All Hallows' Satyr (The Cursed Satyroi Book 5)

by Rebekah Lewis

  The other satyr let out an uncharacteristic sigh of impatience. "Take a seat."

  Oh, gods. Adonis hoped he wasn't about to get lectured. He complied and sat on the corner of the bed. The soft mattress and plush blue comforter only reminded him of how horrible his current lodgings had been. How the others had been lavished in comfort while he'd been shoved in a derelict old house with a leaky roof.

  That isn't Melancton's fault. Can't resent him for it.

  "Where did you find a nymph?" Melancton asked as he opened his closet and stepped inside. Adonis leaned to the left to try to see what he was doing. A soft metallic slide and click hinted at a safe being opened. He sat back straight and waited as Melancton retrieved whatever he needed.

  "She sort of showed up in the woods by the place I'm staying."

  When he stepped out, he held a set of panpipes and a little orange pill bottle without a label. "She is a wood nymph then? That is good. Daphne could use more nymphs in the area. So few are left or have come into their powers to know what they are."

  "London said Pan's going to make her a nymph for Jacen?" Might as well make small talk and attempt to keep the subject off him.

  "Pan wishes to attempt it." He did turn Syrinx from human to nymph, but who is to say that wasn't on the cusp of happening already. "And should he fail…well, we will pursue ways of making London immortal."

  From the grim expression crossing Melancton's face, Adonis didn't even need to state the obvious. Yet he did. "That's dangerous."

  "Yes." He handed the panpipes and pills to Adonis. "These are Calix's. Use them until we can provide you with your own." More like until Calix came home, but Adonis would appreciate them for the time he had them.

  Guilt pierced through Adonis' gut at he stared at the items in his hands. What would the Arcadian say when he found out that not only had Adonis been using his things, but had news that would shatter his every hope of breaking his curse. While thoughts of Calix and Sage together made him far more jealous than he had any right to be, Calix's only chance of being human again was lost in that one tryst, and he'd had no idea. It was a fear all of them shared, but as of yet, none of them had suffered.

  "Are you sure this is okay? I know I'm not exactly wanted around here…"

  Melancton sat beside him and clasped his hands in his lap. Battle scars from the days of fighting for ancient Greece still showed on his tanned arms. Adonis had no such scars. Working on a farm in the countryside, all his worst scrapes and cuts had healed with ease. His skin remained as unmarred as a newborn babe. It was easy to see why Daphne was so drawn to a warrior like Melancton. What did Adonis have to offer, really, aside from a handsome face and a body that was frozen in its prime?

  "Hermes vouches for you, and I trust his judgment. I owe him more than I can ever repay."

  That made for one of them at least. He doubted the other satyrs would be as trusting of him just because Hermes said to. "Ariston won't like it. Calix probably won't either."

  "Let us take it one day at a time. Until Theron is dealt with, stay here. Evander is still away with Bremusa, and until Calix returns, we need the manpower to protect the women. This protection extends to your nymph should things work out."

  Adonis turned away. He didn't know how to respond because part of him wanted to lash out at what felt like charity, and the other wanted to shout in gratitude about finally being included. Being thought of as an asset and not a nuisance. The only time Dionysus had made him feel needed was when he'd sent him to destroy his brother's happiness, and that had landed Adonis into a second curse.

  "What's Dionysus up to these days?" He still didn't know who Bremusa was, but if Evander was dating her, he'd hear more about her and probably meet her soon.

  Melancton went rigid, which didn't seem possible for someone who was usually stock-still. "No one told you?"

  Annoyance set back in. "Shocking, but no. I'm running blind here."

  "Dionysus is dead. Betrayed by his own cohorts in a coup to free the Titans and take over Olympus."

  The words didn't quite register at first. Awkwardly, Adonis laughed. It wasn't funny. He hated Dionysus, always had, but knowing for a fact he was dead…it was hard to believe. "Wow." Then his brain started to work into overdrive. "Did that happen around the time the sun disappeared?"

  Melancton nodded. "I forgot that Hermes left around the same time."

  He clenched his fists. "Do you know where he went?"

  "I do not. All I know is what Pan said. Allegedly Hermes is on a task for Zeus that will take several months."

  Right. He was probably in Tartarus again for being an insufferable pain in the ass. Adonis closed his eyes and berated himself. Hermes had been the only one to stand up for him. He could be annoying, but Adonis didn't wish him harm by any means. "Sage probably won't want to stay," he said to change the subject. He hedged a moment, not quite ready to share the truth about Calix. It would be best to tell him first instead of everyone knowing before him. "When Pan cursed me, for what I almost did to Lily…" He clutched the items in his hand tightly and refused to look at Melancton as he continued, "I can't feel anything for Sage. Well, I do but I don't. In my mind I want to, but my body…"

  Melancton nodded. "I had wondered if that would happen."

  "The Satyr Moon is in days. Days. I can't get it up. I'm a satyr who can't perform."

  Melancton stayed silent a long moment then clapped a hand on his shoulder. "We will figure it out. There is time. The Fates are often cruel, but even they would not send a nymph to you without a way to break the curse of the Satyroi, and the one from Pan as well."

  Adonis hoped so. He really did.

  10

  Sage tossed and turned under the covers. She'd been given the largest room in the inn with the balcony that overlooked the street, but she couldn't fully appreciate her time there. Too much flitted through her head. On the other hand, Daphne was becoming a fast friend, and would also prove a wonderful mentor to help her ease into her life as a nymph in the twenty-first century. Once left alone, however, Sage's thoughts wouldn't quiet.

  After checking in with Darcy to make sure she didn't call the cops and report her missing, as well as discreetly ensuring her roomie wouldn't be out and about that night while something nefarious remained afoot, Sage had turned the television on and flopped into bed. She'd watched two cheesy romance flicks on one of those channels that went all in for Christmas movies every year. Shocker there—they were already showing them nonstop, and Halloween hadn't even passed yet! But she couldn't enjoy how cheesy and predictable they were, or the snow that was clearly some kind of soap suds that clung to everyone walking through it.

  Through it all, Adonis hadn't come to check on her. Didn't call. Didn't send someone else. Nope. He'd completely removed himself from her life, and good riddance.

  Dragging a pillow over her face, she screamed into it and then flung it back against the headboard. Why did it gall her so much? It wasn't like they were dating. All she had wanted was a little spontaneous no-strings sex between two consenting adult supernatural beings. She had been willing to wait a few days and help him out. Then he'd gotten annoyed with her because he had a paranormal performance problem. Tried to use that to cancel out his other problems.

  He was so…confusing. One moment he seemed jealous she had slept with Calix. The next, he had zero interest in her. He had stepped in front of her to face off with Melancton, who had been quite intimidating, but then hadn't even talked to her after her outburst to be reassuring or apologetic about his behavior. He'd done…nothing.

  Sage had literally no business getting her feelings hurt over it. Then again, she'd been drawn to him, to that spot in the woods. It wasn't the first time she'd been out there specifically. Why was she being pushed in his direction in a time when he'd need someone like her the most only to have him dismiss and confuse her?

  It didn't make sense.

  "No, it doesn't make sense, does it?" The woman's voice in her ear was airy and as
soft as rose petals. A floral aroma overcame her senses as Sage was ripped from her bed, shrieking as she landed on her backside in the middle of a rose garden. The moon shined brightly above along with stars, clearer that she'd ever seen them in her entire life. "I can give you what you want, and in return, you can help me too."

  Sage turned and gawked at the gorgeous blonde woman leisurely lounging on a bench beside a pond covered in lotus flowers and lily pads. Her long and wavy golden tresses had even more flowers woven into them. She wore a pale pink or maybe mauve silk dress that draped over one shoulder and pooled at her feet.

  "Who are you?" Sage climbed to her feet, feeling inadequate in the borrowed pajamas Daphne had provided her. They were basically a pair of thin, mint-green shorts and a tank top with butterflies on them. Even dressed in normal clothes, she would feel inferior next to this woman. "And how did I get here?"

  The blonde lady sat up straight and clasped her hands together in her lap. "I am Aphrodite, and this is one of my hidden gardens in the mortal realm." She extended a delicate hand to wave it around. "You are here because I flashed into your room and extracted you here. I needed to have a chat and didn't wish for interruptions."

  Of course she was Aphrodite. She looked like she would be Aphrodite. Why hadn't Sage considered that immediately? She might even be in awe by this moment if she hadn't been snatched out of bed by a goddess in the middle of the night. Rude. "Not to offend or anything, but I have no idea what we would have to discuss. I don't know you, and I don't need your help with anything."

  "Oh, but you do!" Aphrodite giggled and clapped her hands together, rising to her feet. Naturally, she was tall and lithe with a perfect hourglass figure. No wonder Adonis had been so enraptured by her, and so unimpressed with Sage. She could never compete with such beauty. That thought pooled like sour milk into her gut. Getting upset or even jealous over a guy was not how she saw her week going.

  Patience getting low, Sage crossed her arms to counter the slight chill in the air. "Still pretty much doubting that. You have me at a disadvantage here."

  "We have an acquaintance in common. My ex, to use the modern term."

  Understanding dawned. This was about Adonis. She narrowed her eyes on the goddess now circling around her, scrutinizing her as though she found Sage lacking. "Didn't you, like, dump him because he had hooves or something?" He was still attractive with them. On the other hand, why was something like that a problem for the gods of Olympus? It wasn't like their pantheon was shy about the weird stuff—if Zeus turning into swans and Poseidon fathering horses were true.

  The goddess had the grace to feign embarrassment with a dainty laugh and creased brow, though Sage saw right through it. She'd known girls that acted this way all her life.

  "I was so young back then. It surprised me, is all. And, of course, his twin didn't want to play with us." Aphrodite's coy smile turned into a wicked grin. "Have you ever fucked a set of twins? Gods, it's so much fun."

  She wasn't expecting the twin fetish. Sage had no words. Absolutely none.

  "Did dear Adonis not tell you about that?" She came nearer and leaned in close. "Mean Ariston didn't want to share with his brother, and I told Adonis to change his mind or don't come back. So, what do they go and do? Get themselves cursed, that's what."

  "Not sure why you are telling me this." And she really didn't. There was no point to it. Sage couldn't change the past, and Adonis had moved on enough that he refused to talk about it without having to practically pry the information from him.

  "Oh, come now, Sage. You want to fuck my ex-lover, but he can't get it up for you."

  Heat enveloped her cheeks, though Sage wasn't sure if she was more embarrassed for herself or Adonis at this point. Christ, who all knew about the situation? Were all the gods watching them struggle down here? "It's a curse."

  "Yes, of course. Of course." Aphrodite stopped behind Sage and put her hands on her shoulders. A shiver of trepidation coursed through her. The goddess could as easily snap her neck as she could take her next breath. "But I'm the goddess of love, my sweet little wood nymph. I can help you help him."

  Something wasn't adding up. Sage didn't think, for one single minute, Aphrodite was doing this out of the kindness of her own heart. "Oh really? And how's that?"

  Those hands on her shoulders slid to her breasts, knocking Sage's arms out of the way before the goddess pulled her flush against her chest. Her floral scent, her warmth, her touch…it overwhelmed all thought. Sage gasped and her head dropped back against the goddess. Aphrodite rubbed her hands lower to her waist.

  What is happening?

  "Feel how your body responds to my touch?"

  "Yes," Sage whispered, her body awakening with pure lust. She hadn't ever been attracted to women before, but she wasn't opposed to the idea.

  "I can trick his curse long enough for you to make him human again."

  "Yes," she repeated, closing her eyes, and Aphrodite brought one hand back up to tease her nipple through the tank top.

  "All you have to do is promise never to see him again afterward."

  Whatever spell the goddess held over her broke. "What?" She shoved out of the goddesses' grasp and whirled around. "That is a dirty trick."

  Aphrodite's demeanor changed in an instant. Gone were the seductive and welcoming airs. Now she scowled at Sage as though she'd just removed a piece of trash from the bottom of her dainty sandal. "I told you already. You have something I want. I want Adonis back, as he was. You merely wish to fuck him, and no one can blame you for it. He's exquisite to behold, even more so in bed. He was skilled as a human, and after all these years with heightened virility…" She sighed dreamily, then waved her hands out in a giving gesture. "I'll help you get your wish on the night of the Satyr Moon, but once he's human again he belongs to me."

  Adonis didn't belong to anyone but himself. Sage might be a pile of unbridled hormones lately, but she wasn't selfish. "Yeah, that's what I thought you said. I decline."

  Aphrodite crossed her arms. "You what?"

  "Decline." Anger at what the goddess had done, had made her feel against her will—Sage shook with fury. How dare she presume Sage would trade Adonis to her like a scrap of meat. No one deserved that. It wasn't about her. Did Adonis not get a say in what happened to him? Hell, the other satyrs hadn't even included him in on the temporary cure they'd come up with in a pill form. No wonder he didn't think he was worth saving.

  "You're making a mistake…" the goddess said in a sing-song voice.

  Sage returned the goddess' sneer with one of her own. "I don't think I am."

  A sly smile pulled up the corner of Aphrodite's mouth. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt in that you don't know who you're dealing with, being new to our world and all that. As the Satyr Moon approaches, you'll change your mind. If you want to save him, you'll summon me."

  Doubtful.

  Before Sage could say another word, she was dropped onto the balcony of her room at The Aegean Inn. The cold concrete scraped her knees as she landed. "Bitch," she muttered as she stood up—and realized not only was she left on the balcony, the door of which was closed and locked, but Aphrodite had taken her clothes. She was standing on the balcony naked, in late October, and the streetlights illuminated her pale skin perfectly.

  "Fucking bitch!"

  Adonis woke up with a start.

  Sage had left the inn. She'd left him. The raging hard-on under the sheets provided clear evidence that she had left his proximity. He hadn't yet taken the pills Melancton gave him that were supposed to help. In his mind, as long as Sage remained near him in the inn, safe and protected from Theron, he didn't need to. Perhaps he wasn't ready for her to be gone yet, despite knowing it was best for her.

  But why?

  It wasn't like they were together, and she couldn't break his curse, so why did he want her to stay so badly? His feelings confused him, and by her outburst earlier, he knew he'd confused her too. His plan was to think things over and clear the air i
n the morning. Only, by the time he had fallen asleep, he hadn't been able to answer his own questions in order to provide any answers for hers.

  A wave of pure lust ripped through him and his hips bucked against the sheet, making him moan at the sensation the light glide of fabric provided. He'd gone to bed nude as he always had, but even that light touch ignited his blood.

  He wanted Sage. Wanted to find where she had run off to. Wanted to push her over a chair, a bed, the hood of a car, hell, he didn't care what she used to brace herself for his thrusts as long as her sweet ass was in the air and he could sink into that delicious, wet, hot heat.

  Somehow, he'd gotten out of bed and into the hallway. Adonis pressed a hand to the wall and shuddered at the need coursing through him. No one was awake, or at least moving around. Good. That's good. Sage was gone, but he needed to check. Needed to see with his own two eyes that she'd left him. His vision tunneled as he reached the stairs and he stumbled forward, barely registering when he'd ascended the first set, crossed through the lobby and climbed the second set to the third floor.

  He reached the door to the room Daphne had put her in. Though he knew it would be locked, he tried the knob anyway. It wouldn't budge.

  "Sage," he whispered against the wood, leaning his head against the cool panel and trying to get his body in check. Gods, why did she leave him when he needed her? Didn't she see he needed her? That he was ashamed he couldn't give her what she wanted from him, that he couldn't be a good man for her? She was the only person in his entire immortal life that had ever brought him even a moment of peace—despite her chatter and unrealistic expectations of him.

  Without warning, his body went from full throttle to nothing. He let out a shuttering breath and balled his hands into fists at his side. All the lust that had driven him up the stairs, woken him up, disappeared. Poof. Adonis looked down as he palmed himself. No sign of the arousal that had been there seconds ago. A ghost of the sensation remained, hot in his blood, but otherwise…nothing.