Chapter three
Paris and Strider were leaving his room on their way to the living room when Cameo rushed past them crying. Paris asked Strider 'what's up with her?' "Boy you need to lay off the ambrosia, she's Misery for gods sake she's bound to cry from time to time." Strider said.
"Yeah but maybe we should get Torin to talk to her, she looks worse than normal." Paris replied.
"Hell no, stay out of it we don't need Disease or Misery coming after us. Besides I really want to beat this latest Call of Duty game." Strider said while shoving Paris to the living room.
"You don't need me for that why don't you call up Kaia or are you afraid that she'll challenge you to beat it and then leave you in pain to suffer alone?" Paris asked.
"I'm not involved with Kaia, why does everyone keep mentioning her?" Strider growled.
"Puh-lease, you're her bitch and you don't even know it. Or what is it that Gwen calls it?"
"Her consort." Gwen said as she strolled into the room with Sabin at her side.
"Face it Strider, she'll be both your ecstasy and torment from now until eternity." Sabin said with a smirk on his face.
As Gwen let out a Harpy scream and her eyes turned black Paris and Strider slowly backed away from her. Sabin on the other hand quickly turned and pulled her in close to his chest. "Gwen, baby you know I didn't mean that the same thing applies to us, I just meant that since he is the keeper of Defeat she will challenge him every day from now until the end of time." He said then lightly he kissed her lips and cheeks, jaw line and neck.
Just as quickly as the Harpy emerged it disappeared along with both Gwen and Sabin since he picked her up and walked to their room, never once coming up for air.
"Gods thankfully Kaia never wanted a second go around at me, even without my curse I don't think I could get hard for a Harpy when they go all psycho like that." Paris commented.
"Paris, you're my brother and friend but if you ever mention to me again about being with Kaia I will kill you. It's bad enough that I know about it but even worse that I still want her. Besides she would never come back to you she said that yeah the sex was great but afterwards you made her feel…" With that comment Strider started to walk back to his room.
"Hey where are you going? I thought you wanted to play a video game." Paris shouted.
"Not anymore, apparently Defeat would rather see a Harpy about an artifact."
As Strider was about to start back up the stairs a whoosh of air and the scent of gardenia filled the room. A beautiful brunette appeared in the room took a quick survey of the two of them and said now which two Lords are you?
Over the loud speaker Torin quickly alerted the house that everyone was needed in the dining room for an emergency meeting.
Once all the Lords and wives, girlfriends, etc gathered William was the first to greet the woman. "V, it's been ages."
"Ah ah ah Willie, no introductions yet just let me figure out who's who in this supernatural gathering of immortals." Venus replied.
Venus took a long look around the room and when she saw Anya smiling at her she was instantly taken aback. "Anya? I was shocked enough to see Willie here but you too. Interesting." Venus said.
"Oh you haven't gotten to the interesting part yet, now why don't you amaze them with your clever deductive reasoning skills." Anya said with a wink.
"Oh yes well let's start with you Goddess of Anarchy and my my don't you know how to pick them. This is the keeper of Death is he not." Venus asked. "He is and hands off or I'll tell hubby dearest about your wandering eyes." Anya answered.
"I see I taught you well. And to think I thought I washed his scent off of me before flashing here."
"Anyhoo back to the who's who…" Venus went about looking over the group. "Lies and Nightmares, you found each other again. How wonderful. By the pure sensuality pouring out of you it must be Promiscuity, and you definitely Defeat. Pain and Violence, these must be your mates. You have chosen well they are lovely. Secrets, no no don't even think about trying to get inside my mind. Ah and your mate, I'd recognize her anywhere but we'll get back to that in a moment." Quietly William and Anya let out a giggle. "Willie, is this Hera's oracle? Well you definitely don't stray far from the sources of power." Venus chuckled. "V, you are incorrigible!" Gillan said.
"Of course I am but we're not talking about me right now we're working on the Lords." She said as she walked further around the room. "Don't worry Doubt I didn't forget about you." Venus said as she ran her delicate fingers across his bare chest.
Gwen let out a Harpy screech and just as quickly as her eyes went black Venus shifted her image into a replica of Sabin's. "Now now Harpy I don't plan on taking or tasting your consort, just wanted to prove that I know what he is to you. After all its part of my job description you might say." Venus said as she changed back into the brunette. "Well I see the lovely Misery but where oh where is Disease."
"In his room, there's too many people in this room and he fears someone might touch him." Anya replied.
"Okay enough with the parlor tricks, who are you?" Lucien asked.
"I'll let the three of you do the honors." She said as she pointed to Anya, William and Gillian.
"She is the Goddess of Love, Venus." They answered.
Gasps came out of every person in the room.
"THE Venus!" Paris asked.
"You say it like you don't believe it." Venus questioned.
"Well maybe it's because you're all glammed up. Maybe if they saw the real you they would believe. Oh and try to make sure you're wearing something that isn't see through." Anya said.
"Oh of course, I almost forgot!" Venus said.
Venus snapped her fingers and instantly transformed into a beautiful blonde with flowing locks that draped to her waist. She was wearing a red leather cat suit that left no room for imagination and a pair of black patent leather stilettos. "Better?" She asked the room. All of the men in the room just silently nodded with their mouths gaping open. All the women of course shook their heads and smacked their men.
"Now V, what is it that you want?" Gillian asked.
"To help, but by the looks of things you are all getting along quite well on your own."
"How would you help us? You are not the Goddess of Strength or Battle Strategy." Sabin asked.
"No but there are a few of you left that could use my help. In particular my dear Misery and Disease, need me the most but Defeat and Promiscuity could also use a little help even though their futures are already set. By the way does not Disaster reside here as well? He could also use my help." Venus asked.
"Yes but he currently is blowing off some steam with his demon. He should be back tomorrow." Anya said.
"Fantastic, now where is Disease's room I need to meet the man who refuses to properly greet a Goddess." Venus asked.
"I'll show you where it is. I have some questions for you while we walk." Paris said.
"Of course you do, but first… Defeat I know I stopped you from running after your Harpy but unless you plan on wandering aimlessly you will need this." Venus said as she touched her fingertips to his forehead. A spark of electricity jolted Strider and his eyes widened and he hugged her before running out the door.
"What did you just do?" Paris asked as they walked up the stairs.
"I gave him the map to the Harpy games and a glimpse of his first moment with her." She replied.
"You said my future is set. Does it involve a woman?" Paris whispered.
"Yes, a very powerful yet angry woman. Do you wish to know more?" Venus replied.
"Is she angry at me for letting her die?" He whispered again.
"No. She's angry for what Cronus has turned her into and for the fact that she is drawn to you, the one thing she was taught to hate. It's a double-edged sword your future but I believe you of all demon possessed immortals will absolutely adore it." Venus replied.
"What has he done to her? I'll kill him if he has harmed her." Paris growled.
"Calm yourself, Cronus is too terrified of her strength to try and take her. She has been paired with the Demon of Wrath and until he can control her she wears a prisoner collar to limit her power." Venus informed him.
"Well this is Torin's room. I leave you to him now." Paris said.
"And I thank you for the company and by the way it won't be long now." Venus said.
"Won't be long before what?" Paris asked.
"Before your sweet Sienna is back in your arms." She replied.
With that Venus knocked on the door and without waiting for a response entered Torin's room and shut the door behind