Shar ? It took a moment to sink in … Shar helped me …
“Anyway, one by one, people dropped out of the office. Demi started just before you did, and Reynaldo and Callie were there when I started, but there used to be more people than that. As they left, I took over the stuff they were doing. Callie hardly ever leaves her office,” he continued, “and Demi and Reynaldo only see him occasionally. I’m the one who really interacts with him on a daily basis, apart from his appointments, but it’s crazy! He wants the specialists’ visits on a rotating schedule. They’re the select best in the world. He hardly sees anyone twice in the span of six months.”
I shivered, recalling my time in the chair at the salon. The end product was nice, but it wasn’t something I wanted to do too often. I couldn’t imagine that many people working on me or touching me on a regular basis. More disturbing was the thought that Demeter had joined the House of Romanov right before us, just when we were forced into our unholy deal. Mere coincidence?
“After my first year I dropped out. It was just too much—between work and studying I had no time for myself. I knew working and going to school were going to be tough, but it really started to weigh me down. And when I told Mr. Romanov that I was going to have to cut back my hours because of school, he gave me more money—more than I thought I could ever make, even when I graduated. I thought I’d have part of my life back.” Jeremy laughed grimly. “God, that Elysian Fields concert you guys missed was the first thing I’d been to in months!”
The sun rose higher over the water and a misty light filtered through the bars and light bulbs of the Wonder Wheel. We’d walked to the base of it. It soared into the sky, dwarfing the little ticket booth that stood only a few paces away. I felt a pulse somewhere deep inside of me. I looked at Jeremy, whose gaze was directed at a densely packed area of buildings that lay beyond the beach.
“You know, I can see this from my apartment,” he said, changing the subject. “At nighttime. In the summer when it’s open.” Reaching up a long arm, he ran his hand over the brightly painted iron girders and rivets.
“The Wonder Wheel,” I whispered, half remembering that I’d just seen or heard about this. Had it been in the news recently? I thought I’d read somewhere that a big entity had bought Coney Island and was planning to tear some of it down. Whatever happened, the Wonder Wheel would stay; it was a National Landmark.
He chucked his finger under my chin and made me look up at him. I couldn’t turn away, and didn’t want to. The pulse I’d sensed before grew stronger; was it my heart racing? I’d waited for this moment. He bent down, his breath in my ear, his cheek brushing mine, moving across my face. I felt very warm despite the sharp wind that blew in from the ocean, slipping through the hodgepodge of stalls and buildings and motionless rides. His finger was still under my chin, but his other hand moved quickly to the back of my head, drawing me closer. My head swam. Somewhere far away, a dog barked.
Suddenly I heard a muffled buzzing. It made me start, but I pulled back to look into Jeremy’s eyes, not caring what it was.
“I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while,” he whispered.
Really? I wanted to hold on to this instant for just one more second. The moment before—the exquisite anticipation. I felt the vibration again, and, coming out of my daydream, I realized something was vibrating in my bag. The iPhone. It was my turn to carry it. Ignoring it, I twined my arms around Jeremy’s neck and started to pull him into a kiss.
But something wasn’t right. There was no response. I unhooked my arms from his neck and backed up. He was frozen, staring down at the spot where I’d stood, his body bent slightly in.
“Did I interrupt?”
I whirled around. Standing in the back door to the Wonder Wheel ticket booth was Hades, tall, sinewy, well dressed in total white, and as chillingly perfect as ever. The area behind him was pitch black and a wind blew out of it, making his auburn locks flutter like tiny silken flags. The barking was louder now.
I dug in my purse, pulled out the iPhone, and held it aloft. “Nothing in the rules says you have control over my life yet, Hades. Why are you here, to annoy me?”
“Do you think I like coming here?” he asked, looking around in disgust. “Next time, answer when I call you.”
“What do you want?”
“I’m making sure that you’re focused. Since you lost your kitty charm, I figured I might help you out with a little motivation.”
“Have you forgotten? I tried to get Arkady tonight. I need a break!” I snapped.
“Ah yes, you’re with the Rave Romeo. I must say though, Margaret, that I’m glad this development has shown Sharisse the error of her ways. I was hoping that it wouldn’t take her long to get over her little infatuation.”
“Wha—?”
“Oh please, you were both drooling over this specimen. He’s okay for a human, but he’s human nonetheless. Since he’s snubbed her, she’ll be more receptive to an admirer. I picture Sharisse with a more divine companion.”
Jeremy had snubbed her? Was that why she’d been so silent at the Met? A chill raced down my spine, but I squared my shoulders. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh yes, Margaret.” He leaned a forearm against the door jamb and peered down at me. His face was set with intensity. “I want her, and I will have her. Her resistance is surprising. That doesn’t happen to me too often. Which adds to her allure.”
“Welcome to Unpredictable Human Behavior 101. As … tempting as you might look”—I weighed my words carefully—“Shar has some sense. Why her? She’s human and it would only be a matter of time before you got tired of her and moved on to someone else. We both know how you immortals operate. Your Greek history is pretty grim, from our viewpoint. It’s littered with the unhappy fates of too many mortals to count.”
“That is inconsequential,” Hades replied. “I get what I want, and I want Sharisse. And you’re right. She’s no fool. And if we should part ways at some point, she’ll be well compensated.”
“Just discarded like trash, without a second thought.”
“Grow up, Margaret! It’s the way of your pathetic world. And who’s to say you wouldn’t be able to elicit something good out of this arrangement too? Let’s talk about your assignment. The clock is ticking. Tick, tock.” Hades waved a hand, and an hourglass appeared. “What have you done so far? You’ve managed to bungle the perfect chance to finish your mission. Arkady still hasn’t been sent to my realm, and both of you have taken on an alarming degree of the Siren form. You, maybe a little more.” He chuckled. “You’re not holding your tongue very well.”
“How astute of you to remind me.”
“At the rate you’re going, you’ll find yourself in a bird cage before ever getting Arkady to a portal.”
“Oh yes, it really would have helped if you’d told us earlier he’s practically blind and deaf. What good are our Siren gifts on him? And would it have hurt for you to let us know that he lives a cloistered existence, apart from the army of wellness gurus that march in and out of his vault every day? You couldn’t make a portal in a more convenient place—like his office? We don’t even know what a portal looks like!”
“Pathetic. You don’t even realize you’re standing next to one. Here.” He stepped away from the ticket booth door. “Take a look.”
Under the Wonder Wheel. It was on the iPhone list, and I’d heard a dog barking. Cerberus?
The ground beneath my feet thrummed. Darkness blurred the edges of the doorway as I turned toward it, and a chill air, different from the sea breezes dancing off the waves, came out, sharp and biting. I thought I heard whispers. My heart thudded painfully and I held my breath—this yawning blackness was the last road. Arkady and anyone else unfortunate enough to travel this path would never come back. I felt a growing horror … but before I knew what I was doing, I found myself standing at t
he edge, leaning inward. I heard a low growl and jumped back.
“Don’t be afraid of my pets, Margaret. I know you’ll get used to each other—eventually.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, rage replacing terror. Then the portal dissolved, leaving only the rundown booth behind him.
“What would you say if I told you that fulfilling your assignment could be so much easier?”
“I’d say beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”
“So cliché, Margaret!” Hades’ voice, though low, echoed in the mist that seeped out of the ticket booth. “How about a little quid pro quo?”
I eyed him warily. “I don’t have anything you’d want.”
He chuckled softly. “Of course you do. Everyone has something to offer.” His glance was watchful, making me even more uneasy. “You have Sharisse’s ear. I want you to put in a kind word for me. After all, I’m not such a bad sort.”
“Talk to her yourself.” I inched a fraction away. Power emanated from him and I didn’t like it.
“I’m not asking for anything dramatic, like telling her to jump into a portal or wrap herself up in a big pink bow for my birthday.”
I snorted. “Hmmm. Wouldn’t you like that!”
He waved a dismissive hand. “All you have to do is get her to admit that she’d like to be with me. Just a few words … ”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Hades sighed and shook his head. “She seems to be unaware of my charms.”
I burst out laughing. “She’s aware, she’s just not buying into it.”
“Well that’s interesting!” He smiled slowly. “Still, if you go home and put in a good word for me, I would do something for you. It’ll be a win-win situation.”
I was leery of what that something could be.
“If you speak to Sharisse for me,” he continued, “I’ll remove some of the obstacles you’ve been facing.”
“Like what?” I couldn’t believe I was entertaining this proposal.
“Let’s see.” He rubbed his chin. “Arkady will experience some improvement in his vision and hearing, allowing your gifts to work better. I might also be persuaded to have a word with Demeter on your behalf. You could be done in hours.”
“I thought you two didn’t get along,” I said, pointing a finger at him.
“We don’t,” he said curtly. “Speaking to her will be unpleasant for me, of course, but I’m willing to do something distasteful to achieve my ends. What are you willing to do?” He ran his tongue across his Hollywood-perfect teeth. “You couldn’t imagine how I’d reward you.”
I mulled over the proposal in spite of myself. I could say something to Shar—and tack on a big fat warning. Once she knew what Hades was up to, she’d understand why I’d made the deal.
“Oh, and Margaret,” Hades countered, giving me a knowing, shrewd smile. “No tricks. It would have to be a real endorsement—no disclaimers. And no telling Sharisse about our little chat.”
So much for that.
But he would make it so that we could get this done fast.
I’d have my life back again …
Shar would do the same thing if she were in my place.
Wouldn’t she?
I wavered, about to tell him yes, I would do it, but then my head started to clear. His words were deceptive, twisted. Shar trusted me. If she breathed that she would go with Hades for even a millisecond, it would be the beginning of a steep, slippery slope. Her guard would be down. I knew what that meant for her.
Clenching my fists, I drew myself up and looked him in the eye. “Not a chance.”
He towered over me, his eyes burning like coals. A wind whipped up from the depths of the portal, carrying a pungent whiff of wet dog.
“You dare to say no to me?”
“I won’t do that to Shar!” I shouted over the din. Sand blasted me in the face as I stumbled back. I threw up my hands to cover myself. Suddenly it all stopped and was quiet again.
Hades stood over me, a disturbing grin on his face. “You had your chance Margaret. I don’t really need you. I’ll make Sharisse a deal that’s simply irresistible. Either way, I’ll have you both.”
Before I could say anything, he stepped into the portal and it disappeared. What was he going to do?
I turned back, and Jeremy was still there, standing at the base of the Wonder Wheel. He had no idea what happened; he just reanimated, like the kids in the subway that first, horrible night. He stretched and yawned, and came over to where I was.
“How’d you get over there?” He rolled his shoulders. “You hungry?” he asked softly, wrapping an arm around me.
“Mmm hmm.” I was famished, as if all my energy had been sapped.
“Let’s head over to Brighton. I know a good place there that makes a great veggie breakfast burrito.”
We walked along Surf Avenue, sometimes staring out at the sea. It was hard to think about anything other than Hades, what he wanted, and what he might do to get it. If only I could warn Shar, but if I called her, Jeremy would overhear. And this wasn’t exactly something for texting—a lot could get lost in translation. It would have to wait.
We shared a burrito, nachos, and iced tea. I made talking impossible by stuffing food in my mouth every time he asked a question. I was still wary about saying too much, and, as much as it killed me, I wanted to get back to the apartment and Shar.
“Want to grab a coffee tomorrow?” he asked as my train pulled into the subway station. We had walked in silence, enjoying the morning even though the temperature was starting to drop. The sidewalks were starting to ice. The city had that air of depression that seemed to settle in right after the whirlwind of the holidays. I always hated this time of year. I should go home and help my mom take down the Christmas tree, but getting Arkady consumed me.
I tapped in a and hit send.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Jeremy yawned and rubbed his eyes. I could see how tired he was.
“You and Shar take the rest of the day off. I need to go in and make sure the clothes are returned to the showroom, wrap up a few last-minute details.” He leaned closer, his breath warming my ear as he whispered. “Text me later.” His lips brushed my check. I forced myself away and withdrew onto the car. I had to get back to see what damage control needed to be done with Shar and Hades, and we needed to come up with a new plan. Through the window, I saw him watch the train depart.
“So, what happened? Spill!” Shar practically jumped on me when I got back to the apartment.
“Was Hades here?” I said, looking around for evidence of what Shar would find irresistible—first class tickets to Europe? A mink?
“Hades?” she asked, wincing.
“Who else? He’s after you, in a big way. He wanted me to put in a good word for him. And when I refused, he said he was going to make you an irresistible offer. You have got to be on your guard all the time. If you admit that for even one second you’d like to be with him, you’re his.”
She pressed her fingers into her temples as if she was thinking hard about something.
“Why me? I mean, he’s been flirtatious—”
“He’s beyond that. He salivates over you. He tried to bribe me to persuade you to say you want to be with him. He told me he’d let Arkady see and hear us, and keep Demeter away. This morning everything was going so great, and then he showed up and ruined what would have been a perfect kiss—”
“Jeremy kissed you?” Her tone was indifferent—or was it? Was she still interested? Was Hades lying about Jeremy snubbing her?
I waved her off. “Almost.” I looked at her with great seriousness. “Shar, this is more important. Promise me you’ll try to stay away from Hades, and don’t agree to go anywhere with him.”
“He can’t be serious.” She wrinkled her nose at me.
“He has a wife!”
“That means nothing to any of them. Your refusing him is fueling this obsession. I’m sure no one has ever turned him down, and even though he doesn’t like it, it excites him. This is getting scary, Shar. Don’t admit that you’d like to spend even a single second with him, or you’ll have one foot in the land of slaves and shadows.”
“Well, aren’t you a bucket of sunshine!” she snipped.
“I’m serious!”
“Alright, alright!” She rolled her eyes and put up her hand like she was taking an oath. “I promise, I swear, I’ll be careful.”
I could tell she wasn’t taking me seriously, and that was a problem. I put my head down, racking my brain for the most decadent possible temptations Shar might succumb to.
“You swear”—I paused, pointing a finger at her—“to turn him down even if he … jets you off to some exotic location … and offers you the shiniest, most expensive, exclusive excessive shoes you’ve ever seen—”
“Oh for God’s sake, Meg!” Shar shook her head.
“What if he makes your hands and feet normal again?” I cut her off, watching her closely.
She hedged, but only for a second, then grinned evilly at me. “Oooh, that could be a problem!”
Diamonds Are Forever—Trouble
“We can’t get together today,” said Jeremy regretfully as he gazed into Meg’s eyes the next day at the office.
I rolled mine.
“I have some things to take care of for Mr. Romanov. Another time?”
Meg gave him a shy grin and ducked her head.
Oh, please!
“Awesome.” Jeremy rubbed his temple. “Okay, I need you two to go to Sam’s, two blocks down, and pick up lunch for the office. Make sure you order the tomato and rice soup,” he said, exclusively to Meg. “It’s so good, and it’ll help your throat.” Then he looked at me. “You won’t have to wait long—they’re pretty fast about getting things together.”
“Can’t we just fax them the order and have them deliver it?” I asked casually. Any chance to avoid the public had to be seized upon.
Sirenz Page 11
