Love and War Read online

  “Sir. Hmm. I think Zeus judged you a little early. I don’t see respect like that these days. And is this why you are not running for the hills?”

  “I’m a werewolf, sir. I was born with odd things happening.”

  Hades glanced from Ares to Athena. “What is it with you two?”

  Ares just shrugged. Mack looked at Athena. “What does he mean?’

  Athena nodded at her brother. “Ares’s girlfriend was a vampire before I turned her into a nymph, moments before she incinerated in the sunlight.”

  “That black haired girl with you at the faceoff?”

  “Yes, that’s Juliet.”

  “That explains a lot. I got some sort of sense that she was a condescending bitch without even talking to her. Our species have warred for centuries. We’re mortal enemies. Some of who she was must have rubbed off on her for me to pick it up.” Mack looked at Ares. “No offense. I’m sure she’s a lovely girl.”

  Ares shrugged again. “I’m the god of war. I understand factions at odds. Fuck, I create them. And she felt the same about you, but she used the term ‘low life shitbag’.”

  Athena shook her head and looked at Hades. “Namtar convinced Mack that this is something we should be concerned about. You’re the only one I could think of that could give us any information one way or the other.”

  Hades sighed. “Athena, Namtar can kill you and he can kill Zeus. It is within his power and there isn’t much you can do to stop him other than be on your guard. I, however, can.”

  Mack sat forward in his chair. “You can save her?”

  Hades eyes narrowed as he studied Mack. “You are very concerned about my niece’s wellbeing for being her friend. You do know she is a maiden goddess, correct?”

  Mack slid back into his chair without a word, his eyes wide. Athena fought the eye roll waiting to happen. All this bravado and now he was afraid of the death god?

  “Uncle,” Athena protested.

  “How many maiden goddesses are there, Athena?” Hades demanded.

  Athena didn’t miss a beat. “Two. Hestia and Artemis.”

  Hades lips curled up in a snarl as he glared at Mack. “Do you realize what I should do to you for deflowering my niece? What are your intentions?”

  Mack’s words stumbled from his mouth. “I love her. I would sacrifice my life to keep her safe.”

  Hades didn’t break his cold stare for several moments. Finally he gave Mack a small smile then glanced at Ares. “What kind of fighter is he? Should he be part of our promotion?”

  “I haven’t seen him,” Ares replied. “I never got a chance to look at any videos and we haven’t worked together in the gym yet.”

  “Maybe we should take a look. I have a cage set up in the arena to see how seating would be arranged.”

  Athena watched the color drain from Mack’s face until he was ghostly pale. “Uncle, can you help us or not?”

  Hades’s grin grew wider. “I will intercede with Namtar, little dove. I will make it clear if he touches either you or your lover, other than their conflict in the cage, he will face me. And he doesn’t want that because even though he might kill gods, I can destroy him.”

  He then looked at Mack. “You didn’t hesitate to put Athena before yourself. I’m not rooted to our old traditions like my brother and I don’t see the need for maiden goddesses anymore. Even though I think Artemis might be a tough change. She rather enjoys threatening men that she’ll chop their genitals off. I’m not Aphrodite but I know when a couple should be together. You’ve been warring with yourself to not touch Athena this whole time. And the way you gaze at her when she’s not looking only speaks of a man in love.”

  “And you know this how?” Ares demanded. “You hit on the mother of my child.”

  Hades frowned. “I did no such thing. I told Juliet that I was interested in her abilities. I didn’t mean those abilities. I am eternally in love with my wife, or I wouldn’t look like this.”

  “You kissed her hand.”

  “I am the consummate gentleman, nephew. That’s what we do. Hang with me more and maybe it will rub off on you.”

  Mack’s skin suddenly tinged pink as he interrupted their banter. “Thank you, sir. I owe you a great debt.”

  Hades stood and motioned for the door. “Let’s see if you can work that debt off for me. Shall we?”

  * * * *

  The steel cage stood alone in the center of the empty arena. A few chairs were scattered strategically along the floor in an attempt to make a pattern. Athena tightened her grip on Mack’s hand. Hades certainly was determined to get this promotion off the ground.

  “Do they expect you to fight in your jeans?” she griped, loud enough for Mack to hear.

  He chuckled. “I have fight shorts. A couple pairs actually. I packed to stay in DC and train, not just for this trip. I just have to find a place to stay.”

  She smiled. “You’re staying with me in my bed.”

  “What about Zeus? He made it clear I’m not worthy of you.”

  Athena huffed. “Hades gave his blessing. Dad can suck it.”

  Mack stopped and gaped at her. “Daddy’s girl just said her father can suck it?”

  “Did I stutter?”

  He chuckled. “No, you didn’t. I can’t think of a better place to crash. Thank you, baby.”

  They stopped at the edge of the cage. Athena watched as Hades and Ares ascended the steps into the structure. As the god of war passed through the gate, his jeans and T-shirt morphed into a pair of fighting trunks. Fingerless gloves materialized around his hands.

  “Shit. You’re fighting my brother,” Athena murmured.

  “No worries.” Mack winked at her then let go of her hand to approach the chain link. “Fancy trick there. Gonna give me a minute to change?”

  Ares smirked. “I can get you a set too.”

  “You’d probably charm the fucking things to work against me.”

  “Dang. Figured out my secret. Hurry up, wolf-boy.”

  “Gonna make you eat those words.” Mack dropped his backpack onto the floor, then unzipped it. He rummaged through it for a moment before tugging out a piece of cloth. He ran across the arena to a restroom and disappeared.

  Ares and Hades conversed quietly inside the cage. Athena glanced around her, taking everything in as her mind raced. Namtar could kill her. Mack and Ares were about to throw down like they wanted. Her uncle knew about their relationship. Everything was falling fast into chaos.

  She felt like she was going to be sick. She laced her fingers into the fence then laid her brow against it.

  “You okay, Sis?”

  Athena looked up to find Ares hovering above her inside the cage. His look of concern brought tears to her eyes.

  “I’m exhausted, and I feel like throwing up. So, no,” she answered with a sniffle.

  Ares cocked a grin at her. “Huh.”

  “Huh, what?”

  “Oh, I just know someone else who felt that way recently.”

  Athena scowled. “I just got off a plane to find out a Sumerian demon wants to kill me. And now the man I love has to fight the god of war to impress the god of death. It’s stress, Ares. Not that.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  The sound of footsteps on the cement pulled her attention towards the rest of the arena. Mack scuttled to a stop next to her to pull a pair of gloves from his back. Then he pressed a kiss to her lips. By the spark in his gaze he looked excited and happy.

  He handed her his clothes. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Mack took the steps up to the octagon two at a time then slammed the cage shut behind him.

  He approached the two gods with a shit-eating grin. He motioned to Hades. “Is the old man reffing?”

  Hades raised his hands up in mock surrender. “I only know enough to make this an investment. I certainly am not qualified to referee.”

  “We’re going to spar, not beat each other
’s brains in. I want to know what I’m working with,” Ares interjected.

  The two fighters tapped gloves then circled each other. They traded punches before Ares fired a kick into Mack’s gut. Mack deflected it with a grin.

  The werewolf stalked the god, firing a jab and cross. Athena didn’t know much about this sport, but it seemed Mack landed more strikes than Ares.

  Even when Ares dropped Mack to the floor, Mack was able to reverse it and get the upper hand.

  The two fighters grappled each other for a good moment before Mack laced both legs tight across Ares torso either side of his arms. Grasping Ares wrist and elbow, he lay back on the mat taking the arm with him. Before his back hit the mat, Ares disappeared.

  Mack sat up with a snarl. “What the hell?”

  Ares reappeared beside Hades sucking in breath after breath.

  Hades glanced at the god of war from the corner of his eye. “Couldn’t you have used your power?”

  Ares growled. “That’s the thing. I was using my power. I was just shy of causing a world war with the power I was using on him. He’s not a normal human.”

  Mack rose to his feet. “I’m not human. I thought we covered that.”

  “You’re more than a fucking werewolf. I don’t know what you are but…”

  “I was born to fight.”

  Hades grin was devious. “And you’re exactly what we need. Don’t you agree, Ares?”

  “In the promotion, yes. For me to fight? No,” Ares replied. “And that little demon doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “I will find Namtar and issue my warning to leave you both alone. And I will send you a contract, Mack. Please read and consider it now that you are practically family.” The lord of the underworld vanished as his words ended. Ares soon followed.

  Mack opened up the cage door and hopped down the stairs.

  Athena strode to him and took his hand. “Now what?”

  “It’s late. Let’s find a hotel and get a good night’s sleep. Then we can get home, so I can start training.”

  * * * *

  An early morning text from Hades woke Athena from her dead sleep. Mack rolled over on his side to spoon her so they could read it together.

  I found Namtar and demanded he stay away from you. You are safe. Love, Uncle

  The good news earned a kiss from Mack. A kiss became a caress. A caress led to lovemaking. They almost didn’t make checkout or their flight in time.

  With the fight between Mack and Namtar just a few weeks out, Mack spent from sunup to sunset at the gym training with Ares. Athena went to work like every other day in the mortal world, breaking away from the grind to tend to her godly duties when the need arose.

  Unlike her time before in the modern age, she had supper ready when he stepped through the door. They ate together then he lured her to the shower with him. They watched the evening news together, then went to bed and made love into the wee hours of the morning.

  They fell into a strange sort of domestic bliss. Namtar left them alone. There was no more mention of babies or visiting Demeter. All they needed was each other and their life together.

  So the night Athena came home to find flower petals strewn all over the foyer and living room, her heart nearly exploded from her chest.

  Her squeal of fear brought the sound of footsteps. Mack appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, a towel in his hands. His dress shirt was rolled to the elbows and a few buttons were undone to show a peek of dark fuzz. His dark jeans gave his outfit a classic look.

  “Hey,” he greeted.

  “You’re supposed to be training,” she accused as she sucked in a breath to calm her heart.

  “Ares and Hades had something to go over so we wrapped up early. Supper is almost done. Let me get you a glass of wine.”

  It took a minute for Athena to set down her purse and to shake loose her suit coat. Mack returned to her with a wine glass half full of burgundy liquid. She sniffed it and smiled. It was a bottle of her favorite, given to her by Dionysus. She’d have to ask for another bottle. She was certain it was her last.

  Mack pressed a kiss to her lips. “Have a seat, baby. I’ll bring your plate to you.”

  “What’s the occasion?” she questioned. She’d never seen him domesticated like this before.

  “You’ll see.”

  She watched him retreat back into the kitchen before she sank into her chair and took another sip.

  She looked up when Mack set a plate of baked salmon, seasoned potatoes, and asparagus before her. He sat down opposite her with his plate.

  She was halfway through her fish when Mack spoke. “We have cheesecake for dessert.”

  She laughed as she popped a forkful into her mouth. “This is delicious. I didn’t realize you could cook like this.”

  “What? You mean not on a spit?”

  “Sort of, yes.”

  “I lived alone so I had plenty of time to learn and practice. I just never had a reason to use my skills before. Now I do.”

  No more was said as they finished their supper. As the plates emptied, she noticed Mack fidget in his seat. He scooped up the empty plates and hurried into the kitchen.

  “I can help,” Athena offered.

  “No, no. Just give me a bit,” Mack answered.

  She twisted the cloth napkin lying on her lap in her hands as she waited. She could sense his tension. He was nervous about something.

  He shuffled to the table with a small plate in each hand. She heard him suck in a deep breath before he set her plate before her.

  Athena gasped as her gaze fixed on the glittering diamond ring perched in the middle of her piece, a drizzle of cherry sauce framing it.

  “Hey.”

  She turned to Mack, wide-eyed, to find him on one knee before her. She never noticed him set his plate beside hers.

  “Mack,” she started uneasily.

  He took her hands in his. “Athena, I know this is sudden. But these last couple of weeks with you have been the best of my life. I don’t want that to end ever. I love you more than my own life. Please marry me. Be my wife.”

  She gazed at him, his dark eyes watching her for an answer. She’d never thought about marriage. Now she knew this was the only man she wanted. Their future would be perfect.

  Her heart plummeted in her chest. That would be true if she weren’t a goddess. She’d told her father she was still a maiden. He would never allow them to marry, much less be together. Just because her uncle blessed their relationship didn’t mean Zeus would.

  And Zeus would make Mack pay for his transgressions for eternity.

  She pulled from Mack’s grip. “I’m sorry, Mack. I’m so sorry.”

  His lips pressed into a hard, thin line. “Why not?”

  Her voice trembled as she spoke. “It’s just that I don’t think…”

  “It’s your dad, isn’t it?”

  She sighed as she nodded. “Mack, I don’t think you understand what he’s capable of.”

  “I understand that it shouldn’t matter. If you love me, you shouldn’t cower to his whims.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Yes, it is.” He rose to his feet. “You chose him over me. I guess I dodged a bullet, didn’t I? You’d always choose him over me.”

  “I wouldn’t, Mack.”

  He stormed across the living room to the front door.

  Athena sprang to her feet. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m sleeping at the gym.” Mack ripped open the front door then slammed it behind him.

  Athena dropped into her chair with a sob. She buried her face in her hands as hot tears stained her cheeks. She wanted to say yes. Instead she’d lost him.

  The streetlamps outside were the only light in the room when Athena wiped her tears away. She picked up the plates and took them to the kitchen. She plucked the ring from the dessert then carefully rinsed it off. She nestled it back in its box with a whimper. She’d give it to Ares in the morning to return to Mack.

&nb
sp; She dumped the contents of the plates in the trash then set them in the sink. With a sigh that broke her heart all over again, she shuffled up the stairs to bed.

  Chapter Twelve

  The crackling broke through Athena’s senses. She felt her skin heat far too quickly. She blinked quick to rid the hold sleep had on her.

  She scrambled up to sit as she caught sight of the fire that engulfed her room. The smoke snaked around her but didn’t choke her, even though she felt like she was being baked alive.

  The flames licked everything around her but didn’t consume it. Her heart seized in her chest. She needed to run. She needed to find Mack, or Hades, or Ares, or Dad, or anyone who could help her.

  “Hello, goddess.”

  She turned slowly towards the bedroom door. Her eyes widened when she saw Namtar leaning against the doorframe.

  “Hades told you to leave me alone,” she warned.

  “The old man isn’t here.” He stepped towards her like a predator eyeing its next meal. With each stride his body morphed. Horns sprouted from his head. Red and gold scales covered his skin. Fangs peeked out from his lips. Eyes glowed crimson as they studied her. In his hand a long, thin etched sword appeared.

  Athena swallowed down the lump in her throat. “But I can summon him.”

  “Not in time.”

  She scrambled off the opposite side of the bed, searching for a way to escape. She yelled as flames bit at her skin. The gleam of silver sliced through the air before it tore her flesh open.

  As the goddess of war she had been cut before but the wound healed in an instant. Not this time. She winced as scarlet drops stained her snow-white nightgown.

  “Do you fear me now? Where is your dog, goddess?” Namtar jeered as he stalked her.

  “Get out of my house,” she demanded as she clenched her arm to her.

  “Only when you have been sent across the Styx into your beloved uncle’s kingdom.”

  Athena growled as she charged at him, ducking and rolling toward the door at the last moment. She heard his roar as she sprinted towards the bedroom door.

  Her foot hit the top of the stair when she heard the air around her rip apart. The sword’s blade flashed like a lightning bolt as it severed her flesh through the back of her thigh. Her leg buckled beneath her. The staircase bounced around her as she tumbled down the stairs, landing at the bottom like a rag doll.