Page 6 of The NemeSis
Ares chuckles. “I’ve got some work to do too, but I’ll be here until the day after the party.”
His voice is deeper. It’s husky and warm in a way that reminds me of a smooth bourbon. I’m so distracted by the sound, it doesn’t register what he says right away.
The party? MY PARTY?
His eyes meet mine over Selene’s head, and they widen slightly before narrowing.
My smile lowers, softening slightly. I don’t know why I thought things would be different if I ever saw him. The hatred in his dark eyes is as clear as the last time I saw him. It’s been years, and he still hates me for something he refuses to talk about—the reason he hates me.
When his mother finally releases him, Ares goes to shake my father’s hand, but is pulled in for a hug. The men smile at one another.
“Your nieces will be happy to see you,” Apollo starts. “Cora is taking a nap and Daphne is getting Elena ready for bed. She’ll be excited her favorite uncle is here.” He laughs. They both do.
Her favorite uncle? Does that mean he visits his brother regularly? If he’s doing that, I can assume he talks to Selene regularly. So, it’s just me he doesn’t care to have a relationship with.Great.
“I’m excited to continue spoiling them.” Ares walks up to me. “Kyra.” His smile is strained; it doesn’t reach his baby blue eyes.
He pulls me in for a hug and I’m gobsmacked. I hug him back. Is this where things change? Is this how we move past whatever happened?
“It’s good to see you, Ares.” I breathe in his cologne. It’s different from what I’d imagined, not that I thought about it.
I was expecting something clean and crisp, similar to whatever my dad and Apollo use. Whatever Ares uses, it’s darker. Like cedar or sandalwood and leather-bound books. He smells like an old library filled with hidden secrets.
“Yeah?” He questions, his voice lowering. I feel his breath near my ear before he continues. “The feeling isn’t mutual. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way the best we can.”
A gasp escapes me before I can stop it. I wish I could keep up the mask he seems to hide so well, but I’m more than confused. Whatever it was I did, I need to fix it. I need to fix us. We were close once. I know there are six years between us, but it didn’t seem like it mattered when I was younger. He’d been my friend before he’d been my stepbrother.
“You’re just in time for dinner,” Selene announces as she leads the way out of the entryway. “It’ll be ready soon.”
“Sounds great, Mom.” Ares says as they all walk towards the living area.
I hesitate before moving around the corner in the opposite direction, my feet quickly taking the stairs. I just need a few minutes. A few minutes in my room to collect myself and come up with a plan. I have one week to get Ares to be my friend again.
Once I’m in the safety of my room, I pull out my phone. I need help.
Me: You’ll never guess who just walked inside the doors of the beach house.
It doesn’t takebut a few seconds before the dots flash across the screen to show she’s seen my message and is responding.
Beth: The one we were just discussing
Me:
Beth: This is perfect! We were just talking about how you needed help with a certain something.
I knowshe’s going to dance around the subject. To be fair, I wouldn’t want the evidence on my phone either. If I can find my way into this secret society, I’ll be set. I may not know much about it, but I know it’s just the type of thing I need to make connections for after college.
Me: He pretty much told me he hated me and we should stay out of each other’s way. So, I need help with a plan.
Beth: Why does he hate you? Did you do something to piss him off?
Me: That’s the thing…
Me: I don’t know what happened. At one point, everything was fine. Then, a switch flipped and he hated me.
Beth: How long will he be there for?
Me: Apparently until the day after my birthday party.
