Divine Judgment- the Divine Chronicles #3
Page 27
“After conversing with Dante about his interaction, I believe the rogues have learned ancient black magic spells that conjure the demons. Right now, they harness the power of demon blood.”
“Do we know anything about its power?” Hammon leaned forward and put his elbows on the table.
“Not as much as we would like,” Hayden answered. “Since Dante’s attack, I’ve been trying to find anything in the histories about demons and there’s not much. Until recently, Hades has kept them on lockdown and no one had bothered trying to set them free.”
“So why now? What did he tell you?” Yankee asked.
Ryse clenched his jaw. “He told me that this was our battle. Our people started this, and we’ll have to finish it.”
He didn’t have to expound. This was one battle they would not have divine back up for.
“Hades has always hated us,” his mother said. “Since our beginning, Hades has been jealous. He thought that by creating demons as his spawn, they would give him the same devotion that Olympians give to Zeus. But because he is cruel and hateful, they turned against him. Now he wants nothing more than for the Olympians to be destroyed out of jealousy.”
“Not that I’m advocating our extinction,” Yankee said with a scowl, “but why wouldn’t he just wipe us out?”
“Rhea,” Avery answered him. “She’s the only reason he hasn’t set demons free in this world. Zeus can’t stop him; only Rhea can control him. She also has a responsibility to the humans. They might not pray to the same gods we do, but they are under her protection.”
“What’s our next move, then?” asked General Falcon, always looking ahead.
“We must focus on battling demons right alongside the rogues. This is going to take training for all of us. It won’t be a quick battle. From intel we’ve gathered, the rogues are searching hard for another teleporter. They are still targeting any woman who might be a Divine Grace as well. Which brings us to our next concern. Hayden?”
Ryse sat down and Hayden took the floor. “For the last few months, I’ve been visited in my dreams by a woman who I believe is my Grace. We can communicate, but until night before last, our voices were silenced every time we might have spoken words that would lead us to one another. I know what she looks like, but I don’t know much else about her except that she lives in a large city in the United States and her sister recently started dating a high-level Olympian with Thracian guards.”
“That should narrow our search somewhat,” Hammon said.
“I think so too. Yesterday, Zeus told me that I had until my coronation to find her.”
“Of course.” Dynasty nodded. “A Grand Deity must have a Grace by his side.”
“No,” Lysandra whispered. She shook her head, her eyes misting over. “It’s not simply that. I had a vision yesterday when I shook Prince Ashton’s hands.” Lysandra shivered and Dante touched her knee.
“It’s okay, you can say it,” he said, giving her a kind smile.
Lysandra lifted her gaze to Hayden. “If you don’t find her in the next month, she’ll be dead. Ashton will find her and eventually kill her.”
Ryse felt the tension in the room amp up. He looked across the table at his beloved Grace. The terror of watching her die in his arms would not happen to his brother. Hayden deserved better.
Dynasty stood up and put her fists on the table, the expression on her usually serene face turned hard and cold. “Over my dead body,” she growled. The room chilled a few degrees and Ryse saw his men exchange cautious looks.
Ryse and Hayden exchanged a quick glance. This was a new side of their mother and frankly it was frightening.
A white glow surrounded Dynasty, as if the gods were giving her power and strength. “I’ve had enough of those cursed Avondales bringing pain to my family. First my husband, now my sons and their wives. No.” She stood straight and lifted her chin. Her lavender eyes glowed white and it sent a chill down Ryse’s spine. “No more. I will not sit on the sidelines one more minute. I will fight with my last breath to bring this girl home.”
“So shall I.” Hanna stood beside her mistress. Gods forbid the poor fool who felt Hanna’s wrath. Whatever Hanna spoke came to pass. If she uttered the word death…
Ryse swallowed. That demon had shaken the hornet’s nest.
“I’m not much of a fighter, but I believe my skills of precognition could be useful in battle situation. I will do anything you ask of me,” Lysandra offered.
Avery joined them. “Y’all know I’m not afraid to rush into the middle of trouble. At least, this time, I’m a bit more prepared.” She held up her hand and twirled a small ball of fire around her fingers. Ryse’s men chuckled. “I think it’s high time Olympians join their Thracian brothers and learn how to kick some ass.”
“I want to fight.” Nikki stood. “But I—I will have to be taught.”
Brenden went to her side. “You don’t have to do this. You have nothing to prove here.”
Her eyes burned when she faced him. “I have everything to prove. This has nothing to do with you. I serve Avery and if my mistress steps up to fight, I will be at her side. Just as you will be.” Brenden hung his head. But Nikki stood taller and kept her chin high.
Ryse narrowed his gaze at the five ladies standing at the end of the table.
“Lucky for you, ladies,” he said and spread his arms to encompass the warriors in the room, “you have the Elites to teach you.” He met the shocked stare of each man. It was Hammon who stood first. One by one, the men rose to their feet. If these women wanted to become warriors, the Elites would make it happen.
“Change outta your gowns, girls,” Avery said in her Texas twang, her aura flaring with power. She held out her hand and fire sprang from her palm, controlled completely by its master. “Trainin’ starts now.”
There was a gleam in her eyes, a spark of inner fire that engulfed Ryse. If the enemy wanted blood and fire, then blood and fire they shall have.
To be continued…
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JoAnna Grace lives in a world of alpha males and strong females where true love conquers all—at least in her mind!
From the time she started holding a crayon she began to create magical worlds. Her first book was a series of pictures about a puppy princess. The story changed each time she told it, but there was always a happy ending. Her first written story was about girls who changed into tigers.
Now those stories have become a bit more complex!
JoAnna’s tales are spun at her home in East Texas where she lives with her husband, three kids, and a couple dogs. When not hiding behind the computer screen you can find her camping, boating, and shopping.
Sign up for her newsletter to receive information about new releases, events, and giveaways! www.authorjoannagrace.com
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More from JoAnna Grace
Available Now from JoAnna Grace:
Divine Awakening
The Divine Chronicles Book 1
This short story tells of Avery, a girl unaware of her place in the world and her own destiny. When she meets Ryse, it's as if lightning has struck. She wonders if he is heartbreak staring her in the face. There is more to this meeting than Avery knows. It's not only her heart that is in danger... It's her very life.
Ebook Formats Available for FREE at: AllRomanceEbooks.com
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Available Now from JoAnna Grace and Progressive Rising Phoenix Press (http://www.progressiverisingphoenix.com)
Divine Destiny
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The gods work in mysterious ways…
Avery McClain is normal. Or so she thinks.Until her life is shattered and she is rescued by a Thracian warrior. He takes her to the Haven, a realm of safety for the magical race of Olympians. There she discovers her life was meant for a higher calling as the mate of an Olympian Prince. Her choice will change everything.
Ryse Castille has one job: convince Avery to step into her role as a Divine Grace. As with an
y mission, there are obstacles to overcome. Including the fact he is captivated by her. Of all the gifts the gods have given him, romance was not included. But Avery belongs to him and he will stop at nothing to protect her. The enemy might be closer than they think.
Available in Print and Ebook
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Available Now from JoAnna Grace and Dark Red Press (http://www.darkredpress.com):
Pride Before the Fall
The Blake Pride Series
Feline shape shifter Vivian Blake is every bit the alpha female- on stage and on four legs. She commands the audience with her husky voice and sexy dance moves as confidently as she leads her family. The four other members of her Pride depend on her to keep them safe. They are on the run from a sadistic Pride alpha named Trace who wants revenge after nearly dying under Vivian's claws. To protect her family, Vivian does what ever it takes, including private dances.
Kasey Blackburn is alpha of the most powerful wolf and bear mixed Pack in the country. And he's not too happy about a group of renegade felines moving in and turning tricks in his city. But one look at Vivian and his intentions change. Too bad she's a feline under a death sentence. As well, certain members of his Pack aren't too keen on Vivian's nighttime activities. They don't want to see their alpha mate with a stripper. When Vivian comes into heat, the tigress within wars with the human side. The cat wants a mate but the woman wants escape. Can Vivian resist the promise of a fresh start with Kasey or will her pride cost her everything?
Available in Print and Ebook
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A sweet and comical romance.
She’s a woman who values her privacy. He’s a man always in the spotlight. Can they make it work after he brings her painful past into the public eye?
Kelly prefers to take the pictures, not to be in them. With her grandfather, she lives a solitary life in an isolated estate home. When her best friend wakes her up in the middle of the night asking for a favor, Kelly never dreamed it would land her face-to-face with her celebrity crush.
Trevor lives his life in front of the cameras. He’s one of the top super stars of Hollywood—and he’s on the brink of a burn out. Before he takes on another film, he escapes to a secluded place to get his mind straight. He didn’t expect to have his entire way of thinking turned upside down by his lovely, yet blunt hostess. As the walls between them come down, Trevor allows Kelly to review his next project, a movie that hailed the negative side of BDSM. The subject hits far too close to home and her confession changes his perspective. Now that Trevor has seen things through Kelly’s eyes, it sets him on a new path, one he can’t reveal until the time is right. But she harbors a secret of her own.
Can their love survive the truth? Or will their new roles tear them apart?
Available in Print and Ebook
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http://www.authorjoannagrace.com
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