River Island

Six

Jasper

"Really Thanatos, her dead mother?" I asked my best friend walking into his room.

"There's this thing Jasper that people do. It's called knocking." He said without looking up from the papers in his hand. My dagger resting on the desk.

"We both know I don't posses an ounce of etiquette." I shrugged.

"I don't even know why you're complaining. She trusts you enough to let you whisk her away. That was some Oscar worthy acting by the way. 'You had one Job Lia. I'm genuinely upset about this Thalia, sleep with me.'"

"What?" I laughed. "When did I ever say that?"

"It's not like I'm lying." He smirked looking up finally. "Now that she trusts you what's our next move?"

"You keep my mother distracted. Thalia's guard is still up around me. We need to work on that."

"Make her fall for you it's easy." Thanatos shrugged getting off his bed. "If she's hopelessly in love with you, you can have her eating out of the palm of your hand."

"How do I do that?"

"The great Deimos doesn't know how to make a woman fall for him."

"Lust is an emotion I'm more familiar with. Love is too ugh." I sighed leaning against the wall.

"If she's Aphrodite's kid, I'd advise diamonds. She was raised in a rich family; you're the son of the god of wealth. Take her somewhere five star, wine and dine her. Be yourself, but not too much of yourself you might scare her off. Make her feel like she's safe with you. If it means having a couple more fake attacks do it. She'll want you to be dominating but caring. Kind of like the villain that's good only for her. That's the fetish right now. Oh and also, there is a very thin almost invisible line between love and lust so do your thing as well."

"That's a lot of information. It was easier back in the 19th century." I groaned.

"Women have always been complex creatures. Especially humans."

"She's not human."

"She was raised like one so she has their mentality." He had a point.

"Okay. If none of that works I'll just tie her up and get on with the plan." I said walking towards the door, his laughter echoing in the room.

"Just try not to be the one that falls. Don't ignore the fact that she's an Aphrodite."

"Don't worry about that happening." I said walking out.

Love. As if that would ever happen to me. Love is a disease for which I've already been vaccinated. I've lived long enough to see how destructive love is. People do a lot of messed up things all in the name of love. I can give you a list of over a thousand love stories that all end in death. Because at the end of the day that's what love is. A death causing virus.

Don't get me started on the idiots that kill themselves to join they're loved ones. Honestly what kind of madness is that? That's borderline obsessive behaviour with a touch of insanity. Talking about 'I can't live without you.' I'm pretty sure you lived a pretty normal life before they showed up. But who am I to judge people on their stupidity. Dwelling on the habits of humans is worse torture than having a conversation with Hera. Too loyal for her own good that one.

Thalia was already an easy target. But Thanatos was right she was an Aphrodite. She and her kin had a habit of forcing love on people. Eros and Anteros especially. I just needed her to trust me that's all not fall in love with me. Love was too messy. And seeing who her parents were I didn't need a jealous blood thirsty Hera 2.0 murdering anyone I was involved with. That was too much stress.

I took her to one of my places in New York. You should have seen the way her eyes lit up when we walked into the penthouse. She was a complete contrast to the pristine black, grey and white theme of the place. Her bright blue eyes and golden blonde hair looked off in the place. She was still wearing that filthy dress and her feet wear bare. She looked like a homeless person. A really gorgeous homeless person.

I should probably get her clothes. I don't remember her talking; I just knew I was responding. I also had no idea how I suddenly had her pressed against the back of my sofa. I just remember she smelled fantastic. It took everything in me not to lean down and place my nose in the crook of her neck. I reluctantly put some much needed distance between us.

"Bathroom's down the hall. Don't open the door for any one." I said walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To get you clothes. You can't seriously keep wearing those rags." I answered closing the door and leaving her alone. Pulling out my phone as I made my way downstairs I called the only person more willing to go shopping than I was.

"What do you want?" she answered immediately causing me to chuckle.

"Ria, is that anyway to greet your beloved brother."

"You only ever call when you need something baby brother. So what is it."

"I need you to get some essentials for Thalia. Clothes and shoes and such." I said making my way out of the building.

"You're sending me, the goddess of blessed death to go shopping for your little girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend. And yes I am."

"What's in it for me?" she asked after a minute of silence.

"The knowledge that you helped your brother when he was in need?"

"Not good enough."

"How about me not snitching to mom and dad about your fraternizing with Thanatos?" I asked pausing.

"Dad already knows and approves."

"Really? Now I don't have any leverage on you."

"I'll do it. But I will call in for a favor one day." She said.

"Deal. You're an angel Macaria."

"And you're an ass." She said before hanging up. I chuckled and pocketed my phone before opening a portal back to the Underworld.

Walking down the empty hallway I made my way to my bedroom. Plopping down on the bed I started texting Allison as I waited for Thalia's stuff to get here.

I had to tell her Thanatos was sending some demons to the island to start building something a little more comfortable to live in. If I was going to spend a lot of time there I might as well enjoy it. The place needed a little modern touch. Who was I kidding it needed a complete makeover.

Just as I put my phone down my door was pushed open. Groaning I layed back and closed my eyes as Caroline strolled in like she owned the place.

Somebody shoot me.

"Where have you been all day?" she asked straddling me.

"I don't see how that's any of your business." I answered not opening my eyes.

"You were with that girl weren't you?" she scoffed "I can smell her on you."

"You know what I smell Caroline? Desperation and clinginess. Both of which I despise."

"You're mine Deimos..." I wrapped a hand around her neck and shoved her off me pinning her to the wall.

"You seem to be under the misguided opinion that you are my equal. I don't belong to you or anyone for that matter. I can do whatever and whoever the f**k I want. If you ever try to disrespect me again I will throw you into Tartarus and let those bloody titans have their way with you." I hissed watching her turn pale. She struggled against me but I didn't release her.

Snapping her neck I let her body drop to ground. She was going to wake up anyway. Stepping over her I left the room and went to Ria's. I was going to have a little fun with Thalia now that I had her to myself. And I couldn't wait.