Goddess in Time

Goddess in Time by Tera Lynn Childs Page A

Book: Goddess in Time by Tera Lynn Childs Read Free Book Online
Authors: Tera Lynn Childs
Ads: Link
a crushing hug. I don’t know if it’s the odd sensation of his strong arms around me or the change to blue-sky Serfopoula from the darkness of the underworld or just the gravity of everything I’ve done—of what I’m about to do—but for a second I can’t breathe. I lift my arms and hug him back. My emotions crash down around me and I lean into him, grateful for his strength.
    He has always been there for me, supporting me in whatever crazy thing I’m doing. I don’t think I ever realized how much I need him—and how much I take his presence in my life for granted.
    It feels nice to be in his arms.
    And Troy isn’t the only thing I’ve taken for granted. This world around me—with friends and trees and air that smells like the sea and sweaty teen athletes—is amazing. After trips to three other realms—every one but Abyssos—I’m prepared never to leave this one again.
    Except that I have to.
    Releasing Troy from my grip, I step back and ask, “Did you bring them?”
    He drops his arms slowly, like he’s not sure what to do if he’s not hugging me anymore, and shoves his hands into his pockets. “You’re going now?”
    â€œTroy,” I warn. “I told you to bring them.”
    â€œI did.” He pulls his hands out of his pockets and holds out his palms, revealing the golden feather and the silver seashell. “Are you sure you don’t want to take a few days to think about—”
    â€œNo,” I interrupt as I snatch the objects from his hands. “I’m not wasting any more time.”
    I am so not in the mood for a think-about-what-you’re-doing lecture. He has no idea what it’s like to live with this kind of guilt for so long. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t hate myself for what my younger self did.
    It’s time to make things right and get that burden off my shoulders.
    It’s time to call Chronos.
    â€œWe need to talk about this,” Griffin says.
    I frown at him as he steps closer. “What’s to talk about?”
    â€œI should be the one to go back in time.” His golden eyes burn beneath his dark, scowling brow. “I’m the one who fed ambrosia to the baby. I’m the one who should fix things.”
    â€œNo.”
    I place the ruby seeds in my palm alongside the feather and the seashell.
    â€œNo?” Griffin jerks back. “Just like that—no—and we don’t get to talk about it?”
    â€œNo,” I repeat. “We don’t get to talk about it.”
    â€œNic—”
    â€œDo you know what the next step is?” I ask, getting bored with this argument. I know he wants to be the one to save his parents. I know how he feels—better than anyone—but I also know why it’s not possible. “After calling Chronos, do you know what you’d have to do next?”
    His eyes darken. “No, I—”
    â€œYou have to call your ancestor,” I explain. “You have to call your god and ask them for a golden coin.”
    Griffin jerks back. Clearly he sees my point. His whole body softens a little and he leans back, away from me. Away from the argument.
    Phoebe, on the other hand, doesn’t get it.
    â€œWhat?” she asks, coming to Griffin’s side. “What’s wrong with that? Griffin can call Hercules and—”
    â€œNo,” Griffin says, his voice low and hard. “I can’t.”
    â€œHercules is a demigod,” Troy explains. “He doesn’t qualify.”
    â€œSo. Then he can call . . .” Phoebe begins, but trails off before she can argue. “Oh.”
    â€œYeah,” I say. “Oh.”
    On the best days, inviting the god of war over for a visit is a dangerous proposition. Ares is too volatile, too unpredictable, too . . . likely to wind up inciting a battle or two while he’s here.
    On a day when we’re

Similar Books

Redhanded

Michael Cadnum

Girls in Love

Jacqueline Wilson

The Ambition

Lee Strobel

S is for Stranger

Louise Stone

The Medea Complex

Rachel Florence Roberts