“No,” his voice is low and deep as he continues to stand in one place. “I’m not here for a social visit.”
“I gathered that,” I say, filling two glasses of water anyway. “You can sit down, Ascot,” I nod at the sofa behind him, favoring my foot as I place our glasses on the coffee table.
“That’s the same foot you cut yesterday,” he whispers, closing his eyes for a moment.
I nod, taking a seat and he finally moves closer, sitting a cushion away before glancing up at me.
“You gonna tell me what this is all about?” I tilt my head.
He pulls in a breath, lips tight as he runs a hand through his thick, black waves. “I-I’m not sure how to tell you this,” he admits, letting out a long sigh.
“Tell me what?” I ask, confused and then I remember. “If you’re worried about the portal in your bedroom, I already know about it.”
Ascot’s face clears, his eyes widen. “You know about that?”
“Well, yeah,” I clear my throat. “I, uh, I can sense things.”
His lips twist slightly. “I knew there was something special about you.”
“I’m not sure I’d call being psychic a special thing,” my brows go up. “But, I can see, hear and speak with spirits, if that’s what you mean.”
He slowly nods. “It makes sense, that’s for sure,” he scratches the back of his neck, “but, I didn’t come here to talk to you about that,” he reaches for the glass closest to him.
“Okay,” I watch him take a drink. “What do you want to talk about?”
He sets the glass back down and rubs his jawline. “I-I, shit,” he whispers, getting to his feet. “This won’t be easy, Elise,” he begins to pace back and forth, his expression becoming more serious. “I’m pretty sure you’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you.”
“You do realize those are the words I usually tell people, right?” I smirk and he stops, his eyes meet mine, frustration crossing his face.
“I’m serious, Elise.”
My brows go up, “So am I.”
He shakes his head and sits back down. “The water leak,” he glances down the hall toward my bedroom. “It wasn’t just a leak,” he whispers, looking back at me. “I mean, it was, but…”
“But what?” I lean forward. “Just spit it out, Ascot.”
He pulls in a breath. “Are you familiar with Greek Mythology?”
Huh?
“Yeah, a little I guess,” I shake my head, confused. “You mean like Zeus and Medusa, Greek Mythology?”
“Mm hum,” he nods, “that’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with the water leak?”
“You’ve probably heard of Poseidon, too?” he asks, ignoring my question.
“Poseidon?”
“Yes,” Ascot nods. “The God of the sea.”
“I’m confused,” I admit, squinting my eyes. “Just tell me already.”
“He’s my uncle.”
“Who?”
“Poseidon.”
“You came here to tell me your family members have Greek names?”
He laughs, but not in a funny way. “No,” he runs a hand through his hair again. “Okay, I’m just going to come right out and say it.”
“I really wish you would,” I admit, more confused than ever.
His eyes lock with mine again. “Apollo is my father,” he blurts out. “You might already know who he is, he’s the son of Zeus.”
“You’re screwing with me, aren’t you?” I smile.
His expression becomes almost angry and I swallow. The look on his face, I know it well because I’ve felt what he’s feeling.
“Wait a second, you’re serious,” I whisper.
He slowly nods. “Dead serious.”
“S-So, does that make you some kind of God?”
His lips tighten. “Kind of, I’m a demigod,” he explains. “My mother, Koronis, was mortal.”
This can’t be real.
“I know what you must be thinking, Elise,” he leans in, “but you of all people have to believe me.”
I shake my head. “Why are you telling me this?”
He sighs. “I’ll get to that, but…”
Okay, I’ll play along.
“Do you have powers? I interrupt, suddenly fascinated.
“Yes, in medicine,” he clarifies, “I’m a healer.”
“Oh wait, yes, you’re a doctor.” I whisper, working it out in my head. “Is that why all those spirits are hanging around your bedroom?”
He closes his eyes and nods. “Yes, they know I can bring them back to life.”
“What the…you can?”
“If I wanted to, yes.”
“Jesus,” I look away as more questions pop in my head. He’s either bat-shit crazy or he’s actually telling me the truth. Or at least what he believes is the truth.
“Is Ascot your real name?”
“Asclepius is my proper name but I’ve always gone by Ascot.”
Yep, he believes what he’s telling me.
“Okay so hang on,” my palms go up, “you’ve got to be like, really old.” I say, wondering how he’s going to answer.
He chuckles but again, not in a funny way. “I’ve been around a while, yes,” his lips tighten. “There’s more, I’m afraid.”
Holy shit.
I swallow. “Wait, you’re basically admitting you’ve never died and there’s more?”
“Yes,” he clenches his jaw. “The water leak.”
“The God damned water leak, again? What about it?”
He closes his eyes and finally looks up at me. “Well,” he sighs heavily, “there were a few drops of my uncle’s water in it.”
“Your uncle?”
“Poseidon.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right,” my eyes go wide. “Wait, is that why my foot healed so quickly?” I ask, realizing I’m starting to believe him. Really believe him.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Well, I’m not, it was a pretty nasty cut.”
“Elise, no…you’re not understanding me.”
“Ascot, the water has healing powers, I get it…”
“No, you don’t,” he interrupts. “This is the reason I had to come tonight,” he takes both of my hands in his, warm and comforting. “My uncle is a full-blooded god and ten times more powerful than even me,” he admits, giving me a nervous smile. “When you stepped in the water it not only healed you,” he swallows, “it…”
“What, it made me part fish?” I smirk, but his expression remains dead serious.
He squeezes my hands hard as if to get my full attention and his green eyes fix on mine. “No, Elise,” he blinks several times and swallows again. “It made you immortal.”
I laugh, pulling my hands away.
“Elise…”
“You have a sick sense of humor, Ascot.”