Lottery King 2, page 16
Before we were even halfway down the steep stone steps, I could hear Firo and Nyxx’s voices, and as we rounded the corner, their words became clear.
“…through the sewers,” Nyxx reported in her raspy voice.
“They are cowards,” Firo grumbled. “Ah, King Michael.”
“How many did you capture?” I asked.
“Two, your majesty,” Nyxx reported, and she bowed deeply to me. “I apologize for not capturing them all. The bastards evaded my guards and practically disappeared from sight. I suspect they are using the sewer systems to move throughout the city, your majesty.”
“Is that possible?” I asked, and I glanced between Firo and Nyxx.
“If I may?” Mrs. Baros interjected in a polite voice. “It is very possible that they are navigating the city in secret through the ancient aqueducts. They run for thousands of miles all throughout Greece. Even more so around Athens, and they are plenty large enough for a grown man to walk through.”
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. “Alright…”
“I will inform my guards immediately,” Nyxx said before I could even finish the thought. “I will alert every reserve member of your King’s Guard, and we will position ourselves at every entrance of the ancient systems.”
“A friend of mine can provide you with a map of the tunnels,” Mrs. Baros offered. “If that would help?”
“Yes.” Nyxx nodded firmly, and then she faced me once more. “Your majesty, with your permission, I will start on this issue right away.”
“Yeah, please,” I agreed.
Nyxx gave me a quick bow and then pulled the gorgon housekeeper away from the basement with determination.
“Are you ready to speak with the detainees, your majesty?” Firo asked.
“Yes,” I said, and I glanced around in search of the safe Helena had mentioned.
I’d expected something like a bank vault like I’d seen in movies, but Firo led us to a plain steel door that had just a small touchpad to open it with. Ena and Kage stood dutifully on either side of the door, and they gave me subtle nods of respect as I walked over.
“Mrs. Baros provided me with the code,” Firo said as he punched in a long number sequence into the keypad.
The keypad let out a long, high-pitched beep, and then the deadbolts slid open. Firo pulled the door open with enough effort that I felt secure in assuming the gorgons were quite contained inside.
Two male gorgons sat cross-legged on the concrete floor, and they exchanged a pointed glare before they found something completely enthralling to stare at on the ceiling. I recognized the gorgon with black snakes on the left as the one who’d told me to get out. The other gorgon had dull-orange snakes and a face I’d never seen before.
They both refused to look in my direction, and their lips were pressed into thin lines that made me think they weren’t about to be forthcoming with any information.
“You stay out here,” I whispered to Poppy, and I gave her hand a tight squeeze.
She nodded at me and hugged her arms tightly around herself as I walked into the safe a step behind Firo. Kage reached out behind me and closed the safe door behind us. The door clanked loudly as it closed, but the deadbolts didn’t fall into place, so I knew the door remained unlocked, at least for now.
I sighed as I tried to decide what to ask the two gorgons first.
“You’re a part of the freedom fighters group, right?” I asked, and I looked between the black and orange-snaked men. I paused for a long moment to give them plenty of time to respond, but they just stared stubbornly at the ceiling. “I understand your group doesn’t like the state of things in the Eternal Realm?”
I paused again, but the two gorgons continued to be obstinate.
“What does this group want?” I tried. “Is there space for negotiations?”
I had zero intentions of negotiating with these assholes, but I wanted to see if they were going to be open to talking about anything. The pair of gorgon men sat as still as statues, and I knew they weren’t going to budge.
This wasn’t going to get me anywhere unless I leaned into stronger tactics.
I wasn’t about to try torturing these guys, because that would only turn them into martyrs for their radical group. No, I needed to be skilled and tactful with this, and I had exactly the tool I needed. The problem was, I’d only tried to use this tool a few times in training sessions before, but I knew it was what needed to be done to keep peace and get to the bottom of things.
“Your majesty…” Firo murmured.
“Wait.” I held up a hand to stop the dragon-man.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I settled my mind like Firo had instructed me to do the first time we’d trained together. I instantly felt the familiar and warm presence of Poppy’s mind through the safe’s walls like she was right beside me. The glittering light of her shield magic rose in the tips of my fingers, but I held it at bay as I searched for something I’d only just begun practicing.
Poppy had the ability to create enchantments of the mind. I’d seen her do it on a few occasions now, and we’d started to practice it. I explored the space of Poppy’s mind and her magic in search of the skill, and it took a moment, but then the elegant swirling light of her enchantment magic touched my mind. It presented itself differently than the shield magic, and it felt like fine filigree artwork in a pale shade of teal like Poppy’s hair. It swirled around like weightless streamers in a pleasant spring breeze as I coaxed the strange teal swirls into my mind, and the teal magic floated to me. As it came closer, it started to feel almost sticky, like the most delicate of spiderwebs, and I directed it out to the gorgon with the orange snakes.
I opened my eyes as I guided the teal strings over like a snake charmer’s serpent, and the orange-snaked gorgon’s entire face seemed to go limp. It was almost like I’d attached the man to my command like a marionette on its strings. I wondered if I could make him dance a jig if I tried, but that would have to wait for now.
My smug satisfaction at connecting to Poppy’s mind-enchantments so quickly would also have to wait.
I stayed stubbornly focused on the task at hand, and I urged the man’s mind to obey my will.
“What do you want?” I asked in a smooth and firm voice.
“Freedom,” the enchanted gorgon mumbled in a flat, heavily-accented voice.
“What will you do to get it?” I asked.
“Whatever it takes,” he answered again.
“Skáse, Jason!” the other gorgon hissed, and even his black snakes snapped their jaws with irritation.
“Where are the members of your group?” I asked.
“We are everywhere,” Jason replied in that same flat voice.
“King Michael…” Firo said hesitantly. “Ask him who their leader is.”
“Who is your leader?” I demanded in a calm and firm voice.
“Alexander,” the enchanted gorgon provided.
“Alexander,” I repeated, and I gave Firo a sharp look.
The dragon-man nodded and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“Where is Alexander now, Jason?” I asked.
“I–” Jason almost groaned, and his face became pained. “I don’t… know!”
The gorgon started to shake, and I released the hold I had on him to keep from breaking his mind. He slumped back against the concrete wall, and his dull-orange snakes drooped all around his face like they’d just slithered a hundred miles through the desert.
“What did you do to him?” the black-snaked gorgon demanded, and he crawled across the floor to Jason. “Fuck you! You are no king of mine!”
The black-haired gorgon spit on the ground at my feet, and for a second I worried I’d broken Jason’s mind by pushing him too hard. Then he heaved a huge breath and opened his eyes.
“Ti…” Jason breathed, and he looked around with utter confusion. “Ti synévi?”
“Eísai kalá?” the other gorgon asked, and he stared into Jason’s confused eyes.
“Naí,” Jason mumbled. “Eímai tóso kourasménos… Ti synévi?”
The exchange occurred in Greek, but I could tell that Jason had been left utterly confused and exhausted by my enchantments.
“Your majesty,” Firo muttered, and he started to tug me out of the cell.
“Fuck you!” the black-snaked gorgon screamed with rage, and he started to launch himself at me.
But Firo was quicker, and he had me out of the safe before the gorgon reached his feet. The steel door was slammed promptly in the gorgon’s face, and I gasped as I realized he’d been about to attack me while held in the custody of my guards.
I guess the black-snaked gorgon had no sense of self-preservation, or maybe his cause was important enough to him that he was willing to die for it. I stared unseeing at the closed safe door for several seconds as Firo, Kage, and Ena discussed what had happened inside.
“Michael?” Poppy asked, and she touched my face gently with her hands. “Michael, are you okay?”
“Yeah…” I sighed and got myself under control again. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“The detainee is well, your majesty,” Kage reported as if he knew exactly what I was worried about. “He has no recollection of your questioning, though.”
“Thanks, Kage,” I said.
“Ena, Kage.” Firo frowned as he faced the two shadow nymphs. “We have a name. The gorgon said their leader is someone named Alexander.”
“Alexander,” Ena grumbled. “That doesn’t exactly narrow it down.”
“Is that a popular name?” I asked.
“In Greece, it’s about as popular as John is in America, your majesty,” Firo said.
“Great,” I said dryly.
“You two go meet with Nyxx,” Firo directed the shadow nymphs. “Tell her the detainee claimed the radicals are ‘everywhere’ and their leader’s name is Alexander. Go over the map with her and Mrs. Baros, and then I want you all to go out and investigate the tunnels. Work in teams of at least three. We don’t know how dangerous these people are. We also don’t know if they’re all gorgons. They may have recruited many others to their cause.”
“Yes, sir,” Kage said.
Ena nodded dutifully, and then the two shadow nymphs faded into the darkness of the stone cellar. Firo sighed as he looked between me and Poppy.
“What do we do now?” Poppy asked.
“Nyxx will ensure the guards search every bit of the aqueducts they can,” Firo answered. “As soon as we have any updates, I will let you know.”
“Thank you, Firo,” I said. “Keep those two here for the time being. We may get more information from them. Have Mrs. Baros prepare a plate for them, and bring them some blankets and pillows. We may be detaining them, but I won’t be accused of torturing them.”
“Very good, your majesty.” Firo nodded. “I will take care of it.”
“Thanks,” I sighed, and then I led Poppy upstairs from the basement.
We returned back to the sitting room to find Helena still sprawled out on the one-armed chaise. She had a glass of iced tea in one hand, and she smiled calmly at us as we walked into the room.
“Did you learn anything useful?” Helena asked as she sat up.
“Maybe,” I said.
Poppy walked over and sat down as I tried to decide where to sit. I landed on perching on the end of Helena’s chaise right beside where Poppy sat down.
“They’re using the ancient aqueducts to move around the city,” I told Helena. “And their leader’s name is Alexander.”
“Hmm,” Helena hummed. “Well, I guess that tells us a few things about him. For example, it is a him.”
“Good point,” I chuckled. “Mrs. Baros said she knew someone who could give us a map of the aqueducts, so Nyxx and the others are going to check them out.”
“I hope they find something useful,” Poppy said.
“Well, I suppose there isn’t much to be done at the moment,” Helena sighed. “Would you like to have a dip in the pool until dinnertime?”
“I certainly need something pleasant and relaxing,” Poppy said with relief.
“I think so, too,” I agreed.
“Excellent,” Helena said, and the prospect of a good swim seemed to refresh the harpy’s energy. She popped off the couch with an almost eager smile. “I’m going to change into my swimsuit, and I’ll meet you in the foyer in a few minutes.”
“Sure.” I nodded.
“We could even enjoy our dinner out by the pool,” Helena suggested. “If you’d like?”
“Yeah, that sounds good to me,” I said, and I looked at Poppy to see what she thought.
“Honestly,” Poppy sighed. “I think I’m going to go have a hot bubble bath and something small in my room.”
“Are you alright?” I asked, and concern for my delicate fae lover flooded my chest.
“Yeah,” Poppy assured me, and she touched my face gently. “I think I overindulged in those daiquiris at lunch, and then the, uh… excitement… I’m just worn out. I need some self-care time to refuel.”
“Mrs. Baros has a lovely soap that is amazing for preventing hangovers,” Helena offered. “I’ll have her send some up for you, and I’ll make sure your dinner is sent to your room.”
“That sounds very nice,” Poppy sighed with relief, and her iridescent wings sagged a little. “Thank you, Helena.”
“You sure you’re okay?” I asked.
“Yes, Michael,” Poppy said in a sweet voice that helped alleviate my worries. “I just need something simple to eat, a hot bath, and a good night’s sleep. I’m not used to overindulging like that. I promise, I’ll be fine tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I murmured, and I tucked a loose lock of teal hair behind her pointed ear. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Poppy smiled at me with love in her eyes.
Helena nodded at us, and then she walked quietly out of the room to change into her swimsuit.
“Enjoy your evening,” Poppy whispered, and the look in her purple eyes turned playful.
“Babe,” I gasped as I realized she might not be as ill as she was saying. I narrowed my eyes at my scheming lover. “What are you up to?”
“Me?” Poppy gasped with exaggerated innocence, and she batted her thick eyelashes at me. “Oh, I’m not up to anything. I simply feel soooo poorly.”
Poppy feigned a grimace as she laid the back of her hand on her forehead.
“Uh-huh,” I chuckled.
Poppy smirked as she turned to leave the room, and she shot me a sly wink over her shoulder just before she disappeared around the corner.
“God, she’s trouble,” I chuckled quietly to myself.
Then again, maybe she was right. It was part of my job as king to marry women from the various different paranormal species, and if I was to choose a harpy for my next bride, I couldn’t think of anybody I’d rather choose than Lady Helena.
The Grecian beauty was not only gorgeous, but she was kind, intelligent, playful, and she drove me insane in the best way possible. I was eager to get to know Helena better, and Poppy had given me the perfect opportunity to do so.
With a broad grin on my face, I hurried down the corridor to my room, and I changed into my swim trunks in a flash. Then I took a deep breath to settle my breathing before I forced my feet to go at a normal pace back to the foyer.
Lady Helena was speaking with Mrs. Baros in the foyer, and she looked like a Sports Illustrated cover model. Her suit was technically a one-piece, but it covered about as little skin as a skimpy bikini would. It looped around her neck and then plunged low enough that a little too much movement might have put her ass on full display. Though it nearly was already. The thing was practically a thong, there was so little material to it.
Then she turned around, and I had to clamp my teeth together to keep my jaw from hitting the floor.
“Fuck,” I muttered to myself.
Chapter 10
The front of Helena’s matte black suit had so many cut-outs it looked like it had lost a fight with a toddler who’d gotten a hold of a pair of scissors. Small triangles covered Helena’s nipples and that alluring place between her thighs, but just barely. The look was enhanced by a delicate gold body chain that looped around her slender neck and draped down her front to loop daintily around the curve of her hips.
“Are you ready?” Helena asked, and she smiled slowly as her caramel eyes ran down and back up the length of my body. “Starfish?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled as I glanced down at the rainbow of starfish scattered over my swim trunks. “Do you like them?”
“I do,” Helena giggled. “Come on.”
The sexy harpy led me out to the back veranda and down into the grassy yard. I followed her over to a huge expanse of cone-shaped hedges that were eight feet tall, and they ran almost the entire length of the right side of the yard. I’d assumed that was the edge of the property, but I soon discovered I was wrong.
Helena stepped around the edge of the line of greenery, and I followed her to find an enormous swimming pool surrounded by privacy hedges with just this opening for access. A twenty-foot-wide cement patio surrounded the entire pool, and there were a dozen plush lounge chairs along the south side of the pool. Four little bistro-style tables with huge beach umbrellas offered a full spread of cold meats, cheeses, pita chips, hummus, and salted olives, along with a huge pitcher of green tea.
The air was still hot and thick, and the pool’s cool water called to me.
“Do you want to eat first?” Helena asked as she kicked her flip-flops off under a lounge chair. “Or should we swim first?”
“I think we should swim first,” I said. “That water looks so good.”
“It should be the perfect temperature,” Helena said with a sly smile.
“How deep is it?” I wondered as I slid my sandals off.
“It’s one meter on this side,” Helena said as she pointed to the closer end. “And it’s five meters on the other side.”
“Deep enough for diving, then?” I checked as I tried to convert meters into feet.
“Oh, yes, plenty deep enough.” Helena nodded thoughtfully as she sat down on the edge of the shallow end, and she dangled her long legs into the water. “Aaaaahhh, that’s so good.”
