Sirenz

Under the Wonder Wheel

“What a night,” Jeremy said. He rubbed his slightly bloodshot eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, making the cowlick in back stand up.

I nodded sympathetically; the night had been dramatic for us too. After Hades left, Shar and I had talked about dragging Arkady to the portal; he couldn’t hear us or see us, and maybe he wouldn’t even know what was happening. But it seemed too complicated, not to mention violent. Shar was now busy relieving stress by arguing with one of the makeup artists over eye shadow.

Jeremy had seen Arkady home and then came back to help pack up the show. “I’m spent, but I’m too wound up to sleep,” he said, smiling at me.

“Me too,” I mouthed. I was glad I hadn’t had to use the Siren power on him tonight, but still, I wondered if his attention was real … or if my power was somehow at work. I knew I’d never used it on him deliberately, but I’d become wary of everything to do with Hades, the gifts, and the contract. Jeremy didn’t act like this with Shar; if anything, he was a little remote with her. So, if I were to actually use my powers on him—and deep down I knew I would have to, eventually—would he still feel the same way about me when I released him? Everyone we’d done that to so far seemed to forget us and move on. I couldn’t help but wonder if that would happen with Jeremy. Since it would amuse Hades, the answer was probably yes.

“I need time away from here. Do you want to go somewhere?” he asked.

I clapped my hands and smiled.

“This is gonna sound crazy, but let’s go to Coney Island.”

I needed breathing space; the apartment had been feeling oppressive lately, as if the walls and furnishings were taunting me. Hades owns you both. He’ll come for you …

I’d only been to Coney Island once. It was summer, and when I emerged from the subway onto Stillwell Avenue, the first thing that hit me was the smell of hot dogs, salt water, and fried foods, steeped by hot days and baked into the subway tiles and sidewalks. Being there would be as far removed from fashion and glamour and Hades and Arkady as I could get at this point.

“Go. Maybe you can find something out,” Shar said when I told her. She’d been pretty quiet most of the night. Jeremy and Reynaldo had kept us moving, but I could tell something was bothering her.

“Can’t I be off duty for five minutes?” I sighed.

“I’m not saying to use the gift or anything, but our time is seriously running out,” Shar reminded me. “Just keep your ears open, okay? And have fun.”

I squeezed her hand. “Happy New Year.”

“Let’s hope so,” she grumped.

The crash of the ocean was audible as Jeremy and I emerged onto the street from the subway station. At 6:30 a.m., the place was a virtual ghost town. We walked along the water toward the amusement area and looked out at the waves.

I watched light creep over the water, thinking, How am I going to get through the next few hours without talking?

“You know, I’m glad you wanted to come here. It’s nice to feel free, even for just a little while.” He jerked his head back in the direction of Manhattan. Its skyline was dimly visible from where we stood.

I nudged him so he would look at me. I nodded a me too at him.

“Yeah? It’s been a heck of a start for you and Shar. First QT, then the dress and Mr. Romanov’s personal interest. And you’ve been sick.”

“Better now,” I whispered cautiously, keeping my hushed tone bland and even.

“Not completely.” He put his finger to my lips. “Hush.” He took my hand and I shivered as a little jolt of excitement ran up my arm. We made our way over to the maze of shut-up concessions, forgotten games, and food stalls that still smelled strongly of stale cooking oil and potatoes.

I was tired of gestures and whispers. There was so much I wanted to say, to ask. I wanted to know if working in fashion was really what he wanted to do with his life. Not talking at least had one advantage—it gave me time to observe, and Jeremy didn’t seem happy. I wanted to look into his eyes and brush his hair from his forehead, but that had nothing to do with words …

I don’t want to risk telling him what to do, or let my intentions take over.

Then I had a flash of brilliance. Whipping out my cell phone, I brought up his number. I tapped buttons furiously and hit send. He grabbed for his phone, still in his shirt pocket, when it vibrated. With a flicker of annoyance he pulled it out, then broke into a smile when he realized it was me. He grinned and bent his head toward my face. His nose brushed my cheek for a moment.

“How long have you worked for Mr. Romanov?” he read out loud. I waited in suspense, but felt nothing sprout. Perfect! Texting didn’t count, so there’d be no more feathers today. Plus, this would count as the information gathering Shar was talking about—I multitasking!

“Seems like forever,” he mused. “A little over a year. And people are surprised I’ve lasted that long.”

I raised my now artfully waxed eyebrows at him.

“Come on, you see what the office is like. There aren’t a lot of people there, and the few that are don’t interact with Mr. Romanov that much. I’m his buffer.”

Shar and I had noticed this too. I had to admit, if I looked like Arkady and had his secrets, I’d want to deal with as few people as possible, too. I nodded thoughtfully, puffing out a breath and watched it steam and curl into the nothingness of the now-blue sky and beach.

“I was actually at NYU—”

I squeezed his hand excitedly, and when he looked at me, I grinned goofily and poked myself in the chest before I could stop myself; it was something else we had in common.

“NYU? That’s right, you’ll be going there. It’s a great school.” His eyes, the same color as the sky, with their fluttering lashes, and his full lips slightly turned down, overwhelmed me. We walked for some minutes in silence.

“Not that you need this, but … ” He looked away. “Would you mind if I gave you some advice?”

I bobbed my head, and my fingers tightened around his.

“I know working at the House of Romanov looks like the beginning of a great opportunity for you. And for your friend. But finish up your internship, put it on your transcript, and then go to school. Don’t get stuck there.”

So I was right. He wasn’t happy—but still, it didn’t look like he was ready to move on. Sure, the job was demanding, but if he was P.A. to the infamous Arkady Romanov, traveled in those elite circles, and was going to NYU, didn’t he have it made?

“I left school to work for Mr. Romanov,” Jeremy continued. “Got placed there through the school’s work-study program. I requested a spot with the ACLU; instead, I became an intern at House of Romanov just like you.” He laughed mirthlessly, “I’m good at what I do. I’m a juggler—it’s how I managed to stay on top of my classes. At least at first.”

I rubbed his arm, encouraging him to go on.

“But this is where I am. Shar told me this isn’t your thing either.”

Shar ? It took a moment to sink in … Shar helped me …

“Anyway, one by one, people dropped out of the office. Demi started just before you did, and Reynaldo and Callie were there when I started, but there used to be more people than that. As they left, I took over the stuff they were doing. Callie hardly ever leaves her office,” he continued, “and Demi and Reynaldo only see him occasionally. I’m the one who really interacts with him on a daily basis, apart from his appointments, but it’s crazy! He wants the specialists’ visits on a rotating schedule. They’re the select best in the world. He hardly sees anyone twice in the span of six months.”

I shivered, recalling my time in the chair at the salon. The end product was nice, but it wasn’t something I wanted to do too often. I couldn’t imagine that many people working on me or touching me on a regular basis. More disturbing was the thought that Demeter had joined the House of Romanov right before us, just when we were forced into our unholy deal. Mere coincidence?

“After my first year I dropped out. It was just too much—between work and studying I had no time for myself. I knew working and going to school were going to be tough, but it really started to weigh me down. And when I told Mr. Romanov that I was going to have to cut back my hours because of school, he gave me more money—more than I thought I could ever make, even when I graduated. I thought I’d have part of my life back.” Jeremy laughed grimly. “God, that Elysian Fields concert you guys missed was the first thing I’d been to in months!”

The sun rose higher over the water and a misty light filtered through the bars and light bulbs of the Wonder Wheel. We’d walked to the base of it. It soared into the sky, dwarfing the little ticket booth that stood only a few paces away. I felt a pulse somewhere deep inside of me. I looked at Jeremy, whose gaze was directed at a densely packed area of buildings that lay beyond the beach.

“You know, I can see this from my apartment,” he said, changing the subject. “At nighttime. In the summer when it’s open.” Reaching up a long arm, he ran his hand over the brightly painted iron girders and rivets.

“The Wonder Wheel,” I whispered, half remembering that I’d just seen or heard about this. Had it been in the news recently? I thought I’d read somewhere that a big entity had bought Coney Island and was planning to tear some of it down. Whatever happened, the Wonder Wheel would stay; it was a National Landmark.

He chucked his finger under my chin and made me look up at him. I couldn’t turn away, and didn’t want to. The pulse I’d sensed before grew stronger; was it my heart racing? I’d waited for this moment. He bent down, his breath in my ear, his cheek brushing mine, moving across my face. I felt very warm despite the sharp wind that blew in from the ocean, slipping through the hodgepodge of stalls and buildings and motionless rides. His finger was still under my chin, but his other hand moved quickly to the back of my head, drawing me closer. My head swam. Somewhere far away, a dog barked.

Suddenly I heard a muffled buzzing. It made me start, but I pulled back to look into Jeremy’s eyes, not caring what it was.

“I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while,” he whispered.

Really? I wanted to hold on to this instant for just one more second. The moment before—the exquisite anticipation. I felt the vibration again, and, coming out of my daydream, I realized something was vibrating in my bag. The iPhone. It was my turn to carry it. Ignoring it, I twined my arms around Jeremy’s neck and started to pull him into a kiss.

But something wasn’t right. There was no response. I unhooked my arms from his neck and backed up. He was frozen, staring down at the spot where I’d stood, his body bent slightly in.

“Did I interrupt?”

I whirled around. Standing in the back door to the Wonder Wheel ticket booth was Hades, tall, sinewy, well dressed in total white, and as chillingly perfect as ever. The area behind him was pitch black and a wind blew out of it, making his auburn locks flutter like tiny silken flags. The barking was louder now.

I dug in my purse, pulled out the iPhone, and held it aloft. “Nothing in the rules says you have control over my life yet, Hades. Why are you here, to annoy me?”

“Do you think I like coming here?” he asked, looking around in disgust. “Next time, answer when I call you.”

“What do you want?”

“I’m making sure that you’re focused. Since you lost your kitty charm, I figured I might help you out with a little motivation.”

“Have you forgotten? I tried to get Arkady tonight. I need a break!” I snapped.

“Ah yes, you’re with the Rave Romeo. I must say though, Margaret, that I’m glad this development has shown Sharisse the error of her ways. I was hoping that it wouldn’t take her long to get over her little infatuation.”

“Wha—?”

“Oh please, you were both drooling over this specimen. He’s okay for a human, but he’s human nonetheless. Since he’s snubbed her, she’ll be more receptive to an admirer. I picture Sharisse with a more divine companion.”

Jeremy had snubbed her? Was that why she’d been so silent at the Met? A chill raced down my spine, but I squared my shoulders. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh yes, Margaret.” He leaned a forearm against the door jamb and peered down at me. His face was set with intensity. “I want her, and I will have her. Her resistance is surprising. That doesn’t happen to me too often. Which adds to her allure.”

“Welcome to Unpredictable Human Behavior 101. As … tempting as you might look”—I weighed my words carefully—“Shar has some sense. Why her? She’s human and it would only be a matter of time before you got tired of her and moved on to someone else. We both know how you immortals operate. Your Greek history is pretty grim, from our viewpoint. It’s littered with the unhappy fates of too many mortals to count.”

“That is inconsequential,” Hades replied. “I get what I want, and I want Sharisse. And you’re right. She’s no fool. And if we should part ways at some point, she’ll be well compensated.”

“Just discarded like trash, without a second thought.”

“Grow up, Margaret! It’s the way of your pathetic world. And who’s to say you wouldn’t be able to elicit something good out of this arrangement too? Let’s talk about your assignment. The clock is ticking. Tick, tock.” Hades waved a hand, and an hourglass appeared. “What have you done so far? You’ve managed to bungle the perfect chance to finish your mission. Arkady still hasn’t been sent to my realm, and both of you have taken on an alarming degree of the Siren form. You, maybe a little more.” He chuckled. “You’re not holding your tongue very well.”

“How astute of you to remind me.”

“At the rate you’re going, you’ll find yourself in a bird cage before ever getting Arkady to a portal.”

“Oh yes, it really would have helped if you’d told us earlier he’s practically blind and deaf. What good are our Siren gifts on him? And would it have hurt for you to let us know that he lives a cloistered existence, apart from the army of wellness gurus that march in and out of his vault every day? You couldn’t make a portal in a more convenient place—like his office? We don’t even know what a portal looks like!”

“Pathetic. You don’t even realize you’re standing next to one. Here.” He stepped away from the ticket booth door. “Take a look.”

Under the Wonder Wheel. It was on the iPhone list, and I’d heard a dog barking. Cerberus?

The ground beneath my feet thrummed. Darkness blurred the edges of the doorway as I turned toward it, and a chill air, different from the sea breezes dancing off the waves, came out, sharp and biting. I thought I heard whispers. My heart thudded painfully and I held my breath—this yawning blackness was the last road. Arkady and anyone else unfortunate enough to travel this path would never come back. I felt a growing horror … but before I knew what I was doing, I found myself standing at the edge, leaning inward. I heard a low growl and jumped back.

“Don’t be afraid of my pets, Margaret. I know you’ll get used to each other—eventually.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, rage replacing terror. Then the portal dissolved, leaving only the rundown booth behind him.

“What would you say if I told you that fulfilling your assignment could be so much easier?”

“I’d say beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

“So cliché, Margaret!” Hades’ voice, though low, echoed in the mist that seeped out of the ticket booth. “How about a little quid pro quo?”

I eyed him warily. “I don’t have anything you’d want.”

He chuckled softly. “Of course you do. Everyone has something to offer.” His glance was watchful, making me even more uneasy. “You have Sharisse’s ear. I want you to put in a kind word for me. After all, I’m not such a bad sort.”

“Talk to her yourself.” I inched a fraction away. Power emanated from him and I didn’t like it.

“I’m not asking for anything dramatic, like telling her to jump into a portal or wrap herself up in a big pink bow for my birthday.”

I snorted. “Hmmm. Wouldn’t you like that!”

He waved a dismissive hand. “All you have to do is get her to admit that she’d like to be with me. Just a few words … ”

“You’re kidding, right?”

Hades sighed and shook his head. “She seems to be unaware of my charms.”

I burst out laughing. “She’s aware, she’s just not buying into it.”

“Well that’s interesting!” He smiled slowly. “Still, if you go home and put in a good word for me, I would do something for you. It’ll be a win-win situation.”

I was leery of what that something could be.

“If you speak to Sharisse for me,” he continued, “I’ll remove some of the obstacles you’ve been facing.”

“Like what?” I couldn’t believe I was entertaining this proposal.

“Let’s see.” He rubbed his chin. “Arkady will experience some improvement in his vision and hearing, allowing your gifts to work better. I might also be persuaded to have a word with Demeter on your behalf. You could be done in hours.”

“I thought you two didn’t get along,” I said, pointing a finger at him.

“We don’t,” he said curtly. “Speaking to her will be unpleasant for me, of course, but I’m willing to do something distasteful to achieve my ends. What are you willing to do?” He ran his tongue across his Hollywood-perfect teeth. “You couldn’t imagine how I’d reward you.”

I mulled over the proposal in spite of myself. I could say something to Shar—and tack on a big fat warning. Once she knew what Hades was up to, she’d understand why I’d made the deal.

“Oh, and Margaret,” Hades countered, giving me a knowing, shrewd smile. “No tricks. It would have to be a real endorsement—no disclaimers. And no telling Sharisse about our little chat.”

So much for that.

But he would make it so that we could get this done fast.

I’d have my life back again …

Shar would do the same thing if she were in my place.

Wouldn’t she?

I wavered, about to tell him yes, I would do it, but then my head started to clear. His words were deceptive, twisted. Shar trusted me. If she breathed that she would go with Hades for even a millisecond, it would be the beginning of a steep, slippery slope. Her guard would be down. I knew what that meant for her.

Clenching my fists, I drew myself up and looked him in the eye. “Not a chance.”

He towered over me, his eyes burning like coals. A wind whipped up from the depths of the portal, carrying a pungent whiff of wet dog.

“You dare to say no to me?”

“I won’t do that to Shar!” I shouted over the din. Sand blasted me in the face as I stumbled back. I threw up my hands to cover myself. Suddenly it all stopped and was quiet again.

Hades stood over me, a disturbing grin on his face. “You had your chance Margaret. I don’t really need you. I’ll make Sharisse a deal that’s simply irresistible. Either way, I’ll have you both.”

Before I could say anything, he stepped into the portal and it disappeared. What was he going to do?

I turned back, and Jeremy was still there, standing at the base of the Wonder Wheel. He had no idea what happened; he just reanimated, like the kids in the subway that first, horrible night. He stretched and yawned, and came over to where I was.

“How’d you get over there?” He rolled his shoulders. “You hungry?” he asked softly, wrapping an arm around me.

“Mmm hmm.” I was famished, as if all my energy had been sapped.

“Let’s head over to Brighton. I know a good place there that makes a great veggie breakfast burrito.”

We walked along Surf Avenue, sometimes staring out at the sea. It was hard to think about anything other than Hades, what he wanted, and what he might do to get it. If only I could warn Shar, but if I called her, Jeremy would overhear. And this wasn’t exactly something for texting—a lot could get lost in translation. It would have to wait.

We shared a burrito, nachos, and iced tea. I made talking impossible by stuffing food in my mouth every time he asked a question. I was still wary about saying too much, and, as much as it killed me, I wanted to get back to the apartment and Shar.

“Want to grab a coffee tomorrow?” he asked as my train pulled into the subway station. We had walked in silence, enjoying the morning even though the temperature was starting to drop. The sidewalks were starting to ice. The city had that air of depression that seemed to settle in right after the whirlwind of the holidays. I always hated this time of year. I should go home and help my mom take down the Christmas tree, but getting Arkady consumed me.

I tapped in a and hit send.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Jeremy yawned and rubbed his eyes. I could see how tired he was.

“You and Shar take the rest of the day off. I need to go in and make sure the clothes are returned to the showroom, wrap up a few last-minute details.” He leaned closer, his breath warming my ear as he whispered. “Text me later.” His lips brushed my check. I forced myself away and withdrew onto the car. I had to get back to see what damage control needed to be done with Shar and Hades, and we needed to come up with a new plan. Through the window, I saw him watch the train depart.

“So, what happened? Spill!” Shar practically jumped on me when I got back to the apartment.

“Was Hades here?” I said, looking around for evidence of what Shar would find irresistible—first class tickets to Europe? A mink?

“Hades?” she asked, wincing.

“Who else? He’s after you, in a big way. He wanted me to put in a good word for him. And when I refused, he said he was going to make you an irresistible offer. You have got to be on your guard all the time. If you admit that for even one second you’d like to be with him, you’re his.”

She pressed her fingers into her temples as if she was thinking hard about something.

“Why me? I mean, he’s been flirtatious—”

“He’s beyond that. He salivates over you. He tried to bribe me to persuade you to say you want to be with him. He told me he’d let Arkady see and hear us, and keep Demeter away. This morning everything was going so great, and then he showed up and ruined what would have been a perfect kiss—”

“Jeremy kissed you?” Her tone was indifferent—or was it? Was she still interested? Was Hades lying about Jeremy snubbing her?

I waved her off. “Almost.” I looked at her with great seriousness. “Shar, this is more important. Promise me you’ll try to stay away from Hades, and don’t agree to go anywhere with him.”

“He can’t be serious.” She wrinkled her nose at me. “He has a wife!”

“That means nothing to any of them. Your refusing him is fueling this obsession. I’m sure no one has ever turned him down, and even though he doesn’t like it, it excites him. This is getting scary, Shar. Don’t admit that you’d like to spend even a single second with him, or you’ll have one foot in the land of slaves and shadows.”

“Well, aren’t you a bucket of sunshine!” she snipped.

“I’m serious!”

“Alright, alright!” She rolled her eyes and put up her hand like she was taking an oath. “I promise, I swear, I’ll be careful.”

I could tell she wasn’t taking me seriously, and that was a problem. I put my head down, racking my brain for the most decadent possible temptations Shar might succumb to.

“You swear”—I paused, pointing a finger at her—“to turn him down even if he … jets you off to some exotic location … and offers you the shiniest, most expensive, exclusive excessive shoes you’ve ever seen—”

“Oh for God’s sake, Meg!” Shar shook her head.

“What if he makes your hands and feet normal again?” I cut her off, watching her closely.

She hedged, but only for a second, then grinned evilly at me. “Oooh, that could be a problem!”





Diamonds Are Forever—Trouble

“We can’t get together today,” said Jeremy regretfully as he gazed into Meg’s eyes the next day at the office.

I rolled mine.

“I have some things to take care of for Mr. Romanov. Another time?”

Meg gave him a shy grin and ducked her head.

Oh, please!

“Awesome.” Jeremy rubbed his temple. “Okay, I need you two to go to Sam’s, two blocks down, and pick up lunch for the office. Make sure you order the tomato and rice soup,” he said, exclusively to Meg. “It’s so good, and it’ll help your throat.” Then he looked at me. “You won’t have to wait long—they’re pretty fast about getting things together.”

“Can’t we just fax them the order and have them deliver it?” I asked casually. Any chance to avoid the public had to be seized upon.

Jeremy shook his head slowly. “The last intern we hired tried that and Reynaldo whined for a week. Sorry, going in person makes for fewer mistakes. I’ll take an order of vegetable samosas and a strawberry smoothie.”

Was he a veg-head too? God, I was surrounded by herbivore freaks. If there was a worldwide famine, they could be my food source. I knew who I’d snack on first.

“Mr. Romanov?” Meg queried. I was glad she wasn’t so besotted she’d forgotten why we were here in the first place.

“Should we order something special for him?” I asked, trying to spare her a feather or two.

“Oh no,” Jeremy laughed. “His macrobiotic chef will be bringing his meal by a little later. Mr. Romanov only eats meals specially prepared for him. I’ll tell you all about it another time. Make sure you ask Reynaldo, Demi if she’s here, and Callie what they want.”

I tugged my Coach bag out of the drawer of the desk where Meg and I had been busy writing personal thank-you notes for Arkady to the rich and notorious who’d attended his show. I gave a little wave. “Later.”

We made the rounds. Reynaldo ordered a salad with exact measurements of nuts, berries, beans, and a sliver of salmon. Not too thick. No dressing. And get him a whole lemon. He would do the rest himself. He was so anal he probably squeaked when he ran.

The nasty goddess was in residence.

“Problems yesterday?” she snickered.

“Lunch order?” asked Meg, ignoring the taunt. The silent thing was becoming a habit, and she was using it to her advantage.

Demi answered brusquely. “Why, ambrosia, of course.”

“You mean, that icky marshmallow fruit salad?” I scrunched up my face in disgust.

“How retro,” Meg drolled. “I hear that was really popular sixty years ago, but I’ve seen it in a lot of delis. One ambrosia—” She started to write it down when the pencil flew out of her hand.

“Ugh! I would never eat any of the slop you call food. I don’t want anything, Margaret. I … what’s the phrase you use? Brown bag it.” Demi poofed a golden goblet full of some steamy liquid. It made the reception area smell like a fruit stand.

“Oh Demi, you’ve brought in your special diet drink again!” Reynaldo sniffed as he breezed through. “When will I convince you to give me the recipe?”

“Not in your lifetime,” she said pleasantly, without even looking at him. Reynaldo tittered as he pranced back through the doorway.

Demeter sniffed. “As if! The pest. Sharisse, have you seen or heard from our mutual acquaintance? How is the dear boy?”

“Don’t know, don’t care.” I headed toward the door which Demeter slammed shut in our faces.

“Never turn your back on a goddess.” I felt myself being spun around until once again we both faced her. She likes to play games! Goody! Does she know Twister?

“You might want to be careful who you insult,” she warned. Her face softened. “You know, Sharisse, with my son-in-law’s looks—that hard body, bronzed skin, and although I hate to admit it, his irreproachable good taste—do you really feel repulsed by the idea of spending time with him?” I let my silence speak for me and pointed to the door. It swung open. “Although I must say you seem to be giving him a bit of a challenge. Maybe he’s losing his touch. Go a little crazy. I’m sure he’d show you a good time.”

“Then you sleep with him,” I muttered under my breath.

“Don’t listen to her,” said Meg as we passed through the hall. “I don’t know how we’ll manage it, but we’re going to do this. It’s either that or you’re stuck with me for a long, looong time!”

“With your taste in clothes? Don’t torture me.” My jest got no laughs. It made me queasy to think that Meg was right. With the scheming of Hades and Demeter, I was stuck in a hard place between two divine rocks.

The next stop was Callie, House of Romanov’s one-person computer department. I guessed with all he had to hide, Arkady wanted as few hands in his business as possible. But man, did this one have reality issues! Callie spent way too much time playing Final Fantasy and guzzling those god-awful energy drinks.

We found Callie under her desk, the back end of her khaki pants and her sensible walking shoes sticking out.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat and Callie crawled out, dust and bits of paper stuck in her long and tangled brown mop. She looked up, blinking at us with bright, darting eyes.

“Oh!” she grunted, bumped her head and hoisted herself up into her chair.

“We’re doing lunch orders,” Meg said blandly.

“Yeah,” Callie answered, perking up. “Food!”

“Uh-huh,” I replied. “What do you want from Sam’s?”

“Don’t they make those awesome jalapeno bean wraps?” she drooled. Who got that excited about a sandwich? “I want one of those,” she continued, “with extra cheese and hot sauce. Tell them to dump it all on. And a bag of Doritos—the big one.”

Beans and hot sauce? I am so avoiding you for the rest of the day! Out of the corner of my eye I saw Meg crinkle her nose. Right—make that the rest of the week.

“Jalapeno wrap, Doritos, big,” I said as Meg jotted it down. “Gotcha. Anything else? Something to drink?”

“Get me another three of these.” Callie picked up an energy drink can—one of the super-sized black ones with the slime-green streaks down the front—and shook it in our faces. Something sloshed around inside and a fly buzzed out. She finished it off.

“All righty then,” I said. There was no way I’d ever sit at a table with this woman.

“We better go before it gets really crowded down there,” said Meg. “Bye!”

“Finally!” I steered Meg out of the building and we headed downtown. That was after Callie came running out of her office with a spreadsheet of the extra food she wanted. It took up a whole page, and she insisted on going over it with us. Talk about OCD. Then Reynaldo caught us and added a brownie to his order.

“No nuts.” He’d wagged a finger at us like we were naughty children.

“I hate this job,” I fumed as we strode down the street a good fifteen minutes later. “I hate the assignment, I hate Demeter, I hate Hades, I hate—”

“Couldn’t agree more,” sighed Meg. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about our situation. This might be a ‘burst in and haul him away’ kind of thing.”

“And how are we going to break into his office and take him? He doesn’t admit anyone other than specialists or your sweet Jeremy, who’s there most of the time—we’d have to entrance Jeremy and whoever else is in there. Then there’d be problems if Reynaldo sees us, or Callie. And there’s nothing we can do about her.” The complications were astronomical.

“Or Demeter,” Meg added. “She’d meddle just because she can, but she’s weaving her own web, and we’re the flies caught up in it.”

“Please,” I said, holding my stomach at the memory of the fly-in-the-can. “Don’t talk to me about bugs.”

“We have to do it when no one’s around,” Meg went on. “You had the right idea before, I think—if that’s what you really want to do.”

“What’s that?” I couldn’t remember what splendid idea I had.

“Go to work when no one’s around and do some digging. There’s got to be a schedule or agenda that will give us a clue to Arkady’s activities.”

It sounded reasonable; if we knew where and when he’d be someplace, we could coordinate his kidnapping.

We arrived at the deli—Sammy’s Sandwich Shop, a regular hole in the wall. I was expecting something more exotic and upscale, but when we opened the door I knew immediately why the meals for House of Romanov came from here. I was seduced by the scent of hot pastrami on rye with mustard, and the sweet enticements of gooey chocolate chip cookies still warm from the oven—yum yum yummo! But Callie and Reynaldo’s extensive food orders had put us at the back of a long line of power-suited people who were too busy to figure out what they wanted until they got up to the counter.

“We’re going to be here forever!” I sighed, adjusting my shades. I’d gotten quite used to wearing them, but when this was over, I wasn’t going to wear glasses for a solid week. Sun exposure over that short a time couldn’t give me wrinkles.

Crow’s feet on my feet AND on my face. Wonder if I can pre-pay a future facelift, like people do for funerals?

I dutifully positioned myself behind the last person, a tall, pin-thin blond woman. A small dog with a terrified expression on its face peeked over her shoulder. Meg took the tiny space that was left next to me. The next person would have to wait outside in the cold.

Blondie shifted from side to side as if she was slow dancing, and every time her poor pooch whimpered she would impatiently shush it.

While we waited, I examined every aspect of her that I could see. She had to be a foot taller than me, but we were both built the same way, slender with long legs. Blondie’s were encased in snug-fitting jeans a color somewhere between beige and gold; there was a metallic sheen to the fabric. Definitely Dolce and Gabbana. Her jacket, bag, jaunty fedora, and five-inch heels seemed to be made from the same material, or at least they were all the same shade. When she moved under an overhead light, I discovered I was right—her outfit shimmered. If she wasn’t standing so close, she’d look like a statue. Even the dog had a matching gold-toned collar. How Hollywood A-List. At least she should’ve looked better than the dog.

A large group left the store and the line shuffled up several feet. Now there were only a couple of people, including Blondie, in front of us.

“List,” I said.

“Here you are.” Meg held up the pad. “I think I’ll get the same as Jeremy. It sounds good.” She smiled faintly. I knew where her thoughts were going, and I envied her. My naughty thoughts had nowhere to go.

Meg pulled out Jeremy’s House of Romanov credit card just as I was about to search for Hades’.

I clicked my tongue. “Which one should we use?”

“Does it really matter?” she offered. “It’s probably all coming from the same place.”

“But what if he gets mad?”

Meg waved a hand. “Pffft! Come on Shar, he wants you so bad you could buy Rockefeller Center on his Visa and he wouldn’t flinch. Besides, it’s kind of like a business expense.”

The line advanced and Blondie was up. She had turned slightly and I could see her profile. Her skin was golden and perfect, and her features were fashion-magazine quality. The guy behind the counter started talking to her, and I turned my attention back to Meg, who was picking at a hangnail. I reached into my purse to get my wallet. I so didn’t want to use Hades’ card; the hologram was too suggestive. Seeing any more of him might burn my retinas.

I choked.

“What’s wrong?” Meg asked, her voice low.

“My purse shook.” Slowly I pulled out a small blue box tied with a white ribbon.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“The box is from Tiffany’s, so it has to be good!”

Meg looked confused.“We didn’t go there together. When did you manage to sneak out?”

“I didn’t! It has to be a gift. From you know who. Oh, this is going to be so awesome !”

“You’re not going to keep it, are you?”

“You bet I’m keeping it—it’s from Tiffany’s. Oh, don’t give me that look, Meg, it’s probably something small and tasteful.”

“Greeks bearing gifts,” she mumbled.

One tug on the thick satin bow freed the lid of the box. Slowly I peeled it off. Now we both gasped. A chunky, square-shaped, crystal-clear blue diamond winked at us from a white velvet cushion. I stopped breathing. It had to be over five carats.

“I think that falls into the category of big and ostentatious,” she said acerbically.

“I didn’t make any promises!” I blurted.

“Next!”

It was our turn at the counter. Blondie had stepped aside and was arranging her packages and dog while she waited for her order. As we stepped up, she gave us a piercing glance that for some reason made me shiver, despite the fact that it was hot and close in the crowded room.

“Nice ring,” she drawled. The little dog whimpered and she gently tapped it on its nose.

“A gift,” I said, shoving the box deep into my purse. Blondie’s order came up and she left. It was our turn.

I read the list to the man in the grubby apron behind the counter, and told Meg, “Wait here for the food while I go get the drinks.” I pushed the list into her hands and made my way through the line, which had grown to the back of the shop again, to the fridge case and started pulling out bottles.

Even through all the background noise, I heard the deli man. “You want these sandwiches toasted?”

Before I could run back and respond, Meg answered him.

“No, don’t toast them, but cut them into quarters and—” The words had hardly left her lips when she jumped and rubbed her rear. I grabbed the drinks and hurried forward.

“Anything for you, Miss!” The guy behind the counter gave her a toothy grin. Then he took the sandwiches from the line worker standing next to him and started cutting them up himself.

“Can I get you anything else?” he fawned.

“Ase me isihi,” said Meg under her breath, and slipped out. Once our order was ready, I quickly signed the credit receipt and met her on the street.

“I’m going to be a walking feather mattress,” Meg said, stomping back to the office.

“I think I need another Claritin.” My nose was running and my eyes were starting to water. It was very hard trying to wipe my eyes underneath the sunglasses. Meg’s proliferating plumage made me doubly cautious about looking at people. I’d definitely gotten the easier gift to deal with, but it was getting harder to be around her.

As soon as we got back to the office, Reynaldo was waiting, impatiently tapping his foot.

“There’s a priority client in the Yellow Salon. Go offer her something.” He took his salad and brownie. “I’ll be in to assist her in a moment. I simply have to get some food before I pass out! Maybe I’m hypoglycemic! Oh!”

“Go wolf down that lump of chocolate,” muttered Meg when he was out of earshot.

I shook my head. “He’s such a drama queen. C’mon. We’ll drop the lunch order in the kitchen, find out what the client wants, and hit a coffee shop if we have to. Neither of us can make coffee that’s drinkable.”

The Yellow Salon was empty.

Meg’s head swiveled around. “There’s no one here. Maybe they’ve already taken care of whoever it was?”

“Good. One less thing we have to do. Let’s go.”

“I’m not done with you.” The voice slid like cold steel along my spine. Out from a dressing room came Blondie from the deli. And her little dog, too.

“What?!” I asked.

Her jaw clenched and her eyes hardened. “So, do you frequently seduce happily married men? Flirt and take advantage of their weakness? Wheedle gifts and who knows what else from them?”

“I don’t chase after any married men!” I responded indignantly. “I’m only seventeen! I don’t even have a boyfriend!”

Meg leaned closer. “Shar, married man, gifts out of thin air. Think!”

It was like a slap to the head.

Hades. And now the happy little wife. What was her name …

“Persephone! It’s a regular family reunion,” quipped Meg in my ear. “At least she’s being forthright.”

“Oh jeez,” I gulped.

Persephone gave us a glacial look, then lounged seductively on a striped yellow satin chaise. “Why is my husband, Lord of the Underworld, brother to Zeus, giving you, a stinking, lowly mortal, gifts?”

“Uh …” Sorry, Sharisse can’t talk now, she’s brain dead.

Meg jumped. “Shar never asked for anything from him. She wants nothing to do with Had—your husband.”

Well, it was mostly true, but I still couldn’t speak. Thank God Meg defended me while I continued to stand there, drooling on the yellow and sage-green carpet.

Persephone was unimpressed. She sprang off the chaise and waved an identical Tiffany’s ring in front of me.

Hades, you idiot! Giving two women the same ring! We both should slap him.

“Liar!” she screamed at Meg, then turned to me. “You’re using your wiles and cheap charm on him. Why would he want you when he has me, immortal goddess and Daughter of Demeter? Who put you up to this? What god? I command you to tell me what your interest is in my Hades.”

Those intense green eyes, so like her mother’s, bored into me. I could hear myself sweat. Slowly, she stroked her dog, which whimpered when she paused for too long.

“It’s a working relationship only. Nothing personal. On my part. And I avoid gods whenever I can. At all costs! I swear!” I held up the scout’s honor sign. She didn’t have to know I was never a Girl Scout.

“It had best stay that way. Any step over that line and you will regret it for the next, oh, eternity. Am I clear?” Persephone’s voice was shrill.

“Yes ma’am!”

“Margaret, get me champagne, chilled, with a strawberry, and a plate of fresh fruit. Have your friend get me spring water for my pet while we wait for Reynaldo. Go!”

We scuttled out of the room in different directions. I knew I had to get Persephone what she wanted quickly, but I also had to have a moment alone to stop shaking. Just a minute, and then I’d be able to function. I couldn’t go to the kitchen, the water cooler, or the ladies’ room; my only option was the supply closet. Fine. If that’s what it took for a few seconds of peace and safety, then that’s where I was headed.

For a closet, it was pretty big. There was actually room enough that I wouldn’t feel claustrophobic. Plopping down on a carton of TP, I leaned back and inhaled deeply.

“Hiding, ma Sharisse?”

I jumped. If I couldn’t find peace in a supply closet, then the world was doomed. I ran for the door, but it wouldn’t open.

“No need to run away,” said Hades smoothly. “I won’t harm you.”

I had to face him. There he stood, in his True Religion jeans like they were made for every curve of muscle, and a black silk shirt that set off his olive-toned god looks. It wasn’t the least bit tempting. Okay, a little, until I heard the yip of Persephone’s dog and my spit dried up.

“Hello, Hades. Nobody left to torture in Tartarus?”

He held a hand to his chest. “You wound me, Sharisse. I don’t torture anyone because then they can’t serve me. And I would never do that to you. I can think of much more pleasant things we can do together.”

“I’m sure you can. Do you have Persephone’s permission to play with mortals?” Daddy told me the best defense was a great offense. Charge!

His eyes grew cold.

“Just in case you didn’t know, Mr. Omnipotence, she’s in the next room. And she thinks I’m chasing you. When she saw I had the exact same ring you gave her, she had a fit! Bad timing, bad choice, and bad idea! She scares me, Hades. Let me go.” I jammed my fists on my hips.

He smoothed his countenance and spread out his hands. “Sharisse, calm down. Persephone and I have an open relationship. When she leaves me every spring, I’m so lonely down in Tartarus. She understands I don’t like to be alone.” He made a little pout, which on a different person I’d want to taste.

“I’m sure you can find someone who doesn’t mind sharing you with the missus,” I retorted. “You haven’t gone through the whole pantheon yet, have you? You could have one playmate here and another down there. As long as you’re cheating on her, don’t stop at one. But don’t think to include me.”

Hades stepped closer. “Now you’re just being nasty. You’re safe here with me. Here and in Tartarus, Persephone and I are free to come and go as we please, but under the terms of the agreement Zeus worked out, Persephone and I cannot meet each other on the mortal plane. I can’t go into the next room and placate her, but neither can she burst in here to confront me about you.” He licked his lips, so slowly. “If you would simply consent to give me one night, I would give you anything you desire. I’ll get you a different ring. A bigger one. A pink one.”

We stared at each other for a moment.

He continued. “I can guarantee that no harm would befall you. Would that soften your heart, my sweet Sharisse? Or perhaps …” Suddenly Hades was dressed in blue-pinstriped superfine wool trousers, a white cashmere sweater, and Gucci loafers. A cream cashmere coat was draped casually over his shoulder. An errant lock of hair slipped down across his forehead. With a deft twist of his head, he flicked it back.

When I pulled my eyes away from his elegant attire, I noticed we stood outside a marble building.

“Buon giorno,” said a man strolling by.

We were in … Milan. In front of Ferragamo’s. The mecca for shoe worshippers, of which I was a devout subject. Was Meg psychic? Or had Hades eavesdropped? My palms sweated and my heart pounded. Was this fear, or temptation? I couldn’t tell the difference, and I was afraid of both.

“Ooh,” was all I could manage. Hades stepped in front of me and opened the door.

“Shall we?”

I just wanted to look. On my grandmother’s grave, I swore I wasn’t going to accept anything.

“Ah, Signor! E Signorina! Come stai? Prego! Prego! ” The man in the shop bowed, gesturing for us to come farther in.

“Giuseppe, my friend, how are you? And that lovely wife? Your children?”

Oh, he was smoother than Swiss chocolate. Asking about the wife and kids! How underhanded! He was just weaving a spell around everyone!

“Buono, buono.” They conversed while I slipped away to admire the displays. There was gilt everywhere, and each seat was a cream-colored upholstered cloud. The floors were buffed ivory marble. Even Giuseppe was attired in a costly, custom-made suit. His midnight blue shirt, against his pewter suit and yellow tie, created a picture of noble elegance. Soft music, the enticing aroma of leather, and the personal pampering added to the luxurious decadence. All around me were one-of-a-kind shoes, some with fourteen-karat-gold buckles or buttons. The inventory in this place could probably feed a third-world nation for several days. Now I was starting to sound like Meg. But it was true.

Hades came up behind me. I knew he was there; I could feel him breathing down my neck. I ignored him, but he wouldn’t allow it.

“See anything you like?”

“Well, that’s a really stupid question. Ask if there’s something I don’t like.” If I die, I want to go to shoe heaven.

A finger trailed down my arm. Since when was I dressed in a lovely emerald green silk sheath?

“You can have them all. Just say the words.” His breath tickled my ear. I shifted away a bit.

“And those words are?”

“One night.”

Here we go again.

“Will Persephone tap me to relieve her when it’s my turn to go into the ring? I don’t do tag team sheet wrestling, Hades. Much as I would love to slip my feet into one of these babies, your price tag is too high. But wait, I can’t slide one on my foot because I have talons!” I gave him my dirtiest look. It didn’t faze him, not that I thought it would. Meg’s warning notwithstanding, even I knew when I was being led down the garden path.

The mention of his wife’s name didn’t bother him. Without looking away, Hades snapped his fingers and two sales clerks hurriedly brought over expensive upholstered armchairs. Right behind them was Giuseppe with a footstool. The clerks rushed away, only to return a few moments later with iced champagne and a platter of cheeses and fruits.

We sat. I gave Hades my this won’t work disinterested look, but I was savoring every second and every detail. I wanted to remember it when I was home, crying over my ugly feet.

“Signorina, please.” Giuseppe gently lifted my foot and before I could cry fowl!, he removed my shoe.

My foot was normal. My toes even had my favorite color pink polish. I breathed a sigh of relief. Giuseppe measured and chatted in Italian with Hades. I would let them go through the motions, fully aware he was trying to seduce me through my feet. It was a plot worthy of James Bond, but I was onto him.

Giuseppe hurried away and I turned to Hades.

“Doesn’t he get upset you’re wearing Guccis in his store?”

Hades crossed his long legs as he sipped the last of his champagne, which was instantly refilled by a hovering sales clerk who then moved back a discreet distance.

“It reminds him that I share my friendship and wealth with others. He makes sure I get the best he can give. The fact that I am bringing you here is something he will brag about to his competitors, who then will do anything to curry my favor.”

“What does Persephone like? I mean, I wouldn’t want to be caught wearing the same shoes. We’ve already got the same ring. How gauche.”

His laughter was rich and warm and deep. A number of women cast admiring glances in his direction. The threat from Persephone and warnings from Meg still bolstered my resistance to his charm, although the bribes were killing me.

“Her taste runs more to a less inhibited style.” Hades pointed to a pair of long black leather boots, the kind that go up over the knee, with sharp studs on them. I think hookers wear them with black pantyhose, micro miniskirts, and bustiers. Or maybe it was tacky pirates.

“Not surprised.”

Giuseppe returned carrying a shoe I would have worked the rest of my life to pay off. A sleek three-inch-heeled pump, in alligator, with black onyx buttoned buckles. I didn’t care that the terrifying, man-eating beasts were endangered—they made beautiful shoes. And bags. Sigh. I had to get out of here. I jumped up and ran out the door …

And landed in the supply closet again, in my own clothes and with talons digging into my transvestite shoes. With ragged breath, I sat back down on the carton. Hades didn’t follow. I had to calm myself before anyone saw me. I looked at my watch; fifteen minutes had gone by. I stood, put my glasses back on, smoothed out the wrinkles in my pants, and peeked down the corridor. Cautiously, I scooted out while it was clear and snuck back to the Yellow Salon. There was no light under the door now, and it was very quiet. First, I put my ear to the door, and when I heard nothing, I carefully opened it. It looked like Persephone was gone. Wearily, I made my way to the copy room. Meg stood there, attacking a stack of paper almost as tall as she was. She looked me over.

“What happened to you? Luckily Reynaldo came in before she could really start interrogating me and whisked her off somewhere.”

“I was hiding in the supply closet. It was only supposed to be for a minute. Meeting Persephone really rattled me. But then Hades found me and took me to Ferragamo’s. Tried to buy my body with shoes.”

Meg inhaled sharply, although she barely looked alarmed. “What did you do?”

I started to rub my face, then thought about smeared makeup. My hands dropped. “I’m still here, so obviously I refused. Even though he dangled custom-made alligator pumps in front of my nose. By Ferragamo. In Milan.”

“Italy?! No!” She slapped a hand over her mouth.

I bobbed my head.

Fear crossed her face. “Persephone will kill you. You didn’t …”

“Over shoes? Please.” I laughed bitterly. “Nothing happened. If anything, I told Hades I was afraid of her and wanted no part of his offer. He said he could guarantee my safety. I didn’t buy it, and I’m not interested. Even if he dangles the most darling alligator pumps, with real gold and onyx button buckles!”

Meg looked doubtful. “You and your shoes. It’s an unholy obsession.”

“Trust me, not even I love shoes that much. He’s really starting to make me nervous.”

“Good.” Meg scratched and a pin feather popped out. I sneezed.

“Come on,” she sighed, tucking it back in. “Let’s grab our lunch and sneak out. You need some antihistamines.”

My bird feet took me out the door behind her.