The Revelation (Pandora's Harem 1) A Reverse Harem Tale(17)

The lion prances over. He nudges my face with his huge nose. He licks my cheek. A shot of raw energy fires through me. Definitely Leonidas.

“He’s just glad to see you,” Ares says.

I nod. I gaze at Lycus who keeps his distance. Apparently, Mr. Brooding Moodiness doesn’t share Leo’s happiness at seeing me. Rogue. “How is it we all died at the same time?” I can’t help but ask the question.

Ares slips his hand under my back and helps me sit up. “We’re not dead.”

“So I’m the only one Ker killed?”

“You’re not dead, either.”

“But…” I shut my mouth figuring it’s better to keep quiet while I’m ahead. I’m alive and that’s all that matters. I stand. “Where are Moros’s two puny brothers? I have beef with them and I’d like to settle up.”

Ares gives a slight laugh. “Trust me, they’re still here, Sugar Pie.”

Taking a good look at Ares, I only now realize he’s half dressed. He dons a red cape, a barely there leather slatted skirt over some sort of loin cloth, a pair of open-toed boots like an ancient Spartans wears, and he’s got a spear and a shield, as well as a metal helmet, all leaning against the wall behind him. I purse my lips.

A lion…

A wolf…

A Spartan in full battle garb…

Oh, this isn’t good. Not by a long shot. “What the hell did you boys do while I was knocked out?”

Leonidas roars…again.

“Don’t get testy with me. I left the three of you sleeping. How can three sleeping Spartans get into….into this?” I wave my hands in a frantic manner, encompassing the whole situation we’re in.

“Sweet Cake, we’re here, in this mess, because of you.” Ares winks.

I hate when he does that. Not because I don’t like him winking or flirting with me, but it’s just the way he does it that irks me. “What do you mean we’re in this mess because of me?”

Lycus whines. He slaps his massive paw over his eyes.

Ares cracks up. “And they say animals don’t have feelings.”

Lycus snarls. And walks away. He slaps his tail at Ares’s leg as he passes the battle-dressed warrior.

“You don’t think, after what went on earlier between the three of us, that we wouldn’t sense you were in danger?” Ares asks.

What the frick does that mean? “So, what, are we like all connected now or something?”

“Partially. In a way. We’d have to do a bit more than what we did this afternoon, to officially be connected. But for now, there’s definitely a link between you and the three of us.”

I wonder which of the three senses me most? I have my hunch, but I don’t dare ask at the moment. “So why are you dressed for war and why have the other two shifted?” I didn’t even know they could shift, but I guess Leonidas wasn’t kidding when he said Lycus was wolf. And him being lion makes sense, too, based on his name. I wonder what Ares can become. And if he can shift, why hasn’t he? Oh, gods, all these questions make my head hurt and I so do not need a headache now.

Ares runs his hands over me as if he’s checking for injuries. And I don’t move. Naughty Pandora is enjoying the man’s pat down. I am so going to go to hell one day.

“When we found you, passed out on the floor,” Ares says, still roaming his hands over my body, and doing a damn good job of being thorough. “We had a bit of a spat with Thanatos and Ker. Now we wait.”

“For what?”

“For them to come back and get their asses kicked.”

Has Ares lost his mind? I think he has. “How can you kick Death’s butt? That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Trust me, you’ll see in just a few seconds.”

I don’t know what the hell he is talking about, but it doesn’t matter because as soon as I look over to the door, Doom and Gloom appear. I don’t think either of them owns a mirror. Who goes out of the house looking like death warmed over? Okay, so maybe I’m not one to talk considering I just remember I’m standing here commando, and Ares probably knows it since he’s checking me out.

He squeezes my right boob, even gives my nipple a nice little pinch through my sweatshirt. And he smirks.

He also offers me another one of his sly winks.

The man really does think he’s the bomb. Well, he is, and I guess it’s okay that he knows it. But still…

He stretches his arms out and the spear, shield and helmet fly to him.

Leonidas prances up to Ares’s left.

Lycus to his right.

“I think you should step back” Ares says.

I take his advice, but only because all this is happening so fast and I’m not really sure what my place is in a battle between Spartans and the gods of Death.

“Shall we do this, gentlemen?” Ares eyes Than and Ker, head on.

All five men approach each other.

And it happens.

Fur flies, blood squirts, teeth flash, and not just animal fangs.

Two gods and three Spartans. I don’t have the heart to tell them that in this one particular incident, I don’t see either side winning. Humans, even immortal humans, can’t beat death forever. And Thanatos and Ker are not Moros. They might think they can kill off my three dudes, but no way can either of those skinny twigs best a lion, wolf, or totally ripped Ares.