The Gifted Series: The Fated Alpha Queen

gue –

lene’s P

0 Years A

ng of rocks at the edge of the stairs to Olympus. Out of the corner of my eye, I see an enormous, black, fire-

heathes his massive broadsword, and with a ululating war cry that makes me question my stance on this war, he

e is going on—that much is obvious by the gathering of troops and the clanging of metal swords and shields. This battle is one of many in a

he flapping of massive blue wings from the huge dragon above us. Its ice breath shoots mercilessly from its mouth, leaving a trail of frigid spikes in its wake. It’s a war bet

teach this in their schools. But my children;

uch thought we happened to come here, back to Olympus, something I still don’t think it’s a good idea. It

and hold a truce. But Hades being Hades, is ref

pull her back to his side, the fabric stretching tightly against her torso as he do

t going to die from looking.” Cora

ing it isn’t the best idea. Sure, that friendship has gotten her into all kinds of dangerous and precarious situations, but she has lived her whole life for that shit. Life is way too

s regularly holds. I see she has no loyalty. But she is battle ready—her silver moulded chest plate, arm, and wrist cuffs glinting under the hot sun. She lands at

es on my skin, and my retinas are burning. A huge man in gold armour swoops down from beyond the wispy cl

inside, as the skies emit a deafening rumble of thunde

ing light flashes all around him. It’s like a nuclear bomb has been released, radiatin

ce away the sunspots in my vision. I wince; the dancin

der with concern, but the feelin

ng it worse. It feels like I’m rubbing sand into my skin. I’d once heard that the whites of your eyes didn

you not

u said to Cora, ‘Don’t

ays and I turn my head toward him but can only see a vague o

ar has to end. I just need to give my eyes a m

she gone?” Hephaestus huffs, r

nd waving in front of my face and squint at the blurry dark form. Only

ered Olympus, and

sake! Could you please shut

a swirling mass of light on top of the sharp rocks. I’d al

Based on all the hype about how dangerous his light and fire are, I’m a bit underwhelmed by him and his actions. “Maybe a little help here, then? My

ing Helios for help. He’s the

ered, Hephaestus jumps up and stands toe to toe with Helios. “Am I, now? You

roubles we’ve had—” he curses under his breath, muttering something about time wa

nd the rocks gets louder. “Aren’t you going to do somethi

ut w

ng her life when it should be you. They are your brother

, I sense that if I touch it, I’d lose my finger inside it. Like it would literally vanish inside the burning light he’s just created. Once a ball the size of a basketball forms, Helios dr

d. “Get ready. I’m gett

lios. “Tell your brother

They are both qu

,” I c

ss up his arse for what he has done here.”

your company, sister” He slaps the top of my head and instantly my eyesight fully clears. I can see again, but now I have a headache, because he hadn’t been gentle. “Now, go an

n front of him again, but this time, a wall of light form

t before Hephaestus yanks me to him, wraps an a

to be a blood bath, and he hadn’t been wrong. Limbs from giants and humanoid beasts, as well as tentacles fro

ing desperately to wash away the carnage but it fails. There’s just too much o

it” My stomach churns at the thought, but we have to consider the p

t.” He swoops down, taking us

e valley. As we get closer though, I have to shak

ld itself. Then the rocks slowly turn, crackling as they go, and a pair of large bro

s sharply to the right, nearly making me slip out of his arms. I double my efforts of holding onto him, by wrapping my hands in the fabr

ds who have to fight her. I wonder which side she is on. Despite there being an entire piece of the terrain missing, Hephaestus flies us

a hard time staying solid. “You’re right. There’s no time. If we make it out, can we give things another shot?” Hephaestus

eved for the slight reprieve from the chaos we’d transported into today. The babbling of the stream is almost enough to drown out the s

throat is. I’m about to crawl over to his side, when he comes over, carrying a cup made of leaves with water inside. He hands it to me,

weren’t as good a

ubly impress

on the grass, he chuckles and points to a small discoloured p

way in. I helped Zeus make a secret e

ds and beasts laid slain upon the ground breaks my heart. This is why we’re doing this, to end this madness. The secret door

up the staircase, it’s no small task. Zeus’s throne room sits at the height of O

d the tower. She is fighting Absalom and Aphrodite, while Hades watches on. I recognise where I

charge into the throne room. I barrel into Aphrodite, sending her flying across the floor of the throne room, while Hephae

all to the moon; I draw her closer to provide extra light. She does very little, but as

carrying the God-killer dagger and

ow from Absalom. His blows are relentless, they trade strikes back and forth. Hades dis

he God-killer. My world is suddenly filled with all-consuming anger, pain, rage, and heartbreak. I drop to my knees, and I don’t recognise the scream that escapes me. What I do recognise is the power of sl

never affected the Gods before, it’s used t

and Ares enter. Zeus sends a monstrous bolt of lightning str

y daughter is

r back, or so help m

and with a flick of his wrist, the shadows appear on the ceiling and Hephaestus comes crashing to the gro

to exist peacefully, even if it takes another hundred years of debates. I won’t let her

.” Say

” Agree

w we have to find a way for us and