Page 47

Two weeks later, on Halloween, the elite and reclusive Demos brothers opened their home to a select group of humans and gods.

I decided that if I was going to remain on Earth; I was going to mingle.

I'd already slid into high society. No sense in wasting all of that work.

I did have to mask myself with a little moonlight to make the humans see the old me, but it was worth it.

Especially when they watched me make the rounds with three men.

Oh, how scandalous! And yet, for some odd reason, the humans I invited didn't see a problem with me having three boyfriends. I wonder why? Wink-wink.

I was in my element, sashaying around the room in a towering tiara of diamonds and a silver half-moon painted over my face.

My gown was crafted from yards of silver silk, fastened around my curves in the most enticing way.

It was a shame I couldn't show the humans my true beauty, but the form Hades gave me was nice enough.

My mates wore wolf costumes, joking that they howled for me whenever I shone my light on them. I took great pleasure in petting them as I sipped my champagne. And the other gods who showed up were having just as much fun.

Hades and Persephone were there, wearing coordinating costumes, of course. He was Gomez Addams while she was Morticia. He kept sweeping kisses up her arm, making her giggle. Adorable.

“I'm going to throw up all over Hades if he doesn't stop making out with his wife in public,” my brother drawled.

Snorting a laugh, I turned toward Helios. “You sound like a man who needs a lover.”

He grimaced at me.

“Too soon?”

“Le-le,” he huffed.

“Seriously though. Haven't you looked for someone new? It's been centuries, He-he.”

“Great love can never be overcome,” Winifred Sanderson said.

Helios and I turned to see all three Sanderson Sisters standing behind us, garbed in their colorful witch costumes. Sarah and Mary stood on either side of Wini.

“Clotho, is that you?” Helios scowled at Winifred. Then he looked at the other two. “Atropos. Lachesis.” He bowed. “I'm honored, ladies.” Then he looked at me. “I didn't know you invited the Moirai.”

“They foretold all of this.” I shrugged. “I thought they deserved to be a part of the celebration. Besides, it's All Hallows Eve.” In a creepy, dramatic tone, I added, “The time when the veil between the worlds grows thin.” Then I cackled like a witch.

The Sanderson Sisters cackled with me.

Helios, dressed as Batman, lifted a brow. “Who else did you invite?”

“I'm here! Let the feasting commence!” a man shouted, his voice reverberating through the house.

Everyone turned to see a god come striding into the room, his long blond hair flowing over his red cape. In his hand was what appeared to be a hammer, but I saw the gleam of magic over it. That was another weapon entirely, and another god entirely.

Striding through the gaping throng, Thor slung his arm around the shoulders of his companion. I assumed she was dressed as the human heroine from those movies. Frankly, she faded into nonexistence next to the god who was masquerading as a god. I shook my head as Thor came up to us.

Then I bowed, of course. I wasn't a fool. “Zeus, we are humbled to have you in our home. Thank you for accepting our invitation.”

My hounds were beside me in a second, bowing with me to greet the self-proclaimed greatest of the Greek Gods. I mean, yeah, he was in the top three, but who was to say who the most powerful of them were? Well, Zeus said it, but was he right? That's the question. Glancing at Hades, I wasn't so sure.

Power—true power—doesn't need to bluster about like Zeus. Nor does it need to be acknowledged as number one. It can stand in the shadows and kiss its wife, uncaring about adoration. Because real power doesn't give a fuck about that bullshit.

“Thanks for the invite, Selene.” Zeus grabbed me by my upper arms and kissed both of my cheeks, one after the other. “We're so happy to have you back. It hasn't been the same without you.”

“That's kind of you to say.”

“And we never get invited to parties,” the dark-haired woman with Zeus said.

My jaw dropped as I recognized her. “Hera?”

She laughed and stroked her long hair. “I've done well with my costume, yes?”

“Very well indeed. I never would have recognized you.”

“I prefer to let Zeus shine for us both.”

As I said, true power doesn't need to bluster. Zeus may act as if he's in charge, but every Greek God knew who ran that household.

“Hera, it's an honor.” I bowed and my mates followed suit.

“No, no. Don't do that.” She waved at us. “We're delighted to have you back, sweetheart. Truly, we were frantic. Years passed, but we never stopped looking. I hope you know that.”

“Thank you so much. That means a lot to me.”

“You are one of us, Selene. And we don't let our own vanish into the dark. Not even if she's the Moon Goddess.” Hera leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Welcome home and well done, Hounds! Mating a goddess is no small accomplishment. Did you bind with them, Selene?”

“Yes.”

“Damn!” Zeus boomed. “You do love them.”

“She does get three of us, my lord,” Lex said.

Zeus stared at Lex.

Lex cleared his throat.

Zeus looked at me. “They don't know.”

I shrugged.

“Know what?” Cyrus asked.

Zeus laughed his ass off.

I grimaced at him.

“Selene?” Jake rumbled.

“You do know. You felt it,” I huffed. “Or you should have. Not my fault if you didn't.”

Zeus laughed harder.

Hera smacked his chest, and he instantly stopped. She looked at me. “Dear, you need to tell men things like that. They aren't the best with any sort of feelings, even magical ones.”

“What is she talking about, Selene?” Lex hissed.

“When a god binds themselves to another, as I did with you, they share their power.” I shrugged. “I thought it was only fair. You were going to share your power with me, after all.”

“Could you have withheld it?” Cyrus asked.

“Yes, of course. I'm more powerful than you.”

Zeus snorted a laugh at the sour expressions that spread over the faces of my hounds.

Then Jake said, “But you bound yourself anyway.”

I lifted my chin. “This is not the place.”

All three of them crossed their thick arms over their chests and stared at me.

“Yes,” I admitted. Then I waved at them and huffed, “You should be thanking me, not interrogating me. I made you stronger.”

Zeus snorted. “What she made you is gods.”

Their arms fell along with their jaws.

“Is that true?” Cyrus asked me. “Did you make us gods?”

“Of course,” I said flippantly. “I told you that you're mine now. Hades has no power over you anymore. Your marks are gone. You are your own men. Although, I wouldn't be against you getting some moon tattoos.”

“Holy fuck,” Jake said and looked over at Hades.

As if he could hear us, Hades grimaced back at him.

Jake inclined his head to his daddy.

That helped a little. Hades smirked and looked away.

“Selene,” Lex whispered and took my hand. “You should have told us.”

“You should have felt it.”

“Oh, we felt it,” Cyrus said. “We just didn't know what it was.”

“Never mated a goddess before,” Jake said.

“All right, fine.” I let go of Lex to sweep my hands dismissively through the air. “Yes, I should have told you. Now, you know. Are you done?”

My hounds drew in around me and nuzzled my face, whispering words of love in my ears.

I soaked it up for a few seconds before I noticed Zeus's amused stare. “Yes, I love you too. We can discuss this more later.”

Jake grunted, Lex kissed my cheek, and Cy chuckled, but they all backed away. A step. Looking very pleased with themselves. I rolled my eyes. Meanwhile, Hera, bless her divine heart, moved the conversation along.

“And you, Apollo. You have been very naughty.”

“Yes. But my sister and I have reconciled at last. It's all in the past.”

“It had better be.” Zeus grabbed Helios's shoulder. “You're lucky Hades agreed to let this go. He was within his rights to demand retribution. Especially from your son.”

“Yes, I know. He has been very understanding.”

“I shall not be if you dare to curse another god again, Apollo.”

“Yes, Lord Zeus.”

“And where is Asclepius? I want to hear from his lips that this Host nonsense is over.”

“It is, Lord Zeus,” Ace said from behind me, making me jump.

“Damn it, kid!” I snapped. “Don't sneak up on people.”

“Please, stop calling me kid,” Ace whined.

My men chuckled.

“Asclepius,” Zeus said, quieting us all. “Vow to me now that your war with Hades is over.”

“I vow it,” Ace said. “I was deceived, my lord. But I have still made my apologies to Lord Hades and made amends.”

“Amends?”

“I have released the souls I bound and given a monetary offering to each Cerberus I inconvenienced. I will also be available to help any Cerberus who needs my assistance. Such were the conditions for my forgiveness laid out by Lord Hades.”

“Ah, I see. Good. Good. Glad that's done with.” Zeus nodded. He lifted his head. “Now, where's the punch?”

“Right this way, my lord,” Cyrus motioned for Zeus to follow him. “I've got something special we can add to your glass.”

“Now we're talking!” Zeus smacked Cyrus on the back and sent him stumbling.

Cy gave me a wide-eyed look before escorting Zeus to the refreshments.

“I'm sorry about him.” Hera looked around at my mortal guests, all of them gaping at us. “I told him there would be humans here, but Zeus isn't great at toning things down.”

“It's fine.” I waved my hand. “If anything too dramatic happens, I can always wipe their memories.”

“Ah, yes. The power of lunacy. You're well equipped to live among them.”

“I think so. Yes.” Then I chuckled. “I hope so. Because I intend to stay awhile.” I didn't bring up the whole weakened on Earth thing.