The Pantheon Saga | Book 4 | Gods of Wrath

by Ekeke, C. C.

  The table hushed. Jordana’s eyes went saucer-wide. “Hi!”

  Briseis El-Saden approached, grabbing looks from all over the restaurant. With piercing green eyes and that face, who wouldn’t stare? Hugo certainly was. Her light-olive skin glowed with renewed health. The cream hoodie crop top and matching short skirt showcased a slim yet filled-out figure. Designer shades sat atop her dark-auburn hair, six inches shorter than when Hugo saw her last night.

  Brie glanced around anxiously. “Hey, guys.”

  Hugo said nothing, studying everyone’s reaction.

  “Hey, Breezy,” Jodie replied in awkward tones. “What are you doing here?” Both she and J-Tom had made amends with Brie weeks ago. Most of this table either knew of Brie or knew and disliked her.

  Brie turned to Hugo. “Hi.” She sounded small and frightened, her eyes pleading for a lifeline.

  The entire table watched. Weird tension encased the once jovial gathering.

  Hugo studied her for a long moment, stone-faced, until he smiled and pushed out the empty seat with his foot. “The look on your face killed me!"

  Brie’s jaw dropped. “Oh, you bastard!” She sat, her eyes full of murder.

  Hugo chuckled, handing Brie his menu. She snatched it away, only to start laughing. Only J-Tom and Simon didn’t have WTF reactions. Both knew about the reconciliation a month ago. J-Tom was pleased. Simon didn’t hide his disapproval.

  “What the—?” Jodie looked from Hugo to Brie and back. “Did I miss a chapter in this telenovela?”

  “Huh?” Brent glanced around the table to make sure it was just him who was shocked.

  “Twist!” Groban exclaimed.

  Hugo raised a hand to quiet the mounting questions. “Brie and I are friends again.” It felt good confessing that. “Calm down, take a breath.” His tone held a warning to anyone with an issue.

  No one protested. Almost immediately, the jovial mood returned. Especially when food started arriving.

  “We kept quiet to see if we could be friends again,” Hugo explained to Jodie. “And we can.”

  His girlfriend was beyond happy hearing this, sneaking in another kiss.

  “Who are we gossiping about?” Brie inquired after ordering. Wale and JT were still pestering Hugo about the dance battle.

  “Bogie dance-battled with L.U.N.A,” the Stanleys both answered.

  Brie stared. The twins’ synchronized replies always startled newcomers. “Wait,” she replied with a knowing smile. “Are you talking about the first dance-off or the second?”

  Uh-oh, Hugo realized at the chorus of surprise.

  Jodie straightened and gaped at Brie. “You were there?”

  Hugo fingered his earring studs. “She was my plus-one.”

  Jordana’s anger came swift and sudden. “Why am I just finding this out?”

  Hugo didn’t react, remaining cool and collected just like today’s rescue. “It was last minute after you bailed last minute.” Brie had offered to come with him. And she’d geeked out seeing L.U.N.A in person, snapping several selfies with the K-Popstar.

  “I woulda told you, but you weren’t answering your texts.”

  Jodie shrank back. “Sorry,” she apologized.

  Brie savored a little smirk as everyone hounded her for details. From what Hugo had seen, bi-weekly therapy had done wonders to curb her mean-girl tendencies. Yet, nobody could out-smug Briseis El-Saden. “I mean, L.U.N.A’s the best, obviously! But the first dance-off was a tie,” she admitted, waggling her hand. “The second, though? Bogie took her ass to school.”

  The combined tables rippled in shock, awe and some skepticism. Hugo’s cheeks warmed. Being Aegis was seriously making him attention-averse.

  “Suuuure,” Rafael dismissed farther down the table. “Everyone knows Bogie’s a talented dancer.”

  “And should return to the Fab Phenoms,” Wale added, getting a chorus of agreement. “But dancing better than L.U.N.A?”

  Briseis whipped out her phone. “There’s video!” she trilled.

  Everyone went hysterical, much to neighboring tables’ annoyance.

  As Brie displayed audiovisuals of Hugo's dance-offs against L.U.N.A, both which he’d won, Simon and J-Tom watched him with shared amusement. Jordana snuggled closer, looking so proud.

  Across the table, Brie was chatty and charming, easily fitting in with Hugo’s friends. As her phone circulated, she locked eyes with him. Her pale-green stare radiated warmth, and much more…

  A long-dormant need seared Hugo’s loins. WHOA!

  He smothered whatever the hell that was, covering with a cheeky grin. “Thanks for outing me, Breezy!”

  A quick listen beyond Apple Farms detected no immediate trouble for miles. In short, Hugo could enjoy a meal among friends. And those moments were priceless.

  Epilogue

  Turbulence rocked the private plane during its descent. Greyson was relaxed in his seat. Yet anticipation buzzed around his brain for this plane’s destination.

  He eyed Connie beside him. Her in that clingy summer dress with her glossy hair up was a welcome sight. After weeks of vigilante hunting, he’d only seen Connie in tactical gear or naked.

  Greyson had no clue that she hated flying until now. Connie flattened against her seat, eyes squeezed shut. All from that slight turbulence.

  Greyson grasped one of her forearms. “How you doing there?”

  Connie opened her almond-shaped eyes, which held such fear. “What if we get caught?” she whispered.

  Greyson kissed her throat, savoring her fragrance. “I gotcha,” he assured firmly. “We’ll be fine.”

  That caused her to relax. She laid her head on his shoulder, holding his hand until they landed an hour later.

  Outside the plane was a hazy mid-afternoon in sunbaked Texas lowlands.

  Connie exhaled. “Here we go,” she murmured.

  Here we go indeed. Sudden fear trickled down Greyson’s spine. As soon as he got off this plane, the real mission to exterminate superheroes began. Now it was no longer some far-off dream.

  Greyson had killed his share of heroes this past year: Hurricane, AmeriForce, the Diablo twins and their copycats in Mexico. America’s superhero establishment was a different and powerful beast.

  He unbuckled his seatbelt and embraced that fear, letting it bleed through every iota of his being. In seconds, the fear was no longer so stifling. Greyson knew what had to be done. That rock-solid security made him feel rooted into the center of the earth. He rose, taking Connie’s hand before they exited the plane.

  As they stepped onto the tarmac, dry Texas summer heat hit like a wrecking ball. Jesus.

  The discomfort was dwarfed by Greyson’s happiness of returning to US soil.

  Still, the air-conditioned hangar on the other end of this boiling asphalt would be great.

  Memo Sandoval, also on the private plane, fell in beside them. The stocky man, one of Hernando’s top lieutenants, had provided Greyson and Connie with any resources they needed.

  He wore a crisp white button-down like Greyson, though it stretched around his rotund frame. Five armed guards also accompanied Memo, helping with Greyson and Connie’s luggage.

  “The bunker is in a private community, with all kinds of space and tech for you two to do your thing,” Memo explained when discussing the temporary home. “It was gonna be Cristóbal’s house when he got married. But that’s not happening.”

  “Thanks.” Greyson couldn’t complain at the hand-me-down house. Hernando had kept his word at every turn, including getting them back into the States. This agreement, of course, included the occasional favor for the Delgado cartel.

  Connie offered a wan smile. “Much appreciated.”

  “Of course.” Memo's pace then slowed. He glared straight ahead at the hangar bay.

  Connie paled and stepped back.

  Greyson followed Memo’s hostile expression.

  A woman stood at the door, fair-skinned but with a mild tan, wavy dark hair in a loose bun. He
r crisp yellow pants suit hugged a slim build, arms folded behind her back at military attention. This stranger’s chiseled yet striking features made it hard to determine her age. But her probing stare left Greyson uneasy. “Who’s that?” he asked.

  “Don’t know.” Memo flicked two fingers, motioning his guards forward. “She’s not with the cartel.”

  “Good afternoon, Greyson,” the woman called out in a clipped cadence.

  Memo’s eyes widened by a fraction.

  Greyson’s stomach flip-flopped. He instinctively put himself between this woman and Connie. Had the feds caught them? His power buzzed at the edge of his awareness, begging for release. “Who’s asking?” he probed curtly.

  The stranger’s smile pulled at the corners of her taut mouth. “Gwyneth Pierce. I represent a client very interested in your…” Her lingering onceover shivered down Greyson’s bones. “…special skillset. I need fifteen minutes of your time, please.”

  This Gwyneth Pierce definitely wasn’t government. Otherwise this tarmac would’ve been swarmed with OSA operatives before they’d even landed. Either way, Greyson wasn’t interested in picking up whatever she was putting down.

  Before he could say so, Memo advanced aggressively. “This is private property. Walk away or eat lead.”

  On cue, his entourage not carting luggage whipped out guns. Greyson reached for Connie behind him and slowly backpedaled.

  Pierce’s brown eyes danced with laughter at this show of force. “Sorry, I’ve misplaced my manners.” She placed a hand over her chest. “Guillermo Sandoval, right?” she remarked casually, stunning him with her knowledge. “One of Hernando Delgado’s captains?” She approached confidently, despite several guns pointed at her. Pierce leaned in, whispering in Memo’s ear. Greyson couldn’t hear her words. Whatever she’d uttered sucked the bravado out of the hard-bitten henchman.

  “Fall back,” Memo ordered shakily. “Give them as much time as they need.” He powerwalked back to the plane, bone-white.

  Greyson spread his arms in confusion. “What the hell, Memo?”

  “Just get me once you’re done with…that.” Memo’s tone was dripping with fear.

  That left Greyson and Connie alone with Ms. Pierce.

  Connie looked more disquieted than Memo.

  Greyson felt no such fear, getting in Ms. Pierce’s face. She had two inches on him. “What did you tell him?”

  Ms. Pierce cocked her head sideways. “Let’s just say…” She chuckled. “Better yet. Let’s not.” She turned her attention upon Connie. “Hello again, Constance.”

  Greyson whirled around. Now nothing made sense. “Huh?”

  Connie looked like she wanted to claw her skin off. “Gwyneth’s why I’m not in a supermax prison.”

  Pierce nodded in self-satisfied agreement. “I collected your girlf—” She paused, spying the diamond ring on Connie’s right hand. “Sorry…your wife before the government. We made a deal.”

  The buzz from Greyson’s power flared, itching to lash out. His trust in Connie, whom he’d just married, was cracking. “Talk,” he ordered.

  “Her employer organized the government supers used to hunt you,” Connie explained, avoiding his glower. “Placing me on the team.”

  Greyson turned back to Pierce, who was unaffected by the newlyweds’ discord. “Why?” The word was a bark of anger. He wanted answers.

  Pierce’s smile faded under the sun. “We planned to capture you alive and take you both into custody.” She gestured up and down his body. “You upended that plan, impressing my employer immensely. I’m here to propose a partnership.”

  Greyson snorted, already bored. Another asshole who wanted him as a killer for hire. “Why would I do business with you?”

  Connie gripped his arm. “Hear her out.” That wasn’t a request.

  Greyson wasn’t having it. “We have Hernando’s backing.” He tried to curb any anger at his wife. But shady circumstances during their brief split were still unfolding. “Being someone else’s pet killers will distract from our goals.”

  A glower creased Pierce’s well-sculpted face. “How far do you think your little crusade will get?” she questioned icily. “Without proper access to the kinds of corrupt corporate do-gooders you seek to eliminate?”

  Despite the smothering dry heat, Greyson went cool with fear. He eyed Connie with deepening misgivings. “How much did you tell her?”

  This time Connie didn’t shrink from his anger. She seemed defiant, in fact. “Enough to see an ally.”

  Greyson could have told this Pierce where to fuck off. But her reuniting him and Connie meant something. But he needed more. “Your employer?”

  Pierce’s eyes glittered. “Paxton-Brandt.”

  Greyson almost choked on his own tongue. No way should he pass this meeting. “Ten minutes.” The trio then headed inside the hangar bay.

  Pierce led the way toward an empty office with a table and chairs.

  As they passed, Greyson spotted a few employees who operated the hangar bay milling about. Some of them watched the television with a news report about another superhero rescue. Greyson glanced over it with zero interest, until seeing the hero’s purple-and-black costume. He stopped, and watched.

  The tall and well-built hero flew toward a bridge, hooded with a mask covering two-thirds of his face. By how effortlessly he carried that sedan like a manila folder, this guy was a powerhouse.

  Greyson had seen him all over the news recently.

  “Mr. Hirsch?” Pierce’s inquiring tone brought him back to reality.

  Greyson remained fixated on the TV, watching this hero place the car back on a bridge and yank the door off easily. A family of three poured out. “Aegis?” he said.

  Pierce stood at his side and chuckled. “San Miguel’s 'Shield of Justice.'” Her words carried unmasked disdain.

  Greyson watched Aegis’s every movement, from him floating above the growing crowd to the faint smirk as he basked in their adulation. “Huh.”

  An old dream floated to the forefront of Greyson’s consciousness. Aegis hovering over a city’s smoldering husk. He shivered. Something inside him sensed that Aegis was a graver threat than even he could imagine. A threat needing to be destroyed.

  “Mr. Hirsch?” Pierce intoned again, with less patience. She gestured toward the conference room where Connie already sat. “Shall we?”

  “Yeah.” Greyson nodded idly. He kept watching until Aegis finally flew off. Then he followed Pierce into the conference room, unable to stop smiling.

  His purpose burned with more urgency than ever.

  Hugo and Greyson will return in ABSOLUTE POWER, coming in 2020.

  Read on for a special note from the author.

  Author Notes

  And that’s a wrap for Gods of Wrath. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing. I am sorry this took so long to release. I had planned to get this out to y’all at the end of June 2019. But a number of professional and personal obstacles came up, which limited my time. That forced me to choose between editing Generation Next and writing Gods of Wrath. I chose editing since that meant you all would get three books in a row at least.

  So, when I first started this series, I had zero clue how it would be received. To reveal a little inside baseball with you folks, the superhero book genre is not as large as say Urban Fantasy or many of the Sci-Fi subgenres. And many of the top sellers in the superhero genre are LitRPG, Superhero Harem or Urban Fantasy. Out of concerned that this series would crash and burn, I decided around the release of Age of Heroes that the series would go on around four books. Anything more would depend on how well it did. Then the first three books came out in rapid release and did far better than I expected. Because of that, The Pantheon Saga will continue until its originally planned completions, which was beyond Gods of Wrath. The only person to thank for that is you the reader. Your support, purchases, reviews and feedback have made this series continuation possible. So, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You ma
ke all the hard work worth it.

  However, Book 4 is a conclusion of sorts. The plan was always to have slow-burn origins for Hugo and Greyson which allowed them to come into their respective powers, stumble and make mistakes, find allies and establish their identities. And since that has happened, their eventual collision is already in motion. That has been the main underlining plot for this series. A hero and a villain from different worlds find their place in life and will become each other’s greatest enemies. And while their tale continues, Quinn Bauer’s has come to an end.

  From the start of this series, Quinn served as our gateway into the superhero world. Hugo and Greyson were still both outliers, so we needed an inside look into not just who the major players were but how they operated away from public view. Quinn was that viewpoint. Plus, since Hugo and Greyson both were supers, I wanted to have that normal person rooted in reality and normalcy. Now I tried to find ways to keep Quinn on the series as a main character, but it wouldn’t have been as cohesive now that Greyson and Hugo are on a collision course and will be merging narratives. That is why the character will be riding off into the sunset with a bittersweet ending. That doesn’t mean we’ll see the last of Quinn as a character. She’ll show up in later books and definitely make an impact, but not as a point-of-view character. Not only that, I’ve got some ideas about Quinn and Longshadow starring in their own spin-off with some other female superheroes. Maybe a Birds of Prey-type series? It’s still in the idea phase. If it goes anywhere, you’ll be the first to know!

  Now let’s discuss some of the twists characters rising to prominence. Like Spencer Michelman. When she was created, she was a one-dimensional, garden-variety mean girl who was positioned as the bitchiest of Brie’s squad; spoiled, casually cruel and devoid of any likeable behaviors. Then, little by little, I decided to give her another dimension by having her and J-Tom be in a secret relationship. Again, I had no plans for her to be relevant past Book 4. Even then, Spencer would’ve remained a background player. But then, in the forthcoming Halloween novella, I was coming up with a scene where Spencer and Hugo got into a heated argument. There was a chemistry between the pair that could not be unseen. From there, I decided to put them together romantically, despite their very opposing personalities, and drop easter eggs throughout Book 3 regarding the change in their relationship. As for Spencer being December’s daughter? That was a snap decision which brought someone from Hugo’s high school world into his superhero world. But we’ve just gotten to know Spencer Michelman, so we will see her again in future books. She’s just too much of a spicy, shit-disturber to do away with, especially now that she knows Hugo’s secret.