Ascension: The Ethereal Gods Book One Read online

  Ascension: The Ethereal Gods Book One by Rachel Callahan

  Published by Rachel Callahan

  https://sites.google.com/view/rachelcallahanauthor

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2021 Rachel Callahan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: [email protected].

  Cover by Carol Marques at Carol Marques Cover Designs

  Formatting by Cauldron Press

  Editing by CB Editing Services

  Proofreading by Locke and Key Proofreading Services

  ISBN: 978-1-7776969-0-0 (ebook)

  ISBN: 978-1-7776969-1-7 (paperback)

  This book is dedicated to anyone who uses reading as an escape. Writing this was mine, and I hope it can be yours too.

  Contents

  Chapter One / Olivia

  Chapter Two / Olivia

  Chapter Three / Olivia

  Chapter Four / Olivia

  Chapter Five / Olivia

  Chapter Six / Mateo

  Chapter Seven / Olivia

  Chapter Eight / Olivia

  Chapter Nine / Olivia

  Chapter Ten / Kyros

  Chapter Eleven / Olivia

  Chapter Twelve / Olivia

  Chapter Thirteen / Maximus

  Chapter Fourteen / Olivia

  Chapter Fifteen / Olivia

  Chapter Sixteen / Olivia

  Chapter Seventeen / Olivia

  Chapter Eighteen / Olivia

  Chapter Nineteen / Olivia

  Chapter Twenty / Olivia

  Chapter Twenty-one / Adrian

  Chapter Twenty-two / Adrian

  Chapter Twenty-three / Olivia

  Chapter Twenty-four / Olivia

  Chapter Twenty-five / Olivia

  Chapter Twenty-six / Olivia

  Chapter Twenty-seven / Olivia

  Epilogue / Mateo

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  I quickly move the cool glass from my lips, narrowly avoiding wearing half the bottle as the bubbles slosh up. The motion of the speed bump jostles me and I steady myself against the limo’s leather seat. My hands run across the supple leather before smoothing my red flowing sundress back down.

  The limo travels further down the crowded street, slowly making its way into the harborfront area. The atmosphere completely changes from the bustling traffic and skyscrapers of the city, to the laughing groups of people shopping and bar hopping down the shoreline.

  “Pass the champs, babes.” Penelope giggles, motioning towards the bottle with an impatient “gimme” gesture. Smirking, I raise the bottle to my lips once more, taking a generous pull. The cold bubbles slide over my tongue.

  “Patience Nelle. There’s plenty of bubbly to go around,” I drawl in a false haughty tone. “I am the birthday girl, after all.”

  Penelope just glares, wordlessly motioning again to pass the bottle.

  “I thought we were supposed to have mimosas anyway.” I relent, finally passing the bottle into her greedy outstretched hands. She eagerly grasps the neck, not wasting any time bringing it to her lips. She sighs in contentment before staring lovingly at the bottle. I cock my eyebrow in amusement as her gaze drifts to mine once more, finally registering what I just said.

  “We are!” she gasps in mock outrage, clutching the bottle to her chest. “Didn’t you see? I wafted the orange juice smell towards the bottle, perfect orange to champagne ratio!”

  I throw my head back, barking a laugh, my dark brown loose curls flowing around me in a wave. “Bitch, who are you kidding?” I laugh, clapping my hands. “You didn’t even bring orange juice.”

  “Semantics,” Penelope scoffs, waving off my logic before bringing the bottle to her lips once more.

  I glance out the window, watching the water slowly rock against the harbor. The sun glints off the water, the sparkling blue capturing my attention as the limo continues slowly down the road. Boats line the port as groups start heading in for lunch and drinks.

  “Ms. Rothchild, we are just pulling up,” our driver, Phil, announces over the intercom.

  Snatching the bottle, much to Nelle’s dismay, I take one last drink before the limo comes to a stop. Her full pink lips still hang open, brown eyes wide in shock as I polish off the last sip. I stick out my tongue. The glowing picture of maturity, and her scowl only deepens.

  “You need to work on those reflexes,” I tease.

  Before she can retort, Phil quickly shuffles out to open our door. There’s no doubt my father unjustly lectured him. He isn’t known for his kindness toward others, especially his staff.

  “Thanks, Phil.” I smile up at him before shimmying across the bench seat.

  “Of course, Ms. Rothchild. Please let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll pull back around to the front.” He smiles back as we exit.

  “Ah, ya big softy. You don’t need to do that, we can take a cab back. Go have some fun, get some lunch or something,” I insist, chewing my lip in guilt. Today was supposed to be his day off, but my father insisted Phil escort us for some reason.

  “I can’t do that, Ms. Rothchild. Please, go, enjoy your birthday.” His eyes crinkle in amusement, giving me a placating smile with a shake of his head. It was worth a try. I wouldn’t want him to get in trouble with my father anyway. He seems to be all-knowing at times. Sighing in defeat, I give him a quick wave before I catch up with Nelle, waiting a few paces away.

  The blistering heat of the afternoon sun beats down on us as we make our way up to the pool bar entrance, the skirt of my red sundress billowing around me, buffeted by the wind. The sound of my gold strappy heels clacking against the pavement is barely audible over the muffled conversations around us.

  Waiting patrons line the entrance, and a glass wall spans the other side, giving the patrons a perfect view of the lake. We weave our way towards the VIP entrance. The bouncer, another one of my father’s staff, notices us right away.

  “Olivia Rothchild. Right this way.” He motions us over to the waiting hostess.

  “We have your booth all set up for you, Ms. Rothchild.” She beams, leading us through the busy crowd.

  The entrance is teeming with twenty-somethings waiting at the bar for their drinks. A few make their way over to the private pool area to work on their tans. Music plays softly from the speakers, the DJ waiting for the crowds to fill in before pumping the beats.

  Our hostess leads us past everyone to the VIP section. The main booth waits for us, central to everything—the pool on one side and the dance floor on the other. Each side is separated by a waist-high glass railing and a security guard.

  I push aside the white gauzy curtains at the entrance and lead Nelle towards the back of the booth, where our private dressing room waits. “Let’s work on our tans, boo,” I tease as the door shuts behind us.

  I pull off my dress, revealing my swimsuit underneath. “Dang girl, are you trying to get lucky tonight?” Nelle waggles her eyebrows as she takes me in.

  “Well, I mean, it is my birthday after all.” I shrug. “Besides, any guy would be lucky to get a piece of this.” Laughing, I strike a pose and walk over to the mirror. My light sea-green eyes sparkle back at me, and I do a lazy inspection of my body. I adjust the straps, perking the girls up a bit. My red bikini shows off my curves, each piece connected by
a gold chain, running down my tan, lean stomach and encircling my waist.

  “Yeah, only if he can handle your dramatic ass. You’re way too extra sometimes.”

  I gasp in mock outrage and swat her on the ass of her teal bikini. Penelope and I have been best friends since kindergarten. She’s the only person I would allow to say something like that without completely roasting them. She giggles and sticks her tongue out at me, brushing her long black beach waves out of her face. Leaving our bags and clothes in the wardrobe, we make our way back out to the booth.

  The hostess is almost finished setting out the last of the necessary mixers and glasses. A bottle of vodka and champagne already sit in ice buckets. “Mr. Rothchild left this note for you.” She smiles kindly, handing me an envelope with the beach club’s logo emblazoned on the front. Rolling my eyes, I toss it on the table. I really shouldn’t even be surprised. Leave it to my father to not even bother to get his only daughter an actual birthday card.

  I thank her, and she nods. “Of course, please let me know if there’s anything else I can get for you.” I barely catch the quizzical look she shoots towards Nelle before quickly retreating.

  Turning to Nelle, I notice her glaring at the orange juice as though its mere existence has personally affronted her. “No orange juice!” She warns, scolding me as we take our seats. She pours us both flutes of champagne, the bubbles rushing up in the glass, stopping just short of the edge.

  “Cheers to my bestie on her twentieth birthday! Here’s to your crazy ass and many more shenanigans to come.”

  I clink my glass to hers, smiling at my best friend. Her head tilts back, downing her drink, her black waves bouncing around her. I follow her lead, letting the delicious bubbly slide down my throat.

  “Love you, boo,” I purr, looking adoringly at my glass.

  “Are you talking to me or the champs?”

  “Both.” I shrug gleefully. “Pour em’ up girly! This birthday girl ’bout to get tipsy.”

  The drinks keep pouring. The warm haze of alcohol settles over me as I sip my vodka cranberry. I dance in my seat, the alcohol starting to loosen me up just as the DJ starts mixing in Body by Megan Thee Stallion.

  “It’s our song!” I announce loudly, pulling Nelle out of her chair. Her drink sloshes on the table as she scrambles to put it down.

  “Slow down!” she chastises, struggling to steady herself on her silver heels as they twist under her. Trusting she can right herself, I head to the edge of the dance floor, swinging my hips to the beat as I walk, and dragging Nelle behind me.

  The dance floor starts to fill, couples and groups of girls, all in their swimwear, sway to the music. Most of the guys are still sticking to the sidelines, waiting for their liquid courage to kick in. Nelle and I sing along to the words, moving our hips to the beat. I lift my arms and sway my hips, getting into it and losing myself to the song. Bodies move in around us, hips and arms brush against me as the dance floor begins to bustle. I close my eyes, surrendering to the rush and the slight haze of alcohol racing through my body.

  A rough pair of masculine hands slide across my waist, coming to rest on my hips. They pull me back against a thin frame. The man clumsily sways his hips, trying but failing to match mine as the DJ transitions to a new track.

  My eyes snap open, searching for Nelle, pleading with my eyes for her to save me. Without a moment’s hesitation, she grabs my hand, spinning me closer to her and moving further into the throng of dancing patrons. I glance back, seeing a lanky blonde man looking confused after us.

  “Hey, where are you going?” He moves to follow us.

  “Get lost, creep,” Nelle scowls. I match her glare, daring him to take another step. He holds up his hands in surrender, retreating slowly, before shaking his head and walking in the opposite direction.

  We head further into the crowd, bodies pressing in on us, dancing our way through them as we attempt to find the perfect spot. Nelle twirls me around to a small clearing, and we claim the new spot as ours. Her hips are shimmying to the beat in an over-the-top move, and she shakes her breasts like she’s about to motorboat me. I can’t help but release a giggle of amusement, her awkward movement giving the desired effect of shaking off the interaction—the DJ transitions to a remix of 34+35 by Ariana Grande. We start singing horribly again, making over-the-top fake sex faces as we butcher the notes, which garners us more than a few confused glances.

  A niggling sensation at my center beckons me to move my gaze. Slowly glancing up, I let my eyes rove around, confused at the feeling. Suddenly, as though finding the force attracting them, I lock on to the most gorgeous blue eyes and sexy, playful smirk I have ever seen. His eyes are already locked on to me. Not even interested in anything else going on around him. Waiting for me to finally turn my attention to him.

  I smile teasingly, not breaking eye contact with him, as I move my hips to the sexual words. As he takes a sharp breath, his sculpted chest flexes, on full display through his opened shirt. His red swim trunks cling in all the right places. He runs his thick fingers through his golden-brown hair, pushing it back, and his eyes trail down my body, drinking in every inch.

  Noticing the shift from our previous goofiness, Nelle follows my eyes to the sexy stranger.

  “Dang girl, he’s fine. You better lock that up before I steal him.” She winks at me. Dragging my gaze back to her and rolling my eyes, I attempt to hide the fact I was just eye-fucking a stranger. Never one to be dissuaded, she proceeds to curl her hand into a fist beside her face, miming giving a blow job.

  I quickly smack her as I notice him moving toward us and silently plead with my eyes not to mess shit up for me. She just starts singing along with the song again, aggressively thrusting her hips towards me while belting out the lyrics.

  I move my finger across my neck in a wordless threat and silently mouth ‘knock it off,’ throwing daggers at her from my eyes, before quickly scanning the crowd again. My eyes snap back to Nelle as she doubles over, my silent threats not swaying her whatsoever.

  “It seems like this is where the real party’s at,” a deep voice sounds behind me. His amusement is evident in his tone.

  “Definitely,” I start, twirling around to face him. Momentarily stunned, my mouth falls open as his eyes catch and bore into mine, entrancing me like a moth to a flame. Caught off guard, I forget how to speak as I gaze at him. Crystal blue eyes sparkling, his lips inch up into a teasing smile as he stares back at me, his eyes never leaving mine.

  Blinking, I mentally shake myself, pulling my mouth shut as I take in a deep breath through my nose. My exhale allows me to find my composure once more. “However, we are pretty selective with the guest list.” I smile seductively, my hand sliding to rest on my hip. His eyes follow my gesture, raking down my body as he slowly bites his lip, hunger evident in his gaze.

  My mouth quirks up, catching his eyes. Two could play this game, I think, smugly. His hand raises to rub his chiseled jaw in thought as his eyes lock on mine unflinchingly.

  “I guess you’ll just have to let me prove my worth.” He leans forward, lips softly brushing my ear. His large hand rests possessively on my opposite shoulder, thumb swirling in delicious circles across the sensitive skin of my collarbone. “Let me show you why I’m the only man you’ll ever need on your guest list.”

  I bite my lip, my skin tingling where his soft breath wisped across my ear, sending a pleasant shiver all the way down my body. I feel his lips pull up into a smile before he slowly leans back, eyes meeting mine once more. My body screams at me to follow, to melt into his warm touch. I slowly start to give in, leaning forward before I catch myself.

  “Will you let me buy you a drink?” he asks softly, still close enough that he can be heard over the pounding of the bass. The lyrics and beat escape my notice as we continue gazing at each other. I inhale, taking in his scent of citrus and peppercorn, my mind hazing over at the alluring smell.

  “Actually,” Nelle drawls, draping an arm around my shoulder.
The touch pulls me out of my trance, a sea of swaying bodies coming back into focus and the thumping beat vibrating my bones. Sweat and alcohol permeate my senses, leaving the air thick and heavy, suffocating almost, compared to our intimate moment.

  “We have a booth, just over there. You can tell us a little bit about yourself …” The last syllable lingers, her tone hitching up in question.

  “Adrian. And I would love to.” He smirks, eyes slowly roving back to me as he finishes Nelle’s sentence.

  “Perfect. Well, I’m Penelope, and my friend here, that you were just eye-fucking, is Olivia,” she says pointedly. Her mouth moves into a smile, teeth bared a little too much to be interpreted as friendly.

  “A pleasure to meet you both.” He smiles slyly, meeting Nelle’s eyes, his hand extending to shake hers. His eyes land on me, switching his attention as he bends. Taking my hand, he places a soft kiss on the top, lingering as he gazes up at me from beneath his dark lashes.

  “This way!” Nelle inserts curtly, taking my hand and swiftly moving towards our booth. A sense of determination in her heavy steps.

  Adrian huffs a laugh behind us, my hand jerking from his as Nelle pulls me behind her. He quickly catches up, fingers interlacing with mine as we weave our way through the increasingly sloppy dancing around us.

  I nod to the bouncer on our way up the stairs. He moves aside, pulling the curtains open for us. Nelle quickly jumps into her seat, eager to pour the drinks, and Adrian drops into the booth next to me. His arm drapes over my shoulders as he slides closer to me. Heat radiates off of him and his leg brushes against mine. I glance up at him through my lashes, lust burning through my body as he gazes down at me.