Page 20 of Incubus

“Sacrifice.” The word slithered past the Oracle’s lips.

I didn’t know what the whole “sacrifice” thing would entail, but I couldn’t say I was surprised. Nothing was a freebie in the world of the gods—or even in the world of men for that matter.

Refocusing on the Oracle, I realized that no matter the consequences, I was ready to do whatever it took. The thought of immortality spent on Earth and away from my sisters was too much to bear. “I can do sacrifice. I’ll give anything, but what?”

Liatra’s movements became jerky as she swayed in a frenzy. A phantom wind whipped through the room, sending the rich fabrics billowing all around them. Voices seemed to float on the air, though I saw no one else in the room with us. It was as if a tornado of whispers and wind had erupted in the Oracle’s living room, and we were at the center of the vortex.

Liatra’s voice came in a harsh burst. “You must seek out the Bloody One.”

At the Oracle’s pronouncement, the whispered voices cried out in fear or agony, I couldn’t tell which, and I drew in a sharp breath at the import of the seer’s words. Did Liatra mean who I thought she did? And then the seer cemented my fears.

“Ares,” Liatra hissed through clenched teeth, as if the sound itself was too dark to be uttered.

Because it was. No god was more brutal. All of Olympus reviled Ares. Even the mighty Zeus, his own father, couldn’t stand the sight of the god of war. And I was supposed to approach him?

“So, if I see him, Artemis will take me back?” I knew it wouldn’t be so simple, but a girl could hope.

“He is the only way. The path to your heart’s desire. Complete his task.”

“And if I fail?”

Liatra’s eyes had gone completely black as her head snapped forward, stopping only centimeters from my face. “You die.”

* * *

Despite the theatricsand intensity of her prophetic gift—a high from which I was still trying to come down—Liatra was positively domestic. As I relaxed into the cushions and fine fabrics, trying to wrap my head around the Oracle’s words, Liatra disappeared to an interior chamber. She returned with some fragrant tea and lemon cookies.

“It can be a bit disorienting.” She sat next to me and patted my hand.

“It’s just, I knew it was going to be difficult to get back home, but I had no idea it would be thatdifficult.”

The Oracle proffered the cookie plate. I took one of the delicate rounds, the scent of lemon pleasant and homey.

“Well, let me see, let me see.” Liatra leaned back into the cushions, mirroring me, both of us deep in thought. “I get quite a few visitors here, despite the climb, and my patron Apollo stops by often. He is just such a good boy, always has been. Real heart of gold. But a bit of a gossip.”

“Oh?” I didn’t know what to think of anyone who could call a god a boy, much less a good boy.

“Well, last time he visited, he had some interesting tidbits for me. Just gossip, mind you, but interesting all the same. And it has to do with Ares.”

My ears perked up. Anything on the god of war was helpful at this point.

“As it happens, Ares is smitten with Aphrodite. Word is only her particular charms can quell his lust for vengeance.”

I sank deeper into the cushions. “Aphrodite is my mistress’s sworn enemy. She would never help me.”

Liatra gave another hand pat. “There’s more. Aphrodite has never been known for her faithfulness, cheating on her husband Hephaestus every chance she gets. I don’t blame her. He’s an odd sort really. Great with his hands but not much else going on upstairs…” Liatra trailed off before getting back on track. “Anyway, Ares was one of Aphrodite’s many lovers. But—and this is where the real heart of the rumor is—Aphrodite recently moved on to yet another lover, namely Roth de Lis.”

Liatra paused, seemingly waiting for me to acknowledge the worth of this information.

I wasn’t quite on the same page. “Um, who?”

“You really don’t keep up with the gossip, do you? Roth is only the most powerful incubus on earth or in the Underworld. After Ares learned he’d been passed over for an incubus, he was furious and vowed to enslave, torture, and kill Roth.”

“Being cheated on is not to be taken lightly. Believe me, I know. And I’ve had plenty of revenge fantasies. But the whole slave-torture thing is a bit extreme, even for me.”

“Nothing is extreme for them.” Liatra waved her hand at the air over their heads. “When Aphrodite discovered Ares’s plans for Roth, she made a deal with him. As a peace offering, the goddess gave Ares one more night of passion. In exchange, Ares promised never to harm Roth or instruct others to do so.”

I munched a lemon cookie, the flavor tart and sweet on my tongue. “Not sure how that helps me, really.”

“I’m not sure, either. But that’s all the information I have.” She made a “hmm” noise. “Surely there’s some way you can use that information.”

I nodded along as a plan formed in my mind. One that was dark, desperate, and bookended with betrayal. Had she known she was setting me on this path?

A slight glint in her eyes told me she did. But there was no going back. Not now.

I dusted the cookie crumbs from my lap and stood. “Tell me, where does Roth call home?”

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