Godhunter

Chapter 6

I don't mind boats; as long as they stayed afloat and kept me out of the water. It was the ocean that I had a problem with, and I blame my paranoia on my mother. She'd been a young woman when she had me and instead of staying home, wasting her youth, she took me out with her. I loved my childhood and will physically assault anyone who dares to say that my mother was a bad parent, but sometimes it's not the best idea to cart a kid along.

One of those outings had been to a yacht party. I don't remember much about the festivities, but I remember the boat. When, as an adult, I'd mentioned the memory to her, she had nervously asked what else I remembered. I pressed her to elaborate, and she said that there had been a small space of time when I'd gone missing; they found me overboard. I was three. She sees no connection to my fear of the ocean.

To be completely honest, I must admit that Jaws played a small part in my terror of the deep as well. It had played an even bigger role in my decision to never surf (I don't like feeling like bait, thank you very much). But I had no thoughts of killer sharks when I boarded Thor's floating behemoth. I didn't think about the water at all actually since the boat... ship... whatever... was so big that I forgot the ocean was even there. No small feat when dealing with me and my paranoia.

Thor took my hand to help me across the gangplank and didn't release it. He pulled me casually through the interior of the thing; passing room after room of shining mahogany paneling and gleaming steel. I caught glimpses of plush carpeting in dark blue and matching curtains fluttering in the warm, salty breeze. The boat must have been specially made for Thor because even with his bulk, he didn't look cramped at all. In fact, we were walking down the corridor side by side, and his head didn't even come close to brushing the ceiling.

We stopped at a stairway and went down into the belly of the beast. Maybe that wasn't the best description under the circumstances but it fit. At the bottom of the stairs there was a large, open room. The carpeting down there was crimson, the massive dining table was black lacquer, and all the décor had an Asian feel. Not what I expected from a Norse god. Shouldn't there be coarse wooden tables and battle axes? Maybe a buxom wench with blonde braids named Brunhilde?

Instead of axes, there were swords. Katanas and the shorter wakizashis were protected in shiny ebony sheaths and displayed proudly on the walls. There was also a brilliant white wedding kimono dominating the wall opposite us with hand embroidered gold cranes all over it. The walls themselves were covered in soft-gold wallpaper with more cranes flying across the expanse; so subtly done that you had to focus hard to see them. On my right, stood a suit of Samurai armor; complete with a bright-red, demon face mask. I swear that it was smiling at me, and not in a good way, more of an It'll be fun to eviscerate you sort of way. I ignored it on principle.

In the center of the table, a delicate white orchid bloomed in a shiny black pot; colored subtly by light shining through the red and gold, lacquered, paper parasols above it. The shaded lights gave a pink tint to the room as if the boat was blushing in the face of unexpected company. It shouldn't have worried though; the place was immaculate. Any conquering warlord would have happily dripped blood onto the conveniently colored carpet before shucking off his armor and calling for a geisha. I know; that was terribly white of me but I'm only a quarter Japanese, and I've never even been to Japan so you're gonna have to forgive me my clichés. Plus, I think it's an apt description. The room was fiercely beautiful, but even with the kimono and orchid, it was supremely masculine.

To the right of the kimono, a door opened into the galley. I was very pleased with myself for remembering the correct name of a ship's kitchen. I was not so pleased to find a stunning woman standing in the doorway. My pleasure went down even more when she smiled and poured a warm, welcoming wave of magic out toward me. She wasn't blonde, and I highly doubted her name was anything close to Brunhilde, but I had no doubt as to why she was on Thor's boat. My sudden jealousy was as embarrassing as it was ridiculous.

Had I really thought that I was special because Thor held my hand? Sheesh, what was I; sixteen? I'll tell you what I was; I was an i***t. I dropped Thor's hand as if it were on fire.

"I'm Persephone,"the newcomer said as she reached a hand toward me.

Her hand enveloped mine, and I suddenly felt as if the world were a fresh, wondrous place full of new things to discover. I was a little girl again; peering under rocks and crawling through the grass in search of tiny treasures. I shook my head a little, and Persephone smiled brighter; her small mouth looking almost too childish for such a sultry face. She had long, dark hair the color of rich soil and green, bedroom eyes like morning leaves still shaking off the night. A porcelain doll, but one that was made for men. She laughed as I continued to gape at her, and I felt her power tickle me.

"I'm Vervain,"I finally managed to choke out my name and pull my hand from hers. "Persephone; as in the cause of winter, that Persephone?"

"Well, I hardly think it's my fault that Mommy had a fit because Hades abducted me."She pouted a little, and I heard Thor sigh heavily behind me.

"Hey, I've never been one to blame the victim."I held up my hands placatingly. It's never a good idea to aggravate the crazies. "I was just repeating what I remember of the myth. Frankly, I always thought that Hades must be a bastard if he had to kidnap a woman to get a date."

Persephone's smile returned to its former glory immediately. "Well it's a little more complicated than that. but thank you. I just knew we'd be the best of friends! You're named for a plant after all, and I'm a goddess of growing things."

"It's a herb actually."I hated having to explain my name.

It's the same questions every time and always the same replies. It's Vervain, not Vivian. Yes; I know it's unusual. No; it's not a flower. Sigh.

Mom had thought it fabulously witty to name a baby witch after a herb with great magical benefits. Vervain was used for love, money, protection, peace, purification, and even youth. You couldn't ask for a better mix of powers. However, most people were not witches or even versed in our folklore. So. I spent a lot of time explaining what vervain was and why my mother would name me after it. If you think that's bad, my middle name is Alexandrite, not Alexandra but Alexandrite, like the gem. People at the DMV are constantly trying to correct the "typos"in my name. There is no creativity allowed in the DMV.

"Yes, I know."Persephone wrapped an arm around me and led me to the table as I cast a help me look over my shoulder at Thor.

Thor smiled broadly and spread his hands as he shrugged. Great, so much for his protection. Meanwhile, Ms. Happy Face pulled me down into a seat beside her. I wondered if she was also familiar with our local herb. Maybe she had smoked some back in the galley. It would explain the permagrin.

"Interesting that you pronounce the H in herb. Were you raised in England?"She went on.

"No."I smirked; pleased to get to use my favorite Eddie Izzard line. "I say herb because there's a f*****g H in it."

"Oh, well, um."She obviously wasn't an Izzard fan. "I've heard so much about you. You're awfully brave for a human girl."

My eyes narrowed as I looked at her, and I heard Thor's strangled laugh. Was this innocent child routine all an act? Boy, she was good if it was. No problem; I can throw down with the best of them.

"And you're awfully naive for someone who sleeps with the Devil."I smiled; waiting for the barb to slide home, but she only giggled and lightly pushed my shoulder.

"You're funny too. Hades isn't the Devil; he's the Lord of the Underworld."Persephone flicked her thick hair back.

Hair-flickers annoy me. She was probably one of those people with motivational quotes written on Post-its all over her bedroom.

"So I've heard."I looked pointedly at Thor. "What the hell is this Thor; a meet and greet?"

"Pretty much."Thor slid into the chair on my right.

I couldn't help the little jolt of pleasure I felt because he'd chosen to sit beside me instead of Little Miss Sunshine. And I'm back to being sixteen again.

"Is this it?"I looked from Thor to Persephone and back again. "Just you, me, and your girlfriend here?"

Persephone hooted with laughter, but Thor just raised an eyebrow, turned his head to the side, and casually slung an arm over the back of my chair.

"He's not my boyfriend."Persephone giggled again. "I thought you understood; I'm with Hades."

"You only see him for three months out of the year if the stories are true."I leaned towards Thor so I could get a better look at her, and yes; it was the only reason I leaned closer to him. It had nothing to do with that refreshing scent of his.

"Uh-huh. Mom's a little controlling."She was starting to get on my nerves with the baby voice.

"So, one thing I've learned is that the stories of gods are partially based on fact but are mostly fiction. By accepting the power humanity's worship has given you, you also accept their beliefs and allow that power to change you into all humans hold true. You are, in effect, transformed by the thoughts of humans."I waited for her to nod politely. "However, you still possess free will and can basically do as you please. You are transformed by us but not entirely restricted by us."

"Yes; that's true,"she murmured and looked away.

"What am I missing?"I looked at Thor for an answer.

"Hades is pretty powerful."Thor's lips pressed together. "He's also pretty jealous. I doubt he'd put up with any competition."

"So, you let this guy rule your life even when you're away from him?"I couldn't believe that she was that submissive. Well, then again.

"Not completely."Persephone's bottom lip jutted out. "I just don't want to consort with anyone else. Besides, no one wants to get Hades mad either; I'm not worth it."

Holy crap; it was a goddess with an inferiority complex. The surprises just kept on coming. I looked over at Thor, and he shrugged again before running his thumb down the back of my neck. I sat up straight and realized that I was effectively trapped between the two of them.

"Back off, Boy Thunder,"I growled between clenched teeth.

Maybe Persephone wasn't his girl, but she'd given me a much-needed wake-up call. I was out of my league there—playing with the big god—and that was probably all Thor was doing with me... playing.

Thor laughed and leaned in to say something else but before he could speak, the air in front of us shimmered, and a figure coalesced. When the shape was fully formed, there was a striking Indian man standing before us; Indian with a dot, not feather. He was under six feet tall but well-muscled and his dark skin shone softly against the vivid red silk of his dress shirt. He had on black pants, a thin, leather Gucci belt, and matching shoes. His ebony hair curled around his collar and eased some of the harshness from his features but his close cropped-beard added a hint of menace. Great; now what?