Awakened (Eternal Guardians Book 8) by Elisabeth Naughton Read Free Book Online

Prometheus that housed the classic elements—earth, air, water, and fire—and had the power to release the Titans from Tartarus.
    That was Zeus’s ultimate goal. To take back the Orb so he could control all the worlds, not just the heavens. Only Isadora stood in his way. She possessed the Orb, and as soon as the Argonauts found the water element, she was going to destroy it so no one—mortal or immortal—could release the Titans and start the war to end all wars in the definitive quest for power.
    “What about Nick?” Theron asked.
    Demetrius looked toward the leader of the Argonauts. Nick was Demetrius’s half brother, the leader of the Misos race—half human, half Argoleans—who lived within their realm. But by a twist of fate, Nick was also a god.  
    Hope leapt inside Demetrius. In the chaos since Elysia’s abduction, he’d overlooked their biggest weapon. A god who was nearly as powerful as Zeus himself.  
    “Nick might be a help to us in three years,” Orpheus said, “but the minute he steps foot on Olympus, all the gods will know. They have a twisted god sense like an alarm. I guarantee if Zeus even sniffs Nick anywhere close, the king of the gods will lock Elysia down so tight, we’ll never find her. No, our best bet for any kind of rescue is to wait until she’s in the human realm.”
    That hope fizzled and died.
    “I know three years sounds like a long time,” Skyla said. “But it will pass quickly. And it’s but a blip in Elysia’s lifespan.”
    Skyla was right. Three years was nothing for Elysia. Argoleans, being descendants of the original seven Greek heroes, were blessed with long lives—at least five hundred years. Argonauts, and those of the royal family, lived longer. Closer to eight hundred years. But Demetrius still wanted his daughter back now…not three years from now .
    “She will be repeatedly tested over the next three years,” Skyla went on. “But she’ll make it. I agree with Orpheus. I think we focus on a plan to bring her home when she’s in phase three and is running training missions in the human realm. It’s the safest choice all around.”
    Murmurs echoed across the room as each Argonaut spoke softly with those around them. Demetrius looked down at his mate, who turned sad and worried eyes up at him. He saw the logic, understood it, but all he could think about was Elysia trapped on Pandora, fighting for her life.  
    “What about seduction?” Max asked loudly from the back of the room.
    Demetrius’s head came up, and a whisper of foreboding rushed down his spine. Voices in the room quieted.
    “You didn’t mention that as one of the training segments,” Max said as all eyes turned his way. “But we all know that’s part of the whole Siren gig, isn’t it? Forced sexual training to turn an innocent female into a hardened seductress? If we wait three years to go after her, Elysia won’t be the female she is now. Not even close.”
    Demetrius’s lungs squeezed so tight, it felt as if the hands of the Fates were crushing them into dust. He’d forgotten about the seduction piece. He’d been so afraid for Elysia’s safety, he hadn’t stopped to think about just what kind of training she’d be subjected to.
    “Seduction is only one facet of the training,” Daphne said uneasily. “And she could get lucky. My trainer was…gentle.”
    Demetrius’s gaze shot toward Skyla. The former Siren let go of Orpheus’s hand and crossed her arms over her chest again. But this time, her focus dropped to the floor, and her trainer, Demetrius deciphered, hadn’t been so nice.
    The darkness swirled faster inside.
    Isadora stiffened beneath Demetrius’s hands. “Maybe you’d better tell us what’s involved in this…seduction training.”
    Skyla’s worried eyes met the queen’s. “Are you sure you want to know?”
    Isadora swallowed hard. “Yes.”
    Skyla glanced at Demetrius. And when he saw the apology in her green irises, he curled his fingers in the sleeves