“Ellie, Ellie.” He shook his head, smirking with amusement. “How easily you forget. Why would I care if you were perfect for Collin? It’s all part of Ahone’s game.”
Okeus lifted his hands from his body and shrugged, his grin fading. He began to slowly circle me, but I was too paralyzed with shock to stop him. Why would Ahone care if Collin fell for me? He wanted Collin to open the gate, but obviously there was more to it, though I had no idea what it meant.
“You needn’t feel shame for your intense attraction to Collin. Ahone created you to be drawn to each other. Throw in your Curse Keeper bond and your souls’ strong connection . . . well, I’m not sure why you fight him. It’s a waste of energy.”
Obviously he had brought me here for a reason, and it had to be more than just an opportunity for him to gloat. “What do you want, Okeus?”
He stopped in front of me, his forehead wrinkled with a mock scowl. “So impatient.” He turned away and walked back to his chair, sliding into his seat with a graceful flourish. “You came to Collin with questions, did you not? I would like to give you answers.”
“Why would you help me?”
He sighed, rolling his eyes in boredom. “To prove to you that I have no hard feelings over our last encounter, nor over your foolish decision to choose Ahone instead of me.”
I shook my head, my eyes narrowing in suspicion. “No. You’re not altruistic. You want something in return. Even if it’s a long-term payoff.”
He shifted in his seat. “Ellie, you know what I want. Perhaps you’ll be more compliant if I make a goodwill gesture.”
I clenched my fists at my sides. “I’ll never agree to become pregnant with your child, so you might as well send me back now.”
His elbow rested on the arm of the chair and he set his right cheek on his upraised fist. “I think I’ll overlook your rude and shortsighted request and help you anyway.” He sat up slightly. “I believe you want to know about your friend’s ability to see the souls of those who have yet to cross over to the spirit world.”
My mouth gaped. “Claire?”
“Yes, her. And the answer is yes, there are some who possess this gift. You can use your friend to your advantage.”
A cold chill shot through me. “Did Ahone set her up too?” I was already positive that Ahone was responsible for bringing David into my life; was it too much to think he’d involve Claire in his plans too?
“No, I suspect not. She has the potential to be useful in sniffing out his deceptions. The souls of the departed are not easily fooled.”
My father instantly came to mind. The last time I’d joined hands with Collin in the ocean, I’d seen my deceased father, who had given me a message from Ahone. My back stiffened. “Are you calling my father a fool?”
“Did Ahone send your father to you after my plan failed?” Okeus laughed, shaking his head. “So unoriginal.”
“The man with you was not my father.”
Okeus shrugged like it was nothing of concern. “Your father believed I was evil incarnate. Besides, Ahone took your father’s soul. It belongs to him, thus Ahone controls him. He is not a normal spirit.” His expression darkened. “You would be wise to remember that in any future encounters.”
Would I see Daddy again? How much would this revelation cloud my perception of him?
He paused, turning serious. “Your friend will help you navigate the waters of what to believe and what not.”
I shook my head in disgust. “Let me guess. All the souls will tell her that you’re the good guy and Ahone is bad.”
He laughed again, this time more genuine. “You are a fearless creature, aren’t you? Most beings tremble at my feet.”
“Cut to the part when you tell me that you’d never try to get Claire to dupe me like that.”
His mouth lifted on one side. “The answer to your question about good and bad isn’t so simple, Ellie. There is no perfect good or bad. You are neither completely pure nor completely evil. Your level of selflessness or self-centeredness varies from day to day. Some days Ahone will want something that is for the good of his creations. Other days he will want something that benefits him and his own needs and desires.” He gestured his hand toward me. “Just like creating and using you.”
As much as I hated to admit it, I knew he was right. I’d been stupid to blindly accept Ahone, but I’d seen no other choice at the time.
“All is not lost, little Elinor Lancaster. Your friend is now your shield of truth. She will be your counsel.” His mouth lifted into a smirk. “And yes, sometimes she will counsel you not to trust me.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
He leaned back his head and gave me a calculated glance. “To prove to you that I have something of worth for you, just as you have something of worth for me.” His eyes narrowed and glowed red. “Do not think for a moment that if I grow weary of waiting, I won’t take what I want when I want it.” His eyes returned to their usual dark brown. “But for now, I will remain patient and wait for you to change your mind.”
“Why do you seem so certain that I will?”
His eyes twinkled. “Because I know something about you. You love deeply, and that is your greatest weakness.”
Suddenly, I was whisked back into the ocean, Collin’s left arm supporting my dead weight. Our right hands had broken contact. He was still standing in the same place, but we’d gathered a small crowd of curious onlookers.