“Gods have two forms, a bit like you two.” Paulie was feeding his young son Egan, who’d woken up as they’d gone into the house. The toddler looked to be about eight or nine months old, chubby, with a cute smile that showed six teeth. Only his eyes indicated his heritage, an old soul living in a very young body.
“From what Zeus told me, after the Great War,” Paulie continued, “when gods were ordered to leave mortals alone, gods from different pantheons chose human forms to allow them to fit in with society without making waves. Zeus likes to appear as a human businessman exuding power and confidence. Other gods like Ra and Poseidon for example, preferred to be less threatening, choosing to blend in, rather than stand out.”
“Ra’s human form is stunningly pretty.” Arvyn couldn’t take his eyes off the screen. “But now… wow…” He nudged Kirill’s shoulder and squeezed his hand. “What do you think of Ra’s new look, babe?”
“I’m thinking his godly form is going to have vampires falling all over their feet to impress him. I’m just worried because I don’t know what they’re going to do. We should be with him.”
“There’s no point in worrying – our mates are gods after all.” Paulie wiped Egan’s face with a bib and handed him what looked like a solid biscuit. The little one took it in his chubby hand and waved it about like a sword. Swinging around in his chair, Paulie smiled. “The coven will still be standing when they’re done with their visit. Obliterating buildings or entire covens is against the non-interference law.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Kirill muttered and Arvyn gripped his hand even tighter, trying to convey his support, even as he watched the scene unfolding on the screen.
Chapter Thirteen
Flanked by his guards, and with Zeus by his side, Ra glided up the steps of the coven, appearing not to notice the two men standing outside the door. Raising his hands, Ra blew the door open, striding inside as though it was his right. He heard some kerfuffle, and someone was yelling, but Ra was confident his guards could take care of the situation.
Inside was a large, elegant reception area. The gold marble floors, tall columns and huge sweeping staircase was clearly meant to indicate wealth and grandeur, but the upright furniture clad in red velvet and the lack of flowers or cushions gave the room a chilly vibe. There was one large picture, a portrait set in the first turn of the stairs – an arrogant man with a wide chin and long blond hair. Kirill. Ra’s heart skipped a beat.
“Who is in charge here?” Ra didn’t raise his voice. Instead he let his power seep out from every pore, spreading through the open doorways and across the chilly marble. “Who is considered second to my beloved Kirill?”
“What the hell?” A door on Ra’s right opened, and a man stumbled out, his disheveled clothing and puffed lips indicating he’d been interrupted. A taller man, with a mean snarl on his face followed the first, tucking his shirt into his pants.
“I’m not in the habit of repeating myself.” Ra kept his voice low. “Who is considered the second of this quaint little group? Is it you?” He sneered at the smaller of the two men. The larger one had the look of a bouncer and was likely the head of security.
The smaller man recovered quickly, coming forward and holding out his hand. “I am Yakov, sir, proud second of this illustrious coven, and you are?”
Ra eyed the hand as if it would bite. Two of his guards snapped between them, their spears crossing with each other, forcing Yakov back. “Not impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Do you always attend your visitors with your pants undone and your hair messed?”
“Sir?” Yakov’s eyes immediately dropped to his open fly and he quickly zipped his fly. “My apologies. I was tending to a private matter when you arrived. Can I ask…” he shot a quick look at the guards and at the small clusters of vampires crowding the doorways. “Can I ask why such an illustrious person as yourself sees fit to visit our little corner of the world?”
“It needs to be inspected.” Ra used a tone making it sound as though his reasons were obvious. “I’m checking for unattached humans. Search every corner. Top to bottom.” Raising both hands, he clicked his thumb and third finger on each causing his guard numbers to double. “Four to a floor,” he instructed them. “Inspect every inch of the property and report back with any concerns that might render this place unsuitable including the presence of any humans that aren’t claimed or married to a coven member.”
“None may enter the coven without approval.” The mean vamp who’d been getting his dick sucked bristled as he made to intercept Ra’s guards. They ran straight past him and up the stairs their spears held in front of them. “Tell us who you are, and what business you have here, or I’ll be forced to call the Master.”
“Are you talking about Kirill? Your Master? My beloved?” Ra managed to make his chuckle sound convincing. “He’s far too busy with our delicious wolfen third to take your calls. Besides, he told me I could make any changes I deemed necessary, including with personnel.” He let the threat lie between them, the white face of the vampire was proof the man was up to no good. But it seemed Yakov had no conscience.
“Our Master has found his beloved.” Yakov clasped his hands together, playing up to the crowd which had gotten bigger. “Did you hear that everyone? Isn’t that such marvelous news, and to think his beloved is a godly being no less. Our coven is surely blessed by the Fates themselves.”
“I sincerely hope you think so when Kirill and our other beloved arrives.” Ra swept his arm to the side. “Step aside. Lord Zeus and I will inspect this floor and the basement.”
“My goodness, two highly esteemed gods from the ancient pantheons have deemed our coven respectable enough for a visit.” Yakov fluttered around Zeus as though he wanted to suck his dick. Ra’s zapping fingers itched.
“Please,” Yakov continued, unaware or ignoring the tension, “there’s no need to concern yourself with our smelly basement. Admittedly, our master holds a wonderful collection of wines down below, but they are kept in a climate-controlled room and there’s nothing else down there worth seeing. But I can show you his office.” Yakov took a couple of steps to the left, his arm pointing down the hallway. “I can arrange for some refreshments for you, and you can let me know any changes you’d like made so I can organize for them to be done. You mentioned you were looking for humans?”
“One would think,” Zeus spoke up for the first time since they’d revealed themselves, “that if the pissant says not to go into the basement, then the basement is exactly where we should be, don’t you? This man reeks of hidden secrets.”
“I agree.” Touching the tips of his fingers together, Ra formed a point with his hands and pushed his power out through them. “Out of the way.” Striding forward, Ra jerked to a stop as the tall vamp with the mean face grabbed at his arm.
“None may lay a finger on Lord Ra!” Two of the Anubis-headed guards sprang into action, forcing the vampire to the ground, pinning him in place with their spears crossed over his neck, the points resting against the marble.