Skin of a Goddess (Goddess Ascension Book 1)

by Victoria C. Johnson

  “I’m glad we were able to give you some small pleasure,” she assures him.

  “Fabulous. I’m actually unsure as to why you’re here. Would you care to explain? Please, come sit with me and we can talk about it more comfortably,” Loren says, motioning at a little sitting area to the left of the room.

  He takes a loveseat, where his human sits dutifully at his feet. The vampire who he’d been with stands next to him. Peitho and I make ourselves comfortable in two chairs across from them.

  “Unfortunately, we’ve come here with a serious concern. I’d like to thank you most sincerely for seeing both of us on such short notice,” Peitho says solemnly.

  Loren waves away her words. “Of course, my dear. Hopefully the next time you come here it will be a social call. Please continue.”

  Peitho nods her thanks, silky hair slipping down to frame her breasts. The breasts I had been so recently touching. I find it amazing that without even trying, she can turn me on. From the littlest and most innocent of actions, she sends my blood racing. Even when I wish it wouldn’t.

  “Myself and seven of my companions were chosen by the Olympians to be their immortal representatives,” Peitho begins.

  “What fun! You’ll have to get invited to all of our events!” Loren tells her while absentmindedly patting his human’s head as if he’s a dog. I keep my face as expressionless as possible as I peel my eyes away.

  She nods with a small smile. “Yes, it’s a great honor. The eight of us are on our first assignment, representing the immortals at the shifter convention. You may have heard of it? The hotel it’s being held at is mere hours from here.”

  “Indeed, I do know the convention that you’re speaking of. I sent my human to be the vampire representative there.” Loren nods, looking more serious now.

  “Yes, I thought so. In fact, he’s the reason we’ve come to talk to you,” she says calmly.

  Loren suddenly looks serious. “Really, what has he done? Vincent has been with me for decades now, and I believed him to be well versed in how to behave and represent the coven.”

  Peitho takes a small breath, only visible from where I am, watching her so closely. “You may not know that two shifters from the convention have been found murdered and tortured. They were found on two separate occasions. At least four people were taken from the convention, as well as one attempted abduction against one of my fellow daimons.”

  Loren pushes the human at his feet away so he can sit up. “Has the culprit been found? What about the victims?”

  “All of the victims have been different supernaturals. None of them have any obvious connections. It’s being assumed that the people responsible for the disappearances and murders are the same, and probably attending the convention,” Peitho says.

  Loren nods. “The only reasonable assumption. What does this have to do with Vincent?”

  Peitho takes another steadying breath. “When I contacted someone about what may be happening with the people taken, he informed me that there’s been a recent increase of supernaturals sold in auctions on the black market. I was also told that the leader of the crime ring involved in this believes he is a vampire and tries to feed from the victims as well as torture them. Some of the supernaturals being sold in the auctions are corpses that the leader of the operation has accidentally killed. There’s only one person at the convention with a connection to vampires, which would be Vincent.”

  “You’re suggesting he’s behind this?” Loren’s vampire companion says angrily.

  Loren turns sharply to him and growls, “Malcolm, were you invited to this conversation?”

  Malcolm gives him a rather pouty look, like a puppy that’s been scolded. Even I can tell that he’s a young vampire, which means he must be a mere infant. The human at Loren’s feet knows to bow his head, avoid eye contact, and not to speak.

  “You’re saying that the leader in charge of these auctions believes he’s a vampire when he isn’t?” Loren turns to Peitho.

  She nods at him and says, “Yes.”

  Loren sighs dramatically. “Then it may well be Vincent. I’ve had him for decades now, and I believe his mind has become slightly … addled.”

  “Yet he was sane enough to send to a group of supernaturals as your advocate?” Peitho asks him in disbelief.

  Loren gives her a look that tells her if she questions his judgment, she’ll be sorely disappointed. “I didn’t realize that such delusions may cause him to become violent. I also didn’t think that everyone would be so ill-protected that he would be able to do something like this, which we still haven’t confirmed he’s responsible for.”

  “What makes you believe that this could be Vincent?” she asks, and it pacifies him slightly.

  Loren says, suddenly seeming very tired, “He has been with me for about nine decades now, with an extended life through the sharing of blood. He’s begun to think that because he’s lived longer than most humans and still looks relatively young, that he’s immortal too. I’ve tried to remind him that vampirism is something you’re born with, and it can’t be transferred. He … hasn’t been receptive to these ideas.”

  “If I may, Master?” Celeste asks Loren for permission to speak.

  He gives her a tired nod.

  Celeste turns to Peitho and me, saying, “Vincent has been known to attempt to visit the humans kept in the manor. He has tried to bite them to feed from their blood and was controlled into submission. We thought that his problem had resolved itself, as we haven’t had an incident like that in some time. He does still visit the humans, and we thought it was because he was visiting his own kind.

  “Hearing you has me thinking that this isn’t so. Vincent, for the past three decades, has stopped socializing with the other humans here. I think he continued to visit them because he was under the false impression that he could feed from their emotions as we do.”

  Loren just looks at Celeste blankly for a moment, and I’m unsure if such a look is a good or bad thing coming from him. He finally says, “It’s possible. Someone should have been keeping a closer eye on him to see that he was fully recovered from his delusions.”

  “I am sorry that we’ve failed you, Master.” Celeste lets her head fall.

  “I’ll see that things are corrected,” he reassures her, though it sounds more like a threat.

  “Then you’re saying that the leader of this group is probably Vincent?” I ask.

  Loren gives me a startled look, as if he’d forgotten that I’m in the room. Peitho gives me a look, and I know I really shouldn’t have spoken, but time is of the essence here. I don’t care to hear about how they should have looked after him and people will be punished accordingly for the mix up. What’s done is done, and now it’s most important that we try to fix it.

  “Darling, I really should be upset that you haven’t trained your consort in the ways of polite society, but he’s such a treat to look at, I forgive you,” Loren says to Peitho, but he continues to look at me out of the corner of his eyes.

  Oh yes, I really shouldn’t have spoken.

  Peitho says quickly, “Thank you for the compliment, Master Loren, and I’m most thankful that no offense was taken from his outburst.”

  “Indeed. I’m not sure that my human has enough connections in the world that he could form an actual group to cause this much trouble. I know of no one he speaks to on a constant basis, other than the people who come here,” Loren says.

  The human at Loren’s feet lifts his head slightly.

  Loren sighs as if very put upon and says, “Wesley, my pet, do you have something to add?”

  Wesley looks up at all of us through his hair, which has me shifting uncomfortably in my seat. I hope to never see such a dead, broken expression on someone’s face again. It’s the sort of look that gives me shivers wondering how it was acquired.

  “There was a werewolf here, visiting coven members to be fed from. Vincent was in the feeding room when he came, and the two struck up a conversation. The
y kept in touch since the werewolf left,” Wesley says.

  I sit forward, but before I can say anything, Peitho asks, “Did his name start with a B?”

  Wesley shakes his head at her. “I didn’t catch any names, but I can describe him for you. He was a big guy, with dark brown hair that was sort of curly. He has dark eyes.”

  I can’t help but think that’s a pretty broad range of men.

  “Any other unique features?” Peitho asks him kindly.

  Wesley thinks for a moment, than says, “I know he was a werewolf, but he didn’t smell like one. Actually, I grew up on a farm, and he smelled like horse. He had boots on and such, like he worked with them.”

  Peitho suddenly sits up with interest and turns to me. “We’ve met one werewolf who matches both his physical description and the scent. Remember when we went horseback riding? Austin was in charge of our group; he matches that description, and he works with horses, which accounts for the smell.”

  “So he may actually have the manpower to pull something like this off,” Loren says, looking greatly annoyed. “Can you believe he would step so outside his place and disrespect me this way? After all I’ve done for him?”

  Celeste daintily clears her throat and says, “He may believe he has the right to do something like this, if he believes he’s a vampire. In his mind, he’s not just a lowly human companion, but your confidant and close friend among the coven.”

  Loren snorts with derision. “Not likely.”

  “Just offering what Vincent could be thinking,” Celeste adds demurely.

  “It’s possible, if he’s so far gone to think he’s actually one of us,” Loren says, though his face still looks disbelieving that a mere human could think so much of himself.

  Peitho says, “If Vincent is behind this, as we suspect, where is he holding the shifters? Does he own any property near the hotel where he could hold auctions for supernaturals, or far enough away from other homes that he could keep prisoners?”

  “I own extensive property. He could have used mine.”

  “You don’t keep a close eye on who has access to your homes?” Peitho asks with a raised brow.

  “He’s been my companion for decades, and welcome to all of them,” Loren tells her, slightly defensive.

  “I see. If you wouldn’t mind looking up properties you have that he could be using, I would appreciate it very much. Hunter and I will be looking into this matter and hope to resolve it as quickly as possible, once you give us locations to check,” Peitho says.

  Loren gives her a surprised look. “You don’t honestly think we’ll just hand Vincent over, do you? It’s up to us to see that this is stopped and he is sufficiently punished. He is my personal human, and as such, he’s my responsibility.”

  “Vincent isn’t the only one involved,” Peitho points out.

  Loren considers her words carefully. “I will allow you both to accompany us on our hunt, as long as you understand that we will be taking the lead on this matter.”

  Peitho looks like she’s going to argue, but I give her a little jab to the side with my elbow. There’s no use in arguing with the big high-and-mighty vampire king of Europe. Or at least, he appears to think that. Besides, I don’t think there’s any reason to turn down their help. Having more backup isn’t a bad thing.

  “Thank you. I’ll assume you don’t want me to contact the shifter law enforcers checking into this problem?” Peitho asks Loren.

  “Now you have it! We’ll keep this between us and take care of it together. No need to tell all of the others when they’re of little use to us. They’ll only get in our way, don’t you think? Celeste will look into my real estate and form a list for us. She’ll set you up with a room for the night as well. If you’ll excuse me, I must get ready for my appointment,” Loren says dismissively, and before anyone can protest, he’s walked out of the room with his two flunkies.

  I turn to Celeste with a raised brow. She gives us each slight smiles. “I know he seems abrupt, but Loren is very busy lately. I’d like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and being so discreet about it. Will you need two rooms or one?”

  Peitho answers, surprising me with a simple, “One room.”

  “Very good. In the meantime, I’ll investigate the properties he owns in the area,” Celeste says, leading us from his bedchamber. “Unfortunately, we’re not electronic with our records, and it will take some calls.”

  “How long do you foresee this taking?” Peitho asks.

  Celeste looks at her watch. “Hours at least, but hopefully no more than a day or two. It depends on who is there to give me answers, and how quickly Loren wants to deal with the matter. Have no fear, it is of our utmost priority. You know as well as we do that vampires don’t need more bad press right now. We’ll want to resolve this quickly and quietly.”

  “Of course,” Peitho murmurs to her.

  “Here we are. It’s a fully stocked guest room with a private bathroom, personal hygiene supplies, robes, and basic clothing that should fit you both. You may as well get some rest. I’ll be sure to get you as soon as I know anything,” Celeste tells us both with a cheerful smile.

  Celeste walks away before Peitho even has a chance to open the door to our room. When she does, I see that it’s a basic setup with a small sitting room, bed, and dresser. There’s a door in the back, where I assume the bathroom is. Everything about it screams upscale hotel.

  “Nice of them to provide us with a place to rest,” Peitho says, walking into the middle of the room. “Though I’m not particularly tired.”

  “Neither am I.”

  Peitho turns to me with her sizzling amber gaze, eyes snapping. “You’ve been rather silent since we saw Celeste, Vivien, and Fleur. Was something done that displeases you?”

  I sigh, knowing that she’s unlikely to give the topic up, even if I ask really nicely. “You know that I’m not used to things like that. I guess I’m a bit embarrassed and mad at myself for letting things go there. I’m not that kind of person.”

  “What kind of person?” Peitho asks.

  “Someone so … promiscuous.”

  Her gaze meets mine. “You mean, you’re not a whore to be looked at and watched while you have your pleasure?”

  “I don’t mean a whore,” I protest a little, though I guess that is what I mean. I’ve been thinking all day about what kind of people do that sort of thing, and the answer I’ve come up with is a person of low morals.

  “I imagine it bothers you greatly that I’ve done things like that before, and more. Of course, it doesn’t bother me at all. Pleasure is pleasure, and it hurts no one to share it with more than one other person. It’s natural, and enjoyable, and everything that’s good in the world when you can share it with other people. I’ve enjoyed such activities with men, women, shifters, mermen, and everything in between. I’ve had pleasure with one other person or groups of more. The one thing I haven’t done is come out of a situation like that and felt dirty, like I do now. You’ve made our joining a dirty thing that we should be ashamed of,” Peitho says to me, voice steadily becoming softer, yet angrier.

  I gulp in a breath and say, “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. Hell, I didn’t mean to make myself feel that way!”

  “Why did you ever want me? Why did you force us together? We clearly aren’t compatible. You’ll always see me as a filthy slut you’re lowering yourself to be with. Don’t expect me to sit around pretending that’s fine with me. I’m a good person, and just because I’m carnal doesn’t mean I don’t have value. It’s one thing for other people to think that about me, but you’ve actually spent time with me. I thought you could see beyond just what I am,” Peitho says, and the look of betrayal in her eyes is something that will forever haunt me.

  “I never think that I’m lowering myself by being with you. I know how amazing and special you are. I’ve never met anyone as open, honest, and completely insane as you. You’re the realest person I’ve ever met, which is clea
rly why other people have a hard time understanding you. Peitho, you’re never pretending to be something you’re not, despite the consequences. I know that I’ll never be what you need. That doesn’t mean I’m able to keep myself away,” I burst out, shocked that she could think that I find her unworthy.

  “What do you mean, you’ll never be what I need?”

  I sigh. “I’m never going to be as outgoing or carefree as you are. I’m never going to be as open when it comes to my sexuality. I want you and me alone, together, our moments private and special. I want to savor them and know that everything that happens between us is because we’re lost in each other. I never want to share you.”

  “I’ve never asked you to share me. Just because I’m adventurous doesn’t mean I can’t be satisfied by one person,” Peitho say. “One person who truly cares for me is more important than a thousand empty encounters.”

  I begin to feel a small glimmer of hope. “I want to make you happy. I want to continue to get to know you.”

  Peitho smiles a little hesitantly. “You were having such a good time when you weren’t thinking about it.”

  “I did, I really did!” I nod, trying desperately to convince her not to give up on me yet.

  “Maybe we should make you not think. Maybe we should make you remember why whatever happens between us is always lovely and never something to think back on with anything other than fondness,” Peitho says, starting to walk up to me where I am near the door.

  “Um,” I say hesitantly, moving a little away from her, my back bumping into the door, the knob biting into my back. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

  Peitho nods at me with determination. “I say it’s a great idea. Come to me, or this ends here and now. I won’t be made to feel like a cheap and dirty thing. Prove to me that I’m not. Show me that you’re all I need.”

  With an invitation like that, who am I to resist?

  “The bed,” I tell her hoarsely, taking her hand and pulling her over to the large bed covered in plush blankets and pillows.

  “Yes,” she says simply, lying by my side.