20. Scouting Mission

A fter a short car ride we are in a sea of nothingness. Sand stretches as far as the eye can see, a perfect site to make a stand against Ares and the army he will surely bring.

The coward.

There are no plants or vegetation for him to plot any ambushes or surprises. For once, he'll have to fight ‘fair'. Or as fair as Ares knows how.

We walk a few paces from the car, kicking up sand as we stroll. We come to a stop in a circle, with me wedged between Drevi and Frank.

"The four of us will protect you until the showdown with Ares," War says, concern written in his eyes.

"No, I'll fight." I narrow my eyes and cross my arms. "You should be aware that neither of my brothers or other gods will come to our aid. This is a fight we will do alone."

War presses a finger to my lips, silencing me.

"Am I not War? I don't claim to be Athena, but trust me, I know what I'm talking about. Ares will hide in the back, behind this army, to conserve energy. You must do the same if you want to fight him. My brothers and I won't stand in your way. But know this, if at any time he gets the upper hand, I will step in. Make no mistake, we will not lose you, we've only just found you."

Tears well in my eyes and I force them away. Never in my life has anyone moved me with a speech, but now is not the time for tears.

Buck up, Hades, survive tomorrow first.

"Fine, but know I won't watch as any of you are slain. You won't refuse my aid either. Deal?"

"Deal," they all reply in unison.

"We fight together," War says, confidence coloring his tone.

I give a brief nod. "Time to rest up before the fight."

Pyro raises an eyebrow and pouts his lips, giving me a puppy dog look. "No play?"

A smirk settles on my lips. "We will have all the time in the Underworld, after I knock my nephew down a few pegs."

"I can't wait to watch that," Drevi pipes in.

We head back to the car, and I can't pass up the opportunity to admire Drevi's ass as he gets in first. My fingers move of their own volition, giving it a little pinch. He jumps, startled, and hits his head on the frame.

"Oops," I say, raising my shoulders in a shrug, "you can't blame me. You have a nice ass." He merely shakes his head, rubbing the spot that is likely to have a knot.

Frank guides me around to the other side, and I casually slide in next to Drevi. This time it's my turn to jump; I sat on his fingers. I didn't notice until he wiggled them. That little devil.

Once we are all in, Warrick takes us back to the hotel, the tension and anxiety could be cut with a knife .

"So, Frank, you said something about a movie? What did you have in mind?" I ask.

"Do you have any favorites?"

"No, I don't watch many. Lainie watches some reality tv, she's the only reason for all the modern conveniences in the Underworld. Lainie will drag me in to watch something if she's really excited for it. She is always telling me that I'm too outdated in my thinking. Maybe I'm just set in my ways. Most days I'm judging souls or managing my minions so the Underworld runs smoothly. Once it's time for the end of the day, I soak in the tub and turn in. Doesn't leave much time to enjoy the little things."

"Well, that changes now. What's the point of living if you don't get to enjoy it?" Pyro asks, turning in his seat to look at me.

"It will take me some time to get into the routine, but it's doable." I smile as War pulls into the covered drive of the hotel. We stop in front of the doors and Frank helps me out. As we proceed past the sliding doors, my stomach rumbles.

"I'm going to the bar and get some snacks. You four get comfy, but not too comfy, and don't start the movie without me." Frank barks.

"Aye, aye, Captain," War snarks.

Frank takes a left, then we go right towards the elevators. There is a crowd waiting, this place seems to always be hopping.

"We should've taken a service one," Drevi complains as we wait a handful of minutes for one to take us up.

When it's finally our turn, we are pushed into the back corner. The guys form a triangle around me. As if they are protecting me.

Aww, they are so sweet .

With each level the elevator empties more and more, but the guys don't budge.

That is, until my nephew enters the lift with us.

"Oh, Auntie, you look like an animal caged. Better get used to bars, if you survive tomorrow they will be all you see," Ares says as he pulls his wife closer.

He is trying to taunt me, get a rise and freak me out.

"Honestly, I don't know why you're so obsessed with me. I'm your aunt. Besides, I wonder what my sweet niece would think about you having your arm around her descendant. You know that she can't take the place of your true love, right?"

His face sours, and he faces forward and ignores me until we stop at his floor and my lips tip up into a smirk. As he exits, he turns to face me. "Remember, tomorrow it's just you and me. If you bring these pretty boys, they won't interfere. I hope you're ready."

"I'll think about leaving them if you come alone, but we both know you won't," I remind him.

And just to piss him off, I pull Drevi into a long, noisy and wet kiss, until the doors close again. Once he is free, he wipes his face with the back of his sleeve.

"If that's how you always kiss, you need some lessons."

In response, I grab him again, and lightly press my lips to his before deepening it. As I grab his ass, he squeals in my mouth, bringing a smile to my lips.

We break apart again. "Better?" I ask.

The dazed expression on his face tells me more than his words would have.

"Me, next," Pyro whispers in my ear, his hot breath fanning my neck, as the elevator stops on their floor.

"I think that can be arranged." I smile. "I'm going to freshen up and chat with Lainie, give her a heads up about tomorrow. You two"—I point at Drevi and Pyro—"pick the movie. War, will you show me the bathroom?"

"Hey, I thought I was next?" Pyro protests.

"You, I think I'll make you wait a little longer," I reply with a wink.

War takes my hand and leads me down the hall to a black door. The interior has the same color scheme as the door. He walks past the unmade bed and into his private bathroom.

"Here you are, my lady. If you need anything, I'll just be right outside this door," War says.

"Well, I do need something,"

"Anything," he vows.

"You know that thing you were poking me with in the pool?" I purr, stepping close and running my hands up his chest, enjoying the hard planes of his broad chest. "That's what I want."

A smirk lifts his pouty lips, and he leans in, moving his mouth right next to my ear. His warm breath flitting over my skin has goosebumps popping up all over.

"Then you shall have it," he murmurs.