Adrastia (The God Chronicles Book 4)

             
I could feel the lightning running through my veins, breaking past the wall inside of me it’d been hidden behind my whole life, bouncing off my body, blowing back those who held me down. With all the strength of my father, I rushed forward, a battle cry on my lips. All I could think was that I needed to stop Zeus.

Praise for
The God Chronicles

“I love stories about the Greek gods. I've always wanted to be a part of that history and culture, and when I saw this book I was super excited to try it. I wasn't disappointed…
I felt like I was there, being a part of the story. I can't wait to read the next one!”

~
Sam Pearce, Amazon Customer

“It's one I want to carry around with me everywhere so in those spare moments waiting on someone or something I can escape back into it... This is a beautifully written story that I highly recommend! In fact I already have to all my family and friends.”

~Brenda L. Anderson, Amazon Customer

“This series is excellently written. Much more compelling for a woman than the original "Thor" movies/books. You end up loving the inner fight that these characters go through. You won't regret this read at all.”

~Kimy, Amazon Customer

“I love the series!!!!”

~Laura, Amazon Customer

“This is one of my top best series I've ever read.”

~Amazon Customer

Other Books by Kamery Solomon

Forever

The God Chronicles

Zeus

Poseidon

Hades

Adrastia

Exoria~
Coming Soon!

Taking Chances (A Dreams Novel)

The God Chronicles

Adrastia

By Kamery Solomon

Happily Ever After Publishing - Arizona

Copyright © 2014 Kamery Solomon

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Published by

Happily Ever After Publishing

Arizona

Kindle Ebook Edition

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

This book is available in print and ebook format.

For Jake

Acknowledgments

Sometimes, I feel like writing the dedication and acknowledgments is harder than writing the book, haha! There are so many people I need to thank and it’s just so hard to express my gratitude in one little page.

As always, I have to thank my husband. He listens to me talk to myself, offers advice, encourages me in every way, and even sat in my little office and listened to me read a good chunk of this book out loud to him. I don’t know how or why he puts up with me, but I’m so grateful and I love him so much!

Mom and Belinda, I have to thank you both again as well. You are such inspirations to me, you have no idea. It’s because of you that I push myself to be better. I aspire to be an author like the two of you. This book is what it is because of your encouragement and examples. I know you’ll always stay fantastic!

Thank you to my beta readers, who are continually putting up with my excitement and reading what I have to offer them. Your honest opinions are very much loved and appreciated in this house! I’m always eagerly awaiting to hear what you have to say. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Lastly, thank you to all the other authors out there. Sometimes I have a hard time feeling inspired and I have to take a break. Your brilliantly written stories never fail to make me want to get up and create my own world to live in.

Love always,

Kamery

Prologue

Cristos

My whole life, we have been at war.

It happened just before I was born, The Undoing. Maybe it was the foolishness of gods who'd held power too long that enabled the Titans to break from their prison in Tartarus. Maybe it was simply fate, tired of seeing the scales continually tipped in the favor of the Olympians. Either way, the moment it happened, everything changed.

The Olympians did their best to act quickly, but to no avail. The giants, who should have come to our aid, revealed themselves as villains, smashing through the gates and releasing the greatest enemies this world has ever known.

A battle ensued, with both sides refusing to give ground. Slowly, the Olympians fell under the burning hands of their predecessors. When Hades fled the scene, his dying lover in his arms, all was lost. The remaining Titans took it for what it was—a sign of fear—and attacked with more vigor, driving back the forces of good and escaping into a universe that had long forgotten what they were capable of.

I was born soon after, into a panicked and changing world. The Olympians were still trying to track down any Titans they could, locking them back in Tartarus. The prison was on high alert, being watched by much more than the fallen God of the Dead now. Even with the extra precautions, it seemed all but Olympus had fallen in the catastrophe.

Things started changing in the mortal realm, fear seeping into the minds of humans and turning them against each other, wars exploding into being across their lands. The Titans were using the helmet they'd stolen from Hades to drive the fragile beings to extinction, the magic of the helm spreading terror everywhere it went. It wasn't hard for my family to discover their enemy's plan. By destroying the very people the Olympians needed worship from to survive, they would overthrow our tiny hold on power and once again become the rulers they craved to be.

From a very young age, I was trained to find the monsters and return them to their prison. It has been my life's mission and calling, to honor my parents and restore the order that was lost from them. As I aged, I became more and more adept at my task, earning the honor and respect of the Ancients I lived among.

To the Titans, I am Adrastia, the Inescapable. To the Olympians, I am Cristos, Avenger, and son of Zeus.

Chapter One

Spitting the chewed sunflower seed onto the snow dusted pavement in front of me, eyes narrowing, I watched the group of young men enter the club across the street. They laughed loudly, excitedly, having no clue what awaited them inside. Unfortunately, they weren't the first I'd seen.

From my hiding place in the dark alley, I popped another salty seed into my mouth, waiting for what would feel like the perfect moment to enter the glorified crypt. I'd been watching the entrance for several nights now, taking note of who came and went and how they acted each time. It hadn't taken long to be certain the club—The Beat—was actually the lair of an empuse. Any man who entered the vampire's hideaway had just as good a chance of leaving in a bloody body bag.

Spitting again, I picked a well worn leather jacket up off the seat of my black motorcycle, sliding it over my black t-shirt with ease and covering the identifying tattoo on my right shoulder. Chances were, the remaining Titans didn't know to look for it, since any who had seen it remained locked in Tartarus or had met their death. The monsters I also hunted ended in whatever manner they deserved. They would know who I was as soon as I attacked them, but I preferred not to leave anything to chance.

A strong but muffled beat called out to me from behind the closed and guarded doors, no doubt the source of whatever magic was drawing people inside the den of death. I'd noticed it the very first night I arrived, having suddenly felt the strong desire to disregard my surveillance and go in for a drink. Ever since then, I'd worn ear plugs. It kept the biting urge at bay for the most part. Hopefully, it would be enough to help me keep my head once I was inside.

Finally, the moment felt right and I slid a pair of sunglasses over my eyes, darkening the already dingy night even more. All that remained for me to carry in was the beat up backpack I took everywhere with me. Thanks to an enchantment, it enabled me to easily carry the sword of my father, Zeus, wherever I wished. It made sneaking up on targets that much easier.

Hands shoved in the pockets of my black jeans, head down, I stepped from the cover of the alley. My riding boots crunched against the dirt and grime of the rundown street, each step taking me closer to another conquest. It made my blood race, adrenaline pumping through my system at break neck speeds at the thought of one more fight.

The bouncer at the door nodded at me, opening it and ushering me inside with a group of anxious young men. The music effected them more strongly than it did me, made to entice mortals instead of gods. As soon as they entered the loud and crowded club, I could almost see the awareness slipping from them, their eyes losing some of their sharpness as the men spread out in different directions, looking for whatever entertainment would meet their fancy.

Slowly, I made my way through the crowd, eyes sweeping the room for the beast I wanted. She was certainly not alone, my gaze taking in several other girls who were leading men away into private rooms, their bodies moving with the music in maddening ways.

I huffed out a breath, concentrating on the task at hand. The purple and black room was heavy with smoke and sweat, everyone who wasn't occupied with a dancer pushing their way to the stars leading down to the dance floor. It was much easier to allow myself to be shoved in that direction, rather than try to push through.

The rail was hot and slick with sweat already as I looked down at the floor, assessing the mass of bodies crushed together in front of the disk jockey's stage. The empuse was in there and I was going to have to go in and find her.

Moving with the crowd, I walked down the stairs, sliding around those who had given up their quest and were dancing on the steps. Eventually, I reached the floor, pleased with how little attention I'd drawn to myself.

Fading in with the crowd, I grabbed the waist of the woman closest to me and started moving against her. The music affected her as well, freeing any inhibitions she might have had, and she was a very enthusiastic partner.

Slowly, I quietly worked my way deeper into the crush, body brushing against so many others it was hard to tell what was mine and what belonged to another. Ever conscious of the bag on my bag, I made certain it was never taken or opened.