Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) (22 page)

“Look at me.” He stared at her with a gaze as hard as marble and twice as cold. “I'm not teasing and I’m not telling a lie. I’m no longer a god and I have no power beyond that of other mortals.”

“Damn it all to hell, you’re serious,” she said. Cassie wanted to scream, but knew it wouldn’t do a bit of good. The truth sobered her. “When did this happen?” As soon as she’d voiced the question, she knew. Apollo had asked Zeus for help at her insistence. A pang of guilt stabbed her ribs. “You came back mortal?” she squeaked. “Some help your father is. He’s worse than Hydra. When were you going to tell me?”

“I’d hoped for an appropriate time.” He shrugged. “The moment never came.”

“Any time before now would have been good,” she fumed, her long hair swaying around her with each agitated move of her head.

“There’s no sense wasting time being angry. We need to think.”

“There isn’t time to think. Any moment, men with guns are going to shoot everyone before things start exploding.”

The door creaked open. Cassie braced herself for John, but Jason’s face appeared. “I heard you to were in here. You must have gone back to Andromeda’s.” He hurried in and pressed the door shut. Jason had bruises forming on his face and a swollen lip.

“How is Andromeda?” said Apollo. “Did they hurt her?”

Jason moved to untie him. “It was too much for her. I think she had a heart attack.”  He sniffed and wiped his nose on the sleeve of shirt. “She’s dead.”

Apollo’s eyes rimmed red. His jaw hardened, and if he’d still been a god, Cassie was sure he’d level the place with his rage.

Jason finished freeing him and then moved on to Cassie’s ropes. “They tie some mean knots,” he said. “Andromeda told me to help you and get away. If I make it to America, I’m to give her brother’s her love.” A tear slid down his face, but he didn’t bother to wipe it away.

Jason cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”

Cassie slipped out of the ropes, but Apollo hunkered in the chair. “You go. I need to stay and finish this.”

“Are you kidding? We’re about to be killed,” said Cassie, pulling on Apollo’s hands. “I’ve seen the massacre, remember?” She wanted to punch him herself. Maybe that hit to his head addled his brains. “We have to get out.” She tugged on his arms. He didn’t budge.

“We?” He looked at her, a golden brow riding high in question. “I’m going to see you both safe and then destroy these assassins. You’re leaving.”

Jason had set his chin in determination. “I can help. I owe it to Andromeda. There isn't time to dismantle the bombs, but we might get the people out before Hydra blows up the place.”

“Aren’t we guarded?” asked Cassie.

“Only a dozen men carrying guns. I heard them say the rest have gone,” said Jason.

Apollo got to his feet. “Jason, do you know the guards locations? I need a distraction to get Cassie clear and the others out. Is that something you can manage?”

“That’ll be easy,” said Jason, grinning like a kid with a fat lip. “Most of them are in the dining room arguing over who’s more important to Hydra and carving up positions for themselves in their new government.”

“Did you happen to see a tall psycho with burns on his scalp?” Cassie asked. She’d like to get her hands on that creep.

“Oh, Medina? Yeah, he’s arguing with the others. The only people outside are half a dozen guys patrolling the halls. They have guns, but they aren’t much. I walked right by them. Sometimes looking younger pays.”

“Do you have a few bombs available?” said Apollo.

“I know where I can get them.”

“We’ll need to barricade the doors of the dining room and set a trap before we escape.” 

Cassie glared at Apollo, her hands on her hips. “You’re not getting rid of me this easy. I refuse to go without you. I’m sticking with you no matter what. Get use to it. How can I help?”

“And you thought you lacked courage.” Apollo kissed her firmly on the mouth. “But I want you safe.”

“Courage? Are you kidding?” Laughter bubbled up and she stuffed it down. “I’m about to wet my pants out of fear, but I’m more terrified of losing you than anything. We go together or not at all.”

“Have it your way,” Apollo grumbled. “But if there’s a chance to flee, you take it.”

She knew he wouldn’t move until she agreed. “Fine.” It was silly to fight. Cassie’s dreams showed there wouldn’t be time to escape.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Apollo sent Jason to scout out the hall before the three of them crept from the room. There was no one in sight, but that brought Apollo little comfort. Any moment an armed assassin might step into view. Mortal strength couldn’t withstand bullets. He swallowed a growl. He needed a weapon or a miracle. The weapon would be easier to obtain.

The prophecy had showed Cassie cowering in a room. That much had changed and it proved the outcome might be altered. But to what end—something better or worse? He rolled his shoulders. He refused to think of defeat. He’d win the wager and they’d escape.

On stealthy feet, Apollo and Cassie carried the ropes that had restrained them, and headed to the closed double doors of the dining room where raised voices argued. Apollo slipped the ropes through the door handles and tied them fast. It wouldn’t hold them long.

Cassie seemed to read his thoughts. She gestured toward a large chest beside the doors. “How about this?” she whispered.

Apollo glanced to the heavy furniture and shook his head. He’d have to drag it over the floor. “Noise,” he mouthed to her. They’d need a loud distraction to cover the scraping sound. So far, Jason hadn’t created a distraction of any kind and he’d been gone too long. Where was he?

Shots rang out.

The sound reverberated through the hall and he and Cassie scurried on their bellies, Apollo shielding her with his body. He hoped this was Jason’s distraction and that the boy was all right. Heavy shoes pounded and the dining room doors rattled as those inside yanked on the handles to get out. Apollo got to his feet and shoved the chest against the straining portal, the screech of wood against wood muffled by shouts. “That will have to do,” he said, breathing heavily from the exertion.

Cassie lifted her head, jumped up and joined Apollo with her back against the wall beside the doors.

“Where’s Jason?” Apollo murmured. Each moment pricked at his nerves for the boy’s safety.

Cassie’s legs shook, but she made no sound and leaned around the corner to view an adjoining hall. She snapped back flat against the wall. “Jason’s coming.”

The boy hurried toward them lugging a canvas sack. Fear in his wide eyes and his urgent actions suggested they had little time.

“What’s this?” said Apollo.

Jogging to the chest, Jason put down the sack and frantically yanked out what appeared to be a bomb. “What it looks like,” said Jason. “Why just make it look like it would blow up, when I can make it explode for real?” Jason set to work as Apollo and Cassie kept watch.

Fists pounded the doors and then something large slammed against the inside.

“Where are the guards?” Apollo asked. 

“Downstairs,” said Jason focused on his work. “They’re putting out a fire.”

“Fire?” whispered Apollo. “Is the embassy going to burn down around us?"

Cassie shook her head. “No, the automatic sprinkler system will put it out.”

“Nope,” said Jason, glancing at her for a moment and then returning to his task. “I dismantled it. There’s a utility room with all kinds of controls and wiring. It was locked, but I’m almost as good at breaking into places as I am at blowing things up.” Jason’s fingers flew over multi-colored wires.

The boy was a marvel, but the sound of boots thudded toward them. “How much longer?” said Apollo, sweat trickling down his neck. Adrenaline coursed through his limbs in preparation for battle.

The vibration of hard heels on wood came nearer.

“Almost done,” breathed Jason. He snatched the device and wedged his body behind the chest out of view.

Another loud bang and the doors quivered.

John Medina stalked toward them, his revolver trained on Apollo. Air sucked out of his lungs. This was not an improvement on the dream.

“Drop to your knees,” the rodent growled.

Apollo stood his ground. No insect would order him to grovel.

Medina shifted and leveled his weapon on Cassie. “Both of you.”

Cassie lowered to her knees with a defiant glare.

How dare this gnat. Given the chance, Apollo would snap his neck. “By the gods and great Zeus, I’ll kill you.”

“By the gods?” Medina laughed. “No one believes in gods. No one with half a brain, that is. What are you going to tell me next, Goldilocks? That Zeus is your daddy and he’ll strike me dead? If gods existed, there wouldn’t be a need for Hydra.”

Apollo grumbled under his breath a combination curse on the man and plea to Zeus. He wouldn’t count on divine intervention, but it didn’t hurt to ask. Apollo knelt beside Cassie. The act of obedience he only gave to his father caused his blood to boil.

Medina moved closer. Perspiration covered his brow and he shifted on his feet, glancing this way and that. The man feared. If Apollo surprised him at the right moment, he could take him down.

John nodded to the chest barring the doors. “Your handiwork? Move it.”

A thud struck the doors. Wood cracked. Apollo couldn’t allow Jason to be exposed. This vile creature would kill him on sight.

Cassie trembled beside him. “You’re an idiot, John.” She choked and then sniggered. “The whole place is about to explode.” Laughter won out and she giggled. 

Apollo knew she couldn’t help the fit brought on by terror, but the dark glare in Medina’s eyes warned violence.

“Don’t laugh at me,” Medina ground through clenched teeth. He stood over her, a demon deciding on his form of torment.

Cassie pressed her lips tight, but hysterics burst through. “Sorry,” she giggled.

“Stop it,” Medina yelled and launched a ruthless kick to her gut. Cassie flew back and sprawled against the floor, gasping. The insect glared at her. “That’ll stop you, bitch.”

Shock and rage ignited Apollo’s fury. He flung himself at Medina, struggling for control of the gun. He wrenched the rodent’s wrist to free the weapon.

Medina clutched the gun tighter and bit down on Apollo’s arm, growling like a rabid hound. Blood ran from the wound, red drops pelting the floor. Apollo refused to let go and twisted harder. Medina gasped and stopped biting. Apollo punched him. Medina grabbed Apollo by the front of his shirt as he fell, pulling Apollo to the ground with him.

Medina pressed the gun to Apollo’s gut. An evil grin spread over his mouth. “This will hurt like hell.”

Apollo grabbed for the gun and they rolled across the floor.

The gun fired.

Apollo watched Cassie’s mouth open as if to scream, but heard nothing. He staggered to his feet.

Blood spread under Medina in a widening puddle. He lifted the gun with shaky hands, gasping, his mouth moving like a fish out of water struggling to breathe. Ruby fluid bubbled from the wound in his neck. The gun slipped from his fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud. Medina convulsed and let out a gurgle through his throat. His eyes fixed.

Apollo retrieved the gun. He owed his life to this mortal invention. Perhaps other contraptions held worth. He’d rethink his views on human science, once they escaped. 

Cassie pulled herself up, rubbing her ribs. 

Jason had crawled out from behind the chest. “Fifteen minutes and Hydra’s bombs ignite.”

“We need more time,” said Cassie. “There’s no way we can get everyone out.”

The doors buckled as those inside pushed to escape.

Jason scrunched his mouth. “Most people are locked in a room downstairs, but some might be hiding.”

“You two get out, I’ll see to the rest,” said Apollo.

Cassie shook her head. “Together or not at all.”

Jason stared at his watch. “Ten minutes left.”

“Have it your way,” Apollo grumbled. “No time to argue, we have to move.”

They fled the corridor, down the stairs and through the second floor. A door on the right vibrated with pounding and screams for help.

“This is the room,” said Jason. “Seven minutes.”

“You go ahead and I’ll meet you outside,” said Apollo, moisture trickling down his back.

Cassie hesitated. “No. I can’t.”

“Go. I’ll be all right.” Apollo nudged her forward. “Zeus won’t let me die.” He wished that were true.

“Six minutes.”

“You be outside in four minutes.” Cassie’s chin trembled. “I love you.” She kissed him before Jason yanked her arm and dragged her downstairs.

Apollo slammed into the door with his shoulder. It shuddered under his attack, but didn’t open. “Stand back,” he yelled to those inside. Apollo pulled a long table from the wall, lined the end up with the opening and shoved with all his might, using it as a battering ram. The door splintered and burst open. Terrified people escaped through the opening, panic on their faces as they passed him.

Apollo latched on to a young woman. “Is there anyone else?”

She stared wild-eyed. “I don’t know, let me go.” She ripped her arm from him and ran with the rest of the frightened rabbits.

Apollo opened doors and made a desperate search on his way to the main level, and safety. People raced past him down the stairs.

An explosion rumbled and rocked the building.

Beams and debris crashed around him. Chunks of plaster fell, leaving a fine white powder. Shrieks echoed and smoke poured in. Apollo tore through the structure.

Another blast.

Blue flames danced above his head, licking the exposed beams. Sooty smoke hung chest high. The acrid smell filled his nose and burned his lungs. Apollo coughed and dropped to the floor. He sucked in air and crawled forward feeling his way.

Cassie and Jason had to be safe. “Please, almighty Zeus, grant me that,” he breathed. 

Fire spread down the walls. In a few moments the building would go up like a torch. Apollo squinted through deadly haze. His eyes burned and streamed from irritation. Stifling heat covered him with sweat. He swallowed the bitter taste of ash as he gulped a breath close to the floor.