From Deities Read Online Free Page A

at her shirt, which was now splattered with sauce and meat. “You did that on purpose.”
    Nick’s lips slowly curled up into a mischievous grin. “Just trying to lighten up the mood…and your meatballs. Want me to do it again?”
    I didn’t know what siblings’ quarrels were like since I was an only child, but even though Amanda was not blood related, they sure treated her like a sister.
    Before Amanda could answer, the only meatball left on her plate gravitated inches above it. Light was shimmering across the table from Mason’s fingertip. It looked like a long whip. After it had gotten a hold of the meatball, the light split into multiple strands, cutting through it as if each extension was a separate knife. It was the first time I had seen him manipulate his light like that with so much control.
    “Let’s not do that again,” Mason said calmly.
    “How…when did you…that was awesome! I need to try that.” Nick’s eyes were wide with awe.
    “Thanks, Mason. Now I don’t have to cut it.” Amanda went right back to eating, as if nothing happened.
    After clearing the table, they all went up to their rooms except for Mason and me. His intention was to stick around until my father arrived. Pacing back and forth across the living room, my heart rate escalated, until it felt like I was continuously running without stopping. Taking deep breaths wasn’t helping my anxiety either.
    Checking the time on my cell phone, I saw that it was exactly eight o’clock. An ugly feeling grew in the pit of my stomach, hinting that he would not show up. Feelings of hopelessness settled through me, mostly from not wanting to be disappointed. I couldn’t help it. I would not trust my father after what he had done. As I reached around to shove my phone in my back pocket and then turned forward again, Mason was standing right in front of me.
    “Mason.” I jerked back and so did my heart. He was sitting on the sofa only a second ago.
    Wrapping one hand around my waist, the other cupped my face. He leaned down and placed his forehead on mine. “You’re going to have a heart attack if you don’t stop pacing. He’ll show up. He’s just running a little late.”
    Mason’s words and his touch gave me some comfort, and I momentarily lost myself, but it wasn’t enough; Mason must have noticed, too. Without another word, he crushed his lips onto mine.
    That kiss not only made me forget where I was, it awakened every inch of me. Lost in his arms and having those soft, kissable lips taking mine in, I kissed him back. When it intensified, Mason pulled back with ragged breaths and held me tenderly in his arms. “I’m not sure if it’s working for you, but I forgot where we were for a moment,” he said, still catching his breath.
    “Believe me, your lips are like magic. I did forget. I’m just glad you didn’t shock me.” I let out a small laugh.
    “I’m learning to control it around you, Echo, but I don’t know if I ever will completely. You excite me way too much.”
    I blushed from his compliment. “I feel the—” I started to say when my body tensed from the chime of the doorbell.
    With one tight but tender squeeze, Mason murmured, “I’m right here. It’ll all be okay. Just say the word and he’s out the door.” Then he released me.
    In a fast, fluid motion, Mason was at the door. Oh, how I loved to see him move with such speed. Cautiously, he looked through the small peephole. After confirming who it was, he opened the door.
    “Mr. Rome, come in.”
    “Thank you. And you must be Mason?” He offered his hand.
    “Yes, I’m Mason.” Mason shook his hand and moved aside to let him in.
    I clasped my hands together to stop my body from shaking, but I couldn’t control my hammering heart, which felt like it was going to explode. After I took a deep breath, I stepped out of the shadows and showed myself to my dad, but kept my distance.
    “Hello, Sky,” he said with a cheerful tone, as if all was right between