Goddess Legacy: Goddess Series Book 1 (37 page)

"Legacy, you need to calm down before you hurt yourself again!"

She frowned at Lissa, momentarily stunned by her words. "Again?"

All her dreams flashed through her mind while Lissa stared at her, waiting for the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place.

"Medusa?" Legacy couldn’t even finish the question. She couldn’t even finish the thought because she didn’t know what she was trying to ask.

Lissa shook her head, watching her eyes.

Why was she thinking about her dreams? She already knew why she was having them. She was standing under the tornado. She wasn’t scared of it, but she didn’t want it to come. When she’d yelled
no
up at it, she’d thought she was yelling at the person responsible, which she’d later discovered was Medusa.

Legacy gasped, her dreams connecting to form a beautifully completed puzzle.

She’d been wrong. That was why she’d had that new dream again. She hadn’t figured everything out like she’d thought.

"Medusa isn’t causing the weather problems?" Legacy asked blankly.

"Not all of them."

"Who?"

"You know who."

"Me," she whispered. She knew, but she didn’t understand.

"Legacy, were you angry when you got hit by lightning?"

"I was fighting with River about Adin." Legacy exhaled slowly. "I hurt myself by accident because I was mad?"

"Yes. When you’ve been here and the weather’s been beautiful, you’ve been happy—"

"And when I’ve been sad, it’s been rainy or gloomy," she finished.

Lissa nodded.

"But what about the tropical storm in Florida when Adin?"

"That wasn’t you. I believe that was Medusa’s doing. Either she tricked Poseidon into doing that, or River did it."

"Why would River do that?"

"To get back at Adin for asking you out. I don’t know for sure. And if he did do it, he might not have consciously done it. He may not know what he’s capable of. Just like you didn’t know you could control the weather, he probably doesn’t realize his emotions are manifesting into his abilities."

Legacy stared at Lissa, feeling a sense of understanding wash over her. "I can control the weather."

"Not yet, not really. You have to learn how to control your emotions, or the earth will suffer. If the earth suffers, everyone suffers. This is the change you are going through. You need to accept this and learn to deal with your emotions properly. If you are unable to control yourself, the consequences could be devastating. And not just for you."

Everything was clicking now. "That’s why Medusa had the red herring in my dream. She was distracting me from the truth that it was me all along causing the weather here, not her."

"Right. And she’ll keep messing with you, Legacy. You said you heard the word ‘Euryale’ when you asked who Yale was. That’s the name of one of Medusa’s immortal sisters. This has Medusa’s handiwork written all over it. She wants your powers, and she wants revenge against Poseidon. He is the reason the original Medusa was killed. Demeter and Poseidon are siblings, of sorts, and they both have earthly abilities. If she kills you, it would devastate Demeter, which will sadden Poseidon. Plus, she’ll gain some of those abilities when she destroys you, making her more powerful than Demeter. I think that’s what she’s really after. The revenge angle is an emotional reason. She’s a monster. She’s incapable of true emotion."

"But why would this new Medusa create River with Poseidon if she wants revenge against him?"

"Because she’s a monster, Legacy. You’re looking for logic from an entity incapable of being reasonable. But from an outside perspective, I would think that maybe she wanted to cover all her angles of attack against you and your mother. Poseidon probably hoped the new Medusa had more heart than the original one, and she used his kindness against him."

Since Poseidon and Demeter were siblings, that’d make River her cousin. "Why would there be a prophecy involving cousins being together? I know this is the south and all, but that’s gross."

Lissa chuckled as they finally sat down. "I said they were
like
siblings. When gods create new gods together, it isn’t always a romantic creation. I’m sure you’ve read some of the stories on Greek mythology. A god doesn’t even need another god to create a new god."

That made sense. Now that she didn’t have to worry about being romantically bonded to a type of cousin, she needed other answers. "Why did you tell River when I was in the hospital that Medusa hurt me when she hadn’t?"

"Because my job is to help you, and it was what he needed to hear. He needs to be strong for you because he’s your best ally when it comes to stopping Medusa. He’s going to be powerful soon."

"So you know River is going to be powerful, but what about Adin? He told me he descended from the gods too. That he was created in the likeness of Adonis. His parents told him he’d ascend, but when he turned eighteen, nothing happened."

"Everything isn’t always as it seems."

Hmmm, Adin had told her the same thing. "Okay, what about Hades? Mom said he knows, and he has a plan."

"Hades is a real threat to you. He’s always been, though. He may now have a plan to take you away, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t tried before. I don’t want you consumed with fear. Adin and River will protect you. You just have to be careful with them."

"Why do I need to be careful with them? Shouldn’t I be careful about Hades?"

"That’s not what I meant. Obviously you need to be wary of Hades. But Adin and River both have very strong feelings for you. Your safety is their main objective, and I don’t want their feelings to cloud their judgment. They both want to be with you, but you can only be with one of them. One will get hurt." She paused and stared directly at Legacy. "There is
no
way around that. But if they let their emotions get the best of them and Hades gets to you, then both will get hurt. I think you knowing this—how much River and Adin are hurting—will be what ultimately destroys you if captured. They can love you, but they cannot lose sight of what’s really important. You have to be careful with their emotions, Legacy."

That made sense, but she suddenly realized that Lissa always talked about her mom, never her dad. "When you told me my mom was alive, why didn’t you tell me my dad was too?"

"I am your mother’s priestess. I was created to serve her."

Okay. As Legacy internalized that bit of information, she thought about her dreams again, searching for answers, completing the rest of the puzzle. "The lightning in my dreams." And it clicked right there. She smiled. "It’s not real lightning. It falls from the sky like confetti and glitters, but it never reaches me. Why is that?"

"Why do you think that is?" Lissa smiled too, apparently knowing where Legacy was going with this.

"Because my dad is Zeus. The lightning bolt is his symbol, and in my dreams, the lightning symbolized him. It fell from the sky and glittered down as a gesture. It was as if he were showering me with his love." There was no doubt in her mind that this was the reason.

"Very good," Lissa whispered.

"So I inherited the lightning ability from him."

Lissa nodded cautiously. She obviously knew more, but wasn’t going to elaborate. At this point, it didn’t really matter. She’d been attacked not fifteen minutes ago, and here she was relishing in understanding.

Lissa took Legacy’s hands into hers. “You have been given a great gift, Legacy. Not the abilities or the chance of eternal life. You have an opportunity to live your our legacy.”

“What happens when the legacy I seek isn’t the one I’m destined to have?”

“For now, just know that it’s your free will to live your life the way you chose. You can develop a relationship with Adin
or River and seek that happily ever after."

"I have relationships with both of them." She immediately felt defensive.

"And that’s your decision, but Legacy, you’re going to have to make a choice before someone makes it for you."

"I’ve already decided." Legacy pulled her hands away from Lissa and rubbed her aching face. She needed some Tylenol. And her scalp was on fire. “Any insight as to what happens now?”

"You keep changing. You’ll get stronger, and with the help of the people who love you, you’ll get more controlled the closer you get to eighteen. You’ll be experiencing things you have no idea how to accept. At times, it’ll be very difficult for you to understand what is happening, but you’ll need to learn how to harness your abilities."

"Then what happens…when I turn eighteen?"

"You haven’t chosen the path you wish to take in your life, Legacy. You may know what you want now, but other circumstances haven’t come into play. Until they do and you and the others decide on those circumstances, your destiny, your
legacy
is unclear."

Legacy was grateful for Lissa’s help, and she realized her guardian had been helping her all along by letting her discover these truths with River and Adin. She must have known Legacy needed to embrace the bond she had with the two of them on her own terms. If Lissa had told her this in the beginning, Legacy wouldn’t have believed her. She was so disbelieving that she hadn’t even listened to herself, her old soul.

The roar of Adin’s engine blaring down the road and the squeal of tires as he slammed on the brakes jolted her from the couch. He was running through the door before she reached it.

"Oh, sweetheart." He grabbed her face, gaping at her injuries. "Come here." He pulled her into his arms, dragging her into the bathroom.

He retrieved a wash cloth and gently wiped her face once he’d wet it, without speaking. He looked all over her face, making sure he inspected and treated every abrasion. He looked everywhere…except her eyes. They had fought about Adin not telling her everything he knew, and now he seemed to be walking on eggshells. This was not how she’d pictured their reunion.

"Why did Yale attack you?" he murmured while brushing her hair aside, looking at her busted lip.

"It was Medusa’s doing. She turned into snakes after working me over. I heard the name Euryale, so she was either Medusa or some manifestation of her or her sister."

Adin sighed, resting his forehead against hers, shaking his head, the sound of a tortured animal escaping his lips, and she knew it was the guilt—that he hadn’t believed River’s mother was capable of harming her like that—causing it. "I’m sorry," he barely said.

He finally took a deep breath, squatting in front of her and making eye contact for the first time since they’d entered this room. "I love you so much, Legacy," he whispered.

"I love you- too." She did not want to cry, but his sincerity tore her up.

"I’m so sorry about everything. I have felt horrible ever since we fought. It feels like I’ve failed you, and I never wanted to do that."

Legacy didn’t want to rehash their discussion from last night because she knew she couldn’t take the emotional drain, but Adin was in so much pain that she wanted to make him feel better. "I understand why you kept quiet. I honestly do."

"I promise you I will try to tell you everything from here on out. No matter how hard it may be for me to talk about things that could hurt you."

Legacy didn’t want him making that kind of promise. She wasn’t sure he could keep it. "I’m going to trust your judgment," she said as she stroked his cheek, hoping he understood she meant that.

He put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap as he sat fully on the floor. He buried his face in her hair, holding her to him. "Can I finish telling you what I know?" he whispered. Legacy nodded and he squeezed her tighter. "My dad explained to me that after I was created like Adonis, then Demeter decided to recreate Persephone."

"Me?"

"Yes, sweetheart. When Demeter was successful, she needed to hide you from Hades. She left you here in Lissa’s care, so you could live your life in peace and have a chance to make your own decisions. That’s what I know. Now, what I think is that our families decided to have us grow up together to see if we’d have more control over our destinies. I don’t know for sure, but that’s my guess."

"They wanted us to be together?"

"I don’t think they planned it like that—hoped is a better word. I think they wanted to give us the free will to choose, but I’m sure my grandma lives next door to you for a reason." He chuckled.

"But then the Gorgos family moved here."

He pulled back, clasping his hands on her cheek to stare into her eyes. "My theory is that Medusa wants revenge against your mother, so she wants to destroy you. If she destroys you, then she gains your powers in the process—if you have any. Plus, it’ll keep River from being with you. The possibility of you and River forming a relationship is a chance she’s willing to take. I’m sure she thinks if that happens, she’ll use it against you. I’m also certain she thinks she can control River. I’m worried he’ll end up doing her dirty work for her. Your accident is proof that’s possible, sweetheart."

But he didn’t know what she’d just learned. She told him about her conversation with Lissa, telling him the truth about everything. He was shocked to hear about her weather abilities, but he believed her.

"You know I love you. I’ll love you no matter what happens to you when you turn eighteen. But you have to know I’ll protect you from Hades and Medusa, which in my mind, means River too."

She knew Adin would protect her at all costs. As for the River battle, well, they’d save that for another day.

Adin continued to rock Legacy, caressing her side, her hair, touching her and kissing her while she thought back over everything that’d happened. Over the last few months, she’d found out about her mom, fell in love, found a new best friend, and believed in the mythically impossible. It was amazing to her how different her life was now. She had changed. There was no doubt about that. Whether these changes were the ones that Lissa had told her about on her birthday or a byproduct of experience, Legacy didn’t have a clue. But she liked these changes just the same.

After realizing this, she now understood consciously what her subconscious self had been trying to tell her all along. She could control the weather and possibly other things. But more importantly, she was a powerful goddess.