Children of the Lost Ruler- Ghost Goddesses Book One

Family Reunioun... What Could Go Wrong?

I honestly wanted to punch a wall.  First Salem, now Andy!  Why is it that everyone I like gets her trust instantly, when I have to actively work for her approval?  I sat down on a couch, way too upset to say anything.  A pair of warm somethings wrapped around my torso.  I jerked away from the grip, but it only tightened.  "You might wanna get used to me hugging you, darling," Salem said softly.  "It'll happen a lot."
I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder.  He removed an arm and held my hand.  "What was in the box, sweetie?"
"Can't say, baby."
"Why not?"
"Because if someone other than me knows, we're fucked.  He has ways of getting information, I'm sure of it.  I don't want you to get hurt, Salem."
"Does that mean he'll hurt you for it?"
"No.  I can block him from my mind."
Mel came over to us.  "Mind introducing him?  He won't say anything."  She gestured to my brother.
"Andreus, you're an asshole."
He smiled wickedly.  "It's my specialty, Laraline."
"There, see, now you know his name."
"What the fuck is up with you?"
I grabbed her wrist, shadowing us to the roof.  "Sorry.  I'm stressed."
"Clearly," she retorted.  "What happened?"
"Salem tried to get himself killed yesterday."
"Oh?"
"He punched Khione in the nose."
She snorted.  "About time."
I let out a hollow chuckle.  "While it was entertaining to see the ice goddess with a broken nose, I'm surprised he's okay."
"Why'd he do it?"
Apparently, Salem had gotten Andy to shadow him to the roof, because he came up behind us.  "She tried to hurt Geia.  And I wasn't letting that slide."
I sighed.  "You could've gotten killed!" I nearly screamed.
His arms slid around me.  I broke, starting to sob.  "You've had a hard week, darling.  It's okay."

---------------------Salem's Perspective-------------------

It only took a few minutes for Ligeia to fall into an exhausted sleep.  Mel and I sat on the roof.
"Sorry if she blew up at you.  She's not had a good week, and she doesn't know how to explain how she feels."
"What happened?"
"She got a lot of information in a short amount of time.  I'd wait to let her tell you.  Trust and all." She didn't look too pleased.  "Just wait.  She'll come around.  What happened with you?"
She launched into a long explanation, and as hard as I tried, I couldn't stop myself when she mentioned the scar.  "There's no way yours is worse than mine."
She laughed, and showed it to me.  "Are you sure about that?"
"Okay, you win.  Continue."
She finished quickly about saving the idiots downstairs, and I turned to her.  "Hey Mel?'
"Hmm?"
"Don't force Geia to talk.  She found something out about her sister, and it's been bothering her, even though she says she's fine."
Mel nodded.  "Did you seriously break Khione's nose?"
I grinned.  "Like I told the others, if you hurt her, I'll hurt you."
"Duly noted."
"Good.  We should probably get back down there before Andy decides to kill someone… or everyone."
I lifted Ligeia into my arms, and Mel shadowed us back to the room.  Andy came rushing over.  "What the hell?!"
I glared.  "Shut up. She's trying to sleep."  I carried her back to my room and set her on the bed.  Covering her in the blanket I take everywhere with me -thankfully my father thought to grab it before shoving me out the door- I kissed her forehead.  "Sleep well, mon chaotique," I whispered, closing the door behind me.
When I got out there, everyone was getting along fairly well, except Annabeth looked like death.  I walked over and sat down next to her.  "Are you okay?"
She shook her head no.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
Same answer.  "I just want Percy back."
I nodded.  "That makes sense.  I'd go crazy without Lara."
She looked at me quizzically.  "Y-you a-and L-lara?" she stuttered, flabbergasted.
I grinned.  "Yes."
"How? Heck, why?!"
I shrugged.  "You do realise that you and Percy should hate each other, right?  Yeah, that's right, I know shit.  I'm dating Lara because I care about her in a way I've never cared about anyone else before.  You of all people shouldn't be questioning that.  I came over here trying to be nice to you, but you seem to want the opposite, so I'm going to go talk to someone who isn't negating my choices."
I walked back to Andy, who was chatting with Mel, and sat down.  "Ya know, Lara wasn't kidding," I muttered.
They covered us in shadows.  "What's up with you?  Aren't you supposed to be the happy-go-lucky to Liggy's moodiness?" Andy asked.
I snorted.  "Normally, yes.  I'm not one to get angry, or even frustrated, for that matter, but people are really testing me lately."
"Damn, okay," he replied, "what's up?"
"Annabeth just asked me why I was dating Lara, like I shouldn't be able to stand her, or something.  She was such a bitch about it… Sorry for cussing."
Andy and Mel laughed.  "No need to apologise, man, we get it.  They're all entitled asswipes, and you should know that by now."
"Believe me, I do.  I'm gonna go to bed.  I don't want Geia to freak out about waking up by herself.  I'm emotionally drained, anyways, so sleep'll do me some good."
I went to my room, wrapped my arms around Ligeia, and was asleep faster than you could say Dear Evan Hansen.

-----------------------Ligeia's Perspective-----------------

I woke up wrapped in Salem.  Not like that's anything to complain about, though. I gently nuzzled his shoulder to wake him up.
"Geia?" He groaned.
"Good morning, baby.  Thank you for letting me sleep."
"Of course, darling."
He kissed me gently.  "Ligeia?"
"Yeah?"
"We'll get your sister back, you know that, right?"
I laughed wryly.  "Oh, I know.  There's no doubt about that, Salem."
We walked out to find Mel gone, and everyone else asleep.  Salem chuckled.  I didn't give him any warning before shadowing us to the beach.  "While the family reunion was fun, I think it's time for some power development."