I couldn't sleep. I'd been staring at the same spot on the ceiling for hours waiting for her to come back. I heard Sam talking on the phone in the hallway so I listen in.
"Yes, so she's safe with you. Thanks. Yes, just tell her to come see me when she can and you have to let her sleep over a few days. Not even Tory can handle you forever. Thank you, have a good day. Tell the family hi for me. Bye Rex," she hung up and I walked over to the door. I opened it and her hand was up poised to knock.
"What's up? Is Rina alright?" I asked and she nodded setting one hand on her abdomen. She took a deep breath and shrugged.
"She's staying with Acheron and Soteria," she paused for a moment and shook her head of a stray thought. She continued, "but don't take your room back quite yet. She may need to gradually settle into this." Sam wouldn't meet my eyes and I didn't understand what she was saying.
"Sam, what do you mean by with Ash and Tory? I thought they weren't on speaking terms," I implied leaning against the door post. she nodded and set her other hand on her neck as Kyle walked up to stand behind me.
"Ash had Katrina move in with them? Has he lost his ever loving mind?" Kyle retorted as I looked over my shoulder at him. His face showed just how shocked he was and it made me smile.
"She's sleeping in the room they made for her, but apparently she had an emotional break down before that. She was too tired to protest," Sam explained and it helped me calm down. If Rina stayed unwillingly she'd be back as soon as she woke and Ash would try to convince her it was final. Armageddon would come sooner than anyone planned.
"Will she come back?" Etienne's voice asked from down the hall and we all turned to him. He looked like he just got in and he unzipped his leather jacket pulling it off and flipping it over his shoulder.
"Etienne, you'll leave Katrina alone or You'll have fifteen people on you to fix what you screw up," Kyle threatened him and Sam agreed while I simply nodded. Etienne looked at me snarling and Samia's hand on my chest kept me from charging him.
"You're very defensive of the new stray Remi. Is she special to you or is it just looks oriented?" he taunted and I took a step toward him, but Alain let out a shrill whistle in the small hall. I cringed as the sound hurt my ears and Kyle stuck a finger in one of his ears a pained look on his face.
"Etienne, what is your problem lately? Killer…" he cleared his throat and turned to me. "AiKaterina, will be allowed to stay here until she decides she can live with Acheron and Soteria full time. You'll deal with it or I will take you out back. If I see or hear anything against her, you're going to be my new punching bag," he defended her and I stepped back into Kyle's room to clear my thoughts. /Why was she consuming my thoughts?/
Etienne had been a part of a group of demon hunters at one time and he said Rina betrayed them, but I knew she couldn't have. If how she talked about them was any indication, that team was her family and her life. No one messed with them on her watch without getting injured. Now all Etienne and Rina did was fight. /What happened twenty-three years ago? Who betrayed whom?/ I laid my head down to think about it and instantly dreamt of her.
I woke up covered in sweat my things was all around me, but something felt completely wrong. Then I remembered what is was. I was in New Orleans and Acheron took my things... Now he wanted me to stay with his family. That wasn't going to happen. I wasn't going to get close to them and have them betray me or use me. Not again. Too many people used me and then made sure I couldn't go back. My door squeaked and a little blonde head peaked in. I smiled at Api as he looked into my eyes.
"Can I come in," he asked and I patted the bed beside me. He quickly shut the door then took a running jump to land on the bed beside me. He sat down beside me like a grownup and set one hand on my leg.
"Why were you crying?" he asked after several minutes of silence. I sighed running a hand through my blonde hair that looked just like his and knew I had to explain. He wasn't going to let it go without an explanation.
"I remembered something from my past and it hurt," I relented, apparently I hadn't given him enough details, because he set his elbows on my leg as if waiting for the whole story. I sighed again unable to say no to that face. He was completely adorable and in every way like his mother, but he was all Acheron in the looks department.
"Tell me please, Aunt Kate?" he asked as I tried to figure out a way to tell him so it wouldn't hurt Acheron or Apollodorus. This was going to be one of the hardest things I ever did.
"Well Api. Once a very long time ago a little girl was left all alone," I began as he crawled into my lap his gaze never leaving my face. "She wandered around not knowing how she got to this spot or where her mother had gone. She searched many places she knew and asked many people, but no one could tell her where her mommy went. She searched all day long and that night she met a tall man with dark eyes. He told her that her mother left her," I continued as he took my hand eyes wide with fear. Those eyes mirrored the look I gave the man that night and I had to fight my own fears.
"Why did she leave her? Didn't she love the little girl? Mommies are supposed to love their children," He stated as Acheron stuck his head in. When he saw us bonding he slowly backed up and left us alone. I wished he'd have come in or at least stayed to hear the story.
"The little girl wondered the exact same thing, except this little girl could read minds and she looked into the man's mind to find out the truth. She saw her mother give him money and tell him to do anything he wanted with her. She saw the man ask her why she was doing this and she told the man that she wasn't her real daughter and she wanted to be rid of the little burden," I paused because his eyes narrowed and he looked angry. I ran my hands in his hair and continued the story as I set one arm on his shoulders. "The little girl tried to run, but the man grabbed her from behind. He turned her around and laughed at her. 'Your mine girl. You're going to make me great among my Daimon brethren,' he taunted before sinking his teeth into her neck," I looked down at him. I could see his tears and behind them was a burning anger at both Aribella and the Daimon.
"She tried to scream, but the man covered her mouth. When all seemed lost she heard a voice which stopped him. 'Let her go Daimon,' the voice rumbled down the ally and the man obeyed. The little girl fell to the ground holding her neck and crying because she was alone in the world. She heard the Daimon's voice shaking in fear.
"'My apologies, Akri, please spare me. She was given to me,' the Daimon stuttered. The voice rumbled again, 'You shouldn't have taken the bribe Seamus you know that you can't kill a goddess. Not even one as young as her." That little girl turned to see your daddy with his staff just before her eyes closed and she passed out," I paused hoping this wasn't too much for him. Api looked scared, but I smiled at him which eased his fears.
"When she opened her eyes, the pain was gone and your daddy was leaning over her. 'Is she okays, Akri,' she heard a female voice ask and then she saw Simi. 'Yes Simi. She'll be okay in a couple of days, but we need information,' your daddy replied turning to the little girl. 'What is your name little one?' he asked and she lifted a hand to feel his long hair which turned from the dark purple to its natural blonde at her touch. 'My name is AiKaterina,' she stammered as he stepped away from the bed and Simi sat down beside her. 'Where is you parents?' Simi asked and the little girl began to cry," I paused because Api looked sad and tired, but he didn't want me to stop. He nodded waiting for me to continue.
"'I don't know who my mommy and I don't have a daddy,' she cried as your uncle Styxx walked in before he ran out and your daddy followed him, but that's enough for one night. Api, I think it's time for you to sleep," I stated standing with him on my hip. He shook his head while rubbing his sleepy eyes and I opened the door walking toward his room.
"Does she get a daddy?" he asked as I opened the door that had a little plaque with his name written in greek. I put him on his bed and he climbed in while I sat on the edge of it.
"Yes, Api. In a way she did. Now you need to sleep because your mommy and daddy will be upset if you don't," I told him while I tucked him in. He smiled grabbing his teddy bear as his blonde hair fell into his sleepy silver eyes.
"Will you tell me the rest of her story tomorrow?" He asked as I walked to the door. I turned back to him with my hand on the light-switch. I contemplated whether I should or shouldn't, but I knew he wouldn't stop asking if I said no.
"Yes, Apollodorus. Only if you sleep and be good for your parents," I agreed and he set his head back down on his pillow. I smiled at the way his sleepy face showed his blissful innocence.
"I love you Aunt Kate," he spouted as I turned out the light. I was grateful that the darkness hid my tears from him, because he would have had a dozen more questions for me.
"I love you too Api. Dream sweet dreams for me," I added shutting the door and leaning against the opposite wall letting my tears fall before I heard a deep, familiar, loving voice.
"Cher, I know how much it cost you to tell him that," Styxx stated opening his arms for me and I walked to him with my arms hugging my chest. I leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around me.