Finding Paradise (The Gods of Oakleigh Book 1)

by Juanita Kees

  His feet pounded against the road surface, the studs on his football boots eating through the surface with each thud. He listened to the crowd. Bus went off the pier … driving like a maniac … no fatalities recorded yet … Crossing the tracks, he saw a crowd gathering at the water’s edge. Jax searched each face for Arian’s.

  “What took you so long?”

  Jax froze at the sound of Hades’ voice. He turned to see the devil sitting on the edge of the pier, invisible to the crowd as he watched the search and rescue. “Where is she, you bastard?”

  Hades shrugged. “Down there, somewhere. She’s still alive … barely. I won’t have to wait much longer. A two for one deal — all in a day’s work, I say. A brave girl though. So like her grandmother. She sacrificed her soul for you. She really does love you. When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting right here for you.”

  “Screw you,” said Jax. “I’m not ready to die.”

  He kicked off his boots, ripped off his socks, turned and dived into the harbour. The cold water came as a shock and he knew that would knock some points off his life. He schooled his mind to ignore the chill and swam deeper. The pressure squeezed at his lungs.

  Eyes stinging from the salt, he peered into the depths. The shadow of the bus loomed below. Against a front windscreen he caught sight of her hair streaming out behind her, her skin almost translucent in the occasional flicker of a dying overhead light.

  Ignoring the increasing need to breathe, he swam towards the twisted wreck, looking for a way in. He swam through the back window, forced out by the impact. At least no-one was in there … except Arian.

  Her eyes were closed, just as he’d seen her asleep when she was safe and alive. The only clue to her real state was the blue tinge around her mouth. He felt for a pulse. It was there, only faint and erratic. Hold on, my sweet.

  Lifting her under the arms, he gently tugged her free. His time was running out. He ignored the tearing pain in his lungs, and counted the seconds off in his head to distract his thoughts. Arian’s survival was all that mattered.

  The twisted metal of the bus and the seats ripped free from the floor slowed his progress. Panic surged through him as Arian’s body went slack in his arms and her head fell back. No! Don’t, don’t leave me. Hold on a little longer, he begged silently. With each precious minute that passed, he grew weaker too. The muscles in his arms strained and weakened, his vision blurred as he focused on dragging them both to the surface. Not far to go now. Shapes shimmered in the water from the sunlight above and he fixed his weakening gaze on them like a target.

  Dying is not an option, he repeated over and over in his mind. More than anything he wanted to live, to grow babies with Arian, whether on Earth or Mount Olympus, the destination no longer mattered. Getting there did. Calling on his last ounce of strength, he surged towards the surface with Arian clutched to his chest.

  Breaking through, he gasped for breath and dragged it deep into his lungs. He tilted Arian’s head out of the water and breathed into her mouth. Jax repeated the process — perhaps a half dozen times but it felt like eternity — before the rescue crew reached them and pulled them into the craft. Dizzy from fatigue and lack of oxygen, he allowed them to lay him down but kept a tight grip on Arian’s hand as they continued CPR. Just as they reached the pier, he heard her cough and throw up, and thought it was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

  Transformed and visible once more in his sleek business suit, Hades stood with Zeus and watched as the rescue crew wrapped Jax and Arian in thermal blankets. “Guess you were right, Zeus. I won’t be needed here today.”

  Zeus snorted. “Told you so, but I am curious ...”

  Hades cast him a sidelong look but said nothing.

  “By taking one, you could have taken the other, yet you took no-one. Why?”

  “The boy showed courage. He saved a life when he could have sacrificed his own, just as he did after Troy.”

  Zeus looked at him, his smile grim. “That’s never stopped you before.”

  Hades shoved his hands in his trouser pockets and shifted his feet. “He’s defeated me too many times. I’ve wanted his soul for a long time. He’d be a great warrior on my security force. Hell is getting a little overcrowded. I’ve got unionists waging strikes, dodgy politicians causing uproars, internet scammers and hackers ripping off the mob … I could do with some muscle down there to keep them in order.” He shrugged. “But his heart is too good and his love for Arian is too strong.”

  “Again, nothing you haven’t faced before.”

  A sad smile stretched Hades’ lips as he smoothed his goatee. “I had a soft spot for Arian’s grandmother. She had a good heart too. It almost killed me. It was the closest I ever came to loving and being loved.” He shook his head. “There’s no place in hell for bleeding hearts. Anyway, if I did take Ajax, I’ve no doubt that little hellion would come after me to get him back. As much as I love a good fight, Her Highness the Queen is a daunting adversary.” He shrugged. “I know when to quit … although … I did reap a little revenge for her stabbing me in the arse with her sword. I had an uncomfortable few moments there. She missed my balls by mere inches.” He shuddered. “Don’t get too comfortable though, it’s not over yet. There are two more souls in your crew on my list and I will be waiting for them.” He turned to walk away.

  “Hades … thanks,” said Zeus.

  Without looking back, Hades waved a hand. “I must be getting soft in the head. Don’t let it get around, will you? You’ll spoil my reputation.” He melted away into the crowd.

  Chapter Fifteen

  There were better ways to spend a Saturday night than under observation in the emergency department at St Vinnie’s, wrapped in foil with a drip attached to your arm, Arian decided. The devil had tried to kill her. If he tried again right now, all he’d need to do was put her on a spit and roast her.

  “So Craig admitted himself to a drug rehabilitation centre this morning,” said Penny. She dropped the small overnight bag she’d packed for Arian on the floor beside the bed. “He confessed to taking hallucinogens, hosting a party with the intention to supply, and is now on suspension until he faces the board. Looks like his career is over. You know what he told the press?”

  Arian shook her head. “Something that would cover his arse, I bet.”

  “It’s a classic … wait for it … he reckons the devil made him do it. Now the psyches have him under observation at the clinic.”

  “Sounds like the perfect place for him. Maybe he’ll stay out of trouble long enough to pull himself together. Am I allowed to go home yet? I really want to get out of here.”

  “The doctor will be around soon to discharge you and then we’ll take you home to the Oakleigh house. Odys and the others are outside, waiting to see you. They’re very worried.”

  “I’m not sure I want to see them right now. I’d rather go back to the apartment and collect my things. I don’t want to be away from Paradise for too long, with Hades on the loose again.”

  “Arian, Jax is beside himself with worry. He’s desperate to see you. I said he should wait a little. You were so close to death.”

  Arian shivered. “Closer than you know.” She pulled the blanket to her chest. “I’m not ready to see him. I’m not sure I want to ever again.” A lie her mouth spoke and her heart disputed.

  “What happened back there? Do you remember anything?” At Arian’s hesitation, Penny prompted, “Spit it out, hon. After riding harpies, meeting Zeus and getting up close and personal with a couple of really hunky gods, nothing can shock me anymore.”

  Arian pushed back the blanket and swung her feet to the floor, more than ready to leave, with or without the doctor’s approval. “Lucky you never met Hades then.”

  Penny gasped, and then rattled off like an express train. “Are you serious? Okay, that worked. I’d be speechless but I need to know what the hell went down yesterday. Hades, as in the devil? You saying he had something to do with the crash? What were you doing
on the bus anyway?”

  “He was in love with Gran, killed Grandad, corrupted Craig, and was intentionally trying to steal Jax’s soul. I wanted answers or revenge, whichever was easiest to extract from his rotten arse.” Arian rubbed at the ache in her ribs. “Hades drove the bus into the harbour. A deliberate act meant to kill me and Jax.” Anger warmed her chilled bones.

  For once, Penny had no comeback. Her eyes grew wide and she muttered, “Shit.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. So here’s my dilemma ...” Arian slipped her feet into her shoes, picked up the overnight bag and dropped it on the bed, wincing as the muscles in her body protested. “Jax only needs me to keep him alive and free him from Purgatory. If I stick around, Hades will continue to try and kill one or both of us. If I die, Jax dies.”

  “Zeus will never allow it. Jax loves you, Arian.”

  “How can he?” Arian turned to her friend tired, sore, defeated. “He doesn’t even know me.”

  Penny put out her hands and held Arian’s. “He knows enough to jump off a pier to save you from a sinking bus, to breathe life into your lungs when his own is fading. He’s out there now looking like death warmed up in a microwave because he’s so worried about losing you.”

  Arian stamped her foot, tears brimming her eyes. “Of course, he’s worried about losing me. Not because he loves me but because he’ll die without me.” Each word leapt from her lips, emphasised with anger, hurt and disappointment. And with each one, she felt her heart shatter. “I picked me another dickhead, only this one thinks he’s a god.”

  “At least listen to what he has to say?” Penny begged. “You’re not thinking clearly ...”

  Arian hauled the clean clothing Penny had brought out of the bag, stripped off the hospital gown and dressed in the comfort of her own clothes. She wrapped the too-long sleeves of her favourite sweater around her hands and clenched her fists, jamming them cross-armed into her armpits. The cold no longer came from her dip in the harbour, it came from her heart.

  “Actually, I am thinking clearly — for the first time since I snorted ouzo up my nose in Mykonos and had sex with a man who thinks he’s a Greek god. Get me out of here, Penny. Now.”

  ***

  “Why am I still alive?” roared Jax a week later in the vault below the house in Oakleigh. “End it. I have nothing more to live for.”

  The Shield of Achilles continued to glow and turn in the protective case, the only sound the hum of the magic that kept it secure. Next to it, his sword taunted him from its sheath.

  “Give me my sword that I may fall upon it again.” He struck the invisible case with his fist and the force threw him back, landing him on his arse.

  Odys sighed. “How many times are you going to do that before you learn?”

  Jax flexed his fist, his knuckles red and swollen. “Did you bring me a drink or are you just going to stand there and watch?”

  Odys whistled through his teeth. “Grouchy bastard, aren’t you? How long are you going to stay drunk until you sober up and go in search of Arian?”

  “What for? She has no need of me and I no need of her.”

  “Well, that’s bullcrap. I hear you moaning into your pillow at night.” He poured himself a shot of Zeus’ brew and took his time drinking it, all the time watching his friend punch the force field, get thrown back and land on his tush. After the fifth time, the skin on Jax’s knuckles split and bled, and Odys pushed away from the wall he leaned on. “Zeus has granted you one more chance, Jax. Don’t waste it beating yourself up over what happened with Hades.”

  Jax wiped the blood off onto his jeans. “What use is a chance when I can’t see her, feel her, hear her thoughts? How will I reach her? The path to Paradise has been sealed off, the whole planet in lockdown while they rebuild. She doesn’t want anything more to do with me.” He sank to the floor, elbows resting on his knees as he raked impatient hands through his hair. “Penny won’t even talk to me, she ignores my calls.”

  Odys sat next to his friend and rested his head against the cool wall. “I hear ya. She’s not saying much to me either. Helen tried too, even Ermioni, but Penny’s mouth stays tighter than a virgin’s chastity belt. We’re not quitters, Ajax, we’re warriors, and we fight for what we want.”

  Zeus joined them in the vault. “Are you through punishing yourself, young Ajax? Get Helen to patch those knuckles for you.”

  Jax flexed his fingers and winced. “I’m fine.”

  The great god glared down at him. “You are a lot of things, my son. Arrogant, stubborn, brave and defiant, but fine you are not. Stand up, and go clean yourself up. The harpies are waiting.”

  Jax squinted up at him, an alcohol-induced headache beginning to thump behind his eyes. “Harpies? Why?”

  “I’m sending you on a mission. You have a couple of hours to prepare. Use them wisely.” He snapped his fingers and disappeared as quickly as he’d arrived.

  ***

  As much as Arian loved Paradise, the void in her heart could never be filled, yet every day she rose from her bed and served her people. Paradise prospered and grew, wiping out all traces of the evil Hades had brought there.

  Penny, bless her, had spent three long weeks trying to cheer her up, visiting the villages with her to bless the new and reborns. Now even Penny had gone home and the emptiness lingered. She had grown to love her people without question, but the hollowness she felt grew daily, the ache of being incomplete.

  “You are sad, Your Highness. Are you not happy with us here in Paradise?”

  “No, no, Rhonwen, I love it here. The peace and serenity, the call of the birds, it’s all very beautiful.” Arian smiled wistfully.

  “But?”

  “Tell me, Rhonwen, how is it I pine for a man who is a traitor and a liar?” She watched through the window as a bird swooped in from the horizon. Electra was here. Every week she’d stop in with news. How the twins had finally got over the manga stage but now fancied themselves Disney princesses since Arian took control of Paradise. That Penny was looking at opening an ice-cream parlour in Oakleigh and Ermioni had started pre-school. Arian’s heart ached. She missed them all terribly. They’d made a great impact on her life in such a short time. Helen with her quiet wisdom, Odys with his wit, dear little Ermioni with her sticky fingers and sloppy cheek kisses, and Jax … oh God, how she missed him.

  Electra circled and dipped against the setting sun and Arian caught sight of a figure on her back, sitting tall with all the proud posture of a chieftain. Her heart skipped a beat and lodged in her throat as Electra swooped down in a graceful landing.

  She turned away. Even if her eyes hadn’t seen him, her heart and soul would recognise him anywhere. She held a hand tight against her churning stomach as Jax slipped from Electra’s back. Minutes later, he was led inside by a ring of faeries, their hearts all aflutter over his handsomeness.

  “Arian ...”

  Jax’s voice washed over her like warm chocolate, threatening to melt the ice around her heart. She made a fist against her chest to stem the pain that rose there. He was here but she couldn’t — wouldn’t — have him. They were worlds apart. She turned from the window with the intention of telling him so, and stopped.

  Rising from the sea in those oh-so-hot bathers, Jax was pure Man-god. In full panoply, he was every inch a warrior, from the top of his helmet to the leather of his roped sandals. The Shield of Achilles shone brightly, carried on his left arm, held across his muscle cuirass with fierce pride. The strong arms that had hauled her from the bottom of Victoria Harbour and lifted her into the lifeboat were bare in the sleeveless chitoniskos. Her glance fell on his sword, sheathed firmly at his side.

  “Synchoriseme, xechase, s’agapo panta,” he said quietly.

  Forgive, forget, love always. Arian wrapped her arms around her waist trying to still the butterflies. Ajax stood before her, all trace of Jax Polemistis the relaxed holidaymaker in Mykonos gone, the tense Greek lawyer from Oakleigh eradicated, and in his place a legendary —
mythical — soldier, brave enough to lay down his life for honour.

  Jax stood tall and tense, his features set in stone, only his eyes betrayed his feelings. Regret, remorse, shame. His hand fisted the gilt handle of his sword, knuckles white, as if he were ready to draw it and fall on it at her command. A command she had no wish to give.

  “You used me, Ajax Polemistis. From the first time we met on Paradise Beach right until the showdown with Craig at that football match.”

  “No.” His eyes focused on a spot above her head, all proud warrior.

  “Yes. Your mate Hades was happy to put it all in perspective for me. First Zeus handpicked me — Arianrhod, Restorer of Souls, descendant of the Queen of the Faeries.”

  “No.” He stiffened, back ramrod straight, as she stepped into his personal space.

  “Oh, you had me fooled. Those glimpses of Paradise in your kiss, that little trick when I choked on the ouzo. What did you spike my drink with?”

  “I never spiked your drink. Hades was there that night at the bar in Mykonos. He served you the Greek Tigers.”

  Arian glared at him. “The trip to the cove and what happened in the hotel room after … all manipulation because you knew I would become the Faerie Queen who could give you back your soul.”

  He looked at her now, eyes glittering with anger, chin stiff as he stared down the length of his proud Greek nose. “You’re wrong, Arian.”

  She stepped closer and the shield sang with power as it raised a barrier. Arian felt the push and pushed back. “The rules were simple: get the girl, win back the shield Zeus used as a bargaining tool, and he’d give you back your soul and your honour—free you from Purgatory.” She reached up and flicked her forefinger off her thumb against the furrows of his frown. “Which one did you want more, Ajax the Great?” she mocked. “Your soul or your possessions?”

  “I want you.” Still he clung to his sword and shield.

  “No, you want it all. You want everything.” Arian turned to walk away.

  With a roar that shook the walls of the castle, Jax tossed aside the shield. It spun across the room, an overgrown frisbee whistling through the air. Arian made to step around him. Jax’s hand on her arm stopped her short.