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make sure he didn’t see it.
    I fell asleep, huddled deep in the duvet, close to content. The smell of Greek spices slowly brought me to the surface. The scent caused several powerful sneezes.
    A burlap sack covered my head as my arms were jerked painfully behind my back and tied. I tried to scream only to find my mouth duct taped. How in the hell had I missed being gagged?
    I was lifted and roughly thrown over a broad shoulder, the blood rushing to my head. I attempted to kick and scream, wriggle my way out, but the arm banded around my knees tightened until I could no longer move my legs. I even tried screaming, but the gag prevented more than a mere whisper to go out into the world. Instead, I concentrated on not panicking, to get a sense of direction, listen for clues as to where I was heading.
    Outside, in the hot and humid night air, I expected to be put in a seat, trunk or bed of a truck. Instead, the feel of electricity surrounded me, followed by weightlessness and spinning. I grew dizzy and nauseous.
    The sensations ended , and I was carted three quarters of a mile. The air smelled different, richer, cleaner, filled with Greek spices.
    The kidnapper slung me off his shoulder with a quick heave . I flew through the air, landing with a grunt, and slid until I slammed into something hard and cold. Pain exploded in my back, making it hard to breathe, but I remained silent.
    “She is stubborn. Most mortals would have cried out.” The voice unfamiliar, but definitely masculine.
    “Yes, the young Braider shows more courage than her ancestors.” Artemis. I would recognize the grating voice anywhere.
    Wait, my ancestors?
    “What shall we do with her now?”
    “Let her wonder. I'm sure you remember my voice, don't you, Kylie?” Artemis sounded very close.
    “Mmmph!” Damn duct tape.
    “Tsk, tsk, such language.” She laughed and sandaled footsteps move d close.
    A foot made contact with my lower abdomen and I groaned.
    “You will learn to respect those superior to mere mortals ,” she warned and walked away.
    I fought tears as anger turned to rage and filled my head. My body throbbed front and back, threads appear ing. I shook my head. I could go back and ensure Aki remained in the room, or further and never leave Bru's side. In each outcome, I wouldn't be kidnapped, but the consequences were always painful. One scenario included the death of a child, and my heart constricted. My current predicament ensured no innocents were harmed.
    I kept calm, swallowing the pain, shudders running through injured muscles. I hear d at least four of them, the footsteps distinctive.
    I was picked up, slung over another massive set of shoulders and carted approximately two hundred feet. With an unexpected gentleness, I was put into a comfortable chair, and the burlap sack removed.
    The high backed chair sat in the middle of a large dais situated in the middle of the room. The room itself could hold a football field. The entire space was decorated with pink marble floors, and tall, twenty foot high gray marble Corinthian columns supported a domed glass ceiling with gold trim. Walls were nonexistent, and the room surrounded with a bright blue sky dotted by fluffy clouds in pink, white, purple and cream. It gave the sensation of floating high above the earth.
    Mount Olympus.
    I lowered my gaze and found myself surrounded with every known Greek god.
    “Kylie, Braider of the Rippons lineage, you are brought here to make the necessary changes as requested by our pantheon.” The booming voice of Zeus carried through the room.
    “What new stuff are you smoking? And why do you believe I will do as you demand?” I met his white eyes, heart in my throat.
    They'd kidnapped me to create fear . Next would be Threaten Humanity, followed by Threaten Your Nearest and Dearest, and, finally, Your Life Is on the Line. I always wondered why the same routine when they had plenty of time to change it up a little.
    “Your arrogance will have