Lovers of Myth

“We were close, but not in a good way.”

The god nodded, taking the words and simply moving on. She wanted to elaborate, so he wouldn't see her as weak or rude, but she couldn't make herself. There was already too much going on to fully focus on the task at hand. No need to add more baggage to this crazy train.

"Forgive me. I can only see glimpses of images from your mind."

He didn't need to apologize. He knew nothing of her, how could he know what to avoid and not avoid? She should've readied herself for anything. The knowledge that this deity could have any ability in the world should've shielded her a bit. When she saw a man in place of a child it confused her though. Not to mention the immediate attraction she felt for him that weakened her knees. She shook her head, eyes on him now as she spoke.

"Don't worry, you didn't know."

He tilted his head to the side, eyes a dark green as he watched her nervous movements. Without thinking it through she looked up and down his figure, face a mask of curiosity. He was attractive, she wouldn't argue that. Were the other deities locked up here like him? Human looking?

The air around them was heating up as he watched her interest in his physical appearance grow. Did she mean to ogle him so obviously? Did she understand who she was tempting while doing such a thing? He watched her look at him all over for a few more moments before speaking up.

"I would normally take such a look from a beautiful creature like you as flattery. Perhaps an invitation."

She looked up at his face, unsure of what he meant as the innocence in her eyes got him far more heated than her ogling did. Damn, she was pushing his control and she didn't even know it. A curious creature indeed.

"There was so much blood, I guess I thought you'd still be injured."

She was worried for him? His chest tightened a bit as he tried to look blase about it. He opened the button-up black shirt he wore, pulling it to the sides as he posed suavely before her.

"You want a closer look, just to be safe?"

Her cheeks lit up with blush as she looked at him in shock. He was one brazen deity, that was for sure. Was this his schtick? Embarrass her to the point that she wants to run off and hide? Clearly, he didn't know anything about her. If anything she hated to give up or lose, no matter the cost. She smiled a bit at the teasing though, unsure what he wanted from her.

"I'm glad you're feeling better."

Those words took him off guard, her smile heavenly. In the next moment, he was before her. One hand landed on her lower back to stop her from falling as he leaned in close. The other hand gently grabbed her chin as he stared into her eyes intensely.

Anxiety and nerves, that's all she was dealing with now. He was so close. A naughty part of her wanted to reach up and kiss him just to throw him off as much as he had done to her. She immediately scorned the inner thoughts for their rash approach.

"What's your name?"

The words slipped from her lips in a whisper as he smiled down at her. All she wanted was to change the subject and move the attention off of herself. She showed her emotions so clearly on that angelic face. A daring yet cautious soul. He wondered if she knew how open she was to him.

"A god's name is a sacred thing, Ivory."

She frowned, unsure what he meant. Did knowing his name mean something different in his world? That seemed to unlock something inside her head, but she couldn't quite open the memory the Deja vu carried into her mind.

"You know my name."

He knew of the name she wanted the other mortals to hear as truth. He moved closer, clever lips a breath from hers. What was he thinking? Was this teasing something he did with everyone? The thought of him trying to seduce an old male scientist with a beer belly made her want to laugh. She bit her lip to hold it in.

She had only ever seen this god in his childlike form. This current body, taller than her and all lean muscle, was far different from what he was before. His hair, long locks of ginger curls, fell free around his shoulders. His eyes were a brilliant green she had never seen before, like swirling pools of gems.

"I know one of your names. Yes."

Did he know she had changed her name? How? It wasn't something she told just anyone.

"My name is Ivory Dullahan."

He seemed intrigued by her words, their eyes locked like glue.

"I wonder, how lost can a soul be?"

With that he was gone from her reach, her legs stumbling as she quickly caught herself before falling. He was across the room, back to her as he mumbled this and that. Some words were from a different language, thick and ancient. Would the other scientists understand him? She wished she could record him to research later.

"Will you really not speak to anyone else?"

Her words fell on deaf ears. He continued to mumble, walking back and forth and gesturing with his hands. Who was this guy? He had called himself a god, but that didn't narrow it down much. For all she knew gods from all of history could be in this place.

That made a shiver run up her spine at the thought of the darker ones hiding in the shadows. The tales used to scare children, all just sitting in rooms waiting to be thrown away. They must be pissed off and looking for vengeance.

With a sigh she moved to the side, leaning against the wall and closing her eyes. Was he a nightmare to some, her beast? What was he doing now? He seemed to consume her thoughts recently. For good reason, she guessed, since she was on a deadline. Not to mention the visits he made in her dreams.

What would really happen to him if he didn't speak? Since starting here she had never seen someone able to move the god unless he wanted to move. Nothing could pierce his skin and nothing could poison him. Surely they couldn't hurt him as they threatened to though.

She had tried everything she could think of to get him to speak, to just make a noise. Nothing worked. Not to mention her useless colleagues just wanted to give up and move on. Something about him made her want to try again though, and again. It's like his eyes were begging her to come back to him.

Hands touched her gently. Back in reality she was unsure what was about to happen. Her instinct was to swipe the intrusive touch away, but instead, she froze. She stayed still, his fingers on the side of her face and at her hip. What was this being thinking? Was this his way of teasing her again? Perhaps he was bored and using her as entertainment?

She didn't want to scare him off, needing answers. This was her opportunity to help everyone involved. Slowly opening her eyes she was met with golden irises shimmering before her. From emerald to gold, he was quickly showing her every part of his true soul. Keeping still she tried to quiet her nerves as he leaned into her.

Once again their lips were a breath apart. Her heart was shivering with the toll his presence was taking on her. This felt like a dream or a memory. At that thought she needed answers. Why would this feel like a memory?

"Ivory Dullahan, may I kiss you?"

His deep tone had her thrown off guard. Was he serious? What should she do? A dark part of her was curious and wanted the touch he asked for. Just once, she swore. A simple nod was all she could muster, his mouth claiming hers.

In a dark place within Ivory's mind stood two forms, glowing and clearly of another world. A man in gold and green armor held a woman in an ethereal white gown. She couldn't make out their faces, but as the god leaned down to kiss the woman she felt a warmth spread through her own body as if a fire had been lit in her belly.

The gentle, soft touch of his lips had her eyes closing blissfully before he deepened the gesture. The familiar feeling of a lover, that's what tangled her heart up in such a mess she felt unsure of who she was in his embrace. Before she knew it he had her off the ground and up against the wall. Why did she feel this way? It was like every part of her was sparking, ready to light a blaze between them.

"Ivory!"

A deep voice echoed through her muggy mind as she fought to hold onto the warmth of her lover. Her love?

"Are you insane? Put the fucking guns down or I'll kill you both myself!"

Standing, she was on her feet again. How? When? The godly image in her mind faded to darkness as she grabbed whatever was in front of her. Her vision cleared as she caught sight of the scene before her. In her hands was an ink-black, silk shirt. Past that, she saw Mr. Kelson and two guards. Their guns were up, aiming right at her and the prisoner.

Suddenly she was stepping out from behind the god that had just kissed her senseless. Standing as a shield in front of him she reached her arms out to the side, narrowing her gaze on the men. All the while her body felt light as a feather, head foggy and heart racing. It was like she was in her flesh, but not.

"How is that going to help him? Hmm? As if you haven't done enough!"

Her cry felt heavy, her chest aching. Silence filled the space around them as the men lowered their weapons, exiting at the command of Mr.Kelson. Her boss looked a little worried as he reached a hand out to her.

"Ms. Dullahan, come now. You should get some rest."

Rest? What was she supposed to be doing? A hand touched her lower back, pushing her forward gently. A whisper in her ear had her heart skipping a beat.

"Come visit soon."

With that her hand was grabbed by the boss, his grip rough as he rushed her out of the room. Leading her down the halls to her office he seemed off balance. Maybe she was the one tilting the world on its side. Unsure of what to say he pulled her into her room before he spoke. When he had her seated on the couch he kneeled before her.

"Ms. Dullahan?"

She felt lost, far away, and unsure of how to speak. Something was missing inside her, a cold chill raking across her bones. His hand gently touched her face, making her look at him.

"Ivory."

The stern tone had her shaken out of the fog slightly. What was going on?

"Mr. Kelson? What...Where am I?"

He looked troubled, unsure of how to handle this situation. How could she do such a thing and not remember it? Not to mention he had no idea what that god was capable of. What if he poisoned her mind? Could he do that?

"What do you remember? Walk through it with me."

She nodded, hands loose and unsure where to go as she thought back to her talk with the mysterious god. Mr.Kelson had her go in alone. The god shifted into her father, apologized, and then there was simply talking and maybe a bit of teasing. She explained it all to him, unsure why he looked concerned. Then, as she got to the end of her visit run-through, her eyes grew wide.

"He kissed me."

Her fingers lifted to her lips, the flesh there still warm from passion. The deity kissed her and she lost her mind for a moment. How was that possible? Was it his doing?

"He kissed me and then...I heard you yelling and saw guns. I..."

She sat up, his hand slipping away from her chin as she leaned toward him.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I yelled at them. Well, I'm only half sorry. I don't remember if they were even the ones from the attack and yet I rushed to assuming."

He frowned, brow furrowed. That's what she was worried about? She seemed to be in shock. Should he call for a doctor?

"Don't worry, they will get over it. They deserve it, honestly. They were too gun-happy. I am thinking of canning them as well. I can't have hot-headed guards around here. What I want to know is why you said yes to such a thing. I saw you, on the cameras, nodding to him. Encouraging it."

He had a million more questions but they should stop there for now. She thought about it, sitting back as he moved to sit beside her. Part of her had wanted the kiss, even if only for curiosity's sake. Still, that wasn't the main reason she nodded yes to the god.

"I knew you needed answers and I didn't want to mess it up by scaring him off. Honey instead of vinegar right?"

At this point, she didn't believe that lie for a breath, but maybe he would. He thought that over and nodded, though still unsure of her methods. To be fair, she had the god talking more than he had since the attack. That was a win in his book. She felt relief when he seemed to take that answer and close the case.

"It was odd though. His kiss felt like being in a different world. There was fresh air around us and clouds beneath us. It was warm and safe even though it was unfamiliar. I wonder if it has something to do with his universe."

He shrugged, noting that at the back of his mind. Somehow that felt important to remember.

"Perhaps it does, but don't worry about it too much. I have a feeling he is going to take a lot more time and energy now to get back on good terms."

She frowned, apologizing for not being more help. He waved off her concern, smiling and thanking her for what she could do.

"I'll have the file to you tomorrow."

She nodded, thanking him and bidding him goodnight as he headed out to let her rest. This whole ordeal was far more than she asked for. Had she really wanted to kiss the god? Maybe it was a power of his? Or maybe she was looking for an excuse for her flirtatious behavior. It had been a while since she had close contact with anyone like that, so maybe it was just a fluke human weakness.

Shrugging to herself she headed to bed, cuddling up under the covers. Tomorrow she would have more answers.