Mac,” Varun said, staring at the name-plate in his hands. “I’m as shocked as you are that Brandon would do something like this.” He too looked crushed. Brandon was his good friend, after all – and the look of abject betrayal on his face said it all.
“Maybe it wasn’t him!” I wasn’t sure what I was saying – but I would have said anything to take that look of pain off his face. “Maybe it was a set-up – the attacker dropped the name-tag on purpose to throw us off the scent.”
“I doubt it,” said Varun miserably. “That guy didn’t expect to leave anyone alive enough to follow any sort of scent. He was out to kill.”
“But why Brandon? He’s a Fire deity?”
Varun shook his head. “Was. He’s strong enough to attack you like that – no doubt about it – and he’s been rumored to be looking for an alliance with Water.”
“Because of you? His friendship with you?”
“No,” Varun sighed. “He’s been spending a lot of time in the ocean lately. I told myself he just enjoyed swimming – but now I’m not so sure. With Abzu on the loose, it’s very likely that Abzu’s been courting the favor of Fire and Water deities alike to overthrow me as King of Water. I wouldn’t put it past Abzu to try to turn my friends against me, whatever their element. He’s tricky. He doesn’t use brute force – he strategizes. He’s smart. That’s what makes him so dangerous. But I never thought my friends would fall for it.” Varun looked crestfallen.
I reached out a hand to touch him, aching to comfort him, to ease his pain. I wrapped my arms around him, trying to ignore the longing in my breast. He leaned against my chest, sighing deeply as I stroked his hair. He took my hand – so small in his enormous grip.
“No,” he said. “You’re the one who just got attacked.” He gave a false laugh. “You need comforting, not me.” He pulled me into a bear hug – massaging my aching muscles from where the attacker – Brandon? – had hit me.
“I’m so sorry, Varun,” I said. “But let’s not jump to conclusions. Let’s make sure this name badge was really left by him.”
“You had enough to worry about,” sighed Varun. “With all this Vesta stuff – I didn’t mean to drag you into my mess. It could be that Abzu was attacking you to get to me – he didn’t know you were Vesta, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t suspect, or that he just wanted to hurt me even if you were just human. I should never have put you in danger like that.”
“It’s okay, Varun,” I said. “I owe you a lot. Being with you is – you know, nice. Hanging out.” I blushed, knowing that I meant so much more than I said.
“Nice,” Varun gave a small smile. “Listen, why don’t I get the electricity turned back on – then I’ll put away those groceries and whip you something to eat. You’ve been cooking for your mom so much lately – it’s time someone took care of you.”
“Careful,” I couldn’t help but laugh. “If you keep making me food, I might get attacked more often.”
“As long as I’m there to save you.” Varun grinned at me and I could feel myself melt. Stones or no stones, I still had a weakness for him. I looked into his eyes, wanting to move in closer, to touch my lips to his, to feel his skin against my own…
“Anyone home?” We sprang apart. My mother walked in, a broad smile on her face. “What happened to the lights?”
“Uh, power outage,” I said quickly. “Varun just came over to fix it.”
Varun and I looked at each other and sighed. The moment was gone.
Chapter 17
Varun made us both a delicious dinner – smoked salmon on lightly toasted bagels, smeared generously with cream cheese. The smell of toasted eggs wafted through the house. My mother seemed grateful - more grateful, even, then I was, and she beamed protectively at Varun as he made conversation with her. I could see it in her eyes – she was charmed. Not that I should have been surprised, of course; after all, Varun was exactly the kind of guy that could charm the pants off any parent in a six-mile radius. I sighed as my mother gave me a winking look. Did she think that Varun and I were together? I wouldn’t be surprised