Chapter 86 : Lifetime

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•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The Aloadae are two giants in Greek mythology,

Their names being Otus and Ephialtes.

The brothers were a threat to the gods of Mount Olympus,

So Zeus imprisoned them in Tartarus.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

I wanted Liam to feed on me.

Now, why will I say that?

To be honest, I find it hard to point out. Mainly because there are a lot of reasons which sound simultaneously reasonable.

Call me 'Selfish' because I didn't want Liam feeding on any other girl. Not anymore. I would hate to see Phyllis switch her emotional crush from Hunter to Liam, like a chameleon in springtime. Don't ask me 'why' because I don't know.

Call me 'Selfless' because I'm ignoring everything Hypnos had said about Liam. Things about him gaining something every time he heals or touches me. But how could I trust someone like Hypnos; a drunk, unhygienic man who wouldn't care less if I died. Besides, everything Liam has done was to protect. So it's hard to think he's willingly trying to harm me.

Call me 'Considerate' because I hate to see Liam so vulnerable. Not to mention the distance he has to take in his weak state just to quench his hunger. What if he collapses with no chance of recovering?

Call me 'Curious' because I'm clueless about how he feeds. Was it similar to Eros' kind of feeding? Or does it differ with every god of emotion?

Liam released an exhausted breath before leaning down, his warm body pressed against mine, somehow canceling the cold breeze as the rain beat against our skin.

His forehead rest against mine. "Are you sure?"

I met his gaze, rich pools of lemon green that seems to pull me under. Behind it lay anxiety, uncertainty, disbelief, and a turmoil of other emotions.

But one thing was clear; he was unsure of my answer.

I nodded. "Yes."

I hardly finished the word before he kissed me. I was startled by the onslaught of emotions that stirred from within; ecstasy that seemed to coerce my eyelids shut.

The movement of his soft lips made me shudder, confirming that it was as soft as it looks. I wound my hands into his hair. The kiss suddenly turned ferocious, like a battle for control. An ember that burned into a raging fire.

Liam's kisses grew hungry and possessive. His arm slid under me, arching my back so I was pressed impossibly close to him.

I matched his ferocious assault. My legs curved over his hips instinctively, pressing my pelvis against his. His warmth seeped through our clothes. The rain was soon forgotten.

My Greek mark felt warm, no longer itchy. For a moment I had the weird sense that the mark was...content. There was no earthquake like I expected, neither did I turn to ash. Nothing bad happened. I felt normal.

Is this how he feeds? Shouldn't I feel my strength weaken as it did with Eros?

I recalled what Liam said about trying to erase Phyllis' mind every time he feeds on her;

She'll be frightened by the real me.

Nothing felt frightening. My hands slipped through his open shirt, outlining his hard chest, ribs, and finally to his back. My fingers traced his scar and immediately, he tensed, muscles locked in place.

He growled against my lips. "Gem. Don't."

Liam's words were firm. A warning. I observed him. His eyes seemed to have an internal battle. I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to figure out his conflicted expression.

Before I could say anything, he buried his face in my neck, like he wanted a hug. I reluctantly wound my arm around him, returning his gesture. His back moved with his heavy breathing, a painful aura pushed off him. It had me worried.

Right then, the hairs on the back of my neck rose. Something wasn't right. I looked up and stiffened. My eyes widened in utter horror.

"Liam," I called out.

He pushed away and followed my gaze. Beside us was a taller building, more like an apartment, but that wasn't the odd thing. Two human silhouettes stood on its open roof, looking down on us.

They weren't crocottas, otherwise, they would've attacked by now. Neither did they matched the riders.

One of them was tall and had a strong build. A muscular physique. It looked intimidating. Something long swung from the base of his head; a long braid that ended at his lower back. I hardly see men with braids this long.

The second man was shorter and leaner, nearly reaching the first man's chest. We probably shared the same height. The shadows stood still like statues but I could feel their gaze on us. Neither looked friendly.

A rumble vibrated from Liam's chest. He growled. Lips curled back as he bared his teeth, cat-eyes fixed threateningly on them. Something I've never seen him do. But to be honest, it looked hot and cute.

They didn't move, only stared for a few seconds before casually walking out of sight. In an instant Liam was off me, he grabbed my hand and tugged me to my feet. The rain shifted to a drizzle.

"Who are they?" I asked.

"Doesn't matter," Liam said dismissively. "Probably some teenagers who think it's nice to spy on people."

Did he expect me to believe that? They didn't look like normal teenagers.

I paused and watched him. His composure looked uneasy but that wasn't the only thing. His cheekbones were sharp. Shadows still lingered under his eyes. I slapped him.

Liam touched his cheek, disbelief written on his face. "Ow! What was that for?"

I glared, wishing I had death rays like Superman. "You didn't exactly feed on me, did you? You were just kissing."

Liam scratched his head, feigning innocence. "About that..."

I roared and pounced on him, hands around his neck in a chokehold. I joggled his head. It clearly wasn't hard enough because he was faking suffocation. I couldn't stop the smile that formed from his playful act.

I hit his shoulders. "If you weren't going to feed on me you should've said so. Stealing a kiss is kinda unfair."

He laughed, the gesture made him seem so young and carefree. "Why would I? You seem to enjoy it."

"Liam!"

"Gem!" He teased.

I groaned in frustration and buried my face in his shoulder, warmth rising in my cheeks. "You're so annoying!"

He smiled softly, suddenly looking so exhausted. "You'll thank me later."

I furrowed my eyebrows, wondering what he meant by that.

"Sorry about the kiss." He said rubbing his neck. Is he apologizing because it's my first?

I stepped back, waving him away. "No worries. It wasn't that bad." I added, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable. I rubbed my arms to butter up the feeling.

Liam smirked at my statement. "That bad? I'd say it's amazing."

My eyes snapped up to meet his but he was already walking away, heading towards the edge of the roof. Did he mean that? Some part of me liked that he enjoyed it.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"We need to..." He paused and tilted his head to the side like he was listening to something.

I rose an eyebrow. "What's--"

He shushed me. That's when I heard it; flapping noises. The sound of beating wings. Liam pivoted around, his eyes stared beyond my frame.

Alarm flashed over his face right before he screamed.  "Gem, look out!"

I turned instantly, right before something sharp latched unto my biceps in a death grip. I was tugged off the ground, my feet kicking the empty air. I screamed when what felt like nails dug into my skin. Talons.

Liam ran and jumped at a surprising height. His hand tried to grab my feet but it slipped away as I was lifted higher.

He cursed. "Ocypete! What are you doing!?"

The harpy.

Blood trickled down my arm. The coppery scent filling my nostrils. I tried controlling my panicked breathing along with my racing heartbeat.

"Ocypete!" Liam called out.

The harpy laughed from above. Her hag-like tone was a big contrast to the honeysuckle voice she had in human form. "Did you miss me?"

I gritted my teeth as her claws pressed further. Ocypete beat her wings faster, moving us away from the building. The streets were now directly below. If she dropped me, I'll certainly be roadkill.

"What do you want? I thought we had a deal!?" Liam said.

"Oh yes. The deal," Ocypete replied thoughtfully. "Let's talk about that. Shall we?" Her anger was obvious as she pierced into my arm. I tried to contain the pain which came out as a whimper.

The harpy continued. "I was supposed to lead a crocotta into your trap. In return, you promised to be mine for two nights. But I heard your talk at the bar with this human." She referred to me with so much disdain. "You weren't going to follow through because you didn't promise!"

Even from the distance, I noticed Liam's surprise. He didn't expect her to find out. "I didn't mean--"

"Save your apology. I don't need it." She sneered at him.

"Then what do you want?"

"An oath."

I tensed at the word, knowing that it'll bind and compel Liam to fulfill it at all cause. I slipped when her claws loosened. A cry tore out from my lips. The threat was clear.

She was going to drop me.

Liam panicked. "Okay, I'll promise. Just don't!"

The harpy tsked. "Just so you know, I don't want two nights. It seems a little cheap, don't you think?"

"Then how long do you want it?" His hands were fisted at his sides as he tried to comply, displaying a blank face. But I knew better.

The harpy smiled. "A lifetime, dear Liam. Promise to be mine for a lifetime."

Such a nice harpy, isn't she?

So, any thoughts about those weird people on the roof? Or they could just be random teenagers.😆

Don't forget to vote, comment, and share. It'll make Liam really happy.

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