Chapter Three

The first oddity of my dream was the sound of a child crying.

It was only strange as my dreams were usually non-existent, or memories that had broken past the barriers that I had been given when my god powers were stripped from me. I couldn't even dream walk anymore. I was trapped within my punishment, my banishment.

The crying continued and I found myself walking down a street. A paved street of white stones that matched the prestigious white buildings that ran up and down the streets, people in ancient Greek clothing rushing from place to place in a flury of life. Statues of gods and goddess stood outside temples and government buildings, men preaching loudly to crowds that had gathered to listened.

I soon found the source of the crying and instantly froze in shock as I recognized the little boy that was standing beside his mother, who gripped his tiny hand in a way that should have crushed it.

Theo.

I recognized the blood red hair and matching eyes, but how small he was! He barely came up to his mother's waist and while as an adult, he looked gorgeous, he was an adorable child. He was small and sweet, but it was the crystal tears that gushed down his face as his mother held his hand, his other hand fisted tightly in his black chiton.

His red hair matched his mother's, though, hers was longer and thick, falling it waves over her shoulders. Her eyes were a sharp silver color, like the bangles on her wrists and ankles. I knew she wasn't human. I had been told she was a daemon, and not a very kind one at that. It was obvious by the way she held Theo's hand as if she wanted to crush it. Anger twisted her deadly gorgeous features as she snapped her head around to glare down at the child, giving him a violent shake.

"Shut up now," She ordered, her voice naturally hoarse, "Shut your mouth, do you understand me?"

"You're hurting me," Theo whimpered, hiccuping through his tears as he gave a tug at his mother's hand, only to have her jerk so hard that he almost fell, "Mama, my hand really hurts."

"Good," She sneered, baring a pair of sleek fangs, "Get used to it. Now stop your feeble whimpering. Wipe those damned tears off your face. I'll not have you shaming me in front of your father." That seemed to make Theo stop crying as he looked up in surprise.

"I get to meet bampás?" He asked incredulously. His mother curled her lip at that, but was too busy using a handkerchief to squeeze so hard at his nose that his eyes welled up with more tears.

"You won't if you don't stop your damned crying," She hissed, giving him a rather harsh slap on the cheek, "Stop it right now or you'll never get to meet your father, do you hear me?" Theo nodded quickly, obediently. He bit hard into his lip, though, to keep from crying out as his mother squeezed his hand in a death grip. She was watching the streets closely, suspiciously as if searching for something.

Why was I dreaming this? How was I even dreaming? It was impossible. My father had been one of the most powerful gods of our pantheon and his powers were extremely difficult to break. Something about this whole situation alarmed me, even worse was to see how Theo's mother had treated him.

I had never met the woman. I arrived when Theo was already an adult. She wasn't there and Theo never spoke of her. Neither did the servants, and I had a feeling that asking would only result in punishment, so I kept my questions to myself until I forgot them.

Now, however, as I watched Theo's mother grip his hand tightly as he fought tears and whimpers, I felt a sharp pang in my chest. It was so harsh that I reached up to press my fist against my chest, grimacing. While my mother had never been very loving, she never dared to strike me or talk ill of me. I was born during a period of war, so I was important just like the rest, and my powers grew viciously until my father sealed them away.

Suddenly, Theo and his mother vanished and for a second, I didn't understand. I didn't know what to do, but my dream carried me with them so I appeared in the familiar throne room that belonged to none other than Hades himself. It was still designed with flowers and trees, but Persephone wasn't there, meaning she was up above with her mother. Hades was standing near one of the trees against the walls, frowning up at it when Theo and his mother came into the throne room.

Hades bristled and turned, ready to shout before he seemed to recognize the woman who strode across the room toward him, her head held high. She practically dragged Theo behind her before placing him in front of her, her hands on his shoulders.

"My lord." She said first, bowing her head respectively. Hades said nothing at first, merely narrowed his eyes.

"I asked that you do not come back again." He stated. To her credit, Theo's mother didn't flinch and only nodded her head.

"I would not have come if it weren't dire, my lord... You see, that night we spent together, I discovered that I was with child, and, my lord, this is your child. I bore him four years ago and kept him in safe keeping until this day." She explained firmly, then shoved her knee against Theo's back, making him stumble forward. Theo instantly froze, staring up at Hades, who stared back at him. Both of them looked rather surprised to see each other before Hades looked up, giving Theo's mother a look that dared her to breath the wrong way. Her face paled and she took a small step back.

Hades looked down at Theo again, who just stared up at him with child-like awe now. Hades knelt down slowly in front of the boy, reaching out to take a lock of blood red hair between his fingers, smoothing his thumb over it before he cupped the boy's face. Theo looked like he was holding his breath, waiting to be slapped again.

I almost expected the great, powerful god of the Underworld to do just that. Imagine my surprise when he reached out, putting his hands under Theo's arms and lifting him up as he rose to his feet. He held Theo in his arms against his chest, one muscular arm supporting the child and a large hand cradling Theo's head to his shoulder.

Theo looked stunned, then seemed to find immediate comfort and leaned against him, gripping at Hades' long black robes. Hades continued to stare at the child in his arms before he looked up at Theo's mother, who seemed to have relaxed.

"You've done well, Aria," Hades admitted, stroking Theo's hair, "I have need for another son. The River Styx is in need of a guardian. I need someone to make sure my other son, Charon, is properly at peace while he ferries the souls. I also need someone to protect the creatures who live in my realm. Theo is perfect."

"Yes, my lord," Aria breathed, looking relieved as she bowed lowly, "Thank you, my lord." Hades barely paid attention to her. He was far too focused on the child in his arms, who was falling asleep at the warm comfort provided by the god.

"I will create a city for you," Hades spoke gently, whether to Aria or Theo, I knew not, "A beautiful city with plenty a creature and shop. A port so that Charon may rest there. You will have a palace, large and spacious, filled with servants who will come at your beck and call." There was a long silence before Hades looked up, his expression hardening and losing its gentleness that he seemed to only hold for children and his wife-- from what I've seen anyway.

"You will accompany Theo and care for him. Once he reaches the age of sixteen, he will take over the palace and the city of Styx. Until then, you may hold place there. However, do not overstay your welcome. Should I hear anything that displeases me, you will find yourself wishing you hadn't come before me with such boldness." He announced. Aria flinched that time, but nodded quickly and bowed again before Hades placed Theo on his feet again. Hades started to let go of Theo's hand, but Theo didn't let him. Hades looked surprised.

"Sweetheart," Aria said, her voice stressed as she approached Theo, "We have to go now. Come with mama." Theo nibbled his lower lip, looking back and forth between Hades and Aria before he slowly let go of Hades hand and went back to Aria, who took his hand in that same death grip that threatened to shatter the bones in his tiny hand. Hades frowned, but watched as Aria walked Theo to the doors before they vanished.

And I woke up.

My eyes flew open and I stared up at the dark ceiling overhead, the red and black silk canopy around my bed falling in tendrils around me. I sat up slowly, eyes searching my dark chambers in order to find anyone who may have gotten inside my head and planted that dream, or maybe vision? I couldn't be sure, but something told me to go to Theo.

I climbed out of bed, grabbing my leather pants off my nightstand and tugging them on. I walked out of the room, letting the door slide open and closed on its own for me. I turned down the hallway, passing by the other servants' rooms. From the sounds of it, most of them were in bed and it was those on the night shift taking their duties. I passed through the throne room and down the long, eerie corridor that led to Theo's room. I paused in front of his door, frowning at how it didn't open immediately.

"Lord Theo?" I called, then waited as I listened to the silence that followed before I heard Theo's impatient voice.

"What is it?" He demanded, sounding aggravated. I frowned, hesitating for a moment before I spoke again.

"I had a dream that I think you should know about." I said. There was a long pause before the door slid open and I came inside, pulling up short to see Theo lying on his stomach on his bed, a strange position given the countless wounds on his back that he would surely like to burn against the sheets. He was completely naked, nothing new to me. He looked like a content cat, lying there on his belly with one leg drawn up behind him and one of his hands resting in his hair.

It was strange to see him now compared to who he had been as a child. As a child, he cried a lot, but it made sense given who his mother was. Now he looked like a deadly panther waiting to pounce, his head resting against the pillows as he gazed at me with narrow red eyes.

"Yes?" He asked calmly. I didn't come any closer. I knew for a fact that Theo didn't want me to. Part of me wondered why. Why did he not want me near him, unless it was to cause him pain? I didn't think about it much longer, though, knowing Theo's temper.

"I can't quite remember it," I lied slowly, not wanting to tell Theo the dream was entirely about him as a child, "I just know that you were in it. But, my lord, this shouldn't be happening. Seth sealed my god powers away and that includes my ability to dream." Theo blinked at that, then peered up at me suspiciously for a moment.

"What aren't you telling me?" He asked. I frowned.

"I don't understand what you mean." I answered. Theo slowly pushed himself up onto his elbows and I noticed the way his red nails sharpened and grew a bit longer, signalling the surge of his red hot temper. He was moving like liquid silver now, the muscles in his back flexing as he sat back on his knees before shifting his knees out from underneath of him to the side.

"I know you're lying," Theo told me with a deadly calm tone, his eyes drifting away from me to look down at his leg as he ran a thin claw across it gently enough not to rip his skin open; something that made me frown, "I can hear it in your voice. Don't lie to me, Sept. What was your dream about?"

I said nothing now, just stared at him, watching the way he sat there, touching his leg gently before he looked up, flipping his hair out of his face, cocking his head to lock eyes with me.

"Come here and sit down, and tell me about your dream. If you don't, then why are you so worried, hm?" He asked. I frowned, then glanced behind me at the closed door before I took a deep breath and made my way to the bed. I slowly sat down, watching Theo as I moved. He didn't jump me or hit me or snap at me. He was more focused on the way his claw looked against his skin before he looked up and something dangerous glinted in his eyes.

"Let's try again," He said slowly and he reached out faster than I could even see, catching me by the throat, just under my chin so tightly that my throat shut in on itself, but I didn't dare make a sound as Theo squeezed, "When I let go, you're going to tell me exactly what you dreamt about. If you don't, I'm going to make you wish you were never born, is that understood?" I blinked once and he let go, letting me suck sweet oxygen into my lungs before I began to recount my dream.

As I explained, I paid careful attention to the way Theo listened. I tried to look for any signs that it was upsetting him. He remained calm, though.

It was very unlike him and while it should have unnerved me for my own safety, I was more concerned for Theo. He was acting strangely. While he usually acted odd after meetings with his brother, he was acting far stranger now.

But either way, he listened quietly before I finished and fell silent. Theo nodded, looking away, eyes narrowed.

"Fantastic," He said at last, his voice bitter, "So you're going to tell me you crept into my head?" I blinked, then frowned.

"My lord, I cannot dream walk. I cannot infiltrate your mind." I stated. Theo gave me a droll stare and leaned closer so I was against the headboard of the bed and he was in front of me, on his hands and knees, face closer to mine.

"No, but someone can infiltrate yours, can't they? Someone more powerful than Seth." He replied, voice low. I stared at him for a moment before it hit me what he was saying, my eyes widening.

"A Titan? Why would I a Titan do something like that?" I demanded. Theo tsked at me and sat back, but not too far from me so that his knees were still touching me. The way he sat gave me a very full view of his manhood, one that I had seen plenty of times, but for some reason, seemed very distracting now. I had to force myself to watch Theo's face as he ran a claw up and down the center of his torso, eyes averted.

"That silly ditty Adrian read to us. The one about the soul, the door. Maybe one of them is using you as a way to slowly slip free. And the part about infect you with my hate..." His voice trailed and his eyes narrowed, darkening slightly. I frowned, catching onto his meaning. He thought the Titan, whoever it was, planned to turn me against the rest of the group. Why me, I had no idea. I was an ex-god. I was hardly anything to jump at, or maybe that was the point. To go after the one everyone least expected.

"I do not hate you, my lord." I told him and went to touch his hand, but he flinched away from me, something that completely caught me off guard. He wasn't the type to fear touch, or did recounting my dream trigger something inside him? Either way, I felt another sharp pang in my chest that he wouldn't let me touch him.

I reached for him again, but this time, he let me take his hand. He snapped his head to watch me as I leaned forward, bringing his fingertips to my lips. I kissed them very gently, watching the goosebumps on his skin rise. The only time I'd seen that reaction was when I was physically causing him pain. To see him react in the same manner to something gentle made my chest tighten with warmth.

"You saved me," I told him firmly, watching him stare at me, "Not even the gods of other pantheons took pity upon me, but you pulled me up from the depths of despair and gave me purpose once again, Lord Theo. I give you my word that I will never, ever betray you. You are my master, my lord. Should you ask anything of me, I will obey without hesitation. Have I not shown you enough that I will do anything for you? Even if you asked me to carve out my soul and gift it to you, I would use my own knife to do so. I do not hate you, my lord. I don't think I ever could."

Theo's eyes flickered for a moment, but I couldn't catch his reaction in time before he lunged forward, grabbing my face with nails digging into my jaw and his tongue burying itself into my mouth. I froze, stunned at his reaction.

While Theo and I had sex plenty of times, more than I could count, we had never once kissed. It was far too intimate a move for master and servant to make. And our sex was never one of love or compassion. Merely a master wanting to wallow in absolute misery and his servant only there to obey him.

I had no idea what to do as I sat there, Theo's tongue swishing in my mouth, stealing my breath away with such a intense passion that I had no idea someone like him could feel. I tried to focus on pushing him away, but then I wondered...

Why?

Was this not something I had wanted? Was this not something I had pondered many a time since the moment we had met? While I had mentally scorned myself for being disgusting and pitiful for wanting my master so badly, I dare not deny my feelings for Theo. There was something about him that captured my heart and having seen him so vulnerable, so open...

Something about it had sucked me in completely. Theo was like a horrible drug... and I found myself addicted, especially with how talented his tongue was, the way it twisted and slid against my own, running along my teeth.

Before I knew what was happening, I was wrapping my arms around Theo, pulling him closer until he was sitting in my lap. I ran my hands up and down his solid back, pausing as my fingers brushed one of the open wounds that was oozing blood. I almost expected him to hiss in pain when I remembered who I was dealing with. Instead of hissing, Theo moaned as I brushed my fingertip along the ridged gash in his back. He pressed himself up against my chest, moving his lips from mine to my ear where he suckled on my earlobe.

I ground my teeth together, running my hands along the rips in his back before burying my face against his throat, inhaling his intoxicating scene. A sexual mingle of sweat, blood, and something purely Theo. I licked my lips before sinking my fangs into Theo's neck, waiting for him to snap at me for it, but he only melted against me, moaning as I savored the taste of his blood on my tongue. I unhooked my mouth from his neck and sucked gently.

He ground himself down on top of me, making me hiss past clenched teeth as a fierce bolt of lust shot through me, boiling my blood. I tipped my head back to look into Theo's face, my hands reaching up to brush his sweaty hair back from his face. He ran his tongue across his fangs, his red eyes hooded erotically before he tilted his head and leaned in to kiss me again.

This time, he was a bit more rough with the way he nipped at my lip, drawing blood before he sucked hard. My tongue fought his, saliva and blood dripping between us. I felt his hands working at the buttons on my pants before he freed me from the confines of the material, only to grip it in his hand, moving up and down sensually. I growled low in my throat, feeling a burst of hot power course through me.

I could feel it crackling through the air, making my fingers tingle and stomach coil tightly. Theo brought his head down, forehead resting against my own as he panted, working his hand around me fiercely.

"I can't wait to feel you inside me." He breathed harshly, eyes watching me intently.

"You should be used to it, no?" I asked. Instead of being offended, Theo laughed softly and nipped at my nose before dipping his head down near my ear, tongue licking the shell of my ear hotly.

"Today feels different." He whispered, giving me a squeeze that made me hiss.

He was right, I realized. Something about this felt far different. Theo was extremely playful, and he was actually talking to me as one would talk to the one he loved, pleasured. I didn't feel like a servant pleasing his master, nor filthy for harming Theo. Something about this felt deeper and while I enjoyed it sexually, physically, something in the back of my mind told me not to do this.

It was dangerous.

Theo was dangerous. He could easily regret doing this once we were done and would blame it on me, and it was my fault. I shouldn't be encouraging him.

My concerns scattered, however, as a sharp bolt of pleasure shot through me, making me tilt my head back and gasp as an orgasm tore through me so powerfully that I dug my nails into Theo's biceps, drawing blood. He merely shivered, watching me as I came before slumping against the headboard, breathing hard.

"Your face is very attractive when you come." Theo murmured. I barely heard him through the haze of lust that was clouding my mind. At least, it was there until there was a knock on the bedroom door.

"My lord, Regulus is here to discuss the construction of the docks." Rara's voice called. Theo blinked once, twice, then looked at the door with eyes that could kill before he slid off me. I frowned, watching him cover himself with a sheet. He looked at the floor, then glanced at me, eyes narrowed.

"Do not tell anyone about what just happened." He ordered. I didn't know what to say to that, so I only nodded slowly and got up, buttoning my pants again before I vanished and appeared out into the hallway, making Rara jump and whirl to stare at me, surprised.

"I thought you'd be in there with him." She admitted. I frowned, but remained silent as Theo came to the door, letting it open to reveal that he was dressed in pair of black slacks to match his loose, silky shirt. Rara looked back, standing stiffly now as Theo glared at her impatiently.

"He's in the throne room, my lord." She said quickly. Theo nodded, then brushed past her, his bedroom closing and locking itself behind him as he left us alone to stand there. Rara frowned, then looked at me suspiciously.

"What's going on between you two?" She asked. I stared at her for a moment, then looked away down the hallway where Theo had disappeared to.

"I'm not sure. I'm as confused as you are." I admitted. I had seen Theo become aggressive and cruel all the time. His temper was very short and violent. He only called on me when he wanted me to hurt him or hurt someone else. I was his servant, his righthand man, the only one he would trust at his back as he was the one who saved me when no one else would.

I had known Theo for many years, centuries even. He was the type of person who hated getting close to people. He refused to let anyone touch him, even his own father, Lord Hades, would never touch Theo. Not that Hades feared Theo, no, Hades feared no one, but it was as if he knew and understood why Theo hated being touched.

Theo was very closed off. He was mysterious up until I had the dream of him as a child, something that made me want to look closer at him. Or was that the Titan's intention?

To make me look deeper and deeper into Theo's past to find something to hate him for?

Whoever that Titan was, they were wasting their time in trying to turn me against him.

Theo could be the most evil, vile, cruel creature in all of the universe and I would never hate him, never turn on him, never betray him.

Theo was my lord and my master.

I would cut my own throat before ever doing something to harm him. Whether it was merely because Theo saved me or maybe my suppressed feelings for him, I wouldn't let any harm come to Theo. I was to guard him. That was my duty.

And now my duty was being tested.

"Rara," I stated, making her turn to look at me curiously, "Put in a call to Lord Malachi." She looked at me, surprised.

"Malachi? Why? In case you haven't realized, Theo and Malachi go together like... like a, well, something that doesn't go together. Are you feeling suicidal today?" She asked me. I turned to her, eyes narrowed.

"Do it. I have something important I need to discuss with him."

"What's so important that you'd risk the temporary peace of the household for it?"

"Theo's life."

"Oookay, that sounds pretty important."