Ares: (Gods of Old Book 1) Read Free Page A

no, put your mind at ease, I would never mess with your memories. Only those that are a threat deserve such treatment.”
    “And how do you know that I’m not a threat?” She really wasn’t a threat. Honestly, she had always been secretly enamored with the God of War; which was totally crazy, and she knew it. “But really, I’m not. I wouldn’t reveal who you were even if they would believe me. Sometimes we all need a break from life, wouldn’t you say?”
    “Yes,” he said. He was closer, a lot closer, suddenly. “What is this about you being enamored with the God of War?” he asked. He sounded curious and, maybe, like he was grinning just a little bit. A quick glance showed that he was, indeed, smiling. His smile was beautiful and almost blindingly white.
    “Oh, shush it. If I say anything, it will give you an even bigger head than you already have and that simply won’t work for me. You have had legions of men and women bow to you all your life, but not me, bubba. Yes, I’ve always had a thing for you, or whatever, but it doesn’t mean that- Well, hell,” she stopped talking when she realized he was no longer directly behind her.
    He stopped dead in his tracks, but she could feel his eyes burning into her back. “You think I want you to bow to me?” He sounded offended at the idea. Actually, he sounded disgusted by the idea, if she was being honest. “I think I will have to decline the offer of coffee. Have a good day, Ava,” he said and then silence, he was gone.
    “You mean you don’t?” She watched him leave in a poof and shook her head. “Childish and fucking petty,” she grumbled and walked right through where Ares had been. Instead of rejoining the group she walked to her hotel. It was time to get the hell out of Greece. Surely the Gods wouldn’t be in Ireland.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Pacing back and forth in Dion’s office he waved his hand to the offer of wine. “I don’t want any of your wine, brother. I’m seriously not in the mood.”
    “Never thought I’d see it,” his brother said with a laugh.
    “See what?” Ares demanded stopping to stare at him.
    “The day a human, a human female no less, would best you.” Dionysus lifted his glass, gave it a sniff and then took a sip.
    “She insulted me. For someone who thinks she knows me so well, she’s got no clue at all. When, in all my centuries, did I ever demand anyone bow to me? That was father’s big thing for fuck’s sake. Never mine,” he muttered. Throwing himself into a chair, he slouched down.
    “Like I said, she bested you. And you did just what she expected you to, you disappeared. Do you know she called you childish and petty? No, not just petty, but fucking petty.” Dion appeared to be enjoying himself just a hair too much. He must have caught Ares intent because he held up a finger, “Uh-uh, brother. I just had the office redone, no being petty.”
    “Fucking asshole,” he muttered slouching down more. “And how the hell do you know what she called me? Even I wasn’t there to hear it.”
    “I popped in to invite you to the gala next weekend. Figured you’d like to get away from all those tourists for a bit. It’s the grand opening of my new hotel after all. Big and splashy; it will be a grand event. And, it’s in Ireland of all places!”
    Ares narrowed his eyes on his brother, “Why Ireland?”
    “A quaint little human woman got me interested in her country. It has its own history and lore. And really, the Celtic Gods didn’t oppose to me putting in a place, so I thought, why not? It gives them somewhere to party and brings in more money. What more could I ask for?” Dion laughed and then went serious, “So, will you come?”
    Thinking on it for a time he shrugged, “What the hell. Let me know when and where and I’ll be there.”
    “Excellent!” Dionysus’ smile looked just a little scary right before he took another sip of wine.
    Ares was likely just imagining things.
    *****
    Ava touched