I nearly jumped out of my skin. He remained a shade, so I couldn't see his face, but from the scent, wings and bow with quiver, I knew it was Himeros.
“Eros, I thought mother was fooling when she said you were planning to hook our uncle up with a human.”
It was apparently my night of surprises, because at my other nephew's snarky comment, Eros let out a curse so vile, I blushed. I knew all about sibling rivalry, but I've never seen him that angry.
“I'd say to have a little faith and believe in love bro, but all you care about is getting women hot under the skirt and grabbing a quick fuck.”
“Hey, where you like to wait for the home cooked meal, I enjoy fast food and Cynthia. She gives me what I want. No harm done really.”
“But she belongs happy and satisfied with her husband!”
It was time for me to stop this before it got out of hand. Eros raising his voice didn't shock me, but his form was morphing into his Roman counterpart, Cupid. No one wanted that. Placing a calming hand on his shoulder, I wedged myself between the two of them. “You're brothers, twins. I know neither of you want to hurt each other. Am I right?” I kept my voice low-key, hoping to stop the fight that would start soon.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see Himeros's face, but Eros had thankfully reverted back to his normal self, though his lips were pursed.
I'd have to live with it and getting a nod of agreement from the other god, I backed off. But I kept my eyes on them just in case.
The sound of a helicopter above distracted us and by the time it passed, we saw that our shadowy friend was gone. It was better that way. I stood with Eros, waiting for him to find his repose and in the blink of an eye he was back to his sunny disposition. He pointed out several more homes of those he knew from bringing the couples together, before we stopped at a cul-de-sac. There were only two homes on this semi-circle, a gray, stucco one with a red slatted roof and a SOLD sign out front.
Then, there was a yellow one, tiny compared to all of the others and it looked pretty plain with a rather unkempt yard. A rebel perhaps? Yet, it seemed to be more alive and natural than the ones down the road. It stood to the right and I found myself being called to knock on the door, but that would have been inappropriate. So, I stood, at the edge of the walkway and inhaled. The scent was so unlike the ones we encountered when we first entered the development. No, this one was comforting and very, very arousing. “Whose home is this, Eros?”
“I'm not sure. The last time I was here, it was vacant. Why?”
“It just smells different.”
“Different how?” he asked.
“Never mind, I think exhaustion is speaking for me right now. From the trip down here, to changing into a mortal man, I'm pretty beat.” It was a lie. I was actually wired, but I didn't want to mess up his plans before they even started.
He narrowed his eyes at me.
I kept my expression blank and my mind unreadable. You never knew when a god might try to read your thoughts and I could feel him pushing at mine.
Eros gave a curt nod and gestured to the home with the sign on the lawn. “This is your place. Let me take you in and give you the tour. Also, I'll stay awhile so we can get down your life story. That's important.”
“Why?”
“Humans like to get into your business, especially women. They want to feel like you have no problems opening up to them.”
Okay, I thought and tagged along to enter my new home. I halted while smacking my head against the doorframe, and let me tell you, it wasn't a slight knock. Oh no,