I had no intentions to move, until dinner was done. The two of us were alone, my Janice was cooking, and after showing interest in learning Nicole became her helper as she taught the sexpot monster how to cook.

  We were quiet, and it was a comfortable silence as we basically relaxed on the couch and drowned in the post-coital bliss and adored each other with locked gazes. She was mesmerizing.

  “Dinner’s going to be a little late tonight.”

  We both looked at the doorway, I hadn’t even heard my Janice arrive. I supposed staring into Ginny’s eyes did nothing for my awareness.

  Janice continued, “Caroline and Jason will be here in a bit. I made enough they can join us.”

  “Sounds fine, I’ll survive another half hour or so,” I grinned.

  Janice smiled, “So, lunch tomorrow for operation monster mates? I think a day attack is better, it’ll increase the chance that Hazel won’t be there, and as far as I’ve heard Lillian still isn’t in town yet. Empusa also prefer the night, they’ll be less sharp at high noon.”

  Ginny said, “Makes sense to me.”

  I nodded, “Tomorrow at noon then.”

  Caroline was lithe and moved with the same kind of grace my Janice had. She was five foot nine and had a similar dancer’s body as well, just far more toned like she danced ten hours a day or something. She had a cutely attractive face, with light blonde hair down to her shoulder blades, and light warm brown eyes. My first impression of her at our greeting was she was good people, but I didn’t know much more than the fact she was passionate about dancing and the arts.

  She was a soft-spoken woman, but hardly shy and her soft voice had a firmness to it. It didn’t give me the impression of weakness. It was more like I got the idea she followed the philosophy of speaking softly and carrying a big stick.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said after Ginny introduced us, “I really don’t like fighting, but some things are worth fighting for, defending against. It’s the aggressive stuff I can’t abide,” she smirked at her own words, “I suppose I’m babbling. Point is, Ginny’s a good friend and her newfound mate is worth defending.”

  I also got zero compatibility from her at all, and I got the impression she played for the other team that way. That wasn’t arrogance, it was possible there were women out there that wouldn’t be attracted to me. It was the prompting I was getting from the blessing that led my thoughts in that direction, I think.

  She grinned, “Plus, we have a lot in common.”

  I grinned back, “What’s that?”

  She said, “We both have warlike fathers, and both of us are champions of goddesses with non-military mantels.”

  I nodded, “Of course, that’s true. I’m not going to go looking for trouble.”

  She replied, “It always seems to find us anyway, but I know what you mean.”

  There was another knock on the door, and we all turned that way as Janice went to answer it. Jason was in his mid-twenties, with black hair and gray eyes. He stood an inch taller than me at six foot two, with a medium build. My first impression as he came in was one of cautious deliberation as he took us all in. He was a cool customer, that made no assumptions.

  In other words, just because he was Janice’s ally, he wasn’t giving her mates a pass, including me as Janice introduced us. I also hadn’t failed to notice she was back behind that mask of hers that made her seem cold and distant, as opposed to the warmly welcoming women I knew was hiding beneath it.

  His voice was deep and neutral as he shook my hand, “So, the son of Zeus.”

  I nodded, “And champion of Aphrodite.”

  He chuckled, “And that makes you less dangerous?”

  Janice stiffened, “It makes him non-aggressive, and neutral to those that don’t try to kill him.”

  Caroline said, “More we have in common, only our aggressive enemies need fear us.”

  Janice urged us toward the kitchen, where Nicole was setting out the meal on the table.

  I frowned, “Dangerous? How so?”

  Janice shook her head, “The sons and daughters of the supposed great three. They used to be hunted in the past, because they are stronger than most, and can change the balance of power and cause great problems. That practice was ended.”

  Jason said, “By most. I’m here to help, Jan. Don’t get your panties in a twist. It’s a valid concern, though I suppose championing Aphrodite is a good sign, unless she has plans to shake things up?”

  Ginny scowled at the newcomer.

  Janice sighed, “Are you purposefully alienating all my mates. Why not have a go at monsters next?”

  Jason held up his hands in a surrender gesture, “As I said, I’m here to help, but naively ignoring the possible risks and accepting things at face value would be foolish. Perhaps I just wanted his reaction.”

  I asked, “Supposed great three?”

  Janice snorted, “The three brothers, the sons of Cronus. Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, that rule their domains. Their children are stronger than the rest, but I say supposed because it wasn’t just three. The great three was coined by some kind of chauvinist bastard two thousand years ago. Hestia and our enemy were also born of Cronus at the same time, and many would argue my mother Hestia is the most powerful. No one tries to kill their children, but clearly me and Lillian are easily a match for you in power.

  “More than that, Aphrodite is also the daughter of a Titan, not of the gods, which puts her at an equal footing with those five among all the other gods. Her children are just as powerful, if not in warring arts.”

  Jason grunted, “Which is the point. Aphrodite’s kids aren’t going to sweep the world or unbalance the power structure by being pretty, lying on their back with their legs open, or helping people have children. While you are powerful, no child of Hestia has ever tried to shift the balance of power with war, while those of the great three have.”

  She snapped, “You left out our enemy. Her half-children have always been a pain in the ass that way, and it’s always been a child of the so-called three that stops her crazy ass plans.”

  Jason sighed, “I’ve pissed you off again. Really, I’m here to help, but I’m coming in eyes open. If he’s truly the man you say, then I’ll probably leave here in a week as his ally too. Just saying.”

  Janice said in exasperation, “Sit.”

  We all sat the hell down. I sure as hell wasn’t going to get on her bad side in that moment.

  Caroline mock whispered in a singsong voice, “Awkward…”

  Ginny giggled.

  “Dinner smells amazing, Janice.”

  It really did, there were two giant bowls of ziti, with mozzarella, ricotta, and sauce. Also fresh baked homemade garlic bread using cloves of fresh roasted garlic whipped in the butter, which was ten times better than the dry spice. There were also homemade meatballs in it. It was enough to feed twenty, which was probably just right for the six of us.

  Janice smiled despite herself, “Thanks.”

  We dug in, and conversation eventually started to flow easier as Jason dropped his caution, or at least stopped arguing about assumptions and powerful demigods. He seemed like a good enough guy, but not very bright. Even if he did have a point, a demigod with my powers that worked for Ares for instance, would probably be a nightmare.

  Much like Lillian, who I’d learned delighted and enjoyed burning men alive, to the point it got her hot. I had no interest in raising an army and changing the world. I just wanted to live my life with the family I was building, train to protect it, and figure out a job that wouldn’t harm anyone.

  Point being though, he was an idiot for not realizing Janice was extremely protective of me, her mate, and would get angry on my behalf even for reasonable doubts. I wasn’t that worried about it since we’d all get to know each other over the next few days. I was fairly confident he’d lose that wariness, not that I was a great guy, I just wasn’t an aggressive asshole that wanted to impose my will on the world.

  Caroline said, “You seem happier,” to Ginny, and I got the idea the woman was as subtle as a sledgehammer.

  Ginny waved airily and deflected, “I’m finally getting laid on a regular basis.”

  Caroline snickered, while Janice snorted.

  Caroline said, “Liar, but nice try. I’m still looking for mine. Antonia broke up with me.”

  I didn’t react overtly, but it was nice to get confirmation of my suspicion and that I was reading the blessing right.

  Ginny scowled, “What happened?”

  Caroline shrugged, “She got five years older, I didn’t. I’m also active and on the run constantly, and she was ready to slow down and settle down. It wasn’t her fault.”

  Ginny said, “You need to find another demigoddess that doesn’t like cock.”

  I almost choked on my food, and Jason rolled his eyes.

  Caroline gave Ginny a look that told me I’d been worried about the wrong ally and mate having history earlier. It became apparent to me in that moment Caroline had a thing for my mate, but my blessing also told me it was mostly one sided and far in the past for my mate. Based on Ginny’s comment it didn’t work out because Ginny wouldn’t be satisfied with just a woman, and she needed a man as a mate. Or as she so crudely put it, she needed a hard fucking by a cock in her life to be happy.

  Which was good for me.

  “We aren’t exactly thick on the ground,” Caroline finally responded, “Plus, Antonia swept me off my feet, I couldn’t resist her back then. I don’t regret it.”

  Ginny nodded soberly, “That’s not what I meant.”

  Caroline smiled, “I know, so a preemptive strike tomorrow?”

  Ginny explained, “They’ve already tried to kill him three times,” and she went into detail on the incidents, then added, “So it’s self-defense for what’s coming next. It’ll make us stronger and dwindle her resources, and take the demons off the board.”

  Caroline shrugged, “This isn’t her only breeding ground, they could bring Empusa from other cities.”

  Nicole interjected, “That’s where a little luck comes in. We’re hoping they’ll be so angry by our audacity that they’ll gather the monsters that are left and attack.”

  Jason asked, “You plan to leave the ones you don’t claim alive?’

  I frowned, only truly annoyed with Jason for the very first time. I supposed that was down to my thick skin. His worries about me had rolled off my back. But that comment pushed a button.

  “Besides being morally dubious killing them in their cages, if we did kill them, which we wouldn’t, Lillian and Hazel would have no choice but to wait and bring in new monsters. No matter how angry they were they’d be way overmatched alone. If that happens, we’ll definitely be facing Empusa as well. Better to leave them resources we think that we can handle, and that they hopefully will think will be enough in their anger.”

  Caroline nodded, “Makes sense. The worst thing that happens is they don’t take the bait in their anger and wait for reinforcements, while we have two more fighting on our side.”

  Ginny said, “Exactly.”

  Jason said in a questioning tone, “Odd for a champion of the goddess of love to be taking and dominating monsters.”

  I wanted to punch him myself that time, but I let Janice take it. I’d protect her, but she didn’t need my protection from words.

  Janice said, “Because he isn’t dominating them like a warrior would, he’s taking them as mates, and he wouldn’t be doing it at all if not to defend us. Everyone has a right to defend themselves.”

  Jason tilted his head, “So he’s going to…” he trailed off.

  Janice smirked, “Yes, so you’ll be on watch, so you don’t have to watch him fuck them into submission.”

  I snickered.

  Caroline hummed, “Can I watch? Call it perverse curiosity,” but I was fairly sure she was joking.

  The conversation devolved into the gutter at that point, but eventually rose back up above it. After that the conversation was pretty normal, and our two allies would be joining us the next day in our raid on Hera’s compound.

  Chapter Twelve

  The compound looked more like an estate to me, and it had a twelve feet high privacy wall and metal gates. There were also cameras, but according to Nicole there were no humans in the know involved, and it was most likely there to review after the fact by Hazel if there was an incident. Seeing as how we wanted to be caught after the fact to anger them, there was no need to worry about them or be subtle at all.

  From what I’d been told after seeking further detail, Hazel was truly in charge of Hera’s resources in this city and area as the demigoddess on site. Lillian was like… a regional manager in rank, she was in charge of directing all the local demigoddesses in various cities along the west coast. The sadistic fire-wielding bitch just happened to be mated to the one here.

  The six of us had taken three vehicles, which were parked about a quarter mile away as we approached the compound. I wasn’t all that happy Ginny was with us. She’d be useless in a fight, but I’d have been worried about the idea of leaving her behind too. It was what it was, and both Nicole and Caroline would watch her back, while Jason and Janice watched mine, and I blasted Empusa out of the sky for them for them to finish off.

  I also already had enough electricity in me to throw a few bolts, and I could feel plenty in the compound to draw on during the fight. I could hold about half as much electricity as I could keep under control in total, without it coruscating around my body so any humans wouldn’t notice.

  Caroline said, “I got this,” and the lithe dancer walked right up to the gate and pushed. Metal screeched in protest, bent, and then snapped as the right-side gate broke off the hinges and slammed into the ground. Subtle it was not.

  We moved in, the two groups of three about twenty feet apart. The large mansion was colonial in style, three stories tall with columns around the front entrance. The flora on the grounds was also impeccably maintained, and I wondered if they used monsters as their landscapers, because I couldn’t imagine them hiring humans to do it given the nature of the place.

  I let out a small chuckle at the mental picture of a Taura edging the lawn and trimming bushes.

  Jason said shortly, “Stay alert, and don’t forget to scan the skies.”

  Right, no laughing on mission. Besides making me look crazy by laughing at my own thoughts it was also unprofessional. It’d be fair to say I was a little nervous. We had a good plan, a simple one to hopefully minimize the chances of it going south, but it was my first real battle that I’d volunteered for.

  I drew more electricity from the local lines, now that I didn’t need to hold it all inside in case of human witnesses, and it started coruscating around my body. We were moving at a decent pace around the left side of the large house, the monster stable, or whatever it was called, was in the back of it according to what Nicole had shared.

  That’s as far as we got before we heard some screeches, and I saw four sets of reddish orange wings take off over the mansion from the backyard. That made me look around cautiously, there were supposed to be five Empusa on staff here, not four.

  The four of them circled above us a couple of hundred feet, and then the front door opened and out walked the fifth. She wasn’t shifted, and she was bare ass naked which afforded us all quite a view. She had that same reddish silver hair and copper eyes as the first one I’d met, and her body was lush and ripe almost to caricature proportions, with firm and proud F cups, and a whisper thin waist that looked like it might snap off in a breeze. I also couldn’t help but notice her pussy was glistening in the sunlight.

  I felt the pull of course, much as I imagined she felt one from my blessing, but it was easier to ignore.

  She smiled sweetly, “Welcome, why don’t you come in and enjoy a dip… in the pool of course,” and she winked outrageously.

  It wasn’t until I saw both Jason and Caroline lower their swords to their side, because they weren’t protected by a blessing, that I realized what the Empusa’s plan was. Which of course played to their strength. She was the distraction, and it’d fucking worked like we were all children in our first schoolyard rumble.

  My eyes snapped straight up, and the four Empusa that had been circling above our heads were now in a dive, claws extended with looks of vicious anticipation on their faces. There was one major flaw in their plan. The best way to take out an electro-kinetic was not to rush all from the same side. That’s why I’d been training in the surrounded scenario, so I’d have to keep turning and acquire my target one at a time.

  But there was nothing stopping me from attacking more than one target at once.

  Despite that four was too many conduits to focus on at once in that last second or two, and I extended two toward the two diving for Ginny’s team, and I released a blast of lightning as I screamed and dove into a roll to avoid the two that were dive bombing my team.

  That seemed to shake the half daze on those who were dazed, and Jason dove as well though a second too late. Still, the claws didn’t get too deep, and the Empusa’s claws shredded through the leather armor and into his back.

  My Janice on the other hand hadn’t been dazed, and she almost lazily dodged the Empusa’s claw strike and her Escrima stick blurred as it slammed into the Empusa’s throat, then the second stick slammed into her wing, and her foot snapped up at the spinning demoness and nailed her right in the spine making her cry out and crash to the ground.

  At the same time, Caroline and Nicole slashed deeply into the throats of the two crispy Empusa who’d gotten fried by my lightning and hit the ground with the smell of burned meat. The former with her claws, and the latter with her sword.

  Jason shook off the hit and used his sword on the Empusa Janice had knocked to the ground and hurt badly, which left the other I’d dodged rising into the air with a furious shriek.