2 The Judas Kiss

by Angella Graff

  “Oh I saw what handling his own means,” Andrew said. “I’m not entirely sure of the full body count, but Ben took no mercy when gunning them down.”

  “Why Andrew, you sound like you actually care about those humans,” Alex said, feigning a very heavy, southern accent.

  Andrew rolled his eyes. “You know I don’t, but I’m not sure a heavy body count will do us any favors this time around. Besides, this time we have to kill that vessel Nike is using. Properly kill it.”

  Alex’s face dropped and she spoke with absolute seriousness. “I know.” Alex didn’t want to think of what they would have to do once they’d retrieved Stella and made it back to Ben. His sister would have to die; there was no question about it. Nike was most powerful in that body, for reasons Alex had yet to figure out, and the only thing he really knew was that Abby was going to have to be destroyed. That left only Ben from that bloodline, and with their protection, they could likely keep him safe from the Greek’s hold.

  “Let’s go,” Andrew said, drawing Alex out of his thoughts. He shrugged on his hoodie as he led the way out of the hotel and into the parking lot. It was getting late, and Alex was apprehensive about leaving Ben alone for too long.

  “Perhaps we should leave Stella to whatever took her,” Alex said as he started up the car. The much smaller hands gave him a bit of trouble as he grasped for the gearshift, but eventually he got it. They pulled out of the parking lot, Andrew directing them through traffic, around side streets and eventually through a neighborhood.

  “I don’t believe you’re serious about leaving Stella behind,” Andrew said as he pointed for Alex to go left. “That’s not like you, brother.”

  “No, it’s not, however I’m not thrilled about Ben being around those idiot Greeks by himself. He’s anxious and trigger happy, and if he sees a shot, I think he’ll try and take it.”

  “He’ll be less focused if we don’t at least try and retrieve her, you know this. Ben is human, and he’s a detective, and he’s not about to leave behind someone he cares about,” Andrew said. “Go left here.”

  Alex knew that was true. Ben could have abandoned Mark and Judas in that instant to rescue Stella, and Alex knew if they returned empty handed, Ben would be more reckless and potentially put them all in danger. “Do you know which one of them is using Stella’s body?” he asked as he turned the corner, following Andrew’s directions.

  “No, but I know who took her,” Andrew said. “It won’t be any trouble getting her back from him, but he’s not going to stop hounding her. She owes him something, that much was obvious.”

  “Is it a Greek?”

  Andrew nodded and gave a dissatisfied hum as they pulled around another corner. They were inland now, fairly far, which made Alex nervous. There was no swift, easy route back to Ben, the freeway far out of the way, and he didn’t like how long this was taking.

  “Hades was his last known name, and you know how they prefer to stick to the personas the humans gave them,” Andrew said. “I’ll never understand it.”

  “Could that possibly make her-” Alex wondered aloud, having known the one called Hades for as long as the god had been present in this universe. Hades was a charismatic god, one who didn’t like to choose sides until a clear winner was present. He wasn’t often attached, but there was one god that had always captured his attention, and it was likely Stella was her.

  “I think so,” Andrew answered. “She’s here.” He was pointing at a two story house, a rich brown nearly blending in with the dark night, the front nearly covered in trees. It was clear that no one lived here, no one corporeal at any rate. He could feel the vibration of the Greeks inside and knew it was just the two of them.

  There was also something else here, something hovering just in the front. It took Alex several moments to realize it was a dying portal, just enough energy to communicate with the other side, but not enough energy for much else. It couldn’t even be used as an exit, but it was no surprise that Hades would be hiding out in this place.

  “This shouldn’t take any time at all,” Andrew said.

  “Famous last words,” Alex warned as they approached the front. He was tired, he was anxious and he wanted the night to be over. They had a good chance at getting Mark and Judas out of that building if they could just get there in time. Nike wanted something from Mark, and once she had it, they wouldn’t be sitting still. They would be moving on their plan, and Alex knew the only way to stop her was to prevent it. This was a distraction they didn’t need.

  “Upstairs,” Andrew hissed as he tried the door. It was locked, but he gave it a little push and the door popped open with a loud creak. Alex winced at the noise, any chance of a stealthy entrance out the window, but at that point it didn’t matter. Hades couldn’t flee in his true form with Stella in her human body, so it was face them or run.

  Knowing Hades, Alex figured he would try and talk them into a corner. All the mythos of the Charming Devil were based on Hades, there was no denying that. He was the ultimate salesman, and truthfully of all the Greeks, Alex had always liked him just a little. You had to admire that sort of gumption.

  The stairs were noisy, rotted wood nearly giving way under their feet, and the house stank of mold and dust. It hadn’t been lived in for centuries, it looked like. There was furniture slowly rotting away in corners, places where mice had chewed holes in the walls and bookshelves. The dust pushed into the air by their gentle movements alone was enough to nearly suffocate them, and he wondered exactly how long the house had been sitting there, stale and stagnant before Hades chose it as his rendezvous point with this ancient lover.

  They reached the first floor landing and Alex was surprised to find only one lone door up there, at the very end of the hall. Whether or not there had been other rooms sealed up and walled off was not a mystery he had time to uncover. He could feel Hades and Stella just beyond and he hurried across the landing, pushing the door open to get inside.

  They were there, in a more modern room with electric lamps burning on the black, granite topped desk in the corner. The bed was modern as well, four-poster with an intricate design carved into the cherry wood. Stella sat on top of the heavy, down comforter, looking sullen with her hands tied behind her back.

  Hades was there, in a borrowed human body. He’d chosen someone good looking, dashing in that sort of ruggedly handsome way, dark hair, dark eyes, long, pointed nose and a curved smile. He wore modern, expensive clothing, designer shirt in a rich burgundy, buttoned tightly against the human’s slender chest, and coal-black trousers, the cuffs barely touching the tops of his bare feet. He was sitting in a rather large, leather chair, legs stretched out in front of him, feet crossed at the ankles, head cocked to the side as he regarded the intruding pair.

  Very much like a Devil, Alex mused as he crossed his arms, his face a mask of boredom. “Did you think you were going to get far with her?” Alex was still startled by the light, feminine voice when he spoke aloud, though he’d been in the body for almost twenty-four hours.

  “Ah no, no I didn’t,” Hades said, spreading his hands in surrender, grinning in a rather feline manner. Alex noticed the sharp canine teeth in the corners of his smile, rather fitting for his persona. “I wasn’t trying to run, my darling, I just needed some time to talk to my wayward lover.”

  Alex glanced over at Stella who was glowering in Hades’ direction, though her view was partially obscured by the extremely large bed post. “And did you say everything you wanted to say?” Alex asked. “We do have to take her and run, as much as I hate to cut this chat short.”

  “I think so. She knows I’ll be back for her.” He gave her a wink and clicked the side of his tongue.

  Alex rolled his eyes and shook his head. “You exhaust me, you Greeks. Always so foolish, so distracted by the pleasures of the flesh.”

  “Lord, what fools these mortals be,” Hades said, quoting Shakespeare with a chuckle, pressing his hand over his heart. “I can’t help myself. Of course, you wou
ld know all about distraction by the pleasures of the flesh, Thor, wouldn’t you? So addicted to your mortals, so much like… us.”

  Alex ignored that comment and nodded at Andrew who moved to untie Stella from her bonds. Alex fixed his eyes on Hades, and with just a small push of power, held him firm to the chair. “I just want to know, are you with them, or against them?”

  Hades gave a small grunt and glared at Alex, struggling slightly against the power holding him firm. “I haven’t made my choice. I prefer to see who comes out on top.”

  “How like the Devil you still are,” Andrew spat. He crossed the room, holding Hades still while helping Stella off the bed and to her feet.

  “In more ways than one,” Stella hissed, her jaw tight with rage. She fixed her eyes on Hades, her hands clenched in fists at her sides. “We had a deal, and you know it.”

  “I’m merely ensuring that you don’t run off on me, dearest,” he said. He rose when Alex released his grip and approached Stella, holding out his hands to show he was unarmed. “I’m not going to do anything, you three know as well as I do that I won’t hold up in a penis-measuring contest with you Norse gods… even if you don’t have one to speak of at the moment. How is that, by the way? The whole woman thing? I’ve never tried out a woman myself. They always seemed a bit too fragile and unstable for me.”

  “It’s awkward,” Alex said short and honestly. “Say your goodbyes, we have places to be.”

  “Right yes, the big rescue,” Hades said. He bent down and managed to drop a kiss on Stella’s cheek before she shoved him away. “Good luck with that. I’m sure it will go off smoothly.”

  “Will you be sending word to warn them ahead of time?” Alex asked openly, hoping that he would, as he usually did, tell them the truth.

  “Ah no, I think not. Nike isn’t my favorite person at the moment, you see. She and I are sort of… at odds, so to speak. At the present time, anyway. I don’t mind seeing her humbled a bit. She’s gotten a bit big for her britches and it’s not winning her any favors with the rest of us.”

  “You’re so-” Stella started, but Alex stepped in, knowing they didn’t have time for a lover’s quarrel.

  “If you tell her that we’re on our way, I’ll come back and throw you through an exit portal,” Alex said, the voice going heavy with power and warning. “I respect your decision to refrain from choosing sides. I’ll respect your decision if you choose to align with her, even if I can guarantee you that she won’t win. I’m trying to save this planet. I love this world and I don’t intend on letting her get in the way. So if you know what’s best for you, and believe me I know how much you love yourself, you’ll stay out of our way.”

  Hades face split into a grin and he took a step back. He stayed still for a moment, and then slowly drew his hand up to his forehead in a salute. “Aye aye, captain. You have my word. Go forth, Thor, and claim your victory in battle.”

  Alex sighed and took Stella’s arm. “Let’s go.”

  “Call me,” Hades called out after Stella, and peals of laughter followed them as they descended the stairs and left the house.

  Stella was stoic, absolutely silent as they got to the car and got in. Andrew gave her the front seat without protest, and Alex pulled back out of the neighborhood, trying desperately to find the quickest route to Ben.

  “Where is he? Where’s Ben?” Stella finally asked as Alex managed to find a route to the freeway.

  “He’s at the building where Mark and Judas are being kept.”

  Stella’s eyes widened with alarm. “What? You left him there? You know him! You know he’ll just go in and get himself killed!”

  “Will he?” Alex asked. “He’s been in some very precarious situations so far and managed to walk away with barely a scratch.” Alex knew there was something more to it, something involving Stella, but from the look on her face, he knew she would not budge.

  “You shouldn’t have come for me,” she said. “That moron wasn’t going to hurt me, and he wouldn’t have been able to hold me for long.”

  “I know,” Alex said. He fell quiet until the merged onto the freeway, hurtling towards downtown. “But you know as well as I do, if Ben thought you were in danger, he would be far more rash and careless than he would be knowing you’re safe.”

  “And you honestly think he’s just going to sit on his ass outside that building and wait for you to come back?” Stella challenged.

  “No, which is why this whole kidnapping issue was so inconvenient,” Alex snapped at her. “I was left with no choice. I realize how important Ben is, even if I don’t quite understand why just yet. I also understand that we need all the help we can get, and I’m pretty sure that despite who you are, you’re on our side.”

  “You know,” she said with a resigned sigh.

  “Hades made it pretty obvious, Persephone,” Alex said, shaking his head. “And how long until Ben figures it out?”

  “I don’t know,” she said miserably. “I planned to tell him when I thought Nike had been defeated. Then his sister was killed and I just couldn’t bring myself to say anything.”

  “And now?” Alex pressed. “Provided that he’s not dead before you get the chance.”

  Stella pinked and looked out the window. “When the time is right.”

  “It’s always amazed me how human you Greeks are. Never growing, never changing, doomed to repeat these mistakes over and over. You never learn. Well little girl, you’d better pray to the human god that someone out there is watching out for your beloved. We’ve been gone a long time, and if he’s gone in on his own, I’m not sure there’s going to be anything left to rescue.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  There was a subtle shift in the air, something was off and Mark paused in his scribbling. His jaw was aching, but he could feel his body mending, stretching and repairing the bone where Nike had crushed it.

  He looked over at the god staring at the door, her arms tense at her side. He knew she wouldn’t leave the room again, not for anything, and he could tell there were plenty of others upstairs ready to take on battle if need be.

  Still, something was stirring in the air, and it gave Mark a renewed sense of hope. It was possible all wasn’t lost, that he hadn’t been forgotten or ignored. It was possible that Stella, whoever she really was, had gotten to Ben and someone was on the way.

  Mark looked over at Jude who was still trembling on the floor. Nike hadn’t bothered to move him this time, and Mark felt a sense of urgency to get whatever was starting, going at full force. He was tired of sitting and feeling helpless. He needed proper back up, he was useless on his own, but he knew with just the right amount of help, they would be able to overthrow her.

  He was finished being kidnapped, watching his friends tortured, possessed, or killed. His powers had been nothing but a curse, he was no closer to finding out why he was the way he was, and he couldn’t hide anymore. They were always going to find him now, in this modern world. There were no more caves to run into, no more forests to disappear in. No more monasteries that would cloak him from those who sought out his abilities. Mark was exposed now, and there was no turning back.

  “Get back to work!” Nike screeched, startling Mark out of his thoughts. For good measure, she kicked Yehuda in the face. Her stiletto made firm contact, and Mark heard a bone crack. Yehuda didn’t move or react, but Mark was absolutely sure that Yehuda could feel that pain.

  Wincing, he picked up his pen and turned back to the paper. “You haven’t won yet,” he muttered through his clenched, aching jaw.

  Nike crossed the room and put her hands on the side of his face, ripping his gaze away from the desk and squeezed his broken jaw until he cried out. “I know,” she breathed at him. “But if I go down, believe me Bible boy, I’m taking you with me.”

  She shoved him away hard, and took a step back. Mark took up the pen again, trying to ignore his agony and let out a breath.

  “Get to work,” she hissed again, and slid down to the floor once
more, eyes back on the door. She was worried, and that was a good thing, because Mark was certain that it was about to come to an end.

  ~*~

  Mark’s Story

  Yeshua healed, but at an agonizing pace. The others, having watched him perform miracle after miracle, expected him to make such a recovery, and when it took him weeks just to stand on his own, they began to doubt whether or not he was ever going to fully recover.

  Yehuda and I stayed on watch; quiet and careful, we kept to the outskirts of the group, listening to Yeshua speak to his men in low, hoarse tones. Miriam stayed by his side, strong willed against the hard stares and constant questioning. I admired her almost instantly, and I could see her succeeding her husband in leading men, if only they would let go of their fear of women in control.

  All the while Yeshua was recovering, we would receive visitors from the surrounding villages, begging his assistance. People were ill, dying, afflicted, and they wanted his healing. They appealed with gifts, money, food and clothing, but Yeshua was far too incapacitated to be able to move and assist those in need.

  I watched him grow more and more frustrated, his desire to help almost tearing at his flesh as he was forced to sit by the fire, drink broth and let his wife take care of his every need. He clearly hated it, but there was nothing any of us could really do for him.

  Nearly a month had passed when Yeshua woke from the dream. Though no one else around us stirred, his gasping woke me, and I sat up, checking around to see if something was wrong. He was sitting up, holding his knees up to his chest, his eyes wide but weary.

  I crept around sleeping bodies to his side and stoked the fire until it flared up bright and warm, chasing away some of the damp chill from the cave’s dark corners. “Are you okay?” I asked, once his breathing had evened out.