Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) (17 page)

His father had a point. Men trusted in science, not in the gods. Apollo had to take another tack. “If not for men, then for the city of Athens.” Apollo lowered to one knee. “Your games are still held and your memory lives on through Mount Olympus.”

“I do enjoy watching mortals at sport.” Zeus nodded, a faint smile on his lips.

Hades glared with black eyes at Apollo. “These games celebrate mortal strength, not the gods. Is this the weak argument you place before great Zeus? You dishonor him and us.”

Did Apollo have anything weightier than life to convince them? Life should have been enough, but to a god who lived forever it meant little. He tossed out the first idea that came to his mind. “Love is my reason.”

“Love?” Athena turned her beautiful face to him, her long blond hair brushing her shoulders. “I wish to hear more.”

Artemis leaned forward. “You, my brother, in love? I find that almost impossible to believe.” She smiled. “Tell me, who is it this time?”

Apollo winced at the accusation. He’d claimed love or lust for many a mortal, but this was far different. This emotion rooted in his breast and would never be dug out. “It’s Cassandra, the woman I’ve reclaimed from the underworld and Hades.”

“Oh yes, the wager.” Zeus removed his hat and scratched his head. “How is that going?”

Lies to his father would not be tolerated, nor was it possible to deceive him for long. “She just told me she cares deeply for me.”

Hades’ creaky laugh reverberated over the marble walls. “Cares deeply? Yes, so much so that she refused to have you in her bed.”

“It’s a small matter. A difference of opinion,” said Apollo. “If my gift of prophecy were reinstated, I could woo Cassie more effectively and win my wager. Hades seeks an unfair advantage from the loss of my gift.”

Zeus stared down at Apollo from his throne high above the arena where the gods made requests and begged for mercy. Zeus hadn’t been to Earth in thousands of years and had lost touch with the struggles of men. Mercy on behalf of mortals was doubtful. Apollo lowered himself to both knees. “Father, what can I do to gain your favor?”

Hades’ grin darkened his features and turned evil. “Give up your love. That’s a worthy sacrifice. You can’t love a mortal more than Zeus.”

Apollo’s gut twisted in on itself. Zeus did demand loyalty above all and Hades knew it. Apollo hoped his father would see through his uncle’s game.

“Do you love this woman?” asked his father. “Is she all that you’d hoped for and is she worth any price?”

“She is.” Apollo might not have the gift of prophecy, but he could feel in his churning stomach that things were going in the wrong direction. Help saving the embassy was the last thing Cassie had asked from him. He couldn’t give up. He cleared his throat. “Hades is a selfish monster, hoping to maneuver you so he wins the bet. Don’t listen to him.”

Zeus growled and sat up straight. Lightning flashed in his eyes. “Don’t counsel me. I know Hades strives to win. I’m lord and will not be manipulated by god or man. You’ll stay Apollo while I think on this.”

“But Athens will fall.”

“It may,” said Zeus. “The Fates have decreed the attack in two days.”

“Two days?” It might as well be two hours. He didn’t even have a plan. “Then I ask for your answer now.” Apollo knew he pushed the mightiest of all the gods. Not wise, but desperation won out over wisdom. Artemis shook her head at him.

The turbulent sea in his father’s gaze rolled into angry dark green. A hurricane brewed in their depths. “I will not be commanded by my son and in my own court,” he rumbled in a voice like thunder. Zeus slammed his staff on the marble floor and the entire temple shook. “Your arrogance rivals men’s.”

Apollo sunk low, hoping to dodge any stray thunderbolts. “Forgive me. My love for Cassandra causes me to act desperate.”  

The fire in his gaze cooled. “I will not separate you from this woman, but I won’t aid you to destroy Hydra. I command that no help be given to Apollo.” Zeus directed his fierce gaze on those present and they bowed under the weight of it. “I will be lenient to you this last time. Rather than send my lightning to level the city, I will return you to save it. If you can.”

Apollo sucked in a breath. He didn’t expect mercy. “Thank you.”

Zeus raised his hand in warning, his eyes swirled dark. “That’s not all. I return you, not with your gift of prophecy restored, but as a mortal.”

Gasps echoed from the walls. Hade’s blackened grin spread over his chalky face.

Apollo sunk to the ground and prostrated himself. “No. Please. They’ll die.”

“Then so be it,” said Zeus.

Apollo’s bones felt like they’d been filled with lead. He struggled to his feet.

Tears ran down his sister’s pale cheeks and she ran to his side. Her blue eyes flashed. “Please father. Can’t you find some small gift to aid him? Hades drools over obtaining my brother’s service.” She pointed her slender finger at their uncle. “Look at the evil sitting beside you.”

Zeus glanced to Hades. “He is what he is and always has been. I didn’t make the wager with Hades. Apollo did.”

Artemis opened her mouth to speak, but Apollo pressed his fingers to her lips to silence her. “No use, sister. I’ll take what comes, fight Hydra, and love Cassie as a mortal. If the Fates decree, I’ll die with her.”

* * *

In the morning, Cassie wasn’t ready to face Apollo on an empty stomach. She’d bared her soul to him. He’d stared at her with his compelling blue eyes as if she’d asked for the impossible. He was a god, damn it. Marriage was within his power and he’d refused to commit to her.
Like all the other jerks.
It might be ridiculous, but it was what she wanted. Her mother had always told her it would be a mistake to settle for less in relationships and in life.
All or nothing
. “Have I chosen nothing?”

She shook off the depressing thoughts and left her room. Cassie walked two blocks to the market and stopped before a stand where a plump woman sold bread. The comforting scent of baked dough surrounded the stand. Her mouth watered. She’d barely eaten in two days. Freshly toasted pita beckoned.

A sharp prick at the base of her skull ruined the moment. Someone watched her. It was the same creepy feeling from the other day. Cassie scanned the busy market.

“Cassie.” George closed the distance between them. “I’ve heard something. I’ll tell you over coffee, but first, I must stop by a friend’s shop. It’ll only take a moment.”

He leaned close. The sharp scent of oregano clung to him. “I was about to call your hotel. I can’t believe my luck meeting you here.”

The back of her neck itched and she rubbed it away with her fingers. Was someone following her? That’s silly. Who would do that? “I’m the lucky one.” She smiled. Finally, a break in this mess. Maybe they wouldn’t need help from Zeus after all.

They strolled down a narrow street and turned right. “There.” George nodded to a small, white building crowded between two beige apartments. Garlic braids hung in the window and a huge pot of rosemary sat outside. “Here we are. You must come inside and meet my friend. We go way back.”

Cassie followed George inside the shop. Pungent aromas of herbs washed over her like a Mediterranean breeze. Oregano hung in clumps on the wall and rosemary branches were strewn on a table near the front. A pottery bowl loaded with lemons sat next to the cash register near the door. The fresh scents made her mouth water.

“Nic,” called George to the back of a squat, balding man packing a box behind the register.

The man faced them. He was dark, with soft brown eyes. “You’re here so soon. Have you brought me a customer?”

George laughed. “This is Cassie Priam, the American woman I told you about. We happened upon each other in the market. Imagine my surprise.”

Nic’s smile broadened. “Yes. A pleasure to meet you.” He walked around the counter and took her hand. “George didn’t tell me you were so beautiful. Come with me to the back for coffee and a little something to eat while my friend and I do business.”

Cassie’s neck prickled and the sensation shimmied down her spine. Something was off, but what? Maybe she was close to gaining information on Hydra?

Shrugging off the warning, she followed Nic as George brought up the rear. They made their way through a room overpowered by sweet lavender, jasmine and calendula hanging in bunches from the ceiling. A heavy table scattered with packets of rich spices looked ready for sale. The delicious scents argued with the tingle at the base of her head.

“I’m glad you were able to come so soon,” said Nic as he maneuvered around a crate loaded with bottles of olive oil.

“It did work out well, didn’t it?” said George from behind her.

Cassie didn’t feel the “well” he referred to. The prickle progressed to needle pricks, but she couldn’t see anything wrong. Her radar must be off, out of whack because she was still upset over Apollo.

Nic entered a tiny room with white plaster walls, hugged on one end by a small wooden desk and a spindly chair. A skylight brightened the shabby space and made the room appear bigger.

“Our friends will congratulate you. Most impressive,” said Nic as he moved to the desk.

“Thank you,” chuckled George from behind her.

Pulling open a desk drawer, Nic retrieved a dark glass bottle and a rag. He popped open the lid, covered the opening with the cloth and tipped it over, soaking the rag “I’m glad you came when you did. If it had been an hour earlier, I wouldn’t have had this.” He nodded to the bottle in his meaty hand.

George took a spot just behind her and to her side. “Luck does smile on us.”

Prickles raced down her back. Three warnings, and she decided to listen. “I need to go.” She turned to leave.

George blocked her escape. Nic’s thick arm grabbed her from behind and pressed her close to his bulk. She struggled, but he was too strong. “George, what are you doing? Help me!”

Nic covered her mouth and nose with the rag. “You’re not going anywhere.”

* * *

Apollo was furious. If he’d still had his powers, he would’ve throttled his spoiled half brother. All Hermes had to do was bring him to Athens near his hotel, but no, he’d taken a detour to Delphi. Showing Apollo his former greatness, rubbing his nose in his past glory. If by some miracle Apollo won the bet and gained Hades’ hound, he’d turn the three-headed beast loose on Hermes. At least one set of jaws would bite a piece from his hide.

Hermes had taken his time, but finally deposited him on the outskirts of Athens. Apollo reached the hotel by late afternoon. Time wasted and they had none. He grumbled as he knocked on the door of her room. No answer. Was she just being stubborn or had she gone out? He trudged down the stairs to the front desk. They hadn’t seen her since morning.

Something didn’t feel right, and it was more than the blisters on his feet from walking. Cassie might have run into trouble. She’d lived a sheltered life. All she knew of danger came from human television and dreams. The girl had no real experience.

He left the hotel. The market had closed for the day. People milled about the cafés, but Apollo didn’t see Cassie among them. Where could she have gone? Not to her father: she’d been too angry with him. Apollo’s search brought him near Andromeda’s home. He’d stop in for a moment and see if she might have an idea of where to look.

A thin young man with curly brown hair answered the door. “Come in. Come in. She told me to invite you if you came by. Andromeda hasn’t stopped speaking of the handsome, blond god who visited. I’d know you anywhere.”

Apollo entered. “I’m not a god, just a family friend.” The truth of his words cut him.
Not a god. Mortal.
And he didn’t care for the situation at all. Her humble home was clean and just as he recalled from his last visit. The young man had an expressive and friendly face and appeared to be about sixteen.

Andromeda nodded in her chair, her chin resting on her full bosom. The boy gently shook her awake. “He’s here.”

She jerked and her eyes blinked open. Apollo smiled at her, feeling that this woman’s time on earth was ebbing away. He wished he’d seen her over the years, that he could turn back time and prolong her life. None of this was in his power. All he could offer was a brief visit.

“Apollo.” She grinned, and then shook her hand at the lad. “Open a bottle of wine for us.” Her crinkled eyes stared at him. “I’m glad you’re here. The sight of you makes my heart sing with the memory of your grandfather.”

“Your memories of him are good?”

“They sustain me in quiet moments. And this young man.” The boy had returned and handed them full glasses, then set the bottle on the table beside the old woman. She smiled at the young man and he grinned back, genuine affection obvious between the two. She lifted her glass. “What troubles you?”

“Why do you think anything bothers me?” Were his concerns so visible for all to see?

“I knew that look of your grandfather’s. It always meant trouble.”

“You’re perceptive. There is trouble.”

Her sparse gray brows lowered. “I’m old and likely can’t do more than listen, but I can still do that.”

“Anything you can tell me could help.”

She settled a blanket over her lap and sat up straight. “Go on.”

He set his glass on an end table. “I’m afraid that something might have happened to my fiancé. My gut tells me that Hydra has something to do with it.” 

Andromeda’s gaze shifted to the boy and then back to Apollo. “Hydra? Filthy lot. They tried to convince Jason to join them. We talked about it and decided they were up to no good. He’s a smart boy.” She smiled at Jason and he beamed at her praise.

“You know of them?” Apollo perched on the edge of his chair in anticipation of any morsel of news.

Jason shrugged his slight shoulders. “I hear things. No one pays attention to me as I run errands. I’m always picking up things in the market and the shops for people. After I pay the money, they don’t seem to notice if I stay and listen. It used to bother me, but then I started to learn things. It’s not always a bad thing to be ignored.”

“You’ve heard of Hydra?”