Souls Endure (The Souls Trilogy Book 3)

by Anne B. Cole

  The dolphin accelerated. Scanning the area around the stranger, she found no others. In the distance, Sam and his dolphin remained playfully occupied. The man on shore acknowledged her with a wave. Her toes touched sand. Without removing her gaze from the man, Gretta let go of her dolphin.

  “He wants to talk to me without Sam around?”

  The dolphin replied with a chorus of whistles and a friendly splash.

  “I wish I could understand you.” She patted the dolphin’s back and began walking through waist high water. “Tell Sam I’ll stay within his sight.” The dolphin bounded in Sam’s direction to join her mate. “If this guy was dangerous, Sam would have sensed it by now,” she added to boost her confidence.

  “Welcome, I hope your vacation has been an enjoyable one.” The stranger climbed off the boulder and extended his hand. He stood a head taller than Sam with shoulders broader than Batman and Superman put together.

  Gretta’s hand disappeared within his, distracting her thoughts on how he knew she was on vacation. Brown hair wisped across sun-bronzed cheeks. Aqua eyes flashed across the sea in Sam’s direction.

  “Thank you. We’ve had a wonderful time, so far. Have we met before?” The familiarity of his chiseled jaw and profound demeanor sparked a feeling of unease.

  Sea foam green eyes darted from Sam to her.

  His eyes were bluer a moment ago.

  “We spoke in person only once. I admit, I’ve been watching you for quite some time in another form.” He scuffed a sandaled foot into damp sand.

  Gretta pondered his words as silence fell between them. They stood watching Sam play with the dolphins. He waved to them and managed to somehow stand with one foot on each of their backs, surfing through the water.

  “Amazing,” Gretta murmured.

  The man snorted and snapped his fingers.

  The dolphins suddenly dove straight into the depths, casting Sam head over heels into the water.

  The huge man laughed and Gretta joined him. After a minute, she stopped giggling and frantically scanned the sea.

  Sam didn’t surface.

  Chapter 27

  Birds in Flight

  Gretta

  “Sam!” A wave rolled over Gretta’s bare feet. Lightning streaked across the predawn sky. “Where is he?”

  “No need to worry. The boy is simply distracted.” The man pointed down shore to her husband who knelt in front of a beautiful woman with strawberry-blonde hair. “Deliriously happy, I may add.”

  “You came into the diner and I waited on you. Your wife and I have similar rings.” She fisted her hand to his face. The red stone glistened under a fantastic display of lightning.

  He raised his head to the sky before catching her wrist. Gently, he twisted her hand to examine the stone.

  “All this fuss over the garnet ring. The emerald or opal rings perhaps, but a garnet?”

  Another brilliant bolt lit the skies.

  “Enough, Zeus. I’ve delivered the humans to you,” he spat in fury. “The sea is my domain, not the skies.”

  “Poseidon?” Gretta watched the handsome water god raise a brow in acknowledgement.

  The clutch on her wrist moved to the back of her hand. Instead of fingers, sharp claws dug into her skin and feathers brushed her cheek. No longer in human form, Poseidon appeared as a magnificent red-tailed hawk.

  “Gretta.” Sam began crossing the stretch of sand between them.

  Shaking the bird from her hand, she watched it join two black birds. I remember two black birds chasing a hawk in between my time travels with Sam and again when I lived at the cabin.

  Sam approached and she moved her focus from the birds to him.

  “I remember those birds on the mountain.” Sam took her hand.

  The warmth radiating from him did little to ease the tightening knot in her stomach. “They’ve been watching us.”

  “Gretta, they’re not birds. One of the black ones is the most beautiful—”

  “I know. I saw you drooling at her feet.” She seized his other hand.

  “Sorry, I lose all sense of reasoning around her. Help me stay focused if she changes into a woman again.” His eyes remained trained on the birds.

  “The man who turned into a hawk and the blackbird woman were the couple who gave me the tickets for our vacation.” She stepped to block his view. “The gods Roxana and Katarina were talking about.”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Sam, she is Aphrodite and the hawk is Poseidon. I wonder if Asclepius is the other black bird. Maybe he can help us.” Gretta realized Sam wasn’t paying any attention to her.

  Sam dropped her hands and raised one of his to the sky.

  One of the black birds swooped down and landed on his outstretched fingers. It tilted its head and scrutinized Gretta.

  The bird flew to the ground and vaporized.

  Gretta pressed against Sam’s side as Aphrodite appeared before them in a flowing white gown. Elegant. Determined. Terrifying.

  Sam’s fingers lifted Gretta’s hand in an offering to the exquisite woman. “Please, take the ring. It’s rightfully yours.”

  Aphrodite approached, lowering her gaze from Gretta’s fingers to her waist. She spun on sparkling sandals and faced the robed man.

  “Daughter of Beauty,” he crooned.

  “There is no doubt the child will have great influence over others.” The goddess refocused her attention on Gretta. “My ring.” She extended slender fingers with a graceful flick of her wrist. When her hand neared Gretta’s, sparks emitted from the stone and a powerful force threw Aphrodite and Sam to the ground.

  Gretta remained standing, unscathed.

  Aphrodite scrambled to her feet. “What is the meaning of this?”

  Sam recovered from the blast a bit slower.

  The goddess glared at Poseidon.

  “I had nothing to do with it. My powers reign within water, not lightning.” The god gestured to the sky.

  “This is ridiculous. Remove my ring at once,” Aphrodite demanded.

  “Give her the ring,” Sam encouraged.

  “It’s stuck,” Gretta exclaimed when repeated attempts failed.

  Aphrodite advanced. “Take it off her.”

  “Of course.” Sam’s fingers clutched the ring without hesitation. A stronger bolt of lightning zapped the garnet, sending him tumbling across the beach.

  Gretta held one hand over the ring and ran to his side.

  “It must still be cursed.” Sam blinked several times and struggled to his feet.

  “Smart human. The ring remains with Gretta until a sacrifice of two is made.” Poseidon offered his arm to Aphrodite.

  “I’ve wasted too much time on the garnet. We must search for my other rings.” Aphrodite grudgingly accepted his arm and the two glided to Sam and Gretta.

  Sam took a protective stance in front of her.

  Poseidon chuckled. “Gods rarely kill humans. It’s beneath us. Although, Zeus won’t lift the curse on the ring until a worthy sacrifice of two is made. There lies our quandary.”

  “I see no issue. Find another mortal to kill them. If you don’t, I will,” Aphrodite quipped.

  “Ah, my lovely. You fail to recognize the unborn within.” He waved a hand in front of Sam.

  Gretta felt him stiffen, frozen in place.

  “What did you do to my husband?”

  “No harm done.” Poseidon raised one hand before slowly lowering it to her abdomen. A wide grin spread across his face. “Son of the sea.” He retreated a few paces and waved his hand a second time, removing the hold on Sam.

  Sam’s hands moved to where Poseidon touched her.

  “A child?” Sam narrowed his gaze on Poseidon in unspoken accusation.

>   Despite the circumstances, a smile spread across Gretta’s face. “The baby is ours. I’ve suspected for a week, but didn’t say anything because I couldn’t understand how it happened.”

  “Let me explain,” Aphrodite’s melodic voice sang. “When a man and a woman—”

  “They understand the mechanics,” Poseidon interrupted and returned his hand to Gretta’s narrow waist. “Sam is the father. The conception remains a mystery for reasons beyond my understanding.”

  “A sacrifice of two,” Aphrodite mused, her entire focus on Gretta.

  “No.” Sam blocked the goddess. “You’ll have to kill me in order to get to her. I’ll be the first sacrifice. If you kill Gretta after I’m dead, you will be sacrificing three, not two.”

  “He has a point, beautiful one,” Poseidon chuckled.

  Aphrodite poked Poseidon in the chest. “You’ve been outsmarted by humans before. Allow me to show you how weak the human race truly is.” She smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear and batted her lashes at Sam.

  “Don’t listen to her,” Gretta hissed. “Don’t even look in her direction.”

  “No man can deny his attraction and complete devotion to me,” Aphrodite cooed. “Isn’t that right, Sam?”

  Gretta watched him lick his lips.

  “Concentrate,” she begged.

  “You’re absolutely right.” Sam gawked at the goddess. “Spare my wife and child and I’ll serve you forever.”

  “I think not,” Aphrodite and Gretta cried in unison.

  Poseidon laughed so hard a colossal wave formed off shore. “The sacrifice to be made is of two, not three, not four. The best thing to do is kill him and find another.”

  “I don’t have time to find another,” the goddess whined. “We must focus on the opal and emerald rings. The girl and her unborn child will be the sacrifice.” She removed a dagger from the folds of her glistening robe and lunged at Gretta.

  Chapter 28

  Forbidden

  Gretta

  Sam blocked the path of Aphrodite’s attack. The blade slashed through the air. Gretta felt him flinch and tense in agonizing pain as his arms fell away from her to his sides.

  Gretta broke his fall and eased him to the ground. Blood trickled from a superficial slice across his chest.

  “Fool,” Aphrodite cried. “Now what am I to do?”

  “Perhaps Asclepius will enlighten us.” Poseidon gestured to an approaching god.

  All heads turned to the newcomer as a jeweled dagger appeared in Gretta’s hands. Without hesitation, she touched the blade to the edge of Sam’s wound.

  “Hello, Poseidon. Aphrodite, you look as lovely as ever.” Asclepius greeted them. “Excuse me for a moment so I can see to the mortal’s medical needs.”

  “Of course.” Poseidon escorted Aphrodite a short distance away.

  “I sense you’ve done this before,” Asclepius whispered. “Allow me to take over, for your experience needs to remain a secret.”

  The dagger left her hand and appeared in the god’s grip. He knelt at her side and assumed the healing task.

  Gretta squeezed Sam’s hand while his strength returned.

  With the wound closed, Asclepius tapped the blade against his palm and eyed Sam. “You’ve been touched by my blade before, somehow, in another time?”

  “Yes, while my soul merged within Lorenzo, I—”

  “Don’t explain. Others will hear. I’m here to help.” Asclepius swiped the dagger in Gretta’s direction, aimed at her right arm.

  Missed.

  Before they had a chance to react, Asclepius plunged the blade into her side.

  No pain.

  The dagger magically appeared in his other hand.

  “Zeus,” Asclepius grumbled. “He caught on to my plan and will continue to interfere. You must cut her, quickly.” He thrust the blade at Sam.

  Gretta watched her husband’s fingers wrap around the jeweled handle. Instead of looking at her, he stared in Aphrodite’s direction. A surge of fear filled her entire being.

  “Aphrodite, you’re entitled to what is rightfully yours. I will do your will and sacrifice my wife and child.” Sam tilted his face to the sky. “A sacrifice of two.” He turned his back to their audience. “Trust me. This must appear real,” he whispered. He raised the dagger with the tip pointing directly at her abdomen.

  How do I know you you’re not under Aphrodite’s influence?

  Fear for her child took over. “Kill me, not the baby,” she pleaded and wriggled out of his grasp. Tripping over a broken statue, she fell into silk wrapped arms.

  “Do it, Sam.”

  The melody of Aphrodite’s command floated inside Gretta’s head. Her body relaxed within the goddess’s hold and peaceful bliss waved over her.

  Then her mind reeled and she stared at Sam. “Kill me. Don’t kill our baby.”

  Sam readjusted the grip on the dagger. His face melted into the same tranquil acquiescence which surrounded Gretta.

  Aphrodite’s controlling us.

  “A sacrifice of two.” Sam’s empty eyes focused on Gretta. Without hesitation, he plunged the dagger into his target.

  Gretta doubled over and collapsed to the ground, unable to breathe.

  Poseidon laughed. “No need to worry, Aphrodite. Not a single drop of blood touched your lovely gown.”

  Sam gathered Gretta into his arms. “What have I done? What possessed me to do this?”

  “Quit sniveling.” Aphrodite snatched Gretta’s limp right hand. Lightning blasted from the stone, throwing the goddess through the air. She landed on her backside in the sand.

  Gretta’s entire body shook when her lungs filled with air. A deeper breath, in and out, brought her to her senses. “I’m okay. You simply knocked the wind out of me. The dagger disappeared. It never cut me.”

  Sam’s gaze locked on the blade, floating above their heads. His focus shifted to Gretta. “Thank God you are all right. I think I can stay in control as long as I don’t look at Aphrodite. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

  “Love is in the air once again.” Poseidon approached.

  Sam surrounded Gretta within a protective embrace.

  “No need to be concerned, mortal. I have no desire to kill either of you.” He plucked the dagger from the air and studied its razor edge.

  Lightning streaked across the sky.

  Poseidon’s brow rose with interest. “Brother, what you suggest is forbidden.”

  “Our agreement with Hades prohibits us from siring offspring.” A huge wall of a man in light green robes stepped into view. The air around him shimmered. “Raising children, not of our own seed, isn’t forbidden.” He appraised the mortals.

  Gretta’s heart skipped a beat.

  “No one will take our baby.” Sam touched a firm hand on her middle.

  “Lift the curse, Zeus.” Aphrodite commanded. She smoothed her gown and stepped to the god’s side. “Take the mortals for sacrifice. I will raise the child, since you are far too busy to do so.” She played slender fingers across his chest.

  “Sam and Gretta are not worthy to sacrifice,” Asclepius retorted. He held his palm over his head. The dagger magically appeared in his grasp.

  Zeus emitted a growl. “Stop trying to protect the humans, Asclepius. Your powers are inconsequential at the moment.”

  The goddess nuzzled into Zeus’ side. “I don’t care what you do with them. Just get the little red ring back where it belongs.” She bent her wrist in front of his face and wiggled her finger.

  The great god sighed and kissed her offered hand.

  “Zeus is falling for her love spells again.” Poseidon elbowed Asclepius. “I wonder where Hera is?”

  Gretta witnessed the two place bets on how long it
would take for Zeus’ mate to arrive. The sacred blade in Asclepius’ hand caught her eye. “The dagger. It’s longer now,” she whispered to Sam.

  He frowned. “It’s the same blade. Don’t be afraid of it. Asclepius is trying to save our souls from Tartarus. Let him cut you,” Sam replied firmly.

  “I don’t think we’re going to live much longer. The goddess wrapped Zeus around her little finger.”

  “No matter what happens, no matter where we go. I’ll never leave you.” He kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose.

  She pulled his head to hers. “Together forever.” She kissed him long and hard. A shiver ran through her. “You can’t be with me if I’m sent to Purgatory-In-Tartarus.”

  “I won’t let you go back there. If we become the sacrifice of two, the curse will be broken and you won’t be sent to Purgatory-In-Tartarus.”

  “Aphrodite cursed anyone who wears the ring to Purgatory-In-Tartarus. Zeus declared the sacrifice. I could still go—”

  “The mortal has a valid point.” Asclepius spoke loudly for all to hear. “Zeus, what are your intentions for Gretta’s soul? As of now, Aphrodite’s curse overrides you and commits Gretta to Purgatory-In-Tartarus.”

  “Yes, the exquisite Aphrodite sealed the destiny of many souls with her cursed jewels. Careful, Brother. Under her spell your powers are limited, allowing her strength to surpass your own,” Poseidon warned. “Not to worry. Her charms have zero effect on me. I’ll rule the land in your inebriated absence.”

  “No need, Poseidon.” Zeus formed a smirk. “Whatever Aphrodite suggests is suitable for the human’s destination.”

  “Ah, yes. If I recall, Aphrodite also suggested you change your robes to green,” Poseidon chuckled.