Page 42 of When Monsters Fight
I hoped my instinct wasn’t leading me astray here, and when I squeezed Gabriel’s hand, he shot me a look that echoed my thoughts.
We’d find out soon enough.
Chapter 22
Prometheus and Lorcan lived in a beautiful log cabin in the woods, surrounded by a neatly tended garden with a yard housing birds that resembled chickens and small grunting animals that reminded me of the pigs from our world.
Inside, the cabin was spacious but cozy. The ceilings were high to accommodate Prometheus’s height, and the windows wide and tall to let in light and bathe the space in warmth.
The air was permeated with a delicious aroma coming from the huge pot simmering above the fire in the hearth.
“Lorcan’s favorite stew,” Prometheus said, following my gaze. “I make it for him frequently as it contains all the nutrients that his body needs.”
“You enjoy it too,” Lorcan said with a teasing smile.
“I do indeed,” Prometheus said with a chuckle. “Even though I do not need the sustenance, and my indulging may be seen as gluttony.”
“You’re a god,” Gabriel said.
“I am,” Prometheus said without any kind of pride. “And Lorcan is immortal…because of me.”
Lorcan put his hand on Prometheus’s arm. “I’m glad of it.”
“Of the punishment my indiscretion brought upon you?”
“I would suffer for an eternity with you rather than live a life of peace without you.”
Prometheus leaned down to kiss his lover. “And so would I.”
I needed to know what we’d seen on the bridge, how they were here, and why they’d known we were coming. “Was it you two on the bridge earlier?”
“Yes,” Lorcan said. “And also no. The males on the bridge are remnants of our past. An imprint left behind after Thanatos freed us.”
My confusion must have shown on my face because Lorcan quickly continued. “Let’s eat, and Prometheus and I will tell you our story.”
“And how you knew we were coming?” Kabiel added.
“That too.”
Prometheus plodded to the kitchen and began to gather bowls and spoons. “Please find a seat. Our table isn’t big enough for everyone, but there are chairs and plenty of floor space.”
The next few minutes were spent filling bowls and finding places to sit. I claimed a spot on a bench by one of the windows, and Gabriel joined me. Jillian and Asbeel sat on the floor beside us, and the rest of the watchers found seats on the floor.
We ate in silence for a few moments. The stew was filling and flavorsome, the first hot meal I’d had in days, and my stomach was grateful for it.
Once spoons scraped bowls, Prometheus began to speak. “You saw what happened on the bridge. You saw Lorcan turn into an eagle and tear out my heart?”
“Yes,” Gabriel said.
“Then you saw our punishment.” He paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. “That punishment was pressed on us by a jealous god who wanted me for herself. Her name is Zeus.”
“Wait, I thought you were a god, too, so how could she punish you?”
“Even gods have a hierarchy. There are the first gods—the ancients. Then there are those of us who came later, born through their unions and dalliances or from experiments with the ether. We areallgods, but we do not all hold equal power. Zeus is one of the oldest. Neither feminine nor masculine, she is whatever she wishes to be at any given time, and her appetites are insatiable. I was her favorite toy, and for the pleasures I provided, she gave me certain freedoms. Such as being permitted to visit the worlds she created.” Here he paused again, his gaze going misty as if he was falling into a memory, and when he continued to speak, his voice held a hypnotic quality, so it felt as if he was drawing us into the memory with him. “It was on one of those worlds that I met Lorcan. His people were a primitive breed—new and innocent, learning the wonders of life. They lived in darkness once the sun set. Unable to fend off the threats that lurked in the night.
“The first time I set eyes on Lorcan, he was huddled outside his shack, clutching a crudely made weapon—the chosen watcher for that night. He’d been frightened but determined. His aura was filled with love and light for his people. His courage was what drew me to him, but it was his beautiful mind that kept me.” He looked across at Lorcan, who smiled, misty-eyed, urging him to continue with a nod.
“Zeus created Lorcan’s world but did not give it fire. They had no light source. No way to stay warm in the winters. They had no way to cook their food to rid it of harmful bacteria, and predators did not fear them, hunting with impunity.
