Shivers

by Remmy Duchene

  Hades looked over at him, nodded and stood. He made some excuse about having to deal with a soul and exited the area. Moments later, Osaki’s head was invaded by the God of the Underworld’s thoughts.

  “We have trouble.”

  “Kofi, we have to go. But Ares will remain here with you and Carter. Please see that Christophe joins you the moment his fight is over.” Osaki pulled the outer layers of his coat closer together.

  “What’s wrong?” Kofi and Carter chorused.

  “I am not certain,” Osaki replied, “but Hades has called for me.”

  Kofi nodded but he didn’t look convinced. Osaki walked by him, down the aisle, and exited the arena area, following Hades’ direction. When the two finally met up, it was to a gust of wind that took Osaki off his feet and carried him hard into the wall. He grunted, slid down and slammed into the ground. For a moment, he couldn’t breathe.

  “Osaki, get up, man!” Hades barked. “I am going to need help here. I do not have a Shiver’s power.”

  He shook his head and pushed to his feet, listening to Hades’ words while trying to drown the cheering that had somehow seeped into his mind. Osaki focused long enough to have the lance materialize in his hand then he glanced across the space to see Hades sparring with someone. The person wasn’t Shiver but there was something truly dark about him.

  Hades backed up and Osaki took on the attacker. Osaki fought alongside Hades. At one point, he bent backward, the enemy’s blade swiping over him as Osaki caught sight of someone familiar on the ground. “Damn it to hell,” he muttered, sending his foot into the attacker’s gut. When the being sailed across the open space, Hades’ blade went through his chest, stopping him suddenly.

  “Damn it, H!” Osaki called. “I wanted him alive!”

  “Then you should have said something,” Hades snapped, taking the soul into his palm and toying with it as a child would a ball. “I must take him under.”

  “Osaki!” Kofi shouted.

  He allowed the lance to vanish before turning to face Kofi, whose beautiful eyes were filled with pain and concern. “What was that all about?”

  “Just another attack,” he replied, turning to watch the body vanish. “We must go back in before your friend gets worried.”

  Kofi nodded and Osaki turned to exchange glances with Ares and Carter. He knew the two of them could probably tell what was going on in his head. Though neither said anything in Kofi’s presence, Osaki knew they wanted to. He took a deep breath and glanced over his shoulder. Something was definitely wrong. Their last attacker was not Shiver nor Olympian immortal—yet he had been strong.

  * * * *

  “What do you think?” Christophe asked.

  Kofi hugged him then cradled his face before stepping back. “That was awesome! Congratulations on the knockout!”

  “It was my first,” Christophe grinned. “Who are your friends?”

  “Um…” Kofi turned to look at Ares and Osaki then over to Carter. “Well, you know my brother. This is Osaki Hirosuke and this…”

  Ares instantly extended his hand. “Ari,” he said quickly. “Nice to meet you.”

  Kofi didn’t argue with it. He listened to Ares—Ari—and Christophe talk about boxing for a little before suggesting they go back to his place for something to drink. The truth was that he didn’t really feel like being alone.

  “I have to head home,” Ares told him. “I wish to see my brother before he settles in for the night.”

  “Oh—too bad,” Christophe said, tilting his head to look at Ares. “I have to head home too, I’m afraid. Mom will want to know how I did and I have to make sure she took her medication. But can we do this again sometime?”

  “For sure,” Kofi agreed.

  Ares and Christophe left them alone and the two drove home together. After Kofi had grabbed a couple of glasses of wine, they settled on the balcony, shirtless and staring out over the city. Kofi took a long, therapeutic haul from his drink.

  “I’ve been having this dream,” he began softly. “I’m in bed with someone. I don’t know who it is because I’ve never seen her face. What I do know is that I love this person—more than my own life. Every time I have the dream, I can feel how much I love this person… It’s this warm feeling—the kind you get when it’s really cold outside and you finally get to sip some hot tea… But not really…”

  “Kof—”

  “No, hear me out. We don’t touch or anything, just lay there beside each other. Then close to the morning, I’ll blink in my dream, turn my head and look over and it’s Osaki.”

  “Osaki!”

  “Yeah. What does it mean?”

  “You’re asking me to interpret your dreams?” Carter sounded confused. “Hell, I have enough issues trying to interpret life as is. You’re probably obsessing over this whole Shiver thing so that it’s affecting your dreams at nights.”

  “You sure?”

  “You want sure? Hire a psychic.”

  Kofi chuckled. “I just… I’m afraid to close my eyes at nights because I’m terrified it might come back and this time I’ll touch him.”

  “And what would be so bad about that?”

  “What’s so bad about that? Carter…”

  “I know. You’re straight, but when you dream of Osaki, do you want to touch him? Do you want to feel his mouth on you?”

  Kofi didn’t reply. He merely drank again. “Yes.”

  “Well, maybe you’re bisexual, Kofi. There’s no shame in that.”

  “Then why do I feel ashamed?”

  Carter inhaled loudly, set his drink aside and faced Kofi. “Listen, Kofi. Life is not just black or white. There is a space in between that is full of color. If you’re gay, straight, bisexual… There’s no shame in it and it doesn’t make you broken. It just makes you a tad freaky.”

  Kofi chuckled. “It would take some getting used to. Anyway, can we talk about something else? This whole talking about Osaki thing is making me hard.”

  The look on his brother’s face was priceless. “You’re kidding,” Carter said.

  “You want to check?”

  Carter held up both hands in surrender. “Um… No… No!”

  Kofi laughed.

  Chapter Six

  During their patrol, Osaki knew someone was following them. When he investigated, the stalker disappeared before he could get his hands on him. That further soured his mood. After a quick lunch with Sisqo, Osaki left when Poseidon showed up to give Poseidon some time with his son. With nothing else to do, Osaki wandered around, invisible to humans for a while. Eventually, his mind grew so clogged, he needed something to stop the jumbled thoughts. He made his way back to Olympus, changed then entered the war room. Ares said he could use it whenever they didn’t have official business.

  Osaki wielded the blade above his head and spun before dropping into a crouch. Swordplay was his favorite kind of workout. It cleared his mind beautifully. His kata caused the sword to swish by his hair, narrowly missing his ponytail. He loved the song the weapon sang as it sliced through the air and the way his body moved with it. It worked every muscle, something he couldn’t get in many other places. He was throwing a roundhouse kick when someone suddenly appeared out of thin air. He lowered his foot, spun and brought the katana up, stopping short at Hercules’ chin.

  “Hello, Osaki,” the demigod greeted in that smooth voice he always used when he was having fun or up to something. “I guess I should have knocked.”

  Osaki chuckled and lowered the sword. He bowed to Hercules while sheathing it.

  “You only do that when you are worried about something,” Hercules observed. “What is on your mind?”

  “I am not sure it is important.”

  “Come now, Osaki. If it has you this preoccupied, of course it is of the utmost significance.”

  The thought of lying sprang to mind, but he could never hide anything from Hercules, Ares or Ciro. It was one of those things where he just always seemed to have to be honest. If he tr
ied lying to them, it would be written all over his face.

  “Okay.” Then a different dilemma cropped up. Osaki wasn’t sure how to explain what was bothering him. He inhaled, rubbed his palms into his kimono and blurted out, “A man asked me to dinner.”

  “Well, that is splendid!” Hercules cheered, slapping Osaki on the back. “Is it not?”

  “It should be. Except I think I am falling for him and it cannot happen.”

  “Why not? You have not been with a man since what year?”

  “1470.”

  Hercules’ eyes widened. “Holy mother of Zeus, Osaki! You mean to tell me you have not mated in over five hundred years?”

  Osaki frowned. “When you put it like that, it sounds horrible. The reason why I cannot fall for him is because he is not into men and he is human.”

  “This man being human is not that big of a deal.” Hercules laughed. “Look around you! We Olympians are known for our trysts with humans. I am a prime example of that.”

  Osaki wasn’t sure if that made him feel better or worse. He unlatched the sword from his back and placed it gently on the cushioned table in one corner by the window before facing his friend. “There is a war happening, Hercules… A war that takes casualties and even if this man was in love with me, I could not put him in that kind of danger.”

  “Then why have dinner with him?”

  “I do not know.” Osaki blinked. “Perhaps it is because I am weak. But I keep telling myself it is because I shall be his guide to Nippon and I need to prove to myself that I can resist this temptation. I am samurai, damn it! We pride ourselves by living with the Bushido code and self-control is one of them!”

  Hercules shook his head. He walked across the room in three large steps. “But does that not mean denying your body, your heart? Does that not make you miserable?”

  Osaki bowed his head then turned to stare out of the window into the Celestial Garden.

  “Why then do you wish to keep on being a martyr for some unknown cause? You are no longer living in that time, Osaki. You must allow yourself the luxury of feelings.”

  Osaki huffed.

  “If it is one thing I have learned over all my centuries here, it is that love and hate are the two constants.” Hercules’ voice was soft now, close. “I know you did not use the word love but I can see it in your eyes. There is a fire there. There is fire there—I think.”

  “Well, the only downside is this man is not into men.”

  “For that I am truly sorry, my friend,” Hercules offered.

  Osaki turned to face Hercules then. “So am I. I must take a bath before heading down to see him. I shall not be late.”

  “Take your time, Osaki. I have nothing but time on my hands now that I am taking a vacation—of sorts.”

  Osaki laughed. “Right. You on vacation. This I need to see.”

  “After your date…”

  “It is not a date.” Osaki eyed him. “It is merely dinner.”

  “Sure…”

  Hercules hugged him and, before Osaki could say anything, the demigod strode from the room, leaving behind him the echoes of his mighty laughter.

  “You know, I do not think he believes me,” Osaki muttered.

  * * * *

  Osaki tried finding a quiet space on Olympus after his workout and talk with Hercules. He thought he’d found it in the Main Hall. When other gods and goddesses filled the space, he left his temporary solace and closed himself away in his private chambers. For a moment he remained naked in the center of the room, his eyes closed, trying to hear Kofi—to feel him. After a bunch of static, a shiver went down his spine and Kofi came through like a cable channel from abroad. Something deep down told him not to let Kofi in but he just couldn’t let go.

  Just a little more.

  “O, you ready?”

  The voice snapped him back to reality and he gasped and whirled around. Osaki was still not used to that nickname. He was alone in his quarters but he could still feel Hades outside the door. Guilt washed over him for what he’d been using his powers to do. He scrambled and got dressed. The last thing he had to put on were the straps to his sheath for his sword.

  “Osaki? Is everything all right?”

  “Yes.” As if to stress his reply, Osaki let himself out of his room and Hades patted him on the back. It was rare when Hades left the Underworld but since Ciro had gotten married, Hades seemed to be coming around more often.

  Together with Sisqo and Hades, they exited Olympus to do their rounds. Since Aerios had been sentenced, the other Shivers hell-bent on Earth’s destruction seemed to have been lying low. There were nothing but a few scuffles. Still, Ciro advised them to keep vigilant. He believed that they were merely recuperating after Aerios’ demise, and Osaki agreed. He could feel the evil lurking in the darkest corners of the world and sometimes in the planes between. With words of caution, Hades vanished and Osaki climbed into the front seat of Sisqo’s car.

  “I do not know why you insist on driving one of these,” Osaki said. “You do know you can disappear like the rest of us.”

  Sisqo grinned, that same handsome, boyish grin he always used when he was up to something. He revved the engine. “Feel that power, Osaki.”

  “I suppose.” He shrugged and turned to look out of the window. “Do you smell that?” Something was in the air—something Osaki was beginning to become quite familiar with. It was trouble.

  “Yes—I figured all this quiet was too good to be true. Can you figure out where it is coming from?”

  Osaki shook his head. “I have not been able to get that down yet.”

  The air around them picked up, and Sisqo instantly jammed on the brake while jerking the steering wheel to the left. The tires squealed, and long before the car was even at a stop, Osaki disappeared from the vehicle and reappeared, hovering over the road. He felt the attack coming, like a runaway train down a hill. He didn’t have time to draw his weapon but dropped himself low and sent one leg out like a soccer player kicking the ball over his head.

  His leg slammed into someone—another Shiver who went tumbling backward through the air. Osaki gave him no time to recover. He was on him in a split second and the fight soared higher and higher into the sky. The clouds darkened and thunder rolled around them. Osaki lost track of the attacker for a second but that was enough to be whacked in the back of the head. He fell through the air, twisting aimlessly toward the ground. Thankfully, he caught himself in a swirl of wind and frowned.

  “Osaki, over here!” Sisqo called.

  Osaki growled and pushed upward, arms at his sides. The attacker came at him again and this time Osaki was ready. He allowed his lance to appear and swung. The other Shiver sailed through the air toward Sisqo, who used the butt of his sword against the attacker’s skull, sending the body flying. It slammed into the ground, kicking up dust. Osaki rushed over and stood over the unconscious figure and Sisqo landed beside him.

  “Do you know him?” Osaki questioned.

  “Yes. His name is Allos, the last born Shiver.”

  “I must know why he came after us,” Osaki muttered, hunching down beside Allos and pressing two fingers into the center of Allos’ forehead. He closed his eyes for a moment until he felt Allos’ spirit return. He then opened his eyes to stare at his attacker. “You and I are about to have a conversation, Allos. I will ask you questions and you will reply to them truthfully.”

  “Might as well.” Allos panted. “You are a dead man.”

  “Is that a fact?” Osaki pulled his sword and held it to Allos’ neck. “Here is question number one. Why did you attack us?”

  “He was not supposed to be here.” Allos motioned toward Sisqo “You have stolen from us.”

  “Stolen from you? Explain.”

  “You are no Shiver. You are a man. We will make you pay for what you have done.”

  Osaki inhaled as he felt the crackle of lightning around him.

  “Easy, man,” Sisqo soothed. “He is trying to rile you. He know
s what happens if a Shiver gets out of control.”

  Osaki tilted his head to see Allos smiling at him. “You go and you tell them…”

  “You cannot let him leave here alive, Osaki,” Sisqo explained. “You know what will happen if you do that. At least take him to Ciro.”

  “No. I will not bother Ciro with this. But you, Allos… This is the only mercy you will receive from me. Come after me again and you will die.”

  Allos merely smirked and when Osaki eased away, he disappeared.

  “You made a mistake, Osaki.”

  Osaki took a breath and rose. He didn’t need Sisqo to tell him that was a bad move. He knew that. But Osaki had enough blood on his hands. There was no need to disturb Ciro now. Together they climbed into the car, both looking back periodically. Osaki knew why. They were being watched again. Still, he remained silent for the rest of their patrol before heading back to Olympus.

  “I’m too old for this,” he muttered.

  Chapter Seven

  Kofi shoved the basketball under his arm and reached for his bag with the other hand. He was running late but he wasn’t about to miss his weekly game of basketball with his brother. After tossing the bag over his shoulder, he reached for a banana, held it between his lips so he could lock the door then made his way down to his car. It took another few seconds to stash everything on the passenger seat for him to realize he’d forgotten his coffee inside. Frowning, he tossed his hands up and fell into the front seat.

  The moment he started the ignition, the phone picked up his Bluetooth signal in the dashboard and began ringing. “Call from—Shiver Baby—say Answer or Decline.”

  Kofi hated that name. But Carter insisted on listing himself as Shiver Baby. He placed his phone on the seat between his legs and checked over his shoulders while he backed out of the driveway. “Answer.”

  “Hey, you are so late,” Carter said. “Wanted to make sure you weren’t kidnapped on the way over here.”

  “Ha ha, very funny.” Kofi feigned laughter. “I know and I’m on my way.”