Chapter Thirty-Three

After making doubly sure that neither the angel nor demon were the ones that took my treasure to the strip club, Uriel informed us it would be a few days before Hera would be able to join us. Hera’s duties weren’t that of Zeus’ right now. Zeus made sure that we were aware of that fact before he departed.

Hera had her own duties to perform, now that she had an extended family. She gave birth to identical twin boys with Michael. They couple had planned a vacation with him the smaller ones.

Hera wouldn’t cut short her family”s vacation time with her sons, even if it was to help save humans. She was an exceedingly hard worker and still worked at Zeus’ side until he finds his mate. Which I know can be difficult. Still, I found it selfish. Hera could surely take a few hours off to help the innocent humans.

Then, when I saw my treasure yawning just minutes after she had awoken, I knew I needed to tend to my mate, anyway. The women at the club were being looked after far better than what they were, especially now that the guards were human.

Demons had infiltrated the hallways, the human guards are oblivious. The demons possessed most of them so they leave the women alone. The women were wary, not sure what to think of the lighter load they carry. They welcomed the extra food they received, the extra breaks, and even the extra security from the patrons. I hope they knew that help was on the way.

It took a full twenty-four hours for Juniper’s strength to return after Hades’ radiation of power. I didn’t think any of us realized just how powerful we are. We are used to dealing with supernaturals such as werewolves visiting the Underworld. Ember’s family visits but none as a human.

Juniper seemed to be immune to mine, but that was only because I am her mate. We were to be bonded. Of course, she would be immune.

Over the next few days, a palpable bond formed between the women. Time flew by, but I couldn’t help but feel it was too fast. However, upon learning from Ares about my mate’s troubled upbringing, her confessions to Mariah resonated deeply with me. It became clear that she desperately needed this newfound connection. It was essential for her to have a support system, a sense of belonging, especially considering her own birth parents’ neglect.

And the women bonded far more quickly than I expected.

They danced in the studio; they pranced around the palace, keeping my mate busy and did not let her think about the women at Fuzzy Bunnies. They baked, they read, they played games. Then one night they decided to do a sleep over where we all gathered and watched a movie dubbed Hercules where Hades had blue fucking hair and he grumbled the entire night about it.

Juniper and the females thought it was the best night. I’ve never seen Juniper laugh so hard and smile. She looked carefree. It was a far cry than when I had looked into her mind nights ago. It was so different from the past four years and how much she suffered.

In the club she did not eat, she barely slept. She wondered if each night was the last night she would perform and given up, taken away to the forbidden room where they do not return. My treasure spent her days worried, stricken with fear, and before that? I didn’t even know she dealt with such isolation and loneliness.

Despite my overwhelming desire to bury my cock inside her and revel in the comforting warmth of her body, she was exhausted from the day’s activities. Humans required their well-deserved rest, and she needed it even more. Yet, I cherished those tranquil moments with her, embracing the stillness of the night. However, the growing intensity of my arousal made it increasingly challenging to move discreetly, causing me to yearn for the opportunity to be intimate with her once more.

By day four, the women expressed their interest in swimming. Before I rose from my spot on the couch, I could hear the clicking of heels and the herbal scent of Hecate coming down the hallway.

“Isn’t this a lovely sight?” she cooed. “All the women having a party without me?”

Ember sat up straight and smiled. “Hecate! You’re here. Would you like to join us? We are about to go swimming.”

Hecate returned the smile and shook her head. “Not today, I actually would like to speak with Thanatos if that’s alright?”

My treasure, who had stood beside me, hugged my arm and glanced between us. “I can stay with you,” she said. “I can catch up with them later.”

Uriel pulled Juniper’s arm. “No, come with us. I’ve got tons of swimsuits you can pick out.”

Juniper’s soul fluttered brightly on her skin as she continued to glance back at me and Hecate.

I patted her hand. “I will only be but an hour. Why don’t you go and have fun? I’m sure it is just about the magic around the club.”

Hecate hummed in agreement. “It is. It’s about the glamour. Just the logistics of it. I don’t want to ruin the party.”

Reluctantly, Juniper released her grip on my arm, and as Uriel seized the opportunity to pull her away, I noticed a hint of longing in her eyes. It’s a sight I hadn’t witnessed in the past few days, causing a surge of desire that instantly aroused me. The days she spent with her friends were marked by a lack of such longing, as she focused on forging bonds of friendship that should have been formed during her youth. I never held it against her; in fact, I encouraged her to establish those connections before venturing into a deeper relationship with me.

“We will watch them,” Hypnos said, and motions for Ares to follow. “I don’t mind watching a bunch of women in scantily clad bikinis.” He winked.

“Have you watched the new video Mariah, and I did?” Ares asked my brother.

Hypnos pales. “Ah, no. No, I haven’t. I figured I’d wait until this whole stripper club thing is over with.”

Ares slaps his hand on his back. “Nah, we should watch it together. I got it on my phone. We can watch it by the pool.”

Hypnos groaned and shot me a pleading look. I certainly owed him later.

Once the females excited chatter disappeared around the corner, Hecate chuckled. “You’ve got a jealous little mate there, Thanatos. I hope you are ready to face the consequences of that.”

I tilted my head in confusion as we walk away to find a conference room so we can talk in private. Hades and Lucifer were out in the Underworld scouting for more demons that Andriel and Simone had identified as working with this match maker.

“What do you mean? Jealous?”

Hecate shook her head, her silver-streaked hair shimmering in the dimly lit room, and opened the heavy wooden door to the conference room. As we entered, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint aroma of paper and ink. We both settled into the plush leather chairs, and Hecate’s perfectly manicured nails tapped rhythmically on the polished mahogany table, creating a subtle symphony of clicks. “She’s jealous that you are alone with me,” she whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement. “It’s a feeling you must have forgotten.”

“I get jealous. I don’t like her spending time with Ember, Uriel, and Mariah.” I blew out a breath. “Or my brother.”

“Yes, but you haven’t experienced it when a female gets jealous over you.”

My eyes widened a bit. No, I haven’t experienced that. I grinned beneath my hood. I liked her being jealous. The question was, what would she do about it?

“It could be a good or bad thing. Good luck to see what she does.” Hecate taps her index finger on the table again. “Anyway, I’m here to talk to you about Samael. I was able to get into his mind. I wanted to talk to you about the magic.”

I leaned back in my chair and exhaled. Uriel already said that it was a strong, but loosely construed magic. I wonder what Hecate had figured out.

“A witch or warlock cannot cast a glamour on this person. This person is someone who is immortal, that used to be human. A god or goddess gave them the gift. A god or goddess has granted her powers and certain abilities. I don’t believe these are original abilities a god or goddess has bestowed upon this immortal, however. These abilities, since they have lived so long, have evolved. As I have said before, magic grows and so have their abilities.”

I hummed in agreement.

“Judging by the clothing, it’s a woman. Or a male, with very slender but strong legs and loves pink.” She chuckled. “But it isn’t a glamour at all.”

I sat up in my chair and leaned forward at the news.

“It isn’t? Then what?”

“It’s camouflage.”

I sat there, dumbfounded. “Isn’t that the same as a glamour?”

Hecate shook her head. “No, it isn’t. They are morphing their face, but you notice nothing out of the ordinary until you turn away. You forget any distinguishing features such as a mole, their hair color, their nose, eyes.”

I shook my head. “No, it has to be magic. Juniper can see, she saw what they looked like.”

Hecate reared her head back. “She did? She knows what the person looks like?”

“Yes, a female. She said they look like Dolly Parton’s evil twin. Big blonde hair and evil eyes. I’m not sure who Dolly Parton is, I’ll have to have Hypnos show me on that mechanical device he likes to carry around.”

Hecate rubbed her temples. “I don’t know what to tell you, Thanatos. I don’t have all the answers. All I can tell you is that it isn’t magic. It’s the person’s abilities. Like a squid changing color to match their surroundings.”

“Uriel said it could be magic--that it is a powerful magic and the foundations could be off-- “

“That is a great hypothesis. But no, I’ve seen it through Samael’s eyes. It indeed is not a glamour. I think I have a few years of witchcraft under my sash.” She raised an eyebrow. “It’s not magic, it’s an ability. Why Juniper can see, I’m not sure. It would be good to know if another human can see through her camouflage or if it is just Juniper. “Hecate played with the amulet around her neck.

I sighed. “I can’t even get my demons to find her now. I think she is hiding.”

“Then I guess we will never know.” Hecate shrugged her shoulders. “Either way, if they have this ability, who knows who the owner really is?” Hecate stood from the table.

Going to auction night seemed like the only logical thing to do. I could go myself. But how will I know if it is the owner unless I bring Juniper? And that would never happen.

Hecate patted my shoulder. “It will all work out. The Fates will make it so.”

I grumbled and stood, walking Hecate to the door.

“Hecate?” I asked.

She turned and smiled.

“If it was a glamour, and you could break it, would you?”

The agency the gods had put in place amongst mortals, immortals and gods was sacred. We are to let things happen naturally and not interfere. We tread a thin line as it is shutting down traffic rings, but when angels and demons are involved, we may step in easier.

But Hecate was different when it involves her magic. She saw things more in black and white rather than grey. She did not like to interfere in the slightest. To her, these are lesser beings and this person--whatever creature this is may use their abilities. May it be for good or evil.

“Magic,” Hecate heaved in a breath, “is difficult. The dark magic that roamed not so long ago, there was not much I could do. It grew and developed faster than even I could keep up with. Could I have demolished it? Maybe? But we gods were not all created equal. There is someone or something stronger than all of us. Not one god is more powerful than the other. We have our weaknesses even if it is within our own power.

“Take Zeus. He is the king of the gods, but he is not the strongest. Even his own storm could overtake him. Tartarus could swallow Hades’ whole if he became too wicked. Look at Kronos, he thought he held the ultimate power, and the Fates deemed it not so when Uriel’s powers grew and sucked it from his body.” Hecate smiled. “I must let smaller deities have their ability to decide their own magic.”

Hecate walked down the hall back to the empty sitting room where my mate once sat. ”A coven in Egypt prayed for guidance and help to bring Samael to justice, and that”s the only reason he was brought into my possession.” She smacked her lips together. “Even now, I’m meddling too much.”

I grumbled beneath my breath. I’ve never heard of such a self-righteous witch.

Hecate, being the goddess of witchcraft, was in close contact with the Fates. She prayed to them more than any other goddess and listened to them with a reverent heart. The Fates must have forewarned her not to intervene with my business.

It gave a sour note to my endeavors. At one time, I used to find her dedication to her work admirable. Now when it impeded my job, I found it annoying.

As close as I was with Hecate and enjoyed growing her herbs and talking with her, even she had her limits.

“Oh Thanatos, you understand me,” she cooed.

“Yes, but I don’t have to like it.” I groaned.

She giggled and walked away. “Right, right? Well, I suggest you find your mate. She’s wearing something rather skimpy, and I think some single demons found their way up from the village to see the show your mate is putting on.”

“What?” I growled.

Hecate snickered, waved her red-nailed coated fingers, and disappeared.