Page 64 of Wicked Warlock
Zeus scoffed at Beckett’s outstretched hand. “I have grand-somethings or others all over the place.”
Penny crossed her arms over her chest. “So I’ve heard… Dad.”
“Penndolyn.” Zeus paled and waved his arms. He turned around to the party and bellowed, “Leave!”
When they began to move slowly, lightning crashed outside and thunder shook the whole house. “I said leave now!”
They all scrambled for the exits, tripping over each other as they ran. Within seconds, the entire house was cleared leaving only me, Beckett, Penny, Professor Charles, and Zeus. He motioned for us to follow him deeper into the house. “Come, please, come in.”
He turned and began walking deeper into the house. We walked past the living room where multiple couches were circled around a low ottoman. Clothing littered the floor and all the furniture. He motioned to the couches. “Have a seat.”
I had no idea what was on those things. “Um, I’ll stand, thank you.”
Zeus snickered and turned to the kitchen attached to the living room. The island was littered with empty cups, bottles of liquor, and all manner of things that I wouldn’t be able to burn from my memory later. I tried to focus on the pristine white cabinets and marble countertops. He lifted a glass off the counter and held it to his nose, sniffing it. He shrugged and moved to the fridge.
“What do you all want?” He yanked open the door and pulled a pitcher from within.
“Yeah, it’s nice to finally meet you, too.” Penny groaned.
He poured what looked like light colored orange juice into the half clean cup. “Ah, Penndolyn, of all my children, and I have many, you were one of my loveliest.”
“You’ve got a funny way of showing it.” She wrinkled her nose at a pair of underwear laying on the floor. “First time I’ve met you in my very long life.”
“Like I said I have many children.” He winked. “Some far more beautiful than others.”
“A lot of kids, huh?” I rolled my eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to be married to Hera?”
He took a deep drink and winked at me. “We’ve been on the outs for a few hundred years now. It works for me, then I get to meet ladies as fine as your mother, Penndolyn. You remind me of her.”
So, there you go, you can’t make a husband out of a ho…
“Thanks.” She shook her head. “But I didn’t come here for a family reunion.”
He walked over to one of the couches and dropped down into the middle of it. The leather groaned under his weight and air escaped from the cushions. “Then why are you here?”
Penny swallowed and then gave him her best smile. “I need to become immortal, and I need you to tell me how to do that.”
For long moments he stared at her, tilting his head from one side to the other, studying her. Finally, he sighed. “What’s in it for me?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps the knowledge that your daughter didn’t kill herself to save an innocent…”
“And the world,” I added. I didn’t want Penny to die for me. If this didn’t work, we would find another way. We just had to.
Zeus waved away our words. “As my daughter, you’ll inherit certain powers, from me of course…”
Oh, the ego on this dude.
He continued, “I want certain concessions in return for my power and knowledge.” He took another sip of his drink and motioned to his bare chest. “I am Zeus.”
Beckett groaned. “Really?”
“Really.” Zeus turned dead serious.
“She’s your daughter. You should do everything in your power to help her. That is what a parent does. They help their children.” She took a step toward him then composed herself and cleared her throat. “Unless you want her to die…”
“I never said I was a good parent. But what I will take are three favors from you in the future.” He spread his arms across the back of the couch. “Take it or leave it.”
Penny glanced at the rest of us. “Three favors? What are they?”
