Defeat chuckled, surprising Strider further. The demon had had a similar reaction during the games, when Kaia had been kicking major ass. At the time, Strider had been positive hed misheard. That the noise of the crowd had somehow invaded his head. Now
What did it mean?
Ponder it later. His demons amusement wasnt going to slice through his jugular. If he wasnt careful, Juliette might. He had to stay focused.
So, would you like to tell us why you were tracking me before or after we clean the floor with your faces? Kaia asked casually. And by clean, I mean coat with your blood.
While you decide, Strider added, maybe I should introduce you to Kaias friends. The guy holding the ax is Gideon. Hes possessed by the demon of Lies. The girl next to him, the one tossing and catching the daggers, is Scarlet. Shes possessed by the demon of Nightmares. The rocking blonde is the goddess of Anarchy. No reason to mention the minor thing. Didnt sound as impressive.
Anya gave a pinkie wave. Hey, yall. Welcome to the party. A few facts about me before youre too dead to ask. I like long walks on the beach, snuggling with my man and murdering people who offend me. Offered in the sweetest voice, the threat was all kinds of frightening.
Strider opened his mouth to continue, but Juliette snapped, I dont care about any of you. We didnt come here to fight. No reason to. Thats what the games are for.
Oh, really? He would have placed good money on the opposite being trueand he would have won, no question.
You sure? Kaia asked. I dont mind making an exception and pretending this is an event. Ill even let you take the first swing without retaliating. Although I cant promise my demon-possessed friends here will behave.
Mutely, Juliette pivoted on a booted heel and stalked to the bar. Her consort and clan followed her.
Won, Defeat said on a happy sigh.
Strider mentally high-fived him, delighting as yet another bout of pleasure spun through him. Only problem was, Kaia couldnt start training now. She couldnt leave, either. Leaving would smack of cowardice. So they were stuck, their marathon makeout session on hold, as well.
Kaia! a female voice shouted excitedly. Once again the front door swung open. This time, Bianka raced inside, dark hair flying behind her and slapping Lysander in the face as he followed. Another warrior angel strode in behind him. This one had dark hair, piercing green eyes and features so emotionless they resembled a deep, dark void.
Zacharel. Strider had met the winged warrior weeks ago, when the being was sent to the fortress to prevent Amun from leaving. Hed had a hard time facing the guy, his body reacting every time theyd neared each other.
Strider had never swung that way, but he couldnt be blamed. There was no being more physically perfect than Zacharel. Well, except for Kaia. This time, however, the reaction was muted. Maybe because, as strongly as he reacted to Kaia, nothing else could compare.
Sabin and Gwen strutted in next, moving to flank the angels. Even though Strider hadnt texted his leader to tell him the Eagleshields were here, the warrior didnt look surprised to see them. He must have watched them from the heavens, then, as planned.
Any luck finding the Rod?
Bianka, Kaia said with a laugh as she launched herself to meet her sister in the middle of the room. The twins hugged and danced as if they hadnt seen each other in years.
I would have been here sooner but Lysander held me prisoner in our cloud, Bianka said with a grin. He wouldnt relent until Sabin gave the okay. Which I still dont understand and will continue to punish him for until he spills. Secrets or guts, I dont care which.
That would explain the black eye the warrior currently possessed, Strider thought with a grin of his own.
Youre so lucky, Kaia said. You can harm your consort.
I know. And feel free to harm him yourself. Although, maybe dont hurt him too badly. Theres all kinds of trouble in the heavens nowadays, something about losing a piece of love, whatever that means, and my pookybear is stressed.
That was the last thing Strider understood as the sisters began talking over each other.
because you look amazing and
wouldnt believe the balls on
next time I want video feed of
cut just right, flesh makes the cutest purse
she doing here?
In unison, they faced the bar, leveling Juliette with glares of abject disgust. Juliette pretended not to notice. Not her consort, though. He smiled at the twins as if they were the Christmas present hed always wanted.
Bloodheating
Strider would have volleyed himself like an H-bomb if a hard hand hadnt settled on his shoulder. I wouldnt, Lysander said.
You wouldnt. I would. His gaze remained locked on the male he desperately wanted to slay.
An equally hard hand settled on his other shoulder. Perhaps you should rethink your strategy, Zacharel said in his cold, toneless voice.
Yeah, well, perhaps the humans disagreed with Striders physically perfect description, because they still loitered inside the bar, paying the angels no heed. And hell, they had wings and wore girly robes. Two other reasons to stare right there.
They cannot see Lysander or me, Zacharel explained. You were correct. If they could, they would stare.
Striders jaw clenched. Stay out of my head.
Stop projecting your thoughts.
He didnt mind when Amun read him, but Zacharel? An angel? Freaking irritating. The consort. What is he?
Lysander didnt ask for clarification. His name is Lazarus, and he is the only son of Typhon.
Oh, shit. Hed been rightguy was far from human. Strider wanted to shake his head, to deny, to do anything but accept. But when an angel spoke, there was no doubting him. Ever. Truth layered every nuance of Lysanders voice and every cell in Striders body believed what hed just been told.
As an elite guard to Zeus, Strider had fought many monsters. None had ever compared to Typhon. Bastard was a giant with the head of a dragon and the body of a snake. His wings spanned the entire length of a football field and a never-ending abyss had waited in his eyes.
Typhon had challenged Zeus, and he would have won, had been winning, until Strider and friends arrived on the scene, causing the giant to flee. Youre welcome, he thought dryly, recalling how Zeus had blamed them for distracting him, claiming he would have pulled through without them. Strider hadnt heard a shred of gossip about Typhon since, and now he had to wonder what had happened to the guy.
Whos his mother? Strider asked.
I do not know her name, only that she is a Gorgon.
This just gets better by the second, he muttered dryly. Gorgons could turn a man to stone with only a glance. They had snakes on their heads rather than hairsnakes that poisoned their victims when they bit. Medusa was the most famous of them, and so legendary even humans told tales of her evil prowess.
Mortals. So gullible. If they only knew Medusa was the cream of the crop and a real sweetheart compared to others of her race.
Clearly, he wants a piece of Kaia.
Who doesnt? Zacharel asked, deadpan. As always. She is a beautiful woman and I have seen how happy a Harpy can make an angel.
Strider had his nose pressed into the angels a second later, breath sawing in and out. You better stay away from her.
Win.
No problem.
I will, the angel said easily. Stay away from her, that is.
Strider blinked, confused, and backed a step away. But you just
I just agreed with you. Yes. Every unmated man in this building wants a piece of her.
He was back in the guys face a second later. And you? Damn it. He had to get himself under control. Hed vowed not to let himself be challenged majorly for the next few weeks, yet he kept reacting to everyone who so much as glanced in Kaias direction.
I was merely ensuring you desire her, rather thansomeone else.
Someone, like an angel. Once again, he stepped backward. Faster this time, his cheeks heating with mortification. So. The bastard had picked up on the earlier fascination.
You look all innocent and shit, but youre really a devil in disguise, arent you?
Zacharel merely shrugged, his expression unchanging.
Win?
Yeah. We won that round. The angel hadnt made a play for Kaia, and that was all that mattered.
Defeat might have agreed, but there were no accompanying sparks of pleasure. Nor were there spurts of pain.
What are you doing here, anyway? he grumbled.
Bianka competes in the next game. Lysander wishes me to
Lysander can speak for himself, the warrior interjected. I wished for a supporting arm to either hold me back or help me, should I be inclined to punish Biankas opponents.
Aw. True love. How sickening.
Both Lysander and Zacharel could create swords of fire from nothing but air. A few Harpy heads would probably roll by the time the second game ended if any harm came to Kaias twin.
You do know youll embarrass Bianka if you
Who are you talking to, Strider? Though Haidee had closed most of the distance between them, she asked the question from behind her beer bottle, not daring to glance in his direction. He knew she didnt fear Kaia, though she should, but merely thought to prevent another attack while the enemy was nearby.
And damn it. The angels had warned him. No one else could see them. Well, Sabin and Gwen could, he was sure, since they were smothering their laughter behind beers of their own.
No one, he muttered. No one important. He refocused on Kaia and Bianka, the Twin Troublemakers.
no better time, Bianka was saying.
Then lets do it, Kaia responded with an evil grin. Juliette will never know what hit her.
Shit. Do what? With those two, it always involved bloodshed, grand theft auto or a five-alarm blaze. Or, on special days, a combination of all three. He watched, dread coursing through him, ready to pounce at a moments notice, as the girls moved forward.
Then the worst of his fears were confirmed when they climbed onto the dais.
To karaoke.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
PARIS PRESSED INTO A SHADOWED corner of the heavenly harem. Mindless chatter and the sound of playful splashing coasted on the over-warm air. The scent of jasmine oil and sandalwood drifted to his nose and he tried not to inhale. Ambrosia layered both, a waft of coconut that lured and seduced, and he couldnt yet afford to get high. No matter how much his body shook, desperate for a fix.
After his back-alley brawl, hed taken the first female hed stumbled upon. Sex had ensured her willingness, despite Pariss ragged appearance, and hed healed quickly afterward.
Unfortunately, the vital encounter had made him an hour late to his meeting with Mina, the goddess of weaponry, and hed had to pay extra for the crystal blades.
She liked her pleasure with a bit of bite, and hed had to do things to her that might haunt him for years. But he had the daggers now and had crossed item one off his To Do list.
He rubbed the hilts as he scanned his surroundings, hating the cobalt wisps of fabric that fell from the ceiling and draped the entire enclosure. Hating the beaded lounge pillows, the naked, glistening bodies strolling this way and that.
Time to cross off item number two. Arca, the messenger goddess. Surely she would know where Sienna was being held, as one of his many partners had led him to believe. Pillow talkhis best friend, and everyone elses worst enemy.
If she wasnt here, he had no idea where to go next. Or who to do.
Dont think like that. No one here had sensed him. Yet. That would change all too soon. Sex craved todays dose. Already the scents of chocolate and champagne drifted from him. Soon mortals and immortals alike, all brought here to service Cronus, would find themselves consumed by hunger.
The god king had given up keeping a single mistress. Now he was keeping thirtythree. Yes, thirty-three, Paris counted. The twenty-seven others standing around the pool ledge were bodyguards, not sexual conquests.
Paris doubted Cronus had slept with everyone here, or that the bastard even planned to nail them all in the future. But Cronus would do anything to piss off Rhea, his traitor of a wife, and nothing hurt a womans pride quite like infidelity. A fact Paris knew very well.
Hed never been faithful. Could never be faithful. No matter how much he wanted to be. No matter how much his many conquests screamed and ranted at him, desperate for something he couldnt give them. Somethingmore. His lovers were his demons food, that was all. He couldnt let them be anything else. And really, he didnt want them to be anything else.
He just wanted Sienna.
If he could find her, if he could touch her, if she no longer despised himwhich didnt seem likely, especially after the things, people, hed done up herewould she give herself to him?
So many ifs.
Hed been up here off and on ever since her disappearance, and hed kept his ear to the groundaka hed screwed the information out of anyone close to Cronus. See? Unfaithful. He was here for one woman, but had slept with another. And another. And another.
Buck up. Otherwise, hed start wanting that ambrosia.
Hell, maybe he should just give in.
Or maybe he should leave. Cronus was going to pop a vessel when he discovered Pariss whereabouts. Would definitely punish him. Becauseto hide his activities, Paris had to wear a necklacea manlace, as Torin called itthe god king had given him. A manlace he was only supposed to wear to hide himself from Rhea. Using it to conceal himself from Cronus as well was a small crime, sure, but couple that with Pariss intentions
Youre close. Closer than youve ever been. No matter what happened, he wouldnt give up. So, no ambrosia and no leaving.
Im so hot, one woman said. She lay on a velvet recliner, naked and glistening, arching her back as she traced her fingertips between her large, tawny-tipped breasts. So needy.
Me, too, another said. She licked her lips as she searched for a partner.
Oh, yes. They had sensed Paris at last.
His friends were used to him, used to his scent and the need it caused, and were mostly immune. Plus, hed over-indulged Sex, so the demon had rarely acted out like this. Paris wasnt yet used to it.
Ive never been this aroused, another female said.
Then, it was on. Moans of pleasure resounded as an orgy broke out. Multiple writhing bodies, hands stroking, legs spreading. The sight failed to arouse even the barest flicker of need. Been there, gotten tired of that.
They were distracted, at least. He studied them, searching for the telltale long, braided white hair hed been told Arca possessed. Another tidbit hed learned: she was responsible for the childrens story about Rapunzel. Once, when shed delivered a godly message to a human king, hed become captivated by her beauty and thought to keep her. And he had very nearly succeeded. Not just because hed used black magic, but because his timing had been impeccable. The Greeks had gained control of the heavens, locking the Titans away. Arca had been forgotten.
Paris didnt know if the rest of the story held true. If she had been rescued by a mortal prince. If the mortal had been killed in front of her when the Greeks at last remembered her and dragged her up to the heavens, locking her in another, stronger prison. And he wouldnt let himself care.
What he did know? Arca had been grabbed right off a golden street and tossed here. Paris could work that to his advantage. She had to despise the king, had to crave revenge.
Also, she wasnt in this section of the palace. Please be in another.
He slinked along the wall. He could have stripped and presented himself as a slave, or a new addition to the harem, but he refused to relinquish his new weapons. No doubt hed need them.
He reached a corner, paused, listened, looked. Heard no footsteps. Saw no shadows moving along the marble floor. He inched forward, leaving the bathing area completely. Curtained doorway after curtained doorway greeted him, and he gnashed his teeth. If he had to screw someone just to find out which room belonged to Arca
A slave strode from the room at the far end of the hallway, a silver tray balanced in his hands. He spotted Paris, but didnt issue an alarm. No, his tanned, naked body reacted instantly, his belly quivering. He set the tray on the floor and practically skipped over, as if in a trance.
He probably was. Paris hadnt fed his demon for twenty-three hours. He wouldnt start weakening for another hour, yet Sexs pheromonesor whatever it was the bastard released from Pariss poreswould continue to strengthen until theyd come inside someone.
A few times, Paris had let himself become so weak he couldnt move. Yet those pheromones had drifted from him, so damn potent that humans had fallen on him, unable to help themselves, lost to lust. A few times, before Paris had reached the point of total weakness, he had lost control of himself and fallen on humans.
The slave reached him. Who are you, beautiful? Callused, overworked hands whisked along his chest, caressing.
Maybe he wasnt as close to finding Sienna as hed thought. First time hed neared her, his demon had begun repelling others. This slave was far from repelled. But he wouldnt change course, Paris thought. He couldnt. If not here, he had no idea where to go.
Do you know where Arca is? he asked, ignoring the question asked of him.
A pink tongue emerged, tracing over already moistened lips. Yes.
Relief flooded him. Tell me. Please, he added as an afterthought.
Those questing hands slid lowerlower still For you, anything.
He waited, forcing himself to remain still. When no other response was forthcoming, he said, Tell me.
Yes, yes, of course, but first I musthave toplease Every word caused the slaves voice to dip lower, huskier, absolute yearning in the undertones.
Lost, Paris thought. The slave was already lost to his bodys needs. Paris would get no answers until that need was assuaged. He leaned against the wall and stared up at the domed ceiling.
Drop to your knees, he commanded, pulling Siennas delicate face, dark hair and adorably freckled skin to the forefront of his mind.
WILLIAM PACED THE CONFINES of his prison cell. After the blonde bitch had dropped her bombshell about Kane, he had erupted, shouting and fighting for freedom. Shed soon realized there would be no calming him down and had had his gurney wheeled here.
About an hour ago, hed regained enough of his strength to break out of the metal restraints. Not so with the cage. Four walls, all bars, and he couldnt bend or manipulate a single one.
The prison had been built for immortals.
He had to get out of here. Had to get to Kane. Had to stop the warrior from reaching hell. The horsemen. The danger
So. Youve calmed down.
The blonde. Fury rising inside him, William turned on his heel, following the sound of her voice. And there she was. Ponytail, wire rims, delicate features, lab coat.
Are you ready to chat now? she asked.
Dont erupt again. Much as he currently wanted to rip her throat out, he needed her.
He was at a disadvantage, though. Patches of his skin were still charred, his pantsthe only article of clothing currently remaining on his bodywere bloodstained and ripped, and his hair was sticking out in spikes.
He was still a babe, though. Surely.
He pasted a seductive smile on his face. Absolutely Im ready. Whats your name, darling?
She arched a brow two shades darker than her hair. I thought you didnt care about my name.
Great. She was one of those. Stubborn and determined not to let a man soften her. Otherwise she would have melted already. And yes, he usually worked that quickly. That was the pain talking, I promise.
Okay. Ill pretend that I believe you. My name is Skye.
Ill call you Dr. Love Button.
And Ill have you castrated. There was no heat in her tone.
Kinky. So you work for Galen, do you? Gods, William hated the bastard. Not for the sake of the Lords, though that didnt help the keeper of Hopes cause, but because William simply couldnt stand people who were deceitful about their evil. Reminded him too much of his brother. And they didnt get more deceitful than Galen, who masqueraded as an angel so he could manipulate a bunch of feeble-minded humans into doing his dark bidding.
Skye, if that was her real name, laughed. Kinda sorta, though mostly no.
Of all the nonanswers she could have given, that topped the list. Mind explaining that a little better, pet?
Not really, but Ill give it a shot. She shook her head and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. Im not a Hunter. Or a doctor, for that matter. I never finished med school.
Then why did you bomb me, nearly kill me, help heal me and what? Lock me away as if you despise me. Oh, yeah. And I cant forget that you also carted my demon-possessed friend into hell. Something humans wouldnt have known how to door how to navigate through if by some miracle they did manage to reach it. Which meant a godor a goddesshad to be involved. And the only divine pain in the ass currently helping mortals was Rhea, the heavenly queen. Also, how do you know about Galen and Hunters if youre not part of their brainwashed masses?
A rosy flush colored her cheeks. First, I didnt bomb you. Hunters did, yes. And, okay, so my husband is a Hunter, and thats why Im so knowledgeable, but Im working with him on that, trying to get him out. As for the other, I only locked you away because you were a danger to yourself and everyone around you.
He placed a hand over his heart, as if shed mortally wounded him. As if Id ever hurt you.
Whatever.
What would it take to charm her? Lets backtrack just a bit. Hunters decided to take me out, your husband among them, and you thought youd try to save little ole me, even though you dont yet have your medical degree and even though saving me might piss off your man? Im touched, truly.
She fiddled with something plastic in her pocket. They brought you here, asked me to help.
And even though you want your man out of their ranks, you decided to aid them yourself. He edged toward her, so minutely she wouldnt realize he was close enough to reach through the bars until it was too late.
I decided to aid you.
Another inch. But youre not working for them.
No.
Shall I tell you all my secrets, then? Another inch.
Her eyes narrowed, obscuring her pretty irises. Keep your secrets. Im not interested. She withdrew a sucker from her pocket, the wrapper gone, and stuffed the thing in her mouth.
Well, he was definitely interested in hers. If you dont work for Hunters, who do you work for? How did you know how to save me? And why dont you set me free now? As you can see, Im not a danger to anyone.
Out popped the candy. First, Im currently unemployed. And as for my saving know-how, trial and error. Some races can regenerate limbs, some cant. Some have wings, most dont. Some respond to human medicine positively, some negatively. As for the Hunters and your release, Im sad to say they get you back the moment I decide youre well enough.
Yet another inch. Almost there But you still claim not to work for them.
She shrugged. My husband made the agreement with them. He decides.
And you wont defy him? Or change his mind? he asked, using his huskiest tone.
No. Softly spoken, yet firm, unbending. I cant. I wish, but I cant.
Finally William reached her. He grinned. Too bad. His arm shot through the bars, his fingers wrapping around her fragile neck.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
THE NEXT MORNING, STRIDERS ears were bleeding and his mind was echoing the lyrics from Naughty By Natures O.P.P. Didnt help that Kaia and Bianka were still singing. Badly. So damn badly. Not that hed ever admit that last part aloud. Kaia looked so happy squawking her heart out and he didnt want to taint an activity that gave her enjoyment. But seriously. He was willing to bet a cat being skinned had better pitch. And yeah, hed put good money on that bet, not to mention his body and his demon.
Once the girls had started, they hadnt stopped. Tragically, though hours had passed, neither of them had developed laryngitis.
Besides the humans, who had all taken off at closing, the lucky bastards, no one had dared leave the bar. Not the Lords, the Skyhawks, the angels, nor the Eagleshields.
To the Harpies, this was another type of contest, plain and simple. Who could outlast the other? For once, Strider was willing to lose. He would have left, writhed in (grateful) pain for a few days, but damn it all to hell, he had to protect his little Harpy.
A few times, one of the Eagleshields attempted to head up onstage, take over and put everyone out of their misery. Strider jumped up, ready for action, but Lysander and Zacharel, who still couldnt be seen by anyone but Strider and Sabin, immediately formed an impenetrable wall of muscle no one was able to pass.
And the Harpies had tried, hitting, kicking and clawing, until finally giving up in frustration. Of course, Kaia and Bianka were blamed, and hed heard murmurs of wonderment. What type of strange powers did the twins wield?
Good. Let them wonder.
Knowing the angels had Kaias back allowed Strider to switch his focus to Juliette and her boy toy Lazarus, who kept their focus centered on Kaia. He didnt like that. Didnt like that at all. And he wasnt going to stand for it.
Just behave, he told Defeat, and well be fine. Ill handle this.
Despite the noise that had left the demon whimpering and begging for a one-way ticket back to hell, Pandoras box, anything to escape, Defeat snorted.
So. No cooperation today. That wasnt gonna stop him, however.
Before he could talk himself into waiting, planning, Strider closed the distance and kicked a chair over to Juliettes table, the back slats pressing into its surface edge. He eased down backward and propped his elbows on the tabletop.
Immediately he felt the tension in the room escalate, thicken, and he didnt need to look to know Amun and Sabin had just taken up posts behind him. They had his back, always.
Juliette finally deigned to study him, her soft lavender eyes sweeping over his face and body unhurriedly, languidly, lingering in places they shouldnt. Wish and I shall receive. I wanted you to approach me, and so you did. But I must admit, I expected you to do it sooner.
If shed truly wanted his attention, by fair means or foul, she would have tried harder to get it. She wouldnt have waited for him to make a move. Well, if shed had a pair of balls, she would have. Kaia went after what she wanted, no hesitation. And that, he decided, was exactly how a woman should be. Determined, eager. Sexy.
This one craved revenge, though, her every move designed to help her achieve it. So his approach meant something, he just didnt know what.
Why? he asked, genuinely curious.
She was momentarily taken aback, as if shed expected him to wax poetic about her beauty, beg for lenience for Kaia, or even grab her up and screw her brainless right here on the table.
I have something you crave, do I not?
Like?
The Paring Rod. Yes, she added at his start of surprise. I know all about you Lords and your quest for Pandoras box. I know you need four artifacts to find it, and the Rod is one. Why else do you think I offered it?
Rather than answer, he asked a question of his own. Howd you get it?
A smile bloomed, smug and patronizing. I never share my secrets.
Oh, really. He glanced back at Amun. The big, dark warrior was frowning, his features tense. When he caught Striders gaze, he gave an abrupt shake of his head. Huh. Could he not read her mind?
That was rare.
For that matter, why hadnt Sabin used Doubt against her? Or had he tried and, like Amun, failed?
Strider returned his attention to Juliette, keeping Lazarus in his peripheral vision. The fucker hadnt spared Strider a glance, was still watching Kaia. Well, to backtrack a bit, the winner will have something I want, he lied. He would get his hands on the artifact before that final game. He wouldnt allow himself to believe otherwise.