The Iron Queen (Daughters of Zeus) - By Kaitlin Bevis Page 0,18

finds out where we’ve been.”

My fingers fell off the handle of the car door, and I whipped around so fast I felt muscles in my neck give. But Melissa only looked pleased with herself, as if driving her mother to murder were the ultimate teenage goal. I rubbed my neck, scowling. Stupid humans and their exaggerations. She burst into laughter.

“You thought I was serious? She’d have to notice we were gone to kill me.” Melissa shut the car door with more force than required, and I stepped out of the car, shading my eyes in the bright sunlight.

We didn’t have to walk long before we found the photo shoot. A girl with messy hair adjusted a light board and shouted instructions, while a man with thick glasses snapped pictures. Four half-dressed blondes frolicked in the sand in some sort of pretend volleyball game. In the center of the commotion was Adonis.

Looking at him set my heart racing. He was perfect. His golden features shone like the sun. A rakish grin lit up his face, and his unbuttoned shirt billowed in the wind, revealing an impressive six-pack.

“Thank you, wind,” Melissa whispered beside me.

Bobbing my head up and down in agreement, I admired the model. Wow! Wait a minute, what in the hell was I doing gawking at a demigod like a deranged nymph? I snapped out of it and straightened up, tossed my hair behind my shoulder, and turned on my charm full blast before striding across the beach.

“Whoa!” one of the male models gasped.

I felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on me and reveled in the reverence of their slack-jawed expressions. This was more like it.

“Come with me.” I didn’t wait for Adonis to acknowledge the order, but turned on my heel, confident he would follow.

He didn’t.

I turned, pouring more charm into my gaze. “Come. With. Me.”

“Why?” he asked, completely unaffected by my charm.

“Because I said so,” I sputtered, bewildered by his indifference.

He raised an eyebrow. “You seem to have a rather high opinion of yourself, so I’ll try to break this to you gently.” Leaning toward me, he put a hand on my shoulder and stage whispered, “You aren’t as impressive as you think you are.”

Melissa giggled. Adonis looked up as if noticing her for the first time, easy grin faltering. “Can I give you some advice, or are you so brainwashed by this thing that you can’t understand me?”

Melissa giggled again. “I’m not charmed, if that’s what you’re asking.” She blinked and looked around at the other models and photographers. They stared back at her, expressions blank.

“They won’t remember this conversation,” I assured her.

Adonis narrowed his eyes. “Stop charming them.”

“It’s for their own good,” Melissa murmured. “If they tell anyone about this or mention the gods—”

“They aren’t stupid!” Adonis snapped. “Unlike you, hanging around these creatures willingly. If you were smart you’d stay away because whatever they’ve promised you isn’t worth it.”

“Excuse me?” I demanded.

Melissa grinned at Adonis as if she’d discovered the one person in the whole of creation who felt the same way she did. “I don’t like them either, but you may want to listen to this one. She’s trying to save your life.”

“Come along, Melissa. He’s not worth the effort.”

“Save me from what?”

I smirked at Adonis and opened my mouth to tell him off, but Melissa spoke first.

“Zeus is killing off all his kids, including demigods.”

“What makes you so sure Zeus is my father?”

“You have charm,” I interrupted. “Not controlled of course, but charm only comes from Zeus.”

“Is that why he’s immune to you?” Melissa asked in an undertone.

I shook my head. “That happens every now and then, random fluke of the Fates. The gods can’t touch him.”

Melissa’s eyebrows shot up. She started to say something, but I cut her off with a glare.

The look on Adonis’ face told me his parentage was news to him. That wasn’t uncommon. Most demigods knew they were demigods. It was obvious to anyone in the know thanks to their distinctive physical features, but few knew which god spawned them. Gods were fond of disguises.

“I thought Zeus was dead.”

“Not yet.” I gave him a dark smile. “But I’m sure he’ll be around to explain soon enough. Bye now.”

I flounced off, dragging Melissa behind me.

“Wait!” he called.

I turned, feigning indifference. “Yes?”

He hesitated and looked at Melissa. “Can I trust you?”

“Me?” She drew back in surprise.

He smiled at her. “Well, I know I can’t trust her.”

I narrowed my eyes and studied Adonis closely, something akin to dread growing in my