Skin of a Goddess (Goddess Ascension Book 1) (15 page)

“Found any bad guys for me?” she asks, nodding at the computer in an obvious subject change that I’m grateful for.

“I actually do have a few. A human I actually met at the convention, named Vincent, has two restraining orders against him from previous girlfriends. Doesn’t appear that he ever got violent with any of them. He apparently lives off of a vampire coven leader and doesn’t have a bank account, so we might as well check that out. There are seven werewolves that I found suspicious information on. I doubt the female griffin is involved since she’s pregnant and warned the hotel that she’d have special needs. Her brother could be, though it’s doubtful. There are only two tiger shifters that seem like they could maybe be involved.”

“Only eleven suspects from narrowing the list?” she asks.

“Yeah, though I only narrowed down the werewolves and weretigers that have a criminal record, since their numbers were the largest,” I explain.

“Super, if no one from our current list is it, we can go back to the werewolves and weretigers who have never been charged.”

“I think we’ve made a pretty good start for the other ladies.”

She holds a hand up to me. “Wait a minute there, big guy, lets rewind. Did you say a good start for the others? As in, my roommates? As in the women I already explained don’t know what the fuck they’re doing when it comes to this investigation or, goddess forbid, interrogating people?”

I gulp, knowing she’s not going to like what I have to say. “I did kind of mean them. If we could just contact them and tell them whom to question first and maybe what to ask—”

“They would find same way to screw the whole thing up! No way, I totally veto the idea. In fact, I order you not to tell them a thing!”

“I thought you wanted to help!” I protest.

“Trust me, turning the girls on those poor, unsuspecting murder victims would in no way be helping!” she says.

“I know you don’t think that they can do anything without you, but I think you should give it a chance just this once. We can’t sit on this information without doing anything about it.”

“I agree,” she says, and I know I’ve somehow done something wrong when she grins. “You said yesterday that if I behave like a good little girl we can go back to the convention, where I can question people and you can read their minds. I think I’ve behaved pretty well.”

“It’s only been one day!” I protest.

“To be fair, love bug, it’s been two. It’s now afternoon. Which reminds me, you didn’t feed me breakfast, and it’s a bit late for lunch, so I’ll expect a good linner.”

“Linner?”

She rolls her eyes. “Honestly, Hunter, if you plan on keeping me, then you seriously need to get with the times. Linner is a word that represents the meal that lies somewhere between lunch and dinner. A late lunch and an early dinner. Linner.”

“Ah, of course,” I say, trying not to look at her like she’s crazy.

“If I get my linner and we have a fresh start tomorrow, then I’ll have behaved and been here for two boring and painful—I mean glorious and safe—days,” Peitho continues blithely.

“Right. I also recall saying that we could talk about the next course of action in about a week. When things simmer down a bit. Or when they’re not looking for you quite so hard,” I say, and then wince a little at how the words managed to come out.

Peitho gives an insulted gasp. “Not looking for me so hard? Do you honestly think a week will make a difference in how hard the girls look for me? It could take a century, and they’d still be prowling every corner of the earth for a whiff of me. Oh, and by simmer down, do you mean when other people are taken? The rate that things are going right now, they’re just going to take more people. Especially in an entire week. For all we know there’s already more people missing.”

I gulp and try not to show how guilty her words make me feel. “I still don’t think it’s the safest option.”

“I won’t let any of the girls see me or try to contact them. I can shield my aura from them so they won’t be able to tell that I’m there. Besides, if I wear your clothes, that will help block me.”

“What if you’re taken?”

She sighs. “You’ll be right there with me, which I thought was the entire point of taking me here.”

“That was one of the points, but another one was getting you away from the threat in the first place. Which you are, here, hours away from the convention.”

Peitho pulls at her hair a bit, making it look even crazier. “Fine, I didn’t want to tell you this, but it looks like I have no choice. The ring I gave you? You can use it to trace me.”

I blink at her in confusion. “How?”

“If you think of me, the ring will become dull or bright, depending on how close you are to me. It’s hard to explain, but since the ring is a part of me, it will pull you toward me. It’s alive, you know,” she says.

“Pull me toward you in what way?” I ask.

“Close your eyes, touch the ring, and think of me. You’ll see what I mean,” she says with an edge of anger.

I look at her a little suspiciously before closing my eyes and thinking of her. I think of Peitho’s large amber eyes that seem to glow with mischief, her hair with a perfect balance of red, gold, and dark brown. Then lastly, her dull, burnt-gold skin that can become liquid gold in color in the blink of an eye.

I feel an odd little pulse from my finger. I open my eyes to see the ring glowing even brighter than before. I feel a pull in Peitho’s direction from the ring. It’s amazingly insistent. I start to understand what she meant when she said the ring would lead me to her. I can’t keep myself from walking the few steps to close the distance.

Peitho gives a little grin before reaching out and touching the ring, and as if she’s turned it off, the ring dulls once again. “See what I mean?”

“You weren’t going to tell me about it?” I ask, thinking about the mightily powerful gift she’s given.

Peitho looks slightly uncomfortable as she says, “Didn’t think it was important.”

We both know she’s lying, but there’s not much I can say to that. “What you’re saying is, on the off chance you’re taken, I’ll be able to find you no matter where you are in the world?”

“Yep, pretty much. See, isn’t that a handy dandy gift? Now, can we go tomorrow, huh, huh?” she asks, eyes glowing up and showing redder.

“I guess there’s really no way I can say no.”

She grins. “Totally. I knew you’d have to if I told you about the ring. Is there anything special about your scale?”

“It can be used as a weapon. It’s pretty sharp. They can be molded into arrowheads and weapons. If someone is cut by one, the wound will take longer to heal. That’s about it. The scale can’t make you find me or summon me to you.”

“Oh, too bad,” she says, though she doesn’t sound upset about the fact at all. “A weapon, huh? I guess I’ll have to look around for a bigger scale so you can fashion me a pretty little dagger. Enyo would piss herself with jealousy.”

I smile slightly. “I guess I could do that. Scales woven together make a really good shield too. They’re very strong.”

After a quick meal and more plotting, I lead her back to the bedroom. “You can have the bed.”

“Duh.” She frowns at me before throwing herself on the oversized mattress.

I don’t make a face or even point out that there’s more than enough room for her to share the bed without us having to actually touch. I could have one side, and she could have the other. Just like a nice, old married couple. Yeah, I’m sure that’s just what she has in mind.

“Here,” Peitho throws a pillow at me.

I growl. “Thanks.”

At the foot of the bed, I make myself a makeshift pallet. I throw together some rugs and pelts, then a few blankets and pillows. By the time I lie down, I realize that the bed I have fashioned is about a foot too short and lumpy on top of that. Life is a series of endurances.

“I just dunno why you don’t have a spare room,” Peitho huffs at me.

“Believe it or not, I don’t have a lot of guests,” I remind her.

“What about family? I bet they must visit once in a while. Or girlfriends. Better yet, Julian.”

“Nope, family summons me to them, not the other way around. Usually, though, they never stay the night. Girlfriends don’t come to my caves, and it’s been a while since I’ve had one anyway. Julian, when he visits me, stays in a nearby hotel for the most part,” I say, feeling annoyed at her questioning, especially since she has the luxury of my bed and I’m on the floor.

“I wish it were the same for me. It seems like people are always dropping by our houses.”

I prop my head up on an elbow. “To be fair, you have a lot more people staying at your home. More people who have friends, and even invite them over.”

“Yeah, but I don’t do that. I like my home to just have people I’m comfortable with. I don’t like to walk out of my room and see some random person outside the door.”

I nod, understanding completely. “That would suck. I imagine you aren’t always ‘on’ for company.”

“You have no idea.” She laughs. “Especially for gods and goddesses who stop by. I’m not sure why, but they always expect us to be prepared for them, and they expect a lot from a person. Some like full-out formal wear, others like refreshments and light entertainment.”

“Fun.”

“Yep.” She’s silent. “Oh, goddess, no more of this cold shoulder. You can get up on the damn bed already.”

I look into the darkness in astonishment for a moment. I wasn’t pouting, complaining, or anything. Though for someone like her, she’s probably more used to theatrics. I mean, it’s just the floor. I’m not dainty or anything.

“I’m fine,” I say.

“Get on the bed, now,” she orders.

I sigh a little, but I’m smiling. I crawl onto the right side of the bed.

“Spoon me,” she orders next, turning on her side.

“Now, Peitho—” I start.

“Spoon me
now
!” she cuts me off, and I know it’s a demand. One that I definitely don’t mind complying with.

After about two minutes of me holding her against my chest, I feel safe in asking, “Forgive me then? For the drugging and stuff?”

“Whatever.”

I know it’s more than I could have hoped for.

Chapter 12

“Look, I know I said I kinda forgive you, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to mount on up,” I tell Hunter.

He gives me a look of deep annoyance. “I’ve already told you, it’s so I can carry you to the convention. It will take much less time than driving.”

I give him a “yeah right” look that’s meant for all the guys who try to trick you into bed with clever little comments like that. Does he think I’m stupid? I’m not going to climb up on him and say giddy up! As if that trick hasn’t been used how many times before?

“Sure thing, stud, I’m still not up for the game. I don’t know how you walking about is any faster than a car. Either way, I feel safer with an automobile. They don’t have wandering hands,” I say pointedly.

He flings his hands up in the air. “I was sleeping when I did that!”

“Right,” I smirk, thinking of how he had a good feel on my left twin when I woke up. I wish it hadn’t seemed so natural. “That’s what they all say. Luckily, Heart is used to such antics.”

“What?” he asks in confusion.

“Huh, I could have sworn I’d told you the name of my boobs. Lefty is Heart, and righty is Breaker. Get with it.” I roll my eyes.

Hunter gives me a look of utter astonishment. “You named them … Heartbreaker?”

“What, you think you have a name that’s more appropriate?”

I watch his eyes dip down and give the subjects in question a good perusal. I would feel a little violated if I wasn’t so turned on by it all. It’s sick that all the man has to do is look at me and I’m wet. I’m acting like a randy young goddess only a century old. It must be dragons.

“Well?” I ask with a bit of impatience.

“I’d rather we call them mine,” he finally says, voice deep and utterly possessive.

His words shouldn’t send a little shiver up my back. “Oh, yeah, you’re not trying to seduce me or anything.”

Hunter breaks out of the lustful stare and back to irritation. “I mean to carry you in dragon form. As in, you sitting on my back as I fly. Honestly, Peitho, a little common sense wouldn’t do you any harm.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Heart and Breaker so don’t like you anymore.”

He looks up as if asking for patience from the cave ceiling or something. “Do you agree to let me carry you on my back in dragon form?”

“I guess you can’t really get fresh with me when you’re all scaly and stuff. So, all right. How fast can you fly?”

Hunter shrugs. “Might take us about fifteen minutes, and it’s about a three-hour drive away from here.”

“So pretty fast. Won’t the humans be able to see you flying around?”

He gives me a look like I’m an idiot. “Of course not. In the sky, we’re invisible, and so are our passengers. Otherwise there would be a sighting all the time.”

“Are you invisible to supernaturals too? Because, in case you didn’t know, I can totally see you in dragon form.”

He gives a little grin at that. “We are invisible to both or either groups when we choose to be.”

“Cool trick. How are we going to avoid the roomies?”

“I printed out all of their schedules,” Hunter says, holding a bit of paper out to me.

“It’s assuming a fucking lot to think that they’ll be following directions.”

“With the disappearances and murder, it’s been announced that schedules should be followed carefully, with no extracurricular activities that deviate from them,” Hunter says. “Also, the body of the werewolf who was taken at the dance was found in the woods during a falconry exhibit. The woman had been mutilated and tortured. The other two who were taken at the same time as her haven’t been found.”

“How do you know all this?” I ask.

“I was looking in their computer hard drive. They uploaded statements from the people there when the body was found. There was also an announcement e-mailed out.”

“Aren’t you savvy.” I frown.

“And?”

“It’s just a bit alarming how much you can find out on the Internet. Stalkers must rejoice at the prospects.”

Hunter raises a brow and hits me with his dark green eyes. “It’s a gift and a curse.”

“I’m ready. Change to your scales, and let’s get on it,” I say with a quick wave of my hand.

He gives a half-smile, making his scar pucker up a little. It’s like he’s distracting me with his delectable body on purpose, prancing around in a black T-shirt and jeans, giving me little smiles that make his scar wink at me, flashing his eyes that are the only spot of color on him. I may have to forget I’m mad at him when we get back here. Just for a few … hours.

“What?” He frowns at me.

“How did you get that scar?” I ask before I can stop myself.

Hunter gives a little grimace of embarrassment. “My brother accidentally did that when I was a hatchling. He was trying to teach me how to fly. I ended up dropping like a rock, and he sliced me with his tail when he caught me. You can’t imagine how much trouble we got into over that.”

I smile at the affection in his tone. “You’re close with your family?”

Hunter smiles. “We don’t talk all the time, but when we’re together, it’s like nothing has changed. They’re my kin. Nothing will change that.”

Such heady devotion and loyalty to his family. Of my mother’s children, I’ve always known I’m her favorite. I’m the most like her and the most willing to put up with her shit. That being said, I also know she would never truly sacrifice for me. I don’t have family like that.

I peel my eyes away from his face and say, “Do your little magical lizard act and shift your tail into gear.”

Hunter gives an amused snort at that. “You’ll have to carry my clothes for me,” he says before stripping and tossing each item of clothing at me. I quickly pull the T-shirt from my head in an effort to see him take off his pants. Sadly, I miss it, and he’s already fuzzy around the edges when I get a clear view of things. I don’t even bother trying to give some semblance of privacy as I watch him with interest. I’ve never seen anyone shift into dragon form.

It’s kind of anticlimactic by the fact that he looks just like any other shifter changing. He goes a bit fuzzy and translucent around the edges, then changes mass. The edges of his body begin to form another shape, color, and solidify. The rest of him pretty much follows the lead.

“Ready?” he asks once he’s big and green.

I bundle his clothing into a tight ball and remind myself that I’m a goddess. I’m above the feeble attempts of seduction from a mere mortal immortal. I’m all persuasion and seduction. He won’t turn my own tricks against me!

“I wish I had pants. Of course, some thoughtless dragon didn’t even pack an overnight bag for me,” I say, looking down at the blue dress shirt that I’m now sporting.

“I didn’t want the other goddesses to see you passed out in my arms and get the wrong idea,” he says, “so I had to be kind of quick.”

“But, they would have gotten the right idea.”

“Yeah, but that would have been bad for me. Hence no supplies,” he says. “Actually, not a lot of thinking beforehand at all. If I knew you’d bitch and complain so much, I might have just left you there to face whatever came for you.”

“That’s just not nice,” I huff as I circle him, trying to decide the best way to climb up.

“Yeah, you’re an angel and I’m the horrible guy. Can you get a move on? The faster you do this, the sooner I can come back home and rest.”

“Can you lift a big old paw and put me on your back or something? I don’t see a nice, safe way of climbing up. Especially if those scales are sharp,” I say.

He lifts up a giant paw with talons the size of my hand. I grip two of them as he pulls me up to his back. He sets me down gently, in a sitting position on his shoulders, where I can hold onto his back ridges.

“Thanks,” I say, settling down on his back and making myself comfortable.

“Peitho, are you wearing underwear?” he asks with a grunt.

I gasp. “There’s no way you can tell that!”

“Well, you’re pressing all on me,” he says, voice muffled.

I put his clothes under me and sit on them with some anger. “I don’t even know how you could tell the difference.”

“Just because dragon scales are thick doesn’t mean they don’t have nerve endings. In fact, there’s heightened sensitivity. Like, I could tell you were wet,” Hunter says smugly.

I groan out loud. “Shut up, oh scaly one.”

He chuckles a little. “Anything you say.”

It’s the chuckle that does me in. My anger suddenly disappears, and so does my embarrassment. He just sounds so … pleased with himself. Not confidently pleased like he expected it, but like it’s a happy little surprise. That alone lets me know that he may be teasing me, but not in anger. More like masculine pleasure.

“Yee-haw! Move it! Mush!” I shout.

We’re already at the entrance of the cave, so when he springs into action, all he has to do is take off. I hold on with all my might and look around the world. I imagine he flies about as fast as I can move for short bursts. Luckily, I don’t get motion sick and am used to traveling at faster speeds, at least, for short periods. Up here, everything looks so small and insignificant. I guess everything kind of is.

It seems like we’ve only been in the air for a moment when he braces his wings and zeroes in at the ground. I can tell he’s being especially careful to land gently since he has ever-so-precious cargo. When we do eventually land it’s light, but still a little jolt to the system. I hold onto his back ridges tightly. When we’re firmly on the ground, I stand and jump, landing on the earth in a graceful crouch.

“That was fun. We’ll have to do it again sometime,” I say, throwing his clothes over to him as he starts to change form.

“We will have to get home somehow,” he says sarcastically as he starts dressing.

“Yeah, yeah,” I say as I turn my back on him, needing no more temptation.

“You didn’t mind the flight, then? Some people can’t get used to the speed. Or how to hold on.”

“I’m stronger than most, so just holding onto the ridge on your back was enough for me to stay seated.”

“That’s good to know.” He is fully dressed now.

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

“Just for the future. I gather that you travel a lot. I like to fly places, and you could fly with me.”

“Or I could fly with the girls in a plane, like I normally do,” I say.

Hunter frowns. “It was just an idea.”

I sigh and backtrack. “Flying on you is a bit more fun than flying in an aluminum bottle. But don’t get any stupid ideas!”

“Sure. Doesn’t mean a thing. You just want to use me for my big, glorious, unbelievable, pleasurable body. Yeah, I get it. No need to further explain.”

“No teasing,” I scold him, but it’s not too effective with my smile. “Where should we start?”

Hunter starts leading the way, since he knows where we’re going and I have no clue. I’m fairly certain we’re in a bit of woods near the hotel. “I thought we’d start with the griffin and human, since they’re in a group near here, watching an archery demonstration.”

“How are we going to lure them over to us?”

He shifts a little. “I’ll take him away from the group and bring him over to you.”

“How can you do that since you’re apparently missing too?” I ask.

“I sent an e-mail to the hotel staff that I had to leave suddenly on business. You’re the only one technically seen as missing,” Hunter says.

“Yet all of my friends still think I’m off being tortured,” I say forlornly.

He glances at me when I give that awfully wet sniff. I start to wonder if I’ve taken things a bit too far. Usually I’m really good at the fake crying bit. Men love to see me as the poor damsel in distress who needs comforting. So why the hell is he giving me that suspicious look?

“I really hope you don’t think I’ll buy that half-assed performance. I know you’re yanking my tail, so give it up,” he says with some amusement.

I instantly drop the sad look with a pout. “You never let me get away with anything.”

“Yes, poor you. I’ll bring the griffin and human over at the same time. Ah, there they are,” Hunter says, peering after a group of trees and giving a nod of approval. “Stay here, and I’ll be back with them in a moment. Be prepared to hit them with the whammy so they won’t shout out at seeing you or anything.”

I wave his words away. “I’ve been doing this for years. Just get them and I’ll be ready.”

Hunter gives me a curt nod and walks away. I let the gold layer of skin come to the surface until I glow. I fill my eyes with passion and persuasion, shaking my hair loose about my face. I undo a few buttons of the shirt-dress, and I know I’m ready to do some damage. I hear them walking over and turn to face them.

When they catch sight of me, the human’s and griffin’s mouths fall gently open, and their eyes glaze over. I focus on both of them with my eyes, giving them the full effect of my power and compulsion over them. I try to avoid looking at Hunter, so he won’t be taken under my spell. When I know for sure that the human and griffin are perfectly content standing there staring at me, I look up at the dragon.