Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 7-2

“Do you think Alli knows that though?”

“Why wouldn’t she? We agreed to it.”

He sat up and pulled her up with him. “Because that was over a year ago, Marilyn. Emotions don’t just remain static forever. And I’m several decades older than everyone here. Most people I know are thousands of years old. And even they don’t keep the same attachments. There’s a reason why every god is fucking everything around them. That’s what happens when divorce isn’t an option, but emotions change. You have to expect her to grow feelings. Haven’t you?”

Marilyn shrugged. “I still love Alli. But we have a thing that’s mostly about convenience. She fucks good and I fuck good. It makes us fun. Just like you’re fun. But it doesn’t make me linked to her forever anymore than you and I are linked for life.”

“I just wished I could be as sure that this will go down as easy as you are,” Cyrus said.

She reached out and rubbed his cheek. “Poor Cyrus, you’re always so concerned. Always thinking so hard. Calm down. If it’s a problem, it’s not your problem. It’s mine. I’ll talk to Alli. I’ll see how things go. I like being with her, but I like being with you too. She will either deal with that or she won’t.”

“How are you of all people so zen about everything? It’s weird to see you like that especially with that face. I met her once you know. She wasn’t anything like you.”

“Who?”

“The other Marilyn. Monroe. I was pretty young, but Mom and Dad had a reception for local politicians and celebrities in the early sixties. President Kennedy was there and so was she. Little did I know they were a thing on the side. But she was nice, but terribly manic. She was anything but stable, but she knew how to have a good time. It was clear to anyone with half a brain though that she wasn’t going to live a long life. She had too many problems for that.”

“You never told me that.”

“I hadn’t thought about it in years.”

She planted a slow kiss on his lips. “Well, you can tell me more if you would like.” She kissed him again. “Or I can make you feel like a President.”

He smiled and shook his head. “You’re insatiable, you know that.”

Walking Shadows Book 3 Chapter 7. Cyrus

Cyrus lay naked and sweaty in the bed. Marilyn’s body was formed against him, her soft flesh a comfort as his mind raced. For months, he had wanted nothing more than to live his life among the humans and away from the insanity of his immortal family. Now he found his wish granted and it terrified him. Maybe it was Melinoe’s presence, but he didn’t think so. It was the knowledge that he really couldn’t go back again. He made his decision to leave Hades House. Now he would have to life with it.

He looked at Marilyn. Her perfect blonde hair smelled of Chanel. Her skin seemed to conform perfectly to his own. She didn’t move, even as he slowly kissed the back of her neck.

It felt so right, even though he knew it was wrong. Marilyn wasn’t unattached. She had a significant other. Every time he did this, he knew he betrayed Alli’s trust in his girlfriend. But he also knew he couldn’t help himself. His relationship with Marilyn may just be physical, but he felt a connection with her that could grow into something deeper.

He wanted to live in that connection. He wanted so much for it to be true.

She slowly turned towards him and gave him a quizzical look. His light kisses interrupted, he looked at her back, equally confused. He didn’t even know she was awake, let alone why she would give him such a look for his actions.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“What do you mean? I was just kissing you.”

“It wasn’t just kissing,” she said. “Something’s on your mind. Something’s bothering you. And while I’m one to have fun—and what you and I have is definitely that—I know when someone’s upset. And you, Cyrus, are upset.”

“I—I like being with you, Marilyn, but it’s wrong. We shouldn’t be doing this like we are. You and Alli—”

Marilyn pushed herself up on one elbow and shook her head. “Don’t play that card, Cyrus. I already told you, I’m a big girl. I can do what I want when I want it. When Alli and I first got together, I made it clear I wasn’t looking for any serious commitment. That’s just not my style. I’m far too free a spirit for that.”

River City History: The Enchanted Dagger

The Enchanted Dagger

Roger Chalmers never lived a normal life. His youngest years were spent in the lap of luxury, the son of industrious explorer and steel heir Henry Chalmers. Henry lived much of his later years deep in Africa, leaving his young son in the hands of tutors and corrupt business partners.

The business would survive the beginning of the depression but when Henry refused to return to take care of his business, his corrupt partner attempted to take over the business. Henry would finally return at the behest of sixteen year old Roger, but it would already be too late. Much of the family’s wealth was gone, never to return.

Henry would remain in the United States for the final five years of his life. He tried to rebuild his business without much of its assets, but by the time of his death the family was already in danger of complete financial collapse. Henry made his son swear a vow to return to Africa no matter what. He promised Roger that he would find a treasure far greater than the Chalmers’ former finances.

Roger would quickly reunite with the small tribe his father first met. There he was given his father’s gift, an enchanted dagger of unknown origin. But it would only take a short while before he would have to test his weapon’s power. He would have to fight off a dozen warriors of another tribe. The dagger paralyzed anyone he threw it near as well as broke down falsehoods. The warriors proved no match for him.

He would return stateside, first to Washington, D.C. and later to his home in River City. He would use his new weapon to expose his father’s former business partner before donning a costume and fighting crime as the Enchanted Dagger.

But even with his powerful weapon, he would face his greatest challenge ever in Yankee Doodle Jones.