Open Your Heart

by Aspen Winters

  "I think Ace will fit you. It isn't an ordinary name, but it isn't a weird one either."

  The puppy made another whining noise, causing me to laugh as it moved around in my lap. I picked it up and held it in front of my face, giving it a kiss on the nose.

  "We will get along great. I know it." Smiling I laid down, letting the puppy lay on my stomach so I could continue to pet it. Today had sure been a day. An emotional day too, I was exhausted.

  I closed my eyes and fell into a light sleep. Wondering what tomorrow would be like...and hoped when I went back to my apartment my phone calls to my family wouldn't end up horrible.

  ~Hades~

  I had left Clara, appearing close by where I needed to be. I knew better than just to appear in Zeus’ office. Last time I almost got electrocuted for doing so. I did not need a repeat performance. I entered his office, eyes glancing over to the visitor in the room. My lip curled back as my eyes narrowed.

  Ares.

  We never got along. I would stay civil to him, for now.

  "I see we have a visitor," I spoke, looking over to Zeus who gave me a nod. I saw that Eros was here as well. We were just missing Poseidon and Ra. I didn't have a clue to where those two were.

  "Where are the other two?" I frowned as I glanced at Are again. He was leaning against a wall, arms crossed over his chest, with his eyes closed. I wasn't fooled though. He was anything but relaxed. He could pounce and kill anyone in a second without the other person knowing what even happened.

  "Ra is checking with another Egyptian god about making some seals for Clara's home. Poseidon had to go to Atlantis to check on something. He looked worried," Zeus shared, standing from his desk.

  My eye glanced at the desk and saw many papers. I could see some of them were notes about Clara from Airmed and there was a file I knew that was on Cronus sitting next to it.

  My eyes narrowed at this. "Is there a reason you summoned me now instead of in the morning like planned?" We had set up a meeting with everyone in the morning. Something must have happened to move it up.

  Ares opened his eyes, standing up and moving forward. "Something happened. I had gone to visit Fate, because my Bonded had a few questions for her." He paused, eyes flickering to us.

  "Fate is gone."

  There was total since in the room after that was said.

  Fate gone. What did he exactly meant by that?

  "Gone...?" I raised an eyebrow, surprise showing on my face as I tried to understand what he meant by gone.

  "Her tower is a mess. I felt the residue of magic there too. Someone has taken her," Ares told us gravely.

  This wasn't good. If the Titans got a hold of her, that could mean the end of things for gods. Fate was usually careful and able to avoid people when she wanted too. For her to be taken…

  "There is no trace of where she could be?" I asked, feeling dread take over me. This was not good. Clara would be in more danger now. She wouldn't be safe on her own. If Cronus caught her now, and he had Fate… He could break the bond. That would kill her and eventually all five of us who were connected to her.

  "What are we going to do then? If she was taken...we all know how much danger our Bonded ones are in," I spoke, looking at Zeus who looked like he aged. His face was tired, and shoulders were slumped.

  "We are going to be relocating a lot of them. Some are going to go to Valhalla, and Poseidon is getting Atlantis ready too. There will be some coming here as well," Zeus informed me, running a hand over his face as he sighed.

  "Once Ra gets back, we are going to have him and a few others make the protection wards stronger around those three places, along with some other gods. We want to stick to those three, because they are the hardest to gain access to," Ares spoke up, as he frowned. He was in war mode now.

  "Everything is going to be on lock down then," I stated, already knowing the answer as I saw Ares nod.

  "Once the Bonded are in, we are going on lock down and not going to let people out unless we have to. This will make things safer for all of us. This may not be the most liked option, but it will be the safest," the god of war told us.

  We did understand this, but it didn't mean it was going to be well liked. I knew for a fact Clara wasn't going to like this, and I just hoped she would cooperate and not fight it.

  "Are you still taking Clara to her apartment tomorrow?" I wanted to know if all of us would have to go with her tomorrow. I would put off my duties in the Underworld for a few hours. I needed to go asses the dead souls though. I had put it off for the last few days so I could stay close to Clara.

  "Yes. I will be taking her. Ra is going to have the protection talismans up there, so we will be safe for a couple of hours. I promised her she could call her family. We aren't going to be leaving her apartment," Zeus acknowledged.

  I nodded, as long as they didn't leave the apartment then there shouldn't be a problem. I didn't want to hear about another kidnapping while I was in the Underworld. One kidnapping was enough. Last time I had almost gone mad with worry.

  "There are going to be people arriving tonight. Once you are done with things in the Underworld come back and we can start going over plans," Ares demanded, eyes narrowed as he looked at me.

  I sighed, knowing that I wouldn't be sleeping for a few days because of this. "I will finish up as quickly as I can." I turned my attention to Zeus. "I gave Clara a hellhound already. It is bonded with her, so she will have extra protection for now."

  The blue eyed god gave a nod. "That is good. I will see her in the morning. For now I am going to make sure everyone has the right accommodations when arriving."

  I gave a sharp nod. "I will take my leave. I will talk to a few people while I am down there too. Maybe get an insight on what we can do." I knew a few demi gods that could be of help.

  I then gave them a small nod and left in a swirl of shadows. I had a lot to do now that this had happened.

  War was coming, and we had to be ready.

  ~Clara~

  I woke up with a start. Feeling something wet on my face. I blinked the sleep out of my eyes and looked at what was in my face. There was Ace, the hell hound. He was twice as big as he was last night, sitting next to me with his head titled as he brought his face down to give my face another lick.

  I laughed, sitting up. I gave him a pat on the head, earning a bark from him.

  "I take it that was my wakeup call?" I asked, laughing.

  Ace gave another bark, his ears twitching as he looked at me.

  "You definitely got bigger overnight," I mused aloud as I looked him over. I reached out and scratched him behind the ear, smiling as he closed his eyes and leaned into my hands.

  "Here I always thought hellhounds to be big and scary," I told him, laughing when I saw dark eyes give me a glare.

  I laughed. "Now, now. I am only telling you the truth."

  Ace gave me a look, taking his head away from my hand, causing my laughter to increase.

  "Don't be like that." He was a sensitive thing it seemed. My grin widened as he gave me a small growl.

  He is so cute.

  I never thought a hellhound would be cute, let alone meet one. Being in this world with gods and different creatures was different. I was still trying to wrap my mind around it all. I knew it was happening, but sometimes I felt I was dreaming it all up.

  I was brought out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. I frowned, getting out of the bed and fixing the dress I was in.

  "Come in," I said, and the door opened a minute later.

  Zeus stood there, eyes scanning the room till it landed on me. "Good morning. Did I wake you?" he asked, stepping into the room. He still looked tired, making me frown at him.

  "No I was awake already," I told him, trying to figure out why he still looked so tired. There was something wrong and I knew I wasn't being told something.

  "Good. Why don't we head out to your home then? You can grab some of your belongings," Zeus urged, not looking me in the eyes.

&nbs
p; There was definitely something going on.

  I nodded, I could change into my own clothes when I got to my apartment. The dress was pretty, but I would like to wear my own clothes and not something I borrowed from a dead woman.

  "Come here Ace," I called to the hellhound who moved over to the side of the bed so I could pick him up. I looked at Zeus and he was watching my interaction with the hellhound.

  "When we get back I will make sure there is a bowl of meat for him here waiting." Zeus looked away from Ace and motioned me closer.

  I did as instructed, Ace in my arms.

  Zeus wrapped an arm around my waist and we were gone in a blinding light. The next moment we were in my apartment, my head a bit fuzzy from the travel.

  I blinked a couple of the black dots from my eyes before I bent down to let Ace roam the apartment while I gathered some of my belongings and made a call to Hope and my mother.

  "How long do I have?" With how busy everyone seemed, I was guessing I had a time limit here. That and he seemed to be distracted and not very talkative today.

  "Not that long. Enough time for you to gather you things," Zeus spoke, eyes glancing around my apartment. It was as if he was expecting an attack at any moment.

  I narrowed my eyes. I was definitely being kept in the dark about something. "Are you alright? You haven't really talked to me since Cronus..." I paused, biting my lip. I wondered if he was mad at me. I could understand him not wanting to talk to me because of that. "Are you mad that I didn't listen to you about staying in?" I asked, looking at him to see if I could figure out anything from his facial reactions. I couldn't.

  He kept his face blank as I talked.

  "I never did apologize for losing my temper and wanting to get out of the house..."

  Still he didn't say anything.

  I sighed, turning around. "Never mind. I will go gather my things." I went to go to my room, but Zeus turned me around.

  He looked at me with a frown before quickly releasing me. "You didn't make me angry..."

  I raised an eyebrow at him, causing a small laugh to release from him.

  "I was angry, at you and myself for letting you out of my sights so easily. I let my anger get in the way." His blue eyes darkened as he continued, "If that didn't happen, maybe you wouldn't have gotten into that Titan’s clutches."

  I tilted my head. "It was never your fault. I was a bit demanding and wasn't taking no for an answer. No one is really at fault but the Titans for my kidnapping." I gave him a small smile, trying to reassure him that I never blamed him and he shouldn't blame himself either.

  "Now, am I going to be told why you are so on guard today? You are looking around as if expecting someone to attack at any second." I knew there was something going on, but they were keeping it from me.

  "We can talk more of it once we get back to Olympus. We were going to talk to you about it once Hades returned back from the underworld," Zeus shared, running a hand over his face. He really did look tired.

  "Is that what is making you look so exhausted? You look like you could use some rest," I scolded, and paused after I said that. I didn't expect to be so worried about him. He had been an ass to me since we had met, but I guess I had been a bitch to him too. I may be getting a soft spot for all the gods.

  "It is one of the things." He gave a smirk, as he leaned down so we were at the same level. "Have you been watching me, Clara?"

  I shivered at the way he said my name, and he knew it by the way he smirked. I huffed, turning and going into my bedroom. I heard his laughter from the other room, causing me to roll my eyes and a slow smile to creep up on my face.

  Maybe he will start to be in a better mood now.

  I went to the side table by my bed and grabbed the house phone, I didn't know where my cell phone ended up after my kidnapping. I would have to get a new one soon. I dialed the phone, calling Hope first. I heard the dial tone and the ringing started. I frowned as it rang for the fifth time and her voicemail pick up.

  This is Hope, I am either avoiding you or at school. Leave me a message and I may get back to you!

  I frowned and tried calling her one more time and still no answer. Hope was usually good at answering her phone. It was early too, so she wouldn't be at school yet. She didn't have class till around eleven in the morning.

  Maybe she is at the dance studio?

  Looking at the phone again I sighed, knowing what kind of phone call this would end up being. Taking a deep breath I dialed my mother’s phone number, holding my breath and hoping she didn't answer. I wasn't so lucky though.

  "Finally calling me back I see. Did you get dumped by your guy friend?"

  I rolled my eyes. "No Mother. I was just returning your calls. I have been busy." I wasn't going to tell her with what. She didn't need any details.

  "Busy. Sure."

  Sighing I pinched the bridge of my nose in irritation. "What can I help you with? I am going to be busy for the next few days or more." I needed an excuse to why I wouldn't be answering my phone, because I knew that would be the next question she would ask.

  "And why will you be so busy you won't be able to answer my calls." There was a pause before another question was asked, "And why haven't you been answering your cell phone? I sent you plenty of texts."

  There it is.

  "I am going to be out of town. I have a few things to do." Not a lie. I will be out of town...really, really out of town.

  "As for the phone...I have no clue at the moment." I really didn't have a clue where it ended up. It could be on the side of the street somewhere for all I knew.

  "You should never be too busy for your family. It is bad enough Hope is running around doing projects at her friend’s house so she can get away from helping us out at the Church, now you are avoiding me too." I could hear the bitterness in her tone, I chose to ignore it.

  "Is that why she isn't answering her phone. I tried to call her and she isn't picking up." I ignored what Mother said, she liked to complain too much. I also didn't blame Hope for not wanting to help out at the church. That church was one I liked to avoid. They were all too closed minded.

  "Yes. She said the project was a big portion of her grade, and it is for one of her core classes. She needs to pass if she is going to graduate on time."

  "Okay. Thanks. I will talk to you when I get the chance again then." I quickly hung up, not wanting to talk to her very long. Now that she knew that I was alive, she would leave me be for a while.

  I dialed the phone again to try Hope one more time, and no there was nothing. I sighed, giving up. Maybe when I got home again I would try calling her. For now I would pack some belongings. I stood up and was about to go to my closet when I saw Ace walk in.

  "You having fun exploring my apartment?" I asked, bending down to put him.

  He gave a bark, licking my hand.

  "Good. Once I am done packing we can go back to Olympus and I can feed you breakfast...." I scratched him behind the ear, Ace closed his eyes leaning into my hand. "That sound good, huh, boy?"

  Ace gave another bark in reply, making me smile.

  I stood up, opening my closet, grabbing a duffle bag and sat it on the bed. Ace jumped on the bed next to it, tilting his head to the side. He nudged it with his nose, before jumping into it. He looked at me, his tongue hanging out.

  Laughing, I grabbed the hellhound and sat him next to the bag. "I can't fit my things in there with you sitting in it." I gave him a pet before going to my dresser and grabbing clothes and then shoving them in the bag. I only grabbed a few days of clothes, and some hair ties. Nodding, I grabbed the bag and made my way back out to the living room. Zeus was standing there leaning against the wall, eyes closed. When I walked in he opened his eyes.

  "Are you done packing?" he asked, standing straight as his eyes moved to the bag I had hanging off my shoulder.

  "Almost." I moved and sat the bag on the coffee table before moving to my bookcase. I grabbed two books and my journal, and put them in my bag, zippi
ng it up.

  "Now I am ready," I told him.

  Ace came over and sat by my feet, wagging his tail. His red eyes looking up at me. I bent down to pick him, up and moved to stand by Zeus.

  "Good. Then we will head back. I know we have some things to talk about." Zeus gave me a smirk, bringing me close to him before we disappeared in a bright flash.

  I hope these things aren't bad news. I could use some good news!

  ~Clara~

  When we arrived back, Zeus took me to a meeting room of some kind. I sat down waiting for Zeus to say something.

  "So, am I going to be told anything yet?" He had rushed me in here and not talked yet, it was starting to get on my nerves.

  Zeus sighed. "Yes. I am just trying to find the right words, the others were to be here for some of this conversation too." He leaned back in his chair, looking at me with tired eyes as he stared at me from across the table. Whatever he was going to tell me was serious.

  "Do we need to wait for the others to arrive then?" I could wait till they did. I just wanted to be told what was going on. I had a feeling it had to do with the Titans. Maybe they found out something or some way to stop them.

  "No. It is fine. There isn't a lot to go on right now...the others will be fine with me talking to you before they arrive.” He took a deep breath, looking at me for a second before averting his eyes to look at the table in front of us.

  “Last night when Ares came back, he brought bad news. This is why I have been on guard today. I wasn’t going to chance something happening to you while in the human world,” Zeus spoke, his voice dark. Whatever Ares told them, was not good.

  “We have discovered Fate has disappeared. We are assuming it was the Titans. We need to be careful now.”

  I froze at those words. If Fate had been taken...that meant, if I was captured or any other bonded was captured, they could break the bond...forever.

  "What does that mean for me...and the other Bonded Ones?" I had a feeling I wasn't going to like the answer to this.

  "That means things are going to be more on lockdown. Gods are bringing their bonded to secure locations. Olympus is one of those locations." Zeus paused, taking a deep breath. "That means you are probably going to be here longer than a few days. I don't know for sure the length of time."