It only took a few trips to get all the bags of copper to our hidden ruins in Peru. The sun was still coming up, and I studiously watched for my eight-legged arch enemy as we unloaded, but he didn’t show.
“Still lookin’ for your friend?” Tweety asked.
“Yeah. But apparently he’s not so tough when the sun’s out and I’m carrying a ten-pound bag of copper shavings.”
The guys laughed at me, but I wasn’t about to let my guard down for a second. We returned the borrowed cart and headed back to Peru to get to work.
“What do you need us to do?” I asked Demarco as I roamed around the ruins, clearing spider webs and watching for unwanted critters.
“Hold still for a sec,” Demarco replied. The irises of his eyes suddenly took on the metallic liquidity of mercury.
The ground beneath us rumbled to life with a small tremor. I widened my stance and held my arms out, steadying myself as a small hole opened in the ground at Demarco’s feet. Lots more rumbling went on as the ground shifted, then a fist-size chunk of metal pushed out of the hole and landed at Demarco’s feet. There was more shifting before the hole disappeared.
Demarco’s irises went back to normal.
“Okay, that was wicked,” Tweety said, hurrying over to study the metal. “This is tin?”
“Mostly. It’s not pure. It also has traces of manganese and zinc.”
“Sweet! Can I pick it up?”
“Not yet. It’s still hot.” Demarco glanced over the ruins. “While we wait for it to cool, let’s gather up the loose bricks to build a forge. I’ll also need some dry wood to start a fire.”
Tweety and I spent the next several hours fetching whatever the blacksmith needed as he constructed a rough forge between the wall and another broken ruin, shielding it from the elements and nosey gods alike. Then he poured in the copper shavings and added the ball of tin. As we watched, the metals in the forge began to swirl.
“Who needs a spoon when you have a blacksmith who can move metals with his mind?” I asked.
Demarco smiled. “A spoon would melt.”
“Right. I knew that.”
Demarco sent Tweety off to collect more firewood, and I tugged a handheld GPS from my backpack. I’d purchased it the last time I upgraded my climbing gear, paying a ridiculous amount of money because the sales clerk promised it had the most powerful antenna on the market. Hoping for the best, I powered it up.
No signal.
Apparently the most powerful antenna still couldn’t ping a satellite from as deep as we were in the jungle. With no other options, I blew over the face of the unit. Gold sparkled across it before disappearing.
Still no signal.
“Come on, come on,” I muttered and tried again.
The screen changed. A searching icon popped up, and then a second later I had the numbers of our exact location. I scribbled down the latitude and longitude on a piece of paper and stuffed them into my pocket, confident Eris wouldn’t have any trouble finding the place now.
Tweety returned and helped Demarco finish up the last of the preparations. Since there was nothing more we could do, we went back to Demarco’s to grab a late lunch, shower, and get ready for our meeting.
* * *
Demarco, Tweety, and I were the first to arrive at Eileithyia’s abandoned office. I picked the lock again and we lounged on the semi-comfortable furniture while we waited. The smell of burnt ozone alerted me to the presence of Eris and Talon mere seconds before they popped out of thin air into the middle of the reception area. This time none of Eris’s evil little spawns appeared to be with them.
Since the goal was to make the deal and get out of there as soon as possible, I started right in with the contract Auto had given me to present to Eris. She stood, petting the snake wrapped around her arm, listening as I detailed his plan and conditions.
When I finished, Eris crossed her arms. “It’s not what I wanted,” she said.
“I know. It’s difficult to get stone-cold worshippers these days. People aren’t big on deities so much anymore. They have jobs, lives, families, hobbies… better things to do than falling at your feet and fanning you with palm branches. Our best bet is to make you one of their leaders. Autolycus will get you elected as a mayor and help you understand the duties of the roll.”
She still didn’t look impressed.
“Look, Eris, you said you want more followers than Aphrodite. Well, this is your chance. The goddess of love hasn’t ever been elected to a political position.”
“Romi brings up a good point,” Talon said, grinning at me as he spoke to Eris. “And this sounds like only the beginning. Start with a single city, and Autolycus could increase your power. I’ve seen him turn people into senators. He could do the same for you, and the senate is only one step away from the presidency. You, my dear, could be the most powerful woman in the United States one day. Forget these war games where you whisper into the ears of the leaders. You could be the leader.”
Well, that escalated quickly. President Eris? Gods help us. Assuring myself Talon was just trying to seal the deal, and that Auto would be able to keep the chaotic goddess in check, I bit my lip and waited.
In the end, Eris and I came to an agreement. I gave her the latitude and longitude of the ruins, and she agreed to get Ares (with the essence of Zeus he was guarding) to the ruins at three p.m. the following day. Not only would Eris and her minions stay out of the fight, but she promised to keep Ares’s twin sons, Deimos and Phobos, out of the battle as well. In return for her cooperation, Auto would make her a mayor.
And hopefully the streets of her unfortunate town wouldn’t run with blood.
Magic sealed our deal, Eris signed Auto’s contract, and I looked to Talon, waiting for the son of the god of trickery to give me his spiel.
Rather than say anything, Talon held up a book so I could read its title: The Mysteries of Erebus Revealed.
I’d never known such a resource existed. I released Tweety’s hand to reach for it, but Talon drew the book to his chest.
“You wanted proof I know what’s in the shadows and how to defeat…” Talon opened the book, turned it so the pages faced me, and thumbed through the chapters. One of the chapters was entitled Identifying Different Types of Shadow Creatures. Another talked about ways to defeat the creatures.
It had all the right keywords and I wanted it, but with one look at Demarco, I knew the price would be too high.
“Aww, you’re having second thoughts,” Talon said. “We made a deal, you know. I could hold you to it.”
Demarco stepped forward and I held out my hand to stop him.
“But I won’t since I’ve decided I want more in exchange anyway.”
“More?” I asked. I hadn’t been willing to pay the original price.
“It’s a very valuable book, Romi, and although I’m sure a date would be charming, I need at least a passionate good-night kiss out of the deal. Maybe a quick roll in the hay as well.”
“You son-of-a-bitch.” Demarco lunged at Talon, who disappeared only to show up on the other side of the room.
“Forget it, asshole,” I replied. “I’m not that desperate.”
“Not yet, but you will be.” He winked and held up the book. “As a matter of fact, I believe you’ll be begging me for that kiss.”
Tweety lunged, but Talon disappeared before the griffin’s hands could close around him. Tweety hit the floor, then stood and shook himself off.
“Think about it,” Talon said, reappearing. “Call my name when you’re ready to take me up on my offer and I’ll come to you.” He smirked. “Then I suspect you’ll be calling out my name a lot more.”
Demarco tugged his hammer from his back, changed directions, and headed for Talon’s new location. “Not gonna happen. You can take that book and shove it up your ass. Here. Let me do it for you.”
Talon laughed and disappeared before Demarco could get a swing off on him. We searched the room, but he didn’t show back up. Eris was
gone as well.
Demarco’s expression was murderous when he returned to my side. He took a few deep breaths, and relaxed. Marginally.
I faced him. “Demarco, there is nobody else. There never was,” I reminded him before adding, “And there never will be. I’ll figure out a different way to get the information.”
Visible relief washed over him. His eyes softened and his jaw unclenched. “Thank you.” He leaned down and pressed his forehead against mine.
We stood like that for a moment, breathing the same air, while I silently vowed to wrestle the book away from Talon without hurting Demarco and screwing up this thing between us.
“Let’s get out of here,” I said, grabbing his hand.
* * *
Since Auto didn’t need the signed contract back—he’d know immediately it had been signed—we headed home and Demarco scanned it into his computer so we’d have an electronic copy just in case.
The rest of the day passed in a blur as I tried not to freak out about our upcoming battle with Ares. Although I knew we were as prepared as possible, I couldn’t dismiss the feeling we’d overlooked something. Eris would take care of the twins, Demarco would encase Ares in bronze, and Tweety and I would keep Enyo busy. Easy peasy. So why was my gut twisting into knots?
Enyo. She was the wild card in all of this. The Lowly Pawn’s Comprehensive Guide for Surviving Amongst Gods contained distressingly little information on the goddess. A goddess of war, companion of Ares, in constant competition with Eris, Deimos, and Phobos for the “honor” of being the god of war’s most valuable sidekick… pretty much summed up what we knew about her.
What I wanted was some sort of weakness I could exploit. Why couldn’t Enyo be allergic to silver or have a weak heel or a bad knee? Yet despite our lack of knowledge on Enyo, everything seemed too easy. Ares was big and terrifying, and we were going to somehow cage him in a bronze jar. The plan made sense in theory, but were we kidding ourselves? Could it be this easy? Were Eris and Talon playing us into some sort of ambush I had yet to see? Had they figured out a way around the contract?
I’d run into a brick wall. At least, it felt like it. Demarco wrapped his arms around me and asked, “Romi? You in there?”
Unsure of how long I’d been pacing and trapped inside my own brain, I looked up. The sky outside the windows was fully dark and the dinner we’d eaten around the coffee table had been taken away. Demarco and I were alone.
“Where’s Tweety?” I asked.
“He wanted to go for a flight to burn off some energy so he can rest tonight.” Demarco chuckled. “He said as much out loud and you waved good-bye to him…”
Didn’t surprise me. “Yeah, sorry. I’m a little distracted.”
“I’d say. Maybe the griffin has the right idea. You feel like going for a run?”
The muscles of my legs and butt were still sore from the previous day’s stair climb and last night’s activities, and a run sounded like the perfect way to loosen up. I threw a tank top over my sports bra, pulled on shorts, and exchanged my boots for sneakers. By the time I was ready, Demarco was outside stretching.
“Think those short little legs of yours can keep up?” he asked with a smirk.
“You didn't think my legs were too short or little last night, when they were wrapped around you,” I retorted.
“Touché.”
Determined to make him eat my dust, I shoved him out of the way and broke into a sprint.
DEMARCO AND I ran through the dark until we were both spent. I’d maintained a narrow lead, but felt him closing the gap so I gave up and dropped to a walk to cool down.
“That all you got?” Demarco asked, pulling up to walk beside me.
Unable to speak, I flipped him off and collapsed on my back on the sand. Laughing, Demarco joined me, putting his hands behind his head like a pillow.
The spring night was surprisingly clear, giving us an incredible view of both the beach and the sky. As I lay there beside Demarco, cloaked in darkness, the familiar sounds and scents of the surf lulled me into relaxation. My breathing steadied and my mind finally settled. A light breeze came in off the ocean, sprouting goose bumps across my exposed skin. Only inches away, the heat of Demarco’s body called to me, so I scooted over until my body was cradled against his side.
“Okay, sweaty and laying in the sand wasn’t my best idea,” I admitted.
Demarco chuckled.
“Seriously. How did we manage to do it on the beach? Sand must have been everywhere.”
His laughter bounced my head up and down and I wrapped my arm around his stomach and squeezed.
He kissed the top of my head. “I honestly don’t know, but I don’t remember either of us complaining.”
“Nope. I’d do it again. Not necessarily right now, because I’m all sore and tired, but I’m just throwing it out there so you know how I feel.”
“Noted. Now come here.”
He grabbed my hands in his and sprawled me on top of him. Then he kissed me. His heart beat frantically against my chest as he released my hands to rub my back and press me closer against him. We were sweaty, sandy, gross, but the moment was wonderful and romantic, making me insanely happy.
The only thing missing was Doreán.
The thought crashed into me, stealing my breath along with my joy. I pulled away from Demarco to wallow in guilt for allowing myself to be so happy. What sort of mom could enjoy herself while her child was being held captive by psychotic gods?
“What’s wrong?” Demarco asked, sitting up.
Pain sliced through me, from my womb to my heart. I closed my eyes and focused on Doreán’s sweet smile. The last time I’d seen him, he’d gone with Artemis willingly. He wasn’t afraid of her, which meant she had to be treating him well, didn’t it?
Demarco rubbed my back. “Talk to me.”
“I miss him so much.” I gazed out at the ocean, wondering where my kid was and what he was up to. “Think he’s forgotten about us?”
“I know it seems like forever, but it’s only been about a week since we last saw him, Romi, Demarco soothed, knowing immediately who I was talking about. “He might have forgotten me, but you? Never. You, gorgeous, are unforgettable.” He brushed a few sand-coated hairs away and kissed my cheek. “We’ll get him back. I promise. And hopefully we’ll see him tomorrow for a while.”
I nodded and leaned against Demarco. He held me as the moon continued to rise, reflecting off the waves. Tilting my chin up until our gazes met, he said, “You’re my world now, Romi… you and that little carbon copy of me. I’m going to do everything I can to keep you both safe.”
“I can protect myself,” I replied.
“Oh really?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
Humor lit up his eyes and I got a very bad feeling I’d just thrown down a challenge I couldn’t back up. His grip tightened around me. I struggled to get free of him, but the man’s arms were like steel. Hot, sexy, well-defined steel. Standing, he drew me up with him and then hoisted me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing.
“What are you doing?” I yelled. “Put me down.”
He smacked me on the ass. “You’re bossy, you know that?”
“I’m going to hurt you when I get out of this.”
“Think so, huh? Know what you’re not gonna do? Protect yourself. Because clearly you can’t right now.”
The nerve! With my waist draped over his shoulder, and my arms hanging over my head, I was inconvenienced, but far from helpless. I wound up and smacked his ass, but his drool-worthy glutes absorbed the blow.
“That’s the best you can do?” he asked.
Nope. My fingers drifted to his sides and he shuddered. I’d found his weak spot. Grinning, I attacked, tickling him with the same ruthless determination I showed Doreán when the kid wouldn’t go to bed. Demarco let out a squeal and tried to wiggle away from my fingers, but I kept at it.
Then he ran.
Hips jostling, legs kicking
, I continued to tickle, refusing to lose the match. How dare he doubt I could take care of myself. I’d show him. But then the game changed. Cold, salty spray peppered my skin. A wave brushed the top of my head. Realizing he was running us into the ocean, I screamed.
And then Demarco dunked us both.
A freezing wave washed over me and I bolted out of the water. Thinking of a cartoon I’d watched with Doreán, I did my best character impression, sprinting on top of the water to get back to the shore. Laughing harder than I’d ever heard him laugh, Demarco followed me.
I scowled at him over my shoulder. “I can’t believe you threw me in the ocean. Are you trying to turn me into a Popsicle?”
He was laughing too hard to respond. I ignored him and stalked to the shop where I dripped saltwater and sand all over his stairs and floor before heading into the shower, clothes, sneakers, and all. Once my fingers were finally thawed enough to peel everything off, I stripped and washed myself off.
When I emerged from the bathroom, dressed in one of Demarco’s big T-shirts, the crazy blacksmith was still chuckling. Taking a little pleasure in the way his teeth chattered while he laughed, I pushed past him and headed straight for the bed. I tucked myself beneath his down comforter and enjoyed a strange and unexpected warmth that had nothing to do with the blankets. Just thinking about the guy and his crazy antics made me all warm and smiley.
Demarco sauntered out of the bathroom buck naked in all his gods-given glory. And man, was he ever glorious. I watched, amused and enticed, but trying to fix the angry scowl back on my face. He leaned against the headboard and gave me his best sultry look.
“You know, we could die tomorrow,” he said.
Laughter bubbled up from my toes until I couldn’t contain it any longer. I chucked his pillow at him. “I might have to smother you in your sleep tonight.”
“Okay, if you’re into that sort of thing, I’m game.” He shrugged. “Let’s try it.”
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