Tyranny: Goddesses of Delphi

by Gemma Brocato

  Clio folded a piece of parchment into a plane and hurled it toward Zeke. “Lucy, you have some ’splainin’ to do.” She mimicked Desi Arnaz as she spoke. She’d never known the actor, but his antics had entertained her family for hours. Reruns of the Lucille Ball show were one of the things she’d looked forward to when she’d been reborn in this era.

  Zeke squirmed in his seat and tried to cover his nervousness by adjusting the drape of his toga over his broad chest. “My father is Itus, the protection god.”

  She heaved an exasperated sigh. “I know who Itus is, you big goof.”

  “My purpose is to serve as your partisan, your supernatural bodyguard.”

  Curiosity overwhelmed her. “How long has this been going on?”

  “All your lives.”

  Clio didn’t miss the fact he’d made lives plural. “How? Why?”

  “Zeus bestowed the same enchantment on me that you girls all have. I live a mortal existence, but upon rebirth, I come with a full set of memories. And other skills. I come into my powers about a week before you do.”

  “So you’ve always protected me? In each lifetime I’ve known you without knowing about you?”

  “My form changes each time I come back. Remember when you were caught in the mob in Constantinople and you were trampled to death?”

  One of the drawbacks of being reborn with all your memories intact was that those memories included how you passed away in previous lifetimes. Clio shuddered. It had been an awful moment that had happened so fast she hadn’t been able to slip into the safety of the Hollow. She nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “Zeus was furious with me for letting that happen. Sent me back the next lifetime as a Great Dane.” Zeke smiled crookedly.

  “Hey, I had a poodle I loved once. Was he a partisan as well?” Nia asked.

  “Urania! You ask too many impertinent questions.” Callie leaned forward and sent a quelling look toward Nia across Zeke’s body. Callie scrunched up her face.

  Nia grabbed her neck. “Knock that off. I want to know if we all have protectors.”

  “Great.” Zeke groused. “I’m probably coming back as a gold fish in the next life. All these years of you girls not knowing about partisans, and in one measly day I blow our cover.”

  Nia gave a victorious shout. “There, you see. There is more than one of him. I wonder if the cute new scientist at the observatory is mine?”

  Zeke shook his head and raised pleading eyes toward Jax.

  Jax lifted his hands and shrugged. “Can’t help you, bro. I’m still reeling from the idea you all actually exist.”

  Zeke had been there for Clio throughout the ages. She’d even been attracted to him recently. “Have we ever, um…dated?”

  Zeke shook his head. “Nope. Not even once. This lifetime was the closest we’ve ever gotten.”

  Jax tensed next to her. When she sent him a partial nudge, he gave a small gasp and relaxed.

  “Why don’t I recognize at least your essence or aura from one life to the next?”

  “I am the one memory you don’t bring back with you.” Zeke shrugged. “Not sure how it works, but honestly, this is the first time I’ve ever revealed myself to you.”

  Any further attempt at discussion stopped dead when the door swept inward. Zeus strode in, a contingent of people following closely behind. Everyone at the table stood in respect.

  “Good evening, daughters.” He moved around to the other end of the room and took the throne-like seat at the head of the table. He nodded toward Jax. “Good to see you again, son.”

  That was the second time her father had referred to Jax in familial terms.

  Gaia slipped into the space next to Clio. Her mother’s embrace was tight and fierce. She whispered into Clio’s ear, her breath tickling. “I am so delighted you aren’t a bird.”

  Clio laughed. “Me, too.”

  Gaia released her and then offered her hand to Jax. “I am Gaia, Clio’s mother.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, um, Gaia.” Jax took her hand, but looked uncertain as to whether he should shake it or kiss the back of it. He darted a glance at Clio, his eyebrows raised.

  Gaia resolved the issue for him when she pumped his hand up and down with a grin. “Thank you for saving my daughter.”

  “Enough pleasantries, woman!” Impatience edged Zeus’s powerful voice. He dropped into his chair. “Everyone take a seat, please.”

  Once all the occupants had settled, Zeus rapped the table with his knuckles. Sound cracked around the room, and everybody sat a little straighter.

  “Jax, allow me to introduce you. To your left is Mars from Security. At the other end of the table is Hermes. He is in charge of communications. And lastly”—Zeus gestured to the god on Callie’s right—“we have Hephaestus, my executive assistant. Gentlemen, Jax Callahan, history professor.”

  Jax lifted a hand. All the gods inclined their heads in greeting. Hermes placed his winged helmet in front of him on the table. The door burst open, and a frazzled looking man Clio recognized as the God of Marriage stumbled into the room. Mnemosyne strolled sedately behind him. Clio tensed and reached for Jax’s hand. She leaned toward him, seeking his body heat, as all of hers seemed to have fled at the sight of her aunt. Zeus was going to erase Jax’s memory.

  Ignoring Mnemosyne, Zeus frowned at the other man. “You are late, Hymenaios.”

  “Pardon, my lord. I had trouble with a bride.”

  “Why is he here?” Clio demanded.

  “Silence, daughter. In good time. First let us discuss Pierus and what we’ve learned from this challenge.”

  “We learned that getting kidnapped and stuck in a cage sucks worse than pond scum,” Clio scoffed.

  “Be serious, Clio.” Callie’s hiss was proof that her heartfelt I love you from earlier had succumbed to time limits visible only to her.

  Zeus extended a calming hand toward Callie. “Anyone else have an observation?”

  “We can be certain Pierus does not work alone. This time it was the gods of weather who aided him.” Leaning forward, Mars tapped a pen on the table. “No telling whom he’ll enlist next time. This challenge he has issued is little more than a ploy to dethrone you, Zeus.”

  All around protests went up. Zeus hushed them all simply by raising his eyebrow. “I agree with Mars. He has always exalted himself as higher than the rest of the gods. He would use his daughters to win control of Olympus.”

  “Then, at all costs, we must stop him.” Determination laced Gaia’s tone.

  Clio spoke up. “Zeus, will you really turn Pierus into a cat?”

  “I believe I will. Or maybe a mouse and let his daughters eat him. Either way, once all nine of you have faced her foe, we must end his existence.” He directed his gaze at Callie. “Have you heard any more from him?”

  Callie shook her head. “I believe we might have a brief respite before the next challenge. He’ll need time to regroup.”

  “I concur.” Mars crossed his arms over his chest, revealing the tattoo depicting the Acropolis. “It is what I would do.”

  “If this is the consensus, we will table the topic for now.” Zeus scanned the gods seated around. His gaze finally lighted on Jax. He asked, “What shall we do with this mortal?”

  “He knows too much.” Hermes stated. “You won’t be able to keep him from spilling this secret. It would be a logistical nightmare. Best to let Mnemosyne do her thing.”

  “No!” Clio’s reserve splintered. “You can’t take him away from me.”

  “Clio, it’s okay,” Jax said as he tightened his grip on her hand. “I found you before. I’ll find you again. We can be together without me remembering all of this. Besides, you’ll remember us and can chase me until you catch me.”

  “Mnemosyne, is there a way you can take away Jax’s memory of our existence but leave his remembrance of Clio intact?” Gaia asked.

  “No. It will not work that way,” her auntie responded. “All memory of the truth of gods and goddesses w
ould be erased. I do not offer an à la carte menu.”

  “It is as I thought.” Zeus lowered his chin to his chest.

  Mnemosyne rose and moved to Jax’s side. She rested her hand on the crown of his head.

  “No!” Clio burst out of her seat and knocked Mnemosyne’s hand from Jax’s head. She shoved her aunt backward then held her in place with a powerful nudge. Jax surged to his feet next to her.

  Pain pinched her own neck as Zeus tossed a nonverbal command to her. She resisted, something she’d never done before. She’d always obeyed her father. Always done as he’d asked. In this, she would be defiant. She wouldn’t allow him to wipe out the memories of the love of her life. Of all her lives. Callie and Nia scurried around the table and took up positions on each side of her.

  Nia grinned. “Hope we don’t end up grounded over this.”

  “Release her, Clio.” Zeus’s nudge came harder.

  She wasn’t able to maintain her nudge on Mnemosyne and resist her father’s hard push. She dropped her hand. Defeated tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. She turned to face Jax and slipped into his arms, burying her face in his chest.

  His heart beat strongly under her cheek. What would her life be like if he didn’t love her back after they stole his memory? Dread seeped like cold, clawing dampness through her body. Her entire future, her eternity, would forever be bleak knowing she hadn’t been with this man in at least this lifetime. Calming her with the repetitious motion, Jax smoothed his hand over her hair.

  Clio heard the legs of her father’s chair scrape the floor. She turned her face from him, refusing to look at the man who would steal her happiness. Wrapping her arms more tightly around Jax, she attempted to blink them into the Hollow away from the boardroom.

  Her attempt flickered and died. Dammit, someone had charmed the room to keep her from escaping with Jax.

  Behind her, Zeus whispered. She couldn’t make out his words, but the sudden swishing of fabric indicated movement. Mnemosyne moved into her field of vision as she made her way to the door. When she exited the room, Zeus moved in front of Clio. She lifted her head, a question in her heart.

  “I can see how important this man is to you, Clio. My preference would be to remove his memories. It would be easier and cleaner. I could orchestrate a meeting between you two to ensure you are together in this lifetime. But in the end, when you are reborn and Jax isn’t, your memories of him will break your heart.”

  “I’ll take whatever time I can get with her, sir.” Jax firmed his grip around her shoulders.

  “Father, please. If you must erase his knowledge of our existence, please…” She didn’t know how to finish her plea. Which would be worse? A broken heart now before she had a chance to love him more? Or the anguish of having loved him in this lifetime but facing eternity with only the memory of him that never faded?

  “Gaia and I have discussed this. She told me of how your nudges have affected him.”

  Heat flashed into her cheeks as she glared over her shoulder at her mother. Gaia’s face remained a placid mask. But a curious light danced in her eyes. Clio drew her brows together but turned to face Zeus.

  “What if I fix it so you two can be together forever?” Zeus’s question came whispery soft, as if for her ears only.

  Hope clawed up in Clio’s soul and stood alongside despair. “How would you do this?”

  “If Jax is agreeable, I will bestow on him the same gift of rebirth that Zeke possesses. Except you will recognize Jax in the future. Once you come into your powers, he will return to your life.”

  “You can do this?” Clio’s voice rose with her excitement.

  “Daughter, I am Zeus. King of the Gods. I can do whatever I will.” Zeus’s laugh bounced off the faces of the mortals painted on the ceiling.

  “I’ll do it!” Jax exclaimed.

  Clio turned to face him. Love lit his eyes with an incandescent glow. She bit her lip as she studied his face. “Are you sure?”

  He glanced toward Zeke. “It’s not going to hurt, is it? Accepting the gift?”

  A crooked smile moved over Zeke’s face. “Nah, bro. You won’t even notice a difference.”

  Jax returned his gaze to Clio’s face and cupped her cheek. “Even if it hurt like a gunshot to the heart, I’d do it for you. I want to be with you forever. I love you, Clio. If this is how we can be together and remember every instant of our time, then yes, I will accept this gift.”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes, but a smile stretched her lips wide as Jax pressed a kiss to her mouth.

  Zeus cleared his throat. “Step aside, Clio,” he instructed.

  Once Clio moved away, Zeus waved his hands over Jax’s body. Humor lurked in his tone when Zeus spoke. “Done. I bet you didn’t feel a thing.”

  “Wait, that’s it? No words, no booming thunder or clashes of lightning?” Clio narrowed her eyes at Zeus.

  The immortal spread his hands wide and smirked. “Nothing quite so dramatic. But Jax is now one of us. We’ll leave you alone.”

  He grasped Jax’s forearm and dragged him forward. He lowered his voice enough for only Clio and Jax to hear. “Do not make my daughter unhappy. In this lifetime or any others. I can still turn you into a mouse and let you loose in Tyranny’s cage.” He pounded his fist on Jax’s back. “By the way, Hymenaios will be waiting outside the door. Just in case.”

  Jax shot a look across the room at the beaming face of the God of Marriage. “Give me a minute to ask, will you?”

  “Already disrespecting the father-in-law? I might have to change my mind.” Zeus’s laughter belied his words.

  He leaned his forehead against Clio’s. “He will be a good addition to our family.” He turned and shooed everyone from the room.

  Gaia took his spot when he moved aside. For a change, as she pressed her forehead to Clio’s, her eyes remained open and staring. And she wasn’t silent. “I hope this solution is the one you desire.”

  “It is.” Clio pressed her cheek to Gaia’s. The woman could be a stiff and unyielding goddess when she wanted, but at the moment, she was just a mom.

  Zeus took Gaia’s hand, tucked it into the crook of his elbow, and escorted her from the room.

  Jax rested his hands on Clio’s shoulders and pulled her back to his chest. From behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, and she stroked her fingertips over the muscles exposed by his rolled-up sleeves. His heart pounded beneath her spine, in perfect sync with hers.

  She leaned her head back until it rested in the curve between his neck and chest. “It’s too late to change your mind. You’re stuck with me for all eternity now. I promise to beat you at Call of Duty for the rest of our lives together.”

  His laughter rumbled in his chest. “You can try.” He nibbled the crest of her ear and then spread kisses along her cheek. “I promise to not ask too many questions about different periods in history that fascinate me.”

  She spun in his arms to face him. “I promise to love you in this lifetime and every one to follow, Jax.”

  “I’ll hold you to that promise and return it with every fiber of my heart. I love you, Clio.” He bent his head to hers and whispered against her lips. “What do you say we invite Hymenaios back into the room?”

  “A great idea. Yes, Jax. Now and forever, yes.”

  Keep reading for a sample of Mayhem

  Coming Nov 8, 2017

  A freak solar flare plunges Nia Thanos, Muse of Astronomy, into an evil immortal’s attempt at a hostile take over of Olympus Enterprises. Her jobs—save the family business while rescuing the world from pandemonium. To eliminate the menace she must convince one mortal man to believe in the magic of what if.

  ‘Doubting Thomas’ Wilde hosts a television program aimed at busting myths. But when Nia confesses to being a Muse, it’s one myth he can’t bust, or believe. His refusal to help leaves Nia to face the challenge on her own.

  Riots, looting, and general anarchy are minor problems compared to what’s coming if the balance
of power shifts on Olympus. Nia’s undeniable attraction to Thomas wreaks havoc on her heart and threatens her ability to secure the safety of humankind. Nia finds herself fighting to persuade the one man she can’t live without to help save the world.

  Mayhem

  Chapter 1

  The hard metal railing of the platform dug into Nia Thanos’s hip when she leaned against it. She shifted to a more comfortable spot and adjusted the focuser on the Helios Institute’s long-range telescope. Putting her eye to the eyepiece, she zeroed in on the satellite jetting across the heavens. The sky was clear enough to make out individual stars. A meteor streaked across the top of the field of vision. Through the powerful scope she could make out the Hinomaru emblazoned on the side of the satellite. Japan’s circle of the sun.

  Checking the time on the digital readout, Nia smiled when she determined the communications spacecraft had lost fifteen seconds on its orbital timetable. She made a time notation on a clipboard attached to the desk-like platform. Her counterpart at the Japanese Space Agency would have to be told one of their thrusters appeared to be failing.

  Now, to figure out how to explain to them how she knew exactly what the problem was. It wasn’t like she was a rocket scientist. She couldn’t even begin to explain to them why an observatory manager would know about the mechanical workings of a foreign piece of space junk orbiting the earth.

  They’d think she’d gone off the deep end if she straight out told them she was a Muse.

  Older than time. Smarter than the average scientist. Personally acquainted with the mortal known as Galileo. Yeah, the guy known as the father of observational astronomy.

  Nia did a quick review of which American Space Agency scientist to share the information with. It would be easy enough to suggest to someone susceptible to her brand of influence that the hurtling sputnik needed an adjustment.