Her Forever

Hades POV

Olive and Twist and Strips, the bane of my existence. I had heard many demons and demigods running in and out of this run-down shack. The strippers were somewhat appealing if you were into that sort of thing. I’ve never been one to enjoy watching a naked woman dancing on a pole, in public. Why the hell would you want to watch that and have a permanent set of blue balls in the club is beyond me.

The only reason I was here was because The Helm of Darkness was indeed missing. Someone swapped a fake in my trophy room which now must be redone. Fire exploded from my body when I realized someone had broke in. This caused me sending some demons into a fiery crisp. The smell is what bothers me, the burned flesh and hair. That smell will never leave my nostrils and I’ll have to resurrect the damned souls because they couldn’t keep their distance. It isn’t that hard, stay out of my f*****g way.

I willed myself into the Earth realm and appeared in the alleyway in the back to avoid any suspicion. The Armani suit I wore today was a bit tight because some i***t can’t do measurements correctly. My biceps were going to practically rip out of it, I look like a damn fool.

Walking inside you could smell the sweat, the pheromones and smoke wafting in the air. A smell that utterly disgusts me. I find more strippers and their clients washed up on some of the shores around the underworld, many of the men that watch them end up in Tartarus. I understood that many women had no choice, which apparently these women don’t, this was why Niko was dead set on finishing this tonight. The Helm of Darkness was the icing on the cake.

As I neared Niko’s table with his three musketeers and my once close friends, I saw the backside of a tiny thing. She was small, delicate and her movements were graceful. She had a slight smile that I saw on the side of her face, a face that didn’t look like it belonged here. When I mean here, I mean here on Earth.

It was angelic.

Walking up closely behind her, I feel her stiffen. Her body slowly turns, and her gorgeous emerald eyes meet mine. An electric current ran through my body, the depths of the meadows of her eyes were deep. I could almost see the flowers blooming in her eyes. A version of herself was running and looking back, holding out her hand for me to grasp. She’s laughing, smiling begging me to come with her.

Before I could say another word, the owner of the club walks up and reprimands her for bothering his customers. My fists tighten, ready to burst him into flames but he has all the information I need to find my helm. I hold, back and sit in the booth with Hermes. His body has hardened, looking at me warily.

As the i***t begins talking, my mind begins to drift. How could this girl have such a hold on my cold heart? I haven’t felt any emotion in so long and just looking into her eyes gave me peace that I have craved for so many years. I felt rested, rejuvenated and I needed to know more about this girl. I had to find her and figure out what she was doing to me.

“Tonight, is your lucky night, gentleman. I have nothing but the best, especially tonight. In fact, I have a 20-year-old virgin that looks like she barely graduated high school. Fair skin, long hair and a great tolerance to pain,” John said as he puffed out his cigarette.

Right, Niko said John was into s*x-trafficking but what it sounds like is that my mystery girl will be put up for auction. I tightened my grip on the table, the thought of anything happening to her brought my b***d to a rage. I could feel the fire in me coming forth, if I didn’t get it under control, I would set the damn place ablaze.

Once John left, everyone looked at me for leadership. Uneasiness at the table was apparent as I lit my cigar with the pad of my thumb. I had to playthings nice until I figured out what this girl means to me. Sure, she took my breath away, made me feel calm but what of it? She could be some siren granted legs for a few years before she rips some poor unsuspecting soul to pieces.

Taking a few puffs, I get up. “Let’s get to work,” I don’t look back and head to the back of the VIP section of the club.

The room wasn’t that large and held several small tables where two people at a time could sit. Small candles lit the table with a single short, stemmed rose sat in water. A small black stage with a pole in the center with lights pointed at it directly. Me and my men sat down. Vulcan looking extremely uncomfortable and out of his element. He has always had a soft spot for humans and knowing these girls have been through the ringer had him riling underneath.

Hermes and Ares continued to have small conversations, playing the part that they were meant to do. Their outward appearances they have chosen did not match their personalities, they all looked like they came from the Jersey Shore wearing suits.

I rubbed my dark hair back and crossed my legs in anticipation. This was going to be a long night; I could hear some of the men in the room talking about the “small girl waitress” being up for action. They were talking about my girl.

f**k.

My girl? I barely knew her. I just needed to see if there was something more, if not, I’d have John Oliver keel over with a heart attack and grab the Helm.

“Gentleman, gentleman, pipe down a bit,” John smirked as he saw the men reaching for their wallets. “Tonight, we have some special girls up and they are ready to meet their new homes with all of you. Just remember, no refunds. Once she is sold, she is out of my hands and into your beds.” Several men snickered and cheered while I sat in disgust.

Can’t even get a girl willing to get in their beds so they must buy them.

Niko nudged me and I nodded him to continue, “Once the auction is over, he goes to his office. Until then he is busy dealing with the girls. That is when we can head back and discuss the helm.” I looked back to the stage as they brought out the first few girls.

Random descriptions were thrown out about their likes and dislikes. Many of them shivering in fear, some looking like they wanted to be sold. Probably a fear tactic. Anything was better than staying here, I was sure of it.

We had been here for over an hour, over 20 girls had sold, and he had made a killing. The girls were sitting on their new owners’ laps, some men were already undressing them and feeling their bodies with no shame. Here I thought the gods were ruthless, but most humans were animals. Their torture will be the most pleasant to deliver. I felt the fire on my fingertips until Ares nudged me. I growled sending out a warning.

“Sorry, your hands were on fire. Just one more girl and we can head back.” I waved my hand to extinguish the fire and looked to the stage. I hadn’t seen my mystery waitress girl, hoping she just got sent home and not get into this tangled mess. Luck wasn’t with me tonight as I saw her step out.

They had her in white stilettos and a baby pink doll lingerie. Her golden hair was curled and pulled back halfway to show off her slender neck. Her skin was white as the lights shone brightly on her push up bra. Her underwear was also baby pink, hugging her h**s and showing her a*s cheeks. The fury I was feeling as the men looked on her body had me seething.

John made her walk up and down the stage so every man could get a good look. There were whistles and jokes made. Once John said she was done she was cuffed to the pole, so he could use his cane to point out the finer qualities she had. The fire in my hand was starting to ignite and the darkness of my power was flowing outward. Niko pulled me back, “just hang on, we are so close.” I gripped my fists; the hell is wrong with me.

“Gentleman don’t let this act of submission fool you,” he smirked. “She can be a bit feisty when she wants to be, that being said, she did have to have a few spankings before she came out here tonight.” He winked and had her turn her back to the audience and lifted part of her flowy lingerie to show three bright red handprints. More men let out a joke, “Oh she’s a little! I’ll be your daddy!” One man yelled.

“Let me give you a spankin’ doll!” another chipped in.

As she turned back around, you saw the defeated look on her face. Her head was down, and tears were running down her face. John grabbed her face and looked into her eyes. Human ears couldn’t hear, but I could hear what he told her. “You better perk up or I’ll deflower you tonight myself.” He pushed her cheek away, and when he did, she saw Niko. If I thought her heart couldn’t break anymore, it was completely shattered now. I’m sure she thought that Niko was different but the look she had at Niko crushed anything left she had.

Niko stared back at her with a small smile, unable to give away our cover. I could feel his guilt rack through his body. Why did he care about the waitress so much? He wasn’t in love with her, was he? A growl left my throat and I tried to cover it with a cough.

Ares looked at me questioningly and Hermes smirked like he knew something. Ares and Hermes began whispering again, before I could ask, John started speaking.

“We start the bidding off at $20,000. Who will take the virgin doll Gwen home?” John announced playfully.

Gwen, that was her name. Warmth filled me knowing her name. I whispered silently to myself as I savored it on my tongue.

Men started throwing out numbers, $50,000!

“$80,000!”

I couldn’t let her be sold.

“$90,000!”

I wanted to know more about her.

“$115,000”

Her eyes investigated mine again and this time we didn’t look away. Did she feel it too? What was I feeling?

“$500,000,” I said sternly. I was done with the bidding; it was time to get this s**t done. Get the helm and get Gwen out of here with me. While I was at it, I’d burn this mother fucker down.

John Oliver clapped excitedly and yelled out, “Any takers? 500,000 going once!” Before he got to twice another man stepped up. “600,000.” John’s eyes saw dollar signs. Who the hell is bidding now? I jumped up and looked over at my victim. It was that f*****g angel, Nero. My jaw ticked.

“They hell is he doing here?” Ares said out loud.

“700,000,” I spat.

“750,000,” he smirked. Little does he know; money runs out for a damn angel. They mainly stay in the celestial heavens while most of my work is done on Earth. I’ve got business on Earth he doesn’t know about. I could go all day.

“Two f*****g million,” I roared. The room went silent and Novus eyebrows furrowed. His mouth was pressed in a fine line and stomped out the door. Fuckin’ p***y. The rest of the men sat quiet with their girls. I glanced back at the stage, Gwen was on the floor, tears streaming down her face while John is gloating with his men about big paychecks for everyone.

Niko went to the stage to help Gwen up, but she pulled her arms away from him. Hurt was in his eyes as he tried to help her up. “You are just like them,” she sobbed. John unlocked the cuffs and gave them to Niko. “She’s yours now, have to say I was a little disappointed, doll. I was looking forward for a good lay tonight if you didn’t sell.” He licked his bottom l*p, trailing his finger down her cleavage and that was when all mother f*****g hell broke loose.