by Lisa Kessler
Mikolas woke up with the sun and found Trinity curled up with all the sheets and blankets, like a beautiful muse gyro. He smiled and went to the closet. After pulling on a pair of sweatpants and a tank, he ventured downstairs for his travel bag. He ran his fingers through his hair a couple of times as he opened the coat closet. He frequently traveled for work, so he always kept his bag stocked with travel-size toiletries and toothbrushes. He grabbed a few things for Trinity and set them on the kitchen counter.
Since Trinity hadn’t come down yet, he figured he’d make some breakfast. While he preheated the oven, he took out a glass dish of tiropita and a few eggs. He wasn’t sure what kind of food she liked, but he hoped if he cooked a couple of different options, she’d find something she would enjoy. The Cheerios popped in his head.
He went to the cupboard. No Cheerios, but he took out the box of Cap’n Crunch and set it on the counter.
“I didn’t take you for a fan of the Captain.”
He turned around to find Trinity in one of his button-down shirts and nothing else. Suddenly, he didn’t care about breakfast. His appetite wasn’t for food anymore.
“I don’t eat much cereal, but I do enjoy this one.” He shook the box playfully. “Other than Cheerios, I don’t know what kind of food you like.”
She came into the kitchen and gave the glass dish of tiropita a long look. “What is this?”
“It’s a Greek cheese pie. Sort of like…” He searched for a food she might recognize. “Quiche? But it has a flakier crust. Like a pastry.”
She smiled up at him. “Sounds delicious.”
He put the glass dish in the oven. “I guess we have a few minutes to get dressed while it warms up.” He went to the counter and handed her the toothbrush and toiletries. “You might need to use my hairbrush, but I think the rest is here.”
“Thank you.” She took them from him and headed down the hallway, calling over her shoulder. “We better get it together fast. We need costumes for the Halloween party tonight.”
He stopped in his tracks. “Costumes?”
She peered back at him with a mischievous grin. “Yep. And getting a costume on Halloween means we’ll be stuck with whatever they have left.”
He raised a brow. “That sounds…bad?”
“Not as bad as our costumes are going to be!” She laughed and jogged up the stairs.
He followed her, drinking in the sound of her laugher. Being with Trinity reinforced his determination to find a way to beat the Titans. He wanted more days of listening to her laughter and nights of worshipping her body. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Iapetus be the reason he didn’t get them.
CHAPTER 12
Ted opened the door and dropped a few treats in each teenager’s bag. Not many little kids trick-or-treated in his area anymore. It was probably easier and safer for their parents to walk them through the stores in the malls or go to one of those Trunk-or-Treat events.
When his cell phone rang, he quickly closed the door. Kevin’s name lit the screen, and Ted contemplated rejecting the call. But pissing off the Father of the Gods wouldn’t improve his chances of surviving this hostile takeover of the world, so…
“Yeah?” he answered.
“I have a task for you, Ted.”
Ted shook his head. “I already did what you asked.”
“And you’re not finished,” Kevin said sharply. “Not if you want to live.”
Ted raked a hand through his hair. “What do you need?”
“The Muse of Tragic Poetry is having a party tonight. You will take her from her house.”
“Kidnap her? Why?” This was nuts. The Guardians would kill him. “The Order already knows that her Guardian can touch things and get visions. You don’t need to test the theory. What’s the point in taking her?”
Ted’s ears popped, and his head throbbed. He would’ve collapsed to the floor…if he could move. He tried to at least lower his cell phone, but his limbs didn’t respond. It was as if he’d been encased in wet cement.
Shit.
The Titans appeared in his living room, strolling in as if they’d been invited over for a drink. Kevin gripped Ted’s neck, squeezing until stars lit around the edges of his vision. “When I tell you to do something, you don’t question me. Next time, my brother will feed on your worthless mortality. Are we clear?”
He released Ted, as well as time itself. Ted stumbled forward, choking and coughing, struggling for air.
Kevin went to the door. “We will meet you at Crystal Peak, where the Order used to gather. Be there by midnight with the Muse of Tragic Poetry.”
Ted swallowed hard. “What if I can’t get her?”
Kevin narrowed his eyes and shrugged. “You die.”
Trinity adjusted her purple Esmerelda hair ribbon and glanced at Mikolas. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Party City had been picked over by the time they showed up, so they had to take whatever was left in their sizes. Trinity ended up in a Disney costume from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Mikolas was sporting a Trojan soldier getup complete with toga and gold plastic Trojan helmet.
“I still can’t believe I let you talk me into wearing this.” He shook his head, staring down at his wardrobe. “You realize the Greeks fought the Trojans, right? This is the uniform of my ancestors’ ancient enemies.”
She looked up at him with a sheepish grin. “At least you make it look good.”
He chuckled and took her hand. “No pictures tonight. My family would never let me live this down.”
Trinity knocked on the door, and a pint-sized Ghostbuster with strawberry-blond ringlets poking out around her goggles opened it. Her eyes widened as she grinned and launched herself at Trinity. “Aunt Trin, you look amazing!”
Trinity hugged her and stepped aside to show off her soldier. “Maggie, this is Mikolas.”
“You’re her Guardian.” Maggie offered her small hand in a very grown-up fashion. “We waited a long time for you to find her.”
He took her hand in a solemn grip. “I came from the other side of the world searching for her.”
“I’m glad.” Dimples formed in her rosy cheeks as her smile brightened. “Come inside. We have Witches’ Brew!”
Trinity caught his hand as they made their way past a few of Maggie’s friends from school. They were all huddled around the television with game controllers. Callie was on the couch. She still seemed a little pale, but her Victorian costume was on point. Trinity came over and sat beside her. “So…who are you dressed up as?”
Callie looked toward the kitchen. “Wait ’til Hunter gets back in here with my punch. I think you’ll get it then.”
Trinity smiled and patted her knee. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired, but much better.” She looked up at Mikolas. “That plastic sword makes the outfit.”
He chuckled. “There are so many things wrong with this costume.”
Hunter came back from the kitchen with two cups and not much else, but his loincloth made it clear who Callie was supposed to be.
“Tarzan and Jane?” Trinity raised a brow. “Can’t believe you got Hunter to wear that.”
“Please.” Callie rolled her eyes and gave the biggest smile Trinity had seen from her since the attack. “He’s got no shame.”
Hunter handed Callie her punch and grinned. “No shame in being the King of the Jungle.”
He balled his hands into fists, raising them to his chest, but Callie held up her finger. “No Tarzan yelling in the house.”
“All right. I’ll save it for later.” Hunter winked. He sobered as he turned to Mikolas. “Any news from our inside man?”
Mikolas shook his head. “No, not since he told me that Kronos and his brother are trying to discover each of our gifts.” Mikolas removed his cell phone from his Trojan belt and checked for any new messages. “I don’t want to call him and alert the Titans we’ve been talking, but he’ll contact me when there’s anything new happening. For now, it seems they
’re still planning their attack for the theater opening.”
The other muses and Guardians migrated to the living room, and Trinity watched Mikolas lay out the plan they’d worked out the night before. He was a born leader. For whatever charmed life he might’ve thought he had inherited, he was no entitled slacker. There was an inherent nobility in him, and it had nothing to do with his amazing costume.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She slipped it free and glanced at the message. Ted’s name lit her screen with a short text.
I need to talk. Alone. Meet me in the courtyard.
This couldn’t be good. She looked up at Mikolas, and his gaze landed on her as if he’d sensed something. Breaking eye contact, she focused on her phone trying to decide her next move. The last thing she wanted to do was fire up Hunter. Of all the Guardians, Hunter had the most reason to beat the living shit out of Ted, and he usually tried anytime her ex came around. But this time, Ted might have information.
She got up and pulled Mikolas aside. “Ted’s out back. He wants to talk to me. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with you,” he replied.
Trinity shook her head. “I can handle this. He’s on our side, remember? You finish plotting with the others; I’ll let you know what I find out from Ted.”
His hand slid around her waist bringing her in close. He kissed her temple and whispered, “If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’ll be right behind you.”
“Deal.” She nodded and excused herself into the kitchen. Melanie and Nate still lived in his two-bedroom condo, and with the party in full swing, it was going to be tough to slip out unnoticed. Alone in the kitchen, she sent off a quick reply.
Working on it. What’s going on?
His next text came through quickly.
Nothing good.
Another second passed before another text popped up.
I just want to talk. They didn’t follow me here.
Trinity put her phone back in the pocket of her skirt and made her way for the door. Erica came out of the bathroom and came straight for her, blocking the exit. She’d been moments away from a clean getaway.
Her best friend was dressed up as a very curvy version of Morticia Addams complete with a cleavage-bearing, low-cut black dress. “Party’s not over yet.” Erica tipped her head toward the others. “Where are you going?”
“I just need to grab something from the car.” Trinity sucked at lying.
Erica raised a brow. “Want some company? Reed’s busy playing Mario Kart with the kids.”
And not talking to Mikolas… That was the subtext.
Trinity hesitated and finally nodded. “Sure. But I’m not going to the car.”
Erica chuckled. “I knew it. You’re a horrible liar. What’s going on?”
“Ted’s in the courtyard. He wants to talk.”
Erica’s smile faded. “I still don’t trust that guy.”
“I know, but he’s our inside man with the Titans. If he’s got more news about their plans, then I want to hear it.”
“Let me guess—” Erica lowered her voice “—he wants you to come alone.”
Trinity shrugged. “It’s not like I didn’t tell anyone. Mikolas will come out if I’m not back in a few minutes.”
“Well, I’m going with you.”
Trinity glanced down at Erica’s costume. “You’re liable to make some new unwanted friends out there.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh please, look who’s talking.” She grinned, gesturing to Trinity’s Esmerelda costume. “The corset has your assets front and center, girlfriend. You look hot.”
Trinity fanned out her full skirt. “Coming from the Muse of Erotic Poetry, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Erica caught her hand. “So let’s go meet that worm of an ex.”
Trinity bumped her with her hip. “I’m supposed to be going alone, so you’ll have to make yourself scarce.”
“Fine.” Erica rolled her eyes. “But I’ll still be close enough to scream for help if he tries anything.”
Ted glanced up from the bench as Trinity approached with her friend Erica right behind her. He shouldn’t have been disappointed. He had no right, but that didn’t change that he was. Trinity didn’t trust him.
Erica stopped short, giving them a little privacy.
Trinity was dressed as Esmerelda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and he could almost hear her belting out “God Bless the Outcasts” in his head. She crossed her arms, her hip jutting out to the side in a defensive gesture.
Memories of the days when she used to approach him with a smile stung.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I’m supposed to be kidnapping Mel.”
Trinity’s eyes widened, and she dropped her hands to her sides, balling them into fists.
He put his own hands up and took a step toward her. “I’m not going to touch her. Or you. I just needed to…see you.”
One last time.
Her rage faded as she frowned. “What’s going on?”
“Kronos and his brother are waiting for me at the park up at Crystal Peak, but I’m going alone. I just came to warn you to be careful…and to tell you face-to-face how sorry I am. For everything…” His voice caught. He cleared his throat, forcing the words out. “Regrets are all I have left, Trin. The Fates gave me a chance to change my stars the day we crossed paths at school, but I blew it. You made me happier than I’d ever been, but I couldn’t see myself the way you saw me.”
She came closer, concern lining her brow. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because when I get to Crystal Peak, my conscious will be clear. I want to know I made things right between us.”
Trinity shook her head. “They’ll kill you, Ted.”
“It doesn’t matter now.” He tugged at the collar of his black T-shirt. His neck was bruised and red where Kevin had choked him earlier. “All this shit…this wasn’t how any of it was supposed to happen.” His voice pinched. “I thought I was saving the fucking world, Trin. I believed it. I convinced myself sacrifices were necessary for the greater good. But no good is coming. None of this has turned out like I thought it would.”
The pain in her eyes only reinforced his self-loathing. The “sacrifices” were flesh and blood to Trinity. Her friends Nia and Polly were dead because of him.
He shook his head. “Mikolas has a plan to stop Iapetus. Tell him that tonight is his chance. I’ll separate them. Just be sure he waits until Kronos leaves. He’ll be coming for Melanie on his own so don’t leave her unprotected. Hell, maybe Zeus will finally drop the old-man disguise and get involved.”
She glanced at Erica and back to Ted. For the first time since college, there wasn’t a trace of disgust in her eyes. “I’m going to get Mikolas. Maybe we can all go up there as backup.”
“No. That’s why I wanted to talk to you alone. He’ll try to be a hero.” A sad chuckle escaped his lips. “I tried so damned hard to hate that guy, but he’s…he’s a good man, Trinity. You deserve no less.”
She shook her head. “Don’t do this, Ted. There’s got to be another way.”
He looked up at the stars, steeling his emotions. “My whole life I’ve taken the easy way out.” His gaze finally locked on hers. “Let me have one moment when I can be the man you saw when you used to look at me. If I can leave this world as that guy, I’ll go out better than I ever dreamed I could.”
Trinity stumbled forward and embraced him. He held her tight, closing his eyes and taking one last breath of her hair. He stepped back before he lost his nerve. “Tell Mikolas to be at Crystal Peak at midnight. I’ll be sure Iapetus is alone.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “One more thing.” She met his eyes. “I did love you, Trin. That part was never a lie.”
He turned around and went to his car without waiting for a reply.
Redemption was all he had left.
Mikolas came out of the condo just as Trinity ran into Ted’s arms. An unfamiliar shot of jealo
usy burned in his chest. What the hell was going on?
Before he could interrupt them, Ted was walking away toward the parking lot. Mikolas headed for the courtyard. Trinity and Erica were talking in hushed voices as he approached.
“What did Ted want?”
Trinity’s face was pale. “We have to put our plan into action tonight. He’ll be sure Iapetus is alone at the park at Crystal Peak at midnight.”
“Where the Order used to meet?”
She shrugged. “I guess so.”
Mikolas yanked off the helmet and pushed his hair back from his forehead. “We’re not ready.”
“We may not get another chance.”
He stared into her eyes, part of him aching to ask her about what he’d seen, but there wasn’t time. Instead, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and forced his emotions into a box. If they lived through tonight, he could ask questions later.
“We better tell the others.” He started to turn, but she caught his hand. He stopped and faced her.
Her eyes shone in the dim light of the courtyard. “We have to make tonight count, okay?”
“We will.”
Or we’ll die trying.
CHAPTER 13
Mikolas finished changing his clothes and checked the time on his phone. They were meeting at the Crystal Peak parking area a mile from the Order’s gathering spot at the base of the mountain. The Titans would be expecting Ted and Melanie, but seeing a line of cars would tip them off that the plan had changed.
All the children were with Hunter and Callie at their place since Ted had warned them Kronos would be coming for Melanie at the condo. The kids were oblivious to the brewing battle, and because Callie wasn’t strong enough to face the Titans, Gavin and Tera stayed with them, too. If Kronos manipulated time, Gavin’s superspeed meant he would still be able to move and protect the others. It was far from a perfect plan, but it was the best they could do for now.
The rest of them were headed to Crystal Peak, including Reed and Erica. Mikolas wasn’t sure what to make of the firefighter, but he’d insisted on joining the effort. Maybe he saw this as his chance to stab Mikolas in the back, or maybe he finally realized that Mikolas was truly trying to help. Only the gods knew for sure. But if Trinity and Erica trusted him, Mikolas would, too.