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JACOB

I wasn't entirely sure about how sensible it was for me to go to Qetesh's Lock and Key party.

I was curious about precisely how it was run, especially considering it was hosted in the hotel I was supposed to be managing, but dating and I didn't seem to mix, even if there was a yearning within me to meet someone.

Which had only gotten stronger since my sister had announced that she was engaged.

I fiddled with the black ring on the right finger of my middle hand. I didn't usually wear it around the hotel, there was no need to when the likelihood of someone seriously trying to flirt with me was slim. But this was different. I was heading into a dating event, and it was safer to wear it.

Even before I entered, I could feel the buzz coming from the room. From what Qetesh had said about the event, there would only be about forty-six people in attendance, but they were certainly doing what she said they would and making the noise for it.

I paused at the entrance, surprised to find that the hostess was waiting at a table just within and not mingling with the guests.

She looked the right balance of classy and professional, with a playfulness thanks to the flowers decorating her dress.

Which made a lot of sense now that I knew she considered herself to be a dryad over a goddess.

I should have responded better to that revelation, but not having met many gods before, I hadn't really given much thought to that kind of thing.

Qetesh noticed me and flashed me a welcoming smile. "So you decided to come after all?"

"I did," I responded. "It's good to know more about the events in the hotel so I can advise the guests when they ask which they should attend."

"Then hopefully I can impress you tonight," she said. "Though tickets to my events aren't cheap."

"Couldn't you get more people if you lowered the price?"

"I could, but this is one of Jinx's premium events."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means that the guests are usually gods, and paranormals who aren't looking for just anyone. Normally the kind who could be recognised, which can get awkward in the outside world. Here, they know that even if someone does recognise them, then it's going to be ignored."

"So people with money, basically."

"That's who the hotel caters to as well," she pointed out.

"True. As did the last three hotels I worked at," I admitted.

"There is also some matchmaking involved," she said.

"Kind of. People sign up to join one of my Lock and Key parties, and fill out a questionnaire.

It's not as intense as the ones the actual matchmakers use at Jinx, but it gives me an idea about interests, what people are looking for, that kind of thing.

That way, I can suggest the party dates that are most suited to the client.

Though some people just want to come every week. "

"Interesting," I said. "So, anyone I might know here tonight?"

She laughed. "I wouldn't be a very good host if I told you that."

"True, but I'm also here as the hotel manager."

"Fair point. So the two men at the back on the right are Nick and Pieter."

"Should I know them?"

"It depends if you believe in Santa," she joked.

"Oh."

"Yep. Anyway, two tables over is Athena. She's talking to Felix."

"Should I know who that is?" I wished I had a better grasp on mythology.

"Yes, unless you've been living under a rock," she teased. "They're the hottest new artist after they collaborated with Mimi."

"The Chinese Idol?" I checked.

"See, you do know who I mean," she said.

"Though you won't see Mimi at an event like this.

The last I heard through the grape vine was that she'd met Chiguo on the Jinx Dating App and they're now together.

He's a Chinese god. I've never actually met him though, he spends most of his time at the Heavenly Palace.

Though I imagine that's got to change if he really is dating an Idol. "

"That's a lot of high-profile people."

"Welcome to Jinx," she said. "The only person you really need to watch out for is Zeus. He's not quite as bad as the stories say, but that's the best that can be said about him."

"I'll keep that in mind if I ever run into him."

"Good. Anyway, I'm supposed to be introducing you to the event. So we have six keys and four locks left, you can take your pick." She waved towards an assortment of them, each with a ribbon tied around it that I assumed was to go around the guest's neck.

"I just pick one?" I checked.

"Whichever one feels right." She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and gave me an encouraging smile.

I reached out with my right hand, trailing my fingers over the various items until I settled on a lock.

"You're ace," she blurted.

I pulled my hand back and touched my ring, trying not to feel too surprised by her observation.

Her eyes widened. "I'm so sorry, that was really rude."

"It's fine," I assured her. "I wear it so people know. Though I'm surprised you know what it means. Most people don't."

"I'm known as a sex goddess," she murmured. "It's my job to know these kinds of things."

"Known as?" It was an interesting way for her to phrase it, especially when I'd done my research on her after I'd gone home last night. Not that I'd been able to uncover much. She was a little bit of a mystery to me, and to the world if my search history was anything to go by.

She cleared her throat. "Yes."

"So you're not one?" I shouldn't ask, but my curiosity got the better of me.

"It's complicated."

I resisted the urge to ask more. Not having had a lot of experience getting to know any gods before, I had no idea what to believe and what not to about them.

"It doesn't really work like that," she said after a pause. "I was a dryad before I became immortal. Some people considered me to be a nature goddess, some a protection goddess, and some a goddess of sex and beauty."

"That's a lot of things to try and be all at once."

"Mmhmm. The latter is the one that stuck."

"I had no idea."

She shrugged. "That's just how it is. Most gods don't actually have all the magic assigned to them by their human followers. That's just me. The powers of a dryad, and not much more than that."

"If you ignore the fact you're immortal."

"Anyone can become immortal," she pointed out. "You just have to know the right person."

"I wouldn't even know where to start."

"You ask a god, and hope that they say yes."

"Have you ever made anyone immortal?"

She nodded. "Most gods have at one point or another."

"Huh, that's not something I knew about either."

"Even though you work for one of the most notorious love goddesses of the moment?"

"That's a recent development," I told her. "And I wasn't actually aware that I was being hired by a goddess until after she'd offered me the job."

"That sounds like Aine. Hopefully, you weren't too shocked to learn that gods exist."

I laughed. "I already knew. I'm a dryad myself."

"Ah. I didn't know that."

"I'm surprised you weren't able to tell that because of something I was wearing."

She raised an eyebrow. "Should I have?"

"No. I don't tend to advertise that I'm a dryad to anyone who doesn't already know. Even other dryads."

"But you want people to know you're ace?"

"Tonight is about dating," I said. "So it seemed like the right thing to let people know."

A thoughtful expression crossed her face. "So would you only want to be set up with other aces?"

"No. I'm okay with anyone allo too, so long as they respect my boundaries."

"Fair. I guess this is why I should have had you fill in a questionnaire."

I laughed. "It's fine. I'm not really looking for anyone. I'm open to dating the right person if I happened to meet them, but I'm not actively looking."

"Those are famous last words, Jacob," she joked. "I hope you find your match here."

"Thanks."

"But don't forget your lock."

We reached for it at the same time and my fingers bumped against hers. She pulled back and gave me an apologetic smile, letting me pick up the lock for myself.

I headed towards the bar and ordered myself a drink, not able to help it when my gaze strayed back to the goddess welcoming guests.

Someone new had already arrived, and she was talking them through the event, or at least, that was what I assumed she was doing.

There was something charming about her, but I knew it wasn't anything I should think for longer than a moment about.

Even if she said that it was more complicated than being a goddess of one particular thing, I should stay away from getting involved with a goddess of sex.

That was just a mess I didn't need to invite into my life.