by S. E. Babin
Clotho's gaze narrowed and her eyes streaked silver. Her eyebrows rose. "She made out like a teenager in a parked car!"
I gasped. "Artie! You dirty dog. With who?"
She groaned. "No. I'm not telling this story right now!" With a final glare, she also left us.
I laughed as I watched her disappear. "Do you think she wants to stay human?" I asked Clotho.
She shrugged. "I think she's confused. I also think she has feelings for a certain man in town."
"Really?" I thought back to when I visited her office. That had to be the guy. "Do you think it will work?"
Clotho's face went blank for a moment before a serene smile crossed her face. "I think things will work out not quite like she expected," she said, an answer which didn't tell me much at all.
"Clotho?"
She waved her hand. "Her story is not mine to tell." She patted my hand. "But as much as you would like to avoid this, you will play a part in her new role."
I groaned. "Please don't say things like that. Now I'm going to be all paranoid and walking on eggshells thinking anything I do will create a paradox."
Clotho groaned. "Relax. Her path diverges into two distinct destinies. Both of them good. I see a slight tug toward one, though. Whichever path she ends up on is the one she's meant to be on."
"That makes no sense. What if she wants to choose one but is forced to choose the other? What if someone shoves her off one path and she accidentally stumbles onto the other - the one she really didn't want? What if -"
Clotho rolled her eyes and disappeared right in front of me. "It's rude to disappear when someone is talking to you!"
Silence was my only answer.
Chapter 18
I spent the rest of that day doing absolutely nothing except thinking. I needed to approach some people and see if they would be willing to step up for me. So far I had all the important people on my side. Well...kind of. But Artie was the only one I knew to be actually fighting on my side. Her and a disgruntled God. He'd be super happy when I summoned him for the games. I could already tell.
One person I hadn't thought about in awhile was coming to the forefront of my mind and had been for the last several weeks. My friend, Keto. He'd disappeared on me when I'd gotten more involved with Hades. It had upset me at first because he'd been such a good friend, but his absence had allowed me to deal with his betrayal. He didn't feel like it was a betrayal, but I had. When you spent as much time together as we had, you thought you knew someone. Turned out Keto had been a daemon - an almost angel-like spirit sent to watch over me. When I found out the truth I understandably flipped my wig a little bit, but in time I'd come to accept him. And the truth.
But he had to leave me, and I missed him. Especially now, when my life was coming to a crossroads. The decisions I made in the next twenty-four hours would forever shape the rest of my existence.
Perhaps I could try to reach him.
Maybe I should leave him alone.
I didn't know. I'd sleep on it. I wandered upstairs to my office and took out the small stone Ares had brought to me so long ago. It didn't look like much, but the power emanating from the stone was enough to turn my house into dust. It was a permanent mortality spell, and Zeus had given it to me, though I still hadn't figured out why. In my head, I knew there was probably a reason that benefitted him, but I couldn't see what it was. For awhile, I'd dreamed of living a normal life. But my normal turned into something different and it no longer meant mortality. Yes, I liked living among the humans, but there were some things and some people I loved more. So I hung on to the spell for some reason. I should have destroyed it long ago, but I never could bring myself to do it. It had been sitting here since the moment Ares had brought it to me.
I brought it with me to my bedroom that night so I would remember to take it with me to the games. I wasn't sure of the reason, but I felt like I needed to. Frowning, I tucked it next to the lamp on my nightstand.
Something was bothering me, and it wasn't just the impending craziness of tomorrow. I was missing something and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
I fell into a fitful sleep worried about the games, my future, the possible deaths of hundreds of immortals and how I was going to stop it.
I didn't think I could, but maybe I could minimize it.
Wishful thinking. I was pretty good at it.
The next morning turned out to be a beautiful day which pissed me off a little bit. My mood was ugly so I wanted the day to be ugly too. Rain, lightning, sleet, thunder, I wanted all of the things to show the world I was a very angry goddess.
I ate my breakfast like an automaton and by myself. Artie had left for her own home yesterday, though she promised to meet me in Olympus later on. Clotho had gone back to her sister's lair, probably to scry and see if I was destined to die today.
I grumbled to myself about all the possible things that could go wrong, before I sat up straight, cursed myself for being such a grumpy guss and got up to rinse my plate and get ready. There were only two possible outcomes to today.
I lost or I won. Both could be bad. But one could be a whole lot worse for me.
I drank two more cups of coffee before I could feel the caffeine singing in my veins and before I had the energy to go back upstairs to finish getting ready. I had to look immaculate today. If I was going to convince people to fight for me I had to look awake, competent and like I totally had my shit together.
Of course, people who really knew me knew that I rarely had my shit together.
Especially since I was showing up at their door a mere few hours before the games were set to begin to ask them to risk their lives for me.
Yes. I was super awesome with both deadlines and bad news.
I dressed to the nines in a long white toga split on the sides to show lots of leg but also to allow freedom of movement just in case I needed to throw some serious ass-kicking mojo around. I pulled my hair up into an elaborate braid to prevent someone from using it against me. I wouldn't put that past any of my brethren. Every time I had to watch anyone fight I thought about that movie The Incredibles and how that cape ended up being the villain's downfall. I didn't wear a cape, but I also didn't want my hair getting tangled in something and me losing due to rampant stupidity. I'd done that enough.
My makeup was expertly applied. Enough to scream look how hot I am, but toned down enough not to scream harlot.
My shoes were sandals because that was part of the whole Olympian getup, but they were comfortable and simple. The less I could trip on or get tangled up in the better.
When I was ready to go, I showed up to several people's abodes and went dialing for dollars. I felt like a creepy politician running for office every time I stopped by and spoke to them about my side.
Ninety-nine percent of those visits ended up with a snort-laugh and a door slamming in my face.
Apparently my unorthodox behavior and my budding romance with Hades had made me a wee bit unlikeable.
Crap.
I went to a few more places only to receive the same reaction, so then I headed back home to make myself a cup of coffee and weep in it. It was down to me, Artie and a couple of dryads I'd bribed with a spot in my temple. I had my wildcard and a mortality spell.
I was so officially screwed.
Granted, I did have a few big shots trying to throw the contest in my favor, but it had to look convincing and those guys were already super terrifying. It was still possible that I would lose.
"You underestimate yourself, child. You always have." My mother stood there in her Mother phase, her beautiful and wise face partially obscured by a royal blue hood scattered with white stars.
"You came," I breathed. I wasn't sure she would. I'd called out to her last night and told her I needed help.
"Of course I did," she said and flicked her robe to the side so she could walk. She placed her staff against the counter and settled herself into a chair across from me. "Today's the day," she mused.
&nbs
p; I nodded. "I have four people to fight with me. And one champion."
"But only three worth a damn?" she said with a smile.
I knew my failure would have already gotten around. "I started too late."
She waved a hand. "It wouldn't have mattered. They see the past, Abby, but you are the future. They don't understand you, yet. But they will."
"If I win."
My mother shook her head. "Win or lose, you will still rule, Aphrodite. Prophecy or not, your future is as a queen."
"Mom, I have to tell you something."
She blinked in surprise. "You called me Mom. In a way that really made me feel it. Not a drop of sarcasm. It must be serious."
I smiled, but it wasn't heartfelt. "I found out some information you may want to know. It's not the right time, nor am I sure there would ever be a right time. I just -"
She sighed. "I know who your father is, child. I just prefer not to talk about it. It's not every day you go for a swim and wind up pregnant with no memory of doing the deed, right?"
I gaped at her. "Umm right?"
"This was a secret a long time coming."
"Why didn't you tell me about it?"
My mother pulled my hands in hers. "I never wanted a child, but when I had you, that all changed. I joked about it at first because I didn't want you to know the truth of it. The magic was strong that night. You are and will always be more magical than most. I was immersed in a dark ritual that night, but after it happened I became convinced it was fate. You were meant to bring us together. Nothing you can say will change my belief in that. You may not want it, but it is your destiny."
"I just want to make my own choices."
She patted my hand. "When you are Queen, you will."
I pulled away. "No, Mom. Now. I want to make them now."
My mother smiled sadly. "Honey, when the secret of your birth is revealed, there will be no stopping those who would use you. You must prevail today. You must fully embrace your powers and rely on your friends and family to help you see this through." She winked at me. "And you must also rely on those who you once called an enemy. You are loved by few, reviled by many, but you are the answer to our problems."
"I need your help," I told her.
"I know. My magic will not save everyone," she warned.
I nodded. "We know. We need it to save a few of us, though."
"Some of the twelve?"
I rolled my eyes. "I don't think the twelve exist any longer, but yes, those of the former twelve. Anyone who fights on my side. We need to make their deaths look convincing."
She grinned. "Honey, if you make it convincing, Zeus will call you a cheater and have the results thrown out. You need to make it real."
I had a feeling she was going to say that. "Whatever you need to do. As long as everyone comes back. Not as zombies." I frowned at her. "Just like when they left."
My mom pouted. "No zombies? You really like to reduce my fun."
"I'm serious."
"Fine." She winked at me. "I will be at the games disguised as an old woman. Not as my crone face. You will not know who I am. It's the best for both of us. Provide me a list of those you wish to temporarily perish and I will do my best."
"I need this to work."
She rolled her eyes at me. "I know, Abby. The future of the world depends on you."
I wasn't sure if that last statement was snarky or not, but I know it was annoying. "Mom."
My mother laughed. "I'll see you there, darling." She stood and gave me a peck on the cheek. "You will win. I am certain."
When she had left the room, I repeated the words Hades had said to me earlier. "But at what cost?"
Chapter 19
I was here. So help me. I was here. In Olympus, standing in front of the stadium with my heart up in my throat and my hands shaking.
This was it.
Do or die today, Abby. Do or die.
Artie stood beside me holding my hand. Clotho, in her infinite wisdom, had appeared to me right before I left the house. She whispered a few words I didn't understand, told me the fate of the world rested in my hands, and then kissed both my cheeks softly and told me she would be sitting in the stands cheering me on. She wasn't here right now because people would judge her impartiality. I understood it, but it still hurt not have her there.
The dryads stood to the other side of me, their faces implacable. They were going to die horribly. I think we all knew that, but they would at least buy me some time to figure out my next moves.
I'd contacted God, but I hadn't heard a peep. I knew he was under a spell, a powerful one from the feel of it as it wrapped around him, so I knew he would be here. Since he was fighting it, I knew it would be just my luck for him to pop up at the absolute last minute. Plus that was kind of his thing anyway.
I had not seen Atlas aka the man of little words, Typhon, Ares, or Hermes at all. They were probably down in the gutters of the stadium figuring out if they were going to betray me or not. The only thing they had to keep was my secret. The rest was wide open.
Right now we all had a common goal, though. Keep Zeus from meddling with anything that could lead us to war. I also knew Hermes was secretly hoping to muzzle Zeus permanently. Not kill him per se, Zeus was his father after all. But keep him from taking rule over Olympus again.
I sucked in a breath as something occurred to me.
I'd forgotten to ask someone.
A person I'd never gotten along with but who'd surprised me several times over the last several months.
I dropped Artie's hand, whispered to her I'd be right back and popped right into Zeus' castle because I knew he wasn't there right now. I also knew Hermes wouldn't care.
She sat at a long, elaborately decorated table by herself, her napkin placed neatly across her lap. She ate soup daintily and idly flipped through something that looked to be a journal. I knocked on the doorframe.
Hera didn't have to look up to know it was me, but she did anyway. "I wondered if you would remember me."
I had the grace to blush. "I never thought I would be here," I admitted.
She set her spoon across her bowl and gently wiped her mouth. "I thought the same. You wish to ask me for help?"
I nodded. "If you're willing."
She studied me, her cool patrician features polite but carefully blank. "First you must tell me what was inside of the papers you took from my husband's room."
I knew Hera did little without it benefiting her in some way, but I would be graceless if I denied her this especially after she fought for me so I could escape. "It was the truth of my parentage."
Her startling blue eyes widened. "Truth?" she echoed. "And just what truth is this?"
Oh the secrets Zeus kept from her. I sighed. As much growth I'd seen from him lately, I now knew he still had light years to go before he turned into a truly decent person. But who I was kidding? None of us were really people. We were immortals. And beings like us survived by being mean and playing dirty sometimes.
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be trusting Hera with the kind of information that could get me killed, but the times they were strange. I also never thought she would stand up for me against someone like Zeus.
I opened my mouth and spilled everything and by the time I was done, her face was pale with shock and her hands trembled. She removed them from the table, clasped them together in her lap and pressed her lips together.
Finally she spoke. "If I were a different person, I would kill you on the spot."
"Are you a different person?" I asked with unease.
She didn't directly answer my question. "You have surprised me many times, Aphrodite. And never in the way I expected you to. You've shown me what it means to have true compassion, to love without being compelled and to fight when you want to give up. You've shown me there can be a different way. There can be a different ruler." She looked down at her hands. "And that there can be a better world for us. A place where we don't have to be cruel
to one another all the time to stay in power."
My chin wobbled. Good gods, were we having another bonding moment? "I don't know if everyone wants that," I admitted.
"True," she agreed. "But how do they know a different way if we have never shown them kindness?"
Okay. Seriously. Who was this person and what had they done with Hera?
"Are you saying you'll help me?"
She stood and took her napkin out of her lap. "I will. For Olympus." With care, she placed her napkin over her bowl. "For me."
That sounded suspiciously like Zeus was about to lose a wife, but I didn't probe her on that one. Not my circus. Not my monkeys. I had a feeling it was coming, but right now I had to worry about number one.
Me.
"Good," I breathed. "Let's go." I took her hand and blinked her out of the castle and into the front of the stadium. As we walked in, there was some serious eyebrow raising from everyone who saw us together. The whispers would start soon, but there was no time to bask in the glory. With Hera and Artie on my side, and with my newer powers, there was a darn good chance I'd win even without the help of God. Now it was almost in the bag.
Don't get cocky, I thought to myself. Nothing ever goes right when you're involved. Just breathe. Relax, and try to keep your head in the game.
Artie was already downstairs and if she was surprised to see Hera, she didn't show it. At least not in front of Zeus' wife. But as soon as Hera turned around, she mouthed. "OH MY GOD. HOW IN THE HELL?" And then she gesticulated wildly.
I shrugged wondering exactly how I managed it as well. To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure I managed it at all. It was Hera's decision to do it, and I didn’t know a hundred percent that she was doing it for me or for her kingdom. She said it was for her kingdom, but I didn’t believe her. Maybe a little bit of both. Maybe I was full of wishful thinking. It didn't matter. She was here and we were going to kick serious Olympian ass and get me hitched to the right man.
Which was no man at this particular moment because Hades was still mad at me. Yes, we made some serious mad monkey love earlier, but men (and apparently me) didn't have to be happy with someone to get their freak on. It just made it that much hotter. Maybe I could do less stupid things though and make him less mad next time. He was pretty pissed at me.