Wrath of Hades (12 page)

Poseidon shook his head. “You need to use your abilities in order to gain control of them.”

“I think they’re a little afraid of me and my powers, especially now.”

“Why is now different?” asked Poseidon. He sat down next to Raven.

“I’m having problems with Ethan.” Raven’s cheeks went pink.

“Ethan? You mean Cerberus’
s youngest son?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” Raven sighed.

“Good for nothing Hell Hounds! I’ll wring his neck for bothering you. He’ll wish he never laid eyes on you.”

Raven looked at Poseidon, surprised at the ferocious tone of his voice. “Uh, I’d like to wring his neck too, but I don’t want him dead. I think you’ve got the wrong idea.”

“The wrong idea?” asked Poseidon. “What other kind of problem could you be having if he’s not picking on you?”

Raven’s cheeks heated up. “The kind where he declares I’m his mate and now he can’t stand the sight of me.”

“He did what?” Poseidon jumped up off the bench and started pacing back and forth.

Raven buried her face in her hands. Poseidon acting like a father was definitely not on the list of things she wanted to deal with today. “It’s nothing. Just a problem I have to deal with.”

“No, it’s not nothing! You need to tell me what exactly is going on between you too.” Poseidon stopped pacing and faced Raven.

“Just what I said,
Ethan declared I was his mate. Everything was going great until the night we went to see Sam Westing in the hospital. Something jabbed him and suddenly he started acting weird toward me. Now he has some sort of fixation on Claire Westing, Sam’s granddaughter, and I’m out of the picture.” Raven looked up. “I think someone shot him with one of Eros’s arrows. A friend of mine is trying to contact Eros for me.”

“If it is one of Eros’
s arrows, there’s not much that can be done about it except let the poison run its course,” said Poseidon.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Tears rolled down Raven’s cheeks. “Great! That’s absolutely great. What am I supposed to do?” She wiped away the tears.

“Enough tears. Come with me.” He held out his hand to Raven.

“Where?” asked Raven. “The last time we were here, you tried to force me to go home with you.”

“And I remember a certain young lady using her powers against me.” Poseidon smiled. His eyes twinkled. “We are going to work on making sure you can defend yourself.”

“How?
I can’t even make my powers work right.”

“And that’s what we’re going to work on right now. You must be able to protect yourself. I don’t think you want me following you around as your bodyguard.” He winked at her.

Raven shook her head. “That’s probably not a good idea.” Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she took his hand. “Okay, where do we start?”

“With the basics.
You have the ability to manipulate water. I’ve seen you do it, so that’s where we’ll start.” Poseidon led her into a clearing a little closer to the lake.

For the next several hours, Poseidon worked with Raven, teaching her how to use her abilities. He taught her different ways to manipulate the water so she could both protect and defend herself. He gave her advice when she struggled and encouragement when she succeeded.

“See? I told you, you could do it. Just focus. Keep the image of a swirling ribbon in your
mind,” said Poseidon as Raven manipulated the water into ribbons swirling around them, encasing the pair in what looked like a water tornado.

“This is so cool!” Raven forced the ribbons higher.

“Now, send them back into the lake, without crashing this time. You can do it. Just concentrate on where you want the water ribbons to go.”

Raven bit her bottom lip as she concentrated. The top ribbons of water quit spinning and arched toward Pinewood Lake. In a few minutes the spiraling ribbons of water were gone.

A huge grin covered Raven’s face when she looked at Poseidon. “I did it!” she yelled.

“I knew you could.” Poseidon hugged her, but quickly let her go when he realized what he was doing.

Raven took a step away from him. An uncomfortable silence fell over them. “Thanks for showing me how to do all that stuff with the water,” she finally said breaking the silence.

“You’re welcome.” Poseidon gazed out at the lake. “You catch on very quick. I think the problem you’re having with your powers is because of your emotional state. You have to find a calm spot in here.” He tapped
on his head. “Once you’ve find it, use it to help you focus your energy.”

“Do you think it was just a fluke the other times I was able to use my abilities?” asked Raven.

“No, I think you’re a natural at it. When you’re in danger, your instincts seem to kick in.”

“Not all the time. Agent M
orrison killed me.” Raven looked to Poseidon. “I can’t let that happen again. I have to be prepared. She’ll be back, because she didn’t get what she wanted.”

Poseidon shook his head. “You don’t have to worry about Chimera. She won’t be back. Not for a long, long time.”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “What did you do to her?”

Poseidon smiled. “Let’s just say she’s taking a very long vacation at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.”

“Do what? Isn’t that the deepest trench known to humans?”

“Yes, it is, but she shouldn’t have harmed you. No one hurts my daughter and gets away with it.” Poseidon’s face grew dark and angry. “I should have killed Chimera, but I want her to suffer and to think about why she’s suffering.”

Raven rolled her eyes. “You may be my father, but you can’t protect me from everything.” She didn’t want to admit it, but the Poseidon she just saw scared her a little bit.

“You’re acknowledging I’m your father?” asked Poseidon. He sounded almost like he didn’t believe what he heard.

Raven shrugged her shoulders. “I realize that even though you didn’t raise me, you are my father. I just don’t think I can call you dad or father. It seems awkward.”

“Then just call me Poseidon. Maybe one day, one of the other names will fit.” Warmth and pride filled his voice. Even the hard features in his face softened.

“Okay. I can do that…Poseidon.” She tested it out. It felt strange calling him by his name, but for now it was better than calling him dad. He had to earn that title.

“We need to continue you’re training. The potential in you is great, and not just with the ability to manipulate water. Your ability to heal is amazing.”

“It’s not that great. Yeah, small cuts and stuff go away quickly, but the big stuff—I don’t want to try any of that again and especially not just to see how well I heal.” The painful memory of Agent Morrison stabbing her in the heart caused her to flinch.

“Are you okay?” Concern was etched on Poseidon’s face.

Raven nodded. “Just remembering the day I—the day I died.”

“Your battles and injuries will stay with you for a long time, but eventually they will fade until it will seem they were only a bad dream,” said Poseidon. “But for now, you must be prepared for anything and anyone. I can call the water to me, but I also have my trident, which if memory serves me right, you can use almost as well as I can.” Pride filled his voice.

Raven smiled. “But I don’t have the trident.”

Poseidon looked at her with an almost pained look. “I know you will one day have to reunite the three powers, but it won’t be anytime soon.” He picked up a lock of Raven’s hair. “We have to prepare you for that day.”

“You’re okay with me taking that power away from you?” asked Raven.

Poseidon let her hair fall from his fingers. “I never really wanted the power, but I knew someone had to stand against Zeus and Hades. I only hope you’re stronger than all of us, because the power is very seductive. It will make you believe you are a god even when you really aren’t.” He sighed. “You’re hair reminds me of my mo
ther’s hair. It was so dark black, it almost looked blue.”

“Your mother had the same hair color as mine?” Raven wondered what cruel fate had given her black-blue hair. Now she knew it wasn’t fate at all, but rather genetics.

“You didn’t just inherit her hair. I think you inherited her strong will too. You would like her very much.” Poseidon stepped away from Raven. “It’s getting late.”

Raven looked up at the sky. The sun was slowly making its way down. “I should be getting home. I’m surprised no one’s come looking for me. Maybe we can do this again really soon.”

“Raven?” Poseidon turned toward her. “I was thinking. Maybe you should come home with me—at least for a little while so that we can continue your training. Medusa would love to see you. You two can talk about your ability to manipulate stone. She has a lot she could teach you about those powers.”

Raven listened to Poseidon’s offered. It was tempting. She wouldn’t have to worry about Ethan and the
issues he was causing the Hell Hounds. She wouldn’t have to worry about public school or any of the Guardian stuff, at least for a little while. It would be like a mini vacation.

“Are you ready to go?”

Raven shook her head. “I can’t.”

“It would do you some
good to get away from that Hell Hound,” said Poseidon. “Besides, we can continue work on honing your skills.”

“I’ve got to figure out what’s wrong with Ethan and fix it. I’m the reason whatever happened to him happened.” Raven wrapped her fingers around the silver disc hanging from the
chain hanging around her neck. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to leave him that way. And I’ve got other duties I can’t walk away from even if I wanted to.”

“But what if it was meant to be? What if there’s someone else you’re meant to meet and fall in love with?” The questions Poseidon asked struck a nerve with Raven.
Could there possibly be someone else? Someone really meant for her. Someone who wouldn’t fall under some stupid spell and forget about her?

“I had a great time working with you, but I’ve got to go. They’re probably looking for me.” Raven started walking away.

“Where are you going?” Poseidon’s voice changed. It grew hard.

“I’m going home. It’s getting late.” Raven kept walking.

“He doesn’t want you. If I were you, I’d find someone else. There are plenty who would love you. You are my daughter after all.”

Raven turned and looked at Poseidon. “So you’re saying I can’t find anyone who’s i
nterested in me just for me? That the only reason they’d be interested in me is because I’m your daughter. Gee thanks! Great way to win me over to your way of thinking.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. Because you’re my daughter, you deserve more than what you’re settling for.”

Raven propped her hands on her hips. “Yeah, I may be your daughter, but I make my own decisions. I pick who I want to see or not see. It doesn’t matter what you think about them. All that matters is what I think. Got it?”

“You’re coming with me and that’s final,” said Poseidon.

“Or what? You’re going to try and make me?” Raven laughed. “I don’t think so.”

Poseidon walked over to where she was standing. He didn’t stop until he was well into her personal space. “You will have some respect for me. I may be your father, but I’m a god.”

Raven rolled her eyes. “And that’s the number one reason why I’m not going with you. It’s that god complex thing the males in this family are under the influence of. It’s so ridiculously self-destructive. It leaves me cold.”

Poseidon took a step back in shock. Never before had anyone other than Medusa talked to him that way. “Since that’s the way you feel, don’t call me.” He turned and walked away from her.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Poseidon vanished without a glace backwards, leaving Raven standing alone in the park.

“Great! That’s absolutely great! Just run away like a big baby.” Raven yelled at the empty spot where Poseidon last stood. “I can’t believe your being such a jerk. You could’ve at least made sure I got home in one piece.” Raven walked over to the bench she had flung her jacket on while they were practicing. She put it on and pulled it tight around her.

Something felt off.

She looked around, but didn’t see anything. Raven frowned.

Someone was watching her.

It wasn’t something she knew, just something she felt.

But who and what did they want?

She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to that.

CHAPTER
11

The winter wind calls

As slowly the tears fall.

I don’t’ know what to do or say

To make you happy enough to stay.

So what I must do is so very sad

But in the end we’ll both be glad.

Trust on surface but not too deep

For us, please don’t weep.

             
              --Raven Weir’s journal

Raven walked across the park to where she parked the jeep. In the distance, she could see the edge of the cemetery which was the last place she wanted to be anywhere near especially this late in the evening.  “Why couldn’t Poseidon have hung around long enough to at least make sure I got out of the park safely?” she asked herself.

She shook her head.
“Stupid, childish behavior! And he’s supposed to be the adult. Do you hear me, Poseidon? You’re the adult. You’re supposed to act like one, not like a spoilt little kid who didn’t get the toy at the store. Stupid, childish behavior! Exactly what I expected out of a god! And that’s why I don’t have any respect for that god crap!”

“Childish behavior is exactly what I’d call your actions.”

Raven stopped walking. A very bloody Cerberus stood between her and the jeep. “What happened to you?” Her eyes widened as she stared at him.

“Don’t act like you don’t know.” Cerberus glared at her with hate filled eyes.

“No act dude. If I knew what had happened to you, I wouldn’t be asking.” Raven let her hands drop down to her sides. “It looks like you were in some sort of wreck. Maybe you should go to the hospital.”

“I’ve already been to the hospital.” His hands were clinched into fists.

“You have to stay there until they take care of the wounds. Just going to the hospital isn’t enough,” said Raven. “You’ve actually got to go in and let the doctors look at the injuries.”

“Heather’s there fighting for her life,” growled Cerberus.

“What happened?” Raven couldn’t believe what she heard. The last time she saw Ethan’s mom, Heather was upset about Ethan and the judgment, but she was alive and well.

“Don’t act l
ike you don’t know.”

“If I knew what happened, I wouldn’t be asking. Can you get that concept through your thick skull? Or have you chased one too many cars?” Raven felt her anger rising.

Cerberus took several steps toward her, forcing Raven to retreat. “You shouldn’t have sent the zombies after us. You’re going to pay for that.”

“Zombies?
You were attacked by zombies?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know about the zombie attack. You’re the one who organized it.”

“I haven’t organized anything. You need to get your facts straight.” Raven couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could anyone believe she was responsible for the zombies? “I’ve already been attacked twice by those creepy things.”

“Just a cover.”
Cerberus pointed at her. “You don’t have anywhere to run now. I will finish what you started. I will avenge Heather.”

“I have nothing against Heather. Why would I want to harm her? She’s Ethan’s mother.”

“You don’t want to harm her, but you would attack me? I believe it was you who came into my home and stole the pups. You turned them against their own parents.” He sniffed the air and frowned. “Poseidon’s been here.”

“Yeah so?
”

Cerberus sniffed the air again. His eyes changed to glowing red. “His scent is all around you. Consorting with that mongrel when you proclaim to be my son’s mate?”

“And you’re calling Poseidon a mongrel? Do you even know what a mongrel is?” Raven raised an eyebrow. “Besides, Ethan declared I was his mate. What’s your problem with Poseidon anyway?”

Cerberus growled.

“Are we back to that growling thing? If you’re trying to intimidate me, you are totally off the mark. Your growling doesn’t scare me. Not even a teeny bit.” Raven couldn’t have stopped the words from coming out of her mouth if she wanted to.

“You dared enter my lair. You’ve sent zombies to attack my family. And now you’re consorting with Poseidon. Ethan doesn’t need a mate like you. I told him you were dangerous and should be disposed of, and that’s exactly w
hat I’m going to do right now, get rid of a problem before it gets worse.”

“Really!
You need to get your facts straight. I only entered your lair,” Raven used her fingers to emphasize the words, “because you were planning on executing Ethan and the others. I haven’t sent zombies to attack anyone. I’ve been attacked by them and I’m trying to find out who’s the ringleader behind them so I can put a stop to it. As for Poseidon, if consorting with him means I’m talking to him, then you got me on that one.”

“You admit to consorting with Poseidon. I knew you were guilty.”

Raven snorted. “You don’t listen very well do you? Did you get dropped on your head as a puppy?” she asked. “I don’t know what your problem with Poseidon is, but leave me out. I’ve got nothing to do with it. Your issues with Poseidon are between you and him. Not me.”

“He was here with you,
that’s all that matters.”

“Guilty by association?
Get real. He’s my father. Don’t you hang out with your son?” Raven rolled her eyes. “This is really old. I hope Heather gets better. But I’ve got to go home, so I can figure out exactly who’s behind the attacks and why.” Raven started walking in a large arc around Cerberus.

“Poseidon’s pup.
That’s even better.” Cerberus rushed Raven, grabbing her arm in his meaty paw.

“Let me go before you make me do something I might regret!” She struggled against his grip.

“The only thing you’re going to do is die.” Cerberus squeezed hard. The fingers on his other hand slowly lengthened into lethal looking claws.

“Been there, done that, a
nd I’m not doing it again!” Raven remembered what Poseidon told her and looked inside herself for the calm spot she needed. She envisioned the water snaking out of the lake and wrapping itself around Cerberus and yanking him away from her.

In seconds the water wrapped around both of them.

“Stop it or else!” Cerberus clamped down on her arm so hard, Raven was sure he would snap it in half.

She envisioned the water wrapping tightly around him, cutting off his oxygen supply. She felt his grip loosen. Suddenly she was free.

The water retreated back to the lake, leaving Cerberus several feet away from her. She watched him shake his head. Drops of water flew in every direction.

He looked around until his glowing red eyes locked on her. He howled. The metal playground equipment rattled.

Raven gulped and slowly stepped backwards like a hunted animal.

Cerberus charged at her.

The impact sent Raven flying through the air. She landed hard against the metal ladder of the slide. She laid there for several minutes, the air totally knocked out of her.

“Not such a problem anymore,” said Cerberus as he stalked toward her.

Raven managed to get a huge gulp of air into her lungs. “Don’t come any closer.” Her voice sounded more like a frog croaking than an actual voice. “I’m warning you.”

Cerberus laughed. “You, the puny pup of Poseidon, are warning me? You are nothing but a rabid pest that must be eliminated.” He threw his head back and howled again.

The distraction gave Raven just enough time to get more oxygen into her lungs and get to her feet.

Cerberus heard her movements and turned his attention back on her. “No more of your tricks.” He raised his claws. “This is for Jay.” He leaped at her, chang
ing in mid-air into a full Hell Hound—a Hell Hound bigger than any Raven had ever seen, not that she had seen very many in their Hell Hound form.

Raven screamed. She definitely wasn’t expecting this, though she knew she should have been. She threw up her hands to protect herself. Power surged through her. The impact sent her flying back into the metal ladder of the slide. The pain in her back was almost unbearable. She felt the metal bend under the force. She hoped Cerberus was experiencing the same thing.

Raven heard a groan. She wasn’t sure if it came from her or from Cerberus, but at that point it didn’t matter. She had to get up. She had to put an end to his attacks—one way or the other.

She crawled out of the tangled metal remains of the slide. Pain was definitely her new best friend. Raven pressed her hand to her right hip. It was warm and sticky. She held her hand up
and saw blood on it—her blood. She was afraid to look at the wound or anywhere else on her for that matter. Raven looked over at Cerberus who was entangled in the metal remains of the monkey bars. He was slowly disentangling himself from the metal.

“Cerberus!” she yelled. “It’s time to end this. I’m not your enemy, but you give me no choice. I won’t keep playing this game with you. It ends now, even if it means you have to die because I plan on living.” She took a step and bit down hard on her bottom lip to keep from screaming out in pain, she kept walking toward him. As much as she hated the idea, in this game Cerberus started, she would have to become the hunter in order to survive.

“You’re right. It does end now,” said Cerberus. He struggled to his feet. Blood ran down the side of his face from a nasty cut in his forehead, making him look worse than he did when he first appeared in the park. “It ends with me ripping your heart out.”

“I don’t think so.” Raven shook her head.  “I’m kind of attached to my heart. It definitely works better in my chest than it does outside of it.” She lifted her hands and envisioned the water sweeping Cerberus out into the middle of the lake. A large water ribbon swept in across the park and wrapped around Cerberus. Raven heard him yelling and growling, but tuned it out. Halfway through the motion of sweeping the water back to the lake, a bone-chilling howl went roared through the park. The hairs on Raven’s arms stood up.

Five seconds later, she was on the ground with a very angry Ethan looming over her.

“Leave my dad alone! He’s done nothing to you.”

Raven blinked and groaned.

“I’m warning you. Stay away from my family, Guardian.” He glared at her with hate filled eyes. “The only reason you’re still alive is so you can find Claire.” Ethan stepped away from her. “That’s the only reason, but once you find her, all bets are off,” he said before he turned and walked away.

Raven carefully pushed herself into a sitting position. There wasn’t a part of her that didn’t hurt. She looked up in time to see Ethan help his dad into the jeep. No once did he look back at her. He got in and drove away, leaving her alone to fend for herself.

She stared at the retreating tail
lights.

This was the second time Ethan attacked her.

“I’ll do what I can to help you,” she said. “But it’s definitely over between us. It doesn’t matter how sorry you are, I refuse to be a part of a relationship like this.” She shook her head sadly. Her decision hurt her heart as much as the fight with Cerberus hurt her body.

She was truly alone.