Part 1 (1/2)
Mayhem.
G.o.ddesses of Delphi.
Gemma Brocato.
A freak solar flare plunges Nia Thanos, Muse of Astronomy, into an evil immortal's attempt at a hostile take over of Olympus Enterprises. Her jobs-save the family business while rescuing the world from pandemonium. To eliminate the menace she must convince one mortal man to believe in the magic of what if.
'Doubting Thomas' Wilde hosts a television program aimed at busting myths. But when Nia confesses to being a Muse, it's one myth he can't bust, or believe. His refusal to help leaves Nia to face the challenge on her own.
Riots, looting, and general anarchy are minor problems compared to what's coming if the balance of power s.h.i.+fts on Olympus. Nia's undeniable attraction to Thomas wreaks havoc on her heart and threatens her ability to secure the safety of humankind. Nia finds herself fighting to persuade the one man she can't live without to help save the world.
Dedication & Acknowledgments.
For Stephanie Judice.
Your wisdom and guidance leaves me forever in your debt.
Acknowledgments.
Without help from many quarters, this book might never have happened. My family: Mr. Gemma, and my two children, Erin and Andrew. You support me and cheer me on and remind me of the good that happens when you share a great love.
My editor, Piper Denna, a woman of patience and wit. I can't tell you how great it is to find the funny little notes you string out during the editing cycle.
The Kicka.s.s Chicks, The Writing Warriors, and my Sa.s.sy sisters, you are all strong, inspiring authors. I am thankful every day for you ladies.
And most especially to my readers. Without you, I'd be out of a job.
Author's Note.
I have been intrigued by Greek mythology since I was quite young. Paintings and depictions of G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses have inspired great emotion and interest in me, making me want to learn more. So when I decided to write stories shrouded in mythology, it was natural to pick the Muses.
When I began researching the Muses I was struck by the myth of Pierus, and how he had nine daughters, like Zeus. Daughters, named the Pierides, he believed were superior to the Muses. So he goaded the Muses into a contest. When they won, to punish them for their insolence, Zeus transformed the Pierides into magpies. That legend became the basis for my stories. Nine muses, nine mortal men...nine chances at love to save the world.
The idea that Pierus would enter his offspring in a battle to take over Olympus evolved naturally. Every story must have a villain, right? Although, I frequently want to beat my head on the desk and wonder why I picked magpies? It's hard to find nine creative ways to portray the birds. Which is why I took a little poetic license in the naming of the birds. Should Pierus and crew ever win a challenge, all kinds of evil, which already exists in the world, would increase a thousand-fold.
It hasn't hurt that I love history...all kinds of history. So salting bits and pieces of the Muses backstory in through historical events made me smile. I hope you will find these little tidbits as much fun as I did.
I suppose this is where I have to say that any faults or errors in history are mine alone. Hey, if one of my Muses can face a magpie and win, then I guess I can own making mistakes.
I hope you enjoy this book and will consider leaving a review once you are done. Reviews matter!.
Enjoy!.
Gemma.
Chapter 1.
The hard metal railing of the platform dug into Nia Thanos's hip when she leaned against it. She s.h.i.+fted to a more comfortable spot and adjusted the focuser on the Helios Inst.i.tute's long-range telescope. Putting her eye to the eyepiece, she zeroed in on the satellite jetting across the heavens. The sky was clear enough to make out individual stars. A meteor streaked across the top of the field of vision. Through the powerful scope she could make out the Hinomaru emblazoned on the side of the satellite. j.a.pan's circle of the sun.
Checking the time on the digital readout, Nia smiled when she determined the communications s.p.a.cecraft had lost fifteen seconds on its...o...b..tal timetable. She made a time notation on a clipboard attached to the desk-like platform. Her counterpart at the j.a.panese s.p.a.ce Agency would have to be told one of their thrusters appeared to be failing.
Now, to figure out how to explain to them how she knew exactly what the problem was. It wasn't like she was a rocket scientist. She couldn't even begin to explain to them why an observatory manager would know about the mechanical workings of a foreign piece of s.p.a.ce junk orbiting the earth.
They'd think she'd gone off the deep end if she straight out told them she was a Muse.
Older than time. Smarter than the average scientist. Personally acquainted with the mortal known as Galileo. Yeah, the guy known as the father of observational astronomy.
Nia did a quick review of which American s.p.a.ce Agency scientist to share the information with. It would be easy enough to suggest to someone susceptible to her brand of influence that the hurtling sputnik needed an adjustment.
”Nia?”
She turned to see Bradley ambling into the cavernous observatory room. He halted in the rectangle of mid-afternoon sunlight streaming in through the open portal. The ends of his hair winked with golden highlights in the bright light.
She sent him a smile. ”What's up?”
”The Campfire Scouts are here. For their tour.”
”Oh, fiddle. Is that today?” How had she forgotten another tour?
”I can show them around them if you want.” The offer of a.s.sistance came with a smile. ”I have nothing else on my schedule.”
Nia moved across the decking on the platform, her footfalls echoing off the girders supporting the rounded ceiling. ”Nah, I've got this. The little nippers usually have interesting questions.” She climbed down the steps. ”You are certainly welcome to join, if you wish. Always nice to have your creative brand of wit along for these things.”
Crossing the room, she made her way to the small table by the door. She took a quick slurp from the drink she'd left there when she'd come into the room. The sugary beverage hit her system with a burst of energy and vigor.
She picked up her smartphone and did a quick check of her email. Still nothing from her sister, Callie, regarding the challenge they faced from Pierus. The presumptive demi-G.o.d had surfaced recently and resurrected his daring attempt to free his imprisoned daughters and conquer the world. Starting with her family's corporation, Olympus Enterprises.
Clio, another of her eight sisters had faced the trial last month, and been successful. Now, the first of Pierus's disgusting magpie daughters, Tyranny, was safely locked in the aviary on Olympus. Tension had grown to monumental proportions as they waited to see which of Pierus's daughters would be unleashed next, and which Muse would be chosen to respond.
For now, Nia subscribed to the idea that no news was good news. It was wishful thinking to hope that after his last defeat, Pierus had abandoned his quest to free his daughters from the punishment Zeus had decreed thousands of years ago. Being magpies suited those b.i.t.c.hes. In the meantime, all of the Thanos sisters waited and remained vigilant.
Glancing at the bank of world clocks on the far wall, Nia was shocked to discover she'd been in the observatory for three hours. She always lost track of time when gazing at the cosmos.
”Maybe after the tour, you'd agree to go get that drink we've been talking about for the better part of the month.” Hope flourished in Bradley's tone.
More like the drink she'd been avoiding for the better part of the month. He was a nice guy, but she wasn't in the least bit attracted to him. And never would be. Head down, she scanned her email messages while mumbling, ”You have an appointment you've forgotten about.”
Bradley snapped his fingers. ”Wait, I forgot I have a session with my personal trainer tonight.”
Success! ”Oh, guess that drink will have to wait for some other time.” Nia didn't know why she didn't just tell him she wasn't interested. Maybe because she hated any form of rejection herself. Had for the entire millennia. In each lifetime, this type of situation had come up. She used to be better at telling people no.