Chapter 17

The entire flight over,Koda prayed he guessed right about where to go. He'd gotten a strong hint when the ketchup packet burst, but now he had to wonder. It helped that his gut agreed.

As he neared the desolate neighborhood, he saw three people squared off. A head sporting bright blue hair, the chimera. Pink locks, his precious Marissa. And Abe, the demi-god villain. A man he'd once respected.

No more.

Abe held out his hand in Marissa's direction. A glint on it caught Koda's sharp vision. The way it glowed led to him making a split-second decision. He dove as if he were chasing rodents in the field—part of his training in this form. While he didn't usually bite people, he made an exception and sheared off the ring finger.

While Abe made a show of screaming, Koda landed and changed into his most aggressive shape.

The Kodiak bear.

With an adrenaline-charged roar, he hit the ground on four paws and charged Abe while the man wailed about his lost finger. Unfortunately, Abe recovered and spotted Koda coming. He held up a hand, and Koda crashed into an invisible wall. He bounced off it and staggered. He had to blink several times to clear the spots.

Abe advanced on him. "I should have known you'd fall for the girl. The stupid bitch almost had herself killed by Spriggans and all I needed was for someone to come in and keep her alive while I baited her mama. Who knew you'd get so personally invested? Ah well, can't say as I blame you. Like mother, like daughter. They do have a certain something about them."

"Leave him alone," Marissa yelled.

"Or what? Even without the ring of amplification, I'm still stronger." With that taunt, he shot out little lightning bolts that hit Koda and caused him to flinch and writhe.

Marissa threw herself between them, and suddenly, she was the one gasping in pain while Prometheus sneered. "Young love. So willing to sacrifice. Your father was the same. Offering himself up if I promised to leave Calliope alone."

"And you lied. He died for nothing," the woman with blue hair said with a trembling voice.

The attack by Abe stopped, and Marissa trembled against Koda. He cradled her close in his furry arms wishing he could reassure her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I don't know how to stop him. I thought without the ring we'd have a chance, but he's too powerful."

He was sorry too. Sorry he'd found her only to lose her before they'd had a chance.

"Admit you found it sweet." Prometheus turned to face Calliope though he held a hand up in our direction, maintaining the invisible shield he'd erected. "I followed your every step. I burned down the places you visited so you knew I still cared. And then, as a cherry on top of the sundae, I assigned your daughter to investigate those fires. A gift, an offering, enticing you to approach while I stayed close to her, watching and waiting until you appeared and we could finally be reunited."

"Go to Hell," Calliope spat.

"Are you going to watch your daughter die, or will you finally agree to be my wife?"

The chimera snorted. "We both know I want nothing to do with you, but you leave me no choice. But I will have a binding agreement. One sworn in blood and magic that you will not harm my daughter, her children, or her mate."

"And in return, you will be mine?" Abe stated.

"I will—

"Do no such thing!" boomed a male voice.

A startled Marissa and Calliope whirled to see who spoke, but Koda already knew. Daddy had arrived.

"You're dead!" exclaimed a surprised Abe.

"It will take something nastier than Tartarus to keep me from my wife. Now that I've returned, time to end you once and for all."

Abe smirked. "Ooh, big threats. Do you remember what happened the last time you confronted me?"

Kratos' lips split into a chilling grin. "I do. But what you failed to realize was my time in Tartarus made me strong, and I made a few friends. Many of whom don't like you."

"Did you join together and create a group, Those Outwitted by Prometheus," taunted Abe.

"We did, but our purpose wasn't to complain but to figure out how to take you out." Kratos removed his sword from its sheath, and Marissa sucked in a breath.

"A blade won't be enough," chortled Abe. "And as I recall, you're not that good with fire."

Even before Abe raised his hand to fling any, Calliope inserted herself in front of Kratos. "No. I won't let you take him from me. Not again," she beseeched.

The big man slid an arm around her and murmured, "Fear not, my sweet flower. I am here to stay. But this worm… He's got an invitation to visit Tartarus."

"As if I'd ever go," said a sneering Abe.

"Who said you have a choice? Now!" Kratos yelled.

From behind, two hounds came running, holding a fine filigreed net between them. They swept into Abe, who batted at the strands.

To no avail.

"What is this? Release me," screeched Abe.

Kratos, holding Calliope's hand, stood over the man and had an expression of stone as he said, "Do you like my net? Epimetheus made it special for you. You do remember your brother, right? The one you betrayed. He's looking forward to seeing you again in Tartarus."

"You don't have the power to send me there," stated Abe, and yet he didn't sound entirely certain.

Calliope offered a cold smile as she stood over him and said, "You don't, but with the help of my daughter, I can." She held out her hand to Marissa, who stood and clasped it.

"What do I do?" Marissa murmured.

"Just lend me your strength and I will shape the spell."

Not just Marissa contributed to the casting. The hounds shifted and butted up against her as well, lending some of Hekate's magic.

A low chant emerged from Calliope, and a glow surrounded her. A hazy spot appeared in front of Abe, who struggled anew in his netting.

"Even if you manage to send me, I'll be back," threatened Abe.

"I wouldn't recommend it," Kratos' dry reply.

A swirling dark hole appeared, from which emerged a hot wind. Kratos neared the tangled Abe and reached for the netting.

"You'll regret this."

"No, I won't," the big man stated as he lifted the net and its occupant with ease. With a mighty heave, he sent it soaring through the hole.

The moment Abe disappeared, Marissa's mom stopped chanting. The doorway to Tartarus vanished, and they were left in silence.

And in that quiet, Calliope said, "Dearest husband, I would like you to meet our daughter."