“Were you trying to break free?” I asked incredulously.
A shadow passed over him and he clenched his jaw as he looked at me. And then he nodded.
I felt the air rush out of me. “You didn’t trust me,” I murmured in disbelief. “You didn’t trust me to come back for you?”
He shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I want to save you, Empusa. And I know you won’t let me go. I have to do what I have to do to keep you safe. And in saving you, I’ll also save the mortal world. It’s the right thing to do.”
“You don’t understand,” I said through clenched teeth. Turning to the priestesses, I announced, “You can all go. Your services are no longer required.”
They remained still, each eye fixed upon me.
“Did you not hear me?” I demanded. “You may leave now.”
Keelin stepped forward. It seemed that she had taken a leadership role now that Branwyn was gone.
“I’m not sure that we can,” she answered quietly. “You see, we were called here, we believe by the goddess herself. We were all waked from the same dream and we were all led to this clearing, where we found Brennan tied to the altar. We have a purpose here.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Brennan’s eye. He looked almost bemused and fairly satisfied with himself, triggering a memory. One of his gifts was willing something into existence. If he tried hard enough, he could sometimes make things happen… like giving all of these priestesses the same dream and making them come to the clearing. Of course they would believe that ‘the goddess’, my mother, had summoned him.
“Well done,” I told him grudgingly. He grinned.
“Thank you.”
“What do you mean, princess,” Keelin asked. As she moved slightly, something silver flashed in her hand.
“Why do you have a knife, Keelin?” I asked her. She pulled it from the folds of her dress.
“I know not,” she admitted. “I simply have it with me.”
I whirled and glared at Brennan. “Really? Without even saying goodbye to me? I mean so little to you?”
His grin was gone now and he looked pained.
“It was the only way I could bear it,” he admitted. “If I saw you, I knew my resolve would disappear. I have to do this, Em. I have to.”
“No. You. Don’t.” I was gritting my teeth so hard that I could hear the enamel on them groan. “You don’t understand.”
I turned back to the women. “Leave.”
“I don’t think we can,” Keelin answered quietly. She was brave, I’d give her that much. I looked her straight in the eye and practically growled.
“Leave.”
“No.”
“Yes,” Hades interjected. With his one word, the women began flying out of the clearing, tossed carelessly by something unseen. Hades. I glanced gratefully at him and took a moment to calm myself while he evacuated the women. After a minute, only Keelin remained, standing uncertainly in front of me.
“I’m sorry, princess,” Keelin offered limply. “We only sought to please your mother. I hope we haven’t offended you.”
“No, you have not,” I assured her. “You were trying to help and I understand that. But leave now.”
She nodded curtly. “Yes.”
She turned and joined the women huddled in the tree line, leading them away. None of them looked back. Circes remained.
“You can leave, too,” I told her. “I’m not sure who exactly you were trying to help or what you were trying to do. But you are relieved of it now.”
“You know,” she observed, studying my face. “You know the truth. Your truth.”
“Yes. I know that which has been kept from me for so long. Now please leave us.”
Circes crept around me, without another world. I think she could see on my face that I was in no mood for further discussion.
“What do you know?” Brennan asked curiously, his voice husky.
Glancing at Hades, I asked, “Can you give us a minute?”
He nodded silently and disappeared, leaving Brennan and I alone.
“What do you know?” Brennan asked me, his beautiful amber eyes trained on my face. He was at once impatient and reluctant to hear. I could feel it. I sank wearily down beside him on the stone, picking up his warm hand in mine. He was so warm, so very vital and beautiful. It felt as though I had been absent from the sun and now it was once again shining on me. It was such a warm and wonderful feeling.
“I learned something…. Something important,” I told him, stroking his fingers.
“Which is?” Brennan prompted. I lifted his head and propped it on my lap, hoping it would make him more comfortable. I found myself wishing I could free him. But instead, I explained what had just transpired in the Neitherworld. After a few minutes, my story had left him astonished. I could only imagine that I had looked the same way when I first discovered my true paternity.
“No,” Brennan breathed.
“Yes,” I nodded. “It’s true.”
“What does this mean?” he asked. “And can you please release me? I won’t do anything until we discuss it. You have my word.”
“When Hades comes back, we’ll release your bonds. Please forgive me for tying you. I just knew that you would try to sacrifice yourself. And I was right.”
I couldn’t keep the chastisement from my voice and he met my gaze firmly.
“You know I would do anything for you,” he said quietly. As quiet as he was, he voice still echoed in the night.
“I know,” I sighed. “Which is how I knew what you would do. Please, Brennan. You have to trust me. Going to Zeus isn’t going to save me and it certainly won’t save the mortal world. I’ve seen it. Hades showed me two versions of what will happen. One if we stand with him and one if we try to go it alone in the mortal world. Trust me, the latter ends very, very poorly.”
“Did he show you what would happen if I go to Zeus?” Brennan asked plaintively.
“No, he did not. Because I’m sure he knows that it isn’t an option for me,” I replied firmly. “It’s not an option, Brennan. I won’t lose you. Whatever we face, we’re going to face it together.”
“So, you’re just going to trust Hades now, without even a question?” Brennan asked doubtfully. “You’ve been running from him for so long. And your mother has been pushing you to go to him… do you think this is why? Do you think she really wanted you to know?”
“Probably,” Hades answered for me as he stepped into the ring. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I thought I had perhaps given you sufficient time for discussions.”
“It’s fine,” I told him. “I’ve just explained everything that I’ve learned to Brennan.”
“And Brennan is questioning your decision?” Hades asked, one dark eyebrow raised. I glared at him.
“Why wouldn’t he? You’re not exactly the first choice that comes to mind when I think of someone who I can trust.”
“I’m hurt, kitten,” Hades said glibly. But then he turned to Brennan. “Let me lay it out for you, son of Apollo. If you want to live and if you want Empusa to live, you will stand with me. You cannot trust Apollo. The sole reason that he is trying to keep you and Empusa apart is so that he can control your magic rather than have you under my influence. While I can understand his concern, it is still not a fatherly one. He doesn’t care about you and probably never will. Apollo is known for being superficial and shallow. You cannot trust my brother, either. You simply cannot.”
“Yet we cannot trust you, either,” Brennan pointed out. “Now can you release my bonds, please?”
“Well, since you said please,” Hades answered drily. He was kneeling beside Brennan before I could even blink, releasing the restraints.
Brennan sat up and rubbed his wrists, rolling his eyes at me at the same time. “If you wanted to tie me up, I can think of better ways, Em.”
He swung his legs off the altar and stood, nimbly stretching. “I wish I could say that was fun, but it wasn’t.”
??
?I’m so sorry, Brennan. Really.”
He stared at me. “Come here.”
I was at his side in a flash and he pulled me to him, crushing my lips with his own. He kissed me like I was the most delicious treat on earth, so soundly that I felt dizzy when he finally pulled away. As he did, I noticed a tree burning to our left and I glanced sheepishly at Hades.
Hades just shook his head. “You give new meaning to the term ‘explosive relationship’.”
I rolled my eyes. “What’s next? What should we do now?”
“Well, first we need to ascertain whether your boyfriend will be fighting with us… or against us.”
Hades looked pointedly at Brennan. I almost gasped aloud.
“Brennan would never fight against me,” I snapped. I twisted my head quickly and looked at Brennan. “Right?”
Brennan returned my gaze drolly. “Of course not,” he assured me. “I would never fight against you. Not ever, for any reason.”
I turned back to Hades in satisfaction. “There you have it. He’s with us.”
“What a relief,” Hades said smoothly, with a sarcastic edge. “I was so worried. Now, back to the matters at hand. I was sent here at Zeus’ behest as one of your challenges. Empusa, your challenge was to withstand temptation… me. I believe that Zeus purposely sent me as your challenge because he suspects your true paternity. He knew that if it was true, I wouldn’t follow through. Any moment now, he will realize that the challenge was not met. Which, as you know, means that a mortal will fall into the gauntlet. I care little about that, but I know that you do. Or, at least, Brennan does. Of larger consequence to me is that Zeus will soon know the truth, that I am your true father. As you know, it changes everything. We need to determine how we will move forward.”
“How do you think Zeus will react?” I asked him. “You know him the best.”
“My brother will be instantly threatened,” Hades replied. “And that is the most dangerous frame of mind for him to be in. When Zeus is threatened, he becomes proactive and defensive. We need to keep a step ahead.”
“I hate this,” I said miserably. “Will he do anything to our supporters in Olympus… like Harmonia and Cadmus? And my mother?”
Hades studied me, his dark eyes glittering. “I know not,” he admitted. “I wouldn’t be surprised. It is doubtful that he will harm Harmonia and Cadmus. They saved the Olympians from my trickery, after all. But your mother… I believe that he would welcome the excuse for retribution.”
I swallowed hard. I knew he was right.
“So, now what?” I whispered.
“That is a very good question,” Hades said. “We need to carefully think on it and plan our first move. Let us sleep here for the night and plot our next steps. We’ll move on the morrow.”
“Agreed,” I nodded. “We’re protected here in the circle.”
“Yes,” Hades agreed. “For now. Zeus won’t allow that to stand forever, but for tonight, it should still be safe. I have a matter to attend to in the Underworld and it will not take long. Do you feel comfortable staying here in my absence?”
I nodded. “Of course. “We’ll be fine.”
“Very well,” Hades answered, buttoning his cloak at his neck. “I will return shortly.” And he was gone.
Brennan and I stared at each other in the night. The moon was full in the dark sky above us and the stars twinkled brightly. If the fate of everything that we knew wasn’t hanging in the balance, I could almost enjoy this moment, this sudden and unexpected alone time with Brennan. But as it was, the air was filled with tension and our fate was uncertain at best.
I sighed and leaned my head against Brennan’s strong chest. His arms automatically closed around me, holding me tight.
“It will be okay,” he murmured into my hair. “I won’t let it be anything else.”
“Says the man who was willing to die a moment ago,” I said wearily. He sighed in response.
“Yes, I was willing to die—for you. I’ll do anything it takes.”
And that was what worried me.
Chapter Seventeen
We woke to fire.
I knew it before my eyes even opened. I could smell the thick smoke and hear the popping cracks. I leaped to my feet, pulling Brennan with me. Whirling around, I found everything around us in flames. The trees, the grasses, the village containing the priestesses. I could hear their screams, both screams of sadness and screams of agony. I squeezed my eyes closed for a scant moment, before I reopened them and squared my shoulders.
“Zeus knows,” I said needlessly. Brennan nodded. “Hades isn’t back,” I added. Again, Brennan nodded. “I wonder what is keeping him?”
I was running toward the village now, to see if I could help. I didn’t know how long the fire had been burning while I slept. When I reached the edge of the clearing, right before the ring of fire began, I hit an invisible wall and was thrown backward into the air. I landed hard, with my head and shoulders slamming against the altar. I sat up, shaking my head to clear it.
“What the hell?” I muttered.
Brennan tried to get through, but he was prevented as well. He patted the air, feeling the invisible barrier.
“It’s a wall,” he announced. “A see-through wall.”
“Zeus,” I said quietly.
A movement to my right caught my eye and I turned.
Hades was approaching the wall. He stood directly in front of me and his mouth was moving, but I couldn’t hear a thing. I held up my hands as if to tell him and he nodded quietly. He knew. His face was clouded over. He was not a happy god.
I watched him try and break down the wall with magic for several minutes before he shook his head again. He couldn’t touch it. Only Zeus could.
“Did you truly think you could deceive me?” a voice boomed. It seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed and the burning trees began to blow. I felt a chill run down my spine. I had always thought it would be Hades that did me in. But I realized now that I was wrong. It would be Zeus.
Brennan jumped onto the altar and looked into the sky.
“We meant you no harm,” he shouted. “We didn’t know that Empusa was Hades’ daughter until last night. She didn’t even know. This is not her fault.”
An apparition appeared in front of us then, a perfect rendition of Zeus himself. It shimmered in the night and broke up slightly as he walked toward us before becoming whole again.
“You have plotted with Hades to stand against me,” Zeus said, his voice as loud as ever. “That is treason.”
I dropped to my knees and bowed my head. Reaching up, I tugged on Brennan to do the same. He quickly joined me.
“Forgive us, uncle,” I said quietly. “We meant no disrespect toward you- none at all. We were simply brainstorming ways to survive and remain together. I have never wanted to stand against you. I only wish to live in peace. I’ve been cursed so long that I have forgotten what that is like.”
“You act as though your intentions mattered,” Zeus replied. His silver eyes flashed with anger in the night. His wild mane of gray hair waved in the breeze, standing on end. He wore ancient Greek dress; a silver toga belted at the waist with an ornate, jeweled belt. Beautiful silver sandals laced up his calf. In all, he was a vision of glimmering silver.
“Intentions do not matter,” he continued, ignoring my veiled appraisal of him. “Actions matter. Words and oaths matter. You intend to stand with my brother Hades against me. You felt you couldn’t trust me to assist you, to stand behind my word. That vexes me, Empusa. If it weren’t for my granddaughter Harmonia’s interference, you would be dead right now- the both of you. She has stood up on your behalf and pleaded for your life.”
“What about the game?” I asked, my voice small in the night. An instant smile widened across Zeus’ lined face. I was instantly uneasy. A turn in the game had brought Zeus pleasure which didn’t bode well for us.
“Obviously the game still plays on,” Zeus
said. “You and Hades didn’t complete the last challenge, so a mortal died. One point for Apollo.”
He was indifferent about the mortal and pleased about Apollo’s point. I was filled with instant rage and I knew that he could sense it. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“You’re such a feisty one,” he observed. “I do not know who I wish to win this next challenge. You’re feisty and strong, but yet you use your spirit to try and work against me. You would be guilty of treason right now if I had not interfered and prevented it by containing you in this very clearing. You should thank me. And Brennan, the handsome son of Apollo. He’s loyal and strong- very dedicated to you and that is commendable. He seems to have more substance than Apollo, but that has yet to be determined.”
“What do you mean, ‘who will win this next challenge’?” I asked uncertainly. “The game is surely over- everything has changed.”
“The game is over when I say it is over,” Zeus boomed. “In case you haven’t noticed, you are at my mercy right now. You cannot leave and no one else can come in to save you. There is an invisible barrier