Love and Fortune

Author's Note:

This is Chapter 4 of Book 2 of the Love and Fortune series! If you're new, feel free to start at the beginning of Book 1, but know that Book 1 is mostly laidback sexytimes, without much of a gripping plot. If you'd rather start with the action, feel free to jump in at Chapter 13 (the start of Book 2, which is more about adventure and conflict).

This Chapter Contains:

the musings of a captured Goddess, a hunt for clues that turns into sexytime (don't worry, it's

productive

sexytime), ill-advised sexplay in a floral shop (no fragile vases were harmed!), a telepathic brush between rival Goddesses' champions, petty pastry thievery, and a first chaotic clash with a mysterious bad guy's minions. As always, you've been warned.

Chapter 16: Traps and Tangles

The Living Goddess of Victory had no idea where she was.

It was difficult to see past the strange, arcane cage she had awoken in. All she knew of the room outside was that it was dark, cold, and most of the time, empty. How long she'd been here by now, she couldn't tell. Time, to a Living Goddess, was often an irrelevant concept. But under strain like this -- her essence, her very being, trapped and perhaps soon sapped -- time became a heavy, oppressive force. She hadn't been counting it, but she felt its passage keenly.

Nike knew she'd been imprisoned. Trapped by a powerful magic she'd never encountered before. She knew that the world outside these walls was cut off from her. As were all the rest of her kind. She couldn't feel the other Living Goddesses. Couldn't speak to them. Couldn't call to them for help. She was alone... but then, not quite.

Because Nike also knew she was being constantly, meticulously watched.

Her captors hardly showed themselves. Not in any way that let her get a look at them. If it mattered, she felt they hadn't quite gotten a look at her yet, either, for through the strange crystalline prison that held her, she would appear to them as nothing but a vague, shimmering shape. But they had her. She had only the vaguest sense of their presence outside the trap. They came and went through the shadows of the dark room outside, but Nike couldn't sense their energy through the uneven, angular surface of her cage. No reading their intentions, no understanding their motives. She was left with only questions.

What had happened? How? And why?

Each unknown possibility raced through Nike's thoughts. No Living Goddess was omniscient, but this situation, brimming with uncertainty, frustrated her especially. She was used to knowing the odds. Seeing the path to success, and guiding favored mortals along it. But now: a complete lack of answers, shrouded in darkness, with no foresight into her own fate or that of the world. That was new. That was frightening.

All she could do was endure this. And thus far, if it counted for anything, she had done so with the utmost patience, grace, and calm. A Living Goddess could never afford to panic. Not even now, when the situation seemed this dire. Her endurance was the only advantage she still held over these captors. It would hinder them -- for as long as she could hold out. Their cage of magic was designed to drain her essence. But Nike had willpower. And she had no intention of giving in.

Yet the draining was a constant, steady threat. She could feel it, ever closing in, trying to get its cold claws into her and siphon off her power. Should her guard falter, should her focus slip, she knew the trap and its architects would have their way. And the longer she stayed here, the likelier that was to happen. Even a goddess had her limits.

Without any way out of this on her own, Nike's hope lay in the call she'd sent to all the Living, all their devotees, before her capture. That someone would answer. That someone, somewhere, was on their way to help.

Devotees of the Living would bring positive energy. And that energy would spread over the island, even as she remained trapped. Positive energy, the lifeblood of the Living, the product of love, and the antithesis of this cruel cage's draining magic. Enough of that could offset the vile magic active on these islands. Perhaps it could weaken the barrier that kept her mind from connecting to the rest of her kind. And then, perhaps, she could tell them where she was. And they could swoop in, destroy the trap, and set her free.

It was a lot of 'perhaps'. But it was what Nike had to believe in.

In the meantime, she would hold out. She swore that she would. If her captors had thought it would be easy to break her -- that stealing her power was as simple as putting her in a trap -- they would find out just how much fight the Goddess still had in her. She was Victory, after all. Being defeated was not in her nature.

***

An hour passed before Nikoleta and her four guests reconvened downstairs. Each of them had used the time well -- unwinding, settling in, indulging their desires. Eleni had spent it with Nikoleta, and the pair of reunited lovers looked radiantly happy as Ben, Priyanka, and Lenore entered the kitchen and found them casually leaning against the counter.

Ben caught Niko's eye first. She nodded knowingly. The message passed without need for words:

I'll bet you enjoyed that.

He grinned.

You too.

They made lunch together. Nikoleta's kitchen was well-stocked, and with her, Eleni, and Ben pitching in, they soon had an appetizing spread. The meal made for a good opportunity to chat, share what they'd learned, and begin to make their plans for the coming days. The Havenites filled Nikoleta in on any details they hadn't yet mentioned, now more than comfortable enough in her presence to treat her like one of the family -- because now, after all, she was.

Ben brought his latest revelations to the table, too.

"An angle-trap," he concluded, setting down his glass and looking at the others. "That's what Belle and Nakessa called it. Some kind of magical prison that's holding Nike captive, and sapping her energy for some other purpose. It doesn't sound good."

"It doesn't," Nikoleta agreed, brow furrowing in concern. "How could someone keep a goddess prisoner? And who would want to?" Her voice dropped to a low, uneasy murmur. "It makes my skin crawl just to imagine it. She was here on Karpathos. Then, in the next moment... sealed up like a fly in amber. The myths I know don't mention anything like this."

"We don't know near enough yet," Ben added, "but it sounds like angle-traps have a long history. Going all the way back to Pandora, even. There was a Persian cult, too. Long story."

"But it seems we know what kind of magic we're up against," Priyanka pointed out, her face serious and her voice sober. "Which brings us to the important question. How do we get to work?"

Ben considered it. His bracelet hummed, helping him focus and think things through. "It might just be the wide-eyed tourist in me talking, but maybe the best thing we can do for now is get to know this island a bit. Spend some time exploring. See what catches our eyes." He held up his wrist, showing his bracelet. "Zawadi's power can enhance our perception. It might alert me to some clue I wouldn't notice otherwise. We might not have a specific starting point to look for Nike's kidnappers or their motives. But if we can just find something suspicious, some clue, magic and super-luck can help us follow the lead from there."

"Sounds like as good an idea as any," Lenore piped up from beside Priyanka. "Besides. It'd be nice to see the sights."

"If that's the plan, I'll have to insist on showing you around," Nikoleta added, her tone a touch brighter now. "I've summered here for years now. I know my way around the island, and I know where the intriguing spots are -- perhaps the ones most likely to draw your interest."

"We could start right here in Arkassa," Eleni offered. "We could visit the beach. Pop into shops and markets and local businesses. Get to know the locals. Maybe the people around town might have noticed something unusual, and could give us that clue we need."

"That could work. Sounds like it'd be easy to do that while we enjoy the island," Priyanka pointed out. "Mission, vacation -- best of both worlds." The Havenites nodded in approval.

"I like that," Ben agreed. "Super-luck's good for getting people to open up to you, too. If folks here know something, they won't mind sharing it. Not with us."

"That magic of yours does tend to make you pretty likable," Nikoleta agreed. Her smile grew more playful. "Who knew the ultimate super-spy power would be charm?"

Ben chuckled. "Guess Bond had his share of that. But he didn't have magic. I do."

A smile tugged on the corners of his mouth as he imagined the fun he might be able to stir up with that. Zawadi's presence, ever there to encourage and tempt, reminded him he could just as soon do more than chat and investigate. Maybe a local would want a quick tumble with a visitor from abroad. Maybe Arkassa was full of women he could get to know. Tourists, too -- all out enjoying the Mediterranean weather in revealing summer-wear. It was a thrilling thing to imagine.

"Guess none of us have to mention what else Bond had a lot of," Lenore said, ribbing him. Ben smirked and shrugged. No use in denying what sort of adventures he liked best. His lovers certainly knew it already.

"And with a plan decided on?" Nikoleta rose from her chair. "I suppose we can make it a day."

***

Arkassa, the nearest town to Nikoleta's villa, made for a picturesque starting spot. With the Greek heiress herself along to guide them, the five enjoyed an idyllic stroll along the coastline, admiring the views, sights, and the weather, until they reached the small settlement proper.

Nikoleta led the way through the center of town, pointing out landmarks, locales, and businesses. A market, a tavern, a small art gallery. There were visitors and vacationers aplenty in their own groups; the town seemed to expect a constant flow of such. But even so, Arkassa had its own identity, and that came uniquely from the people who'd called it home for generations.

When they chose to split up, it was for as many practical reasons as for fun. They could cover more of Arkassa that way -- see more sights, talk with more locals. It seemed a good move, both for the mission and their personal interests. Eleni wanted to go to the harbor to talk to sailors, dockhands, and merchants, to see if anything unusual or suspicious had caught their eyes on the docks. Priyanka and Lenore elected to make a sweep along the beaches to see if anything or anyone there stood out amid the small crowds of swimmers and sunbathers -- while also enjoying a little bit of the surf and sun themselves.

That left Nikoleta and Ben to explore the streets of town together. Ben didn't find that objectionable in the slightest.

Niko had dressed to enjoy the afternoon weather in a summery, airy top, denim shorts that showed off her long legs, and a stylish pair of sunglasses. Her tanned skin seemed to radiate under the light of day, and Ben found himself often stealing glances at every exposed bit. Not that his companion minded. They'd done more intimate things already.

A pair of passing Asian tourists in colorful bikini tops and short shorts reminded Ben that he could admire a lot more if he wanted. His bracelet hummed at the sight of them, and before they'd passed him by, both threw a friendly grin and a wave his way. Ben smiled back and lifted a hand in return, but didn't call after them. The pair continued on down the street, giggling, teasing one another in a lilting, foreign tongue that Ben's magic let him recognize as Korean.

"Not going to follow them?" Nikoleta asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "If I know anything about your magic, they'd have led you straight to whatever little rental or hostel they're staying at and been more than happy to show you the sights."

Ben laughed merrily. "And left you hanging? Never."

The Greek beauty at his side seemed flattered, but still amused. "You know, you're easy to fall for. I think I understand why Eleni's wrapped around your finger." She squeezed his hand. "But I'd have let you go. Who knows? Maybe those two could have shared something important they'd noticed." Her tone became a bit more playful. "Or at least made your next hour or so on the island pretty interesting."

"You're a temptress." He nudged Nikoleta and earned a chuckle. "We're on the job out here. If I end up in somebody's pants, I think it'd better be someone likelier to help than a couple of tourists."

Ben scanned the street ahead. His eye fell on a small coffee shop with outdoor seating, and the bracelet's hum seemed promising. He watched as a trio of young local women left the establishment with their drinks and started down the road. His eyes lingered on them -- and they didn't miss his interest. Before they'd passed, each looked back to catch him watching, exchanged a glance with the others, and giggled.

Nikoleta's lips came to his ear. "Alright. I see you. I'm starting to think this idea of fucking the clues out of some lucky girl or another isn't just an idea anymore. I think it's your game-plan."

He smirked, turning to her. "Might be. Come on. We should at least cover more ground first before we commit to anything."

Arkassa offered plenty to look at. All along the way, Ben tried to open up his mind, hoping his bracelet might show him what he needed to know. There was a certain feel to this place, he thought. Maybe to the whole island. An energy both ancient and powerful. This land had seen much, and still remembered its past. Gods and heroes, armies and legends, had come and gone from Karpathos. Now so many people called it home, and had their own stories here. His psychic senses, honed sharp from his training with Njau, picked up on the layers of the town's spirit, and the island's.

"You mentioned you... telepathically called your cousin earlier," Nikoleta murmured. "And that Zawadi speaks to you in your mind. Do you feel any connection to Nike like that?"

"I haven't felt anything," Ben answered, frowning a bit. "But then, I haven't exactly looked. I'm not the strongest psychic; not even close. Zawadi and her magic help me deal with a lot of things on a kind of autopilot. But searching out a Goddess hidden away in a magical prison? That'd be leagues outside my wheelhouse."

"But what if you weren't seeking the Goddess directly? You could try just searching for the right clue. The right start. See if that bracelet and that goddess of yours can find something on this island, anything, to point you the way. Zawadi could surely help with that -- couldn't she? Maybe you just have to let her power take the wheel."

He paused, taking a quick look around. They'd made it to a small square amid the buildings of town, a little plaza lined by storefronts, a restaurant, and a flower shop with a colorful stand out front. The only people around were a pair of older women sitting on a nearby bench and a middle-aged man at a table enjoying a coffee and a smoke. It felt as good a place to try it as anywhere -- why not? Focusing, he let the psychic outreach spread slowly from his mind. He cast his net over the town, scanning for the right clues, letting Zawadi's power help guide the way.

But he hit his limits fast. He felt an itch at the edge of his consciousness, a nagging and frustrating sense that his mind could go further, theoretically... but not now. Not like this. The last time he'd made such a psychic sweep of an area, it had been while training his mind with Njau, in a wide and empty Kenyan wildlife preserve -- as serene and orderly a place as could be. Here was different. He didn't have a guide like Njau to help him feel his way along, and the island he was trying to scan was buzzing with people, all with their own unique energies and stories. That was a lot more to handle. To find the right hint or lead amid all those minds would take far more than he could muster unaided.

Ben's eyes opened, his head swimming, and he saw Nikoleta watching him. "Get anything?" she gently asked.

"No dice. The island's big, and there's people going everywhere. All kinds of background noise and confusion. Maybe if I'd trained longer, I could sort through it all, but I'm kind of hitting a wall. Sorry, Niko." Ben shook his head, clearing the cobwebs. "Maybe I could do it if I had more power to work with. An energy boost. Even just a temporary one. Like..."

His bracelet came alive with roaring vibrations. Ben and Niko both looked ahead down the road to the flower stand -- behind which someone now stood, having come back outside from the adjoining shop. She was young, olive-skinned, and gorgeous. A casual top and skirt left her midriff and legs exposed. Her long, dark brown hair shimmered in the sun. She arranged the flowers on display in front of her with care, delicate hands tending them one by one. Even at this distance, her beautiful, focused face sent his heart skipping.

His magic, too -- and his Goddess -- seemed to approve of the plan that was coming clear.

Nikoleta saw his eyes lingering on the youthful florist. Approval and amusement played on the Greek woman's lips. She leaned close, squeezing his arm.

"Okay, Ben. If you're after what I think you're after, I approve of that one completely. She works that corner most days. I've bought bouquets from her a few times. She's a sweet girl. Hard-working. She'll love what you offer, and she'll deserve every moment. Go. Make your magic work." Nikoleta laughed, giving him a gentle push forward.

Ben went. He felt her gaze turn his way as he approached the stand. His bracelet's magic was already at work. Before he'd even come close enough to introduce himself, he saw the interest light up in the florist's eyes.

"Hey there," he offered, extending a hand over the counter. "Nice day to sell some flowers."

"It is," she replied, with a charming accent. Her smile widened as she shook his hand. Her eyes stayed fixed on his. She felt it. "You are...?"

"Ben." He was confident and bold. His magic told him she liked that. The energy of their attraction was rising fast, making the beads hum harder against his skin. "You?"

"Aspasia." Her fingers lingered on his own. The touch lasted a little longer than it should have. "Are you looking for something in particular? A gift for someone special? Or..."

"Actually, I was just wandering around town and saw you here. And..." He gave a casual laugh. "I figured I'd come say hi to the pretty flower girl. You run this by yourself?"

Aspasia gestured at the shop behind her. "It's my mother's business. But I work it with her in the summer. When the tourists come, we get very busy. And we make good money. I don't mind the work. Or the customers." The last bit seemed like a deliberate invitation. Ben grinned.

"Kind of slow right now, though. Must be boring, just standing around." He leaned further over her stand, letting the energy between them rise even higher. Her gaze stayed fixed on his. It was like they were the only two on the street.

"It's... usually not. Maybe I am lucky right now, though," Aspasia said with a playful shrug. "Maybe right now, I just have the time to be talking with a handsome visitor. You're not going to buy any flowers, are you?"

"After? Maybe." There it was: he'd all but laid it out. She was already hooked, anyway. "Anyone in the store right now?"

"My mother is out." Aspasia's heart pounded, and Ben felt his do the same. She knew what was coming. She loved the idea. Still, she played coy. "Why? What else are you interested in?"

He just took her wrist. Tugged her along with him, leading the way to the door at the side of the shop. She let herself be drawn along all the way to the entrance, then pulled him in and took the lead.