Awakening (Book One of the Eklektos Series)

Chapter Seven

It shouldn't surprise her that the God of Travellers found her on the journey to Camelot. Fear made her hand shake slightly, but she brushed it off and forced her face into an indifferent scowl. "Tulips aren't really my thing. But I suppose the gesture was nice?"

"I'm not going to hurt you." He said with a smile.

Kali's face hardened, and she grimaced "I've heard that before."

"It's a shame that Ares found you first. I would have liked the chance to woo you before you got all jittery." His eyes flickered down towards the blade at his throat as though he only just noticed it was there, and his grin widened. Mirth filled his colourful eyes and he said "You know, I'm immortal. That blade won't cut me."

Kali surprised him by grinning, coolly stating "It cut Ares."

The mischievous grin faded to a look of interest, but no apprehension. Kali hated how little power she had in this situation. They might as well be having coffee as her holding a knife to him. Even knowing that it would cut him, he didn't seem remotely bothered. Instead, he looked at her with twinkling eyes and admitted "I heard he tried to do a blood tie. You must really be something."

"Hades said that too." Kali murmured thoughtfully. "What's a blood tie?"

"Hades, huh?" Hermes still stood patiently, leaning casually against the side of the train. They were moving now but Kali's hand stayed steady. Even if it was an illusion, she needed to feel like she was in control of something. He watched her for several moments, his eyes still twinkling, before saying "A blood tie is the only way Ares could keep the rest of us off you. You're not in anyone's territory, so you don't have a god's protection. By exchanging blood with you, Ares could bind you to him and stop anyone else trying to claim you."

She didn't know why he was telling her any of this. But if it undermined his competition, it was probably worth it to him. Still though, her stomach turned at the memory of Ares trying to force his bleeding wrist over her mouth. "So, if he'd given me his blood..."

"You would be his." He replied simply.

Anger boiled her blood. Her hand tightened on the knife, but she dropped it to her side. She hung her head, as though defeated, but her voice was still strong when she snarled, "Do I not get a say in any of this?"

"Ares must have been sure you'd succumb to his particular charms. Or perhaps you drove him into a corner." He laughed, still not moving from his position against the side of the carriage. "But it is usually inevitable that the gods get what they want."

"I guess you'll both have to be disappointed, because I have no intention of giving either of you what you want." Kali walked away towards the seats, but she wasn't surprised when he followed. They had the carriage to themselves, but so far he was being a gentleman.

He sat opposite her, spreading himself out in the available space in the same way a cat would. Kali smothered a laugh at the thought, and Hermes' smile returned. But his eyes pinned her down when he continued the conversation. "Those are some harsh words, considering you don't even know me."

"That's the thing. You don't know me either. But you've decided you want me because of...what, exactly? How I smell?" She glared right back at him. He hid his power under his winning smile, but Kali could still feel it pulsing in the space between them. She just didn't care.

Hermes didn't know if she was brave or stupid, but the reckless glint in her eyes drew him in. "Something like that. Though I will admit you are very attractive when you're angry."

"You people can't just decide you're going to control my life." She muttered, but the anger was dropping out of her as quickly as it had flared up. It was getting difficult to summon the energy to really care about anything anymore.