“Thena, wake up.” Adonis was at my side. How did I get away from the couch? And why was I crouched in the corner like some mental patient? It was a mystery. Adonis picked me up as if I weighed no more than a feather and tucked me into my bed. I didn’t even flinch as he slid me between the silken sheets and moments later, joined me. Fully clothed, he lay down and encased me with his body; it wasn’t until that moment that I realized I had been shaking.
The nightmare seemed too real, the voice too soothing, too perfect. Was it possible to be too perfect? It was everything I wanted to hear, yet it left me feeling evil and bad. Confused, I shook my head and allowed sleep to claim me once again.
****
“Watchers,” I heard people mumble in disbelief as we joined the rest of the Seekers for breakfast. The only missing figures were Hercules and Achilles, which wasn’t really that big of a shocker. I’d be more shocked if they had shown up.
Ares’s head rested on his hands as he watched the sparring taking place in the practice room across from the large marble table. The view of our kind fighting never ceased to take my breath away.
Michael trained us all, which is pretty awe-inspiring. Angels have a way of fighting that leaves a person either screaming in fear or pumped with excitement. It’s not just that they move incredibly fast, it’s the brute strength they pack behind each swift movement of their arms. Yet, watching them was almost like watching a dance. A beautiful trace of steps that most likely followed the heavenly song, like everything else they did in life.
Because we couldn’t hear the song, they had to teach us the steps and different types of strategies through practice and memorization, thus the practice rooms.
By the look of it, Artemis and Orion had been training together all morning. Tiny beads of glistening sweat were visible on both their forms, making them glow in godlike splendor. Humans used to believe they were the god and goddess of the hunt because of the way they looked.
Artemis had hair like corn silk. Her skin was sun-kissed and beautiful. Everything about her screamed fertile, if you get my meaning.
Orion, on the other hand, was built like a panther. Every movement seemed primal, as if at any moment he was going to pounce and kill. It drove the Phantoms absolutely crazy. His hair was shaped into a mohawk all the way down his head and flowed freely down his back. The bluish-black tint of it set off his golden flecked skin. He was probably the only one of us who could go out into the mountains of Siberia and find enough food and supplies to feed a small nation. It was humbling, to say the least.
I smirked as Apollo scowled in the corner. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was contemplating throwing a knife at Orion’s head. They’d been at odds for a great while, not that any of us would actively hurt each other. However, I did sometimes wonder about those two.
I turned my attention back to the sparing match. Artemis circled Orion, a smug little smile on her lips. She loved to hunt the best hunter. Orion shifted restlessly as he ducked another one of Artemis’s blows to the head.
“Nice try,” he gloated, lifting his dagger over his head. “Old age slowing you down, Arte?”
If looks could kill, Orion would be dead on the floor, covered in blood, with Artemis standing over him laughing. She looked ticked. The room shook around us. Her eyes glowed in response.
Everyone at breakfast was silent, entranced by the entertainment. But then people began taking bets. Why was I not surprised? Of course they were. It was literally the highlight of our morning.
Naturally, I couldn’t help but join in. Anything to take my mind off the crazy nightmare and the impending doom delivered via the Phantom yesterday.
“I’ve got my money on Artemis,” Adonis said, taking a seat next to me.
I thought about it, tilting my head as another mortal blow was blocked by Orion’s thickly muscled arm. “Are you sure about that? He isn’t even out of breath.”
Adonis shook his head. “None of us run out of breath.”
“You know what I mean.” I shoved him, I’ll admit, a bit hard, sending him flying to the floor. In his defense, he wasn’t really bracing himself for impact.
But the impact of his giant body hitting the marble floor beneath us was akin to a giant boulder falling from the Space Needle.
“Whoops,” I mumbled, but it was too late. All eyes turned to me and my partner. Even Artemis and Orion stopped fighting, now watching in fascination as Adonis pushed crumbles of the floor off of his perfect body.
“Sorry,” I whispered, feeling my face heat.
I don’t really recall who said something first. My was on Hermes, since it was easier blaming all of our woe on him, but a voice out of the gathering crowd yelled, “Fight!”
And suddenly Adonis and I were in the fighting circle, watching Orion and Artemis get refreshments and sit down.
Apollo moved away from Orion as he walked by. I caught Apollo roll his eyes as he pulled Artemis down to sit next to him instead. She smiled warmly and turned toward me in anticipation.
Perfect. Now I have to fight my partner.
And again I pleaded, why does everything have to be about fighting?
“Choose your weapons.” Ares was standing between us; he gave Adonis a slight pat on the back and winked in my direction.