A Christmas Pair

By Sydney Addae

Zeus and Merce are on a collision course for disaster. Even though she hasn't quite figured out how to leave Zeus, she refuses to accept or trust anyone. Intent on living life by her terms, her actions send Zeus and the entire Olympian team into a downward spiral.

 

Unable to explain why such a contrary woman has hooked him so deeply in a short amount of time, Zeus realizes his silence makes him complicit in Merce's wild schemes. With the splintered team on the run from bounty hunters and his life on the line, Zeus and Merce have decisions to make.

 

A Christmas Pair celebrates the miracle of the Christmas season with inputs from our favorites: La Patron, Jasmine, Amynta and Barticus, Thomas, and the Chimera.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sydney Addae
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201328993

Book preview

Chapter One

Silas Knight, Alpha of the largest Pack on the continent, strode into Jasmine’s, his mate, office and leaned against the wall. She held up a finger while listening to whoever talked on the phone. His gaze landed on the two squirrels dressed as elves on the shelf behind her.

This year’s Christmas theme involved woodland creations. Several animals wrapped in glittered gauze or hiding in a tree trunk with colored pinecones and a collection of wolves near the tree filled the halls and their suite. The community parks, stores, and streets promoted this theme more than the others. Perhaps the inclusion of their animal side prompted their creative juices to the point Cameron and Lilly would judge the best decorations on Christmas Eve.

Thinking of his animal side made him smile. Once they got through a few meetings, a long, lusty lunch would round out the day.

I just wanted you to know how much we all appreciate the great job you’re doing with the science incubator. The ideas we’ve seen from the talented young people beneath your tutelage are a testimony of the goodness of the Goddess, she said.

Silas’ brow rose as his lips quirked.

Jasmine winked at him. Silas and I thank you. Have a great day, Emmanuel. She disconnected, released a breath. Did I really agree to be your right hand, dealing with this level of communication?

He smiled as he moved closer with his hand extended.

She took it and stood as he wrapped an arm around her. As my mate, you’re the only person who can speak for me on that level. Jacques could only do it when I had no mate. Now, he represents me in the third voice, relaying my words. But you speak my words. See the difference?

Head against his chest, she nodded. I know, but that stack doesn’t seem to get smaller. She craned her neck to see her desk. When I left yesterday, there were three envelopes. Overnight it grew to 20, probably more.

I highly value your help Sweet Bitch, if it becomes too much, leave it until you’re feeling more up to it. In the past, some requests took six to eight months before I got to them. Don’t stress over this.

I know. I know. Her small hand balled into a fist resting on his chest.

He squeezed her waist and stepped back to get to the matter at hand. Like her, his desk held a small mountain of requests that needed his attention. General Miller contacted me this morning. Our predictions that the Olympians would split proved true. He learned about it at a briefing this morning. New highest-ranking officer is Captain Josh Campbell, code name Hypnos. Seems there are mixed feelings regarding this realignment and Miller wanted us to be prepared to hear from the Pentagon.

Jasmine frowned. Wait. Zeus isn’t in charge?

Maybe, but of a separate group.

So, there are two groups of Olympians?

Possibly more. We know about them because the military sent Zeus after Noah and Rone wiped the floor with him. Otherwise, they never would’ve come across our radar.

That’s how we met Thomas and the others as well, she mumbled.

True. Don’t think for one moment there aren’t cells of men and women affected by the shot from the military. Noah had a delayed reaction, which is the only reason they did not lock him away under observation. What if others have the same? Come into their abilities late?

She shook her head. I don’t want to think about that.

Neither do I. But I won’t turn a blind eye to the military playing god, raising the dead either. Which is why Miller warned us about what’s happening with the Olympians split.

Why? What do we have to do with any of that?

These men, who can kill with a touch, stop or slow time, destroy a building with a clap, become one with water, enter dreams and disappear at will, have no kill switch in place. He paused. Bodies are dropping in Greece with no explanation, making the atmosphere ripe for finger pointing. The president of Greece lodged a complaint against the military and wants that entire operation removed from their land. Miller says the top brass is nervous about the optics and doesn’t want the world to know what’s been happening on the battlefield. Lots of blame-game and denials over authorizations. No one wants to align themselves with Project Olympus, can’t blame them, either. Because they can’t physically contain the matter without a show of force or risk the Olympians retaliating in a way that exposes the program, Miller thinks they may ask us to help clean up their mistakes.

We can’t take on humans.

Olympians aren’t humans. They are dead men walking, like our chimera. He watched her.

Are you considering sending the Knights to deal with them? She stepped back and stared into his eyes.

I’m not considering anything. Just telling you about the conversation with Miller. He thinks they may ask us for help. But they may not. The last time I spoke with the Pentagon, I warned them not to contact me. Miller thinks they’re running out of options. Everyone they’ve sent after Zeus and the others disappeared. Word spread.

What about their super fighters? I mean super soldiers? Can’t they take them out?

Haven’t been able so far. The body count isn’t just for Greek citizens. American blood is showing up in places it shouldn’t. That’s a problem. They have to clean this up.

What happened? Why did they split? Did Miller know?

Zeus’ erratic behavior for one. One team member complained to someone on Miller’s team that Zeus couldn’t handle his woman. Called her a loose cannon that would get them killed.

Thomas’ sister? Zeus’ mate? Jasmine’s voice rose.

Pair, not mate. But yes, that’s her.

I forgot Thomas’ sister was with them. Her face turned thoughtful.

Does that change how you see the situation? He placed his finger beneath her chin and looked down at her. We can’t save the world, you know.

Not the world, but if we can help a good friend, we should.

She’s killing humans.

Jasmine closed her eyes and released a slow breath.

Former soldiers. Code of honor. Team dynamics. They clashed on every front. Zeus can’t control her, his pair, so the rest left. For the record, I would’ve done the same.

Left?

He frowned. No choose you. Everyone else can leave.

How safe is that in foreign territory where two governments are trying to exterminate you?

Good point. Not safe at all, which would be my priority. Seems the powers that be, whoever assigns mates, made a mess of this pairing. He can’t leave without his mate’s cooperation and with the guns pointing their way, he won’t be able to stay.

Who has Thomas assigned to dealing with her? Jasmine asked. Thomas realized he might not think as clearly as needed when it came to his sister and passed on the responsibility to another teammate. He refused to hear or know anything about Merce, since she tried to kill Mia.

Silas smiled. Mia and Noah.

Jasmine nodded. That’s a good team. Mia to gauge what’s driving Merce and Noah to take both out. Pity though.

He brushed a kiss across her forehead. What?

Just thinking of what Mia shared about Merce. Things she suffered with the Liege. Pity Thomas can’t have a relationship with his sister.

He frowned as his voice hardened. He cannot give her the shot.

Jasmine patted his chest. I know. But we should have something that can help her. Mia says her mind doesn’t fire on all cylinders. It’s like something’s missing. They did something to her.

If we ever get involved, it would be for Thomas’ sake, and even then he’ll never know.

That’s fair. Mia is smart. We’ll think of something.

Miller signed off on giving the new team jobs. This should help them not go rogue as fast. According to him, most still honor their military vows and training. They aren’t the ones littering the streets with bodies.

What about Zeus’ team?

He gets nothing.

Chapter Two

One by one, the team entered from the garage in silence. Heat from their disappointed expressions warmed the room. A month since Merce joined them and things hadn’t improved. Something must have happened in this last job. Even Poseidon’s normally pleasant features appeared drawn and tight. Melodee met Apollo’s gaze.

What happened?

Almost lost Oscar. Tell you about it later.

Her eyes widened as they landed on Poseidon, one of her favorite people on the team.

Merce and Zeus entered last.

Athena swung around, her gaze zeroed in on Merce, who stopped and returned the stare.

Melodee released a long breath and moved toward the hall, out of the way. It wouldn’t take much for an explosion between these two. Former Master Sergeant Beverly Green, aka Athena, worked with discipline and fortitude, a team player. Merce never worked as part of a team and didn’t always follow instructions if she didn’t like or agree with them. A powder keg for an operation.

Athena said. You weren’t at the point to —

Merce threw up her hand. First off. I don’t answer to you. To any of you. Her dark gaze swept the room, ignoring the anger building on each face.

I told you it didn’t make sense to be at that checkpoint. Turns out I was right. We caught the guy trying to leave by the side door. I took care of that.

You killed him, Athena accused.

Merce shrugged. He saw my face.

If you had been at the point, he wouldn’t have seen you. Athena held up her hand. He knew nothing about our op. No one did, so you weren’t right. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked at Poseidon. In and out, no casualties giving the package at least 48 hours to reach the pickup point. With a body down, we lost those hours.

No one spoke.

Can’t believe you killed him. Janus shook his head, turned, and walked out. I didn’t sign up for that.

Zeus moved further into the living room, passing Athena and Apollo, who stood in the middle of the room.

Merce’s gaze followed Zeus as she spoke. How do you know he didn’t know what was going on?

He would’ve sounded the alarm, Athena said.

Might’ve been going out for a smoke or something, Captain Joshua Campbell, aka Hypnos, drawled. Hmm, interesting. He looked at Zeus and left the room.

Most people would look at the faces surrounding them, realize they’ve messed up, and try to fix it. They might ask how to avoid similar problems in the future. Or apologize to Poseidon for putting him in harm’s way or impacting the job negatively. Since the failed job and loss of funds from Grigorev, no one contacted them for work. The few that did were suicide missions with low payouts. Athena’s military connection provided this deal for them. No wonder her face turned red, and jaw ticked.

We had a solid plan. What part of that didn’t you understand? Athena hissed.

Melodee didn’t need to see Merce’s face to know claws unsheathed at Athena’s tone.

Quick as a thought, Merce had a blade at Athena’s neck. The next second, Athena stood behind Merce, her arm tight around her neck. Red-faced, teeth bared, Athena growled. What part of that you didn’t understand?

Let her go, Zeus sounded weary.

Merce’s eyes flashed at him, but she remained silent.

Poseidon could’ve died. Or don’t you care about that anymore? Have you been so blinded that you don’t see what’s happening to this team? We lost Gil dealing with... I won’t stay and lose anyone else. The look of utter disgust she sent at Zeus chilled Melodee.

I said, let her go, Zeus repeated, his voice lower.

Athena pushed Merce toward Zeus and disappeared. Zeus wrapped an arm around Merce. She pushed his hand away and looked around.

Now would be a good time for Merce to admit her error, apologize to Poseidon, and help Zeus keep them together. Instead, she stormed out of the room and slammed her and Zeus’ bedroom door.

No one spoke.

Honestly, what could anyone say? You took the good and bad with pairs.

Zeus released a breath and looked at his friend. Sorry about that man.

Poseidon looked at Zeus. That’s it?

Zeus ran his hand through his hair and took a seat. Shoulders slumped as if elephants napped on them. Frustration marred his face, but he never uttered a complaint.

Apollo moved closer.

Months earlier, when she met Apollo, these three were a team. Poseidon and Zeus were close, like brothers. Seeing this distance between them hurt.

Can you talk to her? Get her to understand how we work? Apollo said diplomatically.

Melodee scoffed through their link. Merce survived alone for decades and hadn’t asked to be here. As Zeus’ pair, they placed her on the team.

Yeah, I can. The words sounded wrenched