jet inside the private hanger. They glanced at each other, but didn’t speak. Were they reading each other’s thoughts?

Lifting crates, carrying duffel bags filled with gear, and securing equipment, everyone knew exactly what to do and where to stand at the precise moment for maximum efficiency. Within twenty minutes, we were up in the air and on our way. They even remembered to bring my guns—empty, of course—to teach me how to use them.

Within one hour, the shades were shut, lights were out, and the men simultaneously closed their eyes, going into some disturbing group naptime. The air buzzed with their energy. Very unsettling.

“What are they doing?” I whispered to Gabrán, who was the only one awake, busily reviewing topographical maps on his laptop in the seat next to me.

“'Tis the way the men prepare for fightin’,” he responded quietly. “The ancient Seido mediation of the Japanese warrior. Clears the mind.”

The Uchben were like a giant melting pot of rituals and traditions, technologies and science, and culture and wealth. “You Uchben seem very…eclectically resourceful.”

“It’s our way. We come from many countries and different t—” he stopped to catch himself from saying something.

“What?” I prodded.

As if wondering if he could trust me, he turned his head and gave me a quick once over, sizing me up. “Our strength comes from adopting the best of everything the world has to offer regardless of when, or where it was created.”

The answer sounded airbrushed; he’d landed on not-trusting me.

“
Emma. Tell the chief something’s going on outside.”

“What?” I asked.

“
It doesn’t sound good. But, at least we know there are still loyal men out there fighting. But gods, I can’t see shit.”

I grabbed Gabrán’s arm. “Something’s happening.”

“
I think some of the men are attacking the Maaskab outside the cenote.”

I relayed to Gabrán then asked, “How much longer until we’re there?”

“This is the fastest plane we have—nine hours at best.”

“Guy?”

“
I heard. There’s nothing you can do, Emma. I’ll keep you posted if I see anything.”

I sat back in the chair and tried to mimic the sedate-looking men around me, but every nerve in my body was firing on all cylinders. I had no clue what I was going to do when I got to Bacalar, and seeing these well trained Uchben, who acted like we were going to a day spa—yes, that relaxed—well, it struck me that I’d be getting in the way. Was I out of my ever-loving mind? Just because I could exude some preternatural energy that shocked people, didn’t mean I could fight a Maaskab or kill another person. But a part of me, the irrational side, needed this. I needed to fight. For me. For my family. For grandmother. For those women.

I got up and went into the tiny bathroom. Déjà vu. My airplane conference room. “Guy. What am I going to do?”

“
About what?”
he answered.

“I should have listened to you. It’s obvious that me going there’s a mistake. But I couldn’t sit back and let this play out while I stayed in my cozy room. It’s not right.”

“
I know.”

“You’re not mad?”

“
Worried, yes. Mad, no.”

“You always surprise me. You’re so different now. I would have expected you’d be yelling at me, or telling me how stupid I am.”

“
As much as I’d like to do that, it wouldn’t help increase your odds of survival.”

“Why couldn’t you have been like this when you used to be in my head? You were never this calm.”

“
Actually, I was.”

Oh right. Guy was to calm as Emma Keane was to war. “Then why? You were so explosive and controlling all those years?”

“
Normally, my behavior is a result of my unbelievable arrogance or insensitivity towards others, but in your case it was all about strategy.”

“A straight forward answer would be nice for once.”

“
If I’d filled your ears with sweet, kind words, you would have never toughened up. I knew that someday you might be the one to free me. In fact, I think I always knew it would be you since no one had come for me. I had to make myself so irritating that you’d do anything—risk anything—to extract me from your life. Like a painful splinter. Of course, I’d planned to wait until you were old enough to travel alone and strong enough to make the journey, but you sped things along with your little deviation.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me the truth? I might have believed you—helped you. And it wouldn’t have caused me so much pain.”

He was about to comment, but stopped. Maybe being the God of War trained him to think in terms of dominating the opposition, not asking for help.

“
I could not risk it. You were my only ticket to freedom.”

I was stunned by the bluntness and lack of sentiment in his words. Had I simply been the only tool in his chest? A means to an end? But then, why didn’t he change his behavior after I released him. He still acted like a jealous, possessive, controlling boyfriend.

“What about Tommaso?” I asked. “Why did you attack him at the villa? You were already free.”

There was a pregnant pause.

“
The bond. It makes me feel overly protective.”

“Oh.” One by one, the tiny pieces slid into place. The way he'd deprived me of any male relationships and enticed me with his seductive voice. He’d been slowly manipulating me, working me into position where I’d risk everything to either see him or be free from him. And afterward, once he’d been released, his bouts of jealously were a result of the bond.

“So the bond makes you feel territorial. Like I was just some stupid bone to fight over,” I said, feeling completely deflated.

“
Yes. I’m sorry if it caused you any pain.”

“And what happened between us yesterday morning?”

“
Emma, I wanted to talk about this later—in person.”

“No. Now! I want the truth.”

“
Truth?”
he said
. “It was simply years of pent up frustration. I’m sure you of all people can sympathize.”

Of course. I’d been his first chance at sex since…ever. “But before you left, you said—”

“
I said we’d sort your situation out, and we will. But, that doesn’t mean we’re compatible. We’re not. I’m a god, you’re basically a human. Your purpose is to grow up, have children, grow old, and die. Mine is to herd the sheep. And right now, I’ve got wolves. Lots of fucking wolves who’ve been chowing down on my flock. I don’t have time to play house. Sorry, Emma.”

His cold, hard words hit me like a two-ton block of ice.
He never cared. He never cared. He never cared
. Except when it impacted him. He was so cold. So callous.

I hunched over the sink and grimaced, forcing myself to swallow the pain.

“
And since we’re on the subject, and you’re so eager for the truth, I have another confession. One you should know in case anything happens. The attraction you feel for me isn’t real either.”

“Sorry?”

“
My kind can emit a potent pheromone that lulls humans into submission. In the opposite sex, one whiff creates a sexual desire so strong that I could get a girl to strip naked in a crowded restaurant, crawl to me on her hands and knees, then lick my boots. Ha.”
He chuckled
. “That one never gets old.”

Wha-what? Pheromones? The man-crack thing was real? “I—I can’t. I don’t understand…”

“
There’s nothing to understand. Except that after this is over, you’ll be free to move on and live your life. Normal. Out of my hair. Just like you wanted.”

“Oh,” I said again like a complete idiot while his words ripped through me, leaving nothing behind but my tattered heart and a gaping hole where my self-esteem once stood. Had I really allowed myself to believe our connection was more? Had I allowed myself to feel emotionally attached to this being whose sole purpose in life was to kill? He’d seemed so affectionate and caring at times, but it was always about getting what he wanted from me and nothing more. I had let myself get caught up in his selfish agendas. He was a heartless, selfish, prick, and I allowed myself to be blinded by his exterior. Really, what woman wouldn’t? He was a god. A larger than life specimen of male perfection. And a complete ass.

But me? I was worse than an ass. I was a sucker of colossal proportions.

“
Em? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah—tired is all. I’m going to try to catch a few hours.”

“
Good idea.”

Chapter THIRTY-FOUR

The bustling inside the plane jarred me from my daze. My mind reeled with betrayal and confusion for hours as I went over the discussion, my life with Guy, my future without him. Why was it so hard for me to accept? Did he really believe I was so small and insignificant? Really? It had always been all about his agenda and the bond?

“Would ya like somethin’ tae eat, Emma? We’ve got less than an hour to go until the drop,” said Gabrán with an all too mischievous smirk.

“Drop?” I questioned.

“Yes, you’ll be flying with Brutus strapped to your back.” Gabrán pointed to brawny man number three-hundred and twenty-two I’d seen that week. Crew-cut Brutus nodded politely, not appearing at all pleased.

“What do you mean by ‘flying?’” I asked, already fearing the worst.

“Well, lass, you don’t expect us to be invisible if we chopper in. We’ll be parachuting our way down tonight.”

Parachuting? They’d failed to share this tiny detail. Of course, I hadn’t asked. I figured we’d land at a nice airport, hop in some jeeps, drive to Bacalar, quietly find the cenotes, and do a little bobbing for jars. Then voila! Let there be gods.

“And you’ll be needin’ tae change your clothes there. Pink is a lovely color, mind ya, but not so effective for cloaking yerself in the dark.”

I looked down at my pink sweater and jeans as he shoved a pile of dark gray clothes at me, including a black ski mask.

“Thanks.” I stood to head back to the bathroom.

“
Christ, woman! What the hell are you doing in here?”

I heard grunting and screaming on Guy’s end.
“Get the hell off me. Calm down.”

I almost fell forward, but caught myself in between the seats. “What’s happening, Guy?”

“
It’s Cimil. She’s decided to drop by and pay me a little visit,”
announced Guy.

I looked at Gabrán, “It’s Cimil. She inside the cenote with him.” I hoped she’d poke out his eyes and rip his head off. She seemed like the sort of deity who did that kind of stuff just for kicks.

The buzzing sound from the voices got louder. It was like a cat in a dryer.

“What’s she saying? It sounds awful.” I clutched my ears.

“
Shush, Emma, let me listen to her.”

“Guy, make her stop. She’s going to give me a seizure.”

“
Cimil, stop screaming. Yes. Yes. I know…but…”
He paused. More screeching.
“Sorry, Emma, she hysterical. Cimil, I can’t hear you because you’re making Emma squeal.”
The screeching stopped.
“Thank you.”

“Oh, thank heavens.”

I listened for what seemed like an eternity to one side of the conversation that consisted of an occasional, “Uh-huh” or “Hmmm. Interesting,” from Guy, following by a, “Buzzz. Buzz. Buuzzzz!”

It was beyond annoying. When this was all over, I was sure I’d never want to see another deity or a bee for the rest of my life.

“Anything?” asked Gabrán.

“Guy? The chief wants to know if you have any new information. We’re almost there.”

“
Cimil says that she’s been chasing the Maaskab, collecting the jars, and trying to figure out which one of the gods was teaching them to use the jade.”

“Cimil’s innocent? Father Xavier will be relieved,” I commented. “So how’d she end up inside the cenote with you?”