Apollo's Protection

by Anna Edwards

  Dazed, panting, I catch my little demigoddess in my arms as she crumples exhausted onto my chest.

  “How the fuck did you just bring me back?”

  Eva’s smile is impish. “Sex magic.”

  My eyebrows shoot up into my hairline. “How did you even know about that?”

  Fontus shrugs behind her, his body still shaking with the force of his orgasm. “Something in this place connected our powers … or maybe it’s the emotions between us. Our grief at losing you. It triggered something among us and showed us how to revive you.”

  I don’t know what to say to that. This connection between us goes way beyond all of us. If the magic enchantment holding this island hostage had something to do with sparking it, I am not ungrateful for it. A lump of emotion forms in my throat, but I swallow it down. They shared their energies to resurrect me. Do they realize how something like that would make us even more bound together? An inescapable binding that once sealed fully can never be broken. Do they not understand how dangerous it can be? Three immortals who would eventually need each other like air to breathe, and who would all be doomed if one of the entwined spirits was to die?

  “My sister will have gotten word to my father and Eva’s. We need to find those children before they descend on this place and start a war,” I tell them, thoughts still heavy with worry for my two new lovers. Watching their grief destroyed me. I can’t let that happen again. I refuse to be the cause.

  We untangle ourselves, stripping off, and washing away the scent of sex and pleasure from our naked bodies in the waters of the lake. They quickly fill me in on the appearance of Nalos, the cyclops, the death of the leviathan, and the poison in the chimera’s pincers.

  “Nalos might know where the children are being held,” I suggest, pulling up my shorts and refastening them. “It’s too dangerous, staying here any longer. Ambrose will know by now your missing, and when the chimera doesn’t return to him, it will mean even more danger for us.”

  Eva slides the straps of her cotton dress up her bare shoulders, covering her breasts. “He’s been outside guarding. We can ask him now.”

  Gathering our makeshift bags, we hurry up the carved stone steps, leaving the cavern and the secret waterfall behind us.

  With Eva’s fresh set of clothes and sandaled feet, we move a lot quicker than when we first entered. I catch her looking at me a few times and biting her lip. Maybe she expected something more heart felt when I awoke. Some stronger reaction. A repeat of the words of love I’d spoken to her while I was a spirit. No matter how much I love them both, I have to safeguard this mission and protect them. Even if that means breaking us apart.

  “Fontus, once we’ve spoken to Nalos, I want you and Eva to go to the beach and return to the sea,” I tell him with as much command in my voice as I can muster even though it hurts. “You’re to return to Neptune’s Kingdom and stay there until this is all over.”

  He blinks at me slowly, his expression mirroring Eva’s surprise. “We need to finish the mission ...”

  “No. I need to finish the mission. You both have to leave.”

  A small hand finds my arm, fingers digging into my skin. “You can’t do that. Not after what we just went through.”

  Shaking off Eva’s grasp, I stare down at her with every ounce of arrogance I possess. “I’m in charge. You’ll both do as I say. Go home. I don’t need either of you here. You’re nothing but a distraction and a burden.”

  Fresh tears sting my eyes, and I turn away so Apollo won’t see the pain he’s causing me. Fontus purses his lips together, and red tints his face. He’s angry and rightfully so.

  “All right, we’ll go.” Fontus grabs my hand and starts to drag me along behind him. I dig my feet into the ground and refuse to move. Calling forth the water, I send it slamming into Apollo’s chest. It drenches him and knocks him flat on his ass.

  “You’re an absolute bastard.” I rip my hand from Fontus’ and stomp over toward the shocked god sitting on the floor, wondering what just happened. I’ve figured Apollo’s plan out, but it won’t work. “Arrogant sod. I should push the water into your body and give you an enema … just because I can. I’ve got more power in my little finger than you have in your entire body at the moment. Your power surges through my body as well as the power of a water god. You think by pushing us away you are saving us from Pluto, but you are a complete idiot. Don’t you get it? Without us as a triad, you’d be dead. We’re in this together. It’s not the magic of the island keeping us alive, it’s the three of us together. You send us away, and you’ll fail.” I fold my arms across my chest and stare at him, my face a picture of fury.

  I hear Fontus laugh behind me.

  “She would give you an enema as well. She got into trouble as a kid for doing it to someone who was bullying her friend.” Fontus wraps his arms around me. “I love you, my little spitfire.”

  Apollo shakes his head and looks guiltily at the ground.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not used to caring this much for anyone. I’m a fuck them and leave them sort of guy. The image of something happening to you both popped into my head, and I dread it.”

  “Idiot,” I mutter and resume my pouting.

  “I agree. I am.” Apollo gets up from the floor and comes closer to us.

  He tries to take my arms and unfold them from my chest. I resist. I’m still angry at him. He looks at me with his big blue eyes, and I feel my anger melting away.

  “I’m sorry. I give you my word we’ll do this together. All three of us side by side. Let’s finish what Pluto started. We’ve got people to save before war descends,” Apollo confirms.

  I wait a few seconds before bringing a smaller amount of water up and dropping it on his head.

  “Last warning. Do something like that again, and it goes up your ass.”

  Apollo smirks.

  “Promises, promises. When this is over, Eva, I’m going in your ass, darling.”

  I can’t help but blush, all anger forgotten. I can still feel Fontus in there from earlier.

  “We need to go before we end up fucking again. Jupiter will be on his way. He won’t allow this island to remain standing for much longer.” Fontus senses the rising sexual desire as his own cock lengthens against my back.

  “Have you got control of your teleportation powers?” Apollo asks me as he leads us up the steps of the cave and out into the warm sunshine of the day.

  “Sort of,” I reply. “I’m not sure how to relocate to somewhere when I don’t know what it looks like.”

  Nalos is sitting on a rock, cleaning his club. He looks up at us and grins when he sees all three of us.

  “Friend not dead.”

  “Nope.” Fontus smiles happily.

  “Good.”

  “Nalos?” Apollo questions. “Do you know where the house is that holds the children?”

  “Bad place.”

  “You’ve been there?” Apollo asks.

  The cyclops nods his head.

  “Can you remember it?”

  “Yes. Can’t forget.” Nalos looks sad, and I go to his side and place a hand on his arm to comfort him. “Babies, mine, gone.”

  I tilt my head looking at him. We’d never asked why he was on the island and yet not under Pluto’s power.

  “This is your island. You were here before Pluto came?”

  “Yes.”

  “You have a family?” I lower myself down onto the ground and sit at Nalos’ feet. He looks directly at me. His one eye filled with the wetness of tears.

  “Yes. Wife, baby,” Nalos informs me. I swallow deeply, knowing what will come next. “Pluto take baby, kill wife.”

  I take his hand in mine.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Want bad man gone.”

  “We all do.” Apollo joins us. “We need to get to the house where the children are without any further delays. Eva has the ability to teleport but will find it hard to go somewhere or to someone she’s never seen. Will you allow her to look
into your head for the house, so we can travel there?

  Nalos nods his acceptance.

  “Eva, place your hands on either side of Nalos’ head. Relax and allow his thoughts to flow into your mind. See what he feels.”

  I do as Apollo instructs. At first, nothing happens, so I concentrate harder, and that’s when the tears start to fall from my eyes. I see a family, a mother, father, and a son running around the island, enjoying life. The world grows dark, and a bolt of fire shoots out of the sky and kills the mother. The father is injured but doesn’t die. He watches on as the boy is taken by Ambrose. I can barely breathe. This is not a power I want. Apollo can have it back. I want to control water—it doesn’t hurt like this does. The vision changes, and I see the house. The father attacks but is beaten back. His son is screaming at him to save him. I can’t watch anymore of this. I pull my hands away and burst into heartbreaking sobs. Fontus and Apollo both crowd around me, rubbing my shoulders and covering me with their warmth and comfort.

  “It’s ok,” Fontus whispers into my ear before standing up and punching Apollo in the face.

  “What the fuck did you ask her to do that for? You knew what she’d see.”

  Apollo rubs his jaw.

  “It’s the only way. This is why I wanted you to go back to the shoreline.”

  “I’m ok.” I push away from them both and take strong breaths to get some air into my lungs. Eventually, I manage to calm down. “I’m fine.”

  Turning to Nalos, I see the sad expression on his face.

  “I’m so sorry you went through that. We’ll get him back for you.”

  “If still alive,” Nalos replies.

  “I’m sure he is.” I reach out and take his hand. “Ok, hold onto me everyone. I’ve seen the house so I can get us closer now.”

  “Keep the house in your head but imagine a place to either side of it. Preferably covered, so we can get our bearings and plan an attack without being seen. Our priority is going to be to find the children and get them out of there. Jupiter and the rest of my family are on the way. They’ll deal with Pluto and the guards.”

  Apollo takes my hand and squeezes it tightly, giving me reassurance. Fontus takes my other, and Nalos places his hand on my shoulder. I shut my eyes and bring up an image of the house. I remember a patch of trees to the left of it. I focus on them, but as we start to teleport, I can’t stop the vision of Nalos’ son from entering my head.

  The roar of a crowd goes up as we come out of the spin of the teleportation, and then it instantly goes quiet. Deathly silent. I dare to open an eye and peek out at the surroundings Eva has brought us to. We are in the middle of a large arena, the size of the Coliseum when it wasn’t a ruin. We are surrounded by people of all shapes and sizes sat in the seats, staring at us with open mouths. On the ground beside us are several gladiators also confused by our sudden appearance. One boy, little more than twelve years old, stares at us with his one eye.

  “Fuck,” Eva exclaims.

  “What did you think of?” Apollo steps in front of the woman we both love.

  “Son,” Nalos cries.

  “What he said.” Eva bites her lip nervously.

  “Yeah not a particularly helpful thought at this time,” I respond as I join Apollo in front of Eva. Both of us are playing protectors despite her wielding the greater powers. “What do we do now?”

  “Get out of here. Take my hands again,” Eva suggests.

  “I think the element of surprise has gone,” Apollo reluctantly admits. “I think we’re going to have to fight.”

  A murmur goes around the crowd. From a vantage point in a box high up in the stadium, Ambrose watches on. He’s standing next to Pluto, the God of the Underworld.

  “Oh shit, Eva, go,” I tell her.

  “I’m not leaving you behind.” She stands defiantly against the smirking face of the man who raped her.

  “Well this is interesting.” Pluto places a hand on Ambrose’s shoulder, and the look on his face is nothing short of demonic. “I thought you said these two had disappeared? It seems they couldn’t stay away, and I do believe they’ve brought me a fully-fledged god to play with as well. Apollo, good to see you again. You’ll be a welcome asset to my breeding program. As you can see we’re testing out some of the children today before they are sent on to the next stage of their training. Some are faring better than others.”

  My stomach lurches when I see several children on the floor. They’re bleeding out from where they’ve been injured. Pluto clicks his fingers, and the young gladiators line up instantly. They’ve been trained to accept his every command, including Nalos’ son. He’s the last to join the line, staring a moment longer at his father as though he recognizes him from somewhere but can’t place him.

  “Nalos.” I reach out when I hear the cyclops growl. “Wait. Please. You attack now, and Pluto has the power to strike your son down just like your wife. We’ll make sure we walk away from this with him.”

  “Need, kill.” Nalos snarls, his club held tightly in his hand.

  “You’ll get the chance,” Eva reassures him with a calming touch to his shoulder.

  “Get behind us, Eva,” Apollo orders her back to where we can protect her.

  She just raises an eyebrow at him. She’s the one with the power and won’t let us treat her like the little woman any longer. She pushes her way in between the two of us, taking her place alongside us in a line.

  “Whatever comes at us, we fight it together.”

  “Well, you’re not the insipid little girl I fucked over my desk. I like this new version. I think I’ll enjoy fucking you again once your companions are dead. We need to do something about the magic emanating from you first though.”

  Pluto points at Eva, and a magical blast comes out of his hand. It surrounds her in an energy ball. She shuts her eyes, and it disintegrates to nothing.

  “What the fuck?” Pluto spits out in disbelief.

  “Apollo gave me these powers and only he can take them away.”

  Eva takes the opportunity to send energy ball after energy ball toward Pluto and the rest of the occupants in his royal box.

  “Release Cerberus,” Pluto roars, and the gladiators scatter to the sides of the arena.

  “Eva, stop,” Apollo orders.

  I’ve encountered Cerberus before. It’s the hell hound, a three-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld. It’s not something to be messed with.

  Apollo flips an approaching guard over his shoulder and knocks him unconscious before grabbing his sword. “Nalos, go and fetch your son. We need to get out of here and wait for Jupiter to come.”

  “I’ll help him,” I tell Apollo who nods his agreement.

  Following behind Nalos, I use the limited water supply in the stadium and form arrows to spear into the guards who charge for us. The cyclops swipes at them with his club.

  “Release him, now,” I hear Pluto cry when we get to Nalos’ son.

  “Son,” Nalos greets him, but the boy tilts his head in confusion.

  “Do I know you?”

  Nalos reaches down and places his hand at the top of the boy’s head before stroking it down his forehead. The massive eye closes and then opens when Nalos’ fingertips reach the tip of the boy’s nose.

  “Familiar,” the boy says.

  “Son,” Nalos repeats.

  We don’t have time for this. We need to get back to Apollo and Eva who are defending themselves against more guards while the massive doors to the menagerie of the stadium begin to open. An arrow comes flying our way. I manage to shift its path with water, but we’re running out of that precious commodity, and we’re too far from the sea to call for more.

  “Nalos, we need to go. Grab him,” I shout.

  A Griffin swoops out of the sky with its sharp talons at the front ready to grab hold of its victims while allowing the lion hind legs to tear into the flesh.

  “Son,” Nalos repeats before striking the griffin with his club and killing it.
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  “Dinner.” The boy looks at Nalos.

  “Dinner, catch birds.” The giant cyclops informs his son.

  “Dinner, catch bird.”

  “Nalos.” I spear another guard away with a water arrow. “Please hurry.”

  Another guard jumps at me. I fixate on the water in his body and drown him from the inside. My powers have also expanded on the island.

  “Daddy,” the boy finally says.

  “Son.” Nalos wraps his arms around the boy, and they warmly embrace.

  The doors to the stadium are now wide open, and a loud howling can be heard.

  “Shit, I hate this dog!” I exclaim, but when the jet black dog emerges, it’s not the one I was expecting. It’s another chimera—a victim of Pluto’s manipulation of nature. The Cerberus that emerges has three heads and so much more. Along it’s back are dozens of snakes, their mouths open and fangs bared.

  “Nalos, we have to go.”

  The dog charges for us. Teeth and poisonous fangs, no doubt, ready to impale us. A force field goes up around us, and Eva and Apollo appear at our side.

  “What the hell has he done to Cerberus?” I ask Apollo.

  “Not sure but we need to get out of here.” Apollo grabs Eva’s hand. “Nalos, do you have your son?”

  “Son, happy.” Nalos tucks his boy under his arm.

  “We can’t,” Eva interrupts as I grab her other hand, and Nalos takes her shoulder again.

  “Eva now isn’t the time to argue. Get us out of here. We have to wait for Jupiter before we can challenge Pluto,” Apollo demands.

  “Please, for once listen to him, Eva,” I plead with her as well.

  “But what about the injured children?” Eva’s eyes flit to the fallen gladiators on the floor. It’s the distraction the beast needs. Cerberus comes at us again. The crowd cheers with excitement when the powerful creature pushes us backward against the wall of the stadium.

  “Seriously.” Apollo puts his head in his hand.

  “We can’t leave them. They'll die. Pluto won’t look after them.”

  I know exactly what she’s saying. Taking one look at the injured, I know we can’t leave them. They didn’t ask for this.