Searing cold shot through his chest, his breath caught in his throat. Erias looked down, sure he had been shot, or stabbed… with an icicle. What he found was a set of long fingers wrapped around a quickly melting ice cube, tracking a trail down his chest that both burned and cooled at once.
“You are so hot, baby,” she purred, leaning down and using her tongue to chase the trail of water as it raced toward the top of his pants. Her blond hair curtained his waist, tickling his skin as she made her way lower. He was only mildly attracted to her, but as she traced her the tip of her pink tongue around his navel, his stomach cringed and tightened and suddenly; she was the sexiest creature he had laid eyes on all day. In the next breath, she had his pants open and was fisting him, using her mouth in the wickedest of ways.
Erias arched his hips. He bit his lip until he tasted blood, loving it when he felt himself hit the back of her throat. He fisted her hair, shoving her down harder, impaling her. Like a champ, she took it all, even groaning her own pleasure a few times. Her teeth gently scraped down his shaft; her tongue circled frantically on the upturn, and before he knew it, he felt the familiar build, felt himself thicken. Peeling his eyes open, he looked down, watching her take in every inch of him, her head bobbing up and down, his shaft glistening, and that was his undoing.
Gnashing his teeth together so hard he thought he might chip a tooth, he exploded, spilling hot seed into her mouth. She swallowed everything he gave her, even licking him clean.
Stuffing himself back into his pants, Erias let his arms flop to his sides, and sighed, his body deliciously loose and rubbery. Damn, she was good.
Crawling up his body, she tried to lay down with him. “What are you doing?” he asked sternly, placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her back up.
“I thought…I–” she stammered, her brows pulling down in confusion.
“I know what you thought, but honey, you were wrong.” Ignoring her shocked expression, the hurt that poured from those round brown eyes, he pushed her to a stand and followed, guiding her toward the parking lot just beyond the gates.
“But–”
He shook his head. “No buts, you knew the score when we got together. Just pleasure, nothing more.” He would ignore the fact that she had gained nothing from their arrangement. He’d gotten his and right now his only concern was getting this woman out of his life.
At the gate, she spun on him, her pale skin speckled and flushed with their recent actions, her eyes pleading. “But Erias, I thought we could,” she scratched a nail down his damp chest, “I don’t know, get to know each other better.”
And this was where a few sweet words and too many drinks could get a guy into trouble. The only thing he was looking for was to get lost in a hot body for a couple of hours, not strings. Was that too much to ask? Apparently, because twice already this week he had to practically use a crow bar to pry the leeches off of him once he had his fill. He wanted to believe it was just his insanely gorgeous mug; his ripped abs and bulging biceps that drew the ladies in. And perhaps it was, but that wasn’t what made them fall under the false impression that he would offer them more than the original bargain.
These days women were desperate for a man it seemed. They weren’t picky either. Any man would do, so long as they gave them a smile and the promise of a future. Getting them to spread their legs for him was almost too easy. Hardly a challenge at all. In the early years of his existence, the women wanted men, sure, but they had respect for themselves. They married out of necessity, but they loved too. His own marriage had been arranged. Erias hadn’t wanted to enter the marriage initially, had fought it tooth and nail because he thought he was in love with the little red-haired female two doors down. They shared stolen kisses in alleyways, touched with passion. She was his everything. He would die without her.
Until he met Helena.
Like a shy, delicate flower, once Erias laid eyes on her; he was smitten. Hair the color of chocolate fell below her tiny waist in thick waves. Sun kissed skin glowed like heaven, giving her a visible aura. Lips the color of rose petals, soft and pink, pouted sexily. Nimble fingers laced at her stomach and her tucked into her chest like a terrified child instantly endearing her to him. He hadn’t even known the color of her eyes until their wedding night because she wouldn’t look directly at him.
He remembered standing in their bed chambers, candles aglow all around them, making her skin shimmer enticingly, the scent of thunderstorms and sunshine filling his nose. He approached her, cupping her chin and drawing her gaze up to him. Their first real meeting. Her breath hitched audibly, pleasing him more than words could say. He traced her cheek with his thumb, reveling in the satiny texture. Eyes the color of amber peered up at him, both afraid and intrigued.
“Beautiful,” he whispered before leaning down and placing a feather-light kiss on her lips. Heaven. He had died and gone to heaven.
It was clear that she was inexperienced, her mouth out of sync with his. He guided her, teaching her how to move, what to do. He traced her lips with his tongue, gently darting it into her mouth before tentatively, she opened, allowing him greater access. And she was sweet, oh was she sweet. The heady taste of her set his blood to boiling, and he had to remind himself to move slowly lest he frightened her away.
Their tongues danced as he slowly walked them to the bed, easing her onto her back before pressing his weight into her. She opened her legs, cradling his body deeper, allowing his erection to press against her core. They both groaned at the pleasure of it. Slowly, painfully, he took his time with her, touching, kissing, until he thought she was receptive enough to accept more.
Rising, he drew her up with him, raising her arms over her head and pulling her gown up and off. He hissed when he had seen that she was bare underneath, her full, round breasts staring back at him. Stripping quickly, he lowered himself over her once more, placed a chaste kiss to her lips then worked his way down her jaw until he reached his goal, drawing one perfectly beaded nipple into his mouth, kneading the other with his hand.
His erection pressed into her moist core, and she arched her hips, trying to draw him closer. “More,” she moaned.
“Soon,” he told her. He knew she was a virgin, as all women were expected to be, and he wanted to make her first time as painless as possible. He tended her other breast, nipping and sucking until she writhed beneath him before moving lower.
“Wh-what are you doing?” She gasped, when he ran a finger down her moist folds.
“I’m going to taste you.” Before she could utter another word, he swiped his tongue across her most intimate area causing her to scream his name. He smiled, laving her with his tongue until her body shook uncontrollably. And just before he pushed her over the edge, he stopped. Covering her body with his once more, he kissed her, giving her a taste of her own honeyed flavor. “Ready?” he asked, his voice rough. She nodded, placing another kiss to his lips. Reaching between them, he positioned himself at her opening and—
“Hello, anybody home?”
Hands waving in front of his face, Erias focused on the blond once more, no longer able to hide his irritation.
“Did you hear anything I just said to you?” Her hands went to her hips, her eyes glaring.
“No, I didn’t.” He gave her another nudge, taking her further out the gate.
“Well, I was saying, I know you said we had a deal, but we had fun, right? So, I was thinking, maybe we could get together again sometime? Maybe have a little more fun next time.” She pressed herself against his chest, reaching around to grip his ass.
“Goodbye,” he said coldly, prying her manacles from his gluts and returning them to her sides. “There will not be a next time.”
Her brown eyes widened with fury, her mouth snapping open and closed like a fish. Erias gave her a polite nod goodbye and shut the gate in her face. It didn’t do much to close her out seeing as it was wrought iron and slatted. So as he walked away, she cursed after him, until he shut himself saf
ely behind the hotel’s stuccoed walls.
Tucked away in his “luxury” suite, Erias fell onto the king-sized bed and stared blankly at the vaulted ceiling. His life was such a shit hole. Tomorrow, he would hit the road again, moving on to the next town, the next identity. He had already used this one too long. Again. He would have to come up with a new name, forge a new I.D. and find a new job before anyone took notice that he was an unaging freak of nature. Again.
Weary, Erias closed his eyes, hoping to get a fraction of sleep, just an hour (hopefully more) that wasn’t plagued by memory.
He heard the blood-curdling screams first. They ricocheted off of the rock and debris piled around him, stabbing into his ears like spikes being driven into his brain. Erias dug his way clear, his body cut-up and broken. Determination filled him, giving him the strength he needed to rise to his feet. He stumbled free, over the mounds of stone and down the crumbling steps that once led to the entrance of the temple.
The skies were black as soot, heavy roiling clouds blotting out any and all light. Pained cries rent the air around him, the screeching of animals abounded. Erias took an unsteady step forward when something heavy and solid slammed into his shoulder knocking him further off balance and sending him to the ground.
With a grunt, Erias searched the ground, squinting through the blanket of darkness surrounding him until he found his assailant. Reaching out, he wrapped his fingers around the warm, fleshy object and brought it to his face for closer inspection. Slowly, his eyes focused. In his hands, he held a long, weighty object. Tan and warm, soft yet hard. Moist and slick. Turning it, running his hand down its length, he came to one of the ends where it branched off in several directions, each branch short and thick. In horror, he realized what he held and tossed it as far as his trembling muscles would allow.
An arm. He had been holding someone’s severed limb in his hands. Stomach twisting in knots, Erias fell once again to his hands and knees and wretched until his stomach had emptied itself onto the dirt road. More screams. More thuds as more solid objects he could only guess at dropped from the sky with sickeningly wet thuds.
“Helena. Emile,” he rasped, his throat dry and scratchy. “Helena,” he tried again, scrambling to his feet. Stumbling like a drunk, Erias dodged broken limbs missing their owners, searching for his family, his ears nearly bleeding from the ear-piercing screeches sounding overhead.
Afraid of what he would see, Erias peered up and with a start, realized the clouds were moving, undulating in a savage dance as they tore apart his townspeople and tossed their mangled pieces to the ground.
“Not clouds,” a sweetly smooth voice said from behind him.
Erias whipped around only to meet another wall of darkness. “Who’s there!” he demanded, his throat scratching painfully. A small pinprick of light perforated the velvet sea of black, growing in size as it approached him. Erias stepped back, afraid of what horrors would step forth from that light.
“I have heard your plea, Erias Son of Atheros.” A small willowy female appeared. White robes draped over her thin frame and pooled at her slender toes. Her golden hair was piled atop her head, and her heart-shaped mouth curled at the corners, forming a disingenuous smile.
“My plea?” he asked, confused. Her smile grew wider, and though Erias knew it was meant to sooth; it only served to make him wearier. What did she want from him? “Who are you?” he wondered aloud.
She clutched her chest, feigning shock. “Why, Erias, you do not know? You wound me.” He did not offer a response, just stood before her with the same confusion laced expression. Her face grew hard with annoyance, her lips flattening into a thin line. “I am Persephone, Goddess of the Underverse. I have heard your plea, human, and I am here to inform you that I accept.”
“But I did not make a plea.” Had he?
“Perhaps you were knocked on the head too hard, Viking. I assure you; you did make a plea.” At his obvious confusion, Persephone sighed. “Fine, giver that I am, allow me to refresh your memory. Mere moments ago you were sprawled on your belly crying for the gods not to touch your precious family. Very unbecoming a man of your stature, mind you, but I digress. You went on to say that you would do anything they wished in return.”
A god, a real-live god. Erias was floored. He had always believed in them as a child, worshiped at his mother’s side, made offerings to appease them. He had even been afraid to speak ill toward them in fear of being struck down. That is, until his mother took ill and his prayers went unanswered. He had made blood sacrifices thinking he needed something more powerful, but they ignored that too. Until she died. He had never forgiven them the injustice.
At the mention of his family, Erias jumped on the hope her words offered. “My wife, my son, where are they? Are they here? Helena! Emile!”
“Calm, human. They are not here, but—” she raised her voice when he went to open his mouth, “they are safe. I assure you. Never again will any hard come to them. They have been left ‘untouched’ as you requested.” Erias breathed a sigh of relief. They were safe. Untouched. “Now, as to your debt—”
“You said never again. What did you mean by that?” he asked.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, her unfailing patience, failing, Persephone clenched her teeth and swallowed down the urge to smite him where he stood. Reminding herself that he was now her toy to do with as she pleased, bonded to her by his own words. And oh did she love her toys. “Exactly what I said, no harm will befall them. Ever.” Her words were harsh and layered with such force that he cowered, realizing that he would do well to shut his damn mouth.
“What do you wish of me, Goddess?” He bowed at her feet.
That was much better. “It is simple really. From now, until…well, whenever I decide I do not need you any longer; you will serve as my warrior. You will guard my husband’s gate with your life. And in return, you will be graced with infallible beauty and of course, immortality.”
She said it as if she were rattling off her dinner order. “Im-immortailty?” he choked. She only smiled in return. And what gates? He knew of none in these parts. What would he be guarding against? So many questions, but his mind screamed for the answer to one above all else. One that, for some reason, made his insides quiver as if they already knew the answer and were just waiting for his brain to catch up. “Who—who is your husband?”
Her grin spread across her face, a row of brilliant white teeth flashing behind those full red lips. “Why, Hades, of course.” He paled at her words. She stroked her neck, running her hands down her throat and over her chest. “I believe your people refer to him as the devil. Or Satan. I prefer Angel of Darkness myself. He really is an angel, you know. So sweet, so thoughtful, so sinfully delicious.”
As she droned on, Erias was lost to his thoughts. Horror at the idea that, if he believed what he was seeing and hearing before him right now, he was in league with the devil and his…wife. He must be unconscious still. That knock on the head must have really thrown him for a loop. Wake up wake up wake up. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to return to wake from this awful nightmare. He had to get to his family and get them out of there before they ran out of time.
“And quit your daydreaming!” Persephone stamped her foot like a child throwing a tantrum. “I do not like being ignored!”
“S-sorry, Goddess.” He blanched. “Please, go on.”
Smoothing her hair back, she recovered herself. “As I was saying. I understand that this is a lot to take in, but you had better get used to it, and fast. You are my property now, forever indebted to me. My plaything to do with as I please. Forever, or until I decide I no longer require your services, whichever comes first.” She waved a flippant hand about. “Your first order is to clean up this mess. My husband’s children have decided to have a fun day against his wishes and as see, are making quite a bit of trouble. You are to collect them and bring them home; however, long that takes.”
“And after?”
“And after, yo
u may go about your days until I need you again.” She smiled sweetly. “Ta-ta, guardian.”
She turned her back on him and the light that came with her slowly started to fold around her, retreating into the night. “Wait, what about my family? Where shall I find them?” he called after her.
With her back still to him, she called over her shoulder, “Oh, they’re…around,” she laughed, then she disappeared completely, leaving him in total, absolute darkness.
Erias jolted out of bed, panting, covered in a cold sweat that soaked through his clothes leaving them matted and clinging to his body. The last words he heard, “…they’re…around” repeated in his mind as if on a record player, its needle skipping across the vinyl until he felt like tearing his hair from the roots.
Oh they had been around alright. After fumbling around the grounds, he had come across a hand with long, dainty fingers, nails broken and dirtied, the owner of which would have been unknown if it wasn’t for the handcrafted bronze ring still circling one of the fingers. He knew it well, for it was his hands who had crafted it. Three thin strands of metal, woven together to create a braid as fine as the one she often wore in her hair. It clutched a much smaller hand. Erias swallowed compulsively, biting back tears at the knowledge that, could he see; the tiny hand would surely bear the same birth mark on its wrist that he bore on his—magenta and in the shape of a dragonfly. Emile.
Even now, a roar was building in his throat, a cry so great it threatened to raise the building he stood in if unleashed. Balling his hands into fists, Erias stormed into the bathroom, tearing at his sweat-soaked clothing. Flipping the handles on the shower, he stepped into the stall and under the hot spray.
He groaned, soaking up the heat, feeling his muscles bunch and relax as he tried to summon calm. Bracing his hands against the wall, he allowed his chin to fall to his chest and the water to sheet down his back. “Bitch,” he muttered, still reeling from the emotions the dream brought upon him.
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