Return of the Goddess

Chapter 9

     “What are you doing here?” Genna asked him.

     “I am really a son of Ares. My three older brothers destroyed my sister bed so I told her she could have mine, and I would sleep in here.” Ryder climbed down from the top bunk.

     “Oh, your sister’s Megan.”

     “Yep, you know what’s really strange though. That the safe house got an immortal guard a few days before you got here.” he reached into a drawn and took out a pack of gum, “Want one.” he felt out a stick of it.

    “Sure, but why is it strange that he came at the same time as me?” Genna chewed the gum.

    “Because the immortal guard is my dad.”

     “What, so Ares is protecting the safe house…and you think it’s because of me!”

    “It would make sense considering you have three godlike features.     You can form water, you have a persuasive tongue and you have the  mind of a child of Athena.” Ryder sat on the bed across from her.

Genna shrugged her shoulders and started to unpack her things. She put her sun charm necklace on and beaded bracelet, but left everything else in a drawer of the dresser. She changed from her old dirty clothes to a purple slimming tank-top and blue faded jeans. Ryder said he would show her the way to the backyard.

     “Why wouldn’t the gods claim me? They claimed all the other demigods.” Genna conjectured.

    The walked back down the marble stairs, “If you really want to know, you could always go to Olympus and demand answers or something.” Ryder led her through the kitchen.

    “How do I get to Olympus?”

    “No one knows,” he pushed open the sliding glass door. “Sorry.”

     “Some help you are,” Genna said.

     Outside was stunning. There were demigods sword fighting, running, and shooting arrows through targets. Genna saw Sage with her two dagger fighting off a girl that was clearly not as good, but Sage pushed her. Charlie was showing how to tie knots to a girl around the age of six. Cal and Chelsea were conversing with a boy that had red fiery hair and black eyes. Genna walked over to Sage who had finished the lesson.

     “Hey Genna! I think you should start with sword fighting.” Sage led her over to a rack of swords. Pick anyone you choose.”

Cole was standing by the rack and asked if she needed assistance deciding. Genna replied casually, “No Ares, I think I’m fine.”

Cole looked shocked but laughed, “I knew you would figure it out.”

     “Ares,” Sage bobbed her head, “You are the immortal guard of the safe house?”

     “Yah, couldn’t leave my main girl Genna.” he patted her shoulder.  Genna smiled, but really couldn’t remember ever meeting the god of war.      “You should really use something light especially considering her weight. If you’re quick we could even give you a dagger.”

     “I have never fought before so I have no idea whether I’m quick or not.”

     “Never fought before. What a strange statement coming from a demigod.” Ares searched the shelves. “I don’t see anything in here that you would fight well with, but if you started playing around with your jewelry I think you’ll find something.” he ambled away to help two demigods with their choosing.

     Genna looked at her bracelet and admired the beads. She thought of the goddess Artemis because of the bears, wolves, and deer. If Artemis was to give her this necklace then Apollo would have contributed. She took out her sun-charmed necklace and examined it. The sun had a little knob on the top and when she pushed it was golden bow and arrow formed around her shoulder. She put it in position and pulled the arrow back. It flew through the air with such speed and grace hitting the target across the yard at the bulls eye. It was there only for a mere second before it disappeared and reappeared in Genna’s hand.

     Ares came back over, “Maybe you should try a dagger or sword. With that bracelet of yours you will have to have something you can hold in one hand.”

     Genna turned her bow back to a necklace and took out the dagger Charlie gave her. With her shield and dagger Genna engaged in combat with Sage. Sage would go from left to right, forward to back, but no matter what she could not find an opening to Genna’s vulnerable flesh. Sage came in for a right attack, but Genna spun around and knocked her to the ground. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch what they all thought was impossible. Genna held out her hand and helped Sage up.

     “Both you girls, great job.” Ares clapped. “Genna you don’t need training in archery or combat so do you have any special talents.”

     “I can form water,” Genna said.

     “She also has the glow of Aphrodite.” Cal pointed out.

     “Yes, the glow, do you know what you can do with that?” Ares said.

     “You can persuade people to do whatever you wish,” Mesi said this time her voice was not as high as the last time she spoke.

     “Do you have the glow of Aphrodite?” Genna asked Mesi.

    “Yeah, but mine never faded like yours. It stayed strong and brainwashing.”

      Genna spent the rest of the day shooting arrows, sword fighting different demigods, and forming water out of the water in the hot tub of Poseidon’s room. She found out many things about the demigods there, and loved to hang out with them. When night fell upon them, Charlie lured her away from everyone else and out onto the roof top. He laid a blanket down and brought of some nectar for Genna and some coca cola for himself.

    “How are you liking the safe house?” Charlie asked her. They sat so close they could feel the heat radiating off of one another bodies.

    “I like it, it’s just that I don’t really feel like I belong,”

    “What do you mean?” he finished his coke and set it down.

    “I’m not normal, and I’m different like you guys. I can feel deep down that I don’t belong here.”

    “But you can fight, you can shoot, and you can form water? How does that make you different?”

    “What if I told you I was a monster, not a demigod.” Genna put down her nectar.

    “I like you because you’re smart, sweet, and great with a dagger.     Not because you’re a demigod.” he leaned in closer to her.

    Genna blushed as Charlie leaned in closer and closer. She could smell his cologne as he brushed back a strand of her hair. His lips were soft against hers, and his hand was warm on the small of her back. She wanted the moment to last forever, but before she knew she heard Sage calling her name from within the house. They climbed through the window and Charlie went into his room. Genna had an extremely easy time falling asleep that night, but the dreams of the furious goddess kept coming.