Page 137 of Thanatos' Craving

“Are you fucking nuts?” Thanatos roared, his shadows wrapping around Ares’ feet and flipping him on his back. “Who the fuck shows a porno at a reception?”

Loki snorted in laughter and wrapped his arms around himself and bent over. “For once, I’m not in trouble, and this is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Ember nudged me and nodded her head to the door. I thanked her silently, picked up my dress, headed to the door, and slipped away through the crowd.

It had taken me weeks to figure out the perfect gift for Thanatos, and my plan was finally paying off.

What does one get a gift for a god? He had everything, a mansion on a mountain, jewels, servants, anything he could ask for. I might have unlocked some of his sexual desires when he was sleeping. It was hard to do so, but as my power grew every day, I was able to find something I could gift him. Keeping it a secret from him was harder than I could have ever imagined.

Luckily, I had my own master key to my secrets. He couldn’t invade my deepest and darkest. The only secret I held from him, however, was the surprise that I had waiting for him.

“Thank you,” I mouthed to Ember, Uriel, and Mariah, who were now watching Ares getting his ass kicked. Later, I wouldhave to send him and Mariah a basket full of sex toys for having him be a distraction.

Really, I think he enjoyed getting beat up by Hades, but that is one soul I did not want to look into.

I ran out the door and slipped into the darkened hallway, losing my golden dress and replacing it with a navy starlight one.

This was going to be a chase he would never forget. If I could just get a head start.

“Juniper!” A thunderous roar came from the reception hall. I laughed, covering my mouth, and let the shoes that covered my feet slip away. With Hades’ permission and with Ember’s help, I’d learned how to transport myself from this realm onto earth and slipped away into the darkness.

Thanatos

“Damn it, not the face, not the face!” Ares cried. “Anywhere but the face!” I gripped his throat, and Ares’ vein in his forehead tripled in size. I wanted to fucking pop it and let the blood drip down his cheek.

“Easy, remember we are still at a reception,” Hades drawled, kicking his foot into Ares stomach.

“What’s a little blood at a god gathering? Isn’t that how it used to be in the old days?” I smirked and gave Ares an open slap to the face.

Mariah was half passed out on the projector. I would not let her witness Ares’ total emasculation.

“I’ve brought the rope!” Dionysus announced, tugging at the bright red fibers. “We use this in our shibari demonstrations.This rope is specifically for the gods. Powerful enough to even keep Ares tied up.

“No! Please no!” Ares wailed. “I am definitely not into that. I enjoy tying Mariah up, but I don’t wanna do that!”

Hades threw his head back in laughter. “Then this is perfect punishment. Now hold still or we will put a plug in your ass too.” Within seconds, Ares was tied with his hands under his legs, the rope between his lips, and blindfolded.

“Red, red!” he mumbled.

Dionysus tsked. “Ah, ah, ah, safe words don’t work when you are perfectly safe and you are being punished by Hades. I think that’s written in some Underworld code or something.”

Hades nodded, crossing his arms. “That it is. Now if you could try to explain what sort of idiot plays porn at someone’s bonding reception?” Hades raised a brow.

Me, on the other hand, gazed over the crowd. No one seemed fazed at Ares’ antics, but I was more worried about Juniper’s reaction. She wasn’t familiar with just how brash Ares could be. Was she going to be upset at this display?

Mariah snorted, sliding down the cart of the projector. Ember and Uriel sat next to her, both of them snickering and shushing her.

By the fucking Fates.

They were up to something.

“Where is Juniper?” I snarled, jumping from the platform. “Where is my mate?”

Lucifer’s wings extended to protect his mate, in turn protecting all of them. “They are having a bit of fun, but it was all your mate’s idea. I only found out a few minutes ago, otherwise I would have advised against it.”

Ares snorts in laughter, rolling around the stage.

“Where. Is. She?” I took a confident step forward, watching as my tailored suit slowly dissipated, revealing elegant robesin its place. In a graceful motion, my wings unfurled, casting elongated shadows that enveloped the room. Despite the torches and candles, the darkness intensified. As I stood there, a sense of power and enigma emanated from my transformed presence, captivating the room once more.

---