Chapter 3

Three

Moon

“ M oon!” an annoyed voice snaps my name, making me jump as I hustle down the hall toward my office. I do not have the time or energy for this. I just got back from the Elven Realm, and I have other shit to do. Like a nap, before I clock in at noon.

“Fucking light beams, Marcellus! Must you be so snippy? You scared me!” I scold him, speed walking away since I already know what this is about. I do not feel like getting lectured by a man whose gamer tag is Lustnix. As in Lust Phoenix. Lust is a play on the last three letters of his name, and then, of course, he’s a Phoenix.

“Woman, stop running away from me in those Goblin-damned mini shorts…” he growls, making me blush bright red and run faster. Two weeks ago, I got completely smashed on magical booze, and uh… Well, I stripped naked and tried to climb Marcellus like a fucking tree. A man who has never once given me a reason to think he wants me in over thirteen years. Sure, we sometimes flirt, but we both flirt with everyone.

There had already been this tension between us since, you know, I’m not blind. He’s fucking gorgeous because of the nature of his species, and if I look directly at him, my heart races. Especially if he’s looking back at me. But now that I’ve thrown myself at him like some kind of starving Succubus… Things are awkward as fuck.

Seven feet tall, built like a god, with disheveled blond hair, and a well-cared-for beard. He reminds me of the Valhallans, from the Odin realm. Someone the Human realm would call a god. They’re not wrong. He’s very God-like. Stupid sexy Phoenix.

“Listen, if you pretend you never saw me naked, I’ll pretend I didn’t throw myself at you like a desperate and super horny virgin.” I move faster, reaching the door of my studio, and launch myself inside. Unfortunately, Marcellus follows me in, using his size and strength against me.

“Woman,” he growls, grabbing my hips in his massive hands and lifting me off my feet. He sets me on top of the small bookshelf, bringing us face to face. “Moon, if you don’t stop avoiding me, I’m going to tie you to a fucking chair.” His voice is low and husky, making my legs shake as a shiver travels across my skin. I look up into his crystal blue eyes and bite my lip. Fuck, he smells good.

“I like being tied up,” I say, letting words fall from my lips without a filter once again. Balls. I need to work on that. The embarrassing confession is almost worth the pained look on his face. Almost like someone gave him blue balls, and then sucked someone else’s coc-. Maybe I shouldn’t finish that thought.

He groans, dropping his head forward as his eyes fall closed, and I grimace.

“Yeah, my bad. You know how stuff just comes out before I think,” I apologize, and he nods but doesn’t look any less distraught.

“I didn’t follow you in here to talk about what gets you off-”

“Jeez, you could have worded that better yourself,” I interrupt but snap my lips shut when he lifts his head to glare at me, flames dancing in his eyes.

“I came in here to tell you not to join the Elven games. You know how dangerous it is. You were fifteen during the last one. You saw how many people were injured. How many people died,” he grumbles, and I shake my head.

“I have to, Lust. My dad is never getting out of that fucking Fae prison if I don’t win those Elven crystals,” I snap, my anger rising. I know he just wants me to be safe, but I haven’t dedicated my life to gaming just for fun. I did it specifically to compete in this competition. “He’s already been locked up for twenty fucking years, Lust. I haven’t seen him since I was five, and I’m not going to give up before I ever even try!” I push his chest away, but the beast doesn’t budge.

“I know you want to save him, but what if you die? He wouldn't want you losing your life for him!” he argues, and I shake my head.

“My father is the one who told me to join in the first place. I’ve been training since I was five. I’m the best fucking gamer in this realm, and I am not going to lose.” This time, I use my magic to push Lust back. With a wave of my hand, his arms are above his head, wrists tied together, and back against the opposite wall.

“Moon!” he growls, and the thrill I get every time I use my powers makes my heart race. I’ll run out of juice soon if I’m not careful. I won’t be able to recharge until tonight, either. Need that moonlight. I touch the moonstone resting against my chest. The last gift from my father before he was imprisoned.

“Never take this off. Never. ” he’d said, and I remember how terrified he’d looked. So, I never took it off. Not once in my entire life.

“Unless you want a blow job, or to bend me over this bookshelf, get out!” I snap, jump down, and walk further into my studio before I release him. I know he’ll leave. He rejected me once already. He doesn’t want to fuck me, even if he is attracted to me. Probably has something to do with the fact that we met when I was just a kid. Or maybe because he’s my boss. Either way.

“One of these days, I’m going to bend you over my knee and paddle your ass. Keep pushing me, Moon. I only have so much self-control.” His voice is angry, and as he leaves my room, he slams the door.

“Yeah, well, I’d probably enjoy that!” I shout back. Frustrated with myself, more than him.

Marcellus might be my boss, but he’s been in my life a long time. I’ve known him since I was twelve and he was seventeen. Back then, he looked out for me and made sure I stayed out of trouble. But when he left, I went four years without seeing him.

Until I applied for my job here, after an ad was emailed to me. He recognized the name I used to get teased so mercilessly for, and when I came in for an interview, it was like catching up with an old friend. That was six years ago when I was just nineteen.

“Moon?” the man behind the desk asks, as I nervously look up. I really need this job. Please let him like me a little. Please let my mouth not say something stupid that I can’t take back.

Holy hell. It’s Marcellus! I launch myself across the room to hug him. It’s been four years since he moved away. Four years since I got to talk with my oldest friend. Once he was gone, I felt like I was so alone.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” I admit.

“Surprise?” he chuckles. “I recognized your name on the application,” he admits with a shy smile. He’s twenty-five right now, and damn, hot as hell. But he doesn’t look at me like that.

For him, this probably feels like being reunited with a sibling.

My skin is flushed, and I’m buzzing with pent-up energy, as I shake off the memory of the day we were reunited. I want to break something, but everything in this room is too valuable. I could go to the gym, but I need something live to beat up.

Storming out of my room and down the hall, I smash my fist against Echo’s door in quick succession. There’s only one person who’s always happy to play me, and only one game he beats me in. Right now, it’s exactly what I need.

To be clear, I’m talking about wrestling. No matter what moves I try, he always pins me, the giant man-beast that he is.

“Moon?” he asks with a frown, as he pulls his door open. The mask he always wears is firmly in place, covering him from nose to clavicle, but he’s shirtless. I pause, staring at his rippling muscles and the distinct v that leads below the waistband of his sweatpants. All thoughts leave my head as I ogle the man like a vulture ready to feast on roadkill.

“Light beams! Do you spend all your free time working out and getting tattooed? Is that a moon?!” I point to the crescent moon over his heart, and he grumbles, rolling his magenta eyes at me as he pushes a hand into his black hair before leaning against the doorway.

“I’ve had that since before I met your annoying, perky little ass,” he snarks, and I smack his arm.

“My ass is not little. I’m short compared to you, but I am not little.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare up at him while he stares at me.

“I could lift you with one arm and do pull-ups at the same time without working up a sweat,” he counters, and I just know he’s grinning under that mask.

“No shit? Bet,” I say instantly. I can’t resist. It’s probably the gambling blood my father passed down. The entire reason he’s been locked away for 20 years. At least, that’s what Grams thinks happened since we don’t really know for sure.

“Never say no to a bet, Moon.” he’d said that to me once when I was still too young to really understand.

I wish someone had told him the opposite. Like my nut-bag mother. Before she ditched us, anyway.

“What do I get when I win?” he asks, eyes crinkling, making me think he’s smirking under his mask again.

“You won’t win, so a back massage?” I offer, certain I’m going to win this. There's no freaking way he can do a one-handed pull-up while carrying an extra 150 pounds. “And if I win, you have to join my next four lives. Shirtless.” I smirk, and he rolls his eyes. “What? My viewers love our rivalry. And if you’re shirtless, I bet I’ll attract at least half your female audience.”

“Are you objectifying me, Moonlight Blossom?” He lifts a brow, using half my name against me like the sharp edge of a blade against my throat.

“Hey! Do not say that name again!” I snap, looking around the hall, hoping no one else heard him. “How do you even know that name?!” I demand, and he shrugs.

“I know many things about you… including your first name-” he taunts, and I jump at him, covering his mouth with my hands.

“If you say it, I will break into your room and steal all your power cables and hard drives. Every day. For the rest of the year,” I threaten, and then frown when I feel something strange under his mask. "What are those?” I ask, as I fondle whatever is hidden by his mask, about to tug it down to get a better look.

“Moon!” he snaps, jumping away from me. “Don’t do that again.” His voice is low and angry, eyes wild, and I throw my hands up as I take a step back as well.

“Shit, sorry. I wasn’t trying to be a dick. I just let my curiosity get the better of me. I’ll keep my hands to myself!” I vow, putting my right hand over my heart and holding the left one up. I have seriously low impulse control. Words just fly from between my lips, and my body has a mind of its own. Very mischievous. He grabs the wrist of my left hand and tugs me against his chest.

“You can touch my body. You’ll have to when you give me that massage.” He winks, spinning me around so my back is to his chest. Lifting me against him, he tugs a pull-up bar down, fixing it to the doorway. I look up as he jumps, grabbing the bar with one hand, and pulls his chin above the bar five times, effortlessly.

“Fuck,” I complain when he puts me back on my feet. Shit, why is that sexy? An image dances through my mind of me straddling his shoulders, as he holds me up with his hands on my ass… Sheesh, what is going on with me!?

“I want my rub down off camera. Tonight.” He winks, closing his door in my face, and I realize I never even got what I came for. Doesn’t matter though because I don’t feel like committing mass murder anymore.

Echo served as the perfect distraction.

Moon

I’m making myself a double-stacked sandwich when my phone starts buzzing. I only have half an hour to get ready before I have to run down to do some actual work. I don’t know who’s calling, but I do not have time to talk.

“Hello?” I ask, as I flick the green button and put the call on speaker. I’m not neglecting this sandwich for a call. I’m too hungry.

“Aphrodite! I can’t believe you finally answered-”

I end the call and toss the phone across the room like it’s on fire.

“Mother fucking raccoon ass!” I snap, irritated that I wasn’t paying more attention. The phone rings again, and I sigh heavily. Looks like it's time to get a new phone. Again.

I’ll give the batty old hag one thing, she isn’t giving up easily. When my phone rings for a third time, I nearly toss it out the window, but the ringtone tells me exactly who’s calling. Get Low, by Usher from the Human Realm. Ha.

“I’m not talking to her Grams…” I complain as I pick up the call. I grab a soda from the fridge, needing the caffeine boost after that bull shit. Cracking it open, I sip the sugary goodness as Grams speaks.

“She said you answered. Was that an accident?” Grams asks, but when I don’t respond right away, she sighs. “Aphrodite-”

“Please call me Moon, Grams,” I tell her once again. She never listens, but it’s worth a try.

“I named you after the goddess from the Mythology realm for a reason, Aphrodite! She’s strong and powerful, but also soft and loving. Just like you,” Grams reminds me for the billionth time. “But never mind that. Your mother insists she has something important to tell you, and I have no idea what it is, so please call her. She refuses to tell me but insists that it's life altering. Whatever that means.”

Her words make me pause. My mother has been trying to get back into my life for a few months now, and I’ve been dodging her successfully. But with Grams up my ass about talking to her, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to avoid it.

“What could possibly be so life changing, that I need to know it now and not when I was five? When she abandoned me?” I ask, and Grams chuckles, then coughs in an attempt to hide the laugh. Grams is my mother’s adoptive mom, and I know she’s not fond of my mother’s actions, but still loves her. Can’t blame her. There's also history there, from before I was born, but Grams refuses to tell me anything about my mother’s past. Says it's not her place.

“I know you’re still cross with her, Moon ,” she says, using my preferred name, so I know she’s trying to butter me up. “But your mother has never been one to do things without good cause. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s hiding something and has been hiding it for a long while now. Just have one conversation with her. I’ll even be there if that helps?” She pauses, and just before I can refuse, her tone changes, and she sounds like a rickety old lady. “It’s just been so long since I’ve seen my only granddaughter. With my daughter away for the last twenty years, I haven’t had much family to keep me company…” She trails off, hitting me with a low blow. After all, I did learn from the best.

“That’s hardly fair,” I grumble, knowing I’ve already lost this battle. Grams raised me for fifteen years, all on her own. She knows exactly how to make me cave.

“Fine. I’ll be at your house in three days, but I’m not staying long, and I’m leaving if her bullshit stinks. I’m gonna be in the Games this year, so I don’t have time to linger,” I grumble.

“Oh goodie, I’ll start the roasted finiginnie now!” I wrinkle my nose up at the reference to the creepy little moth-bird-like-bug thing from the Fae realm but decide not to protest. Chances are, I’ll be too busy screaming at my mother to eat. “Wait, did you say you’re in the Games?” she asks when she realizes what I said.

“See you then, Grams.” I hang up and toss the phone on my bed like the phone is at fault for this whole ordeal and has just betrayed me by ringing.

I have to take a few deep breaths, calming myself, before I can finish my sandwich.

The truth is, I don’t know what happened. Not to my dad, and how he ended up locked in a Fae prison. Not to my mother, and why she dipped out on me when I was so young. Not why they were ever together to begin with. They couldn’t be more opposite.

I don’t know fuck all about my past, other than the bullet points.

Mom is gone.

Dad is locked up.

Grams raised me.

I take a deep breath and refuse to let the tears fall. Big girl Moon has to protect her inner child. So that means getting answers because eight-year-old Moon would have sold her doll collection for a moment with my mother.

Which reminds me to burn those creepy things that are all still in Gram’s basement.

Of course, sixteen-year-old Moon would have sold her skirt collection if it meant never speaking to my mother ever again, not that mother was trying to reach me back then.

Maybe I should make a list of all the things I need answers to.

Maybe I should show up one day early, so I can visit Grams, and then just be like, oops!

I finish off my soda and clean up my mess before distracting myself by admiring my own tattoos. Reminding myself why I got them.

Because I promised myself, I would only do the things that make me happy for the rest of my life.

I guess, technically, getting my mother to leave me alone would make me happy, so in a roundabout way, this is something that’ll make me happy.

Or maybe I’m making shit up, just to make myself feel better about giving in to her so easily.