Giving It Up for the Gods (17 page)

Saul threw up his hands, palms out. “Back off, lady. You’re seriously scary when you’re pissed. I didn’t do nothing, honest, but Merc did. Look, can we head off a couple of miles down the road and get the kid away from all this concentrated power? Then I’ll explain everything, just like Jase wanted to do in the first place.”

She felt a load lift from her shoulders. Jase hadn’t played the other gods’ games, and that gave her hope for their future…maybe. She snuggled back into his arms, and when he kissed the nape of her neck, heat shot down her spine. Her heart pumped liquid desire through her body. Sensual heat suffused her blood. Her pussy boiled with need, and her clit ached, but she had unfinished business to resolve.

Jase curled his arm around her waist, and he pulled her closer. His nearness overwhelmed her. Her breath caught in her throat. However the day ended, this moment was forever branded in her heart.

Her defiance waned into a temporary surrender, and as she drew in her talons, she wrapped her fingers around his forearms. “We don’t have to do this, Jase. What if we just toss Mr. Giggles back there out of the car, drive away, and leave the pair of them to stew?”

Chapter Seventeen

Saul’s spine stiffened, his features fell into the neutral mask he routinely wore, and he told Lindy, “We’ll never stop Neptune if you leave now.”

His quiet response drew her in more than any argument or pleading. She stood a little taller as her analytical nature demanded facts. “Stop Neptune, as in he won’t force himself on any more of my sisters? Okay, whatever’s going down, I’m in. Get in and drive; then I’m all ears.”

The low rhythm of the engine seemed to calm Merc as they headed out of the village, and he dozed in the backseat.

Lindy’s foot tapped against the car’s floor. Her fists clenched and unclenched constantly. “I’m kind of on edge here. How much further before we can stop and speak?”

Jase turned into the first pull out he spotted. He rested his hand on her knee as if afraid to lose her. “That’s my girl. Brave, courageous, and kind.”

There he went with the possession again. What about the loving? She wanted to be more than a temporary fix to get Neptune out of Saul’s hair. Part of her longed to hear those three little words that meant the world, but if he really planned to use her and move on, at least she’d still have her pride. Damn it, pride didn’t make her nipples peak or her pussy clench with delight.

Jase helped Lindy out of the passenger door. He lolled against the vehicle, his butt on the bonnet, long legs extended forward, and pulled her between them. At least he liked to hold her, or maybe he just worried she’d run when they disclosed this scheme to take down Neptune. Only, when he tucked her body into his and rested his cheek on her curls, everything felt perfect.
Okay, time to confess. Sirens are super strong, but we’re fools for love. Well…at least I am.

When Saul pulled his gleaming chrome motorbike up alongside, Jase stared him out, his expression grim. “Tell her.”

Still Saul hesitated. Eventually, he asked the one thing she didn’t expect. “You’re strong, Lindy. Stronger than the other Sirens. What do you know about your father?”

Like a typical Siren, she shrugged off her upbringing. “That he knocked up my mother and left. Never seen him. Don’t even know his name, but that’s normal where I come from.”

“Whoever he was, he planted such strength in you that it shines through. Remember how I said Circe grassed you up to Neptune? Well, he got all excited and cocky, but he made a mistake when he named you as his solstice sacrifice without the Sirens drawing lots. That means power’s charging you up like a battery. As long as certain conditions are met, whoever fucks you first gets supercharged with a bolt of power. That’s why I begged Jase to wait.”

With a sassy look over her shoulder at Jase, Lindy grinned. “I’m glad I left your balls attached to your body, then. But that’s it? Jase screws me at midnight, and Neptune loses his shot at regeneration? And why me? Wouldn’t any Siren do?”

Jase squeezed his arm tighter around her. “I second the ball thing, but names have power. Once Neptune said yours, the Fates locked everything down. And that brings us back to the strength you inherited from your mysterious father.”

Neptune’s balls, he only wants me for my genes.

She hid her hurt behind a smile as Saul took up the tale. “Circe’s spell drains power from the solstice sacrifice, but thanks to some nameless stranger your mother bedded, you’re more attuned to the solstice. All Sirens were before Juno cheated your race out of their birthright.”

“Perhaps,” Lindy snapped, “if she’d been better brought up, she wouldn’t have been such a bitch. What with her dad—like, oh, you—perving on lovers and all.”

Jase pulled her closer. She felt his low growl of warning rumble through his chest.

Saul gritted his teeth and snarled, “I. Don’t. Do. That.”

“Cows and sulfur,” Lindy taunted from the safety of Jase’s arms. Okay, she really should keep her lips zipped around gods, but Saul wanted something from her, and if it helped take down Neptune, maybe she’d play along. Jump at the chance more like, but she wasn’t telling these arrogant gods with their secrets and lies that. At least not yet.

Saul’s face stayed blank, and he spoke in a dull monotone. “I loved Juno once. Do you know how many pretend tea parties I sat through with her and her dolls? Me and Lua adored our kids. They were our pride and joy, but they turned on us like monsters. When one of Juno’s seers claimed the Sirens would bring down the gods, she planned to eradicate your race. She thought your fall would achieve that, but instead, the Sirens changed and adapted. A weak link to the solstice’s power lingers in all Sirens, which is why they’re Neptune’s sacrifice of choice. With you, it’s so strong I can almost touch it.”

Mercury giggled from the backseat. “I stopped Jase spilling Grandpa’s secrets. Guess I’m good for something after all.”

Lindy started toward the door, but Jase tightened his grip on her waist. Her disgusted look said as much as her words. “Hey, kid, Mrs. Robinson here. Try anything funny with Jase again, and I’ll pluck out your liver and keep it in a jar at the side of my bed.”

Saul moved between her and the car’s back door. “Enough. Remember when Merc found you surrounded with Neptune’s warriors? Well, he refused to help until Jase swore not to tell. You were in danger, and your man did what he had to. And Lindy, I was at no time looking over your shoulder.”

Still angry at how they’d manipulated Jase, she stared up into Saul’s face. “Yeah, then explain the cows.”

Jase’s lips hovered just inches from her ear. The way his breath warmed her lobe sent more heat spiking through her body. She’d never desired him more. He leaned closer, his lips caressing her ear. “Me and Saul go way back to the founding of Rome. Over the centuries, we’ve developed a telepathic link that kicks in when an emergency arises—as long as we’re in the same world at the same time. I couldn’t reach him when I was trapped in Pluto’s punishment realm.”

Saul added quickly, “He used our bush telegraph to get me to send in the cows. The lightning bolt was showy, but the stench really came from the needle-thin portal he opened to hell. That’s why you smelled sulfur.”

She grinned as she pulled out of his arms, put one hand on her hip, and struck a vampish pose. “Our very own portal to hell? Jase, you’re such a romantic.”

He pulled her back into his arms and laughed, actually laughed, about his time in the underworld and the demon lord inside him. “Nothing but the best for my girl. Only, Lindy, we still have to talk about those conditions.”

Saul looked troubled, but to get Neptune off her sisters’ backs, she was up for anything. After all, how hard could meeting a few paltry conditions be?

Jase’s smile faded. His lips pursed, and his forehead creased. “I don’t like it. Come on, Saul, find another way.”

As Saul shook his head and ducked into the car, Lindy demanded, “What? Come on. What don’t you like? Sirens are as fierce as they are sexy. Who do you want me to fight?”

Why had Saul evaded answering by pretending Merc needed him? The teenager was so out of it, he hadn’t a clue what was happening. Even Jase couldn’t meet her gaze. “Princess, it’s more about fucking than fighting. We have to copy Neptune’s ceremony in every detail. That’s why I had to get to Aldborough. The modern church sits on top of Merc’s temple, so we can’t use that. Fortunately there’s a stone altar about two miles down the road. The locals dedicated it to Merc, but since it’s on the far edge of the site, the archeologists haven’t excavated it yet.”

Lindy glowered at each god in turn. Comprehension dawned. “No, Jase. Just no.”

He tried to take her hand, but like a nervous kitten, she skittered out of reach. He clenched his fists and dropped his hands back to his sides. “Like I said, princess. You don’t have to do this. We’ll find another way.”

For once, Lindy understood why Jase paced back and forth when anxiety struck. Right now, she needed to do the same. Anything to get rid of the nervous energy boiling up inside her. “Let’s check I’ve got this right. You think I’ll strip naked in the middle of some Roman ruins? And as if that’s not enough, you plan to tie me down on a cold stone slab some idiots once used as an altar. Then, when I’m totally vulnerable, totally helpless, you’ll finally deign to screw me. Go find yourself another sucker. This girl ain’t it.”

He stared at his feet. ”There’s more.”

How much worse could this get? Lindy pursed her lips and shook her head. “Tell me.”

He blushed and looked away. “Here’s the thing, princess. I need to drink your blood while we’re at it.”

“Like you would if you spirit-bonded with me?” Lindy’s heart beat faster at the thought.

Jase stood motionless, his face as still as his body. “You don’t have to claim me back. Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to complete the ritual.”

And wasn’t that just the icing on her cake? No love. No finished ritual. No claiming. Nothing except her broken dreams.

* * * *

Lindy couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this. The night air was cold on her bare legs as they proceeded through the ancient streets. Saul had tried to leave Merc back at their hotel, but the teen had sworn he could control himself this time. When he threatened to flash to Aldborough anyway, Saul relented. Despite her fierce Siren’s nature, Lindy was glad of her bodyguards, but she still worried something could go wrong.

Finally she got to give up her virginity, but she’d hoped for a little spontaneity along with scorching-hot sex. Now, everything seemed unromantic and vaguely clinical, but the sex with Jase would still be mind-blowing. Soul-shattering even. Okay, her guards had promised to keep their distance, but just knowing they were close by meant she’d have to screw in silence. And they needed to do it fast. The last thing she wanted was Neptune to learn how they planned to bring him down.

Ten minutes to midnight, and Saul dragged Merc off into the dark. Alone with Jase, she slid her coat down her bare arms. Lindy shivered and glanced all around. She’d never known that she had a prudish streak. Sirens were exhibitionists with bodies that drove men wild, but she wanted no one but Jase staring at she uncovered her curves.

Rope bracelets already encircled her ankles and her wrists. Hidden by darkness, Saul uttered an incantation in ancient Latin. No lightning this time. No thunder. Instead, the night fell silent and still. The hairs on her neck rose like hackles as a stone slab grew out of the earth. She shuddered as overhead the clouds parted. The full moon hung like a silver specter in the sky. Saul and Jase formed a telepathic link and joined their much-weakened powers into something strong and pure. The wind dropped, and the local wildlife sensed something mystic in the air. An owl hooted and flew off in a huff. Two rabbits crept out of a burrow and scampered off. A solitary badger waddled away, and close by, a small herd of deer stopped grazing and ran. The air sparked with power, but Lindy felt alone and abandoned—so scared she almost wept.

Lindy swallowed hard, and while her instincts told her to run too, she took three slow steps toward the altar. Jase pulled her into his arms. His kiss promised wild passion, safety, and warmth, but he still draped her carefully across the slab of cold stone.

Her titian curls splayed out like a halo, a bright contrast to the gray altar. Jase rested his hand on her thigh; then he stroked his way down her left leg. When he found the rope bracelet, he moved her foot to the edge of the altar and tethered it to an iron ring set in the stone. She shuddered, excited and eager for his touch, but her pulse still beat a fast, fearful rhythm in her neck.

Jase spread her legs wide, his movements gentle and deliberate as he tied down her other ankle. Lindy whimpered. She hated this place. The altar chilled her spine. She couldn’t move her legs, but for Jase, her body was willing. Writhing for him even.

His demon’s eyes glowed red as it tried to break free. Lindy watched him frown as if fighting an internal battle for control of his body. She knew he’d do whatever it took to stay sane and in control. She trusted Jase completely, but she still shuddered as he bound her right wrist to the altar. After a touch of his lips to her free wrist, he gently fastened that down too. Spread-eagled, helpless, and eager, she kept her gaze fixed on his face. A jolt of desire brushed aside her fears. Her hips rotated, and her back arched, but she couldn’t move to pull him closer.

Away in the distance, the church clock struck midnight. Jase rasped his tongue over each of her nipples before he kissed his way down to her cunt. She gasped when he laved her clit. She shuddered with pleasure, but tied down and helpless, she couldn’t respond. She ached to sink her tiny fangs in his flesh—to bind their spirits and their souls. Her heartsong bubbled up inside her, and for him, she’d sing it. And what had he told her?
“You don’t have to claim me back.”

Like I’ll ever get over a rejection as final as that.

With Jase, she forgot her surroundings, even forgot the clock was ticking and Neptune was on her tail. She inhaled sharply. Her body trembled. She longed. She craved. She lusted, and finally he was going to screw her.