CHAPTER 6
Mikolas marveled at the woman seated across the table from him. Yes, she was beautiful. Her dark hair and deep brown eyes coupled with her full lips made him ache to claim that unfulfilled kiss, but it was her cynical humor and the melody that flowed through her like a song that had him enraptured. He’d never met anyone like her.
When she walked, her steps were a dance to a symphony no one else could hear, and while she pondered something, she hummed secret tunes under her breath. Trinity was a symphony of layers that he longed to explore. But her pain, the wounds from entrusting her heart to an unworthy man, shadowed her eyes. He yearned to hold her, to heal her.
As they left the restaurant, his cell phone rang. And it wasn’t “That’s Amore” this time.
“Hey, Ted,” he answered, not wanting to hide anything from Trinity.
“I’m back in with Kronos.” Ted’s voice was hushed and breathless, and then a car door slammed. “I have until tomorrow night to get identification made for Iapetus. He’ll be under the alias Ian Elys.”
Mikolas stopped. “Did you find out what they’re planning?”
“Kevin wants me to get them into the theater opening.” Ted sighed. “Without Zeus busting out of his disguise and saving the day, I don’t see a way for us to win this.”
Mikolas shook his head slowly. “Not on our own.” He glanced over at Trinity. “I’m going to visit Rhea. If Kronos settles his score with Zeus, his wife will be the next name on his retribution list. She has a vested interest in helping us.”
“Okay.” Ted cleared his throat. “How’s Trinity?”
Mikolas ground his teeth, unwilling to go down this path with him while Trinity stood a few feet away. “She’s safe. I’m going to keep it that way. Let me know if they move up the timetable.”
Mikolas slid his phone back into his pocket and caught up with Trinity. “It was Ted.”
She nodded. “I guessed as much.”
“You might want to let Nate know Ted’s back on the inside with the Titans. He also said they want him to get them into the Les Neuf Soeurs opening.”
“Shit.” She frowned. “Zeus needs to clean up this mess. We can’t let them wander into the opening. You saw what his brother did at the Observatory. The theater will be packed, and if Kronos slows time, everyone will be sitting ducks for that spear-wielding psycho.”
Mikolas nodded. “That’s why I think we’re going to have to face them before the theater opens.” Before she could remind him that it was a fight they couldn’t win, he added, “Want to come with me to talk to Mrs. Zervos?”
She stopped at the car. “Do you think she’ll help us?”
“I think if we lose, the Titans will be coming for her next, so there’s a good chance she’ll get involved.” He opened the passenger door. “I also think it’s no coincidence that she chose to live in Crystal City, just like her son.”
Trinity got into the car and looked up at him. “You think they’ve been planning for this. My generation of muses got the dreams about the theater in Crystal City to lure us here to reopen Les Neuf Soeurs because the timing was right?”
He leaned on the door. “The Guiders of Destiny play a long game. I think they saw the Order would eventually crack into Tartarus. This is the intersection of time they thought would give humanity the best chance of defeating them. We’re all here to take part in it.”
She nodded. “The question is, whose story is ending?”
Trinity wrung her hands, wondering for the millionth time why she agreed to go with Mikolas to meet with Mrs. Zervos. A few months ago, Mikolas and Ted had been the ones to discover the elderly woman’s true identity was Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. Until he had put the pieces together, none of the muses had realized she was more than just one of the retired women in Lia’s, the Muse of Comedy, geriatric poker group. Along the way, they had also discovered that Cooper’s grandmother, Agnes, was the Muse of Hymns for her generation.
The fog in Trinity’s mind was beginning to clear. What if Mikolas was right about everything? It couldn’t be a coincidence that Rhea and her two best friends, the Guiders of Destiny, ended up living on the same floor in Blessed Mary’s Village as Cooper’s grandmother. What if everything happening in Crystal City right now really was part of a bigger divine plan?
Mikolas parked in a visitor spot at Blessed Mary’s and turned off the car. “You’re pretty quiet over there. Not even humming tonight.”
“I was just thinking about what you said earlier about all of us being here at the same time.” She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Maybe you’re on to something.”
He almost smiled. “We’re going to have a tough time convincing the others.”
She chuckled, reaching for the door handle. “Especially Reed.”
The wind tugged at her hair, stinging her cheeks as they walked toward the high-rise. Fall in Crystal City wasn’t much different than summer. The days were sunny and warm, but the nights carried a chill on the sea breeze, foreshadowing the winter rain that would be visiting soon. They had hoped to get the theater opened back in August, but between Erica’s wedding, and Mason healing up from the last showdown with Kronos, construction had been delayed.
So instead in their mid-August goal, the grand opening would be the first Friday of November. It had seemed so far in the future, but it was coming up faster than she realized now.
Outside of Rhea’s room, Mikolas turned her way. “Ready?”
“To meet the Mother of the Gods?” She chuckled, shaking her head. “No, but…”
The door opened, interrupting Trinity midsentence.
A tall, slender woman with a short stylish angular cut to her black hair complete with silver highlights. Definitely Lia’s handiwork. Not only was Lia the Muse of Comedy, but she was a wizard with haircuts and colors.
The elderly woman looked up at Mikolas. “I’ve been expecting you. Come in.”
She offered her hand to Trinity. “I’m Mrs. Zervos, and you are?”
“Trinity Porter. Nice to meet you.” She shook Rhea’s hand and followed Mikolas inside without any further explanation. There were two more women on either end of Rhea’s sofa and the Mother of the Gods took a seat between them. Although all three appeared to be retirees complete with crow’s feet and frown lines, there was an otherness to their eyes, something Trinity couldn’t quite describe. The colors of their irises were too vivid, their movements too fluid, too powerful.
Their hostess focused on Mikolas. “Zack told us his father is back with one of his brothers. Is this true?”
Mikolas nodded. “I’m afraid so. He brought Iapetus with him. I was hoping I could use your shard again to banish them.”
She glanced at her cohorts on either side, then turned her full attention to Trinity. “I’ve seen you on the YouTube. Lia told me about you. You’re the Muse of Music.”
Trinity nodded slowly. Outside of her circle of muse sisters, she’d never discussed being a muse. “Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Zervos’s silver brow quirked. “Ma’am? No.” She shook her head, a feisty smile curving her lips.
For a moment, a vision of Mrs. Zervos in her true form, with long red hair and violet eyes, flashed in Trinity’s head.
Trinity rubbed her forehead, frowning, and Mrs. Zervos chuckled. “I mingle in your world as a harmless old woman, but I am still Rhea, Daughter of Gaia and Mother to the Gods.”
“She meant no offense.” Mikolas took Trinity’s hand, his fingers lacing with hers before she realized what was happening. His deep voice was even and commanding. “Your husband could attack us at any time. Will you lend me the shard?”
Rhea smiled. “This is your muse. You found her.”
The woman sitting on Rhea’s right leaned forward. Her voice had an inhuman clarity and vibration to it, like a chime. “Your gift from the gods has awakened, Mikolas Leandros. You are the final piece to this destiny. But facing Kronos again is not your fate.”
Goose bumps rose on Trinity’s arms, and she gripped his hand tighter. This wasn’t a senior citizen; this was the voice of one of the Guiders of Destiny.
Mikolas straightened beside her. “What are you saying? There’s no way to stop him this time?”
Rhea patted her friend’s knee and looked at Mikolas. “That is not what she said, Mortal.”
Gods, why did they all speak in riddles? Trinity cleared her throat. “So this isn’t decided yet. We can beat Kronos and save the world. Is that what you’re saying?”
The three women shared a knowing look, and Rhea met Trinity’s eyes. “We have watched a millennia pass by waiting for the moment when Zeus and his father would meet once more. The time has come.”
Mikolas sighed. “Two more people died the other night because Zeus didn’t step up. I won’t stand by and wait for Kronos to exact his rage on Trinity.”
Rhea clasped her hands in her lap. “Forgive me for being vague. I forget that mortals struggle to recognize a divine plan as it comes to fruition before them.”
Trinity glanced over at Mikolas, wondering if the condescending attitude was bugging him, too. His profile was chiseled, determined, and emotionless. If he was annoyed, he wasn’t letting it show. She made a mental note to never play poker with this man.
Her gaze fell to their joined hands, and as if he could read her thoughts, his thumb stroked hers. The simple touch had her heart racing and her mind struggling to focus on the goddess before her, instead of her own conflicting emotions.
Rhea crossed her feet at the ankles. “My son has had generations of daughters, muses like you. Every generation a few find their Guardians—most do not—and through it all, he kept watch over the Order of the Titans. The Guiders of Destiny had foreseen that Kronos would be freed from Tartarus; the only variable was when.”
She glanced at her friends and back to Mikolas. “My son asked us to wait in Crystal City. Over the years, we’ve met many of my beautiful granddaughters, muses like Agnes Hanover and your friend Lia.”
“We’re very fond of Lia,” one of the Guiders of Destiny chimed in as she primped her freshly styled hair.
Lia had become a part of their weekly poker group without ever realizing she was tossing nickels into a pot with the Mother of the Gods, last generation’s Muse of Hymns, and the Guiders of Destiny. Now none of it seemed like a coincidence.
“Anyway,” Rhea continued, “my son sent your generation the dreams because he recognized the Order was approaching their goal. This was the time for the muses to combine their gifts and inspire humanity to new heights.”
Trinity rubbed the back of her neck. “Forgive me for not seeing the perfection in this divine plan, but what’s the point of inspiring mankind when we’re about to wiped off the face of the Earth by Kronos and his brother?”
Mrs. Spanos tsked. “Must you be so shortsighted? Zeus needs to convince his father that humanity is a worthwhile creation. You and your sisters represent the purest examples of the magic of mortality—art. You will open your theater, and the inspiration that pours from the doors will be a tidal wave of breathtaking beauty to spill onto the dry earth.”
Rhea took over again. “Kronos can’t be killed, and he can no longer be caged either, so if your race has any hope of survival, Kronos must grow to love humanity as much as my son does. Open your theater, brighten the world of man, and hopefully your gift will inspire mercy in my husband.”
Mikolas slid his hand free of Trinity’s. She tried to remind herself of her not-so-savory taste in men. Getting attached to this one only proved how flawed he must be.
“While Zeus is handling Kronos, are we to stand by and do nothing as Iapetus slaughters innocents?” Mikolas asked.
The Guiders of Destiny shared a silent look before Mrs. Spanos met his eyes. “You have all the tools you need to stop him.”
A muscle in his cheek began to tick. “Can you be more specific?”
“You were given a powerful gift from Zeus.” One of the Guiders of Destiny raised a brow. “Use it.”
All three women rose from the couch at the same time. Rhea opened her hands. “We have told you all we can. Open your theater. It is humanity’s greatest hope.”
Trinity got up and turned for the door, but Mikolas wasn’t following her. He stood before the goddess and bowed his head. “We appreciate your wisdom and guidance. We will venture to fulfill our destinies and ask that you bless our paths.”
Rhea placed a hand on his shoulder, and light shone all over the room. Trinity shielded her eyes, unsure what exactly she was witnessing. Rhea lowered her hand, the light dissipating as quickly as it had blossomed.
Mikolas lifted his head. “Thank you for your blessing.”
He turned, and without another word, guided Trinity out of the apartment. He was silent until they made it back into the elevator. Once the doors closed, he met her eyes, his voice as tender as a caress. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” She fought the urge to take his hand and crossed her arms instead. “What was that back there?”
“Gods and goddesses thrive on our praise and worship.” He must’ve read Trinity’s body language loud and clear because he faced the elevator doors, the concern and care gone from his voice. “I figured getting her blessing couldn’t hurt.”
The doors opened, and Trinity stepped out. “That’s what the light show was?”
“Maybe?” He finally glanced her way, biting back a smile. “I’ve never been blessed by a goddess before.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Do I detect a tiny bit of smart-assery?”
He chuckled, his gaze catching hers for a second. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
She waited for a caveat, or a joke, or…something, but it didn’t come. She rolled her eyes to deflect his comment. “You obviously haven’t hung out with many muses.”
“True.” He caught her hand as they walked toward his car. “But I wasn’t kidding. We sat in a room with immortals, and it never rattled you. You’re brave, bold, and…being near you…” His eyes searched hers, her pulse kicking into overdrive. “You make me wish we could start over.”
Heat flushed her skin. “Maybe if we live through this…we could try.”
His lips curved into a crooked smile that made her heart flip. “I’m going to hold you to that.”