He’s begging her for sex. I’m hoping she gives in.” He looks at his watch. “It’s that time of day. Hades might take a nice long nap afterward, and we can slip in and out.”
“Really?” I’m frowning. “We have to wait for them to get busy?”
“That’s if she lets him,” Death looks disgusted, “do the deed.”
“I thought they were newlyweds?”
“Yeah, Hades has a healthy appetite.” That disgusted look is back.
“I don’t need to hear any more.” I might be sporting the same look.
We stand around for about forty-five minutes. Death disappears every now and then to check. He shakes his head when he returns. A little while later, he gets this pained look. His whole body seems to tighten. “Duty calls,” he says. “Don’t move, I’ll be back in a few.”
I give a tense nod. I take a seat. My legs are getting tired from all this standing around. I’m not very patient. This is taking longer than expected. I’m glad I took a load off because it takes a while for Death to return. I don’t know how long exactly, because my watch doesn’t work down here.
“Sorry.” He doesn’t look like he is. “It ended up being three souls.” He might be helping me, but he still has to do his ‘Death duties’. “I checked in on them,” he points at the house, “before coming back here, and it’s a no-go. He’s still begging.” Death chuckles. “It’s so pitiful.” He looks like he’s loving his father’s struggles.
I hear movement and laughter coming from the house. Four women walk out. They’re all supermodel beautiful. They’re wearing little shirts and little dresses. They hop into one of the sports cars and drive away. Death and I move to stay out of sight.
“Who are they?” I ask as the car speeds by.
“My stepmothers.”
“Wait a minute. Your stepmothers – however many of them there are – all live in that house?” I point. I can feel I’m frowning. This makes no sense.
Death nods. “There are ten of them. Eleven with the harpy. My mother is his first wife, so twelve in total.”
I frown. “And your father can’t get laid?” I sound shocked.
Death laughs softly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him laugh. “Poor fuck! Hades only wants the harpy. He hasn’t so much as touched one of the others since she got here.”
I nod as I think it through. “I guess that makes sense.”
“It’s driving him nuts.” Death laughs some more. I join in, even though I feel bad for the guy. Hades must have feelings too.
Then I stand.
“What are you doing?” Death asks.
“I’m going in.”
He shakes his head. “We should wait.”
“You really think I’m going to be able to talk to the harpy without him knowing? Your father is obsessed with her. Completely besotted. There’s no way I’m getting anywhere near her without him being present.”
He thinks about it for a moment and then nods, albeit grudgingly. “You’re sure about this? It’s risky. Hades is a fucking asshole. We could leave now, no harm done.”
I nod. “I’m sure. I have to do this.”
We walk down the driveway together, heading straight for the front door.
“Death,” someone says from inside the house before we even get there.
Death whispers a cuss word under his breath.
I knew it. He’s watching her, watching the house. He’s twitchy as fuck.
“Who have you brought for me?” the voice says. Then a man steps outside. He looks a lot like Night and Death. Although young-looking, with a toned physique, there’s something ancient about him. Maybe it’s his eyes, or just the air about him, but he definitely isn’t as young as he seems.
“No one for you, Dad,” Death says. “This is my friend, Bolt.”
“Ah, Zeus’s boy. I believe we’re related. I’m your Uncle Hades.” He smiles at me, looking like evil incarnate.
“Good to meet you,” I say, being polite out of habit. Also, I need to speak with his wife.
“Bolt is only visiting, and we’re in a bit of a hurry. He’s here to see Twelve.”
Twelve?
That’s her name now. Then I remember that Hades likes to call his wives by the number in which he married them. He’s one sick fuck! Hades’s eyes narrow, and I see his whole body bristle. “Why? What do you want with my wife?”
“I just need to talk to her for half a minute,” I say. “Please,” I push out.
“I don’t think so,” Hades says with a sneer.
“Dad, please don’t be unreasonable. Bolt—”
“Sweetheart,” I hear a voice from inside the house, “Babycakes, who is it?