Avenging (The Rising Series Book 3) (17 page)

Triton sat in the midst of the Order of Pelagi. They were at an all-time low membership number of fifty-two. A man named Baccus was now leading them. Perhaps Triton should have taken time to visit them more often. He and Nicole could have used the help of more. But as it was, this small group was all they had.

“In the short time I had my power back,” Triton said to the crowd, “I was given a glimpse of something extremely troubling. The earth is in turmoil. I’ve never in my ten thousand years felt anything like it. The sea creatures are in confusion, and the sea floor is groaning and straining against pressure—threatening to shift. If it does shift, it will start a chain reaction. No human along the shoreline will be safe. The waves will reach unprecedented heights, destroying every costal city in the world.”

“What can we do to help?” An older man with a sun-baked face and an eye that wandered asked the question.

Triton sighed. “I’m afraid there isn’t much you can do. The coastal cities should be evacuated.”

“I can help with that.” A middle-aged man with silver at his temples raised his hand. “I’m Georgios; I work for the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre. We’ve been tracking an increase in seismic activity all over the Mediterranean. Actually, it’s much bigger than that. There is an increase all over the world. Scientists are baffled. Evacuations are already being discussed. I will do what I can to expedite evacuations.”

Triton nodded. “Thank you.”

A young, scrawny man raised his shaky hand. “Is this happening because you’ve lost your powers?”

Triton shook his head. “Me losing my power can’t be helping the situation, but I’m afraid whatever is happening is far beyond my power to control it.”

“I think we should summon Poseidon,” Baccus said. “I’m sure he could help.”

Triton shook his head. “If he were capable of helping, he would have already. Besides, I know him. He’s well aware of the situation. He’s got to be angry and frantic. I doubt he would hear your summons, and even if he did, it would certainly end in your death. No, all we can do right now is warn family and friends. I will do what I can to get my power returned to me. If I can get it back, I can offer some protection for you, but I must admit as powerful as I am, I’m too weak to be much good against the destruction that threatens the world.

“I do think given the circumstances,” Triton continued, “we should leave these caves. If there’s to be any more earthquakes, this would be a bad place to be.”

“We have another location we can go to,” Baccus said. “It’s located at the base of Mt. Olympus.”

“Ty!” Nicole called him from the tunnel. He could hear her bare feet padding against the stone floor, coming toward them fast.

“Do what you need to do,” Triton said softly. “This meeting is over.”

“I… uh,” Nicole said. “Am I missing something?” Her hair was flattened against the side of her head, her cheeks were flushed, and she was standing with her hand propped on her hip with an accusing glare on her face. Gods, he loved this woman.

“Not at all.” Triton smiled warmly at her.

“Ty, I have something important to tell you.”

“I’m sorry, love. We don’t have time. We need to evacuate the tunnels.”

“Evacuate? Why?”

“There has been another earthquake warning issued. We don’t want to be caught under millions of tons of rubble, do we?”

“No, of course not, just let me… oh. I don’t have anything here to retrieve, do I?”

“Not anything you’d want.”

She looked down at the rough, cotton pullover she was wearing and frowned. “I really wish I didn’t have to be seen in this.”

“You look stunning as always.”

“Right.” She frowned, looking doubtful.

***

The seat in front of Nicole pressed against her knees—an uncomfortable way to ride. It wasn’t like she was really that tall; she was a normal height of five foot eight. But with Ty standing nearly six and a half feet tall, her discomfort would be nothing compared to his if he had to endure riding in the backseat. As it were, he had to slide the front seat all the way back until it was touching the empty seat next to hers. Nicole really wished they had a nice, roomy, American car. The cars in Greece were more like mobile tin cans. Baccus, on the other hand, was at the wheel with plenty of legroom.

They bumped around the town’s cobble street roads, squeezing down narrow lanes that couldn’t possibly be made for cars. It seemed the buildings were separated by sidewalks instead of streets. She could see the ocean down at the end of one street. This town must be right up against the shoreline.

“Oh my gosh,” she gasped quietly when they almost hit a man. He had to literally jump out of their way. “Baccus, are you sure these are roads?”

He nodded his head. “Of course I am.”

Nicole tried to get her mind off the frequent near-auto/pedestrian collisions and instead focus on the dream she’d had. Was it a dream or a memory? It seemed so real, and it hit her with such power that she was certain it was real. But what did that mean? If Petros really existed, and Zeus once called him king, where was he now? And this king was her father? The whole thing sounded too far-fetched to be true, but still, she was
sure
it was. She wanted to talk to Ty about it now, but the car was making such a clatter that she’d have to shout. And this seemed too personal, too important to be shouting out in a car with a near stranger. Instead, she focused on remembering her father’s face—every line, every detail.

The car came to a quick stop, and Nicole smacked her head against the headrest in front of her.

“Idiot!” Baccus shouted. “Get out of the road!” A small woman with hair in rollers sneered at him, shook her fists, and shouted profanities back at him.

Nicole shook her head. Baccus had been so polite and unassuming, but put him behind the wheel and a whole new side of him emerged. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. That hit on the head was giving her a headache—or perhaps it was the brain slosh from the ride. The sound of a hundred shouts echoed in her ears. She threw her hands against her head at the deafening sound, and then it was gone.

“What was that?” she asked.

Ty turned toward her and asked, “What was what?”

“That sound?”

“You mean the woman with a mouth fouler than an Ichthyocentaur?”

“I… have no idea what that is, but no. It wasn’t the woman. It sounded like shouts. Really loud ones.”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“What under Olympus is that?” the driver shouted and pointed down the narrow street.

In the distance, there was a haze. A fog perhaps? It encroached on the road. But Nicole had never seen fog like this—it was lit with orange, flickering light. Out of the fog exploded a crowd of people pouring like a flood through the street—heading straight toward them.

“Great gods of Olympus!” Baccus shouted.

Forget a three-point turn with these narrow roads; this man executed a ten-point turn in less than a minute. And then they were bumping down the street, trying to avoid the people poking their heads out to see what the commotion was.

“What’s going on?” Nicole asked, looking at Ty.

His entire face was pinched with worry and irritation. “I don’t know. Hades, I would give anything to get my powers back.”

His powers back?
Perhaps she knew how to do it this time. There was only one way to find out.
Nicole reached forward, grabbed the driver’s shoulder, and shouted. “Baccus, I need you to repeat exactly what I say.”

“What? Are you crazy? I don’t have time for distractions. I have to get us out of here.”

“Just do it,” she shouted so loud that he flinched.

“Alright, just make it quick,” he snapped.

“What are you doing?” Ty asked.

She shook her head and glanced at him for a moment before giving her full attention to the driver. “Say, I wish Sypher was free to come and go as she pleased from any mind without the threat of death.”

“I wish… who?”

“Sypher!”

“I wish Sypher could come and go as she pleased from any mind without the threat of death.”

“We already tried that, Nikki. I—” His voice cut short as his eyes went wide.

Sypher’s ghostly form flashed before her eyes, smiling. “Thank you, Nicole. I’ll miss you.”

Tears burned in her eyes when she said, “I’ll miss you too.” And then Sypher was gone.

Triton’s eyes widened as he pressed his fingers against his temple. His hand dropped away, and he examined his hand—clenching and unclenching his fists. A smile stretched across his face. “Gods of Olympus, I’m back!” He turned to Nicole. “Wait for me.”

The next thing she knew, she and Baccus were standing on the shore.

“Where’s Ty?” she asked.

“What happened?” he asked at the same time.

She looked around at the surf and then over at the town above. “Oh my gosh, look at that!” She pointed to the mountain above the town. Orange, glowing streaks of light branched like veins oozing from the top of the mountain and down the sides. Fires lit up the rest of the mountain as smoke billowed into the air, making the sky look orange. Ash fell like snow.

“What is going on?” she gasped, gaping at the sight.

“Well, well,” an eerily familiar voice said. “You finally used enough power for me to find you.”

Nicole turned to see a towering man smiling at her. He was dressed in a leather jacket and worn jeans. His dark hair hung over his shoulders. He looked human, but she knew better. “You… you’re the one who visited me in the hospital.”

“I’ve visited you many times.”

“You’re not my father, are you?”

“No, Nicole, I’m not.”

“You’re Ares.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and then he relaxed. “How did you figure it out?”

She shrugged. “I’m smarter than I look.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That you are.”

“What business do you have with Nicole?” Baccus spoke up. Nicole grabbed his arm, pulling him back. She wanted to ask him if he had a death wish, but she was afraid to make the situation worse. She needed less attention on Baccus, not more.

“Oh, Nicole and I have a long history. But of course, she couldn’t have told you that. You see, I took her memories. It’s a pity. Some of those memories were …” he raised his eyebrow and licked his lips, “mutually satisfying.”

“You’re lying,” she said, stepping in front of Baccus. He put his hand on her shoulder, letting her know he was ready to intercede.

“Am I?” He smiled as he raised a hand. Baccus flew several yards away and slammed into the sandy ground. Ares stepped forward, grabbed Nicole by the wrist, and roughly pulled her to his chest. In a flash, the scene around them disappeared.

Triton transported himself to the rooftop of the tallest building and took in the view below. People were running like rivers through the streets. “Great gods of Olympus,” he whispered. Lava poured down the sides of Mount Olympus and ran through the streets of the town.

The sea wasn’t far from the mountain; he could bring in a tidal wave to cool the lava. But that would wash everyone out to sea. And rain wouldn’t be enough to cool the hot, flowing lava. It would evaporate on contact. He needed help. But who could he call?

Lea, Nicole’s friend, mentioned Pele.

Lea,
he called in his mind.

It’s not safe for you to communicate with me, sea-god. Zeus was just here. He’s looking for Nicole.

Triton tensed at her words. Tracing Nicole’s location was one step away from locating Sara. Perhaps distancing themselves from their daughter was a mistake. He should try to contact Xanthus. His daughter’s husband might need to take extra precautions to protect her.

Now was not the time to think about this. The town would be in ruins if he did nothing to stop it.

Mt. Olympus is erupting. The town below is being destroyed. I need Pele’s help.

There was silence for the space of several minutes. Did Lea cut off communications? He was just about desperate enough to try bringing a downpour of rain when he heard a voice.

“Interesting predicament you Greeks have going on here.” The sultry tones came from behind him.

Triton turned to see a stunning woman in skintight jeans and a low-cut, ruffled blouse. She was smiling at him. Her skin was dark, her lips full, and—given her clothes—he would have thought her human, except for the glowing, orange hair and swirling pools of lava that circled the pupils in her eyes.

“Pele, I presume,” he said.

Pele smiled. “Sea-god,” she said in recognition.

“I’m Triton—”

“Son of Poseidon,” Pele interrupted. “I know. You could take care of this yourself.” She shrugged toward the burning town.

“Not without killing a lot of humans.”

“I thought you Greeks didn’t like humans.”

“They’re bothersome, but I’m not
completely
heartless. Many of them are worth saving.”

Pele nodded, and then she looked toward the eruption. “The earth is troubling these days. So many elements in turmoil. Something has happened to tip the balance.”

Screams from down below pierced Triton’s heart. These people were running for their lives. “Yes, and while we talk, the humans are dying.”

Pele glanced over at Triton and cracked a smile. “I like you, sea-god. Perhaps we’ll meet again, under better circumstances,” she said, just before she leapt into the air. The wake of her power breezed Triton’s hair. It took Pele less than a minute to reach Mount Olympus. She didn’t pause a moment as she dove straight into the center of the volcano. Immediately, the orange, glowing flow turned grey, cooling as it spread, crackling down the mountainside.

Within minutes, the eruption had stopped all together, but not the fires. They raged, moving quickly throughout the town. That was something he
could
handle. Triton manifested his trident and pointed it toward the shore. Power surged through him as moisture evaporated from the sea. Clouds billowed and swelled, blackening out the sun. The first few drops pattered down and were soon followed by a downpour of thundering rain. He searched through the sheet of rain, seeing things no human would be able to see. The fires extinguished, lives were saved. In minutes, the flames were all out. With danger averted, Triton flashed himself to the seashore—the place he’d sent Nicole and Baccus.

Baccus turned toward him, drenched from the pounding rain. His stark, white face framed by wet, black hair. “I tried to protect her,” he began.

Triton’s anger boiled. “What happened?” His voice rumbled.

“Ares came for her.”

He stepped toward Baccus and growled. “Tell me everything that happened.”

***

Nicole sucked in a breath of air as the view around her flew by. In an instant, she found herself alone in a wooded forest. Trees towered over her and pine-scented wind blew over her skin. Sunlight speared through the foliage and cast light all around. She took a step, her footstep cushioned by the mossy ground.

“Nicole!” a voice shouted from behind. She turned her head and there was Ares, dressed in the tattered uniform of a soldier.

She scowled at his pathetic show. She had no idea what he was trying to do, appearing here dressed like that. But she didn’t trust the god of war one bit.

“Aaron!” a voice squealed, and a flash of a figure came from behind Nicole’s right. A woman ran past her, with flowing hair fluttering behind. She jumped into Ares’ arms. Her laughter bubbled as he swung her around and kissed her. He stopped spinning and deepened the kiss. When he finally pulled away, Nicole gasped. This woman had
her
face!

“I was so worried for you!” the woman said. “But you’re safe, and you’ve come back.”

“I told you it’d take more than an army of Vietcong to kill me.”

“And that’s why I was worried. You don’t seem to have any fear at all. All it would take is one bullet, and I’d never see you again.”

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “It’d take much more than a bullet to tear me from your side.”

She shook her head. “That kind of arrogance could get you killed. But you’re done. You have no battles ahead?”

“Not in this war, at least.” He smiled, and she punched him in the arm.

“Come on, my parents will want to see that their favorite son-in-law is home safe.”
Son-in law?

“This is a lie!” Nicole shouted, but they didn’t turn around. They gave no indication they heard her at all.

It’s not a lie, Nicole,
Ares’ voice spoke in her head.
We were married for ten years after this, until it was time for me to erase your memories and place you in a new location. And this wasn’t the only time I played a big part in your life.

The vision around Nicole dissipated, and she found another version of herself in an ankle-length dress, lounging in a chair beside a flower garden. A large stone house stood nearby, crowned with high-pitched gables. Ivy grew up the sides. A little, redheaded girl who looked to be about four years old giggled as she chased a puppy through a patch of tulips.

The other Nicole shouted, “Chloe! Get out of the flowers. You’re trampling them.” This woman’s voice sounded different. She spoke in an English accent.

“I’m just trying to get Tickles.”

“I don’t know why you insisted on naming your dog Tickles,” she said, her eyes lowered to a small book in her hands. “Such a strange name.”

“But I like the name,” the girl said before she dove for the dog and landed on him. He yelped and tried to wriggle away, but the girl held him tight around his hind legs.

The back door opened, and Ares stepped outside. “Chloe Mitchell, what are you doing to your dog? And look at your dress—it’s a mess.”

“I’m just trying to keep Tickles from trampling Mother’s flowers.”

He shook his head and sat in the seat next to the other Nicole. “I told you we should have gotten the dark-haired girl.”

The other Nicole’s eyes shot up. “Shhh! You shouldn’t talk like that. She’ll hear you. Besides, I think we got the perfect child.”

“She doesn’t look anything like either of us. People are talking.”

She shot to her feet, her eyes fuming. “Who is? I swear, I’ll kill them. If they say one word and Chloe finds out, I’ll murder them.”

The girl let go of the puppy, crept up behind her mother, and tugged on her dress. “Who are you going to murder, Mother? You know murder is against the law.” Her eyes were big and filled with concern.

The other Nicole turned and looked down on her child. “Oh, I’m not really going to murder anyone. It’s simply a figure of speech.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Now why don’t you move along? Tickles is headed for the fountain.”

“Oh!” she shouted and scrambled across the yard.

The woman turned to Ares. “Aaron, you need to stop people from talking. I don’t pretend to know how you can do the things you do, but I know you can make them stop.”

He stood and took her hands. “Don’t worry about it. No one will say another word about her not being our child.”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his chest.

Nicole took in the scene around her with a painful lump in her throat. “How many children have I raised over the years?”

Not many.

“What kind of answer is not many?”

You need to see one more.

Once again, the scene flashed from her view and she found another version of herself sitting in a doctor’s office, with Ares’ arm cradling her and a doctor standing before them both. This Nicole sat before her, wearing a simple, rose-colored dress that looked to be from the fifties.

“I’m really sorry, Mrs. Johnston,” a man in a white lab coat said, with pity written on his face. “I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do about your physical condition. But you still have hope. There’s always adoption.”

“You don’t think I know that?” She shot to her feet and glared at the doctor. “I—”

“Coleta,” Ares interrupted. “The doctor didn’t mean anything by it, dear. Come on.” He tugged her to her feet. “We’ll get a second opinion.”

This scene was all too familiar. She’d gone through this when she was eighteen. Another doctor at another time told her she’d never be able to conceive a child. “But I
did
get pregnant.”

With another man’s baby!
Ares’ voice boomed in her ear—sharp with sudden anger.
A week. I left you for just one week… and you jumped into another man’s bed! When I came back, you were pregnant! Hundreds of lifetimes we’ve spent together. Hundreds of times, we’ve gotten married—a million times, you told me you loved me. And yet, it only took one week for you to betray me! I was called away by my father. I thought that surely you would be there for me when I got back. Surely, two thousand years of love would mean something to you. I would have taken care of you, Nikoleta. You would have been happy. Instead, I left you to suffer the consequences of your actions. The day I left, I turned my back on you and never looked back.

His furious voice made her want to cower, but Nicole Reanne cowered to no one. “What are you talking about? I didn’t even know you. You erased all memories I had of you and then you expected me to be faithful to someone I didn’t remember? You even erased the memories I had of the children I raised. You’re insane! What did you think this would do, showing me all this? Did you think I’d jump back in your arms? My whole existence has been one lie after another. If anything, you convinced me to despise you. I hate you for what you’ve done. How could you have taken every memory away from me, over and over again? What kind of love is that? That’s not love. And why did you let me think I couldn’t have children?”

“Any offspring of yours would have been destroyed. Zeus would never let you give birth to a child—someone who could threaten him. The power your blood holds is a danger to him.”