Revelation (Redemption of the Underworld)

by S. A. Gibbs

  “Nice of you to join us, Athena.” Ryle moved aside, and she stepped in between us.

  “Thirty-five!”

  The rambunctious man’s hand lingered a moment too long, and I spotted him. His gold-capped tooth an oddity in a mouth of gleaming-white teeth. He happily threw back the remains of his drink.

  “Forty!” My heart pounded at Chen’s sudden outburst.

  “Well, it seems Mr. Lee’s had enough foreplay.” I glanced at Athena. A twinkle of excitement gleamed in her eyes.

  Lucas raised his hand. “Forty-one.”

  The auctioneer smiled. “Forty-one, the bid sits with Mr. Sands.”

  “Forty-five!” Chen snarled at Lucas.

  “Thank you, Mr. Lee. Forty-five.” The auctioneer glanced back at Lucas before he scanned the hushed crowd. “Any further bids?” He waited.

  Was Lucas done? He flicked up his hand. “Forty-six.”

  Chen ripped off his glasses and jumped to his feet. “Fifty million!”

  I gasped.

  Lucas’s hand flicked up. “Fifty-one.”

  Chen spun away. He turned back with one hand up, the other clutching his phone to his ear. The auctioneer nodded.

  A jumble of inaudible voices murmured in the silence.

  Precarious seconds ticked by.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off Chen.

  “Mr. Lee, do you have another offer?”

  Chen lowered his phone. The smirk on his face made my heart beat faster. “Fifty-five.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Lee.” The auctioneer turned back to Lucas.

  Lucas shrugged.

  He couldn’t best Chen’s bid. A pang of disappointment shot through me. I knew how much they wanted the sai.

  The auctioneer’s gaze roamed over the crowd. “Any further offers?” He waited. “Going once at fifty-five million dollars. Twice at fifty-five million dollars. Are we all finished, all done?”

  Lucas raised his hand. “Fifty-six.”

  My heart skipped a beat.

  Chen threw his phone on the ground. He spun away and shoved through the people behind him.

  “The bidding sits with Mr. Sands at fifty-six million dollars. Any further bids?”

  I turned back to the auctioneer. The room remained silent.

  “Going once at fifty-six million dollars, twice at fifty-six million dollars. Are we all finished, all done?” He paused for a second, and then the gavel slammed home. “At fifty-six million dollars, sold! To Mr. Sands!”

  Placing my glass down on the tall table next to me, I clapped until my palms stung. Lucas stood and smoothed the front of his jacket. After receiving congratulations from the people around him, he headed our way.

  The man who’d brought the sai to the podium walked over and snapped the case closed, and then, picking it up, he was escorted from the room.

  “Athena, it’s nice to see you here.” Lucas smiled. Ryle thrust out his hand, and Lucas clasped it heartily. They laughed as the two enthusiastically celebrated the win.

  Mitch wholeheartedly clapped Lucas on the back. “My man!” The three of them grinned.

  I couldn’t help but smile as I eagerly stepped forward to congratulate him. “You did it!” I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close.

  My heart fluttered, and a flicker of warmth grew between my legs. The golden flecks in his eyes seemed to dance as if they’d burst to life like a newly kindled fire. Was it his desire that I saw? His warmth seeped through the thin material of my dress, and I couldn’t help but drink in his musky scent. My body relaxed and molded to his. He pressed his lips tenderly against mine. A tingling heaviness thudded between my legs, and a soft groan escaped me as his tongue flickered against mine.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Sands.”

  Lucas pulled back, and we both looked at our host.

  I was sure the man could see the lust still smoldering in my eyes.

  “Pardon the interruption, ma’am.”

  My cheeks burned, and I moved to stand next to Ryle. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze, but all I could do was stare at the polished concrete floor. What the hell was wrong with me? Only two hours ago I’d been fantasizing about Mitch. Now I’d just kissed Lucas, in front of him and Ryle. I didn’t dare look up.

  “We’re ready to set up your transfer, Mr. Sands. If you’d like to come with me.”

  “Certainly, Mr. Grey. After you.” Lucas followed our host.

  Mitch slapped his palms together, rubbing them eagerly. “I think a celebratory drink is in order, and when Lucas gets back, we’ll have a quick toast, pick up the sai, and then head home.”

  Hadn’t Mitch noticed what I’d done, or was he just brushing the whole thing off?

  Ryle left my side. I watched him and Mitch wander over to the bar. Their jovial comradery was infectious. Their absence eased my embarrassment a little.

  Athena moved next to me. “It’s quite a position you’ve put yourself in. However will you choose between the three of them?”

  There it was, the big fat elephant in the room. However could I?

  I caught her smirk from the corner of my eye as she turned to face me. “I suppose they’ve told you their little secret.”

  I remained silent. I had no idea what she was talking about.

  She continued to stare at me. “Oh dear, haven’t they told you? Shame on those boys. Alas, it’s not in my demeanor to tattle.” She placed her glass on the table next to mine. “Why, there’s Mr. Shaffeur. I must catch him before he leaves. Tell Lucas I’ll be back.” She sighed. “After all Hephaestus’s ranting over the years, I simply must get a look at the twin before you leave.” She shrugged. “Just think, Amberleigh, now the sai are yours.”

  Mine? What was she talking about? My skin prickled. She certainly knew how to play with my emotions. Her brilliantly white teeth flashed between her ruby-red lips as she gave me another smirky smile before she strode off.

  God, she was a bitch.

  Ryle wandered back with a champagne flute in one hand and a tumbler in the other. “Where’s Athena?”

  Would he mention my indiscretion? I’m sure my cheeks pinked with color. “She’s off chatting. She said she’ll be back before we leave.”

  He handed me the glass of bubbly. I thanked him and looked away. “She also mentioned you brought the sai for me.”

  “Yes, they’re yours.”

  I stared at him. “What?”

  He nodded. Placing his glass down, he then gently grasped my shoulders. “Amberleigh, we can train you to fight, make you faster, fitter than you’ve ever been before, but we don’t have years for your technical skills to develop. Hephaestus’s hammer forges a wealth of skill and knowledge into every weapon he makes. Each weapon’s true power can only be released when wielded by a god. Apollo’s arrows and Zeus’s thunderbolt are good examples of Hephaestus’s forge. Its power can’t be denied.”

  “But—”

  “Hades’s blood runs through your veins, Amberleigh. You’re a demigod, and money means nothing in the overall scheme of things. Esme won’t be overthrown easily. We need every possible advantage we can get.”

  There it was again. The reason we were here tonight. The whole reason I had met the guys in the first place. I was born to kill the underworld’s reigning queen.

  I took a deep breath and released it slowly. When was I going to accept that this was now my life? I’d already lost Jed and constantly feared for Tracey. She’d touched the coin too. Had that made her a target?

  The distance between Tracey and I had grown over the weeks. Originally, I’d put a wedge between us so she wouldn’t see my injuries after the attack, but after that, I’d continued to avoid her. How the hell could I justify that I’d moved in with three guys I hardly knew. Sure, she was an open-minded woman of today, but how could I explain my strange relationship with three men, when even I didn’t understand it.

  Lucas’s deep-throated laughter caught my at
tention. He strolled toward me, casually stuffing a hand in his pocket. His loosened tie dangled askew. I assumed he’d caught up with Mitch after organizing payment for the sai. Lucas winked at me and then raised his glass. “Here’s to besting that spoiled brat Lee.”

  I smiled but inside I was confused. Nothing in his mannerisms indicated any acknowledgment of the intimacy we’d just shared. Even Ryle and Mitch seemed overly normal about it.

  Was I overreacting to the whole situation? Surely not. It hadn’t been a happy-birthday peck on the cheek or the same kind of kiss I’d given to congratulate him. What we’d shared had been electric. A kind of energy. His fingers had pressed into my skin, and as he held me close, I’d heard the almost inaudible rumble in his throat. It certainly wasn’t the type of thanks you gave a friend.

  Lucas sipped his drink and then glanced around. “Athena gone already?”

  Ryle released a half-hearted laugh. “Would you expect anything else? She’ll catch up before we leave.”

  Lucas downed the rest of his drink. “Well, we’d better collect our prize.”

  WE MADE OUR WAY BACK to the same door we had entered earlier that night. Security guards flanked the walls on each side of the exit. One of them stepped forward, indicating for Lucas to proceed out into the hall.

  When we stepped into the dimly lit passage, a tingle of dread raced up my spine. Hurrying along behind Ryle, I was grateful that Mitch was right by my side.

  The guard opened a door at the end of the hallway, and Lucas walked through. After Mitch and I stepped inside what seemed to be a loading dock, the guard left, closing the door behind him. Our host was accompanied by the man I’d spotted earlier in the evening, the one who’d tapped his earpiece as the guests moved to be seated. He held a black case, which must have contained the sai.

  Lucas walked up to him. “Mr. Grey.” They shook hands, and the guys and I walked further into the room. The area could have been a garage. It had a high-roller door at the far end with a long chain dangling down one side, which was probably used to heave the heavy door upward. Wooden crates were stacked along the entire length of the walls, leaving the middle section of the room spaciously open. A laptop for the transaction had been placed on top of two stacked crates. Unease fluttered in my stomach.

  Mr. Grey held his hand out toward the laptop. “Mr. Sands, if you’d like to complete the transfer, we’ll be done with our business.”

  Lucas walked toward it. “And the sai?”

  Our host waved his security man over. “Right here, Mr. Sands.” The guard placed the case next to the computer. After flicking the tumblers, he opened the lid.

  Lucas nodded. He stepped forward to enter his password, then pushed enter. The screen flashed, and a transfer band popped up. The green light inched along as the money transferred; it finally disappeared, when the transaction had been successful. Lucas stepped back.

  Mr. Grey shut his laptop down. “Thank you, Mr. Sands. Our business is complete.” He reached out and shook Lucas’s hand while his security guard closed the case and handed it to Lucas. I breathed a sigh of relief. Now we could leave.

  A heavy thud hit the door. It flew open. My heart pounded as a grinning Chen waltzed in with several men. What had happened to all the security guards?

  Lucas spun to face him. Mitch and Ryle moved in front of me, and I stepped back. What the hell was happening?

  “Mr. Lee, what’s the meaning of this intrusion?” our host snapped.

  “I’ve come to make Mr. Sands an offer for the sai.”

  Lucas remained calm. “It’s not for sale.”

  Chen took a few steps forward. “My father has approved more than enough funds for its purchase. He insists I don’t return home without it.”

  Lucas shook his head. “Sorry, Chen. You had your chance.”

  Mr. Grey’s face turned bright red. “Chen! You’ve no right. This is a reputable auction!”

  Chen waved his men forward, and they stepped up next to him. “Shut up, Grey. I’d rather not create a scene, but I need the sai. Lucas, shall we say sixty million and be done with the whole thing?”

  Mr. Grey huffed and puffed, his complexion deepening almost to a beetroot red. He pointed to the door. “Mr. Lee, I must insist you leave at once!”

  The security guard in the room took a step back. Why wasn’t he calling for reinforcements?

  “It’s not for sale!” Lucas passed the case to Mitch, who, in turn, gave it to me. I clutched the handle, my heart racing.

  “That’s a shame.” Chen reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun. He aimed it directly at our host’s head. “Because I’m not leaving without it.” He flicked the gun back and forth, indicating for Mr. Grey to move toward us. “If you won’t sell, Mr. Sands, then my men will be left with no option but to take it from you.”

  My heart skipped a beat. Did Chen mean it, or was he bluffing? Our wide-eyed host carefully walked forward with Chen right on his heels. His sinister bodyguards followed.

  Lucas held up his hands. “That’s not very sporting of you. I would’ve thought you’d give your men some kind of a fighting chance.” Jesus, Lucas!

  Chen sneered. “Really, Mr. Sands, a challenge? I think it’d be better if you just handed over the sai. The status quo, well, could get kind of messy, and after all, you do have your lady friend to consider.”

  “Are you really that desperate to please Daddy?” Why wouldn’t Lucas shut up! He wasn’t helping our situation.

  Mr. Grey trembled and reluctantly walked closer, and, as he moved past Lucas, Chen repositioned the gun, aiming it at Lucas’s chest. Sweat beaded on Chen’s brow. “Have the girl bring the case here.”

  Lucas flicked two fingers, signaling me forward. Chen glanced at me. In that split second, Lucas grabbed Chen’s hand and he dropped the gun. Lucas then twisted Chen’s arm up behind his back, making him scream.

  His thugs lunged. The burliest one in the bunch, with a scar slicing an eyebrow in two, barreled into Lucas. The force of his impact sent Lucas sprawling to the concrete floor. Free, Chen struggled to his feet. His screams no longer a plea for rescue but an incessant shout of orders. “Get the case! Get the case!” Two of his men pounced on top of Lucas, pinning him to the ground.

  My whole body shook as Mitch and Ryle ran to intercept Chen’s men. Amid the commotion, Mr. Grey grabbed hold of my arm. “Come with me.” I stumbled along as he hauled me toward the far end of the room to the high-roller door. My feet seemed to have a mind of their own. One foot followed the other. He released me.

  Mitch’s fist thudded into one of the goon’s jaws, snapping his head back at an awkward angle, sending him flying into the wall of stacked crates. Ryle crouched, and then, balancing on one leg, he spun around, swinging out his free leg, and swept two of Chen’s men off their feet. They hit the ground hard, one of them managing to kick Ryle’s foot from beneath him. The other sprang to his feet and rushed toward me.

  The lengths of chain clanked as Mr. Grey tried and failed to work the mechanism so we could escape. I stepped back, my heel slamming into the steel door behind me.

  Trapped, I clutched the handle of the case in both hands. I wouldn’t give it up easily. My heart pounded faster, my whole body screaming to flee. A mere two feet in front of me, my attacker pulled out a knife, his grin the evilest thing I’d ever seen.

  I secured my grip on the case and then swung it with all my strength, hitting him with a mighty whack. The weight of the case pulled me forward. To my horror, I’d barely made him move. He glared at me—his evil grin had vanished. His lip curled into a sinister sneer. He ripped the case from my hands, and a blow hit my chest, knocking the wind from me. Then my teeth smashed together. Searing pain shot through my jaw. I tried to stop myself falling. I crashed into something solid and slid to the floor, crates toppling around me.

  I gasped for breath as a blinding light suddenly filled the room.

  Pain stabbed through me with every beat of my pounding heart, consuming me. My chest gre
w heavy, and I could hardly breathe.

  “Fuck!” Lucas raced over and dropped to his knees beside me. Pulling off his jacket, he stuffed it beneath my head. I coughed. Tiny red specks spattered the front of his crisp white shirt. He pulled the knife from my chest and pressed his hands to the wound to stop it bleeding. “Hang on, baby.” I winced as pain shot through my insides, but the pressure made it easier to breathe.

  Athena suddenly appeared. “We’ll get the sai back. Just give her the ambrosia!” Her jerky movements blurred my vision, and I gasped, a wheeze whistling in my throat.

  Lucas glanced up at her. “You know we can’t just give it to her. She has to agree, or it won’t work.”

  “She promised to do whatever it took!”

  “Yes, but she still has the coin.”

  “My men died heroes, and I promised them reverence in the afterlife. I’ll not allow you to forsake them!”

  Athena glared at me. Her eyes narrowed with disdain. I’m sure if she could’ve forced the ambrosia down my throat, she would’ve. My eyes lowered, but, I forced them open and focused on Mitch as he ripped off his jacket to help stem the blood pouring from my wound. He yelled for Ryle to bring the car around. His voice faded as if the surrounding cold had snatched it away. Dropping to his knees beside me, he applied more pressure to my chest. “Amberleigh, please take the ambrosia, or you’ll die.”

  The cold engulfed me, and my pain receded. I felt a little better. Why was he so worried? I’d seen that look on his face before. Was I dying? My eyelids lowered, and I couldn’t be bothered to keep them open. The warm, soft hum of the guys’ voices called to me. I wanted to curl up into a ball and luxuriate in the feeling. I felt safer than I’d ever felt before. Was this what it felt like to die? If it was, I could happily stay here in the darkness forever.

  Images of the guys’ faces flashed before me. An echo of their laughter surrounded me, and then they vanished. Where were they? If I died, maybe I’d never see them again. The thought sent a pang of pain searing through me. I couldn’t be without them.

  I wanted to live.

  I hadn’t even had time to bury Jed.

  Tires screeched to a halt. I forced my eyes open. Lucas’s blurry face appeared. Tears trickled down my cheek, and he wiped them away. I gazed into his gold-flecked eyes. He leaned forward and pressed his soft lips to mine. A huge peace flowed through me. Tears glistened in his eyes, threatening to overflow. He pulled back, and wiped them away.