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

hand on her wrist. “There’s a reason you didn’t experience the end. It means the prophecy might be altered.”
    “Altered? But how?” she sniffed.
    “When the vision takes you, what happens?”
    She pursed her lips. “I’m part of the action and experience every terrifying moment.”
    John teetered and fell forward, his head thudding on the table. She gave Apollo a frigid stare. “Well?”
    He breathed out in frustration. “He’s fine as he is.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not fine with it.”
    Apollo glanced at John and he again sat up. His forehead showed a large red mark. Apollo crinkled his brow. “He’s going to have a headache.” He fished ice from the water glass, wrapped it in a napkin and handed it to Cassie. “For the bruise.” 
    “Thanks.” Cassie took the cold wad of napkins and pressed them to the red spot.
    Apollo continued. “Stand back from the vision. Living it is optional.”
    Her violet eyes widened. “It’s possible to watch and not be overcome by it all?”
    “Yes. Remember the skills I taught you in the past.”
    “You mean Cassandra.”
    “You are Cassandra.” He leveled his gaze on her. “Whether in Cassandra’s body or your current temple, you have always been, and will always be the same courageous woman.”
    “Me courageous?” She shook her head in denial. “I’m a math nerd living at home to please my dad and wearing clothes my mother insists on so I make the right statement. And I don’t know if I like any of it. I’m a coward.”
    “I’ve seen glimpses of the exceptional woman hidden beneath this beautiful surface.”
    Her eyes lowered from his face and focused on the table. “I’m great at languages, numbers and logic. If you need someone to balance your accounts, I‘m your girl, but this situation is beyond me.” 
    “You doubt my word. Lies hide in darkness. I’m the god of prophecy, music, light and truth. No shadow exists in me.”
    She focused on him, her brows lowered in what appeared effort to comprehend his words.  “I don’t recall your ever being called the deity of truth. Are you lying to me now?”
    “I don’t lie. There’s a difference.”
    “And what would happen if you did?”
    “I would cease to be who I am.”
    Cassie’s mouth curved down. “Maybe I’m not the same person you believe me to be. Is it possible that any courage I had was snuffed out along with Cassandra’s life? You said that I never got over it.”
    “Your heart hasn’t changed, my love.” His blue eyes turned azure as his face softened. “Compassion drove you in the past, as it does now. You’ve subjected yourself to your father and mother out of love. Your desire to save people you don’t know is motivated from the same force. To sacrifice for another requires the greatest courage.”
    “Sacrifice, huh. Is it too much to ask that I don’t replay all of Cassandra’s life?” She urged her mouth into a tremulous smile. “From what I remember, I didn’t enjoy that at all.” 

CHAPTER NINE
     
    John blinked into consciousness. “I have such a headache. If you don’t mind, I can get our order to go.”
    Cassie backtracked to the end of their conversation before Apollo had made him a zombie. “Oh yes, we were headed to your apartment.” Apparently Apollo had wiped John’s memory before he left. A good thing too, she didn’t want to have to explain the last hour or her odd relationship to a god. “Food to go would be fine, but do you feel all right? Maybe you should rest. I can take a cab home.”
    John squinted at her. “I’ll be okay after a few aspirin and some quiet.”
    “If you’re sure?” She stared at the bruise forming on his head.
    “I’m feeling better every minute.”
    * * *
    Cassie sat in John’s apartment: white walls, beige carpet and red couch. The red fit his bold personality. The leftover pizza and dirty glasses on the coffee table, combined with his boxers flung over a recliner, led her to suspect