Chapter 2

Thea parked her silver Aston Martin in front of Mythos, D Corp’s private club and restaurant, and climbed out. Wearing her new leather catsuit and black heels, she knew she looked like a million bucks. It felt like a layer of armour to her, giving her the strength she needed.

From the outside, Mythos appeared as if it were your average everyday nightclub and restaurant in what was formerly a large warehouse. It was so much more than that. In many ways, it was like coming home for her.

As she strolled up to the entrance she saw Samyael, a Guardian Daemoni, standing guard as always, “Hiya Sam!”

"THEA! When did you get back?" Sam asked with a broad smile as he engulfed her in a hug.

"Earlier today. Feels good to be home.” After a long pause where she enjoyed his hug she asked, “How is he?"

“He misses you, a lot, and he hurts. He tries to hide it but we’re all worried. He needs you, Thea, please consider seeing him, ok?”

A tear escaped as Thea nodded. “We both hurt, Sam, and I didn't make his pain any better, only worse.”

“He doesn't see it that way. He needs your forgiveness as much as you need his. Just think about it, okay?” Sam asked as he continued to hug her.

As Thea nodded, Sam smiled and pulled away from her as he opened the door. “No more tears, it’s time to have fun! Hey Liam! Guess who’s back?” he called out.

Liam James came from behind the hostess’ area with a huge smile and said to her as he crushed her in a bear hug, "Thea! We’ve missed you!"

"I can tell," Thea coughed out, causing Liam to immediately release her with a laugh.

"Sorry, little bit."

"No problem, love! I’ve missed you guys, too, more than I can say. How are you? How are things? Is Lilith around? I’d love to say hi," Thea asked with a smile.

"Yeah, she’s in her office. Everyone is good but missed you terribly. Did this work trip help? You look more like yourself than you did before you left.”

"It did. I don’t know that I can ever fully heal over a loss like that but I’ve learned to smile again, even if it’s fake a lot of the time. I figure, 'fake it till you make it'. Anyway, I definitely missed all of you. I especially missed your cooking! How about you make me something yummy to eat while I go say hi to that pretty wife of yours?"

"You got it, little girl!"

With a sigh and a long-suffering smile she asked him, "Must you always call me that?"

"Always!" Liam replied mischievously. At barely five feet tall, Thea was indeed a little thing. Liam calling her little girl and her complaints about it had been a running joke between them since they were kids. It was something that she loved, although she’d never admit it to him.

Thea rolled her eyes at him before saying, “Come get me when the food is ready.” As she walked towards the back of the restaurant/club and Lilith’s office, Thea looked around at the place. She still loved the eclectic old vs new vibe the place had.

It was also still just as huge as it had been. There was a stage area for live band performances, along with a dance area that was one of her favorite places to be. In the middle of the club was the standard bar and hangout area that was strategically placed rather close to the dance floor. Closer to the entrance was a restaurant area that was open every day for lunch. Off to the side was the VIP area for when high level Mythics decided to make an appearance. In the very back was the kitchen and office area.

Just as she finally reached the back where Lilith's office was, the door opened and Spot the miniature dragon, Lilith’s pet, strutted out. Stopping in front of her, he looked up with a big dragon smile and then continued on his way. Giggling to herself, she knocked on Lilith’s office door. She heard Lilith’s melodic voice call out, "Come in."

"Why, if it isn’t the prettiest lady in all of Los Angeles!" she said as she walked in.

"Thea! You’re as bad as the boys! How are you? We’ve missed you! When did you get back?" Lilith asked her as she got up from her desk and gave her a hug. Lilith James was a tall beautiful lady. With long ebony hair and matching eyes and flawless ivory skin, she was quite exotic looking, which wasn’t surprising being she was a Mythic.

She was one of the sweetest people Thea knew, but Thea had also seen her be cold and deadly when the situation called for it. She was a Princess of the Outer Realms, one of many, and was technically Fae, but part of a smaller branch of the Dark Fae. They did not see Titania, the Fae Queen of lore, as their Queen and for that they were welcomed at D Corp.

"I’m good. I just got into town earlier today. Apparently even Darius missed me. It seems I'm going to stay local for a while," she answered with a smile.

"Well, he never likes to have you travelling for that long. You know that. As for work, there’s no one with your level of talent in the Linguist Department and from what I hear Darius has become quite frustrated with the issues. I’m sure that’s just one of many reasons he misses you, after all you are his granddaughter.”

“There is that. Tomorrow will be interesting when I return and see him again. Maybe instead I can just become a waitress here. What do you think?”

With a laugh Lilith exclaimed, “We sure did miss you around here! Although things have been far from quiet.”

“Are they ever quiet? So give me the dish, girlie! I need to catch up on all the juicy gossip,” Thea requested as they got comfortable.

“Where to start,” Lilith began, “did you hear the Centurions encountered a group of Saalah recently?”

“No! Those things are nasty! Even Damian has no use for them!"

“Yeah, a group of Centurions were sent to an area in the northern region of the Pindus Mountains to investigate reports of creatures that were attacking humans. They not only discovered the Saalah, but they discovered a couple of unicorns the Saalah were hunting.”

“UNICORNS? No way! I thought they were extinct.”

“Seems not. From what I’ve heard, this pair has been hidden in a remote, magically protected valley for hundreds of years. One human family has been protecting them from the beginning. Apparently, their current human protector from that family was becoming a Saalah-snack when the Centurions came onto the scene. Although he lost an eye, our guys were not only able to save him and the unicorns, but also take care of the Saalah. With the buzz of the unicorn discovery, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were brought here to keep them protected.”

“Wow! Talk about excitement.” Thea exclaimed almost breathlessly.

“No kidding. Of course we’ve had the normal vampire and werewolf issues along with sporadic Daemoni uprisings.”

“Seriously, vampires and werewolves need to get over themselves. They’re not all that. A little garlic, a little silver, a little holy water... BAM! You are good to go,” Thea said with a roll of her eyes.

Laughing, Lilith replied, “They do tend to have serious egos, don’t they. Speaking of egos, how are things with Damian?"

Thea shrugged sadly. "I haven’t seen him since... well, since that day. I miss him, but I... I don't know any more. He deserves so much more than me. He deserves someone who isn't so cruel, someone who doesn't run away when things get hard," Thea sighed.

Lilith smiled sadly at Thea. She was worried about her. She was still filled with so much shame and sorrow. Her aura was still greatly diminished. She and Damian belonged together but she wasn't sure if they would actually get past their own pain and fears. Only time would tell. “When the time is right, you’ll both be ready to talk and figure things out. My guess though is that he doesn't want anyone else.”

Thea could only nod as she looked down at her nails, sadness filling her once again. Determined that she should have a relaxing evening and not be overwhelmed with sadness once again, Lilith changed the subject by saying, "But, hey, at least you have hair that is currently all the rage in those fashion magazines, not to mention some fun abilities!"

"Until you get a cold and sneeze fire. Glen keeps a fire extinguisher in every room after the last round of sniffles nearly burnt down our house. I do have fun hair, though, and I don't even have to spend money on dye. Although, pink eyes do produce some interesting looks."

Just then, Liam poked his head into the office and said, "Hey little bit, your food is ready. Come and get it while it’s hot."

"Took you long enough, let’s hope it’s good at least," Thea said with a mischievous look to Lilith.

Lilith laughed as Liam rolled his eyes before closing her office door. "I’m sure you’re famished after your long trip. Why don’t you go eat, and we can finish catching up later."

"I am indeed. Not to mention we wouldn’t want Liam to take it personally if my food goes cold!" Thea said as she placed her hands on the arms of her chair and pushed herself up.

“That too,” Lilith replied with a smile.

Just as Thea went to open the door, her cell phone buzzed. “City Morgue Bag Em and Tag Em - You stab em, we slab em. Whatcha need?”

“Was that supposed to be funny?” Darius asked dryly.

“Yes, it WAS funny.”

“Not really.”

“Yes, it was. You just need to remove that stick and you’d find it funny too.”

Darius snorted at her as he said, “Come see me now so we can catch up.”

“Why? Darius, I don’t want to. Just let me settle back in and have some fun.”

“You can come see me first.”

“No. Listen up old man. I love you and missed you but I’m tired and hungry. I want to have something yummy to eat and a little fun. I don’t want to think about D Corp or work till tomorrow. So, I’m not coming in till then.”

“Then I have no choice but to fire you.”

“Ok, go ahead, I dare ya!” Thea snarked. When he didn't reply she said, “No? Fine then, go home, give your way-too-good-for-you wife some lovin, I have a good connection for Viagra if you need it by the way.”

“Theanna Daniels! I'll have you fucking know I have no fucking need for that shit drug!” Darius sputtered angrily at her.

“Geesh! That mouth needs a good soaping. Go home Darius, I will see you in the morning.” With that Thea clicked End on her phone only for it to start ringing again. Answering it she said, “I love you! Good Night!” and clicked End again.

Listening to Thea’s side of the conversation left Lilith with her eyebrows raised. “Everything ok?’

Thea sighed heavily, “That old fart is a royal pain in my ass. Wanting me to come into work tonight... I know he missed me and all but seriously! OK, finally time for food!” Opening the door, she announced loudly, "Mythos chow, here I come!"

Lilith smiled and shook her head at her antics. Yes, she’d definitely been missed.