It is just you here, right?”
“For now, though eventually it will be home to all the gods. New Olympus, if you will.” His hand stretched toward my face like he was going to touch my cheek or brush my hair out of my face or some other cliché skeevy-guy move. “You can stay here too if you give me what I want.”
I smacked his hand away before he could touch me, unable to stomach the thought of Zeus ever putting his hands on me again. He looked hurt, of all things. He’s crazy, I realized. Completely certifiable, and I’m trapped here with him.
“You don’t have to be like that.” Zeus kept moving closer, towering over me.
I inched backward. He followed, breaching my personal space, and stared into my eyes with terrifying intensity. Air hissed between my teeth as I drew in a sharp breath. The fact that I was inches away from a guy who could turn me into a living lightning rod had nothing to do with my fear. There was something frightening in the raw power of his gaze. A darkness. It swirled in their blue depths like fire and ice and rage. Meeting his gaze was like looking into the edge of the night, staring into the heart of a storm, or peering into the center of a supernova. I couldn’t break away.
I’d forgotten. Gods help me, I’d spent so much time with my mom and Hades I’d forgotten what kind of power I was dealing with. He was the god king, ancient and forever. Zeus.
“We could have something, you and I.” He moved closer. If his grin were any indication, he was getting off on this cruel game of cat and mouse. “You’re not that bright, but you’ve got spirit.” Zeus inclined his head, sweeping over every inch of me in a lingering once-over. “I like that.”
My back hit a wall, and I stifled a sob as he closed in on me. Zeus’ body crushed mine against the cold wall of swirling mist. When he cupped my face, brushing the tears from my cheeks, I flinched away from him.
“This doesn’t have to end in blood.” His eyes locked to mine. Planting one hand beside me, Zeus allowed the other to travel down my arm, touch feather-light until he reached my hand and twined his fingers between mine. I faltered under the eternity of his gaze. I didn’t have a chance against him. This was the god who imprisoned the Titans, brought forth all of creation, stood in the center of the universe, and watched time turn. What was I against that? I was…
I was…
I was quoting Doctor Who.
I broke free of his charm and shoved him off me. “Get out of my head.”
Zeus slammed me into the wall, gripping the base of my neck with hands that crackled and sparked with electricity. My knee shot to his groin, but he sidestepped with ease. Electricity coursed through my veins.
With a wail, I collapsed. The misty floor swirled and churned beneath me as though agitated by his rage. My hands pressed against the floor on either side of his worn running shoes. Joel’s shoes.
“That’s more like it.” His fingers wrapped in my hair, and he yanked my head up. “Shall we try again?”
I thought fast. “Xenia.”
Zeus cocked his head, grip easing. “Xenia?”
“It’s hospitality in Greek—”
“I know what it means,” Zeus snapped. “But why are you bringing it up?”
“Showing kindness and hospitality to strangers from another land was so ingrained in Greek culture that even kings took in travelers off the street. The myths say you promised to always honor that code.” Gods can’t lie. It was a long shot, but anything was worth a try at this point.
Zeus snorted. His gold hair fell into his face, and he brushed it back in a gesture so reminiscent of Hades it hurt. “Daughters aren’t guests. They’re property.”
I lifted my chin. “I am not your property.”
“Oh, you’re adorable.” Zeus flicked his fingers, and a bolt of lightning shot down from the ceiling.
My screams ricocheted off the walls. He dragged me to my feet, a maniac gleam flashing in his eyes. “Swear fealty.”
I gasped for breath, tears sizzling down my cheeks as my flesh began to heal. Trembling, I shook my head. The small motion almost knocked me out it hurt so badly.
Zeus steadied me. “Oh sweetheart,” he murmured, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’m going to enjoy this.”
When I heard the crackle of electricity going live in