Page 6 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

Nova was going insane, trying to force me to shift so she could be close to Fennick.

The way she was fighting me for control worried me.

What if I weren’t able to hold her back?

I waved, indicating that others should get away from me.

I tried to step away, but Fennick gathered me in his arms. I hoped I held back my moan.

His lips grazed the side of my head as his warm breath puffed in my ear.

“I’ve got you. Take a deep breath. There’s nothing to worry about. Tell your little Ursa to settle. What’s her name?”

I shook my head. If I told him her name, would it mean he had some hold or power over me, her?

I had no clue. Sentinels were shrouded in mystery.

We knew they existed and watched over us, but they were touted as having powers we didn’t have.

What if one of those were to bind us to them or take control of our animals? My knees weakened.

“Breathe, I’m not going to harm you or your bear. I just want to know her name. My bear is Ripper,” he whispered to me.

I was about to remark on his bear’s name when there was a blinding flash of light. Everyone cried out, except Fennick and his friends. I was twirled around, my back pressed against his chest, and his arms encircled me.

Then, Fennick bent forward, causing me to do the same. Sweeping the rest of the area with my eyes, I found all his friends were doing it too. They were all offering veneration to a man who was so beautiful that it was hard to look at him, even if he wasn’t glowing any longer.

His hair was yellow like corn or the sun. His eyes were the bluest I’d ever seen, like the Caribbean Sea. He was tall, muscular, and dressed in a crisp white loincloth. As I absorbed this, I realized they were greeting the man.

“Greetings, Apollo, Great Healer, Prophecy Bringer, and Wisest One, you honor us with your presence.”

As those words rumbled out of the seven of them and I registered who this was, my body would’ve fallen to the ground if Fennick hadn’t held me up. I bowed my head and prayed that this god, whom I still couldn’t believe I was seeing, would overlook my presence.

“Greetings, my faithful Sentinels.” He smiled at them.

“Mighty Apollo, how may we serve you?” Royal asked.

“It is not you serving me, well, it is, but to do that, you require me. I noted that you seemed to be having trouble with this coyote. He does not want to believe you and questions your sacred duty, even after seeing your mark and my sign. By doing so, he calls me into question. I do not like that. I can not abide by disbelievers. Now, Hadar, is it not? Do you still question that I exist or that these men, who bear my mark, are my Sentinels?” he asked Hadar, who looked like he was about to faint or piss himself.

“I-I, uhm,” was all that came out of the asshole.

“Forgive him, oh Lord. He is young and speaks without thinking,” Asa said in defense of his son.

A part of me thought it was terrific that he did so, but another part thought if Asa let his youngest son reap what he sowed, he might learn.

How would he grow and learn if he were forever forgiven and allowed to escape the consequences of his actions?

Suddenly, those blue eyes were staring straight at me.

I’d raised mine when Apollo began to speak. I hastily lowered mine again.

“Do not, sweet Akiva. You may look upon me. You are my child, and you are a believer. I can sense it. Your thoughts about Hadar are correct.”

I gulped. Apollo could read my thoughts. Oh shit, what should I do? After I thought that, I tried to free my mind of images and words. Apollo’s chuckle had me looking at him again.

“That will not help. I know all your thoughts, even if they have not occurred yet.” Apollo chuckled again.

“What was she thinking? I knew she was playing hard to get,” Hadar muttered.

“Shut up,” Brax hissed.

Apollo shifted his gaze from me to Hadar. His look of geniality morphed into one of displeasure. I heard Asa’s group gasp. No one said a word.

“No, she is not playing hard to get, as you call it. Such a thought is ridiculous after the number of times she has rebuffed your advances. Yet, you still refuse to believe she wants nothing from you, not copulation nor to be your mate. You are not her intended mate. To continue to pursue her or not to learn to temper your tongue will lead to your ugly demise.”

Apollo’s tone of warning was clear. For once, maybe in his life, Hadar kept his mouth shut, though his fury was clearly written on his face. Turning his gaze elsewhere and dismissing Hadar, Apollo faced Asa and the others.

“What my faithful Sentinels have shared with you is true. You must let them guide you. Only then do you have a chance to survive. Be prepared to not only protect yourselves, but also to fight. My Chosen Ones must fight to preserve all Chosen and Precious Ones. If you do not, you will die, and I will cease to exist. A world ruled by Pytho and his Knights will be filled with pain, darkness, and worse. I bid you good luck. Trust my Sentinels, especially this group. They are faithful and know the dangers. Listen.”

Apollo then met my eye. “We will meet again, dear Akiva. Stay strong.”

As Apollo’s last word registered, there was a blinding flash of light, and he was gone.

The silence was deafening. We were all in shock, or at least Asa’s group was.

The Sentinels were allowing us to absorb what happened.

All I could think was, what did Apollo mean by meeting again?

I thought I knew what he meant by staying strong and why.

A shiver ran through me, and the arms still holding me tightened in comfort.

I’d forgotten Fennick was cradling me. As much as I wanted to stay in his arms, I couldn’t.

I pushed on his muscular arms until he let go. As soon as he did, I felt bereft.