Free Lure of Obsession (The Muse Chronicles Book 1) by Lisa Kessler Page A

been trapped by his own son.
    The cheers quieted, and their leader spoke. “Children of Gaia, Mother Earth calls us to free her son.”
    More cheers.
    “Our brother has brought us one step closer to the goal. The Muse of Astronomy is no more.” Their leader took his wrist and raised it high like a prizefighter as he drank in the praise.
    “There is more to do, but we are moving the Order of the Titans forward. The Golden Age of Man will return, and we will be heralded as heroes of mankind.”
    He turned to face their leader and tipped his head down with reverence. When he straightened, he descended to join his brothers and sisters. Beside the platform was a stack of wood and twigs with twelve torches circling it. The members of the Order spaced themselves so they each stood behind one of the twelve torches.
    Their leader looked up at the night sky, calling to the heavens. “We send our victory to Uranus, Father Sky. Soon his children will be free.”
    He took up his torch in time with the others, lifting the flame above his head and awaiting the final signal from their leader.
    “Brothers and sisters of the Order of the Titans, tonight we celebrate with sky and earth.”
    All the torches touched the dry wood. Sparks flew into the night as the fire consumed it, and the black smoke rose up like a serpent. He smiled behind his mask.
    With a taste of accomplishment in his mouth, he vowed to continue his work until the muses were no longer a threat to their mission. He would become a hero for all time.

    Mel walked through the door to find all her sisters gathered in the circle around Callie’s round dining room table like King Arthur’s knights. “Wow, did I miss my invitation?”
    Callie rolled her eyes. “This is why we made the pact. While you were out on a date , the rest of us were here trying to figure out how to keep the theater safe until we can get it finished.”
    Mel took a seat. “So I guess you aren’t even curious about the Guardian prophecy Clio found?”
    They all turned her way, and Clio grinned. “It’s true, isn’t it?”
    “Seems to be.” Mel glanced around the circle. “Nate has a birthmark on the back of his shoulder. He said it started burning when he met me, and it appears his gift is psychometry. We think it only works if the thing he touches is related to the muses—mainly, to me.”
    “I knew it was true. It’s so romantic.” Clio placed a hand over her heart.
    Callie rolled her eyes. “Some of us don’t need to be guarded, thank you very much.”
    Mel chuckled. “Not to rain on your parade, Clio, but that prophecy doesn’t say anything about loving us, just protecting us. It’s not like that birthmark wakes up undying love.”
    Clio sobered, her shoulders slumping a little. “So you guys aren’t dating?”
    Mel mentally smacked herself. Sometimes being the Muse of Tragic Poetry made it tough to be a good friend.
    “There’s definitely an attraction there, but there’s a better than average chance it’ll blaze in like an inferno and then fizzle out.” Although she always expected the worst, saying the words out loud actually sort of hurt. She didn’t want them to be true.
    “The sooner it fizzles out, the sooner we’ll have your full attention again. We’ve got work to do.” Callie poked at the blueprints in the center of the table. “Distractions could cost us everything. Nia wanted this as much as any of us. We need to finish what she helped us start.”
    Mel tried to focus on the discussion of hiring security guards, putting up cameras, and starting a list of potential Titan sympathizers, but her mind kept wandering to Nate. She usually jumped boldly into new relationships, recognizing they wouldn’t last, but this regret was new. Diving into this could hurt her. She really liked this guy.
    For once, this might be more tragedy than I can take.

    Nate sat across from the dockworker while John stood a few feet back from the table. Nate would be the ‘good cop’