Page 3 of The Chosen Son (Valleywood Series Season Three)
Chapter 2
Deimos
My footsteps echoed through the concrete tunnel, repeating a parade of click-clacks back at me, making it sound like I had an army with me. As if I need an army , I thought with a smug sneer. No one could compete with me, not since I siphoned the power from that last batch of “borrowed” shifters. My blood sang in my veins, brimming with energy.
My plan was finally coming together, after centuries of patience, and at last, it was almost time…
My sneer turned to a scowl when I noticed the gray dust collecting on my expensive leather shoes. “For fuck’s sake,” I grumbled, tugging my handkerchief from my pocket and wiping them clean, even though I knew full well that it was a futile task. I still had to walk another three blocks down here, until the tunnel joined up with the public section of the underground, the part upgraded for tourists. From there I would make my way up to street level .
This whole secret lair thing sucked big time. All the money in the world didn’t matter, so long as I was in hiding. For now, discretion was key. I missed my mansion on the lake, missed my black CCXR Trevita, but the car was hardly subtle. I told myself that my current living situation was temporary. I needed just a tiny bit more power. I was almost strong enough. Just one more big score…
Gods, I sounded like an addict, and to be honest, it was probably a fair comparison. I did get a little high off the stolen energy, but this was different than a mere addiction. I had a purpose, a valid reason for taking it. And once that reason was gone, I wouldn’t need it anymore. Unless, of course, I had to defend myself from retaliation.
I stopped in front of the closed door and listened to make sure the coast was clear. Once I was sure it was safe, I pushed on the heavy panel. Pale purple light filtered into the dank tunnel, and I slid through the gap into a small shop. My shop, to be specific. I owned a lot of businesses in Valleywood, and the Sugar Shack had been my first. Its location in the underground had been in a prime location; I couldn’t pass it up.
The door was camouflaged as a shelving unit, and when I slid it back into place, the DVD cases filling the shelves jostled. My eyes snagged on one of the titles. Woof: Daddy’s Good Dog . I snorted a laugh. Puppy play wasn’t my jam, but I tried not to yuck someone else’s yum. It took all kinds, and I liked for my business to cater to everyone’s tastes. If that was what got your engine revving, then who was I to judge? Besides, that movie was one of my bestsellers, and a collar, leash, and butt plug tail were an easy upsell.
Weaving through the rows of dildos, restraints, and paddles, I emerged by the front counter. We were just about to open for the day, and Marie was counting out the float into the till .
“Morning, boss,” she said. “You’re looking mighty fine today. Any special plans? Maybe a hot breakfast date?” Marie was, at my best estimate, 70 years old, but it could’ve been anywhere between 40 and 100. I wasn’t a great judge of human age; they got old so quickly.
“No such luck, but you never know. Maybe I’ll come back with the waiter for a little afternoon delight,” I replied with a smirk, tipping my Fedora on the way out the door.
Valleywood’s undercity was a curious thing. After a devastating fire back in 1918, it left an entire neighborhood abandoned—buildings, possessions, the streets themselves. When rebuilding, the city planners decided to build overtop, saying it would be easier and more cost-effective. This had led an entire little village right under their feet, like a slice of history. Well, except for the neon lights advertising my sex shop; that wasn’t exactly historically accurate.
Parts of the undercity weren’t safe, between shoddy structural integrity and a higher crime rate, not to mention the occasional magical blackhole. Absolutely anything could happen down here. The mayor’s office had even issued an official warning, saying they would not be responsible for anyone’s safety.
“Typical Loki,” I muttered, stalking off toward the stairs leading topside. “Always only looking out for himself. Selfish asshole.” That earned me a couple stern glances as I stepped out onto the busy downtown sidewalk.
I had to walk another six blocks down to where I had my breakfast meeting, but it was a beautiful day. Spring had decided to come early. There were small mounds of dirty, slushy snow lingering in the shade, and even though there was still a crisp bite to the air, it seemed everyone was determined to make the most of the warm sun. Wide-brimmed sunhats and flowing dresses, dark glasses and shorts, and so much glaringly pale skin, seeing the sun for the first time after the long winter; it was nearly enough to blind a person.
Food trucks were already lining up along the curb to take advantage of the crowd, and the tantalizing aroma of breakfast burritos tempted me on the way by. My stomach growled in complaint for being ignored, but I was about to sample a whole menu’s worth of food, so it wouldn’t do to show up to my meeting with a full stomach.
As I tipped my face up to the sky and enjoyed the warmth, I could almost forget how much my life had sucked these last 300 years, maybe let myself feel the slightest bit of contentment. Almost . But as always, the lingering resentment snuck through my defenses. The curve that had begun to pull at my lips admitted defeat, and my usual scowl was yanked back into place as I imagined Loki, Valleywood’s beloved mayor, also enjoying the sun somewhere in our fair city.
Not for long , I vowed. Before the end of the summer, his time on this earth would come to an end. It was now or never—and never was not an option I was willing to live with.
Arriving at my destination, I shoved my anger to the back of my mind for now, under lock and key where it belonged. I knew better than most how negative emotions could cloud one’s judgment. Besides, I couldn’t show even a sliver of weakness in front of my newest employees.
I pulled open the door of my newest acquisition, a quaint little place called the Sizzle I’d spilled a little bit of energy from the seams, but it was okay, everything was fine.
Totally fine , I assured myself as I fingered the singed cuffs of my sleeves. “Dammit, I liked this suit.”
My footsteps echoed a little louder this time, as I headed back to my secret lair.
This was it. End game.