by Lisa Kessler
It buzzed a few seconds later. His screen lit up with a call from Mikolas.
“You got my text?” Ted answered.
“Yeah.” Mikolas was out of breath. “See if one of the women might be Rhea, and let me know what you find. But don’t say anything to Kevin.”
Ted frowned. “But Kevin was the one who gave us the tip to find Rhea.”
“I know.” Mikolas huffed. “But he just noticed he was being watched and ran so fast, I couldn’t keep up. There’s no way a mortal seventy-year-old man could move that quickly.” He puffed out another breath. “Call me when you have something.”
And he was gone. Ted leaned back in his chair. Weird. And if Mikolas was right and Kevin was an immortal, too, then what did Kevin have to gain by helping them stop Philyra?
Mason flipped the final grilled cheese sandwich while Clio worked at the dining room table. Since Ted’s warning, Mason was planning on sticking close by Clio and Trinity.
He’d spent his adult life on his own. Worrying for the safety of others was foreign, and so far, he wasn’t enjoying it. He caught himself flinching at every sound. Any shadow from the corner of his eye could be an attacker. Unlike Nate and Hunter, he wasn’t trained for these kinds of situations. Leave him a pile of wood and he’d build you a fortress, but hand him a gun and he was a fish out of water.
In this case, he wasn’t even sure a gun would help.
Once the sandwiches were on plates, he glanced over at Clio. She was engrossed in a couple of books, with her laptop to the right and her notepad front and center. She peered up at him over her glasses, and a smile curved her lips.
His heart raced. He might not have had the marksman training or military background, but damn it, he’d give his life to protect hers. In a heartbeat. No questions asked.
That had to count for something.
She stacked her books, but her attention was all on him. “Smells great.”
“Thanks. It was the best I could do with the ingredients in this fridge.” He looked toward the hallway. “Want to get Trinity?”
“Yeah.” Clio got up, but her new roommate burst from her room, rushing toward them.
“We need to get to the hospital now,” Trinity blurted.
Mason set the sandwiches aside. “What happened?”
“Erica’s in labor.” Trinity grinned. “She just got admitted. We’re going to be aunties!”
Clio closed her laptop and started pulling her shoes on. “Isn’t it too early?”
“Only by a week or so. The doctor says the due date is an estimate.” Trinity grabbed a sandwich. “We can eat on the way.”
Mason chuckled, putting the other sandwiches on paper plates. “Works for me.”
He handed Clio a grilled cheese and followed them out to Clio’s car. He headed for the backseat, but Trinity bumped him out of the way with her hip. “No way. You sit up front by your muse.”
Mason rolled his eyes. “I can’t let a lady sit in back when there’s a perfectly good front seat available.”
“I won’t tell anyone.” Trinity grinned, opening the back door. “Besides, this way I’ll have room to spread out.” She slipped inside before he could argue any further.
“Come on,” Clio called from the driver’s seat. “The baby might already be here.”
Mason smiled. His baby cousin’s birth took over sixteen hours. If Erica was just admitted, they weren’t going to miss anything. But he kept it to himself. The last thing he wanted was to kill Clio’s and Trinity’s joy.
After they parked, Trinity hurried ahead to find out where Erica and Reed were. He held Clio’s hand as they walked toward the hospital. “Did you have any siblings?” he asked.
Clio shook her head. “Nope. I’m an only child. I’d always wished I had a brother or sister. Everyone said we would’ve fought, but fighting would’ve been better than being lonely. It wasn’t all bad, though. I had my books.” She looked over at him. “What about you?”
“I have a half-sister, Lauren.” He’d missed her wedding a couple of months before. He’d been too worried he’d lose Pamela’s trail. “She’s five years younger than me.”
“Does she know about the…curse?”
He shook his head. “Neither does my mom. They both think I’m chasing a woman and building my dreams along the way.”
She frowned. “Do you talk to them often?”
“Not as often as I should.” He shrugged. Usually talk about his family made him defensive, but he was an open book with Clio. No judgment and no secrets. It felt amazing. “We Skype sometimes.”
They stepped through the automatic doors, and Clio lowered her voice in the high-ceilinged echo chamber of the lobby. “I hope I get to meet them someday.”
“Me too.” Bitterness curdled in his gut as he said the words. She’d never get to meet his family, and they’d never know what happened to him. He’d be just another missing person in some police file like his father was. But Pamela would never hurt Clio again. He would cling to that knowledge to keep his resolve.
That didn’t stop him from wishing there was another way. Maybe finding Rhea would be his ticket.
They were rounding the corner toward the elevators when Clio got a text. She pulled her phone out and grinned. “Erica’s on the fifth floor. Everyone is up in the waiting room.”
She put her phone away. It was silly to be nervous. Erica’s pregnancy had been smooth sailing for the most part, and this wasn’t the first baby for their group. Mel and Nate’s little boy was already crawling. Erica and the new baby would be fine.
Once the elevator door closed, Mason leaned against the back railing. “You’re awfully quiet.”
“I’m trying to talk myself down.”
A crease lined his brow. “Down from what?”
The doors opened, and they stepped out. “I’m really nervous. Not sure why. Maybe because the baby’s coming a little early? I’m not sure.”
Mason caught her hand, his touch reassuring. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
The waiting room was packed when they arrived. Clio made the rounds, hugging everyone. The only members of their group missing were Nate and Cooper. Apparently, they were already on their shifts when Reed had made the call that they were going to the hospital. They’d come by once they were off work.
Reed was with Erica, so right now they were gathered together with only Hunter and Mason to protect them if the Order showed up. Or worse, if Pamela came back. Gods, Clio couldn’t shut her brain off. Maybe the fire had given her a little PTSD. Regardless, the anxiety in her gut wouldn’t quiet. It would be so simple to wipe them all out right now.
“I need to sit down,” she whispered, trying not to start a scene.
Mason went with her, taking the chair beside her. He kept his voice hushed. “Take a deep breath and try humming a song. That usually helps me.”
She forced her breathing to slow and started to hum “American Pie.” Mason ran his hand up her back, his touch soothing the chaos that was brewing in her head. Gradually, she realized he was harmonizing with her.
“I think it’s working.”
He nodded. “Funny thing is, that’s my go-to song, too.”
She glanced around the room, but everyone was busy on their phones or chatting in small groups. No one was paying any attention to her and Mason in the corner. She met his eyes. “Anxiety is a new thing for me. I hate it.”
“Pretty sure no one likes it, darlin’.” He shook his head. “But when you live through a fire and are thrown from a pier when you physically can’t swim, I think anxiety is sort of a given.”
“Having all of us together in a public place is making me punchy, I guess.”
His eyes searched hers. “When I was a little guy, I used to have nightmares of Pamela smiling at me in a dark lake. I’d wake up struggling to breathe. Thought I was dying at first. Turns out I was having panic attacks.”
“Did your mom get you some help?”
“No. My dad was missing. She
figured the night terrors would pass.”
Clio frowned. “She didn’t worry Pamela would come back for you? You witnessed her attacking your cousin.”
He shook his head. “No one believed me about Pamela being in the lake that night.”
Clio hadn’t tried to tell her family about being a muse, but she imagined they wouldn’t believe her, either. She squeezed his hand. “Thanks for helping me through that.”
“You’re not alone in this. All these people care about you.” He leaned over to brush a gentle kiss to her forehead and whispered, “I care.”
Before she could respond, Lia came over with an older woman on her arm. “Hey, Clio. This is Cooper’s grandmother, from my poker group at the Village.”
Cooper’s grandmother smiled. “Lia styles our hair and plays cards with us on Wednesdays.”
Clio stood up and offered her hand. “Polyhymnia, right? Lia told me about you.”
“My name is actually Agnes Hanover, but yes, I’m the vessel for Polyhymnia.” She took Clio’s hand. “And this is—” She looked back over her shoulder and frowned. “Where did Zack go?”
Lia shook her head. “For an older guy, he’s got some crazy ninja skills. He probably went out to pay the parking meter or something.” She smiled at Agnes. “I got the call while I was playing poker with the girls at the Village, and I figured it would be a good chance for Agnes to meet all of us in one place.” She lowered her voice. “I think Zack has a thing for her because he volunteered to bring her so she could leave if we end up being here for a long time.”
“That was nice of him.” Clio started to ask about the poker game, but Reed suddenly came around the corner.
“We have a beautiful baby girl!” he announced with a big grin on his face.
Trinity rushed over to hug him tight while everyone clapped and cheered.
Mason shook his head. “That was fast.” He helped Clio up and followed her over to see Reed. When Clio finally got close enough to embrace him, she asked about the name.
“I almost forgot.” Reed smiled. “Her name is Hope.”
Clio blinked back unexpected tears. Her emotions were like a rollercoaster. It made no sense.
While Mason congratulated Reed, Clio slipped out of the waiting room into the hallway to catch her breath and try to get a grip. She almost slammed into an older guy with bright-blue eyes, a purple newsboy hat, and a gold cane.
He caught her elbow. “Excuse me.” His balance didn’t falter, and something in his kind eyes tugged at her already emotionally full heart.
“Are you all right?” She cringed. “I should’ve been more careful.”
“No. It’s completely my fault.” He tried to peer around her. “I was looking for Agnes.”
Clio’s eyes widened. “You must be Zack.”
He nodded, a twinkle in his eyes as he offered his hand. “Zack Vrontios, at your service.”
CHAPTER 12
Clio shook his hand, her brain shifting from emotional to analytical. “Vrontios…that’s Greek for…the Thunderer, right?”
He nodded. “Yes.” He pointed his cane toward the waiting room. “I better check on Agnes.”
Clio didn’t move out of the way. Zack’s face was wrinkled, his hair silver, but his royal-purple newsboy hat and gold cane, combined with his unusual last name, were stirring the fire of her curiosity. This man was more than he seemed. Earlier she’d been hunting for Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, and if she was in Crystal City…was it such a stretch to think that her son might be too?
“It can’t be,” she breathed.
He sighed and hooked his cane on his forearm, taking her hand in both of his. “This is why I have been avoiding meeting you, my sweet Clio. Your connection to history will be my undoing.”
Clio gaped for a moment, struggling to weave the facts into an impossible theory. “Zeus was the God of Thunder, and his color was purple.” Her gaze flicked to the waiting room door. “That’s why you move so fast. You want to look elderly, but you can’t hide the power in your eyes… You’re ageless.”
Zack patted her hand, his voice tender and meant only for her. “You cannot tell the others. It’s too risky.”
“You’re really him. I can’t believe I’m talking to—”
“Shhh.” He squeezed her hand. “No one else can know.”
“I don’t understand.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You’re the king of Mount Olympus. You could shut down the Order of the Titans. You could help us get the theater opened. You’re all-powerful. Why are you standing here in such a feeble disguise? It doesn’t make sense.”
“The age of my meddling in mortal affairs is long past.” He pressed his lips together, pausing for a moment. “I decided lifetimes ago that mankind was better off without Olympians mucking things up, but Apollo broke my mandate by saving Reed through your friend Cooper.” His gaze lifted to her face, and the infinite power reflected in his blue eyes sent a jolt through her body. “Apollo also told him that Kronos walks among you. That’s why I’m here. I can’t sit back and allow my father to destroy the unique beauty of this world mankind has created.”
Clio’s mind raced as she reached for coherent thought. Gradually, his words pierced through her confusion, and anger began to simmer in her stomach. “If you’re not going to get involved, what good does it do us for you to be here?” She took a step back, her voice raising slightly. “Pamela almost killed me the other night, not because of anything I did but because she’s wants to get even with you.”
“Her son was mortally wounded while defending my son, Hercules. And if I insert myself into this battlefield, this constant cycle of vengeance will never end.” Regret filled his eyes as he glanced back at the door to the waiting room. “I am here for Kronos. If I can’t convince my father this mortal world is full of the best of us, courage, honor, love, and has no need for intervention from the gods, then there will be nothing left to save.”
Clio forced her voice to remain even as she rubbed her temples, fighting off the first signs of a major headache. “The Order of the Titans think Kronos is going to solve the world’s problems and bring back the Golden Age of Man.”
“They misunderstand.” He met her eyes again. “The Golden Age of Man wasn’t because of Kronos; it was despite him. My father was obsessed with a prophecy about one of his children killing him. He didn’t have time to meddle in the affairs of humanity.”
Clio pulled her hair back from her forehead. “What am I supposed to do with all this? You’re here, right in front of me, but you don’t want me to tell anyone. How will this help?”
“This is why I was trying to avoid meeting you. I knew I could disguise my true identity from the others, but not you.”
“Well you met me, so unless you’re going to turn back time and take a different hallway…”
He sighed, shaking his head. “Right now, I don’t think Kronos knows I’m on this mortal plane. Surprise is my best tactic. He’ll be here to settle scores, and he won’t care how much of this world his revenge destroys. The longer I can stay off his radar, the greater chance I have of persuading him to follow me back to the stars.”
Clio crossed her arms. “You’re really not going to help us with Philyra?”
“I can’t, dear one. Not without tipping my hand. If Kronos senses my power, I’ll lose my only opportunity to save this world.” He placed his cane on the ground and leaned into it. “All I can offer is this: your Guardian was born from the lineage of King Lycaon, and of all of you, he is the only one capable of stopping Philyra.”
Clio’s eyes burned, filling with tears she refused to spill. “If you know all that, then you must know that if he shifts again, he probably won’t be able to come back. You cursed his family line; you can fix it.”
Regret filled his eyes. “Until I find Kronos, I can’t take that risk. I wish I could.”
“Screw you.” She shook her head and pointed to the waiting room. “That prophecy I found about being your treasure…it�
�s bullshit. We’re just a band of mortals stuck in some kind of sick game you immortals are playing. We can’t hope to win this. And while we’re just pawns to you, this life is all we get.” She spun on her heel, ready to return to the waiting room.
“Clio, wait.” She stopped and slowly turned back. Zack tugged on the brim of his purple newsboy. “You have every right to be angry with me, but I’m trying to set things right.”
“I’m not going to lose Mason.” She swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice barely a whisper. “We’re going to find another way.”
She didn’t wait for him to answer. Once they found Rhea, they’d be able to stop Philyra without Mason needing to risk another shift. She left Zack behind and walked into the waiting room.
Mason looked up as if he heard her thinking of him. His smile eased the pounding in her head. She took a seat beside him.
He leaned in close. “Everything all right?”
She nodded. “It will be.”
The hospital staff would only let a few of them into Erica and Reed’s room at a time to visit their new baby, Hope. Tera came over, clearing her throat. “Want to walk down to her room? We could wait there. I’m getting stir crazy in here.”
“Sure.” Clio stood up, holding Mason’s hand. “We might as well.”
Outside Erica’s room, Mason did his Southern gentlemanly best to get Tera to chat, but it was awkward at best. Clio couldn’t stop replaying her conversation with Zeus in her head long enough to concentrate on their conversation. The ruler of all Olympus was here, and he wasn’t going to help them. Maybe if he met Mason, it might change his mind. There could be a way to lift the curse without Kronos discovering it. There had to be.
The door opened, and Clio caught Lia’s hand as she passed by. “Is Zack here? I thought he came to see the baby.”
“He did.” Lia glanced at the door. “He had a little visit before we came in.”
“So he’s already gone?”
