Giving It Up for the Gods by Kryssie Fortune

but we’re tougher than anyone expected. Okay, we’re mouthy creatures with a vicious streak a mile wide, but we’re sexy as hell. See, we make the best of what the Muses and Juno left us.”

Chapter Six
    Lindy blinked hard, determined not to cry over things that had happened centuries past. Not only had the Sirens actually lost their singing contest, but Juno’s cheating had gouged wounds in their psyches. Jase squeezed her shoulder, but she stiffened and stared at Saturn—Saul, or whatever name he was using today. Had he just called her a throwback? Was that like calling a human a Neanderthal? Whatever he meant, it didn’t sound good.
    What with the stark expression and the downturned corners of his mouth, he looked so dejected that for once she kept her lips zipped. His voice, formal if a touch arctic, chilled her as much as her earlier bike ride. “Please, Lindy, accept my apologies and let me explain. Neptune’s an ass, but he’s a powerful one. Along with his two brothers and his sister, Juno, he stole something very precious from me. I despise the lot of them, but Jupiter was the ringleader.”
    Shocked that a parent could hate his own children, Lindy couldn’t meet Saul’s gaze. His naturally pale complexion turned translucent. Maybe it was a good thing her dad hadn’t hung around after all. Whatever Saul’s kids had done, they’d hurt him deeply, and after his last outburst, she didn’t dare ask for details. Not that it was any of her business, but Sirens were as curious as they were irresistibly sexy.
    Saul’s shut-down expression and utter stillness scared her more than his rage. “They almost destroyed me, and for a while, life didn’t seem worth living. I grieved for centuries, but now I’m functioning again, I intend to obliterate the lot of them. For you, I’m willing to start with Neptune.”
    Saul’s pain pulsed around him so strong she could feel it. She ached to comfort him, but he’d raised barriers she didn’t dare breach. Instead, she offered a smile. “Apology accepted, and for what it’s worth, you don’t have to explain.”
    He reached out and patted her hand, then pulled back as if touching her had burned him. He swallowed hard and said softly, “I think maybe I do. If my loss hadn’t weakened me, I’d have wiped Neptune from the face of the planet, but Circe intervened. She knows Indian mysticism and ancient magics—as well being a sorceress and minor Roman goddess. Thanks to her, Neptune’s become a watery version of the Green Man. He’s reborn during the summer solstice, as long as he fucks a virgin. Apparently his sacrifice of choice is a Siren. In this case, you.”
    She sat, left hand entwined with Jase’s, but if anyone ever looked like they needed a hug, it was his motorcycle-riding buddy. If she touched Saul, he’d probably blow a gasket. She’d worked that out when he practically shoved her off the back of his bike. Then again, who was she to hug a god? Besides, she didn’t want to let go of Jase’s hand. “We don’t all go willingly. Neptune broke something in the Sirens’ collective psyche when he destroyed Atlantis. My sisters claim they screw anything in trousers to preserve our species, but sometimes I think they’re just scared.”
    Jase sat on the chair arm and draped his free hand around her shoulders. His smile set off small electric charges down the length of her spine. Gorgeous or what? Maybe he preferred her softer, more sympathetic side to her warrior nature. Not that she cared. She liked herself just the way she was, and she wouldn’t change—even to please him.
    He seemed to realize he held her in his arms, and shot to his feet. With an angry growl, he started pacing.
    He’ll never get past his hatred of Sirens. Give up on him and charm Saul.
    Jase froze when he reached her side. He refused to meet her gaze, just towered over her, gritted his teeth, and told her, “I always knew Juno was a bitch, even back when she was playing