She walks slowly over to him and says something in a hushed whisper. His eyes widen in shock as they flicker to me then back at my mum in disbelief. Whatever she’s telling him has made him more terrified than ever. He shakes his head and I see him mouth the word ‘no’. To which my mum grips him around the jaw forcing him to look at her. My mums pissed and I strain to hear what they’re saying. I take a couple of steps closer but halt in my tracks as mum punches him first in the gut then his jaw. He doesn’t seem fazed by it as mum strides back to me. He stares at the floor deep in thought, his brow furrowed.
“What did you say to him? He looks petrified.” I half laugh.
“He has every reason to be scared.” She shoots him a gaze filled with loathing.
“Why?” I try not to sound irritated, but I’m sick of being left out the loop and not knowing what’s going on.
“I was clearing something up. I know this is hard just trust me sweetheart.” She strokes my hair then looks forlornly at our car which is half buried beneath mud and rubble.
I trust my mum but that doesn’t make this any less annoying. It has shut Alistair up at least though. Now to think about what we’re going to do next. We can’t stay out here all night. Mum’s head needs looking at and cleaning but we can’t leave Alistair here. I’ve got the hang of letting the magic flow through me like a never ending river. I’m certain I can hold him for as long as I need to. I don’t even need to concentrate on it quite as much as before. I can feel the strength of the tree is stable as I gradually let myself relax. I go over to mum as she’s levitating everything off the car. Then she uses the roots buried in the ground to push it out of the ditch and back onto the road. She stumbles backwards holding her head and I catch her.
“Woah mum take it easy. Let me see your head.” I open the car door and help her sit on the drivers’ seat. I turn on the interior light and she inclines her head so I can get a better look. I gently lift her hair out the way and see a deep 2-inch long gash that’s clotted and starting to go purple around the wound. There’s dirt and dust mixed in with the blood and her complexion is really pale. Just looking at it makes my head go fuzzy with nausea.
“That bad?” I see my mum watching me as I examine her.
“No, it’s fine umm...” I swallow. Alistair’s words from moments ago echo in my head. “You can heal her.” I wonder if I could stretch my powers that far? I can’t leave my mum like this, but I don’t want to risk letting Alistair go.
I open my circuit board of power to envelope my mum as well. I feel it waver and instantly bolster the tree holding Alistair. I try again and it’s like stretching an elastic band. With effort, it accommodates the extra demand I’m forcing on it. First, I focus on cleaning the cut and getting all the dirt separated from her blood. It’s amazing to think I can do this without even touching it. I ask nature what I want to happen and it responds. The particles of dirt and debris come away and the dried blood isrefreshed and liquefies then is absorbed back into the veins. The bruising diminishes and the skin begins to knit together. Finally, the redness fades and so does the scar. As I do this I see mums’ complexion brighten and the flush returns to her cheeks. Once I’m done I see her staring at me in wonder. I automatically check on Alistair and the trees strength is holding. He’s also watching with shock on his face.
“How do you feel now?” I ask as I tidy her hair.
“I’m great. Just amazed at your power. A new nymph should not be able to heal a wound like that so easily let alone do it whilst restraining a god! It’s astonishing! You are so special.” She smiles at me then looks sombre. “Gaia must have an important plan for you. So much will rest on your shoulders.” She looks sad but proud at the same time.
I don’t know what to say so I just hug her. “I’m just glad you’re OK now.”
Through the peace and quiet, a phone rings and it’s coming from Alistair’s direction. We go over to him and his arrogant, relaxed expression is back in place.
“Your gonna wanna let me answer that. Chances are it’s my father and if it goes to voicemail he’ll know something is up.” He leans his head back against the tree looking down his nose at us with a smirk. “It’s in my back pocket if you’ll be so kindPsychi Mou.”
“I’m not your Psychic Mo! Whatever the fuck that means!” With a flick of my wrist I have a needle-sharp branch pointing at his chest. It’s diamond hard point presses against his shirt. He tenses. “You say one thing I don’t like and this with go through your heart.”
“You won’t kill me but I love your spirit.” He winks “Now tick-tock, it won’t ring forever.”
Gods he’s infuriating! I reach my hand around him and slide it down between him and the tree. I try to ignore the hardmuscles under my palm and the delectable way he smells. Like cold musk with a hint of incense and deeper, alluring tones of honeyed bourbon. Sensual and utterly addictive.
Nope, not going there! I hold my breath and force away the temptation. My fingertips find the opening of his pocket. Eventually I’m able to get a grip on the phone and wiggle my hand back out. The display says the number is unknown but I answer it anyway and put it on speaker then hold it up between the three of us. Alistair speaks first.
“Father.” His tone is blunt and unemotional.
The voice that comes through is not what I expected. It’s a man's voice but it’s not as deep as I thought it would be. It’s cold, empty and taut. It turns my insides to ice. “I indulged your waiting game when you realised my nymph was with child Alistair. It has been long enough. End this hunt now or I will collect them myself. I want you back here with them by midnight tomorrow.” The phone cuts off and my mum and I look up at Alistair.
Mum’s voice is incredulous. “I never lost you after Yellowstone did I? You knew I was pregnant so you let me raise her like a pig for slaughter!”
“Would you have rather raised her as my fathers’ prisoner?” Alistair replies sarcastically.
“That doesn’t change what you’ve done.” She spits as she turns away.
“And what is that exactly?” Alistair calls after her. “You know I could have captured you both the instant she was bestowed her powers.”
“So, why didn’t you?!” I shout. “Why aren’t we locked up and waiting to be served as the main course?”
Mum glares at Alistair as if warning him to choose his next words carefully. He turns to me and his eyes darken. Awicked smile spreads across his lips. “I was enjoying myself. The chase is half the fun Psychi Mou.”
“Stop calling me that! The chase is over. You lost.” I pocket his phone and walk away. Letting the branch pointing at his chest move away back into the tree canopy but not before giving him a slight hard poke. I hear him hiss through his teeth and I grin. Mum follows behind me and I slow my pace to walk with her.
“So how are we going to stop Hades from coming to find us?” I ask.
“I don’t know yet. We have until tomorrow night to come up with something.”
