I was a little nervous. I wasn’t sure if that morning would end in allies, neutrality, or enemies. It likely all depended on what gods the demigods in this place were born of and worshipped. Regardless, I wasn’t there for trouble and I’d have my empathy open and receptive. If nothing else, it would help me judge the truth of their words and their general disposition.

  It also wasn’t that much of a risk, given the nature of their enterprise. I couldn’t imagine violent assholes running a beauty and fitness center, even if they did offer martial arts training on the fitness side.

  The vast building was split into three sections, looked like a beauty salon the left. On the right was martial arts, Pilates, yoga, and workout equipment rooms, the center building looked like a relaxation kind of place. Massages, steam rooms, and the like. It was all one giant building in three sections that were connected, there were just three doors. It also looked relaxed and welcoming, all light woods and not an ugly brick and mortar front.

  I parked toward the edge of the parking lot near the driveway exit just in case we needed to make a getaway. I’d defend myself of course, but I’d never actually killed anyone and would rather not make my first time anytime soon. Outside of my stepfather of course, and that was more accident than willful violence. All I knew of our world, which was quite a bit actually, came from my lessons with Hali. So I hadn’t lived any of it yet, and had zero experience outside of my father’s realm.

  That mastering a power that could kill, magic that could obscure, heal, enhance weapons and other water magics, plus master several martial arts and ancient weapons combat had all prepared me to rejoin the world, was telling. It told me all I needed to know about the likelihood of violence in my future.

  I was dressed in sweat shorts and a t-shirt, a duffel bag with a change of clothes for both of us was in the backseat, but just in case. We had no intention of splitting up this first time to change back into normal clothes before we left, that’d come with time and trust. I also didn’t think that would stand out to the human clientele in the place, not everyone who worked out in a gym used their showers and lockers. Though in their case it’d be about different reasons, and not worry about being split up and attacked.

  My Hali looked more alert than I did, which was saying a lot. She was in a pair of black yoga pants and a conforming white top which dipped low enough to show just a little of her vast cleavage. She preferred skirts and dresses, but obviously would wear what fit, no one worked out at the gym in dresses, as far as I knew.

  Hell, I’d been away from civilization for five years, maybe there’d been a fashion trend. I snorted at the thought, and I moved to get out.

  Hali said, “I don’t like the idea of going in there without weapons. There’re at least three monsters and six demigods in there.”

  “Monsters in a spa?”

  She giggled, “That does seem unlikely, doesn’t it? Land monsters are a lot more aggressive. They must be mated to one of the demigods to lend them that much control, or they’d be eviscerating humans every time one got out of line.”

  “Actually, when I think it through, I feel better about this. Mating monsters and a beauty salon, not something dad’s enemies would be into. I can’t imagine Zeus or Hades giving out manicures or pedicures. In fact, it seems to point at the goddess of beauty being involved.”

  She nodded, “Maybe, but the martial arts tell us that they’re allied with someone more aggressive than that. That’s not something a child of Aphrodite would pursue, even if fitness is part of beauty self-defense isn’t.”

  I shrugged, “Weapons stay in the car. It seems unlikely they’ll start a battle in their own business, just ask us to leave. Worse comes to worst, we’ll use our power and magic and retreat to the car to arm.”

  She bit her lip, “Yes, master.”

  I questioned the wisdom of my own orders a second later as we got out and locked up the car, and we headed for the front entrance. The middle entrance was the closest, so we headed to that one and walked inside to get out of the rain. The entryway was open and fairly large, with a warm light blue carpet and light wood desk straight ahead.

  Behind the desk was a young woman around my age with dark brown hair and milk chocolate eyes. She was an Italian beauty, with lovely dark tanned skin, full lips, and a nose just slightly too big for her face, which only enhanced her exotic beauty in my opinion. She noticed us and I picked up a sharp surge of lust from her as she looked over both of us casually as far as her facial expression was concerned.

  That told me I’d been right, and the demigoddess behind the counter was most likely one of Aphrodite’s daughters of pleasure. Given it was the massage parlor part of the building, I was guessing she used it for sex and happy endings. The daughters of pleasure were like that, they lived to fuck and suck, and she was gorgeous in a tight pink halter top and short jean shorts. One of six down, and no trouble at all. Two more down in my head a second later, as I saw a hot light blonde haired beauty that was quite young, maybe nineteen, and a light brown-haired beauty further behind her that had to be in her mid-twenties. They all looked about nineteen, but I could pick up the subtle differences, demigods aged three to one to humans, maybe a little better than that, not many humans lived to a hundred after all.

  In short, three of the six demigods in the place were demigoddesses of pleasure that were no threat at all, unless someone had a stick up their ass about pleasure.

  To the left and right were thin hallways heading to the flanking connected buildings. There were a few humans in this area, but there was also a petite white blonde bombshell who was clearly a monster, and if looks could kill we’d probably be dead. Her emotions on the other hand were fascinating, all protective fierceness, and very little of the bloodthirsty anger I’d expect from a monster of the land.

  I nodded her way with a tentative smile, and she watched like a hawk as Hali and I headed toward the counter. We weren’t there for a massage, but I was sure they could help us with information and one of their packages, and also perhaps some information about our world. At least, how our world was in relation to this city. I already had a general idea of how it all worked, but I’d need specifics about my new home.

  The lovely dark-haired woman smiled at me warmly in welcome, and the way her lust only increased as she looked over my muscular body and into my ocean blue eyes almost changed my mind. But I was happy with Hali, open to the idea of adding mates perhaps, but not empty sex. Hear that cock, no empty sex, no matter how hot the Italian beauty was. And she was, smoking.

  “Good morning, I’m Katerina.”

  I smiled, “Evan, and Hali,” I introduced the two of us, and my attempt to cool Katerina’s attraction failed miserably, as the woman’s lust surged even more when I put my arm around Hali’s waist.

  I was also painfully aware the petite sexpot monster girl could hear everything we said, and probably even that my heartbeat had increased slightly at engaging Katerina in conversation.

  “What can I do for you?”

  I said, “We’re new in town, live just down the road actually. We’re looking for a place to work out, but we’re also looking for friends and allies for our world? We couldn’t help but notice this place as we drove by yesterday.”

  She affected confusion, “Our world?”

  I waved that away, “The humans over there can’t hear our words right now. I’m a magic sensitive on top of my power.”

  Curiously, I questioned my conclusion earlier when the lithe light blonde and curvaceous light brown-haired beauties walked over to join the conversation. The light blonde did feel some lust at looking at us, but there was a strange wistful quality to it I wouldn’t expect in a daughter of pleasure. The adorable and sexy light brown haired one just felt curiosity and no lust at all, which was even stranger.

  Katerina said, “This is Allison,” she waved at the young blonde, “and Carmen,” she waved at the adorable light brown-haired woman, “We work the massage side of the business. We can also book you into one of the hot tub or steam rooms. The showers and locker rooms are also in this part of the building,” she looked around unsure, and they said, “We’re all Aphrodite’s, though Carmen is mated to the owner, so can’t have any more fun.”

  Carmen gasped, “I’ll show you fun.”

  Well that explained her lack of lust. Not to sound arrogant, but I wasn’t hard to look at, and all of Aphrodite’s children of pleasure were total sluts, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. No slut shaming or judgement, just recognition of fact.

  Allison… I was guessing that wistful thing was she was in love with someone, but not ready to give up the casual sex lifestyle.

  Allison giggled, “You seem pretty nice. Nicole is only staring a hole in the back of your head right now.”

  “That’d be the monster over there?” I asked curiously.

  Allison nodded, “Also mated to the owner. As are the rest of the demigoddesses in here and the other two monsters.”

  “So, he has six mates?”

  Carmen shook her head, “Seven. Claire, our fourth monster mate, is home with the kids. Aurora and Dawn are the other two, not sure where they are at the moment.”

  Allison snickered a bit naughtily, “Probably in Levi’s office.”

  There was no jealousy in her face and tone, but the surge of wistfulness told me exactly who Allision was in love with, and that she wanted to be mate number eight. Dear god, I couldn’t even imagine that many mates.

  Katerina snorted, and I got the idea she didn’t particularly care for the owner for some reason.

  “You’re all Aphrodite’s?”

  Allison shook her head, “Us three. Then Ginny is, over in the salon, daughter of beauty. Levi is a champion of Aphrodite, but he’s actually the big guy’s kid. And Janice who runs the martial arts and workout areas is Hestia’s.”

  Zeus?

  “Huh, I’m Poseidon’s, is that a problem? I’m not his champion though, he wouldn’t allow it. Hali here is my mate as well, only one.”

  Hali smirked and patted my ass, “So far.”

  I gave her a sharp look and she winked at me. Apparently, my monster had decided we weren’t in any danger if she was being playful and a bit cheeky.

  Katerina smiled invitingly, “Not at all, as long as you’re peaceful and not looking for trouble. Not a champion?”

  I shook my head, “Just got back from my training, not sure yet.”

  Allison tilted her head in question, so I clarified.

  “Been in dad’s realm since I came into my power at sixteen, in a bad way. He’s a good sort I think, not anything like Greek myth. He wanted me well trained before I came back to the human world. Granted, grateful son bias.”

  Katerina smiled, “So what are you interested in here, besides making friends.”

  I nodded, “It’d be good to get to know you all, see where things stand when we do.”

  Carmen asked, “Where things stand?”

  I shrugged casually, “I’m hoping to find allies before I run into those inevitable enemies, but I’m not making assumptions. You ladies seem great though,” I said that last as I stared into Katerina’s exotically appealing milk-chocolate eyes. I was interested despite myself, there was something captivating about her, despite the fact she probably opened her mouth and spread her legs for strangers all day long.

  Not judging at all, but usually that kind of thing would inevitably put her in the friend only category. I wasn’t interested in empty strings-free sex. Someone I could respect and get to know, but no more than that. Maybe it was just her lust getting to me, it was obvious to me she wanted me, past her usual lust for the act of pleasure itself in service to Aphrodite I mean. In short, I was sure she willingly took on all-comers, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have personal preferences, and she hadn’t even seen my generously thick nine-inch cock yet.

  Granted, empty sex was something most men my young age was interested in, but I’d had more than enough of my share of that with the Nereids.

  Carmen’s face cleared, and she smiled, “Of course. Our world is full of betrayal. We’re all here because of Levi, and he’s very powerful and protective of Aphrodite’s children and interests. It makes us relatively helpless sluts feel safe.”

  Allison giggled, “He’s also a great guy. He doesn’t seek out trouble, he just… ends it.”

  I nodded, “A similar philosophy to mine. My ambitions lay in the direction of carving out a life, family and business. I don’t need to knock other’s down to do that,” I looked back at Katerina, “To finish answering your question past the connections, just a place to work out. I don’t really need a salon with my magic, and I’m more than familiar with martial arts already.”

  Hali said to Katerina with a tinge of sultry in her naturally musical and seductive voice, “He’d also enjoy a massage from you I think, to relax his muscles after a hard and sweaty workout.”

  I turned to Hali in surprise, but she just winked at me. My heart picked up another notch, as the Italian beauty felt another powerful surge of lust, though it didn’t show on her face I was sure she was wet at the idea of playing with me. Neutral face or not, her lovely eyes were extremely warm and inviting at that idea. I’d also be having a long talk with Hali later. She’d obviously picked up my interest in my scent, and she had no jealousy at all as my monster mate. Clearly, she was turned on by the idea of my drilling the hot curvaceous Italian, even if it’d be doubtful that she’d ever permanently join our bed.

  Standing at the counter gave me a much better view of her body. She was delectable, a lovely hourglass figure similar to Hali’s but less exaggerated at an inch taller at five feet and seven inches. Katerina also had lovely and generous rounded C cups, and a soft feminine curvy waist. Not as lush as my Hali, but a soft sensual body with an equal amount of appeal. C cups were still more than nice to play with after all, and even big enough to fuck. I loved all sizes though. It was the playing with them and making my partners pant in pleasure that was fun.

  Katerina smiled, “I’d suggest one of the joint packages then. It would entitle you to use all the facilities in both buildings, and a personal trainer, massage, or one of the fitness classes would all be half price with the membership.”

  I hesitated for a moment, then said, “Alright, I’ll put myself in your capable hands. What next?”

  I really didn’t like empty sex, not anymore at least since I’d grown up a bit. I wanted to build a family and gain more permanent mates, not stick my cock in every hot woman willing to spread their legs for me. The nereids had fucked that shallow male impulse out of me over a year ago, debauchery always had an end date. I could only conclude my cock had the dumb idea we could make her ours over time. She was… tempting as hell too, and I knew daughters of pleasure were almost scarily intuitive in bed. Their powers of pleasure prompted them and guided them to fucking and sucking in exactly the way their partner wanted. Not just overall preferences, kinks, and what secondary erogenous zones and firmness turned them on and pleasured them the most, but also their personal sensitivities which changed from person to person, but also by mood and what their partner longed for in the specific moment.

  Point being, I was doing this almost despite myself. Both my stupid cock and my naughty vixen outvoting the brain above my shoulders. I was almost sure I’d regret it at some point, but I also didn’t have any demigoddess mates yet, or other monsters that might be more territorial. As long as I cherished and protected, and possessed my Hali, I knew I was being faithful to her. Sex with another had nothing to do with it, and she was obviously okay with it.

  That rule might change, if I ever added a mate that won’t let me pick my sexual partners past adding another mate, but for now it was what it was, and I was going to scratch that itch. In my defense, there was a stupid hope in me it might become more, no matter the odds against it.

  As far as hypocrisy went, because Hali’s body belonged to me just as much as her love, support, and service, I wasn’t worried about that at all. It was the way the world was, and I’d already accepted that. It seemed a little wrong she wouldn’t be getting anything out of it, though I wasn’t entirely sure that was true. There was a thrill in her at the idea of sharing me with the demigoddess of pleasure. It had her so turned on in that moment she couldn’t see straight, which admittedly was turning me on even more.

  Katerina’s eyes held warm promise as she turned to the side and reached under the desk and pulled out a membership form to fill out. That act also showed me her tight heart-shaped ass, which was delectable over those long and dark tanned silky legs as she bent over from the waist. She took a moment to tick off the joint package I’d chosen, and when she looked back up into my eyes, there was a surge of lust on both our parts. Our strong initial chemical reaction rose up another notch, or ten.

  I had no doubt at all, that her power was telling her that I was desperate to bury my cock in her. Anywhere in her really, I wasn’t picky. My empathy was telling me both her mouth and pussy was watering for it, and perhaps her ass as well.

  I handed her the credit card, took the pen, and started to fill out the form.

  She asked warmly, “Just the membership, or will you be getting a massage today?”

  I smiled, “Do you have openings, in about an hour?”

  She nodded, “I’ll be ready for you, when you’re done with that hard and sweaty workout. I’ll just pencil you in now.”

  She opened up the schedule book behind the counter, and I got back to filling in the form, while she also ran the credit card and got me set up.

  That was when the other two monsters on the premises walked out, and I hadn’t been expecting hot twins. They both had scarlet red hair with gold and silver highlights that looked professionally done, but I knew that was just a natural part of them. Their bodies were lithe save their double D cups which looked obscene on their otherwise lissome curves. They were also pasted against a guy with light brown hair and hazel eyes, with a medium build and a similar height to myself, of six feet and an inch.