by Luc, D. X.
My vision dimmed briefly and when it returned, I was still on my bed, vibrator in hand. It was coated with my essence, suggesting I had used it well. Looking around, I saw that I was alone, sated, but alone. Turning it off, I placed it back in the nightstand drawer, confused as ever. He couldn't have been here, it was impossible. “I'm as crazy as Willa!”
Shaking my head, I donned my shirt and panties, returned to my bed with my eyelids heavy. Again, I told myself that what happened was merely a strong projection of a yearning fantasy. So why, I wondered as I drifted to sleep, did my room smell like a smoky blacksmith's forge?
Chapter VI
Hephaestus
“What you did was wrong, Hephaestus. You should not have gone to her the other night!”
That was the constant scolding I gave myself, but my brain didn't seem to care, because the moment I thought of Vanessa, I hardened painfully against my jeans. What made matters worse I was avoiding her, waiting until she left for work before jumping into my truck and heading out. Several days went by while I fought the relentless battle of desire that raged inside me and I didn't go to her, but that determination was lost when I came out to plant a garden and found her working on her own yard.
She glanced in my direction, gracing me with a coy smile and a shy wave.
I nodded in response and pretended to go back to my work. However, I kept watch within my mind. Without hesitation, I used my gifts of omnipotence to enjoy her without her knowledge. I know I'm not proud of it, but the way her ass looked as she bent over with the fabric of her pants stretching over her, was not a sight I wanted going to waste. While the worse part was, that very night? I joined her once more.
Like the looping of a film reel, I relived our evening of passion, even more raw than the first time. I wanted more than to bring her pleasure with my fingers. I did so, but greedy with lust, I devoured her with my mouth as well. Touching my lips, I could remember how she felt against them, soft, wet and mine.
Vanessa opened her body to me, digging her nails into my scalp, so that my head didn't move, while at the same time moaning how the pleasure I gave was too much. I did not stop until she fainted with a final, powerful climax. Her sugary dew coating my face and chin, filling my mouth and I drank with voracity.
“I should not have gone back. It was foolish and now, I've ruined her.” Pulled back to the present, my anger gave way to a much worse emotion—Guilt. Even while her scent lingered on my skin, it only reminded me of the damage I’d caused. Busy with a new repairing gig, I had no time to indulge in my ravenous appetite known as my succulent neighbor, and as the days passed, it became all too apparent that she was hurting.
Her vacation had started and instead of enjoying it, Vanessa spent it isolating herself from friends and family. She spent much of that time staring out of her kitchen window, seeming to look for me.
Every night, I felt her pull, her summons but with the maintaining of my mortal form and working long hours, I was too tired to go. Then yesterday, when I managed to come home for lunch, I ran into her and what I saw frightened me to my very core.
Her cheeks were sunken and her normally lustrous hair had lost its sheen. I could tell she had lost some weight while her eyes seemed haunted. I stroked her face with my hand and she shuddered, like I was a drug she needed, but couldn't get her hands on.
Even after I finished my meal and came out to return to work, which took forty minutes, give or take, she stood in the same spot, staring at me. I felt her gaze on my back, and I couldn't shake the thought that she probably watched as I drove off, not moving until my truck was out of sight. By the time I was back at my job, I knew what I had done.
The horrible truth of what my selfish actions had created, finally hit me.
Vanessa, a beautiful, statuesque woman was experiencing the curse of a god's touch. I had heard of it from other Olympians. At the time, I had told myself I'd never put a mortal into such a dangerous frame of mind, but as they say, never say never. Now an innocent woman was in the throes of what I’d brought and sadly, staying away from her, was only making it worse.
The curse worked both ways, which made our separation equally as painful for me. My mind wandered easily, urging me to stop by her home, once I finished working for the day. So, against the voice in my head, I pushed for overtime, waiting until it was late enough that she would cease anticipating my arrival.
In the center of town, the city clock chimed ten at night. I was working at the museum and most of the museum workers were gone, which meant I had more quiet time to torture myself with thoughts of her. If only I had a distraction, because I was ready to run to her, not caring if I woke her, just wanting to touch, lick and drown in her body.
Zeus must have heard my prayers, because suddenly, the buzzing of a floor waxing machine sounded behind me. I glanced back, seeing Enrique the custodial worker and waved, truly glad to see him.
He tipped his hat to me, and then went back to work.
With a renewed strength, I glanced up at the statue of Ares, thinking the artist really went above and beyond to make my brother look like less of a jerk. The gray marble was smooth and otherwise perfect, with the exception of the crack forming in the base foundation.
The curator begged that I fix it, in fear that any more damage and it would come crumbling down. Wouldn't I be so lucky? “Maybe, I should chisel a scorpion onto his foot.”
“Do it and I'll make sure it falls on your big head.”
Well, damn. I sighed. The voice behind me was certainly not the one I‘d hoped to hear for awhile, but I was never the most fortunate of the gods and I guess being human didn't change that for me. Dropping the spackle covered spreader, I stood and cleaned off my hands, keeping my back to the man I had thought was the Janitor.
“Ah, come on, little brother. Don't be like that, it was a joke. Hey look, I forgive you from ten years ago, I promise. I'm here for you.”
“Right. What could you possibly do for me, Ares? Other than make my already crappy day, worse.”
“You need me and you know I can help you with the woman. Vanessa, isn't it?”
My shoulders tensed and I turned around.
The smile on his face told me that he knew he'd gotten my attention. The last thing I wanted was for him to be near her. “You will not say her name. You dare touch her and I'll see to it your next order is your last.”
Ares put his hands up, but I didn't buy his act of innocence. War is never kind or helpful. Folding his hands behind his back, he strode up to me and paused to look at the stone version of our father. The hairs were standing up on the back of my neck, because he was right, I needed him. I also knew that whatever help he gave would probably be disastrous. Maybe telling him to shove it would be wise. I gained the courage to give him a piece of my mind, but his next statement froze my heated anger rapidly.
“She'll die, if you don't do something soon.”
“What do you mean? I was only there twice!”
Ares glanced sideways, his flaming eyes glowing brighter before he waved a hand over us both.
It took me a moment to realize that he placed us in a future projection. The walls were sterile white, while a gum-popping woman sat at a front desk. She didn't notice us, nor did the man coming from the door where my brother suddenly stood. As it swung open, I glimpsed into the room while hearing the harsh sounds of sobbing coming from within. A shudder passed through me. “What is this, brother?”
“Oh, just what will occur if you don't correct your mistake. Go on in.”
I shook my head, but my feet seemed to move on their own volition. With each step closer, the cold that drifted through the hall grew stronger, seeping into me and settling in as a sick lump in my throat. Stopping in front of the gray door, I peered through the glass to see a man and two women.
The man held them, while they cried with their heads down.
I felt that I knew the shorter woman, but didn't get to dwell on it, as Ares had shoved me inside. Crashing into the table that was
a chilly slab in the middle of the room, my brain told me not to glance down. I shut my eyes.
“Look, Hephaestus—look!”
As though Ares forced my eyes to open while pushing my head down, I saw the crisp white sheet covering a form, a human body. Swallowing thickly, I couldn't tear my eyes away, the once frigid room becoming uncomfortably hot. My hand moved of its own accord, trembling as it hovered at the edge of the obstructing fabric. Inhaling a shaky breath, I carefully pulled back the cover and whimpered. I stepped back, wanting to be far from the nightmare on the slab. “No. You are trying to trick me, Ares.”
“As much as that would bring me joy under normal circumstances, this is not one of them.”
“You lie. You are war. You care nothing for the lives of mortals.”
“Not true. Without the living, I would cease to exist. I need them. War is not about death, it's about creation. You need me, little brother or Vanessa will die.”
I peered at the date on the calendar on the wall—April third. That was four days from now. If I didn't fix this, she would be dead in four short days?
Focusing on her pale face, it appeared to be serene and peaceful, it could have easily been that she slept, but I knew she didn't. Her chest was still her skin was pale, the thick ligature bruising around her neck was the only flaw against her skin.
Ares moved to stand next to me, and waved his hand.
We stood back inside the dim museum.
I felt defeated, like a fool for getting myself into this situation. It hurt so much that I wished I could take Prometheus's place with the buzzards. I certainly deserved such a punishment, but there was no chance the gods would care. She was just another mortal, in their eyes. “Help me then, Ares. Don't let her die.”
His eyes flickered brightly while his cocky smile spread out along his lips.
It probably did something for his pride to have the god who could fix it all, requesting his aid in a very major blunder. I lost control and took advantage of Vanessa and if I had a soul, the heavy blanket of guilt that smothered me would have doomed it it. Fixing him with a stare, I tried to discern any sinister objectives, but saw none. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I swore he regarded me with sorrow and understanding.
Maybe Ares had gone through this before and perhaps that was why he came to me. Though still leery, I decided to put my complete trust in him and his abilities to right my wrong. “What do you need from me?”
“Nothing much, I only ask that you give me a day or two. The human mind is very fragile. Even more so when it's been touched by a god. I'll need time with her.”
“After you help her, will I be able to see her again? Not like before, of course!”
“Certainly, but can you quell the lust that she creates in you? Would you reject her advances? It is obvious she is yours and that's something I can't change.”
His questions brought back the urgent need that accosted me when I laid my eyes on her. Even her bewildering sister no longer mattered. Never before, had I desired a woman in such a way. I knew, even back to the day I met her, that if the younger woman hadn't pulled her away from me, I would have claimed her in my backyard. Just the thought of how her pussy seeped with wetness, that coated us both, left me hard and shaking. A hard pop against the back of my head brought me back to my surroundings and to the disapproving frown on my brother's face.
“You are hopeless. Listen Hephaestus, I can't change things if you don't get your libido in check.”
“I'm trying, Ares.”
“Try harder!” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head as though he were a tired mentor trying to reach a thick headed student. “Alright, little brother, this is what we'll do. Get Eros to give you a lead arrow. Grind it up into a liquid and drink it down. It'll take away the affect her scent has on you. In the meantime, I'll get her back on track. Deal?” He held his hand out, not even asking me to swear on the River Styx.
He must have believed I was strong enough to do this, which meant I couldn't let him down. I didn't want to, as the image of Vanessa's lifeless body loomed in my mind. Taking his hand, we shook and a rumble of thunder sounded in the sky. He nodded then vanished, but not before creating a massive crack in several of the artifacts. More work for me, and though I could cuss out his leather clad hide, I knew he did it to keep me busy for the week. Maybe he was a good guy, I mused.
I packed up my things and made my way home. The only thing on my mind was that I had a Love God to call.
Chapter VII
Hephaestus
I almost flaked on contacting Eros, because of a hairnet. Yes, that's right, an oily, food encrusted covering. It was on the ground, between the patch of yard that separated my home from Vanessa's. Okay, I'm lying. It was in the trashcan that sat on the curb. The moment I saw it, glittering in the moonlight, I picked it up and rubbed it against my cheek. The combination between scratchy and silk reminded me of her juicy cunt and though, I'm not proud of it, I brought it to my nose and inhaled the sweet perfume that was all her.
“Dude, that's just gross.”
Startled, I dropped the article of clothing back into its trashy home and spun to see Ares, his mouth twisted in shock and disgust. I really couldn't blame him either. Clearing my throat, I rushed to my home, not needing to look back. I knew he followed me.
Once inside, I immediately grabbed a beer from the fridge. The taste reminded me a bit of nectar, my choice of drink in Olympus and after I guzzled down the first can, I grabbed another.
My brother stood in the doorway, his wide shoulder braced on the wooden frame. In his mortal form, though not much different from his god appearance, the scars of battle were not as pronounced. He didn't wear his armored breastplate under his jacket, switching it out for a blood red muscle shirt. And if I knew my brother, which I did well, the color came from the very source. Ares was morbid that way.
His military issued buzz cut looked like black ink against his tanned skin. Like most of us gods, his eyes remained immortal in their red glow. The hue even matched his shirt. Other than that, he resembled the typical, bad boy biker. “You call Eros?”
I shook my head, knowing I had to, but I didn't want to do so with my brother around. The relationship between War and his children was iffy on some days and deadly for most of them. Although, considering his calm posture, it was obvious he wasn't budging.
With a final swig of my beverage, I tossed the can in the trash and closed my eyes, sending the mental summons to the God of Love.
Two hours later, Ares sat on my couch, boots up on the coffee table while playing with his lighter. He would flick it open to stare at the flames, changing them from red to white and back, and then close it.
I on the other hand, paced the floor while assembling a small metal helicopter, and then I would frantically take it apart again.
We both grew increasingly impatient and looking at the time, I couldn't help but feel concerned for my nephew's welfare. I hoped nothing bad had happened, but then again, he could be avoiding my home with his father present.
As much as I wanted to glance out the window to see if he were on his path down, I feared that if I opened my curtains, Vanessa would know I was home and be pushed to look at me from her window. Our eyes would lock and I’d be lost in passion, destroying any hopes of saving her from my stupid lapse of judgment.
Another quick glance at the clock on the wall and I cursed. Make that two hours and fifteen minutes ago! Lifting my head to the sky, I was about to scream for him to come down when a golden light, accompanied with the fluttering of wings stopped me. I whirled to face a very concerned and somewhat aggravated god.
His features darkened more at the sight of Ares.
The God of War ignored him, but had suddenly started cleaning a sword he didn't have before.
Eros faced me again, hooking his thumbs into his pockets. “Na pari i eychi, Hephaestus! I heard you the first time! Why is he here?”
“What took you so long?”<
br />
“I do enjoy the pleasures of my wife, from time to time. Seriously though, why is he here?”
A blush crept up my neck and I immediately felt embarrassed with his first statement, the sting of guilt at myself and my ignorance. So lost I was in my self-pity, I’d forgot that Eros had a life outside of helping gods who made royal fuck ups.
I heard Eros sigh, the sound was strained as he moved to fiddle with the pulled apart coffee pot on the dining room table. He purposely kept a wide berth in regards to his father, the tension so thick, it was nearly stifling.
Ares kept quiet, which had to be hard for him while he continued with the polishing of his golden weapon.
I confess, my curiosity was peaked, the idea of learning their story almost taking my mind off the task at hand.
Unfortunately, my brother finally spoke up and whatever family issues they had, was pushed to the back burner. “Eros, I know you know why he's called upon you for help. We've got a Touch of a God crisis happening next door. The poor woman has already bought the rope.”
“How do you know this, Ares?” I asked.
He disregarded my question, fully turning on the couch, so he could stare pointedly at my nephew.
The flash in the young god's eyes confirmed his knowledge of the situation, but he still seemed shocked. Or maybe, it was disappointment and I just wasn’t ready to accept it.
“Yes, I know. But there is another method,” Eros answered.
“Ha! He doesn't have the balls.”
“Technically he does. It's because of them that he's in this predicament in the first place.”
“Uh, Ares? Eros? I'm standing right here.” Again, I was invisible, but they did switch from verbal to mental conversation. That pissed me off, my temper raising the temperature in the house until my fireplace exploded into flames.
Ares had to teleport from the couch to where his son stood to keep cinders from burning through his leather pants.
They both stared at me with pale faces, their attention finally on the person it should have been. Good. “Now, what is this 'other' thing you speak of?”