1304 The Harbinger (The 13th Floor) (2 page)

It was strange to be flying home without having retrieved an item or a soul for Zeus. She loved her life in the Middle Realm, especially her newest incarnation as Meira Harper, shoe fashionista. A century ago, she would’ve never have guessed shoes would become an art form, and she’d get paid to wear them and give her opinion.

Up into the clouds, a plane rumbled in the distance. The city’s daily buzz was muffled and then faded away. Soaring higher, a pristine city in the sky came into view. Nestled in the clouds, it was like a picture from a child’s book of fairy tales come to life. Glorious architecture and shimmering colors. Yet somehow more sterile than the city below.

Spiraling down into the palace’s courtyard, Meira landed with a clack of her talons. The grand fountain gurgled, and a few young gods sat around it texting on their iPhones. They paid no attention to her, and she was glad of it. New gods were always trouble.

She silently sighed as she walked in through the arched entrance and turned right to enter the reception area. Padded chairs and settees with gold trim were the most colorful of the decorations. Marble statues of each of the major gods. A new batch, too, by the look of Hera’s newest hairdo. Fresh fruit filled bowls and a coffee maker burbled on a small table in the far corner.

Before Meira could make her way to the coffee, the door opposite the one she’d entered opened and a young woman stepped in. The girl appeared no more than eighteen, but she was far older than Meira. Her long blond hair was loose and her skin was kissed golden by the sun. She wore a short skirt and a tank top with glittering drawings that looked like a child had made them.

“Good morning. How may we help you?”

“Good morning, Hebe.” Meira dipped her head. The girl was one of the older gods, but not one of the eldest. Meira would save her deep bows for Hebe’s parents. “I have an urgent matter I’d like to discuss with Father.”

“Father is indisposed this morning, but I can tell him you were here and he can contact you at his earliest convenience.” Hebe had her mother’s beautiful face, but it was softened by youth. Yet there was always that same little stiffness that both mother and daughter got when speaking about Zeus.

“I must discuss something about a soul I’m to retrieve later this evening. So time is of the essence. I can wait here until he’s available.” Meira wasn’t going to leave without seeing the Thunder God. He was likely having a romp with some nymphs somewhere.

Hebe’s lips thinned, but she nodded. “Of course. I’ll relay the message to him immediately.”

The Goddess of Youth exited with an elongated sigh. Meira echoed it as she sat and folded her wings around her. It was going to be a long wait.

CHAPTER 3

Four hours later, the reception room door opened again. Meira wanted to claw someone’s eyes out, but instead she smiled. She stood with a flutter of her wings.

“Please follow me.” Hebe didn’t sound any more thrilled than she had been that morning.

Meira knew they were going to the Throne Room. She’d been there thousands of times before and could find the way on her own, but she wouldn’t tell Hebe to go. Protocol needed to be followed. She wasn’t going to upset anyone when she needed all the good favor she could get.

The winding halls may have disoriented a newcomer, but the pattern was as familiar as the back of her hand. Speaking of hands, Meira noticed Hebe had a cute manicure. Delicate flowers adorned her nails. Another day, she might’ve said something, but the sound of her talons tapping as she walked held back any compliments about nails.

Hebe stopped in front of the ornate double doors. Sighing again, she turned and pushed them open. The goddess stepped in and to the side, clasping her hands before her. “Father, may I present your loyal servant, Meira.”

The room was on the smaller side today. More the size of a very large boardroom than a grand throne room. Meira would take it as a good sign that Zeus wasn’t looking to impress or intimidate her.

A long, skinny table ran up its center. Another feature that was usually pushed off to the side. The Thunder God’s throne was at the head of the table and the chairs lining the sides were each unique and beautiful in their own ways. The thrones of the other gods. All were empty.

Biting into a peach, Zeus leaned against the side of his throne. Not how one might picture a god, but there was no one more godlike than he. Tall and broad, he wore a simple white buttoned up shirt and khakis. His shoes were Armani, and Meira didn’t think he was wearing them just to impress her. His taste in many things was sophisticated. The way he slurped the fruit’s juices, not so much.

“Meira, my dear. Come in, come in.” Zeus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and beckoned her. He smiled and came around the table.

Meira bowed low with her wings spread around her. Standing, she returned his smile and walked toward him. “Thank you for seeing me today, Father.”

“May I fetch you anything, Father? Nectar, ambrosia, coffee?” Hebe hadn’t moved from her position by the door. Her expression more than bored.

“No, sweetheart. Go and leave us.” Zeus made a shooing gesture without looking his daughter’s way and took another bite of his peach. It dribbled into his beard. It was one of the things he kept from centuries ago, but now it was trimmed and the color of pale sunlight.

It was a relief to have a chance to speak with the Thunder God alone. No one around to influence his decision except for Meira. Yes, she’d be in Sam’s bed tonight and neither of them would get a minute of sleep.

“I can’t remember the last time just you and I had a chat. It’s been too long. I’ve always enjoyed your company.” Zeus eyed her in a way that made Meira believe he enjoyed the view as much as her company. “Would you like something to eat? The new peach crop came in.”

He held up the one he’d bitten to her. Not offering it to be held by hands—since she didn’t have any at the moment—but to feed her. Like a faithful dog.

While his gaze might have been flattering, that was not.

“Thank you, Father, but I only desire to speak with you for a moment and not take up any more of your valuable time.”

Zeus shrugged and sat on the arm of his throne. He took another bite of his peach, seemingly fully involved in his enjoyment of it. Meira wet her lips. Her heart was beating too hard. She didn’t want to appear nervous in front of him. He had no sympathy for the weak.

“Tonight I’m to collect the soul of Samuel Wright for you.”

“Yes.” His sky blue eyes lit up. “I’m eager to meet this one. I’ve been told he’s a legend. A great hero. His distant ancestor was Jason of the Argonauts. He has the blood of kings in him.”

While Meira did find that bit about Sam fascinating, she wondered what Zeus meant by Sam being a legend. He was a good man, charitable, but he worked a white collar job. Perhaps it was a different Samuel Wright she was to collect. She toyed with the possibility for a few seconds, but her instincts told her Sam was the one. She’d known it the second she received the text.

“Father, I would like you to reconsider the taking of Sam’s soul.” There was no way to dance around the issue. Meira had to lay out the truth because in her heart, she knew it was the most compelling way to persuade him. “I know this man. In fact, I’m falling in love with him. I wish to spend our lives together.”

Zeus smiled in that sad way a parent smiles when a child skins her knee. His handsome face housed sky blue eyes that didn’t mirror anything his smile said.

“Ah, my poor dear. It’s so easy to become obsessed with mortals, especially the beauties and heroes.” Zeus patted her shoulder. “You’ll find someone else to distract you.”

“There is no one else for me.” Meira blurted before she could get a handle on her emotions. “I haven’t felt this way about anyone for a very long time. I don’t give my heart easily. Sam is a worthy man, and more years on Earth will only enrich his soul. Please, Father, I’ve barely had a chance to love him.”

She could hardly believe she’d spoken so brazenly with the Thunder God. Zeus had killed others for less. She was loyal. Surely he’d see that in her soul. Yet she was also a woman in love.

Zeus took another bite of his peach, gazing at her as he did so. He didn’t say anything for a full minute. Her knees trembled. She’d get down on them and beg if she had to. Any price she had to pay for a life with Sam, she’d do so.

“You’ve always been one of my favorites amongst the harpies. Grace and beauty, and a bright soul that will always be mine.” There was a slight growl of possessiveness in the last word. He stood and tossed what was left of the fruit over his shoulder. “This mortal, does he love you too?”

“Yes,” she said without pause.

“Then perhaps I shall give you a gift.” Before Zeus could say anything more, the rear door opened and Hera glided in, talking in a hushed voice to her eldest son, Ares.

Hera had yet another new hair style. Centuries had changed her with the ever evolving definition of woman and feminine beauty. In the modern world, this definition seemed to change every season.

Right now, Hera was tall and thin with breasts that even put Meira’s to shame. She wore a flowing deep red sundress that brought out the russet highlights in her curly hair. More stunning than a high fashion model, delicate in features, but strength radiated from her.

More strength than even Ares, and he was a walking powerhouse. Built like a heavy weight boxer and dressed in black, he was frightening and yet incredibly gorgeous. When he gazed at Meira, Ares wasn’t subtle in the way he drank her in. Some of her sisters would eagerly jump into his bed, but Meira never had any interest. Fierce as harpies could be, she preferred a man with a gentle touch.

“Zeus, I was unaware we had a meeting.” Hera stood beside her husband with her arms folded. Meira could guess what the goddess was thinking, and she wanted nothing more than to avoid being turned into a vulture or pig.

Meira bowed deeply to Hera and then Ares. “Mother, it’s a pleasure to see you.”

Hera sniffed.

“And what about me?” Ares smirked, strolled around to pass behind her, and trailed his fingers over her lower back.

“You as well, Ares.” Meira shivered from his touch. Not from want, but uneasiness.

“We didn’t have a meeting. The council will meet later tonight. Meira had come asking a favor.” Zeus placed a hand on the table. All good will had been drained from his expression.

“We don’t owe the harpies any favors.” Hera snapped.

The wee hairs on Meira’s arms rose as the tension built. She’d been so close. Zeus was going to offer her Sam. She wasn’t going to lose him. She couldn’t.

“It’s not for the harpies, darling.” Zeus replied through clenched teeth. “It’s for Meira alone. And I—”

“Was going to demand your usual price?” Hera’s voice was sharp and unforgiving.

“Do not presume you know what I’m going to do.” Zeus snarled and pushed away from the table and his wife.

“Perhaps you and I should slip out of the room before the real argument begins. I can grant you the
favor
you so desire.” Ares whispered near Meira’s ear. His breath was hot, coffee coating the scent.

Meira’s long toes flexed, talons scratching the floor. Coffee was usually a favorable smell for her because it reminded her of Sam. Though every inch of Ares was tantalizingly masculine, he was nowhere near the man Sam was.

“Father, Mother, please.” Meira stepped to the side, away from the table, away from Ares. She kept her head bowed, respectful. She could easily be zapped if she annoyed one of the elder gods. “Mother, we were discussing no such price. I am in love with a mortal man, and I am asking permission to be with him.”

Not a lie. It would ring true in Hera’s ears. Meira wasn’t about to add she was asking Zeus to give up a soul, especially since the Thunder God already was going to let her have Sam.

“A mortal?” Hera snorted and raised her chin. “What do I care about mortals? Be with him. Go breed some more hounds to serve your master.”

Meira’s jaw hardened. If anyone other than Hera had said such a thing, she’d rip her head clean from her shoulders. Her feathers stiffened as she wished for hands to clench into fists. The goddess had given her permission, though. There was no reason to say anything more other than to give her thanks to the bitch.

“Now wait a moment. This mortal is mine. He has Greek blood. And only I can say what becomes of him.” Zeus stroked his beard once. His blue eyes were tinged with gray and gold. A storm was brewing.

No, not now. Hera and Zeus could never agree on anything. Most of the time, they were contrary just for the sake of being so. Meira was finding it difficult to breathe with her chest and throat so tight. Not Sam. They couldn’t take Sam from her.

Ares chuckled from behind her.

“Please, Father. You were—”

“Let her have the mortal. You’ve got to feed your dogs every now and then to keep them loyal.” Hera rolled her eyes and tapped a foot. She wore sandals. A style echoing the ancient Greeks, but made modern with a small heel and gems.

“My servants are loyal because they love and respect me. I don’t have to offer them a thing to keep them by my side.” The Thunder God declared, voice rising even more. The room rattled, making the fruit bowl shake on the table. “The mortal is mine and I will keep him.”

“No!” Meira’s cry was much like an eagle’s screech. “Please, Father. I love him. I will pay any price.”

“Just feed the dog, Zeus.” Hera sighed.

“Shut up!” The words were out of Meira’s mouth before she could stop them. She knew they were a mistake the second she did so, but she couldn’t take them back. If she had any favor left, it was gone.

Zeus draped an arm over his wife’s slender shoulders. Thunder rumbled, and there was a sizzle in the air. “Well now. Maybe the dog is too spoiled and has forgotten who rules here.”

“She looks like one of those trendy new mixed breeds. A Yorkipoo, perhaps?” Hera wiggled her fingers as a golden glow surrounded them.

No. Everything she was, everything she hoped for, was gone. And Sam. Not only would he never know what happened to her, but he’d be dead just as the night was beginning. Her mouth opened to beg, but it would do no good. Zeus would consider it a weakness and Hera would delight in it. Her legs trembled and gave out.