My eyes widened. “So if Selene is my ancestor, or maybe even mother—because that was still an unsolved mystery—then this dude is like my grandpa?”
Cronus chuckled. “I’m sure he’d love if you called him that.”
I rolled my eyes. “So he’s powerful because...?”
Cronus pulled me into his body, tucking me closely against him. “Because he can harness the elements. He can also boost other gods’ powers. His power will feed Rhea’s and make her strong enough to freeze Sickness until we can lock him away again.”
I had no idea where he was planning on locking him, but I guessed he’d tell me when I needed to know. For now. “How do we find him,er... his remains?”
“Hound.”
Everything went black and then we were back in the cave where we’d seen the Fates and I’d almost died. Hound was right where we’d left him, like a loyal dog. The Fates, however, were gone.
He barked when we got there, wagging his tail.
“Good boy, buddy.” Cronus scratched behind his ear.
Hound then slunk away and smelled my leg. “I’m all better,” I told him and reached out, wondering if he’d shy away. He didn’t. So I rubbed his neck generously.
Cronus just watched us with an unreadable gaze. “We’ll get some food and clothes, maybe take a bit of rest. I need to think up my next gameplan.”
I just nodded. He had me at food. And then again at rest.
* * *
An hourlater we were sitting on a hotel bed in Malibu, at a five-star resort, sharing three large pizzas. We’d both stripped off our wet clothes and were wrapped in robes while the hotel concierge shopped for new clothes for us. Telling the concierge to buy me two size 34 D push-up bras and four thongs was the highlight of my day. Cronus just shook his head and the concierge turned beet red, before clearing his throat.
But he was happy when I handed him a generous tip.
We were cashed up … all thanks to one detour on our way to the hotel.
To rob a bank.
Kind of.
Cronus bleeped us inside the vault, dropped a gold bar that he magically pulled from his dick, and grabbed a few stacks of cash, before bleeping us out. We were going to live like rich bastards for at least the next twelve hours.
“Do you think there’s time for me to grab a quick massage? I hear the spa here is nice.” I bit into my pizza and ignored Cronus’ glare. “Also, are you ever going to tell me how your dick keeps producing gold? Not that I’m complaining, but it’s a little weird, right? Surely even you see that.”
He shook his head. “My dick doesn’t produce gold. I have a magically enhanced pocket that I keep my treasure in. It’s like that bag from the singing lady you love so much. The magic pocket is bonded to my body, even when I’m naked. It’s from there I take all of my gold.”
My eyes widened. “Mary Poppins! I knew you were watching that on the plane. Told you it was awesome.”
His expression didn’t change, but I sensed that he’d enjoyed it.
“What about the massage?” I pushed.
“No massage. Rest while I figure out how to get Hyperion’s scent for Hound. I don’t want you all tired and grumpy for the rest of the day.”
Now it was my time to glare. “Tired and grumpy? What am I, a toddler?”
His eyes raked over the robe that had partially fallen open, exposing my breasts.
His eyes darkened and he opened his mouth just as a knock came at the door.
Our clothes.
Cronus popped up into a standing position and started to walk to the door.
