Library

19. Ares

"Ican eat a whole rotisserie chicken and tub of potato salad!" I shouted. The guys stared at me, probably because they were jealous their macros didn't even come close to mine. "That's why I look like a Greek god and you're lanky-chic."

Bash wished he looked like this. That was probably why he was always so cranky.

You are completely lost in your delusion, huh? That is not a flex over the guys, because you ate that chickeny-goodness and potato-mayonnaise spackle trash when Diana left your sorry ass,Voice reminded me. Macros my ass…

"Ares, you shut the fuck up right now before I fly across this table and make you," Bash gritted out.

"I know a way you can shut me up." I licked my lips and grabbed my crotch. "I'm sure we could find an empty hallway somewhere."

Bash rolled his eyes, then smirked to himself. "I know where you dream, dumbass. Your mind is always open, because there's nothing to really guard. Hope you sleep soundly tonight…"

He better not come into my dreams and fuck around!

I got up to lunge across the table and choke him, but a bubble message floated across the room and landed on my empty plate, stealing my attention. I welcomed the distraction. Diana sat with Judas, Angie, and Charlie for breakfast today, because she missed her aunt. She asked me not to come with her, so she could have some quality girl time, forcing me to pick on Bash to occupy myself. Watching her from afar felt like a major step back, even though we were mostly okay now.

You used to have her eating out of the palm of your hand. Oh how you've fallen,Voice smugly stated.

I took the times when she'd sit on my lap and let me feed her for granted,I agreed with him.

I probed the bubble with magic to start the message, and my brother Apollo's face flashed in the center. Setting the audio to play internally, I listened to his voice in my mind.

"Ares, I'll be back at the compound soon. Can you do me a favor and keep an eye on Angela for me? Paternas' company, as usual, is insufferable. I wish I could come back sooner."

A favor… a favor… Why is that ringing a bell…

A favor!

Those wheels are TURNING! Voice screamed. His cackle reverberated through my mind, spurring me on to connect the dots. A favor!

I shot out of my chair, and the sound of it falling over onto the ground echoed throughout the dining hall.

"Woah, calm the fuck down, Ares. I'm not fighting you in the dining hall," Bash snapped, but I ignored him.

A favor!How hadn't I thought of it before? I ran to the buffet, and grabbed Feathers' hand, pulling him toward me so fast he dropped his bagel, then gripped onto my shirt to steady himself.

"It's nice to see you too. What's going on?" he asked, only slightly surprised. "Are you okay?"

"LUCIFER!" I shouted across the room. Everyone was staring at us but I didn't care. "Code purple!"

Technically there wasn't such a thing as a code purple, but that was the only thing I could think of to get his attention. I charged out of the room, and Lucifer met us in the hallway. He grabbed my shoulder, fading us into his private barrack.

"Yes?" he sounded mildly exasperated.

"I know how we can revive Marilyn!" I yelled.

Yeah, pop his eardrum, that will really get you back on his good side, Voice sassed.

Your attitude needs an adjustment, I reminded him.

"Go on," Feathers prompted me.

"When we went to Mount Olympus, I strong-armed Zeus into giving me three favors. I used two of them and told him I would save one for a rainy day."

"Maybe we can ask him to revive her?!" Feathers exclaimed.

"I'm not sure if he can, but if he can't, he knows someone who can."

"Props, coercing your father is commendable. It's worth a shot." Lucifer paced around the room. "If your father doesn't cooperate, I may have to get creative to make him comply. Times of war and all…"

I knew what he was asking. "Do what you have to do, and if you need help let me know."

"You're a good man, Ares," he said, clapping my shoulder.

Opa! He thinks we're cool! Voice fangirled.

I know, I internally squealed. At some point I'd probably stop getting starstruck by my FIL, but today was not that day.

"Should we summon him here, or do we go to him?" Feathers asked as Diana faded into the room.

"Summon who here? What is a code purple?" she huffed. "And don't you three dare lie to me, something is up."

Don't say anything! We don't even have a concrete plan, Voice hissed.

Fuck off. The last time I listened to you I almost lost her.

No more lies and secrets. I picked her up off the ground and placed her on the couch.

"Last time I saw Zeus, I blackmailed him into giving me three favors. One of them was turning Feta into a regular dog so I could take him off the mountain. The other was giving Nonna's location to Judas so he could find her. The third I saved for a rainy day. I forgot about it, but Apollo reminded me. Feathers had the great idea to cash it in to revive your mom."

"You used one of your favors for Nonna?" A tear rolled down her cheek.

I sat down next to her, and took her hand, rubbing circles into the back of her palm. "Of course I did. I'd do anything for you, give you everything. I can't guarantee that Zeus can revive her, but if he can't he knows someone who can."

She glanced between Feathers and I. "You two are amazing." She sniffled, and Feathers handed her a tissue. Smooth, bro.

Awwww, so sweet. Until the next time you fuck up, Voice barbed.

Shaking his unnecessary negativity from my mind, I created a bubble, then recorded the message. "Urgent, please come to the compound. Lucifer requests your presence."

My father was all about appearances and power. If Lucifer Morningstar wanted his company, he'd oblige. We'd probably wait ten minutes tops, maybe thirty if we caught him mid adulterous romp.

About fifteen minutes later, there was a clash of thunder, and a lightning bolt struck the floor, leaving Zeus in its wake.

"Ares, my son," he boomed before giving me one of those fake hugs. The man had never hugged me in his life, even as a child. He had sworn it would make me less of a man.

"Father, good to see you," I forced out. Now wasn't the time for verbal constipation or holding grudges. My Little Goddess needed me, and I would provide for her. Period.

"Lucifer," he said as they shook hands. He raked his lecherous gaze over Diana, and I had to fight the urge to decapitate him tooth and nail. "Diana, you look lovely, as usual." I'm not sure if he was delu-lu, or if he thought that sleazy, toothy grin was attractive.

"Thank you," she stiffly replied.

"Thanks for coming on such short notice," Lucifer took over the conversation. I'll cut straight to the chase. Ares is cashing in on his third favor."

"He is?" Anyone else would have seen that as an innocuous question, but I knew what the inflection meant. He wasn't happy I told them about the favors. Again, his fear of being perceived as weak.

"Diana's mother is in equilibrium, and if we take her out, she'll die. I want you to revive her."

He sighed, carding his hand through his hair. "That's the only magic I can't do. That's a request for your uncle Hades."

Fuck! I hated seeing my uncle. The last time I saw him was right after I was exiled. He was such a tool, always one-upping everyone and rubbing in how amazing his life was.

Oh, look at my new Soul-Snatcher Gondola. Can reach over 200 knots and can cross the Styx like a dream.

Persephone is so beautiful, she makes the spirits smile. She'd never cheat on me.

The entire underworld is my kingdom—I don't need Mount Olympus. No one can exile me, nephew!

Needless to say, I lasted about half a century before I couldn't take it anymore and went to live with the mortals. Eventually I met Bash, and then Desmond came along. Mal was the last piece of our puzzle, or so we had thought. Now we had Diana and Feathers, and we were a family.

So, in the grand scheme of things, it all worked out.

"Oh good, we can pay a visit to Hades," I tried not to sound so defeated, but of course he picked up on it.

"Tell him I'll owe him a favor, and then you and I are square," he replied.

"And if he doesn't cooperate?" Diana fidgeted in her seat. I"m not sure if she innately felt how much I hated my uncle or if she was just making a plan B.

"Then I'll make him see our point of view. Thanks for dropping by Zeus." His dismissal was clear.

Zeus gave me an assessing stare, his face twisted in disappointment. I would have felt broken once upon a time when he looked at me that way, but now I felt nothing. "Good luck."

He faded out, and I clapped my hands together. "Well, let's go find Uncle Hades and get your mom back."

"And how do we do that?" Diana asked, with a hesitant curiosity in her voice.

"My uncle is the less cool, wanna-be version of Zeus. He cares about appearances and power but doesn't have any because he lacks clout. Zeus isolated him in own realm in the underworld, and he never really belonged with the Gods. If we give him something to do here, a place in the new order…he'll see that as being on par with Zeus. I think he'll do anything to feel included."

"For fuck's sake, one minute you're raving about eating an entire tub of potato salad and the next you're a damn genius!" Lucifer shouted. "Give me a half hour to go over my day with Desmond. He can take care of everything while we're away. We'll meet back here soon."

After he faded out, I grabbed Diana's hand, then led her to the couch and sat down with her on my lap. I loved how cozy and warm she felt against me. Then I motioned for Feathers to sit on my other side.

"I just want to be clear, I don't know if Hades will be able or willing to do this. This whole plan may be a huge success…or a failure. I haven't spoken to my uncle in centuries, so I'm not sure how this will play out."

"The thought is what counts. Zaz, you've searched for a way to revive my mother for months. And that you two are even trying to help is enough for me." She pulled us both in for a hug, and my heart leapt into my throat.

"We'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, Angel." Feathers sounded a bit choked up, because he was a big ole softie, but he was spot on.

"I want in on this group hug!" A feminine voice said. Angela ran over to us, hugging her niece with an excited smile on her face. I assumed it was because of her sister possibly being revived and not that she reeked of Judas' scent. She let go, then sat across from us.

"Lucifer told us the good news and to meet him here," Michael said as he grabbed a glass from the cabinet in the little studio kitchen and a water bottle from the refrigerator. He had permission to fade into Lucifer's home and seemed very comfortable here…

Have you noticed how comfortable Michael seems here?I linked her and Feathers.

I can't keep track of those two. I do know he calls him Luci when they're alone. Heard him use it before Lucifer sedated me.

Hmmm, interesting.

They have a history that I can't even keep track of, and I knew them before Lucifer fell from grace. Feathers kissed the side of Diana's head. Promise that if we ever have another issue, we won"t turn into them?

I promise, we both responded.

Feathers gave me a questioning expression. I loved how his thick eyebrows pulled together and had that furrow mark between them when he was confused. He acted much too modest to admit it, but he was handsome as fuck.

Oh, you're not getting rid of me now. Get ready to be smothered with love, affection, commitment, and snuggles on either Sunday or Thursday—your choice.

He keeps us all on a scheduled cuddle rotation, except me. I have every day because I'm so comfortable, Diana snickered. You've really made it, Zaz.

I'll pick Thursday for now.He sank further into our hug, but unfortunately, Lucifer's impatience broke it up.

"Hug each other later, and not on my sofa!" He shouted, clapping his hands twice for effect. "Let's go! Get in a circle!"

We all gathered around, holding hands.

"Where are we going?" Angie asked.

"Based on the time of year, I assume Hades is at his vacation home on the River Styx." I responded.

I felt the deep, foreboding pull of Lucifer's magic and then the entire room went black.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.