Free Warrior Rising by P. C. Cast

with that?” Jacky asked.
    â€œYeah, sounds like you need to zap some scientists here so they could whip up a lovely weapon or two of mass destruction—”
    â€œAs if those can actually ever be found,” Jacky input.
    â€œAs if,” Kat agreed. “But if you’re thinking we can do something like that you’ve definitely got us mixed up with someone else.”
    â€œHey, and bringing modern weapons to the ancient world sounds like it’d be messin’ with the Prime Directive or somethin’,” Jacky said.
    â€œGod, you are such a dork,” Kat said. “This is hell, not Star Trek . Although the two do have some odd similarities.”
    â€œSee, it’s blasphemy like that that got you in this situation.”
    â€œAchilles!” Venus blurted. Both mortals turned questioning looks on her. “Achilles is the key to the war going on and on. If he and his Myrmidons withdraw from the battlefield the Greeks won’t be able to sustain the siege of Troy. They’ll lose heart and go home where they belong.”
    â€œAgain, not understanding what this has to do with us,” Kat said.
    â€œActually, it has to do with you , Katrina,” Hera said, though she gave Jacky an apologetic look. “Your friend is here because Venus didn’t think the two of you would want to be separated.”
    â€œI told you so!” Jacky said.
    â€œShit,” Kat said. “I need a drink.”
    â€œExcellent idea.” Venus looked around the chamber until she spied Eleithyia where she was sitting wide-eyed in a dark alcove. “Darling, would you get us all some wine. It is a rather long story.” The little priestess darted from the room and Venus drew a deep breath. “Now, let me explain everything to you. . . .”
    "No way is that plan gonna work,” Jacky said.
    â€œOf course it will work,” Venus said.
    â€œCome on, get serious. Who ever heard of a therapist saving the world? That didn’t even happen in Buffy, ” Jacky said.
    â€œWhat is a buffy?” Athena asked.
    â€œI’m starting to believe this might not be hell,” Kat said. “You know they know who Buffy is in hell.”
    â€œYou have a point,” Jacky said. “By the by, may I just mention that your Buffy comment is every bit as dorky as my love for Star Trek .”
    â€œNo, you up dork me because you’re into both of them.”
    â€œI wasn’t until Spike got all delicious with that nasty sex. God, I’d really like to make him pop like a champagne cork,” Jacky said.
    â€œWhat is a buffy?” Athena asked Venus again.
    Venus shrugged. “You can’t expect me to know everything about modern mortals.” The goddess took a long, fortifying drink of wine before continuing. “Kat, will you help us with our plan?”
    Katrina chewed her bottom lip. “Basically you want me to do a super-duper counseling session with Achilles to help him control his rage while I keep him from fighting.”
    â€œSounds like they want you to do a super-duper shtuping session with him, too,” Jacky said.
    Venus ignored her. “As I explained, Thetis, the mother of Achilles, has already put into motion his withdrawal from the battlefield.”
    â€œBecause his woman, uh Briseis, was taken away from him. And you want me to take her place.”
    â€œYes,” Venus said.
    â€œWhose place am I taking?” Jacky asked.
    â€œNo one’s, darling,” Venus said. “You are simply Polyxena’s maidservant.”
    â€œOh, Jesus fucking everlasting god. I almost forgot. Where is that little wine girl? I definitely need a refill.”
    Eleithyia hurried to top off Jacky’s goblet.
    â€œAnswer me this, Goddess of Love,” Kat said while Jacky drank. “Achilles’ woman just got taken away from him. If that pissed him off enough that he was willing to stop fighting why in the world would