Smiling, he picked up some food, paid for it and vanished in the night.
* * * *
Christophe woke hours later and though he felt better, he was still aching. He took a moment in the bathroom to look at his sides in the mirror. Though his skin was dark, he could still see where the damage was done. Hopefully by the time he had to leave the house again in two days, he would not have to grunt with each step. It was a good thing his fight had been postponed until the gym could be fixed. There was no way they’d let him fight so banged up.
After stripping down, he turned on the shower to let the water run warm. While he waited, Christophe eyed his body. With the amount of time he spent working out, he thought for sure men would be knocking at his door. But they seemed to run in the opposite direction. Instead of being sad about it, Christophe shrugged and moved toward the bathtub. He’d just gotten one foot in when the doorbell rang. He groaned.
He wrapped a towel around his hips and turned off the water. The last thing he needed at that moment was a guest, but he couldn’t be rude. He checked the monitor and tilted his head. “Koi?” he said into the receiver.
“I come bearing gifts?”
Christophe laughed. “Okay, let me buzz you in.”
His heart raced. How could seeing one man again so soon make him so happy? Christophe was frozen in place, heart beating fast enough to make him giddy. By the time Koi knocked, Christophe hadn’t moved from where he was standing. He pulled the door open and smiled. “Hey. I didn’t expect you to come back.”
“I’m a man of many surprises,” Koi replied. But he wasn’t meeting Christophe’s gaze. He was busy using his eyes to caress Christophe’s body.
Christophe took a breath, trying to slow his breathing, to not show just what the visual dress-down was doing to him. No matter what he was feeling, he knew Koi didn’t really want that. He held his breath and took a step back. “Come on in. I’ll haul on some clothes, then we can eat.”
He turned and was heading back up the stairs, but Koi grabbed his arm. Before Christophe even knew what was happening, he felt his body turning and soon his back was against the wall. He grunted then moaned, for Koi’s mouth slammed over his. Christophe didn’t have time to be surprised. Being kissed by Koi was like standing outside in the glorious sunlight for the first time in months. Christophe moaned and tried wrapping his arms around Koi, but all the sexy man did was grip Christophe’s wrists and press them to the wall.
Christophe writhed forward, trying to get free to touch Koi, to feel his hair glide through Christophe’s fingers. But Koi wasn’t having it.
Then Koi released him and stepped back. The look in his eyes was hesitant yet aroused. Christophe’s shoulders heaved, his knees weak, and all he could do was reach for Koi again.
“You’re hurt. I have to be gentle,” Koi whispered, taking a step back.
“Gentle…” Christophe smiled. “We should eat.”
“Probably for the best,” Koi said.
Christophe waited until Koi picked up the containers from where they’d fallen. He’d even managed to take a quick shower and had gotten dressed before heading back to where Koi stood by the glass, looking out at the city. Silently, Christophe watched him.
“Koi?”
“Hmm?”
“Take off your coat,” Christophe said. “Make yourself at home.”
While Koi did as he said, Christophe looked into the bag. Nothing had spilled or popped open, so they were good. Once Koi’s coat was over the back of a chair, they worked in silence setting up dinner in the living room on the floor. Christophe lit some candles, dimmed the lights and opened the drapes so the lights of the city and the moon could flood in.
“How long have you been fighting?” Koi asked.
Christophe shoved a shrimp into his mouth. “For a few years. I never really took it seriously until about four years ago. Never thought I was any good.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Carter and Kofi. When I agreed to the first fight, I figured I’d show up, lose and go home. But they believed in me, encouraged me and even though my mom couldn’t be there, they were.”
“So, we’re not going to talk about that kiss?”
Christophe laughed softly. “I didn’t know if you wanted to. I remember how scared you were earlier and I—”
“I’m sorry about that. I knew if I kissed you, then I would want more—even now as I sit here across from you, all I want is you. But I know these things take time.”
“Yes, they do. But I still wouldn’t say no to giving you this body.”
Koi smiled, an alluring expression that made Christophe hard all over again.
“One day, I will tell you my secrets, Christophe, one day soon. Then you will have to decide if you still wish to give me your body.”
“Secrets.”
“We all have them, Christophe. Some more than others.”
Christophe nodded. “That is true.” He wiped his sauce-covered fingers into a piece of napkin before easing the food containers out of the way. He pushed to his knees and crawled to kneel astride Koi’s legs. After tangling his arms around his neck, Christophe took a breath. “I’ve always been shy.”
“You do not seem shy now,” Koi replied.
“You bring it out in me. Anyway, if we’re not going to make love, I say we make out.”
Koi laughed, a wonderful sound that echoed through the room. He tossed his head back, his beautiful, soft hair falling against Christophe’s hands.
“I have never made out with someone before.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Christophe eased closer, pressing his cock into Koi’s, and was rewarded with a growing hardness beneath him. “You’ve never brought a boyfriend up to a make-out point and kissed and fondled each other until one or both of you orgasmed?”
Koi moaned. “Never. But I’m getting the feeling that I have missed out on a lot.”
“You have.” Christophe inched in for a kiss. “But stick with me, kid. I got you covered.”
Koi laughed but wrapped his arms around Christophe’s body to tap him on the bum. “Okay, Christophe. Shall we begin with lesson number one?”
Christophe trembled at the way Koi said his name. He smiled and kissed Koi deeply.
Chapter Eleven
For the longest moment after Christophe had fallen asleep, Koi remained still. He had Christophe’s head against his chest and his arm tossed possessively across Koi’s hip. He could not believe how amazing it felt to crawl into bed and be surrounded by Christophe. But as glad as he was in that moment, as content as his heartbeat, he knew what was going to happen once Christophe found out what he was. This human, this beautiful soul, would walk away and every good feeling, every happy thought Koi had that night would quickly disintegrate into a memory.
Christophe moaned and shifted then, falling to the pillow beside Koi. He took that as a sign and climbed from the bed. At the glass wall, he braced his arm above his head and pressed his forehead into it to feel the coolness shiver through him.
He turned for a moment, watching the way the late-night moon flowed over Christophe’s skin. He remembered how it felt under his fingertips and how Christophe smelled while he writhed against Koi’s lap. Those sounds, the small growls, the whispers when Koi kissed somewhere tender like that spot behind Christophe’s ear.
Happiness surged through Koi and, for the first time, he contemplated climbing back into bed. Though they hadn’t made love, he’d experienced the best kind of intimacy with Christophe. Their conversation stemmed to everything, but deep down, Koi knew he was skirting what he really wanted to say.
I’m not human.
My father is Zeus.
I could get you killed.
Koi sucked in a sharp breath and shook his head. He couldn’t keep looking at Christophe then and his heart wasn’t as content as it was mere seconds before. The lights above the city flickered. That always spelled trouble, but Koi couldn’t feel anything. The air hadn�
��t shifted and that sinking in the chest he got, when something bad came near, was absent.
Something drew his attention to the land below. He would know that glint in the dark anywhere. Walking back to the bed, he leaned over and kissed the side of Christophe’s head. Koi then quietly left the room, grabbed his coat and exited the condo, ensuring the door was locked behind him. After he shoved his arms into the trench coat, his guns began forming on his back, even as he hurried down the elevator and out of the door. He would have disappeared, but those buildings had cameras.
“Osaki,” he called, jogging over. “What is the matter?”
“We have traced your Shiver, my friend,” Osaki said. “We think. I did not want to come for you since it has taken so much for you to get this far with Christophe. But your brother insisted.”
“Thank you.” Koi mentally called for Ares, but he was in a meeting with Zeus so Adrestia showed up instead. “Ares is in conference with our father? Is something wrong?”
Adrestia pressed her lips into a thin line, her dark hair flowing about her face because of the slight wind. “I am not certain. It is unusual for Uncle Zeus to call him like that. I guess time will tell.”
Koi nodded, suddenly feeling uneasy about that too. Zeus always had ulterior motives for everything he did—even the simplest of actions. But that worry was for later. He swallowed and refocused on Adrestia. “Stay here with Christophe. Top penthouse, to the left.”
“You wish for me to keep watch over this man?” Adrestia asked, a smirk on her lips. “Are you in love, my beautiful Shiver?”
“Not you too.” Koi groaned and vanished.
“You are going to have to answer that question at some point,” Osaki said from beside him. “And if it’s anything like what happened to me, you will sooner rather than later. I thought Shivers love to have control?”
“I know. I just did not wish to ruin the wonderful night I had with Christophe. He was charming and funny and tender—and I just left him in bed.”
“Koi, worry not. We will bring you back to him. Now, brace yourself.”
Osaki was right. When they stepped into being, they were in the midst of the Sahara Desert. Sand swirled about them. Koi frowned. He looked over to see Osaki was already reaching for his katana. Without a word between the two, Koi reached for his guns and dove into the midst of the fight. Ciro was there along with Sisqo and Hephaestus. They were fighting a swarm.
“They are called the Sethii,” Ciro explained, sending his lance through the heart of a hooded figure. The creature snarled and disintegrated into dust.
“History lesson later?” Koi asked.
Ciro nodded. Koi holstered the guns and stretched his left hand to his right, even as he pushed off the ground. By the time he got to the first attacker, a long lance appeared in a stream of white light. Growling, he spun the lance before him then twisted his wrists. He took out a row of bad guys before spinning for the others. The fight was unlike any other he’d been involved in. There was something remarkably foreign about fighting unknown foes.
This battle was getting out of hand and taking too long. Angry, he soared into the sky and allowed his lance to vanish. He then sent a message to his friends and watched as they all disappeared. Koi crossed his arms over his chest and spun faster and faster until a tornado was formed under his feet. He used the momentum to push him higher into the heavens and, as he looked down, it was in time to see the twister taking all the attackers with it. When Koi was sure it had had the desired effect, he stopped the storm and lowered himself to the sand.
Ciro was instantly at his side.
“What in the hell was that?” Koi asked.
“They are predominantly an underground people,” Ciro said. “Hundreds of years ago, they promised to stay away from the humans if the Olympians left them alone. So far, the deal worked, but for some reason, they attacked a caravan—”
“Why are we here?”
“They aren’t humans, Koi,” Ciro said. “You saw that, right? We have to visit their leader and speak with him. One of them was saying something about a Shiver and Zeus.”
“I knew our father was up to his eyeballs in this. Anyone called Poseidon?”
“Yes. He is a little busy dealing with the rising tides of the Red Sea. Once he has that under control, he will meet us back at my place.”
“And what about Carter and Kofi?”
Ciro shrugged. “They understand.”
“I see. Now about these Sethii.”
“They are angry, Koi, because apparently we did something to them.”
“Okay, I’ll go. Show me where.”
“Koi…”
“No. Go home and protect your family. I can do this.”
Ciro tossed his hands up. “Mother told me you were upset. You do not believe you are loved but—”
Koi growled, sending a streak of lightning to surge from the sky where it crashed into a large sand dune. “Now is not the time!”
“All I’m saying is that you are important to me. You are my family. I can’t let you go into this alone.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Koi replied. “Now, tell me where and let me go. They are after me now. I must know why I am so important for them to destroy. All I ever wanted was to be left alone. But this Shiver has taken a liking to me—most importantly to Christophe. I must know what this is all about. Go home to your husband. I will do this.”
“And Christophe?”
“Adrestia is with him. Someone must relieve her.”
“That is not what I meant,” Ciro said. “You will have to tell him. Because if things keep happening like they have been, he will find out—in the worst way possible.”
Koi nodded.
Ciro took a breath, but told him where to find the Sethii kingdom. With a final look at his brother, Koi took off in a sprint across the hot, sandy floor.
* * * *
Hurghada was a small city at the edge of Egypt on the Red Sea. The only time Koi had ever visited the place was when Hygiea had forced him to take a vacation with her and Eros. Sure, it had ended with Eros playing practical jokes on everyone in the hotel, but Koi had never liked the place. It was too hot and the crowds unnerved him.
The sweltering heat was undeniable, but tourists littered the land as usual in luxury hotels and on the beach. It was a horrible place to suddenly dive beneath the waters and to remain gone, for someone would see him. That slowed down his movements greatly. Instead of causing it to rain so people would leave, he merely found a bathroom, locked the stall door and vanished. When he stepped into existence again, he was beneath the ocean within Poseidon’s domain. He was escorted by Triton and Sisqo to the entrance of the Sethii’s world.
Then Koi was once again on his own, navigating the dark, unfamiliar territory. Soon, he entered what looked to be a temple. “Wow, this is poor floor planning,” Koi muttered. He backed up to leave, but instantly sensed that would be easier said than done. Koi turned around and lifted his hands above his head.
Creatures, dressed in long red robes with the hoods pulled over their heads and down into their faces, approached him. Their hands were folded before them like monks with their fingers shoved into the sleeves of their gowns. “You are a Shiver,” one said, stepping forward.
“Yes,” Koi replied.
“Yet you allowed us to sneak up on you. Is this a trap?”
“No. No trap.”
“Why are you here?”
Koi slowly lowered his hands, but kept them where they could be seen. As added incentive, he allowed the guns on his back to vanish. He wanted to show them he wasn’t there for a fight. “I have questions that I believe you and your people can be of assistance in answering.”
“I see. Ask.”
“My brother said you do not venture into the human realm because of a treaty that was forged years ago. And so far, you have abided by that rule. Yet today, a human caravan going across the desert was attacked by your people, why?”
The man, whom
Koi assumed was the leader, motioned to the others and they lowered their weapons and backed into the darkness of the walls. They vanished—he could feel their presence go.
“Let us walk,” the creature said. “You are Koi. Third child of Zeus and the Storm Winds. Brother to Ciro the eldest and Aerios the troubled.”
“You have me at a disadvantage. I do not know your name.”
“My apologies. They call me Harun. I am the ruler here. You ask why we made our presence known. Someone or something pretended to be a Shiver and breached our sanctuary. It was not until after we returned from our attack in the desert that we realized it was not one of your kind. They destroyed two of our holy houses and flooded the lowlands of our city.”
“You said ‘pretended’. How do you know it was not an actual Shiver?”
“When we battled you and your brother, as well as the one called Osaki, I felt the difference within your spirits. The one who caused the deaths and damage here was different.”
Koi sighed. They continued along a path and when they emerged at an opening, it was in a large hall with giant windows. They stopped at one and Harun pointed a long, bony finger downward. Kai followed and frowned. The land below was still under water.
“This was not necessary,” Koi tsked. “Such needless damage…”
“I see we have a common enemy.” Harun turned and removed his hood. His face looked like a skull, his eyes blackened orbs. “And it seems neither of us knows his identity.”
“I can help with the water,” Koi offered.
Harun nodded and Koi removed his coat. He levitated out of the window and over the large lake the lowlands had become. Pointing both hands down, he parted them, watching the water follow his motions. He then lifted both hands above his head and pushed. The liquid parted and streamed around him and upward. When Koi dropped his arms, the water slammed into the surface and vanished beneath, leaving everything dry. With that done, he floated back through the window and retrieved his jacket. They watched as other Sethii people, women, children and men rushed outward to touch the ground before looking up at them. Koi instinctively took a step back, but Harun rested a hand on his shoulder.
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