Kaitlin Bevis - Daughter of Earth and Sky

Daughter of the Earth and Sky

It was just a simple visit to the world of the livingher worldwith her husband ...

Who just happens to be Hades,
the god of the Dead

MY POWERS COULD burn through me, causing all kinds of pain and anguish before completely destroying me.

Typically, I would use my powers throughout the day in goddess lessons with my mom and then visit Hades. He would show me more tricks and then siphon away the excess powers. I hadnt had much of an opportunity to use my powers today, and I was starting to feel the effects of the buildup.

Hades waited for me to offer him an explanation.

Todays been so much fun. I walked to the edge of the pier, looking at the churning waves. So normal. I dont want it to end. I gave a small shrug. It was almost like a date.

He stiffened, almost imperceptibly, and I let out the breath Id been holding. Hed admitted to having feelings for me, even being in love, but he still hadnt gotten over the whole age difference thing.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and I looked up at him, my gaze catching on his lips. Hed kissed me three times before. Well, really kissed me not fished my brain for dream images. It was easy to remember because each time was after a near-death experience. Books and movies make it seem like kisses won under emotional duress are somehow extra romantic. The screen goes blank, and youre left with the impression that the characters lived happily ever after, or at least dated like normal people. In reality, being kissed only when something earth-shattering has happened is kind of insulting. I shouldnt have to practically die to get that kind of attention.

The Daughters of Zeus Series

by Kaitlin Bevis

Persephone

Daughter of Earth and Sky

The Iron Queen

Love & War
(Coming October 2016)

Venus Rising
(Coming Soon)

Daughter of Earth and Sky

by

Kaitlin Bevis

ImaJinn Books

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events or locations is entirely coincidental.

ImaJinn Books
PO BOX 300921
Memphis, TN 38130
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-61194-652-9
Print ISBN: 978-1-61194-634-5

ImaJinn Books is an Imprint of BelleBooks, Inc.

Copyright 2012 by Kaitlin Bevis
The Iron Queen (excerpt) copyright 2013 by Kaitlin Bevis
Melissa (short story) copyright 2015 by Kaitlin Bevis

Published in the United States of America.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

ImaJinn Books was founded by Linda Kichline.

We at ImaJinn Books enjoy hearing from readers. Visit our websites
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#10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Cover design: Debra Dixon
Interior design: Hank Smith
Photo/Art credits:
Woman (manipulated)-- Ipb | Dreamstime.com
Texture (manipulated) Olgakorneeva | Dreamstime.com
Frame Liudmila Metaeva|Renderosity

:Eeds:01:

To My Mom

I wouldnt have been able to get through this year without her.

Chapter I

ID BEEN HERE before. My bare feet glided over the leaf-strewn path, unharmed by the rocks and twigs crunching beneath me. Massive live oaks draped with Spanish moss created a canopy above me, transforming the forest path into a tunnel of speckled sunlight. The air was heavy with humidity. The moist heat pressed against my skin and stole the breath from my lungs. By the time I reached the paths end, my Eeyore nightshirt clung to my skin.

Dungeness. I came to a halt when I recognized the sprawling ruins of the ancient ivy-covered brick and stone manor.

Athens Academy took my class on a week-long trip to Georgias coastal islands freshman year. Cumberland Island was a major highlight because of the sea turtles, wild horses, and these ruins.

Good job, Persephone, I muttered, kicking at a branch. Youve figured out where you are, but how did you get here? I knelt to pick up a smooth, white stone, tucking damp tendrils of hair behind my ears so I could see better. The rock looked and felt real. I ran my hand over the smooth stone, turning it over and tracing the shape. The weight of it in my hand reassured me.

I turned, hoping the path held some answers, but it was no longer there. I stood on the grass-covered shoreline looking out to sea. In the distance, a girl stood thigh-high in the ocean, clad in a gown of strategically placed sea foam. Although her back was to me, I could tell she was perfect. The curly ringlets of hair cascading down her flawless cream skin matched the intense orange of the sky as the sun sank in the sea.

I glanced down at my sun-kissed skin. Id never felt self-conscious because of a tan before but gods. She made pale look really good. A movement caught my attention and I glanced up as she looked over her shoulder, aquamarine eyes meeting mine. Then she spoke. I was shocked to hear Boreas cold voice roll off her tongue. Zeus lives.

I stumbled backward. Boreas, the god of winter. My mind flashed back to that horrible day in the clearing last winter. Boreas cold laughter. His fingers digging in my hair as he pulled me across the frozen ground. Melissas eyes widening as she choked on her last breath. The rush of power that gave me the strength to put Death himself, and Boreas, under my control.

A soul for a soul. Id bargained with Thanatos, the god of death, and killed Boreas without a second thought, saving my best friend.

I wish for you to die, Id told him.

Hed had no choice but to comply.

Now images shoved their way through my thoughts: Cumberland Island, two sunsets, lightning cracking in the sky. My mind screamed against the onslaught.

Dreaming, youre dreaming. The old me, the one who didnt know that all the myths were real, would have found that realization reassuring. But I knew better now. Gods could dream walk to send messages or attack each other in their sleep. And like it or not, I was one of the few living gods left. My marriage to Hades and my high-profile mother had made me a target before. There were measures to protect myself from dream walking gods, Id just forgotten to use them.

How could I have been so stupid? I gritted my teeth against the pain and forced myself to think the word that would make it all stop.

Dasvidaniya .

I bolted up in bed with a gasp. A weight in my hand made me look down. I unclenched my fist, revealing the white stone from Dungeness.

My blood rushed in my ears as I looked around the room. It worked. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

I frowned. Id chosen Dasvidaniya because the word had played a pivotal role in some half-remembered cartoon Id seen years ago. Hypnos, the god of sleep, told me to choose a word or phrase someone else could never guess and to think it every night before bed, and never ever let anyone hear what it was. Like a network password, or a pin, only this password would protect my mind.

And you forgot. Really, Persephone ? I groaned and flopped back on the bed. But it had been months since Zeus had sent Boreas to abduct me, and nothing had happened since. Id grown complacent.