Page 16 of Lovesick Gods

“It won’t work on just anyone.”

“We think we can fix that,” Lynn said. “The reflectors in the suit are an impressive piece of tech. We might be able to synthetically mimic Camo’s biochromes to create a stealth suit for you.”

“Camouflage,” Andre corrected.

“Camouflage,” Lynn imitated to exaggeration.

They all laughed.

“Great work, guys,” Danny said. “I’ll have my phone on me if you need anything. Still on for takeout and Heists tomorrow night?” he turned to Andre.

“You bet,” Andre said. “Cops won’t know what hit ‘em, son.” He swung his arm back for a hand slap, which they completed like clockwork—front, back, fist bump. But before Danny could head out of the morgue, Andre asked, “What did you decide, anyway? Hobby or…recreation?” he waggled an eyebrow.

“Andre…” Lynn shook her head at him.

Danny couldn’t stifle his grin. “Bit of both? But it’ll definitely help me blow off steam. See you guys later.” He waved, feeling lighter with every step he took out of the precinct and into the cool evening air.

ß

Virgil Laboratories wasn’t an obvious target for a theft, not unless someone was a mad scientist looking to build something bigger and badder than whatever they’d used to break into the facility. But that was for small minds, limited thinkers. There was more to a place like Virgil Labs than tech and chemicals for the sake of science; there was what the individual chemicals and parts could be sold for on the black market.

The place was a veritable fortress after several run-ins with Elementals and unexplained thefts over the years, but those losses had been meager, simple, nothing for too many stockholders to worry over. This theft, however, would cause quite a stir and garner some significant funds for Olympus City’s newest criminal element.

Money was just the beginning. Pulling off a heist without leaving a trace, without a single shred of evidence, that was justto give the OCPD, the public, and any competing Elementals a taste of the new blood in town. The real goal was much bigger.

Thanatos had gone about things all wrong. If only he’d been able toshow him.

The mob families had been thinned out, their neighborhoods left in shambles, and only a meager ten blocks belonged to Prometheus and his Titans. Taking over the city in its current state would be a breeze once enough cash was collected, enough targets were hit, and it became clear to the police, to Prometheus, and especially to Zeus just who had the power and how things were going to go down from now on.

No alarms were tripped as room by room in Virgil Labs was infiltrated. The cameras wouldn’t catch anything either other than a flicker before they went dark. The desired loot would simply appear to have vanished. It would be as if everything that was stolen had evaporated, and no one would know how or why untilhemade his entrance.

It was time for Olympus to witness the rise of Hades.

Chapter5

Mal had enough Thai food to feed his entire team, which would hopefully be enough to feed Danny. Nothing if not a gracious, accommodating host, while Mal didn’t know the ins and outs of Danny’s powers as much as he wished he did, having a healing factor was difficult to hide, and Elementals with accelerated healing were known to use up energy faster than anyone on the planet. Danny would have a healthy appetite.

Closing the door to his third floor apartment with the takeout bag over his arm, the one luxury—well, one of many luxuries—Mal allowed himself was that his home was technically two apartments, extending to both the third and fourth floors of the building, giving him lofted ceilings and a bedroom up an open flight of stairs. He had few windows, if only for privacy’s sake and to be more practical, the largest being in the bedroom, which looked out over the skyline of Olympus City.

Some nights, when Mal wasn’t out on the streets himself, the sight of a certain flash of yellow lightning made him smirk as he settled into bed and occasionally let his mind and hands wander.

Tonight his hands could finally grasp the untouchable.

Setting the takeout on the kitchen island, the long countertop faced the living room from his open floor plan. Mal liked space, an openness that allowed him to breathe and see every corner clearly. His furniture was mostly trimmed in wood accents, oak, not too light or dark. The sofa was large and firm, not overly plush, in navy microsuede. From the walls hung a few paintings, a few photographs, some worth more than five times his rent,others worth very little, but nothing that had been stolen could ever be proven as stolen.

His favorite was a Mapplethorpe nude—Thomas, 1987. Like the god Apollo, all strength and beauty in the male form, twisted within a circular frame. Black and white. Unapologetic, like all of Mapplethorpe’s work. Most people would assume it was a print. They’d never guess it was the original and that a print had replaced the real thing when Mal acquired it. His few more personal photographs were kept in the bedroom.

Having sent his trench coat to the cleaners after Danny spilled coffee on it, Mal had replaced the jacket with a wool coat from his safe house, which he removed and hung in the closet near the door. His jacket and tie had been ditched earlier, but now he untucked his shirt as well, the first two buttons already undone. With his shoes placed on the rug in front of the closet, he was the picture of leisure confidence.

Everything around the apartment was in order, nothing needed to be tidied. But Mal felt uncharacteristically tense. Anxious to do something. Nervous.

It had been a while, but he knew how to please a lover. Maybe he was nervous about letting Danny into his home. It was a gamble, but Danny’s good nature always won out. He wouldn’t use this against Mal, not without mutual benefit. Danny didn’t have it in him to set up some grand trap. He was more likely to suspectMalhad a double-cross prepared. Best to keep his Prometheus gear out of sight.

Mal had a hidden room, nothing too cartoon villainous, just a seamless section of the wall that only he knew the exact location of to open up with a strategic press of his palm, and therein rested his gear—dark-lensed goggles; black, high-collared bodysuit; long, sleeveless duster. Everything accounted for, so nothing was at risk of being discovered in the open.

Closing the room again, Mal moved into the living room to wait. This was a bad idea. A terrible, dangerous idea. But when it inevitably turned disastrous, he still had a few cards to play to keep Danny in line.

A knock sounded at the door, stopping Mal in his step. Ten minutesearly. Interesting.

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