Chapter ten
Christian
Zeus had been gone for a while as we all sat in the front room talking. I had told Abaddon and Sathanas to take Hebe away and have her guarded by at least two of them at all times and all my brothers had agreed to make sure they would guard her. All apart from Beal, of course. Naturally, he didn't want to be away from Huldah and the baby, which I completely understood.
Ana had made sure they knew to treat Hebe well and not to let any harm come to her until we knew the truth, and that if she was lying all bets were off. In fact, her words were "If she is not telling the truth she would be down to beat her, herself. Just for being in our home and around our family,' and I loved her so fucking much for that.
"Okay. So, we need a plan of action because I won't risk us being caught off guard. We have to remember that if this does come to a fight we will be going up against incredibly powerful beings and we don't know if they have others helping them. For all we know Hera could have help from others, aside from her children. After all, her children each have children of their own, as well, and they will no doubt want to help their parents. So, we need to be prepared for everything."
As Ana finished talking Zeus appeared with a bloodied and unconscious Eileithyia in his arms. Ana jumped up to give him room to lie her down on the sofa and I looked around the room expecting someone to appear behind him.
"What happened to her? Is she okay?" I could hear the worry in Ana's voice and it only added to my anger at the situation.
"I don't know. I was following the link to Ares and I found her unconscious. She's not healing. I could feel Ares's essence when I arrived so I believe he is the one that did this to her, which will explain why she isn't healing. He has access to a weapon that can prevent immortal's healing and could with those less powerful than us eventually cause death. After all, immortals aside from you, myself, and Christian can still be killed if they have the right tools."
"Well, if she isn't going to heal magically, we need to get her to a hospital." Dione was kneeling next to Eileithyia checking for a pulse. "We need to take her now! Her pulse is very weak."
Apollo stood and walked over to pick Eileithyia up and held her in his arms. "I'll take her you will be needed here."
"No wait! Something about this doesn't seem right. I feel like this is a trap. She does need to go to the hospital but I don't think you should go alone. Zeus, go with them. I'll stay here, whatever happens from now on we need to have either myself, Christian, or you with the others because I am starting to believe that they are going to try and get us alone. I don't know why but I just have a horrible feeling that they are going to try and pick us off one by one." Ana looked really scared as she was talking, more for the others than herself because we knew that the others were not indestructible.
"Okay. Well, we need to figure out what we are going to do because I don't relish the thought of finding any more of my loved ones unconscious and half-dead. The sooner they are stopped the better." With that Zeus and Apollo shimmered out.
I pulled Ana into my arms wanting to feel her close to me and when I looked around the room I saw a mixture of anger, determination, and fear on everyone's faces. "We need to bring Hebe back. I think we can safely say she has been telling the truth. That doesn't mean we won't be keeping an eye on her when she is here but we need to know whatever she knows."
I dropped my arms standing back to look at Ana. "I really don't think having her here is a good idea, Ana. I don't want her near any of us."
"I understand that Christian but her sister is on her way to the hospital. We don't even know if she will survive. We also need to know everything we can about her siblings and their children. We need to know if the children are helping their parents and what powers they have because let's face it, we are going into this knowing very little about those that we are fighting. We need to know their weaknesses and strengths. We have been going into this thinking that with our collective powers, we are strong enough for this fight, but now we know that there are only three of us who are truly safe. We will not walk into this fight with the people we love unless we know for sure that they will be prepared and safe."
I had to admit Ana made a good point. Leviathan was still here with some of our other brothers guarding the villa so I decided to send him to get Hebe. "Leviathan go and bring her back. Ana's right. We need answers."
Leviathan left and within minutes was back holding the arm of a shaking Hebe and the second she arrived she looked around the room as if waiting to be sentenced. "Relax, Hebe. We believe you have been telling us the truth, but that doesn't mean you are allowed to leave or be left unguarded. I am sure you will understand given how we met. Also, we need to tell you about Eileithyia. We believe she has been attacked by Ares. She isn't healing so Zeus and Apollo have taken her to a hospital. We think that attacking her is a trap and that they are going to be lying in wait to get each of us alone and take us out one by one. I think Ares used Eileithyia as bait, I'm so sorry." Ana had walked over to Hebe now and was holding her hands as tears spilled down Hebe's face
"Will she be, okay?"
"We don't know yet. They haven't been gone long. So, we have no news as, yet. Hebe, I know that you're under a lot of pressure but we need to talk to you about those that are helping your mother. Would their children help them in this fight?"
"Yes. They wouldn't hesitate. If my siblings asked, they would help without a second thought." Ana nodded walking Hebe over to the sofa but before they sat down, I noticed blood from where Eileithyia had been lying so I quickly glamoured it away, not wanting to upset Hebe further. I didn't exactly like her but I knew I needed to show a little more compassion. Especially now that I was married to Ana, given who she now was.
"We need you to tell us everything about them all. We need to know their weaknesses, strengths, and powers. We need to know who they know that they could recruit, and the kinds of weapons they have access to. We know that Ares has access to a weapon that can kill most immortals but we need to know if he has any more that he can supply to everyone else. Basically, we need everything you know about them. I know that you're upset but I won't let them hurt my family and if they have hurt Eileithyia, believe me, you will be on their hit list as well and I think you know that."
Hebe was sobbing now but nodding to show that she agreed with Ana, and I had to admit I kind of felt sorry for her.
Hebe took a deep breath and wiped her tears composing herself a little. "Okay. Well, before I tell you about the others you will be happy to know that the only one who has that kind of weapon is Ares and it's one that he stole from Hephaestus." Ignoring all of our confused looks she went on.
"Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite who Ares had relations with, only briefly, but it was enough to cause a rift between the two men because it was Hephaestus who caught them together. Hephaestus is the God of metalworking, stone masonry, forges, the art of sculpture, technology, and blacksmiths. So, naturally, he became the favorite to make weapons for the Gods. Ares stole a weapon from him in revenge for him forbidding Aphrodite from being around Ares again, and to this day Hephaestus has been searching for it. He would be someone who would be perfect to have on our side in this fight as he doesn't hold any love for our mother either. They have a complicated past. So, I'm sure he would be willing to help."
"How do we find him?" Ana was sounding a little more relaxed now hearing this glimmer of hope and I couldn't blame her. Hebe was right Hephaestus would be a huge asset in this fight.
"Father will be able to find him because, unlike my siblings who are helping my mother, Hephaestus won't be hiding. The only thing he ever hides is the place where he keeps his weapons. He learned quickly after Ares stole from him. He also has seven children who I am sure would happily help, as well." Hebe was smiling now and I could feel the hum of excitement in the room at this new development.
"Christian, go and find Zeus and take over for him. Tell him he is needed here." Ana had gone into full boss mode and I fucking loved it. I never thought that a woman taking control and telling me what to do would be sexy but with Ana, it was fucking hot.
I walked over to Ana and kissed her quickly before leaving.
I found Zeus with Eileithyia who was still unconscious in a private room, while Apollo and Zeus were sitting in chairs, guarding her. As I appeared, Zeus stood as if ready for a fight until he saw who had shimmered in.
"Why are you here? Is everything okay?"
"Yes. Everything's fine. You're needed at the villa." I didn't want to say anything else because this place was too public and I didn't want to risk anyone listening in. Zeus frowned in confusion but nodded then left as I took the seat that was now vacant.
Ana
Everyone had been sat in silence waiting for Zeus to show and my stomach was doing summersaults at the thought of finding Hephaestus because he could be exactly what we needed to win. Just as I was sitting excitedly thinking of all of these new possibilities Zeus shimmered in.
"I was told my presence was needed here. Is everything okay?" I was just about to answer him when Hebe jumped up and ran into his open arms as Zeus hugged her tight.
"Father, please tell me if my sister going to be, okay?" Zeus smiled gently pushing Hebe's hair behind her ear.
"She is stable and comfortable, Hebe. That's all I can say for now. I have never experienced this before so I don't have any more information, but she is being well looked after and guarded well. So, try not to worry, daughter. Now, why have I been summoned here?"
"We need you to find Hephaestus. Hebe believes he could help." Zeus smiled proudly at Hebe before looking up at me his smile getting bigger.
"Oh, what a clever woman you are, Hebe. I admit I have been too distracted so I didn't think of him myself, which is frustrating, but no matter. I think you're right. He would be a very big help." Zeus hugged Hebe to him before letting her go and walking over to Pythia kissing her passionately "I will be back soon my love. Stay safe for me." Zeus shimmered out before Pythia could respond. All she could do was smile lovingly.
"Do you love my father?" Everyone turned to look at Hebe, caught a little off-guard by her question but when we looked at her, we could see that she didn't look upset as I originally thought she would. Instead, she was smiling at Pythia.
Pythia said nothing as she gave her a weak smile and left the room looking like she was close to tears. Confused I ran after Pythia needing to make sure that she was okay. "Pythia, sweetie, are you okay? What's wrong?" I grabbed her arm pulling her to a stand-still and turning her around and when Pythia turned, I could see tears in her eyes, "What's wrong? Please talk to me."
"I love him" She cried as she hugged me and my heart broke for her. Why was she so sad? Loving someone, surely, was a good thing and not something to be sad about.
"That's good, honey. Why are you so upset about it?" I was really confused by Pythia's reaction.
"It can't last, Ana. He has never been faithful and I won't share him. So, this can never last because he will eventually stray and I will be left heartbroken. I have loved him for so many lifetimes but I never acted on it. So, it never felt real, but now I know the beauty of being his lover. I know what it feels like to wake up with him. To be held by him, and to feel loved by him, but it will never be enough for him. He will always want something else, so I will have no choice but to walk away and I don't know how I will survive that heartbreak."
I was shocked at what I was hearing however now I understood why I would often see Pythia staring at Zeus with a sad look in her beautiful eyes.
Unsure of what to say I just hugged Pythia tighter to me, with Pythia sobbing on my shoulder when seconds later we both jumped at a booming voice behind us.
"You think I will allow you to leave me, Pythia?" Zeus was standing looking furious, and next to him was a huge mountain of a man with a dark beard and long dark hair. Wearing clothes that looked like he had just walked out of a burning building because they looked like they were covered in soot, dirt, and sweat. I was pulled from my thoughts by Zeus's booming voice as he continued talking.
"I know that my relationship with Hera was not good and yes I was unfaithful, but things with you are different. You consume my every thought. When I am not with you, I hate it. When I am near you it's never enough, I always want more of you. I have always craved you. Your inner beauty and your strength have been something I have always admired. I have wanted you since the day I met you."
Pythia looked confused by Zeus's confession and I was beginning to think I should leave but Pythia had a grip on my hand that told me she needed my support.
"Why didn't you ever tell me? You had all those other lovers. Why never me until now?"
Zeus walked over to Pythia cupping her face in his massive hands. "Because my love, you are and have always been different. I have loved others in the past but with you, the love I felt was so much deeper, that I feared if I showed you or told you how I felt or acted on those feelings you would face the wrath of Hera and I couldn't allow that. I would never have allowed that. If I had left Hera for you, she would have made you pay. I saw what she did to the others and I couldn't let that be your fate. Things are different now and after this fight, she is gone from my life, along with any love I ever felt for her. She will be banished for eternity and I will be free to be with the only woman I have ever truly been in love with. So never let me hear you mention leaving me ever again because it will not happen. I will never allow it."
Zeus leaned down kissing her and Pythia finally released her hand letting me walk away and over to the man I presumed or hoped was Hephaestus to introduce myself.
"Hi, my name's Ana. I presume you are Hephaestus?" I held my hand out to him but he never took it. Instead, he bowed low at the waist before standing back up.
"You make a much more compassionate, loving, and beautiful Queen than Hera ever could from what I have heard. It is an honor and a privilege to meet you. You have such a pure soul for one so young it radiates from you."
When he smiled his chocolate eyes lit up making him look younger and less like the brute who had been standing before me minutes ago. The man standing in front of me now looked like a rugged teddy bear and I instantly took a liking to him.
"It's so wonderful that you came. I really hope you'll be able to help us." He smiled again this time looking excited as he pulled a huge heavy-looking bag from his back dropping it on the floor with a large clang, and when the sides fell open, I could see weapons of all kinds, and they all looked terrifying and I could feel the excitement building as I looked back up at Hephaestus.
"I think it's very safe to say that I can help. My children have been informed and are ready when we need them. The little weapon Ares has, that he stole from me, the weapon I will use to end his life, well, these are much better versions. So, why don't we join everyone else so that we can all see which weapon we would like to use?
"Ana, take Pythia with you I need to go to the hospital and take over from Christian. Make your plans and I will keep you informed of what happens at the hospital. Pythia my love, there will be no more tears or sadness now that you understand my feelings. So, go and relax, my sweet. I will be with you soon, and never forget that I. Love. You!" Pythia was beaming as Zeus kissed her and then left.
I walked over to Pythia linking arms and pulling her toward the front room, feeling more excitement and hope than I had in a long time. "Let's go and play with our new toys." I looked over at Hephaestus smiling feeling a lot more confident for the fight ahead.