VERONICA
He teleported us to the Underworld, his bedroom to be exact. He trapped me against the wall next to the fireplace, the bed behind him neatly made.
"Kiss me." He demanded.
"Why?" I whispered, shocked internally at what he said.
"You talk too much sometimes, little monster." He said before he crushed his lips against mine.
The kiss was a thousand times better than the vampire that kissed me earlier. Lore made me forget everything sensible and rendered me speechless.
He removed his lips from mine as he kissed my neck instead, his arm looping around my waist to pull me closer.
"Lore.", I whispered under my breath, causing him to deepen his kiss on me.
He went back to my lips again, kissing me harder this time as if I was the oxygen he needed to breathe.
My lips started hurting, but I didn't care as I returned the forceful kiss.
Suddenly, someone knocked on his door, "Lore? Are you in there?"
Lore didn't break our kiss, ignoring Hermes from the other side of the room. If anything, he kissed me harder and rougher than before, if it were possible.
"Lore, I know you're in there. Maurice just arrived at Tartarus." Hermes said with a demanding tone.
"He's useless, leave him be." Lore quickly answered before attacking my lips once more, bringing my leg up against his as he lifted it.
"Okay, but you better tell that to Alec. He's been waiting for a few hours now."
I broke the kiss after a few seconds, looking up at Lore as his eyes filled with rage.
I silently giggled, his eyes widening at the sight of it, then curving his lips into a small smile.
"Sorry, darling, but we'll have to continue this later. It pains me as much as it does you, trust me." He whispered.
I whispered back to him, "I don't think it does."
I looked down to see his-
"What the hell is- oh. Oh. Veronica, hello!" Hermes barged in without warning, noting our close bodies together and our disheveled hair.
"I'd say it's not what it looks like, but it really does, doesn't it?" I said before walking to the bathroom to fix my hair and smudged lipstick.
My lips looked swollen and a small portion of my neck started changing into a reddish color which I quickly covered with a glamour.
I walked back to the bedroom to see Lore watching Hermes with pure rage in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, alright? If I would've known you guys were, you know, I would've ran for the fucking hills."
Lore rolled his eyes at him as he opened the door and left. Hermes turned to look at me with a sheepish grin.
I patted him on the back as we walked out of the room together.
《♤》
The library was bigger than any of the libraries I've visited in the mortal realm. Long tables witch chairs lined each of the rows of books on bookshelves made of sturdy wood.
We walked to where Florens and Alec were, the former sat while reading a book with her legs on top of the table, the latter scanning for more books from the bookshelf behind him.
"Alec."
Florens suddenly stood up, her body shocked by Lore's voice. "You're a fucking jump scare, Lore."
Lore rolled his eyes at her as Alec faced us. "Good. One of your men notified us of Maurice's presence in Tartarus. What have you discovered, brother?"
Lore started explaining what had gone down just a few hours ago, leaving out the part where we got back to the Underworld and the events that followed after.
Alec sighed, "So, what? He's a dead end?" He suddenly turned to me, his face and tone sharp. "Veronica, was he telling the truth?"
I leaned back on the table as I folded my arms, "Yes, I do. He knew he was fucked, no reason for him to hold back now that he's in Tartarus."
"I could make something like a truth serum if you'd like. Haven't done any brewing in a while." Florens suggested.
"No need. If both Lore and Veronica think he's telling the truth, then that's all we need. Did he say anything else? Perhaps another lead?" Alec cut in.
I ran a hand through my loose hair, "He did say that it was indeed his handwriting, but he didn't write it. Or at least, he forgot about writing it. Memory wiped, perhaps?"
"Maybe. But, it's quite difficult to erase memories from a vampire, given that they're the ones that usually do the memory wiping." Florens answered.
Lore folded his arms, "Difficult for any other immortal, but nothing to a god, especially if they were intrinsically skilled with the mind."
"Great, that narrows it down to like, half of the gods. Most of us have lived long enough to know how to use their powers on unguarded minds. Trust me, I did it myself." Hermes said sharply.
Florens slumped in her chair. "Well, it's not only gods. There are a lot of creatures that can wipe memories. With the right materials, a witch could've done it too."
Alec rested his arms on the table. "Perhaps. But, it is still something to work on. I'll tell Gideon and Tarrin about it in the morning, see if they know anything. In the meantime, we could begin our research on whatever we could find about memory loss. I'm sure we'll find a thing or two with all these books."
"I don't feel like reading today, Alec. My eyes hurt." Hermes complained as he sat beside Florens.
"No, they don't. If you find something, write it down." Alec said before teleporting to a different area of the library.
Hermes sighed. "Fucking Ealdread." he said before snapping his fingers and disappearing.
I started walking off as I heard Lore teleport as well, Florens picking up a different book as she continued her reading.
I dragged my hands over the millions of books. Some books I recognized, some were in a different language. I kept walking and turning whenever a path would show itself, not caring about how I might get lost.
As I perused a shelf filled with ancient texts, and paused at the sight of the Book of Scars. My mother used to tell me stories about the book and its power as a child, one of the more vivid memories I had of her.
She would tell me how the book could show you the answers to all the questions, no matter how difficult or convoluted.
I started taking it out of its shelf before a hand marred with rings pressed on mine. I rolled my eyes at the sight of it as I dropped my hand.
"What?" I asked, facing the god.
He rolled his eyes me. "I don't think the Book of Scars would be able to aid us at the moment. Best to leave it undisturbed."
I crossed my arms as I stared at him. "Why not? Will it demand something in return?"
"Yes, and it is too great of a cost to pay. The Book of Scars will only leave this place at a moment of desperation.
"I know how stubborn you could be, Little Monster. I want you to listen for once and do not even go near the book, no matter how tempting."
I sighed, "If you really wanted me to listen to you, can't you just order me not to? I mean, I did take an oath to do whatever you wanted me to do."
He gave me a knowing smile. "Yes, I did. But, I know you'd give me crap for it if I did. Correct?"
I rolled my eyes at him as I looked back at the Book of Scars.
"Very well, then. Do not touch or even look at the Book of Scars, Elvira. I forbid you to do so."
Suddenly, my eyes tore away from the book. I tried turning to where the book was in the shelf, but my head wouldn't even budge.
"You dick. I didn't even plan on using it."
"Just taking precautions, darling. I could never be too sure when it comes to you."
I gave him a gesture that he laughed at as I walked off, taking whatever direction to get some distance between us.
It proved no use. I heard his footsteps from behind me just as I thought I had lost him.
Shouldn't you be doing some research of your own? I asked, lowering my guard around him.
I am. It just so happens that we're heading to the same direction.
You do realize that I kept turning wherever just to get away from you?
We were interrupted earlier, darling. I only wish to continue where we left off.
In a library?
Princess, we could be in Hell right now and I wouldn't falter.
There's something wrong with you. Truly.
That's old news.
Whatever. I'm not continuing whatever we did awhile ago. That was a mistake Hermes saved me from making.
So, nearly sleeping with me was a mistake? Do you truly believe that, love?
Yes. If you're so hellbent on getting someone to sleep with you, ask anyone else.
Maybe I will.
I rolled my eyes at him even if he couldn't see. I stopped walking as I spotted a book entitled "All the Creatures That Have Walked the Earth"
I grabbed it as I started browsing through the pages, noting some creatures I've never heard of before.
Lore grabbed a book from the opposite side entitled "The Power of the Old" as we simultaneously sat down on chairs across from each other.
I rested my elbow against the table, leaning my head on it as I read through the book.
I was already halfway through the book, but I knew it wouldn't be too much help as I kept on reading about creatures I already knew about.
You seem frustrated, darling. Lore told me through our bond.
Shut up.
His laugh echoed through my mind as I sat up and returned the book.
I turned around, watching Lore as he continued reading the book that he was already halfway through.
I decided to toy with him a little. Walking up to him, I bent a little from where I stood behind him, placing my arms next to his as I trapped him from where he sat.
"Found anything yet?" I whispered in his ear as he continued reading.
"What are you doing?" He asked, his gaze still transfixed on the book as he flipped the page.
I leaned in to breathe into his ear, "Reading."
He stiffened for a moment, then continued flipping the pages as I hovered over his neck.
I started pressing light kisses on his nape, then worked up to the side of his neck as I deepened the kiss. He paid no attention to me whatsoever as he read the book, save for the slight aggression his fingers had every time he flipped the page.
I started working my way up to his jaw, gripping his chin so he would turn. It wasn't long until I reached his lips.
I bit his lower lip as I touched it with my fingers. Then, I suddenly straightened myself, wiping non-existent dust off of my dress as I walked off to a new shelf.
I smiled at the small victory of leaving him unsatisfied. It wasn't long until I heard someone teleport next to me and shove me up against the wall.
"You think you could do that and get away with it, darling?" He asked as he stared at my lips.
"I did get away with it, darling." I mocked, "Your presence here is the testament to that argument. I think you want more."
He smiled at me. "Of course I want more, sweetheart. It seems that I'm always thirsting for more whenever you're around."
"You flatter me, My Lord. But, I'm afraid I have much more important things to do." I said as I broke free from his hold and walked off.
I didn't make it far as he gripped my neck and shoved me up against the wall once again. He got dangerously close as he said, "Lie to me again, Elvira. Let's see what will happen to you if you continue doing so."
I gave him a mischievous smile before running my hand through his hair, the other looped around his neck.
"I can't wait." I whispered, before teleporting.
《♤》
it's 3:12 in the morning right now ahaha my sleep schedule is ruined 😣 oh well
hope you enjoyed! comment vote <3