Hunting Medusa: The Medusa Trilogy, Book 1 (32 page)

“Can you wait until we get onto the interstate?” he asked when they climbed into the new car. “For breakfast? And to check email?”

She nodded as she settled into her seat. “Yes. I just want to get away from here before someone who was able to catch the signal before we disabled it comes looking for us. Whoever installed the tracking program activated it just before we went to Scotland.”

He didn’t find that shocking. Not since they’d found the device in the phone. But he didn’t like it. He floored it when they hit the highway, guiding the car northeast, away from Harrisburg. No car appeared to be following them, and he forced himself to relax a little bit as he drove. “Your cousin is a genius.”

Andrea’s smile was tired, but still affectionate. “She is. Good thing, too. Who knew someone could create a tracking program that would replicate itself if you tried to delete it without catching the second portion?”

He didn’t have to imagine who. Ari had his fingers in all the pies of the searches for the Medusa. He encouraged his nephews to use the most advanced technologies available to them, and to hone their individual skills. But Kallan had never imagined his great-uncle would use those same tools against his own family. Then again, he supposed Ari didn’t trust any of them to do the job properly. Which made him wonder why.

About an hour north of the capital, he finally pulled off the interstate and into a truck stop so they could eat. Andrea returned from the ladies’ room with wet hair and pink in her cheeks, and slid into the booth across from him. “I am starving.”

“Good. I ordered you a huge breakfast.” He smiled at the arch of her eyebrow. “I didn’t think you’d want to wait any longer than absolutely necessary.”

She sighed. “You’re right.” Her gaze skittered around the restaurant, over the truckers and the tourists before returning to him. “Do you think we got everything now?”

“I hope so.” He didn’t tell her he’d searched through his backpack after she headed to the bathroom, just to make sure.

Her dark head bobbed once. “Would you reconsider waiting just a little longer?”

He laughed. “You are persistent,
agaph
.”

One of her shoulders lifted. “I really think it would be the most effective way to deal with them.”

He rested his forearms on the table and leaned toward her, searching her face for a few seconds. “If you’d let me, I’d take you somewhere far away right now,” he said, low. “I can keep you safe.” Now that no one could track them, that was.

Her expression softened, and she leaned forward so she could reach his hands, clasping them with hers. “I know. I appreciate it. But we can’t run forever. And you hate running as much as I do.”

He couldn’t argue that. “I want you alive more than I hate running,” he said finally.

The waitress rushed up to their table, nearly dropping a big plate on his head. “Oh, sorry. I’ve got your breakfasts. You wanted the farmer’s platter.” She set one of the plates in front of him when Andrea released his hands. “And the same for the lady. Can I get you anything else?”

He shook his head, and the woman hurried away.

Andrea touched the back of his hand when he reached for his fork. “I love you too.”

Warmth spread up his arm from her fingers, and expanded in his chest from her words. Smiling, he lifted her hand to his mouth, briefly.

After breakfast, they drove north. He set the GPS to avoid New York, since he imagined his cousins would be waiting there—watching, expecting him to want to blend into the crowds. And he let Andrea drive, both to stop her arguments and because he truly needed a nap.

“We should find somewhere not too far off the interstate to stay,” she said after they’d been on the road a while. “But not too near a big city. Unless you know you have cousins in some little town north of New York.”

He shook his head, trying to relax into the seat. “Not that I’m aware of.” He eased the seat back so he could stretch out his legs a bit. Much better.

“Okay. Then when I see some likely spot, we’ll get off. You should try to rest in the meantime.” She patted his knee, then put her hand back on the steering wheel.

“I’m sorry, Andrea.”

Her bright gaze slid away from the road and onto his face. “For what?”

“For not realizing just how much danger I was putting you in.”

She turned her attention back to the road, frowning. “You had no idea what you were in for when you came hunting me, Harvester.” Her tone was light.

He set his hand on her thigh. “I mean I didn’t know how desperate Uncle Ari is to kill you, desperate enough that he doesn’t trust any of us apparently.”

“He’d take the credit, too, wouldn’t he? The miserable old bastard.”

He inhaled slowly. “Probably. He’s shepherded all of us over the years. Everyone looks to him for guidance.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“We all have relatives we’d rather not acknowledge.” She sent another smile toward him.

Reluctantly, he smiled back.

“Now get some sleep. You look like hell,” she teased.

He shut his eyes, but his mind was whirling in too many directions for him to possibly take a nap.

Andi hated to wake him when she stopped the car at the little motel off the highway—especially when it had taken over an hour for him to actually get to sleep. They’d left the interstate behind hours ago for a state highway, and this motel sat just outside a tiny town whose exit sign boasted “the best hot cakes in the state”. She hesitated, then put her hand on his shoulder, lightly.

He jerked upright instantly, and guilt lanced her belly. “Are you okay?”

“Fine. But I found us a place to spend the night.” She let her hand rest on his shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles ease a little.

He sighed, rubbing his face with one hand. “All right.” He pushed his door open and got out.

Andi climbed out too, glad to stretch her legs. Upstate New York was pretty in the summer, she thought, scanning the area surrounding the motel. The trees shaded the property but weren’t so thick they would hide anyone. That was a plus. And one of the reasons she hadn’t stopped at the motel she’d seen directly off the highway. The trees and shrubs there were too thick for her liking right now. If she were home and safe, she’d be perfectly happy on her wooded mountain.

But she wasn’t safe, and it seemed best not to give her enemies any help reaching her.

They checked in as Mr. and Mrs. Reece Levine, though she doubted the man who took their money cared what names they used, as long as their money was good.

Kallan relaxed a little more once they were locked in their room at the far end of the long, low building, the car parked directly outside their door.

Andi sank onto the foot of the bed, her gaze skimming the room. It was clean, though outdated. She didn’t care as long as she could sleep. She was beyond tired.

He checked all the locks, door and windows, went into the bathroom to inspect it, and then came back out to sit down beside her. “Looks good.”

She leaned against him. “You need to sleep.”

“So do you,
meli
.” He kissed her forehead. “I want to get a couple blades out of the suitcase and into the backpack. Just in case.”

She sighed as he rose and moved to where they’d dumped their belongings when they came in—on the small table next to the window. He tugged the curtains shut and unzipped the suitcase.

“I should see if Aunt Lydia has gotten back to me yet.” She thought about it for a second before she pushed herself to her feet. Sitting down on the very tempting bed had made her feel even more tired. Just this one task before she let herself crash.

She sat in one of the chairs beside the table and booted up the laptop. She ran the check Thalia had told her about just to be certain the tracking program hadn’t had another backup. Still clear. Thank the Gods. Then she clicked into her email.

“About time,” she muttered when she saw Aunt Lydia’s email. She tapped the key to open it.

Dearest Andi,

I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Celosia is sometimes so useful. Then other times, she’s just a cranky old woman, and this week happened to be one of those times.

Unfortunately, she isn’t much help. She said she thinks she might remember a story of one of the Medusas falling in love after the curse fell on her shoulders, and the curse then moving on to someone else, but she isn’t sure. She said Sophronia would remember. I think she’s lost it if she can’t remember Sophronia’s been dead for twenty years. Good Gods.

Anyway, when she gave me that very useless answer, it reminded me of something. It’s been years since I thought of it, but there’s a book chronicling some of the past Medusas. Nothing recent that I’m aware of, though we really should remedy that, dear girl. But back to the book. I know who has current possession of it, though she really only borrowed it fifteen years ago from the person who should have it, and I’m making a trip to see her right now, since this could be extremely important for you from the sound of things. I’ll contact you as soon as I get a look at it.

Please be careful, dear. I spoke to Thalia the other day, and she told me she’s had one of her premonitions. (Though one of these days, we
really
have to tell her she’s often late with those.)

Much love,

Lydia.

Andi sat back, chewing on her lower lip, and heard footsteps behind her.

“Well, that isn’t really an answer, is it?” Kallan asked after a minute.

She shook her head. “But it’s better than nothing. At least I know she’s trying and there might still be an answer.” She rubbed her forehead.

“Shut that down,
meli
. We need some rest.” He brushed one hand over her hair to
 
her nape.

She closed it down, thinking about her aunt’s message. There might have been a Medusa who fell in love, which sent the curse on to someone else.

She might be free of the curse.

She frowned as she kicked off her shoes. But she still had the amulet, which meant she was still the Medusa.

Kallan touched the spot between her eyebrows lightly, making her force the frown away. “You’re thinking way too hard for someone so exhausted.” He bent to kiss her in the same spot. “Don’t worry about it now. When she gets an answer, she’ll email you.” He smiled gently, encouragingly.

She nodded. “I know.” She let him gather her close, rubbing her cheek against his soft shirt and feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her face.

“Get in.” He kissed the top of her head and released her. “I’ll race you to see who gets naked first.”

“Naked? I thought you were tired.” A slow heat bubbled in her belly at his words.

“I am. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still want to hold you. Naked.” He winked at her.

She smiled back in spite of the worries rushing around in her head. “You are such a man.” Nevertheless, she tugged her shirt up and off, then undid her jeans.

He won. But then, he wore less clothing than she did. She was still unhooking her bra when he dropped his cargo pants to the floor. And for a man so tired, he was still beginning to be aroused.

She shook her head. “Really?”

His smile turned wicked. “Even when we’re old,
agaph
.” He tugged the blankets back and climbed into the bed, yanking the covers down on the opposite side as well, so when she kicked off the rest of her clothing she could slide in too. He pulled her tightly to his side, and she relaxed fully for the first time in over twenty-four hours.

“Sleep,” he whispered, kissing his way down her cheek to the corner of her mouth.

She turned her face to catch his lips, just for a second smiling against him.

Kallan smiled back and shut his eyes.

Andi shifted so she could wrap her arms around him and closed her eyes too. Maybe when they woke, they’d have not just an answer to her question but a better plan than the one they were currently working with.

Kallan woke first, inhaling deeply and rubbing one hand up the side of his face to shove his hair away from his eyes. Andrea still slept, wrapped tightly around him. The scent of her teased his nose, making his body surge to life. Slowly, he turned to look at the clock on the nightstand: nine p.m. They’d slept away the afternoon and evening. His stomach rumbled and he winced. The motel restaurant closed at six. He wondered if anything else in the little town stayed open this late.

And if anyone hunting them was nearby.

Andrea stirred, and he slid his hand down her back, keeping her close.

She hummed against his chest. “You’re noisy.”

He laughed. “Sorry. I have no control over that.”

Her fingers wrapped around his erection. “Or that.” She squeezed gently, making him groan. “I like waking with you this way.”

His body pulsed in her grip, and he swallowed. “Well, it’s entirely your fault.”

He felt her smile on his skin. “Really?” She stroked up to the tip of him, her thumb caressing there lightly. “Well, I don’t know if you can wait for supper that long.”