Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Hack
The first rays of sunrise are peeking out from the horizon on the Lower Bay and instead of enjoying this magical moment with my chosen one, I’m on the phone with Slash. It still surprises me how fucking chatty this guy is and always has been.
“So, I’m trying to sneak out of this chick’s bed but the fucking thing creaks like old bones on crack.”
I lean my head back against the brick wall behind me and stop myself from groaning in pain.
“Is there a point to this fucking story?”
In true Slash fashion, he doesn’t even acknowledge my question and just keeps on keeping on.
“She then uses her siren mind games and pulls me back into bed without even touching me.” He’s so full of shit. Ten bucks says he was a willing victim.
“Didn’t happen. That’s not the sirens’ M.O.”
“Well, she did something, ‘cause next thing I know, instead of leaving to meet up with Slay about that lackey problem? I’m balls deep inside her tight little cunt, pounding away like it’s fucking Hallow’s Eve.
” Even more disturbing than this whole fucking conversation is the sound that’s coming through the phone, and I’m pretty sure he’s miming his fucking.
“Slash.” I try to use my stern voice to get him to shut the fuck up but only end up chuckling at his antics.
“Anyway, just a little heads up, Slay’s in a mood.”
“That…was the point to this ten minute story you just made me suffer through?” Un-fucking-believable.
“Aw, come on, you know you enjoy my stories. It’s the only pussy you ever get, brother.”
Little does he know—and never will know—that I finally had another taste at my chosen, and no matter what century or life we’re in, my memories of her always do her justice. She’s sweet and perfect, yet dirty and raw in all the right ways.
“Fuck off, I’m busy.” Just as I press the green icon on my phone, I hear her sultry voice.
Okay, it’s more banshee than seductress but I’ll take anything that sounds like my name. My real fucking name.
“Zeeeeelossss!” There it is again. Fucking magical.
Pocketing my phone, I stand to my full height and allow a grin to spread across my face. Not gonna lie, it feels like V-Day knowing she couldn’t go more than a couple of hours before calling for me.
Without wasting time, I’m at the back door of the shop, knocking twice before strutting inside. Sure, it was locked, but that’s never stopped me before. Nothing can stop me from being by her side.
“You summoned, my Satapti?” I know I’m being a bit smug and it’s not a good look, but I’ve been waiting decades for this moment and I swear to the Moirai I’d rather sell my soul to mortality than lose her again.
“See? I told you he was right outside.” Sage and the vampyre Dei share a look, like they’re now trading inside jokes. I don’t even try to rein back my growl. “Calm yourself, Hack. It’s harmless. Far be it for me to step on the link of the chosen.”
My anger subsides as my attention goes right back to Sage, and that familiar feeling of completion fills me once again. “Did you need me, my chosen?”
“Ugh, yes. I get it. The supernatural world exists.” She’s so cute when she’s trying to hide the fact she’s freaking out a little bit.
“The bigger problem is this whole dying before the age of thirty. With just a few months before my birthday, we should maybe address this?” She punctuates her question with two fists on her hips and a cocked head, like she’s summoning all her strength to not fall apart with this life-changing news.
My head snaps to Desdemon, my eyes narrowing at his relaxed posture on the couch, eyes glued to his phone, like he somehow belongs here. I don’t care that he’s not after my chosen, this is a private moment.
“Don’t mind me, I’m in the middle of a Battle Royale and I refuse to lose against some prepubescent anthros who barely knows how to survive in this world.” When it’s clear that Desdemon isn’t moving an inch, I take a step toward Sage and lower my voice.
“Let’s take a walk. It’s a gorgeous morning.” Holding out a hand, I practice my show of patience, just for her.
She hesitates before giving in, placing her long, delicate fingers against my palm. That’s where my patience takes a back seat. Closing my hand around hers, I pull her behind me and lead her down the stairs and out the door.
Even this early in the morning, the heat of the coming day is oppressive, but as soon as we reach Willowbrook Park, a small breeze graces us with its presence.
“What do you need to know?” We’re alone except for the rare jogger or three who ignore our presence as they run by. All of them have buds in, so our conversation is safe from prying ears.
“I don’t want to die, Zelos. How do I stop it?” Fuck, that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?
“For two thousand years I’ve been trying to figure it out.
A few centuries ago I even asked for an audience with Dei Hekate but she refused because demons are below her.
To be honest, this isn’t normal.” Our steps are slow, weighed down by the heaviness of our conversation.
Losing her hurts every fucking time but at least I know I’ll find her again.
This version of her, however, will be gone.
As far as Sage is concerned, she’ll be gone forever.
“Wait a minute.” Sage comes to an abrupt halt, her body spinning to face me, her eyes wide with excitement.
That got her attention. “Hekate? As in the goddess of witchcraft? That’s…
no. That can’t be real.” She shakes her head like she wants to bring her normality back, but the bubble has burst and there’s nothing she can do about it.
Correction: I popped that fucker with the sharp pin of truth.
Problem is, we don’t have a lot of time, and wasting even a second of it seems reckless.
“Fun fact, every time you pray to the goddess—”
“I pray to Hekate.” I grin at her soft-worded realization, her flawless face scrunched up in confusion like she’s trying to solve the world’s environmental problems. “What’s she like?”
“Hmmm…” I dig my hands into the pockets of my jeans and look up to the sky, searching for the right words.
With all the great things about the Dei of witches, she does have some hardcore flaws, least of which are her supposed vicious tongue lashings when she’s angry.
“As you know from all the folklore, she’s the guardian of the witches.
We call them Dei. She’s also a Goddess and lives in Lympana, which is a region located in Central Ryetoh.
That’s where the myth of Mount Olympus comes from.
” I’m afraid the more I talk the more confused she’s going to be but, again, time’s-a-ticking and shit needs to be said.
“Wait, hold on. Back the fuck up.” Sage slaps my chest then curls her fingers, balling my T-shirt up with her nails like that’ll stop the onslaught of information.
“Gods are real? Olympus…?” She blinks up at me and I almost see the plethora of questions running through her mind before she finally settles on one.
“Is Zeus real?” Her voice hitches up a couple of notches and dammit it all to Hades, I just want to pick her up and kiss the fuck out of her.
And I do mean pick her up because our height difference is real and I love that it’s always been the case.
“Yeah, but we don’t see him much. He’s a bit of a dick,” I whisper this behind my hand like I’m afraid he might hear me.
“And a top-tier snob. Mingling with the rest of us is beneath him. Literally.” Fucking prick even looks disgusted whenever he does grace us with his presence.
In all logic, he should have been the Dei of the Gods but he delegated that role to Apollo who, contrary to the others, takes his job very fucking seriously. ”
“Wow. I don’t know why that’s somehow more shocking than…vampyres or demons.”
“I understand that it’s a lot of information to digest but for now, what's important for you to know is that you live among kyn. On Earth you’ll find the witches and vampyres, sometimes demon shifters.” I shrug. “Any shifter, really, that can take on the human form to keep our existence a secret.”
I look up at the sunrise, wondering if I should give her more details, and decide she’s had enough for now. “If you have any questions, I’m always here for you.”
Her eyes dart up to mine and I don’t miss the slight curl on one side of her lip like she’s fighting her instinct to smile.
To my utter frustration, her smile turns to a snarl a fraction of a second later.
What the fuck is up with the hate and disgust and distrust?
She’s never had this reaction to me before.
“Why do you do that? What is it that makes you so averse to me?” Fuck it, may as well rip off the Band-Aid.
We go back to walking around the park and I just follow her lead, all the while berating myself for not calling on my patience.
Contrary to popular belief, hate isn’t the opposite of love.
Indifference destroys the heart with its ability to crush it with inaction.
Hate keeps it alive with rage and fierce emotion. I’ll take the latter any day.
Sage comes to a halt once more, the full force of her beauty hitting me right in the center of my chest. Fuck me, it’s like she gets more beautiful every time I see her. And her eyes? That constant thread throughout the centuries has kept me searching and living. One blue, one brown. My lifeline.
“I don’t know why I feel like this. I mean, sure, the first day you were a bit aggressive.
And by ‘a bit’, I mean a lot. Not cool, my guy, not cool at all.
” I grin at her words. My guy. I’ll chip away at her resistance, little by little.
“Other than that, I can’t explain the reaction I have to you.
It’s like its own entity, like something that wants to rip you apart and bury you in fresh cement. ”