I didn’t bother with a glass.
I closed my eyes and swallowed as much of the alcohol as I could manage. I put it back on the counter only when the need to breathe became too prevalent. It was then that I realized I was wrong. I wasn’t alone. My companions were stationed around the door as if I were going to make a run for it.
Don’t get me wrong. Running seemed like a great idea in light of what I had just learned.
“I won’t die.” I took another swig from the bottle. “I’ll just spend eternity in Tartarus instead. Doesn’t matter. I’ve heard it’s especially lovely this time of year, what with the tortures and all.”
“Evie, calm down.” Joey spoke up from behind me. “Maybe we can talk to Apollo.”
“No.” I whirled around. “Dammit, haven’t I been through enough? Haven’t I lost enough already? Why do they insist on putting this on me too?”
Cyrus didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. My beloved crossed the kitchen in three steps to wrap me up in his arms. He crushed me against his chest until my body stopped shaking. When I was sure I wasn’t going to burst into tears, I whispered against him.
“I can’t do this.”
“You can. And you will. Remember the blood which runs through your veins.” Cyrus whispered against my hair. “Focus on what you do best, Evie. Focus on what you’ve learned over the past two years. You know so much more than you could ever imagine.”
I pulled away to press my fingertips against my eyes. I wasn’t an idiot. I knew Cyrus was trying to make me feel better. I wasn’t worried about Apollo. Or the Council They could be damned for all I cared. It was Cyrus. The man who had been my rock from day one of this crazy life believed that I could stop this. He believed that I could protect him. Save a world that had existed far longer than it should have.
I would try. If only for him, I would try.
“Ok. I’m ok.” I lifted up my chin to study his beautiful features. “Are you sure the Council can’t find anyone else to do this?”
Again, Cyrus didn’t answer. He focused on stroking my cheek until my breathing evened out. So I did the only thing I could think to do.
I got to work.
“We have three days. I’m going to need you and Google and god knows what else to tell me everything I need to know about the stupid barrier. I can’t seal it if I don’t know what to do.”
“Good luck with that.” Dominique approached us. She stopped just short of Cyrus so that I had to glare at her over his shoulder. “The Olympians have no idea how Tartarus works. They only know it as a place to banish their enemies.”
“Excuse me?” I pushed past Cyrus to face her. “What do you mean they don’t know?”
“They don’t know.” She repeated as if I were stupid. “The Olympians didn’t create Tartarus. If you spent as much time on your history as you did on your damn television show, you would know that.”
“Leave.” I pointed to the door. “If you aren’t going to help me, then go.”
“Can’t. Bound to you until the Golden One says otherwise.” Dominique gave me a cold grin. “You want me to help? Fine. There is only one being who can give you the information you need.”
“And let me guess. He’s in Tartarus?” I looked to the ceiling with a silent plea for patience. “Or is there another level of this hell you haven’t told me about?”
“Oh, there’s plenty.” Dominique chuckled. “The monsters of the forest. The trials you will have to face before you even get to the clearing. The ghosts...”
“Uranus. The creator of Tartarus himself.” Cyrus cut my newest keeper off with another scathing look. “And no, Little One. He was not banished to Tartarus. Like many of the gods, he took refuge here on Earth.”
“So where is he?” I looked between the two keepers. “Let’s go talk to him.”
“It not so simple…”
“Don’t start with me, Cyrus. Not today.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “If you don’t know how to find him, tell me who does.”
“Zeus.” My beloved sighed. “He is the only one who knows how to contact the Ancient One.”
I grabbed the forgotten wine bottle then marched past a silent Joey to the hall closet where I kept my purse. Within moments, I had the golden phone in my hand I used to contact Apollo. Seconds later, I hit ‘send’ on the text message I had typed up.
I need Zeus. Get me in contact with him.
“What are you doing?” Dominique stepped out of the shadows. “Telling Daddy to get you out of this mess?”
I ignored her. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the first time. The phone vibrated in my hand a few minutes later.
You’ve spoken to Cyrus then. You understand the gravity of the situation we face.
I moved past Dominique to curl back up on my couch. I took another drink of wine before I responded.
If you want me to stop this, I need information. I need to speak to Zeus.
I started to send the message but stopped. There was one last thing I needed to say to my patron god.
This is too much. Too soon. If you wanted to replace me, you could have just said so. You didn’t have to send me straight to my own damnation.
Chapter Three
It didn’t take long to get a response from Apollo. Granted, it wasn’t the response I had expected. A bright flash of sunlight filled my living room before Apollo stepped into view. Both Cyrus and Dominique bowed before him. Even Joey lowered his head out of respect for the Sun God. But not me.
I gave him the most hateful look I could muster.
“Leave us.” Apollo snapped. “Now.”
“Don’t you talk to them like that.” I snapped back. I threw my phone onto the couch before I stood. “If you have a problem then you take it up with me. Don’t you dare come in here and start ordering them around.”
“Leave.” Apollo kept his golden glare on me as he spoke to the others. “I need to speak to my Sibyl. Alone.”
I heard movement behind me. I knew Cyrus had forced the others out. It wasn’t until the front door closed that Apollo broke the tense silent between us.
“You will not speak to me in such a manner, girl. You will respect me. You will respect the orders given to you.” Apollo’s tone was quiet. Steady. But even I heard the threat underlining his words. “Are we clear?”
“Tell me why.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Why was I deemed the only one to go on this suicide mission for you?”
“You do not understand honor, Sibyl.” My patron god sneered at me. “The Council has faith in your abilities. Your intelligence. If you cannot handle your assignment, then we will revoke your title. Hera will be pleased.”
Hera. I gritted my teeth at the name. The vengeful goddess had done everything in her power to see me destroyed. Yet, I was still standing. I felt my anger give away to the fear that had settled into my heart. I collapsed back onto the sofa to bury my face in my hands. When I had control of my temper, I spoke between my fingers.
“I will do what I can. But Apollo, what happens if I fail? What if the world burns because of me?”
I felt the thick air between us shift when my biological father lowered himself down to kneel in front of me. He pulled my hands free from my face so that I could see the displeasure on his face.
“Do your victories mean nothing to you? Does your success mean so little?” He reached out to tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind my ear. “Eva, if you have learned nothing else, you must believe in yourself. You have the very blood of the gods in your veins.”
“You sound like Cyrus. He said the exact same thing.”
“Because he is right.” Apollo shook his head. “I will see to it that Zeus contacts you tomorrow. But for now, you will need to prepare for the other dangers which await you.”
I went silent as I studied him. Although I had been told all my life that I looked like my mother, I could see myself in the Golden One as well. We had the same wavy blonde hair. The same sharp nose. When I had first become the S
ibyl, I assumed my beauty was a benefit thanks to my new role.
I was wrong. No matter how I tried to deny it, the man kneeling on the carpet in front of me was my father. I owed my very existence to a series of forbidden rituals conducted by Janet McRayne.
“Tell me what happened.” I whispered. “Talk to me, Apollo.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I do not believe this is the right time.”
“Where were you?” I interrupted. I knew I should have heeded his words. I should have shut my mouth. Been respectful. Instead, the questions that had been forming in my mind since I’d learned the truth of my lineage tumbled out before I could stop them. “Why Janet McRayne? Why did they hide you from me?”
Apollo pressed his lips together before he dropped my hands. He stood. I stared at him before I sighed.
“You’re right. This isn’t the right time.” I stood and brushed my palms against my jeans. “Maybe it’s better this way. After all, what right do I have to know anything?”
I moved to leave the room. I was almost to the door when his next words stopped me.
“I wanted what was owed to me. Is that what you want to hear?”
I froze in place. I was afraid that if I turned around, Apollo would disappear from the room. Return to Olympus without telling me the story I was so desperate to hear.
“It had been so long since anyone had praised my name. Centuries of false promises and weakened power had worn me down. So when the girl entered the circle and promised herself to me, I accepted the invitation without a second thought.”
I turned to see Apollo studying me as I had him a few moments before. He clasped his hands behind his back before he continued.
“Janet reminded me of Delphine. The conquest which had eluded me so many centuries before was now at my fingertips. This is where your resemblance to the original Sibyl comes from, you know. Your mother.”
I bowed my head at his words. When I had first encountered Delphine, I had been shocked at how similar our appearances were. Now, I knew why.
Apollo had accepted my mother’s invitation to finish what he had started when he created his first Sibyl. Here was a woman who praised him. Worshipped him as Delphine never had. Of course he was going to accept her. He would have been a fool not to.
“It was only three months after the rituals began that you were conceived.” Apollo rocked back on his heels. “Janet was fearful. She had nowhere to go. No one to turn to other than the McRayne coven.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. His story sounded too much like fantasy. A dream instead of the events which led to my existence. But how could I not believe him? I’d seen too much already to call him a liar.
Besides, I’d already pissed him off once tonight. I didn’t want to risk doing it now.
“So why go to all this trouble?” I shrugged. “Making me your Sibyl? Why not ignore me, let me live a boring existence, and die of old age never the wiser?”
Apollo gave me a small smile. The Sun God reached out to brush his knuckles against my cheek.
“Because you are mine.”
I didn’t miss how his smile tightened when he spoke again. “Did you know the McRaynes were impoverished? Lillian McRayne dedicated her life to Hecate in an attempt to ease the pain her poverty caused her. It is true the witch gave the girl power, but it wasn’t until I appeared to Lillian after your conception that they gained the wealth they desired.”
“I don’t understand.” I frowned. “You paid them off to take care of Janet?”
“No.” Apollo closed the distance between us to take hold of my arms. “I granted them wealth to take care of you. You must understand your status, Eva. The title of Sibyl? Being the representative of the Olympian Council? Neither of these compare to the fact that you are my child. A princess of Olympus who is no less than the other heroes who came before you.”
“I don’t know what that means.” I confessed. “I’m not stupid. I understand the biological part. But the whole demi-god thing is confusing. Not to mention how new this knowledge is. I thought that if I talked to you, I would understand. I would know how to handle things better. But the truth is, I’m just as lost now as I was before.”
“Janet and Martin decided it was best if you didn’t know the truth of your lineage.” His golden eyes softened. For a moment, the Golden One seemed sad. “You are my first child in centuries, Eva. I doted on you through them. I provided you a palace by the sea. A life without worry or difficulties.”
“Until I became your Sibyl.” I pointed out. “I’ve had nothing but difficulties since then.”
“Ah, but by accepting your role, I was able to grant you immortality.” He smiled once more. “A gift that is your birthright. If I’d thought for a second we may lose you, I would never have allowed the Council to assign you to take care of the Titans. You must know that.”
“Can I ask something of you?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Take Dominique back. She’s already a pain in my ass and I’ve only known her for an hour.”
Apollo blinked before he started laughing. He actually laughed at me. When my patron god calmed down, he grinned.
“You will learn a lot from the Nike disciple. I placed you in her care for a reason.”
“So that’s a no, then.” I rolled my eyes at him. “I just don’t get why Cyrus has to leave me now. I need him.”
“All things will be revealed in time, my Sibyl.” Apollo pointed his finger at me. “And never demand things of me. Or assume that I have put you in unnecessary danger.”
“Fine.” I groaned. “I apologize. I was mad. And terrified.”
When he faded into the dull rays that filtered in through my window, I picked up the wine bottle again. I considered calling Cyrus back to my side. He would bring Joey and the damnable Dominique with him. But I needed peace. Quiet to process what I’d just learned.
I headed to my study instead. There was still so much to do. I had to clear this mess through Connor’s office for an episode. I had to start working on the paperwork to clear our appearance schedules for the next few weeks. Not to mention figuring out just how I was going to pull off a miracle against the damned Titans.
As I sat down behind my desk, I thought back on what Apollo had said. He told me to believe in myself. I did. But what I couldn’t bring myself to tell him was that I was still upset with him. I was still convinced the Council was throwing me to the wolves with no protection whatsoever.
And I was still very much afraid.
Chapter Four
“Come on, Evie. Let’s get you in bed.”
I groaned when a set of hands pulled at my shoulders. I jerked awake, twisting in my office chair to see Joey take a step back.
“Joey?” I blinked away the heavy sleep in my eyes. “What…”
“You’ve been holed up in here for the past three hours.” My friend gave me a look of concern. “Thought I would check on you since Cy and Dom are gone.”
Dom? I raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t call her that to her face, Joey doesn’t seem too friendly.”
“I never back down from a challenge.” Joey gave me an easy grin before he plopped down on the couch across from me. His grin shifted into a look of seriousness. “I don’t get why your newest bodyguard needs to be trained. Shouldn’t she be able to kick as and take names already?”
I squeezed my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose. I felt foggy. Slow. So I took my time before I responded.
“Cyrus said he wasn’t pleased with her skills. Since he has to report to Olympus in a few days, he decided it was best to work with Dominique while we focused on the research.”
“Which is what you are doing now.” Joey leaned forward. “You still meeting with Connor tomorrow? Think we are about to be canned?”
“Yes to the meeting. No to the firing. We make too much money for Theia, Joey. We aren’t going anywhere.”
I glanced over to the digital clock just over his head. It was blinking 3 a.m. The witching hour. “I th
ink we need to head to bed. I have no idea when Zeus is going to show up.”
“Oh, twist my arm, baby girl.” Joey teased He stood and stretched. “Still doing the luncheon today?”
I groaned for the second time in less than five minutes. We had been slated to make an appearance at a charity event set to raise money for autism research. Which meant makeup and wardrobe would be here in less than four hours to make me presentable.
“You forgot, didn’t you?” Joey stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “We can always cancel.”
“No.” I shook my head. “It’s too important. We will work around it.”
“Do-gooder .” Joey chuckled. He reached out for my hand. “Come on. We have enough time to crash for a few hours.”
I let him lift me to my feet with one last glance down at my laptop screen. I had been studying up on the lore behind Hoia-Baciu. It seemed so standard. Apparitions. Orbs. People disappearing. There was no mention of the horrible secret this place contained.
“Let it go, Evie.” Joey tugged at my hand. “We will be there soon enough.”
“Yeah.” I agreed as we left the room. The two if us fell into a comfortable silence as we climbed the stairs. A silence that lasted until we reached my bedroom door.
“Hey,” Joe caught my arm. “Tell me the truth, Evie. You ok?”
I considered my words before I spoke. I didn’t want to put my fears on Joey. It wasn’t right. But in the end, I told him exactly what was on my mind. After all, what choice did I have?
“I feel like I am drowning, Joey. Smothering from the responsibilities placed on my shoulders. But I will be fine once this latest catastrophe is over.”
My friend gave me a look of concern. He pulled me into a hug before he responded.
“Don’t try to do this on your own. The world is awfully heavy, Evie. You don’t have to carry it on your own.”
“It’s hard to be so needed.” I tried to tease, but my words fell flat. “Joey, what am I going to do? Who am I supposed to be now?”
The Daughter (The Oracle Series Book 6) Page 3