Descending (The Rising Series)

by Kelly, Holly

  “Pallas,” he croaked as he continued to stand there in a stupor.

  “Nice to meet you, Pallas. Do have a seat.” She pulled him over to a chair. He hesitated before he sat.

  “Would you like orange juice or milk with your breakfast?” she asked.

  “Milk?” He briefly glanced down at her chest. He turned away, blushing. Wow. Gretchen had never seen a man that size blush.

  “Milk it is.”

  At those words, he jerked and looked like he was thinking of springing from the chair and bolting out the door. Gretchen tried to think of something to say to put him at ease.

  “How long have you known Xanthus?”

  “Um, I haven’t known him long.”

  “How did you two meet?”

  “You don’t want to know.” The answer didn’t come from Pallas, but from another man standing in the door. Six-seven, no maybe six-eight—about the same height as Kyros.

  “Hello there, I’m Gretchen.”

  “Straton,” he answered, hesitantly.

  Gretchen’s smile widened. “Welcome to the party.”

  Straton raised an eyebrow. “Party?” He looked genuinely confused.

  “Breakfast,” Gretchen clarified as she dropped two plates filled with hot food in front of Pallas.

  “Oh no. I’m not hungry.” Straton shook his head.

  “Oh, don’t be silly. A man your size has to eat a lot of food. Sit down. I didn’t slave over a hot stove all morning for nothing.”

  He bit down on his lip and glanced longingly at the door, but did as she told him and took a seat.

  What was wrong with these men? Perhaps, being Greek, they weren’t used to American food. “Look, just try it,” she urged.

  The next of Xanthus’s friends passed by the kitchen with barely a glance. Six-seven. “Hello?” she called out. He didn’t acknowledge her at all, but continued on.

  “Who was that?” she asked as she placed two plates piled with food in front of Straton.

  “That’s Amar,” Straton answered, eyeing his food dubiously. “He’s not social. It’s probably best to let him be.”

  Gretchen shrugged and sat down to her own plate. She’d just raised a bite of waffle to her lips when she noticed Kyros in the doorway. Her heart fluttered in her chest. She immediately set her fork down and stood. “Kyros, you’re just in time for breakfast.”

  “Gretchen,” he said, looking around at the scene, “I need to talk to you for a minute.”

  “Now?”

  He frowned. “Yes.”

  “Don’t you want to eat?”

  He didn’t say anything, just shook his head and crooked his finger at her.

  She followed him out of the kitchen. He strolled down the hall, through the billiard room, and finally out the back door onto the terrace. Where in the world was he taking her?

  He finally turned around to face her. She opened her mouth to protest his bizarre behavior when he pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his.

  Kissing Kyros was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. It was hot, it was mind-bending, and it would have knocked her socks off if she’d been wearing any. His body surrounded her, his heat, his spicy, masculine scent. Gretchen took hold of his shirt and dragged him closer. He lifted her off the ground, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Too soon, Kyros tore his mouth from hers. His breath was ragged as he shook his head. He looked her directly in the eyes and growled. His expression hit her like a jolt. He looked like an animal—raw, primal. It both frightened and excited her.

  “I shouldn’t have done that,” he said, half to himself as he sat her back down on her own two feet. She swayed a bit before righting herself.

  “I agree,” she smirked, feeling a bit drunk from the kiss. “You shouldn’t have stopped kissing me. Why did you?”

  “I shouldn’t have kissed you in the first place.”

  “Why not?”

  He didn’t answer.

  She stood, confused and still a bit muddled, and then a thought washed over her like ice water. “Oh no. You’re not!”

  “Not what?” he asked, surprised.

  “You’re married, aren’t you?” She pushed him in the chest.

  His brows furrowed. “No, I’m not married.”

  “You have a girlfriend?”

  “No girlfriend.”

  “Then why? Why shouldn’t you kiss me?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Well, then… why did you kiss me?”

  Kyros thought for a moment. “It’s like you people say, desperate times call for desperate measures.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  He cracked a smile. “I know.”

  “But you’re not cheating on anyone?”

  “No.”

  She frowned and shrugged. “There’s that.”

  When Gretchen left Kyros and returned to the kitchen, Pallas and Straton’s plates were sitting empty on the table. The men themselves were nowhere to be seen. There went her attempt to get to know them.

  She sank into a chair, ate her breakfast, and tried not think about the kiss.

  Kyros waited patiently for the others to return from their hunt. He desperately needed a dip in the cool Caribbean waters. That kiss, Hades, he hadn’t expected it to be so… intense. He blew out a breath of air. That little human packed a punch.

  He licked his lips, closed his eyes, and moaned. He could still taste her. What under Olympus was he to do? Well, he couldn’t kiss her again—ever again. That was their first kiss. First kisses with a woman were supposed to be tentative, shy. His first kiss with Gretchen was the equivalent of a volcanic eruption. Pallas and Straton didn’t know how much peril Kyros had put himself in to save them from eating human food. They’d better not expect him to do it again.

  He could hear Straton’s voice on the ocean breeze. “I didn’t think I’d be able to stomach eating anything after smelling that.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Pallas said. “How can humans stomach eating old, dead, burnt animals?”

  “And what were those brown disks with holes in them?” Straton asked. “And that yellow liquid didn’t smell right.”

  “I don’t know how you could smell that with the scent of burning flesh permeating the air,” Pallas said.

  “Pallas, Straton,” Kyros called out. “You do realize there is a human in the vicinity. It might be prudent to hold your tongue. She might hear. What would she think about this conversation?”

  The two stepped out from the rocky cave and came into view.

  “And why would you bring her here?” Pallas asked.

  “She goes where she wants,” Kyros answered. “She might decide to take a walk along the beach.”

  “These humans need to keep a tighter line on their females,” Straton said. “By the gods, Xanthus’s wife nearly died. I wasn’t sure I could stop the blood flow. And all that happened because she decided to take a shopping trip. Why he allows her to shop is beyond me. Xanthus could provide her with all the apparel she’d need.”

  “Human women are used to more freedom than Dagonian women,” Kyros said. “They don’t have to ask permission to travel anywhere.”

  “If you ask me,” Pallas said, “they should. It’s not safe for them, wandering about on their own.” He shook his head.

  Kyros raised an eyebrow. “Somehow, I don’t think that would go over well in this culture.”

  Pallas frowned. “Yeah, well, look how badly the humans have messed up their world. Maybe they should reevaluate their system. And then there’s their moral system. Talk about loose. Did you know Gretchen offered me her breast?”

  Kyros clenched his fists at his sudden rage. Was she offering affection to others? He knew he himself couldn’t have her, but he’d be run through with a spear before he’d allow anyone else to. Rushing up to Pallas, Kyros grabbed his arms and jerked him close. “Did you accept her offer?” he snarled.

  Pallas’s eyes widened in
shock. “What in Hades is wrong with you? Of course I didn’t. She’s a human!” He spat out the last words.

  “Tell me about this offer,” Kyros said.

  “She asked if I wanted milk.”

  Kyros loosened his grip. “Milk? Tell me exactly what she said.”

  “She asked if I wanted orange juice or milk.”

  “Like offering you a… drink?” He relaxed, confused at the strange offer.

  Pallas nodded.

  “Oh no, you haven’t.” Straton gasped. His wide eyes stared at Kyros. “She’s sunk you.”

  Kyros turned to Straton. “I haven’t been sunk by anyone. Only a fool would love a human.”

  “I know what my eyes are telling me.”

  Kyros shook his head.

  “You’d better stay away from her.” Straton jabbed his finger at Kyros.

  Oh yeah. Easier said than done. “I have no intention of getting involved with a human.”

  Straton frowned. “You’d better not. Just stay away from her.”

  Kyros turned away. He didn’t need a keeper.

  Straton and Pallas returned to the house as Kyros went to hunt.

  Kyros entered the cave and dove into the water. His troubled mind embraced the sea eagerly. Things had been getting so confusing, so muddled on the surface. His life was much clearer down below. Here he knew who he was, what he believed.

  Kyros snaked his way through the rocky tunnel. The sea opened before him, welcoming him back among the seaweed and coral. Searching the stalks, he looked for prey. He scented the water, his tongue savoring and seeking out just the right taste. His muscles tensed, and his instincts took over the moment he scented a predator—a shark. Diving deeper, he kept his eyes up, probing the sea for the source of the tantalizing smell. Prey was best attacked from beneath. And then he spotted them—Caribbean reef sharks. Kyros had never tasted the Caribbean variety before, but it sure smelled good. His stomach clenched in anticipation.

  The presence of other sharks didn’t worry him at all. They wouldn’t dare interfere with an attacking Dagonian, not unless they wanted to be added to the menu. Kyros honed in on a small male. It looked to be just the right size. Big enough to satisfy his appetite, without too much food left over.

  Hovering below, he watched the juvenile shark. Kyros floated in stillness until the shark swam into position, and then exploded like a rushing torpedo. He slammed full speed into the creature’s abdomen, stunning and injuring it in the collision. Without missing a beat, he slashed his blade across the shark’s throat, spilling its blood.

  His canine teeth elongated in anticipation of tearing into the flesh. And a moment later, he did—ripping away chunks of meat and devouring them. His mind briefly wandered to Gretchen. How would she react to seeing this? Would she be disgusted with his behavior? Of course she would. He remembered her reaction at the restaurant, when he’d eaten fish fillets laid out neatly on a plate. He’d even used a knife and fork to eat the stale flesh. But still, she’d been shocked, disgusted.

  When Kyros had his fill of the shark meat, he left the carcass for the other sharks waiting in line for their opportunity to eat. His stomach was no longer hungry, but it felt a bit sick—like it was twisting into knots. Gretchen was not part of this world. She never would be. She was a human. He couldn’t forget that. Just a few days ago, he’d hated all humans. They’d killed his sister. They’d killed thousands of Dagonians. But now…? Gretchen wasn’t all humans.

  He surfaced in the darkness of the cave.

  “Oh man, I love reef shark.” Xanthus stood at the water’s edge. He sucked air through his nose, breathing long and deep. “You didn’t bring any back with you to share, did you?” He stripped off his clothes, obviously preparing for his own hunt.

  “There are others, you know,” Kyros said. “A lot of them actually.”

  “I know. But I promised Sara I wouldn’t eat shark anymore. She’s become quite fond of the beasts.”

  “You’ve given up shark meat? I don’t know if I could do that. Doesn’t she know how good they taste?”

  “Yeah, right. She’ll never eat one to find out. And you better hope she doesn’t notice any of her favorites missing. She’d have a fit.”

  “Her favorites?”

  “Yeah.” Xanthus shook his head. “She’s even naming them.”

  “By the gods.” Kyros frowned. “Now I feel guilty.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Sharks come and go all the time. She’ll just think it moved on.”

  “So, is she getting the hang of hunting?” Kyros asked, genuinely curious about her.

  “She hasn’t gotten a chance to try. The sharks keep bringing her offerings.”

  “Oh man.”

  “I know. I’m surprised she hasn’t gained about fifty pounds. She feels obligated to eat some of everything they bring her.”

  Xanthus stretched and stepped toward the water. He looked tired, forlorn.

  “How is she doing? Is she healing well?”

  “She’s recovering just fine. She should be home in a few days, but she’s hesitant to come back.”

  “Let me guess. She’s not ready to face Gretchen.”

  “Neither of us can figure out how to explain her miraculous growth of legs.”

  “Gretchen is struggling with that too. She doesn’t know why Sara lied. Perhaps you can claim Sara has some sort of mental disorder.”

  “Adding lie upon lie will only make things worse. What I’m hoping is Sara’s father will erase Gretchen’s memories about the shooting.”

  “Would he be willing to do that?”

  “I’ve no doubt he would, but I can’t get a hold of him. No one seems to know where he is. Until he comes, we’ll just have to deal with the situation as it is.”

  “Good luck. Oh, and could you give a message to Sara from me?”

  Xanthus raised his eyebrows. “Sure.”

  “Tell her I’m sorry… about what I said.”

  Xanthus furrowed his brows and nodded.

  Aella awoke to male voices coming from the deck. “She’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

  Lying in the soft, king-sized bed, she stretched her limbs and sat up. She got up and stepped over the blanket lying on the hardwood floor—the human soldier’s temporary bed.

  A loud crash was followed by angry words. “If I don’t get some real answers, I swear I’ll separate your head from your body and feed them both to the sharks.”

  Aella stepped out on the deck to see a monster of a man holding Robert by the throat, his feet dangling a foot above the floor. “Ooo, sounds like a tasty option—for the sharks. Personally, I prefer seafood.” She used just the right amount of lyrical voice to capture the stranger’s full attention.

  He dropped Robert and staggered around to face her. She sauntered up to the big man and smiled seductively. Danger radiated from him like heat radiated from fire. Closing her eyes, she dragged his scent through her nostrils. Recognition hit her immediately. She opened her eyes, and her smile widened. “I know what you are, Dagonian.”

  His eyes widened. “What is your name?”

  “My name is Aella.”

  His eyes widened. He tensed, ready to attack, but her voice caused him to pause.

  “What is yours?” She amplified the tenor of her voice to increase her control—careful not to overdo it. She needed him able to answer a few questions. He still knew who and what she was. And from his reaction, he’d also heard of her. Her spirits lightened knowing her reputation was still intact, even after two thousand years of hiding.

  “My name is Drakōn.”

  “Drakōn, I have a question. Why would a Dagonian guard a mermaid?”

  “We either guard the mermaid, or we return to prison.”

  “And who would send you back to prison if you didn’t do this?”

  “Xanthus Dimitriou.”

  “Who is Xanthus?”

  “He is the mermaid’s husband.”

  “A merman?” She could he
ar the surprise in her voice.

  “No, a Dagonian.”

  Her laughter pealed, causing him to jump. “That is surprising. But it makes things easier for me.”

  She circled him, tracing her fingers over his impressive muscles. “So who is the girl in the wheelchair?”

  He looked confused. “The mermaid, of course.”

  Aella was caught off guard for a moment. They hadn’t been talking about the same girl. “And who is the other girl. The one the mermaid was with.”

  “She is the mermaid’s human friend.”

  “A human friend, huh?” This situation was better than she’d thought. “Does this human know her friend is a mermaid?”

  “Of course not.”

  “I’m assuming all the men surrounding the mermaid are Dagonians. Am I right?”

  “Yes.”

  “And who is this human to each of you? Do you know her well?”

  “She’s nothing to me.”

  “What about the others…?”

  “The others feel the same, except…”

  “Except who?”

  “I’m not sure, but Kyros seems to be taking an interest in the human. He’s extremely protective of her.”

  She smiled. A plan began forming in her head. She could rectify this situation easily and teach the mermaid a lesson. Aella unleashed the full power of her voice to give her next instructions. “When you leave me, you’ll remember nothing of me, this conversation, or the directions I give you. Regardless of that, you will follow my instructions exactly. I want you to return to your Dagonian friends. You will bring Kyros to me. Make sure no one else accompanies you. Make sure no one else follows. Kyros and the others must suspect nothing. Once you bring Kyros to me, I may let you follow through on your threat to separate Robert’s head from his body and feed him to the sharks.” She smiled and smirked at the human who stood, swaying on his feet. Drool dripped from the side of his mouth—disgusting.

  She turned back to the Dagonian. “I’ll be waiting here for you to return. If for any reason, you cannot complete this mission, you will kill the mermaid and her human friend immediately, and then kill yourself. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”