David circled the car and opened the passenger door. He offered his hand and helped me step out of the vehicle.
“I guess I’ll see you at school,” I said as we reached the library door. “Thanks for not murdering me.”
“You could try being a bit more hospitable. I’m new in town, and I don’t have any friends, remember?” He leaned on the library wall.
“That might have worked out better for you if you hadn’t dragged me off fearing for my life,” I said a little too loud.
“Shh… Say you forgive me, and I’ll take my leave. I promise I’ll pester you no more… for about the next hour… or for as long as it is that you’ll be in this library. How much time do you estimate to spend in there?”
“You’re not kidding. You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?”
“No. I’m sorry, but I need to know I can trust you and you can trust me before I can let you go.”
“You think I’m going to say something to someone about you? Believe me, I’m not. I don’t want to be locked away in a white padded room.” I opened the door to the library, but he pulled my arm away and let it slam shut.
“Give me your word,” he said.
***
“Then you’ll leave?”
“No. But it’s a guarantee. A promise to a deity should never be broken.”
“Or…?”
“You’ll regret it.”
Was that a threat?
“Isis?” Claire’s voice startled me.
“Mom… hi.” I made a face at David, and then turned to look at her. “What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that. I thought you fainted at school.”
“I didn’t faint. I just felt dizzy is all. The school nurse always exaggerates.”
David tapped my shoulder.
“Mom, this is David. He’s new in town.”
David took two steps forward and shook her hand. “A pleasure, Mrs. Martin.”
“A pleasure, as well, and welcome to our small town.” Claire raised her eyebrows at me. “Are you attending high school, David?”
“Yes, ma’am. I enrolled today, but I won’t attend classes until Monday. There was a scheduling conflict, so I was sent home.” David was a good and quick liar. How could I trust him?
“What’s your last name, David?” Claire asked.
“Chios.” David beamed one of his charming smiles at Claire.
“Ah, Chios… yes. Your family bought the Ebony Estate, am I right?”
I had never heard of it.
“Yes, that’s right,” David nodded. “We moved here from Greece.”
“Greece? That’s very interesting. But… you don’t have a Greek accent.”
“We’ve lived in various places around the globe—one accent doesn’t seem to stick.”
“Oh.” Claire smiled and glanced at me. “That’s very, very interesting. What did you say your father did for a living?”
“Mom!” I interrupted. “Aren’t you going to eat anything for lunch?”
“Yes, hon, my lunch is at the office. What about you two?”
“Actually, I was asking Isis if she wanted to have lunch just as you arrived. Would that be alright with you, Mrs. Martin?”
“Sure she can go,” Claire said, elbowing me. “And I should get going, too. You two have fun.”
“It’s a pleasure to have met you, Mrs. Martin,” David said, shaking Claire’s hand.
“Mine, as well.”
From her car, Claire waved at us before she drove off.
“So…” I said. “What now?”
David held up his index finger. He dug his cell phone out of his pants pocket and dialed.
“David.” I heard a female’s voice say over the phone’s speaker.
David and the woman spoke in another language, which sounded to me like Latin. I didn’t understand a word of it. After a minute, he pulled the phone the slightest bit away from his mouth.
“My mother would like to extend an invitation to have lunch with us at our home. We’d be honored to have you as our guest.”
“No,” I mouthed.
“Mother, she’d love to. We’ll be there shortly.”
We didn’t even set foot in the library. David headed for the Maserati and opened the passenger door for me. I had to admit that he was chivalrous. There aren’t a lot of those guys around anymore.
As we neared the freeway on Highway 100, he slowed the car’s speed and turned onto a wooded path.
“Wait… wait! Stop the car. This is a nature preserve. Why are we going in?” All I could imagine was a guy in a hockey mask with a chainsaw, holding up one of my bloody limbs.
“I live here.”
“You live here? The Ebony Preserve is the Ebony Estate?”
David nodded and set the car in motion again. As the path curved, a grand brick house with white pillars came into view. A few yards from the front door there lay a small lake surrounded by wild flowers and trees.
“Is that a peacock?” I sounded like a five year-old at the zoo.
“They’re my mother’s pets,” David said.
He parked the car under an ebony tree on the driveway. I started getting butterflies in my stomach as he stared at me and grinned. I really didn’t want to be here. My hands were sweaty, and judging by the warmness I felt in my face, I was sure I was flushed again.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I pretended not to be bothered by my nerves.
For some reason the passenger door wouldn’t open from the inside and that was getting to me.
“Just a moment, I’ll get that for you,” David said as he exited, then made his way to my door.
I took a deep breath and set one foot on the cement. David offered his hand to help me out of the car.
“It’s beautiful,” I told him.
“Yes, I do have good taste, don’t I?”
“Whatever,” I mumbled.
David suggested we take a quick tour of the front yard. We walked toward the lake to see the ducks and swans swimming about. The sun pounded hard on my head, and I had to squint to observe the rest of the estate.
“Can I ask you a question?” David asked. “Be honest about your answer.”
“Sure.”
He dug his hands into his jean pockets before he asked, “Do you find me… attractive?”
“Are all gods as conceited as you?”
“Only the good ones.” He winked.
I didn’t answer the question because I was embarrassed to admit that he was drop dead gorgeous. What was wrong with him anyway⎯asking this question? It was obvious that his self-esteem wasn’t suffering any.
“I’m assuming you’re not going to give me an answer.”
I gave him an annoyed look.
“Let’s go inside so you can meet my mother,” he said, and then he let me lead the way up to the house.
***
“Mother?” David called out.
We stood in the foyer awaiting an answer. David set his car keys on a table next to the door.
“Where are you?” A voice came from another room.
“The anteroom,” David said, taking me by the hand and walking into a large living room.
A petite woman stood in the living area, her back turned to us. Her hair was black as night and held back in a ponytail; beautiful, winding curls fell down her back and to her waist. She wore a knee-length, chic, white dress; a golden rope chain belt intertwined around her waist and hips. She turned to acknowledge us with a smile. Her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Two silver and black curls fell over the right side of her face. Her eyes were lined with lush, black lashes, projecting her piercing blue eyes—just like David’s eyes. Her beauty was—to no other description—that of a goddess.
“Be a gentleman and introduce us, David,” she said.
“Isis, this is my mother, Nyx.”
“Hello,” Nyx leaned in and kissed both my cheeks. “I’m very pleased to finall
y meet you, Isis.”
“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too,” I said.
“Why, you’re absolutely beautiful,” she said, glancing at David, then back at me.
“Isn’t she, Mother? She would be the envy of any goddess.”
“Yes,” Nyx said, looking at me. “Yes, indeed she would be.”
“Stop scanning her, please, Mother.”
“Scanning?” I asked.
“My mother is empathic. She makes it a point to know what you feel physically and emotionally. It’s her way of getting to know you,” David explained.
“There’s something peculiar that I…” Nyx suddenly gasped. She took several seconds to compose herself.
“What is it?” David asked.
“Nothing. She just needs to eat better… and sleep more.”
“You’re lying.” David gave his mother a cold look. “Tell me what you’ve felt.”
Nyx started to speak in Latin with a knit brow. David nodded as she spoke.
“Forgive me, Mother. I meant no disrespect.”
“Is there something wrong with me?” My eyes narrowed, and I glanced back and forth between Nyx and David.
“Nothing,” Nyx smiled. “Nothing at all.”
I felt awkward after that brief mother-son argument. I needed to know what it was that Nyx had said. I would have to wait until I was out of her presence to question David.
“Would you like a beverage before we eat, Isis?” Nyx offered.
“Yes, please.” My stomach chose that moment to rumble as loudly as it could. I felt my warmth bloom in my cheeks.
“I think we should eat instead,” David said.
“That sounds like a good idea.” Nyx giggled, motioning me with her hand to follow.
We entered a formal dining area where a huge table in the middle of the room was set with white porcelain plates placed over gold metal charger plates. There were three place settings, each with an assortment of utensils that I had no idea how to use. Along the center of the table lay an impressive and appetizing array of fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats. I glanced at my shirt, feeling under dressed for the occasion.
David pulled out my chair and did the same for his mother. Nyx sat at the head of the table, while David took his place across the table from me.
“Help yourself, Isis,” Nyx said as she served herself a small portion of greens.
While we ate Nyx’s mouthwatering food, David glanced at me. And after a few minutes, his stare had become fixed. It was uncomfortable to be watched while I ate. I set my fork down and turned to look at Nyx.
“Is it Latin that you were speaking earlier?” I asked.
Nyx dabbed her mouth with a white linen napkin. “Yes, it was. You have a good ear for languages.”
“She’s bright.” David winked at me and smiled.
“David,” Nyx said, “comport yourself.”
“Oh, relax, Mother. It’s innocent coquetry.”
Nyx shot David a pointed stare. “You know what can happen. Be wary of the laws.”
“What can happen?” I asked.
“Didn’t David tell you? Deities can be utterly appealing to humans.”
“He did mention that, but well, he’s not really my type.” I flinched at my little white lie. David glared at me and put his fork down.
“I’m pleased to hear that,” Nyx said. “I was worried. I trust David’s given you a detailed account of our history?”
“He highlighted the main points,” I told her.
Nyx changed the subject. “Tell me about your parents, dear.”
“Well… my dad passed away almost five years ago; it’s only my mom now.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Your mother and you must’ve taken it very hard.”
“Yes. They had just gotten a divorce when he had a sudden heart attack. My mom was…” I took in a deep breath.
“Devastated?” she asked, and I nodded. “Tell me about her.”
“My mom’s name is Claire. She works at the county courthouse as a secretary for the judge. She’s never remarried… and that’s about it.”
“You have no other family—uncles, cousins?” David asked.
“Just my grandmother, Eva. She’s my dad’s mom. She lives in a retirement community about an hour away. I don’t see her much.”
“That’s a very small family,” Nyx said.
David nodded. “Small, indeed.”
***
After lunch, we moved to one of the living areas. I didn’t understand why one house had to have more than one living room. We talked about the town’s spring festival. I thought I caught Nyx scanning me a few times, like she had earlier, but I couldn’t really tell. When she stared at me without blinking, David called her on it.
“What is it that you keep scanning for?” he asked his mother.
“I’m not scanning,” Nyx blinked, coming out of her reverie.
“Mother, I know you too well.”
Nyx waved off David and continued chatting with me.
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted our conversation. David excused himself to answer the door.
“You know, Isis… David asked me to come with him so that we could seem like a normal family while he tried to figure out how it is that you were traveling into Terra Somnium. I’m curious to know that, as well. However, I think this curiosity of his has developed into a grave state of medical idiotism."
"How do you mean?" I asked, biting my lip to keep from smiling.
"I have reason to believe he’s, to a degree, infatuated. I can’t be certain about this… but, my dear, you’ll have to be the strong one if this is so. I’m not one to judge with whom my sons are romantically involved, but in this case, I have no other choice. I fear for the welfare of my son… and I fear for yours."
My smile quickly faded.
“It’s not like that,” I argued. “First of all, I need to focus on my grades right now. I’ve applied for several scholarships and grants, and I can’t afford to lose concentration on my GPA. I don’t have time for a relationship. Besides, after all that David and you have explained to me, I doubt that can or will ever happen.”
“Yet, in history, it has happened.” Nyx took my hand in hers. “I know you find him attractive, and I’m sorry that you do.”
“I—”
“Please don’t deny it. You can’t hide your feeling from an empath,” she said. “Tell me… how did David and you meet today?”
“We met in the counselor’s office. Then he kidnapped me from school using his anesthetic, or whatever it is he does.”
“He did what? How did he…?” Nyx trailed off as David walked into the living room. “Who was at door?”
“The dealership people. Your car’s parked outside. Would you like to inspect it?” he asked her as he sat down next to me on the couch.
“No. Not at the moment. We have company, remember? It would be rude of us to neglect Isis.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” I said.
David brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. Nyx glared at him, and I flinched away from his hand.
“David,” Nyx said in a calm voice. “I believe we have much to discuss this evening.”
“Regarding what?” David asked.
“I’ll reserve that until tonight.”
***
In the car, I lost no time in questioning David about the small dispute between him and his mother earlier.
“I don’t want to be nosey, but it does concern me, so I think I’m allowed to know. What was it that your mother said about me when she spoke in Latin?”
“She said that you held her attention during the process of reading you because she could sense your fatigue. Then she scolded me for speaking to her in that tone. It was disrespectful for me to do that, and especially in your presence. I’m sorry for my behavior. I don’t normally act this way.” His eyes were fixed on the road, and he seemed irritated.
“Did I say something to upset you?”
br /> “No,” he told me. “It’s just that I’m not looking forward to my mother’s lecture this evening.”
“How do you know it’s a lecture?”
“I know my mother.”
We pulled up to my house and found Claire’s Toyota parked in the driveway an hour early.
“You need to get this door fixed,” I said, waiting for David to open my door.
“It’s not broken, my lovely.”
“Then why won’t it open?”
“To keep the princess from opening the door herself.”
“Oh,” I blushed as I remembered Nyx’s warning. I bit the corner of my lip and took a deep breath as I looked up at the ceiling. “Could you please open the door for me?”
“Am I wearing down your nerves already?”
“Do I have to answer that?”
“On second thought.” He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think I want to know.”
Claire appeared at the front door. David swung open the driver’s side door and waved to her as he made his way around to my side of the car.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. Hi, David.” Claire gave me a thumbs-up and a wide smile when David turned to fetch my book bag from the back seat. He walked me to the porch where my mom was eager to start her query about our day.
“Hello again, Mrs. Martin.” David tipped his head.
“David, would you like to come inside?” she asked, holding the front door open.
“Thank you, but I can’t,” he said.
I was relieved David didn’t want to stay. I didn’t want Claire getting any juicy details about the new family in town to share at the office. That could’ve been dangerous for them.
Claire excused herself and went inside. I signaled to David with a few tilts of my head that she was probably eavesdropping behind the door. He smiled and ran his fingers through his black hair.
“Thank you for joining my mother and me for lunch. I enjoyed your company. I hope to see you at school on Monday.” He leaned in and kissed both my cheeks. “Or sooner,” he whispered in my ear, making goose bumps form on my neck.
“Yeah.” I tried to ignore the remark and his glorious scent. Following his lead, I told him, “I’ll see you Monday.”
I turned the doorknob and heard Claire scramble away from the door. When I walked in, she was on the couch pretending to read.
“Your magazine is upside down.”
Claire straightened her back. “For your information, it’s a new brain exercise to strengthen memory,” she said, and then threw the magazine on the coffee table. “So you had lunch with the family, huh? What’s the estate like? Did they treat you well? Do they have a butler and governess? Oh my gosh, I bet they have one of those heated, indoor pools!”