Mystic Storm - Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers

MYSTIC STORM
CASEY WYATT
SOUL MATE PUBLISHING
New York
MYSTIC STORM
Copyright©2013
CASEY WYATT
Cover Design by Rae Monet, Inc.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places,
and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination
or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events,
business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead,
is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
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Published in the United States of America by
Soul Mate Publishing
P.O. Box 24
Macedon, New York, 14502
ISBN-13: 978-1-61935-231-5
www.SoulMatePublishing.com
The publisher does not have any control over and does not
assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites
or their content.
For Scar.
I love you, baby!
Acknowledgements
Once again, many heartfelt thanks to my awesome friends
Lisa S. and Lisa G. They pull no punches and cut me no
breaks, then happily read my stuff, no matter how messy.
Jamie, Jane, and Katy – thank you for listening to me whine
for close to a year while I tried to capture Zephyr’s story and
do him the justice he deserves.
Much thanks to Debby Gilbert for, once again, loving the
world and characters I’ve created. Thank you, Rae Monet for
your amazing cover art.
To my sons and husband – thanks for not minding take-out
and half growled conversations while I’m in the writer’s
cave.
Chapter 1
“Gods, I hate mortals right now.” Zephyr leaned against
the pool table and lined up his shot. As soon as he bent over,
several men at the adjacent bar elbowed each other out of the
way to watch him.
Cursed female garments. The V-necked top dipped
down, exposing his ample cleavage. As a male, he’d never
had to worry about flashing boobs before. Scowling, he
shifted direction. Better angle to sink the ball. The men could
stare at his ass instead.
“Well, your tits do look hot in that top.” Langston
chuckled. “I know I’m enjoying watching you squirm.”
The bastard would think it was funny.
“Just shoot me.” He was God of the West Wind. Not
a female. Not an object of male desire. Yet, the Fates had
damned him, ensuring his feminine form reeked of sex
appeal. Bitches.
“What? And miss all the jokes at your expense. I don’t
think so, buddy. Hey, there are worst things than being cursed
by the Fates.”
“Oh really, name one,” he spat out.
“Well, let’s see.” Langston tapped his fingers against his
lips, then shrugged. “You know what? You’re right. I can’t
think of anything worse.” After a deep belly laugh, Langston
patted Zephyr’s womanly hand. “Come on. Lighten up. It
won’t last forever.”
Zephyr tightened his grip on the pool cue, ready to
whack his friend. He shifted his elbow and re-adjusted his
aim. Hitting the guy wouldn’t solve his problem. Langston
hadn’t created the situation. Zephyr had done that all by
himself.
How did women stand it? All the male ogling. He let
out a slow sigh. That was the point of the punishment, wasn’t
it? To learn a lesson.
Zephyr knocked the cue ball, banking the shot. And
missed. He sucked at pool now without his wind powers.
The Fates had taken those, too. “How many more minutes
until sundown?”
“A minute sooner since the last time you asked me.”
Langston switched places with him. “Three ball in the side
pocket.” The ball glided into the named destination with a
triumphant thud.
Irritated, he crossed his arms over his chest, shifting
his ample breasts. A greasy mortal sidled up to him. One
venomous glare and the man slunk to the bar.
“Four ball, side pocket.” Langston scored again.
“Stop calling the shots, it’s annoying me.”
“Fine, Miss Pissy Pants. I know how much you hate to
lose. Why are we here, if you don’t like the atmosphere?”
“So the Fates know I’m learning my lesson.” Zephyr
leaned against the wall. The mortal men around him
collectively watched him move. They all saw a tall blonde
with stunning cleavage and sexy curves.
He wanted to smack them all in the head. In ancient
times, he would have been well within his rights to punish
them for their impudence by removing their eyes. He released
a soft sigh. No. Those days were over. Blinding mortals
would not help his case with the Fates. Not to mention, he
wasn’t a bloodthirsty elemental god anymore.
“How on earth could the Fates know that?” Another
ball thunked into the side pocket. At this rate the game would
be over in a few minutes. “Surely, they have better things to
do.”
“One of them is here. It seems I’m their new favorite
project.”
“Where?” Langston swiveled around, ruining his aim.
The ball missed. Finally.
“Are you blind? How many ladies knit in a bar?”
Zephyr pushed away from the wall, cue stick pointed to a
table in the corner.
Clotho, the Fate who spun the thread of life, sat hunched
over a pile of yarn. She appeared to be working out a tangle.
The knotted jumble had all her attention. So much so she
failed to notice when a knitting needle rolled off the table
and onto the wooden beer-stained floor. Even to a goddess’s
ears, the actual clink would have been muffled by the angry
rock music blended with the blare of the TV over the bar.
Who would’ve thought she’d get her yarn snarled?
Zephyr hoped it was only a sock she was knitting and not
some poor mortal’s fate all in a bunch. He returned his
attention to the pool table, ignoring Langston’s knowing
smirk. The shit expected him to miss again. After taking
careful aim, he pulled back his arm, ready to strike the ball.
“Hey, sweet cheeks, how about you let me buy you a
drink?” A callused hand groped the curve of his ass.
Zephyr straightened, temper barely in check. Bad idea
to knuckle bust the drunken fool in front a Fate. “How about
you remove your hand and I won’t break it.”
“I’ve seen the way you’ve been eyeing me.” The man
slurred the last part. Alcoholic vapors rose off him like a
toxic perfume. It seemed early for the man to be so drunk
already. His friends stood behind him. The tension in the
room ratcheted a notch higher as the jackals waited to see
how the shit would play out.
Idiots. “You’re mistaken. Now take a hike.” Zephyr
skirted around the mortal. His skin tingled. With sundown
minutes away, the change would be on him. The last thing
he needed was the entire room witnessing his transformation
from female to male.
“I don’t think so, honey.” The mortal lunged toward
Zephyr, grabbing his arms.
“Bring her over here, Josh!” one of the fools yelled.
Langston moved to intercept, only to be blocked by
Josh’s friends.
Zephyr all but rolled his eyes. Pathetic. With whirlwind
speed, he twisted Josh’s arm, then shoved the man into his
cronies. They collapsed like bowling pins into a mishmash
of arms and legs.
“Well, that was fun,” Langston said, offering him the
pool stick. His eyes widened. “Look out!”
Glass shattered. Sharp pain stabbed Zephyr’s skull. He
dropped to his knees, clutching the back of his head. Who the
fuck had hit him? Warm blood seeped through his fingers.
Langston punched the nearest mortal, and the bar
erupted into a melee.
Power rippled over Zephyr’s skin.
Sundown. He ducked under the pool table, his head
throbbing from the effort. Golden light bathed his skin as
his female façade melted away. From his vantage point, feet
danced and shuffled. Punches flew, followed by colorful
swears. Beer bottles clanked to the ground. A body slammed
onto the table above him.
Gods be thanked. With all the mayhem, no one would
have noticed his sudden gender change. He rolled out from
under the table, happy to be in his own body again. He
glanced over at Clotho. She gave him a finger wave, then
blinked out of sight.
Zeus’ balls. He’d worry about what she’d seen later.
A fist headed toward his face. He blocked it, then
gripped his attacker’s hand. Josh, the asshole who started the
brawl, whimpered, “Don’t hurt me.”
“I should bust your head, dumbass.” With a swift blow,
Zephyr knocked the fool mortal unconscious.
Langston zoomed by. “Thanks for joining me. I thought
I’d have to defeat them all by my lonesome.”
“What? You can’t handle a bunch of drunken humans?”
Zephyr clouted another man’s skull, taking him down. All
the idiots would have headaches when they awoke, but none
would be permanently damaged.
“Please. You know I could.” Langston manhandled the
last mortal standing to the ground.
The bartender came over. “Thanks. I’ve called 911.”
“That’s our cue to leave then,” said Zephyr as he slipped
the bartender a wad of cash. “For the damages.”
“Excuse me?” A low, sultry voice tugged at Zephyr like
the moon’s tide. He turned.
All speech left him at the sight of the resplendent
woman standing before them. Long ringlets of copper hair
framed her delicate face. Pale eyes, like blue sea-glass,
stared at him. His gaze automatically fixed on her luscious
pink lips . . .
“I’m looking for Zephyr. I was told he was here.”
And he wanted to do whatever she asked of him. He
blinked a few times, shaking off the spell the stranger had
woven over him. What was it with this woman? The tone
of her whiskey smooth voice enthralled him. He couldn’t
tell what kind of goddess she was. Not without more close,
personal contact. “I’m him. How can I—”
Her fist smashed into his jaw. Pain, along with a million
jolts of electricity raced to his groin. Damn, that felt good.
“Where’s Niko? You son of a bitch!”
Kalli nursed her throbbing knuckles, shifting the ice
bag into a better position. She wasn’t sorry for hitting him.
The smug asshole. Everyone in the god world knew Zephyr’s
reputation. The womanizing man-whore.
“How’s your hand?” Zephyr crouched beside her
chair, brows furrowed in concern. For someone who’d
been punched in the jaw, he seemed unperturbed. Probably
happened to him all the time given his legendary list of
lovers.
“It’s fine. Thank you very much,” she ground out. Her
thumb throbbed as her body healed. Pins and needles stabbed
the bone as it knitted together. Served her right for losing her
temper. A bit of remorse surfaced before she squashed it.
Mortal police officers scurried past, leading shackled
men out of the establishment. They ignored them after
Zephyr pulled some Jedi Master mojo on the humans.
“Next time you hit someone make sure you keep your
thumb outside of your fist. That way you won’t risk breaking
a bone.” Zephyr smiled, revealing perfect white teeth.
Up close, she could see his silvery irises. Pale like
moonlight, she tried not be captivated by his stunning good
looks. Not that she was attracted to him. No, sir. She did
not notice the tight and corded muscles in his arms or the
sculpted lines of his pecs under his form-fitting T-shirt. Nope.
Beauty was so common among gods and goddesses it
was almost boring. That was why she wasn’t the least bit
interested in touching the fine, blond hair draping over his
broad shoulders.
Not. Attracted. In. The. Least. Womanizing asshole, she
reminded herself. Stay on topic. “Where is my brother?”
Zephyr peered over his shoulder at the equally stunning
man standing behind him. The male’s black hair and impish
smile reminded her of her missing brother. Even though
neither of them spoke, a silent communication seemed to
pass between them before Zephyr responded. “Last I knew
he was baking pastries in my kitchen.”
Well, that was a relief. At least Niko wasn’t causing
trouble at his new job. Maybe she’d overreacted. Who could
blame her after years of bailing her baby brother out of
misadventures? Anger drained away, replaced by exhaustion.
The dark-haired demigod nodded. “I’ll find him.” In a
flash, he zipped away.
“Son of Hermes?” she asked, easing her aching thumb
out from under the ice. Another wave of tiredness washed
over her. The room did a flip-flop. Days with no rest would
do that to anyone, even a goddess.
Zephyr ignored her question. “Do you normally hit
people first, then ask questions?”
“Not usually. Only those who deserve it.” And after
days driving in the car, following Niko’s trail from job to
job, she’d just about lost it when she received a note stating
Niko was in trouble and Zephyr was to blame. At least she
thought that’s what the note said. Funny, the harder she tried
to remember the fuzzier the details became. Where was the
note?
She patted her pocket. No crinkle of paper. She slipped
two fingers inside, fished, and came up empty. Where’d it
go? What had she been so angry for anyway? And why all the
uncharitable thoughts about Zephyr? That wasn’t normally
like her. Gods, she felt like a total fool.
“And I deserved it? Call me old-fashioned, heck, just
call me old, but I’d at least like to know the name of my
assailant.” He stared at her expectantly. A whimsical smile
brightened his eyes. Damn. He was gorgeous.
Charming, charmer. Watch out. Kalli’s shoulders
slumped, too tired to continue the verbal sparring. “You’re
right. Let’s start over.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Kalliope
Parthenos.”
When he clasped her palm, her power surged to life,
gathering intelligence about him. She stifled it, heat suffusing
her cheeks. How embarrassing to lose control. Interesting,
though, she hit a wall. He gave no signature at all. Odd. All
gods, even the ancient elementals like him, should emit some
kind of energy. Unless he’d learned to completely mask it.
Thankfully, Zephyr didn’t seem to notice her intrusion
or, if he did, he was too polite to mention it. A strong breeze
blew her curly locks into her eyes, blinding her for a moment.
The Son of Hermes had returned. “He’s not at the inn.
No one’s seen Niko since yesterday morning.”
Zephyr stood. “What? And no one noticed until now?
Who the hell cooked this morning’s pastries?”
“Dunno.” The Son of Hermes bounced on the balls of
his feet, like he couldn’t stand still for long. “Come to think
of it, this morning’s muffins were a bit dense.”
Dread settled into Kalli’s belly. Forget the note. Her
intuition had been right. Something was wrong. “Maybe he
took a vacation day?” She refused to believe Niko was in
trouble. Again.
“Nope. He wasn’t scheduled for time off.” The demigod
pushed his way in front of Zephyr, forcing him to move or be
bowled over. He stuck out his hand. “I’m Mercer Langston.
But call me Langston. Everyone does. You’ll have to forgive
Zephyr’s abysmal manners. He is so clearly smitten by your
immense beauty, he forgot to introduce us.”
“Well, she hit me first. So I call dibs.” Zephyr gave his
friend a broad smile.
Kalli guessed they tweaked each other all the time.
Wait, did he say dibs? She ignored the comment and
shook Langston’s proffered hand. Again, her power kicked
on, unbidden, analyzing the demigod. Yup, Son of Hermes,
all right. His power raced through her palms and down to her
toes. Drat. She’d done it again.
Langston cocked an eyebrow at her not-so-subtle
assessment. A playful smile danced in his eyes. “I understand.
I’m irresistible.”
Zephyr shot his friend a dark look, all traces of his
earlier levity, evaporated.
“Right. Another time. Another place.” Langston quickly
added, “Don’t worry about Niko. He’s sure to surface. He’s a
young lad. Maybe he met a girl or overslept.”
“Or maybe he’s hurt in a ditch somewhere. Or dead,
his neck slit by some angry Satyr he’s pissed off. You have
no idea how infuriating Niko can be.” Panic rose, squeezing
her throat tight. She hated not knowing his whereabouts, not
being able to protect him. Even though he wasn’t a baby
anymore, he was still her little brother and he needed her.
She felt it in her bones. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left
the safety of her home. Or risked her own future. When her
sisters found out she’d left . . . no, best not to think about it
now.
“Hey. Let’s not assume the worst,” Zephyr soothed.
“Exactly. I’m sure none of those things have happened.
There aren’t any angry Satyrs around here. Except Devlin
Ward. He owns a pawn shop,” Langston said.
Kalli clutched her chest. Great. Niko probably owed
the dude money. Or he could be fencing stolen goods.
“No. No. You don’t understand he’s a nice guy,”
Langston qualified, hands waving.
“Langston,” Zephyr warned, stopping his friend’s
mouth. “Stop being so helpful.”
Langston blew out a breath and muttered, “You know
what? I’ll go check some more.” With another blast of
displaced air, he vanished.
Kalli pressed a palm against her racing heart. After a
few deep breaths, calmness returned.
Zephyr eyeballed her. He probably thought she was out
of her mind. After all Niko was a grown man. Maybe her
sisters were right. She should stop hovering over him and
leave him to his own fate.
“Where did you say you traveled from?”
“I didn’t say. But since you asked, I live on Parnassus
Island.” A dull headache throbbed behind her eyes. In her
haste to reach Niko, she’d neglected to see to her own needs.
Like sleep, food, water.
Zephyr’s golden brows rose in surprise. “You’re a
Muse.”
“Got it in one. I’m the Epic Muse.” And the Muse of
Eloquence. With her voice, she could make any mortal or
weak-minded immortal do her bidding. A power she seldom
used anymore since it made her uncomfortable to take away
the will of another being.
“Wow, you ladies are still around.” He eyed her warily,
like she was there to extract all of his deepest, darkest secrets.
Typical reaction.
Of course, maybe she was being overly sensitive. It was
natural for many immortals to be uncomfortable around her.
A muse was perceived as the equivalent of a tabloid reporter,
ready to expose their deeds and use them against them. Not
that she ever did that anymore.
Once upon a time, the ancient gods interacted freely
with mortals. When their paths crossed, then the gods’
exploits were recorded as part of legend. Those days were
long gone and she only cared about mortal deeds. Or she
used to. Tedium, and her sisters’ tiresome demands, had
almost completely soured her on the job.
Zephyr cleared his throat, returning her attention to
the present. Gods. Where were her manners? She was being
rude.
“Yes, although we prefer to observe from a distance
now.” Thanks to a decision to stay sequestered on the island,
she didn’t venture regularly into the human world much
anymore. Like a voyeur, she watched far removed from the
action. She mostly observed the rule. Except when it came
to Niko. Then all bets were off. Since her sisters had long
since tired of his troublesome ways, she was the only one
willing to aid him. After his last big mess, they’d issued an
ultimatum.
“When my sisters find out I’ve left to find Niko, I’ll be
banished.”
“Banishment?” Zephyr repeated. “Damn. Seems a bit
harsh.”
“The other eight Muses believe that mankind has
progressed to the point where they don’t need our direct
inspiration anymore.” Kalli was surprised at the bitterness
in her voice. She and her sisters co-existed on their island
each, essentially, leaving the others alone to handle their
respective duties to arts and humanities.
“Instead, we own a multi-national shadow conglomerate
that administers many smaller organizations and corporations
devoted to the various arts. Magazines. Social media sites.
Record labels. Movie production companies. You name it.
We probably have a stake in it.” No wonder mortals were so
shallow and celebrity obsessed. And they were right there to
help them along. Kind of sickening when she thought about
it.
“I’m not following why you have to stay on Parnassus
Island.” Zephyr held the bar’s door open, motioning for her
to step outside. “If anything, it sounds like you’d have more
time to spend on other pursuits.”
The sultry night air, thick with humidity, clung to her
skin and hair. “It’s hard to explain to outsiders,” she hedged.
“But they all have their reasons to disdain contact with
mortals.” Fear would be a more apt description, but he didn’t
need to know the details. Those stories weren’t hers to share.
“Let me guess, if I may?” When she nodded, he
continued. “With the advent of modern warfare, you’ve
witnessed the carnage men can reap.”
“Yes.” He didn’t know the half of it. It had sickened
her and she vowed to stay away. Her oldest sister, Clio, had
pounced on her weakened resolve and as a group the Muses
made a fateful choice. “We have one hard fast rule: stay
away from modern civilization.”
“Said with a touch of regret. I take it, you don’t agree?”
He angled his head, catching her eye. The sincerity in his
tone gave her pause. It had been so long since she’d spoken
in person to anyone but her sisters.
She looked around before speaking, then caught
herself. It wasn’t like anyone was near enough to overhear
them. “No, I guess I don’t agree. I did at first, but now .
. . not so much.” She didn’t go so far as to voice her true
opinion—their attitudes were narrow-minded and irrational.
“Sure mortals have enough power to destroy their own race.
And yes, unlike other gods, we don’t have phenomenal
cosmic power, but that’s no reason to remain cloistered on
the island.” Like scared ninnies.
“I can’t imagine being confined to one place.” A tiny
shudder shook his shoulders.
“No, I don’t think it would suit you at all. Not when you
can take to the skies and fly.” Her voice trailed off wistfully.
To be free to roam. Gods, she missed interacting in the real
world.
They slowly walked over the gravel path and headed
toward a row of parked cars. The ground seemed to sway
under her feet. “Listen, I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to
keep looking for Niko.”
“Not without some rest first. You can barely stand.
I insist you allow me to help you. In fact, you will be my
guest. I have a bed—”
“Whoa there, buddy.” Kalli raised her hand, bristling
at the suggestion. “If you think I’m going to sleep with you
for your assistance, you’re out of your mind.” Even though
the pure female part of her brain considered it, she was in
control of her carnal side.
Zephyr’s face tightened. “Hold on. I know I have a
reputation for bedding many women, but they come to me
willingly. I don’t take advantage of females in distress. I
own the Gallup Inn. It’s not far from here. I’m offering you
Sanctuary.”
Oh crap. She was a total idiot.
Thank Hera the parking lot was dimly lit. Embarrassment
scorched her cheeks. Sanctuary was a serious offer to extend
to a total stranger. It meant he wouldn’t allow anyone to
harm her while under his roof. He was bound to protect her,
no matter if she had good or ill intentions. Since she had no
idea what Niko had gotten into this time, she could use a god
of his stature for protection.
“I am very sorry to have offended you with my
ignorance, God of the West Wind.” She bowed her head in
repentance. She needed help finding her brother and this
male was his last known employer, and by all rights, her
brother’s benefactor. “I gratefully accept your offer.”
“Good. I’ll take you there now. Before you collapse.”
She opened her mouth to argue, except she was dead
tired. Crashing the car and possibly hurting innocent mortals
would not do. “Thank you. Which one is yours?”
He pointed to the last vehicle at the farthest end of the
lot.
Oh. Hades. “The motorcycle?”
“Yup. A Harley. I hope you’re not too tired to hang on.”
He pulled a phone out of his pocket and then held out his
hand. “Your keys, please. I’ll have one of my staff members
come retrieve your car and belongings.”
She rubbed the base of her neck. “Yeah, about that. I
kind of don’t have any clothes or anything. I left in a rush.
All I have is one backpack.” At least she’d taken the five
minutes to bring her data pad, some toiletries, and a change
of clothes. Even though they weren’t supposed to leave the
island, she always had an emergency bag packed. Old habits
die hard.
Zephyr cocked an eyebrow. “Why the rush?”
Kalli checked her pockets again. “I received this note. It
said Niko was in trouble. I don’t why, but I left immediately.”
And drove on and on without a single, rationale thought until
she crossed the border of Stonington, Connecticut. Hearing
her own explanation gave her pause. Gods, she sounded
insane, running off without a word to anyone. Without any
preparation or forethought. She rubbed her tired eyelids.
“Except, I can’t find the note.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Zephyr straddled the bike, then
patted the seat, holding out a helmet. “How about you get a
good night’s sleep? Then we’ll figure out what’s going on.”
She eyed the bike. Excitement fluttered in her belly.
While she’d observed mortals using the contraptions, she’d
never ridden one before. It looked like fun. “Does it go fast?”
The engine came to life with a roar. “Like the wind,” he
said. His broad smile accentuated his fine features. This was
a male who could make a female swoon with a single glance.
Danger, danger, danger. Her heart raced at idea of riding
him. With him. To ride the bike. Not him.
Yeah, who was lying now?
Zephyr needed a head examination, stat. Never in his
long memory did he ever recall sporting wood after being
struck in the face by a woman. Not that he’d been hit very
often by an angry female. Still, he hissed in pain, mounting
the bike. His cock, stiff as a pole, dug painfully into his
zipper. The arousal hadn’t lessened a bit since the moment
he laid eyes on Kalli.
A Muse no less. Since no one ever saw them, he’d
believed, like everyone else in the god community that they
had left or faded away. And did she have another agenda?
Maybe she was really there to get the scoop on him. He
hoped not. No one, except the Fates and Langston knew
about his punishment. If the rest of the gods found out, he’d
never live it down.
A cold brick of fear landed in his gut. He had other
major secrets, including the tattoo hidden on his body. If she
found out about it he’d have to—
He killed the thought. He couldn’t think about such a
drastic measure. He needed to wait and determine her true
intentions.
The bike dipped as she climbed on behind him, the
heat of her thighs pressing against his butt and hips. Yeah,
and that wasn’t helping with the wood situation. He reached
around and handed her a helmet.
“Safety first?” she asked, eyebrow arched.
“Of course. But, these are miked so we can talk if you’d
like.” He strapped on his own gear and fired up the bike.
“Ready?”
She gripped him hard around the waist, pinching his
ribs. “YES!”
“No need to shout. I can hear you fine,” he said, steering
them across the bumpy gravel parking lot.
“Sorry. How far of a drive is it?”
She yawned, the sound a pleasant purr in his ear. Poor
gal. Even goddesses needed to rest once in a while. “About
fifteen minutes. Can you make it?”
“Umm hmmm,” she mumbled, drowsiness seemingly
taking a fast hold.
Crap. The last thing he needed was for her to fall off the
bike. Maybe if he kept her talking she’d stay awake longer.
“Niko never mentioned he had sisters.” Or that they were
Muses.
“I’m not surprised. He’s always been low key.”
“I imagine it must have been hard being the only male
amongst an island of women.” And all of them older sisters.
He shuddered internally at the idea of nine women bossing
him around . . .
She laughed with a low throatiness that tugged at his
groin. “There are males on the island. We do have staff. I
think you have us confused with Amazons.”
“So, you’re not a bunch of man hating,” he almost said
bitches, “females?”
“No! We do have social lives. Mostly through the
Internet. As you can imagine, very few males want to live
exclusively on Parnassus.”
And he could understand why. Just thinking about being
trapped made his skin crawl. Shrugging the claustrophobic
thoughts away, he veered on to Route 1. Traffic was light
now that the sun had set. Only locals around, all the tourists
either left for the day or were snug in their hotel rooms.
“So tell me about your hotel.” Kalli adjusted her grip
around his waist. His ribs thanked her.
“The inn is a full-service establishment. The spa is
one of the major attractions. But we also have a first-class
restaurant and five-star accommodations.”
“And a great pastry chef,” she added with a touch of
pride in her voice. “Oh this is lovely.”
They cruised on to Stonington Point. Zephyr couldn’t
help but feel pleasure for the community he’d called home
for the last two centuries. “Yes. It’s even more beautiful in
the light. There are a lot of historic homes here. And a great
view of the ocean.”
“Will you show me around?”
Yes, was on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped short.
What was he thinking? He couldn’t be with her in the
daytime. He cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, I’m away
during the day. But my sister, Aurora, would be happy to
take you on a tour.”
“You have a sister?”
The shock in her voice made him smile. Shame quickly
melted the smile into a frown. He’d spent months lying
to everyone about his “condition” and now, with a total
stranger, it bothered him. He tamped the annoying sentiment
down. “Yes. She’s offered to help me out while I attend to
other matters.”
“How intriguing? Who knew the mighty Gods of Wind
had a sister?”
Funny, none of his brothers knew either. And they sure
as shit wouldn’t find out from him. He would never hear
the end of it. They would tear into him for centuries if they
found out he’d been cursed to female form.
He could tell by her introspective tone, she was
probably cataloguing the information for later. Hades,
what had he been thinking? Having a Muse around was
the last thing he needed. Even if she wasn’t there to record
his trials, nevertheless, she’d be a curious pain in the ass.
Time to change the subject. “Do you always bail Niko out
of trouble?”
Her arms stiffened, compressing his ribcage. “My
brother is a good boy. And somehow trouble always finds
him.”
Zephyr stifled a chuckle. He could tell by the wellrehearsed response that Kalli spent plenty of time excusing
her brother’s actions. For her sake, he hoped Niko was holed
up with a female somewhere and not dead in a ditch. “Oh
look, here we are.”
He turned into the inn’s driveway and parked in his
private garage. On the outside, it looked like a single car
garage. The inside was a whole different story. Space was
at a premium on the narrow point, so he’d hired a dwarf to
create underground storage for his vehicles. It came in handy
and was worth the investment. At the time he’d acquired the
property, he had no idea that someday he’d need room for
more than horses.
Kalli climbed off the bike. “Wow, this place is huge.
And look at all these cars. Color me impressed. Someone
has deep pockets.”
After stashing the helmets, he escorted her to the
underground access tunnel. “Don’t we all?”
“True. Immortals have nothing but time and money.”
Regret tinged her voice.
“Come on, let’s settle you in a room,” he said, punching
in the door’s security code. They entered the hotel’s main
lobby and, after a brief conversation with the night shift
concierge, he guided her to one of the VIP guest suites. The
entire floor was devoted to immortals, inaccessible by the
human guests and staff.
Long ago, Zephyr had arranged a deal with a local
brownie clan. They maintained all the rooms and attended
the immortals confidentially. In return, he allowed them
unfettered access to acres of undeveloped forests and
grasslands he owned throughout the region.
“This is lovely, Zephyr,” Kalli said when he unlocked
the door to her rooms. He’d given her one of the multi-room
suites, comprised of a living room, spacious bathroom, and
a bedroom.
“And it’s all yours for as long as you want.” He handed
her the access card as he directed her to the bedroom. “Try
not to lose this. The head brownie gets ornery when he has
to replace them.”
“Ah, enchanted then?” She kicked off her shoes, then
perched on the edge of the mattress. The pale white décor
enhanced the penny color of her hair. When she yawned
and stretched, thrusting her breasts outward, he imagined
the copper ringlets splayed across the sheets while she lay
naked underneath him. His throat constricted. Gods, she was
beautiful.
And under his protection. And she, sure as Hades,
didn’t deserve a cursed male like him. Who would want a
half-man, half-woman as a mate?
Mate? Where had that come from? If he could have
punched himself in the nuts, right then and there, he would
have.
He swallowed hard. Averting his eyes, he said, “Indeed.
If you need anything, ring the bell. Or use the phone. Aurora
will check on you in the morning. Good night.” Before she
could speak, he left the room and bolted to the elevator.
When the shiny doors clapped shut, he leaned against
the cool wall and breathed out a ragged sigh. He’d better get
a grip on his hormones. Tomorrow morning Aurora couldn’t
act like a horny teenage male. Even if his brain had gotten
the message, his body could care less. The erection was
painfully in full force.
Looked like he had a date with his right hand and a cold
shower.
Kalli hated to fool him by feigning sleep. Zephyr had
offered her Sanctuary in good faith. She hadn’t been there
five minutes and she was about to deceive him. Not that she
had a choice. She needed to find Niko. And even though she
was dog tired, she had no intention of slumbering. Not until
she’d found her brother’s rooms or apartment. He had to live
nearby.
Thanks to Zephyr’s efficient staff, her pathetic excuse
for luggage, her single bag, was already waiting by her
bedside. She rummaged inside for her computer tablet or, as
she called it, the Musepad. The device, neatly tucked inside
a spare pair of sneakers, would look like nothing more than
a scroll to mortal eyes.
With a flick of the wrist, she unfurled the pad and spoke
the activating word. It shimmered, then solidified into a thin
translucent tablet. Settling against the pillows, she tapped
commands onto the display and accessed the Muses’ global
network. Of all her sisters, she was the most tech-savvy.
She’d programmed various, untraceable backdoors into the
database. So even if her sisters were searching for her, they
wouldn’t be able to track her location.
After securing the link, she sought a way into the inn’s
database to search for Niko’s employment record. She hoped
the inn didn’t use paper files. Or worse, that their network
security was more sophisticated than she could handle.
“Please work,” she said, issuing the hack command.
A giant red X popped onto the screen, along with a fingerwagging image of Langston. “Damn it.”
She tried every trick she knew to break into the inn’s
network. Whoever had programmed it was a master, his or
her skills superior to hers. Frustrated, Kalli deactivated the
Musepad, reverted it to a scroll, then returned the device to
her bag.
Fatigue washed over her. Hera, she wanted to close
her eyes and sleep, but she couldn’t do it. Worry for Niko
trumped any physical need.
“Where are you, little brother?” She checked her cell
for the hundredth time. Lurching off the bed, she slipped
her shoes on, prepared to search on foot, street by street if
necessary. Then an idea struck her.
“Of course! How could I miss something so obvious?”
She grabbed her key card and exited her room. Manned by
mortals, the front desk would be able to assist her. If not,
she could persuade them. She stopped dead in her tracks and
leaned heavily against the wall. What was she thinking? The
end justified the means?
A bitter taste filled her mouth. She’d sworn never to use
her power against innocents unless in dire need. There was
no proof yet that Niko was in trouble. Only her gut insisted
something was wrong. And that wasn’t good enough. Not
anymore. She closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips to
her eyelids. Ghostly screams filled her ears. Echoes from a
dark chapter in her past, when she was young and brash.
Before she’d learned to value the lives around her.
Once, when she was new to the world, like all immortals,
she believed she was superior. Mortals were playthings, no
better than dolls. With no restraint or remorse, she used her
power to influence the outcome of events. If she were feeling
mischievous, she’d whisper false rumors into a violent man’s
ear, resulting in a blood feud. Or if a benevolent mood struck,
she’d suggest an invention to nudge civilization to the next
level of development. The worst was when she’d playfully
created an opportunity for two lovers to escape. The result:
a protracted battle and, ultimately, the involvement of many
gods. She hadn’t meant to start the Trojan War or cause the
resultant deaths that followed. Those were the screams she
heard in her nightmares.
Afterward, she vowed to walk the path of good and not
interfere with mortals anymore. To watch, record, observe.
No matter how much she loved Niko, she wouldn’t meddle
with the humans.
Immortals were different story. If one of them dared to
harm Niko, she would show them no mercy.
Turned out the date with his right hand and cold shower
would have to wait. Niko’s sudden disappearance nagged at
Zephyr along with the sensation something wasn’t right.
Despite Kalli’s assertion that trouble found Niko,
nothing in his dealings led him to believe Niko was the type
to vanish without word to anyone. More importantly, he’d
come highly recommended from Nereus, the head of the
Delian League. The Old Man of the Sea loved to help lost
gods and demigods, the ones who strayed from the righteous
path and wanted to work for good.
No. Nereus wouldn’t have referred Niko lightly. And
nothing in Niko’s many months of employment even hinted
at trouble.
And Zephyr knew trouble since he wasn’t exactly
innocent either. In his youth, he’d found his fair share of it.
With the wind at his command, it was easy to make mischief
and cause havoc. Thankfully, he’d learned temperance and
wisdom with age.
Sure, he occasionally rushed headlong into situations
to aid those he cared about, but at least he didn’t toy with
humanity by blowing down houses or sinking ships. The
last time he helped saved the world, he’d been cursed. From
then on, he vowed to learn the facts before blundering into
a situation. At least now, he was dealing with a missing god,
not the fate of the earth.
On the scale of cosmic importance, this would be a
cakewalk.
All business, he turned on his laptop and after a quick
search of the hotel’s files located Niko’s residence. Like
many “new to town” employees, Niko had a room in the
inn’s annex. Zephyr pulled the spare keys out of the desk
drawer and headed toward an address adjacent to the inn.
The building stored supplies and housed an apartment.
Since Niko was a baker, he rose before the sun every day so
it was easier if he lodged nearby. Aside from creating light
fluffy pastries and fragrant breads, Zephyr didn’t know the
young demigod’s habits well. While they chatted amiably
every day, neither of them strayed beyond surface topics like
sporting events or the local buzz. Niko’s employment file
made no mention of the Muses. The only next of kin listed
was a sister. No name given, just a phone number.
If Niko had been doing anything untoward, like stealing
money or lifting supplies, then Langston would have found
out. His friend paid close attention to details, which was why
he was in charge of the inn’s financial operations. Zephyr
preferred to interact with people while Langston liked to
deal with data and information.
Humidity sucked his breath away as he stepped outside
of the inn’s air-conditioned lobby. The surf pounded against
the nearby sea wall, the ocean as restless as he felt. Even
though it was the height of tourist season, the streets were
quiet. An occasional couple would stroll by arm-in-arm.
For a moment, he envied them. Despite all the stories of his
prowess, he hadn’t experienced intimacy with a woman in a
long time, not since . . . no, he didn’t want to think about her.
Kalli’s pale eyes and dewy lips flashed into his mind.
He was tempted to dial the number in Niko’s file, if only to
hear her sensuous voice again. Which was ridiculous. She
needed her sleep. Only a total asshat would disturb her rest.
The white, clapboard-sided house loomed ahead, dark
for the night since Niko was the only employee currently in
residence.
As he drew closer, Zephyr winced at the lime-green
shutters. They practically glowed in the dark. Langston’s
choice, not his. He fished the key out of his pocket, then
stopped. The door was ajar. All senses on alert, he entered
the front hall. A narrow light beam flickered. A flashlight.
He climbed the stairs, silent as a cat, careful to avoid the
squeaky step.
Whoever had broken into his property was about to
receive some good old-fashioned New England hospitality.
At the end of his foot.
Chapter 2
Breaking and entering was much easier in theory.
On television, picking a lock was a simple as using a
credit card or asome handy metal tools. Fictional locks also
didn’t have shock spells on them.
Numbness stung her fingertips. Dull pain pulsed from
her bruised knees. She hadn’t expected to trip up the stairs
either. That had been plain clumsiness.
At least she’d remembered to bring a flashlight. Even
if the batteries were weak. The damn light kept fading in
and out. Niko’s residence, an upstairs apartment in one of
the nearby historic houses, had been easy to locate thanks to
Zephyr’s helpful staff.
Well, he had instructed them to provide her with
whatever she needed. In hindsight, he probably hadn’t meant
for them to take the order so literally. No matter. She’d take
any help she could get.
At the top of the landing, she paused to take a breath.
Thick musty odors permeated the air as if no one had been in
the house for days. The apartment was at the end of the short
hall. She stood frozen in place, intimidated by the silence.
Pain clutched her heart. If anything happened to her
brother, she’d be crushed. Kalli had loved him since the
moment their mother had deposited him at Parnassus. His
dark wavy hair and coffee brown eyes were a departure from
the rest of the Muses. The others sniffed at him. Half-breed
bastard, they’d called him.
Not to Kalli. He was her baby. She’d been ensnared
the moment Niko’s tiny baby fist clasped her curly hair and
shoved the strands in his mouth. From then on, she was
his teacher, his friend, and his guide. And when he left to
make his way in the outside world, she missed him fiercely.
Whatever trouble he was in, she had to help him. Even if it
meant spending an eternity in the mortal realm, jobless and
homeless.
“What the hell are you doing here?” an angry male
voice demanded.
Heart in her throat, she lurched into a low table, pain
jolting her bruised knee. White sparks erupted before her
eyes. She wobbled forward, collided with a lamp, and fell in
a tangle. “Damn it!” Without thinking, she flung the errant
light fixture across the room.
It didn’t strike the ground as expected.
Uh. Oh.
The light clicked on. Zephyr loomed over her, lamp in
hand. “Well, you have quite the temper. Do I really deserve
to be struck twice in the same evening?”
Heat flamed up her neck and across her face. A fire
engine couldn’t be any redder. Worse, a goose-egg-sized
bump throbbed on her forehead. She rolled upright with as
much dignity as she could muster. “Do you always scare
helpless females?”
He raised a golden eyebrow, “And do you always break
and enter private property?”
She had no comeback. Instead, she studied the fluid
grace of his motions as he righted the table. With one large,
capable hand he set the lamp down and fixed the crooked
shade.
He turned around and fixed his silver-eyed gaze on her
body. Warmth spread across her skin at his open appraisal.
“Didn’t you tell me you were tired?”
The timbre of his voice, dark and rich, sent shivers up
her spine. She understood why females would give their
bodies to him so willingly. The man oozed sexual prowess
out of his pores. No stranger to the power of an elegant voice,
she didn’t like being on the other side. She swallowed down
the butterflies fluttering her throat.
Two could play at this game.
She purred with false confidence, “I couldn’t sleep.
Apparently you couldn’t either.”
He chuckled and raked his fingers through his hair,
a pale blond waterfall of silken light and color. She bet it
would feel wonderful trailing across her naked skin.
Stop it. The man ate up woman and then spit them out
after. Kalli crossed her arms and waited for an answer.
“No. It’s kind of hard to sleep when one of my valued
employees has gone missing. I feel compelled to investigate.”
“So you haven’t heard anything new either?” She hugged
herself tighter, palms cold and clammy. Unfortunately, the
trusty gut appeared to be right. Damn it all.
Zephyr shook his head and tucked his hands into his
jean pockets. “No one has seen him since last night. The
other cooks covered for him, thinking he’d overslept.”
His somber tone unnerved her even more. Kalli squared
her shoulders. She wasn’t even close to quitting. She’d find
Niko. “Let’s look around.”
For the next hour, they combed each room. Kalli
checked everywhere: cabinets, behind the toilet, fireplace
mantle, couch cushions, even inside the cereal box. Maybe
there wasn’t anything to find.
Conversation was minimal, yet Kalli could feel
Zephyr’s gaze land on her. Whenever she tried to confirm it,
he always seemed to be looking elsewhere. No matter how
she tried to ignore him, she felt his pull from across the room
like a giant sexual magnet.
They regrouped in the compact sitting room. Kalli
made sure to steer clear of the small table. “Nothing. Not a
damn thing. I don’t get it. I was sure he’d leave me some sort
of hint.” Why would he? Maybe he wasn’t really missing
and she’d officially invaded his personal space. Besides,
how could he know in advance he’d go missing? Gods, all
the uncertainty was making her crazy.
Zephyr circled the room, pacing the tiny area like a
caged lion. “You’re a Muse. What is your power?”
The question interrupted her doubt spiral. “Observation.
I can become unseen.” She flashed out of sight for a moment
then reappeared behind him. “And I can speak eloquently.”
Zephyr, unmoved by her sudden shift across the room,
arched an eyebrow and resumed pacing. Damn him.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Invisibility and your
sultry voice aren’t going to help here.”
Kalli felt heat rush across her cheeks. He thinks I’m
sultry. She sighed loudly. No mooning. Good gravy. “Well,
my observation, other than Niko is a slob, is he didn’t leave
me any clues.” She trailed her forefinger through the gray
dust coating the heavy oak mantle.
Zephyr’s eyes brightened. “Or did he?” He knelt in
front of the fireplace, shoved the screen aside, and peered
into the firebox.
She could have kicked herself. If she hadn’t been so
swoony, she might not have missed such an obvious hiding
place. Her irritation must have been obvious.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself, darling.” He tapped the
side of his head, flashing a rogue’s grin. “Sometimes you
have to think like a guy.” His other arm reached deep into the
flue. “There’s something here.” He pulled out a lacquered
box.
Yay! She was right. A clue. Take that, stupid doubt.
“Ohmigosh! I gave that to him when he was little.”
Kalli took it from Zephyr, brushing away a layer of soot
before sitting on the lumpy loveseat. He squeezed in beside
her, the heat of his body warming her thigh. She willed her
hands not to tremble as she opened the lid.
Inside were sheets of neatly folded paper covered in
tiny lettering. Kalli frowned. She could read every known
human language, yet she couldn’t identify the script. “Do
you recognize this?”
He took the papers and sifted through them for several
prolonged minutes. “No. I think this may be in code.”
Great. Thanks, Niko. She angled the box sideways.
Round, golden poker chips fell into her lap. “Gold?” She
turned a chip over in her palm. There was no name on it.
Purple squiggles encircled the border. 1000X was stamped
in the center in matching purple ink.
Zephyr lifted the chip from her palm, his touch a
whisper on her skin. “It doesn’t look familiar. It’s not from
the mortal casinos in the area.”
“Well, instead of answers, I have more mysteries.”
Kalli stifled a yawn, resisting the urge to rest her head on his
shoulder.
“It’s late.” Zephyr gathered the papers and chips and
returned them to the box. “I’ll be out of town, but I’ll ask
Aurora to take you to a friend who might be able to help.”
Pawning me off already? She immediately regretted
the thought. Aurora could be nice. At least his sister wasn’t a
notorious heartbreaker. It would be thrilling to meet another
female who wasn’t one of her sisters.
“How about we have dinner when I return from my
trip? I’ll take you to 4N20 Blackbirds. It’s a little café two
blocks north of the inn. You can’t miss the sign.”
“The giant pie?” Only a blind person or someone who
hated sweets would have missed that scrumptious signage.
Even in her tired, addled state, she’d noticed it on the way
to the inn. “Sure. I’ll meet you then.” His close proximity
and her weariness made her want to lean against him. She
shrugged the feeling off.
Heartbreaker. He’d supposedly left a fifty mile trail
of conquests. If one believed the worst rumors, Zephyr had
caused the death of his lover, Flora. Rumor had it she was
so despondent over his infidelity, she killed herself. Kalli’s
gut told her the story wasn’t really true. She had yet to see a
shred of evidence that it had actually happened. Of course,
no one saw the Goddess of Spring anymore, but there were
a lot of immortals who’d disappeared for centuries. The
Muses included.
Sadness filled his eyes and, just as quickly, it disappeared.
Her thoughts must be an open book. Shame tweaked her.
As a Muse, she should know better than to judge without
obtaining facts first. “Thank you for helping me.”
“My pleasure,” he said with an impish smile.
Another, more naughty bit of gossip came to mind. His
skills as a lover were as legendary as his alleged prowess.
Curses. Why was she thinking about him that way? She
studied her shoes, hoping he didn’t notice the blush climbing
up her neck.
She cleared her throat and fingered the chef’s uniform
draped over a chair. “Do you mind if I stay here for a bit?”
If he was surprised by the request, he didn’t say so.
“No. Stay as long as you need.” He reached into his pocket
and held out a key. “Please lock the doors on your way out.”
When their fingers touched, a warm rush filled her, like
she’d sped through a hot breeze. Well, he was the God of the
West Wind. What did she expect?
“See you later,” he said over his shoulder as the door
clicked shut.
“Thanks,” she said to the spot where he’d been standing.
The room seemed empty without his striking presence. Oh,
please. Quit gushing.
Remember why you’re here. Niko. Find Niko.
For the next hour, she methodically examined his
belongings, searching for anything that might help her locate
him. Not ready to concede defeat, she circled the rooms
again.
A ragged scrap of paper caught her eye. Lying
underneath Niko’s chef’s uniform. It must have fallen out of
a pocket when she’d handled it earlier. Definitely written in
her brother’s blocky script, it read:
100
Pig
Renew
“Seriously, little brother,” she said. “Could you be any
more obtuse?” If this was even a clue. For all she knew, it
could have been part of a grocery list.
She knew she should return to the inn and rest but she
couldn’t resist a final circuit of the apartment. The furnishings
were functional and clean. Definitely not grandma’s handme-downs, more like Ikea. Little touches of Niko were
sprinkled around. A cookbook she’d given him, a drawer full
of his go-to wardrobe items; black T-shirts and jeans, and a
post card she’d sent years earlier. Nothing in the place told
her anything about his life other than it was transient.
In the early years after Niko had left Parnassus, he was
mostly a rascal and she frequently had to bail him out of
his latest situation. Like when he was stranded on Roanoke
Island. The settlers abandoned him after he unleashed a harpy
on them as a joke. Then there was the time he’d angered a
grove of forest nymphs who would only let him leave after
she’d vouched for him. Niko had also had to replant all the
redwoods he’d cut down for profit.
Later, after he’d settled down, the timing was never
right. He was out of the country. She couldn’t spare the time.
Their visits, always derailed by some other pressing matter
until one day, the Muses decided on their self-imposed exile.
Then it was too late.
Guilt crushed her. She should have never put other
matters ahead of her brother. If she had paid more attention,
maybe she could’ve prevented whatever had happened.
Her cell phone rang.
“Where the hell are you?” her sister Melpomene
admonished.
“I’m—”
“You’re not supposed to leave the island! Clio’s starting
to suspect something. She’ll be ripshit!”
And I don’t really care. She pursed her lips. Clio had
appointed herself the de facto head of the Muses after Zeus
and the other gods abandoned the mortal realm. Unlike her
other sisters, Kalli had never really been in favor of the
decision. Clio argued that their mother would have wanted
the oldest in charge. Like they were all a bunch of children.
Please.
“Kalli? You there?” Mel prompted.
Big breath. Be nice. “I am not abandoning Niko.”
“Your devotion to him is admirable, but you need to
remember your duties here,” Mel said.
“What’s wrong with all of you? He’s our brother. Our
kin.” Kalli gritted her teeth. At the rate she was going, she’d
wear them down to the gums.
“That’s beside the point.” Cellophane crinkled, a metal
door opened, then closed. A few beeps and a microwave
whirred to life. “We all agreed Niko could manage on his
own. Remember?”
“No. I never agreed.” One pop. Then a few more. Rapid
fire popping reached a crescendo. Oh man, popcorn. She
swore she could smell its buttery goodness over the phone.
Damn. That meant movie night. Normally, she never missed
the one time during the week the sisters spent together.
“Whatever, Kal. Come home. I miss you. Don’t I count
for anything? Anyhoo, we both know Niko can find trouble
alone in an empty room. He’s been nothing but a nuisance
since—”
Kalli stopped listening and took in more deep cleansing
breaths. Do not lose your temper. Her sister droned on, an
annoying buzz in her ear.
“Are you even listening to me? Do not push Clio. She
is just looking for an excuse.”
Kalli didn’t have to ask and her sister didn’t say it, but
they both knew.
Banishment.
The ultimate punishment for a Muse was loss of
purpose. They were born and bred to inspire, record, and
observe. Not to mention, life on the island was akin to living
in the most incredible paradise. Pampered full-time, they
never wanted for anything.
Except, freedom.
Kalli listened to her heartbeat, willing it to slow down.
She closed her eyes. Niko’s cherubic face shined in her
mind’s eye. The baby who clung to her, twisted his fingers
in her hair, and later, shared her joy of epic stories and
adventure. She could not and would not leave until she knew
he was safe.
“I know you’re trying to help me. But I won’t abandon
him. Be happy, sis.” Kalli ended the call first.
Hopefully, she hadn’t eliminated any chance she had of
going home.
I deserved that look of mistrust. Zephyr closed the
white picket gate outside of the house and stepped onto the
street. I’m lying to her right now.
She deserved to know he was cursed. Doomed,
probably forever, to a dual existence. He stopped walking.
Why did he care what she thought? He’d known Kalliope for
a few hours. Forcing his feet to move forward, he continued
toward the inn. He had enough of his own problems. What
female would want a god with no power?
And he had a darker, more dangerous secret. The
tattoo inked near his groin pulsed as if sensing his attention,
reminding him of the events leading to his punishment. No.
It was too dangerous to ever let anyone else get too close to
him.
Coward. That wasn’t the real reason, and he knew
it. With a heavy sigh, he raked his hair off his face and
appreciated, not for the first time, the quaint historic homes
lining the street.
Sometimes he envied his mortal neighbors. They had
short lifespans. Many of them enjoyed meaningful lives
because they understood their existence was finite.
Like all immortals, he’d had plenty of time to live, love,
make epic blunders, and then regret those mistakes. Every
damn day. Too much free time wasn’t always a good thing.
And he’d amassed many regrets. His most infamous
and public one the loss of Flora, his most beloved mistress.
Supposedly, she’d killed herself in despair over his many
dalliances. Everyone knew the story, or thought they did. If
only events had been so simple.
Yeah, the situation sucked then and it was worse now.
He knew pain, yet he was about to experience more in epic
proportions. He could only deny it for a little longer, then his
loss would be real and tragic.
He had considered, then discarded, the idea of visiting
Mnemosyne, Goddess of Memory. Even Langston suggested
a visit to Meme, as she liked to be called, to take away
his pain. She could discreetly cleanse a god’s mind of the
foulest, most destructive thoughts. She didn’t have many
takers since no god (or goddess) liked to admit they couldn’t
handle several millennia’s worth of memories.
Even in his darkest moments, Zephyr had never
succumbed to that desire. But now, faced with the inevitable
loss of a close friend, he’d considered it.
For about ten seconds.
No matter how much his heart ached, he couldn’t
remove a single memory. They all served a purpose and
made him who he was: an untamable wind god with loads
of baggage, tons of responsibilities, and the prison key to an
unstoppable Titan etched on his groin.
Could another woman accept him as is? Flora had
loved him and yet, it wasn’t enough in the end, for far too
many complicated reasons. Maybe Kalli was different. She’d
already slugged him and nearly brained him with a lamp.
Unlike other females, she didn’t fawn over him or try and
sleep with him to find out if any of the rumors about him were
true. She didn’t seem to care. In fact, she seemed repulsed
by the idea, and boy was he whacked in the head, because he
thought her disinterest was pretty damn appealing.
Thoughts filled with Kalli, Flora, and a thousand mortal
lifetimes worth of regrets, he couldn’t escape an obvious
fact. No matter how many excuses he tossed out about why
he shouldn’t get involved with another female, he mind
returned to the bewitching Muse. Yeah, he was in trouble.
Exhausted, Kalli stepped off the elevator and headed
to her room, her brain on overload. The code, the note, the
poker chips. What did they all mean? And Zephyr. For the
second time in one night, she’d assaulted him.
A door slammed at the far end of the hall. Out of habit,
she cloaked herself.
Zephyr stepped into the hallway. Did he have a room
on her floor? Or was he coming to find her?
Bugger. If she suddenly appeared, he’d think she was
stalking him. Or skulking about in the halls. For her own
dignity, she couldn’t let him think she was sneaking around.
Not after he caught her breaking into Niko’s apartment.
She pressed herself against the wall and remained
invisible. The only question, would Zephyr see through it? A
god of his stature would not be fooled so easily.
He walked by, his gaze distant, brows furrowed as if
deep in thought. Distracted to the point that he wouldn’t
notice her. Not unless she did something stupid like leap out
and yell ‘boo’. She almost exhaled a sigh of relief after he
passed, then quickly held it in, when he stopped in front of
her door, arm poised to knock.
His phone rang. He backed away to answer, stopping a
foot away from her.
“How did you know I was thinking of you?” he asked,
tone mournful.
Ah, gods. No. She didn’t want to hear him speak to his
latest conquest.
“You know I would forget if I could.” Frown lines
creased around his mouth. Whoever he spoke to caused him
unhappiness. Perhaps a lover’s quarrel? Whatever the case,
she really didn’t want a front-row seat.
“Please,” he begged, “it’s not too late for you to change
your mind. You can stop this.” His shoulders slumped and
his face crumpled. He shook his head. “No! Don’t. I promise.
Don’t shut me out.”
He let out a soft sigh. “Goodbye.” Unshed tears rimmed
his eyes.
Shame and regret radiated off him. Whoever he’d
spoken to clearly meant a lot. Maybe she had misjudged him.
This was hardly the behavior of a heartless bastard. Damn,
he looked so sad. His nearness made it easy to reach out and
touch him. To smooth away the worry on his face. To ease
his pain. Unbidden, her hand lifted toward his cheek.
Kalli shook her head. Was she insane? Bad enough that
she was eavesdropping on him, but she’d witnessed a very
private moment. He wouldn’t appreciate knowing she was
inadvertently spying on him.
“Fuck!” He punched the wall, narrowly missing her
head. Bits of plaster flaked to the floor. Then she saw it. An
expression she’d seen before on heartbroken mortals. That
exquisite hollow-eyed agony could only be caused by love
lost, never to be regained. With a harsh, ragged groan, he
pressed his forehead against the wall, eyelids squeezed tight.
Then as quickly as it appeared, the pain was tucked away
and the calm mask of a god returned. He straightened, spun
on his heel, and stalked away.
Moments later, the elevator dinged. After she heard
the doors clap shut, she released a huge breath of relief.
Weariness threatened to knock her onto her knees. Time to
rest before she collapsed. She needed to be clear headed in
the days to come.
Yet, Zephyr’s agonized plea to his lover laced through
her mind. His naked agony tugged at her.
Remember who he is, she chided. A god. Cold-hearted
and selfish. It was in their nature. Even hers.
Despite her best efforts, Kalli barely slept. The one
fitful dream she remembered was more like a nightmare.
Niko hovered beyond her reach, eyes accusing. You failed
me! Zephyr stood in the background, an angry windstorm
whipping his hair, silver light raging from his eyes.
Enough already. Her emotions a mess, she threw back
the covers. Gray morning light filtered through the edges of
the heavy curtains. The walls seemed close, oppressive.
A walk would help. Often, when she felt restless,
roaming helped calm her mind.
For the hundredth time, she cursed herself for running
away half-cocked. As she dressed in her one change of
clothing: a pair of khaki shorts, cotton T-shirt, and sneakers,
she wondered, what the hell had she been thinking? The
memory of her departure was fuzzy, as if she could barely
remember it. The details were gone, only the emotions she’d
felt—fear, anxiety, anger—remained. Why had she been so
mad? The harder she tried to grasp at the thought, the faster
it slipped away.
The effort made her head pound. Better stop before she
gave herself a stroke. Could that happen to an immortal? She
had no desire to find out.
To ward off the morning chill, she slipped on her light
jacket and pocketed the room key card, in case a brownie
lurked nearby, waiting for her to forget.
Silly fool. She chuckled all the way down the elevator,
positive that if anyone saw her, they’d think she was crazy.
Once outside, she wasn’t surprised to find the streets quiet.
Not many mortals relished wandering around in the predawn light. Most were probably catching those precious last
moments of sleep before they had to awaken and tend to
their daily duties. Occasionally, she’d pass a lone jogger or a
mortal walking a dog. How she envied them in their quest to
fight off the ravages of time.
Aging was something she’d never have to worry
about. She could have jogged, but it would have been for
fun, not fitness. Her immortal physique kept her body in
peak physical condition. As she marched south, away from
the inn, up the slanted street, her heart rate didn’t rise. Her
breathing didn’t become even slightly strained. Only under
prolonged physical action would her perfect body show any
sign of duress.
Quaint shops, dark and not yet open for the day, lined
the street. She stopped at a clothing boutique and admired
the fashions through the plate window. If she were meeting
Zephyr for dinner, she’d need something else to wear. Maybe
his sister wouldn’t mind taking her shopping. That could be
fun. She’d never really had any female friends. Other than
Mel, she wasn’t really close to any of her sisters.
Gods, she was awful and selfish thinking about clothes
and making friends when her brother was missing. Dismayed,
she continued her tour of Stonington Point.
Footstep after footstep, she studied the older homes.
Each unique and probably hand built by their original owners.
Such craftsmanship had all but disappeared from the mortal
world. Her endless memory stretched, time pressing, ready
to crush her.
Knock it off! She had no reason to act so mopey. The
universe had gifted her with immortality and purpose.
Granted, a purpose she had grown weary of. Always standing
on the sidelines watching others experience adventure grated
on her.
The Muse credo rang in her ears. A Muse must observe
only. Always be separate.
She rounded the block and followed the street
downward, leading toward the water. At the end she stopped
at the “point,” a near 360-degree view of the choppy Atlantic.
The ocean, so vast and filled with life, always earned her
respect. Like a temperamental cat, the liquid that gave life
could easily take it away.
“Awesome, isn’t it?”
Kalli nearly jumped half a mile.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you. I come here every
morning to watch the sun rise.” The mortal female, older but
not frail, clutched a leash of a yellow-furred dog.
“This is my first time.” She smiled at the woman,
hoping she was local. Maybe she’d met her brother. “It’s
beautiful here.”
“My husband and I came here for vacation once. Never
could forget it.” She chuckled. “That was thirty-five years
ago. We moved here and never regretted it.”
And for a reason she couldn’t quite name, the town felt
comfortable to Kalli, too. She could understand why Niko
would want to live in this place. It had the feeling of home,
the ocean and the quiet. But unlike Parnassus, there were
people everywhere. In Kalli’s opinion, too much solitude
was overrated.
Kalli bent down to pet the dog, his golden fur soft under
her fingers. “I wish I were here on vacation.”
“Oh?”
“I’m looking for my brother Niko. He works at the
Gallup Inn.” Kalli pushed aside the twinge of guilt. Hera,
what was her problem? She was a Muse. It was inbred in
her to ask questions. Maybe it was because she was on a
personal mission.
“Thomas Zephyr’s place. My husband and I enjoy their
Sunday brunch.”
Thomas? That was his mortal cover name. “Then
you’ve probably tasted Niko’s pastries.” Niko had learned
how to bake from her. Even though she taught him the basics,
his talent was all his own. He had worked hard to hone his
skills and find a new direction. She’d be damned if she’d let
anything happen to him now.
“Oh yes. Very delicious. Disappeared you say?” The
woman frowned. “There are a lot of distractions here. Maybe
one of the local casinos lured him away.”
Kalli wished it were true. But that niggle in her gut told
her something worse had happened.
“Though I’d be surprised,” the lady added. “Thomas
is such a nice man. Everyone around here thinks highly of
him. I can’t imagine your brother leaving him to work for a
casino.”
Zephyr’s true nature remained to be seen. Kalli bit her
bottom lip while a different question formed in her mind. “I
hear Zephyr’s spa is a special treat.”
“Oh yes. My husband pampers me every year on my
birthday. Packs me off for the day. The massage is to die for.
Don’t leave without getting one.”
The thought of Zephyr’s hands on her naked flesh sent
tingles all over her body. Gods, she needed to get a grip.
The woman laughed lightly. “I can tell by your face,
you’ve actually met Thomas. His hands are quite gifted. I
used to have a pinched nerve in my back. One massage from
him and it’s gone. I think he has magic in those hands.”
I bet. Kalli suppressed a snort. Magic hands, indeed.
A black SUV inched its way down the narrow one lane
road onto the point, beach gravel crunching under the heavy
tires. The dog barked, its tail furiously wagging. “There’s
my dear Michael. Gotta run. It was nice to meet you. I hope
you find your brother.”
It must be nice to know love like that, Kalli thought,
watching the couple greet each other with a tender kiss before
driving away. Thanks to her sisters’ stupid, antiquated rules,
she was doomed to be a spinster. She wondered if Zephyr
ever had ever known true love. Based on the conversation
she’d heard last night, even a womanizer like him cared for
someone. That was more than she could say about anyone.
Cripes. She sounded like a bitter old shrew. Thank Hera
no one else could hear inside her head. Kalli shook off the
fatalism.
Focus on Niko.
With the rising sun warming her skin, she walked the
streets, noting that some of the shops had opened. Aromas
like fresh-brewed coffee and warm food urged her feet
forward. Still plenty of time to spare before Zephyr’s sister,
Aurora, would meet her. Might as well start asking around.
An hour later, she found herself at the gate of a stocky
stone lighthouse, frustrated and out of places to try next.
While many of the locals had met Niko, none of them knew
much about him. As she suspected, he maintained minimal
contact with the mortals, probably choosing to stick with their
own kind. Kalli knew from years of experience, one didn’t
just enter the premises of an immortal and start interrogating
them. It would only lead to trouble.
For entry into local society, she’d need to rely on
Zephyr and his hospitality. She pondered how far would she
go for her brother?
With a shiver she couldn’t blame on the ocean breeze,
she ignored the possibility that she might be willing to find
out.
“You did what?” Langston stared at Zephyr as if he’d
grown another head.
“You heard me right.” He wasn’t in the mood for a
debate. He’d spent the night tossing and turning, haunted
by nightmares along with an unsettled feeling in his gut.
Change was coming and it wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
The phone call from her— gods, he couldn’t even think her
name right then— didn’t help either.
“Why did you offer the Muse Sanctuary? Didn’t you
just get punished by the Fates for interfering in a Hero’s
Journey?” Langston tapped the top of his muffin. The knife
echoed metallically. “I swear you need an intervention.
There must be a group you can join. Heroes Anonymous. If
there isn’t a group, then I swear I’m starting one. And you
can be the charter member.”
“Kalli needs help.” He had no fucking clue why he’d
offered Sanctuary. Okay. That wasn’t entirely true. Any male
would have had trouble thinking clearly with a rock-solid
erection. And Niko was his employee. Plus she was gorgeous.
And determined. Langston didn’t need to know she’d broken
into Niko’s apartment only hours after her arrival.
“And you offered since you’re such a stand-up guy,”
Langston said with a wry, grin.
“What’s your problem, man?” Zephyr swallowed a dry
lump of flavorless muffin.
Langston stopped trying to pry the paper off his muffin
and dropped it on the plate. “I don’t want you to get hurt
again, is all.”
“Aw. Look who’s being sappy.” He appreciated the
sentiment, knowing his friend was only looking out for him.
They’d been through some rough shit together. Most notably,
his terrible love life.
“Crap. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stir up the past. And
before you ask, I can always tell when you’re thinking about
her. You get the same faraway look of regret. You know
there is nothing you can do—”
“Don’t go there. Zeus’ balls, these muffins suck.”
Zephyr tapped his slender girly fingernails against the table.
He’d tried cutting them down each morning, but the curse
ensured they re-grew before the clippings hit the floor. Same
thing happened when he tried to cut his hair. The only hair
capable of removal was on his legs, armpits, and bikini area.
Hell, his man parts withered at the thought of waxing a bikini
area. “We need to find Niko.”
“No shit. I might starve without him.”
“Morning Langston. Did you mention my brother’s
name?” Kalli joined them at the table. She raked her gaze
over Zephyr as she offered her hand. “Amazing, you look so
much like him. I’m Kalli.”
He took her hand and the same thrilling jolt he’d felt the
night before rippled across his skin. The joy was short lived.
What if she realized who he was? He cleared his throat. Stop
staring, idiot. Let go of her hand. “I’m Aurora. Zephyr’s
asked me to take care of you today.”
“I bet,” muttered Langston.
Zephyr’s foot shot out, administering a swift, sharp
kick to his friend’s shin. Langston grunted and then banged
his chest, coughing.
Concern creased Kalli’s brow. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” he wheezed. “Just went down funny.”
“Wow. Too bad. Langston has to leave. He’s promised
to check around for Niko.” Zephyr gave his friend a narroweyed glare. “Right?”
“Yes. I’ll start with the kitchen staff. Maybe someone
will make me something less toxic to eat, too. Later, Kalli.”
He gave Zephyr a mock salute, then flipped him the bird
when Kalli wasn’t looking.
“So, Aurora, what’s on the schedule for today?”
Good question. To which he needed an answer. “I
have a few errands to run. I’d like to bring you to Devlin’s
pawnshop. If anyone can recognize the poker chips, it’ll be
him.”
Kalli stared at him.
Fuck. Too late he realized his gaffe. “Zephyr told me
you’d both found some items in Niko’s apartment last night.”
The whole day/night thing seemed a lot simpler in his head.
As it was, he’d have to plan their day carefully, keeping an
eye on the time. He couldn’t risk transforming in front of
Kalli. Not to mention he had evening appointments in the
spa that he needed to keep.
“Did Zephyr say anything else about last night?” A
slight tremor shook her voice. An adorable pink flush spread
over her cheeks.
He was tempted to say, Other than you like to
break and enter? “Only that you are charming and quite
knowledgeable.” Gah. The lamest compliment ever.
Her shoulders relaxed. “Did he?” A smile bloomed
across her face, filled with hope. “Great. I can’t wait to meet
your friend.”
Gods, he’d hate to let her down. He stood and offered
her his hand. “Let’s find something better to eat.” Too late he
realized it was an odd gesture from a female.
Kalli didn’t seem to mind or notice. “Okay. I trust you,
Aurora.”
He winced at the statement, nearly blurting out not to
trust him. “I have a friend who opened a bakery in nearby
Mystic. He bakes as well as Niko. Hey, I hear you need more
clothes, too. Want to go shopping?”
Kill me now. He had just offered to shop. For clothes.
A half hour later, they were well sated and full of pastry,
headed to Devlin’s. Fortunately, with his friend Cal away,
the bakery, S’More to Love, had been tended by a young
mortal employee. Good thing, because Zephyr certainly
couldn’t fool his friends for long. Calder Quinne was a
former agent of the Delian League and a Son of Ares. His
mate was Zephyr’s dearest cousin and friend, Nix. They’d
see through his story immediately since they knew he didn’t
have a sister that looked eerily similar to him.
Since he’d been cursed for interfering during their
Hero’s Journey, he didn’t want them to know he’d been
punished. They’d blame themselves and he couldn’t deal
with that. He had enough guilt without adding more.
“You were right. Cal’s baking is delicious.” Kalli
rubbed her stomach. “I know we don’t need to work out, but
I swear I felt my ass get bigger.”
“Not possible. Even if it did, you’re beautiful.” He held
his breath. It was so easy to say things to her as a female that
he could never get away with as a male. He pretended to
concentrate on the traffic in front of him.
She grinned. “Thanks, Aurora. So, what’s next?”
Unfortunately, Devlin’s shop was closed. With a mental
forehead slap, Zephyr remembered the Satyr was also away.
Probably on unofficial Delian League business. If he hadn’t
been so absorbed by his own problems, he might have taken
the time to remember his friend’s e-mail. They’d try again
the next day. Kalli took the news surprisingly well after he
assured her they had other places to look, too. And he threw
in mention of a clothes shopping trip for good measure.
She didn’t ask a single question until he steered the car
onto Route 1.
“Aurora?” she asked in a low tone. “I know this is none
of my business . . .”
Ah shit. He knew that tone in a woman’s voice. Instead
of bristling, he forced a grin on his face. This could be fun.
Maybe he’d gain insight into the mind of a female.
“Does your brother have a lover right now?”
Holy Hera! He jerked the steering wheel, swerving to
miss the curb. “I have four brothers, darling. You have to be
more specific.”
Kalli laughed. Her smooth, golden voice washed
over his skin, tightening his body. “You know who I mean.
Zephyr.”
“Why? You interested in him?”
“What! No!” she spluttered. Her vehement denial shot
an abrupt broadside into his ego.
“Why ever not? I hear he is very skilled in the art of
love.” At least none of his former partners had ever left his
bed unsatisfied.
“Aurora!” Kalli squeaked. “He’s your brother. I can’t
think of Niko that way.”
Zephyr suppressed a laugh at her crimson cheeks.
Clearly, the Muses were a lot more prudish than other
goddesses. Or maybe it was just Kalli. “I have eyes, too. Our
brothers are very fine males.”
“So, does he, you know? Have a lover?”
Gods, she was persistent. Yet, the wrinkle in her brow
stopped him short. “Not presently. What made you ask?”
There was a long pause before she responded. “Promise
me you won’t tell him this. You know, keep this between us
girls.”
“Of course.” He inwardly cringed. If he had any sense,
he’d come clean with her before she divulged whatever
secret she wanted to tell.
“I sort of overheard a conversation he had on the phone
last night.”
His lower jaw cramped. She was spying on him. Was
his life about to become part of an epic poem? Cold sweat
slithered down his spine. No. Worse. She’d heard—
“I didn’t mean to. He stopped outside my door and I
heard his voice. Gods, he sounded so upset.”
She didn’t know the half of it. Nor would she, if he
could help it. “Zephyr keeps such matters close. He does
not confide in me about his woman troubles.” Hopefully, it
would suffice.
“I could tell. Some woman tore out his heart.”
Or not.
“Although, there were all those rumors about him and
Flora. I’m sure you’ve heard all the stories.” Kalli sighed
wistfully. “To know that kind of love, only to lose it all.”
His throat clamped shut. Pain bloomed in his chest,
thick and bludgeoning as if she’d hammered a nail in it.
The Muse had no idea how her words affected him. Time to
change the subject. “Still no messages from Niko?” He hated
seeing her check her phone again or the return of the worry
line between her eyebrows. But, he also couldn’t stomach
another minute of the conversation.
“No.” She withdrew her phone from her pocket and
tapped the screen. “Where are you, Niko?” she said quietly
to herself.
“Hey.” He patted the creamy smooth skin of her
forearm. “We’ll find him.”
“You share your brother’s confidence.”
“I do.” Seeing as they were the same person, it was kind
of hard not to. “So, let me tell you where we’re going.” The
errands were all related to the day spa. Each week, standing
orders were filled by local tradesman like the mud baths’
special soil. And he needed to purify the spring water used
in the rejuvenation facial. At each stop he made a point of
asking if anyone had seen Niko, even though it was unlikely.
Niko had no work related reason to visit any of the shops,
but he wasn’t willing to leave a stone unturned.
Each time someone said ‘no’, Kalli’s mood grew
glummer. Finally, he asked her to wait in the car. He couldn’t
stand seeing her so dejected.
When they arrived at the inn, he parked in the private
garage. The whole day, a total wash. He hated to consider
the worst possibility so quickly but there seemed no other
logical conclusion. Niko was dead. Sniffles broke his train
of thought. Shit. Kalli seemed to have reached a similar
conclusion. Worry and frustration radiated off her like rays
of sunshine. She stumbled past him, eyes cast down, lost in
her own private hell.
Gods. He couldn’t stand it anymore. “Kalli, wait.”
Tears glimmered in her eyes. He gathered her into his
arms and held her close. Her pulse increased and her despair
beat at him. Even as a female, he stood taller than her, yet she
seemed to fit into him naturally. “Cry if you want. I won’t
tell anyone,” he whispered into her hair.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed softly against his chest. “You
must think I’m being ridiculous.”
“No, Kalli. I don’t think so at all. I have brothers, too. I
totally get it.” And he did. While he wouldn’t cry over them,
he would hurt anyone who harmed one of them.
“Ever since I left the island, I’ve felt . . . lost.” She
swiped away the tears and rubbed her nose with her sleeve.
“I’m glad I’m with you. I’d be mortified if your brother or
Langston saw me like this.”
He barked out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, they’d probably
get all weird and uncomfortable. Men can’t deal with
emotions.”
“You know it, sister.” Kalli dabbed at her face. “How
do I look?”
Like someone who’d been crying, only he wasn’t dumb
enough to say so. “Fabulous.” He dabbed a stray tear off her
chin with his thumb. Again, a liberty he would never take
normally. Maybe there were uses to this female form. Ah,
shit, no. I’m an asshole.
“Aurora? You okay?” Kalli’s hand touched him and a
million flames licked up his arm. Desire snaked around him,
tightening him in its coils.
“Yup. You?” he forced out, hands clenched by his side.
Kalli smiled and he swore that the sun burst out in the
corridor and brightened the room. “Thanks for letting me
cry. I needed it.”
“Sure. No problem. We ladies have to stick together.”
He straightened his shoulders and tried to calm his raging
lust. He may have looked like a lady, but he was all dude
underneath.
“It’s about time you got back,” Langston said, his voice
dripping with irritation. “Any reason you weren’t answering
your phone?” He directed a pointed stare at Kalli, the look
implying she and Zephyr had been otherwise occupied.
Please. If Langston had known Kalli had been crying, he’d
be running away. The guy couldn’t handle tears.
Zephyr responded in a harsh whisper, “What? Have you
lost your mind? She’s under my protection. Not to mention
I’m in female form.” Thankfully Kalli was out of earshot,
examining the flower arrangements in the hotel lobby.
“You know that image totally turns me. Two hot chicks
getting down and—”
“Langston!” Zeus, give him the strength not kill his best
friend.
“Forget it. We have a serious issue here. With Niko
gone, there’s no dessert this evening. And his assistant baker
called in sick.”
“Can’t we just order it from a local bakery? What about
Cal’s place in Mystic?”
Langston stared at him like he’d gone stupid.
“Remember? Cal is away and his staff already sold out for
the day. It seems all the local bakeries have been besieged
with sudden orders for tonight. Kindly pull your head out of
your nether regions and concentrate.”
Zephyr scrubbed his hands with his face. “What the
hell?” This was the last thing they needed. Bad enough the
pastry in the morning was wretched, but to not have dessert,
especially Niko’s famous triple-layer chocolate cake, was
too much. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear the Fates
were testing him. The one area in his life that didn’t suck,
his business, now appeared to be under siege, too.
“Aurora? What’s wrong?” Kalli joined them. If Zephyr
hadn’t been so peeved, he might have thought the little lines
of concern etched around her eyes were cute.
He was about to say nothing, when Langston butted in.
“We have no dessert tonight. Total disaster. You have
no idea how ornery the blue blooded set can get when
deprived of sweets. Especially the famed chocolate delights
your brother invented.”
Kalli waved her hand. “Not to worry. Who do you
think taught him the recipe?” She curled her arm around
Langston’s elbow. “I’ve got nowhere to be just now. I can
make dessert. Lead the way, good sir.”
“A woman after my own heart. I will gladly take you
wherever you want to go,” Langston said, kissing Kalli’s
knuckles.
Zephyr gritted his teeth. Only years of friendship
prevented him from knocking the smile off Langston’s face.
Not to mention, it would be odd if Aurora decked him for no
apparent reason.
Langston clearly knew the green-eyed monster had
bitten Zephyr. The asshole wagged his eyebrows before
placing his hand on the small of Kalli’s back, steering her
toward the kitchen. “Come along, Aurora,” he called over
his shoulder, “I’m sure you don’t want to miss Kalli work
her magic.”
As soon as the kitchen doors banged closed behind
them, Langston directed Kalli to Niko’s station. Once she
was situated, he approached Zephyr with a know-it-all grin
on his face.
“Take it easy. You look like you swallowed a bag of
scorpions. Listen, I didn’t want to say this in front of our
guest, but I also received phone calls from our suppliers.
Several told me, because we haven’t paid our bills, they
won’t be sending any produce tomorrow.”
Zephyr’s blood pressure skyrocketed. His pulse
throbbed between his eyebrows like a tiny drum. “We always
pay our bills. On time. Always.”
“I know. I printed copies of all our receipts. I’ll straighten
this all out by the time your beauty over there completes the
evening’s combustibles.” Langston leaned closer. “I’m sure
this is all a misunderstanding.”
“One can only hope. You know we rely on word of mouth
to stay in business.” Zephyr didn’t need the money or even
have to work, but he kept the inn running for the employees
and the town he’d grown to love. Other businesses relied on
the tourists the inn attracted and his workers needed the jobs.
He’d hate to let any of them down.
“No worries. Enjoy dessert making. It’s not like Aurora
has an official job title. She’s a lazy slacker compared to her
brother.” Langston winked before blasting off, leaving a puff
of dust in his wake.
Gods, Langston knew how to push all his buttons. He
had no intention of putting any moves on Kalli as Aurora or
Zephyr. The assertion that he didn’t do anything when he
was stuck in female form was total crap and Langston knew
it. The fact that he led a dual existence made no difference.
Work was work and the inn didn’t run itself.
Kalli slung a bag of flour onto the table. A clean white
apron was cinched around her waist, the tight tie accenting
the rounded mounds of her breasts. When she caught him
staring, the corners of her lips lifted in a cheerful smile.
“Care to help, Aurora? I could use a hand.”
The offer ignited a fire under him to quit staring and
start working. He knew how to cook. Even bake a little, but
it wasn’t his passion. In fact, if he was honest, he didn’t have
much talent except to deliver pleasure through massages.
He eased the aches and stresses of his guests, going out of
his way to lavish special attention on each person. Either
through genuine compliments, fresh flowers on a dresser, or
arranging candlelit rendezvous so a nervous boyfriend could
propose to his future bride, it was all done without complaint.
He didn’t bestow these kindnesses on others for himself.
He did it for them. Kind of an overarching theme in his life.
To do for others. Total opposite of how a god should behave.
“How many cakes should we make?” Kalli asked,
reminding him to pay attention.
“Oh, at least a dozen. Then after, if you don’t mind,
we need other offerings. You know, not everyone likes
chocolate.”
Kalli grimaced in mock horror. “No. Say it isn’t so!”
She slid a canister of cocoa powder his way. “Measure this,
will you?”
Zephyr laughed, scooping cocoa powder into an
industrial measuring cup. Chocolate dust puffed into the air.
“I know, unfathomable.” They worked side-by-side until all
the batter was in the oven. Kalli proved to be every bit as
efficient in the kitchen as Niko. He could see where Niko got
his inspiration.
“You sure you don’t want a job here when this is over?”
he said offhandedly. Then he realized how insensitive he
sounded. “Kalli, I’m so sorry—”
“No. It’s all right. When all is said and done, chances
are I’ll be homeless.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” He wouldn’t mind
seeing her in his kitchen every day. Better yet, his bed. His
body sprang to life at the thought. He ruthlessly slapped his
desire down.
When this was over, she would leave Stonington. And
him.
Gods. He needed to stop thinking.
He pulled down one of Niko’s recipe books. The pages,
protected by plastic sleeves, crinkled from crusted bits of
flour left behind by his fingers. “How about lemon tarts?
These look simple.”
A small sound came from Kalli. Her fingers touched
the smudges. “Who would have thought Niko would be so
organized?”
“He’s an absolute neatnik in the kitchen. Well. Maybe
not the book.” Zephyr wanted to put his arm around her. He
hated seeing her so distressed over her brother. He really
hoped Niko wasn’t in trouble. Then he would kick his ass for
making Kalli so upset.
“He’s funny. I know him better than anyone else. But
even he baffles me from time to time. You saw his room.
Total slob. Yet, in the kitchen, I hear he’s like a drill sergeant.
Sometimes, I think he’s two different people.”
Zephyr could relate. Living a double life was no fun
and he wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. “We’ll find him
Kalli.”
She nodded and headed to the pantry. A moment later,
she returned. “You’re running low on flour. And I could only
find a dozen lemons. But it’ll be enough to make the tarts.
Funny, when I walked around town today, there were lots of
produce trucks around. Didn’t I hear Langston say there was
a shortage of some kind?”
The loud buzz of kitchen timers cut off any response
he might have made. A suspicion kicked around in Zephyr’s
mind. What if Niko’s disappearance and the missing supplies
weren’t a coincidence?
He set the thought aside and worked for hours with
Kalli, enjoying the rhythm of making food with his hands.
Frosting the cakes with flourishes she patiently taught
him, sifting powdered sugar onto Linzer torte, and shaving
chocolate curls to garnish the cake. He especially enjoyed
browning beaten egg whites with a hand torch after Kalli
decided to make individual lemon meringue pies.
The hackles rose on his neck. With a start, he realized
sunset approached.
“Well done, Aurora. I could have never finished
without your help.” Kalli removed her apron and stretched.
She released a wide yawn, then caught herself. With an
embarrassed flush, she said, “Sorry. I’m not sleeping well
these days.”
I can tire you out, he thought. Down, boy. But he did
have an item that could provide some sleep-related relief.
“Come on. Our work here is done.” He led her out of the
kitchen and toward the main lobby. “Wait here for a moment.
I need to grab something.”
Without looking back, he went into his office and
rummaged his coat closet. When he located the object, a jolt
of guilt stabbed him. He hated resorting to more trickery, but
Kalli needed to rest.
A moment later he returned to the desk and held out his
hand. “Zephyr left this. He’d kill me if I forgot to give it to
you.”
Kalli politely smiled and accepted the pink rose blossom
he offered. “Mmm. This smells delightful. So delicate.”
“I have another matter to attend. I’ll meet you here
in the morning. Around 9:00 a.m. Would you like dinner
brought to your room?”
Kalli’s eyelids grew heavy. “No. I’m not hungry.” The
rose’s fragrance grew richer, almost cloying. A hard yawn
cracked her jaw. “You know, all I want to do is hit the sack.
Will Zephyr be too disappointed if we move our dinner plans
to another night?”
Crap. Since they’d been together all day, he’d forgotten
about his earlier invitation. “Nah. He’ll get over it. If you
need anything at all, please dial the front desk. See you
tomorrow morning. Thanks for helping us out.”
“My pleasure. Really.” She waved and headed to the
elevator with the rose clutched in her hand.
With a twinge of regret, Zephyr hoped she’d make it to
her bed before she fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.
Chapter 3
Mid-morning, Zephyr entered the inn’s bustling lobby,
guilt dogging his every step. He’d given Kalli a sleeping
beauty, a spelled rose so she’d sleep through the night before
she collapsed from sheer exhaustion. When he’d checked on
her earlier, she was out like a light. Gods knew she needed
the rest. But still, he felt like an asshole for deceiving her.
Yet again.
Remorse aside, it wasn’t all bad. Langston had
successfully straightened out their supply issue and had
secured a standing order with Cal’s bakery until Niko
returned. As far as he could tell, the whole supply snafu
had really been a misunderstanding. At least, that’s what
Langston wanted to believe. Zephyr wasn’t so sure, but
without evidence to the contrary, all he could do was watch
and wait.
Without thinking, he stumbled right into the middle of a
busload of tourists that had recently unloaded at his doorstep.
An error like that as Zephyr would have cost him valuable
time, while the ladies vied for his attention. It would have
taken him an hour to get to his office. Daytime prevented
them from swarming him, as none knew Aurora.
The tourists collectively mingled, filling the space
around the foyer. After assuring himself that his capable and
well-trained staff had the situation under control, he drifted
away from the throng.
With a quick pull, he tugged down the bottom of his
too short skirt and raised the low neckline of the V-necked
T-shirt. This was the last time he let Langston shop for him.
How did women stand wearing clothes that barely covered
them? Their assets on display for anyone to leer at.
After the dessert crisis, he realized they never did
manage to shop for a dress. Maybe today. While Kalli picked
out clothes, he could find something more modest. Ah, gods.
It was happening again. Thinking like a woman. Gah.
And where was Kalli? He searched over the sea of
mortal bodies, trying to catch a glimpse of her coppercolored tresses. He hoped she didn’t sleep the day away. He
was eager to catch sight of her and hear her whiskey-smooth
voice again. There were advantages to being Aurora. Like
the fact that Kalli was much more unguarded and free to
share. Something he would surely pay for later. If he came
clean today, maybe at dinner then—
“Excuse me, miss?” A well-polished lady grasped his
elbow. “Where is the lovely Mr. Zephyr? He’s not here to
greet us today.”
He took a closer look at the mortal. One of his seasonal
regulars. “I’m sorry, Mrs. James, but my brother had
pressing out of town business. He asked me to welcome you
all today.”
She sniffed. “I hope he’ll make an appearance before
we leave. We made a special trip to see him.”
Zephyr blanched at the cougar’s sense of entitlement.
“He’ll return this evening.”
Over the years, he’d fostered his reputation as an
outrageous flirt who aimed to please the ladies. The attention
made his customers feel good about themselves. But in his
Aurora persona, it would have just come across as weird. He
flagged down an employee. “Could you please bring Mrs.
James a cup of green tea? No lemon.”
Mrs. James smiled. “How nice of you to know my
favorite beverage. Thank you. Perhaps I can repay him
later.” Her voice lowered, husky with seductive promise.
When she moved away, Zephyr breathed a sigh of
relief. He appreciated his regulars, but not so much that he
crossed the line and slept with them.
“If only everyone knew the real Zephyr the way I do,”
Langston mused over his shoulder. The guy had the annoying
habit of suddenly appearing behind him. Only years of
practice kept him from automatically slugging his friend.
“Yeah, well, they can’t. And we both know why.
Everyone thinks I’m a heartless fuck who causes his lovers
to commit suicide.” Zephyr rounded on him, temper flaring.
Years of portraying the bastard grated on him. “Don’t even
joke about it. Okay?”
Langston sobered and raised his hands in surrender.
“You’re right. Sorry.”
Heaviness settled in Zephyr’s heart at the thought of
Flora. Her secret had to remain safe. It was the only way to
ensure she enjoyed her remaining time on Earth.
He swallowed hard. No. He wouldn’t think about her
impending death. Nor would he regret his decision to put
her happiness before his own. He honored his promises and
protected those he cared about. So what if the god world
thought he was an unfeeling jerk? He could take it.
“You hungry? It’s nearly lunch time.” Langston rubbed
his stomach. His high-speed metabolism meant he needed
to eat constantly. “I’d love a lobster grilled cheese from the
Blue Squid. I have business over in Mystic today. Come on,
it’ll be my treat.”
Zephyr thought about the mountain of paperwork in his
office and how much he didn’t want to deal with it. “Fine.
But this isn’t a date. And I’m not showing you my tits.”
“Aww. You’re such a killjoy! If our places were
reversed, I would totally flash some boobage.”
Since he’d been cursed, Langston has been trying to
convince him to show off his nude female form. Before,
he wouldn’t have given it a second thought. As a male, the
female body was beautiful and should be appreciated. Now,
while he knew the Fates had allowed him beauty, the idea
of strutting around, even as a joke with Langston, was, well,
embarrassing.
Zephyr shook his head, suspecting that was part of the
Fates fiendish plan to punish him. “Have some respect my
friend. Would you ask a random woman to show off her
goods?”
“Well, when you put it like that, I’d probably get
slapped.” Langston rubbed his hands together. “Although,
Kalli, I bet she—”
“Don’t,” Zephyr growled. The thought of Kalli getting
naked for any male, even Langston made him want to—
Whoa, whoa, whoa. This female was under his
protection and nothing more.
“Ah, speak of the fine lass. Here she comes. Oh, and she
doesn’t look too happy.” Langston looked around. “Female
displays of emotion scare me. We’ll do lunch some other
day. Later, dude!”
Coward. Yeah, Kalli looked unhappy. Not quite pissed,
but not sad either.
“There you are!” Kalli chirped with what seemed to be
forced happiness. She encircled his arm with hers. The glide
of her silky petal soft skin nearly undid him right there.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Fine.” She bit her bottom lip.
“Kalli,” he soothed. “You can tell me.” What was
he doing? Abusing her trust. She thought he was a fellow
female. Yet, he wanted to know what ailed her. Zeus’ balls,
had she found out about the rose? It should have faded then
disappeared before she awoke. What if it failed?
She rubbed her eyes, her face weary. “It’s probably
nothing, but I overslept. I could swear someone gave me a
sleep potion or something.”
He laughed, the sound a tad bit overwrought. “No way.
I’m sure you needed the rest. You’re under a lot of stress
right now. That’s all.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Oh excuse me.” Kalli jumped
backward, brushing her shirt front. A wet spot blossomed
across the fabric.
Mrs. James, seemingly oblivious that she dumped tea
on Kalli, leaned toward Aurora. With another well-placed
elbow, she wedged herself between them. “Don’t forget to
tell Zephyr I asked for him.”
“I’ll be sure to give him your message Mrs. James,”
Zephyr said, directing Kalli toward the dining room. The
glint of anger in her eyes hinted she might slug the obnoxious
woman.
“And tell him, I can’t wait for my massage,” Mrs.
James called after them.
“Who the hell is she?” Kalli snarled. “That tea was
hot.”
And he would be so happy to help her wipe it off.
Her pert nipples poked out from underneath the wet, semitranslucent fabric. He shook himself as his brain caught up
to her words. “Did she burn you?” The bitch.
“No. I’m fine. She was incredibly rude.” Kalli snagged
a napkin from a table and blotted the spot.
“I can have the staff clean the shirt. And I am very sorry.
Mrs. James is one of my brother’s wealthy regulars. She and
her rich girlfriends spend a lot of money here. They all come
by the bus full every autumn and spring. Zephyr is renowned
for his massages.” He couldn’t help the touch of pride in his
voice, then squashed it, feeling like a total douche canoe.
“Any way, since they spend so much money here, they think
they’re entitled to unfettered access. I know he will be pissed
when he hears about how Mrs. James treated you.” And ban
their asses. There were plenty of more rich jerks out there.
“All those ladies? How does he manage so many
massages?”
“I’ll explain later. We don’t want to be late.” Unease
dogged him, like massaging humans was somehow dirty.
He’d been giving massages for decades without a second
thought. Why did it bother him now?
He shrugged the doubt off as best he could. He had
other things to worry about at the moment, and even if
he wanted to think, he couldn’t. Kalli peppered him with
questions the entire drive to Mystic. Gods, the female could
talk. But instead of giving him a headache, he found her
curiosity refreshing. He’d lived in the area a long time and
could tell her stories for years.
“Have you ever considered being a Muse? You’re very
knowledgeable. ”
With a laugh, he shook his head. “I thought you had to
be born one.”
“Well, not always.” Her voice grew dimmer. A wrinkle
appeared on her brow. Then it passed as quickly as it arrived.
In typical female fashion, she changed the subject with
dizzying speed. “What do you do at the inn?”
Uhhh. Good question. “I mainly cover for Z when he’s
traveling.”
“Z? I like that. Do his friends call him that?”
“Most of them call him Zeph. But I bet he wouldn’t
mind if you called him Z.” He wasn’t sure why, but the
thought of her calling him Z thrilled him. “We’re almost
there. I’d appreciate it if you’d let me do most of the talking.”
He parked the car in a tiny space behind a building. “You
don’t have a problem with Satyrs, do you?”
“No. I’ve never met one in person.”
“Really? I’d have thought you’d have met almost
everyone given your line of work.”
The wrinkle reappeared between her eyebrows. “Wait,
watch, record. That’s the Muses’ motto.” She frowned. “I
don’t really get to interact with my subjects. And I pretty
much only deal in mortal affairs. You know The Delian
League has a strict no-messing-with-the-humans policy.”
“Of course.” He’d had a front row seat when the policy
was enacted. After the rise of monotheism, Zeus and many
of the major deities abandoned Earth for parts unknown. In
their wake, they’d left a power void that was filled by war
among the remaining gods. Many innocent mortals died as
a result, caught in the crossfire as the deities used them like
pawns on a chessboard.
In the end, The Delian League was formed. A coalition
of immortals from many faiths working to keep the world
balanced. Zephyr had played a part, helping end the wars
and broker peace, along with Nereus, the Old Man of the
Sea.
Standing outside the red brick building that had once
been a factory complex, Zephyr adjusted his clothes again
before opening the door to Fawn’s Pawns. Dread weakened
his resolve. Of all his friends, he’d been avoiding Devlin the
most during the daytime. If anyone could ferret out a ruse, it
was the ever-perceptive Satyr.
“Wow. This place looks interesting,” Kalli said. Her
eager expression delivered the kick in the nuts he needed to
move forward.
Grow a pair, man. No guts, no glory. He exhaled, then
entered the store. Brass bells clanged, signaling a customer
had entered.
Kalli gasped in delight. “Look at all this cool stuff.”
She bee-lined for the display cases. “A Hand of Glory! All
the fingers intact. Oh my. Is this one of Medusa’s snakes?
Did you know one touch on a man’s penis will give him an
erection that lasts for hours?”
Gods, he could tell already he wouldn’t get a word in
edgewise.
“Welcome!” Devlin greeted from inside the office.
He emerged, clothes rumpled, hair askew, like he’d been
napping.
Zephyr contained a snort. The act—total bullshit—
designed to make the Satyr seem non-threatening.
Threatening or not, he was still a single male. Devlin’s
keen eyes drank in their appearances. He smoothed down his
hair and smiled broadly. “Well hello, ladies.”
Zephyr heaved a sigh of relief. Devlin didn’t recognize
him. Good.
“Hi. I’m Kalliope. Could you tell me about this poker
chip?” Kalli plopped the chip onto the glass countertop.
Yeah. So much for his plan to do all the talking.
Devlin studied the chip, turning it over a few times.
“It’s not local. Let me take a closer look. I have these special
glasses. They can see the truth behind anything. Supposedly,
they were created from the mirror Snow White’s evil
stepmother used.” He reached under the counter and
rummaged, then surfaced with a strange set of eyewear. More
like goggles with a multitude of interchangeable eyepieces.
Devlin clicked the lenses in a circular motion and aimed
them straight at Zephyr. “Whoa! What the fu—”
Zephyr leaned forward and fixed his friend with a hard,
keep your damn mouth shut, stare. “Let’s not use that kind
of language in front of ladies, shall we?” He telegraphed as
loudly as he could for the Satyr not to blow his secret.
Devlin blinked, adjusted the lenses with a few swift
movements, then cleared his throat. “Right. Apologies,
ladies. I don’t often encounter poker chips of such high
value.” He glared at Zephyr again, venom thick in his voice.
“Nope, I don’t have any idea where this is from. Can I borrow
it for further study?”
“Yes.” Kalli’s phone rang. After checking the number,
she grimaced. “Sorry, I need to take this call.”
“No problem. We’ll just chat.” Zephyr stared at Devlin.
The Satyr’s lips twitched, as if he were bursting to talk.
As soon as the door banged shut, he erupted. “Pan’s
cock! Who the hell did you piss off?” His face darkened.
“And why the fuck didn’t you tell me? I thought we were
friends, man. Or should I say ma’am.”
“I’m sorry. This hasn’t been easy for me. Can you
please take a rain check? I’m trying to help Kalli find her
brother Niko.”
“Niko? Your pastry chef? He’s missing?” Devlin
adjusted the lenses and examined Zephyr again. “Crap. Shit.
This happened because you helped Nix and Cal, didn’t it?
That’s not fair. You helped save the world!”
“The Fates saw it as interfering in a Hero’s Journey.”
Zephyr adjusted the tight V-neck shirt.
Devlin’s gaze zeroed in on his ample cleavage. “Dude,
you have fantastic knockers.”
“Bite me!” Gods almighty. He hoped his virginal friend
wasn’t getting any ideas.
“Tempting. But, no thanks. What about the girl
outside?” Devlin rolled the chip between his fingers.
“She doesn’t know a thing. And I intend to keep it that
way.”
“Uh, oh. Call’s over. She doesn’t look happy.”
“Devlin . . .”
“Yeah, I know,” he huffed. “My lips are sealed.”
Zephyr tapped the glass countertop. “And?”
Devlin held up his hands. “I won’t tell Cal or Nix. Or
anyone. Satyr’s honor.”
The doorbells jangled.
“Sorry for the interruption.” She smiled apologetically,
wiping any hint of unpleasantness from her face. “Any
luck?”
“Aurora is enchanting. But sadly not my type.” Devlin
smirked.
Kalli looked between him and Devlin, but held her
tongue.
Zephyr tossed down the papers they found in Niko’s
box. “Lucky me. Maybe you could use your expertise on
these? We can’t decipher the language.”
Impertinent fawn! Not his type. The Satyr was still a
freakin’ virgin.
“Yeah, sure thing, Tootsie!” Devlin rifled through the
pages. “I’ll call you when I find something.” He wandered
toward the backroom, then smiled at Kalli. “Nice to meet
you, Kalliope.”
“What was that all about?” Kalli asked once they were
alone.
“Nothing.” Zephyr stepped outside, a bead of cold
sweat dripping down his spine. Devlin had pointed out the
obvious. Lying, it never ended well.
Kalli picked at the hem of her shirt, the phone call
replaying in her mind.
Her sister Clio had issued an ultimatum. “Return now,
sister, and we will forget this unfortunate incident ever took
place.”
“You can’t mean that. Surely, I’m not the only Muse
who cares about Niko.” Kalli knew better, but hoped maybe
one of them would take her side.
“I speak on behalf of all the Muses.” Clio’s selfimportant tone rankled Kalli. The only reason everyone
listened to her was because she was the oldest, not because
she made wise decisions.
Kalli bit off a retort. Further discussion was pointless.
“I will think upon it, Clio.”
“Don’t wait too long, Kalli.”
“How long do I have?”
“Not as long as you think.” Clio hung up. As always,
she had to have the last word.
A knot the size of a boulder rested in the pit of Kalli’s
stomach. Fear shot chills down her spine. She’d be homeless.
Cast out.
Niko’s face intruded. His cherubic smile and kind eyes
grinned at her. No. She couldn’t turn her back on him like
everyone else had.
“You okay?” Aurora asked.
“Fine.” Kalli winced internally at the lie. As a Muse,
she prized the truth above all else. She didn’t want to burden
her newfound friend with her troubles. “How come there is
no mention of the four winds having a sister?”
Aurora sighed. “Probably because I’m a bastard child.”
“So are most demigods. Why the secrecy?”
The car turned down a tree-lined street filled with
quaint homes. Aurora stopped and waited for traffic to clear
the intersection. “I have four very overprotective brothers.
Hey, do you mind if we make a two side trips?”
Intrigued, Kalli readily agreed. “Not at all.” She
suspected Aurora wasn’t being entirely truthful. And it was
really none her business.
The first errand had been easy. Aurora took her
shopping. “You’re supposed to meet my brother for dinner
tonight. You haven’t forgotten, have you?” she had teased.
“And I’m sure you don’t want to live in the same clothes all
the time.”
To Kalli’s delight, Aurora even asked her for clothes
advice. She claimed she needed to update her look. Said it
was too exposed. Kalli couldn’t imagine what Aurora meant.
She was impeccable, her outfits smart and tasteful. When
Aurora blushed deeply at Kalli’s compliment, she hugged
the wind goddess and thanked her for asking her opinion.
With the exception of Mel, Kalli wasn’t chummy with
any of her sisters. They all shared the island but they lived
nearly in isolation, each tending to their own business. For
the first time, she’d gotten a taste of what actual sisterhood
could be like. While Kalli was hardly a fashion plate, she
enjoyed having another female to shop with, to laugh with,
and to just talk. Ordering things off the Internet was nowhere
near as much fun as hands-on buying.
The second errand was even more intriguing.
“I need to fetch today’s flower order.” Aurora’s face
brightened with anticipation. “My, our friend, Mrs. Astor,
provides fresh-cut arrangements from her garden for the
dinner tables.”
They parked in front of a stately white clapboard house,
the windows adorned with cornflower blue shutters. Upon
closer inspection, Kalli decided the shade was closer to
forget-me-nots. Vivid blue hydrangeas lined the brick path
leading to the equally blue front door. Fragrant pink roses
entwined around the stair railings and front fence.
“This is like a fairy land.” Kalli marveled at the various
blossoms in all shapes and sizes. “Who maintains all this?”
“Mrs. Astor and her grandsons. You should see the
garden.” Aurora led them down a winding flagstone path to
the back of the house.
Kalli’s jaw dropped. A fiesta of flowers awaited them.
The garden seemed much larger than the space housing it.
The plants were arranged for maximum effect. Tall blooms
towered over shorter shrubs and ornamental grasses.
Hummingbird feeders were tucked in with fire-engine red
bee balm and dinner-dish-sized hibiscus. The stone walkway
branched into several different directions. Aurora took the
path to the left. A moment later, they emerged onto a grassy
oasis. Ornate white furniture was arranged in a circle around
an impressive stone table. More flowerbeds, filled with a
dazzling array of colors, surrounded the patio.
“Good afternoon!” Mrs. Astor greeted them from the
table. Delicate glass bowls lined the smooth surface like
tiny soldiers, each one filled with blooms of soft pinks,
chartreuse, and deep purple. A trio of white roses floated in
the center of each arrangement.
As Aurora introduced them, a strange melancholy
seemed to hang around the goddess. Kalli would have loved
to know why. When the old woman offered her hand, Kalli
opened her senses. Ah. There was the reason. Death would
soon claim the woman. Sadly, no human escaped death’s call.
Sooner or later they withered and passed to the Underworld.
“Nice to meet you, Kalliope.” Mrs. Astor’s vivid blue
eyes, untouched by age, captured hers. It was as if the woman
knew Kalli had assessed her. Curious. No mortal should be
able to sense her power. Maybe she was losing her touch.
“These are stunning, Mrs. Astor.” Kalli inhaled from
the nearest arrangement. A riot of sweet scents tickled her
nose.
Aurora bent down and kissed the elder on her wrinkled
cheek. For a brief moment, sadness flashed over Aurora’s
face. Mrs. Astor frowned until she looked away. Even more
curious. And again, none of Kalli’s business. Finding Niko
was all that mattered.
“Do you have time to stay for tea?” Mrs. Astor bustled
around the table to clear off two chairs covered in garden
tools.
“Not today.” Aurora grabbed a pallet and loaded the
arrangements one by one.
As Kalli assisted packing flowers, out of the corner of
her eye, she observed Aurora watching Mrs. Astor with a
wistful smile. When the elder had trouble shifting a heavy
pot, Aurora rushed over and moved it.
After three trips, the flowers were loaded in the car and
they were ready to leave. Kalli waited outside the fence a
discreet distance away while Aurora and her friend quietly
chatted. While it was tempting to use her Muse power to
eavesdrop on the conversation, she didn’t. Too rude and
intrusive.
And yet, even from her vantage point, Kalli could sense
something was off between Aurora and the mortal. Behind
their polite conversation, their body language told a different
story, of underlying tension. Rigid posture, arms tightly
crossed, eyes looking anywhere but at each other. Aurora
dropped her arms, expression earnest as if she was pleading.
Mrs. Astor’s countenance softened, her shoulders relaxed,
then she leaned forward, touched Aurora’s arm and shook
her head no.
Defeated, argument lost, Aurora’s shoulders slumped.
She pecked her friend on the cheek and stalked to the car.
They rode the short distance in silence. Kalli didn’t want to
pry into what was clearly a personal situation.
When they arrived, several staff members assisted them
in carting in all the boxes.
“Thanks for your help, Kalli. We can take it from here.”
Aurora checked her cell phone then pocketed it.
“No. Please. Let me help. It’s the least I can do to earn
my keep.”
A wry smile danced on Aurora’s lips. “You’re our guest.
After rescuing us from dessert disaster, we can’t ask you to
work for us again.”
“And I’d like to learn more about the inn’s operation.”
Better than sitting in her room worrying about Niko.
“As you wish. Grab a box and follow me.” Aurora
swept through the kitchen and out into the elegant dining
room. Warm wood paneled walls, interspersed with vast
picture windows overlooked the garden and sea view beyond.
Glittering cut-glass chandeliers cast light throughout the
cozy room. A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace dominated the
opposite wall.
“Do you light the fireplace at night?” Kalli studied how
Aurora placed each arrangement on the table.
“Every night, except the summer. It’s too hot for the
guests.”
“Pity. I’d like to see it.”
“I’m sure my brother would be happy to accommodate
you.”
I bet. Anything to ease his way inside a woman’s panties.
Kalli immediately regretted the uncharitable thought. So
far Zephyr had been kind to her. She should stop being so
negative.
“That’s the last of them. How about I show you the
spa?” Aurora handed the empty pallets to a nearby employee
then checked her phone again.
Kalli couldn’t resist commenting. “Expecting a call?”
“Oh.” Aurora chewed her bottom lip. “I’m anticipating
Zephyr’s arrival.”
When they stepped through the double doors separating
the inn from the spa, Kalli understood why.
The reception area was packed with ladies of all ages
and sizes. Spa staff circled the room dispensing glasses filled
with thick green or pink liquid. A buffet table laden with
fruits, vegetables, and assorted finger foods rested against a
far wall.
“Whoa!” Kalli circled around the crowd. “They’re all
waiting”—she lowered her voice—“for him?”
“Yes.” Aurora stopped an employee. “Please find Mr.
Langston.”
“How is it possible?” Kalli did a bit of mental math.
“How can he attend to all of them?”
“He can’t. This is triple the number of his normal
clientele.”
The air around them briefly ruffled, sweeping the curls
off her forehead. Langston appeared next to her as if he’d
teleported. None of the humans seemed to notice.
Langston lifted her hand to his lips. “Enchanté,
Kalliope. You are a delightful vision today.”
Aurora stepped between them, irritation written on
her face. “Paws off my guest.” If Kalli didn’t know better,
she’d guess Aurora was jealous. Maybe she had thing for
Langston?
Langston smirked and cocked an eyebrow at the
declaration, but otherwise remained silent.
“What’s with the crowd? Zephyr can’t possibly tend to
this many customers tonight.” Aurora motioned around the
room.
“I’ll find out. There must have been some cock-up with
the reservations system again,” Langston said.
“This the second time this week. Unacceptable. It took
my brother days to placate his disappointed clients.”
While Aurora and Langston discussed the logistics
of handling so many ladies, Kalli surveyed the room. The
guests appeared satisfied, consuming refreshments and
chatting amongst themselves.
The only discontented mortal was Mrs. James, the
human who had dumped hot tea on her. The woman loomed
over the reception desk, her face blushed red, her mouth
in a tight frown. Two employees quietly spoke over what
appeared to be an appointment card. One of the women wore
a tiny pink pig on the lapel of her black vest.
“Kalli, I need to bid you good night,” Aurora said,
checking her phone yet again. A sheen of perspiration coated
her forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
She blended into the crowd before Kalli could say a
word. “Is she okay?”
“Don’t worry about her. She’s fine,” Langston said. “I
hate to cut and run, too, but I’m needed on crowd control.
Everyone pitches in around here.”
“Do you also give massages?”
“When it’s called for. I’m not as skilled as Zephyr, but
the ladies don’t complain.” He smiled, revealing two dimples.
Definitely a charmer. Not her type, though. Langston was too
pretty for her. He reminded her of Niko— a cherub. The knot
in her stomach returned. Niko. Gods, she hoped he was okay.
With no reason to hang around, she headed for the exit,
weaving through the throng. As she neared the double doors,
strong arms roped around her waist, tugging her backward.
She tensed, ready for a fight.
“Good evening, Kalliope.” The voice, deep and
enchanting, blew over her skin like a warm summer breeze.
The arms relaxed and she spun around. Zephyr towered
above her, wearing a fitted button-down shirt and crisp
slacks. Instead of wearing his hair loose, he’d pulled it into
a ponytail. The god oozed sex appeal and his effect on her
hadn’t diminished one bit. Her fingers twitched, urging her
to yank his hair free.
Perfectly normal reaction.
Probably happened to all females within close
proximity.
He smiled broadly, a devilish quirk on his lips. Smug
son of a—
“There you are!” Mrs. James pushed through the
crowd, toppling the other ladies out of her way with elbowknocking efficiency. “I was starting to think my trip here
had been a huge waste of time.” The mortal, clearly smitten,
wrapped her manicured fingers around Zephyr’s biceps.
“When have I ever disappointed you, my dear Mrs.
James?” He turned on a thousand-watt smile.
Kalli stifled a groan. His luminous gaze flashed toward
her before he spoke to Mrs. James. “Please go to the room.
I’ll meet you there momentarily.”
“I’m first!” she crowed to the other women, then sped
off.
“Wow. Dare I ask what kind of massaging is going on
here?” Kalli raised an eyebrow.
“For shame. Get your mind out of the gutter. No funny
business here.” Zephyr frowned in mock horror, clasping
her hand. “I’m very good at what I do. In fact”—He circled
around her. His fingertips feathered down her neck, then
descended on her shoulders—“You seem tense. Would you
care to find out what the buzz is all about? My treat.”
Warmth seeped from her shoulders, flowing directly
down her spine, easing her tension. Every muscle in her body
screamed yes! When he applied pressure to her neck in a
slow, rhythmic motion, another kind of heat spun inside her.
“No,” she sighed, then regretfully pulled away. Several of
his clients muttered amongst themselves, no doubt shocked
she’d refuse the great Zephyr. “I need to focus on finding
Niko. I’ll let you return to your business.”
“I understand,” Zephyr said. “I’ll see you for dinner
later then.”
“Yes. Dinner.” How could she have forgotten she’d
promised to meet him? She even had a new dress. “But how
will you get all these massages done?”
“Don’t you worry, love, we gods move in mysterious
ways. And the offer for the massage is good whenever you
want to collect it.”
She nodded like an idiot and power walked out of the
room. Why didn’t she say yes to the massage? Her sister
Clio’s dire words rang in her head. You don’t know about
the world. You don’t know anything. Males are all the same.
Bastards.
Kalli marched to her room and slammed the door. Clio
was wrong. She wasn’t a naïve girl, unschooled in the world.
She’d known physical pleasure and emotional pain. Before
they’d become sequestered like nuns, she’d actually had
some semblance of a social life.
And she was no stranger to the ways of men. Clio
wasn’t exactly unbiased. Jilted at the alter centuries earlier,
she was a bitter Miss Haversham. What did she know? She
hadn’t left the island in a thousand years.
Disgusted, she stripped naked and took a shower,
erasing away the day’s grime. Helping prep the dining
room had been fun. She never did chores at home. They had
servants for everything, so the Muses could focus on their
empire.
She ran her fingers through her damp hair, careful
not to create any more snarls. Curly hair was a curse and a
blessing. While easy to style, it also devolved into a frizzy
mess at the first sign of humidity.
A somber funeral song rang from her cell phone. Her
sister Mel’s ringtone mirrored her gallows sense of humor.
“Hey, hon,” she said, slipping her shoes onto her damp
feet. “I’m on my way out the door.”
“I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” she said,
her tone husky like she’d just rolled out of bed. “Clio is
serious about banishing you.”
Anger broiled in her gut. “I’m not leaving.”
“I understand. But . . . I’ll be sad without you. No one
understands me like you do. Thalia is all jokes all the time.
Drives me crazy.” Mel’s voice trailed off. A heavy object
clattered in the background. “Damn. I’ve gotta go. The baby
wyvern’s escaped again.” Smoke alarms shrieked in the
background before the line went dead.
Shaking her head, Kalli pocketed the phone, then
checked her hair in the mirror. Dry enough, not too scary.
With a series of swift twists, she tamed it in a loose updo.
She drew down a few curly tendrils. Not bad. After an
application of sheer lip gloss, she felt . . . pretty. Desirable.
And totally selfish. Niko was her first priority, not the
handsome God of the West Wind. He was a means to end.
That’s all.
Too bad she didn’t believe herself.
Zephyr hesitated outside of 4N20 Blackbirds. Ever
since he reverted to his normal form, he’d been uneasy.
At first he’d assumed it was a hold over from the mess
he’d found in the spa. If he didn’t know better, he’d think
someone sabotaged his reservation system. He could brush
off the occasional glitch, but this had been going on for the
past few weeks.
It was probably nothing. Despite his fearsome
“womanizer” reputation, he hadn’t given anyone, mortal or
immortal, a reason to be angry. At least none of he could
think of in the last century.
Lost in his own musings, he realized the diners seated
by the window were giving him the stink eye. Best to go in
before Kalli discovered him standing around like a half-wit.
Once inside, the scent of savory baked goods drenched
the air, mingling with aromatic wafts of Mama G’s famous
clam chowder and fish stew. His stomach rumbled in
anticipation.
The chef in question emerged from the kitchen with
fluid grace. Thin and wiry like a ballet dancer, she enveloped
him a firm hug. “Welcome to my best customer.” Her slight
island accent clipped the ends of her words. “Table for one
tonight?”
“No. Someone is meeting me.”
“Oh, you have a date, do you?” She wagged her
eyebrows with glee.
Did he? “Not exactly.”
“I’ll give you my most private booth. And away from
the kitchen so you can hear each other. Oh, sugar, I’m so
happy for you.” Mama placed two menus on the table. “I had
a feeling you were coming tonight. I made my blackberry
pie.”
Zephyr’s mouth watered. “My favorite. I can’t wait.”
He sat facing the front door to better to observe Kalli’s
arrival. To pass the time, he studied the evening’s specials.
So many choices.
“A date, eh? How nice.”
He barely managed to suppress his surprise. Lachesis,
the Fate of Destiny, sat across from him. Even though the
hot, humid air would have wilted most people, the Fate
appeared cool and untroubled by the weather. Her linen
sundress didn’t have a single wrinkle on it. Gold bangles
decorated her tanned arms.
Perfectly shit timing. Or probably not. She must have
known—destiny and all.
“I do have a date. I’d appreciate it if she didn’t arrive
and find me with another female.”
Lachesis laughed. “No, we wouldn’t want her to
think you were a womanizer or anything, would we? I’ll
be brief. I’m here to provide you with more details on your
punishment.” She slid a slick, brightly colored pamphlet
across the table.
You’ve Been Cursed by the Fates? Now What? Blazed
across the front. Zephyr’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be
shitting me.”
The air temperature in the booth dropped by ten degrees.
Vapor rose from Lachesis’ breath. “Have a care, Zephyr.
This is no joke. We have worked hard over the millennia to
provide a chance at redemption for each curse.”
A tiny bit of hope burned in his chest. “Forgive me. I
don’t suppose you can give me a hint.”
“Perhaps a little one.” Lachesis splayed her fingers atop
the walnut table. Eyes milky white, her voice lowered an
octave. “When you earn unconditional love, then you will
regain all that has been lost.”
My powers. Gods, he missed the wind. “I’d be wholly
myself? No more turning into a female?”
“Yes. No more high heels and tight skirts. Although you
do wear them well.” Lachesis folded her hands. “There is a
purpose to your discomfort. It’s not just for our amusement.”
Zephyr snuffed a snarky retort and nodded in agreement,
lips firmly pressed together. Irritating a Fate was never, ever,
a good idea. He’d annoyed Lachesis once already. Twice
would be pushing his luck.
A horrible possibility dawned on him. “Is there a time
limit? If I don’t find this person, will I be stuck like this
forever?”
Her laughter rang out like a silver bell, startling the
mortals at the next table. “We are not so cruel. We haven’t
forgotten the sacrifices you have made. Both personal and to
the world at large.”
A lump lodged in his throat. They knew his secrets. His
very private ones. Why was he surprised?
“Ah, my time here is at an end. Call the number in the
brochure if you have any questions.” She blew him a kiss
and vanished.
And not a moment too soon. Kalli lingered on the
sidewalk, attention fixed on a tourist map. The green dress
they’d picked out together, earlier in the day, hugged all her
curves. Those luscious copper curls were arranged in a loose
bun exposing creamy, kissable shoulders. He longed to muss
her hair, freeing her glorious strands while he twisted his
fingers through the curls.
His cock twitched in his pants when she spotted him,
a smile brightening her face. She waved and entered the
building. He rose to greet her, the menu down by his lap.
The last thing she needed to see was his erection tenting at
her like a divining rod.
Tiny lines crinkled around her eyes. “How did you get
through all those ladies so quickly?” She burst out laughing.
“Sorry. I realize how bad that sounds.”
“Please, sit down.” He motioned to the booth. “Can
you keep a secret?”
“Are you kidding? I’m a Muse. We know tons of private
information. And yes, I swear to keep this between us.”
Gods, he hoped the Muses didn’t know as much at the
Fates. “This is a trade secret.” And he had no idea why he
felt compelled to tell her, but his mouth kept moving. “I have
several assistants charmed to look like me. They are highly
trained and the mortals can’t tell the difference. They believe
what their eyes tell them.”
“Except Mrs. James, I bet.” Kalli smiled at the waiter
as he filled their water glasses.
Zephyr wanted to pound the foolish boy for returning
her grin. “Yes. She is well attuned for a mortal. There’s no
fooling her.” He scowled until the waiter went away.
Kalli didn’t seem to notice as she intently studied the
menu. “This all looks delicious. What do recommend?”
Zephyr beckoned the young server over to the table.
“We’ll have one of everything.”
“Everything?” After a long stare, the boy stuttered,
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Any news from Devlin Ward yet?” Kalli asked, biting
her bottom lip. Gods, she didn’t realize how sexy she looked.
Her eyes grew wide. “Zephyr?”
Right, she’d asked him a question. Staring isn’t polite.
“Sorry. No, nothing yet. He’ll call as soon as he knows
something.”
Even though she put on a brave face and chatted
amiably, he knew she was worried. The sag in her shoulders,
the overly cheery tone in her voice, signs he was learning to
read her.
Spending the day with her had been a revelation. The
visage a female showed to another female was vastly different
than he’d expected. As Aurora, conversation flowed easily
between them. Kalli listened, only offering advice when
asked. She laughed at his corny jokes. And more importantly,
Aurora didn’t have to impress her.
Everything seemed so much easier. His wished they
had that easiness now. A barrier had been erected and she
wasn’t as free in her words or manner.
Granted, his damn reputation squatted between them
like a giant pink elephant. He longed to confess the truth,
knowing that the longer he deceived her, the worse it would
be later.
What later? She would leave as soon as they found
Niko. See. No reason to upset her.
“Niko never mentioned his family. He mostly kept to
himself. Aurora raved about you. How could he keep you a
secret?” he asked.
Kalli sighed, then rearranged her silverware. “Growing
up on the island was hard on Niko. It was like he had nine
mothers.”
“I imagine that must have been rough.”
“You have no idea. I’m sure Aurora must have felt the
same way. With four brothers.”
“Yeah. We were total bastards.” More lies. He was a
bastard. “So are your sisters also looking for Niko?”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “No. They wiped their
hands clean of him years ago. Niko’s mischievous nature
always resulted in trouble. After he egged the Sphinx’s
library, my sisters were mad. If that wasn’t bad enough, he
then tied cans on Cerebus’ tails. The poor creature rampaged
through Hades’ office. Trashed the whole thing. As you can
imagine, they were volcanically pissed. Even I have to admit
that feeding laxatives to the cattle in the Augean stables was
a bit over the top.”
Zephyr’s respect grew for Niko. Hades was a pompous
fuss-budget and the Sphinx had zero sense of humor. Which
made no sense since he favored riddles. Okay, the cattle.
That was gross. “Sounds like he kept you on your toes.”
“I honed my diplomatic skills rather quickly. The final
straw was the most public incident. Do you remember the
Blackout of 1965?”
He did. The entire Northeast had lost power for days.
“Niko and one of Zeus’ daughters decided to horse
around. Needless to say, stray lightning bolts and a giant
power outage made The Delian League’s radar. My sisters
were not happy to be under Nereus’ scrutiny.”
Zephyr could imagine. The Old Man of the Sea took
threats to mortal security seriously. “So did Nereus punish
all of you?”
“No. He got all weird about it and said he’d settle
up with Niko at a later date. My sisters are very image
conscious. They couldn’t bear the scandal or the jokes at
their expense. They gave Niko an ultimatum: knock it off or
face banishment.
“Niko moved to Paris to study cooking. He calmed
down over the years. Or so I thought. He never did overcome
his impulsive streak. I’ve bailed him out of a few debts.
Nothing serious, though,” she quickly added.
“If it’s any consolation, he never caused any trouble
while in my employ.”
“That’s a relief.” Kalli traced a bead of water down the
side of her water glass with an elegant forefinger.
Zephyr was jealous of the glass.
“My turn now. How come no one knows you have a
sister? This is the scoop of the millennia.”
Before he could respond with more lies, Mama G and
a contingent of wait staff started piling plates on the table.
“Zephyr, you are my favorite customer today.” Mama
G dipped her graceful neck at him. “We have a pool in the
back wagering if you can eat all of this.”
She laughed all the way to the kitchen.
Kalli stared, mouth agape. “Oh my goodness. I don’t
know what to try first.”
“A little of everything?” He knew from experience that
Mama G was going easy on him. The number of plates on
the table was a fraction of what she could have delivered.
They started with Mama’s signature New England clam
chowder. The thick soup was a mix of cream, potatoes, herbs,
and fresh clams. Zephyr’s taste buds nearly exploded when
he sampled the fragrant paella. Made with local seafood set
atop a bed of delicately spiced rice, he couldn’t resist a few
more bites.
“This lobster roll is fantastic. And the bread is to die
for.” Kalli tried a bit of each dish, genuinely praising the
food. “So Mama G, she’s a shifter?”
“Not exactly. She’s a Fairy Tale creature.” A beautiful
white goose to be exact.
“I’d love to interview her. I haven’t met very many of
their pantheon.” Kalli patted her stomach, face flushed. “I
need to slow down. I might burst.”
“I doubt that. You eat like a bird.”
“Not true. Birds actually eat quite a lot of food to
maintain their high metabolisms. It would be more accurate
to say I eat like a sloth.” She waved her hand. “Sorry. Listen
to me. I sound like a professor.”
Zephyr smiled. He enjoyed watching a faint rosy blush
color her cheeks and neck. He wondered if the glow went
down to her breasts. “I don’t mind. I find intelligence to be
sexy.”
Kalli smiled shyly and sipped her water, the blush
deepening.
The young mortal waiter cleared the table, then
presented them with warm blackberry pie and homemade
vanilla ice cream.
Zephyr raised his fork. “No one can top Mama’s flaky
crust and tangy fruit-filled pies. Not even Niko. Despite his
many pleas for Mama to teach him.”
“She must have a serious fortitude to refuse Niko. He
can be quite persuasive when he turns on the charm.” Kalli
grinned, then froze, her gaze fixed behind him. “That man
hasn’t stopped staring at us since I sat down. He’s creeping
me out.”
Damn it back to Hades. Zephyr must think she’s crazy.
Or her ego was ginormous.
“Where is he?” Zephyr’s low, deadly voice demanded.
“The table in the corner by the kitchen. Red shirt, black
ball cap.”
Zephyr stared at him for a long moment. Then his lips
twitched and his shoulders quivered as if holding in a laugh.
“I’m glad you think it’s so funny. He could be a pervert
or a rapist. I can defend myself but a mortal woman walking
alone would be vulne—”
“Whoa! Hold on. I’m not laughing at you.” Zephyr
motioned to the man. “Come over here, please.”
To her shock, the man approached the table. On closer
inspection, two minute wings were embroidered over his
shirt breast pocket. “It’s good to see you again, sir.”
What the hell? Her cheeks burned. Total. Idiot. “You
know this person?”
“Meet Noah. He works for Mercury Delivery Service.
One of Langston’s many business ventures.” Zephyr
chuckled. “Following helpless females around, huh?”
“No, of course not, sir. I would never hurt a female.”
Noah reached into his satchel and held out a package. “For
you, ma’am. Have a good evening.”
In a blink, he was gone. And so is my dignity, Kalli
thought opening the parcel.
“Hey. Don’t be so hard on yourself. All joking aside,
there are many dangers in our world. Next time, don’t
hesitate to say something. Or defend yourself, if necessary.”
Zephyr placed his palm over her hand. “Promise me.”
“I will.” His sincere concern touched her. The little
voice of doubt remained quiet for a change. Zephyr dug into
the pie while she slit the packing tape and opened the outer
box. Inside, nestled in bubble wrap, sat a cube. A white,
garden-variety note was taped to the cube’s top edge. Tucked
next to the cube, a padded manila envelope.
Tremors shook her fingers. She wanted to drop the
thing in the trash and run away. But cowardice wasn’t in her
nature. Curiosity would drive her nuts. If it was bad news,
she wanted it now, not later. A hundred horrible images
flooded her mind. Niko’s ear. A finger. His heart.
Or maybe, it could be a clue to his whereabouts.
She inched the bubble wrap aside.
Zephyr glanced around the restaurant. “I’d wait to
open it.” He pushed his plate away. All evidence of the pie,
eradicated.
“You’re right. Bad idea to open a potentially magic
object in a public place.” Her fingers twitched to lift the lid.
“I know you’re worried about Niko. We will find him.
In the meantime, enjoy the finer things in life because you
never know when they’ll come round again.” Regret tinged
his voice. He cleared his throat and looked away.
The scent of warm berries and buttery crust drifted from
the plate, crumbling her resolve. One mouthful, then we can
go. She took a bite. Tart and tangy berries ignited her taste
buds. The creamy vanilla ice cream had to be homemade. “I
was wrong earlier.” Kalli feigned a swoon. “The pie is to die
for. I totally understand why Niko begged for the recipe.”
Unable to resist, she finished the piece down to the last
crumb.
Zephyr waved for the check. “If you don’t mind, I’d
like to be present when you open the box.”
Touched by his offer, she nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Well, you know, not all boxes are benign.”
Pandora came to mind. She hoped her cube didn’t spell
doom for her or Niko.
She didn’t have to wait long to find out. After a brisk
walk to the inn, Zephyr ushered her into his office, the door
discreetly disguised as a faux wall panel behind the reception
desk.
“This is a really neat feature,” she said, smoothing her
fingers over the opening as they passed inside.
Zephyr’s face brightened. “Honey, you should see what
other secrets I have tucked into this place.”
I bet, she thought. Probably a network of secret rooms
and passages. Easier for late night trysts. Her cheeks flushed.
He tilted his head, his white teeth shining behind a
Cheshire Cat smile. “I know you’re probably thinking I have
this place set up for hanky panky. Sorry to disappoint. During
Prohibition, I made a killing thanks to the underground
tunnels.”
Drat. She really needed to work on her poker face. She
dropped into a cushy armchair and placed the box on her lap.
No more stalling. She took a deep cleansing breath. “Here
goes.”
She removed the note first and read it.
No. All the blood rushed from her head. Her brain
couldn’t wrap around the words on the page.
This can’t be happening. The cube opened after a series
of taps to the corners in precise order. Vertigo tilted the room.
She gripped the arms of the chair, trying to slow the pace of
her breathing.
No way. She would not breakdown in front of Zephyr.
Too bad Aurora wasn’t around. She could use a shoulder to
cry on. Someone to eat ice cream with and absorb the shock.
She couldn’t believe it. Her sisters had issued the final
warning—a broken quill.
The message clear: choose between them or Niko.
Even Mel had signed it. The little frowny face next to her
signature didn’t lessen the sting of betrayal.
Gods be damned.
Chapter 4
Panic closed Kalli’s throat. Spots danced before her
eyes. Get a grip. Zephyr’s watching. She pretended nothing
was wrong. She quietly closed the cube and turned her
attention to the padded envelope.
Not trusting herself to speak, she tore it open and
discovered a red, velvet drawstring bag embroidered with
a cursive ‘N’. She cleared her throat. “This was Niko’s. I
made it for him.” With a sad sigh, she upended the contents
in her palm.
Disappointing. “More poker chips and a pig pin,”
she said for Zephyr’s benefit. Pigs again? Maybe it was a
Connecticut thing. Funny, she didn’t remember the pig being
important to the state or the region. If anything, Stonington
was located by the ocean, so wouldn’t the focus be on sea
creatures?
Zephyr leaned forward, hand outstretched. “May I see
the pin?”
She placed the pin in his palm. The skin was smooth,
not a single callus or scar. Her eyes trailed to his forearm,
glimpsing the strength in the corded muscle. Must be from
all those massages. Gods, she could use one right about now.
Whoa. She needed to straighten her priorities. Granted,
she’d received the shock of a lifetime, but to contemplate
his hands on her body . . . shameful. Then again, what was
wrong with seeking a bit of comfort? A hot flush raced over
her neck and checks. Curse her fair skin.
He glanced at her as if sensing her inner battle, but said
nothing. His faint smile told her enough. Busted. Again.
Embarrassed, she scrunched the pouch in her palm.
Hold on. Paper crinkled under her fingers. Sure enough,
she extracted a tightly folded note written by Niko’s hand.
FYREO. For your eyes only.
While Zephyr studied the pin, she quickly read it. Trust
no one. Hera, what did Niko mean?
Odd. Zephyr seemed unusually mesmerized by the pin.
His focus intent, his gaze locked on the bauble. What the
hell?
After tucking the note in her pocket, she touched his
hand. “Zephyr?”
He didn’t seem to notice.
Kalli fed a slim thread of magic into the pin. The tendril
coiled around the object and . . .
Weird. There wasn’t anything strange about it. No
reason why he’d be so enthralled by a cheap piece of jewelry,
probably manufactured in some third world sweatshop. She
retracted the magic. Time to take more drastic measures.
She reached forward, hand outstretched, ready to snatch
the thing.
At her approach, Zephyr blinked, then frowned and
placed the pin on his desk. Those silver eyes coolly assessed
her. “What’s wrong? And don’t even consider telling me
you’re fine. I know you’re not okay.”
Tears stung her eyes. She clenched her fists, digging
her nails into her palms. So much for not breaking down.
“I’m one step away from being banished. They’ve given me
until the end of the week to depart. Once banishment is set
in motion, it can’t be stopped unless I return.”
“Those bitches.” Zephyr came around the desk and
knelt by the armchair. “I’m sorry, but family shouldn’t do
that to each other. You shouldn’t have to choose who you
love more.”
She barked out a bitter laugh. “You need a refresher in
mythology. Backstabbing is what immortals do best.”
“We’re not all assholes.” He caught a tear on his thumb
as it rolled down her cheek. “Kalli, look at me,” he said
softly. “You can stay here as long as you want.”
“That’s very kind, but really not necessary.”
“I’m serious. I offered you Sanctuary and I meant it.”
He stood and held out his hand. “Come with me.”
Every muscle in her body ached with tension. A dull
headache throbbed behind her eyes. Stemming her tears only
made it pound worse.
“Please.” The hoarseness in his voice grabbed her. “Let
me help you relax. No funny business. I promise.”
His beauty, the graceful lines of his body, she couldn’t
ignore her attraction to him any more. Screw it. She wanted
to feel his hands on her. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Zephyr grinned. “You won’t regret it.”
Famous last words. She squared her shoulders. No
backing out.
He led her to an innocuous-looking bookshelf which,
no surprise, opened into a secret passageway. “This is how
I travel between the office and the spa without being seen.
Helps me to avoid the Mrs. Jameses of the world.”
He smiled down at her, and like a flower in the sun, her
lady parts blossomed. An area that hadn’t seen action in far
too long.
Down, girl. It’s only a massage. Don’t get all excited.
Purely professional.
The passage ended at two doorways. He chose the one
on the left and went inside the dimly lit space first. “Give me
a sec to turn on the lights.”
Candles flared to life one by one, the subtle glow
illuminating a cozy, and, dare she say, intimate space. Earthtoned fabric draped the walls. Cushy carpeting muffled any
outside sounds. The star of the space, where all the massage
action happened, the sheet covered table in the center of the
room.
And . . . mmm . . . what was that delicious scent? She
breathed in the spicy aromas perfuming the air, the smell
akin to fresh-baked cinnamon cookies.
“I think you’ll appreciate this.” Zephyr strode over
to the far wall and drew the curtains to the side. Beyond
the open French doors, she caught a glimpse of the sand,
then nothing but glittering black water. “You should see this
during the day. The view is even more stunning. For now,
we’ll have to settle for the sound.”
Waves softly battered the shore. The gentle roll of the
surf and the whispering evening breeze calmed her. Born
and bred on an island, it reminded her of home. Hera. Why
did she go there? A hot tear streaked down her cheek.
“Hey. None of that.” Zephyr tilted her chin to meet his
eyes. “This is a no worry zone.” He handed her a towel and
pointed to an alcove behind the curtained wall. “Lay face
down with only the towel around your waist.”
In the cubicle, she followed his instructions, pausing
only at her underwear. After a moment of hesitation, she
shucked the panties off too.
She returned to an empty room. Maybe he’d stepped
out to give her privacy.
The sheet on the table shimmered, then vanished.
Not a table. No, something much cooler than an ordinary
massage workstation. Instead of a vinyl or leather-covered
surface, a puffy, white cloud floated above the floor. As she
approached, it lowered.
Not sure how to proceed, she sat on it like a bed. Solid,
yet pliant. She took a moment to run her fingertips over the
curious substance. Sleek as marble, it had the plush feel of
velvet. Satisfied she wouldn’t slip through, she arranged
herself on the surface as directed, settling face down. Once
she relaxed it rose and she floated, untethered. The cloud
molded to her body, cradling her face without smothering
her, supporting her comfortably no matter which way she
adjusted.
She suppressed a giggle. Amazing. If only her sisters
could see this. Mel would love it . . .
Oh. Reality squashed her excitement. She’d never see
Mel again. No more movie nights or overcooked popcorn.
No matter how many times Kalli explained it, Mel could
never trust the microwave’s pre-set buttons so she always
left it in too long. Damn. When did she become so weepy?
“Shhh.” Zephyr’s silken voice poured over her skin.
Goose pimples danced over her arms. “Worry free zone,
remember?”
Shivers of anticipation blended with a wisp of longing.
She could do this. Forget the Muse and be a woman.
Glass bottles clinked. A stopper popped as a vial was
uncorked. More spicy aromas diffused around the room.
Unable to resist, she craned her neck, trying to see him.
“No peeking,” he admonished, the sound coming from
the opposite side of the room. “Your job is to relax and enjoy.
No trying to study me either. Deal?”
Every time he spoke, the soothing cadence stirred heat
in her belly. Her hips wiggled and she clamped her thighs
together. Lust overwhelmed her and he hadn’t even touched
her yet.
“Try and relax, Kalli.” He circled the cloud until he
stopped in her line of sight. “This won’t work if you keep
squirming.” When he smiled, her nether parts tingled. She
slammed her eyelids shut and concentrated on breathing.
See, you can do this, Kalli. This is purely professional.
There is nothing going on except a massage. Nothing—
She gasped.
His fingertips traced a line along her shoulders. Firm
pressure from his palms followed in slow circles. Deeper
and deeper. Her muscles yielded like bread dough. Serenity
she hadn’t experienced in a long time filled her.
She groaned when the motion stopped. A cold void
raced over her skin.
“Shush. I’m not even close to being done. I’m going to
lower the towel down to your backside and no lower.”
Oh, Hera. Excitement danced from her belly down to
her toes.
“And now some warm, scented oil.” Exquisite heat
drizzled down her spine. Her nipples beaded. If only his
hands were there. Touching her.
Lavender suffused the air. And another fragrance.
Maybe vanilla.
“Zephyr,” she sighed, her words muffled by the cloud,
she tilted her face sideways. “I understand why women”—
she almost said ‘dropped their panties’, but caught herself—
“why they fight for appointments. You’re very skilled.”
“I am,” he said confidently.
“Geesh, don’t let it go to your head or anything,” she
grumbled.
He laughed, his palms gliding along her oil slicked
skin. “Thank you, lovely bookworm, for taming my raging
. . . ego.” Buttery smooth, his voice soothed as well as his
practiced hands.
He stepped away again. Kalli wanted to scream. Her
body wept for the return of his artful ministrations.
“Are you ticklish?” Before she could answer, he
caressed the sole of her foot. “Not twitchy. Very good.”
“Why?” she asked, straining to see him. The light
glinted off his pale hair. Deep shadows accentuated the
strong planes of his jaw and cheekbones. Eyes half-lidded,
his features locked in total concentration. A slow smile
curled his lips before his silvery gaze latched onto hers.
“No peeking.”
She averted her eyes. Oh, man. No point in denying his
ability. He’d mastered her body. If he asked her for it, she’d
say ‘yes’. In. A. Heartbeat.
Oh, man . . .
Too bad he didn’t feel the same desire for her. How
could he? She was one of the hundreds. No. Thousands of
females. What shot did she have?
Temptation pulsed through his veins like fire. Who the
Hades was he kidding? Desire, lust. Those would be more
accurate. Only years of training, of never crossing the line
while working, kept him from pouncing on her. Or from
tearing the towel from her rounded backside. Whenever she
squirmed, wiggling her fine ass, he nearly lost it. Two dimples
rested at the base of her spine. Little, lickable indentations.
Kalli’s breathy sigh focused his mind. No tonguing the
clients. That’s right. She’s a customer. Clay to be molded,
relaxed, and then sent away.
Her luscious rump undulated again. Yeah, the pep talk
wasn’t working. The raging erection he’d had since the
moment she reclined on his cloud refused to be ignored. His
pants strangled his circulation and there wasn’t anything he
could do about it.
Warm sultry breezes fluttered the curtains, revealing
the moon had moved higher in the sky. Soon the night would
be over and he’d be a woman again. All too quickly he’d
have to end the massage. He anticipated that the silken feel
of her skin would resonate in his hands for hours after.
“We’re almost done.” With the pads of his fingertips he
worked the final stretch of her calf. He didn’t want to stop
touching her. But he did.
Kalli craned her neck over her shoulder, raising onto
one elbow. The rounded swell of her breast tantalized him.
“That was wonderful. Thank you.”
He waved away her gratitude. “Really, the pleasure was
all mine.”
She smiled and lowered her eyelids. “I bet you say that
to all of your clients.”
Only you. “I’ll leave you to get dressed. Wear the robe
to your room. The oils will stain your clothes. Good night.”
With calmness he didn’t feel, he exited—fled would be
more accurate—down the hidden passages until he reached
the outside exit by his private dock. Plunging into the night,
he didn’t stop until he was at the dock’s end, the entire time
he wished he could melt into the winds. He’d come too close
to losing control, from rolling her over and—
Yeah, way too close. Her deep, throaty purr rumbled
through his mind, sending his lust into overdrive. What was
it about her?
Kalli. Images of her beauty flashed through his mind.
But more than that, her grounded nature was incredible. Even
as she lay softened like putty in his hands, she managed to
keep his ego in check. She seemed unimpressed by his skill
but her body had told him otherwise. He knew the moment
she yielded control to him. Muscles don’t lie.
He raised his palm upward until it seemed to be holding
the moon. She made him feel like he could do anything. A
gentle breeze rolled over his face cooling his heated skin.
The wind. His constant companion. Absent. Ripped
away by the Fates. If he had to choose between losing the
West Wind or an eternity as a female, he’d pick Aurora.
Hands down. Without his power, he wasn’t a god. They
might well as have robbed him of all his senses too.
What would Kalli think of him? Aside from the fact he
hadn’t told her the truth about his punishment. Or Typhon’s
seal. That knowledge alone could get her killed.
He dropped his arm and turned away from the moon.
Selfish prick. He had no business dragging her into his
fucked-up life. Better for her if he let her go. She’d stirred
emotions he believed were long dead. Hope. Joy. Dare he
even think it? The possibility of love. He had loved Flora
with all his heart, but Kalli, she’d outdone Flora already.
Worse, she’d seeped into his soul.
Not good. She deserved better than a powerless god. Or
a half man. Remaining silent was his best option. If she did
learn the truth, better she hate him for his lies. That would be
so much easier. Wouldn’t it?
The problem with self-deception; it only went so far
before the inevitable crash and burn. No matter how much
she denied it, she was attracted to him, the handsome,
overconfident God of the West Wind.
The rumors about his skilled hands—all true. An atomic
level of relaxation lingered for hours after the massage. Even
as her impending banishment thundered over her, like a dark
cloud of desolation, her body seemed to reject the thought,
reminding her of Zephyr’s soothing presence.
Kalli luxuriated in an antique tub. Eyelids heavy. Body
sated. The fragrant remnants of the massage’s oil seemed to
coil around her body, impervious to the heated water. She
lost track of time since she’d returned to her room. Judging
by the height of the moon, she may have even dozed off.
Again and again, the memory of Zephyr’s hands gliding
over her skin energized her. She felt so alive. Lush and ripe.
Ready for the taking.
With a groan, she slid deeper into the water. For a while,
she entertained scenarios where she could finagle another
massage. Like a junkie looking for a fix. It had to be the
scented oils. They must contain some amazing drugs.
Really? Drugs? Was that the best theory she could come
up with? As if to discount the uncharitable idea, another wave
of bliss rolled over her, soothing away the tension growing
inside her. She could experience this feeling again. Another
massage was only a phone call away.
Gods. She was pathetic. The bliss would wear off
sooner or later and then her wits would return.
Yeah, and on that note, time to rejoin the real world.
With a sigh of regret, she sloshed out of the tub, emotions in
a jumble. Wrapped in a plush towel, she dried her skin until
it glowed pink. After smoothing on one of the spa’s signature
lotions, she ran her fingers through her damp hair in a lame
attempt to tame the curls.
Hopeless curls. Nothing but an unruly mess.
A platter of sliced fruit, fresh-brewed coffee, and
yogurt waited for her in the outer sitting room. She smiled
and snagged a plump strawberry. Zephyr had left her a
handwritten note.
See you tonight?
Yes, she realized with a slow smile, that would be nice.
In the meantime, she needed to focus on finding Niko. She
wanted to bang her head against the wall. Lack of progress
equals a crazy girl. She’d already canvassed every place in
Stonington Niko might have frequented. Of course, most of
the local business owners heard of Niko, but few actually
knew him. Not surprising. Gods didn’t make long-term
friends with humans.
Even more maddening, Zephyr and Langston weren’t
having any luck with their contacts either. Her brother had—
poof—vanished.
Crud. What if he didn’t want to be found?
No. She didn’t believe it. Her instincts continued to
sound an alert. And she hadn’t forgotten the pull that had
drawn her to Stonington in the first place. No matter how
hard she tried, she knew something or someone had sent her
a message.
She rubbed the ache between her eyebrows. Aurora
called it her worry wrinkle. Come to think of it, so did
Zephyr. Funny, how they both would call it the same thing.
Her eye caught the black cube resting on the room’s
writing desk. The broken quill remained inside where she
didn’t have to see it. Nonetheless, she knew it was there.
She balled her fists, furious. How could they refuse to bend?
Right from the start, they’d decided to punish Niko for his
bastard status.
She barked out a bitter laugh. Hypocrites! Half the
progeny in the god world was illegitimate.
A soft chime sounded from the nightstand. The
Musepad. Who could that be?
Her jaw clenched when she recognized the caller. Clio’s
smirk made her cringe inwardly. Kalli always suspected her
sister believed she was the most important Muse. History
was a serious matter and trumped anything related to
entertainment. Modern humans worshipped celebrity and
pop culture over their own past, making Clio bitter and more
determined to prove her relevance.
“Calling to gloat?” Kalli asked, holding her face in a
neutral mask.
“Don’t be so bitter. I’m calling with a proposal. All sins
forgiven. If you do something for me.”
The bottom fell out of Kalli’s stomach. Whatever
Clio was about to offer couldn’t be good. There wasn’t a
generous bone in her sister’s body, only logical calculation
and a misguided sense of entitlement.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she locked her arms
into place so her sister wouldn’t see the device shake. “I’m
listening.”
“A little bird told me Zephyr has secrets.”
Kalli rolled her eyes. “All of us have secrets, Clio.”
“Ah, but we both know Zephyr has more than most.
A few months ago, he allegedly helped foil a plot to stop
Typhon. Then, there’s the whole Flora affair. Perhaps you
can find out the truth about what happened.”
Her jaw hung open for a moment before she regained
her composure. “I am not going to spy on him. He’s my
host.” She stopped short of telling Clio that Zephyr had
offered Sanctuary. It was none of her damn business.
“It’s the only way you’ll ever be allowed to set foot on
Parnassus again.” Clio smiled smugly. “What do you care
anyway? Everyone knows he’s a bastard.”
“Right. He deserves it, then,” she said in a flat tone.
Clio’s smile brightened. “Exactly. So glad you
understand.”
Clearly, her sister missed Kalli’s total lack of enthusiasm
and horror at the mere suggestion she break his trust. Not to
mention, there was a code among the immortals to never
abuse a host’s hospitality. Ever.
“Don’t disappoint me, Kalliope. Remember tick, tock.
You have a deadline.” The Musepad went dark.
Kalli chucked it across the room. No way in Hades,
Hell, or the Void, would she consider betraying him.
A cold shiver danced over her skin. Or would she?
She reclined on the bed. Her vow to help Niko, no
matter the cost, had suddenly become an unbearable weight.
She’d better find him soon because choosing between her
brother and Zephyr had suddenly become a terrible choice.
Gods! The whole situation sucked. Why would Clio
propose such a rotten bargain? What was her game?
Kalli stood. Did her sisters know about Clio’s scheme?
She fished her phone out of her pocket, fingers poised to
dial Mel’s number, ready to divulge everything. To demand
answers.
Trust no one. Niko’s earlier note stayed her hand.
Maybe he meant his own sisters.
Closing her eyes, she centered her mind and sank deep
inside herself. What did the facts tell her?
Believe in her sisters? No. Not even Mel. Without being
on the island, she had no way to know who was listening
to their conversations. In fact, Kalli should assume Clio
monitored communications to and from the island. Kalli
could kick herself for designing a system easy enough for all
of them to use. She’d originally created their network to aid
in communication. Of course, she never thought her sisters
would turn on her.
No more using the Musepad or her cell phone. They
were probably be compromised.
Hold on.
The phone! How could she be so dense? Niko’s cell
would have a locator in it.
A computer could trace the phone as long as he hadn’t
disabled the tracking program.
Filled with a renewed sense of hope, she called the
front desk.
After a shitty night of self-reflection that only led to
more conflicted emotions, Zephyr groaned. Mrs. Astor was
meeting him, or more accurately Aurora, for tea. The woman
had an uncanny knack for sensing when he needed to unload
his troubles. She’d phoned him at first light to confirm their
regular date. And he’d best not forget it.
As was their usual custom, they were seated in the
garden. An endless variety of roses were in full bloom:
yellow, pink, white, red, and many combinations in between.
Mrs. Astor had supervised the garden’s creation many years
earlier. Her gift to him, she had quipped, before she departed
the world.
Don’t think about that. The wind lifted his hair, splaying
a curtain across his face for a moment, hiding his frown. He
pulled in a deep lungful of ocean air, the taste of salt clinging
to his palate.
Enjoy the time, while you have it, he thought mournfully.
Mrs. Astor folded her napkin into a neat rectangle and
placed it next to her saucer. Mortal age had claimed her. Soft
wrinkles lined her face and palms. Downy white tendrils
escaped her carefully coifed hair.
Pain stung his heart. Often, he wanted to throw himself
at her feet and beg her not to end her life.
“Stop looking at me that way,” she said softly. “The
choice was mine. I made peace with it a long time ago.”
Zephyr reached across the table and clutched at her
fingers. Seeing his feminine hand, the rounded nails and
delicate fingers, frustrated him. With their time together
waning, he wished for her to see him as himself, not as . . .
someone else.
As if reading his mind, she chuckled. “Is being a woman
for part of the day really so bad?”
“Et tu, Brute?” he grumbled. “Glad you think it’s so
damn amusing.” He gulped a mouthful of tea, the tangy
sweetness barely registering.
“Perhaps, the Fates know best,” she said. “Have you
had your first check-in with them yet?” The late afternoon
sun bathed the rose garden in a mellow orange glow. For a
brief moment, he could see the youthful female she had once
been. He swallowed down the brick of sadness stuck in his
throat.
“Yes.” The Fates had offered him a glimmer of hope. A
slim chance to lift the curse, but he didn’t see how it would
happen. Even without his punishment, he carried Typhon’s
seal on his body. And he had plenty of enemies who would
be happy to harm him or someone he loved. Kalli’s life
would always be in danger.
Speaking of . . . where was she? She was supposed
to meet him soon. Anticipation threaded through him. An
image of her near-naked body flashed into his mind. His
fingers flexed at the memory of touching her supple skin.
No. Better to stomp on his desires right now. His friend
across the table served as a stark reminder— love brought
misery.
Mrs. Astor smiled warmly at him. “She’s a lovely
woman. I know what you’re thinking.”
His brows lifted in surprise. “Do you?”
“Yes. I can see it plain on your face. You think she
deserves better than you. Well, you’re wrong. She’s lucky
to have you.”
He opened his mouth to deny her words.
“And, don’t interrupt me, Zeph. What happened
between us wasn’t your fault. We were always better friends
than lovers.”
He knew that, but it didn’t change the situation. He was
about to lose one of his closest friends to the ravages of a
mortal death. In the god world, true friends were hard won.
She had to listen to reason. “This isn’t about Kalli.”
“I see. This is about you being a stubborn ass.” Anger
laced her voice.
She was one to talk about stubborn.
Unable to stand it, Zephyr came around the table and
knelt before her. When her thin hand landed on his arm,
reality squeezed him tight. Panic overrode his promise not to
beg. “Please. Reconsid—”
“No. Don’t ask,” Mrs. Astor said with a hard edge.
“Don’t Z. Just don’t.”
“I can’t help it,” he said mournfully. “You can’t expect
me to be happy about the situation.”
“Don’t you dare start again. I’ve lived a full, happy
life.” She stood tall and righteous, her posture reminding
him of her younger prouder self, a beautiful vision in a field
of endless flowers.
“Was it worth it?” He wanted to hate the mortal man
who had stolen her heart. Yet, he couldn’t despise the human
for giving her what he never could.
Her joyful smile told him the answer, but didn’t lessen
the blow.
“Oh, yes. I’ve never loved anyone as much as him. And
my children are such a blessing. One I would have never had
otherwise.” She clasped his hand, her grip strong and firm.
He stood to face her. “But that doesn’t mean I never cared
or loved you, Zephyr. I can never thank you enough for the
sacrifice you made for us. So we could have time together.”
“I don’t regret it.” And he didn’t, only that the price
she chose to pay was so steep. He raised her hand and kissed
her knuckles. “Are you sure?”
“There are no do-overs. Not even for us. You have
another chance for happiness. Don’t waste it.”
His heart ached as he watched her walk away. Knowing
their time together was almost over hurt worse than any
physical wound he’d ever experienced.
“Knock, knock,” Aurora said, poking her head inside
Langston’s office. “I heard you were looking for me?”
Kalli couldn’t help grinning. “I finally figured out a way
to track Niko.” It had taken her longer than she thought, but
she’d located a signal. Langston had helpfully offered his
computer network. The demigod had some serious hacking
skills, rivaling her own. Called away on an important errand,
he’d promised to give her some pointers when he returned.
“Awesome.” Aurora came around the desk and peered
over her shoulder. “Looks like a GPS map.”
“It is. Once I remembered most phones have location
software, I simply backtracked to Niko’s device.” She resized
the map’s view and pointed to a pulsing red dot. “Looks
like a cemetery in Mystic. Want to come with me?” Excited
butterflies crawled from her stomach to her throat. Niko
probably wouldn’t be there, but she had to follow through
on the best lead they had.
“Absolutely. I’ll drive. You navigate.” Aurora headed
for the door, then paused, grim determination on her face.
“It’s a start.”
Twenty minutes later they were in Mystic, passing
through Elm Grove Cemetery’s imposing stone gate. The
arch’s inscription proclaimed I am the resurrection and the
light.
Kalli could understand the appeal. Tall stately trees,
manicured shrubs, and endless green space as far as she
could see, interspersed with stately granite graves. With a
shiver, she hoped this wasn’t Niko’s final resting place.
“He’s not dead,” Aurora said with a confidence Kalli
couldn’t share.
“Take the next left.” Kalli’s heart rate increased the
closer they came to the location indicated on the tracker.
“Stop here.” As far as she could tell, they were alone, no
humans around.
Unable to wait, Kalli exited the car before Aurora could
unbuckle her seatbelt. Please, please, don’t let me find his
body, she prayed. A smooth white marker lay dead ahead.
Resting atop, a slim black cell phone, as if someone had
forgotten it there.
“Aurora, I found it.” She slowed down. No lifeless
corpse. “Thank the gods.”
Her friend stood immobile behind her. Face pale as
white marble, eyes riveted on the headstone. Kalli rechecked
the area. No one. Nothing was there. Then the grave’s
inscription caught her attention. Beloved friend and lover.
No name given. Underneath, an intricately carved flower,
a rose maybe. Gold embossing decorated the petals and
glinted in the sun.
“Beautiful,” Kalli whispered. This mortal had been
truly loved. She reached toward the phone. “Aurora, are you
okay?”
With a jolt, Aurora snapped out of her funk. “Wait.
Don’t touch the—”
Too late, her fingertips landed on the smooth
touchscreen. For a moment, nothing happened. The she
heard it.
Creak . . . thump. Creak-thump. Creak-thump. Louder
and louder, closer and closer. The sound strange, like squeaky
joints landing on a carpet.
“What is that?” Aurora squinted and used her hand to
shield out the sun.
Visceral fear pummeled Kalli as she watched a hunched
figure approach dragging a box on a stick. Something was
off. Not quite right. The body proportions were twisted and
unnatural. With herky-jerky movements, like it couldn’t
quite coordinate its limbs, it marched closer.
Aurora blocked Kalli’s body with hers.
What the blazes?
She stepped around Aurora’s side and took a good look.
It briefly shifted sideways, its profile flat and razor thin. The
knees and elbows were creased and wrinkled as if a child
had folded a full-sized origami man. “That’s not possible. Is
that paper?”
“Whatever it is, it’s not touching you,” Aurora said.
Kalli filed her friend’s alpha male response for later.
The paper man stopped, near enough so they could see a
crudely drawn smiley on its otherwise blank face: two oval
eyes and a curve.
“It better not tell us to have a nice day,” Aurora said.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a pair of scissors?”
Ignoring them, the paper man drove the box’s stick into
the ground and turned the side crank. Nasally whistles sighed
outward with each turn. Faster and faster, the music became
more coherent. A demented version of a funeral dirge.
“An organ grinder,” Kalli speculated. She slowly
pocketed the phone, never taking her eyes off the monstrosity.
Dark dust balls billowed into the air. Ever so slowly the puffs
swirled, forming into shapes. “Those are probably bad.”
“Yup. We need to leave.” Aurora’s stance shifted,
muscles ready for flight.
The smiley morphed into an angry scowl. The organ’s
haunting music ended. High-pitched screeches broke the
silence. The black blobs took a familiar shape.
Kalli gaped for a moment. No, it couldn’t be. “Oh crap.
Not flying monkeys!”
Angry winged primates circled overhead. Unlike their
organ grinder master, they appeared to be real monkeys,
Capuchins, twisted and dark. Menacing red light, like fire
from hell glowed from their cavernous eye sockets. Their
fur, in tufty patches, was coated in green slime. Hideous
yellow splotches mottled their teeth and claws.
In a grim parody, each wore a tattered red vest,
decorated with blue rickrack trim. Tiny felt hats, tilted at a
jaunty angle, adorned each head. Most unnatural of all, the
dingy gray wings. Blood and gore covered the area where
the wings joined the body. As if someone had torn them off
another animal and jammed them into the monkeys.
Gruesome. And so wrong. What kind of sick person
reanimated dead monkeys? If she had a moment, she might
be able to figure out how they were being controlled.
Aurora yanked her off her feet. The ground where
she’d been standing exploded in dirt and grass. “Move!”
she commanded. “There’s no time to stand around studying
them.”
They ran toward the car. Clumps of earth and rocks
rained down around them. The organ grinder’s mouth circled
into an O. He raised his arm and directed a cacophony of low
moans at the monkeys. They withdrew their attack, shrieking
and chattering amongst themselves.
“What are they doing?” Kalli said, slowing to a jog.
As if reaching consensus, the monkeys changed focus.
They lunged en masse at the headstone where Niko’s phone
had rested. With the speed of a NASCAR pit crew, they each
took a task. Two dug into the turf, tearing gouges into the
ground. Three more attacked the headstone, using rocks to
chip at the gilded rose and inscription.
A primal howl exploded from Aurora. “Bastards! Get
away from her!”
Those filthy dead buggers! How dare they defile her
grave?
Fury pumped through Zephyr’s veins, narrowing his
focus. As if sensing his anger, the evil monkeys abandoned
their attack and nattered at him. Two males stood upright and
brandished their nether parts.
When Kalli stepped forward, he barked, “Stay away!
This is between me and them.”
Whoever had done this was sending him a message.
He was sure of it. Why else would they go after Flora’s
headstone? Did they know the truth? Whatever. He couldn’t
allow them to dig any further.
“Aurora,” Kalli squeaked. “The paper man. He’s
coming this way.”
The monkeys flung chunks of marble and clods, of
what he prayed was mud, at their heads. The relentless
barrage forced them backward inch-by-inch toward the
organ grinder.
Curse his lack of power. He supposed it was a good sign
that his life wasn’t in imminent danger. “We need a plan.”
“I agree!” Kalli screamed. Two monkeys swooped
down and fisted her hair in their mangy paws.
Before he could assist, the remaining three ambushed
him. Tiny razor-sharp teeth bit into his neck, chest and
collarbone. Fuck. They embedded on him like barnacles.
Heedless of the pain, he rushed to Kalli and smacked one of
the animals away as it pounced at her face.
Little clawed hands tore into his flesh like tissue
paper. With a hard twist, he snapped its neck. The jaws kept
snapping at him.
“They’re already dead,” Kalli said, wrestling with the
monkey in her hair. “My power only works on the living.
We’ll have to be more ruthless.” She wrenched it away and
trapped it underfoot. Clumps of copper curls were balled
in the beast’s tiny fists. Several more swift stomps and it
stopped moving.
Bright tears clung to her eyes as if she felt pity for the
creatures. He might have, too, if they weren’t gnawing on
him like beef jerky.
More mournful music poured out of the organ. The
monkeys abruptly detached and raced toward their car. His
wounds throbbed painfully. Warm blood trailed down his
neck, soaking his shirt collar.
“No. Not the car.” Kalli pointed. “It’s a rental!” She
stared at him, alarmed. “You’re hurt!”
“I’ll live.” He hoped flying monkeys didn’t have godeating bacteria in their mouths. “We have to stop the organ.”
Realization dawned on Kalli’s face. “Right. Of course.
A musical enchantment. First, we have to defeat the paper
man. I bet he’s more powerful than he looks.”
Zephyr stopped and observed a foul black aura
encircling it. “Rock, paper, scissors.”
The monkeys industriously leveraged a decorative rock
and heaved it at the car. The windshield shattered, raining
shards inside the interior.
Kalli balled her fists. “Little bastards. Crap, they’re
going for the rear windshield now. Too bad we don’t have
any useful tools.”
He wiped his blood-stained palms on his shirt’s hem
until they were mostly dry. “Bare hands it is then.”
“Wait. You can’t be serious!” Kalli looked horrified.
“As a heart attack. I tackle. You destroy the instrument.”
Before she could stop him, he barreled toward the organ
man. Paper arms extended, ready to intercept him. He tore
right through them and landed hard on the ground. In the
distance, the flying monkeys screamed.
“Oh shit,” Kalli breathed. “Here come the damn
monkeys again.”
A shadow blotted the sky as the origami man covered
him from head to toe with its flat body. Like a fly stuck on
sticky paper, no matter which way he moved he couldn’t
escape. The paper weighed him down like a cement blanket.
“Hurry, Kalli! Smash the box!”
“I’m working on it!” There was a crash, followed by a
high-pitched cry.
Wood crunched. Gears and plastic bits shattered. Kalli
grunted as if she’d been struck. Another howl. Then a yelp.
Before he could react, she called out, “I’m okay. Little
monkey boy over here isn’t doing so well. Are you, fella?”
A sea of white coated his vision. The paper man’s
demented face floated into his line of sight. The black magic
marker eyes zeroed in on him and narrowed. The O-shaped
mouth widened as if ready to swallow him whole. Gods, a
lighter would be helpful.
He leveraged his hands under the paper, fingers
straight. With a rapid one, two, punch, he poked holes in
the eyes. Blue sky shone through the new perforations. The
mouth expanded faster.
“No you don’t.” Zephyr latched onto the tear and
ripped the head down the center. The instrument wheezed
and moaned, the sound, low and breathy as if playing its
final note. The remaining paper went limp then crumbled
into white ash.
Kalli raised a bulky stone over her head and bashed
the organ’s inner mechanism into a useless pile of junk. The
final two monkeys dropped out of the sky as if their strings
had been cut. “Thank goodness. I worried I’d be bald by the
time this was over.”
Tufts of her beautiful hair lay scattered on the ground.
Every wound on his body screamed as he moved to join
her. Scratches and bruises were scattered over her neck and
hands. A nasty gash oozed blood where a patch of hair had
been removed. Red-hot fury coursed through him again. He
would destroy whoever was behind this.
“Hey.” Cool fingers touched his cheek. Her pale eyes
searched his face, but she kept any questions to herself. He
could have kissed her. “I don’t know about you, but I’d love
a long, hot shower.”
He brought her bruised knuckles to his lips, not caring
if she thought it strange. “Thank you for not asking.”
She shrugged. “Not my business.” Her brows furrowed.
“Damn. Look at the car. And this place. It’s a mess!”
“No worries.” He patted his pocket half-expecting his
phone to be crushed. “Langston has many talents.”
One text message later, the air displaced. “You rang?”
Langston whistled as he took in the carnage. “Man, whoever
said, ‘Don’t make me call the flying monkeys’ was right!”
He chuckled at his own quip, narrowly missing the rock
aimed at his head.
The sun set not a moment too soon. He’d be lying if he
didn’t admit the day’s events hadn’t shaken him. Neither the
flying monkeys nor the paper man concerned him as much
as the targeted attack on Flora’s empty grave.
No one except Langston knew the truth. No way would
his friend betray them.
As soon as they’d returned to the inn, and after Kalli’s
wounds were tended, he recapped the whole incident for
Langston. The guy was shocked to the core and pissed off.
Neither of them could discern a connection, but they both
suspected all the events were somehow connected to Niko’s
disappearance.
And, he vowed, each bruise and every cut that had
been visited on Kalli would be recompensed ten-fold. She
was under his protection and he’d—
A sharp knock on his door broke his thoughts.
“Zephyr!” Bree, front desk manager and wood nymph,
opened the door, worry all over her face. “They need you in
the kitchen.”
Before he could ask why, a shrill whistle pierced his
hearing. Shit. The smoke detectors! He bolted out of the
office. The harsh stench of something burning drifted down
the corridor.
He banged through the swinging metal doors and
cursed his crappy luck. Bad enough he and Kalli had been
assaulted hours earlier and now this.
“What the hell is going on?” Black smoke billowed
around the kitchen. The reek of burnt food caught in Zephyr’s
throat. Wind would have come in handy. He could’ve cleared
out the noxious fumes in no time. Or at least silenced the
shrieking smoke detector.
Cooks raced around the stainless steel island, fire
extinguishers in hand. Unfortunately, the evening meal was
quickly on the way to ruins if they didn’t get the situation
under control. Customers don’t like to wait for their food
and he didn’t want his hotel erupting in flames either.
“Langston,” he called over the commotion, “contact
the fire department and let them know we have the situation
under control.”
“Already on it!” Langston dashed out of the kitchen.
He reappeared a moment later. “Done. And I checked on the
mood in the dining room. So far no one has noticed.”
Thank the gods for small favors. Zephyr circled over to
the oven where the fire began. Damn it back to Hades. The
charred black remnants of the evening’s main courses were
covered with extinguisher foam.
Yum-o.
He snagged Bernard, the assistant chef. “Change the
menu. Use what you can from the lunch menu. We can
pretend to have picnic night. Call Cal’s. Ask him to send
S’Mores for dessert.”
Langston reappeared. “Where the hell is E’lora?”
Bernard shrugged. “I haven’t seen her today.”
E’lora was lead chef. Part brownie, part elf, she ran the
kitchen with military precision and never missed a day of
work. Not in the seventy years she’d worked for Zephyr. A
dull throb built behind his eyes. First Niko and now his head
chef?
Zephyr grabbed the nearest cook, a mortal. “Have you
seen E’lora today?”
The cook looked confused. Almost befuddled. “Yes,
she was there a moment before the fire started.” He scratched
his head. “No . . . I don’t know.”
“Has anyone seen E’lora?”
No one had. And each employee he questioned seemed
similarly confused. What the deuce was going on?
“Zephyr!” Bree hurried into the kitchen. “You’re
needed at front desk.”
“What’s happened?” This time, he thought, dread
knifing his gut.
As they jogged down the hallway, Bree briefed him.
“The guests are calling in droves. All complaining.” She
lowered her voice. “About bedbugs.”
“Impossible.” The hotel was charmed six ways to
Sunday to prevent any type of pest invasion. Even the
gardens only hosted benevolent, plant-friendly insects.
Discontent waited in the lobby like an unwanted guest.
A dozen mortals swarmed around the front desk. Angry as
hornets and just as ornery.
“What kind of place is this?”
“We want our money back!”
And the worst. “I’m tweeting about this right now.”
Zephyr raised his voice above the complaints. “Please,
that won’t be necessary.” They collectively turned on him,
annoyance, even hatred, on their faces. The mood turned
from tense to ugly.
Their eyes had the same unfocused glaze as the kitchen
staff. When Bree attempted to return to the main desk, low,
throaty growls rose from the crowd.
“Bree, stop. Don’t interfere. It’s me they’re mad at.”
He didn’t want her caught in the crossfire. Someone had
bewitched his guests. And he’d bet money there were no
bedbugs. Merely an illusion thrust into their minds.
The elevator dinged and Kalli stepped into the lobby.
“Hey, weren’t we supposed to . . .? Whoa! What happened
to them?”
Every mortal in the vicinity locked their angry glares
on her, but none made a move in her direction.
“Spell,” he said out of the corner of his mouth. When
he angled his body to block their path to Kalli, the mortals
snarled and rushed him.
“Hold it right there,” Kalli said, arms outstretched.
Calmness weaved through the air. Her voice deepened.
“You’re all happy. There’s nothing wrong. Resume what you
were doing before.”
The humans blinked. Some clutched their heads. One
sat in a lobby armchair and started to read the newspaper.
The rest wandered away. All signs of anger gone.
“Madame Muse, I am most impressed. Thank you.”
Zephyr let out a relieved breath.
“My pleasure,” Kalli said. “It’s my special talent.
Eloquent voice. I don’t use it often anymore. Only in dire
circumstances.”
He understood. The smoky tone. The silken way her
voice slid over his skin. He wasn’t human, yet when she
spoke, he wanted to do whatever she asked. “I need to find
out who is behind this. First, Niko. Then the supplies and
reservation system. And today, my head chef is missing
and my mortal guests are hallucinating. If you hadn’t come
along, the situation may have gotten out of hand.”
“Sabotage? A competitor?” Kalli touched his arm. He
covered it with his palm, the gesture calming him.
“I can’t imagine who? There are no new hotels
anywhere near here.”
“An enemy perhaps? Or a jilted lover?” She stopped.
“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“That I have enemies? Believe me, when you’ve existed
as long as I have, you’re bound to accumulate a few people
who don’t like you.” In his case, it could be dozens. If you
counted the jilted lovers, in the days before Flora, then the
number jumped to hundreds.
When she opened her mouth to protest, he touched
her lips with his fingers. “Kidding. I understand what you
meant. My reputation precedes me.” The petal softness of
those lips enticed him. He’d love to know what they tasted
like. Instead, he dropped his hand.
“But it was still unkind. I should know better.” She
resumed walking. “Who would want to ruin your business?”
“I don’t know.” He really didn’t. And that disturbed the
hell out him.
Chapter 5
Maybe she should have a zipper installed on her mouth.
At least she might think before speaking. Bad enough
someone was out to ruin Zephyr’s business, then she’d
knifed him in the gut with her sharp-tongued barbs about his
sex life.
Even twenty-four hours later, and after an ass whupping
by demented monkeys, her muscles remembered the expert
touch of his hands on her skin.
Look at him. He was perfect. And she . . . looked like
she’d been on the receiving end of an ugly stick. Granted, the
facial contusions were mostly gone. But clumps of hair were
missing in places. This one time, curly hair helped since it
covered most of the bare patches.
How could she be so horrible? What about Aurora?
She hoped her friend was okay. They’d parted as soon as
Langston transported them to the hotel.
“Gods be damned,” he said, startling her back to the
moment. “Who could have put a whammy on my guests?”
“Whammy?”
“It’s a technical term.” He escorted her outside into one
of the inn’s many private courtyards. Overhead, the moon
hung plump and full in the sky. Flowery scents filled the
heavy air. “Whoever cast the spell has to be talented enough
to get past the hotel’s protections.”
“There aren’t many gods or goddesses who dabble in
spells,” she offered.
“Right, because they would use their power.” He shook
his head. “Not likely. Not too many deities want to run afoul
of the Delian League.”
A horrible, stomach-clenching realization gripped her.
Not all immortals followed the rules of their world. Her lips
were silently trying to form the words. “What if it isn’t an
immortal? What if it’s a witch?”
Zephyr’s pallor ghosted white as a bleached sheet.
His posture went stiff while he processed the idea.
“Motherfucker.”
Unease rippled through her. No one trusted witches.
Not to be confused with Wiccans or Druids, who were tied
to the earth and abhorred using their power to harm others,
true witches were evil. Foul mortal parasites, that clung to
life, prolonging it through dark and unholy means.
“Let’s hope we’re wrong.” Zephyr frowned. “I’m so
sorry.”
Oh no. She patted her hair. Was a bald patch showing?
“Whatever for?”
“For dragging you into my mess. Aurora told me what
happened today at the cemetery.” He reached forward to
touch her, then stopped his hand mid-air, and clenched it
into a tight fist. His intense gaze fixed on her with laserlike focus. “We’re going to discover whoever is behind this.
They will pay for the hurt they have caused you.”
The sincerity and determination on his handsome face
melted her insides. Other than Niko, there were no males in
her life who cared enough to defend her. Not that she needed
it, but she appreciated the sentiment.
“I’m sorry for your injuries as well,” he said with such
tenderness, her heart pitter-pattered. She blinked a few times.
Did he truly care about her? Or did he only desire her as a
fun diversion?
Don’t speak. Deep breath. Remembering her earlier
vow—think first—she trailed along the rows of flowers
until she saw the majestic trumpet-shaped blossom of a
moonflower. With a squeak of delight, she bent to sniff the
white bell. “Did you know these only bloom at night? In the
morning, the flower will close.”
A sharp breath hissed from behind her. Hera, she must
be hideous. Instinctively, she tussled her hair, covering the
bald spot. “Sorry, I know. Hopefully, the patch will heal
completely by tomorrow. Did you know it takes the average
immortal anywhere from ten minutes to several hours to heal
from wounds?”
And now she was babbling inane facts. Someone shut
her mouth.
“Kalli,” he purred, looming over her. His eyes dark and
hooded, his gaze directed at her cleavage, exposed by her
V-necked shirt. The brazen appraisal, the hint of possession
sent a jolt of throbbing heat between her legs.
“You are beautiful.” The moonlight glinted in his pale
eyes. His words brushed against her skin like a caress. In
response, her nipples tightened, wishing for his touch. He
closed the distance between them.
“And I talk too much.” She reached toward him, her
fingers reaching for his silken hair.
“I enjoy listening to you speak. What is it mortals say?
You could read the phone book to me and I’d enjoy it.” He
bent down and brushed his lips against hers. Like velvet,
smooth and soft. Warm and comforting.
Need scorched her. A tease of a kiss wouldn’t do. She
leaned into him, her lips devouring his. Zephyr grunted and
gripped her waist, drawing her closer, an impressive erection
pressed against her hip.
Wanton lust slammed into her. He thrust his fingers in
her hair, deepening the kiss. Good. That settled the question.
He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Zephyr broke away with a soft pant. “I can’t stop
thinking about you.” Lips nibbled the base of her throat,
inching closer to her aching nipples. Eager for more, she
writhed against him.
“Same here,” she whispered, dragging her palms across
his broad chest, over the contours of his sculpted muscles.
He hefted her into his arms, carrying her down the garden
path, far away from the inn. Unable to resist, she curled her
arms around his neck and brushed her lips against his throat,
his pulse dancing under mouth. The scent, so heady, so male.
The taste . . . mmm . . . a sultry breeze, she thought as her
tongue swirled against the hollow of his throat.
“Kalli,” he breathed into her hair. They sank onto
a stone bench, with her sitting in his lap. Tender kisses
butterflied from her forehead to the tip of her nose. His lips
hovered over hers. So warm, so tantalizing. He gently teased
her mouth open, his tongue stroking hers.
Hera, he was amazing. The luxurious rasp of his mouth
against hers, the masterful glide of his tongue, made her
eager for more. She shifted and straddled him, knees resting
on the stone, the action momentarily shifting her lips from
his.
“Sweet heaven,” he murmured, pausing to catch his
breath.
“Don’t stop.” She kissed him, breasts against his chest,
hips rocking across his hard length.
With a groan, he gripped her waist, positioning her just
right. The exquisite pressure made her moan, the sound deep
in her throat. When he broke away, she nuzzled his neck,
nipping his earlobe. Achy dampness throbbed, demanding
more. So much more.
Zephyr smiled. As if he knew what her body needed,
he dragged his fingers slowly up her inner thighs, stopping
short at the V between her legs.
“No fair,” she gasped. She spread her knees wider and
pressed her swollen clit against him. The friction from her
shorts and his pants only enflamed her need more. Zephyr’s
eyes closed, clearly enjoying the sensation.
Pleasure engulfed her body. Her hips rode his. Why
weren’t they naked? Kalli unbuttoned his dress shirt and ran
her nails lightly down his sculpted pecs. She lowered her
mouth to his throat then kissed and licked her way to his
tight nipple. Her tongue danced and teased the little bud.
“Minx,” Zephyr growled, cupping her ass and ground
against her. The new position stoked her heat level to
volcanic.
Holy goddess! She was ready to come. Kalli twisted in
his lap, fumbling for the button on his pants.
He stopped her with one hand, while the other slid
under her shirt, tracing a path along her spine. When the trail
circled past her ribcage and toward the swell of her right
breast, she moaned into his mouth. Every nerve ending in
her body cried for him to touch her. Taste her. To possess her,
then and there.
Zephyr raised her shirt and moved the cup of her lacy
bra, exposing her skin to the night air. His tongue laved her
nipple. Liquid fire coursed through her veins.
“I never knew,” she gasped, arching her spine.
“Mmm.” He sucked on her pink bud, then circled it
with his tongue. With his other hand, he traced around her
areola, puckering the bra’s fabric. “Knew what?”
“It could be this good.” She entwined her fingers in his
hair, wishing they were on a bed. Wanting to know the feel
of the golden strands on her naked flesh.
Zephyr stopped. “What do you mean?”
She could swear the air went ten degrees cooler.
Oh crap. Why did she have to speak? She should have
kept her fool mouth shut. Her lower lip trembled. She hated
that. Shamed, she lowered her head down to her chest.
“Kalli. Look at me.” His fingers gently tilted her head.
“Is this your first time?”
“Please. Don’t insult me. I’ve had . . .”—she struggled
for the right word—“relations before.”
Zephyr’s gaze probed her face. “You’re a virgin?”
“Why? Would that be a problem?” Kalli fixed her bra
and pulled down her shirt.
The long pause before he answered fueled her anger.
“No.” A hard glint appeared in his eyes. “I’m not used
to inexperienced females.”
“What?” she shrieked and jumped off his lap. “You
seemed to be enjoying me just fine a minute ago!” Rage
shook her hands. “And I am not a virgin!”
Great. Maybe she should yell it louder so the next town
over knew it too. “What is your problem?”
“Please. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard about me?”
“I don’t care about the stories.”
His face darkened, expression hard as stone. “That’s
just it, Kalli. They aren’t stories. I’ve fucked hundreds of
women.”
“Why are you saying this? It didn’t matter a moment
ago.” She searched his face, wondering what had changed.
“You need to know who I really am.”
“Don’t try and scare me off. It won’t work.” Tears stung
her eyes. Why was he doing this?
“Haven’t you heard? I’m heartless. Cruel. I’ve even
caused one of my lovers to commit suicide. I love’em and
then leave’em.”
“I don’t believe it,” she whispered. Everyone knew the
rumors about his ill-fated lover, Flora, Goddess of Spring.
When she discovered his infidelity, she flung herself into the
pit of Tartarus and was never seen again.
“You of all people should know. All myths are based
on some fact.” He stood up, stretched like a lazy lion, then
casually strolled down the path, as if nothing mattered.
Damn him. Kalli couldn’t let it go. “How many of those
hundreds did you love, Zephyr?”
He spun around. “Only one. I’m no good for you, Kalli.”
His expression softened, filled with regret. “I shouldn’t have
let us get so carried away. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah! Well, I’m not!” she yelled after him.
What the Hades had he been thinking? He had no
business touching Kalli. Thank the gods he stopped before
he defiled her, too. To escape, he’d fled to the office. Coward.
No. Sensible. Except it didn’t feel that way.
Time to get a grip before he paced a rut in the carpet.
Better to direct his focus on the identity of whoever was
trying to ruin his business and the whereabouts of his two
missing employees. Not on the Muse who was quickly
embedding herself in his heart.
Full stop. No. Not possible.
The shriveled organ in his chest was incapable of
loving another. More dark thoughts tumbled into his mind.
Oblivion would be nice. He rummaged around. Nothing a
bottle of top-shelf scotch couldn’t solve. Ambrosia would
be better, but then he’d have to leave his office and he didn’t
trust himself not to find Kalli.
A rap on the door robbed him of that first swallow.
Langston stepped inside. “Got a moment?”
“Sure.” Anything to take his mind off of Kalli. He raked
his fingers through his hair. The perfume of her skin, basil
and lavender, tickled his nose. Gods, she smelled good. The
memory of her nipple beading against his tongue made his
mouth water.
He grabbed the bottle and glugged until his throat
burned.
Langston stared, but wisely kept any comments to
himself. “Good news first, since you clearly need it. E’lora
is safe. Bree found her wandering, disoriented down by the
Point. She’s resting in her room. And, after your run-in with
the monkeys, I did some more poking. No one has heard
anything about a new player in town.”
“And the poker chips?” The liquor heated his belly. He
pressed the bottle to his lips and swallowed more.
“Not a blessed thing. I find that odd, don’t you?”
Langston reached for the scotch, admiring the label.
“Macallan 18. The good stuff. What’s the occasion?”
“Drunken stupor.”
Langston grabbed the bottle and held it away.
“Shameful! Wasting such a fine beverage. You’re not even
enjoying it.” He swigged out of the bottle and wiped his
mouth. “What’s doing, buddy? I haven’t seen you like this
. . .” His eyes widened. “Since her. This is about a female,
isn’t it?”
Zephyr groaned and snatched the booze away. “Don’t
say it. And maybe it is.”
“The lovely Kalli, eh? A worthy choice.” He gave two
thumbs up.
“Too good for a bastard like me.” He drank the last of
the scotch and procured another bottle from his stash. Kalli’s
anger, her rage at him, he deserved it. The hurt in her eyes
stung him. He’d done that to her. If Langston hadn’t been
there, he might have gone to her room and begged for her
forgiveness.
Langston snorted. “Horseshit! Why do you say things
like that? She would be lucky to have you.”
“Please. Haven’t you heard? I’m a lothario.” I’ve
fucked thousands of women. His own hateful words echoed
in his head. Kalli didn’t seem to care. Not until he implied he
didn’t feel anything for her. A total lie. He wanted her more
than anything. That alone scared him.
Laughter erupted. Deep belly laughs. Langston banged
the desk with a flat palm. “Sorry. Who is this Don Juan you
speak of?” He sobered. “You’re starting to believe your own
myths. We both know you don’t sleep around.”
“Not for centuries.” Zephyr tipped the Macallan to
his friend. The alcohol started to pump through his veins. A
pleasant buzz spread over his skin. “I have my share of dark
secrets. Kalli shouldn’t have to suffer my curse.”
“Dude. It’s not a life sentence.” Langston leaned over
the desk and got in his face. “You’re afraid.”
Am not. Or was he? Flora flashed into his mind. And
for the first time, heartbreak didn’t assault him. Kalli’s sexy
smile replaced the void caused by his former lover. “I might
be.”
“Don’t walk away from a chance to be happy.” Langston
stood and stretched like a languid cat. “Look at the time.
Dawn will be here soon. I hope Aurora enjoys her hangover
in the morning.”
Zephyr flipped him off. “I’ll be fine. Before you go,
someone spelled customers in the lobby today. I’m thinking
witch.”
Langston paused at the door. “I’ll have my contacts dig
around. Oh, before I forget, I heard Niko went to Watch Hill
the day he disappeared.”
“Saki’s?”
“Probably. That’s the normal supply day. Don’t frown
so much. Your face will get stuck that way. We’ll get to the
bottom of all of this. No worries.”
“Thanks, man. You’re like a little ray of sunshine.”
Zephyr capped the scotch. His friend Saki, a Japanese
kitchen Goddess or Kojin, had a vast network of informants.
Maybe this time they’d catch a break. “I don’t know why
you’re single. You bring me such happiness.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere. Come find me when
you’re a female and I might give you a pity fuck.”
Langston escaped before the bottle whacked the door.
How dare he ask if she was a virgin? Or imply that
because she wasn’t a whore, she had no experience. Kalli
flopped around under the sheets, the linen wrapping around
her waist, binding her in place.
Stupid sheets. She flung the bedding onto the floor.
Tossing and turning was pointless. And so was trying to
sleep while pissed off.
Kalli clicked on the bedside lamp. Virgin, my ass.
I’m not a virgin. Sensual images of Zephyr flashed
through her mind. Anger tempered them. “I don’t have to
explain myself to him.”
The phantom rasp of his tongue on her breasts delivered
a jolt of desire across her skin. With a shudder, she crossed
her arms over her chest, the motion only further inflaming
her sensitive nipples.
I’m outta here. She quickly dressed in shorts and a
T-shirt. After lacing on her sneakers, she passed through the
deserted lobby. No mortals in sight. They were all snug in
their beds, where she would be if it weren’t for him. The
stories about his endless charm and sex appeal must have
been exaggerated. Okay, the sex appeal, yup, that was totally
true. Charm. Not so much.
The elevator dinged. A menacing wave rolled down
the hallway. On instinct, she moved behind a hefty bouquet
of flowers. Surely she was being silly. Then why were all
the tiny hairs on her body standing on end? Two uniformed
women emerged, each holding a stack of flyers. They didn’t
seem to notice her as they taped the papers in strategic areas
around the lobby.
See, no big deal.
She turned to leave when a golden glint caught her
eye—a pin on one of the woman’s crisp white button-down
shirt collar. Willing herself unseen, she moved close enough
to take a look. Maybe pig pins were a new fashion statement.
The women paused in unison, their eyes unblinking.
Like puppets on a string, they each rotated, gazes scanning
the room. Kalli froze in place. Mortals shouldn’t be able to
sense her.
They zeroed in on her exact location. Eyes cold. Gazes
sharp, like lionesses sizing her guts for garters.
Not possible. Cold sweat trickled down her spine.
Their fingers pointed at her, mouths opened in unison,
as if to raise an alarm.
A door slammed. Footsteps clattered down the hallway.
With unnatural speed, the women sped out of the lobby,
disappearing into the night. A flyer floated to the ground at
Kalli’s feet. She reached down to retrieve the paper.
“What the hell?” Zephyr said. “Who did this to my
lobby?”
The cold, angry tone froze her feet in place. Slowly, as
if facing a caged tiger, she turned.
“Did you do this?” He brandished the flyer, his hand
trembling.
Some images were so horrible they could never be
unseen. A female’s broken body smashed against the rocky
ground. Blood ringed her flattened skull like a crimson
bloom. Bile burned Kalli’s throat.
She swallowed hard. “I would never.”
Zephyr methodically removed all the flyers, plucking
the last one from Kalli’s grasp. Without a word, he dropped
them into the lobby fireplace, struck a match, and set them
on fire. When they were reduced to a pile of ash, he left the
lobby, fists clenched.
Kalli wished she could cleanse the sight from her
mind. And the single word emblazoned across the bottom.
Murderer.
The morning didn’t start much better.
Cursed humidity. It assaulted Kalli the moment she
left the air-conditioned hotel. Bah. What did it matter? She
didn’t need to impress anyone.
With a steaming coffee from the inn’s continental
breakfast, she settled into a cushioned wicker chair. A
wide veranda shielded her from the sun but provided an
amazing view of the glittering ocean. Thankfully no one else
was around. She wouldn’t be good company in her surly
condition.
Sleep had eluded her while her mind raced to make sense
of the photograph. Not that she could have done anything
else. The shocking image had been burned on her retinas. No
one should have to die like that, broken and alone.
After a fruitless search through the every known
database she couldn’t find any record of the photograph. A
fake, easily manufactured for maximum impact. Bravo. It
worked. The effect on Zephyr was real enough.
In her initial shock, she’d forgotten to mention the
mysterious women. With a start, she couldn’t recall their
faces easily. Instead, they were foggy, like someone had
smudged them.
Well that frosted her ass. She should be immune to
most magic and mind tampering type spells. More evidence
supporting her witch theory.
Gravel crunched underfoot on a nearby path. Someone
milled about.
Kalli swallowed the last of her coffee and set off to
explore. Probably a human. But maybe it was him.
Who was she kidding? Zephyr had seemed angry with
her. Totally unjustified. He had no right accusing her of
spreading the flyers.
She followed the flagstone path into a sea of tall grasses
and flowering bushes. After a few twists and turns she came
out into a garden. The stone bench where Zephyr had kissed
her lay only a few steps away.
And it was occupied by his human friend, Mrs. Astor. A
circle of children sat at her feet in rapt attention as she spoke
quietly to them. Several full blooms were clutched in her
fingers. With her free hand, she waggled her fingertips over
the petals. After a moment a butterfly landed, its luminescent
wings flapping in and out.
Kalli had never seen anything like it. Children,
generally, never sat completely still. They always had
questions or fidgeted. Mrs. Astor smiled, then held the flower
to the nearest child. The butterfly stayed in place. The kids
shuffled so they could see.
Moving gingerly, Mrs. Astor joined her. “Good
morning, Kalli.”
“Good day to you,” Kalli said, offering the old woman
her arm. “I’m impressed.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “The butterfly?” Then she followed
her to the alcove where Kalli left her coffee.
“No, the children.”
The lady laughed. “Well, they wanted to see the
butterfly.”
“You do this often, then?”
“Only in the summer.” Mrs. Astor eased into wicker
loveseat. Kalli sat in the other free chair. “Any luck finding
your brother?”
“Not yet.” Kalli slumped into the cushions. She should
stop mooning over Zephyr and remember her true purpose.
“He’ll turn up.” Mrs. Astor’s eyes brightened. “Ahh,
here comes Aurora.”
The blond goddess approached, a tray balanced under
one palm. Her sleek tresses, unaffected by the thick humidity,
flowed behind her like a silken sheet. Kalli snuffed out her
instant hair envy.
Funny. She hadn’t noticed before. Aurora’s loping gait
was reminiscent of Zephyr’s angry stalk down the hall the
evening before. They were so similar in their mannerisms.
Like twins. She waved it off. Aurora was his sister. Of course
they seemed alike.
“Morning, ladies.” Aurora set the tray down with one
smooth motion. Even the orange juice barely rippled. “I
hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not all. Come sit with us girls.” Mrs. Astor scooted
over, making room. “Are those homemade blueberry
muffins?”
“Yes. I made them,” Aurora said, offering one to her
friend. “Don’t make that face. I followed the recipe exactly.
This time.”
After taking a bite, Mrs. Astor proclaimed, “Delicious!”
“You don’t have to sound so surprised,” Aurora
grumbled, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
So alike. Aurora and Zephyr. Kalli made a show of
slowly working her muffin out of its wrapper, while watching
Aurora out of the corner of her eye. If she stared hard enough,
she could see a shadow around her. What was that?
A cell phone rang. They all checked their pockets or in
Mrs. Astor’s case, her purse.
“It’s mine.” Aurora stepped away.
“How’s the muffin, really?” Kalli split hers only to find
a half-cooked, gelatinous center.
“Aurora’s talents lie elsewhere,” Mrs. Astor responded
with a chuckle. “Nothing near Niko’s skill.”
Kalli nodded and pitched muffin crumbs to some
sparrows dancing around the patio. The little creatures
lunged at the bits, chirping. Niko’s continued absence jabbed
her in the heart. “He’s a natural in the kitchen. I like to think
I helped him. We used to bake cookies when he was little.
They made him feel better.”
“Was he a sad child?”
“He missed our mother terribly. We were all so much
older than him. Many of my sisters had long forgotten ever
being so young. They ignored his sadness or punished him
for it.”
“But not you. I can tell you were like a mother to him.”
Mrs. Astor patted Kalli’s hand, then touched a fingertip to
her lips before she flung the half-eaten muffin into a dense
stand of ornamental grass.
A ball of sadness wedged in Kalli’s throat. They had to
find Niko and soon.
“How’s my favorite babe today?”
“Can it, Devlin.” Zephyr strode away from the table.
He didn’t want Kalli and her keen Muse hearing to listen
to his conversation. “Tell me you have something useful to
say.”
“I got nada on the poker chip. But before you get all
huffy and break a nail, I do have a few leads.”
Zephyr sighed into the phone. “Thanks man.”
“Don’t be all down yet. I’ve heard some rumors.
You’ll have to decide if you want to share them with the fair
Kalliope.” Devlin rolled her name off his tongue like honey.
Zephyr gripped the phone harder. The device creaked under
his palm. He took a deep breath and relaxed his grip.
Devlin plowed on, “So the scuttlebutt is Niko likes
to gamble. Maybe a bit too much. You catching my drift?
Maybe he pissed off the wrong deity.”
“Any ideas if it’s true?” Niko didn’t seem the type to
Zephyr. The guy spent most of his time on hotel property.
But that didn’t mean anything. Not with the Internet.
“No clue. You and Langston might want to doublecheck the hotel’s finances. But I’ll do some more poking
around.”
“Thanks. I owe you.” Zephyr knew if money had gone
missing, Langston would have discovered it before now.
“Yes you do, sweet cheeks.” Devlin cackled, then
disconnected. The dude had to have the last laugh.
Zephyr pocketed the phone. If Niko really did have a
gambling problem, they’d have a hell of a time locating him,
depending on who had taken him. Faint feminine laughter
drifted through the foliage.
Kalli.
He was such an ass. Accusing her of papering his lobby
with vicious flyers. Thank the gods it wasn’t real. He knew
it, yet the image knocked him in the balls. Someone was
fucking with him and his business. And it had gotten very
personal.
First off, he’d need to apologize to Kalli. He walked
forward, then stopped. He couldn’t say anything in his
female form. He’d have to wait until nightfall. Crimany, the
curse was a pain in the ass.
By the time he arrived at the table, all the muffins
were gone. Both women were a portrait of innocence. Yeah,
right. He pretended not to notice the sudden increase in the
sparrow population. Despite their assurances, he knew he
couldn’t bake for shit. Poor birds. He hoped they didn’t drop
dead later.
Kalli laughed at something Mrs. Astor said. He wasn’t
listening. Instead he feasted on her beauty. The relaxed
posture, her easy smile and her long, lean legs, crossed at the
knee. Her turquoise tank top complimented her toned arms
and full breasts. He knew when she stood, her white shorts
would hug her ass in all the right places.
He had no business remembering how those curves felt
under his palms. Plus, he was literally a two-faced, lying
sack of crap. Even though he couldn’t stand the thought of
being rejected by another woman, Kalli deserved to know
the truth, sooner rather than later.
“Earth to Aurora.” Kalli waved her fingers in front of
his face. “You okay?”
“She probably tried one of her muffins,” Mrs. Astor
mumbled.
Zephyr brain switched on-line. “Hey, you said they
were delicious.”
“Ah, well. I’m old.” Mrs. Astor stood to leave. “Did I
hear you mention Saki? Please give her my regards.”
“Remind me to thank Langston,” he murmured, kissing
her on the cheek. Again, the wounded sting of their shared
past didn’t hurt as much this time. Curious.
“Who’s Saki?” Kalli asked, eye cast down. She fiddled
with her fork.
“A friend of my brother’s.”
“Does he have lots of friends?” Her tone implying
Zephyr was a man-whore.
He counted to ten before answering. “No. Many of the
rumors about him aren’t true.”
Kalli snorted. “Funny. That’s not what he told me.”
“Maybe he was scared.” Oops. Gods, what the hell was
he saying? Whose side was he on any way?
“Scared of what?” Kalli frowned, then pitched the
wrapper onto the tray and started clearing the table.
“No need to do that. The staff will get it.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“Kalli.” He lowered his voice. She stopped mid-fidget
and stared at him. Long and hard. Crap. He didn’t like the
way she assessed him. He needed to remember she didn’t
see him as Zephyr.
“You know, there’s something weird about this whole
situation.” She wiped crumbs from the tabletop.
“What do you mean?” Shit.
“I know Zephyr is hiding something from me. I don’t
know if it has anything to do with me. Or if it’s related to
some other secret he doesn’t want a Muse to find out about.”
I’m hiding everything from you, he thought. This was
his chance. He should come clean right now. Instead he lied
again, “Zephyr called earlier. He wanted to know if you’d
like to have dinner with him tonight in Watch Hill. His friend
Saki might have seen Niko before he disappeared.”
Kalli seemed deflated. “Is that all he wanted?” She
shook her head. “Sorry. Ignore me. I’m grateful for his help.
Did he mention a time?”
“He’ll pick you up around 8:30.” Zephyr hated seeing
her unhappy.
There he was doing it again. Getting attached. He
wanted to smack himself. No entanglements. When they
found Niko, she would leave him. It was better this way.
Except why did he feel like an asshole?
Yup, she remained pissed at him. When Kalli answered
the door, the temperature seemed to drop ten degrees based
on her glare alone.
The entire ride to Watch Hill, Rhode Island, was
virtually silent. No questions, no comments. Nothing from
her unless he asked first. Giant cold shoulder.
In hindsight, he deserved it. Perhaps he shouldn’t have
asked her if she was a virgin. Stupid move. And he probably
shouldn’t have implied that because she wasn’t a slut, she
wasn’t worthy of his time.
So much for his resolve. That ship was sinking rapidly.
They cruised down Bay Street in silence. Enough of
this. He parked the car along the waterfront. When Kalli
went to open the car door, he reached out to stop her.
“Kalli, please.” His heart clenched when she glared at
him. “I’m sorry about the flyers. I had no right to accuse you
last night.” Their make-out fest in the garden, no way would
he apologize for that.
She stared at his hand until he removed it from her arm.
“I didn’t murder her.” His throat constricted when she
looked away. He should be used to this by now. Everyone
thought he killed his lover. If she only knew the truth.
“I know,” Kalli rasped. “I believe you.”
A two thousand pound weight lifted off his chest.
“However . . .”
Shit.
“Don’t you ever suggest I’m inexperienced again!”
She gripped his face with her hands and captured his lips.
Her tongue danced with his. She scraped her nails down the
front of his shirt, the sharp points raking his nipples like she
owned him.
He leaned in, ready to deepen the kiss, when she broke
their embrace. He nearly whimpered when she stormed out
of the car, leaving him with a raging erection.
Hot damn.
Zephyr found her by Watch Hill’s historic carousel. At
the end of Bay Street, the landmark stood like a beacon to
young and old alike. Different than a traditional carousel,
with horses rooted to poles, these ponies hung suspended
from chains.
Children laughed, arms reaching toward a long chute,
attempting to grab rings as they passed. She stood transfixed
by the whole ritual. “What are they trying to capture?”
“The brass ring. The child who pulls it wins a free
ride.” Metal plinked to the ground, followed by disappointed
groans. One ring rolled toward their feet. “See, it’s silver.
Someone can still win.”
“Fascinating. Looks like fun.” Kalli reached through
the railing and palmed the circle. “The horses. They seem to
fly. How I envy them.”
Yearning stabbed him. Too bad he couldn’t take his wind
form and show her the sights from above. “It’s supposed to
be the oldest flying horse carousel in the country,” he said,
standing behind her, fingers itching to rub her bare shoulders.
Instead he took the ring and handed it to the ride attendant.
“Oh, look who’s the historian now.” Her delicate mouth
curled in a sly grin. The same silky lips that had devoured
his earlier.
“I’ve lived in this region a long time. Pity the ride is
only for children.”
“So where is this place you’re taking me?” Kalli pushed
away from the railing.
“We’re almost there.” As they toured the street, the
cookie cutter storefronts dismayed him. All the unique
businesses he’d known for decades had vanished. Their
charm had been engineered away. Probably some committee
had decided to make everything appear uniform.
They stopped in front of a white building. The lone
misfit in a sea of tan clapboard buildings. Iori’s, Japanese
for hearth, was emblazoned in gold paint on a black lacquer
sign.
“Zephyr, you old dog! Come to visit me yourself
finally!” an accented voice boomed across the shop.
Kalli swiveled around. “I don’t see anyone.”
“Give her a moment. She likes to make a grand
entrance.”
Saki asked from behind his shoulder, “Who’s the new
girl? Haven’t seen you with one since—”
“Nice to see you, too, Saki. We’re hoping you can help
us.” Gods. Did everyone want to talk about Flora?
“Help?” Saki materialized next to Kalli. Fully formed,
she stood about two inches shorter, but every bit as elegant.
Clad in a red silk dress that flowed with her movements
and her midnight hair pinned with two sticks, Saki hadn’t
changed a bit. Then again, none of them really ever did.
Before he could offer introductions, Kalli went into full
Muse mode. “Pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard about Kojin,
but never had a chance to encounter one of your pantheon.
What kind of spirit are you?”
Saki glanced at Zephyr, then shrugged. Flower petals
littered the ground around her tiny slipper clad feet. “How
can I help you and the lady with the golden voice?”
“She’s Niko’s sister.”
Saki’s smile dropped. “Come into the office with me.”
As they followed Saki to her office, Zephyr held Kalli’s
hand. All her curiosity seemed snuffed out at the mention of
her brother’s name.
Saki’s rigid posture set off all kinds of alarm bells.
Koijn were playful and lighthearted. Whatever weighed on
her must have been serious. Once inside the office, the door
automatically closed with a soft click.
Now he understood why Saki wanted privacy. Zephyr
cursed at the object on her desk.
“My Gods. Is that what I think it is?” Kalli reached
forward to touch the papery skin draped over Saki’s desk.
Zephyr gripped her hand. “Don’t touch it.”
“It’s only dead snake skin.” It couldn’t hurt her.
“No. It’s not.” His alarmed tone grabbed her attention.
“It’s Naga.”
Unclean. She recoiled. Nagas were nasty mercenary
killers. They usually hired themselves out to unlawful human
organizations like gangs and paramilitary groups.
“I found this behind my building this morning.
Disgusting creatures.” Saki lifted the skin with two fingers
and dropped it into a plastic bin. “I have customers who
would pay handsomely for this. And I can use the beast’s
slough in remedies.”
Kalli shuddered. “What does this have to do with
Niko?”
“Maybe nothing. Possibly everything,” Saki said.
“When he was here last, he dropped this.” She held a familiar
golden poker chip.
“Another one?” Zephyr peered over Kalli’s shoulder,
so near, the heat of his body warmed her bare shoulders.
“Did he seem different? Or out of sorts?”
“No. Same charmer as always. If anything, he seemed
excited.”
Oh no. Kalli tensed. Zephyr placed his hands on her
shoulders, his touch calming.
“Did he say why he was excited?” Kalli mentally
pleaded, please don’t say—
“He found an opportunity too good to pass up.” Saki
stared at Kalli. “I see. He’s a risk taker, your brother.”
More like an occasional idiot. “I guess you could say
that.” She really didn’t like where this was headed. It had all
the signs of days past. She thought Niko had outgrown get
rich quick schemes. He didn’t need the money. He had to be
addicted to the thrill of the deal.
Saki motioned for Zephyr to join her near the desk.
Kalli wandered over to the window.
Kalli.
The voice tickled her mind. It sounded like—
Kalli. I’m out here.
Niko? Peering out the window, she craned her neck.
In the distance, a lone figure waited, hands tucked in his
pockets, coat collar upright, masking his face. A mop of
black curls stood atop his head.
Come out here. Don’t tell anyone. I need to speak with
you.
Saki and Zephyr, deep in conversation, didn’t notice
when she walked out of the office. A door leading to the
outside stood ajar, beckoning her.
Hurry, Kalli! I don’t have much time. Niko appeared
by the door, then stalked away before she could reach him.
Darkness swallowed him. The earlier light gone.
Kalli hurried to greet him, never once wondering how
she could hear Niko in her head. Or why the alley was pitch
dark when the streetlights were on.
“Let’s see what the boy wanted,” Saki said, rifling
through the order book.
Zephyr had asked her to check on the supplies Niko
had requested. Saki dealt in high end, superior quality herbs,
spices, and exotic ingredients. A thin lead. There had to be a
connection he’d failed to see earlier.
“Here we go. Looks like the usual stuff. Saffron from
Persephone’s garden. Cloves from my stash, and ambrosia.
Someone having a party?”
All expensive and worth every penny. Langton usually
kept the ambrosia under lock and key whenever they used it
at the inn. They never wanted that to fall into human hands
or be accidentally imbibed.
“Have you heard about any new residents in the area?”
he asked.
Saki looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes inscrutable.
“No. But you are not the first person to ask me that today.”
“Devlin or Langston?” he guessed. They were both
investigating for him.
“No. Two customers. I assumed they were asking about
mortal establishments. They seemed satisfied and left.” She
tapped her temple. “Now that I think about it, I can’t quite
remember their faces.”
Coldness trickled down his spine. “Did they wear pig
pins?”
Saki’s book thumped on the desk. Darkness snuffed the
outside lights.
“I don’t like the vibe out there.” She bee-lined to the
open window and sniffed the air. “Vile creatures. How dare
they return here! I will take their living skin this time.”
The short hairs on Zephyr’s neck rose. “Where’s Kalli?”
He banged open the alleyway door. Black fog surrounded
him, oily and slick against his skin.
“Kalli!” The miasma absorbed the sound, muffling it.
“This is bad.” Saki yanked the sticks out of her hair.
Two thin silver blades flashed in the gloom. “They have laid
a trap.”
For Kalli? The air chilled. Through the vapors, a single
sound approached. Low hissing. The slide of something
heavy dragged over gravel.
“Zephyr!”
He whirled around. Where’d she go?
A low throaty laugh, followed by, “You won’t find her.
She’s ours now.”
He may have lost his power, but he could still fight.
He hefted a wooden beam out of nearby trash barrel. The
slithering stopped. He swung. The board shattered on contact.
Saki grunted. Her blades flashed. A Naga shrieked in
pain, then slumped to the ground.
He’d never seen Nagas in the flesh before but they were
rumored to be strong and fast, a deadly combination. With
a muscular man’s torso welded onto a thick snake’s coil, he
could believe it.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kalli’s coppery hair glinted
with movement. Good girl. She wasn’t going down without
a fight. The only problem, the beast’s serpentine lower half
wrapped around her legs, raising her feet above ground. His
muscular arms had her pinned against his torso. Worse, one
hand was clamped over her mouth. They knew not to let her
speak.
Rage pulsed through his veins. He lunged toward
them, fists ready. Sharp pain seared into the meat of his left
shoulder. Needle-like fangs pierced his skin. Venom pumped
into him. Damn. The shit packed a wallop. The initial wound
numbed his neck, the poison spreading fast.
The weight fell away from his shoulder when Saki tore
the Naga off his back.
The Naga holding Kalli shifted. His coils untwisted, so
he could drag Kalli away.
“No!” Helpless, Zephyr’s knees buckled. The tattoo on
his groin throbbed. Typhon’s seal. If he died, then the titan
would be free. Humanity would be lost.
Power rushed into Zephyr, filling him to the core. The
wind, his to control. The emptiness in his soul disappeared.
Every cell in his body energized as if joining with the primal
forces of the universe.
If the Fates allowed him power for this battle, then his
life was in danger. Kalli’s Naga kidnapper receded further
into the inky fog.
Zephyr harnessed the wind, lifted the nearest Naga and
launched it into the air, toward the ocean. At that velocity, it
would land on the water with the force of an egg on cement.
Five more took the same trip into the atmosphere.
More snake men emerged from the darkness. More
idiots ready to die. As soon as they were ejected, more
appeared.
“Hera! How many are there?” Zephyr tried to become
mist, but his body couldn’t hold the form. Damn venom.
Saki joined the fray. “Leave them to me. Get your
woman.”
He raced toward Kalli, the air propelling him at
top speed. The Naga bared his fangs in warning, ready to
puncture her neck. “Stay back,” came a garbled warning.
Unimpressed, Zephyr raised the wind, and like a
vacuum gathered loose dirt and debris. “I don’t think so.” He
flicked his fingers. Gravel shot into the Naga’s mouth, filling
his throat and distending his jaw so he couldn’t close it.
The beast clawed at his neck, dropping his hand from
Kalli’s mouth. The muscles of his throat undulated. With a
loud retch, the dirt regurgitated.
“Let her go,” he warned, ready to blast the Naga again.
“Unhand me.” Kalli’s golden voice spilled onto the
Nagas around her. Her captor dropped his arms and slid
backward.
Confused, he shook his head. “What have you done to
me?”
Zephyr clouted the Naga hard. The creature crumpled
at his feet like a sack. The remaining Nagas hissed then raced
forward.
“Hold!” Kalli commanded.
Zephyr basked in the timbre of her voice. Like a million
fingers stroking his skin. Saki stood, blades poised to strike
anything that came too close. She didn’t seem affected by
Kalli’s voice at all.
Kalli spoke out of the corner of her mouth. “Now
what?”
Saki and Zephyr exchanged a glance. “We question this
one.” He toed the Naga at his feet.
Kalli nodded, then raised her voice so they all could
hear. “You will renounce your mission of evil and become
peace loving and upstanding citizens of the god world. Or
should I call Nereus and ask the Delian League to remove
your corpses? Which will it be, boys?”
She paused, waiting for a decision.
The Nagas flicked their tails and hissed loudly. The
one on the ground responded with more hisses. He spoke to
Kalli, eyes glittering in adoration. “I am the leader. We vow
to walk the path of righteousness. You have bested us. We
honor you for that.”
Zephyr hauled the chief Naga off the ground. Pain
throbbed in his shoulder. “Start talking.”
Chapter 6
“Who knew Nagas had so much to say?” Saki tossed
her knives onto her desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a
cloth. After a few short efficient swipes the blades gleamed.
“I thought they’d never shut up.”
“Nicely done, Kalli. I bet they never encountered
anyone with your persuasive charms before.” Zephyr patted
a chair. “Sit. Let me check you for injuries.”
Kalli thought of her voice as a tool to extract
information. Nothing more. It was safer that way and
removed the temptation to abuse her power. In this case, she
didn’t regret her actions. Not when other’s lives were in the
balance. “They knew enough. The first thing they did was
cover my mouth.”
Zephyr ran his fingers along her arms, spreading goose
bumps across her flesh. She wanted to return to the hotel and
take a hot bath. The Naga’s coils had bruised her ribs and
her muscles ached. The injuries would heal faster with good
rest. Or maybe more of Zephyr’s skillful massaging.
“How did they lure you outside?” he asked, his tone
level. His jaw ticked like he wanted to say more. Like call
her a stupid moron. And she so deserved it.
“I thought I saw Niko. He called my name.” Gods, she
was an idiot. Now, it seemed so freakin’ obvious. Her brother
would have never resorted to slinking around an alley and he
would never have worn such a boring trench coat either.
Saki sheathed the blades with a sharp snick. “They used
your own desires against you.”
“They can do that? I thought they were just hired
muscle?” Kalli asked, stifling a yawn.
Zephyr probed along the nape of her neck. When his
fingers touched the hairline underneath, dull pain throbbed
into her skull. “Hold still.” He gathered her tresses and pulled
them out of the way.
“It’s nothing. Probably a bump. With all that debris
flying around, I probably got nicked.” Then again, maybe
not. Numbness spread over her cheeks and lips. Her mind
drifted to Zephyr during the battle. Godly and majestic. The
wind at his command.
The room narrowed and contracted around her.
Everything tilted sideways, dropping her stomach to the
floor. She gripped the sides of her chair and giggled. “Whoa!”
“Venom,” Saki said from behind her. When had she
moved away from the desk? “Don’t move, Muse.”
“Why is she shouting at me?” Kalli yelled over the
blood pounding in her ears.
“No need to yell, sweet. We can hear you fine.” Zephyr
knelt in front of her, hands on his knees. Concern rippled
across his face like waves across stagnant water. His features
swirled then the room performed another flip-flop.
“Why are you so wavy?” When she tried to rub her
eyes, her hands refused to cooperate. “Uh oh. I feel kinda
queasy.”
“You’ve been poisoned,” Zephyr said.
“So were you. I saw a Naga bite you.”
“My wounds have already healed.”
Saki leaned into her field of vision. “He’s a god of
the elements. And he’s old as dirt. Now try not to move.”
Something cold, or maybe it was wet, touched her neck.
“Zephyr, hold her.”
“Why? It feels pretty ni—”
Sharp pain racked her body. Fire pumped through her
veins, scorching a path throughout every cell in her body.
She screamed.
Deep in the back of her brain, her mind registered
Zephyr’s arms around her body. Spasms twisted her muscles.
Her bones ached. Her teeth rattled.
The agony seemed to last for hours.
“Kalli, it’s okay. I’ve got you.” Soft white light haloed
his face. Zephyr seemed like an angel.
“Where am I?” Her eyelids refused to cooperate. No
more pain. Excellent.
“In your room at the inn.” Zephyr squeezed her hand.
“Hush. Try to sleep.”
With an effort to rival Hercules, she opened her eyes.
Dim light filtered through the curtains. Dawn approached.
“That hurt.”
“I’m sorry. Saki explained the remedy works best when
you don’t know ahead of time.”
“Sucks.”
“I know, baby.” He stood to leave.
“Don’t go,” she whispered between cracked lips.
“I won’t be far,” he soothed, a touch of uncertainty in
his voice.
Why was he in a rush to leave her?
“Wait. Please.” Her eyes shut. Power floated over her
skin. One eyelid squinted open. Golden light surrounded
him.
Aurora stood in Zephyr’s place.
Kalli smiled, then mumbled, “Dawn’s here.” She must
be delusional. That had to be it.
Yup. Slumber tugged her into its deep embrace.
He sweated bullets. Gods! He’d changed right in front
of her. Except, she seemed amused. Must be the drugs.
Maybe she wouldn’t even remember what had happened.
After arranging her arms under the covers, he left the
room.
“How is she?” Langston said.
“Don’t you ever get tired of ambushing me?” He halfsmiled and pushed his gaffe to the darkest corner of his mind.
He’d deal with any fallout later. If she mentioned it first.
“I’m going to make your day.”
Judging by his friend’s smug grin, Zephyr knew the
information would be good. “So make me happy.” Gods
knew he could use it.
“The Nagas. I obtained information on where they
were last seen. And, bonus, I also found a mysterious new
casino.”
“The gold chips?”
“Highly likely. The casino’s hidden in a pocket
dimension. Very next level shit.”
“Can we get inside?”
“Sort of. Rumor is you have to be invited. And the only
place to get passes is at this club.” Langston brandished a
flyer. “Ladies drink free at Happy Hour tonight. Lucky for
you, cocktails start at 5:00 p.m. So you should have enough
time to sneak in as Aurora.”
“Thanks, man. This is great. You’ve made my day.”
“Do I get a kiss?”
“Dude. That is so wrong.”
“What can I say? You are one hot woman. I can’t
help myself.” Langston air kissed him, then flashed away,
laughter trailing behind him.
Zephyr grinned. Time to crash the party.
The air displaced. Langston reappeared. “Sorry. Forgot
to ask. Do you want some fashion advice?”
“From you? No, thanks. I’d rather have my blind Aunt
Edna dress me.”
“You don’t have an Aunt Edna. You need to glam up,
my man. Not too showy, but not too casual. Something that
says, I’m easy, but not a slut.”
“Someone’s been watching TLC.”
“Don’t knock my guilty pleasures. Mortals have the
most amazing talent for inventing new forms of drivel.”
Langston steered Zephyr to the lobby. “Don’t take this trip
lightly. Whoever is behind this place has enough power to
hide from us.”
Zephyr nodded. “Are you pondering what I’m
pondering?”
Langston answered in his horrid version of a Pinky
and the Brain cockney accent, “I think so guv’ner! Time to
contact the Ole Man of the Sea.”
“Exactly.” Probably another attempt to take over the
world. Gods, he hoped not. Been there, done that, and now
he sported tits as a reward.
“Miss Aurora?” The front desk manager, approached.
“There’s a message for you.”
“Thanks, Ben.” Zephyr smiled as he read the paper,
then handed it to Langston. “Seems Nereus already knows
something’s happening.”
“What? Does he sense a disturbance in the Force?
Man, he needs to lay off the Star Wars marathons.” Langston
returned the note. “So about my offer to dress you?”
“Hell. No.” Zephyr had a better idea. “I plan to ask
someone better qualified than you.”
“Nice. Have fun shopping with Kalli.” Langston
wagged his eyebrows.
Too bad he had another reason. To find out if Kalli
noticed his presto chango. “Her taste is a shitload better than
yours. Kalli is a lady.”
After the lunch rush ended, he knocked on her door,
tray in hand.
“Come in!” Kalli pulled open the door wearing the
spa’s signature cream-colored robe. “Oh, Aurora, you didn’t
have to bring me food. I hate to put you out of your way.”
“No problem. Zephyr insisted.” He placed the tray on
the room’s circular table. “Listen, I was wondering.” He
paused. Unbelievable. He was about to ask someone to go
clothes shopping with him. “Zephyr gave me two VIP tickets
to a cocktail party. And I need a new dress. Will you come
with me?”
“I’d love to go shopping with you!” Kalli raced to her
suitcase and rummaged. “I don’t have anything to wear
either.”
“Kalli.” His somber tone stopped her short. “Zephyr
thinks we might find a lead to Niko. It could be dangerous.”
“More dangerous than being attacked by Nagas?”
“You seem much better. After the poisoning.”
“I feel pretty good. Other than some strange dreams,
I’m fine.”
He schooled his face to show a pleasant smile. Good.
So far no mention of his transformation.
“Let me hop in the shower real quick, then we can go.”
Kalli hesitated, biting her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. Do you
mind?”
“No, I can wait.” He sat in the chair.
“Great.” Kalli dropped the robe, then headed to the
bathroom giving him a view of her gorgeous, shapely ass.
More beautiful than he could have imagined. “Sorry. I hope
I’m not shocking you. I forget that not everyone grew up in
a house full of females.”
Once again, thinking like a man, he never considered
she’d drop trow in front of him.
“Not a problem,” his feminine voice squeaked out. He
gripped the arms of the chair so he wouldn’t follow her and
offer to wash her back. The shower spray turned on. Steam
followed shortly after. His cock punched to life in his pants.
Even though he looked like a woman, underneath The Fate’s
elaborate illusion, all his man parts worked just fine. Female
form be damned, he could go in there. And then what? Say,
“Hi, I’m Zephyr and thanks for flashing me.” Better yet, I’m
a lying sack of voyeuristic crap. After she finished punching
him the face, she’d probably refuse to speak to him again.
The water abruptly cut off. Oh, sweet mercy. He hoped
she didn’t parade out naked, covered in only beads of water.
He didn’t think his heart or his erection could take it. The
bathroom door cracked open. His hand shot out and grabbed
the room service menu off the table.
“Hey, would you mind tossing me my underwear?”
“Sure.” Strange, he normally took panties off a woman.
More blood rushed to his dick. Stop. With the menu in his
left hand and gaze firmly affixed to the page, he casually
handed the underwear over and returned to the chair.
“Thanks.” The door clicked shut.
Whew. He dropped the menu onto the table and heaved
a sigh of relief.
The door opened. Before he could resume staring at the
day’s special, Kalli strode into the main room, clad only in
the lacy pink panties he’d handed her. The room’s cooler air
stiffened her nipples into delectable erect buds.
His mouth watered at the memory of their taste in his
mouth. The pads of his fingertips tingled, probably because
his fists were clenched too tight. Too quickly, she covered
her luscious body with a matching lace bra, a pair of denim
shorts, and a smooth baby blue T-shirt.
And she had no freaking clue that he sported a hard-on
strong enough to drive nails.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Kalli
flashed him a tentative smile. “I sometimes forget my
modesty. You know, living with sisters?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m fine. No need to worry
about me.” He smoothed the wrinkles out of his short skirt.
The room’s mirror reflected a female. Not a man with an
engorged erection. Thank the Gods. Then he’d really have
something to be embarrassed about. “Ready to go?”
“You betcha.” Kalli paused at the door. “Do you think
we might find Niko?”
“I hope so.” He plastered a high wattage smile onto his
face and tucked her arm into his elbow. “Let’s see how many
drunken mortals we can make talk with our feminine wiles.”
“Sounds like fun.” Soft laughter erupted from her,
making his smile genuine. Gods, he loved the sound of her
voice and the way it washed over his skin like silk.
Too bad once they found Niko, she’d be gone from his
life. He stumbled over a bump in the hallway carpet.
Kalli stopped and gave him a quizzical look.
He waved her forward. Each step heavier than the last.
He didn’t want her to go.
Damn. How had that happened?
“So how long are you going to continue this charade?”
Langston’s sharp tone made him take notice. “Dude, what’s
happening to you?”
“You’re the one who told me to go shopping.” Zephyr
shuffled through the papers on his desk sensing a nagging
rant coming on.
“I know, but now that I see you two together . . . I was
wrong.”
“What do you mean?” The trip had been surprisingly
fun. After their second outing, he’d decided shopping with
Kalli was bearable. Okay, time for the truth, he’d be happy
to go with her again. Voluntarily.
A finger snapped in his face. “You’re losing yourself,
man. Planning shopping trips. Gossiping like a chick. What’s
next? Pedicures and a pajama party? Though I could dig it,
if you’d have a pillow fight in your panties. But I digress.”
Langston flashed forward, his face inches from Zephyr’s.
“You’re forgetting who you are.”
Zephyr grabbed folders and pushed away from the desk.
“I know exactly who I am. What is your problem anyway?”
“I’m tired of covering for your sorry ass, Aurora.”
Anger creased his friend’s normally jovial face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mercer.”
Zephyr slammed the filing cabinet drawer. This was the last
conversation he wanted to have.
“Lies are like potato chips. You can’t stop at just one.”
Langston appeared in front of him, mouth downturned. “She
isn’t stupid. She’s a Muse for cripes’ sake! And she will
figure it out eventually.”
“Shut it, Langston.” He circled around the desk and
rifled through papers. “Go Jiminy Cricket someone else’s
ass.”
“I think you need to listen to me.” For once, was
unspoken between them. “If you care about Kalliope, then
tell her the truth. Now. Don’t wait.”
Zephyr moved in front of the mirror by the door. “Look
at me!” He raised his breasts. “I’m a woman right now. She’ll
think I’m crazy.”
“No, she won’t. Weird ass shit is part of our world.
That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard.”
“Is not,” he said, half-heartedly.
Langston snorted. “You’re acting childish. What are
you really afraid of?”
He folded his arms. “You can’t make me answer that
question.”
His friend leaned over. “I can’t. But you better figure it
out before you screw this up. I’ve never seen you this happy
before. Not even with Flora.”
“Leave her out of this,” he warned.
“You know it’s true. You two were never right for each
other.” Langston crossed his arms. “I know you both loved
each other. But it wasn’t the soul mate kind.”
Zephyr hated to admit his friend was right. Kalli stirred
emotions in him that went bone deep. When she left the
room, he ached for her to return. The thought of anything
happening to her set him into a panic. The idea she would
turn him away once she learned about his curse scared him.
“How come you are so wise?”
“I’ve spent a lot of time learning from your mistakes.”
Ouch. “Dick.”
“Hey. You asked.” Langston mock saluted, then
vanished.
He faced the mirror again. Aurora’s lovely face peered
at him. Until he met Kalli, he’d been ready to settle. To
accept his fate. What had happened to him? He used to be
carefree. Like the wind. Unrestrained.
Who was this person? Zephyr didn’t settle. And neither
would Aurora.
He touched the reflection. His female face returned an
impish grin, a glint of mischief in her eye. Since when did he
ever do what was expected?
Kalli deserved the truth. He just didn’t know if he had
the courage to deliver it.
Kalli worried about Aurora. The female was clearly
bothered by something. She’d barely spoken two words on
the ride to the club.
A marked difference from the shopping trip. Dresses
were tried on, accessorized with zeal. She nearly busted her
side laughing after a challenge had been issued: find the most
hideous dress. Aurora won with a mind-bending paisley shift
shaped like a box.
For a little while, the worm of dread that had been
slowly eating her happiness had been kept at bay. Now it
seemed to have infected her friend, too.
They had parked near the club, deciding to walk the
block over. Kalli couldn’t stand the silence anymore. “Why
so glum, chum?”
A shrug. “What are your plans once you find Niko?
Will your sisters really lift the banishment?”
“When I first realized they were serious, it hurt. I was
scared even. But now I realize I don’t have to go back if I
don’t want to.” Why should she live with people who clearly
had no respect for her or her opinions? And if they couldn’t
accept Niko, then fuck’em.
“Are you scared now?” Aurora asked.
“No. And I have you and Zephyr to thank.” She smiled.
“You’ve opened my eyes in a way that all my travel has
never done.” No more being imprisoned on the island, no
matter how luxurious.
“Well, I have an offer. No pressure to answer now, but
you know, you could stay with us. For as long as you’d like.”
Aurora stared at her shoes, cheeks blushed pink.
As much as the offer excited Kalli, it didn’t matter if
Zephyr didn’t agree. She was through hanging with people
who didn’t want her. “What about your brother?”
She laughed. “He’ll be fine with it. Who cares what he
thinks?”
I do, Kalli thought. They walked in silence for a while.
Aurora cracked a smile. “You look fantastic. Green
really suits you.”
“Thanks.” She spun, twirling the short dress, the spring
green fabric swaying around her thighs. “Wow, Aurora. You
look sexy hot.”
Aurora eyed her intently. “It’ll get the job done.”
Comments like that made Kalli wonder about Aurora.
She seemed like such a tomboy. No wonder. She had four
brothers. All wind gods. They must have been hell on
boyfriends. If they even allowed males near their sister.
“Do we have a plan?”
“Ask questions. But with finesse. Not like an interview.
Otherwise, they’ll clam up.”
Kalli tried not to roll her eyes. Like she didn’t know
how to get information out of mortals. Please.
“Maybe you could share why we’re doing this? I don’t
have a camera inside your head.”
Aurora stopped, tottering on scary high stilettos. The
black-strapped shoes accentuated her finely sculpted legs.
The form-fitting black dress hugged every curve. Kalli
expected every man with a pulse to hit on Aurora. “Langston
uncovered a lead. But don’t get your hopes up.”
“Understood. Where are we going anyway?” The street,
lined with private residences and the occasional clothing or
antique shop, was hardly the kind of neighborhood to tolerate
a dance club.
Aurora stopped in front of a quaint storefront called
Whereabout. The window display was filled with hanging
glass animals. All delicate, in a variety of luminescent colors,
each probably hand blown.
“In here?” Kalli peered inside. Mortals lingered around
various displays, examining pottery and other home décor
items.
“You’ll see.” Aurora held open the door, allowing Kalli
to enter first. “Head toward the dressing rooms.”
No one seemed to care. The mortal clerk gave them a
passing glance. Not even the customary Welcome to the store
greeting. The shoppers examined and replaced merchandise
at regular intervals. Like they were stuck in a loop. And then
it clicked. “These are avatars.”
“Yes. Most wouldn’t even notice this place unless
invited. For those with invitations, the avatars exist as a
smokescreen.”
When they reached the clothing section of the store,
Aurora led them to the dressing rooms. The stalls were lined
with crimson-colored velveteen drapes. Aurora entered first.
“Close the curtain behind you.”
“A pocket dimension?” Kalli stared at the mirror.
“Exactly. Take my hand.”
Aurora held two tickets in front of the mirror. Their
reflection twisted in a swirl of color, before the glass melted
like a cascading waterfall, opening a doorway.
Inside, thumping techno music pounded out a solid
beat. As they peered through the entrance, wisps of fog
rolled around their ankles. Throngs of mortals and immortals
gyrated on the dance floor while multi-colored lights flashed
to the rhythm.
“Ready?” Aurora pulled them through the opening
without waiting for an answer.
As soon as they stepped into the club, the portal
vanished. Aurora nodded at her and headed toward a group of
single young men. Kalli squared her shoulders and sashayed
to the bar.
Within in seconds, every male head turned as she
walked by. Butterflies erupted in her belly. She wasn’t used
to this level of attention. Normally, she’d blend in or be
invisible to the mortals around her.
Head held high, she pretended not to notice. The sea
of men parted, allowing her to approach the bartender. The
young female sported spiky green hair and, no surprise,
metal studs pierced her ears, eyebrows and lips. Bet she
attracts lightning.
“What can I get for you?” she asked as if bored, hands
planted on the bar’s shiny white surface. The acoustics of
the club were unexpected. While the music blared in the
background, Kalli could hear words as if spoken in a normal
tone. No shouting over loud music in this place. Strange.
“Allow me to buy a drink for the lady,” said a suave and
confident voice.
Kalli turned and suppressed a laugh. The mortal, so
short his broad, sweaty forehead matched the height of her
breasts.
He smiled, obviously pleased with the view. “I haven’t
seen you here before.”
“I’m new in town.”
As if scenting blood in the water, other men circled her.
The short man jostled them away and handed her a drink.
“Don’t mind the boys here. I’ll take care of you. Drink it.
They make great cocktails here.”
The bartender rolled her eyes and moved on to take
someone else’s order.
Kalli took a sip of the frothy red concoction. Almonds
and cherries, with a hint of ginger, maybe. A stranger bitter
aftertaste tickled her taste buds.
Short Man moved forward, a wolfish grin on his face.
“How’s the drink, sweetheart?”
Zephyr vowed to take a nine-hour shower when he
got home. The sweaty, hormone-laden males made his skin
crawl. They all had one thing on the brain—sex. Gods, was
he ever that bad?
“Let me buy you a drink. Please?” The kid looked like
he’d recently passed through puberty. Granted, Zephyr was
thousands of years old. He resisted the urge to card him.
“Beat it, kid. It’s my turn to buy a drink.” An older man
shoved the younger man away. “Name is Fletcher. Why deal
with a boy when a man can do the job better?”
And what job did this guy think he was doing?
“Hey. I’m not a boy, you greasy piece of shit. I was here
first. Fuck off!” The kid snarled.
Zephyr stepped between them before fists started flying.
“Now, boys, you can both buy me a drink.” They eyed each
other. “Hurry. Don’t keep me waiting.”
After a pause, they broke into a run, elbows flying as
they ran, each trying to outpace the other. Zephyr studied the
crowd. Men outnumbered the women at least ten to one. A
whacked ratio.
No matter. “I’m looking for a friend. Have any of you
seen him around here?” They all stared at him and no one
spoke. “He’s about my height, black curly hair. Handsome
as sin. No? No one’s seen him?”
“Here’s your drink.” Fletcher appeared to have won the
race.
A cool glass pushed into his palm. Fruit and a little
umbrella rested on the edge. For a brief moment, he swore
the pattern on the umbrella was shaped like a pig. He blinked.
Not a pig. A flower. The drink, possibly a Mai Tai, released a
sweet, fruity odor. The men all leaned in waiting for him to
drink. How very Stepford.
All right. He’d play along. He took a sip. Tangy tropical
flavors cascaded across his taste buds. Nothing strange there.
Until a faint chemical aftertaste hit him next. Something a
mortal female would never have noticed. A roofie.
Assholes.
His metabolism automatically neutralized the chemical
concoction. He continued sipping, scanning the crowd
for Kalli. She stood at the bar, chatting within an equally
engrossed circle of men. Her hands were empty. Good.
Back to the scumbag posse. “So, Fletcher,” he said,
leaning closer to the mortal, “have you seen my friend or
not?”
Fletcher seized Zephyr’s ass and yanked him against
his body. What was with all the booty grabbing? He played
along swinging his hips in time to the music.
“Who cares about him? In another minute, you’ll be all
mine.” Fletcher’s smarmy voice made Zephyr want to smash
the mortal’s teeth. Immediately.
He arched an eyebrow. “Really?” he drawled in sweet,
syrupy voice. “I do love a confident man.” Time for the
prick to start talking. He reached downward and squeezed
Fletcher’s balls. Before the mortal could howl, Zephyr
pushed the man’s face into his breasts.
Disgusting as it was, it prevented the others from
suspecting what was really happening, their friend was
dangerously close to becoming a eunuch. Fletcher writhed,
unable to escape the iron grip. Zephyr smiled and pretended
enjoyment. “Boys, wait your turn.”
The other men closed ranks around the couple,
presumably so Fletcher could grope more privately.
Voice, low and deadly, Zephyr spoke close to Fletcher’s
ear. “I think you’d better answer my question. If you scream
or act like anything’s wrong, I will detach your nuts. We
clear.”
The man’s head bobbed in agreement between his
cleavage. Zephyr relaxed his grip, but didn’t let go. He said
evenly, “Get your face out of my tits. His name is Niko.
Have you seen him or not?”
Fletcher nodded, his face red and sweaty. “Over there.
He just walked in.”
Zephyr spun them around. Sure enough, Niko entered
the club. Bare-chested and wearing a white collar, he stood
behind a woman outrageously costumed in a white-feathered
dress and a hat festooned with more feathers. A fishnet veil
obscured her face. The only thing visible was her narrow chin
and lips painted snowy white. She looked like the stepchild
of Lady Gaga and Bjork.
Head bowed, eyes cast downward, he moved forward
only when the woman yanked his leash. Cripes. Niko wasn’t
the only one collared like a dog. The woman held half a dozen
leashes for other males, all similarly clad. At her command,
they marched to stage at the opposite end of the dance floor.
As they reached the platform, the men lined up behind
the bird lady, continuing to stare at the floor. She slinked to
the forefront, trailing a white-gloved hand across each man’s
chest. When it was Niko’s turn, she twisted his nipple. Hard.
Niko didn’t flinch. He didn’t move at all. A malicious grin
parted her lips.
Power floated over the crowd. Not the power of a god
or goddess. Something else. Someone worse, and horribly
familiar.
His mouth went dry. Gods, please don’t let it be her.
Zephyr released Fletcher, letting him fall to the floor. He
pushed his way over to Kalli.
If he was correct, they were in big trouble. They needed
to leave.
Kalli smiled when she saw him approach. He gathered
her into his arms, tilted her head and whispered in her ear.
“Whatever happens, do not react to what is on that stage.”
“What’s going on?” Her gaze searched his face.
“Aurora?”
“Niko’s here. But he’s under—”
The music abruptly stopped.
Kalli stared, her lips pursed tight. Her back muscles
quivered under his palms. He understood. If one of his
brothers had been in Niko’s position, he would’ve attacked
first and asked questions later.
Kalli’s eyes narrowed. “Who’s the witch?”
“Circe.” And she’d vowed to kill him if she ever laid
eyes upon him again.
Every instinct in Kalli’s body shouted for her to march
onto the stage and take her brother. Only Aurora’s iron grip
around her waist and the fact Circe was a formidable witch
kept her feet glued to the floor.
If she stormed the stage, half-cocked, who knew what
the witch would do to her. She sucked in a deep breath, then
another. Observe, assess, then take action.
“Evening, everyone!” Circe raised her arms as if to
embrace the crowd. “Thank you all for coming to my little
party.”
The mortals in the crowd clapped and whistled.
“As you know, only select individuals receive
invitations to my parties.” Circe removed her gaudy hat with
a flourish. “These gentlemen behind me are my extra special
guests. But I’ll circle back to them in a moment.”
Circe paraded across the stage, waggling her fingers.
Strobe lights flashed with each flourish. Sparkling glitter
drifted onto the throng. Magic, undetected by the humans,
floated over the crowd.
Behind her, Aurora’s body went rigid for a moment and
she hissed out a sharp breath. The sensation of something
spoiled or tainted passed over Kalli’s skin. Her hands itched
to rub the feeling away.
“My ladies are going to select a few more special gents
to join me on this stage,” the witch said.
Cocktail waitresses chose men from the crowd,
including the man who had tried to pass her a tainted drink.
She noted the human Aurora had danced with earlier was
invited to the stage.
The men eagerly followed and joined Circe. The magic
shifted, taking a darker tone.
Dread slid across Kalli’s skin. She muttered, “What is
she doing?”
“Nothing good,” Aurora murmured.
One thing was clear, every mortal male and female in
the room was under Circe’s spell.
Kalli twisted around in Aurora’s arms and rested her
head on her friend’s shoulder. “They all look mesmerized
like the guests in the hotel.”
“Yes.”
Her pulse rocketed. What was the witch doing with
her brother? She knew Circe was powerful, but had no idea
how much her strength had increased. To have ensnared a
demigod like Niko, she must be formidable.
“We have to get Niko. I’m not leaving without him.”
“No. Now is not the right time.”
Circe held her arms out, motioning for silence. Her
steely gaze landed on Kalli. “You are not a human. Nor is
the one behind you. Come closer.”
Aurora whispered harshly, “Play along. No matter what
happens. You have to trust me.”
“Quickly, now! I don’t have all evening,” Circe
demanded.
Kalli locked arms with Aurora and marched forward.
The sea of bodies parted for them, creating a tunnel leading
directly to Circe. Kalli’s gaze sought out Niko’s with quick,
furtive glances. He seemed not to recognize her. Come on,
brother. Fight her spell.
“Well, what do we have here?” A slight sneer curled her
upper lip. “Neither of you seems very powerful.”
Kalli tried not to bristle at the insult. No power? She’d
show her. A tight squeeze to her elbow reminded her to calm
down.
“What are your names?”
Aurora answered before Kalli could open her mouth.
“I’m Iris and this is Tansy.”
“Hmm. What flavor of immortal are you two?” Circe
asked, her fingers dancing in a spell.
Kalli suppressed a shudder. The witch’s malignant
power pricked her skin, like a million ants walking all over
her.
“Hard to say. Interesting. Perhaps I shall probe deeper.”
“I’m one of the Breezes,” Aurora volunteered.
A dark shadow passed over Circe’s face. “Part of the
Wind Pantheon,” she sneered. “Zephyr is your kin.” Not a
question.
“And my friend is one of the Graces.”
Circe waved her hand dismissively and said to herself,
“Both, useless to me.”
Aurora encircled her arm around Kalli’s waist and
snugged her close as if laying claim to her.
The gesture didn’t go unnoticed by the witch. “Lovers.
How fabulous. Kiss for me.”
Kalli’s jaw dropped. Who the hell did this woman think
she was? Ordering them to perform for her. She opened her
mouth to protest, when her friend’s lips came down on hers.
Holy crap!
Kalli knew the touch, the taste of the mouth on hers. And
it wasn’t Aurora. She deepened the kiss, her tongue pushing
Aurora’s mouth open. For a moment, her mind resisted what
her body already knew. She was kissing Zephyr. But how?
Her eyelids cracked open. Zephyr’s face stared back at her,
then the image morphed into Aurora.
No one else seemed to notice. Reality shifted underneath
her and her knees buckled. He held her tighter, angling her
spine so her shoulders faced Circe.
Those silver eyes greeted her as he broke the kiss. His
lips trailed along her collarbone, then to the soft lobe of her
ear. “Play along,” he rasped, “or we’re dead.”
A potent cocktail of lust filled her veins like fire. No
acting necessary. Oh, she wanted to know why he’d been
lying to her, but that could wait. She slid her hands down his
back, feeling his broad muscles rather than feminine curves.
Whatever illusion remained she could breach with her hands.
Since Circe didn’t say anything, she assumed only she could
see his true face.
The crowd and Circe forgotten, she tiptoed and captured
his lips when his mouth trailed toward hers. She pressed her
stomach against his groin, rubbing on his thick erection.
Good, he wanted her.
Zephyr moaned softly in her mouth and fisted her hair,
deepening the kiss.
“My, my! I think you two should find a room,” Circe
quipped. She clapped. “Excellent show.”
Lost in passion, Kalli reluctantly broke the kiss. Zephyr
vanished and Aurora stood disheveled next to her. Had she
imagined the whole episode? And how could she forget
about Niko standing a few feet away?
“Thank you for the entertaining display of lust. Come
take these.” She held out two golden poker chips. “You must
be my guests at my next party.”
Aurora took the chips with a wry glance at Kalli. She
tucked her arm in her deceptive friend’s elbow and narrowed
her focus. Nope, she hadn’t imagined Zephyr. The illusion
receded when she willed it.
“Speaking of . . .” Circe pursed her lips and stared at the
men on the stage. All of the new additions had been collared
and clothed only in skintight leather pants.
Kalli tried not shiver under Circe’s predatory gaze.
“Have I ever told you how I despise men? Vile creatures.
Deceptive. These chosen”—she paused as if she had a foul
taste in her mouth—“they have all committed crimes against
women. Each of them has attempted to drug an unsuspecting
female so he could rape her.”
Not Niko. He would never. Kalli opened her mouth to
protest then caught herself.
“All of them guilty of this crime. Except one.” Circe
pointed at Niko. “This dark-haired beauty committed a
greater crime. A crime against me. He tried to cheat me.
None of this behavior will be tolerated.”
Oh Gods. Kalli’s throat closed. Every muscle in her
body poised to spring onto the stage. Aurora could kiss her
ass.
Power charged the air. A lightning bolt ready to strike.
“All men are pigs.” Circe snapped her fingers.
Kalli’s eardrums popped before a bright flash nearly
blinded her. When her vision cleared, all the men on the
stage were gone. Replaced by fat, pink pigs. Clad in white
collars and little leather pants.
Circe laughed. “I expect everyone to come to my
barbeque. Pig’s the main dish.” She waved. Another burst
of light pulsed.
The stage was empty.
“No!” Kalli screamed.
Aurora pinned her arms, whirling her away from the
stage and dragging her out of the club. They stood inside the
dressing room. Golden light washed away Aurora. Zephyr
stood in her place.
“How could you lie to me?” The more she thought
about it, the angrier she grew. “I thought we were friends.”
Oh. Gods. The one person she thought she could trust, one
who didn’t have an agenda. And it wasn’t true. The whole
time Zephyr pushed her away, Aurora drew her back in.
Bastard. “This is a new low. Even for you.”
“Kalli, please. I’m sorry.” He reached toward her. “Let
me explain. The Fates. I’m being punished—”
She batted the red curtain out of her way. “No. I don’t
want to hear it. I don’t care. All I want is to go to the party
and get Niko. You can go to hell.”
Chapter 7
Hell hath no fury like a Muse deceived. Kalli paced her
hotel suite like a caged lioness, rage fueling her every step.
When Aurora, no, Zephyr knocked on her door that morning
she pitched her sneaker at his lying head.
Oh to have the power of flame right now. She’d set his
bed on fire.
Kalli stopped and massaged her neck. Why was she so
furious? She unclenched her fists and sat heavily on the bed.
She blew out several short breaths, puffing away the anger
like poisonous steam. Gods, he got under skin like no one
else.
Her mind catalogued and reviewed every conversation
between her and Aurora. How many times had she pumped
the female for information about Zephyr? No wonder he
seemed to know her so well.
The snake! He’d been playing her all along. Probably
an elaborate ploy to love her and leave her. His reputation
obviously well deserved.
I bet he enjoyed watching me half-naked, too, while I
paraded around my room after my shower.
Except, and she hated to even give him an inch, she’d
been doing most of the seducing. Wasn’t she the one who
cornered him in the garden? And she’d never once seen him
look at another woman, other than her, in either male or
female form.
Forget him. Stupid males!
She squared her shoulders. Time to put her rational
Muse mind to work on her main priority—rescuing Niko.
Somehow. Of all the witches, why did it have to be her?
Circe was the worst kind. A dark magic wielder, she’d
cultivated a fearsome reputation over the centuries, always
walking the line just shy of blatant rule breaking. The Delian
League tolerated her because she assisted them with sticky
situations and criminals that needed to disappear.
Damn. A headache throbbed behind her eyes.
A soft knock roused her. “Go away, Zephyr! I’m still
mad at you.”
“Kalli, open the door. It’s Langston.”
“This had better be good.” As far as she was concerned,
he was in league with Zephyr.
The demigod leaned against the door, arms casually
folded. “I’m always good, darling.” He dangled a brochure
in front of her face. “Recognize this?”
Her heart skipped a beat, brain unable to believe what it
saw. Could it be possible that he wasn’t lying to her?
“Is that what I think it is?”
When she reached out, Langston hugged it to his chest
and checked both ways down the hallway. “Best do this
behind closed doors. If he catches me, he’ll feed me my
balls.”
“Fine.” She backed out of his way and shut the door.
“Hand it over.” After a quick perusal she snorted, “You’re
kidding me, right?”
Langston shook his head. “It’s legit.”
“So You’ve Been Cursed by the Fates?” Kalli flipped
the paper over. Hard to believe the Fates had reading material
for the cursed. “What did he do?”
“Sorry. That’s his story to tell. But maybe you could cut
him a break. He really wants to help you and Niko.”
“Why didn’t he tell me all this himself?”
“Duh. Because he’s a man with pride. Do you know
how humiliating it is to be punished so publicly? Zephyr
prides himself on helping others. Not that he’d admit it.”
Pride indeed. “This doesn’t get him off the hook. I’m
still mad that he didn’t trust me enough.”
Langston gave her a tight smile. “Give him time. Learn
all the facts before you toast his nuts.” He gently plucked the
brochure from her fingers. “Best slip this back to where it
belongs. Remember, we never had this conversation.”
Speaking of roasting, Niko the pig flashed into her
mind. His destined fate provided some much-needed focus.
“Did you hear about Niko?”
“Yes. That rotten bitch. She’s permanently put me off
barbeque. And I love ribs. We’ll rescue your brother. But
first, go see Zephyr. Work this out so we can go into battle
united.”
Battle. Her pulse increased. No longer would she be an
observer. This time she’d be part of the action. First, she had
a decision to make. Stay mad forever or hear Zephyr’s side
of the story.
She wasn’t ready to forgive him yet. Not by a long shot.
But she did care about him. A lot. And the idea of walking
away and never seeing him again was equally painful.
“A wise choice, if you ask me.” Langston commented.
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“I didn’t. I recognize a moony lover face when I see
one. Give him hell, girlfriend!” He darted away before she
could argue.
She did not have a moony face. And they weren’t
lovers. Not yet.
Her stomach grumbled. Famished. She’d better eat
before she fainted. After lacing her sneakers and taming
her unruly hair, she stepped into the hallway. The aroma
of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls flooded her nose. As if on
puppet strings, she followed the heavenly scent. It wasn’t
her brother’s cooking, but almost as good. Besides, always
better to have a full stomach before tackling apologies.
She followed the fragrant trail to the outdoor patio.
Tables and chairs were casually laid out in corners. She
spied a free table and took a seat. Moments later a waiter
had taken her order and deposited a basket of delectable rolls
in front of her. Only the presence of other diners prevented
her from tearing into them. Instead, she forced herself to use
a knife and fork and not lick the luscious sugary frosting off
her fingers.
“Do you mind if I join you?” asked a melodic female
voice.
Kalli stopped chewing and glanced at the woman. A
floppy white hat and oversized sunglasses covered most of
her face. Her toned body, designer clothes, and perfect skin
screamed, rich socialite.
“Please. I’d enjoy the company.” Not really. But she
was too polite to turn the lady away when every table was
full.
“If you don’t mind me saying, you have lovely hair.”
“Thanks. That’s not how I’d describe it!” Curly hair,
always a pain in the neck. Frizzy in the summer and dry in
the winter. She had learned to deal with it. Even a Goddess
had flaws.
The woman ordered coffee and helped herself to a roll.
After a few delicate chews, she swooned. “My, this is really
good.”
“So what brings you to Stonington?” Might as well
be polite. And a chance to learn from mortals was always
welcome.
“Oh, doing some sightseeing. I’ve always heard how
nice the area is and wanted to visit it. I’m Erica, by the way.”
Kalli shook the offered hand. The woman’s skin was
cool like marble. Pleasant vibrations traveled across her
hand and down her wrist. Fragrant spices perfumed the air
relaxing her muscles, yet leaving her exhilarated at the same
time. As if in a cloud, she settled into the chair, the desire to
do anything else gone.
Erica leaned forward, her delicate fingers stroking
Kalli’s wrist. “Now, tell me everything I want to know.”
Zephyr’s eye twitched. How had things gone so horribly
wrong? He knew he should have come clean weeks ago. But
he hadn’t counted on Kalli. Her kindness, sense of humor, or
her passion. Ah, Gods. She undid him in every way possible.
And now he’d fucked it all up.
He stared out at the ocean wishing he could sink into its
cool depth. Running away wasn’t an option. He couldn’t do
it. Nor could he let her walk out of his life.
What about Circe? Fear clutched him. He didn’t have a
choice. If the witch found out about his interest in Kalli, she
would ruin everything. Again. The best thing he could do
was push Kalli away before it was too late.
A voice in his head screamed at him, Idiot. Keeping her
ignorant had backfired spectacularly.
His phone rang. After a glance at the screen he answered
immediately.
“Before you take my head off, I think you should hear
me out,” Langston said.
“Why are you calling me? Afraid of my wrath?”
“Hardly. I’m in a van, heading toward Rhode Island.
Did you forget we have a business to run?” He blew out an
annoyed breath. “Man, you’ve got it bad. I’m flattered that
you’re pining away for me. Don’t worry. I’ll be home by
nightfall.”
Ass. He really didn’t feel like verbal sparring. “Did you
have a reason for calling me?”
“Tell Kalli the whole story. Please. You need her in
your life. I can feel it in my bones.”
“I don’t trust Circe.”
“Me, either. She’s been a dark shadow in your life for
far too long. So rather than running away or hiding more
secrets, consider this, Knowledge is power.”
“You do know that you sound like a public service
announcement, right?”
Langston growled. “Stop acting like a dumbass! The
best way to protect Kalli is to be open. Tell her everything,
then trust her to decide her own fate. Isn’t that how you’d
like to be treated?”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Damn. Langston was right. Again.
He was thinking about the situation all wrong. In fact,
he’d bet Circe would believe that he’d go into full out alpha
male mode. Not this time. Kalli would get the whole truth.
Not only about his curse but his darkest secret, too. If she
didn’t run screaming from the room, then maybe they were
meant to be together.
Gods, he hoped he was right.
It was all so clear. What she had to do. The lady, Erica,
had opened her eyes . . . Erica. Was that her name?
Kalli shook her head and resumed packing. Yes. She
needed to leave the inn. Renounce Sanctuary and everything
would be better. Erica had promised to help her find Niko.
Zephyr had lied to her a million times over. Why would
the bastard tell her the truth about Niko? He was Circe’s
guest. For an inconsequential price, Kalli could have her
brother.
Honestly. It all made sense.
She scooped all her toiletries into her bag. A few landed
on the floor. So what? Erica would take care of her. Packing
complete, she exited her room.
The door closed behind her with a loud thunk. Sounds
buzzed in her eyes, like teeny flies. She ignored it.
Nothing mattered. Go to Erica. Find Niko.
Purpose drove her steps toward the elevator.
The ding seemed shrill and annoying, like she should
remember something important.
Kalli shrugged the uneasy feeling off and moved
forward to step inside.
“One moment, young lady.” A strong firm hand gripped
her upper arm, stopping her progress.
Annoyance, then anger raced through her. How dare a
mortal try to stop her? And an elderly one at that. One with
more strength than a mortal should have.
“Kalliope.” Power laced the woman’s voice.
A burst of fresh flowers tantalized her, filling her nostrils
until all she could smell was their sweet scent. Calmness
relaxed her limbs. Her cramped fingers unfurled and the bag
dropped to the floor. The fog clouding her reason lifted.
“Mrs. Astor?” Kalli leaned against the wall. She could
have sworn she felt . . . No. The woman was mortal. Not a
goddess. Or even a demi.
“Yes, dear. Where are you going?” The old woman
stooped down and retrieved Kalli’s bag. “Let’s have a nice
cup of tea in your room. Shall we?”
Still in a bit of a daze, Kalli nodded, allowing the mortal
to lead the way. She had been so angry. Again. Perhaps her
sisters were right. Too much time away from Parnassus was
toxic for a Muse.
The tea service arrived within moments after Kalli
called the front desk. After the first cup she felt more like
herself.
Mrs. Astor latched her unnerving stare onto her. “Give
him a chance.”
Kalli stiffened, but held her tongue. She knew Mrs.
Astor meant well, but she had no idea who Zephyr really
was. A lying, two-faced god. “Why? You don’t know him
like I do.”
“I know him better than you realize. There is so much
more to him. Try using your observational skills.” Mrs. Astor
sipped her tea, a shrewd glint in her eye.
“I have observed his behavior. Keeping secrets. Lying
to me. Which of those actions should I admire?” No way,
could she explain Zephyr’s curse to a mortal. Or his long
history with women. Fury boiled inside her again. The urge
to run twitched her limbs.
Mrs. Astor pursed her lips and frowned, her scrutiny far
too knowing.
“You of all people should understand every story has
multiple sides. Perhaps this will open your eyes.” A blue
forget-me-not appeared in the woman’s hand.
Funny, she’d totally missed where it had come from.
A tantalizing aroma drifted from its lush blue petals. The
yellow center, almost like an eye, drew in her gaze.
Riveted, she reached forward and took the blossom.
Mrs. Astor’s fingertips brushed hers and a jolt of power
passed between them. Before she could react, the fragrance
seeped into her pores, burrowing inside of her. With a low
sigh, all the remaining anger drained from her body. As if a
poison had been expelled and calm returned.
“Promise to speak to him first.” Mrs. Astor stood to
leave. “Zephyr needs someone to have faith in him.” Regret
filled her face. “It is not my place to tell his secrets, but I
will say this. He values loyalty. He’s willing to shoulder the
burden of others, even at the risk of his own happiness.”
A thousand questions bubbled to the surface, but she
stayed her tongue. Mrs. Astor shook her head, a silent refusal
to share more. And somehow, Kalli suspected that even if
she were to use her power on her it wouldn’t work. Nor
would she consider it. Taking information forcefully from
an old woman who’d shown her nothing but kindness was
despicable.
Kalli held out the flower. “Thank you. I don’t know
what came over me.” And the fact she didn’t scared the crap
out of her. She’d acted like an irrational, love-struck fool.
Worse, she’d believed the whole world revolved around her
and her feelings were all that mattered.
And Zephyr, he deserved a chance. After all the
kindness he’d shown her, not to mention saving her life, she
owed him.
“Be happy, dear.” Right before the door closed, Mrs.
Astor added, “Keep the flower with you. It will protect you
from undue influence.”
Before Kalli could ask more, the woman left. Maybe it
was time for her to find Zephyr and hear him out.
Chapter 8
It took Kalli all afternoon to summon her courage and
confront Zephyr. True, he had no right to deceive her. On the
other hand, he didn’t owe her anything. He also didn’t have
to help her find Niko nor did he have to offer her Sanctuary.
In fact, she should be the one helping him. Since she’d
arrived, there had been nothing but trouble for him. Maybe
she was a jinx.
She stepped onto the wraparound porch of a gray,
two-story house and walked toward the rear. Like all the
homes in the neighborhood, it was situated along the shore,
overlooking the ocean. Sunset was due in another hour or so.
Bet that looked spectacular.
She’d been surprised to discover Zephyr had a private
residence a short walk from the inn. He always seemed to be
at the hotel so naturally she’d assumed he lived there. Well,
the mortals did have a saying about assumptions . . .
The god in question reclined on a lounge chair. An open
bottle rested on the deck next to his fingers. When he didn’t
immediately turn around, she froze. Maybe she shouldn’t
have entered his personal space.
Stop being a chicken and talk to him. “Langston said I
could find you here.”
“Please join me,” he said with a soft smile. Funny,
since she’d discovered the truth, she only saw him in his
male form, no matter the time of day.
Accepting the invitation, she sank into the chair next
to him, the soft cushions molding around her. Another
amazing view awaited her. There didn’t seem to be a bad
spot anywhere on the Point. “I don’t mean to disturb you.”
“You’re not. I’m glad you came. We have a lot to
discuss.” Zephyr sipped red wine. “Would you like a glass?
I’m relaxing for a bit.”
The tight set of his jaw told her he was far from relaxed.
“I feared, after all the things I said and all the shoes I
chucked, you might not want to speak to me again.”
“Are you kidding? I deserve to have whole pieces of
furniture thrown at me. I hadn’t intended to hide anything.
It’s just . . .” He sighed and swallowed hard. A crimson blush
crept along his neck.
How could she be so insensitive? He was embarrassed.
She conceded, “I admit. It was a bit of a shock, even for me.
You know, I’ve witnessed some pretty harsh punishments
from the Fates.”
“Lying was a terrible choice. I know how much you
value the truth.”
She exhaled a deep cleansing breath. “Well, I’m not
so good at seeing the truth right in front of my face.” Niko,
for example. For centuries, she’d pretended not to see his
rascally behavior. Instead, she blamed his actions on a lack
of mother’s love. Or because his sisters ignored him. Always
an excuse. “And for the record, I’m truly not bothered by the
whole female by day thing. It’s kind of like getting the best
of both worlds. A great kisser who likes to shop.”
His eyebrows arched in surprise. “You say that now.
But long term, could you deal with my lack of power? Or
spending daylight with my female form?”
“Wait. Rewind a bit. What about your power?”
“The Fates also took the west wind away, except when
my life is in immediate danger.”
Whoa. Harsh. And his reluctance to share that weakness
made sense. A strong alpha male like Zephyr would be
concerned about his ability to protect his own. Did he see
her as his? Was she?
“Aurora is your best part.” She suppressed the smile
inside, not wanting him to interpret her reaction as mockery.
“Is the curse forever, then?”
“I hope not.” He shifted in the chair to face her. The
tight set of his jaw relaxed. “Are you sure you don’t want
any wine?” He offered his glass.
She took a sip, rolling the fruity taste around her tongue
before swallowing. “This is very good.”
“It’s from a local vineyard. I try to buy from my
neighbors as much as possible.”
“You like mortals?” Kalli’s limited experience with
them had mostly been negative. Wars. Tragedy. Heroics
followed by a noble ending. All the ingredients of epic tales.
“They have many fine attributes.”
“Like Mrs. Astor?” The words tumbled from her mouth
before she could stop them.
His relaxed demeanor vanished, his face an emotionless
mask. “I don’t want to talk about her right now.”
“I can see she’s important to you.” And she’d love to
know why. Not out of jealousy, but because he seemed torn
over this one mortal’s fate. “Maybe you’d feel better if you
talked about it.”
“Not all secrets are mine to share.”
“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately,” she groused.
He took her hands in his. “I’m sorry.
“I understand.” She nodded, even though she had no
idea what he meant. Patience. Eventually, he would tell her.
“Kalli, there’s something I have to tell you. It goes
beyond the curse. This knowledge is dangerous. Think hard
before you agree to hear it.”
“Is this a, If you tell me, you’ll have to kill me, kind of
secret?” she grinned. As a Muse, she’d learned and kept a lot
of secrets.
“I hope not.”
When he didn’t return her smile, she swallowed hard.
“I want to know.”
Time for the truth. And nothing but the truth. No matter
how hard. He wasn’t surprised she wanted to know. The
woman had the heart of a lion. If he had half her courage
opening his mouth wouldn’t be so damn hard.
“Zephyr? If you don’t want to tell me—”
“I do.” Zeus, this was harder than he thought. Kalli
waited expectantly, her lips curved in a placid smile. If he
couldn’t trust her with this secret, they had no future. And,
by Gods, he wanted a future with her. “Do you remember
a few months ago? About the rumors swirling around the
Titans?”
“Yes. I paid it no heed. You know, the usual speculation
about dark forces conspiring to free them.”
“Only this time, it was true. The seal to Typhon’s prison
briefly fell in enemy hands.”
With a harsh gasp, she widened her eyes in disbelief.
“No. That would mean the death of millions. But obviously
he remains imprisoned.”
He empathized. At the time, he didn’t believe the talk
either. After hearing it too many times to count over several
millennia, who could blame him?
“Long story short, I aided my friends in a Hero’s
Journey. We saved the world. And I was punished.” He
motioned to his body. “I don’t regret my part. Nor my choice
after.”
Kalli sat perched on the edge of her seat, no doubt
pondering what was coming next.
When she remained silent, he continued. “Before the
final confrontation with our enemies, protective measures
were taken in case Typhon’s seal was compromised.”
“And was it?”
“Yes.” His mind wandered to that day. The skin-deep
bite of the needle and the smell of disinfectant remained
vivid. “The original seal was destroyed. You see, Zeus
tattooed the prison seal on a piece of his own flesh to contain
Typhon. Being the only full-blooded god in the group, I took
the seal onto my body.”
An almost inaudible squeak escaped from her lips.
Blood thudded in his ears. He braced himself for
rejection’s sharp sting.
“Oh, Gods!” Kalli cried, not with disgust, but fear.
A tall, lanky creature approached from the beach. Five
more emerged from the surf. Their movements were stiff and
mechanical. Gyros whirred and metallic parts clanked. Their
bodies no more than animated metal skeletons.
“Piss off!” She flung the deck chair into the machine’s
path.
With a solid crack, the wood splintered under its
feet, the remainders scattered into the sand. They marched
forward, each one extending a long arm.
Zephyr charged forward, placing his body between
Kalli and the machines.
Fuck. Were they wearing cowboy hats? Paisley
bandanas covered their skeletal faces. Child-like gold sheriff
stars were pinned on their chests. Whatever they were, they
weren’t alive. Not in the organic sense.
“What are those?” Kalli asked, fingers gripping his
hips.
“Not sure. They almost look like . . .” Revolvers
appeared in the place of hands. A loud series of clicks,
followed by the spinning of gun barrels, froze his tongue.
“. . . automatons,” Kalli finished for him, her head
craning for a closer look.
The hammers cocked in unison. Gunfire pounded his
eardrums a microsecond before bullets smacked into his
chest, thighs, and abdomen. Somewhere in the distance he
heard Kalli scream his name.
Pain seared into his body, the tattoo on his groin burned,
and, for a moment, he feared the Fates had let him down. He
sucked in shallow breaths as his power surged deep within.
His body worked to expel the lead buried inside him, the
sensation almost as painful as the initial impact.
With a single, terrifying motion, like one-armed
bandits, the automatons raised and lowered their arms. The
guns cocked and reloaded. They were only feet away from
the house, and no matter how much of his body he used as
shield, Kalli was sure to be hit.
Not gonna happen. Wind laced around the machines,
battering them with sand, rocks, and lawn furniture. One
bandit lost its footing and flew into the ocean. The remaining
five dug in deeper and aimed again.
“Look out!” Zephyr caged Kalli in his arms and pushed
them through the kitchen door. More bullets pierced him,
the force knocking them to the floor. Ignoring the pain, he
helped Kalli to her feet. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she panted as they stumbled out of the
kitchen.
Windows smashed inward, spraying glass shards
everywhere. Orange flames burst to life, igniting the drapes
and furniture. Thick smoke filled the room.
“Run!” Blood pooled in his mouth, metallic and bitter.
The wounds overwhelmed his ability to heal. Fatigue pulsed
through his veins, weighing down his limbs.
“We can’t let them loose on the streets,” Kalli said,
abruptly stopping at his front door.
Heavy footsteps clomped across the wooden deck. The
machines marched into his house through the dense acrid
smog.
He summoned the wind and snuffed the active flames.
The bastards weren’t burning his house to the ground. And
with the closeness of his neighbors, he had to protect their
property, too.
Under the cover of smoke, he pushed Kalli outside and
onto the sidewalk. Sirens wailed in the distance. In a matter
of moments, mortal rescue vehicles would line the narrow
streets.
Neighbors milled on the sidewalks, shock and concern
on their faces.
Kalli opened her mouth to protest, but Zephyr wouldn’t
stop. They had a narrow window to make their escape. He
couldn’t use a smokescreen to hide their passage much
longer. Almost completely drained, he’d be lucky to make it
to the inn without losing consciousness.
“Stop,” she insisted. “We can’t leave those monsters
there.”
“They’re gone. I felt them leave the moment the sirens
started. Whoever sent them is crazy but not stupid.” The
sidewalk swayed underneath his feet. Gods. What did they
hit him with?
“Hey! You okay?” Kalli propped her shoulder under his
armpit. “You don’t look too good.”
“Take me to the inn.” Before he fainted on the street. A
few labored steps later, they were in the lobby. The manager
took one look at him and picked up the phone.
“No. I’m fine,” he lied. “Find Mr. Langston and inform
him my house caught fire. I’ll contact my brother from his
office.”
With Kalli’s help, he pushed open his office door and
staggered inside, landing in the nearest chair. Two images of
Kalli hovered over him, each face pale with worry.
“Zephyr!” She reached toward him. Fabric ripped.
Cool air rushed over his skin. Her fingers softly probed his
injuries. She moved away. Far in the distance, urgent voices
spoke.
Darkness crept over his vision. Every wound screamed
in agony at the slightest movement. Damp stickiness coated
his back and legs as he bled out into the chair.
“Why aren’t you healing?” Kalli murmured.
Excellent question. Dark spots danced in his vision. The
tattoo vibrated underneath, simmering for release. He swore
he could hear Typhon’s laugh deep in his mind’s recesses. If
he didn’t act, his life force would drain away. In a last ditch
effort to heal, he let his control slip and allowed his powers
to reduce him to his base element.
“Kalli, don’t be afraid. I won’t be far,” he said, before
his body reverted to its primal form.
Wind.
Kalli’s surprised shriek echoed around the room.
Zephyr’s torn shirt dangled from her hands. If she hadn’t
witnessed him dissolve into thin air, she wouldn’t have
believed it.
Langston barged into the office. He silently assessed
the bullets and blood-soaked seat cushion, then crossed the
space faster than a heartbeat.
“Shhhh. Kalli. Stop screaming. You’re scaring the
staff.” He whisked her away and parked her on the desktop,
facing away from the bloodstained chair.
She hiccupped and another round of hysterics threatened
to burst forth. He couldn’t be gone. Not like this. She needed
to tell him how she really felt.
“Where’s Zephyr?” Langston prodded.
“I don’t know!” She choked out a sob. So much blood.
Golden ichor stained her hands and clothes. Unlike humans,
gold blood flowed through the older Gods’ veins.
“What happened?” Langston gripped her by the
shoulders forcing her to pay attention to him. “Kalli, tell
me.”
She gave him the short version ending with Zephyr
disappearing.
Langston released a relieved breath. “He’s okay. I’ve
seen this happen before. It’s his body’s last defense. To
become the wind.”
“How long will he be gone for?” Oh Gods. This was
all her fault. If she hadn’t shown up looking for her brother,
none of this would have happened. More horror flooded her.
Niko and the barbeque.
“Kalli. Focus. I know it’s not easy but you have to calm
down.”
“What about Niko?” Her teeth chattered. Tremors
shook her hands. Shock. This must be what it felt like. She
wanted to curl into a ball in a corner.
“We have a few days.” He unlocked a file cabinet and
retrieved a black bottle. He pulled the cork and offered it to
her. “Drink. It’ll help you relax and heal your burns.”
As soon as he pointed out the injury, pain lanced her
forearms and palms. The top of her scalp ached and her
throat hurt. She gave it a sniff. Fruity with a hint of spice.
“Demeter’s private label?” She hesitated. Ambrosia
was highly narcotic in excessive quantities. Only she had no
plans to get wasted. For medicinal use only. Yeah. She took
a conservative swallow. And coughed. Hera! It burned the
whole way down. Within seconds, pleasant warmth snaked
through her veins and settled in her limbs, easing the pain of
her injuries.
Langston drank, too, then locked the magic potion
away. He rummaged around the office until he found a
plastic bag holding some office supplies. After dumping
the contents onto the floor, he approached the chair. “These
bullets. They’ve been spelled. Totally illegal, of course.
Nereus will hear about this.”
Kalli’s thoughts drifted. She raised the remains of
Zephyr’s shirt to her nose and inhaled his male scent: a mix
of fresh air, sunshine, and a hint of salt. Tears welled in
her eyes, her ears vaguely registering Langton’s comments
about the bullets.
“I will fuck up whoever did this to him.”
Kalli’s attention snapped into sharp focus. “What do
you mean?”
“He couldn’t heal because these have all been coated in
Hell’s Bane then infused with potent magic.” He tied the bag
shut. “Can’t you feel it?”
She focused her power onto the seemingly harmless
bits of metal. Pure hatred slammed into her with the force of
a fist to the temple. The air in her lungs compressed out in a
single violent swish.
“Shit!” Langston darted out of the room, a blur of light.
With the bullets out of the room, she sank onto the
desk’s hard surface, sucking in deep breaths. Perspiration
dampened her hair and she shuddered under the weight of
malice. Who despised Zephyr so much?
Papers flew off the desk as Langston returned. “I’m so
sorry, Kalli. I had no idea that would happen to you.” With
a strong solid movement, Langston lifted her into his arms
and shifted them away. “I’ll take you to Z’s private quarters.
Most likely he’ll return by sunrise.”
Before she could ask, Langston deposited her on a bed.
The motion released Zephyr’s subtle fragrance. Her throat
tightened and hot tears burned the corner of her eyes.
With a light touch, Langston shucked off her shoes,
then wiped the blood off her face and hands. He helped her
into a clean shirt, then covered her with a blanket. “Don’t
fret. He will come back. Sleep for a bit. I’ll take care of the
house situation and worry about Niko for the next few hours.
When you’ve rested, then we’ll all figure out a plan for your
brother’s return. Deal?”
Drowsiness washed over her like a rushing wave.
Probably a combination of stress and the ambrosia. She
nodded. “Deal.”
The light clicked off, bathing the room in early
twilight’s soft darkness. Through an open window she stared
at the ocean’s gentle waves. Zephyr’s essence surrounded
her like a comforting embrace. A light breeze tickled her
cheeks, caressed her, easing her anxiety. She blinked once,
then two more times, before sleep dragged her down.
His mind hovered on the edge of darkness. Even though
the bullets were no longer in his body, the spell latched onto
his essence, invading his mind. Demanding his destruction.
No matter how fast he fled, the voices of the past chased him
down, their icy claws digging deep into his psyche.
Toxic memories swept over him. Unable to stop the
assault, he helplessly watched the darkest moment of his life
unfold . . .
“How could you sleep with her?” Flora’s tear-streaked
face scrunched into a mask of agony. “She’s like a sister to
me.”
“I’m sorry. I thought . . .” she was you. But he couldn’t
say that. Like a fool, he’d been tricked by the witch. He’d
made love to an imposter and he hadn’t known it until Flora
caught them in the act.
“You know what? I don’t care what you have to say.
We’re done.” She bolted from the room, leaving him.
The scene shifted. Years had passed. Shame continued
to follow him. They were in another time, another place—
the garden behind the inn.
“I’m in love with him,” Flora said, joy clear on her
face.
“A mortal? Have you gone mad?”
“Why can’t you be happy for me, Zephyr?”
“But it will only end in tears. He will wither and die.
Your heart will break.” He wished he could take back those
last words. He had no right to counsel her about heartbreak.
As if sensing his line of thought, she held his hand.
The scent of fresh flowers perfumed the air. The Goddess of
Spring was forever lovely and fresh. “We were never right
together, Z. I forgave you long ago. I’ll never forgive the
witch’s deception.”
That may have been true, but he couldn’t let go of the
shame. How could he have failed to recognize he was in the
arms of another? “I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I won’t be. I’ve made a decision. And I need your
help.”
He sobbed when he heard her proposal. Begged on his
knees, but in the end he could not refuse her heart’s wish.
The tableau abruptly changed. Wind howled, shrieking
against his eardrums. The spell wound through his mind, not
finished with him yet.
He’d done as she’d asked. Paid the penance for his
misjudgment. No one must know the truth.
Anger coursed through his essence. Not his, but
another’s.
An oath sworn. Vengeance promised.
“Zephyrus, God of the West Wind. She will be avenged
by my hand. At a time and place of my choosing.”
He wanted to protest. To point out her role in the whole
tragedy, but he remained silent. Flora would have her release
and he would pay the consequences gladly.
Pain scorched his insides. Even without a corporeal
form, he suffered. The spell, immediate and intimate, applied
equal doses of anguish and heartache. The caster knew his
weaknesses and exploited them with ruthless precision. The
bullets were merely the delivery device. The true weapon
was the psychic assault.
He screamed, unable to end the dual hammers of malice
and hate.
The witch’s voice dripped with venom, reaching him
from afar. “This is only the beginning of your punishment. I
will not be satisfied until you beg me to kill you.”
She probed, pushing against his mental barriers. He
clamped his mind shut, his strength failing.
Zephyr?
Another female, not Flora, nor the hateful witch,
beckoned to him.
Kalli. Her sweet voice slid over him like honey,
throwing him a lifeline. Her quiet sobs echoed in his mind,
drawing him from the brink of madness.
He drifted into the room, hovering over her sleeping
form. A golden glow radiated from her, bathing him in its
embrace.
“No!” the witch cried.
Her voice went silent. He knew it wasn’t over between
them. Next time they’d meet on his terms.
Kalli lay sprawled on his bed, copper hair splayed
across the white sheets. Concern pinched her face. Even in
sleep, he could sense her distress. His heart clenched when
she rolled over, the tatters of his bloody shirt clutched in her
palm.
Gods, he was a fool. All this time, he’d been resisting
her affection. Fighting against a chance for happiness.
At his command, gentle breezes stroked her cheek. The
golden glow intensified, mingled with his essence, repelling
Circe’s foul spell.
“Mmmm.” A low purr vibrated in her throat. She flopped
onto her back, hand thrown over her head, lips parted.
If he had a solid form, he’d be hard as a rail. In his
present condition, the promise of pleasure poured through
him, churned into a hot breeze, and rippled the bed sheets.
With a loud gasp, Kalli woke with a start, her hand
pressed against her heart.
“Zephyr?” she called plaintively.
Feeling like a total voyeuristic bastard, he blew into the
bathroom and settled inside the oversized shower. Pulses of
pain bombarded him as he continued to heal. The fact the
wind remained meant he wasn’t out of the woods yet.
Kalli padded into the bathroom. After a muffled yawn,
she drowsily shucked off her stained jeans, exposing her
luscious legs. Her shirt, bra, and panties landed in a crumpled
heap by her bare feet.
If he had breath, he would have whimpered at the
sculpted curves of her body. His phantom mouth watered at
the firm round breasts, her peaked nipples, red like succulent
raspberries. Nebulous eyes feasted on the beauty of her sex,
covered with fine hair like spun copper nestled over her pale
nether lips.
The animal portion, the all-male part of his brain,
kicked into overdrive as she entered the shower. His shower
built big enough to hold several adults. Not that he’d ever
had more than him inside it.
That was about to change.
She dreamed of the wind, raging outside the window.
Of a battle. Two equally strong-willed adversaries. One
energy, definitely female, sought retribution and punishment.
The male fought to protect another. Somehow the story rang
familiar.
The entities battled. The male’s injuries were taking a
toll, his strength failing.
He called her name.
Kalli.
She bolted upright, mouth dry, skin hot and flushed.
Unable to shake the feeling that she wasn’t alone, she
whispered, “Zephyr?”
A strong wind gust pushed her hair off her shoulders.
Goosebumps raced down her exposed, sweat-soaked skin.
She waited another moment.
What had she expected? For him to materialize by her
side, fit as a fiddle. A quick glance at the clock told her she
had only rested for about an hour. Surely, he needed more
time to heal.
And, after a quick sniff, she needed to bathe. With the
remnants of the dream clinging to her, she headed to the
bathroom, trying to capture and observe the bits she could
remember.
One by one, she dropped her soiled clothes onto the
marbled floor and admired the space. Masculine, like him,
the tiled walls contained splashes of silver and other neutral
tones. She gave a tiny squeak of pleasure when she saw
the spacious shower. Nozzles lined the walls and ceiling at
various heights. Against the farthest wall, a wide bench, big
enough to comfortably seat two adults. Or hold a reclining
female.
Heat flushed her cheeks at the thought of what could
have happened in this place. A feather-light breeze trailed
down her neck. The cool air further tightened her nipples,
delivering a pleasant throb between her legs.
Holy momma. She placed her hands against the glass.
Where had that come from? With a slight head shake, she
opened the door and stepped inside. A futuristic control
panel blinked to life as soon as she entered.
Before she could determine which setting to choose,
balmy steam enfolded her, coating her skin with dew. She
savored the sensation for a moment before stepping under
one of the showerheads. The spray kicked on. A thousand
tiny beads pelted her skin. After a quick search, she located
an alcove with a variety of bath products.
As she lathered her hair, the shampoo unleashed a
familiar scent. Of Zephyr. With a sigh, she tilted her head
and imagined his hands were rinsing her hair. That those
masterful fingers and broad palms were gliding down her
body.
Pleasure stabbed into her core, the throb deep and
needy. Eyes closed, she parted her legs and leaned against
the wall, savoring the sensation tantalizing her.
She groaned. Who knew her imagination could feel so
real?
Gentle suction tugged at her nipples. She arched her
spine, the cool tiles tempering the heat flooding her body.
Her eyelids cracked open. A billowing white cloud of steam
enveloped her.
Teeth nipped her left nipple. Velvet hot pressure drove
the curiosity from her mind. A phantom finger circled the
tiny bud between her legs. The pleasure intensified when one
finger, then two entered her. She bucked her hips, barely able
to stay upright.
“Oh gods!”
Unable to stand, she slid downward until her body hit
an immovable force that pinned her against the wall. She
didn’t know if she could remain standing as long as that
intense, seething bliss continued.
Nothing else mattered. Her hips undulated wildly, an
orgasm ready to shatter her. Rational thought gone, she
moaned and panted. “Yes. Please. More!”
The amazing mouth abandoned her breasts and
abruptly reappeared between her legs. A tongue rasped
against her core, savoring, tasting, dominating her. It speared
inside, thrusting until pleasure thundered through her as she
climaxed.
Water continued to pitter-patter, close, but no longer
falling on her skin. She opened her eyes and discovered she
was reclined on the shower’s bench. A solid steam cloud
hovered between her shaking thighs. An arm unfurled from
the cloud. Then a palm, solid and familiar, landed on her
heaving abdomen.
“Zephyr?” She reached toward him and hit a solid
mass. “Holy crap. Are you okay?”
A fresh gust of air massaged her body all over, the
sensation unlike anything she’d ever experienced before.
Rather than speak, Zephyr’s face formed in the mist and
nodded.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” She gasped when his
hard length rubbed against her swollen folds. Heat coursed
between her legs.
“Not yet,” he rasped. “We have hours before daybreak.”
She whimpered when he lightly kissed her stomach,
then groaned with anticipation when his tongue swirled
around her belly button. With an impish smile he captured
her gaze. Those silver eyes smoldered with passionate intent.
With a low growl, he prowled up her body, the tips of his
pale hair dragging across her skin. He stopped shy of her
aching breasts.
He tongued her right nipple, then deepened the suction
before breaking away. “I can’t think straight anymore.” He
nuzzled between her breasts, fingers stroking the tight buds,
further inflaming the heat between her legs. “Kalli. I can’t
stop myself. I’ve tried to resist you.”
“Please,” she begged. “Zephyr. I want you.” Like a
wanton, she writhed underneath him, dragging herself along
his midsection, stopping at a very real erection. The weight
of his body increased until he became completely solid.
“No fair,” he moaned, then angled to meet her kiss, his
mouth flavored with her salty, sweet essence. He drew away,
fingers twining in her hair. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me
now.”
“Oh, Zephyr.” Hot tears trickled from the corners of
her eyes. “When I thought you were dead, my heart almost
stopped beating. Nothing you’ve told me scares me. Not the
seal. Or the curse. Please don’t push me away.”
A dark shadow passed over his face.
“What is it?” She ran her fingers along his chest. Uneven
puckers marred his skin from where the bullets struck. Black
smudges rimmed each hole. “Is it the poison?”
He shook his head. That heartbroken expression flashed
across his face.
A frisson of fear spiked her heart rate. What if he wasn’t
over his former relationship? Could he really love her with
his heart somewhere else?
“I’m afraid,” he said, voice soft, eyes cast downward.
After a pause and hard swallow, he raised his eyes. “I don’t
want to lose you too.”
Ah goddess, what had happened to him to make him
so scared? She nipped the questions and cupped his face
instead. “Listen to me. I’m not going anywhere anytime
soon. I can’t predict the future, but as long as I draw breath,
I’m yours. Got it?”
Those delicious lips brushed against the sweet spot
behind her ear. “You’re mine,” he growled, the tip of his
erection pressing against her slick folds. Heat shot into her
veins and she widened her legs angling towards him.
“Yes. Z. Do it.” If he didn’t enter her, she would melt
on the spot.
He smiled and pressed a kiss on her throat. “I am yours.
Never forget it.” With a single, smooth thrust he plunged
inside her.
Gasps sounded from her throat, the sensation of him
inside exquisite and filling.
He paused for a long second, his face a mask of pleasure.
“Oh, Kalli.”
She rocked underneath him. “Z. Don’t stop!”
“You’re so hot. So wet for me,” he gasped, unable to
control his wild thrusts. Her muscles quivered around his
shaft. If he didn’t take it down a notch, he’d come too soon.
Kalli was having none of it. She grabbed his ass and
forced him deeper. “Keep going!”
To distract her from her single-minded pursuit of
jacking him off in under a minute, he leaned forward and
tugged her right nipple in his teeth. She kicked her head back
and gasped. He inched out until the tip of his cock rubbed at
her entrance. With one hand he held her hips in place. The
other smoothed her wetness in circles around her engorged
clit.
With all the control he could muster, he massaged the
little bundle of nerves until she came, again and again. He
wanted to fuck her senseless. Make love to her until she
screamed his name, but not in the shower. On his bed.
“Wrap your legs around me good and tight. Can you do
that for me, sweetheart?”
Kalli nodded, then with shaky movements, complied.
The pressure of those perfect legs around his waist made him
reel. Gods, he wanted her now.
Keep it together, man.
With a grunt, he raised her upright, cupped her ass with
his arm and carried her to his bed. “Let go, love.” When she
hesitated, he added, “I need this. I want to see you sprawled
on my bed.”
She scooted backward, then reclined with a devilish
grin.
Holy . . . fuck. She more than exceeded his wildest
fantasy. Lying there with her flushed porcelain skin and
her plump lips swollen from his kisses. Her damp hair
shimmered. The copper curls, a deep, burnished orange,
contrasted perfectly against his dark bedding.
“Do you like what you see?” she drawled as she drew
her knees forward, blocking his view of her secret flesh. “I
hope so.” With deliberate, seductive slowness, she parted
her legs, exposing her delicate center. Pink, glistening, and
so ready for him.
“Yes, I do,” he said gruffly, speech suddenly difficult.
She cupped her breasts, fingers stroking her rosy
nipples. She rotated her hips toward him. “Then come over
here.”
Not needing to be told twice he knelt on the mattress
in front of her, hips wedged between her thighs. “You are
exquisite.” He had to taste her again. Savor her and love her
like she deserved.
Love. Gods, yes, it was true. Somewhere along the line,
she’d captured his heart.
A sort of relief coursed through him. All was right in the
world. She slid her palms over his pecs, stopping to tweak
his nipples before urging him closer. When her fingers glided
through his hair, his lips descended on hers. Deepening the
kiss, he drank her taste in, sweet and light, and so precious.
She broke the kiss, and breathed into the side of his
neck, “Make love to me.”
“I’m happy to love you.” He dragged his tongue down
the hollow of her collarbone. Desperate not to rush, he
suckled each berry pink nipple until she panted.
“Please, I can’t take much more.” In her passion, her
nails, like tiny cat claws, pinched his flesh.
“Yes, you can,” he said, his voice rough like gravel.
Every lick, every touch of her delectable body tested
his control. Kalli’s hand traveled down the ridges of his
abdomen, headed for the aching tip of his erection. At the
last moment, she stopped and dipped her fingers between
her cleft.
He watched, riveted as she stroked herself. Damn. He
was jealous of those fingers. Through heavy-lidded eyes she
watched his face as if daring him to stop her.
Oh yeah. He’d accept her challenge. With a growl, he
drew her hand away then licked and sucked the juices off
her fingers before draping her legs over his shoulders. Better
access to those delicate folds. He flicked his tongue over her
entrance, devouring her like she was the best dessert he’d
ever eaten.
Kalli breathed, “Yes, like that!” Sweat misted her skin,
making her taste richer and more succulent. Shudders rippled
up and down her inner muscles right before her orgasm
pulsed across his tongue. “Zephyr. Please!” she begged,
hands fisting the comforter.
Slowly, inch-by-inch, as she continued to come, he slid
inside of her. His chest heaved as bliss nearly overcame his
control.
“Oh . . . fuck . . . you’re so . . . ah.” He thrust deeper and
faster until she screamed his name. To increase her pleasure
he lifted her hips and raised her legs. Chest heaving, he
rocked against her so his erection rubbed her clit. With long,
rhythmic strokes he pushed her to climax.
“I’m going to . . .” Her words were lost in another
orgasm. Her hoarse cries tightened his balls.
With a deep spurt, he spilled his seed inside her while
her body milked his. For a moment, stars danced across his
vision. Kalli’s hands sought his face and he leaned down to
accommodate her. He kissed the sweat off her brow while
whispering, her name, over and over.
A sniffle, then hot tears landed on his tongue. He
immediately stopped. “Oh gods, did I hurt you?”
“No, silly. That was wonderful.” Kalli’s eyes shone
bright with happiness.
“Believe me. It was my pleasure.” And a moment he’d
longed for since he’d first met her. Zephyr closed his eyes
and swallowed the ache in his chest. Zeus above, he was so
in love with her it scared the hell out of him.
“Hey. Look at me.” Smile lines crinkled around her
eyes. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
“I won’t.” He planted a tender kiss on her forehead,
trying not to worry. Trying not to say I love you aloud. What
if he lost her? She could break him like Flora did. He couldn’t
go through that again.
“Who’s got a worry wrinkle now?” Kalli nudged
him until he rolled onto his back. She straddled his hips
and leaned over, her silken breasts grazing his chest. “I’m
so thankful for you. At first, I was pissed because you lied
to me. But, I realized I would never have been so mad if I
didn’t love you.”
She loved him. That made it easier, didn’t it? He could
say the words right now. But his tongue stayed stubbornly
frozen.
Happiness and guilt surged through him. “I can’t
promise I won’t ever make you angry again, but I can
promise you no more secrets.” Except a major one - that he
loved her. He should be honest. No. He wasn’t ready yet.
Coward.
“We have a deal.” She bit her bottom lip and swiveled
her hips. “I’m feeling a bit peckish.” Her nails lightly scored
a trail down his stomach, heading south.
His cock roused, ready for more. Her warm flesh pressed
against him. Later. He’d think about everything, later.
“Mmm. You look good enough to eat,” she said, licking
her lips. Hot breath tickled his skin.
A whimper escaped from his lips when her hot, lush
mouth closed around the crown of his cock. His abs trembled
when her tongue swirled down the thick vein.
Darkness blinded him when her mouth sucked
forcefully on his hard length.
She tore her mouth away with a terrible swiftness. He
cried out. “What—”
“Z,” she warned. “Either the power has gone out or I’ve
gone blind.”
His eyelids snapped open. Total motherfucking
blackness.
Fuck. Now what was going on?
Ten minutes later, they were dressed and armed with
flashlights. It took a while to make it to the main lobby
as door after door opened. All the guests asked the same
question, “Where was the power? When will it be restored?”
“I’d bloody well like to know the same thing,” Langston
said out of thin air.
Kalli squeaked and jumped, clinging to Zephyr’s arm.
“Langston, will you please knock that shit off?” Zephyr
barked. “I swear I’m going to put a cowbell on you. What’s
going on? Why haven’t the emergency lights kicked on yet?”
“I don’t know. I’ll be right back.” Langston zipped
away, leaving only a breeze in his wake.
“It’s her. Circe. Isn’t it?” Kalli asked, hand pressed over
her heart. Damn Langston.
“Yes.” Zephyr wanted to punch a wall. If Circe was
trying to ruin his business, or at the very least his reputation,
she was well on her way to success. This had to stop. Before
any mortals were hurt.
“Why?” Kalli rubbed her eyes. “What happened
between you two?”
“Later. Please, darling, we need to deal with this
situation first.”
Her hand landed on his forearm. He expected an
argument or, at the very least, for her to extract a promise
from him. Given the fact that their relationship had just
become very intimate, he owed her some explanation. She
surprised him yet again. “How can I help now?” she asked,
worried determination clear on her face.
“What do you know about power grids?”
His sense of wonder only increased. After a few “pretty
pleases” and a dose of Kalli’s natural charm, the local power
company promised to dispatch a crew immediately. When
he complimented her, all she said was, “Look at how happy
your guests are. And you’re worry wrinkle is gone. That’s
thanks enough for me.”
Once the news spread, the guests settled down and the
mood went from concerned hostility to a giddy sleepover
vibe. To pass the time, they assembled in the spacious dining
room. The staff moved the tables and chairs to the side and
stacked pillows and blankets, facing the blazing fireplace.
To further lighten the mood, the staff handed out fixings for
S’Mores.
“You are a marvel,” he said, sliding his arm around
her waist. Bits of chocolate and marshmallow flecked her
hands and shirt. He’d love to pull those slender fingers to his
lips and suck the chocolate off. He hardened at the thought.
Even though they’d just made love, he wanted her again.
Satisfaction warmed him. Hell, he’d probably feel like this
forever. And wasn’t that great?
“I love the fire. So cozy.” A dark shadow passed over
her face. It wasn’t hard to guess what was on her mind. And
if he were any kind of protector, he’d be thinking the same
way.
“Hey,” he said into the top of her hair. The curls released
the scent of his shampoo. “We’ll rescue Niko in time.”
“I know, but,” she hesitated as if trying out the words
before they left her mouth. “What about you? I don’t want
you hurt.”
Normally, a male doesn’t like to hear he might not be
ready for the challenge. Like somehow, the enemy will best
him. Zephyr didn’t feel a pinch to his ego. Instead her worry
was strangely gratifying. “Ah, darling. I don’t plan on it. But
in any battle, injuries are always a possibility.”
She blew out a short breath. “I was thinking more of
your spirit. Whatever happened, Circe did something to
cause you pain. I feel it in my heart.”
He opened his mouth. She pressed her fingertips against
his lips.
“You don’t have to ever tell me what happened, Z. Only
if you want and only when you’re ready.”
A thick lump lodged in his throat. He pulled her into the
hallway, away from the crowd. With one smooth movement
he gathered her into an embrace. “You are a treasure, Kalli.”
She deserved to hear the real story. About the secret that
had burdened him for so long. He cupped her face, drawing
her into a deep kiss. She tasted sweet and salty. He’d love to
savor her all night. But first things first.
Kalli released a soft feminine sigh when their lips
parted. Without speaking, she followed him when he tugged
her into a more secluded alcove away from wandering ears.
“I want you to know the whole story.” As soon as the
words left his mouth, the crushing weight on his chest eased.
“Are you sure?” She blinked rapidly, her eyes shiny.
He raised her knuckles to his lips and kissed them.
“Yes. You deserve to know it all—”
“Zephyr!” Langston appeared in front of them, a sharp
look on his face. “The phone. And it can’t wait.”
Fuck. Langston held out Zephyr’s cell phone. He’d
left it in his room for a reason. Snatching it, he ignored
Langston’s bemused expression. “I’m sorry, Kalli. I need to
take this call.”
She nodded and moved away. As he put the phone to
his ear, he saw her fish her own phone out of her pocket, then
answer it.
“Hey, dude! I’ve been calling you for an hour,” Devlin
said. “What the hell have you been doing?”
“Devlin,” he growled. Why couldn’t his friend have
called fifteen minutes later? “Get to the point.”
“Feel free to thank me anytime. I broke the code, sir
grump. It took me a while to realize it wasn’t a message. I
tried every code known to gods and mortals and came up
with bupkiss. Then during inventory on this sweet shipment
of magic mirrors, I had a brain flash. Remember the chips?”
“I do.” Zephyr pivoted to follow Kalli’s movements.
Tension tightened her jaw. Spine straight, shoulders rigid,
the same clenched jaw he’d seen before on similar calls with
the other Muses. Damn her sisters. They better not upset her
again. He wanted to scream at Devlin to hurry the hell up.
“It’s a code sheet to beat a casino. I don’t know what
Niko was thinking, but cheating Circe tops the list of dumbass
moves of the century.”
“No shit.” Something nagged at Zephyr. “Why would
he even try it?”
“Maybe for the thrill of the chase? Or maybe he believed
he’d be the one to finally get away with it.”
All plausible reasons. Except for one thing. Nereus had
insisted Niko walked the straight and narrow. And the Old
Man of the Sea, gifted with prophecy, wouldn’t make an
error like that. “I don’t know. At this point it doesn’t matter.
We need to get him back before he becomes dinner.”
“What? Dude, did you forget to tell me something?”
Zephyr updated him and they made plans for Devlin to
come to the inn within the hour. When he sought out Kalli to
tell her the news, she was gone.
Kalli knew she shouldn’t leave the hotel without telling
Zephyr. Knew it in her bones as sure as she knew the sun
would rise in the morning, but he was on the phone, deep in
conversation. Every instinct in her body screamed for her to
turn her feet around and return to the inn.
When she stepped outside into the sultry night air, legs
refusing to obey, panic bubbled in her chest.
Oh Gods. The witch had snared her in a spell with her
own damn cell phone. Too late she realized she’d left Mrs.
Astor’s flower on the nightstand. She’d switched clothes and
never returned it to her pocket.
A sleek, black limousine glided silently to the curb. The
door pushed open by an unseen hand, the interior a black
maw waiting to swallow her.
With every ounce of strength, she gritted her teeth
and willed her muscles to obey her commands. The most
she could do was scan the street and look for bystanders or
anyone who would notice her departure and inform Zephyr.
Of course the streets were empty. Her legs shuffled
forward and despite her best efforts to resist, she entered the
limo. Right before the door slammed shut she swore she saw
the Satyr, Devlin, strolling toward the inn.
“Hey!” She shouted too late. The car drove away.
Free to move again, Kalli batted at the shield separating the
backseat from the driver. Once through, she’d overcome the
driver and turn the car around.
After several futile attempts to work the control panel,
she slammed the partition with her feet. The solid barrier
gave way after several well-placed kicks.
“Turn this car ar—” The words died on her lips. The
driver’s seat was unoccupied.
“Fuck!” She reached in and grabbed the steering
wheel. Blue light blinded her right before a million volts of
electricity arced through her body.
Moments later she woke up, her hands and arms numb
and useless by her sides, slumped half on and half off the
backseat. Whether she liked it or not, she was stuck in the
car. With tingling fingers, she dug her cell phone out of her
pocket.
Useless. Fried courtesy of Circe’s magic.
Trapped, she watched the dark road unwind before her,
helpless to do anything except wait.
“Where’s Kalli gone?” Zephyr grabbed the first
employee he saw.
“I don’t know, sir.”
He heard the same response a dozen times before panic
set in. He dialed her cell and it went to voice mail each time.
On his fifth attempt, his phone rang before he could
place the call. His heart sank to his toes when he saw the
number. Mrs. Astor.
No. Gods. No. Not now.
“It’s time, Zephyr.” She hung up.
He had to go. He wouldn’t allow her to leave the earthly
realm alone. Nor would he break the pact they’d made when
she decided to relinquish her immortality to love a human—
together until the end.
“Hey, bud. Why the long face?” Devlin said, startling
him into reality.
“I have to go.”
“But I just got here. What about our plans to—”
“Later. They can wait.” Zephyr hesitated, concerned
about Kalli’s whereabouts. “I need you to do me a favor.”
Devlin tucked his hands into his pockets. Somehow
his friend managed to make an oversized flannel shirt look
stylish. “Anything.”
“I need you to find Kalli. I’d start with her room. I
don’t have time to explain.” Zephyr texted a quick message
to Langston asking him to search, too. “I swear I’ll return
shortly.”
He didn’t wait for his friend’s reply and raced to his car.
In a trip that seemed to last minutes and decades all at the
same time, he arrived at Mrs. Astor’s.
No. He refused to think of her by her human name
anymore. Flora. That was her name.
The white house stood silent. Gods, where were her
kin?
He hesitated at the blue front door. Several millennia’s
worth of memories flooded him, the force enough to stagger
him.
Her reprimand echoed in his ears—no regrets.
This was it, their final goodbye. Death approached and
he couldn’t stop it. His hands trembled as he unlatched the
door. Bright light blazed from the kitchen at the back of the
house. He traveled down the center hallway listening to the
voices humming in quiet conversation. Her family. Some
sniffled, notably her grandsons, the ones who tended the
gardens with her.
Flora’s daughter, Iris, smiled as he entered the room.
“Thomas!” Eyes, red rimmed and swollen from tears, she
had no idea about his real identity, only that he was a dear
friend and benefactor.
Zephyr accepted Iris’s kiss on his cheek. Over his long
life, he’d witnessed this scenario play out over and over with
mortals, yet for the first time it was personal to him.
“She’s been waiting for you.”
He nodded and climbed the stairs, battling to keep his
emotions in check. Remember, she chose this fate. For a
moment, he stood in the doorway and stared. Even in old
age, Flora appeared beautiful, almost ethereal. Her once
blond hair lay draped across her shoulders. A flicker of the
goddess she’d once been remained, however faint. Eyes
closed, a peaceful smile touched her lips.
“Do not be sad for me,” she said gently. “I can feel
him. He’s waiting for me.”
“I’m happy for you, Flora.” He took her hand. So cool
to the touch.
“Cheater. You shouldn’t speak my name aloud. Even
now, someone could hear it.” Her gaze locked onto his. “The
final battle approaches. Do not ever doubt your love for
Kalli.”
“I won’t.” He leaned over and kissed her lips.
She chuckled, the sound low in her chest. “You have
declined my gift for the last time. No more refusals. I insist
you take it. If not for you, then for her.”
Warmth pressed into his palm. A single blue blossom
rested in his hand. “A forget-me-not?”
Be happy, Zephyrus.
A strong gust of wind buffeted the windows and rattled
the eaves. When he looked at Flora, she was gone.
Chapter 9
Kalli shouldn’t have been surprised when the vehicle
stopped at the witch’s casino. Hadn’t she intended to go
there anyway? Except, not alone, and definitely not under
Circe’s control.
If she survived this, The Delian League would be
hearing from her. Circe was breaking half a dozen laws:
Unregistered pocket dimension, willfully tricking mortals,
and use of illegal magic. And that was probably only the tip
of the iceberg.
The car door opened. A well-built mortal leaned in
and offered his hand. His face bore the same pleasant, yet
stupefied expression she’d observed before. More of Circe’s
dark magic.
“Follow me, Ma’am.” He grabbed her by the arm and
pulled her out when she hesitated.
Obviously, she didn’t have a choice. She could try
and use her power on him, but Circe would be prepared for
any attempt to control her minions. No sense in wasting an
opportunity to gather intel about the casino. Eyes and ears
wide open, she drank in the sights and sounds even as her
knees wobbled with worry for Niko.
Slot machines continuously ka-chinked, a noisy
symphony of furious bets and excited conversations. All
the card and game tables were full. A miasma of smoke and
body odor hung around the room. Dozens of servers, clad
in modest garb of white shirts and black pants, attended the
mostly male crowd. No scantily clad cocktail waitress in this
establishment.
At least Circe seemed sincere in her belief that women
should be treated with respect. Normally, Kalli might admire
her. Only the witch had kidnapped her brother along with
dozens of mortals who, even if they were jerks, shouldn’t
have to end their lives as pigs. And her unrelenting and lifethreatening attacks on Zephyr were unpardonable.
The handsome man led her into a swank restaurant
crowded with diners attired in tuxedos or ball gowns.
Crystal chandeliers glinted overhead, splaying the room
with a dizzying array of colors. Tiny portions were served
on oversized white plates and consumed with gold flatware.
So very 1980s.
They cut across the room and headed straight into
the kitchen, past the mortal cook stations and through a
cavernous walk-in freezer. When they reached the end,
double doors appeared against the wall and swung open. A
sickening stench gagged her, stopping her feet.
Oh gods. Her stomach rebelled as she recognized the
smell. Death and carnage.
He shoved her through. The wall opening vanished,
trapping her inside.
“Finally. I hate waiting.” Circe stood behind a stainless
steel worktable. Bits of meat, blood, and gore were casually
strewn across the surface, her apron smeared with red streaks.
“As you can see, I’m preparing for the big barbeque.”
Kalli’s stomach lurched. Butchered pig carcasses
dangled on meat hooks. Blood plunked drop by maddening
drop into a crimson pool. Red streaks trailed into the floor’s
drain.
Her heart raced into overdrive. Was she too late?
“Don’t worry. Your precious brother isn’t here.” She
slammed a cleaver into a hunk of meat and tossed it to a
furred creature chained under the table. “Not yet anyway.”
Words escaped her, her throat clogged by fear. The beast
under the table gobbled the scraps with disgusting slurps.
“Like my pet? It’s a dire hound. I won him from a Djinn
who thought he could cheat me.” Another whack and more
chewing. “I don’t like cheaters.”
Kalli suppressed a shudder, trying not to imagine what
had happened to the Djinn or what Circe would do to Niko.
She tried to open her mouth, but her lips refused to move.
“Oh yes. I bet you want to speak.” Circe snapped her
blood-stained fingers, lifting the spell. “Don’t try to move
too much though. My pet likes to attack anything that acts
too spirited.”
I bet, Kalli thought, watching its vicious molars crack
the thick bone like it was a potato chip. She swallowed hard.
Clearly attacking Circe where she stood wouldn’t work. And
if the witch had wanted her dead, she could’ve killed Kalli
at any point.
No, she wanted something else. To talk, bargain, or
perhaps, gloat. “Why did you take my brother?”
Circe frowned, biting her bottom lip as she sawed
through another chunk of pig. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Why don’t you enlighten me?” Kalli tried not to watch
but no matter which way she looked she couldn’t escape the
grisly sights. Zeus, please don’t let this happen to Niko. Anger
simmered in her gut. Those dead pigs could be humans.
Circe tutted and wagged a finger. “You think you have
me all figured out, don’t you, Muse? That I’m a big, bad
witch, with man-hating baggage, ready to strike at anything
with a penis.” She shook her head and resumed her task.
“Whatever you believe, you’re mistaken. Go on. Take a
guess.”
“Niko angered you in some way.” Kalli waited,
confident Circe would enlighten her further since she seemed
to enjoy theatrics.
“Of course. But that isn’t why I brought you here. This
isn’t about Niko.”
Kalli’s jaw opened in surprise.
“Ah, I see. You really don’t know do you?” Circe
laughed, the sound high and shrill. “I don’t suppose you
remember our little conversation in the garden the other
day?”
Kalli closed her eyes, a dull ache building in her head.
With a pop, the entire conversation bubbled, then resurfaced
in full. “You messed with my memory?”
“Well, duh! I didn’t want our conversation to get back
to Zephyr.”
Of course. The day Mrs. Astor had stopped her from
leaving the hotel. Erica. Circe. Man, did she feel dense.
“For the Muse of Epics, you’re kinda slow.”
Kalli pursed her lips and let the insult slide. “Why am
I here then?”
“Oh that’s easy, darling. You’re going to give me what
I want or your brother dies right now.”
Frantic pig squeals exploded from the next room. A door
opened then slammed shut. The dire hound under the table
stopped eating and started drooling. The wailing stopped. A
moment later, two burly men carried in a limp hog outfitted
with a white pants and a matching collar.
“No!” Kalli’s breath punched her ribs in sharp and rapid
bursts. Circe was right. She would do anything to save Niko.
Zephyr offered his condolences to Flora’s grieving
family, then took his leave quickly, the blue flower safely
tucked in his shirt pocket. With sunrise imminent, he didn’t
want to explain to the family why their mother’s friend
suddenly transformed into a woman.
He parked the car at the end of Stonington Point,
answering the call of the wind and ocean. Here, he could
safely change since there wouldn’t be any mortals around
except for a few fishermen and they wouldn’t be paying
attention to him.
Facing the east, he watched as the sky gradually
morphed from gray to pink and finally to the pale blue that
heralded the sun’s arrival. The power of the curse washed
over him and he settled into his female form. For the first
time in months, it didn’t bother him.
And then another reality slammed into him. Flora died.
And yet somehow, even in his sadness, her loss wasn’t as
gut wrenching as he’d feared. She had never been as upset
or worried about her dying as he had been. The dread of the
event had been worse than her actual passing.
She’d told him so all along but he never wanted to
believe it. She’d been happy. Had known true and lasting
love. And she’d wanted it for him, too.
“Thank you,” he whispered, allowing tears to flow. All
the years he’d carried her secret, it had been worth it. The
ruin of his reputation had been an insignificant price to pay
to ensure her happiness.
Yet, at the same time, he had been such a stubborn idiot.
Shouldering the responsibility for her decision to die. Now,
he understood. Flora had done what was best for her.
Maybe it was time for him to do the same thing—live
his life. Not waste time on regrets.
His phone buzzed with a text from Langston.
It’s about Kalli. Come back.
Chapter 10
The thing about demented psychopathic witches is they
would and could do whatever they wanted. Kalli knew the
moment she saw the pig she would do anything to stop the
slaughter. Even if it wasn’t Niko, and only an ordinary pig
dressed in pants, she couldn’t take the chance. If she was
wrong . . . no, refusal wasn’t an option.
Circe ran her crimson-stained fingers along the blade.
“I see you have come to the right conclusion.”
“What are your terms?” It hurt to say the words. To
give in.
The witch smiled triumphantly, and Kalli wanted to
punch her in the face. Thumb outside like Zephyr had taught
her. Gods, he must be worried sick.
“Simple. You bring Zephyr to me.”
“Why?” she challenged.
“He has wronged me.” Circe slammed the blade down
and motioned for the men to remove the pig. “Why do
you care?” The curious glint made Kalli wary. She hadn’t
forgotten Zephyr’s warning or the malice she felt after he
almost died from the witch’s magic.
“I’m the Muse of Epic Poetry. Don’t you want your
triumph”— she nearly choked on the word—“remembered
in story? Circe, the mighty, captures the West Wind.”
Circe tapped a bloody finger on her chin. “Yes, that
would be most appropriate. Very well, I will tell you the
story.”
Kalli unclenched her jaw and feigned an interested
countenance. “You said Zephyr wronged you. How?”
“He took from me. I had spent years grooming Flora,
the Goddess of Spring for renewal.”
“Renewal?” Kalli shifted her feet, uncomfortable.
Witches were not naturally immortal like gods and goddesses.
“And you call yourself a Muse?” Circe waved away her
question. “In order to continue my existence, I have to obtain
immortality.”
“And The Delian League tolerates this?” She hid her
disgust. How could Nereus allow witches to prey on them?
“Of course not. It has to be a willing exchange.”
Anger seethed in Kalli’s gut. Oh yeah. The witch
deserved a punch to the head. She balled her fists and put
them by her side. Bad idea to provoke Circe when she was
holding all the cards. At least for now. “The desired outcome
no doubt engineered by you, of course.”
“Naturally, darling. I don’t choose just anyone. I
find only those who want to die. And then I give them the
encouragement they need.”
Outrageous. Kalli counted to ten, then pushed her
emotions aside. “What does all this have to do with Zephyr?”
“He came along and fell in love with Flora.” Her
contempt for the sentiment dripped from her voice.
“And Flora returned his love?”
“Until I ruined it for them. I disguised myself to look
like Flora, then I made sure she walked in as we made love.
You should have seen the look on Zephyr’s face when I
transformed underneath him.” Circe clutched her sides with
laughter.
Oh Gods. Poor Zephyr and Flora. Kalli’s chest ached.
“I see the look of horror on your face. Don’t judge me.
I have a right to survive.”
“So you broke them up. Why the anger toward Zephyr?”
“Because she killed herself before I could take her
power away!” She slammed her palms on the prep table,
denting the metal surface. After a moment, she smoothed
down her hair and smiled again. “Anyway, it’s time for me
to renew again.”
“You think Zephyr will voluntarily give you his
immortality?”
Circe stared at Kalli. An awful smile curved her lips.
A cell phone rang. One of Circe’s slaves answered it, then
whispered in the witch’s ear. Anger flashed across her face
then was quickly replaced with a lazy grin. “Sorry, Muse.
But I need to go.” She motioned to her men. “Deliver her to
the inn along with tickets for tonight’s VIP event.”
“Wait. What about Niko?”
“Bring me Zephyr this coming evening and your
brother will be returned.”
“Unharmed. As he was, before you turned him into a
pig. Swear an oath.”
Circe huffed. “Yes, fine. I do so swear it.” She headed
toward the door, then pivoted around. “Don’t even think
about reneging. Or Niko won’t be the only swine served on
the menu.”
Kalli thought hard as she followed Circe’s slave to the
limo. The witch had left her with a cruel dilemma—sacrifice
her brother or her lover. No way would she lose them both.
By the time she returned, she had a plan. And it only involved
sacrificing one person.
Her.
Zephyr arrived in time to witness red taillights
disappearing down the street. He raced into the lobby and
collided into Kalli and Langston.
Kalli eyed him up and down. “What happened?”
“Never mind me. Where were you?”
Langston answered first after he aimed a tight frown
at her. “It seems she’s just visited your least favorite witch.
Details forthcoming, right Kalli?”
“What!” he bellowed, startling the desk clerk. All his
worst fears past and present materialized. Circe had wormed
her way into another relationship. He ground out, “If that
witch harmed a hair on Kalli’s head, I will gut—”
“Whoa, Aurora! Someone’s cranky without their
morning coffee.” Langton laughed loudly, then said in a
harsh whisper, “Time to dial it down a notch, Tarzan.”
Kalli touched his arm in silent agreement. Message
received, Zephyr lowered his voice, “Let’s go into my
office.”
After they settled, Zephyr reached into his desk and
retrieved a bell and a petite hammer. Langston arched an
eyebrow while Kalli leaned forward to study it. Before she
could ask, Zephyr tapped the bell with the mallet. A low
hum radiated outward and washed over them. When the
wave reached the room’s surrounding walls, an audible pop
sounded.
“You think we’ve been breached again,” Langston said.
“Given everything happening around here, I’m not
going to chance it.” Zephyr circled the desk and pulled Kalli
into his arms. “Did that bitch hurt you?” The fear of losing
her threatened to consume him.
“No. But she told me what happened. I am so sorry,
Zephyr.” Kalli’s soft fingers caressed his jaw. Wetness
rimmed her eyes. “She doesn’t know the truth. That Flora
didn’t kill herself.”
He stilled her hand. “How do you know that?”
“I saw it in your mind. When Circe injured you. She’s
Mrs. Astor, isn’t she?”
“Yes. She passed onto Elysium about an hour ago.”
Zephyr hugged Kalli closer. Langston spoke a prayer in the
ancient tongue. Flora had been his friend, too. Zephyr wasn’t
the only one who’d miss her.
“I’m so sorry.” Kalli kissed him, fingers stroking his
cheek.
The forget-me-not in Zephyr’s pocket warmed against
his skin. “That knowledge can never leave this room. Circe
mustn’t learn the truth. Flora’s power is unclaimed.”
“How is that possible?” Kalli asked.
Zephyr shook his head. He didn’t want to go into the
details yet. “What did Circe want from you?”
“To bargain. Niko’s life for yours.” Anger vibrated her
voice. “I am not letting her have you or my brother.”
Zephyr’s head pounded with frustration as Kalli
explained the details. “No. This ends tonight.”
Langston broke in, “Do we have a plan here? We can’t
waltz into her casino and snatch Niko.”
“Sure we can.” She dug into her pocket and brandished
tickets. “Circe gave me these. We have an invitation.”
Langston studied them for a moment before returning
them. “This might work. The event starts at five o’clock. The
invite says you have to bring a male guest to enter. Z, you’ll
still be in your female form. Circe hasn’t been able to see
through the Fates’ curse. We go in, grab Niko, and escape
before nightfall.”
Oh boy. Zephyr knew his friend wouldn’t like his
suggestion. “Yes. That might work. But you can’t come.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Because Circe knows you. You’re going to have to
attend as me.”
“Huh? How am I supposed to do that? I’m not a shape
shifter. And in case you hadn’t noticed, I look nothing like
you. We aren’t even close in height or build either.”
Zephyr smiled. “Trust me, I know the right person to
help us out.”
“I’ve had to do some crazy shit before, but, I have to
say, this tops the list,” Langston said, studying his face in the
mirror. He was Zephyr in every way, including the voice.
“Devlin, when this is over, I’m totally having fun with this
amulet.”
Zephyr dropped his hand onto his friend’s shoulder.
“I don’t think so, dude.” That’s all he needed. Langston
running around impersonating him. Gods knew what kind of
mischief he’d cause.
“See, you should have let me see your tits.”
“Hey, do you two need to get a room?” Devlin asked.
“Seriously, Langston. You can’t use this charm for more than
a few hours. Like most of the objects in my stash, there is a
price to using them. This one in particular will cause you to
lose your agility and speed.”
Zephyr suppressed a grin at Langston’s sour expression.
His buddy loved his speed and wouldn’t willingly part with
it. Loss of powers, yeah, he could totally relate.
Kalli knocked on the door, then stepped inside. “Wow!”
She studied Langston. “Which one is which, I wonder?” She
circled around the two of them. “Don’t tell me.”
Devlin cocked an eyebrow, but otherwise kept his
mouth shut.
She added for Devlin’s benefit, “I broke the Fates’
illusion. I can see Zephyr as himself all the time now.”
Her gaze lingered on Langston for far too long. She bit
her bottom lip. A gesture she knew drove him wild. Zephyr
wanted to kiss her lush mouth. If they were alone, he would
have already hiked up her short skirt and entered her. She
glanced his way as if sensing his thoughts, then resumed
circling Langston.
For a brief moment, Zephyr thought she wouldn’t
choose him. His friend smiled and folded his arms across
his chest, wagging his eyebrows when Kalli wasn’t looking.
“Hmmm,” she purred, trailing her delicate fingers
under Langston’s jawline.
Zephyr gritted his teeth. How dare the minx tease him.
With two strides, she crossed the space, and flung her
arms around his neck, pulling him down for a deep kiss.
When they came up for air, she said, “Did you really think I
couldn’t tell you apart, my lover?”
“Come here,” he said roughly, ready to kiss her again.
“Sorry to interrupt the love fest, but we need to get
moving.” Devlin shrugged on an oversized jacket, perfect
for hiding the weapons’ bulges hidden under his clothes.
With a low groan, he relented. “Later,” he whispered in
her ear. Gods, he hoped there would be a later.
Langston squared his shoulders and deliberately walked
to the door, muttering, “Must remember not to zip around.”
Zephyr pinned Flora’s flower to the strap of his dress
then took Kalli’s hand.
Devlin held the door open for them. “This ought to be
fun.”
He didn’t know the half of it. “I’m sorry to drag you
into this, Devlin.”
“No. Don’t be. This kind of crap shouldn’t be tolerated.
I don’t know what Nereus is thinking, but Circe needs to be
stopped.”
The dark tone in Devlin’s voice gave Zephyr pause.
Not for the first time, he wondered about the Satyr’s past.
Devlin often gave the impression he was a hands off kind of
guy, but in reality, he was a fierce fighter when the situation
called for it. The male had some skills that could only have
come from combat training.
“Are you sure Circe won’t be able to detect the ruse?”
Zephyr opened the panel leading to the tunnel system.
“Positive. This is some serious black market magic.
She won’t suspect a thing. All my weapons are mortal, so as
long as they don’t have metal detectors, I’m good.”
“I didn’t see any,” Kalli said. “But it is a casino and I’m
sure she has cameras everywhere.”
“It doesn’t matter. Her ego is so huge, and her view
of all males so skewed, she won’t be expecting Kalli to do
anything but sacrifice me for Niko.” Zephyr didn’t need to
say it. They all knew his reputation and for once it would be
doing him a favor.
“Right. She successfully ruined one relationship.”
Langston held open the door of an SUV and helped Kalli
into the backseat.
“Well, she won’t be wrecking this one,” Kalli said. The
snarl in her voice gratified Zephyr.
Devlin looked from Zephyr to Langston then to Kalli.
“Clearly, I’m missing some part of this story.”
Zephyr climbed into the backseat. “We’ll fill you in on
the way.”
Once the night ended, secrecy wouldn’t matter anymore.
He’d kill the witch, or die trying.
Chapter 11
Kalli was surprised at how easily they waltzed into the
casino. The man at the door took the tickets, barely glancing
at them. Of course, Circe would know they’d arrived.
Cameras and magical wards monitored all possible entrances.
They pushed their way through the crowd. Humans and a
smattering of demigods packed the casino floor, a carnival
atmosphere hung in the air.
“Where shall we go first?” Devlin asked. Zephyr had
his hand in the crook of Devlin’s elbow. To anyone else,
Devlin appeared to have a tall supermodel by his side.
Kalli affected a similar pose with Langston. While he
looked and sounded like Z, he didn’t feel the same to her.
The press of his fingers against her skin, the scent of his
cologne, and even the tilt of his lips when he smiled, all of it
different. Her gaze drifted over to her beloved.
Langston discretely cleared his throat. Right. Play the
part. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze in thanks.
A loud, graphically colored poster—BBQ PIG
ROAST—caught her eye. Sauce, blood-like red, coated
greasy racks of ribs. Ugh. Everywhere she turned, another
advertisement greeted her.
She swallowed down the queasy gurgle in her stomach.
Cold sweat trickled down her spine. No. Niko wouldn’t
be slaughtered and eaten. Her heel caught in the rug and
she stumbled. Langston caught her, but not before Zephyr
arrived by her side.
“I’ve got her, Aurora,” Langston said under his breath.
“Cool it with the alpha male shit before you blow our plan.”
Zephyr addressed her as if Langston wasn’t there. “No
worries, Kalli.”
“Hey, let’s check out the buffet. Before you attract any
more attention.” Devlin steered Zephyr toward the nearest
restaurant.
After a few moments, they followed. A fist-sized lump
lodged in Kalli’s throat as they perused the buffet line. She
bypassed every meat dish. Even then, she didn’t want to
eat or drink anything in the cursed casino. Gods only knew
where the food really came from.
“You okay?” Langston touched the small of her back,
urging her to move down the line. “You look a little green.”
All of it . . . too gross for words. She stepped out of line.
Not in a million years would Circe’s food pass through her
lips. Devlin flagged her over to their table and she wasted no
time joining him.
Zephyr pushed bottled water toward her. “Drink it. It’s
sealed.”
Devlin patted his pockets and withdrew a pair of
glasses. The bottle-thick lenses made his eyes appear huge.
“It’s safe. Regular H2O.” He studied his plate for a moment.
“Food’s okay, too. Way too much salt and calories though.
No wonder there’s an obesity problem in this country.”
“Thanks, Devlin. I’m sorry everyone. This is much
harder than I thought it would be.” She unscrewed the cap and
took a long pull. “You’d think I’d be used to uncomfortable
situations. I’ve witnessed many of history’s epic battles first
hand.”
“It’s different when it’s personal,” Devlin said inbetween chews.
“How can you eat that?” Zephyr asked out of the corner
of his mouth. His food remained untouched.
“I’m a Satyr. We eat all kinds of weird crap.” He set
down his fork and took off the glasses. “I’m not eating the
squiggly legs. Too much greasy oil even for me.”
“Then why the hell did you put it on your plate?”
Zephyr asked.
“You shouldn’t be eating anything here,” Langston
interjected. “For all you know the food could be spelled
or poisoned. Your super goggles might not be foolproof.
There’s too much magic in the world to screen it all.”
A spasm of choking wracked Devlin. Zephyr banged
his back with a bit more force than necessary. “Don’t listen
to him. He’s messing with you. Although, you remember the
myth about the Lotus Eaters, right? You could be trapped
here for centuries now.”
Devlin regained his composure, but not before flipping
Zephyr off. Langston laughed. Soon all three of them were
trading quips and making rude remarks about the food.
Kalli wished she could join them but couldn’t shake
the sense something wasn’t quite right. The longer they sat
at the table, the more her uneasiness grew. Unseen fingers,
like spider tendrils, touched her neck. She slapped at the
sensation. Nothing there. Must be her imagination.
“Do you hear the wonderful sound?” Devlin asked,
neck craning for a better look. “It must be the Serene Sisters.
Let’s go listen.”
The men in the room all stood in unison and abandoned
their tables. Most of their female counterparts, even if they
seemed surprised, moved to follow them. Zephyr remained
seated, his hand gripping Kalli’s knee under the table.
“I can’t fight it much longer,” he swallowed hard, his
arm shaking. “We’ll have to follow. You might be the only
one who can save us.”
“Damn,” she muttered, realizing, once again, too late
they’d been ensnared in a spell. She stood and took Zephyr’s
hand. As long as he looked like a woman, he needed to resist
as long as he could or he’d blow their cover.
Kalli snagged the table’s votive candle, hoping no one
noticed. She snuffed out the flame and spilled the hot wax
into her palm. The pain bit her skin and she hissed under her
breath. Before the wax completely cooled, she rolled it into
a compact cylinder. She wrapped her arm around Zephyr and
tugged on his neck as if beckoning him to listen to a secret.
“Shove these in your ears right now.” She quickly
formed another ball and handed it to him. “It’s not perfect but
if it worked for Odysseus it’ll work for you.” As to Devlin
and Langston, they were too far ahead for her to catch them
without making a scene.
The crowd gathered inside a vast nightclub. Tables
and chairs were arranged around a center stage draped with
shimmering gold lamé curtains.
Kalli and Zephyr shoved through the crowd, jostling
humans until they reached Devlin and Langston. Of course
they had to be seated at a table next to the stage. Somehow
she doubted it was an accident. “We have to move them
before the show starts.”
The house lights dimmed. “Too late now.” Zephyr
pulled her the final distance and they sat before the Serene
Sisters took the stage. Kalli frantically searched her mind for
a way to escape.
If she didn’t every male in the room would be prey to
the horrific song of the Sirens.
An ecstatic cheer rippled through the crowd. Surf
pounded against the walls. A salty tang of sea spray perfumed
the air. The gold curtains rose, revealing a wide screen
showing an ocean vista as far as the eye could see. The
Sirens home domain. Mariners used to believe mermaids
spelled doom. And, boy, were they right.
She knew from prior experience the Sirens could take
several forms depending if they were on land or in the sea.
Since the casino was land bound, she speculated they’d favor
their voluptuous temptress personas rather than their bird or
mermaid guises. Either winged or finned they were merciless
in pursuit of their prey. Relentless in their destruction, she
doubted they were working for Circe only to make money.
They lived for the thrill of the chase and the victory of a kill.
Vicious bitches through and through.
A high, sweet song poured over the room. The sensation
soothing, as if to assure them all was well. The view on the
screen changed to a sandy shoreline. The Sirens emerged
from the surf, the water coating their skin like clothing,
formfitting, yet not translucent. An audible gasp echoed
around the room as they stepped from the shore onto the
stage fully clothed in shimmering evening gowns. The fabric
hugged their curves, accentuating their ample assets.
Devlin sighed. “I’d love me some of that.”
“They are so gorgeous,” Langston agreed, leaning
forward for a closer look.
And they were beautiful. For now. They liked to lure
men into their grasp, release the spell long enough to show
their true faces, then rip into their victims with terrible teeth
and claws.
Zephyr moaned and fixed his gaze on Kalli. “Their
magic is strong. I can’t . . .” He knocked a glass off the table,
shattering it. The sound went unnoticed, dampened by the
Siren’s hypnotic tune.
“What are you doing?” She watched with horrified
fascination while he ground the shards of glass into his palm.
“The pain helps focus my mind,” he gritted through his
teeth. Pain etched lines around his eyes and mouth. “We have
to leave. Their song. I can hear the words. They’re weaving
a death trap.”
“That makes no sense. Circe wants you alive. Why try
and kill all the men in this room?”
The tone of the song deepened, the Sirens’ strutted
around the stage, arms outstretched, beckoning the men
seated at the tables in front of them.
“Look around, Kalli. Use your power.” Blood coated
his skin. The shards rested in his healed palms. With a low
grunt he started the process of cutting again.
Kalli gripped the edge of the table and unleashed her
magic. It didn’t take long to figure out why Circe had targeted
most of the audience. “They’re all guilty of something.”
She pushed harder, sifting through the hordes of
information pouring into her mind. The men at the next table
over were fraternity brothers who liked to date rape co-eds.
Two tables down, the man was a pedophile. Her stomach
roiled. The women behind them took advantage of poor
unwed mothers, selling their babies to wealthy couples. All
despicable acts.
“Remember the club? A lot of these mortals are not
nice people.”
Generally she preferred to use her power of observation
unobtrusively, gathering data, watching behavior, letting
events unfold naturally.
Not this time. If she waited for things to play out as
planned, the end result would be carnage.
Gods. She needed brain bleach. Right before she broke
the connection, another piece of data floating by caught her
attention.
“She’s making us work for it.” Of course. Circe had
plenty of time to play with them before making Zephyr pay.
“What?” he gasped. Sweat ran down his temples. His
muscles shook. No doubt from the pain of inflicting the same
wound over and over.
“This is part of her plan. She wants us to fight our way
to her. To break our spirits first.” The ocean tableau returned.
The waves parted as if ready to consume the men slowly
shambling toward the song.
A Siren, tall, blond, and built for sin, bee-lined for
Devlin. A second, equally stunning brunette, reached for
Langston and hauled him onto his feet.
Much to Kalli’s dismay, he moved eagerly toward the
Siren. When Zephyr slammed his hands on the table, she
lurched into action.
“I don’t think so.” She latched onto Langston and
pulled backward.
Zephyr wrapped his arms around her waist and added
his weight to hers.
“Who dares?” shrieked the Siren. With frightening
speed she backhanded Langston hard enough to knock him
and Kalli into Zephyr’s lap.
The singing abruptly stopped. All the Sirens zeroed in
on her with laser focus. “Do not interfere, Muse,” said the
brunette.
“You’re not taking my friends,” Kalli said.
Zephyr shifted under her slightly as if readying to move
her. A light breeze lifted her hair, the touch of his power
whispering against her skin. Crap. The curse must assume
his life was in danger.
With a tight shake of her head she warned him away.
Brute force wouldn’t save them and it could cause harm to
the mortals trapped with them. No doubt, Circe expected
the Sirens to prevent Zephyr from using his wind powers.
If that failed, then she’d assume he wouldn’t hurt innocent
bystanders. Of course, they thought Langston was Zephyr
and ignored Aurora.
“We will take everyone. You cannot stop us.” The
brunette Siren pushed Langston down onto his knees.
“Smug, aren’t you?” Kalli asked, hoping like hell that
her voice could out-power theirs. “Willing to put your money
where your mouth is?”
One thing Kalli knew about Sirens, their vanity was
legendary. Even though they were cousins to the Muses, the
Sirens believed they were superior in all ways to other gods.
And Kalli planned to exploit their pride to the hilt. “Or are
you scared a little old Muse like me could be better than
you?”
The blonde unceremoniously dumped Devlin on the
floor. He woke with a start. She clouted him on the head,
rendering him senseless.
Ouch.
“We outclass you in all ways, little Muse. Run to
your island and hide like the scared rabbit that you are,”
said the brunette. She fisted Langston’s hair in her fingers,
drew his head backward, trailing a scarlet fingernail down
his throat. He remained on his knees, fixated and seemingly
unperturbed. “See, even the God of the West Wind kneels
before you.”
Kalli waved her hand dismissively. “Everyone knows
Zephyr is a man-whore. It’s easy to get him on his knees.”
The brunette snarled, then released her grip, body
poised to attack Kalli.
“I have an offer on the table,” Kalli said, giving the
brunette her back. A dangerous move, but designed to show
the others she wasn’t afraid of them.
It worked.
“You propose a wager then?” the blonde asked, stepping
over Devlin’s prone body. “Let’s hear it.” The blonde stared
down the brunette. “Our sister will remain quiet.”
“A sing off. One Siren versus one Muse. Whoever
can control the most beings in the room longest wins.”
Kalli added, “Any interference from the others means I
automatically win and everyone in this room walks out of
here unharmed and unmolested.”
The blonde smiled smugly. “And if we win, everyone,
including the innocents, meet the same watery end. Except
for this one.” She pointed to Langston. “Circe wants the
West Wind for herself.”
Zephyr sucked in a tight breath, disapproval clear, but
otherwise remained silent.
Kalli showed both palms, the gesture to symbolize fair
play. “Deal?”
“I will accept your challenge.” A raven-haired Siren
stepped forward, malice in her eyes. The expression
mimicked by the others. As if they knew something Kalli
didn’t.
Holy Hera. This better work. Otherwise, she’d just
doomed everyone in the room to a watery grave.
Keeping his mouth shut was the hardest thing Zephyr
ever had to do. But he trusted Kalli with his life and by
extension, the lives of his friends and all the mortals. Gods.
She amazed him. His solution, tornado the Sirens back to
Tartarus would have probably resulted in unnecessary
injuries. Not to mention, even with his powers, the Sirens
were formidable in their own right. Sundown was coming
and if he changed in the middle of the battle, the full force of
their power could easily ensnare him.
Kalli gave his hand a tight squeeze, then followed her
opponent to the stage. He didn’t like the smirks on the other
Sirens’ faces. The bitches agreed too fast and way too easily.
They were definitely up to something.
Not willing to wait around and find out if he was right,
he followed Kalli’s earlier lead and carefully used the table’s
votive candle to create more wax earplugs. He made sure
they were good and thick.
“Devlin,” he whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
“Dude. Snap out of it.” When that didn’t work, he jammed
his stiletto into the soft part of the Satyr’s open hand. Before
Devlin’s shriek could alert the Sirens, he covered the other
male’s mouth. “Very slowly, I want you to stuff this into your
ears. Wedge them in tight. Got it?”
“What the hell? Did you have to spike me? My head
hurts enough,” Devlin said with an angry whisper. He
snatched the wax plugs. “Shithead,” he muttered.
“Quit whining and listen.” Before Devlin completely
muted his hearing, Zephyr quickly brought him up to speed
about the sing off and his suspicions about the Sirens. He
repeated the procedure with Langston, shooting the closest
Siren a dark glare as he helped Langston to his seat. Man,
the guy didn’t look good. He hoped the glamour would hold
long enough to fool Circe. The charm only had so much life
and any jarring injuries would drain its energy faster.
“Can she sing?” Langston slurred, his eyes glossy and
unfocused.
“Of course.” He had no idea if that was true, but he
knew Kalli’s speaking voice was splendid and that was good
enough for him.
The house lights dimmed, signaling the start of
the contest. A giant clock hung over the stage, set to two
minutes. According to custom, since Kalli had issued the
challenge, the Sirens got to choose the order of competition.
To Zephyr’s surprise, they wanted to go first.
“Stay sharp,” he said to Devlin. Langston, in his present
state, wouldn’t help much.
“They obviously think they are so awesome, they’ll
win.” Devlin’s eyes covertly darted from corner to corner
with the practice of someone skilled in surveillance. “We
should be ready to run to the nearest exit.” He bobbed his
head to the right of their table.
“Agreed. You’ll have to help Langston.” Zephyr
planned to retrieve Kalli, no matter what happened. Those
bitches weren’t taking her anywhere.
A low mournful tone vibrated around the room, circling
the outer tables like a noose ready to tighten around a neck.
To fight off the Siren’s influence, Zephyr jammed the wax
further into his ears. Even with the noise muffled, the desire
to follow the golden summons was tempting.
All around them, mortals rose and shuffled toward the
Siren on the stage. The Sirens glared when Langston and
Devlin failed to leave their seats.
Langston’s arms twitched as he fought to maintain
control. “It’s so wonderful,” he moaned.
“Don’t move, man,” Devlin warned. He seemed to be
mostly unaffected this time.
The song intensified. To Zephyr’s dismay, almost every
man reached the stage. A few stranglers remained scattered
around the room. The gods knew how much longer they
could resist. The table shook under Zephyr’s palms. Sweat
poured off Langston’s brow. The façade disguising him
flickered.
“You can do this,” Zephyr said to his wavering friend.
“Fifteen seconds.”
Without warning, the song intensified, sending sharps
jolts of ecstasy and pain into every fiber of Zephyr’s body.
He bit his tongue. If he cried out now, the Sirens would
suspect something was wrong with him. Ten seconds.
Devlin’s hand landed on his knee. “Focus on Kalli. She
is the only woman in this room that matters.”
Indeed she was. Kalli stood on the stage, face impassive,
yet still radiant and beautiful. He could drown in her beauty
for eternity.
The alarm rang and the song stopped. The raven-haired
Siren smirked, pleased with her results. Dazed males awoke
from their stupor, many confused about how they had ended
up on the stage.
Kalli shrugged. “Is that the best you can do? Drag them
out of the chairs like brain-dead zombies?”
The Siren’s smug smile didn’t fade. “You cannot best
me.”
“Watch and learn about real control.” Kalli opened
her mouth and sang. The sweetness of her voice sent shock
waves through his entire body. Amazing. He couldn’t help
but savor the sensation.
Langston gasped, “My gods. She is sweet.”
Zephyr hissed at his friend. Devlin clapped a hand on
his forearm reminding him to stay in character. Pummeling
Langston would destroy the fragile charm. The last thing he
wanted to do was alert the Sirens to the ruse.
The song trailed away like a warm blanket pulled off
on a cool night. Zephyr groaned softly, wishing the feeling
wouldn’t stop.
Kalli chanted, her tone commanding, yet inviting. As if
they were all around a fire and she had a story to tell. Out of
the corner of his eye, Zephyr noticed the mortals at the rear
of the room exiting, table-by-table.
The Sirens didn’t seem to notice; they were completely
enthralled by Kalli.
“Oh my gods,” Devlin whispered. “Do you see what
she’s doing?”
Zephyr nodded and put a finger to his lips. Freaking
brilliant. Kalli had not only evacuated all the mortals, she
had captured the Sirens, too.
Too soon it was over. The alarm chimed and a furious
screech ripped through the air.
“Trickster!” The blond Siren pointed an accusing finger
at Kalli. “You have sent away our prizes.”
“You’ve broken the rules. Therefore, we win,” declared
the Siren on the stage.
“I don’t think so. We wagered on who could control
the most beings the longest. I had every man, woman, and
immortal in the room under my power. Including all of you.
The mortals will remain in my control until they safely leave
the casino’s property. Go ahead and verify it on the security
cameras.”
The blonde nodded curtly at the nearest Siren. “Check
it.”
“In addition, those who are guilty will find the nearest
law enforcement officer and confess their crimes,” Kalli
said. A triumphant smile played on her lips.
Zephyr wanted to pump his fist and yell, “Go, Kalli.”
Alas, nothing would derail them faster. They needed to leave
the theater and resume their rescue operation. Plus, with the
sun due to set soon, he couldn’t remain in the room much
longer.
A hand landed on his shoulder. “What about these
three?”
Kalli smiled at him. “I can control them if you wish. I
noticed earlier they resisted your charms.”
“We have no guarantee they won’t just play along. Not
that it matters. You’re all screwed.” The Sirens laughed.
A familiar sound caught his attention. The distinct whir
of gyros. Fuck. He recognized the clank of those mechanical
feet.
One-armed bandits.
Zephyr stood and tapped his wrist.
Kalli’s power laced over his skin, warm and comforting.
The Siren nearest him stiffened.
“You dare use your power on us?” The blond Siren
shrieked and fought. “Unleash us,” she cried, her body no
longer under her control, her mouth abruptly clamped shut.
“We’re through dealing with you,” Kalli said. With
a series of motions and vocal commands, like a puppeteer
controlling marionettes, she maneuvered all the Sirens onto
the stage.
The blonde raised her arms and with a single thrust
opened up the ocean portal. One-by-one, the Sirens marched
into the tableau and disappeared into the rolling surf. With a
pissed-off glare, the last Siren entered and the portal winked
shut.
Zephyr rushed the stage, with Devlin and Langston
close on his heels. He stopped short of embracing Kalli.
“You are amazing.”
She took a bow. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Uh, guys,” Devlin said. “We have a company.”
Langston moved into a fighting stance. “No problem.
They won’t know what hit them.”
Kalli grabbed Langston’s hand, then pulled him into a
hug. “Wait. Circe thinks you’re Zephyr. If you start zipping
around like the Flash, she’ll know we’ve tricked her.”
“She’s right,” Devlin said, slowing turning on his heel.
“Remember. Cameras.”
The doors to the theatre crashed open, rattling the
hinges. One-armed bandits marched in two-by-two.
“We don’t have time for this.” Zephyr kicked off his
heels and clotheslined the nearest machine. It collapsed
to the ground, taking two others with it. The fallen robots
tripped up the phalanx’s progress, creating a bottle jam.
“Run! They won’t stay down long.”
The remaining bandits opened fire. In the hail of
gunfire, Langston grabbed Kalli and raced out of the room.
Zephyr’s winds erupted to life. He filled the room with thick,
damp fog, enough to obscure the cameras and, hopefully, the
bandits’ view, too.
With Devlin in front of him, he raced from the theater
and shut the doors behind him.
His feet sank into damp, spongy ground. What the hell?
A layer of cool mist swirled around at ankle level.
Massive green fronds surrounded them. Overhead, wide
mushroom caps shrouded them in cool shadows. The faint
hum of insects and the shrill call of birds occasionally broke
the silence.
Kalli stood with her hands on her hips, staring at their
new surroundings. “Well, this can’t be good.”
Chapter 12
“Did we shrink?” Devlin asked, pushing tall grass out
of his way.
Kalli concentrated, hoping her observations would
prove they were trapped in an elaborate illusion. No such
luck. “I don’t think so.”
Zephyr circled his arm around her waist. “We’re in a
pocket dimension.”
“Yes,” Kalli agreed, not surprised the witch would use
them.
“So, we’re trapped here?” Langston zipped around, his
movement so fast the grass barely swayed. “I can’t see an
exit anywhere nearby.”
“Indeed you’re trapped in my domain,” said an Irish
brogue from somewhere above their heads.
They all exchanged glances. Kalli placed her hands
against the mushroom, trying to locate the source of the
voice. Devlin pulled a handgun from an ankle holster and
slipped off the safety.
“Oh that tickles, lovely Muse.” The voice tittered. A
little high-pitched, but definitely male.
“Show yourself!” Zephyr demanded toward the top of
the mushroom.
Puffs of fragrant smoke drifted down from above. The
heady scent reminded Kalli of warm cozy nights by a roaring
fire.
“Ugh. Must I?” he asked, as if aggrieved.
“Devlin, if you don’t mind.” Zephyr guided Kalli away
from the side of the giant fungus.
The bullet zinged into the mushroom’s cap and impacted
with a soft thump.
“Wait for it.” Devlin plugged his ears.
Kalli quickly did the same as Zephyr shielded her with
his body. A second later, a loud explosion blasted open a
man-sized hole. Moist fungus bits rained onto them.
“Eww, this smells gross.” Kalli rapidly ran her fingers
through her hair, slopping the dregs into the grass.
“That was bloody fecking rude.” A silhouette peered
through the hole.
“Care to join us?” Zephyr said. “Or shall we help you
along?”
Irish responded, “Well, aren’t you a gorgeous female?
I’m very partial to blondes. And you’ve been especially well
blessed in the cleavage department. Oh, don’t look so angry.”
Kalli gave Zephyr’s hand a hard squeeze and said in a
low voice, “It won’t be long before the sun sets and you’ll
revert to your manly self.”
“If time moves at the same speed here,” Zephyr groused.
Devlin pumped another shot into the gun’s chamber.
“We don’t have all day here, bub.”
“Fine. I’ll join you below,” he said, as if that had been
his plan all along.
“Holy Wonderland!” Devlin said under his breath. “Is
he a—”
“Yes. Just say it. I’m a caterpillar.” Again with the
annoyed sigh. “The name’s Chauncey. At your service.” He
gave a low bow, bent across his segmented middle.
Kalli guessed he had a least twenty-five little feet, each
one bedecked with a different pair of shoes.
When he stood upright, he towered over them. Dressed
in coattails and a purple stovepipe hot, he was a strange
amalgam of man and worm. His face was mostly human
until his neckline, where his skin morphed into the bumpy
ridges of a caterpillar. Tufts of bronze hair puffed out from
under the hat. His pale blue eyes glittered with mischief.
“Wowza. What did you do to piss off Circe?” Langston
piped in, circling the bug with a mix of awe and horror on
his face.
“Never you mind, Wind God. Let’s say I won an
embarrassing round of strip poker and she never forgave
me for it.” He tugged at the collar of his starched lavender
shirt. “She furthered my humiliation by dressing me in these
garish clothes.” They were pretty hideously mismatched.
Like a circus clown wearing blinders had dressed him.
Kalli let out a slow breath. Good to know Langston’s
illusion charm still worked. That meant it was possible time
would move in the same direction. Of course, they could
emerge and find out they’d missed the barbeque.
“I think you have bigger issues than your wardrobe,”
Devlin said.
Chauncey cleared his throat. “I hate to say this, since
you seem like such nice people, but you can’t leave here
unless you pass my test.”
“No. We don’t have time for this.” Kalli waved a fist at
Chauncey. “We have to get out of here or my brother will be
dinner. Why don’t you let us go? We won’t tell Circe. In fact,
if you help us, we can get you out of here, too.”
His segments rippled with laughter and a tear formed
in the corner of his eye. “If I only had a nickel for everyone
who’s made me that promise.” He reached into his pocket
and pulled out a silver cigarette case. When he angled his
head to light it, the tip of a pointed ear jutted from his hair.
So he wasn’t originally human.
Kalli wished they had more time to study him. A sneeze
tickled her nose. Chauncey exhaled a lingering stream of
smoke. More of that delicious aroma encircled her.
“Here are ‘da rules. You tell me no lies and I’ll let you
go on your merry way.”
Zephyr sucked in a sharp breath. “We’re screwed.”
They all had secrets. Probably loads of them. And
judging by the tight expression on Devlin’s and Langston’s
faces, they weren’t too keen on the game either.
“And what if we refuse to answer?” Kalli asked, hoping
for some kind of loophole.
“You end up like them,” Chauncey said. The smoky
haze parted like the Red Sea, the column leading to mounds
of whitened skeletons.
Kalli swallowed hard, panic welling in her chest. They
didn’t have time for this crap.
“Hey, I have to eat once in a while,” he sniffed.
“Fine. How many questions do we have to answer?”
Zephyr asked.
Chauncey chuckled. “Oh, I’m not the one asking the
questions. You all are.”
“What kind of messed up game is this?” Devlin said.
“Remember who we’re dealing with here. Circe is
wasting our time.” Kalli spun around, motioning them all
into a circle, “Let’s do and get it over with. No matter what
truths we share this day will stay between us. I think we can
do that, can’t we?”
They all nodded in turn, with Zephyr being the last
to agree. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. “Some
secrets are more endangering than others.”
“Wow. That sounds . . . ominous,” Devlin deadpanned.
“I’m being serious, you douche,” Zephyr countered.
“Ahem. I hate to break up your huddle, but time is a
wasting here.” Thick smoke billowed from under Chauncey
and he seemed to grow ten feet taller. Red glowed from the
orbs of his eyes sockets. “Let us begin. If one of you lies,
then the round of questions starts again. We end when each
of you responds truthfully.”
This should be easy, Kalli thought, we limit ourselves
to asking lame questions.
“Tutt, tutt, beautiful Muse. I know what you’re thinking.
The smoke will extract the question you most want to ask of
each other.”
“Fuck,” Zephyr murmured.
Yep. She’d second that, because she realized she would
be the one to ask the most damning questions of Zephyr.
He’d be forced to answer. Please don’t hate me.
Devlin approached Chauncey. “We need to talk.”
They spoke quietly for a few moments in low, fervent
tones. Chauncey shook his head a few times. Devlin untucked his shirt, then tugged at the waist of his pants.
Langston leaned over to Zephyr. “What the hell? Is he
flashing his junk at him?”
Kalli craned her neck. She couldn’t see exactly what
Devlin did, but Chauncey’s reaction spoke volumes. Terror
flashed across his face. The caterpillar reached into his vest
and retrieved a book. He patted his pockets, then fished out a
pair of Pince-nez and perched them on the bridge of his nose.
After reading a few pages, relief flashed over his face. “You,
there. Wind God. Come here, please.”
Zephyr took a step before Kalli stopped him. The worm
meant Langston, not him.
Langston joined Devlin, their backs to them. Dark
clouds swelled around Chauncey, then enshrouded them all
in mist.
“What’s going on?” She moved forward, but Zephyr
held her in place.
“Patience. There are some laws that are more immutable
than Circe’s will or magic.”
Oh. Universal Laws. Her mind churned over the
possibilities. Before she could formulate any theories, the
vapor cleared. To her relief, Langston and Devlin appeared
unharmed.
Chauncey crawled forwarded on his shoe-clad
caterpillar feet. “It has come to my attention that I must
release Devlin”—he lowered his voice— “and Langston
based on the laws of beings higher and mightier than me.
They are free to go. You two must stay and finish the game.”
“Don’t worry.” Devlin extended his palm to shake
Zephyr’s hand. “See you on the other side.”
Kalli could have sworn Devlin slipped something to
Zephyr during their handshake. If that happened, Zephyr
gave no sign of it.
Chauncey removed a key from his pocket and inserted
it into the air. Silver light traced the outline of a door. When
the knob appeared, Chauncey twisted it and pushed the
door outward. The orange glow of sunset shone through
the doorway. Traffic rushed by at high speed. “Good luck,
gentlemen. Don’t get run over. I’ll hold you both to your
promise.”
Langston reached around his neck and removed the
charm. He tossed it to Zephyr with a wink before he and
Devlin exited.
“I wonder what they promised,” Kalli said, fascinated
by the golden radiance bathing Zephyr as the Fate’s curse
worked its transformation.
Zephyr fisted the locket. “Worry about that later.”
“Pity. The fair beauty is gone. I liked you better as a
lass.” Chauncey closed the door with a wistful expression.
“Let’s move things along shall we.” His cigarette reappeared
and he took in another extended drag. On the exhale he said,
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Every limb in Kalli’s body softened. She crumpled
to the ground, her head landing next to Zephyr. His image
blurred, then refocused, all traces of Aurora gone.
His lips were moving as if she had woken midconversation. After a few blinks, she realized they had been
speaking.
For quite a while.
“You know over time, I started believing my own
bullshit. That it was okay to let everyone think I was a
bastard.” His eyes misted. “When she died . . . seeing her
family there . . . it made it worth it. Her children mourned her
passing, but I know they’ll learn to live without her. Humans
are like that. So much more resilient than us gods.”
Her mind raced. Vapors swirled around her head. Her
lips moved, unbidden.
“Oh, Z. It’s not bullshit. What you did was the ultimate
gesture of love. Of devotion.” Kalli stared straight ahead for
a moment before turning to face him. “I wonder what it’s
like to have children.”
He clasped her hands in his palms, smoothing his fingers
over her knuckles. “I know. I’ve always wanted a family of
my own. I want you to be the mother of my children. I want
to see your belly swell, to feel our babe kicking against my
palm. Curse Zeus! Thanks to his selfishness, that will never
happen.”
Zephyr quieted for a moment. His jaw went rigid as
he struggled to prevent his mouth from moving. A growl
bellowed from his throat when he lost the battle. “I’m not
a bastard, Kalli. I want your respect. I want your love. I’m
worthy of happiness.”
He gasped then clamped a hand over his mouth. An
outside force jerked his palm downward, freeing his lips
again. “What are you doing to us, Chauncey? I can’t stop
myself.”
A dark shadow hovered over them. “You’re sharing
your heart’s deepest truth.”
Whimpers welled in Kalli’s throat. She flattened her
palms against her lower belly. Deep inside, she’d always
wanted to be a mother. Niko was the closest she ever came.
Hera! All this time, she was acting like his mother. Assuming
it was her duty to protect him. A responsibility that wasn’t
really hers.
No. She refused to be sorry for caring about him.
“It’s all right, my love,” Zephyr rolled over, his body
atop hers. “You have a big heart. And you should never feel
guilty for loving your brother.” He smoothed the tears off
her cheeks.
“But I have to let him go. I have to stop hiding behind
him as an excuse. I have to have a life of my own.” The
agony of her words burned her deep inside. She wailed, “I’m
not his keeper!”
Zephyr glared daggers at Chauncey. “Stop this. You’re
hurting her.”
“I’m okay, Z.” Relief coursed over Kalli. “I feel
cleansed. I know it sounds strange.”
She reached over and stroked his cheek. He captured
her hand and kissed the inside of her palm. “I love you. But
we have to rescue Niko before it’s too late.”
Emotions warred in her head. “Did you really mean
it?” she said. “About children?”
Zephyr smiled, his silver eyes bright. “Yes.” A deep
laugh rumbled in his chest. “For so long, I’ve led a false life
to protect Flora. I don’t have to do it anymore.” He glanced
over his shoulder. “Are we done here, Dr. Freud?”
“Truth has been shared.” Chauncey’s shadow receded.
“I wish I could say the witch was done with you. But I believe
she intends to delay you as long as possible.”
A cool breeze rippled over them. Zephyr stood and
offered Kalli a hand up. All traces of the aromatic vapor
evaporated.
Chauncey adjusted his top hat and gave them a lopsided
grin. “I’m happy you passed the test. I wasn’t really hungry
anyway.” A doorway opened behind him, revealing a wall of
tall green hedges. “Off with you now.”
“You went easy on us, didn’t you?” Kalli asked. “You
could have chosen a very different direction.”
“Hush now. I only helped you see the most important
truth.” He bowed and doffed his hat. “Bye, bye, bye, bye. I
hope to meet ye in the real world someday soon.”
Zephyr shook Chauncey’s hand. “May that day come
sooner rather than later.”
Surprise, then delight brightened the caterpillar’s face.
“Indeed.” He stepped aside so they could pass through the
doorway. “I won’t forget this kindness.”
As they stepped over the threshold, he called after
them, “Look high. Look low. When in doubt go below. Oh,
and keep to the left!”
The portal closed.
Kalli groaned in despair. “This just keeps getting better
and better, doesn’t it?” The mother of all mazes spread out
before them.
With a deafening bang, a giant clock appeared, the
arms bent at odd angles. Instead of numbers, the dial face
had animated pigs at regular intervals. At twelve o’clock, a
pig labeled Niko took the top position.
The minute hand moved a click to the right, headed
toward one o’clock. The little pig in its path started to squeal.
The same horrible cry she’d heard in Circe’s kitchen. Four
more minutes and the hand would land on the unfortunate
swine.
She choked down a cry. “This is happening in real time.
The slaughter has started.”
A million dark thoughts passed through Zephyr’s mind.
Circe would pay. For the mortal lives she destroyed. For the
tears in Kalli’s eyes.
They ran through the maze, following Chauncey’s
advice to stick to the left. Every so often the soil would
ripple and bumps would appear as if something traveled
underneath it. They had to pay close attention lest they trip
over them.
The maze seemed endless. Hedgerows as tall as trees
towered in all directions. Glimpses of blue sky appeared
whenever the wind swayed the branches. And the annoying
clock stayed in the horizon. The silence between each tick
unnerving until another pig was reached. Then the horrid
squeals would start again.
“I hate her,” Kalli sniffed.
She’d managed to match him stride for stride. If there
was any good from the day, it was the stark truths Chauncey
had helped surface. It had been centuries since he’d allowed
himself any hope. It didn’t matter that he was cursed. Or that
he carried the mark of a Titan. He had Kalli.
“Gods. How could I have ever been dumb enough to
think I could walk away from you?” he asked.
“What?” Kalli’s steps faltered as she avoided a dirt
lump.
“I thought once this was over, you’d return to the island
and I’d continue my cursed life.”
“I’m never going back to Parnassus. I don’t belong
there anymore. You’re stuck with me.” Kalli slowed down.
“This is all wrong. We’re wasting time. This is exactly what
Circe wants.”
Zephyr stopped running. “What are you proposing?”
“We can’t keep going in circles.” She let out a ragged
breath then pushed damp curls away from her face.
“We aren’t actually. We’re following Chauncey’s
directions.” Which on the surface seemed to be leading
nowhere, but he doubted the dude would send them astray.
Not after the gift they’d left him.
“I’ve figured it out! Chauncey’s a leprechaun. They’re
experts in pocket dimensions. I bet that’s what Circe really
wanted from him.”
“If that’s true, then his guidance is solid.”
“What did you give him anyway?”
The direction of her mind dazzled him. The woman
changed subjects with lightning speed. “I gave him Hansel
and Gretel’s bread crumbs. Devlin slipped them to me before
he left.”
“Those are real?” She frowned. “Wait. Wouldn’t it
have been better if we kept them? We could have escaped
the maze by now.”
“They wouldn’t help here. They were gifted specifically
to Chauncey.” Zephyr didn’t know anyone with more access
to weird shit than Devlin. “I have no idea how Devlin knew
we’d encounter a leprechaun or that he’d be missing his
rainbow. The bread crumbs will create an exit from Circe’s
garden prison.”
“Then he can find his pot of gold and return home to
his rainbow.” Kalli shook her head. “They don’t really have
an actual pot of gold, you know. It’s figurative. But it does
mean he can go home. Wait. Are you saying Devlin knew
we’d find Chauncey?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s like Nereus. They both
have this uncanny knack for knowing what to bring to the
party.”
Funny, the more time he spent with the Satyr, the
more he recognized the guy had more layers than onions.
Underneath his regular guy exterior was a cunning warrior.
Not an in-your-face alpha male, but more like a stealthy
assassin you never saw coming until the knife was in your
ribs. Man, he was happy they were on the same side.
“Please tell me he slipped you some other object that
will get us out of this ridiculous maze.” Kalli kicked at the
hedgerow. “What I wouldn’t give for some pesticide or giant
clippers.”
“I’m sure Devlin and Langston are mustering the
cavalry.” Hopefully, the cavalry wouldn’t arrive too late.
The clock ticked away another minute and another pig
started to squeal.
Kalli’s face paled. “Oh goddess, while we’re standing
here talking another man is about to die.”
Zephyr fisted his hands. “I know.” He stared overhead
into the sky wishing the Fates would return his power. He
could carry them out of the maze. Heat burned into his breast:
Flora’s flower. They could use it. Her power was over plants.
The hedges would have no choice but to part for them.
His hand hovered over the pocket where her gift rested.
The last bit of her, freely given. A gift to him to do as he
pleased. Yet, he hesitated. He had no doubt her power would
work, but something nagged at him. His gut told him now
wasn’t the time. There was another solution.
Kalli watched him closely. “Zephyr?” She touched his
arm. The warmth from her fingers reassuring.
“Before she died, Flora gave me a great gift.” He took
the forget-me-not, placed it in Kalli’s palm, and closed her
fist around it. “I bestow this gift upon you, Kalliope. For
you are worthy of her grace. Your compassion, like hers, is
boundless.”
“This is her power?” Kalli blinked hard. “Are you
sure?”
“Yes. But we can’t invoke it here. Circe mustn’t know
we have it. I have a feeling we’ll need it for later.” He
opened her mini-purse, which somehow had remained in her
possession, and directed her to stow it away.
The clock ticked away one more minute. Another earth
tunnel furrowed across the ground.
Kalli snapped her fingers. “Thank you, Chauncey!”
She knelt and thrust her hand into the newly formed mound.
“Wait. You don’t know what’s under there.” A monster
could be waiting to trap her and drag her down.
She wiggled her hand, pushing it deeper until it sank
down to her elbow. “Yes. I do. Now hush for a moment.”
Eyes closed in concentration, her lips moved and a strange
lyrical language whispered from her mouth.
Subtle vibrations moved under his bare feet. Little-bylittle a sinkhole formed in the ground near Kalli’s arm. He
lunged forward to latch onto her.
“Stop. No big movements or you’ll scare them away. I
told you, I’m safe. See for yourself.” She cocked her head
toward the earthen ditch.
One-by-one, miniature helmets surfaced from
underground. Tiny headlamps beamed swords of light in
their direction, temporarily blinding him. The lights clicked
off in unison.
“I’ll be damned.” Zephyr squatted slowly, remembering
Kalli’s warning. A dozen dirt-specked gnomes scrutinized
them. Unlike the popular mortal conception, these gnomes
were young, many of them beardless. And if he wasn’t
mistaken at least two of them were female.
They all wore coveralls in different earth tones. Some
moss green, a few burnt orange, and the remainder in shades
of brown. Each one had a bandana around their necks and a
belt equipped with assorted mining tools.
“Greetings, fair Muse. I didn’t think to see one of your
kind so soon again.” One of the females stepped forward.
Similar to Kalli, she had penny-colored hair split into two
thick braids, resting on each shoulder.
“Chauncey alerted us to your presence. He believed you
might consider assisting us. We don’t have much time. I’m
on a mission to save my brother from Circe’s malcontent.”
She quickly introduced them, then waited.
Zephyr thought it interesting that one of her sisters had
recently encountered the gnomes. Any other day, he would
have asked more questions, but his curiosity would have to
wait. He followed Kalli’s lead and remained silent.
The gnomes hissed at the witch’s name. Several of
them scowled.
“She is no friend of ours. We happened to be passing
along this way. A dryad suggested we explore the ground
under Circe’s maze. She said there’d be an opportunity for
vengeance. To punish the witch for stealing all our hardearned treasure.”
Gnomes, much like their cousins the leprechauns,
buried their wealth underground where they maintained
thriving colonies. They chose to remain hidden from the
mortal world above ground, despite the appearance of those
little white-bearded lawn statues.
Kalli and Zephyr exchanged a quick glance. Dryads,
nymphs of the forest, didn’t usually stray from their trees.
He wondered if Devlin or Langston had dropped the hint. Or
possibly even Nereus.
They listened in horror as Gerta, the head gnome,
recounted how Circe had destroyed their home when she
built her massive casino complex. “The witch dug deep into
the earth, ruining our ancient city and murdering many of
our children and elders. Then she had the gall to claim any
objects she found as her own.”
“As you can imagine, we’re scrambling to find a
suitable place to live.” She motioned to the group behind
her. “We search day and night. There are few places left that
the humans won’t breech eventually.”
Zephyr grinned widely. “I know a great place for you to
live. Help us escape this maze and defeat Circe and you can
move under my inn in Stonington. I have a lot of gardens and
the grounds are well warded.”
Gerta turned around to face her companions. After a
brief discussion in their lyrical language, she faced him, spit
in her tiny hand, and offered it to him. “You have a deal,
Wind God. We’ve always wanted a place by the sea. And
we’ll gladly assist in your quest as recompense for her
savage disregard for our welfare.”
He spit in his hand, too, and they shook on it, his much
larger hand engulfing hers. A brief jolt no stronger than static
electricity stung his palm.
“Well met, West Wind. It seems our union will be
prosperous,” Gerta postulated.
He hoped like Hades that was true because another pig
started to squeal.
Gerta raised her fist. “Let’s dig a ditch and bury the
bitch.”
Worked for him.
Gerta and her band of scouts easily broke them out of
the maze, then led them to a series of underground tunnels.
Chauncey’s tip to look below had been worth its weight in
gold. Zephyr owed him big time.
Remembering Gerta’s earlier comment, he took the
opportunity to ask if she recalled which of Kalli’s sisters had
visited them.
“Let me see. It was the dark-haired one. The Muse of
History.” Gerta raised her pickaxe and touched the dirt. The
ground before them vanished leaving a long, high corridor.
Tall enough so Zephyr had a few inches above his head.
“Clio then,” Kalli said, squinting her eyes in the light of
Gerta’s bright headlamp “When was this?”
“No more than two months ago. Shortly before Circe
constructed her monstrosity.”
No need to ask how the casino had been built so quickly.
No doubt Circe used her foul witchcraft. More worrisome
was Clio’s presence. According to Kalli, there was no reason
for Clio to research the gnomes. Let alone leave the island.
Gerta and company trudged ahead, lighting the way for
them.
Zephyr took Kalli’s hand and spurred her forward. “The
worry wrinkle is back. Let’s deal with one issue at a time.”
She stopped and shook her head, clearly not ready to let
it go. “So much for Clio’s command that everyone remain
on the island. What a hypocrite.” Kalli balled her fists then
let out slow breath. Calmness restored she said, “Never
mind that now. What’s our strategy? Circe is expecting us to
rescue Niko.”
“Of course she is. I think we should meet her
expectations.” He outlined his plan for her and Gerta.
“I like how you think, God of Wind,” Gerta said. The
shadows danced on the planes of her face, giving her a
sinister cast. She broke her scouts into groups. “They will
create exit tunnels in different directions in case the witch
catches us.”
Zephyr didn’t want to speak his fears aloud—that
he expected Circe to capture them. She was driven by
vengeance. The best he could hope for was no more mortals
would die and that he could get Kalli and Niko away. Which
led him to his next decision. “Kalli, can you please speak to
each group and make sure they know which pig is Niko?”
As soon as she was out of earshot, he asked Gerta a
favor.
“What makes you think she will go along with this
plan?” Gerta scoffed.
“Because as soon as we grab Niko, you’ll collapse
the tunnel between us. I want her as far away from Circe as
possible.”
“I don’t blame you. The witch’s hate knows no bounds.
Some of my scouts have heard rumors. That she built this
entire place to ensnare a single god. Whoever her target is,
had better run.”
Yeah. Not going to happen.
“Gerta!” one of the scouts called. “We’ve arrived.”
She ordered them to stand farther away. In one
coordinated push, three gnomes raised their tools and
created a man-sized circle. While the dirt fell, another
group formed a downward ramp. The freed swine would be
herded underground and away from the casino. Too bad they
couldn’t have saved them all. He knew some of the men were
scum, but they needed to be punished by mortal authorities,
not Circe.
“Ready?” Kalli asked, her fingers entwining with his.
“Yes.” He said a silent prayer that Kalli would forgive
him for what he was about to do. The feud between he and
Circe needed to end. One of them would die this night. And
for his love’s sake, he hoped to live.
The gnomes had brought them to an outdoor enclosure
on the outskirts of the casino’s property. Well away from
prying eyes, but not far enough from the stench of hog.
He breathed shallowly though his mouth until he
acclimated to the stink permeating the tunnel. Against his
instinct, he succumbed to Kalli’s logic that she should
approach the pigs alone. With her superior observational
power, if there were traps, magical or otherwise, she’d find
them. For several agonizing moments, she disappeared into
the inky darkness. What was taking her so long? Seems like
she should have returned by now.
“Relax. It’s only been two minutes,” Gerta chided him.
He swore he heard her grumble something about “new love.”
Five seconds later, Kalli reappeared. “No wards. No
traps. Let’s go.”
“Wait. How do you propose to move these pigs?” Gerta
asked.
Zephyr wanted to slap his forehead at the oversight.
If they started pushing the pigs around, they’d surely start
squealing.
“No worries,” Kalli said. “I’ll ask them. Underneath,
they’re still mortal and susceptible to my power.”
“Nice. Maybe I should call you The Pig Whisperer,”
he teased.
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Funny. You
should take your act on the road.”
“Speaking of which, you lovebirds need to move it.”
Gerta tapped her foot.
Right. Wrong place and time.
She scouted ahead and obtained the prisoners’
cooperation. “I didn’t have to ask them twice. They’ll gladly
follow us. They say the pen is unlocked. I’ll open it and you
make sure no stragglers fall behind.”
Twenty-five smelly swine later, the pen was empty.
“No. No,” Kalli muttered. “Niko’s not here.” She ran
into the covered enclosure, then returned. “He’s not in there,
either.” Tears thickened her voice.
Shit. “We need to leave. We’ll regroup and make a new
plan.” Zephyr cinched his arm around her waist. “Don’t you
think this was too easy?”
Kalli walked rapidly to keep pace with him. “Oh gods.”
Down below, Gerta’s scouts were leading the pigs
down different tunnels. “Is your brother here?” The ground
above sealed with soft whumpf.
“No. He’s miss—”
Two giant fists of clay punched through the soil. One
fist closed around her and yanked her upright in a blur of dirt
and sand.
“Kalli!” The other fist captured him. “Run, Gerta!” was
all he managed before he went airborne. He waited for his
power to awaken.
Nothing happened. In the moonlight, he could see
they’d been captured by a golem. The grip, tight as steel,
wasn’t hurting him. Curse it all! His life wasn’t in imminent
danger. At least not from the golem.
“I’m sorry, Zephyr!” Kalli shouted from the other fist.
“I never thought to check the ground.”
Fucking Circe. So damn clever. Masking the golem in
the soils around the pig corral. Kalli’s magic would have
never detected it as long as it remained inert. He dug his
fingers into the clay fist and scooped out a giant clod of dirt.
Like water, new soil rushed in to fill its place.
Kalli watched his futile attempts to dig his way free.
“The eyes! We can blind it!”
In unison they each dug out handfuls of dirt. Together
they targeted the eyes. The golem howled. Direct hits.
It released them to swipe at its eyes. They plummeted
to the ground and landed in a pile of soft soil Zephyr was
sure hadn’t been there a second earlier.
Gerta poked her head through the ground. “Witch
approaching at two o’clock. I suggest you run.”
Not needing to be told twice, they scrambled to their
feet.
Kalli called over her shoulder, “Thanks, Gerta!”
“We need to get out of the open.” Zephyr led them
toward a copse of trees.
“What about Niko?”
“We’re not leaving, just regrouping.”
The ground vibrated under their feet. The golem’s
shadow blocked out the moon as he searched for them.
“Over there. Hurry!”
They bolted across a field. The grove was straight
ahead. A dark shadow chased, close on their heels. The
sound of a bulky object whistled through the air. Zephyr
yanked Kalli to the side. Dirt and rocks exploded, pelting
them with shrapnel.
Kalli cried out and went limp in his arms. Blood trickled
from a gash at her hairline. She groaned and then fainted.
“Damn it!” Zephyr slung her over his shoulder and
headed to the forest. Branches and undergrowth broke in his
path. The golem continued pursuit, his stony fists mashing
trees out of his way.
Tall trees splintered and shattered overhead. Pain
pierced his thigh and he stumbled. The shadow of a massive
foot readied overhead.
In a rush, his power flooded him. About freakin’ time.
He used the wind to blow them out from under the foot
before it stamped him and Kalli into jelly. With all the trees
in the way, he could only progress so far. The golem faced
the same situation at least momentarily while it tried to figure
out where he’d gone.
Kalli roused in his arms. “Z. You can’t beat it with brute
force. Water. It’s the only way.”
“In case you didn’t notice, we’re miles from the ocean.
And we don’t have time to go there. Not if you want to save
your brother.”
“The pool.”
“Hang on.” He launched them upright high into the sky,
but not so far that the golem couldn’t see him. Clumps of
mud battered him from behind. If he’d been alone he could
have turned to mist, but then he’d drop Kalli. “We’re almost
there. Can you mask the water? I have an idea.”
It took all Kalli’s strength to implement Zephyr’s plan.
Nausea roiled her stomach and pain split her head. She’d
never hidden anything larger than herself.
The idea had never crossed her mind before. No one
thought out of the box better than Zephyr. He hovered above
the water, holding enough dirt beneath his feet to make it
appear as if he were standing on the ground, the pool about
an inch away. Kalli’s job was to keep its presence out of
sight, long enough for the golem to rush Zephyr.
The golem hung at the outskirts of the pool proper as
if it was unsure if it should come so close to the brightly lit
hotel.
“Zephyr,” she called as loud as she dared. “The lights.
Break them!”
With a nod, he burst the bulbs with a solid pop. The
area plunged into immediate darkness. “Hey! Rocks for
brains. What are you waiting for?”
Blood trailed down Zephyr’s calf and back, soaking his
clothes. Hunks of wood and stone were lodged in his skin.
Hera! There was such strength in him. To shoulder
all that pain and use his power at the same time. When
she attempted to tend his injuries, he shook his head and
refused. At the time, she thought he was nuts. But now she
understood his reasoning. The moment his life was no longer
threatened, his power would disappear. They needed it to
defeat the golem.
When the golem hesitated, Zephyr flung metal deck
chairs into the creature’s head. Enraged, the creature lurched
forward with a burst of speed that defied the laws of mortal
physics.
Zephyr held his ground for as long as possible. At the
last moment, he stepped aside, evading the golem. Water
thundered out of the pool as the creature landed.
“Now, Kalli!”
She released the illusion. Fountains of water sprayed
in every direction, but rather than splash out of the pool,
Zephyr used all his power to ensure it remained in place.
Like acid on metal, the liquid burned into the golem,
gouging deep furrows into its surface. She almost felt pity
for the creature as it writhed and clawed at the pool’s sides.
The water churned, turning from clear blue to brown, then
calmed to low ripples.
Zephyr fell to his knees. Sweat dampened his brow.
Pale hair clung to his temples. “Come on, we have to keep
moving.” When he stood, his movements were stiff and
slow. Like a pincushion, wooden splinters dotted his flesh.
With a sharp tug, he yanked a sizeable chunk out of his calf.
He turned to Kalli and motioned to his side. “Can you?”
She nodded with a tight grimace. “I’m sorry,” she said.
The wood was deep and it didn’t move easily.
“Hard and fast, Kalli,” he urged.
One firm tug later, the splinter had joined the other
on the ground. She grabbed poolside towels to staunch the
bleeding. “Where to?”
“Let me answer your question, dear Muse.”
Oh, crap no. Kalli lunged at the witch. White silk
captured her wrists and covered her mouth so she couldn’t
speak. More strands entangled her legs and trapped her in a
tight cocoon against the cold cement.
Before Zephyr could dissolve into his wind form, gooey
splats of webbing coated his body. “I’m tired of waiting for
you two to come to my party.”
Kalli wanted to scream in frustration. Circe approached
with a retinue of one-armed bandits and a pig trailing behind
on a bejeweled leash. It wore little white pants and had a curl
of black hair on its forehead.
I’m sorry, brother. Instead of saving him, they’d been
caught, too. Tears burned her cheeks. Whatever Circe had
encased them in was the equivalent of supernatural glue. It
held fast and dampened their powers.
Zephyr thrashed on the ground. “You’re going to die
tonight, witch.”
“Don’t be such a spoil sport.” A bolt of energy coursed
through the web and into Zephyr. Blue light sizzled and
popped. When it was over, he lay senseless.
The witch bent on one knee, blocking Kalli’s view.
“The fate of these men lies in your hands. Let’s hope you
make the right choice.” As if to emphasize her point, Circe
opened her palms and unleashed more lightning.
Pain raced through Kalli’s skull. The last thing she saw
was a flash of blue, then nothing.
Chapter 13
“Order in the court!”
A gavel banged on solid wood. Each tap thumped into
her aching brain. Kalli pried her eyelids open. For a moment,
she thought she’d awoken in a zoo. A kangaroo dressed in a
three-piece suit bounced across her line of sight.
Gooey webbing coated ninety percent of her body.
Only her head and hands were free. Immobile, she was
bound to a wooden chair, seated at a table. Zephyr groaned
in the seat next to her. He appeared to be trying to resume
consciousness.
“All rise for her most excellent and majestic judge,
the honorable and righteous Circe,” the witch said. Already
seated at the judge’s bench in a black robe and a white wig,
she stood and strode to the side door of the mock courtroom.
She touched the gavel to her lips and motioned to the onearmed bandits. “Stand those two up.”
Kalli was unceremoniously yanked upright by the nape
of her neck. Zephyr received an even rougher version of the
same treatment. It took two bandits to support his weight.
They dumped him hard into the chair once Circe took her
seat. He roused to consciousness and snarled at the witch.
Familiar with human court proceedings, Kalli
understood that they were seated as defendants. Over at the
prosecution’s table, another kangaroo bounced. She sported
a skirt, jacket, and a pearl necklace.
If they weren’t in such danger, Kalli would have
laughed. They looked ridiculous.
“Bailiff, bring in the jury,” Circe commanded a
uniformed kangaroo.
Kalli wanted to roll her eyes. More kangaroos, each
dressed in human clothes. They hopped into the jury box
with soft thumps. In a blink-and-miss-it moment, their
images flickered. She said out of the corner of her mouth,
“They’re avatars. Not real.”
“What kind of game is this, Circe?” Zephyr asked.
“I think that’s pretty obvious. Tell him, Muse.”
When she hesitated, Circe brandished the gavel. Blue
energy funneled into Zephyr’s nose and mouth. His body
jerked and danced. Steam rose from his skin and hair. The
pain had to be excruciating.
“Stop it!” Kalli willed her voice not to shake. “It’s a
kangaroo court.” Even though Circe had the upper hand,
she had to hold it together. Her power had been effectively
neutralized because she couldn’t influence illusions or
machines.
“And?” the witch prompted.
“It means you’ve rigged the whole thing in your favor.”
“Very good. How does it feel to be the smartest person
in the room?” Circe banged the gavel down, then bellowed,
“Bring in the pig.”
Niko was led into the room tethered to a pallet. His
body was prone. Other than the rise and fall of his sides as if
deep in sleep, Kalli would have thought he was dead.
“It’s not too late to end this madness, Circe,” Zephyr
rasped.
“Silence in the courtroom!”
The gavel banged again. Kalli wanted to stick it where
the sun didn’t shine. All that seemed to be missing was the
Red Queen shouting “Off with their heads.”
“Another outburst from the Wind God and he will be
summarily punished.” With calm composure, Circe adjusted
the powdered wig. “Call the first witness.”
Kalli wanted to point out that in America, judges didn’t
wear wigs, but prudence stayed her tongue. She exchanged
a worried look with Zephyr when the door opened and
a ghostly young female drifted into the court. She passed
through the wooden witness box and floated inside it. Her
eyes were closed as if asleep.
“What the hell is this?” he whispered under his breath.
Kalli shook her head slightly. Whatever it was, it
couldn’t be good.
“Let the mighty court of Circe recognize the nymph,
Peony. Do you swear to do my bidding and no other’s?”
As if with great effort, the nymph’s eyelids fluttered
open. Her face hung slack, her gaze dull and lifeless. “Yes,
your mightiness.” The voice was far away, as if Circe had
tapped into her essence from the depths of the Underworld.
“Do you see the criminal Zephyr in this courtroom?
The man who violated you and broke your heart?”
When Zephyr opened his mouth to protest, Circe
tortured him again. Gods, how much more lightning could
he take?
“Answer the question, Peony. Better yet, point to him.
That’s much more dramatic.”
The nymph’s arm rose, the wrist twisting mechanically.
One-by-one her fingers tucked into her palm until the index
finger pointed at Zephyr. Not once did the nymph show any
sign that she understood what was happening to her.
Outrage boiled under Kalli’s skin. Only Circe would
dare desecrate the souls of the dead.
“Does she even know Zephyr?” Kalli couldn’t remain
silent.
“No,” the nymph said. For a brief moment, awareness
seemed to burn in her eyes.
Circe rapped the gavel so hard it should have broken.
“Order in the court! I’ll have order. The witness’s answer
doesn’t count!”
“Be damned, witch,” the nymph wailed, “for disturbing
the dead.”
Blue lightning crackled above the ghost. It stuck her
with a violent force, dissipating her into a puff of white
smoke. Circe pursed her lips as if she’d eaten something
rotten. “Now then, let the record show that a witness has
identified Zephyr as guilty. Next!”
For the next half hour, Circe paraded in a series of fake
witnesses. An assembly of misfits and rogues. Some were
sullen ghosts, others were drunks from the casino or her boytoy employees. The entire time, Zephyr glared at the witch.
From Kalli’s vantage point, she could see the tiny
muscle movements as he worked on a way to break his
bonds.
At random moments, Circe would zap Zephyr, if only
to be a bitch to him.
Witness after witness rotated in and out until Kalli
couldn’t take it anymore. “Enough! You keep saying he’s
guilty. Of what charge? None of these beings even know
him.”
Circe’s eyes burned with red-hot fire. Fury rattled her
lips, an explosion imminent. Then, like a sudden gale, the
anger disappeared and was replaced with scary calm. “He’s
guilty. We all know it.” The kangaroos in the jury box hopped
in agreement. The attorney kangaroos bounded up and down
the aisle as if unsure of what they were doing.
Kalli swallowed the tight lump in her throat and willed
her eyes not to seek out Niko or Zephyr. “Earlier, you said I
had a choice to make. Why don’t you dispense with all this
nonsense?”
“Fine. This is becoming so tedious.” Circe stood and
snapped her fingers.
The court disappeared, replaced with a cavernous
throne room decorated in shades of red. Drapes of crimson
hung behind an intricate throne of gold.
At first Kalli thought the carvings were of mythical
creatures. With a start, she realized they were screaming
faces. Their expressions locked in agony as if they had been
enrobed in gold while alive. Dressed in a scarlet leather cat
suit adorned with metal studs, Circe climbed the three broad
steps on impossibly high stiletto heeled boots. Before she sat
down, one of the boy toys placed a cushion of multi-colored
fur on the seat.
Circe stroked the pillow, twirling her fingers in the fur,
luxuriating in it. “Lovely, isn’t it? It’s the hair from the men
that have done me wrong.”
Bile gagged her. Zeus and the gods above, the witch was
repulsive. She swallowed down her nausea. Vomiting while
bound, then sitting in a mess was not a pleasant thought.
“You sound like a broken record. We get it! Men suck. Want
do you want from me?”
“I have to say, you’ve proven to be worthy of my
attention, Kalliope. You’ve passed all my tests with flying
colors. Congratulations!”
Balloons, multicolored confetti, and streamers floated
down from the ceiling. Two of the boy toys pushed a cart
draped with red velvet into the room.
“Tell her what she’s won, boys!” Circe clapped her
hands with giddy delight.
Her servants whipped the cover off with a game-showworthy flourish. A slab of shiny granite gleamed under a
spotlight.
“What the fuck is this, Circe?” Zephyr leaned forward
as far as the webbing would allow.
Oh Gods. Kalli’s pulse jack-rabbited. A tombstone.
“Don’t you read? Pretend I’m the Ghost of Christmas
Yet to Come.” She waggled her fingers as if writing in the
air. Script appeared on the stone. She sacrificed herself so
others could live.
“That’s an awfully generous epitaph you’ve written for
yourself,” Zephyr said.
Instead of answering, Circe electrocuted him again.
“Please do be quiet and let the grown-ups speak.” She faced
Kalli and addressed her as if Zephyr wasn’t there. “Now
then, where were we?”
“Wait. You’ve been testing me?” Kalli couldn’t believe
how stupid she’d been. All this time, she’d assumed Circe
wanted Niko.
“Aren’t you clever?” Circe mocked. “I had to be sure
your power was worth pursuing. What better way than with
some trials?”
Her thoughts turned to the prior attacks: The Nagas, the
flying monkeys, and the Sirens. “What about the sabotage at
the inn? The one-armed bandits?”
“Those were meant for Zephyr.” Circe circled the
room, stopping in front of him. She pinched his cheek. “He
took something from me.”
“Let her go, Circe,” Zephyr growled, straining against
the web. “We can settle this privately.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To keep your lover
from knowing the truth.” Circe turned to face Kalli, a dark
expression on her face. “She’s going to hear the whole tale.”
Hah. If the witch only knew. Kalli pursed her lips for a
moment before speaking again. “I’m listening.” She kept her
attention on the witch, wanting her to think she didn’t know
the story.
“He killed Flora. My prize.”
“Did you ever care about her, Circe?” Zephyr bit out.
“She believed you were friends.”
“Quiet.” Circe wove the web around Zephyr’s mouth.
“My feelings didn’t matter. I needed her to renew. I groomed
her. Cultivated her friendship so I could determine her
worthiness. And then you came along. She had to fall in love
with you.”
“And you couldn’t have that, could you?” Kalli wiggled
her fingers, testing the web for weakness. There had to be a
way to break free. Her power hummed under the surface of
her skin. Circe’s magic had dimmed it to a trickle. If she was
lucky she could influence a fly.
Subtle motion in her periphery caught her attention.
Something small moved by Zephyr’s chair leg. A caterpillar?
With a tiny purple top hat!
She wanted to jump for joy. Chauncey crept along the
outer edge of Circe’s web. The flower Flora had given her lay
askew on the floor, spilled from the contents of her handbag.
The petals were creased, but vibrant. Flora’s flowers had
countered Circe’s influence before. If she could retrieve it—
“Am I boring you, Muse?” Circe glared. She marched
past her, forcing Chauncey to race further up Kalli’s leg or
be crushed underfoot. The witch stopped in front of Zephyr
and smiled. “As I was saying, men are so easy to trick.”
Kalli had previously heard this part of the story,
but better to let the witch talk so she could focus on the
caterpillar. “True,” she agreed. Chauncey needed more time.
“Why don’t you tell me again? I know how much you love
to relive your triumph.”
Zephyr shot Kalli a what the hell look.
“One night, I disguised myself as Flora and seduced
him.” Circe trailed a hand along the side of Zephyr’s face,
her nails raking red welts into his flesh.
Kalli ground her teeth, but continued her efforts to
reach Chauncey. She unfurled the barest bit of magic, no
more than a whisper.
The caterpillar stopped its ascent and waited.
“Imagine his surprise when Flora found him naked
between my legs.”
Ugh. She didn’t need to visualize that. The thought
made her stomach churn. Not so much out of jealousy but
anger at how Circe had thoughtlessly ruined lives. With
effort, she schooled her face into a neutral mask and sent a
silent request to Chauncey. Need the flower, please.
Message received, Chauncey doffed his cap and
changed direction.
This had to work, if only so she could silence Circe.
She hoped the witch’s spells would die with her. Poor Niko.
Good thing he was trapped in pig form, seemingly oblivious
to what was happening. As soon as her voice returned, she’d
force Circe to fix him and the others.
“I hate to admit it.” Circe tapped her fingers on her lips.
“But his reputation is well earned. Have you found the same
to be true, Kalli? Is he as robust a lover to you as he was to
me?”
Hera. Would she never stop? Kalli wanted to stick her
fingers into her ears. A quick glance at Zephyr confirmed his
anger. She sent a plea with her eyes for him to cool it.
“What does this all have to do with me, Circe?” She
wasn’t going to take the bait. What happened in the bedroom
between she and Zephyr was none of anyone’s damn
business.
The amusement faded from Circe’s face. “Were you
not paying attention? He killed Flora before I could take her
power. I had to settle for a demigoddess a fraction of Flora’s
worth, hence my predicament now.” Her long fingers rubbed
her throat. “Every day, I see the signs. A wrinkle here. An
age spot there. I won’t be old.”
Kalli stared at Circe, speechless for a moment. The
witch had no scruples whatsoever. She was a parasite,
sucking the life out of others so she could live beyond her
natural years. “Why hasn’t Nereus stopped you?”
Dark laughter filled the air, the noise like nails on a
chalkboard. “I provide him valuable services. Besides, he
really has no idea what I do. Once I take your power and you
are a weak mortal, I will bind your tongue to never speak of
this again.”
Fear seized her. Not for her, but for Zephyr and Niko.
She bit her lip and didn’t ask the obvious question. There
was nothing to stop Circe from killing them.
“Aren’t you forgetting to ask me something?”
She shrugged and stared straight ahead, silent. Like
that would matter. Circe would continue nattering at her. The
longer she prolonged the witch’s diatribe the better. A quick
glance revealed Chauncey scurrying closer, inch-by-inch.
As long as Circe kept talking, he might bring her the flower
before she had to make a choice.
“Are you sure, Muse?” Circe’s smile was smug, her
eyes bright with satisfaction. “Aren’t you the least bit curious
how I targeted you? Come now. I see it on your face. Your
curiosity had been piqued.”
Then it struck Kalli like a two-by-four between the eyes.
Her voice sounded sandpaper rough. “How did you reach
me at Parnassus?” The island was protected, impervious to
magical and physical intrusions. No one and nothing set foot
in their immediate radius without permission of one of the
Muses.
“I love watching you work it out.” Circe planted her
face near Kalli’s, the heat from her breath close enough to
tickle her cheek. “Yes. You were betrayed. And I’m sure you
know which sister did it.”
Kalli wanted to scream. And cry, too. Clio. It had to be.
She had the access, the authority, and she’d been behind her
banishment.
Her own sister had sold her and Niko out.
That heartless bitch.
Chapter 14
Idiot. This was never about me. Zephyr could have
kicked himself. Such a vain fool. And poor Kalli. He felt the
sting of her betrayal as if it were in his own heart.
Circe laughed. As soon as he was free, he’d rip out
her spine. “Yes, God of the West Wind. All along I’ve been
grooming her. After you ruined my chance to consume
Flora’s power, I vowed vengeance. But I also knew I couldn’t
openly strike you. Nereus would hunt me down. And so
would the Fates.”
“Clio helped you,” Kalli spat out. “You took Niko to
get to me.”
“Naturally. The fact Niko worked for your lover was
icing on the cake. I saw my chance to take my vengeance
and renew my life force. All you needed was a little push.”
Circe waved her hand, revealing a piece of paper. “Look
familiar? It’s spelled.”
Kalli’s mouth formed a small O. “The note leading me
to Zephyr. That was you?”
“Of course. All at my command. After you fulfilled my
wishes, it faded from your memory. And the note vanished.”
With a flick of her wrist, the paper disintegrated.
Despair pinched Kalli’s face as she digested the
information. Poor Kalli. He growled and twisted his hands
under the webbing diverting Circe’s attention away from
her. Mission accomplished. The web securing his mouth
disappeared.
“Time for you to beg for her life,” the witch said.
“Have you forgotten your beef with me?” Zephyr tested
the bindings again. Damn. She was efficient. Since his life
wasn’t in danger, his power remained muted. Gods, he hoped
she didn’t know about his weakness. She could torture him
endlessly. As long as he wasn’t in danger of death, he was
powerless to stop her. “Enough of this, Circe. Time to end
this game.”
A terrible smile curved the witch’s lips. “My thoughts
exactly. Time for your precious female to feed me.”
“No!” Desperation overwhelmed him. “You can’t. Take
my life instead.”
“Oh, I won’t kill her. Time will do that. Once I make
her mortal. She’ll age and wither. As for you, you will die
this day. A promise is a promise.”
Zephyr’s heart clutched in his throat. He couldn’t lose
Kalliope to a mortal death, too. He silently pleaded to the
Fates, Please, I’ll agree to anything. Keep my power. My
manhood. My life. Don’t let Circe harm Kalli.
Time stopped. Circe stood mouth open, mid-speech, a
dagger glowing with blue fire clutched in her left hand.
“Finally. He’s learned.”
“Indeed, he has, sister.”
“Shall we grant his wish? Make him a muted female for
the rest of his life. Alas, we cannot let him die. Typhon must
remain imprisoned.”
“That won’t be necessary. It seems that his lover will
make the ultimate sacrifice for him.”
“Let’s see how this plays out, shall we?”
NO!
Time resumed.
“Let’s help you make your choice faster, Muse.” Circe
flashed in front of Zephyr.
“NO! Kalli. Don’t listen to her!” Zephyr waited for a
surge of power to fill his veins.
Nothing happened.
The dagger plunged deep into his ribs. Zephyr howled
in agony, gaze locked on Kalli. His pain stemmed from
knowing she’d agree to whatever Circe wanted as long as
she believed his life was in danger.
“Kalli, don’t do it,” he said, unsure if she could hear him.
All strength drained from his limbs. Too late, he recognized
the blue energy. Angel fire. Typhon’s seal throbbed against
his groin. The tattoo squirmed to life under his skin.
Zeus. What the hell were the Fates doing?
“Circe. Take my power. Don’t kill him. He didn’t kill
Flora.” Tears streamed down Kalli’s cheeks as she stared at
him. “I’m sorry, Zephyr. No secret is worth your life. I love
you.”
The witch whirled around to face Kalli. The dagger
remained fixed in Zephyr’s chest. The wound ached, his
body immobilized. “You lie. I saw her body.”
“No, Circe,” Zephyr said hoarsely. Gods. Pain coursed
through him as the angel fire seeped into his blood. “You
saw a body and you assumed it was hers. You know what
they say about assumptions.”
“Bastard!” There was a sharp crack. More pain. Warm
blood gushed from his broken nose. “You had no right to
interfere.”
Laughter bubbled from his throat. With a wet gurgle, he
said, “Interfering is my specialty.”
“Because of you, I had to renew myself through less
palpable means. Do you know how hard it is to capture
mermaids? Or harpies? Their energy doesn’t last for shit.”
Circe clawed her nails into his scalp and bared his throat. “I
won’t be satisfied until your life is in ruins.”
Zephyr hated to admit it but the witch had damn near
done that already.
“Circe.” The golden timbre of Kalli’s voice flowed
over Zephyr’s skin. “You’re dealing with me. Not him. Why
don’t you create a ruckus?”
For a brief moment, Circe stopped in her tracks,
head cocked to the side as if listening to something in the
distance. She plucked the dagger out of his chest and waved
a dismissive hand at Kalli. “Why are you bothering? Your
power won’t work on me. My magic is too strong.”
There was a rattle, then a crash from a doorway behind
the throne. Circe huffed, “Excuse me, won’t you?” She
slapped Niko on the haunches as she passed by, waking
the slumbering pig. “I swear, finding competent help is
impossible. Excuse me, kiddies. When I return, we’ll proceed
with the main event.”
Zephyr cast his gaze around the room, his breath ragged
in his chest as the wound healed. A single lackey remained.
Chin down on his chest as if taking a quick nap. No matter,
the threads of Circe’s web remained fixed firmly in place.
“Did you do that?” he whispered.
She nodded. “There’s a mortal nearby. The comment
was meant for him. She’s weakening. The power in the web
is—”
“Quiet over there!” the lackey yelled, then resumed his
cat nap.
Kalli darted her eyes down at his feet and nodded. A
familiar caterpillar climbed the web, a blue forget-me-not
trailing behind him.
If Zephyr could have moved, he would have given a fist
pump. Instead he plastered a scowl on his face so as not give
Chauncey away.
He didn’t know what Kalli had in mind for Flora’s
power. He desperately needed to warn Kalli that if she
absorbed it now, Circe would take it along with her other
abilities. But any warning would be heard by the foul witch.
He spoke as low as he could without whispering, so as
not to catch the guard’s attention. “Remember the night in
the garden? When I kissed you for the first time?”
“Uh, huh,” she said, equally as quiet, her lips barely
moving.
“And I suggested you were a virgin?”
She raised her eyebrows, her expression quizzical.
“Yup.”
“Like a virgin, you should wait to accept flowers from
other suitors.” He quickly glanced at Chauncey’s position.
“You know how covetous other women can be.”
The seemingly somnolent guard moved with Hermeslike speed. He stuck his finger in Zephyr’s face. “Shut up
and quit babbling about flowers.”
Chauncey scrambled around the opposite side of Kalli’s
chair leg, remaining hidden until the guard returned to his
post.
“Excuse me,” Kalli called after him, the golden timbre
of her voice stopping him in his tracks. “Would you kindly
and discreetly sever my brother’s bonds? Make sure the
witch doesn’t notice your work.”
“I thought your power was muted?” Zephyr said in a
near whisper. As directed, the guard slipped a blade from his
boot leg and sawed tiny cuts into the webbing.
“It was. I think it’s because of—”
“You there! Why are you away from your post?” Circe
demanded, hands on her hips. While she was gone, she had
changed outfits again. The red leather dominatrix garb had
been replaced by a flowing white Ancient Greek chiton.
She’d arranged her hair “Aphrodite” style: long and loose
around the shoulders and short and curly on the top.
Kalli scoffed. “As if she can hold a candle to a goddess’s
beauty.”
“Zip it, Muse.” Circe rubbed her hands together.
“Where were we?”
A new awareness grew inside Zephyr, something was
off with the witch. After hours of torturing him with her
power, she seemed less vibrant. The tone of her skin had
gone from a healthy glow to a faint shine. And her hair, no
longer covered by wigs, appeared brittle and dry. They were
out of time.
He twisted his ankles around with deliberate slowness.
The bindings were pliant and stretched.
“She’s weakening,” he whispered. “Move it, bug.”
The caterpillar undulated his way upside down under
the chair’s arm, the flower an inch away from Kalli’s bare
wrist.
“Stop whispering behind my back!” Circe shrieked
and manifested a bronze goblet in her left hand and a fistsized object in her right. “Do you recognize this? It’s one of
Artemis’ arrowheads. I stole it from it her ages ago after my
last one wore out. I’ve been dying to use it. Only the best
tools for my newest donor. Before I take your power”—she
held the arrow over Niko—“should I test it on Niko?”
“Don’t you dare,” Kalli warned. “I will give you what
you truly desire. But first you have to return him to his
normal form.”
“Fine.” With a loud pop and a bright flash, the pig
disappeared, replaced by a barely conscious man.
At least Niko would have a chance to escape. Unlike
them. They remained well and truly fucked. Even if he broke
the bindings in time, his body was depleted from continuous
healing.
Niko groaned. “Where am I?”
Before he could sit upright and reveal that he was free
to move around, Kalli said, “Sleep, brother.”
To Zephyr’s amazement, he did. He gaped at Kalli,
wondering what she would do next.
“Satisfied?” Circe sneered, then with a single vicious
swipe, she slit Kalli’s throat.
Chapter 15
Time had lost its meaning. Kalli drifted on the ebb and
flow in a sea of gray fog. Her senses dulled, she could no
longer feel the damp on her skin or smell the scent of the air.
Far in the distance she heard agonized cries, as if someone’s
heart had been torn out and stomped on. No matter how hard
she tried, the muscles in her limbs were limp and refused her
commands to move. After a while, she didn’t care.
Something was slipping away from her. Someone
important. She was about to lose him.
Zephyr. In a great flood, her memory resurfaced, all the
details that had slid away restored. She needed to return to
him.
Lethargy blanketed her in its leaden embrace. If she
rested for a little while, then she’d have the energy to escape
the land of shadows.
She closed her eyes. Time passed. Gulls cried overhead.
With great effort she opened her sluggish eyelids. Afloat
on a bed of grayness, in the distance, the rocky shores and
craggy hills of Parnassus Island awaited. As if pulled by a
rope, the cloud moved forward with purposeful speed. She
traveled over the broad forests and lush plains. Her home for
thousands of years rushed into view.
No. It wasn’t her home anymore. And funny, that didn’t
bother her. Not when the island had become her prison
instead.
When she reached their sprawling compound, a force
tugged her downward. Like butter on warm toast, she
melted through the roof, then the floors, stopping over her
sister Mel’s bed. A tiny wyvern, the color of burnt embers
lay curled in her sister’s arms. Mel’s brow furrowed, head
rocking to and fro against the pillow. Her lips moved in
silent protest.
Mel, Kalli called using her mind, since in her current
form she appeared to have no real voice. I need you to listen.
Wake up! I don’t know how long I have.
“Kalli?” Mel mumbled something unintelligible, then
rolled over.
MEL! Gods, she didn’t have time for this.
Her sister bolted upright, her hands over her ears. “I’m
awake. Don’t yell at me anymore.” The wyvern startled,
then moved into the warm spot Mel had left behind. Mel did
a double take, then swore under her breath. “Sake’s alive.
What in Hades happened to you?”
I don’t have time to explain. So listen carefully. It
saddened Kalli to upset Mel with news of Clio’s betrayal.
Mel listened without interruption. When Kalli finished, her
sister placed her hand on her heart.
“I swear to you. Clio will be punished for what she
has done. And no more of this hiding on the island bullshit,
either. I’ll hug you next time we meet. You are my sister no
matter what, Kalli.”
And Niko?
“I promise to apologize to him, too. I’ve been an idiot.
Listening to Clio. Man, what was I thinking?” Mel propped
on her elbows and yawned. “Now go kick that witch’s ass,
would you? Remember, there’s always a loophole.”
Kalli grinned. Mel ought to know. As the Muse of
Tragedy, she was fond of pointing out that for every sad
ending there was a silver lining if you just knew where to
look for it.
Fare thee well, Sister, Kalli said before fading away.
The gray clouds thickened, blurring her vision. For a
moment, she could have sworn she heard Zephyr’s ragefilled cries.
Darkness engulfed her. Though she couldn’t see a
thing, the wind thrust her hair upright. She was falling. For
countless moments only inky blackness surrounded her.
Then, out of nowhere, a pinpoint of light appeared under her
feet. Here, velocity increased. Falling faster and faster until
the light swallowed her whole.
She landed with a soft thump into a cushy accent
chair. Judging by the desk and other furniture, she was in a
windowless office. The walls, painted an earthy green, were
adorned with artfully arranged black and white photographs
of a subterranean environment. A bowl of golden apples
sat on a black sideboard along with more personal family
portraits. One caught her attention, a snapshot of an adorable
baby with a shock of black hair and coal black eyes. He was
seated between his loving parents along with a three-headed
dog.
Her heart leapt into her throat. Oh no. She couldn’t be
...
There was a soft pop. The aroma of wood smoke and
warm earth tickled her nose. The chair behind the desk
squeaked as its occupant spun around to face her.
Oh Gods. She knew where she was.
“Good evening. Perhaps you’d care to tell me why
you’re in my office?” asked Hades, God of the Underworld.
Chapter 16
Atomic rage blinded Zephyr. Despair wracked his
brain as he tried to process the horror in front of him. Kalli’s
blood had spurted outward coating Circe, staining her white
garment gold. While the witch laughed, Kalli’s body slumped
forward, limp against the webbing.
Zephyr screamed in blind agony. He had failed her. A
deep sob welled in his chest. Death would be welcome. At
least he’d be able to see Kalli again and tell her he loved her.
He should have said it sooner. When would he ever learn? If
Flora still lived, she would have called him an idiot.
Circe licked her fingers, savoring the blood. “So sweet.
So powerful. I shall live for an eternity.” She held the cup
under Kalli’s torn throat, filling it to the brim. When she
retreated, her pupils turned black and soulless. She issued a
guttural chant through bloodstained lips.
Ghosts misted from the floor as if drawn straight from
the afterlife. Screams of anger, hatred, and fear swirled
around Circe’s body. She ignored them. Instead she aimed
her open palms at Kalli and sucked in a deep breath. Kalli’s
lifeless head snapped upright and her jaw opened. A stream
of golden light trailed out of her mouth. As if drinking soda
from a straw, Circe inhaled the light.
Zephyr gagged and squeezed his eyes shut. He had to
regain control. Niko lived, and he couldn’t leave him alone
to face Circe.
“Ah, Zephyr. Your ruination is complete,” Circe said
with the dulcet tones of Kalli’s voice. The power that had
once comforted him, now abraded his skin, like sand in a
windstorm.
“You fucking bitch. You lied!” His temper exploded.
The chair shattered into a million pieces under the force of
his anger. The webbing shredded and fell to the ground.
“Of course I did. She was the last piece of the puzzle.
What are you going to do? You can’t kill me now. Thanks to
your love’s life force, I’m a true immortal.”
A bitter, harsh laugh escaped his lips. Circe failed to
understand that she could die. It would be harder, but it was
possible and he intended to make it a reality. “You and I have
a very different understanding of what immortality means.”
He slung his fist outward and connected with her jaw. She
went airborne and crashed into the throne with a deafening
noise.
The arrowhead thunked to the floor. He retrieved it
and launched it at her. Still weak, his aim faltered and it
embedded in her left shoulder instead of her black heart.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” She extracted herself
from the twisted wreck, removed the arrow, and charged.
Halos of sizzling blue lightning coated her fists.
The blow never landed.
Niko’s outstretched arm clotheslined her across the
throat. He tackled her to the ground then rapidly struck her
at various pressure points with two stiff fingers. Circe lost
control of her body and twitched on the ground. Air wheezed
from her crushed windpipe. “This won’t stop her for long.
Find Hades. Get my sister out of the Underworld.” When the
witch gurgled in protest, Niko dropped his elbow into her
solar plexus. “Go! I’ll guard Kalli’s body.”
Zephyr nodded and searched for an exit. Frantic
movement on the floor and a flash of purple stopped him.
After retrieving Chauncey and Flora’s flower, he called to
Niko, “Be safe! She’ll kick my ass if anything happens to
you.”
“Go through the door behind the throne. Use the
elevator and press the gold star above the doorway,” Niko
said.
He followed the directions, easily evading Circe’s idiot
boy toys. Once in the elevator, he located the star-shaped
button and pressed it. When the doors slid open, they were
in the hotel’s parking garage.
“Take those stairs. They lead to the outside world,” the
worm said.
The stars were fading in the night sky. Morning’s first
light glowed in the eastern horizon. As he jogged across the
vast asphalt parking lot, his mind replayed Kalli’s death over
and over again. Bone weary, he soldiered on. The only thing
that kept him moving was the goal to retrieve Kalli from the
Underworld.
And revenge. He was Captain Ahab and Circe was
the white whale. If he had to spend the rest of his immortal
existence hunting her raggedy ass down, he would.
Just when he thought it wasn’t possible to despise the
witch any more, she had taken him to a whole new level of
hate. Fantasies played in his mind of all the ways he’d kill
her. Anything to keep his feet moving forward and his mind
off his loss.
As they approached the outskirts of the parking lot,
Chauncey said from Zephyr’s shoulder, “By the by, once we
cross the threshold, you’re going to want to put me on the
ground.”
The warning came not a moment too soon. Chauncey
transformed from bug to full-grown man the moment they
cleared the property line. Close to six-three, Chauncey was
nearly eye-to-eye with him.
“I thought leprechauns were little people.” Zephyr eyed
the suit, which was even more garish in the bright sunshine.
“Nah. That’s a rumor we spread around to throw off
the mortals.” He laid a hand on Zephyr’s shoulder. “Thanks
for freeing me. And I’m sorry about Kalli. Do you have
something to offer? If you plan on reclaiming her, you’ll
need some currency. Hades won’t let her go if she’s mortal.”
He swallowed the lump of grief and withdrew the flower
from his pocket. The vivid blue petals hummed with latent
power, ready to awaken. He placed his hand over his heart
and bowed. “Thank you, my friend. This is where we must
part ways. If you see Langston or Devlin, I’d be obliged if
you’d let them know where I’ve gone. My house is yours.
You’ll always have a place to stay if you need it. ”
Chauncey grinned, doffed the purple hat and returned
the gesture. “Thank you. Don’t be surprised if I accept yer
generous offer.” He held out his palm, a gold piece in the
center. “If you ever need a favor, use this. Be safe.”
“I will. And find some new clothes. You look like Willy
Wonka in that get-up.” Zephyr slipped the coin—a rare and
powerful gift, one a leprechaun rarely bestowed—into his
pocket.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he said, then
disappeared in a wink of green light.
Morning sun heated Zephyr’s face. Golden light bathed
his skin, signaling the switch to Aurora. His outfit from the
day before was tattered and torn, but it didn’t matter where
he was going. He walked the few miles to Stonington and
hailed a cab to Mystic. His cousin Nix’s alley, next to her
tattoo shop, contained the nearest Underworld Gate.
The cabbie stared openly at his disheveled appearance.
“Lady, you okay? Are you sure you want me to leave you
alone here?” The streets were quiet. Except for Cal’s bakery
two doors down, it was too early for the other businesses to
be open.
“Thanks for your concern. My cousin owns this place. I
have a key.” Which was a total lie. He stepped out of the cab,
fishing some bills from his tiny pocket and paid the driver.
“Thanks for your concern.” He headed straight for the Gate,
waiting for the cab to pull away before summoning Charon.
Invisible to human eyes, the gate appeared only to
those of immortal blood. Because Hades hated unannounced
immortal company, he screened all visitors.
Such a pain in the ass. But Zephyr guessed he could
understand why. If an immortal called, it was probably
because they wanted something or someone. Fortunately,
over their lengthy eternal lives, Zephyr maintained a cordial
relationship with the keeper of the dead and his wife,
Persephone. He hoped the god would have mercy on him
and Kalli.
“Well, today is my lucky day, isn’t it, boy?” Charon’s
voice scratched with the same cringing sound as nails on
a blackboard. His three-headed hound, Cerebus, waited
patiently by his master’s side. Every once in a while, a
prescient mortal would stumble upon the Gate and if they
were dumb enough to annoy Charon, Cerebus would get
a tasty snack. Today, he looked like an ordinary German
Shepard since they were in plain view.
Zephyr cringed and swore profusely. The blasted curse.
Worry and dismay for Kalli had blocked everything else
out of his mind. Once Charon and Hades realized what had
happened to him, he would never hear the end of it. With
his luck, the local police officer would happen by and be
suspicious of a drug deal going down. Not that he’d blame
him. His torn, soiled clothes and matted hair screamed junkie
looking for a fix.
“Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Gods, I
hope so. I love a dirty girl,” Charon purred.
Most members of the god world avoided the ferryman.
Clothed in a gray hoodie and baggy jeans, with his hands
stuffed inside his pockets, no one, save Hades ever saw his
face. Nix commented once on his “crypt keeper” hands. The
experience had obviously creeped her out.
“Okay, that was TMI and totally perverted.” Zephyr
held his hand out for Cerebus to sniff. The dog licked his
fingers and wagged his tail.
“Well, she-it. Is that you, Zephyr?” Charon broke out
into full body laughter. “I can’t wait to tell the boss.”
“I’d be happy to share the story in person. Will you let
me pass?” He wanted to shake Charon. Every moment Kalli
spent detached from her body wasn’t good. Not to mention
he had no idea how long Niko could hold Circe at bay.
“Not so fast, honey.” He broke into fits of laughter
again. The hands came out of his pockets to wipe a tear away.
Thankfully the hoodie stayed on his head. Yeah, he totally
got the crypt keeper reference. The flesh on Charon’s hand
was corpse blue and mottled with spots of rot. And his nails
were thick and yellow. “You know how this works. What can
you offer me?”
Zephyr folded his arms and studied his fingernails,
posture designed to say he didn’t care if he saw Hades or not.
Cerebus sniffed his ankles. The dog’s cold wet nose
sent chills up his spine.
“How about a day at my spa? I have some excellent
rejuvenation therapies.”
Charon froze.
Shit. Had he insulted him? Cerebus took the opportunity
to shove his nose in Zephyr’s crotch.
“Make it a lifetime of treatments, including massages
and food, and I’ll give you a free pass every visit to see the
boss.” Charon snapped his fingers and the dog returned to
his side.
Zephyr held out his hand. “Deal.” He tried not to cringe
when the coldness of death shot through his fingers and
wrist. “And as long as he remains one-headed, Cerebus is
welcome, too.”
Terms negotiated, Charon opened the Gate and stepped
inside. Zephyr followed, Cerebus hot on his heels, nose
snuffling under the hem of his skirt. Annoying creature.
They arrived in a wood-paneled hallway, Hades’ personal
quarters.
Normally, Gods circumvented the passages human
souls traveled. Mortals had to pay the toll, ride the boat, and
listen to Charon’s corny jokes. Okay, Zephyr had to listen to
the jokes.
“Hey, Zephyr, why are there gates around cemeteries?”
Good thing he trailed behind Charon so the guy couldn’t
see the eye roll. “I don’t know. Do tell.”
“Because everyone’s dying to get in?” Charon cackled.
“Gods. I’m so funny. Okay one more. What do you call a
shoe made from a banana?” He stopped, hand on the door
handle, and waited for Zephyr to play along.
Gods, he wanted Kalli in his arms. Wanted to see her
smile again. He didn’t know what he’d do if Hades didn’t
cooperate. He forced words out of his mouth so as not insult
Charon. “I don’t know.”
“A slipper.” Charon slapped him on the back. “Relax.
It’ll all work out.” Cold fingers squeezed the flesh on
Zephyr’s shoulders. “Great skin. Do you exfoliate?”
“Charon! Stop dicking around and send him in,” Hades
yelled through the door.
“Sorry. You can tell me your secret some other time.
Later.” He whistled to Cerebus and headed away.
Zephyr sucked in a deep breath, his fingers touching
Flora’s flower.
Gods, don’t fail me now.
Chapter 17
In all her years as a Muse, Kalli had never visited the
Underworld. Not one single time. Now, as she stood on
Hades’ observation deck, she wondered why the hell not.
The place was incredible. Despite what myth said, the
Underworld wasn’t all gloom and doom. The majority of
souls passed their time in pleasant surroundings. Only the
most heinous and wicked were tormented.
Once Hades learned her story, he’d allowed her access
to areas only he and his staff visited, while he did some
checking around. When he returned, he invited her to his
office.
“I feel for you,” he said. “I really do. Zephyr is a friend
and I can’t stand that upstart Circe. She’s been avoiding
Thanatos for far too long. The hag should have died in
Odysseus’ day.”
Contrary to popular belief, Hades wasn’t death. Thanatos
held the job along with dozens of other death deities. Hades
was the keeper of souls; nothing more, nothing less.
“What if we could rectify that issue?” Kalli couldn’t
believe the witch had killed her after they had made a deal.
Conniving wench.
“I’m listening.” He leaned forward in his chair, arms
resting on his desk.
If the average Joe stumbled into the office, they would
have been surprised by his casual demeanor. Contemporary
to the bone, he wore faded jeans, a slim fit T-shirt that
displayed several tattoos on his muscled arms. In a nod to his
ancient heritage, his thick mane of black hair hung over his
shoulders, accentuating his marble white skin. Like all gods,
his face had all the classical Greek features: strong jaw, high
cheekbones, and masculine brow and nose.
“For starters, she’s been harvesting goddesses for
years.”
His dark eyebrows knotted. “How? Power can only be
freely given.”
“She’s clever. She manufactures situations where the
victim has no choice but to agree. Of course, I didn’t exactly
fit her mold. She tortured Zephyr and turned my brother
into a pig then threatened to barbeque him.” She went on
to explain how she’d treated Flora and all her so-called
“friends.”
“Damn, that’s cold. I know it’s not unheard of for an
immortal to renounce their longevity. But it usually happens
under rare circumstances.” Hades laced his fingers behind
his head and stretched his legs out, feet resting on the desk.
“So she coerced you into agreeing, which technically isn’t
your own free will.”
“And then she slit my throat, first, before she took my
power.”
“Well, that just chaps my ass. There are too few of us
left to be picked off by bottom-feeding parasites like her.”
He pulled out a cell phone. “I’m texting Nereus. This is
bullshit. I know Circe does him favors from time to time,
but this needs to stop.” He tapped out another message, a
wicked grin on his face.
There was a rap on the door, before it opened. “You
rang?” A young man, appearing no older than twenty-two
stepped inside. Even more current than Hades, his dark
hair was short. The bangs were slightly longer, covering his
forehead at an angle. Piercings studded his lower lip, right
eyebrow, and his ears. With skinny jeans, a riveted belt, tight
concert T-shirt, and skateboarder sneakers, he looked like he
worked at Hot Topic.
Looks could be deceiving. Every hair on Kalli’s body
stood on end. Her instincts screamed for her to run, while at
the same time, something inside her wanted to follow him to
wherever he led.
“Thanatos, meet Kalli, Muse of Epic Stories.” Hades
motioned for him to sit.
“Hey, nice to meet you.” Thanatos slouched into the
other chair. “What’s this I hear about Circe?”
Hades cracked his knuckles, “How’d you like to finally
bag her?”
“Dude. So gross. I wouldn’t tap that if you paid me a
zillion dollars.” He chuckled. “Seriously. I know what you
meant. Fuck yeah. I want to catch her. She’s been on the top
of my most wanted list for two thousand years.”
“What about me?” Worry ate away at Kalli. Zephyr’s
anguished cries were fresh in her ears. “Is there any hope for
me?”
Thanatos focused on her, sending her fight or flight
instincts into overdrive again. The twenty-something dude
persona was set aside and the age of the universe became
etched on his face instead. “There’s always hope, Kalliope.”
Hades’ eyes twinkled as if he knew something no one
else did. “Hold that thought.” He yelled across the room to
Charon, who was apparently outside the door.
The door opened as if in slow motion. Hope surged.
Please be—
Yes! Kalli launched from the chair and flung herself
into Zephyr’s waiting arms. “I knew you’d find me!”
“Did you, now?” he asked, hugging her tight.
“Well, I hoped you would.”
He smiled and captured her lips in a deep kiss. When
he stepped away, the weight of several millennia darkened
his features. Anguish laced his voice. “I thought I’d never
see you again.”
Hades choked with laughter. Thanatos seemed amused,
but unsure of what was the joke was. Then it dawned on
Kalli. It must have been morning and they saw Aurora.
“Zephyr, you clean up nice. And, damn, that was one
hot kiss.” Hades narrowed his gaze. “Is this because you
helped Nix?”
“Yes.” Zephyr quickly added, “Don’t breathe a word of
this to her or Cal. I don’t want her to feel guilty about it. I
would do it all again.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” Thanatos said. “Though
I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“My lips are sealed.” Hades promised, “And so are
those of my staff, including Charon. We all know how
gossipy he can be. Although in private, I plan on ribbing you
as much as possible. How long will your punishment last?”
Kalli hoped it would end soon for Zephyr’s sake. She’d
meant it when she said it didn’t bother her. But it grated on
him. The Fates were often fickle in their sentences. They
loved double speak and tended to have an ironic sense of
humor. “They must have given you some idea, right?”
Zephyr nodded. “Yes. But I don’t see how. Lachesis
said I had to earn unconditional love. No one loves anyone
unconditionally.”
“I do,” she said. There was no doubt in her mind.
“I am sure you believe that but, in case you hadn’t
noticed, he’s still a woman,” Hades said with an amused grin
plastered on his face. “If your love were enough to break the
curse, it would have happened by now.”
Zephyr shook his head slowly. “That’s what I love
about you, Hades. You’re a freakin’ genius.”
“Hey, I’m only pointing out the obvious.”
The obvious. Goddess! There was the answer. “Zephyr,
think carefully before you answer this question. Be honest
and feel it in your heart. How do you feel about yourself?”
He opened his mouth to answer, when Thanatos
interrupted. “Can we do this later? We need to retrieve your
body before the witch does something rash like incinerate
it.”
“Sorry, kids, but I can’t go with you. You know I can’t
publicly take sides.” Hades stared at Zephyr and buckled
over with laughter again. After a healthy glare from Zephyr,
he straightened. “Sorry. Had to get that out of my system.
Before you depart you’re forgetting one important thing. I
can’t let her leave without some form of parity. You know?
Equivalent exchange. One death for one life.”
“I know what parity means, Hades.” Zephyr fished
something out of his pocket. “Will this suffice?”
The scent of flowers on a sunny day permeated the
office. Kalli breathed in the rich aroma, every fiber in her
body drawn to the little blue forget-me-not.
“That’ll work. I was sorry to receive Flora’s soul here
but she is happy with her human husband.” Hades looked
at Kalli. “You understand you’re exchanging one life for
another? That you will forever cease to be a Muse.”
“I understand.” Hera above, she wanted more than
anything to be with Zephyr. “I want the freedom to interact
with humanity again. To bury my fingers in the earth’s rich
soil and bring new life into the world, no matter how fleeting.
I’d be honored to be the new Goddess of Spring.”
“Flora picked wisely, then,” Thanatos said. “But first
you will have to reclaim your body and give it life again.”
He reached inside the collar of his shirt and withdrew an
amulet loaded with silver charms. With the flick of his wrist,
he snapped off one of the metal ornaments, then handed it
to Zephyr. “Only someone who loves you can invoke the
charm’s magic. It needs to be placed under your corpse’s
tongue.”
“How do I assume Flora’s power?” Kalli asked. As if
sensing the question, the blossom pivoted, attuned to the
sound of her voice.
“Why the good old-fashioned way, of course. You’re
going to have to fight for it. The witch will try and stop you
so you need to smell the flower the moment you re-awaken.”
Hades stretched his arms wide. Black flames surrounded
him. The casual everyman façade disappeared, replaced by
traditional Greek robes.
Flowing black cloth circled his waist, fastened in place
by a wide iron belt. His sculpted chest and ripped abs were
on full display. Iron hoops pierced both nipples, black metal
cuff bracelets encircled each wrist, and a jagged iron crown
rested on his head.
He aimed his two pronged staff at her and Zephyr,
creating a dark tornado above their heads. “I’ll be rooting
for you kids!”
“Show off,” Zephyr muttered before snugging Kalli
against his body.
“Good luck!” Thanatos called before they were swept
into the gloomy vortex and thrust upward at high speed.
Kalli clung to Zephyr while the wind whipped around
them, thrusting them toward the surface.
“Be ready for anything,” Zephyr cautioned. “I have a
feeling Hades sent us back—”
They broke through the surface. The throne room was
in shambles. Golden and crimson streaks were smeared
across the floor. Boy toys lay twisted and broken. Kalli’s
corpse hung limply, webbed to the chair where she had died.
“—to hell,” she finished.
Chapter 18
A gasp escaped Kalli’s lips as she took in the sight of
her corpse. Because they were in the mortal realm again, she
faded to a ghost. In a state of shock, Zephyr wasn’t sure if
she noticed.
He wanted to kill Circe a thousand times over. “Let’s
move.”
“I’m bound to the chair.” Kalli hovered around the area.
“No sign of Circe or Niko either.”
Zephyr fumbled the charm out of his pocket, his hands
trembling at the sight of the gaping wound on Kalli’s throat.
Congealed golden blood crusted the ragged edges of her torn
flesh. With grim purpose, he gripped her mouth, spread her
lips, and placed the charm under her tongue.
Nothing happened. Motherfucking shit.
“It’s the webbing. I bet it’s interfering,” Kalli suggested.
“Cut it.”
“I would love to, except I don’t have a knife. My pocket
is big enough to hold some dollar bills and the flower.”
Cursed female garments.
A series of bangs thudded above the ceiling. The sound
grew closer. Bits of rock and timber rained down onto the
chamber floor.
“Something’s coming. We have to hurry.” Kalli zoomed
around the space, her ghostly form faster than he could
move. She halted over one of the dead boy toys. “Here! In
his hand.”
Zephyr grabbed the charm so it didn’t get lost and ran
to the body.
With a mighty crack, the ceiling above the golden
throne collapsed. A tangle of arms and legs, mixed with
blood, dust, and rubble traded blows.
“Niko!” Kalli said then clapped her hands over her
ghostly mouth.
Circe raised him over her head and full body slammed
him on the floor. Her face twisted in a mask of fury. Tufts
of hair were missing from her scalp. Torn robing barely
covered her body and displayed the dark bruises mottling
her face, hands, and legs.
Niko didn’t look much better. His chest was shredded
and striped with scratches as if he’d been mauled by tiger.
One eye was puffy and swollen. His lips appeared equally
beaten.
Zephyr ignored the fight, hoping Circe wouldn’t notice
him too soon. He pried the knife free and ran to Kalli’s corpse.
Using the armchair as a shield, he sawed the webbing off her
ankles first.
“Why won’t you die?” Circe shrieked at Niko.
“What’s wrong, witch? Can’t turn me into a pig so
easily now can you?” Niko dangled an amulet bag just out
of her reach. She screamed like a banshee and lunged. Niko
managed to keep her at arm’s length.
With grim satisfaction, Zephyr noticed the wound
from Artemis’ arrow hadn’t healed. Good. That meant her
strength was failing. While Niko continued to keep the witch
occupied, he sliced through the webbing around Kalli’s
waist. Clearly Niko had had enough of his wits and plenty
of time to study the witch’s habits while in custody. Circe
undoubtedly believed her pigs would never escape so she
didn’t bother hiding her secrets.
Keep her busy for a little longer. He was on the last
wrist binding. Once it was gone, he placed the flower in
Kalli’s lifeless left hand and held the fingers closed. With his
free hand, he forced the charm under her tongue again. Static
electricity raised the hairs on his neck. Warmth pulsed into
Kalli’s limbs. Her ghost streaked toward them like a rocket.
When it connected with her body, atomic brightness flashed
outward in all directions.
The force of the transformation knocked him on his ass.
He blinked rapidly trying to dispel the dark spots dancing
before his eyes. Bathed in silver light, Kalli hovered a few
inches off the ground, flowers erupting under her feet. The
glow faded and she set down. She flung herself on top of him,
raining enthusiastic kisses on his lips, cheeks, and forehead.
A welcome mixture of joy and relief coursed through
him. Thank the Gods. “I don’t ever want to lose you again.”
He breathed in the scent of her hair. The same familiar aroma
of rosemary and citrus, but now mixed with fresh flowers
and greens.
“No!” Circe wailed. “Spring should be mine! You!”
She directed Eloquent Voice at Niko. “Bring her to me.”
Instead of blindly obeying the command, he punched
her solidly in the jaw. Her head jerked backward with a
Kung Fu snap. “Voice doesn’t work on me. I may be a male,
but I’m also a member of the Muse family.”
Circe staggered, then raised her palms to the sky. “I’ve
had enough of you all!”
A black vortex spun outward, catching Niko and
propelling him upward and away through the ceiling’s hole.
Vines snaked around Circe’s ankles and wrists, trapping
her against the rubble of the golden throne. Impressive. Two
minutes as Goddess of Spring and Kalli owned it.
“You can’t stop me! I have more power,” she insisted.
“I don’t think so. You aren’t really one of us. Just a
pretender. Your injury from Artemis’ arrow is draining away
your life force,” he said, throwing a protective arm around
Kalli.
“I don’t believe you. Where is Zephyr? You are nothing
to me. He must answer for his crimes.” Spittle collected at
the corners of her lips. The feverish glint in her eyes spoke
of more cruelty to come.
“All that power, including Observation, and you don’t
see the truth in front of you,” he said. Kalli gave his waist a
squeeze of encouragement. “You know nothing about me or
him.”
“Don’t speak to me about him. He is cruel and
worthless. He deserves death! You are a female. Why do
you not side with me?” Unhinged, the witch thrashed and
shouted obscenities that would make a sailor’s ears wither.
“Remember the question I asked you earlier when we
spoke of unconditional love?” Kalli said softly. “Now is the
time to answer it.”
Unconditional love. What did he know about it? Not
much. Kalli’s eyes beseeched him to try harder. He blocked
out Circe’s blathering and sought the answer deep within
himself.
Ever since he’d been cursed, he’d believed he deserved
it. No, wait. That wasn’t true either. It started long before
then. With Flora. When she had rejected him for a mortal
lover, he believed he was unworthy. Look how easily he’d
been tricked by the witch. Except, Flora had never blamed
him. Even after she’d fallen in love with a human, she’d
saved a corner of heart for him, too.
And for his part, he’d do anything for the people he
loved. That’s why he helped Flora hide her secret. It was
why he helped Nix and Cal with their Hero’s Journey. He
never said ‘no’ to anyone but himself.
Until Kalli arrived. At first, he believed he was unworthy.
She wasn’t having any of his self-defeating bullshit. She was
the first person he’d ever felt he deserved.
“I refuse to deal with you.” Circe raised her chin.
“Bring me Zephyr.”
He kissed Kalli and squared his shoulders. “I am
Zephyr. And I wouldn’t change a thing about myself, Circe.
You’re wrong about me. I am worthy of love and I do deserve
happiness.”
Ignoring the witch, he gripped Kalli’s hands and released
the words trapped in his heart. “I’m sorry. I should have said
it sooner. I should have shouted it from the rooftops. I love
you, Kalli. Spend eternity with me.”
Circe glared daggers.
Kalli flung her arms around his neck, love in her eyes.
“Oh Zephyr. I knew you loved me.”
“You did?” He swallowed hard.
“Of course. You rescued me from the Underworld.
Love is more than words. In my book, what you’ve done, the
kindness you’ve shown me, that tells me all I need to know. I
will happily share the rest of my days with you.”
“Which will be measured in moments.” Circe’s voice
grated worse than nails on a blackboard. “Eternity? Bah.
Neither of you is leaving here alive.”
“Seriously? The witch needs to expand her evil
monologue repertoire. Don’t you agree, my sisters?”
The action in the room stopped.
The Fates appeared each magnificently outfitted in the
latest fashions, looking magazine model perfect.
“Gods it took you long enough, Zephyr. I thought
you’d never say it,” griped Lachesis. She held her hand out
to her sister, Clotho. “You owe me a Benjamin.”
Clotho gave an aggravated sigh and slapped a hundreddollar bill into her sister’s palm. “Whatever.”
“Sister, do not cheapen this wonderful moment of selfdiscovery. Zephyr has finally admitted and understood his
shortcomings,” said Atropos. She took his womanly hands in
her palms. “I hope this punishment has been instructive and
helpful. I trust you won’t miss your high heels.”
Not likely. He wisely kept the thought private and bent
his head. “Thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I may never have
found happiness with another.”
“Wait, wait.” Clotho pulled them into a group hug.
“One last shout-out to girl power.”
Zephyr gladly joined them and cheered as loud as
they did. While he wouldn’t miss changing genders, Aurora
would always be a part of him.
Next, the tougher part. He feared to ask the question. If
they said no, he might lose his mind. “What about—”
“The West Wind,” they said in unison. They dropped
out of the circle and reformed a new one. Eyes aglow with
power, they spoke in low tones as if each one was conversing
with an unseen person. Giggles broke out amongst them.
Oh Gods, they were going to say no. He could sense it.
“Zephyr. You are an elemental,” Atropos said.
“It is not within our purview to strip your power,” said
Lachesis.
“What?” He snapped his gaping jaw shut. That couldn’t
be right.
Clotho encircled her arm around his. “Listen.” Her tone
was soft spoken like a mother explaining a difficult concept
in a child’s terms. “We never took the wind away. You did
that all on your own.”
“No.” Not possible. The suggestion struck him
speechless.
“I look at your life thread and see a snarled mess.
You have your power tied in knots. Think upon the day we
sentenced you. You had already resigned yourself to your
fate. You decided you weren’t worthy of the wind except in
the most dire situations. Search deep inside and you will see
I am right.”
No. They were wrong. Looking over at Kalli frozen in
time, he wished he could speak with her. Not that he really
needed to. He knew what she’d say. Get a grip!
“Fine,” he said, though not yet ready to concede. “If
what you’re saying is true, then I’m the only one who can
fix it.”
“Naturally. I feel your pain. I hate when my yarn gets
all tangled. It’s such a nuisance to put it right.” The smile on
her lips twitched with laughter.
Zeus, he had to be the thickest god in the universe.
“That day in the bar, when Kalli first arrived, that was my
skein.”
Clotho’s gaze darted over to her sisters who were
studying the battle in progress. “Yes. Not a word to them,
please. Strictly speaking, I’m not supposed to mess around.
But, I hated to see you believe you were helpless. I thought
maybe I could straighten you out. As soon as we realized the
truth, I was outvoted. The other two, they thought the impact
of the lesson would be greater the shittier you felt.”
Fucking hell. What a mess he’d made. All this time, he
could have used his powers at will. And now, in the middle
of battle with Circe, he’d have to somehow fix the mess he’d
made.
Lachesis and Atropos strutted over to them, heels
clattering on the floor. “We’ll be waiting on the sidelines to
see who wins.”
“Good luck. I’m rooting for you,” Lachesis said with
a broad grin. “Oh, and don’t lose. I have another Benjamin
riding on you.”
Someone loudly cleared their throat. “It’s time to undo
what was done.” Clotho held out a fine golden thread.
Lachesis measured it between her two fingers, yanked
it taut, then angled it toward Atropos. “The lesson has been
learned.”
“We are satisfied justice has been done. Go with the
grace of all gods, Zephyr. Your sentence is complete,”
Atropos finished. With a tiny pair of golden scissors, she
snipped the thread.
His ears popped and time resumed in a giant whoosh.
Circe’s eyes widened in disbelief at the sudden return
of his male body. “You tricked me?”
Kalli spoke first. “Why not? What? You think you’re
the only one in the world allowed to deceive everyone?”
Done with the witch, she turned and wagged her eyebrows
at him. “Hey, handsome. Looking good. Does this mean you
won’t go dress shopping with me anymore?”
“I would love to. And I look forward to helping remove
them, too.”
Circe made a gagging sound. “You two are making me
sick.”
There was a blur of movement. Too late he realized the
arrowhead was in motion. Headed straight for Kalli’s spine.
He couldn’t stop it in time.
“Kalli!” he screamed. Deep inside, the mental block
snapped. The West Wind unleashed. Never again would he
lose the woman he loved. The arrowhead stopped mid-flight.
Kalli’s knees buckled. She slumped to the ground.
“No!”
Chapter 19
An unseen force knocked her to the floor, whooshing
the air out of her lungs. For a moment stars danced across
her vision. Zephyr’s anguished cries motivated her to move.
When she placed her palms on the floor to push herself
upright, tufts of grass and clumps of wildflowers filled the
space.
Wow. So different than her Muse powers. And
exhilarating, too.
With a shout of relief, Zephyr lifted her off the floor.
“Don’t move. The tip is embedded in your clothes.” Fabric
rustled and a moment later, his strong arms snaked around
her. “I nearly died from fright.” He showed her the cursed
weapon that had almost taken her life again.
Kalli took it from him. “This needs to be locked away
before it can hurt anyone else.”
Primal shrieks, worse than a banshee, sliced through
her eardrums, careening toward them. Circe had taken
advantage of Kalli’s momentary loss of concentration to
twist out of the remaining vines.
“Enough of this! Give me the power of spring.”
Blue orbs shot from her fingertips. Zephyr swept them
away with gusts of wind. They sparked, then extinguished.
Her left arm hung useless by her side. Step, by faltering step,
she limped toward them.
Hatred burned in Circe’s eyes, hot enough to vaporize
them. Her muscles bunched, as if ready to launch. She halted,
face pale, eyes wide with disbelief. “No. Not you.”
Thanatos leaned against the wall, arms folded, left foot
resting on a skateboard. Ear buds dangled from over the
collar of his T-shirt. “Don’t mind me. I’ll be waiting over
here.” He casually withdrew an MP3 player and plugged in
the ear buds.
Kalli suppressed a smile at Thanatos’ display of
nonchalance. If he didn’t have a day gig as death, he could
be an actor.
Panic stricken, the witch back-peddled, arms
outstretched defensively. “You’re here for one them, right?
I’m alive. You can’t take me. I’m a goddess now.”
The tiny hairs on Kalli’s neck rose in attention. Power
older than time stood in the room with them. The Fates.
“Funny you should mention the god thing. I think there’s
someone else here to see you.”
“Why don’t you try using your newly stolen powers?”
Zephyr suggested with a cold smile.
“Yes. We have a matter to settle with you, witch,”
Clotho said. Like the Cheshire Cat, only her shiny white
teeth and ruby red lips appeared.
A pair of vivid blue eyes materialized next. Atropos
said, “You’re right. If you were human, Thanatos could
claim your soul for the Underworld.”
Lachesis appeared next in her full form, an annoyed
expression on her face. “Really, Sisters. Must you be so
dramatic?” She turned her full attention onto Circe. The witch
seemed to shrink. “Thanks to your lying. Your machinations.
You’ve finally become a goddess. But there’s a catch. Since
you bargained with Kalliope in bad faith, you have become
our issue.”
“No! You have no right to judge me,” Circe insisted.
“I never told her an untruth. I would have killed Niko if she
didn’t agree to my demands.”
“You lied to her, just like you’re lying now. Made
her believe that the only thing at stake was Niko.” Atropos
materialized. Clotho appeared next to her.
Kalli did her best not to gawk. She’d never seen the
Fates in person. They were impressive. Beautiful, confident,
and dressed to the nines. Zephyr had once remarked that they
were like the Housewives of Olympia County. She totally
agreed. Though, somehow, she didn’t think any male would
want to go near them for fear of what they might do. She
pitied the man who left socks on the floor.
“Kalli,” Lachesis said. “Did you know Circe needed the
power of one more goddess to join our ranks permanently?
You were the hundredth goddess.”
“Of course she didn’t know,” huffed Clotho.
The enormity of the Fates presence seemed to finally
settle into Circe’s psyche. A sheen of perspiration coated her
forehead. Her breath puffed in and out of her chest in short,
rapid bursts. “I won’t let you near me. I’ll return her power,”
she stammered.
“Do it. I’d be happy to escort you to Tartarus where
you can experience eternal misery.” Thanatos’ voice was
cold and raspy as he became visible next to Circe. A dark
shadow fell across her body ready to engulf her. “By my
calculations, you’ve been avoiding me for far too long.”
Trapped, Circe looked wildly around the room. Hair
disheveled, clothing shredded, gaze haunted, Kalli knew she
should feel some pity for Circe. Then she remembered all the
innocent goddesses she’d tricked and all the humans she’d
enslaved or killed. While some of them probably deserved
such horrible fates, it hadn’t been her choice to make.
“There is nowhere for you to run,” Clotho said. She
extracted a golden tuft of fiber from mid-air. With rapid
twists, she spun it into a slender thread.
Lachesis measured the thread with a single precise
motion. “Judgment time is upon you. There is no escape
from your evil deeds.”
The blades of sharp gold scissors, wielded by Atropos,
were poised over the thread. “You who have tricked and lied,
shall find no mercy from us. Your soul shall be torn asunder.
One half to toil in Tartarus, the other to burn in hell. There is
nothing left for you but eternal suffering. Times two.”
The scissors snicked and the thread was severed in half.
A high-pitched wail erupted deep in Circe’s chest.
Thanatos’ shadow snaked inside her mouth and down her
throat. She gurgled and thrashed. Her hands batted at him,
ineffectual and powerless to stop him.
With a dull pop, he withdrew his arm. Black vapor was
laced between his fingers. It writhed and twisted as if trying
to escape. Circe remained upright, her mouth in a rictus of
horror.
Thanatos gave them all a mock salute with his free
hand. “This is a happy day for me. This one is going to
where she belongs. Thank you.” The air shimmered behind
him. Wheels rolled across the floor. The skateboard stopped
long enough for him to hop onto it. He winked at Kalli then
skated through a portal.
The Fates surrounded the shell that was once Circe and
chanted in low tones. The buzz of magic brushed against
Kalli’s skin like a thousand tiny bees. She rubbed her arms
hoping to erase the eerie sensation.
Zephyr whispered in her ear, “I think we should move
further away.”
They had no sooner relocated when more black vapors
escaped from Circe’s mouth. With a final choked scream, her
body dissolved into a pile of dust. Atropos displayed a glass
beaker. Corked inside was the remainder of Circe’s essence.
Without another word, they vanished.
The entire room rumbled and lurched. Zephyr shielded
her from falling debris. The floor and walls drew away, like
a window shade retracting.
Kalli blinked hard, not quite believing her eyes.
“Are we in a field?” she asked, squinting in the bright
sunshine of a pasture. A cow bellowed a low moo.
“Yeah, we are,” Zephyr replied. “With her gone, the
entire pocket dimension dissipated.”
Green grass tickled the soles of her bare feet. A hot
summer breeze ruffled her hair. Cows ignored them, chewing
their cud as if strangers stood among them on a daily basis.
“What about all those people?” She placed her hand
over her mouth at the thought they all might be trapped gods
knew where.
“Look!” He pointed. Off in the distance, humans milled
about, clearly disoriented.
A low groan came from a nearby mound before a mop
of black curls arose from the grass. Her brother sat with his
hand over a sizeable knot on his forehead.
“Niko!” She and Zephyr raced across the field.
“Bloody hell! I think a building landed on me.” His
eyes brightened when he saw Kalli. He wrapped her into a
hug. “I’d be a pork dinner if it wasn’t for you.”
Happiness and relief washed over her. They’d done it.
The witch was gone and Niko was safe. Her brother’s blue
eyes twinkled as he studied her. “There’s something different
about you.” He stared past her shoulder. “Hey, boss!”
Zephyr offered them both a lift. “Please tell me you’ll
come back. I can’t take Langston’s endless whining about
the lack of good pastries.”
“Hey! I heard that.” Langston flashed in front of them.
Devlin jogged behind them. “The cavalry is here.”
Sure enough, Nereus and a cadre of Delian League
agents swarmed the field. The agents corralled the humans,
leading them away with practiced precision. No doubt to
wipe their memories and send them on their way home.
Nereus made his way over to them. After a curt nod to
Niko, he flashed a broad grin at Zephyr and Kalli.
“Well done, all of—”
Zephyr’s fist shot out. Nereus’ head jerked backward
from the force of the blow. “Son of a goat fucker! This is
your fault!”
Nereus nursed his jaw. Rough stubble dotted his jawline
giving him a rakishly handsome look. Hair spun like gold, he
seemed no older than in his mid-thirties. “There’d better be a
good reason for that, Zephyr.”
“How could you employ Circe? Do you have any idea
what she’s been doing?” Zephyr raised a hand. “Wait. Don’t
answer. With all your fancy technology and gift for prophecy,
I’d have a hard time believing you didn’t know the truth.”
Kalli felt Zephyr’s pain. She wanted to kick Nereus
in the nuts. If he had only stopped the witch two thousand
years earlier, then all the senseless deaths wouldn’t have
happened. Thinking about Niko’s near slaughter made her
knees go weak.
Langston stared between the two males, his body
poised to intervene. “Hey. We’re all on the same side here.”
“We all know Nereus’ morality falls in the gray zone,”
Devlin added.
“You’re one to talk, Satyr,” Nereus countered.
“Goddess above, protect us from fool males and
their enormous egos,” Kalli muttered and summoned her
newfound power. Tiny flowers took bloom in their hair, and
in Devlin’s case, his beard shag. “I don’t know about all of
you, but I’ve had enough fun for one day. Can we declare
victory and celebrate over some cold drinks?”
Zephyr’s expression softened. He clasped her hands
and brought them to his knuckles for a soft kiss. “I’m sorry,
my love.” At his touch, her body warmed in all her happy
places. As if sensing her need, he arched an eyebrow at her.
“How about we return to the inn? Drinks on me.”
Langston put his arm around Niko’s shoulder. “You
don’t know how much I missed you.” He patted his lean
stomach. “Name your price. I can’t stand another morning
without your baking.”
Niko chuckled, then cast a glance at Nereus.
Curious. Kalli had no idea they knew each other. Then
it struck her. “You work for him, don’t you?” she blurted.
The Old Man pursed his lips. Devlin cast his glance
down. In fact, he looked anywhere but at Nereus. Also an
interesting reaction. First things first.
“Don’t try and stonewall me. After everything I’ve
been through, I want answers,” she demanded.
Zephyr’s palms landed on her shoulders. “How about
we take this somewhere more private?”
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. She wagged her
finger at Nereus, Niko, and Devlin. “Don’t even think about
running off or I’ll make sure you have poison ivy covering
your private parts.” A few of the notorious three-leaved
plants grew around her feet.
Langston whistled. “Damn. I hope I never piss you off.”
She shot him a dark look. He made a motion like a
zipper over his mouth and backed away. At the semi-horrified
expression on all of their faces, she burst out laughing. “I
wish I had a camera right now. Who would have thought
brave warriors would fear a plant?”
Zephyr took her hand and led her toward the edge of
the field. “You have no idea how itchy poison ivy can be.
Even to a god,” he said, spoken like someone who’d had a
previous run in with the stuff. He lowered his voice. “Let’s
just say, when the Goddess of Spring wants you to suffer, she
knows how to make it hurt.”
Once they reached the edge of the field, the view shifted
and they were standing in The Gallup Inn’s rose garden.
Nereus shrugged. “I don’t like to wait. Places to go,
people to see.”
Zephyr wasted no time hustling them into his office. It
was a tight squeeze but they all managed to fit inside. Kalli
took a seat on his lap, relishing the warmth of his body,
waiting for the moment they could be alone.
She turned to Niko and said, “The floor is yours,
Brother. Start explaining.”
And he did. It turned out her allegation was correct.
Niko had been working for Nereus since his departure from
Parnassus. The more he talked, the more she realized that, in
some ways, she didn’t know him at all. The rascally behavior
that had often exasperated her had been put to good use in
Nereus’ employ.
When Nereus had received a vision of Circe gaining
goddess status, he dispatched Niko to Stonington. The cover
story he gave Zephyr, that Niko needed a second chance,
was a twisted version of the truth. In typical Nereus fashion,
he’d left out the detail that Niko’s troubles were decades
earlier and that the Old Man had long ago gotten him on the
right track.
Zephyr raked his fingers through his hair, then pointed
a finger at Nereus. “You could have told me the truth. If I’d
known the witch was in the area, I could have safeguarded
my guests and employees.”
Nereus shook his head. “I couldn’t do that. You know
the rules of this game. If you have foreknowledge, events
could have unfolded much more tragically. Even I have to
follow the rules of Universal Order. Believe me. I’ve learned
the hard way what happens when I try to circumvent fate.”
Sadness thickened his voice.
“So you’re saying I was meant to become the Goddess
of Spring?” Kalli couldn’t quite believe it. She knew she
should. As a Muse, she’d watched life unfold and destinies
play out more times than she could count.
“Yes, I guess you could say that,” Nereus agreed.
“Hey, does this mean I have to eat shitty muffins for the
rest of my life?” Langston asked sourly.
Kalli and Niko both laughed. When Langston’s frown
deepened, Kalli offered, “I could bake for you, Langston.
I’m not my brother, but I know my way around a muffin
pan.”
Zephyr tightened his grip around her waist and she
sank into his embrace.
“That is, if Zephyr wants me to stay.”
He adjusted her on his lap so she faced him. His silver
gaze captured hers. He stroked her bare arms. “I don’t ever
want you to be anywhere but here with me. I am yours
forever.”
Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. “And I’m yours,
too.”
Langston clapped his hands. “Great. How about those
drinks?” He slapped his palm against his forehead. “Man,
I just realized, I’ll never get to see your boobs now, dude.”
Kalli laughed when Langston narrowly evaded a
stapler. If the office hadn’t been so crowded he would have
made a faster getaway.
Devlin wheezed with laughter. “That is wrong. On so
many levels.”
Zephyr grinned. “You have no idea.”
Epilogue
The warm earth squished between her fingers as if alive
and pulsing with life. Kalli supposed in a way it was alive.
Without the earth’s rich soils, plants, animals, insects, even
microorganisms wouldn’t exist.
Kalli said a silent prayer of thanks to her predecessor,
Flora. She hoped she was enjoying the afterlife with her
husband.
The earth rippled, then mounded upward.
“This is a glorious garden, is it not?” Gerta asked. The
gnomes had accepted Zephyr’s offer of Sanctuary and had
settled in comfortably. One of the many things Kalli loved
about him was his generous heart.
“It is beautiful. Flora did a wonderful job.” Kalli had
replenished plants here and there as needed. One lesson
she’d learned about spring was, while she could prolong a
plant’s life indefinitely, that wasn’t the best thing to do. It
went against the natural order and could cause more harm
than good. Like when she tried to keep the morning glories
alive when the summer heat faded. Instead, they grew out of
control and invaded the kitchen pantry.
Zephyr took it in stride and helped her regain control.
Once the plants were pruned, he soothed her distress and
they collected the seeds for spring planting.
“Indeed she did.” Gerta wrinkled her brow. “Aren’t you
forgetting something?”
Kalli brushed the dirt off her palms. She could have
used her power to draw plants from the earth, but she loved to
work in the soil. It was more intimate and natural. And it told
her things, like someone was coming. A special someone.
Gerta ducked underground. “See you in a few!”
“Yes. I was wondering the same thing,” Zephyr said.
“I’m hoping my soon-to-be-wife hasn’t forgotten about our
wedding today.”
She raised her hands and he lifted her onto her feet.
When his silken lips landed on hers, she melted into his
embrace. As they parted, she sighed deeply. “I wouldn’t miss
it for the world. We have a few hours.”
He raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. “I thought
brides needed loads of time to primp and prepare.”
“Maybe other brides do. I don’t. Not with all my sisters
here to fuss over me.” All were there except one: Clio. The
other Muses had decided to hand her over to Nereus and the
Fates for her role in Niko’s imprisonment and Kalli’s death.
Even though she and Clio were never close, the situation
saddened her. One positive, her remaining sisters made
peace with Niko and they rescinded Clio’s ridiculous ban.
“No worry wrinkle allowed today.” He kissed her
forehead until she relaxed. “That’s better. Maybe we can
sneak to our house for a little alone time.”
“I’d love to, but you know as well as I do, we won’t be
alone. Langston breezed by earlier and said he sent the Fates
there with a few bottles of wine to keep them occupied.”
“Doesn’t matter. I plan on having you all to myself
after the ceremony. For hours and hours. Maybe days.” He
kissed her again until she was breathless and her resolve in
tatters. Not unlike a mortal wedding, when two gods joined,
it was a huge deal since it happened so infrequently. Hades
had offered to host the ceremony in the Underworld, but
they’d politely declined his proposal, guessing that most of
their guests would be too scared to attend.
In the end, Kalli had wanted to have the ceremony at
the inn. The place where her life changed forever and she
found her true calling—the caretaker of spring—new life
and hope for another year.
“Before I get dressed, there’s one final thing I want to
do.” She tugged him deeper into the garden. “Something’s
missing. It’s been bugging me for a while now.” The rose
bushes withdrew their branches, allowing them to enter a
secret copse.
“I never knew this was here,” he said with a touch of
awe.
She understood his reaction. She’d thought the same
thing the first time the plants had allowed her access.
“This was Flora’s special place. The plants decide who’s
allowed inside.” Kalli pivoted on her heel, arm outstretched.
The variety of rare flowers, shrubs, and trees was amazing.
“Some of these wouldn’t be able to grow here at all, if not
for her.”
“It is truly a wonder. Is that a cacao tree?” Zephyr bent
down and sniffed a peony in full bloom despite the autumn
chill in the air.
“Yes. And the orchids are stunning. But that isn’t why
we’re here.” The greenery shifted again, revealing a hidden
clearing. Kalli dug a hole in the earth with her hands. When
it was deep enough, she retrieved Flora’s forget-me-not.
Once the receptacle for her new power, it hadn’t faded or
withered like a normal flower would have.
Zephyr knelt next to her and together they placed it
into the earth then covered it with warm, rich dirt. In Kalli’s
ear, she heard the earth sigh with happiness. When Zephyr
moved to stand, Kalli stopped him.
“Wait.”
Green shoots speared through the soil. A moment later,
leaves formed, then tiny buds. Like a firecracker, brilliant
blue blossoms with yellow centers unfolded.
Kalli touched the soft petal with her fingertips. They
tickled her back. “Hope springs eternal.”
Eyes bright with love, Zephyr cupped her cheeks,
tilting her chin for a kiss. “Indeed, hope does.”