6
“Right,” said Psi. “Shoes.”
If any other woman had pitched a fit over shoes Psi would turn the other way and leave her high and dry. Not this woman, this witch. Because the shoes were important to Vivi it now became paramount to him.
He wanted to flex his muscles for this woman.
He wanted to swim out into the middle of the ocean and wrestle the biggest, toothsome shark he could find to show his dominance.
He wanted to dive down to the deepest recesses of the seas and resurface with an ancient treasure, bringing the whole sunken ship up to lay at his lady’s feet.
Instead, she asked him to bend space and time. He couldn’t get her to Italy in the time she desired. But he did know someone who could.
“I may know another route,” said Psi. “But we’ll need to go to my home first.”
Psi zipped through the streets of Athens. He took the turns and bends in the street the same way he rode a wave. He was heartened to see that, next to him, Vivi slowly relaxed as he sped up.
Good. She was starting to trust him. He needed her to trust him to guide her, to lead her. He never wanted her out of his sight again.
He tried not to think about that moment back on the street when she was the grain of sand caught between two metallic clams. Psi had moved heaven and earth and the underground drainage system to pluck his precious pearl from harm’s way.
He’d nearly lost her back there. She was a witch. Though they were more human than god, she could not tend with a car going at the speed limit. A car would’ve bruised him but not killed him. She could’ve died.
He pulled to a stop in the underground garage of the hotel. After releasing his belt, he came around and released her. She slid her hand into his and he tried not to squeeze her too tight.
Just the feel of her cold fingers pressed against his skin made the last dregs of ice melt from his heart.
A vent kicked on as they neared the elevator and her pale hair blew up and into his face.
His tongue escaped his mouth, like the tentacle of an octopus it snaked around the strands and took in his first taste of her.
It wasn’t enough. He would be having more he assured the thick tentacle that was engorging his pants. He would be having her soon. He’d get her the shoes her heart desired. He vowed that she wouldn’t be on her feet long enough to break them in.
Psi ushered Vivi into the doors of the elevator. When they closed behind them, she gasped. Instead of pulling away from him, she clutched at his forearm. The beast below reached for her, but Psi tempered his desire.
He pulled her into his arms and wrapped her up in his embrace. Her tiny little body felt like an island of bliss he could get lost in.
“First time on land,” he said. “First time in a car. First time on an elevator. Let’s see how many more firsts we can tick off for you tonight, my sweet darling.”
He had to let her go all too soon. The doors of the elevator opened, but she didn’t let him go. As they stepped off, they were greeted with revelry as only the Greek gods could do it. Everything at the party was just as he’d left it. Only now, clothing had become optional.
“What do we have here, brother?”
With Vivi tucked in his arms, Psi turned to see Zeus, barely clothed in a robe. The robe hung wide open displaying his golden body and his perpetually ready goldenrod.
“Did you bring me fresh meat?” Zeus reached for Vivi’s hand.
The moment his fingertips connected with her hand, Vivi snatched that hand away and struck out with the other, landing a punch right square in Zeus’ perfect nose.
Psi watched his brother’s head pop back.
They all stood stunned, uncertain exactly what had happened.
Psi couldn’t decide whether to laugh at his brother’s shock or Vivi’s reaction.
In the end, he did the most important thing.
He pulled Vivi more snugly into his arms as Zeus straightened.
His brother was known to lash out for the slightest reason.
Psi was gratified when Vivi came to him without protest. It further cemented the trust she was coming to have in him. Which would be necessary since he had no plans to ever let her go.
“A feisty one,” said Zeus as he rubbed at his nose. “Even tastier.”
“He shocked me,” said Vivi.
Psi had barely noticed the current of electricity that perpetually ran through his brother.
Zuzu was the God of the Sky, which included thunder and lightning.
Humans and Chosen didn’t vibrate on the same frequencies as the gods, but Vivi wasn’t entirely human.
She must have felt the jolt of energy that hummed inside his brother’s blood.
“You didn’t tell me your brother was an eel,” she said. “You’re not going to let him eat me, are you?”
Zeus snorted. “I have a feeling it's my brother that’s going to be eating you up, little firecracker. I’m sure he’ll have your thighs wrapped around his head before the night is over.”
Psi’s pants got uncomfortably tight at the suggestion of Vivi’s pale thighs wrapped around his head. One glance at her told him she’d never allowed anyone the delicacy. Vivi looked entirely confused at the statement.
But she didn’t let go of Psi’s hand. She stepped behind him, as though to shield herself from any more of Zeus’ voltage.
“Listen, Z,” said Psi. “I need a favor. I need you to get us to Rome. I’ll owe you.”
Zeus’ calculating gaze slid to Vivi.
Vivi took another step behind Psi.
Psi kept his anger in check. Zeus thought monogamy was a new-aged STD, which is why his wife, their sister Hera, had left him earlier that year and for good this time. Or so she claimed.
“I’ll owe you something else,” Psi said through gritted teeth. Vivi was something he had no plans to share. He wanted her all to himself as soon as he got her those blasted shoes she desired. Then he’d spend the rest of his days in an attempt to become her new heart’s desire.
Zeus raised his eyebrows. It was a hefty price, owing a god as depraved as his brother. But Vivi was worth it.
Zeus shrugged and held out his hand. “Fine, let’s make this quick. I still have half a dozen women in line that haven’t yet had the pleasure of my thunderbolt.”
“Aren’t you going to change?” said Psi looking down at his brother’s exposed bits.
“Never,” snorted Zeus.
Psi took his brother’s hand. He turned to Vivi, who now snatched her hand away from Psi.
“He’s not an eel,” said Psi. “He’s the God of the Sky. He can take us to Rome on a cloud. It will be very fast. I promise, there’s nothing to fear.”
Vivi shook her head. “I’m not touching him, nor am I going anywhere on a cloud.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and backed away toward the door. The sight of her retreating from him set Psi on edge. He put up his hands, placing himself between her and his brother.
“Okay,” he soothed. “Okay. No eels or clouds.”
“I’ve got an eel for you,” said Zeus.
Psi was certain his brother no longer had half-exposed bits. He was sure that if he turned around he’d get the full thunderbolt and the clouds. But Psi was already corralling Vivi out of Zeus’ apartments and into the hall of the penthouse suites.
“Listen,” said Vivi once Zeus’ door was closed behind them. “This was a mistake. Thank you for your help in the streets, but I think I’d best be on my way.”
“No, don’t go.” Psi held up his hands again and made sure his teeth weren’t flashing danger signs. He racked his brain for reasons for her to stay until he could convince her that he needed to remain by her side. “At least let me feed you before you’re on your way.”