Goated by the Gods (4 page)

Gareth watched as the other half of his soul walked out of his cave, trailed by his brothers. He fell to his knees as pain ripped through him. He clutched his chest and cried out in agony. “What is happening?” He looked desperately to the gods for answers but they shook their heads with a look of bewilderment on their faces.

“I know not, I have never seen this before,” Thor said in a shocked voice as he slowly approached and laid a hand on Gareth’s shoulder.

His touch slowly eased the pain raging through his aching body and finally Gareth could take a deep breath again. “What did you do?” He looked to Thor for answers that were not coming.

“I did nothing, it would seem your soul is crying out in pain because your other half rejected you. I am sorry, there is nothing I can do to repair this. Until you two are bonded, the pain will continue to grow and eventually kill you.” Thor smiled sympathetically, “I will help you. This is my fault.”

Loki frowned in puzzlement, “How come I have never heard of this before? Is it because he is part god or part troll? Or maybe just because he is mated to a shifter?”

“No, it’s because they both recognized their connection, their souls connected and have now been torn apart.”

“Zach is going through the same pain then?” Gareth whispered

“I’m not sure to be honest. I have temporarily blocked your pain. It’s a stopgap at most. It isn’t permanent. The more time that passes, the weaker the block will become.” Thor stopped and glanced to Loki. “Go be found by the rescue team, I will meet you at home after I speak to Freyja and see if she will assist or at least provide some insight into these matters.”

Loki nodded and left the cave. Gareth looked to Thor. “So what do I do, continue on as nothing has happened? You brought him into my life and then let him walk away. You are slowly killing me and you are going to just leave. Maybe my mother was right when she told me to avoid the gods.”

“No, my boy. I will figure this out, I will be back soon with a plan. I will get you together if it’s the last thing I do.”

“No offense, but I don’t think I want your help. He hates the gods and it would seem understandably so. I have to convince him to give me a chance without you making it worse. He knows I am half-god now, too. The odds are against me.” With that Gareth stood, grabbed his pack and left the cave to head back to his home in town.

***

Zach fumed silently the whole way back down the mountainside. Their trek was slow due to the darkness that slowly descended upon them. His anger was too great to allow him to stop and rest for the night. He wanted off this mountain and as far away from the gods and their games as he could get.

“Are we just going to walk out on him? He is your mate, your other half. How can you leave him?” Jared called out to Zach through their connection.

Zach didn’t respond, just kept climbing down. There was nothing he could say that would make Jared understand. He was torn in two.

He wanted to know more about Gareth, to spend the rest of his days discovering everything he could about the gorgeous man, but he was part god. He wasn’t sure he could handle that; gods were devious, underhanded, and arrogant assholes at the best of times.

“I understand what is going through you head, brother. Just don’t let your hate for his parent hold you from what you can have with him. He may not be like them.” Quentin tried to get through to his brother, but Zach had blocked all communication from them.

The hours passed and they slowly made their way to the bottom and shifted back to human form. They donned their clothes and packs and continued on their way.

By morning, they had made it back to the rescue site headquarters and were greeted by their old friend.

“Morning, boys, didn’t quite expect to see you for a few hours yet.” Mack grinned and patted them on their backs. “Good news, the hiker was found and accounted for. The rescue team is on their way back with the hiker in tow.”

Zach released a breath he hadn’t been aware he was holding. “Everyone’s okay, no problems?” If any of the rescue team had gotten hurt because of Loki and Thor’s games, he would make them pay.

“Yeah, no problems at all. They reported no issues, said it was a smooth hike. They should be here within the next two hours.”

Zach exchanged looks with his brothers and nodded. “I’m glad you found him. If you don’t mind, we are going to head out.”

“Of course, sorry we called you out on a wild goose chase,” Mack said with a smile as he turned and headed back to the trailer they used as base of operations.

The brothers loaded their gear and silently headed back to their home at camp headquarters.

***

Thor paced back and forth, lost in thought as Loki lounged behind him on a cushioned chaise, lost in thought if the smile on his face was any indication.

“What has gotten into you two?” Sif demanded as she entered the room. “You look like a love sick pup, Loki, and you, my darling husband, look way too contemplative. What is going on?”

Thor growled in frustration, “Damn Freyja won’t answer me and I can’t find her. The oldest brother, Zach, took one look at our half-ling and connected. As soon as he found out we were involved he took off, leaving Gareth’s soul to splinter.”

Sif frowned, “What happened to his soul? Is that even possible?”

Loki, still lost in his thoughts, didn’t even look up. Thor sighed and shrugged, “I had never heard of it myself, but when I laid my hand on his shoulder I felt it. I caused this and I have to fix it.”

“Well, then let’s see what we can do to resolve this little problem of yours. Though it should be said this is what you get for interfering in the lives of mortals.” Sif looked down on the Isle of Man and watched.

Thor shook his head and resumed his pacing, every once in a while throwing Loki a glare. The
imbecile
had been useless since he returned from his venture in the caves.

“The brothers run a camp for kids. They are having a benefit to raise money. I think that is a perfect place to bring the two halves back together.” Thor looked up excitedly at his wife’s words.

“Brilliant idea. Do you hear that, Loki? We have a party to crash.” Loki didn’t acknowledge his words once again.

“What is the matter with him?” Sif asked, bewildered.

“I have no earthly idea. He has been like that since we returned. In all these centuries, I have never seen him like this. It’s almost like he is love-struck. The idea makes me shudder at the prospect.” Thor’s quiet words made Sif’s curiosity peak.

“In the meantime, you have two weeks to figure out how to get Gareth there. Think you can handle that? I have something I need to check on.” Sif kissed her husband’s cheek and strolled off to find Freyja and see if her suspicions were correct.

Gareth paced the small confines of his apartment feeling even more penned in than usual. A week had passed and he was slowly going mad. The pain was coming and going but nothing like that first few minutes. He knew his time was ticking away. His body burned for the touch of Zach, but he didn’t know how to repair what the gods had done. Hell, he didn’t even know how to find his partner. Gareth frowned as a shred of memory came back to him, he had been so caught up in the sight, smell and feel of having his other half that close, he had barely paid attention. He remembered Loki saying something about meeting the brothers. He paced faster and racked his brain, trying to recall the name he had used.

“Maddux, that was it. Zach Maddux.” It was official, he had lost what little mind he had. He was talking to himself now. Damn the gods, this was another thing he blamed on them.

Gareth threw himself down on the threadbare couch and grabbed his laptop to do some digging. It was time to do something besides pace and curse at the gods for their helping hand.

***

Zach was fighting it with everything he had. He barely knew Gareth but that didn’t matter to his mind, body or soul. They had claimed him and that was the end of it.

“Zach, you okay? The planners are here to go over last minute details about the benefit this weekend.” Quentin eyed him up and down, worry etching on his face.

“What benefit?” Zach questioned.

Quentin rolled his eyes and let out a sigh, things were worse than he had realized. “The benefit we have been planning for two months, the one to bring in the money to continue operating for those kids. You remember our camp, right?”

“Of course I remember, you jackass. I just temporarily forgot it was this weekend.” Zach glanced around his desk and sheepishly shrugged, “What day is it anyway?”

“For fuck’s sake, seriously?” Quentin couldn’t believe he had heard him right. Zach was so lost, he had let everything else just disappear. Hell, Quentin was struggling himself, but he was still able to function. Why couldn’t Zach? “It’s Wednesday, the benefit is Saturday night.”

“Never mind, I’ll have Jared help me make the last minute plans. That means you have to deal with the phone though. We have a new home calling wanting to set up a retreat for their kids. Think you can handle that?” Quentin snarled as he stormed out of the room.

Zach sat their stunned at his brother’s odd behavior. He had been a little out of sorts, he admitted that, but that attitude hadn’t been warranted. He picked up the phone to make the arrangements and made a mental note to track Jared down as soon as he was done to see what he knew of Quentin’s odd behavior.

Half an hour later and Zach was exhausted mentally. What should have been a routine scheduling of a camp out had become a battle. The stubborn woman wouldn’t cooperate and provide names of the staff. She had some bullshit excuse as to why, but it didn’t make sense to him.

He had never had a home refuse before. It wasn’t that big a deal, it was just a formality to help when the campers arrived. They would have lists of campers and counselors assigned to cabins. Now they would have to add counselor names the day of.

Jared strolled in fuming. “I can’t take you two asshats anymore. Something has to be done,” he seethed between clenched jaws.

“What are you rambling on about? I haven’t done anything to you,” Zach grumbled out as he stood and grabbed his pacing brother so he could talk to him face to face.

“You haven’t done anything is the point. You have been so preoccupied with not seeing your soulmate that you have become a recluse in this office. You hardly ever leave, or eat or shower.

I can’t do this on my own and I shouldn’t have to.” Jared wrenched himself free of Zach’s hands and continued on pacing. “Quentin isn’t much better, you know. He makes a show of attempting to work, but his head is somewhere else, too. I don’t know what is going on but between the two of you, I am going to quit and go shack up somewhere away from you both until you get this shit out of your system.”

Zach didn’t have a chance to utter a single word before Jared was gone with a slam of the office door. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there staring before he became aware of the pain building again.

“Not now,” he mumbled as he slowly sank to his knees, trying to manage the pain that wracked his exhausted body. The pains were happening more and more frequently and he didn’t know why. The doctor had done a full work up and everything had come back with his meaningless stamp of approval. Zach wasn’t sure where he had found his license but there was definitely something wrong with him, no matter what the quack doctor had said.

“Zach, the bene…” Quentin trailed off as he saw Zach on the floor. “Not again, there has to be something we can do. Jared, help. Zach’s down again,” Quentin bellowed for his brother as he attempted to lift Zach from the floor and onto the couch.

Jared came running in and together they assisted the groaning man to lie down. “We have to figure this out, it started after the cave and you know who. Maybe the gods did something to him.”

“What do you want us to do, just call out and say, ‘Hey gods. We need some answers. Loki, Thor, any of you listening?’”

“You don’t…” Jared’s words were cut off as Loki appeared behind them.

“Hello, hotstuff, I was hoping you would call me sooner rather than later.”

Quentin jerked around in surprise at Loki’s words. “Fuck me, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, an invitation I will happily accept, just lead the way, stud muffin. I promise to make you scream out my name,” Loki purred as he stepped closer to Quentin. “Just don’t call out to any god in general, I don’t need to kill any of them tonight.”

Quentin looked frantically left and right but he was trapped between the muscular body of Loki and the couch his brother was reclining on.

“That blush is sexy, I didn’t expect that. Wonder what else turns red with attention.” Loki dipped his eyes down Quentin’s body, assessing him.

“Excuse me, Loki, but since you are here, can you stop ogling my brother for a minute and help us out?” Jared pushed his way between the two men and pointed to Zach.

Loki rolled his eyes, “Damn, boy, you just ruined the best thing I had going tonight.” He looked over Jared’s shoulder and met Quentin’s eyes. “Later, baby. I will keep my promise, don’t you worry.” Loki turned and took Zach in. “Well, what’s wrong? I’m not a mind reader and while you are at it, tell me why you called me for your sick brother anyway.”

Jared rolled his eyes and mumbled about horny gods and their lack of thinking abilities. “He has been having these attacks since we left your asses at the cave. What did you gods do to him?”

“Oh, that. We didn’t do it to them. They did that all on their own. Stubborn idiots denying what is in front of them. They connected, their souls bonded. You can’t just separate that shit. It will kill you, as you can see.”

Jared and Quentin’s eyes bugged at the gods lackadaisical words. “What? Oh shit. Sorry, Sif is always yelling at me about that. I don’t think before I speak,” Loki said with a shrug of one shoulder. “He needs to accept Gareth as his other half, and do it fast before they both die.”

“Shit, do you have to talk like that in front of him?” Quentin growled in frustration and anger at the news.

“Calm down, sex on a stick. He passed out from the pain and I would guess stress.” Loki moved to go around Jared to get back to Quentin’s side.

“Excuse me, I have to go,” Quentin said as he scurried out of the room and away from the lustful eyes of the god.

“I hate to see him go, but what a view as he leaves.” Loki tsked in appreciation before turning back to the gaping baby brother. “What, he is seriously hot.”

Jared rolled his eyes and turned back to Zach. “So basically we need to get him and Gareth together.”

“Basically, yeah. Thor and I have a plan about that actually. The benefit you boys are putting on would be a great starting point. Now that we have your aide, it will be much easier to convince your brother to do what we need without him knowing us despised gods are involved.” Loki frowned and chewed his lip before hesitantly asking his next question. “Do all of you hate us gods?”

Jared was shocked by his question, that was the last thing he had expected and definitely in not such a meek and shy tone of voice. “We don’t trust you, and at different points in our lives we have hated you for what was cursed upon us, but no, we don’t hate you in general.”

Loki beamed at Jared’s words. “Then I have a chance. Good to know. Now back to the benefit. Thor is going to handle getting Gareth there, you just have to make sure your brother is in the right place at the right time.”

“How the hell am I supposed to know when the time and place is?”

“Patience, my boy, all in good time. I promise you will know all you need before the party this weekend. Until then, tell your luscious brother I will be dreaming of him and I will talk to you later.”

Loki disappeared as quick as he had come and left Jared with more questions than answers.

He glanced to his still passed out brother and smiled. This was going to be fun, he missed his lighthearted brother from years before. Zach had changed in many ways after the man he thought was his future walked away and laughed at their curse. The bastard had even tried to have Zach committed to a psych ward. Zach needed a happy ending with a man who could love him as a man and as a goat.

“Why are you staring at me like I grew another head?” Zach groused out as he pulled himself to a sitting position on the couch. “The bastard god didn’t curse me again, did he?” Zach questioned half-jokingly.

“Sorry, no, nothing like that. I was just lost in my thoughts. That must have been a bad attack, you actually passed out from it this time.” Jared’s eyes wandered the room searching for something to distract his brother.

“Did you ever tell me what happened with the planners? Is the event all set or did Quentin scare them off with his surly attitude?”

“No, it wasn’t that. He just wasn’t paying attention and then would randomly ask a question that had already been discussed or throw out an idea for something that was totally irrelevant. It was embarrassing. Everyone could tell he wasn’t paying attention is all. Things are all set though. Planners are ready to go and I think we have nothing to worry about, it will go off without a hitch.”

“Are you okay? You seem nervous and you’re rambling. You only do that when you are hiding something or feel guilty.”

“I just…um…feel bad that I was getting mad at you for not helping, but you are dealing with these attacks of pain like that.” Jared smiled weakly and backed toward the door. “I’m gonna go check out Quentin and let him know you are awake and okay.”

Zach wasn’t sure what that was all about, but he could sense a lie when he heard one. Jared was keeping something from him. He could only hope he knew what he was doing and wasn’t screwing with anything that would hurt them.