LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter One

      The whip sliced through the water and Rourk held his breath. In the past ten minutes he had discovered anticipation was not something he welcomed. His body tensed. His back muscles, already bleeding from Poseidon’s hand, braced for impact.

      “This is your fault!” the sea god shouted.

      The only fault lay with Poseidon, but Rourk had no intention of beseeching death anytime soon with that truth. Poseidon’s whip peeled the flesh off his back, and Rourk bit back a curse. Only his Titan strength kept him upright and not flat on his face under the god of the sea’s assault.

      Poseidon cursed. The waves rolled in revolt. Oceans darkened and the ominous sound of thunder boomed from the human realm to Poseidon’s domain.

      “Go after her!” The god did not shout. He roared. Those near his throne shivered. The smart ones hightailed it out of the palatial throne room faster than sardines, keenly aware of the sea god’s temperamental nature.

      With pain from his beating stealing through his cells, Rourk ground his teeth. He wasn’t about to let any weakness master him or attempt to settle like an old barnacle within him. His time serving Poseidon was almost up. Failing was not an option.

      He looked Poseidon in the eye and nodded. “With pleasure.” He made sure his voice was steady.

      Poseidon’s focus turned elsewhere. Rourk used the precious seconds to regain control of his body. He felt the exact moment his servitude ended. Power coursed through his demigod veins, healing his wounds with a mix of pain and pleasure. His relief was instantaneous and exhilarating. Rourk was once again in control of his destiny. And that destiny had a name—Lily, a temptress he looked forward to claiming.

      Poseidon willed his white-gold triton, bejeweled with red rubies and emeralds, to life. Moving it in a circle, he opened a portal in the barrier that kept the mortals of Earth from the sea god’s domain. Suspended in water, the portal shimmered. Its liquid turquoise hue suggested serenity for those who dared to venture forth. Too bad peace was the last thing it offered. Going through the opening was the equivalent of agreeing to a day of torture by the most depraved slave master.

      Green blood dripped steadily down Rourk’s back, thanks to the lashings. At least he no longer felt the ripples of sharp pain that had almost felled him. His freedom did not sit well with Poseidon, he knew, because the god of the sea was losing something he cared about—his daughter. For Rourk, freedom tasted like pristine, clean water and smelled of Lily’s lavender scent.

      Poseidon’s neon-green eyes stared at him. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get a move on, Rourk, before I decide to send another.”

      Rourk glared back. Those serving the god swam farther out of reach, afraid of any repercussions. Not Rourk. With strength of will he moved closer to the god.

      “I fulfilled my end of the bargain.”

      A dark, sinister mask settled on Poseidon’s face. It almost made Rourk swim farther out of reach. Instead he marshaled his thoughts and remained standing.

      “Yes, you did. That doesn’t mean I like you. My daughter means the seas to me. She will not like this. I want her back here, in this domain, where she belongs. I curse you,

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