Chapter Twelve

Fluffy’s body curled around me as I settled on the bed.

I used the bathroom, which was decorated similarly to the rest of the cave-like home Thanatos lived in. No windows, no doors, just curtains that separated the private rooms, such as the bedrooms and the bathroom.

It was interesting. Not necessarily depressing because the light that shone in the bathroom was brighter with its torches and candles spread throughout the room. There wasn’t a shower, but a bath. It was deep, carved into the cave. The rock was a deep crimson, ledges created to hold candles with wax dripping inside the pool that went at least six feet back into the cave. Lights floated at the bottom and the further you walked into the pool, the deeper it went.

I could easily submerge myself, and not fear the darkness inside, but I preferred to stay close to the edge. I wasn’t about to slip and die while Thanatos was gone. That would just put a twist in his panties.

Does he even wear underwear?

Or is he going commando under there?

He’s just bones, so if he took off his robe, would he truly be naked?

Get it together, Juni! Are you really thinking about what is under his robe?

After I took a bath, I took the time to see my reflection. I had a fading bruise on the side of my head, and the wounds on my back and stomach were nearly faded. Only a twinge of pain remained, and I had Athena to thank for that.

Athena. Thanatos. Fluffy?

Gods!I snorted. “Seriously, how did I get into this mess, Fluffy?”

Fluffy huffed and nestled his head into my side. He wasn”t ferocious at all, but I could imagine if he got angry, he would be a fierce protector. I could see how scary his face could contort into something awful.

“Is Thanatos your buddy? Is he your best friend?” I cooed, scratching under his chin.

Fluffy half purred, half growled, laying his head on my stomach. He closed his eyes and that sweet whimper began when I stopped scratching his head. It sounded familiar.

“Hey, were you there the night Thanatos found me?”

Fluffy lifted his head and licked my cheek.

I gasped. “You were! The skull headed animal? What a good little beastie you are! You are always with Mr. Grumpypants, huh?”

Fluffy huffed, his chest pushed out in pride. The little caretaker of the God of Death was something.

“I’m supposed to help too now. Athena put me in charge. Can you let me help too?” Fluffy nuzzled my cheek again and laid over my body, creating a nice, weighted blanket.

I allowed myself to delve deeper into the realization, a glimmer of hope emerged as I thought about the reasons I was truly here. I came to understand that this opportunity to assist Thanatos was not a curse or a punishment, but a chance for redemption in myself. It was a lifeline thrown my way, a means to escape the stagnant life I had resigned myself to before I was taken to Fluffy Bunnies.

I’d embrace the role that Thanatos threw on me. I understood Thanatos might use me as a means to his own desires and goals. As much as Athena wanted to think he had some sort of heart inside his ribcage because he’d saved a human like me from an unfortunate incident, it was just because he thought he needed me.

And in a twisted way, it hurt.

I didn’t know him, but I liked him anyway. And I won’t lie. I wanted to be around him more than ever.

I now understood that sometimes, the greater good required sacrifices, and if my involvement could aid in dismantling the abhorrent sex trafficking rings, then I would do that. Even if Thanatos wasn’t really wanting to be that close of a friend to me.

Little does he know; I know next to nothing. I won’t be much help in that regard, but his emotions? Sure, I’ll teach him how to be happy, for Athena’s sake. Maybe I can get him to smile under that black hood.

I giggled at that. He’s so serious, so dark. Hell, he probably didn’t even have lips, but to make him laugh, I think it would be the greatest thing.

“What did you do today, Juniper?” I spoke like Athena.

“Oh, I made the God of Death laugh!” I replied.

Fluffy stared at me, tilting his head back and forth.

“Sorry, I talk to myself too much,” I apologized to him.

But then, there would come a day when he won’t need me anymore. I’d go back to earth and have to forget about all this. I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone because everyone would think I’m crazier than I already was.

I’d just go back to being a mortal that just exists.

I sighed and leaned back into the pillow.

Because after knowing what there is here now, nothing seems as awesome.

I tossed my head back and forth on the pillow.

I thought it’d been hours, maybe even days. There is no sun, no light.

No clock.

I couldn’t sleep.

Fluffy moved away from me hours ago. I couldn’t feel the warmth of his body since I’d been thrashing about, trying to get a better position. None of it worked, obviously because I was still laying here.

I let out a sigh, and let my eyes burst open. Instead of seeing the darkness and the few flickering candles I’m face to face with navy blue eyes and long white hair and a large white-winged body kneeling beside the bed.

I screamed, waving my hands in front of myself, and pushed myself to the other side of the pillows. Fluffy jumped into action, his maw showing rows and rows of large, massive teeth, the back of his hair stood on end. His claws seeped into the fabric of the mattress, ripping and tearing as he lunged forward and got into the intruder’s face.

Fluffy snarled, clashing his fangs at the dark-skinned male. The intruder smiled, white bright teeth with fangs touching his dark lips. “Hello, Juniper.” His voice came out soft and smooth but that didn’t make me let down my guard.

“Fluffy,” he chastised. “Here, do you want a treat?” He ruffled through his white robe that looked similar to Thanatos’ and pulled out a cookie and tossed into the air.

Fluffy would never, Fluffy would protect me.

Except he didn’t. Fluffy jumped off the bed and snapped the cookie out of midair.

I have been betrayed!

Fluffy licked his maw and jumped back on the bed, twirling around my warm spot on the bed, and let out a long huff before quickly going to sleep.

The long, white-haired, dark elf king now stared at me, and I shifted uncomfortably with a large pillow in front of me as my only protection.

“Uh, so who are you?” I asked.

He doesn’t look like any sort of god I’ve ever seen. Then again, Athena and Thanatos looked nothing like what I would have pictured either.

“The name is Hypnos.” He took a deep bow, his long white nails pushing back his hair.

I raised an eyebrow, still clutching the pillow tightly. “Hypnos?” I asked, my voice laced with skepticism.

He chuckled softly, a melodic sound that seemed to echo through the room. He hummed in disappointment. “Typical. I’m not one of the twelve popular gods. You wouldn’t know me, anyway. I govern over dreams and sleep. Maybe you have heard of the Sandman?” He straightened up and gracefully moved closer, his white feather wings folded neatly behind him.

Fluffy stirred beside me, sensing the tension in the room. His ears perked up, and he growled low, his protective instincts once again coming to the surface. I placed a hand on his back, not for his comfort, but mine.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, trying to mask my unease with a hint of bravery. “And how did you even get in?”

He stepped forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Oh, Juniper, there are many ways to enter this place.” Hypnos waved his hand casually towards the curtains, causing them to flutter and reveal a hidden doorway behind them. “As for why I am here, well, I couldn’t resist paying a visit to the mortal who has captured Thanatos’s attention.”

“How do you know my name? And how did you know Thanatos brought me here?”

Hypnos played with his long nails. “I was here when he brought you. I stilled your heart so you wouldn’t bleed out all over the floor. Thanatos was distraught that your body would cease working and your soul wouldn’t have a place to inhabit.”

My heart skipped a beat. Thanatos had been upset? A mix of excitement and apprehension flooded through me, but I shook my head. “He was just upset that he would lose information about the club I was at.”

Hypnos chuckled softly again, his melodious laughter filling the room. “Oh, Juniper, you underestimate your own charm. The God of Death is not one to show emotion easily, but since you entered his life, a spark has ignited within him. Your presence has brought light into his darkness.”

I swallowed hard, my mind struggling to process this revelation.

“And besides,” he leaned forward, his sharp nail coming closer to my face.

Fluffy just watched Hypnos with admiration, not a single hair standing on end in warning. “You were up, so I thought you could have a Harry Potter movie marathon with me?” He blinked his navy-blue eyes at me.

Cheesus what is going on here?

“Is that a reference to Jesus? Because I take offense at that.”

“Would you prefer if I say gods instead?”

He tapped his finger to his lips. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I would. Now, have you seen the series? Or can we start somewhere in the middle? Or wait—” he narrowed his eyes at me. “I guess you need to be sleeping, don’t you?” He hummed. “I keep forgetting that mortals have to sleep so much.”

“Uh, you are the God of Sleep, and you forgot humans are supposed to sleep?”

He stood up straight and put his hand on his hip and flipped his long white hair with the other. “Well, aren’t you Miss Sassy Pants over here? I’m sure my brother will have fun with you.”

“Wait.” I pointed at him, crawling across the bed and standing on the floor next to him. “You’re Thanatos’ brother?”

He threw his shoulders back. “We’re fraternal twins. I’m the better looking one, obviously.” He pulled his white robe at the sleeves to lengthen them. “Funny, witty, more sociable. Overall, the better brother.” He winked. “And you are Juniper. The little mortal who caught his fancy.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I made a face but blushed as well. “He only needs me for intel on that sex trafficking ring on Earth. Athena says he also needs help to find emotion.” I air quoted.

Hypnos let out a squeal of excitement and turned his back, motioning two fingers for me to follow him. “Is that what Thanatos told you? He just needs information?”

I nodded.

“And you believed him?”

I nodded again and Hypnos rolled his eyes playfully. “Truly devious those Fates,” he muttered.

Curiosity piqued, I cautiously followed Hypnos as he led me through the curtain to the living room, but it wasn’t dark. The room beyond was lit with an ethereal glow emanating from the walls. Strange symbols and ancient scripts adorned every surface, casting an otherworldly ambiance.

Hypnos glided gracefully across the room, his wings lightly brushing against the air. I stumbled slightly in my attempt to keep up with his elegant stride. As we reached the center of the living room, a mist formed before us. It shimmered and danced, finally revealing a new world entirely. Of white clouds of the heavens. Shining of golden clouds, bursts of light, birds and dragons flying against the backdrop.

“This,” Hypnos announced grandly, “is the Dream Realm.”

My eyes widened in awe as I took in the breathtaking sight before me. The Dream Realm stretched out infinitely in all directions, a tapestry of vivid colors and fantastical landscapes. Floating islands hovered above shimmering oceans, while mythical creatures soared through the skies. It was a realm beyond imagination where dreams are born.

“Oh my gods, this is, this is—” I couldn’t form the words of what I saw. If I had an idea of what heaven looked like, this is what it would be, what I thought it would be.

“Come sit,” he motioned toward himself and patted the couch next to him. It was a large couch with blankets and pillows. He sunk into it, his robes of purest white blending into the cloud, and his dark skin was the only contrast.

“And what are we doing?” I cautiously walked forward and sat the furthest away from him. I didn’t feel as comfortable with him as I did with Thanatos. He was funny, amusing, but I didn’t feel the warmth of Thanatos” shadows.

Hypnos smiled and pointed to a curved screen that had not been there before. The surrounding light grew dark, stars twinkled in the sky and a full moon shone in the distance, with another blue half-moon on the other side of the dream world.

“Watching the movie. What else?” He shrugged his shoulders and shortened the couch, so I was closer to him. The movie played and Hypnos smiled, seeming pleased with himself, but it left me with more questions.

Like why a god was watching a human movie and smiling about it.

I guess I’d seen weirder things in just the twelve hours I’d been awake here.