Mars, page 5
“Are you serious right now? How have you managed to have a full on conversation with him? We’ve been here for all of five minutes.”
Pax snorted. “Don’t exaggerate. It’s been more like fifteen.”
I threw my hands in the air. “You’re insane. I’m over here wanting to strangle mine, and you’re becoming besties with yours.”
“We had to come to an agreement. I was exerting too much energy holding him back. You should give it a try. It might help with your foul mood.”
Foul mood? Out of all of us, he inhabited the body that was the closest to a warrior you could get. At least he knew how to defend himself, unlike these other two. “If you knew what goes on in this guy’s head you would be annoyed too.”
Just then, I saw Mars stop and turn her head as if someone called her name. But it was too loud in here for me to be sure. Then she changed direction, heading away from the exit. What was she up to know? We had barely altered course toward her, when a small body launched itself at her.
Pax and I shared a look before vaulting over the table in front of us, needing to get to Mars. This must be the threat she had summoned us for. From what I could tell, they didn’t seem like much of a threat, but looks could be deceiving. We learned that in negotiating 101.
When we finally reached her seconds later, the tension in my muscles eased. She was embracing a petite woman and not trying to break her neck. She whispered something in the woman’s ear, then hugged her tighter before releasing her and waving goodbye.
I caught Mars swiping a tear off her cheek before she locked eyes with me. For that one moment, I thought she would change her mind and come with us. Instead, her eyes fell closed and she shook her head before spinning on her heel and running out the venue.
Seeing Mars cry was like impaling myself on one of my blades. I was here to save her soul, but it just might be mine that needed saving.
Chapter Eight
Mars
* * *
Walking away from them was probably the hardest thing I had ever done. Even harder than when I had first left them. It’d been so long since I’d seen their faces. I snorted. Not like I could see them now, but I could feel their familiarity creeping over my skin despite their appearances. I’d missed having friends. I missed staying in one place. Hades, I’d missed the guys.
I was looking down, disgusted by the squish my foot was making in my shoe, when I heard a voice that sent a shiver down my spine.
Ares.
I’d know the sound of my brother’s voice anywhere. It had haunted my dreams for so long. Lifting my gaze, I stopped and scanned the area until I spotted him by the exit. Right where I was headed. Hades was with him, clapping him on the shoulder and smiling. A stone settled in my stomach. I had wasted too much time, and now they were here.
I dove, less than gracefully, behind the nearest bush. Mud smeared down my arm, and my skirt rode up around my hips. Shit.
Had he seen me? I trembled with a mix of fear and anger, although to be honest, that was mostly at myself. How could I have been so stupid as to think I could come to Silver Springs and have fun? Fun was for other people, not a goddess of war on the run.
“Idiot,” I muttered under my breath as I tried to sit up. I kept sliding in the mud and getting filthier and filthier.
“Can I help?” Dan, err, Azai offered a hand, and I glared at him. I glared at all three of them. I’d certainly gotten far, hadn’t I? I tried to pull down my skirt, which was showing an impressive amount of thigh. Enough that it had the guys staring. I let out a frustrated growl. Fuck it.
I grabbed Azai’s hand and dragged him down into the mud with me. His dad-shoes slid on the slick ground, causing his legs to spread into a split. His brows shot up, his face bright red, and he opened his mouth and started to howl.
I slapped my hand over his mouth to silence him, then motioned to the other guys to gather round. “Shhhh, you big baby!”
Had Azai been in his own body, he would have easily managed that split. I guessed Dan wasn’t into stretching or yoga. He might want to think about taking it up after this. If he could ever walk again.
Pax squatted next to me and asked softly, “Who are we hiding from?”
“Ares,” I muttered.
A frown crossed Zain’s forehead as he dropped down in front of me. An “eww” look crossed his face at the mud, and I snorted. I’d never seen Zain get fussy over some dirt. Must be the incubus worried about his pants.
“He’s been looking for you for a long time,” Pax said quietly.
“And if he finds me, I’m dead.”
Zain laughed, but when I didn’t join in, his smile evaporated and he searched my eyes. “Are you talking figuratively or literally?”
“Literally,” I whispered. Now would be the moment of truth. Would they take my side like they swore an oath to or Ares’? Because honestly, I couldn’t think of one reason why they would take my side over his.
Pax skimmed the back of his fingers down my cheek. The gesture was so sweet that it brought tears to my eyes. “Why would Ares want to kill you? I mean, he has been more of a dickhead since the night you disappeared, but he’s been beside himself trying to find you.”
“Yeah, so he can finish what he started and kill me.” The trio stared at me with blank expressions, and I blew out an exasperated breath. “Do you really not remember what happened before I left?”
Zain’s eyes widened as realization dawned. “Are you talking about when you kissed Ares’ girlfriend Minuet?”
“Yes. And you’re the one who dared me to do it.” Zain was the one who not only always got me in trouble, but also convinced me to do the most ridiculous things. Like the time that he dared me to steal Poseidon’s trident. I nearly drowned accepting that challenge, but I’d done it.
“Well, how did I know that you actually would?” Zain asked, shaking his head. He fought to conceal his smile. “Besides, it was just a kiss.”
I punched Zain in the shoulder, satisfied when he grunted in pain. “It was a stupid idea, and she thought I really liked her. She wanted nothing to do with Ares after that. She followed me everywhere, and once I found her naked in my bed. Naked, Zain.”
Zain released my gaze and dropped his head in shame at his part in the fight with my brother. I really felt horrible about leading Minuet on. I never meant to hurt her or Ares for that matter. But there was no reasoning with him, especially when he threw a dagger at me.
“So you weren’t kidnapped? You left on your own?” I didn’t miss the betrayal in Pax’s eyes and the silent question he was asking. Why had I left without telling them?
I glanced over his shoulder and nodded, unable to bear witness to the pain that I had caused.
“Hades, we’ve got to get out of these bodies.” Azai grunted, his face still red and scrunched in pain, as Zain and Tucker each took one of his legs and pushed them together. Then they hooked their hands under his elbows and helped him to his knees.
“Can you get out of these bodies?” I asked. It was awkward speaking to them in these other forms. I couldn’t imagine what it must be like for the other guys not being able to have control over their bodies. What must they think of all this? I would never be able to forgive myself if they were stuck in these bodies because of me. It would not only ruin their lives but also those of the innocent strangers.
“Yes, but you have to accept us as your warrior protectors,” Pax said.
My heart ached. How could I doom them to a life on the run with me? Or put them at war with Ares, even? They used to be his friends, too. I hated making them choose between us, but looking around, I realized they’d already made that choice when they swore an oath to protect me. A decision they couldn’t have taken lightly. I swallowed. “And if I don’t accept you?”
“We get chucked back into the ether.” Zain scowled, shrugging his shoulders. “And it sucks in there.”
“Forever alone,” Azai muttered.
Aww fuck. What was I supposed to do? I knew I needed to think like a goddess of war. And being able to make life or death decisions while under duress was supposed to be my specialty. But this was real life. Not some simulated battle used in training.
I had already hurt all of them by leaving without a word. Could I really reject them again? Seeing the determined looks on my warrior's faces made the decision for me. I couldn’t let them go back to the ether. Not when I had the power to prevent it. I wrapped my arms around Azai. I knew what it was like to be alone, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. If I chose them, we could all be together. “Of course I accept you as my warrior protectors.”
A shimmer went through the group, brighter than the strobe lights on the stage, and where there had been three guys, there were now six crowded around me. And one of them was on my foot again. I shoved them off. I was wearing boots the next time I went out. Heels were not practical in combat.
The singer looked at Zain and sneered, “No wonder you hate on my fashion when that’s how you dress.” Tobias looked pointedly at Zain’s all black jeans and matching tee shirt, both meant for movement and stealth, not style. “Boring!”
In typical Zain form, he flipped Tobias off. “You wish, warrior,” Tobias said.
Dan looked up from where he knelt on the ground at Azai’s taller, more muscular form and his huge axe. Dan’s mouth dropped open. “Whoa. You’re like a real warrior, man.”
I caught Officer Tucker and Pax nodding to one another respectfully without exchanging a word, which was kind of weird, but I didn’t have time to question it.
I just shook my head, then remembered where we were and what we were doing. “Zain, is Ares still over by the entrance?”
He peered over the shrub and shook his head. “He and Hades have gone inside.”
“You saw him there?” I asked, trying to remember what had happened a few minutes ago. The guys had come out and stared at my legs, but I hadn’t seen them even glance toward Ares and Hades. I’d known they were there, but . . .
“I notice things.” Zain smiled, the same easy-going grin that had gotten me into trouble more than once. Especially that time we hid behind the stable and he gave me my first kiss. Another dare, I might add. My cheeks flamed at the steamy memory.
“Well, we better get the hell out of Dodge, as they say, before they come back.” I struggled to get up, and my warriors reached for me, easily lifting me to my feet. Just having their hands help me up sent sparks of desire flaring through me. Heat pooled in my core, sending a tingle to the apex of my thighs. How long had it been since one of my one-night stands? Too long, based on the way my body was reacting to these three. What was wrong with me? My brother was just inside, and I was out here fantasizing about starting my own harem when I needed to find us a cab.
Glancing around, I realized I didn’t know where anything was in Silver Springs besides the cafe and Pepper’s house. And neither were making the list of places to hide. Speaking of Pepper I needed to text her that I was okay. She must have been freaking out. But that would have to wait until we had a plan of where to go.
“We should probably get out of town.” Zain flicked his wrists, and a wicked-looking blade appeared in each of his hands. His posture instantly relaxed his knives putting him at ease. Widening his stance, he watched the exit.
Pax lifted his eyes to the moon. “It’s late.”
“And Mars is filthy,” Tobias chimed in. My guys glared at him, and he shrugged. “What? It’s true.”
I couldn’t argue with his honesty. I was like a walking dumpster, between the mud and drinks that coated me from head to toe.
“And probably hungry,” Dan the concessions guy added. “You can all come back to my place. My mom made lasagna tonight.”
I didn’t know how anyone could be hungry at a time like this, but Azai’s stomach growled loud enough for all of us to hear. I laughed, then turned to Dan. “We really couldn’t impose on you.”
“But this is the most fun I’ve had in ages.” Dan actually bounced on his toes, which seemed odd for a middle-aged man, but who was I to judge? “Wait ‘til my D&D buddies get a load of this real-life warrior!”
Office Tucker stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he scanned our group. “If you need some reinforcement tonight, I’m off shift.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You really want to stick around?” It was hard to believe that these men, who’d had their bodies literally hijacked for the past hour, were taking all of this in stride. Not one of them was freaking out and I couldn’t say that I would have reacted the same way. Contact with us must have made them immune to the Silver Springs spell, because Dan and Tucker were human.
“We all want to help.” Officer Tucker nodded. “I can keep you safe in Silver Springs.”
The incubus said, “As long as you don’t do any more magic, Ares shouldn’t be able to find you among so many other supernaturals. Plus, you’re not the only goddess in town. The magic signature of the others should confuse him for a while.”
My eyes widened at all of them. I’d come into town a lonely woman with one friend, and now I had a whole battalion supporting me. I glanced at Dan’s shoes. Well, maybe not battle ready, but at least familiar with the terrain. I needed to use it to my advantage.
“It might be smart to stay in town,” Pax said. “Won’t Ares assume you’ve left town now that you know he’s here?”
Pax had a point. Ares wouldn’t expect me to stay nearby. And if I did, he would go straight to Pepper’s, since he would figure she was the only person I knew here. As long as we avoided her house, we should be fine.
Plus, a shower really sounded great right now, and my body was still rioting from the hodge podge of food I’d had tonight, along with all the running and freaking out. I needed a moment to get my head on straight. “To Dan’s house?” I winced at the idea.
They all eagerly agreed.
Chapter Nine
Mars
* * *
Since Tucker’s partner had taken the patrol car home, we all ended up piling into Dan’s car like clowns at the circus. It was the smallest car I had ever seen, and somehow all seven of us managed to fit inside.
I sat on Azai’s lap, Tobias sat on Officer Tucker’s, and that left Pax squished in between us with one cheek on the seat. Somehow Zain called shotgun and sat grinning back at us all in triumph. If I hadn’t been trapped in the back, I would have punched him in the face. Poor Officer Tucker looked very uncomfortable, and Tobias was oblivious as he had his nose buried in a pair of silk panties he had pulled from his pocket.
“I’ve missed you,” Azai whispered in my ear as he pulled off my wig and ran his hands through my hair. I almost moaned out loud when he began to massage my scalp.
“Um, Azai.” I glanced around at the other occupants, but none of them were paying any attention to us. And it was a good thing because I could feel his interest pressing against my ass. We’d teased each other as teens, but I’d never felt this overwhelming need for him—to not want him to stop touching me, not ever. Especially with an audience.
“Hmm?” Azai groaned, sniffing my neck. “You smell like sugar.”
Well, there was definitely sugar on me and a whole lot of other gross stuff that I didn’t want to think about. My eyes darted to the incubus—was he doing something to Azai? But he still seemed to be focused on the panties he was sniffing. A pulse of power washed over my skin. Ahh. So that was why he kept his pockets stuffed with underwear. They gave him a boost of power. Nasty but clever.
Officer Tucker frowned when he saw what Tobias was doing. “Where did you get those?”
“Why, do you want a pair?” Tobias shifted on Tucker’s lap, his elbow jammed into Pax’s side while he dug in his other pocket.
“Could you sit still?” Pax asked at the same time Tucker shouted, “No!”
I was trying to keep my mind on their conversation, but Azai had stopped playing with my hair and was now stroking my arm. I squeezed my legs together. His touch was like fire, and it ignited something in me that I thought was long buried. No one had made me feel like Azai was now.
It had to be some sort of spell. But if it wasn’t Tobias, what else could it be?
My breath caught in my throat when I remembered Peppermint talking about the mate spell that had brought her to her Vikings. It was the same one that connected Kari to Hades. Shit. Bad enough that I was responsible for their wellbeing, now I might have been spelled to fall in love with them too? That couldn’t be what this was, could it?
We rolled up to a squat family home that had a mailbox out front decorated with cats. Garden lights illuminated a pretty, well-tended garden of flowers and small bushes. All it needed was a white picket fence.
Tobias opened the door and dove out, Office Tucker yelling after him. What had gotten into him?
“You live here?” I asked as Azai and I ungracefully climbed out of the car.
“Yeah,” Dan said, scratching his neck. “My mom and I.”
I pressed my lips together at that because I had nothing good to say. I’d heard the stereotype of a grown man who lived at home, but I’d never seen one in real life. Hadn’t he said he played D&D too? All these judgy stereotypes ran through my head as we made our way up the front walk.
“Thank the gods we’re here.” Tobias inhaled big gulps of the crisp air. “The sexual tension in the car was killing me. For future reference, it would be better if you didn’t fight it and just let go. If I didn’t have my backup stash in my pocket, my balls would have felt like they were being squeezed in a vise.”
“Who invited him?” I asked Azai as Tobias followed Dan to the house.
Azai shrugged. “I thought you did.”
Like hell I would invite him after he grabbed my ass. Everything had happened so fast that I didn’t even pay attention to why he was with us in the first place. Didn’t he have a gang bang or something to get to?
