Page 15 of Goddess of Storms

She takes my face in her hands, “You were the ache in my chest, the thing I was missing but didn’t know it. I’m glad to have you and my memories back.”

That smile on her face, that smile for me, has me weak in the knees. I don’t take my eyes off her until I spot movement from the corner of my eye.

“Nile, Phoenix, there is someone out there!” I exclaim.

Setting Harper down in a rush but gently. I take off for the place where there is a rustle of grass. Nile and Phoenix are on my heels but we have lost the figure to the dark.

Walking back to Harper, she is still on the log and lightning dances on her fingertips.

Phoenix walks up to her in awe, “That is amazing. How can you do that?”

“I am a daughter of Zeus and my mother was a lightning goddess, you can say it’s in my genes. I didn’t realize how much I missed this,” she remarks with a smirk.

“All I got from my dad was an ass kicking and a sword,” Phoenix complains.

“Son of Ares?” Harper asks.

“How’d you guess?” He smirks.

“So, back to the matter at hand, who was so far out here and what did they see? Harper will no longer be safe here. We’ll have to get an escape plan in place, have bug out bags ready if we have to go into hiding. I will not lose her again,” I state.

“First, we need to get some sleep, I don’t know about you but I’m kicked from that hike,” Nile yawns.

“I’ll take watch, you three get some rest,” Harper says.

I stop before my boots hit my tent, “I don’t know if that is a good idea. I’d feel better if you were next to me.”

“I promise, I’m fine, this will give me time to think on things and what is to happen next. Park Ranger just doesn’t have the same appeal it once did.” She winks.

That smile from her is enough to assure me that she can handle herself.

Harper

Each of the men slowly entered their tents, Stone was the last, giving me a little wave before zipping his tent completely. I realize that I am sitting on a log with nothing but a t-shirt on; all my clothes and supplies were burnt to ashes.

A figure approaches from behind the fire. Without seeing his face, I know exactly who it is.

“Father, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit?”

“What, I can’t surprise you, daughter?” He raises an eyebrow at me as he asks.

“Zeus doesn’t just stop by and say hi. What do you want?”

His dark hair is short on the side and longer on the top and brushed to one side. He is a ruggedly handsome man, nothing like the statues and history books would have you believe.

“Your mother is worried, she knew what the blood moon would do. I promised her to check up on you. Okay, this is too much. I can’t talk to you in nothing but a shirt.” With a snap of his fingers, I am clothed in a purple gown.

“Come on, father, you’ll have to do better. Do you really think that this is what I would wear out here? I need hiking boots, not heels. Will you try again?”

“Ungrateful child, fine.” He snaps them again and I’m in exercise attire and hiking boots.

“Well, this will do; not my style but much better than the gown,” I complain.

Zeus rolls his eyes at me, “I see that you are fine, I’ll be on my way. Your mother’s fears were unwarranted. It was nice chatting with you again, Hazel.”

“Seriously, you have so many children and you can’t remember their names?” I grit through my teeth.

He throws his head back in laughter, “Harper, I know your name, I was just making sure you were listening.”

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