His hunger for evil was an ancient addiction, so much stronger than the compulsion to be good and noble. As he stared at the ring, it seemed to redden, and he knew it was his demon’s fire and rage, igniting again. He stood on a precipice, teetering . . . still in the light, at least somewhat. Yet so very close to being consumed by evil once again.
He closed his hand around the ring, forming a fist. “Where will I find you next?”
Chapter 13
Shay guided Leo and Daphne to the largest sofa in the center of the room, and it was strange, but Leo found himself oddly at peace. Perhaps it was because the Daughters had all gathered: Sophie, Emma, Shay, and Juliana—and he trusted their divine gifts. They were each going to prophesy over Daphne and himself, seeking insight into how he could regain his immortality. Unfortunately, Daphne wasn’t exactly happy to sit this one out, but the Daughters all concurred that this time she should be on the receiving end of their ministry.
“My love,” Leo told her when she balked about not participating. “Every good commander must know when to fight alongside his warriors, and when to lead from safe ground.”
So Daphne had capitulated. “I only want to do what’s best for you, Leo. Whatever leads to solutions,” she had said, settling beside him on the sofa.
Behind them stood one of their group’s newest members, Sunny—Jamie’s bride. Although not a Daughter herself, Sunny was a fallen angel, a one-time resident of heaven. Because she’d been made mortal and human, she couldn’t receive any sort of direct guidance, but she believed in the power of prayer and relied on it regularly. Her memories of her life as an angel, although hazy, were strong—she had faith enough for all of them at times like this one.
Daphne shifted beside Leo uncomfortably. She kept toying with her bracelet, spinning it round and round her wrist. She scooted closer to him, but then, adjusting her gown, put more distance between them. Leo reached and put his arm around her shoulders, settling her against him. Hopefully his body’s warmth and vitality would reassure her a bit, remind her that for now, he was still alive and well.
“Oh! I forgot my sketch pad,” Shay announced, marching off in search of it.
Daphne made an impatient sound, watching Shay leave the room. “Good grief. Are we going to get started anytime soon?” she asked Emma pointedly. Daphne didn’t get irritable, not ever.
“I’m sorry,” Emma said. “I know you’re ready. It’s just that with everyone here, there’s a lot to coordinate. You know how this group can be. You capture four eggs and a fifth and sixth roll out of the basket, and you have to start all over again.” She hurried off in the direction Shay had gone, undoubtedly to tell her to speed things along.
Sunny leaned down from behind Daphne, giving her a light squeeze. “It’s gonna be all right, sweetie. I’m praying real hard for you and King Leonidas.”
Daphne gave her a half smile. “I shouldn’t have been so disagreeable.”
“You didn’t do a thing. Just focus on finding your breakthrough.” Sunny gave her a loving pat on the arm, then moved back to her vigilant position behind the pair. Leo had heard Jamie describe Sunny as a “prayer warrior” on more than one occasion. Watching her now, swaying slightly, her lips moving with unspoken words, gave him peace. He hoped it would help Daphne, too.
“I don’t understand why I’m so anxious about the prophesying.” Daphne cast a miserable glance at him. “I should be happy! I just got engaged.”
“You look exactly like a bride-to-be.” Leo stroked her hair. “Glowing and ecstatic.”
“You know what I mean,” she told him under her breath. “I want to be happy about it, but . . .”
Ajax walked near and started to laugh. “Leonidas, I think I know what’s wrong with your bride-to-be.”
Daphne looked up curiously.
“I’ve been observing you from the other side of the room, Daphne. You’re twitching more than a June bug in butter—learned that one from Shay.” Jax dropped down to his haunches, right in front of Daphne. His nearly black eyes gleamed and he took her hand. “Don’t like being on the receiving end, do you, Oracle?”
Daphne gave him an exasperated look. “Ajax, please don’t mock me, especially now of all times.”
He laughed softly. “It will be fine. And I know it’s bloody frightening, waiting and wondering.” Jax drew her hand to his lips, kissing it respectfully. “All these years and you’ve spoken to me in riddles. All these years and I’ve been in agonies over what you might proclaim.”
“That’s not been my fault,” Daphne said. “You can blame my brother for setting that particular arrangement in motion.”
Jax inclined his head. “How could I ever blame you for being our one true guide?”
Until very recently, Ajax had been the only one in their midst who could hear her prophetic words—it had been an honor, but also a difficult burden for the Spartan at times. Leonidas understood that Jax was only trying to tease Daphne to alleviate her fears, but perhaps the timing was a bit ill-conceived.
Ajax gave her hand a light squeeze. “It will be all right, Daphne,” he promised, serious now. “I would sooner trade my own immortality than allow anything to befall this man. Your man.” Jax then grasped Leo’s forearm, embracing him. “I will pray that the Highest grants the words we all wish to hear,” he said, and rose to his feet once again.
“Here we go!” Shay plopped down on the floor in front of them, her sketch pad and pencil in hand, but also a notebook, which she handed to Emma. Emma, so very pregnant, slowly lowered herself onto the sofa beside Daphne. Leo smiled faintly, wondering if she’d be able to stand again without help—it was a deep couch and it looked as if Emma’s babes might be born at any time. Leo felt a pang of sadness at the thought. River, their youngest warrior, had always been like a son to him; he wanted to live long enough to see River and Emma’s twins born . . . and grown.
Leo rubbed his eyes, wrestling away the doubt. There’d be time for those kinds of regrets if their plan didn’t work. For now, he needed to focus on the problem at hand. Approaching the dilemma was a step-by-step process, and he couldn’t focus on the fifteenth step when they were at but step two or three.
Their final prophetess, Juliana, appeared at last, her auburn hair swept into a long ponytail. She greeted them both with a quiet smile and settled on the floor beside Shay.
“And now we’re ready to roll.” Shay stared down at her sketch pad, tapping it thoughtfully with her pencil. “I think the best thing is for all of us to pray and meditate quietly at first . . .”
“I’m going to be capturing everything with this.” Juliana placed an electronic voice recorder on the arm of the sofa. “It’s got an excellent mic, so even if the messages we hear come forth quietly, it will capture everything.”
Sophie laughed, cutting her eyes at the woman who until recently, had lived only in the Victorian era. “Jules, you’re way more modern than I’ll ever be.”
Juliana grinned back at her with a shrug. “I’m a techie! Who knew? I always loved inventions in the old days; now they’re simply amazing. Although sometimes I do miss the more old-fashioned devices.”
“You’re such a steam punk,” Sophie muttered affectionately.
Daphne made a little impatient sound beside Leo, clearing her throat, and Shay got back on track.
Leo leaned toward Daphne. “No matter what we learn, we will face things together.”
Daphne nodded, and in a thin voice said, “I feel so powerless. I’ve always been the one who could offer guidance.” Her eyes welled with tears. “I want to help you, Leo, not just sit here, doing nothing. Sensing nothing. You need me, but I’m on the receiving end.” She wiped at her eyes. “I realize that may seem utterly foolish, to even worry about such a thing at a time like this one, but I want to do something.”
Shay grabbed Daphne’s other hand. “But you are helping, Daphne. You’re the strongest one of us all! We’re counting on you so we can really hear the prophecies. You’re not useles
s—you’re critical to completing this circle. Your energy and power are key here.”
Daphne nodded again, obviously working to compose herself. “I’m ready,” she said at last.
Shay picked up her pencil again. “Daphne, before we start . . . do you have any specific questions? Particular guidance you’re hoping to receive in the prophecies?”
Daphne drew in a breath, holding it for a nervous moment, then slowly blew it out. “I want to know if there’s a way I can feed my demigoddess power to Leonidas. If what I am—who I am—can save his life. That’s the question I bring before the Highest God today.”
Sophie rubbed her hands together, eyes sparkling. “This is gonna rock. Maybe I’ll hear something for once, not just feel things . . . I mean, it’s not like I mind the feeling part, but it just seems so much sexier and cool to draw or hear prophetic stuff and—”
Shay silenced Sophie by popping her lightly on the forehead with her charcoal pencil. Sophie mouthed the word, “Sorry,” then obediently bowed her head. Everyone else followed suit, an electric hush falling over the group.
Really, it didn’t feel any different from the myriad times when Daphne had been the one prophesying. The energy in the center of her spirit built in the same way, the whirlwind of sensation in her body escalated, catching on like wildfire. Her hold on her physical form began to feel tenuous, as if she might leave it behind her on the sofa and take flight about the room.
The thread that bound her to Earth began to feel just as ephemeral, as divine energy began to course through her body. To pulse through her with every heartbeat, like the blood in her veins.
This was easy, utterly familiar. Of course she could tap into her own prophetic power, so the other Daughters could access it. Why had she even been afraid or nervous at all?
Except, right as she was getting into the rhythm of things, the experience became something wholly alien and new. It reminded her of the time when she’d brought a prophecy to Ajax and Shay in the underground tunnel—her spirit teleporting, but not her body. Like then, she was leaving the physical world behind, traveling at the speed of thought, no longer in that great library at all.
She found herself standing at the base of Olympus. The library, her friends . . . Leonidas, all had vanished. She stared down at her hands, confused, only to discover that they weren’t entirely solid: she could see straight through her hands. She was in spirit form, being granted a vision, a powerful one. She was being shown her desired answers, made to witness them firsthand.
Glancing upward, she searched the high vistas of Olympus. As was often the case, golden clouds and mists obscured the highest peak, and she watched a spectacular firebird circle upward in the sky. Its tail of gold and scarlet gleamed in the morning sun.
She smiled, watching and shielding her eyes until the bird sailed into a cloud. Why had she always been so unwelcome here? So unloved by her own family. Every time she visited Olympus, she felt her heart surge inside her chest. It was part of her, she felt it instinctively, and yet she always trod the paths and hillsides as an outsider. Well, except when she visited Eros; his palace could feel like home.
What do I do? Where do I go? She wasn’t here physically, so should she seek out Eros? Or remain here at the base of the hiking trail . . . and wait for guidance?
Follow me, a warm, powerful voice advised. Daphne clutched her chest, glancing in every direction. She saw nothing, but she’d heard that same voice once before, she was almost certain. That too had been in the tunnel with Ajax. She could hardly breathe with excitement and fear and honor that the very Highest God had chosen to speak to her.
I know the plans I have for you, young one.
She stared at the path along the base. “But . . . but what do I . . . do?” Her teeth were chattering because she was trembling so hard. She fell to her knees. “I mean no disrespect . . . you ask me to follow . . . do I climb this path? Or will you tell me as I go?”
Faith is the evidence of things unseen. It has always been this way.
That was the moment when she knew—beyond any doubt at all—that this was no Olympian god. This was the Highest God of all. The Nameless One.
The one Leo had been praying to for a year.
“You’re answering Leonidas’s prayers, Lord?” She searched all about for Him, seeing nothing but the golden, sparkling light of Olympus. Perhaps He hid in a burning bush somewhere, or was farther up the trails?
She stared upward toward the top of the sacred mountain, but saw no sign of Him. “Why are we here if you’re the Highest God?” she asked in a meek, respectful voice.
Even in this place, I have dominion. I am God of the Universe. The Highest. All other gods bow before me.
She thought about what He had just said. Even in this place . . .
“Then my brother must bow to you as well!” she said excitedly.
And even here, there are those who serve me. Come to Olympus again . . . the answers begin here, my little daughter. Your heart is good and pure. I have heard your prayers. You are in the fire, but you will not perish.
“What about Leo?” she blurted, distressed and unable to hold back. “I’m sorry! I’m not trying to be rude. Leo . . .”
Is he not the desire of your heart?
Tears welled in her eyes, and she bowed her head with a sob. “I love him with all that is in me.”
Love comes from the Highest. It begins and ends with me. Faith, child. Faith.
She fell to her knees, overwhelmed with gratitude, wanting to ask so many questions but terrified to voice any of them. But she didn’t have time anyway; the roaring wind began about her again, a whirling motion that caught her braids and gown.
She felt herself falling and cried out sharply, only to find herself grasping at the front of Leo’s shirt. He had her in his arms, rocking her, holding her.
Blinking at him, confused, she couldn’t recall where they were. He smiled down at her, his eyes bright. “I wasn’t sure you were ever going to come back.”
“How long was I gone?” she gasped, leaning against Leo weakly.
He stroked her hair, cradling her on his lap. “More than an hour.”
She jerked backward in surprise. “That can’t be possible!” For her, it had been only moments.
He smiled, glancing at his black military watch. “No, seventy-eight minutes to be precise.”
She placed both hands on his chest, facing him. “We have to go to Olympus, Leo. You and I must teleport there as soon as I’m strong enough.”
Shay piped in. “Yeah, that’s exactly what we got during the prophesying.”
Shay and the other Daughters gathered around her. Something in their eyes made Daphne’s heart leap—because they were beaming, absolutely glowing with excitement.
Shay nodded, answering the question in Daphne’s eyes. “Just wait till you see and hear what happened while you were gone. What you said about Eros not helping?” Shay handed Daphne a sketch. “You were wrong. Look.”
On the page was a drawing of his rose-filled pool, a bow and a quiver full of arrows on the rocks beside it. “What do you mean?” Daphne wondered aloud. “He’s not in the picture.”
Leo held her closer. “We need to see your nephew and ask him about this weapon.” He tapped the sketch. “You see? Eros isn’t in the drawing, but his bow and arrows are.”
Daphne laughed, pressing a hand to her mouth in awe. “His weapons of love.”
Leo studied the sketch. “I’ve spent enough years learning to decipher your prophetic messages to know . . . we need to investigate this angle.”
Daphne grew somber again. “I should tell you, my lord, that Eros was not very encouraging when I visited him earlier.” She decided to leave out Eros’s dire predictions about Leo’s future; perhaps they’d be met with a more encouraging reception if they returned together.
Daphne glanced around the group. “Did you hear anything or receive anything about me in particular? About there being some way in which I could feed Leo
my own power to strengthen him?”
Juliana reached for the audio recorder, planting it on the arm of the sofa beside Daphne. “Only this. Have a listen, and tell me what you think.” She hit a button and immediately Emma’s soft Southern accent spilled out.
I’m hearing the word ‘reversal’, Emma said. That’s all I get, over and over. Reversal. Wait . . . A static sound crackled through the recording. Wait . . .
What’s she doing? came Sophie’s questioning voice from the tape.
It’s a trance, Shay explained intently. She’s becoming entranced for some reason . . .
Really? Sophie said, I thought she only did that when she channeled a spirit.
There was silence and Daphne met Leo’s eyes. Reaching for her hand, they threaded fingers together, waiting as one for whatever would come next.
The tape kept rolling, but there wasn’t anything except ambient noise until suddenly Emma moaned, a low, mournful sound that caused gooseflesh to rise on Daphne’s arms. It was an eerie, disembodied sound. Then in an equally sorrowful voice, Emma said, She must sacrifice . . . at Olympus. A sacrifice is required. That’s the holy word for her. Sacrifice. To share her power, she must sacrifice . . . Then suddenly, Emma began coughing, her voice returning to a more normal tone. What happened? she asked. I blacked out for a minute.
The tape abruptly cut off.
For a moment, nobody spoke at all. Finally, Sophie put words to what Daphne had been feeling. “I think that seems kind of creepy,” she said. “I mean, the lead on Eros and his arrows and all that? Made of awesome. But Em moaning and sounding like she’s some voodoo woman? Not so much.” Sophie cast Daphne a quick, apologetic look.
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