Both of them were lying quite blatantly, with some truth casually sprinkled in. It’s true that we’re the immortal representatives to all of the mortal immortals here on Earth. That means when there’s a party or convention, we’re given a nice invitation. To the immortals in Olympus, it’s pretty much like jury duty. Names are put in a hat, drawn, and sentenced. When we heard that new selections were coming up, we had Enyo mention to her brother Ares that we wouldn’t mind getting chosen. To accomplish what we have set out to do, we need unlimited access to Earth.
Harold looks at the four of us, clearly standing out in the circle of people sitting, and tries to look blank-faced. “I didn’t realize as immortal representatives you’d hold the title for so long. Would you care to tell us a little about yourselves, Olympus, or possible concerns you have? Maybe the higher Olympians have questions for us?”
He would like it if the big guys cared enough to send us with a list of issues to bring up. Out of all the immortal mortals, the Olympians probably care about shape shifters the least. For one thing, all gods and goddesses can change to animal shape. For another, shape shifters all live mainly human lives.
“I’m Lyssa! I’m kind of known for starting things. I was a major hit around the Black Plague. Started it, really. Gave those huge, disgusting rats a bit of warped rabies, and now here we all are. We’ve traveled to Earth quite a few times, but due to past circumstances that were completely and totally not our fault, we’ve mostly been in Olympus. Now, we’ve permanently moved here to fulfill our obligation. We also take a lot of exotic vacations. About a century ago, we took an extended one in the Underworld. We have a nice beach house on Acheron, the River of Woe. We really got those old bones rockin’! Hades is one major killjoy, though; quite the codpiece blocker too, if I recall.”
“That’s certainly enough about us!” I exclaim when I finally stop listening to Lyssa in fascinated horror.
Harold nods hastily. “Shall we move on to the griffin representatives?”
“Yeah, we need to rein in those good-for-nothing Furies! They’ve been up our asses about our treasure. Damn right it’s stolen—what would be the point otherwise? Anyway, the Furies want us to give the innocents all of their belongings back. Ha, when apocalypse happens!”
I look around the room and notice Hunter. He’s listening avidly, as if what the griffin has to say is interesting. I take the opportunity to look him up and down at my leisure. The man really is huge. I mean, I’m pretty tall at five eleven, but he’s a beast, no pun intended. He must be at least seven feet, with wide shoulders, a trim waist, and arms that look like they can hold me up, down, and around all day long. I can’t help it. I’m an arm girl, and his are perfect. Sculpted and muscular without being crazy weight-lifter bulky with a million veins sticking out.
It turns out he has large, moss-green eyes. I really do like those eyes. They remind me of my lovely nymph counterparts, who often have an appearance made of earthy tones. They’re also bright and attentive. If I were close enough to see, I bet there’d be specks of brown or yellow in them. Just the kind of eyes someone could get lost in. If they were so inclined, that is.
Then there’s his scar. It’s a nice one, on the left side of his face, running level with his eye down to the corner of his mouth, where it just cuts through the corner of his lips. It drives me crazy with wild ideas of tracing it with my tongue. I’ve always liked men who look like real men. I have to admit there’s nothing about him that isn’t masculine.
Finally done looking, then? The voice resonates in my mind, unrecognizable to me, meaning it’s not an Olympian. They are the only ones I know who can truly communicate telepathically. We can pick out thoughts once in a while that relate to our embodiments, but not really communicate.
I look around the room, this time meeting eyes with Hunter. He has a smug smile on his lips. Well, fuck that! I do the first thing that pops into my mind. I give him the middle finger.
If you think something at me, I’ll be able to hear it. Other than that, you’re blocked enough that I can’t read your thoughts, just send mine at you.
Shut up, I’m trying to pay attention! He visibly jumps as if I sent the thought a tad too loudly.
Hunter looks at me condescendingly. I’m sure you were on the edge of your seat. Don’t worry, I’ll let you focus on things, for now. We’ll talk again later.
Fat chance, you overbearing ass.
I’ve never really met a dragon. Damn solitary creatures, more so than any others. Of course he would be a royal one on top of everything else. If that says anything to me, it’s not “quick and easy” lay. This puts him firmly off my radar. Besides, I don’t like how he stares at me.
***
“Come on, whores! Think girl band!” I yell at them as clothes are flung around the room. Oh, lovely chaos. “Extra slutty girl band!”
Goddess, I just love karaoke. I hope those shifters can hold a tune.
I am in a black mini skirt, tightly encasing my lower body. Above that is a cropped white T-shirt. With the gross display of midriff and legs, I’m pretty much set. I don’t have to try very hard to look sexy. In fact, if I do, I end up looking more obscene than hot. Currently, I’m borderline.
Ana comes up behind me with a firm smack to my ass. “Looking good, Seduction. The others are almost ready, just finishing with the hair spray. Good thing human drugs don’t affect us, or all the fumes in here would have us flying high as a kite. Lyssa and Dysnomia decided it would be best to go ‘big hair.’”
Nemesis blows her whistle. “Come on, everyone! If you’re all done stuffing your bras, get in a single-file line!”
“Who died and made her our boss?” Apate asks with scorn.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Don’t you remember? We voted.”
Nemesis can be kind of a major boner kill, but she has her place. She pretty much stands for the balance in the world. All of those fuckers who have really good luck? Yeah, she takes them down a notch. Basically, she’s in charge of retribution for wrongdoing and crazy good luck. She’s got quite the look going for her, with long black hair, black eyes, and black wings that sprout from her back. Right now they’re under a layer of skin, looking like a pretty graphic tattoo. It reminds me of my protective skin.
“We did vote for her, didn’t we? Who did she run against, anyway?” Apate asks.
“No one. No one else wanted to be in charge of all of us. Good God, I’m surprised we got anyone to volunteer, let alone actually take the job seriously. I, for one, am grateful. She’s the only one who can get Aergia to do anything,” I tell her, eyes going to the daimon of laziness and her rumpled white dress that often doubles as a nightgown.
Apate follows my eyes. “We really need to go shopping. It does nothing for us to be seen with someone who looks like that more often than not.”
“Girls, try to be on your best behavior,” Nemesis chides us all. “You know why we’re here. If we can’t get this done within the next century, we won’t get any other chances. Focus on the goal, and let me know if you make any progress.”
The Olympians thought they were sending us to be their errand girls. They’re clueless about our real purpose for coming here. One day soon, we won’t need them or anyone else. We’ll be powerful in our own right. Unfortunately, I’m no closer to breaking the boundaries on my magic.
“Until then, let’s enjoy ourselves.” Ana laughs before leading our group down to the singing and drinking.
“Aunt Enyo! Father sent us to make sure you’re doing well,” the daimon Deimos materializes and shouts out from across the crowded room.
His twin, Phobos, is there a half-second later. “It’s true; he was ever so sorry to miss your send-off.”
“It’s so disturbing to hear anyone call Ares ‘father.’ Though, I guess the alternative of ‘daddy’ is really no better,” Apate says with a grimace.
I groan aloud, looking out at the room, where the shifters are watching in avid interest. I suppose it’s not
every day that two large, identical men show up out of nowhere. I just wish it wasn’t them. Deimos is pure dread, literally, and Phobos is panic. I guess they’re pretty enough, with short black hair and black eyes rimmed in red.
The only thing is … they’re my brothers. Well, half brothers. They never had much to do with our mother, Aphrodite. Not that I can blame her, but Mother really does get around. I have more siblings then I care to bother remembering. Practically everyone in Olympus is related in some way, so we base relationships more on interests than actual blood. I never really got to know any of them, until I realized they were close with Enyo.
“Really? How is my dear brother?” Enyo smiles at Deimos and Phobos.
“He’s been bored lately. He’s been mortal bound for the last few years, on vacation from Olympus. He’s been heading a biker gang,” Phobos explains.
“Wow,” Apate whispers to me with a laugh. “Is it sad that I can so see that? Complete with ass-less chaps?”
“You really are bad!” A deep voice breathes in both of our ears.
We can’t help but jump.
“Dolos! I should have figured you’d be near. I’ve missed you!” Apate says to her counterpart, the daimon of trickery. “What have you been getting up to? Hopefully you haven’t had too much fun without me.”
“Don’t worry, it’s never a party without you girls.” Dolos smiles at her before winking at me.
Dolos is tall and built with bronze skin, curly blond hair cut at his chin, and big brown eyes. He looks decidedly sweet, like a delicious teddy bear. You can’t help but feel warm and engaged around him, as if you’re basking in the sun. Fortunately, he’s not as good as Apate at hiding the dangerous twinkle in his eyes. Even I’ll admit I’ve given into that twinkle more than once. Granted, that was about four centuries ago. Everyone knows nothing past the last two centuries really counts.
“How have you been, Peitho? Getting into lots of trouble?” Dolos asks me with genuine interest.
“Me? Please, I’m practically on my way to a halo.” I grin. “Any day now the angels will come and suit me up.”
“Earlier, you missed her turn into Goldilocks,” Apate tells him. “It’s always a show stopper. She totally gave everyone a hard-on. Stole the sexy werewolf boy from me! Even has a dragon chasing her tail. No pun intended.”
Dolos’s eyes visibly darken. “Is that so? I’ve only seen her go gold once. It was brilliant, though. We stopped at a tavern after a hard day’s work. There wasn’t much in the way of entertainment, as I’m sure you remember in those days. Anyway, she naturally thought to make her own, as she often does. She got the entire tavern frisky with all that gold of hers. If I remember correctly, it turned into a week-long orgy. There’s even a saying in the siren and merman kingdom. Once you go gold, you’ll always be poled.”
Apate frowns with envy. “Ugh, we never get to do fun stuff like that anymore! I wish I had been there. It sounds simply divine.”
“If by that you mean more than one god, goddess, or supernatural joined in, then you’d be right.” I smile in memory, licking my lips.
“Hey! Ares sent them with ambrosia!” Enyo’s voice chimes in, bringing all of our attention to her, holding up bottles of the drink of the gods and goddesses.
It’s like a beast comes out of me. An alcoholic beast with sharply placed elbows, growling, “Move out of my way, motherfuckers!”
I have a wineglass in my hand that I don’t remember getting when I slink up next to Enyo. She’s holding a bottle of prime ambrosia, and Deimos and Phobos are holding two more each. I look at my full glass of perfectly good human wine and do the only thing I can think of.
“Drink this up, shifter.” I smother a nearby guy with my drink. He gulps and coughs until it’s gone. I turn to Enyo with, “Hit me.”
“Sure thing.” She opens the bottle with a flourish and pours the ruby red liquid into my cup. The sweet, spicy scent that greets me has my mouth watering. “Don’t forget to tell us how it is.”
I sip the wine and can feel the power from it warm my body down to my toes. Groaning aloud, I open my eyes and say, “Delicious.”
“Give us a taste,” Dolos says before turning me to him in a sudden and tight embrace. He slants his lips on top of mine, feeling unbelievably soft and hard at once. His tongue sweeps into my mouth for a thorough and gratifying “taste.”
“Here, have some of your own.” Apate pulls Dolos away to hand him a glass, carrying one for herself in her other hand. “I think Ana has something to tell you, as well. Something about a tiger shifter?”
He dutifully trails away.
Addy has materialized out of nowhere to glare at me, mirroring Apate.
“Peitho, you really must be more careful,” Addy says softly. “I know you don’t mean to be the way you undoubtedly are, but try to cool it a bit.”
“What do you mean?” I ask her.
“This kiss gathered more than just immortal attention. Hunter seems quite, quite taken with you,” Addy says, eyes troubled.
I turn to Apate and raise an eyebrow. She explains more bluntly, “Boy is jonesing for some Peitho, if you catch my drift. If someone else gets it before him, I think his caveman instincts will come to light.”
“You mean he’ll cut a bitch? Me being that bitch?” I ask.
“Great goddess, no! He’ll kill whomever you fuck, and possibly the ones who pay you too much attention, depending on how into you he is,” she explains, as if I’m so funny.
“That’s just not right! I haven’t given him permission to think he owns me, or that he has any right to me at all. I don’t intend to. If there’s anything that guy isn’t, it’s a nice no-strings-attached fuck. Which means I don’t want anything to do with him.” I sniff regally.
Addy raises a brow at Apate. “Okay, new tactic. You may not know much about dragons. Most people don’t, including me. There’s one thing we can all agree on. They’re territorial. If he thinks he has some future claim to you, or is in the process of forming one, he’ll see it as a personal insult if anyone ignores that. In this case, the fault will lie with the men who come after you, since you’re still what he wants.”
“What a damn asshat bastard. Why did he have to go all eighteenth century? Is he going to ask Aphrodite for the great pleasure of courting me, for God’s sake? I don’t want him, and he won’t be getting me, period. It doesn’t get clearer than that,” I say angrily. “I mean, sure, I’d give him a go around, but he seems way too involved already. Damn, the boy is hot, though. I’d love to drizzle chocolate all over his abs, leading downtown with a maraschino cherry left to mark the spot.”
“Let’s just take this away for a moment while we chat,” Apate says, taking the nearly empty wineglass from my hand before I can stop her.
Addy looks at me wide-eyed, mouth hanging open. “Um, are we talking about the same Hunter? Big guy? Dark hair?”
“Right, and yummy scar I could lick right down to his mouth.” I nod with a moan. “And what a mouth.”
Addy makes a gargling sound. Fine, he may not be a traditionally handsome pretty boy, but he’s got dangerous good looks that even I am not immune to.
“So, what’s the problem, then?” Addy finally asks.
“He looks clingy as hell, and he’s a royal. I’m out for the count,” I answer dismissively.
“You are such a snob about slumming it with your patent deadbeats. Goddess forbid you choose someone with a nice family, education, and overall good hygiene.” Apate sighs, and warns, “Just be a little more private about your ‘fun,’ and everything should be fine from now on. No one should get hurt or anything.”
“Okay, what did the big dummy do when he saw Dolos kiss me?” I ask, trying to actually pay attention with a clear and logical mind.
Addy once again shares a look with Apate. “A bit of steam came out of his nose, he broke off a chunk of the table, and Julian dragged him out of the room while he was still staring daggers at you. Other than that, nothing much. He
came back into the room about five minutes later, none the worse for wear.”
“Really, all that and you think the boy is going to kill dudes who show an interest in me? Hell, I’ve had a guy cut off his own hand while watching me flirt with someone else, to distract himself from the inner pain.”
“Paris, right? That was pretty memorable. Got a big head after that,” Apate agrees fondly.
Addy looks at us in horror. Nymphs are lovers, not fighters. I’m more of a lover than any of my companions, but I’m a fighter too. That can’t be too surprising after what I’ve lived through. Still, the girl looks at us like we have daggers held at her throat. People are so soft these days.
“Just something to think of,” Addy says and nods. “Try to be a bit more careful if you can. Now, where did I leave Eve?”
“Here,” Apate hands me my cup right after she drains it herself. “I think we need refills. Tonight sure is going to be fun. I can’t remember the last time we had so much interspecies intrigue.”
Three glasses of wine, ten horrible songs sung by wolves, and all inhibitions later, I find myself on stage with the seven other girls. Ana and Dysnomia open the song, and we all sing along with the chorus. I gyrate with the others as Lyssa sings the next verse. Apate goes low, shaking her ass at the crowd. To put it lightly, they go apeshit. Ana shimmies to Lyssa as she sings. We all dance and parade on the stage as everyone else watches us. It’s really a shame it isn’t being taped.
I blow Dolos a kiss as we get off the stage.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” a deep voice asks as a hand grabs my arm.
I look up and make out Hunter, though he’s a bit fuzzy around the edges. “What do you want? I’m a little busy.” Luckily, I don’t slur my words too much. Composure is really key in these sorts of situations. Composure and tact—you would never want to hurt any feelings.
“Think you’ve had enough of flaunting yourself around for everyone to see?”
Skin of a Goddess (Goddess Ascension Book 1) Page 3
