Mars, page 7
“Ugh,” I growled. Whoever invited the incubus was getting a kick to the balls. Spinning on my heel, I bumped into Azai who was hovering over the table.
“This smells amazing,” Azai moaned. Luckily, his balance was better than mine, or he would have taken a nosedive into the steaming pan of lasagna.
Seeing all of the plates on the table reminded me how amazing Dan’s mom was. Having six extra guests to dinner didn’t even faze her.
I needed to find a way to repay her for her kindness and hospitality. Seven unexpected guests for dinner was a huge undertaking, and she wasn’t bothered in the least. Luckily, I knew a god who owed me a huge favor and Asclepius was the one who had the ability to heal her. I was going to cash in that favor the first chance I got.
Chapter Eleven
Mars
* * *
I hated to do it, especially after all of the effort Dan’s mom put into preparing dinner, but we couldn’t stay. I pulled the guys aside and said, “We have to go.”
“Go where?” Pax asked, searching my eyes. “We all need our rest. You’re so tired you can barely stand on your feet. There’s food, and we’re safe enough here.”
I bit my lip, looking down at my interlaced hands, guilt churning in my stomach. I knew we were all hungry and tired, but staying here any longer was a mistake.
“But they aren’t safe,” Zain said quietly, flipping a knife in his hands.
Looking up, I met his eyes with a grateful smile. “We can’t put Dan’s mom in any more danger. Ares might not have come looking for me yet, but he will. I know he swore a vow to not hurt innocent humans, but I don’t want her accidentally caught in the crossfire.”
Pax frowned at my words. “I don’t know that he’s as mad at you as you think he is.”
If Pax felt that way, why hadn’t he said something sooner? Why take off and hide with me? Was he doing all of this just to indulge me? My hands fisted in frustration. “Trust me, I know. If he was just mad at me, he would have broken a vase or punched a wall. Instead, he threw a dagger at my head.”
“But she’s gone to all this trouble,” Azai said, looking at the dining table. Out of all of us, he was the one to always think with his stomach. Was he just hungry, or did he doubt Ares’ intentions as well? We were all going to have to have a discussion about this soon. I needed to know without a shadow of a doubt that they were on my side.
“I know, and I’m sorry, but we don’t have time to argue about it.” I glanced at each of the guys, waiting to see if they trusted my instincts or if they would challenge my decision.
Zain stroked my back. “We’re here for you, Mars. Whatever you need.”
My heart thundered in my chest as I waited for my other two warriors to agree. Sensing my discomfort, they stepped forward. Taking my hands, they both squeezed.
“Of course we’re with you,” Pax affirmed as Azai placed a kiss on my temple. The tension in my body eased, and I released a slow breath. All of my guys were with me.
“If we’re going to leave,” I said with a grimace, “we should go now.”
“I can escort you out of town,” Officer Tucker offered as he chewed on a piece of bread slathered with butter. “I’ll grab my patrol car.”
“I don’t want to put any of you in more danger.”
He laughed. “I’m a police officer. That’s my job. Besides, you said Ares can’t hurt us.”
I looked around at my guys, and they all nodded in agreement. Usually, I was a much better strategist, but tonight I was reluctant to make a move. I’d never been responsible for anyone but myself before, and now I was second guessing everything.
Heading outside, we made our apologies to Dan’s mom then waved Officer Tucker off as he and Tobias went to collect his car. Dan ducked back inside to pack us something he called a ‘bug out bag’, while the guys and I hung out on the porch waiting for Office Tucker. Azai was content for now with a paper plate loaded with lasagna that he shoveled into his mouth as if it was his last meal. I, on the other hand, was too nervous to eat, so I tucked a protein bar in my purse for later.
“There’s the big dipper,” Zain said, sliding his arms around me and pointing to the stars glittering in the night sky. “And Orion.”
I smiled and leaned into his warmth, enjoying the familiar feel and smell of him, remembering how we used to camp out under the stars. It had been some time since I’d seen the night sky unfiltered by smog or city lights. Hiding was always easier in denser populated areas where I was less likely to draw attention with a stray bit of magic.
His breath whispered against my ear as we stared at the inky sky. If things were different, I could see us living here, making our home with others who understood supernaturals but didn’t have temper tantrums every other minute like some of the spoiled gods on Olympus. To be honest, Ares' attack on me that night hadn’t been the first time I’d actually feared for my life.
The gods were a jealous lot, prone to squabble among themselves for no reason, which was probably why my guys had been eager to escape. Even if it meant signing their life away to the Fates for me. They weren’t known for turning down a challenge—in fact, they thrived on the thrill of the adrenaline rush. The riskier, the better for them.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Zain led me over to the porch swing where Azai was just starting on his second plate of pasta. With his spoon midway to his mouth, he scooted over, making room for us next to him. Pax stood on the other side of the porch with his arms braced on the railing, his mind somewhere else.
I looked between all of them. “I guess I kinda don’t want to go.”
Azai chuckled. “This town hasn’t scared you off yet? From what I’ve heard, it has a reputation for spells malfunctioning.”
I rubbed the hem of my borrowed shirt between my fingers, the soft cottony material soothing my nerves. “That’s what’s even more appealing about it. Every day is an adventure. Remind me to tell you about the spell that sent Kari back in time naked.”
Zain’s eyes skimmed my body, and he wiggled his brows. “Now, I would be up for a naked spell adventure.”
“Sign me up for that,” Azai said around a mouthful of food. I swore that plate must have been spelled too. It was never-ending.
I laughed. Taking the napkin from Azai’s lap, I wiped the sauce off the corner of his mouth. I would rather have used my tongue, but that would have led to other things that we didn’t have time for. “Maybe one day we’ll come back. I can’t run from Ares forever. I just need to find a way to negotiate with him. Once we’ve put some distance between us and him, we can devise a plan.”
Pax turned toward me and crossed his arms, his hip braced against the railing. “You know you don’t have to worry about us, right?”
My mouth pinched. How could I not worry about them? All they’d done was worry about me. I wasn’t some damsel in distress who needed saving. I hadn’t survived this long on my own because I was weak. It was my fear over their safety that held me back now. I wanted to be the one to protect them. Not the other way around. “But I don’t want you to be trapped here because of the oath you took. I want you to have the choice to stay or go. I just wish I had the power to break your oath.”
“No,” Zain said, shaking his head. “Never wish that. We are where we want to be.”
Those were the same words Pax had said to me when we were alone. So why was I having such a hard time believing them? Here I was wanting them to trust me, but maybe it was time I started trusting them.
Dan’s miniature car pulled into the driveway with Tobias at the wheel, Tucker’s patrol car swinging in right behind him. Well, it looked like our peaceful little bubble was about to pop and it was time for us to go. I took a deep breath and stood, smoothing my hands down my pajama clad legs. The guys followed as I slowly climbed down the steps and headed for Tucker's car.
Tobias leaned against the other car, scowling with his arms crossed as he watched us leave.
“What’s the matter with you?” Zain asked, his brow raised when he stopped in front of him.
Tobias shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just going to be a bit boring around here when you’re gone.”
I had to admit I was surprised he had stuck around this long when he could be having sex with a harem of women back at the concert. He had a pocket full of souvenirs to prove it. Instead, he was knee deep in our shit show. What was in it for him to even be here with us?
“Your band must be wondering where you are,” Azai said, stepping up next to Zain.
Zain grimaced, his face a mask of guilt. “I doubt that. They were pretty mad at him.”
“Why?” I asked. Seems I had missed some drama while I was busy running away from them.
Zain slid his hands into his pockets in almost the same pose as Tobias, then rocked back on his heels. It wasn’t the first time I noticed the guys mirroring each other's movements or thoughts. Had they all somehow left their imprint on each other? I curled my lip as I glanced from Tobias to Zain. If Zain started sniffing underwear, I was scheduling him for intensive therapy.
“They count on him for the showy stuff,” Zain replied, “and he disappeared when they needed him. They might not take him back.”
Tobias held up his hands. “In my defense, I had zero control over my body at the time.” He threw a glare at Zain. “After you threatened my drummer as me, it made it kind of hard to explain.”
“Well, in my defense,” Zain replied, with his hands pressed to his chest, “that wolf was rooting around in my crotch like a rat in a dumpster. It was a little invasive, and I was already chafing from your skin-tight pants. I’m sorry if my moodiness pissed him off.”
“Oh.” Azai made a face, then dragged his hand through his hair. “That’s right. I apologize as well. I keep forgetting that we were in your bodies when we kicked those mutts’ asses.”
My guilt dug deeper into my gut, twisting like a knife. I may not like the guy, but I didn’t want him to lose his job because of me.
“No biggie.” Tobias shrugged again and quirked his lips. “I’ll find a new gig. My voice is what carried that band, anyway.”
Well, at least he hadn’t lost his ego since sharing a body with Zain. I would be lying if I said I didn’t agree with him, though. The smooth current of his voice captivated me before I found out what a cocky asshole he was.
How would he survive now that he was out of a job that fueled his power every time he took the stage? I hoped he had a horde of underwear at home to sustain him until he found a new one. And no, I wasn’t offering mine to him, no matter how guilty I felt.
The time had come to say goodbye again and the guys all shook hands with Tobias and wished him luck. I wanted to laugh thinking about how they wouldn’t be so chummy with him if they knew he had gotten handsy with me at the concert.
We had just started back toward Tucker’s car, when Dan came sprinting out of the house, the screen door slamming behind him. He power-walked across the yard with a large black duffle bag slung over his shoulder. “Here you go,” he said, panting from exertion. “Your bug out bag.”
“What’s that again?” Pax asked, taking the bag from him.
“Just extra clothes and food and things you might need on your trip.” Dan grinned, his chest puffed out with pride. “I hope it helps.”
On impulse, I wrapped my arms around Dan and squeezed him hard enough to show my gratitude. He hesitated for a moment, his posture stiff, before he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me back. He had helped us in more ways than one and I didn’t know if we would ever be able to pay him back for his kindness. It looked like the Fates had actually done something right by sending my warriors into their bodies. We had ended up making new friends.
Pressing a kiss to his cheek, I said, “Thank you.” When I stepped back, I noticed his flushed complexion and the moisture in his eyes. I felt my own filling too. If I didn’t get out of here soon, I would be a blubbering mess on his front lawn. I turned and was about to open the car door, when Tobias cleared his throat behind me.
I clenched my jaw and spun toward him, bracing myself for the lewd comment that I knew was about to fall from his lips. Tobias dragged his hands through his hair and released a long breath. “I feel like I’ve done something to upset you, and I’m not sure what it was. But I would like to clear the air before you leave.”
Well, I was definitely not prepared for this conversation, but since he’d brought it up, I would gladly enlighten him. “If you must know, I think you should join a sex addicts group.”
A strangled sound escaped Tobias’s throat. “Wait. What? You know that I’m an incubus right? I literally need sex to survive.”
“Well, I think you should join anyway. You obviously can’t handle all of that sexual mojo you wield.”
Tobias stared at me like I had sprouted two additional heads. Did he really believe that he had done nothing wrong tonight? That it was normal for people to throw their undergarments at him in a public place? Though I kind of remembered a purple thong being tossed at Not a Vampire, but that was beside the point.
“What would make you say that?” Tobias pushed himself off the car and shook his head at me. “I have perfect control over my powers. Do you know what it takes to control a room full of drunk and horny people?”
I jabbed my finger at him. “Exactly. You’re the one who made them horny.”
A rush of air escaped Tobias’s lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Not all incubi are lechers. Some of us don’t get to choose our genetics, but we can choose how we live our lives. I didn’t make those people feel anything they weren’t already feeling. I just heightened their emotions. I would never violate someone like that.”
I snorted, fire bubbling in my veins as I fisted my hands on my hips, ready to throw down with this incubus. “You would never violate someone? How about me?”
Tobias tilted his head as he processed what I was saying. “The only time that I touched you was when I moved you out of the way from that fight. If I hadn’t, that soda would have smacked you in the head.”
“I’m talking about when you grabbed my ass after Tucker mangled my foot.”
“He did what?” Pax roared, his voice echoing up the quiet street as he stalked toward Tobias. My other two warriors swore in multiple languages as they all crowded around Tobias with their legs spread wide in a fighting stance, ready to defend my honor. Silver flashed under the streetlight when Zain’s blades appeared in his hands. Yep. This was exactly the reaction I expected from my warriors.
Tobias tried to look at me between my guys’ shoulders, but they kept shifting so he couldn’t lock eyes with me. “What? I never grabbed your ass.”
I flung my arm out at him. “If you didn’t, then who did?”
“Uh,” Dan interrupted, holding a finger in the air.
I swung my head toward him. Oh goddess. Please tell me that it wasn’t dear sweet Dan who groped me. I couldn’t have his pure image tarnished by something so dirty.
“It wasn’t Tobias,” Dan continued. “He was too busy tasting some woman’s tonsils.”
First, gross. Second, I was such an ass. I closed my eyes as heat flooded my cheeks, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me. I’d completely misjudged Tobias.
Tobias gave a throaty laugh. When I opened my eyes and dragged my gaze to him, he was no longer blocked by my warriors. “I was definitely guilty of that. I didn’t need to use my allure with her. She was all worked up on her own.”
“It was actually a woman who had stopped to watch the fight,” Dan continued. “The only reason I noticed her was because she was eating a pretzel with ketchup on it.” Dan gagged and shook himself at the memory. “Who even does that? I wanted to knock that abomination out of her hand, but then Tucker stepped on your foot. While you were bent over clutching it, her eyes zeroed in on your . . . uh . . . butt, and then she squeezed it. I don’t want to tell you what she did with her fingers afterward. I was about to tell her that she was incredibly rude, but then you kinda flipped out on everyone and I got too scared.”
Now I remembered the woman with the pretzel and not because it had ketchup on it. She had on a white corset with red leather pants and walked like she owned the room. I was too distracted at the time to really pay attention, but I had felt the brush of her allure trying to break past my immunity. Incubi weren’t the only ones that I was immune to.
“She was a succubus,” I mumbled.
“What was that?” Azai asked as he slung his arm over my shoulder.
I cleared my throat and forced myself to look Tobias in the eye. “She was a succubus.”
“Yeah.” Tobias pursed his lips as he began to roll up his sleeves. “That would be Anisa. She’s kind of a groupie. We’ve tried to get a restraining order against her, but then she uses her . . . what did you call it?” He snapped his fingers and smirked at me. “Oh right. Her sexual mojo. And then the charges always get dropped.”
I felt like such an idiot. I’d totally misjudged him based on the impression I was given about incubi in my training. That they were all sexually depraved psychos who would drain you dry the first chance they got.
I glanced at my guys, then squared my shoulders and stepped toward Tobias. “I made an unfair assumption about you, and I owe you an apology.”
Tobias gave me a curt nod. “Apology accepted.”
I turned and made my way to Tucker’s car where Zain and Pax were waiting. Before climbing in, I gave Tobias a hesitant smile. “Maybe I’ll get to see one of your concerts again. When this whole thing with my brother is resolved.”
Tobias kicked his leg out and bowed at the waist, a gesture that would look silly on anyone else. “Until we meet again.”
Sliding onto the seat, I scooted toward the middle next to Pax. Zain somehow managed to ride shotgun again and was currently checking out all of the cool gadgets in Tucker’s car.
Azai followed me in and placed the duffle bag at our feet. Leaning out the door, he said, “Thanks again, Dan. And good form on the sprinting!”
