Chapter 5 – Soren
SOREN
Standing in the shower, I let my head fall forward and my muscles relax for the first time in longer than I can remember. I’m accustomed to waking from a stone-slumber into war. I am not accustomed to waking up with no masters and no clear path to take.
Nor to a place that feels entirely alien to me.
We’d received a crash course in the modern world from the gargoyles before we left the sanctuary, but since reaching the human-populated lands, we’ve realized we still know absolutely nothing about this modern society.
The cities are large, crowded, and loud.
There are so many lights and so many strange kinds of technology.
And we’ve had to immerse ourselves in these places to search for the hellhound.
Even though now we’ve searched every city Hades told us to, with no sign of the dog.
Reaching the small city of Darkwood was somewhat of a relief, especially since hearing from the local gas station owner that a dog with flaming fur has been attacking people in the town. It meant not only had we found the right place, it also wasn’t some massive human city.
Besides being cleaner than some of the cities we’d experienced, it was also less bright and noisy than others. Even if it’s still so very different than what we were used to.
But we’re trying to blend in. We want to get a feel for this place, so we can find this hellhound and get out of here. That’s the only way we’ll be given a mate by the gods.
And who knows what the hell Hades will do after the Thesmophoria celebration takes place in a couple of days, and we still don’t have his hound. Even though we haven’t heard from him since the deal was struck, I imagine he’ll be here to collect his prize when the time comes.
I sigh. Tick tock. No more time to waste.
Turning off the shower, I dry off and carefully place the towel back where I found it. I pass Kage still sleeping in our bed, and then step out into the living room. I’m surprised to find Draven half-asleep, staring off into space, on the couch.
Frowning, I try not to sound annoyed. “What are you doing up?”
They’re never up early. This is my time. Time to regroup and gather my thoughts. And more than that, time to get my anger in check.
“Had to pee. You were in the only bathroom,” he grumbles. “What are you doing up?”
I shrug.
His tired gaze meets mine. “You’re still upset about Harleen.”
I stiffen, my teeth clenching together. I’ve been doing my best to push her out of my mind and to hide my frustrations. The last thing I need is someone just bluntly pointing out what’s bothering me the most about this new life. And our choice to walk away from everything we’ve ever known.
“We had to leave her,” he says, and he no longer sounds tired, just annoyed. “So it’s time to stop sulking. This deal is almost done, and then we need to meet our mate without acting like assholes.”
“I’m not discussing this.” I start to stomp toward the kitchen.
He sighs, loudly and with annoyance. “Harleen hasn’t woken up during the last three attacks. She’s lost to the stone.”
“Fuck you!” I say.
He stands. “Fine, be pissed. But Kage was right to leave our lands. We couldn’t stay there, clinging to ghosts, when we have a life to live.”
I glare at him. “He could’ve waited longer. We could’ve given her more time.”
“Soren—”
“What? You might have given up on her, but I haven’t!” When he stares at me blankly, my anger grows. “She’s our sister!”
After a minute he heads toward the bedroom, then pauses in the doorway. “We miss her too, but we said our goodbyes to her the last time she didn’t awaken.”
Before he can go, I shout after him, “Well, I didn’t, and I never will!”
He strides through the bedroom and into the bathroom without looking back, then closes the door quietly.
I stand where I am for a minute, glaring.
Female gargoyles are rare and precious things.
The fact that one was carved and given a home at our estate was lucky beyond words.
For many, many battles, over many lifetimes, Harleen fought at our side.
She was stubborn and cocky to a flaw, but she was our sister.
Initially, I’d been eager to go find the gargoyle sanctuary, but then I’d had a chance to think about it.
Leaving the estate was like giving up on Harleen forever.
Something I couldn’t bring myself to do.
In my mind I could picture her with her long dark hair, the hair that somehow looked dark purple beneath the sun’s rays.
I’d remembered her jokes, and her loyalty to our masters, and I couldn’t bring myself to accept that she was dead to us forever.
A statue still sitting on the estate, the life within the stone gone forever.
But even when I changed my mind about going to the gargoyle sanctuary, Kage gave us no choice but to obey him and leave.
And then when we reached the sanctuary and discovered a place that was nothing like we imagined, Kage still stubbornly refused to admit he was wrong or to go back.
I’d thought I couldn’t be angrier with him.
Which of course was right before he made this stupid deal with a god.
So, I’ve accepted that this is our path now. Even if I’ll never truly give up on Harleen, or completely forgive my Brotherhood for leaving our sister behind.
Now I just need to focus on why we’re here: to prevent bringing the wrath of an angry god down upon us. Which means, unlike my brothers, I can’t just stay here and rest any longer. I need to explore this town, find the hellhound, and leave.
Maybe with the mate Hades will give us, the sting of this empty life will be lessened.
I hope.
Feeling agitated, I walk through our home…
a place they call an apartment. I’m not entirely pleased with it.
The gargoyles at the sanctuary assured us it would suit our needs.
They said it was furnished with furniture and all we would need to blend into this world.
But everything in this place has an unkempt look about it, as if the people who stay here never stay long.
Going to the strange glass door, I struggle with it for a moment before yanking it open. Outside on our tiny, drab balcony, I watch the sun rising, my thoughts wandering. Can we find this hellhound if we can’t blend in and find leads? Probably not.
I reach up and rub my head, frowning as the short strands poke at my fingertips. I’m not entirely sure that the haircut and modern clothing they gave me, will be enough to make me fit in here. But I hope it will be.
My gaze slides over the apartment complex until I spot a woman.
Stiffening, our eyes lock. She’s sitting on the balcony next to ours, in a chair, sipping a cup.
She has long dark hair and startlingly blue eyes.
One of her brows is arched in a way that makes me feel like she’s mocking me.
Even the curl of her lips giving her the feel of a woman who finds me strangely amusing.
I follow her gaze down to where it lands squarely on my cock.
I cover myself. Kage might not mind flashing himself to every female who crosses our path, but I think there’s a time and place for modesty. Like right now, with a strange human female.
Next time I go on our balcony, it’ll have to be clothed.
She stands, her movements fluid. So fluid that she instantly strikes me as a warrior. She wears a dark shirt with thin straps. The material clings to her flesh, and I know I’m not imagining the points of her nipples.
I’m ashamed to find myself aroused by her.
“You’re my new neighbor?” she asks.
And I’m right, she does have the air of someone who finds me amusing. Which I don’t understand. People find me frightening. Intimidating. Not amusing.
I move closer to the edge of the balcony. We’re perhaps fifteen feet from each other, the opening for the staircase to our floor the only thing that separates us… we’re too close.
“We moved in last night.”
She sips from her little tea cup again, that smile teasing her lips. “I’m Cerce.”
“Soren,” I tell her, frowning.
Why does she smile at me like that? I don’t like it. In fact, her beauty isn’t enough for me to like her.
“Well, Soren, what brings you to this delightful place?”
I study her. Why does she ask? It’s not any of her business. And we haven’t come up with an answer yet.
My mind turns. “Business.”
She cocks her head, and sets her cup down on the edge of her balcony. “And how long will you be here?”
“As long as it takes,” I answer, frowning.
Her smile seems to widen. “Well, Soren, enjoy your business. And feel free to knock on my door if you need anything.”
“I’m sure I won’t.” I know my answer is curt and unfriendly, but this woman puts me on edge.
She picks up her tea cup and turns around, heading back into her apartment. I glance down and see that she’s only wearing a pair of underwear that cups her beautiful ass. I’m transfixed by her round, perfect curves. Asses like hers don’t come along every day, and I have a weakness for them.
My gaze snaps up when she pauses, and I see that she’s staring at me. I stiffen, hating that she saw me staring. But then she disappears inside her apartment, and I find myself rooted in place. What a strange female. A very strange, beautiful female.
Going inside, I dress quickly in something called jeans and a t-shirt.
I put on boots that fit well, then stare at myself in the mirror.
My beard has begun to grow again. My hair looks strangely short after a lifetime of having long locks of hair.
But, I must admit, I believe I look more modern now.
I think I’ll blend in nicely.