by LJ Vickery
“I thought of that, but he’s so shy.” Charlie’s brows drew together. “I mentioned an oil massage, and his face lost all its color,” she admitted.
“The blood probably dropped directly to his cock,” Candy snorted. “That’s not so bad.”
Charlie giggled. “I’m not sure that’s what happened, but I’ll take it into consideration. What I will tell you is that I’m not in the least bit modest,” she admitted. “When Ken and I were young, before the death of my parents, they took us to a nudist summer camp every year.” Those campers had become a big, happy extended family, and that love, affection, and uninhibited lifestyle had made a lasting impression on Charlie. She was still in touch with people in the group, even this many years later. “But I worry that he might think I’m being too forward if I oil him up and let it all hang out. So what do you think? Oil and bubbles?”
“I think that’s a good call,” Glory agreed with Charlie’s plan. “I have some lovely unscented bubble bath, which won’t clash with your candles, and some yummy oils as well.” She held up one palm, remaining quiet for about thirty seconds. “I just checked with Enten. He’ll keep Absu from getting dinner on the table for at least an hour. That should give us all the time we need. Let’s go fix things up right now.”
Strange. Some of the women must be wired up with invisible earpieces. But how had Glory let Enten know of her wishes? A secret keyboard? SOS dental fillings? She let it go to ponder later.
“You guys are the best.” It had been a while since Charlie had enjoyed the company of females. In her work at the diner, and in the extracurricular play she’d undertaken with her ex-husband, the males were always in charge and the females rarely had a chance to interact. This was a bit of unexpected fun, and Charlie found she liked it. She already regretted that she had to return to California so soon.
****
Down in the kitchen, Absu didn’t know why, but Enten fumbled about, making a mess of the evening meal Absu was preparing. He didn’t understand. The winter god suddenly wanted to try his hand in the kitchen, and it was damned annoying.
“Here, let me help you take those out of the oven.” Enten elbowed Absu out of the way to grab the baked potatoes off the rack. “Huh?” He touched each potato quickly, and shrugged in Absu’s direction as if puzzled. “These are still cold, Absu. Did you forget to turn the oven on?”
Absu bent to feel the chilled spuds. Had he forgotten? “I am at a loss to explain this.” Absu stood up and looked at the oven’s readout. “I was certain that I set this to three hundred and fifty degrees.” He sighed. Had the winter god tampered with things? No. That was crazy. Absu was probably more distracted than he would admit to himself. “Damn. Now our repast will be an hour tardy.”
He eyed his friend. Something was up. Enten looked guilty.
“Can we concoct an ice cream cake while we wait?” the winter god questioned with a deliberately nonchalant demeanor. “The s’mores one always goes over big, and I can chill the layers to get it done quickly.”
Oh yes. Enten had messed with dinner. But why? In the meantime, since all the corporeal gods had discovered the joys of marshmallows and chocolate―and not just in the kitchen―Absu agreed the iced confection would be a good ending to the pot roast dinner he had bubbling away in the industrial-size slow cooker. And the extra preparation might help take his mind off what could happen later this evening in his room. He had to admit he was nervous. How much of his true nature should he let loose? Absu placed the potatoes back in the oven, procured the necessary ingredients for the cake, and immersed himself in busy-work.
An hour later, the gods, goddesses, witches, and humans all gathered around the table for a final meal together before everyone embraced their assignments the following morning. The mood was jovial, and Absu couldn’t help but get caught up in the happiness. The gods were getting a kick out of little Maitlynn practicing her new skill of talking to each one of them in their heads, individually. And clearly Charlie couldn’t understand why her daughter was staring, first at one person then another, before fixing her gaze on an empty chair for a period of time.
But just because Charlie didn’t get it, didn’t mean the proud mom wasn’t amused that everyone played along with her daughter. If the group experienced joy, watching Maity’s strange antics, Absu knew Charlie would never put an end to it even if it defied reason.
Instead, Absu could see that she kept her concentration on the females and the talk that centered on Ereshkigal who had shown up just before dinner and given the news that she was pregnant. Everyone shared in the joy of the moment, including the clueless Charlie. His Chosen had snorted when Eresh’s husband, Nergal had called on Marduk’s cell phone―clearly knowing he couldn’t just pop in with Charlie there―demanding his wife’s immediate return.
“Yeah, right…Nergal.” She’d rolled her eyes when that moniker dropped. “So that’s an interesting super-top-secret code name,” she’d interjected, but was clearly more puzzled that the man refused to let his pregnant―by all of five weeks―wife out of his sight. “It’s not strange that your friend lets her husband call the shots?” Charlie brought up at the table.
Damn. Absu worried the inside of his cheek. She must wonder if she’d stumbled into an enormous enclave of controlling assholes.
Her eyes remained wide. “Wouldn’t she just go where she pleased?”
The women chortled in response, and Candy explained, “You think these guys and the DEA group your brother works for are large and overbearing?” She rolled her eyes. “You should see Nergal.”
A couple of the women fanned themselves, while the men growled low in disapproval as Candy continued, “He’s seven feet of bronzed, hunky flesh, ripped and tattooed like you’ve never seen. And his hair. It’s that dark liver chestnut color you only see on horses, and he wears it in a ponytail, entwined with beaded leather. Gods, he’s so hot.”
Absu bit back a snarl, but Enlil couldn’t hold his temper. “The only man you’ll be thinking about tonight is the one you’re leaving behind tomorrow morning, and don’t you forget it.” His voice sounded harsh.
“I’m hoping you won’t let me forget it, baby,” Candy crooned. She looked around. “I have a feeling a lot of walls will be shaking tonight.” She winked at Charlie. Absu caught the action and wondered just how much they’d been telling Charlie.
“You kids make me tired just listening.” Lenore’s grandmother, Addie May, yawned after finishing her last bite of ice cream cake. “Charlie, you stay and enjoy yourself. Maity and I will go back to the cottage and play a few games. Take your time. I’ll get her into bed for you.” It was the older woman’s turn to wink, and now Absu knew something was up. Had they all heard about his and Charlie’s tub plans for this evening? Geeze. Was nothing sacred?
“Hey, Charlie,” Holly implored impishly, breaking through his thoughts. “Why don’t you come hang with us while the men clear the table and do the dishes?”
Huh. Now not one of the men made a peep about the domestic labor. That wasn’t normal. There was always a lot of good-natured wrangling over cleanup duty, but right now, the gods were acting as docile as baby chicks. Proof that something was in the works.
Absu watched Charlie go with doubt in his eyes. Perhaps she had changed her mind and was spending the evening with the goddesses, and he’d be delayed by his friends until she was asleep. Maybe he’d read too much into her words, and she’d simply been teasing him about the tub. His spirits fell as he stood and stacked plates. He shouldn’t have touched her earlier today. Maybe kissing her had been a mistake. It was his duty to secure her as his Chosen as rapidly as possible, but he would have to take things slowly…for her sake, and hide his true nature. He joined the other gods, clearing the table as directed.
****
While Absu was up to his elbows in dish detergent, Charlie was being primped and quaffed by a group of ladies who should have been running a spa. Her nails were polished―fingers and toes―her already waxed bikin
i area was touched up, and her eyes were done in a smoky style she’d never tried before, but it suited her mood. They’d piled her straight blonde tresses on top of her head, leaving strands to escape in a messy, provocative way. The group was currently debating the pros and cons of whether Charlie should don only a robe or a corset and panties with a sheer robe cover.
When Candy suggested that it would be awkward to spend time losing the underwear, and sexy as hell dropping the robe, everyone did a mental picture and readily agreed. Now the debate was on about the robe. Dani had one that was red, which would look great with Charlie’s coloring, but she was taller than the younger woman by a foot and the robe would drag.
Lenore had one that was gray silk, but it didn’t even hint at what was underneath. They finally settled on a sea green, semitransparent shorty belonging to Tess that matched Absu’s eyes. It had secretly been Charlie’s favorite from the start, but she’d held her tongue, relinquishing control for the greater good. Not that she minded. Her face hurt, she’d been smiling and laughing so much at the women’s antics.
“This is what it must be like to have sisters.” Charlie beamed. “You’ve taken care of everything. The bathroom looks wonderful, I’m coiffed and primped.” She gave hugs all around before heading off in the direction of Absu’s room to wait. “I don’t see what could possibly go wrong.”
Chapter Six
Dishes done, Absu decided he needed some fresh air. As the other gods misted away toward mates or to solitary rooms, he stayed behind. Grabbing a coat, he slipped out the door. The night was crisp and cool. The high moon reflected on pristine snow and barely a breath of wind disturbed the branches overhead. It was a perfect night for a solitary walk…and some much-needed introspection.
There was a fifty-fifty chance that Charlie awaited him in his room, and his feelings were mixed. Being visible was only half of the equation toward knowing if she was his true Chosen. The wild card was whether or not his amulet would light up for her. It was his duty to figure that out as soon as possible. It wasn’t doing the gods’ agenda any good for him to drag his feet. The sooner he was able to mate Charlie, the better. The rest―molding her into the partner he wanted―could wait. The priority after his own mating would be to help his brothers find their Chosen. It was selfish of him to think any differently.
But how did one go about making someone fall in love with you? Other than the bond he had with his immortal roommates, which was not always smooth, Absu had never enjoyed a loving closeness with anyone.
He’d only had his mother for the first seven years of his life. Absu’s father had, one day, stumbled upon his true Chosen, who was not Absu’s mother. Something Absu now understood. The elder god had undergone the amulet ceremony with Absu’s stepmother within mere days, and offered his consort of almost a decade a home for eternity. But all contact between birth mother and son would be forbidden.
In the years ensuing―years of his childhood that should have been joyful and carefree―his stepmother had been quick to conceive, but had still resented Absu and taken out her frustration on him, the illegitimate son. Things should have gotten easier when she finally had twin boys, but in actuality, matters became even worse. Absu’s mind refused to go there. He always shut down when memories of his past attempted to intrude.
Absu looked up. He’d wandered far from the compound. He was invisible, well outside the protective shields of the house. Just as he turned to make his way home, the hairs on the back of his neck prickled in warning. He wasn’t alone. The god readied to call for backup when words in his head stopped him cold.
Tess has gone into labor. It was Marduk’s voice. I need help.
The boss then roared for a good minute, which had Absu wondering what Marduk was doing, and what he could possibly need that wouldn’t be taken care of by Dr. Dani-Lee. He didn’t have to wait long for an answer.
Gods. To me. Apparently, I’m undergoing the birth pains along with my wife. I need to be restrained. Hurry.
This was no joke. He’d heard tell of immortal fathers during their wives’ labor, destroying entire households or going on killing sprees. The pain they shared with their Chosen was supposedly that bad. The gods had all discussed it as a possibility and determined that it must be rumor―never thinking to ask a male who might have gone through it―so precautions had not been taken. Their suppositions had just proven incorrect. Marduk was clearly in the throes of insanity and would need everyone’s help. Thunder crackled across the sky, sharp and dangerous.
Now wasn’t the time to alarm the household of a threat outside their perimeter. Absu would have to take care of whatever or whoever was here by himself. He mentally kicked himself for his stupidity. How fucking lame was he to forget about the danger they’d just had drilled into their heads? He slowed his breathing, and reached out to see what the threat might be.
****
Charlie paced around Absu’s bedroom. It had been more than an hour since they had finished the evening meal. The women had left ages ago, and the candles were burning down. What was keeping Absu? She checked the clock again. She’d give him fifteen more minutes before she slipped back into her jeans and went looking. Charlie chewed a nail. Maybe Absu didn’t like her as much as she hoped and was having second thoughts? She was doubting herself. He had approached things pretty cautiously, almost as if he were fighting some kind of internal battle. The ladies had told her he’d been ordered to accompany her back to California. She was told that their covert group wanted someone on the West Coast. Maybe he was pissed off that he was the one making the trip. But surely Absu could be let off the hook and Ishkur could return with her?
She looked at the clock again. Ten more minutes.
****
On the other side of the house, Tess screamed with another contraction.
“Things are progressing rapidly.” Doctor Dani-Lee remained calm, and had done so even while Tess’s bellowing husband had been dragged from the room.
Contraction over, Tess laughed weakly, looking over at a smashed credenza. “As a mortal, I always considered it unfair that women had to undergo childbirth by themselves. Now, I’m pretty sure humans have it right.”
Holly brushed a damp tendril of hair out of her sister’s face, and urged Tess to take a sip of water. “And that was probably nothing. At least your man only spouts thunder and gets big.”
Tess eyed her sister and snorted.
“Okay, enormous,” Holly allowed. “But when the time comes for me and Lenore, we have primitive serpents to deal with.” She met Lenore’s eyes over Tess’s head. “I suppose you could sing my Dagon down, but who’s going to keep Anshar calm while you give birth?”
Lenore quirked up her lip. “You don’t see me out there soothing Marduk, do you?” she asked. “They’re on their own, baby. I’m using my voice in the birthing room to help ease the moms. The guys can handle themselves.”
Dani-Lee had been busy under Tess’s nightshirt during this discussion, but quickly interrupted. “Well loosen up those pipes again, because it’s time for Tess to start pushing.”
****
“Hello, gentlemen. Out for an evening stroll? It is a perfectly lovely night.” Absu backed up slightly, shocked to be facing two Underworld demons of the worst sort. At first glance, they looked like the famous children’s cartoon ghost. But when they opened their mouths? That’s where the resemblance ended. This particular lot sported rows of deadly saw-like teeth, and their breath held a potent sleep agent that rendered victims unconscious. And the bad part was, they were able to see―and battle―Absu, even in his invisible state.
What did work in his favor was that they were outside in the open air. If he could keep from being hit directly with a blast of their halitosis necrosis, the majority of their poison would dissipate into the night. Absu was worried he had no weapons, but he was one of the best with hand to hand, and immediately circled for battle.
“Prepare to die, god.” One of them breathed out, aiming as close to Absu
as possible, before a quick retreat. Absu shook his head and held his breath.
“The only ones in danger here tonight are you two unlucky fellows,” he said agreeably, trying to remember how Dagon said Nergal had killed the last of these kind to have attacked. Demons, like gods, had an embedded life essence that, if severed or removed, resulted in death. He seemed to recall that this particular species had theirs in the roof of their mouths in back of those razor-sharp teeth. Didn’t that suck? Absu put his back up against a large tree trunk as the demons separated and attempted to surround him. “Which one of you would like a lesson in fisticuffs first?”
Absu was all bluff. If things started to go south, he’d have to call reinforcements. Maybe Marduk’s man-tractions would work in the god’s favor. Thunder boy could take out his pain with some demon dealing. Absu readied his stance.
****
Charlie was through waiting. “Everything’s ready. Perfect set-up. Built-in babysitters,” she mumbled angrily as she drew on her jeans. “Damn men can never be counted on to do what they’re supposed to.” Although she remembered that her would-be Romeo had been a little reluctant, she was still ticked off. Most men with an offer of naked fun in the tub would be knocking down the door. “…not good enough for him,” she continued. And there it was, right on time, her own self-doubts making themselves known. “Great,” she groused again. “Just when I left the ex and should be gaining some confidence.” She headed out the door to approach the landing and stilled. What was all that noise?
There was a female voice and a male voice, both raised in what sounded like expletives. Charlie didn’t hesitate, but started running toward the commotion, only to be brought up short by a sight she wasn’t sure she was seeing correctly. As she rounded the bend in the hallway, Marduk, the cool, collected commander of this group―one whom everyone clearly revered―was on the bottom of a pig-pile of guys, roaring his head off. It sounded like he was in desperate pain, but none of his captors were throwing punches or using weapons. He was just being held down. And he looked frigging enormous. Was it his prone position, or had Charlie vastly underestimated his mass before? The guy looked to be twice the size of the other bodies, who were each well over six feet tall.
