by Lisa Kessler
She searched his eyes. “And Zeus is here, too.”
“This is bigger than you and your sisters.” Mikolas slid his hand in his pocket. “I think the Guiders of Destiny saw this turning point coming.”
“They knew Tartarus wouldn’t hold Kronos forever.”
“That’s my guess,” he agreed. “And to take it a step further, I’d guess that Zeus sent his daughters of this generation those dreams because this theater is going to be a beacon of inspiration for humanity. And we’re going to need it if we’re faced with doing battle against the Titans. None of this is random.”
“But we can’t win.” Trinity shook her head. “We’re mortal. Even the Guardians. You each have a gift, but none of you are strong enough to face a Titan.”
“Zeus told me he would handle his father. Maybe with the help of the other Guardians we can stop Iapetus. The muses and Guardians stopped Philyra. Maybe we can do it again.”
Trinity stared at the floor. “There is no we, Mikolas.” She sighed and looked up at him again. “I want to believe you, which makes me even more wary of trusting you. My instincts suck when it comes to men. Besides, after everything we’ve been through with the Order, none of the muses and Guardians are going to be excited to see you.”
All true, but dammit, he wasn’t going to walk away. He reached for her hand and she didn’t pull away. It seemed so small in his. He met her eyes, his voice softening. “You don’t have to trust me. You don’t even need to like me. But Zeus chose me to be your Guardian for a reason we probably don’t understand yet. Finding you awakened something inside me, and if I can use that gift to keep you safe, then it’s worth figuring out how it works. Help me learn to control it. I’m not expecting anything more from you.”
A sad smile curved her lips. “You can’t possibly be that selfless.”
He chuckled. Trinity didn’t mince words, but the honesty was refreshing. He’d grown up as the only son in a wealthy family. He’d experienced more than his share of women who would’ve told him anything in hopes of gaining a piece of his inheritance. A woman pushing him away was new.
“I’m far from selfless.” He drank in her dark eyes with their flecks of gold. One of a kind. Just like she was. “But I’ve waited my entire life to find you, and I’ll protect you, or die trying.” He had whispered the words before he’d even realized he was going to speak.
She withdrew her hand. “Okay, I bet that romantic crap has women all over the world throwing their panties at you.” Regret flashed in her eyes. “But I’m not going to be another conquest.”
He ached to touch her again, but she was right about one thing. Trinity Porter wasn’t a conquest; she was far more precious. He looked out at the empty seats. “Destiny is playing out in Crystal City. This generation will decide the future of mankind.” Facing her again, he almost smiled. “You’re going to change the world.”
“We have to live long enough first.”
“That’s where I come in.” He dusted off the sleeves of his tux, hoping the goofy gesture might coax a smile from her. “Zack told me finding you made me a demigod.”
The sound of her laughter inspired a symphony of emotions inside him. For the first time, she looked up at him not with disdain but with a playful smirk. “Wow. So you’re Achilles now?”
He shook his head. “I think I’m more a channel for energy. Or maybe I magnify it? Hell if I know. I was hoping my muse might help me hone it before we face Kronos and his brother again.”
He hadn’t meant to claim her as his, but the words were out of his mouth now. He couldn’t reel them back.
Trinity stiffened, her smile fading. “There’s still no we between us.” She paused and added, “But you can call me Trin. And I guess I don’t hate you anymore.”
Baby steps.
He nodded slowly. “Progress.”
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He frowned, taking it out. A text from Ted lit up the screen. Mikolas lifted his gaze to her face. “The guests from the gala at the Observatory are awake.”
CHAPTER 4
Ted stepped off the elevator in the Belkin Oil high-rise. His assistant, Marion, greeted him as she had for years, like nothing had changed. He stopped near her desk, refusing to take even this small gesture for granted.
“It’s good to see you, too, Marion.”
The wrinkles around her eyes deepened as she grinned. “Thank you. Let me know if I can get you anything.”
“Will do.” He walked away, making a mental note that if they somehow figured out a way to save the human race from the Titans, he needed to gift some stock to Marion. She’d worked for Belkin longer than Ted had been alive, and for most of that time, she’d been supporting assholes like him and his father, but she never complained.
He sat behind his desk, glancing at his e-mails and trying to muster some concern for business as usual. It all seemed pointless. Two Titans were in Crystal City. What did property rights on oil pumping equipment matter at this point?
While he’d been trapped inside of Kronos’s time warp, the Titans hadn’t destroyed the world. At least not yet. He had no idea if Detective Malone’s plan would work, though. Would the Titans really show up here looking for Ted’s help? Half of him hoped not; he’d be thrilled if he never had to look at Kevin Elys again.
But if he could get on the inside, he might have a chance to keep Trinity from becoming a casualty of this battle of immortals.
“Excuse me, Ted?” Marion poked her head in the door.
Every muscle in his body tensed. He thought he’d have more time. “Yes?”
“I just wanted to make sure you’re all right. The attack at the gala last night has been all over the news.” Concern lined her face. “Are you sure you don’t need to be home resting? I can reschedule meetings and take messages.”
Shit, he didn’t deserve her concern. In the years before his father had died, he’d taken frustrations out on Marion, but in spite of his poor treatment, here she was, worried about him. Did the universe have to remind him over and over what an asshole he was?
“I’m fine.” He cleared his throat. “You don’t need to worry about me. The police think there must’ve been some kind of gas leak or something. I don’t remember very much.”
“Did you know Mr. and Mrs. Enright?”
“Yes.” He frowned. “Why?”
Her eyes widened. “You didn’t know? Oh, I shouldn’t have—”
“Wait. Are they the two who were killed last night?” The news threw him for a loop. The Enright’s had been big donors to many social organizations in Crystal City. Ted’s father had entertained them many times. They were kind people. And now they were dead because he’d been naive enough to believe freeing the Titans would save the world. Guilt tightened his chest.
“I’m so sorry.” Marion shook her head.
“No.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I’m glad you told me.” He rubbed his forehead. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything.” She offered a sympathetic smile.
“Take the rest of the day off.”
She frowned. “But it’s only ten in the morning.”
The last thing he wanted was for Marion to be another casualty in this battle between Zeus and Kronos. “Please. Take a day with pay. I’ll be leaving early anyway.”
“Well…” She paused. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m certain. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
If there is one.
Mikolas parked on Lothlórien Lane across the street from Callie O’Connor’s home. He’d never been there before, but the address was well-known to the Order of the Titans. The group had been staking out her house before Mikolas had even arrived in Crystal City.
Callie was the vessel for the Muse of Epic Poetry and acted as the leader of the muses. He hadn’t imagined he’d ever be walking through her door. He’d come to Crystal City as the new leader of the Order after Ted’s father died of a heart attack, and although Mikolas had an agenda to keep the mus
es safe, at the time, he couldn’t let them know without blowing his cover.
Trinity was already there, explaining his situation, so with any luck, he wouldn’t be shot on sight. Although with his new status as a demigod, maybe he could survive a bullet. He wasn’t sure how it all worked yet.
A big guy at the front door narrowed his eyes as Mikolas approached. Mikolas recognized him. The day he had banished Kronos to Tartarus, this man had been the only person able to move.
Mikolas offered his hand. “I’m Mikolas Leandros.”
“Gavin” He gave him a firm handshake. “I’m Tera’s Guardian. Trinity told us to expect you.”
“I remember you from the dance recital. You were the only one who could move when Kronos stopped time for the others.”
“Yeah.” His posture remained stiff and defensive. “My gift is speed, so apparently his time manipulations don’t work right on me. If Tera’s in danger, I’m supersonic.”
He’d suspected it before. Maybe that was part of the reason he couldn’t break the spell over Ted at the Observatory. “Our ability is connected to our muse being in danger?”
“Yeah. Nate figured it out. His power doesn’t kick in unless Mel is threatened. Maybe it’s Zeus’s way of keeping us from becoming superheroes? Who knows.”
Another man came out the door and plowed into Mikolas, knocking him back a few steps. “I don’t give a fuck if you convinced Trinity that you’re her Guardian. You stay the hell out of here.”
Mikolas balled his hands into fists but managed to keep from retaliating. He recognized this guy. Reed McIntosh. He was the firefighter who almost died saving all the muses, including Trinity, from the inferno at the theater.
“I had nothing to do with the fire at Les Neuf Soeurs,” Mikolas blurted out. Reed didn’t reply. Mikolas shook his head. “I didn’t even know about it until I saw the news reports.”
“Bullshit.” Reed came closer, rage burning in his eyes. “I almost lost everything because of the fucking Order; I’m not going to sit at a table with you and pretend you’re one of the team.”
A short woman with a pixie haircut jogged down the front steps and inserted herself between them. Mikolas recognized her, too. Callie O’Connor, the Muse of Epic Poetry. She was a therapist for the military, and from everything Mikolas had heard about her from Ted, she was a force to be reckoned with.
She looked up at Reed. “No one is asking you two to be best friends, but Trinity saw his birthmark. The gods chose Mikolas to protect her, and Kronos isn’t alone this time. We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
Reed’s nostrils flared, his face flushed with color. “With help like his, we may as well surrender to Kronos now before he breaks us down from the inside.”
A week ago, Mikolas would have welcomed the abuse of his name and his honor, but now that he knew there was still a chance to fulfill his destiny and keep the Muse of Music safe, he was prepared to fight until his last breath if that’s what it took.
“Hate me if it makes you feel better, but Zack gave me information at the Observatory gala that might help all of us.” Mikolas crossed his arms. “I’m here to protect Trinity, not make friends.”
Callie looked at each of them. “We’ve got two Titans on the loose, and our theater opens in less than two weeks. You guys can beat your chests later. For now, we need to work together.”
Reed narrowed his eyes. “I’ll be watching you.”
Mikolas bumped his shoulder as he passed by. “Stay out of my way, and we’ll be fine.”
The tension inside the house was palpable, but when he entered. He passed through the living area and into the dining room. Trinity sat at a long table chatting with Erica, some of the hostility eased across his shoulders.
She lifted her head, and her gaze locked on his. “I saved you a seat.”
Mikolas crossed the room, ignoring the rest of the attention. Fighting the other Guardians wasn’t going to help Trinity. Her safety was more important than his pride.
She offered a tentative smile as he took the chair beside her. “I told everyone about your birthmark.”
He raised a brow with a slight nod. “Yeah, I can see it went over well.”
Erica bit her lower lip, clearly trying to hold back a smile. “Reed couldn’t wait to meet you.”
He chuckled. “That’s one way to look at it.” He sobered. “I’m only here to be sure Trin is performing center stage at the grand opening.”
Erica grinned. “She doesn’t let just anyone call her that.”
“Slow down.” Trinity shook her head quickly. “It’s not like that. I agreed not to hate him anymore. That’s it.”
Which was all true. But damn, hearing it out loud sucked. He cleared his throat and nodded to Erica. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise.” There was a coquettish curve to her full lips, but Mikolas knew better than to think she was actually flirting with him. Erica shared space in her soul with Erato, the Muse of Erotic Poetry and Lyrics. She inspired passion without even trying.
He glanced at Trinity. “We can skip introductions. I think I know everyone already.”
Erica nudged Trinity. “My best friend here surprised all of us when she explained your undercover plan to infiltrate the Order.”
Mikolas scanned the stern faces around the room. “I can imagine.”
Callie herded the muses and their Guardians to the table. She stood at the end with Hunter seated beside her. “Obviously everyone is on edge. Between Trin finding her Guardian, and Kronos bringing Iapetus back from Tartarus with him, there’s plenty for us to worry about, but for now, Mikolas was the last one of us to speak to Zack, so maybe he can bring us up to speed.” Her gaze landed on Mikolas. “Well?”
Mikolas was accustomed to tense board meetings, but between Reed shooting daggers with his eyes and the carpenter, Mason looking ready to jump across the table at the slightest provocation, this was over the top.
He started to open his mouth, but Trinity beat him to it. “Guys, if Mikolas meant us harm, he had plenty of chances to kill me last night and he didn’t. And his power kept Kronos from being able to stop time on me.”
Cooper cleared his throat. “He kept Trinity from being affected by Kronos’s magic, and he snapped me out of it too. I’m not sure how to explain it, but when he gripped my shoulder, he channeled my healing power somehow. When I touched Lia and Erica, the spell was broken too. I’m not sure how to explain it.” He looked over at Reed. “We only got out of that observatory last night because Mikolas helped us.”
“Question is, why is he helping us now?” Reed crossed his arms. “What’s in it for him?”
Fuck this shit.
Mikolas stood up. “If I could change the past I would. Trust me. I wish I could’ve gotten here sooner before the Order got violent with you. But that wasn’t how it played out, and if we want to live long enough to see that theater open, you’re going to have to cut me a break.”
He waited, his gaze slowly crossing each member around the table except for Reed. The firefighter refused eye contact, but he didn’t tell Mikolas to fuck off, so that was a small improvement. He sat down beside Trinity and brought them up to speed on what Zack had told them at the Observatory: Zeus would handle Kronos, but Iapetus would need to be stopped.
Mason glanced at Clio, the Muse of History, before he met Mikolas’s eyes. “My gift is Herculean strength, but I’m also a Lycan. That’s how we killed Philyra, even though she was immortal. My family line was cursed by Zeus. When I shift into a wolf, his magic makes me immune to their powers, and if Clio is in danger, my strength kicks in.”
Mikolas raised a brow. “You were strong enough to finish off an immortal?”
“The wolf decapitated her.” Mason shifted in his chair. “I think the combo of the strength and Zeus’s magic when I was in my Lycan form made it possible.”
“Maybe we can play out the same scenario with Iapetus,” Mikolas pondered aloud.
“No.” Callie
waved her hands and stood up. “No way. Again, our goal, our mission, is to inspire humanity, not hunt immortals. We can die. They can’t.” She scanned each person at the long table. “Philyra was not a Titan, and she gave us no choice.” She turned toward Mikolas. “So we don’t fight Iapetus unless we absolutely have to. This is Zeus’s battle, not ours. We have to stay focused on our purpose.”
Mikolas nodded, and Callie moved on to organizing the final touches for the grand opening of the Les Neuf Soeurs theater.
While he understood Callie’s hesitation to face off with a Titan, he also knew the legends about Iapetus. Hiding from the God of Mortality was wishful thinking, as impossible as cheating death itself. He would come for them, and they needed to be ready.
He stared across the table at Mason. The Lycan had already slain an immortal. It was possible. They just needed a solid plan.
CHAPTER 5
The Belkin Oil offices emptied at five o’clock, leaving Ted on his own. He stood at the window and stared down at the parking lot below. Kevin had never showed. Maybe the Titans didn’t need him after all.
He should be relieved, but a sick pit was forming in his stomach. What if there was no containing this? Then mankind really was perched on the edge of the apocalypse.
From his earliest memories, his father had raised him to believe that the mission to free Kronos from Tartarus would save the world, not end it. No more wars, no famine, only days of milk and honey. The Titans were supposed to protect mankind. Part of his brain still couldn’t comprehend this warped reality he was witnessing. The Golden Age of Man wasn’t returning. Instead, they were facing the end of humanity.
Someone knocked on the door. Ted jumped, spinning around.
Kevin Elys stood in the doorway with a smirk. “Surprised to see me again, Ted?”
The Father of the Gods wore a well-cut, gun-smoke gray business suit with polished black wingtip shoes. His silver hair was slicked back, as if he’d just come from a business meeting instead of a double homicide at the Observatory.
