Page 42 of Tyr

“It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done. Can I play the CD in the car?”

Tyr smiled. “I don’t have a CD player, but I can hook up my phone, and we’ll listen that way.”

She and Hephaestus chatted as they walked across the parking lot. Celeste hugged her new t-shirt to her chest. She didn’t want the night to end. She’d never had such an awesome time. Not only did she get to go with the super-hot Tyr, but she got to meet Hephaestus, who she decided had to be the best Greek god ever, hands down. The mythology books didn’t do him an iota of justice.

She smiled at the signed CD, but an icky sensation slithered up her spine, stopping her dead. She sucked in a breath, but she couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.

“What’s wrong?” Tyr questioned.

She shook her head. “I need to let down my shield.”

Tyr glanced around. “Are you sure? There’s a lot of people here.”

She nodded. “Something… doesn’t feel right.” She had to find out what. She wasn’t trapped in her mother’s house anymore. And her dad wasn’t there to protect her. She had to learn to use her powers, one way or another.

Tyr moved her to his sports car, and he and Hephaestus stood on either side of her. She took a deep breath and let her mind shield drop. Hundreds of voices flooded inward.

“Breathe,” said Tyr. “Breathe. We’re right here.”

She nodded and closed her eyes, letting her mind travel out over the cars and down the row.

“That was an epic concert.”

“Damn, I am so wasted I shouldn’t drive.”

“I wish I’d gotten the number of the cute guy in front of me.”

“I can’t wait to get this little cutie back to my place. I’m gonna tie her up and do all those things I’ve wanted to try. It doesn’t matter what—”The slimy feeling oozed down her spine again, and her stomach roiled as she caught the disgusting thoughts. She bit the inside of her cheek as he cataloged in his mind the steps he needed to go through to abduct the woman.

She grabbed Tyr’s arms.

“What is it?”

“There… There’s a man, but I’m pretty sure he isn’t a man.” She shook her head, trying to pinpoint the thoughts. “The things he’s gonna do to a girl he’s following… I?—”

“Where?” Tyr growled.

She shook her head again.

“Focus, Celeste. Where is he?”

She pushed away all the voices in her head except for the one she searched for. The sick sensation rolled over her again, and she focused harder. A moment passed, and then another.

Her eyes flew open, and she whirled around. “There,” she pointed. “They’re up there.”

She dropped the t-shirt and CD and took off so fast that Tyr yelled her name. It didn’t matter. She had to get to the woman. Had to help her before it was too late.

Celeste dodged through the lingering patrons and pushed past a couple, getting to their car. She ignored people’s protests, swearing, and the ache, which had returned to her body as she raced to the end of the row. She scanned both ways and spotted them. A long, red-haired woman walked arm in arm with a blond man.

“Celeste—”

“That’s him!” She pointed.

Tyr grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back against him. “Wait here.” His breath tickled her neck. He squeezed her hip. “I mean it. Stay put. We can handle this.”

He nodded to Hephaestus and strode off for the couple.

Celeste started forward, but Hephaestus caught her.

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