Caitlin Goddess of Peace

by Debbie Behan

  ‘You don’t remember what you just said?’

  ‘I said…’ She frowned. ‘I keep it locked deep in here.’

  He smiled. ‘Yes Cait, that’s all you said.’ He knew now that she would be off on another mission soon and this news had him panic. He wanted her home until it went down.

  ‘Time I took you home, Cait.’

  ‘Agreed,’ she said, unsure why she passed out. She figured he was right, she needed to rest after all that had transpired over the last few days. She was sure Aurek wouldn’t mind so long as she was back for the hen’s night. After all, he had said how busy he was going to be. Best go home and let the team help her get into top form for the big day.

  Rory smiled. ‘Three days will go fast, and then you’ll be back here on Orion’s Home World for the pre-wedding party the girls are organising for you.’

  ‘I guess Aurek’s happy now; he should be okay with it when he finds out I just passed out.’

  ‘You did well with him. He’s a changed man.’

  ‘He is rather adorable. You know he has organised everything.’ She shrugged. ‘So what’s left?’

  ‘Exactly… now go say your goodbyes while I get the horses ready.’

  When she hugged Jett, he agreed with Rory. ‘You need some time to rest before the big day. Have some girl time with the other members of your team.’

  Aurek agreed with them too. He didn’t like what he saw in Calyx’s eyes when his uncle looked at her. He wanted her as far away from Calyx as he could get her. He might have been family, but Aurek knew that look only too well.

  ‘You must be sick to death of us demanding menfolk.’ Her father smiled, but she could see the underlying meaning. He was worried for her to be around, not Calyx, but Zeus, her biggest threat. ‘I’ll call you,’ he whispered, winked and gave her a gentle squeeze.

  Calyx sat watching her with intensity and stood with a strange look on his face as she approached him. He had moved away from the others. Coming closer to him, she wondered if he’d picked up the connection between father and daughter. Even though it was only a short reunion between them, the family bond was strong. Her hands shook so she hid them behind her back as she approached him. ‘Rory thinks it best that I go home and have some time with him and the team before the wedding.’

  Calyx sucked in his breath when she put out her hand to him, shuddered and pulled her into an embrace. Her only thought was why had her perfume become so active it would affect him in that way.

  With a sigh, he let her go but continued to hold her hand. It was a definite grip of authority, with no intentions of dismissing her yet. ‘You fascinate me Glow Girl. Why couldn’t you have been a bad girl and single? I would have followed you to the end of time to claim your heart.’

  ‘Yes, but at least knowing I’m not your kind of woman makes me more fun to be with.’ Her teasing words had his eyes gleam with golden lights, as powers ignited within in them that willed her to stay with him.

  ‘You still have two more days before you have to go home. Let’s blow this boring location off and go let our hair down. Live a little before your big day. You know you have always wanted to just go and do something outrageous and fun. All those years of nothing, and now stuck with a team that still wants to lock you away and keep you safe. Come with me, Caitlin, and you will have the best two days of your life. You have the rest of your days to be dull and uninteresting.’

  Jett yelled at him, ‘Stop it Calyx. Cait, he’s using his power over you, fight it, tell him no.’

  Caitlin looked at Jett with glazed eyes and back at Calyx. Rory tried to grab for her, but Calyx was quick and put up his free hand. The bolt of light he projected tossed Rory backwards. The force had him hurtle towards Aurek, and Lord Mensa and the three of them slammed into a huge statue that shattered on impact. Jett was immediately on the attack, and his eyes glowed red, fire flamed towards Calyx, but it stopped a NAVmeter before it hit him. There was a shield around them, and the flame just bounced off.

  Caitlin didn’t register the attack. Instead, her eyes swung back to Calyx, captivated by his adoring smile. ‘Come with me Cait, I won’t hurt you and promise to bring you back here in two days.’ His words sounded sincere.

  Jett called to her and begged her to fight him, not to go, but her mind belonged to Calyx and accepted his offer.

  ‘You, my evil friend, are going to get me into so much trouble. My family will ground me for the rest of my life for doing this.’

  ‘Then I will make sure every day you are grounded, you will look back and say it was all worth it.’

  In her mind, she knew this was reckless behaviour, but in her heart, she so wanted to see the world through the eyes of the most powerful god in the universe. He was enchanting and empowered her with his charm, his charisma too hard to refuse.

  He looked across at Jett irritably and using telepathy he spoke his intentions.

  I will forgive you, brother, for hiding the one in the prophecy, for she has poisoned your mind with her magic. I am stronger than this female and will find a way to destroy this toxic ancient one that threatens us gods. If she survives, it will be by the will of me, the real god of the heavens. I will not bow down to anyone, let alone a female. This is not a request, but a warning, brother– do not speak of what I have told you or search for us, or you know what I will do. I have waited a long time for this moment, and you will not spoil it for me.’

  And with that Zeus transported Caitlin away. Jett had thought his brother had changed and that things would be different. The god’s arrogance lives on.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Up in Arms

  Zeus transported his prey to his own Home World on Jupiter. He had every intention of ending this prophesy and here, he could do whatever he wished. The battle began and despite his feeling for this immortal female he held, Zeus intended to kill the Rider Caitlin, but every attempt failed, and not one mark did he leave on her. He pulled his hands from her throat. The will to live was strong in her.

  Frustrated, Zeus threw up his arm at the heavens and cursed the day they had instigated this change that would destroy all he held sacred.

  ‘Why!’ he called out, and his thunderous voice created a tremor on his Home World that caused a landslide. He wanted to kill her on home soil to show the heavens that he was still the mightiest of all. He had chosen the rocky canyon far from any townships, low enough to block out the sounds of a fight to the death. Caitlin Warner, known as Glow Girl, stood against his ridicule and onslaught of hatred, her auburn hair turned fiery red where sparks lashed at him if he came too close. Her glistening green eyes glowed with vicious intent as the two began a battle that Zeus believed he would win. Casting an eye out wide, he glanced across the landscape where the mountainous terrain and gullies had been chopped up and flattened, crushed by hours of battle. Nearly losing his footing, he transported himself and Caitlin to safer ground. In his arms, she looked childlike, no threat to anyone. He had fought with the goddess within her and won. She had been banished, yet the body that held the goddess still lived on. Her thick lashes fluttered, and eyes the colour of a perfect emerald stared up at him with adoration, her smile captivating and alluring. How is this possible?

  He had got rid of the goddess and yet the control those eyes had over him were even stronger than before. He thought Glow Girl to be the most beautiful woman he had ever met and yet still wondered if she was the enemy. He could hear the hum of a deity and this surprised him as he saw the entity hiding within Glow Girl, leave this body. Her visual ghostly departure hissed as it dissipated into nothingness. No, surely there was not two. Was Glow Girl in training and in fact a goddess as well? Was the other a guide to teach, make the gods bow to her and then leave the one he knew as Glow Girl to continue on. Well that plan was foiled and now she was gone he smiled with cunning. Knew he had banished the evil one she was now gone…Or was she?

&
nbsp; ‘Calyx,’ Glow Girl spoke in the tone of an angel. ‘Where are we? Have we arrived on Earth yet? I must have fallen asleep.’

  Amazed she had no recollection of the fire-breathing combat they had been locked in, he smiled back, for some reason unable to hurt this side of her; Glow Girl, the special woman he had laughed with, danced with. He had left after the holiday at Dolphin Island so happy he could have burst. That was before he knew who she really was, who Glow Girl protected inside, the goddess and mother of all created. She had come to destroy him, have him bow down before her. He hated this person that had brought love and happiness to his family, and even though enchanted, this was a fight to the death. He knew already that if he were unable to kill what remained of her, he would turn this woman evil. But to do this, he had to unlock her secret door, find her weakness. He would win! He’d win for him, Hades and the rest of his family that she had corrupted. War was inevitable, and her death was too, one way or the other. When this was done, it would send out a message to the universe never to dare oppose him, the mighty god Zeus, ever again.

  ‘Are you okay, Calyx?’ She leant on her elbows. ‘You look upset. Did I do something wrong?’

  As she spoke, a thought came to him. To find her weakness was to give her complete happiness and he had two days left to do it. ‘Sorry Glow, I was worried for you, that’s all. Had to make a stop on my Home World, but ready to go now.’

  Her eyes lit up. ‘We’re on Jupiter. Can I see?’ She attempted to sit up.

  Calyx laughed and swept her into his arms. ‘Another time, beautiful. You asked to see some of Earth’s finest, and that is precisely where I intend to take you. We can visit here anytime.’ He transported her away, glad she had not woken to the mess of the landscape he and the goddess had made. He wore a smile. One down and one to go!

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Friend or Foe

  As Caitlin sat and gazed across at the Grand Canyon in the Arizona state, sipping coffee from a flask, she took in the breathtaking view and wondered where the last two days had gone.

  Calyx had dined her in Paris at the Eiffel Tower. They swam together in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral range in Australia. They drank champagne while overlooking Angel Falls in Venezuela, the biggest waterfall and nineteen times taller than North America’s Niagara Falls. He had transported her then to Africa where they went on a safari to Lake Nakuru National Park. Here she saw real life lions, leopards and buffalo, with Calyx pulling her out the way of an enraged charging rhino. They enjoyed a picnic lunch up on the top of Mt Everest in Nepal. They even spent a night in Alaska at a ski resort. It was here that Calyx allowed them to take a cable car for once, instead of the usual instantaneous travel, a joy she stirred him over. ‘I can’t believe we are taking transport,’ she kidded him. At the top, they viewed the snow-capped mountains, hanging glaciers and the famous northern lights. Then with a lot of laughter, and errors on her part, he helped her ski back down the mountain where they huddled by the open fire.

  Today they were sitting on a mountain top admiring the view below. Caitlin’s thoughts drifted as Calyx topped up her martini. She never refused one thing he offered. He was right; this was a whirlwind experience that was both exhilarating and romantic, a time she would never forget. He ticked all the boxes for a perfect travel companion, and she leant into him, attracted to all he offered. At the same time, the sun peeked over the rugged range before them, its brilliance reflecting in the sky above.

  ‘It’s breathtaking.’ Her body relaxed into him further, awestruck by all she could see and feel.

  Calyx pointed to the Colorado River below. ‘It’s taken the last six million years for the water to carve out that massive gorge. It’s 446 km long, and at that point,’ he gestured a hand movement, ‘it’s 29km wide and 1.83km deep.’

  He watched her hand come up and brush the curl of blond hair he had tried to flick away from his eyes. Her touch sent a shiver down his spine. He didn’t want to feel this way about her and he stood, pulling her to her feet.

  ‘Ready to go?’ he asked more harshly than he meant it to sound.

  ‘Sure, I’ve worn you out.’ She suddenly became alarmed.

  ‘Sorry, that came out wrong. Even with my transporting abilities saving us hours of travel, the time has still gone too quickly. There is so much more I would like you to see, that’s all.’

  ‘So where now?’ Her eyes lit up, and the frown was replaced with a quirky grin.

  ‘Las Vegas.’ He eyed her. ‘I booked us into the casino.’

  ‘Wahoo!‘ She jumped about; the blanket fell to the ground. ‘Rory said it wasn’t wise for us to go there when we lived on Earth. He was always worried for our safety. He’s going to be so ticked off and jealous I got to go.’ She continued to jig around while an amused Calyx picked up their gear and transported them to the lobby where they were quickly bustled up to the penthouse on the top floor.

  In the room, they showered and, still a little grumpy, he ordered her to get some sleep. She heard him on the phone organising after-five designer clothing to be brought up to the room for later, and once the phone went down, she argued. ‘I’m not tired, we can sleep tonight.’

  He put his hand up. ‘No more, woman, I have barely slept, and neither have you. If I don’t get a couple of hours, I’m going to be like this for the rest of the day. We’ve pulled another all-nighter, and I’m bushed.’

  ‘And cranky!’ she mumbled as she scrambled onto the king-sized bed beside him, sulking.

  ‘Our clothes will be here in a few hours. Until then I need peace.’ After a few minutes, he sighed and rolled towards her. He wanted her last day to be all glitz and glamour but if they didn’t rest neither of them would give a damn by early evening.

  She fought him and her own exhaustion. ‘I don’t want to go to sleep,’ she whined, ‘I don’t want to miss anything.’

  ‘Shush, please close your eyes.’ He traced his fingers gently across her forehead and around her eyes until they dropped shut.

  When she woke, they lay together, his arms wrapped loosely around her. He felt her watch him and opened his eyes. ‘Sorry about before.’ He pulled from her and, standing up, stretched.

  Caitlin slid off the bed and went into the bathroom where she turned on the taps. The water took no time at all to fill the oversized tub. ‘Mmm, what to choose?’ Her hand ran over the many perfumed bath salts before picking one. Finally enjoying some private time, she undressed without worry and slipped into the warm aromatic suds, every muscle seeming to scream out its thanks.

  A tap at the door stirred her from the daze that had her almost drift off again. What’s wrong with me? She didn’t generally need so much sleep.

  Calyx walked in. ‘Hope you’re decent.’ He still sounded a little surly, yet it didn’t bother her this time. She was just as tired. They had been overdoing it, but hell, this was once in a lifetime. Like her, he looked for something to wake him up and chose a hot shower. She much preferred the bath.

  Tossing aside his clothes with no shame that she was there, Calyx clunked the shower door shut. Water splashed on the floor when he stepped out quickly to retrieve his razor. Caitlin did her best to avert her eyes, but he was one good-looking man, and she had to duck under the water to muffle embarrassed giggles.

  When he emerged this time, he threw a towel around his hips, his mood much better. Apparently feeling playful, he turned his head seductively towards her. ‘If you’d like a sample of a real man just let me know. I’m happy to oblige.’

  ‘Stop it.’ The sponge in her hand was hurled at him. ‘I have a hot man already.’

  ‘There are hot men baby, and then there is a man that knows how to satisfy his woman.’ He dropped his towel, giving her a full frontal.

  Caitlin’s face flushed crimson as she ducked back under the water. Coming up for air she heard him still laughing at her naiv
ety as he moved into the other room.

  ‘Glad I amuse you so much.’ She wiped soap from her eyes.

  He heard her sullen tone and called out, ‘don’t stay in there all day. I have a limo arriving soon. I want to show you the sights before we eat.’ He figured luxury would get her in a better mood.

  Once wrapped in a towel she checked where he was and found him unzipping the dress and suit bags, choosing appropriate clothes for them to wear. ‘Our meal, is it the liquid variety or are we actually eating this time?’ She interrupted his thoughts.

  ‘Both.’

  ‘Sounds good.’ She padded barefoot over to the double vanity, plugged in the hair dryer and hummed while drying her hair.

  Without warning, her towel was removed, and she stood naked looking into the mirror at Calyx. She turned and used the hair dryer and hands to cover her privates while trying to snatch the towel back.

  He held it up out of her reach. ‘Don’t know why on earth you would ever want to cover up such perfection. You know you’re very beautiful, Cait. My offer still stands if you want to have a real man make love to you.’ He was surprised with her flushed red cheeks and eyes that flashed with embarrassment. She’s a virgin, you’re kidding me.’ His amazement was learning Axon had not yet taken her as his. It made her fair game in his book.

  ‘How do you know you have picked the right one if you don’t experiment?’ He stood so close to her with his nakedness that she started to shake. He reached out and held her against him. When her eyes closed, he knew she was close to giving in. ‘You feel adorable, let me show you how wonderful lovemaking can be, little innocent one.’

  As soon as the words escaped his lip, she stiffened. He had guessed her secret, and it astounded her.