Intrigue (35 page)

Her momentary astonishment allowed me to land both a punch and a kick. As she recovered, she snarled, “Impossible. You are lying--you little slut. There is no way you are a Muse.”

“Are you sure, and are you willing to take that chance and bet your life on that? Somehow, I think even you aren’t that crazy.”

Unfortunately, she took my words as a challenge rather than a warning as it was intended because she attacked full steam again. She was getting in closer and closer as I advised her one last time, “Aglaea, you don’t want to do this.”

“On the contrary, I am looking forward to kicking your ass then using you to kick someone else’s ass as you pay the price.” Time seemed to go in slow motion. Just as I was blocking a punch, she used her momentum to grab my arm and sink her razor sharp teeth into it, then I heard a sucking noise before I could stop her.

I screamed, “Aglaea, don’t do it.”

But it was too late. In mere seconds, she was clutching her throat as she looked at me with desperation glowing from her eyes. Then she fell at my feet. I was physically shaking, and I believe I probably went into shock for a minute until I heard Plan B team move in.

Two of the Plan B team started to lift Thrace out of the window, and the team leader checked Aglaea out. He seemed to think she was gone because he said good job to me, then he departed while telling Justin’s van to head this way. In a fit of anger, I threw my shin guards, gloves, and brass knuckles out the window. It was childish and Justin’s guards would have to bring them to me, but somehow this was not how I saw this going down. Had I made a mistake? I went to Aglaea to check on her before Justin’s team came and picked her up when they dropped him off. I made the sign on the cross as I recited from Psalms, “
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Amen. Rest in peace, Aglaea. Be born again with a more charitable heart.” Then, I shut her eyelids so she was no longer staring at me.

As I stood back up, our watchers announced someone was coming into the building. I realized immediately that my prayer for Aglaea might have just cost me my life because I should have been outside waiting safely in the van. Approaching me at a rapid speed were too buff and angry immortals. They moved in quickly, one pinning me up against the wall and one going to Aglaea. I tried to fight him off, but he was too quick. I couldn’t see the immortal checking out Aglaea because I was facing the wall. I did here him ask, “Deimos, is Aglaea alright?”

Then, I heard the snarled replied, “No, Phobos, she’s dead.”

Phobos, I assume, put more pressure on my arm pinned behind my back and growled, “What did you do to her, human!”

It felt like my arm was going to come out of my socket any second as I stammered, “Nothing. She attacked me! I was here on Thursday with my Urban Archeologist group. There was just something about this place. I came back to check it out. And just as I was leaving this girl shows up and starts talking crazy stuff. Then she attacked me, and she even bit me. Who does that? I’ve heard of hair pulling and clawing during a girl fight, but biting? Look at my arm! Next, thing I know she’s falling back and passes out. I was checking on her when you came in.”

I heard from my earbud a very quiet, “Don’t tell them unless you think they are going to hurt you. We are moving into position now.”

Deimos commented, “There is something not right here, Phobos. I am going to alert Ares about our intruder. Be careful. One thing is clear. She’s dangerous, and we need to get out of here.”

That was the last thing I heard because Phobos, the eyas, hit me on the back of the head with his fist, and I was out like my dad in church. The next time I was awake I: 1) was not in Fisher Body Plant 21, 2) was chained to a wall with my hands stretched above me and my feet barely touching the floor, and 3) was most likely in mortal danger again with a rockin headache to boot. The only thoughts that I was capable of processing right now were: FLOCK! FLOCK! FLOCK! FLOCK! FLOCK! and STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! I hoped that they had not tried to attack Phobos and Deimos because clearly they had not succeeded if they did.

As I thought of Aglaea, regret swept over me. I remembered another wise saying that my grandma stole from Clare Boothe Luce, the first woman to be a congresswoman and ambassador-- “No good deed goes unpunished.” I finally got a clear demonstration of the meaning of that phrase. I cleared my head and started to survey my surroundings. I tested the chains on both my hands and feet. They had actually used old-fashioned manacles. The kind you would see in pirate movies, and there were two medieval torches suspended from the wall. I know they are immortal and all, but they really did need to realize they were now in the 21
^st
century. As I kept working on the chains, I also checked out the room. I had no idea how long I had been out. I tried to test the defenses and contact my team by saying, “Hello? Is anyone there?”

I heard Dr. A come over my radio, “Calli. Are you alright?”

I quietly said, “Yes,” in a whisper.

“We lost them coming out of the building. We contacted Apollo with all the details now that you have been captured, and he is trying to find your location as we speak. Can you tell me anything about where you are being held?”

Under my breath I said, “Small room. No windows. Heavy door. Manacle chains on the wall holding me. Too dark to tell anything else. How are Rafe, Thrace, and Apollo?”

Dr. A quietly replied, “Rafe is still asleep. If we thought he could help, we would shoot him with adrenaline, but I think the farther away from this the better for him. He would blow your cover. The boys are fine and also asleep. We had to give him and the boys something so they won’t remember tonight. We are still driving them around just in case though. Apollo is irate. He already threatened to kill me if you were dead, so thanks for waking up. I just hope he gets you out of there before Ares shows up. I’ll pass along the information.”

“Thanks. I will cough when someone comes in so you will zip it. Dr. A, I gave her a choice. Why did she do it?” I said in a confused voice.

“Aglaea thought she was invincible. She believed the Graces were stronger than the Olympians. I guess you could sum it up by saying she was the type of person who thought about her actions too little and her desires too much.”

“What time is it and are you going to take the guys home soon? Have Rafe call me when he wakes up. I’m sure he is going to be really angry. Please tell the gods that if they harm a hair on your slightly balding head that they will lose all contact privileges with me. Got it?”

Dr. A laughed softly and said, “Do you always ask 20 questions and make 20 statements at once?”

“Absoflockinutely. Now answer my questions.”

“It’s about 3:30am. It should be safe to drop them off before dawn. We have their keys, and it should be no problem getting them home. I hope the same can be said for you, my dear. Why did you stay to say that prayer?”

“I had to. I had to at least check to see if I could help. I had to at least say something to guide her home.”

Just then, I heard movement outside, and I coughed as I waited for my fate to walk in the door.

Chapter 28: The Introduction

“Ahhhhh, what do we have here, Phobos?” Ares questioned as he strutted into the room.

OMG—He was Delian’s hottie Fraternity President! Now the times at the dance and the GAR building all made sense. He looked like a Greek-god statue come to life. I finally was also able to make out all his features at this close range. He had artfully messy dark hair and light clear blues eyes with the face of pure temptation. It was obvious to me that Olympians were not only at the top of food chain in power and beauty. It took everything I had not to be mesmerized by his magnificence. Whereas Apollo was airborne truth serum, Ares was airborne intoxication. Ares scanned me from my fingertips to toenails. Three things were immediately apparent to me: 1) Ares was a vain as any rock star, 2) He did not know who I was or what I had done yet, and 3) I was going to need to keep my mouth shut and/or grovel as much as possible to make it out of here.

In a clipped tone, Phobos answered “A threat, my lord.” He was clearly still uncertain at the chain of events that lead me here, but he was very certain he wanted to punish me personally for the consequences of those events.

Ares immediately questioned, “How is our firebrand a threat, Phobos?” Ares seemed more amused by me being a threat than he was worried until Phobos explained the details of what had occurred.

Ares growled, “Why didn’t Deimos tell me this when he came and disturbed my evening. He just said that there was an incident.”

Phobos almost cowered at the venom being flung at him by Ares, “We still aren’t sure what happened, or if she is really dead.”

Ares turned to me and slowly ran one fingertip down my cheek, “How resourceful you are, firebrand.” I just returned his direct gaze with confusion and uncertainty in my eyes. “Obviously, not your average human,” he said with a cold smile as my gaze lowered to my feet. “What name goes with such a extraordinary human?” Ares snarled.

My eyes shot up to meet his as an internal debate quickly raged within me. Rafe always warned me that there would be consequences if Ares found out I existed. However, I think that death or bodily harm might be involved if I didn’t fess up. So with an uncertain whisper I groveled, “My name is Calliope.”

The effect of this disclosure was instantaneous. Both Ares's and Phobos’s mouths gaped open and the intense hostility seemed to dissipate from the room.

“I think you have answered our question. I can’t believe you finally found me again, Calliope. How did you end up here, my Muse?” Ares gently questioned.

I became worried over the whole ‘you finally found me again.’ I scrambled for the right response that would have just enough of the truth to be believable, but not enough to have painful consequences. I gave him the same explanation that I had given at the factory.

Ares seemed pleased with my answer, so he continued with his mild interrogation. “How old are you, Calliope?”

“I just turned seventeen,” I responded.

He seemed to ponder this for a few seconds before he remarked, “Ah. Soon, you will come into your powers and reveal whose Muse you are. Zeus has finally rewarded me for the dynasty I built in Detroit. Of course, one of your other lovers is in Detroit as well. Unfortunately, it has been longer for him without a Muse. I suppose I should alert him to your presence. Phobos, are you still with us?”

Phobos still looked startled and just nodded his head. “Go tell Deimos to summon Apollo, I am quite sure he will not want to miss meeting our new Muse. Then stay outside and guard the door,” commanded Ares.

Phobos’ heel snapped together as he performed a curt bow as he answered, “Yes, my lord.”

“Now, what to do with you, my firebrand. I really don’t like to share, and Apollo will assume you are his Muse. But, I have been waiting several lifetimes to get another chance with you, and I shall not waste it!” Ares remarked.

I don’t think he expected an answer, so I just stayed freaked, but silent.

“It still astounds me that you are my lovely and talented Calliope,” Ares marveled. “You look like a Siren not a Muse with your long hair of fire and your hypnotic green eyes. You were created to entice men with your beauty, much like the Sirens of old who guided men to their shores with their lulling song only to destroy them on the rocks,” he remarked with his sultry voice whispering into my ear as he kissed the pulse point on my neck—that must be an immortal thing.

His hands slowly ran up and down my sides as he implored, “Do you feel drawn to me, my Siren? Am I the one whose soul you hold in your core?” His intoxicating gaze and whispered questions rendered me mute.

I couldn’t really focus, especially since Ares was using Rafe’s pet name for me. Ares seemed to confuse my reaction to him and was pleased. As his eyes held mine captive, he started to stroke my cheek and seemed to feel some connection to me for a moment before he huskily murmured “Calliope, I have missed you so, I truly regret our separation. I have searched for you across the ages. No matter whose Muse you are this time we will…….”

Luckily, Apollo strode in before Ares could finish. He looked fiercely irritated as he surveyed Ares and I, but he quickly guarded his expression before he addressed Ares. “You summoned me to watch you molest a human, or is she a guest? Whatever the case, I think your hospitality is lacking today, brother,” he ground out with indignation for my situation and Ares's possessive manner.

As Ares raised an eyebrow at Apollo and removed his hands from me, I couldn’t believe the transformation from suitor to leader of Detroit in five seconds flat. His haughty demeanor was in full effect when he sneered, “One must be invited to receive a guest’s hospitality. Did you invite our little firebrand here?”

Apollo slowly shook his head as he searched my face. “Did not your personal interrogation reveal who she is and why she chose to visit so unexpectedly or did I interrupt something else?” It was clear he was still irritated with Ares attitude. He stalked from the door to stand directly beside me.

“Peace, brother. I was merely getting to know Calliope, our new Muse and soul mate. She claims to have been drawn here by forces beyond her understanding. Aglaea has already paid the price for attacking her.”

I gasped then blew out, “Soul mate?” I had to play the part of ignorant victim like my life depended on it.