Free Gods of War (War of the Gods Series) by Jory Smith Page A

has been created to house us will be destroyed. Then we would have no place to hide and we will be slaughtered by the force that has already destroyed everything. This almost happened when the Titans died. You remember when we killed the Titans during the second Titan war. This time it would be more horrific.”
    Athena nodded as she remembered those dreaded days.
    A few seconds of silence passed and finally Zeus asked, “What do you think? Would the humans be able to perform their task?”
    “I think they will,” Hermes said. “They just have to be trained. What do you think Aphrodite? Athena? You have been around them more than I.”
    “Well, based from the time I have spent with Nicholaus, I know he can get the job done. He will have to learn to control his powers though. When I picked him up, the strength of his power was amazing. I had to concentrate in order to fight off his power that he uses to kill. I would say he is even more powerful than Hades.” Aphrodite shivered as she remembered the raw power emitting from Nicolai. “When I saw him kill that human, with little thought about life, it sent a shiver down my back.”
    Zeus’ eyes lit up in amazement as soon as Aphrodite stated her opinion. Now that was a shocking statement Zeus thought, Aphrodite actually afraid of a man . “How about you Athena? What did you think of our dear general?”
    “First of all, he is cocky. But I believe he can learn his powers the quickest. After observing me only once, he figured out how to talk telepathically. He saw me do it with my men when I went to gather him and his army. You better be careful when you use your lightning bolts. He may learn how to use them.”
    “That is good news. As for my son he is a quick learner,” Zeus said. “He picked up his speed fast, but he will need training to control his powers. He seems to not be able to control his powers very well. But he is young. The only concern I have is his lack of experience. He may have the family rage inside him.” Zeus refilled his cup and continued. “The reasons I believe these three men are our only hope is that they think differently than us. Ares will be able to out maneuver whatever we throw at him, but he will have trouble figuring to outwit a human, especially demi-gods. He always had trouble with Heracles.
    “So this is what you are going to do. Hermes you will work with Nicholaus. Athena you will work with Assaraeus. I will work with Tereus. I have placed them in Athena’s valley so we can use her training compound. I also sent servants to look after them while our healers will look over the woman. She strained herself when she unleashed all of her powers at once.”
    Zeus then looked at Aphrodite, “I want you to do something special for me. I need you to find out what happened with Artemis. If possible go and find everything you can about Ares’ plan. Before you go Athena, there is something I wish to discuss in private.”
    The rest of the gods got up and went to carry out their orders.
    Zeus waited until they all left and then put up a protection barrier so no one could eavesdrop on them. “Athena you know of the prophecy that caused me to kill your mother right.”
    Athena nodded. “Yes I do. She was supposed to produce a daughter who would then be followed by a son who will overthrow you like you did your father. But instead you ate her. What you didn’t know was she was already pregnant. While she was inside you, she gave birth to me and I was freed when Hephaestus opened up your head. Why after all these years do you bring this up? You know it’s hard for me to hear this.”
    “The reason I brought this up is that the woman that Tereus brought is your sister. She is not one of my daughters. That only leaves one thing…”
    “That my mother is still out there,” Athena said with a sense of hope in her voice. “If this is the case, we have to question this woman. If she can lead me back to my mother…,”
    Zeus cut Athena off,