Goddess by Josephine Angelini

it, dumbstruck, as a red-gold web of light illuminated Hector from the inside out. It was the most enchanting thing Helen had ever seen.
    “Stay away from me, Hector ,” Andy snarled, almost like she was mocking him. “Got it?”
    The brightness of Hector’s light faltered. Helen looked up at Hector’s face.
    The Hector Helen knew—and usually wanted to punch in the kidney—would have said something hilarious as he left the room, grinning at Andy in a way that would make her unsure if she wanted to kick him or kiss him. But this new, glowing Hector only nodded at Andy’s demand. He took one more moment to stare at the cuts and dark bruises on her battered face, his forehead pinching with sadness. He turned to leave the kitchen without another word.
    As Hector got to the door, Orion and Lucas were just coming through it. Helen saw Orion’s gaze immediately dart down to Hector’s chest, then back up to Hector’s face, his eyes wide with shock.
    “We heard yelling,” Orion said, confused.
    Hector pushed past Orion and Lucas. Searching the kitchen, Orion quickly found Andy, who was still glaring daggers at Hector’s back. Andy’s chest was a glowering nest of fear and anger. Helen saw Orion’s expression fall, and she knew he understood the situation as clearly as she did.
    “Hey, sunshine! What’s the matter with you?” Lucas yelled at Hector’s retreating figure. The only answer from his cousin was the slam of the front door. Lucas looked around at everyone else for an answer.
    “I’ll tell you later,” Orion said quietly to Lucas, his voice strained with worry. Helen knew Lucas was just about to say something impatient like, “No, tell me now,” so she jumped in.
    “Guys. This is Andy,” Helen said.
    Lucas and Orion smiled at Andy and introduced themselves. Andy subtly looked back and forth between the two breathtaking young men—uncertain as to whom she wanted to stare at more. Helen laughed, sympathizing completely with Andy’s predicament—Lucas’s eyes or Orion’s lips? She had trouble deciding that one herself. Helen clapped a hand over her mouth but not before she actually snorted. The odd outburst earned her a couple of wary looks.
    It occurred to Helen that all of the emotions she was so tuned in to were not apparent to anyone else—except Orion. Glancing over, she saw him studying her carefully, and her fear returned. She mouthed the words, “We need to talk.” Orion nodded once in response.
    “Breakfast is getting cold,” Noel said firmly.
    “Maybe this is a bad idea,” Andy said, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t be here.”
    “Can your family protect you?” Lucas asked directly.
    Andy looked down at her feet. “No,” she replied. “I don’t have family like you do. I’ve got a lawyer and a bank account. Sirens aren’t exactly the nurturing type.”
    “Then you’re staying here with us. Now sit down and eat,” Noel said in the kind of tone that ends discussions.
    Everyone scooted onto the bench or pulled up chairs and started passing around plates. Helen found herself between Orion and Lucas, but it wasn’t awkward or embarrassing. It felt right, like they all belonged here at this table together.
    Helen realized that the three of them were tied to each other by more than just mutual respect and attraction. She, Lucas, and Orion were blood brothers now, and each of them felt the bond to the other as deeply as if it had been there from the day they were born.
    Helen felt Lucas press his leg against hers under the table. She didn’t dare look at him as she felt the heat of his thigh seep through her jeans and into her skin. She pressed back against his thigh and felt him inch a tiny bit closer to her as he ate.
    Right or wrong, Helen knew she would always look for a way to touch Lucas under the table, or brush up against him as she passed him in the hall. She wasn’t getting over him. In fact, she wanted Lucas even more now than she did weeks ago when she almost