Of course, Olympus already has its own conclave on top of that, made up of my brother, some older gods, and plenty of stuffiness to go with it. It’s this same panel Zeus is trying to wrench Olympus from, to remake it to his own image.
Sometimes I wonder if out of the three of us, he got all the ambition.
I peek inside my goblet, scowling as if my bad mood is the liquor’s fault. Is it just me or has the nectar stopped working? “It’s not like anyone forced us to retire from the world of humans.”
“No, but can you deny it was the best thing?”
My only answer is another shrug. I don’t really know. When the choice was made, I was still struggling with the voices. With being different. Weakness is not a trait understood in Olympus, especially when you’re a crown prince like me, Zeus, and Poseidon. And yet…
“Probably.” I swirl the cup and take a bigger gulp.
When the gods chose retirement, they each went to their own pantheons. The Celts, the Norse, the Egyptians—we’ve all stopped talking to one another. In a way, perhaps it’s best. But sometimes, I wonder.
When the dreams wake me in the middle of the night, with nightmares I cannot understand nor want to, I wonder. This feeling that something is coming…
Wherever does his mind go in times like these?
I roll my shoulders and force a grin at Pegasus. It wouldn’t do to have him analyzing me too closely. “Enough about the politics of our world. Why are you really here?”
He smirks. Seems my best friend has gotten just as good as me at masking his worries. “Thought you’d want the latest gossip.”
“Gossip?”
“Mm. They’ve gotten us guards.”
“Us? Who’s us?”
“Not sure yet.” Pegasus taps the side of the armchair, glancing around himself. “Is this new?” When I shake my head, he grunts. “Why do I even bother asking? I don’t understand why out of all of us, you choose such scrappy décor. Anyway. Give me a cup, would you?”
I snap my fingers, and a similar goblet to mine materializes in his hand. Soon, it fills with ambrosia. That’s the benefit of this land—you ask, and you receive. Or, in our case, we think it and it materializes.
Pegasus glances within, takes a whiff, and smiles. “Zeus’ special reserve again?”
I shrug. “He won’t mind.”
“I very much doubt that.” He takes a sip and sighs in satisfaction. “But wow, is it good.” If only he’d drink less, maybe there would be hope for their brotherly bond. I’ve never understood what broke them apart such.
And you never will. I bite the words back. “You were saying? The gossip?”
“Ah, right. Well, rumors have been around for eons of an immortal school. Do you not remember the whole debacle with the zmei, a while back?”
I think back on it. Zeus did mention something about a pet project gone wrong. But was it only centuries, or millennia ago? It’s getting rather hard to keep track of it.
“Was it those dragon shifters, in the Carpathians?”
Pegasus nods. “The same ones. Apparently, the Council decided they were useless, after all. Too full of raw emotions. So, they’ve created another race, one more likely to serve us as they are supposed to.”
“Uh-huh…”
“They’re calling them immortals—beings of pure light.”
“I’m still waiting for the punch line.”
“Thought you’d want to check out their graduation with me? Their training has just ended and some are about to receive their assignments.”
I snort. “Pass, but thank you.” Somehow, making myself more visible around other creatures, and losing my shit at their inner voices again, doesn’t seem appealing. Zeus may not forgive me this soon after the last time.
When I head to the door, Pegasus calls out. “Where are you off to, then?”
“Somewhere much more fun.”
The music is loud, the laughter even more so, and still, I stick to the shadows. No one else gets it, my attraction to humans. They think it’s a whim. Zeus can go and fuck everything that moves in the mortal world, but I show an interest? Then it’s the new coming of the apocalypse.
“Hiya, handsome.”
The woman’s slurring her words, but it doesn’t take away from her prettiness. Curly blonde waves, light hazel eyes, and a pouty mouth. Her well-endowed bosom plays hide and seek with me as she giggles and moves to the beat of drums and flutes.
“Hello, yourself.”
She giggles again and moves closer, grabbing my hands and yanking me to my feet. I let the music and her warm body help me forget everything. After all, that’s why I come to the humans—even if I have no idea where I’ve ended up right now.
Time passes, and still we sway. The upbeat tunes of some instrument or another keep my mind busy, or perhaps it’s a result of the drink I don’t let go of. The faint torches around us spin and spin, and the girl’s thoughts assail me. Bet he’d be good in bed… My gosh, that mouth… And so on.
Does it stroke my ego? Sure. None of the goddesses back home will give me the time of day, unless it’s to solicit favors from Zeus. Partly because they think me crazy, and partly because my personality isn’t sunny enough. In Olympus, that’s not something to be sought out. Here, I’m always the center of attention. Who wouldn’t keep returning?
I smile at the girl, letting my hands roam over her lower back, pulling her closer. I dip my head, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, trying to ignore the thoughts all around me… And I become aware of something else.
Someone watching.
My body goes rigid as I scan the surroundings. Nothing. Only drunken humans, more ale, and girls too tipsy to count. And yet…
In the distance, a flash of dark hair catches my eye. A low, female laugh. A coy look. And just like that, my interest in the human wanes, and I move away. She begs me to stay, holding my hand, but I hear nothing—oddly, even the music has stopped. Or is it just in my mind?
I follow past the throng of humans, the sounds of drunken behavior, and around darkened houses. The time has not yet come for these humans to know more than firelight…but perhaps it will. A few centuries from now.
Where did she go?
I’d only caught a glimpse, it’s not even like her appearance attracted me. I didn’t see much of her. But there was something else, underneath it. As fast as I saw her, a darkness lingered around her.
Maybe I really am losing my mind.
No matter where I search for her, I can’t find her. Whoever she was…
Dejected, I prepare to leave. To return to the party. Only, I realize I’m far away from the mortals, farther than I should be. Woods are nearby, and there is no glint from the moon, hidden behind trees. And while the music lures me closer, a different kind of sound stops me. A growl, in the dead of the night.
This time, my movements are more cautious, careful. I pivot toward it.
All I see are eyes glinting in the darkness, fur, canines… It jumps to attack me. And it—whatever the fuck it is—is massive. His paws, five times the size of my hands, grab on to my shoulders and push me to the ground.
His claws dig in my flesh, and his enormous jaw opens, as if ready to swallow me whole. The sharp canines should distract me, but the wounds in his mouth grab my attention. They look…almost as if he’s been stabbed by a sword.
And then it hits me. Pegasus’ incessant gossiping, a few hundred years ago. “Fenrir?”
I should be tossing him off me, using my deity magic. If nothing else, I’d be a fair match. But this isn’t just any wolf, nor does any of this make sense.
Fenrir belongs to the Norse gods. And long ago—not sure how long exactly since my memory tends to be fuzzy these days—he rebelled against Odin, the head of the pantheon, and some others. I’d heard something about him biting off a god’s arm and being unwilling to release him until they tricked him with a sword in his mouth.
Was that really only a few centuries ago?
The wolf
pants in my face, his breath putrid, and then his head moves, one red eye catching mine. Whatever’s in his mind… The connection is enough. An outpour of his thoughts drips into me. Pain. Agony. Need…need…
“Need what?” I whisper, gritting my teeth. I can’t make myself hurt him. Even if he’s about to kill me. Perhaps it would be best that way, putting me out of my misery.
“Enough!”
A flash of something bursts, and Fenrir is tossed off me. Then someone stands between us. He’s lean, and his staff is pointing to the—yeah, definitely wolf. There’s not much light, but it’s enough to see it. With a growl and a whine, he’s gone, disappearing into a black, blurry portal.
The newcomer faces me, arching an eyebrow. “Bored again, Hades?”
“You would know, Hermes of the Winged Feet.”
Herald and messenger of Olympus, he’s also a thorn in my side and a supporter of Zeus. Then again, who isn’t? By default, that makes me a thorn in his side, and a wild card.
Hermes scowls, adjusting his grip on his staff. The white-winged roman sandals that gave him his name flutter near the ground. He never did like that nickname, but it stuck thanks to the right people sharing it around.
“It’s high time you return to Olympus.”
Not one of my fans, this one.
“Thanks, but Zeus doesn’t need me there. And besides, I’m not done here. Not yet, anyway.”
“It wasn’t a request, Hades. You’ve caused enough trouble.”
And not for the first time. Why your brother keeps you around instead of exiling you is beyond me.
Ouch. I ignore his thought and instead force a smile. “Zeus causes more messes than me every time he visits the humans.”
“But Zeus knows how to stay out of trouble!”
“Sure, he does,” I mutter. “How about you tell me what that thing was, then go on your merry way? I’ll take care of myself.”
Hermes only stares, more than annoyed. His mental swearing would make Zeus blush. I pretend not to catch a single word. And right as he opens his mouth to yell some more, someone else appears, materializing from a cloud of white fog—Pegasus.
He drinks from a cup and burps loudly, then slaps a hand over Hermes’ back. He promptly heads to me next. “So this is where you were hiding!”
“How did you know?”
“Followed old Hermes here. Heard grumblings you’d gotten into trouble again.”
“I didn’t.”
“Mm. Hermes, be a dear and let the big boys run amuck. I’ll make sure to bring Hades back before his curfew.”
My brother’s messenger stares at me. I wince at his piercing gaze.
“It would do you well if Fenrir had marked you, foolish Hades, instead of simply attacking.” A moment later, he’s gone, disappeared in a puff of white smoke.
Pegasus is quiet for a moment, but when he faces me there’s no laughter in his eyes. “Fenrir? As in, demon dog of the Norse mythology?”
“Yeah, yeah, same one.” I turn to leave, but he grabs my arm.
“Hades. Talk to me.” What the hell would Fenrir be doing here? Why attack Hades?
It’s hard to ignore his thoughts, at the same time trying to focus on my own. And much of the same questions swirl in my mind. “I don’t know what to say. I followed a girl here, and then Fenrir popped out. Seemed ready to take a bite out of me.”
Pegasus lets me go, his jaw going slack. “You have to tell Zeus.”
“Why? Wouldn’t be the first time the pantheons got their shit crossed over something or other. Zeus probably slept with someone he wasn’t supposed to, and Fenrir wants to return the favor.”
“Hades… Fenrir is supposed to be imprisoned. Or don’t you recall me saying he bit a god’s hand off?”
“I do.” I rub my chin, then shrug. “Still don’t see how it affects me.”
“Because his own pantheon wants him locked up! At the very least, Odin and the rest need to be warned he’s free. Which is why you need to tell Zeus.”
“I’m sure Hermes will take care of that.”
“Hades—”
I roll my eyes. “Can we please have some fun?”
Pegasus purses his lips. If this is important enough, and he gets hurt in the process, I won’t ever forgive myself.
It feels wrong, hearing his thoughts, and his worry softens my heart. I may not be able to admit to understanding his concern, but at least I can ease it a tad.
“I’ll tell Zeus next time I see him, all right?”
Pegasus grins at my reluctant mutter and claps me on the shoulder. “Perfect! That’ll do. And yes, we can go have fun now.”
But right as we’re about to leave, we are interrupted once more. Only this time, it’s by a woman. She appears out of nowhere, glances around, and then her gaze lands on me. Long brown hair cascades to her waist, complimenting her multi-colored floral robe. The scent of cinnamon permeates the air around her. Her eyes shine like the sun at dusk, and I find myself rooted to the ground.
Pegasus recovers first. “And where did you come from, darling?”
She does something that could pass for a smile, then flicks her hand at him and my friend is immobilized. The shock in his mind rouses me from my stupor.
“What did you—?”
“Hades, I take it?” She looks me up and down once, her expression completely disinterested. “Your brother sent me. This realm is not safe for you, and I am to bring you home.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Uh-huh. And, who are you?”
“My name is Ileana Cosânzeana. You will not have heard of me, but your reputation precedes you.”
I chuckle, going for my most charming smile. “I see. And which pantheon do you belong to? For my brother to have roped you into babysitting duties, surely you owe him a favor.”
“No favor. No pantheon. I am not of your kin.”
“No? And what are you, then?”
“An immortal. Now, I take it you are ready to return home? I made arrangements.”
The assurance in her tone rankles me the wrong way. What’s going on here, exactly? “And I would follow, why?”
“Whoever said anything about follow?”
Before I can argue, she waves her hand, and a portal appears behind her. With a wintry smile my way, she grabs hold of my shirt and drags me within its pale, swirly depths.
“What the fuck!”
I emerge out of the vortex, spitting and spluttering, less the image of a god than of a surly human. Whirling on the immortal, I jab my index in her face. “Who do you think you are?”
“Your guard.” Mda, typical. Of course, I had to get the childish one.
I ignore her thoughts and the snark so unlike the image she projects. Looking at her, she’s a head smaller than me, tiny in comparison. How, exactly, is she supposed to protect me?
Never mind that. It’s probably bad she doesn’t seem even mildly impressed with my angry tone. I don’t like this lack of control, this sudden babysitter that’s been thrust upon me.
Since I can’t acknowledge her thoughts out loud, I settle for, “I don’t need a guard!”
“Then you should tell your brother, not me.”
I storm off, but her footsteps echo behind me. Clearly, she’s taking this new assignment to heart. What had Pegasus said about immortals and guards? I should’ve paid more attention. Argh. And whatever the hell Zeus is playing at, I’ve no idea. But I will get to the bottom of this.
With each stomp of my foot, my power releases in bursts. We pass a hall of mirrors, and only cracks are left in my path. The woman—Ileana—mutters something behind me, but my blood is pounding too hard in my ears to listen.
Determined to get myself heard by Zeus, I make my way through the mansion and into his quarters. Gold and marble tones surround everything, extending over two floors. But he is nowhere to be found.
So I trample over to the next place—Hera’s.
And still, Ileana follows me around like my damned shadow.
A tub has been placed by the window, and she’s soaking in it. The scent of roses and jasmine comes to my nose, then surrounds me.
I glare at her. “I’m not in the mood for your games.” Or to be suffocated by her perfume.
Hera steps out of her bath, unashamed of her nudity. She takes in my angry expression, then glances behind me.
“Ah. I see you found your new pet.”
“More like she found me.” I take a step closer. “What is this, Hera? What’s Zeus playing at?”
She shrugs and dons a robe. “Only he knows. My guess? Keeping you out of trouble so he can take over Olympus.”
She’s nothing if not blunt, this one.
“Where is he?”
“You’d know better than me.”
I narrow my eyes on her. Whatever the implication, I don’t have the time nor the patience for it. Yet another reason I wish to leave Olympus. And I would tomorrow, if I could. “Tell him I want to speak to him as soon as he’s back.”
If he’s in the mood, I will.
I ignore her thoughts, instead exiting the room and slamming the door behind me. Judging by the presence at my back, I’ve yet to get rid of my so-called guard.
Ileana follows me into my sleeping quarters, and that’s where I draw the line. I turn on her, catching her by surprise as she nearly collides with me. Her cinnamon scent fills my nostrils, and staring into those eyes, I forget for a moment what I’d meant to say.
And then it comes back to me, and I push away all other thoughts. Leave it to Zeus to pick a pretty guard, but that doesn’t mean I’ll allow it to distract me.
“While I appreciate this wasn’t your decision to make, I need you to listen carefully now. I am not in need of a guard, nor am I a child in need of babysitting. So, I release you.”
Secret Shadows: A Greek God Paranormal Romance (Immortal Rogues Book 1) Page 2