Turmoil: Book Three of The Shadow Goddess series

Chapter Two

I don’t know how long I just sat and wallowed in my own self-pity. I may have made the decision, but that doesn’t mean I liked it. It also didn’t mean I had to just accept the loss of them overnight. Could anyone accept a loss like that in mere hours? I didn’t think so. I knew I couldn’t. I missed them. I missed them all so much it felt like a weight had been constantly pressed in on my chest. It was hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to move. But I knew I needed to. I needed to move, I needed to start practicing. I still didn’t know what my power as a goddess could do. Not fully. And I was still stuck on how I could get in touch with Nyx. I mean, did I just call her name? Talk to the air as if I were talking to her.

I remember her or Hades telling me I could create my own people, my own children, so to speak. I was honestly pretty set on doing so. We would need the extra help, the extra manpower. But could I really create a new supernatural race just to expect them to fight in a war they were never involved in? Could I create them just to let them die? It just didn’t seem right. How would that make me any better than Artemis had been?

Then, on the other hand, wouldn’t starting a new race in times of war prove their strengths? You know survival of the fittest and all that. It would give me a chance to create my people, see their flaws and try and build upon them. Make them stronger, more resilient. But no matter how powerful I made them, there would have to be a balance. Werewolves and silver. Vampires and fire. Fae and iron, elves and thistle. Every creation has to have a weakness.

I would want it to be something rare. Something not found in everyday life. Something rarely used or seen. Or something so common and stupid no one would ever think about it. Like peanuts. Like half the planet is allergic to peanuts. But then again, it was so common and used so often, accidents could happen and wipe out the entire race in a matter of days. No peanuts wouldn’t work. Maybe Carex lutea. It was, is a very rare type of sage. Golden sage I think it’s called. That could work. Or phalaenopsis micholitzii. They rein from the tundra or the Philippines and thrive in tropical climates. They are also a part of the orchid family. That’s just plants I could use.

Then there were actual weapons. Praseodymium. This metal, though rare, is highly sought after. It is used in medical equipment and motors and turbines. Then you have turquoise, lapis lazuli, platinum. All rare and equally able to be made into a weapon. Personally, I have always loved turquoise. And since it is considered extremely rare, I could go with it. It is beautiful after all. I mean think about it. Despite what it would do, just picture a blade or sword made from that beautiful blue stone. It would be stunning.

I didn’t really have the time to ponder on all of that right now though. My attention should be on getting stronger and more able to face Zeus. While he won’t be able to kill me, it doesn’t mean he can’t wound me. Hell, I was still thinking of freeing the titans. Without Hades and Poseidon’s help, Zeus wouldn’t stand a chance. Even if I only freed a few of the most powerful ones. If I could just talk them into being on our side, to stand with me in battle. We may just be able to get through all of this. And maybe, just maybe they could help me learn about my powers. They were once some of the most powerful beings to walk the earth. Just two above them, which were the first two primordials who created the titans. Then the titans, the gods, the gods created the demigods. Last.

Somehow, though, I don’t think Hades would take too well to me releasing his grandparents. Come to think of it. Releasing his parents would probably go over even worse. I wouldn’t have a choice though if I couldn’t get the goddess thing down and quickly. Zeus wouldn’t wait for me to unlock and master all my power, and I couldn’t wait much longer for help.

I finally got the strength to get up and walk out the door. The sun was high in the sky, it reflected off the most beautiful crystal-clear water I’d ever seen. Puffy white clouds floated across the sky, but a storm was coming in. Far east, just within eyesight. Well, my eyesight was a pitch-black cloud bank, warning of the danger that awaited. This was going to be a terrible storm. Good thing I liked storms though. The thunder always relaxed me.

After several hours of training, the storm was finally upon me. I have run the perimeter of the island at least three times. I did push ups until my arms wouldn’t work. Sit ups, squats, pull ups. Anything and everything I could remember from school. Then I started my magic. I had mostly got the reaper thing down, but Alethea still helped me a lot with my magic, and neither one could help me as a goddess. It seemed as if everything wanted to backfire. When I tried to help a tree grow, one beside it would explode. When I tried to turn a plant invisible, I turned it a bright neon green as if it were a beacon to anyone nearby. Alethea agreed to keep helping me, but I wanted to learn to do things myself.

The goddess power was fairly easy once I was able to summon and grasp onto the power that surged within me. It was cold, but warm at the same time. Prickly bur smooth. I had already extended the island by a few more acres, added several cottages and a speed boat to get back and forth from the island to land. I had brought Lilith’s essence outside by my body to try and see her. But it didn’t work. I wish there was a school for new gods that I could attend. Because, UGH! This was so hard alone.

When the downpour started, I just stood there, letting the rain pelt me over and over again. The sting was welcome. The cracking of thunder, sending waves of relative calm through my veins. The lightning lit up my little island as if God himself were taking a picture of my handywork. Somehow that made me proud. Proud someone accepted, or possibly accepted my work. Right as I turned, I heard it. Shouting from the pecan between my island and the main land. There was a man. And he was drowning.

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Roman’s POV:

I was so stupid. How could I have accepted a dumb dare like this? My friend, of who I thought was my friend dared me to swim as far into the ocean as I could. He bargained me Five hundred euros I couldn’t do it. He was right. I had seen the storm coming, but the money would be worth it. Mom need money for bills since she couldn’t find a job. My little sister Lucy needed clothes and shoes and other things mom just couldn’t afford right now. I just wasn’t thinking what would happen to them if I didn’t return. So, I started screaming for help. Even though all the way out here I was positive no one could hear me. I was doomed, forced to drown in the frigid waters. As darkness consumed me, I heard a splash, then I saw what I could only describe as an angel. She was beautiful, perfect, and I wanted to know her.

When I came to, the only thing I could register was the crackling of a fire. The feel of a soft plush blanket against my bare skin. Wait. I dove into the water with clothes on. I made sure I wore a body suit to protect me against the cold. So why was I all of a sudden naked? I furrowed my brow, peeking my eyes open. No one was nearby. I gingerly lifted the covers, relieved to see I was still in my boxers, but also wrapped in a bathrobe. Looking around I noticed I was in a very expensive, yet comforting living room. The dark room was lit only by the crackling fire, and a dim light from the kitchen.

My savior, the woman who I thought was an angel, was leaned against the bar with her head in her hands. Her shoulders were tense and her body trembled. Her auburn hair fell on either side of her shoulders and pooled onto the bar like a waterfall. My angel was troubled. Should I even call her my angel? I am sure she has a name. I reluctantly peeled my eyes from her and looked under the covers again. Had she undressed me?

“Don’t worry.” Her soft voice startled me, my head snapping up to her. The gasp that left me was unintentional. Her eyes were the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on. The mixture of purple and blue sparkled, standing out against her black hair and tanned skin. Her complexion was flawless. Her cheekbones were high and prominent, her lips lush and pink. But her beauty wasn’t what stole my breath. It was the pain that overflowed from her eyes. A sadness that seemed to consume me and drag me beneath them drowning me. “I had to undress you. You would have frozen to death otherwise. I didn’t touch you more than what was required of me. You were in a body suit and didn’t have clothes. There are clothes beside you if you wish to go shower and put them on.”

“Who are you?” I questioned, wrapping the robe around me and grabbing the clothes as I stood. I saw her fighting to hide a smile as she watched me tighten the robe around me.

“My name is Rose. What were you doing swimming so far from shore in such cold water?” She asked, furrowing her brow as if she were trying to figure me out.

“A friend dared me to. Said he’d give me five hundred euros to swim as far as I could and back.” I answered, my voice faltering as shame filled me.

“That does not seem like a very smart thing to do for such a small amount of money.” She said, her tone almost chastising me.

“I am broke.” I snapped, anger rising. “My mother needs help paying the bills. Her and my sister both need clothes to keep them warm this winter. My sister is made fun of because of her ragged appearance. She is only twelve and has attempted suicide because of the relentless badgering of other kids. I couldn’t take it anymore. That five hundred euros would have helped.” I wasn’t even sure why I was telling her this, but her nonchalant attitude about the situation made me mad. She didn’t know anything.

“And what would you have done if you had drowned out there?” She asked calmly. “There would be no one there to protect or provide for them if you were gone. Again, I’ll say it was not and will never be worth the risk. I am positive your life is worth more to them than a few measly hundred euros. Believe me, I know how it feels to lose someone like that.” Her tone had softened, her eyes shimmering. She quickly willed them away. “Go get ready and I’ll take you back.” She said, “the bathroom is upstairs. Second door on the left.” Then disappeared out the sliding glass door.

I found I didn’t want to leave this woman here alone. She was in so much pain. The heartache was clear in her eyes. And yet she is trying to seem strong and unyielding. What had this woman been through to make her so jaded? She looked young, no older than twenty at the most. Yet her eyes held a lifetime of suffering. Like she had seen way more than what a woman her age should have. I followed her order though, slowly making my way to the bathroom to shower and go home. I was positive my mother and sister were worried sick. I needed to get back to them. But now, I would be going back empty handed. They were expecting me to come back with finances, and I’d have to disappoint them.

I trailed from the bathroom and out the back door where I had seen Rose disappear through. She was sitting on a rock facing a deep blue pond. A small water fall flowed from a rock wall, and trees bloomed with pink and blue blossoms. It was stunning. All the while, Rose looked every bit the angel I had mistaken her as.

“You ready?” She asked, never turning around. How had she known I was here?

“Yes. As ready as I’ll ever be.” I answered her, hesitant to move any closer to her. Though beautiful, there was something different about her. She oozed power and dominance. A clear warning to keep people away from her.

As she rose, she swiftly wiped dirt from her clothes and turned to me. “You will be blindfolded. No one can know where I am located. But do not fear. I won’t harm you.” Somehow, I trusted her, only nodding in response to her odd demand.

She led me back through her home, stopping by the front door. In a blink, she swiped a black blindfold from behind her and wrapped it around my eyes. There was nothing but darkness behind the cloth she had wrapped around my eyes. Not even a hint of light to help me orient myself. The lack of sight was terrifying, but I swallowed my fear, placing my trust in this still unknown woman. What was wrong with me?

It didn’t even feel like we had moved when she removed the blindfold. I blinked a few times, getting used to the light again, before noticing we were on the beach right outside of town. It was completely deserted, not a soul to be seen. Which was odd. It was normally crowded by kids and teens trying to have fun.

“Here,” Rose said, thrusting a few envelopes into my hands. The thickness and weight was surprising. “Do not open them until you get home. They are all labeled with whom they are for. Do not open it if it does not belong to you.” She warned me. I looked down smirking at the names on the envelopes. “Drowning man.”, “Sister” and then “Mother.” I was embarrassed to realize I had never told her my name.

“My name is Roman.” I chuckled, “Not drowning man.”

“Well, you never told me so I used what I knew.” She shrugged. “Now go home before your family gets more worried than I’m sure they already are.” She ushered me away, shooing me with her hands. I laughed, inclining my head in thanks before turning to leave the mysterious woman on the beach.