Mayhem: Goddesses Of Delphi Part 19

"But I'm not tired."

"I know, sweetheart. But it's what I must do. When you wake up, you won't remember being here, or the Hollow or anything bad that happened today." Nia pressed her hand to Hailey's forehead and nudged a suggestion of sleep through her palm. "But you will remember Uncle Thomas, and me, and how much we both love you. Okay?"

Hailey's eyes drooped, then fluttered as she fought the slumber moving through her. She yawned. "Okay."

The girl leaned into Nia's shoulder and nodded off. Wrapping her arms under the small body, Nia rose from the sofa.

Thomas reached for her, but Nia waved him off. "It's better if I carry her through the Hollow since you're a novice at this manner of transportation."

He shrugged. "If you say so. What should I do?"

"Stand next to me and put your arm around my shoulder. As my mist rises, you'll feel a change in the air pressure. The best way to handle that is like you would on a plane. Keep swallowing and if it's really bad, pinch your nose, close your mouth and force an exhalation through your sinuses. I promise, it will get easier with time."

He moved beside her, his hand descending on her back and curling up over her shoulder.

"You ready, Artemis?"

Nodding, the G.o.ddess waved her hands in a circular motion over her desk. Behind her, an alert beeped, signaling she'd engaged the override. "You have fifteen seconds. Good luck with Mnemosyne."

Nia called forth a mist as she prepared to move into the Hollow with Thomas and Hailey. As the mist enveloped them, Thomas's form turned to cobalt, the color of partisans. But instead of yellow his core pulsed with a strong dose of silver. Pinp.r.i.c.ks of white light dotted him, just like her lights. Another sign their destinies were tied together.

She navigated back to Thomas's house, materializing out of the mist in his gourmet kitchen. He took Hailey from Nia's arms and carried her upstairs. Mnemosyne arrived shortly after he'd laid her in the bed.

"Haven't I already swept this mortal's memories once?" her auntie questioned.

"Yes, but he's no longer mortal. He's one of us. You're here to see to Hailey."

Mnemosyne glanced to the bed. "Ah, yes. I spoke to Artemis about her." She glided to the bed and lowered onto it, taking Hailey's limp hand in one of hers. Closing her eyes, she pressed her other hand to Hailey's forehead and began chanting in ancient Greek.

"What's she saying?" Thomas's whispered question tickled her ear with warmth.

"She's settling a permanent block on all things supernatural Hailey witnessed today. Her memory isn't gone, just buried very, very deeply." She took his hand, weaving their fingers together. "Hailey may experience flashbacks of sorts from today, but they'll seem like dej vu. Nothing more."

Before Thomas could reply, Mnemosyne stood and dusted her hands together. "All done."

"That was fast." Thomas moved to Hailey's side. "She's smiling."

The girl did indeed have a smile tugging on the corners of her lips. She resembled a peacefully sleeping cherub, nestled among the pink pillows adorning her bed.

Mnemosyne turned toward Nia. "Must go. Have some last minute add-ons left from the debacle at Helios. Next time, you girls should try harder before it gets so far out of hand."

As if they had any control of it. Pierus would be back. Who knew which Muse would end up on the hot seat next time? If he followed the schedule he'd set this time, they'd have a brief respite while he licked his wounds and plotted the next strategy in his hostile take-over bid.

Struggling to stop the involuntary roll of her eyes, Nia leaned in and accepted a good-bye kiss from the woman. "We'll do our best, Auntie."

The air concussed around them as she blinked out without calling the gentling mist.

Thomas swallowed hard and pulled on his ear lobe. "Will Hailey be okay?"

"She's young. They bounce back quickly." Nia rested her hand on his shoulder and urged him toward the hallway. "She's going to sleep for a few more hours."

Thomas turned on the light on the bookshelf before they exited the room. The door closed with a quiet snick, and Thomas led her toward his bedroom. After easing his door shut, he gathered Nia in his arms and possessed her mouth with a hunger that matched hers. She opened under him, and he swept his tongue in, stroking hers. Where her body molded to his, heat ignited, stirring the flame in her torso and lower.

Breaking apart after the intensely pa.s.sionate kiss, they both panted.

Thomas found his voice first. "I do love you. And I will for many lifetimes with you, my love." A chuckle built in his chest, a rumble she felt in her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. "As odd as that sounds."

"Sounds wonderful to me." Nia tipped her face up, eager for another kiss.

After he'd indulged her, he combed his fingers through her hair. Staring deep into her eyes, he sighed, his warm breath fanning her face. "A month ago, if you'd told me Doubting Thomas would ever say magic was real, I'd have laughed. Or called you certifiable. But you've made me believe. Your love has stilled my doubts."

Deep emotion brought tears to her eyes and one leaked out to trickle down her face. "Love is magic. And my love for you transcends the ages."

"I'm looking forward to spending eternity with you," he lowered his head and murmured against her lips, his mouth but a whisper away from her.

Her answer was in her kiss. Eternity might just not be long enough.

Coming Soon - GREED.

G.o.ddesses of Delphi Book 3.

Financial reporter, Polly Thanos, Muse of Hymns, is certain the proposed merger between Delphi's two largest firms spells doom for mankind. Eos Corporation's long-time goal-to provide scientific and philanthropic solutions to the benefit of mortals- is lost in the quest for profits. Her challenge starts with an impossible task-inspire one mortal skeptic to believe in the magic of what if.

Scientist Ian Sommers is researching a healthier way of life for impoverished people. When his boss orders him to pursue a chemical, rather than organic solution, Ian suspects the pursuit of the almighty dollar will lead to delivering poison to the unsuspecting population.

In protest, Ian's prepared to quit his job. But he's shocked to discover the woman he's falling for is an immortal tasked with stopping corporate avarice. As their attraction grows, so does the risk to them and to all humans. Without Ian's help and his love, Polly's faces a world not safe from the by-products of greed-death and disease.

Greed.

"You're late."

Skidding to a stop in front of her older sister, Polly Thanos dropped the insulated cooler she carried to the ground. "Hey, when the mayor of Delphi holds a press conference to talk about economic growth and you're a financial reporter, you do not duck out on his speech." Polly glanced around the covered pavilion where her family had gathered. "Besides, Zeus isn't here yet, which technically makes me not late. Back off, Calliope. This is supposed to be a fun family gathering."

"I should be working," Calliope complained, pursing her dusky-rose lips together.

"Jeez, Callie. We all should be. But we just survived another major challenge. We deserve a little break before the next time Pierus rears his fugly head. Or one of his daughters does. That's why Gaia planned this Labor Day picnic."

"But as oldest, I have the most responsibility in this entire fiasco."

"Dramatic much lately?" Polly aimed a mental pinch at Callie's bicep. It was probably not the smartest thing to do, but when one had the gift of being able to move things with their mind, it would be a shame to waste it on simply inspiring mortals. "You should leave the theatrics to Mel."

Callie scowled as she rubbed the spot on her arm. Taking satisfaction in knowing she'd successfully nudged her older sister, Polly was more pleased when Callie didn't retaliate.

"Besides," Polly continued. "You're only older by two years. And when you've lived six-thousand years, that's kind of like a twenty-year-old saying she's twenty-and-a-half. I'd say we're all equal in this century."

Polly and her sisters were honest-to-G.o.ddess Muses, deities focused on inspiring mortals to excellence. Their roles were to lead humankind to new discoveries, and new heights in arts and sciences. However, there was no denying it was getting harder to crack human insistence that G.o.ds didn't exist.

Being a G.o.d implied immortality. But the Muses' life spans deviated from the standard. Unlike their parents and other extended family, Muse life spans mirrored the typical cycle of man. They were born, they lived an average of sixty years, and then they died. When they were reborn in the next lifetime, they came back with a complete set of memories. About the time they turned eighteen, their supernatural powers began to resurface. Until they were at complete strength, the world experienced a lull in creativity and inventiveness. The entire Great Depression had occurred while Polly and her sisters were in a dormant cycle.

"I hate waiting to find out who's next. What if it's me?" Was that anxiety she heard in Callie's voice?

Polly laid a hand on Callie's arm and urged calming vibes through the point of contact. "We all hate waiting. But we must while Pierus regroups. It gives us a chance to lay the groundwork for the legal challenge. Zeus told me he'd set a meeting with Dice and the other justice G.o.ds. But he's having trouble getting on their schedule."

Recently, an ancient demi-G.o.d, Pierus, had re-emerged...bent on revenge. In the early days of their existence, Pierus had bragged that his nine daughters were superior to Zeus's children. That had p.i.s.sed Zeus off, and as punishment the G.o.d of G.o.ds had transformed Pierus's brats into filthy magpies. The transformation had been meant to last for all eternity. But Pierus had found loopholes and every few thousand years, exploited them in a quest to restore his daughters. Which was why Zeus and Dice were meeting.

The greedy megalomaniac was staging a hostile take-over of the family firm, Olympus Industries. The Thanos women's lives depended on winning. If one sister lost, all of them would lose...condemned to live in magpie form for all eternity.

Each Muse had to face one of Pierus's nine daughters, defeat the b.i.t.c.h, and save the world in the process.

"If I were reading this story I'd probably throw the book at the wall by now. It's like a really bad B movie." At least Callie smirked when she said it, proving that Polly's cool-your-jets vibes had worked.

"Unfortunately, the villains in this story are not made up, and not so easily vanquished." Polly adopted a teasing, surfer-dude tone. "But hey! We're freaking Muses. Those b.i.t.c.hes had better watch out."

Their younger sisters, Clio and Urania, had conquered their challengers. But in both cases, defeat had loomed before they managed to overcome the odds.

For the challenge, each sister had to partner with a man who'd lost his belief in magic. It had worked for Clio and Nia. Jax and Thomas had each come through in a pinch to save the woman they'd fallen in love with. Although, it had been close with Thomas. He'd almost resisted too long.

Polly dreaded the time when it was her turn to take on one of the magpies. Pierus had been underhanded and devious so far. She doubted he'd change his tune going forward. Although, Nia had injured the b.a.s.t.a.r.d in the process of winning, leading all of them to believe they'd have a brief respite before the monster unleashed his next dirty trick.

"I hate feeling like I'm just waiting for the other blasted shoe to drop." Callie's tone took on a distinct whine, something Polly had never heard before. Callie crossed one arm over her chest and dug her fingers into the opposite shoulder. "I am struggling for every single word I'm adding to my ma.n.u.script."

"Sounds like we need to call a whambulance." Thalia, Lia for short, or for funny as she said, scoffed as she joined them. Aiming a water pistol, she shot a stream of liquid at Callie's face.

Callie swiped her hand over her cheeks and sputtered. "Dammit, Thalia. That was unnecessary."

Lia jammed her free hand on her hip. "No work talk! No discussion of the challenge. Those topics are off limits and anyone breaking the rules is subject to a whipped cream pie to the face."

Thalia embraced Polly and whispered in her ear. "Actually it was necessary. b.i.t.c.h has been raining on the parade since she got here." Her low chuckle was meant for Polly's ears only. Lia spun, crouched down, and fired the toy gun at Callie's legs. "The look on your face was hilarious."

"Ha ha," Callie deadpanned. She stomped away, awkwardly trying to brush away the excess water on her legs.

"Polly, Ian Sommers is here with Jax and Clio. He's been scanning the group like a searchlight for the past thirty minutes. I think he's looking for someone." Lia bent and retrieved the cooler Polly had dropped.

The mention of the man's name snagged Polly's attention. "Well, he can't be looking for me. I've reached out to him three times in the last few days and he has yet to return my calls."

"He's probably been pretty busy. I hear changes are coming for his company."

Precisely why Polly had been trying to contact him. Ian was a scientist for Eos Corporation, a research and development ent.i.ty studying methods to aid the most dest.i.tute countries. They specialized in clean water techniques, vaccine delivery systems and the like.

The announcement, delivered by the president of Eos and the mayor of Delphi, was the reason Polly had been running late. They'd announced a contract that would result in an additional thousand employees for the corporation. Which meant new economic growth for Delphi. The largest percentage of the new workers would be employed in the factory, but higher paying administrative positions were being added as well.

"I was just at a press conference along with Zeus." Polly laced her arm with Lia's and together they strolled after Callie to the food table Gaia had arranged. Polly's cooler contained the baklava she'd bought from the Greek deli on Hyperion Street.

Lia grinned, popping a dimple on her right cheek. That dimple was about the only way to distinguish Lia from her twin, Mel, whose dimple was on the left cheek. One lifetime they'd been reborn with the dimple on the same cheek. That had been confusing during their entire existence in that century.

Soft laughter escaped Lia's mouth. "Don't know squat about that. Ian's been talking baseball with Jax and Thomas this whole time. Zeke's been reciting statistics for every comment. A real ticket to yawns-ville if you ask me."

"I'd rather have them talking baseball than listen to another second of Callie's b.i.t.c.hing."

"d.a.m.n straight, sister." Lia, the Muse of comedy, had the best laugh. It started in her belly and rose like bubbles in champagne.

The tinkling sound made Polly smile. She continued grinning as Ian lifted his hand and waved her over. She drew Lia to a halt. "Can you arrange the dessert on the table for me? Do not let Gaia or Callie see that it came from Pandora's. I'll never hear the end of it."

"Why not? It isn't as if they don't know you're domestically challenged."

"Remember the last time I showed up with store-bought souvlaki? I thought Mother was going to go ape-s.h.i.+t on me."

"Yeah, Gaia did ding you on that." Lia laughed again. "Okay, I'll cover for you. Why don't you grab a beer and join Mr. Studly there." She tipped her chin in Ian's direction.

"Mr. Studly?"

"Sister, do not pretend you don't find him handsome."

"I'll concede that point, but studly?"

She'd be lying to herself if she continued to deny it. With his s.h.a.ggy golden hair and mysterious brown eyes he truly did qualify for Polly's personal hottie hall of fame. Her guilty secret was that she'd been a fan of long-haired men since she'd met Alexander the Great in Babylonia. He'd had amazing, thick honey blond waves. Just like Ian's.

Add in Ian's lean runner's build and the long, ropey muscles in his arms, and the way his jeans rode low on his hips, and he'd be any woman's ideal date.

She left Lia at the food table and moved to one of the beverage coolers in the shade of the pavilion, conscious of Ian's gaze on her the whole time. Heat climbed her cheeks at his continued perusal when she bent to grab a soft drink from the icy water. Nodding at one of Clio's co-workers from the Delphi University Library, Polly sauntered toward where Ian and Jax sat laughing with Zeke, Clio's brawny partisan, or immortal bodyguard.

Ian stood as she approached. "Sorry I haven't gotten back to you. I knew I'd see you here and figured we could talk in person." He hugged her.

Polly was pretty certain his lips brushed her hair, which sent a small thrill up her spine. She squelched the s.h.i.+ver. Ian was a family friend. Hot as h.e.l.l, but nonetheless, still squarely in the friend-zone. A fact she wouldn't mind changing.

"Except Lia told me no business today." Polly settled in the seat Ian had vacated.

Clio joined them, sliding onto Jax's lap. "Thank the G.o.ddess you're here. These jokers would have talked baseball or video games all afternoon." She slipped her arm around Jax's shoulders and mussed his dark hair.

"We'd have changed the subject the second you stopped arguing strategy on Call of Duty."

Polly sipped her drink then put it in the cup holder on the arm of the lawn chair. "But that's Clio's favorite game."

"Not anymore." Jax splayed his hand on Clio's belly and shot her a grin. "We found one she likes better."

"Not even going to ask." Polly debated sending a knock-it-off nudge to Clio, but decided against it. The woman was young and in love with her newly-minted immortal.

"Did you go to the press conference?" Ian asked, distracting her from the cuddling couple in front of her.