by Jamie Begley
“Yes, she is.” Zerina placed a hand on her mother’s arm. “Please don’t be disappointed in me.” She glanced at her father, who was standing beside Fate. “I love him.”
“Stop saying that!” Fate snapped as Valentine’s expression turned uncertain.
“Fate …” Valentine tried to calm his former wife.
“Are you aware he has concubines?”
“Yes.”
“Were you one of them?”
“Sister, perhaps we should wait until your temper cools before we try discussing this,” Destiny intervened.
“I wasn’t his concubine. I was his lover.”
Fate’s face turned red. “What’s the difference?”
“I love him.” Zerina raised her hand before Fate could speak again. “I know he doesn’t love me, that he sent me away without saying good-bye, that he has concubines, and if I manage to find his entrance, he probably won’t let me inside. I love you all, but … if I can never see you again, if I am lucky enough for Hades to let me return, it’s a price I’m willing to pay.”
“You would give up your gift?”
“If I have to. As a Moirai, I walk the same hallways as Grimm.”
Fate’s eyes narrowed on Zerina’s inflexible expression. “I can see there is no way I am going to be able to change your mind. Will you at least consider returning home if Hades doesn’t let you return before Thor or Odin arrive?”
Sorrow filled Zerina’s lovely eyes. “There won’t be a need to stay if he doesn’t.”
Fate, and even Valentine, relaxed.
“We’ll cross that bridge when it happens, so there’s no need arguing further.” Valentine tugged Zerina into his arms. “I missed you, daughter.”
Hades was proud of Zerina as he had never been proud of a woman, other than Mother.
Persephone had continuously listened to Demeter’s insults about him, and every time his mother-in-law begged her to come home, Persephone had whined until he gave in. However, Zerina had stood up to her mother until Fate had been the one to back down.
He watched as Adam, Rhys, and Rocque gathered their men to go after the food that Rocque had found. Hades kept his attention on the women as they were left with Valentine.
Tuning out their conversation, he waved his hand.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he stood in front of his desk as Maxi appeared before him.
The stoop-shouldered man didn’t bow as he looked around him.
“My king?” Maxi questioned in a frail voice.
“Drop the act, Zeus. I know it’s you.”
Maxi’s body straightened, transforming into the god that everyone in the heavens and earth was searching for.
“How did you know it was me?”
Hades didn’t uncross his arms, his anger so great he would strike him. “Zerina said you asked if she loved me. She is the only emotional being capable of feeling down here. Maxi wouldn’t give a fuck what she felt.”
“You were always the smart one in the family.”
“How did you get here?”
“I slipped inside when you let Jinx in.”
“I underestimated the fairy. She placed a spell on you and disguised you so I wouldn’t see you.”
Zeus nodded. “She was very accommodating.”
“I bet she was. She would have been in awe of a god of your power asking her for a favor.”
“It does have its advantages.”
“I’ve said the same thing myself.”
Hades stared at Zeus. His brother was still as impressive as when he had last seen him in Mother’s court. They were the same height, yet Zeus was heavier and broader.
Hades went to sit in his chair. Leaning back, he studied his brother, noticing the subtler changes in his appearance that weren’t as obvious.
Zeus was tense, as if waiting for someone to appear.
“I haven’t told anyone you’re here. Why have you been hiding in my domain?”
“Where’s Zerina? I don’t—”
“I sent her away so we could have a talk.”
“You sent her away?”
Hades righted his chair, leaning upward, his hands going to his desk. “I sent her away because I didn’t want her to get in the crossfire if you’re as guilty as everyone believes you are. She’s safe. Now, tell me, brother, what is going on. I can’t believe you’re so afraid of anyone to send you running.”
“I’m not afraid. I don’t want to choose sides. Nor do I want to see my son destroyed.”
“You can’t protect him. Mother knows of his treachery. All the gods and immortals do. There is no saving him once he is found.”
“Brother, stay out of it. Let what is inevitable play out. Once it is over, we can go back to normal.”
“You’re not the only one who shares the gift of foresight. Tell me, Zeus; are you seeing the visions I am?”
Zeus’s jaw tightened.
“If so, you know there will be no future for me or anyone on this earthly plane. I see very few gods surviving; you and Dionysus are two of the few. You say you’re not choosing sides, but you are by hiding here and refusing to tell me who is behind this betrayal. As much as you love Dionysus, your son doesn’t have the brains to overthrow Mother.”
Zeus lost his anger at Hades’ insult.
“He’s smart enough to distract Mother from the real threat.” His brother looked furious at himself for being goaded into revealing there was someone else behind his son’s treachery.
“Ah …” Hades goaded him further. “Who is it? Let me think. Is it Athena? She’s always been jealous of Mother.” He tapped a finger against his forehead. “No, it can’t be her. That slut can’t get her mind off her hot pussy to orchestrate a rebellion. Is it Merlin? He has always overestimated his abilities, and while he has the brains to orchestrate a rebellion, the gods wouldn’t follow him, and it’s going to take several gods to overthrow Mother.”
Hades watched the myriad of expressions flit across Zeus’s face. Using all the power that Mother had bequeathed to him, he delved into Zeus’s mind, using his brother’s anger to slip beneath his guard. What he saw had him going pale.
“Chronos.” Hades stood up, going to Zeus. “You could have stopped it before Mother even found out.”
“I couldn’t. I would have had to tell her about Dionysus’ part in it. He would never be allowed to come home.”
“It’s Mother we’re talking about! She was the one who freed us from Chronos. What you have done is make a mockery of the loyalty and love she’s shown us.”
“Dionysus is my son!” Zeus shouted. “You’ll never understand how a father feels about his son.”
“No, I won’t.”
Zeus scored a hit. Life couldn’t spring from a dead soul.
“I may not know the love of a father to his son, but I do know the love of a mother to her son.” Cruelly, he jabbed at Zeus’s emotional weakness. “When Father kept us imprisoned in his castle, it was Mother who released us. If she hadn’t overthrown Chronos, we’d still be hidden away without our powers.
“He made us suffer because he was afraid you would steal his throne. What a fucking joke that is!”
Zeus lunged for him, sending the balls on his desk spinning. Hades froze Zeus in place with one hand, righting the balls with the other.
“You think you can take me in my home?” Hades waved his hand again wrathfully, transporting them to the dungeon next to his fire pit. “I could toss you into that pit and forget about it the next second. You’re letting everything that Mother loves be destroyed, so why should I give a fuck? If I did, who do you think would save you? Chronos? He would destroy what little of your soul is left when it returned to Heaven. Sadly, Mother would return you to your former glory. Not only do you not deserve her love, you don’t deserve the power you were gifted. Unless you’re trying to steal another man’s wife, the only balls you have are the size of my cufflinks.
“Now, I’m only going to ask you once. Has Mother been hurt? S
he hasn’t answered my calls.” Hades waved his hand so Zeus could speak.
“How would I know? I’ve been down here with you.”
Hades growled in frustration. “If I didn’t think it would hurt Mother, I would destroy you.”
“You don’t think I despise myself?”
“No. If you had, you would have stopped this before it started.”
“I thought I had talked Dionysus out of helping Merlin and Chronos. When I heard that Fate’s daughters had disappeared, I tried to find him to make sure he didn’t have anything to do with it. When I found him, he was already turning the humans against one another. He wouldn’t listen to me.” Zeus sorrowfully shook his head. “He said Chronos had promised to make him more powerful than any of the original Titans.”
Hades rolled his eyes. “Your son is an idiot.”
“I had hoped that it was a spell Merlin had placed on him. I couldn’t go to Merlin to ask. I was afraid he would place a spell on me.”
“So, you did the next best thing. You came to my domain where you could have access to Morgana and hide at the same time.”
“Yes.”
Hades rubbed his temples. His brother had as much brain power as his son.
“Dionysus wasn’t under a spell. Morgana was the one under the spell.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Merlin put up the spell so she wouldn’t be able to give me information. She only wanted to do Merlin’s bidding. Did Dionysus say why Merlin and Chronos had Morgana attack Fate’s daughters?”
“Chronos wanted them killed. Fate kept them too protected in her castle. The one he wanted eliminated was Zerina. The other two were just collateral damage. It kept Mother, Fate, and Destiny busy so he could build his army.”
Hades had his suspicions that Chronos wasn’t the only one building an army.
“Why is Zerina so important?”
“He wouldn’t tell me. Knowing Chronos, he probably had one of his visions.”
“He went to a lot of trouble to have her killed. He would have succeeded if Grimm hadn’t found her.”
“Have you asked Zerina if she has any idea?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I didn’t want to frighten her. She’s sensitive.”
“Like I don’t know that. I was ready to throw myself in the fire pit when she was wandering around through the tunnels after she found out you have concubines. I would have—”
“I know what you would have done,” Hades cut him off. “Lucky for her, she’s not yours. She’s mine.”
Hades recognized the gleam in Zeus’s eyes. Jealously.
He took a step toward his brother when a terror-stricken cry drew his full attention to Zerina.
“What is it?” Zeus paled at the expression that crossed Hades’ face.
“Chronos and Merlin have made their move. So, what’s it going be Zeus? Are you going to be their pawn, or are you going to be the king you were meant to be?”
Chapter 32
“What’s happening?” Abby screamed as she held the end of the bar to keep from falling.
Zerina looked at her mother as she held on to it also.
The earth had started shaking as she and her family had been waiting for the men’s return.
“We are being attacked.” Fate had made her way to the window to stare outside.
“By whom?” Cara held on to the wall as she made her way to the window.
Zerina took Broni’s, and together they managed to steady themselves to stand beside their mother.
“Mother above!” Zerina whispered.
The sight she saw was beyond anything she had seen before.
“What is that thing?”
“That is Typhoeus. He’s been imprisoned beneath a mountain. He’s broken free.” Fate put a shacking hand on the windowsill.
“How?”
Fate pointed at those who were following behind the volcano god’s path of destruction.
“The bastard!” Destiny shoved herself to the front of the crowd who was gathering to watch inside. Screams filled the air as those outside ran, trying to find a place to hide from the wind that was battering them.
Valentine went to open the door to let them inside.
“Don’t open the door,” Fate ordered as the gate outside flew toward the sky until it was out of sight.
“We can’t just leave them outside!” Cara turned to open the door herself, but Fate stopped her.
“They’re already fleeing from the back. Chronos doesn’t want them.”
“What does he want?” Zerina watched as Typhoeus stopped moving, letting the wind die down.
“He’s about to tell us.”
Chronos moved his chariot until he could be seen over Typhoeus’ enormous body.
“Send Zerina out!” Chronos shouted.
Zerina’s hand went to her chest, seeing everyone’s eyes on her. “Me? Why does he want me?”
“Typhoeus could crush this place with one foot; why aren’t they?” Broni asked, tightening her grasp on Zerina’s hand.
Fate didn’t take her gaze away from the window. “Because he wants her alive.”
“I’ll go—”
“Stay still.” Fate nodded her head back to what was happening outside.
Zerina looked. “Mother!”
Zerina saw Mother appear outside the window. Her regal body blocked the clubhouse as Jinx appeared next to her.
“Wife, I see you have decided to show yourself.” Chronos wasn’t intimidated by her arrival.
“You no longer are a husband of mine. I have put up with you for far too long. If Jinx hadn’t warned me, you would have had casted a spell so that I wouldn’t be able to protect what I created.”
“It would have been easier for you that way. Now you will witness earth’s destruction firsthand.”
“Why, Chronos? Why earth? You will destroy your sons and everyone connected to it?”
“Earth is where you derive most of your power. These humans are weak, but they worship you instead of me! If my sons don’t stand with me, then they are against me, so why should I care if they are destroyed?”
“No one is standing against you. You are just as beloved as me. But that isn’t enough for you, is it? Nothing will ever be enough for you, until you are standing alone. Who will you rule then?”
Chronos’ expression grew triumphant. “I’m not the one standing alone.”
“Neither am I. You are a coward, Chronos. You came here with those who have betrayed my love to attack a place that is filled with women and a messenger of love. It’s easy to be brave when the odds are in your favor.”
Mother took a brave step forward. “Warriors!”
Zerina and the others saw Hades appear. She gave a fearful gasp as he strode over to stand behind Mother’s left shoulder.
She was so busy watching Hades, it was only when Zeus stopped to stand at Mother’s right shoulder that she saw him.
Broni and Cara both repeated her gasps when Jericho and Rhys appeared, with Balder by his side, axe in hand. They moved to spread out beside Hades.
A flash of lightning slammed toward the spot next to Zeus as Thor took a place next to him.
The next to arrive was Odin and his warriors from Valhalla. Odin crossed his arms as he moved to stand next to Thor, his men lining up behind him.
Valentine went to the door as other gods and goddesses appeared. Zerina knew where he was going, so were Destiny and her mother, who moved toward the door.
She and her sisters started to go also.
“No, Destiny,” their mother interrupted, “stay here and don’t let them come out. Cara and Broni, stay and protect your sister.”
Destiny hugged Fate and Valentine before returning to their side.
Zerina stared at her parents, her heart aching, afraid of what was about to happen. “I’m going—”
“There’s a reason that Chronos wants you. Stay.”
It was the hardest thing
she had ever had to do to—watching them go out the door without her.
They watched as Fate and Valentine took a place in the expanding line to stand behind Mother.
“I wish I had been able to meet my nephew.” Cara and Jericho had left their newborn son in the safety of their mother’s castle.
“You will,” Cara assured her.
The sisters stood side by side, watching as Chronos’ army gathered around him. Montu, the Egyptian war god; Dionysus; Merlin; and Aeolus moved to stand by Chronos’ chariot. Then Ares jumped up onto the chariot that held Chronos.
Zerina wasn’t surprised to see Aphrodite in the middle of the crowd. The two lovers always stuck together. Mother had been a vocal opponent of their continuing affair. Atlas and Nereus appeared, shoving their way to the front of the line.
When the former king of the sea’s appeared, Poseidon appeared next to Hades. They clasped each other before facing forward again.
Both Mother and Chronos had built their armies until they were spread out as far as the eye could see. Mother’s outnumbered Chronos two to one.
Zerina grew even more fearful that her grandfather didn’t seem worried by Mother’s numbers.
“You can stop this now, wife. Give me Zerina and return home,” he shouted out.
“I do not believe, even with Zerina’s help, you can beat me,” Mother raised her voice back at him.
“She has the Omphalos stone. I saw her holding it in one of my visions. I want her, or there won’t be a speck of dirt when I’m finished.”
“I don’t have it,” Zerina whispered in the mounting tension of the clubhouse. “I’ve never seen it.”
“There won’t be anything, regardless if she does give it to you.” Mother didn’t get angry often, but when she did, then… Chronos and the army behind him tensed at her glare, waiting to see who would make the first move. “You think you can beat me with that paltry army? You have my permission to make the first move.”
“I don’t need your permission. But if you’re stupid enough to put your faith in those behind you, who am I to argue? Morgana!”
Zerina clutched the windowsill until her fingers turned white as Morgana exultantly stepped forward to grasp Merlin’s hand, which they lifted into the air, chanting a spell that opened a doorway.
