Daughter of Poseidon: Chapter Two

Cover illustration and design © Gabrielle Ragusi

Syrena has a chance to make a difference, and so long as there's a chance, she has to try.

Five hundred years after the Greek gods destroyed the modern world, Syrena, Daughter of Poseidon, lives under the gods' tyrannical rule. However, a centuries-old prophecy says a war will be waged on them. And if that means there's a possibility to help those the Olympians have hurt, a possibility to change things for the better, Syrena will do anything to bring this prediction to life.

Even if it means losing everything she loves.

"Daughter of Poseidon" is a short story that serves as a prequel to War on the Gods, a completed series perfect for fans of Greek mythology and dark YA fantasy. Binge it today!

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Missed chapter one? Read it here.

CHAPTER TWO

BETRAYAL

“Syrena? Diana? What are you doing?” the man asked, and Syrena recognized his voice immediately. It sounded like Karter. One of her best friends in the whole world, and one of the many reasons she’d decided to pursue fulfilling the prophecy. “I saw you leave the party and I got worried.”

He stepped closer, and soon Syrena could see him better. It was definitely Karter. His appearance was unmistakable, especially ever since his father, Zeus, had struck him in the face with a lightning bolt six years ago. He was tall and lean, with pale skin and shaggy black hair that hung over his glowing golden eyes. Most striking of all was his lightning scar—it marked the right side of his face and neck in a pattern like the branches of a brittle tree.

“Just leave us alone,” Diana barked, reaching into her quiver.

He raised his hands in surrender. “Whoa, slow down. You said you had to get out of here, but where are you going, and did you even get permission to leave? It’s the summer solstice party. Let’s just go back to the dining hall, join everyone else, and try to have some fun.”

“We can’t just act like everything’s normal, Karter,” Syrena said, locking eyes with the Son of Zeus and pulling out her pouch full of saltwater. “You know why.” She twirled her fingers above the pouch. As a child-of-Poseidon, she had the divine ability to control saltwater, and right now she knew she might need to use it. Would she have to fight her old companion? Knock him out before he could tell anyone where they were going? Surely she wouldn’t have to seriously hurt him, right?

Hot power pulsed through her chest and arm. With a flick of her wrist she drew the liquid out of her pouch, readying herself for whatever might come. “We’re going to do the right thing for once in our lives, and there’s nothing you can do to stop us, so just let us go and we’ll be on our way.”

Karter ran his hands through his hair. “Gods, I knew you were considering this. Spencer told me. But I didn’t think you’d actually do it. I understand it’s because of Pearl, and guess what? I get it. My mother—”

“Yes, I know,” Syrena interrupted, nostrils flaring at the mention of Pearl, her dead little sister, whose demise could have been avoided if only the gods weren’t so reckless. Not to mention she’d heard the story of Karter’s mother a million times, and she knew he’d use that example against her. He wouldn’t understand why they had to do this, at least not yet. He wasn’t ready to accept the truth. “You’ve told me before that the gods are the reason your mother is gone. In that way, I agree that her death and my sister’s are similar. So if you cared for your mother at all, if you loved her as much as we loved Pearl”—she gestured at Diana—“then you would help us, or at least let us pass without any trouble.”

“You know I can’t do either of those things,” he said, his tone laced with desperation. “Please, can we just put this behind us and go back to the party? Spencer is probably wondering where we went. I’m sure he’ll come looking for us any minute now.”

Beside Syrena, Diana sighed. “I didn’t want it to be this way. I’m sorry.” She nocked her arrow and aimed it at Karter. “Move so we can get by, or I’ll make you.”

At this Karter’s expression shifted into realization, then anger. He balled his fists, clenching his jaw, before finally something else overcame him, something that looked a lot like sadness. His chin trembled, and he stepped aside.

“C’mon,” Diana said, already running past him and into the hall. “We have to get out of here.”

But Syrena only stood there, her eyes growing watery as she stared at Karter, their gazes locked. I could tell Diana we’re calling this off right now, she thought. Go back to the party and forget any of this happened tonight. Would things return to normal?

She bit her lip. No. Nothing will ever be the same again.

“Leave,” Karter said, his voice strained. “Before someone else catches you. Because if they do . . . well, you already know.”

Syrena nodded. Karter had received his scar for much less than what she and Diana planned to do. If they were caught, she had no doubt they’d be executed. In fact, if anyone ever found out Karter was letting them go, he’d probably be executed too.

She held back her tears and guided the saltwater back into her pouch, then raced after Diana, her robes billowing behind her.