Page 1 of Guided by the Stars
Circe
Prologue
I’m surrounded by death. The stench of rotting corpses brings bile to my throat. The bodies of mortals and immortals lay in discarded piles, with mutilated creatures scattered around them. A figure stands in the center, hungry for power despite the destruction encompassing them. “The time for my reign has come. Bow to me or die,” they shout above the battle. The force behind their words is so strong that the ground beneath my feet fractures and splits. Though distance separates us, a flicker of recognition spears through me as my gaze locks with theirs.
A warm hand tugs on my arm and I glance down, expecting to see a bloody handprint left on my skin, but the chaos vanishes. I’m pulled from the vision as my oldest son places his hand in mine. Even though the lifeless bodies have disappeared, death still lingers.
“Is everything okay, mama?” Jax asks, his brown eyes full of worry.
My heart breaks with the thought of burdening my boys with this task, but there’s no other way. “Grab Daemyn and meet me on the beach, there’s something I must show you.” He runs away, eager to find his brother and learn what I must teach them next. The need for knowledge runs through their blood just as it did with their father, but today will not be easy.
I steady myself, knowing there is no other choice and yet wishing there was. No mother wants to bring this news to their child, they are but boys and not yet ready for the tasks of men. I walk past the tall grass that surrounds the field. My hands brush over their tips as I step closer to the beach and I’m flooded with memories. This island has been my home for millennia, shared only with my sons and the trusted nymphs who have been at my side for just as long. I feel every footstep on this land as if it were my own heartbeat, my own breath, and I know when there are trespassers. But after today, everything will change.
“Mama!” Daemyn shouts, rushing over to hug my legs. “Look what we made, can you light it?”
I conjure a fireball in my hand and toss it at the neatly stacked logs. Flames shoot up into the sky, smoke clouds billowing from the damp wood, and the three of us watch it for several seconds.
“Boys, join hands. There is something you both need to see,” I say, holding my hands out for them to take. The excitement I feel pouring off them is tangible, and with a little of my influence, I coax them to be calm. What I’m about to show them is life or death, not just for us, but for all realms, and they must focus.
“The stars have come to me, my loves, and also to you. I’ll show you a glimpse of what is coming so you can understand the severity. Deep breath in. Deep breath out,” I say, and my sweet boys imitate me. As we close our eyes, I call forth the vision.
There’s a sea of destruction and death. The once-golden Olympus is left rotting and bleak, while the hellfire of Tartarus seeps through the Underworld, both overflowing into Earth and beyond.
“This is the future, my sons, fated by the stars themselves. We must do all we can to stop it and help those destined to save the realms. The sacrifices will be costly, but the fate of the worlds depend on it,” I say as the vision flashes from one image to the next. If I show too much, the future will change and we may lose this shot at survival.
“You will have help from others, some even when you least expect it,” I continue, showing them gods, goddesses, nymphs, and other creatures before the vision changes one final time.
Two girls stand hand in hand, their hair lifting around them as if caught in a tempest, and their faces set with fierce determination. “These two are the catalyst, but they are also the key to salvation.”
Nora
When the Sea Summons
The night’s darkness stretches across the sky above us, a backdrop of bright stars washing over the shimmering waters below. An artwork bringing the enormous ocean to life, shining bright and hiding the secrets lurking in the depths of the sea.
“Are you ready?” Adriane asks, interlacing our hands.
My eyes turn to meet hers and I nod to my best friend. “More than ready, A!”
Together we run, letting the glow from the moon light the path ahead as we pick our spots on the beach and toss our sandals to the side. With our towels on the ground, we plant ourselves down and I bury my feet, enjoying the cool kiss of the sand between my toes.
“I can’t believe we’re here!” Adriane squeals, sitting next to me with a gigantic smile across her face.
With a nod, I scoop up a handful of sand, feeling the soft, tiny granules slipping through my fingers. “I can’t believe it myself,” I say, agreeing with her. This trip was a graduationgift from Bill and Jane, who knew we’ve dreamed about this day a thousand times. Now, sitting here next to Adriane under the moon in Greece, it’s surreal.
My gaze travels along the beach, finding a sense of lightness within me. Everything around us is perfect. It’s quiet and peaceful. The only noise is the gentle splash of waves connecting with the breeze and folding softly onto the shore.
With a smile on my face, I lean forward, feeling the familiar tingle of excitement. Not wanting to waste a single minute, I stand and reach my hand out for Adriane. “Come on, it’s time to swim!” She needs no convincing, letting me pull her up with ease and we fall into step beside each other, racing toward the shore’s edge.
We stare with wonder at the scenery before us, bringing peace into our hearts. We live close to the beach in California, but it doesn’t compare to knowing that you are staring at a body of water you’ve never touched before with the moonlight shining bright above it.
The stunning view spans miles with untold secrets waiting to be discovered. It’s one reason we love the ocean so much. Beneath the surface, creatures like dolphins, fish, and whales swim between the unsolved mysteries of sunken ships, hidden caves, and even death. It’s a world different from ours, begging to be explored. All you have to do is dive under and something new will always be there to uncover, even if it’s just about yourself.
I take a deep breath in, the salty air hitting my tongue, and we rush into the cool water. It’s not as cold as the shore I grew up next to, but the gentle breeze of the night sweeps tiny goosebumps across my skin and a peaceful smile spreads overmy face. This is the moment I needed. The escape I longed for, a new beach without the painful reminders.
Adriane tugs my hand, halting me in place, and I spin toward her. “You ready, Nor?”
I smile and nod, giving her hand a quick squeeze. “Three…two…one!”
