“Look, Hephaestus—look!”
As though Ares forced my eyes to open while pushing my head down, I saw the crisp white sheet covering a form, a human body. Swallowing thickly, I couldn't tear my eyes away, the once frigid room becoming uncomfortably hot. My hand moved of its own accord, trembling as it hovered at the edge of the obstructing fabric. Inhaling a shaky breath, I carefully pulled back the cover and whimpered. I stepped back, wanting to be far from the nightmare on the slab. “No. You are trying to trick me, Ares.”
“As much as that would bring me joy under normal circumstances, this is not one of them.”
“You lie. You are war. You care nothing for the lives of mortals.”
“Not true. Without the living, I would cease to exist. I need them. War is not about death, it's about creation. You need me, little brother or Vanessa will die.”
I peered at the date on the calendar on the wall—April third. That was four days from now. If I didn't fix this, she would be dead in four short days?
Focusing on her pale face, it appeared to be serene and peaceful, it could have easily been that she slept, but I knew she didn't. Her chest was still her skin was pale, the thick ligature bruising around her neck was the only flaw against her skin.
Ares moved to stand next to me, and waved his hand.
We stood back inside the dim museum.
I felt defeated, like a fool for getting myself into this situation. It hurt so much that I wished I could take Prometheus's place with the buzzards. I certainly deserved such a punishment, but there was no chance the gods would care. She was just another mortal, in their eyes. “Help me then, Ares. Don't let her die.”
His eyes flickered brightly while his cocky smile spread out along his lips.
It probably did something for his pride to have the god who could fix it all, requesting his aid in a very major blunder. I lost control and took advantage of Vanessa and if I had a soul, the heavy blanket of guilt that smothered me would have doomed it it. Fixing him with a stare, I tried to discern any sinister objectives, but saw none. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I swore he regarded me with sorrow and understanding.
Maybe Ares had gone through this before and perhaps that was why he came to me. Though still leery, I decided to put my complete trust in him and his abilities to right my wrong. “What do you need from me?”
“Nothing much, I only ask that you give me a day or two. The human mind is very fragile. Even more so when it's been touched by a god. I'll need time with her.”
“After you help her, will I be able to see her again? Not like before, of course!”
“Certainly, but can you quell the lust that she creates in you? Would you reject her advances? It is obvious she is yours and that's something I can't change.”
His questions brought back the urgent need that accosted me when I laid my eyes on her. Even her bewildering sister no longer mattered. Never before, had I desired a woman in such a way. I knew, even back to the day I met her, that if the younger woman hadn't pulled her away from me, I would have claimed her in my backyard. Just the thought of how her pussy seeped with wetness, that coated us both, left me hard and shaking. A hard pop against the back of my head brought me back to my surroundings and to the disapproving frown on my brother's face.
“You are hopeless. Listen Hephaestus, I can't change things if you don't get your libido in check.”
“I'm trying, Ares.”
“Try harder!” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head as though he were a tired mentor trying to reach a thick headed student. “Alright, little brother, this is what we'll do. Get Eros to give you a lead arrow. Grind it up into a liquid and drink it down. It'll take away the affect her scent has on you. In the meantime, I'll get her back on track. Deal?” He held his hand out, not even asking me to swear on the River Styx.
He must have believed I was strong enough to do this, which meant I couldn't let him down. I didn't want to, as the image of Vanessa's lifeless body loomed in my mind. Taking his hand, we shook and a rumble of thunder sounded in the sky. He nodded then vanished, but not before creating a massive crack in several of the artifacts. More work for me, and though I could cuss out his leather clad hide, I knew he did it to keep me busy for the week. Maybe he was a good guy, I mused.
I packed up my things and made my way home. The only thing on my mind was that I had a Love God to call.
Chapter VII
Hephaestus
I almost flaked on contacting Eros, because of a hairnet. Yes, that's right, an oily, food encrusted covering. It was on the ground, between the patch of yard that separated my home from Vanessa's. Okay, I'm lying. It was in the trashcan that sat on the curb. The moment I saw it, glittering in the moonlight, I picked it up and rubbed it against my cheek. The combination between scratchy and silk reminded me of her juicy cunt and though, I'm not proud of it, I brought it to my nose and inhaled the sweet perfume that was all her.
“Dude, that's just gross.”
Startled, I dropped the article of clothing back into its trashy home and spun to see Ares, his mouth twisted in shock and disgust. I really couldn't blame him either. Clearing my throat, I rushed to my home, not needing to look back. I knew he followed me.
Once inside, I immediately grabbed a beer from the fridge. The taste reminded me a bit of nectar, my choice of drink in Olympus and after I guzzled down the first can, I grabbed another.
My brother stood in the doorway, his wide shoulder braced on the wooden frame. In his mortal form, though not much different from his god appearance, the scars of battle were not as pronounced. He didn't wear his armored breastplate under his jacket, switching it out for a blood red muscle shirt. And if I knew my brother, which I did well, the color came from the very source. Ares was morbid that way.
His military issued buzz cut looked like black ink against his tanned skin. Like most of us gods, his eyes remained immortal in their red glow. The hue even matched his shirt. Other than that, he resembled the typical, bad boy biker. “You call Eros?”
I shook my head, knowing I had to, but I didn't want to do so with my brother around. The relationship between War and his children was iffy on some days and deadly for most of them. Although, considering his calm posture, it was obvious he wasn't budging.
With a final swig of my beverage, I tossed the can in the trash and closed my eyes, sending the mental summons to the God of Love.
Two hours later, Ares sat on my couch, boots up on the coffee table while playing with his lighter. He would flick it open to stare at the flames, changing them from red to white and back, and then close it.
I on the other hand, paced the floor while assembling a small metal helicopter, and then I would frantically take it apart again.
We both grew increasingly impatient and looking at the time, I couldn't help but feel concerned for my nephew's welfare. I hoped nothing bad had happened, but then again, he could be avoiding my home with his father present.
As much as I wanted to glance out the window to see if he were on his path down, I feared that if I opened my curtains, Vanessa would know I was home and be pushed to look at me from her window. Our eyes would lock and I’d be lost in passion, destroying any hopes of saving her from my stupid lapse of judgment.
Another quick glance at the clock on the wall and I cursed. Make that two hours and fifteen minutes ago! Lifting my head to the sky, I was about to scream for him to come down when a golden light, accompanied with the fluttering of wings stopped me. I whirled to face a very concerned and somewhat aggravated god.
His features darkened more at the sight of Ares.
The God of War ignored him, but had suddenly started cleaning a sword he didn't have before.
Eros faced me again, hooking his thumbs into his pockets. “Na pari i eychi, Hephaestus! I heard you the first time! Why is he here?”
“What took you so long?”
“I do enjoy the pleasures of my wife, from time to time. Seriously though, why is he here?”
A blush crept up my neck and I immediately felt embarrassed with his first statement, the sting of guilt at myself and my ignorance. So lost I was in my self-pity, I’d forgot that Eros had a life outside of helping gods who made royal fuck ups.
I heard Eros sigh, the sound was strained as he moved to fiddle with the pulled apart coffee pot on the dining room table. He purposely kept a wide berth in regards to his father, the tension so thick, it was nearly stifling.
Ares kept quiet, which had to be hard for him while he continued with the polishing of his golden weapon.
I confess, my curiosity was peaked, the idea of learning their story almost taking my mind off the task at hand.
Unfortunately, my brother finally spoke up and whatever family issues they had, was pushed to the back burner. “Eros, I know you know why he's called upon you for help. We've got a Touch of a God crisis happening next door. The poor woman has already bought the rope.”
“How do you know this, Ares?” I asked.
He disregarded my question, fully turning on the couch, so he could stare pointedly at my nephew.
The flash in the young god's eyes confirmed his knowledge of the situation, but he still seemed shocked. Or maybe, it was disappointment and I just wasn’t ready to accept it.
“Yes, I know. But there is another method,” Eros answered.
“Ha! He doesn't have the balls.”
“Technically he does. It's because of them that he's in this predicament in the first place.”
“Uh, Ares? Eros? I'm standing right here.” Again, I was invisible, but they did switch from verbal to mental conversation. That pissed me off, my temper raising the temperature in the house until my fireplace exploded into flames.
Ares had to teleport from the couch to where his son stood to keep cinders from burning through his leather pants.
They both stared at me with pale faces, their attention finally on the person it should have been. Good. “Now, what is this 'other' thing you speak of?”
“Don't worry about it, brother. Just take the lead arrow. Much simpler.”
“It is not, Ares! Stop telling him that. Besides, I wouldn't have given it to him anyway. Don't think I am not aware of what you're thinking either.”
The look that passed between them worried me, but Eros didn't clarify. Instead, he strode over to where I stood and held out his hand.
In his palm was a purple and black swirled, ceramic vial.
I’d waited for something, anything that would fix what I’d done, but sweat prickled on my brow at the realization of what the object suggested. I couldn't weigh the pros and cons, both being substantially monumental.
My nephew said nothing, just stood offering me a new choice that would change not only my life, but Vanessa's if I chose it.
Ares' face was nonchalant, the only giveaway that he was emotionally tied in all of this came from how his eyes sparked.
“This is ambrosia, Eros. You can't be serious.”
“Woo her, your woman, uncle. Remember when I said that everyone has a someone? Well, it would seem Vanessa is yours.”
“But, this? Ares is right, the arrow would be easier.”
“It'll also make you hate her, something I can't reverse. He just wants to find a way to win this, even by cheating.”
Shooting my brother with a steely gaze, he turned his head away and took a sudden interest in my wall paneling. Why I ever believed he wanted to help without there being a price to pay was stupid on my part. Apparently, when it came to Vanessa and the feelings tied with her, I’d lost any form of common sense.
The vial was still before me and the temptation rang in my ears like the morning bells in a Roman Cathedral, yet I still hesitated. Perhaps, despising her was the better idea at least then, I could forget about her and lose my endless hard on.
“Stop being a fucking fool, uncle!”
It was obvious Eros had read my thoughts. Even so, I wasn't prepared for his outburst, having never been cursed at by the young man. I blanched and took a step closer to the door. He placed the vial down on my coffee table and I kid you not, the damn thing sang to me. Begged me to take it and use it on Vanessa. What about the side effects? I questioned it. It didn't respond. I was really losing it and the constant ringing didn't help make me feel any better.