Page 34 of Crimson Skies

Morgan had to dig his nails into his palms to stop himself from closing the distance to the demigod and kissing him. With everything that had happened in the three days since they’d returned to San Francisco, they’d hardly spent any time alone. The only thing that stopped him from succumbing to his impulse was the knowledge that Cassius would be upset if he took him in his arms in front of the mayor, never mind the hundreds of cops and soldiers guarding the perimeter of the park. He bit back a sigh.

At this rate, my dick’s gonna shrivel up and die.

Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly, like he’d guessed the direction his thoughts had just taken. Morgan avoided his lover’s stare and studied the smartly dressed Goddesses alighting behind him with a frown.

“I was all set to leave an hour ago,” Tenebra said bluntly.

“What?” Tisiphone shrugged at his sour expression. “We gotta look our best for our sisters and our friends.”

Orena fidgeted with the collar of her new blouse.

Atropos smiled glassily at the mayor. “Thank you for hosting us, Mayor Wilcox.”

“Oh, please,” Wilcox gushed. “It’s my pleasure. And call me Mason.”

He dropped into a half-bow half-curtsey that had Bailey biting his lip.

“I mean, it’s not like it’s his first time meeting her,” Adrianne hissed to Julia.

“Sheisa Goddess,” Julia pointed out.

Strickland aimed a dark look at Morgan over their heads.

He ignored the director and eyed Cassius and Atropos curiously. “Where are Tweedle-Dee, Tweedle-Dum, and Tweedle-What’s-His Face? I thought they were coming with you.”

“If you mean our three guest mages, they’re driving here,” Atropos replied in a voice underscored with a sliver of steel.

Morgan grimaced. “Why?”

“Jethro is scared of heights,” Tenebra said.

Zach stirred. “He is?”

The Black Fate watched the demon with a shrewd expression. “Something tells me you might use that against him one day.”

“I won’t if he keeps his paws to himself,” Zach said mildly.

Adrianne stared. “Wait, Jethro and Suzie—?!”

A dangerous half-smile curved Zach’s mouth. “Not anymore.”

“You do not need to worry, Orramgauth,”Orena said confidently.“The witch’s heart is yours.”

Zach perked up. “It is?”

Orena was about to answer when she paused. Atropos’s pupils had just flared gold.

“Our sisters are here,” the Moira breathed.

Cassius’s eyes similarly brightened with divine light.

Morgan’s pulse quickened as he followed their expectant gazes to the sky above Golden Gate Park. It was the largest open area in the city where the vanguard of armies about to descend upon the Earth could be accommodated.

The air rippled some hundred feet above the treetops. It split seconds later, revealing a portal. A warm breeze and the scent of summer preceded Theo as he stepped out of it with Victor.

After everyone had agreed it would be best for Theo to control the official doorways to the human world for the duration of the war, the head of Cabalista had insisted on accompanying his lover to the realms where their allies awaited safe passage to Earth.

Theo grasped the Spear of Light and raised a hand. “Dimensional Gates!”