Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88960 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Sweet November? The Devil’s Advocate? Or John Wick meets Atomic Blonde?
Clearing my throat, I started to thank the Olympians when I realized one glaring hole in my vocabulary. How did one address Olympians?
“Thea,” I heard Dike cough from behind.
I nearly expired in relief, and smiling nervously at Zeus and Hera, I stammered, “It w-was my honor to serve, theo, thea.”
“How kind you are,” Hera murmured with a smile.
“Indeed,” Zeus agreed, “which is why my wife and I would like to offer you any reward you choose.”
I automatically started to refuse, but then I saw Dike’s scowl, and the look of deadly warning on her face was pretty easy to interpret. Refuse...and die.
“Don’t be shy, child,” Hera said soothingly.
“I...well...” Gaea help me, but what could I ask that would make me appear neither greedy nor sycophantic?
“Speak your desire,” Zeus urged, “and it will be granted.”
Unable to bear everyone’s scrutiny, I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. “I would like...a photo with Apollo.”
Zeus and Hera stared at me in surprise.
This time, Dike looked like she wanted to kill herself.
I guess...that made me sound more like a teenage fangirl than a respectable agent of CSI?
“You are certain of this?” Zeus inquired finally.
“Yes, theo. Apollo is my favorite Olympian.” This, at least, was true.
Zeus’ dark brows shot up. “You favor him over me?”
Brooms and sticks!
“I...I...I...”
Hera threw her husband an exasperated glance. “Stop teasing the child. Do you not see she’s scared enough?”
Zeus grinned. “I was merely having fun.”
I wondered if he truly meant that. Five seconds ago, and I could’ve sworn he had considered having me beheaded.
Hera motioned for the Muse’s apprentice. “Look for Apollo and tell him I request his presence.”
“Immediately,” Zeus added.
“Yes, theo, thea.” The young girl curtsied before hurrying away.
While waiting for the God of Truth to make his appearance, Zeus and Hera spoke to Dike in hushed tones, and in a language far too ancient for me to even guess its origin. A moment later, I saw Zeus’ dark head lift, and a grin slashed over his lips.
“The heroine of Mt. Olympus is here, Apollo, and all she asks as a reward is a photo with you. Charming, is she not?”
“Very much so.” The voice from behind was deep, quiet, and strangely familiar, and I jerked in surprise. Surely...it couldn’t be who I thought it was?
“As you requested, my dear,” Hera said. “Apollo has come.”
A shadow fell over me.
I slowly lifted my gaze, and a pair of hazel eyes met mine.
Paul.
“Hello, Blair.”
The End