“Because ‘I am called’ is a really pompous way of saying it when you could just say ‘my name is.’ And your name being Alexios isn’t helping matters. In a place like Last Chance, it sounds uppity.”

“Interesting. I suppose I could go by Alex while I’m here. Would that help me blend?”

“Not as long as you’re wearing purple jeans.”

“Humans are a very peculiar bunch.”

Marina narrowed her eyes. He might not be a serial killer, but he was definitely walking the crazy plank. “Some of us are, certainly. I take it you’re not claiming human as your species?”

“I’d love to say that’s the case, but unfortunately, a part of me is. Apparently not the part that prefers purple jeans or proper speech.”

“What’s the other half? And I swear to God if you say you’re an alien I’m going to spray you with cooking oil. It’s right here in this box.”

He considered this far too long for Marina’s taste but finally nodded. “I suppose if you mean that a part of my lineage is not of the Earth, then perhaps I could be considered alien. But if you’re speaking of the general Hollywood definition, then no.”

“You know, it’s been a really long day and an even longer week. And I’m going to hate myself for asking this, but where exactly is the other part of you from?”

“I’m a demigod.”

Marina stared. “You really are into yourself, aren’t you? I mean, I know a lot of men who think they’re gods, but not any that just come right out and say it.”

“This is the worst part of my job. The convincing.”

“If you’re waiting for women to believe you’re a god, I can see where that would be difficult.”

“A demigod. Not a god. If I were a god, I wouldn’t have this horrible assignment. I’d be living it up on a cloud.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s a demigod?”

“I’m the product of the mating of a god and a mortal.”

“You mean like Hercules?”

He rolled his eyes. “What is it with you humans and Hercules?”

“I don’t know. Defied the gods, saved the world, that sort of thing.”

“Good! That gives us some common ground. You’re a Seeker and I’m here to help you save the world.”

The tiny shred of patience that she’d been clinging to dissolved. “Dude, I can’t save my marriage. Or myself. Hell, I can’t even keep a cactus alive. If the world is depending on me, then this is the saddest day in history since God said ‘let there be light.’”

“That’s not really how it happened…you know what, never mind. I can see you’ll need some convincing, so I’ll just save some time and launch right into the dog and pony show. Let’s start with how I got into your house.”

“That’s easy. I forgot to lock the door.”

“You did not. In fact, you locked the door and pulled the shiny new dead bolt as well.”