Linda Robertson - Shattered Circle

Eris announced she was going out for a smoke, and Lance accompanied her into the garage.

“I missed you so much,” I whispered into Beverley’s ear and squeezed her tighter, pulling her head under my chin. “And I was so worried about you.”

She hugged me back. When she eased back into place, I saw her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. “What is it?” I asked.

“I’m just so scared . . . like my mom was. I’m scared of what I’ve become.”

“Oh, honey.” I smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead. “All this Lustrata stuff scares me, too.” I offered her my most reassuring smile. “But we will find a way. Together.”

Minutes later, she slipped away from me and went to stand with Menessos. She slipped her hand into his and whispered something to him.

Movement on the other side of me caught my attention. Evan was slowly walking toward Johnny. Ares followed him. I got up and stepped to the doorway of the living room to watch. I’d been introduced to the boy, who was the spitting image of Johnny. He was polite, but there was an all-boy orneriness in his smile. Nana would probably have said he was full of piss and vinegar. But Ares clearly liked him, and that meant something to me.

Johnny wrapped his arm around the boy and gently pulled him closer. “Evan, did I tell you that Erik here is my very best friend?”

Evan shook his head. “No.”

I noticed that Erik had proudly squared his shoulders. Beverley stepped up beside me and I felt Menessos at my back.

“Well, he is. We’ve been friends a long, long time. Who’s your best friend?”

Nana and Toni quieted, both listening.

Evan shrugged. His voice sounded small and dejected as he said, “I dunno. Gramma said we were moving here. I won’t get to see my friends anymore.”

Johnny’s smile diminished.

The joyful ambience of the room dropped into sadness.

“I’ll be your friend,” Beverley said, stepping into the living room.

Evan looked her up and down, and a slow smile came to his lips. “Really?”

In moments, they had decided to play. “Can I show him my room?” Beverley asked, facing me and Menessos.

“Yes,” we said in unison.

The kids hurried up the stairs.

It was remarkable, and I was reminded that in youth, friendship really is that simple.

Johnny came to the doorway and extended his hand to Menessos as a lopsided smile rounded his cheek. “Thanks for comin’, vamp.”

“Your invitation was an unanticipated show of charity, wolf.”

I grabbed their clasped hands in both of mine. I let them see in my eyes what this moment, what everyone together, but especially them, meant to me.

“It wasn’t charity,” he began, pausing briefly when we heard the garage door open and shut as Eris and Lance returned. “Sometimes blood and breeding aligns you with people you are glad to have in your life, and it’s easy to honor those bonds. Sometimes it’s the opposite.”

“Sometimes Fate aligns you with people you don’t want in your life,” Menessos added, the obvious question conveyed in his tone.

Between my hands, I felt Johnny’s grip tighten on Menessos.

“Sometimes we have to grow up and accept what Fate has in store for us, and put our faith in the alliances we are given.”

Thinking on my recent experiences, I whispered, “All Hell is about to break loose. Are we ready for this?”

“We all now know”—Menessos paused to make a poignant glance at the people in the living room, and give a nod to indicate the kiddos upstairs—“precisely what we are fighting for .” He added his free hand atop mine.

Johnny put his free hand atop Menessos’s. With a wink at me, I knew he’d heard me earlier when his response was, “We will find a way. Together.”

LINDA ROBERTSONis the author of six books about Persephone Alcmedi. A native of Ohio, she is also the mother of four awesome boys, owns four guitars, and has one goofy dog. Once upon a time, she was lead guitarist in a heavy metal cover band. She has worked as a graphic artist, a Realtor, and various other jobs over the years, but writing has always been her passion. Recently, she’s discovered the joy of riding bitch on the back of a Harley-Davidson.

Her website is www.authorlindarobertson.com and she blogs at www.word-whores.blogspot.com.

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