The Games We Play

Chapter 3

Jackson

Hera's chariot had abandoned us in a wooded field. If we kept following North, the highway would be near. Salem crudely tore off her heels and stomped through the shrubbery of the forest floor.

"You let your emotions drive you too often as a mortal," I muttered. I didn't bother to keep pace with her. She would either hear me or ignore me.

"So," Salem spat. "I haven't made the earth shake yet, have I?"

"No. But she enjoys it. She knows she can get a rise out of you because of it. You don't have to make it so easy," I explained.

"Jackson," Salem cautioned. This would be her cue to chastise me for lecturing her but instead she dropped her tone. "What are you going to do about Psyche...or Riley, whatever her name is?"

"Well," I thought aloud, a bit off guard by the question. "I'm going to woo her," I said honestly. This had been a mistake because Salem's shrill laughter was now ringing throughout the trees. In the still night, it caused the leaves to shake and the birds to stir. Even in human form, nature knew chaos.

"Because that's been so easy for you in the past. You don't have your will. You cannot convince her of who she truly is," she reminded me, as if I needed reminding.

"I'm aware. I've done it before," I said confidently.

"You've nearly driven her crazy before, too," Salem added.

We hadn't exactly been attached at the hip over the past few centuries but it didn't stop Eris from keeping tabs on me. She found it useful to know where Psyche was if she ever needed a favor of me. A few of those times, she'd been bluffing but she was usually more honest than not.

"Are you getting at something important, Salem?" I asked out of annoyance.

"Just reminding you that this is a difficult feat for both of us. Only my task is especially ridiculous. Kill the president?!" Salem laughed hysterically.

"Lower your voice, please. We'll figure it out together," I said as I climbed the steep plateau that led us up to the main road. I put my hand out for Salem to catch. She grabbed it and threw her weight up and landed evenly on the asphalt, heels still in hand.

"Of course we will. What do you call two gods without their powers?" she sighed.

"Two humans shit out of luck," I answered.

Caleb

My head was throbbing. There was just enough sun peaking through the hotel curtains to stab me in the eyes. I closed my eyes quickly only to realize there was more of me aching. Crap.

I patted my pocket for my phone only to realize my pants weren't even on. I scrambled out of the bed and grasped the curtains shut. My jeans were thrown over the chair, phone and wallet were still there. Hotel key, missing. Crap.

Let's go through what happened last night. I had a date with a pretty girl. True. I got a pretty girl drunk? False. A pretty girl got me drunk?True. I slept with her. No, you moron.

I went to the en suite bathroom to throw water on my face. I looked up into the mirror to inspect the damage. Tiny bruises along my neck and I looked completely buzzed but otherwise I felt pretty normal. Too normal? My headache was already wearing off. The nausea in my throat had almost subsided. And if I'm not crazy, the bruises were already beginning to age.

I splashed more water onto my face and looked up again. Whatever you do, do not freak out. I screamed and fell back into the shower curtain behind me. I looked up into the mirror at my reflection which was still towering over the counter at me. He looked down at me sprawled in the torn curtains and rolled his eyes. Pathetic.