“Oh...well...that's alright then." Gwen Looked as if her head was about to explode.

“Look, I'LL go and leave Jamie to explain everything. I came here to show you what I am and tell you that every bit of what he's going to say is true. Listen carefully, Jamie needs you. All of you. And probably more when the time comes. The four of you are going to go through a Lot together in the near future. Remember what you feel, what you will feel for each other. That love will be essential." With that she turned to Jamie and reached out to caress his cheek with her fingertips. Her touch was so incredibly soft and warm that Jamie couldn't help but close his eyes. As he did the familiar mind-blowing feel off the goddess’ lips against his own strengthened his will and, if it was possible, his adoration for her. Then when he opened his eyes she was gone.

A long silence filled the room.

“I need a cup of tea." Sonya said, her eyes slightly glazed as if she was experiencing shellshock.

There was a murmur of agreement between them all and a few moments later they were all sat around the table nursing teacups and Looking between each other nervously.

Jamie finally took a breath and then began to speak.

"Ok so here's the story. Allison..."

"...the goddess." It was Elisha who spoke in a still slightly disbelieving tone.

“.,,.the goddess." Jamie concurred.

“She's been trapped for centuries in this little glass bottle."

“Like a genie?" Sonya asked.

“Exactly Like that. Apparently a long time ago when the world was young, all the gods got together and helped this craftsman to create a number of glass vials powerful enough to contain the demons that infested the world back then."

“Demons!? Now there's demons!? I don't want there to be demons Jamie!"

Gwen seemed rather startled by this news.

“Neither did the gods. These things weren't demons in the sense of hell spawn or bat-winged monsters with horns and forked tongues. Like the gods, they were born out of the minds of people and came to personify the worst in us. Anger, pain, loneliness, greed...you name it and there was a demon taking care of its interests."

“Wait, you said the gods were born out of the minds of people? I thought that was the other way around?" Elisha's expression was now more believing, or perhaps she just Liked a story.

“No. Allison says that none of the gods know what made the universe any more than we do. They came into existence whenever mankind believed in something hard enough. It started out with the basics. Gods of the elements have been around almost as long as humanity, so have gods of courage and demons of pain and rage. Allison herself is one of the oldest ones and was born out of lust.”

“Jeez, I'll say." It was Sonya who had spoken this time. After speaking everyone slowly turned to look at her, Gwen had a slight smile on her lips. Sonya's face then got busy turning a fierce shade of bright pink and Jamie decided to carry on with his story to take away the embarrassing attention

“Okay, well as humanity evolved so did the gods. Some were changed as humans took the concepts that had given birth to their deities and associated them with new ideas. It was around this point that Allison became less concerned with making sure people got in the sack and more about making sure they cared enough about each other after the fun was over."

"So she became the goddess of love then?" Elisha's Light Irish accented voice echoed the enthralled look in her eyes.