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I nod. It's something that has occurred to me as well. For all that he thinks he is “helpless” here, he still has some degree of magic. The vines outside my window and the clusters of birds that follow us everywhere attest to that. "I'm very aware of the power disparity between us, trust me. But…thank you. Sometimes it's good to have it pointed out." I hesitate for a moment, and then continue on, since we're laying it all on the table. "I'm a little worried about Seth and his motives."
"Who isn't?" The look he gives me is wry. "But we cannot control his actions. It makes no sense to stress over them. If he is going to use this opportunity to attack us, there are easier ways to go about it. We can only control our own actions, Carly."
"Some of us can't even do that," I mutter, and gesture at myself.
Kassam throws his head back and laughs, all delightful, smiling god once more, and I have to admit, seeing him smile like that makes me feel better. Somehow it helps to hear that he's just as wary as I am. That yeah, we don't trust Seth, but screw it, we're doing this anyhow. The god rubs my arm, and then his expression turns from playful to aroused once more. "Do you want to fuck before Seth arrives? One last fling before we cross over? It could relax you."
Typical man to offer that. I give him an apologetic look. "No, but if you're offering a hug, I won't turn it down."
To my surprise, he spreads his arms wide, inviting me in. Kinda feels like a trap, like the moment I get closer, I'm going to find a hand on the back of my head, urging me downward into a blow job, but I go in for the hug anyhow. I'm delighted when he wraps his arms around me and hugs me tight. Just hugs me.
He keeps on hugging me, too, one hand rubbing slowly up and down my back as I cuddle against him. It feels amazing. Other than my mother, I can't remember the last time someone hugged me. Just hugged me to share affection, nothing more. He rests his chin atop my head and just holds me, for as long as I need it. And as Kassam hugs me, I keep waiting for him to turn it into something more, but he never does.
For that, I'm incredibly grateful and pleased. It was nice of him to make this all about me and my needs. When I pull away, I give him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for being sweet. The hug really did help."
Kassam touches his cheek, thoughtful. He looks surprised at my kiss, as if it was the last thing he was expecting. It's nice to surprise an immortal. Makes you feel powerful as hell. I'll have to surprise him again sometime, I decide.
If I ever get a chance.
25
I get the first inkling that things are going to be a problem tonight when Seth shows up to my apartment with a blind date.
"Shall we go?" Seth asks, his arm around a stranger's shoulders. The woman looks younger than me, maybe early twenties. She's shy looking, an awkward expression on her face, and wears a retro floral swing dress that she looks deeply uncomfortable in. Her hands clutch a tiny matching purse and her cheeks are flushed as she glances shyly up at Seth, who is wearing a button-down shirt and jeans. Today, when he smiles, his teeth aren't sharp.
I smell a trap. I eye the woman. "Hi, I'm Carly. You are—"
"My companion," Seth says smoothly, squeezing the woman's shoulders. "Again, shall we go? The best window for our project is soon, and we don't want to be late."
“Project,” huh? I glance over at Kassam, who hauls my enormous backpack off the couch (I might have overpacked, but whatever) and slings it over one brawny shoulder.
"I'm Margo," the girl says. She blinks at Kassam for a long, hard moment and then focuses on my jeans and hiking boots. Then, she looks back at Seth. "Is this an activity date? I didn't realize."
"Date?" I echo. A fucking date? I look over at Seth, narrowing my eyes. "So does she realize where we're going?"
"To a park," Seth says, glaring daggers at me. That ominous sensation returns, the one of danger, and I know it's coming from Seth. As he glares at me, his pupils flash red, as if he's warning me off. "Do you have a problem with me bringing a date? I thought the intention was to double. You and him, and me and her."
My mouth opens and then snaps shut again. I look over at Kassam helplessly, but he just watches me, clearly not seeing the problem here. I turn back to Margo—pretty, awkward Margo who looks both trapped at Seth's side and flushed with excitement. "Can I ask how you two met?"
