Page 61 of Desired By Eros

Bob continued. “Then another photo of you popped up, this time, in the background of a photo of one of the students here. This was my chance, so I bribed my way in here. Though Rebecca, the old site manager, was only too happy to step aside after I offered her a year’s worth of her pitiful salary to let me take her place.”

“Can we cut the crap and you tell me what you want?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I want the pyxis.”

“I don’t know where it is.”

“Your mother and Hephaestus do, so I suggest you ask them or else.” He gestured toward Psyche. “Don’t even think of trying to wake her up yourself. Only I can break the spell.”

“So, she’s just sleeping?” He had feared the worst.

“Yes, she’s just sleeping, and she’ll keep on sleeping. You’ll watch her wither away and die as her body is unable to receive nutrients and begins to consume itself. It’s a slow and horrible death; one she’ll feel to the very end.” He laughed. “You could also show her mercy and end it quickly for her.”

“You motherfucker!” Eros’s hands balled into tight fists. “I swear to all the gods and goddesses of Olympus, Valhalla, Aaru, Takamagahara, and the rest of the universe, I will hunt youdown, rip your heart out, feed it to the hydra, and make you watch.”

Bob scoffed. “Whatever.” He took something from his pocket and placed it on the table. “Contact me when you have it. Don’t even think of trying to send anyone after me because you won’t be able to find me.” He turned to his bodyguard. “Are we ready?”

The man touched his ear and then nodded. “The chopper’s ready and waiting, sir.”

“Thank you. You better start looking, Eros. I heard the body can only go without water for about three days.”

Eros could only watch as Bob and his bodyguard marched out of the cabin through the sliding back door. Once he was gone, he dashed over to the bed. “Psyche.” He sank down at the edge of the bed and took her hand.

Chapter 11

Eros

Eros sat at the edge of the bed, watching Psyche as she slept soundly, her chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. He gently pulled off her work boots, setting them aside before carefully dressing her in her pajamas to make her more comfortable. What the fuck was he supposed to do?

Snap out of it.

Time was running out.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number, his fingers hovering over the screen.

The phone rang once, twice, and then Aphrodite’s voice came through, warm and calm as always. “Eros, darling, what’s on your mind?”

“Mama, I need to talk to you.”

There was a brief pause, then a quiet sigh. “Of course, my love. I’ll be there shortly.” The line went silent as Aphrodite ended the call.

A few moments later, a shimmer of golden light filled the room, and before Eros could even stand, his mother and Hephaestus appeared, stepping gracefully into the cabin.

Aphrodite’s gaze immediately landed on Psyche. Her expression shifted to one of curiosity and surprise. “Is this…the shifter from the wedding?”

Eros nodded. “Yes. We’ve become…close.”

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow as he took in the sight of Psyche. “Is she unwell?” He gestured to the sleeping figure. “Why is she in bed?”

Eros exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Bob, her coworker, put her under a spell. She’s…trapped in it. He won’t release her until I give him the pyxis.”

“The pyxis,” Aphrodite repeated, her face clouded with worry. She moved closer to inspect Psyche.

“What does he want with it?” said Hephaestus. “Is this Bob a geryon?”

“Yes, he wants Cyncus’s magic,” said Eros. He quickly told them what happened.

“It was only a matter of time,” Aphrodite murmured.

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