"I can't believe you're a god with no better threat than that. But don't worry," he said as Dionysus looked like he was ready to strike. "I hate these assholes anyway and couldn't care less how many of them you turn into Shades."
The god calmed down instantly.
"I take it you know my cell number?" Zarek asked.
Dionysus nodded. "We'll be in touch."
"Fine. I'll see you Tuesday."
At Talon's insistence, Sunshine packed up her cart and let the men wheel it back toward her art gallery. But as they started away, she stopped them.
"What are you doing?" Talon asked as she opened up the small side door on her cart.
"Nothing."
He frowned at her as she pulled out the bowl Zarek had been looking at. She handed it to Vane. "Would you mind taking this to Zarek for me?"
Talon was aghast. "What are you, insane?"
"No, Talon. That man is in a lot of pain. I think he could use an act of kindness from someone."
Vane scoffed. "What he could use is a good butt-kicking."
"Vane, please." Sunshine urged him to take it.
He did, grudgingly. "Okay, but if he throws it at me, I'm going to want some compensation."
She kissed him on the cheek.
"Lame compensation, but in the presence of Talon, I'll settle for it."
Vane took the bowl and headed off down the street.
She turned back to Talon who was still frowning. "Zarek will slam it against a wall and break it the first chance he gets."
"I don't think so. Even if he does, I can always make another one."
He helped her lock up her cart and then led her back out to the street. "You have such a generous heart."
"That's what they tell me. So, shall we go hunt for Styxx?"
"Hell, no. I'm not going to chance you getting hurt."
She growled at him. "Listen, my grandmother said something to me this afternoon. She told me to follow my heart tonight. I don't know what she meant by that, but I trust her. She is an extraordinary psychic. Everything she has told me has come true."
"Look, Sunshine, I can't help what she said. I just know that I'm not willing to let anything happen to you. When Nynia died, I was so lost and cold, and I haven't been warm since. Not until I felt your hands on me. The only way I've been able to cope without you is to bury what I feel, but I can't seem to do that anymore. When I'm with you all I can do is feel and need."
"That's how I am too."
"So where does that leave us?"
"I don't know, Talon. I wish I did."
Talon put his arm over her shoulder as they walked back toward the square. He noticed other couples around them.
How he wished they could be a normal, happy couple with no worries other than a mortgage payment.
But it wasn't meant to be.