Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series)

by Sandy Rowland

  She glanced to Apollo, panic stamped on her face, her mouth trembling.

  He wouldn’t allow abuse of his bride, no matter the cost to him. Apollo launched himself forward aiming for the brick, but two of the men lunged, slamming hard against him. Cassie screeched. Apollo’s feet gave way. With his hands tied behind him, he couldn’t stop his fall. His head thumped hard against the tile floor. The sound of bone cracking as a shock of pain spread over his skull. Sticky wetness dripped from his cheek. Blood smeared the floor. He tried to roll and right himself, but a boot pressed hard into his back pinning him. A new experience for him and he didn’t care for it much.

  George stood over him with the gun, Apollo dazed by pain. A meaty hand covered Apollo’s mouth and nose with a damp cloth. He gulped a breath and all went black.

  * * *

  Apollo opened his eyes to slits. His face ached. He moved his jaw. Not broken, but his left cheek had swelled and a crust of rust-colored blood had formed over the gash, visible when he glanced down.

  He was tied to a chair with Cassie secured to another. He didn’t know where he was, but they had to escape. “Cassie,” he whispered. She didn’t move. Her head sagged forward and to the side. The length of her ebony hair hid her face. They must have been drugged.

  Needing to devise a way out, Apollo surveyed the room. A few desks housing computers and other generic office furniture filled the space. Beige paint covered the walls and a large window showed the gray light of dusk. He couldn’t see the street. From his view, muted green treetops swayed against deepening night. He guessed that they were about three floors up.

  He strained at the ropes securing his wrists and numbing his fingers. The binding held. Irritation burned through his veins and he pulled with greater force. His skin was covered in beads of sweat. Nothing accomplished beyond his rising frustration and a damp shirt. He grumbled beneath his breath. Was this his end? He’d bested Hades by winning Cassie’s love, but victory wasn’t complete. Athens might yet be destroyed.

  What a foul trick. His sister had warned him. Hades had to be at the root of this evil. No other creature held such disdain for humanity. If Apollo had access to his power, this spider’s web would be wiped away with a thought and the spider with it. Apollo shook against the binding at his arms and feet, but the chair only trembled.

  The click of a lock turning stopped his efforts. The door squeaked opened. John Medina strode in and closed the door. His head displayed an array of singed hair and burn marks. The grimace covering his mouth added to his ugly appearance. “You’re awake.” he said.

  Apollo struggled.

  Cassie lifted her head and blinked. She gasped. “John, what are you doing here? Quick, untie us.”

  Apollo sneered at Medina. “Cassie, John is one of them.”

  “No, he can’t be.”

  Medina leaned his hip against a desk between Cassie and Apollo. “You’re more intelligent than I thought, Goldilocks.”

  Apollo glared at Medina and focused his gaze with all his might. No flames or blue light ignited the rodent. Apollo yanked his arms, envisioning his hands around the mortal’s neck. The ropes held.

  Medina casually pulled a revolver from under his leather jacket and pointed it at Cassie’s head. “Calm down, Goldilocks, or I’ll have to do something to her.”

  Medina ambled next to Cassie and ran his vile hand across her cheek and down her neck. “We were interrupted last time.” The weasel drooled. A glob hung in the corner of his mouth.

  “Stop it.” Cassie wrenched her face away to avoid Medina’s touch. The insect chuckled.

  Apollo’s rage could ignite the room, if he were able. By Zeus, when he was free, he’d chain the man and hand him over to the Harpies for sport. Apollo ground out an oath. “You will die in the flames you planned for another.”

  The insect smirked. “If that’s supposed to be a curse, you’re wasting your breath I don’t believe in them. You might as well relax. I have the hag and the boy. If you don’t settle down, I can find all sorts of interesting ways to torture them.”

  “You monster,” snapped Cassie.

  “Oh, not me.” He withdrew his hand from the swell of Cassie’s breast. “That title belongs to our master.”

  "Hydra,” growled Apollo.

  “That’s the brilliant mind behind everything,” said Medina sneering at Apollo. “I’m amazed that you’re smart enough to piece this together. Just for fun, tell me what you think is going to happen next?”

  The rodent mocked them as if he were more than a scurvy little spider. Apollo had no patience for such disregard, but he had no choice but to bear it. A picture of Medina turned to stone entered his mind. If only he could immobilize with a glance. “Great Zeus. I will be eternally grateful for all of my gifts, if you will grant me this,” he muttered under his breath.

  Cassie trembled in her chair. “John. You don't understand. People will die. We’ll all die.”

  “You two will die. I’ll be far away on a beach enjoying the pleasures of beautiful women.”

  “John. No.” Tears glistened in her eyes.

  Medina glanced at her. “Give it a rest.”

  The weasel strode back to Apollo. His dark eyes pits of evil. “I’d like to blow away that pretty face of yours.” He pressed the cold gun barrel to Apollo’s head. “Someone did nice work on your cheek. Wish I’d been there to finish the job, but I’ll have my revenge. It turns out that Cassie won’t be leaving here. You’ll both take your chances with the bombs.”

  Cassie looked away. Apollo hardened his stare on the weasel. “The dignitaries have left. What good is the building?”

  “Leveling the embassy will send a message, proving we can attack any target whenever and wherever we want. We have plans for those corrupt world leaders. One word from Hydra and the streets will run with blood.”

  Cassie’s face blanched. “Have you no compassion or loyalty?”

  “Only for himself,” rumbled Apollo, the revolver still against his head.

  “If you don’t look out for number one, who will?” John pushed the barrel to Apollo’s temple and his head swayed with the force.

  “You’re a freakin’ sociopath,” roared Cassie.

  “A useful skill to Hydra.” Medina turned his gaze to her. “No remorse, no hesitation to kill. You really shouldn’t tempt a man like me. You’d both be dead now, but I have orders.” He lowered the gun.

  “And what about the old woman and the boy?” said Apollo, his temple throbbing.

  “Jason? He’s useful. The man who taught him decided he didn’t want to blow up the train station. A silly moral objection about killing children and innocent people.” Medina shook his head. “What an idiot. He’d already built the devices. After the man had a little accident, we picked up Jason.” He grinned at Cassie and licked his lips. “I love my job.”

  “But not you. Nothing bothers you.” Apollo spoke to distract John from Cassie.

  “Not when it’s in my interest. And Hydra pays very well.”

  Cassie shuddered. “There isn’t enough money in all the world to murder people and betray your country.”

  Medina glared at her. “Sweet heart, that’s easy to say when you’ve always had plenty of everything. I was dirt poor all my life until one of Hydra’s cells recruited me. They accepted me, trained me. They value my unique talents. I’d hoped to infiltrate the FBI but your dad shut me down. You were my back-up plan until our date went bad. That’s when Hydra ordered me to Athens.”

  “Disgusting excuse for a mortal,” muttered Apollo. He’d scraped better camel dung from his sandal. “Do you think Hydra will let you live?”

  Medina swung his arm back and hit Apollo in the face with his fist. His head jerked from the impact. The gash opened and swathed the rodent’s knuckles with blood. Medina stared at the thick red smear on his hand and a sick smile twisted his mouth. “I’m important to them in ways you know nothing about. They value my loyalty. The current leaders demand power. Hydra will tak
e it from them, and share it with us. I’m about to be a wealthy man.”

  Sobs tore from Cassie’s throat.

  “You go ahead and cry. Scream if you want, no one will help you,” said Medina. “Our people are everywhere. You’d be surprised. In a few minutes, you’ll be dead and Hydra will assume credit. The first of many displays of strength around the world.”

  Apollo despised being helpless and at the mercy of this insect. If he could get free for just a moment, he’s squash the bug like a grape between his fingers.

  Medina strutted toward the door. “I have an old woman to see before I catch my plane.” The lock clicked behind him.

  Cassie stared at Apollo with a combination of bewildered annoyance and rage. “Why don't you do something? You’re a god, for hell’s sake.”

  He winced. Apollo knew he’d have to tell her the truth some time, but he’d hoped for better circumstances. “I was a god.”

  * * *

  Cassie felt her eyes bulge. She must have heard wrong. “What do you mean you were a god? Of course you’re a god. You’re Apollo. Zeus is your father.” She knew she rambled, but couldn’t stop the steady flow of words spewing from her lips. “You have a twisted sense of humor. Fry these damn bindings with your super laser vision. Do it and let’s get out of here.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t. Zeus punished me and made me mortal.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” A nervous laugh erupted from her. She hated this quirk. It only happened under extreme duress. “You’re teasing me and it isn’t funny.” A series of snickers passed her lips. “Stop this sick joke and work your magic before I lose it.” Cassie bit the inside of her cheek to keep from hysterics. She hoped he was kidding, because if he wasn't, they were in serious trouble.

  “Look at me.” He stared at her with a gaze as hard as marble and twice as cold. “I'm not teasing and I’m not telling a lie. I’m no longer a god and I have no power beyond that of other mortals.”

  “Damn it all to hell, you’re serious,” she said. Cassie wanted to scream, but knew it wouldn’t do a bit of good. The truth sobered her. “When did this happen?” As soon as she’d voiced the question, she knew. Apollo had asked Zeus for help at her insistence. A pang of guilt stabbed her ribs. “You came back mortal?” she squeaked. “Some help your father is. He’s worse than Hydra. When were you going to tell me?”

  “I’d hoped for an appropriate time.” He shrugged. “The moment never came.”

  “Any time before now would have been good,” she fumed, her long hair swaying around her with each agitated move of her head.

  “There’s no sense wasting time being angry. We need to think.”

  “There isn’t time to think. Any moment, men with guns are going to shoot everyone before things start exploding.”

  The door creaked open. Cassie braced herself for John, but Jason’s face appeared. “I heard you to were in here. You must have gone back to Andromeda’s.” He hurried in and pressed the door shut. Jason had bruises forming on his face and a swollen lip.

  “How is Andromeda?” said Apollo. “Did they hurt her?”

  Jason moved to untie him. “It was too much for her. I think she had a heart attack.” He sniffed and wiped his nose on the sleeve of shirt. “She’s dead.”

  Apollo’s eyes rimmed red. His jaw hardened, and if he’d still been a god, Cassie was sure he’d level the place with his rage.

  Jason finished freeing him and then moved on to Cassie’s ropes. “They tie some mean knots,” he said. “Andromeda told me to help you and get away. If I make it to America, I’m to give her brother’s her love.” A tear slid down his face, but he didn’t bother to wipe it away.

  Jason cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”

  Cassie slipped out of the ropes, but Apollo hunkered in the chair. “You go. I need to stay and finish this.”

  “Are you kidding? We’re about to be killed,” said Cassie, pulling on Apollo’s hands. “I’ve seen the massacre, remember?” She wanted to punch him herself. Maybe that hit to his head addled his brains. “We have to get out.” She tugged on his arms. He didn’t budge.

  “We?” He looked at her, a golden brow riding high in question. “I’m going to see you both safe and then destroy these assassins. You’re leaving.”

  Jason had set his chin in determination. “I can help. I owe it to Andromeda. There isn't time to dismantle the bombs, but we might get the people out before Hydra blows up the place.”

  “Aren’t we guarded?” asked Cassie.

  “Only a dozen men carrying guns. I heard them say the rest have gone,” said Jason.

  Apollo got to his feet. “Jason, do you know the guards locations? I need a distraction to get Cassie clear and the others out. Is that something you can manage?”

  “That’ll be easy,” said Jason, grinning like a kid with a fat lip. “Most of them are in the dining room arguing over who’s more important to Hydra and carving up positions for themselves in their new government.”

  “Did you happen to see a tall psycho with burns on his scalp?” Cassie asked. She’d like to get her hands on that creep.

  “Oh, Medina? Yeah, he’s arguing with the others. The only people outside are half a dozen guys patrolling the halls. They have guns, but they aren’t much. I walked right by them. Sometimes looking younger pays.”

  “Do you have a few bombs available?” said Apollo.

  “I know where I can get them.”

  “We’ll need to barricade the doors of the dining room and set a trap before we escape.”

  Cassie glared at Apollo, her hands on her hips. “You’re not getting rid of me this easy. I refuse to go without you. I’m sticking with you no matter what. Get use to it. How can I help?”

  “And you thought you lacked courage.” Apollo kissed her firmly on the mouth. “But I want you safe.”

  “Courage? Are you kidding?” Laughter bubbled up and she stuffed it down. “I’m about to wet my pants out of fear, but I’m more terrified of losing you than anything. We go together or not at all.”

  “Have it your way,” Apollo grumbled. “But if there’s a chance to flee, you take it.”

  She knew he wouldn’t move until she agreed. “Fine.” It was silly to fight. Cassie’s dreams showed there wouldn’t be time to escape.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Apollo sent Jason to scout out the hall before the three of them crept from the room. There was no one in sight, but that brought Apollo little comfort. Any moment an armed assassin might step into view. Mortal strength couldn’t withstand bullets. He swallowed a growl. He needed a weapon or a miracle. The weapon would be easier to obtain.

  The prophecy had showed Cassie cowering in a room. That much had changed and it proved the outcome might be altered. But to what end—something better or worse? He rolled his shoulders. He refused to think of defeat. He’d win the wager and they’d escape.

  On stealthy feet, Apollo and Cassie carried the ropes that had restrained them, and headed to the closed double doors of the dining room where raised voices argued. Apollo slipped the ropes through the door handles and tied them fast. It wouldn’t hold them long.

  Cassie seemed to read his thoughts. She gestured toward a large chest beside the doors. “How about this?” she whispered.

  Apollo glanced to the heavy furniture and shook his head. He’d have to drag it over the floor. “Noise,” he mouthed to her. They’d need a loud distraction to cover the scraping sound. So far, Jason hadn’t created a distraction of any kind and he’d been gone too long. Where was he?

  Shots rang out.

  The sound reverberated through the hall and he and Cassie scurried on their bellies, Apollo shielding her with his body. He hoped this was Jason’s distraction and that the boy was all right. Heavy shoes pounded and the dining room doors rattled as those inside yanked on the handles to get out. Apollo got to his feet and shoved the chest against the straining portal, the screech of wood against wood muffled by shouts. “That will have to
do,” he said, breathing heavily from the exertion.

  Cassie lifted her head, jumped up and joined Apollo with her back against the wall beside the doors.

  “Where’s Jason?” Apollo murmured. Each moment pricked at his nerves for the boy’s safety.

  Cassie’s legs shook, but she made no sound and leaned around the corner to view an adjoining hall. She snapped back flat against the wall. “Jason’s coming.”

  The boy hurried toward them lugging a canvas sack. Fear in his wide eyes and his urgent actions suggested they had little time.

  “What’s this?” said Apollo.

  Jogging to the chest, Jason put down the sack and frantically yanked out what appeared to be a bomb. “What it looks like,” said Jason. “Why just make it look like it would blow up, when I can make it explode for real?” Jason set to work as Apollo and Cassie kept watch.

  Fists pounded the doors and then something large slammed against the inside.

  “Where are the guards?” Apollo asked.

  “Downstairs,” said Jason focused on his work. “They’re putting out a fire.”

  “Fire?” whispered Apollo. “Is the embassy going to burn down around us?"

  Cassie shook her head. “No, the automatic sprinkler system will put it out.”

  “Nope,” said Jason, glancing at her for a moment and then returning to his task. “I dismantled it. There’s a utility room with all kinds of controls and wiring. It was locked, but I’m almost as good at breaking into places as I am at blowing things up.” Jason’s fingers flew over multi-colored wires.

  The boy was a marvel, but the sound of boots thudded toward them. “How much longer?” said Apollo, sweat trickling down his neck. Adrenaline coursed through his limbs in preparation for battle.

  The vibration of hard heels on wood came nearer.

  “Almost done,” breathed Jason. He snatched the device and wedged his body behind the chest out of view.

  Another loud bang and the doors quivered.

  John Medina stalked toward them, his revolver trained on Apollo. Air sucked out of his lungs. This was not an improvement on the dream.