Warrior Rising (Goddess Summoning #6)(20)

“That is not entirely believable,” Athena said slowly.

“But all we have,” Venus said. “All right,” she told Kat, “just make it work.”

“Hang on. I thought we were going to be under Athena’s protection. So why do we have to explain anything?” Jacky said.

“You will be under my protection, but I cannot stay with you.”

“Then how the hell will you protect us?” Jacky said.

“You will beseech my aid,” Athena said.

“Or mine,” Venus said.

“Or mine,” Hera said, even though she was still frowning at Jacky.

“Sounds weak to me,” Jacky said.

“But it’s all you have,” Venus said.

Jacky snorted and opened her mouth to comment, but men’s voices coming from outside the temple interrupted her. Athena waved one hand quickly in the air and it was as if a secret view screen opened, showing half a dozen warriors entering the temple.

Kat only caught a brief glimpse of a golden man who walked in the lead before Athena closed the view.

“It’s Achilles.” Eleithyia sounded a little short of breath. “I’ve only seen him from a distance, but his golden armor is unmistakable.”

Kat’s stomach instantly knotted. Jacky took her hand and squeezed.

“It’s gonna be okay. You’re one hell of a therapist. And, might I add, currently one very hot young chippie.”

“Versus the very hot old chippie I used to be?”

“Exactly, but you still got the old chippie up there.” Jacky pointed to Kat’s head. “And there.” She pointed from her head to her heart. “Berserker boy doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Okay, let’s do this,” Kat told Venus.

Venus smiled warmly at her. “Remember, the Goddess of Love believes you are perfect. You and your delightful friend.” Then she turned to Hera. “We must leave. Athena should face the warriors and establish her protection. Our presence would only confuse things.”

Athena nodded. “I shall meet with you in Venus’s temple momentarily.”

“Go with my blessing, odd modern mortals,” Hera told Kat and Jacky, then she kissed Eleithyia gently on her forehead. “You, my little priestess, have pleased me greatly today.”

As Eleithyia curtseyed deeply, Hera and Venus disappeared in a shower of glitter.

“It’s really kinda cool that they can do that,” Jacky said. “And you know what? I’m starting to believe them. We might not be in hell.”

“I like your erotica novel theory better anyway,” Kat said.

“Gird yourselves, mortals, and follow me,” Athena commanded before striding regally from the chamber.

Kat and Jacky rolled their eyes at each other and then, waving their good-byes to Eleithyia, they followed the goddess.

The warriors had just reached the center of the outer chamber of Hera’s temple, which had no real walls but was ringed by graceful marble columns and open to the sky. Kat was distracted from the men by the world that surrounded them. It was an amazingly beautiful day—clear and warm. The air smelled of the sea and sweet incense.

“If this is hell, it’s gorgeous,” Jacky whispered, gripping Kat’s hand even tighter.

The men caught sight of them, or more specifically, Athena, and Kat didn’t have any more time for the scenery.

“The Goddess! It is the Goddess, Hera!” One warrior cried and the half dozen or so men all fell to their knees.

Actually, Kat noted that all of the men, except two, were kneeling. The taller of the two had his back to the sun and the slant of the afternoon rays made it difficult for Kat to see him well. She just got an impression of lots of hair and muscles and height. The other man was closer to the goddess and Kat was able to get a good look at him. The guy was fairly ordinary looking—average height, brown hair, nice body (which could be easily seen in the short leather tunic thing he was wearing). There was nothing remarkable about him at all until he spoke, and then Kat was instantly attracted to his cultured, intelligent voice and his eyes that sparkled with wit. He walked to within just a couple feet of the goddess before he sank to one knee, but he didn’t bow his head in supplication as were the rest of the kneeling men. Instead he pressed his right fist over his heart and smiled with obvious affection up at Athena. His first words were spoken so softly that had Kat not been standing beside the goddess she would not have heard him.

“Hail Athena, my Goddess. It has been long since you have appeared to me and I have missed you dearly.”

“It is right that you miss me, Odysseus. The price of being beloved of a goddess is that you are subject to her whims, not she to yours as with a mortal woman.”

Athena’s voice was sharp, but Kat was shocked to see how amazingly tender the goddess’s expression had become as she gazed down at him.

“Foolish Myrmidons!” The tall man barked in a deep, gruff voice at the other warriors. “How could you mistake Athena, Goddess of War, for Hera?” He stepped forward to kneel beside Odysseus and bowed his head respectfully. “Hail Athena! Forgive my men. Their brains have been addled by Trojan sea and sun. They meant no disrespect.”

“I forgive them, Achilles. You and Odysseus may rise.”

Achilles! His name shivered against Kat’s skin. Then he stood and lifted his face.