(Authors note: Sorry to take so long to update! Real life has been crazy and the holidays are really eating info my writing AND recording time! Will be trying to update chapters in written stories throughout the holidays! Happy Holidays, everyone!
T.
PS— sorry for the limited sex in this chapter; it is very much a turning point on the plot, however.)
Chapter 12: Betrayal
It hadn't taken him long to realize that Hermes had betrayed his trust. In hindsight, he was a fool for thinking the Olympians wouldn't harm a witch, despite it hardly being in their own self interest. Their existence was maintained solely by the worship of human beings, as any being of power, and at this point in mortal history, the Old Gods were kept breathing primarily by the rise of Neo-Paganism. Damaging or killing a devoted follower for any reason save the justly punitive would weaken them.
But... the Olympians has also gotten a bit of a boost with the rise of a popular children's book series in the last decade, which inspired millions of children to read the old myths and Lucifer suspected that their sudden surge of popularity made Zeus a bit cocky... ok, well, cocky... ER. And by extension the remainder of his pantheon.
The exception to the rule being Eros. There was so much hate still existing in the world that it wasn't easy for him to exist at all. That he did so and did so confidently had always impressed Lucifer Morningstar... to say nothing in their similar appreciation for all things sexual. He knew that Eros easily claimed a large part of Gwendolyn's worship as well as her heart and friendship. While, in her waking state before he appeared in her world, she rationalized Eros's presence in her life as something she dreamed. Same as with Herne, despite being bound to him as his Priestess.
Lucifer rolled up the parchment he had been writing upon and looked down at the note from Hermes that had appeared shortly after the time he was due to arrive with Gwen.
Morningstar,
Your lady is in the care of Hades and Persephone.
I was contracted to Steal her by my elder brother prior to your request to escort her to you this evening. While Thievery is a matter of course for me, I am seldom prone to betrayal. However, Hades wields more than a little power over my pantheon and I was under order to tell you nothing until the woman was under his care.
Now that she is, I am no longer bound to silence. I do not know why this has come to pass or what Hades plans. I will not leave her side but caution you highly against rash action. I will relay more if I am able.
Hermes
Lucifer wasn't one for letters and decrees. He was and always had been a creature of action. He had little time for words when pressed against the wall. Perhaps if he had more patience or was more inclined to not let his heart and fury lead him, Father wouldn't have been so quick to condemn him. But he was also not one to look backwards with regret; it was a waste of time and regret was for humans.
With a thought, his own letter in response to Hermes' message was gone and on its way to the fleet footed deity. It described in no uncertain terms what he would do to the Olympian Underworld should Gwendolyn not be returned to his side immediately. He wasn't certain what being in a realm of the dead would do to the highly sensitive little witch, but something told him it would not be good, given her sponge-like nature.
For once in his immortal life, Lucifer Morningstar was frightened.
"My Lord?" Asmodeus entered the room, looking more than a little concerned. "I was told you had need of me."
"Hades has taken it upon himself to intercede in my evening," Lucifer said darkly. Asmodeus was a Prince of Hell as well as a demon of temptation. As the former, he commanded a legion of demons and Lucifer had zero compunctions allowing the lot of them free reign on Hades' followers should it come to that. For Gwendolyn and Evangeline, he would do far worse. "Ready your subordinates. If we must tear down the walls between our Hell and Hades' Underworld to remind him which of us has the bigger dick, I intend to stand ready."
Asmodeus hesitated. "To break our truce with the Old Gods would mean war, Sir. War that could warp reality." He gave Lucifer a long, hard look, his eyes flashing red and showing the demonic nature that hid behind the human mask he wore. Today, his mask was a mid-forties black man, tall, bald and broad shouldered. He looked both strong and dignified in a well tailored pinstripe suit, complete with onyx tie tack and cuff links. Firelight from the hearth glinted off the single gold and diamond stud in one ear.
"Warp reality... don't be so dramatic," Lucifer said disgustedly. "End the world? Maybe. I would imagine that fact should encourage Hades to accede to my wishes. "He met Asmodeus's worried gaze with finality. "I will have her returned to me."
"Will you finally desist with this ridiculous bargain and just *take* the woman, then?" Asmodeus said with exasperation.
"She wouldn't survive here." Lucifer sank into the massive leather chair near the crackling hearth with an almost defeated sigh. "This place would destroy her. I know it in my gut."
"Lucifer, you know I will do whatever you ask," Asmodeus said gently. "But all of this... over one human witch... your followers are beginning to question whether you are still their Master at all."
The blackness that suffused the room was total save for the glowing red of burning coals that were his eyes, as Lucifer dropped his human image and all restraints on his Power. "She is MINE, and that is all any of you need know. She summoned me. She yields to me and is bound to me until such time as I deem otherwise. If anyone wishes to question my resolve on this, let him come forward and face me. He will leave with his entrails in his own hand and his tongue in *my* pocket."
Asmodeus lowered his gaze and dropped to one knee within the black void of Lucifer's overwhelming anger and said softly: "I understand, my Lord."
"If you weren't my strong right hand, Asmodeus, I might question your loyalty." The inky blackness coalesced into the form so many believed him to possess in actuality: a great red beast complete with vicious curving black horns, leathery wings and the legs of a cloven animal. His completely black eyes fell on the prostrate demon with a look so cold that Asmodeus could almost feel the chill of the gaze over his flesh. "Find the Olympian named Eros. He is the only Greek I would trust right now and he may be of use." Asmodeus rose smoothly to his feet and gave a bow before exiting the chamber without another word.
Lucifer closed his eyes. This body... this he had not truly dared to show either of the women that lived in Gwen's body. This... this was how the bulk of humanity saw him. A god's image to humans was generally whatever that human truly believed they looked like. The more powerful the deity, the more control they had over their visage to the mortal gaze, but just as their faith was the lifeblood of a god, so too was their perception of that good their own personal truth and could often control how said god appeared to them.
