He’d already discovered an infestation of aphids at one of the pumpkin farmers. Turning away one of his regular vendors had broken his heart. Pumpkin soup and artisan bread was one of his favorite meals. It looked like the delicacy would be off his diet this fall. Along with a lot of other vegetables.
“I read a report from the Bakers’ and Millers’ association that they’ve found rust in soybeans and wheat, and blights in rice fields. In almost fifty percent of field corn crops they’ve discovered ear rot. These cereals don’t just feed people, they are used as animal feed. So livestock will be affected as well.” Hellfire, the way this was spreading across the globe so quickly, it absolutely looked like a supernatural occurrence. That fact appeared to confirm Lia’s story. “At the pace food sources seem to be heading south, the stores in seed banks won’t be enough.”
“Seed banks?”
“Where seeds from every plant known to man are stored, in the event of a worldwide calamity, like nuclear winter or something.” Or super-fucking-natural curses.
“I know what they are. Whose idea do you think the banks were? I proposed them back when Atlantis sank to the bottom of the ocean.”
There was an undeniable cool factor here. She’d been around when Atlantis had disappeared. “Really? The first one known to man actually dates from the locust plague in Egypt. But the granaries weren’t helpful in feeding the masses for very long.”
Lia’s voice trembled when she asked, “So what do we do? What can we do?”
Before he could answer, Emma burst back into the office. The door crashed against his back, jolting him forward against Lia. The brush of his chest and hips against her side sent a surge of lust through him. Judas Priest, how could such a simple touch harden his cock to concrete? Lia’s eyes widened and her gasp lifted her breasts against his pecs as he leaned hard into her. She lifted her hand to his bicep to steady him, the heat of her touch galvanizing his body even more.
Emma pounded on his back to get his attention. He glanced over his shoulder to read her agitated signing.
“What’s she saying?” Lia’s chest rubbed his as she rose on her toes to peer at Emma.
He had to blink hard to put down his dick’s sudden homing ability. Dammit, he wanted to feel her around him, to sink deep within her body. Sweat trickled down his back as he forced himself to take a step away from her, and focus on Emma.
Who hadn’t stopped signing the same message over and over.
“There is a flock of birds at the market’s main entrance. They’re attacking people attempting to enter.”
Emma tugged his shirt, trying to get him to follow her. Reaching blindly, he found Lia’s hand. He pulled her through the open door. Emma raced ahead, looking back repeatedly to be sure they followed.
“It’s part of the challenge, Ben. I’m willing to bet the birds are magpies.”
“We’ve never had a bird problem. Bees and wasps, yeah. But not birds.” He was used to running. In fact, he regularly logged at least twenty-five miles a week. But his breath was labored at the moment, due mostly to rising fear.
They sped through the covered main thoroughfare, up the central avenue with vendors on each side. He dodged a stroller on one side, then ducked around a man toting an oxygen tank. As he neared the arched entrance, a raucous noise reached him. The squawking and screeching was almost drowned out by shouts from patrons.
Emma had skidded to a stop and stared into the tree, shoulders hunched high, hands clapped tightly over her ears, almost as if trying to lessen the noise. She couldn’t hear, so Ben didn’t understand her posture. No time to examine her reaction right now.
A small boy hurled a stone toward the tree where the massive flock perched. The stone fell short of its mark, but drew the attention of a bird. The blue jay screeched as it swooped toward the child. The kid’s mom grabbed him up and spun around. Juggling the kid and all her reusable market bags, she sprinted toward the parking lot.
When Ben halted in the shade of the tree, he maintained his hold on Lia’s hand. Warmth, energy and calm seeped from her palm to his, allowing him to focus his thoughts on the problem of the birds.
“That’s weird. There is more than one species there. That’s not necessarily common.” He spied ravens, next to robins and cardinals. A cluster of magpies dominated the high branches at the center of the tree. Shooting a glance to Lia, he said, “There’s only six. Shouldn’t there be nine?”
“Three of the bitches are already imprisoned in an aviary at Olympus.” She squeezed his hand. “Ben, there are too many of them. I either have to call my sisters for help or draw some of your energy to dispel the flock.”
“How long will it take to call them?”
Without taking her stare off the gathered flock, she muttered, “Not long, but I’ll end up with another mess like last night.”
A freaking huge woodpecker dove toward an approaching patron. The woman ducked and swatted at it. Emma grabbed her around the shoulders and pulled her aside. “Emma, no!” Ben shouted.
Dumb shit. It wasn’t like his sister could hear. He turned to Lia. “Okay, use me. What do you need me to do?”
“Just stand there and look handsome. I’ll do the rest.”
Lia firmed her grip on his hand and dragged it across her chest, hugged it close. Heat built in his gut and churned up through his ribs. His cheeks and ears felt on fire. In the center of his chest, a whirlpool emerged, with something being sucked out of him. This had to be what she meant when she asked if she could draw on his energy.
He pivoted to face her, keeping his eyes on hers. She squinted at the tree and her lips moved as she concentrated. You’re too pretty to be a slave to Pierus. I give you leave to fly away and resume your lovely warbling. Lia blew a breath toward the tree, the scent of the apple she’d eaten expelled with it. Sudden quiet descended on the area. With a giant whoosh, most of the birds lifted off the branches.
Only the black and white magpies remained. They, too, had fallen silent. Lia spat more words at the little beasties. Go the Hades away! Five of the birds lifted off, and disappeared over the roof of the market’s main concourse. Only one remained. White-tipped black feathers floated to the ground as the magpie took off and flew lazy circles around them. The remaining bird tipped its head and opened its beak, emitting a human-like scream. With a final squawk and a vicious flap of its wings, it flew away to the east.
Ben’s body jolted. It felt like somewhere deep within him a door had slammed shut. Legs trembling, he sagged slightly. Lia braced his weight, tucking her shoulder under his arm, her lithe body pressed firmly to his side. A new sensation twisted through him, like a tightly circling tornado. The strength of it stroked his legs, arms, and torso. He sucked in a deep breath and hugged her close, his chin on the crown of her head.
“Are you okay?” she breathed against his chest. “I tried to put a little something back into your reserves.”
“Is that what that was?” He slid his hands down her ribs to the sweet curve of her behind, then drew her close against the erection straining the front of his jeans. He lowered his face along her cheek to whisper into her ear, “Is this an appropriate response?”
Lia flexed her fingers on his waist and snuggled closer, spearing the heat level between them to just this side of thermonuclear. “I’ve never tried to send my energy back into a mortal, so I can’t be sure. But I like it.”
“Now seems like the dead wrong time to want to shove my tongue down your throat.” He pressed his lips to her cheek, ordered his body to behave and reluctantly released his hold on her.
She pulled away, but laid her hand on his bicep, stopping him. Waving her finger between the two of them, she asked, “We should talk about this later. After I make sure no one else noticed anything supernatural about what just happened. I especially want to explore that thing you mentioned about your tongue.”
“With pleasure.” An unaccustomed lightness filled him at the sight of her smile.
As they moved throu
gh the gathered crowd to make sure all was copacetic, Ben kept one eye on Lia. The older female Emma had sheltered from the woodpecker seemed overly distraught. Lia glided her fingers along the woman’s forearm and spoke softly to her. From his position, he couldn’t read her lips, but whatever she crooned into the lady’s ear had the effect of calming her.
Lia touched several other people, all of whom walked away with a peaceful look and smiles. Was she hitting them with her…special brand of influence, or just being a decent human being, expressing concern?
Emma drew him aside, her hands and fingers flying as she signed to him. But the sight of Lia moving with grace and confidence among his customers proved too distracting. Finally, his sister clasped his face between her hands and twisted his head her direction. She pinched his cheek, a signal of her agitation.
“Okay, you have my attention.”
What the hell was that? She signed, her movements choppy and abrupt. I didn’t like it.
“It’s a long story.” He spoke aloud and signed at the same time.
Emma crossed her arms, tucking her fingers under her pits, and tapped her foot on the pavement.
“If you don’t sign, I have no idea what you want to know. Not a mind reader, Emma.”
Huffing out a breath, she freed her hands. Everything, you dipstick. Who is she? I mean besides the woman whose throat you want to shove your tongue down.
“You read that?”
Her exaggerated eye-roll said it all.
“I’m not sure what I can reveal right now. Let’s just say she needs my help on a special project.”
And that project includes saving innocent bystanders from crazy ass birds?
“Yeah.” Ben let his gaze drift toward Lia as she paused on the other side of the tree. Staring up into the branches, her expression was blank. She nodded, as if she were speaking to someone. She threw a glance his direction and caught him staring. The corner of her mouth lifted, creasing the dimple into her left cheek.
Emma tapped his chin and he focused on her once again. He spoke slowly to be sure she read everything he said. “It has to do with the crop failures I was telling you about. She has a plan for fixing that. I hope.” He dropped his hands to his sides as he finished signing.
Don’t do anything stupid. His sister’s gaze darted over his face, concern evident in her downturned lips.
“If by stupid you mean falling for a woman I barely know, it might be too late.”
Emma threw her hands in the air and shook her head. It was his turn to read her lips. Her calling him a dumb ass before she stalked away almost made him smile. If he had been a smiling kind of man.
“Is she alright?” Lia questioned as she approached him.
“She’s confused and a little freaked out by the birds. Thank goodness she couldn’t hear them.” Or could she? Ben wracked his brain for a memory of her trying to block out sounds and found nothing.
“I’m not sure that’s a blessing.” Lia scanned the area, then turned back to him. “My presence has been demanded at Olympus. I left my purse on your desk. Walk me back?” She held out her hand.
Taking it was the most natural instinct. He laced their fingers together, and after one final look at the tree where the birds had recently perched, he led her back toward the small, cinderblock building he called his office.
“Where do we go from here?” he asked as they strode along the concourse.
“Zeus has called a meeting this afternoon with Demeter and her daughter, Persephone.”
He halted, tugging her to a full stop as well. “Hold up. They’re real too?”
“Of course. We were lucky to rope Persephone into a meeting at this late date. Since the equinox is next week, she’s busy preparing for her yearly retreat to the underworld. Hades gets all up in Zeus’s grill if she’s even a minute late.”
The laugh he grunted out was harsh and rusty sounding. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“Nothing yet.” Lia faced him, her expression guarded. “Ben, I’m asking for help. But the choice is yours. I’d like to tell you I could do this without you. But I don’t think I can. Nor do I want to. I don’t know what to say to convince you.”
“Sometimes, it’s better to keep the genie in the bottle.”
“Unfortunately, we don’t have that option right now. Whether you want to continue or not, crops are failing. And there’s no telling what other sneaky tricks Pierus has up his sleeves. I mean, if a toga had sleeves.”
“Good one.” His cheek twitched.
Lia pointed to it, touched her finger to the corner of his lips. “Almost a smile. I’ll just keep working until I get one.”
“I told you last night I’d help, and I will. It might just take me a while to wrap my head around the entire idea.”
Lia rose onto her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. Her lips feathered against his as she murmured her thanks. “I really have to get going. Zeus gets all up in my grill if I’m a minute late.”
Ben reclaimed her hand and hustled with her toward his office. When they stepped into the building, Emma hadn’t returned yet.
Lia breathed out a relieved sounding sigh. “Can I leave my car in the parking lot for a few hours?”
“Sure, but don’t you need it to get to Olympus?”
“I’m immortal, remember? We have faster ways to travel.” She dug her keys from her purse and handed them to him. “It’s the red convertible Jag.”
“Why are you giving me the keys?”
“Because I’d love it if you’d return them to me at The Greek Chorus tonight. I’d be happy to show you some of my other tricks.” She stepped into his arms and slid her hands up his back.
His cock filled with her words and action. He wound his arms around her shoulders and lowered his mouth to hers.
Tracing the edge of her lips, he prodded for entry. She didn’t resist and in fact, sucked in his tongue. He angled his head and drank deeply from her. With an arch in her back, she pressed her breasts to his chest and rubbed.
He tossed the keys she’d handed him to the desk. Almost like they had a mind of their own, his hands eased down to her luscious butt, curled into her jeans and drew her tight against the solid erection restrained behind his zipper. Rocking his hips, he communicated desire in a language older than time.
He gentled his mouth, sipping and nibbling, breathing in her sigh, and the apple taste on her lips. The chemistry between them had blown up quickly. Need for more swamped him. Frightened him a little. Energized him a lot.
Framing his face between her hands, Lia ended the embrace. Her eyelids slid open, displaying intense depth, reflecting the color of the Caribbean Ocean.
Skimming her thumb over his lips, she whispered, “So I’ll see you tonight?”
“Damn right.” He nipped the pad with his teeth. Goddamn if she didn’t get the sultriest smile he’d ever witnessed.
Suddenly, his breath became labored, like he couldn’t draw enough oxygen into his lungs. Lia’s form began to shimmer in front of him, wavering in his arms like she was evaporating. With a sudden pop of his ears, she disappeared.
If not for the raging hard-on he sported, he’d almost believe she’d never been there.
Chapter 6
“Just because Pierus is reckless does not mean you should follow suit. It isn’t too much to ask to protect immortals, Lia.” The scowl on Mars’s face left no doubt that he was pissed she’d slipped into the Hollow when there’d been a chance of exposure.
“If I promise to try harder in the future, can we just move on with this meeting?”
They rested in the tiered seats at the back of the Security Command Center. The theater-style room reminded her of a movie set. Darkened, but pools of light from desk lamps dotted the space and illuminated the visages of ten people dedicated to their jobs. Employees who honest to the goddess reminded her more of warriors than worker bees.
The entire south wall of the room was comprised of monitors, blinking and seething wit
h motion. On the nine center panels, displayed in a perpetual replay loop, the flickering images of the tree at the entrance to the market.
Lia drummed her fingers on the flat glass console in front of her. The bank of monitors at the front of the room went dark when she accidentally tapped a button. A collective groan went up from the techs and heads popped up prairie-dog style.
Mars knocked her hand clear of the panel, and then danced his own fingers over the display. The central unit flared back to life. “Don’t touch the controls again.” He waved his hand over the dashboard built-in to the desk in front of her. The word Locked flashed in bright red letters.
To keep out of further trouble, she tucked her hands into her pits. “Tell me again how you managed to capture video of the exact moment of the attack at the Farmer’s Market?”
“Where the Hades is Zeus?” Mars fumed.
“You’re avoiding the question.”
“Damn straight I am. You are not going to like the answer.”
“Explain, Mars. Or I’ll have to hit you in the hillbilly.” Lia’s threat obviously fell far short of the mark, based on Mars scoffing laughter.
He chuckled. “Goddaughter, I have no idea what that even means.”
Struggling against the smile trying to break free, Lia dug her nails into her palms. “It’s bad, so you shouldn’t cross me, Uncle.” She changed her strategy and went straight to wheedling, a scenario she knew he hated. “Come on, Mars. It’s not like I don’t know you’re having me followed. I just want to know why. Pul-ease?”
Mars’s coffee breath smacked her in the face when he sighed like the world was ending. “Zeus ordered regular supervision of you and all your sisters.”
“If he freaking wants to surveille something he should aim the damn cameras toward seed banks,” she groused. The premonition she’d shared with Ben, of a flock of black birds swirling around a mountaintop, blared like a claxon in her head. She ignored it in favor of the current point she needed to make with Mars. “We don’t need freaking babysitters! How long has this been going on?”
Hunger: Goddesses of Delphi Page 5