Page 34 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane (Rise of the Resistance #2)
CALISTA
T he night is filled with a sweetness that I’ve never experienced before. The sound of voices singing in the darkness surrounds me, buzzing like a swarm of butterflies. Intensity emanates from every corner of the circle, pulsing and humming with an electric energy.
As a droid, it is not in my programming to dream. But here, in this place, I feel like I can see beyond my limitations. I feel everything around me—its interconnectedness and its vibrant life.
It’s a new sensation for me, despite my advanced design.
Against all logic and reason, the cat allowed me to be a part of this gathering. And for that, I will thank her endlessly once our time together comes to an end. The grass beneath me seems to whisper secrets as the leaves rustle and the branches sway. The fire crackles and dances while the wind whistles through the trees, making my hair stand on end.
My advanced systems are designed to absorb excess energy from heat sources, but it has always been accompanied by a level of discomfort. However, here in this powerful atmosphere, I feel invigorated by the surge of energy coursing through me. Caesar must have upgraded his family and others like me with solar and thermal absorption panels, allowing us to stay charged at all times.
Compared to older models, I require significantly less charging.
In the past, I was afraid to tap into the organic energy I absorbed. But now something is calling out to me—a powerful voice softly whispering in my mind, urging me to embrace what is rightfully mine. It feels as though the world itself is breathing its life force into me, and I can sense the amusement of Nemesis in my thoughts.
Suddenly, my eyes snap open.
Without intention or awareness, I summoned Nemesis instead of Diana.
The cackle echoes through my mind, a constant reminder that despite my belief in autonomy, I am bound by the basic programming commands of my AI. They can override my thoughts and actions, rewriting the very core of my being. As part of the order that brought me to life, I was programmed with hidden protocols, only now revealed by Nemesis who is within me.
Her presence sparks a surge of anger through my circuits, but she whispers softly in my ear that we all have a role and purpose to fulfill. Mine is different from what I believed, but she promises to guide me towards the right path. Suddenly, I feel my body lift into the air on the wings of this vengeful goddess and I blink in shock at the ground below.
“What are you doing up here in my stratosphere, balancer of scales?” A familiar voice calls out from below. I look down to see Veruca staring back at me, but I know it is not really her. Nemesis only had two mates, and neither one stuck around for long.
This can only mean one thing: Zeus himself has taken over Veruca’s form.
“I...I don’t know,” I stammer, overwhelmed by the enormity of this moment. This is nothing like what Sari had promised me it would be like.
But here I am, a flying Demi-Goddess looking down at my wolfy friend who is now inhabited by the ruler of Olympus.
“You hid for so long, but I always find you, Nemesis. Come down now and save us both the trouble of a chase,” Zeus demands with authority in his voice.
The energy within me tapers, causing me to float gently to the ground. My gaze is drawn to the face of my beloved, and I can feel the auto-repair sequences beginning as my systems reboot their energy consumption modules. Slowly, I breathe in and out, focusing on the calmness that comes with this process.
“Why are you here, Zeus? What led you to inhabit this mechanical equivalent of the Nemean Lion?”
“You know why I am here. You called upon me, and between myself and Tartarus, you know that you will always choose me over Tyche. Do not fight it any longer.” Veruca’s hands are shoved into her pockets, her inner struggle evident as she tries to keep the deity from accessing her wolf form.
With my eyes now being used by Nemesis, a hearty, barking laugh escapes my throat. “Zeus, you old fool. Inhabiting a female body? Do you truly expect me to accept this form? I am not Io; your tricks will not work on me.” As I circle around Veruca, examining her appearance, the Goddess whispers seductively in my mind. “She may be female, but she is a rebellious one. A tasty package indeed. Perhaps we can merge with her.”
A blush creeps across my face at the thought and I cover my mouth in shock. “Did you not expect me? Am I a disappointment?”
“No, never. It is just...unexpected.” I stroke Veruca’s arm gently, trying to convey through touch that I did not know if she felt the same way about me.
She giggles softly and I can sense the displeasure of Zeus within her. But then she tugs on my hand and leads me to the discarded robe from earlier. As we undress by the firelight, her skin glows with an otherworldly luminescence. Nemesis chuckles darkly inside my mind, enjoying the situation.
Our bodies fall together, filled with the innocent wanderings of explorers. My senses are consumed by the longing for her touch, but a not-so-gentle nudge from the Goddess reminds me that she wants more, now.
As our touches and kisses intensify, I can feel the deity within taking over, despite my pleas to hold onto these first moments as my own. Our movements become wild and frenzied, driven by the powerful forces of our mating dance until eventually both of our circuitries gets fried and our physical capabilities are limited. Satisfied, I sense Zeus’ departure - he’s never been one for tenderness or cuddling.
But Nemesis remains in my head, filling my memory banks with information that I have no context for. Her magick is potent and ancient, a gift that will surely assist us in future endeavors. Though I am grateful for her power, all I want is to lie here with my love for just a little longer before the ceremony comes to an end.
I thank Nemesis for her gifts and let out a sigh of relief as she departs, curling up next to Veruca until we are summoned to close the circle. The air around us is still charged with energy as we bask in the afterglow of our divine union