by Gideon Mills
“Fine,” I said. “But I’m not leaving. I’ll be here when you are.”
I sat on the floor next to the door and waited. Keeping a vigil for a woman I loved and cared deeply for.
How long I sat, I don’t remember, but it was hours. None of the others came, as they knew this wasn’t going to be easy. The squirrelkin was scared and hurt. Not to mention stubborn at times.
Eventually, the door opened. “You big lug,” she said.
I stood and pulled her close to me. Hugging her. Her sweet scent filled my nostrils, and her soft touch against me was relaxing. “I love you,” I said.
She looked up into my eyes with her deep penetrating gaze. One that could melt any heart. No way anyone would ever hurt her. Make her a fur coat. She was too kind and gentle for that.
“I love you too,” she said.
We went into her room and sat on the edge of her bed. It was small and barely big enough for me. With her being so petite, and very much the kin that she was.
“You’ll be okay,” I said. “You know we will protect you, even though you don’t need it. You’re the fiercest fighter I know.”
She smiled. “I don’t need protection, but thank you. I just can’t be stuck here and not able to leave.”
“I know, that isn’t right. But the city is too dangerous. Anywhere that normal humans are is too dangerous.”
“So that means I’m stuck here,” she said.
“Not necessarily,” I said. This was going to suck, but it would make her happy. Keep her safe, and that was the important thing.
I laid out what Athena had suggested.
“Are you saying I will get to meet some crazy Greek myths?”
Nodding, I couldn’t help but smile. Indeed she would meet some myths, ones that she might not be happy about. “Safe” around them was a relative term. A centaur was just as likely to kill a person as Fenrir was a Paragon. Though they might relate to her being part human and horse, not that they were the same. Still, some kind of bond might be possible.
“It will be dangerous,” I said. “But you won’t be here, and in very little danger from Fenrir and the government.”
I knew that the creatures that Athena would seek out were the ones that hated Gods or only liked certain Gods, and did their best to avoid us. That meant they most likely wouldn’t work for Hera.
Though some of the ones that I knew would work for Hera hated Gods too. But they were true monsters, and the people that Felicity could be seeking out were not monsters, just misunderstood.
14
Getting Ready for some Action
Felicity settled down, happy that she might still yet play a large part in beating Fenrir, or even more important, my mother. That was the thing that had really been bringing her down. She didn’t want to be stuck on the sidelines.
The fiery squirrelkin was used to being part of the action. While she might not have been one of the most well-known heroes in the city or the country, she was always out helping those. Doing her part to be there for the weak. For those that weren’t able to help themselves.
She was one of the kindest, most caring people I had met. She really wanted to help the people around her. To be part of their lives. It was one of her greatest qualities, and I loved it.
Holding her hand, we walked back to the front. I had little doubt that the others would still be there. Plotting out our next move. Seeing if there was any way to stop this terrible law form going into effect.
I wasn’t a Paragon, but that didn’t stop me from caring. Even back in ancient Greece, I would have tried to prevent something like this. Fuck, I attempted to stop this from happening the last time it occurred.
The last time I was on Earth before this was back in World War II. I came here and joined the British Army. And was one of the men that stormed Normandy. Being part of D-Day was one of my highlights. Helping the allied forces make their move against a man that deserved to rot in hell.
It still bugged me that he took the coward’s way out. Killing himself and not standing up for what he had done. That pissed me off, but there was nothing I could do about it. I’m sure that Hades was making sure that man was paying for his crimes now.
Shaking my head and focusing on the here and the now, Felicity and I exited the back area, and sure enough, they were all still here. Lola was typing away at her command hub. McGarrett was on the phone, talking nearly as fast as Lola did. Fleur was on a conference call, and Athena was in the corner, using one of the magical God's ways to talk to what many would call a mythological creature.
It was a sight to see, and one that made me happy. “See,” I said. “All working to keep us all safe. Especially you.”
For a brief moment, Felicity’s eyes watered up. She nearly cried, but she was too strong for us to all see that. She did her best not to.
“I know,” she said. “Just hate feeling useless.”
“Never, ever will you be that. Trust me on that,” I said.
Again, she had a broad smile on her face. Her little squirrel ears twitched, and her nose too. She really had the most adorable face, and I just wanted to stare at her all day. Take her in. Let her know she was loved, but we had to save the world. Again.
“Go talk to Athena,” I said. “She’ll be able to set up all that you two will be doing.”
I walked over to Lola, as the other two were deep in conversations. As I approached I mentioned, “It looks like Felicity will be joining Athena.”
“Yes.”
Lola shrugged. “Not happy about that.”
“Me too, but she is happy and wants to feel useful.”
Lola nodded. “I understand, but she can be helpful here too.”
I wasn’t as sure, but this wasn’t something to get into a debate about. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Seeing if we can find a loophole in the law or a way to sway the government to not do this.”
That was a long shot, but I hoped she found something, anything to get us out of this mess. I had to hand it to my mother, she found a way to make this even harder for us here. Putting all the Paragons into camps was a great way to make it easier for her to slaughter them.
Get them there, and then send out some of the vilest monsters at her disposal. She could unleash the Gorgons, the Minotaur, or chimera. An incredible thought occurred to me—if she had the thought of freeing and releasing Typhon on the Earth.
I hoped she wouldn’t be that crazy and dangerous, as he would destroy it all and make it unhabitable for even the Gods. Though that might be her last-ditch move, and I feared that. I wasn’t even sure if I was capable, with the aid of only Athena, of defeating him.
I shook my head and focused on now. “We need to get these ruled unconstitutional,” I said.
Lola shrugged. “One would think that was already in place, but I can’t find it. Not sure if we can.”
That was just plain stupid that this was going to be allowed. For all the talk of equal rights, and the like.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said.
“Hopefully.”
15
A Night to Remember
That night was the last one I would be spending with Felicity for the foreseeable future, and I didn’t like that one bit.
Throughout the day, she packed and readied to leave with Athena. The plan was to depart first thing in the morning. The destination wasn’t told to us, just in case someone got caught. The last thing we wanted to do was get them into more trouble than they already were.
I hated her leaving and going with my sister. Right now, Felicity and I were in my room alone. She was on the couch next to me. Curled up, resting against me as I played with her hair. Her tailed whipped back and forth as I did.
She was truly incredible. “I won’t be gone that long,” she said.
It felt like I might never see her again. I knew it was a very likely chance with all that was going on. The world was a fickle place, and she might not make it out of this alive. That none of
us would. Even a God can die, but not by mortal means. Hera was doing so much to kill the humans; I might just die as collateral damage.
“I hope you get back soon,” I said. “I hate the thought of you being gone. We all do.”
Felicity peered up into my eyes. “I have to do this,” she said. “I can’t stay cooped up like a frightened animal. I’m a fighter, and I need my freedom.”
I knew that all too well. “I know,” I said.
Leaning down, I kissed her soft, luscious lips. Letting her body press closer to me. Pulling her tighter and tighter. Not wanting to ever let go. To meld us into one.
My heart raced as we kissed. Holding her made the world better. Her lips heated up, and my hands began to explore her body. Her toned and stunning body. Every inch of her. She was beautiful and so exotic. So different, and yet the same.
Her own claws were playing with me. Rubbing against me in all the right places. Making me even more excited than I had been a second ago. Making the world go away. Just Felicity and I were here. Nothing else.
Melding into each other and becoming one was like nothing else. I needed this and never wanted it to stop.
Felicity slowly stood up and began to undress. Giving me a mini striptease. Taking off her form-fitting clothes to reveal her toned and tanned body. Her body truly was a mix of what she was, and it was marvelous, and I loved it.
Taking in her small but perky breasts, the flat abs. Along with her glorious pussy as she stripped off the nearly-there panties she wore. My cock was rock-hard, more than I had ever been. I wanted her now. To be in that pussy filling her with my member that was throbbing in my pants.
“Take me,” she said. “All of me.”
I sprung to my feet, and carried her to my bed, and placed her down, as I ripped my own clothes off.
Starting at her feet, I kissed. Making my way up her legs and skipping her intoxicating pussy, I moved to her stomach and then her breasts. Nipping on her nipples, and then letting my hand move to her clit, I rubbed. Letting my tongue tease her as my hand did the same.
Felicity moaned, and her tail darted back and forth. Her claws gripped into me tightly. “Ares,” she screamed. That was the first of many.
Moving back down with the kisses, this time I went to her vagina and used my tongue on her clit this time. Sucking on her lower lips and letting my finger enter her. She was dripping wet, soaking the bed.
This was one of the greatest joys in the world. Making a woman orgasm over and over. Hearing her say my name. Nothing was better in the world. Nothing would ever top seeing the woman I loved happy and in bliss.
After I make her squirt her juices over my face, I slid up, and let my rock-hard cock tease her. Play with her.
“Ares,” she purred. A guttural love sound for her. She wanted me to make love to her. To enter her and pleasure her more. “Please.”
I smiled. With one last tease of the tip of my penis, I plunged deep into her. Making love to her for the rest of the night.
16
Goodbye, Felicity
The next morning, we all stood at the front door. Athena and Felicity were packed up and ready to go. I’m not ashamed to admit it, but I got teary-eyed. Seeing her there in her spunky little traveling outfit, and bouncing on her feet. Raring to go. It was hard to let her.
“Be safe,” Lola said.
“I will,” Felicity said.
“I’ll keep her safe,” Athena said.
My sister would do all she could to make sure Felicity made it through this adventure. Felicity really had no idea what she was getting into. I don’t think any of them really understood what was going on.
While they had grown used to Athena and me saying were Gods, and even accepted it somewhat, I doubted they realized what Felicity was going to see. What she was going to experience as she went on this adventure.
“I know you will,” Fleur said. “We’ll miss the both of you.”
Athena smiled. “We will be back before you know it, and I’m sure by the time we are, you’ll have this whole thing with Fenrir fixed, and we can focus on Hera.”
“Hopefully,” I said.
That would be the dream, and we wouldn’t be wasting time. Epps and Mako wanted to talk again, and we would be, very soon.
Lola gave Athena a hug, and then Felicity, with a small kiss. Followed with Fleur doing the same.
I was the last one, and I didn’t want to. Felicity and I had, in a way, said goodbye last night, over and over.
“Athena,” I said. “Be safe. You know how dangerous this is.”
She nodded. “It is, but we have to. Hera is playing dirty. We need to as well.”
I cringed. “Be that as it may, no unneeded risk.”
“I promise,” Athena said. She nodded at me and exited.
Now it was just Felicity and me alone, by the door. The fiery squirrelkin peered up at me with her large doe-like eyes.
“Gonna miss you,” she said. “Keep them safe.”
I smiled. “I’ll do my best, but much like you, they can hold their own.”
“I know, you big lug,” she said. “But please.”
This was a lot harder than I thought it would be. “Oh, Felicity . . .”
“I know,” she said. She pulled me close and held me tightly. Then we kissed. A long deep one, and she pulled away and left me there standing alone.
Never in my life had I missed someone so fiercely, and she had just left. While I hadn’t known her for a long time, she was part of me. Just like the others, and I needed them in my life. For now and ever.
17
Yet another meeting
Later that afternoon, the three of us took a conference call with Mako.
“How are you holding up?” the man asked.
I wasn’t sure how to answer since Felicity departed today. Not knowing where she was, killed me.
“Making do,” Lola said. “Not easy to deal with this legislation.”
Mako nodded. “None of us saw it coming,” the CEO of Epps Technologies said. “I thought I had an ear to the ground with Fenrir, but clearly not.”
“You doing anything on your end to stop it?” Fleur asked.
“I’m afraid I have very little pull with the President and many in Congress.”
“Backed the wrong people,” Lola said.
Mako shrugged. “Can’t pick all winners. It happens.”
That was beyond strange to me, that many of the wealthiest people did control the government, and got them to do their bidding. That was the only way that Fenrir got this law into place.
And to make it worse, it wasn’t like we would be able to put new people in place to change this anytime soon. Politics was something I had avoided for most of my life, and let the other Gods and Goddesses deal with. There were some of my kin that loved dipping their fingers into that part of life. Themis being the most prevalent one.
Not that any would dare meddle these days, and that was a shame. If I could have one of them come and stick their fingers into the pot, we might be able to sway things. Stupid Father and his ban.
It really boggled my mind that more haven’t left Mount Olympus and joined me. Hera or Zeus must be keeping a very close eye on them.
“What can we do?” Fleur asked. “My contacts are all about starting a war.”
Part of me really liked the idea of a full-scale war against Fenrir. Thinking back through time, not many wars were waged against a company. Usually, it was the company or the little man attacking the big bad country. The oppressor in the past wasn’t typically just a single business. Not to say that didn’t happen, and wouldn’t in the future. Just not the norm.
“War would be bad,” Mako said.
Lola and I both nodded. “Trying to avoid it,” I said.
“Good.” Mako had a look of concern on his face. “Though I don’t know. We need to win the people. How Fenrir got them to back him, I do not know.”
“Can’t we use social media and your phones,” I asked, “stuf
f like that to spread the truth?”
“In theory,” Lola said. “The problem is we aren’t influencers or celebrities. That is who has the power there.”
“I’m Ares,” I said. “Doesn’t that give me power? She’s the White Angel. We have Major Thorn, Bionic Man, and how many other people.”
“As nice as those names sound,” Mako said. “All Paragons. Need regular humans and Paragons.”
He was right, and that was something I didn’t have an answer for.
18
Influencer
The next few days were a blur for me. Little happened, and we barely left the hideout. McGarrett had to take to sending cryptic messages. While the mayor of the city didn’t like the new law, she couldn’t oppose it. The governor of the state had shown support for it.
That was going to make things hard for us here. At least, a few of the states had their governors voice concern, and one straight up said he wouldn’t support this law. That he himself had been saved more than once by a Paragon, and the people he was being saved from weren’t other Paragons.
One out of fifty wasn’t the best, but it was a start. Surely the others having concerns was something to build on.
Lola was the only one for whom it was relatively safe to leave our home. She had gone out to the grocery store to get us food. Now more than ever, I felt just like Felicity thought she would. Being safe and careful just wasn’t in my nature, and I had to do something.
“We can’t stay here all the time,” I said. Lola was putting up the last of the food. “I’m going stir crazy.”
“I know,” she said.
Fleur walked in. “Got a call from Mako.”
We hadn’t heard from him since the day that Felicity had left. I had been beginning to wonder if he was going to abandon us and leave us to the fate that Fenrir had sealed for us.
