Page 41 of Tyr

“No.” She grabbed his arm. “I… I want to finish the show.”

Tyr stared at her, conflicted.

Her throat clenched until she almost couldn’t get out her next words. “You still haven’t heard from my dad, have you?”

Tyr shook his head.

Her gut twisted. Where was he? Why hadn’t he contacted her? She wanted to reach for him. Call him. But if he knew Tyr had brought her back to Earth… She didn’t want to get Tyr in trouble for doing something nice for her.

“We can go.”

“No. I’m sure it’s nothing. It happens sometimes,” she lied.

“That happens sometimes?”

In truth, she’d never had anything like that happen before. The only person she’d ever had real psychic contact with besides her dad was Tyr. “Well… no, not specifically, but I don’t understand all my powers because no one has taught me much. For all I know, it could have been the equivalent of a prank call or a wrong number. Or the person might be halfway across the world. I have no idea and no way of figuring it out.”

“Still. We should get back. It’s been a long day.”

“But they haven’t played the song about you yet,” she pleaded.

“The lady said she was fine,” said Hephaestus. “Just relax, Brother. Finish the show. Even if something bad is out there, nothing is gonna happen to her with both you and me here.” He opened his leather jacket, and tiny magical weapons lined the inside. Any one of which she was sure would be deadly in Hephaestus’ hand. But none more so than a small, bronze hammer.

Tyr nodded. “Okay.” He picked up his dropped items and held out his bounty to her.

Celeste picked a soda and chugged half the bottle before burping and touching Tyr’s arm.

“Thank you,” she said. “For bringing me and for staying.”

Tyr stared at where she touched his skin. She slid her hand away. And chugged the rest of her soda.

Hephaestus was wrong. Tyr obviously did not want her to make a move.

CHAPTER 10

After the concert,Tyr escorted Celeste backstage, where he introduced her to the band. They were as amazing as their music. Friendly, welcoming, and all-around a bundle of fun. Celeste thanked them a dozen times for giving her a ticket.

“Anything for Tyr,” said the drummer. “I mean, he’s the God of War, right?”

The band laughed, and Celeste peeked up at Tyr to gauge his reaction, but he seemed to take it all in stride.

Hephaestus lounged on a deep couch with several band members, chatting and smiling. The gentle giant looked right at home with them, and she wondered how his relationship with his own family was after so many centuries. She knew the legends, but… how could anyone not like him? He was like a huge teddy bear.

One of the band members led Celeste over to their instruments. It made her wish she’d learned to play something instead of just listening.

“You can still learn,” said Johan.

True. Now that she’d gotten out from under her mother’s thumb, she supposed there would be time for her to do everything she always wanted to.

Celeste’s neck prickled, and she peeked over her shoulder. Tyr leaned against the wall, drinking a beer, his gaze trained on her. A shiver raced over her, and she flushed. How could one man be so damn sexy without trying? No swagger. No posturing. No fake charm. Just being. Living. Breathing.

His expression gave nothing away, but she swore she caught little flecks of gold in his eyes, and she wanted more than anything to discover what they meant.

After almost half an hour ofCeleste gushing over the show, Brothers of Metal gave her a t-shirt and CD and signed both before saying their goodbyes.

Celeste hated to leave, but they had to be exhausted from such a performance. She got exhausted from talking to people. She couldn’t imagine ever getting up on a stage and doing what they did for over two hours.

As she, Tyr, and Phes walked through the sparse crowd toward Tyr’s car, Celeste couldn’t help the buzz that still lingered from the music.

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