Aphrodite's Kiss

by Julie Kenner

  Deena stood up. “Well, I’m going to go give him a piece of my mind. How the heck does he know what Taylor was feeling?”

  Zoë grabbed the hem of her skirt and tugged her back. “Don’t,” she pleaded. “Hale isn’t in the best of moods.”

  “Because you slept with a mortal?”

  Zoë shrugged. “Well, yeah.”

  “That’s the goofiest—”

  “He’s just trying to protect me.”

  “From what? Mortalitis? Is it catching? Are we not worthy?”

  “It’s not that.” Actually, with Hale, it was. There were mortals, and there were Protectors, and never the twain should meet. “Mostly it’s my parents.”

  Deena squinted at her. “Tessa?”

  “She left my dad before I was born. He told her his secret, and she told him to get out.” Zoë shrugged, blinking back tears as she tried to act nonchalant. “It’s pretty common, actually. Throughout our history, I mean. Mortals don’t stay.”

  “But Taylor’s not like that. He adores you. I saw how he was looking at you.”

  “But that’s just it,” Zoë said, wiping away a renegade tear with the back of her hand. “He doesn’t really. It’s the belt. I like him, and so the belt made him want me, too. But it’s not real. And if he knew the truth—the real truth—he’d run so far so fast.” The damn tears were flowing now, and she turned away. “Just like my mom ran from my dad.”

  “Hey, come on.” Deena took Zoë’s hand between hers. “You don’t know that. And I don’t believe it. Taylor’s a good guy. Hoop trusts him, and Hoop’s one of the best judges of character I’ve ever met.”

  “He’s a normal guy, Deena. He lives a pretty normal life. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not normal.” No matter how much she sometimes wished she were. “You should have seen him playing knight in shining armor when we were attacked at the party. I don’t think he’ll be too cool with the whole truth.”

  Deena’s jaw tensed. “He’ll get over it. Chivalry’s cute and all, but please. This is the new millennium.”

  She swallowed. “But what if he’s not cool? My mom wasn’t, and that didn’t have anything to do with chivalry. And the thing is, I don’t want to give up the council. I want to make a difference.”

  “Then tell him. You shouldn’t have to give anything up. Take a risk and tell him. He might surprise you.”

  Zoë wished like heck it were true, wished she had the strength to try. Not that it mattered anyway. Most everything he felt for her was a girdle-induced fake.

  “I mean, even if he is a little weirded out that you can beat the crap out of him, it’s not like he’s gonna expect you to stay home barefoot and pregnant,” Deena added.

  Zoë grinned, idly wondering what NOW’s position would be with regard to her little dilemma.

  “Hey, look at the puppy.”

  Zoë followed the line of Deena’s finger to the far side of the pool area. A gargantuan black Lab was sniffing around. “That’s not a puppy. That dog’s bigger than a Humvee.”

  “Hey, baby,” Deena said. “You want a snack?” She rummaged around in her tote bag and came up with a bag of kitty treats.

  “You carry cat food?”

  “Long story.”

  Then Deena crossed over to the puppy. “Here you go, guy,” she said, dropping a few treats in front of the dog.

  It ignored the food, instead sniffing around Deena—all over her, actually. Zoë watched, frowning. Something about that dog . . .

  She looked over the rims of her glasses, and the deep brown doggie eyes suddenly appeared a vivid green.

  Uh-oh.

  Deena bent over the dog, then whispered puppy nonsense in its pointy little ear. “Isn’t it precious?”

  “Why don’t we go inside?” Why the devil was Mordi sniffing around Deena? It didn’t make any sense. But the one thing she knew for certain was that she didn’t want Mordi to know she was on to him. “I think I’ve got some leftover roast in the fridge,” she said, edging toward the stairs and hoping Deena would follow. “Let’s go get it and give him a snack.”

  “I think he likes me,” Deena said.

  “Now, Deena. Let’s go.”

  Reluctantly, Deena stood up. “We’ll be right back,” she said. “You stay.”

  The Mordi-dog’s ears twitched, as if he were trying to decide if she really was coming right back.

  Zoë inched toward the stairs to her apartment, silently urging Deena along. With a flip of her skirt, Deena followed. Thank goodness. Zoë turned and was just about to head up when—

  “Shit!”

  At Deena’s cry, she whipped around, and there was Mordi, doggie fangs bared, practically standing on Deena’s chest as she struggled underneath him. Zoë lunged, flying off the stairs, and landed a good solid kick to Mordi’s snout.

  He jumped back, his head shaking like a cartoon dog’s, the effect exacerbated by the shimmer of his change. In a blink of an eye he’d changed from doggie to gang member, complete with baggy pants and attitude.

  “What the—” Deena whispered.

  “That’s really not your best look,” Zoë said, circling him, wary of the length of chain coiled in his hand.

  “Cousin, you don’t know me at all.”

  “Cousin?” Deena scooted further back, her voice raspy. “Okay. You really do win the dysfunctional family of the year award.”

  “Don’t I know it,” Zoë said, keeping a wary eye on Mordi. “What the heck are you doing, anyway?”

  “That’s the trouble with spending so much time with mortals, isn’t it?” Mordi asked. “Like all that quality time you spend with your mother. And yet you never really know what’s happening, do you?”

  Zoë opened her mouth, then shut it again. What he said was true. Tessa didn’t know about what went on with the council, the treaty between mortals and Protectors, anything. “Just being with my mom’s important. She loves me.”

  “She won’t when she finds out the truth.” He sneered. “She’ll dump you; they all do. But you already know that, don’t you? Otherwise you would have already told her. Time’s running out, after all. Just one more day.”

  “Tessa won’t care,” Deena said from behind Zoë. “Why the hell would she?”

  Mordi whipped around, a ball of fire flying from his fingers. “What the hell do you know about it?” The fire exploded in front of Deena, and she jumped backward toward the swimming pool, unscathed but gasping.

  He turned back to Zoë. “Mortals don’t stay with us. You know it, even if you won’t believe it.” His eyes burned like green fire. “And Zeus knows I’ve seen enough to know it’s true. Your mother won’t, your Mr. Taylor won’t—”

  Zoë gasped. “What do you know about him?”

  A sly smiled tugged at the corner of Mordi’s mouth. “Trust me. I know plenty.”

  “You’re wrong. Your—”

  He held up a hand, his cold green eyes softening. “Wish I had time to chat, cousin. Maybe when this is all over we can have tea.”

  “When what is all over?”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, then leaped over her before she realized what was going on.

  Deena’s scream ripped the air, and Zoë whipped around, to see Mordi grabbing Deena by the back of her dress. Zoë launched herself, jumping onto his back and kicking like crazy.

  “What are you doing?” she yelled. Her cousin had a hold of Deena’s arm, but Zoë managed to pull him off, then kicked him in the gut with her heel. He went flying back, landing with a splat against the staircase.

  When he got up, any hint of kindness in his eyes had vanished. They were cold. Cold and cruel and definitely not those of the little boy she’d grown up with.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” he whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then don’t hurt my friends,” she said, dropping into a crouch. If he tried to go for Deena again, he’d have to go through Zoë.

  “I’m not interested in your friend,” he said. “Jus
t in what she has.” With that, he lunged. Zoë leaped, catching him by the ankles as he pulled her over and over again. He landed on top of her, straddling her so that she couldn’t get any leverage, his weight pressing down so she couldn’t breathe.

  And then she realized that his fingers were clamped viselike around her throat. She gasped, trying to suck in air, her lungs burning.

  He was going to win again. Somehow Mordi always managed to win their tests. Too bad she didn’t even know what this test was about.

  The world spun. Thoughts darted about like minnows. Deena, Hale, the belt, Taylor.

  Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard her name, and then there was air—cool, crisp air.

  Coughing and confused, she sat up. Where was Mordi?

  And then she saw him—and Taylor.

  “No!” she screamed. She was on her feet, running to help Taylor, who was dodging the whip of ruffian Mordichai’s steel chain.

  “Stay out of this, Zoë!”

  “But—”

  “Dammit, Zo, let me handle this.”

  Her eyes darted to Deena, who mouthed the words, Tell him, and then, “Get in there and kick some butt.”

  Tell him? No way. And certainly not now. As for the butt-kicking, that she itched to do even though it might show off her powers. For half a second she considered; then she took a breath and made the leap.

  “Zoë!” Taylor cried.

  She ended up plastered like a crab on Mordi’s back, her arms wrapped around his face and her legs locked about his waist. It probably looked pretty silly, but with her strength, she knew she could hold on. And if he was struggling with her, Mordi wouldn’t be able to get to Taylor or Deena.

  He twisted and shoved and turned, trying to get her off, while Taylor rushed him, trying to get the chain.

  “Stay back, Taylor!”

  “The hell I will.”

  Hot. She was sweltering hot. She closed her eyes and hung on, trying to keep her grip despite the fire suddenly burning in her muscles. Her skin was slippery with sweat, then blistering from the intense heat.

  “Jump, Zo!” Deena yelled. “His clothes are catching on fire.”

  Hopping Hades! So were hers. Already the heat was making her woozy.

  Taylor was rushing at them both, and Zoë stifled the urge to shout at him to stand back. She needed to get them both safe, but how?

  With all her strength she held on, ignoring the pain as she looked around, oblivious to Mordi’s thrashing beneath her.

  And then she saw it.

  With a single jerk, she lunged away, but kept her hand deep in the flames, grabbing on to his collar. Mordi stumbled toward her and they both went tumbling into the pool.

  A cloud of steam rose into the air, a faint hiss drifting away on the wind.

  They went under then, rolling over and over until Zoë was sure she was going to be sick from being dizzy.

  And then there was a big metal stick in front of her, but no Mordi—somehow he’d won again.

  She gasped for air, looking into Taylor’s eyes as he held the pole end of the pool skimmer out for her. “Where’d he go?”

  “Took off that way,” he said, nodding toward the front staircase. His face hardened as he helped her out of the pool. “Are you burned?”

  She made a quick check, pleased that her halfling blood had protected her and kept her singe-free. “No.”

  “Good.” He hugged her close, managing to soak his clothes in the process. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  Deena crawled over. “Wow.”

  Zoë raised an eyebrow as she stood dripping on the concrete. “That’s it?”

  Deena shrugged. “I never thought I’d see me speechless, but wow.”

  “I don’t think you answered me.” Taylor leaned back, then kissed the tip of her nose. “So I’ll try again. What the hell were you thinking?”

  She stepped back, out of his embrace. “I was thinking of helping you.”

  He frowned. “Well, don’t. I had it under control.”

  “Taylor, that’s silly. I’m—” She stopped, not sure what she planned on saying.

  “You’re what? You’re fine? Yes, you are. But only because you’re lucky.” He pulled her close again, wrapping his arms around her. “Jesus, Zoë,” he whispered into her hair. “Do you think I can stand watching you put yourself in danger? I’d rather die than see you hurt.”

  He pushed a soggy curl off her face. “Stay here. I want to make sure he’s gone.” He disappeared under the stairway, then returned immediately. “Nobody there. Just a big dog sniffing around.”

  Deena coughed, and Zoë flashed her a “be quiet” look as Taylor swung his arm around her shoulder.

  “Let’s get you upstairs,” he said.

  She nodded and let him lead her. Hale would be back any minute, but surely she could get Taylor out of her apartment before his return.

  Because, truth be told, she wanted Taylor with her. Maybe she didn’t need his help to fight her cousin, but she certainly wanted his strength after.

  As for why she was fighting her cousin, or why Mordi was sniffing around Deena . . . about that, she had no idea, What did Deena have that he wanted?

  Or maybe Deena was the subject of Zoë’s tests—protect the mortal and make it into the council. She frowned. But that didn’t really make sense either.

  She glanced at her friend, still sitting on the concrete looking a little dazed. The fact was, she had no idea. But she did know one thing for certain—whatever was going on, it couldn’t be good.

  Mordi planted his rump on the sun-warmed sidewalk and scratched behind his ear with his back leg.

  He didn’t have the stone in hand, but still, it had been a successful encounter. He’d pulled the stone’s scent off of the setting, and then he’d let his sensitive doggie nose go to work following his best lead—the blonde.

  And his bet had panned out. The mortal still had the stone. He was certain of it.

  Excellent.

  Of course, Zoë might realize what he was after—first the woman at the tower and now Deena. The only thing they had in common was the stone. Would she make the connection? He let out a little doggie sigh. Best to focus on the good news. The stone was here, with the female mortal. By tonight it would be his, and Hieronymous would finally be proud.

  All he had to do was wait.

  After all, she couldn’t stay in Cousin Zoë’s apartment forever.

  Hale glared at the mortal, not at all sure how to handle this latest bit of news.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Deena said. “It wasn’t like I asked to be jumped by some shape-shifting doggie gangster.”

  Hale had to give the mortal credit. She hadn’t burst into tears or run screaming from the room, swearing to never look Zoë in the face again. Not yet, anyway.

  “Mordichai.” He said the name like a curse. Damn their cousin for siding with his father. If the little worm had any backbone, there’d be no problem.

  “What the heck did he want?” Zoë asked.

  The stone, of course, but Hale couldn’t tell her that. From what Zephron claimed, all hell would break loose if he did. Instead he shook his head in feigned ignorance.

  “Even more,” she added, “what did he want with Deena?”

  “Probably trying to get to you. The tests and all.”

  “He seemed so sweet as a dog,” the mortal said.

  “He’d just as soon bite your head off,” Hale said, just to shake her up.

  “Hey,” she said, staring him right in the eye. “I didn’t say he was sweet, I said he looked sweet.”

  “Fair enough,” Hale said, his estimation of Zoë’s mortal friend increasing.

  “Sweet or not, what was he looking for?” Zoë asked. Her eyes widened. “Of course! He wanted the belt.” She looked at Deena. “He smelled it on you.”

  “You’re probably right,” Hale said, thinking fast. The fact was, Mordichai sniffing around Zoë meant one of two things: either Mordi
had given up looking for the stone and was simply going to tail Zoë, figuring one of them would end up with it before the eclipse, or Mordi knew something the rest of them didn’t.

  Both options meant bad news for Zoë, and the best thing Hale could do was get back to Olympus, report in, and see if Zephron or Donis had learned anything useful. He glanced around aimlessly, trying to think up an excuse for leaving, and his gaze landed on Deena’s overstuffed tote bag. “If he wants the belt, I should get rid of it,” he said, pointing at the bag and urging the belt up and into his waiting hand.

  “Cool trick,” Deena said.

  Zoë’s brow furrowed. “Get rid of it how?”

  “I’m taking this back to Zephron. I should have done it earlier.” He shoved the belt into his backpack and headed for the door. He took a quick look around for Elmer, but the little guy wasn’t to be found. The ferret had been hiding since he’d snapped at him earlier, and he was probably still sulking. Well, he’d just have to camp at Zoë’s then, because Hale didn’t have time to scour the place looking for him.

  “Hale?” Deena said.

  He turned to the mortal, his hand resting on the doorknob.

  She smiled. “It was nice to meet you.”

  Hale stared at her, trying to decide what to say. He didn’t have mortal friends, didn’t want mortal friends. Didn’t want or need any warm, fuzzy feelings for these creatures he’d sworn to protect.

  But this one had stuck by his sister, so maybe he could make an exception. The world probably wouldn’t come crashing down if he added one mortal to his list of friends. He sighed. “Yeah,” he finally said. “It was nice to meet you, too.”

  Lane was waiting in the doorway to her apartment when Taylor got there. “Well, well, well,” she said with a grin.

  “What?”

  She stepped into the apartment, tossing him a knowing glance over her shoulder. “The clothes, hotshot. Those were what you were wearing yesterday. Guess the job went well, huh?”