Page 26 of Claiming Demons
I grunted with a resigned nod. Osiris was right. I could resist Horus, and I definitelywouldresist Horus. But that… was also the problem.
“I’m assuming I don’t have permission to kill him if he’s being a dick?” I asked. “I promise I’d only kill him a little. Anubis would kick him right back out anyway.”
Set laughed.
Osiris sighed. “Look, we know he’s a pain, but please refrain from killing him. It’s such a nuisance to have to go to the underworld and get his soul back.”
That almost made me want to do it more. But still…
“Fine. No killing,” I huffed. “Can I lock him in a room and leave him there?”
“No,” Osiris said with a hard look. “You’re to make him feel at home while he’s here and keep him from getting into too much trouble. Restrain his desires for the duration of the conclave, and, for A'aru’s sake, keep him away from Zeus and Amaterasu. Most of the other rulership gods are less fussy and willing to just ignore him, but you know how those three can get at each other’s throats.”
I did.
Horus had had a fling with Amaterasu a while back. Their breakup hadn’t been pretty and had nearly ended the world. She was just as vindictive as he was and, in her case, she had every right to be. She’d found him with two other goddesses in the sacred baths, one of whom was her sister.
As for Zeus, he was a well know lech and all-around asshole. He and Horus always butted heads. It wouldn’t be easy keeping Horus away from them since all of them would want to assert their divine right of leadership over the conclave. But apparently, I was the shmuck who got totrythis time around.
I sighed. “I’ll do what I can. When is he getting into town?”
“Tomorrow, first thing.”
I repeated, “I’ll… do what I can. But you know him, so… no promises.”
Osiris accepted this with a heavy nod. “I know.”
“Anything else?”
Osiris shook his head.
“I’ll walk you out,” Set said and motioned for me to leave.
Once we were out of Osiris’ office, my father shook his head.
“I heard about you losing control. Does it have anything to do with this new goddess you’re seeing? If so, dump her and move on. I can’t have a son of mine being so reckless. Control your Strife or I’ll control it for you… and you won’t like that.”
I was sure I wouldn’t.
“Ana isn’t the cause,” I said, probably just a bit too aggressively. “Being away from her is what brought out my chaos, but only at first. I’m doing better now. I love her, father, and—”
Set barked a harsh and derisive laugh.
“Love?” He smacked me on the back of the head, sending me hurtling forward, but I managed to catch myself and stagger a few steps instead of falling. “What’s gotten into you boy? You weren’t made for love. Strife and love don’t mix. You really have lost it, haven’t you? End it with her, or I will.”
Set strode away after that, which was good, as I’d been about to punch him and that probably wouldn’t have ended well for me.
There was no way I’d ever end things with Ana. She was my very heart and soul. I’d die without her.
My chaos roiled for a moment, threatening to break free, but I quickly suppressed it.
I was certain that if anything ever happened to Ana, I’d completely lose my mind. I’d be consumed with chaos, lost to it, and I’d go on a rampage… and so would Fen for that matter.
If Set ever tried to do anything to Ana, I knew I’d defend her with everything I had, every fiber of my being. Perhaps then, with something to fight for, I’d finally be able to win against my father.
* * *
I metHorus at the airport the next morning with the longest stretch-limo I could find. He was already in a foul mood, having been banned from yet another airline for assaulting the stewardesses, and the entire ride to the hotel — The Pierre, at the southeast end of Central Park — he babbled about the good old days when women flaunted themselves willingly before him. He demanded I find him some “willing women,” and I tried not to vomit as I explained consent to him and how human women would have trouble resisting his godly power and hence, wouldn’t be consenting.