I flinch at his comment; I’m one of those murderers whose freedom was bought. Although my freedom is temporary and heavily guarded.
Unaware of how his words hurt me, he continues, “Desperation drives people out here. Hell, some are selling their children, anything to be able to live out here, off that island. To live another day, in this so called utopia.”
I didn’t understand. “What is so wrong with the island? It’s beautiful and, at least there we are surrounded by our people without having to relinquish our powers. I feel like an outsider, don’t think I would ever feel like I belong.”
“People don’t like to be forced into staying anywhere. As soon as the demigods started to get banished there, it was the beginning of their fight to be free. Blinded by the illusion of freedom.”
I lean my head against the seat. I’m fully aware that my freedom is an illusion. My eyes don’t sparkle at the thought of fame and fortune the life of a Titan would bring. Fuck it all I say. I’m just here to see the world. Get me to the finish line in one piece, so I can live out my days in peace and quiet.
“Wake up, babe,” Mason’s voice wakes me out of a deep sleep.
Stretching on a yawn, my body is stiff from the trip, apparently luxury doesn’t mean a lot, five hours on my ass is five hours on my ass. Staring out the window, I see a row of ruined mutilated buildings. Leaning closer it appears to be a graveyard of what was once a vast city. I’ve heard the stories about the destruction of the old cities but I never imagined destruction of this magnitude. Nature has fought and reclaimed its place; vines wrapping around the cold hard steel like fingers, a forest of trees standing in the street like soldiers. It’s beautiful and horrifying. The lives lost here must have been devastating.
I am pulled away from the window too soon and ushered toward the front of the plane. The view is vastly different on this side. A sea of buildings stretches out before us. A gleaming utopia, garish and spiteful when set against the back drop of a fallen era. If it was possible to call a city a liar I would. The old saying, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is, rings true. There is something about its perfection that I don’t trust, each shiny window hiding a plethora of secrets. A place this utopian makes me wonder where they hide all the imperfect things behind their tall walls and perfect landscaping.
I step past the end of the jet to get another glimpse at the fallen city. Why would they have left the ruins? A twisted reminder for the masses to stay in line, perhaps.
We are pushed along by security or wranglers or whatever the people who know where we are supposed to be at every moment of the tour are called. I can hear the fans cheering and get small glimpses between the muscles blocking us from them. These are legit fans, cheering us. With a smile, I wave at a sweet little girl with pigtails screaming my name holding up a sign that says Phoenyx in huge glittery letters, I’m shuffled past her and into the bus waiting to take us to the hotel we will be staying at for this leg of the tour. Once the door to the bus closes we all laugh and cheer, elated, this is definitely real.
“This is unreal.” Asher says with a smile.
“We have fans!” Ianna and I squeal.
“Someone pinch me,” Ianna says, followed by a yelp. “Ow, I was kidding Kai.”
Buzzing from travel and all the attention, I settle into my suite. The team has set up our headquarters on the top floor of the hotel. Its so high up in the air, the gleaming lights of the vibrant city are beautiful. After washing off a day’s worth of travelling grime, I slip into the biggest, most comfortable bed I have seen in my life. You could fit six of me in this thing. The biggest day of my life is tomorrow. We will be revealed to the world officially as part of the Titan Elite.
Welcome to the Freak Show
Huddled in a line backstage. We are poked and prodded by our handlers like cattle. Cattle in the latest fashion and way too much makeup if you ask me. Invading hands tuck me into a ridiculous red dress. I use the word dress loosely to describe the scrap of fabric clinging to my freshly polished body. Pulling at the hem because I feel like my ass is hanging out but quickly I realize it is a futile attempt, the inch I managed to gain pulling it down causes an inch more of my boobs to pop out. “I don’t think this is the right size.” The make-up and wardrobe people exchange a knowing look, then go back to work without speaking to me. Well, clearly my opinion doesn’t matter.
Ianna is my support system, the moment our eyes meet she reaches her hand out for mine. Knowing I’m on the verge of freaking the fuck out at any moment. The buzz of the crowd that has gathered on the other side of the wall sets my heart beat racing. They have all come out today to meet our team of Titans, for the first time. Exciting day for all, I just need to fend off this panic attack first.
The first day on tour comes with the fine print of the contract. We have, effective immediately, zero control over any aspect of our lives. From here on out, we will be told when to wake up, what to eat, when to train, what to wear and who to talk to. Oddly, I’m okay with this set up, I feel ill prepared for the real world. At least here I have a roof over my head and food to eat and freedom to see the world. More importantly a reprieve from the life that awaits me when I no longer belong to the Academy or the Titans. Our handlers are in charge of making sure we are on schedule, security to keep us in line. Well, security and the silver bracelets glowing on our wrists.
Down the line from me the rest of the team waits. Asher is bouncing on the balls of his feet, swinging his arms. He’s clearly ready, excited even. He appears fearless, moments away from fulfilling his dream. Looking my way, he lifts his chin and winks at me. Surrounded by my friends, I feel like I can breathe again. I close my eyes and try to calm my nerves. I have them to lean on for support, I’m not alone, I can handle this.
The voice of the announcer breaks my attempt at a Zen state. Announcing couples with like powers, Silas and Imari, Kai and Ianna, Endyra with Adam and Asher and me. Asher and I have come a long way from the utterly dysfunctional relationship we once had. I still loathe Imari on principle, but I’m determined to work together as an effective team.
Holding hands, Asher and I walk down a small corridor and onto the stage where chairs are lined up, behind a table with the press standing a safe distance away. My heart skips a beat when I see the grand room is wall to wall people. The moment we come into view flashes blind me and my steps falter. The only thing keeping me from humiliating myself is Asher’s death grip on my hand. I shoot him a small grateful smile. He nods, guiding me to my chair.
Once we are seated on the panel, the people begin to fire questions at us. Most are the typical ones we expected; How did it feel to be accepted as a Titan? Where were we when we got the call? etc. Then came the questions about our training practices and the strategies for fighting the other teams. They were all pretty harmless and just when I thought we are finished.
“Have you ever ended up naked because you burned your clothes by accident?” This one causes Asher and I to burst out laughing, because this is a very real side effect of having fire powers. Ash waves for me to go ahead and take this one.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I have, more than once,” I say with a smile. “We have clothing we can wear that won’t burn up, mine looks a lot like a sports bra and a pair of booty shorts.” Motioning to my current outfit I say, “Obviously I can’t wear it under everything but during training it comes in handy so I don’t get caught naked.”
“We’ve all seen them get caught naked at one point in time, haven’t we?” Ianna asks, everyone’s hand shoots up, causing laughter to erupt through the audience.
“How many of you have committed murder?” One of the reporters ask. Ouch. That was blunt but the PR team is quick to decline an answer. The questions come at us so quickly my head spins.
“What do you want to say to the protesters who think all demigods should be banished to the island or executed?”
“Who has slept with who?”
“Phoenyx, is it true that y
ou have slept with every man on the team?”
I laugh like he didn’t just insult me to my face. “I think you have me confused with Imari, she’s the skank of the group.” I reply, smiling at Imari who just flips me off and wraps her hands around Silas’s arm. Apparently she didn’t get the memo we broke up. The weight of these questions start wearing on me, causing the mask of the obedient Titan to slip. “And how many of your co-workers have you banged?” I counter, they think they have some claim on the details of my life and who I’ve had sex with, it’s bizarre His face flushes bright pink and he doesn’t bother asking any more questions, result! It was an embarrassing fact that there were only two guys on the team I hadn’t had sex with, Kai and my brother Marcus.
I sit back as Asher, who is the star of the show, answers their intrusive questions with charm and a little sass. Giving them exactly what they want. He makes it look so easy.
After the press conference and photo shoot, we are sent back to the hotel to get ready for our “appearances”. Whatever that means, I asked my handler but she seems to only have one purpose, to relay orders, not answer my stupid questions. So I stand there like a doll as they dress me up in another dress but unlike the last, this one is stunning. White at the bottom and black at the top, the middle has a rainbow of colors from blood red to bright yellow. All sparkly and pretty, I’ve never felt so beautiful in my life.
The appearance, or meet and greet, is essentially a party, hosted by whoever paid the most I assume, because we are being wined and dined in a stunning penthouse. Corralled in the lap of luxury with a bunch of rich fans, who like to lean in too close and more than a few whisper propositions in my ear with twenty-year-old scotch on their breath. My skin is crawling after five minutes.
A particularly pushy one, slides his hand over my ass. Before I get to punch him in the face, he’s pulled away from me by my security detail, to which I’m grateful, wouldn’t want to make a scene. Downing the champagne in my hand I search the room for a friendly face. We were ordered to separate when we arrived to cover more ground. Imari is standing closest to me, scotch breath is leaning in whispering to her, she seems uncomfortable with his attention but her security isn’t stepping in to stop him. As I walk toward her I see him grab a handful of her ass roughly, causing her to cringe. What the fuck? I try to push past her security but they stop me.
“Let me through,” I demand. Their stoic faces don’t register my words. Locking eyes with Imari, she shakes her head slightly, stopping my advance. She then turns to the man, plastering on a fake smile. She leans into him and kisses his cheek. Are they seriously whoring her out to the powers that be? This is disgusting, she’s being fondled by these men and acts like it is her job.
I scan the room for Asher to put a stop to this and spot him tongue deep in some blonde woman on the other side of the room, a harem of girls surrounding him. It appears Asher and Imari are both here to entertain the men and women who want to get friendly with a Titan. The whole scene makes me sick. Despite her initial shock, Imari seems to enjoy the attention, either that or her mask is firmly in place. Neither of them seem to mind. I can’t help but be thankful Asher and I broke up before coming on tour. There is no way I would be okay with this. Imari seems to play it like a game, he touches that woman there so she rubs this guy here. They are so twisted, perfect for each other.
Silas is across the room conversing easily with a group of men in suits. That man can work a room. He reminds me of Marcus in that respect, their charm commands the room.
Mason comes to stand beside me, holding a platter of appetizers. Shaking my head at him, I wonder what poor server he’d stolen it from. I pop one of the tasty looking morsels into my mouth, cheese and flakey dough, yum. Looping my arm in his we stand side by side watching the room.
“This is madness, all of it, it’s like watching a circus,” I blurt out.
With a snort, he says, “More like a freak show. Come see the demigods, out of their natural habitat.”
I laugh, “Are we the only normal ones, or are we the maddest of the bunch? I haven’t figured that part out yet.”
“Neither, we are somewhere in the middle. Along for the free ride but underneath it all just wanting to go home.” He smiles down at me, voicing my thoughts exactly.
I sigh, leaning my head on his shoulder, I’m exhausted and my feet are screaming from wearing these evil heels. “How do you always know exactly what I am thinking?”
I feel his mouth press against the side of my head. “Because I want to go home too, babe.”
“This world is insane. None of it makes any sense to me.”
“It doesn’t make sense to anyone, the whole world is going to hell and we are the only ones prepared to stand in the way of that happening.” That sounded oddly conspiratorial for Mason.
“Ha! We are here to entertain people, to put on a show, we aren’t saving anyone.”
“We are so much more than that. Just hear us out tomorrow, we will explain everything. But promise me, Nyx, that you will listen to what Marcus and I have to say with patience.” He pleads.
“Jake, you’re scaring me, what are you talking about?”
“Promise me,” he says, cupping my cheek in his warm hand.
“Of course,” I nod. I would do anything he asks.
He lifts my hand to his lips. “Everything will be okay.”
I want to ask so many more questions but I know better than to push him. If he says everything will be ok, it will. Mason has never given me any reason to question his loyalty.
***
After the meet and greet we decide to hit up the club in the lobby of our hotel. We are required, under contract, to party here, or more importantly be seen. Which isn’t the worst thing in the world. The staff usher us to the VIP section and a private table high above everyone. I would call it pretentious and ridiculous if I didn’t find it so damn cool.
It has been drilled into our heads how important our image is on tour, we are required to frolic and play with the throngs of fans and snobby rich asshats who have paid top dollar to be in our presence but we must never step out of line, even for a second.
I watch Asher and Imari on the dance floor, grinding away on each other. No matter how much time passes, there is still a part of me that gets pissed off seeing them together. I spent so much time loving him when he never really loved me at all. I wonder if he loves her? If he always loved her even while he was promising me the world.
“Hey Marcus, I’ve been meaning to ask you, how the hell did Imari get on the tour? What did she do, give you a blowjob?” I ask with a slur, already in fine form, drunk off my ass.
“You said it,” he says between laughs. “She displayed… other talents that got her here.” Making a hand gesture for a blow job. Everyone at the table burst out laughing.
“Ugh, Marcus, that’s sick!” I reply in disgust, she actually gave him a blow job to get on tour, that is so gross.
“Hey, she wanted to be here, it was her dream to follow Asher like a lost puppy,” he says with a shrug. “If she wants to be beaten senseless once a month for the next six months in exchange for a blow job, who am I to crush her dreams?”
Adam pipes up, “Imari sucks like a pro, she’s almost as good as your sexy mouth, Nyx.” Never passing up an opportunity to insult me, or I guess, in this case complement my sexy mouth. Ugh, I think I just threw up in my sexy mouth. If only I was allowed to throat punch him every time he brought it up, I’m sure we would come to an understanding quickly. Knowing that wouldn’t fly I settle on passive aggressive violence.
“Gee, thanks,” I say, punching him in the arm playfully, as hard as I fucking can. Okay, maybe a bit more aggressive than passive, but damn, that felt good. He winces on contact, rubbing his arm, his eyes wild with fury, ready to attack me. Mason intercepts by wrapping his arm around my waist from behind and carrying me out onto the dance floor, likely saving me from another murder charge.
With his arms around me we sway as one t
o the music. His hands roam my body leaving a trail of heat in their wake as they mark their path over my skin. Losing myself in the music and the pulse of the crowd, I’m at one with everyone. It is bliss. I can’t touch him enough, can’t get him close enough. The moment our lips touch, the rest of the world falls away, it is only us, moving together in perfect rhythm.
His lips graze my shoulder, my neck, tasting me as he goes, setting a fire in me that cannot be quenched. I press into his hard body, my hand trails up his back, under his shirt, feeling every muscle tense against my touch.
Our lips connect again. I have not felt this good in a long time. Everything is perfect, Jake is perfect. I need him closer, even though there is no space between our wanting bodies. His hand cups my ass and lifts me up against him while his tongue plunges into me. Wrapping my legs around his, my hands pull at his hair. This is paradise. When his hardness meets my center I gasp, “Jake.”
“Get a room!” is shouted from somewhere behind us, snapping us out of the spell we were under. My face heats and I try to hide against his neck. I can feel his body shaking with laughter.
“Maybe we should take this upstairs?” He asks against my ear, sending a shiver through my body.
I nod silently, sliding down his body until my feet hit the floor. Is this really happening? God, I hope so. We walk hand in hand through the lobby to the elevators, not saying a word. The air in the elevator is alive with energy zapping between us. My chest, rising and falling rapidly, my body buzzing with need.
He devours me the moment the door clicks closed behind us. His fingers slide the straps of my dress off my shoulders, the loose fabric pools at my feet leaving me completely naked.
“Fucking beautiful.” He smiles, kissing me slowly, gently. A moan involuntarily escapes my lips causing whatever control he had to break. Pulling his shirt over his head and his pants drop revealing him to me. Gasping for breath, all I feel is need. Licking my lips, he’s so big, I trail my finger tip over his chest, down his stomach, taking his considerable length in my hand. His whole body shivers at my touch. I push him back onto the bed. He lands with a smirk; he’s loving this.
Titan Elite (Demigods Duet Book 2) Page 5
