Page 83 of An Unexpected Ascension
“What did you do to earn such a service?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes. He shakes his head, walking toward the door.
“You can’t leave it! If I have maggots eating my flesh, I will lose it.”
“Well, better find something I want in return then. You hardly fulfilled your end of the bargain last time.”
He shoves through the exit, and we traipse down the stairs, back out onto the street. I storm after him, fuming and huffing.
“You got me on my knees, exactly what you asked for. Our bargain was fulfilled. Now what do you want?”
“Haven’t quite figured it out yet.”
“I can’t believe you did that to me and now you won’t even fix it!”
“You liked it.” He chortled, focused on the road before him.
Ididn’tlike it. I also didn’t hate it, but after seeing what happens to wounds that stay too long, I’m definitely not letting it happen again.
We journey in silence for a few blocks more until we cross a convenient store of sorts. I stop mid-step before deciding to just go in. Passing by the candy, the snacks, and pleasure toys, I find what I’m really looking for – liquor.
I grab a bottle of vodka and place it on the counter. A woman with green hair and a face full of piercings eyes me, assessing if I’m worth anything to her.
“What do you got?” she rasps.
“I’m sorry?”
“For payment.”
“Oh, uh. How much is this? I don’t have any money.”
She snorts, her studded dimples glinting back at me.
“You’re cute. Clearly also new. No one has money. We make trades and deals.”
“Okay then, what would this cost me?”
Her gaze once again trails over me, this time much slower as if she’s contemplating which body part she’d like to rip off and make her own.
Instead, she drawls, “It’s been a while since I’ve last seen Heaven.”
“I-I can’t really help you there.”
“Sure you can, sweetie. With a tongue like yours, I’m sure it would take no time at all.”
“Oh. Uh, wow. I-I don’t—” I don’t bother finishing my sentence before leaving the bottle and sulking towards the door.
Hermes is leaning against the front of the store, arms folded, waiting impatiently.
“Get what you were looking for?”
“No.” I quicken my pace, my face flushed red.
“Glinda’s payments are usually a little too sexual for my liking. Luckily, I have a lot more to offer than my cock. You, on the other hand...”
“Yeah, it wasn’t happening. It’s bad enough having tasted you, I don’t need to lick any more demons.”
His brow quirks. “Wow, I was that good?”
