Chapter 27

SEBASTIAN

“How do we get to Olympus exactly? I doubt there’s a yellow brick road to lead the way.” Nick snorted, taking a bite of his sub sandwich.

We were sitting in a sandwich shop, supposedly coming up with a plan. So far, he was just stuffing his face. Why couldn’t I have done this alone?

I didn’t find pleasure in hanging around my mate’s other mates. “A guy is meeting us here.”

He tore his eyes away from his sandwich long enough to give me a confused look. “Since when? Who is this guy?”

I struggled to maintain my cool. Her mates had a bad habit of questioning their superior. “He’ll help us get into Olympus,” was all I responded, and all that he should be satisfied with.

But of course, no mate of Catalina’s was ever satisfied, just like her.

“Listen, dude, we’re supposed to be getting this artifact together. It helps no one keeping me out of the loop.” I almost took him seriously until I noticed the mayo on the corner of his mouth.

I hissed in irritation.

“Sebastian! I see you’re being a joy as always.” A voice interrupted our conversation. I looked over at my old colleague, wondering if I had made the right decision.

If Mark was anything like he used to be, Nick was in for a surprise.

I stood to shake his hand. “Please, have a seat.” I gestured to the extra chair between us.

He grinned at a confused Nick. “Always so formal.” The moment he sat down, he moved his chair closer to Nick. “And who are you?”

Nick looked at me, and from the mischievous look in his eyes, I knew I wasn’t going to like his response. “I’m his mate-in-law.” I was going to kill him.

Mark blinked, his eyes darting from me to Nick. “His what now? Are you guys dating?”

“Yes.” I slammed my fist on the table, earning a few looks.

“Well, technically no.” He smirked. “We share a mate.”

~Don’t say another word!~ I hissed down the mind-link.

Mark’s eyes moved to me. “You found your mate and didn’t tell me?”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I said through gritted teeth.

Mark laughed, and I knew he was about to spill my deepest secret. “Dracula has finally found his mate!” Instantly, my eyes went to Nick, but there was no recognition in his eyes. Perhaps he figured it was a joke?

“And she’s a goddess.” He grinned proudly. I forced a smile of my own at his words. He was right; she was a goddess. My goddess.

“We’re getting off topic.” I forced Mark’s attention back on me. “We need to make our way into Olympus as soon as possible.” Sooner rather than later.

“Ah yes, the reason for my coming here.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled something gold and round out. “This will open a door leading you there. It’ll only last for twelve hours, and it’s best you set it up somewhere private.”

It was heavy in my hands when he passed it to me.

“What is it?” Nick stared at it while I held it. I could tell from the look on his face that he wanted to examine it. I passed it to him.

“Whoa, this thing is full of Fae magic,” he said. His words captured my attention. I looked to Mark.

“Why do you have a device full of Fae magic?” It wasn’t like Mark to socialize with the Fae; in fact, he hated them.

Suddenly, his playful mood was gone. “Don’t ask questions. I gave you what you wanted. Our work here is done.” He walked away from the table without another word.

Mark was rarely a man of few words.

Nick whistled. “I think you might’ve upset him.” I cut my eyes at him, letting him know I wasn’t impressed with his words.

Snatching the device from his hand, I got up from the table too. “Let’s go.”

NICK

Sebastian and I stood in a forest we found close by using Google Maps. “How do we activate it?” We’d been staring at the device for more than five minutes, and so far nothing had happened.

He looked it over, most likely searching for a button. “It’s filled with Fae magic. Shouldn’t you know?” I eyed him as he spoke.

How didn’t we know? It should’ve been obvious. Of course he was Dracula. Catalina only got the best of the best. The original vampire—well, I’d be damned.

I wondered what he’d say to me if he knew I was aware. Playing dumb at the restaurant seemed like a good idea at the time. But there was no way I could keep this secret to myself. And I knew just the mate to pass the information on to.

“Are you listening?” I wasn’t.

“Let me hold it.” I held my hand out for the device. I was the Fae king now. I should know how to work this. Slowly, I imbued my magic into it.

Currently, I was the strongest Fae now thanks to my father’s demise. And I hadn’t even unlocked my full potential. It was the reason I was in school.

I needed to activate this device; my mate’s life depended on it.

So I added more and more of my magic until it started vibrating.

“It’s doing something,” Sebastian pointed out.

I stayed focused, pouring more of my magic. When it started to heat up, I dropped it.

A blinding white light came from it, forcing me to cover my eyes.

When it went away, a shimmering golden door stood before us.

“Shit, I did it,” I said in shock.

Sebastian wasted no time, walking through the shimmer without another thought. Okay then, I guessed we weren’t going to study it or anything.

I followed through behind him, shaking off the feeling of passing into another dimension.

On the other side stood a large gold and white castle. Statues of the gods lay on pillars around it.

“Where do you think it’ll be?”

“It’s called the Bow of the Hunt for a reason.” He pointed to a feminine statue off to the far right. “My guess is with her.”

“Your guess would be right,” a seductive voice said from behind us.

The both of us froze, having been caught off guard. I turned first, my eyes widening at the beauty in front of us.

Sebastian took his time to turn but had the same reaction. She was absolutely gorgeous.

“Now,” she started, placing one manicured hand on her curvy hip, “what brings you delicious men here to my domain?”

Sebastian and I realized something at the same time. We weren’t at the main palace of Olympus. Somehow, we’d landed at Aphrodite’s temple. And standing in front of us was the goddess herself.