The Medusa Strain (WIP 2020)

Chapter 8

I half-expected our new visitor to be none other than dad himself—having excused himself on a new errand out into the city, but to my surprise, it turned out to be Apollo himself—with Blake in tow.

"Well, when it rains...it pours." I noted with some personal humor on my part. "We were just talking about you."

The God of Speed did not appear at all amused by my comment at heart.

"I did not come here for small talk, Jeri. I came here because Hera herself summoned me to this residence. To pay my respects to Terra herself." He said with stiff formality.

"May I enter, Artemis?"

"Have you paid your dues yet? You're overdrawn by a month and a half by last count." My mother said with a breadth of seriousness in her voice.

"I will pay my tribute in a couple of days, Hunter. Unless you want an audience with the Queen of the Gods herself for refusing me and my son during this time of day?"

"I barely noticed the setting sun, Apollo." Artemis teased briefly. "Yes, you both may come in and pay your respects to my daughter." Dipping back, she let the two come in on their own accord.

I immediately got up off the couch and ran over to Blake—giving him a much needed hug of support from him.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you immediately," I said with a passing apology of my own. "But you know Hera."

"Unfortunately..." My childhood friend returned in understanding. "She is a bit of a rule-monger."

I laughed. "Don't let her hear you say that. She might take offense the next time."

"And anger my father? I don't think she would even risk that. Mighty Zeus be praised."

"Yeah, well, the rumor mill says you're next in line to be the Prime God, so you better be good to me, man."

Blake's expression was one of mischief. "Don't tempt me. Or I will just smite you for that anyways."

"I doubt it. I have the blessing of the Fates by my side." I offered with a wink of my own. "I am the earth mother of the heaven and the stars after all."

Blake studied me for a moment. "I don't suppose the changes come at will—do they? With Terra I mean?"

"Hera tested me. She found out real quick how Terra is attuned to this environment and given reality." I said. "Do you wish a demonstration, Blake?"

My friend shook his head. "Heavens no. I am not wishing to anger your benefactor more than I do you. You know that."

I pouted for a moment. "You're no fun, man."

Apollo watched the scene between us with parental supervision—before he decided he had heard enough and stepped in between us.

"Greetings. I am the God of Speed. Apollo. My sanctuary is among the stars. Much like you, Terra."

I smiled for a moment. "She's not home right now." I told him.

"Not...home? What do you mean? Are you saying she refuses my audience?"

"I am saying that she does not need your input at this time, Speed God."

'That is highly disrespectful of someone I heard was given a new life—through fate itself."

"Terra operates on her own schedule, Apollo. She comes when she wishes. Not when it is forced by the hands of one such as yourself. But I will relay your message of greeting to her when she is roused."

"And if I force the issue?"

"I am more than able to knock you on your divine butt." I informed him bluntly."My mother trained me well. Taught me some tricks of the trade. Do you wish to test me?"