Sorceress, Interrupted - By A. J. Menden Page 0,102

instead of the Dragon.”

I fought off another laugh. “Even if Emily does somehow bring the Titans back, even if they do lift your hex and he goes back to being whatever scary thing he was before, he’s still going to prefer them to you. He’s not going to want you back. Ever.” I was deliberately taunting her now, but I didn’t care. Of all her harebrained schemes, this one took the cake.

Cyrus edged toward me. “Is pissing off your crazy mother a good idea?”

“The best,” I said.

“I’m doing all this to restore him to what he should be,” Mneme snarled, her voice rising. “When he finds out all I’ve done he’ll be grateful.”

“Your family turned against him after he helped you. They beat him down and then stole his power. For all of this.” I motioned around us at all the glitz. “They profited from his downfall. Then, as the final straw, you took away his memory. You tricked him into thinking he’s mortal, that you’re something he should worship, and then, when he was at his weakest, you left and never looked back until now. All Lainey’s ever done is stand by him, even when times were tough. Gee, if I was known as one of the wisest beings in the universe, I know who I’d choose. I also know who’d be the target of my revenge.”

She glared at me. “We’ll see, won’t we?”

“No, we won’t. Because the Titans aren’t getting out. We’re going to stop the Dragon. We’re going to throw him into the DarkLands again, and Dad’s never going to know about this.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” She smiled maliciously.

“What do you mean?”

“The Dragon’s getting close to letting the Titans out. Their power’s radiating through into this world again. The last time that happened, it was a sight to see.” She shivered beatifically. “My hex’s wearing down already. I can feel it. It may not take the Titans’ return to snap your father out of his shell and back into what he was. All it might take is for me to walk up and whisper the truth in his ear.”

I glared at her. “Well, you won’t.”

“You think not? You’re sadly mistaken, my dear.”

I shook my head. “You’re not going to do it.”

“Oh, darling, do you really think you can stop me?” She patted me on the head. “Because, child of a Titan or not, you just gave up part of your power to your lover. Before, you might have been able to stop me. Now . . . ?” She shrugged. “Now you’re just another goddess. And I’m quite a lot older—and more powerful.”

“I know,” I said simply. “I know I can’t stop you.”

“That’s right, you can’t,” Mneme crowed.

“So that’s why I told on you to Granddad.”

She stared at me as if not comprehending. “What?”

“Aphrodite’s telling Zeus you’re trying to let the Titans out. She’s probably doing so right now, and I wanted to keep you busy while she relayed the whole story. I’ll bet he’s not too pleased about it.”

My mother’s face went white.

“No, he isn’t,” said a great booming voice.

We all turned to see a powerfully built man with snow-white hair, a chiseled body and an air of frightening power. It was Zeus, father of the gods, my grandfather. He stood flanked by several of his guards and most potent warrior-gods.

“Mneme,” his voice boomed out. “You have wreaked havoc not only in the mortal world but on our plane as well. You are going to pay for that. For a long while.”

She dropped her head like a chastised child. “But, Father—”

“And now I’ve got to clean up the mess you’ve made.” He turned to Kate and motioned to his followers. “Take them back with you to the battle. Put a stop to this ‘Dragon.’ Should you need me, just call.”

Kate nodded. “Yes, Father.”

Zeus eyed me. “You cannot be here, my child. It is too dangerous.”

I frowned. “Thanks so much. Good to feel welcome. Like always.”

He sighed and amended, “Dangerous for us. Because of what you are. Especially with him here.” He motioned to Cyrus. “Since you gave him a part of your soul, and therefore a part of your power . . . The two of you together, well . . . your power could unmake the very fabric of our reality.”

“Yes,” Mneme breathed, almost orgasmically. Zeus shot her a warning look and she quieted.

“I’m not saying what we did was right,” Zeus said to me. “But I’m afraid we’ve gone too far to turn