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

Zeus if you think he will bargain with you. He never negotiates. He will hunt you down and destroy you.”
    “Oh no, not this time… Not when I have his precious daughters. He will do anything to get them back, and thus I will have my revenge.” He waved his hand in a circle, cutting through the steamy air. “Enough. I have plans to make. I trust you will enjoy my accommodations.”
    “Wait. I need food and drink. You can’t get your revenge if I am dead before you finish.”
    “Fine.” He snapped his fingers and a tray of food and wine appeared on the floor. “Enjoy it while it lasts, Terpsichore. I will be back.” Waving his arm, he disappeared in a haze of smoke.
    Dejected, she ignored the food and slumped back down to the floor. She feared for her sisters, and her heart ached from the loss of James. Who would help her in this horrible place? Who knows I’m here?
    Of course! She straightened up, feeling hopeful for the first time since she had woken up in this godforsaken place. Eros! She prayed to the gods that he had been watching her closely. If anyone could figure out a way to help her, he could.
    * * * *
    After checking the dance studio, James made his way to Corey’s house. He was desperate to pick up her trail and was fast running out of ideas. After she’d disappeared from the club, he’d called Dave. The cop had taken the situation very seriously, and that more than anything had scared the shit out of him. Okay, Dave didn’t actually believe the bit about her disappearing into thin air, but James was ready to believe anything at this point. Since he’d met Corey, weird stuff had happened to the point where even he was acting completely out of character. Losing control wasn’t his usual way and while his head told him he didn’t need her in his nice, neat, orderly life, his heart wasn’t listening. The thought of never seeing her again and never holding her in his arms was like a fist in his gut.
    He parked his car on the verge in front of her home, then jumped out and sprinted to the front door. As he raised his fist to knock, the door opened to reveal a man—a good-looking, blond giant of a man who grabbed his hand and drew him inside.
    “Good, you’re here. We don’t have much time. Let’s go.”
    “Who the fuck are you?”
    The giant sighed. “That’s not important right now, we need to get moving. Corey is in trouble and only you can help her.”
    James turned around to face him and stood his ground. “What the hell are you talking about? How am I the only one who can help her?”
    He blew out a dramatic sigh. “I guess you had to be told sooner or later.”
    “Told what?”
    “You’re the only one who can help Terpsichore because you are mortal.”
    “Come again?” What the fuck is he talking about?
    “It really is very simple. You are mortal. Corey and I are not.”
    James swivelled his head, looking around him from side to side. “Is there a hidden camera somewhere? Is this some sort of joke?”
    “No joke, my friend, but like I said—we don’t have time for this. I thought about easing you into it, but the quicker we get to Corey, the better. Hold onto my arm and close your eyes.”
    “What?”
    “I forgot. You mortals can never see past the end of your nose. Never mind, here we go.” He grabbed hold of James’ wrist and waved his arm back and forth.
    The earth spun as they were pulled into some sort of vortex.
    Holy shit!
    Several minutes and a couple of dizzy spells later, the spinning stopped. James opened and closed his eyes a few times to clear his vision. He could have sworn he was in a dark cave, but that had to be his imagination. Before he closed his eyes he’d been standing outside Corey’s house.
    “Open your eyes, mortal.”
    “You say mortal as if it’s an insult,” he said as he blinked the last few times as the dizziness subsided. “What the heck was that mind trip we just went on…?” They really were in a cave. “Oh. Shit.”
    The smell