Free Chasing Terpsichore (Muses Across Time) by Maggie Mitchell Page A

probably think I’m mad. But I’m not.”
    She wrenched herself free of his grasp and started to run off. “I’m outta here. This is just too weird.”
    His mind was in turmoil as she ran down the street. He slipped back inside, careful to avoid the bouncers, and found the room exactly as the girl had described. Upturned chairs, makeup and clothing strewn from one end of the room to the other. The shattered mirror left dozens of shards scattered all over the floor. Scanning the walls, he noted the wood blocking the windows and saw no visible means of escape. So what the fuck happened? He smashed his fist against the wall, before walking back to his car to regroup. Maybe Davo would have some ideas, because he sure as hell had run out.
    * * * *
    Corey woke slowly, her head throbbing like a symphony of drums. Forcing her eyes open, she groaned. Her nostrils twitched as the dank smell of sulphur overwhelmed her.
    Oh goddess, no!
    Her memory came back with a vengeance and she slumped back against the cold rock. Prometheus, the Titan traitor, had brought her here—the Underworld. How the heck would she escape? With all her heart she wished herself back with James. He was her destiny, but a side trip to hell made fulfilling it a tad difficult.
    She hugged her knees close to her chest as the cold seeped into her bones. Her powers were useless here, so gaining her freedom meant she would have to rely on her wits and determination. Given that only mortals could escape the Underworld, her chances of achieving that were rather slim.
    A tear slid down her cheek as she thought of how she might never see James again. As a goddess, she took what people gave her without further thought, but James had taught her that giving of yourself was many times more rewarding. Never had she dreamed that the concept of giving one’s self—one’s soul—to a person could ever be a sane and logical thing to do. Until James, she’d never really understood why mortals left themselves open to the intense, emotional pain of unconditional love. But she was coming to the conclusion that the risk was worth it. She vowed to give more of herself if she ever got the chance again. She’d already given her heart to James, and if she never escaped, at least she had a beautiful memory.
    A flash of light pulled her back to the present as her enemy materialised. He had always had a flair for the dramatic, but no one ever took him seriously. He definitely had her attention now.
    “Prometheus. I could say I’m glad to see you, but that would be a lie.”
    His laugh made her cringe. “Terpsichore, I am immune to your insults. I stopped listening to your meaningless prattle aeons ago.”
    She stood up and crossed her arms as she walked away and showed him her back.
    “Fine. Send me back home then.”
    She sensed him staring at her, but there was no way she would turn around and give him the satisfaction of seeing how much he rattled her.
    “Revenge is sweet, my dear. Your dear father deserves to feel maximum pain.”
    She grimaced and faked a laugh. “Haven’t you heard? I’ve been banished by my father’s wife. There is no revenge in harming me.”
    “That may be true, but Zeus would never allow others to take what he considers his own. When he hears of my plans for his daughters, he will fall for my trap and I will finally have my revenge. Bringing you here to the place of my incarceration is merely the first step.
    She swung around to face him, her fists clenched. “So why did you bring me here? Why all the tricks? You could have killed me in my home.”
    “That would have been too easy,” he sneered. “I wanted you off balance, to suffer… And yes, I could have killed you there in that strange place, and indeed I plan to eventually, but not until after I have you and your sisters together. When I have captured all of the Muses your father will be more than willing to negotiate for your release.”
    This time she laughed for real. “You don’t know