A stranger

The man walked among sex workers and junkies without paying them any mind. He was wearing a black leather trench-coat with aviator sunglasses and, to complete his old fashion edgy douchebag look, he sported a goatee. He entered the florist without hesitation and addressed the redhead woman in a formal yet direct way. “Good evening, Lady Pasiphae. I am here for Lady Circe.”

She smiled at him. “Oh my, Ladies. It’s been a while since I didn’t hear us being called by such a title.” she said, leading him toward the back of the shop.

“I’m afraid there I do not know of a more appropriate way to style you in the English language,” he replied without flinching. “You are more than mortal queens, so I feel like it would be disrespectful to give you a form of address used for European monarchies. Even though you in particular were once a queen, if I’m not mistaken?”

The beautiful creature pouted and looked away. “I don’t like being reminded of this part of my existence.”

“I apologize, I should not have mentioned it,” the strange man said, looking down.

“Don’t worry. It happens all the time with those who know the myths, it’s the only moment when I seem to have been deemed relevant.” She sounded bitter as she opened the simple door for him and let him go through it.

He was greeted by the sight of an otherworldly beautiful woman eating raisins on a sofa.

“Lady Circe, I salute you,” he declared, bowing down.

She gave him a surprised look, but quickly returned to her bored expression. “You can stand, child, and tell me what you want from me.”

He nodded, and simply answered “I want the one whom I desire to be mine.”

She raised an eyebrow. His assurance when addressing her had been uncommon enough to raise her curiosity. “Who is this person?”

“I want nothing less than being disrespectful, but is it relevant to you?” he instantly asked back.

She hesitated. She had not been the hesitating one in a bargain for centuries. It almost amused her. “Very well…” She caressed her perfect lips, lost in her thoughts. “You will be granted your wish, but you will never let this object of your desire know your real name.”

He grinned. “I get it that if I fail to keep it secret from her, not only will she be able to leave me but I will also suffer some… karmic retribution?”

“I’m in no obligation to give you any details on this matter,” she stated without caring to look at him anymore as her attention was back on her grapes. “But yes, you will suffer dire consequences if you fail to fulfill your part of the bargain. Now off you go, before you overstay your welcome.”

“Oh, but certainly.” He extended his hand toward her. “As long as you follow me.”

The sorceress frowned and turned her head toward him. This was the most visible reaction he had gotten from her so far. “What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You are the one whom I desire the most, little goddess.” he explained calmly yet triumphantly.

She remained silent and unmoving for a few seconds, struck by the audacity of this mortal but not yet afraid or outraged. “Very clever, but you must know I am immune to my own powers. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't magically bind myself to you, at least not the way you wish for.”

He chuckled softly. “And I don’t expect you to. But there are powers greater and more ancient than your magic tricks. Don’t you understand? You’ve accepted my deal, and as a deity you are bound to your word. You’re as incapable of breaking an oath as a human is of freeing himself from gravity or turning his internal organs upside down.”

“Silence, vermin!” She looked at him with rage and intensity, her beautiful blond hair flying around her head. But soon, the fury in her eyes was replaced with confusion, then fear. “Why is it not working? What did you do to me?” she cried.

“What did you try on me?” he asked in a mocking tone. “Turn me into a pig? Or a worm, maybe? Actually, don’t tell me. All we need to know is that it was an exercise in futility.” He walked toward her, and she started moving backward to escape him but quickly found herself back to the wall.. In an instant, all her might had been replaced with abject horror and her downfall didn’t seem to be over. “You are mine, thus your powers are too. Which makes me as immune to them as you are.” He raised his hand and put it on her cheek, causing her to shiver in fright.

“P… Please, leave me be!” the goddess pleaded as he was caressing her trembling lower lip with his thumb. “If what you just said is true, you’ve become immensely powerful. You don’t need me to…”

“Shhhh…” He shushed her by sliding the thumb into her mouth. “You’re a fool, but don’t pretend to be an idiot. Did you think your abilities were the only thing I wanted from you? There are dozens of other gods I could have tricked. Most of them are not as clever as you. None of them are as attractive. Now show me your tits.”

Circe’s hands moved before her mind even registered the commend. And as he regaled himself with the sight of her perfect orbs, she looked at him with terror, as realisation dawned on her. Yes, she was his. Entirely and utterly his.