The Storm Herald Series {#Wattys2018}

2.5

"I won't let you hurt them," I snarl at Hera. The goddess sneers at me,"you care for these humans. You actually care for them."

"You cared for them, too, once," I say. "You were the protector of pregnant women, along with Artemis. A patron goddess of Marriage and Virgins." Hera growls, and runs at me. I dodge, then grab her hand and swing her away from my friends.

"Go, get out of here!" I yell at them. "Go!"

I watch Jeanne get up, then start to herd everyone out. Running over to her, I grab her arm.

"Is there anyone trapped in here?" I ask. She quickly shakes her head,"no, we were just about to lock up."

"Good," I say, with a nod. "Now go. Get to safety." I push her out, then run the opposite direction of the group, trying to lead Hera away from them. She can't hurt them, I won't let it happen.

"Why do you run?" Hera's voice asks, as she appears in front of me. "It's futile." She comes closer, then pushes me. I go flying back, and this time when I hit the building behind me, I hear a sickening crack and then a burst of pain in my chest.

Shit. . . I think. Broken ribs.

"You'll never defeat me, Mackenzie," Hera says, picking me up by the front of my shirt. "I always win." She throws me down the street, and when I land, I skid a few feet. Pain laces through my entire body, so I just lay there.

"I am the hidden threat." Hera's face appears in my vision, an evil grin on her face. "And the hidden threat will always win." I feel a pressure against my throat, cutting off my air. This is it. The end.

Suddenly, the weight is pulled off of my throat, and Hera disappears.

What the hell!? I think, then slowly sit up. What I see surprises me. A woman dressed scantily in red, blue, and gold stands in front of Hera.

"I will not let you harm my sister," she says, in a thick Greek accent.

"Ah, yes," Hera chuckles. "Another one of the my husband's children. I will gladly kill you, after I deal with Ms. Wright here."

"Be careful," I say to the woman. "She's strong."

"I've fought worse than her," she tells me. I nod, and then my head lolls back, and my world goes dark.

***

When I wake back up, I see dizzying bright lights. I know I'm not dead because I feel a sharp pain in my chest, but I know I'm not okay.

"You're awake," a voice breaths. I move my head, and see the woman who saved me from Hera.

"Who are you?" I ask her, as I sit up. I notice the IVs in my wrists, and wrinkle my nose at them.

"Someone who cares," she tells me.

"There's so many things I want to ask you," I say. The woman shakes her head,"I won't be able to answer them."

"Just one question?" I plead. With a sigh, she nods,"yes. One question."

"What happened to Hera?"

"I sent her back to Olympus. There was nothing else I could do," she explains with a simple shrug. I purse my lips,"so that's it, I guess."

"I thought the old Gods had died, but yet here you are. Daughter of Zeus, and an enemy of Hera," she chuckles. I give a small eye roll,"I make enemies easily."

"Well, you have to get better at that," she tells me. "We both have things to get better at."

"Why did you help me?" I ask

"Because I care, Mackenzie," she whispers. "I'll always be there to help my sister."

"Wait, sister!?" My eyes widen at this. The woman nods,"yes. I am a daughter of Zeus, too."

"Tell me your name," I plead. "Now that I know there's more people like me out there."

"Just call me 'Dee'," she tells me, then walks out of my hospital room. I watch her go, nodding slowly.

"Dee."

***

"Mackenzie, are you sure you're okay?" Clark asks me. His arm is around my waist, supporting me.

"I can to do this," I whisper. "Even if I can't, I have to." I feel his grip around my waist tighten, as we make our way down the stairs.

"Let's go to Isadora's coffee shop," Clark suggests.

"Yeah, that'll be fun," I say. "Iz has been worried, so I'll have to reassure her that I'm fine." Clark helps me down to the car, where he insists that he drives, so I don't hurt myself.

The drive to the coffee shop feels longer than normal, but I think it's because I haven't been there in a while. When we get there, the familiar smell of cinnamon and coffee beans assails my nose, the familiar scents reassuring.

"Hey, Mackenzie," Isadora greets. Clark helps me over to the counter, so I lean on it for support.

"Hey, Iz," I say, catching my breath. There's a small grin on her face,"glad to see you up and walking." I nod,"glad to be here."

"Why don't you take the table in the back," she suggests, pointing to my usual table. I limp over to the table, and sit down, grateful for the bit of rest. I pull from my bag the latest copy from the Planet, and start reading, not paying attention to my surroundings.

Someone sits across from me, and I expect it to be Clark.

"Did you get my usual?" I ask, not even looking up.

"From what I remembered," a feminine voice says. My head shoots up, and I see none other than my high school friend, Adelaide Argent.

"Addy?" I whisper, eyes widening. She nods,"it's me, Kenzie."

"Where the hell have you been?" I ask her, my arms folding against my chest.

"California," Adelaide explains. "But it doesn't matter." There's an awkward silence, before Adelaide's next comment comes.

"So. You're Storm Herald?"