Mayhem: Goddesses Of Delphi Read online

  Mayhem

  Goddesses of Delphi Book 2

  Gemma Brocato

  Contents

  Cover Copy

  Also by Gemma Brocato

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Coming Soon — GREED

  Greed

  Please Take A Moment to Review

  About the Author

  Newsletter Signup

  Cover Copy

  A freak solar flare plunges Nia Thanos, Muse of Astronomy, into an evil immortal’s attempt at a hostile take over of Olympus Enterprises. Her jobs—save the family business while rescuing the world from pandemonium. To eliminate the menace she must convince one mortal man to believe in the magic of what if.

  ‘Doubting Thomas’ Wilde hosts a television program aimed at busting myths. But when Nia confesses to being a Muse, it’s one myth he can’t bust, or believe. His refusal to help leaves Nia to face the challenge on her own.

  Riots, looting, and general anarchy are minor problems compared to what’s coming if the balance of power shifts on Olympus. Nia’s undeniable attraction to Thomas wreaks havoc on her heart and threatens her ability to secure the safety of humankind. Nia finds herself fighting to persuade the one man she can’t live without to help save the world.

  Also by Gemma Brocato

  The Goddesses of Delphi

  Tyranny

  Mayhem

  Greed Coming Dec 2016

  Contemporary Romance

  The Five Senses Series

  Cooking Up Love

  Hearts In Harmony

  Exposed To Passion

  Bed Of Roses

  Five Senses Shorts

  A Winter Wedding

  A Spirited Love

  Playing With Fire

  Romancing The Vine

  Risking The Vine

  Hidden In The Vines Coming Early 2017

  Science Fiction Romance

  Mission: Mistletoe

  Mayhem Copyright © Gemma Brocato, 2016

  Cover Design by Fiona Jayde Media

  Excerpt of Greed copyright © Gemma Brocato 2016

  All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without prior written permission of the publisher

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are use facetiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is coincidental.

  Brocato, Gemma

  Mayhem / Gemma Brocato

  1. Romance—Fantasy. 2. Romance—Ancient Greek Mythology. 3. Paranormal—Romance—Mythology and Folk Tales 4. Paranormal—Romance—Magical Realism

  Dedication & Acknowledgments

  For Stephanie Judice

  Your wisdom and guidance leaves me forever in your debt.

  Acknowledgments

  Without help from many quarters, this book might never have happened. My family: Mr. Gemma, and my two children, Erin and Andrew. You support me and cheer me on and remind me of the good that happens

  when you share a great love.

  My editor, Piper Denna, a woman of patience and wit. I can’t tell you how great it is to find the funny little notes you string out during the editing cycle.

  The KickAss Chicks, The Writing Warriors, and my Sassy sisters, you are all strong, inspiring authors. I am thankful every day for you ladies.

  And most especially to my readers. Without you, I’d be out of a job.

  Author’s Note

  I have been intrigued by Greek mythology since I was quite young. Paintings and depictions of gods and goddesses have inspired great emotion and interest in me, making me want to learn more. So when I decided to write stories shrouded in mythology, it was natural to pick the Muses.

  When I began researching the Muses I was struck by the myth of Pierus, and how he had nine daughters, like Zeus. Daughters, named the Pierides, he believed were superior to the Muses. So he goaded the Muses into a contest. When they won, to punish them for their insolence, Zeus transformed the Pierides into magpies. That legend became the basis for my stories. Nine muses, nine mortal men…nine chances at love to save the world.

  The idea that Pierus would enter his offspring in a battle to take over Olympus evolved naturally. Every story must have a villain, right? Although, I frequently want to beat my head on the desk and wonder why I picked magpies? It’s hard to find nine creative ways to portray the birds. Which is why I took a little poetic license in the naming of the birds. Should Pierus and crew ever win a challenge, all kinds of evil, which already exists in the world, would increase a thousand-fold.

  It hasn’t hurt that I love history…all kinds of history. So salting bits and pieces of the Muses backstory in through historical events made me smile. I hope you will find these little tidbits as much fun as I did.

  I suppose this is where I have to say that any faults or errors in history are mine alone. Hey, if one of my Muses can face a magpie and win, then I guess I can own making mistakes.

  I hope you enjoy this book and will consider leaving a review once you are done. Reviews matter!

  Enjoy!

  Gemma

  Chapter 1

  The hard metal railing of the platform dug into Nia Thanos’s hip when she leaned against it. She shifted to a more comfortable spot and adjusted the focuser on the Helios Institute’s long-range telescope. Putting her eye to the eyepiece, she zeroed in on the satellite jetting across the heavens. The sky was clear enough to make out individual stars. A meteor streaked across the top of the field of vision. Through the powerful scope she could make out the Hinomaru emblazoned on the side of the satellite. Japan’s circle of the sun.

  Checking the time on the digital readout, Nia smiled when she determined the communications spacecraft had lost fifteen seconds on its orbital timetable. She made a time notation on a clipboard attached to the desk-like platform. Her counterpart at the Japanese Space Agency would have to be told one of their thrusters appeared to be failing.

  Now, to figure out how to explain to them how she knew exactly what the problem was. It wasn’t like she was a rocket scientist. She couldn’t even begin to explain to them why an observatory manager would know about the mechanical workings of a foreign piece of space junk orbiting the earth.

  They’d think she’d gone off the deep end if she straight out told them she was a Muse.

  Older than time. Smarter than the average scientist. Personally acquainted with the mortal known as Galileo. Yeah, the guy known as the father of observational astronomy.

  Nia did a quick review of which American Space Agency scientist to share the information with. It would be easy enough to suggest to someone susceptible to her brand of influence that the hurtling sputnik needed an adjustment.

  “Nia?”

  She turned to see Bradley ambling into the cavernous observatory room. He halted in the rectangle of mid-after
noon sunlight streaming in through the open portal. The ends of his hair winked with golden highlights in the bright light.

  She sent him a smile. “What’s up?”

  “The Campfire Scouts are here. For their tour.”

  “Oh, fiddle. Is that today?” How had she forgotten another tour?

  “I can show them around them if you want.” The offer of assistance came with a smile. “I have nothing else on my schedule.”

  Nia moved across the decking on the platform, her footfalls echoing off the girders supporting the rounded ceiling. “Nah, I’ve got this. The little nippers usually have interesting questions.” She climbed down the steps. “You are certainly welcome to join, if you wish. Always nice to have your creative brand of wit along for these things.”

  Crossing the room, she made her way to the small table by the door. She took a quick slurp from the drink she’d left there when she’d come into the room. The sugary beverage hit her system with a burst of energy and vigor.

  She picked up her smartphone and did a quick check of her email. Still nothing from her sister, Callie, regarding the challenge they faced from Pierus. The presumptive demi-god had surfaced recently and resurrected his daring attempt to free his imprisoned daughters and conquer the world. Starting with her family’s corporation, Olympus Enterprises.

  Clio, another of her eight sisters had faced the trial last month, and been successful. Now, the first of Pierus’s disgusting magpie daughters, Tyranny, was safely locked in the aviary on Olympus. Tension had grown to monumental proportions as they waited to see which of Pierus’s daughters would be unleashed next, and which Muse would be chosen to respond.

  For now, Nia subscribed to the idea that no news was good news. It was wishful thinking to hope that after his last defeat, Pierus had abandoned his quest to free his daughters from the punishment Zeus had decreed thousands of years ago. Being magpies suited those bitches. In the meantime, all of the Thanos sisters waited and remained vigilant.

  Glancing at the bank of world clocks on the far wall, Nia was shocked to discover she’d been in the observatory for three hours. She always lost track of time when gazing at the cosmos.

  “Maybe after the tour, you’d agree to go get that drink we’ve been talking about for the better part of the month.” Hope flourished in Bradley’s tone.

  More like the drink she’d been avoiding for the better part of the month. He was a nice guy, but she wasn’t in the least bit attracted to him. And never would be. Head down, she scanned her email messages while mumbling, “You have an appointment you’ve forgotten about.”

  Bradley snapped his fingers. “Wait, I forgot I have a session with my personal trainer tonight.”

  Success! “Oh, guess that drink will have to wait for some other time.” Nia didn’t know why she didn’t just tell him she wasn’t interested. Maybe because she hated any form of rejection herself. Had for the entire millennia. In each lifetime, this type of situation had come up. She used to be better at telling people no.

  Through the open door, the high pitch squealing of a gaggle of young girls reached the usually quiet confines of the telescope room.

  Bradley looked over his shoulder toward the noise filtering in through the open doorway. “We better get going before they shriek the roof down.”

  Nia silenced the phone and then slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans. As she walked toward the exit, she double-checked she had her nametag on. She did, but it was upside down. A quick flick of her wrist and she righted it. Bradley dogged her heels as she moved toward the steadily increasing sound of little girls shrieking.

  A group of girls dressed in identical navy shorts and white blouses waited in the octagonal lobby. All but one had a red kerchief knotted around their necks. The large central room was one of Nia’s favorite at Helios. The ceiling was midnight blue with maps of the constellations depicted in phosphorescent paint that glowed at night when the lights had been dimmed. In the center of the room, a recessed area held a mammoth replica of the Earth. The globe rotated in the manner of the real planet, making a full circuit each hour. Strategically placed lights shifted from day to night as the globe spun. It was surrounded by limestone railings. Visitors typically clustered around the observation area and checked the position when they first entered.

  The good-sized group of uniformed eight-year-olds stood at the rail, pointing and gesturing as the orb spun slowly on its axis. The group leaders clustered to one side, keeping a watchful eye on their young charges.

  Nia made her way to the adults. “Hello, and welcome to Helios.”

  “I’m Peggy Dartmoor, group leader. Thank you for hosting us today.” A woman in yoga pants and a Spandex top extended her hand, offering Nia a limp handshake.

  Nia resisted the urge to adjust her hand in the girly grasp and tighten her grip. Instead, she settled for a toothy smile. “We love to have groups of impressionable kids visit. We never know when we might influence someone to be the next Sally Ride.” The astronaut was one of Nia’s greater triumphs. The first American woman in space had started out wanting to be a professional tennis player.

  The vacant look on Peggy’s face indicated she might not know whom Nia was talking about. The woman’s blond ponytail slapped against her shoulder when she jerked her head to the side. “Bridget, you stop that this instant.”

  Nia followed the woman’s sharp glance to discover a little imp attempting to crawl over the railing onto the globe. Same blond hair, same skinny build. Most likely they were mother and daughter.

  Clapping her hands together, Nia raised her voice and began the process of herding cats. “Here now. Why don’t we step into the classroom?” She nodded to Bradley, who led the way across the lobby. The troop followed like giggly lemmings.

  The little girl not wearing the kerchief attached herself to Nia’s side, instead of hanging out with her friends. The cherub, a halo of glittery golden curls surrounding her face, sent her a shy smile. “My name is Hailey. What’s yours?”

  “I’m Nia.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Nia.”

  The child’s manners and mature demeanor should have charmed the socks right off Nia. But kids and her didn’t mix well. Never had. “Pleasure to meet you as well, Hailey. Have you been to the observatory before?”

  The kid snuck her small hand into Nia’s. “My uncle brought me here last week to see the Per…Per…” she paused and squinted. “Persnickety shower.”

  Nia grinned. “The Perseid meteor shower?” The spectacular celestial display occurred every August. The observatory always drew a huge crowd for that. Crowds made her tense, but so did children. Nerves tightened along Nia’s shoulders. She attempted to disengage her hand from the child’s before she broke out in a sweat. Hailey gripped her tighter.

  The long blond curls jiggled when the girl nodded her head vehemently. “That’s it! Did you see me?”

  “There were a lot of people here that night.” Nia tossed a frantic glance around for Bradley, spying him already in the classroom ahead. She pointed him out to Hailey as they crossed into the large dimly lit room. “Um, Mr. Bradley can help you find a seat. Why don’t you run along and ask him.”

  The child lifted her eyebrows and made sad eyes at Nia. Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she dropped Nia’s hand, and tucked hers behind her back. This is what it feels like to have to reach up to scratch a snake’s belly. Shame flamed around Nia’s chest.

  She relented. “Listen, Hailey. Maybe you’d like to sit up front while I’m talking?”

  “Can I?” Her voice had lost the notes of excitement it had held earlier.

  Goddess, she landed in the soup this time. She’d hurt this little girl’s feeling simply because young children made her uncomfortable. Stupid phobia. She was a freaking Muse, meant to inspire others toward greatness. Well, who the Hades was going to inspire her to be more comfortable around children? If her gift worked on kids this age, she’d mentally message Hailey to go attach herself
to Bradley, or one of the other Campfire Scouts. But, except in rare occurrences, children under a certain age were not susceptible to suggestion.

  Too damn bad, as far as Nia was concerned.

  “Sure, come on,” she told Hailey. “I have rock star seating down in front.”

  “I have to sit on a rock?” Hailey tipped her head to the side, a quizzical smile on her face.

  Note to self—kids take everything literally. Nia touched the child on the shoulder, aiming her toward the front of the small auditorium. Bradley was already passing out the age-appropriate take-home packets they’d designed and prepared for visiting school groups.

  Nia left her little shadow in the center seat and walked up the two steps to the raised platform reserved for staff and visiting lecturers. She drew a deep breath and addressed the eager little faces assembled in front of her. “Welcome to the Helios Institute, home of Delphi’s world-renowned observatory and planetarium. If you’ve been here before, please raise your hand.”

  Ten small hands shot into the air, fingers wiggling. The volume of chatter escalated until Peggy shushed everyone, waving her arms wildly at the girls, a massive scowl on her face.

  Nia wasn’t bound by age restrictions as far as Peggy was concerned, so she directed a stare at the woman and muttered under her breath, “You look quite tired. You want to sit down.” Satisfaction rippled in her ribcage when Peggy yawned and dropped into a seat right next to her mini-me, Bridget.

  Nia continued her talk about the facility, gearing the words and tone to the eight-year-olds, not worrying about whether the parents were bored. There was a lot to discover at Helios, regardless of their age.

  Clicking the remote that operated the electronics in the room, Nia dimmed the lights and began the laser show that projected various constellations on the ceiling. The professionally narrated show about how the star groupings were named lasted only a few minutes and the audience applauded when it was all done.