Silence.
Thick, heavy.
I will do as I wish, Cronus finally said, and you will not stop me. Contrary to his words, however, he disappeared.
Aeron struggled to gain his bearings. The god king had never backed down from anything. That he had now, before an angelthat didnt bode well for Aeron, who was far less powerful.
As for you. Lysander held out his hand and a sword composed solely of fire suddenly appeared. The tip of that sword was pointed at Aerons throat before he could blink.
His flesh sizzled, even as his eyes narrowed. Is this about thesoiling?
You have no idea how much I long to kill you, the angel said. Coldly, without mercy.
But you will not. Otherwise, the angel would have already struck. They were clearly the same in that regard. When it was warranted, warriors acted without hesitation. They didnt pause for conversation.
No, I will not. Bianka wouldnt like it. Nor would Olivia. The sword lowered, vanished. I want her back, but shelikes you. Disgust layered his truthful voice. Therefore, you will live. For now. But I want you to make her miserable, to make her hate this mortal life, and I want you to do it while keeping her safe.
Agreed.
So easily? Those dark eyes widened. You do not want to keep her?
Wantyes. In that instant, at the thought of losing her once and for all, he admitted that part of him did indeed want to keep her. At least for a little while. He wanted to help her have fun, wanted to watch her smile and hear her laugh. He wanted to hold her again. Kiss her again. Touch her again. Finally sink inside that sweet little body. But he wouldnt. She would be better off in the heavens, and he could return to the life hed made for himself. A life without complications. Or worry. Well, except for the coming attempts to end his life.
If she remained on earth, she would be human. Fragile. She would soon wither and die. And he would only be able to watch her. That wasnt something he would ever allow himself to do. Not for anyone. Not even her. Especially not her.
Mine, Wrath growled.
No, he forced himself to sayto Wrath, to Lysander. No more ignoring or accepting the demons claim. It was far too hazardous. I dont want to keep her. Unlike the angel, he could lie unflinchingly.
Yet you do wish to. soil her completely?
He pressed his lips into a mulish line. They were not having that conversation. Already his body reacted at the thought of bedding her, hardening in all the right places.
I can see that you do. Very well, then. Or maybe they were. Be with her inthat way, if thats what you both desire. I will not punish you for it, for no one knows better than I that a woman bent on seduction is irresistible. And no one knows Olivia better than I. If she doesnt experience everything Lysander, the fearsome angel actually blushed she wont leave you. So. After the act, make her miserable like I told you. Convince her to leave you without physically harming her, and Ill do my best to convince the Heavenly High Council to spare you and your demon friend.
Lysanders best would equal success. No question in Aerons mind.
Which meant Aeron and Legion would be alive, and Olivia would be forever protected. Olivia, whom Lysander knew better than anyone. That statement roused more emotion than any othereven the one about being spared.
He should be the one to know her best.
Thank you, he forced himself to say. Funny. The words sounded like theyd been shoved past blades.
Lysander backed away, one step, two. Ill go now, but not without first imparting information you have long craved, as you cannot protect my ward the way she needs if you do not know whats happening around you. He didnt wait for Aerons response. But then, Aeron didnt have one. Had he spoken, he might have accidentally sent Lysander on his way rather than urging him to continue. Youve often wondered why Cronus refuses to harm Galen on his own. The reason is simple. Cronus and his wife, Rhea, despise each other. They have taken opposite sides in your war and have vowed not to capture or kill any Lord themselves. Their way of keeping the fight somewhat fair, I suppose. Rhea is, of course, Galens shield and informant.
So. A god was helping the Hunters. And not just any god, but the Titan queen.
Should have known, should have guessed. Aeron had met her once, when the Titans had first defeated the Greeks and overtaken the heavens. Theyd summoned him, hoping he would supply information about the Lords. Rhea had looked as old as Cronus once had, with silver hair and wrinkled skin. She had radiated such coldness and hatred, Aeron had been taken abackthough at the time, hed been more concerned by the news about the changing of the heavenly guard than by one lone goddesss chilly stare.
One more bit of information Ill leave you with, Lysander said, for this will aid you more than any other. Cronus and Rhea are like you.
Like him? What do you mean?
They are gods, yes, but they are also Lords. She is possessed by the demon of Strife and hehe is possessed by Greed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
OLIVIA GROANED. Her temples throbbed and her brain felt as if it had been doused in gasoline and set on fire. Still, she blinked open her eyes, determined to find out what was wrong with her; tears instantly formed, burning hotter than her head. And now, as awareness swept through her, she realized her mouth felt as if it had been stuffed with barbed wire and cotton.
She smacked her lips, confused, concerned.
Thats a good girl, Aeron said. Though the words themselves were positive, he sounded harried. Even upset. And loud. Way too loud. Wake up. Come on, Olivia. You can do it.
Hush. Through a foggy haze, she managed to focus on him. He crouched beside her, both hands extended. In one, two little pills rested. In the other was a cup of something dark and steamy. Please.
I need you to take these and drink this. At least he whispered this time.
As an angel, her senses hadnt been attuned to this plane and shed never truly smelled what humans cooked or drank or misted all over their bodies. But she could smell now, and that dark liquid was divine. Like bottled power, promising a fresh start, perhaps even a total body healing.
Coffee, she knew humans called it. No wonder they stood in mile-long lines and were willing to hand over every cent in their pockets for a single shot of it.
What are those? she managed to croak out, motioning to the pills with a tilt of her chin. Mistake! The movement sent a wave of dizziness crashing through her.
Just take them. Theyll make you feel better.
That, he hadnt whispered and she covered her ears. Do you have an inside voice? Could you use it, please?
He fisted the pills and gently dislodged her hands. Stop playing. We dont have a lot of time.
Shh! Livvies talking, and shes not averse to crushing your vocal cords if you dont keep it down. Why did she like this man again?
Up. Now.
Gingerly she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Her still-burning brain nearly exploded, and she groaned.
Aeron gave her an impatient scowl. No, not impatient. The emotion in that scowl was dark, yes, but whatever he felt was harder. Needier? Had her groan affected him?
She wanted to preen. She did fluff her haironly to realize the curling mass tumbled down her shoulders in countless tangles. Her cheeks flamed as she pulled up the hood of her robe. Or tried to. Frowning, she looked down. Blue tank top, short black skirt.
Why was Her slut-it-up makeover, she recalled. Oh, yeah. But that didnt explain her headache. Her lashes lifted and she met Aerons penetrating stare. Was I injured?
He snorted. Hardly. You drank too much, and are now paying the price.
That wasnt the only price she was paying. One terrible memory after another suddenly flooded her. After that first bottle of giggle juice, which clearly hadnt been so giggly for her, shed experienced a terrible sense of loss. After the second bottle, a crushing sense of depression had come over her, and she had sobbed uncontrollably. Gideon had held her, and shed cried all over him. About Aeron. Mortifying.
Aeron lifted his hand to her mouth. Take the pills, but dont chew them. Understand? Swallow them whole.
Could she? Just then, they looked as big as oranges. Her arm was shaking as she pinched the pills between her fingers and tossed them into her mouth. Tried to swallow. Failed. Ugh. The taste! Her face scrunched in revulsion.
Drink. Thatll help. He held the steaming cup to her lips and poured.
Olivia gagged. While the liquid smelled wonderful, it tasted like a mix of battery acid and dirt. How ladylike would she appear if she spit everything onto the bed?
Swallow, he barked as he set the cup aside.
She did. Barely. The pills slid down her throat, rubbing her raw, as did that disgusting coffee. When she stopped shuddering, she glared up at him. Dont ever do that to me again!
He rolled his eyes and settled back on his haunches. You did it to yourself when you allowed Gideon to get you drunk.
How many times was he going to remind her of her folly?
Now, I need you to get up. Livvie. Weve got something to do.
Right now she only wanted to go back to bed. In fact, she fell back onto the mattress and gazed up at the ceiling. There was a poster of a woman in a bikini, her skin golden, her cheeks red and her nipples hard. Long blond hair blew in the wind. Olivia frowned, confusion returning. That hadnt been in Aerons bedroom before.
She scanned the rest of the room, but didnt recognize anything. There was a walnut dresser with a crystal vase that glistened in the light seeping through white curtains, portraits of different-colored flowers on the walls and pretty beige carpet on the floor.
This doesnt look like your place, she said.
Thats because it isnt.
Her frown intensified. Sowhose is it?
Yours. Youll be staying here with Gilly, in this guest room. Do you know Gilly? He didnt give her a chance to answer. Both Paris and William have bunked here before, hence the poster. Anyway, youll be staying until you decide to return to the heavens.
Realization hit. He was so desperate to be done with her, hed flown her into town while she slept. Oh, that hurt.
Olivia?
Fight past your pain. Yes, I do know Gilly, she said, voice trembling. She knew the girl better than any of the Lords, actually. Gilly was young and sweet and had lived a tragic life until moving here, her parents having hurt her in so many ways.
At one time, Olivia had been responsible for bringing joy into Gillys life. Thats why, when Gilly ran away from home, shed led the teen to Los Angeles. On a level even Olivia hadnt understood, shed known Gilly would find salvation there. What she hadnt known then was that that salvation would be Danika and the Lords of the Underworld.
Her Deity worked in mysterious ways.
But, she continued, Im not going back to the heavens.
Determination glinted in Aerons eyes, but all he said was, Well talk about it later. Right now, as I told you, we have a job to do. Youve got time for a fast shower, but itll have to be a multitasking one. Ive got questions for you, so well talk while youre cleaning up.
He didnt wait for her response, but scooped her up and carted her to the bathroom. There wasnt time to enjoy the ride. He set her down, severing all contact, bent over and worked the knobs in the stall. He had a nice butt, she observed, hugged just right by his jeans. And by nice she of course meant so exquisite her stomach fluttered.
Hot water suddenly burst from the spigot, startling her into averting her eyes. By the time she realized what shed doneneed more!hed already straightened. How disappointing. Or maybe not. That water promised strength, vitality andher lids closed to half-mast. Fun, round two? Possibly. Her first shower, and Aeron would be an observer. Hopefully, he wouldnt be able to look without touching.
The morning was suddenly off to a much better start.
Desire trembled through her.
He turned to her and though he was the same height as always, he seemed larger, more menacing. His eyes glowed that bright violet, his tattoos stark, and the pulse in his neck hammered wildly. He wore a black shirt and black pantsboth easily removableand she could see the bulge of weapons at his waist and ankles.
So beautiful, she thought, heart picking up speed. She wanted to stroke him again. Wanted to dance her lips over his entire body. Especially between his legs. When shed gripped him there, shed felt that bead of moisture.
What would that bead taste like?
He gulped. Had he sensed the direction of her thoughts? You know how to take a shower, right? Youstrip his voice caught on the word step under the water and lather the soap from head to toe.
Are you going to join me? She pulled the tank over her head, letting the material float to the floor. Revealing her body should have made her uncomfortable, she supposed, but she wanted him to see and to yearn, just as she did. Unbearably. Besides, she was confident, aggressive, and now that she knew the kind of pleasure they could give each other, she would do anything, say anything, to receive it. Or are you just going to watch?
If thats the case, you can watch me do this. She cupped her breasts the way she suddenly imagined him cupping them, unable to stop herself. Oh, yes. That felt good.
His eyes widened, seemingly glued to her, the air in the bathroom changing. Charging with electricity. Dont do that. Harsh, choked.
Why not?
Because your Deity should be rewarded for creating those. He shook his head, though his narrowed gaze didnt leave her. I mean, because I Damn you. And damn me. I should be punished. The thoughts in my mind
Were they like hers? Aeron, she beseeched.
I just realized I never kissed them, he uttered in a rough voice charged with the same electricity that hummed in the air. And gods, woman, thats a crime.
Kiss them now. Please.
Yes. He leaned toward her, head bowing, pupils expandingand this time she knew it was desire rather than anger.