Goddess by Chance (Demi-God Daughters Book 2) (6 page)

Chapter Eleven

Cerceis followed behind the mortal tour guide. She couldn’t believe she was actually going through all of this trouble. Acting like a mortal was so beneath her, and yet, here she was trying to blend in for a chance to get close to the father of Athena’s bastard daughter.
It would be so much easier to just kill him. All of this subterfuge had better be worth it.

“And here we are. If you’ll look through the glass in front of you, you’ll see a team of engineers working,” the bushy brown-haired male tour guide said.

“What are they doing?” a woman behind Cerceis asked.

“There’s going to be a new launch soon, so the team is doing some last minute calculations.”

“A launch of what?”

Cerceis rolled her eyes. She’d forgotten how stupid some mortals could be.
We’re at a Space Center. What the fuck do they think is going to launch? Idiots.
Cerceis tuned out the questions that those around her kept asking and fixed her gaze on the men behind the glass. Four of them she would never even spare a glance, but the fifth one … well for a mortal, he wasn’t bad on the eyes. She looked at the name tag pinned to his chest.
Raymond Marcos.
She’d found her mark.

“Is there any way we could talk to one of them?” Cerceis asked.

The eyes of the tour guide turned to her, and she batted her eyelashes at him.

“That’s not usually permitted.”

“Sorry to hear that,” she said with a pout.

“Well hey, it looks like you just might be in luck,” the guide said.

Cerceis turned her attention to the engineers behind the glass. A door next to the large glass opened, and out stepped Raymond Marcos.
Perfect.
Cerceis cleared her throat. “Excuse me, Mr. Marcos, could you give us a few minutes of your time?”

The man turned his attention toward their group. As he walked closer, his eyes fastened on her.

“And what can I do for you all today?” Raymond asked.

“They wanted to know a little bit about the Mars Exploration Program,” the guide said.

“Sure. Well pretty soon we’re launching a new satellite to Mars.”

“You aren’t looking for aliens, are you?” Cerceis asked. She flashed him a smile.

Raymond smiled at her, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Certainly not.”

Cerceis’s anger started to rise.
No wonder Athena was attracted to him. He has the same condescending attitude as she does. Bastard.

“Well, what are you looking for?” someone asked.

“Signs of any changes to the planet or any traces of former life.”

“Is there a chance you might actually find something?” Cerceis asked.

The man’s gaze flicked back to her. “Absolutely. Now it was a pleasure meeting you all.” Without another word, he turned and walked away.

“All right people, let’s keep moving,” the tour guide said.

The people around Cerceis followed, but not her. With resolute steps she took off after Raymond.

“Mr. Marcos, please wait.”

He turned around to face her. His eyes narrowed. “Yes, Ms.…”

“Cerceis. My name is Cerceis.”

“What can I do for you?”

“I hope you don’t think I’m being too forward, but you are a very handsome and interesting man. I’d love to go out to dinner sometime.”

“I appreciate your offer, but I’m going to have to decline. You have a nice day, ma’am.”

Cerceis’s mouth opened as she watched her mark walk away. The snobby mortal bastard had turned her down. She couldn’t fucking believe it. She was a young, beautiful, immortal Oceanid, and he was not falling all over himself in her presence. Her pride was seriously offended.

With teeth clenched, Cerceis disappeared. She hoped Triton was having better luck with Arienne Marcos than she’d had with the girl’s father. It seemed her plan for subtle revenge using Raymond was a no-go, but it didn’t matter. The man was expendable, and she was going to be the one to get rid of him.

****

It’s amazing how time flies when you actually have the day off.
After leaving the library, and heading out for a light brunch and a little shopping at her local bookstore, Arienne was finally home relaxing.

Now lying in the darkness of her bedroom watching TV, Arienne finally allowed her mind to stray to Chris Triton. The man was full of an alluring masculinity, not to mention killer ocean blue eyes and a fantastic smile. Despite her initial impression, he’d actually turned out to be a pleasant surprise … at least so far. She still couldn’t believe that she’d given him her number.

Her senior year in high school was the last time she’d done that. Today had been a big step, regardless if it was for professional reasons.
Okay. Maybe not all professional.
Chris Triton had definitely been looking at her the way an interested man looked at a woman, or so she thought.

What do you know? You’re not exactly an expert when it comes to men.

That much was true, but she wasn’t a total fool. She’d seen something in his eyes, and she was sure it was more than polite interest.

****

“Triton, where are you?”

Triton turned from gazing at the gold statue in front of him.

“Keep your voice down,” he warned.

He turned back to looking at the statue. Though the darkness of the ocean surrounded him, here in this special place it was always bright. She’d want it that way.

“I’m sorry.”

“What can I do for you?”

“You can cut the formality, Triton. I’m just here to report in.”

Triton faced her. She was glaring at him with hands on her hips.

“How did it go?”

Cerceis rolled her large lavender eyes. “No wonder Athena has a thing for him. He’s the most pompous, insufferable mortal I’ve ever come into contact with.”

Triton couldn’t help the laugh that burst from his chest.

“Stop laughing. It’s not funny.”

“You couldn’t manage to seduce one puny mortal man. You must be losing your touch.”

Cerceis folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not losing anything. The father of Athena’s bastard is clearly one of those rare mortals not impressed by a beautiful woman, much less a gorgeous goddess like myself. After all he did fuck Athena, and beautiful has never been a word to describe her.”

“All I hear are excuses, Cerceis.”

“I’m not making excuses. I asked him out, and he turned me down.”

“I never thought I’d hear you admit you’re losing your charm,” Triton said with a smirk.

“Screw you, Triton. You’re so great huh? How did things go with the girl?”

“Very well. Unlike you, I got the job done. I was so charming the girl couldn’t help but be dazzled by me.”

“Really? So she’s ready to fall into your arms?”

“No. Not yet, but she will be and it will not be a burden to bed her.”

Cerceis’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t possibly be serious. Athena’s daughter? You must be harder up than I thought.”

“I can have my pick of women, mortal and immortal alike, and despite the girl’s lineage, she’s a beautiful woman.”

“Triton, do you hear herself? She’s beautiful?”

“It’s the truth.”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s our enemy, so don’t forget that.”

Triton’s fists clenched, and he stepped close to Cerceis. “It would do you well to remember that I came to you and offered you a way to exact the revenge you so desperately seek. And now since you couldn’t handle your end of the deal, you question my resolve?”

“All I’m saying is, don’t go soft. We must destroy those Athena loves at all costs. For her,” Cerceis said. She pointed behind him to the gold statue.

A muscle twitched in Triton’s jaw. “I don’t need any reminders from you. Now go. It’s obvious I need to handle this on my own.”

“But Triton…”

“Goodbye, Cerceis.”

Her amethyst eyes glittered. “Fine, but this isn’t the end of this. Not for me.”

And then she was gone. Alone, Triton released a breath. Cerceis knew just how to push his buttons and she always had, but this time she’d gone too far. He didn’t need another reminder of the reasons he was doing this. There was one already erected to remind him.
Pallas.
Despite what Cerceis thought, he wasn’t going soft. Coming here had given him just the jolt he needed. Nothing was going to stop him from doing what needed to be done. Not even the sweet nature of the one he was after.

Chapter Twelve

“Arienne. Arienne.”

Looking up from her desk, Arienne saw Chris Triton standing in front of her … in her condo.

“Chris, what are you doing here?” she asked rising from her desk.

“I had to see you,” he said stepping closer to her.

“Why?” She couldn’t believe Chris Triton was actually here. His mesmerizing eyes glittered as he stared at her.

“I think you know.”

“I…”

Arienne’s response was cut off as Chris drew her into his arms and captured her lips with his.

Arienne sat straight up in bed. Her breath came in heavy pants, and she leaned back against the headboard waiting for her breathing to return to normal. There was something all kinds of wrong with dreaming about her library’s benefactor. Yes, the man was gorgeous and charming, but she didn’t even know him. Even more importantly than that, she wasn’t a hundred percent sure that he was interested in her.

Arienne knew she was a rare breed. She didn’t believe in fantasizing about a man she couldn’t have. What was the point? It didn’t matter how handsome Chris Triton was. He wasn’t hers. Not that she wanted him to be.
Okay, that part isn’t exactly true.
She tried to ignore her inner voice. One thing she’d learned from her father was that there had to be more to a person than just good looks. And although it seemed Chris was generous with his wealth that was really all she knew about him.  Looking at the clock, Arienne realized she would have to dress in haste or be late to her appointment. Throwing off her covers, Arienne got out of bed and hoped that for once, she would be on time.

****

Triton watched Arienne leave her condo. After Cerceis’s visit he hadn’t rested. Though gods didn’t need sleep, he didn’t like the restlessness that sometimes came over him when he didn’t sleep. Deciding to put some of that restless to good use he’d done some reconnaissance on his mark. Hacking into Arienne’s electronic calendar, he discovered she had a weekly Friday appointment. As she started her car and pulled out of the parking lot, Triton followed.

****

The tan office building shone in the sunlight. Arienne walked up to the glass doors and stepped inside finding the corridor empty as she stepped up to the receptionist’s desk.

“Arienne Marcos for Dr. Montgomery.”

The receptionist nodded and picked up the phone. Arienne didn’t recognize her. Mallory was usually at the desk during Arienne’s regular appointment time.

“All right. You can go on back,” the receptionist said.

“Thank you.”

Arienne walked down the hallway, noticing the gold accents on the eggshell colored wall. It looked like the office had done some redecorating. She knocked on the tan colored door.

“Come in.”

Arienne stepped inside. “Dr. Montgomery.”

“Arienne, always a pleasure to see you.”

The two women hugged. Dr. Traci Montgomery had been Arienne’s doctor since she was twenty-two. An African-American woman in her late forties with shoulder length black hair and cocoa brown skin, Dr. Montgomery bore a striking resemblance to Angela Bassett in Arienne’s mind, although she’d never shared that particular thought with the good doctor.

“You, too.”

“Have a seat and we’ll get started.”

Arienne nodded and took her seat in the reclining black leather chair. Across from her Dr. Montgomery sat down and grabbed a monogrammed notepad and pen. Arienne set her purse down beside her, noticing that her palms were already sweating.

“So how have you been? I saw you on the news.”

“Not you, too,” Arienne groaned.

“Yes me, too. Why that reaction?”

“You know me. I’m low key, and I don’t like attention. The media has been harassing me, and everyone keeps acting like I’m some kind of hero.”

“I can understand you being irked by the media, but let’s explore the second part of what you said. Why don’t you feel like a hero? Because of what you did countless lives were saved.”

“I know that, but I think I’m not the only person that would’ve done what I did. I just don’t think people need to make a big fuss over me.”

“I think that you shunning this rightly deserved attention stems from two deeply rooted issues: the desire to make your mother proud that you rebel against and your fear that calling attention to yourself will make you a target again.”

“Yes,” Arienne said.
Trust Dr. Montgomery to hit the nail on the head.

“Talk to me, Arienne.”

“I didn’t intend to tell my mother what happened, but she found out like everyone else did. A small part of me hoped she’d be happy I’d actually done something worth talking about, but I was being foolish. All she did was criticize, telling me how I should’ve handled the situation. I guess I should know what to expect from her by now.”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting your mother’s approval. It’s human nature. I’m forty-seven, and I still want to know that my parents are proud of me. That’s okay. Do you get that?”

“Yes.”

“Arienne, in all the time you’ve come to see me, your mother’s attitude doesn’t appear to have changed. She’s still one of those people overly critical of others, but that has nothing to do with you. She has her own personal issues, and you cannot take that on yourself. You’ve come too far.”

“I know and I’m trying, but she manages to push all my buttons.”

“You’re a survivor. Remember that regardless of whether or not you ever win your mother’s approval, there are people out there who will love you and be proud of everything that you do. Professionalism aside, for what you did for all those people I couldn’t be any more proud than if you were my own daughter.”

“Thank you, Dr. Montgomery,” Arienne said.

“You’re welcome. Now let’s talk about the other issue. Don’t you think you’ve done enough hiding?”

Arienne frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re a beautiful young woman in the prime of your life, and in the four years that you’ve been coming here, you’ve never dated anyone. You’re deliberately choosing to not even attempt any sort of relationship with any male other than your father. Why?”

Arienne rubbed her hands over her face. She couldn’t stop the tear that slid down her cheek. “I’m still scared,” she whispered.

Arienne grabbed a Kleenex from the end table and wiped her face.

“There’s nothing wrong with being scared, but we can’t allow that fear to paralyze us. The only way to really put your past behind you is to take back your power. If you decide to change your hair or wear a certain outfit, you have every right to do so without worrying about how that will affect someone else. Stop living in fear.”

“But what if it happens again?” Arienne bit her lip in an effort to hold back the tears that threatened to surge forward.

“In the unlikely event it did, it would not be your fault, just like it was not your fault then. You did not ask for what happened to you. You did nothing to encourage it. Do you believe that, Arienne? Do you really believe it?”

“Everything you’re saying makes sense in my head, but sometimes I just…”

“You were innocent. Don’t let misplaced guilt burden you. You’ve come so far.”

“I know, but sometimes I get weak.”

“That only means you’re human. Now switching gears a bit, why don’t you tell me what you were thinking during the incident at the library?”

“Believe it or not, my only thought was of my co-worker and knowing if I didn’t do something she would be killed.”

“Sounds like you turned off your overly analytical mind and just reacted on the instinct to protect others.”

“I guess. I mean, looking back I was pretty fearless to react that way with a gun pointed at me.”

Did you listen to what you just said? If you can be that fearless helping someone else, there’s no excuse you can’t do the same thing living your own life.

“I can see the wheels in your head turning. What are you thinking?” Dr. Montgomery asked.

“That I need to take that same fearless attitude and apply it to my own life.”

“Now that is an epiphany I can agree on. Well, is there anything else you’d like to discuss before we end our session?”

As Dr. Montgomery scribbled a few notes, Arienne swallowed. Here was her chance. All she had to do was open up.

“Actually there is something.”

“What is it?”

“I met a man yesterday, and I sort of dreamt about him this morning.”

“That’s a start. It means you’re starting to find your attraction to the opposite sex again.”

“Yes. I mean he’s very handsome, but it just seems a little sudden to be dreaming about him.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Clearly there is something about him that intrigues you.”

Arienne played with one of her curls. “Yes, there is, but I’m not sure if he’s intrigued by me, too.”

Dr. Montgomery smiled. “Is that what this is really about?”

“Sort of.”

“Arienne dear, regardless of whether or not anything further happens, the fact that this man has piqued enough interest to have you concerned with his feelings toward you is wonderful.”

Arienne scoffed. “How is that wonderful? I could be wasting time thinking about him when I don’t even know anything for sure.”

“Are you going to see him again?”

“Yes.”

“Then just talk to him and he’ll give you some clue. I think this little interaction is good for you.”

“I’ll give it a try.”

“Good. Now I think our time is up.”

Arienne picked up her purse and stood. “Until next time.”

“You take care, Arienne.”

“I will.” Arienne turned and left the office. Walking back to her car, Arienne released a breath. Leaving therapy always made her feel a little bit lighter.

“I’m a survivor,” she said getting into her car.
Yes, Arienne. Yes, you are. Nothing can break you.
She smiled, and for the first time in a long time she believed that. Maybe things were looking up.

****

Arienne’s therapy session had been most informative. Triton was so glad he’d followed her. He’d been right when he told Cerceis the girl was into him. Hearing her confess to dreaming about him and worrying if he was interested sealed the deal. As he’d listened, a sneaking suspicion had crept up. He was pretty sure his initial thought was right, but he needed to be absolutely certain. When the good doctor left her office he was going to have a look at her files. Dr. Traci Montgomery, Counseling Psychologist. Arienne’s shrink.  He wasn’t surprised Athena was an issue for the girl. She was condescending to everyone, and there was no reason her daughter would be excluded from her wrath.

Still, a part of him felt sorry for the girl. It could not have been easy having Athena for a mother. Since Arienne had been coming to a psychologist for at least four years, there was no telling how much Athena had messed her up. But he couldn’t allow himself to feel pity. Arienne was his enemy, and he couldn’t forget that.