* * * *
Leandros’ head snapped up as the metallic smell invaded his senses like a sweet, deceptive poison. STX. No doubt about it. Any demigod could smell it a mile away. The person carrying it was much closer. He tossed the bag of fruits into the rented Mercedes and followed the trail of scent.
As a senior crimes agent in the international division of deities, trafficking of STX fell under his jurisdiction. He and his team had cracked down on this problem over the years and had succeeded in removing a large quantity of STX from the black market. No person, human or immortal, had the right to possess this potion. An elusive group of demigods had taken enough water from the sacred well of Styx to create the chemically altered potion. It was a sacrilegious act, made worse by the fact they were selling it to humans.
The River Styx was as old as mankind. The doctrine of the ancient gods stated that the river was the only passage from life to death. The river itself was virtually ethereal, its only tangible source the well located in a deep cave in Mount Olympus, now guarded day and night by law enforcement officers. Despite its reputation among humans as the river of death, it provided a gentle passage to the other world. Those who came to the well with faith experienced healing miracles. Leandros had witnessed this. Otherwise, the water of Styx belonged to no one.
If the offender was one of his own kind, Leandros would strip him of his immortality and leave him begging for mercy. If he was human, he’d spend the next three years in prison. As his senses honed in on the young woman crossing the square, a knot clenched his insides, giving his stride pause. Both sexes craved STX, but for some unexpected reason, he was gravely disappointed that his target was a healthy-looking young woman.
He began walking again, growing angrier by the second. His eyes took in her shapely curves under the white dress, the lovely, toned legs and the silky bounce of her golden hair. His instinct told him the front of her looked even better. A woman like that could have just about anything she wanted if she played her cards right. Why would she risk ruining her life?
He caught up with her moments after she entered the lobby of a hotel. Her low heels clicked against the marble floor, drawing his eyes to her legs again. Leandros’ blood rushed hot and primal in his veins before pooling in his groin. Damn the woman. The closer he got, the less interested he was in arresting her, assaulted by visions of sexual acts that would even make some goddesses blush.
Before she reached the elevator, he spoke, “Miss. Can I have a word?” he said in English.
As she turned around, a delicate, vanilla scent filled his nostrils, and when his eyes met hers, lust hit him in the groin and beyond. Fuck. Humans rarely affected him like this…if ever. Her large, hazel eyes widened in surprise as she stared up at him. Her beauty was pristine, the long dark lashes, the high cheekbones and the deep rose of her full mouth untouched by makeup. When her lower lip trembled a fraction, it communicated a delicate, feminine nature, which made desire twist tighter inside him.
Her brows arched. “Yes?”
American. Leandros pulled out his wallet and opened it to the photo compartment, which contained his law enforcement ID. “I’m a deities law enforcement agent.”
A perplexed look came over her face.
“I believe you’re carrying STX,” he continued.
“I’m sorry?” She shook her head. “You’ve made a mistake.”
His gaze dropped to her bag. “No mistake. It’s in your bag.”
She glanced down at her bag, still looking baffled. Then her mouth tensed as she offered it to him. “There. Go ahead and search it.”
He was somewhat surprised by her boldness. She knew he’d find the vial there. He took the bag from her and within seconds produced the illegal substance. He watched a mixture of emotions cross her lovely face, but none reflected guilt.
She gave a little snort. “That’s STX? Please. It’s obviously some perfume.”
Leandros frowned. Her acting skills were impressive. “I can smell it,” he responded firmly.
She pushed out an annoyed sigh and shook her head. “It’s impossible.” She stared hard at the vial before meeting his eyes again, an angry flush on her cheeks. “I hiked for eight hours on that mountain with no need for any unnatural substance. If I wanted to drink it, I would have already.”
Leandros considered this a moment while watching her. He inclined his head. Her response seemed genuine, yet it didn’t explain how she came to possess it. “That’s a good argument, however, you might just be selling it.”
Her eyes turned a stormy gray and narrowed as her hands came on the slim curve of her hips, the motion making his blood pulse harder. His cock pressed against his pants. What is it about the woman? She turned him on even when she was angry.