Page 103 of Thanatos' Craving

“Yes, a female. She said they look like Dolly Parton’s evil twin. Big blonde hair and evil eyes. I’m not sure who Dolly Parton is, I’ll have to have Hypnos show me on that mechanical device he likes to carry around.”

Hecate rubbed her temples. “I don’t know what to tell you, Thanatos. I don’t have all the answers. All I can tell you is that it isn’t magic. It’s the person’s abilities. Like a squid changing color to match their surroundings.”

“Uriel said it could be magic--that it is a powerful magic and the foundations could be off-- “

“That is a great hypothesis. But no, I’ve seen it through Samael’s eyes. It indeed is not a glamour. I think I have a few years of witchcraft under my sash.” She raised an eyebrow. “It’snot magic, it’s an ability. Why Juniper can see, I’m not sure. It would be good to know if another human can see through her camouflage or if it is just Juniper. “Hecate played with the amulet around her neck.

I sighed. “I can’t even get my demons to find her now. I think she is hiding.”

“Then I guess we will never know.” Hecate shrugged her shoulders. “Either way, if they have this ability, who knows who the owner really is?” Hecate stood from the table.

Going to auction night seemed like the only logical thing to do. I could go myself. But how will I know if it is the owner unless I bring Juniper? And that would never happen.

Hecate patted my shoulder. “It will all work out. The Fates will make it so.”

I grumbled and stood, walking Hecate to the door.

“Hecate?” I asked.

She turned and smiled.

“If it was a glamour, and you could break it, would you?”

The agency the gods had put in place amongst mortals, immortals and gods was sacred. We are to let things happen naturally and not interfere. We tread a thin line as it is shutting down traffic rings, but when angels and demons are involved, we may step in easier.

But Hecate was different when it involves her magic. She saw things more in black and white rather than grey. She did not like to interfere in the slightest. To her, these are lesser beings and this person--whatever creature this is may use their abilities. May it be for good or evil.

“Magic,” Hecate heaved in a breath, “is difficult. The dark magic that roamed not so long ago, there was not much I could do. It grew and developed faster than even I could keep up with. Could I have demolished it? Maybe? But we gods were not all created equal. There is someone or something stronger than allof us. Not one god is more powerful than the other. We have our weaknesses even if it is within our own power.

“Take Zeus. He is the king of the gods, but he is not the strongest. Even his own storm could overtake him. Tartarus could swallow Hades’ whole if he became too wicked. Look at Kronos, he thought he held the ultimate power, and the Fates deemed it not so when Uriel’s powers grew and sucked it from his body.” Hecate smiled. “I must let smaller deities have their ability to decide their own magic.”

Hecate walked down the hall back to the empty sitting room where my mate once sat. "A coven in Egypt prayed for guidance and help to bring Samael to justice, and that's the only reason he was brought into my possession." She smacked her lips together. “Even now, I’m meddling too much.”

I grumbled beneath my breath. I’ve never heard of such a self-righteous witch.

Hecate, being the goddess of witchcraft, was in close contact with the Fates. She prayed to them more than any other goddess and listened to them with a reverent heart. The Fates must have forewarned her not to intervene with my business.

It gave a sour note to my endeavors. At one time, I used to find her dedication to her work admirable. Now when it impeded my job, I found it annoying.

As close as I was with Hecate and enjoyed growing her herbs and talking with her, even she had her limits.

“Oh Thanatos, you understand me,” she cooed.

“Yes, but I don’t have to like it.” I groaned.

She giggled and walked away. “Right, right? Well, I suggest you find your mate. She’s wearing something rather skimpy, and I think some single demons found their way up from the village to see the show your mate is putting on.”

“What?” I growled.

Hecate snickered, waved her red-nailed coated fingers, and disappeared.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Juniper

My friends guided me out of the opulent palace and emerged into a vast pool area. The scene overwhelmed my senses with the grandeur of statues resembling gargoyles clutching barrels that dumped water into the pool. At the far end, I noticed an array of slides, diving boards, and even a small splash pad where children could play.

It wasn’t what I quite imagined, but I guess Hades and Ember were family gods and everyone else in this whole god-realm.

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