Gigi had quickly learned not to look up, or think about it too hard. Thankfully she’d had the distraction of getting the buffet tables organised. And there had been the group of smiling gorgeous nymphs, who wanted to act as servers, who needed to be filled in on their duties. There had been no time to be nervous.
Then suddenly the guests, the Gods, had commenced arriving. Gigi too busy ensuring the nymphs’ trays were loaded, and that they weren’t favouring any one section of the party over another to spend much time gawking at all the power players present.
Until the blast of a golden trumpet had demanded everyone’s attention, and there was Copper, or K’in, Goddess of Fire and Justice. Standing under a golden archway. Her fiery red hair seeming to glimmer with little specks of actual flame. Wearing a simple bright yellow midi dress, that drew the eye but didn’t overwhelm her. Gigi was pretty sure the dress was one of her Cousin Riya’s creations.
Beside Copper stood Elijah, her mate, and the Head Enforcer of the Southern Sanctuary, wearing casual fatigues and a scowl on his face that let everyone present know if they intended Copper harm, they would have to come through him first. And then up stepped Apep, beaming, the host of the party, taking Copper’s hand, leading her around the space, introducing her to everyone present.
The reaction of the crowd to K’in was interesting. Little bits of conversation travelling to Gigi’s ears as guests browsed the buffet tables.
“She’s not all that pretty.”
“I hear she’s more human than deity… wannabe.”
“Oh, she’s caught Apollo’s eye, look at him posing under that sun he just made. Douchebag.”
Merciful Lady, it was like being trapped in the cattiest cafeteria at a local high school. Everyone posing and talking, but no one actually listening.
From what Gigi could tell, the deities present were nothing but narcissistic, and self-involved. She couldn’t imagine them willingly joining a Cabal and actively working with others to take over the Earth.
Like her, Nico had been hovering around the buffet tables, eavesdropping, though occasionally he’d taken his phone out, snapping a few discreet photos of the crowd. Gigi didn’t need to bother doing that. Someone, she presumed Darcy, had left a necklace and matching brooch on her bedside table this morning. The items accompanied by a note, advising they contained cameras, and listing a link to log on to later so she could review the footage. Smart.
Nico had shifted into hyper-vigilant mode upon his sister’s arrival. Clearly frustrated at not being in the thick of things. Watching with a scowl from the sidelines as she moved through the crowd, taking note of whom she spoke to. Elijah, hovering at Copper’s side, doing the same.
With Elijah present, Gigi couldn’t work out how she and Nico were adding any value to the mission of identifying who was involved with the Cabal of assholes. Other than providing two more sets of eyes.
But at least the food was going down a treat. Several guests waxing enthusiastically about her cookies and chocolates as they drifted back to the buffet selection again and again. Grazing their way back and forth, all the time slugging back mocktails or champagne cocktails, as if there was imminently about to be a beverage shortage.
Hedonistic, that was the term Gigi was looking for.
Again she was struck by the feeling that these upper level Gods and Goddesses would not lower themselves to work in tandemwith anyone else. She could totally see them trying and failing in a solo bid to rule the Earth. But working together? Nah.
She’d just been thinking the entire party was a waste of their time when a cloud of cherubs arrived accompanied by a thrum of fluttering wings. For the most part the party goers ignored them, although one or two looked up and almost frowned. Gigi lifting her gaze to observe the new arrivals. They were a little creepy. Babies, or that’s at least how they appeared, though there was a fierce - at odds - intelligence in their eyes, as they flew above the party guests, flapping tiny golden wings, all armed with miniature bows, quivers strapped to their backs full of arrows.
The way their golden curls gleamed and their skin glinted reminded Gigi a little of dragonflies but she wasn’t sure whether to be charmed by them, or a little weirded out. There was something off about them.
“Little bastards have gotten into the pixie dust again.” One guest muttered, ducking slightly to avoid a low flying one.
“Vindictive bastards. I would have brought an umbrella if I knew they were going to be here.”
Gigi didn’t have long to puzzle out what that particular guest meant when a nearby buzzing cherub pooped. Ugh. Staring in revulsion at the splotch of gold glittering cherub shit staining the formerly pristine marble floor.
Why, those little uncouth health hazards. Gigi waving an arm at one flying over a buffet table. “Shoo. Shoo.” If that thing shat on the food, there would be hell to pay.
Watching as the thing zagged off to the side, releasing a load on a dark skinned short man, who was clearly wearing lifts in his roman sandals. The man gagging for a moment as those near him took two prudent steps away.
Where was security in this place anyway? Gigi hurrying forward to hand the small man several linen napkins. Poor thing looked a little dazed as he accepted them. Probably in shock. Shedoubted many deities were used to being shat on. Even if the stuff looked like tiny gold glitter bombs.
Of course two minutes later Gigi didn’t need to worry about the cherubs. As what sounded like a fight broke out on the other side of the party and within seconds, fireballs and lightning bolts were searing the air. The party in disarray.
She’d had just enough time before Nico yanked her under the table to see Apep place a hand on Copper and Elijah’s shoulders, the trio abruptly vanishing.
Lucky them.
They weren’t on their hands and knees crawling under the dubious protection of the buffet tables whilst a God war broke out around them. Very aware of Nico crowding her from behind. Grrr, easy for him in his black formal pants and silk matching shirt and boots. He wasn’t wearing a dress and high heels. The dress courtesy of her Cousin, Riya, the Fate Weaver, who made outfits for big important life events. She’d turned up with it yesterday and upon seeing it, Gigi had almost salivated.
It was the perfect thing to wear when you were both working and attending a party on Mount Olympus. Only Riya could have gotten it so right. The satin sleeveless dress falling to just below Gigi’s knees, the material a creamy almost pearl colour with dark purple bands of colour at the neckline and hem. A matching purple woven silk belt wrapping around her waist, Canary, in his little silken basket attached to it. Gigi could have left him home, but it had been habit to bring him along on a catering gig. Though given this wasn’t a family function there’d been no need to find him a spot on the buffet tables.
And thankfully all this jostling about as she continued to crawl her way onwards under the protection of the buffet tables wouldn’t bother her construct pet. No, she was more worried her shoes might be in danger of falling off, what with Nico so close behind her she could almost feel his heated breath on the backof her neck. Chancing a glance backwards, ready to growl at him. Heavenly Lady, the table behind him was on fire.
