Destiny Descending

open, fine, that's on you. But we're not fighting the Mesopotamians. This will blow over. They'll get tired of hunting me. Trust me; I know all about getting tired of a hunt. They'll go back to their lives when they realize I'm not a threat.”
“That's bullshit!”
“Vhat's bullshit?” Kirill asked as he stepped out of the elevator to my right.
Odin and Azrael followed Kirill out of the gilded, cage elevator and over to us.
“The Mesopotamians are after Vervain, but she just wants to hide here and wait them out.” Trevor waved his hands at me in exasperation.
The other men looked at each other and then at me.
“Waiting isn't such a bad idea,” Odin said in a reasonable tone. “Whether we fight or not, we should wait for the Mesopotamians to show their hand before we go barreling into battle.”
I tried not to grin.
“I'm not suggesting that we barrel into anything,” Trevor snapped. “I just think we should call the God Squad and talk about this. Maybe send some Intare out to spy on the Mesopotamians. We need to be prepared.”
“Being prepared isn't a bad idea either,” Odin agreed.
I grimaced.
“If you want to keep an eye on things, I'm fine with that, Trevor.” I headed out to the veranda. “I'll even meet with the Squad. But I don't want anyone attacking the Mesopotamians; not on my behalf at least.”
“Vervain!” Trevor growled.
“I've got too much to lose, Honey-Eyes. We all do,” I stopped to whisper it over my shoulder. “No more fighting unless we're forced to. It's time for the Godhunter to take a vacation.”
Trevor sighed deeply. “All right, Minn Elska.”

Chapter Two
Later that evening, I was reading an erotic novel called An Unseelie Understanding—a book about a human woman who willingly becomes a fairy king's sex slave to save her sister's life— in the library's sitting room. I was just getting into a thigh-clenching scene involving a merman when Viper, who was sprawled on the couch beside me, started chuckling.
“This is why I hate reading with other people,” I muttered as I shut my book.
I had hopes that the book might give me some inspiration that I could put to immediate use with Viper, but he was ruining the mood.
“You have to hear this.” Viper slid a sexy grin my way. “It's ancient smut.”
“Excuse me?” I glanced at my book. What were the odds that we were both reading erotica? Then I considered my life and realized that the odds were pretty good. “You're reading ancient smut?”
“I thought I was researching our enemies but this stuff is wild.” He held up a book with the title; Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth; Her stories and hymns from Sumer.
“Inanna?” I took the book from him. “Inanna... oh, this is Ishtar. Oh, my Gods, she was Anu's consort.”
“Oops.” Viper gave me a comical expression of we-screwed-that-up. “That's the guy you killed, right? Turned him into ash, if I remember correctly.”
“He was the first Mesopotamian I killed.” I nodded as I started skimming the page he'd been reading. A shocked sound of mirth shot out of me. “What the hell is this?”
“Told you.” Viper smirked. “Come on, baby”—he nestled closer and pulled me on his lap—read it to me. I know it's not bedtime, but I think this warrants an exception. Please.” He batted his lashes at me.
I glanced at him and chuckled. “I don't know if I can.”
“I promise to make it worth your while.” He waggled his brows at me.
I squished my face at him.
He started stroking my inner thigh.
“Plow my vulva, man of my heart,” I read dramatically.
Viper started laughing so hard that he made no sound, just shook uncontrollably while his mouth opened and shut like a dying fish.
I had to go on. “Who will plow my vulva? Who will plow my high field? Who will plow my wet ground?”
“Oh, this is my line!” Viper angled the book toward him. “I will, for at the King's lap stands the rising cedar!”
“He has sprouted, he has burgeoned!” I cried, really getting into it. “He is lettuce planted by the water. He is the one my womb loves best. My honey-man, my honey-man sweetens me always.” I gestured grandly as I went on, “My lord, the honey-man of the Gods, he is the one my womb loves best. His hand is honey, his foot is honey, he sweetens me always.”
We both crumpled into fits of laughter like a couple of teenagers.
“I thought I was your honey-man,” Trevor drawled from the doorway. He leaned against the frame, watching us with an amused look.
I glanced over at Trevor, my laughter subsiding into a giggle. “Oh, you are, baby. These aren't my words; I'm just reading one of Inanna's hymns.”
“Inanna?” Trevor pushed off the door frame and strode over. “What book is that?”
I handed Trevor the book, and he flipped it to read the cover then scanned some of the pages. His eyes widened as he read, “Make your milk sweet and thick?” He handed the book back to me. “I think I've read enough.”
“I particularly enjoyed the passage where she asks him to fill her holy churn with his honey cheese,” Viper added.
“Ewww.” I crawled off Viper's lap. “Way to ruin a mood. Again.”
“Aw, you don't want my honey cheese?” Viper teased as he reached for me.
“That sounds like an STD.” I pushed him away. “Keep your honey cheese to yourself!”
Trevor chortled as he helped me escape Viper's grasping hands. “You heard her, Star-Lord, keep that cheese in your pants.”
“Star-Lord!” I shrieked in revelation. “That's perfect for him; he kinda has the same personality.”
“Right?” Trevor grinned at me. “I thought you'd approve.”
“It's Star God, thank you.” Viper grinned as he got up. “And Vervain happens to love my cheese.”
“Please, stop.” I held my hands up between the men. “I beg of you.”
“Only if you let me plow your high field.” Viper scooped me up and tossed me over his shoulder. He hurried from the room before Trevor could stop him.
“Goddamn snakes!” Trevor