Out of Cake Aphrodite (The Goddess Chronicles Book 6)

by S. E. Babin

  She shimmied her way over and took the seat next to me, and I wondered if this meal was going to end up in someone's violent death. There was an edge to her, something so sharp you knew if you said the wrong word or took the wrong action she'd cut off your head, kick it away and continue eating her meal like nothing had ever happened.

  This didn't happen very often but fear seized my vocal cords. Morgana Le Fay was a woman to be afraid of. And I was very, very afraid of her.

  Artie shifted next to me, uncomfortable with the witch's presence but unable to do anything about it other than tolerate it. Hermes had most likely offered the invitation to join him under a neutral banner. Violence would be frowned upon, hopefully. This usually meant the immortals would be on their best behavior. But Morgana was not like us and whether or not she would play by his rules would have to be seen.

  You could cut the air with a knife. Poseidon looked uncomfortable with this newest development, and I couldn't blame him. I wanted to run out of here screaming, but I was a lady and also a queen. Or I would be soon. Possibly upon my death. Good times.

  Once she was situated next to me and her staff lay at her feet like a loyal puppy, she turned those dark eyes to me. I met her gaze and swallowed hard at the magic swimming through her eyes. This was a woman who'd seen some things and taken some actions the majority of people wouldn't agree with. She was a woman who got her way regardless of anyone who stood in her way.

  Eris, the goddess I'd first had to fight when I got caught back up in these politics, had nothing on her.

  And that was terrifying.

  "Queen," she said to me and nodded her head.

  I wish people would stop calling me that. "Sorceress," I said back, my voice hoarse with fear.

  A small smile crossed her face. "I can taste your fear, Aphrodite. Be at ease this night and break bread with me. I have no quarrel with you and yours."

  I nodded, but her words did not put me at ease. "I thank you. Your presence is welcome at this table tonight."

  "Liar," she said but seemed to take no offense at my words.

  Artie placed a warning hand on my arm. She was silently telling me to shut up, but everyone knew I had a hard time doing that. Babbling was a part of my charm. I blew out a low and slow breath and motioned to the silent servants standing in the four corners of the room to refill my wine glass.

  "Perhaps you should ask for something stronger to calm your nerves?" Morgana suggested.

  I snorted. "Thank you for pointing out my flaws, Sorceress."

  "Please call me Morgana."

  I nodded. "You may call me Abby."

  Morgana had dimples that peeked out when she was amused. Of course, she did. Adorable and deadly. Two of my favorite things. "Abby. What a....human name. I like it. Very well, Abby." She lifted her glass to me and I lifted my almost empty one to hers. We clinked glasses. "To new friends," she said.

  I swallowed hard. "Friends," I echoed and took a sip.

  That toast felt ominous and...portentous.

  This dinner could not be over faster. There were five of us now. Who could he possibly get in here to top Morgana Le Fay?

  A loud crack and portal opened above the ceiling. All of us except Morgana gasped. Of course, she sat there looking completely unruffled and amused.

  Ask and ye shall receive.

  A man I'd seen before and hadn't liked very much appeared in the room dressed in a suit of the darkest black. His enormous gray beard was trimmed and combed, but his hair still waved out from his head like an upset Einstein.

  God had just arrived in the building.

  "What in the hell is going on?" Artemis whispered and turned her wide gaze to mine.

  I shrugged. "You probably should have asked more questions before you accepted Hermes' gracious dinner invitation, shouldn't you?"

  She elbowed me in annoyance but acknowledged my words. "Maybe you're right."

  God looked around at all of us, but his gaze lingered on mine and I remembered the last meeting I had with him. He'd been there to talk about his son, a subject I hadn't wanted to discuss. He was adamant about his dislike of Persephone and his succession plans for me to join Hades on the throne and start popping out little divine babies. He had also told me some concerning things about Persephone and hinted at his meddling in their union. So whether or not those two were really married was still up in the air, but I always tried to err on the side of doing the right thing, and if Hades wanted his wife back, even if she wasn't really his wife, I would do my best to do that for him. Of course, God wanted me to screw it up, but my agreement wasn't with him, it was with his son.

  However, one did not lightly refuse God so I was still struggling to come up with a way to satisfy them both even though Hades had no idea I'd even spoken to his father, much less been told not to bring his wife back. I was beginning to have a very, very bad feeling about why I'd been summoned to this dinner.

  Our gazes locked. His was amused. Mine must have been confused and angry because that's exactly how I was feeling right now. God took the seat on the opposite side from Hermes directly across from Poseidon. Why was Morgana sitting by me again?

  "Because you are extremely fortunate," Morgana leaned over and whispered in my ear. "It is few who sit beside me, break bread, and live to tell the tale."

  "You really know how to make a girl feel safe and secure," I murmured.

  Morgana's laugh pierced the air. It was mirthful and girlish and made me feel like falling to my knees and basking in her presence. Full of magic and deadly. I gasped as I felt the sting of Artie's magic break through my fascination.

  "Bad girl," I whispered to Morgana.

  She waggled her eyebrows at me. "I try."

  "Maybe don't try so hard," Artie said as she leaned over and glared at our new magical friend.

  One black eyebrow rose. Morgana wasn't mad yet, but I didn't want to see her tip over that edge. I laid a warning hand on Artie's knee and squeezed. Artie grunted and sat back in her seat.

  This dinner could seriously not end fast enough for me.

  So, we had six of the most powerful people who'd ever walked this planet enclosed in a room about to have dinner together and discuss something of obvious extreme importance.

  I hoped Hermes hired poison tasters.

  With a wave of his hand, my ex--boyfriend and current nervous king waved his hand. A bell rang, reverberating its low tone throughout the room.

  More servants burst through the doors holding massive trays of food.

  The first course had begun. The night was just beginning.

  I would have much rather been mopping the floor repeatedly.

  It wasn't until the third course the reason for our little dinner came to light. Unfortunately, it had to do with me. Didn't it always?

  This time wasn't my fault but I'd somehow unwittingly gotten caught up in a game much bigger than myself. I should have known if all of these power players were here in one room not trying to kill each other that something wasn't right with the world.

  Morgana picked up her glass and I noticed how pretty her hands were. Long and elegant, with painted black fingernails. She wore only one ring, spread across almost the entire length of her finger and tipped with a massive onyx.

  A stone of protection. Curious.

  "My charge is in possession of a dangerous tool. It is one not often seen without the presence of Hades. She does not appear to know the power it wields."

  "Which is why we need to remove it. Immediately." God winked at me from his place next to Hermes.

  "Why can't you just blink it away?" I asked. They were omniscient. Weren't they?

  Morgana chuckled. "Have you met Persephone?" she asked me.

  My brows flew together. "Wait. We're speaking of Persephone?"

  Hermes gave me a patient stare. "Yes. Word has come to me through Morgana of a tool she possesses."

  My last conversation with Hades came back to me and I thought my stomach was going to lurch right out of t
he bottom of my feet. The book. It had to be that freaking book. I tried my best to play it cool. "What is this tool?"

  Morgana shook her head. "I know not. It's cloaked, but its power calls to me. I have searched her room for days, fruitlessly. I cannot find the source of the magic." Her words sounded honest, but her eyes shifted. I had a feeling Morgana knew exactly what she was looking for.

  I sent Hermes a searching look. "Why is Hades not here this evening?"

  God responded. "Because he does not need to know our plans. He has enough issues on his own. He does not need to know what's out there."

  I didn't tell him I suspected Hades already knew exactly what she had. I was going to put the hurt down on him next time I saw him.

  "If this tool is so powerful, why am I here?"

  The anger in Hermes' eyes was so fierce I flinched. "I have word Hades has taken a special...fondness to you." The look of distaste on his face was profound.

  "And?" I asked. "This does not answer my question."

  Morgana held up a hand to prevent Hermes from speaking. She turned to me. "We believe Hades may have given you a tool to help you locate it."

  "So he does know what she has and you guys are here plotting against him?"

  Her gaze flashed with what looked suspiciously like approval. "Isn't plotting part of an immortal's life blood?" she asked me, a sweet smile lingering on her face.

  I shook my head in disgust. "Not mine. I wish it weren't like that."

  Her stare lingered on my face. "Curious," was all she said.

  I wiped my mouth and put my napkin down. "Why the sudden interest in Hades' domain? He deserves to be here and know you're discussing him."

  "Sit down," God said.

  "No," I said and cringed as I waited for him to strike me down.

  "Abby," Hermes warned.

  I threw my hands up. "I am so tired of everyone plotting. All you have to do is have one conversation with him. Instead, it really feels like you are here in order to try to get that tool away from Persephone and get it into your own hands instead of giving it back to Hades. Is that what it is?"

  God sat back and studied me with an expression on his face I couldn't quite identify.

  Morgana applauded. "You have spunk, Queen. Perhaps we can be of service to each other one day."

  I wanted that like I wanted a hole in my head.

  Hermes paled at my words. Poseidon looked a wee bit uncomfortable too. Artie just looked confused.

  "Step into my parlor," said God.

  The world fell away.

  Chapter 8

  I stood in a white room wearing a white dress, next to Morgana who also wore white.

  She picked at her robe with disgust. "Ugh, really? White?" Her full lips pursed in distaste.

  "My room. My wardrobe choices," said God as he stepped forward, also wearing white.

  "You look quite fetching," I said to Morgana. "It's a good contrast to the instant death thing you have going on."

  Her lips twitched in amusement, but she stopped pulling at her robe.

  "Sit," he commanded, and my legs fell out from under me.

  At least the chair was comfortable.

  "Does anyone know we are gone?" I asked.

  Morgana shook her head. "They're probably still holding their soup spoons up to their open mouths."

  That was a nice image to have in my brain.

  God pulled up a chair and sat beside me. Morgana sat cross-legged on the floor. "Morgana and I both have a vested interest in getting Hades' property back to him as soon as possible."

  I looked between the two of them. "You're...working together?"

  "Common Enemy," Morgana said and shrugged. "Demeter wants her daughter back in the Underworld as soon as possible."

  I nodded. "One of her priests visited me a couple of months ago."

  God perked up at that. "What did he say?"

  "Not much. Just that I needed to do whatever I could to get her back in the Underworld as soon as possible."

  Morgana chuckled. "So you waited an extra two months?"

  I shrugged. "Christmas dinner wasn't going to make itself."

  "And my son? What does he want?" His eyes glittered. "Besides you?"

  I glared at God. "He's obviously delusional," I said.

  "Quite the opposite, I'd say." Morgana's brow furrowed as she studied me. "You have....strange magic running through your veins."

  "That’s me, super strange," I quipped, remembering stealing Eris' power and Gaia's gift only to have them stripped away by Clotho and replaced with something strange and something that still didn’t feel quite right. Morgana didn’t need to know all of that, though.

  "Mmm, no. It isn't that. Although that is strange, there's something else about you I've never seen before."

  God gave me a guarded look. "She has big things in store for her."

  I sighed. "Please stop talking about me like I'm not here. It's creepy."

  A slight motion caught my eye on the far end of the bright room. The wall was...ripping. Strange. I moved my eyes away from it feeling like I shouldn't say anything about it. I couldn't put my finger on why. I turned my attention back to the Big Guy. "Hades has tasked me with bringing his wife and his possessions back to him. That was my job and that's what I'm doing."

  Morgana studied her fingernails. In a mild voice, she said, "And that's why you're mopping the floor repeatedly?"

  I sucked in a breath. She’d known I was in the mansion. "It's called stealth, Morgana."

  She chuckled. "It's called a lack of planning. You are a Queen, Aphrodite. You could go in and raze that place if you wanted to. Instead, you're playing chambermaid?" Her tone was disgusted but she was also curious. She didn't understand my methods and it felt like maybe she wanted to. My eyes flickered over to the wall. The crack was growing larger. I swallowed hard.

  "I don't work like that. I try to do my best not to upset the status quo."

  God snorted. "You're the only immortal like that."

  I lifted my hands out. "What can I say? One of a kind."

  "Did Hades give you anything at all before you left?"

  The necklace warmed with an internal heat but stayed safely hidden in the hollow of my breasts. I shouldn't tell them anything. I wasn't sure why. God said they were here to help him, but I felt like I was caught up in a game that had no happy ending.

  I formed a surprised look and a furrow in my brow. "No, not that I can think of. I was supposed to go in first and try to convince her to come back willingly."

  "Oh, Hades," Morgana said and chuckled. "So innocent."

  But God was staring at me appraisingly. "He did, huh? Curious. Doesn't sound much like him."

  I put steel in my voice. "Well, I don't know that you've been around much the last few thousand years."

  Storm clouds formed in his eyes at my insult.

  At that moment the wall ripped open and golden light spewed through the room, blinding me. A scream of pain resounded through the room.

  Someone shouted my name, and a strong hand wrapped around my upper arm. Warm magic enveloped me.

  "Do not fight this magic, Abby. It is the only way you'll stay sane once I take you through the veil," a familiar voice murmured in my ear.

  "Clotho?" I whispered, my voice thick and muffled. My head felt like it was wrapped in wool.

  "Trust me," my friend whispered.

  Claws scrabbled against the cloak she'd dropped on me. Memories raged against my head trying to pull themselves out. I couldn't speak any longer. I dropped to the floor boneless as the sounds of battle raged against me.

  Seconds later, even breathing became difficult and darkness enveloped my entire being.

  I came to, back in my own home, and tucked between a mountain of blankets. Clotho sat beside me, her broom skirts tucked primly around her legs and worry etched in the lines on her face that never existed before. Scratches covered her youthful face and she held an injured arm to her side.

  I sat up. "My G
ods. Clotho. You're injured."

  She blinked in surprise and gasped. "Abby!" She stood and winced in pain.

  "Don't stand. Are you okay?" I asked her. I'd never seen her injured before and, to be honest, I didn't like the sight.

  "I've been better." Pain etched deep lines in the side of her mouth.

  "What happened?" I didn't think there was anyone else in the house except for us. "And where's Artie?"

  She shook her head. "She's fine. I removed her from the dinner once I realized what happened."

  I scratched my head, confused. "And what exactly happened?"

  She sat back down with another wince. "A powerful enemy has reared its head, Abby."

  I grimaced. "Isn't that always the case?"

  She snorted, but it wasn't with amusement. More in frustration. "She is unlike any enemy you've encountered before."

  "Let me guess. Morgana?"

  Clotho nodded.

  "She says she's working for God."

  "She lies. The devil's tongue exists in her mouth." Clotho winced at her choice of words. "If the devil wasn't currently soul entwined with Hades."

  "Yeah," I muttered. "That."

  "Persephone and Morgana have a close bond, but the witch would sacrifice her very children if it meant gathering enough power to conquer the world."

  I sighed as the pieces began to fall together. "Or in this case, the Underworld?" I guessed.

  Clotho nodded. "Persephone in her naivete swiped a book. She thought it was only a material possession, but Hades had cloaked something within it. The Codex Gigas."

  I braced myself. "And what is this Codex?"

  "A rare and powerful tome with spells of deadly magic inside of it. The book was never supposed to leave the Underworld."

  "So Morgana wants it," I stated.

  Another nod. "The spells within it cannot fall into her hands. They are all deadly, but one of them -" She pinched the area between her brows. I'd never seen her look more human. "One of them contains a spell to kill Lucifer."