Free Apollo's Gift (The Greek Gods Series) by Sandy Rowland Page A

mortal… look at him.” Apollo ran his gaze over John and shook his head. “He’s beneath you. Only a weak mind is so easily controlled.”
    “Stop it.” She spit the words. “I’ve had enough of your controlling ways. I’ve had enough of people’s control, period. I called my dad and warned him. What more can I do? I can’t make him believe me or force him to act.” She scowled. “Dad’s calling me tomorrow and then I’m done with it.”
    The muscles in his jaw worked. “Not so. This is only the beginning. My gift lasts your lifetime.”
    She gasped. “I didn’t agree to that. You trapped me.”
    “I saved you.”
    “Ha. You’d say anything to get your way.”
    “I know the future. Assisting mortals against destruction is what the gods of Olympus strive for. It’s the decree of Zeus, as long as we don’t act ourselves in the affairs of men.”
    “And what do you call this?” She nodded toward John. “And what about my life? You’ve acted plenty. I have yet to see you use self control.”
    Apollo ran his tongue over his upper lip in a slow swipe that curled her toes. “Cassandra, without restraint, I’d reduce this mortal to a grease stain beneath my shoe and teach you the delights of my bed.”
    Heat radiated from Cassie’s face and she swallowed. If she were open to unbridled sex without the promise of anything more, then Apollo might be her man, but she wasn’t. Fantasy was one thing, but in real life she insisted on having a committed relationship. Gods didn’t commit to mortals and Apollo was a god. He’d leave her sooner or later and she’d had enough of that. “Fine. You have a smidgen of restraint. Now, what can you do to protect the embassy?”
    “I’ve done it. You have inspiration to guide you.”
    “That’s it?” Cassie pulled her hand from Apollo’s grasp. “What good is a god if he can’t help?”
    He tugged at his shirt collar and narrowed his gaze. “I can guide you to the truth and show you the future. Men have paid a high price for this knowledge. ”
    “Can you change what will happen?” 
    “That power belongs to men.”
    “Ugh. So you can’t do anything.” Her body trembled with anger. She’d like to slap him for putting her in this position. “You rotten SOB. Find someone else to save the embassy, because I’m done.”
    Apollo’s pale gaze darkened. “You test me. Part of my agreement for your release from the underworld was your being my prophetess. There can be no other. Zeus himself agreed to the terms.”
    “Did I ask to be released?”
    “You wept in misery.” He lowered his eyes as if he dare not look at her.
    “I’m sure Cassandra cried her eyes out in the underworld after Troy fell, and she was raped and murdered, but I’m betting she got over it after three thousand years.”
    “You never ‘got over it’ as you call it. Your suffering played before me until I had to act.”
    “Stop,” Cassie grumbled, and rested her head in her hands. Her ebony tresses fell over her face like a black curtain. “I don’t want to hear anymore.”
    She might end the conversation, but ancient history mingled with her dreams and played in her mind. Horror after horror until Cassandra’s murder—no— my murder. A tear escaped her eye and ran beside her nose. She lifted her head and focused her bleary gaze on Apollo. “Tell me one thing. Will the embassy fall?”
    * * *
    A strange sensation squeezed his heart. Watching her pain added to his growing discomfort. He’d felt for humanity’s suffering on occasion, but none had affected him more than Cassie’s single tear.
    She’d received his gift. And like his ancient Cassandra, Cassie couldn’t avoid its violent intrusion into her life. But he could prepare her for it.
    “You’ve seen the attack?”
    Cassie nodded and swiped at her nose with a paper napkin. “Not everything. It fades before the outcome.”
    Even with her red eyes and nose, she captivated him. Apollo reached out and laid his