Ares Read Online Free Page A

wear a mask.”
    “I get that, bonehead. What I want to know is why? What purpose does this serve?”
    Dion was grinding his teeth, nice. “She is here. You want to get close, see her and get your hands on her, yes?” Ares had to give him that one so he nodded. “Then you will dress, attend the party, and work your way to her side. Everyone has certain outfits, yours and hers complement one another. You may thank me now.”
    “Why? So far all you’re doing is trying to get me dressed up in a fashion I never wore even when it was fashionable in this world.”
    More teeth grinding, he was on a roll with irritating his brother. “It’s the theme of the night, Ares. You must wear it if you want to attend. If you don’t wear it I will wear it and I will get to know the delightful Miss Ava Von Maur.”
    Seconds, that’s all it took before his hand was wrapped around his brother's throat. Seconds, all the time required to push him to the wall and hold him there. Seconds, for his temper to go nuclear. “You go near her with anything but the utmost respect and courtesy and I’ll make it so you’ll be sucking all your meals through a straw.”
    Dionysus smiled and chuckled, sort of. It was kind of hard to laugh with someone holding onto his throat. “I was right,” he wheezed. “You do like the girl.”
    Dropping Dion, Ares stalked away heading for the door and then spun back. “Stay away from her,” he said again, curling his lip at the clothing and mask. He snapped his fingers and the outfit vanished. “I hate you,” he muttered before flashing away, but not before he heard Dion’s laughter.

Chapter Five
     
    Looking at herself in the mirror, she was certain this had to be a joke. The mirror had to be a green screen and someone else was standing in front of it because Ava simply wasn’t as beautiful as this mirror said she was. “Is this really me?” she asked the woman who had helped her to dress and then did her long, honey-blond hair into intricate curls and waves. “Wow. I didn’t think I would ever look like this.” The gown was amazing. The drop top of the gown showed cleavage she didn’t think she had, the high waist emphasized her upper half’s assets as well.
    “It’s you, madam,” the woman assured her with a smile. “You look amazing in the gown.”
    Turning to get a good look at herself, the sparkle from the diamonds, and oh yes, she knew that was what they were, caught in the light and made her gasp. “Your boss is very, very generous isn’t he?” she asked as she eyed the diamond combs holding her hair up in a French Twist, which was surrounded by wisps of curls.
    “He can be and he wishes this opening to be a huge success. In such cases he tends to go all out for the events,” she said quietly, tipping her head. Reaching out, she made a small adjustment to Ava’s hair.
    “One last thing and I promise you can go. Will you help me with the mask? I’m afraid I will ruin what you did with my hair without your help.” After she was helped into the mask Ava stepped into the wickedly amazing shoes and taking a deep breath, walked out of her room and toward the ballroom where the dinner and dancing would be.
    *****
    “I fucking hate you,” Ares muttered again, throwing back the two fingers of forty-year old scotch.
    “Hey, go easy on that. It may not be my drink of choice but that is damn fine scotch,” Dion said at his side. In the next moment Dion’s elbow found Ares's ribs, “She’s here, brother.”
    Ares snapped his head around, he had to, damned mask obliterated his peripheral vision. “Holy mother of all things pure and good,” he wheezed.
    “She does look rather fantastic doesn’t she?” Dion said with a chuckle. “I’m very glad I chose that dress for her. I was a little worried with her coloring, but I’m glad I went with my initial gut reaction. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he grinned at Ares. “I’m going to go and compliment the woman. Down boy,” he