Eris (The Lost Goddesses #4)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

T he following afternoon, Eris was still pissed as she drove from her small property outside of Rome and into the city. She had many such properties around the world, all tucked out of the way and isolated so that her out-of-control chaos couldn't do any damage.

She didn't know why the failed date from the previous evening was bothering her so much. He wasn't special, just another hot bartender in a city full of them.

The most annoying thing was that she was now going to have to find a new bar to drink at. Maybe it was bothering her so much because she'd felt an echo of a connection for the first time in centuries. He hadn't asked her on a date only because she was beautiful, or so he'd claimed, and Eris couldn't wrap her head around that. Her beauty was the only thing men were interested in.

The day she had met Zeus, the upstart new god boy that had usurped his father, he had taken one look at her and said, "What a waste of beauty you are, daughter of Nyx."

Eris hadn't thought much of Zeus and thought even less of him after the encounter. It was one of the reasons why she had thrown the apple to him at Peleus's fateful wedding. She had been aiming for his head. She had been annoyed by the snub and wanted to get back at Zeus for purposely making sure everyone was there but her. She had no idea the trouble that damn apple would cause her in the future.

It was a reminder to her to never lose her temper. She always had it locked down tight—tighter than her heart and her power. It was why she found the whole incident with Enzo so confusing.

Maybe it had been his grandmother, and she was hurt or ill, and he was her caretaker? He had wanted another date, after all. Eris had reacted too strongly, and while she didn't feel regret as a rule, she felt something suspiciously like it. She had liked him too much, so it was best she kept away for both of their sakes. Nothing good could come of it. It wasn't as if she was relationship material. She was a primordial creature born of darkness. She didn't date . She conquered and then moved on.

"Stop obsessing," she growled under her breath as if her brain had ever listened.

Eris was determined to continue her experiments and not let the incident the previous night bother her anymore. She had the perfect place to visit, one that would recharge her energy so she could try and stretch out the time it took to hold her shields up.

The Pantheon was a mess of lines, families, tourists, and opportunistic street vendors. Built to be a temple for all the gods, it was a wonder that drew people from all over the world. It was always chaotic, and it suited Eris's purposes perfectly. If she could find a decent bar in the area, it would provide her with a new place to linger. She would never have to show her face at Silviano's again.

Stop thinking about him , her vicious side snapped again. Eris would never admit just how much the stupid mortal had gotten under her skin. And this is why you should stay away from men.

It was a warm afternoon, so Eris stood in line for gelato and smiled at a baby. It started screaming, and she sighed in happiness as the frazzled parents' chaotic energy hit her like a shot of adrenaline—just what she needed. She ordered a cup of pear gelato and was enjoying the first sugary spoonful when her phone buzzed in the pocket of her palazzo pants. Moving out of the way of the long lines in the square, Eris pulled out her phone.

Ever since everyone had gotten together to celebrate the birth of Hades's twins, the gods had been keeping closer tabs on each other. One change was that people had her phone number now and were going out of their way to include her in updates and messages.

Eris smiled at the Girls Only group chat that Ariadne had recently made and opened it to see what the gossip was. Selene had sent through a photo that had Eris choking on her gelato. Hermes was holding a crying Zagreus, and the entire front of his shirt and a good deal of his face was covered with what appeared to be vomit. Dionysus was bent double with laughter behind him. Selene had sent it with the caption: To use against him the next time he gets lippy.

Eris chuckled and replied, Surely not the first time he's been covered in vomit while hanging about with Dionysus.

Both gods had been spending a lot of time with the twins, and Eris was starting to think that Hades and Persephone were stuck with four children instead of two. She had mentioned that to Persephone, who was just happy to have the extra hands to help when they visited.

Hermes and Hecate were constantly checking the children for any signs of their magic, and when it finally manifested, they were going to be the best ones to handle it. Eris could only imagine what their abilities would be with Hades and Persephone as their parents.

Eris finished her gelato and checked her shields. They were still holding in place, and she shut her eyes and heaved a deep sigh of relief. Everything was back to normal…

A cold tickle danced up her spine, and the hair on the back of her neck rose. Eris's eyes snapped open. She knew that feeling of dread.

No, no, no, they can't be here.

Eris spotted three figures sitting on the steps of the fountain. To anyone else watching, they would see nothing but a grandmother, a mother, and a child having a day together. Eris's heart stammered in her chest. The Fates were staring right back at her.

Clotho, the youngest, danced about in excitement and waved at her.

Did they know Eris was trying to control their curse? Were they there to stop her or make it worse?

Lachesis crooked her finger at her. Eris's palms turned sweaty, and she began to walk toward them, her feet obeying even though she was screaming inside.

No one said no to the Fates, not even the gods. They swore on them and feared them like the humans did to the gods themselves. The Fates were primal, and Eris was so fucked for getting their attention yet again.

Eris stopped in front of them and bowed, not caring that the humans around them were staring. Don't get angry. Don't get angry.

"How can I be of service?" she asked politely.

"Child of Night, it has been an age," Atropos, the eldest, replied and held out a bony hand.

Eris pressed the back of it to her forehead.

"Have you come to punish me again?" Eris blurted out. She never could handle suspense.

Clotho grabbed her hand and swung it in excitement. "No, silly! We have come to help you break your curse!"

Eris froze. "You…You have? Why? Why now?"

"Because the time is my time. It is now," Lachesis said with a shrug. She lit a cigarette and stared up at Eris. "If you want the curse to be lifted, you must undo that which you broke."

"I don't understand. I can't bring back Troy," Eris replied, her hand still being yanked on by Clotho.

Lachesis swayed in a light rocking motion. "The man is ready, for his destiny is tied to yours as his bloodline always has been."

"You're speaking in fucking riddles. Just tell me what I need to do," Eris demanded and then bit her tongue. "Please. Speak plain. What man?"

"The child of Aeneas!" Clotho shouted, her mad hopping continuing. "He must help you take the palladium back to Troy!"

Atropos clicked her tongue, and Clotho settled. "The child speaks true. You must find the palladium and return it, following Aeneas's path with his blood, stopping where he stopped. Only then will you be free of your torments."

"Find the palladium and a child of Aeneas before returning them to Troy?" Eris asked. Her freedom was hanging in front of her, and she felt like a starving dog staring at a steak.

"Yes. It is not only your curse that you will be lifting, child, so do not waste any time," Lachesis said.

"Okay, so how can I find this man? Is he in the city? Where is he?" Eris asked. There were millions of men in Rome.

Clotho giggled and covered her mouth. "Oh! Oh! Can I please show her, Atropos?"

The old woman nodded. Eris didn't like the identical smiles they were suddenly all wearing.

Clotho let go of Eris's hand and pulled out a looped string from the pocket of her dress. With fierce concentration, the child-like creature started threading the string over her fingers like a highly complex cat's cradle. "Ta-da!" she said at last and held up a small tapestry. "And the best thing is you have already met!"

Eris looked at the face, and her heart stopped. The unmistakable image of Enzo stared back at her. "This… This has to be a mistake."

The thread in her fingers unraveled, and when she looked up, the Fates were already gone.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Eris stared up at the heavens in despair.

Enzo wasn't just a bartender, after all.