Page 5 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 3

Hades

Cheaters Anonymous, the bane of my existence. I had heard of many demons and demigods running in and out of this run-down shack. The strippers were somewhat appealing if you were into that sort of thing. I’ve never been one to enjoy watching a naked woman dancing on a pole in public. Why the hell would you want to watch that and have a permanent set of blue balls in the club is beyond me.

The only reason I was here was that The Helm of Darkness was indeed missing. Someone swapped a fake in my trophy room which now must be redone. Fire exploded from my body when I realized someone had broken in. This caused me to turn some demons into a fiery crisp. The smell is what bothered me, the burned flesh and hair. That smell will never leave my nostrils and I’ll have to resurrect the damned souls because they couldn’t keep their distance. It isn’t that hard, stay out of my fucking way.

I willed myself into the Earth realm and appeared in the alleyway in the back to avoid any suspicion. The Armani suit I wore today was tight because some idiot can’t do measurements correctly. My biceps were going to practically rip out of it. I look like a damn fool.

Walking inside you could smell the sweat, the pheromones, and smoke wafting in the air. A smell that utterly disgusts me. I find more strippers and their clients washed up on some of the shores around the underworld; many of the men that end up in Tartarus. I understood that many women had no choice, which apparently these women don’t. This was why Loukas was dead set on finishing this tonight. The Helm of Darkness was the icing on the cake.

As I neared Loukas’s table with his three musketeers and my once close friends, I saw the backside of a tiny thing. She was small and delicate, and her movements were graceful. She had a slight smile that I saw on the side of her face, a face that didn’t look like it belonged here. When I mean here, I mean here on Earth.

It was angelic.

Walking up close behind her, I feel her stiffen. Her body slowly turns, and her gorgeous emerald eyes meet mine. An electric current ran through my body. The depths of the meadows of her eyes were deep. I could almost see the flowers blooming in her eyes. A version of herself was running and looking back, holding out her hand for me to grasp. She’s laughing, smiling, begging me to come with her.

Before I could say another word, the owner of the club walks up and reprimands her for bothering his customers. My fists tighten, ready to burst him into flames but he has all the information I need to find my helm. I hold back and sit in the booth with Hermes. His body has hardened, looking at me warily.

As the idiot begins talking, my mind begins to drift. How could this girl have such a hold on my cold heart? I haven’t felt any emotion in so long and just looking into her eyes gave me the peace that I have craved for so many years. I felt rested and, rejuvenated, and I needed to know more about this girl. I had to find her and figure out what she was doing to me.

“Tonight, is your lucky night, gentleman. I have nothing but the best, especially tonight. In fact, I have a 20-year-old virgin that looks like she barely graduated high school. Fair skin, long hair, and great tolerance to pain,” Teddy said as he puffed out his cigarette.

Right, Loukas said Teddy was into sex trafficking but what it sounds like is that my mystery girl will be put up for auction. I tightened my grip on the table; the thought of anything happening to her brought my blood to a rage. I could feel the fire in me coming forth. If I didn’t get it under control, I would set the damn place ablaze.

Once Teddy left, everyone looked at me for leadership. Uneasiness at the table was apparent as I lit my cigar with the pad of my thumb. I had to play things nice until I figured out what this girl means to me. Sure, she took my breath away, and made me feel calm but what of it? She could be some siren-granted legs for a few years before she rips some poor unsuspecting soul to pieces.

Taking a few puffs, I get up. “Let’s get to work.” I don’t look back and head to the back of the VIP section of the club.

The room wasn’t that large and held several small tables where two people at a time could sit. Small candles lit the table with a single short, stemmed rose sitting in water. At the front of the room was a small black stage with a pole in the center with lights pointed at it. Me and my men sat down. Vulcan looked extremely uncomfortable and out of his element. He has always had a soft spot for humans and knowing these girls have been through the wringer had him riling underneath.

Hermes and Ares continued to have small conversations, playing the part that they were meant to do. The outward appearances they have chosen did not match their personalities. They all looked like they came from the Jersey Shore, wearing suits.

I rubbed my dark hair back and crossed my legs in anticipation. This was going to be a long night; I could hear some of the men in the room talking about the “small girl waitress” being up for action. They were talking about my girl.

Fuck.

My girl? I barely knew her. I just needed to see if there was something more. If not, I’d have Teddy Johnson keel over with a heart attack and grab the Helm.

“Gentleman, gentleman, pipe down,” Teddy smirked as he saw the men reaching for their wallets. “Tonight, we have some special girls up and they are ready to meet their new homes with all of you. Just remember, no refunds. Once she is sold, she is out of my hands and into your beds.” Men snickered and cheered while I sat in disgust.

Can’t even get a girl willing to get in their beds so they must buy them.

Loukas nudged me and I nodded at him to continue. “Once the auction is over, he goes to his office. Until then he is busy dealing with the girls. That is when we can head back and discuss the helm.” I looked back to the stage as they brought out the first few girls.

Random descriptions were thrown out about their likes and dislikes. Many of them are shivering in fear, while some look like they wanted to be sold. Probably a fear tactic. Anything was better than staying here, I was sure of it.

We had been here for over an hour, over 20 girls had sold, and he had made a killing. The girls were sitting on their new owners’ laps; some men were already undressing them and feeling their bodies with no shame. Here I thought the gods were ruthless, but most humans were animals. Their torture will be the most pleasant to deliver. I felt the fire on my fingertips until Ares nudged me. I growled, sending out a warning.

“Sorry, your hands were on fire. Just one more girl and we can head back.” I waved my hand to extinguish the fire and looked to the stage. I hadn’t seen my mystery waitress girl and hoped she just got sent home and not get into this tangled mess. Luck wasn’t with me tonight as I saw her step out.

They had her in white stilettos and baby pink doll lingerie. Her golden hair was curled and pulled back halfway to show off her slender neck. Her skin was white as the lights shone brightly on her push-up bra. Her underwear was also baby pink, hugging her hips and showing her ass cheeks. The fury I was feeling as the men looked at her body had me seething.

Teddy made her walk up and down the stage so every man could get a good look. There were whistles and jokes made. Once Teddy said his piece about her, she was cuffed to the pole, so he could use his cane to point out the finer qualities she had. The fire in my hand was starting to ignite and the darkness of my power was flowing outward. Loukas pulled me back. “Just hang on. We are so close.” I gripped my fists; the hell is wrong with me?

“Gentleman, don’t let this act of submission fool you.” He smirked. “She can be a bit feisty when she wants to be. She did have to have a few spankings before she came out here tonight.” He winked and had her turn her back to the audience and lifted part of her flowy lingerie to show three bright red handprints.

More men let out jokes. “Oh, she’s a little! I’ll be your daddy!” one man yelled.

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