God of Temptation (Immortal Matchmakers, Inc)

Everyone went around the table and basically expressed the same concerns. End of the day, the gods’ lives and hearts had been intertwined deeply with those of their mortal loves, and it was uncharted waters.

Some spouses would be gifted the light of the gods if they wanted it, but some did not. Some felt it wasn’t right to live forever. Others worried about having children and what would happen if they refused to become demigods or if they simply didn’t qualify.

In short, it was going to take time for things to work themselves out for each god, and no one knew where things would land.

“Our fates are wide open.” Ixy looked at K’ak. “And don’t say a word.”

K’ak, who was still naked and wore his ankle-length black and silver hair up in a swirly thing atop his head, said, “I know nothing.” Of course he did, but he was choosing to keep it to himself.

Thank gods.

“How about you, Zac?” Ixy asked. “You haven’t weighed in yet.”

Just then, Tula spoke up, standing across the table. “I don’t know if I want to be immortal.”

Zac gasped. “What?”

“I love you, Zac, but hearing everyone talk has made me realize I need to think long and hard about living forever. I mean, yes, I want to marry you and have children. But what happens when they grow up? Or have children of their own? Do I want to outlive my kids? It sounds pretty awful.”

While Zac respected her feelings and her need to process the full meaning of immortality, there wasn’t a chance in hell he would face eternity without her.

It looked like he had his work cut out for him. Clearly, my woman is in need of extreme pampering and supreme lovemaking. He was definitely going to enjoy convincing her to accept the light of the gods.

“It is a very big decision, my love, but we have plenty of time to discuss it later.” He winked twice.

Tula flashed a confused smile.

“So then it’s unanimous? We all wish to step back and enjoy time with our families?” Ixy asked.

Everyone raised their hands to vote yes.

“But what about our commitment to helping the impacted immortal communities?” Votan asked. “They are depending on us to bring them back from the underworld or restore their powers.”

“Doing the research to find a solution could take years,” Cimil said. “We’re talking following up on thousands of leads and poring over millions of ancient scripts from all over the world. We will have to find someone else to take over.”

“Okay, well, if anyone has recommendations, I’ll make that my final task,” Ixy said. “Last agenda item: what to do about the Uchben?”

This would be a difficult decision. Usually the God of Death and War ran the army, so the Uchben had fallen under Votan and now Cimil. But over the centuries, the Uchben had grown into something more. They were doctors, scientists, teachers, accountants, and even investment brokers. Their most valued members had even been given the light of the gods. They were fully human again now, but still, it took a very strong human to lead such an organization.

Votan stood and pressed his hands on the table. “There could be a situation in the future that requires our loving assistance, and we will need resources and manpower or womanpower—”

“Thank you.” Forgetty nodded her head and flicked Chuck.

Votan continued, “We will need humans we can trust and who are thoroughly versed in modern technology.”

Votan was right. To humans, time moved slowly. To the gods, they blinked, and it was a new century. The Uchben had become invaluable in ensuring the gods had all the tools they needed to operate successfully in the human world.

“I think one of us must remain in play. We cannot completely walk away from our deific responsibilities,” said K’ak, which meant he knew something they did not. “I volunteer for this role. I am single. No children. I have no other obligations. Plus, I can be the go-between and communicate with the displaced immortals.”

“You’ll have to wear clothes,” Cimil pointed out.

K’ak shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He hated wearing clothes, but who didn’t?

“At least while you’re working,” Cimil added.

He smiled, looking relieved. “Then it is settled. I will lead.”

“Great,” said Ixy, taking notes for their historical records. “So, unless anyone has objections, K’ak will be the new leader of the Uchben, including the army. Does anyone have any other topics?”

Everyone looked around the table. Zac suddenly felt a sadness sweep over him. This was it. The end of the age of the gods. Who would have thought it would conclude right here, in a big empty office space in downtown LA, with all of them seated around a plastic fold-out table? Of course, there’d be the after cocktail party, too, but this was the final summit. No more apocalypses to thwart. No more daily disasters to clean up.