Shivers
Page 1
Table of Contents
Books by Remmy Duchene
Title Page
Legal Page
Ciro
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Osaki
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Koi
Book Description
Dedication
Trademark Acknowledgements
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Read more from Remmy Duchene
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About the Author
Pride Publishing books by Remmy Duchene
Single Books
Tempted to Touch
The Smell of Camellias
IntoXication
So Into You
Faded Into You
Lost in You
Fallen Into You
Shivers
Ciro
Osaki
Koi
SHIVERS
Ciro
Osaki
Koi
REMMY DUCHENE
Shivers
ISBN # 978-1-78651-747-0
©Copyright Remmy Duchene 2019
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright September 2014
Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2019 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.
Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.
CIRO
Book one in the Shivers series
Hades hath no fury than Hera’s wrath…
Ciro is the son of Zeus and the goddess of the Storm Winds. He must stop his crazy, cursed brothers from destroying Earth, but most importantly from destroying the man he loves.
Ciro Pyktis was born with a target on his back, thanks to his father Zeus’ infidelity. Tired of her husband’s man-whoring ways, Hera cursed his latest offspring born outside their marriage to become Shivers. Somehow, Ciro was born a good Shiver, but a few of his brothers are hellbent on destroying him and the humans.
Finally, Ciro finds the man of his dreams and he should be happy, but now, not only does he have to protect all of Earth and Olympus from his brothers, he must also keep Carter Olabasu safe from the evil Ciro knows is coming.
Carter Olabasu has everything—his brother finally accepts his homosexuality, Carter has a thriving architecture business and the freedom to do what he wants when he wants. But he’s lonely. A chance meeting at a nightclub brings him into Ciro’s path. Almost instantly, he’s obsessed by a need that he’s never felt before—one for Ciro. However, when the world starts falling apart around him, Carter will have to face the fact that his new man isn’t who Carter thinks he is, and there are things that go bump in the night humans can never, ever find out about.
Dedication
To Ericka Walden, Jade Baiser, Havan Fellows, Vanessa Womble and Big Papi— Thank you for your years of encouragement and Virtual hugs. And to Lil Miss and JW, I couldn’t have written this without you.
Trademark Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Shiver : writers Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, William Champion, Jonathan Mark Buckland; Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd.
A Christmas Carol : Charles Dickens (Public Domain)
I Dream of Jeannie : creator, Sidney Sheldon; Sidney Sheldon Productions, Screen Gems Television
Percy Jackson : author, Rick Riordan; publisher, Disney Hyperion Film; film, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Guinness: Diageo plc
Google: Google, Inc.
Google Earth: Google, Inc.
Prologue
“From the deepest desires often comes the deadliest hate.”
—Socrates
Ciro sat in the main hall of Olympus listening to the chatter around him. It was the last place he wanted to be, as he wasn’t a god by any means. But, since Zeus was his father, he was forced to sit with Ares, his brother, to the left, and his sister Aphrodite on the right, with all the other gods of Olympus at a meeting that was dragging. Even Hades sat, glowing in dark robes, looking as though he was bored to death. Glancing around the room, Ciro noted no one seemed as interested in the gathering as Zeus was. Often, Ciro would turn to see Hera watching him intently. The goddess unnerved him and she probably wished he would just die. He was a constant reminder of her husban
d’s many weaknesses.
But that was not all. One moment she disliked him, the next she was trying to seduce him. He knew what she was up to, and Ciro wasn’t going to fall for it. Forget for a moment the disgust he would feel sleeping with his father’s wife, but letting her seduce him would harm his mother. Ciro wasn’t about to be entangled in the feud between Zeus and his wife any more than he had to. To be honest, he liked it better when she was trying to kill him. At least that way he knew how to fight back.
His mind switched gears to his brothers. A few of them were fine—they lived a life away from Earth and Olympus. Those brothers chose to remain silent, mere blips in the fabric of existence. Though Ciro couldn’t do that, he refused to destroy the people his mother cared about. They were, after all, a strong people. Then there were the other brothers who had come out wrong. They were hellbent on world domination. Ciro had spent his adult life fighting them off, but he was tiring.
Finally, Zeus hit the giant lightning bolt he held against the side of his chair, signaling the end to all their torture and dragging Ciro back from the journey his mind had wandered on. He simply turned his head to watch the others push their chairs away. The motion caused the legs of the seats to scrape against the floor as everyone rose. They dispersed, but Ciro remained where he was, massaging his temples.
“Are you staying, brother?” Ares asked. “If not, I could use your assistance.”
“I do not think I can feel my brain,” Ciro replied crossly, tapping the sides of his head with his index fingers. It really did feel as if his brain had gone to sleep—or was frozen.
Adrestia laughed and kissed Ciro’s cheek. “You are so theatrical, Uncle Ciro. But I must go—there is a war looming and I must stop it. Now, do behave while I am away.”
Ciro smirked at her telling him to be good since he was so much older than she was. “You? Stop a war?” he questioned then turned to his brother. “Am I missing something, Ares?”
“It boggles my brain too,” Ares replied.
“It is not a beneficial war, dear uncle. There is no balance or revenge needed in this case. The crime was not committed.” Adrestia flipped her hair dramatically. “I hate to see innocents suffer because their leaders are morons. I must show my face and forbid it. Yes, Father, I shall take Osaki with me. But if he requires a recharge…”
“I understand.” Ares made a face but smiled.
Before exiting the room ahead of Hercules, Adrestia hugged her father then kissed Ciro’s cheek again. Ciro shook his head.
“What is bothering you?” Ares fell back into his seat. “You seemed a little more preoccupied than usual. Sisqo told me one of the rogues got a jump on you the other night. Do not make that a regular occurrence, brother.”
“Trust me, Ares. I do not intend to make it a regular thing. My head just was not into the whole patrolling thing and he came out of nowhere.”
“Okay. So what is on your mind?”
“I am not certain,” Ciro replied softly. “It is as if each time I take one step forward, I am pushed four leaps back. It is a rather trying sensation.”
“You are not making much sense, Ciro.”
“And that is how jumbled it is inside my head.” Ciro inhaled and held the breath before exhaling long and hard, causing the door to shake. “I fear I am losing my touch, Ares. I have been hunting Gala for the past six Earth months and he has managed to elude me at every turn. I mean, what am I doing wrong?”
“Listen to me. Just because you have yet to catch him does not mean you are losing anything. Some nuts are just harder to crack than others—as the humans always say. What are your options when it comes to fighting him?”
Ciro shrugged. “I am out of options. It seems I have tried all there is to try.”
“No.” Ares shook his head. “I do not accept that. There has to be something we are missing.”
“With Kost, it was not this hard. He was very easy to track and once I found him…”
“Yes—but…”
“Yes, yes, the nuts being harder to crack—I get it. I fear my brothers are growing stronger and soon I will be unable to stop their destruction.”
“That does not sound like you,” Ares said, leaning forward to speak so only Ciro could hear. “You cannot give up. Gala has been a challenge. I will not dispute that. He stepped into being in the midst of a war I was waging against the Badlands and drowned all my soldiers.”
“I am sorry about that.”
“Stop apologizing for their actions. You know, the other gods ask me how I can be such friends with humans and the answer is simple. They have idiosyncrasies that work well in this situation. They say every adult human is responsible for his or her own actions.”
“But they are not humans.”
“I know but it applies. They are adults—not children. Every decision we make has consequences, Ciro. Your brothers are not above that and they will have to learn this lesson or die. After they drowned my soldiers, Hades was not prepared for such a deluge of the dead and he, too, was upset with me at first. Plus a part of Terra was left under the sea so both Gaia and Poseidon were unhappy with that concept. Who rules that part of Terra that was not originally underneath the ocean?”
Ciro rubbed his eyes. Suddenly they were throbbing—a rather unusual sensation. He rested back on the seat and stretched his legs out before him.
Ares continued, “Our brother is causing too much damage. So far, the other gods have remained out of this battle, because you have asked them not to interfere. But you have to strike now, Ciro.”
“I know.” Ciro dragged his fingers through his hair. “I know they will not remain patient for much longer. I have been asking too much of them.”
“I understand you believe this to be your responsibility, Ciro. But there is no shame in asking for help. Needing someone to stand by your side is not an act of cowardice, for it takes a brave and wise being to know when he requires someone’s aid.”
Ciro understood that but didn’t believe it applied to him. Still, he nodded.
“If you wish some assistance from myself and Adrestia,” Ares said. “You know we are more than happy to help.”
“This is my fight. Gala is my brother…”
“Yes, and he is also mine—but you have not heard anything I just said about asking for help, have you?”
“I have.” Ciro’s voice cracked, so he cleared his throat. “But this is truly my fight. My powers match his. I must do something before he lays ruin to Earth or even here—but especially Earth. Mother would be heartbroken.”
“I understand. In the meantime, I must ask your help with something.”
Ciro turned to eye his older brother. “Sure, anything. You know that.”
“I shall be going into battle with Cerepides.” Ares shifted in his seat.
“Say no more. I shall bear arms with you.”
Ares nodded, and the two men rose. They headed toward the door as Zeus shouted Ciro’s name.
The brothers exchanged looks.
Ares patted Ciro’s shoulder. “Do you wish for me to stay? I know how much you…”
“Do not worry, brother. I can do this.”
“I shall await your arrival.”
“I shan’t be long.” But Ciro wasn’t so sure. Each encounter with his father generally left him in a foul mood that went on to alter any plans he had beforehand.
Ares didn’t look convinced. Ciro offered him a smile, and Ares nodded, dragged his fingers through his long hair then strode from the room.
Finally, Ciro was alone in the main hall with the creator god. Ciro had never liked him. Though Zeus had sired him, he’d also hurt Ciro’s mother irreparably, and that was something Ciro could never forgive.
“I wanted to have a word with you about Gala and the rest of your cursed brothers,” Zeus said. “The damage they can cause on Earth is insurmountable.”
“You never cared for the humans before, Father,” Ciro snapped. “Why the sudden concern for their safety?”
“Insolence! What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means whatever you wish it to mean.” Ciro was tired and bored with the interaction. Zeus’ little talks never made him feel anything but anger.
“The humans are in danger and we both know it.”
“They are just people to be tricked into sleeping with you and nothing else, right, Father?” Ciro questioned. “This little back and forth is getting us nowhere. Why do you wish to speak about my brothers?”
“Do not be impertinent.”
“Father, impertinence is a human emotion. Something you find alluring—was that not what you told Hera?”
Zeus seemed to be at his wit’s end. He dragged a hand over his face and down his dark beard. He picked up the long folds of his robe and shoved them away from his feet as he stormed toward his throne. Ciro stood rigid, watching his father until Zeus sat and faced him.
“You have no reason to be like this with me.”
“Do I not?” Ciro asked, stepping forward, fists clenched. “You caused me to be what I am. You, who could not be faithful to the goddess that he chose as his wife, caused this—all of it. You do what you like whenever you like—and to Tartarus with the consequences. You have no regard for human life, and yet they worship you. How does it feel, oh mighty Zeus, to betray the same people who look up to you for guidance?”
“That is not what any of this is about.”
Thunder crashed around them as Zeus’ voice echoed through the grand room.
“Yet, once again, you refuse to take responsibility for your raging cock. Father, do you not see what is happening? I have to kill my brothers. Do you not care how that makes me feel?”
“Why should I? You are not one of my claimed sons.”
Ciro hung his head slightly with a smile on his lips and shook his head. “And once more, you’ve managed to sink lower than even Hades himself. The honest truth, Father, is that Gala’s destruction is on your head.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that. I am your father.”