Sirenz - By Charlotte Bennardo Page 0,28

the drawer, shut it, and dropped into Reynaldo’s chair.

“I can’t have you using your powers and then destroying the evidence.” Hades’ smile would melt the polar ice caps, but I felt as cold as absolute zero. “Don’t worry, cara mia, you will always be beautiful no matter what form you take. However, you and Margaret are running out of time. More action, less fooling around. Unless you want to join me. I will return your beautiful appendages at once if you do.”

I blushed but shouted, “No! I’ll do the job!”

“Then don’t waste your gifts on people like QT. He belongs to me already and I can’t have him confused over who is his master. Tell me, you don’t think his pathetic raps alone got him that famous, do you?” Hades gazed out the window to the busy street below. “I miss the days when language was as musical as the melody. You people listen to garbage. Rock, Rap, Country, Techno.” He visibly shuddered. “Talk about small talent! Not a performer today can measure up to a Greek minstrel. But things change so quickly with mortals and it’s not easy living with the same gods for all time. You humans are what make life interesting.” He turned around to gift us with that killer smile again. “It’s so much fun to play with you. We on Olympus almost never correctly guess what stupid things you’re going to do next. It’s invigorating watching you struggle and fail, only to get back up and do it again. Like watching a mouse in a maze, waiting for the snake at the other end to find you.”

“Glad you find us so amusing,” Meg quipped. I snorted behind my clawed hand.

“Laugh all you want ladies, but remember what that clever man Will said, ‘He who laughs last …’ ” The door flung open and Reynaldo burst in, carrying a tray of gourmet brownies. Hades smirked at him, but Reynaldo didn’t seem to notice.

Hades snapped his fingers. Reynaldo, with a perturbed look, and Meg with her mouth slightly open as if to say something, stood frozen. Hades moved closer to me, a hair’s breadth away.

“By the way, cara mia, this Jeremy? He’s not worth your time. You keep vying with Margaret for his attention and I might call myself … vexed.”

I turned scarlet. Hades gave me a burning gaze and licked his lips.

“Ciao, bella.” He breezed by Reynaldo, tapping him on the forehead. Reynaldo sprang to life.

“Ase me isihi,” I said, taking the plate of brownies. “Are these for me? Thank you!” I needed a chocolate boost after that confrontation.

“What?” Reynaldo looked distracted. He turned just in time to see Hades turn around a sharp corner down the hall. “No! You don’t need the extra calories! And who was that?” he breathed, fanning himself.

“Avoid him,” ordered Meg. “Ouch!”

Another feather prick, a parting shot from Hades. She was going to need a muumuu before the end of the day if she kept that up.

Pluck You!

We caught QT before he left and unvamped him, but not before I “suggested” that he reconsider his choice of female companionship. Then Shar looked at him and told him to stop using such vulgar language in his music. If he was under Hades’ wing, let the O-Great-Lord-of-the-Underworld make a billion-dollar seller out of a swear-free rap song. It was worth extra feathers and scaly skin.

The next morning, Jeremy was waiting for us when we walked in.

“What did you say to QT to make him drop the doggy fashions? Mr. Romanov never wanted to do it, but it was a mega deal. He’s more than thrilled with QT’s new plans.”

Apparently, when he got home, QT “ditched the bitch” and spent the evening drawing up leatherwear designs for “booty-ful blondes” and “shortie-pies.” Several six-digit orders were placed.

Jeremy looked at me expectantly, but even if I wasn’t hesitant about talking, I wasn’t sure what to say. Hey, we used supernatural means to put your renegade rap star on the straight and narrow didn’t seem appropriate. Besides, after the previous days’ revelations, what other minute details could cause problems?

“Aghhh,” I rasped.

“I think Meg’s coming down with something,” Shar said, placing a cool hand on my forehead.

“Are you okay?” Jeremy asked, tender concern in his voice. “Do you want to go home and rest?”

“I can handle things here,” Shar said, patting my shoulder. “You can go home.”

There was no way I was going to leave her alone with him, so I smiled and shook my head firmly.

Jeremy’s worried