Ares

by Edlyn Reynolds

  “All hot and sexually bothered with a raging hard-on that pounds in rhythm with my heart?” he asked, sweet of tone and wicked of expression. Chuckling when she smacked him, he rolled his eyes. “I get what you mean, Ava. Hold your pretty little panties.” Ares closed his eyes and frowned ever so slightly. Tipping his head to the side, he began to walk slowly down the length of the room pausing now and again giving her hope, right until he kept on moving. When he reached the end he turned back around, expression darker he came back the same way, face tight in concentration.

  The moment he came back to her she knew it wasn’t there. “Shit,” she grumbled. “Not here is it?” she whispered. “Fuck.” She rubbed her temples and looked to him. “What do we do?” she whispered in horror. “How do we find it now?”

  “I want you to take a walk through the house. Replay your steps for the last couple of days. I’m going to call the cleaning service and find out if anyone saw it. We’ll find it, Ava, but if you are worked up it will only cause delays. Go on, sweetheart, I’ll be here when you’re done.”

  Forcing herself to take deep calming breaths, she forced herself to relax there with him and closed her eyes. “All right,” she whispered and began to go over the last few days with him, step by step, him prodding her and helping her along when she fumbled or forgot.

  He wrapped her in his arms when she was done. They’d uncovered nothing, learned nothing more. “The ladies didn’t see it, love,” he told her, hanging up the phone again. “Not even in the bedroom. The one lady said she’d brought her niece along to help her out that day as a couple of the ladies had some bug or something, but she’s in classes until later today. She won’t be able to contact her until then, but she’ll let us know.”

  “Crap,” she muttered and sighed. “All right, let’s hope the niece took it thinking that it was just a book for them to take when they wanted or something.” She whispered, “I hate this. That book is very dangerous, Ares.” She looked up at him and said, “I don’t think you understand just how dangerous that it is.”

  “Love, if you say it’s dangerous, I fully believe you. I trust you, Ava, completely and absolutely. You know better than I do about the power of the book. We will find it, somehow, someway.” He stared down at her and then his gaze shifted lower. “But I am going to do one thing, just incase it comes to it.” Ares lifted the pendant she wore always and closing his fist around it, whispered a few words. “I’ve added Dion to this. If anything and I mean anything, happens to me you get to him fast and tell him to get our uncle Hades. No one can track this sort of thing better than that old evil bastard.”

  “Why you? Don’t you dare have anything done that will take you from me for even one single moment. I mean it. Please,” she begged him. She moved in close to him and pulled him closer. “I mean it, Ares.”

  “Baby,” he rocked her in his arms. “We both know that book is about me. We also both know just what the hell is in the book. If it should fall into the wrong hands, someone that knows about the spells in it or how to work them.” He heaved a breath and tightened his hold. “I won’t make it easy but if anything happens and you can’t get to me, you get to Dion and have him call Hades. I am hopeful someone knows where the book is in this house, but on the off chance it was stolen we have to cover our bases.”

  “Well whatever happens I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Somehow she would protect him, she just didn’t know how. “I need you in my life, forever. A moment less is not enough, I mean it. We are good together, we are a team and we will work together to be just that, deal?”

  “Deal,” he smiled down at her. “My little warrior, so adorable and fierce. How did I ever get so lucky to have you in my life, Ava?” he whispered. Dropping a kiss to her lips, he hugged her to him. “It will be alright, darling. Just remember what I’ve told you and this will all work out as it should.”

  “Don’t know what you did but you did really well whatever it was,” Ava said with a grin. “So whatever you’ve done in the past, keep on doing it, babe, so you can be mine for the rest of forever.”

  “I am yours for the rest of forever,” he smiled at her. “You had me pretty much from the first moment we spoke. I just didn’t realize I was already under your spell. More the fool was I.”

  That had her smiling. “I’m glad,” she said still smiling. “I’m very happy that you are mine. I’m never letting you go, ever. You do know that right?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Lifting his head slowly, Ares groaned. He had one fucking hell of a nasty headache. He tried to recall just why he had the headache but didn’t come up with anything to deserve it. He remembered going to dinner with Ava. They’d gone for a walk before going back to the house to sit in the hot tub. She’d gone in the house to go to bed while he shut off the tub and locked up. Then, nothing.

  “Oh good, you’re awake,” a male voice said, sounding way too chipper and happy for Ares’s pounding temples. “I didn’t think it would work. Well, I did hope but I honestly had no idea if it would. This is so exciting, who would have thought I’d actually get one of the Olympians.”

  Ares eyes shot open and he looked around. The first thing he noticed was the little weaseling man standing before him, tan slacks, brown shirt and little round glasses. The second thing he noticed was the little shit had Ava’s book in his hands. The third, and likely most important thing he noticed, he was strung up from the ceiling, from his wrists, in a pair of cuffs that were of the Gods making. He was so fucking screwed, especially since he knew without the key, or a Titan, he wasn’t getting out of them.

  “Now, I know you probably are a little upset and likely have a bit of a headache. The headache I didn’t learn about until after I cast the spell, sorry, but I do have some aspirin for you and water. It will die down in time. The anger, well, you’ll just have to get over it, eventually. I know, you’re a God, you will outlive me, blah, blah, blah, but really, if you ever want to go home again, you will do what I want or I’ll just leave you here, where no one will ever find you.”

  Ares cracked a smile that he knew had made legions of soldiers piss their pants. “Little man, when my woman gets here, you are in for a world of fucking hurt. You really should have picked another one. My uncle is going to love having you to toy with for the rest of time.”

  “See, really,” the little man shook his head. Pushing up his glasses he let out a breath. “I think I’ll just give you a little time to think about your situation and you’ll see that if you do what I want of you then you can go home. It’s really that simple,” he said. Then he left the room.

  Looking around Ares cursed under his breath. “Come on, baby, go get Dion and have him get the uncle.” Over and over he muttered it praying that Ava remembered what he’d told her and did exactly as he’d instructed.

  *****

  Ava all but felt it when Ares was taken from her. She grabbed the pendant and first began to scream for him, demanding he come, in panic. Dressing quickly, she next began to call for Dion. “Come on, come on. Dion, for fuck's sakes get your ass here, please,” she begged with tears flowing down her face even as she stepped into her shoes.

  “For the love of all the Gods,” Dionysus thundered as he appeared before her. He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. His expression went from pissed to concern so fast she almost felt like she’d gotten whiplash. “Ava? What’s going on?” he asked looking around. “Sweetheart, why are you crying and how the hell did you summon me?”

  “Ares. He’s been taken.” She moved to Dion and put her hand out. “My family guards the books of the Gods. The book I was tasked with guarding was his. In the books there are spells to summon and tame the gods. It’s not a good situation. Ares was going to put it in his safe so it couldn’t be touched, but it had been already taken and now he’s gone. We have to get to your uncle?” She was not making a hell of a lot of sense. “Gods, they have him and it’s because of me,” she sobbed out again. “And whoever it is,” she paused, “I’m
fucking killing them, period.” This was why she had guns and knives on her body now.

  “Uh, okay,” he was looking at her like she’d gone off her rocker. She felt like it right then. With Ares gone she felt like she was missing a vital piece of herself. Dion stepped closer and put a light hand on her cheek, his eyes drifting shut. She could see his lids flickering, his eyes moving back and forth rapidly as he read her. Then his eyes snapped open, “Holy shit. Alright, alright,” he nodded and paced away from her. He stopped, closed his eyes again, tipped his head and didn’t move. Just as she went to ask what he was doing he held up a finger. A couple minutes later he looked at her. “Hades will see us. Whatever you do, say nothing, touch nothing and do not, under any circumstances, touch him without invitation. He is the keeper of Hell for a reason. He is one scary motherfucker.” Dion held out a hand to her and waited, “We have a ten minute window, let’s go.”

  Ava nodded and wiped her eyes, the mascara smearing but she didn’t give a shit. “All right, let’s go and see him please. If he can save Ares I don’t care who he is. I just want my soul mate back and I want him back now,” she demanded fiercely. Damn her, why did she have to let that book go for one damn minute?

  “I know,” he said softly. Taking her hand in his, he pulled her close. “Close your eyes, take a breath and we’ll be there.” He was rubbing a hand up and down her back. As soon as she did as he asked she felt the change in air pressure. “Uncle,” Dion said at her side. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”

  “You said this was important. What is it?” the rumbling voice straight from the bowels of Hell asked. Out of the shadows stepped a large male, tall, dressed in black, dark hair, dark eyes and looking like he’d rather kill you than let you breathe in his space.

  “Ares has been taken. One of the books was stolen from its keeper, Ares book to be specific. We don’t know where he is or who has him but Ava couldn’t go to him with the medallion he gave her so he’s being blocked. You’re the only person Ares trusted to find him if this happened.”

  “He should have warded better,” was the growled reply.

  “He thought he had, uncle. Ava’s memories clearly show he thought he’d done enough in regards to the book. We need your assistance in this, please.”

  One of the dark brows went up slightly. “You know how this works, nephew. Are you asking for a favor?”

  Dionysus threw her a long look and then nodded. “I am, uncle.”

  The chuckle that came from the mammoth male sounded like an avalanche. “Well done, Dion, well done.” He moved closer to them and stared down into her eyes. Ava couldn’t look away, all she could do was stare at him, unblinking as she fell deeper and deeper into his gaze. Then he blinked and she stumbled, would have fallen if Dion hadn’t caught her. “Stay here a moment,” he ordered and then vanished.

  “That went a hell of a lot better than I’d hoped,” Dionysus muttered. “Are you okay? That whole Titan mindreading thing of his is intense, trust me, been there, done that shit.”

  “Yeah, yeah I’m okay.” She gulped, literally. “Holy smokes that man is massive.” However, she knew she was losing it with this thought, she felt intensely sad for the man. She felt as weird as it was, she felt intense loneliness from him which broke her heart. “He will get Ares back for me, right?”

  “He hasn’t left to find Ares yet. He went down into the bowels of this place to search for him. I don’t know exactly how he does it but something, and no I don’t know what, down there helps to focus him so he can literally scan the entire globe. When he finds Ares he’ll be back for us and then we’ll go get your man.”

  “Found him,” the deep voice behind her made her scream. “Really female?” She heard a snort before a large, tanned hand landed on her shoulder. “Suck it up and deal, woman.” A moment later they were in some sort of warehouse building. “He’s here,” Hades said moving around them both. He tipped his head to the side slightly and then spun toward his left. He began to stalk across the concrete.

  “Come on,” Dion snagged her arm and jogged after the long legged strides of the other man.

  Hades held up a hand, making them both come to a stop. The air started to feel charged, like a lightning strike about to happen, only warmer and yet freezing all at the same time. One of his, holy shit look at the size of those feet, big boots connected with a door. It tore right off the hinges and flew into the room beyond slamming into the opposite wall and turning into kindling.

  Ducking his head, Hades stepped into the space. “Ares, boy, when will you learn?”

  A chuckle she recognized came from the space, “Hello to you too, uncle.” A rattle of chains could be heard, “Care to let me down so I can pummel the little shit who strung me up?”

  “As long as he holds the book you’re not going anywhere. So you may as well relax while I locate him.”

  “Hey, seriously, not cool here, Hades,” Ares bitched. A pause and then, “Ava? You brought Ava with you?” he sounded pissed.

  “She seems to have a vested interest in a certain part of your anatomy so yes, I brought her along. Besides, she’s actually a bit amusing.” Hades turned to give her a look. “You should come and keep him occupied while Dionysus and I find this human and get the book back for you.”

  “Or Dion can keep him company and I can come with you so I can kill whoever dared to touch a hair on my man’s head,” Ava growled. “I don’t give a shit who they are, they’re dead.” She pulled her gun and shrugged at the looks. “Hey, you are all Gods, whoever is handling the book is human or the spells wouldn’t work. I’m killing the little fucker.”

  “Ava love, you don’t want to do that, sweetheart,” Ares tried.

  “Actually,” Hades was watching her closely, too closely. “I think she does and honestly, I can’t really blame her but then, she doesn’t truly understand the ramifications of the act just yet.” He walked toward her slowly.

  Ares thrashed from the chains, “Hades, don’t, please don’t!”

  “She’ll be fine, Ares,” the large man said as he loomed over her. His hand came up and took the gun from her suddenly nerveless fingers. Then he put a finger from his free hand to her forehead. “Each decision you make has resounding consequences, Ava. Are you ready to face the consequences should you kill this man?” he asked.

  The next moment her head spun out of control. She saw herself shooting a human male, feeling triumphant and pleased. Events began to spin through her head. A wedding, children, and eventually death from a source she couldn’t identify, but no peaceful rest for her. She found herself locked in a cell, ten by ten, and the screams from around her let her know just where she was. Hades realm, Hell. “One act chosen unwisely can forever damn a soul,” the large God told her dropping his hand. As her eyes cleared she saw him holding the gun out toward her, in the flat of his palm. “Choose wisely, Ava Von Maur.”

  Ava swallowed hard and pulled back. She was gasping for air and nodded. Tears flowing down her cheeks she whispered, “I never want to leave Ares alone. If it means I don’t get the satisfaction of killing the asshole that took my love, then so be it. Just promise me he will pay dearly for hurting my Ares?”

  “He will pay, you have my word on that,” Hades said. The gun vanished from his hand. “Stay with Ares while we find him, Ava. We won’t be long,” he promised. “Coming, nephew?” he asked before he turned and headed out the door.

  “Holy shit,” Dionysus looked like he’d shit his pants. “Coming, uncle,” he called out and then raced out of the room on his uncle's heels.

  “Ava, baby, look at me damn it,” Ares demanded of her.

  Ava looked at him and then moved closer. “I let you down and it hurts. It’s killing me to see you strung up like you are,” she whispered. “I hate that you are hurt, it’s all my fault.” She swallowed, hard. “If only I had put the damn book away immediately.” She hated herself right now, so much.

  “Shh, baby,” he whispered. Lifting a leg, he wrap
ped it around her waist and tugged her in closer. “Hades will let me down when he comes back with the little shit. I warned the fucker he’d regret coming after me. Told him I’d sic my big, bad uncle on him. He didn’t listen, he didn’t believe, but he will. A few thousand years in the Pits will make anyone a believer.” Dropping his leg, he leaned his head down more. “What did he show you, love?”

  “That if I went after him I would one day die and be in a cell in the Pits. I can’t do that. I refuse to give up even a second of time with you.” She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him. “Are you okay? I wish I could let you down. That can’t be comfortable. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not comfortable but I’ll survive,” he told her. He pressed his lips to her hair, “I have you here and that’s all that matters. I could dangle here for a few more hours if needed as long as you stay close. How’d you get Hades to agree to assist so quickly?” he asked softly.

  “Dion offered something in return. I have no idea what,” she shrugged. “Honestly it’s kind of a blur to me. So you might have to look into my memory and see why he agreed so quickly, but really shouldn't he? He is your uncle after all. Doesn’t family mean something?”

  “Yeah, but he’s a Titan and not really the most liked in the family. There are some, not us obviously, but there are some amongst the Olympians that would rather he just stay in Hell and out of the way. Until of course they want something. Nothing pisses him off more than someone just waltzing into his territory and demanding his help. I doubt he’ll ever collect from Dionysus, or if he does it’ll be something small and stupid, but such dealings are standard in my world.”

  “Well that’s just sucky. No one should ever be treated like that. Yes, he made me want to wet myself, but holy crap he’s freaking huge,” she said with the shake of her head.

  “Is she always this impatient?” Hades voice from behind her made her jump.