Star Gods, стр. 12

“I wasn’t playing in the rain,” I explain. “I was…”

“Outside without protection,” Ashe finishes, stopping me in my tracks.

“I have my own protection,” I remind. “I was looking for…something.”

“And how’s that working out for you, Zeke?” Ashe’s angry eyes bore into mine. “You didn’t share the complete message and you went out on your own without our added protection.”

My face falls. “What? You were in my room?” This is not going well. Thanks a lot, Neil.

“You’re completely ignoring code.”

“I…uh…”

“Want me to give him a little jolt to jump start his memory?” Tyce asks from behind me and Ashe glares at him. “Really, he’s right here within arm’s length and wet too. All I gotta do is flick a ward and…”

“Shut-up, Tyce.” Ashe rubs his face. “We can’t find Mom and Dad,” he says to me more calmly. “I couldn’t stop that from happening, but I can protect you and for some reason you keep fighting me.”

“Look, I’m sorry. You were both asleep and I didn’t want to wake either of you.” I rub my forehead in agitation. “I have my own protection, and I don’t have anything to share because I’m still trying to sort it out. Besides, it wasn’t raining when I left.”

Ashe scowls, narrowing his eyes at me. “When exactly did you leave?”

If I could’ve high fived myself, I would’ve. Instead, I roll my eyes and head toward my bedroom. A hand clamps down on my shoulder, spinning me back around.

“I asked you a question, Zeke,” Ashe seethes. “When did you leave this house?”

I try to turn back, but Ashe’s hand is holding me tight. I glare at him then up at Tyce standing behind him with an expression of uncertainty. “Let go of me.”

“After you answer my question.”

“You’re not my parent, let go of me.”

“Tyce and I are all you’ve got right now,” Ashe answers, his face turning red. “Answer my question now, or you can go live on planet and answer to the Luminaries.”

I shove him back a step. “You’re going to threaten me now?” I yell. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

The slap comes without warning, knocking my face into the wall, and sending little sparkly stars in front of my eyes. I close them for a second to get my bearings. Our parents never hit any of us and I can’t believe Ashe just did.

“Zeke, God, I’m sorry. I…I didn’t mean to do that.”

I turn away; my head reminding me of my previous injuries making me blink my eyes to clear them. I drag my hand down the wall for support as Ashe swears a streak Mom would’ve put an abrupt stop to. I step into my room, shutting my door, sending barriers up to keep my brothers out. They can pound all they want, heck they can use an axe if they want to; they won’t be getting in until I let them.

I change, throwing my wet clothes over my chair and sit on the end of my bed to pull on dry socks. A shimmer draws my attention and I shake my head in annoyance.

“I really don’t want you here, Neil, get out.”

“Zeke, I’m…”

“You’re sorry. Got it, now go away.” His feet don’t disappear so I look up in annoyance. “I should really kick your ass.”

He seems taken-aback. “You’re face. What happened?”

“Compliments of Ashe, or maybe I should thank you.”

He looks at me questionably pulling on his collar.

I ignore him and finger comb my still wet hair.

“Zeke, I didn’t have a choice but come here...”

“Oh, so now you didn’t have a choice,” I interrupt him. “Here I thought it was just me.”

“Zeke, my deepest apologies but...”

I laugh. “Are you kidding me? Really? You’re deepest apologies?” I scoff, standing from my bed to look him in the face. “‘They’ll stay asleep until you return’, and I believed you.”

“I…I don’t understand.”

“Let me be straight with you,” I say pointing to my chest. “I’m done with your rules. We go by mine now.”

“Zeke, I have to stress…”

“Stress, yeah you’ve created a lot of that.” I glare at him when he pulls on his collar. “If it’s so uncomfortable for you to be in those damn clothes, change. It’s irritating.”

He drops his hand. “It’s a…a nervous tick. It’s hard for me to stop.”

I don’t apologize. “I need my brothers in on this.”

“Zeke…”

“Don’t, Neil. You’ve made a hell of a mess already.”

“Zeke,” Neil continues, and I scoff again. He raises a hand and my voice shuts off. “I’ll give it back in a minute. You have to listen to me.” His hand goes toward his collar and he drops it back down. “This girl is important. I can’t tell you why and I can’t tell you who sent me. Zeke, please, find the girl then everything goes the way it’s supposed to go. I promise you.” He looks at me pleadingly, releasing his hold on my voice. “It has to be done this way.”

I shake my head. I can’t believe I’m going to agree to this. “This is the last time, Neil. I don’t care who you are. Once I find her I never want to see you again.”

He looks at me with confusion and disappears.

I gape at the empty spot. “Thanks a lot for helping me out of my current situation.” I sit down on my bed and hold my pounding head in between my hands.