Parker snorted violent, “Yes, and Satanists call Satan the lord their god. That doesn’t make it true, Mr. President. Except for the spawns of Satan you call citizens. Look, it’s a matter of national security, we want to push a bill through that will form a supernatural agency.”

  The president asked, “An anti-supernatural agency, I presume?”

  Parker waved that off, “They’ll be monitoring the supernatural races closer for the safety of our god-fearing human citizens. But their main thrust is understanding these new demons, and how to take them down. The witches are terrified of them, but they have to have a weakness.”

  He replied, “Perhaps radioactive pieces of their home world?”

  Parker opened his mouth to tirade, but the president held up a hand.

  “I don’t mean to be flip, Parker. It’s a real point I’m trying to make, these people have their own powers that are impressive, but beyond that even the weakest ones can cast spells as strong as a full circle of witches.”

  Parker frowned, “What are you proposing?”

  The president said, “It took six years of stupidity and fearful reactions before we acted with forethought and took the simple and expedient measure of hiring covens to consult with local and federal law enforcement, and before we started buying their enchanted cuffs. Now we can take down a shifter or vampire and put him or her in prison for their crimes, safely.

  “Why reinvent the donut and spend billions on research that may never pay off, all while running around with our head’s cut off? The solution is simple, we hire some as consultants, just like the witches, and they can handle taking down the bad ones. They can be suppressed, if you remember that war god gone berserk in New York. Once our friend in Chicago put him on his ass, we were able to subdue him and keep him safely imprisoned.

  “It’s getting them into cuffs or a prison warded room in the first place that’s the problem. We already have the one in Chicago to call on, and we’re working on recruiting a few others. Right now, we’re doing background and security checks to ensure we don’t release a fox into the henhouse.”

  Parker sat back and looked disturbed, then shook his head, “First we consort with witches, now you want us to consort with devils? These people were supposedly human for the first twenty-one years of their life, how do we know they’re even them anymore. They could be possessed.”

  The president blinked, “We have two in government service.”

  Parker gasped, “What?”

  The president held up a hand, “Suspended, no longer on active duty. They were both in the military. Point being, all the psychological evals we ordered, and their commanding officers, all agree they’re the same person. Mostly. They seem to gain a purpose with the power, the witches call it a mantel, but that only influences their personality in one very narrow direction.

  “Anyway, we’re handling it, Parker. If we open a new agency like that then we’ll have all the supernaturals on edge and acting out. We have a far easier, cheaper, and more effective solution already. I don’t know what they really are, and I won’t tell you what they aren’t because I know you won’t listen, but when I think of devils, I don’t think of a sun god. Do you?”

  Parker frowned in confusion, then said, “Alright, Mr. President. We’ll try it your way first. However, I’d like your word that when it all blows up in your face, you will sign the law if we can get it through.”

  The president reluctantly nodded, “There will be speed bumps, but given total failure, I will sign.”

  Parker said, “Thank you for your time, Mr. President.”

  The president nodded sharply, and he stood up and exited the room.

  I took June’s hand, and we threaded our way back through the White House and out of the door. We were six blocks away, before I teleported us home from a shaded alley. Then we turned visible.

  I pulled June to me and kissed her softly, “Brilliant, sexy. That was a far different conversation than what I saw last night when the president caved in like a house of cards. What was it like?”

  “Inspiring the president? It was… what’s it like when you get lost in your art?”

  That would be really hard to describe.

  I snorted, “Okay, good point. But you enjoyed it?”

  She smiled, “I did. Maybe there really are authors’ conventions in my future.”

  I laughed, “Good.”

  She tilted her head, “What would you have done if it didn’t work?”

  I said, “I have a long list of blackmail material on Senator Parker. But that way it would just cement his hatred of us in the long term. Maybe the president’s inspired words will actually influence him not to be a racist bigot spouting religious nonsense.”

  June looked dubious, “It could happen?”

  I laughed, then picked her up and headed for the bedroom.

  She squeaked as her arms flew around my neck, and then she melted against me and kissed my neck, “Sir?”

  I accused, “Sexy.”

  She giggled, “Yes, sir. For you.”

  It was one of those had to have her moments, and I feasted on her for a very long time just to make her quiver on my tongue, before taking my own pleasure. She seemed to enjoy it.

  Chapter Five

  The bright afternoon sun felt good as we relaxed in the backyard. It’d been a long day and we’d gotten a lot done, starting with finding our new house. The three of them were in bikinis and I was in a pair of shorts.

  I said, “Come here gorgeous,” as I slipped my legs off the side of the lounger and patted the spot between my legs, “Take a seat here.”

  Lily bit her lip as she got up and sauntered over, and then gracefully sat, spun her body, and leaned back against me, “Like this, honey?”

  I started to massage her shoulders softly, brushing her neck with fingertips, and teasingly going lower on her upper chest right above her breasts in a slow semi-circular pattern.

  She sighed, “This is nice, glad I listened.”

  I grinned, and then kissed the back of her head while June and Brenna watched.

  “It’s a new getting to know you game we’re going to play. You’re going to start talking about yourself, and as long as you keep talking, I’ll keep massaging. The longer it goes on the more wicked the massage is going to get, and the more pleasure I’m going to give you.”

  She giggled, “I like this game, what made you think of it?”

  “Getting to know our new goddesses as they join us, at least once we reach a level of intimacy to allow this comfortably, we’ll all be able to get to know you better at the same time. Plus, I’m greedy, I want to know everything about you, even the petty, shameful, and embarrassing things. The things that made you grow as a person, and the things that annoy you in life.

  “I was imagining what it’d be like for goddesses eight and nine, when they have to have the same get to know you conversations seven times. I imagine they’ll be liable to want to shoot themselves instead. While at least when they learn about the others, they’ll be hearing different answers each time without having to regurgitate theirs. So I came up with a get to know you game, that hopefully isn’t too awkward or stupid.”

  She snickered, “And the massage makes it less awkwardly self-conscious for me to prattle on about myself?”

  “That’s my hope, and it’s totally a bribe and reward. Plus, I really wanted my hands on you.”

  She laughed richly, “All you ever have to do is demand it by word or deed, honey. On me, in me, it’s all for you.”

  “So, start talking,” I ordered playfully, doing my best to ignore the heady declaration of submission she just gave me. It’d only been just about twenty-fours since we’d met, and she was already mine by admission.

  Of course, that made me think of Amber, but I immediately pushed it out of my head. I could be patient, as long as she wasn’t snapping at everyone that is.

  She said breathily, “I feel so sexy right now. Umm…” she started to tell us about herself, not so much in gauche bullet points, like answering a questionnaire, she told us stories and worked in all the important stuff in the details. She was so sexy. It went on for quite a while and by the time it was done I was playing with her breasts shamelessly in our back yard, while Brenna was sucking on her toes, and June was slowly working her sex with both hands. One circling gently above her folds, while the other teased a couple of fingers inside of her.

  The only time Lily stopped talking was during her orgasms, and that’s when we heard a snort of disgust behind us. It’d been over an hour, and Lily was shaking and bucking in delight.

  “Amber?”

  She scowled, “What are you doing to her?”

  I laughed, “What does it look like? What is it?”

  No doubt the sexpot would say my whole idea was sexist and degrading.

  Amber shook her head, “Living room,” then turned around and marched inside.

  Lily sighed, “Amazing while it lasted, I feel so spoiled, and how is it a nymph goddess can cool down a room so fast?”

  I laughed, and then put her breasts back in the bikini top.

  June said, “Still, it must be important if it got her out of the room and made her engage.”

  “True, let’s see what’s going on.”

  I patted Lily’s sexy petite ass as she stood up, and she smirked back at me as she pulled her bikini bottom up. The four of us headed inside, and the television was on. We all wound up on the same couch, Amber was in the easy chair. I pulled June onto my lap, while to Amber’s obvious disgust both Lily and Brenna splayed themselves sensually against my sides.

  Our goddess of comedy had issues.

  Amber didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to as she hit play on the news report. There were two men standing at a podium, and their names were on the screen. Nate Green, and Brandon Raine. The former was at the podium microphones, while the other loomed to his right and behind him.

  Nate was six foot one, with blond hair and blue eyes, and a powerful muscular build. Brandon was even more imposing, at least six foot four, with a wide build and the muscles of a professional body builder.

  They were both also glowing golden. I wasn’t panicking yet, because I hadn’t seen any dreams about it, but then they could be powerful enough to block my seer abilities, so I was definitely paying attention.

  Nate spoke with statesmanship in his voice, trying for a deep gravitas, but it came off a little arrogant because of his young appearance.

  “Good morning. I’m Nate Green, from Tallahassee Florida. This is Brandon Raine. I am Zeus reborn, and my friend and guardian is the rebirth of Aries. I’m sure there’s a lot of questions and concerns about our sudden and unexpected appearance on Earth.

  “The first wave of our arrival did not go well given the regrettable incident in N.Y., though it could’ve been worse, and a worse disaster was averted with the help of Apollo reborn. A god that has already been protecting you, to the best of his abilities.

  “The last day since I’ve gotten my powers, I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching as well as research, and I’d like to reassure all of you that I will be starting to contact the governments all around the world shortly. To come to an accord of mutual cooperation with the protection of citizens in mind, no matter the race of that citizen.

  “It will take a god to deal with a god, and I assure you that it is my goal and ambition to ensure our rebirth into this world does not harm humanity or the supernatural races. That we will be a boon to this world, and I have the power to back that up. A less known Mantle of Zeus, besides king of the gods and sky god, is Justice. I will be the world’s justice, when one of my kind breaks the laws, that is my oath to you. Brandon is only the first of my recruits toward this end, and others will flock to us with the aim of protecting this world.

  “I can’t go into details yet, I’m not yet sure what our partnership with the world’s governments will look like, and to share my nascent plans and hopes may make it appear I’m trying to dictate to them. I can assure you that will not be how it goes. It will be a partnership and I am willing to compromise.

  “Any questions?” the smiling king of the gods asked.

  “Yeah, this can’t be good,” I predicted.

  Amber snorted, “Ya think?”

  I shrugged, “It might not be completely bad, we will need a system to deal with gods that go rogue.”

  Amber shook her head, “So what happens to gods of terror, wrath, discord, thievery, murder, pestilence, plague, and so on, on the negative spectrum. Like me they’re just fucked, even more screwed. They have no choice but to follow their mantel and start torturing kittens.”

  That was a disturbing point, we couldn’t let them kill or torture humans, or stir up trouble. Modern humanity wouldn’t put up with it. The positive mantels would get a free ride that way of sorts, even if Amber seemed to hate hers. No human would object to the new Harmonia for instance. Still, that was a shitty deal, to be born only to be leashed and imprisoned because of what they were, not who they were before.

  “They don’t have to participate in it, they just have to be around it and embody it. I don’t know.”

  We all quieted as a reporter asked, “Why are you here?”

  Nate said, “Reborn? We don’t know, we’re still the people we were two days ago, just with a whole lot of power and unexpected responsibility because of it. We do not have our memories of past lives or of our time in spirit form. Perhaps we just thought it was time to be reborn on the mortal plane. I’m keeping an open mind, and I can only follow my own beliefs and act as my conscience dictates.

  “Like any race some few of us will strive to improve the world around us, most will just live their lives, and a few will take darker paths and those will be the ones that I bring to justice. We are in the end, human of thought and emotion, and have all the same frailties that implies.”

  The reporter followed up, “So you have no purpose.”

  Nate shook his head in amusement, “What purpose does humanity serve? The purpose it wills to. It is no different for the other races, we will do what our conscience and principles dictated to us, and part of that is our mantels. Before yesterday I was a college student majoring in criminal law and working part time jobs to make ends meet, now I’m the most powerful being on the planet. I still have free will, and I choose the path I’ve already laid out to you by my very nature.”

  Another reporter stood up, “Zeus and Aries didn’t have the greatest reputations in Greek myth.”

  Nate laughed it off, but it sounded a little strained to me, “No, I suppose not, fortunately we’re Nate and Brandon. Was there a question in there?”

  The reporter followed up, “Power corrupts, what happens then?”

  Zeus replied, “Two things. I believe that is what our mantels are for. It keeps us focused, for me that’s justice. I also have two brothers equal in power, as well as three sisters. Even a king has to be careful how he treats his dukes and duchesses, or so the saying goes. Third, Greek myth may wind up being true, but I doubt those legends have more than a small kernel of truth in them.

  “I won’t lie, there will undoubtedly be challenges going forward, but that’s why I’m here today, standing in front of you and giving you my word. I also have faith there will be far more opportunities and we’ll bring a positive net result to the world by far. No more questions, and thank you for coming out.”

  Nate and Brandon nodded, then the pair disappeared in an exploding bubble of golden light.

  I shook my head, “No need to panic yet, I don’t think,” my hands teasingly caressing June’s legs.

  Amber snorted, “That’s his public face, and he all but admitted he plans to recruit. That means he’s planning to institute the whole pantheon, council of the strongest gods, with him sitting as the king of it all.”

  I nodded, “Most likely. I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, if he does it right. The ten of us will be a positive force in the world, but a lot of the gods with those negative mantels will need rules and lines they can’t cross. I’m not judging either way yet, that’s all I’m saying. It was something I’ve been concerned about, and we do need organization and an interface with the government. Better him than me, I’m all about the arts and leisure, not policing other gods even though I’ve sort of been willing to step in when necessary.

  “It’s not my passion, while if he was telling the truth about his major then he always planned to go into law enforcement in some capacity. I think we need to focus on ourselves and our own lives, and if he comes calling to recruit me, I’ll play it by ear.

  “Our natures are implicit even before we got our powers. You in comedy, June as a writer, and Lily as a dancer, not to mention me as an artist.”

  Amber shook her head in disgust, “Thank you, captain obvious. It’s all so clear now.”

  I snorted, “Yet, you failed to apply that logic and obviousness to Nate. His power might corrupt him, but he was born to rule and to seek justice, so why not let him do it and live our own lives. Don’t blame me for mansplaining, when you clearly didn’t have a clue until I did.”

  Amber glared, got up, and stormed off.

  Lily cheered in a playful whisper, “Score!”

  I laughed. I had totally gotten one over on her there, for the first time, anyway.

  June kissed me, then slipped out of my lap, and we all got up and headed back to the backyard.

  It wasn’t like I wasn’t worried, a lot of things were uncertain, but I refused to borrow trouble or assume the worst of everything. Sure, Zeus had been a dick, but Nate was young and idealistic still, even if a little arrogant. But then, law enforcement types usually were. That didn’t mean he was corrupt.

  The rest of the day passed like it usually did, and Lily was fitting in like a missing piece we hadn’t known was missing, while Amber was still wrestling with it, obviously.

  That night I had a dream of more trouble, and I investigated all the leads. It wouldn’t happen until early nighttime, so I had plenty of time. It was another one I decided to handle on my own, too much potential for things to go wrong if the cops moved in. A very young lady’s life was in the balance, as well as the threat of a massacre if it wasn’t dealt with correctly.