God of My Dreams (Greek Heroes #1) ✅ Completed

Chapter Twenty-Four: At the Crossroads

At the Crossroads 

Morpheus and Tor walked along the worn dirt road heading for the Acheron, one of the five known rivers in Hades. The Acheron, also known as the River of Pain, was the only place they’d be able to catch a ride from Charon as he ferried across the newly dead.  Most people assumed Hades’ ferryman mostly worked the River Styx, but the Acheron was also on his main route. It would also be the best place for the two of them to hitch a ride. The Styx was a nightmare at this time of day – New York City rush hour had nothing on the traffic jam of souls waiting to catch the only ferry in town, especially since the boat could only hold a handful of souls at a time. Most souls waiting for a ride had died back when togas were all the rage. Though perhaps the long wait time had more to do with their general sense of confusion, grief, and their inability to comprehend they were actually dead.

Charon, the only ferryman on duty, was not a pleasant man per se but Morpheus had known him forever and admired his subtle and professional nature. He preferred his existence on the water, took his payment, and kept his mouth shut. Right now, that combination was exactly what the dream lords were banking on.

“Think Charon will let us on without too much grief?” Tor asked. His uncanny ability to echo Morpheus’ thoughts aloud was something the elder dream god had long grown used to.

As his brother, Tor was the dream god who usually appeared as either an animal or a monster in mortal dreams. No one could weave a nightmare like Phobetor, not even Morpheus. Tor’s creations were the stories of legend but if given a choice, his brother much preferred taking animal form. He often appeared in the dreams of the North American Indians to get away from his normal duties. He admired their belief in animal totems and how they revered their animal visions – many welcoming him with a willingness that was like a balm to his soul. It was the only time his appearance in a mortal dream was a sought after occurrence.

Morpheus glanced at his younger brother. “I believe so. We’ve never had any kind of beef with Charon before.”

“True, but we’ve never broken into Hades before either.”

“Good point,” Morpheus said, his anxiousness returning. Tor was great in a pinch but he was also a worrier – something Morpheus could have done without at the moment.  

They walked a little further ahead in silence, reaching a crossroads in the dirt path - a very literal fork-in-the-road of the Underworld. It was at this point an unexpected flash of gold nearly blinded them. Morpheus and Tor readied themselves for the attack but when the glitter cleared they were at a momentary loss to do anything except stare.

Aphrodite stood before them in all her godly beauty, decked out like a Special Forces unit’s wet dream. Skin tight black catsuit, hair slicked back and wrapped tightly in a bun, tall leather boots and an array of weapons on her hips and waist. Neither one of them had ever seen Aphrodite suited up in such fashion – it was a little overwhelming even to them.

She winked at Morpheus but it was Tor she spoke to, “Hey lover, you’re looking good.” She gifted him a sexy little smile.  

Tor clenched his teeth together hard enough for Morpheus to hear the clack from where he stood. There was history there but Morpheus knew better than to get involved...again. Tor was a grown god. He could take care of himself now.

“What do you want?” Morpheus asked gruffly. He didn’t have time to play games with the meddlesome love goddess. The fact that she'd warned him about the danger Gwen-Stacey was in was the only reason he didn’t automatically set his powers to stun.