by Lisa Kessler
Mikolas parked in a visitor spot at Blessed Mary’s and turned off the car. “You’re pretty quiet over there. Not even humming tonight.”
“I was just thinking about what you said earlier about all of us being here at the same time.” She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Maybe you’re on to something.”
He almost smiled. “We’re going to have a tough time convincing the others.”
She chuckled, reaching for the door handle. “Especially Reed.”
The wind tugged at her hair, stinging her cheeks as they walked toward the high-rise. Fall in Crystal City wasn’t much different than summer. The days were sunny and warm, but the nights carried a chill on the sea breeze, foreshadowing the winter rain that would be visiting soon. They had hoped to get the theater opened back in August, but between Erica’s wedding, and Mason healing up from the last showdown with Kronos, construction had been delayed.
So instead in their mid-August goal, the grand opening would be the first Friday of November. It had seemed so far in the future, but it was coming up faster than she realized now.
Outside of Rhea’s room, Mikolas turned her way. “Ready?”
“To meet the Mother of the Gods?” She chuckled, shaking her head. “No, but…”
The door opened, interrupting Trinity midsentence.
A tall, slender woman with a short stylish angular cut to her black hair complete with silver highlights. Definitely Lia’s handiwork. Not only was Lia the Muse of Comedy, but she was a wizard with haircuts and colors.
The elderly woman looked up at Mikolas. “I’ve been expecting you. Come in.”
She offered her hand to Trinity. “I’m Mrs. Zervos, and you are?”
“Trinity Porter. Nice to meet you.” She shook Rhea’s hand and followed Mikolas inside without any further explanation. There were two more women on either end of Rhea’s sofa and the Mother of the Gods took a seat between them. Although all three appeared to be retirees complete with crow’s feet and frown lines, there was an otherness to their eyes, something Trinity couldn’t quite describe. The colors of their irises were too vivid, their movements too fluid, too powerful.
Their hostess focused on Mikolas. “Zack told us his father is back with one of his brothers. Is this true?”
Mikolas nodded. “I’m afraid so. He brought Iapetus with him. I was hoping I could use your shard again to banish them.”
She glanced at her cohorts on either side, then turned her full attention to Trinity. “I’ve seen you on the YouTube. Lia told me about you. You’re the Muse of Music.”
Trinity nodded slowly. Outside of her circle of muse sisters, she’d never discussed being a muse. “Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Zervos’s silver brow quirked. “Ma’am? No.” She shook her head, a feisty smile curving her lips.
For a moment, a vision of Mrs. Zervos in her true form, with long red hair and violet eyes, flashed in Trinity’s head.
Trinity rubbed her forehead, frowning, and Mrs. Zervos chuckled. “I mingle in your world as a harmless old woman, but I am still Rhea, Daughter of Gaia and Mother to the Gods.”
“She meant no offense.” Mikolas took Trinity’s hand, his fingers lacing with hers before she realized what was happening. His deep voice was even and commanding. “Your husband could attack us at any time. Will you lend me the shard?”
Rhea smiled. “This is your muse. You found her.”
The woman sitting on Rhea’s right leaned forward. Her voice had an inhuman clarity and vibration to it, like a chime. “Your gift from the gods has awakened, Mikolas Leandros. You are the final piece to this destiny. But facing Kronos again is not your fate.”
Goose bumps rose on Trinity’s arms, and she gripped his hand tighter. This wasn’t a senior citizen; this was the voice of one of the Guiders of Destiny.
Mikolas straightened beside her. “What are you saying? There’s no way to stop him this time?”
Rhea patted her friend’s knee and looked at Mikolas. “That is not what she said, Mortal.”
Gods, why did they all speak in riddles? Trinity cleared her throat. “So this isn’t decided yet. We can beat Kronos and save the world. Is that what you’re saying?”
The three women shared a knowing look, and Rhea met Trinity’s eyes. “We have watched a millennia pass by waiting for the moment when Zeus and his father would meet once more. The time has come.”
Mikolas sighed. “Two more people died the other night because Zeus didn’t step up. I won’t stand by and wait for Kronos to exact his rage on Trinity.”
Rhea clasped her hands in her lap. “Forgive me for being vague. I forget that mortals struggle to recognize a divine plan as it comes to fruition before them.”
Trinity glanced over at Mikolas, wondering if the condescending attitude was bugging him, too. His profile was chiseled, determined, and emotionless. If he was annoyed, he wasn’t letting it show. She made a mental note to never play poker with this man.
Her gaze fell to their joined hands, and as if he could read her thoughts, his thumb stroked hers. The simple touch had her heart racing and her mind struggling to focus on the goddess before her, instead of her own conflicting emotions.
Rhea crossed her feet at the ankles. “My son has had generations of daughters, muses like you. Every generation a few find their Guardians—most do not—and through it all, he kept watch over the Order of the Titans. The Guiders of Destiny had foreseen that Kronos would be freed from Tartarus; the only variable was when.”
She glanced at her friends and back to Mikolas. “My son asked us to wait in Crystal City. Over the years, we’ve met many of my beautiful granddaughters, muses like Agnes Hanover and your friend Lia.”
“We’re very fond of Lia,” one of the Guiders of Destiny chimed in as she primped her freshly styled hair.
Lia had become a part of their weekly poker group without ever realizing she was tossing nickels into a pot with the Mother of the Gods, last generation’s Muse of Hymns, and the Guiders of Destiny. Now none of it seemed like a coincidence.
“Anyway,” Rhea continued, “my son sent your generation the dreams because he recognized the Order was approaching their goal. This was the time for the muses to combine their gifts and inspire humanity to new heights.”
Trinity rubbed the back of her neck. “Forgive me for not seeing the perfection in this divine plan, but what’s the point of inspiring mankind when we’re about to wiped off the face of the Earth by Kronos and his brother?”
Mrs. Spanos tsked. “Must you be so shortsighted? Zeus needs to convince his father that humanity is a worthwhile creation. You and your sisters represent the purest examples of the magic of mortality—art. You will open your theater, and the inspiration that pours from the doors will be a tidal wave of breathtaking beauty to spill onto the dry earth.”
Rhea took over again. “Kronos can’t be killed, and he can no longer be caged either, so if your race has any hope of survival, Kronos must grow to love humanity as much as my son does. Open your theater, brighten the world of man, and hopefully your gift will inspire mercy in my husband.”
Mikolas slid his hand free of Trinity’s. She tried to remind herself of her not-so-savory taste in men. Getting attached to this one only proved how flawed he must be.
“While Zeus is handling Kronos, are we to stand by and do nothing as Iapetus slaughters innocents?” Mikolas asked.
The Guiders of Destiny shared a silent look before Mrs. Spanos met his eyes. “You have all the tools you need to stop him.”
A muscle in his cheek began to tick. “Can you be more specific?”
“You were given a powerful gift from Zeus.” One of the Guiders of Destiny raised a brow. “Use it.”
All three women rose from the couch at the same time. Rhea opened her hands. “We have told you all we can. Open your theater. It is humanity’s greatest hope.”
Trinity got up and turned for the door, but Mikolas wasn’t following her. He stood before the goddess and bowed his head. “We
appreciate your wisdom and guidance. We will venture to fulfill our destinies and ask that you bless our paths.”
Rhea placed a hand on his shoulder, and light shone all over the room. Trinity shielded her eyes, unsure what exactly she was witnessing. Rhea lowered her hand, the light dissipating as quickly as it had blossomed.
Mikolas lifted his head. “Thank you for your blessing.”
He turned, and without another word, guided Trinity out of the apartment. He was silent until they made it back into the elevator. Once the doors closed, he met her eyes, his voice as tender as a caress. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” She fought the urge to take his hand and crossed her arms instead. “What was that back there?”
“Gods and goddesses thrive on our praise and worship.” He must’ve read Trinity’s body language loud and clear because he faced the elevator doors, the concern and care gone from his voice. “I figured getting her blessing couldn’t hurt.”
The doors opened, and Trinity stepped out. “That’s what the light show was?”
“Maybe?” He finally glanced her way, biting back a smile. “I’ve never been blessed by a goddess before.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Do I detect a tiny bit of smart-assery?”
He chuckled, his gaze catching hers for a second. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
She waited for a caveat, or a joke, or…something, but it didn’t come. She rolled her eyes to deflect his comment. “You obviously haven’t hung out with many muses.”
“True.” He caught her hand as they walked toward his car. “But I wasn’t kidding. We sat in a room with immortals, and it never rattled you. You’re brave, bold, and…being near you…” His eyes searched hers, her pulse kicking into overdrive. “You make me wish we could start over.”
Heat flushed her skin. “Maybe if we live through this…we could try.”
His lips curved into a crooked smile that made her heart flip. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
CHAPTER 7
Mikolas woke to “That’s Amore” blaring next to his head. He swiped for his phone without opening his eyes. Rolling over, he put the cell to his ear.
“Nona, it’s—” He squinted at the clock. “It’s five thirty in the morning here.”
“Sorry, Miko, but it’s important.”
He was wide-awake now. “Is everything all right?”
“Nai. We’re fine. It’s you I worry for.”
Mikolas heaved a sigh of relief and sat up. “Why?”
She lowered her voice as if someone else on the line might hear. “You told me Kronos was free and you found your muse, but you rushed me off the phone before I could ask about your gift. Are you safe? Do you heal like your Papou?”
“No.” Mikolas ran a hand through his hair. “But I’m safe for now. You should stay home until we find a way to protect everyone, though.”
“Pshhh.” He could almost see her swiping her hand through the air. “You need us, Miko. Plus, the tickets are the nonrefundables.” She paused. “Tell me about her.”
There was the real reason for her early-morning call. Mikolas chuckled. “She’s beautiful, intelligent, and has recently decided not to hate me.”
“Your father played her songs for me on the computer. I closed my eyes and heard the magic.” She sighed before abruptly changing the subject. “I’m bringing baklava. Does she like almond or…?”
He didn’t know. There were some many facets to Trinity that he wanted to discover, but even a basic thing like her favorite foods reminded him that he’d barely scratched the surface.
“I’ll find out.”
“Good boy.” He could hear her smile right through the phone. “Be careful, Miko.”
“I will, Nona.”
“We asked much of you to join the Order, and you did everything you could to stop their drilling. You took all these risks to help others, but now you’ve found your muse. Don’t be a hero, Miko. Stay safe, fall in love. You’ve done your work for the gods. The rest is in their hands.”
He rubbed a hand down his face. “It’s not so simple. Kronos brought Iapetus with him this time. They’ll kill more people. I can’t stand back and let that happen. Love will mean nothing if we lose this battle.”
“Ah, Miko,” she whispered. “Love is the only thing worth fighting for.”
She ended the call with her flight information and one more reminder to find out what kind of baklava she should make for Trinity.
He set his phone aside and went into the bathroom. He turned on the light and frowned. There was a raised, red rash on his shoulder. It was shaped like…a hand.
Rhea’s blessing.
He leaned in for a closer a look. His skin wasn’t hot to the touch, but it definitely looked like a burn of some kind. What had she passed on to him?
Trinity pressed the sustain pedal on the piano, allowing the chords to linger and fade, gradually picking up a meditative beat that matched her heart. She’d awakened this morning with an odd emptiness she couldn’t put her finger on. It usually meant there was a song aching to break free. The melody would flow from her fingers, but she needed her partner in crime to help with the lyrics. Although, today, she did manage to scrawl a few poetic lines on her yellow notepad.
“Hey, Trin.” Erica stood in the doorway with a Pop-Tart and two teas. “Hungry?”
Trinity slid her hands off the piano keys and reached over to grab her bowl of Cheerios. “I’ve got cereal.”
Erica came over to the piano bench and nudged Trinity with her hip to scoot over. “You haven’t called me with an urgent lyrics request in a while.”
“You’ve got a husband and a baby now.” Trinity scooched over and munched her cereal as Erica sat beside her. Trinity dropped her spoon back into the bowl. “I’m trying to respect the new boundaries.”
Erica rolled her eyes. “I’m still your best friend.” She set the foil Pop-Tart wrapper aside. “What do you have so far?”
Trinity smiled and propped up her notepad on the music desk of the baby grand. “It’s not much yet, but I think this is the chorus.” She ran through a few chords and softly sang the few lyrics on her notes.
“Regrets are all I have left,
“My heart’s an empty hole.
“But now you’re here,
“And I want to let go.
“Don’t make me hate you,
“Don’t hurt me more.
“Don’t lie to me,
“I’ve been in love before.”
She opened her eyes and looked over at Erica. “So?”
Erica pressed her lips together for a second, then snatched the pad and pen. “Is this a love song or a heartbreak ballad?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Trinity closed her eyes, her fingers instinctively finding the keys. The melody poured out of her until she became one with the music.
When Trinity came back to herself, Erica had jotted a few more lines on the pad. She set the pen on the piano, her eyes shining with emotion. “Mikolas has you all mixed up.”
Trinity frowned. “What?”
“This song.” She pointed to the pad. “I can’t write the words for this one.”
“What? Why not?” Trinity picked up the pad, reading Erica’s notation: No one blames you for loving Ted. He was broken, not you.
Tears blurred Trinity’s vision. She blinked them back and looked over at Erica. “I can’t do this without you.”
“Yes, you can.” Erica squeezed her knee. “This is the song of your soul. This is you, Trin. Get it out. It’s going to be beautiful.”
Trinity wiped her nose. “He scares the shit out of me. Last time I let myself fall…”
Erica shook her head. “That was last time.” She searched her eyes. “Remember how I thought I was making men obsessed and nuts because of the muse inside of me? You told me I deserved a good guy. You told me I deserved Reed.”
Trinity nodded, glancing at the notepad so she could keep her emotions in check.
Erica bumped Trinity’s shoulder. “Well, I’m returning the favor now. Trust your gut with this guy, Trin. You’re the smartest person I know.”
“Fine.” Trinity glanced at her best friend. “I’ll write the song myself.”
Erica chuckled. “You know I was talking about your Guardian, right?”
Trinity bit back a smile. “I’ll let you know how it turns out.”
“You do that.” Erica got up. “You’re coming over to Mel’s for the Halloween party, right?”
Trinity blinked, struggling to mentally plot out her calendar. Melanie’s little girl, Maggie, was crazy excited for Halloween. Mel and Nate had started planning the party a few weeks ago, back when they all thought the nightmare with Kronos was behind them. “I didn’t realize it was still on.”
Erica nodded. “Nate told me at the meeting yesterday that if the world is ending, he’s sure as hell not going to miss out on a single smile from Maggie and little Noah.”
Nate had grown into the sweetest dad Trinity had ever seen. The man was a dangerous shot with a Glock and a take-no-shit detective, but at home, he hung up his holsters and his family was the center of his universe.
“I guess I can understand that.” Trinity’s eyes widened. “Gods, it’s tomorrow, isn’t it?”
“Yep.” Erica munched on her Pop-Tart, leaning on the doorframe. “I got Hope an adorable little lion suit, and I’m trying to get Reed to be Gomez to my Morticia.”
“I might come as a frustrated songwriter who just lost her lyricist.”
Erica rolled her eyes. “You’re going to be fine.”
The truth was, there were no guarantees this song would ever be finished if Kronos had his way. But Trinity clung to the normalcy of laughing with her best friend. “I guess I better find a costume.”
“See you soon.” Erica started to go, but she turned back. “You should bring Mikolas.”
Trinity raised a brow. “I won’t tell Reed you said that.”
“It’s not like they have to hang out, but all the Guardians will be there. Mikolas should be, too.”