Turmoil: Book Three of The Shadow Goddess series

Chapter Four

The family didn’t look very sure about me. I understood though. I had just made more than one grown man vanish. They didn’t know about my power though. Reapers were very secretive and I now knew why. I am assuming it was why my kind were hunted to extinction. Only one remained. Me, and I was more powerful than any before me. I finally decided to accept my power, my position, my title. Denying it all just made me weak, scared. I could be the queen who relied on emotion to get the job done. I couldn’t be the reaper who used anger to protect her people. I had to be calm and fully in control. I would never be able to defeat Zeus otherwise.

“Where are we going?” Beth, Roman’s mother asked, her voice wavering.

I sighed. “I have no intention of hurting any of you. If you do not wish to come with me then by all means stay here. But I can not promise that I’ll be here next time. I have a lot on my mind and even more to prepare for. You’re all lucky I am even inviting you at all. I left my bonded behind to keep them safe.”

“Safe from what?” Roman popped up beside me.

“Not here.” I shook my head, my eyes darting around us. When we made it to the beach, I turned back to the family behind me. “Are you all coming?” I asked. They all looked at each other questioningly, before turning to me and nodding. "Very well. You will all be blindfolded. No one can know where I am staying.”

They were hesitant, but allowed me to place the blindfolds on them. If they only knew it wasn’t truly a blindfold. I was taking their sense of sight temporarily so there was no way they could see. I kind of felt bad for it. But not enough to care. I have gone to great lengths to keep myself numb. If I allowed any of my emotions to invade me, I knew I would break. I would be utterly defenseless against any threat that approached me. I couldn’t let that happen. Even cracking the bond open a sliver I knew would crumple me to my knees. So I pretended the guys didn’t exist. Pretended I never attended the academy. Pretended that I had always been here. On this island. Alone. It was the only way.

When the portal opened and we stepped back onto the island I gave each of them their sight back. I said nothing as I turned and headed back towards my cottage. Instead of going in though I swept to the side, walking around and into the back yard. The family followed close behind, despite my silence. When the few small cottages came into view the family gasped. I didn’t turn, I really didn’t care. These were nothing more than testes to see how far my goddess abilities worked. I was confidante in my ability to summon things from thin air. I can even do it now with a single thought. Without having to picture every detail.

I led the family to one of the largest cottages. It was a two bedroom, two bath. Plenty large enough for the mother and daughter. Roman, being a man and an adult would get his own private cottage nearby. By nearby, I mean right next door about fifteen yards away. They were safe here anyway; they wouldn’t need his protection any longer. And if what I saw was correct, Roman needed major training if he ever wanted to be able to protect them.

“Beth, Sydney. You both will be staying here. You each will have your own room and bathroom. There is a fully stocked kitchen and hygiene supplies already in there.” I turned from their wide eyed stares and faced Roman. “Roman, you will be staying there.” I pointed at the cottage nearby. “There is one room and one bath. The same applies to you as it did them. Fully stocked kitchen and bathrooms. If there is anything else you require write it down and bring it to me.”

I turned to leave but Roman grabbed my wrist, stopping my retreat. I stilled, every muscle going rigid. I looked down to where his hand grasped my wrist, then up to his brown eyes. I growled low in my throat. “I suggest you get your hand off of me Roman.” I warned.

“I…I’m sorry.” He murmured, dropping my wrist and backing away from me. “I just wanted to say thank you. For bringing us here. For keeping us safe. For saving my mom and sister.”

‘You’re welcome. Now get settled in.” I turned and walked briskly away from them. I didn’t need or want his thanks. He wouldn’t thank me if he knew what I had just brought them. I would do everything I can to keep them safe. But if one of the gods attacked, I couldn’t promise one or all of them wouldn’t ger hurt. Plus, Hydra’s were endangered among supernaturals. They needed a safe place to hide. A safe place where they could shift. I doubt Beth had shifted in over a decade. Sydney and Roman probably haven’t shifted at all yet. It would be painful, but they’ll need to start practicing shifting. They will need their stronger form when the war starts. It would be their only chance of survival.

When I got back into the house, I left the sliding glass door open just incase the family needed me. I trialed up to my room, where the midnight covers met me. I stared at them, emotions threatening to drown me. Whenever I saw the comforter Cassius’s eyes always flashed in my mind. His eyes, his smile, his laugh. I was torturing myself and I knew it. But I deserved it. I deserved to feel this emptiness, this numbness. I deserved to feel hallow and alone. At least now it was only me suffering and I wasn’t hurting my men. I wasn’t putting their life in danger. They were safe, and soon they will heal from my leaving. I wouldn’t heal, but I also didn’t care.

I swallowed down what threatened to consume me and stalked to the bathroom to take a cold shower. The freezing water always shocked my mind and body back into the present. Staying stuck in the past will do me no good. It won’t so anyone any good. I dressed quickly after my shower, walking out onto the balcony attached to my room. I just sat there, over looking the ocean as the sounds of the water crashing against the shore washed over me. The sounds brought me some peace.

As the sun set over the endless sea, the reflection of the sun on the water caught my attention. As always, I was in awe of how it looked against the waters. A perfect replica of what was happening in the sky was reflected on the water. The reflection rippling as the waters continuedly moved. Dolphins jumped out of the water, just to dive back in as if they were following the last rays of sunlight. I could hear the sounds of their squeals and the wailing of a few whales.

When the sun set and the moon rose high into the sky I heaved a sigh, climbing from my spot to head downstairs and outside. I made my way across the clearing and down a small path that led to the training grounds I made. I just stood there a few minutes, bathing in the moonlight. The silvery glow shining down on me. It was when the glow started to get brighter did, I open my eyes. I was surprised to see Nyx standing in front of me. It shouldn’t be possible. No god or goddess should be able to ger in or out of the island’s barrier without my permission.

“You invited me child. Remember?” Nyx reminded me soothingly.

“Yes, of course.” I nodded, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Talk to me child. What has happened?” She asked as she glided towards me. Her hand waved and a beautiful wooden bench appeared. Two howling wolves making up the sides.

“You know what happened.” I said flatly. “I killed Cassius. I have done nothing but endanger the people I love. I have done nothing but constantly put their lives in jeopardy. I refuse to do it any longer.”

“You are strong, young goddess. Not many have the strength to leave her bonded. For a goddess it is near impossible. But you have again proven to be stronger than predicted.” She shook her head sadly, reaching out to grab my hand in hers. “I am sorry for what has happened to you dear Rose. You did not ask, nor do you deserve what has been done to you. To make the decisions you’ve made. It will all work out as it should my dear.” She tried to assure me.

“As long as Zeus is defeated and my men stay safe I don’t care what else happens.”

“You will need help Rose. Several gods have joined Zeus. He has somehow talked them into his way of thinking. There are too many for just you.” She reasoned.

“I have been underestimated before.” I reminded her. “As long as I train, push myself to my limit I will be able to do it.”

“Not this time.” Nyx shook her head sadly.

I looked at her almost harshly. “I have a plan. I won’t be alone.”

“Care to share?” Nyx arched a brow.

“You won’t like it.” I warned. “It is risky, dangerous even.”

“We all trust you to do what is right.” Nyx smiled.

“Fine.” I huffed. “I plan on training first. Hard. Then going to the underworld to Tartarus and freeing some of the titans. I haven’t decided which ones yet, but I know Cronus will be one. He is their leader, the most powerful.”

“Ambitious.” Nyx murmured, “But a good plan all the same. Is that all?”

“No. Well, maybe. I want to make my own race, like you and the others. But it feels wrong to make them just for them to die in a war that is not theirs to fight.”

“If it is your fight then it is theirs. You would be their creator, their goddess. They will be more than willing to fight by your side.”

“I know.” I sighed, dropping my face in my hands. “But how is it right to doom a race that was just started?”

“They will not be doomed child.” Nyx laughed. “Just create enough to fight and to start more generations. Make enough so they can carry on your legacy. It is you who they will turn to for guidance. You who they will thank. It is you who their lives will be formed around.”

“I’ve had ideas about them.” I told her almost hesitantly. “But I’m not sure if it’s possible.”

“What is your idea?” Nyx questioned.

“Well, I am a hybrid. No, a tribrid. I thought of creating three different races, three factions. The first a new clan of reapers, stronger than the last. They will have power over the shadow and lightning. And named the shadow clan. Another clan will be a clan of new more powerful witches. The zodiac they are born under will determine their element of power. So, if they are an earth sign, they will have power over the earth. And any born under Gemini will be twins. Each having their own element, but one always complimenting the other. Fire and water, earth and air. That clan will be the Zodiac clan. Last since I have essence of all gods and goddesses, will be the demigod clan. Each will have a random gift, each gift one complimenting a god or goddess.”

“That…..That might be possible.” Nyx murmured under her breath. “You carry the power and the different races inside you to do as you wish. It will be a lot of work child. And many rules must be placed upon them. Restrictions and weaknesses.”

“I know. I have an idea for that too. The three clans can not mix. Their mates will be from their individual clans. Since they would hold more power, they will have more than one weakness. Much like you, silver will be one. But the other much less common. It’s called Carex lutea. It is a rare type of sage.” I informed her, spurred on by her acceptance of my idea.

“That is very smart of you.” She smiled. “Silver and wolfsbane harm my children. One a weapon, one a plant. You have decided the same for your people. And not allowing the clans to mate one another keeps one from becoming more powerful than the other. But what will happen should they reject the mate bond for one of another clan?”

“Should that happen, the woman involved will be unable to bare a child. The clans will not be compatible, so they will be unable to procreate. No new species will be allowed to be born.” I assured her.

“And other supernaturals?”

“You mean like one of mine mixing with say a vampire or werewolf?” I asked.

“Yes.” Nyx nodded; her silver eyes focused solely on me.

“Well, I don’t see why that would be a problem. Werewolves mate with vampires. Vampires with reapers. All kinds mingle. As long as my clans can not mix, then no new more powerful being can exist.”

“You are very wise indeed.” Nyx’s beaming smile making my chest warm. When Nyx stood from her place on the bench, she faced me. “I shall help you in your endeavor. We will create your children together. Are you ready?” She smiled, holding her hand out to me.

I beamed, jumping to my feet and taking her hand. “More than ready.” I replied, excitement crawling through my veins. I couldn’t wait to do this. To create my own people, my own clans. But first I would have to expand my island and give each clan their own space to live and thrive. I will place a mating bond on them, the first two of each clan being the alpha male and female. I would create them with combat skill and knowledge and from there we would train. I would fill them in on what was happening. And together with the titans, we would face down Zeus and his followers.