Aphrodite's Secret by Julie Kenner Read Free Book Online Page A

between Protectors and mortals? It was no secret that Hieronymous was opposed to amending and expanding the Treaty of 1970. To him, mortals were nothing more than bugs to be squashed, and it irritated him to no end that the Council was negotiating with several governments to make a legitimate, open place in the world for Protectors.
    Jason didn’t know exactly how Davy fit into Hieronymous’s plan, but he didn’t intend to waste time analyzing. Instead, he took a running leap, tossed his cloak aside, and soared through the air. He twisted, forming his body into a perfect dive. Slicing through the water with no splash, he sank to the bottom of Shamu’s holding pool. He felt his body change, his very pores drawing in oxygen.
    Even as a human, he could stay down here forever. Today, though, he needed a disguise. He wasn’t a full shape shifter—someone who could assume any form—but he did have cetacean morphability. It was a handy trait inherited from his ancestor Delphinos.
    A metal gate separated the holding pool from the performance pool where Shamu was trapped. In human form, Jason could easily raise the gate, but he didn’t want to risk being so obvious. So far, he hadn’t been noticed or recognized, and Jason intended to hold on to that advantage for as long as possible. He sped through the water, transforming at the same time. Faster and faster he went and then—as he approached the impenetrable metal bars of the gate—he launched himself, fully transformed as a gleaming, spectacular dolphin. He cleared the gate easily, landing in the main pool, just one more happy cetacean hanging out at Sea World.
    As he neared the bottom his friend twisted, big black eye aimed straight at him.
I can’t move
, the whale said.
    I can see that
, Jason replied.
How are you doing on air
?
    Starting to feel a little woozy.
    I’ll get you out of here
, Jason promised.
Then I need your help
.
    The situation
? Shamu asked.
    Bad
, Jason answered.
And only going to get worse
. He gave the orca a friendly nudge, then swam down toward the creature’s tail.
I’m going to scope out what’s pinning you down. Stay calm
.
    Fortunately, Jason was able to make quick work of the bindings. Using the huge whale as cover, he changed back into his human form and released the latches. Then he shifted back into a dolphin.
    Freed, the whale wriggled in delight and headed for the surface. Jason moved quickly to block his friend’s path.
Stay down as long as you can stand it. We need to buy some time before that Outcast realizes you’re free and I’ve helped you
.
    You got it
, Shamu said.
But I can’t hold out much longer
.
    Jason didn’t waste time answering. Instead, he headed for the surface, then circled the pool, hoping his disguise was working. He didn’t want to be recognized as a Protector. Not yet. Not until he could figure out a way to get to his son.
    The masked man took a little bow. “And now, dear Davy, you and I must run,” he said. “But before we go ...” Reaching up, he grasped the neck of the ski mask and pulled it over his head. “Anonymity is so cowardly, don’t you agree?”
    And then the Outcast lifted his head, his disguise abandoned, his features clear for all to see.
    Jason trembled, almost transforming back into human form from shock. Standing there on the stage, holding the child hostage and ranting like a madman . . . was
himself
.

Chapter

    Lane’s friends who’d moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA Law School always expressed surprise at how green the city was. It had gotten a bum rap, and out-of-towners expected nothing but a beach, concrete, and a few palm trees. Except for Beverly Hills. Apparently, everyone expected lush greenery in Beverly Hills, as if the tinge of money alone could somehow foliate that suburb.
    Lane had always loved Westwood’s vibrant flora— just as much as she loved the pulse of the freeways and the glitter of neon that completed Hollywood’s mystique. And now, walking hand