by Mara Lee
Persephone’s eyes flickered between Aega and Alyse. Her beautiful face was stricken with indecision.
“Persephone,” Aega beseeched. “We are out of time.”
Persephone bit her lip and dropped to her knees by the girl’s bedside. “Oh Zeus, forgive me.” Hades was going to kill her for this. Or exact some wicked retribution for her part in tonight’s events. Persephone gently laid one of her hands on the girl’s forehead. “Finish your work, Aega. I will hold her here.” She pressed down on the child’s forehead and spoke to her mind. Do you hear me? You will NOT pass on. You will stay here amongst those who love you, those who have need of you.
Aega quickly cauterized the remaining wounds, careful to tie off the bleeding arteries and damaged nerves. She did not want to risk the chance of internal bleeding. She ran her power down Alyse’s body to check for any wounds she may have missed. Finding none, she readied herself for her last great surge of power this eve. She had to make sure Alyse’s organs could maintain their strength. She had to get them back on track. They needed a jolt of pure energy. They needed her.
“Do it now,” Persephone hissed.
Aega gritted her teeth. She drew her sun from its shielded place within her and with one great thrust forced some of its radiance into young Alyse’s body.
Alyse screamed. Her back arched off of the bed and she began to shake violently.
Aega continued the sun transfer until Alyse had settled back calmly onto the bed. The young Loopine let out a small sigh and then went completely still.
Persephone smiled a small smile. “That was well done, young Goddess. Very well done. Even better than your father, I believe.”
Aega sank to the ground and braced her back against the bed. “Don’t let him hear you say that,” she said weakly.
Persephone smoothed her hand across the child’s now sweaty brow. “This one will make it, young Goddess. She is very strong. She kept with me the entire way, matching her steps to mine.”
Aega looked up at the beautiful Goddess of the Underworld and smiled. “Thank you, Persephone. Thank you.”
Persephone stood. “No, thank you, Aega. You reminded me of something this eve: compassion. And it is your compassion that will always have you triumphing over your father. His strength is no match for your,” she smiled, “heart.” She let out a deep sigh and dematerialized from the room.
* * * *
“Are you all right?” Aega asked of Andre.
Andre blinked rapidly.
“Kitar … are you all right?”
Andre swallowed. “Call me Andre. And yes, I am fine. I believe I should be asking that question of you. Are you all right?”
Aega nodded. “Besides being a bit fatigued. I am fine.”
Andre looked down at Alyse, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. “You saved her. You healed her wounds.”
“I could not have done it without Persephone. She held your Alyse here. Without the Queen of the Underworld, Alyse would have passed onto the next plane, regardless of what I did to her body.”
Andre took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes wearily. “That was the Queen of the Underworld?”
“Yes.”
“Persephone,” Andre said wonderingly. “The whole pomegranate thing is…” he broke off.
“It is real. She is real. We are all real, Andre.” Aega smiled. “Just do not mention the pomegranate in Persephone’s presence. She hates to be reminded of what she calls her ‘great folly’. I think it irks her … being thought of as so stupid.”
Andre shook his head. “This is … a lot to take in.”
At that, Aega burst out into laughter. “Oh…” She wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh, oh my, that is quite amusing.”
Andre looked indignant. “Excuse me?”
“It’s just,” Aega tried to rein in her laughter, “You are a Loopine. You are friends with a Vampyre, and you find Gods and Goddess difficult to believe in. Do you see now what I find so amusing?”
A small smile curved Andre’s lips and he rolled his eyes. “Perhaps it is a little amusing.”
“A lot amusing,” she countered.
Andre cleared his throat. “Can they, uh, do that all the time?”
“Do what?” Aega asked quizzically.
“Pop up, like that, all the time.”
Aega sighed. “Some higher deities can. For lower deities it takes a great deal of power to maintain form on Earth. And in most cases, neither high nor low bother. They find Earth…” she blushed, “tedious. A waste of time.”
“Tedious?” Andre’s eyes grew wide.
“Yes. In most cases if you wish a God or Goddess’s presence, especially if you are not one yourself, you must summon. Tis why Ouija boards and the like are so popular. As with ghosts, you can summon a God or Goddess. They, of course, can choose not to answer your call. It is their right.”
Andre looked bewildered. “But you—you are here on Earth.” He frowned. “You live here?”
Aega looked away. “I am different.”
“How—?” Andre was cut off by the entrance of Ditheous into the room.
Ditheous looked first to Aega’s pale face, then to the sleeping girl on the bed. “She is all right?”
Aega nodded. “She is.”
Ditheous smiled brilliantly. “You are a miracle worker.”
“No miracles, Ditheous.” She tried hard not to frown. “The Gods do not work in miracles. There is a price to pay for everything.” She decided not to tell Ditheous that her price had come in the form of Persephone, his blood kin. There would be time for that later.
Chapter Ten
Amalthea’s scream shook the mountain.
Hermes winced.
“How?” She raged. “How can you not know what is happening with my sister?” Amalthea narrowed her eyes. “If I was of a distrustful nature, I would almost believe that you are purposefully sabotaging my plans, Hermes.”
Hermes’ face remained expressionless as he spoke. “I have told you everything that I know. Your sister is a Goddess—banished or not—she is still a Goddess. She has certain powers and strengths. I cannot follow, nor read her as easily as the others. She hides her intentions very well. I have given you full and honest reports of the activities below. I have followed the Vampyre,” his nose wrinkled finally in distaste, “the Loopine, and even those foul demons, all over their wretched city.” He looked down. “I have even sacrificed a sandal, for you,” he spat.
Amalthea’s face suddenly softened. She sidled up close to the stiff Hermes and ran her hand down his tense arm. “Oh, you poor baby. Your precious sandals. What will mama say?”
Hermes’ eye twitched.
Amalthea broke out into peals of laughter. She pressed a kiss to his hot cheek. “Now, Hermes, you know Maia will replace your wings. Do not fret. Your worry causes lines to mar that gorgeous forehead of yours.” She rubbed her thumb over the soft pad of his lips and licked her own. “And we musn’t have that. You are too beautiful to ever worry, my dear.” Amalthea pressed herself against him and brought her hand down to cup his hardening cock.
Hermes tried to hold on to his rapidly rising temper. Gods, she was a sadistic bitch.
Amalthea reached up under his doublet to touch him. “Mmmm … I had forgotten how big you are, my dear.”
Hermes grit his teeth. He desperately fought his body’s reaction to Amalthea’s nearness. It had been too long. And she was beautiful, yes. She was lush as a ripe peach. She was also deadly as a viper and cruel as a storm-tossed sea. He would rather bed Cerberus.
Hermes pulled away from the groping hands. He saw the anger flare to life in her eyes and knew he had best say something quick to keep her from taking down the mountain with what was sure to be a monster tantrum. “Your pawns are all in place.”
Amalthea squealed like a schoolgirl and clapped her hands delightedly. “Ohhh, well that is good news. And how is that wretched Bathos behaving himself?”
Hermes felt disgust roll through his body a
t the mention of the demon he had to deal with. Amalthea would never soil her lily-white hands by negotiating with the demon herself. She had her lackey—him—speak to the foul creature.
“About as well as you could expect,” Hermes said tightly.
She sighed. “He’s not still upset that I wouldn’t let him have that nasty Vampyre, is he?”
“He considered it his due. His men expect to be paid.”
Amalthea stomped her foot. “And they have been paid!” she shrieked. “More than paid for their assistance in this little matter. Or don’t they think I know that they’ve been sucking the bodies dry, even after they’ve passed.” she sneered. “I wonder what Hades would do if he knew that his dead were passing on without their souls.”
Hermes drew back in horror. “You cannot tell him,” he cried. “He will not let such a thing pass. He would…”
“Oh do be quiet.” Amalthea snapped. “I wouldn’t tell him. That would just completely put a halt to my plans. I can’t afford to have the moody King of the Dead screaming in my ear. No, this will work out fine. You will tell Bathos that I will double his payment at the end of this, as long as he keeps his word and stays on course.” She frowned. “Are you listening to me?”
Hermes clenched his hands into tight fists. “Yes. May I ask a question of you, oh great Goddess?”
She seemed oblivious to the sarcasm staining his voice. “Mmmm … oh yes, fine.”
“Where do you propose to get Bathos’ payment?”
An evil light filled Amalthea’s eyes, and her mouth curved up into a menacing smile. “That is none of your business. But rest assured. Bathos will have his payment.” Her smile broadened. “He will have his payment in full, and then some.”
* * * *
“I hope you have another one of those,” Ditheous said of Aega’s bodysuit.
She landed a roundhouse kick to the middle of an attacking Loopine and nodded. “Uh-huh, dozens.”
“Good, I believe that one is ruined.” Ditheous dug his claw into the chest of a Loopine and ripped him open, spraying blood. “Or, it is now.”
Aega wrinkled her nose as she saw the blood and tissue that now stained her bodysuit. “Thanks,” she said dryly.
“Don’t mention it.” he said, right before he levitated.
“Showoff,” she growled.
Ditheous blew her kiss.
“Oomph, fuck,” Aega swore as she was knocked to the ground. A wicked claw came down and she rolled to the side to avoid contact with it.
“Need any help?” Ditheous had landed and was sparring with another Loopine.
Aega pushed her feet up and out, and knocked the wolfman that was attacking her back. She shook her head. “No thank you. I think I can manage just fine on my own.”
He laughed. “Well, I’m right here if you have need of me.”
She jumped to her feet and drew her sword from her back sheath. She narrowed her eyes at the feral Loopine that was eyeing her as if she was his next meal, and smiled slowly.
“I won’t need any help,” she murmured. She brought her sword straight out and then quickly drew it to the right in a slashing movement. “I know how to dispatch pesky creatures.”
The Loopine growled. He was only half shifted, and his face was a disturbing blend of both wolf and human features.
He was strong, this Loopine. Only the strong, or the very old and powerful could maintain a half shift. It took an amazing amount of power to accomplish such a feat.
Aega was not at all intimidated. Indeed, she was glad for the workout. “Going to stare all night? Or are you going to show me what you’re made of, wolf?” She taunted.
The Loopine growled and launched himself at her.
She dodged to her right and thrust her sword sideways in a practiced move. Her aim was true and made contact with the Loopine.
“Bitch!” The Loopine growled holding his bleeding side.
Aega held up her bloodied sword and smiled. “Thank you. I shall that as a compliment.”
“What are you?” the Loopine hissed, crouching down low in a striking stance. He stretched out his hands and Aega could see the points grow longer and sharper. His claws were magnifying, growing right in front of her eyes.
Oh yes, this one was strong.
“What I am is no concern of yours.” Aega and the Loopine began to circle one another, each matching one another’s pace.
“That is where you are wrong, little girl.” The Loopine licked his lips and then licked the sharp points of his fangs, wetting them. “You very much concern me. If you are holding counsel with the Vampyre, then you very much concern me.”
Aega saw the strike before it came and jumped back. She grinned when the Loopine began to growl and snarl.
She shook her head. “You have to be faster than that.”
“I’m going to feast on your heart.” The Loopine executed a perfect somersault over the top of Aega, whipped around fast as lighting and raked his claw down her back.
Aega felt the burning of her back and knew that she was probably bleeding. At the very least, her bodysuit was now completely ruined.
Without hesitation, she ran toward the Loopine, dropped into a split before him. and thrust her sword upward. She was gratified to hear him swear, and to see blood run down his naked belly.
“Not,” she leapt back, “if I feast on yours first, asshole.”
The Loopine, now bleeding from his side and his stomach, was still standing upright. Great waves of energy pulsed out from him and startled Aega. Damn it. This was the part where he was supposed to fall. How the hell was he so strong?
“Don’t you understand?” The Loopine snarled, “We have accomplished what you could not. You have already lost this battle.” He shifted into full wolf form and raced off.
Aega stuck her sword in the ground and grimaced. Her back was still burning. She cast a quick look around. It was clear, save the Loopine body parts littering the ground.
“I’ll kill him,” Ditheous hissed as he saw the marks on Aega’s back.
Aega rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No way, he’s mine. You even lay one finger on him and it’s you I’ll be coming after next.”
Ditheous smiled. “So bloodthirsty.”
“Vengeful,” she grinned, “not bloodthirsty.”
Ditheous laughed, and then turned somber. “They knew where we were, sunshine.”
Aega nodded. She had been thinking the same thing.
Ditheous growled. “They knew where we had come from, and they knew where to find us. It cannot be coincidence that they chose to attack us away from Andre.” Ditheous’ eyes widened. “Andre!”
Aega didn’t hesitate. “Take my hand,” she demanded of Ditheous.
Ditheous did as she bid.
Aega focused and this time flashed easily. She had been to Andre’s before, teleportation was therefore simple.
Thank the Goddess for quick modes of transportation.
* * * *
Aega and Ditheous took in the scene grimly. Andre’s fortress had been breached. His guards were dead and Andre … Andre was gone.
Ditheous swore viciously. “It was a set up. Goddamn it. I should have seen it coming. They kept us distracted while they went after Andre.”
Aega winced as she spied the massive puddle of blood staining Andre’s fine Persian rug. Gods, she hoped that hadn’t come from him.
“You couldn’t have known they would attempt this,” she said quietly.
“By the devil, I should have known,” Ditheous snarled. “Divide and conquer. Fucking, divide and conquer, that’s all it takes.” He raked a hand through his hair. His eyes were now solid red. “We have to go after Xavier. Xavier cannot take over as Kitar unless he challenges and triumphs over Andre in combat. It is the law of the Loopine.”
Aega nodded.
“We find Xavier,” Ditheous growled, “and we find Andre.”
* * * *
Aega fingered the finely carved golden wing and sighed. There
was no other way. She was out of options. And Andre’s life depended on her actions now.
Ditheous had taken off to mobilize his pack, to prepare them for battle. He had left her alone in his bedroom, at her insistence.
She would need privacy for what she was about to do.
Aega clenched the golden wing in her hand so tightly that she felt its sharp points dig into her tender flesh and draw blood. She took deep, cleansing breaths, and summoned him to her side: Hermes.
*
Hermes flashed to Aega’s side immediately. His eyes moved first from her beautiful, stoic, pale face, to the object she held so tightly within her fist.
Hermes smiled wryly. “Ah, so that is where is went to.”
“Where is he?” she ground out.
“Where is who, lady?”
Aega narrowed her eyes. “Andre, the Kitar. Where is he?”
Hermes sighed and smoothed his hand down the front of his fine doublet. This one was royal blue and embroidered with golden lightning bolts.
“I fear I do not know of what you speak of, lady.”
Aega began to glow and her eyes sparked. “Do not,” she hissed, “dare lie to me. I know you, Hermes, son of Zeus. You meddle in everything, with everyone. You know, and you had better tell me.”
Hermes stepped closer to Aega. “Or you shall do what? What can you do? You are a banished Goddess playing a game that you cannot win. So tell me, Aega Helios,” he purred her last name, “What will you do?”
“I’ve had enough of these games!” Aega screamed. She gripped Hermes’ shoulder and dug her fingers into his finely brocaded tunic. Her hand turned first white, then orange and then blindingly golden. Streams of unfiltered light streamed from her hand into Hermes, making the God shake with the force of it all. “You will tell me what you know. You will tell me where Andre is, or I will burn you alive.” She read the disbelief and the doubt in his eyes and laughed cruelly. “No, you’re right, even that may not kill you … but what do you bet it hurts like very hell, and takes a toll on those good looks of yours?”
Hermes’ blood was boiling—literally. He felt as if he was burning—from the inside out, and every nerve, every vein, every muscle, felt as if it were to burst at any moment.