Snakes and Shadows Read online

  Penny looked up at the tall, pillared mansion with more than a little trepidation. Deep shadows, highlighted by a series of lampposts that followed them up the driveway, gave the building a startling clarity. “Are you sure this is it?” she asked.

  She adjusted Boots over her shoulder, worry knotting her gut. She didn’t normally bring Boots out like this, but Amelia had insisted. Boots fed on Penny’s nerves, flicking a nervous tongue out to taste the air.

  “Of course, it is.” Amelia picked her handbag up off the car floor and turned to the driver. “Thanks for the ride!”

  “Please remember to leave a review,” the Uber driver announced in a bored voice.

  Amelia gestured impatiently. “Sure. Cisco, hurry up!”

  Cisco huffed and hauled the bulging duffel bag out of the car and strapped it over his shoulder. “You know this bag is heavy, right?” He eyed the building suspiciously. “Anyone this rich should be able to afford to cater their own damn party. Why’d we have to bring our own drinks?”

  Amelia brushed off the question. “Gerry said to bring one drink. You’re the one who chose to bring a whole carton!”

  “Well, he didn’t come to that conclusion on his own, love.” Red slammed the last car door shut, then patted Cisco’s shoulder appreciatively as it rolled away. “You’ve got two strapping lads out for a night of fun. Do you really think one wee bottle of whiskey would get us by?”

  “Amelia, this whole thing is weird,” Penny said in a low voice. “He wants our grog for an ‘offering to the gods’? Which god? With everything going on right now—“

  “Oh, don’t be a prude.” Amelia looped an arm over Penny’s shoulder as they arrived at the door. “Gerry is totally trustworthy. I’m sure it’s just a figure of speech. Unless...oh, hell, I hope it wasn’t a costume party!” She looked down at her black cocktail dress in dismay. “What if it is?”

  Penny rolled her eyes and headed for the door. The heavy brass knocker probably cost more than her outfit, she realized.

  The door swung open, and a wave of sound tumbled out. Loud music mingled with voices, and somewhere, a dog yapped. The girl in the doorway squinted under the bright lights. “You here for the party?”

  Reading her lips as much as listening, Penny nodded. She glanced at Amelia, who was already pushing past, wonder etched on her face.

  “This...is...amazing!” Amelia quickly stepped back to tug Penny’s arm, leading her inside.

  The marbled foyer looked like something out of a history museum. Greek statues lined the wall nooks, lit by tiny LEDs underneath. The floor itself was polished to a shine, the heavy marble dense under her heels. Whoever owned this place clearly had a passion for history and the money to flaunt it.

  The group of friends followed the girl through a side door and down a hallway. Ahead, Penny caught sight of the party. She followed Amelia, glancing back to check Cisco was right behind her.

  He was, although he didn’t look as impressed as Amelia.

  He saw Penny watching him and hurried to catch up, leaving Red trailing behind. “Take it easy in there, ok?” he cautioned. “Just until we see what’s what.”

  The hallway opened out into a large entertaining area, one side open to a patio and pool, beyond which a band was setting up their instruments. The centerpiece was a huge stone statue of a Greek god, his hand holding a goblet aloft, and a tiny satyr cavorting at his feet.

  “Gerry!” Amelia called. She waved her friend over. “Over here!”

  Gerry sauntered over, his vibrant plum-colored suit reflecting the nearby lights off the shiny fabric. "Amelia!" He clapped his hands exuberantly, then pulled Amelia into a hug. "I'm so glad you made it. We’re going to have so much fun!"

  "Gerry, these are my friends. Penny, Cisco, and Red. That's Boots."

  "Stunning!" Gerry clapped his hands again, squealing in delight at the Rainbow Serpent. He reached a hand toward Boots, who opened her jaws and gave a warning hiss.

  "It's a little busy for her," Penny explained. “She’s not really one for parties.”

  Gerry pouted. "Poor little thing. Well, just let me know if there's anything you need. Food, drinks," he winked at Cisco, "or a dance partner. You brought the offerings?"

  Cisco pursed his lips but patted the duffel bag. "You got a fridge?"

  "Oh, the fridge is stocked. That is for something else." Gerry spotted someone in the crowd he wanted to see and quickly waved goodbye, swaggering away with flair.

  The music blasting from the stereo speakers was interrupted by the screech of a guitar.

  "Eek! They're starting to play." Amelia spun, grabbing Penny's arms. "These guys are amazing, and so hot!" She put a hand to her chest, eyes glittering with excitement.

  "Hey, what am I? A pork chop?" Red asked.

  Amelia giggled. "A girl can look, silly. You're the only one I'll be dancing with, though." She linked her arm through Red’s and dragged him outside.

  "I wish I'd known it was going to be a pool party," Cisco said, watching a few partygoers strip off to dive in.

  Penny shivered. "Are you insane? It's like four degrees out here."

  "It's more like forty." Then, Cisco frowned. "Oh, right. Your people don't speak Fahrenheit."

  "My people?" Penny raised an eyebrow, one hand on her hip.

  Cisco chuckled. "You know what I mean."

  It became difficult to hold a conversation as the band started playing. Penny had to admit, they were pretty good. On the other side of the pool, she could see Amelia dancing with Red.

  Penny’s feet were itching to dance, but the idea of walking out there alone? Nuh-uh.

  Of course, she had a potential dance partner standing right next to her, if only she was brave enough to ask.

  "Cisco, do you wanna… I mean…" Penny's eyes darted around. "Where do you reckon that fridge is? I'm dying for a drink."

  Cisco glanced around. "I'll see if I can find it for you. Don’t go anywhere—this place is huge, I'll never find you again if you run off."

  Penny spotted a nearby couch and perched on the arm of it. She let the music wash over her as she watched the partygoers. "It's a far cry from the old backyard barbie," she mused.

  As hard as it had been adjusting to life in America, she'd never felt quite as out of place as she did now. Surrounded by rich kids, party kids who clearly felt at home in this ridiculous mansion where the booze flowed freely and—she realized with horror—you could go skinny dipping, and no one would even bat an eyelid. The naked girl she had spotted squealed as her equally naked male friend pulled her back into the water.

  "There's nothing wrong with a barbie," a voice said behind her. "A few slabs of beer, wine for the ladies. Good food, hot sun, and good mates, right?"

  Penny shot to her feet, awkwardly turning to face the man who'd come to stand beside her.

  The way he had described the image that had been in her head was eerily perfect, though any of her Aussie mates would have conjured the same. This guy, however… She couldn't quite place his accent, but she knew he wasn’t Australian, despite the perfect patois. His bronze skin contrasted with the white toga he wore, setting off the Greek-like godliness of his face.

  It's like someone Photoshopped his face in real life, Penny thought, startled. She stammered, trying to form a response.

  The newcomer laughed. "Be at ease. This is a party! Your friend is returning, so I'll leave you be."

  Penny glanced over to see Cisco returning with two large plastic cups. When she looked back, the strange man had vanished.

  "I didn't know what you wanted," Cisco explained, “so I brought a cup of beer and a cup of cider." He frowned worriedly. "If you want the hard stuff, I can go back and get you something else."

  Penny shook her head, thanking him as she reached for the cider. It was sweet and crisp, and made her cheeks flush after just a few sips. "This tastes amazing," she said.

  Cisco chugged his own drink, letting out a breath of satisfaction when the cup was empty. "I don'
t know what that was, but it's not bad." He eyed his empty cup.

  "You might want to take it easy, big guy." Penny gave him a gentle shove. "Do that too many times, and I'll be holding your hair back while you puke out the window of a taxi."

  "Who, me? Never!" Cisco shined a sunny grin her way. "I'll take your advice on board, though. Come on, let's go get something to eat. You won't believe the food they've got out."

  Penny sipped her drink, trying not to spill it as they walked back to the kitchen together.

  A sandy-haired jock pushed past Penny as they maneuvered past other partygoers, nudging her arm and almost spilling her drink.

  Cisco reached out to steady her, clasping her elbow. He didn't let go as they continued on.

  Penny didn't complain, but the cider was certainly going to her head—her cheeks felt like they were on fire.

  The huge kitchen island was covered in cheese boards, meat trays, and an assortment of savory pastries. Between the platters, large trays of chips and dip protruded in a way that seemed almost artful.

  "See? I told you it looks amazing." Cisco plunged a corn chip into a bowl of bright red paste. He closed his eyes and groaned as the food met his tongue. "This is fantastic," he muttered.

  Penny eyed the table. She selected a couple of small pastries, each one twisted into a different shape. She put one into her mouth, and her taste buds crackled with delight as it exploded with warm, gooey cheese.

  "Is this what it's like to be rich?" Penny murmured to Cisco. "A party at my place is a six-pack and some burnt snags. If you're lucky, you might get some soggy trifle for dessert."

  “You'd like the parties at my place," Cisco teased. "The ‘snags’ there might be a little spicy for you, though."

  The conversation turned to school and their recent exams. Cisco was feeling confident that he'd passed all of his subjects, excelling in history and acquisitions.

  Penny also felt confident she had done well, but she was worried about her final grade for defense. Professor Jones hadn't been seen on the Academy grounds since her conversation with the dean.

  "What if I have to take it again?" she fretted. "It was terrifying! I don't think I could go through it a second time.”

  Cisco smiled at Penny. "I'm sure you passed, and your grade will stand. There’s no way they’ll let Jones stay after that, but they’re not gonna make you go up against that crazy doll again. That was just insane.” He sighed in regret. “I should have mentioned it to Mom when I took my exam."

  "Why didn't you?" Penny asked. She harbored no ill will toward him for it. She was simply curious.

  Cisco shrugged. "She's been grading exams, and I've been studying for them. Our paths don't cross much these days."

  "This week has been rough, that's for sure." Penny stretched, realizing the cider had relaxed her tight muscles for the first time in days. "I'm glad we came tonight. This is fun." She held Cisco's gaze while she spoke, and despite the heat rising in her own face, she was gratified to see him blush.

  "It's time! Come on, people. It's time for the main event!” Gerry's high-pitched call caught Penny's attention. He fussed and waved his hands, leading a group of muscle-bound guys inside. Gerry pointed at the statue, then pointed to a spot out on the patio. "Don't break it!"

  A minute later, the huge stone statue was safely relocated to its new home. Guests clustered around to watch, many of them clearly excited about what was coming.

  Penny wished she knew what it was. "What do you think he’s doing?" She accepted the cold cup of cider Cisco passed her.

  Cisco was as curious as Penny. "I don't know. Party game?"

  Penny had lost sight of Gerry, but he appeared a minute later, wheeling a large trolley laden with bottles of alcohol.

  Gerry pushed it to the statue, then grabbed a stool from a nearby table. He climbed onto the stool to call out over the crowd. "Mighty Bacchus, we offer these gifts, that you might grace us with your super fun and amazing presence! Let’s get this party started!"

  "He's not…" Penny began. Someone in the crowd started chanting Bacchus' name.

  "He is," Cisco confirmed. Gerry opened the first bottle of wine and poured it over the statue. The red liquid splattered as he missed the cup, and yet somehow, the stone goblet never overflowed.

  The music rose, but when Penny glanced at the band, their instruments were dangling untouched as they watched the spectacle on the patio. “Cisco? Where is that music coming from?” It didn’t have the same digital quality as the speakers that had blasted earlier. This was live.

  “Watch,” Cisco whispered. “Watch when he pours.”

  Penny turned her attention back on the statue. Bottles of rum, whiskey, vodka, and wine scattered the ground, some smashed into jagged shards, and yet, the statue was pristine. All traces of spilled wine had vanished, and the cup still would not overflow.

  As another slug of amber liquid dribbled over the statue’s face while Gerry cheered the crowd, the stone absorbed the alcohol, sucking the fluid up and leaving no trace behind.

  “It’s almost full!” The girl who had squealed leaned a hip onto Gerry’s stool as she rose on her tiptoes to peer into the goblet.

  He just poured about twenty bottles of grog into an oversized cup, Penny thought. How is it not full?

  Defying physics, the cup did indeed overflow, dribbling deep red liquid over the dais. It trickled onto the floor even as Gerry stopped pouring. The girl shoved past Gerry and pressed her empty cup against the flow. She took a sip and rolled her eyes. “Best. Wine. Ever.”

  “Beer!” Gerry yelled. The flow didn’t stop, but dark amber liquid gushed over the red, frothing down in clumps. Gerry filled his cup, raised it, and called a toast. “To our esteemed host...BACCHUS!”

  The beat of the music stopped and a beat of silence reigned. A girl’s voice gave a rough, echoey laugh.

  I know that voice, Penny realized. The quick techno beat that followed it brought a smile to her lips as the intro to Pink’s Get the Party Started blared.

  The crowd parted, and through the void, a man ran to the statue, high-fiving people as he passed them and jumping into a slick slide as he neared the end.

  Penny immediately recognized him from their earlier conversation. Not hard when he’s dressed in a glorified bed sheet.

  He bowed and clapped, mimicking his own applause. “You know the rules, party-goers. There are no rules! No bad vibes, no inhibitions, just party ‘til dawn!”

  The crowd screamed and pushed each other, trying to get closer to the urn to fill their cups.

  Bacchus encouraged the stampede, filling cups that appeared out of nowhere and tossing them out, drenching anyone who happened to be standing underneath.

  “That’s...something,” Penny said, trying to keep track of their host and his god through the swarm of people. “What do we do?”

  “Well, we can’t go without Amelia.” Cisco looked at Boots. “Do you think Boots could find her? It’s chaos out there.”

  Boots immediately slithered off Penny’s shoulder. “Be careful!” Penny called after her. There were a lot of stamping feet in the direction she was headed.

  “Boots doesn’t seem to have a problem with crowds,” Cisco said.

  Penny gave him a quick smile. “I took her to a music festival once. Everyone thought she was one of the acts, the way she danced. I think she liked the attention.”

  Cisco pulled back, confused. “You said earlier that she doesn’t like parties.”

  Penny winced. “That was a polite way of saying ‘I don’t think she likes Gerry.’ It’s not his fault. He wouldn’t know that she hates being grabbed like that.”

  They sat and waited, watching the crowd writhe and sway to the music, which had changed to a hypnotic trance beat. Those who had reached the statue had taken on a dazed, glassy look, many of them stripping off their clothes and getting intimate with whoever happened to be nearby.

  “Wow. This isn’t awkward at all,” Cisco said, coughing. He gestured to
a couple who were going at it on a nearby couch, the guy’s bare ass in the air.

  Penny snorted a laugh, trying not to spit cider out of her nose. “At least Amelia’s nights out are never boring!”

  “Speak of the devil.” Cisco pointed into the seething crowd of horny young adults.

  Amelia headed their way, Boots wrapped around one arm and draped over her shoulder, the other arm looped around Bacchus.

  Penny groaned. “Just what we needed.”

  The old god had lost his manic energy and transformed back into the studious man Penny had chatted with earlier. “Penny! Cisco!”

  Penny gave him a tight smile, then grabbed Amelia’s arm. “We were just going.”

  Amelia pouted. “Going? Penny, no way! This is the best party I’ve ever been to!”

  “It’s dangerous,” Penny hissed.

  Amelia shook her head resolutely. “It’s not. Gerry has these parties all the time. No one gets hurt, I swear. It’s just lots of booze, no hangovers, no drugs.”

  “You knew he’d be here?” Penny asked, too horrified to care if Bacchus heard.

  Rolling her eyes, Amelia heaved a dramatic sigh. “I knew you wouldn’t come if I told you. Penny, it’s fine, I swear. Bacchus looks after everyone. He’s a party god, not the god of death.”

  “Well, technically…” Bacchus shrugged. “But that was a long time ago. I promise I’m here to protect. I provide the wine, the music, and the guarantee that nothing will go wrong.”

  Penny raised a skeptical eyebrow. “A bunch of horny, drunk, uninhibited twenty-somethings, and nothing will go wrong?”

  Bacchus took her hand. “I was born in a time when wine was the liquid of the gods. When loss of inhibition was the birth of creativity, philosophy, and the betterment of intellect.” He shrugged again, the movement making his toga slip a little and reveal a few more ripped muscles. “Sadly, much of that history has been forgotten. I serve here as my lesser self, but I have not forgotten my origins—unlike many others who have crossed into this world.”

  Penny blushed and looked away. “What made you special enough to come over?” she asked.

  “Penny! You can’t be rude to a god!” Amelia admonished.