Jase the jerk had to be Janus, the god of doors, archways, beginnings, endings, and transitions—but he’d been tossed out of Olympus for raping the nymph Cardea. Worse, Jase had already admitted he’d once cared for some female called Cardea. I’m so not jealous—much. He must still love her, but where did that leave Lindy? Alone, as usual.
The other gods had turned on Jase when the nymph made her accusations. That always struck her as odd, especially since not long after, Jupiter raped Io and Calisto. Not that the other gods cared. Callous bastards, the lot of them, and that included Jase and his best buddy, Saul. The jury was still out on the kid. He was loudmouthed and sometimes obnoxious, but his heart was in the right place—or so she thought.
She heard a motorbike rumble in the distance. A couple of minutes later, Saul parked up alongside the hired car. Hand raised in greeting, he stalked past her toward his grandson, Mercury.
Lindy ran to catch up with his long-legged lope. When she did, she punched his shoulder. Hard. He turned toward her, one quizzical eyebrow raised in an unspoken what the hell?
Her uppercut connected with his jaw. How satisfying to make a primal god grunt. She wanted to beat on his sneaky, spying ass, and she swung her fist back again. Saul caught her hand in his and shook his head.
Too furious to think straight, she yelled, “Pervert. You’re a double-dealing, depraved loser, but that’s what I should expect from the man who fathered Juno. The Siren race fell because of your daughter’s games. Your son fucks us for some twisted pleasure, and you stand by and let him. No wonder you fell out of favor with your fans. Listen, buster, whatever game you and your friend over there are playing, the pair of you can play it without me.”
Her words carried over to Jase, and his jaw clenched. When he abandoned his pursuit of Mercury and marched back toward the car, his gaze was deadly and determined. Jase let his fangs show and his horns rise as he grabbed Saul’s collar.
“Mine,” Jase growled
Jase’s skin shone like he’d bathed in blood. He was terrible and terrifying, but Lindy didn’t give a damn. When he reached her side, she sank her fist into his balls. “Since they’re damn near useless unless I lick them, that shouldn’t hurt too much. Shame you’re not a dog-shifter; then you could lick them yourself. No wonder all those ancient statues show you with two faces. Your followers knew you well, didn’t they? Well, listen up, freak face, since you’re the god of endings, you shouldn’t be surprised that I’m leaving.”
Jase groaned and clutched at his groin. Not that she cared, really. Determined to end her association with manipulative gods, Lindy ran for the car. If she put her foot down and drove, she might find some breathing space—someplace where Janus, Saturn, or even Neptune couldn’t find her. Hopefully, Neptune would have moved on and fucked someone else by then too.
She yanked the car door open, ready for a quick getaway, but it shot from her hand and slammed shut. The car shook from the impact. Janus, the Roman god of doors and new beginnings, was playing with her again. Yeah, that explained the doors back at the farmhouse—not CCTV, but ancient power and magic.
Lindy’s fists curled into talons, and her fangs extended. “Back off, mister. I’m out of here.”
When she started across to the village green, he stalked after her. His gaze never wavered. Intense and dangerous, he dripped so much sex appeal that her mouth watered. He made her feel like one of the butterflies she’d seen in museums—the ones Victorian naturalists pinned onto trays.
Each slow, deliberate step he took set her pulse racing, but he was a sneaky bastard who’d done nothing but leave her sexually frustrated and tearful. Repeatedly. She retreated until her back rested on the cold steel of the door. And still she couldn’t take her eyes off her beautiful demon. He was one powerful alpha male on the prowl. Damn it, she wouldn’t watch his hips or lust over the way they rolled as he moved toward her.
He towered over her—all red skin, torn clothes, and ebony horns. He’d never looked more deadly or more desirable, and he was focused on her.
She had to stay angry, but one look at his sculptured muscles and dark-eyed menace, and she forgot to breathe. Fascinating, powerful male. Not mine. He leaned toward her, caging her with his body as he planted his hands on either side of her shoulders, and moved closer to the car.
“I’ll show you how well my equipment works when an irresistible Siren isn’t taking swipes at it,” he rumbled.
Irresistible? Her? She liked that. Still, picking fights with gods wasn’t the wisest thing she’d ever done. In fact, it was downright dumb…even for her. She’d started something she couldn’t finish, but after the way this lot messed with her head and left her body aching, she refused to back down. “Think about it, Janus. I’m a Siren. By definition, that means I’m sexy as hell. Desired by every red-blooded male on the planet. Let’s face it; your equipment just isn’t working. It can’t be.”
He grabbed her hands and moved them to his crotch. “It’s working all right, princess. You’re so hot even my demon craves you.”
Lindy stroked her hand over his cock. It was tall and stiff, and she wanted it buried inside her. His pleasured groan was music in her ears. What the hell am I doing? Fondling a demon in a public place. Neptune’s balls, he’s messing with my head again. She pulled her hand away as if it were on fire. “You had your chance, babe, and let’s face it, you blew it.”
Jase ignored her words and stared at her lips. Lindy’s cunt clenched. She’d give anything for him to be as willing as her. He played her body the way a virtuoso violinist handled a Stradivarius. Then, rather than make beautiful music, he hit a bum note so painful her heart had shattered in her chest.
When he bent his head lower and took possession of her lips, she tried to resist. Her body turned traitor and arched up against him. Her arms crept around his neck, and she nibbled at his lower lip.
Eons later, when she came up for air, she looked him in the eye and told him, “This changes nothing. I’m still out of here.”
* * * *
Saul grabbed Merc by the scruff of the neck. “Suck it up, kid. For someone thousands of years old, you’re acting like some hormonal mortal teenager.”
Saul glanced over at Jase. As he watched, his friend’s body returned to its human form, and part of him remembered how he’d once loved a woman the way Jase loved Lindy. Now Lua was gone, murdered by her own children. All they left him was vengeance. If Lindy would just calm down and listen, then he’d move a step closer to his goal tonight. At least it looked like Jase had a lid on the Lindy situation.
Saul dragged Merc—my grandson, for fuck’s sake—over to the car, and the rear door flew open. He tossed the kid into the backseat, and the door shut on its own.
Lindy gave him a look that would melt the polar icecaps; then her anger exploded. “Jase might be shit in bed, but you’re just plain weird. Do you get your kicks out of watching humans get it on?”
Jase’s woman had a sense of humor, even when she was pissed. He gave Jase’s groin a meaningful look and grinned. “Shit in bed? Lindy, that’s just too much information, and as for watching couples get to it, I’d rather go blind.”
“Yeah,” she snapped straight back, “well, come here, and I’ll scratch your eyes out for you.”
Saul shook his head. “Jase, Merc might have been right. This one’s a bit on the feisty side. Are you sure you don’t want to throw her back?”
Lindy bridled, but Jase pulled her into his arms and tucked her head beneath his chin. “Lindy’s perfect. And when Merc sobers up, I’m going to kick his ass into the middle of next year for this.”
LINDY’S BRAIN STOPPED working when Jase called her perfect. Maybe, all things considered, she’d been a little hasty when she took a swipe at his balls—but he’d still played her. “Come on, Jase, Janus, or whatever name you’re using today. It’s time you gave me an explanation.”
Lindy twisted in his arms and stared into his face. He opened and closed his mouth, but no sound ca
me out. His horns straightened, and his eyes darkened. Flames flickered around his pupils, but still he didn’t speak. His distress was a living, palpable thing, and he was losing control. Again.
She went up on tiptoe and planted a brief kiss on his neck before she swung round to face Saul. She smiled like a cat closing in on a particularly plump mouse, and her nails extended into talons. “Okay, buster, what have you done to him? Why can’t he tell me what’s going on? Remember how Sirens hate the dark? Well, the same applies to secrets, but I guess we’re just too metaphysical for you cryptic gods and all.”
Saul threw up his hands, palms out. “Back off, lady. You’re seriously scary when you’re pissed. I didn’t do nothing, honest, but Merc did. Look, can we head off a couple of miles down the road and get the kid away from all this concentrated power? Then I’ll explain everything, just like Jase wanted to do in the first place.”
She felt a load lift from her shoulders. Jase hadn’t played the other gods’ games, and that gave her hope for their future…maybe. She snuggled back into his arms, and when he kissed the nape of her neck, heat shot down her spine. Her heart pumped liquid desire through her body. Sensual heat suffused her blood. Her pussy boiled with need, and her clit ached, but she had unfinished business to resolve.
Jase curled his arm around her waist, and he pulled her closer. His nearness overwhelmed her. Her breath caught in her throat. However the day ended, this moment was forever branded in her heart.
Her defiance waned into a temporary surrender, and as she drew in her talons, she wrapped her fingers around his forearms. “We don’t have to do this, Jase. What if we just toss Mr. Giggles back there out of the car, drive away, and leave the pair of them to stew?”
Chapter Seventeen
Saul’s spine stiffened, his features fell into the neutral mask he routinely wore, and he told Lindy, “We’ll never stop Neptune if you leave now.”
His quiet response drew her in more than any argument or pleading. She stood a little taller as her analytical nature demanded facts. “Stop Neptune, as in he won’t force himself on any more of my sisters? Okay, whatever’s going down, I’m in. Get in and drive; then I’m all ears.”
The low rhythm of the engine seemed to calm Merc as they headed out of the village, and he dozed in the backseat.
Lindy’s foot tapped against the car’s floor. Her fists clenched and unclenched constantly. “I’m kind of on edge here. How much further before we can stop and speak?”
Jase turned into the first pull out he spotted. He rested his hand on her knee as if afraid to lose her. “That’s my girl. Brave, courageous, and kind.”
There he went with the possession again. What about the loving? She wanted to be more than a temporary fix to get Neptune out of Saul’s hair. Part of her longed to hear those three little words that meant the world, but if he really planned to use her and move on, at least she’d still have her pride. Damn it, pride didn’t make her nipples peak or her pussy clench with delight.
Jase helped Lindy out of the passenger door. He lolled against the vehicle, his butt on the bonnet, long legs extended forward, and pulled her between them. At least he liked to hold her, or maybe he just worried she’d run when they disclosed this scheme to take down Neptune. Only, when he tucked her body into his and rested his cheek on her curls, everything felt perfect. Okay, time to confess. Sirens are super strong, but we’re fools for love. Well…at least I am.
When Saul pulled his gleaming chrome motorbike up alongside, Jase stared him out, his expression grim. “Tell her.”
Still Saul hesitated. Eventually, he asked the one thing she didn’t expect. “You’re strong, Lindy. Stronger than the other Sirens. What do you know about your father?”
Like a typical Siren, she shrugged off her upbringing. “That he knocked up my mother and left. Never seen him. Don’t even know his name, but that’s normal where I come from.”
“Whoever he was, he planted such strength in you that it shines through. Remember how I said Circe grassed you up to Neptune? Well, he got all excited and cocky, but he made a mistake when he named you as his solstice sacrifice without the Sirens drawing lots. That means power’s charging you up like a battery. As long as certain conditions are met, whoever fucks you first gets supercharged with a bolt of power. That’s why I begged Jase to wait.”
With a sassy look over her shoulder at Jase, Lindy grinned. “I’m glad I left your balls attached to your body, then. But that’s it? Jase screws me at midnight, and Neptune loses his shot at regeneration? And why me? Wouldn’t any Siren do?”
Jase squeezed his arm tighter around her. “I second the ball thing, but names have power. Once Neptune said yours, the Fates locked everything down. And that brings us back to the strength you inherited from your mysterious father.”
Neptune’s balls, he only wants me for my genes.
She hid her hurt behind a smile as Saul took up the tale. “Circe’s spell drains power from the solstice sacrifice, but thanks to some nameless stranger your mother bedded, you’re more attuned to the solstice. All Sirens were before Juno cheated your race out of their birthright.”
“Perhaps,” Lindy snapped, “if she’d been better brought up, she wouldn’t have been such a bitch. What with her dad—like, oh, you—perving on lovers and all.”
Jase pulled her closer. She felt his low growl of warning rumble through his chest.
Saul gritted his teeth and snarled, “I. Don’t. Do. That.”
“Cows and sulfur,” Lindy taunted from the safety of Jase’s arms. Okay, she really should keep her lips zipped around gods, but Saul wanted something from her, and if it helped take down Neptune, maybe she’d play along. Jump at the chance more like, but she wasn’t telling these arrogant gods with their secrets and lies that. At least not yet.
Saul’s face stayed blank, and he spoke in a dull monotone. “I loved Juno once. Do you know how many pretend tea parties I sat through with her and her dolls? Me and Lua adored our kids. They were our pride and joy, but they turned on us like monsters. When one of Juno’s seers claimed the Sirens would bring down the gods, she planned to eradicate your race. She thought your fall would achieve that, but instead, the Sirens changed and adapted. A weak link to the solstice’s power lingers in all Sirens, which is why they’re Neptune’s sacrifice of choice. With you, it’s so strong I can almost touch it.”
Mercury giggled from the backseat. “I stopped Jase spilling Grandpa’s secrets. Guess I’m good for something after all.”
Lindy started toward the door, but Jase tightened his grip on her waist. Her disgusted look said as much as her words. “Hey, kid, Mrs. Robinson here. Try anything funny with Jase again, and I’ll pluck out your liver and keep it in a jar at the side of my bed.”
Saul moved between her and the car’s back door. “Enough. Remember when Merc found you surrounded with Neptune’s warriors? Well, he refused to help until Jase swore not to tell. You were in danger, and your man did what he had to. And Lindy, I was at no time looking over your shoulder.”
Still angry at how they’d manipulated Jase, she stared up into Saul’s face. “Yeah, then explain the cows.”
Jase’s lips hovered just inches from her ear. The way his breath warmed her lobe sent more heat spiking through her body. She’d never desired him more. He leaned closer, his lips caressing her ear. “Me and Saul go way back to the founding of Rome. Over the centuries, we’ve developed a telepathic link that kicks in when an emergency arises—as long as we’re in the same world at the same time. I couldn’t reach him when I was trapped in Pluto’s punishment realm.”
Saul added quickly, “He used our bush telegraph to get me to send in the cows. The lightning bolt was showy, but the stench really came from the needle-thin portal he opened to hell. That’s why you smelled sulfur.”
She grinned as she pulled out of his arms, put one hand on her hip, and struck a vampish pose. “Our very own portal to hell? Jase, you’re such a romantic.”
He pulled
her back into his arms and laughed, actually laughed, about his time in the underworld and the demon lord inside him. “Nothing but the best for my girl. Only, Lindy, we still have to talk about those conditions.”
Saul looked troubled, but to get Neptune off her sisters’ backs, she was up for anything. After all, how hard could meeting a few paltry conditions be?
Jase’s smile faded. His lips pursed, and his forehead creased. “I don’t like it. Come on, Saul, find another way.”
As Saul shook his head and ducked into the car, Lindy demanded, “What? Come on. What don’t you like? Sirens are as fierce as they are sexy. Who do you want me to fight?”
Why had Saul evaded answering by pretending Merc needed him? The teenager was so out of it, he hadn’t a clue what was happening. Even Jase couldn’t meet her gaze. “Princess, it’s more about fucking than fighting. We have to copy Neptune’s ceremony in every detail. That’s why I had to get to Aldborough. The modern church sits on top of Merc’s temple, so we can’t use that. Fortunately there’s a stone altar about two miles down the road. The locals dedicated it to Merc, but since it’s on the far edge of the site, the archeologists haven’t excavated it yet.”
Lindy glowered at each god in turn. Comprehension dawned. “No, Jase. Just no.”
He tried to take her hand, but like a nervous kitten, she skittered out of reach. He clenched his fists and dropped his hands back to his sides. “Like I said, princess. You don’t have to do this. We’ll find another way.”
For once, Lindy understood why Jase paced back and forth when anxiety struck. Right now, she needed to do the same. Anything to get rid of the nervous energy boiling up inside her. “Let’s check I’ve got this right. You think I’ll strip naked in the middle of some Roman ruins? And as if that’s not enough, you plan to tie me down on a cold stone slab some idiots once used as an altar. Then, when I’m totally vulnerable, totally helpless, you’ll finally deign to screw me. Go find yourself another sucker. This girl ain’t it.”
Giving It Up for the Gods Page 13