Frozen Stiff Read online

  “Please don’t die. You are way too young and shouldn’t end up dead on a lonely beach in a foreign country…”

  Foreign country? Enten wondered what she meant. He hadn’t traveled… Nope. Certainly not. Last he knew he’d been headed for Boston.

  Ah shit. Fucking Absu. Enten recalled the events leading up to his plunge, and head-summoned the asshole immortal. Absu. He attempted to remain calm in the face of his current sensory overload. Do you mind telling me what the hell just happened?

  The prick who hadn’t changed his speech patterns for centuries, answered with uncontained glee. While all in the household have been enjoying festivities of late, I have been alternately busy. With Dagon’s escape from the Underworld and his subsequent wedding, I uncovered an important person in the western part of the state whom others overlooked. All I needed to do was lure each of my fellow unmated gods, one by one, over the bay toward Boston, over the isle to which she had travelled, and reap the culmination of my genius.

  Enten strove for control. Go on, he demanded.

  Over the past few days, I have brought Ishkur, Shamash, Ninurta, Dumuzi, Enlil, and Kulla flying across Quincy Bay. With each, I travelled counterclockwise around Long Island and over Rainsford’s, which I likewise did with you.

  Enten remembered the trip. They had approached the small island, two drumlins connected by a vast sandbar. A much different island than the one he’d known four hundred years ago, had appeared. Nothing of the old farm or grazing land remained. A few stone walls, some foundations, trees, scrub, and sand were all that was left. The island had been used for many things since Edward Rainsford’s day; a hospital, an almshouse, and a reform school amongst them, none of which remained evident now on the vacant strip of land. Absu continued speaking.

  Just recently, the island has been opened to the public, and for you this has become a most significant event. Enten could hear the smile in Absu’s voice. My ploy had each of you accompanying me over the bay to Boston, to acquire numerous tomes from a bookshop on West Street in ye olde town, ones I believe will be of use in our search for ancestral clues. They are overlarge and required several trips, which was my excuse to get you all airborne.

  Sure. Enten grunted. And I fell for it. I even brought money to pay for the fucking things.

  Despite their invisibility, the gods played by certain rules with those around them who were solid. The group “acquired” things when necessary. That meant to render something invisible, transport it back to their hidden compound, and return it to its physical status, all the while having left—or un-acquired—money for whatever they had taken. This process worked for everything but collecting people, something that caused them all great sorrow until the reality of the Chosen—women who had given them hope again.

  Absu chuckled. You did indeed, and imagine my surprise when it was you, my dear, chilly friend, who became the lucky god to find your forever mate. Now stay put so I can go get the other godly gentlemen and see who else might take a tumble.

  He spoke, of course, of the god who had begun the bloodlines of the woman who touched him. Absu’s voice faded and Enten felt her warm hands again―this time brushing his face. He barely suppressed a moan. His fellow god had to be wrong. No human woman would look at him twice, let alone become his Chosen. As the god of winter, he didn’t personify anything warm or fuzzy. His temperature had always put a freeze on potential relationships.

  Enten swallowed around a huge lump in his throat, and attempted to think rationally. Several facts were undisputable. Having approached the island and seen humans scurrying about on the easternmost end, he had gone in for a closer look. He’d regained his body and fallen from the sky. And now a female attended him. Enten finally admitted that Absu might have a point. And didn’t the thought thrill and terrify him at the same time.

  Now, what had she said before he’d confronted Absu? Something about foreign soil? Was his Florence Nightingale from another country? He didn’t think so. She had no accent. Wait. Perhaps because of his coloring, hair, and strange clothing, the woman had mistaken him for a non-American. That had to be it.

  Enten endured her exquisite touch on the opposite leg, when both of her hands suddenly moved to his hips. The heat radiating from her fairly scorched him as she leaned over his body, reaching around him, heading for his…ass? No, thank the gods. She stroked his hipbones. Bad enough, but with each circular movement of her hands, she came closer to his lower abdomen, and Enten couldn’t hold back. A low moan escaped his lips. She might get more than she bargained for if she didn’t watch out. And he didn’t even know what this woman looked like yet.

  At his inadvertent sound, she snatched her hands away.

  “Are you awake?” Her warm breath washed across his face. He drew her scent into his nose. She smelled like exotic spices. One of the finest things he’d ever smelled.

  “It’s a good sign, you making noise,” she muttered, letting him know she still thought him incoherent and believed she talked to herself. “And I can’t find any sign of broken bones. But you’re just so cold.”

  No surprise there. But his would-be rescuer couldn’t know that. He waited quietly to see what her next move would be.

  “I need to make you warm before I can leave to get help.” She seemed to take time to ponder. “If I share my body heat with you until you lose your chill, I can cover you with sand to help you hold your temperature until I return with medical care.”

  Enten liked that idea. He also liked that she talked to herself. It meant she probably spent time alone, like him.

  Her soft voice came to him again. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m taking liberties.”

  Enten held his breath.

  Slowly and gently she moved her body over his, holding a few inches above him while positioning her upper body over his chest. Holy shit. There was no hope for it, in just a few seconds, she would find out he was very much awake. His cock, which before had been slightly interested by her roaming fingers, now rose to red-alert when faced with a full-out, body straddle. Cha-ching.

  His cock thickened and hardened with blood that pumped though him like a freight train. As his female lowered her crotch squarely over his, the bulge of his sudden erection would thrust up between her thighs. Enten waited for it as she settled. One…two…three…

  “Oh.”

  Bingo. We have contact. He expected her to jump up, but to his surprise, the woman did not move away. She held still. Sweat welled up and froze on the back of his neck.

  “Lots of guys have erections when they’re asleep…I think.” Her voice sounded very unsure.

  Cripes. Did she actually move against him? Enten stifled another groan.

  “There, there.” Her voice soothed him as if he were a child, but…oh gods. She couldn’t be rocking against him, could she? “You’ll be okay.” She definitely wiggled a little on his dick. “And so will I, once I have the sense to get off you and go for help.”

  She didn’t need to move on his behalf. Holy hell, no. Did that mean she enjoyed the contact as much as him? He waited for her to make good on her words and move, but instead she leaned her warm cheek down to his chest where the shirt she’d draped over him had slipped off, and rubbed against his skin. Her head turned to do the same with the other cheek. Gods. Had she paused halfway and brushed her lips over him? It was all too much. He would have to open his eyes and get a look at the woman who could only be his Chosen. But…

  Enten froze. Literally. A new chill swept across his body and―he knew―up into hers. What if this woman wasn’t his Chosen, but a descendant instead? What if she was the product of a sexual encounter he’d had back in Merrymount―not that he’d had more than one. That would make her his…great, great…whatever. Ackk. Enten tried to rein in his lust. He had to think for a moment, but her renewed rubbing, due to his plummeting body temperature, did not help.

  What was it Dagon had said? He’d known Lenore was his relative because he’d felt no attraction—only a protecti
ve instinct? Did Enten feel primarily protective of this unknown female? Hell no. He felt the flames of desire. And heat—even in his gut—which stood as pretty much an anomaly for him.

  Enten honed in on the amulet embedded deeply in his left shoulder. It had never, in all of his life, given off warmth or glow, nor did it act any differently now. How long had it taken to activate when Marduk had found his Chosen? Enten wished he’d paid more attention to the details of the other gods’ matings, but he never thought it would happen to him.

  The woman moved again, with a little more purpose and Enten could sense she readied herself to leave. He made up his mind. Until proven otherwise, he would assume she was off limits. It would be damned hard—and speaking of damned hard, he would have to get that problem under control—to keep his body uninvolved, but he’d have to find a way until he found out if she was relative or Chosen.

  ****

  Glory felt the change in the cold beneath her and worried. The man’s temperature had dropped more. He wasn’t recovering, and must certainly be running out of time. As much as she didn’t want to leave him, his only hope lay in medical intervention. She braced her fingers against his chest and pushed up.

  Lightning fast, his hands grabbed her wrists.

  Glory gasped.

  His grip was strong, too strong for someone who was dying, and too unyielding for her to get away. Yet at the same time, his touch was gentle. She looked from her wrists to his face and saw his eyelids flutter. Glory held her breath. His lids popped open.

  Black eyes met hers, and she fell, spiraling downward to drown in their unfathomable depths.

  Chapter Three

  Marduk, the thunder god and leader of the Blue Hills bunch, growled in frustration. He and his wife had just finished a big breakfast and lay back on the couch, waiting to feel the baby kick. It had become a ritual over the past week, ever since Tess had first felt movement and Dr. Dani had told them that after eating was the most active time for their unborn child. But right now? Absu wouldn’t shut up. And the god knew, dammit, that Marduk looked forward to seeing the small, jumping bump…and to the hot sex he and his wife shared after. What the fuck?

  Make haste. Make haste. Absu urged in his annoying old English accent, disturbing Marduk’s baby-zen time. Marduk grumblingly offered a hand to help his wife off the couch. This better be good or there’d be one fucking dead god on the premises.

  Others in the household, one by one, answered Absu’s summons. Marduk made damn sure―since he’d been disturbed―that everyone else showed up in the living room. Ishkur wiped engine grease off his noncorporeal hands and Dumuzi rubbed his tousled head as if he’d been abruptly awakened―which was highly likely. Even Shamash and Lahar, who took turns monitoring the extensive surveillance system, left their posts to appear front and center.

  The goddesses Lenore and Holly, weren’t about to miss anything, so they, too, answered the call. Dagon, who was still in a state of limbo as to where he and Holly would live, followed his Chosen, and spoke first once everyone had been rounded up. “What the fuck, Absu?” he asked. “When was the last time anyone but Marduk called a damn meeting?”

  Even when he’d been a total enemy asshole, Dagon had taunted Marduk about the gods having more meetings and less action than a senior singles group. He waited, looking not so patiently for Absu’s answer. Marduk crossed his arms and glared Absu’s way, also awaiting an explanation.

  Most of you have accompanied me to Boston over the past sennight…

  “Right,” answered Enlil. “To get the books.” He looked annoyed. “And so far they’ve been interesting but not earth-shatteringly helpful.”

  Correct. I am aware of that fact. However, the books were not my primary motivation for the sojourns we undertook. Absu paused, beaming happily at the mostly pissed off group.

  If you recall, we circumnavigated the harbor to approach the city, passing over the island of our one-time companion, Edward Rainsford. That was the location of utmost importance in my plan. He looked around to blank faces, acting uncharacteristically giddy. It is there I wish to bring you all now. He began misting out. If you would accompany me, please. With haste, he added.

  Wait. Emesh stopped him, mid-disintegration, and looked around, clearly puzzled by the entire scene. Where’s Enten?

  Not to worry. Absu improvised. Your brother will meet us there.

  Marduk turned to his Chosen’s brother, Huxley, who had wandered in during Absu’s speech. The god shrugged his shoulders. “Keep an eye on security, will you?” he implored and received a nod from the mortal. Puzzled by Absu’s strange behavior, Marduk acquiesced and lost his body with the rest of the gods and goddesses.

  Lahar? As they traveled, Marduk heard Absu send his voice to one who, if the thunder god understood correctly, had not yet been over the island. We will be approaching Rainsford’s by water, and you should keep abreast of me, ahead of everyone else. Emesh. You, as well.

  The fifteen, who probably resembled nothing so much as a cloud, moved quickly in from the south. They approached the island, still in the dark as to Absu’s agenda, which was―Marduk knew―how the proper god obviously wanted it.

  Watch closely everyone. Absu slowed their approach.

  Without warning, Lahar suddenly became part of a visible color spectrum, flailed about, flashed his startled brown eyes at his companions, and took a nose dive toward the water.

  “Fucking hell.” His voice followed him down.

  The splash he made was quite impressive.

  Marduk swore. Dammit, Absu. Marduk instantly figured out what the god had been up to. He’d uncovered a Chosen and as soon as either Lahar or Emesh came within one hundred yards of Rainsford’s, one of the two would be abruptly thrust into his corporeal body and fall like a rock. That could only mean Enten had already suffered such a fate. You couldn’t have warned us? He huffed and pointed downward. Dagon? Dagon didn’t hesitate, but went after Lahar. As a god of the ocean, he was as much at home in the waves as he was on land, and he swooped down to assist Lahar in case the god of cattle needed help. The rest of the immortals divided their attention between the sputtering male below, and Absu, now convulsed with laughter in the middle of their group.

  If you could observe your faces. He chortled. Isn’t it the finest jest? You have all criticized my lack of witticism, but now you will be forced to admit I am far from lacking. Absu blinked when he received no response.

  Marduk growled, far from amused. Tell everyone what you’ve done, Absu. He roared his displeasure and thunder crashed around the still airborne gods.

  Absu perused the faces of his brethren and shook his head. He looked confused at the anger directed his way. What? It was a fine joke, was it not? Whilst you busied yourself with other things, I completed the quest to find Lahar’s progeny. When I found that her employment led her hence to Rainsford’s for a period of several days, I arranged to test each one of you against her. Absu looked down. There is no harm and no foul here. I am certain that Enten is well, and look. Dagon has come to Lahar’s aid, despite the fact he does not require it. All is as it should be.

  Marduk swallowed back harsh words. Absu could be an asshole sometimes, but mostly he was benignly clueless. His attention switched to the beach, where two figures huddled on the sand. Absu piped up again. Come. Mayhap the balance of good news will sweeten your dispositions.

  The gods had no choice but to follow. Sure enough, the prone body on the beach was Enten. Marduk could see that the tide had moved steadily out since Enten’s obvious fall, and there was twenty feet of sand and rock between where he’d landed and the water. Marduk and his group of invisible gods and goddesses touched down at the ocean’s edge next to Absu, and stood, open mouthed, staring at the god of winter, flat on his back beneath a tall, lithe female, who seemed to be straddling his supine body.

  Marduk attempted to peer around the pair, but the cold god’s face was hidden from view. The way the woman moved, however, suggested he might have her hand
s, holding her in place atop his loins while they…no. They couldn’t possibly be engaging in sex.

  An interesting way to meet your Chosen, chuckled Anshar. I, for one, think Absu did a pretty decent job setting this all up.

  Well, it’s about time someone gave me my due, Absu huffed.

  Anshar clapped him on his invisible back, as only another invisible being―and a few choice humans―could do. I give you a B+, Absu. Next time, let me coach you on the finer points of practical jokes. Anshar looked around at the mixed expressions on the faces surrounding them. What? He just needs to understand that the idea is to piss off as few people as possible.

  Marduk finally started to come around. As if you know how to do that, Anshar. The all-sky god had pulled some pretty sketchy stunts over the years, including one that involved an outdoor privy back in Merrymount. Marduk punched Absu in the shoulder. Better not take advice from him, Absu.

  The mood lightened. Absu’s prank, no matter how it had come about, was a good thing.

  So tell us what’s going on, Absu. How did you do it? Marduk and the rest now turned their attention to him.

  Absu preened under Marduk’s scrutiny, and the thunder god knew why. Absu was so rarely in the spotlight, living the way he did―mired in the past―that the group’s comradery had all but escaped him. At least back in old Merrymount, the women had loved his good looks and courtly manners. And he’d been popular with both sexes, due to his skills as an accomplished cook. The sweet-water god could create a culinary masterpiece from next to nothing. Those boons, which had set him apart when corporeal, had been rendered useless once invisibility became the group’s reality…and yes, he was normally sullen because of it, which hadn’t added to his popularity amongst his god-roommates.

  Absu, somewhat chastened by the response he’d garnered with his joke, swallowed sheepishly and outlined the facts, using an open communication channel so the still waterlogged Dagon and Lahar could hear, as well as Enten, lying on the beach.