“You're welcome,” Chronos' voice followed me into the darkness.
Chapter Forty-Eight
“Vervain?” Kirill pulled away from me slowly.
We stared at each other in amazement.
“I felt something,” I whispered. “I thought for sure that the Time God had altered our past and we...”
“Vere being torn apart,” Kirill finished with a frown. “But here ve are. Still, I feel strange; head fuzzy.”
“Me too,” I murmured.
“Lesya!” Kirill said urgently.
I don't know why we were so panicked, but both of us ran out onto the balcony and then up the stairs to Lesya's bedroom as if she were in mortal danger. We froze in front of her little bed and stared down at our sleeping daughter in relief. Then Kirill pulled me against his chest and started to weep.
“I don't know vhy I vas so scared,” he said. “Or vhy I cry now.”
“Something happened,” I whispered. “I felt the same dread and the same relief that you did. I was so certain we'd lost her.”
“Ve need to speak to ze others,” he said.
“I'm not leaving her.” I went to Lesya and gently picked her up.
Lesya murmured in her sleep, fussed for a few minutes, and then settled against my chest. My heart was slowing down, and I was able to breathe easily again. Kirill wrapped himself around us, and we just stood there a few minutes; breathing in Lesya's fur and flowers scent to reassure ourselves that our daughter was safe.
When we had felt more secure, we headed downstairs and found Trevor, Odin, Azrael, and Toby standing amid several Intare; all of them looking unsteady. They glanced at us as we entered, and all of the men relaxed. Trevor rushed over to us and hugged Kirill, Lesya, and I together.
“I don't know why, but I'm damn relieved to see the three of you,” Trevor said as he leaned down to kiss Lesya.
“I felt a disturbance in the Force, Tima,” Aidan said dryly.
“As much as it pains me to say this; I agree with Aidan,” Odin said. “I feel unsettled.”
“It must be that time god,” Azrael said. “Maybe he tried to alter Time already.”
“We need to find him,” Trevor growled.
The rest of us agreed completely.
We started to prepare. Kirill took Lesya to stay with Samantha while the Intare gathered, and my men outfitted themselves for war. I changed into some sweats and a T-shirt. I wasn't going to take any chances with Nyx and Aion; I intended on going full dragon on them.
We were about to head over to the Greek Underworld and see if Hades and Persephone had any luck in locating Aion when Pan traced in.
“I have some good news,” Pan said with a bright grin. “We found Aion and Nyx.”
“Really?” I asked in surprise and immense relief.
“Well, we didn't find them so much as they were brought to Olympus,” Pan admitted.
“What do you mean?” Odin asked.
“It's the oddest thing,” Pan murmured with a sudden confused look. “Although, it's been an odd day for me. Have you guys felt—I don't know—weird?”
“Da; everyone feels veird,” Kirill confirmed. “Tell us of Greeks.”
“Huh.” Pan's eyes widened. “I don't know if I'm relieved or worried that it isn't just me.”
“Pan, please,” I growled.
“Sorry.” Pan grimaced. “Athena contacted Hades and told him that Chronos—the Primordial, not the Titan—appeared on Olympus today with two gods bound in magic chains. Guess who they were.”
“Aion and Nyx,” Toby said.
“You got it, Ke-mo sah-bee,” Pan said.
“That's what Tonto calls the Lone Ranger, not the other way around,” Toby said patiently.
“Oh.” Pan blinked and frowned. “Anyway, Chronos has called for a convening of the Council, and that means you, V. We need to get you to Olympus.”
I looked down at my sweats and grimaced.
“Yeah; you might wanna change first,” Pan said with a smirk.
Chapter Forty-Nine
I walked into the Council Temple in the company of my men and Pan. The Intare wasn't happy to be left behind, but I didn't want to look as if I were invading Olympus... again. I was surprised to find the God Squad among the throng of Greek gods in attendance. I left Pan and my guys with the Squad and then strode up the central aisle to the long table at the end of the room. Hades and Persephone were seated at the council table with the other Olympians already, and I went to sit beside Sephy. For some reason, just seeing her made me happy, and I leaned over and hugged her before I got settled.
“So many people have been hugging me today,” Persephone whispered to me with a smile. “It must be my new perfume.”
“I told her it's her unrivaled beauty, but she doesn't believe me,” Hades said as he took Persephone's hand, kissed it, and then lowered their clasped hands into his lap as if loathe to let go of her.
I frowned at that—something tickling my mind—but then Athena started speaking.
“Excellent,” Athena said as she stood. “Now, we are assembled. Chronos, we are honored to have you here with us and eager to hear what you've come to say.”
Chronos—the epitome of Father Time—stepped forward; using a scythe as a walking stick. Behind the old man, Nyx and a god I assumed to be Aion were bound at both wrists and ankles with glimmering chains. Nyx held her head and her dark wings aloft proudly, but Aion looked as if he were about to pee his pants.
“It has been a long time since I stood on Olympus,” Chronos said and then sighed deeply. “Honestly, I wish I
