Goddess of Light by P. C. Cast Read Free Book Online Page A

several men to send her hot, appreciative gazes, which the goddess completely ignored.
    Her brother grunted an incoherent response.
    â€œApollo, what is wrong with you?”
    â€œNothing is wrong with me,” he said, taking her elbow again and steering her past the busy blackjack and roulette tables and towards one of the many little bars that were conveniently scattered throughout the casino. Even though the two immortals were dressed in matching chitons that left much of their sleek bodies bare, they blended well with the colorful mixture of casino employees and Vegas revelers. People noticed their stunning beauty and the unique grace with which they moved. How could they not? But no one thought the appearance of a couple dressed as if they had stepped off the streets of ancient Rome unusual. They were, after all, at Caesars Palace in Sin City. Anything could be expected to happen there.
    Apollo reached into a fold in his tunic and extracted the paper that Bacchus had reluctantly distributed amongst the Olympians as he explained that the modern world used it as currency. He caught the waitress’s attention, and though it was only his third foray to the Kingdom of Las Vegas, he ordered the drink that the immortals had already become fond of with smooth confidence, “Two vodka martinis, very cold, with extra olives. Shaken, not stirred.”
    â€œWho are you, sweetheart?” The waitress gave him a flirtatious flutter of her suspiciously thick eyelashes. “Caesar or James Bond?”
    â€œNeither,” he said with a bittersweet smile. “I am Apollo.”
    â€œI could almost believe it, handsome.” She leered at his well-muscled body and wiggled her way back to the bar.
    â€œInsignificant creatures.” Artemis curled her lip after the waitress.
    â€œIt’s not that they’re insignificant. It’s just that they have changed.”
    Artemis shook her head at her brother. “What has happened to you?”
    Apollo considered giving his sister his standard “nothing’s wrong with me” response, but when he met her eyes he read within them her very real concern. He tried to make his shrug nonchalant. “Perhaps I have changed, too.”
    Artemis felt a little knot of worry expand and harden. “Changed? What do you mean?”
    He didn’t answer his sister until the cocktail waitress had deposited their drinks. When he spoke, his deep voice was wistful.
    â€œHave you ever wondered what it is that loves, the body or the soul?”
    â€œWhat it is that loves? What kind of question is that?” she sputtered.
    â€œThe kind of question that was asked of me by a mortal, but which I could not answer. Apparently, you can not answer it either, Sister.”
    Caught mid-drink, Artemis swallowed carefully while she considered her brother’s disturbing words.
    â€œIt is that damned confused mortal who inhabited Persephone’s body. She has done this to you, hasn’t she?” Artemis snapped.
    â€œThe mortal wasn’t confused at all. She clearly chose Hades over me. As the God of the Underworld chose her over all other women, mortal or immortal.”
    â€œWell, I hope the silly mortal is worshiping Hades properly. He may reign over the dead, but he is a god and, no matter how odd his tastes, he deserves abject adoration.”
    Apollo rubbed his brow as if he had a headache. “It’s not like that between them. You should see how they are together, Artemis. There is a contentment about them that is beyond words. Perhaps beyond understanding,” then he added as if it was an afterthought, “or at least beyond my understanding.”
    â€œYou’ve been watching Hades and Persephone?” Incredulous, she could only stare at her brother.
    â€œIt’s not Persephone. It’s the mortal woman, Carolina. Hades did not desire Persephone. He loved the mortal’s soul, not the immortal goddess. And, no, I