Turmoil: Book Three of The Shadow Goddess series

Chapter Eight

“You’re lying.” Roman said, his voice harsher than I had ever heard it before. His eyes blazed with anger and blind hatred. For me or Apollo I wasn’t sure.

“No, I’m not and you know it. Why would I tell such a lie? I’d benefit nothing from doing so.” I said, not even trying to hide my own anger. He had no right to call me a liar. I was many things and was willing to turn into many things, but a liar was not one of them. An unnatural hissing sound emanated from deep inside Roman. His eyes turned serpent like and glowed with a menacing yellow. “Control your hydra.” I warned.

He didn’t listen, he was too lost to his anger. His flesh started to fade into black like scales as his body grew. Up, up, up, until he reached well above the trees. Head after head sprouted from the massive creatures’ shoulders. He now stood well above twenty feet tall, with ten heads swaying and hissing. His venom dripped from the fangs of each head as they lifted their head back and screeched a roar. Yellow eyes glowed from within each head. All except one, the one in the center of the beast. That one’s eyes blazed red and looked like a living flame. All of him except his underbelly was black. His underbelly an odd whitish color. His nails on his massive feet were three foot long at the least, making them deadly weapons.

"Roman." My voice low in warning as I slipped into my incorporeal state. I allowed the goddess in me to flow through my veins as my own form grew to meet his. “You need to calm down Roman.” I yelled over the screeching of the hydra. “Think about what you’re doing.”

“You lie.” A hissed voice flowed from the middle head of the hydra.

“Don’t call me a liar Roman.” I growled. “Half brother or not I am not above killing you.”

“Prove to me you speak the truth.” He demanded.

“I am your queen.” I Bellowed, my voice going hard as diamond and loud as a tornado siren. “I owe you nothing. You can return to your human form or I can force it upon you. Choose wisely, brother.” I hissed the last word. Roman screeched another roar, the sound echoing around us and shaking the trees. His roars and my own had brought the others back to us. All three clans gathered around my feet like ants while Sydney and Beth looked up to Roam in shock and horror. “So be it.”

Power gathered in my palms, a white and shinning light forming into two large orbs. Lightning cracked across the orbs and blue pulsed from within. I allowed more and more power to enter into the orb, and it grew thicker and larger. “Last chance Roman.” I lifted my hands, aiming the orbs at the serpent’s head. I knew better than cutting the head from a hydra. Cut on and two more grow in its place. But the middle head was the immortal part of the hydra. Cut that head and the creature dies. I didn’t want to kill him though. However, the pain these orbs will cause him will force the shift on him. It will be an agonizing shift back.

“Roman, listen to her.” Beth screamed up to him. “Please.” Her cried pierced my heart, but I didn’t let it sway me.

“Ro, please.” Sydney begged.

“She lies.” Roman shrieked.

“I warned you not to call me a liar Roman.” I said flatly, throwing both orbs at him. They both hit him square in the chest where his heart was. The beast screeched. The sound so agonized and filled with pain I wondered if I had made a mistake. No. I couldn’t second guess myself. I was willing to make myself a monster if the need arose. This was just the first step of many.

Roman’s form started shrinking rapidly, the never-ending shrieks wailing from his many heads. I allowed myself to shrink with him step by step. I may have caused it, but I wasn’t leaving him. Not like this. I would not have whatever relationship we could have been ruined because of his misplaced anger. It took only minutes before Roman was back to human and writhing in pain on the grass. He was curled in on his side in the fetal position moaning in pain. His body trembled and every muscle was locked up tight keeping him in his current position.

"Tobias.” I called to one of the warlocks. “Give me your cloak.” The warlock didn’t hesitate as he pulled the cloak from around his neck and handed it to me. I thanked him before dropping the it over Roman’s naked form. I sat beside him wiping his sandy hair from his sweat covered brow. “I’m sorry Roman.” I whispered. “I didn’t want to have to do it.” I said as I wiped the sweat from him with the corner of the cloak.

“What happened?’ Beth yelled as she dropped to her son’s side.

“I told him a truth he didn’t want, doesn’t want to believe.” I answered honestly.

“What truth?” Beth begged; her hazel eyes boring into mine.

“That he is my brother. Apollo is my father as well as his.” I told her, never taking my eyes from hers. Shock crossed Beth’s face.

“It can’t be.” She breathed.

“And yet it is.” I shrugged. “I hold no warm feelings towards the man. He is the reason one of my bonded was killed. I fully intend on returning the favor when I see him again. But Roman is not just a hydra Beth.” I warned her. “Apollo is a powerful warlock, which means Roman is too. He is a hybrid, just as I was. His power will grow now that they’ve awakened. Tobias Ambrose.” I called, looking over my shoulder to him.

“Yes, my queen?” Tobias bowed his head with Ambrose at his side.

“I want the two of you to train Roman. Help him grow into his power so he doesn’t hurt anyone by accident.”

“Of course.” Ambrose answered, his eyes flickering down to Roman briefly.

I stood, leaving Roman to his family and the zodiac clan. “I must take my leave now.” I said, brushing dirt from my clothes. “I will return with more allies. I expect all of you to look after each other and take care of each other while I am away. Shadow clan, you all are to be sure no one enters my home.”

“I’m still coming.” Roman’s voice rasped out as he stumbled to his feet.

“Not this time Roman. Rest, heal and train. You will get yourself killed if you come with me in your condition.” I said softly.

“Then heal me.”

“So, you can try and attack me again?” I arched a brow. “No, I don’t think so. You must heal on your own this time.”

“I’m sorry.” He hung his head. “I was shocked and angry and repulsed he had been accepted by another after what he done.”

“And you think my mother knew of his actions?” I sneered, my anger rising again. “You think she would have accepted a rapist if she had known? No man would announce to their bonded of such atrocious actions. And for you to even consider my mother had condoned this is enough for me to want your death. Make no mistake brother, I am a goddess, a queen and very much a monster.” I growled. “I accepted this when I left my bonded behind. I knew what would become of me. I have no reservations about what I must become to win this war with Zeus.”

“I’m sorry.” Roman whispered, hanging his head. “I didn’t mean….It wasn’t. I didn’t think.” He stopped short, taking a deep breath. “I never thought that about your mother. I don’t even know what I was thinking. All I know is I was angry and shocked and scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Of you. Of having a goddess and queen as a sister.” He admitted.

“Your fear is not necessary.” I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You are the only family I have left alive. Despite my threats your life is safe. No harm will come to you. But you need to stay and train in your newfound powers.”

“I want to come with you.” Roman’s voice was stronger, sterner.

“I won’t be responsible for your death Roman.” I sighed. “Where I am going is dangerous.”

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“Tartarus. I am seeking the help of the titans.”

“Are you insane?” Beth shouted. “They’ll kill us all.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t think they will. I think they will be thankful for a second chance at defeating Zeus. Especially Cronos.”

“You are risking lives Rose.” Beth warned.

“And more lives will be at risk should Zeus and the others be allowed to run rampant through the realm.” I barked back at her. “I am not asking you permission Beth. I am informing you of my plans.”

“Very well.” Beth nodded solemnly. “But Roman will not be going.”

“What do you think I just said woman?” I yelled at her making her flinch away.

I was going to lose my s**t if this kept up. No one here would be spared from my rage. With look of apology towards Roman I fell into the shadows. I formed a portal to the underworld with my magic and stepped through. I willed it to bring me to the gates of Tartarus, and it did. As I stepped through the portal huge black iron gates met me. They stood at least as tall as Roman’s hydra form and double the width. Runes I couldn’t decipher glowed in golds and silvers and thrummed with power. The power of all the gods locked this door, so having all their essence inside me I knew could unlock it. I didn’t though, not yet. I could see the barren landscape beyond. Shadow like forms moved in the distance and I knew it was them. The titans.

“Cronus titan of time, Atlas titan of strength, Iapetus titan of pain, Hyperion titan of power, Helios titan of sun, Prometheus titan of forethought, and krios titan of stars.” I yelled, calling them each by name and title. I knew there were more, but those were the ones I remembered.

I only had to wait a few heartbeats before the ground started to rumble. Rocks shook and clattered across the ground as cracks formed in the earth. The runes on the gates glowed brighter with each heavy footfall, the gold and silver almost blinding. Yet I endured and I waited on the seven titans I had called. I was sure more would come out of curiosity or come at the others requests. Either way I knew more than just the seven would approach me.

“Who dare call us?” A voice thundered loud enough to vibrate the air around me. Once the titan came into view my mouth dried. He was stunning. Long black hair, piercing green eyes and an olive complexion. His lips were plump and his cheekbones high and sharp. He had a squared jaw and slightly downturned nose. He wore a toga, showing off his powerful legs and part of his perfectly sculpted chest. He was all hard, rippling muscle. His face was stern and fire raged in his green eyes.

“Which are you?” I asked, as I allowed my form to grow to his size so I could see him eye to eye and not hurt my neck by looking so far up.

“I am Cronus, titan of time little goddess.” He smirked, his tone turning light. “Who are you?”

“I am Rose, goddess of shadow and power, god killer.”

“Ah, the long-prophesized child of the gods.” He laughed.

“You know who I am so you must know what is happening.” I hardened my voice.

“I do.” His green eyes sparking with a mixture of amusement and anger.

“Do you know why I’ve come then?” I asked.

“Yes.” His smile was vicious. “Prometheus had a vision of this meeting, though the timing was a little off.” He admitted.

The other titans took rank behind Cronus, all eyes piercing into me like thousand of pinpricks. None of them spoke, they just stared. I in turn studied them. They were all remarkably good looking. So much so they were almost painful to look at. I’ve never seen such beauty before. There was no doubt who Hades had gotten his looks from.

“Hello.” I nodded to the other titans once they all had fallen in line beside Cronus.

“Has our time finally come brother?” A silver haired titan turned from me to Cronus, his brown eyes alight with fire as Cronus’s had been.

“That depends on the little goddess here.” Cronus replied, nodding towards me. “She is the god killer.”

“god killer?” The blonde’s eyes met mine.

“I have come for your help yes. But I will not release you until we have a deal. A pact bound by blood.”

“Hmmm. Smart little goddess, are we?” Another voice purred.

“Smart enough to know how big of a mistake this would be without one.” I hissed.

“Name your terms.” Cronus said, his voice silky soft.

“Hades is not to be harmed if he meets us on the battle field. He is my mate and I will not hesitate to kill anyone of you that hurts him.” I glared at each of them in turn. “No one on our side is to be a harmed by any of you, and no innocents are to be harmed. I will not release you all just for you to wreak havoc upon my realm.”

“Your realm?’ One snickered. “Only the gods, reapers and titans have rule over the realm.”

I smiled darkly and let Lilith out to play. My body rippled with shadows she summoned and our large body turned to shadow with it. I allowed the screeching of the wraiths to pierce through the veil making the titans faces scrunch with pain. “I am a reaper and a goddess and a descendant of the first witch.” Mine, Alethea’s and Lilith’s voices merged together as one. “This realm is mine to protect. I will allow none of you to harm it.”

“I see why you were chosen.” A female titan stepped forward, her long red hair was braided down the side of her head and ran all the way to her waist. “A strong woman and powerful supernatural makes and even more powerful goddess.”

“Your terms, just to be clear. Are one. Hades is not to be harmed. Two. No innocent’s human or otherwise is to be harmed. Is that all?”

“I expect loyalty through this war. You all can have and do whatever you wish with Zeus and the ones who side with him. I just want this over before anymore can be harmed. Bloodshed is not necessary, but Zeus has made his intentions clear. He wishes to eradicate all supernaturals and turn mortals into slaves. I can’t, I won’t allow this to happen.”

“Your mate will not be happy you have released us.” Cronus warned.

“I know.” I sighed. “But he does not have to be happy. As long as he lives through this, he can hate me as much as he wants.”

“You would willingly allow your mate to hate you?” Cronus arched a brow.

“I’m pretty sure he already does. I have locked him and my others behind a ward at the palace. I left them to keep them safe. And I will no whatever it takes to make sure they stay that way, even if it means they hate me the rest of their lives.”

“Hades is immortal, his life is and will be long.” The female titan warned.

“Yes, I know.” I looked down briefly. “But that is a risk I am willing to take.”