Hunger: Goddesses of Delphi

by Gemma Brocato

  Hunger

  Goddesses of Delphi Book 4

  Gemma Brocato

  Contents

  Cover Copy

  Also By Gemma Brocato

  Copyright

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Won’t you consider reviewing this book?

  Want to know more from this author?

  Author Bio

  Cover Copy

  Lia Thanos, Muse of Comedy, has joked her way through hundreds of lifetimes. But the past few months have been no laughing matter. She and her sisters have been locked in a battle to save Olympus from a hostile takeover. Now, the god challenging them has upped his game and personally selected the mortal man destined to help Lia win.

  Botanist Ben Jordan has his hands full; running a farmer’s market, helping his hearing-impaired sister, and trying to figure out why crops around the world are failing. If the trend can’t be reversed, humans will starve and chaos will destroy the world. The only good news is the long-time famine he’s faced in his love life came to an end when he met Lia.

  Despite the fact that Ben finds it hard to believe immortal gods exist, he accepts the challenge to help Lia, a woman he yearns to spend the rest of his life with. But Pierus and his daughter, Hunger, will stop at nothing to keep the two apart.

  Also By Gemma Brocato

  The Goddesses of Delphi

  Tyranny

  Mayhem

  Greed

  Hate (Coming March 2017)

  The Five Senses Series

  Cooking Up Love

  Hearts In Harmony

  Exposed To Passion

  Bed Of Roses

  The Five Senses Shorts

  A Winter Wedding

  A Spirited Love

  Playing With Fire

  Romancing The Vine

  Risking The Vine

  Hidden In The Vines Coming April 2017

  Science Fiction Romance

  Mission: Mistletoe

  Copyright

  Hunger Copyright © Gemma Brocato, 2016

  Cover Design by Fiona Jayde Media

  Excerpt of Hate copyright © Gemma Brocato 2016

  All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without prior written permission of the publisher

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are use facetiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is coincidental.

  Brocato, Gemma

  Hunger / Gemma Brocato

  1. Romance—Fantasy. 2. Romance—Ancient Greek Mythology. 3. Paranormal—Romance—Mythology and Folk Tales 4. Paranormal—Romance—Magical Realism

  For the Early Bird Writers

  Ladies, you inspire and motivate me. Plus, you make me get up early.

  Acknowledgments

  Without help from many quarters, this book might never have happened. My family: Mr. Gemma, and my two children, Erin and Andrew. You support me and cheer me on and remind me of the good that happens when you share a great love.

  My editor, Piper Denna, a woman of patience and wit. I can’t tell you how great it is to find the funny little notes you string out during the editing cycle.

  My proofreader, support and all-around friend, Amy Barber. Your eagle eyes catch so much.

  Fiona Jayde, of Fiona Jayde Media, the covers for this series are more than I could have hoped for.

  The KickAss Chicks, the Early Bird Writers, and my Sassy sisters, you are all strong, inspiring authors. I am thankful every day for you ladies.

  And most especially to my readers. Without you, I’d be out of a job.

  Author’s Note

  I have been intrigued by Greek mythology since I was quite young. Paintings and depictions of gods and goddesses have inspired great emotion and interest in me, making me want to learn more. So when I decided to write stories shrouded in mythology, it was natural to pick the Muses.

  When I began researching the Muses I was struck by the myth of Pierus, and how he had nine daughters, like Zeus. Daughters, named the Pierides, he believed were superior to the Muses. So he goaded the Muses into a contest. When they won, to punish them for their insolence, Zeus transformed the Pierides into magpies. That legend became the basis for my stories. Nine muses, nine mortal men…nine chances at love to save the world.

  The idea that Pierus would enter his offspring in a battle to take over Olympus evolved naturally. Every story must have a villain, right? Although, I frequently want to beat my head on the desk and wonder why I picked magpies? It’s hard to find nine creative ways to portray the birds. Which is why I took a little poetic license in the naming of the birds. Should Pierus and crew ever win a challenge, all kinds of evil, which already exists in the world, would increase a thousand-fold.

  It hasn’t hurt that I love history…all kinds of history. So salting bits and pieces of the Muses backstory in through historical events made me smile. I hope you will find these little tidbits as much fun as I did.

  I suppose this is where I have to say that any faults or errors in history are mine alone. Hey, if one of my Muses can face a magpie and win, then I guess I can own making mistakes.

  I hope you enjoy this book and will consider leaving a review once you are done. Reviews matter!

  Enjoy!

  Gemma

  Chapter 1

  “This guy really should keep his day job.” Lia Thanos slapped the bar towel over her shoulder, crossed her arms and pinned her attention on the stage.

  The wanna-be comedian, Paul something or other, stood in the center spotlight, sweating profusely and stumbling over his jokes. The dude’s delivery was wooden, his timing off and his face was blank like he’d never told them even once in public. Lia knew better, because she’d heard his gags before. On the demo tape he’d dropped by six months ago. At an open mic call two weeks ago. And then again, twice, in The Greek Chorus’s green room while waiting for his spot in the line-up.

  One of the disadvantages of owning a comedy club was the need to instill courage in fledgling comics. And Paul was the newest newbie she’d ever offered a performance slot. Agitation churned in her belly, but she tamped it down.

  Had to be performance anxiety. His delivery had been smooth and practiced each time she’d heard his act. Judging by his struggles at the moment, Lia doubted he’d ever done his routine in front of a live audience. Goddess knew it was intimidating to stand in front of her regular Thursday night crowd and recite humorous stories with timely punch lines.

  Snagging a couple of fries from the plate George, her kitchen manager, had left for her, Lia slipped under the bar’s gate. She edged closer to the stage as she munched the salty snack. She drew a deep breath and expelled it in Paul’s direction, sending it with thoughts of a mirror, hoping to relax the man with her Muse gift. For the goddess’ sake, she prayed her mental trick worked before the comic completely melted down and the audience started booing.

  She continued to
send the nudge in his direction, maintaining the flow of carbon dioxide out of her lungs in a controlled, easy manner. She was the Muse of Comedy, and this funny man needed her special brand of calming thoughts.

  Paul’s shoulders eased downward and he settled into a more comfortable stance as her nudge took effect. She’d effectively blocked the spectators from his sight, putting an imaginary mirror in front of him, so it would seem to him that he was in his own home, practicing his routine.

  Chuckles rose around her as the poor guy recited the kicker of his joke about a priest, a rabbi and a sheikh in a rowboat. She waited a beat, until he’d launched into his next story about a blonde. When members of the audience burst into laughter and applause, Lia finally drew a deep breath and released the comic from her nudge. He was fine now.

  As she pivoted to return to the bar, she lifted her hand and waved to Stewart and Jeremy, two of her really-regulars. Jeremy possessed fallen dark angel looks, contrasting sharply with Stew’s hearty Norseman heritage. Together, they shot her two thumbs up, signaling their approval of the new comic. Normally, her job as a Muse was to provide inspiration for material for comedians and actors, but if she needed to exert a calming influence on performers, she was on it. Her club had been the launching point for many of today’s brightest comics and she’d nudged several of them.

  Including Barry Burnie, the newest darling of late night television. She’d also, for kicks and giggles, regularly nudged one of the reality TV housewives. That woman’s entertainment factor and audience appeal skyrocketed when Lia inspired her. The one-line zingers Lia’d provoked in the actress were legendary.

  She ducked under the gate again, moving behind the bar.

  “What the hell is his problem?” Celeste asked as she nodded to the far end of the twenty-five-foot bar.

  Lia followed the bartender’s gaze. An older guy sat hunched over on the stool, not appearing even halfway interested in the comic routine happening on stage. Light from a phone reflected on the man’s face. The glare illuminated a prodigious scowl, like he’d received some really bad news. Didn’t alter the fact that somebody had hit him with the handsome stick.

  The man sitting next to Mr. Grumpy prodded him when the rest of the audience guffawed and clapped vigorously. The pair exchanged words then the friend turned his back to the bar and stood, moving to a nearby table. From the warm welcome the guy received, and the shrugging of shoulders and entreaties for Mr. G to join them, they were friends. The dude on the stool lifted a finger to wave them off and hunched over more. His only movement came as he swept his thumb up the screen and continued to read.

  “Don’t know,” Lia replied. “Who comes to a comedy club to read?” She wiped her hands on the towel over her shoulder, picked up her plate of fries, and sauntered to the end of the bar.

  Taking a position directly in front of the now morose looking guy, she waited for him to acknowledge her presence. Whatever he read on the screen had him riveted.

  While he continued to scan his phone, she studied him. Closely cropped, super thick brownish hair, with an abundance of gray. Rather than make him look old, it made him look dignified. Even though he scowled, his forehead was unlined. His skin was deeply tanned, except under his eyes, as if he worked outdoors and wore sunglasses. Although his lips were compressed into a thin line, she could tell they were full and firm. His jaw was strong, no-nonsense, and covered in a delightful scruff.

  He wore a plaid shirt, open at the front, over a long-sleeved white T-shirt. The sleeves had been pushed up, revealing a dusting of dark hair on muscular forearms. Unable to help herself, Lia licked her lips at the guy’s rugged, outdoorsy appearance.

  He hadn’t noticed her yet, so she let the plate clatter to the counter next to him, and shot her weight onto one hip. “Can I get you another beer?”

  When her question still didn’t get his attention, she sent him a swift mental poke to look up.

  Which he did immediately, pinning her with an ice blue gaze. “Sorry, did you say something?”

  Oh man, those eyes came served with a super-sized side of sexy. Lia huffed out a pent-up breath and shot him a toothy grin. “I asked if you’d like another beer.” She nodded toward his mostly empty glass.

  After a fast glance back at his phone, he heaved a deep sigh. “Since the chances are good that beer as an American staple will be vanishing, yeah, I’ll have another.”

  When Lia turned away to pour a glass full of the brand he’d requested, Tall, Dark and Pre-occupied returned his attention to his phone. Irritation trickled down her spine as she narrowed her eyes at him. What was his deal? After drawing the perfect draft, with just the right amount of foamy head, she slapped the lever backward. Sauntering his direction, she telegraphed instructions to put down his phone. To her surprise, he waved a hand in front of his face, like he’d swatted a fly, but didn’t take his eyes from the device in his hands.

  Hmm, that hadn’t happened before to her. The skin on her neck prickled.

  She slowed her step and studied the man again. Her sisters Polly, Nia and Clio had all had weird things happen with their inspirational abilities recently. When it had been their turn to face the challenge set for them by the megalomaniac, Pierus.

  Oh, Hades. Was the cranky man’s inattention to her nudge an omen that she was next in the supernatural challenge to save humanity?

  Foam dripped down the side of the cold glass while she hesitated. It had been two weeks since the last challenge in the battle the Muses fought against Pierus and his daughters. At stake was control of Olympus Enterprises, Lia’s family’s corporation, and the Muses’ birthright.

  For a brief moment, she considered broadcasting a telepathic message to her eight sisters, to find out if anyone had seen one of the evil god’s magpie daughters. But it was too soon. The last three challenges had at least a month between closing one out and starting the next battle for mortal safety. Polly had defeated Greed most recently. And like Nia and Clio’s challenges before hers, it had been a close call. Of the six Muses remaining, not one of them wanted to be next to deal with what could turn into an apocalyptic event. And every single one prayed her challenger would be Sloth.

  Long ago, Lia’s father, Zeus, had transformed Pierus’s wretched daughters into disgusting birds. Over the millennia, Pierus had challenged them, but they’d always won. This time was different. Pierus had enlisted silent partners in his hostile takeover attempt. This time, it wasn’t just the Muses’ lives as immortals at risk. Zeus’s life was at stake as well. And if one of Lia’s sisters lost, they all forfeited their immortality. Facing eternity in magpie form would suck monkey balls.

  The world would be a forlorn, awful place without the music, art, and intellectually advanced life the Muses represented. Pierus’s girls only stood for tyranny, greed and other evils that plagued humanity through the ages. Letting them loose boded ill for mortals.

  Mr. Grumpy looked up and arched a brow her direction, breaking her free from her musing. When she hurried toward him, he bent his head to look at his phone once again.

  She laid a napkin on the thick granite bar top, sprinkled a little salt over it, and then deposited his glass in front of him. “Here you go. Can I ask you a question?”

  With the phone still clutched in his hand, he lifted his gaze. “As long as it isn’t What’s your sign? What a bunch of hooey. Seriously, does being a Sagittarius really make me jovial and fun loving?”

  Certainly not in his case. Talk about a skeptic. That word alone sent a pang of discomfort through her. She plucked a fry from the plate, dipped it in the puddle of salted ketchup and munched as she thought.

  One of Pierus’s conditions was that they had to team up with a man who didn’t believe in magic. Recently, she’d begun to look at all new men she met as potential partners for the task ahead of her.

  She answered his question. “Not at all. He had wings and a tail. Nothing fun in that.” She and her sisters had played with Crotus in a long ago lifetime. The Satyr, ot
herwise known as the star sign for December, had been a fun playmate. And oh, that star boy could kiss. Lia found her gaze dipping to the frown on Mr. Grumpy’s lips, idly wondering if he had similar talent.

  Except his lips were curled in…revulsion?...as he watched her chew. She covered her mouth with a hand and swallowed hard.

  Laughter erupted from the people scattered throughout the room, including the table where his friends sat.

  “Ben, you’re missing the show. Come on, buddy. Stop working and live a little.” The man addressing him lifted a nearly empty pitcher of beer, signaling for another.

  The man named Ben lifted his shoulders and muttered, “He’s going to miss his beer when it’s gone.”

  Lia strained forward as he spoke, only able to actually hear him thanks to her super powerful immortal auditory senses.

  Frowning at him, Lia called to her bartender. “Celeste, can you get table eight another?”

  The woman pulled a clean pitcher from a high shelf and set about filling it.

  Lia dipped her chin and slanted a look up at good old Gloomy Gus before her. “That’s the second time you’ve intimated beer is about to become a thing of the past. What’s up with that?”

  “Alternaria blight.” Goddess, that frown seemed a permanent fixture, his dark brows creating an angry slash over icy eyes.

  She bit back a laugh. “Alter-whatsit? Am I supposed to know what that means?”

  “Downfall of most botanists. We think everyone knows about crop issues.” The man’s tight grimace did little to ease the stormy line of his brow. “It’s a fungus on hops, which, as you know, is a key ingredient in beer.”

  “The best beers are hoppy.” She gestured to his still full glass, a brand that practically detonated the sharp bittersweet flavor in the drinker’s mouth.

  “Unfortunately, due to the widespread nature of the blight, it’s going to be tough for you to find good hoppy beers in the next year. Or years.” He tapped rapidly over the keypad of his phone. He pointed at her plate of potatoes. “There’s a potato blight as well. Which is fine, because that shit is bad for you.”