When in Spain…
1549 Words
Life is strange. No matter if you're a mortal or an immortal, it's always full of surprises. If you knew you were personally responsible for a lot of those unexpected events, particularly the unfortunate ones, how would you feel?- Meda
Meda
I was surrounded by mortals, busy chattering nonsense and checking their makeup at the entrance of a nice-looking club called El Guitre.
The club looked amazing from the outside. A beautiful white stone facade, only barely visible beneath a thick layer of vines. I wondered what type of vine they were... Ivy, maybe?
Flashing pink, purple, and blue lights flickered behind the big wooden doors. A red carpet lay in front of the entrance, where two burly bodyguards were letting some people in while rejecting others.
It seemed to be one of those places mortals called "VIP."
A tight squeeze on my arm made me glance at the beautiful goddess next to me. She shot me a look.
I wasn’t one of those goddesses who could read minds, but I could always read hers, and vice versa. Not telepathically. We were just that familiar with each other. I could always tell when she was chewing me out mentally, and she could tell when I was silently coming up with some dumb excuse for my latest stunt.
Her face screamed, Why the hell did you drag me here? They’re not going to let us in, and humans make me uncomfortable!
I gave her my most innocent smile as we moved forward in line. A well-dressed couple in their twenties stood in front of us. The brunette clung to her boyfriend’s arm as he showed the bouncer his ID.
Without a word, the bouncer gave them the pass. Instead of going in, she pulled her boyfriend to the side to take a million selfies. His awkward expression as he posed made us both chuckle.
It was our turn. We walked up to the bouncer, and I smiled while fumbling in my fanny pack. Jagged edges told me I had found what I was looking for.
"Buenas noches!" I said.
Rae scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Tu identificación?" one of the bouncers asked.
"Uy! Se me olvidó en casa..." I said.
Rae burst out laughing.
"For real, Meda? You left it at home? That’s the best you can come up with?"
She pulled out two fake IDs that she had clearly conjured with magic and handed them to the bouncer.
"Perdón, pero no estás en lista. Tendré que pedirles que se vayan."
Rae shot me an expectant look, then turned her attention to the bodyguard. She placed her arm on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. He blushed and stepped aside.
My jaw nearly hit the floor as she pulled me inside.
"Rae, what did you say?"
She smirked.
"Just a little something Abi taught me."
I frowned.
"I really don't think you should be taking advice from a descendant of Aphrodite."
She shrugged.
"It got us in, didn’t it? Better than waiting around for you to start a fight as a distraction."
My eyes widened. How did she know that was my Plan B?
"Please, Meda. I can read you like the palm of my hand. Now let’s go."
Despite the fancy exterior, El Guitre was surprisingly chill on the inside. Upscale, yes, but more of a bar vibe than a typical club.
There was a stage, a large hardwood dance floor, and a retro bar with marble tops. A thin layer of colored smoke floated through the air in rhythm with the music and lights. Mortals were everywhere except the dance floor.
"Do rich humans know they’re supposed to dance at clubs?" Hali asked.
I laughed.
"Let’s get a drink before you disappear with that bodyguard."
Her bright blue eyes lit up.
"Yes, please. I need something strong to get over how boring rich people are."
We walked to the bar and ordered a tray of shots. The bartender handed us a colorful tray, and Hali pulled out a posh leather wallet with 200 euros.
"¡Necesitaremos veinte más!" she shouted over the music.
She turned and winked at me.
"Courtesy of the young gentleman being held hostage by his influencer girlfriend."
Hypocrite, calling me out for being an ass when she's a professional pickpocket. Just another reminder of why we got along so well.
We downed three trays of drinks, the bartender staring in awe. I smirked.
Gods can hold their liquor. I'm not even buzzed yet.
A change in music brought people to the dance floor. I knew Hali would vanish into the sea of moving bodies. She was a social butterfly and a captivating dancer. I only turned into that after several more drinks.
"I'm off to dance and find some handsome human to grind on," she shouted with a chuckle.
I nodded and ordered another round. As I downed them, I spun around to find her, only to see a dark cloud forming near the stage.
A black-cloaked figure appeared.
What's he doing here?
I stalked over. He noticed me but pretended not to.
"Meda," he said.
"Athan. Why are you here?"
He turned to face me.
Athan had slightly tanned skin, plump lips framed by light stubble, and curly black locks hidden beneath a cloak. Very tall. Even in heels, I had to look up to meet his eyes. His fingers were covered in charmed rings that I’d always wondered about.
"Why don’t you tell me? Why am I here?"
Yep. We hate him.
"Lemme guess, Daddy sent you?"
He glared down at me, curls falling over his eyes.
"You and I both know I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t."
I placed a hand on my chest, playing innocent.
"Oh, Athan, how little you think of me. I’m practically an angel."
He stifled a laugh and turned back to the humans.
A slow song had started. Everyone was coupled up, including Hali with some poor soul I was sure she planned to leave broke.
That’s when I felt it.
Shit.
"Athan..."
"Hmm?"
"I'm bored. Watch Hali for me."
His eyes widened.
"Don't do anything stupid, Meda!"
Too late. I headed out toward an alley next to the club.
Being a goddess meant never fully being in control. Occasionally, you'd get urges, and it was like your body moved on its own. Somewhere around here, a poor sap or two were about to have a very unfortunate encounter.
I saw him. My hand reached into my fanny pack and found a black apple. I bit into it.
Athan appeared next to me in a gust of black smoke.
"Meda, what the hell are you doing?"
I smirked and locked eyes on a bearded man leaning against a motorcycle, surrounded by a bunch of meatheads.
"I'm having fun."
"Those aren't mortals. Don’t tell me I was sent to retrieve your soul tonight."
He was right. They were powerful demigods.
Even better.
I walked toward them.
Athan
I hate Meda. Every time I see her, I end up working overtime.
She had no control over her powers, and her stunts always ended with someone getting hurt. She got a kick out of the chaos.
The moment I saw her at the club, I knew she was going to start something. She always did.
Last time, it was a fire. Mortals were burned alive.
Cleaning up that mess was hell.
I watched her eyes glow and her lips darken. Then she walked over to the bikers, every one of them eyeing her like she was dessert.
Idiots. Already under her spell.
She smiled sweetly.
"Hey, I'm a little lost. Could you point me to the nearest portal to Olympia?" They all answered at once, arguing.
She stayed calm, but her eyes glittered with amusement.
"Hey, hey guys, no need to fight."
They ignored her.
"Shut the f**k up!"
They went quiet.
"I can’t hear over your bickering. Let's try again. Who can take me to the nearest portal?"
They raised their hands.
She smiled. Some turned beet red.
Not surprising. Meda was stunning. Honey-brown eyes, long black curls, perfect curves, flawless skin. A scar on her left arm from the Fates. She looked like a dream, but she was Pandora’s box incarnate.
"You coming, Skeletor? You’ll miss all the fun."
I snapped back. She signaled for me to follow, and without a second thought, my feet trailed after her.
Three of the men had agreed to escort her. We reached a portal to Olympia.
They talked the whole way. I nearly wished for deafness.
Meda, the only one who I allowed to see me, kept rolling her eyes.
At the portal, she turned to them.
"Thanks. Here's your gift."
They exchanged confused looks.
"Surely you know that those who help a goddess receive a gift, right?"
They nodded.
"So my gift is unlimited power..."
A white orb formed in her hand.
"Sadly, I only have one gift and there are three of you."
My jaw nearly dropped.
"Wait, so who gets it?"
She smirked.
"That’s up to you. This power can only be held by the strongest."
She sighed.
"This has been fun, but I’ve got people to see and things to do. Bye!"
She waved.
Something is seriously wrong with this woman...
- Writer
