Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service)

by Teri Gilbert

  “You were dead, man.” Jules shook his head and stared up at Alec. “I saw Adrian get hit by the boom.” He frowned. “I don’t remember much after that, except the loud rush of water, then gurgling as I struggled to breathe.”

  Alec felt a rush of emotion as they turned to stare at him, expressions going from open-mouthed to suspicious to thankful.

  “Get out of the way.” Quinn lumbered toward them from several yards away, Adara’s limp body cradled in his arms. He set her gently on her back.

  Alec immediately touched her. He’d been surviving on adrenaline, but felt some of his energy ebb. Damn. He placed his hand on Adara. Nothing happened.

  “God dammit, Androulakis, you could heal lunks like us, you can heal someone like Adara.”

  “Focus, Alec.” Stephanos met his gaze. “You can do this.”

  The others joined in Stephanos’s encouragement.

  Alec closed his eyes. An image of Adara’s perceptive gaze filtered into his mind. Someone that beautiful and intelligent didn’t deserve to be snuffed out by someone like Mallaki. He felt a sudden surge and pressed hard on the center of Adara’s chest.

  Within minutes, Adara’s eyelids fluttered open. “What happened? I saw a bright light, shadows, weightlessness, then white-hot heat rushing through me. I think some dolphins nudged me to shore.” She gave them a weak smile. “Sorry, I’m rambling.”

  “Yes, you are.” Quinn helped her roughly to her feet. “Do I always have to look out for you? You claim to be so tough, women’s rights, blah, blah, blah. First sign of trouble, and you nearly get yourself killed.”

  Alec allowed the bantering to fade to the background as a thought struck him. Without his skill as a healer, many of them would be dead. Regardless of his proficiency as an archer, he was a critical member of this team. It felt good.

  “We need to regroup, get more weapons and manpower.” Jules struggled to his feet.

  “No.” Alec stared up at Mallaki’s heavily guarded estate.

  The odds were against them.

  “We strike now.”

  Chapter 32

  Eleni stirred on the bed, shifting slightly. Had someone said her name? Cold sweat prickled her skin. Yes. She heard the echo in her mind. It wasn’t a dream. She turned her head, then opened her eyes. Her heart froze. Mallaki lay stretched out on the mattress beside her.

  His suspicious gaze met hers. “Who else would it be sharing your bed?”

  She hastened upright, thankful she was fully clothed.

  “Certainly not your dead lover.” Mallaki spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Hatred burned in Eleni’s soul. She swallowed the sob clawing at the back of her throat. She’d never let Mallaki know how much he hurt her.

  “I’ve decided we will make love tonight after all.” His gaze narrowed. “I don’t believe we need to wait, do you?”

  “Could you give me some time to get ready?”

  “Take as much as you need.” He rose from the bed and headed for the door. “Zander’s posted outside. Unfortunately, I had to discipline him for not keeping track of you earlier, so if I were you, I wouldn’t try to escape now. He’s not in the best frame of mind, and I don’t want to have to nurse you back to health tonight.”

  “Dorian?”

  He spun in her direction, eyebrow cocked. “Yes?”

  “Could you send up some Siac?”

  Relief spread across his face. “I can assure you, you won’t need that with me. But, if you think it will help. I’ll send Naia and Litsa up with some immediately. Maybe they can give you a massage, help you relax.”

  Mallaki gestured to the silky gown hanging over the chair in front of the vanity. “Don’t forget to dress for the occasion.”

  Eleni wrapped her arms around herself. Unbeknownst to him, Mallaki had set her plan into motion. Earlier than she’d have liked, but what did time matter? Nothing mattered now but stopping Mallaki.

  Alec perched on a chunk of soggy debris that had washed up on the beach and surveyed the five men and one woman gathered in a half-circle around him. They looked like pirates, with their tattered, blood-soaked clothes and mussed hair.

  He didn’t want to be their leader, but he knew the layout of Mallaki’s estate better than anyone else. Knew what was at stake if they failed. It seemed love was the best motivation of all.

  And he did love Eleni. He hadn’t prayed to any god as the chunk of debris had flown toward him. All he could think about was Eleni. His newfound abilities, his family, even his job, hadn’t mattered.

  Jules shifted from one foot to the other. The men looked at each other, then at him.

  Was he supposed to speak?

  He searched out Stephanos, who inclined his head. Alec cleared his throat. “Our purpose is clear.” But was it? What if he had to choose between stopping Mallaki and saving Eleni’s life? What would he do? “We must prevent Mallaki from melting the polar ice caps.” He paused. “We are extraordinary. Descendants of the gods. And as such, it is our duty to defend good and defeat evil. Our loved ones have been injured, killed.” He swallowed hard and forced himself to continue. “But we are far from beaten. Mallaki’s reign stops here. No matter what the cost.”

  Alec stared at each in turn, sizing them up. One by one, they nodded their agreement. By the time he finished, he could feel the energy issuing from the group before him.

  “What are we waiting for?” Adrian raised his fist into the air, then held it out in front of him.

  The others followed in kind, letting their pain and rage coalesce and swell into a silent battle cry.

  They were in this to win. Or die trying.

  Chapter 33

  Eleni set the prepared goblet on the portable marble serving cart. Naia and Litsa had certainly been entertaining, with their obvious excitement about sex and their insatiable curiosity about her relationship with Mallaki. They’d assumed she’d asked for the Siac to stimulate a passion-filled night. Little did they realize what she had in store for their Master.

  Eleni studied the two goblets and made a mental note that the altered one was the closer of the two to the couch. A light tapping on the door kicked her heartbeat up several notches. Showtime.

  She caught her reflection in the mirror as she started for the door. The diaphanous gown Mallaki had provided was all about seduction. So was her make-up, light tan base, heavier eyes, ruby-red lipstick. If her plan failed...A slight shudder tore through her body. If she failed, then like it or not, she would be Mallaki’s tonight.

  Mallaki entered wearing a black silk dressing gown and suede slippers. Heat flared across her cheeks. She couldn’t see Mallaki sneaking around the hall. By wearing this publicly, he was making sure everyone knew his intentions.

  “You look stunning, my dear.” He crossed the short distance between them and came to her side.

  Fingers trembling, Eleni poured the Siac into the prepared goblet and shoved her conscience aside. She could do this.

  Mallaki caught and stilled her shaking hand. “Are you so afraid of me?”

  Unable to respond, she kept her head bowed, cloaking her expression with her hair, then shook her head no.

  “Afterward, you’ll never shrink from me again.” His lips grazed her hair as he spoke. “No, I’m quite certain you’ll crave my touch.”

  She raised her head and held out the goblet. “Here.”

  Mallaki waved a hand toward her. “Ladies first.”

  Trying to repress her relief at the expected response, Eleni tipped the goblet, allowing its gold base to block her mouth from Mallaki’s view. Taking a tiny sip, she swallowed, puffing air into her cheeks to make them appear full. Even though she’d placed water in the bottom of this goblet to dilute the aphrodisiac, she still couldn’t afford to take in too much. She had to be in full command of her senses.

  “I want you as excited as I am.” Mallaki took hold of the base, then upended it. So much for trusting her. She silently cursed as she was forced to chug the remaining contents. Eve
n diluted, the sickeningly sweet syrup dripped from the corners of her mouth. Almost immediately, her breathing quickened, and heat flushed through her body. No. She would not feel like this in the presence of such a monster.

  She forced herself back to the scene at Amalgamated. Lydia, Tad, Niko, Anna, Myles, Alice, Cora, and now Alec. Gone. Eleni blew out a breath. Some of the aphrodisiac’s effects ebbed. A huge lump lodged in her throat. To keep from falling too heavily under the effects, she’d have to keep thoughts of her dead loved ones alive in her mind.

  Moisture prickled the corners of her eyes, but Mallaki was too busy to notice as he poured more Siac into his goblet, then downed the contents.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment.” His heated gaze swept over her. “Finally, you’re mine.”

  She took a tiny step back. “No.” The word was out before she could stop it.

  Mallaki raised his arms and eyebrows in a mocking gesture. “No?” He advanced and took her by the shoulders. “I think you’re mistaken.”

  A nervous laugh escaped her. “I only mean that I belong to no man.” The Siac gave her voice a husky quality.

  “Not any more. You’re mine.” Mallaki’s voice came out a low growl. Sweat graced his brow, and deep red, almost purple, veins appeared on the sides of his neck.

  She let out a squeak as he swung her up into his arms and carried her toward the bed. Lust, caused by the Siac, made her body burn, but revulsion for the man who held her kept it in check.

  Grunting, Mallaki stumbled, nearly sending them both to the floor. “I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”

  I do. She felt beneath her negligee for the reassuring grip of the silver letter opener, tucked inside a ribbon she’d tied to her outer thigh. Still there. But she couldn’t allow Mallaki to get her on the bed. He was too strong.

  She ran her fingers through his thick black hair, took a handful, and tugged. Hard.

  “Dammit, Eleni.” He released his hold on her so fast, she had to scramble to get her feet under her so she wouldn’t fall. She retreated several steps. Maybe she wouldn’t have to use the letter opener after all. The double-strength Siac should incapacitate him.

  She glanced toward the door. If she could escape, get help...

  Mallaki rubbed his head with his knuckles, a dark gleam in his eyes. “So you like it rough?”

  Eleni’s heartbeat stuttered. She couldn’t afford for Mallaki to think she liked it kinky.

  “I never figured you for that kind of girl.” His gaze followed hers to the door. “Reconsidering?”

  She licked her lips, and shook her head.

  “You’ve got me quite riled, Eleni. My blood’s burning. We’ve played this cat and mouse game long enough. I can’t wait any longer.” He circled her, effectively cutting off her escape route.

  Eleni could see Mallaki’s erection pressing against his tunic. If he were to get his hands on her again...Her palms were slick with sweat as she tugged the pointed letter opener from its hiding place and held it out, away from her body. “I will not sleep with you.”

  His eyes widened. “I saw how much you drank. I know you burn as much as I do.”

  The heated warmth of the Siac had spread through her body, stimulating her, making her crave physical satisfaction.

  But not with the man in front of her.

  Never with him.

  Mallaki gave a wild cry and clutched his groin. “Agh. What have you done to me?” He dropped to his knees.

  Giving him a wide berth, she crossed around him and backed toward the door. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “The Siac. There’s something wrong.” He groaned and doubled over. “I’ve never felt like this.”

  “I ordered double-strength from Naia and Litsa. They thought it was for me.”

  His pain-racked eyes met hers. “You deceitful little bitch.”

  “You killed the man I love.”

  A maniacal laugh ripped from his throat. “The weatherman? He was never good enough for you.”

  “You’re the one who isn’t good enough. Regardless, I won’t allow millions of people to die if you succeed with your plan.”

  Disbelief spewed from his eyes. “And you intend to stop me?”

  “As a matter-of-fact, yes.” She took a tentative step forward, then hesitated. As evil as Mallaki was, she wasn’t a cold-blooded murderer.

  Mallaki shrank back as she stepped closer. Then, without warning, he lunged, catching her mid-torso.

  Umf. Her breath gushed out of her as she struck the cold, unforgiving stone.

  Face darkened with fury, Mallaki towered over her, hands on his hips.

  What would he do now? She scanned the immediate area and caught a glint of silver not too far away.

  Mallaki grabbed her by the roots of her hair and jerked upward.

  Searing pain spread across Eleni’s scalp as she scrambled up onto her shins.

  “Hurts, doesn’t it?”

  Yes. But the pain helped diminish the effects of the Siac. Her hands grappled with his, trying to get him to release his hold.

  He hunkered down next to her, his face twisted into an ugly sneer. How could she ever have considered him handsome?

  She felt tears slide down her cheeks as Mallaki edged closer, forcing her onto her back. He released his grip on her hair and leaned forward, wedging himself between her legs.

  Caught in this sexual position, the effects of the Siac kicked in again. Eleni struggled against the surge of desire that left her breathless. She did not want this man. She could not, would not, in any fiber of her being willingly join with him.

  She focused her thoughts on Alec. Even from beyond the grave, he would help her. She stilled, not wanting to give Mallaki any hint she was now in control of her senses, at least for the moment.

  He spread her legs even wider, and ran a trembling hand down the side of her face. “I ache for you, Eleni, and intend to have you.” He grabbed the hemline of her gown and raised it to her waist. Fumbling in the front of his robe, he freed himself.

  She swallowed the bile that rose to her throat. A shudder ran through her.

  He grinned, the faint scar on his lip seeming all the more twisted. “I see you’re still interested.”

  Hope lit a small fire in Eleni’s chest. He’d taken her fear for arousal. Maybe she could still outwit him. Where had the letter opener gone?

  Mallaki’s gaze darkened. Had he sensed her thoughts?

  He wrapped a hand tight around her neck. “Some women get off on oxygen deprivation during sex. Not something I’m into, but I’m willing to make an exception this once. Do not try to thwart me, Eleni. You will lose.”

  Frantic, she struggled without success to get him to release his death grip. Tiny dots of light swam before her eyes, and her breath came in ragged pants. Panic clawed her insides. If she didn’t stop him, he would kill her.

  The opener. Where was the damn opener? Using her fingertips, she searched the floor around her, felt something solid, inched it forward, then closed her hand around the handle.

  This time she didn’t hesitate. She plunged the sharp point into Mallaki’s neck.

  Eyes wide, he jerked upright, then stared downward in disbelief.

  Nausea rose in Eleni’s stomach as blood spurted from Mallaki’s wound, changing her dress from pure white to streaks of pale pink and crimson red. The pungent smell of copper filled the air, making her want to retch. She scrambled backward, then got shakily to her feet.

  Mallaki’s mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound came out.

  Swallowing hard, Eleni headed for the door, but kept her eyes trained on Mallaki.

  Even as injured as he was, he seemed unwilling to let her go. He came toward her, crawling on all fours, before collapsing forward and driving the opener further into his body. He went rigid, then still.

  Eleni pressed a trembling hand against her mouth. Acid burned the back of her throat, and it was difficult to draw a breath. She�
��d killed a man, and the horror of watching him die would forever be etched in her mind.

  But Dorian Mallaki would never hurt anyone ever again.

  Chapter 34

  Alec spoke in a hushed whisper, not wanting to attract any unwelcome attention. His team stood at the mouth of the servant’s quarters, in the lowest level of the mansion. Back on the beach they’d been worse for wear, but now, with the exception of torn and soiled clothing, they appeared vibrant, ready for battle.

  Getting into the building had been relatively uneventful, one guard dead, one unconscious. Quinn flexed his right hand while Adara wiped the blood-soaked blade of her spear across her pants, leaving a rusty smear in its wake.

  He swallowed hard. They had no choice. Everyone at Mallaki’s knew what they’d signed on for. Directly or indirectly, they were a party to the horrors Mallaki wreaked on the rest of the world.

  Alec felt a pang of regret. All that training with Zorba, and his bow and arrows had been lost at sea. He’d have to make do with an average knife. He turned and addressed his team. “Follow my directions to the rotunda and destroy the amplifier. Got it? I’ll join you as soon as I’m done.”

  “And where are you going?” Adara raised an arched brow.

  “To Eleni’s suite. I’m worried...” Alec hesitated, then forced himself to continue. “I’m concerned about what Mallaki might have done to Eleni for helping me escape.”

  Adrian wore a sardonic expression. “What is it about the men in this group? Shouldn’t the women be able to take care of themselves?”

  Adara shot him a withering look. “Some of us can.”

  “I feel like we’re rescuing Helen of Troy.” Jules attempted to break the awkward silence. “Maybe we should have created some sort of Trojan Horse.”

  “Eleni is the Trojan Horse.” Stephanos gestured down the hall. “Now let’s go put an end to Dorian Mallaki’s madness.”