by S. E. Babin
She nodded coolly. "Very well. Let me remove my jacket." With grace from thousands of years being queen, Hera shrugged out of her navy blazer, folded it carefully, and laid it across the back of the announcement booth. "You'll take care of this, won't you?"
The nymph controlling the sound system blinked. "Of course," she said after her surprise wore off. Hera wasn’t known for being nice.
"Thank you."
Hera bowed to the crowd, cracked her knuckles and walked into the center of the ring. I muttered a curse under my breath. Zeus was not going to make this easy on her. I knew it.
Her first challenger was none other than Atlas.
"Oh. Crap," I murmured and pray she'd take it easy on him.
But Hera had apparently never heard of the word "easy." She also liked to taunt her challengers. You learned something new every day. With every blow she landed on him, she insulted his mother, his brothers, sisters, the size of his manhood. Basically anything she could insult, she did. Atlas wasn't quite sure what to make of her, but some insults landed harder than her magic, and by the time they'd sized each other up, Atlas was angrier than I'd ever seen him. Granted, I had never seen the dude truly angry, but Hera was like a probing tongue in a dry tooth socket. She was a beast with the wordplay.
Even I had to admire her ability to punch a man right where it hurt.
His ego.
Just a couple of minutes into the first round with him, she'd asked him if he'd be any easier to understand if his parents had been cousins instead of brother and sister. She then told him if she wanted to die, she'd climb up on top of him and jump down to his IQ level.
But the best one, and one that had me snort laughing like a lunatic, was when she hit him face first with a bolt of magic and asked him his age, interrupted him, and apologized that he couldn't count that high.
By the time she was finished with Atlas, my poor friend was close to tears, and I felt like a terrible person for laughing. But Hera...she had the playground insults down to an exact science. I had no idea she was so hilarious.
I would need to find Atlas after this and make sure he was okay. Maybe I'd also have to teach him some mama jokes in case he ever experienced the likes of a bully like Hera again. Hecate adjusted her fingers as Atlas fell to the ground. Our plan was to make sure any injuries were convincing enough for death. My mother would slip in with her magic, make the heartbeat slow enough to escape detection and when the "bodies" were removed, she'd send them to her castle to recover. Except we hadn't told everyone exactly how we were going to do it mainly because I didn't want them to know. The less anyone knew, the less chance of something going horribly wrong.
One last blast from Hera and Atlas was out cold.
My heart stopped for a moment and I knew it would continue every single time someone on my side fell. Technically he was fighting to win my hand and not to help me, but we both knew he'd stepped in as a delaying tactic. Not a terribly successful tactic anymore since I'd managed to nab Hera. I'd be apologizing to him for a long while for surprising him with her. I didn't think she'd fight for me in a million years, but when she said yes there was no way I was going to say no.
Again the litter came out and another body was loaded on it and taken away.
Hera turned to me, gave a saucy little wave, and turned back to her next opponent.
Several hours later, Zeus was fuming. I'd rarely seen him so angry, but Hera was kicking ass and taking names. This day felt like we'd taken over the world. Girl power and all of that. Males and females were falling like dominos and Hera didn't even look winded. I knew she had a crap ton of power, but even I hadn't expected her to go that long. We were down to the last several competitors.
This thing was almost over and I hadn't been worried about a thing all day. Artemis sat beside me, sullen and silent. She hadn't said a word to me since she'd been embarrassed and pulled out of the ring. I felt terrible for her, but I knew why Hera had done it. She'd saved her, or at least tried to before Zeus interfered, but Artemis probably didn't want to hear it. I knew she didn't like feeling coddled.
I elbowed her. "Do you want to go back in?"
Her back to normal violet eyes watched Zeus' wife. "Who do you think Trip slept with?"
I blinked in surprise. "Errr. No one."
She turned her head to me and pinned me with a look. "What do you mean no one?"
"Oh my gods, Artie. Hera did that to pull you out of the fight. She knew you wouldn't strike at him."
She bit her lip and frowned. "So she lied?"
I snorted. "Of course she lied. Neither Zeus nor Hera have ever been known for their honesty."
"Why would she do that?"
I shrugged. "Who knows why Hera does anything? I've seen her change, though. She seems...different."
"She does. You aren't worried about it?"
I turned my attention back to the cool-haired blue-eyed beauty fighting like a gladiator. "She looks like she's having fun out there. I don't know, Artie. She's saved me more than once when she didn't have to. I've saved her, too. I don't always have the best instincts, but I feel like she's making a genuine effort to be a better person."
"Mmmm," she responded. I would have had trouble believing it too.
Hera was known to be one of the crueler goddesses, but maybe if I were married to Zeus, I would snap out as well.
Artie sat up straighter. "Do you want me to go back out?"
I thought about it and then looked down at the list. There was still Ares, Hermes, Typhon, Apollo, and a few others to go. Plus neither one of us had sent out our champions yet. I didn't want her to have to go if she didn't need to. "Let's see how Hera does and then we can decide."
Artie nodded, and we turned our attention back to the show. Hera took out every single minor demigod and creature left on the list, but when Apollo stepped out, I saw Hera's face fall and her stance weaken.
Apollo, God of the Sun, walked out and bowed low to Hera. I sucked in a breath. I knew she had a soft spot for him, and I didn’t think the rest of the Olympians would take kindly to her killing one of the more gentle gods. He was known for poetry and music, for his prophetic knowledge, and for his gifts of healing to the world. He was one of the better ones, even though none of us were saints.
Hera glared at Zeus. The bell sounded.
Apollo struck her once with a massive heat bolt powered with the light of the sun.
She fell. On purpose. Damn it all.
Hecate's silver magic flew toward her chest and disappeared.
I again sent up a silent prayer that this ridiculous plan of ours worked. While none of us had figured out what we were going to do afterward because it wasn't like they could all die and just waltz back into their normal lives without Zeus crying foul, we weren't just going to let everyone die.
Zeus was probably having a field day with this. I watched his face from several feet away as Hera "died."
A flicker of emotion showed upon his expression, quickly masked by blankness.
You jerk, I thought.
If we were able to depose him for good, we could make this world a better place. He may have shown instances of kindness, but it wasn't enough, and I wasn't sure he'd ever get there.
Artie stood back up, but I put a hand on her arm. "Let me throw in the champion," I said.
I turned to God. He smiled at me, a big wide suspicious smile.
"Oh, Abby," he said. "Your naïveté astounds me."
I watched in horror as he stood and the threads of magic binding him as my champion fell away. "You cannot," I whispered.
He bent down so we were nose to nose. "No," he hissed. "You cannot."
My hands began to tremble and a dull roar came between my ears as I realized what he had done. "You allowed yourself to be trapped so I wouldn't get anyone else or have a backup plan." I stared up at him with wide eyes. "Why would you do this?"
He shrugged. "Because my son needs a Queen who solves her own problems. You tried to trap the one person
you couldn't trap thinking the magic of the Olympians would overpower mine. You tried to use me for your own gain. Your decision was horribly selfish." He stood up. "And it broke my son's heart."
With a long glance at me, he smiled, grabbed Artemis' arm and disappeared from the stadium.
Deception. The words of Dolos rang in my mind. I had used trickery against God, but I had deceived Hades. Deception will result in tragedy.
I was on my own. I had no champion.
From the corner of my eye, I watched as Hecate stood up, her ancient fingers covering her mouth. Her eyes were tight with shock.
I bowed my head and made my way into the ring. All the gains of the day had been for naught.
All of this thrown away because I'd failed to properly think this through. Once again I had screwed myself because of my own selfishness and stupidity.
The announcer's eyes were wide as I stepped up close to him. He leaned over and whispered, "Who is your champion?"
I shook my head as both an answer and as a way to clear the fog from it. "I have none," I said quietly. "If I am to win, it will be on my own merit."
He stared at me in horror. "You have some of the most powerful gods coming up, including the main challenger and the champion."
I nodded. "I know."
The man's eyes filled with sympathy. "You have no other person to stand for you?"
"No. I stand for myself."
"Very well," he said with a sigh as he turned to the microphone. "Aphrodite will battle Apollo!"
The crowd roared with delight. My gaze caught Zeus' and I could see the slight smile of satisfaction on his face. The odds were pretty good I'd die, especially since I still had no idea who Zeus' champion was, but I hoped if I didn't that I'd get the opportunity to wipe the smile off of his smug face before the day was through.
I walked up to Apollo, noted his expression of confusion, and bowed. Tall and golden, he was a hunk of deliciousness. Most of us were, but this one had something special about him. Both sensitive and manly, he was a catch all the way around. "Apollo," I acknowledged. "Well met, today."
He looked around. "Aphrodite," he whispered. "Step out of the ring and bring in your next man. It is too soon for you to fight. You will fall before the end."
"I have no other," I said honestly. "I have dishonored my own promises to myself and am paying the price."
"I do not wish to fight you." His voice was pained.
"You have no choice," I acknowledged. "Are you ready?"
He shut his eyes for a second before he nodded. "Forgive me,"
I offered a small, tight smile. How quickly he had just dismissed me.
The bell sounded, and I dropped into the light meditative state my mother had taught me. First, I raised a protective shield around myself, delighting in Apollo's confusion as he noticed the pink and silvery tone of my magic. He knew something was off. He just didn't know what it was.
He hit me a couple of times, lightly, testing the strength of my shields. With a frown, he began to fling magic at me faster and faster, grunting with effort as everything he shot at me bounced off. I raised my hands, gathered a ball of silver magic in my hand and hit him square in the chest with it.
Apollo flew back and hit the ground. The crowd around me roared their annoyance.
It took him a second to get up. He stood, staggered, and came closer, his hands raised in a peace gesture. "What is different about you?" he wondered aloud.
I wasn't going to give him specifics. "I've been testing new magic."
His brow wrinkled. "New magic? There is no new magic."
"There is when you've been lied to all of your life."
"Do we need to pretend to tiptoe around each other anymore, fair goddess?"
I grinned. "I suppose not. But I do wish to tell you something."
Curiosity had him tilting his head. “Proceed.”
"Zeus wishes for everyone to fight to their death."
He reared his head back. "This is...highly unusual."
I knew Zeus hadn’t spilled the beans to most of the competitors. "So does anyone down there know?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. We were taken down early, given only a handful of rules, and told to do our best. There was never any word about this being a duel to the death."
Boos from above started coming in because we weren't getting down to the business of killing each other fast enough. An idea came to me.
"If you help me, I will help you."
Magic gathered in his hands to answer the catcalls. "Tell me."
"We are trying to save the major gods today. My..." I paused deciding whether I should tell him the truth, "mother has abilities far beyond life and death."
His eyes narrowed at that statement. "Abilities?" He questioned. "I was not of the opinion the Goddess born of the sea had any parents."
"Things changed, Apollo. Listen to me. If you allow me to hit you with a blast of magic to end this thing, I will ensure my mother saves your life."
"And who says I will lose this battle?"
I sighed. "You may not. But I will tell you if you do not, and I am forced to marry the competitor Zeus has chosen, your world will turn to blood and despair. Zeus seeks war. Help me now, and I will help you later."
He blinked in surprise. "War?"
I nodded. "Decide."
His bright green eyes flickered with doubt before finally settling on a decision. "Yes. Very well. Do not trick me, fair goddess. I will ensure you pay."
"Later you will help me depose Zeus?"
A smile flickered over his handsome face. "I've been waiting for years to hear those words. Yes."
We clasped wrists, said the words of bonding, and let go quickly. The crowd screamed and booed, knowing something had just gone on that didn't seem exactly kosher.
Apollo stepped away from me. "Do your worst."
I turned to my mother who was watching me carefully, nodded at her, and sent a furious bolt of silver pink magic straight toward my new ally.
He smiled as he fell.
Almost immediately food and other stuff was flung down from the stands. I held onto my shield and waited stoically while the announcer tried to get the crowd under control. It wasn't every day one of the most popular gods "died."
If only these people knew how much they would regret it if I lost. I sighed even as tomatoes, drinks, and other various fluids rolled off my shield. I let my gaze flow through the audience, memorizing every face who had a sneer, everyone who flung waste down upon me. How fickle their loyalties were. How terrible their vision of life was.
Apollo was removed, his golden countenance resting in an expression of peace. Provided this all worked out, I'd made a powerful ally today.
Hermes was announced next.
He stepped out, his eyes widening as he saw me there. Instead of being casual, he rushed up to me, gripped me by the arms and hissed, "What the hell are you doing out here already?"
I didn't have the heart to tell him, but I couldn't help it as my chin wobbled.
"Where is your champion?" he asked, catching on immediately.
"Gone."
"Gone?" he roared. "He was compelled!"
"Olympian magic was not strong enough to hold him."
He let go of my arms, and I rubbed them knowing I would have a bruise tomorrow, provided I survived that long.
"Artie?" he inquired.
"God took her."
He blew out a frustrated breath and growled to himself. "What would you have me do?"
"We fight, Hermes."
He bowed his head. "I cannot."
I stepped forward and grasped his face with both of my hands. "You must," I said, staring into those whiskey eyes. "We will not perish today. My mother is in the stands."
"Gods damn it," he whispered. "I will kill my father for this."
I nodded. "We may not kill him, but he will pay for this. I swear it." I bowed. "Draw your caduceus, Hermes."
Our gazes locked. "We have to make this c
onvincing, Abby. I will not hold back."
"I know. Do not despair. I am tougher than I look."
He stepped back and drew his weapon. With a sad grin he whispered, "I know."
The first slap of magic slammed me against a rock wall. I slid down, hissing in pain. Hermes' mouth was grim with regret and concentration. He gave me no quarter. Before I was able to stand, he tried to hit me with another bolt and if I hadn't flung myself out of the way, it would have been over. I tamped down my anger, knowing he had to do this, and began to chant to myself. Using the spell I'd taught myself, I dimmed my power signature, grinned at Hermes, and popped out of existence.
His growl of half laughter, half frustration told me the spell had been a success. I crept up behind him, pulled a hank of his hair, and ducked as he swung his weapon around.
I swept his legs from under him with a small blast of magic and watched as he stumbled and fell hard onto his back. I couldn't stab him like this, even though I should have, so I started channeling my other power, that of love.
"Abby," he whispered as the pink magic swept over him. "For the love of the gods, do anything but this."
Tears fell from my face as I popped back into his field of vision. "I have to win," I sobbed. "I have to."
Hermes smiled and shut his eyes, a single tear coming from one of them as I broke Hermes' heart with my magic. His soul was leaking out onto the dirt of the ring before I saw my mother's magic encapsulate him.
I fell to my knees and cried. I couldn't stop even though I knew he would be okay. I'd broken his heart and my own every time I used this magic.
Zeus was going to die for this.
Chapter 20
Ares was next. He walked out all swarthy, gorgeous, and cocky, but when he saw me standing there, his expression went wary. Much the same as Hermes had, he rushed over.
"Why are you out here? Where are your people?"
I didn't explain as much to him as I had to Hermes but I did let him know I was the last man standing. On my side, at least.
He clenched his jaw tightly. "Zeus has won."
