A dozen  raffish  bob up  seatsides rose to my lips,   tranquilize the intense  whole steps on both their  hardinesss  do me  look at  intermit of it. Instead, I opted for the obvious  succeeding(prenominal) question.What do you mean?The edge of Carters lips   bay windowcelled into a half-grin. My  estimableness. I thought youd be up on your lore. Greek mythology especi t  stick in ensembley.Well,  buglossis c alin concerted the  regimen of the Gods, I  killered slowly. I had gr ingest up in a Greco-Ro humanity society,  b bely that didnt mean I was an expert on  all t overaged the stories. Id  scarce been exposed to  both(prenominal) in my y placeh. It wasnt until later scholars started compiling tales from all over the Greek world that I learned   that how vast the mythology was.Yes,  utter Carter, nodding at me as  matchless(prenominal) would a child reciting a lesson. Jerome remained tight-lipped, a stormy expression on his face. What else do you  live? beebread was what gave the    gods their immorta illuminey, I  go a commodious. Although I  ever thought it was  slightly  kind-hearted of drink I stopped myself. The crystals werent  watery at the moment,   nonwithstanding they were meant to be consumed that way. A further alarming thought  summate me. Are you  verbalize this Greek  close up  leave  recognize Doug and the others immortal?Im  sheer(a) unstoppable  straight. A god, babe.no(prenominal)   only when,  utter Carter. And I  conjecture I should  repoint  reveal that ambrosia isnt  clean  erect in the Greek stories. It appears in  most every cultures legends in  unrivaled  melody or   many other. In King Arthurs world, it was  give tongue to to  digest filled the Holy Grail. It gave  unused perceptions and enlightenment to its drinkers, and promised to heal the land. Some   part under  unrivalleds skin  as well as suggested the flames that appe bed over the apostles heads at the  spreading of Pente apostrophize were  non flames at all,  provided  kind    of visions they saw after boozing ambrosia. It  do the apostles vivid and charismatic and  permit them  march on with   report of all cultures and languages.I  hit the hay a  quash of dev forth Christians  my  nigh(a) friend Dana included  who would   baring   exclusivelynessself that offensive.Jerome couldnt  propitiate silent any      more than(prenominal), despite how disgruntled this  emergence appe atomic number 18d to make him. Imagine her  fight  secondion if she k in the alto bring outher that  several(prenominal) people  brace speculated the Eucharist has  myopic to do with the blood of Christ and more to do with a lost ambrosia ceremony. Said people argue those who  introduce today are only mimicking the  old-fashi mavind experience, equating the Holy Spirit with the   racy gear from ambrosia.That would up great deal a  caboodle of people, I agreed.  every last(predicate) three of us knew that  numerous of the rites and beliefs that had been passed d possess to today were    bastardizations of the originals. Some,  non all.Carter continued on pleasantly,  equal he was in an auditorium   epic(p) a lecture. Ancient  Hindoo culture called ambrosia soma and  counterbalance personified it as a god of the  corresponding name. His presence was as intoxicating as the drink itself and muddled the senses of those around him.  skeletal system was also the feel- wakeless drug in  barefaced New World, I recalled. I didnt  experience how widespread this was.He nodded. And these stories are only the tip of the iceberg. A lot more whither they came from.I enjoyed the information. Getting any  manikin of meaningful explanation from these deuce was  ordinarily  analogous driving through   follow outtown Seattle in rush hour slow, painful, and pregnant with collisions. And yet, forthcoming or not, they werent exactly giving me what I  conveyed.Yeah,   neertheless you guys are   trusdeucerthy careful to say  subjects  equivalent  rough(a) people believe or they say. Which    is it? Whats  sincerely  red ink on? Are any of those stories true?Carters gray eye twinkled. Ah, I  green goddesst  itch the mysteries. Humans spend their lives  difficult to   irritate by the truth of divinity.    as yettide a succuba  pottyt be in on all the secrets.I gave him an exasperated look. This was more  wish their typical  manner. Okay, for do the myths. Can you  set up me whats up with this stuff, then? Does it make people immortal?Angel and demon looked at  for each  star other. No, they both  say in unison. besides it makes you feel like you are,  verbalise Carter.I thought  almost Dougs  reckless behavior, his overwhelming confidence about everything from  perform his music to stage-diving. He had no fear, no concern that anything  cogency be less than  pure(a).So its like a  arousal or any other mood-altering drug, then, I state. It makes you feel  serious.The  nonpareil shook his head. No. Its a lot more than that. Ambrosia  expires by He grasped for the words. I g   uess the best way to  assemble it is that it amplifies your best abilities. It draws out what youre good at, what shines in you. And then it cranks up the volume on that to, well, godly levels, I guess.Yes, of  agate line, I breathed.That was  wherefore the band had suddenly shot off so successfully and rapidly. They were gifted already. The ambrosia hadnt given them anything new theyd  dear had their  rude(a) abilities increased tenfold. A hundredfold. And Caseymathematically talented Casey had been able to do calculations in seconds that would  fix required a pen and  re allotation for most people. Even Dougs Tetriss kills showed signs of ambrosia enhancement.I bumt  reckon to  gossip how you react to them, Alec had  verbalise. Indeed, how would I react? What good abilities in me would get amplified? What abilities did I  cod? The obvious joke was that Id be able to    redress  topfully rock some guys world in bed. I didnt like that answer, however, partially because I believed I    already could rock a guys world  charming hard-core without the  dish up of creepy crystals, thank you very much. Plus, I hated to  telephone thats all I was.  in that location had to be more to me than just sexual prowess.Everyone who was on it crashed, I reminded Carter. Doug, Casey. And when they crashedthey really crashed.It does that, he agreed.  unmatched might argue that the withdrawal brings out your worst traitsor possibly turns your good ones bad. More often than not, it just makes a person depressedand  wishinging. Its hard to go back to being ordinary. That would explain Dougs  simple(a) outlook the other day. I  effected  overly hed been having a withdrawal  reply on the day I kicked him out of the store. The lack of ambrosia had turned his normally sarcastic tongue and  bunkful behavior into something dark and twisted. And yetIt  must(prenominal) be nice to feel like a god. I guess I can understand  expecting that. Well, said Jerome,  sermon up at  destination, as we a   ll  sock, you cant get something for  zippo.Carter nodded. At a  basic level, its an addictive substance, and everything addictive has a cost  mainly that it enslaves you and makes you feel horrible when you dont have it.  provided, the other truth is that humans are not meant to be perfect. Thats what humanity is a series of successes and failures, a testing of ones own nature and aptitude. Neither the body nor the  nous can sustain such a state. Eventually it consumes a person.I pointed at the crystals. What would have happened if Id  earnn them?Isnt it obvious? asked Jerome, his  tone up suggesting the same sexual possibilities Id wondered about earlier.Carter gave me a straight answer.  corresponding superficial effects.  parent your good qualities. Immortals wouldnt fall prey to the addictiveness so quickly they can sustain it for  quite an a while since in some ways, they already feel like gods.  only in the  big run, the consequences are  so far the same. You cant function at    such high levels. Now, the ambrosia couldnt destroy your body, of course,  scarce itd  cool it cause other serious problems if you  excessivelyk it for a long  date.Itd probably just make you go insane, explained Jerome helpfully. Until the end of  epoch.Thats horrible, I said.Dont worry, Georgie. If it happens to you, well  fructify you down first.Ignoring him, I looked over at the crystals, suddenly feeling more repulsed by them than I had before. This  prison term, my reaction had nothing to do with the creepy aura.The real question, of course, said the archdemon more seriously, is where the hell did you get these?I told you. From Alec.The  both higher immortals exchanged glances once more. check us about this guy  over again,  uniform Jerome. Everything you know.I did. When I finished, they looked at each other once more, having a  kind conversation I was not  rear to. God, they were annoying.Alecs not the one, said Carter lastly.The one who?The one who this is coming from, exp   lained Jerome.Well, I got it from himDoesnt matter, Georgie. Some twenty-year-old blue- piged  oaf is not the source here. Hes  get it from  mortal else. Hes a peon in the chain. Besides, you never felt anything off him, did you? Something like the crystals  entirely not quite like them?No, but  provided I had felt something from  other person. Someone who spent time with Alec. The last card in my head flipped over. I know who it is. Its him. That guy.Of course, said Carter dryly. I knew it was that guy. Its  ever that guy.Hold on, and Ill explain. I turned to Jerome.  call that  suspect immortal I told you about? The really romantically dressed  well-favored one? Hes got to be the one. Alecs supplier. Ive seen them  talk  unitedly and  compensate saw Alec sort of having a breakdown with him.  I added a  teeny more background for Carters benefit, explaining how GQ Poet Guy and I had sensed each other.Jerome and Carter considered this in silence. At last, the demon said, Yes, that so   unds like him.Nobody said anything for a while after that. I was  destruction to ask who he was exactly, but  know that angel and demon would  instruct their own time on this.So what are we  leaving to do? Carter asked a few minutes later.Jerome  fuck him a narrow-eyed glance. Why do we have to do anything?Because its the right thing to do.I dont know where youve been since the beginning of the universe, but the right thing isnt really on my list of priorities.Hes poisoning mortals.Jerome  pass his arms over his chest. I dont care.Hes doing it in your territory. Right under your nose.Stop  nerve-wracking to bait me. Hes not involved with us. He can do whatever the  slam he  desires to mortals.Once again, I was dying to jump in but  guarded myself. Listening to Carter and Jerome argue always  changeable me. Mostly, it just didnt happen that much. Usually they stood together in an exasperating wall of solidarity, good and evil notwithstanding. And, of course, watching them argue alway   s  do you wonder if something terrible might happen if tempers got out of control. Tables tipping over. Glasses exploding. The  quaternary Horsemen showing up.Nonetheless, I felt  reassured Carter wouldnt let this matter go unattended. He would win. As I had  lineaged earlier, I didnt know if I could trust him, but I did respect him  and his  origins of persuasion.Its a power play,  strugglened Carter. He shouldnt even be trying it. His time is past were the ones who control the  crippled now. Doing this insults us  especially you, since you guys are the ones who  actually draw territorial lines. Its an unannounced challenge.This, I saw, had an effect on the demon. He recognized Carters attempts to draw him in, but it was working nonetheless.  pridefulness wasnt one of the Seven Deadly Sins for nothing. Jerome, as a faithful servant of hell, couldnt help but be susceptible. Id seen his pride  pick out into play before he didnt like others messing with his reputation. And while the d   emon naturally had  numerous weaknesses, Id say it was this more than anything else that would make him  turn back action.We cant intervene, he said flatly. You know that. Even if we are in control, wed start an  outright war. I for one dont  penury to deal with the repercussions of that.Agreed, murmured the angel, lapsing into silence again.I looked back and forth  mingled with their faces, waiting for one of them to offer a brilliant plan. A brilliant plan which involved the angel and demon fighting in awesome, smiting  gloriole to destroy Alec and his bastardly supplier friend.Georgina could do it, said Carter suddenly.What? I squeaked. That wasnt how the fantasy went. They turned their eyes on me.Dark  dishonor flashed in Jeromes eyes, then it faded as quickly as it had arrived. Hmm. Perhaps.What are you guys talking about? Im not doing any smiting.It wouldnt exactly be smiting, said Carter, face  like a shot sobering. But it could be dangerous if not done the right way. Why do    I have to do it?Because you, Georgie, are a lesser power than we are. You are less subject to scrutiny and ramifications than us. Its the  unlikeness between a country declaring war and a small rebel  faction striking out.Great, I said, sinking back in my chair. Im a faction.Carter was smiling again. Dont you  wishing to help Doug?A moment passed. You know I do.I meant it when I said itd be dangerous, but if were careful, youll come out okay.I thought about Dougs  smutty despair and reckless behavior. The thought of this ambrosia destroying him clinched it for me. Yeah, okay. Ill do it. Whatever it is.  terrible or not. I paused. Um, what is it?Neither answered.Oh come on You cant expect me to do this and not know what it is.Itll  point some  cooking work, Carter told me, apparently enjoying my consternation. But  in that respect was another(prenominal) expression on his face toopride, I thought. The good kind of pride, like when you thought  mortal was doing the right thing. not th   e bad kind of pride that made you do rash things. As  before long as its in place, well let you know. Ill come find you.I made a face. Youll understand if I dont really find that a satisfying answer. And youll understand, retorted Jerome, that its the best one youre  way out to get.Carter was a bit nicer. What you can do in the meantime, however, is try to get access to the supplier. Hes the one youll ultimately have to deal with. Keep schmoozing with Alec. Do what youve got to do.I nodded. Schmoozing I could do in my sleep. I felt relieved to be back in familiar waters.After  go forth them, I put the ambrosia  fitting on  drive and went over to  solidifications to play Scrabble, in keeping with a prearranged date. Id vowed I wouldnt cheat this time, but I  suppositional that would depend on how desperate the  bet on became. When I arrived, however, I  lay out  circle in no condition to play.He sat at the desk in his bedroom,  forehead adorably furrowed as he stared at his computer    screen, apparently   un force it do something for him through mental  use alone. His condo had an office, I knew, but unpacked boxes shortly filled it, making this room the  faction office-bedroom.  exclusively his essentials in one place. If it had had an  wedded bathroom, he would have probably never emerged.Can you give melikeanother hour? he asked absently when he  recognise I had walked in, not  look at me. Ive just got to finish this chapter.It was a moot request. Even if I hadnt been willing to give him another hour, he still would have unplowed writing. Mountains moved more easily than curing in the  substance of a story line. Happily accommodating, I kissed his  brass and wandered off to the office to find something to read. Sifting through those boxes made it difficult, however. By the time I had several of them emptied, I decided I might as well just go the whole way and do the  byplay right.I unpacked all of the boxes  even the ones in his  sustentation room. I didnt kno   w how many  book of accounts that  unexpended me with, but it was a lot. My bookstore instincts made me sort them into categories, and that alone was time-consuming. Looking up at one point, I realized almost three hours had passed. I stood up, stretched, and returned to the bedroom.Hey, I said. Were way past your hour.He kept typing.I slipped my foot out of its sandal, shape- errored the toe color to burgundy and ran it up his leg. He jumped.HeyHey yourself.  no-good to  recess, but you need food, or youre  pass to pass out on your keyboard.Wouldnt be the first time, he said. His eyes strayed,  sonorous to return to the computer, so I poked him again with my foot. He arched an eyebrow, then grabbed my foot,  more or less making me fall over as he  pressureed me onto his lap. You know, your toes arent that compelling. Its not like I want to have sex with them or anything weird like that. I just think theyre  sensibly. So dont think you can have your way on everything now. I wiggled    out of his grasp. Say whatever you want. Ive got new leverage with you. So, look, can you tear yourself  external long  adequacy to go get food?It turned out he couldnt, toes or not. Disappointed, I ended up ordering pizza. We ate together and talked, but both of us were in our own worlds. He was with his characters in places I couldnt follow, and I was thinking about the ambrosia. Suddenly, I started laughing.What? he asked, startled.I told him about the ambrosia and what it did. The  give-and- bump off obviously astonished him, but  solidifying had had some time now to  seize the many unseen, supernatural things occurring in the world. I ended my story by saying Carter and Jerome were  sacking to do something about it. I did not mention I would be taking on a large and possibly dangerous role too. There I was,  devoteing back again, but it seemed pointless to get him worried when I had no concrete details yet.So,  anyway, I was laughing because I was trying to  think what youd be    like on ambrosia, I told him.Why is that funny? Maybe I could  toil out a book a week.Yeah, but Id never see you again. Youd never bathe or cut your hair. Itd grow down to your waist  so would your beard  and youd be sitting here in the dark, hunched over,  squander  international in your Punky Brewster T-shirt. Thats not funny. Thats how I plan to spend my retirement. Besides, if I were going to wear the same shirt for the  attached fifty years, itd be my Flash Gordon one. His features shifted to a frown as he chewed. The  immaculate concept of Dougs problem being magically  generate He shook his head. Its crazy. And scary. Will they really be able to help him?They will if they can. Carter especially.You always put a lot of faith in him. Seems ironic, given the circumstances.I supposed it was, and again, it was kind of new for me. I guess I was just  starting line to realize that although I might be on Jeromes side, it was Carter who was on my side lately. I smiled for Seth.Well. I   f you cant put faith in an angel, who can you put faith in?The  devise called to him after dinner, and I let him go,  unable(p) to stand against her. I wondered if it would be  come-at-able for Seth to date  mortal who didnt  savour his books. Few women would be able to  give care the  rivalry. And yeah, sometimes it was hard for me to  stackle the competition too. It was hard enough that Seth wasnt into the livelier things I liked to do, like dancing. But also being denied the low-key things poked at me on occasion.Knowing his neglect was for the greater good, I returned to my book sorting, which allowed half of my brain to churn over the Alec problem and how I was going to get to GQ Poet Guy. Getting a hold of Doug in the evening was never easy, but Id see him at work tomorrow. Hed offered Alecs number to me once hopefully hed be as obliging this time.I finished my cataloging and shelving job around two in the morning. All the books had homes on either the office or living room sh   elves, and all the books were indexed by genre and author in a way Emerald metropolis might have lauded. The office now had room for the desk.In the bedroom, Seth still typed in the dark, lit by the glow of his monitor. I kissed his cheek once more and fell  unawakened in his bed, exhausted.I awoke hours later to someone kissing my cheek. Hey, I murmured drowsily, trying to pull Seth into bed with me. Youre giving me funny ideas.He leaned over me and planted a kiss on my nose. Morning  sunniness lit up the coppery highlights in his messy hair and perpetual  cardinal oclock shadow. He regarded me fondly, those luscious lips smiling.You put my books away. All of them.I had to.  unplayful grief. If anyone at Emerald City found out I was let that slide, theyd fire me.He curled up beside me and put an arm over me. Youre pretty good to me, Thetis, considering what an idiot I am sometimes.Stop making fun of my  positron emission tomography author, or Ill have to deck you.I mean it. Ive los   t girlfriends for less than what I did last night.You werent that bad. Ive seen you worse. I sat up a  diminutive. Hey, how many girlfriends have you had anyway?Laugh lines appeared around his eyes, making him even cuter. It was all research for the books, I swear.It was ironic, I realized, that I kept ending up with artistic types. A very long time ago, Id been married to a man I swore loved his music more than me sometimes. I had loved him for that musical  dear and hated it at the same time. Similar scenarios with other mortals had repeated over the centuries.  retention my thoughts from last night, I worried that Seth might bring out the old green-eyed monster again.Howd the chapter turn out? I asked, mussing his hair further.Good. Great even. He gave me a sweet, bemused look. I dont supposeI dont suppose youd ever want to read the  disseminated multiple sclerosiss as I work on them, would you? See how the process  whole caboodle?I froze, realizing just what a  unique gift he wa   s offering me. Seth had told me once he never let anyone read the  untimely  muster ins. He didnt want feedback that might influence his own  seminal flow. It wasnt until he had a complete manuscript and he felt the books were nigh-perfect that he finally allowed his publishing posse to take a look. That he would offer this to me both  stir and touched me.No, I said softly, smiling. But thank you. I dont want to interrupt your normal cycle. But  peradventure maybe when youve got a fairly polished draft ready to send off, Ill take a look then.He nodded, returning my smile. Something passed between us then that had nothing to do with manuscripts or book sorting but was fired by both of them nonetheless.Here, he said, standing up. Turning to a nearby chair, he picked up a tray I hadnt even noticed. Since you fed me last night.I looked down as he set the tray across my lap. Pancakes   with smiley faces  drowning in maple syrup. Good  industrial-strength coffee. Even a little vase with t   wo stems of purple irises. Seth had a thing for purple flowers. I touched one of the velvety soft petals.You didnt get these from your kitchen. You must have gotten up pretty early to go out.He shook his head,  face sheepish. I never went to bed.I thusly wasnt surprised when Seth lay down beside me while I ate and  straight off fell asleep. I finished the  discriminating breakfast, did the dishes, and left for work, leaving him a note that promised Id call later.At the bookstore, I was getting so used to Paige and Warrens absence, it was like they didnt even work there anymore. I found Doug when he arrived, and as hoped, he did  so give me Alecs number  though not without a few jokes at my expense.I called Alec on my lunch, unsure if hed be home. He was there and sounded overjoyed to hear from me. Yes, yes, of course he could get more. He was so  joyous Id liked it. Giving me the  portion out of a coffee shop hed be at, he told me to stop by right after work.I showed up there five m   inutes after my shift ended. The coffee shop was perfectly ordinary, nothing dark or sinister. Hardly the  uninventive rendezvous for a drug transaction. I spotted Alec sitting at a table in the back, but someone was with him. Not wanting to interrupt, I stood in line to order a mocha.Alecs  colleague was a young man, younger than him even. Eighteen, if I had to guess. And he was beautiful. He had swept his thick, dark-blond hair into a short ponytail at the nape of his neck, and his face was all clean, strong lines. When he smiled at some comment of Alecs, perfect white teeth showed against the tanned skin. I expected to see this guy in an Abercrombie & Fitch ad soon.Or maybe not, since he too was apparently wasting his life away. Alec reached into his pocket and gave the guy one of the telltale bags. Happiness and relief shone on the golden boys face, making him look  if  executable  even more attractive. He left. angrily gripping my drink, I took his chair and forced a cheerful a   ttitude.Hey, said Alec in greeting, clearly in a good mood. You have no idea how glad I am to see you. You look hot, as always. Thanks. Hows it going?Awesome, now. He grinned broadly.  fab day. He leaned toward me. So? What did you think?I set my cup down  firmly and acquired some little-girl wonder. You were rightit was amazing. It was like I was I decided a lack of words was better than trying to  cite something I hadnt experienced. He was only too  dexterous to help fill in the blanks.Better than ever? Who you were meant to be?Yes, I said breathlessly. You  youve got to give me more.Can do. His hand reached into the magic pocket. One of the lethal bags appeared, and that  scrofulous feeling snaked down my spine. He held the crystals  teasingly out of my reach. You know, they get better the more you do it. You up for that?I stared at the bag longingly, then up at him. Dont you have more than this? I mean, I want that onebut its not going to be enough. I need a lot of this.Slow dow   n. You dont want to take more than one bag.I know that, but this is good for what, a day or two?His eyes glinted. Big plans already, huh? Most people dont get quite so fired up this fast.I chewed on my lower lip, not wanting to raise any alarms. Assessing my self-inventory, I tried to think of something nonsexual the ambrosia would have affected. Alecs earlier visitor gave me the answer.Its weird. I know this guy at a modeling agency, and he always gives me the runaround. But I saw him yesterday when I took thisand it was like, I dont know. He couldnt get enough of me. He wants me to come back for some major shoots. I gripped Alecs arm. I dont get how this could be doing itmaybe its coincidence. I dont know. But I want more. I think I need it to make this  shaft work out. Youve got to help me. Or take me to wherever you get this. Ill  apply. Ill do anything.His face told me I had said exactly the right thing.Its not coincidence, he told me smugly. And Ill get you more.I exhaled with    palpable relief. Promise? Like a big supply?I promise. Here, take this one.What do I owe you?Nothing. vex on They cant all be free. My hold on his hand changed to something softer and more suggestive. I told you beforeIm happy to  containhowever you wantHe sighed, regarding me wistfully as he briefly ran his fingers over my hand and then pulled away. I know. You want a big batch of it? That youll have to pay for. Ill take you to the guy who gets it for me, and you can pay him.Whatll it cost? How much am I going to need?Something unreadable flashed in his eyes. Youve already got exactly what you need. Can you  go through me tomorrow night?I hesitated. Carter had said we needed some prep time before I faced the supplier, time in which I had been told to arrange the  impact with him. This was too soon.Im busy, I told him, trying to put heavy regret into my words. What about the next night?He didnt seem happy about that, just as he hadnt liked the delay in me drinking my first batch. B   ut where his urgency had been underscored with an dullard curiosity last time, he now displayed an almost panicked anxiety. I wondered just how demanding his master was. Sooner would be better. You arent going to be able to go that long anyway, not if you want it this bad already. I stayed firm. I dont have a choice.He agreed after a little more wheedling, and we set a time and place to meet in two days. As I stood up, he warned me,  turn to me sooner if you cant hold out, okay? Heres my cell.Okay, thanks.Hey, he called as I started to walk away. Good luck with the shoot.For a minute, I didnt  recall what he was talking about. Then I recalled my alleged modeling gig. I smiled and thanked him, chuckling to myself as I left. In all of the lies Id just told him, there had been a kernel of truth.I did have a photo shoot.  tonight was the night Bastien and I were going to take the pictures for Seth.