•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The seasons halted.

Living things stopped growing and died.

The goddess was preoccupied with loss and grief.

Her daughter was abducted by the god of the underworld.

A grieving goddess of the harvest.

She's Demeter.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

I didn't understand what he meant by 'regretting my decision', but one thing was certain, I didn't care. On one hand, it doesn't look advisable to go out with him but on the other, I had an advantage. I could state my conditions; If I go, he could help us rescue Gwen's dad. It's the perfect deal. Only if he'll cooperate. 

The hours passed by fast as I glided through each lesson without murder. It almost like a normal day. With every class, I either had Zion, Pedro, Dimitri, Gwen, Hunter, or Liam present. My last class was French Class. And Hunter, master of prejudice was present in all his glory. But he never bothered me so no worries there.

I survived successfully and the moment our bell rang to officially close the day, I sauntered straight to my locker. I placed all unnecessary books in the safe and glimpsed around. Gwen and the Petersons were nowhere in sight and oddly, so was Liam.

"Hello there. "

I yelped, nearly jumping out of my skin. Emily stood cheerfully with hands behind her back. Two girls flanked her.

She smiled with all set of teeth, which just gives me the creeps. "You're Pedro's friend, right?"

Oh, I see where this is going.

I leaned on one leg, posing intimidation. "Yeah."

"That's sweet," she spoke through clenched teeth. The fake smile just made it even more strange. "I was thinking..." she continued. "...if we could be friends. You sound awesome and I thought, maybe it'll be great if we just get along."

Yeah...I don't think so. Call it a hunch, but there was something wrong about her. It's best if I steer clear.

"Look, It's nice to have this chat with you but, I've got to go." I navigated away and walked down the hallway.

Away from destruction. There's something not right about her, but I just couldn't put my finger on it. I made a turn down the path, heading straight for the exit. Out of nowhere, a hand grabbed my wrist. I whirled around to meet Phyllis.

"I need your help." Her eyes were glassy as she pleaded with me. "Please."

I sighed. "What's wrong?"

"This way, Com'n." She dragged me down another hallway; opposite the main exit. We rushed down a flight of stairs and onto another hallway.

"Right here." She pushed open one of the empty classrooms and gestured for me to walk through.

I didn't want to back out so I went in. The place was in a mess. You could tell students just left in a rush for home. There was a click and I turned.

Did Phyllis just lock the door?

She gave a sad smile. Her black mascara was smudged.

Is she okay?

"I'm sorry, but I had to do this. He wanted to speak to you."

I stepped back. "Who?"

"Why me of course."

I stiffened. That voice.

"All this time since we saw each other I thought you'll miss me."

I slowly turned, facing him with a glare. I placed my hands on my hips, "I don't want anything to do with you. I thought I made it clear."

Liam sat on one of the tables, his feet on a seat. He released a breath and threw a tennis ball in the air before catching it.

His green eyes were in slits. "Thank you, Phyllis. You did a good job. You can leave now."

She giggled like a drunk person. "Okay." She blew a kiss before stumbling out the door.

I rose an eyebrow. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing apart from being my regular diet." He smirked.

Somehow I had a feeling he was telling the literal truth. But that's physically impossible.

"You're thinking." He observed me. "She's fine...really."

I grunted and went for the doorknob.

"Wait."

I paused and faced him, arms folded. Zion would flip if he finds out I'm not in the parking lot. Even worse, he'll go murderous if he finds Liam with me.

He tossed the ball behind him. "Look. I just want to talk. Back at the house, you wanted answers, but we were interrupted."

My cheeks grew warm at the thought. Get a grip, Penny.

"I was serious about going out. But it's not a date. I just want to tell you something, but not with your boyfriends barging in every time."

"I can't."

He rose both eyebrows.

Second rejection. Smooth, Penny.

"Aren't you at least curious?"

I shrugged.

He rested both elbows on his knees. "I know you don't trust me, but I want to talk about Henry. If you at least know what he is, you could stand against him in a fight. Even in the absence of your boyfriends."

Good point. But not convincing. Gwen's way of calling him a monster still lingered in my memory. Any other girl would have sprinted out of here in seconds. Good thing I was stubborn. Instead, I had a better idea.

"Okay," I placed my hands in my back pockets.  "I'll go if there's another condition."

He bit his cheek. "Name it."

"You'll teach Zion and me how to use our abilities. Pedro too, that is, if he shows any form of power."

He smiled. "Trying to change the tables huh?" He blew a frustrated breath. "Fine."

Jackpot!

He didn't seem comfortable with the deal, but his options were limited. The stakes were good, but I still had doubts. "Why do you want to help?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "Because. I know Henry. He can be sick sometimes. It won't be good when he finally gets you under his power. Especially after what I...did."

I bit my lip and he immediately noticed. "How many times have you gazed at him?"

I tried not to wince. "Twice."

"Shit!" He cursed, eyes glowing even brighter.

Do they illuminate based on his mood? Why are they cat-like?

He's a monster.

I shook those thoughts out. I remembered the Crocotta battle and how he fought Henry and his pack. He seemed normal.

Liam brought me back to the present. "That's not good Gem. You know that."

I rubbed my arms. "What if Henry attacks us on the way?"

"I'll get you out of there. I promise." His eyes bore straight into mine. "And if I promise, I'm bound by eternity to fulfill it at all costs."

He wasn't playing. Kinda like how Pedro gets serious. "And the kiss?"

A smile broke against his flawless face. "It's not something you should worry about, I promise."

I was slowly giving in. He rose an eyebrow, encouraging me to say yes. "Fine."

His smile grew impossibly wide. "Then let's get going Gem. We haven't got all day."

He jumped off the table and walked to one of the windows, climbing one seat. He pushed one foot over the ledge and through the opening.

"Wait. Now?"

He stopped and watched me -- half of his body was still in the room. "No, Next year -- of course now. Are you waiting for an invitation? Come on."

He smoothly jumped onto the lawn. This was nuts. But I'll be lying if I say I wasn't partially insane. I walked to the window and followed his maneuver, landing in a crouch.

"Our ride is this way." He turned towards one wing of the parking lot.

It was pretty far from where the Petersons usually park. I followed, wondering if he had this planned. Soon, a red Ford fusion family car stood before us. It looked...simple.

Liam observed my expression. "What were you expecting? An Aston Martin? Not everyone is as rich as your boyfriends."

He pried open the car door and sat behind the steering wheel. I got into the passenger seat. "At least you have a car."

Liam smiled. "Touché."

"So where are we going?" I buckled my seatbelt.

Liam smirked and turned the ignition. "You'll see."

Any thoughts about where they're headed?

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