Night's Children: Meliora
Always better.
Summary: Side story. Jimena was once the toughest goddess, and the duty of the Magna Mater hasn't dulled her fighting abilities. So when a co-worker turns out to be a demon, let's just say it's not only the Daughters who get all the fun. Between books 3 and 4.
AN: A side story, just for Jimena! Squee! Takes place between book three and book four of Night's Children. It's going to be very short- five chapters. Enjoy!
Prologue: Pandia's Demon
Long ago, there once lived a goddess who walked among men. Her name was Pandia, the 'ever-shining moon', and it was rumored that she was the daughter of both Selene, the Goddess of the Moon, and Zeus, King of the Gods.
Pandia was a strong, gifted woman, and during her brief stay on earth she dedicated herself to serving her mother as a high priestess of the moon. Maintaining a vow of chastity that was common amongst holy women, she promised her mother to never marry or lay with a man. While it was not a requirement, Pandia remained steadfast to her promise, believing that a loving relationship with a mortal would taint her resolve and hinder her serving the people.
One night, there was an attack upon the temple that Pandia lived in. The intruder was an Incubus, a male demon fueled by lust, who had been called upon by the Atrox to kill the next rumored leader of Selene's Daughters, a young pupil of Pandia's named Penelope. Pandia, blessed with the ability of foresight, was able to confront the demon before he reached his intended goal.
It is said that when the demon lay eyes upon the beautiful goddess, his mission was forgotten and he became completely infatuated with Pandia. He attempted to seduce the priestess, but she would not allow herself to become distracted, nor allow the demon from the Atrox to stay in the mortals' realm. She expelled him from the temple, but she soon discovered that was not enough.
The demon was cruel, but determined to claim the Daughter of Selene, and he continued to visit the temple, even without orders from his master. Pandia simply ignored his persistent advances, knowing that to outright attack the Incubus without provocation was not her mother's way. However, when the demon used one of Pandia's students as a hostage in order to pressure her into submission, Pandia was left with no other options. Using the powers given to her by both her mother and father, Pandia battled with the Incubus, eventually defeating him and sending him back to Tartarus, the hell from which he came.
However, the demon knew he would not stay there forever, and patiently awaited for the day he could return to Earth, to seek his revenge on the goddess he desired.