Hera, Queen of Gods (Goddess Unbound)

by Thomas, T. D.

  A streak of black shot across the sky. Artemis. I couldn’t tell what form she’d taken, but I knew it was her. The intensity alone screamed Artemis.

  The harpy squawked in surprise, and desperately tried to get out of the way--but Artemis was too fast, and the harpy had seen her too late. They collided. They fought ferociously in the air, but it was impossible to see who had the upper hand.

  Then, all of a sudden, they plummeted.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

  Demeter wove her fingers in the air furiously. I spotted the hedges moving in response. If Demeter was right, that’s where they’d land. And that’s where I needed to be.

  I sprinted to where Demeter had twisted the plants into a makeshift cushion. Just as I arrived, Artemis and the harpy slammed into the hedges, smashing right through the cushion in a spray of branches and leaves.

  I skidded to a halt and tore at the bushes, desperately trying to get to Artemis. We didn’t have Apollo anymore. If she was hurt, we’d have to get her help as fast as possible. Mortal help.

  Finally, I spotted a broken hand, impaled with twigs. I panicked. I threw myself at the rest of the plant in a mad frenzy. There was just so much of it left.

  By now, Demeter had reached me. With a wave of her hands, she parted the bushes.

  Artemis was gone.

  Not dead. Gone. The hand I’d found was the harpy’s.

  “I changed form before we hit the ground,” Artemis said from behind. “I had to wait long enough that the harpy wouldn’t have time to pull up.”

  I whirled and embraced her tightly. When I pulled away, she looked at me, stunned.

  “I’m . . . glad,” I managed, my voice breaking with relief. “I can’t lose you too.”

  “We don’t have much time,” Artemis warned awkwardly, pulling away, “before the other harpies realize their scout hasn’t returned, and put two and two together.”

  I took a deep breath. “Then we go in. Now.”

  Once we made it up the tree and onto the roof, Artemis guided us to the window where she’d spotted the others. But the room was dark now.

  Artemis transformed one arm into a hoofed limb and smashed the window.

  “So much for stealth.” I sighed.

  “I think the harpy ruined that already,” she said.

  With that, she stepped through the broken window, and we followed her inside.

  “You two go ahead,” Demeter suggested. “My powers aren’t much good indoors. I’ll stay here and look for anything that might help us.”

  I nodded. “Just be careful. We don’t know what to expect.”

  Artemis and I headed into the hall, and almost collided with the woman I’d seen at the door. Her jaw dropped.

  “Who are you? Get out of my house! I’m calling the police!” she screamed.

  I called up my power. The woman froze, waiting.

  “Ian is your son?” I asked.

  She nodded.

  “Take us to him,” I ordered.

  Ian’s mother turned robotically and headed down the hall. She led us down the stairs to the main floor and then to the top of another set of stairs, leading to the basement.

  Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the house into darkness. The woman didn’t react. Artemis and I exchanged a glance.

  “That can’t be good,” Artemis said.

  “Something isn’t right,” I replied. “This woman’s mind. It’s so . . . easy to control. I mean, she’s like a zombie. It’s like . . .” And then it hit me. “She’s had her mind controlled before. Not very well, but a lot.”

  “Ian,” Artemis replied.

  My eyes widened. “But if he has the power to control minds, then--”

  “He can control us,” Artemis finished grimly.

  “Bingo,” a familiar voice agreed.

  Artemis shoved me so fast and hard that I slammed into the wall, the wind knocked out of me. When I turned, gasping, I saw a knife embedded in the frame of the doorway to the basement, right where I’d been standing.

  “Stay down!” Artemis shouted. “Demeter, lock the door! Hermes has gone rogue!”

  I went cold.

  Hermes was an unparalleled fighter--fast, skilled, ruthless. And, if that weren’t bad enough, he was invisible. I wouldn’t even see him until it was too late.

  Artemis dragged me toward the kitchen, staying as low as she could. She moved quickly and calmly, occasionally stopping to let a knife bury itself into the wood just in front of us or right behind us. Her keen senses and incredible reflexes saved my life a dozen times by the time we finally reached the kitchen.

  Still there was no sign of Hermes. He’d use both his lethal knife-fighting skills and his invisibility to fulfill the orders Ian had implanted in his mind--and I didn’t have to guess what those were.

  Crouching, Artemis tucked me behind the island in the kitchen. I couldn’t imagine what I would’ve done without her. I was no match for Hermes, not when it came to fighting. Not in the mortal world.

  “You think it’s him?” Artemis asked, as she pulled out a knife Hermes had thrown into the side of the island.

  “No,” I said, after a terrible moment of actually considering it. “Hermes isn’t the traitor.”

  Another knife whizzed by the island.

  “You sure?” Artemis asked again.

  “Yes,” I said. “Think about it. If he wanted me dead, I’d be dead. He wouldn’t have spoken before attacking us, and he wouldn’t be wasting knives trying to hit us now. He’s smarter than that. Ian’s the one behind this, and Hermes is fighting him as much as he can every step of the way.”

  “What do you want to do?” Artemis asked.

  I knew exactly what she meant.

  “I won’t have another god die,” I warned.

  “Mind telling him that?” she replied.

  Her eyes scanned above us. Hermes could attack anytime from any direction. We were sitting ducks, and however much Hermes was fighting Ian, we couldn’t bet our lives on him winning.

  “Hermes, I’m your queen!” I called out. “Obey me and lay down your weapons.”

  His mocking laughter resounded off the walls.

  Well, it was worth a shot. I’d hoped he might actually answer and give us some clue about where he was, but he wasn’t that stupid. Ian’s control was still too strong.

  Artemis grabbed me and hauled me to the side moments before another knife lodged itself where I’d been sitting. In one smooth motion, Artemis leapt to her feet and swept everything sitting on the island toward where Hermes must’ve been.

  But it was too late. The jars and appliances smashed on the ground without hitting anything but the floor. Nothing stuck to him or cut him. Nothing gave us a way to track him. We’d been lucky so far; we couldn’t be lucky forever.

  Hermes was moving too fast. Attacking, then pulling back. He wasn’t risking himself. He knew he had all the time in the world.

  “He keeps attacking me,” I realized.

  “I noticed,” Artemis replied, her eyes studying the room intently for any sign of Hermes.

  “No, I mean he isn’t attacking you,” I said. “Just me. Over and over. It doesn’t make sense. You’re the biggest threat to him.”

  “You could undo whatever Ian did to him though,” Artemis pointed out. “And Ian knows that.”

  She was quivering with restrained energy, ready to explode in any direction at the slightest sign of danger.

  “I think it’s more than that,” I told her. “Go to Demeter. Make sure she’s safe. “

  “My queen--” She began to protest, but I looked deeply in her eyes.

  “Go now!” I commanded.

  Artemis was gone in an instant. Quickly but carefully, keeping her back to the wall, trying to limit the directions that Hermes could attack from. But, as I’d predicted, he didn’t attack her.

  “Show yourself,” I demanded, keeping myself hidden behind the island.

  “I’m going to kill you.”

  It was
Hermes’s voice, but I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. He wouldn’t have spoken if I could have.

  “Fine,” I snapped. “Then face me when you do it. Don’t be a coward.”

  My only answer was mocking laughter. He wasn’t going to take the bait. So I did the only thing I could do. I ran.

  I bolted out of the kitchen, zigzagging as I went. I felt a caress of air as a knife whistled past my ear. I just kept running. I couldn’t hesitate. Hesitation was death. I just had to run.

  I darted down a hallway leading out of the kitchen. If I could lock myself in a room somewhere, I could plan my next move. And at least I’d know which way he’d have to come at me.

  That was my plan.

  But then I fell. Hard. I felt Hermes’s hands on my back a second before I hit the floor. I skidded painfully into the wall. At least he hadn’t stabbed me in the back. Hermes was still fighting Ian as hard as he could.

  Dazed, I tried to scramble to my feet, but I felt the cold steel of a knife pressing against my throat.

  “Last words, my queen?” Hermes asked, materializing in front of me.

  He pressed the blade in deeper. Any further, and he’d slit my throat. But he was smart: he kept his eyes averted.

  “Duck?” I suggested.

  Before he could turn, Artemis smashed him in the head with a frying pan. He hadn’t even heard her creeping up behind him. Or maybe he had, and he’d fought Ian’s control enough to give Artemis the opportunity she needed.

  Hermes slumped to the ground. I quickly felt for a pulse. He was alive. I forced his eyes open. I drew my power into him and erased the commands implanted in his mind.

  “Amateur,” I muttered, as I got to my feet.

  Artemis gave me a quizzical look.

  “I was right. Ian never had full control of him,” I explained.

  “Let’s hope he hasn’t gotten any better at mind control,” Artemis said. “Ian’s been alone with Justin and Ekhidna for a while now.”

  I felt sick. With Hermes no longer stalking us, I had nothing to keep me from worrying about Justin.

  “Get Demeter,” I told her. “For real this time. And take Hermes with you.”

  Artemis nodded. She didn’t seem offended that I’d used my powers on her back in the kitchen, silently commanding her to pretend to go upstairs but then hide and attack Hermes when he revealed himself.

  It’d been a risk. Without Artemis to guard me, Hermes could easily have finished me off. But I’d seen the sloppy work that Ian had done on his mother’s mind, and I’d bet that whatever he’d done to Hermes was equally incompetent. I’d been right.

  Artemis picked up Hermes and left. She and Demeter returned a few minutes later. We headed to the basement door.

  Ian’s mother was still standing there, motionless, exactly where we’d left her. When we approached, she headed into the basement. She was resuming my command to lead us to her son. I caught her arm.

  Without light, the basement was in total darkness. I didn’t want her to trip and kill herself. She was innocent in all of this.

  I nodded at Artemis. Her eyes shifted into cat’s eyes. She had no trouble leading us down into the pitch blackness.

  As we turned a corner in the basement, we could see light coming from under one of the doors. Artemis made sure the area was secure, and then we crept to the door.

  I drew my power into my eyes and, in the faint light of the doorway, I gazed deeply at Artemis and then at Ian’s mother. We needed a plan, but we couldn’t alert whoever was inside.

  As soon as I released them, Artemis handed Demeter her quiver and then melted into the darkness. Ian’s mother stayed precisely where she was. Demeter slung the quiver over her shoulder, took out the bow and notched an arrow. She nodded at me.

  Then, I kicked in the door.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

  The first thing I saw was Justin. He stood, hunched like he was supporting an incredible weight. His fists were balled. His hair was streaked with black. His eyes were crimson. His skin was ghostly white and getting whiter by the second. He was drawing on his powers. A lot. As I watched, he flickered in and out of reality.

  Standing between Justin and me were Ekhidna and Ian.

  Ian looked vaguely familiar. I realized he’d been in my history class. I must’ve passed him dozens of times in the hallways of the school, too, but I’d never really noticed him before. There hadn’t been anything to notice. He was no different than any of the other mortals who existed on the periphery of my attention. Nothing to suggest the truth, that he was completely insane and working with an equally insane god.

  But, looking back, it all made sense. Ian. He’d been at the school. He’d been at the party in the field. He’d even been parked outside Sarah’s apartment. I’d just never noticed. But he’d always been there. Watching. Waiting.

  Demeter fired an arrow directly at Ekhidna, who was still in mortal form.

  She dove out of the way, thanks to her incredible reflexes. Still, the arrow skimmed her shoulder, and blood seeped down her arm.

  Ian whirled. His eyes were a kaleidoscope of power. He’d been trying to mesmerize Justin, and now he was turning that same power on Demeter.

  That explained why Justin was using his powers. He was fighting off Ian’s control by riding the thin line between the mortal world and the Dreamlands.

  But it didn’t make any sense. He should’ve just escaped to the Dreamlands.

  Then I saw it. A deep scratch on his arm. It was beginning to foam. Ekhidna had poisoned him. He must’ve already been drawing on his powers when she did, or she would’ve crippled him already. As it was, she was inflicting enough pain to keep him from concentrating and escaping. She was slowly sapping his strength. The strain of it all was opening him to the madness of the Dreamlands.

  “You betrayed us! I knew it!” Demeter screamed at Ekhidna, following her with the bow.

  Ian’s powers weren’t strong enough to catch her right away. One look at those eyes, and Demeter had been smart enough to avert her gaze.

  “I promisssed Hera I wouldn’t betray her,” Ekhidna hissed. “I sssaid nothing about the ressst of you.”

  “This is the last mistake you’ll ever make,” I snapped.

  “I don’t think so,” Ian said.

  He focused his mesmerizing gaze on me. I almost laughed. His powers were a pathetic imitation of mine. I had more than enough time to summon my own power to block his.

  Ian frowned. He forced more and more power into his eyes. Then he began to tremble. His face and neck flushed deep red. He was angry, and that made his control slip even further. Finally, he had to look away.

  “Give it up, Hera!” he growled. “You can’t win. You can’t force yourself inside my mind. I might not be as strong as you yet, but I’ve got enough power to stop you from getting inside my head. And you can’t touch Ekhidna.”

  “How dare you even speak my name, you insignificant little speck!” I snapped. “You’re just a mortal who’s too stupid to see he’s just being used.”

  “Oh, I know I’m being used,” Ian shot back. “But I’d rather be used by the winning team than be wiped out with the rest of you. You’re right where we want you, Hera. Nowhere near the Fates. Nowhere near stopping us.”

  “Excellent. Then there’s no reason to keep you alive,” I replied evenly.

  “That depends,” he said. “Only Ekhidna can heal Justin. And if she doesn’t, he’s worm food.”

  “You think I’d risk all of existence for one mortal?” I sniffed.

  Ian glanced at Ekhidna. He wasn’t sure. My bluff might’ve worked, but Ekhidna just laughed.

  “Ssshe won’t let Jussstin die,” Ekhidna said. “Ssshe lovesss him.”

  Ian cocked his head. Then he grinned. At Justin. “Wow. Justin. My man! A god. Nice. Never pictured you as a homewrecker though.” His grin disappeared. “Drop your weapons! Or Justin here dies. No offence, old friend.”

  “Save Justin, or you die!” I coun
tered.

  “You and I both know you won’t risssk hisss life,” Ekhidna purred.

  “If we surrender, you’ll just kill him anyway. And all of us,” I pointed out.

  “Kill you? Why? We’re winning!” Ian answered, laughing. “Surrender now and you can join us, join the new order.”

  Realization dawned. “That’s what he promised you, isn’t it?” I replied. “That you’ll become a god? Rule at his side?”

  “Rule is a strong word, but you got to admit it’s quite a step up from being mortal,” Ian said. “It’s not too late to join us, Hera. You can still be part of it. You can still have power. More power than even you’ve ever know. You can be part of the only power in existence.”

  “Power isn’t everything,” I replied coldly.

  “Really? Could’ve fooled me,” Ian said. “Frankly, I really didn’t see that coming. Not from you. I thought you and I were alike, Hera. Ambitious. Strong.” He sighed. “What a disappointment.”

  “Mortality isss affecting her,” Ekhidna sneered.

  “Maybe,” I said. “Or maybe it’s just showing me things I never saw before.”

  “Like love?” Ekhidna laughed.

  “Yes, like love,” I answered. I kept my eyes fixed on Ian. Ekhidna was a lost cause, but I might still be able to reach Ian. “Power isn’t enough. Not if you have to sacrifice everything and everyone for it. You’ll just wind up miserable and alone.”

  “We’re wasssting time,” Ekhidna snapped. “Are you in or out?”

  Demeter and I exchanged a suspicious look. Ekhidna was giving us a choice? She hated us. She’d kill us in a heartbeat. Something was up. Something they weren’t telling us.

  “I’ve thought it over,” I said, “and I think we only need Ekhidna alive to cure Justin.”

  Demeter shot an arrow directly at Ian’s heart.

  It struck him full in the chest. And shattered.

  Ian laughed.

  “Disappointing,” he said again. “You think the only power I have is mind control? How pathetic would that be? Oh, Hera. I’ve got a lot more powers than that. And I’m much better at my other powers. ” He sighed. “Since we can’t settle this nicely, I guess we have to do it the hard way.”