Even if none of that were true, my answer would be the same.
“I’ll do it.”
Chapter 2
Zurielle
Somehow, it surprises me that Ursa takes us directly to the Underworld. From the outside, the building looks much like the others around it, though I almost thought it’d be taller. I squint up at it and then have to scramble to keep up with Ursa’s long strides.
I thought she’d be taller, too.
It’s such a strange expectation, but she felt larger than life on our way over here, and discovering that she’s maybe six inches taller than my five-three is disconcerting for some reason. Out of the car, her presence should be dispelled. It’s not. Despite the other people on the sidewalk, she is in a class all her own, a shark swimming with minnows. Like minnows, people flit out of her way as if sensing danger.
The sunlight plays across her body the same way the shadows of the car did, drawing my gaze to the way her dress hugs her curves with each stride. She’s large and powerful and confident, and she makes me feel tiny and breakable and brittle by comparison. I don’t think I like it.
But then, that’s my problem, isn’t it? I have a feeling she’d walk the exact same way even if I weren’t here.
I follow her through the doors and into the warmth of the building. The reality of my situation cascades over me as we step into an elevator and it ascends.
A virginity auction.
That’s what she wants me to do. Sell myself to the highest bidder.
Two days ago, the possibility would have made me laugh. Me, Triton’s youngest daughter, stepping onto a stage and embracing the humiliation of a bidding war? Never going to happen. Except it’s what I’m agreeing to, and the knowledge sits like shards of glass in my throat.
“You don’t have to do this, you know.” Ursa sounds almost kind. A quick glance at her gives no lie to the first impression. Her eyes are still cold, but I have a feeling they don’t warm often, so I don’t take it personally. But she’s smiling at me as if trying to be reassuring.
I turn back to face the shiny elevator doors. “Yes, I do. As you pointed out in the car, I have nothing else to bargain with.”
“Is he worth it? I’ve found that men rarely are.”
Is she closer? I’m not sure, but I’m suddenly achingly aware of how the cut of her dress gives the faintest tease of cleavage. I jerk my gaze away from her reflection, but it doesn’t help. Even though there are a polite twelve inches between us, she’s everywhere in this small space. My face is flaming and I can’t make it stop. “He’s worth it,” I finally manage.
“I think you’re wrong.” She shrugs. “But I suppose young love conquers all. Even if that’s not how most of the stories go.” Her laugh is deep and sensual, and my skin prickles with something like need in response.
I close my eyes, but even that doesn’t help. I can feel her there, just out of reach. I have the strangest desire to sink to my knees and beg her to stroke her nails along my skin. What is she doing to me? “Stories aren’t real life.”
“No, but they contain a multitude of lessons that a clever person heeds.”
The doors slide open before I can formulate a response, but what response is there? I’ve decided to do this, so I’m going to do this. It’s such a small sacrifice to make for Alaric’s freedom. People have sex for money all the time. It’s the world’s oldest trade, or near to it. There is no shame in making this choice.
The room we enter is nearly empty, except a desk in the center and a bold black door behind it. Behind the desk sits a beautiful Black man who smiles when he catches sight of Ursa. “Good afternoon.”
“Don’t stand on formality on my account, Adem.” She moves around the desk, and he rises so they can exchange air kisses on each cheek. When she leans back, she’s smiling. Not just smiling. Her eyes are warm with fondness, and she grips his shoulders as if she genuinely cares about him.
I don’t expect the jab of envy. I don’t know what to do with the strange response. Ursa is not a friend. She might not be an enemy—though my father would argue otherwise—but she’s a stranger. What should I care that she obviously likes this beautiful man with his perfect skin and perfect laugh that seems to fill the empty room?
He turns that perfect smile on me, and it’s everything I can do not to lean forward in response. The man is magnetic. He shifts fully to face me as Ursa releases him. “And who might you be?”
Ursa laughs, a low and melodious sound. “Tell Hades I have a delightful little surprise for him.”
My gaze swings to her. Somehow, it didn’t occur to me that I’d be meeting Hades. The man responsible for Alaric’s situation. But then, that’s not entirely accurate, is it? Hades only offered the terms of the deal. Alaric made the choice to take it. It was something else that drove him to those lengths. Someone else.
Maybe someday he’ll trust me enough to tell me the full truth of it.
Adem instantly goes back to his professional mask, his smile fading to something practiced, the warmth in his eyes shifting to polite interest. “Of course.”
Ursa drifts in my direction as he picks up the phone. She ends up between me and the desk, hiding my view. “You have nothing to fear here.”
I almost laugh. “I’m about to sell my virginity. There’s a lot to fear here.”
Her expression is almost kind as she lifts a hand to curl a length of my hair around her fingers. I go stock-still, not sure if I want to pull away or move closer. Ursa drops her hand before I reach a conclusion. “Consent is everything, darling. Nothing will be done to you that you don’t want to happen.”
The unexpected kindness in her voice staggers me. “You can’t honestly think that I’ll enjoy giving myself to a stranger.”
Another of her shrugs. “You’d be surprised what you might enjoy now that you’re in Carver City. There’s no one here to tell you what to think, what to feel. The only way to figure out what you enjoy is to try it.”
I stare. How could she possibly dismantle my entire life with a few choice words? I am twenty-three, but there are sixteen-year-olds out there with more life experience. After my mother died, my father locked down our household. Fear and love drive him in equal measures, but knowing that doesn’t make living under his iron fist any more enjoyable. Not when nearly every minute from waking to sleep is spent under the watchful eyes of tutors and guards and people all too willing to report anything they consider dangerous.
The number one thing on that list? Curiosity. The very trait I can’t seem to scrub from my existence. I can’t help that I want to know more about everything, that the walls built high for my safety are the same ones that suffocate me when I’m not lost in a book.
I know my father loves me. I might doubt countless things in Olympus, but never that. It doesn’t change the fact that he’s done everything in his power to prevent me from leaving his household. It doesn’t alter the truth that his love has been slowly smothering me since I was old enough to dream of a normal life.
“Would you like it?” I don’t mean to voice the question, but it’s there all the same, taking up space between us.
“A virginity auction?” She laughs again. “Darling, I’m going to love it.” Before I can ask what she means, she continues. “But no, I don’t enjoy being on the submissive side of the power balance. I like to give orders, not take them.”
“Oh.” Nothing else to say to that, because Adem is off the phone and ushering us to the door behind him.
He spares another smile for Ursa. “Be good.”
“It’ll never happen.”
The words contain a flavor of ritual, as if they’re repeated often between these two. Again, that stab of envy. Surely it’s not because she seems to genuinely like this man? Surely it’s because I envy the freedom they both have, the ability to do what they want, when they want. Surely.
The door leads into a dim bar area, but Ursa doesn’t check her stride to allow me to look my fill. I get the impressi
on of a large sculpture and booths lining the walls, and then we’re in a hallway, heading back to another door—this one a more normal size. It spits us into a tastefully decorated office that lacks any hint of color. Gray on gray on gray, which should make it as soulless as the entrance, but somehow doesn’t.
I almost miss the man sitting behind the desk.
My gaze snags on him on my second pass over the room, and I frown. He’s sitting back in the shadows, and another quick look around confirms that it’s intentional. Most of the space is lit well enough. Theatrics, but effective ones.
The nerves that Ursa temporarily tamed flare to life in response. I’ve skirted the edge of power enough to know it when I see it, and Hades drips power even while bathed in darkness. “What have you brought me, Ursa?”
Ursa presses a hand to the center of my back, urging me forward. I stagger a few steps, my legs suddenly not working correctly, and am grateful when she doesn’t drop her hand. She smiles at Hades, but it contains none of the warmth she gave Adem. “An opportunity.”
“What makes you think I’m interested?”
I’m not sure, but I don’t think he’s done more than glance at me since we walked into the room. I press my lips together and let Ursa take the lead. I’m not sure I can speak at this point. I’m out of my depth and sinking fast.
“An auction. You haven’t hosted one of those in ages.”
He shifts ever so slightly. “With good reason. They’re messy, and you know as well as I do that without a good draw, they’re not worth the headache.”
“We have the draw.”
“Do tell.”
She moves her hand to stroke over my hair, her nails prickling my scalp. “An Olympian princess.” A pause. “A virgin Olympian princess.”
Hades leans forward, the light kissing his features for the first time since I walked into the room. He’s a handsome older white guy with salt-and-pepper hair. Not particularly large, but only a fool believes all strength is physical. “I’m listening.”
“I’m willing to give you ten percent.”
His lips curve up the tiniest bit. “You’ll give me thirty.”
“Hades, now you’re just being greedy. The girl is doing ninety percent of the work. She deserves ninety percent of the money.”
They go back and forth, bargaining over the percentage of money Hades will profit off my auction. I have to bite my tongue to not tell him it will all go to him anyways. Ursa hasn’t offered up that information, and I know enough not to give it freely. I’m already at enough of a disadvantage; no reason to add to the scales being tipped against me.
They finally settle on giving Hades twenty percent, leaving me with the remaining eighty.
The amount of money I had to earn was already astronomical. With that added twenty percent on top of it, it feels impossible.
Once again, Hades turns his attention on me. “You may change your mind at any point with no repercussions. Once the auction is finished, the money will be put in a holding account until the terms are met, and then your percentage will be distributed to the account of your choosing.”
It takes me two tries to speak. “Okay.”
His eyes narrow. “There is some paperwork. Sit a moment while my partner retrieves it. Ursa, a word.”
“You know, they still talk about you in Olympus. Or at least they still whisper your name.” I don’t mean to blurt it out, but I can’t seem to help myself. Hades turns those cold eyes on me, and I just keep talking. “You’re something of a boogieman.”
“I know.” He tilts his head. “Ursa.”
I nearly topple over when her hand disappears. I had barely realized she was still touching me, hadn’t noticed how hard I was leaning on that for strength. I manage to keep my feet as Hades rises and ushers Ursa out the door.
Then there’s nothing to do but wait.
I sink into one of the leather chairs across from the desk and do my best not to fidget. Things are in motion; no going back now. I thought I’d have more relief once Hades agreed to it, but all I feel are nerves leaping in my stomach.
I nearly startle out of my skin when the door opens again and a white man walks into the room, but my fear disappears as recognition takes hold. I shoot to my feet. “Hercules?”
“Zuri.” He crosses toward me slowly, and I can’t help comparing and contrasting this man with the one I knew in passing back in Olympus. He’s been gone for well over a year now, and there were rumors that he’d taken up with someone in Carver City, but I didn’t expect him here.
He looks good. There’s a confidence to his walk and the way he holds his broad shoulders that wasn’t there a year ago. His blond hair is a little shaggier, but it looks intentional and almost roguish. The kindness in his blue eyes is the same, though.
He takes my hands and hesitates. “I have to ask several uncomfortable questions.”
Somehow, I didn’t expect this, either. That Hades would send in the one person in Carver City who’s familiar enough with Olympus that he’s capable of getting to the truth of things.
“I’ll answer them as best I can.” I lift my chin. I can tell the truth without giving him all of it. Hades called him a partner. The might mean professional partner or it might mean romantic partner—or both—but the one thing it definitely means is that I can’t really trust Hercules.
“Let’s sit.” He urges me back into the chair I just left and takes the one next to it. “First and most importantly, are you here of your own free will?”
“Yes, of course.”
He gives me a look like there’s no of course about this situation. “You walked in here with Ursa, so forgive the need for more information.”
“She’s helping me.”
“Ursa doesn’t help anyone but herself.”
I give a bitter laugh. “Says the man Hades calls partner.”
Hercules opens his mouth and then shakes his head. “Okay, fair. But she’s not blackmailing or manipulating or forcing you into this?”
“No. I need the money, and she suggested this as a solution.”
He looks like he really, really wants to ask me what I need the money for. “Does your father know you’re here?”
“You knew my father back in Olympus. What do you think?”
“I think he’s going to try to tear Carver City to pieces once he figures out where you’ve gone.” He grimaces. “I think you’re making a mistake, Zuri. If you need money…”
“No.” I’m already shaking my head. “Thank you, but no. You won’t have enough, and even if you did, I need this free and clear. I can’t take out a loan I have no hope of repaying. I’ll just end up back here again.” Without my virginity as a bargaining chip.
“If you’re in trouble—”
“I’ve got it covered. I promise.” I’m lying through my teeth, but if I raise enough money with this auction, I will have it covered.
Hercules hesitates for so long, I’m sure he plans to send me away. But he finally sighs. “In that case, let’s go through it.” He rounds the desk and rifles through the drawers with the ease of someone who’s done it before. A few moments later, he hands me a stack of papers. “You’ll need to fill this out before we can continue.”
I expect a contract, something to tie me in legal knots to ensure my compliance. I don’t expect the several-page list of preferences. I scan them, my eyebrows inching up. “What is this?”
“This is for your protection and the protection of the person who has the winning bid. Only mark what you’re interested in. There will still be a safe word to stop things if you need to, but this cuts down on the possibility of crossing lines.”
Some of these things, I’ve never even heard of. I can’t take my gaze from the list. “And if I only want sex in the, um, vanilla way?”
Again, that hesitation, like he doesn’t want to answer truthfully. “I’ve only seen one auction in the last year, though it was with several people and set up differently. From that experience, the more interests
marked, the higher the starting asking price. If you’re serious about needing money, I’d consider putting as much on the list as you’re comfortable with.”
As much on the list as I’m comfortable with. The very idea is laughable.
But he’s right. If I’m doing this, I have to make it count.
“Okay.” I accept the pen he offers. “This may take a bit.”
Hercules looks like he wants to bundle me into a hug until I feel less shaky. “Take as long as you need.”
I take a deep breath and settle in to read.
Chapter 3
Ursa
“What game are you playing, Ursa?”
I lean against the bar and smile at Hades. “Darling, you’re going soft. It’s not like you to be so protective of strangers who are more than eager to make you money.”
He ignores the drink that Tisiphone set at his elbow and stares at me. It’s a good look, firm and icy. One I’ve seen bring even the most dominant and dangerous people in Carver City to their knees. I’ve been playing in deep waters for nearly as long as he has. I’m old enough to remember when Hades was betrayed by Zeus and driven out of Olympus, though I was less than a year into my position under Poseidon at the time. I lasted another year before being driven out as well. He should really know better than to try to intimidate me.
“You brought her here. It would lead a man to believe you have a vested interest in the girl. I’m not interested in playing pawn in your games, Ursa. I’m neutral territory for a reason.”
He’s also developed a soft spot since he and Megaera took up with their precious golden boy, Hercules. Zurielle needs help, and he’s in a position to give her that help—and make a profit in the process. It’s only my presence that has alarms blaring for him. Ah well. I can throw him a bone. I pick up my drink and swirl it a little, enjoying the way the ice clinks against the glass. “You know the circumstances surrounding my leaving Olympus.”
The Sea Witch: A Wicked Villains Novel Page 2
