Rose Page 6

  “Thirty?”

  Horus had finally started to get himself together. “Closer,” he said.

  “Thirty is fine,” Seti replied with a smile. What a weird way to phrase it, but okay. Her mom had celebrated twenty-ninth birthdays for all of Rose’s life, so maybe that was just how they were.

  Seemed sort of a chick thing to do, though.

  Opening his door, Horus suddenly froze. He faced her, eyes wide and face pale. “You’re twenty-two.”

  “Yeah,” she replied. “Good job with the math.”

  “Twenty-two.”

  She glanced at Seti, but he was watching his brother.

  “Um. Yep.”

  He shook his head and shut the door before opening hers. “Twenty-two,” he said. “You’re a child.”

  Rose had started to slide out of the car, but now she stopped. Glaring up at him, she shook her head. “I haven’t been a child since the night I was attacked. I might be twenty-two years old, but some days I feel like I’m a thousand.”

  Face softening, Horus nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” she replied quietly. “But don’t let it happen again, old man.”

  Seti laughed, and she glanced over her shoulder at him. He stood at the front of the car and watched them, shaking his head. “I’ll remind him if he forgets,” he called, and his brother looked at her, eyebrows drawn together.

  “Because old people forget,” she interpreted.

  Horus sighed. “Shut up, Seti.” He started up the walkway to the huge, beautifully ornate front door.

  “Make me!” he called after them.

  She rolled her eyes. “Is your other brother like this?” she asked as Horus opened the door.

  “No,” came a voice.

  Rose glanced up and tripped on the marble lip of the doorframe. “What the fuck?”

  10

  Ra

  “Shut up, Seti!”

  Ra could hear his brothers from his spot inside the house. Glancing up from what he was doing, he tried to catch if there was a threat in Horus’s command. His younger brother’s voice boomed through the brick walls, but when it came without flesh hitting flesh, or a car flying past the living room window, he ignored it.

  It was easy to do, he often had to tune out their antics.

  Marcus had an incredible rare book collection, and the first time he and his brothers had stayed with the family, Ra hadn’t taken the time to explore it. He was so entranced with the illustrations in the book that at first, he didn’t notice the building sensation in his body.

  He pulled at the neck of his sweater, wondering at the sudden heat, when he heard another voice. It was quieter, and slightly rough, like the woman speaking had a cold, and the warmth intensified.

  It started in his fingers and toes before flying inward, coalescing like the birth of a star, and flaring to life. Unbearable for a second, it quickly flickered into something more manageable.

  “Make me!” Seti yelled, and Ra closed the book. He’d better get between them before they started something in plain view of the neighbors. Marcus wouldn’t appreciate it if they broke his door, or God forbid, scratched the floors he couldn’t stop talking about.

  Moving fast, he yanked the door open with a warning for the men acting like children. “No.”

  He didn’t see the woman right away; Horus’s massive body blocked his view. But then he moved.

  Dark brown eyes that somehow managed to be both warm and wary met his. The wind blew and the woman’s human scent teased his nose.

  She was small, but looked strong, like she knew how to throw a punch. Her hair was curly and blew around her head untamed.

  Both of them stood frozen, staring at each other.

  She spoke first. “What the fuck?”

  Ra stepped back, surprised at the vehemence in her tone, but she followed him inside. Horus and Seti followed, the latter closing the door behind him quickly.

  She spun at the sound and reached for the handle, but his brother stopped her. “Rose, just wait.”

  Ra repeated her name in his head. Rose. He knew her from somewhere. Not her name. But her eyes. He swore he’d seen those eyes staring at him before.

  “This isn’t funny. Let me out of here,” she said. She reached behind her, like she expected there to be a gun at her waist, but there was nothing there.

  “Your bag is in the car,” Horus told her.

  Maybe it was a gun…

  Turning around, she glared at all of them. “What the hell is this?”

  “He’s not that ugly, Rose.” Seti’s bad attempt to lighten the tension only made her glare hotter.

  “One of you better explain what’s going on, or I’ll—”

  Ra was curious. She’d what? She was a human, what could she possibly do to them? It was like the angry fire of her gaze was stoking the fire in his chest. He rubbed it, uncomfortable with the sensation. Her eyes widened as she glanced between his hand and his face, and for some reason, she began to calm. She let out a breath and relaxed her hands, which had been fisted at her sides. “How is this possible?”

  Curiosity was starting to make way for confusion, and Ra didn’t like to be confused. He liked to know everything that was going on. He hated this feeling of being at a loss, so he did what he always did. “You won’t remember any of this,” he said to Rose. Immediately, she narrowed her eyes.

  “I know you,” she said. “But you don’t recognize me.”

  He breathed in again. He’d commanded her to forget, and she was disobeying him. Had he missed something? But no, her scent, though unique, was human. He turned his ire on his brothers. “What’s going on?”

  “This is Rose,” Horus said. His brother had managed to edge closer to the girl to stand between them. He was off a little to the side, so Ra could still see her, but he was close enough to intervene should either one of them make a move. Who was Horus trying to protect? Him? The strange girl? “Rose was attacked by a crawler yesterday.”

  “And bitten by a crawler,” she added.

  “Impossible,” Ra said. Humans didn’t survive crawler bites. He stared at her longer. Her image wavered and morphed, filling out. The lines became rounded, the eyes frightened and wide. He saw the child she’d been in the woman’s face. “What the fuck?”

  11

  Rose

  So angels swear.

  “Do you remember me now?” she asked. She’d never forgotten his face. While as handsome as his brothers, Ra had an otherworldly quality they didn’t have. He was almost too perfect with his high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes, gold skin, and golden-brown hair.

  He held himself like he was nine feet tall and had never had a moment of doubt in his life.

  But she made him doubt. Earlier she’d made that current expression of annoyance one of confusion. He didn’t like that, and his entire attitude, she suspected, was a front.

  Rose wondered what he’d say. Would he admit he knew her? Admit he was the one who saved her life but left her thrashing in pain on the cold ground?

  “No,” he replied, crossing his arms and standing even taller.

  She took a step toward him, and Horus touched her arm. It was the first time he’d touched her, and it made the heat inside her flare. Stopping, she glanced over at him. “He’s lying.”

  “I know,” Horus answered, taking her side.

  Feeling a little smug, she turned her gaze back to Ra. “Why?”

  “You don’t remember anything about that night.” His words made her angry, and the fire burned hotter. It was almost uncomfortable now. Her eyes ached like she’d accidentally stared into the sun, and she rubbed her temples.

  “I do remember,” she replied. “I could never forget.”

  He drew his eyebrows low before glaring at Horus. The two stared at each other so long she glanced at Seti in confusion.

  He, too, however was also watching them. For the life of her, it looked like they were having an entire conversation.
/>   About her.

  “It’s rude to talk to about someone as if they’re not in front of you,” she said.

  Her words seemed to startle Ra out of his staring contest. “How do you know? You could hear us?”

  Okay. That was freaky. She’d been joking, but they were talking? Deciding not to reveal that she’d just happened to guess, she said, “You have conversations in your head. With each other.”

  Ra glared. Ohhh. He was really good at glare-y faces. She was going to start counting. One.

  “You shouldn’t have brought her here,” he said. At least he was talking so she could hear him, but he was still talking about her and not to her.

  “Why not?” she asked.

  Glare. Two.

  “There’s no reason. What is the point of meeting?” He looked at his brothers. “What were you hoping would happen?”

  This guy was getting on her last nerve, and yet… Rose had enough insight about herself to know she put up a good front as well. Watching him was a little like looking in the mirror, so she let go of her prickly attitude and sass. She decided to look past his bullshit attitude and tell him the thing she’d thought she’d never get to say to him. “Thank you.”

  He whipped around. Mouth slacked in surprise, eyebrows lifting to his perfect hair, he said, “Excuse me?”

  “You saved my life,” she replied. “Deny it all you want, but I remember what happened. Because of you, I went to college. I have my own photography studio. I got another eight years with my mother. Thank you for that.”

  He seemed to deflate. Gone went the pride and the tough-guy exterior. Stumbling back, he shook his head. Spinning on his heel, he left them standing in the foyer.

  Horus and Seti seemed undisturbed, but Rose’s heart pounded. Her stomach hurt from revealing something about herself only to see it met with—nothing.

  Disappointment flooded her. It was like she’d just learned Santa wasn’t real.

  “Was that what you wanted to happen?” she asked the remaining brothers. “To surprise me? Make him act like a jerk? Well… great job.” She lifted her hands and let them fall, slapping against her thighs. When neither of them answered, she sighed. “Maybe I should just go.”

  “We didn’t know how Ra would react, though I’m not surprised,” Seti said. He frowned at her before turning his attention to the floor, like he couldn’t hold her eyes. “I’m sorry, Rose. We should have warned you.”

  She didn’t get it. “I could have been describing Tom Brady. What did I say that made you think it was him?”

  Footsteps pounded across the floor, and the door Ra had exited through swung open. He strode back into the room and paced back and forth. His hair stood up around his head, like he’d run his hands through it and pulled at the strands. She watched him, waiting, as every so often he would stop, and open his mouth to speak before he paced again.

  His brothers’ gazes followed him as well, but their expressions were blank. If they wondered or worried at his behavior, they hid it well.

  Abruptly, he stopped and faced her, though his gaze remained on the floor. Why were they all looking at the floor? She glanced down. It was actually really nice. Shiny and expensive looking. “What is this? Mahogany?”

  “This fucking floor,” Ra grumbled. “Look.” He finally met her eyes, and if the door hadn’t been an inch away, she’d have backed up. His eyes glowed, no longer dark brown, but replaced with gold.

  He stepped closer, and Horus gave a rumbling growl. “Careful.”

  He glared at his brother. Three. That counted even if she didn’t cause it.

  He sighed, shutting his eyes tight before he opened them again. They were back to brown. “You’re welcome.”

  Oh. Just like that, she went from defensive to marshmallow. “I never thought I’d meet you.” She could feel Seti and Horus watching her, so she peered at them before speaking to Ra again. “I’m glad your brothers gave me the opportunity to thank you. So if I never see you again, know I’m very grateful.” This was the perfect place to make a graceful exit, but Seti and Horus moved in front of the door, not inclined to allow that.

  “Come with us,” Horus said to Ra.

  Uh. No. She wanted to leave on a high note, and she inevitably turned into something of a bitch around doctors, so if they could just get going…

  Ra stared at them, but Seti gave a small shake of his head.

  Crossing his arms, Ra took an audible breath. “Where are you going?”

  “To see Hudson, Marcus, and Briar at Boston College,” Seti said. “Rose has had some side effects from the bite they may be able to help with.”

  Glare. “Side effects?” He rubbed a spot over his heart before dropping his hand. “Like what?”

  Seti glanced her way, a silent request for permission. Fine. “Pain,” she said. “Rapid healing. Impenetrable skin.” The devil on her shoulder pushed her a little further. “Flight.”

  “Shut the fuck up,” Seti said, and she laughed.

  “Not flight, but the other three are true.”

  “No,” Ra said. “That’s impossible. You’re alive, and that’s that.” He breathed deeply. “You’re human—”

  “So are you!” she retorted, and he lifted an eyebrow. “Shut the fuck up,” she repeated Seti’s words but quieter.

  Okay. Let’s look at the facts. The man who had earlier stormed off like he was butt-hurt looked exactly the same as the man who had rescued her ten years ago. Now, she knew that between twenty and thirty, people didn’t change very much, but…

  Demons—crawlers.

  Angels—men.

  Silent conversations.

  No one believed her when she said demons were real, but Horus and Seti had. In two days, she’d come face-to-face with one and then met her rescuing angel. If she hadn’t stayed true to herself her whole life and been certain that she’d faced the devil and survived, this whole thing would be a whole lot creepier.

  Okay. It was still pretty creepy: men who could speak without words, an angel who tried to suggest she forget her past, but at least it was real.

  “You’re right, I am human,” he said. He lowered his voice and stepped closer to her. For a moment, she got lost in the darkness of his eyes. “You don’t feel any pain. You’re human.” There was that pressure again.

  “Are you trying…?” No way. “Are you trying to hypnotize me?”

  His gaze darted toward his brothers, giving him away.

  “You are! You’re trying to hypnotize me. Listen, David Copperfield…”

  “I don’t know how Charles Dickens is related to this conversation at all—” Ra interrupted.

  “You know,” Seti whisper-yelled at Horus, “I’ve never seen our brother get so upset before.”

  “You’re right,” Horus whisper-yelled back. “His face is red.”

  “I’m not upset!” Ra replied. “And my face isn’t red!”

  It wasn’t, but— “Your eyes are gold again.”

  He shut his eyes tight and jabbed both thumbs into his temple before folding his fingers over his eyes. “There’s no way this is true. It’s impossible.”

  Ah. A non-believer. In her head, Rose imagined herself cracking her knuckles. “I’ll prove it.” Oh shit, why did she say that?

  He dropped his hands to stare at her. “How?”

  “Which way is the kitchen?” she asked. If she didn’t give herself time to think, she could do this.

  “Why?” Horus asked warily.

  “That way?” Aware that she was laying the drama on pretty thick, she pointed in the direction Ra had come and started that way.

  “What are you doing?” Horus called, stomping behind her.

  The kitchen was on the other side of the door, so she quickly grabbed a knife from the block and spun around.

  “Whoa!” Horus stopped. “What are you doing?”

  “Follow me.”

  To his credit, he opened the swinging door and waited for her to pass by. He didn’t pluck the knife fro
m her hands or start talking at her a mile a minute. He frowned and followed her.

  “What’s that for?” Ra asked as Seti firmed his mouth into a thin line.

  “I suggest you hold your breath,” Horus said darkly.

  She held out her palm and dragged the knife across it.

  Unlike yesterday, her skin was skin, and the blade sliced cleanly across it. She gasped, watching the blood well up immediately.

  Ra growled. This wasn’t like the grumble Horus had made, this was the sound of an animal warning away other predators. She held up her hand, and the blood ran down the sides of her hand and wrist.

  All three of the brothers stared at her hand, and she swallowed the sudden tightness in her throat. Their eyes were black and their lips drawn back from their teeth like wolves.

  An ancient buried instinct set off those bells that had been so silent earlier. Fear blossomed, but she ground her teeth together and locked her knees.

  Her palm burned from the cut, but the healing hurt worse. She couldn’t meet their eyes any longer, so she shut hers and counted out the seconds in her head. One, two, three…

  She had a glove in the pocket of her coat, and she took it out, wiping it across her hand before she held it up again. “See?”

  Opening her eyes, she found Ra a breath away. She hadn’t heard him move, but now he reached for her hand. “May I?” he asked, stopping before they touched.

  “Okay.”

  He took her hand and turned it back and forth, studying it intently. Then, so softly she barely felt it, he smoothed his thumb over the place she’d cut herself. “It healed.”

  “Yes,” she replied. “Like I told you. I heal rapidly.”

  “You also said your skin was impenetrable.” He narrowed his eyes at her. Glare. That’s four… five?

  “Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t,” she replied. “The healing always happens, though. I would have ruined the knife. I guess it’s good I wasn’t made of metal today, because it looks expensive.”