Page 24 of Hooked on a Witch
“You want to die?” Skepticism oozed from Bythos’s words.
“Hades and hell don’t sound so bad.”
Between one blink and the next Bythos stood next to him. He fisted Merck’s windbreaker and pulled him close. “Accept your destiny.”
“I thought I was by destroying deviant magicals as the Enforcer.” He stayed still in Bythos’s hold and glared. “Maybe my destinyisto die and leave this world over and over as the cursed policeman of the magic world.”
“You have a purpose and it’s not to spend time with your uncle. I’m sure Hades would find you entertaining though. Your dual purpose in this world involves be the Enforcer and...Let’s just say yours is a great destiny.”
“What is this shit about a great destiny beyond being the Enforcer? Me, the by-blow of Poseidon? I’m a half-human bastard who can do some water tricks and talk to ocean creatures. And the gods negotiated to shuttle me into the lifeline of a man cursed to fight inhuman evil for all eternity. So far, this destiny sucks.”
“Who said anything about being half-human?” Bythos’s face scrunched up. He released Merck.
“Oh, right. I’m pure god?” He rolled his eyes. The boat rocked between several large waves. He grabbed the rail, catching himself before he smacked into it. To his disgust Bythos stayed upright without seeking stability, riding the rocking like a pro surfer. Merck cleared his throat and resumed. “I don’t think so.Jason Merck, son of Poseidon god of…hell, I’m not a god. Jason is a ridiculous god name.”
“Jason isn’t your birth name. That’s the name the human selected to raise you decided upon.”
“Then what’s my real name?”
“I’m not allowed to tell.” Bythos crossed his arms.
“Because you’re nothing more than the spineless dick peon of my father?”
“I’m not a dick peon. I liaise with all ocean creatures, primarily the sea nymphs. I am the son of Cronos, King of all Titans.” His arms rested on his hips and head was thrown back with his chest on display.
Quickly, Merck snapped, “Oh, great one, what’s my real name?”
Bythos’s lips scrunched into a clear, “Really?”
“Please. I need to know my real name.” God, he hated begging.
Bythos released a long sigh and gazed upward. “Thanos.”
Merck’s mind whirled.Thanos?“Shelly wasn’t my real mother?”
“I can’t discuss this with you.”
“She says I was the product of a one-night stand with some guy she picked up in Savannah. She even remembers his name, but I assumed he was Poseidon in disguise. I’m the cursed bastard child of an affair Poseidon’s real wife didn’t approve of, which would be the reason for my impending life judgment and death sentence.”
Bythos scowled. “Memories can be altered, as were those of the woman who raised you. Poseidon would never lie withthatwoman.”
“He foisted me off on her? He gave up his son to a cold-blooded bitch. He made her think I was her real son. Who’s my mother?”
“You got all the family history you’re getting out of me today.”
“Why does Poseidon care what happens to me at this point? A real father would show up when his son goes through…shit.” Like when his mother—not his mother but the bitch who raised him—tried to sell him when he was ten to some pothead in exchange for drugs. He was tough enough at that time to scare the hell out of the pothead and stop the idiocy. What kind of mother sells her kid?
“It matters not to me if you live or die a human life, but it matters to them.”
“Whatthemare you referring to?”
“The ones judging you.”
“So everything—my life—is all some sort of test?” How he hated being at the mercy of otherworldly beings. Who gave them the right to judge him? Resigned, he said, “Just tell me why you’re here this time.”
“To unlock your future and for you to be found pure of heart…”
How?
