31. Return of the War God

4 months later

Rain lashed down from the heavens. It beat against the car bonnets and glistened on the tarmac. The city's night lights cast bright aura's in the storm. Running inside from the rain, Sophia nearly collided into the waiting doorman.

"Sorry, miss." The man murmured politely.

"It's fine." Sophia replied, not sparing him a glance.

She headed briskly across the marble foyer, aware that numerous eyes were following her. Other residents in the expensive tower block were eyeing her speculatively. Sophia Moridi was the talk of the city. The heiress' investments had struck gold and Sophia had gone from wealthy socialite to a billionaire, virtually overnight. She was the ultimate catch for any social climber or investor – and practically everybody wanted to sink their claws into her.

It was as if everything the pretty woman touched, turned to gold.

Raising her chin and acting aloof, Sophia entered the elevator and told the bellboy to take her to the top floor. Sophia stood poised in her high heels and watched the numbers speed by as they rapidly climbed to the penthouse floor. Her umbrella by her side dripped continually on the carpeted floor, creating a puddle. The doors of the elevator finally pinged and Sophia stepped gracefully out.

Once she was through the front door of her apartment, Sophia finally relaxed her shoulders. She was alone at last. A heavy sigh escaped her and she kicked off her heels. It had been a tedious day. She padded barefoot over to the kitchen and slumped her handbag down on the counter. She was rubbing a crick in her neck, when she noticed a half-drunk glass of water on the side.

Sophia tensed immediately. Somebody had been here. They could still be in the apartment with her. Stories of serial killers flashed across her mind. She turned and bolted for the front door.

"Sophia." A voice called out to her. Sophia skidded to a stop, relieved to recognise that voice. Of course, who else could have gotten through a locked door?

"Ares." She turned slowly and eventually saw him, sat on the long couch. "You're back."

Her relief that it wasn't a serial killer in her house had faded, to be replaced by irritation. "I suppose I'm forced to once again be your servant." When he'd gone, she'd really hoped that was the last she'd see of him or any god.

Sophia frowned, studying Ares' profile. He seemed different somehow. "Why are you back?" She sat down on the chair across from him. He looked tired. Sophia couldn't remember ever seeing Ares look tired before.

"I tried to stay away." Defeat rang heavy in his tone.

He'd tried, he really had. Sage was better off without him. He'd travelled the world. He'd tried to distract himself. Even the wars in East hadn't ended the pain of his longing though. He missed Sage. He thought about her every day. In his head, they'd had conversations for hours on end. Finally, he'd surrendered. He needed to see her.

"Are you back for good?"

"It depends." He was back to beg Sage to take him back. But whether he stayed or not depended on her. He hung his head. But Sage was in love with Ezekiel, what exactly was he hoping for? He knew it was pointless. But he was past being able to live one day at a time. Never had a day seemed so long before. Never had eternity felt so bleak.

"Depends on what?"

"On Sage."

Sophia's expression changed slightly. Her previously sharp gaze softening at the sound of Sage's name. Sophia looked uneasily down at the ground.

"Have you seen Sage yet?" She asked slowly. He shook his head. Sophia sighed. "Then you don't know yet...."

Ares frowned.

"Don't know what?" His anxiety heightened the longer Sophia took to answer.

"You don't what happened to her."

**

On Castle Hill, a giant plastic marquee had been put up to protect the patrons from the rain. Ezekiel and Sage sat at a wobbly-legged table with chicken wings and beer between them. The rain pattered against the coverings and heaters kept them warm, making the atmosphere cosy. The place was crowded and noisy. Ezekiel, the new gang leader, had some of his guys stationed discreetly around in case any trouble started.

For the guys protecting their leader, it was a strange sight to see him laughing and smiling so much. Ezekiel's face was very different when he smiled. He looked younger, almost boy-ish. Sage ate her chicken, grease running down her chin.

"Stop laughing at me!" She whined, but she was smiling.

"I've never seen a girl eat so messily." He teased. Sage swiped out with her hand to hit his arm. She would have missed him but Ezekiel moved deliberately so that she struck his arm and then groaned theatrically.

"Savage." He protested. Sage stuck out her tongue at him. She reached out for her beer and Ezekiel nudged the bottle closer to her hand. Loud noise erupted from a nearby table.

"What's happening?" Sage asked him. Ezekiel looked over at the rowdy group. They were young and in high spirits.

"An arm-wrestling match." Ezekiel told her. "I think the loser has to take shots."

"Are you tempted to join in?"

"No. The guy's huge."

Sage guessed that he was being modest. She doubted anyone could be much bigger than Ezekiel. She drank her beer appreciatively and didn't notice when Ezekiel stiffened suddenly. His attention had left the rowdy bunch and was fixed on the man who had just entered the marquee. Ezekiel's men noticed their boss' attention and unease and they made to the stop the newcomer but Ezekiel shook his head at them. This wasn't a man they could stop.

Ares approached the table and soaked in the sight of Sage. Her hair was cut very short. It framed her angular face. He noticed how her bones seemed to stick out through her clothing. He didn't like how thin she looked. But he adored the feint smile on her lips. That was a balm. It soothed the rage that had been burning since he'd left Sophia's apartment.

Ares sat down at Ezekiel and Sage's table. Sage's head turned at the sound of the chair being pulled out.

"Who's there?" She asked. Ares gazed at Sage. Even the sound of her voice was beautiful. But his heart ached painfully as he faced her. He never should have left. He'd thought it had been the best thing he could do for her. But he'd been wrong. He'd been utterly wrong. "Ezekiel, is someone sitting with us?"

Ezekiel looked between Sage and the war god.

"Yes."

"Sage." Ares uttered her name with love and reverence. Sage reached out suddenly and her hand touched his leg.

"Who's there?" She asked again, her tone sharper now.

"I'm sorry." Ares murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I didn't know. I truly didn't know. I thought that if I left, that Lamia would follow me..."

The lights of Castle Hill reflected in the dark glasses that Sage wore. Her lips trembled.

"Ares." She gasped. Her heart skipped a beat. Had the war god really returned? She self-consciously touched her glasses, checking that they were in place. She didn't want Ares to see the awful sight that was hidden beneath them.

Ares' heart clenched painfully. Would Sage ever forgive him for what had happened to her?

"Are you really here? I can't see you." She couldn't see anything anymore. She'd been blind since the night Lamia had plucked out her eyes and eaten them. She shivered from the memory.

"I'm here." Ares took her hand and held it. Her fingers felt cold and he was relieved when she didn't pull away from him. He wanted to warm her. "I can't stay away from you, Sage."