The Undead Heroes (The first part of The Reiteration of Olympus)

CHAPTER 17, Venus tries to play matchmaker

DYLAN

After playing a long game of poker, which Jake won, we all went to bed. I could have given anything for a full night of rest so that I was prepared to kick some monster butt, but of course that wasn't going to happen.

Around me, it looked like a high-end fashion boutique. There were beautiful dresses and what looked like really expensive shoes everywhere. The clothes where spectacular but they seemed dull compared to the goddess in the middle of the room. Her looks constantly changed and she took the form of some of the most aesthetically attractive women I've met. Now, the thing is, I don't really like Venus that much, so having her invade my dream was a bit annoying.

"What do you want?" I asked and sat down on a nice beige sofa. I crossed my arms and Venus tsk'd at me. She pouted her overly perfect lips and looked like a child who just got told they wouldn't get a pony.

"Now, now, Dylan. I just wanted to talk to my favourite Neptune child!"

"I'm the only Neptune child you know."

Now, you probably think that I'm crazy for sassing the goddess who can bring anyone to their knees, but she's not that intimidating to me. Sure, her 'Goddess of Love' side is a bit dangerous but her 'Goddess of sex' side doesn't affect me. One good thing about being asexual I guess, the goddess of sex has no power over you. After all, it's her fault that I'm ace so it would be rude not to give me some advantages. I'm pretty okay with being ace, I've never really known anything else, but it gets on my nerves sometimes.

"Anyhow," Venus said. "I actually had a reason to talk to you. Have you met Leo Valdez yet?"

"Short, annoying and impulsive? Yeah, I've met him." Venus smiled and crossed her legs. Oh no.

"Well, I was thinking that you two would be cute together! Wouldn't it be wonderful? His girlfriend just dumped him because she never really loved him and you don't think you're capable of loving anyone! It would be perfect!"

I could do nothing but stare at her. Not because I wanted to, if I could I would pulverize her, but because I wanted answers.

"You've been manipulating my brain, haven't you? You're the reason I let him look at my pugios!" I said. She simply smiled, which gave me more than enough answers. Needless to say, I was a bit annoyed.

"Get out of my head. Now. And don't you even dare try to pair us together again," I yelled and the room around me disappeared. I was a bit surprised that she let me go that easily, but I later learnt that she seemed to be one step ahead of me.

I woke up with a desperate urge for fresh air. My throat felt as if it was closing up and my lungs felt like they were shrinking. I don't know what caused it but I didn't question it. I hurried out of the door with my pugios in hand. I needed air, but I wasn't stupid.

I pushed open the warehouse door and stepped out into the field. The cold night air surrounded me and I took a deep breath. I felt better now that I was outside, but something was bothering me. It felt like someone else was there. I sharpened my senses and looked around me. I saw a shape sitting by the warehouse wall and I sneaked my way over to them. As I got closer I could hear stifled sobs coming from them. It wasn't until I was right in front of them that I realised who it was: Leo. He was sobbing and shaking badly. I didn't know what to do, and honestly, I just wanted to run away. I wanted to forget that I ever saw him and then in the morning pretend that nothing had happened.

But my body refused to listen to my brain and I sat down beside him. He jumped and looked at me. His face was stained with tears and his eyes were puffy and red. He looked nothing like the boy I'd met earlier.