“The Snake,” I named the second god.
Snake's fair skin and slim body seemed even more so when compared to Viper's stocky build and honey-oak complexion. The men had a similar haircut—sleek and short—but Snake's blond hair was a direct contrast to Viper's black. Pale yellow, slit-pupil eyes fastened on me, and I shivered. It was as if Arach were staring at me through him.
Keep it together, Star warned me. This is your first interaction with them. They must see you as strong. You are their goddess, no matter what nonsense you spout about family.
All men? I countered in my head. We couldn't have made one woman?
And have her challenge you for their affections? Star scoffed. No; bringing a woman into your council is not a good idea. These men must be completely loyal and utterly focused on you. You are the representation of all women to them. Even if you don't take them as lovers, they must crave you; it will keep them loyal.
Fair enough.
I moved on to the next man. Snowy hair, much paler than Snake's, streamed down this man's back in a sleek veil over his thick shoulders and barrel-chest, stark against the pitch-black of his clothes. Soft gray eyes settled on me with obsessive intensity. Their slant, in addition to the yellow undertone of his tan skin, made him look slightly Asian despite the pale hair. No; not Asian. He looked alien. Otherworldly. Godly. In fact, they all had a hint of that divinity to them.
“The Whirlwind.” I drew a hand down his silky mane before I stepped to the side.
The next god had a thick build. Not as bulky as Whirlwind, closer to Viper's fitness model physique. His shaggy, ash-brown hair settled around his head like a fur cap and his puppy-dog eyes stared adoringly at me. Despite that look, I sensed a wildness in him that I was eager to see on the battlefield.
“The Ravening Dog,” I gave him his name, and he bowed in acceptance.
Next came a bronzed man; both hair and skin done in that gleaming, reddish-brown color. The eyes that stared out of his angular face were dark and full of a strange intelligence. Something cool and calculating and not even remotely human.
“The Scorpion-Man,” I gave him his name, and he smiled as if he'd already known it.
The man beside Scorpion had a pair of deep-sea eyes and icy-pale skin that contrasted sharply with the silken length of his ebony hair. He was linebacker-buff and smelled like ozone.
“The Mighty Storm-Wind,” I declared, and he bowed his head reverently.
The last two men were the most startling of the eight. One had silver hair and skin just as pale as Storm's but more muted, not so bright. A delicate pair of lacy gills laid flat against the sides of his throat and his glossy eyes were utterly black, from rim to rim, with a nictating membrane that flicked down over them when he blinked.
The final man would have looked right at home in Luke's Hell. His dark skin glistened over bulging muscles, leading the eye down to claw-tipped hands. That is, if you could move past the crimson eyes and sin-black horns that curved out from either side of his forehead. He smiled at me and bared a pair of canine fangs.
“The Horned Beast,” I gave him his name first and then turned to the man with the gills. “The Fish-Man. These are your titles, but I shall call you; Viper, Snake, Whirlwind, Hound, Scorpion, Storm, Beast, and Sea. And now, my Council, I shall make the first regiment of our army.”
They followed me out to my lofty balcony and stood in a line behind me. Sin came up beside me as the Star pulled more magic through my heart. I felt her touch extend above me, gathering dark matter once again. But no souls this time. Nor did she give them an essence. Star was forming an army that I wouldn't have to worry about; alive but not entirely real. A living weapon that I could point at my enemies and release then replace as necessary.
The soldiers on the wall started to shout and scream but only briefly. Star sent out a calming wave of energy, and my human troops settled into awed silence. The Star Gods stood strong and stern behind me, not even a twitch to show their surprise, but Sin leaned over the balcony and peered down with open curiosity. We were high up, he probably couldn't see very well.
I released my dragon wings and finally got a reaction from my Star Gods as well as Sin. They all made sounds of surprise and flinched. Sin reached out and stroked the bones of one of my wings with a look of wonderment. The Star Gods started to growl.
“He isn't hurting me,” I assured them. “You may all touch my wings if you wish.” I spread my wings out wide, extending one claw-tipped length toward the Star Gods. “It's okay; go ahead.”
The men moved forward and hesitantly touched me. Then they grew bolder, stroking the sensitive membranes and trailing fingers along the bones. I sighed and closed my eyes to enjoy the soothing sensations. Then I felt a hand along my jaw and opened my eyes expecting to see Sin leaning in for a kiss. I prepared myself to gently push him away. But it wasn't Sin.
Viper's acid green eyes had darkened to ivy, their slit pupils rounded with fascination. His lips parted, breath coasting over them as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, “Is this desire I'm feeling a gift as well?”
“No; that's all yours,” I whispered back.
Liar. Star chuckled. Maybe you won't need to make yourself a lover. At least, not another one.
Hush.
Don't mind me; go ahead and enjoy your viper. But you might be interested to know that your general is watching, and he doesn't seem too pleased with the competition for your affections.
Have I not been clear enough with him?
A man
