Page 9 of Guided by the Stars (Creating Destiny #1)

Kai

When Earthbound

Warmth rushes through my body the moment I step through the portal.

Sun rays peek through the trees to light up the forest floor.

The sound of birds chirping fills the space, and for a moment I just take it in.

I’ve lived so long in the chilly darkness of the Underworld, and I forgot what it’s like to be in the light.

Nestled between a wall of forest and rocks is the Neda Waterfalls. A wooden bridge creates a path over the stream so tourists can hike the entire trail without getting wet, and today it’s packed.

Children run through the small river, careless and free, while their parents snap pictures, and couples lounge against the rocks, basking in the sun’s heat.

I don’t know how to distinguish which ones are the descendents, but I hope it’s not the children.

Freedom may be something I’ve yearned for, but I won’t rip a helpless child from the loving arms of its parents.

That loss is all too familiar, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone .

As much as I want to enjoy the view, I’m struggling to see past the reason for this visit. This isn’t a vacation for me, it’s a chore. One that puts a permanent scowl on my face.

As I survey the area, a pretty woman catches my eye.

She’s standing on the bridge, her back to me as she looks upon the waterfall.

Her red hair draws me to her, shining like a beacon in the midday sun.

But that’s not why I stare now. Her pants are tight, accentuating the fullness of her ass, and for half a second I wonder if she’d be interested in getting better acquainted.

Another girl comes to her side, a slightly-taller brunette, and when the redhead turns to her my stomach drops. Blue eyes sparkle with amusement at something her friend said, and I want them turned on me, hooded with lust.

Jax interrupts my thoughts with a bump to the shoulder. “I see you found our package,” he says with a wink.

“The fuck?” I reply, sure he must be joking. My mood plummets, but a part of me hopes he’s wrong, because I’d like to spend an hour or two with that girl and kidnapping her might ruin my chances.

“Yup, that’s them. I saw them in a vision, that’s how I knew to portal here. Damn fine, aren’t they?” he says mischievously.

I head further into the forest, wanting privacy to continue this conversation, and Jax follows. I pace, leaving a path in the moss beneath my feet, as my anger mounts.

“If Hades wants to replace Persephone, he can bring his ass up here and do it himself,” I say, kicking a rock beside me and cracking it in two.

“Those two psychos were made for each other, I don’t think he’d replace her. But these girls are special. The last descendants of Delphin, you remember the stories, just like I do. ”

Despite the shitty upbringing I had, learning our history was as important as training our abilities, even if it was boring. While no one could ever find the descendants, rumors spread far and wide throughout the realms about them, but I always thought it was myth.

“That was generations ago, though. Their blood probably has as much power as poor Ares had in his little finger, and you know he was the weakest god out there. But even with their bloodline, I can’t figure out what Hades wants with two pitiful humans, regardless of how attractive they are,” I say, looking back toward the falls.

A figure stands in the bushes, staring at me. Hidden beneath a thick canopy, their eyes narrow with annoyance as they track my movement. I continue to gaze past the silhouette and turn back to Jax.

“Someone is watching us from the bushes,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Do you think Hades sent someone to watch us?”

But when Jax looks, the area is empty. “I don’t see anyone. You okay, Kai?”

Without answering, I move toward the bushes but after a few steps I halt in my tracks. The figure steps into the light and heads in our direction.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Alexius?” I say through gritted teeth.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

Another figure steps around him, grinning at Jax behind me.

“Daemyn, it’s been a long time, man. How are you?” Jax asks, pulling the other man into a hug and ruffling his hair.

“Oh, you know, living the dream. Glad to see the Underworld hasn’t changed my older brother too much, other than the new ink. ”

Jax laughs, eyeing his brother. “I like yours too, D. Is that the ass-end of an eagle on your arm though? Bit weird, but you Olympians always are.”

I roll my eyes and focus on the man who shares my blood. “What are you doing here?” I ask again, failing to come up with any plausible answers myself.

“The same as you, I suppose,” Alexius replies, shrugging.

Every cell in my body lights up, anger pulsing through me as I take in what he’s saying.

Hades couldn’t trust me enough to get the job done, so he asked Zeus to send a babysitter.

Just as the thought races through my mind, though, I remember that Hades and Zeus hate each other, and there’s no way they’d work together.

“Zeus must be off his rocker if he’s helping Hades capture the last Delphin descendants. What kind of bullshit move is that?”

He shrugs and heads in the waterfall’s direction, Daemyn waves goodbye to Jax and follows. But before I can take a step, Jax grabs my arm.

“It’s not worth it,” he says. “Look, I have an idea. You need to blow off some steam and enjoy this gift of freedom. Let’s find out where the girls are staying, hang out in town, and capture them tomorrow.”

With my head in my hands, I take deep steadying breaths. As always, he’s right. I might as well enjoy this small sliver of freedom while I can. What’s the worst that could happen?

***

The girls didn’t stay at the falls much longer. After splashing in the water and sitting in the sun, they headed back to town and stopped at a restaurant. The sound of their laughter floated through the door each time someone new entered, and I was sick of it.

These humans were having the time of their lives with absolutely not a care in the world while I’m stuck being a punching bag for the rest of my life.

A small part of me couldn’t wait to watch the smiles be wiped from their faces when our roles were reversed.

They were a worthy sacrifice for my freedom, clearly having lived rich lives. But it’s my turn.

After trailing them back to the hotel, we head to a pub nearby. There’s a band playing in the corner and all the tables are full, so we take a seat at the bar and order two shots of whiskey. The bartender is a pretty blonde that can’t seem to take her eyes off Jax, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

“How certain are you that things will change once we bring these girls to Hades?” he asks me before swallowing his liquor.

“He’s never offered it before, so that counts for something.

It’s the only reason I’m doing it, though.

I’m sick of his games and Persephone’s advances,” I answer honestly, but I don’t know if things will change.

Hades isn’t the type of person you cross, nor is he the person anyone takes advantage of.

Zeus and Poseidon are more powerful, but Hades has always been the underdog, the black sheep, and he’s learned how to control situations and turn them to his advantage.

The server comes back and takes our order and I’m struck with the realization that we don’t have any money. Jax must see the look on my face because he shakes his head and grins.

“You wondering how we’ll pay for this? Just wait, you’re going to love this.

” He gets up and heads over to the band who appear to be on a break between sets.

They chat for a few minutes before he steps up to the mic.

“How’s everyone doing tonight? These guys have agreed to let me sing a song for you all, and I dedicate this one to the ladies,” he says, winking at the bartender .

The band plays a song I’ve never heard before. The lyrics and beat have a heady, sexual vibe and the crowd goes crazy. A few girls head toward the stage and throw money in the case by his feet, staying near the stage and swaying their hips to the rhythm.

The further he gets into the song, the wilder the crowd becomes, and when he reaches the last verse, he grinds his hips and pounds his chest to the thumping bass.

The entire place erupts with applause. More women throw money into the case, while others sidle up to him and tuck the bills into his pockets.

The bartender brings our food, completely lost in Jax’s spell. He thanks everyone once more before returning to the bar with a stack of cash in his hand.

“Where the fuck did that come from? If the nymphs knew you could do that, you’d have more than just Kelsey to play with.”

“What can I say, I’m talented as shit,” he says with a chuckle and pops a fry in his mouth.

The evening passes by with excellent food and good company, and I allow myself to forget my troubles for a little while. Forget the job I have to do tomorrow, the bullshit at home, and my fucked-up family. My future looks bright and I’m ready to enjoy it.