“What did you do that for?” He looked at her suspiciously, clearly confused. But as she suspected, he didn’t pick himself up off the ground to retaliate.
“I’m tired of being everybody’s lackey!” She checked to make sure she hadn’t broken a nail. “I’m not going to Chicago.” Lenore stated it with finality.
“You defy me?” Dagon raised his voice, but inside she could sense that he was troubled. She wanted to laugh. He couldn’t seem to work up the appropriate amount of anger at Lenore’s impudence.
“Fine.” He picked himself up off the floor. “You want to play games with me?” Dagon did a minute of closed-eye concentration. Lenore watched, wondering what he was up to.
He didn’t let her wait long to find out. “Your entry and exit rights to this property have just been revoked. I have recalculated my barrier codes, and as of now, you cannot pass through. Until further notice, you will be captive here with your family and unable to leave. Enjoy.” Dagon misted out before Lenore had a chance to close her gaping mouth.
****
The gods—good guys and bad—had all chosen a hotel in uptown Chicago between 22nd and 23rd streets as headquarters. Dagon had watched Anshar check in for the Blue Hills group. His cousin and Marduk were the only ones with bodies who would have keys and be seen by the hotel staff.
Dagon had been in and out for days, keeping track of numerous lackeys he’d placed in cheaper rooms around town, and tolerating his not-so-favorite person, Matthew, with whom he shared a suite.
Dagon’s top employee rubbed him the wrong way. Matthew seemed in turns lazy and lethal, a combination that confused and disturbed the god. Right now, appearing in the second bedroom of their suite, he found Matthew lounging back across the king-size bed, clicking through programs on the big screen TV with one hand, while ordering room service over the phone cradled in the other. He was supposed to be working.
“Why aren’t you on the streets?” Dagon demanded.
Matthew only managed to look the slightest bit contrite. “Nothing will be going on until night falls,” the human assured him. “Chicago’s south side doesn’t start hopping ‘til then. All the crack heads are still sleeping off last night’s fun.” He rolled to his side and replaced the phone in its cradle.
“Nothing says the girl works in that section of Chicago.” Dagon was exasperated. “She could be a…tour guide or a…secretary in an office building.”
Matthew snorted. “And maintain her anonymity? Or continue hiding from her family? I think not.” He turned away and sifted through channels again. Clearly he wasn’t going to budge until evening approached.
Dagon capitulated. Matthew was most likely correct. Holly didn’t want to be found. Lenore had given him the story, as far as she’d heard it. The girl had left home six years before, a hard-drinking and hard-living young lady, when her well-meaning brother, Huxley, had issued her an ultimatum: join an alcohol recovery group and clean up—or get out. Holly had chosen the latter. Now, the family only heard from her once every few months on the answering machine at the brother’s gym where she’d leave a message after hours.
Since Huxley had started spending so much time in the Blue Hills, his calls were now forwarded to his cell phone. That’s how he’d picked up when Holly had tried to leave a message the last time. She admitted to being in Chicago. But that’s as much as she would divulge. Holly obviously was not privy to the fact that her siblings had hooked up with a bunch of gods who would find her, nor was she aware that another very determined immortal—Dagon rubbed his hands together—was hot on her trail as well.
Anshar, Marduk, Enten, and Emesh were at a disadvantage in numbers against Dagon’s PP, but the immortals could cover a lot of ground while invisible, wafting in and out of every establishment with quick efficiency. Dagon’s men were on foot, but he had twenty plus Matthew at his disposal. Dagon liked his odds. He took to the streets, not caring to be around the annoying human in his room any longer than necessary.
****
Marduk was a patient god but faced with this do or die situation, up against a race of time with Dagon, he was barely able to hold back his intense frustration. The day they’d arrived, as well as the day following, the Blue Hills gods had searched for Holly, but had met with a complete zero. Without being sure of her looks or feeling a blood connection, they found themselves doing double takes at every tousled, curly haired girl with blue eyes they came across, and there were plenty in every office building.
The only “tell” Holly had, and something Dagon’s men didn’t know about, was a small puckered scar on her right forearm that she’d had since a childhood accident. Emesh, the god of summer, always managed to turn up the heat on likely candidates and have those women pealing back their sleeves, but to no avail.
The first night they’d ventured out, they had been shocked at the things they’d witnessed in the streets. None of them said much as they became acclimatized to the sultry atmosphere surrounding the plethora of after-hours jazz clubs and bars.
The second night out, Marduk needed some local fortification and coerced Anshar into stopping for barbecue at a hot spot on the corner of 69th and South Calumet.
“I’m not sure I can picture a sister of Tess’s working at any of the places around here.” Marduk looked at the neon on the restaurant they were about to enter. The “open” sign was protected by a locked iron cage. Several boarded up storefronts dotted the same street, as well as an empty lot filled with mangled shopping carts and torn mattresses. The neighborhood was bad enough without even mentioning the shady characters with hoodies pulled low who slouched in doorways.
“From what we’ve been told, she’s a lot tougher than Tess, and your girl’s no push-over,” Anshar assured his boss.
Marduk could tell that Anshar’s mouth, just like his, was watering as they pushed open the door and the smell of spicy sauce wafted out. Marduk took his mind off of food for one second and agreed with his friend. “I’m not sure I’d be tough enough to live here.” Marduk exaggerated…but not by much.
They walked into the popular rib joint and took in the low ambiance. Shatterproof plexi separated the seating area from the registers and kitchen. Orders were given by speaking through a series of holes drilled through the barrier. The menu and the smell, however, were just short of heaven.
“Ribs or hot links?” Anshar questioned, unaware that they were holding up a short line as the two perused the menu on the wall.
“You’re a big fuckin’ son-of-a bitch,” an older woman behind them groused. “Just get both and stop dickin’ around.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Anshar turned and gave her his best smile, at which the woman clapped a hand to her chest.
“Lord! Those eyes! The color of curacao!” She named a popular liquor. “I didn’t know anything real could be that blue.” She fanned herself for effect.
Marduk elbowed Anshar to stop messing around with his new human groupie, but taking her advice they both ordered the large hot links and ribs with a side of wings. Emesh and Enten showed up shortly thereafter and pouted throughout the meal, following each mouthful with their eyes as the food was devoured.
“You guys are buzz kills, you know that?” Anshar licked a big thumb.
Marduk concurred, but he felt uneasy for other reasons while they ate. He felt like the proverbial fish in a bowl. Two huge white guys, built like tanks, were not the norm in this neighborhood late at night unless they were undercover cops. They were attracting a lot of attention.
Marduk pushed his empty plate away, quickly talked the night’s strategy, and then stood up. “Let’s go.” They left the joint under blatant scrutiny before fanning out across the impoverished area, hoping for some luck.
****
Dagon, at the end of his patience with Matthew, who was driving the god crazy with his plodding pursuit of their target, checked the progress of his other men who he knew had been working hard. Still, there was no encouraging news.
In the back of D
agon’s mind as he wafted through bars, lingered the entertaining possibility that he might pick up a woman by the end of the evening. With his imposing frame and his dark good looks, every time he’d turned corporeal tonight, women had approached him. But as soon as he bought them a drink and began wooing them, their eyes glazed over and they drifted away. He didn’t have a clue as to what he was doing wrong.
At the next establishment, a big, bluff character finally plunked down on the barstool next to Dagon. He was definitely a stranger but had probably watched Dagon strike out, time after time, because he began to correct the god with no nonsense instructions.
“If you want a woman to suck your dick, you’re going to have to stop wasting her time.” The guy held up two fingers to the bartender and smiled.
“I beg your pardon?” Dagon blustered.
“These ladies are professionals.” The man spoke slowly, as if Dagon were daft. “All they want to do is see your money, take you out back, then blow you so they can move on to the next guy.”
It all sounded so tawdry to Dagon, but what else could he do? He had hundreds of years’ worth of orgasms all bound up in his balls, and he’d felt it every second of every day since he’d awoken. Handling himself hadn’t begun to take care of the ache.
Mr. Friendly leaned in a little closer. “Look around,” he said. “Do you see anything you like?” The bartender brought their drinks.
Dagon didn’t see any short, curly-haired girls, but there was one petite woman with compelling blue eyes who he wouldn’t mind meeting. “I could talk to her,” Dagon pointed across the bar.
“No,” his new buddy corrected. “There’s no talking. If you want her, when she looks your way, give her a nod. If she’s willing to take care of you, she’ll head over, and all you have to do is ask how much. Pay her, and you’re off to heaven.” He slapped Dagon on the back good-naturedly. “Go on, my man. Give it a shot.”
The god waited until he caught the woman’s eye then inclined his head. She picked her purse up off of the bar and approached. His cock hardened in anticipation.
“What’ll it be?” she asked, elbowing between Dagon and his bar mate.
“He wants a blow job, Cherise…and charge him double.” The man winked at Dagon, got up from the stool, and sauntered across the room. The girl took Dagon by the hand.
“Come on, stud,” she said, leading him away from the bar. He couldn’t think or speak. He simply let himself be drawn out through a door that read “Private.”
He hoped it was private because there was no turning back now.
Cherise preceded him into a small room that held a bed, a chair, and a sink.
“You want it standing up or sitting down? Your choice.”
“I’ll stand, please.” Dagon was so nervous he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to lower the zipper of his slacks, but he needn’t have worried. Cherise had it down and his engorged cock freed within seconds.
“Whoa, baby!” She sat back, eying him with trepidation. “There’s no way I’m fitting that whole thing in my mouth.” She stared even harder and, when he didn’t move, she wrapped her fingers around as much of his girth as possible. Her gaze slowly turned appreciative. “What did your mama feed you when you were a little boy?”
Dagon felt like he could detonate any moment, being exposed to her hot gaze and her warm little hand. He didn’t want her to be afraid of his size, he wanted her to take care of him. He needed to feel her mouth.
“Just lick it…please!” he croaked, wrapping his own hand around the base to take up some of the length and holding it still for her.
“You got it, big man!” Cherise smiled. “You’re a shy one.” She looked happy about that. “And you smell really nice.” Dagon wondered if that was a plus in her book.
She darted her tongue forward for a tentative taste. He moaned. This wasn’t going to take long. A couple more swipes, and he’d be a goner.
Much to his shuddering satisfaction, and despite her former words to the contrary, she worked slowly and was able to fit him all the way down her throat. When she had him in position, she swallowed, and it was the most unbelievable feeling of Dagon’s life. Too unbelievable. He shot his full load off in seconds, and Cherise looked surprised when she swallowed it all down. Dagon came slowly back to himself. When she popped him free of her mouth, she patted his ass and gave a big smile. Dagon guessed that meant things had gone well. Maybe there was something to be said for having a god aura.
Fifteen minutes later, Dagon was on the street, eyes shining and head held a little higher. He hadn’t had to pay her double, and she’d asked him to come back and fuck her next time. She said she wanted to feel his big penis inside her honeypot. He smiled. Yup. It definitely paid to be a god.
Chapter Sixteen
Lenore had been furious when Dagon had left two days before. As soon as he’d gone, she’d tried several times to walk out the door of the Plymouth office. But every time she opened it, she’d get pushed back by some kind of invisible force. Damn Dagon’s perimeter protection all to hell.
She had finally given up and marched up the stairs to find her mother and grandmother, only to be confronted by a gun-wielding PP guarding their door.
“Back off if you know what’s good for you,” she’d growled, heading right for him without any hesitation.
“My orders are to keep these women confined.”
Lenore gave him credit. He stood his ground. She went toe to toe with him, flashing angry green eyes. “You won’t be able to follow orders if you’re dead.”
She had said it so matter-of-factly that the guard swallowed hard.
“Tell you what. I’ll give you a choice,” Lenore continued. “Be a good boy and set up shop downstairs, or be a pile of body parts in the same location.”
The man had obviously seen Lenore at work, sparring after her god-like abilities had kicked in, and chose to patrol one floor down.
“Smart man,” she called after him. “Mom? Gram?” Lenore poked her head in the door that was now accessible.
“Shh!” shushed her grandmother. “It’s the big deal of the day. Give us a minute.”
Both women’s eyes were glued to a large HD screen mounted on the adjacent wall to the doorway, watching their favorite daytime game show.
Lenore’s best greeting came from the fat black cat who lay across the king-size, four-poster bed and meowed at her. She absently scratched his belly.
She listened to her mother groan. “Why do they always pick the wrong one? We knew the big prize was behind curtain number two!”
“We always do, dear.” Gram responded, finally turning eyes to Lenore. “Good morning, sweetie. We wondered when you’d be joining us.”
Not if, Lenore groaned, but when. This ought to be good.
Her mother stood to give her a hug, and Lenore felt suddenly guilty for what she was about to do. She always hated using their magic, but she needed help, not knowing what Dagon had planned next. She stalled a little. “Tell me you didn’t know all this was going to happen.” Lenore rubbed a hand over the tension headache beginning to form between her brows where her scowl was most pronounced.
“All what, dear?” Mom queried.
Lenore sighed. “Why don’t you just tell me everything you know? And we’ll take it from there.”
****
Back in the Blue Hills, Tess was worried herself into a headache. Lenore had said she was going to be gone a very short time, but that was two days ago. The goddess didn’t want to bother Marduk and Anshar, for fear Anshar would do the rage/turning thing and be useless to everybody, and she’d given Marduk her word that she wouldn’t leave the compound (not that she could right now, as she seemed to be the only one who could keep Huxley in bed).
Enlil was healing nicely so, after hearing Tess’s concerns, Dani suggested that, in the absence of Marduk, the goddess bring her troubles to the wind god.
They found him sprawled on his belly in a lounge chair on one of the big stone terraces at t
he back of the house, soaking up the sun and reading. Tess cleared her throat as they approached.
“Don’t mind me.” He smiled, acknowledging the women. “I’m still a little more comfortable not putting weight on my beleaguered ass.”
Dani and Tess smiled at each other. Ancestor or not, the anatomy in question was mighty fine.
“Have a seat.” He indicated the chairs next to him. Dani and Tess perched
The goddess started talking right away.
“Dani and I have been keeping something to ourselves.” She bit her lip. “I was hoping it would resolve itself…but it hasn’t.”
Enlil laid his magazine down on the stones beneath him and turned to his side, facing the women. “I’m listening.”
“Two mornings ago, right after the guys left for Chicago, Lenore told me she’d been called to Plymouth for a meeting with Dagon. She said it would be brief, and she’d be right back…but she hasn’t come home yet.” Tess let her eyes drop after she and Dani exchanged worried glances. “I can’t imagine where she could be, and frankly, I’m worried.” She threaded her fingers together nervously. “If she was with Anshar and Marduk, they would have told us and probably sent her home, considering Anshar can’t keep anything secret from Dagon while she’s around. So now I’m afraid something awful may have happened to her.”
Enlil winced as he straightened up and came to his feet. “I’ll check in with the crew in Chicago, and if she’s not there, I’ll take a look in Plymouth. I’m sure she’s fine. Probably just running interference and attempting to keep Dagon off the scent.”
Tess still looked worried. “If anything has happened to her…”
“Nothing has happened.” Enlil was sure of that. “Remember that Anshar still feels her pain and would…well…you know.” Tess knew what he wasn’t saying. If half of an amulet-bearing couple died, the other followed. She nodded understanding.
“Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out.” Enlil reassured them, then walked away, to get 100 yards from Tess, so that he could mist to Chicago.
Taken By Storm Page 15