Cursed by the Gods

by Raye Wagner

  He inclined his head, and his eyes closed just too long to be a blink. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” Like that would make it better? How much had he read? How much did he know?

  She didn’t know what to say. Her eyes bulged, and the lump in her throat wouldn’t go away.

  “I was there.” He swallowed as if the words were painful to speak. “I was there when your mom died.”

  Her heart stopped. “Oh, gods. Did . . . Did you kill her?”

  He shook his head. “NO! Skata. No. I was there when Apollo showed up.”

  That couldn’t be. Skia had killed her mother. “You’re lying.”

  “Gods. I have no reason to lie, Hope. Apollo came, yelled at your mom about fulfillment of the curse, and Thanatos ripped her soul from her body. I saw it happen.”

  “Apollo would have no reason to kill her.”

  “If she was married, it would fulfill the curse, right?”

  “Get out.” Every fiber wanted to lash out at him, but fear held her in place. He was a liar, a thief, and a demigod.

  “Hope—”

  “GET OUT!” Desperate to make him leave, she flung the red leather volume through the air, the pages fluttering.

  Athan caught the book, slamming the cover shut. “No. Not yet. You need to hear me. Then if you want me to leave, I will. Please . . .”

  She said nothing, but, clenching her teeth, she pulled out the golden dagger. “If you even try—”

  “I won’t hurt you, Hope. Not ever.” He blew out a long breath and set the book on the couch. “I’m sorry. So, so sorry. I was surprised yesterday, and I wasn’t thinking clearly. I won’t take you to my father.” He pointed at the book. “I didn’t know all of that.”

  He then told her how he was there when Apollo had Thanatos kill her mom, how his father, Hermes, wanted to find the Sphinx, to get back at Apollo. He told her how he’d come to do a job, find the Sphinx, but that he’d found the demigods Brand and Chelli, and how he’d tried to get them to go to a conservatory. Chelli only went after Brand was killed. Athan told Hope how she’d attracted his attention, and then he had to investigate her, too.

  “But remember the night we kissed? It was the first time in forever that I actually cared about something other than my job, or pleasing my dad. I tried to tell you . . .”

  She did remember. She’d been so confused by his words. She took a deep breath. “How do I know you’re not playing me now? How do I know you’re not going to leave and call your father?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Really, Hope? If I was going to turn you over, don’t you think I would have already? I mean, why be here now talking to you?”

  Good point. “What about the Skia, Darren? Will he be back?”

  Athan chuckled. “The wound was superficial, but it still came from an immortal blade. He won’t be back in this realm for a while. You made nice work of him.”

  Hope felt a stirring of pride.

  “Please. Don’t run. Don’t leave Goldendale. Stay here. You have people who care about you. Please.”

  “I don’t trust you.”

  He nodded. “I know. And I deserve that. But I’m hoping you’ll let me earn that trust back.”

  Was it wrong that she wanted to? “What about your dad?”

  It was the last of her protests.

  “Let all of this settle down, and I’ll talk to him. He’ll understand. You’ll see.”

  Her exhaustion pulled her to the ground, the walls around her heart crumbling, and she sat in a heap. “How do I know I can trust you?”

  He sat next to her on the beige carpet and put his arm around her. Leaning over, he kissed her temple.

  “Trust me,” he whispered.

  She leaned into him; the swelling in her heart told her she already did.

  “I thought you guys broke up?” Haley frowned. “Not that I wanted you broke up, but Krista’s been telling everyone—”

  Hope rolled her eyes. “You think Krista would know?”

  “I guess not. Did you guys skip together yesterday?”

  Hope blushed. “We just had to figure some things out. Athan’s a little . . .”

  She searched for the right word.

  “Dramatic?” Haley asked, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Sensitive,” Athan finished as he wrapped his arms around Hope. “Miss me?” He kissed her.

  Her blush felt like the sun scorching her skin. “I . . . uh . . . yes.”

  “Ugh. I’m going to go find Tristan. You two . . .” Haley waved her hand. “Carry on. I’ll see you at lunch.”

  Athan laughed, his gaze soaking her in. “Did you talk with Mr. Jeffers?”

  Hope nodded. “He was very understanding.”

  She didn’t bother to say how the principal had stuttered over his “welcome back” speech, and praised her “exemplary study habits.”

  “I’m still going to have to figure out something for next year.” She sighed.

  “Always planning ahead, aren’t you?” He turned her so they were facing each other. “We’ll figure it out. Maybe Myrine could adopt you.” He leaned forward.

  “Eww.” Hope pulled back. “That would be sick.”

  “Shhh. Stop worrying, and let me kiss you.”

  And she did.

  Hope sat in chemistry, watching Mr. Burgess write his name in alcohol and then set it on fire. There was seriously something wrong with him.

  She closed her eyes, and Angela’s excitement burned her ears.

  “No, his name is Tre. And he has two older brothers,” Angela said.

  Hope shook her head and opened her eyes.

  Krista was practically glowing.

  Tre. The new kid. Of course. Hope had only seen the young man from the back. He was tall and blond, and his neck was tan. Very tan.

  “He is, by far, the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Like, so much hotter than Athan.” Krista turned to Hope and offered a smirk. “No offense.”

  Hope shrugged. “None taken.”

  Most of the venom from the little cheerleader had dissipated over the last couple of weeks. To have someone else absorb all of Krista’s attention? Hope couldn’t be happier.

  “So, why isn’t he in school? I saw him yesterday in the hall, and he said he was registering.” Krista pushed her lips out in a pout.

  “Oh, no. He’s not starting school till next year. They moved here from Tennessee, and the school year there gets out in May. He’s already finished.”

  Of course Angela would know.

  “Really? Dang it. I could really use the eye candy. I’m so over this already.”

  “There’s only three days left,” Angela said in a conciliatory tone.

  Hope smiled to herself, thinking of summer plans with Athan, Haley, and Tristan.

  Hope stared out the window at the blue sky while Mr. Burgess continued to ramble about how chemistry made the world go round.

  The bell rang, and Hope caught the end of Angela and Krista’s conversation.

  “Well, get your mom to get his address so we can invite them to do stuff. I don’t want to wait till next year.”

  Hope shook her head.

  Poor guys.

  “Mr. Stanley!” Hope smiled at the butcher as she walked up to the meat counter. “Why didn’t you tell me Haley was your daughter?”

  The balding man laughed as if she’d cracked a joke. “I knew you’d figure it out. Done with school, eh?”

  She nodded. “I need something to help me celebrate.”

  “I have just the thing.” He turned and grabbed a pair of gloves. “Do you have a riddle for me today?”

  “Actually, I do. What’s more powerful than Zeus, more evil than Hades, the rich want it, the poor have it, and if you eat it, you’ll die?”

  He laughed again. “I’m not sure I agree with your assessment of the gods, but I know this one: Nothing.” He started packaging up her meat. “Are you and Haley going into Portland to . . .” His eyes narrowed.

  Hope turned
to see what he was looking at.

  Three boys—two of them looked more like men—stood at the deli. The tallest one was talking with the man behind the counter, and the other two pushed each other in some testosterone-laden contest. Hope shook her head. She’d seen them a couple of times around town. The three blonds were equally tall, with broad shoulders. These were the guys Krista wanted to get to know; the youngest one would be in their class next year.

  Mr. Stanley muttered something under his breath and then turned back to Hope. His normally jovial face was set in a hard line.

  “I hope they don’t knock something over,” Hope said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

  Mr. Stanley came around the counter and handed Hope the package of meat.

  “Don’t hang out with them, okay?” His gray eyes were hard as stone. “Those guys . . . those kinds of guys are nothing but trouble.” But it sounded like he meant those guys in particular.

  Hope took the steaks, a little freaked out by the butcher’s intensity. He’d never given her advice before. Strange that he thought she needed it now.

  “I wasn’t going to.” She had no interest in the brash trio. “Thanks Mr. Stanley.”

  He nodded, but his eyes stayed on the three young men.

  Hope walked through her door and then kicked it closed behind her.

  Arms full of groceries, she walked through her living room, pausing to look at the pictures on the mantel—one of Hope and Athan soaking wet and laughing after a water fight a week ago, and another of Hope and Haley down at the river. There was another of Hope, Athan, Haley, and Tristan outside Stonehenge in Maryhill. The pictures of Hope’s mom and Priska were harder to look at. No, not harder, just more bittersweet.

  There were still a few boxes scattered throughout the house. Items she hadn’t needed yet sat neglected in half-empty boxes. She’d finish unpacking when she got back this weekend.

  Hope set the groceries down and started putting things away.

  In the morning, she would change into the Sphinx. There was no dread in her anticipation of the change. It was amazing to think that tomorrow morning she’d be flying through the mountains. And when she got back, Athan would be waiting.

  Her phone rang.

  She glanced at the screen before answering it.

  “Hello. Yes, I will wait for Mr. Davenport.” Hope thought she was being cheeky. She was feeling cheeky. Her smile fell when the woman spoke.

  “Hope is that you?”

  Hades in hell.

  “Aunt . . . Priska?” Her mind spun.

  Priska sobbed into the phone, her words incoherent.

  Hope slumped to the floor. How . . . How could this be? Her heart thundered.

  Priska was back! Un-freaking-believable.

  “Where have you been?” she whispered.

  Hope said nothing while Priska unfolded the impossible.

  She’d gone to Nashville. There was an Athenian temple downtown and a conservatory in the suburbs. Priska had convinced a group of demigods that she was one of them. Hades, she was one of them. She moved in and then fished for information.

  “I thought . . .” Priska hiccupped. “I got careless. I must’ve gotten careless. I thought I was covering my tracks.”

  Silence.

  “What happened?”

  “There were three. Sons of Apollo.” Priska’s voice was little more than a whisper. “They . . . kidnapped me.”

  Hope had no idea what to say. Kidnapped? Thoughts of torture, beatings, and hateful words pulsed in her mind. She wanted to know, and yet . . . She dreaded the information. “What did they do?”

  Priska sucked in a deep breath. “It was Apollo, Hope. Apollo killed your mom. Oh, gods Hope. Your mom . . . She married Paul . . . the day she died. The wedding certificate was here in the mail. She fulfilled the curse.”

  It wasn’t the question Hope had asked. Somehow she knew it was horrible. Or Priska would’ve told her.

  But she’d confirmed what Athan had said. He’d been right. Hope had accepted his explanation, but to hear it . . . to know it.

  Apollo! She hated him! Hate wasn’t even a strong enough word. How dare he?

  She knew the answer, and it was bitter.

  Hopelessness flooded her heart. Her breathing hitched, and Hope brought her hand to her mouth. Tears leaked in a slow stream, and she scrubbed at her eyes, trying to dam them. Fulfillment of the curse, and Apollo had killed her mother. There was nothing she could do.

  “Where are you?”

  The question brought Hope back to the present. “In a small town in Eastern Washington, Goldendale.”

  “Are you safe?”

  Hope thought about the question. Safe? What did that even mean? Safe from what? Safe from whom? She had friends who cared. A demigod boyfriend who would fight Skia for her. “I think so.” Hope told Priska everything. About Mr. Jeffers, the Skia, Brand, Chelli . . . and Athan. “I haven’t seen a Skia since that attack almost a month ago. I think it’s good. Athan and I—”

  “Aphrodite and Eros. You fell in love.” The words were quiet, but they exploded over the phone. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Priska seethed.

  The anger burned, and Hope felt raw hurt. “I—”

  “Don’t lie to me. I can hear it in your love-sick voice. How could you be so . . .”

  She didn’t finish, but Hope could fill in the blank.

  “I didn’t mean to, but—”

  “You didn’t mean to?” Priska sounded on the edge of hysteria. “Do you remember what I just told you? I’m sure your mother didn’t mean to fall in love, either.”

  The words were physical blows.

  “How . . . how could you say that? Athan is—” Who was this woman? Her aunt was never so cruel.

  “I’m trying to protect you.” Priska fumed. “Did you sleep with him?”

  “What? No!” Mortification heated her cheeks. What a nightmare! She could barely listen while Priska lectured on.

  “Well, that’s a mercy. Don’t let infatuation with a cute boy be mistaken for love. And don’t be stupid. Or maybe it’s already too late.”

  Hope wished she’d never answered the phone, and then guilt poked her in the chest.

  Priska sighed. “I want you to come live with me.”

  “In Seattle?” Was she kidding?

  “I’ll move to the Eastside if you like, or even up north, although the commute will kill me. But I can’t have you over there at the whim of Hermes’s son.”

  “No. I’m happy here.” There was no way that was happening. No way.

  “You can even bring your demigod boyfriend if he wants to come. I want you close to me.” She sounded exhausted. “Hope, those sons of Apollo are after you. If they find you . . . I don’t even want to think about what would happen.”

  “I’m in the middle of nowhere. They’re not going to find me.” It wasn’t just Athan. She had friends. People who cared about her . . . Haley, Tristan, Mr. Stanley . . .

  “Hope!”

  “No.” She let out a slow breath. “I’ll come for a visit, but I’m not moving.”

  “Then maybe I’ll move over there.”

  Hope wasn’t sure if it was meant as a threat, a gesture of love, or a sign of fear. “If that’s what you want.”

  Priska could make her own decisions, and so would Hope.

  “Will you come for a visit? Maybe stay the weekend?”

  Hope nodded. “Of course. I’ll come . . . tonight. I have to change into the Sphinx, but I can just stay with you. I’ve missed you.”

  Priska started sobbing again. “I would love that. I’ve missed you, too.” She coughed, then cleared her throat. “For what it’s worth, I’m so grateful you found friends who helped you.”

  A mixture of love and pain crashed through Hope’s heart. “Of course. I’m so glad . . . I’m so happy you’re back.”

  They said their goodbyes, then Hope looked at her watch.

  Athan would be home now. She could just take the steaks
over there and tell him what happened. Because really, it was a miracle.

  She texted him, then took a few minutes to gather up the food before she raced out the door.

  Life wasn’t meant to be lived in perfect safety. Living was all about risks, love, loss, joy, pain, sorrow, and triumph. Hiding was a shallow existence; it wasn’t living. And now that she knew it, Hope wasn’t going to stop living.

  “Dad, you’re asking the impossible.” Athan shifted from foot to foot. “You wanted me to find one person out of millions.”

  Hermes lifted his eyebrows. “It’s your specialty. Finding people.” He frowned. “And, if you haven’t found the Sphinx, then why are you still in this little town?”

  Athan blushed, and, for the first time in his life, he was at a loss for words.

  “Well, well. What did you find? Are you in love, my son?” Hermes laughed and clapped him on the back. “Love is a grand thing, to be celebrated for sure.” He draped his coat over the back of the upholstered chair and faced his son. “You must tell me all about her, but first let’s talk about the Sphinx. There is word on Olympus that Apollo’s sons are hunting the monster.”

  Apollo’s sons? Could he never catch a break? “What will you do with her? When I find her?”

  “If Apollo wants his monster, surely he will bargain for it.”

  “You would hold her for ransom? Dangle her like bait?” Athan clenched his jaw. Was his dad always this calloused?

  “It almost sounds like you care about this beast.” Hermes sat and put his head in his hands. “Athan. I need to you to find the monster. Your love . . . she’ll understand.”

  Athan faced his father. “I can’t do what you’re asking me. I . . . I don’t want to hunt down the Sphinx.”

  Hermes looked up and frowned. “You are the best, and I need this.” He stared at Athan, probing. “Have you already found it?”

  Athan willed his face blank and shook his head.

  Hermes sucked in his breath. “You would lie . . . to me?”

  His father’s gaze seemed to pierce Athan’s mind, but he couldn’t look away.