Just to the left of the house stood a wall that divided the circular driveway from the yard. About fifteen feet long, and twelve high, the red brick was also shelter to a bistro table and chairs. Walking out the front door, Angie looked around for a moment before heading to the wall and around it. 1
Dom glanced at her from his relaxed position of slouching in the chair with his feet propped on top of the table. Taking a drink from the beer bottle in his hand, he went back to watching the cloud filled sky. 2
Staring at him, Angie wished he would lose the sunglasses so she could read his eyes. Although he’d been more or less normal for the past couple days, she had caught him in those unguarded moments when he seemed to be so deep in a world of his own that nothing could reach him. 3
Her gaze fell to the empty bottles that sat neatly by the legs of his chair. After a thousand years of being unaffected by alcohol, his body was still getting used to the concept of being drunk after only a few drinks. Trying not to frown at the number that was there, she looked up at him. “Dom?”4
“I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of just sitting and doing nothing but watch clouds,” he said, his voice a mixture of wistful sadness. 5
“Something bothering you?” she asked, taking a seat in the remaining bistro chair. “And before you deny it…don’t.”6
Smiling slightly, he continued looking at the clouds. “Just, uh, worried about you, the baby, and the future in general.” 7
“I’m fine, the baby is healthy, and the future is unknown.” She paused. “Okay, for most of us, it’s unknown. Can’t you use that gift you have and look to see?”8
Finally looking at her, he shook his head slightly. “Doesn’t work like that,” he lied. “Maybe I should just ask Ash to remove it from me. I’m a mortal that can count the remaining years in decades, not centuries, and I don’t need the added burden.” 9
“This has something to do with a couple days ago, and the crib, doesn’t it?”10
“Yes, it does.” 11
Angie blinked, not really expecting him to admit that. It was from that point on that he had those indecisive moments, almost like he had seen something and wasn’t sure how to proceed. “What was it your friend Talon said about precognition?” she asked, referring to the ex-Dark-Hunter who lived in New Orleans. “Something about them being a clue to events, not the bare facts.”12
“Sometimes they’re hints,” he admitted. “Most times it’s just some fact that’s going to happen, and there’s really nothing I can do to stop it until that moment. And by then, it’s usually too late.”13
“You’re not gong to tell me what you saw, are you.”14
“Nope.”15
“What if I can stop it by knowing?”16
“You can’t.” Going back to looking at the clouds, he brought the beer up for another drink. 17
~~~~~~~~~~~~18
~~~~~~~~~~~~19
If one didn’t know the secret lifestyle that Paul Kalenta hid, they’d assume he was just some absurdly good looking rich playboy. That was true, up to a point. Throw in the fact that he was a centuries old Arcadian eagle, who did a little demon hunting on the side, and one would have a pretty full picture of him. Then again, no one outside of the others in this room, and probably a couple more omnipotent beings, knew about the demon hunting. As far as they knew, the only demons in his life were Daimons and the occasional Gallu. 20
Not even his family knew, which always gave him a perverse little thrill. What would his now deceased brothers say if they found out he wasn’t the pansy-ass they always thought him to be. Not that he really cared, but it would have been interesting to see their reactions. Just his dumb luck that the Dark-Hunter destroyed both before he could…tell them, that is. 21
And just his luck to be hunting one day, ages ago, and come upon an extremely strange sight. From the air as he circled in eagle form, it looked like a woman struggling with an older woman. Most times he would stay out of any human arguments, but the older woman was giving off distinct impressions in the demon area. 22
With no time, he dove at the pair, talons outstretched. The struggle was winding down, and he knew he’d never make it in time, so screeching seemed the best thing. Grabbing the attention of the older woman, he continued to dive as she stepped back, the other woman falling to the ground. 23
The older woman changed appearance just as he reached her, the demon face worse than most he had ever seen. Clawed fingers swiped at him as his talons went for her face, both striking at the same time and drawing blood. Before Paul could turn for another pass, the demon vanished. 24
Landing painfully, he changed into his base human form, dressed and took a look around in case it was a trick. When he couldn’t sense her in the least, he turned his attention to the body on the ground, stopping when he realized he recognized her. The wife of the baker in the nearby town, she’d always had a smile for her customers, and Paul had grown semi-addicted to a sweetbread she and her husband made. 25
Taking one step towards her he spun as a shiver went up his spine, manifesting a long sword in his hand before he turned completely. Standing not far away was a tall woman, too perfectly beautiful to be anything but a goddess. The sword vanished, since Paul knew it would be of no use, and he took a step back. 26
Walking past him with no word, the woman knelt by the body, and closed her eyes. This kill was fresh. Annoyed that she’d barely missed Labeve, Roan concentrated on the man behind her, reading his mind without him knowing. “You saw who did this.”27
Entranced by the melodious lilt of her voice, he stared. “Uh, some demon,” he finally said, realizing how stupid it sounded. 28
Standing, Roan turned towards him. “Yes. And you fought her. I could use someone like you.”29
“With what?” 30
“Hunting the demon that did this.” 31
Jerking slightly, Paul dragged himself back to the present… or to at least whatever time zone Roan’s private realm happened to be in at the moment. Even though he’d only been with Roan for a little over one hundred-twenty years, he’d been from one end of the cosmic stage and back again more times that he’d care to count. 32
Killing indiscriminately was something that never bothered him, and on the whole, he kept far away form the affairs of demons and other assorted ghoulish beings. However, there were some places where Paul drew the line, and the hunting of any pregnant being just to use the life force of the fetus crossed that line. Labeve was probably one of the only demons he wouldn’t mind seeing gutted and mounted on Roan’s wall. 33
Speaking of Roan… Paul looked around, wondering where she’d taken off to this time. Although the goddess was all powerful, she was forever jumping from one idea to the other, most times not even thinking them through before diving in. 34
Pushing himself away from the table, Paul stood with a stretch and headed for the fully loaded buffet table. There was a time when hearing about Labeve had ruined his appetite, but he soon grew accustomed to the carnage description. Walking behind a chair, he jumped to the side as the occupant had an unbelievably malevolent thought directed at him.35
“Whoa!” Paul said, holding a hand out. “Easy there, chickie. I’m just walking past.”36
“The name’s not chickie.”37
“Tria, then,” he said as she turned in her seat. “Look, I can’t apologize for my brothers, since they really meant nothing to me. I’m glad they’re dead. So, it would be nice if you’d stop looking like you’re planning how to kill me, because it’s sort of starting to really piss me off.”38
“Aw, too bad.”39
Scoffing slightly, Paul shrugged and continued walking. “I get enough attitude from my own kind, and I don’t really need it from some fire throwing strumpet, thank you.”40
Resisting the urge to kill him, Tria went back to her work. The world was full of annoyances, and if she let every one get to her, then offing them would be a full time profession. Suddenly feeling the need to talk to someone that would understand, she leaned back slightly.41
Ash?42
Tria? his deep voice came back, filling her with a warmth that she really didn’t want to be feeling. How are you?
Good. Confused. Can I talk to you?
Any time you want, he replied. Let me know when, and I’ll talk to Roan about whisking you away for a bit.
Thanks. 43
Pulling herself back to her surroundings, she tensed as the eagle walked towards her again. He had the whole room to cross through, but her purposely walked near her just for the annoyance factor. Glaring as he pulled the chair across from her out and sat, she stared in confusion as he rolled an apple towards her.44
“Peace offering,” he said. 45
“Don’t like apples.”46
“Roan used the ‘plucked like and apple’ analogy, didn’t she,” he said as he took a bite from the apple he had. “Grossed me out for a while, too.”47
Tria replied by giving him a cold, curious stare.48
“Speaking of the head goddess,” he said, rather enjoying the other woman’s discomfort at his presence. “Where’d she poof off to this time?”49
“She didn’t say, I didn’t ask, and you’re really annoying me.” 50
“If I’m the biggest annoyance of your day,” he said, “then that’s a pretty good day.”51
~~~~~~~~~~~~52
~~~~~~~~~~~~53
He woke with a stale taste in his mouth, a headache and really needing to go to the bathroom. Blinking in confusion, Dom let his feet fall from the bistro table, grimacing as they hit the cold ground. 54
He stood slowly, the blanket on him pooling to the ground, which caused him to stare at it. He didn’t remember having a blanket when he came out earlier, and decided that Angie must have covered him with it after he’d either fallen asleep or passed out. 55
Stretching lightly, his foot hit a beer bottle, jingling it against the others that had made a neat pile by the chair. Drinking wasn’t really his thing, and it took a surprisingly small amount to get him toasted. Speaking of which, he shifted uncomfortably as the need for the bathroom rose, and contemplated a small detour to the bushes a few feet to his left. With his luck, Angie would pick that moment to check up on him, and the last thing he needed was for her to catch him wizzing on the roses. 56
Stumbling over the blanket that was still wrapped around his feet, he made it to the other side of the wall, and on towards the front door of the house. Hoping the door was unlocked or else he’d have to use the bushes, he placed a hand on the knob and turned, sighing in relief as he entered his home. 57
Now, all he had to do was make it to the bathroom, get undressed and slip into bed before Angie…stood from her spot on the couch. Hanging his head with a sigh, Dom looked at her. 58
“Be right back,” he said, turning for the hallway and the disappearing into the darkness. 59
Angie watched as he tried to walk a straight line, and shook her head. She didn’t begrudge his getting drunk, but she didn’t like that he was starting to revert to his former self and trying to handle it all on his own. To her, getting married meant a partnership, and she had to make sure that he was aware of her feelings. 60
Wiping freshly washed hands on his thighs as he walked back from the restroom, Dom made it to the couch and nearly fell into it. “I was rude to you earlier, and I’m sorry,” he said. 61
“What?” Angie asked, forgetting her earlier concerns. 62
“You wanted to talk, and I basically shut you out.” His voice held a slight slur to it, along with the hint of some long ago accent. “You’ve put up with a lot of strange shit this past year, and I shouldn’t be adding to it.”63
“Why do you do that?” 64
“Do what?”65
“Talk your way out of me being annoyed with you.” She sighed. 66
“Sorry?” he offered. “Maybe we should talk about this when my head isn’t ready to explode?” 67
Angie nodded, then took a step back. “Think you can stumble your way up the steps to bed?”68
“Think so,” he said, pushing himself off the couch. 69
“See you up there, then.” Turning with an imperious whirl, she strode for the step and started up. 70
~~~~~~~~~~~~71
~~~~~~~~~~~~72
Walking through the mountain town that was about twenty kilometers from her private estate, Aiden looked through a few shop windows. At times she liked to just stroll through the streets, and visit the shops to ward off the boredom that would unexpectedly hit. 73
The mid-morning sun reflected off the clear windows, adding an old world charm to an already beautiful town. Deciding to grab an iced tea while she wandered, Aiden headed for the small bistro down the street and entered. Ordering, she waited at the counter while her drink was made, then thanked the worker and turned. 74
A woman sitting at a window table caught her attention, and she calmly walked towards her. “You don’t seem the serene mountain type,” she said, taking a sip of the cool liquid. 75
“Not everyone is as they seem,” Roan replied. “As you’ll soon find out.”76
“Ooohhh,” Aiden breathed. “Cryptic. How… unique.” 77
“Sit,” Roan said, forcing her voice to be calm. “I need to talk to you.”78
Pulling the opposite chair out, Aiden slipping in to it easily, and calmly regarded the other woman…although she severely wanted to punch her in that all too perfect mouth. “So, talk.”79
“Do you even know what type of being he is?”80
“I know enough,” Aiden admitted. “I’ve been informed of the events leading to your…falling out, shall we say.”81
Raising an eyebrow at that, Roan quickly went through the conversation in the eagle’s mind. Surprised that Savitar had actually kept more or less to the truth on that, she had a little insight on how her actions had hurt him. 82
“Did he tell you that he killed everyone I knew?”83
“He told me that you hid your followers.” 84
Scoffing, Roan gave her a hard stare. “He waited until I retrieved them, then killed everyone.”85
“Why would he do that?”86
“Because he’s a vindictive being who hates it when anyone doesn’t do as he says.” She gave a grim smile. “He blamed me for what happened. Still blames me.”87
“Maybe if you hadn’t betrayed him, then he’d be fine with it.”88
Anger spiked through Roan at the words, causing her to lash out. “Listen here, you pathetic kludge. There is so much you don’t know about him. He’s using you, plain and simple. He’s incapable of caring for anything or anyone beyond his own self, and one day soon he’ll assuredly sell your soul for his betterment.”89
Staring, Aiden took a drink from her glass to calm down. Finishing it, she stood and looked down. “Interesting chat. Let’s not do it again.”90
Watching as the eagle walked away, Roan smiled slightly, knowing she’d said the right things to make the small seed of doubt the eagle had grow into something she’d be unable to ignore. So Savitar had told her the truth…not like that would ever happen again. It was obviously something he did to placate his newest play toy. After all… it was his nature.91
And speaking of in his nature, Roan smiled again as she looked out the window, and saw the subject of her thoughts leaning casually against a light post. Since Aiden had just walked past there a few moments before, she knew that Savitar had waited so he wouldn’t be seen. 92
Casually standing from the table, Roan walked out of the bistro, and headed in the opposite direction. She wasn’t at all surprised when her path was blocked by the sudden appearance of a six foot eight wall of annoyance.93
“To what do I owe the honor?” she asked smoothly.94
“It never ceases to amaze me just how big of a bitch you can be,” Savitar replied in the same tone. 95
“You won’t return my calls,” she said. “I knew by talking to your plaything that it would get your attention.”96
Turning, Savitar walked towards a walkway between two buildings and waited for her to join him. “What?” he demanded.97
“I need to know anything else you can tell me about Labeve.”98
“And in exchange?”99
Roan blinked at the decidedly uncharacteristic line from Savitar. True, a lot of gods had others enter in to bargains for services rendered, but Savitar had mostly kept out of that little act. He preferred to use it as a ‘favor’, which would be repaid at some point. 100
“What do you want?” she asked, not really sure if she wanted to know.101
“Stay away from Aiden.”102
“Afraid she’ll learn the truth?” 103
“She knows the truth,” Savitar replied. 104
“Now that I highly doubt.”105
“And you wonder why I despise you.”106
Walking to him, she gave him a once over. “Thought you didn’t hate me any longer.”107
“Not hating, and ‘can’t stand your damn guts’ are two different things.”108
“Come on, Sav,” she said, her voice low and sensual. “There was a time when you’d do anything to make me smile. Too bad you can’t look past your anger and realize that.”109
Unable to stop the distaste from showing on his face, he sneered. “Please. Vomiting isn’t on my list of things to do today, and I’d like to keep it that way.” 110
“Jerk.”111
“What’s your point?” Taking a step back, he looked her in the eyes. “Now, is there anything else you want to make me ill over, or are you through?”112
Deciding to go for broke, Roan mentioned her newest plan. “The unborn child of the ex-Dark-Hunter.” 113
“What about him?” Savitar asked slowly.114
“The mother told me that she would offer any help that I needed to stop Labeve.” 115
“Angie is off limits,” Savitar said. 116
“Why?”117
“Because I said so,” he replied, sounding like he was talking to a whining child. 118
“Dominic seems the be one of the few that is not affected by Labeve, and unless you’re going to get off your complacent ass to help, then I’ll do what I have to do to get rid of her.” Sighing in anger, Roan glared. “Contrary to what you believe, not everyone has to do as you say. If I can stop Labeve at the sacrifice of one woman, then-“119
Suddenly, and without her consent, Roan flew across the walkway, stopping a hairsbreadth from Savitar. It was then that she understood the power the man wielded, and felt that unfamiliar trickle of fear.120
“If you even dare to entertain thoughts of using her as bait of any kind…” Teeth clenched in anger, he left the rest of the warning unspoken.121
Unable to move, she forced herself to be calm. Using some of her own powers, she bumped up the sex pheromone count in her body, hoping to play on his former feelings for her. They were so close that she had to refocus to see his face, and for a moment she could see confusion in those violent orbs. It looked like he was going to kiss her, but he stepped back with a snarl and stormed away, vanishing mid stride.122
~~~~~~~~~~~~123
~~~~~~~~~~~~124
Appearing back on the shore of Neratiti, Savitar ran a hand over his goatee as he mentally calmed himself from his encounter with Roan. It wasn’t bad enough that she had to be a bitch of titanic proportions to him, but she had purposely pulled Aiden into her little machinations just so she could be a bigger bitch.125
Holding his hand out, he brought the newly created cell phone up to his ear and made a call126
“Hey babe,” he said when it was answered.127
“Hi,” Aiden replied warmly. 128
“Up for some sand, surf, and rolling around in the sand?”129
“With you?”130
Blinking, he brought the phone away to stare at it for a moment before returning it to his ear. “How many ridiculously good looking, omnipotent surfers with private islands do you know?”131
“Since you put it that way.”132
He could tell she was teasing and part of him liked that she felt comfortable enough to do that with him. “See you in a couple seconds,” he said, smiling as she appeared before he could even close the phone.133
Walking to him, she gave him a kiss then stepped back. “Could you clear something up for me?”134
“The sky? The water? The confusion you’re feeling after talking with Roan again?”135
“The last one,” Aiden said slowly, wondering why she was even surprised that he knew. “She claims you destroyed everyone in her village.”136
“She said I what?”137
“Killed everyone.”138
“I told her that if she returned anyone to the village then they were dead.” Closing his eyes, he shook his head. “Stupid bitch,” he whispered in disbelief. “She knew returning anyone would kill them.” Opening his eyes, he shrugged lightly. “Yeah, guess I did kill them.”139
“That’s it?” Aiden asked. 140
“Yes, that’s it,” Savitar replied. “And it happened over ten thousand years ago.”141
“What else did she tell me that was true?”142
“Everything is true from a certain perspective,” he pointed out, feeling his calmness slipping away. “You just have to decide where your perspective is on all of this. To paraphrase Acheron, there are three truths to all things. My truth, Roan’s truth, and the actual truth, which lies between the two.” 143
“Okay.” Stepping back, Aiden studied him. Reaching out with her natural empathic powers, she tried to feel for deceit. Getting a lot of gray areas, and more than a few dead ends, she stopped. “You’re impossible to read.”144
”Just live under the theory that there’s nothing I’m not capable of, and things should be fine.”145
“Well, that makes me feel a lot better.” Shaking her head in frustration, she turned from him. 146
Staring at her back as a small tic worked in his jaw, he fought back the urge to pull her in to an argument that he really, really wanted to have. Instead, he turned to look at the water, concentrating on the never-ending waves that caressed the shore. He glanced behind, ready to say something when he stopped and stared. 147
The sun was shining on her hair, the highlights more like dark gold than brunette, with strands cascading over her shoulder and the straps of her thigh length dress. All thoughts of the argument he was gearing up for fled his mind as he watched the sun caress her. You haves to stops thinking like a god…Simi’s advice. Sighing, he looked at the sky, wondering how one omnipotent being who usually didn’t give a damn would go about such an endeavor. 148
Honestly, he had no idea. He was too used to doing what he wanted that he wasn’t sure how to, or even if he would be able to, cater to the emotions of another. Any part of him that may have held some humanity had been eroded through the years, leaving shadows of images that may or may not be helpful.149
Turning, he walked towards her, scooping her into his arms with one smooth motion. Going back towards the water, he took a step in, allowing the waves to cover his feet.150
“Sav,” Aiden said carefully. “I don’t like the water.”151
“I know,” he replied, taking a few more steps in. “Do you trust me?”152
”I trust you won’t be mean enough to do something I don’t want.”153
”I’m not an ass.” Taking another step in he started to lower her, ignoring her protests.154
“Don’t you dare-“ she stopped as her backside touched a smooth surface, and glanced down to see the surfboard that separated her from the water. The board dipped slightly as he hopped up to sit beside her. “What are you doing?”155
“Trying to be romantic,” he said with a sigh. “And apparently failing.” Slipping off the board, he placed his arms under her and turned back for the shore. 156
“Put me back on the board,” she said. Waiting until she was back, she pulled her legs up and looked at him. “You don’t need to be romantic with me. I like you the way you are.”157
“Gee, thanks,” he said, blinking at the off-handed comment. 158
“Why are you trying to be romantic?”159
“Because I thought you’d like it.” 160
“I mean why are you being romantic?”161
He shrugged, and she could tell he was about to avoid the question. Not wanting to let him off the hook, she decided to spin it around and see if she could get an answer another way.162
“Sav…what would you think is romantic?” Before she could blink, they were standing in a large walled off area. A steaming pool sat in the middle, the starlight above twinkling off the smooth surface. 163
“It’s not deep,” he assured her. “Just think of it as a giant birdbath.”164
“Ha ha.” Moving to sit on the side, she dipped her feet and looked up at him. “If I were in eagle form, I’d love the water. But then that would be a tad too kinky for me,” she added with a wink. Hopping to her feet, she smiled. “Okay, sexy. Start romancing.”165
Snorting lightly, Savitar took a small step back to look her over. Honestly, he hadn’t really thought of ways to romance, relying on pure instinct when the time came. To be put on the spot was a little disconcerting, and kind of erotic. 166
Aiden watched the thought play over his face, and was about to tell him that he didn’t need to romance her when he vanished. Wondering where he went, she titled her head as his presence appeared behind her.167
Arms encircled from behind, and one hand trailed down her arm slowly towards her hand. Grabbing it in his he brought it up to kiss the palm as his other arm circled around to caress her waist. Kissing the back of her neck and shoulder, his hand lowered slightly, brushing the top of her dress before going to her thigh and down, stopping to gently skim the material up along her leg. Using his own leg, he gently nudged hers apart, pulling her back and on to him.168
~~~~~~~~~~~~169
~~~~~~~~~~~~170
His head ached, the sun streaming through the curtains was too bright, and the loud noise from not too far away made his whole body shake. His mouth felt like he’d sucked on a wool sock all night, and his stomach wasn’t faring much better. Raising his head slowly, Dom looked around the bedroom, trying to focus as things appeared blurry. 171
The pounding that he thought was in his head started again, prompting him to look at the wall just behind the headboard. Clenching eyes shut as the pounding in his head matched the pounding coming from the wall, he slowly sat up, groping for something to slip on. 172
Finally finding a bathrobe of some sorts, and making sure it was his and not Angie’s, he pulled it on as he stood and stumbled for the door. The entire room was spinning, and just when he was sure that a quick detour to the bathroom might be good, he got his stomach under control. 173
Making his way down the hall, he stopped outside the room that was next to their bedroom. Until now, it was a small office that held a lot of his things. Pushing the door open, he tried to focus on Angie as she stood in front of one wall, hammering a scrolling sideboard on to the wall. 174
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice hoarse from a night of drinking.175
Angie turned and smiled. “Did I wake you?”176
“Well, yeah.”177
“Good.” She turned back to the small closet she was securing to the wall. “This is the baby’s room, and I’m just putting a few things up.”178
“It’s my office,” Dom said, his brain not quite catching up with what she was saying. 179
“It was your office,” Angie said, then motioned behind her. “All your things are there.”180
“It’s too early for this,” Dom mumbled.181
“It’s two in the afternoon,” Angie informed him. “And if you’re going to be Mr. Grouchy, then you can just go back to bed.”182
Dom stared, not wanting to argue. “If I knew I wouldn’t fall down the steps, I’d sleep on the couch. But, as it is I probably would, so I’m just going to go throw up, then have a shower and a bottle of Tylenol.” 183
“Sounds good,” Angie said as he turned and shuffled away. Picking up the measuring tape, she marked a spot from the corner, and went back to hammering.184
~~~~~~~~~~~~185
~~~~~~~~~~~~186
“Feel free to be romantic any time you want,” Aiden nearly purred as her head rested on Savitar’s shoulder. The discussion from Roan suddenly crossed her mind, spoiling what had been a tranquil moment. Deciding to banish a few of the more nagging thoughts, she glanced up in to his face, blinking at the evaluating look he was giving her.187
Figuring that he’d probably already gone through the not-yet conversation in her mind, she pressed on.188
“If I asked you a question, would I be able to get a straight, non-vague response?”189
“Yes.”190
Aiden blinked, not really expecting the reply. “Uh. You’ve said that we’re only supposed to be together for a short time.”191
“True.”192
“How long?”193
”You sure you want to know?”194
“I think so,” Aiden said. “I mean, we were supposed to break up before, and I was to tell you to go away, but since that never happened…” She trailed off.195
“We can part company any time,” Savitar said as he absently played with a lock of her hair. “And we can stay apart if neither tries to salvage the relationship. Although eventually, it will end.”196
“When?” She glanced up at him when he didn’t reply. “I’m not looking for an exact time or date. If you don’t piss me off complete before now and then, and I tell you to bugger off, when’s it end?”197
He laughed lightly. “Three hundred years, give or take.”198
“Three what?” she said, staring. “Three hundred years?”199
“Give or take.”200
Shaking her head in denial, Aiden pulled back slightly. “That’s not a short time.”201
“It is to me.”202
Blinking at the simple way he said that, Aiden leaned forward and kissed him gently. “But what if,” she said, pulling back to see his face, “we break up permanently during that time? Won’t that change other things?”203
“I have complete faith that you’d be able to handle anything thrown at you,” he replied mysteriously. “Regardless if I’m there or not.” 204
“What if Roan shows up again?”205
“She won’t.”206
”Why not?”207
“I made a deal for her to keep away in exchange for certain information.”208
Sitting up so she could look down, Aiden frowned slightly. “If you don’t want to get involved with her again, then don’t. I can handle myself.”209
“I know you can. But not against a Chthonian.”210
“A what?”211
”God killer,” Savitar replied. “Long story, but basically only another Chthonian can kill her.”212
“Why certain information did you trade her?”213
“None, yet,” he admitted. “She pissed me off with wanting to use bait, and I told her Angie was off limits.”214
“Angie?” Aiden repeated. “As in Dominic’s lady?”215
“That would be her.” 216
“So, you told her Angie was off limits?”217
“Yes.”218
“What if Roan uses her anyway?”219
“Oh, I know she will,” Savitar replied. “Counting on it, actually.”220
Aiden stared, then shook her head. “You manipulated her.”221
“I relied on her to be herself, and do the opposite of what I say.”222
“Will Angie and the baby die?”223
”Not if Roan does her job.”224
“But they might.” She sighed when all he did was return her gaze. “You can’t let her.”225
“Why not?”226
“You tell me,” Aiden said, suddenly annoyed. 227
“Aiden-“228
“No,” she interrupted. “You tell me why you can let her die.”229
“Sometimes bad things happen to good people so that other good people can live.”230
No emotion showed on his face as Aiden gave an exasperated growl and vanished. Turning for the water, Savitar surveyed the smooth surface as her words went through him. You manipulated her. True, he had manipulated someone… although it hadn’t been Roan. 231
232
233
In a list
Please tell me what you think [Reward: double points]
Comments
-
Poor Dom. Just when things start going right, everything goes straight to hell.
Interesting about Paul. I take it that the background information supplied means that he's going to be a bigger part of the story?
Line 32 "that he’d care to count" .. than?
"fire throwing strumpet"
A drunk Dom? Wanting to wizz on the bushes?
Don't worry, Savitar dearest...Roan annoys me too. Ooohhh... flex those powers, Sav.....
And romatic... wow... 
A hungover Dom is a grouchy Dom. Well written!
Savitar... you... JERK!
. Rewarded 8
-
-
Yes, Paul's in the story... and should surprise you
-
Adding your comment:
