by JoAnna Grace
Divine Destiny
Text copyright © 2013 JoAnna Grace
First Edition Published 2013
Second Edition Published 2015 by Winged J Press
Third Edition Published 2016 by Y&R Publishing, LLC
978–1-940460–03–1
Cover Design by JLeeAnn.com
Book design Champagne Formats
2016 Editing done by Jennifer Bray-Webber
This is a work of fiction. Therefore all names, places, characters, and situations are a product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places, or events is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author or publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DIVINE AWAKENING
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
EPILOGUE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
I believe that for everything under the sun there is a time and a season. And because of some wonderful people and the grace of God, mine has come.
To my wonderful family: Donny, you have been nothing but supportive even when it was a sacrifice to you. Thank you for all you had to do when I was zoned out in front of the computer. I love you Forever. G,S, & C, Mommy wanted to lead by example. Anything is achievable if you have ambition, dedication, and faith. I can’t wait to see you soar!
Mom, you have always been my biggest critic and my biggest cheerleader. I love your honesty, your unconditional love, and how you yell “Go Girl, Go!” every step of the way. I hope I’m half the woman you are!
Cheryl, you are my person. Thank you for everything you have done. Some things I can name—and some are just between us! Oh, and nice sword! Tim, thanks for sharing her. Luv ya buddy.
Brandon, Jelaine, Amanda, and my amazing OWG sisters: You are shining lights in my life. You bless me every day. I am thankful for you all. Forever.
2016 Addition: Jennifer- Thank you for helping me spruce this girl up. I’ve always been proud of this story, but man, now she really shines. Thanks for teaching me and being my favorite pirate wench!
DIVINE AWAKENING
Start your journey with Divine Awakening, the prequel novella…
AVERY’S FINGERTIPS NUMBED due to the ropes shackling her wrists. They rubbed her raw as she struggled to free herself. The wad of cloth crammed into her mouth captured her cries for help.
“He’s here.” Jerry smiled and faced the front door.
Wood splintered as a great force knocked it off the hinges and sent it flying into the other room.
Crystals of terror froze in her veins, rendering her motionless. A creature in a black cloak floated across the threshold with an army of men in red military-style uniforms. She couldn’t see its face, but she could see the red flesh of its claw-like hands. Black talons stretched out like daggers. There was nothing human about it.
She fought harder against her restraints, dreading what those talons might do to her. No! This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be real. Deep inside the core of her body, something stirred. At first it felt like the roil of stomach acid, but then it spread out into the rest of her body.
“What’s up with her eyes?” Jerry pointed at her, his eyes narrowed and darted back and forth between his master and Avery.
“Ah!” said the creature. “She’sss awakening.” He took a step back and folded those talons in front of him, as if ready to observe the show.
The world began to spin and shadows crossed her vision. She clamped her eyes shut. Every nerve ending in her body raged hot. Smoke tickled her nose. Something was burning. Something familiar and organic, like wood or fabric. When she opened her eyes, the world had taken on a red tint.
Raw power flooded her body. When she pulled against the ropes this time, they easily gave way.
“Fire Keeper.” The demon said in an awed tone. “Incrrredible.”
Avery looked down at her body. Flames licked up her skin, tickling her arms and legs, warming her stomach and chest. Her clothing disintegrated, eaten by the fire. Every inch of her body glowed yet her flesh wasn’t burning. In fact, Avery had never felt more alive, liberated even.
“Kill her,” the demon hissed to his men.
AVERY’S HOME BURNED in a raging inferno. Her entire world was engulfed in flames. The orange and yellow stretched to the sky in a cry for help as her home lost the fight. Every memory, every texture and smell of home would be gone in a matter of minutes. When the roof collapsed, Avery covered her mouth before the scream could escape. Instead, she buried her head into the neck of the man carrying her through the woods and away from the nightmare she had just experienced.
She sobbed silently and hit her fist against his chest. Though Ryse had promised to carry her to safety, she didn’t know if she believed that. Only moments ago Avery had watched him kill mercilessly. It might have been to rescue her, but a normal person didn’t wield a sword with such precision and no remorse.
Then again, a normal person didn’t burst into flames and incinerate her attackers.
Ryse’s cell phone rang just before the car veered off the interstate to go south. “Ryse,” he answered with clipped tone.
“Master,” Hammon answered in his African accent. Ryse’s second-in-command had been with him for centuries. A fine, loyal soldier, he trusted Hammon with his life. “All evidence of our time here is gone. No one will remember us. Philippe held off the flames so we
could gather some of her personal belongings before we escaped. Brenden will continue his ruse as an officer. Cutter will make sure all believe Avery and Frank were killed in a lover’s quarrel with Jerry. All other bodies have been taken care of. Yankee was able to get the Lady’s dogs out before anyone arrived.”
“Good. Everyone will meet up at the safe house. Tell Brenden to stay behind, finish out his job, then get to the Haven. We don’t know if the Rogues will come back and I don’t want him there if they do.”
“Yes, sire. We are not far behind you.”
Ryse hung up his phone and cast a quick glance at his passenger in the back seat. She was a mess. He knew beneath the quilt was a bloodied, shaken body and more emotional scars than one woman should have to carry. Her beautiful face was bruised, her cheek was gashed, and tears had cut tracks in the soot that clung to her skin.
His mission had been to get her out safely and calmly. Instead, his presence had alerted the enemy in hiding. Ryse hadn’t known how close they had been all along. By the time he found out, there had been no time to explain, no time to coax her trust or comprehension. There was only time to save her and get the hell out.
Jerry had known quickly what Ryse was. Olympians could shield their auras—hide them completely if needed. However, a powerful Olympian like Ryse could not be contained by such magic. Any Olympian within a five-mile radius could sense him even with his aura shielded to the best of his abilities. Jerry, one of the traitors known as a Rogue, knew that if Ryse got too close, his chance to kill Avery would be lost. His success would have been hell for Ryse.
Thank the gods Ryse and his Elites had arrived in time to find Avery alive. What he hadn’t expected was to find her on fire, the brilliant flames dancing along her skin and burning away her clothing. She had been ethereal, a red and orange glowing goddess, her long auburn curls floating about her head alive with the fire. He stood paralyzed by her deadly beauty before he fully comprehended what it meant. Helioan fire keepers were rare. It was a good thing Philippe had been there to counteract her heat with his cold.
Her soft voice broke into his thoughts. “Where are you taking me?” He nearly choked at the fear in her words.
“Somewhere you will be safe.”
“Those people who tried to kill me, you didn’t get them all. There was one that, well, he just vanished.” She sounded like she didn’t believe her words. “How is that possible? How is any of this possible?”
“Their leader had a Teleporter. There aren’t many left in our world, but they can transport themselves anywhere in the blink of an eye.”
Her voice trembled. “In your world? What world is that?”
Ryse looked back at his charge. “The world of Olympians, Avery, the descendants of the gods. Your parents didn’t live to bring you home, but now that I’ve found you, it’s time for you to take your place among us.”
“This can’t be real. I’m in a horrible nightmare.” Avery said, fresh tears dripping down her face. “My friends will search for me.”
“I’m afraid not, love.” He looked back quickly, then turned away again. “They will all believe you’re dead.”
He could hear her sobbing and mumbling, see her rocking herself in the back seat. “I’m going to be sick.” She grabbed for the handle to open the door and Ryse swerved to stop the car on the side of the road just as she lost the contents of her stomach. Luckily, the interstate wasn’t busy this time of night and only a handful of cars passed them. Ryse came to her side, made sure her nakedness was covered and held back her hair.
“Avery, I can make you sleep if you wish.” He prayed she took the offer.
“You’re going to drug me?” She scrambled to get out of his hold.
“No. No, I swear. I can simply put your mind to sleep so that you have relief from this agony. Please let me help you. Your body needs to rest.” He tilted her chin up until her eyes met his. He’d fallen for those green eyes the moment they first connected with his two days ago. “Please. I won’t hurt you.”
For a long moment she stared at him unblinking. He wondered if her shattered mind even recognized what he’d said. Instead, she dropped her eyes and turned her face away. “Just make it all go away.”
Ryse picked her up and laid her down across the back seat, tucking the quilt around her. He placed his hand over her forehead and closed his eyes, praying to the gods. As he spoke the sacred prayers, his hand began to glow with a soft white light and Avery’s eyelids slid down. The power of his aura flooded her body. He thanked the gods and watched for a moment as Avery relaxed into a deep sleep. She would need her strength in the days to come. Avery’s life would never be the same.
WHEN SHE FINALLY awoke, it was because Ryse was carrying her again. He was taking her up a set of stairs. She heard voices, but none of it truly pierced her mind. A fog had settled and there was no seeing through it.
“I’m Paula, Master. I’ve set out clothes and food.” A woman, portly and graying, followed them up the stairs and into a room. “You may take her straight to the bathroom to be cleaned. I will take the quilt and dispose of it.”
Panic curled in Avery’s gut at the woman’s words. This solitary quilt was the only thing that she had left of her home, her heritage—no matter how unsure of it she was at the moment—and of her family.
“Can you get the blo—stains out?” Ryse spoke before she could remember how to form words. “It was made by her mother. If it can be salvaged, please try.”
“I will do my best, Master. The…stains look set in.” She glanced back and forth between the two. “I will go run a hot bath.” Paula scurried off to the bathroom while Ryse sat Avery down in a chair and wrapped her tighter in the blanket.
She watched as he went to the console and fixed a plate of fruit and bagels. Had Paula called him Master? Twice? Why would she do that? What was he the master of?
He sat in front of her and held up a strawberry. “Eat,” he demanded. The response was silence, her eyes averted. There was no hunger in her of any kind. No hunger for life or food.
Bowing his head for a moment, his whole face changed when he looked up again. He appeared tired and weathered. “Avery, please,” he begged as he lifted the fruit to her lips. Though she could feel the textures in her mouth, feel it go down her throat one bite at a time, she tasted nothing. Half a bagel and a few pieces of fruit later, she turned away.
Paula joined them as Ryse put the plate down. “Master, the bath is ready. Should I stay?”
“No, Paula. The Lady and I need some privacy.” He walked over to Avery and knelt down in front of her. “Let’s get you cleaned.”
Avery numbly went along with him as he unwrapped her from the quilt. Paula had started the shower so that she could rinse off before settling into the tub to relax. Sweet old Paula didn’t realize that there would be no relaxation tonight.
The woman took the quilt from Ryse, her eyes wide as she beheld Avery’s blood-crusted body.
“My god,” Paula said, putting her hand over her mouth.
“You may leave. Thank you for all you’ve done.” His words were kind, but his demeanor was not. Paula caught the admonition in his tone, bowed and exited hastily. Ryse nearly shut the door on her.
Avery stared numbly at the battered woman reflected in the expansive wall of mirrors. It was the first time she had seen herself since she’d gotten home from the bar—before Jerry showed up at her house and brought carnage.
That’s when she noticed the change.
Less than twelve hours ago, Avery’s hair had been long and wavy, silky brown like luscious dark coffee with hints of red. But this hair was different. It was lighter, redder—more auburn than brown. The difference was significant. The curls were tighter. It felt coarse, dry, and in need of deep conditioning. Only after running her hands through the strange mane did she look at the rest of her skin from the neck down. The vast mirror showed everything to her knees.
Blood caked everywhere—brown, dried, stinking blood. Frank’
s blood. All the blood one healthy male body could hold. It’d run onto the hardwood floor of her house, soaked into her rugs and felt warm on her skin as she’d told her best friend goodbye. The thought made her dizzy, made her body shake.
“Whoa, I’ve got you.” Ryse caught her in his arms and held her. “It’s okay. Shh. Hush, baby,” he crooned to sooth her.
Avery didn’t realize she had been whimpering. All she could feel were the shattering chills that racked her body against Ryse. Her legs were useless.
“I’m going to help you.” The slow oozing warmth slipped over her again, allowing her muscles to unclench and loosen. Ryse held her with one arm and removed his clothes with another. Avery’s face pressed against a now shirtless, hard chest.
“Come on, Avery. In you go.” He gently shifted her into the tiled shower and under the water.
The hot water flowed over her and she shut her eyes. Ryse began cleaning her with soap. His actions didn’t surprise her or anger her; she felt nothing. Ryse was acting as her arms and her mind. Later she would appreciate his efforts, his gentleness and soothing words as he worked to erase the terrors of the night.
When she was rid of the physical evidence of her struggles, Ryse turned off the shower and moved her over to the large round bathtub full of hot water and lavender and rose scented oils. He sat Avery in the middle and then carefully slid in behind her, making the water nearly overflow. His legs went on either side and Avery vaguely noticed that he still wore a pair of boxer briefs.
Two large hands slid over her shoulders and down her back, rubbing her. Then he very slowly pulled her back until she lay on his chest, his arms wrapped around her, their hands clamped together on her stomach. They lowered into the water and stilled. Avery was aware of the layer of power that sheltered her body. She was going to have to ask him what that was, just not right then.
Any other time, Ryse thought, this would be romantic, sensual, passionate. Avery was naked, lying on top of him, her breasts peeking out of the water along with one arched knee. He’d gotten a full and intimate feel of her body when he had washed her earlier. Had he been a lesser man, he would have been aroused.